There are several events taking place around the Tomball area through May. 

Families Helping Families
The Rosehill Social Club’s annual fundraiser will go towards supporting families in the community. Attendees can expect kids’ games, raffles, and live and silent auctions, among other activities.

• May 3, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

• $20 (adults) $5 (children 12 and under)

• Tomball VFW, 14408 Alice Road, Tomball

Vintage Car Festival
Attendees will be able to browse a variety of vehicles, as well as enjoy live music, vendors and food.

• May 9, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• First Presbyterian Church Tomball, 30410 Tomball Parkway, Tomball

Summer Splash Bash
This event at Paradigm Brewing Company will feature water slides, live music and outdoor activities.

• May 23, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Free (admission)

• 2130 S. Persimmon Lane, Tomball

The MakerBarn is set to celebrate its 10-year anniversary June 6 from 1-4 p.m. in Magnolia.

The details: The nonprofit makerspace began in June 2016 in a horse barn with about 35 members, which is how it got its name. Since then, The MakerBarn has grown to more than 350 members, President Kathy Barbieri said.

What they offer: The MakerBarn gives members access to tools and equipment for a wide range of hands-on projects, including woodworking, metalworking, ceramics, 3D printing and laser engraving. The space is fully volunteer-run and also supports community projects while encouraging creativity among its members, Barbieri said.

How it started: George Carlson, Greg Radliff and Jeanie James founded The MakerBarn, and Barbieri said the organization remains grateful for their vision and drive in creating the makerspace.

• 28030 FM 2978, Ste. 204, Magnolia

Harris County residents can now access low-cost spay and neuter surgeries for their pets thanks to a $300,000 investment from the office of Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, a longtime advocate of reducing animal overpopulation.

The overview: Precinct 3 partnered with Harris County Public Health and animal welfare nonprofit PetSet to create a mobile clinic that will travel around unincorporated Harris County. Leaders said on top of providing affordable pet care, the initiative aims to improve public safety by reducing strays over time.

About the program: For $20 per dog and cat, PetSet veterinarians will perform spay or neuter surgeries, microchipping and vaccinations in the mobile facility. PetSet co-President Tena Lundquist Faust said the bundle of services would typically cost $300 to $700 at a standard veterinary clinic.

Why it matters: Harris County is estimated to have approximately 1 million strays, and public health officials said the county reported nearly 1,200 stray animal bite cases in the past year.

Learn more: The mobile clinic is scheduled to visit several locations throughout Precinct 3 from May-September. 

Check out several events going on in the Greater Houston area to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

1. Cinco de Mayo Rooftop Party
Join Post Houston for a Cinco de Mayo celebration on the Skylawn featuring live Latin music, margaritas, palomas and ranch waters, and sample drinks from Aquasol, Herradura, Mijenta, and Estrella Jalisco as the sun goes down over the Houston skyline.

• May 1, 7-10 p.m.
• Free
• 401 Franklin St., Houston

• May 2, 2-7 p.m.
• Free (admission)
• 5373 First St., Katy

• May 2, 11:30 a.m. (restaurant opens), 6 p.m. (live music starts)
• Free (admission)
• Paradigm Brewing, 2130 South Persimmon Lane, Tomball

Over 130 Central Texas residents and visitors died over the July 4 weekend as an intense rainstorm and flooding swept through the region. Among them were 28 deaths at Camp Mystic: 25 young campers; aged 8 to 10 years old; two 18-year-old counselors; and 70-year-old Richard "Dick" Eastland, the camp's executive director.

The private Christian girls camp has been under scrutiny for the actions camp leaders took to attempt to save campers in cabins along the Guadalupe River.

What's happening: During the second day of public hearings April 28, a panel of lawmakers investigating the July 4 flood heard roughly 12 hours of testimony from: 

• The Eastland family, which owns and operates Camp Mystic
• The head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management
• The families of some campers who survived the flood
• The parents of seven girls who died at Camp Mystic on July 4
• Officials from the Texas Department of State Health Services, which licenses youth camps

Community Impact is reporting on home flooding and flood insurance rates, and is looking to hear from homeowners in the Tomball and Magnolia communities who have experienced flood damage and/or have flood insurance. Please contact Editor Lizzy Spangler at [email protected] if you’re willing to share your story in an interview.