Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | June 2025

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Bellaire Meyerland West University Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 JUNE 7JULY 7, 2025

2025 Health Care Edition

Kinder Children's Cancer Center Houston hospitals unite to ght childhood cancer The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Hospital are collab- orating to launch the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center in 2026, a new institution dedicated to serving childhood cancer patients. MD Anderson Cancer Center BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU

which housed the former Houston Medical Center Hotel. According to hospital oficials, the center will include inpatient beds, ambulatory care and state-of-the-art research labs. A sky bridge is also planned to connect the center to the Texas Children’s Hospital, according to a May 14 news release on the joint venture.

BRAESWOOD BLVD. N

The new facility will be located in the Texas Medical Center at the 6700 block of Main Street,

HOLCOMBE BLVD.

Texas Children's Hospital

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Future site of Kinder Children’s Cancer Center

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas Children’s Hospital

MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children’s Hospital will launch a new hospital in the Texas Medical Center to study childhood cancer.

COURTESY TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER

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Also in this issue Education: See how Houston ISD scored on TEA’s newly released AF ratings (Page 13)

INSIDE

Business: Read about a local Greek restaurant in West University (Page 16)

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About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Jovanna Aguilar Angela Bonilla Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Nichaela Shaheen Jessica Shorten Julianna Washburn Graphic Designers Richard Galvan Ellen Jackson Matt Mills Haley Velasco Aubrey Vogel Kevin Vu

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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Impacts

9 ParkerJoe Situated in its permanent flagship store after closing down a temporary location in the River Oaks, this shop specializes in boys’ clothing and related products, including shoes, toys and books. • Opened May 1 • 5515 Kelvin Drive, Ste. 95, Houston • www.parkerjoe.com 10 Texas Works The tuition-free public charter school program opened a new campus in Sharpstown as part of a statewide expansion. The campus will offer learning plans, in- person classes and career training. • Opened May 14 • 6615 Rookin St., Houston • www.texasworks.com/houston-sharpstown 11 La Cabra The new soccer-focused sports bar combines a high- energy sports atmosphere with rotating food truck vendors. The bar will launch its permanent food menu in the future. • Opened May 16 • 300 Sharpstown Center, Ste. 1080, Houston • Instagram: La Cabra HTX 12 Hudson House Vandelay Hospitality Group opened its second location in Houston in Rice Village. The restaurant features East Coast-inspired dishes such as oysters and lobster rolls. • Opened May 21 • 2414 University Blvd., Ste. 100, Houston • www.hudsonhousehp.com 13 Fabric Forge Houston’s first textile lab and entrepreneurship center opened in the Gulfton/Sharpstown area in May through the Connect Community development organization. The center focuses on textile prototyping, small batch production and workforce training. • Opened May 21 14 Potbelly Sandwich Shop The iconic neighborhood sandwich shop now open at the Texas Medical Center will serve signature sandwiches in a retro, relaxed atmosphere along with salads, soups, sides and sweets. • Opened May 27 • 7255 Helix Park Ave., Houston • www.potbelly.com • 6440 Hillcroft Ave., Houston • www.myconnectcommunity.org

ELGIN ST.

POST OAK BLVD.

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BAGBY ST.

MONTROSE BLVD.

AUGUSTA DR.

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CHIMNEY ROCK RD.

D A

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11 SHARPSTOWN CENTER

West University Place

HERMANN PARK

UNIVERSITY BLVD.

HILLCROFT AVE.

BERTNER AVE.

288

RICEBLVD.

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ROOKIN ST.

Bellaire

BUFFALO SPEEDWAY

KELVIN DR.

TIMES BLVD.

610

AMHERST ST.

BRAYS BAYOU

BEECHNUT ST.

MEYERLAND PLAZA

BRAESWOOD SQUARE

UNIVERSITY BLVD.

N. BRAESWOOD BLVD.

S. POST OAK RD.

5 The Antidote—A Better You This new wellness center uses a practice called nutritional psychiatry, which leverages amino acid therapy and diet to maximize physical and mental performance while addressing mental health challenges. • Opened April 24 • 5757 Woodway Drive, Ste. W310, Houston • www.theantidotehouston.com 6 Birkenstock Known for its signature sandals, clogs and other shoes with contoured cork soles, the German-based brand opened a new storefront in Rice Village. • Opened early May • 2503 Amherst St., Ste. A121, Houston • www.birkenstock.com 7 Plush Nail Bar This salon offers manicures, pedicures and facials, as well as waxing, threading and massages. A full bar is also available at the fifth location to open in the Greater Houston area. • Opened May 1 • 4191 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. 175, Houston • www.plushnailbartx.com 8 Solarium and The Courts The new racket sports-inspired lounge includes pickleball and padel courts, five private bays, a full- service restaurant and a bar. Adjacent to the courts is a separate pro shop with equipment for rent and sale. • Opened May 1

