Lubbock Magazine | February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021

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INSIDE: TEAM LUKE HOPE FOR MINDS • HOME ORGANIZATION

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Contents

FEBRUARY 2021

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On the Cover

FOSTERING STABILITY

How Lubbock’s foster community brightens the lives of kids in need.

PHOTO BY DYLAN COLE

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Features

HOPE ON THE MIND

Lubbock’s Team Luke Hope For Minds shines a light on child brain trauma.

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Sections

HOME

Cabri Carpenter shared with us a few of the ways she and her team adapt their organization strategies for different personalities.

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SOUTH PLAINS SCENE

“Canyon Overlook” by Kirk Mitchell, YuccaPhota

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CONTRIBUTORS............................5 STYLE...........................................6 HOME...........................................7 SOUTH PLAINS SCENE.................18 EAT DRINK...................................21 806 INC......................................25

From T H E Editor

Regional Director of Specialty Products/Editor Michele McAffrey Regional Designer Kayla Morris Contributing Photographer Dylan Cole Contributing Writers Jonathan Baker Jason Boyett

GM/Regional Advertising Director Shoni Wiseman Advertising Sales Manager Robin Morse Multimedia Sales Representatives Larry Guerra Craig Martin Newsstand Sales Kevin Woelfel Subscriptions Victor Uriegas To advertise in Lubbock Magazine or on lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine, contact Shoni Wiseman at 766.8631.

l Brand Logos

Regional Executive Editor Jill Nevels-Haun Regional Distribution Director David Morel 710 Avenue J, Lubbock, TX 79401 806.762.8844 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine Lubbock Magazine is a monthly publication of AJ Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.

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e are proud to feature foster families in this month’s issue, a steadfast and sacrificial group of people that we feel perhaps aren’t celebrated often enough. As writer Jonathan Baker reveals in our cover story, “Fostering Stability,” there are nearly 30,000 children in “substitute care” in Texas, who need the stability and love that foster care can provide.

We also share the extremely heart-wrenching, and at the same time, inspiring story of Luke Siegel, who suffered a life-altering brain injury when he was just 9 years old. Luke’s father, Tim Siegel, together with Ronda Johnson, founded Team Luke Hope For Minds. The nonprofit enriches the lives of children that have brain injuries while also giving hope to their families. Learn more on page 16.

While it’s still early in the year, we know that folks have their minds on starting the new year fresh. So we contacted organizing expert Cabri Carpenter, owner of Minimize then Organize. For her easy tips to staying organized this year, see page 8.

Getting to know the people of Lubbock as we produce this magazine has been a wonderful experience. I’ve met people from every walk of life who are passionate about the city and making it a wonderful place to live.

Seasons change, and my season with Lubbock Magazine has come to an end. I’m thankful for all the opportunities that the magazine has given me.

With gratitude,

Michele McAffrey | Editor

Contributors

JONATHAN BAKER Writer

Jonathan’s copywriting has appeared in Esquire, Men’s Journal, and Popular Mechanics. In his spare time, he writes crime novels.

JASON BOYETT

DYLAN COLE

Jason has written more than a dozen books and is the host and creator of “Hey Amarillo,” an interview podcast. Visit heyamarillo.com and jasonboyett.com.

Dylan is a Lubbock-based portrait and lifestyle photographer. His work has been in Houston Voyage Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and others.

Visit dylancolephotography.com.

Writer

Photographer

THE KIRKPATRICKS RESIDENTIAL, RANCHES & FARMS

Tamara 806-441-9502

Ben

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Style

Lip, Lip, Hooray

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successful Valentine’s Day will be sealed with a kiss, but who wants to lock lips with a dry, chapped, cracked or peeling pair of puckers? The most kissable lips are healthy and plump. They are properly moisturized and defined by high-quality lip products. So now that February is here, it’s time to get your lips in shape for Feb. 14.

To help, we browsed some of our favorite local shops for products that can help groom you for canoodling, from lipsticks and other products to hydrating, exfoliating and even anti-aging products. Ready … set … smooch!

PROVIDED PHOTOS

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1. Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher $35, The Spa by Sheena 2. VENeffect Anti-Aging Lip Treatment $85, Soft Surroundings 3. Nouba Millebaci Liquid Lipstick $16.90, CHROME 4. Coola Tinted Mineral Liplux $18, CHROME 5. Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Smooth & Supple Lip Mask Melt $26, Soft Surroundings

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Sweet Gifts F

ebruary is the month for sweethearts, and there’s no sweeter way to celebrate than to bake something homemade for the person you love. Sure, you could place an order at your favorite bakery, but will a professional put the same love and meaning into the gift? Home-baked sweets always include that extra ingredient of thoughtfulness that makes them the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

But, of course, the real difference between a professional and at-home baker is the equipment. We can’t give you a commercial kitchen, but we can point you to some of the best gear for home-style baking. Here are a few of our favorite, locally sourced products – just in time for you to lay it on sweet.

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PROVIDED PHOTOS

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1. Mrs. Anderson’s baking five cup crank sifter $15.17, Whisk’d 2. Trudeau reausable decorating set $17.17, Whisk’d 3. W&P Design Baking Blanket silicone baking liner $20, CHROME 4. Stoneware batter bowl shaped measuring cups $18.99, Barque Gifts & Paper 5. Fletchers’ Mill rolling pin $42.99, Barque Gifts & Paper

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Home

Personalizing Organizing M

any local residents started the new year thinking they needed to get organized. Perhaps they opened their pantries to see a jumbled mess of soup cans and cereal boxes. Or, having worked from home for nine months, they struggle to find the actual surface of their desk below paperwork and coffee mugs.

Organization is almost always a goal for homeowners – and almost always one of those resolutions that has fallen by the wayside once February rolls around.

Cabri Carpenter wants her clients to stop feeling guilty about this. According to Carpenter, a professional organizer, we fall short on the goals we set not because we are lazy or because we are aiming too high. We fall short because our goals don’t always align with our personalities.

When trying to get organized, we need to make sure our plans and strategies match up with our “organizational style.”

Personality tests are popular these days. Carpenter, who launched Minimize then Organize after several years in the corporate world, understands that not every approach to at-home organization fits every homeowner.

“It’s not one-size-fits-all,” she says. Carpenter shared with

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us a few of the ways she and her team adapt their organization strategies for different personalities.

Cleaned Up vs. Invisible

“One concept I talk about with clients is ‘out of sight, out of mind,’” she says. Some clients are extremely busy. Some may be running a business at home. Others may be wrangling children.

Still others might actually have a diagnosed challenge like attention-deficit disorder.

For clients like these, the prospect of organizing small items inside a bevy of opaque bins tucked away on a closet shelf will serve the same purpose as, well, throwing those things away. In other words, it’s not a true organizing solution.

The client might end up forgetting about those items altogether. If they aren’t visible, they may as well not exist. That’s not what most clients want.

In these cases, tucking things into bins on a high closet shelf doesn’t really help them. Carpenter always advises that these clients use clear, see-through bins and find a system that keeps organized items visible and easily accessible so they remain top-of-mind.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Efficiency vs. Strategy

Others in the previous scenario might not technically forget what they’ve organized, but simply lack the patience that is necessary to maintain an organization plan. A strategy is ineffective if it won’t be followed.

Some organizers recommend storing cereal in separate plastic canisters to keep the product fresh. That’s great – if a busy mom has time to do it. But painstakingly removing cereal products from original packaging takes time. It might work for a week or two. But the purpose of organization is to increase efficiency. If a mom or dad feels they are spending too much time transferring cereal back and forth, that’s not a good solution.

