26th Annual Mardi Gras set for March 4
The Lubbock Meals on Wheels 2025 Mardi Gras fundraiser is set for Tuesday, March 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Exhibit Hall, 1501 Mac Davis Lane.
The event will include more than 37 food booths (with selections from your favorite local restaurants), music by Bo Garza, a large silent auction, cash bars, a Mardi Gras King (KLBK’s Jacob Riley) and Queen (KLBK’s Brandi Driggers), plus a variety of activities and other entertainment.
Colorful beads will be available to make the evening even more festive.
A large children’s area will include a gaming trailer, bouncers, face and hair painting, and more to keep the kiddos entertained. There is no extra charge for children’s activities.
Event tickets are $50 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased in advance at lubbockmealsonwheels.org, at Lubbock Meals on Wheels’ office, or for $55 at the door. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards and can mail or hold tickets.
Two benefit drawings with only 1,000 tickets sold in each drawing will be held.
One drawing is for a $1,000 Southwest Airlines gift card, and the other is for a $1,000 Amazon gift card.
Mardi Gras is a place to wear your festive attire or just come as you are. This is an off-
the-French-Quarter Mardi Gras with attractions for families and people of all ages.
Mardi Gras evolved from Carnival which began in Nice, France, in the 1200s. The term Carnival comes from Latin “Carne Vale” which means “farewell to meat.”
The fantastic and fun evening supports a great program that helps people remain at home, well-fed, and independent in the community.
For more information, call Lubbock Meals on Wheels at 806-792-7971 or go online to lubbockmealsonwheels.org.
Lubbock Meals on Wheels is a private, non-profit organization, dedicated to preparing and delivering hot, nutritious meals to those who are homebound, elderly, or disabled.
More than 1,600 volunteers delivered more than 400,000 meals in 2024. Currently 77 routes are being delivered, serving both Lubbock and Wolfforth.
Everything’s Bigger in Texas
Dear Folks,
Gigantic - no truer words describe the burgers from Blue Sky Texas.
A few weeks ago, daughter and I ordered two burgers plus sides from Blue Sky through Door Dash. Our only mistake was ordering two. These burgers are gigantic; split in half, one would have been enough to serve both of us.
This restaurant is a Texas franchise and opened in Lubbock in January 2010. The website is www.blueskytexas.com. The daily hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays. Drive through and pick-up services are offered.
The menu is quite extensive. The burgers contain 100% ground chuck, are well-seasoned, grilled and included lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, mayo, and the mustard is not forgotten.
There are 9 extras to choose from including a gluten-free bun; also 9 burger choices, 4 sandwiches, 2 hot-dog choices, 4 salads, 17 “fries, onion rings, and appetizers,” plus 4 Blue Bell Ice Cream selections to make everyone happy, including the kids, who have their own kids’ menu with several choices.
Along with our mushroom burger, we ordered tater tots and sweet potato fries.
Everything arrived hot and crispy.
Our next order will include deep fried and battered, Anaheim Chili sticks. Anyone else interested besides me?
Happy Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day everyone.
Until next month, Cathy
Serving a record number
Lubbock Meals on Wheels is serving a record number of meals.
In 2024, Lubbock Meals on Wheels served more than 400,000 meals. Lunch is delivered to more than 1,100 people each day. The breakfast program grew to serve more than 825 people. Every client is eligible for this meal which is delivered three days a week.
More than 600 clients are on the Weekend Meal Program. There is no wait list for any of the services, but they are pushing capacity. With numbers continuing to grow and the city limits expanding, three routes were added in 2024. Daily delivery includes 77 routes.
77 routes daily add up to 385 routes delivered each week. This takes a lot of volunteers.
To learn more and complete a volunteer application, go to lubbockmealsonwheels.org.
Roundtable meeting, March 5: ‘Cybersecurity: are we there yet?’
The Roundtable meeting is March 8 with Jeff Barrington, associate vice president and chief information security officer for information technology at Texas
Tech. The title of his talk will be “Cybersecurity, Are We There Yet?”
Make reservations by March 5 to Marie Evans, 806-281-3181, MEv-
‘Giddy Up, Go’ for the March 11 meeting
Don your boots and bandanas for the “Giddy Up, Go” for the March 11 luncheon at Hillcrest Country Club, 4011 N. Boston.
Texas Tech University Therapeutic Riding & Therapy Center program will feature Kelcee Heinrich.
Also, Dr. Lynnette Simm of Flower Mound, TX will share her story of “Unlearning the Lies.”
The buffet lunch, program, and a chance to win door prizes is set for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for a cost of $23 at the Lubbock Christian Women’s Connection program.
