Area in brief

• Fee Free — PETRIFIED FOREST
• Homeless Animals
• Community Watch — BLUEWATER
• Food Safety — GALLUP
• Child Care — GALLUP

Fee Free

PETRIFIED FOREST — Visit your national parks during the fee-free weekend, Aug. 15-16, at 147 national parks that usally charge entrance fees-including Petrified Forest National Park. There is a ranger-guided programs to enhance you visit on Aug. 15, at the Painted Desert Inn National Landmark including a Hopi carver, Zuni fetish maker, and Zuni beadwork artist. Info call 928-524-6228.

Homeless Animals

National Homeless Animal Day is Aug. 15, 2-6 p.m., “Going to the Dogs” spay/neuter benefit fundraiser for El Morro, Ramah, and Pinehill communities. Food, poetry, juggling, music, fundraising auction, and hot dogs. Special guest... photographer, author, homeless dog activist, Joyce Faye, author of “The Adventures of Bro and Tracy”. Free of charge. Info call 505-783-4706.

Community Watch

BLUEWATER — Neighborhood community watch program will be 10 a.m., Aug. 15, at the Bluewater Lake Volunteer Fire Department (south side). To organize a neighborhood community watch program aimed at preventing crime in the village of Bluewater Lake. Info call Detective Dominic Pargas 505-876-2040.

Food Safety

GALLUP — Food safety training will be Aug. 28, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Community Pantry, 1130 Hassler Valley Road, Gallup. Topics include: food borne illness factors, temperature control, personal hygiene, sanitation, cross contamination and reasons why food safety affects your business and the genera public. Certificate of attendance will be issued to all interested parties who complete the course. To register or info call 505-722-4160.

Child Care

GALLUP — UNM-G is a sponsor of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. All children in attendance will be offered the same meals with no physical segregation of, or other discriminatory action against any adult because of race, color, age, national origin, sex or disability. If you feel you have been discriminated against, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). Children who are members of FDPIR food distribution program in Indian reservation or food stamp households or who are SSI or Medicaid participants are automatically eligible for free benefits.