In a Dec. 2 news conference, officials with Airbnb announced that Houston will receive a $1 million investment that will go toward supporting major community initiatives, expanding green infrastructure and increasing youth access to soccer.

Airbnb's sponsorship will specifically help support two major initiatives—The Green Corridor and Grow the Game.

The Green Corridor: The Green Corridor will be a 14-mile sustainable transit loop that connects key FIFA World Cup 26 venues, including the FIFA Fan Festival site in East Downtown and NRG Stadium.

Grow the Game: Part of Airbnb's $1 million sponsorship will go toward the Grow the Game program to renovate soccer fields in underserved communities, launch free or low-cost youth clinics and tournaments, and create certification pathways for coaches and referees.

One more thing: The 2026 World Cup draw is set for Dec. 5 in Washington, D.C., at noon Eastern Standard Time. The draw will determine the groups and matchups for next summer's tournament.

Founded by restaurateur Bobby Heugel and bartender Jacki Schromm, the new cocktail bar is a tribute to Schromm’s late grandmother, Donna.

What’s in a name: In a Sept. 4 social media post, Schromm expressed that Donna’s is centered around values that her grandmother embodied, such as hospitality and inclusivity. She said her grandmother always reminded her that love and hospitality go hand in hand, and the importance of generosity. 

The details: Donna’s is open seven days a week from 2 p.m. until 2 a.m., according to the bar’s social media.

• 2626 White Oak Drive, Houston

The Houston Parks Board has partnered with the Redbud Arts Center to bring seven sculptures crafted by local artists to Wiess Park. 

The gist: The outdoor exhibition is set to run until August 2026 and was developed in collaboration with residents and supporters, according to a Dec. 1 news release from the Houston Parks Board. 

The details: Houston Parks Board board member Don Aron led the Art Trail initiative, which received funding from Stablewood homeowners association, Bluestem Equity, The Houstonian Estates and The Redstone Group. All seven sculptures are available for private purchase through the Redbud Arts Center, a nonprofit fine arts organization and gallery. 

• 300 N. Post Oak Lane, Houston

The Houston-Galveston Area Council is hosting public meetings for its Safety Action Plans, a measure to improve transportation safety and reduce serious roadway injuries and fatalities, officials announced in a Dec. 1 news release.

With nearly 20% of traffic deaths in Texas—760 people a year, or two people a day—and another 3,725 people annually experiencing life-altering injuries on roads in the Houston-Galveston region, H-GAC created the SAP projects to generate plans to reduce the number of fatal or serious accidents.

Get involved: Community members can provide feedback on roadway safety online or attend a first-round public meeting for the local SAPs, per the release.

Meetings include:

• La Marque: Dec. 1 from 5-7 p.m. at La Marque City Hall
• League City: Dec. 3 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Johnnie Arolfo Civic Center
• Sugar Land: Dec. 6 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the T.E. Harman Center
• Pearland: Dec. 10 from 5-7 p.m. at the Pearland Chamber of Commerce
• Regional Joint Meeting (H-GAC/METRO/Gulf Coast Rail District): Feb. 12, 2026, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Houston-Galveston Area Council