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Hey Amarillo, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Life-size dinosaurs, a $1,000 K-12 water art contest, and Toot’n Totum named best truck stop + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Amarillo protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

A tradition of creativity: Amarillo’s Every Drop Counts Calendar Contest is back, inviting K-12 students worldwide to share water conservation art. Entries are due by May 31, with $1,000 gift card up for grabs — get all the details.

Roadside icon earns national acclaim: Toot’n Totum, a Texas Panhandle favorite founded in 1950, was named the number one truck stop in America by Trucker Path, with only two other Texas stops making the list — see where other Texas stops ranked.

Inclusive program expands access: Kids Inc. has partnered with the West Texas NFL Flag Football League to bring 5-on-5 flag football to Panhandle kids. Registration opens March 23, with first season starting May 9 — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Three-day archery, airguns, and fishing camp
• Experience life-size dinosaurs in Amarillo
• Explore Wildcat Bluff on a guided hike

🫶 We got your back

Underground lunch fix: Downtown’s basement-level Pan-Handlers Caféturns midday into a win with pressed paninis, hearty hot and cold sandwiches, and an addictive salad bar. When you need something fresh, fast, and not sad desk lunch, this longstanding local spot delivers a reliable reset.

Greenspace sanity saver: John Stiff Memorial Park keeps weekday walks, kid energy-burns, and pickup games simple. Think skate park spins, playground pit stops, and wide-open fields without a long trek. When cabin fever creeps in, keep it on your short list.

Playtime upgrade, incoming: When birthday season sneaks up again, Unique Toys stocks science experiment kits, wooden puzzles, puppets, dress-up gear, and more, all handpicked by longtime local toy pros Mike and Gini Nowak. A browse-worthy spot that makes kids beam and adults quietly say, “okay, that’s cool.”

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

💃 Ladies Night! @ Tabletop Tavern Game Cafe (Canyon) | Tuesday (3/10) at 4:00 PM – Tuesday nights are for the ladies, with free entry and 50% off specialty drinks that normally make you question your life choices. Come for low-stakes games, tasty bites, and actual conversation, leave with your wallet intact, your group chat jealous.

💻 Girls Who Code @ Amarillo Public Library – Downtown Branch | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – Girls Who Code is getting the next wave of STEM whizzes started with friendly lessons in programming principles and beginner apps, and it’s free. Think screen time you can brag about with future problem solvers. Space is limited, so claim a spot.

🎉 Goodwill Grand Opening @ Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas | Thursday (3/12) at 9:00 AM – Goodwill is cutting the ribbon on a new Amarillo store and donation center on SE 27th, serving up affordable finds, cleaner closets, and good karma. Come hunt for treasures, drop off the “what was I thinking” pile, and fuel their Career Resource Centers.

💉 Blood Drive @ The Lumberyard (Canyon) | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – The Lumberyard is making doing good easy with a blood drive in the Barn. Give an hour, save lives, and they’ll bribe you with a general admission concert ticket, a $10 gift card for Feldman’s, Buff’s, Joe Taco, or Big Tex Burritos, and a koozie.

📖 Classic Storytime @ Southwest Amarillo Public Library | Monday (3/16) at 10:30 AM – This classic storytime blends read-aloud tales, simple games, and low-mess crafts that quietly build language and fine motor skills. Open to all ages, perfect for the 3 and up set. You get screen-free bonding, they get new words, glue sticks, and bragging rights.

🍽 Pantex Plant Retiree Lunch & Learn @ Joe Taco on Georgia | Thursday (3/19) at 11:30 AM – Worked at Pantex? Head to Joe Taco on Georgia the third Thursday for a free Lunch & Learn where CNS Cares helps you navigate compensation, health benefits, and in-home care. Bring your appetite, your questions, and RSVP, because tacos, and seats, vanish fast.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Amarillo report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 43°F – Precip: 31%

A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy. Low around 43, with temperatures rising to around 47 overnight. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 2%

Sunny, with a high near 63. North wind 15 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 34. East wind 5 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Texas but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This Parade of Homes masterpiece pairs modern organic design with elite craftsmanship. Hand-laid white stone, vertical wood cladding, and symmetrical gables make a striking exterior. An iron-and-glass foyer opens to a chef’s kitchen with an oversized waterfall island and bespoke cabinetry. The isolated primary sanctuary elevates privacy with soaring vaulted ceilings, refined finishes, and a serene, gallery-caliber vibe.

Take a peek inside →