Bellaire - Meyerland - West University | October 2025

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Bellaire Meyerland West University Edition VOLUME 7, ISSUE 6 OCT. 7NOV. 4, 2025

2025 Voter Guide

New congressional map could impact Inner Loop elections

INSIDE

BY HANNAH NORTON & KEVIN VU

Inner Loop residents may be voting for new congressional representatives next year after Texas lawmakers redrew 37 of the state’s 38 congressional districts during a special legislative session. Texas Republicans, who currently hold 25 U.S. House seats, said they hoped the mid-decade redistricting eort would help them net up to ve more seats during the 2026 midterm elections. Among those is TX-09, which covers portions of South Houston and is served by U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston. The changes will also aect TX-18, a seat that is currently vacant and will be lled by a Nov. 4 special election after U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner died March 4. District 9 will shift east to include communities outside Harris County under the new map, while District 18 will move to absorb the existing portions of District 9. A trio of federal judges began a nine-day hearing Oct. 1 to determine if the map can be used in next year’s elections.

HANNAH NORTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Also in this issue

See what elections are happening this November in your community Election Page 8

Learn how Houston ISD aims to increase accountability ratings by 2027 Education Page 12

Check out a list of fall events, pumpkin patches happening around the Houston area this season Community

Page 17

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Houston’s Comeback — Stronger Than Ever.

Thank You, Houston This is a high-five to every student, teacher, parent, and partner — this is your victory. Together, we are Houston ISD — and we’re just getting started. High-fives to the unstoppable students of Houston ISD! Your hard work has led to real academic gains. With the support of our dedicated teachers and families, Houston students are proving what’s possible. Houston ISD is on the rise.

“This is The Houston Comeback! Just two years ago, our students were significantly behind the rest of the state. Today, nearly three out of four of our schools are rated A or B, and no student in HISD attends an F-rated school. For the first time, geography no longer dictates destiny in HISD. These results reflect the hard work and commitment of our students, families, and educators, and I want to congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.” - Mike Miles

The Comeback Is On — Catch the stories behind the scores Watch student spotlights, school success, and more anytime at YouTube.com/@HISDNOW

BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

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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 Sarah Brager Melissa Enaje Valeria Escobar Wesley Gardner Atirikta Kumar Rachel Leland Emily Lincke Roo Moody Tomer Ronen Nichaela Shaheen Haley Velasco Kevin Vu

Chloe Mathis General Manager cmathis@ communityimpact.com

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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Impacts

8 Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette Known for its raw bar selection and seafood, the restaurant recently announced the opening of its third location. The coastal eatery offers oysters, buttermilk lobster bites and tuna poke. • Opening this fall 9 De Noche Jewels Founder Alicia Berrios, a Latina entrepreneur, will open a new location of the jewelry store in Rice Village. The store specializes in fine jewelry, from 10K to 18K gold, as well as diamond pieces. • Opening in October • 5615 Kirby Drive, Ste. 420, Houston • www.denochejewels.com • 5212 Morningside Drive, Houston • www.libertykitchenoysterette.com

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Relocations

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10 Beauty Shop Bellaire Owner Ashley Nadon moved her indie- and eco-friendly beauty and skin care supply store to the Bellaire Triangle shopping center in late September. • Relocated Sept. 27 • 5400 Bissonnet St., Ste. 14, Bellaire • https://beautyshopbellaire.com

LA CONCHA LN.

BEECHNUT ST.

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UNIVERSITY BLVD.

5 Claw Cosmos Packed with rows of claw machines, children and adults can attempt to win plush toys and character figures, including new Labubus, and surprise boxes at this Tokyo-style arcade. • Opened June 21 • 4003 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. HH, Houston • Instagram: @clawcosmosofficial 6 Gulf Coast Blood A new donor center for the medical business opened inside the Texas Medical Center. It will feature next- generation technology, modern donation stations and calming design elements. • Opened Aug. 15 • 1425 La Concha Lane, Houston • www.giveblood.org Avenue360 Health & Wellness The nonprofit launched a new mobile health clinic in late August that will address health inequities across Houston and Harris County. The organization is qualified to provide primary care, behavioral health and dental services to underserved areas. • Opened Aug. 27 • www.avenue360.org

