Pearland - Friendswood Edition | November 2023

The e-edition is an exact replica of the newspaper with interactive and searchable articles from all your favorite sections.

Pearland Friendswood Edition VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 NOV. 11DEC. 12, 2023

Pearland secures its water future New Surface Water Treatment Plant to pump 10 million gallons per day

Pearland’s city sta overlook the Surface Water Treatment Plant, which will be operational by January. Pearland’s Surface Water Treatment Plant draws water from the Gulf Coast Water Authority’s American Canal near FM 521.

INSIDE

RACHEL LELANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also in this issue

Impacts: Intuitive Machines opens in Houston Spaceport (Page 6)

Election: Pearland calls special election (Page 11)

Transportation: Construction continues on Blackhawk (Page 14)

Health care: Pickleball injuries rise in Pearland area (Page 15)

Advanced care to put cancer behind you.

Fighting cancer starts with having the right team beside you. And at Memorial Hermann, we’re here for you every step of the way. As one of Houston’s leading providers of cancer treatment, we offer advanced care from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship. With locations throughout Greater Houston, you can find care close to you. This is comprehensive cancer care designed for you. memorialhermann.org/cancer

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

ISLAND

• An oh-so-wonderful heated lazy river—let your cares float away! • White sand beach—think tropical vacay! • Resort-style leisure pool—dive in! • Splash pad—for hours of splashing! • Bocce ball, basketball, & tennis courts—friendly match anyone? Our Island Amenity Village is Now Under Construction & Will Feature: These are just some of the features the Island Amenity Village will offer. Life in fast-selling Sierra Vista is about to get even better!

View Island Amenity Map

Find Your Dream Home at

CR56 Meridiana Pkwy

HIGH $200s-$500s NEW HOMES READY NOW!

SIERRAVISTAHOUSTON.COM

* Prices and availability of homes in Sierra Vista are subject to change without notice. Amenity designs and construction schedules are subject to change without notice. Features included in the Sierra Vista Amenity Village are illustrative and may not represent the actual size and scale of the amenity village. 07/23

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY

TURN POTENTIAL INTO SUCCESS Achieve More • Prepare for College • Become a Leader Small class sizes , individual attention, and a variety of extra-curricular activities help us develop disciplined, morally strong, college-ready young men who are prepared for responsible leadership .

Learn more by attending a free info session near you: Nov 7th & Dec 5th at 7:00 pm The Westin Oaks Houston 5011 Westheimer

A College-Prep Boarding School for Boys in Grades 7-12 »» 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. Harlingen, TX »» REGISTER NOW » MMA-TX.ORG » 956.423.6006

Dec 6 - 8 • free Wed • Dec 6 • 6 : 30pm thu & Fri • Dec 7 & 8 • 6 & 7pm Experience the Christmas story through singing, dancing, and puppets! This show is a ton of fun, a tad bit of crazy, and it’s absolutely FREE for the entire family. The Kids Crazy Christmas Show is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season!

Second Baptist Church • South Campus 12008 Shadow Creek Pkwy at Reflection Bay Dr second.org/south

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

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 Asia Armour Melissa Enaje Wesley Gardner Cassandra Jenkins Shaheryar Khan Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Dave Manning James T. Norman Jessica Shorten Lizzy Spangler Graphic Designers Jatziri Garcia Ellen Jackson Martha Risinger Jesus Verastegui Taylor White Ronald Winters Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Account Executive Lindsay Radenz Senior Managing Editor Matt Stephens Senior Art Production Manager Kaitlin Schmidt

Papar Faircloth General Manager pfaircloth@ communityimpact.com

Jake Magee Senior Editor jmagee@ communityimpact.com

Jason Culpepper Publisher jculpepper@ communityimpact.com Contact us

Email newsletters communityimpact.com/newsletter Support us Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

16300 Northwest Freeway Jersey Village, TX 77070 • 281-469-6181 CI Careers communityimpact.com/careers Press releases plfnews@communityimpact.com Advertising plfads@communityimpact.com communityimpact.com/advertising

Proudly printed by

communityimpact.com

@communityimpactnews

linkedin.com/company/communityimpact

We've teamed up to bring you more of the stories you care about.

Individual and Small Group Health Insurance Specialists

Where INTENTIONAL care matters

Find the coverage you need at a price you can afford

Now Open! 2919 Manvel Rd. Pearland, TX 77584 713-817-2849 www.precisivecare.net

Apply online! Visit our site to compare rates and benefits now!

www.statewidehealthinsurance.com 281-485-0088 • 6606 Broadway St., Suite 102 Pearland, TX 77581

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Impacts

SPACE CENTER BLVD.

MCHARD RD.

SHADOW CREEK

MCHARD RD.

COLUMBIA SHUTTLE ST.

Pearland

521

Friendswood

SILVERLAKE VILLAGE DR.

W. BROA D W A

518

WALNUT ST.

MAGNOLIA PKWY.

288

BAILEY A V E .

MCKEEVER RD.

2351

MUSTANG RD.

MORRIS AVE.

Manvel

MAP NOT TO SCALE

• Grand opening held Aug. 23 • 2625 S. North Bypass 35, Alvin • www.ollies.us/home.html

soy garlic or spicy sauce, the eatery’s menu also includes appetizers such as edamame, sides including kimchi coleslaw, and desserts such as mochi. • Opened mid-September • 300 Bay Area Blvd., Ste. 700, Webster • www.bonchon.com 5 Airway Dentists The Sugar Land-based dental clinic opened another office in Friendswood at the end of the summer, offering its teeth straightening and sleep improvement orthodontics to new patients. The clinic provides preventative, restorative and cosmetic dentistry to improve client’s smiles. • Opened mid-August • 501 S. Friendswood Drive, Ste. 105, Friendswood • www.theairwaydentists.com

Now open

1 Noodle Master The restaurant specializes in noodle dishes, including Chinese and Japanese ramen, and has previously opened locations in Baytown and Pasadena.

3 Great Harvest Bakery & Cafe Using premium Montana wheat from family-owned farms, the bakery mills the flour it uses each day. The bakery’s menu includes apple bread, cheddar bread and spice teacake. • Opened Sept. 29

• Opened in early September • 8201 Broadway St., Pearland • www.noodlemastertx.com

• 212 S. Friendswood Drive, Friendswood • www.greatharvestfriendswood.com

2 Ollie’s Good Stuff Cheap Across the country, the business has nearly 500 stores total and specializes in selling discounted merchandise. This marks the fifth store the business has opened in the Houston area.

4 Bonchon In addition to wing combos, drumsticks and chicken strips glazed in Bonchon’s South Korean chef-crafted

Experienced Home Care You Can Trust…

You and your family deserve the best home care. From a few hours a week to 24/7 care, we tailor a personalized care plan to fit your lifestyle.

pearlandhomecare.com (281) 557-4357

• Companion care • Light housekeeping

• Memory care

• Errands, shopping • Hygiene & personal care • Cooking, meals & more

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

6 Viet Cafe Express Eat & Treat The fast-casual beverage and food shop offers a variety of boba and Thai teas, smoothies, coffees and milkshakes. The business also sells Vietnamese snacks and entrees. • Opened July 20 • 1510 E. Broadway St., Ste. 108, Pearland • 832-889-0097 7 Ellie Mental Health The health care practice offers individual, couples, family and children’s therapy with a variety of techniques—such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, or EMDR therapy; art therapy; and trauma-informed therapy. • Ribbon-cutting held Sept. 14 • 2950 Cullen Parkway, Ste. 102, Pearland • www.elliementalhealth.com 8 The Nest School The Pearland location of the school offers programs for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Its curriculum promotes holistic development focused on creativity, imagination, social-emotional growth and overall well-being. • Opened July 17 • 2430 CR 90, Pearland • www.thenestschool.com 9 Haute Home The shop was inspired by the owners’ years of experience as interior decorators, according to the business’s website. Here, customers can find decor for every home space, such as duvets and pillows, coffee mugs, table accents, essential oils, and body products. • Opened in July • 306 S. Friendswood Drive, Ste. A, Friendswood • www.haute-home-tx.com 10 4 Amigos Mexican Restaurant & Catering The restaurant serves Tex-Mex classics, such as fajitas, migas, tacos and burritos. The restaurant is hiring. • Opened Sept. 26 • 11401 Broadway St., Pearland • www.4amigosmex.com

Now open

11 CrunCheese The national Korean hot dog franchise celebrated its grand opening in Pearland. CrunCheese serves Korean-style hot dogs, which are lightly battered and deep fried before being drizzled with signature sauces, such as cheese mustard, garlic Parmesan and jalapeno ranch. • Opened Sept. 9 • 3422 Business Center Drive, Ste. 140, Pearland • www.cruncheeseusa.com

14 Intuitive Machines Officials from the aerospace company hosted the grand opening of the company’s Lunar Production and Operations Center at the Houston Spaceport. The center will allow the Clear Lake-based aerospace company to package and ship its Nova-C lunar lander, which is scheduled to launch to the moon to conduct science experiments as early as late this year. • Opened Sept. 29 • 13467 Columbia Shuttle St., Houston • www.intuitivemachines.com $6.8 million to upgrade its 14 Houston-area locations with technology upgrades, new menu items and enhanced live shows featuring dance-along concerts and an interactive dance floor. • 141 Silverlake Village Drive, Pearland • www.chuckecheese.com 15 Black Rock Coffee Bar The coffee shop celebrated its 15-year anniversary throughout August. The coffee shop started as a small business in Oregon in 2008 and now has 115 locations

12 H-E-B The grocery chain opened a 106,000-square-foot store in an area of Manvel that has long been considered a “food desert” with officials hoping the business will spark more development in the area, said Malcolm MacKenzie, general manager and top store leader. • Opened Oct. 25 • 17119 Hwy. 6, Manvel • www.heb.com

