Upcoming Events for November 6, 2023

Todd Brogowski -
🕯️
This month’s content sponsor is the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions, who invite you to join them for the annual Luminaria de Abó on December 2, 2023. This will be a magical evening with flickering luminaria amongst the historical ruins of the San Gregorio de Abó Mission. There will be a Roman Catholic mass at 4:00 PM, followed by a posada, a traditional reenactment of the Holy Family’s search for lodging practiced in Mexico and Latin America since 1586. The public will be able to tour the grounds of the ruins amidst the flickering luminaria beginning at 5:30 PM, and there will be refreshments for all ages and piñatas for the children. This will be the largest luminaria event in Central New Mexico. For more information, please click this link, visit the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions website, or go to the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions Facebook page. 

Do you want to advertise your Torrance County event in the Mountainair Dispatch? Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details.

Federal Government

National Parks and Monuments three hours or less from Mountainair, NM, are included.

Pecos National Historic Park

Ancestral Sites Tour

  • 10:00 AM Friday through Monday
  • 2:00 PM Friday

Battlefield Hike

  • Saturdays 10:30 AM

Civil War Walking Tour

  • Fridays and Sundays 1:30 PM

Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour

  • Saturdays and Mondays 1:30 PM (Reservations Required)

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Ranger Choice Program

  • every Friday at 11:00 AM, no registration required
  • Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira unit visitors centers.

Pueblo and Mission Program

  • Every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM
  • Abó, Quarai, and Gran Quivira unit visitors centers.

State Government

State parks that are approximately three hours or less from Mountainair, NM, are included.

Caballo Lake State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Cerrillos Hills State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Elephant Butte State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Fenton Lake State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Hyde Memorial State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Manzano Mountains State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Pecos Canyon State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Percha Dam State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Rio Grande Nature Center State Park

Guided Bird Walk

  • Every Saturday and Sunday - 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed.
  • Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, insect repellent, and sunscreen as needed. Meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot).

Nature Walk

  • Saturday, November 11, 2023, from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107. The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with a valid permit displayed.
  • See what's happening on the bosque trails. Please bring water, a hat, sunglasses, etc., to be prepared for being outdoors in the warm weather. Enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem with one of the RGNC volunteer naturalists. Search for signs of animal life and discover how the Bosque and the Rio Grande provide habitat.
  • Registration is required. Please call the RGNC Front Desk at 505-344-7240 to sign up. Walks are limited to 12 people.
  • The walk is about 1.5 hours long. The mostly flat, sandy trail is just under 1 mile. This walk is appropriate for adults and children. Meet the volunteer naturalist on the west side of the parking lot at the start of the trail, near the bulletin board.
  • The Park’s Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle (exact cash or check). Friends of the RGNC and NM State Parks annual pass holders enter free with valid permits displayed.

Stories Under the Cottonwood Tree

  • Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Fall! Such a busy time in the Bosque! We celebrate Sandhill Cranes (and other birds, too!) returning to the Rio Grande Valley. This month’s stories will focus on habitat changes we see. Who do they help?
  • Whether tall or small, on Saturday morning, November 18, at 10:30 am, come to the Native Plant Garden at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park (RGNCSP) for multicultural tales, natural history facts, participation, and "naturally" fun for all! Especially for those aged 5 to 10 years old. Children should always bring their own adult, so they can enjoy the fun, too!
  • Aside from the Park Day-Use Fee, there is no additional charge for this program. The Park Day-Use Fee is $3.00 per vehicle, exact cash or check (Friends of the RGNC permit holders and NM State Parks annual permit holders enter free with valid permit displayed). Stories Under the Cottonwood Tree will be offered at 10:30 am on the third Saturday of each month (weather permitting)

Holiday Wild!

  • Saturday, November 25, 2023, from 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Join Wildlife Rescue Inc. of New Mexico for the annual event, Holiday Wild! Baked items and gifts will be available for sale, along with free hot beverages, face painting, kids' activities, and a chance to meet the educational birds. Be sure to bring a camera! Proceeds will help feed and house rescued wildlife.
  • Parking is available in the public lot of the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. The cost is $3 per vehicle. Please bring exact cash or a personal check to pay the Day Use fee, and follow the self-permit process upon arrival.

Santa Rosa Lake State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Storrie Lake State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Sumner Lake State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Villanueva State Park

Nothing is scheduled at this time.

Torrance County

Torrance County Fair Board Meeting

  • November 7, 2023, at 6:30 PM
  • Torrance County Commission Room, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Commissioners Meeting

Estancia Valley Youth & Family Council

Estancia

Estancia Board of Trustees Meeting

Mountainair

Mountainair Town Council Meeting

  • Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 6:00 PM (Please note the new date for this meeting due to the election. There are no other meetings that have been rescheduled.)
  • Mountainair town council building located at 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Public Schools Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

  • November 9, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, wiht an appreciation ceremony from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
  • If you are a Veteran or currently serving and would like to attend, please call 505-847-2333.
  • Mountainair Elementary School, 405 W Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Public Schools Parent-Teacher Association Meeting

  • November 14, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
  • Mountainair High School 901 W 3rd St, Mountainair, NM 87036

Other Organizations

Mountainair Rotary Club

  • 12:00 PM every Thursday
  • Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
  • Attendees should bring their own lunch.

Step Into Fall: Free Fall Walking Program

  • Tuesdays at 9:00 AM
  • DWI Memorial of Perpetual Tears, 600 North Broadway, Moriarty, NM
  • Point of Contact: Deanna Lopez 505-544-4336 dclopez@nmsu.edu

November Music Series: Composers of Mountainair

  • November 12 at 2 PM: Michael Hays with Basement Dancing
  • November 19: Before the performance is the opening of the art exhibit Masks and Metal, which will kick off at 12:30 PM. The performance, by Kathleen Ryan, will be at 2:00 PM.
  • MMAC Center, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036. Suggested donation is $5.00.

ICAN Cooking and Nutrition

  • Monday, November 13, 2023, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Monday, November 20, 2023, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Monday, November 27, 2023, from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 Fourth Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
  • For more information, contact Deborah at 505-544-4333 or 505-832-6642.

Holiday Craft Classes

  • Decoupage: Monday, November 13, 2023, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Ornaments: Monday, November 20, 2023, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Ceramic Painting: Monday, November 27, 2023, from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
  • Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 Fourth Street South, Moriarty, NM 87035
  • For more information, contact Debby at 505-544-4334 or maberryd@nmsu.edu.

4-H Christmas Baking Classes: Biscochitos

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 10:00 AM
  • Contact Deanna Lopez to register 505-544-4336 dclopez@nmsu.edu
  • Torrance County Cooperative Extension Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM

Stephane Wrembel Quartet

  • "French-born virtuoso guitarist, a disciple of the Django Reinhardt ... [swing] style"
  • November 30, 2023, at 7:30 PM, Macey Center, 909 Olive Lane, Socorro, NM
  • Tickets $20/adults, $15/seniors, $8 youth

Mountainair Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair

  • December 2, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036

Luminaria de Abó, Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

  • December 2, 2023
  • 4:00 PM - Mass; Posada reenactment to follow immediately thereafter.
  • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM - luminaria viewing, live music, piñatas and refreshments.
  • Abo Unit, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 69 Abo Ruins Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Water Bath Canning Pie-Making Workshop

  • Wednesday, December 6, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Contact Debby Maberry to register, 505-544-4334; maberryd@nmsu.edu
  • Torrance County Cooperative Extension Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM