Good Morning, The Woodlands!

Top Story
Enjoy live performances, celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.: 5 things to do in The Woodlands area, Jan. 16-18

Several live music and theater productions are happening in The Woodlands area this weekend, and an area church is holding its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The Woodlands Methodist Church and Impact Church of The Woodlands are holding the 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day with performances and guest speakers who highlight the importance of service and inclusion.

  • Jan. 18, 4 p.m.
  • Free
  • 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands

Class Act Cabaret
The performance at Class Act Productions will feature a Disney theme this year.
  • Jan. 16-17, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 18, 2:30 p.m.
  • $25-$30 (admission)
  • Class Act Productions, 25275 Budde Road, Ste. 25, The Woodlands
 
On The Business Beat
Vick's Texas BBQ closes on FM 1488

Vick’s Texas BBQ is now closed, according to an announcement from the business.

What they're saying: "The past two years have been extremely hard on small family businesses, especially food trucks. While we will no longer operate regularly, we are not selling our trailer or equipment. We plan to continue doing special events such as weddings, graduations, birthday parties, and other occasions," the business said in a statement on social media.
  • 2655 FM 1488, Conroe
 
Latest News
Oak Ridge North approves permit for community center, food pantry

Oak Ridge North City Council on Jan. 12 approved a permit for YC Foundation, a nonprofit organization, to open a community center for older adults in Oak Ridge North.

What to know: The Planning & Zoning Commission presented a preliminary report to the City Council on the special-use permit for the YC Foundation to operate a community center/food pantry at 27327 Robinson Road, Ste. 10.

The gist: Maria Chaudhary, community relations manager for the YC Foundation, told the council the building will be a community center with activities for older adults as well as a food pantry for ZIP codes 77385 and 77386.

Notable quote: “I know community is really important, especially to Oak Ridge North ... which is why we picked this area and why we feel this would be a great start [in] a small community,” Chaudhary said.

 
Mark Your Calendar
MLK Unity Parade, MLK Tribute Concert: 9 events to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Greater Houston area

From volunteer events to parades, there are several events to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Greater Houston area. 

MLK Lonestar
The Lone Star Community Center is holding an event to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

  • Jan. 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Free
  • Lone Star Community Center, 2500 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Woodlands Methodist Church is holding its 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day with performances and guest speakers who highlight the importance of service and inclusion.
  • Jan. 18, 4 p.m.
  • Free
  • 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands

MLK Day of Service
During the MLK Day of Service Hope Farms event, volunteers will be able to help with winter cleanup and garden bed preparation, tree planting, landscape renewal, spring flower planting and other light contribution projects.
  • Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Free
  • Hope Farms, 10401 Scott St., Houston
 
Statewide News
Texas proposes 10,000% fee increase for hemp-derived THC retailers

Texas health officials are proposing sweeping new regulations on the state’s hemp industry, including raising the fees required to sell and manufacture consumable hemp products by roughly 10,000%.

The overview: In late December, the Texas Department of State Health Services published a slate of proposed rules regulating consumable hemp products. The proposals include:

  • A prohibition on sales to customers under 21 years old
  • Stricter testing and labeling requirements
  • Guidelines for product recalls
  • Tens of thousands of dollars in annual fees

DSHS records show that over 9,000 retailers are currently licensed to sell consumable hemp products in Texas, including recreational THC products and nonintoxicating substances like CBD. Under the proposal, annual licensing fees for hemp retailers would increase from $150 to $20,000, and manufacturer fees would be raised from $250 to $250,000.

The debate: Supporters of the proposal said the increased fees would improve oversight of thousands of Texas businesses that sell hemp-derived THC products and help the state enforce tighter regulations, while some local hemp retailers said the changes would put them out of business.

 
What's happening at ci

The overview: As Community Impact enters its third decade, it’s returning to its roots of growth and deeper reader connections. The “Patron” program, which began in 2020 by reader demand, has relaunched as InCIder.

“This relaunch represents our renewed commitment to readers who support our local news,” CEO John Garrett said. “Beyond funding great journalism, we also want to reward our InCIders and build deeper connections with them, creating a true sense of community around the work we do.”

Event details: As part of the new program, Community Impact is hosting InCIder Hours across the state, events designed to celebrate and engage the company’s top supporters.

Houston’s first InCIder Hour will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 21 at Community Impact’s Houston headquarters, 16300 Northwest Freeway, Jersey Village.

Guests will have the opportunity to network with fellow InCIders, meet Community Impact staff and attend a moderated real estate-focused panel.

Become an InCIder today to get your invite! We’ll see you there.
 

Your local team

Vanessa Holt
Senior Editor

Nicole Preston
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Keep Reading

No posts found

(512) 989-6808

TERMS OF SERVICE | PRIVACY POLICY

© 2005-2025 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved.