COMMUNITY

Houston’s Southern Smoke Festival returns with its biggest lineup yet
| September 29, 2025
2025 southern smoke festival | Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | food and drink | HARDGATE | HOUSTON LEAD STORY | HTX | LIFESTYLE | southern smoke festival | tourism
Sample bites from 85+ top chefs, sip signature cocktails, and enjoy live music at Houston’s biggest culinary block party on October 4.

Austin-based Brazilian snack brand takes home the big bucks at H-E-B small business competition
by Sierra Rozen
| September 26, 2025
Grab-and-go snacks, easy cocktails, and spice packets were the stars at H-E-B’s Quest for Texas Best award ceremony, where five Texas businesses were awarded a collective $110,000 to help grow their small ventures.

New sports-themed gay bar set to open in the heart of Montrose
by Sierra Rozen
| September 25, 2025
It has to be said: While Texas might not always be viewed as a state where queer people can thrive, the city of Houston has always had a vibrant LGBTQ+ culture, including its own “gayborhood” in Montrose.

How affordable is senior care in Texas? Find out
by USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
| September 25, 2025
When older Americans contemplate retirement, and they consider whether to retire in another state, the regional costs of senior care might not cross their minds.
Yet more than 80% of Americans will need long-term care at some point, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Long-term care delivers help with everyday activities, like dressing and eating.

Whataburger, Houston Food Bank, and Houston Texans team up to fight child hunger
by Sierra Rozen
| September 24, 2025
Through Oct. 12, Whataburger and the Houston Texans are partnering with the Houston Food Bank to donate a portion of the restaurant’s revenue to the nonprofit.