“Ease of maintenance is one of the biggest things [to consider],” Carpenter says. For these clients, she recommends leaving cereal in the box. These clients also don’t need to spend time carefully folding clothes for placement in a drawer or lining things up in a cabinet.

“The question to ask is, ‘How can this make my life easier or save time?’” she says. Organization should always make things easier, not more difficult.

and storing it can be inefficient.

“You have to figure out where [a client] falls on the spectrum, whether they are OK with broad generalization or something more defined,” she says. For instance, one client might be perfectly fine dedicating a shelf to canned goods in any form, from soup to vegetables. Others might prefer beans to have one section, corn to have another section, and soup to have its own place. “Someone who likes super-defined organization can fall into the trap of overorganizing,” she says. “We work with clients to minimize that.”

The last thing Carpenter wants to do is set up a system for a client and then learn that the client quickly abandoned the system – or, worse, forgot how to manage it. “That’s why we try to find out what categories you fall into so we can create a system that works long-term,” she says. “Finding your organizational style and then organizing for your style is how you end up with a system that’s easy to maintain and works for you.” L

Simplicity vs. Complexity

Over the past decade, the Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo got a lot of attention for her aggressive simplification strategy, which involved often-extreme attempts to declutter homes.

Organization professionals might lean toward minimalism – and “minimize” is in the name of her own business – but Carpenter admits a purely minimalistic approach is not for everyone.

For instance, a kitchen counter looks really clean when the coffeemaker or blender is always tucked away in a cabinet. But if you use those tabletop appliances every day, constantly removing it

Cabri Carpenter Cabri started Minimize then Organize in November 2017 after spending several years in the corporate world. She offers organizing services in the Texas Panhandle and the South Plains areas.

Learn more at minimizethenorganize.com.

FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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PHOTOS BY DYLAN COLE

COVER STORY

Fostering Stability How Lubbock’s foster community brightens the lives of kids in need

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By Jonathan Baker

e might hear talk of foster kids, but how often do we really give them any thought? In the state of Texas, there are nearly 30,000 children in “substitute care” (a term that encompasses out-of-home placements like foster care and group homes).

Nationwide, the number approaches half a million, and today in the United States, there are nearly 125,000 children waiting to be adopted into foster homes.

During a time when the country is in turmoil, it’s helpful to think in terms of gratitude, and one of the best ways to do that is to be thankful for our own families – and maybe even provide a family for a child who doesn’t have one.

Fostering 101

There are few decisions weightier than the one to become a foster parent – and yet, few choices can bring so much joy. “Being a foster parent is very hard work,” says Jennifer Peterson, regional director of foster care and adoption for Buckner West Texas. “You’re the main

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provider for a child.” In this sense, it’s the foster parent’s job to nurture, bond and build relationship with the child, while also tending to any medical and physical needs they have.

“Many times,” says Peterson, “the children we serve have not received basic care before they reach their foster home.” Foster placement organizations provide this much-needed stability, while biological families work to have their children returned. Peterson says that one of the greatest rewards she encounters in her work is watching a family achieve a reunification that’s safe and stable – and even at times to remain connected with the former foster family as they return to their home. “You also get to see that hard work pay off in little snapshots each day, it may be a hug or a smile, it may be riding a bike for the first time, or making an A on a spelling test. Everything we do is to serve these vulnerable children and to help them succeed.”

But again, reiterates Peterson, being a foster parent is hard work.

“You must be a master of your own schedule and know what you can take on.” That means learning and growing each day, and allowing

yourself to make a lot of mistakes. To ease this learning curve, foster organizations will often pair new foster parents with other, more seasoned foster parents. “You need someone to bounce ideas off of, laugh and even sometimes cry with.” In addition, foster organizations like Buckner and Saint Francis Ministries offer counseling and support to all of their foster families.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

Often the rewards of foster parenting can take years to develop.

“Many foster parents have told me they feel rewarded whenever they see children grow into more confident children,” says Dr. Shaun Keel, a psychologist who’s spent many years providing counseling to foster families. “The confidence can be shown by the children who once had significant behavioral issues, but become more compliant at home and school. Some children are very depressed when they first enter foster care, but by living in a stable home and receiving help, they become happier and can deal with problems better.”

It’s because of the myriad struggles and rewards found within foster families that Dr. Keel started her Lubbock nonprofit, Foster*A*Life, in 2004. “There are challenges to working with foster children,” Dr. Keel explains, “and a main one is that many of these children have trouble trusting. They’ll test their foster parents, and all of those who work with them. It takes a while for some children to be able to trust.

Unfortunately, some children are never able to trust others – especially if they have to change placements too often.”

Despite the challenges, Scott and Tereasa Mansfield believe the rewards to be found in foster parenting are worth it. Scott is the Director of Foster Care Homes for Saint Francis Ministries in Texas, and he and his wife have been taking children into their home for about

20 years. “The greatest, I believe,” says Scott, “is being able to bring stability to the lives of children. We always saw our family as a bridge for the children and their family, allowing time for their family to find resources so they have the opportunity to have their children returned to them. There is great personal growth if you allow your experiences to mold and change who you are.” Beyond that, there’s the simple fact that, as Scott points out, children are simply a great deal of fun. “As we hope we brought joy to their lives, they always brought joy and fun to our family. One reward that’s maybe not talked about, but is huge, is the new relationships and community that you [build] by fostering. You’ll quickly connect with other foster parents and community partners to help in the healing and transformation of the child.”

Dr. Keel stresses that, prior to making the choice to become a foster parent, it’s vital to understand what you’re getting into. “Before bringing foster children into a home, the foster parents need to have realistic expectations. They must know that some of these children may have significant issues, making them challenging to manage; I’ve met foster parents who felt that the children would be happy just because they’re now living in a clean home. Foster parents might also be surprised about some behaviors – for example, a 2-year-old that uses excessively foul language. The family needs to be stable, and their biological children must also be behind bringing foster children into their home.”

Scott Mansfield says there are three challenges that stand out the most for him and his wife. “The biggie is compassion fatigue. As foster parents, you spend your day and evening giving and receiving, and sometimes what’s received is the child’s trauma. As a foster parent, you long to help and give hope, and sometimes you can be left empty. So compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Another challenge is being open and willing to change and understand how to discipline. Many of FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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us are raised a certain way, and it can be difficult to change. Each child is different and thus needs different responses to struggles.” The third challenge, Scott says, is potential isolation as a foster parent. “When community is not found or not taken advantage of, you can feel like you’re on an island all by yourself. As foster parents, a lot is being asked of you from not just the child or their parents, but your agency, CPS, therapist, CASA, schools, doctors … The list goes on.”

Another issue, unfortunately, lies in the fact that some parents abuse the system. Dr. Keel says she’s encountered parents who foster because they think it’s good way to make a living. “Fortunately, I have also seen many foster parents who are doing it from the heart,” she adds.

To improve the lives of foster kids and parents, Dr. Keel says she’d like to see foster cases resolved more quickly. “Although a timeline has been implemented, many times this timeline isn’t followed. The court will give the parents many, many chances, even when the parents have made little progress.” As a result, says Dr. Keel, foster children are often left in limbo, unable to return to their birth parents, but also ineligible for permanent adoption. Speeding up the system by which cases are resolved would ameliorate this problem, and improve the lives of the kids.

In addition, Dr. Keel says she’d like to see the State of Texas and other organizations institute more prevention programs, addressing the problems that cause parents to have their children taken away in the first place, in hopes that fewer children will be placed in foster care.

How You Can Help

In West Texas today, there’s an urgent need for more foster families. There’s an especial need, says Peterson, for homes that are willing to foster and adopt children that are part of a large sibling group, as well special needs children and kids with a “higher-level acuity of needs.” In Texas alone, there are nearly 7,000 children waiting to be adopted.

