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DEADLINE: December 20

DECEMBER 2006 Signpost Community Calendar

To submit a nonprofit listing to the calendar:
E-mail your calendar listing to: calendar@sandovalsignpost.com. Or go to the Signpost Web site, www.sandovalsignpost.com, and click on Calendar. Or fax your listing to 867-3870. The deadline for submission is the twentieth of the month prior to publication. The community calendar is a free community service by the Signpost.

Sandoval Commission Meetings
Unless otherwise noted, all Sandoval County commission meetings will be held in the county commission chambers, Sandoval County Courthouse, 711 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo, New Mexico.

Placitas Community Library Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, 10 a.m. -4 p.m.; Sundays, noon-2 p.m. 867-3355.

Monthly: Parents Without Partners offers support, education, and friendship to single parents of all ages, regardless of custody. Get-togethers, family outings, socials. All welcome. Wayne, 892-2456.

Mondays: Alanon Meeting. 7:30 p.m. Bernalillo Methodist Church, 136 Calle Don Andres, Bernalillo. 239-7370.

Mondays: One Day At A Time Big Book Study. Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. 6-7 p.m. United Methodist Church (in back), a block west of Abuelita’s Restaurant, 136 West Don Andres, Bernalillo. 266-1900.

Mondays: Cub Scout Meeting. Cub Scouts always welcome. New scouts may join at any point during the year. 6-7:15 p.m. Holiday Inn Express Conference Room, SR 313 and Highway 550. Information: Jessica, 867-0498.

Mondays through Thursdays: Mother’s Day Out. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Las Placitas Presbyterian Church. $13 per session. 867-5718.

First and third Mondays: Optimist Club de Sandoval Meeting. 7 p.m. San Antonio Community Center, Placitas. New members welcome. 867-4646.

Second and fourth Mondays: Grief Support Group Meeting. A free community service available to anyone who is in need of grief and bereavement support following the loss of a loved one. 5:30-7:30 p.m. 3150 Carlisle NE, Suite 25 (at Carlisle and Candelaria). Carol Frank, 821-6056.

Mondays and Wednesdays: The Bernalillo Badminton Club plays at the Bernalillo Community Center. 9-11 a.m. Call Gary Hansen, at 867-2829, for further information.

Tuesdays: Haven House Domestic Violence Support Group for women whose lives have been touched by domestic violence. Topics include Dynamics of Domestic Violence, Safety Plans, Developing Healthy Relationships, and information about available services. All sessions are confidential and free of charge. 6:30-8:00 p.m. Rio Rancho First Baptist Church, corner of Route 528 and 19th Avenue. Call Haven House, 896-4869 or 1-800-526-7157, for more information.

Tuesdays: One Day At A Time Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Noon-1 p.m. (open meeting). United Methodist Church (in back), a block west of Abuelita’s, Bernalillo. 266-1900.

First Tuesdays: SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) support-group meeting, New Mexico Chapter. Meetings are open to survivors and their immediate families, regardless of religious affiliation, if any. 7 to 9 p.m. Good Shepherd UCC, 7834 Tennyson NE (youth lounge). Steve Rabi, 280-3369; www.snap-newmexico.org.

First, second, and third Tuesdays through December: New-Business Tax Workshops covering New Mexico gross-receipts tax, IRS filing requirements, brief summary of other new-business issues. 8:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m., with one-hour lunch break. Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, 5301 Central, NE (Bank of the West building), 10th Floor, Conference Room A. Free of charge. 505 841-6200.

Second Tuesdays: Friends of Placitas Meeting. Public welcome. 7 p.m. Placitas Community Center. 867-5346.

Second Tuesdays: New Mexico Democratic Club meets. 7 p.m., Rio Rancho Inn. www.nmdemclub.com.

Second Tuesdays: Sandoval County Democratic Club meets at 7 p.m., Rio Rancho Inn, 528 near Sara Road, west side of the road. Meetings are open to the public and feature candidates for local, state, national offices. www.sandovaldemocrats.org.

Second and fourth Tuesdays: Village Academy Charter School Meeting. 7 p.m. 274 Don Tomas, Bernalillo. All meetings open to the public. VACS, P.O. Box 1247, Placitas, NM 87043.

Third Tuesdays: RESOLVE, Central New Mexico, Meeting. RESOLVE provides information and support for those dealing with infertility, pregnancy loss, high-risk pregnancy, making the decision to adopt or life without children. National-affiliate support includes professionally led support groups, peer-support gatherings, guest speakers. Call or e-mail for location: 291-5066; resolvecentralnm@yahoo.com.