In the news

and about 1,700 employees nationwide. • 11930 Broadway St., Ste. 110, Pearland • www.br.coffee

13 Chuck E. Cheese Officials announced July 17 the company has invested

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Government

Vehicle inspection to no longer be required in Texas by 2025 the program requirement in 1976. According to the professionals

Beginning in 2025, Texas drivers will no longer need to get their vehicles inspected. The framework On Aug. 5, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 3297 into law, which eliminates mandatory vehicle safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles. Drivers must still pay the annual inspection fee of $7.50 but will no longer need to take their vehicle in for inspection prior to registering it. If a vehicle was not previously registered, drivers will pay $16.75 instead and won’t be required to pay the $7.50 fee for the next registration year for the same vehicle. The 17 Texas counties that require annual emissions tests—including Dallas, Harris and Travis counties, along with several counties around Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston—will continue to do so. Only 13 other states have mandatory vehicle inspections since the federal government ended

Inspection program replacement fee The $7.50 fee supports the following funds:

While proponents—such as state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, who filed the bill—have argued mandatory vehicle inspections are unnec- essary, one vehicle inspector said he worries doing away with the requirement could put drivers’ safety at risk and threaten the survival of his business. “I just think it defies logic,” said Larry Harris, owner of Larry’s Auto Inspection in Houston. “If nobody is making sure the vehicles are safe, there’s going to be some unsafe vehicles on the street.” Larry Harris said he was particularly concerned about people being able to drive without their steering wheel, brakes or tires up to standard. Community Impact reached out to several state representatives from its coverage areas, but they declined to comment.

Texas mobility fund ($3.50) : Finances the construction, reconstruction, acquisition and expansion of state highways

General revenue fund ($2) : Serves as Texas’ primary operating fund

Clean air account ($2) : Safeguards Texas’ air resources, recovers the costs of permitting new or modified emission sources and recovers the costs of permit reviews and renewals

SOURCES: TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, TXDOT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Men’s health starts with good relationships Men are at higher risk for many serious diseases, such as heart disease, orthopedic injuries and certain cancers. The good news is that most of these are preventable with healthy lifestyle choices, preventive screenings and regular health checkups. The first step in maintaining your health is establishing a relationship with a UTMB Health primary care provider, who is focused on improving your well-being

UTMB Health has over 130 years of expertise caring for men of all ages.

Call our 24/7 Access Service team at (800) 917-8906 , visit our website at utmbhealth.com/mens-health or scan the QR code to find a doctor and schedule your next appointment.

knows Men’s Health

The University of Texas Medical Branch is in-network for most major insurance plans.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY RACHEL LELAND

Pearland considers how to spend federal funds Following a public hearing on how federal funds awarded to support low- and moderate-income residents should be spent, Pearland officials will continue to ask for community feedback on what residents would like to see funded. The big picture On Oct. 9, Pearland City Council hosted a public hearing on how U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant funds—awarded annually for communities to serve low- to moder- ate-income individuals—should be spent in fiscal year 2023-24. The funds, which total $466,162, include a remaining balance of funds awarded in previous years for COVID-19 relief. According to staff’s proposal, the largest portion of the funds, $233,006, will go to support the expansion of the Melvin Knapp Senior Center

New courthouse construction ongoing County Judge Matt Sebesta discussed construction progress on the courthouse expansion during Brazoria County’s State of the County Luncheon on Oct. 19. Zooming in Brazoria County’s 150,000-square-foot administration building began construction in November 2021. Sebesta said that the county needed a larger administrative building and court- house to accommodate Brazoria County’s growing population. “We’ve got a couple of more years of con- struction before we get to the final product,” Sebesta said. The additional space will accommodate the high volume of cases the county previously could not process, Sebesta said.

Funding budget

Melvin Knapp Senior Center Outdoor Patio enclosure and expansion: $233,006 Program support: $93,232 Housing rehab and repair program administration: $70,000

Total $466,162

Social and public services: $69,924

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

outdoor patio enclosure, Grants-Special Projects Administrator Joel Hardy said. An invitation was extended to the public for comment, but no residents spoke about the proposal. One more thing Pearland hosted a third and final public hearing to discuss the allocation of HUD funds on Oct. 20.

Manvel residents to pay higher water, sewer rates Manvel residents will see a rise in higher water and sewer rates due to increased water infrastruc- ture maintenance and service costs. The gist the volumetric rate, according to a news release. The base rate, which covers the first 2,000

New rates

Water service base rate

Sewer service base rate

gallons of water used in a month, will increase by 14.9%, while the volumetric rate, which covers each additional 1,000 gallons used, will increase by 28.5%. This translates to an increase of $4.23 per month on residents’ water bills and $5.07 on their sewer bills from the current base rates.

