With just weeks to go in New Jersey’s closely watched gubernatorial elections, voters are gearing up to make their voices heard.
Since 2021, New Jersey has allowed in-person early voting thanks to legislation.
The idea behind the law is to make then state “even more voter-friendly and strengthens our democracy by expanding opportunities to exercise your right to vote,” according to the New Jersey Division of Elections.
Thanks to early voting, voters can cast their ballot in person for both the Primary Election and General Election during a specific time frame before Election Day, allowing for more flexibility for registered voters to make their voices heard.
WHEN AND WHERE IS EARLY VOTING?
Ahead of the General Election, every county in the state designates in-person early voting locations that will be open during the early voting period.
This year, the early voting period is from Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 through Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
Hours will be Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. It’s important to know that any registered New Jersey voter can go and vote since no appointment is necessary.
GENERAL ELECTION IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING POLL LOCATIONS
Check the county where you are registered as a voter and live to see your early voting poll locations.
If you are registered to vote by mail, you are allowed to cast a provisional ballot during early in-person voting or on Election Day, which you can get at your early voting location or polling place.
But remember, if you choose to vote by provisional ballot during early in-person voting or on Election Day, you should NOT complete and return your mail-in ballot because your provisional ballot will be rejected.
It’s also important to note that mail-in ballots cannot be returned to your early voting site or polling place.
The months leading up to New York City’s General Election have caused a lot of buzz.
Political analysts across the country are keeping a close eye on the outcome, seeing them as a litmus test — specifically the race for mayor, where a self-described socialist democrat, Zohran Mamdani, is facing-off against former New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Curtis Sliwa, who is running under the Republican Party.
Even though the mayoral race is the most talked-about race in the city’s general elections, there are other races taking place, including that for city comptroller, public advocate, a few city council seats and district attorney, among others.
With this in mind, registered voters should know that, while Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, early voting period runs from Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025 to Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
Wood frames are rising from the ashes of burned-out lots in Pacific Palisades, signaling the start of a new era for the fire-torn community. But down the road in Malibu, the scene is bleak.
Cars wind through a gauntlet of traffic cones and caution tape. Sweeping ocean views are sullied by hollow shells of graffiti-tagged homes and miles of chain-link fencing.
Nearly a year after the Palisades fire, one of Southern California’s most iconic communities is frozen in place.
In Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the two communities hit hardest by the January fires, there are rebuilding permits aplenty. The city of L.A., which is handling most permits in the Palisades, has issued 801 — around 43% of the total applications received, according to data from the state’s rebuilding dashboard. L.A. County, which is handling most permits in Altadena, has issued 577 — around 26% of the total applications received.
So far, Malibu has issued four — about 2% of the total applications received.
“It’s depressing,” said Abe Roy, Malibu resident and professional builder.
In May, Roy was appointed as the city’s first Rebuild Ambassador, a volunteer role created to find solutions to administrative obstacles and speed up the rebuild. He publicly resigned last month, citing frustrations with the slow permitting process.
“If this current pace continues, rebuilding will take way longer than a decade,” he said.
A view of cleared lots and sparse construction after the Palisades fire in the Sunset Mesa neighborhood of eastern Malibu.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
A buyer’s market
In contrast to other California communities, where sprawl and expansion led to skyrocketing populations over the last few decades, Malibu has long embraced “slow growth.” Fewer live there now than when the city was incorporated 34 years ago.
But after roughly 720 Malibu homes burned in the Palisades fire, burned-out lots are sitting empty. Locals are worried that the city may never get fully back on its feet, and property values will suffer. And in a place like Malibu — one of the most expensive markets in the country, where a 10% price drop can mean millions of dollars lost — property values are king.
Of the 160 lots listed this year that are still on the market, 47 have received a price cut.
In the Big Rock neighborhood, a burned lot listed for $1.65 million in September, but that price has already been lowered twice. On Las Flores Beach, an oceanfront parcel hit the market for $3 million in April, but with no takers, relisted for $1.95 million in October.
Roughly 75 lots have sold in Malibu since the fire. But as more homeowners decide to sell instead of rebuild, sales are slowing down — and a buyer’s market is emerging.
“Supply is exceeding demand, and lots are selling anywhere from a 20 to 60% discount,” Roy said. “That’s a premonition for a freefall.”
Roy said the overwhelming majority of residents want to stay and simply replace the home they have. But as applications get kicked back for corrections, and the rebuilding timeline turns from months to years, many are getting discouraged and choosing to sell.
“Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom is onerous for most people. But building a house from the ground up is almost impossible,” Roy said. “After a while, you raise your hand and say, ‘I don’t know how long I can be on this treadmill.’”
Real estate agent Daniel Milstein is currently listing a 3.25-acre lot on a promontory in Carbon Canyon that once held a Mediterranean mansion formerly owned by record producer David Foster. Before the fire, it was listed for $35 million.
After it burned, the lot returned to market at $16 million. But with the slowing market, Milstein is planning to trim the price down to $12 million.
“The property is worth a lot more, but the nuances of building here and the limited permits issued have led to a setback in the market,” he said. “The value will be higher down the road, but there’s a discount for buyers right now.”
Milstein added that the buyer pool is limited to people who can afford to park their money for a while — three years, six years, maybe more. For those hoping to build a house right away, Malibu isn’t an option.
But Milstein said that’s by design.
“Malibu is stringent on permits. But that’s where the value is,” Milstein said. “It’s exclusive. And those that understand that value will be very happy with their property values down the road.”
In the meantime, locals who lost homes are stuck in limbo.
Permit trouble
The choice of whether to sell or stay has been well-documented over the last year, with homeowners in Altadena and Pacific Palisades speaking out about their decision-making process.
But Malibu locals — permit-less and facing rebuild timelines significantly longer than their fellow rebuilding communities — are a bit more circumspect. The Times reached out to over a dozen homeowners with lots on the market, but none wanted to publicly participate in the story.
One homeowner, who requested anonymity for fear of retribution from neighbors or the city, called the past few months “a nightmare.”
“I have friends a few miles east in Pacific Palisades who are starting to build already. I submitted my applications in the spring, the same time as them, but it still hasn’t gotten approved,” said the homeowner, whose Malibu home burned down in January.
The homeowner planned to rebuild the same house that was there before, but their application was sent back because the plans didn’t comply with FEMA’s updated flood elevation standards, which require many rebuilt oceanfront homes to sit higher above the sand.
It’s a snag that several have run into over the past year. One local, whose house survived but sustained smoke damage, told Fox 11 that he may be forced to demolish the property in order to comply with the heightened elevation standards.
Comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla has emerged as a face of the frustration building in Malibu, vlogging about the bleak state of the city. He claims that Malibu is emphasizing the wrong things in its requirements for rebuilding.
Carolla visited a construction site on the beach that was installing 30 caissons six stories deep into the ground. Between the caissons, the seawall and retaining wall, the crew estimated it would cost $2 million to $3 million to install the foundation.
“It’s totally unnecessary. The former structure that was there lasted 75 years, and the tide didn’t get it, the fire did,” Carolla said. “If telephone poles sunk into the soil worked for 75 years, why do we need to build Hitler’s bunker under the sand?”
Carolla said it’s a symptom of the larger trend across L.A. that he regularly complains about: regulations and over-engineering bogging development down to the point where no one can afford to build.
Real estate agent Jason Ventress said the strict rules are limiting the buyer pool for his latest listing, a $12.5-million burned lot spanning half an acre on the ocean.
“The city is bogged down by confusion and interpretations of newly implemented laws that are being contested,” Ventress said.
In addition to the FEMA height requirements, he pointed to Malibu’s new septic standards, which requires rebuilders to replace existing septic systems with onsite wastewater treatment systems, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to install.
Ventress, a fire victim himself dealing with a daunting rebuild, credited the Malibu Rebuild Center as a helpful resource to locals who lost their homes. Opened in March, it serves as a one-stop shop for both homeowners and contractors to ask questions and get help submitting applications.
Yolanda Bundy, who runs the center under her role as Community Development Director, said of the 720 families impacted by the fire, 585 have visited.
Bundy said it’s a necessary resource, since building in Malibu — a land of eroding cliffs and rising sea levels — is trickier than building in the flat lots found in Altadena and parts of the Palisades. She said 50% of burned homes were on the water, and 30% were on steep slopes.
