Heights - River Oaks - Montrose Edition | January 2025

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Heights River Oaks

Montrose Edition VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10 JAN. 14FEB. 11, 2025

2025 Health & Wellness Edition

Clutch City Cruisers, a bike club that formed in 2018, meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Market Square Park in Downtown Houston for a weekly bike ride through the city.

CASSANDRA JENKINSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Houston has gained 162 miles of bike lanes, trails since 2017

signicant investments were made to build protected bike networks. Houston ocials created the Bicycle Advisory Committee in 2017 to help the city address its cycling issues, including bicycle safety, bike lane implemen- tation and outreach.

In 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation revealed that there were 105 fatalities that involved vehicles and cyclists in Texas. In Houston, there were 16 fatalities. A 2016 study from the National Association of City Transportation Ocials showed the risk of injury or death to cyclists falls dramatically in cities where

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

Cycling has been known to strengthen the heart, lungs and circulatory system, improve overall cardio- vascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease and obesity, but despite the benets, the National Travel Attitudes Survey found in 2020 that 66% of adults agreed it’s too dangerous to cycle on the roads.

CONTINUED ON 9

Also in this issue

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Impacts: See what new cocktail lounge is serving specialty drinks with A5 Wagyu beef, mushrooms and miso foam in Houston (Pages 45)

Business: Checkout how this local business is teaching people to sail through the air with condence (Page 17)

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Impacts

W. 34TH ST.

beverage menu that includes coffee, tea and grab-and- go items. Tenfold’s coffee is sourced directly from farms that owner Jacob Ibarra has personally visited and the brand’s beans focus on seven coffee-growing countries such as Mexico, Columbia and Brazil. • Opened Nov. 19 • 1550 Lamar St., Ste. 110, Houston • www.tenfoldcoffee.com 8 Herand’s Kitchen The Los Angeles-founded Mediterranean fusion concept features a blend of Persian and Mediterranean cuisine with skewered, marinated beef or chicken served with salad, bread and vegetables.

BAYLOR ST.

W. 25TH ST.

290

610

20TH ST.

19TH ST.

W. CAVALCADE ST.

W. 18TH ST.

T. C. JESTER BLVD.

W. 11TH ST.

WHITE OAK DR.

W. 6TH ST.

WHITE OAK PARK

WASHINGTON AVE.

• Opened early November • 2601 Baylor St., Houston • www.herandskitchen.com

TAYLOR ST.

MEMORIAL PARK

SAWYER ST.

9 Fielding’s River Oaks The newest Fielding’s Culinary Group restaurant features a large bar area, a lounge with live music, a private dining room and two outdoor patios. The menu features locally sourced steaks, fresh seafood, pastas

COGDELL ST.

W. DALLAS ST.

BUFFALO BAYOU PARK

BUFFALO BAYOU

P K

and craft pizzas. • Opened Dec. 8 • 3750 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.fieldings.com

610

W. GRAY ST.

10 L’agence The brand’s first Texas boutique displays its collection of seasonal, ready-to-wear pieces, denim, swimwear, footwear and accessories. • Opened Nov. 23 • 4444 Westheimer Road, Ste. D130, Houston • www.lagence.com 11 Hotel Saint Augustine The new boutique hotel with 71 rooms and suites features an all-day restaurant, event space and lobby bar. • Opened Dec. 15 • 4110 Loretto Drive, Houston • www.bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-saint-augustine

527

W. ALABAMA ST.

6 12

LORETTO DR.

RICHMOND AVE.

4 Pok Pok Po The fried chicken concept offers chicken sandwiches, fried chicken strips, loaded fries and protein bowls. Meals are made with a gluten-free flour and starch batter with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder. • Opened Dec. 2 • 3201 Louisiana St., Ste. 108, Houston • www.pokpokpo.com 5 Alora The restaurant serves a fusion of Vietnamese and Peruvian cuisine with specialty dishes such as ceviche and the Shaking Lomo Saltado, a beef dish from both cultures. • Opened Jan. 2 • 2502 Dunlavy St., Ste. B, Houston • Instagram: alora_htx 6 Frette The luxury Italian linen brand sells bedding, bath linens, home accessories and refined loungewear with contrasting materials, muted tones and the brand’s signature blue-green hue. • Opened Nov. 20 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Level 1, Houston • www.frette.com 7 Tenfold Coffee Company The European-inspired cafe serves a curated food and

Now open

1 Good on Paper Located in the historic 19th Street shopping area, the family-owned bookstore offers a selection of book titles and curated stationery for all ages. • Opened Nov. 1 • 250 W. 19th St., Ste. D, Houston • Instagram: goodonpaper.htx 2 Heights Hideaway The new neighborhood bar is a cozy cocktail bar experience with a small, intimate bar with light bites and an outdoor patio. The cocktail menu features classic old fashions, martinis and gimlets. • Opened mid-October • 1040 W. Cavalcade St., Houston • Instagram: heights.hideaway 3 Buena Vista Cuban Cafe The cafe specializes in Cuban fare such as ceviche and Cuban-style sandwiches madew with roasted pork, sliced ham, Swiss cheese and ropa vieja, a tender shredded beef cooked in tomato sauce. • Opened early December • 800 Capitol St., Ste. 1-200, Houston • www.buenavistacubancafe.com

Coming soon

12 Camp The interactive family center will open with a collaborative “Bluey” exhibit that features dancing, games and a Bluey meet and greet, animations, photos and games. The permanent retail space will sell toys, clothes and accessories, and also feature a slime creation station, a splatter room, playable trucks and a birthday party room. • Opening late-February • 5085 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.camp.com 13 Crux Climbing Center The Austin-based indoor climbing gym features bouldering, a strength training gym, fitness and yoga classes, community events and a kids climbing course. • Opening October • 3100 Canal St., Houston • www.cruxclimbingcenter.com

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Closings

14 Honest Mary’s The healthy, fast-casual concept will serve health- focused grain bowls ranging from aloha poke to Mediterranean harissa as well as sipping broths and agua frescas. • Opening fall 2025 • 2047 W. Gray St., Ste. A, Houston • www.honestmarys.com 15 The Taco Stand The restaurant’s menu centers around traditional street- style meats such as pastor, barbacoa, lengua and carnitas, along with fish, shrimp and vegetarian options that can be prepared as a taco, burrito, quesadilla or bowl. • Opening spring 2025 • 1503 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.tacostandhtx.com

Now open

16 Shake Shack—Montrose The Montrose location permanently closed in September. The closure was part of a larger move by Shake Shack to close underperforming locations. • Closed Sept. 25 • 1002 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.shakeshack.com 17 Cecil’s Pub The longtime Montrose bar that served the neighborhood for nearly 35 years closed in mid- November due to lease complications. The bar originally opened in 1990. • Closed mid-November • 600 W. Gray St., Houston • Facebook: Cecil’s Pub Houston 18 ParkerJoe The local boutique specializing in boy’s clothing and related products is closing its River Oaks location to open a permanent flagship store inside Rice Village in early 2025. • Closing Feb. 15 • 2020 W. Gray St., Houston • www.parkerjoe.com

19 Bar Doko The Japanese cocktail bar located in Autry Park spotlights handcrafted cocktails with ingredients such as A5 Wagyu beef, Maven cold brew and miso. The bar also includes one of the largest collections of rare Japanese whiskies in Texas. • Opened Dec. 13 • 3737 Cogdell St., Ste. 135, Houston • www.bardoko.com

In the news

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Health & wellness

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & CARSON WEAVER

Health & Wellness Edition 2025

Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health & Wellness Edition! This new annual guide shares local opportunities for residents to engage in healthy activities in everyday life, from exercise to nutrition. All stories were written and compiled by our local team of journalists who live in and around the metro. In this edition, you will find information on the mental, physical and social benefits of having cycling opportunities in a large city such as Houston. Our lead story centers around Houston’s effort to include miles of bike lanes and trails for residents. The article also uncovers how having access to safe outdoor activities such as walking and biking has a positive effect on citizens. We also offer readers a guide to local fitness studios to try in 2025, dive into how close residents are to neighborhood parks and break down compounding issues with semaglutide, a rising weight loss drug.

