Rain causes outages, closures

Monsoon weather walloped Northern New Mexico Saturday night as heavy rainfall drenched the area, causing some spot flooding and property damage.

At the Giant gas station on Sawmill Road and St. Francis Drive, customers reported a section of awning covering the gas pumps fell on top of three vehicles as fuel was being pumped. No injuries were reported, but police closed the business shortly after 10 p.m.

Santa Fe Police also said Cerrillos Road was flooded between Camino Carlos Rey and St. Michael’s Drive. “I can already kayak through these streets,” said one police officer on the scene.

Police also reported spot power outages throughout the city, a request for sandbags at an apartment complex, and one man telling dispatchers his hands were shrinking because of the thunder.
As of Saturday night, a gauge in southwest Santa Fe had recorded .95 of an inch of rain; while Adea had .47 of an inch and Lamy .21 of an inch. More rain is expected today and Monday.

County fair begins Wednesday

The Santa Fe County Fair runs Wednesday through Aug. 8 at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds, 3229 Rodeo Road.

Extensive indoor exhibits will feature arts and crafts, gardens, fashion, food and more. The fair will also bring back popular exhibits such as the model trains sponsored by the Santa Fe Model Railroad Club and quilts by the Northern New Mexico Quilters' Guild. The Small Pet Show, the Open Archery Contest, the Salsa Contest and Chile Challenge will be returning as well.

All the exhibits are free.

The schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday is check-in for all 4-H/FFA animals.

• On Thursday, indoor exhibits are open to the public from noon to 8 p.m., including a rabbit show, cattle and dairy shows, swine show, and an evening dance.

• On Friday, indoor exhibits are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and there will be a poultry show, sheep show, meat and dairy goat show, fun with nutrition, llama demonstration, and an evening dance.

• On Saturday, exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a 4-H dog show, round robin showmanship, herding dog demonstration, fun with nutrition, archery contest, salsa contest, livestock auction, and an evening dance.

• On Aug. 8, exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include a small pet show, chile challenge and barnyard olympics.

For a complete schedule with times, search the Internet for "Santa Fe County Fair Events."

State secretary to hold education meeting

The state secretary of higher education will host a meeting Wednesday as part of a process to develop a master plan for higher education in New Mexico.

The event is set for 9 to 11 a.m. in the Santa Fe Community College Board Room, No. 223, 6401 Richards Ave.

There is also a meeting set for 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 18 at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, N.M.

As part of an effort to seek public input, Secretary Viola E. Florez developed an online survey and has issued some discussion papers, which can be viewed at www.hed.state.nm.us.

Children's museum begins after-school club

The Santa Fe Children's Museum is set to begin its new Discovery & Play Afterschool Club for first-, second- and third-graders on Aug. 23.

This new program has been planned in response to the need for more after-school educational opportunities for children. The club — which runs from 2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday — will use all the resources of the Santa Fe Children's Museum, including the greenhouse and outdoor Earthworks exhibit space.

The program is led by the museum's new environmental educator, Melanie Beck, who will focus on art, creativity, environmental education, emotional intelligence and play.

The program coincides with all regular school days and will meet on snow days. Participants can choose two, three or five days per week, and the cost ranges from $30 to $50 per week. Call Melanie Beck to register or for more information at 989-8359 extension 118.

The New Mexican