Now open

1 Silk Road Located within the Courtyard Marriott in West University, this restaurant creates dim sum from scratch, whether it’s steamed, baked or fried. Tapas are also on the menu along with craft cocktails. • Opened April 13 • 2929 Westpark Drive, Houston • www.silkroadhtx.com 2 Rothy’s A fashion brand known for its stylish and sustainable shoes, bags and accessories opened at the Galleria. Items are made from recycled plastic bottles, natural hemp and merino wool. • Opened April 18 • 5115 Westheimer Road, Ste. C2564, Houston • www.rothys.com 3 Hobbs London Centered on British fashion trends, the company is known for its timeless and contemporary pieces made for women, including jackets, skirts and pants. • Opened April 18 • 5085 Westheimer Road, Ste. B2831, Houston • www.hobbs.com/us/ 4 Dukes Venezuelan Food Using traditional family recipes, the restaurant creates an array of flavors of Venezuelan delicacies such as arepas, pabebowls, sweet plantains and corn pancakes. • Opened April 18 • 3277 Southwest Freeway, Ste. A, Houston • www.dukes-tx.com

Coming soon

15 Reformation The lifestyle brand sells vintage-inspired wear for women such as dresses, tops, jeans and sweaters made from sustainable and recycled materials such as organic cotton and mushroom leather. • Opening this summer • 5085 Westheimer Road, Level 1, Houston • www.reformation.com

• 820 Holman St., Houston • www.solariumhouston.com

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY MELISSA ENAJE, CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU

16 Paul’s Wine Pix Owner Paul Kirchhoff, with parents Steve and Linnea, will operate the new wine bar and retail shop selling sparkling rosé, white and red wines along with charcuterie boards and cheeses. • Opening this summer • 5424 Bissonnet St., Bellaire • www.paulswinepix.com

renovations are still ongoing and a new timeline has not been set. • 120 Meyerland Plaza, Houston • www.goodfeet.com

Now open

Relocations

19 Kindred Stories A community space and bookstore in Houston’s Third Ward relocated to the historic Eldorado Ballroom in early May. The bookstore highlights African American literature and other marginalized voices.

What’s next

17 Dutch Bros According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the new coffee shop is slated to open near Rice Village in late 2025 or early 2026. The shop will replace Salad and Go, a drive-thru chain that specializes in salads and wraps. • 2301 University Blvd., Houston • www.dutchbros.com 18 The Good Feet Store Specializing in providing arch support designed to fit individual needs and shoe styles, the brand is anticipated to open a new store in Meyerland Plaza. According to TDLR, the store started construction in early March and was slated to open in April; however,

• 2521 Holman St., Houston • www.kindredstorieshtx.com

In the news

21 Exodus Bar and Grill Owner of the former Genesis Steakhouse, Jason Goldstein, has rebranded and opened Exodus Bar and Grill. After losing his kosher certification in April and closing down Genesis, he said the new concept is not kosher and will serve chicken, steak,

20 Tony’s The Italian fine dining concept celebrated 60 years in April. The restaurant first opened in 1965 and celebrated its anniversary with nostalgic dishes honoring the late owner’s favorite items. • 3755 Richmond Ave., Houston • www.tonyshouston.com

seafood and sushi. • Opened May 15

• 80 Braeswood Square, Houston • https://exodusbarandgrill.com

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

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Health care

BY KEVIN VU

Health Care Edition

2025

Welcome to the annual CI Health Care Edition! This guide delves into pivotal developments shaping Houston’s medical landscape. Leading the issue is the transformative partnership between two Houston medical giants to create a new Texas Medical Center tower focused on eradicating childhood cancer. This edition also examines the signicant budget reduction proposed for the National Institutes of Health and the potential local impacts, as well as ongoing developments at the Texas Medical Center.

