ARTS

WEDNESDAY-WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 24-31

SAINTS AND SACRED PLACES will be the theme of a show at the Los Lunas Museum of Heritage and Arts, 251 Main St. SE. Artists featured are Rosa Maria Calles, Ray John de Aragon, Charlie Sanchez Jr., Irene Barraza Sanchez, Vanessa Sanchez, Carlos J. Otero, Nicolas Otero, Alcario Otero, Marie Luna, Kathleen Sais-lerner, Anita Armijo, Patricia Gallegos, John Taylor and Annie Lux. The exhibit features area historic churches and regional Hispano art.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28

FIDDLERS AND MUSICIANS OF NEW MEXICO celebrate the New Year from 1:30 to 5 p.m. at the Bosque Farms Community Center. For information, call Kirk, 440-8361, or Bob, 869-2978.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30

A WRITING PRACTICE GROUP will meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Belen Senior Center, 715 S. Main St. It uses writing as a practice for self-exploration and personal growth. All levels welcome. Bring a notebook and pen. For information, call Chuck, 553-4851 or 261-4972.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

FIDDLERS AND MUSICIANS OF NEW MEXICO will hold a jam from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Bosque Farms Community Center. For information, call Kirk, 440-8361, or Bob, 869-2978.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

RIO GRANDE VALENCIA POETRY SOCIETY meets at 1 p.m. at Po’ Boys Smoke Shack on South Main Street in Belen.

SOUTHWEST COUNTRY MUSIC meets to jam at 7 p.m. at the Duncan Memorial Building, 12 La Ladera Road in Los Lunas.

CONTINUING

10TH ANNIVERSARY PASSION PLAY is seeking former and prospective cast members for rehearsals starting in January. Men, women and children are needed. The play is performed on Good Friday. For information, call Theresa Hidalgo, 864-1925.

FREE LINE DANCE LESSONS will be offered from 8:15 to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays at the Belen Senior Center. Instruction for beginners will be from 8:15 to 9 a.m. Instructor is Patty Herrington, 864-4266.

MONDAY, JANUARY 5

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE will be taught free Mondays at 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Bosque Farms. Child care is provided for children age 5 and under. For information, call 865-8334.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21

CERTIFIED TRAINING FOR LITERACY VOLUNTEERS will be held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 21. Orientation will be Jan. 21 or 29. Volunteers will tutor adults in basic reading or English as a second language. For details, call Susan Howard, 925-8935 or e-mail showard@valencia literacy.org. It’s sponsored by the Valencia County Literacy Council.

CONTINUING

VALENCIA AREA FAMILY EDUCATORS, a support group of families engaged in active home schooling, has activities for students at all grade levels. For information, e-mail or call 869-2170.

SI USTED QUISIERA APRENDER ingles de conversación, habrá clases libres cada lunes a las 6:30 de la tarde hasta las 8 de la noche. Habrá alguien que cuide sus niños de edad uno hasta cinco. Si Usted esta interesado, favor de llama 480-5152 y deje mensaje en First Baptist Church of Bosque Farms.

CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISH CLASSES will be offered by members of the First Baptist Church of Belen. They’re free and will be presented from 4 to 5 p.m. Saturdays. For information, call 864-8624 or 620-1141. Clases para conversacion en ingles, se ofrece por miembros de la First Baptist Church de Belen. Gratis para personas de toda edad. Sabados de 4-5 p.m. Informe a 864-8624 y 629-1141.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 1

INAUGURATION of all newly elected officials from the county will be held at 1 p.m. at the Valencia County Courthouse on N.M. 314. For information, call Moises, 907-9597.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

HUNTER EDUCATION CLASS registration will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Belen Shooting Sports Clubhouse on the north frontage road off Camino del Llano.  Registrants will pick up study materials. The classes will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the clubhouse. A $10 donation is requested. For information, call Charles Anderson, 861-1436, or George Tash, 865-0574.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

POSTIVE PARENTING, a series, will be presented from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. by the Valencia County Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with Casas, a Safe Place, Topics include stress management, building self-worth, praising children, alternatives to spanking, feelings, building personal power, understanding drug and alcohol abuse and developing family morals, values and rules. It’s free. For information, call Anne-Marie Wilson, 565-3002.

