Something different

Sandoval County Sheriff John Paul Trujillo and Undersheriff Tim Lucero want the community to know that the Sheriff’s Office Community Crime Prevention Unit offers free group presentations on a variety of crime prevention subjects.

For more information, call Sgt. Joe Harris at 249-4632 Rio Ramblers Square Dance Club gets together every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the VFW post, located at 76 Unser Blvd. Call 892-5086 for more information.

Public talk with Tibetan Buddhist lama Tulku Nyima Gyaltsen; learn how meditation can help us put our lives in perspective. Jan. 11 at Albuquerque Center for Spiritual Living,

2801 Louisiana NE in Albuquerque. (sponsored by RigDzin Dharma Foundation) Also, teachings with Tibetan Buddhist lama Tulku Nyima Gyaltsen at  RigDzin Dharma Foundation, 322 Washington SE in Nob Hill, Jan. 12-13, 10 a.m.n 5 p.m. each day. (401 7340)

AARP Driver Safety Program classes at Taylor Rancho Community Center, 4900 Kachina NW, Albuquerque, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Jan. 5 and 12. Both classes must be attended in order to receive an insurance discount. Call 892-4827 to register for the class.

Holiday stuff

Home Instead Senior Care has partnered with local non-profit agencies to fulfill gift requests for local needy seniors. Often, the requests are for necessities n blankets, slippers, postage stamps, grocery gift cards, etc.

Christmas trees with ornaments bearing the first name and gift request of a local senior will be up in local Wal-Marts through this week. There is a citywide gift wrapping party on Tuesday that the public is welcome to attend, and the gifts will be delivered to area seniors beginning Wednesday.

Performing Arts

The Santa Fe Playhouse presents Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” until Dec. 30 . (505) 988-4262

Kids stuff

YMCA offers a new program for babies six months and older with Mom, Dad or a grandparent.  This active, indoor, outdoor class with strollers will be held at the new Corrales Recreation Center walking track and in their gym on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. beginning Jan. 9. Registration begins Dec. 12, (4324 Corrales Rd.; 702-6900 or 922-1681; $50 fee for 6-week session)

UNM Music Prep School Spring 2008 Program. The UNM Music Prep School will provide a spring session of Saturday music classes for children from birth through 8th grade. The 14-week program of 45-minute classes (30 minutes for birth through 29 months) begins Jan. 19 and ends May 10. Saturday classes are held in the UNM Center for the Arts (Popejoy Hall) between 8 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. and include pre-school, family and general music; exploring children’s literature through music; Spanish songs, games & dances for the family; drumming; vocal music; group piano; group guitar; group marimba and Suzuki violin, viola & cello (starts Fall only). Cost per child for each 14- week session class is $105 ($85 for birth through 29 month classes) and is non-refundable. The Family General Music Class (a 45 minute class) requires at least 2 children for enrollment and is $190 for both children. Choruses begin on Jan. 16 and are open to children ages K-8th grade. No audition is needed. The choruses meet at St. Pauls’ Lutheran Church, 1100 Indian School Rd. NE and the times are: Primary/4:30-5:30; Intermediate/ 4:30-5:45 and Senior /6:00-7:30. Cost for the spring session is $100 per child, per chorus. Frees are not refundable. (277-8816 or muspress@unm.edu)

The Arts

Vision Theatre is looking for actors and actresses for the next series of performances. We need three men and seven women for the four plays we are preparing. Actors will be compensated. Call 573-1316, ask for Robert McLaughlin.

Master Works of New Mexico 2008, 10th anniversary Spring Art Show, April 5-25; opening reception April 4.. (260-9977 or Bardcan@aol.com)

Meetings

Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education meets Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom of the district offices, 500 Laser Rd.

Sandoval County Commission meets Thursday at 6 p.m. in the county courthouse in Bernalillo.

AARP’s Chapter 663 meets on the third Wednesday of every month in the dining hall of the Meadowlark Senior Center at 1:15. This is the longest active chapter in all of New Mexico. We are honored to have District Attorney Lemuel Martinez of the Thirteenth Judical District as a guest speaker on Jan. 16. On Feb. 20, AARP State Coordinator Dr. Louis Sarabia will be guest speaker. Please come join this active and interesting group and share your time and knowledge with others.

Church news and events

The Albuquerque African American Catholic Community will celebrate Kwanzaa on Dec. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Catholic Center, 4000 St. Joseph Place NW in Albuquerque. We will honor the traditional principles of Kwanzaa and celebrate family, community and culture. All are invited to attend. Afro-centric attire is encouraged. Potluck dinner will follow our celebration. Side dishes for sharing will be appreciated. (836-3627)

The Westside Community Chorale under the directorship of Dr. John Clark will hold tryouts at the First Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church, 1004 24th St. S.E. Scheduled tryouts are Jan. 8 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Jan. 12 from 2 p.m. n 4 p.m. and Jan. 14 from 6:30 p.m. n 8:30 p.m. Our spring concert dates are April 26 and 27. Prepared music is not required and we are particularly interested in male voices. For additional information please contact Director Dr. Clark at 892-3788.

Support Groups

The DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) Rio Rancho is a peer lead support group that meets Mondays at 11 a.m. at Elks Lodge 2500, Barbara Loop and Sara Road.

Notice: The Community Calendar appears on a space-available basis. The Observer reserves the right to edit or reject submissions. Items should be e-mailed to news@rrobserver.com; faxed to 892-5719; or delivered or mailed to 1594 Sara Road, Suite D, Rio Rancho 87124.