What's inside

Learn more about Houston’s effort to create a more bike- friendly community (Page 9)

Cassandra Jenkins Editor cjenkins@ communityimpact.com

Read about the rise of semaglutide as a popular weight loss drug (Page 11)

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When it comes to proximity to a park, 61% of Houston residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, which is lower than the average of the U.S.’s 100 most populous cities at 74%, per the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit. The TPL launched the 10-Minute Walk program in 2017, which aims to improve access to parks, per its website. “Public parks ... are community essentials,” said Bianca Clarke, director of the 10-Minute Walk program. “Parks offer residents a place to play, connect and reap the benefits of the outdoors.” 61% of Houston residents live close to parks

Measuring the impact

LAKE CONROE

According to the TPL, the city of Houston spends $32 per resident on parks each year, while other Texas cities such as Austin, San Antonio and Dallas spend upwards of $120 per resident. An October 2023 report by the Kinder Institute—a research organization at Rice University—showed two-thirds of Houston residents supported the city spending upwards of $100 per resident on parks. Additionally, in 2021, local parks and recreation agencies in Texas generated $13 billion in economic activity, and supported 74,722 jobs, according to the National Recreation and Parks Association. Nationally, local public park and recreation agencies generated $201.4 billion in economic activity and supported over 1 million jobs.

105

249

Houston

8 Total number of parks: 690 Total park acres: 43,225 Percentage of residents who live within a 10-minute walk of a park: 61% LAKE HOUSTON

1093

146

TRINITY BAY

288

SOURCE: TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY KEVIN VU

SAN FELIPE ST.

610

Löyly Sauna Lounge 1210 W. Clay St., Ste. 18, Houston www.loylysaunalounge.com

Method Pilates 2111 W. Loop S., Ste. 140, Houston www.methodpilates.com

Ritual One brought its rst Houston hot workout studio to Uptown Park in December 2024.

4 tness studios to try out in 2025 For Houstonians looking to nd a new way to exercise outside of the traditional gym setting, here are four alternative tness or wellness studios to try in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose this year. The details The studios include a variety of workout classes that range in type, intensity and cost. Local resi- dents can participate in a high-intensity or luxury Pilates session, try out power yoga in a 102-degree infrared-heated studio, or take a plunge in a 38-degree cold water immersion or 104-degree hot tub.

W. 18THST.

610

UPTOWN PARK BLVD.

Ritual One 1121 Uptown Park Blvd., Ste. 9, Houston www.ritualoneyoga.com

Onesweat Pilates 725 W. 18th St., Houston www.onesweat.com

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HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

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From the cover

Houston has gained 162 miles of bike lanes, trails since 2017

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

Dedicated on-street: Separated from vehicle trac with striping and/or physical barriers

W. 34TH ST. O-street: Lanes that are not on a street or highway, such as nature trails or pathways

Shared on-street: Bicyclists and vehicles share the road without a barrier often shown by markings on the street

The framework

W. 25TH ST.

Existing

T. C. JESTER BLVD.

The BAC created the Houston Bike Plan in 2017, a 12-month eort to help make Houston a safer, healthier and more bike-friendly city. Since the plan started, Houston has received an additional 162 miles of bike lanes from various entities in Houston and Harris County. The BAC’s goal is to create 1,800 miles by 2027, Chair Tom Compson said. As of Dec. 14, there are 112 miles of programmed projects that have already received funding, including the ongoing 5-mile, $115 million redesign of Shepherd-Durham Drive, which includes a dedicated on-street bike lane. “Houston has some really cool neighborhoods, and the best way to see them, to me, is on a bike,” Compson said. “We have a long way to go, but with some care and selection, and riding with people who know their way around, [Houston] really is a great place to ride.” Houston was originally built as a bike-friendly city, but infrastructure for motor vehicles became more of a priority as the city’s population and density grew, said Joe Cutrufo, executive director of BikeHouston, a nonprot organization committed to transforming Houston into a bike-friendly city.

290

20TH ST.

Dedicated on-street O-street Shared on-street

W. 18TH ST.

Programmed*

Dedicated on-street O-street Shared on-street

W. 11TH ST.

W. 6TH ST.

WHITE OAK DR.

WHITE OAK PARK

HEMPSTEAD RD.

*PLANNED, WITH FUNDING APPROVED.

