Upcoming Events for September 30, 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

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

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

• Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
• Join park rangers at Abó for a spectacular dark sky program! To kick off the evening from 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm, enjoy a guided pueblo and mission program. You'll 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!
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, 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

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
• 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).

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Services

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

Planning and Zoning Board Meeting

• October 2, 2024, at 9:15 AM

County Fair Board Regular Meeting

• October 8, 2024, at 6:30 PM
• Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting

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

Estancia

Board of Trustees Meeting

The Board of Trustees meeting scheduled on September 30, 2024, did not take place, although there was no public notice of cancellation at the town hall or on the website. It would appear that a special meeting of the Board of Trustees took place on September 27, 2024, during which the Board discussed settling litigation against the town. The next scheduled meeting is on October 7, 2024, at 6:15 PM, according to the town's website. It is suggested that those intending to attend this meeting contact the town clerk at 505-384-2709 to confirm that this meeting will occur.

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

Mountainair Town Council

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

Willard

Willard Village Council Meeting

• October 14, 2024, at 5:30 PM (2nd Monday of every month)
• 720 North Dunlavy Avenue, 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.

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