Leading Note Studios brings music education to Magnolia
Leading Note Studios, a music school with over 15 years under its belt, opened its doors in Magnolia in August and is now teaching students, founder Camille Hastings confirmed Aug. 19.
About the program: The music school specializes in private and group music lessons for all ages in piano, voice, guitar, drums, ukulele and more. The studio also offers programs in music theory, rock band and songwriting, according to its website. Hastings said a grand opening for the new studio is planned for early September with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Heal Wellness Lounge, located along FM 2978, is now open, owner and founder Tasha Bason confirmed.
The gist: The business provides wellness services, including cryotherapy, salt therapy, an infrared sauna and sound and light therapy.
Quote of note:“Our vision is a welcoming, science-supported wellness space that helps people manage stress, recover faster, and feel better, all in one place,” Bason said.
PREVIEW: Montgomery County to discuss new criminal district court, Conroe traffic signal upgrades
Montgomery County Commissioners Court is set to meet Aug. 26 to consider items, including the creation of a new criminal district court and a potential interlocal agreement with the city of Conroe to improve traffic signal systems.
What you need to know: According to the agenda, commissioners will consider, discuss and potentially take action on entering into an interlocal agreement with the city of Conroe for the installation and maintenance of Intelligent Transportation Systems. The systems would be used to enhance traffic signal operations throughout the city, per the agenda.
The court will also discuss the possible establishment of a new criminal district court. Details on the proposed court, including its scope and funding, were not outlined in agenda documents.
Also on the agenda: Commissioners will consider accepting an advance funding agreement between the county and the Texas Department of Transportation for a fiber connections project.
Another agenda item calls for approval of an interlocal cooperation contract between Montgomery County and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Lone Star College appoints retired veteran to newly created position
Lone Star College System has appointed retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. David J. Yebra as its inaugural chief veterans officer, effective Sept. 1, according to a news release.
The gist: Yebra will lead system-wide efforts to support veteran and military-affiliated students at Lone Star College System, according to a news release. He will work with internal, community, military and industry partners to expand educational access, enhance veteran success and strengthen engagement across campuses, according to the news release.
Quote of note: “I’m honored to join Lone Star College System and continue my life’s work supporting those who have served our country,” Yebra said.
Harris County officials open $41M residential campus for at-risk foster youth
A new affordable housing campus in Harris County serving unhoused youth and young adults exiting the state foster care system has opened near downtown Houston, nearly five years after Harris County commissioners first approved the $41 million project’s construction.
The details: The HAY—Houston Alumni & Youth—Center Foundation, operates a program in partnership with the Harris County Resources for Children and Adults Department that provides resources and services for youth and young adults. One part of the project included the 41,000-square-foot, 50-unit residential facility with a community space, kitchen, small gym, and private study rooms, according to the organization’s website. The second part of the campus includes a 17,000-square-foot commercial building that will provide wraparound services and life skills training rooms for youth and young adults transitioning out of the state’s foster care system.
The impact: Every year, at least 40 foster youth in the Harris County region are at risk of becoming homeless by their 18th birthday, according to the news release.
H-GAC launches regional clean air survey, public meetings
The Houston-Galveston Area Council is inviting residents to help shape the future of clean air and climate action through a new survey and a series of public meetings beginning Aug. 27, according to an Aug. 22 news release.
The Regional Clean Air, Healthy Communities Survey will collect input on strategies to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions across transportation, energy, industry, waste and land use, per the release. Community feedback will guide the Regional Clean Air Action Plan, a roadmap for improving air quality and public health through 2050.
What you need to know: According to the release, the plan is funded by a $1 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant. Residents can take the survey online through Oct. 31, and a series of public meetings will be held across the region.
Fort Bend County: 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Missouri City Branch Library, 1530 Texas Parkway, Missouri City
13-County Focus (Hybrid): 11 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at H-GAC, 3555 Timmons Lane, Houston, or join online
University of Houston expands behavioral health programs to meet workforce demand
In response to the growing demand for behavioral health professionals across Texas and the nation, the University of Houston is expanding its academic offerings in Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, an evidence-based therapy most commonly used to support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
“Our goal is to train highly skilled individuals so they come out of our programs and can provide really effective treatment for our diverse community and our learners with autism and developmental disabilities,” Charlotte Carp, program director and a board-certified behavior analyst, said in an Aug. 14 news release.
Programs are available online and in person at the UH Katy campus.
Zooming out: The timing of this expansion aligns with a significant surge in demand for certified behavior analysts, per the release. This summer, Community Impact reported on the rise of ABA centers in Katy, Sugar Land, Missouri City,Cypress, Tomball and Magnolia, where many clinical providers cited staffing demands as many public school districts see a rise in autism diagnoses.
