Group withdraws music school idea

El Rancho de las Golondrinas Foundation has withdrawn its request for a variance from residential zoning so it could operate a music school at the Paloheimo house at 614 Acequia Madre.

The foundation twice before had been scheduled for a hearing before the Santa Fe Board of Adjustment for an exception for "college and university use" of the 83-year-old adobe residence on 3 acres fronting both Acequia Madre and San Antonio Street.

No physical changes in the structure were proposed, but the foundation that runs the living-history museum southwest of town wanted to run a music school there for eight or nine students. No overnight occupancy was proposed in the house, built for the Paloheimo family who founded Rancho de las Golondrinas.

At an early neighborhood notification meeting this summer, various concerns were raised about operations, noise, traffic and the effect on the east-side neighborhood.

On Tuesday, city land-use planner Daniel Esquibel told the Board of Adjustment that the applicant had requested an indefinite postponement on the matter. No reason was given.

Panel backs tighter alcohol rules

Members of the city Public Safety Committee on Tuesday unanimously endorsed a measure that would restrict alcohol sales on city-owned property to only three locations.

Currently, the Santa Fe City Council can make exceptions to permit alcohol to be served at parks or other city-owned sites. However, a task force formed after four teens were killed this summer in an alleged drunken-driving crash recommended the change, said Jeanne Price, city legislative liaison.

If the full council passes the ordinance, alcohol could only be served at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, Santa Fe Municipal Airport and the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe golf course.

Councilors this summer debated the issue of alcohol sales in city parks in connection with events held at Fort Marcy Park to celebrate Santa Fe's 400th anniversary. The serving of beer and wine was allowed after Mayor David Coss broke a tie vote to grant permission.

Black Crowes performance canceled

The Black Crowes concert scheduled for tonight at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center has been canceled, the promoter announced Tuesday.

A statement issued by Fan Man Productions apologized for the inconvenience but didn't say why the performance by the blues-tinged rock band was canceled.

"Ticket holders who paid with a credit card will be refunded automatically," the announcement said, "or you can return to the point of purchase."

Ticket prices for the show were $39, or $53 for reserved seating.

Memorial planned for Rose Marie Alderete

Services are scheduled Friday for Rose Marie Alderete of Santa Fe, who died Sunday. She had served as the clerk of the New Mexico Supreme Court for 25 years.

Alderete was born in Lockhart, Texas, in 1923 and moved to Santa Fe in 1958 with her two sons. She worked for the Santa Fe City Attorney's Office and the law offices of Howard F. Houk before becoming the first female clerk of the state Supreme Court.

Alderete, who received her degree in public administration from the College of Santa Fe at the age of 60, was the longest-tenured clerk in the high court's history and served for many years on the Board of Bar Examiners.

She also was president of the St. Vincent Hospital Auxiliary and a member of the Santa Fe Fiesta Council for many years.

Memorial services are set for 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of the Holy Faith, 311 E. Palace Ave.

Kepler plans 'town hall' sessions

Mayoral candidate Asenath Kepler will hold three "town hall" meetings in the coming weeks to talk about her platform and answer questions.

She announced Tuesday that the first event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Church of the Holy Faith, 311 E. Palace Ave. Other meetings are scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, Nov. 5 at the Elks Club and Nov. 12 at Santa Fe Country Club, all starting at 5:30 p.m.

"I want this to be an audience-driven interactive event that will let me respond to the current concerns of Santa Feans," Kepler said in a statement.

Kepler and other mayoral candidates are collecting petition signatures from registered voters to get on the ballot for the March 10 election. City Councilor Miguel Chavez and incumbent Mayor David Coss also are campaigning for the job.

Community meeting set in El Rancho

Santa Fe County Commissioner Harry Montoya and Sheriff Greg Solano have scheduled a community meeting to discuss local concerns such as graffiti and speeding at 6 p.m. Thursday at the El Rancho Community Center, 394 County Road 84.

"This is one of those times that we need to reconnect," said Montoya, who noted speeding has been a particular problem along certain roads in the area.

"It's tough to try to get the (law-enforcement) coverage that we need out there, and we'd like to see what else can be done," he said. "Our speed hump program has no more funds."

For more information, call Lisa Roybal, constituent services liaison, at 995-2761.

N.M. to get Homeland Security funds

An appropriations bill passed by the U.S. Senate and sent to the White House includes funds to support several national security initiatives in New Mexico, the state's two senators said Tuesday.

The fiscal year 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill includes $20 million requested by U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, both Democrats, for the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories.

"The program models every conceivable disaster and other simulations for disaster preparedness purposes," said a news release issued jointly by the senators.

Among other appropriations, the bill also contains $23 million for New Mexico Tech's National Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center.