Upcoming Events for September 2, 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 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.

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

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

Girl Scouts Love State Parks

• Friday, September 13, 2024, to Sunday, September 15, 2024
• The event includes camping and ranger presentations.
• Manzano Mountains State Park, County Rd B062, Mountainair, NM 87036, (34.6033481, -106.3610180)

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.

Torrance County

Special Meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

• Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Executive Session (closed to the public) to Discuss Hiring a County Manager
• Post-executive session discussion regarding the hiring of a county manager
• Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Torrance County Fair Board Regular Meeting

• September 10, 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 11, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, Estancia, NM 87016

Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Workshop

• September 12, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Residents that complete the workshop will receive a free starter "go bag" (one per household).
• 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

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

Library Book Sale

• September 9, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• 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)

Salt Mission Trail Memorial Ride

• September 14, 2024, at 9:00 AM
• Benefits Estancia Valley Schools holiday food boxes and children's Christmas gifts; along with the rally, there will be games, food, music, and a raffle; for more information, click here
• Fee: $25/vehicle (motorcycles, cars, and trucks permitted)
• Start locations: Wells Fargo Bank, 503 NM-333, Tijeras, NM 87059 and Denny's, 60 NM-344, Edgewood, NM 87015; Finish location: Oak Flats Campground (Yucca Loop) on Oak Flat Rd, off of NM-337, Tijeras, NM 87059 (35.001344602250704, -106.31909892209869)

Estancia Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

• September 16, 2024, at 6:15 PM
• Estancia Town Hall, 513 Williams Avenue, Estancia, NM 87016

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

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.

Western Estancia Watershed Discovery Workshop

• September 4, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• The Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC) of the University of New Mexico is hosting a Discovery workshop for the Western Estancia Watershed. During these discovery workshops, EDAC will “work to identify flood hazards - mapped and unmapped - and recognize opportunities to minimize and mitigate flood risks to people and property in your watershed.” Related to this presentation, EDAC has provided a link to a series of story maps.

“Before, during, and after the to the Discovery workshop, EDAC will:
Gather, review[,] and validate information about local flood risk and flood hazards.

Review mitigation plans to understand local mitigation capabilities, hazard risk assessments, and current or future mitigation activities.

Ask communities to identify additional participants to invite to the Discovery workshop.

Prepare a final Discovery Report using information gathered to determine which [watershed areas] may require future study through a Risk MAP project.”

• To learn more, contact Dr. Shawn L. Penman, EDAC, at (505) 277-3622 x227 or spenman@edac.unm.edu.
• Chambers, Torrance County Government Offices, 205 S 9th Ave, 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 resource concerns related to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
• 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 87102