The Montgomery County Memorial Library System announced a new systemwide program, Innovate@MCMLS, intended to engage community members with technological and creative tools, according to a Dec. 3 news release.

The details: The initiative will begin in January at the Kevin Brady Library and Community Center in The Woodlands and will promote and provide information, education, culture and innovation opportunities for Montgomery County residents, according to the release. ​​​​

The specifics: The library will add an innovation space that will include a professional podcast studio with audio and video production capabilities as well as a makerspace with fabrication tools, 3D modular printers and scanners and other equipment, according to the news release.

Remember this: The Kevin Brady Library and Community Center officially opened on Sept. 2 at 2250 Buckthorne Place, The Woodlands. The center is named for Kevin Brady, who represented Texas' 8th Congressional District from 1997 until 2023, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.  

A new diner has opened inside Twisted Parrot Luxury RV Resort in November, co-owner Hannah Howard confirmed.

What we know: The diner is open to the public and offers pizzas, burgers, salads, wraps, sandwiches, tacos, sweet treats and more.

Parrot's Nest Bar & Grill is open with select hours—4-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 2-9 p.m. on Saturdays—with hopes to extend in the future.

• 15075 Walden Road, Montgomery

Lone Star College System trustees received updates on several projects associated with the college system’s $485 million bond approved by voters in 2014.

The details: LSCS Chancellor Mario Castillo said the college system is planning a Jan. 13 opening of the roughly $34 million Magnolia Center, which will serve as a satellite campus for LSC-Tomball. Once completed, Castillo said college system officials will move on to the roughly $10.5 million expansion of the LSC Victory Center.

A closer look: As previously reported by Community Impact, the Magnolia Center will offer academic transfer courses; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning programs; and emergency medical services Professions programs. As previously reported by Community Impact, the Victory Center will include more classrooms, a biology lab and a fitness center.

What’s next: While LCS officials couldn't provide a timeline for the LSC Victory Center by press time, Castillo said it was the last building that would be constructed that was funded through the 2014 bond.

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out five trending stories in the Greater Houston area from Dec. 1-5.

Activities to do: There are several options to see Christmas lights around the Tomball and Magnolia area, including Magnolia Musical Christmas, Gullo House Christmas Lights and Tomball Methodist Church’s Trail of Lights. 

At a glance: In a Dec. 2 news conference, officials with Airbnb announced that Houston will receive a $1 million investment that will go toward supporting major community initiatives, expanding green infrastructure and increasing youth access to soccer. Airbnb was selected in June to serve as an official partner for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Community Impact previously reported. 

One more thing: Whataburger officials celebrated a Dec. 1 opening of their new location at 15940 Woodland Hills Drive, Humble. The eatery features a double drive-thru, dining room and digital menu boards, according to a Nov. 28 news release. 

The Texas comptroller’s office has released a set of rules to govern the state’s $1 billion education savings account program, or ESAs. Accepted families will receive thousands of dollars in state funds to send their children to a private school or homeschool them.

The overview: Accredited private schools and education vendors can begin applying to join the program as soon as Dec. 9, and applications will open for interested families Feb. 4.

Most families accepted into the program will receive about $10,300 per student, which can be spent on tuition at accredited private prekindergarten or K-12 schools and related expenses. Homeschooled students will receive up to $2,000 per year, while students with disabilities will be eligible for up to $30,000 annually.

Zooming in: Depending on a family’s income, students with disabilities may receive priority acceptance into the ESA program. Families can submit documentation from a physician or the U.S. Social Security Administration to be prioritized, although a detailed evaluation and individualized education plan are required to receive the additional special education funding.