Remote Surveillance Trailer in Las Vegas, NM

Tuesday, July 1

•Sunrise Clinics will be hosting well-child and sports physicals at the West Las Vegas partnership building from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring a copy of your health insurance card to the event. For more information, call 505-426-2599.

Wednesday, July 2

•SMC Early Childhood Coalition hosts Pop-up Playdate: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Las Vegas REC for a swim date. Your ticket is covered by the Coalition.

July 3-6

•The City of Las Vegas hosts its annual “Fiestas de Las Vegas” in Plaza Park, featuring musical performances each day, a Fourth of July parade and many more activities.

Friday, July 4

•City of Las Vegas July 4 parade, applications for entry now available at lasvegasnm.gov or by contacting Chuck Griego at 505-454-1401. Time to show off your Red, White and Blue!

Saturday, July 5

•First Saturday Breakfast Buffet at 518 ½ Douglas Ave. (Second Floor). 8 a.m.-11 a.m. $10 donation. Make checks payable to Chapman Foundation.

Monday, July 7

•The Pendaries Ladies Association invites you to Parade at Peaks and Pines ‘Red White and Blue’. Ice cream social to follow. All are invited.

Friday, July 11

•Black Canvas will be performing at Fridays al Fresco at Plaza Park from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 12

•Laura Stack will be performing at Café Colibri from 1-3 p.m.

•“Get Schooled” co-ed softball tournament will be held at Rodriguez Park beginning at 9 a.m. To register your team, call Antonio Salazar at 575-218-4304 or Andres Garcia at 505-470-5410. Proceeds go to the “Vision of Love” back-to-school drive.

Tuesday, July 15

•Sunrise Clinics will be hosting well-child and sports physicals at the West Las Vegas partnership building from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring a copy of your health insurance card to the event. For more information, call 505-426-2599.

Friday, July 18

•The New Mexico Highlands University SUB will host “Pathways to Wellness,” an in-person symposium for mental health providers, substance use counselors and allied professionals from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Register for this free conference by June 30.

•Paul’s Alibi will be performing at Fridays al Fresco at Plaza Park from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Friday, July 25

•Los Tropicales will be performing at Fridays al Fresco at Plaza Park from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 26

•Contractor Connects, at the Mora Independent Schools, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Your agency or organization is invited to host a table connecting services with residents in their disaster recovery efforts. RSVP to noah.simpson@dhsem.nm.gov.

•The City of Las Vegas is hosting a 3v3 basketball tournament at the Abe Montoya Recreation Center. $30 per player to sign up. Tournaments will be run for youth 7-17, men 18+, women 18+ and co-ed 18+. Call (505) 819-7113 for more information.

Monday, July 28

•Sunrise Clinics will be hosting well-child and sports physicals at the West Las Vegas partnership building from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Bring a copy of your health insurance card to the event. For more information, call 505-426-2599.

Tuesday, July 29

•Youth Volleyball, ages 8-10 and 11-13, deadline to register. $50 per entry, 6-game season begins August 4. For info contact Brandon at the Abe Montoya Recreation Center, 505-426-1739.

Saturday, August 2

•Community day in Glorieta. Enjoy the lake, adventure activities, food trucks, and fun. Join us on May 24, Aug. 2. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10/car + $15 activity bands when you pre-register at glorieta.org/communityday.

Saturday, August 9

•8 p.m., Dzaki Sukarno plays at the County Fair Music Fest at the San Miguel/Mora County Fair.

•The Veterans Committee hosts a Benefit Bike Run, sponsored by the Elks Lodge and VFW. Kick stands up at 11 a.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Fee of $20.

Saturday, September 6

•Meadow City Motor Show & Film Expo, 10-3 at Plaza Park in Las Vegas. Car Hop competition. Special guest Joe R. Hernandez, “the Original Lowrider Magazine Artist,” and creator of the Lowrider Man logo. For more info, 1-800-832-5947 or lvsmchamberofcommerce@gmail.com.

Recurring

•Join the summer session of the Las Vegas, New Mexico Community Concert Band Thursdays at 7 p.m. Concert takes place Aug. 7. For more information, call Director William Korte at 505-604-9121.

•Carnegie Public Library presents our Summer Reading Program every Wednesday at 10 a.m. starting June 11-July 23. 505-426-3304.

•Gallery onesixsix (166 Bridge Street) is hosting a show titled “Be’s Interestin’ Times” from Dia Atman from June 13-July 19.

•Leaping Deer Ranch will host daily yoga classes. There will be restorative yoga classes at 7 a.m. and noon, and yoga on the deck takes place at 6 p.m. $15 for drop in classes. Call 505-595-7244 for more information.

•First Saturday Cleanup - Show your appreciation for our community’s hot springs by helping with the monthly cleaning starting at 9 a.m. We drain and clean the hot springs, pick up trash, and tidy up the bathing areas. Wear a bathing suit; everything else provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Montezuma Hot Springs.

•The Tri-County Farmer's Market is back to summer hours, May-Sept., 8am to sell out (1pm-ish) every Saturday at the corner of 6th and University. Come enjoy live music, monthly kids activities, meet your neighbors and stock up on fresh, locally produced goods and produce from our 35+ vendors! SNAP, WIC and FreshRx accepted. Info at lvnmfarmersmarket.com.

•Luna Community College hosts a Strengthening Class every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Wellness Center. Pay by the Class $10 per session, This class is focused on building muscle, enhancing endurance, and boosting overall fitness through targeted exercises and dynamic workouts. Call 505-454-2541 or email cbranch@luna.edu for more information.

•Find out what makes your local Rotary Club tick and why our motto is Service Above Self. We have guest speakers most weeks, and meetings are open to the public, Tuesdays at noon at 1000 Douglas Ave., across from the post office. Bring lunch. Get info by calling 505-429-0579.

