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Federal Government

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Quarai Unit

Date: Every Friday through October 30, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Quarai Unit every Friday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Gran Quivira Unit

Date: Every Saturday through October 24, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Gran Quivira Unit, 4030 Quivera Flats Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Gran Quivira Unit every Saturday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Weekly Ranger-Led Guided Hike — Abó Unit

Date: Every Sunday through October 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers lead a free 45-minute guided hike at the Abó Unit every Sunday morning. No reservation is required. Bring water, a snack, sturdy shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.

Dark Skies, Bright Stars! — 2026 Dark Sky Program

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Abó Unit, 69 Ruins Road, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Park rangers and volunteers host a spectacular evening program as part of the 2026 Dark Sky Program series. Activities include ranger-led tours, telescope viewing, a dark sky photography workshop, and guided pueblo and mission programs. Admission is free. This is the final session for 2026, so don’t miss it!

State Government

New Mexico State University Torrance County Cooperative Extension Office

Water Bath Canning Demonstration

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Torrance County CES Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: The NM State Cooperative Extension Service and the Bethel Storehouse are presenting two water bath canning demonstrations, and with winter around the corner, this is a great opportunity to learn how to safely use an electric water bath canner to preserve a bit of summer for the colder months. Space is limited, though, so please RSVP by contacting Debby Maberry at maberryd@nmsu.edu or 505-544-4334.

Nutrition Education Cooking Demonstration

Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Soap Making and Wellness Workshop

Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Quarai Hike, Picnic, and Nature and Wellness Journaling

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit, 122 Manzano Quarai Rd, Mountainair, NM 87036

Nutrition Education Cooking Demonstration

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pine Cone Art and Wellness Workshop

Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Bethel Community Storehouse, 1719 4th Street, Moriarty, NM 87035

Pottery Glazing Workshop (Pottery Part 2)

Date: Friday, October 16, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Torrance County Cooperative Extension Services Office, 205 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Department of Veterans Services

4th Annual Veterans Meditation Retreat

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026, through Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: Contact organizers for details (see below).
Location: The Clyde Hotel, 330 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Details: A free, fully funded retreat introducing meditation techniques for veterans, open to every veteran regardless of discharge status, gender, race, or LGBTQI+/Two-Spirited identity. A support partner must accompany each attendee. Lodging, meals, and transportation to and from the retreat are covered by grants, sponsors, and individual donors. To apply, call (505) 982-4183, email info@lifetransition.com, or visit lifetransition.com/vmr.

Torrance County

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Not Listed

Torrance County Commissioners

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Estancia Basin Water Planning Committee

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016 and Via Zoom

EVYFC Board Meeting

Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Torrance County Administrative Offices, 205 South 9th Street, Estancia, NM 87016

Encino

Encino Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 — a one-time shift from the council's usual 2nd Tuesday schedule this month.
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Encino Government Offices, 527 North Main St., Encino, NM 88321
Details: The council typically meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month but convenes this month on the 3rd Tuesday, September 15. For more information on Encino events, contact the Village Hall at (575) 584-2980.

Estancia

Free Genetic Testing For Cerebral Cavernous Malformation

Date: September 22, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Free genetic testing for those of Hispanic/New Mexican roots who have experienced strokes, brain bleeds, sudden onset of seizures, weakness in limbs, vision changes, or severe headaches, are seven years old or older, and who consent to join research on Cerebral Cavernous Malformation.

Fall Public Library Kids Program Sign-Up Begins

Date: September 28, 2026
Time: Library Business Hours
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 S Tenth St, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: K-5th Graders meet on Tuesdays at 4:00 PM; 0-5 year-olds meet on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM. Sign-up at the library during business hours or call to sign up at 505-384-9655.

Estancia Public Library Job Fair

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM MDT
Location: Estancia Public Library, 601 South 10th Street, Estancia, NM 87016
Details: Employers should contact the library at 505-384-9655 to reserve a space. The job fair is open to those who want to explore the current job market, regardless of whether they already have a job or are currently seeking one.

Moriarty

Special Meeting/Workshop of the City Council

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Moriarty Civic Center, 202 Broadway Avenue, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: To be followed by the regular meeting of the Moriarty City Council at 6:30 PM

Pinto Bean Fiesta

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026, through Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: Parade at 10:00 AM MDT on September 26, 2026
Location: Moriarty City Park, 201 Broadway, Moriarty, NM 87035
Details: Balloon Glow at Sierra Blanca Brewery, 1016 Industrial Rd, Moriarty, NM 87035, time to be determined; dance 8:00 PM to midnight MDT; musician Bob Gray at 3:00 PM MDT; DJ Kam from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM MDT; Danny Duran Band from 8:00 PM to 12:00 AM MDT.

Mountainair

Town Council Meeting

Date: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (October 6, 2026 and October 20, 2026)
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Town Council Building, 107 1/2 North Roosevelt Avenue, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Regular meeting of the Mountainair Town Council. To join by phone, call 346-248-7799, enter access code 856-052-5813, and enter passcode 888-888.

Willard

Willard Village Council Monthly Meeting

Date: Second Monday of the month (May change in October due to Federal Holiday)
Time: 5:30 PM MDT
Location: Willard Village Hall, 720 Dunlavy Ave, Willard, NM 87063
Details: The council meets on the 2nd Monday of each month. For more information on Willard events, contact the Village Hall at (505) 384-2874.

Other Organizations

Roadrunner Food Bank Distribution

Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 (distribution is scheduled for every Tuesday, but verification is recommended)
Time: 11:00 AM MDT
Location: Dr. Saul Community Center, 109 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Roadrunner Food Bank

Manzano Mountain Retreat Apple Harvest Festival

Date: September 26 and 27, 2026; October 3 and 4, 2026; October 10 and 11, 2026; and October 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM MDT - 5:00 PM MDT
Location: Manzano Mountain Retreat, 210 Los Pinetos, Torreon, NM
Details: Enjoy warm apple treats, cider-donut smiles, children at play, live music, local makers, and the beauty of the mountain in peak autumn color. Families can spend the afternoon wandering the property, enjoying entertainment and food, participating in activities, and experiencing the orchard at an easy, unhurried pace.

Punkin’ Chunkin’ 2026

Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: 891 NM-55, Estancia, NM
Details: The Estancia Rotary Club’s 30th Annual Punkin’ Chunkin’ Festival raises money to help students pay for college. The organization is currently looking for vendors for the event (not just food vendors but also artists and craftspeople looking to share their work).

Mountainair Men's Support Group

Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 6:00 PM MDT
Location: Mountainair Multi-Purpose Building (in the Town Council complex), 107 1/2 N Roosevelt Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Recurring weekly Christian men's support group meeting. For more information, please contact Richard Torres, Jr. (AKA Wizard) at (505) 357-9749.

Mountainair Rotary Club Weekly Lunch Meeting

Date: Every Thursday
Time: 12:00 PM MDT
Location: Claunch-Pinto SWCD Conservation Center, 1206 NM-55, Mountainair, NM 87036
Details: Weekly meeting for community service planning and networking. Visitors are welcome and should bring their own lunch.

The Mountainair Dispatch covers public affairs, community life, and local news across Torrance County, New Mexico. To submit an event for a future post, email todd@mountainairdispatch.com. Listing events is free.