What's going on in Lincoln County (Aug. 5 forward)

Ruidoso News

Speed zones: are being enforced at area schools. Early start programs are in session. Officers are giving tickets to speeders.

Aug. 6

Blood Drive at the Smokey Bear Ranger District: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Smokey Bear Ranger District, 901 Mechem Drive. Contact United Blood Services at 1-877-UBS-HERO or visit www.unitedbloodservices.org and enter Sponsor Code SMOKEY for more information.

Mountain Double Up, USSSA Baseball Slow Pitch Tournament: August 15 to 17 at Eagle Creek Sports Complex 500 Ski Run Road, Alto. Go to http://usssatoday.com/ for details.

Aug. 7

Book signing: 11 a.m., Aug. 7, at the Ruidoso Public library, 107 Kansas City Road. Join author Lynda Sánchez as she discusses and signs her book, "Apache Legends & Lore of Southern New Mexico." Call 575-258-3704 for information.

Aug. 8-9

Becoming One seminar simulcast: 7 to 9 p.m., Friday and 9 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday at Foot of the Cross church at Mountain Annie's, 2710 Sudderth Drive. This two-day seminar will help you and your spouse learn how to become one emotionally, spiritually and physically. Call 575-257-7982 for details.

Aug. 8-10

Lincoln County Regulators Billy the Kid Breakout Shooting Competition: Ruidoso Gun Club Range on Hale Lake Road. Follow Highway 70 East of Ruidoso to mile marker 266, just past Connelly's Nursery. This is the annual Billy the Kid Breakout shooting competition for the Lincoln County Regulators. Call 575-808-0459 for more info.

Aug. 8

Blood drive at the Smokey Bear Ranger District: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Smokey Bear Ranger District, 901 Mechem Drive. Contact United Blood Services at 1-877-UBS-HERO or visit www.unitedbloodservices.org and enter Sponsor Code SMOKEY for more information.

Project Heart: 2 p.m., Friday at Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive. Learn compression-only CPR and the use of an automated external defribrillator. Free to the public.

Singles Meeting Singles: begins at 1:30 p.m., Friday. Meeting Fridays at the Ruidoso Community Center on Sudderth Drive. Call 575-257-4565 for details.

Bingo and lunch: at noon, Friday at Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive. Ten bingo games for $10. Enchilada plate with rice & beans for $8. Prizes include three $100 cash prizes! Sponsored by Sacramento Mountain Village. Contact 575-257-4565 for more information.

Eli Young Band at IMG: Carrizo Canyon Road. 8 to 10 p.m. With three No. 1 hits, a Grammy nomination and an Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year for "Crazy Girl" under their belt, the Eli Young Band brings one night of vanguard country music to the Inn. Call 575-464-7079 for more info.

Aug. 9

Race to Whip Cancer at Ruidoso Downs Race Track: Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Billy the Kid Casino, Highway 70 East. This is "Pink Day" at Ruidoso Downs Race Track, a breast cancer awareness fundraiser. Wear pink and get a free gift while supplies last. Proceeds go to Altrusa Ruidoso Chapter. Call 575-378-4431 for more info.

Grand opening Smokey Bear Visitor Center: Smokey Bear Ranger District Office, 901 Mechem Drive. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grand opening and formal dedication of the newly renovated Smokey Bear Visitors Center at the Smokey Bear Ranger District Office in Ruidoso. Call 575-257-4095 for more info.

Annual Deacon Bob Open Golf Tournament: Inn of the Mountain Gods, Carrizo Canyon Road., 1 to 5 p.m. This is the signature charity golf tournament held annually to benefit Help End Abuse for Life and The NEST Domestic Violence Shelter. $125 per golfer and includes green fees, cart rental, refreshments, a goodie bag, and a barbecue dinner. Call (575) 378-6378 for more info.

The Shirelle's at the Spencer Theater: 108 Spencer Road, Highway 220. 8 to 10 p.m. Buffet at 6 p.m. The Shirelles, starring Beverly Lee, were the first major female vocal group of the rock era, defining the so-called "girl group" sound. Call 575-336-4800 for more information.

Survivor's MC Lottery Benefit Bike Run: All American Park, Ruidoso Downs; registration 8:30 a.m., leave park at 11 a.m. Full escorted Mescalero Reservation Scenic Ride. Door prizes, live auction, silent auction car show, food, music by Homegrown Boys, motorcycle/car competition. Bed races to benefit Ruidoso Downs River Park. All proceeds go to La Frontera New Mexico Ruidoso/Mescalero. For more info call Victor Montes at 575-808-3267, Cheech at 915-373-7203 or Julian Flores at 575-937-0950.

Aug. 10

Sunday's Under the Stars at Inn of the Mountain Gods: Carrizo Canyon Road. 6 to 11 p.m. Music starting at 6 p.m. Chris Albright Band, followed by the movie, "The Lion King." Outdoor event. Call 575-464-7777.

Book signing: 1-3 p.m., Aug. 10 at Books Etcetera, 2340 Sudderth Drive. Alan Day will be signing his new memoir, "The Horse Lover: A Cowboy's Quest to Save the Wild Mustangs" with a foreword by Sandra Day O' Connor. Call 575-257-1594 for details.

Aug. 14

Lyn Kidder Book Signing: Ruidoso Public Library, 107 Kansas City Road. 11 a.m. Local author, Lyn Kidder will be signing copies of her new book, "Ruidoso: The Carmen Philips Collection," following a talk on old Ruidoso. Free. Call (575) 258-3704 for more info.

Aug. 15-17

Mercado del Artisan Fair: River Rendezvous Shopping, 524 Sudderth Drive. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Live music and fine art including gourd art, pottery, mosaics, jewelry, metal art, photography, and more. Call (575) 258-3409 for more info.

Aug. 16

The Stitching Post classes: Needlefelting 101, Aug. 16 at 1031 Mechem Drive, Suite 5. Call 575-258-1732 for details.

Gleewood at the Old Mill Playhouse: 641 Sudderth Drive. 7 p.m. The acoustic rock songwriting style of Jhett Schiavone (guitar and vocals) meets western and folk tradition of New Mexican cowgirl, Callie Sioux (bass and vocals) to bring an unlikely, unique, and at-once recognizable sound to the folk/rock scene. Tickets are $15 and available at the Ruidoso Valley Chamber of Commerce or at the door. Call (575) 937-3726 for more info.

Don McLean at the Spencer Theater: 108 Spencer Road. 8 p.m. Buffet at 6 p.m. A member of the Songwriters' Hall of Fame, Don McLean's superstar status is always attributed to his remarkable song, "American Pie," which thrust him upon the music scene the world over. Call (575) 336-4800 for more info.

Aug. 17

Sunday's Under the Stars at Inn of the Mountain Gods: Carrizo Canyon Road. 6 to 11 p.m. Music starting at 6 p,m, Tempting Disaster Band, followed by the movie, "The Hunger Games." Outdoor event. Call 575-464-7777.

Aug. 20

Emergency operations plans for rural jurisdictions: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Aug. 20 at Copper Station, 111 Copper Ridge Road, Capitan. This 8-hour, instructor-led course is designed to provide emergency managers and rural first responders with the knowledge and skills to develop an emergency operations plan for their local jurisdictions or regions. Registration for this course is required, deadline is Aug. 6. To register, visit https://www.preparingnewmexico.org/DeliveryDetails. For more information or to request training, visit www.ruraltraining.org. The help desk is available at info@ruraltraining.org or 877-855-7372.

American history revealed through currency and coin: Ruidoso Public Library, 107 Kansas City Road, 11 a.m. to noon. Dave Higgins will be discussing the sweep of American history and culture as revealed through currency and coins. Free. Call 575-258-3704 for more info.

Shepherd Moon concert: Trinity United Methodist Church, 7 p.m. Carrizozo Old School Gym, 2 p.m. Come enjoy the music of Shepherd Moon, Becky Reardon (Singer/Songwriter), Julie Hawley (Harp and Vocals), Pat Ramsay O'Connell (Flute and Sax), and Joan Zucker (Cello). Their music is a blend of soulful, jazzy and funny original songs along with some beautiful Celtic melodies. Call 575-648-2757 for more info.

Pat Green concert: Spencer Theater, 108 Spencer Road, 8 p.m. He's built a solid reputation as an ace songwriter of his own material, but also recently added to his repertoire with personal arrangements of music penned by the likes of Lyle Lovett, Tom Petty and Shelby Lynne. Call 575-336-4800 for more info.

Aug. 22-24

Ruidoso Antique Show: Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive. Friday, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Ruidoso Antique Show has been celebrating more than 21 years of being one of the best and most exciting high-end antique shows of the West. Proceeds go to Noon Lions Club charities. Admission is $3 in advance, $4 day of show, $5 for all three days. Call 575-802-0275 or visit azantiqueshow.com.

Aug. 23-24

Relay for Life: All American Park next to the Ruidoso Downs Senior Center. Begins at 11 a.m. Help raise money for cancer research by joining one of the many teams, or be your own team. Teams set up a campsite in their designated space. Cancer survivors honored during the Opening Ceremony, and they take the first Victory lap around the track. A Luminaria Ceremony is held after sunset. Visit www.relayforlife.org/lincolncountynm or call 575-973-2059 for more info.

