Hey Tyler!

Winter finally loosened its grip this week, and while we're all grateful to see temps climbing back above freezing, we've got our eyes on the forecast — because you know East Texas weather loves to keep us guessing. While we thaw out, Tyler's social calendar is heating right back up with live music, outdoor fun, and plenty of other events worth checking out.

We've got updates on everything from a few local historical developments to local happenings that'll get you out of the house. Plus, our Tyler Real Estate Corner is packed with some stunning properties hitting the market just in time for spring home shopping season.

Let's dive in!

UT Tyler Teams Up with Bullard ISD on Discounted Graduate Degrees
Bullard ISD teachers and staff can now pursue graduate degrees at UT Tyler at reduced rates through a new partnership between the university and the school district. The program aims to support professional development for local educators while keeping talented teachers in East Texas. Read more

Tyler Animal Services Offers Fee-Waived Adoptions in February
Throughout February, Tyler Animal Control & Shelter is waiving adoption fees for anyone who donates 12 new white towels. All adopted pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated, making it an easy way to give a shelter animal a forever home. Read more

Texas School Vouchers Application Period Opens 📚💰
Applications for Texas school vouchers—formally known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts—are now open. Parents who successfully apply and are sending their kids to private school or homeschooling can receive up to $30,000 per child for the 2026-2027 school year. Read more

Garden Valley Receives Long-Awaited Historical Marker 📜
Garden Valley—one of Smith County's earliest settlements—finally received its Texas Historical Marker along FM 16 on January 29. The 175-year-old community once boasted over 300 residents, schools, churches, and a post office in the mid-1800s. The marker was approved and purchased in 2019 but never installed until now, marking the first subject marker dedication ceremony in Smith County since the historical commission was reactivated. Read more

Lead Belly Museum Opens in Marshall with Family Blessing 🎸
The world's first museum dedicated to legendary musician Lead Belly opened at the Marshall Depot on February 3 with the blessing of his descendants. The museum features a 3D-printed likeness of the influential 12-string guitarist, historical artifacts, and exhibits detailing his life. Born near Mooringsport in 1888, Lead Belly influenced The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, and the Rolling Stones. George Harrison once said, "No Lead Belly, no Beatles." Read more

Longview Animal Shelter Upgrades Isolation Space with $20K Grant
The Longview Animal Care & Adoption Center used a $20,000 Petco Love grant to renovate its dog isolation space, creating a better environment for animal recovery and reducing stress. The upgrade improves care for sick or injured animals at the shelter. Read more

East Texas Food Bank's "Empty Bowls" Fundraiser Set for February 27
The East Texas Food Bank is teaming up with 15 of Tyler's best restaurants for its third annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on February 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event raises awareness and funds for the nearly 250,000 people in East Texas who face food insecurity—one in four people in our region. Over the past two years, the fundraiser has provided over a million meals. Read more

Texas Attorney General Candidates Forum Held in Tyler
Three of the four Republican candidates for Texas Attorney General laid out their vision for the office in Tyler on Saturday during a forum organized by Grassroots America - We The People. The event gave Tyler-area voters a chance to hear directly from candidates ahead of the upcoming primary. Read more

Quick market pulse check! 📉 Interest rates took a breather last week, staying mostly flat. We’re still seeing strong upward pressure on home prices, particularly in the larger markets. While the 'rush' of applications we saw recently has calmed down and the Fed is keeping things steady, the labor market is holding firm. Translation: It’s a stable, competitive environment for anyone looking to make a move right now.

Tyler Tomorrow Comprehensive Plan Open House
Tyler Chamber of Commerce, 315 N. Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 5 | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Learn more

Randy C. Moore Live
Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, 7924 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 5 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Trivia Night
True Vine Brewing Co | Feb 5 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Valentine Card Decorating Party
KVNE, Tyler, TX | Feb 6 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

Winter Adaptations Hike
Purtis Creek State Park, 14225 FM 316 N, Eustace, TX | Feb 6 | 2:00 PM | Learn more

Nutty Squirrels
Tyler State Park, 789 Park Road 16, Tyler, TX | Feb 6 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Learn more

Darrin Morris at The Grove
The Grove Kitchen & Gardens in Tyler, TX | Feb 6 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Princess Bride Shadow Cast Show
Liberty Hall, Tyler | Feb 6 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Karen Mills (Comedy)
Rose City Comedy Club, Tyler | Feb 6 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Valentine's Glow Dance
Glass Recreation Center, Tyler, TX | Feb 6 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Sonny James at TXM Tyler
Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, Tyler, TX | Feb 6 | 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Learn more

