Exhibit spotlights WWII internments

The Los Alamos Historical Museum next month opens an exhibition on one of the least-known chapters in American history — the internment of thousands of German civilians during World War II.

Vanished: German-American Civilian Internment, 1941-1948, running from June 4 to July 31, presents details on how the U.S. government registered some 300,000 Germans in the United States as "enemy aliens."

About 11,000 German resident aliens and German Americans were detained, interned, deported or exchanged, even though none of them was convicted of a war-related crime. "Those spies and saboteurs convicted by the U.S. for attempted sabotage were not interned; they were kept in prisons, and then hanged," says a news release from the museum.

In addition, 4,058 Germanic Latin Americans — including German and Austrian Jews who had fled Nazi terror — were forcibly brought to the United States, with many of them held at Ellis Island within sight of the Statue of Liberty, according to the release.

The museum, Central Avenue at Bathtub Row, is open weekdays and Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. For information, call 662-6272.

Valles Caldera transfer bill introduced

New Mexico's senators on Thursday introduced legislation to transfer management of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service.

The bill follows a U.S. Government Accountability Office report mandated by the law under which the federal government bought the Jemez Mountains property in 2000, and a National Park Service feasibility study last year that was requested by U.S. Sens. Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall, both Democrats.

Advocates of the idea have argued that the preserve is a candidate for inclusion in the park system because it is one of the best-preserved examples of a resurgent volcano and the probability that it could be managed more efficiently by the park service.

The 88,900-acre preserve currently is managed by the Valles Caldera Trust, overseen by a board appointed by the president. The GAO reported that the preserve is at least five years behind scheduled in the development of an effective management control system and that the trust will have difficulty meeting a requirement of financial self-sustainability by 2015.

Extra DWI patrols begin this weekend

Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano said beginning today, his department will have extra deputies on duty for the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.

The extra deputies will conduct "DWI Saturation Patrols" to look for impaired drivers in northern Santa Fe County, an announcement said.

The action comes as state officials also kick off the fourth annual "100 Days and Nights of Summer," a season-long operation aimed at reducing drunken driving and speeding and increasing seat belt usage.

A news release said the statewide law-enforcement campaign "will run day and night" from today through the Labor Day weekend.

The federally funded campaign includes print materials, billboards and television and radio advertisements.

Officials said that prior to the start of the program in 2006, there were 136 fatalities in New Mexico during the months of June, July and August; in 2009 there were 79 for the same period.

Flea market to open at The Downs

The Santa Fe Traditional Flea Market is scheduled to open Saturday at The Downs, the dormant horse-racing track south of Santa Fe owned by Pojoaque Pueblo.

A 15,000-square-foot, eight-spire tent has been secured on the facility's main parking lot and more than 60 monthly vendors are expected to set up at the site, a news release said.

Co-producer Walt Borton said he expects vendors from as far away as Colorado; El Paso and Austin, Texas; Sedona, Ariz.; and Santa Barbara, Calif.

The announcement said what is also being called "The Flea at The Downs" evolved from two smaller markets developed over the past 11 months by Borton and his business partner Sarah Cook.

The market, which will open to the public for the first time at 9 a.m. Saturday, is scheduled to operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday through June, and to also operate on Fridays during July and August.

Memorial Day closings

Observance of Memorial Day will affect hours at a number of offices institutions Monday:

• Federal, state, city and county administrative will be closed.

• Courts will be closed.

• The Genoveva Chavez Community Center, the Fort Marcy Complex and Salvador Perez Pool will be closed.

• Santa Fe public libraries will be closed.

• There will be no Santa Fe Trails bus service, Santa Fe Ride Service, or Rail Runner Express train service.

• City refuse and recycling will be picked up on the regular Monday schedule.

Drama students create 24-hour magic

Imagine writing a one-act play in 12 hours, and then watching (if you're still awake) as a director, cast and crew put it up in front of an audience less than 12 hours after you finished it.

Stress and Coffee is the sixth annual 24-hour theater fest presented by drama students at Santa Fe High School. Santa Fe High theater director Joey Chavez came up with this idea in 2005, and it's been a popular hit ever since. The show runs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the theater at Santa Fe High, 2100 Yucca St. Tickets are $5; call 467-2970.

Red River hosts yearly motorcycle rally

Red River is preparing for its annual Memorial Day Weekend Motorcycle Rally.

The Taos County community expects to host 25,000 to 30,000 motorcyclists during the holiday weekend, with as many as 15,000 in Red River at a given moment.

Town Marshal Jerry Hogrefe, has worked on the event for the past 23 years, said in a news release that he recognizes many people who return year after year.

Among activities this weekend are events at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, bike shows, live music at multiple venues and a trade show.

Youth program holds registration

Kids @ Play Summer Football and Cheer program registrations will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday at Sweeney Elementary School. Kids @ Play, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, provides sports programing year round for the youth of Santa Fe.