Nestled between Manvel and Alvin lies Froberg Farm, which spans 250 acres and has been in the Froberg family since 1936. The family has been harvesting strawberries since moving to Alvin in 1894, and great-great-grandson Tyler Froberg is proudly continuing that tradition. 

What they offer: Froberg’s Farm serves many purposes for its surrounding communities. For one, the farm has a grocery store on-site that sells fresh fruits and vegetables in an area that some would consider a food desert. The farm is also known for allowing guests to pick their own strawberries and for hosting a large fall festival. 

One more thing: While strawberries are a large part of the farm, and are included on the farm’s logo, Froberg said the Christmas Tree Farm is his favorite. For the past few years, Froberg has allocated 40 acres of the farm to grow and sell Christmas trees. However, these are not the normal Christmas trees visitors might expect to purchase, he said. 

• 3601 Hwy. 6, Alvin

Crunch Fitness Pearland will open the week of Dec. 15, according to staff. The gym franchise offers high-intensity interval training workouts and has multiple locations across Texas. 

One more thing: The location will have a pre-sale event on Dec. 4 to register early for membership.

With Christmas quickly approaching, here are eight organizations hosting toy drives for children that anyone can participate in. This list is not comprehensive, and details are subject to change.

Pearland Neighborhood Center Toy Drive: The Pearland Neighborhood Center is partnering with the Pearland Police Department for a holiday toy drive. Local businesses can contact officer Ryden Cohen to sign up to host a donation box where residents can drop off new toys for families in need.  

• Donations needed by the week of Dec. 12
• 2335 N. Texas Ave., Pearland
• Suggested donations: new, unused and unwrapped toys

Holiday Toy Store: Ronald McDonald House is collecting toy donations for babies and teens. Gifts must be new, in original packaging and unwrapped, and will be delivered to residents’ doors on Christmas morning. 

• Donations needed by Dec. 5
• 1907 Holcombe Blvd., Houston
• Suggested donations: video game systems, video game controllers, headphones, jewelry, diaper bags, teething toys, play mats

On the heels of what proponents have called “historic” property tax relief, some Texas lawmakers are questioning whether the state can afford to continue increasing the tax exemptions passed in 2023 and 2025.

The big picture: Texas homeowners pay property taxes to various local entities, although lawmakers can limit how much entities increase taxes each year and provide state funding to expand tax exemptions.

Texas is spending $51 billion on property tax relief in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 alone and may be required to spend more to maintain existing tax exemptions in future bienniums, lawmakers said.

What they're saying: "We're kind of maxed out at what we can do for property tax reform, from a budget perspective," said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, during a Nov. 20 event.

"$51 billion ongoing, it's a huge amount to continue to support. To think about doing anything more seems very fiscally irresponsible," Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

The other side: Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, said creating limits on local government spending would be critical to keeping Texas affordable.