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Potential cuts to federal funding could set back medical research in Houston

Federal funding received, 2024 Specic institutions have relied on federal funding to further advance and support their research, with the following institutions receiving millions last year:

Baylor College of Medicine MD Anderson Cancer Center

$326M

$191M

a Feb. 11 statement. A closer look

Houston’s health care and academic institu- tions, including the Texas Medical Center, could lose millions of dollars towards research if the National Institutes of Health moves forward with reducing indirect costs. How we got here President Donald Trump’s administration ordered the NIH—the agency that awards a large number of grants towards research—to reduce “indirect costs” to 15% on Feb. 7. Indirect costs are essentially overhead costs associated with research, such as supporting research sta, as well as the costs to maintain facilities and laboratories, according to the NIH website. Many research organizations charge over 50% in indirect costs, according to the NIH website. For example, Rice University has a federally negotiated indirect cost rate of 56%, according to

University of Houston

$38M

Michael King, the Associate Vice President of Research and Chair of Bioengineering at Rice University, told Community Impact that if the NIH goes through with these cuts, the university could lose tens of millions of dollars. He said he researches cancer and tries to develop new treatments to prevent the spread of cancer—his research has been supported by the NIH for 23 years. King said the university will have to nd other funding sources to help oset the loss of NIH funding if the policy goes through. However, he said he’s optimistic the university will nd funding, especially in Texas, where lawmakers are currently trying to make investments towards brain research and dementia.

Rice University

$24M

SOURCES: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, RICE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY IMPACT

“We’re lucky to be in the state of Texas,” King said. “In the same way that Texas and Houston are world leaders in cancer research, a few years from now, we’ll have a similar dominance in neuroscience research.” The potential cuts are on pause indenitely as a federal judge issued a temporary halt after 22 state attorney generals requested a block on the policy.

BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Close by and committed to you. St ocayno utro nl eeaarrne smt ol orceaot irogne. t d i re c t i o n s Na oh bo os pdiyt apl l ae nmsefrogre annc ye rmo eo rmg e, bn uc yt —w i tt hh asth’ so wr t hwy aHi tCtAi mHeosuasnt od na El oRc a2 4t i/o7n i st hhaetr’ se . rWi g he toi fnf ey ro ut hr en es ai gmh eb os rehr ov iocde .s a s Adult and pediatric care On-site X-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans Affiliated with HCA Houston Healthcare Short ER wait times

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Health care

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

6 health care updates from local hospitals

1 St. Luke’s Health-Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center In early 2025, Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital announced that it would begin a handful of transformative projects at the Texas Medical Center and McNair campuses. What’s happening? In a Jan. 6 news release, hospital ocials announced that the McNair Campus, 7200 Cambridge St., relaunched its inpatient rehabilitation services and expanded its patient capacity in January. The 30-bed inpatient rehabilitation center serves patients who suer from conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, amputation and orthopedic injury. Construction also started in January on the Texas Medical Center building to redesign the hospital’s main lobby, cafeteria and three nursing units, according to the release. The main lobby will receive a valet area, a more spacious lobby with new ooring, furniture, lighting and signage, as well as a newly designed reception desk and visitor kiosk. More details The expansion also includes upgrading multiple nursing units and the cafeteria, which will see a full-service Starbucks and more seating. The $25 million project is slated to take approximately four years to complete. However, Phase 1 will wrap up in October 2026.

2 Houston Methodist Centennial Tower The 26-story Centennial Tower project, approved by the Houston Methodist board of directors in 2022, is anticipated to top out at 511 feet in early August, surpassing the height of the adjacent Walter Tower, according to Houston Methodist ocials. As of May, more than 2.2 million hours have been worked by nearly 1,000 construction workers on the $1.4 billion project. When completed, the tower will house nearly 400 patient beds and a new, larger emergency department, as well as enhanced imaging services. It will also replace the hospital’s existing space for transplant, medicine, intermediate care and surgical intensive care, as well as nine operating rooms, according to its website. Levels 9 to 21 will connect to the Walter Tower by vertically stacked connector bridges. Hospital ocials said the project is on schedule and will have a phased opening starting in April 2027.

4 HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center unveiled cutting-edge robotic surgical technology in January that will assist with non-invasive surgery. The addition marks the fth robotic system in the eet, according to its website, and completed the rst case using the system on Jan. 6. HCA is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

1313 Hermann Drive, Houston www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com

5 Houston Methodist Surgery Center Houston Methodist opened a new freestanding surgery center in Bellaire in early January. The center oers a patient-focused approach that emphasizes comfort, safety and quick recovery, according to its website. Located o Bissonnet Street, the center’s area of expertise includes ear, nose and throat surgery, hand surgery and ophthalmology, the treatment of eye disorders.

MOURSUND ST.

BERTNER AVE.