Now open

In the news

1 Smash City The new halal smashburger and hot dog eatery is a late- night concept that started as a food truck in Louisiana. The Galleria location is the first brick-and-mortar

11 Blakely’s Butterfly Exhibit In honor of 8-year-old Blakely McCrory, who lost her life in the Texas Hill Country floods this past summer, residents raised $25K to build a butterfly-themed exhibit and play feature at Joe Gaither Park. • 4901 Mayfair St., Bellaire • https://cbo.io/app/public/bidapp/butterfly/ 12 Milton’s After almost a year of serving customers in Rice Village, the American trattoria expanded its hours in September to be open on Sundays from 4-9 p.m. The restaurant offers Italian dishes such as pasta, salads and soups.

storefront in Texas. • Opened Sept. 13

• 6377 Westheimer Road, Houston • www.smash-city-burgers.com

2 Woven Stitchery & Crafts Bellaire resident Savreet Singh left her corporate job to open this new fabric and quilt shop, which stocks high- quality fabric, patterns, needlework and gift items. • Opened Sept. 13 • 5410 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. D, Bellaire • www.wovenhtx.com 3 Studs Known for coining the term “earscaping,” this store specializes in custom ear piercings and features more than 250 earrings for customers to choose from. • Opened Aug. 27 • 5115 Westheimer Road, Ste. 2805, Houston • www.studs.com 4 On Store The shoe store sells premium running shoes for athletes that include lightweight cushioning and are designed to deliver a running on clouds experience. Men’s and women’s shoes are available, as well as apparel and accessories. • Opened Aug. 24 • 6225 Kirby Drive, Ste. A-101, Houston • www.on.com/en-us/

• 5117 Kelvin Drive, Ste. 200, Houston • www.miltonandlees.com/miltons

American Cancer Society The global nonprofit has partnered with Oxy, a petroleum corporation, to expand life-saving cancer treatment across Texas, including helping patients with free lodging, rides to treatment and 24/7 support. • www.cancer.org

Closings

Coming soon

13 Salad and Go The drive-thru salad chain confirmed in an email that all Houston locations are closed. The restaurant sold affordable salads and wraps. • Closed Sept. 19 • 3161 Chimney Rock Road, Houston • www.saladandgo.com

7 Candente The owner of Sambrooks Hospitality, Michael Sambrooks, has taken over the lease at Mandito’s Tex- Mex in Bellaire and intends to rebrand it as Candente, an industrial-style Tex-Mex restaurant that opened in Montrose in 2019. • Opening end of 2025 • 5101 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire • www.candentehtx.com

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BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF

14 Picos Restaurant officials announced that the Mexican restaurant would be shutting down at the end of the year. The spot served classic dishes such as fajitas, enchiladas and carne asada. • Closing end of 2025 • 3601 Kirby Drive, Houston • www.picos.net 15 Dak & Bop The Korean fried chicken restaurant announced the closure of its location in the Museum District in September. It originally opened in 2024. • Closed Sept. 26 • 1801 Binz St. Ste. 120, Houston • www.dakandbop.com 16 Starbucks In a Sept. 25 news release, Brian Niccol, the chairman and CEO of Starbucks, announced the closure of hundreds of Starbucks locations across the country, including the Buffalo Speedway location. • Closed Sept. 28 • 5115 Buffalo Speedway, Houston • www.starbucks.com

Now open

17 A Cheese Affair Inspired by French fromageries, the shop features cheese from around the world, including bloomy rind and blue cheeses. The store also sells washed rind cheeses, which are coated with spirits, wine or brine. The shop also plans to launch a monthly membership that includes one and a half to two

18 Play Street Museum West U This neighborhood museum for children up to 8 years old is inspired by the outdoors, with interactive exhibits based on fishing and camping. Additionally, the museum will showcase monthly themes and stay open late one night a week for special Night at the Museum activities. • Opened Oct. 1 • 4007 Bellaire Blvd., Ste. G, Houston • www.playstreetmuseum.com

pounds of cheese. • Opened Sept. 13 • 5302 Morningside Drive, Houston • www.acheeseaffair.com

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Election

BY HANNAH BROL & KEVIN VU

Voter Guide

Dates to know

Oct. 20: First day of early voting Oct. 24: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) Oct. 31: Last day of early voting Nov. 4: Election Day and the last day to receive ballot by mail (or Nov. 5 if carrier envelope is postmarked by 7 p.m. at location of election)

Where to vote

Harris County residents can cast their ballot at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.harrisvotes.com for polling locations.

Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.

KEY: D Democrat G Green R Republican I Independent

Local elections Houston City Council, At-Large Position 4 J. Brad Batteau Dwight A. Boykins Martina Lemond Dixon Ethan Hale Miguel Herrera Al Lloyd Kristal Mtaza-Lyons ( write-in candidate ) Sonia Rivera Adrian Thomas Rogers Alejandra Salinas Sheraz Mohammad Siddiqui Kathy L. Tatum Angie Thibodeaux Jordan Thomas Cris Wright Bellaire City Council, Position 3 Ross Gordon Kevin Newman

Sample ballot

Federal elections U.S. Representative, District 18 R Theodis Daniel R Ollie J. Knox R Carmen Maria Montiel R Carter Page R Ronald Dwayne Whitfield

D Feldon Bonner II D Amanda Edwards

D Stephen Huey D Jolanda Jones D Isaiah R. Martin D Christian Dashaun Menefee D Valencia Williams I Reyna Anderson I Vince Duncan I George Edward Foreman IV G Tammie Jean Rochester

SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

More election coverage Candidate Q&As for the U.S. Representative, District 18 election are not included in this issue due to limited space.

To read these additional Q&As and for more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Election

BY KEVIN VU

KEY: *Incumbent

Bellaire City Council, Position 3

What are the biggest issues facing residents and how would you address those challenges?

How will you ensure Bellaire is prepared for extreme weather and ooding?

In addition to infrastructure and ood protection, we need to continue to adapt to the changing needs and demands of the community. For example, we recently expanded the police force to bolster public safety, adding four new ocers and funded a second ambulance unit to ensure fast EMS response times.

Recently, we adopted new oodplain management ordinances to ensure new development is built to withstand future oods, and we secured $54M from the State of Texas to implement our Regional Drainage Improvement Program. Through partnerships and grants, we will continue to protect our community and drive down ood risk.

Ross Gordon* Experience: Bellaire City Council, H-GAC Board of Directors, Bellaire Planning & Zoning Commission, professional engineer

Occupation: Civil engineer www.gordon4bellaire.com

Rapidly rising property taxes, while great for the city, hurt the average and xed-income families. Aging infrastructure remains neglected, and no one is watching how taxpayer money is spent. I’ll push for nancial oversight, prioritize repairs and advocate for policies that protect residents from being priced out of their own community.

Solving the 100-year ood is unrealistic. Spending over $200 million may not prevent future damage and risks wasting taxpayer money. I support practical, cost-eective improvements to drainage and emergency response that will actually help residents without bankrupting the city.

Kevin Newman Experience: COO, Bellaire Small Business Association founder, longtime Bellaire resident, civic volunteer Occupation: Chief operating ocer, Maverick Wrecker Design & Repair 832-791-1515

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

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Government

BY MELISSA ENAJE & KEVIN VU

West U advances $1.3M recreation center upgrades One of several proposals focused on repurposing high-trac spaces within West University Place’s Recreation Center has advanced after City Council adopted the scal year 2026 budget and 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Plan on Sept. 22. The details The approved improvement will expand the cardio and weight room and add new equipment to the oor.

Progress continues on wastewater projects Bellaire City Council is continuing progress toward connecting its wastewater to Houston with the approval of two work orders that will help address the aging wastewater treatment plant. In a nutshell One of the work orders will perform a site evaluation to nd the best location to relocate the city’s outdated lift station, City Engineer Beth Jones said during the Sept. 8 City Council meeting. The work order will cost the city $62,000 from the enterprise fund balance, according to the agenda item. The second approved work order, which costs $83,700 from the same budget, will work on guring out the best path to connect the city’s wastewater to Houston’s wastewater treatment plant.

