During these uncertain times, it is important for us to realize that we live in a community where GOOD things are happening. Every day at KTAL-LP, we highlight these generous and thoughtful acts of kindness of our Las Cruces community in our Community Moments announcements. If you have a feel-good story for our listeners, let us know on our Contact Us page.
Week of June 26, 2020
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The City of Las Cruces has found a way to help out musicians as well as bring the popular summer Music in the Park Series tradition to Las Crucens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 performances will be aired through the City Facebook pages and on YouTube. Phil Catanach, recreation administrator says the City wants to “put our local musician and music professionals back to work doing what they love” and “to bring Las Cruces together to enjoy family, friends, community and music.”
Sun Valley hardware stores is donating disinfectant and decontamination products to the Sunland Park Police Department. Owner Brad Achen says, “We are concerned about how this pandemic has affected businesses and residents throughout Doña Ana County and New Mexico. We realize that Sunland Park, NM has been hit hard and we are providing some complimentary service to the Sunland Park Police Department. Despite the cancellation of the Las Cruces Space Festival due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Conley and Alice Carruth, festival organizers, said they wanted to show that the festival is still part of Las Cruces. A virtual gallery, “Dawn of Discovery,” featuring international and local artists portraying the beauty of the universe and the excitement of space exploration can be found at www.lcspacefestival.com. Solstice Senior Living in Las Cruces invited caregivers and other essential health personnel to drop by the facility to pick up a complimentary ready-to-go picnic for Father’s Day. The meal was complete with brats, buns, beer, chips and cookies for the families. To honor Las Cruces’ dads, grandfathers, and father figures, the City of Las Cruces hosted a virtual Father’s Day Celebration, including musical performances, crafts and kid-friendly activities. Lynn Gallagher, Quality of Life Director, said, “In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, spending face-to-face time with our favorite people has required a little creativity. We wanted to offer an option to celebrate DAD while observing the social distancing requirements.” |
Week of June 19, 2020
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The Las Cruces City Parks and Recreation Department is planning a Fourth of July virtual Electric Photo Parade with a salute to our local heroes including first responders, medical workers and all essential workers who have kept the community going through the pandemic. David Maestas, interim city manager, stated, “…even though the pandemic limits our traditional way of celebrating, our community will come together virtually to make it special.”
Young at Heart Chorus members George Rushing and Ray Scroggins recently serenaded residents of Good Samaritan Society - Las Cruces Village from a safe distance. The duo sang familiar songs to residents from eleven locations all around the Good Sam campus. Dunkin Donuts celebrated National Donut Day by donating donuts and coffee for the 35 senior residents at the Haciendas of Grace Village Alzheimer’s Dementia Care. Musician Randy Granger says he has found a way to share his music and bring comfort to people facing social isolation. Randy recently played for a couple of Mesilla Valley Hospice patients through open windows in a private courtyard as well as for those at the assisted living side of the residence. Governor Bill Richardson distributed face masks and hand sanitizer to families of the Colonias as part of his efforts with “The Governor Richardson, Edward J. Olmos, Danny Trejo, George Lopez COVID-19 Emergency Fund for the Southern Colonias of Doña Ana County.” The fund was created to offer cash assistance to individuals and families. Yanitza Peres and Rubi Herrera of Dazzle Nails recently offered free services to essential workers to thank them for working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. They said the services were offered for one day only but they might offer it again in the future. |
Week of May 29, 2020
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Teen New Mexico Earth, Devin Wilson, and her sister Lexi gifted mini planter kits to all who wanted one at a recent free lunch pickup at Picacho Middle School. Tractor Supply Store donated dirt and seeds and Ace Hardware donated 1,200 pots. The kits also included information about why it’s important to replant the earth. Devin and her mom got the idea for the project when they were brainstorming ideas on what they could do to give back to the community.
In anticipation of an eventual easing of stay-at-home instructions, the nonprofit conservation organization New Mexico Wild has launched the online New Mexico Wild Hiking Guide featuring descriptions of more than 100 trails, at least one in each wilderness area in the state. Kiwanas Club of Las Cruces, sponsor of the annual Raft the Rio, has come up with a way to allow the Las Cruces community to still participate in a coronavirus version of the event this year. Folks of all ages are invited to use their quarantine time to create smaller-scale rafts out of recycled products, float them in a bathtub, hot tub, kitchen sink, swimming pool or mud puddle and submit photos to the Kiwanas Club Facebook page. It seems that more cats and dogs are staying home during COVID-19, too. Animal Service Center of the Mesilla Valley Executive Director Clint Thacker said, “People discouraged from being in close contact with other people are turning to pets. During quarantine, people have come willing to foster animals and have already adopted the animal they’ve been fostering.” He is “hopeful these trends will continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic is passed.” Las Cruces native Amer Jandali recently began manufacturing cotton masks and donates 50 percent of the proceeds to nonprofit organizations. |
Week of May 22, 2020
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Las Cruces 4-H members have been engaged in sewing facemasks to donate to local medical responders and veterinarians. More than 700 facemasks have been donated.
