AG confirms probe in Herrera's office

The New Mexico Attorney General's Office confirmed it's investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the Secretary of State's Office.

Current and former employees of Secretary of State Mary Herrera have leveled allegations ranging from possible kickbacks on contracts to office employees campaigning for Herrera on state time.

Herrera has said the allegations were false and politically motivated.

The Attorney General's Office said it revealed its investigation after a lawyer for former Elections Bureau director A.J. Salazar alleged Attorney General Gary King never adequately followed up on his client's allegations.

King's office says the allegations by Salazar's lawyer are politically motivated, a claim the lawyer denies.

Most county employees to get 2 percent raise

ALBUQUERQUE — Most Bernalillo County employees will get a 2 percent raise next month.

The raises will come as their counterparts in city government endure pay cuts.

City of Albuquerque workers are facing pay cuts of about 2 percent on average, though the amount varies by employee group.

The county's financial picture is a little rosier than the city's, partly because the county relies more heavily on property tax revenue for its operations.

That income source is steadier and not as vulnerable to the economic downturn as money from gross receipts taxes.

Bernalillo County's $215 million operating budget this year is roughly equal to what it spent last year.

The city of Albuquerque has seen its spending decline as the economy flags.

Last chance to buy artwork at El Museo show

Three New Mexico artists are offering 30 percent to 50 percent discounts on their work on the closing day of their show at El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe.

Between 1 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, buyers will get discounted prices on artwork by Stephanie Huerta, Armando Adrian Lopez and Roger Montoya. More than 100 pieces are for sale.

El Museo is at 555 Camino de la Familia, on the Railyard.

Paolo Soleri petition goes viral

Supporters of the Santa Fe Indian School's Paolo Soleri Amphitheater are using the Internet to collect signatures on a petition calling for the preservation of the landmark venue.

A group of about 15 concerned citizens, students and graduates of the Santa Fe Indian School led by architect Conrad Skinner and Rima Krisst contributed to the letter. "We all felt this was a necessary next step in the process of saving the Paolo Soleri," Krisst said in an e-mail.

The petition, addressed to the chairman and governors of the All Indian Pueblo Council and the school's superintendent, as well as to New Mexico's U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, acknowledges the concerns about the amphitheater's management and maintenance, but urges the officials to establish a framework to resolve the architectural, financial and managerial issues. The petition says that funding for $4.5 million in upgrades (to make the theater compliant with federal disability regulations and to install fire suppression, new bathrooms, drainage and a roof for the backstage areas, and a cover for the seating area) as well as an endowment for the operating costs are essential.

School Superintendent Everett Chavez said earlier this summer that the school has always been open to anyone offering real solutions. However, "Many people claim they want to keep this place, but so far no one has come forward with any money," he said.

In June, school officials announced that Lyle Lovett's concert July 29 would be the last event at the Paolo Soleri Amphitheater, built between 1955 and the early 1960s by the Italian architect Paolo Soleri, now living in Arizona. Later the school hinted that it might consider preserving the amphitheater in a response to a letter from Bingaman and Udall.

To sign the petition, go to www.ipetitions.com/petition/savepaolosoleriamphitheater.

Melodrama opens at S.F. Playhouse

With permission from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, Zozobra himself is making an appearance at the annual Fiesta Melodrama, which opened Thursday.

Reefer Melodrama! Or A Man and his Mannikin: The Absolutely Historically Accurate Account of the Creation of Zozobra or A Gargantuan Gloom Machine, Groovy Ganja Greens, Greedy Grasping Fiends & Grappling Fiesta Queens Generate Gaily Garrulous Scenes, was, as is traditional, written by an anonymous writing committee.

The melodrama, which spoofs the city's politics, culture and society, will this year present a theory on how Zozobra came into existence. The show runs through Sept. 12 at the Santa Fe Playhouse, 142 E. De Vargas Street. Evening performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. There is no performance on Sept. 9, when Zozobra burns at Fort Marcy Park. Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and teachers, with the exception of Sept. 2, when all seats are $10. For reservations, go to www.santafeplayhouse.org or call 988-4262.

Ride the Rail Runner to wine festival

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is again offering special train service over the Labor Day weekend for visitors to the New Mexico Wine Festival.

The festival, held in the town of Bernalillo, runs Sept. 4-6. The hours are noon to 7 p.m. People arriving by train can catch a free shuttle bus from the U.S. 550/Sandoval County stop to the festival, or take the short walk.

The festival, now in its 23rd year, attracts more than 25,000 people for the free tastings and sales of wine from 22 wineries.

Train tickets are available online at www.nmrailrunner.com. Festival tickets are available at www.newmexicowinefestival.com.




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