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Hi Oklahoma City, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Cute animal photos, a $500 chili cookoff, the Masopust Dance, and more.
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Uniting therapy and spirituality: Rob’s Ranch in Oklahoma recently celebrated transforming more than 4,000 lives and raising $15 million for scholarships, as its Edmond outpatient program serves men and women with faith-based recovery support — read the full story.
Immune marker may guide care: An NCI-funded clinical trial will enroll Oklahoma patients whose head and neck cancer returned after radiation, testing chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy before surgery to improve survival and reduce recurrence — get all the trial details.
Irresistibly cute animal moments: From the Oklahoma City Zoo to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, adorable Oklahoma animal photos highlight lion cub check-ups, a 2025 elephant calf, and museum cat Sir Indiana Bones — browse the full photo gallery.
Ratepayer protections take center stage: State Rep. Brad Boles filed a bill requiring data centers to pay for increased electricity use, aiming to protect Oklahoma City households as demand is expected to double by 2030 — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your IRA or portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: Insurance prices drop all the time, but you’ll only know if you check. I assumed my rate was fine until I compared options and realized I was leaving real money on the table. It took a minute to check and instantly showed better offers for where I live. If it’s been more than a few months, you should probably run this comparison tool here.
One pet emergency can easily cost $7,000+ but pet insurance helps ease the financial and emotional burden. It’s something I wish I’d had after spending $10k on last-minute surgery for my cat (her name is Miss Stache). I learned my lesson and signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Rail logistics gains momentum: BNSF Railway opened a 42-acre intermodal facility in Oklahoma City to move inbound containers from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Hobby Lobby distribution centers. It could eliminate up to 40,000 truck trips a year and add West Coast export options for other businesses and Oklahoma farmers. Get all the details.
New landmark energizes a hub: Oklahoma City dedicated Bolt Tower to OKC Fair Park. The 72‑foot‑tall sculpture holds a time capsule of residents’ photos and memories, honoring 118 years of state fair history. Funded by the 1% for Art ordinance, it supports foot traffic and nearby spending at a venue hosting nearly 200 events. See how the ordinance works.
Thrift with a mission: Second Chances Thrift Store turns great finds into real community support. Every purchase fuels job training, meals, and essentials for neighbors getting back on their feet. Whether you’re decluttering or hunting a cozy coat, the treasure hunt feels extra good.
Sushi night upgrade: Tokyo Japanese Restaurant has served OKC since 1987 with pristine fish, thoughtful rolls, and occasional omakase to nudge diners beyond the usual. Shareable specials and a deep sake list keep things lively, from weeknight cravings to celebratory splurges.
A smart way to save on big purchases: When costs hit the tens of thousands, credit card and personal loan interest racks up fast. A HELOC lets you tap into your home’s equity as a flexible line of credit at a lower rate… all without refinancing your mortgage. I’ve been looking into this myself, and Figure’s HELOC stood out for its 100% online application, no in-person appraisal, and quick access to cash.
Your neighbors are Googling you:It’s an uncomfortable thought, but people search names all the time — employers, new friends, other parents at school pickup. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up on the first page, it can shape how people see you before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so the first impression you make actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s not your name, you can help a friend or family member with that too.
Get clarity on financial decisions: Managing retirement, taxes, and investments alone can feel overwhelming, especially during big life transitions. Financial advisors provide holistic guidance, help reduce risk, and keep emotions away from costly decisions. I found a tool called Unbiased that matches you with the right financial advisor based on your personal situation so you can get a second opinion… it never hurts.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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.
❤ Affair of the Heart Spring @ State Fair Park | Friday (2/6) at 9:00 AM – Make a lap at Fair Park for Affair of the Heart, the spring shopping blowout with aisles of boutiques, snacks, and surprises. It’s like Etsy grew legs and found a food court. Bring comfy shoes, the small wagon, and snag discounted tickets via Facebook.
☕ “BesTEA Era” Afternoon Tea @ Tellers | Friday (2/6) at 1:00 PM – Afternoon tea at The National, because catching up with your best people deserves tiered treats, curated teas, and a little champagne or rosé. Dress it up, bring the gals or the crew, and lean into your BesTEA era. Unrushed, cozy, and delightfully extra.
🧀 Charcuterie Class @ 39 Restaurant | Saturday (2/7) at 2:00 PM – Trade your sad snack plate for a charcuterie education with Chef Ben, right here in town. Taste your way through house-made meats and cheeses, sip a complimentary pour, then learn pairings, composition, and savvy shopping, and leave with a board you built, bragging rights included.
🌱 Seed/Plant Swap @ Mycelium Gallery | Saturday (2/7) at 3:00 PM – Got extra spider plant babies, cuttings, or seeds you’ll never plant? Bring them to a swap, trade for something useful, and sip spirit-free drinks from Lucid Libations, plus snacks. Free to join, just RSVP, and catch up with the neighborhood green thumbs.
💃 Masopust Dance @ Czech Hall | Saturday (2/7) at 7:00 PM – Think Mardi Gras, but Czech, polka-forward, and fueled by meat and pastries. At the annual Masopust Dance, expect singing, dancing, the only Masopust Polka Band on earth, surprises, hearty bites and drinks, and costumes from bears to chimney sweeps, or just wear a ridiculous hat.
🎻 Vivaldi’s Virtuosity @ Westminster Presbyterian Church | Saturday (2/7) at 7:30 PM – Take a break from the grind and let Vivaldi do the heavy lifting. Strings, flute, oboe, lute, and baroque piccolo step into the spotlight, with Dr. Chandler Fadero, Dr. Scott Erickson, John L. Edwards, and Carey Morrow serving concertos that snap, sing, and charm.
🎗 Sparkle Strong Foundation Fundraiser @ Kendra Scott | Sunday (2/8) at 3:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to treat yourself, consider this a permission slip for Heart Month. Shop Kendra Scott in-store or online with the code, and 20% goes to Sparkle Strong to support heart families in the pediatric CICU, honoring Jewels’s legacy.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Oklahoma City report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 67°F – Low: 44°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 9am. Sunny, with a high near 67. West wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 44. West northwest wind around 6 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 74°F – Low: 39°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 74. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 39.
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Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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