🥎 Waco's playing for two state titles this week

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the newsletter that feels like peeling the plastic off a brand-new phone screen.

In this edition:
🥎 Two local softball teams playing for state championships
📚 The Raven's Nook: downtown's newest bookstore (with a secret)
🔎 Where Are We?!
✈️ Flight deal: Waco to New York City for July 4th
🎵 The best midweek live music & events

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

The heat is here and summer is just getting started. Copper Mountain in Colorado worth the drive when the Texas heat shows up and doesn’t leave.

Copper sits at 9,700 feet with cool mountain air, hiking trails, mountain biking, a Rocky Mountain Coaster (second longest alpine coaster in North America), go-karts, bumper boats, an outdoor ninja course, and live music on the weekends. Starting June 20, the full activity lineup opens up -- go-karts, bumper boats, everything -- perfect timing to plan a family trip for later in the summer.

Free yoga runs every Saturday and Sunday morning. Every Saturday night, live acoustic music under the stars at Downhill Duke's. It's a solid week in the mountains for the whole family, with zero percent humidity.

Browse everything at coppermountain.com and start planning your vacation today.

🥎 Waco Has Two Softball Teams Playing for State
Bosqueville will be playing first this week. The Lady Bulldogs swept Cisco in the Class 2A Division I state semifinals -- including a walk-off 4-3 win in Game 1 -- and are playing for a state championship for the first time since 2008. They play Thursday at 10 a.m. at McCombs Field in Austin. Eighteen years is a long time to wait.

Then Midway plays this coming Saturday. The defending 6A state champs beat Flower Mound in three games to get back to Austin, with junior pitcher and Baylor commit Peyton Phillip throwing a complete-game shutout and hitting a grand slam in the same game to close it out. The Pantherettes play at 1 p.m. on May 30, chasing back-to-back titles. Head coach Jordan Williams has taken this program to three straight 6A championship games.

Waco to New York City -- roundtrip for $266
You'll be there for the Fourth of July. If you've never watched the fireworks from Hoboken, New Jersey -- looking across the Hudson as the whole skyline lights up -- put it on your bucket list. Best firework show I've ever seen.
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. ✈️
*_{^{Price is subject to change and may no longer be available at the time you check the link.}}

📌 Quick Note

First, a correction from Sunday's edition after 33 of you let me know what I accidentally left out. I forgot to include the address for Papa Jack's BBQ 🤦‍♂️. I wasn’t trying to gate keep, I promise. Thankfully, they're only open Thursday through Saturday, so no one missed out, but go check them out soon at 700 E Waco Dr.

Second, our happy hour meets TED talk series, “Social Studies” is taking a breather in June. Can't wait to bring it back though. If you have a professor or someone who you think would be a great speaker, reply to this email with their information and I’ll see about getting them lined up this Fall.

Third, I've been thinking about starting an AI group here in Waco for locals. A place to share what's actually working, real use cases, and how people are building with it. With so much being digital, there is something so valuable to learning in person with others who are navigating this territory as well. I think a room like this could be really beneficial.

If that sounds like something you'd show up for, just reply and say "I'm in." I'll see how much interest is out there and go from there.

📚 The Raven's Nook Opens at 719 Washington Ave
A new bookstore opened downtown this past Saturday and it's not a typical bookstore. The Raven's Nook, opened by Holly and Tommy, has six themed rooms -- Fantasy, Goth, Romance, a Game Room, a Study Room, and Nonfiction -- plus a coffee and tea bar.

There's also a hidden room. You'll have to find it yourself when you go. Check them out at theravensnook.com or drop by 719 Washington Ave.

🌮 New: Agaves Mexican Kitchen in Hewitt
Agaves Mexican Kitchen is now open at 500 N. Hewitt Dr. in Hewitt. The restaurant is built around the agave plant and the Mexican heritage behind it. Early Google reviews are promising with generous portions and noteworthy margaritas. Check out the menu here.

📌 Quick Note: Spin Connection
Word is Spin Connection, the record shop at 3703 Franklin Ave, is closing in the next couple of weeks. If you've been meaning to dig through the vinyl, go soon.

We’ve all probably driven past this guy a hundred times. But do you know exactly where he lives?

🚧 Herring Avenue Bridge Detour Starts Today
The westbound side of the Herring Avenue Bridge closes today for about a month. Crews are replacing bridge joints from N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to N. University Parks Drive. The detour runs through Waco Drive and up Fourth Street back to Herring. Once westbound it complete they will switch sides and close eastbound for two months. If this is part of your commute, plan on the detour through at least late summer.

📚 Mayor's Summer Reading Challenge: Kicks Off June 1
The Waco-McLennan County Library's "Summer of Stories" reading challenge runs June 1 through July 31. It's free, open to all ages, and tracks reading days through the Beanstack app. Hit 10 days of reading, earn prizes.

The kickoff party is this Saturday, May 30, at all four library locations from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free tote bags and a free book while supplies last. Last year, more than 4,100 people participated.

Tuesday, May 26

Wednesday, May 27:

Thursday, May 28:

Want your event featured? Reserve an upcoming Featured Event listing here.

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway for $1 in May and get your first workout free.

🧗‍♀️ This summer, Basin Climbing + Fitness is offering $25 off their summer camp using code WACOBUZZ. If you or your child wants to try climbing before signing up, swing by the gym any day and give it a try together.

🚗 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 family member who needs to get out more.

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