NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from March 21 to 27. Albuquerque March 21-22 The Show – Albuquerque's longest-running comedy show happens every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12. March 22 Little Big Man's Benefit Carshow & Concert – W ith plenty of entertainment and great food, visit Ramada Plaza By Wyndham in Albuquerque Midtown from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. People's choice of best car or truck wins a $500 cash prize. 50% of all ticket sales will be donated to The Carry Tingley Children's Hospital Foundation Wheelchair Basketball Team. March 22 New Mexico United Home Opener Party – Fútbol in New Mexico kicks off this Saturday with a free tailgate. Enjoy free Blake's Lotaburger breakfast burritos and live music. The first 2,500 fans through the gates secure a 2025 Home Opener flag. The event starts at 11 a.m. at Isotopes Park. March 22 Drive-Thru Pet Shot Clinic – Watermelon Mountain Ranch is hosting a drive-thru shot clinic at Cottonwood Mall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22 Matador Market – This family-friendly indoor/outdoor event with more than 200 crafters, artists, and food vendors features music provided by the Sandia Bands. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 Guided Hike: Rinconada Canyon – This volunteer-led hike will travel through the 2.2-mile loop trail into Rinconada Canyon, with information on the history of the area. The hike will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. March 22-23 Expo New Mexico Flea Market – Check out the food, vendors, and live entertainment at New Mexico's largest open-air market. The market runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is $2 for walk-ups and $10 per car for parking. March 25 Open Mic Night in Old Town – Calling all singers, comedians, and performers. Join The Taproom in Old Town Albuquerque for an all-night happy hour, discounted appetizers, and some great performances on the patio stage. This event is every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. March 27 Ancora and Albuquerque Songwriters' Cooperative Open Mic – Every Thursday night is Open Mic at Ancora Cafe and Bakery where music and sound is the focus of the evening. The event is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. March 27-April 6 The Venardos Circus – This event at the Cottonwood Mall wraps world-class, animal-free circus acts into a Broadway musical-style format. Tickets and showtimes are available online. New Mexico March 21 Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums – Join Las Cruces Museums for a special evening at the Main Street Museums. Explore the exhibits after dark among other adults while enjoying drinks from Dry Point Distillers. This event is from 5 to 9 p.m. 21+ only. March 21 Spring Cleaning Clothing Swap – Join River City Emporium for an afternoon of sustainable fun, community connection, and fabulous finds. This free Red River event is from 2 to 4 p.m. March 21-22 Chick Days – Roswell Livestock & Farm Supply is hosting Chick Days, with food trucks and the petting zoo joining. This event is from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. March 22 Otero County Farmer's Market – Check out the only year-round farmers market in the area with many local farmers, crafters, bakers, and more exclusively from Otero County. This event occurs every Saturday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. March 22 Cabezon Park's Spring-Cleaning Rummage Sale – Sell all of those items collecting dust or just come down and browse. Food trucks will be on site. The event is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cabezon Park and Community Center in Rio Rancho. March 22 Local Authors Showcase – From 12 to 2 p.m., Gallup authors will showcase and sell their books to fans. March 22 Clovis Wedding Expo – Meet the people committed to making the perfect wedding. This event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22 The Travelling Comic Book Store – At the Stevens Inn in Carlsbad, see everything you can find at a comic book store. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $1 for adults, and kids 12 and under get in free. The admission is also an entry into a raffle for a $50 shopping spree, with the drawing at 2:30 p.m. March 23 Organ Mountain Sunday Market – The newest market in town takes place off Highway 70 in Las Cruces. Come check out weekly vendors, food trucks, retailers, and more for themed markets from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23 Sunset Vistas Guided Hike – At 1:30 p.m., embark on a scenic hike along the breathtaking Sierra Vista Trail in Las Cruces. This guided hike will cover a total distance of 5 miles. Albuquerque Notes 🔶 ABQ BioPark offering lessons on local plant life – The ABQ BioPark is hosting an event later this month for anyone who wants to learn more about our local wildlife. On March 22, BioPark staff will be at the Botanic Garden, teaching visitors specifically about the plants that are growing in our backyards. 🔶 Adult STEM night at the Nuclear History Museum – The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History is hosting its Discovery After Dark Adult STEM Night on Friday, April 11 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 🔶 City of Albuquerque launches 311 survey – The City of Albuquerque is asking community members for input on how the 3-1-1 service can better serve the community. 