WEEKLY AND WEEKEND EVENTS BEGINNING APR. 24, 2025

FRIDAY, APR. 25

United Way of Lea County and Hobbs Campaign for Grade-Level Reading at Hobbs Municipal Schools invite the public to the annual “Reading Under the Lights” event on Fri, Apr. 25 from 5-8:30pm at Watson Memorial Stadium in Hobbs. It’s free and open to everyone. There will be a special guest speaker, reading stations, education booths, activities for kids, food and drinks, plus a free book for every child who attends. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

Lea County Electric Co-op will hold its annual meeting on Fri, Apr. 25. The business part of the meeting will begin at 6pm live on Facebook. Drive-through registration will be held at the LCEC Lovington office, but in-lobby registration will be at the Tatum and Plains offices. Register and get a free gift. Vote and be entered into the grand prize drawing for $2,500. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (www.LCEC.net)

FRIDAY, APR. 25 THROUGH MON, APR. 28

Lea County Environment Dept. invites the public to take part in a FREE “Team Up to Clean Up” Hobbs Cleanup event with roll-off containers located at 750 W. Kansas St. on Apr. 25-28. For a list of acceptable items and more details, please go to LeaCounty.net or to the Our Lea County Facebook page. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***Another cleanup event will be held May 16-19 in Eunice at 1705 E. Texas Ave.

***Another cleanup event will be held June 20-23 in Jal at 3421 NM Hwy 18.

FRIDAY/SATURDAY, APR. 25 AND 26

The City of Jal and Yucca Blossom present the annual Jal Cowboy Days on Friday,

Apr. 25 and Sat, Apr. 26 at Jal Lake Park featuring food, fun, live music and activities for adults and kids, including bounce houses and foam pits. Admission is free and open to everyone. A Dutch oven cook-off will be included, plus goat roping and cattle branding.

***On Friday, dozens of vendors and food trucks open at 5pm. From 7-8:30pm Josh Ward performs; from 9:30-11pm Bravos De Ojinaga performs.

***On Saturday, dozens of vendors and food trucks and activities begin at 8am. A parade will start at 10am and end at Jal Lake Park. From 7-8:30pm The Lowdown Drifters perform; from 9:30-11 Nortenos De Ojinaga perform. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (www.cityofjal.us or www.yuccablossomllc.com; 575-308-9667)

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY/APR. 25-27

The Community Players of Hobbs present “Carrie, The Musical” on Friday and Saturday, Apr. 25 and 26 at 8pm and on Sunday Apr. 27 at 2pm at The Playhouse, 1700 N. Grimes. Admission is $15 per person and will be available at the door if seats are still available. Get tickets in advance online at www.communityplayersofhobbs.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

SATURDAY, APR. 26

Hobbs Hispano Chamber of Commerce will host “Dia Del Nino” (Children’s Day) on Sat, Apr. 26 from 4-8pm at 113 N. Shipp and the Shipp Street Plaza in Hobbs. There will be free games and activities, a foam party, a giant pinata, face painting, cornhole, free books, bouncy houses, a live deejay, food vendors and lots of giveaways. Admission is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

Hobbs Chamber of Commerce is hosting finalists for the Civics Bee on Sat, Apr. 26 from 1-3:30pm at the Western Heritage Museum on the NMJC campus. Anyone with questions should call the Hobbs Chamber at 575-397-3202 or go online to www.hobbschamber.com. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

SUNDAY, APR. 27

Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame on the NMJC campus will show the 2016 comedy, “Adventures in Babysitting” at 2pm Sunday at the theater inside the museum. It’s free for museum members, NMJC staff, faculty and students. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids 6-12 and sr. citizens. (free for 5 and younger) Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-492-2678)

***The movie on Sun. May 4 will be the 1977 original “Star Wars: A New Hope”.

***The movie on Sun. May 11 will be “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”.

***The movie on Sun. May 18 will be “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi”.

***The movie on Sun. May 25 will be the 2016 film “Rogue One”

TUESDAY, APR. 29

Vitalant welcomes the public to give blood and help save lives during upcoming blood drives in the area. Walk-ins are welcome or call ahead to set up an appointment at 575-625-9743. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com or vitalant.org.