Fourth Tuesdays through December: New-Employer Tax Workshops for small businesses that have or plan to have employees. Regulatory and tax-filing requirements from six different federal and state agencies will be covered. 8:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m., with one-hour lunch break. Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, 5301 Central, NE (Bank of the West building), 10th Floor, Conference Room A. Free of charge. 505 841-6200.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Book study and meditation groups. WOW–Women of Wonder, Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m.; POW–People of Wonder, Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Moon Dancer Book Gallery, 4484 Corrales Road, Corrales, 249-3742.

Wednesdays: Mothers’ Support Group. $3 per session. 10-11 a.m. United Way Building, Southern and Unser Boulevard. 896-1250.

Wednesdays: Parenting Group Meeting. 6-7 p.m. La Buena Vida, Bernalillo, 867-2383.

Wednesdays: Thinking Straight Step-Study Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. 6-7 p.m. First Assembly Church, 274 Camino Don Tomas, south of PNM, Bernalillo. 266-1900.

First Wednesdays: Jardineros de Placitas, 9:30 a.m. each month except January and December. A community-involved organization of women with groups interested in bridge, cooking, stitchery, crafts, art, reading, day trips. Monthly meetings feature speakers and subjects of local interest. 771-8941.

First Wednesdays: MOMS Club of Rio Rancho South General Meeting. Free. The MOMS Club (Moms Offering Moms Support) is an international nonprofit organization specifically designed to support at-home mothers regardless of race, religion, financial stability. 10 a.m. First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho (across from Intel). 891-1909, 994-9687, www.momsclub.org.

Second Wednesdays: Placitas Community Library board meetings are now at the main PVFB station on 165, still on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Inquiries about these meetings or the library: 867-3355. All meetings are open to the public.

Second Wednesdays: Village Academy Charter School Meeting. 7:30 p.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Church. VACS, P.O. Box 1247, Placitas, NM 87043.

Fourth Wednesdays: Bereavement Support Group for parents who have had a baby die through miscarriage, stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death, or other natural causes within the first year of life. 7-8:30 p.m., Office of the Medical Investigator, UNM Medical School Campus. 272-2485, 272-3397.

Wednesdays through Saturdays: Casa San Ysidro, the historic Gutiérrez-Minge House in Corrales, on Old Church Road, is open for tours at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Adults $4, seniors $3, students $3, children $2. 897-8828.

Thursdays: Depression and bipolar support group meetings. DBSA Albuquerque offers weekly support-group meetings for those suffering from mood disorders. Friends and family members welcome. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Nob Hill area, Albuquerque. Information available regarding support groups in Los Lunas and Santa Fe. 505-889-3632, dbsa4albq@yahoo.com.

Thursdays: One Day At A Time Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Noon-1 p.m. (open meeting). United Methodist Church (in back), a block west of Abuelita’s, Bernalillo. 266-1900.

Fridays: Friday Night Live Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting (open meeting). 7-8 p.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Motivation Center, 301 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo. 266-1900.

First Friday: Coronado Kennel Club Meeting. All-breed obedience kennel club, 7 p.m. Call for meeting place. 867-4510.

Second Fridays: SanBern Federated Republican Women meets (except July and August) at Chamisa Hills Country Club, in Rio Rancho, 11:30 a.m. Anyone interested in attending may call 922-6252 for more information.

Saturdays: Children’s reading program. 10 a.m.-noon. Placitas Community Library, Tierra Madre #1, Placitas. 867-3355.

Saturdays: One Day At A Time Big Book Discussion Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting (open meeting). 9-10 a.m. United Methodist Church (in back), a block west of Abuelita’s, Bernalillo. 266-1900.

Saturday evenings: Narcotics Anonymous Meeting. 6:30 p.m. (open meeting). If you have a problem with narcotics or even think you may have a problem, you are welcome. 136 West Don Andres, Bernalillo. (Bernalillo Methodist Church). 505-260-9889, 505-260-7195.

Sundays: Placitas Big Book Study. Alcoholics Anonymous. 7-8:15 p.m. (open meeting). Presbyterian Church (Bell Tower), Placitas. 266-1900.

Sundays: Narcotics Anonymous Meeting. If you have a problem with drugs, or even think that you might have a problem, you are welcome! 10:30 a.m. 4324 Corrales Road (in the community center behind the old fire station). 260-9889, 260-7195.

Through January 7: “Biennial Southwest,” a wide range in contemporary art currently being produced in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. 103 works, including Placitas artists Fernando Delgado, Marilyn Dillard, and Margi Weir. Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, Tuesdays through Sundays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission starts at $1. Free on Sundays before 1:00 p.m.

Through January: King Tut Exhibit. More than 100 handcrafted replicas of items collected from King Tutankhamun's tomb. Branigan Cultural Center, 500 N. Water Street, on the north end of the Downtown Mall, Las Cruces. Tuesdays through Thursdays 1 to 7 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5p.m.; Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays. $5 adults; $3 children. (505) 541-2158, www.kingtutlc.org.

November 28: County Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m., Commission Chambers.

December 1: Placitas Library Story Hour. 9:30 p.m. 867-3355

December 1 through 3: Seventh Annual Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival–Holiday Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 200 artists and craftsmen, poster signing, holiday creation station for kids, Cookie Walk, more. To benefit Community Health Charities of New Mexico, Casa Angelica, and Art has Heart. Manuel Lujan Exhibit Complex, Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds. 292-7457, www.RioGrandeFestivals.com.

December 1 through December 23: Chapter Two, by Neil Simon. For anyone who has loved and lost, and again found love. Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m. Tickets $12 ($10 students and seniors); group rates available. Adobe Theater, 9813 Fourth Street NW. Ticket information and reservations, 898-9222.

December 1 through 30: Annual River of Lights Holiday Light Show. Hundreds of themed light sculptures; thousands of twinkle lights. Closed December 24-25. Adults $6; children $2. 6 to 9 p.m. 2601 Rio Grande Botanic Garden, Central Avenue NW, (311) or (505) 768-2000, www.cabq.gov/biopark/garden.

December 2 through 10: Corrales Historical Society presents its eighteenth annual Fine Crafts Show, a New Mexico crafts exhibition and sale. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Historic Old San Ysidro Church, Old Church Road, three tenths of a mile west off Corrales Road. Corrales. A portion of each sale goes to the Corrales Historical Society for restoration and preservation of the Historic Old San Ysidro Church. Opening reception December 1, 5 to 8 p.m.

December 2: “Hometown Christmas,” twenty-second annual Bernalillo Nighttime Christmas Parade. Refreshments at a bonfire following the parade at Rotary Park, behind the Pavilion. 6 p.m.

December 3: Bosque Chamber Music Society presents “A Holiday Concert,” in conjunction with Las Cantantes UNM Women's Chorus, directed by Bradley Ellingboe. Features beloved Christmas carols. 3:00 p.m. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 4th and Alameda. Free; donations accepted at the door. www.bosquemusic.org, 897-2565.

December 3: Club Italiano annual Christmas Potluck Dinner. 3:00 p.m.Our Lady of Sorrows Church Hall, Bernalillo. Call 867-6842 or 822-1806 for information. The purpose of the Club Culturale Italiano is to further the understanding of Italian culture.

December 3: First Sunday Library Reading Series presents poets and editors Bobby Byrd and Michelle Holland. 3 p.m. Presented by Sin Fronteras/Writers Without Borders, Branigan Library, and Friends of the Library. Reception and book signing follow the reading. Free. Dresp Room, Branigan Library, 200 E. Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces. Info: Dick Thomas (505) 521-9314, thomasff@msu.edu; www.zianet.com/lunarosity/sinfronteras.html.

December 3: The Albuquerque Concert Band continues the 2006-2007 concert season with a free concert. The eighty-piece symphonic band, conducted by John Sanks will perform a concert featuring music for the holidays. 3:00 p.m. Ballut Abyad Shrine Center, 6600 Zuni SE. www.abqband.org, 294-0192.

December 4: Placitas Library book club discusses A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains, by Isabella Bird. 4 p.m. 867-3355.

December 6: DWI Taskforce, 2 p.m., Sandoval County Personnel Conference Room, 711 Camino del Pueblo, Bernalillo, 867-7500.

December 6: State Bar of New Mexico holds a Consumer Debt/Bankruptcy Workshop. Q&A period. Free consultations with an attorney. 6 to 8 p.m. 5121 Masthead, Albuquerque. 1 (800) 876-6227 or (505) 797-6069.

December 7: State Bar of New Mexico holds a Landlord/Tenant Workshop. Q&A period. Free consultations with an attorney. Housing issues, such as repairs, security deposits, evictions, right of entry, lockouts, information on the law governing residential rental units. This workshop is presented to help educate landlords and tenants and to provide information on the resources available to meet their legal needs. 5:30 p.m. 5121 Masthead, Albuquerque. 1-800-876-6227, (505) 797-6069.

December 7: Sandoval County Commission, 6 p.m., Commission Chambers, 867-7500.

December 7: League of Women Voters-Albuquerque presents speaker Justice Edward L. Chavez, of the New Mexico Supreme Court. Topic: "Judicial Independence: The Role of the Courts in the Current Political Climate." 11:45 a.m. Tickets: $14. Reservations required: 505-884-8441 before Monday 12/4/06. Wyndham Hotel, 2910 Yale Blvd SE (near the airport).

December 8: “small is more” show opening. Small-works fund-raiser for the Harwood Art Center. Exhibition runs: December 4–22. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Harwood Art Center 1114 Seventh Street NW, Albuquerque. 242-6367.