RSVP to Sharen @ 806-392-0264 or email LubbockCWC@gmail.com.
Honor reservations, give to a friend, or cancel by March 7. To cancel call or text Annie @ 432-788-4335.
Looking for ‘100 @$100’ to meet the needs
Backyard Mission is on a mission to get people warm and dry by doing free home repairs, using volunteer labor and buying materials with donated money.
Weekly the volunteers are in homes of elderly neighbors who lack heat, hot water, basic shelter, have leaky doors and windows, missing siding, and numerous safety issues.
The goal in 2025 is to find 100 folks who could give $100 a month to support Backyard Mission to help meet the needs.
Donations can be made online at www.backyardmission. org using the Paypal button, or by mailing a check to Backyard Mission, 8205 Quincy Ave., Lubbock, Texas 79424.
Laurie Foster, founder/director of Backyard Mission, hopes to keep repairing homes and restoring hope to those in desperate need of help.
A 4-year-old child was the next door neighbor to an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s’ yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry.’
ans1398@aol.com.
If you can’t attend at the last minute, be sure to email, text or call and cancel.
In April, the meetings will be on the first Saturday of the month.
On April 5, John Sigle, president of Texas Girls & Boys Ranch will speak on “Texas Girls & Boys RanchCelebrating 50 years of loving care to children.”
Dates for the rest of the year are May 3, June 7, Aug. 2, Oct. 4, Nov. 5, and Dec. 6.
The meeting location is Carillon Senior Living Center, 1717 Norfolk Ave in the Pointe Plaza Building by the Clock Tower in the Cimarron Room.
Meetings are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the cost is $20. Cash or check can be made to Roundtable.
New Neighbors Club to meet March 14
New Neighbors Club of Lubbock will hold its March general meeting and luncheon at 10:30 a.m. March 14 at the Lubbock Women’s Club, 2020 Broadway. There will be musical entertainment followed by a business meeting and lunch. Cost is $20. Email andreah7@ gmail.com for a reservation.
#LetsDoLunch
Once a week, or once a month, use your lunch hour to deliver a hot, nutritious meal to someone who is homebound.
more info.
make yours. Lubbock Meals on Wheels
www.LubbockMealsOnWheels.org
The Garrison Institute on Aging was established in 1999 and named in honor of Mildred and Shirley Garrison in 2005. Our mission is to promote healthy aging thru research, promote educational and community outreach programs, and serve the community with services and contacts. If you have questions on health issues, aging, chronic disease and mental health, please reach out to us. We can assist in connecting you with the right contact for your concerns.
March may seem like a month to bridge between winter and spring, but there are some interesting facts that may be new to you. And with the temperature swings we experienced in January and February; I would not be surprised for more of the same in March.
• March was once considered the first month of the year. For those born before 150 BC, March was the first month in Roman calendars.
• March has two birthstones: Aquamarine and Bloodstone.
• March is the best month for basketball and worst month for productivity.
• March was named after the planet Mars. March is great for farmers to resume farming and warriors to resume warring. In fact, almost all major US-NATO-led military operations began in the month of March.
• March 7 was the date Monopoly was invented (1933).
• March 9 is the swing to Daylight Savings Time. How many of you are tired of the switch-a-roo in the
TEXAS TECH HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Garrison Institute on Aging
spring and fall? ME! If the government is looking a true savings…this might be one to consider.
March 2025
Most of the schools will take a spring break in March. With that in mind, there are many locations to visit and at low cost or no cost that are right here at home. Check their websites for hours of operations.
• National Ranching Heritage Center site is an authentic view of life in the early ranching days.
• Buddy Holly Center is dedicated to the rock ‘n’ roll icon, includes film and original homes.
• Silent Wings Museum tells the story of gliders that were utilized during World War II.
• American Wind Power Center is the largest collection of windmills in the USA.
• Museum of Texas Tech University…Dinosaurs, artifacts, and sooooo much more.
• Science Spectrum Museum is fun and has educational events and IMAX screening.
• FiberMax Center for Discovery focuses on the history of farming and science and technology of modern agriculture.
By
• Moody Planetarium is fun and has educational astronomy and laser programs.
TTUHSC-GIA
Events in February
Care Partner Academy will meet at noon, March 12. Allison Childress, Ph.D., RSN, CSSD will present “How Nutrition Impacts Strength and Energy: The Super Power of Food.”
This is a great way to learn what and how to eat the foods that can help the body the most. The event is available on ZOOM (see ad for link) and also recorded for later viewing.
It is held at southwest campus, 6630 S Quaker Ave, Suite E. Light refreshments are served. We also have several of the previous sessions recorded. If you are interested, call 806-743-7821.
