Top mariachi group coming for Fiesta show

Mexico's Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán will headline the Fiesta de Santa Fe's Mariachi Extravaganza on Sept. 8 at the Santa Fe Opera.

H.L. Lovato, president of Santa Fe Fiesta Inc., called the group, founded in 1898 in Tecalitán, Jalisco, "the most important group in the history of mariachi music.

The Mariachi Vargas organization, in its fifth generation, has accompanied some of Mexico's top performers and starred in more than 100 films.

Joining the lineup for the 7:30 p.m. show will be Los Niños de Santa Fe dance group, Santa Fe's all-female Mariachi Buenaventura, New Mexico entertainer Antonio Reyna and Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino, based in Brooklyn, N.Y.

State considers new medical pot regulations

Changes to New Mexico's medical marijuana regulations, including the addition of an annual fee for producers, will be considered by the state Department of Health at a Sept. 30 hearing.

An announcement said a proposed annual fee of 7 percent of the total annual gross receipts of licensed nonprofit organizations that produce medical cannabis for New Mexico patients is intended to make the program self-sufficient financially.

A second proposal would increase the application fee to become a licensed nonprofit producer to $1,000 from $100.

Among other proposed regulations: the state agency or its designee may test producers' medical marijuana for mold, bacteria or other contaminants; a clarification that producers or patients may possess seeds; and specifications that the department would keep confidential the names and contact information of medical practitioners certifying patients' conditions and primary caregivers.

The hearing is set for 9:30 a.m. in the Harold Runnels Auditorium in Santa Fe.

Blood donors get chance at Cowboys trip

Blood donors during the month of September will get a chance at a trip to a Dallas Cowboys game.

United Blood Services announced that donors 18 or older will be entered into a drawing for a package that includes air travel to Dallas, two nights' lodging near the Cowboys Stadium and two tickets to the Dallas-Detroit game on Nov. 21.

The nonprofit community blood provider said donors can make an appointment at the Santa Fe center or take part in any area blood drive by calling 1-877-EZ-2-GIVE or visit unitedbloodservice.org.

All donors receive a free cholesterol test as well as Hero Reward points that can be redeemed for gifts through the United Blood Services online store.

Horse trials event planned near Galisteo

Riders from throughout the Southwest are expected at Goose Down Farms near Galisteo for a national horse trials competition over the Labor Day weekend.

After beginning Saturday with the Young Event Horse Competition, the competition will continue Sunday with about 100 horses and riders for dressage on Sunday morning and show jumping on Sunday afternoon.

A news release said the competition continues Monday morning with participation by all horse and rider combinations who advance to the final phase. Each horse/rider pair will negotiate the terrain and obstacles of the cross country course.

Admission will be free for the sanctioned event, which also will include a trade fair featuring tack shops, art and other vendors on Sunday and Monday.