WEEKLY AND WEEKEND EVENTS BEGINNING NOV. 28, 2022

DON’T FORGET: Noalmark Broadcasting’s annual Stuff-A-Truck Food Drive (to help feed needy people through Salvation Army of Lea County’s free food pantry) will be Dec. 1 from 1-5pm, Dec. 2 and 3 from 8am-5pm at Thriftway in the Broadmoor Shopping Center, Hobbs. You’re invited to donate non-perishable items; or consider having a “mini-drive” to collect food around your neighborhood, workplace or organization and then bring us your donation! Our goal is 30,000 pounds of food to help feed people throughout Lea County for holiday season and coming year. We’ll have t-shirts for donations of $20 or more (while supplies last) and other prizes as well.

THROUGH NOV. 29

The deadline to register to be in this year’s Hobbs Christmas parade is Tues, Nov. 29 at 4pm at Hobbs Chamber of Commerce, 400 N. Marland or email welcome@hobbschamber.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-397-3202)

THROUGH NOV. 30

The family of Vanessa Marie Najera of Hobbs has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for her funeral. She was killed on Nov. 18 and leaves three young daughters, two brothers, a mother and extended family members in Hobbs. Anyone who wants to donate any amount is invited to do so by name or anonymously at GoFundMe using Vanessa’s name. For more information, go to hobbsamerica.com (Monica Rogo, 575-605-1704)

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

Bethany Chapter #56 Order of the Eastern Star in Hobbs invites the public to its annual Chili Day fundraiser from 11am-7pm at the Masonic Lodge, 2400 N. Jefferson (near Highland School). Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for children under 10 for all-you-can-eat chili or stew with dessert, tea and coffee. There also will be a bake sale along with RADA knives for sale. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-392-5206; pronounced RAAD-uh, like “data”)

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

The City of Hobbs annual Christmas Parade will be held on Sat, Dec. 3 starting at 10am from the Broadmoor Shopping Center, 1401 N. Turner and proceeding south then turning west on Broadway and ending at the railroad tracks. The theme is “Christmas Movies” and will feature Santa Claus, plus a number of floats, marching bands, classic cars and more. Attendance along the route is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Hobbs Chamber, 575-392-3202)

Vitalant will hold a blood drive on Sat, Dec. 3 from 11am-3pm at the Christian Center Church’s McClain Hall at the corner of College Lane and the Lovington Highway in Hobbs. Walk-ins are welcome or call and set up an appointment at 575-840-8178. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. Vitalant also is looking for more businesses, organizations, churches, etc. to host future blood drives. Call Steph at 575-840-8178 to volunteer as a host or just ask questions. (More drives are scheduled for Thurs, Dec. 8 10a-2p at NMJC’s Training and Outreach Center; and on Wed, Dec. 14 11a-3p in the Vitalant Bloodmobile at the Kassis Companies—jocks: pronounced kuh-CEASE, address to be confirmed and provided soon.)

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

The 23^rd annual Lea County Motorcycle Toy Run will be held on Sat, Dec. 3 leaving from Garner’s Motorsports, 320 N. Dal Paso at 1pm and ending at Zia Park Casino, Racetrack and Hotel, 3901 W. Millen in Hobbs. For those who want to be in the run (open to anything with wheels, not just motorcycles), please take a new, Unwrapped toy for a less fortunate child. Those who want to donate but can’t make the run, please drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Garner’s before Saturday at 1pm. The run will include spirit awards, door prizes and a gun raffle. Donations will go to children in need throughout Lea County. For questions call 575-602-6343 or to sign up to receive a toy, call 575-391-9933. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

The City of Hobbs Holiday Carnival and 5^th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, which is open to everyone with free entry and free parking, will be held Sat, Dec. 3 in downtown Hobbs. The carnival (a new event) will start at 11am at the City Hall Parking Lot on Broadway. It will feature an ice rink, curling stones, giant snowman jump house, enchanted ornament, polar golf and more. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6pm featuring food trucks, holiday vendors, photos with Santa, carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, downtown business window decorating contest and fun for all ages. Those who attend are invited to take a toy or monetary donation for Hobbs Fire Department’s annual Toy Drive. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-397-8603 or City of Hobbs on FB)

THROUGH DECEMBER

***Lea County DWI Program is operating and offering the FREE Tipsy Taxi service again this holiday season. Call 575-391-2982 to set up rides in advance or to request immediate service from 6pm-2am on Fridays and Saturdays through New Year’s Eve. Request a ride from home to a gathering at any restaurant, bar or party venue that’s serving/selling liquor. Or ask for a FREE ride home to anywhere in Lea County from a restaurant, bar or party venue that’s serving/selling liquor. For more info, log onto hobbsamerica.com. (Tipsy Taxi on FB or at www.leacounty.net)

***Lea County Sheriff’s Office announces that it will conduct DWI checkpoints at various times and places in Lea County throughout December, especially during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel times and weekends. 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 December. This is to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths and help change society’s attitude about driving while impaired by alcohol or other substances such as marijuana. Buckle up, don’t speed, and don’t drink-and-drive…instead, help save lives. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-885-3138; www.sp.nm.gov.

RUN DAILY TFN

Hobbs Public Library at 509 N. Shipp is now open Monday 9:30am-8pm, Tuesday-Wednesday 9:30am-6pm, Thursday-Friday 9:30am-5pm, and closed on weekends. FREE reading programs for kids are back; FREE programs for adults are back. 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.

***Story Hour for 2-year-olds every Tuesday, 10-10:30a;

***Story Hour for ages 3, 4, and 5 every Tuesday, 11a-12noon;

***We Read Club for K-3^rd grade every Wednesday, 2:30-3:30p to create new stories, learn critical thinking, writing skills, social skills, win prizes and have fun.

***All children’s programs are free; children must be accompanied by an adult.

***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)

The Lea County Museum in Lovington is open again with buildings at 103 N. Love, 114 E. Central and others that are also near the courthouse. Normal hours are Tuesday through Saturday 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 on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9am-12noon and 1-4pm. The free food pantry is open for those in need. Additionally, food is taken to shut-ins and to those in need in all communities of Lea County, as well as Denver City and Seminole, Texas once each month. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (397-2119; SA office at 820 S. Fowler)

***Watch for bell ringers at Salvation Army Red Kettles outside stores in the area through Christmas Eve and donate change or cash that stays in Lea County and helps people in need with free food, emergency shelter, clothing, Christian church services and more. Also look for “Angel Trees” in local stores and donate items to help give needy local kids some Christmas presents, including clothes, coats, shoes and toys. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Salvation Army, 820 N. Fowler, 575-397-2119)

RUN TFN

Ask about registration and enrollment in upcoming sessions of NMJC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) and Citizenship FREE classes. Those who are interested should call 575-492-2629 for more information. The office is open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (Spanish speaker available). Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Kathleen, 575-492-2630; Spanish speakers Haidee 492-2629 and Syrtiha, 492-2631)

Ask about registration/enrollment in upcoming sessions of FREE High School Equivalent (GED or HiSET program) and Entrepreneurial classes held at NMJC. 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. (Kathleen, 575-492-2630; Spanish speakers Haidee 492-2629 and Syrtiha, 492-2631)

***Donations are being 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, 575-393-7316)

***Isaiah’s Kitchen, 304 W. Harden in Hobbs, serves two free meals daily M-F: breakfast 9:30-10am and lunch at 12noon to anyone who shows up. Meals are intended to help those who would otherwise go hungry but all community members are invited. Those who can afford to donate are welcomed but not expected to do so. To volunteer or ask about donating food or money to the cause, call Renee, 575-393-4125.