Forma Pilates founder Damaris Serrano said she plans to open a new pilates studio in the Summerwood area Feb. 10.

Quote of note: “We’re excited to become part of the Lake Houston community and to offer a space where movement, connection and thoughtful design come together,” Serrano said. “Our goal is to provide a consistent, high-quality pilates experience while fostering a strong sense of local community.”

The details: Forma Pilates is a luxury pilates studio located in a space with a thoughtfully designed vanity room to support clients before and after class, along with two movement studios tailored to different class formats, Serrano said.
The studio will offer:

• Hot mat pilates (60-minute classes)
• Hot sculpt (45-minute classes)
• Unheated mat options
• Reformer flow and reformer strength classes

• Opening Feb. 10
• 13107 W. Lake Houston Parkway, Houston

Bubbles & Beyond, a woman- and veteran-owned mobile laundry service, celebrated its first anniversary on Jan. 1, officials said.

How it works: The local laundry company offers wash and fold services with pickup and delivery options in the New Caney, Porter, Kingwood, Humble and Summerwood areas.

Check it out: The business offers same-day pickup, and services can be booked online or by calling or texting 281-436-9957.

Officials with the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County announced Jan. 5 its transition to a new fare system, RideMETRO, which replaces and discontinues the METRO Q Fare Card.

The gist: METRO riders can purchase the RideMETRO $2 fare card, according to METRO’s website, and load money at any of the following locations:

• METRO RideStore locations
• METRO Online RideStore
• RideMETRO app
• Participating retail locations
• Ticket vending machines

Riders can check their balance on the RideMETRO app. After 10 paid trips, riders get one free trip, according to METRO’s announcement.

The cost: No fare increases are taking place as part of the new fare system, according to the METRO website.

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.