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Hi Midessa, we made it to Thursday! 

In today’s fun-for-grown-ups edition: Nancy Kerrigan’s keynote, a $2.4M healthcare training boost, and Shen Yun’s spectacle + plenty of reasons to put on real pants 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

Spotlighting leadership and service: Odessa’s SheCan Women’s Conference is today at the Marriott, with Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan as the lunch keynote, local vendors to shop, and a tribute for volunteer Mari Willis — check out the full lineup.

Big-hearted night of music: The DPS Foundation’s second annual fundraiser concert will bring country band Midland to Horseshoe Arena in Midland County on March 19, with tickets from $35 and proceeds benefiting Texas DPS employees — see ticket options and details.

Preparing clinicians for emergencies: CHRISTUS Health received a $2.4 million grant to expand clinical simulation training, benefiting nearly 500 staff and partnering with Odessa College to strengthen rural patient care in Orange and Jasper — see which partners are involved.

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:

• Join Rodeo Dental’s Spring Break Bash
• Feast, drink, and compete Irish-style
• Attend WTX Mini Bridal Market
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now
• Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

🐾 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

Burger night, settled: Keith’s Hamburger Station serves juicy classics alongside playful curveballs like the Frito Burger, all with an easy, retro vibe that hits the spot. If someone’s not in a burger mood, the cult-favorite steak fingers keep the peace while you stay on fry duty.

Roll into nostalgia: At MCM Rink N’ Roll, the roomy floor and lively playlists keep everyone gliding, kids and grownups alike. Shake off screen time and midweek blahs, then loop the rink with your crew… a lap or ten. It’s an easy win, especially if you haven’t rolled in a while.

Art glow-up alert: Fresh from a major renovation, The Ellen Noël Art Museum returns with reimagined galleries, smart rotating shows, and hands-on programs that break up weeknights. Need a quick creative reset without leaving Odessa? Expect color, conversation, and just enough inspiration to spark something.

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.

📆 Midessa for grown ups

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.

🎺 Chicago @ Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center | Friday (3/6) at 7:30 PM – If you ever slow danced to Colour My World or shouted along to 25 or 6 to 4, clear your schedule. Chicago is rolling in with that brass-soaked rock, tight harmonies, and unapologetic nostalgia, the good kind. Bring your air trombone, leave the drama.

🌶 Annual Chili Cook Off @ The Field Office | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – The Field Office is heating up for the annual chili cook-off, and the heavy hitters always show. If your recipe can handle Texas rules, no beans, no floaters, no excuses, roll in, cook onsite, and toss $25 in the pot for the trophy and glory.

🛍 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.

📖 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.

🍓 Florida Strawberry Truckload Sale @ Midland First Assembly of God | Saturday (3/7) at 3:00 PM – Florida strawberries are rolling into the First Assembly lot on Wadley, fresher than your neighbor’s salsa, and gone just as fast. Grab an 8 lb box for 30 bucks, plus pecans, South Dakota honey, cash or card, first come, first serve, no checks.

🏺 Coffee & Clay @ Kafeologywtx | Saturday (3/7) at 3:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for clay-squishing at Kafeology, and hand-build your new favorite coffee mug with a kind instructor, zero experience required. Cozy, creative, and social, with materials included, your piece fired for later pickup, and the satisfying feeling of retiring that chipped souvenir mug. $75.

🩰 Shen Yun @ Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:30 PM – Take a night off from errands and dive into a swirl of classical Chinese dance, live orchestra, and digital backdrops. It is pageantry with purpose, all silk sleeves and airborne spins, the kind of spectacle that makes you sit up straighter, then applaud longer.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/5 Live Music and Evening Dining @ Cafe at the Gardens – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 West Texas Sound-Off: Battle of the Bands @ The Tailgate – 5:00 PM
• 3/6 Warner & Forbes @ The Destination – 7:00 PM
• 3/6 Chicago The Band @ Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center – 7:30 PM
• 3/6 Chicago @ Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center – 7:30 PM
• 3/7 LaDezz @ The Destination – 7:00 PM
• 3/12 Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance! @ Ector County Coliseum – 7:00 PM

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

📻 Midessa report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 31%

Isolated showers and thunderstorms before noon, then scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. South wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before midnight. Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 1%

Sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Mostly clear, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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.

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Take a peek inside →