The right stuff to know for Lubbock
(Thanks to Mark Paden’s family, Cami Caldwell and Jill Kerns for providing photos for this story.) Many people in Lubbock have heavy hearts this week after the sudden death of singer-songwriter-musician Mark Paden. The personable, often extremely funny Paden entertained tens of thousands during his more than 22 years as a member of the Lubbock … Continued
Motion picture theaters need help from the general public to keep their doors open after theater ticket sales dropped nationwide a whopping 80 percent in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. This is the closest Lubbock has come to losing its entire movie theater business. This movie fanatic might still be weeping had that occurred. For … Continued
Going out to see movies is a great holiday tradition for many families – but the pandemic has changed that in Lubbock and elsewhere with two of our five local theaters not even open right now. And many films are going directly to streaming services – more about that and other release date changes in … Continued
Is someone in Major League Baseball punishing Texas for what happened in Dallas in 1963? Probably not … but something’s not right since 2013 and it makes me grasp for conspiracy theories. Since 1972, my team has been the Texas Rangers. But before that, it was the Houston Astros. I supported the Astros — all … Continued
In 1921, cars were parked bumper-to-bumper at one of the nation’s first drive-in movie theaters in Comanche, Texas. Vehicle occupants were watching silent films. That sort of turnout is the last thing theater owner Ryan Smith wants today when he re-opens his three-screen Stars & Stripes Drive-In. Instead, he plans to enforce “social distancing” by … Continued
Easter Sunday returns on April 12. So while we’re all at home practicing social distancing, here are ten Easter-related movies to get you in the mood – even if you cannot go to church for Holy Week activities or have a traditional family celebration. (And for more about the meaning of Easter, how the date is … Continued
Usually in this space we recommend where to go out for entertainment options. Not anymore in this time of coronavirus. So welcome to the first edition of Bill’s Best Bets While Social Distancing. I hope we only do a few of these, but we’ll see as we work through unprecedented times. Just imagine trying to … Continued
For those of you who consider coronavirus news/warnings to range from overstated to fake news —and those who are pretty sure Covid-19 is no worse than a cold or flu — heck, just keep gathering in groups, keep sharing restroom facilities and food and drinks at your big backyard parties and neighborhood get-togethers on the … Continued
Our final installment in recommendations for streaming services and a one more idea … HULU I hoped to verify and stress variety, rather than simply reviewing or making final judgments on an entire series this week. That said, one of my favorite streaming series still can be found on “Hulu,” – namely “Justified,” a story … Continued
It was Lubbock Lights editor Terry Greenberg who suggested I come up with a list of “feel good” movies, motion pictures that lift our spirits during this coronavirus crisis. These are the first 15 film titles I jotted down. I hope watching them helps if you need a boost. I also decided quotations from the … Continued
No doubt the highly ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders were happy to leave Mississippi and return home for three games vs. West Virginia University this weekend at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park, 2901 Drive of Champions. Barring time changes for weather reasons, those three baseball games are set to begin at 6:30 p.m. … Continued
Today, we look at what’s on … DISNEY+ Sure, cost of streaming services can affect family budgets. From the beginning, Disney+ has appeared family friendly. But who knew Disney+ would provide so much more than, well, Disney to keep the young, and young at heart, entertained? For example, click on Disney+ on your television and … Continued
Yesterday we started Bill’s Best Bets While Social Distancing. Yesterday we highlighted things to watch on Amazon, today it’s Netflix. NETFLIX Call this the elephant in the room. Netflix began as a massive distributor of DVDs, but has since become a member of the Motion Picture Association of America and wants to be regarded as … Continued
Photo above: “Plains Bison Bull, Caprock Canyons State Park, 2019,” by B. Keith. Being Shown at Rooster’s Texas BBQ I considered announcing Saturday’s cool Star Walk at Hodges Community Center and home games by the Texas Tech baseball team, trailing only the University of Florida in the national rankings. On the other hand, my choices … Continued
Moe Bandy was first finding fame about the time I began covering the arts in Lubbock. His talent, performances and work ethic proved to be consistent and he never faded away. That’s why, even though his songs no longer top the country charts, his fans continue to take advantage of opportunities to see him perform. … Continued
We start with Saturday morning breakfast, then a couple of selections at a Cinemark multiplex and rock memories of one of our favorite albums. Lubbock Lions Club Pancake Festival The Lubbock Lions Club will hold its 68th annual Lions Club Pancake Festival from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, … Continued