Healthy Aging Lecture Series will be present “What to Know During & After Kidney Disease Awareness Month” by Amie Duemer, director of South Plains Kidney Foundation.
The event is held at Carillon Senior Living, Windsong Building at 4002 16th St. in Lubbock from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is available next to the building and light refreshments will be served.
If you have questions, call details at 806-743-7821.
RSVP Updates
The annual Volunteer Recognition Event will be held on March 8. Registration will begin at 11 a.m. with a meal at noon. It will be held at the Academic Event Center.
If you are a volunteer or would like to learn more. contact us for more information. Many groups could not do what they do without the assistance of volunteers.
If you are looking for an activity that will provide you ways to give back to those in need in the community, call 806-743-7787 or rsvp@ ttuhsc.edu. We can provide you with a list of locations that would welcome your assistance.
If you are already volunteering, we encourage you to engage with us so that your contributions can be counted in our annual efforts.
March 14 Funnies…
What is the ideal way to serve pi? • A la mode! What kind of snake does a math teacher own?
• A Pi-thon. Who was the roundest knight at Sir Arthur’s table? • Sir Cumference. He ate too much pi.
What was Sir Isaac Newton’s favorite dessert? • Apple pi.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
~ Arthur Ashe
Texas Historic Idalou Cemetery unveils new marker
The Lubbock County Historical Commission and the Idalou Cemetery Association will unveil a new marker on Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m.
Idalou Cemetery is located two miles east of Idalou on US 62/82.
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recognized the Idalou Cemetery as a Historic Texas Cemetery (HTC) in 2002.
However, the original marker was vandalized and the Lubbock County Commissioners provided funds for a replacement.
The Historic Texas Cemetery designation was developed in 1998 to help protect
historic cemeteries and is an official recognition of family and community graveyards.
A cemetery is eligible for designation if it is at least 50 years old and is deemed worthy of recognition for its historical associations.
This designation is a prestigious honor, and one which reflects most favorably upon the Idalou Cemetery and the efforts of the people of Idalou to preserve their heritage.
In 1920 John William Turner, Jr. and his wife Mary Alice donated two acres of their farm as a burial ground.
The Idalou Cemetery Association was formed at this time. The first burial was for
the Turner’s infant nephew Weldon in May 1921.
Over the next decades, the association accepted additional land donations, which increased the cemetery to its present size of eight acres.
In 2005, a non-denominational memorial chapel named after Madison Sowder (1927-2007), longtime trustee, was added.
The Idalou Cemetery is a link to the many generations who have contributed to the history of Idalou.
Groundbreaking first-in-human renal perfusion system
LifeGift is among the first to adopt a groundbreaking portable renal perfusion system developed by Paragonix Technologies, a pioneer in organ transplant technologies and organ procurement services.
Paragonix Technologies’ medical device is designed to perfuse a kidney and provide real-time insight on the preservation conditions of a kidney in transit between donor and recipient.
LifeGift participated in a landmark effort which included the successful transport of four donor kidneys to four separate medical institutions across the nation in a 24hour period last December.
Of the more than 103,000 patients on the organ transplant list, 89,792 are waiting for a kidney transplant.
“LifeGift is proud to be among the first to adopt this innovative technology.
“LifeGift is committed to clinical research and new technologies that will help save lives today and in the
future. The potential to perfuse donor kidneys in transit with real-time monitoring is an incredible advancement that can increase the availability of high-quality donor kidneys,” said Kevin A. Myer, MSHA, LifeGift president & CEO.
“The device allows us to provide our transplant center partners with recovered kidneys that have been perfused throughout the journey regardless of the transportation mode, while providing real-time insight on preservation temperature, pressure, and GPS location.
Paragonix’s portable device provides the ability to transport via commercial aircraft significantly decreasing costs compared to charter flights.
This will facilitate broader sharing of machine-perfused kidneys and will result in greater use of recovered kidneys for transplant.
The successful first-in-human use of the KidneyVault System marks a major milestone in Paragonix Technologies’ mission to transform the
standard of care in transplantation.
Notably, Paragonix now offers advanced preservation technologies across all solid organ transplantation – a world first.
the organization that manages the organ, eye and tissue donor registry. For more information, visit LifeGift.org.
Successful transplantation of a donor kidney
with new portable technology marks a major milestone in the organization’s mission to transform the field of organ transplantation.
“We are fully committed to ensuring every patient has the best possible chance at life,” said Lisa Anderson, Ph.D., president of Paragonix Technologies.
“This achievement highlights the potential of this one-of-a kind portable perfusion technology and sets a new standard for safety, reliability, and efficiency.”
LifeGift is a health services organization offering hope to individuals needing organ transplants in 109 Texas counties in Southeast, North and West Texas.
