A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible first year it has been serving as your mayor. It’s been an interesting feat balancing the responsibilities of office, work, and home life, but it has also been one of the most rewarding years of my life. Together, we’ve accomplished so much. This year has been productive and fruitful, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved as a city. Of course, there’s still so much to do, and I’m excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Carlsbad in 2025.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Carlsbad City Council. I want to personally thank every councilor for the countless hours they’ve devoted to making difficult decisions that are in the best interest of our city. Their dedication to the wellbeing of Carlsbad and its residents is clear in everything they do, and I couldn’t ask for a better team to work alongside.
I’d also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our incredible city staff. Your passion and drive make Carlsbad a better place to work and live, and your efforts are just as vital to our city’s success. Your commitment to improving our community is the reason we’ve accomplished so much this year. I look forward to continuing our work together in the years to come.
As we celebrate the season, I encourage everyone to take advantage of the wonderful traditions that make this time of year so special in Carlsbad. One of our most beloved holiday events, Christmas on the Pecos, is running all month long. This magical experience offers stunning light displays and enchanting www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com
boat rides along the Pecos River. Each Saturday, leading up to New Year’s, there will also be various exciting activities for the whole family to enjoy. Even if you’ve experienced Christmas on the Pecos in the past, I encourage you to visit again. There’s always something new and exciting to see, and the event continues to improve exponentially year after year.
Thank you, Carlsbad, for your support and encouragement throughout my first year in office. Your kindness and dedication to our community make Carlsbad such an extraordinary place to call home. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2025.
Wishing you and your families a season filled with love, joy, and cherished memories.
SPEAKING OF HISTORY: HOLIDAY TRADITION
ByJamesonLucas,CommunityHistorian
The holiday season has always been a special time in and around Carlsbad, steeped in tradition. From the glow of luminarias and Christmas lights lining our neighborhoods to the evening parades downtown, the gatherings in Halagueño Arts Park, and the boat rides of Christmas On The Pecos, November and Decemberinourcommunitybringawarmsenseofnostalgiaformanyofus.
Looking back on the past holiday seasons and some of the area’s earliest traditions, we flashback to 1894 when Otis began its Community Christmas Tree celebrations. The tight-knit denizens would gather on the grounds of Otis School to carol and light a tree. By 1914, only having missed one year of celebration, the small community south of our fair city had a veritable holiday tradition. Perhaps the movers and shakers of Carlsbad took note because a committee was formed, and Carlsbad's first public Christmas tree lighting took place on Christmas Eve, 1916, on the lawn of the Eddy County Courthouse. Families from across town came together en masse to sing carols and adorn thecommunitytreewithornamentsandcandles.
Fast forward to today, and those early traditions have blossomed into something truly spectacular. This past Saturday, Carlsbad hosted one of its grandest (and longest) Electric Light Parades to date, culminating in the lighting of a stunning 48-foot Christmas tree in Halagueño Arts Park during the annualNightofLightscelebration.
As we reflect on the past, it’s essential to celebrate how our community carries these traditions forward. From local businesses decorating downtown in holiday lights to community groups like Ray Anaya’s Christmas Anonymous hosting its annual toy drive, the Electric Light Parade, Night Of Lights, and Christmas On The Pecos, Carlsbad continues to create new history and embody the spirit of givingthathasdefinedthisseasonforgenerations.
Meanwhile, the City of Carlsbad’s Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) continues its important work. The board met on November 21st, which I attended as a guest and reported some of the recent research for an ongoing compilation of Downtown Carlsbad’s history. This important work will aid the HPAB and community stakeholders in future planning and decision-making for the Carlsbad Historic District and offer a broader perspective to the community at large. Be on the lookout for a full edition of this column dedicated to Downtown Carlsbad in 2025.
