Good morning, El Paso! In today’s edition: Cross-border grocery savings and customs rules, indoor pickleball at Pickle and Par, a sourdough bread class, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Everyday buys, complex rules: Facing high prices, many El Paso residents cross into Juárez to stretch their budgets, reporting savings on basics while navigating which foods U.S. customs will and will not allow back — see what’s allowed and why.

Your burrito safety net: When plans fall apart, Burrito House quietly saves the day with straightforward, made-to-order burritos and classic border flavors, zero fuss, just the kind of reliable comfort you crave after a long day, served warm and without drama.

Civic engagement starts here: El Paso is inviting residents to join the 19th Annual Neighborhood Leadership Academy for a deep dive into how city government works. The program is open to ages 13 and up and will feature presentations from department leaders. The application form is available online now. See how to apply.

Weather-proof your dinks: Skip the wind and dusty courts, because Pickle and Par serves up eight pro-installed indoor courts, easy drop-in open play, and a friendly, locals-first vibe on the West Side. Get your weekly reps without sunburn or tumbleweeds trying to third-shot you.

Sourdough Bread Class @ Sun City Sawdust | Saturday (1/10) at 1:00 PM – Trade supermarket sourdough imposters for the real deal at this step-by-step class, all four stages guided by a patient pro, no ego, just flour. Take home a live starter, a recipe, tips, and two half loaves to finish. BYOB at Sun City Sawdust, beginners welcome — see the event listing.

High Tea @ Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection | Saturday (1/10) at 2:00 PM – Trade your usual coffee for High Tea at The Dome Bar, under the stained-glass dome at Hotel Paso Del Norte. Sip proper loose-leaf, nibble scones and tiny sandwiches, and pretend we’re civilized for an hour, pinky optional. Indulgent, calm, and very El Paso grown-up — see the event listing.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your 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.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧠 Mental Health and Happiness Class @ Resilient Connections / Conexiones Saludables | Monday (1/12) at 5:00 PM – Take a breather and drop into this mental health and happiness class, based on Resilient Connections, built for real life, not fairy dust. It is free to sit in, so kick the tires, sip something warm, and leave a little lighter.

📚 Westside Storytime @ El Paso Public Library Westside Branch | Tuesday (1/13) at 10:00 AM – Whether you’ve got gnat-level attention spans or budding bookworms, Westside Storytime at El Paso Public Library covers littles and big kids. Librarians bring songs, puppets, and patience, you bring the humans. Free entertainment, AC, and a few blessed minutes off your feet.

👩 El Paso Women’s Network: Lunch Edition @ 1810 Taqueria Tradicional | Tuesday (1/13) at 11:30 AM – Whether you run the show or are plotting your next move, this lunch meetup brings El Paso women together for real talk, laughs, and networking without the awkward name-tag shuffle. Expect smart company, practical support, and a few new allies before the coffee gets cold.

🏍 Silver Piglets Ride @ Barnett Harley-Davidson | Wednesday (1/14) at 10:00 AM – Harleys are humming out of Barnett Harley-Davidson and cruising a backroads shuffle to The Riviera Cocina & Cantina, the 1948 staple where red or green is a personality test. Easy ride, good company, enchiladas, and a cantina toast if the parking gods smile.

🧟 Don’t Be a Zombie Camp @ MJ’s Gaming Cafe | Wednesday (1/14) at 1:00 PM – Whether your kid’s edging toward screen-zombie status or you just want your living room back, this fall break camp jolts brains awake with games, creative challenges, and spooky science. Think supervised chaos, tired-happy kids, and you, sipping coffee in peace.

🍷 Sip, Savor, and Salud: Intro to Spanish and Portuguese Wines @ Total Wine & More | Thursday (1/15) at 6:00 PM – Consider this your passport to Rioja and Douro without the red-eye or lost luggage. Taste your way through Spain and Portugal, learn why Tempranillo, Albariño, and Touriga earn the hype, and leave sounding suspiciously like the person who actually decants.

🏒 Shreveport Mudbugs at El Paso Rhinos @ El Paso County Coliseum | Friday (1/16) at 7:00 PM – Need a break from the holiday bustle? The Rhinos host the Shreveport Mudbugs, and our desert rink gets delightfully rowdy. Expect cold ice, warm beer, chirpy fans, and the kind of stress relief you can’t get from mall parking lots, or fruitcake.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 El Paso report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 49°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny. High near 49, with temperatures falling to around 42 in the afternoon. East wind around 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 54°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 54. East wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Most popular house this week

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