About LifeGift
LifeGift is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) health services organization.
As the organ procurement organization (OPO) for North, Southeast and West Texas, we partner with more than 200 hospitals across 109 counties to save and heal lives.
LifeGift is a founding member of Donate Life Texas,
About Paragonix Technologies
Paragonix Technologies is a leading developer, manufacturer, and service provider in the organ transplant industry, establishing a novel approach to organ preservation. Paragonix Technologies provides Advanced Organ Preservation (“AOP”) devices that safeguard donor organs during the journey between donor and recipient patients.
The FDA-cleared and CE-marked devices incorporate clinically proven and medically trusted cold preservation techniques that allow unprecedented physical and thermal protection to the organ during transit.
All Paragonix AOP devices are natively integrated with our novel digital app, delivering real-time organ tracking data and monitoring logistics for transplant teams seeking a secure and centralized solution.
For more information, visit Paragonixtechnologies.com.
By the time you are 80, you’ve learned all you need to know. The trick is remembering it!
Harrison Ford: the Headache
He’s one of the world’s biggest box-office stars, but to those who once worked alongside Harrison Ford, his later success no doubt left many people scratching their heads in amazement.
In June 1972, George Lucas filmed “American Graffiti,” using the California city of Petaluma as a stand-in for his hometown of Modesto.
Ford turned 30 during that shoot, but folks who witnessed his behavior then
1970s 1970s
at Petaluma’s Holiday Inn, where George and the crew were established.
Sometimes, Harrison and Paul roared their movie cars up and down the quiet main street, urinated in the hotel’s soft-drink machine, and tried (unsuccessfully) to set fire to Lucas’s room as a prank.
One “sport” for the pair was to race each other in a climb to the peak of the Holiday Inn sign and set empty beer bottles on the
“There was this huge commotion down the hall from me,” Cindy Williams—Laurie in the story—recalled. “Harrison ended up chucking Richard into the swimming pool from the second story.”
George may have let the annoying behavior slide, but the hotel folks didn’t. Harrison was ejected from the Holiday Inn and relegated to the nearby Howard Johnson hotel.
One issue Lucas had was Ford’s long hair, something cool in 1972 but hardly de rigueur in 1962, the year of the film’s storyline.
would have never labeled him the most mature of the film’s young cast.
Lucas had hand-picked his actors for their chemistry onscreen, but during “down times” some of the performers proved to be less—much less—than professional.
Harrison, who doesn’t appear till near the end of the story, portrayed Bob Falfa, a sneering, aggressive hotshot from out of town who roared around in a souped-up 1955 Chevy while looking to dethrone
John Milner (Paul Le Mat), the undisputed king of Modesto’s street racers.
Away from the set, Ford and Le Mat partied hard
top railing. Their adolescent behavior terrorized some of the young “American Graffiti” females.
Candy Clark (who played Debbie) said, “Harrison and Paul were pretty wild. They were drinking a lot of beer in those days.
I found them very intimidating, like Hell’s Angel’s types.”
How bad was that behavior?
In one instance, Ford and Le Mat hurled empty beer bottles from their balcony into the parking lot. This sparked an argument with the more serious Richard Dreyfuss (the Curt character).
George wanted Falfa to wear a “flat top.” Harrison balked but countered with, “How about me wearing a white cowboy hat?”
Lucas remembered some of the Modesto hot-rodders cruising town while wearing Stetsons, so he agreed to Ford’s suggestion.
However, near the movie’s finale, Harrison’s hat falls off after the ill-fated drag race, and his long locks are readily displayed as Ford stumbles about after crashing his car.
The future superstar would later admit, “I was a bit of a carouser in those days, and I was in the company of other hell-raisers. If I’d been in the company of priests, I would have behaved differently.”
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Travel securely: Keep your information protected on the go
Learn about a few simple things you can do to protect your personal information while you travel.
Travel can be one of life’s great pleasures, especially when you’re enjoying retirement.
Exploring new-to-you countries or revisiting favorite spots is fulfilling, whether traveling by yourself or with family or friends.
Regardless of who you travel with, there can be the risk of an unwanted guest –in the form of threats to your personal information.
In the age of smartphones and abundant Wi-Fi hotspots, it’s important to remember that your information travels with you. That’s why ensuring your devices, as well as your credit and debit cards, are secure when you travel abroad is vital.
Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to help minimize the threat of your sensitive data being compromised.
Be mindful of your device settings
When traveling, consider disabling certain settings on your devices, like Bluetooth and your laptop’s webcam.
Use Wi-Fi only through a trusted source rather than a public or unknown source, and make sure your device doesn’t try to automatically connect to networks when you aren’t using it.