This December marks the 63rd anniversary of Project Gnome, the first continental nuclear arms test outside of the Nevada Test Site since the Trinity test. When the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was lifted by the Soviets in 1961, American ingenuity had spent the last four years developing a program called 'Project Plowshare’ under the auspices of President Eisenhower’s ‘Atoms For Peace’ initiative. This program sought to harness atomic energy for peacetime uses. With the treaty lifted, projects already in development, and detonation sites pre-selected, the Atomic Energy Commission carried out the first of these test blasts 25 miles outside Carlsbad on December 10, 1961.
On Monday, December 9th, the Southeastern New Mexico Historical Society will host Norbert T. Rempe for an engaging presentation on the history and legacy of Project Gnome. Join us at 7:00 p.m. in the Carlsbad Museum Hall of Fame to learn about this fascinating chapter of local history. All are welcome; bring a friend!
I wish you all a joyful season filled with holiday traditions that will become a part of your family’s history. See you at the museum on December 9th!
Warm holiday wishes, JamesonLucas
Community Historian
DECEMBER EVENTS & DATES
All Month Long:
Carlsbad Museum presents “Cultural
Currency,” Contemporary Art from the Riemer Collection
Sun. December 1st:
Milton’s Brewing Winter Market
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Nova Rush/Marie Manning at Milton’s
Brewing
Mon. December 2nd:
Open House Cottonwood Pediatrics
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Tue. December 3rd:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
Carlsbad Public Library Stitcher’s
Anonymous
SENMC Community Education: Wreath Making Class
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns
National Park
Wed. December 4th:
Carlsbad Public Library Preschool Time
Carlsbad Public Library LEGO Time
SENMC Community Education: Office & Computer Skills Class
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Thurs. December 5th:
Carlsbad Public Library Baby Time
Eddy County IGNITE Launch
SENMC Community Education: Intro to Weaving
Fri. December 6th:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
Christmas on the Pecos: Winter Wine
Festival
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
An O. Henry Christmas at the Carlsbad Community Theatre
Sat. December 7th:
Market & Munchies DownTown
Christmas on the Pecos: Winter Wine Festival
Christmas Cookie Decorating w/ Mrs.
Claus & the Elves at the Balzano Vineyard
Christmas on the Farm
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
An O. Henry Christmas at the Carlsbad Community Theatre
Sun. December 8th:
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
An O. Henry Christmas at the Carlsbad Community Theatre
Sun. December 9th:
CHS Candyland Winterfest
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Tue. December 10th:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time
2nd Annual Pictures w/ Santa at United Realty
Art & Financial Literacy Workshops: The Credit Journey
Wed. December 11th:
Carlsbad Public Library Preschool Storytime
Carlsbad Public Library LEGO Time
SENMC Community Education: Seasonal Crafts Class
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Thurs. December 12th:
Carlsbad Public Library Baby Time
Ladies Night Out: Vintage Christmas Tree
SENMC Community Education: Intro to Weaving
Fri. December 13th:
Carlsbad Public Library Toddler Time “Art-O-Rama” Workshop
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Ladies Night Out: Wreath Making Class
An O. Henry Christmas at the Carlsbad Community Theatre
Christmas on the Pecos: Balloons on the Pecos
Sat. December 14th:
Carlsbad Public Library Dungeons and Dragons
Carlsbad Public Library STEM Club
Art & Financial Literacy Workshops: Paper
Money Origami
Market & Munchies DownTown
Christmas Cookie Decorating w/ Mrs.
