Upcoming Events for December 16, 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. There is no cost to publish upcoming events.

Federal Government

Department of Veterans Affairs

Advanced Care Planning Workshop

• First and third Tuesdays of every month, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
• Learn how to name a medical power of attorney to act on your behalf, how to communicate your healthcare wishes, and how to complete the VA advanced directive form.
• Contact Cammie Hanratty, LICSW, 505-265-1711 x7474, to confirm attendance and to ask questions
• Room 2C-131, Building 41, Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Drive Southeast, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Flu and COVID Vaccines

• Starting October 1, 2024
• Walk-in shots at New Mexico primary care clinics from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
• Drive-Through Clinic at the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Drive Southeast, Albuquerque, NM 87108, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Online Applications for Fisher House Foundation and Defense Commissary Agency Scholarships for Military Children and Heroes' Legacy Scholarships

• Applications accepted through February 12, 2025
• Visit www.militaryscholar.org for additional information

In-Person and Live Streaming Veteran Town Hall

• January 14, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Education Building (Building 39), Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center, 1501 San Pedro Drive Southeast, Albuquerque, NM 87108
• Visit this link for event details and for the live stream

Pecos National Historical Park

The park grounds and visitor center will be closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.

Ancestral Sites Tour

• Daily until January 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (except for 12/03, 12/09, 01/01, 12/25, 01/05, 01/06, 01/07, 01/08, 01/09, 01/10, 01/11 and 12/14)
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour

• Every week on Monday, Thursday, Saturday until January 5, 2025 (except for 12/30, 01/02 and 01/04) beginning December 21, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Battle of Glorieta Pass Talk

• Every day until January 4, 2025 (except for 12/23, 12/25, 12/24, 12/26, 12/28, 12/29, 12/30, 12/31, 01/01 and 01/03) beginning December 22, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

The Gran Quivira unit will be closed from December 17, 2024, to December 18, 2024.

Ranger-Led Hike - Abó Unit

• Every Saturday at 11:00 AM until April 26, 2025
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036

Ranger-Led Hike - Quarai Unit

• Every Sunday at 11:00 AM until April 27, 2025
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

USDA

Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Webinar

• December 17, 2024 at 1:00 PM MST
• To register and for more information click here.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Ranking Date

• Applications for the Agricultural Land Easement and Wetland Reserve Easement are accepted year-round; the local National Resources Conservation Service office ranks applications on two dates each year.
• December 20, 2024, is the next ranking date.

Natural Resources Conservation Services Internship and Career Opportunities Webinar

• January 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM MST
• NRCS webinars will provide college students information about our agency’s internship and career opportunities, provide guidance on navigating the federal application process, and help answer questions.
• Registration required. Click on this link for additional information and to register.

Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program

• The Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC) assists farmers that incur costs related to food safety programs or related to obtaining/renewing food safety certifications each year.
• The deadline to apply for FSCSC for 2024 expenses is January 31, 2025.

State Government

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services

Food Preservation Dehydration Class

• Thursday, December 19, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• For reservations contact Debby Maberry at maberryd@nmsu.edu or 505-544-4334
• Torrance County Cooperative Extension Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County

The Torrance County government offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day (December 24, December 25, December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025).

Torrance County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

• January 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Plan Kick-Off Meeting

• January 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

• January 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Mountainair

Mountainair Town Council Regular Meeting and Public Hearing Regarding the Proposed Property Maintenance Ordinance

• December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Public Schools Board of Education

• December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Administrative Building North of the FFA Building, 405 W Main Street, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Public Schools 1:30 PM Dismissal

• December 19, 2024, and December 20, 2024

Christmas Light Parade and Grinchmas

• Christmas Light Parade: December 21, 2024, at 5:30 PM on Broadway/US-60
• Grinchmas: Immediately following the Christmas Light Parade at the Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Public Schools Winter Break

• December 23, 2024, to January 6, 2025

New Year’s Eve Dance featuring Sal Vigil and Loaded

• December 31, 2024 from 8:00 PM to January 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
• Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036

Mountainair Town Council Regular Meeting

• January 7, 2025, 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.

Puff and Paint with Brittney Monster

• December 21, 2024, at 4:20 PM
• To reserve your spot or to seek additional information, click here or call 505-384-5448.
• Thriving Roots Homestead Herbals/Beatnik Coffee Shop, 406 South 5th Street, Estancia, NM