Think about using a virtual private network (VPN) while traveling. A VPN helps keep your personal information, browsing history and location private so you can use your devices more securely on the road. There are numerous providers available for purchasing VPN services, so you can explore the features that will work best for your circumstances.
Limit your account access while traveling
It’s also important to be mindful of the websites you’re accessing while traveling. Even when using a VPN, try to avoid accessing web accounts that contain any sensitive information, such as your
financial, personal or health information.
If you do need to access any such accounts, consider changing your passwords when you arrive home as an added security measure.
Keep in mind that any devices you might use that are not your own are especially unlikely to be secure.
Public computers, such as those in a hotel common workspace or an internet café, pose an additional risk to your information.
Looking up museum hours or directions to your dinner reservations is one thing, but it’s best not to use any sort of public computer for anything you need to supply a password to access.
Think about what you’re taking with you
Consider which of your electronic devices you’re taking with you while you travel, and which you may be able to leave at home.
For example, leave your laptop at home if you can, especially if you’re traveling for pleasure rather than business.
Likewise with your credit cards and any important documents – take only what you need, and make sure you’re carrying them securely.
Be prepared to verify purchases if needed
It’s
always a good idea to
make sure your financial institution knows that you’ll be traveling so your purchases aren’t flagged as fraudulent. You may still be notified about suspicious charges, however, as stolen or counterfeit cards are always a risk.
Check with your credit card company before you travel to learn the process for approving any charges the company may flag as fraudulent, so you know what to expect.
Debit cards also often have daily limits on ATM withdrawals and point of sale purchases.
Certain transactions at high-risk merchants or some transactions identified as potentially fraudulent may also require additional verification from the merchant.
It’s good to be aware of all of this before your trip.
Next steps
Here are a few more tips for traveling securely:
• Use ATMs inside banks whenever possible and avoid standalone ATMs.
• Pay attention to the card reader. If it is loose or appears to be tampered with, do not use that ATM.
• If you lose a card, report the loss to your financial institution immediately.
Zach Holtzman Financial Advisor
Pork, Red Pepper & Snow Pea Stir Fry with Roasted Cashews
Ingredients
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• ¾ pound pork loin, trimmed of all fat, cut into ¼-inch strips
• 1 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into ¼-inch strips
• ½ pound snow peas, strings removed
• ¼ cup cashews, roasted
• 2 cups steamed brown rice
Instructions
1. In medium bowl, stir together sherry, cornstarch and 1 tablespoon soy sauce, then stir in sesame oil. Add pork, stirring to coat well, and let stand 10 minutes.
2. Heat large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil, swirling to coat evenly. Stir-fry ginger, garlic and pepper flakes until fragrant, about 5 seconds. Add bell pepper and stir fry 2 minutes. Add snow peas and cashews and stir-fry until crisp tender, 1-2 min.
3. Add pork and stir fry separating strips until browned and barely cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Add vegetables and soy sauce and stir-fry until vegetables are just heated through, about 1 minute.
I’m so old, I remember saving up S&H Green Stamps, carefully sticking them in books, and trading them for prizes.
Texas weather just throws out temperatures like Powerball numbers – 61, 25, 17, 9, 83.
I’m so old, I remember when gas station attendants would pump your gas and wash your windshield.
Who else grew up leaving the oven door open a bit after baking to help warm the house?
#SlamTheScam 2025
National “Slam the Scam” Day is designated by Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General to raise awareness of government imposter scams, which continue to spread across the United States.
Slam the Scam Day is Thursday, March 6, 2025, as part of National Consumer Protection Week, which takes place this year from March 2-8.
People who know about scams are much less likely to fall victim to them.
The Social Security office continues to receive reports of scammers pretending to be government employees.
Scammers may contact you by U.S. mail, phone, text message, email, or message on social media to obtain your personal information or money.
Scammers frequently change their approach, trying new tactics and messaging to trick people.
Social Security will never threaten, scare, or pressure you to take an immediate action.
Recognize the signs of a Social Security scam and report it.
