Burgers and Badges set for June 1

The annual Burgers and Badges is scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 1 at Clapp Park, 46th Street and Avenue U. Meet local first responders and share a meal and conversation.

The event includes free hamburger, chips and drinks for the first 1,000 people.

There will also be bounce houses games, first responder vehicles, music and more.Safety City will be open from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.

Bubba's raises funds for veteran homes

From Wednesday, May 31 through Tuesday, July 4, Lubbock’s Bubba’s 33, 6210 Slide Road, will partner with Homes For Our Troops to raise money to help build specially adapted homes for veterans. For every Patriot Burger purchased, Bubba’s 33 will donate $1 to Homes For Our Troops.

Donations will also be accepted for Homes For Our Troops at all locations and the goal for Bubba’s 33 is to raise $100,000 as a brand.

One lucky Lubbock guest will win free burgers for a year, when they enter, in-person, at the restaurant.

Home For Our Troops is a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for post 9-11 veterans, severely injured in the line of duty. The organization has completed more than 354 homes in 47 states with an additional 76 projects currently underway. To date, Bubba’s 33 and parent company, Texas Roadhouse, have raised more than $2 million to help build homes.

Throughout these dates, guests are also invited to register to win a free burger, every week, for a year. See store for details.

First Friday Art Trail

First Friday Art Trail, a community program of LHUCA, is a free, self-guided public art event that brings together artists and the community for an evening of art, live music, food, and fun. This month’s art trail will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 2. This family-friendly event is held rain or shine at various venues throughout Lubbock’s Cultural Art District.

June's events will take place across 15-plus venues, featuring artists, performances, and interactive events. Trail goers can download a map and participating venue listings at ffat.org or find it on LHUCA’s social media (@firstfridayarttraillbk) to explore the trail at their own pace.

The Christine DeVitt Exhibition Hall will host opening night for a new exhibit by Nela Garzon. Garzon’s art explores the importance of cultural identity and the transgression of acculturation. Her exhibit, Not One of Us, will be at LHUCA in June and July of 2023. The Helen DeVitt Jones Studio Gallery will be showcasing PrintHouston, curated by Eepi Chaad and Jeramiah Macha. Candace Hicks’s hand embroidered panels will be in the John F. Lott Gallery. Hicks creates interactive installations that examine gender, voice, and parallel universes through the analysis of fictional literature. The Martin McDonald Gallery will host an interactive writing prompt activity, How Will You Grow This Summer? The Creative Collective Art Group will be showing work in the Helen DeVitt Jones Clay Studio.

The community voting round of LHUCA’s West Texas Battle of the Bands competition will take place in the LHUCA Icehouse! The semi-finalists include Eddie Austin, Fellow American, Ghostlux, Heavy Water, Jeremy Couture, Labor XII, Stealing Handshakes, and The Stray Sons. Community voting during June’s First Friday Art Trail will determine which four bands will compete in the live finals round on June 24th in the LHUCA plaza. LHUCA Programs will also be in the Icehouse with information about Battle of the Bands, Creative Camps,and more.

South Plains Honor Flight prepares for takeoff

On June 3, the 2023 Texas South Plains Honor Flight will be leaving for Washington, D.C. with approximately 87 area veterans aboard.

This year marks the 10th trip made possible with the support of the entire South Plains community. As always, our first priority is WWII veterans followed by Korean and Vietnam veterans. Veterans with a terminal health condition are also given priority. We have taken over 1,000 veterans on the non-stop Southwestern Airline flight since our inaugural flight in 2012. While in the D.C. area, the veterans will visit the World War II, Korean and Vietnam and Iwo Jima memorials. They will also visit several museums dedicated to their branch of service.

The veterans also participate in wreath-laying ceremonies at several of the memorials including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. This year we have 143 people going on the trip. There will be 18 staff, 38 guardians (some are veterans themselves) and 87 veterans. Texas Tech Air Force Senior Cadet Redmon Warmsley will be leading our veterans into the memorials at each stop and assist in the wreath laying ceremonies along with a bagpiper which greatly adds to the experience. Once again, we have no WWII veterans going on the flight. Most of the WWII veterans are now in their mid to late 90’s and physical unable to go on the three-day trip. We will miss those of the so-called “Greatest Generation” on this trip.

This year’s flight will be returning on Monday, June 5 at approximately 8:45 p.m. The public is encouraged to come out to the Lubbock International Airport that evening and welcome our heroes back with flags and banners. Many of these veterans returned from their time in the service to little or no fanfare. Help them to truly remember that this was what we like to call, “The trip of a lifetime!”

For more information about the Texas South Plains Honor Flight visit texassouthplainshonorflight.org or call (806) 790-4635.

Covenant Health hosts second annual summer health fair

Covenant Health is once again partnering with YWCA Lubbock for the Annual Health for a Better Lubbock Community Health Fair.

The fair it set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the YWCA Lubbock, 6501 University Ave. Covenant Health will have booths available to help community members with a wide array of health needs and questions.