CONTINUING

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF VALENCIA COUNTY is offering an opportunity for families to own their own homes, which are available now. For information or to arrange for an applications, call 839-3851.

SHOPPING TRANSPORTION from the Fred Luna Senior Center is being offered on the first and third Thursdays of each month for a $1 donation. For information, call Rene Benavidez, site manager, 839-3853.

A YOGA CLASS for seniors is being offered at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bosque Farms Community Center. It’s free. For information, call Gloria, 869-5133.

A YOGA CLASS will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Fridays at the Los Lunas Senior Center. It’s free. Instructor is Judith Du Pont.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28

HOME OF YOUR OWN HOUSE RAFFLE to benefit El Ranchito de los Niños purchase date has been extended. Only 4,000 $75 tickets will be sold until Dec. 28. The drawing for a Santa Barbara plan home built by D.R. Horton will be held at 11 a.m. at the home, 2704 Violeta Circle in Rio Rancho. For information, call Kris Gillis, 565-4470 or visit www.losninosnm.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2

A DANCE for all ages will be sponsored by the Los Lunas High School Future Farmers of America Boosters from 6 to 11 p.m. at Cowboy Hall in the Bosque Farms Fairgrounds. Admission is $5.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 30

BENEFIT RAFFLE tickets for the family of Valencia County Sheriff’s Deputy John Giron, who lost several members of his family recently, are being sold for $1 each. Prizes are a hunting skinning knife, $100 in service from Craig Tire and two cooking discs. Tickets are available from sheriff’s offices, the sheriff’s department, Old Mill and Craig Tire in Belen. For information, call Nancy or Deputy Pedro Chavez, 866-2400 or 866-2460.

ORGANIZATIONS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30

BREAKFAST OPTIMIST CLUB OF BELEN meets at 7 a.m. at Rutilio’s Restaurant.

BUSINESS WOMEN OF VALENCIA COUNTY meets at 7:30 a.m. at Guadalupe’s Restaurant, 959 Highway 314 in Los Lunas. Call 866-9014 or 866-6760.

ZEN MEDITATION GROUP meets at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, and at 10 a.m. Sundays at the Lotus Center, 1501 E. River Road in Belen. Call 507-4022 for information.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 3

RETIRED ALBUQUERQUE POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICERS meet at 10 a.m. at Sopa’s in Los Lunas. For information, call 865-6761 or 869-3348.

AGORA Crisis Center provides free, confidential help to anyone in need of emotional support. Phone and walk-in services are available. Open 24 hours a day, based on availability of volunteers. Call 277-3013.

ALANON meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Valley Lutheran Church and at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the First Baptist of Belen, 115 S. Fourth St. Alanon is for adults coping with the effects of a loved one’s or friend’s drinking.

ALATEEN for children of alcoholics meets at 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Valley Lutheran Church in Los Lunas.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS meets Sundays 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Belen Recreation Center and at 7 p.m. at Peralta United Methodist Church; on Mondays at 6 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in the old Los Lunas Hospital and Training Center and at 7 p.m. at the Belen Rec Center; on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Los Chavez, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Belen, at 8 p.m. at Valley Lutheran Church; Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at Belen Rec Center, 7 p.m. at St. Augustine Church in Isleta, and 7 p.m. at Peralta United Methodist; on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Belen and at 8 p.m. at Valley Lutheran;  Fridays at 5:30 p.m. at Peralta United Methodist and a women’s meeting from at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Belen; and on Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Belen Rec Center, and at 7 p.m. at Peralta United Methodist Church. For information, call 266-1900.

ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL , advocacy, support and education for families and consumers, will meet quarterly from 3 to 5 p.m. on the third Wednesday of February, May, August and November at 735 Don Pasqual in Los Lunas. For information, call Brenda, 565-1676.

ALZHEIMERS AND DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Los Lunas Senior Center, 197 Don Pasqual starting on Nov. 6. It will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Belen Senior Center, 715 S. Main. It’s sponsored by the New Mexico Alzheimer’s Association. For information, call Barbara, 916-0094.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE DEAF LIFE GROUP meets at 6 p.m. every Monday at Grace Fellowship, 3384 N.M. 47 in Los Lunas.

BELEN AREA FOOD PANTRY is open from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the First Baptist Church of Belen, 115 S. Fourth St. For information, call 573-9614.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS whose children died of miscarriage, stillbirth, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or other natural causes in the first year of life will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Office of the Medical Examiner at the University of New Mexico Medical School in Albuquerque. For information, call 272-2485 or 272-3397.

BEREAVEMENT AND CONSOLATION GROUP meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Faith Formation Building at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on the east side door. It’s open to all denominations. For information, call Sister Maria, 864-8851.

BETTER LIVING CINEMA SUPPORT GROUP, a support group dealing with mental disorders, meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Valencia Counseling, 735 Don Pasqual in Los Lunas. Participants watch and critique a free movie and discuss mental health issues. For information, call 865-3350, ext. 45.

CARE NET, a pro-life pregnancy center, is located at 601 Main St., Suite 26, in Mondel Plaza in Los Lunas. It offers free pregnancy tests, counseling, education, information about prenatal development, parenting and childbirth classes, adoption, lifestyle choices, and other information. For information, call Tina, 565-3838.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through December at Peralta Memorial Methodist Church, 25 Wesley Road in Peralta. It’s a “Purpose Driven” program dealing with overcoming hurts, hang-ups and habits through a Christ-centered 12 step and eight recovery principals. For information, call Chris, 865-7864, or Colleen, 866-1973.

CONSUMER SUPPORT GROUP for adults with a mental illness meets the first Tuesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and the third Wednesday of each month from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Valencia Counseling, Casa Manzana Lodge, 703 Don Pasqual in Los Lunas. It’s free. For information, call Leo, 865-1408.

DOUBLE TROUBLE IN RECOVERY for those currently or formerly experiencing or dealing with mental disorders and chemical addiction meets at 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays at 515 Don Pasquale in Los Lunas behind the CAP offices. Call 865-1408 or 203-4851.

DOVES, a ministry for widowed, separated and divorced people, will meet at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays at San Clemente Catholic Church parish hall in Los Lunas. For information, call Diana, 865-1279.

DWI SUPPORT GROUP meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Los Lunas Community Services Department off NM 47 across from Albertson’s. For information, call Dorothy Hern, 869-2531. It’s for surviving victims of DWI crashes and their caregivers.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS meets at 6 p.m. Thursdays at San Clemente Parish Hall, 244 Luna Ave. For information, call Angie, 865-1323, or Gloria, 363-9296.

GRIEF AND LOSS SUPPORT GROUP for anyone who is grieving the death or the serious illness of a loved one meets every other Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Ambercase Hospice, 420 N. Main in Belen. For information, call 861-0060.

GRIEFSHARE meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church, 25 Wesley Road off N.M. 47. Anyone, regardless of religious affiliation, who is coping with the death of a loved one is invited. For information, call 865-9334.

HIGH AND LIFTED UP addictions ministry meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Calvary Chapel’s New Harvest Los Lunas in Model Plaza, 601 Main St. It’s for anyone struggling with any kind of addiction, including drugs, alcohol, food, co-dependency.

LUPUS FOUNDATION support group for patients and families will meet the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at Anna Kaseman Hospital, 8300 Constitution N.E. in Albuquerque. Call 881-9081.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS, a support group for those trying to stop using drugs, meets at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in Spanish at the First Baptist Church of Los Chavez. For information, call 565-4043.

