🎄Why I Started The Waco Buzz

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that’s like parents on Christmas week, making magic happen while everyone else thinks it “just appears.”

Let’s get to it!
— Sam Harper

There’s a new way Wacoans are getting better sleep, faster recovery, and more steady energy through the winter months. It’s called full body red light therapy, and Waco Bodymend just launched Unlimited Red Light powered by the TheraLight 360+ system.

Most of us get less sunlight in winter, which means lower natural melatonin, slower cell repair, more inflammation, and that dragging feeling in the afternoon. Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths that help your cells produce energy more efficiently. Think of it as giving your body a jump start.

Sessions take fifteen minutes in a private red light room.
What people notice first is deeper sleep. Then easier mornings. Then less soreness. Members say it’s helped with post workout recovery, joint pain, mood, and overall energy.

If winter usually leaves you feeling sluggish or stiff, this is built for you.

Experience the difference at Waco Bodymend Company located at 116 Mary Ave downtown.
Learn more.

📰Why I Started This Newsletter
What started as a simple email to a few friends last summer recently crossed a milestone I hoped to hit by the end of 2025. We officially passed 10,000 subscribers. Still wrapping my head around that.

If you’re new here, a little about me. I grew up in Denver, lived in Chicago, Kona, and Ann Arbor, and have called Waco home for 12 years. I’ve watched this city reinvent itself, lived through Snowpacolypse 2021, and seen way more energy and momentum than people give it credit for.

Before I started this, my friends kept saying they didn’t know what was happening around town or learned of fun events typically after they happened. And when most locals thought about local news, they pictured car wrecks, politics, mugshots, or someone’s rant on Facebook about I-35 construction. I wanted to change that.

What started as a basic email has grown into a media platform with the explicit goal of informing and engaging long time locals and newcomers of good things happening here everyday. My goal is simple. I want you to feel proud to call Waco home after reading every edition.

Three months ago we launched the Dinner Club to make this community feel even smaller. Since then, 175 people have shared meals, met new friends, and last night we wrapped the final dinner of 2025 with an after party at One Day Bar. Couldn’t have scripted it better.

If you ever see me around Waco, come say hi. Hearing from readers shapes everything we build next. And if you or someone you know runs a local business that wants to reach this community, I’d love to talk. That’s what keeps this project growing.

Thanks again for being part of this journey. Let’s keep making Waco even better together.

🎤John Crist Coming to Waco This Spring

Comedy fans, heads up. One of the biggest stand up names in the country, John Crist, is coming to Waco Hall on April 19 at 7 PM as part of his national tour.

Crist racks up more than a billion video views and regularly sells out arenas, so seeing him in Waco Hall is a huge win.

Tickets for the general public go live at 10 AM this morning. If you want seats, move fast. These will go quick. Grab tickets here.

Ranch House Pet-Med offers your pets comprehensive wellness care, advanced diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from routine procedures to specialized orthopedic treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 254-544-1458, or at 149 Dosher Lane, Waco, 76712.

Meet Louie, a five month old Miniature Schnauzer who clocks in at 9.2 pounds and looks like he just showed up to steal hearts and snacks. He’s young, curious, and still figuring out the whole growing up thing, which means plenty of goofy moments and even more affection.

Louie’s the type who’ll follow you room to room, tilt his head at everything you say, and instantly become the most charming part of your day.

👉 Meet Louie here or at the Humane Society of Central Texas this weekend.

This week we’re looking at a mid century modern standout at 129 Karem Road.

Inside you’ll find:

• 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,707 sq ft plus a 500 sq ft guest house
• Full top to bottom renovation with white oak floors and a ventless gas fireplace
• Open kitchen with large island, gas cooktop, Italian tile and smart storage
• Smart home features throughout including Hue lighting, Sonos, Nest and custom shades
• Guest house with kitchenette, marble bath, heated floors and its own washer and dryer

👉 Take your best guess at the listing price, then peek at the photos and answer here.

