Life + Culture

Smokin’ for a Cause

Chicks & Hogs Served Up Delectable Barbecue Along With Hope for Local Families Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Taylor Harbers The aroma of smoky, slow-cooked barbecue billowed through A.V. “Bull” Sallas Park as pitmasters served up juicy brisket and other savory favorites during the 16th Annual Chicks & Hogs BBQ and Brew-Fest on Sept. 26. Music and laughter filtered through the crowd as children immersed themselves in the fun of the play zone. Nearby, adults sipped cold beverages...

Food + Beverage

Fire Meets Finesse

French Technique, Southern Roots, and Texas Barbecue Come Together Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Hung L Truong There is smoke in the air at Fire Craft BBQ, but Chef David Welch’s story begins before the first brisket hits the pit. It begins with family. Welch spent his earliest years in Alabama surrounded by farmers, gardens, and generations of Southern cooks. His grandmother owned a restaurant in the 1950s, and family gatherings were filled with food. As a child, he learned where...

Local Services

A Pathway to Stability

Helping Neighbors Overcome Hardship and Build Brighter Futures Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Courtesy HAAM Social Services Ms. Jones had dedicated seven years to raising her three children when she found herself in dire financial straits. The 37-year-old single mother and domestic violence survivor dreamed of becoming a certified nursing assistant but had been unable to complete the licensing exam during a demanding pregnancy. Receiving little financial support each month and...

Food + Beverage

Brewing Up a Gathering Place

Final Gravity BrewPub Blends Craft Beer, Family, and an Americana Spirit Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy Final Gravity BrewPub For Ted Dougherty, brewing began as a hobby. After 11 years of home brewing, a career in law enforcement, and service in the U.S. Army, Dougherty turned his passion into a business. He and his wife opened Final Gravity BrewPub in 2025, with their daughter, Ashley, serving as taproom manager. “Everyone kept telling me since I gave away beer in...

Home + Design

Fall on the Farm

This Annual Pumpkin Patch is a Texas Tradition Three Decades In the Making Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy Old Time Christmas Tree Farm For three decades, Old Time Christmas Tree Farm has been welcoming families to celebrate the holiday season. But long before the Christmas trees are ready to take center stage, the farm transforms into a fall destination filled with pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, and plenty of opportunities to make memories. This year marks the 30th...

Food + Beverage

A World of Flavor

Global Cuisine, Family Roots, and Community Merge at The Food Zone Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Courtesy The Food Zone and Jessie's Burgers & Shakes Julia Child once quipped, “People who love to eat are always the best people.” For the Flores household, food has become a generational love affair. Jesse Flores’ parents were restaurateurs, as are many members of his wife Olga’s family. “One of them is considered one of the best chefs in Mexico,” Flores says. “He didn’t even go...

Style + Beauty

Fashion With Purpose

How One Family's Love Inspired a Custom Handbag Brand Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Breezy Pettit When Gena Smith and her husband, Mike, sat down for dinner in 2017, they weren't searching for their next business venture. They were searching for a way to better support their son, Jackson, who has Down Syndrome. With occupational therapy, physical therapy, reading intervention, and copious appointments, the costs of giving Jackson every opportunity to thrive continued to mount...

Entertainment

Taste of the Town

Lake Houston’s Favorite Culinary Fundraiser Returns Sept. 10 With Food, Fun, and Community Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy Inspire ND/EMCL Some of the Lake Houston area's best restaurants and vendors are coming together for one flavorful evening—and every bite supports a meaningful cause. Taste of the Town Lake Houston returns Thurs., Sept. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center, where attendees can enjoy tastings from more than 35 local restaurants, bakeries...

Life + Culture

A Place to Belong

For 26 Years, The Village Centers Has Empowered Adults With IDD to Build Independence, Purpose, and Lasting Connections Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy The Village Centers What began with two determined mothers has grown into a lifeline for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Greater Houston. The Village Centers was founded in 2000 by Kimberly Brusatori and Linda Schuiten. As their children approached adulthood, they discovered there...

Health + Wellness

A Legacy of Lifesaving Hope

The In the Pink Northeast Luncheon Celebrates 25 Years of Project Mammogram Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Courtesy Northeast Hospital Foundation Each fall, hundreds from the community gather in a sea of pink to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and help ensure every woman has access to lifesaving breast health care. This year, the 17th Annual In the Pink Northeast Luncheon will be held Fri., Oct. 30, at the Humble Civic Center. The event, for which triple-negative...