MEMORIAL PARK

BUFFALO BAYOU PARK

BUFFALO BAYOU

610

W. GRAY ST.

E S T .

527

W. ALABAMA ST.

WAUGH DR.

RICHMOND AVE.

MONTROSE BLVD.

288

SOURCES: BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, HOUSTON BIKE PLAN NETWORK, CITY OF HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

In their own words

What the experts say

Get involved

When it comes to cycling in Houston, there are numerous options to choose from. Community members can go on rides that vary from monthly social engagements and casual rides to intense weekly training or competitive competitions.

David Dick, president of the Houston Bicycle Club, has been cycling in town since 1998. He said he’s met some of his closest longtime friends through the activity. “[Cycling] is about bringing people together and then just enjoying each other’s company,” he said. “We also get to be outdoors and see stu that you don’t get to see in a car. We always go places that many people don’t even know about even when they’ve lived in Houston all their lives.” The Houston Bicycle Club is the oldest, continuously operated bicycle club in Houston, Dick said. The club started in the 1940s and grew from a few people to 1,200 members by the ‘90s. However, Dick said he has seen a spike in other cycling clubs in recent years, which has led to a decrease in membership as options expand.

Dr. Zoabe Hafeez, an associate professor of pediatrics at UTHealth Houston, said the physical benets of cycling include cardiovascular and respi- ratory health as well as increased heart function. He said walking and cycling outdoors can also help ght obesity and improve mental health. “Physical activity reduces your stress hormones over time, which can lead to better sleep and better brain function,” he said. “There’s also a feeling of self agency that happens when you feel in control of your environment.”

Check out these cycling opportunities in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose area:

Clutch City Cruisers Formed in 2018, the bike club meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Market Square Park in Downtown Houston to see the cityscape from the streets of Houston. UBG Cycling Club The local clubs meet at The Urban Bicycle Gallery near Washington Avenue every Wednesday night, and Saturday and Sunday mornings for a 20-plus mile bike ride. Houston Bicycle Club The oldest bicycling club in Houston established in 1964 is a social cycling club with dierent rides every weekend for varying levels of riders at dierent places in the city.

Cycling to work is associated with a 45% lower risk of developing cancer.

Three months of cycling can decrease blood pressure by 4.3%

Men who bike to work are 39.8% less likely to be overweight

75% of bike riders reported better mental health since they started cycling

SOURCES: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, PEOPLEFORBIKES, UCLA TRANSPORTATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCES: CLUTCH CITY CRUISERS, HOUSTON BICYCLE CLUB, UBG CYCLING CLUBCOMMUNITY IMPACT

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

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Health & wellness

BY EMILY LINCKE & JESSICA SHORTEN

Ozempic and Zepbound are some of the names of a class of medicines known as Glucagon-like peptide 1 drugs, which can be prescribed to treat Type 2 Diabetes or obesity and have rapidly grown in popularity, according to Houston-area doctors. A new request by Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk could limit a type of GLP-1—semaglutides— for local clinics and pharmacies. This shift comes amid safety concerns regarding compounded versions of the drugs and could cause price increases, medical professionals say. “A large concern is the lack of evidence for safety and ecacy of these compounded versions,” said Dr. Deborah Horn, director of obesity medicine at UTHealth Houston. Novo Nordisk spokesperson Eric Altho said the move to prevent other pharmacies from recreating their own versions of the drug is meant to protect the safety of patients who use semaglutide. “Semaglutide products t this description due to their inherent complexity and the potential dangers associated with attempting to compound them,” Altho said. Demand rising for semaglutides

A closer look at GLP1 drugs

adults have used GLP-1 drugs to lose weight or treat a chronic condition—such as diabetes or heart disease.

1 8 in

$10.7B was spent nationally on semaglutides in 2021. A 300% increase in GLP-1 prescriptions was seen from the beginning of 2020 to the end of 2022. 22% of adults who have taken GLP-1 drugs received them from an online provider, website, medical spa or aesthetic medical center. 392 reports of adverse events with compounded semaglutide have been reported to the FDA in 2024.