A proposal to expand the aquatics workspace and viewing room was omitted from the CIP, while renovating the multipurpose rooms to split them into storage and multifunction courts will be considered in 2028, according to city ocials. Estimated costs for the cardio and weight room upgrades are $1.34 million. The city’s architects from Pierce Goodwin Alexander and Linville provided updates about the projects during an Aug. 25 City Council meeting.

Project renderings show how the cardio and weight room will be expanded.

COMMUNITY DR.

RUSKINST.

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BELLAIRE MEYERLAND WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

W E S T H E I M E R R D .

Education

Transportation

BY WESLEY GARDNER & CASSANDRA JENKINS

BY CASSANDRA JENKINS

HISD aims for all schools to be A- or B- rated by 2027 Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, who was appointed by the Texas Education Agency in June 2023, hosted a news conference Sept. 9, promising that by the start of the 2027-28 school year, all 273 schools will be A- or B-rated. Zooming in TEA released A-F accountability ratings for the 2024-25 school year Aug. 15, which showed that the district had no F-rated campuses. However, despite recent gains, Miles said the district is aiming to improve even further in the next one to two years, as the district still had 54 campuses receive a C and 18 earn a D in the past school year. “This is all of our success, and all of our future effort,” Miles said. “This will be to the benefit of all Houstonians and not just the kids in HISD.” Miles said the district has reached out to

Superintendent receives $173K bonus The Houston ISD board of managers approved a $173,660 bonus for Superinten- dent Mike Miles following the release of his evaluation for the 2024-25 school year, officials said in a Sept. 16 news release. The payment is part of Miles’ contract, which allows for up to $190,000 in incentive pay tied to annual results, per the release. A closer look According to Texas Education Agency data, HISD’s A-F accountability ratings increased from 93 A- and B-rated schools two years ago to 197 in 2024-25. District data also shows that during Miles’ two years in office, students who took the end-of-year exams in 2024-25 passed by higher percentage points in all five subjects when compared to the 2022-23 school year.

Upcoming projects

HISD 2025 ratings by geography

HERMANN PARK

1 Chimney Rock Road reconstruction Project: Roadway reconstruction will take place along Chimney Rock Road from Evergreen Street to Maple Street, along with intersection improvements. Update: The Houston-Galveston Area Council announced in August that the project would be a part of the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan to receive funding.

A B C D

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EVERGREEN ST.

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• Timeline: 2035-TBD • Cost: $11.31 million • Funding source: H-GAC

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Ongoing projects

WESTPARK TOLLWAY.

2 METRO Sidewalk Replacement Project: West University Place contractors are making improvements and replacing sidewalks within the city limits, targeting repair and replacement for connections within METRO bus stops and other high-traffic areas. Update: On Sept. 22, contractors began replacing the section of sidewalk along the 4100-4200 block of Rice Boulevard. Crews will then move to University Boulevard. • Timeline: July 2025-TBD • Cost: $500,000 • Funding sources: METRO, West University Place, Federal Transportation Administration

S. POST OAK RD.

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MAP NOT TO SCALE N

SOURCE: HOUSTON ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT

3 Brays Bayou Trail Project: The project includes creating 4.4 miles of hike- and-bike trails, undercrossings and a memorial plaza along the Bayou from near Bissonnet Street to West Loop South. Update: The section of trails between Chimney Rock Road and Hillcroft Avenue was completed in September.

The Captain Herod Memorial Plaza is expected to be completed this fall. • Timeline: 2025-2028 • Cost: $6.6 million • Funding sources: Harris County Precinct 4, Houston Parks Board

Houston area business leaders to sponsor a school with a C or D rating, which includes funding two teacher appreciation lunches, student celebra- tions, campus cleanup days and donating dollars to use for academic needs.

BUFFALO SPEEDWAY 9733 Buffalo Speedway (713) 838-7486

HOLCOMBE 2314 W Holcombe Blvd (713) 669-1722

WESLAYAN 3902 Bissonnet (713) 218-8144

New congressional map could impact Inner Loop elections From the cover

This November, a special election will be held to ll a vacant seat representing TX-18 after U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner died in March. The winner of that election will serve the remainder of the term. All congressional seats are up for election in 2026. All states are constitutionally required to redistrict every 10 years after a census, although mid-decade redistricting is not unprecedented, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. Texas lawmakers also redrew the state’s congressional boundaries in 2003.