•The Kiwanis Club meets at noon each Wednesday at Hillcrest Restaurant, at 1106 Grand Avenue. Guests are welcome.

•The Sunrise Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. every Tuesday at Stella’s Kickstart Kafé, at 148 Bridge Street. Guests are welcome.

•The Corner Art Gallery (1815 Plaza Street) hosts Mixed Media Paint and Drawing Classes Tuesdays at 9 a.m., Thursdays at 9 a.m. and the last Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. For more information, call 505-652-6602.

•Las Vegas First Community Service Foundation meets weekly, Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Once a month is a business meeting, the rest are brainstorming, committee reports, guest speakers and socializing. On KFUN from 9-10 a.m. Wednesdays. For info contact lasvegasfirst@gmail.com or 505-603-9543.

•The Las Vegas San Miguel Chamber of Commerce meets the last Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. at 500 West National Avenue inside the Train Station conference room.

•The Las Vegas City Council meets the second and third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. inside the City Council Chambers at 1700 N. Grand Avenue.

•The San Miguel County Commission meets the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. inside the County Commission Chambers at 500 West National Avenue, Suite 201.

•The Las Vegas City Schools Board of Education meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:15 p.m. at 900 Douglas Avenue.

•The West Las Vegas Schools Board of Education meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at 179 Bridge Street.

•The Memory Care Alliance is offering caregivers meetings on the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays from 2-3 p.m. at the Highlands University Library, Room 135. The program is a support group offered to all who are caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Info at thememorycarealliance.org or call 505-310-9752.

•The VFW hosts Zumba classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. $5 drop-in fee to participate.

In a unanimous vote during Wednesday night’s City Council meeting, Robert Anaya was officially appointed as the new City Manager of Las Vegas, following the resignation of former City Manager Timothy Montgomery earlier this month.

Due to the short timeframe and the upcoming municipal elections in November, which could result in changes to the mayoral and council positions, the Governing Body voted to waive the Charter Rule that requires two qualified candidates to be presented for appointment. Anaya was a qualified candidate willing to serve under the current transitional circumstances, despite extensive efforts by Mayor David Romero to identify additional candidates. City officials emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent leadership during this critical period.

After the appointment, Anaya addressed the Governing Body with humility and gratitude, stating, “I appreciate the confidence and the opportunity that you give me to come and work for the City of Las Vegas, the Meadow City that I live in and am a resident of. I look forward to working with all of you to move forward the objectives, policies, and procedures that you as the mayor and each one of you council members have put forward. I look forward to working with the individuals behind me, beside me, all around me throughout the city and community, including the staff.”

Romero expressed strong support for Anaya’s appointment and thanked the Governing Body, noting the importance of avoiding a lapse in leadership. He emphasized that the city must continue its momentum and stay on track with current goals and initiatives. Council members also shared positive remarks, highlighting their previous work with Anaya and expressing confidence in his ability to step into the role effectively.

Anaya brings a wide range of experience to the position. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Arts in Public Affairs, and has completed the Alternative Teaching Licensure Program in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Studies.

He currently serves as the Farmington and Santa Fe Center Manager for New Mexico Highlands University and is also the President of the NMHU Staff Senate. His professional background includes work in education as a substitute and student teacher, experience as an apprentice electrician and propane technician, and service with the New Mexico Department of Transportation. He also held various roles in Santa Fe County government, including work in the Housing Authority, Community Development, Health and Economic Development, Senior Services, and County Fair Operations. In addition, Anaya is a ranch owner and a former Santa Fe County Commissioner.

With his strong ties to the community and diverse background in public service, Anaya is expected to provide steady leadership and foster collaboration across city departments and throughout the community. He will assume the role of City Manager in mid-June.

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — This is what Las Vegas’ downtown looks like, three years after the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Dozens of neighbors and business owners said it’s all too common to see business after business empty, and they’re tired of fighting.

“FEMA is not doing anything to compensate these people,” said one resident. “These people have not received one penny.”

“If there are agreements that are non-productive, I say governor follow the darn president and break the rules that aren’t working,” said another resident.

36 months later, the state’s largest wildfire is still causing frustration.

“We’ve done everything we can to advocate for ourselves,” Sarah Mathews said.

Sara Mathews said she is still feeling the pain of the recovery. She came to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s town hall meeting Wednesday.

“We never really had a chance for survival,” Mathews said.

She shared her story, one that’s all too common in Las Vegas.

“Not only my business, but every single business and family in town was impacted in huge ways,” Mathews said. “We’re basically seeing a huge economic decline in our community.

“I personally, just recently closed down a business when we were fully staffed, we had 35 employees.”

Mathews said she’s sat in on similar meetings before and state and local leaders have failed to deliver.

“In a way, it’s like this double-edged sword,” she said. “You always want to keep hope, but like as a business person, we’ve been fed false promises for three years, so we want to continue to keep hope, but we’re also pretty used to being disappointed at this point.”

The governor said local and county governments are responsible for distributing a lot of the recovery money from FEMA.

Lujan Grisham claimed that she saw them failing at that process about a year ago and wanted her office to take over. But the governor said those local and county leaders refused to hand over that control and that’s why folks are still in this frustrating cycle.

For people like Mathews, however, who have not received compensation, this remains frustrating.

“This has impacted our town in a way that people can’t even comprehend,” she said.

Mathews said she just wants help, so she doesn’t keep reliving this trauma.

“Like we were driving up and seeing people’s homes that I knew burned to the ground, and there’s a lot of trauma in our town,” she said.

The governor pointed out disaster relief in Ruidoso and Roswell has happened much faster.

The question remains, will the city and county governments start working with the state to finally deliver badly needed funds?