First Day

(Editor’s Note: Today is the first day the following items have appeared in Around Town. Items are generally published a maximum of five times.)

FLOWER SHOW — Entries for the 2010 Flower Show will be received from 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, and from 8-10 a.m., Thursday July 29 at the Flower Show Booth, in the Eddy County Community Building. Show entries must be removed by 5 p.m., Saturday July 31.
————
YUCCA PTO — Yucca PTO will meet at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4, in the Yucca Elementary School library. Everyone is welcome to attend. Contact Eugene Irby at 703-5888 for more information.
————
FREE CONCERT — Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park will be hosting a free concert by the Carlsbad Community Band at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 in the Visitor Center.
————
BAG SALE — Second Chances will be holding a bag sale today through Saturday, July 31 at 401 W. Quay. Bags are $10 each. Summer clearance includes house wares at 50% off.
————
SOCCER TWO-A-DAYS — Boys soccer Two-a-days will begin Monday, Aug. 9 and run through Friday, Aug. 13. Morning sessions begin at 7:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions begin a 4 p.m. Two-a-days are mandatory for all soccer players.
————
UDDERLY FUN RUN — The third annual Udderly Fun Run will take place Saturday, July 31 at Jaycee Park. Late registration runs from 7-7:30 a.m. Races begin at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Angela Bradbury at 308-1960.(Editor’s Note: Today is the first day the following items have appeared in Around Town. Items are generally published a maximum of five times.)

CHAPTER J, P.E.O. — Chapter J will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 1, for lunch at Chaos Café. The group would like to see and visit inactive members who cannot attend meetings during the year.
—————
YUCCA HEALTHCARE — Yucca Healthcare Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 3, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, July 5.
—————
COUNTY OFFICES — Eddy County offices will be closed Monday, July 5, in observance of Independence Day. The Sheriff’s Department will remain open and the road department will have a road crew on call.

(Editor’s Note: Around Town is intended to announce events of interest to the general public in Artesia and the immediate area. Announcements of club and non-profit organizations, school activities, government events and church activities are generally included in Around Town.)

COTTONWOOD 4-H — Cottonwood 4-H will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 5, at the AHS ag building. This is your opportunity to turn in your fair entries.
—————
CHAPARRAL 4-H — The Chaparral 4-H Club will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, July 5, in Hope. Members who have not given a demonstration should be prepared to give one. Must have all member in good standing requirements met. Call Debbie at 484-3462 for more information.
—————
THEATRE AUDITIONS — The Artesia Community Theatre will hold auditions for “Something’s Afoot,” a zany, entertaining play that takes a satirical poke at Agatha Christie mysteries and musical styles of past years, at 6:30 p.m. July 6 and 8 and 10 a.m. July 10 at the Ocotillo Performing Arts Center, 310 W. Main St. The cast includes six men and four women. Those interested should bring music for singing auditions. An accompanist will be available. For more information, call 746-3756.
—————
FARMERS’ MARKET — A Farmers’ Market will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 14 at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. The market will feature homegrown vegetables and homemade crafts and will continue to grow as the season progresses. For more information, contact Susie Taylor at 365-4030.
—————
ATHLETIC PHYSICALS — Free athletic physicals will be offered Thursday, July 22, at Memorial Clinic (enter under the Davita Dialysis sign). The schedule is as follows: intermediate girls, 5 p.m.; junior high girls, 5:20 p.m.; high school girls, 5:40 p.m.; intermediate boys, 6 p.m.; junior high boys, 6:20 p.m.; and high school boys, 6:40 p.m.

(Editor’s Note: Around Town is intended to announce events of interest to the general public in Artesia and the immediate area. Announcements of club and non-profit organizations, school activities, government events and church activities are generally included in Around Town.)