When considering foster care, Peterson encourages potential parents to “look at what your why is, and [look at] your support system. Most agencies will walk you through the process with little interruption, but you have to know your why. Is it to see a family

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reunified and healthy? Are you wanting to help children reach their God-given potential? Are you looking to add members to your family in a forever home?” Peterson insists that keeping this why in mind will allow you to be successful and stay focused. “You’ll make it through the trials and tribulations that happen initially, and then it becomes your way of life, part of your life’s mission.”

“It takes more than love and a big home,” adds Scott Mansfield. “Do I have sufficient income to care for the child? Yes, there is a subsidy, but it’s not always enough to meet the needs of the child or family.

Do I have mental health support for myself? My spouse? My children?

Do I have support from other foster and adoptive families? Can I get involved with local groups? Do I have support from those who are not foster or adoptive homes? Do I have childcare and respite so I can get a break when needed? Do I have healthy communication skills and knowledge of healthy conflict resolution? All of these big questions can overwhelm, but your agency will lead and develop you as a person and family to be successful.”

The process begins with researching the various agencies in the region. Decide what you’re looking for beforehand, and make sure you feel supported by the agency throughout the licensing process.

Find a foster parent support group if your agency doesn’t offer one.

Join online groups. Or talk to people you already know – you likely know someone already involved in foster care, and you may not even realize it. “Again,” stresses Peterson, “this job is hard, and no one can do it alone.”

Meanwhile, those families who don’t want to foster can still help.

“The more support we have for these families,” says Peterson, the longer [those parents] can do this difficult but rewarding job.” That means babysitting, or providing resources and respite care.

Anyone in Lubbock interested in becoming a foster parent can contact Texas Child Protective Services (CPS). The organization will provide prospective parents with a list of all child placing agencies in the region. There are many agencies in the area, and the list will help parents to locate one that will best fill their needs. Having support from a good agency can make a world of difference throughout the fostering experience.

Fostering Spotlight: Rachelle Atkinson

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achelle Atkinson lives in Lubbock and has worked as a teacher and holistic health practitioner for the past 20 years.

How did you become involved in fostering?

I’ve had a lifelong desire to be a mother. The possibility of adoption has always been in my heart, as my only sibling (a younger brother) is adopted, as are four of my maternal cousins. So adoption has been very real and alive for my family for over 40 years. When life didn’t go “as planned,” as it doesn’t for many of us, I began looking into the foster-toadopt route.

Tell us a little about your family.

My immediate family is myself, as a single mom, and my newly adopted son, James, who’s a beautiful and active 2-year-old! We’re supported by a loving grandma (my mom), aunts, uncles, cousins, and a village of amazing friends. James and I experienced the miracle of him being my first – and forever – foster placement. I know many foster families go through much more difficult journeys.

What have been some of the greatest challenges of fostering to adopt?

Truly the greatest challenge for me has simply been the complete lifestyle change, going from living the single life in my early forties and a couple of decades of independent adulthood, to being completely responsible for a tiny, precious human life. It changes every hour of every day … and night. Every new mother and father knows what I’m talking about. It’s an initiation, a rite of passage, to become a parent.

What have been some of the greatest rewards?

Watching that tiny life grow, blossom, and thrive, is an utter joy. In the past nine months I’ve watched James go from crawling to running to climbing and riding and jumping. When he arrived in my home, he had a couple of intelligible words in his vocabulary. Now he talks about everything, describing it accurately and even in full sentences.

He loves people and social interaction. To know you’ve maybe created an environment that’s safe and loving enough for a child to thrive is a comfort when things feel hard.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about fostering children? Any advice?

If you feel drawn to foster care, you should pursue it. There will never be a perfect time to foster. Things always come up (like the entire year of 2020, which really delayed our licensing process this time around). No matter how hard foster care is, children who come into care need to know there are people who care about them, will cheer for their successes, and are sad to see them go.

FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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Fostering Spotlight: Rachel Johnston

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achel Johnston is an education manager at the Texas Tech Center for Early Head Start. She lives in Lubbock with her husband, Russell, who is a compliance manager with AT&T. Both are active members at the Heights Fellowship church.

How did you become involved in fostering?

We started talking about foster care and adoption before we were married. Later on, I began working with low-income families and children. That only increased our awareness for the need for foster and adoptive parents. We initially went into the process only wanting to adopt. As time went on, we quickly shifted to taking emergency placements.

Tell me a little about your family.

We’ve been married for 12 years. We first became a licensed foster home in 2011, and over the next three years had eight children come through our home. We adopted our two children in November 2014, on National Adoption Day. After that, we closed our house for five years so the four of us could really bond as a family. Our children are now 8 and 7. We just became licensed again to do foster care, and we already have our first placement. This time has been different, since our kids are stepping up to welcome new children into our home.

What have been some of the greatest challenges of fostering children?

The greatest challenge we’ve found in foster care is the unpredictability. Every child coming into the home has their own unique temperament and brings their own dynamic into the home. In addition to that, people are always coming to your house.

They’re all people who need to be involved with the foster children living there, but that also creates unpredictability. Then there’s the length of time a child stays with you. It could be a few weeks, months, or years. These things make it hard to plan for vacations or holidays. I’ve made hotel reservations before and told them I might have one to three children in the room.

What have been some of the greatest rewards?

The greatest rewards for us have been successful reunification and adoptions. We had several foster children the first time who were reunified with their parents. While we missed them, since they had been with us for a long time, it was also amazing to see their parents do everything they needed to do for their children to come back home.

On the other side, we were able to adopt our two amazing children. Walking out of the courthouse, knowing we were legally a family was an unforgettable experience. The process took time and there were bumps along the way, but it was completely worth it!

What would you say to someone who is thinking about fostering children?

Any advice?

If you feel drawn to foster care, you should pursue it. There will never be a perfect time to foster. Things always come up (like the entire year of 2020, which really delayed our licensing process this time around). No matter how hard foster care is, children who come into care need to know there are people who care about them, will cheer for their successes, and are sad to see them go. L

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FEATURE

Hope on the Mind

Lubbock’s Team Luke Hope For Minds shines a light on child brain trauma

By Jonathan Baker

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ix years ago, 9-year-old Luke Siegel suffered a terrible brain injury. It was the kind of injury that would have broken most parents – and Luke’s father, Tim, certainly had his share of struggles. But Tim Siegel is also a fighter, and he didn’t want other parents to go through the kind of despair he’s suffered. So he decided to do something. The result of Tim’s efforts is Team Luke Hope For Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of children with brain injuries – and giving hope to the families of these children, through support and education.

Since its inception in 2018, Team Luke Hope For Minds has gained national prominence, garnering high-profile supporters like Patrick Mahomes and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. The success of the nonprofit stems from a heartfelt need to make a difference in an area that’s all too often been neglected.

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A Fateful Day and a Long Road

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On July 28, 2015, Luke Siegel and a friend decided to take a golf cart ride, an activity that seemed harmless enough. In fact, the unsupervised ride would lead to tragedy, when the cart flipped and landed on top of Luke. The 9-year-old suffered head and chest trauma, and he was in cardiac arrest for seven minutes.

After that terrible Tuesday, the Siegel family spent 44 days at Lubbock’s University Medical Center, followed by four months at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. “We didn’t know that there was brain activity until day eight,” Tim recalls. The Siegels finally got to return home to Lubbock on Jan. 6, five months after the accident. Since then, their lives have been filled with various types of therapy: speech, OT and PT. For that first couple of years, Tim found himself driving to Fort Worth every week, where more intensive therapies were available.