“Each of these newly-drawn districts now trend Republican,” Hunter said Aug. 20. “While there's no guarantee of electoral success, Republicans will now have an opportunity to potentially win these... ve new districts.” If the federal court allows Texas’ redrawn congressional map to become law, the new districts will take eect in January 2027—the beginning of the next congressional cycle—and will not impact current congressional terms. Candidates will have from Nov. 8-Dec. 8 to le to appear on the March 3 primary ballots.

The overview

Texas lawmakers began redistricting this summer, after President Donald Trump asked Texas and other GOP-led states to redraw their congressional maps to benet Republicans outside the decennial redistricting period. Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, said the “primary changes” to Texas’ congressional map were focused on ve districts: TX-09, TX-28, TX-32, TX-34 and TX-35.

DISTRICT 29

Current

New

DISTRICT 18

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DISTRICT 38

DISTRICT 29

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DISTRICT 7

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SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

District population changes In District 9, Harris County will see a 62% decrease in Black voting-age residents under the new congressional map. Current map New map

The debate

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Rottinghaus said political parties can maximize their success in a district through multiple ways, such as drawing lines that would favor a certain political party, changing the district’s demographic prole or increasing district sizes to include additional territories. “Looking at the way District 9 has been pro- duced, it’s certainly going to be a lot less urban than it was, and it’s a lot less of a Black district than it was,” Rottinghaus said. “That means it’s going to be a challenge for Democrats to try to win those seats.” According to data from the Texas Legislative Council, Harris County is expected to see an increase in white voters in District 9, as parts of the district move from Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria

District 9

District 18

28.3% of voters will be added to District 9.

19.1% of voters will leave District 18.

White

Black

Asian

Hispanic

White

Black

Asian

Hispanic

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

counties to Harris and Liberty counties. With the new map, the number of white voters in District 9 will more than double, while Black voters will decrease by 62%.

In District 18, the county will see a decrease in white, Asian and Hispanic voters as por- tions of the overall population are moved to dierent districts.

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY HANNAH NORTON & KEVIN VU

The local impact

Remember this?

What’s next

District 9 was redrawn from covering southern Houston to eastern Harris and Liberty counties. District 18, which previously only covered Harris County, was shifted southeast to include communities in Harris and Fort Bend counties. New boundaries With the new map, constituents in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose communities will be largely banded together under District 7.

Three federal judges will determine if Texas’ new congressional map can take eect after a nine-day hearing in El Paso, concluding after press time. Minority advocacy groups led a lawsuit against the map in August. 2025 • Aug. 23-29: A lawsuit was iled against the new congressional map days before Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law • Oct. 1-10: Three federal judges review the lawsuit in El Paso • Nov. 4: Election Day for local races and vacant seats in the U.S. Congress • Nov. 8-Dec. 8: Candidate iling period for 2026 primary elections 2026 • March 3: Primary elections for congressional seats and other midterm races • Nov. 3: U.S. midterm elections take place

In 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court gave map- makers the exibility on when and how to redraw district lines through the League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry case, which Rotting- haus said allowed mid-decade redistricting. A redistricting eort in 2003 led to Texas Republicans winning 21 U.S. House seats to Democrats’ 11 during the 2004 election—a jump from 2002, when Democrats won 17 seats and Republicans won 15, according to the Texas Secretary of State’s Oce. Eve Myers, a board member at the League of Women Voters of Houston, a nonpartisan orga- nization aimed at increasing voter participation, said the new map potentially places communi- ties under the leadership of representatives who may not have the expertise to represent them. “Both [Districts] 18 and 9 ... have been shifted to include disparate communities that may not have the same interests as those living within the urban population,” she said.