6551 Bertner Ave., Houston www.houstonmethodist.org

FOURNACE PLACE

1 Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center In 2025, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center broke ground on a six-oor build-out of the Susan and Fayez Sarom Pavilion, received approval for the expansion of the Women’s Extended Care Unit and welcomed new Chief Financial Ocer Matt Pruitt. According to Memorial Hermann ocials, the Sarom tower expansion includes moving several existing institutes at the campus to the additional six oors, including the Children’s Heart Institute, expanded GI suite, Mischer Neuroscience Institute and a oor dedicated to oncology. The $270 million expansion will increase the hospital’s bed count by 252. The project will nish the full build- out of the Sarom tower, which is anticipated for completion in 2027. The hospital also received approval to add 9 new beds to the Women’s Extended Care Unit in May.

4460 Bissonnet St., Bellaire www.houstonmethodist.org/surgery-center

6 MD Anderson Cancer Center MD Anderson Cancer Center launched a new institute in late 2024 specializing in impactful cell therapies, per a Nov. 8 news release. The Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation will bring together top scientists and clinicians to lead new research and clinical trials that will create and deliver new treatments needed to address cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections.

Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center will undergo a four-year, $25 million renovation.

HOLCOMBE BLVD.

A 1101 Bates Ave., Houston B 7200 Cambridge St., Houston www.stlukeshealth.org

6411 Fannin St., Houston www.memorialhermann.org

1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston www.mdanderson.org

BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Houston hospitals unite to fight childhood cancer From the cover

MD Anderson Cancer Center The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a comprehensive cancer center in Houston and is considered the largest of its kind in the world.

The big picture

Texas Children’s and MD Anderson first announced their partnership in early February, stating the new collaboration is designed to: • Expand care access for patients • Combine pediatric subspecialty care and children’s cancer services to children under one program • Grow pediatric cancer clinical trials • Utilize more than 300 pediatric specialists from Baylor College of Medicine and MD Anderson • Provide pediatric oncology education programs to train additional professionals Dr. Donald Williams Parsons, the interim director of the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center in Houston, said the new facility will house children with cancer and allow staff to give their undivided attention to those patients. “It’s what makes the most sense for our patients and their families,” Parsons said. “It’s an interesting opportunity for us to bring all of our minds and resources together to maximize strategy for our patients.” MD Anderson and Texas Children’s officials said more details were not available at press time, including the specific number of beds, the project timeline or the total cost of the project.

187,000 patients served in 2024

760 inpatient beds

$1.3B invested in research last year

HOLCOMBE BLVD.

COURTESY MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

Texas Children’s Hospital Texas Children’s Hospital is a pediatric and women’s health care organization that focuses on inpatient care, education and research.

4.9 million annual patient encounters

7,000 births take place annually

2,000 medical professionals

HOLCOMBE BLVD.

SOURCES: TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COURTESY TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Zooming in

Some context

Another focus of the joint venture will be research, which will prioritize generating more cures for cancer by accelerating drug development and clinical trial programs to address unmet needs for children. Dr. Richard Gorlick, the division head of pediatrics at MD Anderson, said that with both institutions dedicated to one center, he believes researchers will be able to do more together by focusing on the problem as a unit. “A goal to end childhood cancer—that’s a bold one,” Gorlick said. “That’s going to take all of us working together harmoniously.” Parsons said he’s currently researching survivor- ship, and what challenges and side effects patients have after their battles against childhood cancer. He also researches drug development, cell therapy and precision medicine. Meanwhile, Gorlick said he researches bone cancer and identifies new therapies for the disease. Both researchers will continue their studies and trials at the new center.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Texas is a young state,” Gorlick said. “If you compare our state to many others, there are more young folks. Young folks are the most likely to have children, so there tend to be more children. This means there’s a huge population of patients who need our services.”

Gorlick said he believes the Kinder Center is important to have in Texas because of how many young people there are in the state. Texas had the second most childhood cancer cases nationwide from 2017-21, with an annual average case count of 1,081, accord- ing to State Cancer Profiles, a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute and the

Annual average pediatric cancer cases by state, 2017-21

1,195

1,081

642

618

402

394

362

341

California

Texas

New York

Florida

Illinois

Pennsylvania Ohio Georgia

SOURCE: STATE CANCER PROFILES/COMMUNITY IMPACT

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & KEVIN VU

Funding source

In their own words

Looking ahead

The Kinder Children’s Cancer Center will launch in 2026, with the first step of consolidating patient care at Texas Children’s Hospital. Radiation oncology will remain at MD Anderson, and adolescent/young adult programs will be provided at both institutions, according to the May news release. The center will be governed by a board from both institutions; the number of members wasn’t available at press time. A search is also anticipated to begin soon to identify a physician and administrator to lead the center. Parsons said the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center could be a game changer, believing these efforts will lead to a new era in childhood cancer treatment. “The things that we are routinely doing now in our clinics—things that are standardly done for patients today— … these things would have been science fiction when I was at medical school,” Parsons said.

