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Considering new green spaces, lighting and shade needs, pickleball interests and safe pedestrian access to parks are some of the improvements and ongoing efforts being considered in West University Place’s parks and open space master plan.

What you need to know: In November, West U’s Parks and Recreation’s 11 new board members were appointed, not long after City Council unanimously approved several master plan revisions during an Oct. 27 meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Susan White said the updated plan ensures the city’s facilities evolve over time.

“The updated plan serves as a guiding document for current and future West U residents and also its leaders when we’re considering making decisions regarding our parks and recreation facilities."

The update: The master plan updates were a collaboration over the last year between the city’s Parks and Recreation board members and city staff. Ongoing efforts for park improvements have occurred since 2015, officials said.

White said recommendations included:

• Colonial Park inventory
• Wier Park renovations

Featuring fashionable women’s clothing items and accessories, Golden Gray Boutique has opened a second location in Rice Village, next to Hemline, said an employee at the boutique. The boutique's original store is located in The Woodlands at Market Street.

What’s new: The new location offers statement necklaces, cowboy boots and skirts to get customers ready for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, according to a post from the boutique on social media. 

More details: Customers can shop for a variety of dresses at the boutique, including leather, denim and animal print. 

• 2511 University Blvd., Houston

Houston’s Infant and Early Childhood Development Enrichment Program will receive $100,000 more in funding to help children from low- to moderate-income families after Houston City Council approved the grant Jan. 14.

The overview: The additional $100,000 will fund education and support for young children through the program until Nov. 30. The program is a collaboration between the city and nonprofit Child Care Council of Greater Houston Inc., and is funded through the city’s Community Development Block Grant.

Learn more: The Infant and Early Childhood Development Enrichment Program provides:

• Care and development services for infants and children ages 0-5 years old
• Services for young parents experiencing homelessness via the support organization Covenant House Texas
• Information and resources for parents and families involved in the program
• Early childhood education services, including collaboration with parents and families

Houston will host the National Cheerleaders Association's All-Star National Championship in late February, drawing an estimated 65,000 competitors and spectators to the city’s downtown.

At a glance: This marks the first year the event has been held in Houston, according to a Jan. 6 news release from Houston First Corporation, operator of the George R. Brown Convention Center and other venues across the city.

The competition will be held Feb. 27-March 1 inside the GRB, with other activities extending to Discovery Green and the Toyota Center. Houston will host the championship for the next three years, as the NCA contracted with Houston First through 2028, per the release.

Two-minute impact: The championship event is expected to generate $150 million in spending in Houston over the course of the three-year commitment, according to the announcement. Houston First President and CEO Michael Heckman said in the release that the event will also bring business to more than 150 hotels in the Houston area.

Some Texas film industry leaders say the state is on its way to becoming the third “media coast,” joining Los Angeles and New York as film production hubs. A recent increase in state funding is helping buoy that growth, said Chase Musslewhite, co-founder of Media for Texas, an Austin-based nonprofit that advocates for the advancement of the state’s film industry.

The details: Through 2035, $1.5 billion in state incentives will be available for movies, television shows, documentaries and related projects created in Texas.

To be eligible for the program funding under Senate Bill 22, at least 35% of a production’s cast and crew must live in Texas and at least 60% of the work must be done in-state, according to the Texas Film Commission. Grant reimbursements start at 5% and go up to 31%, depending on how much a production spends and other aspects of the project.

The local impact: After SB 22 became law Sept. 1, some local governments across Texas—including Austin, San Antonio and Houston—expanded or launched their own film incentive programs.