“These homes require septic systems, sea walls, retaining walls and complex foundations. Those come with restrictions,” Bundy said.
Acknowledging the slow pace of permits, Bundy’s team has launched a handful of strategies aimed at streamlining the approval process, highlighting the changes at an Oct. 15 City Council meeting.
According to Bundy, one of the biggest reasons for applications getting bogged down is architectural plans missing necessary notes and numbers. So the city created templates that architects can use to avoid corrections.
The city also trimmed the 12-step application intake procedure down to six steps and beefed up its staff, hiring a case manager to serve as a bridge between staff and homeowners.
Despite only four building permits being issued, Bundy said the collective rebuild is further along than the number suggests. Applications have to pass through two phases: the planning and entitlement phase, and the building and safety review phase. Bundy said half of the roughly 160 applications have passed through planning, but are still waiting to get through the building phase.
“It’s an oversimplification to say that we’re not making any progress compared to L.A.,” Bundy said. “Families are frustrated, but I want every family to know we’re doing our best to get them home.”
Lost identity
As rebuilds get costlier, locals are getting concerned that by the time Malibu eventually gets back on its feet, it won’t feel the same. Lifelong residences will be replaced by Airbnbs, development groups and deep-pocketed foreign buyers with enough time and money to navigate the laborious permit process.
Two brothers from New Zealand bought up $65 million worth of burned-out lots on the beach this year. Ventress said he’s fielding interest from a Canadian development group and a Miami hedge fund for his oceanfront listing.
Milstein said he’s noticed a surge in interest from Europe, Canada and Asia, and roughly a third of his inquiries this year have come from international networks such as private banks and wealth managers.
“There’s fear that Malibu’s identity will change, and that might fuel folks to move as well,” Roy said. “It might not be the Malibu we loved for years, where the bartender knows your drink and you see your neighbors at the local restaurants.”
But Roy said the city should welcome all buyers, international or not. He spoke with the New Zealand duo and said he supports their vision of adding housing.
“People selling lots are in dire straits. They don’t care whether offers come from international buyers or not,” he said. “As long as those people are believing in the future of Malibu and willing to invest.”
Voices across Malibu say the only solution is issuing permits quicker so fire victims want to come back.
“Malibu is a way of life. Most of us are doing our darndest to maintain that way of life,” Ventress said. Seconds later, while driving down Pacific Coast Highway, he passed a naked man walking down the beach.
“He’s got a metal detector or something…no wait, it’s a golf club!” he exclaimed over the phone. “Right now, it’s the wild, wild west out here.”
SAN FRANCISCO — About 24 hours after President Trump declared San Francisco such a crime-ridden “mess” that he was recommending federal forces be sent to restore order, Manit Limlamai, 43, and Kai Saetern, 32, rolled their eyes at the suggestion.
The pair — both in the software industry — were with friends Thursday in Dolores Park, a vibrant green space with sweeping views of downtown, playing volleyball under a blue sky and shining autumn sun. All around them, people sat on benches with books, flew kites, played with dogs or otherwise lounged away the afternoon on blankets in the grass.
Both Limlamai and Saetern said San Francisco of course has issues, and some rougher neighborhoods — but that’s any city.
“I’ve lived here for 10 years and I haven’t felt unsafe, and I’ve lived all over the city,” Saetern said. “Every city has its problems, and I don’t think San Francisco is any different,” but “it’s not a hellscape,” said Limlamai, who has been in the city since 2021.
Both said Trump’s suggestion that he might send in troops was more alarming than reassuring — especially, Limlamai said, on top of his recent remark that American cities should serve as “training grounds” for U.S. military forces.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate at all,” he said. “The military is not trained to do what needs to be done in these cities.”
Across San Francisco, residents, visitors and prominent local leaders expressed similar ideas — if not much sharper condemnation of any troop deployment. None shied away from the fact that San Francisco has problems, especially with homelessness. Several also mentioned a creeping urban decay, and that the city needs a bit of a polish.
But federal troops? That was a hard no.
A range of people on Market Street in downtown San Francisco on Thursday.
“It’s just more of [Trump’s] insanity,” said Peter Hill, 81, as he played chess in a slightly edgier park near City Hall. Hill said using troops domestically was a fascist power play, and “a bad thing for the entire country.”
“It’s fascism,” agreed local activist Wendy Aragon, who was hailing a cab nearby. Her Latino family has been in the country for generations, she said, but she now fears speaking Spanish on the street given that immigration agents have admitted targeting people who look or sound Latino, and troops in the city would only exacerbate those fears. “My community is under attack right now.”
State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said troop deployments to the city were “completely unnecessary” and “typical Trump: petty, vindictive retaliation.”
“He wants to attack anyone who he perceives as an enemy, and that includes cities, and so he started with L.A. and Southern California because of its large immigrant community, and then he proceeded to cities with large Black populations like Chicago, and now he’s moving on to cities that are just perceived as very lefty like Portland and now San Francisco,” Wiener said.
Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, defended such deployments and noted crime reductions in cities, including Washington, D.C., and Memphis, where local officials — including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat — have embraced them.
“America’s once great cities have descended into chaos and crime as a result of Democrat policies that put criminals first and law-abiding citizens last. Making America Safe Again — especially crime-ridden cities — was a key campaign promise from the President that the American people elected him to fulfill,” Jackson said. “San Francisco Democrats should look at the tremendous results in DC and Memphis and listen to fellow Democrat Mayor Bowser and welcome the President in to clean up their city.”
A police officer shuts the door to his car after a person was allegedly caught carrying a knife near a sign promoting an AI-powered museum exhibit in downtown San Francisco.
A presidential ‘passion’
San Francisco — a bastion of liberal politics that overwhelmingly voted against Trump in the last election — has been derided by the conservative right for generations as a great American jewel lost to destructive progressive policies.
With its tech-heavy economy and downtown core hit hard by the pandemic and the nation’s shift toward remote work, the city has had a particularly rough go in recent years, which only exacerbated its image as a city in decline. That it produced some of Trump’s most prominent political opponents — including Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris — has only made it more of a punching bag.
In August, Trump suggested San Francisco needed federal intervention. “You look at what the Democrats have done to San Francisco — they’ve destroyed it,” he said in the Oval Office. “We’ll clean that one up, too.”
Then, earlier this month, to the chagrin of liberal leaders across the city, Marc Benioff, the billionaire Salesforce founder and Time magazine owner who has long been a booster of San Francisco, said in an interview with the New York Times that he supported Trump and welcomed Guard troops in the city.
“We don’t have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I’m all for it,” Benioff said, just as his company was preparing to open its annual Dreamforce convention in the city, complete with hundreds of private security officers.
The U.S. Constitution generally precludes military forces from serving in police roles in the U.S.
On Friday, Benioff reversed himself and apologized for his earlier stance. “Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco,” he wrote on X.
He also apologized for “the concern” his earlier support for troops in the city had caused, and praised San Francisco’s new mayor, Daniel Lurie, for bringing crime down.
Billionaire Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla, also called for federal intervention in the city, writing on his X platform that downtown San Francisco is “a drug zombie apocalypse” and that federal intervention was “the only solution at this point.”
Trump made his latest remarks bashing San Francisco on Wednesday, again from the Oval Office.
Trump said it was “one of our great cities 10 years ago, 15 years ago,” but “now it’s a mess” — and that he was recommending federal forces move into the city to make it safer. “I’m gonna be strongly recommending — at the request of government officials, which is always nice — that you start looking at San Francisco,” he said to leading members of his law enforcement team.
Trump did not specify exactly what sort of deployment he meant, or which kinds of federal forces might be involved. He also didn’t say which local officials had allegedly requested help — a claim Wiener called a lie.
“Every American deserves to live in a community where they’re not afraid of being mugged, murdered, robbed, raped, assaulted or shot, and that’s exactly what our administration is working to deliver,” Trump said, before adding that sending federal forces into American cities had become “a passion” of his.
Kai Saetern, 32, was playing volleyball in Dolores Park on Thursday. Saetern said he has never felt unsafe living in neighborhoods all over the city for the last 10 years.
Crime is down citywide
The responses from San Francisco, both to Benioff and Trump, came swiftly, ranging from calm discouragement to full-blown outrage.