A NEW THIRST, a one-step program to recovery based on the word of God will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Fridays at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley, 19381 N. Highway 314 in Belen. For information, call the Calvary office, 864-6611.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS meets from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Christian Fellowship Church, 628 Los Lentes in Los Lunas. No dues, fees or weigh-ins; 12-step program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. For information, call Sylvia, 565-2351.

PANIC RELIEF INC. program for overcoming fears, anxiety and agoraphobia meets from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Belen. For information, call 732-940-9658.

A PARKINSON’S DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP has been formed in the county. The group will meet at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4. If you’re interested in participating, call Amber, 480-1976.

PEOPLE LIVING THROUGH CANCER meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Rio Communities. For information, call Rae, 864-8368.

PEOPLE LIVING THROUGH CANCER for cancer survivors and those battling it meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Valley Church of Christ in Mondel Center. For information, call 866-9010.

PHILLIP BACA DROP-IN CENTER for people coping with mental illness will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Mondays, 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays. A recovery meeting will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Mondays. A Better Living through Cinema meeting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays. A connections class will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays. Classes are for consumers only The center is on Don Pasqual behind the Community Action Program.

ROAD TO RECOVERY,  free support group for those dealing with a mental disorder, meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays at Valencia Counseling, 735 Don Pasqual in Los Lunas. For information, call 865-3350, ext. 45.

SPIRTUAL RECOVERY,  a 12-step program for adults dealing with any kind of hurt, hang-up or habit, meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Peralta Memorial United Methodist Church, 25 Wesley Road in Peralta. For information, call the church office at 865-9334.

THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY, a Christian solution to chemical dependency and “becoming God dependant” meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at Christian Faith Chapel, 1225 S. Main St. in Belen.

3 Rs (Recover, Renew and Reclaim) meets at 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays at Joanne’s Family Restaurant on N.M. 47 in Rio Communities for breakfast, fellowship, prayer, praise and testimonials. For information, call 980-8837.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 357 meets every Wednesday at the Vista del Rio Mobile Home Park Clubhouse on NM 304 in Rio Communities. Weigh-in is from 6 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a meeting from 6:30 to 7 p.m. For information, call 861-1309.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 203 meets Thursdays at the Vista del Rio Mobile Home Park center. Weigh-in is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and the meeting is from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. For information, call 565-2968.

VALENCIA CARES WARM LINE is open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to offer a listening ear when you need someone to talk to. People to staff phones and donations would be appreciated. Call 565-3045 to help.

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE support group meets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Domestic violence affects everyone in the community. Without intervention, children have a high risk of such behaviors as truancy, crime, drug abuse, alcoholism and gang-related violence. Call 864-3202 for information about the group, legal advocacy, play therapy and parenting classes, which are offered in English and Spanish.

WAKE UP, BELEN,  a safe place where gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning individuals may meet to talk about problems, feelings and other subjects will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays at the Belen Community Center in the Mutli-Purpose Park north of Belen High School. Others are also invited to get over their fears and make friends with those of a different sexual preference than their own. For information, call 573-6516 or 203-5224.

WELLNESS AND RECOVERY ACTION PLAN (WRAP), a peer-led support group focusing on wellness and recovery for adults with mental illness meets from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Mondays at Valencia Counseling, 735 Don Pasqual in Los Lunas. For information, call 865-3350, ext. 45.

WOMEN OF THE WORD, an outreach, support and Bible study group for women, meets at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at New Hope Outreach, 3370 NM 47 in Los Lunas. For information, call Diane, 553-0164.

YOUTH GRIEF SUPPORT session will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. every other Thursday. It’s sponsored by Ambercare Hospice Foundation. Topics include reflections, futuristic, holidays and traditions and memorial. To sign up or for information, call 861-0060.