$32.59 Residential

$39.10 Residential

On Oct. 2, Manvel City Council approved an ordinance to increase water and sewer rates, beginning Nov 1. The increase will affect both the base rate and

Commercial $39.10

Commercial $45.63

SOURCE: CITY OF MANVEL/COMMUNITY IMPACT

• BIG STORAGE

UNITS, COVERED & ENCLOSED

• AMENITIES & SERVICES • NEW CLASS A FACILITY

OPEN NOW! 1-855-648-6283 (MATE)

WWW.AGBRV.COM

4500 FM 2351, FRIENDSWOOD, TX 77546

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY RACHEL LELAND

Pearland calls special election to fill vacant council seats

closed Oct. 30 at 5 p.m., according to the city of Pearland’s website. Mona Chavarria is running for Position 3, and Chad Thumann, Diana Antezana and Veronica Kreuder Longoria are running for Position 6. Those elected will serve the remainder of Kamkar’s and Barry’s terms, which expire in May 2026 and May 2025, respectively.

In September, both Kamkar and Barry announced their candidacy for Texas House District 29 to fill the open seat vacated by outgoing state Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland. According to the Texas Constitution, Pearland City Council members cannot serve while seek- ing election to a state office. What’s next? The filing period for the special election

Pearland residents will have the chance to elect two new Pearland City Council members in a special election this December. What happened The city of Pearland has formally called for a Dec. 9 special election to fill council member positions 3 and 6, held by Alex Kamkar and Jeffrey Barry, respectively.

Where to vote 1 Tom Reid Library 3522 Liberty Drive, Pearland

288

2 West Pearland Community Center 2150 Country Place Parkway, Pearland 3 West Pearland Library 11801 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland

HUGHES RANCH RD.

SHADOW CREEK PKWY.

SMITH RANCH RD.

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Weight loss is a journey. That’s why our program is designed to help patients navigate the way.

Scan the QR code to learn more about surgical weight loss options.

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Education

BY JAMES T. NORMAN

Site of roof collapse to open next year Friendswood ISD officials expect a gym, where a construction worker died when a roof collapsed in June, to be demolished and

Pearland ISD receives ‘A’ financial grade Pearland ISD received an “A” rating from the state of Texas for its financial transparency. It’s the highest rating available to school districts, according to district documents. Two-minute impact The Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, also called FIRST, is issued by the Texas Education Agency, or TEA. FIRST looks at a number of financial factors, such as revenue and expense, transparency and district costs. Out of a possible score of 100, the district scored a 92, according to district documents. Of those points, 25 are automatic. While the score is for the district’s 2022-23 rating, it is based on data and results from the district’s FY 2021-22 budget, according to district documents.

District exempts itself from vaping law Pearland ISD will be exempt from part of a state law that requires officials to place students caught with vape devices into a district alternative education program. The gist Citing a lack of seats in their DAEP as well as a desire for “progressive discipline,” district officials sought an exemption. “Punishing [students] harsher than what they would be for just a normal cigarette for the same thing, lumping everyone into one category, makes it more difficult.” SEAN MURPHY, PEARLAND ISD BOARD PRESIDENT

Financial grade

Student enrollment

Projected enrollment

40K

Score out of 10

30K

Number of days of cash on hand

20K

10K

Current assets against current liabilities

reopened in fall 2024. Two-minute impact

General fund revenue against expenditures

The site of the gym at Friendswood High School will be demolished around Thanks- giving, Executive Director of Communication Dayna Owen said in an email. The plan will give officials a chance to demolish the area while students are away for Thanksgiving break, Owen said. In July, officials announced the possible cause of the roof collapse was due to a load-bearing wall being removed, which was found after an investigation from the contractor, ICI, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

NOTE: AISD ENROLLMENT DATA IS BASED ON PROJECTIONS IN OCTOBER. SOURCES: ALVIN ISD, ZONDA EDUCATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Long-term solvency

AISD to continue seeing enrollment growth Alvin ISD’s enrollment has increased by more than 1,000 students in each of the past few years, but projections show that trend could slow down, according to a presentation at the district’s Oct. 10 board meeting.

The overview The district going into the next decade can expect average enrollment to hover anywhere from around 600 to 800 new students every year. That’s down from recent years but still shows the district growing more than neighboring districts. Despite the possible slowdown, a number of the district’s schools are still expected to exceed capacity in the coming years, according to the data.

Future debt against assessed property value

Administrative cost ratio

External audit results

0 2

SOURCE: PEARLAND ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

SHADOW CREEK 11023 Shadow Creek Pkwy (281) 977-1027

PEARLAND 10555 Pearland Pkwy (713) 987-9205

ALMEDA 11130 Gulf Fwy (713) 910-3941

FRIENDSWOOD 3126 FM 528 (281) 648-5473

Transportation

BY RACHEL LELAND

Construction continues on Blackhawk

Blackhawk Boulevard improvements The road work includes surface reconstruction, new waterline installation and the creation of a left-turn lane near FM 528.