It was during this period that Tim Siegel had an idea. He didn’t want other parents and children to suffer in the way he had. So in January 2017, Siegel founded the Team Luke Foundation. Six months later, he met a kindred soul in Austin, a woman named Ronda Johnson, who leads a nonprofit called Hope4Minds. Johnson’s organization was performing work very similar to Siegel’s, as both were dedicated to supporting children after brain injury.

Johnson’s Hope4Minds nonprofit had been formed in 2012 in Austin, after an 11-year-old boy named JD suffered an anoxic brain injury due to a non-fatal drowning. JD’s family struggled with a lack of information and guidance, as well as mounting expenses for items such as house renovations related

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to his injury, transportation, medical equipment, and recovery-based therapies not covered by insurance. After receiving significant financial support from their community, JD and his family formed Hope4Minds to help other families experiencing similar struggles, and they named Johnson – a friend of JD’s mother – as its leader. “It’s very rewarding to be able to help families that need guidance and hope,” says Johnson. “The challenge is making families aware of our services and getting them to reach out for assistance.

In January 2018, the two groups merged, launching Team Luke Hope For Minds.

While Johnson and Siegel are partners, the nonprofit has kept its home base in Lubbock.

A National Effort

Since that inception nearly three years ago, Team Luke Hope For Minds has brought national awareness to its cause. The organization provides financial assistance, education, support groups, and counseling to families whose children have suffered a brain injury, while helping families with children who’ve suffered injuries from ATV and golfcart accidents, car accidents, accidents at home, and non-fatal drownings. In the past three years, Team Luke has granted more than $600,000 to families all over the country.

But Team Luke Hope For Minds hasn’t forgotten its Lubbock roots. In fact, the organization recently partnered with Covenant Hospital to make Lubbock the new home of a Lokomat machine – a half-a-million dollar machine that helps patients with spinal cord injuries or brain injuries to learn to walk again. In fact, Luke himself now uses the machine three days a week.

Team Luke is filling a much-needed gap in the American health care landscape. “When you have a child with a brain injury,” explains Siegel, “a lot of what you’re looking to do isn’t covered by insurance, such as STEM-cell infusion, hyperbaric oxygen treatments, or acupuncture therapies, equipment – a lot of equipment. We’ve helped [pay for] adaptive bikes, adaptive car seats, lifts for their vans, things like that.”

As of early 2021, Team Luke Hope For Minds has helped families in 23 different states, and word is spreading. Last month, the organization was spotlighted in a feature story on ESPN’s “NFL Countdown.” Team Luke has had its share of exposure within the NFL, thanks to the help of a certain former Red Raider.

“Patrick Mahomes,” says Siegel with pride, “has never played a football game without a Team Luke Hope For Minds bracelet on his right hand. He also put ‘Team Luke Hope For Minds’ on his cleats last year.” In addition, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints – who is Luke’s hero – has come to Lubbock to help raise money for the cause.

“We’ve been to about eight Saints games in the last five years,” Siegel notes. “We’re very close with the organization because I’m from New Orleans.” And all of this NFL goodwill led to the ESPN feature.

However, despite the high-profile NFL endorsements, Team Luke’s mission isn’t to be confused with the concussion-related nonprofits that have risen up around football. “Certainly concussions are a big thing,” says Tim Siegel, “but we haven’t actually helped anybody yet who’s had a football specific injury.” Instead, Team Luke’s focus tends to be on traumatic or anoxic brain injuries.

The Dangers of Golf Carts

parents view as harmless fun for kids. To help get these dual messages out, Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope has named March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, with a special focus on March 3 – Team Luke Hope For Minds Day – as three is Luke’s lucky number. Mayor Pope has also instituted July as Golf Cart Safety Awareness Month.

Regarding golf carts, Siegel says the danger is very real. “I think the biggest issue is every neighborhood has golf carts that are soupedup, modified, they’re taller, they heavier, they’re faster, and they’re prone to tipping. I think the big thing is just educating parents that they’re unsafe, that they’re dangerous.

That, to me, is No. 1: educating parents.

“No. 2,” continues Siegel, “is realizing that simply wearing a helmet, seatbelts, those kinds of things ... I see every day, young children driving a golf cart with absolutely no adult supervision.”

But obviously, golf carts just represent the tip of the iceberg (although a very personal one for Tim), when it comes to brain danger for kids. For example, Siegel and Johnson see a lot of non-fatal drownings resulting in lasting brain damage. “It’s just about being careful,” says Siegel, “because your life can change after one second, one mistake. That’s what happened to us.”

And the message is getting through. “Every single day,” Siegel says, “I have people come up to me and talk about how much Luke is making a difference in their life, or how impactful and inspirational he’s been through his journey and our story. And Lubbock’s response has been tremendous.” L

T

eam Luke Hope For Minds was organized to provide resources and financial assistance to families of children who have suffered a brain injury. “Our mission,” says cofounder Ronda Johnson, “is to enrich the lives of children with a brain injury and give hope to their families through support and education. We believe the health and well-being of these children can improve over time if they have access to therapeutic services, adaptive equipment, and educational materials. We also believe that families can gain strength by connecting with one another – and that together they can grow beyond despair with health, peace and dignity.”

To achieve this aim, Team Luke Hope For Minds provides the following resources: • Financial Assistance for therapies, treatments, adaptive bikes, daily living expenses, adaptive vehicles, home renovations, and more • Up to five hours of counseling for your family • Up to five hours with a personal advocate • Connection with other parent(s) in a similar situation • Virtual support groups • Brain Injury Resource Guide • Annual Pediatric Brain Injury Conference – All 38 presentations are on the website from this year’s conference. Visit teamlukehopeforminds.org, under the Events tab.

In addition to his brain-trauma work, Tim Siegel wants to be sure that parents are aware of the dangers inherent in golf carts, which many

FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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South Plains Scene

“CANYON OVERLOOK” Caprock Canyon State Park

“I

t’s truly amazing the number of colors one can see standing at the rim of the Caprock Canyons State Park & Trail, to look out and know the numerous critters, creatures, animals and plants that inhabit the land one is overlooking.” L

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Lubbock Magazine • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • FEBRUARY 2021

KIRK MITCHELL YUCCAPHOTA Filled with a deep love for nature Mitchell is constantly searching for it and capturing it. He loves hiking, camping, adventuring, longboarding, traveling and getting to capture the world as he sees it through his camera. See his work on Instagram or at yuccaphota.com.

FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

Eat Drink

W

CHRISTAKIS BURGERS

hen you’re craving a burger, this is your spot.

A favorite among in-the-know locals, Christakis serves jumbo-sized and regular burgers with a variety of topping combinations.

We love the namesake burger with pastrami and cheese for a messy but delicious meal. Finish your meal with a frosty Sno-cone in coconut, strawberry or cherry.

1111 34th St. 744.6833 Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

PRICING GUIDE $ most entrees less than $10 $$ most entrees $11 to $20 $$$ most entrees more than $21

NEW New to Eat Drink UPDATE

Updated entry

THE EAT DRINK RESTAURANT GUIDE IS A READER SERVICE COMPILED BY THE LUBBOCK MAGAZINE EDITORIAL STAFF. THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT ACCEPT ADVERTISING OR OTHER COMPENSATION IN EXCHANGE FOR A LISTING. THE GUIDE IS UPDATED REGULARLY.

FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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RESTAURANT GUIDE ALL AMERICAN EATERY & CATERING CO. Housed in the former Hwy. 87 Lunch Diner, All American offers sandwiches, salads, fresh pie, and a hot entree buffet special of the day. Our curiosity has been peaked by the bacon-wrapped brat on a pretzel bun and the homemade pimento cheese sandwich. 8901 Hwy. 87, 368.6304, allamericaneatery.com $ ATOMIC LOUNGE & PIZZA KITCHEN Atomic specializes in fire roasted pizzas. Feast on favorites like The Roni, extra-large slices of pepperoni atop melted mozzarella and smoky tomato sauce. Atomic’s ovens cook a pizza in 2 ½ minutes so your hunger pangs are quickly satisfied. 2420 Broadway Ave. Suite A, 407.3221 $$ BIG E’S BARBEQUE This late-night haunt in The Depot District serves take-and-eat barbecue, specifically meat burritos with pork, sausage, chicken or brisket, and your choice of condiments. 1802 Buddy Holly Ave., 441.6703 $ BRYAN’S STEAKS A traditional buffet-style steakhouse, Bryan’s offers steaks cooked to order with self-serve salads, sides and soft-serve ice cream. 1212 50th St., 744.5491 $$ CAFE J Enjoy elegant ambience surrounded by original artwork. Menus change with the seasons and each entree is carefully prepared with a wine pairing in mind. 2605 19th St., 743.5400, cafejlubbock.com $$$ THE CATCH This popular seafood franchise hales from South Texas and offers Cajun-style seafood.

Choose from fried fish, shrimp, gator, oysters, tacos and a variety of boils. 5111 82nd St., 701.2900, thecatchhouston.com $$ NEW

CHRISTAKIS BURGERS When you’re craving a burger, this is your spot.

A favorite among in-the-know locals, Christakis serves jumbo-sized and regular burgers with a variety of topping combinations. Try the namesake burger with pastrami and cheese for messy but delicious meal. 1111 34th St., 744.6833 $ DIRK’S Dirk’s focuses on “Birds. Beers. Bubbles.” and we’re in! For $13 choose fried chicken, chicken tenders, rotisserie chicken, or chicken-fried steak with two sides, which are just as tempting as the meats. Dirk’s also offers shrimp and grits and Gulf oysters on the half shell. 1636 13th St., 368.3915, dirkslbk.com $$ NEW

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E&J SMOKEHOUSE AND GRILL Nestled in Escondido Canyon, E&J is open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Saturday. Dine on plenty of barbecue and Texas-style sides and desserts at this little oasis. 701 Regis St., 762.6201, ejsmokhouse.com $$-$$$

INDIA PALACE RESTAURANT A little aging gem, you’ll find cooked-to-order Indian standbys like naan, samosas, masala and mango lassi. Be prepared to wait, but the food is worth every minute. 3021 34th St., Suite A, 799.6772 $

EARL OF SANDWICH This chain serves hot sandwiches topped with its own unique ingredients and sauces. 11824 Indiana Ave., Suite 100, 993.6000 $

J & M BAR-B-Q For more than 25 years J&M has served its mouthwatering mesquite-smoked barbecue to the Lubbock area. Choose from sausage, ribs, brisket, turkey ham and more, with plenty of fresh sides and sweet cobbler. 7924 Slide Road, 798.2525/ 3605 34th St., 796.1164, jandmbbq.com $$

NEW

FLIPPERS TAVERN This colorful little hole-in-the-wall specializes in brats with all the fixings. Try the Pile Driver for a cheese and chili fix. 1406 Avenue Q, 701.5130 $ FORTUNE COOKIE CHINESE RESTAURANT Serving Cantonese-style food, Fortune Cookie is family-owned and -operated. Easy online ordering makes dine-in and takeout dining a breeze. 7006 University Ave., 745.2205, fortunecookietx.com $

JOSIE’S AUTHENTIC MEXICAN KITCHEN Josie’s three Lubbock locations serve a variety of fresh, handmade burritos for walk-up, dine-in and drive-thru service. Breakfast burritos are the most popular, but the Big Mama is a sure bet any time of day. 3312 Avenue Q, 744.8075/5101 Aberdeen Ave., 793.7752/6606 19th St., 793.1921 $

GILBERT’S BAR & GRILL With its Tech-themed dining room and generous patio, Gilbert’s is the perfect place to hang out and enjoy a home-style meal. Enjoy familystyle Chinese food on Saturday nights and brunch on Sundays. 2608 Salem Ave., 795.8791, gilbertslubbock.com $$

KIN KOREAN BBQ & SUSHI LOUNGE Traditional Korean BBQ is designed for sharing. At Kin, choose your meat and cook it yourself at the table. Or choose sushi from Kin’s “Sushi Conveyor Revolution,” which features fresh-made sushi.

6810 Milwaukee Ave., 368.3830 $$

GOHAN JAPANESE FUSION A fast-casual eatery, Gohan serves hibachi-style build-a-bowl meals, specialty rice bowls, and bubble tea. 1003 University Ave., 368.8048 $$

KING STREET PUB Nestled in a strip mall on Indiana, King Street Pub’s stark exterior holds a surprisingly charming Victorian English tea room meets traditional pubthemed restaurant. Inventive cuisine and a cozy atmosphere will keep you going back for more.

8004 Indiana Ave., Suite B18, 993.1010, kingstreetpub.com $$

HARRIGAN’S PRIME GRILL Remember Harrigan’s? Well, the beloved chain is back as Harrigan’s Prime Grill, and locals are thrilled. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu includes plenty of steaks to satisfy beef lovers, along with plenty of options for the entire family.

Don’t’ leave without indulging in a Black Magic Cake. 11814 Indiana Ave., 368.8008, harrigans.com $$-$$$ HEFF’S BURGERS A winner in the Best Burger category of Best of Lubbock since 2010, Heff’s serves nine different fresh, half-pound burgers, and sandwiches, homestyle fries, and ice cream. 5727 82nd St., 698.0900, heffsburgers.net $ IKE’S WOODFIRE GRILLE Ike’s offers handcrafted steaks, seafood, woodfired pizzas, calzones, burgers and more. Save with Ike’s daily specials and enjoy daily Happy Hour Monday through Friday. 4414 82nd St., Suite 218, 368.8036, ikesgrill.com $$

Lubbock Magazine • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • FEBRUARY 2021

LA DIOSA CELLARS From the funky decor to the perfectly prepared tapas to the extensive wine list, La Diosa promises a top-notch experience. 901 17th St., 744.3600, ladiosacellars.com $$ LISA WEST’S DOUBLE NICKEL STEAK HOUSE Voted one of the top 10 best steak houses in Texas, the Double Nickel specializes in traditional steakhouse fare. While beef rules the menu, you’ll find plenty of chicken, seafood and salads to delight the pickiest eater. 5405 Slide Road, 792.0055, doublenickelsteakhouse.com $$$ MAR Y TIERRA This cozy Tex-Mex restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Expect fresh-made food and plenty of choices as the menu is lengthy.

2531 82nd St.,784.2008/5702 19th St., 407.5009, marytierralubbock.com $

MOTOMEDI MEDITERRANEAN Quick and affordable bowl meals fill the menu at Motomedi. Make it vegetarian with falafel or choose your meat and add rice, spiced fries or arugula, sauce and toppings. Every bowl is full of beautiful color and flavor!

