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Hello Brazos Valley! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Young readers book sale, sensory-friendly swim night, and movie night: Encanto + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around the Brazos Valley help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… 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.
Downtown parking gets stricter: Bryan added a two-hour limit on 139 Main Street spaces between 23rd and 28th to aid shoppers. Handicapped spots excluded. Fines start at $35, rising to $500 for repeat violations -- read the full details.
Supporting inclusive play: Fun For All Playground will host a Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser Saturday, August 8 at Grand Station Entertainment, featuring bowling and a silent auction from 10 am to 1 pm -- read the full story.
Support young readers: Friends of the Bryan/College Station Library System will host Young Readers Book Sale Aug. 8 at Clara B. Mounce Public Library, featuring 50-cent paperbacks and $1 hardcovers for youth programs -- learn more about the sale.
The bill everyone over 50 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 $1,500 this year. Case in point: Shopping around could cut your premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
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 posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking 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 people 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.
Aggie sweets, anyone?: This week, treat yourself at The Chocolate Gallery of B/CS, where Aggie-themed chocolates and custom cakes share the stage with wild showstoppers like a 12 Gauge Chocolate Shotgun Shell, plus cake-decorating classes, tours, and wedding cake tastings for when your sweet tooth gets ambitious.
Make some noise: Whether your kid’s clarinet needs a rescue or you’re eyeing a weekend guitar upgrade, Thorn Music Center has easy band and orchestra rentals, trustworthy repairs across brass, woodwinds, strings and guitars, plus lessons, supplies and pro audio know how. Friendly local pros keeping our Brazos Valley music community humming.
Commit to some sparkle: Skip the fiddly clasps and let Lisa at Forever Glam Permanent Jewelry custom fit a bracelet or anklet that stays put, looks elegant, and actually means something. This week, celebrate a milestone, match with your bestie, then browse their curated crystals to keep the good vibes rolling.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan →
One plug-in drives bugs out of your home, no spray required: For every bug you see along the baseboards, more are nesting out of sight, and traps and poison only reach so far. This one works differently: patented pulse technology runs through your home's wiring to make the whole place uncomfortable for insects and mice, so they clear out on their own. No fumes, nothing on the floor near the kids or pets, just plug it in. Over 3.5 million sold, it's silent, and there is a money-back guarantee. *Get yours 40% off →
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 → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🛝 Mobile Park Play Day @ Ketchum Park (Navasota) | Friday (8/7) at 10:30 AM – Whether you’ve got kids, grandkids, or just an inner child that still wants a popsicle, Ketchum Park is a pop-up playground this summer morning. Expect free play stations, giant games, and a whole lot of bubbles, plus popsicles and drinks for optimal kid diplomacy.
🏊 Sensory-Friendly Swim Night @ Cindy Hallaran Pool (College Station) | Friday (8/7) at 5:00 PM – Finally, a pool night where you can hear yourself think. Cindy Hallaran is going sensory-friendly, with low music, whistles only for emergencies, and space to swim, play, and chat. Life vests are welcome and available, and it’s $4, kids 12 and under free.
🎬 Movie Night: Encanto @ Stage 12 (College Station) | Friday (8/7) at 7:00 PM – Stage 12 is screening Encanto for free, because your wallet deserves a night off. Expect accidental sing-alongs, popcorn that hits the spot, comfy seats, and the rare joy of a night out that ends before you start yawning in public.
🍦 Popsicles at the Park @ Branch Elementary in Bryan ISD | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – Swing by the school playground for Popsicles at the Park, a come-and-go hangout with free PTO popsicles to calm first-day jitters, let kids burn energy, and help grown-ups meet teachers, admins, and caffeine-dependent adults. The park is under renovation, so it’s on the playground instead.
🃏 Cards, Comics & Collectibles Expo @ Brazos County Expo Complex (Bryan) | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Brazos County Expo becomes a collector's playground, packed with sports cards, Pokémon, comics, memorabilia, toys, gaming, vintage treasures, and the hard-to-find stuff you swore you pitched in '98. Expect haggling, real finds, and enough nostalgia to justify the rubber-banded shoebox under your bed.
☀ Cruel Summer 2026 @ Sam Rayburn Intermediate School (Bryan) | Sunday (8/9) at 3:00 PM – Summer calls for spectacle, and Lions Pride Sports delivers with Cruel Summer, where Texas' top wrestlers throw down in the squared circle for pops, bigger egos, and body slams you can feel in the cheap seats. Athletic soap opera, hometown rowdy, guilt-free yelling encouraged.
🏐 Waller Girls JV Volleyball @ Bryan High School | Tuesday (8/11) at 6:00 PM – Swap the to-do list for the Bryan gym, where the freshman volleyball squad hosts Spring in a home non-conference clash. Expect squeaky sneakers, scrappy rallies, and the kind of sideline commentary only lifelong neighbors can provide, plus a concession stand pickle for old times.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Brazos Valley report Weather forecastToday — High: 98°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 101. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 97°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 97. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. This house is wildThis five-townhome package brings together three 3-bed, 3.5-bath units and two 4-bed, 4.5-bath units, all with open layouts, granite counters, stainless appliances, and soft-close cabinetry. Every bedroom has its own en-suite bath, walk-in closet, and thermostat. Private garages, in-unit laundry, and leases through 2027 add serious appeal near Texas A&M.
Take a peek inside → |
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