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First annual Houston Art Weeks to salute local artists, nonprofits
The first annual Houston Art Weeks is set to take place throughout October and will spotlight local artists, initiatives and nonprofit organizations.
In a nutshell: Presented by the StellaNova Foundation, an organization that provides mental health care to Houstonians and their families, Houston Art Weeks will feature some of the city’s most popular art initiatives, including the Bayou City Art Festival and the Washington Avenue Art District’s Second Saturday.
Doug Harris, the StellaNova Foundation's executive director, said the primary goal of Houston Art Weeks is to stimulate awareness and patronage of Houston-based artists.
“The depth, breadth and growth of Houston’s art community is one of our city’s most notable cultural achievements. The purpose of Houston Art Weeks is to connect these artisans, along with the galleries and studios who serve them, with a new group of art enthusiasts and collectors,” he said.
Pro-Optix Optometry & Dry Eye Center relocates to Upper Kirby area
Pro-Optix Optometry & Dry Eye Center relocated from Tanglewood to the Upper Kirby area at the beginning of September.
About the owners: The family-owned and operated optometry practice offers comprehensive eye exams, as well as dry eye treatment, myopia management and eye disease diagnosis, according to the business’s website.
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, co-founder Dr. Sairah Malik is a Texas-licensed optometrist and certified glaucoma specialist. Dr. Malik is board-certified in the treatment of ocular disease and has a special interest in dry eye treatment, LASIK and cataract co-management.
Harris County commissioners approve $2.7B FY 2025-26 budget prioritizing pay parity, public safety
By a 3-2 vote, Harris County commissioners adopted the $2.76 billion fiscal year 2025-26 general fund budget Sept. 24 that prioritizes pay parity and public safety initiatives. Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo cast the dissenting votes.
In their words: “Today’s approval is a result of deep coordination and unwavering dedication from every corner of Harris County government,” Daniel Ramos, executive director of the Harris County Office of Management and Budget, said in a statement.
The details: From the $2.76 billion general fund budget, $2.57 billion will be allocated to the 70 Harris County departments with components that include:
Growing the Harris County Flood Control District maintenance program
Preserving the county’s credit rating and financial stability
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the county’s investment with the budget adoption will better equip law enforcement to combat public safety threats.
Harris County Flood Control District seeks public input on flood resilience plan
Harris County Flood Control District officials are holding public meetings in early October seeking community feedback to assist with the county’s first comprehensive flood resilience plan.
The big picture: Building upon the work completed by the Harris County Community Flood Resilience Task Force that originated after the 2018 $2.5 billion flood bond, the flood resilience plan is being developed by multiple county departments that aim to implement actionable initiatives that consider the well-being of communities facing the physical, social and economic hardships of flooding, according to the HCFCD.
What it means: The county’s first flood resilience plan is expected to be completed in February 2027 and have actions categorized by short, medium and long-term actions designed to strengthen infrastructure systems, natural and ecological resources and community networks.
Texans have through Oct. 6 to register to vote in the Nov. 4 election
The Nov. 4 election is coming up, and so is the deadline to register to vote. Eligible Texans must register by Oct. 6 to cast votes in various local races and weigh in on 17 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution.
What to know: Texans who need to register to vote must submit a paper application. The application is available here and must be printed, signed and mailed to the election office in the voter’s county of residence.
Texas does not allow online voter registration, unless residents are updating, renewing or replacing a Texas driver’s license or ID card.
Zooming in: To be eligible to register to vote, an individual must:
Be a U.S. citizen
Reside in the county they apply to vote in
Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
Not have been declared mentally incapacitated without the right to vote by a court
Registered voters can check their voter registration status online at any time and update identifying information, such as their name and address, online through Oct. 6.