After seeing a story about a Pennsylvania nursing home, Onate High School sophomore student council president Annelise was inspired to reach out to residents of a local assisted-living facility as an especially vulnerable population. With the support and approval of the Haciendas at Grace Village, which specializes in residents with dementia, Annelise organized two dozen student council members to write personal handwritten letters to the facility residents. To avoid contamination, the letters were photographed and sent electronically to the Hacienda, where they were printed and given to the residents. Student council members are looking forward to getting responses. As part of the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Agriculture has assisted with identifying sources and securing food in a timely manner, whether it has been for food banks or for New Mexico’s Nations, Tribes and Pueblos. “We want to have a central hub for home-grown and produced items,” said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. Las Cruces Symphony Director Lonnie Klein was recently seen conducting Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance with the help of a boom box, in front of Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant. In recognition of all local high school and NMSU graduates, Klein, in full tuxedo and facemask, was on hand to perform and/or greet visitors as they passed by. Due to COVID-19 public-health ordinances, only a very limited group was able to attend this year’s Memorial Day service held at the Veterans Memorial Park. However, thanks to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Mesilla Valley Chapter, the Las Cruces community can honor the sacrifice of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen by reviewing their names in the May 22nd issue of the Las Cruces Bulletin as they appear on the Veterans Memorial Park Wall. Las Crucen Alice Davenport, owner of a one-person sewing and alterations shop, has been nominated for U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich’s Hometown Heroes Initiative. The initiative was created to shine a spotlight on those who are going above and beyond to serve our fellow New Mexicans. Alice has been making facemasks and donating them to the city's essential workers and to anyone who needs one to go to public places. |
Week of May 15, 2020
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Fernando Corona of Corona’s Plastering has manufactured and given away 300 facemasks in all sizes, including children’s. Mr. Corona points out his name is, “Corona like crown, not the virus.”
Las Cruces native, Nazario Sandoval, has donated his talents and skills to paint a mural at the southwest corner of South Solano Drive and East May Avenue. Nazario said the mural is designed to spread a positive message and keep community spirits up during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Las Cruces Public School high school principals have been on a mission to distribute 1,600 yard signs to each member of the graduating Class of 2020. The signs are to recognize the adjustment made by each senior in having to stay home their last months of high school. Ragged Apparel, a local T-shirt and sign-printing store, has contributed to making the signs. Local artist, Jeri Desrochers, recently auctioned one of her paintings and donated the proceeds to the Cruces Creatives COVID-19 Response Program. Jeri said she hopes others will look at their own special skills and use them to help the community. Jesse Ramos, his daughter Maya, his mother Senaida Quesada and business partner Israel Baca set up a kitchen outside Mesilla Valley Community of Hope for a special Mother’s Day breakfast to feed as many as were hungry. Said Ramos, “We’re just trying to help out the less fortunate during this COVID-19.” |
Week of May 8, 2020
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A Thank You Las Cruces Restaurant Fund has been established by anonymous donors to help local restaurants endure the COVID-19 restrictions. La Nueva Casita Café was the first recipient of a grant from the Fund, allowing the restaurant to provide 125 meals to residents in need.
Anthony Gomez, a sixth grader at Sunrise Elementary in Chaparral, is using his sewing skills to help fight COVID-19 by donating his time to making facemasks for the community and his family. Anthony won a sewing machine at a Southern New Mexico Festival of Quilts as a result of his participation in Hands on Math, an after-school program that introduces math concepts through sewing. Jeff and Roberta Flores, owners of New Mexico Hay & Livestock Company, have donated 2,500 pounds of ground beef to the Casa de Peregrinos food bank. There has been a decline in food “rescued” from local restaurants since the forced shutdown according to Casa de Peregrins Executive Director Lorenzo Alba. Las Cruces Public Schools announced graduation ceremonies will be held on May 21 and 22 as originally scheduled; however, with a change of plans as required by the uniqueness of these COVID-9 times. Seniors will be honored with a drive-thru ceremony held at the Field of Dreams. Seniors are encouraged to decorate their cars and wear their cap and gowns. The district wants to give each student “their moment” as each senior’s name is called and they drive forward to receive their diploma. Local musicians continue to donate their time to entertain residents of Good Samaritan Society, Las Cruces Village. Camerata del Sol Chamber Orchestra, Chris Sanders and Bob Hull have recently serenaded outside the Village as the residents remain on their balconies to maintain social distancing. |
Week of May 1, 2020
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With the support of the New Mexico STEM Outreach Center, Cruces Creatives recently handed out Student Maker Kits for pickup in their parking lot. The kits included materials to plant Bush beans with instructions in English and Spanish and were offered to the public.
