Happy weekend, Abilene! In today’s happening-today edition: World giraffe day festival, 1884 shootout reenactment, and Freddy’s construction + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around Abilene 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.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Local manufacturing gets a boost: AbiMar Foods announced a $15 million investment to expand and modernize two Abilene facilities, boosting automation and capacity, supported by Development Corporation of Abilene to retain 550 local jobs -- see the expansion details.
Mosquito season ramps up: After rains, Abilene is seeing more mosquitoes. The city has increased monitoring with 12 traps and will spray a one mile radius if West Nile is detected, with prevention tips -- see the mosquito plan.
New dining spot coming: Craving Freddy’s? Construction has begun on a new Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers at the Mall of Abilene. The 2,500-square-foot spot is slated for completion on December 4, 2026 -- get the full details.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Your fairway fix: Abilene Country Club - North Course delivers 18 holes of par-70 fun across 165 rolling acres, with tree-lined fairways and pristine bent grass greens that beg for a stress-busting walk. Grab a friend who owes you a tee time, and make it happen this week.
Craving Gulf flavors: Whether you're in a gumbo mood or eyeing char-grilled oysters and a proper seafood boil, Galveston Seafood & Grill delivers fresh, coastal comfort right here at home. Treat yourself this week, because dinner should taste like a beach day without the sand in your shoes.
Abilene RV staycation: Whistle Stop RV Resort brings staycation energy with a lit pickleball court, a 17,000-gallon saltwater pool, a game-filled pavilion, and a fenced dog park. Got a rig or friends who do? Park it, grill something, maybe board the horse in their 16-stall barn, then kick back like a pro.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year, it's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The conversation no man wants to have with his doctor: Turns out ~70% of men over 50 are avoiding the exact same one. The hesitation, the awkward throat-clear, the hoping it just sorts itself out… you're far from alone. The good news? You don't need the waiting room at all. What used to mean a face-to-face appointment and an uncomfortable pharmacy run now takes a few clicks from the couch — discreet online evaluation, personalized treatment shipped straight to your door. *No appointment, no awkward small talk →
Get cash back on your gas, groceries, and dining: This is real cash, not points you have to convert like credit card rewards. There are no coupons to clip and no deals to hunt down, you just claim an offer, pay with your linked card, and the cash back lands automatically. You can set it up in minutes and start earning on your very next purchase. *Start earning → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🛍 Trunk Market @ Peacock Patio | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 AM – This trunk market is basically a neighborhood treasure hunt, with trunks full of vintage finds, homemade goodies, and that one lamp you never knew you needed. Bring the family, browse, chat, repeat, then bask in that smug I-supported-local glow. Cash helps.
🦒 World Giraffe Day Festival @ Abilene Zoo | Saturday (6/20) at 7:30 AM – If you've been waiting for a sign to stretch your neck, this is it. Yoga on Twiga Terrace, a giraffe barn tour, canvas painting with your long-legged muse, conservation chatter, and Congo's 11th birthday, all on the year's longest day.
🚗 Father's Day Car Show @ Abilene Courts | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Ready to let Dad say "they don't make them like that anymore" on loop? Abilene Courts is hosting a Father’s Day car show with classic rides, door prizes, awards, and food. Free to browse, family friendly, and 15 bucks if you pre-register your ride.
📚 37th FOL Annual Book Sale @ Abilene Convention Center | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Stack your tote, the Friends of the Library are back with the 37th Annual Book Sale, the biggest used-book treasure hunt in town. It is wall-to-wall paperbacks, cookbooks, and oddities, perfect for rediscovering authors you swear you already owned, kids included.
🧁 Kid's Bake - Father's Day Theme @ The Market by Life of Pie | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – If your kid needs an easy win with Dad, the Market location on N Judge Ely has a one-hour class where they make a 6-inch Father’s Day pie. While it bakes, they eat nuggets, fruit, and a drink, then decorate a cookie.
🔫 Reenactment of the 1884 Pine Street Shootout @ Frontier Texas! | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – If you’re craving family-friendly frontier drama without actual peril, Frontier Texas restages the Pine Street Shootout at high noon on the Parade Grounds. Ten brisk minutes of gun-slinging history, then mingling with the cast, a little lore, and a nod to Abilene’s rowdier roots.
🏡 2026 Big Country Parade of Homes @ Sites Across Abilene & The Big Country | Saturday (6/20) at 1:00 PM – Spend two weekends snooping, with permission, through Abilene and the Big Country’s newest builds on the Parade of Homes, a self-guided tour that’s free, easy, and air-conditioned. Expect luxe kitchens, spa baths, clever floorplans, and enough ideas to reorganize your junk drawer, twice. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Abilene report Weather forecastToday — High: 94°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 11%
Sunny, with a high near 94. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 100°F — Low: 79°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 100. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 79. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. This house is wildThis new Wylie West home in South Ridge lands on a cul-de-sac in a quiet gated neighborhood, with a roomy lot and expansive backyard. Large covered patios front and back, a glass-paneled 8-foot entry, true wood floors, tall ceilings, a stone gas fireplace, GE appliances, and a luxe primary suite with soaking tub add plenty of polish.
Take a peek inside → |
| |
