Here are six new businesses that opened in the Katy area in May, June and July.

Apara Autism Center opened at 2051 Greenhouse Road, Ste. 160, Houston, on May 18. The health care business has a location in Sugar Land and provides applied behavior analysis through one-on-one therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the clinic is offering telehealth services, in-home services and part-time sessions for patients. 844-272-7223. www.aparaautism.com

Houston Axe Throwing held grand opening activities for its newest location at 1718 Fry Road, Ste. 110, Houston, in mid-June, owner Sarah Sed said. However, the location temporarily closed in July due to slow business with plans to reopen in August. At Houston Axe Throwing, guests throw axes that weigh about 1.5 pounds at a 12-foot distance. Trainers also provide safety tips and instructions on how to throw. The first location is in Bellaire at 6734 Lakewood Drive, Ste. B, Houston. Houston Axe Throwing also hosts an Axe Throwing League. 832-930-2937. www.houstonaxe.com

Newton Nurseries is now open at 322 Buc-ee’s Blvd., Katy, according to a June 9 press release. The 153,000-square-foot, wholesale nursery offers trees, shrubs, flowers, bedding plants and other landscaping items. The gated location also includes a 7,000-square-foot greenhouse and 20,000-square-foot shade area. 832-772-5212. www.newtonnurseries.com.

 

Pablo’s Restaurant and Club opened May 1 at 25757 Westheimer Parkway, Ste. 130, Katy. The menu includes international dishes, such as Korean fried beef, ceviche, burgers, tacos, flatbread pizza, lamb kebab, salmon and curry. It also offers a drink menu of wine, beer and mixed drinks. 281-215-3400. www.clubpablo.com

A new location of Restore Hyper Wellness + Cryotherapy opened in early July at 23116 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy. The health care business offers cryotherapy, IV drip and other therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and compression therapy. Two other locations of Restore are within the Greater Houston area: one in Sugar Land and one in the River Oaks area. 832-390-0755. www.restore.com

Rapid Express Car Wash-Fulshear opened in late May at 5746 FM 1463, Katy. The business provides car washes as well as free vacuums to customers. There is one other location of Rapid Express in the Greater Houston area at 10470 Huffmeister Road, Houston. 346-707-8296. www.rapidexpresscarwash.com

Clothing, footwear, school supplies and other items will be sold sales tax-free during the three-day holiday, as outlined by Texas state law, according to a July 23 news release. The Texas Legislature is responsible for setting the date of the annual holiday as well as denoting which items will receive sales tax exemptions. This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, Aug. 7, and goes through midnight Sunday, Aug. 9.

 

Given the current pandemic, the Texas comptroller of public accounts has outlined measures shoppers can take while adhering to social distancing. Sales tax-exempt purchases can be made online, over the phone, by mail or via custom order during the following circumstances:

• If a sidewalk is say 10 feet wide or wider, then chances are there may be room for two people side-by-side to walk and allow someone to maintain six feet of distance while passing. But if the sidewalk is narrow or if the sidewalk is busy at all, people need to walk single file.

• Since here in the United States we drive on the right side, walking on the right side feels natural. If everyone can agree to walk on the right side, we can avoid the bob-and-weave dance of sidewalk navigation, and avoid bumping into each other.

• Unless you are walking on a super wide sidewalk, stay near the edge to ensure that there can be a six-foot space between yourself and a passer.

• If you are using a scooter, hoverboard, skateboard, or bike, stay in the bike lane or street. Sidewalks can't afford the chaos right now.

• Think of the sidewalk as a two-lane, two-way road. Don't pass someone in front of you if there is someone approaching from the opposite direction – wait for them to pass before you get in their lane.

• Many a city citizen can eat lunch while taking a phone call while out on their daily run. But while everyone is trying to keep six feet of distance in order, it's helpful to be focused on the sidewalk, not one's phone or other distractions.

• If you need to stop walking and attend to something, step out of the way of traffic, much like you would were you in a car.

• If you are on the same path with an elderly person or someone who is less agile than you are, be the person who moves out of the way so that they can maintain their stride.

• Coronavirus or not, people need to walk their dogs. But when doing so, be mindful of the leash; if the leash is stretched across the sidewalk, it can make passing hard and may be a potential tripping hazard.

