🔥 Texas Monthly came to The Half Acre, plus 20 things to do

If you just signed up, welcome. This is what lands in your inbox every Tuesday: the best things to do in Midland this week, the newest spots in town and a few of our favorite guides. We're glad you're here.

First, it's Election Day. Polls are open 7 AM to 7 PM, and our How to Vote guide has the vote centers, what ID to bring and where to look up your ballot. Then scroll down to the Texas Monthly video. They came to Midland to film The Half Acre, and Terra teared up watching it. It's a love letter to West Texas barbecue.

Ryan & Terra Best of Midland

Everything worth getting out for, Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 8. 20 things on the list this week.

Don't miss this weekend 2nd Annual Veterans Celebration with Eli Young Band Saturday, Nov. 7 · Starts at 1 PM · Centennial Park A free day honoring Midland's veterans. It starts at 1 PM with a flyover and a parade from the Duck Pond to Midland High School, then gates open at Centennial Park at 4 PM for a Kids Zone, food trucks, free hot dogs and Eli Young Band. See the details →

The Gem and Mineral Show and the Merry Marketplace in Odessa both run through Sunday.

Texas Monthly paid a visit to The Half Acre, the barbecue side of Midland Meat Company. The beef comes from the Scharbauer family's own ranch, and you can taste the difference in every slice of brisket.

It's a few minutes long and worth every one. The video plays right on their page with us.

Video by Texas Monthly.

Opening soon Ground Floor November 2026 · A new coworking and office space from the team behind Second Story Coworking, booking tours now.

Opening soon Tee Box Midland Spring 2027 · Indoor golf with TrackMan simulator bays, coaching and leagues at 3200 Mockingbird Lane.

Just opened Layne's Chicken Fingers Opened Oct. 20 · Hand-breaded chicken fingers, crinkle fries and Texas toast in the old Wendy's building on Rankin Hwy.

Just opened Barnes & Noble, Odessa Now open · The bookseller's new Odessa store is in the Chimney Rock shopping center on Hwy 191.

See everything new in Midland →

Layne's and Barnes & Noble first spotted by Maybe In Midland-Odessa.

Holiday Gift Guide

Presented by

Skip the big box stores this year. Our guide is all local: gifts from makers, boutiques and bakeries in Midland, Odessa and the Permian Basin, each with a real photo, the price and where to buy it. It lands right here in two weeks.

Own a local shop? 24 local shops are already in. Submissions close Friday, Nov. 13. Add your gift →

Midland has more yoga and Pilates than most people realize, from small reformer studios to community classes that pop up in parks and museums. We grouped every studio by the kind of class you're after: reformer, yoga, heated and sculpt, barre and Lagree, plus a few that are something different.

New to it? There's a short section up top that answers the questions everyone has before a first class, like mat or reformer and what to bring.

Headed downtown for the Veterans Celebration on Saturday? The Oso Room is a short walk from Centennial Park. Jasmine Perez opened it in September with signature cocktails inspired by her travels and international plates made for sharing, from Mexican to Asian-inspired and Italian.

Look for it below street level in the Wall Towers, and check their Instagram for hours and themed nights.

Where to Eat  ·  Barbecue  ·  Coffee  ·  Holiday Markets  ·  Christmas in Midland  ·  New to Midland

Veterans Day in Midland· The parade, ceremonies and every event this weekend

Healthcare in Midland· Doctors, urgent care and where to go after hours

How to Shop Local in Midland· Pop-up markets, the directory and a few good habits

Midland Art Crawl· Dates, stops and what to expect

Midland Meat Company Butchers and markets · North Midland Figure 5 beef from Wagyu-cross cattle, raised right here in Midland by a fifth-generation ranching family. See their page

ProSource Hydration Wellness and IV clinics · North Midland IV drips and vitamin shots on North Midkiff since 2014. ProSource Mobile comes to homes and offices. See their page

Dollhouse Vixen Photographers · West Midland Boudoir and bridal sessions in Old Midland, with hair and makeup done on site by an all-female team. See their page

Own a local business? Become a Local Member →

Mochi thinks the best place to be is wherever his favorite person is. He warms up fast, loves a lap, and has serious fetch skills: he'll bring the tennis ball right back and sit politely while he waits for the next throw. He walks well on a leash and would rather spend time with people than other dogs. He's fixed, microchipped and vaccinated, so he's ready to go home.

Call Grand Companions at 432-426-3724, any day 9 AM to 5 PM.

Vet, groomer or pet store? Put your name on Pet of the Week and help a Midland pet find a home every Tuesday. Become a partner →

New here? Tell us what you want more of: events, new spots, guides or something we haven't thought of yet.

Just hit reply. We read every one, and the best answers end up in our guides.

See you next Tuesday. If you see us at Centennial Park on Saturday, come say hi, and thank a veteran while you're there.

Ryan & Terra

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