Upcoming Events for October 21, 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

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

Pecos National Historical Park

Ancestral Sites Tour

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

Glorieta Battlefield Walking Tour

• Friday and Sundays, weekly until November 11, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM
• Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Forked Lightning Ranch House Caravan Tour

• Mondays and Saturdays, weekly until November 11, 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

No events are scheduled at this time.

State Government

National Hispanic Cultural Center

Colcha Community Stitch-along

• Colcha is a Spanish colonial embroidery style; participants can embroider together in-person and online via Zoom.
• October 22, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
• Domenici Education Building, 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM, and online
• For questions, please contact Annette Lujan at annette.lujan@dca.nm.gov or call 505-724-4771

NHCC Book Club, featuring Ramón Gutiérrez

• October 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Ramón Gutiérrez will be discussing and autographing his book New Mexico's Moses: Reies López Tijerina and the Religious Origins of the Mexican American Civil Rights Movement
• Salón Ortega, NHCC Campus, 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM

NHCC's 2nd Annual Espooky Mercado

• October 25, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Unique and frightful offerings from local vendors. This pop-up gives visitors the chance to indulge their macabre side with supernatural goods of all varieties.
• NHCC Campus, 1701 4th Street SW, Albuquerque, NM

Dark Red Film Festival

• October 25, 2024 and October 26, 2024
• New Mexico's premier international horror film festival
• Click here for tickets, movie times/locations, and speaker schedules: https://www.darkredhorror.com/film-fest

New Mexico Aging Services, Aging & Disability Resource Center - New Mexico Medicare Assistance

• Medicare open enrollment runs from October 15, 2024, through December 7, 2024
• New Mexico Aging Services State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) counselors are available to assist people needing help signing up for Medicare via 1-800-432-2080 or via live chat at this link.

In-Person SHIP Medicare Counseling

• October 22, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM

In-Person SHIP Medicare Counseling

• October 25, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Socorro Senior Center, 1410 Ake Avenue, Socorro, NM

In-Person SHIP Medicare Counseling

• October 29, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
• Torrance County Senior Program, 120 Roosevelt Avenue, Moriarty, NM

New Mexico Department of Agriculture

No local events are scheduled at this time.

New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Los Luceros Historic Site

The Hacienda is closed through Spring 2025 for renovations.

Rio Grande Sky Fiesta

• The first annual Rio Grande Sky Fiesta may be a more reasonable (financially speaking) alternative to the Albuquerque Balloonfest. Nearly a dozen balloons will partake in a mass launch on both days of the festival, weather permitting. Food trucks will be at the site throughout the weekend. On Sunday, there will also be free admission for the Los Luceros Historic Site, which includes a 19th Century chapel, a Victorian cottage, and a farmyard with Navajo Curro sheep and donkeys.
• November 2, 2024, through November 3, 2024
• Saturday, November 2, 2024: Mass ascension—Gates open at 6:40 AM, launch time will be between 7:15 AM and 7:45 AM
• Balloon glow—Gates open at 4:30 PM, and balloons will be inflated by 5:30 PM.
• Sunday, November 3, 2024: Mass ascension—Gates open at 5:40 AM, launch time will be between 6:15 AM and 6:45 AM.
• Book talk with travel journalist Judith Fein and cowboy poet Paul Ross at 1 p.m.
• Sunday is also Los Luceros’ monthly "Dawn ’til Dusk Day," with free admission for New Mexico residents with ID. Be sure to dress warm and bring a flashlight to handle the cool weather and dark, bumpy farm fields. The fields are not handicapped accessible.
• Tickets for Saturday: $10 for adults, $5 for children 16 and younger. Includes admission to the morning mass ascension, entry to the site and historic buildings, and evening balloon glow. Admission is free to Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Native/Tribal affiliations, and New Mexico disabled veterans with tickets at the admission desk. General admission tickets available at https://my.nmculture.org/33603/41755.
• Tickets for Sunday: $7 for non-residents. Admission is free to New Mexico residents, children 16 and younger, Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Native/Tribal affiliations, and New Mexico disabled veterans with tickets at the admission desk. General admission tickets available at: https://my.nmculture.org/33603/41756
• Los Luceros Historic Site, 253 Co Rd 41, Alcalde, NM 87511

New Mexico History Museum

15th Annual Fred Harvey History Weekend

• Friday, October 25, 2024, and Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Attend engaging Harvey History Talks at the New Mexico History Museum (or online) on Friday and Saturday afternoons, October 25th and 26th. On Saturday night, October 26th, enjoy a historically delicious Fred Harvey Foodie Dinner & Auction at the La Fonda Hotel Ballroom.
• Tickets are available here.