A $150 million donation from the Kinder Founda- tion served as the lead gift for the new cancer center facility, which will undergo a multi-year campaign to secure funds for the continuation of the project. The Kinder Foundation is a nonprofit organi- zation established by Rich and Nancy Kinder that focuses on providing grants for transformational community projects in the Greater Houston region. Rich Kinder said the new center exemplifies the foundation’s philanthropic mission, and he expects it will reshape the future of pediatric care.

“Our state-of-the-art facility will ... ultimately create a comprehensive program equipped to lead the global fight against childhood cancer.” DEBRA F. SUKIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO, TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

“Kinder Children’s Cancer Center will become a global destination for comprehensive childhood cancer care

Kinder Foundation contributions

and survivorship.” PETER WT PISTERS, PRESIDENT, UT MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

$621.4M donated as of December

24.14% of funds went to the Kinder Children’s Cancer Center

SOURCE: KINDER FOUNDATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

AWARD-WINNING HEART & STROKE CARE Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital

BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE & KEVIN VU

Wastewater plant project increases by millions Bellaire officials are faced with increased costs to the wastewater treatment plant, a project that would either rehabilitate the current plant, rebuild a new one or decommission the plant and connect to Houston’s wastewater system, according to an April 21 City Council meeting. About the project Chris Malinowski, a project manager at HDR, an engineering firm that conducted the cost estimate work order, said the new prices for the project options have increased by millions of dollars due to factors such as purchasing a temporary package plant, installing an odor control system and rising equipment costs. City Engineer Beth Jones told Community Impact that tariffs did not play a role in increased costs. However, if the city decides to rehabilitate or rebuild, there will most likely be impacts to the

West U to allow pets at parks, events For all approved recreational and educa- tional events at West University, animals will soon be allowed throughout parks, playgrounds and facilities after City Council adopted the ordinance amendment at an April 28 meeting. The details Events like dog obedience classes or bird sanctuary visits will follow safety standards with city staff coordinating with animal control officers and the police department, according to agenda documents. The item was on the consent agenda April 28 and was approved unanimously. Ordi- nance amendments require two readings with City Council, among other require- ments, before an ordinance can take effect, according to Texas’ local government code.

Project cost options Previous estimate

New estimate

Build new Rehabilitate or replace

+$31.7M

+$49M

-$60M

Decommission*

Cost estimates

SOURCES: CITY OF BELLAIRE, HDR ENGINEERING/COMMUNITY IMPACT *THE EARLIER PROJECTION FOR DECOMMISSIONING THE PLANT ASSUMED THAT BELLAIRE WOULD HAVE TO PAY CASH FOR THE FULL IMPACT FEES TO CONNECT TO HOUSTON, WHILE THE CURRENT PROJECTION ASSUMES A CREDIT TOWARDS IMPACT FEES WITH A LAND SWAP DEAL.

construction costs, she said. What else?

Jones said it would take 3.5 years of designing and construction to either rehabilitate or build a new treatment plant, while decommissioning and connecting to Houston would take 2.5 years.

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Education

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

Houston ISD received a “C” for the 2022-23 school year in the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings for school districts statewide. The ratings were released April 24 after a delay due to lawsuits, TEA officials said. The announcement follows an April 3 ruling by Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals, which overturned an injunction that had blocked the 2023 ratings for over a year. In August 2023, over 100 school districts sued TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, arguing the agency’s revamped accountability system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts. Houston ISD receives ‘C’ rating for 2022-23

The breakdown

Houston ISD accountability ratings Since the A-F system launched in 2017-18, HISD has only received three official ratings due to three years of State of Disaster declarations. 2017-18: Not rated due to Hurricane Harvey 2018-19: B (88) 2019-20: Not rated due to COVID-19 pandemic 2020-21: Not rated due to COVID-19 pandemic

HISD officials said the data reflects the performance of the district before the state intervention. “The ratings confirm what many already knew: HISD was a deeply inequi- table system in need of urgent change.”