Lurie did not respond directly, but his office pointed reporters to his recent statements that crime is down 30% citywide, homicides are at a 70-year low, car break-ins are at a 22-year low and tent encampments are at their lowest number on record.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Lurie said. “But I trust our local law enforcement.”
San Francisco Dist. Atty. Brooke Jenkins was much more fiery, writing online that Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had turned “so-called public safety and immigration enforcement into a form of government sponsored violence against U.S. citizens, families, and ethnic groups,” and that she stood ready to prosecute federal officers if they harm city residents.
Attendees exit the Dreamforce convention downtown on Thursday in San Francisco.
“If you come to San Francisco and illegally harass our residents … I will not hesitate to do my job and hold you accountable just like I do other violators of the law every single day,” she said.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) — whose seat Wiener is reportedly going to seek — said the city “does not want or need Donald Trump’s chaos” and will continue to increase public safety locally and “without the interference of a President seeking headlines.”
Newsom said the use of federal troops in American cities is a “clear violation” of federal law, and that the state was prepared to challenge any such deployment to San Francisco in court, just as it challenged such deployments in Los Angeles earlier this year.
The federal appellate court that oversees California and much of the American West has so far allowed troops to remain in L.A., but is set to continue hearing arguments in the L.A. case soon.
Trump had used anti-immigration enforcement protests in L.A. as a justification to send troops there. In San Francisco, Newsom said, he lacks any justification or “pretext” whatsoever.
“There’s no existing protest at a federal building. There’s no operation that’s being impeded. I guess it’s just a ‘training ground’ for the President of United States,” Newsom said. “It is grossly illegal, it’s immoral, it’s rather delusional.”
Nancy DeStefanis, 76, a longtime labor and environmental activist who was at San Francisco City Hall on Thursday to complain about Golden Gate Park being shut to regular visitors for paid events, was similarly derisive of troops entering the city.
“As far as I’m concerned, and I think most San Franciscans are concerned, we don’t want troops here. We don’t need them,” she said.
Passengers walk past a cracked window from the Civic Center BART station in downtown San Francisco.
‘An image I don’t want to see’
Not far away, throngs of people wearing Dreamforce lanyards streamed in and out of the Moscone Center, heading back and forth to nearby Market Street and pouring into restaurants, coffee shops and take-out joints. The city’s problems — including homelessness and associated grittiness — were apparent at the corners of the crowds, even as chipper convention ambassadors and security officers moved would-be stragglers along.
Not everyone was keen to be identified discussing Trump or safety in the city, with some citing business reasons and others a fear of Trump retaliating against them. But lots of people had opinions.
Sanjiv, a self-described “techie” in his mid-50s, said he preferred to use only his first name because, although he is a U.S. citizen now, he emigrated from India and didn’t want to stick his neck out by publicly criticizing Trump.
He called homelessness a “rampant problem” in San Francisco, but less so than in the past — and hardly something that would justify sending in military troops.
“It’s absolutely ridiculous,” he said. “It’s not like the city’s under siege.”
Claire Roeland, 30, from Austin, Texas, said she has visited San Francisco a handful of times in recent years and had “mixed” experiences. She has family who live in surrounding neighborhoods and find it completely safe, she said, but when she’s in town it’s “predominantly in the business district” — where it’s hard not to be disheartened by the obvious suffering of people with addiction and mental illness and the grime that has accumulated in the emptied-out core.
“There’s a lot of unfortunate urban decay happening, and that makes you feel more unsafe than you actually are,” she said, but there isn’t “any realistic need to send in federal troops.”
She said she doesn’t know what troops would do other than confront homeless people, and “that’s an image I don’t want to see.”
Times staff writer Dakota Smith contributed to this report.
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
All week long
Wild Game Specials at Ouisie’s Table
Ouisie’s Table, 3939 San Felipe, is serving up a weekly series of imaginative game dinners now through November 26. This week features Seared Saltine Crusted Venison Backstrap Chicken Fried Steak ($38) with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, corn pudding and peppercorn gravy.
Wednesday, October 15
Kirkwood x DAOU Vineyard Dinner at The Lymbar
Upcoming Energy Corridor concept Kirkwood is teaming up with The Lymbar for an exclusive multi-course wine dinner featuring the wines of DAOU Vineyard at The Lymbar, 4201 Main, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the wine-paired dinner at 6:30. Highlights include a decadent Lobster Ballotine, Braised Short Rib and a trio of sweet and savory bites, including Sticky Toffee Pudding with Roquefort blue cheese. Tickets are $110 per person, excluding tax and gratuity.
Wednesday–Friday
Fall Events at Lyric Market
Lyric Market, 411 Smith, hosts Cocktails for a Cause this Wednesday, featuring a special Happy Hour and Silent Auction in partnership with the Lupus Foundation of America – Texas Gulf Coast; followed by a Sip & Bloom Floral Workshop on Thursday and the Tastes & Treasures Pop-Up Artisan Market (Halloween Edition) on Friday.
Thursday, October 19
Dinner & a Show at Brennan’s of Houston
Brennan’s, 3300 Smith, brings back its Dinner & a Show series with live music from P.F. & The Flyers, a four-course Texas-Creole feast, featuring dishes like Snapping Turtle Soup, Creole Roasted Chicken or Gulf Shrimp & Grits, and Brennan’s iconic Bananas Foster for dessert. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Saturday, October 18
Grand Opening at The Bell and Crane
Houston beverage industry vet Ashley Bell celebrates the grand opening of her new Old Sixth Ward bar, The Bell and Crane, 908 Henderson. Featuring quality cocktails, nostalgic ‘90s-inspired snacks and a laid-back dive bar vibe, the opening party kicks off at 7 p.m. with live DJ beats and bbq bites from Henderson & Kane. Entry is free, with VIP tickets to elevate the experience with a custom bbq plate, three cocktails, reserved seating, a 10 percent off coupon and swag.
HOPERA Divas at the Deli at Kenny & Ziggy’s
Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen, 1743 Post Oak, teams up with Houston’s HOPERA for Divas at the Deli, a one-night dinner of food, song and laughter. The 6:30 p.m. buffet features East European favorites like Beef Mouton Rothchild, Chicken with Cherry Roman Sauce and Snapper Isabelle, plus the deli’s famous cheesecake. Tickets are $75 per person, including tax and gratuity, and must be reserved by Tuesday, October 14, at 713-871-8883.
Saturday–Sunday
Texas Renaissance Festival
Texas’ largest Renaissance-themed festival continues with the 1001 Dreams weekend, October 18–19. Step into a world of fantasy, food and revelry, with turkey legs, mead and themed entertainment ranging from costume contests to live performances. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $10 for kids ages 5–12; children 4 and under get in free.
Saturday–Monday
Diwali Thali at Pondicheri
Pondicheri, 2800 Kirby, is ushering in the Festival of Lights with a festive Diwali Thali, available in-house from October 18 to October 20. For $28 (vegetarian), $32 (chicken) or $35 (lamb), enjoy a platter featuring 7-Vegetable Stew, Rajma Chaat, Carrot Paratha, Fresh Fruit, Besan Mithai, and a choice of Paneer Kebab, Chicken Kebab or Lamb Kebab.
All month long
Black Lagoon Pop-Up at Nickel City
Spooky season means that Nickel City, 2910 McKinney, will once again transform into acclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon, rocking a darkly immersive atmosphere and brand-new cocktail menu from October 1–31.
Pearland Restaurant Weeks
All October long, Pearland Restaurant Weeks is offering curated two-course menus at participating spots (breakfast/lunch $20, dinner $35), and with every meal, restaurants donate to the Pearland Neighborhood Center.
Saint Arnold Beer Dinner at State Fare Kitchen & Bar
State Fare Kitchen and Bar, 947 Gessner, 15930 City Walk, 1900 Hughes Landing, celebrates fall with a three-course Saint Arnold Beer Pairing Dinner ($55), featuring dishes like Cocoa-Chili Braised Short Rib, Brown Butter Pierogi and Texas Pecan Tart, each paired with seasonal Saint A brews.
New and ongoing specials
Tasting Series at Caracol
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak, continues its tasting menu series, as chef Hugo Ortega and team take guests to Tabasco now through November 1. Expect food that reflect’s the region’s fertile land and waterways: robalo a la tabasqueña, grilled pejelagarto, river shrimp and tamales with chipilín. The four-course menu runs $75 per person plus tax and gratuity, with an optional beverage pairing for $36.