GLP-1 drugs perform a number of functions including:

Targeting receptors in the brain to lessen cravings/hunger A

Side eects of GLP-1 drugs can include: • Nausea/vomiting • Diarrhea • Abdominal pain • Constipation

Slowing food down as it travels through the gut, keeping patients feeling fuller longer

Increasing the release of insulin

GLP-1 use

To treat a chronic condition* 39%

To lose weight 38%

SOURCES: KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION SURVEY, U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, UH COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, THE MAYO CLINIC, TRILLIANT HEALTH COMMUNITY IMPACT

Both 23%

*NOTE: EXAMPLES OF “CHRONIC CONDITIONS” LISTED IN THE KFF SURVEYS ARE DIABETES OR HEART DISEASE.

The cost

Zooming out

What they're saying

The average cost of GLP-1 drugs ranges from $936-$1,023 for a one-month supply, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. However, Horn said the production of com- pounded versions of semaglutides provides aordable access. “If the compounding pharmacies could demonstrate the ecacy and safety to the FDA, I would welcome the scenario as it would force the price of the patented drugs to come down,” Horn said.

Dr. Jason Balette, medical director over weight loss surgery at Memorial Hermann The Wood- lands, said he believes the rise in obesity in the population has created more desire for quick weight loss options. “What’s interesting to me is the transition from patients that will jump on a semaglutide or go down that pathway of trying to obtain a semaglutide and then reverting back to surgery,” Balette said. However, Dr. Tyler J. Varisco, assistant director at the University of Houston’s College of Pharmacy, expressed concerns that the widespread availability of compounded semaglutides has reduced the amount of available products for those struggling with diabetes and medical weight loss issues. “Health equity is important, and we want these drugs to be available to people who actually need them,” Varisco said. “I hate to see when we have national organizations … and some of these bigger telehealth providers that … just write these medications for anybody, and then patients who are treated by local providers, who have had a quality visit, who have been assessed—they suer.”

“These drugs are inherently complex to compound safely, and the risks they pose to patient safety far outweigh any benets.” ERIC ALTHOFF,

SPOKESPERSON, NOVO NORDISK

Cost of various GLP-1 brands*

Ozempic injection $936 Wegovy injection $1,349

Rybelsus tablet $936 Mounjaro injection $1,023

“At the end of the day, we have the public health to worry about,

and I think access will remain ... important.” TYLER J. VARISCO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON’S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Insurance coverage for GLP-1 drugs

19%

Insurance covered full cost Insurance covered part of cost Full cost paid by user

57%

24%

*AS OF AUG. 15, 2023

SOURCE: KFFCOMMUNITY IMPACT

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

Government

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & EMILY LINCKE

$4M invested in abuse reduction efforts On Dec. 10, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $4 million plan to aid domestic violence survivors. The overview Harris County has a 75% turn-away rate for peo- ple looking for help when trying to escape domestic violence, Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said during a Dec. 10 news conference. The county has also had the highest numbers for intimate partner violence in the state since 2022, according to a Dec. 10 news release from Briones’ office. The Houston Area Women’s Center will receive the initial $1 million investment, according to the release. The center will collaborate with the University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality and the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council for the project.

Whitmire to launch $70M homelessness program Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced tentative details Nov. 21 on a pilot program intended to start the process of addressing the city’s homelessness issue. The approach Whitmire, along with city and county officials, laid out how Houston plans to improve homeless- ness, starting with what’s been the city’s biggest roadblock—funding. Michael Nichols, director of the Housing and Community Development Department, said the idea is to have a $70 million year-one funding plan. Nichols said the plan starts with the city committing $25 million. He expects Harris County to contribute approximately $20 million, nonprofit organizations $15 million and other governmental entities $10 million. The $70 million will be spent on projects such

1st non-engineer hired as HPW director Houston City Council members voted unanimously Nov. 20 to hire Randy Macchi as the Director of Houston Public Works, the city’s first non-engineer in the role. How it happened Houston Mayor John Whitmire originally requested the appointment of Macchi to serve as the executive director of Houston Public Works in early November. However, the city’s code of ordinance previously required the executive officer to be a registered professional engineer in Texas. Council members voted to rewrite the ordinance to vote Macchi in the same day. About the candidate Macchi served most recently as Chief Operating Officer of HPW.

