One of Carlsbad’s best fundraiser activities is planned for this weekend – the 32nd Annual Ducky Affair is planned for 9 a.m. this Saturday at the Carlsbad Water Park (708 Park Drive). Thousands of rubber duckies will be dumped into the pool, where they will be pulled for prizes.
The host organization, Assistance League of Carlsbad, is an independent chapter of a national volunteer organization. Contributions to the Ducky Affair help support Operation School Bell and other philanthropic programs, such as the scholarship foundation and providing assault survival kits. The event itself is free and open to the public. $5 raffle tickets are being sold, and there is a chance to win the $1,500 first prize or $500 for the pokey paddler. Other raffle items will be drawn throughout the event. Food trucks are planned for in the area and swimming is allowed from 10-11 a.m. The water park will remain open on Saturday and Sunday this week. Thanks again to the Assistance League of Carlsbad for hosting the Ducky Affair.
As reported yesterday, a sculpture in the Halagueno Arts Park was recently badly vandalized. This is the second time that the Gilberto Romero Sculpture “The Gathering Spot) has been vandalized. It’s the sculpture of all of the little birds perched on a fountain.
Images were captured of the person who removed the birds from the sculpture and security footage is being evaluated. Anyone with information about these stolen bronze birds is encouraged to call City Hall or the Carlsbad Police Department. Volunteers and generous donors have worked very hard to make the Halageuno Arts Park a beautiful place, and we appreciate your help with keeping it that way.
There were two new developments reported yesterday related to COVID-19. The National Park Service is now requiring visitors, employees and contractors to wear a mask inside all NPS buildings and in crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status or community transmission level.
Additionally, the New Mexico Department of Health has announced guidance for third COVID-19 doses for some populations- this is only for Moderna or Pfizer. The statewide registration website, vacinenm.org, now allows third-dose scheduling for people who have an immune-suppressing condition in their medical profile. Please talk to your doctor about this if you have any questions. For more information, please visit https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2021/8/?view=1613
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, there were 163 new COVID-19 positives reported for Eddy County over the three-day weekend. Please help us get COVID-19 numbers back down. The Governor has also scheduled a press conference for Tuesday afternoon, and we will provide an update after that.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway