Upcoming Events for September 16, 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

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

Albuquerque Fisher House 5th Anniversary Celebration

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  • Albuquerque Fisher House (next to the Albuquerque VA medical facilities), 1501 San Pedro Drive SE, Building 85, Albuquerque, NM 87108

Pecos National Historical Park

Ancestral Sites Tour

  • Daily until October 19, 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

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays, weekly until October 15, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 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 October 19, 2024, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (cancelled on September 12, 2024)
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Geologic Crossroads at Pecos Pueblo

  • Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM
  • Learn about how the Pecos Pueblo people used the unique geology and local resources in their lives. Registration is required and is available two weeks prior to the event (link).
  • Meet at the visitor's center, 1 Peach Drive, Pecos, NM 87552

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Pueblo and Mission Program

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

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

New Mexico State Parks

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

Bird Tour
  • Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • A Mesilla Valley Audubon birding expert will take you on a hike around Leasburg Dam State Park and help you learn how to identify birds. Meet at the Leasburg Dam State Park Visitor Center at 8am. Bring binoculars, appropriate hiking shoes and dress for the weather.
  • Leasburg Dam State Park, 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Music and Stars
  • Saturday, September 28, 2024, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
  • At 6:30 PM, Mark Courtney will perform live music across from the Visitor Center. Mark plays a variety of genres, including strong influences from traditional and contemporary Folk, Americana, Canadian and Celtic. He has played and recorded in a trio (East Mesa), a duo (Desert Blend), and as a soloist. His musical instruments include primarily acoustic guitar, but also mountain dulcimer and harmonica. At 7:30 PM, members from the Astronomical Society of Las Cruces will operate a 16" telescope to view amazing night sky objects. Through several telescopes, you will see nebulae, globular clusters, star clusters, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and more!
  • Leasburg Dam State Park, 1220 South St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505

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).
Stories Under the Cottonwood Tree
  • Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
  • Dianne Rossbach, ECO Storyteller and Master Naturalist will present stories and natural lore about her visit to the Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Hear stories and learn about the birds and their habits. It's surprising how birds change from season to season! Meet in the Native Plant Garden at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park for multicultural tales, natural history facts, and participation that is "naturally" ... fun for all! Storytelling by Dianne Rossbach on 3rd Saturday each month (weather permitting). Children should always bring an adult so they can have fun, too. Programs are appropriate for those aged 5 to 10 (or more) years old. Aside from the Park Day-Use Fee, there is no additional charge for this program.
  • Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria Rd NW

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.

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services

Water Bath Canning Salsa Class

  • September 19, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Register to learn how to safely can and preserve your own salsa.
  • Reservation required; contact Debby Maberry at maberryd@nmsu.edu or 505-544-4334 for reservations.
  • Torrance County Cooperative Extension Service Office, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Knitting Workshop

  • September 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM
  • A fun filled workshop and meet new people at Bethel Store House to learn how to knit your own scarf or bring your own project to work on. Limited spots are available, so secure your place today!
  • Reservation required; contact Debby Maberry at maberryd@nmsu.edu or 505-544-4334 for reservations.
  • Bethel Store House, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pottery Demonstration

  • September 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM
  • There will be a pottery demonstration along with individual instruction (limited spots available) afterwards
  • Reservation required; contact Debby Maberry at maberryd@nmsu.edu or 505-544-4334 for reservations.
  • Bethel Store House, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Water Bath Canning Jam and Jelly Class

  • October 3, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Register to learn how to can your own jams and jellies (types of jam and jelly dependent on seasonal availability).
  • Reservation required; contact Debby Maberry at maberryd@nmsu.edu or 505-544-4334 for reservations.
  • Torrance County Cooperative Extension Service Office, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County

EMW Gas Board of Directors Regular Meeting

  • September 17, 2024, at 7:00 PM
  • EMW Gas Association, 416 5th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners to Address Mill Rates

  • September 19, 2024, at 3:30 PM
  • Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Regular Meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee

  • September 24, 2024, at 9:00 AM
  • Tabletop Exercise regarding HAZMAT incident
  • Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Fair Board Meeting

  • September 24, 2024, at 6:30 PM
  • Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Regular Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

  • September 25, 2024, at 9:00 AM
  • Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Estancia

Library Kids Programs Sign-Up

  • September 26, 2024 through September 30, 2024 (the Estancia municipal calendar also lists September 23, 2024 as a sign-up date)
  • Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016 (please note that the Google Business address for the public library inaccurately lists it as being located in Willard)

Estancia Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

  • September 30, 2024, at 6:15 PM
  • Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Avenue, Estancia, NM 87016

Pumpkin Chunkin’ 2024

  • October 12, 2024, at 8:00 AM
  • Estancia Rotary Parade at 10:30 AM
  • Estancia Pumpkin Chunkin’ Field, Off NM-55, Entrance at 34.7541077, -106.0859702

Teen Halloween Costume Party

  • October 25, 2024, at 5:00 PM
  • Free event with prizes
  • Estancia Public Library, 601 South 10th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Mountainair

Town Council Regular Meeting

  • September 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM
  • Discussion regarding hiring of new police chief on the agenda for this meeting
  • Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036

Willard

Info regarding the next meeting of the Village Council to be provided.

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.

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

Woofstock 2024

  • September 21, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • Multi-agency Adoption Event
  • Vendors, live music, food trucks, raffles, pet shot clinic, and (human) face painting available.
  • Venus Park, 181 NM-344, Edgewood, NM