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Justin Schultz was selected as the new President and CEO of the Houston Parks Board in October after the former head of the nonprofit, Beth White, announced her retirement.

Schultz assumed his new role as CEO on Jan. 1.

Read all about it: Community Impact sat down with Schultz for a Q&A about his short and long-term priorities for the organization, as well as how he plans to lead with sustainability, private funding and community preferences in mind.

What will be your first 6-12 months’ priorities? 
We are working on building 50 new miles of trails to add to our 156 miles that already exist in the Bayou Greenways system. We are working on renovating 25 neighborhood parks throughout the city of Houston and then also making improvements to a couple of regional parks.

What is your plan for engaging local residents in planning and prioritization? 
For every single project that we do, those projects start with community engagement. It’s up to the individual community members to tell us what they want.

After 19 years of business at 1915 Westheimer Road in Houston, The Phoenix is moving. 

Come August, the brewery and pub will relocate five minutes down the street to 1643 Richmond Ave. 

More details: While owner Vu Truong is doing everything he can to keep the business the same, he said he worries people won’t be able to find the new spot.

A closer look: The Phoenix, he said, is especially popular amongst soccer fans. Truong said he’ll keep the bar open at 4 a.m. if a World Cup game is going on that customers want to watch. He said he remembers one year when they set up additional TVs on outdoor fences and turned the whole parking lot into an extra space for viewing. 

• 1915 Westheimer Road, Houston

Ranging from parades to weird festivals, check out these six events to attend through February. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

Inclusive Skating Night: Discovery Green is hosting a night of ice skating dedicated to skaters with physical or developmental challenges. Only non-motorized wheelchairs are allowed on the roller rink.

• Jan. 13, 5-8 p.m.
• Prices vary
• 1500 McKinney St., Houston

MLK Unity Parade: The Black Heritage Society and MLK Grande Parade are uniting to host this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. parade, with the theme being "Embracing the Oneness in Humanity.”

• Jan. 19, 10 a.m.
• Free
• Beginning at Lamar Street and Smith Street

Hot Chocolate Run: Hosted by Sketchers, participants can run in a 5K, 10K or 10-mile race along Allen Parkway and enjoy hot chocolate and a post-race party.

• Jan. 31, 7:15 a.m.
• $49-$84 (per person)
• 1000 Bagby St., Houston

A new U.S. Postal Service rule could impact when time-sensitive mail, such as tax forms and mail-in ballots, is considered officially sent.

The overview: Effective Dec. 24, mailed items are postmarked when the USPS processes them, rather than the date items are dropped in a mailbox. A postmark refers to the date and location stamped or printed on most mailed items, indicating when and where the USPS “accepted custody” of a mailpiece, per the federal agency.

Zooming in: According to the Texas comptroller’s office, the updated USPS guidance means items could be postmarked “several days” after they are dropped in a mailbox. This includes date-sensitive items sent by Texas residents and businesses, such as property tax payments, federal tax returns, mail-in ballots and required business reports.

To ensure that mail is postmarked on the day it is sent, customers can take mail into their local post office and request that the item be hand-stamped for free, according to the USPS. Texans can also pay property taxes and submit ballots in-person at county offices.