This year was also the first year I volunteered at AZ GiveCamp, a place where developers and other techies donate a weekend of their time to local non-profits.
Then the first Friday of every month, there is PHX2600, a gathering of people primarily interested in computer security.
I don't recall anything like this available in Lubbock; and I really wish there had been. Granted, this is probably easier to setup these days due to the increased use of the Internet.
Some more local websites that highlight gatherings:
http://azgroups.com/ for meetings of local technology groups.
http://nextplex.com/phoenix-az for entrepreneurial resources and community.
http://assembleaz.com/ for entrepreneurial coworking space in North Phoenix.
http://gangplankhq.com/ collaborative coworking and event space in Avondale and Chandler
Online gathering places with a local emphasis:
https://www.facebook.com/
https://plus.google.com/
https://plus.google.com/
https://plus.google.com/