HTX-WDL: Impact 9/18/2025

Looking for a better life and new opportunities, Gloria and Jose Fuentes immigrated from El Salvador to the U.S. over 40 years ago. Gloria Fuentes said her sister had a small restaurant in Dallas at the time, but an opportunity to take ownership came up.

On the menu: Gloria’s Latin Cuisine boasts Salvadoran cuisine with family recipes including pupusas, a traditional Salvadoran dish consisting of a thick handmade flatbread made from corn meal and rice flour. They are typically stuffed with various ingredients such as cheese, beans or meat.

What's special about it: Gloria's Latin Cuisine focuses on providing customers with a Latin experience featuring Latin cuisine made with fresh ingredients, creative recipes and an ongoing commitment to guests, the Fuenteses said.

With 23 locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio areas, Houston area locations include The Woodlands area, Midtown Houston, Katy and Friendswood.

Events happening in The Woodlands area this weekend include a musical performance and a concert in the park. This list is not comprehensive, and events are subject to change.

‘Shrek’ The Musical performance
Enjoy a Class Act Production of “Shrek” based on the DreamWorks film about an ogre, a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess, Fiona.

• Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 21, 2:30 p.m.
• $20-$30 (admission)
• Class Act Productions, 25275 Budde Road, Spring

• Sept. 19, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• $125 (individual ticket)
• Kevin Brady Library and Community Center, 2250 Buckthorne Place, The Woodlands

More than $7.9 million of Funds for Veterans’ Assistance, or FVA, grants have been awarded to 38 organizations in the Greater Houston area, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sept. 12.

The gist: Abbott said the grants are part of the Texas Veterans Commission Grants Across Texas Tour. The grants support a wide range of services, from emergency financial assistance to transportation and home modification, according to a news release.

Quote of note:  “This over $7.9 million in grants will provide crucial services and financial support for our veterans and their families in the Gulf Coast and Houston so they can lead successful lives in our great state,” Abbott said.

Tomball ISD’s board of trustees approved the purchase of 110 acres to be used for district facilities at its regular meeting Sept. 9. The two separate properties have a total price tag of about $13.63 million and will be paid with bond 2025 funds.

What they're saying: When asked to clarify what the land purchase was for during the regular meeting, TISD Superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora said the decision is based on the district’s future needs.

“Land becomes a little more challenging as we grow out as a community as we build out and pricing becomes a challenge over time as prices increase. ... This continues to be in alignment with the district's history of purchasing property for the future of our students in education,” Salazar-Zamora said at the meeting.

More details: The properties are located near Telge Road between Hwy. 249 and Cypress Rosehill Road.