• We are all about free-range parenting here on TreeHugger ... but on the sidewalk in the midst of physical distancing during a pandemic is not the time to let them run free. Keep the kids close, especially on narrow sidewalks shared with other other pedestrians.

The Little Teahouse opened in early June at 4031 FM 1463, Ste. 60, Katy, owner Jailene Salgado said. Its menu includes a variety of cream, fruit, classic and yogurt tea flavors, such as green, passion fruit, honeydew, rose, lychee, black and matcha. Coffee and smoothies are also offered, and The Little Teahouse has a food menu with grilled dumplings, crab puffs, spring rolls and chicken dishes. 832-437-9958.www.littleteahousekaty.com

 

Taste Buds Cereal Bar, located at 1801 N. Mason Road, Katy, held a soft opening June 19. Guests can order cereal bowls with milk topped with snacks, such as bananas, marshmallows or chocolate. Nondairy milk is also available. Additionally, the cereal bar offers cereal-infused ice cream shakes such as Fruity Frenzy and Cinnamon Craze. 346-387-6235. www.tastebudscerealbar.com

 

Thaicoon Restaurant & Pub began soft opening activities July 11 at 1223 Grand West Blvd., Ste. B101, Katy. The new restaurant has dishes such as pad thai, steamed mussels and tom yum shrimp as well as curry. It also has crafted dessert and cocktail menus. 281-206-7680. www.facebook.com/thaicoon-restaurant-pub-101993281382438

 

Houston Restaurant Weeks returns with new takeout, delivery options in 2020
Hundreds of Greater Houston-area restaurants are preparing for the return of Houston Restaurant Weeks, kicking off Aug. 1 and running through Labor Day on Sept. 7.

Launched in 2003, the annual food event allows Greater Houston-area residents to support the Houston Food Bank by dining from special multicourse prix-fixe menus at local eateries. A list of participating restaurants will be posted on the event's website July 17 and be updated with new additions through Aug. 1.

This year, $1 per meal purchased will be donated to the Houston Food Bank, which generates three meals for individuals and families in need. Dinner menus at participating restaurants offer $35-$45 options, and brunch and lunch are available for $20.

Patrons in the past have been encouraged to visit local restaurants in person, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants can now offer takeout and delivery options in addition to dine-in.

Grass Treatment

 

Late in the month of June and early July the Association has contracted with the landscaping company to do a special treatment on the grass in Cinco Ranch II areas. What you can expect to occur during this treatment is a broadcast of herbicide in the turf in order to eradicate grassy weeds.  The grassy weeds effected will turn brown over the course of a few weeks as they are treated.   The turf will green back up in these areas following the grassy weed die off.  Since this is Summer, this process can take a little bit of time depending on weather conditions such as additional rain or excessive heat (which could speed up or slow down the regrowth process).  The end result should be a greatly reduced grassy weed presence in the overall turf of the community. 

FIREWORKS
Remember when we would pack up as a family and go watch fireworks displays all over the city? We could pick from several venues. The reason we packed up to go watch fireworks is simple – it was something for the professionals and the trained. Now, you can find the same fireworks they were shooting off at local roadside tents. We were only allowed the sparklers. We have all heard stories of someone shooting off a bottle rocket and hitting a neighbor’s roof. The entire house could burn to the ground and the person (or parents of that person) is held responsible.
If we stop and think about it, there’s some real logic in letting the professionals handle fireworks. They do contain dynamite. They do not always go in the direction that you would like them to go. Even the experts always have fire trucks waiting on the sidelines. The other thing you may have noticed over the years is they never hold the fireworks. There’s always some kind of stand with a long fuse attached. The person lighting the fuse is always several yards away from the stands holding the fireworks.
It’s not as if those of us living in Cinco Ranch would discharge fireworks, we all know better. Maybe the experts have it right. We go to them, they give us a great show, we don’t get in any trouble, we don’t hurt anyone or ourselves, and we have a wonderful time. What a great way to spend a holiday! The whole point in holidays is supposed to be time with the family and celebration.

If you suspect someone of being unsafe with their fireworks please call the non-emergency sheriff's number at 281-341-4665.

Bike safety is a big topic right now. Did you know bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers?  As a bicyclist, you should obey all traffic laws, including the following:

 

Tips for Drivers

Disclaimer: The businesses and vendors listed above are in no way affiliated, authorized, or endorsed by, CRRA2, CRSWCC, or any of their affiliates.