Pan de Muerto at URBE
In honor of Día de los Muertos, URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, is offering handmade pan de muerto through Sunday, November 2, available at the restaurant on Saturdays or in large to-go orders (placed via URBE’s catering page with two days’ notice).
It may be sunny and dry Friday, but it won’t last long.
We may be hanging onto the bit of sunshine we have Friday, because light showers start picking up Saturday ahead of the nor’easter expected on Sunday.
Communities in the tri-state are already prepping for a nor’easter that is expected to bring coastal flooding and high winds to the area.
The nor’easter is expected to impact the tri-state Sunday into Monday, with the main concern being coastal flooding and erosion
At this time, the coastal flood watch is expected to mostly impact the Jersey Shore, Long Island, New York City and parts of Connecticut Sunday and Monday because of strong onshore winds and rough surf with anticipated swells and waves reaching up to 20 feet. Inland flooding is not likely to take place, according to the latest forecast, given that the rain will be spread out over two days. However, the rainfall total is quite significant with 1-2 inches widespread, although 3-5 inches could take place in some areas.
The most significant rainfall is expected to take place Sunday through Monday.
Wind gusts of up to 60 mph are expected late Sunday into Monday — although inland gusts will be lower, but downed trees and power outages will be possible.
The expected severe weather has prompted New Jersey to make preparations to declare a state of emergency ahead of the nor’easter. The State of Emergency will begin 10 p.m. Saturday.
“Starting on Sunday, a dangerous coastal storm will begin to move past our state with extreme weather conditions for several counties, especially those on the Shore,” Acting Governor Tahesha Way said in a statement. “In preparation for this storm, I am issuing a State of Emergency for all 21 counties out of an abundance of caution, authorizing our state’s emergency services personnel to activate as necessary. I urge all New Jerseyans to exercise caution, monitor local weather forecasts and warnings, stay informed on evacuation protocols, and remain off the roads unless absolutely necessary.”
The storm will still be in our vicinity off the coast through early Tuesday. However, by later Tuesday and Wednesday, the weather calms down.
The day she was elected New York’s attorney general, Letitia James blasted President Donald Trump as a “con man” and “carnival barker” and pledged to scrutinize his public policies and personal business dealings. As James mounted a lawsuit claiming that Trump’s business persona was built partly on lies, he returned fire, calling her “grossly incompetent” and “an evil person.”
James, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican, have long been legal and political foes, tangling in dozens of lawsuits over the years.
On Thursday, Trump’s Justice Department indicted James on mortgage fraud charges after he vowed revenge on his enemies, escalating a feud that has persisted since she campaigned for attorney general in 2018. She has denied wrongdoing.
Here’s a look at some of James and Trump’s legal tussles:
A lawsuit accusing Trump of lying about his wealth
James sued Trump after his first term, alleging in September 2022 that he inflated his net worth by billions of dollars by misleading banks and insurers about the value of assets such as Trump Tower and the Mar-a-Lago property in Florida. She dubbed it “The art of the steal,” a twist on the title of Trump’s memoir. After a trial, a judge ordered Trump last year to pay a massive monetary penalty. An appeals court later threw out the penalty, which had grown to more than $500 million with interest, but affirmed a lower-court finding that Trump committed fraud. James is now asking the state’s highest court to reinstate the penalty, while Trump is seeking to have other non-monetary punishments lifted.
Face-to-face at a deposition, fireworks in a courtroom
Trump sparred with James at a deposition for her civil fraud lawsuit in April 2023. Answering questions for seven hours at her Manhattan office, he told her that “the whole case is crazy” and accused her staff of trying to trip him up like fictional TV lawyer Perry Mason did to witnesses. A few months later, they came face-to-face again as Trump testified at trial. Trump looked away from James and scowled as he walked past her on the way into court. On the witness stand, he accused her of pursuing him to advance her career. “She’s a political hack, and this is a disgrace that a case like this is going on,” he testified, adding that James “should be ashamed of herself.”
A leading role fighting Trump administration policies
Working with a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general, James sued Trump and his administration multiple times since he returned to the White House in January, challenging everything from cuts to funding for counterterrorism and public safety to plans to deploy National Guard troops in Oregon. Those efforts began the day after Trump took office with a lawsuit challenging his effort to overturn birthright citizenship. Other lawsuits have challenged the work of Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, mass firings of federal workers and the revocation of temporary protected status for Venezuelans.
Dozens of lawsuits in Trump’s first term
During his first term, James sued the administration at least 66 times in a two-year span, challenging policies on environmental, immigration and education policy, health care and other issues. She fought his plans to include a question about immigration status on the Census, winning in the U.S. Supreme Court, and sued the U.S. Postal Service over slowdowns before the 2020 election. Other major victories during the first term included restoring what’s known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA, which allows people who came to the country unlawfully as children to remain, and a ruling that barred immigration authorities from arresting people at courthouses.
Helping build a criminal case against Trump’s company
James teamed with then-Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. to bring tax fraud charges against the Trump Organization and Allen Weisselberg, its chief financial officer. The company was convicted in 2022 of helping its executives dodge taxes on extravagant perks such as Manhattan apartments and luxury cars. James assigned two lawyers to work with Vance’s office after uncovering evidence of potential criminal wrongdoing. James was not involved when Trump was prosecuted last year by Alvin Bragg, the current District Attorney, and convicted of falsifying business records.
Closing down Trump’s charity over misspending
In 2019, James finalized an agreement brokered by her predecessor dissolving his charitable foundation and forcing him to pay $2 million to various nonprofits as a fine for misspending funds to further his political and business interests. The Trump Foundation’s $1.7 million in remaining funds were also given away. Trump acknowledged in a court filing that he allowed campaign staff to coordinate with the charity for a veterans fundraiser before the 2016 Iowa caucuses. He also admitted to arranging for it to pay $10,000 for a 6-foot (1.8-meter) portrait of him and the spending of $11,525 in foundation funds on sports memorabilia and Champagne at a charity gala.
Trump fights back, but judges reject his lawsuits
Trump sued James in 2021 in an attempt to block her from investigating him and his businesses. After a federal judge in New York quickly threw out the case, Trump sued her again in Florida. A judge there refused to block the probe, writing in December 2022: “This litigation has all the telltale signs of being both vexatious and frivolous.” Trump abandoned efforts to revive his first lawsuit against James after the Florida judge rejected a lawsuit he filed against his 2016 presidential election rival Hillary Rodham Clinton. In tossing that case, U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks ordered Trump and one of his lawyers — Alina Habba, currently acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey — to pay nearly $1 million for filing frivolous lawsuits for political purposes, which the judge said amounted to a “pattern of abuse of the courts.”
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Izaguirre reported from Albany, New York.
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MICHAEL R. SISAK and ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE | Associated Press
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
Monday, October 6
Bas’s Cheesesteaks Pop-Up at Burger Bodega
Burger Bogega chef-owner Abbas Dhanani is serving up his take on the Philly classic, featuring halal ribeye piled into seeded hoagie rolls with a choice of toppings, at his Bas’s Cheesesteaks pop-up at Burger Bodega, 4520 Washington, beginning at 6 p.m. until sold out. Orders open for pre-sale Fridays at 3 p.m. with link coming via Instagram @basscheesesteaks for pre-order pickups beginning at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7
Taco Day Deal at The Little Taco Shop
The Little Taco Shop, 3411 Kirby, will celebrate National Taco Day with discounted tacos and cocktails all day long. Guests can enjoy $3 tacos all day and take advantage of buy-one, get-one frozen margaritas and canned cocktails, including house margarita, paloma, blue lychee, and pink guava flavors. thelittletacoshop.com
Wednesday, October 8
Backstreet Cafe Anniversary Dinner at Hugo’s
Backstreet Cafe will host its 42nd Anniversary Pop-up Wine Dinner at Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer, kicking off with a passed bites reception at 6 p.m., followed by a four-course dinner from chefs Hugo and Ruben Ortega paired with acclaimed Sonoma wines from Kosta Browne, known for its expressive Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Tickets are $140++.