***A blood drive is set for Tues, Apr. 29 from 10am-1pm at Pioneer Bank, 1020 N. Turner in Hobbs. The Vitalant blood drives scheduled in May are as follow:

***A blood drive is set for Thurs, May 1 from 10am-2pm in the Bloodmobile at Allstate Insurance, 306 W. Broadway in Hobbs.

***A blood drive is set for Sat, May 3 from 11am-3pm at the Christian Center Church, 4024 W. College Lane in Hobbs.

***A blood drive is set for Fri, May 16 from 10am-2pm at First Methodist Church, 407 Main St. in Lovington.

***A blood drive is set for Tues, May 20 from 10am-1pm in the Bloodmobile at the VFW Post #3274 at 609 W. Alto (across from the Teen Center) in Hobbs.

***A blood drive is set for Thurs, May 29 from 11am-2:30pm in the Bloodmobile at Pecos Valley Production, 2620 N. Lovington Hwy in Hobs.

SATURDAY, MAY 3

A Gala to benefit Paws and Stripes will be held Sat, May 3 starting at 6pm at the Zia Park Casino & Hotel, 3901 W. Millen Dr. in Hobbs. Tickets cost $100 per person, or $175 per couple or $750 per table. Entertainment will be provided by the Justin Kemp Band. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Go online to purchase tickets or make donations at eventcreate.com/e/paws-and-stripes-2025. Checks should be made payable to NM Grand Chapter OES, Charitable Foundation. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Tamara James, 575-318-6313 or Cheryl Martin, 575-318-6648)

SUNDAY, MAY 4

The NMJC and Community Band will give a FREE concert featuring music of “The Beatles” on Sun, May 4 at 3pm at Watson Hall Auditorium on the NMJC campus in Hobbs. Admission is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

RUN TFN

The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame welcomes the public a new exhibit, “Prometheus in the Desert: The Manhattan Project and Dawn of the Nuclear Age” at the museum located on the NMJC campus in Hobbs. There will be props and costumes from the movie “Oppenheimer” and other items on display, plus the history and science behind the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb. It’s free for museum members, NMJC faculty, students and staff. For everyone else there is a $5 fee for adults, $3 for sr. citizens and children. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-492-2678)

Hobbs High School Class of 1975 will hold its 50^th Class Reunion on Sept. 5 and 6 in Hobbs. The theme is “A Time of Enchantment”. For more info, see the Facebook page: HHS Class 75 Reunion. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Vivian Flemens at flemens31057@yahoo.com)

Hobbs Public Library at 509 N. Shipp St. is now open Mon-Thurs from 9am to 7pm, then Fri and Sat 9am-3pm (closed Sunday). Watch the library’s Facebook page for details about free projects and programs for all ages or call the front desk for info, 397-9328.

TUESDAY PROGRAMS:

***Tuesday Two’s: 10-10:30am with story time and craft geared for 2-yr-old’s;

***Tuesday Storytime: Storytime with story and craft for 3-5 years age, 11am-12pm

***Books and Beyond: For Grades 4-6 from 11am-12pm and 4-5pm

WEDNESDAY PROGRAMS

***Baby Talk: 10-10:30am with storytime and craft geared for expectant mothers, caregivers and children 0-24 months of age

***Storytime: Story and craft geared for ages 3-5, 11am-12pm

***We Read Club with starting library skills and story time for K-3^rd grade, 3-4pm

***Wed VIP for grades 4-6, 3-4pm (group games, arts, crafts, STEM projects and more)

THURSDAY PROGRAMS:

***Dual Language 11-12pm Spanish & English storytime and craft for 3-5 years of age;

***Get Crafty adult program, 3:30-4:30pm

SATURDAY PROGRAMS:

***The library also offers crafts for everyone from 11am-noon downstairs in the children’s department on Saturdays.

***Kanopy is now available to stream TV shows, movies, documentaries and more. You’ll need a library card number and pin to set up a Kanopy account. The service is free for Hobbs Public Library card holders.

