NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from March 28 to April 3. Albuquerque March 28 Legal Fair – From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dennis Chavez Community Center, attorneys will be on-site to offer free legal advice on topics ranging from divorce, custody, child su pport, paternity, guardianships, employment, contracts, foreclosures, creditor/debtor issues, and more. March 28-29 The Show – Albuquerque's longest-running comedy show happens every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12. March 28-30 Albuquerque Spring Home Expo – This free event is the perfect opportunity for homeowners to save BIG on all home improvement projects and meet with local and national vendors face-to-face, offering valuable insights and guidance to help you turn your vision into reality. The expo runs Friday from 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 28-30 Anime New Mexico – New Mexico's anime convention returns on Friday at the Embassy Suites by Hilton. The event starts Friday at 2 p.m. and ends Sunday at 4 p.m. March 29-30 Albuquerque Oddities & Curiosities Expo – This expo at Albuquerque Convention Center showcases hand-selected vendors, dealers, artists, and small businesses with all things weird. The event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 29-30 Mean Girls Brunch – Bring a group and dress in pink at the Damacios Bar & Tapas "Mean Girls"-themed brunch. The brunch is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. March 29-30 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 30 Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico Visibil'T'y Fundraiser – With live music and affordable refreshments, this fundraising event runs from 12 to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but cash and card donations are welcome. April 1 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. April 3 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. New Mexico March 28-29 Home & Garden Expo – Enjoy free admission and fun for the whole family in Farmington. For all things that make a house a home… find it at the expo. March 29 Gallup Children's Museum Grand Opening – Join Gallup in welcoming the newest tenant to Rio West Mall. Refreshments, face painting, and other activities will be available. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29 Craft Fair – Join Los Lunas for the Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will have local vendors, handmade goods, and food trucks. March 29 Spring Break Bash – Lucybodymods and BareBeauty in Roswell host Ink & Shine, with full-body waxing, tattoos, piercings, food, and drinks. With door prizes and exclusive sales, come out to support local artists. Adults only! The event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 29 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 29 4th Annual Job Fair – Alamogordo Civic Center hosts with a wide range of local businesses. Bring a resume, dress to impress, and take the next step in your career. The event is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 Spring Vendor and Craft Fling – Come to Rio Rancho and shop from over 40 local artists and crafters for unique handmade gifts. This event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29-30 Easter on the Ranch – Portales hosts vendors, food trucks, lawn games, face painting, bouncy castles, petting zoo, goat milk product store, live music, free pictures with the Easter Bunny, and drink and snack concessions. The event runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. Entry Fees are $3 for ages 14 and older, $2 for ages 5 to 13, and free for 4 and under. March 29-30 Petting Zoo at Las Cruces Outdoor Expo – Come out and see Barnyard Buddies Petting Zoo at the Las Cruces Convention Center. Admission is $3. The event runs Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 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. Albuquerque Notes 🔶 Albuquerque Isotopes offer free entry to ‘Jackie Robinson Night’ for students who submit art, essay projects – The Albuquerque Isotopes have announced the return of an art and essay project for “Jackie Robinson Night.” This initiative aims to honor Jackie Robinson, the first African American man to play Major League Baseball, while giving students a chance to create a reflective piece on the baseball icon. 🔶 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. 🔶 New Mexico United set to host fourth annual fundraiser gala – New Mexico United is gearing up for its fourth annual gala, the Somos Unidos Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser. “The Ball” will be held at Atlantic Aviation on Friday, September 26. 🔶 Registration for pre-K/preschool at APS opens on March 24 – Registration is opening up for kids to enroll in preschool and pre-K classes at Albuquerque Public Schools on March 24. Children signing up must be 3 or 4 years old by the time classes start on August 31. 🔶 ABQ BioPark penguin progresses in ‘March of the Penguins’ competition – 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. 🔶 New APS high school aims to help immigrant and refugee families adjust to life in the U.S. – From Zimbabwe to Albuquerque. A mother and her five children moved to New Mexico, and as you can imagine, there was culture shock, a language barrier, and a lot of changes to adapt to. That’s why starting next year, Albuquerque Public Schools will open International High School to help refugee and immigrant families. 🔶 Bernalillo County votes on update to glyphosate policy – Bernalillo County is lifting its ban on the use of a controversial herbicide known as glyphosate, commonly found in weed killers like Roundup, as weeds grow out of control. 🔶 UNM hosting annual Health Professions Symposium – The 9th Annual Health Professions Symposium is is coming to the UNM North Campus Domenici Center for Health Sciences Education on April 12 at 9 a.m. 🔶 Lobo basketball coach Richard Pitino leaves UNM for Big East job – The Richard Pitino era for the UNM men’s basketball program has come to a close. The now-former Lobos head coach has accepted the same role at Xavier. 🔶 UNM researchers release study on hantavirus in New Mexico – Hantavirus, the disease that killed Gene Hackman’s wife, is carried in more than 30 animals in New Mexico, according to a new study by researchers with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. They screened over a thousand mammals from across the state since 2019 and found the virus in not just mice but also in squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, and rats. New Mexico Notices 🔶 New Mexico becomes fifth state to offer free high school equivalency exams – The land of enchantment is set to become the fifth state to offer high school equivalency exams for free, the New Mexico Higher Education Department announced on Monday. The department expects this will boost the number of adults earning high school equivalency diplomas. 🔶 Registration opens for New Mexico Summer Reading Program – Registration is open for the New Mexico 2025 Summer Reading Program. The free initiative aims to provide focused reading instruction to 15,000 K-8 students during the summer. 🔶 New Mexico residents encouraged to take free online diabetes risk assessment – According to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), nearly 11% of residents have been diagnosed with diabetes. In observance of Diabetes Alert Day on Tuesday, NMDOH is joining the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to encourage residents to take an online risk assessment. 🔶 Española Humane breaks ground on new clinic facility – In an effort to tackle pet overpopulation and suffering on a larger scale, Española Humane is on its way to opening up a new animal clinic. It’s been years in the making, and now Española Humane is breaking ground on something big. 🔶 NMSU breaks ground on expansion for Aggie Innovation Space – Students and faculty at New Mexico State University are one step closer to getting their hands on some new tech. On Wednesday, organizers broke ground on the expansion of the Aggie Innovation Space, which will house two metal 3D printers, each worth $250,000. 🔶 New law giving bicyclists more freedom through intersections begins soon in New Mexico – There’s a new law in New Mexico that gives bicyclists more freedom when it comes to navigating intersections. Under current law, when a bicyclist comes to a stop sign, they must completely stop, but starting soon, they will be able to ride through as long as no cars are in sight. 🔶 Laser technology helps discover previously unknown road at Chaco Culture National Historical Park – New technology is proving to be a game changer at historic sites like Chaco Canyon, where researchers recently found a new, previously undiscovered road, which could reveal more about those living there hundreds of years ago. 🔶 Roswell Animal Services facility to re-open Friday following deep cleaning for canine distemper – The Roswell Animal Services facility announced on Wednesday it will re-open on Friday after being deep cleaned. The organization says canine distemper was brought into the facility at 705 East McGaffey St. by one or more dogs from outside. 🔶 Ruidoso Downs Race Track makes progress towards reopening – Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino is one step closer to getting horses back on its track after being closed since 2024. 🔶 Daffodils on sale in central New Mexico to support hospice house – Daffodil bouquets are hitting shelves in central New Mexico, and the proceeds from buying them are going to a good cause for the 42nd annual Daffodil Days event. Volunteers with Presbyterian Healthcare are getting over 100,000 daffodils ready for sale on Wednesday. ...read more read less