Ken Collier
Oct 20, 2026
How well do you know Lubbock? |
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • Issue 3
Which former Texas Tech faculty member spent decades saving windmills and helped establish Lubbock’s American Windmill Museum?
Find the answer at the end of this issue. |
 Tuesday, October 20: NWS Lubbock’s regional forecast, updated at 4:39 a.m. CDT. Lubbock high: 73°F, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms from morning through evening. Graphic: National Weather Service Lubbock. Click for the latest forecast. |
 Story images: previous Pantex Challenge—Texas Tech University; stadium file photo—Texas Tech University Student Housing / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; Foreigner concert file photo—Virginia State Parks staff / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. |
The Pantex Innovation Challenge comes to Texas Tech’s Innovation Hub in Lubbock on October 22–23, giving students two days to solve real-world national-security problems.
The first round offers $10,000 in cash prizes, with the top two Texas Tech teams advancing to a November 6 competition at the Pantex Plant alongside teams from Amarillo College and Texas A&M.
Current Texas Tech students who are U.S. citizens may participate, and students from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Beyond the prize money, the event connects students directly with Pantex professionals and exposes them to sophisticated technology and national-security careers available in West Texas.
Registration closes October 21. Read More... |
Texas Tech Homecoming delivered one of Lubbock’s busiest and most energetic weekends of the fall.
Friday’s parade, bonfire and free Goo Goo Dolls and Bowling for Soup concert led into Saturday’s sold-out football game, where 60,229 fans watched Texas Tech beat Arizona State 53-25.
The win moved the Red Raiders to 6-0, extended their home winning streak to 12 games and pushed them to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 and No. 5 in the Coaches Poll.
The impact reached well beyond Galaxy Stadium.
Hotels filled, local businesses saw game-day traffic, and returning alumni and visiting fans spent across Lubbock throughout the weekend.
There is not yet a verified total economic-impact figure for this specific Homecoming, but the crowds and demand made one thing clear: when Texas Tech wins big, a lot of Lubbock feels the effect. Read More... |
The Slaton High School choir stepped onto the stage with Foreigner at Buddy Holly Hall in Lubbock for a performance of “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
The night also carried a larger message about music education.
Foreigner donated $500 to the choir, and Lubbock restaurant One Guy from Italy matched the gift with another $500.
The Slaton program has grown from 14 students to 63 in just a few years and has also begun collecting major UIL recognition.
For one student, the evening even became a family milestone: her grandmother’s first Foreigner concert was in 1979, while her own first concert was the night she performed with the band.
The performance turned one night of classic rock into a memorable West Texas story about students, opportunity and the value of keeping music in schools. Read More... |
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Pantex Innovation Challenge — check availability now |
October 22–23 • Thursday check-in 9:30 a.m.; Friday presentations 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. • Innovation Hub, 3911 4th Street, Lubbock
Texas Tech students can tackle real problems with Pantex professionals and compete for cash prizes. The event is free, with current Texas Tech students who are U.S. citizens eligible to participate. The listed registration deadline is October 21, but the organizer’s registration page currently displays “Join waiting list.” Check availability directly before planning to attend.
View event details and availability
Photo: Texas Tech University; participants at a previous Pantex Innovation Challenge. |
Brewology Workshop: science meets a local pour |
Friday, October 23 • 7–10 p.m. • Science Spectrum, 2579 S. Loop 289, Lubbock • Ages 21+
Spend an evening exploring brewing with Mano Negra Brewery, sampling local beer and making a set of coasters with FabLab tools. Snacks and adult beverages are included. Registration is $50 for an individual or $75 for a couple; the couple ticket includes one set of coasters. Check current availability and registration terms with Science Spectrum.
View event details and availability
Event artwork: Science Spectrum & OMNI Theater. |
Texas Arbor Day Celebration — a free family stop |
Saturday, October 24 • 11 a.m.–3 p.m. • Science Spectrum lobby, 2579 S. Loop 289, Lubbock
Science Spectrum and Texas A&M Forest Service are teaming up to celebrate trees and their role in our communities. The event includes a tree giveaway while supplies last, plus a chance to meet Smokey Bear from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Lobby activities are free; regular Museum and OMNI admission charges apply if you extend your visit.
View event details and availability
Event artwork: Science Spectrum & Texas A&M Forest Service. |
Looking for Live Music in Lubbock? |
Lubbock has more going on than you might think.
From local bands and neighborhood venues to bigger shows and weekend entertainment, there’s usually something worth checking out.
Take a look at Lubbock Live Music Scene to see what’s happening around town and start planning your next night out.
Visit LubbockLiveMusicScene.com to explore local shows, venues and entertainment around Lubbock.
Grab some friends. Pick a show. Make a night of it.
Lubbock has a great live music scene. Go enjoy it — and bring somebody with you.
Photo courtesy of Lubbock Live Music Scene. |
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Pizza, calzones & a helping hand for local students |
One Guy from Italy |
Local restaurant spotlight • Unpaid editorial feature
This week’s thank-you goes to One Guy from Italy, which matched Foreigner’s $500 donation to the Slaton High School choir with another $500. That is local generosity worth recognizing.
Its University Avenue location offers pizza, calzones, pasta and a familiar option near Texas Tech. Whether you stop for a slice or bring friends for a meal, it is a chance to support a restaurant that helped support West Texas students.
See the Slaton choir story above for the donation and performance details. Check the restaurant’s site for current location hours and ordering.
Food photo: One Guy from Italy’s official website. |
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A downtown dinner with a High Plains point of view |
The Nicolett |
Local restaurant spotlight • Unpaid editorial feature
For a different kind of Lubbock night out, The Nicolett brings Chef Finn Walter’s High Plains approach to downtown dining. Its regional ingredients and greenhouse setting make it an option for a planned dinner or special evening.
Dinner service runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to close, with happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4–6 p.m. Browse the current menus and reservation options before visiting.
Restaurant photo: The Nicolett’s official website. |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Billie Wolfe. The former Texas Tech College of Home Economics faculty member spent decades finding and preserving windmills. She and Coy Harris established the nonprofit museum in 1993. Learn more: https://windmill.com/about/ |