Booths include: Children’s Safety; Dental Education Booth; Nutrition & Fitness; Mental Health Awareness; Water Safety Education; Car Seat Checks; Wellness Checks: BMI, BP, & A1C; Medicaid Redetermination Enrollment Specialists; and the Joe Arrington Cancer Center Cancer Screening.

This year South Plains Food Bank will be on hand to kick off its summer feeding program, which helps address food insecurity during the summer months when kids are home from school. The mobile food pantry will be handing out fresh produce.

The Lubbock Police Department and Lubbock Fire Rescue, as well as many other community partners will also be in attendance. There will be food trucks, a photo booth, bounce houses, and plenty of other activities to help keep the kids entertained. Kite Flight, the medical facility's pediatric and high-risk obstetric transport helicopter, will also be onsite.

SH 114 lighting project begins

Motorists traveling SH 114 (19th Street) in Lubbock over the next several months can anticipate various lanes closures as the Texas Department of Transportation begins a $104,271 project to update the lighting to LED (light emitting diode) along the roadway.

Two segments of SH 114 in the city of Lubbock are included in the project limits: northeast Loop 289 to I-27; and Memphis Avenue to West Loop 289.

Drivers should anticipate various daytime closures. No overnight or extended lane closures are planned.

Drivers are urged to stay alert and minimize distractions when entering the work zone for their safety and the safety of the workers. Weather permitting, work is expected to wrap-up mid-summer.

Meals on Wheels seeks volunteers for pet program

Lubbock Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers to help with its pet program. Volunteers help keep the MOW clients' pet companions well fed and healthy.

Duties include: Transporting pets to vet appointments (carriers are provided); getting pet food ready for delivery; and helping organize the organization's pet food room.

Anyone wanting to help with the program can call Nicole or Cathy at (806) 792-7971.

Buckner sets foster care, adoption informational meetings

Nonprofit Buckner Children and Family Services is hosting free informational meetings on foster care and adoption. At the meetings, attendees will learn more information on the process of becoming a foster parent or adopting through Buckner. The schedule released is for the first half of the year.

Attending a virtual information meeting is the first step in starting a foster care and adoption journey with Buckner. Attendance and completion of the information meeting is required to proceed in the process for all Buckner foster care and adoption programs.

Virtual foster care and adoption meeting schedule: June 8, 7-8 p.m.; and June 22, 7-8 p.m.

To register for a virtual foster care and adoption meeting, visit Buckner.org/foster-care-adoption/events

For additional information, call Buckner at (806) 795-7151.

SPC to host Scholarship Golf Scramble on June 5

LEVELLAND – South Plains College will have its Annual Scholarship Golf Scramble hosted by City Bank Texas on June 5 at the Lubbock Country Club. The Scholarship Scramble is one of two major fundraising events put on by SPC to raise money for SPC student scholarships.

Check-in for the event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon, and all players are invited to lunch in the clubhouse from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

All proceeds from the tournament will support the Founders Opportunity Scholarship, which was established in 1998 and serves as one of the college’s general scholarship funds. In the 2022–2023 academic year, the South Plains College Foundation awarded $1,401,195 to fund scholarship awards for 947 students.

The scramble will feature two flights for four-person teams, and an awards reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and prizes will follow the round of golf.

For more information, contact Samantha Goldie, director of development and alumni relations, at (806) 716-2020.

Christian Women's Connection meets June 13

Is your "Closet Calling" you to organize and sort out your life?

If so, join the Lubbock Christian Women's Connection on Tuesday, June 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lubbock Country Club, 3400 Mesa Road.

Special speaker will be Debbie Monahan, from Lewisville, who will demonstrate how to be the organized woman you've always wanted to be.

Cost is $23 for a buffet lunch, program and a chance to win a door prize.

Contact Sharen at (806) 392-0264 or LubbockCWC@gmail.com to make a reservation. The deadline is June 9.Payment is at the door. While they always accept walkins, they would prefer reservations to ensure seating and quantity of food.

Covenant Health hosts Ready Summer Camp

Covenant Health is once again welcoming area middle schoolers (grades sixth through eighth) to learn about different careers in health care with our Second Annual Covenant Ready Summer Camp.

Students can experience first-hand what it is like to work at the hospital. Our camp will help them explore different health care opportunities and hear from professionals like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medics, respiratory, occupational, physical, and speech therapists, and more.

The camp will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and lunch will be provided. Dates for the camp are June 14 or 15 or July 11 or 12, at Maxey Park, 4007 30th St.

Camp is one day only and only 100 students can attend. There will be a waiting list for each day.

For more information, contact Terri Morris by email at morristl1@covhs.org.

Frenship ISD to provide free summer meals

Frenship ISD and Aramark are teaming up once again to combat child hunger during the summer months. The sixth annual Tiger Bites Summer Feeding program will provide free meals for all children age 18 or younger across the Lubbock and Wolfforth communities.

Starting June 5 until July 28, children can receive a free lunch each day Monday through Friday at the two designated Tiger Bites feeding locations. All children are welcome, and they do not have to be a Frenship student to receive the meal.

Due to state and federal restrictions, children must be present in order to receive the free lunch and they must eat on site. Families will be able to enjoy games and activities at each Tiger Bites location.

