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By Sarah Jones. Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library When most people think of the library, they picture shelves lined with books, the quiet rustle of pages turning, and maybe a friendly librarian helping locate a new read. But today’s libraries are so much more than that. They’ve evolved into community hubs for learning, creativity, and connection. From digital downloads to hands-on experiences, your library offers a treasure trove of resources you might not even know e

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is proud to recognize its Mountain Lion Student of the Month, an honor established to celebrate students who embody the college’s core values. The Mountain Lion Student of the Month program was created to promote a culture of excellence, encourage active student engagement, and recognize outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, and community involvement. All currently enrolled SENMC students in good academic standing are eligible

To help address hunger in our community, Carlsbad Medical Center has donated 1,480 jars of peanut butter (and other nut butters) to Jonah’s House, the Carlsbad Community Kitchen, the Abundant Harvest Food Pantry, and Packs for Hunger. All of that peanut butter was collected by Carlsbad Medical Center and Pecos Valley Physician Group employees and medical staff members during its fourth annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter Drive. Other local businesses, such as Financial Security

By Misty Cryer Many people experiment with the craft of crochet over their lifetimes and have unfinished projects to prove it. That is not the case for a young girl in Carlsbad who has mastered the craft of crocheting and often gifts her finished projects to others. Eleven-year-old fifth-grader Piper Daugherty said her Memaw taught her how to crochet. When talking about the types of projects she has done, she said, “I like making monkeys a lot.” Piper said that monkeys are an

By Misty Cryer The Prell family is well known in Carlsbad, with David serving as pastor of Blodgett Street Baptist Church for 23 of his almost 40 years in ministry and Jody teaching at Monterrey Elementary for 14 years before retiring. The couple also managed to stay active in the art community while providing custom artwork through JD Creations. Less well known is the fact that they purchased JoAnn’s Trophies a few years ago, which added to the selection of customized and pe

By Kyle Markstiener There’s a variety show coming up at the high school. Several of the theater kids wanted to do a scene from Hamilton, and they needed space to practice. I proposed the United Way’s boardroom, and my daughter, Amelia, took me up on the offer. Practice was set for 2 p.m., but Amelia came by about 45 minutes early to prepare. I could hear the scraping of furniture as chairs and tables were moved to turn our boardroom into a more suitable location for rehearsin

Faith Kluesner plans to attend an out-of-state college after graduation, where she will study biochemical engineering or biotechnology. She is the daughter of Melanie Crow and the sister of Jackson Crow (11). At Carlsbad High School, Faith is drum major for the marching band—a role that highlights her leadership skills—while also playing flute in the varsity concert band and competing on the varsity Cavegirl basketball team. She is also active at St. Edward’s Church and dance

On March 5, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation announced the 485 semifinalists for its highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Among those selected was Southeast New Mexico College student Sammy Lopez, Jr., who earned recognition from a highly selective pool of more than 1,300 applicants representing 224 community colleges across 37 states. The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the most prestigious opportunities available to community college

By Sarah Jones, Library Director, Carlsbad Public Library Few debates among readers spark more passion than the question: Was the book better than the movie? From The Lord of the Rings to The Hunger Games, from Pride and Prejudice to The Martian, adaptations bring beloved stories to life in new ways—sometimes to applause, sometimes to outrage. But whether you prefer the written word or the silver screen, there’s no denying that the conversation itself highlights why stories m

By Dr. Kevin Beardmore The long-time chair of my previous college, Owensboro Community and Technical College in Kentucky, often told the story of the college’s origins. Owensboro had two private colleges, one Catholic that had been around for decades, one Methodist that was established in 1858. Because of this, the city had been bypassed when a dozen branch campuses of the University of Kentucky were established in the 1960s. By the 1980s, it was clear that Owensboro, desp

CMC Physicians Give Back on Doctors’ Day In celebration of National Doctors’ Day, the medical staff at Carlsbad Medical Center has once again chosen to give back to the community in a meaningful way. This year, physicians donated $6,000 to the Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter, in lieu of receiving traditional tokens of appreciation. National Doctors’ Day, observed annually on March 30, recognizes physicians for their dedication, skill, and commitment to improving the health

By R. Gabriel Villalobos Carlsbad is about to see something it has never seen before: its first K-pop concert. On April 11, the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center will host “K-POP WARRIORS: THE SHOW,” a high-energy performance that organizer Curtis McKinney says is part concert, part dance production, and part theatrical experience. “This is kind of a unique show,” McKinney said. “When I was first approached with it, I didn’t even know what K-pop was.” That changed after