One more thing

Phase II-B of the project began in late July and is expected to be completed by summer 2024, weather permitting, Arias said. To improve Friendswood’s water transmission capacity between Blackhawk Boulevard and downtown, workers are constructing over 1.5 miles of a 24-inch water line between the two points. To minimize disruption to Friendswood residents and drivers, a quarter- mile of the water line project will be incorporated into the next phase of construction, which is slated to begin in fall 2024, after Phase II-B is completed. The project’s total cost is estimated to be $2.4 million, Arias said.

Key

Water line Roadway improvements

Blackhawk Boulevard is undergoing a new construction phase for drainage and sidewalk improvements. “This street was originally built in the 1970s and has reached the end of its service life,” Friendswood Director of Engineering Jil Arias said. “This work will improve the quality of the ride by repairing this bumpy road and minimizing ponding on the road.” The Texas Department of Transportation has asked for an additional left-turn lane to be installed where the road intersects FM 528. During construction, traffic has been reduced to one lane each way.

EDENVALE ST.

E. SPREADING OAKS AVE.

528

We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. YES, WE DO. We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. We have a wide range of competitive personal and business banking services. And with that full-service convenience banking comes our HomeTown, accessible team of friendly staff members and their commitment to serving the Pearland community. YES, WE DO. YES, DO.

4 Mobile deposit – Quick as a click! 4 Instant-issue debit cards 4 Online bill pay 4 Savings Made Simple – debit card transaction automatic savings tool 4 Money Management – create your own budget online! 4 Business Banking – Online cash management for businesses 4 Commercial Remote Deposit Capture for businesses* 4 Positive Pay check fraud prevention for businesses* 4 Commercial Remote Deposit Capture for businesses* 4 Positive Pay check fraud prevention for businesses* 4 Free app for your smartphone 4 Send money to friends and family using their email or phone number* 4 Instant debit card transaction alerts with SecurLock Equip 4 Move money easily between external accounts* 4 Mobile deposit – Quick as a click! 4 Instant-issue debit cards 4 Online bill pay 4 Savings Made Simple – debit card transaction automatic savings tool 4 Money Management – create your own budget online! 4 Business Banking – Online cash management for businesses Loan decisions are made locally by people who share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: 4 Equipment loans 4 Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit Loan decisions are made locally by people who share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: 4 Equipment loans 4 Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit 4 Commercial Remote Deposit Capture for businesses* 4 Positive Pay check fraud prevention for businesses* Loan decisions are made locally by people who share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: 4 Equipment loans 4 Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit *Fees could apply Loan decisions are made locally by people who share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: Equipment loans Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases Loan decisions are made locally by people who share your interests. HomeTown Bank’s business lending options include: 4 Equipment loans 4 Acquisitions 4 Construction loans 4 Real estate purchases 4 Move money easily between external accounts* 4 Mobile deposit – Quick as a click! 4 Instant-issue debit cards 4 Online bill pay 4 Savings Made Simple – debit card transaction automatic savings tool 4 Money Management – create your own budget online! 4 Business Banking – Online cash management for businesses Free app for your smartphone Send money to friends and family using their email or phone number* 4 Instant debit card transaction alerts with SecurLock Equip 4 Move money easily between external accounts* 4 Mobile deposit – Quick as a click! 4 Instant-issue debit cards 4 Online bill pay 4 Savings Made Simple – debit card transaction automatic savings tool 4 Money Management – create your own budget online! 4 Business Banking – Online cash management for businesses 4 Free app for your smartphone 4 Send money to friends and family using their email or phone number* 4 Instant debit card transaction alerts with SecurLock Equip 4 Move money easily between external accounts* 4 Mobile deposit – Quick as a click! 4 Instant-issue debit cards 4 Online bill pay 4 Savings Made Simple – debit card transaction automatic savings tool 4 Money Management – create your own budget online! 4 Business Banking – Online cash management for businesses 4 Commercial Remote Deposit Capture for businesses* 4 Positive Pay check fraud prevention for businesses* 4 Commercial Remote Deposit Capture for businesses* 4 Positive Pay check fraud prevention for businesses* *Fees could apply 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit 4 Expansion plans 4 Lines of credit

Participate in the city-wide Cultural Arts Master Plan online survey! Your input will guide the future of arts and culture in Pearland.

Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager

*Fees could apply

Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager

*Fees could apply

Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager Sean Murphy, Senior Vice President, Loan Officer and Branch Manager

OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded September, 2022 OOOOO 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded September, 2022 OOOOO 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank OOOOO Five-Star “Superior” rating by BauerFinancial, Inc., awarded September, 2022 OOOOO 2651 Pearland Parkway • (281) 412-8000 • www.HomeTown.Bank

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Health care

BY RACHEL LELAND

Pickleball continues attracting new players every day, but the number of injuries related to the sport is rising locally, too. Rosharon resident Alexis Morrow was playing tennis with a friend at a community court in northeast Houston when the friend asked her if she’d like to play pickleball. Morrow, a 30-year-old speech pathologist, picked up a paddle and began to play. Within 30 minutes of stepping onto the pickleball court, the lifelong athlete experienced her rst sports injury: a tear of her ACL and meniscus. Pickleball combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, according to Pearland Sports Academy, which oers specialty sports training in pickleball, archery, karate and badminton. Pickleball injuries rise in Pearland area

The background

Major takeaways

Patel, who treated Morrow in June, said over the past three to six months, he has seen on average two to three pickleball injuries per week. Patel said the most common pickleball injuries he sees are in the knee and the shoulder. More recently, he has seen what is known as “‘pickleball elbow.” Pickleball elbow is caused by overuse of the forearm muscles due to bad mechanics, leading to pain, microtearing, inammation and weakness, according to USA Pickleball. While those who suer minor sprains can sometimes address them without medical professionals, Patel said those injured playing pickleball should seek medical care if the injury reveals itself to be more severe over time. Many players, including Morrrow, initially underestimate the severity of their pickleball injury. “I sprained my ankle before, but I had never broken any bones or torn anything,” Morrow said. “After seeing Dr. Patel, that’s when I realized that I had completely torn my ACL and meniscus.” RICE Patel recommends the following steps for those who suer minor sprains while playing pickleball. Rest Ice

Pearland and Friendswood are not exempt from the pickleball craze that has swept the nation. Between the two cities, there are nearly two dozen places to play pickleball at local gyms, parks and public recreation centers. Local players have even found community within social media groups, such as Friendswood Pickleball Club and Pearland Rec Center Pickleball Group, both of which boast hundreds of members. One of the biggest drivers of the sport’s popularity is its accessibility for players of all skill levels and ages, Texas Orthopedic Hospital’s Dr. Ronak Patel said. However, patients over age 50 are the demo- graphic he sees most for pickleball injuries. “It’s actually kind of remarkable that we have patients in that age group who are doing this kind of sport, so that’s a great thing,” Patel said. “But having known that, these patients are already more active and have had other injuries, and they’re a little bit more prone to exacerbating some of these injuries.”

To reduce the risk of injury, Patel recommends the following practices:

Eat and hydrate well.

Do warmup and cooldown exercises before and after playing.

Perform strength training for injury-prone areas of the body, such as shoulders, hips and quads.

Compress Elevate

Alexis Morrow, who sustained a pickleball injury, works with physical therapist Grace Biles.

SOURCE: DR. RONAK PATELCOMMUNITY IMPACT

RACHEL LELANDCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: DR. RONAK PATELCOMMUNITY IMPACT

D.R. HORTON AMERICA’S BUILDER Home for every stage in life. SM Now Open: Watermark

Alvin High School

Watermark

Prices Starting in the $270’s

Alvin Jr HS

Stevenson Primary PK-2nd

Disney Elementary 3rd-5th

MODEL HOMES NOW OPEN IN WATERMARK

Zoned to Highly Rated Alvin ISD

Call: 713-357-6071 | Email: HoustonSoutheastOSC@drhorton.com

Prices, plans, features and options are subject to change without notice. Prices shown are based on home prices and do not include costs and fees, modifications to plans and custom features which may substantially affect final cost of home. Please check accuracy of information provided with your sales agent prior to purchasing. Features noted above could be plan or lot specific. Pictures, photographs/renderings, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Home and community information, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are subject to change at any time without notice or obligation. Square footage is approximate only. Additional restrictions may apply. Furnishings and decorative items not included with home purchase. Artist renderings only. Subject to change. Schools, districts and zoning are outside of D.R. Horton, Inc.’s control and subject to change at any time. Buyer should conduct his or her own investigation of the present and future availability of school districts and school assignments. Seller has no control or responsibility for any changes to school districts or school assignments should they occur in the future. 11/2022.

PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

From the cover

Pearland secures its water future

The big picture

Pearland’s Surface Water Treatment Plant

After more than 20 years of planning, Pearland workers will soon be able to treat and pump the city’s own surface water, decreasing its dependence on buying water from Houston. Located just south of Magnolia Parkway in Rosharon, the $175 million Surface Water Treatment Plant will pump 10 million gallons of water per day for Pearland. In 2022, supply chain setbacks pushed the construction timeline back over a year. However, once safety inspections are passed and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approves the plant’s initial water samples, it will be fully operational to service the city’s water needs by January, said Shaun Gilmore, plant manager. Currently, the city pumps 34 million gallons of water per day, sourcing its water from underground wells in Pearland and buying water sourced from the Trinity River Basin from Houston. The plant will draw water from the Gulf Coast Water Authority’s American Canal, which is ultimately sourced from the Brazos River Basin.

