HTX-HRM: Impact 9/3/2025

There are a few events taking place around the Houston Heights, River Oaks and Montrose areas through Oct. 9. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

Chefs for Farmers
The food and wine festival is dedicated to celebrating Texas flavors and communities, with locations in both Dallas and Houston. At the festival, chefs work directly with Texas farmers to highlight locally-sourced dishes and promote sustainable practices.

• Sept. 27-28, 2-5 p.m.
• $125 general admission day pass, $199 weekend pass
• 3711 Autry Park Drive, Houston

• Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• $55 per child
• 410 Bagby St., Houston

A Japanese sandwich company based in Dallas is opening its first physical store in Houston, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation report.

What's special about it?: Sandoitchi focuses on Japanese sandwiches, or sandos, known for using a soft, Japanese milk bread, or shokupan, and can be eaten as savory or sweet.

Sandoitchi offers sandos such as:

• Classic chicken katsu, a sandwich filled with a fried chicken cutlet
• Strawberry cream
• Egg salad 
• Peaches and cream 

• 1603 N. Durham Drive, Houston

Tonja Moon founded the Houston-based nonprofit The Grand Baby Project in 2022 in memory of her grandmother, Ruby Sims, who struggled with Alzheimer's and dementia.

“She was a pivotal part of my life,” Moon said. “So watching her journey through Alzheimer's and dementia was especially hard. She had a baby doll that she loved, and after she died, it felt like God planted a seed in me that I would do something with people who had memory loss and therapy dolls.”

About the organization: The Grand Baby Project aims to improve the lives of those living with dementia through the innovative use of dementia therapy dolls, which, according to the organization's website, can provide benefits to patients such as increasing social engagement, emotional well-being, cognitive stimulation, behavioral adjustments and a sense of purpose.

How it works: The dolls are designed to be dementia friendly, Moon said, created from handblown soft silicone and without hair, eyelashes, or noise, but infused with the scent of baby lotion.

The Periwinkle Foundation, a Houston organization providing camps and art programs for pediatric cancer patients at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center, is hosting an "Iron Bartender" competition to help raise funds for the nonprofit, according to an Aug. 13 news release.

The details: According to the news release, from June 5 through July 8, 16 bartenders from restaurants and bars across Houston presented a signature "Periwinkle Cocktail," and $1 from each cocktail was donated to the Periwinkle Foundation.

After a panel of judges scored the cocktails, six bartenders will compete in the competition's finals Sept. 25 at Lyric Market downtown. The title of Iron Bartender will be awarded that evening, and guests will be able to cast their votes for the People's Choice Award.