Tiger Bites Summer Feeding Locations and Times:

Frenship High School Soccer Complex, 702 Donald Preston Drive, Wolfforth; 11 a.m. to noon

Duran Park, 26th Street and Kewanee Avenue, Lubbock; 12:30-1:30 p.m.

There will be no Tiger Bites during the Fourth of July holiday week (July 3-7). For more information on Frenship ISD’s Tiger Bites program, visit www.Frenship.net.

SPC to host STEM Summer Camp

LEVELLAND – South Plains College will host Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Summer Camp June 12-16 for students in high school incoming 9th through 12th grades. The weeklong camp begins at 8 a.m. daily through 3:45 p.m.in the Science Building.

The camp will feature interactive, hands-on activities in the subject areas of robotics, biology, forensics and geology.

The cost of the camp is $60, and it includes all materials, travel, meals, shirt and backpack.

In robotics, students will build mBot Ranger robots and use computer programming language to manipulate the robots. Students will compete in robot challenges and obstacles.

Campers will explore pathogens and immune response with printed 3D models while studying biology. They will discover unknown viruses via gel electrophoresis.

Curious investigators will uncover evidence using fingerprinting and blood splatter detection methods during forensics training.

The campers will travel to Carlsbad Caverns on a day trip to discover geologic formations and learn about preservation.

Sign up, use the link: https://secure.touchnet.net/C20027ustores/web/productdetail.jsp?PRODUCTID=256&SINGLESTORE=true

For more information, contact Camp Director Dr. Laci Alexander, professor of chemistry at South Plains College, at (806) 716-2322 or email lalexander@southplainscollege.edu.

Vets encouraged to register for VA benefits

The city of Lubbock's Veterans Advisory Committee, along with the Lubbock Veterans Affairs Clinic, are encouraging area veterans to register for VA benefits by Memorial Day, May 29, 2023.

If 10,000 veterans register, the Lubbock VA Clinic will be eligible for "Health Care Center" status. This designation would increase available resources and enhance specialty care options for veterans.

"We want to provide the best and most complete services to our veterans, and to do that, we need more veterans to sign up so that we can access more resources," said Councilman Steve Massengale. "Reaching this goal will enhance services and partnerships within the community. We owe so much to our veterans, and it's important to serve those who served us as best we can."

By mid-February, 9,400 regional veterans had registered with the Lubbock VA. Information on how to register is at va.gov.

Night to Remember benefits Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock will hold its annual fundraising event, Night to Remember – Casino Royale Gala, at the Frazier Alumni Pavilion on the Texas Tech University campus on Friday, June 23.

It will include a welcome reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner, casino-style games, a raffle drawing, silent and live auctions, plus dancing. The gala will be a time to “bond together,” and make a change for those in need.

Various sponsorship packages are available to support the agency’s mission, and can be secured by contacting Development Director, Geneva Aragon-Allen at geneva@cclubbock.org or at 806-765-8475, ext. 131. Night to Remember – Casino Royale Gala tickets are $80 per person and can be purchased by emailing geneva@cclubbock.org.

A raffle drawing provides an opportunity to win three prizes, $1,500, $500, and $250, at a price point of $20 a ticket. The winning raffle ticket will be drawn that evening, and the winner does not need to be present to win.

All proceeds from the event will be used to support local Catholic Charities’ programs that help meet critical needs for families and individuals in Lubbock and 29 surrounding counties. To learn more about Catholic Charities programs, visit www.cclubbock.org.

LCU offering new summer camps

Lubbock Christian University (LCU) is adding two new academic experiential camps this summer. Debuting is an Honors camp experience for high school students, and also new this summer is a destination experience for high school students interested in business.

The Honors Experience: The Great American West is a new summer program hosted by the LCU Honors College and will provide three hours of college course credit from June 18-23. The weeklong experiential learning camp will allow students to travel back in time in a restored early American village, hike the second largest canyon in North America, and enjoy an evening of song and story at the renowned Palo Duro play “TEXAS!” Attendees will also discover and document wildlife and plant species that inhabit the Texas high plains and visit a working ranch to get up close with cattle, horses, and true cowboys, and learn how beef goes from pasture to grill.

The second new offering, the Christian Perspectives in Leadership, will include a trip to visit corporations in Dallas from June 18-21. This is a new opportunity for high school students to travel with the LCU School of Business faculty and current LCU students who will serve as mentors, visiting DFW business leaders and learning how they live out their faith in their profession. Students will meet CEOs and leaders in businesses like Viewgol, Elbit Systems of America, NT Logistics, and Bell Flight.

Both are eligible for the LCU Camp-to-Campus scholarship opportunity, in which any student who registers and attends will receive a scholarship to Lubbock Christian University for the registration fee spent to attend the camp. The Camp-to-Campus scholarships are eligible to be combined with other LCU scholarships and be split over a four-year period while enrolled as a student at LCU.

For more information on this and all of the other camps to be offered this summer, visit www.LCU.edu.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: First Friday Art Trail, Burgers and Badges coming this week to Lubbock