Golden Gazette Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS
1. Pilfer
5. Separate article
10. Untie
14. Accustom
15. Western pact
16. Requirement
17. Morphological
19. Burden
20. Hasten
21. Ripped
22. Antelopes
24. Stare with an open mouth
25. Sour
26. Philosophy of law
31. Gravy
33. Lubricates
34. Lever for rowing
35. Liquid container
36. Ignore
38. Grain storage structure
39. Illustrative craft
40. Soon
41. Student tables
42. Scale of wind force
46. Reddish brown chalcedony
47. Labor
48. Teeming
51. Ponder
52. One circuit
55. Reveal indiscreetly
56. Unfitness
59. Remove water from a boat
60. Cap of Scottish origin
61. Consumed
62. Showing unusual talent
63. 365 days
64. To use up
DOWN
1. Aquatic vertebrate
2. Monetary unit of Peru
3. Decoy
4. French vineyard
5. Land measure
6. Hardens
7. Small mountain lake
8. 7th letter of the Greek alphabet
9. Very small particle
10. Unload
11. Inert gaseous element
12. No longer living
13. Probability
18. Pith helmet
23. Covers
24. Oozy dirt
25. Parched
26. Small group ruling a country
27. Sharp end
29. Horseshoe
30. Greek god of love
31. Thrust with a knife
32. River in central Switzerland
36. Immensity
37. Nobleman
38. Exchange for money
40. From a distance
41. Newspapers
43. Convenient for use
44. Apathy
45. Young male horse
48. Title of respect for God
49. Thick slice
50. Mourn
51. Mother
52. Stringed instrument
53. Capital of Yemen
54. Remain undecided
57. Not
58. Faucet Solution on P. 13
28. Sound
Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees approves $290M bond proposal
The Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a $290 million bond proposal, set to appear on the May 3, 2025 ballot.
This bond, designed to address critical facility improvements, safety enhancements, and academic program expansions, will not increase the district’s tax rate under current law.
The proposal was developed through an extensive planning process led by the Future Focus Committee, which included community members, parents, educators, and district leaders.
The committee initially recommended a $178.3 million bond, but the Board expanded the proposal to $290 million through phased bond sales to maximize district resources while maintaining financial responsibility.
Key
projects included in
the bond
• Safety and Security ($17M)
Upgraded security film, fire alarm replacements, new cameras, fencing, and access control systems.
• Efficiency ($151M) –
Replacement of Wolffarth and McWhorter, Bean and Hodges, and Williams and Stewart elementary schools, along with kitchen and cafeteria expansions.
• Academic Programming ($47M)
Renovations for middle school fine arts, science labs, and expansions in Culinary Arts, Health Professions, and Advanced Welding programs.
• Capital Renewal ($75M)
HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical, parking, and paving enhancements across multiple campuses.
No tax rate increase & fiscal responsibility
Lubbock ISD’s tax rate is the lowest it has been since 1993, and this bond proposal ensures that the Interest & Sinking (I&S) tax rate remains unchanged under current law.
The district remains committed to fiscal responsibility, ranking among the lowest in tax rates and debt per student when compared to peer districts.
“The Board’s decision to expand the bond proposal reflects our commitment to providing safe, modern, and effective learning environments for students while maintaining strong financial stewardship,” said Superintendent Dr. Kathy Rollo.
“This plan allows us to address long-term facility needs and improve academic opportunities and learning environments without increasing the tax burden on our community.”
Why new schools while consolidating others?
Many existing campuses are aging and require costly maintenance that exceeds the cost of building new, efficient schools.
By consolidating underutilized campuses and constructing modern facilities, Lubbock ISD can optimize resources, reduce operational costs, and redirect savings toward student programs and teacher support.
What’s next?
Lubbock ISD will host community meetings and informational sessions to ensure families, employees, and stakeholders have access to clear, accurate information about the bond proposal.
A dedicated bond information website can be found at www.LubbockISD.org/2025bond.
Time for contemplation & offering ourselves compassion
Last month I talked about setting some time aside each day for self-reflection and forgiveness.
Some people call it getting ourselves right with God. To do that, we first have to get right with ourselves.
We know that emotions are important and can influence our health and even the pain in our body.
In fact, there was a study around 1996, where they found that if a doctor asked their chronically ill adult patient if they thought it was possible that something from their childhood or previous experience could be influ-
encing their present health, the person had 30% fewer visits to the doctor. They did not have counseling. But the patient’s pain was acknowledged as real.
Perhaps the person felt seen - for the first time.
It reminds me of a Joe Rogan episode I listened to recently.
A lawyer who was given the job of advocating for the state in worker’s comp cases, said one day he realized that even though the doctors could not decern any specific problem with the patient through lab tests, x-rays, MRI’s or CAT scans,
he thought they really were hurting. He asked, “Was it an emotional or spiritual problem that made their body hurt?”
I certainly have seen many patients hurting and find that the cause of their pain is, at least in part, emotional. If you have not heard of NeuroEmotional Technique, you can look it up online.
I don’t have to be convinced that our body reflects our emotions. I see it day in and day out. In fact, you can Google a movie that talks about NET called “Stressed.”
We might never completely rid our bodies or minds of
all the emotions or reactions stored in our bodies because of the stress we have experienced in life, whether it was in childhood or as adults.