Aug. 23

Annual Hospice Butterfly Release: White Mountain Meadows Pavilion, off Gavilan Canyon Road. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Butterflies will be distributed at 11 a.m. To ensure their safety, all unclaimed butterflies will be released between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. This is a life-affirming expression of hope and remembrance. Our release is a unique opportunity to honor and memorialize loved ones. Over 200 Monarch Butterflies will be released. Benefits the Ruidoso Home Care and Hospice Foundation, providing end of life care for Lincoln County Residents. All butterflies are $12. Call 575-937-4908 for more info.

Justin Shandor: Inn of the Mountain Gods, Carrizo Canyone Road. 8 p.m. In 2010, Graceland named Shandor the World's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist and in February 2013, he made his national TV debut, performing "Can't Help Falling in Love" during Elvis week on the David Letterman Show. Visit www.innofthemountaingods.com or call 575-464-7777 for ticket info.

Aug. 24

Sunday's Under the Stars at Inn of the Mountain Gods: Carrizo Canyon Road. 6 to 11 p.m. Music starting at 6 p.m. Broxton Band, followed by the movie, "The Hunger Games, Catching Fire." Outdoor event. Call 575-464-7777.

Aug. 29

Brantley Gilbert concert: Inn of the Mountain Gods, Carrizo Canyon Road. 8 p.m. Gilbert's taste in music always swayed toward a southern country rock feel, but his true-to-life testimony of heartache, trials, triumph and success has found him a home in true country music. Visit www.innofthemountaingods.com or call 575-464-7777 for ticket info.

Aug. 30-31

All American Gun and Western Collectible Show: Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Drive. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The All American Gun and Western Collectible Show is just what the name implies. 180 tables of everything that relates to guns as well as hunting equipment, knives, cowboy gear, saddles, blankets, spurs, western relics, Indian artifacts, jewelry, coins and more. Admission is $5. Kids 12 and under are free. Call 575-257-6171 for more info.

Aug. 30-Sept. 1

Mercado del Artisan Outdoor Fair: River Rendevous Shopping Village, 524 Sudderth Drive. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy live music and fine art including gourd art, pottery, mosaics, jewelry, metal art, photography, and more. Call 575-258-3409 for more info.

Ongoing

El Paso Jewish Federation: is accepting tax deductible checks or money orders, marked for the Israel Emergency Fund by mailing to 5740 N. Mesa, El Paso, Texas, 79012, or to the New Mexico Jewish Federation at 5520 Wyoming Boulevard, Albuquerque, NM 87109. For straight reporting on the current conflict, check out Arutz Sheva, the Jerusalem Post, or Haaretz.

Smokey Bear Ranger District: office hours begin Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at Cedar Creek Road and Mechem Drive. The same hours will apply to the Guadalupe Ranger District office in Carlsbad and the Sacramento Ranger District Office in Cloudcroft. The Lincoln National Forest Supervisor's office in Alamogordo will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. All offices are closed on Saturday, Sunday and on federal holidays.

Ruidoso Downs Farmers Market: opens at 7 a.m., Saturdays. The market needs veggies and farm products. Call Beth at 575-378-4484 or 575-808-0603 or Maryah at 575-418-5459 for information.

Through Aug. 25

"Beyond Tradition" fiber art exhibit: Hubbard Museum of the American West, 26301 Highway 70, Ruidoso Downs. Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. "Beyond Tradition" is an exhibit of contemporary mixed-media art featuring two-dimensional and three-dimensional work. Call (575) 378-4142 for more info.

Through Sept. 6

The Flying J Ranch: is open nightly (except Sundays) at 5:30 p.m. through Sept. 6 for the 2014 season. Cowboy cooking, western tunes, and family fun. Make reservations at 575-336-4330.

Strong Bones, a free exercise class: at 10 a.m., Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Designed to increase flexibility, balance, strength and bone density. First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Road. For more details, contact Marilyn Barnes at 575-973-2890.

J Bar J Church: will meet at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday evening for desserts and Bible Study. J Bar J Church, 25974 Highway 70. Call 575-257-6899 for further details.

Through Labor Day

Live Horse Racing at Ruidoso Downs Racetrack: 26225 US Highway 70, 1 p.m. post time. Live racing every Friday through Monday. Fourth of July Thursday through Monday. Call (575) 378-4431 for more info.

Summer Fun at Ski Apache: Ski Run Road, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gondola rides, hiking, mountain biking and more. Open Fridays through Sundays and holidays. Call (575) 464-3600 for more info.

ArtFORTArt at Fort Stanton: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Twenty-nine Lincoln County artists have submitted more than 70 works of fine art portraying the fort, its history, and its region. Paintings, photographs, stone, metal, and bronze sculptures, heirloom quilts and dolls, and wood carvings are included in this exhibition. Free. Call (575) 354-0341 for more info.