Several local organizations in the Cypress and Cy-Fair communities offer volunteer opportunities and accept donations. These organizations include:

• The Living Legacy Center, which assists senior citizens, veterans and individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities.
• Mesa Outreach, which provides programs like a community food pantry to help individuals reach self-sufficiency.
• Cypress Assistance Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit offering financial assistance, adult education and job training.
• Boys & Girls Country, a residential program providing homes for children ages 5 to 18.
• Families Helping Families, which needs 600 volunteers for its annual Thanksgiving food distribution running Nov. 19-21.
• Reach Unlimited, which assists individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Cy-Fair Helping Hands, which supports community members experiencing homelessness.
• Cy-Hope, which offers programs to assist underserved children.
• Entrusted Houston, which assists families served by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Charlotte Davis Burns Science Resource Center, which supports the science program in Cy-Fair ISD.

A new Kelsey-Seybold Clinic opened on Sept. 21 in the Towne Lake area, located at 9831 Towne Lake Parkway in Cypress. The 33,000-square-foot, two-story facility offers primary care for adults and children.

Key details of the new clinic include:

• It is designed to accommodate up to 20 providers.

• It offers on-site imaging and laboratory services.

Founded in 1949, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic now has 46 locations across the Greater Houston area.

The Harris County Commissioners Court approved extensions for federal pre-disaster project grants and a study on detention basin management practices during its Oct. 29 meeting. County Judge Lina Hidalgo was not in attendance.

The details: The Federal Emergency Management Agency grant extensions give the Harris County Flood Control District more time to complete the Urban Flood Risk Study and three detention basins:

• Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin: extends performance by 6 months and 18 days

• East T.C. Jester Stormwater Detention Basin: extends performance through April 1, 2027

• Halls Bayou Blue Bell Detention Basin: extends performance through April 1, 2027

Also of note: The court also approved U.S. Department of Agriculture grant extensions, including 92 calendar days for Hurricane Beryl debris removal. None of the extensions include extra money. Additionally, commissioners approved a three-year, $533,444 agreement with the University of Houston to study floating vegetated islands.

One more thing: The court did not vote on adding 20 positions to the constable workforce after the items were pulled from the agenda.

The Texas A&M University Space Institute will be celebrating its grand opening in mid-November, officials said.

What you need to know: The new facility serves as a hub for collaboration among researchers, industry leaders and government agencies working to solve challenges in space exploration while developing the workforce and technologies needed for future missions, officials said.

The cost: The project cost $200 million, which was paid for through the state’s Texas Space Commission, which was passed in the 88th Texas Legislature and allotted $350 million for space programs in Texas, including $200 million for the institute, according to documents from the university.

📍17475 Saturn Lane, Houston