District 7

District 18

77005

77401

77030

77025

610

77096

288

SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCILCOMMUNITY IMPACT

SOURCE: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATECOMMUNITY IMPACT

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Events

BY ROO MOODY

• Oct. 18, 7 p.m. • $30+ per ticket

October

• 1 NRG Parkway, Houston • www.monsterjam.com

10th HUM Awards Hosted at NRG Arena, the HUM Network is celebrating 10 years of Pakistani television, lm and music. The night will be lled with cultural fashion, speeches and live performances. • Oct. 11, 8 p.m. • $64-$200+ per ticket • 1 NRG Parkway, Houston • www.nrgpark.com/event/10th-hum-awards A Night at Studio 54 Bellaire’s ultimate disco gala will feature dinner, dancing, drinks and an auction to fundraise for continued enhancements and improvements to Evelyn’s Park. • Oct. 18, 6:30-11 p.m. • $250 per ticket • 4400 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire • www.evelynspark.org Monster Jam Monster Jam is returning to NRG Park this October and will feature stunts and the world’s most popular monster trucks, such as Grave Digger, El Toro Loco and Megalodon.

Full Moon Fest Costume contests, face painting, bouncy houses and pumpkin patches can all be found at this year’s Full Moon Fest at Colonial Park’s pavilion. Free registration must be completed online by Oct. 23 to participate in the costume contests.

• Oct. 24, 5:30 p.m. • Free (admission) • 4130 Byron St., West University Place • www.westutx.gov

West U Halloween Dash Participants are encouraged to wear their best costumes as they race for awards in a kids’ 1-mile fun run or 5K race. All proceeds will benet the city of West U’s Parks and Recreation Department. • Oct. 25, 8 a.m. • $30 (kids), $35 (adults) • 6104 Auden St., Houston • www.westutx.gov/1453/West-U-Halloween-Dash- and-Kids-Fun-Run

The Great Pumpkin Hunt The city of Bellaire invites children under 10 to hunt for toys, candy and pumpkins lled with prizes. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costumes and enjoy live music and face painting, along with other activities. • Oct. 23, 4 p.m. • Free (admission) • 7008 S. Rice Ave., Bellaire • www.bellairetx.gov/901/The-Great-Pumpkin-Hunt

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Community

BY ROO MOODY

Houston Pumpkin Festival Discovery Green is bringing back its annual pumpkin festival, featuring more than 50 pumpkins, the world’s largest bouncy pumpkin and a massive corn pit. • 1500 McKinney St., Houston • $18 (weekdays), $26 (weekends) • Sept 20-Nov 2, weekdays from 3 p.m.-10 p.m., weekends from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. • www.discoverygreen.com/signature-experiences/ houston-pumpkin-festival Zoo Boo The Houston Zoo is celebrating fall with carved pumpkins, a pumpkin tree and animal-themed peek-a-boo pumpkins, St. Luke’s Pumpkin Patch Throughout October, families can pick out a pumpkin at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, take festive family photos and support the church’s Pure Sound Youth Choir. • 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston • Free (admission) • Oct. 4-31,10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily and Sundays from • 9 a.m.-6 p.m. • www.stlukesmethodist.org ArBOOretum Families can enjoy Houston’s only trick-or-treat nature trail, live animals, a Halloween market and pumpkin decorating at the Houston Arboretum’s fall-themed festival. • 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston • $20 per ticket • Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • www.houstonarboretum.org/event/arbooretum along with other themed activities. • 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston • Free (members), general admission ticket • (non-members) • Sept. 26-Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • www.houstonzoo.org/events/zoo-boo-2025 Fall Guide

2025

Nature Discovery Center Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch Located in Russ Pitman Park, the Nature Discovery Center’s pumpkin patch and fall festival will feature photo opportunities, wagon rides and carnival games.

• 7112 Newcastle St., Bellaire • Free (admission) • Oct. 25-26, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. • www.naturediscoverycenter.org/pumpkin-patch

St. Joseph Fall Festival The fall festival is St. Joseph’s biggest fundraiser of the year, featuring live music, games, raffles and a silent auction. Guests can bring their own lawn chairs, although no outside coolers are allowed. • 1505 Kane St., Houston • Free (admission)

St Philip’s United Methodist Church St. Philip’s annual fall festival is one of the church’s largest community events of the year, typically featuring pumpkins, family photo opportunities, picnics and games. • 5501 Beechnut St., Houston

• Free (admission) • Oct. 18, 2-5 p.m. • www.spumchou.org This list is not comprehensive.

