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.
Oct. 25
• Grandparents raising grandchildren conference
This free event is open to all grandparents or other relatives raising children. Free lunch provided. Workshops, focus groups will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Northern New Mexico College. For more information or to register call Delfinia or Beth at 505-753-4123 or go to www.lascumbres-nm.org
Oct. 26
• Free solar heating panel workshop
Owl Creek Farm Foundation is sponsoring a free workshop for all on how to build and install a low cost solar heating panel at 10 a.m. in Hernandez. Radiant heat will be directed under a single-wide mobile home to heat the floor using solar energy. The single-wide is located just west of the highway, about 100 yards south of Romero’s Fruit Stand, 19543 Hwy. 84/285. Take the right branch of the dirt road and look for a white flag. For more information, call Bob Dunsmore at 575-582-4224.
Oct. 27
• Math class
Robert Fant will teach his fourth of four free classes at the Abiquiú Library from 4 to 6 p.m. All classes are intended to improve student math proficiency. This class is an in-depth study of the digits behind the decimal point. For more information, call the library at 505-685-4884.
Oct. 31
• Harvest youth parade
Española YMCA Teen Center’s third annual event will begin at 4:30 p.m. near the Bond house on Española’s west side and end at the Center at about 6 p.m. Refreshments will be provided to the parade participants after the parade. For more information contact Ben Sandoval at 505-500-2045, or email at b_sandoval@live.com.
• Harvest festival
There will be a free Harvest Festival at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 913 La Joya St. Food, candy and games, children through 6th grade are welcome. No spooky costumes allowed. For more information, call 753-2805.
Nov. 8
• Blood drive
The Rio Grande SUN will host a blood drive in its parking lot at 123 Railroad Ave. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are recommended but walk-ins welcome. To schedule an appointment call Maria Lopez-Garcia at 753-2126 or go to www.unitedbloodservices.org and use sponsor code ABSUN.
Ongoing events
• Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers to help construct two new Habitat Homes every Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. No skills are required, only a willingness to help. Please call Yvonne at 614-5853 to RSVP for your free lunch and for more information. You may also call the Habitat Office at 747-2690.
•Grandparents raising children
The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group meets for 10 sessions starting Aug. 21, until Dec. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the months. Child care and dinner provided. For more information, call Delfinia Romero at 505-753-4123.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.