***Curbside service still is available; order books, DVD’s, audiobooks and music CDs with a limit of 5 items to be picked up Mon, Wed and Fri from 2-4pm. Have your current, unblocked library card ready. Call the library when you arrive and items will be taken by staff to your vehicle. (575-397-9328)

RUN TFN

***Hobbs Police Department announces that it will conduct sobriety checkpoints at various areas within Hobbs City Limits throughout the month, especially during holidays. These checkpoints are intended to help reduce alcohol- and other intoxicant-related incidents and increase public safety.

***Lea County Sheriff’s Office announces that it will conduct DWI checkpoints at various times and places in Lea County throughout the month, especially during the holidays. Drivers are reminded to buckle up and drive safely and soberly without texting or other distractions. Please make sure passengers, especially children are wearing seatbelts and pets are properly secured. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***New Mexico State Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols, and registration-insurance-driver’s license checkpoints in all counties and issuing citations throughout the month, especially during the holidays. This is to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths and help change society’s attitude about driving while impaired by alcohol, marijuana or other drugs. Buckle up, don’t speed, and don’t drink-and-drive…help save lives. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-885-3138; www.sp.nm.gov.

Ask about registration and enrollment in upcoming sessions of NMJC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship FREE classes. Call 575-492-2629 for more information. The office is open in its new location, 109 S. Dalmont on Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (Spanish speaker available). Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Kathleen, 575-492-2630; Spanish speakers Sandra 492-2629 and Ayde, 492-2631)

***Ask about registration/enrollment in upcoming sessions of NMJC’s FREE High School Equivalent (GED or HiSET program) and Entrepreneurial classes held at the new location, 109 S. Dalmont. All classes are offered at no charge. Interest? Call 575-492-2630 for dates, times and other info but hurry because the deadline is approaching. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (see list of names/numbers above)

The Lea County Museum in Lovington is open with buildings at 103 N. Love, 114 E. Central and others near the courthouse. Normal hours are Mon-Friday from 9am-5pm; admission is free to all buildings and exhibits and to most programs. Find out more at 1radiosquare.com. (396-4805)

Salvation Army of Lea County’s Food Bank at 520 E. Main St. is open to the public Mon, Wed and Fri 9am-12noon and 1-4pm. The free food pantry is open for those in need. Food is taken to shut-ins in all communities of Lea County and some in West Texas once each month. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (397-2119; 820 S. Fowler)

***Donations are accepted for the local Women’s Career Closet. Donations should be primarily business casual and professional clothing to be used for free by women in need who are entering and advancing through the job market. Donations may be dropped off M-F 8am-5pm at 107 S. Dalmont in Hobbs. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

The State Dept. of Health and local health care providers want the public to know

cases of Syphilis, a serious disease with dangerous complications, are on the rise. Complications, especially if not diagnosed or treated, may include heart problems, destructive sores of the skin and bones, brain and nervous system problems, muscle weakness and abnormal sensations, and syphilitic meningitis. Here’s how to protect yourself if you are sexually active: Get tested for syphilis even if you feel healthy. This sexually transmitted disease spreads skin-to-skin through any type of unprotected sexual activity. It also can be spread through skin-to-skin contact by sharing needles. Testing is quick and easy, so talk to your health care provider, state health office and/or any medical professional at local clinics. (search syphilis symptoms online; www.nmhealth.org)

***Oilfield Connections International, Hobbs Chapter has recently organized and is looking for members. Anyone may join. The annual membership fee starts at $25. Monthly luncheon meetings feature guest speakers and are open to members and the public ($25 meal charge). Buy a membership and get up to 20% off the luncheon cost. Members meet to network, exchange knowledge, info and experience in order to help businesses grow and prosper. Go online at www.oilfieldconnections.net for more info or to RSVP. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Derek Jones, 575-393-7316)