Taste America at The Post Oak Hotel
James Beard Foundation will host its Taste America walk-around tasting at The Post Oak Hotel, 1600 West Loop South, featuring more than 20 Houston chefs, including TasteTwenty honoree Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk. Beginning at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. VIP), guests can enjoy bites like African Palm Butter Chicken, Tuna Tiradito, Coconut-Vanilla Bean Flan, and Pad Thai–Oatmeal Fluffernutter while enjoying beverages and activations from national and local sponsors. Tickets start at $175 and benefit the James Beard Foundation’s mission to support independent restaurants and the broader food system.
Thursday, October 9
Angel’s Envy Dinner at The Annie Café & Bar
Guests are invited to an upscale dinner pairing featuring food and bourbon in celebration of Angel’s Envy at The Annie Cafe & Bar, 1600 Post Oak, beginning at 7 p.m.
Friday, October 10
Jane’s Dine Inn at Jane and the Lion Bakehouse
Chef Jane Wild continues her monthly supper series Jane’s Dine Inn, celebrating seasonal flavors with an intimate, five-course, family-style Harvest Moon Dinner at Jane and the Lion Bakehouse, 4721 North Main. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., followed by the seated supper at 7 p.m. Tickets are $111 per person, gratuity included.
Saturday, October 11
Houston International Festival
The Houston International Festival is taking place at 2509 Alabama, held from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., bringing together global flavors, live bands and DJ sets across multiple genres, family-friendly activities, cultural performances, pop-up art displays and an exclusive VIP section with premium seating. Tickets are $10 GA (free for kids) and $50 VIP.
Oktoberfes at Biggio’s
Biggio’s, 1777 Walker, is bringing Bavarian celebrations downtown with an Oktoberfest bash featuring seasonal bites from the kitchen and brews from Saint Arnold, Karbach, Eureka Heights and more. Admission is free—just bring your beer stein spirit from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
All month long
Black Lagoon Pop-Up at Nickel City
Spooky season means that Nickel City, 2910 McKinney, will once again transform into acclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon, rocking a darkly immersive atmosphere and brand-new cocktail menu from October 1–31. https://blacklagoonpopup.com/
Pearland Restaurant Weeks
All October long, Pearland Restaurant Weeks is offering curated two-course menus at participating spots (breakfast/lunch $20, dinner $35), and with every meal, restaurants donate to the Pearland Neighborhood Center.
New and ongoing specials
Tasting Series at Caracol
Caracol, 2200 Post Oak, continues its tasting menu series, as chef Hugo Ortega and team take guests to Tabasco now through November 1. Expect food that reflect’s the region’s fertile land and waterways: robalo a la tabasqueña, grilled pejelagarto, river shrimp and tamales with chipilín. The four-course menu runs $75 per person plus tax and gratuity, with an optional beverage pairing for $36.
Pan de Muerto at URBE
In honor of Día de los Muertos, URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, is offering handmade pan de muerto from Wednesday, October 1 through Sunday, November 2. Baked from scratch in URBE’s on-site bakery, the sweet bread is available at the restaurant on Saturdays or in large to-go orders. Regular pan de muerto is $4.50 each ($25 for half-dozen, $50 per dozen), and cream-filled is $7 each ($40 for half-dozen, $80 per dozen). Large orders can be placed via URBE’s catering page with two days’ notice.
Named for his parents, Agnes and Sherman, chef Nick Wong brings diner-style modern Asian American fare to this buzzy new spot on 19th. Here,the Momofuku and UBPreserv alum turns nostalgia into playful, bold dishes that are better than any diner food you’ve ever had – think savory scallion waffles with sambal honey butter, Taiwanese disco fries with pork gravy and pickled mustard greens, crab randoon dip with crispy wonton chips, and crawfish gumbo smothered egg foo young. Tack on a newly launched brunch and lunch service and the Heights has its new favorite spot.
Brooke Viggiano is a contributing writer who is always looking to share Houston’s coolest and tastiest happenings with the Houston Press readers.
More by Brooke Viggiano
Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, 4224 San Felipe, 963 Bunker Hill, is celebrating fall with a special three-course wine dinner paired with pours from Reynolds Family Winery, available through Sunday, October 5. Seasonal highlights Hokkaido scallops, Alaskan halibut, and an Autumn Empress cocktail.
Monday, September 29
Borrowed Goods Pop-Up at Third Place
Third Place, 420 East 20th, will host Diane and Willet Feng of Burger Chan for a one-day pop-up of their Borrowed Goods concept, this time, featuring coconut curry beef rendang lasagna and and fresh spinach lasagna. Pop in to get a taste from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, September 30
National Olive Oil Day at Craft Pita
Craft Pita, 1920 Fountain View, 5172 Buffalo Speedway, is honoring National Olive Oil Day with a buy-one-get-one-half-off special on its imported Lebanese extra virgin olive oil.
Wednesday, October 1
Chef Battle Royale at Lombardi Cucina Italiana
Lombardi Family Concepts will host its second annual Chef Battle Royale with head-to-head competitions at two Houston restaurants, with two nights each offering a five-course menu, side-by-side tastings paired with Noble Wine and voting to crown the evening’s winner. On Wednesday, October 1, diners can experience the culinary showdown at Lombardi Cucina Italiana, 1745 Post Oak, and on October 22 at Toulouse Café and Bar, 2180 West Gray, where executive chefs Mauro Gianinazzi and Emmanuel Hodencq will swap cuisines to tackle each other’s specialties. Tickets are $250++ per person.
Thursday, October 2
Two-Year Birthday Bash at Balboa Surf Club
Uptown’s coastal-inspired Balboa Surf Club, 1753 Post Oak Boulevard, celebrates two years with a one-day oyster special. Guests can score $2 oysters by the half-dozen, choosing from shucked-to-order North Atlantic oysters on the half shell or crispy oysters with Flower Street vinaigrette and lemon. The deal runs all day.
Saturday, October 4
PAWZtober Fest at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown
Folks are invited to PAWZtober Fest at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown, 1700 Post Oak, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The free Tex-Mex fundraiser benefits Lone Star Pawz, a local animal rescue for cats and dogs; and guests can enjoy live music from The Guzzlers, raffle prizes including Houston Texans and Astros tickets, and 20 percent off their meal with a raffle ticket purchase.
H-E-B Wine Walk at The Woodlands Resort
The 21st annual H-E-B Wine Walk hits The Woodlands Resort, 2301 North Millbend, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring more than 50 wine tasting tents, 40 craft beers and dozens of culinary offerings from top local restaurants and chefs. Tickets start at $79 for general admission.
All month long (October)
Black Lagoon Pop-Up at Nickel City
Spooky season means that Nickel City, 2910 McKinney, will once again transform into acclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon, rocking a darkly immersive atmosphere and brand-new cocktail menu from October 1–31.
New and ongoing specials
Low-Calorie Menus at Best Regards
Best Regards, 222 West 11th, debuted its new low-calorie cocktail and food menus, created in partnership with former Houston Texans nutritionist Jacob Mertens and private chef Andre Nieves. Highlights include macro-friendly dishes like Empanadas, Shrimp Campechana and Carne Asada Fried Rice alongside low-cal cocktails including the Frozen Assets (116 calories) and Paloma Payoff (105 calories).
Weekday Lunch at Mayahuel
Mayahuel, 811 Buffalo Park Dr. Suite 130, will debut weekday lunch service beginning Wednesday, October 1, available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chef Luis Robledo Richards brings a modern Mexican approach to midday dining with dishes like tortilla soup in a tomato-ancho broth, cochinita torta, and chicken milanese, plus a rotating prix-fixe menu featuring a starter, dessert, and a taco trilogy based on fresh market finds.
Pan de Muerto at URBE
In honor of Día de los Muertos, URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, is offering handmade pan de muerto from Wednesday, October 1 through Sunday, November 2. Baked from scratch in URBE’s on-site bakery, the sweet bread is available at the restaurant on Saturdays or in large to-go orders. Regular pan de muerto is $4.50 each ($25 for half-dozen, $50 per dozen), and cream-filled is $7 each ($40 for half-dozen, $80 per dozen). Large orders can be placed via URBE’s catering page with two days’ notice.
DUBLIN, Ohio — Workers at Sutphen Corporation in Dublin remain on strike as contract negotiations drag on, with teamsters leaders stating that the National Labor Relations Board has found merit in their unfair labor practice charges.
