🏆 La Vega made history last week

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the newsletter that feels like watching the ball drop into the cup on 18 from across the living room.

In this edition:
🏆 La Vega Makes History
🍩 New Donut Shop, Free Breakfast, and More Business Moves
🗳 Early Voting Starts Next Week
🆕 Two New Waco Buzz Events Announced
⚾ A Loaded Week of Baylor Sports
🎶 The Best Midweek Live Music and Events

The Masters wrapped on Sunday, my poll about a citywide putt putt championship blew up, and the cake party feedback is still rolling in. Y'all want more reasons to get out of the house and do stuff together. I hear you. I've got some planning to do. Stay tuned on both.

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

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🏆 La Vega Wins First State Soccer Championship
If you haven't heard, La Vega boys soccer brought home the 4A Division 1 state title last week, beating Lake Dallas 1-0 for the program's first championship ever. Sophomore Angel Cervantes Calvillo scored the only goal and took home MVP honors, then told reporters he thought his teammate Ramiro deserved it instead. Head coach Manny Gibson, a La Vega alum who's coached many of these players since seventh grade, is stepping down after the season to take over La Vega baseball. This is a team to remember!

🎶 Waco Symphony Closes the Season Thursday
The Waco Symphony wraps up its 2025-26 season this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Waco Hall with "An Emerald City Evening," a Broadway celebration featuring songs from Wicked, Les Mis, The Lion King, West Side Story, and more. Three Broadway vocalists join the orchestra, including Mamie Parris, who played Elphaba in the first national tour of Wicked. If you've been meaning to check out the symphony, this is the one. Tickets from $14 here.

🤝 Community Corner
This past Sunday, I sent out the first-ever edition of The Sunday Sip, a slower, shorter read designed for your coffee and your couch. The feedback has been really fun to read, so thank you.

One thing that came up a lot: you want to bring back the community bulletin board. I love the idea. Think of it as The Waco Buzz version of obituaries, engagement announcements, maybe even a place to let 13,000 neighbors know you're selling your car. I'm going to keep working on what this could look like and how to make it actually worth your time.

Waco → Denver, CO roundtrip for $250
Spring in the Rockies, hiking, craft beer, and 40-degree temperature drops from Waco heat. Not bad for a flight you can book right from our hometown airport with a security line shorter than the one at Starbucks.
See Flight Deal →*

If this flight deal caught your eye, Denae at Traveluxe can handle the flights, hotels, and insider perks at no cost to you. Just email [email protected] and she’ll take it from there. ✈️
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🍎 Apple Gal Opens Near Magnolia
Apple Gal's new location at 407 S 8th Street (the former M Donuts spot near Magnolia) opened last week and sold out quickly. Owner Morgan Francis started the business as a stay-at-home mom hobby in Tyler, and the caramel recipe is so secret she hasn't even written it down. Hours are Wed-Sat, 10am-5:30pm. Get there early.

🍩 Donut Hole Coming to 19th Street
A new donut shop called Donut Hole is opening next to the brand-new Little Caesars by the HEB on 19th. They're targeting a June opening and already have locations in Hewitt and Marlin.

🍔 Motown Eatz Update
For everyone craving Detroit-style food, I apologize that the wait continues. I incorrectly said that they are now open in last week’s edition. Motown Eatz is now targeting end of April for their opening.

📌 Quick Hits

🛒 Insider Costco Deals in Waco
If you ever want something from Costco but don't want to make the drive to Georgetown, there's a Costco resale shop in town: Decor & More Liquidation LLC at 4008 Bosque Blvd by Dubois Furniture.

🍳 How to get a Free Breakfast at Black Bear Diner
Black Bear Diner, by Cinemark, is giving away a free meal when you join their e-club, plus a second free meal on your birthday. That's two free breakfasts for typing in your email. Sign up here.

🗳 May 2 Elections: Know Before You Vote
Early voting for the May 2 general election kicks off April 20. If you live in Waco, you'll be voting for mayor and city council seats. Lacy Lakeview, China Spring ISD, and several other local races are also on the ballot.

The Waco Bridge put together a thorough, nonpartisan guide to every candidate running. It's the best resource I've seen to get up to speed before you head to the polls. Read the full guide here.

🚨 Airport Emergency Drill Wednesday
Heads up: Waco Regional Airport is hosting a full-scale emergency exercise Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. They'll be simulating an aircraft crash with more than 100 volunteers acting as injured passengers and family members. It's an FAA-required drill that happens every three years. Flights will operate normally, so no impact if you're traveling. (And no, this has nothing to do with the new $5/day parking rate.)

🔥 Downtown Waco Strategy Roundtable, April 22
The Founders' Smoke, April 22 Round two at Humidor on Austin. Last month's room included downtown investors, city leaders, nonprofit directors, and business owners who are shaping what Waco looks like in five years. If you have a stake in the future of downtown, grab a seat. Free, registration required. Register here.

🍽 Waco Buzz Dinner Club, April 29 Take a personality quiz, get matched with 5 strangers, show up to a restaurant we reveal the morning of, and finish the night at a secret after-party location. Our last dinner had 65 people and zero awkward silences.

Big thanks to Tex Vet Trees & Landscaping for being our first-ever Dinner Club presenting sponsor. Veteran-owned, 5-star Google reviews, and a 2026 Best of Waco nominee. Take the quiz and book your seat.

📅 Social Studies with Dr. Lenore Wright, May 7
Dr. Lenore Wright, Professor of Philosophy and Baylor Master Teacher, is taking us through 3,000 years of how the icons we put on pedestals, from ancient goddesses to a Barbie, have shaped the way we see ourselves. She wrote the book on it. Literally. It's called Athena to Barbie. Grab a drink, find a seat on the patio, and learn something new with your neighbors. Get tickets here.

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

⚾ Baseball
Tonight vs. UTSA | 6:30 PM | $2 Tuesday ($2 off tickets, $2 hot dogs, sodas, and water)
Fri vs. TCU | 6:30 PM | Go Gold Night, gold trucker hat giveaway for the first 200 guests

🥎 Softball
Wed vs. #15 Texas A&M | 6:30 PM | Go Gold Night, rally towel giveaway | SOLD OUT
Fri vs. Utah | 6:30 PM | Autism Awareness Game (sensory-friendly experience, post-game autographs)
Sat vs. Utah | 2 PM | Dogs at the Diamond (bring your pup! RSVP required, plus post-game hot dog race)
Sun vs. Utah | 12 PM | Baylor Sports Carnival (kids 12 and under free, carnival games pre-game, kids run the bases post-game) Tickets for Softball and Baseball

📅 Save the Date: Baylor Fan Fest on April 25 at McLane Stadium
Lve music from Sloppy Joe Band, a BBQ cookoff judged by former Baylor QB Seth Russell, a cornhole tournament, 14+ food trucks, and a kids zone. Open practice starts at 1 PM. Sign-up deadline for the BBQ cookoff and cornhole tournament is today (April 14) at 5 PM.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevrolet of West have been taking care of Waco drivers for years with new and pre-owned trucks, SUVs, and cars just 20 minutes up I-35 in West, TX. Stop by or browse their inventory today.

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Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, share it with your friend who still hasn't recovered from the Masters and is now pricing out a backyard putting green.

Since we're still riding the Masters high, here's some advice from nine-time major champion Gary Player on living a long, happy life:

Not bad life advice from a 90-year-old who still pushes 350 pounds with his legs. Have a great week, Waco.

Before you go — two things worth knowing about:

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