A therapist wrote a book called, “The Body Keeps the Score.” And it does.
You might notice as you are trying to “get right with yourself” so you can “get right with God,” your body
can do some of the talking. Most people do not recognize their pain might come from emotions. That is understandable.
Most people do know know why they are hurting or they may have a reason, but is it right?
As a society we have changed. Years ago when I first asked people, “What would you think if I said your body is indicating that at least some of your pain is from emotions,” they were surprised.
Now when I asked the same question, often people say, “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
More and more people in our society are recognizing that our bodies may reflect our emotional pain.
Most of us can say that there are things that bother us. What bothers me might not bother you and vice versa. Our experiences are different. Our reactions are different. It doesn’t matter because no matter the burden, the first thing to deal with is ourself.
Most people are very hard on themselves. I should
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Contemplation & compassion
(Continued from Page 12) bookstore and take a look. If you have a particular issue that you just can’t put behind you, go for a book that speaks to that issue. If you can’t decide which book, “The Power of Forgiveness” or “Letting Go of the Past,” are good books.
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have, could have done thing differently, been smarter, made different choices, reacted differently. I can say yes to each of these. You may be able to also. Before extending forgiveness to others, we need to extend it to ourselves. Forgiveness may have many aspects to it. Accepting responsibility is one.
Learn to have compassion for ourselves as much as we do for others. None of us were born with instruction books so life is lived by trial and error. Life isn’t about comparison. Do you have love in your heart? Extend it to yourself and then to others.
There are many books written on forgiveness. What I would like might not be what you would like. Either Google books on forgiveness or go to the local library or
If you are religious, look to what the Bible has to say about forgiveness.
Our personalities are formed by the time we are 6 years old. It isn’t formed in a day or a week or a year.
Allow our personality to soften in such a way that we can forgive ourselves for not being perfect is a big deal. Can we offer ourselves the compassion that we are often quick to offer others?
This month, let this be the question you ask yourself. “How much self-talk do you have that is negative toward yourself?” If any, let’s change that.
Hospital-based substance withdrawal program
One-Eighty is an innovative hospital-based inpatient service designed to provide medical stabilization for individuals experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms from alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication.
Since its inception in the Fall of 2024 at Covenant Health Levelland, the One-Eighty program has already shown early success in its practices, offering a critical lifeline for patients across West Texas and New Mexico.
All patients have come from outside of Hockley County, showcasing the program’s broad reach and impact.
Led by Hospitalist Dr. MuMing Chen, the One-Eighty program serves as an anchor point for the region, providing comprehensive care in a safe and supportive environment.
The program addresses a significant need identified during the community assessment two years ago, where substance abuse emerged as a critical issue affecting the community.
“We are proud to have developed a comprehensive, startto-finish program that addresses the urgent needs of our community,” said Chief Administrative Officer Newman Wheeler. “Our goal is to ensure patients receive the necessary medical stabilization and are connected with appropriate follow-up care and treatment centers, facilitating a smoother and more supportive journey towards recovery.”
Program Highlights:
• Inpatient Medical Service: The One-Eighty program offers a typical hospital stay of three days, where individuals voluntarily and preemptively receive medical stabilization for acute withdrawal symptoms.
• Discharge Planning: Assistance with discharge plans ensures patients receive follow-up care. The program accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most insurance plans, and private pay.
• Comprehensive Care: A person on-site works with each patient to find the proper treatment center, ensuring a seamless transition from the hospital to the treatment facility.
“The early success of the One-Eighty program is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, including One-Eighty Service Coordinator Vanessa Leos, who has played an integral role in making the program all it can be,” added Wheeler. “We have had a positive response so far, with patients expressing their appreciation for the empathy and understanding they received from Dr. Chen and the nursing staff.”
For more information about the One-Eighty program at Covenant Health Levelland or to inquire about admission, contact 806-568-1304.
‘You Are So Beautiful’ by Joe Cocker
Do you recognize these heartfelt song lyrics?
Such joy and happiness you bring
Just like a dream
You’re like a guiding light
Shining in the night
You’re heaven’s gift to me
Unless you’re a diehard Billy Preston fan, the answer is probably no.
If you are, though, you may remember these words from his recording of “You Are So Beautiful,” a tune composed by Preston and collaborator Bruce Fisher. It was written as a loving tribute to Billy’s mother, a stage actress.
However, your recollections of “You Are So Beautiful” most likely come from English singer Joe Cocker.
He first came to prominence in the States via the 1970 “Woodstock” movie, which featured the sandpaper-voiced Cocker—he smoked 80 cigarettes a day—with his amazing performance of “A Little Help from My Friends,” the Ringo Starr-led opening track of the Beatles’ “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album.