December 8: Commissioners of the NM Commission on the Status of Women quarterly board meeting. 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Commission office, 300 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite 101. If you require any form of auxiliary aid or service to attend, contact the Commission Office, (505) 222-6600 or 1-800-432-9168 at least one week prior to the meeting. TTY users, call NM Relay, 1-800-659-8331.

December 9: Placitas Library Holiday Open House. Bilingual story time at 11:00 a.m., then a piñata celebration and refreshments all afternoon. Perhaps Santa will attend. See flyers around town. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m 867-3355.

December 9: DownHill Phil singer-songwriter performs his unique brand of original acoustic music with “Christmas at The Piñon.” 11 a.m. Piñon Café. 771-1700.

December 9: Las Placitas Association Watershed Project—Placitas Open Space Cleanup Day. Bring sun hat, heavy gloves, rain gear, and join us to remove an antiquated barbed-wire fence that runs through the middle of the Placitas Open Space, obstructing people and wildlife. Meet at the Placitas Merc, 9 a.m., to carpool. Members of the Albuquerque Open Space Division will help with the work and advise on the ongoing implementation of the Placitas Open Space Master Plan. Free; refreshments provided. www.lasplacitas.org, 771-8020.

December 9: Individual City Championship Poetry Slam. Ten poets compete for one title in the hottest spoken-word show of the year. Presented in partnership with ABQslams and New Mexico Literary Arts. Cost $10/$5 for Outpost members. 7:30 p.m. Outpost Performance Space, 210 Yale SE, Albuquerque. 268-0044.

December 9: Jemez Holiday Tour. Jemez State Monument and 17th-century church open to the public for a special holiday celebration and luminaria tour. Kiva with fire, Native American dances, flute music, free wagon rides to and from Jemez Springs, refreshments. 5-9 p.m. (505) 829-3530.

December 9: The West Mesa Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) holiday luncheon. Featuring a mother/daughter/granddaughter style show, accompanied by harpist Donese Mayfield. Lunch by individual orders from the restaurant’s regular menu. AAUW welcomes women and men who hold an associate or higher degree and who are interested in promoting education, advancing the status of women, and continuing their own intellectual growth. Marj, 897-1150, for more information or reservations. Reservation deadline: December 5. 11:30 a.m., Capo’s Restaurant, east of Santa Ana Star Casino, on 528, Bernalillo.

December 12: County Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m., Commission Chambers, 867-7500.

December 13: County Health Alliance Council Meeting,
9 a.m. Call (505) 771-7941 for location.

December 16: Grand opening of Explora’s new exhibit, “Shapes of Sound.” Also, live Explora Theater performances 1:15 and 3 p.m.: Marco Polo and his “Description of the World.” Who was Marco Polo and why is there a game named after him? For all ages. Free with general admission: $5.50 members/$6.50 nonmembers. ¡explora!, 1701 Mountain Road, NW, 224-8384.

December 17: Placitas Artists Series special holiday concert, “Baroque Christmas in Merrie Olde England,” with Santa Fe Pro Musica Baroque Ensemble playing the musical instruments for which the works were originally composed. Seasonal and other works enjoyed in “Merrie Olde England,” by Georg Frideric Handel, William Lawes, Hentry Purcel, Johann Christian Bach, plus popular English carols. 3 p.m. Artists’ reception (Lisa Chernoff, Marilyn Dillard, Charles Dunbar, Lynn Hartenberger) at 1:30 p.m. Tickets ($18, $15) at the door 2 p.m., in advance at La Bonne Vie Salon and Day Spa, in Homestead Village Shopping Center, Placitas, or on-line at www.PlacitasArts.org. Las Placitas Presbyterian Church, six miles east of I-25 on NM 165 (Exit 242). 867-8080.

December 17: Kids First Film: An Inconvenient Truth, with Al Gore. Explore the science of global warming. 2:30–4:10 p.m. Explora Theater. Also, Weekend Exploration: Musical Math for adults and children—How do fractions and frequency determine pitch? How does division translate to rhythm? 1:30 p.m. Ages 10 and up. $5.50 members/$6.50 non-members. ¡explora!, 1701 Mountain Road, NW 224-8323.

December 21: Sandoval County Commission, 6 p.m., Commission Chambers, 867-7500.

December 22: Winter Solstice Candlelight Poetry Reading in the sanctuary of Las Placitas Presbyterian Church in Placitas (6.5 miles east of I-25 on NM 165). 7–8 p.m. Theme: "La Paz de la Noche” (The Peace of the Night.) Original poems read by their authors by the light of a single candle. Poetry selection panel: Charles Little, JB Bryan, and Renny Golden. Renny2213@aol.com.