• Oct. 18, noon-10 p.m. • www.saintjoseph.org

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Business

BY ROO MOODY

Salon Meyerland has a store with hair care items that professionals or clients can purchase.

Each professional at Salon Meyerland has a private suite, allowing them to decorate the space to their style.

PHOTOS BY ROO MOODYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Salon Meyerland serves city’s diverse beauty needs A variety of music and laughter can be heard when walking through the maze of halls in Salon Meyerland. Some rooms have a peaceful atmo- sphere full of earth tones and calming lighting,

Bonner Brinson, center, with the two salon managers, Melanie Berry, right, and Janette Cosley.

Brinson said he has stylists who work until 2 a.m. some days, catering to nurses and other employees who work untraditional hours. A closer look Salon managers Melanie Berry and Janette Cosley said professionals at Salon Meyerland have a range of specialties, including a large number of Black hair care specialists. But while Salon Meyerland’s customer base has predominantly coarser, textured hair, Brinson said the stylists are trained to work with all hair types. “If somebody’s not the best ... they lean on each other and try to get each other to do better—they all just kind of mesh and learn from one another,” Brinson said.

while others are energetic with loud decor. The contrast is a part of Salon Meyerland’s brand—a salon that oers something for everyone. The overview Bonner Brinson, the owner of Salon Meyerland, refers to his employees and customers as family, as he’s known some of them for almost twenty years. Brinson opened the salon in 2007 and has 74 tenants who oer a range of services related to hair, nails, body waxing and makeup. Tenants have access to the salon at all times.

E N

D B L V D .

10350 S. Post Oak Road, Houston www.salonmeyerland.com

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Real estate

The median price of homes sold in all five local ZIP codes increased in August by an estimated average of 8.43%. However, homes in Bellaire saw the biggest spike in costs, going from $1 million to $1.18 million. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

August 2024

August 2025

-11.54%

-13.64%

-50%

+38.89%

-48%

77005

77025

77030

77096

77401

77005

77401

77030

Median home sales price

77025

610

August

2024

2025

$1,613,500 $390,000 $498,250 $402,500 $1,005,000

$1,785,000 $449,000 $580,000 $451,500 $1,175,000

77096

77005

288

77025

77030

Homes sold by price point

77096

August 2025

77401

$1,000,000+

$750,001-$1,000,000

Average days on market -21.95%

$500,001-$750,000

-23.26%

+42.22%

+45.83%

-68.09%

$250,001-$500,000

<$250,001

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY CB&A REALTORS 832-678-4770 • WWW.CBAREALTORS.COM

77005

77025

77030

77096

77401

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

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TIME FOR MOSQUITOES TO BUZZ OFF!

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Great experience from start to finish. Communications throughout the project. Zoysia installation, extensive shrub pruning and new plantings as needed were all top-notch. How best to care for it all with the sprinkler system and Houston weather were much appreciated. Together that is why Heroes Lawn Care of Bellaire earned 5 stars in my book. Thanks, guys!

50% OFF 1ST YEAR MOSQUITO LEGION SERVICE ($40/MONTH SAVINGS) *Cannot be combined with other oers or applied to previous promotions or sales. Other exclusions may apply.

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BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

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Capture the Magic of Fall

AT HOUSTON’S FAVORITE WALKABLE GARDEN DISTRICT

Make the most of fall at Rice Village. From outdoor dining to fresh fashion finds, our shops and restaurants set the scene for the season.

Don’t miss this year’s Pumpkin Patch

OCTOBER 19–NOVEMBER 9, 2025

Celebrate Autumn with festive photo ops and memories made with family and friends!

KIRBY & UNIVERSITY, HOUSTON TX |

@RICEVILLAGEDISTRICT | RICE-VILLAGE.COM

BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION

Taking care of yourself begins with regular health screenings. With 18 locations across Greater Houston, it’s never been easier to schedule your annual mammogram near home or work. All our locations offer 3D screening for your best chance of early detection. This is breast care designed for you. memorialhermann.org/mammo 877.40.MAMMO (62666) A habit worth keeping. Schedule your mammogram.

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

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