Updated drilling ordinance online

The latest version of Santa Fe County's evolving oil and gas ordinance is now available for public review on the county's Web site, www.santafecounty.org.

A recent change would allow oil- and gas-production companies to obtain special approval from the County Development Review Committee to operate up to 24 hours a day during specific parts of the drilling process. Another change would allow hydraulic fracturing with substances other than water if approved by a county appointed petroleum engineer.

The County Commission will consider adopting the ordinance at its monthly meeting that begins at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the County Commission Chambers, 102 Grant Ave.

The State Oil Conservation Commission is also in the process of drafting new rules for oil and gas extraction in Santa Fe County and the Galisteo Basin. A public hearing on those rules will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday in Porter Hall, 1220 S. St. Francis Drive.

Aragon building might be renamed

ALBUQUERQUE — A state lawmaker is recommending that a building at the National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico be renamed.

Rep. Miguel Garcia, D-Albuquerque, says it's unfortunate the Manny Aragon Torreon Building is named for a man who pleaded guilty to federal felony counts of conspiracy and mail fraud in a public corruption case.

Garcia made the name-changing recommendation to New Mexico Cultural Affairs Secretary Stuart Ashman.

Ashman says he has asked the cultural center's board of directors to review the matter and make a recommendation.

Garcia says the Hispanic Cultural Center is a nationally recognized institution and should honor individuals who have made lasting contributions to New Mexico.

Council to meet in convention center

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Santa Fe City Council next week will be at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., instead of at City Hall.

The center's Sweeney Ballroom is much larger than Council Chambers next door at City Hall and is where the governing body will meet when it is expecting large crowds.

Wednesday's 5 p.m. meeting there will be for show, not because of an expected turnout.

Free city parking for the holidays

Santa Fe is expanding its offer of free weekend parking during the holiday season.

The city Parking Division announced Thursday that it will provide free parking at all downtown parking meters, including paid parking spaces at the Railyard, and at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center and Railyard garages on Saturdays and Sundays from now until Dec. 28.

Additionally, one free hour of parking is available at the Sandoval Parking Garage on Saturdays and Sundays. All subsequent hours will cost the normal daily rate.

The plan is part of the "Home for the Holidays" initiative, aimed at encouraging residents to shop locally this holiday season and sponsored by the Santa Fe Alliance and Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce.

Road work to hinder downtown

Construction will disrupt traffic on Washington Avenue just south of Marcy Street on Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The city Water Division and Sub-Surface Construction firm will install a new fire hydrant in the area. In case of problems, call 955-4333 during business hours or 955-4300.

Construction will also close portions of Agua Fría from San Isidro Crossing to the Agua Fría Elementary School on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. while a contractor works on utilities in the area.

Park to close for renovations

Gregory Lopez Park, at the corner of Hano and San Felipe streets, will be temporarily closed for about a month while city of Santa Fe Parks, Trails and Watershed Division crews install a new irrigation system and make other improvements.

The work, which includes the addition of picnic tables, benches and barbecue grills, will be funded through the Parks Bond passed by Santa Fe voters earlier this year, according to an announcement.

City to co-host ham radio class

Amateur radio operators are invited to work with the city of Santa Fe's Emergency Management Division, which is partnering with the Santa Fe Amateur Radio Club and Los Alamos Amateur Radio Club to host a ham radio class Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

Amateur radio operators are key to successful communication during a disaster, according to a city announcement. Early registration is required, and seating is limited. See the city's Web site www.santafenm.gov for more information or contact Joyce Purley, city emergency preparedness coordinator, at
955-6537 or jwpurley@santa
fenm.gov.

Las Vegas home tours planned

The Las Vegas Citizens' Committee for Historic Preservation will hold its annual Holiday Home Tour of eight historic homes in Las Vegas, N.M., from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12.

The committee withholds an advance listing on which of Las Vegas' 918 historic houses are on this year's tour to protect the privacy of their occupants. But the tour includes two historic adobes on South Pacific Street and several Victorians facing Carnegie and Lincoln parks.

Refreshments, music by the Las Vegas Choir and tickets will be available at the Plaza Hotel during the tour. Refreshments also will be served at several of the homes, which will be decorated for the holidays. Tickets — $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 — also are available in advance, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the committee headquarters, 116 Bridge St.

For more information, call 425-8803, e-mail historic@cybermesa.com or visit www.lasvegasnmcchp.com.

Fenton Lake closed to fishing

Fenton Lake has been temporarily closed to fishing. A thin layer of ice on the lake has created "unsafe conditions for anglers," according to the state Department of Game and Fish and New Mexico State Parks.

Fenton Lake State Park is still open for camping and other recreational activities. Officials will reopen the lake for fishing once the ice is thick enough to walk on — at least 9 inches thick.