Comcast to host candidate forums

Comcast cable television subscribers will be able to watch three candidate forums this month for the contested governor and lieutenant governor races in the primary election.

The Republican forums for governor and lieutenant governor will be moderated by Marco Gonzales, a longtime Republican activist and former congressional candidate.

The Democratic lieutenant governor forum will be moderated by Chris Garcia, a political-science professor at The University of New Mexico. (The Democratic gubernatorial primary has only one candidate, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish.)

Candidates will answer questions prepared by the political-science departments of The University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University. Each session is scheduled for one hour and will be aired on local Comcast access channels across the state beginning Friday. In Santa Fe, it will be shown on channel 21. In Las Vegas, N.M., it will be on channel 23.

The programs also will be available anytime on Comcast Video on Demand platforms in Santa Fe beginning May 10.

Weck's restaurant to open in October

The retail space on Cerrillos Road at St. Michael's Drive that was previously a Southwest furniture store and before that a JB's restaurant will soon become a Weck's restaurant.

The Santa Fe store is tentatively expected to open in early October, said Casey Hazelwood, the company's director of operations. It will employ about 35 people full and part time.

Santa Fe's minimum wage of $9.85 "is a high minimum wage, but it won't deter us," Hazelwood said.

The Weck's chain, which serves breakfast and lunch all day and is known for its large portions, has eight stores in Albuquerque, where the company is based.

Another Weck's is under construction in Las Lunas. There's also one in Lewisville, Texas.

Paper honored by preservation group

The New Mexican will receive the Old Santa Fe Association's 2010 Community Service Award for news and editorials about historic preservation.

Association President Tim Maxwell said the presentation recognizes the newspaper's "front-page coverage of our local traditions, and editorials that call for the preservation of the historic character of the city.

"The New Mexican can always be counted on to cover the lives and endeavors of Santa Feans, contributing significantly to the community spirit of our city," he wrote.

The Community Service Award previously has been awarded to the Kiwanis Club for sponsoring the annual Zozobra pageant, to architect Beverley Spears and to the late Irene von Horvath, who helped craft the city's 1957 ordinance regulating architectural styles in historic districts.

The award is one of several to be presented at the association's awards ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. May 13 at the National Park Service Headquarters, 1100 Old Santa Fe Trail.

SFPS offers summer music camp

The Santa Fe Public Schools is offering a summer music program for band, choir and string orchestra June 7-July 2 at Santa Fe High School.

The camp will provide large ensemble rehearsals, music theory, master classes and a performance for each level and group. Sessions are from 8 a.m. to noon, and the cost is $200. To register or for more information, contact Todd Hansen at 505-310-2411.

Ensemble group performs at library

The Santa Fe Women's Ensemble, directed by Linda Raney, will present an a cappella performance, "Music from All Over the Earth" on from 2 to 2:30 p.m. May 8 at the Southside Branch Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive. The 30-minute program includes hands-on music making. Individual children may be invited to participate with percussion instruments provided by the ensemble.

Nava hosts annual art fair

Nava Elementary School will be hosting its fourth Annual Art Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.

This year, the school is showcasing student artwork created by Nava students with their art teacher, Kim Leonard, in collaboration with several visiting artists, Ron Pokrasso, printmaking; Pamela Messer, ceramics; Lenise Martinez from the Spanish Colonial Arts Museum, straw appliqué; and Susan Jay, fabric pillow art.

The schoolwide art fair, inspired by Principal Anita Cisneros, features a student art exhibit, library book sale, raffle and silent auction. Students not only learned their art form, they reinforced their lessons by teaching fellow students during art-making projects.

The event at Nava, 2655 Siringo Road, is free. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.