Claus & the Elves at the Balzano Vineyard
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
An O. Henry Christmas at the Carlsbad Community Theatre
Sun. December 15th:
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
An O. Henry Christmas at the Carlsbad Community Theatre
Mon. December 16th:
Carlsbad Community Theatre Auditions:
Males Order Brides
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Tue. December 17th:
Carlsbad Public Library Stitcher’s Anonymous Blood Drive Holiday Heros
Wed. December 18th:
Brews & Books at Milton’s Brewing
SENMC Community Education:
Seasonal Crafts Class
Christmas Cocktail Class
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Thurs. December 19th:
SENMC Community Education: Intro to Weaving
Fri. December 20th:
Ugly Sweater Party by Carlsbad Public Library
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Christmas on the Pecos: Weekend with Santa
Sat. December 21st:
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Market & Munchies DownTown
Christmas on the Pecos: Weekend with Santa
Sun. December 22nd:
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Rock of Ages at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Mon. December 23rd:
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Tue. December 24th:
City of Carlsbad Closed for Christmas Eve
Wed. December 25th:
City of Carlsbad Closed for Christmas Day
Fri. December 27th:
Christmas on the Pecos: Rollin’ on the Pecos
Sat. December 28th:
Carlsbad Public Library Dungeons and Dragons
Christmas on the Pecos: Rollin’ on the Pecos
Sun. December 29th:
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Mon. December 30th:
BINGO! Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad
Tue. December 31st:
New Year’s Eve
For more information regarding any of these events or others please visit the official City Events Calander.
City of Carlsbad Initiates Economic Impact & Feasibility Study for Cardboard Recycling Center
Carlsbad, NM – October 23, 2024—The City of Carlsbad is excited to announce the commencement of an economic impact and feasibility study to explore the financial and environmental benefits of establishing a city-operated cardboard recycling facility. This initiative aims to create a financially viable solution that will significantly reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable practices within the community.Chevron generously funded the study with a $100,000 donation, demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship and community support.
Mayor of Carlsbad, Rick Lopez, expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are incredibly thankful to Chevron for their generous donation. This study is crucial to making Carlsbad a greener and more sustainable city here in southeast New Mexico. By exploring the potential of a cardboard recycling operation, we aim to reduce landfill waste and create economic opportunities for our residents."
City Councilor and Beautification Coordinator, Mary Garwood, expressed she is excited to see this partnership with industry come to fruition, since the City’s former recycling contractor, CARC, INC. Rainbow Recycling, ceased its operations in 2016. “It’s important for the City to take educated planning steps at this time so that we can make the most effective strategic plan possible. The last thing the City wants to do is have to pull the plug on an arbitrary recycling approach. We want a solid plan to build into our standard operations. Recycling what we can is the right thing to do and our citizens have made it clear they want that opportunity back.”
Dave Yanke of NewGen Strategies and Solutions, stated “NewGen is excited to work with the City of Carlsbad to conduct this economic impact and feasibility study. This study will help quantify the benefits associated with diverting cardboard from the landfill; and most importantly, analyze and determine the most cost-effective manner to divert the material to ensure the long-term sustainability of a cardboard recycling program for the City.”
Chevron is pleased to announce its donation to the City of Carlsbad in support of an Economic Impact Study (EIS) to assess the feasibility of establishing a cardboard recycling center in the area. Janelle Lewis, Environmental Process Manager at Chevron, stated, “Chevron is committed to contributing to sustainable and economically viable initiatives. This study will be
instrumental in determining the feasibility of creating a recycling facility dedicated to processing cardboard waste.” Lewis added, “We are excited about the potential benefits this project could bring to Carlsbad and its residents.” Beverly Allen, Chevron's Public and Government Affairs Advisor, commented on the company's involvement: "Chevron is proud to support the City of Carlsbad in this important endeavor. Investing in sustainable projects like this aligns with our commitment to environmental responsibility and economic development in the communities where we operate. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this study."
The economic impact study will be conducted over the next six months, and its findings are expected to be released in early 2025. The City of Carlsbad encourages residents to stay informed and participate in discussions of the recycling evaluation's progress and eventual results. For more information, please contact the City of Carlsbad Mayor’s office at (575) 8871191 or email mayor.office@cityofcarlsbadnm.com
About the City of Carlsbad
The City of Carlsbad is a diverse thriving community in southeast New Mexico and is dedicated to enhancing the lives of its residents and offering unique experiences to its visitors by working with innovative partners whenever possible.
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. Through its commitment to environmental sustainability and community support, Chevron strives to make a positive impact in the communities where it operates.
