More than 20 crosswalk zones near local Harris County public schools will soon receive a makeover while students are away for the winter break.

In a nutshell: Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones on Dec. 22 launched Crosswalks 4 Precinct 4, a plan to improve visibility and safety at pedestrian crossings near school campuses. Precinct 4’s road and bridge crew will oversee the improvements, Briones said.

The details: The scope of work includes repainting crosswalks, curbs and stop sign road markings near schools in the Cy-Fair, Katy, Tomball, Alief and Waller independent school districts, per the announcement. The project will cost approximately $570,000 to complete, a Precinct 4 staff member confirmed with Community Impact.

Looking forward: Precinct 4 officials said a majority of the crosswalk improvements will wrap up before students return to school in January, with all projects expected to be complete by the end of the month.

What began as a small pop-up tucked inside the former Celaya Meat Market shopping center on Jones Road and FM 1960 has grown into Andaluz, a vegan Mexican restaurant where owner Alejandro Arregain transforms his family’s traditional recipes into plant-based dishes. Operated alongside his wife, Darlin Arregain, Andaluz has become a local staple known by the vegan community.

How it happened: A Cypress resident since 1995, Arregain grew up working at his parents' meat market, Celaya Meat Market, formerly located in the shopping center where Andaluz is today. In 2021, after being introduced to vegan food by his brother, Arregain took a risk and began selling Mexican vegan food at the Celaya Meat Market.

Must-try menu items: Reimagining the flavors taught to him by his grandmother, Arregain serves jackfruit, soy, mushrooms and other vegan proteins sourced from the Houston Farmers Market. With a menu made up of traditional Mexican dishes such as street tacos, birria tacos and gorditas, customers can select from a selection of vegan proteins. 

With vendors across Harris County starting consumer fireworks sales Dec. 21 ahead of the holiday and new year, Harris County Fire Marshal officials are reminding residents to follow safety protocols and proper disposal guidelines.

Quote of note: “Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated Harris County, but there are areas that fireworks are not allowed in unincorporated Harris County,” HCFMO Public Information Officer Brandi Dumas said. “Our message is always safety first.”

What residents should know: The fire marshal’s office recommended some of the following tips:

• Follow the law and be sure fireworks are legal in your community and with your homeowners association
• Make sure there is a bucket of water or water source nearby for emergencies
• Soak used fireworks prior to disposing of them in the trash

As the holidays come to an end, there are several entities offering Christmas tree recycling and disposal drop-offs around the Greater Houston area. This list is not comprehensive.

The details
City of Bellaire: Bellaire will accept Christmas tree drop-offs Dec. 26-Jan. 12 at 4401 Edith St.

City of Houston: Houston residents can recycle trees at one of the city's 20 drop-off locations Dec. 26-Jan. 23.

City of Pearland: Residents in Pearland can drop their live Christmas trees off between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17 at the Stella Roberts Recycling Center.

San Jacinto River Authority: The San Jacinto River Authority will collect undecorated, live Christmas trees through Jan. 31.

City of West University Place: In West University Place, live trees will be collected Dec. 26-Jan. 9.

The Woodlands Township: Green Christmas trees will be collected curbside on regular service days.

City of Sugar Land: Live Christmas trees without ornaments and lights can be set out curbside for green waste pickup in Sugar Land.