Residents of Las Cruces’ La Plata Drive are flying their American flags in support of those on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19. Resident Susie Coker and her husband said they will fly their flag during this pandemic “with the belief that we will get through this together.” The Southwest Mopar Society surprised Azariah Gardea with a car club parade on her tenth birthday as her community showered her with gifts. Recovering from a heart condition and home sheltering since February, Azariah was expecting to spend a quiet evening at home with family. Radio HOT 103 hosts, Joey and Jackie, her principal and many others from her community came together to make this a special birthday. Alevy Chabad Jewish Center of Las Cruces recently handed out boxes of essentials during a drive-thru distribution event. Each box contained a facemask, hand sanitizer and a roll of toilet paper. Toucan Market gave away another 50 curbside-service lunches to those in need on a recent Saturday. |
Week of April 24, 2020
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The Asombro Institute for Science Education in Las Cruces is supporting remote learning with videos and science activities that kids can do at home with materials that are already available in the home. The activities may be found on the Asombro webpage at asombro.org/science.
The Good Samaritan Society, Las Cruces Village, has found a way to entertain their independent living seniors as they practice social-distancing. As the seniors remain on their individual balconies, local musicians serenade from outside. Orlando Jimenez, Randy Granger and four socially-distanced members of Mariachi Aguilas have participated in the weekly serenades. Local musicians who would like to see this well-received entertainment continue may contact Good Sams. The New Mexico Museum of Space History has created a Virtual Rocketeer Academy that features 15-minute programs covering a variety of do-it-yourself educational activities. The program may be found on the museum’s Facebook page at 9 a.m. Mondays and on its YouTube channel at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. The Academy is in lieu of its usual outreach to schools and its annual summer camp. Frank Belyan and Paul Mach plan to contribute their $1,200 federal stimulus checks amongst their favorite causes who help others in need at this time. They hope 0thers will be inspired to do the same. The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico Together Las Cruces fund is offering grants in the amount of $100-$500 to qualifying Doña Ana county residents who have been laid off, furloughed or have experienced a significant loss of income as a result of the state’s COVID-19 executive order. Together Las Cruces was created by a group of local restauranteurs, business owners, and philanthropists to assist families during this time of need. |
Week of April 17, 2020
Parents wanting their child to have a special birthday party while still abiding by stay-
at-home and social distancing measures can call the Las Cruces Fire Department at 575-528-3473
to have a fire engine drive by their home with the lights on and do a slow neighborhood drive-
by. The birthday shout outs are for children between the ages of 4 and 12 and will be conducted
between 3 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
One Las Cruces venue and recording studio, The Range, streams live sessions with a
different band every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on its You Tube Channel. Owner Logan Sage said,
“Music can play a role in helping communities through the pandemic. We wanted to ramp
up what we’re doing online for the community.”
Inspired by customers who are pitching in during this unprecedented crisis, JOANN
Fabrics and Crafts has opened its classrooms and use of its sewing machines to customers
wanting to make facemasks and covers, gowns and other items to donate to local hospitals.
JOANN is donating 100% of the materials and customers may also use their Curbside Pickup
option to pick up materials to sew items at home.
Las Cruces Public School board member Ray Jaramillo recently surprised a former
student, Dominick Rivera, with his own social distancing birthday parade.
Chris DiMora, of DiMora Agency, is one of many residents who have stepped up to
make facemasks for the community. He has donated 126 masks to Dispatch 911 workers,
Memorial Medical staff and to individuals with serious health issues.
