Some 275 to 300 people attended Luna Community College's, "A Conversation with the Community" last month, featuring former Dallas Cowboys' star running back Don Perkins. The football great also signed autographs for approximately 75 minutes after his presentation. Several local high-school students attended, with representatives from West Las Vegas High, Robertson High, Springer High, Santa Rosa High and Pecos High schools.


Opening soon, summer movies that were made (at least partially) in New Mexico. First off, Terminator Salvation, May 21; Year One, June 19; and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, June 24. Terminator Salvation stars Christian Bale (his famous You Tube diatribe happened during shooting of the film), Year One features Jack Black and Michael Cera, while Transformers stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox.


Local poet Gabe Gomez reports via Facebook that two of his poems are being published in the Cincinnati Review, Spring 09 issue. Gomez's day job is about to heat up: He's with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, the august group that puts on Indian Market each summer. Gomez also hosts The Junk Drawer on Project 101.5 FM, from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday. His special guest last week? None other than The New Mexican's Steve Terrell, political reporter, blogger, musician and music critic.


Big news for Sarah Jessica Parker, soon to be in New Mexico to complete filming of Did You Hear About the Morgans? co-starring Hugh Grant. The Sex and the City star and her husband, Matthew Broderick, are expecting twin girls with the help of a surrogate mother. That will make three children for the couple. They have a 6-year-old son, James Wilkie. New Mexico shooting for the Morgans is set to start this week.

Watch for an interesting night on the Plaza come Monday, when the 11th Annual Gumball 3000 Rally comes to town. From 5-8 p.m., Rhythm and 53rd will be playing live on the Plaza, while some 100 custom cars from the rally will be on display in the streets of Santa Fe.

This year's rally offers up 3,000 miles of adventure from LA to Miami, featuring such celebs as David Hasselhoff and Jackass stars Bam Margera and Ryan Dunn, sports legends Tony Hawk, Danny Kass and David Mirra and vintage rocker Lemmy from Motorhead.

Cars from custom BMWs to tricked-out Jeeps and Chevy trucks, Porches, plus lowriders, Lamborghinis and classic American muscle cars all are in the rally — and will be in town for car-loving locals to see.

It's a chance, say sponsors, to unify people through popular culture and the common language of the motor car. The rally started May 1 in Santa Monica and will finish up May 8 in Miami.

Send your news to elmitote@sfnewmexican.com