🎈Friday:
Story Time with The Grinch @ Fabled Bookshop & Cafe - 5:30 PM SOLD OUT
Wild Lights @ Cameron Park Zoo - 6 PM
Feztival of Lights @ Karem Shrine - 6 PM
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) @ Waco Civic Theatre - 7:30 PM Tickets

FRIDAY LIVE MUSIC
Stan Wilfong @ The Grape Wine Bar & Bistro - 6 PM (Soft Rock / ’60s & ’70s Hits)
Gordon Pyle @ The BLVD Steakhouse - 6:30 PM (Piano / Easy-Listening)
Colin Dexter @ Blue Pup Wine & Martini Bar - 8 PM (Classic Country / Covers) Griffith Switch @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 8 PM (Rock / Country Rock)
Ghosts of Hill County @ Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30 PM

🎈 Saturday:
The Jolliest Bunch of Runners This Side of the Brazos! @ Downtown Waco - 8:30 AM

Urban Expressions Artisan Market @ World Cup Cafe & Fair Trade Market - 9 AM

Waco Downtown Farmers Market Holiday Market @ Bridge Street Plaza - 9 AM

Día de las Posadas @ South Waco Community Center - 10 AM

BIPOC Holiday Market @ Cha Community - 11 AM

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) (matinee) - 2:30 PM Tickets

A Dr Pepper Christmas @ Dr Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute - 4 PM

Stanton Studios Glass Ornament Blowing Experience - 5 PM

Story Time with The Grinch @ Fabled Bookshop & Cafe - 5:30 PM SOLD OUT

Wild Lights @ Cameron Park Zoo - 6 PM

Feztival of Lights @ Karem Shrine - 6 PM

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some) @ Waco Civic Theatre - 7:30 PM

SATURDAY LIVE MUSIC
Live Jazz Saturday with Greg Bashara & Evan Klaras @ Segovia Wine Bar - 7 PM (Jazz)
Sing-A-Long Piano Night with Russell Boyd @ Southern Roots Brewing Co. - 7 PM (Piano / Sing-Along / Variety)
Dave Innis @ Marie's Wine Bar - 7:30 PM (Piano / Soft Rock)
Acoustic Mule @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar - 8 PM (Acoustic Rock / Americana)
Touch of Grey @ The Will - 8 PM (Rock / Classic Rock)
Eli Young Band with Matt Castillo @ Backyard Bar Stage & Grill - 8:30 PM (Country / Country Rock)

🎈Sunday:
Homegrown Sunday & Outdoor Market @ The Will - 12 PM

Waco Symphony Orchestra: The Nutcracker @ Waco Hall - 2 PM Tickets

Christmas at Creekside @ Creekside Community Village - 2 PM

Every Christmas Story Ever Told @ Waco Civic Theatre - 2:30 PM Tickets

🍽 Newcomers & Neighbors Luncheon – Dec 17, 11:30 AM to 1 PM
Meet new friends and enjoy a holiday luncheon at the Baylor Club. Tickets are $25. newcomersandneighborsofwaco.com

🌟 A Very Merry Woodway Christmas – Dec 18
Tree lighting, live music, and a full holiday festival at Woodway’s annual celebration. discoverwoodway.com

🎉 Mayborn Museum Noon Year’s Eve Bash - Dec 31
Ring in 2026 without staying up past bedtime. The Mayborn is throwing a family friendly countdown at noon with balloons, music, and hands on fun for the kids.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors, advanced treatments, and natural looking results that help you look and feel your best.

🎓Your Plan. Your Way. Your Breakthrough Starts Here.
Discover 140+ degrees and certificates at McLennan Community College—without the burden of debt. Whether you’re starting college or changing careers, MCC makes it simple with guidance, financial aid, and support every step of the way. Your future starts now in Waco at MCC.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off by clicking the link.

💪Move better. Recover Faster. Live Stronger. Waco Bodymend is a world class space built for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best. From red light therapy and PEMF to alterG anti gravity treadmill sessions & home to CrushCycle Waco, we combine science backed recovery with your training that fits your life. Click the link to the get the exclusive offer for Waco Buzz readers.

🏗️ From Waco landmarks to new local favorites, Arise Construction builds projects that last — combining precision craftsmanship with a reputation for getting it done right, on time, and with integrity.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, please share it with your family member that hasn’t started their Christmas shopping yet.

Whenever you’re ready, here are three ways to get more involved:

1. Promote your business to 22,000 highly engaged Waco locals across our channels: Showcase your brand or business where thousands of local customers are actively spending their time.

2. Dinner Club: Meet dozens of other locals (recent movers and life long Wacoans) over dinner which happens once a month. You’ll make new friends regardless of stage of life and help make Waco a smaller town.

3. Waco Buzz Job Board: The best place to find open roles at growing companies in Waco with opportunities in media, marketing, sales, communication, tech, and engineering.