What You Need To Know
Teamsters say the NLRB has found merit in unfair labor practice charges; unions are urging a U.S. and Canada-wide boycott of Sutphen
Sutphen says it is negotiating in good faith and will continue manufacturing fire apparatus
Next bargaining sessions are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, according to the union
The strike involves 85 workers represented by Teamsters Local 284. The boycott effort was announced earlier this week.
Backed by the International Association of Fire Fighters, the unions are now urging fire departments across the United States and Canada to boycott the Ohio-based fire truck manufacturer. The unions are urging cities to cancel orders for fire trucks and fire safety equipment from the company.
Sutphen declined a request for an interview but provided a written statement.
“Sutphen is committed to and continues to negotiate in good faith and has offered numerous proposals designed to deliver intentional and meaningful improvements in wages, benefits and flexibility for our team members,” the company said. “At the same time, Sutphen will continue to manufacture the safest, most reliable fire apparatus in the world. We are disappointed in these allegations which we believe are unfounded.”
The ongoing strike began months ago at Sutphen’s Dublin facility. Workers on the picket line say they are holding firm, despite the toll.
Jerry Becker, an electrician and union steward with Teamsters Local 284, said the pace and substance of negotiations have left employees frustrated.
He added that losing health insurance during the strike has had real consequences.
“It has come to the point that families have lost their insurance that they count on to protect their families,” he said. “I feel let down by the company. It’s a frustrating experience.”
City officials have gone to other vendors for fire equipment purchases which have come at higher costs.
Despite the labor dispute, Becker said workers remain committed to the work they do.
“It’s good. It protects people. You know, we’re building a quality truck and saving lives,” he said.
Workers have maintained a continuous presence on the picket line.
“We’re here like seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Rain or shine would be up underneath the tent,” Becker said.
The next bargaining sessions are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, according to union officials.
Groves will turn to graves in Woodland Hills, where a developer has plans to redevelop Boething Treeland Nursery into a cemetery.
The 32-acre nursery has grown trees and other plants for the San Fernando Valley for the last seven decades, but it sold last year for $3.96 million to Dignity Memorial, the nation’s largest funeral provider. The company is in the process of submitting plans to the city of L.A. to get approval for a cemetery and funeral home on the property.
Some locals aren’t so ready for the change. The site is sandwiched between a trio of affluent communities — Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills and Calabasas — loaded with famous and outspoken residents.
The region, known for its rolling hills and serene setting, has become a hot spot for rappers, athletes and Kardashians looking for privacy outside the bustle of L.A. Such peace has a price tag — homes there regularly fetch $10 million or more — so when the proposed development became public, residents started petitioning, claiming religious objections, traffic concerns or the fright factor of living next to a cemetery.
More recently, the locals hired a law firm, Raskin Tepper Sloan Law, to push back on the project. On Monday, the firm sent a letter to the L.A. Planning Department urging the city to review the plans before giving it the green light.
“We understand this represents a significant change for the neighborhood,” said Aaron Green, the project’s spokesperson. “We value being a good neighbor and look forward to open conversations as we move forward with our plans.”
The site is sandwiched between a trio of affluent communities — Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills and Calabasas.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Green said the cemetery will have a serene and garden-like aesthetic, complete with fencing and a landscaped privacy wall around the perimeter. Two buildings will be added: a storage facility and a space for celebration of life services. Memorials will take place only during the day.
The developer will get construction and grading permits to make the property more walkable and add places for burials. The land is already zoned for use as a cemetery by right, meaning the process is expedited and doesn’t require any public hearings.
Green noted that Dignity Memorial has already started speaking with local stakeholders, despite plans not yet being submitted.
For some residents, that’s not enough. In response to mounting objections, the city of Hidden Hills released an update last month saying that the property is outside the city’s sphere of influence, and that since no new zoning is necessary, it doesn’t expect any public input in the process.
No lawsuit has been filed, but the letter sent by the law firm claims that the project shouldn’t automatically be granted the zoning rights the developer claims it has. Instead, it argues it should go through a more rigorous approval process with a CEQA review that measures the cemetery’s potential impacts on the environment, traffic and the surrounding neighborhoods.
“Dignity Memorial is attempting to sneak ‘by right’ approvals for their massive 32-acre cemetery without any public process or environmental review. Despite what may be months, if not years, of internal planning, Dignity has not shown a single site plan to nearby residents, businesses or schools,” said Scott J. Tepper, the attorney representing the residents.
Tepper said the locals aren’t NIMBYs; they’re just asking for a more rigorous review process.
In order for a project to receive the expedited timeline granted from zoning by right, it has to meet certain criteria that ensures it doesn’t disrupt the community. Green claims the cemetery plans meet all the criteria.
For example, the city requires that any added buildings be at least 300 feet away from adjacent buildings in the surrounding neighborhoods. Green said the two buildings will be that far away.
The city also requires security fencing around the entire property. Green said the fence and landscaped wall satisfy that requirement.
That hasn’t stopped locals from weighing in.
“Where was the process on this one?” wrote Helene Chemel under a Facebook post from Valley News Group, which has been reporting on the proposed development.
Others are more welcoming.
“The neighbors will be much quieter than the ones that would have been expected if the original plan had gone through,” wrote Alison Kenney, referring to earlier attempts to develop the property.
In 1985, the Boething family proposed a 22-building complex with offices and condos, a 200-room hotel, and parking for 3,630 cars. The project was met with backlash and fizzled out.
Plans ramped up again in 2017, with applications submitted for a 60,000-square-foot elderly care facility, 26 single-family homes and 95 small-lot dwellings for a total of 413,588 square feet of building space. Protests mounted again, and the plans never materialized.
“Our family decided the nursery could not continue indefinitely, and neighbors made clear they did not want a large residential project,” said Bruce Pherson, chief executive of Boething Treeland Farms. “We felt Dignity Memorial was the right buyer and we knew a cemetery would be far less impactful.”
Dignity will submit plans to the city next month. Upon approval, construction will start next year with the goal of opening the cemetery by late 2026 or early 2027.
Green said that while public hearings won’t be necessary, the company will engage with neighbors once plans are submitted.
“A cemetery is one of the least impactful, community-sensitive uses that can be proposed for this property,” he said.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — For many veterans, the transition home is not easy, and some even find themselves without a place to live.
In Greensboro, Army veteran Diane Dunn is now a case manager at The Servant Center, a nonprofit that provides housing and resources for veterans experiencing homelessness.
What You Need To Know
Army veteran Diane Dunn is a case manager at The Servant Center, a nonprofit that provides housing and resources for veterans experiencing homelessness
It’s personal for Dunn, because she once faced homelessness herself
The Servant Center’s new temporary housing facility will include 21 beds for disabled veterans experiencing homelessness, 22 medical respite beds and office space for staff
On Sept. 12, the center hosted its 2025 Triad Stand Down event where veterans connected with critical services like health and dental care, employment and housing
The Servant Center offers permanent supportive housing — a program that Dunn said is life-changing. It’s personal for her, because she once faced homelessness.
Dunn said since last year, Servant Center’s Glenwood and Haworth permanent housing facility has served 20 veterans and 95% of them remained permanently housed. In the Foxworth facility, Dunn says 34 veteran families were served, 100% of which have remained permanently housed.
Dunn uses her own story of survival to help others find stability after serving their country.
“When I had gotten out of the military in 1997, they didn’t have, of course, any programs like this,” Dunn said. “So I was homeless for almost a year.”
Diane Dunn served in the Army for 10 years before becoming a case manager at The Servant Center. (Courtesy: Diane Dunn)
Dunn served in the Army for 10 years. She said coming home and adjusting to civilian life was difficult.
“You’re with a group of people all the time, and now you have to come home and learn to be a husband, learn to be a wife, you know, and fit into the daily schedule,” Dunn said.
At the time, Dunn said she was “couch surfing” and even “dumpster diving” for food.
Despite her circumstances, she enrolled in college while also working a part-time job. She was homeless for a year and a half. Now, Dunn helps residents with everything from medical appointments to transportation, but she said the most important thing she offers is trust.
Dunn said residents lean on one another like family inside The Servant Center’s supportive housing.
“Everybody in this building watches over everybody’s child, so I’m thankful for that,” Dunn said.
Still, Dunn pointed out that supportive housing options for female veterans are limited across North Carolina.
“The females don’t know where to go, and it’s not safe in the street,” Dunn said. “You find a lot of females hidden behind buildings off in the corner until daylight.”