2021-22: B (88) 2022-23: C (72) District snapshot, 2022-23 1st largest school district in Texas 189,290 students enrolled 79.5% economically disadvantaged 9.1% special education

Houston ISD ratings by campus, 2022-23

37% emergent bilingual

A: 11 B: 15

91.9% average attendance rate 27.5% missed 10% or more of the school year

C: 6 D: 5 F: 4

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Transportation

Events

BY HANNAH BROL & KEVIN VU

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

$12M Main Street Promenade project to start in June

Traffic flow to change at IAH through August Traffic flow changes will be in place this summer at George Bush Intercontinental Airport as part of the Terminal B Transfor- mation Program, Houston Airport System officials announced in a May 12 news release. What’s changing? Beginning May 14, North Terminal Road will be closed to the traveling public from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to west of Terminal B. This means to access Terminal A, motorists will need to loop around the Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental, travel down South Termi- nal Road and then proceed back up to North Terminal Road. The traffic flow changes will be in place through August, per the release.

Tattoo Arts Festival will feature over 300 of the world’s best tattoo artists, with featured individuals from Ink Master and VH1. Live entertainment and shows will also

June

be a part of the event. • June 6-8, times vary • $20 day pass, $40 for 3-day pass

Party at the Pavilion This free concert series includes an evening of music and activities on the Great Lawn at Bellaire Town Square. The June event will feature Hot Rocks, a Rolling Stones tribute band. Attendees can bring their own coolers and picnic blankets. • June 6, 7-9 p.m. • Free • 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire • www.bellairetx.gov/1374/party-at-the-pavilion Mixers & Elixirs The Houston Museum of Natural Science will kick off a series of summer parties taking place through August. The first event will be a ‘90s night, and guests can enjoy a full bar, food tents and unique interactive experiences, as well as access to the first and second-floor exhibits and entrance to the Burke Baker Planetarium. • June 6, July 28 and Aug. 15, 7-11 p.m. • $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers • 5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston • www.hmns.org/visit/events/mixers-and-elixirs/ Houston Tattoo Arts Festival Presented by NRG Park, the Villain Arts 7th Annual

Houston will start construction on the Main Street Promenade project in June and conclude in 2026 before the FIFA World Cup, turning a stretch of Main Street into a lively, pedestrian-friendly corridor in Downtown Houston, according to a May 7 public hearing and presentation. The details Spearheaded by Downtown Houston+—a coalition of downtown organizations and author- ities—the $12 million project will work on seven blocks of Main Street that stretch from Rusk Street to Commerce Street to create a space for people to walk and dine, according to the presentation. Brian Crimmins, a special projects manager at the Mayor’s Office, presented to Houston City Council the final design plans May 7. He said the project plans on achieving the goal of a pedestri- an-friendly walkway by raising the existing street to sidewalk level, allowing a wider walkway and making it more accessible for wheelchair users, as

• 1 Fannin St., Houston • www.villainarts.com

Annual Father’s Day Concert The Houston Concert Band under the baton of Chuck Throckmorton will perform a family-friendly concert for Father’s Day. The event is first-come, first-served for seating in the auditorium. • June 15, 2-3 p.m. • Free • 6104 Auden St., West University Place • www.westutx.gov/calendar Talk with Kiese Laymon The Office of Alumni Relations at Rice University and Friends of Fondren Library will host an author talk with Kiese Laymon and Laura Beth Vietor on “Heavy: An American Memoir” for Juneteenth. • June 19, 7-8 p.m. • Free • Virtual event via Zoom • https://riceconnect.rice.edu

Celebration of Independence Parade and Festival Bellaire will host a Fourth of July parade and festival with food and music. The parade will start at South Rice Avenue and Valerie Street at 9 a.m., followed by the festival at Bellaire Town Square. The event will also include a children’s bike parade. • July 4, 9 a.m.-noon • Free • 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire • www.bellairetx.gov/ 1386/celebration-of-independence

well as providing more space for restaurants. The project also wants to create more shade for the area by increasing tree canopy and implement- ing structures that could provide further shade. What else? The north and southbound lanes of the seven blocks along Main Street will be closed off to cars as part of the project, but the east and west will remain open during construction.

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BY MELISSA ENAJE

Owner Mary Cuclis partners with Too Good to Go, which connects customers to restaurants with surplus unsold food to limit food waste.

PHOTOS BY MELISSA ENAJECOMMUNITY IMPACT

Kriti Kitchen provides homestyle Greek food As the mother of two young children, Mary Cuc- lis, chef and owner of Kriti Kitchen, has perfected the recipe of providing the culinary inuence of the Greek islands while oering homestyle food options to the kitchens of busy families every- where who step into her quaint restaurant at the Weslayan Plaza Shopping Center.

