We've got the scoop on something that's going to be fun and definitely worthwhile coming in early 2013. We hope you'll be as excited about the potential of Restaurant Week as we are.
It sounds like something that we're up to — and to be honest it's something we wish we had thought of — but we can't take credit for it. That goes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of McLennan County and specifically BBBS's Summer Aletky, who has been turning the wheels on this project.
This idea is pretty simple. For a week in mid-January a collection of Waco restaurants will give a portion of your check to Big Brothers Big Sisters. So it will be a chance to dine out with the knowledge that you're helping out a great organization. But it won't stop there. The restaurants will be giving out gift cards through Big Brothers Big Sisters, which will be working with various media outlets in town, including WacoFork. And there's going to be a big party at the end of the week.
More details as the event gets closer and everything gets set.
For now, let me just say a little more about why I like this project and supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters. I've had several friends who participated as Big Brothers or Big Sisters and I've seen the impact it had on them, not to mention the kids they mentor. It takes some initiative to contact BBBS, go through the process of signing up as a Big and then it takes self-discipline to mentor. But like anything that takes work, it's rewarding. One friend in particular who has been a big sister for about two years now has seen her little sister mature, open up socially and become a legitimate friend, which I know has been a meaningful process for my friend. I can only imagine the impact the relationship has had on the little sister.
Whether or not that makes you want to sign up as a Big Brother or Big Sister, I hope it makes you excited to support the organization through Restaurant Week in January.
Farmers Market celebrates first birthday
Waco's Downtown Farmers Market has become such a staple of Saturdays around here, that it's hard to believe it hasn't been here forever.
But the farmers market is actually celebrating one year on Saturday with lots of fun planned to augment the usual array of farm goods, food and fun. Among the extra amenities this week will be a live music lineup slated from 9 a.m. to past 2:30 p.m., a petting zoo, face painting, a brat and beer special, various arts and crafts, an NPR table promising NPR swag and an antique tractor demonstration.
For a complete rundown of special goings on, go here.
The farmers market will extend its hours, keeping things going until 3 in the afternoon. The fantastic weather we've been having is supposed to continue so the WDFM birthday party coupled with other events like the Baylor-Kansas State football game and the Cafe Homestead Thanksgiving Farm to Table will likely make for a great weekend for a whole lot of Waco folks.
