WEEKEND EVENTS/PSA’S BEGINNING MAR. 3, 2025

SATURDAY, MAR. 7

Encore Entertainment, formerly Southwest Symphony, invites the public to enjoy “Duo Encantada” featuring pianist and composer Mark Dal Porto and oboist Tracy Carr on Sat, Mar. 7 at 7pm at First Methodist Church, 200 E. Snyder in Hobbs. A dessert reception and meet-and-greet with Dal Porto and Carr will follow the program. Admission is free for anyone 18 or younger and for college students of any age with current ID. Tickets cost $25 for adults and are available at the door. Advance tix are at Q Systems Music & Sound, Music World and at swsymphony.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-738-1041)

THROUGH MAR. 27, 2026

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 www.vitalant.org.

***A blood drive is set for Sat, Mar. 7 from 10am-3pm in the Bloodmobile at Christian Center Church McClain Hall, 4024 W. College Lane in Hobbs.

***A blood drive is set for Tues, Mar. 10 from 11:30am-3pm at the Bloodmobile parked at Lea County Event Center. The drive is sponsored by Mewbourne Oil Company.

***A blood drive is set for Sat, Mar. 14 from 10am-3pm at Studio M School of Dance and Music in the Tap room at 1839 N. Jefferson in Hobbs.

***A blood drive is set for Fri, Mar. 27 from 10am-1:30pm in the Bloodmobile at Nor-Lea Hospital District Main Campus, 1600 N. Main in Lovington.

SATURDAY, MAR. 7

Llano Estacado Art Assoc. will offer a class called “Fluid Art Fun” on Sat, Mar. 7 from 10am-2pm at 230 W. Lovelady Rd. in Hobbs. Cost is $50 and includes lunch and a chance to walk out with two completed abstract art pieces. Space is limited; call to reserve a spot at 575-390-9086. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

SUNDAY, MAR. 8

The public is invited to a special program called “Traveling Across America” on Sun, Mar. 8 at 3pm at Watson Hall on the New Mexico Jr. College campus in Hobbs. Admission is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (www.nmjc.edu)

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAR. 13-15

Lea County invites residents to take part in a FREE community clean-up Fri, Mar. 13 through Sunday, Mar. 15 in Jal at 3418 State Rd. 18. More community clean-ups are scheduled throughout Lea County as follows:

***April 10-12 in Eunice at 712 N. Fourth St.

***May 8-10 in Hobbs at the NE corner of Grimes and Kansas Sts.

***June 12-14 in Lovington at 306 N. Tatum Hwy.

***July 10-12 in Tatum at the Intersection of Eubanks and E. Beech

RUN THROUGH FEBRUARY SUNDAYS

Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame on the NMJC campus presents movies most Sundays at 2pm. It’s free for museum members, NMJC staff, faculty and students. For non-members, the 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 or nmjc.edu/museum) ***The list of movies is being decided week-to-week.

SATURDAY, MAR. 21

The City of Hobbs Keep Hobbs Beautiful committee invites local residents to a special community meeting on Sat, Mar. 21 at 3:30pm at Hobbs Public Library, 509 N. Shipp (please use north entrance/Park St.). They want to get input about future projects and initiatives. The session will serve as a collaborative space to gather ideas, identify priorities, and explore new programs that will move the city toward a cleaner, more beautiful Hobbs. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Evelyn Nunez, 575-391-4169)

TUESDAY, MAR. 31

The JF Maddox Foundation invites the public to enjoy the multi-talented funnyman Jeff Foxworthy as the next Distinguished Speaker Series guest. He will NOT do a standup comedy routine—instead, he will hold a “fireside chat” and share behind-the-scenes stories from his remarkable life and career filled with humor and heart. Admission is free and open to everyone, but a ticket IS required. Get tickets and more info at Jeff-Foxworthy-Hobbs.eventbrite.com. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

RUN THROUGH MARCH 31

Lea County Electric Cooperative presents its Sharing Success Grant Program and invites qualified organizations to apply. Application deadline is March 31, 2026. There is a list of qualifications available online at lcec.net. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

