The deadline to submit a community announcement is Monday at noon the week of publication. Any submissions after that day will not run until the following week. The SUN only publishes free events or fund-raising events for non-profits and activities in Northern Briefs, and gives preference to local non-profits. This is a forum for community events. All announcements for events being held by for-profit businesses will be passed on to the advertising department.
Feb. 20
• Grandparents raising grandchildren
Las Cumbres Community Services, Inc. will host this program through June 19 every first and third Wednesday of the month. Meetings take place from 5 to 7 p.m., offering a support group for grandparents, guest speakers, outings and activities. Call 505-753-4123 for more information. Space is limited.
Feb. 22 and 23
• Farming support seminars
The Rio Arriba Food and Agriculture Policy Council will host a free conference and farm tours. Sessions will be held for vegetable, fruit and beef producers, in addition to opportunities for technical support, funding and financing options. The conference will be held noon to 3:15 p.m. Feb. 22 and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23. at Northern New Mexico College. For farm tour registration contact Margaret Campos at 505-852-0017 or algonativo@cybermesa.com
March 2
• How to start a small business
Ida Carrillo brings her 15 years of small business experience to this free morning workshop. Learn basics such as legal pitfalls, licensing, registration, taxes, record keeping, marketing and funding. Hosted by Northern New Mexico College small business Development Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contact the Center at 505-747-2236 for more information.
March 7
• Fruit tree pruning workshop
The New Mexico State University Alcalde Center will host a free workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Alcalde Agriculture Science Center. Pat Torres, Rio Arriba County Extension Agent Tony Valdez and fruit specialist Shengrui Yao will present first and then split attendees into groups for the hands-on session in the field.
Call Augusta or Melissa at 505-852-4241 to register.
Ongoing events
• Service for veterans
Free hostel-type accommodations are available to veterans who must travel more than 120 miles to the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Albuquerque and stay overnight. To reserve a bed in one of two rooms, or for more information, veterans need to call 265-1711, ext. 4555.
• Volunteers needed
The San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen on West Jonathan Drive needs volunteers to help with lunch service Monday through Friday starting around 10 or 10:30 a.m.
• Support Group
Women’s Circle of Hope is a Christian interdenominational support group that meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. at New Hope Family Worship Center in El Llano. Call Pat at 614-6527.
• San Gabriel Historical Society
The group meets the first Wednesday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon at Española’s Bond House. Call 747-8535.
• Support group
The Retrain Your Brain Support Group for individuals with brain injuries meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bond House museum at 706 Bond St. in Española. Call 1-888-292-7415 for details.
• Retired educators meetings
The Española chapter of the Retired Educators Association meets the second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at Angelina’s Restaurant. Call 753-2513 for more information.
• Newborn massage class
Massage can relieve discomfort from teething, congestion, gas, colic and emotional distress. Learn the many benefits of touch and massage for babies. Bring a small blanket for your own use. It is recommended to wear old clothing. Oils that may stain will be used.
Tewa Women United, 912 East Fairview Lane; contact jeanette to reserve a space. jeanette@tewawomenunited.org or 747-3259 ext 1206. Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m.
• Domestic Violence Group
The Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council Peacekeepers Domestic Violence Program provides a support group for victims and survivors of domestic violence every Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Peacekeepers office located at 705 C La Joya St. Call 753-4790.
• Volunteers sought
The Plaza de Española is seeking volunteers to become docents during the weekdays. Docents will volunteer in four-hour shifts. For more information contact Andrew Herrera at 505-929-3027 or andrewherrera@espanolanm.gov
• Adult Literacy Program
The newly formed Rio Arriba Adult Literacy Program is a growing volunteer organization seeking to expand its board membership. If interested, please call 505-614-5748. The Program is dedicated to offering free tutoring to adults reading at or below sixth grade level in our community.
• Veterans wall meeting
Veterans Memorial Wall Commission will hold its monthly meeting on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Convento Office. Any interested veterans who wish to join or would like their names engraved may contact Ron Gallegos (Information Officer) at 505-901-9272.
• HELP-New Mexico
The YouthBuild Program is accepting applications. The Program provides assistance with obtaining a high school diploma or general education development certificate, among other skills and training. Applicants to the free program must be between the ages of 18 and 24 who have not completed high school or earned a GED. For more information call 753-7181 or email lcasados@helpnm.com
• Blue Star Mothers
Local Chapter 4 meets the first Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. They are held in the McCurdy Ministries Executive Building. For any questions please contact Marilyn at 927-4341 or Loretta at 692-4144.
• Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous meets Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Española. Call 260-7272.
• Volunteer needed
A volunteer is needed to drive from Española to the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque on Tuesdays. Call Bernardo Jaramillo at 753-5594 or 927-3529.
• Girl Scouts Seek Volunteers
The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails are seeking volunteers. Contact Loretta at 983-6339, ext. 12, or larmijo@gs-nmtrails.org.
• Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous meets every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Hands Across Cultures Teen Center in Arroyo Seco, and at 6 p.m. on Fridays at the Guadalupe Church in Pojoaque. Call Leroy at 920-5548 for details on the Arroyo Seco meetings or Caroline at 747-1754 for details on the Pojoaque meetings.
• Yoga classes
Free yoga classes to de-stress take place Wednesdays from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. on the third floor of the Española Hospital with instructor Dr. Jivan Khalsa. Contact jivanjotikaur@gmail.com or call 753-6241.
• VFW Meeting
Española’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5610 meets the first Thursday of every month at 5 p.m. at the National Guard Armory on Industrial Park Road.
• Story hour
The Española Public Library hosts story hour for children up to 5 years old Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Call 747-6087.
• Support Group
A men’s support group is held every Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tewa Women United office at 912 Fairview Lane in Española. Call 575-770-6581 for more information.
• “Building Kindness”
Habitat for Humanity seeks people over the age of 16 to help with home repairs. Skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed to help low income, handicapped or elderly people who otherwise could not do the repairs. Call David Canfield at 901-7689 or the Habitat office at 747-2690.
• Acoustic Jam
Valley View Methodist Church at 827 Spruce Street in Española hosts an acoustic jam session every Sunday at 1 p.m. Call Mike Bremer at 929-1579 or Chris Herrick at 660-0264.
• Pueblo food program
The Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, based at 362 State Road 503 in Nambé, administers the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The program is available to low-income households of the Eight Northern area, including Taos County and Peñasco and eligible non-Indian households within any of the Eight Northern Pueblos’ boundaries. Call 1-800-734-2488 or 455-2288.
• Al-Anon
Al-Anon meets every Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Bond Street. For more information, call 927-4805. Wednesdays the group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Grazing Elk Drive in Pojoaque. For more information, call 445-2798.
• Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous meets daily in Española and Los Alamos. Call 695-0042.