At Woodstock, in Joe’s capable hands, “Friends” became a rousing yet tortured anthem as he flailed his arms, jerked his body about, played air guitar and air drums, and transported himself to another world
for eight riveting minutes as attendees watched slackjawed.
Born in 1944, Cocker grew up in the rundown steel-manufacturing center of Sheffield.
A school dropout, he worked as a gas-company apprentice while drifting in and out of different pub bands.
Jagger, Eric Burdon, Tom Jones—Joe Cocker managed to sound Black, which was something that British artists often saw as a coveted achievement.
Years later, Ray Charles himself said, “I would never say Joe Cocker is a disciple of mine. He’s an equal of mine.”
Blast To The Past!
By Randal C. Hill
He hated the workaday world and never forsook his lifelong dream of becoming a recording star, having fallen sway to pioneer American rockers such as Elvis and Chuck Berry before Ray Charles’s “What’d I Say” blew Joe’s 15-year-old mind in the summer of 1959.
In Charles, Cocker found his mentor and set about working endless hours learning to emulate the American’s approach to singing.
Since the mid-1950s, Charles had shown the world a voice and a style that he used to fashion a new form of black pop music by fusing gospel with rhythm and blues (R & B), creating an aural stew that music fans worldwide embraced with gusto.
Like several UK singers of the 1960s—Mick
In early 1975, “You Are So Beautiful” lifted Joe into the Top Five on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 chart. A tinkling piano introduces the composition before lush strings carry him away with passionate ecstasy, proving that he could be both breathlessly gentle and gloriously stirring within the confines of a single recording.
You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me
Can’t you see
You’re everything I hoped for
You’re everything I need
You are so beautiful to me
To me
These were the only words that Joe Cocker needed to show the world that Billy Preston’s original version could be pared down to just 32 words of raw, Ray Charles-like emotion.
The three branches of government
The Constitution of the United States divides the federal government into three branches: 1. _______________, 2. _____________, and 3. ___________. This ensures that no individual or group will have too much 4. _________.
The 5. _________________ gave specific powers to each branch and set up something called 6. ____________ and 7. _____________ to make sure no one branch would be able to control too much power, and it created a separation of powers.
How the branches work:
• The legislative branch makes laws, but the President in the executive branch can 8. ________ those laws with a Presidential Veto.
• The legislative branch makes laws, but the judicial branch can declare those laws 9.
• The executive branch, through the Federal agencies, has responsibility for day-to-day enforcement and administration of Federal laws. These Federal departments and agencies have missions and responsibilities that vary widely, from 10. _____________ protection to protecting the Nation’s 11. ________.
• The President in the executive branch can 12. ______ a law, but the legislative branch can override that veto with enough 13. ________.
• The legislative branch has the power to approve Presidential nominations, control the budget, and can 14. ________ the President and remove him or her from office.
• The executive branch can declare Executive Orders, which are like 15. _____________ that carry the force of 16. ____, but the judicial branch can declare those acts unconstitutional.
• The judicial branch interprets laws, but the President 17. ___________ Supreme Court justices, court of appeals judges, and district court judges who make the evaluations.
• The judicial branch interprets laws, but the 18. ________ in the legislative branch confirms the President’s nominations for judicial positions, and 19. ________ can impeach any of those 20. _______ and remove them from office. https://bensguide.gpo.gov/j-check-balance
Maturing is realizing your mom was right, but she could have used some work on her tone.
Don’t be afraid of being outnumbered.
Eagles fly alone. Pigeons flock together.
Being told you’re appreciated is one of the simplest and most uplifting things you can hear.
- Sue Fitzmaurice
Quality End of Life Care
Annual fundraiser presents $45,000 to Covenant Children’s is now almost $350,000. This year, funding will support the hiring of a child life assistant for the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Previous funding has helped hire a parttime child life specialist for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, expand the artists in residence program, and create Lindsay’s Playroom.
Spirit Halloween presented a check to Covenant Children’s in February as part of their annual Spirit of Children fundraiser. Covenant Children’s and Spirit Halloween have partnered for the annual fundraiser for 15 years. 2025 will be the 16th year. Through the 2024 Spirit of Children fundraiser, the communities helped raise almost $45,000. The total gift from the partnership
This program provides small grants to elementary and secondary school teachers to enable them to enhance their class curriculum and make learning memorable for students. These grants empower teachers to acquire innovative teaching materials that excite young minds.
In 2023, 29 teachers in Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains school districts received $25,162 in mini-grants.
To learn more about Mini-Grants and to complete the online application, visit cfwtx.org/mini-grants-for-teachers