3204 W. Loop 289, Suite 300, 317.1053, motomedi.com $ NEW

THE NICOLETT With an outdoor dining opening set for fall, The Nicolett is making the best of the COVID crisis by offering The Nicolett At Home ahead of its official opening. The takeaway program will give locals the opportunity to sample a new menu each week, designed to serve two to four guests. 511 Broadway St., nicolettrestaurant.com $$ ONE GUY FROM ITALY Fresh, hot, cheesy calzones are the star at One Guy, but the pizza, pasta, and garlic bread are also noteworthy. You’ll find traditional Sicilian recipes and great conversation when you dine in. 4320 50th St., 791.1210, oneguyfromitaly.com/1101 University Ave., 747.1226 $ ORLANDO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Generous portions of Italian mainstays dominate Orlando’s menu, with a southwestern influence peppered throughout. Customers rave about the potato and green chile soup, burgers, and all-you-can-eat spaghetti and meatballs. 6951 Indiana Ave., 797.8646/2402 Avenue Q, 747.5998, orlandos.com $$ PANCAKE HOUSE This cozy diner fills up fast, so expect a wait time. Enjoy home-style breakfast until 2:30 p.m. daily, with lunch items available after 11 a.m. 510 Avenue Q, 765.8506 $ PICANTES Known for its family atmosphere and fast, affordable Mexican food, Picantes has been serving its straightforward food to hungry locals for years. You can’t go wrong with one of the daily specials. 3814 34th St., 793.8304 $$ QUEEN OF TARTS BAKERY & CHEESE SHOP Handmade artisan baked goods are perfectly paired with a selection of gourmet cheeses. Put together a picnic basket-style takeaway for a romantic evening in. 8004 Indiana Ave., Suite B18, 993.1009, queenoftartslubbock.com $$ RAIDER BURRITO Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Raider Burrito caters to those pesky TexMex cravings. Locals love the street-style tacos and breakfast burritos.

2102 19th St., 771.1178 $ ROYAL SEAFOOD SHACK/LEE’S CAFE The eatery’s new location houses two restaurants in one location. From traditional Cajun seafood boils, to fried or grilled fish, to sandwiches and gumbo, the Royal Seafood Shack’s menu is brimming with fresh seafood, paired with down-home comfort food sides like corn on the cobb, cornbread, french fries and coleslaw. Fans of Lee’s Café’s authentic Soul Food can still enjoy Southern food favorites made fresh daily. 7604 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 400, 368.8537, royalseafoodshack.com $$ UPDATE

SABROSO MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND BAR Traditional Tex-Mex is a staple in West Texas, and Sabroso does not disappoint.

You can’t go wrong with a taco special, enchiladas, or the popular breakfast migas, offered at breakfast or brunch. 5812 34th St., 702.8959, sabrosomexicanrestaurant.com $ LB-16093786

JANUARY 2021 • thelubbockmagazine.com • Lubbock Magazine

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Stop Identity Theft!

SKOONERS GRILL & BAR Open since 1998, Skooners simple menu include wings, pressed sandwiches, soup and salad. 1617 University Ave., 749.7625, skoonerslubbock.com $ THE SILVER BULLET This smoky little dive’s main draw is karaoke and billiards, but there are a few appetizers, burgers, sandwiches and other pub grub offerings on the abbreviated menu. 5145 Aberdeen Ave., 795.4122, silverbulletlubbock.com $ TABLE 82 Table 82’s cuisine ranges from hearty Italian entrees to high-end steaks to an abundance of seafood to burgers and pizza. We’re impressed with the variety and outstanding ingredients. 4210 82nd St., Suite 240, 799.3408, table82.com $$-$$$ TAQUERIA Y PANADERIA GUADALAJARA This modest eatery serves authentic fare with fresh baked goods. We love the street tacos and fresh-made chicarrón, crackling hot from the fryer.

1925 19th St., 765.8321 $ THAI PEPPER THAI FOOD RESTAURANT This bustling but small restaurant is a local favorite. Solid traditional Thai offerings like pad thai and chicken larb can be made extra spicy for the adventurous diner. 3702 20th St., 795.7444 $ TOMMY’S FAMOUS BURGERS This family-run franchise promises the perfect fast food burgers, hot dogs and chili to end late-night cravings. Order a hot dog with the works – you won’t be disappointed. 117 University Ave., 763.5424, tommysfamousburgers.com $ UNCLE CHIEN’S CHINESE & THAI RESTAURANT This tiny drive-thru or dine-in restaurant serves affordable traditional Chinese and Thai food. Expect friendly service and standard fare.

3004 34th St., 795.1148, unclechiens.com $ THE WEST TABLE KITCHEN AND BAR The West family’s hip eatery inside the Pioneer Condos building downtown serves outstanding, creative food. The menu changes daily to accommodate seasonal foods, but we enjoyed the crab hushpuppy starter, hearty burger, and roasted beet salad on our last visit. 1204 Broadway St., Suite 103, 993.9378, thewesttable.com $$

Secure shredding for your home or business!

806-630-0107

YAMAGATA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SHABU SHABU Yamagata’s shabu shabu (hot pots) set it apart from other hibachi-style restaurants in town. Choose a variety of thinly sliced meats and vegetables to cook tableside. 5905 82nd St., Suite 104, 687.5620 $$

www.docshredders.com 6702 Upland Ave. Lubbock, TX

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YELLOW HOUSE COFFEE On weekdays, Yellow House serves breakfast built on toast. Start your weekend with breakfast ingredients on fluffy buttermilk biscuits. And of course, there are plenty of specialty coffees to get that morning energy boost.

3017 34th St., 702.8997, yellowhousecoffee.com $

PRIMROSE POINTE

Milwaukee Ave.

66th St.

LB-16093782

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WING DADDY’S SAUCE HOUSE Available for dine or carryout, Wing Daddy’s serves cravable wings, bar-style appetizers burgers and more. Enjoy lunch specials weekdays, and weekly specials Monday through Thursday. 7706 Milwaukee Ave., 698.9464, wingdaddys.com $$

Lubbock Magazine • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • FEBRUARY 2021

YUYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT Choose from the menu, hibachi-style meals, or fresh sushi from the sushi bar.

5130 80th St., 368.7861, yuyorestaurant.com $$

806 Inc.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

THOMAS NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES AT WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, PLAINVIEW A familiar face is returning to Wayland Baptist University this spring to fill the position of Executive Director of Students Services. Shawn Thomas, a 1995 graduate, takes over for Brad Miles who left the university to pursue a fulltime pastorate with First Baptist Church in Shallowater. – Source: WBU

FOR THE SECOND TIME, CIELOIT APPEARS ON THE INC. 5000, RANKING NO. 339 CieloIT, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, has ranked for the second time on Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. CieloIT comes in at No. 339 with an overall growth of 1,329%. The company ranks No. 8 in IT Management and No. 19 in Texas. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other wellknown names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. This is the second appearance on the list for the Texas-based company.

HUMAN RESOURCES SOCIETY NAMES OFFICERS The Lubbock Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management has announced its new officers and directors for 2021.

Rachel Dominguez, SHRM-CP, PHR, of the City of Lubbock, will serve as President of the Lubbock Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management in 2021. She will replace Leslie Demma, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, of American Bank of Commerce, who will remain on the chapter’s board as Immediate Past President.

Shellie Torres, of WoundCentrics LLC will serve as the 2021 President-Elect.

Vice Presidents are: Tonya Watson of Barricades Unlimited (Membership), Aryn Dickerson (Sponsorship), Heather Bemis, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, of Deloitte (Programs), Pam Bruce of Prosperity Bank (Public Relations) and Amber Hook, SHRMCP, PHR, of Orange Theory Fitness will be Treasurer.

Committee Chairs include Becky Liddell, SHRM-CP, of SunStar Electric (Secretary), Lacy Elliott, SHRM-CP, of Reese Technology Center (Legislative), Susan Alger, SHRM-CP, PHR of Prosperity Bank (Website), Chrissy Cozart, SHRM-CP, of Texas Tech Federal Credit Union (Certification), Feruzan Williams, Ph.D. of Texas Tech (Education), Sandra Garza, SHRM-SCP, of Buckner Children and Family Services (Diversity) and Danny Soliz of Workforce Solutions South Plains (Chapter Ambassador).

