Every Tuesday in September, a chef will cook up a serving of cold noodles to help beat the heat and raise awareness for mental health in food and beverage employees. 

What is it: I’ll Have What She’s Having is a woman-led organization of chefs, beverage professionals and physicians that connects food and beverage workers with preventive medical and mental healthcare and helps save them thousands of dollars, as many are underinsured or uninsured, according to the organization’s website.

The nonprofit’s inaugural Cold Noodle Club began Sept. 1 to help raise awareness for the nonprofit's mission. 

Every Tuesday in September, a chef will offer their version of cold noodles amid high temperatures in Houston. The event will be held at Eight Row Flint in the Heights and costs $25 per bowl.

The details: The event, which organizers say is family-friendly, will also feature complimentary chopstick helpers to assist those who may need help, as well as a craft station with activities like coloring and headband tie-dyeing.

Tickets for the weekly event can be bought online.

Five Below, a popular retailer offering trendy products for children, teens and adults, is set to open a new storefront on North Shepherd Drive in 2027.

Two-minute impact: A project filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation was submitted in mid-August. The filing shows that construction on the $225,000 renovation project is set to start Dec. 1 and wrap up around April 23, 2027.

Five Below is an American discount retail chain that sells novelty items, toys, tech accessories, T-shirts, candy and more. The store is known for selling items between $1 and $5, though items can be priced as high as $40, per the company's website.

• 925 N. Shepherd Drive, Houston

Candidates Lauren Ashley Simmons and Alexandria Nicole Butler will vye for Texas House District 146 in the Nov. 3 general election.

Texas House of Representatives District 146 covers parts of south and southwest Houston. This includes neighborhoods such as Sunnyside, Brays Oaks, Westbury and the Willowbend area.

Up for election: Incumbent Lauren Ashley Simmons ran unopposed in the March primaries for the Democratic bid. Simmons assumed office in January 2025 and is seeking re-election on the November ballot.

The Republican candidate, Alexandria Nicole Butler, advanced from the primaries as well after running unopposed.

Keep in mind: Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid criticizing their opponent. Responses may have been edited for length, to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

The Harris County Commissioners Court is slated to discuss the proposed budget and tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year during a special meeting Sept. 8.

At a glance: Commissioners are expected to make amendments to the proposed $3.096 billion budget, which was presented to the court Aug. 18. The court will also review the proposed tax rates and potentially set them as the county faces a $181 million shortfall.

The county’s Office of Management and Budget has proposed a tax rate of about $0.67 per $100 of property valuation, a 7.6% increase from last year, according to an agenda document. 

Also on the agenda: Commissioners will consider a 30% raise for County Treasurer Carla Wyatt. An all-citizen committee recommended increasing her pay to $181,411 annually during a meeting Aug. 20. The consideration comes as the court is planning to seek legislative approval to eliminate the treasurer's office permanently.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from this week? Check out these trending stories across the southern portion of the Greater Houston area from Aug. 31-Sept. 4.

1. Texas’ first hand roll-centered sushi bar to expand presence to Bellaire Boulevard
2. Houston agrees to $50M deal with The Woodlands to prevent future annexation
3. Sugar Land officials propose increased fees in 2027
4. New coffee spot now open in Pearland
5. City of Fulshear enters stage 1 of drought contingency plan
6. El Tiempo Cantina in Webster closes, possibly reopening

Four candidates are running for Texas lieutenant governor—the second-in-command to the governor—in the Nov. 3 election.

What's happening: Libertarian Anthony Cristo, Democrat Vikki Goodwin and Green Party candidate Kevin McCormick are challenging Republican incumbent Dan Patrick, who is seeking a fourth term.

The lieutenant governor leads the Texas Senate and can exercise the powers of the governor if the governor dies, resigns, is removed from office or is absent from the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

How we got here: Patrick won his Republican primary race in March, while Goodwin advanced to the general election after beating another Democrat in a May primary runoff, Community Impact reported. Cristo and McCormick were selected as their parties' respective candidates during nominating conventions in April.

Looking ahead: Early voting in the midterm election runs from Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.