1st Harris County AAPI commission created A new Harris County commission—which was created during the Dec. 10 Commission- ers Court meeting—will target topics such as health and safety for Asian American and Pacific Islander residents throughout the county. The big picture The population of Asian Harris County residents grew 53% across the Houston metro area from 2010 to 2020, according to Dec. 10 Harris County Commissioners Court meeting documents. According to the meeting documents, the new commission will: • Advise Commissioners Court • Work with organizations and residents • Focus on advancing policies

The state of homelessness Houston ranks 22nd in the United States for cities with the most homeless people

75% of people seeking help when experiencing domestic violence are turned away in Harris County. A 10% decrease in the turn-away rate is Harris County’s goal with the new plan.

75%

10%

Approximately 3,280 people experience homelessness in Houston every year

$1M

$4M

Roughly 1,107 homeless people were unsheltered in 2023

is being invested to aid domestic violence survivors in Harris County.

will be initially given to The Houston Area Women’s Center.

SOURCES: UNDERSTANDING HOUSTON/ COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS OF HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTY, COMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

as outreach, rapid rehousing, shelter support, hub operations, permanent supportive housing and a new navigation center. Something to note Whitmire said the program could also include implementing a citywide civility ordinance, which would prohibit sitting, lying down or placing personal items on sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. as well as sleeping on the streets after 9 p.m.

According to Dec. 10 meeting documents, the county’s domestic violence plan will: • Aim to decrease shelter turn-away rates by 10% • Add texting and social media options • Allow for additional training for providers • Encourage increased collaboration • Be contracted Dec. 10, 2024-Dec. 9, 2025 with three options for one-year renewals

HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787

WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161

SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849

Transportation

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

Montrose projects get updates from the city Houston officials decided the fate of three trans- portation projects in Montrose in late November and early December. Pat Walsh Memorial Bikeway An existing, high-comfort bikeway along Wood- head Street in Montrose will officially be renamed the Pat Walsh Memorial Bikeway after Houston City Council members unanimously approved the name change Nov. 20. According to a post by the city of Houston on X, formerly known as Twitter, the city will install commemorative signage in 2025. Montrose Bridge relighting The funding for relighting six Montrose bridges over I-69 is uncertain as city officials redirected the previously approved $2.6 million back to the city. Houston City Council originally approved

splitting $4 million with the Houston First Cor- poration to repair and/or replace the decorative lighting on the Southwest Freeway bridges in September 2023. However, over a year later, Finance Director Melissa Dubowski said the funds would be sent back to the city, effectively pausing the project until alternative funding can be obtained. Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project The final design plans for the first segment of the Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project were submitted to Houston officials for review in December. The final design plan included changes requested by Mayor John Whitmire. The newly revised plan now includes: • Maintaining vehicle lanes at 12 feet wide • Upholding existing 6-foot sidewalks • Devising 10-foot by 10-foot storm sewers and 5 acre-feet of detention According to the TIRZ website, an anticipated construction timeline for Segment 1 will be deter- mined following review and approval.

Project locations

1 Pat Walsh Memorial Bikeway Montrose bridge relighting

3 Montrose Boulevard Improvement Project

ALLEN PKWY.

Montrose

2 2

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Real estate

In November, the average number of days a home spent on the market before selling increased in four out of five local ZIP codes. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