That’s why The Servant Center is opening a new building with a female hall for the first time. Dunn said it’s a mission that’s long overdue.
The North Carolina Point-in-Time Count showed that in 2024 on any given day, 6% of people who were experiencing homelessness were veterans, and out of 11,626 people who were experiencing homelessness that same year, 41% were female.
The Servant Center’s new temporary housing facility will include 21 beds for disabled veterans experiencing homelessness, 22 medical respite beds and office space for staff.
On Sept. 12, the center hosted its 2025 Triad Stand Down event where veterans connected with critical services like health and dental care, employment and housing.
At Dearborn, Michigan’s first city council meeting since his clash with a local Christian minister went viral after a heated exchange over a controversial honorary street sign naming, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud declined to apologize for his saying the minister was “not welcome here” and that he would “launch a parade” when he left town.
Ted Barham, the same Christian minister, opened his remarks at Tuesday’s meeting by repeating the words that went viral at the previous one on Sept. 9.
“The mayor, in a way, cursed me, as was seen around the world. And I would like to repeat what I said that day to you, Mr. Mayor: ‘God bless you,’” Barham said.
Barham said he had no plans to file a lawsuit despite pressure from supporters.
Ted Barham, a Christian minister, speaks during the Dearborn City Council meeting Tuesday, weeks after his clash with Mayor Abdullah Hammoud drew national attention.(City of Dearborn)
“People have been saying I should do that all over the world. I have no intention of doing that,” Barham said.
Instead, he urged the council to consider his larger message: “Bless those who curse you… love your haters. And I would say that in regard to Hezbollah as well. I would [say] that in regard to Mr. Siblani and I would [say] to Israel, too. ‘Love your haters.’”
He then made a new appeal.
“Would it be possible for you, Mayor Hammoud, in front of the world and council members to join me in saying we would like to put out a Christian call to prayer and a Christian call to faith in all the countries around the world where an Islamic call to prayer goes out?”
Others took the microphone to press the council more directly.
Ted Barham, a Christian minister, makes a point while addressing the Dearborn City Council in Michigan on Tuesday.(City of Dearborn)
Anthony Deegan told the chamber, “We love you with the love of Christ. We want the blessings of God to be in your life… it’s not a matter of us versus them.” But he then asked pointedly: “Do you definitively, unequivocally, by name, denounce Hamas and Hezbollah? Or do you support them?”
Shane Rife of Garden City said he was “shocked” to learn that Hammoud had appeared at a rally where Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a “hero.”
“We have a mayor in the United States who is sharing a platform with somebody, with [a] terrorist!?” Rife asked. “Where is your allegiance? Is your allegiance to the United States or is your allegiance to Hezbollah?”
Pastor Jeff Davis of Dearborn Evangelical Covenant Church also voiced support for Barham, stressing his long service in the city.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud listens during Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where he declined to apologize for remarks that drew national scrutiny.(City of Dearborn)
Nagi Almudhegi, a Yemeni-American engineer and candidate for mayor, also weighed in during an interview with Fox News Digital.
“The United States of America is built on the principles of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. These two principles are sacrosanct,” Almudhegi said. “If I were in Mayor Abdullah Hamoud’s spot at that time, I would have not said anything. The gentleman has a right, as an American citizen, to speak his mind. And he did it in a respectful, calm way. The mayor should have afforded him that opportunity instead of launching into that tirade.”
He warned that Hammoud’s “not welcome here” remark risked fueling a false impression that Christians are not accepted in Dearborn.
“People would get the impression, or it would feed into the paranoia that is very, very wrong, that Dearborn is a racist place, or there’s no place for Christians. And that is what I’m 100% against,” Almudhegi said.
Almudhegi had previously released an official statement condemning Hammoud’s remarks as “uncalled for, classless, unprofessional and just plain wrong,” and voiced support for Barham.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud speaks during a City Council meeting in Dearborn, Mich., on Sept. 9.(City of Dearborn)
When Hammoud spoke later in the evening at the meeting, he did not answer the many calls for an apology or the demand for a specific denunciation. Instead, he said, Dearborn “represents the best of America” where “people of all backgrounds, of all faiths, and of all beliefs can live peacefully and respectfully as neighbors.”
“For decades, people have been intent on dividing and disparaging our city,” Hammoud said. “Dearborn has never fallen for these divisive attempts. Back then and still now, Dearborn residents from every corner of this city have come together to shun hatred and to root it out of the place that we’re all proud to call home.”
The controversy continues to loom over Dearborn’s November mayoral election, where Hammoud faces Almudhegi.
With only two names on the ballot, the clash over religious freedom and free speech sparked by Barham’s remarks and the mayor’s response may become the defining issue for voters.
Hammoud’s office did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.
Nora was created by real estate investors who wanted to blend history with modern touches to attract shoppers, diners.
Nora District shops, eateries, hotel progressing in West Palm Beach
The Nora District construction is progressing for the new dining, shopping and entertainment section north of downtown West Palm Beach.
The $1 billion project transformed a rundown area north of downtown West Palm into a trendy neighborhood with a mix of old warehouses and new buildings.
Retailers, restaurants, and fitness centers are set to open in Nora in phases, with a hotel and apartments planned for the future.
The West Palm Beach project gained momentum during the pandemic as businesses and residents relocated to Palm Beach County.
More than seven years in the making, the $1 billion Nora development is the culmination of an ambitious plan by a small group of real estate investors willing to take a chance on a rundown part of the city.
Starting in 2018, these investors began buying up old warehouses, boarded-up properties and vacant sites just north of the downtown. These were the properties in and around North Railroad Avenue facing the Florida East Coast Railway, which was built by industrialist Henry Flagler in the late 1880s.
The investment group envisioned something special: a hip, new neighborhood blending history with modern finishes.
The investors designed the district around North Railroad Avenue, the area’s western boundary and the district’s designated Main Street. Then they named the entire project Nora, short for the avenue’s name. The Nora District is just west of North Dixie Highway between 7th Street and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.
Nora features buzzy retailers, restaurants in downtown West Palm Beach
Using a mix of old warehouses and new construction, Nora’s partners created ground-floor spaces for buzzy and in-demand retailers. This includes casual and upscale restaurants, activities for families, and a smattering of luxury stores.
Nora also includes the hottest players in boutique fitness centers, plus several beauty retailers and services.
A few of the project’s 20 retailers plan to open in late August and September, while others will open by year-end, and more stores and eateries will open in 2026.
Eventually, people will be able to stay and even live at Nora.
In the fall of 2026, look for the opening of the 201-room Nora Hotel by Richard Born and Ira Drukier of BD Hotels, along with acclaimed hotelier Sean MacPherson.
The Nora Hotel will feature a rooftop pool and bar. It also will feature a signature restaurant, Pastis, the famed New York City Parisian-style brasserie.
Meanwhile, Nora’s developers are seeking approval from the City of West Palm Beach for an 11-story, 350-unit apartment complex along 10th Street at North Railroad Avenue.
In addition, Nora hopes to build an 11-story condominium at 1105 N. Dixie Highway.
If Nora sounds like an overnight sensation, it is not. Backers said the project required timing, creativity, patience − and a large dose of luck.
How a simple plan for West Palm turned big after a global event
The property purchases began around 2018, with a plan by NDT Development to rehabilitate a couple of old warehouses into new restaurant spaces.
But the redevelopment plan grew bigger, and over time, the group bought more and more property. Eventually, NDT joined with Place Projects, an early developer of Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, and Wheelock Street Capital to create the Nora District. The 40-acre district is the city’s largest redevelopment since CityPlace, which opened in 2000.
Soon several Northeast restaurateurs and retailers expressed interest in following their customers to Palm Beach County, said Francis X. Scire, Nora’s leasing director. These include eateries from New York and Boston.
During the past three years, Scire said he’s charted the growing interest, and the caliber, of the companies wanting to be what some consider one of the hottest cities in the country.
“We’re a thriving metropolis and they needed to get a flag down here,” Scire said. “Nora was the best product coming online. It was the obvious choice.”
Coffee, cars and a big bet on the future of the Nora District
Sunday Motor Co. is one example. The coffee shop from Madison, New Jersey, has launched a soft opening in a converted warehouse at 7th Street and North Railroad Avenue, the southern corner of the Nora District.