Menu items include meat mezze boards, seasonal salads, wraps and protein bowls.

A mezze board could include beef keftedes, or meatballs, chicken souvlaki and atbread, as well as a selection of Greek beers, wines and desserts alongside a shelf dedicated to knick-knack items customers can purchase to take home, including herbs, Greek honey and dry goods. Meet the owner Cuclis said she welcomes everyone to a place where the deeply held values of hospitality are met with the love between family members with every bite. “It had been a dream of mine for a long time to get to this point,” Cuclis said. “It’s kind of fun to see it come into reality.”

Kriti, which is the Greek pronunciation of Crete, an island in Greece, is where Cuclis said she spent time visiting her relatives, immersing herself in the culture and relishing the traditional Cretan cuisine that she brings to her menu. What’s on the menu Menu items at Kriti Kitchen include meat mezze boards, seasonal salads, wraps and protein bowls.

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A TOUR OF THE STATE, MADE ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITY IMPACT JUNE 2025

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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DETOURS: The Botanical Gardens of Orange CRITTER: Bottlenose Dolphin OUT THERE: Meanwhile, in Texas MADE IN TEXAS: Copper Craftsman FEATURE PREVIEW: Juneteenth’s Hero, Opal Lee

Above: The Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

DETOURS

A Green Refuge In Orange

Northwest of downtown, alongside Adams Bayou.

BY DANIEL VAUGHN

FOR FIFTY YEARS the gates of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center were closed. A bitter freeze in 1958 killed much of founder H.J. Lutcher Stark’s plant- ings, including his prized azaleas. Decades later, reopening plans spearheaded by his namesake foundation were also thwarted by nature, first by Hurricane Rita, in 2005, and then by Ike, in 2008. Finally, in 2009, the 252-acre park opened once again to visitors. Gravel paths wander along- side some three hundred plant species, and everywhere are contemplative spaces that feel far removed from the surrounding city, which lies just across the Sabine River from Louisiana. At the placid Pond of the Blue Moon is the towering Cypress Gate, a platform designed by San Antonio–based architecture firm Lake Flato from logs salvaged after Rita. At Ruby Lake, you’ll find a bird blind for viewing the many varieties of waterfowl that come through, and you just might see an alligator sunning on the dock nearby.

About 51,000 bottlenose dol- phins—the most common spe- cies o the Texas coast—are frolicking in the northern Gulf as you read this. Occasionally, though, one of them ends up on land. The Texas Marine Mam- mal Stranding Network, based in Galveston, responds to an average of 134 strandings per year. Executive director Heidi Whitehead says that after hur- ricanes, she and her colleagues have even rescued dolphins from fields and ditches as far as seventeen miles inland. So before you head to the beach, learn what to do if you come across one.

it can be rescued. Then try to keep it shaded and wet.

IF I FIND A STRANDED DOLPHIN, SHOULD I PUSH

CRITTER OF THE MONTH

Bottlenose Dolphin

IT INTO THE WATER? Often, says Whitehead, a

HOW EXACTLY DOES ONE MOISTEN A DOLPHIN ? You can pour seawater over it or cover it in wet towels. Just be sure to avoid the blowhole. MAY I PET IT? Definitely not. Wild dolphins are a protected species, and any form of harassment (such as trying to touch, feed, or swim with them) is illegal. Whitehead says the best thing you can do is be quiet and keep pets and other people at a distance. —Lauren Larson

beached dolphin is su ering from a lung disease brought on by exposure to bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and it must be treated and rehabilitated. If you try to Free Willy a dolphin back into the Gulf, it is unlikely to survive. WHAT SHOULD I DO? First, call 800-9MAMMAL, which is like a dolphin 911, and someone from Whitehead’s group will talk you through keeping the animal safe until

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

MADE IN TEXAS

Inside a Copper Mind Jonathan Beall makes modern kitchenware, barware, and water dispensers that last a lifetime.

BY AMANDA ALBEE

When Beall launched Sertodo Copper, in 1997, he traveled the U.S., cold-calling ho- tels and restaurants to sell Mexican-made copper cookware and chafing dishes. Three years later, he moved to Santa Clara del Cobre, Michoacán, a town with a coppersmithing tradition that predates its founding nearly five hundred years ago. There, he joined a copper community led by James Metcalf, the late sculptor and educator who reinvigorated local artisanal traditions. An apprentice- ship with copper maestro Máximo Velázquez Correa had Beall forging hundreds of nails and tools, including hammers and chisels, to cultivate a “manual intelligence” that he says is in decline among modern American creators, who sidestep material knowledge for computer-aided design. To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly.

