WEEKEND EVENTS/PSA’S BEGINNING JAN. 12, 2025
FRIDAY, JAN. 16
The City of Hobbs annual Father Daughter Dance will be held on Fri, Jan. 16 with two sessions: 5:30-7:30pm and 8-10pm at the Teen Center on West Alto across from the VFW Hall. Those who may attend are girls in kindergarten through 12th grade and any father figure of their choice. Tickets cost $15 per person (each attendee) and must be purchased in advance. The event will include light refreshments, fun giveaways, deejay music, a photographer and a special take-home gift. To register or find out more, go to the City of Hobbs Online Portal or in person at the CORE Administrative Offices. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (397-9291; theme is Love You to the Moon and Back)
SAT/SUN/MON, JAN. 17-19
The 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday will include a 3-day celebration in Hobbs featuring the theme “Mission Possible 2” with emphasis on Dream, Serve, Achieve.
***Sat, Jan. 17 Food Box Distribution and Hot Meal Giveaway at Your Safe Space, 1124 E. Humble;
***Sun, Jan. 18 United Worship and Joint Fellowship Meal, Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1222 E. Midwest St.
***Mon, Jan. 19 Moving Forward March, gather at 11:30 at MLK Soccerplex, 1509 Dal Paso to begin foot march/walk at 12 noon to Booker T. Washington School, 1200 E. Humble. All events are free and open to everyone
SUNDAYS THROUGH JANUARY
Western Heritage Museum and Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame on the NMJC campus shows 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)
***Jan. 18 the movie is “Bridge to Terabithia”
***Jan. 25 the movie is “Instructions Not Included”
THROUGH JANUARY, 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 Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11am-2pm in the Bloodmobile at Vdex Diabetes, 3420 N. Grimes, Suite 200 in Hobbs; and
***A blood drive is set for Friday, Jan. 23 from 11am-2pm in the Bloodmobile sponsored by Hobbs Rotary Club and parked at the United Way offices, 320 N. Shipp St.
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)
RUN TFN
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-3rd 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)
RUN TFN
*** 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.
***Vdex Diabetes of Hobbs reminds you that it’s important for diabetics to know their A1c number (a-one-c) for better long-term health management and maintenance of proper blood glucose levels. You can make an appointment with Vdex Diabetes at 575-492-0110 to test your A1c. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.
***Local veterans are reminded that the Permian Warriors Partnership hosts a coffee event once a month at Hobbs VFW Post #3274 at 609 W. Alto Dr. It’s usually on a Friday 8-10am with notice being announced and posted at the local VFW hall. It’s free and open to all veterans. Issues will be discussed; medical and other veterans resources will be shared. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (call Mike Mings, 390-3304)
***Xcel Energy wants customers who are struggling with high electric bills to know they offer help—call 1-800-895-4999 Monday-Friday or visit the customer support page at xcelenergy.com to learn about payment options and program to help.
***The Lea County Center for the Arts is open at 122 W. Broadway in Hobbs. Hours are Thurs-Saturday, 8am-7pm (closed Sunday-Wednesday). Admission is free, open to all. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (www.lccanm.org; 575-433-2787; 433-ARTS)
***After-School Art Classes are offered during the school year on Wednesdays 4-5pm for K-5th grades and Thursdays 4-5pm for students in grades 6-12 (except on holiday breaks) There is a fee charged per class. For times and cost see www.lccanm.org.
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.
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)