Now You Know

Las Cruces student receives scholarship

The Philanthropic Educational Organization’s Chapter is announced the first recipient of The Sunny and Mel Parish Scholarship, Teagan DeArmond of Las Cruces. DeArmond is a college freshman pursuing biomedical studies at Colorado State University. 

The P.E.O. mission is to motivate, educate, and celebrate women. The Parish family established a scholarship fund with the P.E.O. Foundation in memory of their parents who supported P.E.O.’s mission and were active in the Las Cruces community.

Valentines for Veterans

Sunrise Elementary School in Chaparral hosted a Valentines for Veterans celebration last week, welcoming U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez for a special campus visit centered on honoring veterans through student voice, creativity, and gratitude.

Led by Principal Leon Smith, the event showcased the compassion and pride of Sunrise students, who greeted the congressman with handmade Valentine’s Day cards, high energy, and sincere appreciation. Students interacted with Rep. Vasquez in classrooms, shared their learning spaces, and enthusiastically participated as he addressed groups of students throughout the visit.

As part of the initiative, student-made Valentine’s Day cards collected by Rep. Vasquez will be hand-delivered to the Veterans Center in Truth or Consequences, ensuring that messages of gratitude from Sunrise Elementary reach local veterans beyond the campus walls.

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Vasquez for choosing Sunrise Elementary as part of this meaningful effort,” said Principal Leon Smith. “Our students took great pride in welcoming him and demonstrating what gratitude, respect, and community look like in action.”

Gadsden Independent School District Director of Communications Guillermo Carmona emphasized the broader significance of the event.

“This visit reminded us that civic engagement starts early,” said Carmona. “When students are given opportunities to express gratitude, honor service, and connect with leaders in authentic ways, those lessons stay with them. Today was a powerful example of how schools build character alongside academic learning.”

Art dedication at downtown fire station

The City of Las Cruces Quality of Life Department, Las Cruces Public Art program, and the City Art Board announced the dedication ceremony of United in Service, the public art piece installed at the exterior of Fire Station 1 in downtown Las Cruces.

The ceremony will be from noon - 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Fire Station 1, 201 E. Picacho Avenue.
United in Service is a Maltese cross that was created by artist Jason Butler, who has completed other art projects with other safety organizations. Butler incorporated the city logo into the cross. This 3D wall art made from polished aluminum with a powder coating symbolizes the connection between firefighters, the community they serve, and the city they protect.

Funding for this piece was provided by the Public Safety General Obligation Bond, which allocated 2% of the total amount of the bond towards public art per Ordinance 2988.

Artist Jason Butler, city councilor Cassie McClure and a member of the City Art Board will be in attendance.

Free concert honors Black history

The New Horizons Symphony at New Mexico State University invites the community to a free afternoon concert titled “An American Tribute” on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 3 p.m. The program, produced in collaboration with the Doña Ana County NAACP Chapter, takes place in the Atkinson Recital Hall, 1075 N. Horseshoe St., on the NMSU campus. Admission is free and seating is general admission; doors open 15 minutes before the performance.

The concert showcases works by influential American composers William Grant Still, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, John Philip Sousa and Morton Gould. A highlight of the program will be Still’s “Afro-American Symphony.” Each movement of this symphony is prefaced by excerpts from the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a pioneering African American writer.

Dr. Bobbie Green, president of the Doña Ana County NAACP will narrate these

Dunbar poems, accompanied by a visual presentation, offering audience members deeper context for the music.

Kids at Cruces Creatives

This February through May, kids ages 10-16 can learn and practice life and academic skills through real-world projects that benefit the community, thanks to free service-learning programs available through Cruces Creatives makerspace.

Programs cover 3D printing, art, fix-it (simple repairs for household items), sewing, and woodworking. Registration is available through https://crucescreatives.org/events.

Free meals are included thanks to a partnership with Families & Youth Innovations+. 

Programs run on Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon. 

Programs provided by Cruces Creatives, 205 E. Lohman Ave. and Teen Connection, 304 W. Bell Ave.

Artist reception

The Barela Store, a component of the newly opened Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site on the Mesilla Plaza, will host a reception for local artist Rosemary McLoughlin from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the store, 2340 Calle Principal. The event is free and open to the public.

The Barela Store is operated by volunteers of the nonprofit organization Friends of the TMHS.  The gift shop features souvenirs, books, jewelry and textiles from around the world. Cards and prints by McLoughlin will be for sale during the reception, and visitors can meet the artist. All proceeds from the store support the preservation and programs of the TMHS.

“The kindness and generosity of Mary and Paul Taylor and their family gave me a loving home and a place in which to develop my painting,” McLoughlin said. “I'm honored to be invited to share prints of that work at The Barela Store during Love of Art Month.”

McLoughlin, 90, was born in Gerritsen Beach Brooklyn, New York. She became a sister of St. Catherine’s Motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters in Springfield, Kentucky at age 22, taught for five years in Puerto Rico and started a K-12 art department at St. Agnes Academy in Memphis, Tennessee. McLoughlin first came to Las Cruces in January 1973 to attend New Mexico State University, where she earned an art degree in July 1977.

The Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site has some of McLoughlin’s pieces in its collection for visitors to see. One of Ratje’s favorite memories of Rosemary and her art is when Rosemary would use the back of her Honda Fit as a drying spot for her pieces.

The Barela Store is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, and is also open some Wednesdays, and on special occasions and holidays.

For more information, call 575-449-4193 or email thebarelastore@gmail.com.  Visit taylormesillafriends.com and rosemary-mcloughlin.com.

Station 41 reopens

Doña Ana Fire Rescue will reopen Fire Station 41 in La Mesa on Feb. 8, bringing critical fire and emergency response services back to the community.

Station 41 was temporarily closed due to staffing shortages.

Through strategic planning and partnership efforts, DAFR has successfully added the personnel and resources needed to safely reopen the station and resume full-time services to the area. 

DAFR has partnered with Elite Medical Transport to assist with emergency medical calls and patient transportation. This partnership helps ensure residents receive faster care during medical emergencies. 

Support from Fire Academy 7 also played a key role the reopening by providing additional staffing and helping ensure continued readiness.