November 2023

November 2024

+100%

+31.25%

+1.92%

-11.11%

-33.33%

610

77008

77006

77007

77008

77019

77098

77007

Median home sales price

77019

November

2023

2024

77006

77098

$846,000 $520,000 $486,000 $1,246,450 $970,000

$749,500 $475,000 $560,000 $1,024,950 $937,000

77006

288

77007

Homes sold by price point

77008

77019

November

77098

$1,000,000+

$750,00-$999,999

Average days on market

$500,000-$749,999

+200%

+50%

+74.47%

+42.5%

$250,000-$499,999

<$250,000

DENA MUSFY DENA.MUSFY@COMPASS.COM COMPASS RE TEXAS WWW.REALTORDENA.COM 281-935-6993

77006

77007

77008

77019

77098

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Events

BY ASIA ARMOUR

the Savoy Ballroom and the Harlem Renaissance, which highlighted Black music, art and culture. • Feb. 1, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. • $80-plus • 501 Texas Ave., Houston • www.performingartshouston.org Rooftop Yoga Tejas Brewery hosts this one-hour vinyasa class for all yoga skill levels on its rooftop every second Sunday of the month. Participants will receive a pint of beer with a ticket purchase after the one-hour session. • Feb. 9, 9:30-10:30 a.m. • $15 • 2101 Summer St., Houston • www.tejasbeer.com Live, Love, Run 5K This Valentine’s Day-themed run starts at Eleanor Tinsley Park and features a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, as well as virtual races. Participants will also receive chocolates, photo opportunities and a swag bag with merchandise, including a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. • Feb. 15, 7:30-10:30 a.m. • $37-$45 • Eleanor Tinsley Park, 18-3600 Allen Parkway, Houston • Eventbrite: Valentines Live, Love, Run 5K/10K/13.1 Houston

January

Lunar New Year at Live Oak The Memorial Park Conservancy hosts this music-based event at the Clay Family Eastern Glades’ Live Oak Court. The event is meant to celebrate the diversity of the community and will feature complimentary drinks and light bites. • Jan. 25, 5-8 p.m. • Free (admission) • Clay Family Eastern Glades, Washington Avenue, Houston • Eventbrite: Live at Live Oak Out of Thin Air: Emerging Forms The Menil Drawing Institute displays this artist’s exhibit, which includes 29 drawings dating from the late 1930s to the present day. • Ends Jan. 26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. • Free (admission) • 1412 W. Main St., Houston • www.menil.org ‘Swinging Savoy: The Harlem Renaissance’ This Broadway music theater production at the Wortham Theater Center is set against the background of 1920s and 1930s Harlem. The show pays homage to

First Saturday Arts Market Houston’s longest-running outdoor monthly market takes place along 19th Street in the Heights. Established in 2004, the hub for visual artists features a diverse range of art mediums, including pottery, photography, jewelry, woodcraft, printmaking and painting. • Feb. 1, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. • Free (admission) • 540 W. 19th St., Houston • www.firstsaturdayartsmarket.com

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HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION

Business

BY ASIA ARMOUR

Students at Aerial Yoga can schedule lessons during a class time or book when it is convenient for them

Aerial yoga can help decompress the spine and activates the core, Haagenson said.

Aerial Yoga Houston owner Nicole Haagenson helps her students overcome their apprehension to aerial yoga movements to build condence and trust in their bodies.

PHOTOS COURTESY AERIAL YOGA HOUSTON

Aerial Yoga Houston aims to heal, not conceal pain

Nicole Haagenson started practicing yoga at the suggestion of her therapist as a teen. The owner of Aerial Yoga Houston in Montrose said this was the rst time she visualized herself as a yoga instructor, and that the practice helped her both mentally and physically. “It gave me so much clarity,” Haagenson said. “It gave me a way to manage stress, which was huge for a teenager. I didn’t have to take any antidepressants. I now felt very much in control of my body and my feelings.” Put in perspective Haagenson said she’s seen the yoga industry grow much more diverse in terms of its oerings and the demographics of participants. These changes open the healing practice up to more communities and connect people of varying backgrounds, she said. “I learned so much about culture and how it aects how people move their bodies [the] potential shame they carry,” Haagenson said. “[I have] to be really sensitive to that and honor that.”

Why it matters A key benet to aerial yoga is decompression of the spine, as well as better breathing, anti-aging, core activation and stronger muscles, Haagenson said. With over two decades in the yoga industry, Haagenson said she’s learned movement and just listening to clients can have revolutionary benets. “We need so much more nurturing and listening, and less prescribing,” she said. What to expect The studio is set behind a home in an open-con- cept structure. It has space for eight clients to do aerial and 10 for oor exercises, Haagenson said. The concept of doing yoga while suspended in the air can come with some anxiety, Haagenson said, but she uses her instruction and the comfortable environment to encourage her students. “They feel safe to try new things that are scary because that is part of this experience too—over- coming the fear and transferring that fear to courage,” Haagenson said.

Haagenson teaches the health benets of yoga, which she said go beyond physical.

W.GRAYST.

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1212 Bomar St., Houston www.aerialyogahouston.com

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