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Hello Midessa! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Artemis II launch party, Cinergy’s $11.5M expansion with mini golf, and young scientists uncover fossils + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Work continues on key corridor: Odessa’s N. Faudree Road project moves into its next phase, bringing lane closures as crews add a concrete intersection, culvert boxes, a drainage channel, and street lighting in two sections — get all the details.

Bigger thrills on the way: Cinergy Odessa plans an $11.5 million expansion with outdoor mini golf, new arcade games, and more. Work will start around April and is expected to wrap by September — see what’s planned here.

Community funded comeback for rescuers: Dog Rescue R Us in Midland Odessa received a transport vehicle after losing theirs. Named Old Faithful with 500,000 miles from a Wisconsin junkyard, it made a trip February 19 — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Young scientists uncover fossils and adaptations
• Join Rodeo Dental’s Spring Break Bash
• Feast, drink, and compete Irish-style
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Small plates, big vibes: Whether it’s a proper date night or an after-work unwind, Sip Haus pours curated cocktails with tapas in a cozy basement hideaway. Expect speakeasy energy, shareable bites, and flattering, mysterious lighting that makes everyone look intriguing… in a good way.

Tune up and roll: From quick TLC to that first e-bike, Energy City Bikes brings gear, rentals, and friendly know-how to keep your pedaling humming, with smart tips on local routes when you want new miles.

Movie night, upgraded: When the group chat can’t agree, Cinergy Odessa bails you out with plush recliners, in-theatre bites, and epic screens, plus bowling and arcade fun if you’re not ready to go home after the credits. Perfect for a midweek “we deserve this” that actually delivers.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎓 Stem Academy Project Graduation Fundraiser @ Jason’s Deli | Thursday (3/5) at 10:00 AM – If your excuse for eating out needs a halo, this is it. Grab lunch or dinner, mention Stem Academy Project Graduation, and they snag 25% of your tab for the cause. Dine in, to go, pickup, or curbside, and online use code FUND20.

⚙ Family Science Night: STEAM-gineering @ Petroleum Museum | Thursday (3/5) at 6:30 PM – Round up the kids, grandkids, and your inner tinkerer, then dive into Family Science Night’s STEAM-gineering circus of building, creating, and mild chaos. It’s hands-on science, tech, art, and math that actually entertains, and admission is free, courtesy of Chevron.

🍿 Free Movie Night @ The Ector Theatre | Friday (3/6) at 7:30 PM – Free movie night at The Ector Theatre, with The Peanuts Movie on the screen. Bring kids, grandkids, or just your inner eight-year-old, and call it “culture” while you eat popcorn, quote Snoopy, and enjoy a wallet-friendly night out. Seats are free, so reserve yours.

🚀 Artemis II Rocket Launch Party @ Blakemore Planetarium | Friday (3/6) at 9:30 PM – Artemis II is allegedly blasting off soon, and we’re posting up at the Museum of the Southwest’s Blakemore Planetarium to watch when NASA finally calls it. Plan for flexibility, patience, and a $5 ticket at the door. Historic vibes, hometown crowd.

🛍 March Market @ Alldredge Gardens | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Stroll the Gardens breezeway and shop the local lineup, Midland-Odessa small businesses bringing everything from permanent jewelry and tallow to lemonade and crochet. It’s basically Target with eye contact, neighborly chit-chat, and zero self-checkout guilt. Come say hi, buy small, feel big.

✈ Aviation Discovery Day @ Midland Army Air Field Museum | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’re a lifelong plane spotter or just need to keep the kids entertained, Aviation Discovery Day has you covered. Free admission, family-friendly aviation fun, and plenty to feed your inner aviator. A field trip without the permission slip, and gawking is encouraged.

📖 Book Reading and Signing: Erin C. Frigo @ The Plot Twist | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Erin C. Frigo reads her debut children’s book, Let Me Tell You About Charlotte, about a pet diamond dove with surprising personality and soul. Stick around for questions, signing, and copies to buy for the kids, grandkids, or your inner child.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Midessa report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 76°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 7%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 82°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 41%

A chance of rain showers before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This 4-bed, 4.5-bath standout claims a half-acre corner lot in Old Midland. Two living spaces and seating frame a kitchen with built-in breakfast nook. Entertain at the bar with wine and drawer fridges. Designer wallpapers and fixtures complement a stucco fireplace with gas fireplace balls, plus a parking pad and updates to plumbing, wiring, ductwork, and a 2021 roof.

Take a peek inside →