🏠 Habitat for Humanity MCTX Asks Where Homeownership Stands

🍝 Bari Ristorante Brings Its River Oaks Menu to Waterway Avenue

💼 She Won't Send You a Rate Sheet Until She Knows Your Business

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Hot and mostly dry, good day to keep outdoor plans to morning or evening.

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Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, TX held its first State of the Affiliate breakfast Sept. 23 at Truluck's in The Woodlands, asking a simple question: where does homeownership stand in the county, and where does it go from here? Deputy Director Erik Armstrong moderated a panel with national, state and local perspectives.

The numbers set the tone. Steve Sherman of Rice University's Kinder Institute said Montgomery County home prices have nearly doubled over about 14 years, and the number of cost-burdened homeowners with a mortgage doubled in just five. Aimee Bertrand of the Greater Houston Builders Association said government regulation now accounts for more than 25% of a home's cost. Realtor Kim Soderberg counted about 60 entry-level neighborhoods in the county, which made up roughly 55% of this year's starter-home sales.

Amy Ledbetter Parham, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Texas, urged attendees to ask candidates about their housing policy and pointed to a proposed $50 million state loan fund that local affiliates would repay over time. "If you have a business, housing is part of your business," she said.

After the panel, homeowner Jalisa, a proud mom, shared what she looked forward to most. It was simple: marking her daughter's height on the kitchen wall every year.

Why it matters: the homes are still being built, but the teachers, nurses, first responders and people who keep Montgomery County running are finding it harder to afford them.

Source/Credits: Lily Plouvier

Bari Hospitality Group is opening Bari Ristorante The Woodlands on September 30 at 24 Waterway Avenue, bringing the Italian restaurant's River Oaks District menu closer to the Woodlands regulars who'd been driving into Houston for it. The 9,000-square-foot space serves lunch and dinner daily, with weekend brunch starting October 4.

Italian Master Chef Renato de Pirro is leading the opening alongside Executive Chef Marcelo Mintz, who is from Brazil and will stay on to run daily kitchen operations. The menu carries over River Oaks favorites like the Fritto Misto, Pappardelle Bolognese, and Bari's pizzas, plus tableside dishes like Branzino alla Griglia and Truffle Pasta, alongside new dishes made just for this location.

The 250-seat restaurant includes two private dining rooms, a bar lounge, and a commissary kitchen dedicated to house-made pastas, gelatos, sauces, and bread. "Guests from The Woodlands have supported Bari from the beginning, often traveling to our River Oaks District location and asking us to bring the experience closer to home," said Pedro Teyuca, co-owner and operator of Bari Hospitality Group. Weekday happy hour includes $10 burgers and individual pizzas.

Why it matters: it's another sign of how much Houston-proper dining is migrating up I-45, giving Woodlands regulars one less reason to make the drive south.

Source/Credits: Hello Woodlands

Divergent Marketing and Branding, run by founder Carly Olson out of The Woodlands, doesn't hand out a price list. Ask what a website costs and she'll ask about the business first. "I do not have a set price menu," Olson says. "Every single business needs a very unique approach to their marketing, and I will never treat all of my clients the same."

The agency handles brand strategy, custom website builds (never outsourced overseas, never AI-templated), SEO and AIO audits, traditional marketing, and social media management. Divergent now works with clients across 13 states, including trades like plumbers and HVAC, med spas and estheticians, e-commerce brands, fitness studios, and B2B service providers.

Olson sees two common mistakes: businesses trying to define their own brand voice with AI, or price-shopping their way into an overseas team or an inexperienced marketer. Her fix is sitting down first, learning the business's capacity, history, and goals before any strategy gets built. Divergent is also planning events across The Woodlands this year on AI's effect on marketing and staying authentic in a homogenized market.

Why it matters: in a market where every business sounds the same because everyone's using the same AI tools, an agency built around actually knowing a client before quoting one is a real difference, not a slogan.

📅 Empire of the Sun with Polo & Pan | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | 7:30 PM | More info

📅 Babymetal with Halestorm, Violent Vira | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | 7:20 PM | More info

📅 Roxette with Taylor Dayne | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | 6:30 PM | More info

📅 The Woodlands Fine Craft, Art & Design Show | Woodlands Waterway Marriott | 10 AM–5 PM | More info

📅 The Woodlands Fine Craft, Art & Design Show | Woodlands Waterway Marriott | 11 AM–4 PM | More info

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Interfaith of The Woodlands started life in 1973 as The Woodlands Religious Community, a full year before the community itself officially opened. George Mitchell set it up on purpose, wanting support already in place before the first families arrived.

"He's so low he'd steal the widow's ax." Translation: a shockingly dishonest, low-down person.

You never notice how loud your own chewing is until the whole room goes quiet.

Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.

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