🔶 ABQ BioPark penguin competing in ‘March of the Penguins’ – While college basketball teams are getting prepared for their own brackets, penguins around the country are getting ready for their own, including one at the ABQ BioPark. Ike the penguin is part of this year’s March of the Penguins bracket. 🔶 Animal Humane New Mexico helps pet owners in crisis by providing free boarding to animals – A program through Animal Humane New Mexico is helping take care of pets who belong to survivors fleeing domestic violence, people facing housing insecurity, or individuals who need extended medical or behavioral treatment. 🔶 PNM hosting bill assistance event in Albuquerque – PNM will host a financial assistance event in Albuquerque to help customers pay past-due electricity bills. The event will be held Thursday, March 27 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Los Griegos Community Center. 🔶 How has Albuquerque’s housing market changed over the years? – Many factors play into the housing market, but extraordinary circumstances, like the coronavirus pandemic, may trigger market changes that can take years to bounce back from. So, how has Albuquerque’s housing market changed recently, and what was it like in years prior? 🔶 Albuquerque City Council votes to let plans move forward for Mesa Film Studios – A new proposed film studio on the west side of Albuquerque continues to face backlash from neighbors who are trying to stop the project. After city councilors voted against an appeal from those neighbors at a recent meeting, the group still has another chance to plead their case. 🔶 APS Board of Education defends change in media policy amid criticism – A change to the Albuquerque Public School Board of Education’s governance manual is drawing scrutiny with some claiming it limits transparency. But the APS board president said it was all a misunderstanding. 🔶 Albuquerque Community Safety celebrates 100,000 calls for service – Albuquerque Community Safety is recognizing a pivotal achievement in just over three years of service, the department has responded to over 100,000 calls. Their help extends beyond just Albuquerque residents.  New Mexico Notices 🔶 Santa Fe County giving free trees to kids for Earth Day – Santa Fe County is helping kids celebrate Earth Day next month by giving them a free tree to plant. The county is partnering with Minneapolis-based non-profit Neighborhood Forest, which is giving away free trees to 100,000 kids across the United States, including in New Mexico. 🔶 New Mexico honoring historic women with markers around the state – The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs is encouraging New Mexicans to celebrate Women’s History Month by visiting one of the historical markers honoring a remarkable woman. 🔶 Groups to host free training in New Mexico on how to spot human trafficking – An event to train people on how to stop and spot signs of human trafficking will be held in Mescalero in April. 🔶 NMDOT aesthetic survey now open to community – The New Mexico Department of Transportation is asking for the public’s help making state roadways more pleasing. Residents can now take a survey to share how they think the department can honor New Mexico’s multicultural traditions, celebrate our natural landscapes, and enhance the travel experience for residents and visitors. 🔶 Santa Fe Public Schools asks community for superintendent input – Santa Fe Public Schools is searching for a new superintendent and wants the community’s input on their possible selection. Last month, then-Superintendent HIlario “Larry” Chavez resigned from the position, with the Board of Education voting unanimously to accept it. 🔶 Lawyers for LCPD officer in 2022 manslaughter case request new trial – The Las Cruces Police officer who shot a man in the back of the head at point blank range for stealing a beer at a gas station is asking for a new trial. In February, the court convicted Brad Lunsford of voluntary manslaughter, but now, he’s requesting a new trial, saying the jury was biased. 🔶 Governor signs bills on veteran property tax exemptions and state park fees – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed a pair of bills aimed at benefiting the state’s veterans. HB 47 implements a constitutional amendment to increase property tax exemptions for vets from $4,000 to $10,000. It also sets a proportional tax exemption for disabled vets to match their federal disability rating. 🔶 Santa Fe County to hold wildfire mitigation and preparedness event – After having a dry winter, Santa Fe County said it’s preparing for another high-risk fire season. While the government gets ready, they’re encouraging the public to take their own steps to protect their homes. 🔶 These movies were filmed in Santa Fe. Have you seen them? – Santa Fe, which was recently named the best small city for filmmakers to live and work in by MovieMaker Magazine, is now a hub for New Mexico’s booming film industry. With hundreds of films spanning over a century, Santa Fe has cemented its legacy as a unique, versatile, and visually stunning setting for movies of every genre. 🔶 Santa Fe County offering free disposal of solid/green waste and old tires – Santa Fe County is offering free disposal of green waste, old tires, and solid waste throughout the year and it’s all for free. The first event is a tire disposal happening next Saturday at county convenience centers in Stanley, Jacano, and Eldorado. ...read more read less