Upcoming Events for August 26, 2024

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

Department of Veterans Affairs

Faces of Service Photo Day

• September 25-26, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Veterans may wear or bring any items that represent their time in service. All portraits will be in the VA's upcoming unveiling ceremony. For questions, contact the VA's public affairs team at vhaabqpublicaffairs@va.gov
• 4th Floor Public Affairs/Multimedia Office, Room 4 C-123, New Mexico VA Healthcare System, 1501 San Pedro Drive SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Deceased Veterans Memorial Ceremony

• September 11, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• NM Veterans Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Boulevard SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Pecos National Historical Park

Ancestral Sites Tour

• Daily until September 7, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Trading Post Chats

• Daily until September 7, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Meet at the trading post (look for the pink building), 1/2 mile south of the visitor's center, off of NM-63, Pecos, NM 87552

Glorieta Battlefield Walking Tour

• Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays, weekly until September 7, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour

• Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, weekly until September 7, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

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.

Abó Ranger-Led Hike

• every Friday at 11:00 AM until August 30, 2024
• Abó Unit, Salinas Pueblo National Monument, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036

Gran Quivira Ranger-Led Hike

• every Saturday at 11:00 AM until August 31, 2024
• Gran Quivira Unit, Salinas Pueblo National Monument, 4030 Quivira Flats Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Quarai Ranger-Led Hike

• Every Sunday at 11:00 AM until August 25, 2024
• Quarai Unit, Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Pueblo and Mission Program

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

Dark Skies, Bright Stars

• Monday, September 2, 2024, at 7:30 PM
• From 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm, you can enjoy a guided pueblo and mission program. You will learn about the blending of cultures and the way they shaped central New Mexico for generations. Then, enjoy pristine dark sky viewing through telescopes, check out the dark sky photography station, and experience the awe and wonder of a pristine night sky. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and your spirit of discovery!
• Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road Mountainair, NM 87036

State Government

New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Benefits Outreach Visit

• Albuquerque: every Monday and Wednesday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the VA Regional Office, 500 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (inside the Albuquerque Federal Building and Courthouse)
• Truth or Consequences: Wednesdays, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the New Mexico State Veteran Home, 992 South Broadway Street, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

Cerrillos Hills State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Elephant Butte State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Leasburg Dam State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Manzano Mountains State Park

No events are 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).

Santa Rosa Lake State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Storrie Lake State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Sumner Lake State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Villanueva State Park

No events are scheduled at this time.

Torrance County

Torrance County Local Emergency Planning Committee Regular Meeting

• August 27, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• County Commission Chambers, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Fair Board Special Meeting

• August 27, 2024, at 6:30 PM
• County Commission Chambers, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Commissioners Regular Meeting

• August 28, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• County Commission Chambers, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Western Estancia Watershed Discovery Meeting

• September 4, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Presented by: Shawn L. Penman, Ph.D., CFM, GISP / New Mexico CTP Coordinator
• County Commission Chambers, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Estancia

Estancia Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

• Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 6:15 PM (rescheduled due to Labor Day)
• Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Avenue, Estancia, NM 87016

Mountainair

Mountainair Municipal Court

• Thursdays, 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 Regular Meeting

• Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Willard

Village Council Regular Meeting

• September 9, 2024, at 5:30 PM
• Willard Village Hall, 720 Dunlavy Ave, Willard, NM 87063

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.

Torrance County Farm and Livestock Bureau

• August 26, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Torrance County Soil and Water Conservation Building, 701 10th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

2024 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 2024 Local Work Group Meeting

• The Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water Conservation District is collecting input from local farmers and ranchers on their resource concerns related to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). For more information on how to participate and provide input, call Kenneth Lujan, District Conservationist - Team 5, at 505-384-2272, Ext. 3293.
• Hosted by the DeBaca Soil and Water Conservation District, September 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM, at the Village of Encino Community Center, 427 Main Street, Encino, NM 88321

New Mexico State Fair

• September 5, 2024, through September 15, 2024
• Fair Hours - 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sunday through Thursday; 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday
• Midway Hours - opens 2:00 PM Monday through Friday; opens 10:00 AM Saturdays and Sundays
• Kiddie Land Hours - opens 12:00 PM Monday through Friday; 10:00 AM Saturdays and Sundays
• Online Prices - Adult $15.00; Senior (65 and older) $8.00; Kids (6 to 12 years old) $8.00; Kids 5 and under free
• (Purchase tickets here)
• Additional fair info here
• 300 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Omar Villanueva Live at Quarai

• Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 2:00 PM
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Duke City Hamfest

• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 20 - 22, 2024
• Details and registration here
• University of New Mexico, Continuing Education Center, 1634 University Blvd, Albuquerque, NM 87