TAILGATE PARTY — The 18th Annual Tailgate Party will be held before the first Artesia Bulldog home football game, from 4:30-7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27, at Bulldog Bowl.  A $6 ticket gets you brisket on a bun, beans, chips and a drink. Proceeds benefit the Artesia High cheerleaders. Please contact any AHS cheerleader, Nancy Stall at 308-6173 or Jennifer Houghtaling at 575-308-1624 for tickets.
————
CLASSIC MOVIE — The Artesia Arts Council will present “Bell, Book and Candle” with Kim Nowak and Jimmy Stewart at 8:20 p.m., Thursday, July 29, at the Heritage Walkway. Popcorn and movie are free. Bring a comfortable lawn chair.
————
KEVIN HARPER SCRAMBLE — The Kevin Harper Memorial Scholarship golf scramble will be held July 30-31 at Artesia Country Club. There are still open team spots, tee box signs are available for purchase and donations are being accepted.  All proceeds benefit the Kevin Harper Memorial Scholarship fund. For more information, contact Lee McCaw at 513-6458 or 736-2300.
————
QUILTERS GUILD SHOW — The Artesia Quilters Guild is hosting its 10th annual show during normal business hours (9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays) through Aug. 28 at the Artesia Historical Museum & Art Center art annex. For more information, call 748-2390.
————
UPWARD FLAG FOOTBALL —  Complete and return registrations forms by July 30 for 2010 Upward Flag Football. Sign up deadline and mandatory evaluation is set for 8 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Aug. 7, at Fourth Street and Richardson Street. Registrations can be picked up at the First Baptist Church Total Life Center.
————
SCHOOL SUPPLY GIVEAWAY — First Baptist Church will hold its second annual school supply giveaway at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 11. Full school supplies will be given away, and the first 150 children will also receive a backpack. Supplies are for children going to kindergarten through fifth grade. Also, meet your Sunday and Wednesday First Baptist Church teachers.
————
FOOTBALL CLINIC — The Artesia Bulldog Football Clinic will be held from 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, August 3, at the Bulldog Bowl. This clinic is for children in grades 1-5 and the cost is $20.00 which covers the registration and a t-shirt. For early registration, please contact De Ann Bowman at 746-9461 or Amy Grantham at 513-4239 for an entry form. Participants may also register at 8:30 a.m. the morning of the clinic.
————
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS — The Artesia Public Library will form two book discussion groups for adults, beginning at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 9, at the library, 306 W. Richardson. The first meetings are informational, with the first selection ready for check out during that time. Groups will meet the second Monday of each month thereafter. For more information, call 746-4252.
—————
HEAD START ENROLLMENT — The Southeast NM Community Action Corporation Head Start Program is now accepting children’s applications for the 2010-2011 program years. Children must turn three- or four-years old before Sept. 1, 2010. Children who turn five before Sept. 1 are not eligible. The following documents are needed for enrollment application: birth certificate, current immunization record, income verification for the previous 12 month period (W-2 or income tax forms), Social Security card and Medicaid or health insurance card.
—————
YOUTH SOCCER — The Artesia Youth Soccer Association is holding registration for the 2010 season. Cost is $35 per child, and children must be 4 years of age by July 31 to participate. First-time registrants must bring birth certificates. All registrations will take place at Burger King and will run according to the following schedule: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 30; and 5:30-7:30 p.m., July 29. Anyone interested in sponsoring, coaching or refereeing is also encouraged to pick up forms at any registration. For more information, visit http://artesianmsoccer.webs.com or www.facebook.com/pages/
Artesia-Youth-Soccer-Association.
—————
ADULT BASIC EDUCATION — Free GED preparation and English as a Second Language classes will be held, beginning Aug. 23, at the Artesia Vocational Training Center, Grammy’s House, Head Start and the Artesia Recreational Center. Registration is being taken now. For more information, call 877-999-9363.
—————
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL — First Presbyterian Church and the First United Methodist Church will host a Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m.-noon, July 28-31 at First Presbyterian, 402 W. Grand Ave.
—————
CONSUMER REPORTS — Artesia Rural Water Co-Op’s Consumer Confidence Report is available to be picked up at the office, located at 101 W. Castleberry Road.
—————
ROAD CONSTRUCTION — The Eddy County Road Department has closed County Road 225 (Empire Road) to through traffic for reconstruction. The closure affects Empire Road, Little Diamond Road and Hilltop Road. Traffic in this area should use caution and be prepared for delays and detours.
—————
MUSIC GARDEN — Music Garden for children ages 2-5 runs through Monday, Aug. 30. Children will enjoy singing, playing instruments, purposeful movement activities and focused listening in a Christian environment. Music Garden will meet from 9-9:40 a.m. every Monday at the First Baptist Church Total Life Center. Cost is $9 per child, $6 per additional sibling. Teacher is Kendra Beagles. Contact T.J. at 748-1308 for more information.
—————
TURBO KICK — Turbo Kick cardio kickboxing classes are held at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 5:10 p.m. Thursdays at West Main Baptist Church. For more information, contact Kristy McKee at 703-3118.
—————
FARMERS’ MARKET — A Farmers’ Market will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 14 at the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. The market will feature homegrown vegetables and homemade crafts and will continue to grow as the season progresses. For more information, contact Susie Taylor at 365-4030.
—————
FREE FAMILY & MARRIAGE COUNSELING — Counseling for low- and no-income families is offered the first Thursday of each month at the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Pecos Valley office, 603 S. Roselawn Ave. Appointment times are 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Call the society at 748-8824 to schedule your session. For more information, contact Fr. Brian at 748-1356.
—————
SUMMER READING PROGRAM — The Summer Reading Program continues through July 31 for children, teens and adults at the Artesia Public Library. Contact Geri Dosalua at 748-9966 or gdosalua@artesianm.gov for more information, registration forms and information packets.
—————
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — Volunteers are needed to provide oversight for abused and neglected children who are in the custody of the state. Volunteers meet one day each month and review cases of children who are in                 the foster care system. Recommendations are then sent to judges hearing the cases. To volunteer for the citizen review board, visit nmcrb.org, call 866-857-2976 or email CRBReports @gmail.com.
—————
GRADUATION, GED ASSISTANCE — A nonprofit program, designed to help youth between the ages of 16-21 graduate or obtain their GED, is offering free study skills and work experiences. For more information, contact Ashley Ramirez at 575-887-1174 or stop by New Mexico Workforce Connection Center, 704 W. Main St. in Artesia.
—————
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS — The Artesia AA group meets from 7-8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and 7:15-8:15 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 809 S. 10th St. The group meets from 7-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Ellie’s, 309 S. First St. Call 748-5412 or 748-4999 for more information.
—————
HABITAT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS — Habitat for Humanity of Artesia is now accepting applications for future homeowners. To find out if you qualify or for more information, contact Patricia at 746-6598. You may be surprised by how Habitat can help.