It’s time to organize for the City of Hobbs’ Spring Community Cleanups. Volunteers are needed to sign up to tackle three key areas: The Lovington Trail, Downtown – Broadway, and a local vacant lot. All cleanup supplies will be provided along with water for volunteers to drink, and a trash trailer. All volunteers also get a brand-new Keep Hobbs Beautiful shirt as a thank-you. Cleanup events will take place on selected Saturdays. Volunteers may be individuals, couples, families, co-workers, businesses, organizations, youth groups and adult groups. Forms must be filled out ahead of time. To request forms or get more information, go to City Hall at 200 E. Broadway, call 575-391-4169, website www.hobbsnm.org, @wevolunteer or email enunez@hobbsnm.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***A Community Cleanup will be on Sat, Mar. 14 on Broadway St.

***A Community Cleanup will be on Sat, Mar. 28 along the Lovington Trail.

***A Community Cleanup will be on Sat, Apr. 11 at the vacant lot near the intersection of W. Temple and S. Leech St in Hobbs.

***Specific times and meeting locations for all above will be posted on the Hobbs Code Enforcement and Animal Control Facebook pages and on www.hobbsnm.org.

RUN THOUGH APR. 15

AARP Tax Aide will offer FREE tax preparation assistance to anyone in the community at no cost. Preparers are available each Monday and Tuesday through Apr. 15 at the Hobbs Senior Center, 200 E. Park, room 134. Available times are 9-11am and 1-3:30pm. Those who want help should show up, get intake papers and schedule an appointment for a later date. Required documentation includes a picture ID, Social Security card, SSI annual income report, IRA or Interest Account Information, W-2, 1099 and 1095 forms (whatever is appropriate) plus a bank statement with taxpayer account and routing numbers. Those who don’t receive SSI statements should call 1-800-772-1213.  Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Mindy Martinez, 575-399-4670)

RUN TFN

The Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame welcomes the public to a new exhibit called “Stan the Dinosaur” open now at the museum located on the NMJC campus in Hobbs. Admission will be free for museum members, NMJC faculty, students and staff. For everyone else, it’s $5 fee for adults, $3 for sr. citizens and kids. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-492-2678; no opening date yet; former exhibit about the atomic bomb is gone; museum is prepping for the new one)

Isaiah’s Kitchen Warming Shelter is open to the public when the temperature drops below 35 degrees from 7pm through 7am. The shelter is at 304 W. Harden Blvd. in Hobbs. The soup kitchen is open from 9am-1pm Monday through Friday. It’s free and open to anyone in need. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-393-4125)

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.

PLEASE NOTE: The library’s weekly reading programs and other events held during the school year will resume the week of Sept. 8. They include the following:

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 a FREE crafting session (with all materials provided) for everyone from 11am-noon downstairs in the children’s department on Saturdays.

These services are also currently being offered:

***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)

*** Helen Houston’s Justice House is hosting the Real Talk Support Group from 10-11am on most Saturdays at 1720 S. Turner in Hobbs. The support group is for those who have been incarcerated or those who have a loved one who has been or currently is in jail or prison. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

***The State Parks Division reminds New Mexico resident veterans to apply for their lifetime veterans pass that gives FREE admission and access to state parks, including unlimited day use and camping in areas managed by the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Dept. Contact NMDVS by email at vet.benefits@dvs.nm.gov or call 1-866-433-8387.

***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.

Registration is open again soon for New Mexico Jr. College’s FREE High School Equivalent or GED/HiSET classes. They now offer these classes not only in English, but in Spanish and the National External Diploma Program as well. Anyone who is interested may call 575-492-2629, 575-492-2630 or go to the office at 109 S. Dalmont in Hobbs for more info (a Spanish speaker is available). Classes are free, but space fills up quickly so please reach out soon.

***NMJC Adult Education Program also provides ESL (English as a Second Language) classes free but are filled for the next session. However, signups are open for the following sessions. Call the above numbers. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com

***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. Interested? 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.
 

***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, 575-393-731)