Lubbock Loop 88 in progress

Project Legend

Segment Segment Segment Segment

US 84 (Shallowater) to US 62/82 (Wolfforth)

US 62/82 (Wolfforth) to US 87 (South Lubbock)

US 87 (South Lubbock) to US 84 (Slaton) https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/lubbock/lubbock-loop-88-overview.html

The Lubbock Loop 88 Project will create an outer loop around the west and south areas of Lubbock, beginning near Shallowater and running south to Wolfforth, then east to Slaton.

Project history

Planning for the Lubbock Loop 88 project began nearly a decade ago and was done in three phases.

Phase 1 feasibility study explored the need for a new road around the city and concluded with a finding of feasibility for a four-lane divided highway by 2030.

Phase 2 involved a 15-month study to select a preferred route for the project using traffic, societal and environmental analyses.

Phase 3 consisted of com- pleting the engineering and environmental studies needed for moving ahead with construction.

Description

Loop 88 project is approximately 12.4 miles long and is located west of US 84. The goal of the project is to improve mobility and reduce congestion in the area. The project would convert existing two-lane rural roadways sections to a six-lane divided freeway section with frontage roads and ramps.

Construction

(subject to change)

Construction for each segment and section is spread out for funding purposes. The first segment to receive funding and start construction is:

• Sections 3A & 3B Letting – June 2021

• Section 3C Letting –

October 2025

• Section 3D Letting –

October 2027

• Section 3E Letting –

October 2029

• Sections 3F & 3G Letting – October 2031

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.

Apology

I have to apologize…July 2 was ‘Forgot Day,’ and I honored it by forgetting to mention it in last month’s article. Now forward to August.

Am I the only one who is wondering what happened to the first seven months?

It seems as if time is flying faster each year. August is noted as the best month to ‘Do Nothing.’ Not a problem for me. And it is hard to imagine that the school year is right around the corner.

In 1957 on Aug. 1, the US and Canada formed the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Due to an incorrect phone number on a Sears Roebuck ad in December, a child called to check on where Santa was

(December 24) and reached NORAD. NORAD has been tracking Santa every Christmas Eve since. Be sure and remind your grandkids in December. Log onto website on Dec. 1 for details.

Important dates in August include

• Aug. 2, 1790, the first US census was conducted. Almost 4 million people were counted that year.

• Aug. 3 is National Watermelon Day. YUM!

• Aug. 26 is Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment and women’s right to vote.

High Noon Concert

High Noon Concert at the Lubbock Courthouse continues on Aug. 1 & 9. The event is free and features a variety of artists that will perform on the shaded courthouse grounds.

You are welcome to bring lunch or snacks or there will be several food trucks to pick from. You can bring a blanket or chair or use the ones that are set up under the trees.

Vamos a Pescar

Vamos a Pescar (Let’s Go Fishing) will hold its 14th annual event on Aug. 5 at Buddy Holly Lake (N. University and Cesar Chavez Drive).

This is a free event to bring families together. Li-

TEXAS TECH HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Garrison Institute on Aging

censes are not required on this date. For more information go to info@vamosapescarlubbock.com or call 806-792-1212.

Rolling with Uncertainty

The Care Partner Academy session will be held Aug. 16 at noon at 6630 S Quaker, Suite E. Jonathan Singer will present “Rolling with Uncertainty, Adapting to the New Normal.” He is working with (informal) caregivers and conducting mental health sessions in person and virtually.

His program also offers respite care (3 hours per week) for loved ones. He is a vital resource for the Lubbock and surrounding areas. Pass this information along to any that you think would benefit from this. The Care Partner Academy is an informal group that meets monthly to share various topics and is free and open to the public. Light snacks are provided.

To confirm for this session, please contact Joan at 806.743.1217 or email at joan.blackmon@ttuhsc.edu. RSVP is requested and the program will also be available on ZOOM. https://ttuhsc.zoom.us/j/93712419544.

Lubbock RSVP

Are you looking for a new activity in the Fall…

Lubbock RSVP (aka Ameri-

By

Corps Senior) is a federal, grant funded program that assists seniors 55 and older (retired or not) with a variety of groups that are needing volunteers.

This program is hosted at the Garrison Institute on Aging. There are a variety of areas that seniors can contribute. These include (not limited to) Lubbock Meals on Wheels, South Plains Food Bank, hospitals, Friends of the Library, Comfort Corps and other local groups.

This month we are focusing on Lubbock Meals on Wheels. This group was formed in 1971 and served 29 recipients as a non-profit organization. Today LMOW serves more than 900 lunch meals each day as well as breakfast and weekend packs.

You can serve as a delivery person, in the kitchen or office or for special days. Volunteers can serve as much or as little. Whatever works for your schedule can work for this group.

For more details, or to request a ride-a-long, contact 806-792-7971 or go to lubbockmealsonwheels.org and complete the application. ~One hour can make a difference!

Mental health sessions

We are continuing to host mental health sessions for caregivers as well as offer- ing a free respite care program with the guidance of Dr. Jonathan Singer, TTU Department of Psychological Sciences. Dr. Singer has also opened up ‘tele-health’ sessions for those living in rural areas.

If you are an informal (unpaid) caregiver of someone with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or other related dementia diseases, there are programs that can benefit you at no cost.

Participation in his study can assist in providing future services for you and those you care for. Caregivers are encouraged to contact Dr. Singer for additional information. You can contact him at 806.834.5884 or email at jonsinger@ttu.edu.

August funnies…

Is today really August?

• Are Ju-lying to me? Do fish go on vacation?

• No, because they are always in school. What does a bee do when it is hot?

• He takes off his yellow jacket.

Why do pirates hate May, June, July and August?

• Because they do not have Arrrrs in them.

If you want to touch the past, touch a rock.

If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.

~ Author Unknown

Can you match the capital cities with their states?

Albany, Annapolis, Atlanta, Augusta, Austin, Baton Rouge, Bismarck, Boise, Boston, Carson City, Charleston, Cheyenne, Columbia, Columbus, Concord, Denver, Des Moines, Dover, Frankfort, Harrisburg, Hartford, Helena, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Jackson, Jefferson City, Juneau, Lansing, Lincoln, Little Rock, Madison, Montgomery, Montpelier, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Olympia, Phoenix, Pierre, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Saint Paul, Salem, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe, Springfield, Tallahassee, Topeka, Trenton