1 Ground storage: stores up to 2 million gallons of water before it’s pumped out of the plant 2 High service pump station: sends water to distribution 3 Electrical building: takes the line power and routes it to the rest of the plant 5 Operations building: holds the plant’s control center and servers for the city’s network 4 Maintenance building: holds tools for making repairs to the plant

9 Pretreatment structure: contains the coagulation, flocculation and sedimentation processes 8 Membrane filtration building: houses liquid chemicals and membrane system to treat water 6 Disinfection building: houses chlorine and chlorine dioxide, which are used to disinfect water 7 Granulated carbon filters: polishes membrane- filtered water 10 Solids processing and water recycle: receives sludge to go to belt presses for processing; water from which is added back to production

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Zooming in

“Municipalities who don’t develop their own means to acquire water on their own ... like we’re doing ... are at the mercy of the contractors that they’re purchasing water from,” Communications Director Josh Lee said.

significant investment for the city, ultimately, City Manager Trent Epperson said Pearland is playing the long game to have more sovereignty over how the city sources and treats the water its growing population of 130,000 people uses.

Currently, Pearland receives 16 million gallons of water per day that is sourced from the Trinity River Basin and treated in Houston before being pumped to one of Pearland’s two receiving stations. While building and operating the plant is a

EOI

Your pathway to success.

Enroll, Right Now.

AlvinCollege

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY RACHEL LELAND

By the numbers

One more thing

The plant is the first pumping station in the city to have its own full- functioning lab for testing water quality, with a pipe that brings water directly to the lab. The other pumping stations have only portable instruments. The plant’s operations building will also serve as a shelter for first responders and city staff during a natural disaster. In the future, the plant will be expanded to double its water pumping capacity to 20 million gallons per day, Gilmore said. “The main thing for [doubling capacity] is getting an extra basin here, and then pretreatment capacity will be doubled,” Gilmore said. A date to build the additional basin and double the pumping capacity of the Surface Water Treatment Plant has not yet been set.

While city officials said they hope the new plant will save money in the long run, Pearland residents saw their water rates go up 14% this year and 13% last year to pay for water infrastructure, including the Surface Water Treatment Plant. Pearland residents aren’t the only ones who will pay more for their water; recently, Manvel officials announced residents would pay a 14.9% higher base rate for their water bills, citing rising infra- structure and maintenance costs. Of all the sources from which Pearland draws its water, the wholesale water it purchases from Hous- ton is the most costly to the city, Epperson said. While savings were a contributing factor to Pearland’s decision to build the Surface Water Treatment Plant, Epperson added that diversifying the city’s options in the event any one source is compromised, such as a groundwater well going down, was a major factor in investing in new water infrastructure.

Pearland’s proposed water, sewer rate changes

Year-over-year growth

+14%

FY 2023-24

+17%

FY 2024-25

+17%

FY 2025-26

+11%

FY 2026-27

+8%

FY 2027-28

5% 10% 15%

20%

NOTE: FUTURE INCREASES ARE PROJECTED AND NOT YET FINAL. SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Project timeline

How water is treated

What you need to know

Coagulation: removes solids from water by manipulating electrostatic charges of particles Flocculation: solids form larger clusters, or flocs, to be removed Sedimentation: clarifies the water before it’s pumped through the membrane filtration Filtration: polishes off the water in the same way a refrigerator filter polishes off tap water Disinfection: chlorine added to disinfect the membrane-filtered water

June 2020 : construction begins

At any given time, the Surface Water Treatment Plant will have five operational staff and anywhere from three to five maintenance staff, Gilmore said. “The plant will run 24 hours a day between Monday and Saturday, and it will be off for four hours on Saturday and [Sunday],” Gilmore said. The plant will send the water to pumping stations at Kirby Drive and FM 521 where it will be pumped throughout the city.

November 2023: construction finishes January 2024: plant becomes operational Looking ahead: There are plans to build a second water storage tank.

SOURCE: CITY OF PEARLAND/COMMUNITY IMPACT

�et �s �e �our �oliday �elper

Providing solutions to make your holiday affordable.

11555 Magnolia Pkwy., Suite 170 Pearland, TX 77584 713.852.6700 TexasBayCU.org

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Events

BY ERIC WEILBACHER

New fair brings medieval fun to Central Texas The tucked-away corner of New Braunfels that comprises Heritage Village, The Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture and Conservation Plaza typically devotes its space to 19th century history. But on Dec. 8, Heritage Village will be taken back much further in time. The specics The inaugural New Braunfels Renaissance Faire will take place Dec. 8-10 and will host a variety of traditional Christmas celebrations throughout the weekend. Visitors can try their hands at archery, foam sword ghting, ax throwing and more. The faire will also have steel sword ghting demonstrations, jugglers and Circle Arts Theatre will be on hand to perform Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” and more than 60 vendors will be on hand with unique Christmas gifts and medieval wares.

Organizers Justin and Alina Ball (left), and Izzy and Lark Mason III founded the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.

PHOTOS BY ERIC WEILBACHERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

337

1370 Church Hill Drive, New Braunfels www.nbrenfaire.com

Raul Alvarado (left) is the ght coordinator for the New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.