IN HIS AUSTIN warehouse, Jonathan Beall sips water from one of his copper cups, an Ayurvedic practice said to stimulate diges- tion and increase immunity. He points to a hand-carved solid-copper vase made us- ing traditional techniques, such as melting recycled copper into ingots and repeatedly annealing and forging the mass into shape, a skill he learned in Mexico. It reminds him of a similar piece he encountered on a trip to Sayulita, on that country’s Pacific coast, almost thirty years ago—he can still see it glittering in the dawn light among a peddler’s wares. “I had never seen anything like it,” he says. “I didn’t know what was happening, but I had a big feeling.”

OUT THERE

Meanwhile, In Texas A man dressed in shorts and sneakers was seen cruising down the center lane of westbound Interstate 40 in Amarillo on an electric scooter . In a cave near Marfa, archaeologists discovered remnants of an atlatl, a straight-flying boomerang, and other components of whatmay be the oldest intact hunting kit found in North America. Almost four thousand Kerrville residents lost power for two hours after a ringtail came into contact with equipment at a substation. On National Beer Day, a train collided with the trailer of a semitruck near Saginaw, spilling hundreds of cans of beer around the tracks. Nearly three thousand people and 1,300 dogs descended on a ranch in Bee Cave for Texas’s largest annual golden retriever meetup . Hoping to steal a car, a man threw a rock through the window of a Tyler dealership, injured himself while entering through the broken glass, and called 911 for help getting out of the building, even though several doors were unlocked. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was bitten by an ostrich while visiting a wildlife park in North Texas. —Meher Yeda

Jonathan Beall polishes a copper vessel at his com- pany’s workshop in Austin on April 24, 2025.

BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Opal Lee at her Fort Worth home, in front of a painting of her family tree.

advantage of the specials. At least four con- versations are happening at once, all of them somehow meeting at a center point, briefly, beforebouncingooneanotherandcontinu- ing in their own universes. When Lee, 98, emerges from a back room, glass of milk in hand, she is vibrant, smiling widely, and moving gingerly, but no one fusses over her. They all seem to know she moves at her own pace, on her own time. “Old people ain’t got nothing but time,” she tells me, set- tlingintoachairinanocethatisoverflowing with honors and ephemera: a signed basketball from the New York Knicks, photos with Pres- idents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, various awards from women’s groups and colleges and civil rights organizations. When I ask Lee how she’s feeling, she tells me she’s wearing a back brace, so she’s feeling good. Her back has been hurting, but it ain’t nothing special. Old people have aches and pains; most of them don’t even know why or where they came from. I want to know what keeps her going, and she smiles. “I feel like I’m everybody’s grandma. And I had good grand- mas.” She recalls her grandparents always findingwaystohelpfolksintheircommunity. “My mom was like that too,” she says. “It’s just part of your makeup.” To read the full story, please subscribe to Texas Monthly .

OPAL LEE LIVES on the same property where her childhood home once sat, inside a house recently built for her by Habitat for Hu- manity. On the front door is a purple wreath. In the center of the wreath is a quote from Lee herself: “If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.” Inside, the house buzzes with Lee’s friends and family. There’s excitement in the air, in part because it is Veterans Day, and at least two veterans are in the home, preparing to circulate through several restaurants to take

FEATURE PREVIEW

Opal Lee Marches On The 98-year-old activist partly

responsible for Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday says, “I got work to do.” BY HANIF ABDURRAQIB

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Real estate

Homes in all ve ZIP codes of the Bellaire, Meyerland and West University Place neighborhoods spent less time on the market compared to last year, despite prices increasing in four of those areas. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

April 2024

April 2025

+8.1%

-24%

+225%

-23.81%

77005

77025

77030

77096

77401

77005

77401

77030

Median home sales price

77025

April

2024

2025

610

$2,132,000 $588,000 $1,026,246 $431,500 $1,249,000

$2,072,008

77005

77096

$592,500

77025

288

$1,500,000 $477,500 $1,280,200

77030

77096

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY

77401

STRONGEST CASH OFFER Skip the showings and open houses and receive the on your home without the stress.

Average days on market -25.64%

-14.93%

-55.77%

-8.45%

-8.47%

GET MY OFFER!!

NOTE: DATA INCLUDES SINGLEFAMILY HOMES, TOWNHOMES AND CONDOMINIUMS

77005

77025

77030

77096

77401

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