The Lubbock Chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) serves the West Texas area. – Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

FEBRUARY 2021 • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • Lubbock Magazine

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806 Inc. Peoples Bank announced the promotions of four employees in Lubbock in January.

Sonya Garcia, a Lubbock native, has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Mortgage Operations Manager. She has worked with Peoples Bank for three years and has been in the mortgage business for eight years. Garcia is married, and she and her husband Tony have two yorkies.

Jacob Jones has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Staff Accountant after working at Peoples Bank for six years. Jones grew up in Lubbock and is a member of the Texas Tech Alumni Association and attends Monterey Church of Christ. Jones and his wife, Logann, have two children.

Kevin McEndree was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Peoples Bank. McEndree has worked with the bank for seven years and serves as a Deposit Operations Specialist. He has been in banking for more than 30 years and is married with one daughter.

Baraka Murimi has been promoted to Assistant Vice President and Internal Auditor. Murimi has been with the bank for four years and is married with one son.

“These promotions reflect the outstanding staff we have at Peoples Bank,” said Larry Allen, Peoples Bank Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. “Each one of these individuals go above and beyond and we are fortunate to have them on our team.”

– Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal L SONYA GARCIA

BARAKA MURIMI

PROVIDED PHOTOS

PEOPLES BANK ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES

KEVIN MCENDREE

Lubbock Chamber Diversity in the Workplace Initiative The 2021 Lubbock Chamber Diversity Summit will be our fourth annual event and continues our goal to deliver a platform for businesses to work together to affect real change in the workplace and in our community. The Chamber is a leading resource for businesses dedicated to making a difference and we are using our role as the voice of the business community to advocate for protecting workers from discrimination.

For almost 108 years, our programs, events, leadership and relationships with other key partners and community leaders have helped businesses grow and make Lubbock a better place to work, live, play, and learn. We are rethinking diversity and tolerance in the workplace and identifying the essentials of moving from good intentions to workable applications. The conversation needs to move from just “diversity” to the equality of opportunity in the workplace.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion are multifaceted issues and that we need to tackle these subjects holistically to better engage and support all underrepresented groups within businesses. To do this, we believe we also need to address honestly and head-on the concerns and needs of our diverse employees and increase equity for all, including Blacks, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, LGBTQ, disabled, veterans, women, and any disenfranchised individuals. Collectively as business leaders we must agree to do more.

Our attempts will be to help employers recognize workplace inequality and inequity to help improve their bottom-line and the overall economic stature of every single person. How do we grow the workforce and “get along” in this environment? We must create connections to help deliver skills and not only to survive but to grow and prosper. Talent recruitment has become one of the Chamber’s major objectives to enhance the workplace environment.

The 2021 Diversity Summit on March 9 will focus on equality of opportunities in education. The discussion will center around how to bridge gaps in educational attainment and workforce demands. For more information about this event, please contact the Lubbock Chamber at 806 761-7000 or our website at www.lubbockchamber.com.

Eddie McBride President/CEO 806 441-8966 eddie.mcbride@lubbockbiz.org

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Lubbock Magazine • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • FEBRUARY 2021

CONGRATS TO OUR 2020

WINNERS & FINALISTS AUTO & TRANSPORTATION Auto Aftermarket Accessories

Gene Messer Accessories Pick Up Pals Scoggin Dickey Parts Center

Auto Body Repair

Collision King Repair Center Impact Collision Center Precision Body Works

Auto Parts

BBQ Restaurant

Evie Mae’s BBQ Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q Tom & Bingo’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Que

Best Kept Secret Restaurant The Crafthouse Gastropub All American Eatery & Catering Co. Lee’s Cafe

Breakfast Burrito

Josie’s Restaurant Burrito King Picantes Mexican Restaurant

O’Reilly Auto Parts Gene Messer Auto Group Scoggin Dickey Parts Center

Breakfast Restaurant

Scott’s Complete Car Care Frenship Automotive Gene Messer Auto Group

Brunch

Auto Repair

Bicycle Shop

DFC Cycles and Fitness South Plains Cycles Velocity Bike Shop

Car Wash

Racer Classic Car Wash Curbside Carwash Mighty Wash

Car/Truck Dealership (New) Gene Messer Auto Group McGavock Nissan Lubbock Scoggin Dickey

The Farmhouse Restaurant Cast Iron Grill Lubbock’s Breakfast House & Grill The Farmhouse Restaurant The Crafthouse Gastropub The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room

Buffet

Souper Salad Furr’s Family Dining The Texas Tech Club

Burrito

Taco Villa Burrito King Josie’s Restaurant

Car/Truck Dealership (Used) Caterer Gene Messer Auto Group Frank Brown GMC Truck Scoggin Dickey

Limousine Service

Sassy Entertainment West Texas Wine Tours White Knights Limousine & Express Van Rental

River Smith’s Chicken & Catfish Catering Cagle Steaks & BBQ Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen

Chicken

Chick-fil-A Chicken Express Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers

Mobile Car Wash

Chicken Fried Steak

Motorcycle/ATV Dealership

Chips & Salsa

Oil Change

Cocktail

Curbside Carwash Mr. H2O Mobile Wash & Detail Raider Mobile Wash Wild West Harley-Davidson Family PowerSports Twisted Cycles of Lubbock Grease Monkey HubCity Lube Rapid Oil Change

RV Dealership

Pharr RV’s Camping World of Lubbock Gypsy Road RVs

Tire Store

Discount Tire McWhorter Tire & Auto Tread Connection

Window Tinting

Barbara’s Custom Window Tinting Scott’s Custom Tint Tint World

FOOD & DRINK Asian Restaurant

Thai Pepper Chop Chop Rice Co. Hayashi

Bakery

The Ruffled Cup Sugarbakers Cafe & Bakery United Supermarkets/ Market Street

Bar

Caprock Cafe The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room Two Docs Brewing Co.

Cast Iron Grill Cotton Patch Cafe Lee’s Cafe

The Plaza Restaurant Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Chuy’s The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen The Plaza Restaurant

Coffee House

J&B Coffee Monomyth Coffee TOVA Coffeehouse

Corndog

Food Truck

Onion Rings

Take-Out

French Fries

Pancakes

Value Menu

Kurbside Sweets Cast Iron Grill Mijo’s Tex-Mex BBQ Five Guys Burgers & Fries Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers McDonald’s

Frozen Yogurt

J’s Creamery Braum’s Ice Cream & Burger Restaurant Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

Hamburger

Blue Sky Texas Caprock Cafe Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Happy Hour

SONIC Drive-In Caprock Cafe The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room

Hot Dogs

Wienerschnitzel Flippers Tavern SONIC Drive-In

Hot Wings

Iced Tea

Tea 2 Go HTeaO McAlister’s Deli

Indian Food

Tikka Shack Gandhi Bazar India Palace Indian Restaurant

Italian Food

Orlando’s Italian Restaurant Italian Garden One Guy From Italy Family Restaurant

Liquor Store

Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods Doc’s Liquor Store Woody’s Liquors

Lunch Specials

Cast Iron Grill One Guy From Italy Family Restaurant Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen

Rise N Shine Donuts Krispy Kreme Shipley Donuts

Milkshake/Frozen Drink

Family Restaurant

Orlando’s Italian Restaurant 50th St. Caboose Cast Iron Grill

Fast Food

Chick-fil-A Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory Taco Villa

Pizza

Capital Pizza Dion’s One Guy From Italy Family Restaurant

Place to Buy Soft Drinks SONIC Drive-In Taco Villa The Soda Shack

Place to Have a Beer

Chimy’s Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen The Plaza Restaurant

The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room Burklee Hill Vineyards La Diosa Cellars

