WEEKLY AND WEEKEND EVENTS BEGINNING MAR. 16, 2023
FRIDAY, MAR. 17
St. Helena Catholic Church will hold a fundraising St. Patrick’s Day Dinner from 5-7:30pm at the church, 100 E. Bender in Hobbs. Plates cost $15 each for lots of corned beef and cabbage, with bread, dessert and drink for dine-in or carry-out. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-392-7551)
The Hobbs Senior Center will host a dance starting at 6pm with the band playing from 7-8:45pm at the center, 200 E. Park St. Admission is $5 per person with coffee and tea served. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-397-9301)
Open Mic Nights are back at the Lea County Center for the Arts in Hobbs. But the Open Mic Night that was scheduled for Friday, Mar. 17 has been cancelled. The next Open Mic Night is set for Friday, May 12, with doors open at 7:15pm. Admission is $3 per person. Performers also are welcome to sign up before Open Mic Nights at Lea County Center for the Arts, 122 W. Broadway in Hobbs. (More Open Mic Nights set to be held once per month during June through the rest of the year. 575-433-2787)
FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY, MAR. 17-19
The Lea County Center for the Arts presents the one-act comedy, “A Very Bad Day for Brandon Butterworth” directed by Liz Guerrero on Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Center, 122 W. Broadway in downtown Hobbs. Admission/tickets cost $10 per person and are available at the door or online at www.lccanm.org. In the play, which is a bit under one hour long, Brandon is dating three women—who all find out about each other and, well, you’ll have to go see the play to find out what happens to Brandon during his very bad day. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-433-2787)
SATURDAY, MAR. 18
Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services) will hold a community blood drive Saturday, Mar. 18 from 11am-3:30pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, corner of Grimes and Navajo in Hobbs. Anyone who donates through March 31 will be entered into the “groceries for a year” giveaway--a drawing to win one of two $10,000 pre-paid gift cards. Anyone who feels well and healthy is invited give blood and save lives (anyone under 18 must have parental permission). Walk-ins are welcome or call and schedule an appointment at 1-575-840-8178. Get more at hobbsamerica.com. (Vitalant.org/marchgift or www.vitalant.org or www.bloodhero.com
Friends of the Hobbs Public Library invite the public to a “Shop ‘Til You Drop—Books by the Box—And More Sale” from 10am-3pm in the library’s Public Meeting Room, 509 N. Shipp. Buy 15 hardback books for $5; 15 paperbacks for $3; or children’s books as priced. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-964-8242)
THROUGH MAR. 31
***Lea County Sheriff’s Office announces that it will conduct DWI checkpoints at various times and places in Lea County throughout March. 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 March. 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 (FYI: See new Open Mic Nights below)
The Lea County Center for the Arts is open at 122 W. Broadway in downtown Hobbs. Normal hours are Tues, Thurs, Fri, and Sat 1-7pm and on Wed from 1-5pm. Admission is free and open to everyone. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.
(www.lccanm.org; 575-433-2787 or 433-ARTS)
***After-School Art Classes are being held each Wednesday (except when schools are on holiday and summer breaks) from 4-5pm for elementary students and each Thursday from 4-5pm for middle school students at LCCA. To register or find out more, go to www.lccanm.org or on Facebook.
***Open Mic Nights are back! Scheduled nights include Friday, May 12 with doors open at 7:15pm. Admission is $3 per person. Performers also are welcome to sign up before Open Mic Nights at Lea County Center for the Arts, 122 W. Broadway in Hobbs. (There will be an open mic night on one Friday each month in 2023. (575-433-2787)
RUN 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-3rd 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 some communities in West Texas once each month. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (397-2119; SA office at 820 S. Fowler)
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)