Health Caring is what we do

• Nursing • Nutrition & Food Science • Occupational Therapy • Physical Therapy • Health Care Administration

Learn more

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Virtually ip through any e-edition! Enhance your experience with hyperlinked stories and ads.

A Spanish Immersion Preschool

NOW OPEN IN FRIENDSWOOD! • Low teacher/student ratios • Language immersion • Warm and loving environment • Curriculum that builds a foundation for success • Full and part-time options • Accepting 18 months to 5 years-old

Visit our website at www.spanishschoolhouse.com for more information or scan the code to schedule a tour today! (832) 209-7755 • Email: friendswood@spanishschoolhouse.com 501 S Friendswood Dr. Ste. 125 • Friendswood, TX 77546

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM PRINTARCHIVES Snap or visit

PEARLAND FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

OREO® COOKIE P eppermint — SHAKE —

— IT’S BACK! —

French Onion STEAKBURGER Two patties with Swiss cheese, bacon, and grilled onions on a toasted bun with French Onion sauce and crispy fried onions.

TRY ONE TODAY

NOW OPEN!

$10 OFF when you spend $100 or more

Free small queso with purchase of

# 1 SCAN THE QR CODE # 2 DOWNLOAD THE APP � 3 GET FREE FREDDY’S

fajitas for 2! OR

FROZEN CUSTARD SINGLE SCOOP CONE FREE 2-31-2023

Good for one single scoop cone - no purchase necessary. Must present this coupon. One per guest, per visit. Some restrictions may apply. Only valid at our Houston area Freddyʼs locations. Freddys.com Expires: 12-31-2023

3525 S. Main St., #190 Pearland, TX • 77581 281-741-0633

Custom Closets Garage Cabinets Home Offices Wall Beds Wall Organizers Pantries

Laundries Wall Units Hobby Rooms Garage Flooring Media Centers and more...

Imagine your home, totally organized!

Terms and Conditions: 40% off any order of $1000 or more or 30% off any order of $700 or more on any complete custom closet, garage, or home office unit. Take an additional 15% off on any complete system order. Not valid with any other offer. Free installation with any complete unit order of $600 or more. With incoming order, at time of purchase only. Expires 2/28/2023 . Offer not valid in all regions. Terms and Conditions: 40% off any order of $1000 or more or 30% off any order of $700 or more on any complete custom closet, garage, or home office unit. Take an additional 15% off on any complete system order. Not valid with any other offer. Free installation with any complete unit order of $600 or more. With incoming order, at time of purchase only. Discount Expires in 30 Days. Offer not valid in all regions. 40 % Off Free Installation 15% Off PLUS TAKE AN EXTRA 40% Off Plus 15% Off SPECIAL FINANCING FOR 18 MONTHS With approved credit. Call or ask your Designer for details. Not available in all areas. Plus

Call for a free in home design consultation and estimate 346 - 230 - 2667 www.closetsbydesign.com CI Follow us

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

LET US CATER YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER! BAKED AND FRIED TURKEYS AVAILABLE.

9603 BROADWAY STREET · PEARLAND, TX 281-919-1506 ORDER ONLINE TODAY AT www.mikkiscafe.com

DRIVE THRU AVAILABLE

Veterans Day 2023 November 11th $5 DINNERS FOR VETERANS

From 11 a.m - 2 p.m Entree + 2 sides & cornbread or dinner roll MUST PROVIDE ID

BOOK OUR PRIVATE ROOM FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY OR EVENT! CONTACT US FOR DETAILS.

REGULAR PRICED ITEMS MONDAY-THURSDAY 11-2 ($12 OR MORE) Valued items only. Drinks, desserts, specials not included. $2 OFF

SENIOR CITIZEN, MILITARY, FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE DEPARTMENT, SCHOOL TEACHERS

Every Monday & Tuesday Must show ID or be in uniform

HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday – Saturday 11 AM – 8 PM • Sunday 11 AM – 7:30 PM

PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION

Early Detection Starts With Your ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM

The recommended age to start your annual mammogram is 40. Schedule yours today. At Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers, our board-certified experts use the latest imaging technology to provide you with cutting-edge breast screenings — such as 3D mammograms — to detect even the smallest lumps and abnormalities with accuracy. We offer:

Conroe *

The Woodlands

Tomball *

Willowbrook

Towne Lake *

Katy-West Houston

Kirby

Baytown

Texas Medical Center

• Expanded hours available at most locations • Access to medical records and test results through MyChart

• 10+ convenient locations across Houston • Online scheduling with readily available appointments

Clear Lake

Sugar Land

Pearland *

*Conroe, Pearland, Tomball and Towne Lake offer screening mammograms only

Scan the QR code , visit houstonmethodist.org/breast-care or call 713.441.PINK (7465) to schedule your mammogram today. We do not require a doctor’s order for your annual screening mammogram.

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12-13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24

communityimpact.com