Following an open house in late August, BioLife Plasma Services is now open in Humble.
How it works: According to the company's website, BioLife compensates donors for their plasma, which is then used to help patients facing serious health challenges. To be eligible to donate plasma, donors must be over 18 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good overall health.
Houston City Council member Fred Flickinger to host town halls across District E
Houston City Council member Fred Flickinger will host a series of town hall meetings across District E this fall to engage with constituents.
What you need to know: According to information in Flickinger's Sept. 2 newsletter, the town hall meetings will be held from 5:30-8 p.m. in accordance with the following schedule:
Sept. 30: Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood
Oct. 14: Space Center Houston, 1601 E. NASA Parkway, Houston
Per the newsletter, invitations to attend the meetings have been extended to Houston Public Works and Houston Parks and Recreation, as well as a range of community speakers and elected officials.
Annual survey finds there are more than 3,000 homeless people in the Houston region
The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County's annual point-in-time survey shows homelessness in the Houston area remains steady, but there has been a jump in chronic homelessness compared to last year.
Latest update: The coalition found that there were 3,325 homeless individuals in the region the night of Jan. 27, 2025, 45 more compared to last year, according to the report. Harris County was reported to have 3,000 homeless individuals, while Montgomery and Fort Bend counties were reported to have 247 and 78, respectively.
Compared to the national level, which has been climbing annually, Houston’s homeless population remains steady, due in part to a “consistent response system” to addressing homelessness, Kelly Young, the coalition’s president and CEO, told Community Impact in an interview.
Despite the stability, the region has seen a 16% increase in unsheltered homeless individuals. Young said the rise in unsheltered homelessness compared to last year is because of reduced shelter capacity in 2024.
4 Houston-area events celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
There are several events taking place in the Greater Houston area to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. This list is not comprehensive.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration Houston Premium Outlets is hosting a performance and dance lessons from Mixteco Ballet Folklorico and a performance from Mariachi Estrella de Mi Tierra.
FOODIE FRIDAY Check out these new restaurants and bars opening across the Houston area.
Local Spot has opened its doors next to Adventure Island Pool in Cross Creek Ranch.
The new venture from Eat Local Concepts, which owns several Local Table locations in the Greater Houston area, aims to provide casual fare, classic bar bites and craft cocktails as well as menu favorites from Local Table, Community Impact reported.
🌮 Tacos El Sabor Callejero now serving Mexican cuisine in Kingwood (Read more)
🆕 Missouri City gets a taste of Hong Kong with no tipping required (Read more)
😋 Margarita Jones looks to open by end of September (Read more)
🍕 Bite Pizza Co. brings South Asian fusion to Sugar Land (Read more)
Designed to remind customers of a Parisian evening or a Bordeaux tasting room, Chateau Bellecru serves a curated selection of wines from vineyards across France, according to the business’s website.
The chateau sits near the intersection of I-10 and Studemont Street, hosting wine tastings and private celebrations, among other experiences.
The menu posted online states that a selection of red and white wines is updated weekly. The wine bar also offers rosé wines and nonalcoholic options as well as a selection of appetizers, including pastries and charcuterie boards.
Hundreds of Hilton Americas-Houston workers have been on strike since Labor Day, demanding higher pay and better working conditions at one of the city’s largest hotels in Downtown Houston.
What we know so far: Willy Gonzalez, secretary treasurer and primary negotiator of Unite Here Local 23, the union group representing the workers, told City Council that a majority of the hotel staff have been earning $16.50 an hour for years, and that the staff demands an increase in pay to $23 an hour, as well as fair schedules and workloads.
What originally was supposed to be a nine-day strike has turned into 20 days, as it will continue until Sept. 20. Unite Here Local 23 explained in a Sept. 9 news release that the hotel has still not come forward with a proposal that meets the union’s demand.
Gonzalez said some proposals that were given to the union so far included raising the hourly wage to $17.50, followed by a 75-cent increase in January and 50-cent raises every six months.