NM Archives Bizarre at Meow Wolf Santa Fe

• Monday, October 28, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• An Archives “Bizarre” is an opportunity to display archival materials from multiple institutions in one place, specifically those items that are truly unique, kooky, artistic, or—yes—just plain weird. Archivists will be available from the State Archives of New Mexico, the University of New Mexico, the New Mexico History Museum's Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, the Aztec Ruins National Monument, the New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico Supreme Court Law Library, the Philmont Museum, and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum
• RSVP here; if it's sold out, please come on-site so Meow Wolf can accommodate you.
• Meow Wolf, 1352 Rufina Circle, Santa Fe, NM 87507

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

New Mexico State Parks

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
• 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. Participants will meet at the Candelaria Viewing Area (Northeast side of the parking lot).
• Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107.

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services

Water Bath Canning Demonstration

• Monday, November 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM
• Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035
• For reservations please email @maberryd@nmsu.edu or call 505-544-4334

Ceramic Painting and Glazing Workshop

• Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM
• Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035
• For reservations please email @maberryd@nmsu.edu or call 505-544-4334

Torrance County

Local Emergency Planning Committee Regular Meeting

• October 22, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

• October 23, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

CPR/AED/First Aid Training

• October 28, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Free to Torrance County employees and volunteers in Torrance County; $60 for those who are not volunteers or county employees
• Torrance County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division/Emergency Management Training Room, 903 NM-41, Estancia, NM, 87016 (directly south of the Neil Mertz Judicial Complex)

Fire Extinguisher Safety Class

• October 29, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Mountainair

Mountainair Town Council Regular Meeting (rescheduled due to Election Day)

• November 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM
• Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Willard

Willard Village Council Regular Meeting (rescheduled due to Veterans Day)

• November 18, 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.
• 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.

High Desert Amateur Radio Club (HDARC) Testing for all three FCC amateur radio license classes.

• Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 12:00 PM
• Edgewood Community Center, 27 East Frontage Rd, Edgewood, NM 87015
• The FCC currently has three classes of amateur radio licenses: Technician, General, and Extra. Technician is the entry-level class, so taking this exam opens the door to getting to know the world of amateur radio. This is a rare opportunity to sit for the FCC exams in the East Mountains. This testing date will include the Technician, General, and Extra exams.
• A limited number of seats are available for this exam, so you are encouraged to register early (people should register before Thursday, October 10, 2024). Registration can be done here at the HDARC website. Free study materials for the Technician exam are available on the web.

Festival de Otoño

• October 26, 2024, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• This 21+ costume party is BYOB, but snacks will be provided. Admission costs $10
• Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

Evacuation Planning Strategies and Solutions

• November 1, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
• This event is by the Bernalillo County Office of Emergency Management and is recommended for citizens, first responders, emergency management personnel, school administrators, the transportation and logistics industry, and elected officials. It will cover (1) assessing risk in relation to evacuation, (2) key concepts in evacuation, (3) evacuation planning considerations, and (4) evacuation decision-making and strategies. It is eligible for continuing professional education credits through the American Planning Association and the International Association for Continuing Education and Training.
• Register with Sara Luley, NM Department of Health, Safety, and Emergency Management at sara.luley@dhsem.nm.gov or online at preparingnewmexico.org (currently the server for this site is down, so consider the email option).
• Bernalillo County Public Safety Training Center, 3801 Broadway SE, Albuquerque, NM 87105

MMAC Resource Center Grand Opening

• November 3, 2024, at 1:00 PM
• Home to local history curated by Dixie Boyle, an art library, and the Torrance County Archaeological Society’s 200 volume collection
• Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

November Music Series: Sandia Celtic Ensemble

• November 3, 2024, at 2:00 PM
• Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036 (all ages, no charge, donations are welcome)

November Music Series: Oscar Butler, Blues Stylist

• November 10, 2024, at 2:00 PM
• Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036 (all ages, no charge, donations are welcome)

Art Show Opening: Decay, Rust & Grunge

• November 17, 2024, at 12:30 PM
• Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036

November Music Series: Turquoise Trail String Band

• November 17, 2024, at 2:00 PM
• Manzano Mountain Arts Council, 101 East Broadway, Mountainair, NM 87036 (all ages, no charge, donations are welcome)