WEEKEND EVENTS/PSA’S BEGINNING MAY 5, 2026

 

THURSDAY, MAY 7

Lovington Public Library will host its annual Salad Day from 11:30am-1:30pm at the library, 115 N. Main St. A variety of salads and desserts will be available free for the public. Those who attend are welcome to take a salad or dessert to share, but it is NOT required. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-396-3144)

 

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES (GRADUATION CEREMONIES)

are scheduled at area schools as follows:

FRIDAY, MAY 8: NMJC at 7pm at Watson Memorial Stadium at Hobbs         High School

SATURDAY, MAY 9: USW at 10am for undergraduates and 2pm for graduate degrees at the Jack and Mabel Maddox Student Life Center on the USW campus
 

SATURDAY, MAY 16: TATUM HIGH SCHOOL at 2pm at the Tatum High School Gym

 

SUNDAY, MAY 17: EUNICE HIGH SCHOOL at 2pm at the new Joe Langston Arena

 

FRIDAY, MAY 22: HOBBS HIGH SCHOOL at 7pm at Watson Memorial Stadium

                             

FRIDAY, MAY 22: LOVINGTON HIGH SCHOOL at 7pm at Wildcat Stadium

 

FRIDAY, MAY 22: JAL HIGH SCHOOL at 7pm at the Jal High School Auditorium

 

SATURDAY, MAY 9

***The National Association of Letter Carriers will hold its annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Sat, May 9 in Hobbs (and some other communities). Place your non-perishable food donation in a bag by your mailbox before mail is delivered on Saturday—it will be picked up and go to the local food bank for those in need. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Look for yellow bag for donation in your box this week.)

***Lea County Museum invites the public to “Mom & Me”, a FREE community event on Sat, May 9 from 1-3pm at the museum, 103 S. Love St. in Lovington. Enjoy an afternoon of making handcrafted keepsakes, along with cupcakes and coffee and a photo booth available. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-396-4805)

 

MONDAY, MAY 11--request nomination forms from executive@hobbschamber.org

Hobbs Chamber of Commerce invites the public to nominate a worthy person for recognition during its annual Community Awards Banquet which is set for May 28. The deadline to submit nominations for the following awards is Monday, May 11 at 5pm:

***Outstanding Young Woman, Man, Educator, Public Safety Officer, and Citizen.

The chamber will provide one banquet ticket for each winner. The nominating individual is responsible for ensuring the winning individual attends the banquet on May 28 at 6pm at the Zia Park Annex. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.  (575-397-3202)

 

TUESDAY, MAY 12

A BioSecurity Planning Clinic focused on prevention, preparedness and response to the potential threat of the New World Screwworm will be held on Tues, May 12 at 12pm at the NMJC Farm & Ranch Classroom, 4116 W. Millen Dr. in Hobbs. Leading industry experts will talk about this serious threat to livestock, wildlife, and our local agricultural economy. It’s free and open to everyone. Indication of intention to attend is appreciated; rsvp online at https://rsvp.aces.nmsu.edu/screwormlea  Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (575-396-2819 or jbarber@nmsu.edu)

 

FRIDAY, MAY 15 (THROUGH MAY 30)

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 Fri, May 15 from 10am-2pm at First Methodist Church, 407 Main in Lovington.

***A blood drive is set for Fri, May 22 from 10am-1:30pm at Hobbs VFW Post 3274, 609 W. Alto (in the Bloodmobile parked outside the VFW hall).

***A blood drive is set for Tues, May 26 from 8-11am in the Bloodmobile parked at the Chevron office, 1616 W. Bender Blvd. in Hobbs.

***A blood drive is set for Sat, May 30 from 11am-2pm in the Bloodmobile parked at Texas Roadhouse, 4210 N. Lovington Hwy in Hobbs.

 

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 8-11 (plus others)

Lea County invites residents to take part in a FREE community clean-up. Find out more at leacounty.net and hobbsamerica.com. Community clean-ups are scheduled throughout Lea County as follows:

***May 8-11 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

 

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Lea County will display American flags around the Veterans Memorial at the Historic Courthouse in Lovington for Memorial Day. Each flag will be individually labeled with the name of a fallen service member, regardless of when they died whether while serving or not. Please submit the full name of the veteran, the branch in which they served, along with your name and contact information. Email submissions go to leacounty@leacounty.gov and the DEADLINE is Friday, MAY 15 at 5pm!! Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Site is www.leacounty.gov NOT leacounty.net anymore)

 

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Local Scout Troop 3274 and the Hobbs VFW will host a Flag Retirement Ceremony on Sat, May 16 at 3pm. Anyone with an old, faded, torn or tattered U.S. or state flag is welcome to attend and officially “retire” it, free of charge. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Katie Espinosa, 575-626-6763; VFW is at 609 W. Alto)

 

MONDAY, MAY 18

The CORE invites young people in grades 3 through 9 to enjoy FREE summer sports fun with basketball, tennis and football from 8:30am-12noon Monday through Thursdays from June 8 through July 9 at the Center for Recreational Excellence on the Lovington Hwy in Hobbs. Registration begins Mon, May 18 at 12noon. Find out more through hobbsnm.org or The Core Facebook page and at hobbsamerica.com. (393-2673)

 

SATURDAY, MAY 16

The City of Hobbs Animal Adoption Center will hold “Paw-letas in the Park” on Sat, May 16 from 11am-2pm at Humble Park next to the adoption center. They need volunteers to walk a dog and enjoy a free PAW-leta (ice cream treat), thanks to sponsor Paleteria Chihuahua. As a bonus, volunteer dog walkers also will enjoy local vendors and a bite to eat at the Pop-Up Market set up at Humble Park until 5pm. The public is invited to this summer-themed event to meet adoptable dogs, take them for a stroll in the park and help the animals enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com. (Evelyn Nunez, 575-391-4171 or 575-263-1008; enunez@hobbsnm.org)

 

THURS, MAY 21 THROUGH SUN, MAY 31

Community Players of Hobbs present the celebrated, award-winning musical “Godspell” (2012 revised version) at The Playhouse, 1700 N. Grimes with performances scheduled on:

***Thurs, May 21 at 7:30pm

***Sat, May 23 at 7:30pm

***Sun, May 24 at 2pm

***Fri, May 29 at 7:30pm

***Sat, May 30 at 7:30pm and

***Sun, May 31 at 2pm

Admission is $15 at the door or in advance at www.communityplayersofhobbs.org. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

 

RUN TFN

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.

 

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)

 

Lea County Electric Coop invites the public to apply for its “Bright Ideas Grant Program”. Its purpose is to help teachers bring innovative ideas to the classroom. Eligibility is teachers in grades K-12 in the LCEC service area. Projects must benefit students in grades K-12 and teachers may apply for only one project per school year. Applications are open June 1 through Aug. 28. For more info, go to LCECNET.com or call 575-396-3631. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

 

New Mexico 811 reminds everyone who lives in New Mexico that you must call 8-1-1 before you dig anywhere on your property. For safety reasons, it’s state law that you call before you dig. It’s free a free call. Not calling can mean citations, fines and even worse depending on any damage that occurs to power lines, water and sewer services and other infrastructure. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com.

 

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-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)