Columbus Day means closures

Most government offices and public schools are closed Monday in observance of the Columbus Day holiday, though the state Unemployment Insurance Call Center will be open for calls.

Many banks are also closed, but some — including Wells Fargo — are open. Call local branches for specific hours.

Gray vireo bird talk set for Wednesday

Leland Pierce, coordinator of terrestrial species recovery for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, will be discussing recovery efforts for the gray vireo (vireo vicinior), a small drab bird that inhabits the hot, dry, piñon-juniper woodlands of the Southwestern United States. The bird shares its habitat with the gnatcatcher, bushtit, juniper titmouse and Lucy's warbler.

He'll be speaking at a program of the Sangre de Cristo Audubon Society meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Unitarian Church at Galisteo Street and Barcelona Road.

For more information, call Tom Jervis at 988-1708.

Feds support bill protecting N.M. wilderness

LAS CRUCES — The Obama administration has thrown its backing behind a bill that would protect the Organ Mountains east of Las Cruces and other scenic areas in Doña Ana County.

A Bureau of Land Management official expressed the administration's support for the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act during testimony at a U.S. Senate hearing Thursday.

New Mexico Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall introduced the bill last month. It would create a 259,000-acre wilderness area and a 100,000-acre conservation area.

They say the bill would allow continued public use while protecting the Organ Mountains' granite peaks and the volcanic cinder cones of the Potrillo Mountains.

Funds will enhance scenic byways

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico will receive $365,000 in federal funding to improve scenic byways throughout the state.

New Mexico has 26 scenic byways that feature scenery and historic sites, including the Billy the Kid Trail, El Camino Real and historic Route 66. Scenic byways are selected based on archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic interest.

The funding will be for roadside markers, interpretive exhibits and promotional materials.

Tell us who made an impact

Each year The New Mexican recognizes 10 people in Northern New Mexico by writing about them in a special section, 10 Who Made a Difference.

Those chosen must be living in Northern New Mexico and involved in one or more volunteer activities that made a difference in their community. To nominate an individual, please write a letter or e-mail describing the person and their accomplishments and tell us how to contact you as well as the nominee.

The letters must received by The New Mexican by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Please send nominations to: 10 Who Made a Difference, The New Mexican City Desk, P.O. 2048, Santa Fe, NM 87504 or submit to brucek@sfnewmexican.com.

Profiles on those honored will be published Thanksgiving Day.