Upcoming Events for March 4, 2024

Todd Brogowski -

Do you want to advertise your Torrance County event in the Mountainair Dispatch? I’d love to publish it. Email todd@mountainairdispatch.com with the details.

Federal Government

Pecos National Historical Park

Tour and ranger-led program times/locations will change starting March 8, 2024; contact the Visitor Center at 505-757-7241 to confirm tour availability.

Ancestral Sites Tour

  • every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Forked Lightning Ranch House Tour

  • Every Monday and Saturday from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM; reservations (at the visitor's center or via 505-757-7241) recommended
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Trading Post Chats

  • Every Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
  • Drop in at the trading post (0.5 miles south of the visitor's center on HWY 63), 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Battlefield Hike

  • Every Saturday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
  • Discover the story behind the Battle of Glorieta Pass
  • The tour begins at the visitor's center, and attendees caravan to the Battlefield Trail in their own vehicles.
  • Meet at the Visitor's Center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Civil War: New Mexico Territory, 1862

  • Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 1:30 PM; Sunday, March 24, 2024, at 1:30 PM
  • The Battle of Glorieta Pass took place on March 26-28, 1862. As we approach those dates in 2024, join a ranger from nearby Fort Union National Monument to learn more about this battle and witness a small arms black powder demonstration. The event will take place at the Trading Post, approximately 0.5 miles south of the main visitor center on Highway 63. Arrive early to get your parking spot!
  • The visitor's center is located at 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Geologic Crossroads at Pecos Pueblo

  • March 24, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM
  • Join Volunteer Laura, a retired geologist, for a 75-minute walk along the Ancestral Sites Trail. Learn about how the people of Pecos Pueblo used the area's unique geology and local resources in their daily lives.
  • This tour is free, and no registration is required. Meet at the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center. Water, sunscreen, and clothing appropriate for walking in the high desert sun are recommended.
  • Meet at the Visitor's Center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Birding the Pecos

  • Saturday, March 30, 2024, from 8:15 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Join volunteer and birder Albert for a guided bird walk along the beautiful South Pasture Loop Trail! The hike is free, and no registration is required.
  • Meet at the Trading Post (approximately 0.5 miles south of the main visitor center, off Highway 63), and be prepared to hike up to 4 miles on uneven ground with limited tree cover. Water, snacks, sun protection, and sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring binoculars if you have them!
  • Visitor's Center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

The Church and Convento at Quarai will be closed to the public from 03/04-03/09 to conduct a Climate Vulnerability Assessment of the Church. For more info visit https://www.nps.gov/sapu/learn/news/quarai-climate-assessment.htm

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

Manzano Mountains 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).

Stories Under the Cottonwood Tree

  • The Garden is alive and ready for ECO tales about plants and creatures who live in our Bosque. Bees begin foraging for pollen as soon as flowers bloom. That makes them opportunistic gatherers. Storyteller and Master Naturalist Dianne Rossbach shares Bosque Nature Tales. These sessions are filled with fun, natural history facts, songs, folklore, and stories! 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, this program has no additional charge.
  • Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 10:30 AM. Meet in the Native Plant Garden, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107

Torrance County

Planning and Zoning Board Meeting

  • March 6, 2024, at 9:15 AM
  • Torrance County Administrative Building, 205 S 9th St Estancia, NM 87016 and via Zoom; Meeting ID: 881 4814 0830
  • One tap mobile +12532050468,,88148140830#,,,,*302257# US

Fire Season Preparedness Meeting

  • March 12, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Torrance County Administrative Building, 205 S 9th St Estancia, NM 87016 and via Zoom
  • Meeting ID: 889 5651 1858
  • Passcode: 994443

Torrance County Commission Meeting

  • Mar 13, 2024, at 9:00 AM
  • Torrance County Administrative Building, 205 S 9th St Estancia, NM 87016 and via Zoom
  • Meeting ID: 811 3303 2635
  • Passcode: 653866
  • One tap mobile: +12532158782,,81133032635#,,,,*653866# US (Tacoma)
  • +13462487799,,81133032635#,,,,*653866# US (Houston)

Torrance County Commission Meeting

  • March 27, 2024, at 9:00 AM
  • Torrance County Administrative Building, 205 S 9th St Estancia, NM 87016
  • Via Zoom
  • Meeting ID: 811 3303 2635
  • Passcode: 653866
  • One Tap Dialing +12532158782,,81133032635#,,,,*653866# US (Tacoma)

Mountainair

Mountainair Municipal Court

  • Monday - Thursday, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, with arraignments from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM and trials from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Mountainair Town Council

  • March 5, 2024, at 6:00 PM
  • Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Town Council

  • March 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM
  • Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, 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 lunch.

Free Sunday Mornings at the Albuquerque Museum

  • Every Sunday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM; EXCEPTION: No free admission during Balloon Fiesta (October 7–15, 2023).
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM, 505-243-7255
  • Timed ticketing applies. Before your visit, please reserve your tickets to Albuquerque Museum online at HOLD MY TICKET. Free admission applies to general museum admission only. Fees for special exhibits and events still apply.

Old Town Walking Tours, Albuquerque Museum

  • March 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 10th, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
  • Included with museum admission

Family Art Workshops

  • March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30th, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Torrance County Business Networking Meeting

  • March 7, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
  • Via Google Meet or +1-402-821-1191,543908572#

Oppenheimer: The Movie and the Man

  • March 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM
  • Virtual; tickets can be purchased here

Mountainair First Assembly Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

  • Friday, March 8, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
  • $12/plate
  • Mountainair First Assembly of God Church, 103 South Cedardale Ave, Mountainair, NM, 87036

Two Traditions: The Pueblo and Spanish Gardens and Landscapes of the Early 17th Century

  • March 9, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  • The farming methods that the Spanish introduced after 1540 and the traditions of landscape design and gardening, dating back to the Chaco people can be observed in the landscapes of modern New Mexico. At 1:00 p.m. professor and author, Baker Morrow, will compare and contrast these two distinct approaches to outdoor design.
  • Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, NM 87048

Blacksmithing Basics with David Sabo

  • March 16, 2024, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
  • Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, NM 87048
  • Tickets and registration are required and available through UNM Continuing Education, 505-898-3915

Native Roots (Native American and Reggae Music)

  • March 21, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
  • Free admission

Nuclear Communities in the Southwest

  • March 23, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
  • A discussion exploring the long-term impact of the 1945 Trinity Test on New Mexico communities with members of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium and Searchlight New Mexico
  • Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104

Heritage Spinning and Weaving: Fiber Prep and Spinning with Myra Chang Thompson and Carla Wackenheim

  • March 30, 2024, 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
  • Price included with admission to Casa San Ysidro
  • Casa San Ysidro, 973 Old Church Road, Corrales, NM 87048

DaVinci Machines: The Exhibition

  • Now through May 16, 2024
  • The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, 601 Eubank Street SE, Albuquerque, NM, 505-245-2137
  • Exhibit Information

Mountainair Easterfest

  • March 30, 2024
  • Details to be provided

Kitchen Creations: Free Diabetes Cooking Classes

  • April 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Torrance County CES Offices, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM
  • To register call 505-544-4334, email maberryd@nmsu.edu or sign up at kitchencreations.nmsu.edu

Free Community Dinner

  • Donald and Jaqueline Zahnke are hosting a free community spaghetti dinner on April 11, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; to-go boxes will be available
  • Moriarty Civic Center, 202 Broadway St, Moriarty, NM 87035
  • For questions, please contact 216-466-3928