New Mexico State University chapter of the Society of Physics Students is making
COVID-19 boxes and other personal protective equipment to donate to Las Cruces hospitals and
healthcare workers. The students are producing prototypes and running structural and
chemical tests in developing The COVIDBox. The boxes will allow medical care workers to safely
manipulate patients through two arm openings.
at-home and social distancing measures can call the Las Cruces Fire Department at 575-528-3473
to have a fire engine drive by their home with the lights on and do a slow neighborhood drive-
by. The birthday shout outs are for children between the ages of 4 and 12 and will be conducted
between 3 and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
One Las Cruces venue and recording studio, The Range, streams live sessions with a
different band every Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on its You Tube Channel. Owner Logan Sage said,
“Music can play a role in helping communities through the pandemic. We wanted to ramp
up what we’re doing online for the community.”
Inspired by customers who are pitching in during this unprecedented crisis, JOANN
Fabrics and Crafts has opened its classrooms and use of its sewing machines to customers
wanting to make facemasks and covers, gowns and other items to donate to local hospitals.
JOANN is donating 100% of the materials and customers may also use their Curbside Pickup
option to pick up materials to sew items at home.
Las Cruces Public School board member Ray Jaramillo recently surprised a former
student, Dominick Rivera, with his own social distancing birthday parade.
Chris DiMora, of DiMora Agency, is one of many residents who have stepped up to
make facemasks for the community. He has donated 126 masks to Dispatch 911 workers,
Memorial Medical staff and to individuals with serious health issues.
New Mexico State University chapter of the Society of Physics Students is making
COVID-19 boxes and other personal protective equipment to donate to Las Cruces hospitals and
healthcare workers. The students are producing prototypes and running structural and
chemical tests in developing The COVIDBox. The boxes will allow medical care workers to safely
manipulate patients through two arm openings.
Week of April 10, 2020
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On April 11, Toucan Market handed out a curbside free lunch service to those in need.
Revolution 120, a Las Cruces-based nonprofit, is partnering with Adams Radio Group to provide thousands of facemasks to La Clinica de Familia. Marci Dickerson, founder of Revolution 120, said Mask Angels is planning to deliver over 2,000 facemasks sewn by SouthWest Sublimation, a local print and design company in Las Cruces. Various online opportunities are available as we stay at home self-distancing. The New Mexico State Library’s El Portal offers live, online tutoring and homework help in English and Spanish through BrainFuse; access to bilingual learning tools such as Kid InfoBits, Academic OneFile, Gale Health and Medicine, Newsbank, Opposing Viewpoints; and a set of unlimited access educational eBooks. Various YouTube opportunities are available as we stay at home self-distancing. The Museum of Space History’s Launch Pad Lectures about stars, planets and galaxies are available on its YouTube channel. The National Hispanic Cultural Center features interviews with artists, performances, lectures, and mashups of footage from a variety of events on its YouTube channel. Various online curricula are available as we stay at home self-distancing. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture has an online curriculum to enrich students with an understanding of how indigenous people of New Mexico have worked to build, maintain and sustain their way of life and their distinctive tribal communities. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has developed an online curriculum, adaptable to grades 6-12, with lessons about New Mexico wildlife. Liz Gonzales, Lettie Medina, Tamara Greco, Nancy Campbell, Shelley Whalen and Gaylene Fasenko sewed more than 120 facemasks for Liz’s daughter, Dr. Janae Gonzales –Gilpin who works in the intensive care unit at the University of Illinois Hospital. |
Week of April 3, 2020
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Ron Saltzman and friend, Teresa, will bring smiles to the residents of the Tierra Verde subdivision and to you, too, if you walk or drive by Tierra Verde Drive between Avenida de Mesilla and Highway 292/Motel Blvd. Ron and Teresa have taken themselves out of the boredom of isolation to install over 40 metal pieces of art for the viewing pleasure of Las Crucens.
