Unemployment continues to rise in New Mexico.

According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the jobless numbers went from 3.9 percent in March 2008 to 5.9 percent in March 2009, the numbers adjusted for normal changes for the month and season.

"These numbers represent a substantial decrease in economic security as the state's job base continues to shrink," Gerry Bradley, research director at New Mexico Voices for Children, said in a statement.

"The state's unemployment rate has been implausibly low for the past four years, and has lost its reliability as an economic indicator," Bradley said. The national unemployment rate stood at 8.5 percent in March, and the New Mexico rate has historically been higher than the national rate.

The state is losing 12,200 jobs annually. Manufacturing dropped 3,400 jobs from March 2008 to March 2009 and construction jobs fell by 7,200 over the year as New Mexico's modest housing bubble continued to deflate.

For more information, visit New Mexico Voices for Children at nmvoices.org.


Santa Fe Logo Design, a full-service graphic-design group, has opened at the Design Center, 418 Cerrillos Road, in Suites 11 and 12.

The business will hold a grand opening Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.

Local designers Jane Dill and Frank Wechsler, with more than 45 combined years design experience in Santa Fe, New York and San Francisco, have teamed up to form the new business.

The focus ranges from business cards and logos for restaurants, shops and galleries to campaign materials.

For more information, call Dill at 995-8181 or visit www.santafelogodesign.com.


The new officers for the Capital City Business and Professional Women for 2009/2010 are:

Kathy B. McGee, First National Bank of Santa Fe, president; Karen Sanchez Samora, Deselance Branding, Messaging and Marketing, vice president of programs; Katheryn Buble, Schema Software Solutions, LLC, vice president of membership; and Phyllis Houghton, Effective Office Services, treasurer.

Others are Sabrina Rodriguez Salvato, Swain MacKinnon & Grieco, LLC, recording secretary; Donna Crystal, Prudential Real Estate, corresponding secretary; and Kathy L. Jahner, Rio Grande School, parliamentarian.

Also named were Joan Simpson Player, Player Solutions, Web site coordinator; Victoria Bruneni, Holiday Inn of Santa Fe, Young Careerist 2009 and committee chair; and Pat Murray, First Community Bank, fundraising committee chair.


After 25 years in the food business, James Gonzales has opened Creative Florist and Gifts at 3018 Cielo Court.

The designer/manager of the business is Pamela Parker, who has 20 years of experience in floral design. Yolanda Chavez helps with sales and promotion.

The business offers free delivery for an order of $25 or more. There are also weekly drawings.

For more information, call 424-0078.