Anthony Price - Live Music
South Tyler Speakeasy, 16884 FM 2493, Tyler, TX | Feb 6 | 8:00 PM | Learn more

5 for $10 Sleepwear at Once Upon a Child
Once Upon a Child, Tyler, TX | Feb 6–8 | All Day | Learn more

Tree Seedling Giveaway 2026
Christus Trinity Mother Frances – South, 8389 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler | Feb 7 | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Learn more

Red Dot Optics Pistol Course
Vault Arms, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 8:00 AM | Learn more

Dutch Oven Cooking & Tasting
Daingerfield State Park, 455 Park Rd 17, Daingerfield, TX | Feb 7 | 9:00 AM | Learn more

Sweethearts Sip & Shop
The Gathering Cup, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Learn more

Exhibit Opening: "From Tyler to the Trenches"
Goodman-LeGrand Museum, 624 N Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler Gem & Mineral Show
Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Learn more

Valentines Shopping Event
Twisted Tx Boutique, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Learn more

Galentine’s Shopping Event
Annabella Elizabeth Fern Boutique & Thrift, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Learn more

4th Annual Galentine’s Market
Likewise Coffee, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Learn more

Women with Heart Education and Fashion Show
Broadway Square Mall, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Learn more

Dungeons and Dragons Club (Adults)
Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave., Tyler | Feb 7 | 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Learn more

Valentine Cookie Class
The Pink Rose Salon, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Learn more

Valentine’s Glow Dance
Glass Recreation Center, 501 W. 32nd St., Tyler | Feb 7 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Princess Bride Shadow Cast
Liberty Hall, Tyler | Feb 7 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Parsons Dance
UT Tyler Cowan Center, 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX | Feb 7 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

The Spay Neuter Project
Dehart Veterinary Services, Jacksonville, TX | Feb 8 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler Gem & Mineral Show
Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler, TX | Feb 8 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Learn more

Sunday Brunch at ETX Brewing
ETX Brewing Co., 221 S Broadway Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 8 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
Tyler Junior College, Tyler | Feb 9 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Baby Storytime
Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave., Tyler | Feb 10 | 10:30–11:30 AM | Learn more

Try It Tuesday: Intro to Macrame
Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 10 | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Learn more

City Council Meeting
Tyler City Hall, Tyler | Feb 11 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Learn more

Toddler Storytime
Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 11 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM | Learn more

Hope Haven of East Texas Career Fair
Hope Haven of East Texas 218 N College Ave Tyler, TX | Feb 11 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Learn more

Senior Games: Bingo
Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 11 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Learn more

Trivia Night with Dr. Factenstein
ETX Brewing Co. | Feb 11 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Galentine's Night Out
Montez Creekside Kitchen, Whitehouse, TX | Feb 11 | 5:30 PM | Learn more

Art 4 Fun: "Colorful Art Hearts"
Tyler Public Library, 201 S. College Ave, Tyler, TX | Feb 12 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Learn more

UT Tyler Women’s Basketball vs Cameron
Louise Herrington Patriot Center, UT Tyler, Tyler | Feb 12 | 5:30 PM | Learn more

Trivia Night
True Vine Brewing Co | Feb 12 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

UT Tyler Men’s Basketball vs Cameron
Louise Herrington Patriot Center, UT Tyler, Tyler | Feb 12 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Slithering Snakes (Nature Program)
Tyler State Park, 789 Park Rd 16, Tyler | Feb 13 | 2:00 PM | Learn more

Valentine’s Music Bingo at the Mayfair
Historic Mayfair Building, 415 Fair Park Dr., Tyler | Feb 13 | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Learn more

Matt Gumley Live
True Vine Brewing Company, Tyler, TX | Feb 13 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Sax & Romance Valentine’s Day Concert
Meeting Place, 1301 West Erwin Street, Tyler, TX | Feb 13 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Candlelight: Featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and More
Liberty Hall, Tyler, TX | Feb 13 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Jason Misenheimer Live
Texas Music City Grill & Smokehouse, Lindale, TX | Feb 13 | 8:00 PM | Learn more

That's all for this week, Tyler!

Whether you're planning your weekend, or just keeping tabs on what's happening around town, we hope this edition helps you make the most of the week ahead. If you know someone who'd love staying in the loop on all things Tyler, feel free to forward this their way.

Stay warm, support local, and we'll see you in your inbox next week.

Eric
From Tyler

P.S. Got a tip, event, or local story we should cover? Hit reply and let us know. We love hearing from you!