A group of medical students, through the local chapter of Medical Supply Drive at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, is collecting personal protective equipment in the fight against COVID-19. The items will be delivered to front line medical workers, police and first responders in the Las Cruces and El Paso area. Las Crucens may participate by emailing Amanda Chavarria at amanda.chavarria@mybcom.org; Gina Gilderman at gina.gilderman@mbcom.org; or Michael Phillips, at michael.phillips@mybcom.org. NMSU Professor Zooey Sophia Pook, Vista College Professor Caleb Oeming and Bernie Digman, owner of Milagro Coffee Y Espresso are offering to find and deliver items of necessity. Started by posting a flyer digitally and at the coffee shop, other NMSU professors and community members have steadily been fielding three to four emails a day from people who are older, low income, have disabilities or in difficult circumstances. Those needing assistance may email phb20149@gmail.com. Robinette and Daniel Van Sant found themselves in a similar situation as many Las Crucens by having to cancel their original wedding plans due to COVID-19. Instead, the couple wed in an impromptu Skyped ceremony on a friend's roof top terrace. Van Sant said, "Except for not having our family there,…… It was perfect for the times we live in now and I’m so glad we went ahead with getting married instead of waiting. It was perfect." The Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino, on behalf of the Stanley E. Fulton Foundation, donated $2 million to a state fund aimed at assisting residents hardest hit by COVID-19. The All Together New Mexico Fund will oversee the distribution of the gift to local charities and food banks. In one Las Cruces neighborhood, front doors are decorated with white bows to show appreciation for all the selfless acts and sacrifices made by all the workers in the medical field. Neighbors are hoping to inspire others to do the same. |
Week of March 27, 2020
Amy Whipple, a Las Cruces in-home caregiver and substitute teacher, has built a
community cupboard at the edge of her yard as a way to help out her neighbors in need. Anyone
can take and/or leave an item in the cupboard. Examples of what might be found in the cupboard
are bottled water, diapers, toilet paper, books, and canned goods.
Bernie Digman, owner of Milagro Coffee Y Espresso, was recently seen handing out
bagels around town. With the recent dip in business, Bernie gave away about 40 lbs. in one short
morning to grateful recipients. One appreciative recipient didn’t mind asking for “blueberry if you
are this way again.” To which Bernie replied, “Blueberry it shall be, my good man, blueberry it
shall be.”
Loyal KTAL listener Bob Hearn reported the poppies are OPEN FOR VISITING! Just off
Highway 70 at the Baylor Pass Trailhead and just south along Baylor Canyon Road, the poppies
and assorted wildflowers make for a spectacular view with the Organ Mountains in the
background. What a beautiful gift of nature at a time when we can really appreciate it. Bob
suggests a ride out; it’s good for the soul!
The Dona Ana Arts Council is posting on their website links to tours of historic sites and
museums, links to lessons and instruction, and links to other sites so the community can continue
to connect to the arts. They are also working on virtual tours of peoples’ art collections.
Their website may be found at daarts.org.
Tony Palumbo, owner of Medicare Options, and a local group of volunteers has set up
shop in the historic Doña Ana County Courthouse to make facemasks with filters for health care
professionals and the community. 13-MERV-rated filters have been donated by Lowe's Home
Improvement. Mr. Palumbo plans to send the completed masks to JOANN Fabric and Craft
Stores who will distribute them to hospitals.
Russell Allen of Allen Theaters will continue to compensate his laid-off employees for an
anticipated two months.
Marcie Dickerson, Game I and II restauranteur and caterer, continued to provide a second
food giveaway in as many weeks as a means to help families who might be struggling to get by
amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
community cupboard at the edge of her yard as a way to help out her neighbors in need. Anyone
can take and/or leave an item in the cupboard. Examples of what might be found in the cupboard
are bottled water, diapers, toilet paper, books, and canned goods.
Bernie Digman, owner of Milagro Coffee Y Espresso, was recently seen handing out
bagels around town. With the recent dip in business, Bernie gave away about 40 lbs. in one short
morning to grateful recipients. One appreciative recipient didn’t mind asking for “blueberry if you
are this way again.” To which Bernie replied, “Blueberry it shall be, my good man, blueberry it
shall be.”
Loyal KTAL listener Bob Hearn reported the poppies are OPEN FOR VISITING! Just off
Highway 70 at the Baylor Pass Trailhead and just south along Baylor Canyon Road, the poppies
and assorted wildflowers make for a spectacular view with the Organ Mountains in the
background. What a beautiful gift of nature at a time when we can really appreciate it. Bob
suggests a ride out; it’s good for the soul!
The Dona Ana Arts Council is posting on their website links to tours of historic sites and
museums, links to lessons and instruction, and links to other sites so the community can continue
to connect to the arts. They are also working on virtual tours of peoples’ art collections.
Their website may be found at daarts.org.
Tony Palumbo, owner of Medicare Options, and a local group of volunteers has set up
shop in the historic Doña Ana County Courthouse to make facemasks with filters for health care
professionals and the community. 13-MERV-rated filters have been donated by Lowe's Home
Improvement. Mr. Palumbo plans to send the completed masks to JOANN Fabric and Craft
Stores who will distribute them to hospitals.
Russell Allen of Allen Theaters will continue to compensate his laid-off employees for an
anticipated two months.
Marcie Dickerson, Game I and II restauranteur and caterer, continued to provide a second
food giveaway in as many weeks as a means to help families who might be struggling to get by
amid the COVID-19 pandemic.