HOUSE & HOME

AC/Heating Company

Arctic Air Conditioning Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning & Plumbing Earl’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

Evie Mae’s BBQ Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q Texas Roadhouse

Commercial Real Estate Company

The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room Double Nickel Las Brisas Southwest Steakhouse

Custom Home Audio/ Visual Service

Salad Bar

Souper Salad Bryan’s Steaks Jason’s Deli

Sandwich

Firehouse Subs Glazed Honey Ham Company McAlister’s Deli

Seafood Restaurant

AAA Masonry & Home Repair Brick Doctor of Lubbock Llano Masonry & Concrete Supply

Metal Building

Campbell Steel Buildings, Inc. Easy Backyard Storage J Ferg Pros

Nursery/Garden Store

Keller Williams Realty Coldwell Banker Trusted Advisors NAI Wheelhouse

Hi-Fidelity Future Tech AV Integrations The Soundwave

Electrician

Benchmark Mortgage Lubbock National Bank PrimeWest Mortgage Buck’s Moving & Storage Joe’s Pack and Move Little Guys Movers Lubbock Ivey Gardens King Nursery Tom’s Tree Place

Pest Control Service D’s Pest Control Bug Tech Meers Pest Solutions

Plumbing Service

Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning & Plumbing Earl’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Mr. Justin Time Plumbing

Jeremy Rutherford Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric Mike Tennison

Real Estate Company

All-State Fence & Supply Noble Fence Company Platinum Services of Lubbock

Roofing Company

Miers Fence Staining Fence Defender Platinum Services of Lubbock

Self-Storage Company

Fence Company

Home Builder

Texas Roadhouse Cagle Steaks & BBQ Las Brisas Southwest Steakhouse

Home Electronics Store

Hayashi United Supermarkets/ Market Street Ohana Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Masonry

Yates Flooring Center Casey Carpet One Floor & Home Raider Flooring

Caprock Cafe Teddy Jack’s Hub City Grill Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Sushi

Tom’s Tree Place ACME Exteriors Paradise Lawn & Landscape

Moving Company

Furniture Store

United Supermarkets/ Market Street Costco Wholesale Sprouts Farmers Market

Landscaping Service

Flatland Carpet Cleaning Carpet Pros Carpet Tech

Smoothie King Happy’s Studio 34 Nutrition

Supermarket

AT&T South Plains Telephone Cooperative Suddenlink

Mortgage Company

Fence Staining

Smoothie

First Alarm Foam Insulation J Ferg Pros West Texas Insulation

Wyndham Apartments Catalina West Apartments The Dominion

Jazz A Louisiana Kitchen River Smith’s Chicken & Catfish Catering Royal Seafood Shack

Steak

Braum’s Ice Cream & Burger Restaurant Burklee Hill Vineyards Royal Seafood Shack

Wine List

Carpet/Flooring Store

Braum’s Ice Cream & Burger Restaurant Happy’s Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe

New Restaurant (Open 1 Year or Less)

Internet Provider

Orlando’s Italian Restaurant Domino’s Pizza Texas Steak Express

The Plaza Restaurant Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen

Caprock Cafe Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory

Souper Salad Chipotle Mexican Grill Panera

Vegetarian Restaurant

Carpet Cleaning Company

Romantic Dinner

Hi-Fidelity ADT Security Services Vivint Smart Home Security Systems

Insulation Company

Caprock Cafe Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Orlando’s Italian Restaurant

Ribs

Home Security

Taco Villa McDonald’s SONIC Drive-In

Apartment Complex

Sports Bar

Nachos

Orlando’s Italian Restaurant Picoso’s Mexican Kitchen Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory

Two Docs Brewing Co. Caprock Cafe The Crafthouse Gastropub

Restaurant Delivery

Mexican Food

The Plaza Restaurant Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Rosa’s Café & Tortilla Factory

Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant Little Woodrow’s Lubbock Bar & Grill The Funky Door Bistro & Wine Room

Braum’s Ice Cream & Burger Restaurant Holly Hop Ice Cream Shoppe J’s Creamery

Ice Cream

Pie Bar Sugarbakers Cafe & Bakery Sugarista

Fajitas

Patio

Queso

Margarita

Donuts

The Farmhouse Restaurant Cracker Barrel Lubbock’s Breakfast House & Grill

Wingstop Buffalo Wild Wings Hub City Wings

SONIC Drive-In Cooper Drive-In Dixie Dog Drive Inn

Desserts

Spanky’s Blue Sky Texas SONIC Drive-In

W.D. Wilkins Furniture Bob Mills Furniture Havertys Furniture Betenbough Homes Dan Wilson Homes Homes by J Ferg Pros

Keller Williams Realty Progressive Properties The WestMark Companies Andrus Brothers Roofing J Ferg Pros Quick Roofing Affordable Storage A-Plus Super Storage Easy Stop Storage

Siding/Home Exteriors Jones & Associates D&B Ultra Exteriors, Inc. West Texas Exteriors

Title Company

Western Title Company Joy Title Company Lubbock Abstract & Title Company

Best Buy Costco Wholesale Hi-Fidelity

Window Company

Lowe’s Home Improvement Sutherlands HomeBase The Home Depot

PERSONAL SERVICES/ WORKPLACES

Home Improvement Store

Home Remodeler

Fred Henry Construction CT Construction JFDI Handyman & Remodels

Jones & Associates Glass Doctor of Lubbock West Texas Exteriors

Assisted Living

Raider Ranch Carillon Senior Living The Legacy at South Plains

All winners are listed in bold text.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2020 WINNERS & FINALISTS

CON

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Company: Madera Residential Gallagher Ashmore City of Lubbock United Supermarkets, LLC DesignEnvy Bustos Law Firm, PC StarCare Specialty Health System United Supermarkets, LLC Lone Star State Bank Brady & Hamilton, LLP Ramar Communications, Inc. UMC Health System Wells Fargo City of Lubbock City of Lubbock Brookdale Shadow Hills JSA Architects, Inc. Peoples Bank Covenant Health United Supermarkets, LLC Texas Tech University System Rip Griffin Companies FiberMax-BASF Robinson Burdette Martin & Seright, LLP Texas Tech University System Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, LLP Visit Lubbock Carpet Tech City of Lubbock Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc. UMC Physicians St. Clair & Massey Happy State Bank Lubbock Area United Way City of Lubbock Keller Williams - Hilltop Real Estate Group McDougal Companies Lubbock National Bank Merrell & Nichols Dentistry WestMark REALTORS - Gaither/Ratcliff Lubbock Chamber of Commerce Atmos Energy The Putman Group Yellow House Dental & Implant Center Kona-Ice of South Lubbock Prosperity Bank Casey Carpet One United Supermarkets Arena Advanced Graphix Lubbock Police Department

Lubbock Magazine • lubbockonline.com/lubbock-magazine • FEBRUARY 2021

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Each class highlights a specific industry whether it is health, agriculture, media or government. Activities include tours, speaker presentations, leadership training, and interactive learning to help participants fully explore the realm of each industry identified. The 2020 leadership class graduates are listed below:

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Created especially for the busy professional, Leadership Lubbock participants attend a monthly class focused on developing leadership skills while providing participants with a thorough knowledge of Lubbock and the community.

At UMC, we want to get you healthy and keep you that way with care that’s closer to home. That’s why we are excited to announce the opening of UMC GI & Outpatient Services. This campus offers a comforting environment, with state-of-the-art technology and fellowship-trained gastroenterologists. And our location on 98TH & Quaker makes parking easy and accessible.

Talk to your primary care provider about scheduling your next outpatient or endoscopic procedure at UMC GI & Outpatient Services or let us help you find one at umchealthsystem.com