Sunday Motor is among the first restaurants to open at Nora. With its auto-themed accessories and memorabilia, it promises to be a welcome gathering spot for coffee and car aficionados, non-car lovers and everyone else.
A daytime menu featuring breakfast and lunch items will be offered at first. Then, about a month after opening, Sunday Motor will launch evening service, featuring a different menu as well as beer and wine, according to Nick Vorderman, who owns the coffee shop with his wife, Renee Mee.
The expansion to Florida began in 2023 when the Vorderman family bought a house in West Palm Beach’s Flamingo Park to visit with relatives in Jupiter.
Soon after, the couple began taking a look around West Palm Beach. This was about the same time that Nora’s leasing director was trying to find a coffee shop.
Scire said he wanted the perfect “third place,” a location that isn’t home or work but another setting for gathering. After sifting through 37 possible coffee shops, he settled on Sunday Motor’s creative and welcoming vibe.
In a brief telephone interview on Aug. 13, Nick Vorderman was busy putting the finishing touches on the new Nora location.
But in between the last-minute frenzy, Vordeman said he was looking forward to the shop’s opening. “We’re all very excited,” he said. “It’s been a long road to get to this point.”
Nora’s eight other eateries range across a broad spectrum of cuisine. Several hail from the Northeast, too. Coming from Boston is Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. From New York, look for H&H Bagels, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Juliana’s Pizza. New York’s The Garret Group also plans a sports bar. Also opening at Nora are Indaco, a restaurant featuring rustic Italian-inspired cuisine; Del Mar Mediterranean; and local operator Celis Juice Bar.
In the beauty and wellness space, Nora will feature Sweat440 and SolidCore fitness facilities; service retailers such as Sana Skin Studio, The Spot Barbershop and IGK Salon hair care; Le Labo Fragrances; and ZenHippo early childhood activities.
Finally, three other retailers also are in the mix. They are Warby Parker eyewear; and two women’s clothing boutiques, Pompanos and Mint.
A new use for old West Palm Beach buildings
In a 2021 interview, back when Nora first was being sketched out, Place Project’s Joe Furst said the land assemblage by NDT was complicated, rare and vital to create an area with thoughtful planning and design.
A lot of times, developers either can rehabilitate old buildings or build new ones in an area, but not both, Furst said.
However, at Nora, rehabbed warehouses complement newly-built places, so “you still have that Main Street feel,” he said.
Indeed, historical flourishes are a part of making it feel authentic, said Damien Barr, a partner in the NDT Development group.
“We were very intentional,” Barr said during a recent tour of Nora.
Visitors to Nora need only look down for proof. Lining the district’s sidewalks are railroad ties, a nod to the nearby railway that first breathed life into the city and continues to inspire new uses for this old part of town.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Here’s a stat that should make every small business owner sit up: 76% of people who perform a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours, and 28% of those visits result in a purchase.
That means when a customer searches for “best coffee near me” or “emergency plumber downtown,“ the decision is often made in minutes — not days.
Now add another layer: artificial intelligence. Once locked behind enterprise paywalls, AI is now available to every entrepreneur. From creating content and optimizing ads to automating customer support, AI is the great equalizer.
When you combine local marketing (reaching the right people in the right place) with AI automation, you create a formula that allows small businesses to compete and, in many cases, outperform big brands.
50% of local searches on mobile lead to a store visit within one day
Nearly 90% of consumers use the internet to find local businesses every month
That’s not a fluke; it’s a behavior shift. Customers don’t just want the cheapest or most famous option; they want the option that’s closest, fastest and most relevant.
Example: A family searching for “pizza near me” at 7:00 p.m. isn’t interested in Domino’s HQ — they’re looking for the local restaurant two blocks away.
For small businesses, local search represents an enormous opportunity to capture demand in real time.
The AI advantage for small businesses
Artificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword — it’s a growth driver. A U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found that 98% of small businesses already use digital tools, and 40% are now leveraging generative AI.
Here’s where AI creates tangible impact for small businesses:
Content creation:AI tools generate blogs, social posts and Google Business updates in minutes, saving both time and money.
Ad optimization: AI-driven ad platforms automatically test headlines, images and targeting, improving ROI without requiring a full marketing team.
Customer engagement: Chatbots and AI assistants handle FAQs, bookings, and inquiries instantly, ensuring leads never slip away.
Data analysis: AI provides insights on customer behavior, seasonality and even pricing strategies, once available only to Fortune 500 companies.
Case in point: In Los Angeles, The Original Tamale Company used ChatGPT to create and narrate a lighthearted promotional video in under 10 minutes. The video went viral — 22 million views, 1.2 million likes and a huge spike in local customers. That’s the power of AI in the hands of a small business.
The real magic happens when you merge local marketing with AI tools.
A neighborhood gym can use AI to analyze customer demographics and then run Google Ads targeting specific postal codes with offers like “1 Month Free for Downtown Residents.”
A plumbing company can automate weekly Google Business posts that include trending local keywords, increasing visibility in map searches.
A local café can use AI to personalize email campaigns, sending morning deals to office workers and weekend specials to nearby families.
Big brands often struggle with this kind of micro-targeting — they’re too busy running nationwide campaigns. Small businesses, however, can tailor every campaign to their local community, and AI makes it fast, affordable and scalable.
How to implement local + AI in your business
1. Audit your local presence:
Make sure your Google Business Profile is complete and updated.
Collect and respond to reviews regularly.
Ensure your business name, address and phone number (NAP) are consistent across the web.
Don’t overlook on-page SEO basics — optimize title tags, meta descriptions and local landing page content so search engines (and customers) can easily understand your relevance.
2. Use AI to automate smartly:
Content: Generate local blog posts, ads and emails in minutes.
Customer service: Add AI chatbots to handle common inquiries.
Social media: Schedule posts with AI-generated captions and visuals.
3. Layer in local intent everywhere:
Add “near me” keywords and neighborhood references to your content.
Use geo-targeting in ads to hit your exact customer base.
Create offers tied to local events, seasons or community milestones.
4. Measure, test and refine:
Use free tools like Google Analytics 4.
Explore AI-powered dashboards that track ad performance, keyword rankings and customer engagement.
Double down on what’s working; tweak or drop what’s not.
The big brand blind spot
Large corporations have resources, but they also have limitations. They can’t always personalize at scale or connect authentically to communities.
That’s where small businesses win:
A café can celebrate the local high school’s championship.
A boutique can spotlight neighborhood artisans.
A mover can post about serving families in a specific block or condo.
Big brands can’t match this hyper-local personalization, and when AI amplifies these touches, the impact is multiplied.
Even larger chains that rely on SEO for franchise models often struggle to create content that resonates at the neighborhood level, which is where smaller, locally focused businesses can win.
For decades, big brands had the advantage — bigger budgets, larger teams, more tools. But 2025 marks a turning point. Local intent plus AI gives small businesses the power to be faster, more relevant and more authentic.
You don’t need a million-dollar ad budget to compete. You need:
The willingness to act quickly while big brands are still figuring it out.
The future of marketing isn’t about being the biggest player in the game — it’s about being the smartest and most relevant option in your customer’s neighborhood.
Here’s a stat that should make every small business owner sit up: 76% of people who perform a local search on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours, and 28% of those visits result in a purchase.
That means when a customer searches for “best coffee near me” or “emergency plumber downtown,“ the decision is often made in minutes — not days.
Now add another layer: artificial intelligence. Once locked behind enterprise paywalls, AI is now available to every entrepreneur. From creating content and optimizing ads to automating customer support, AI is the great equalizer.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Students in Columbus organized and led a debate ahead of the November election, giving young voters a chance to hear directly from candidates for one City Council seat and three Columbus City School Board seats.
What You Need To Know
Students organized a debate ahead of the November election, featuring candidates for one City Council seat and three Columbus City School Board seats
Experts emphasize the importance of young voters forming civic habits early, noting that even small increases in youth turnout can sway close local races
Young participants say local issues like public transit, housing and school funding directly affect their daily lives and deserve more attention from their generation
The event, called “Reset: Voices of a New Columbus,” centered youth voices and aimed to boost civic engagement among voters under 25, though it was open to all ages.
For Ohio State University senior Gavin Levine, attending the debate was about seeing local leaders engage directly with issues that matter to him.
“Local politics has a very direct impact on people’s daily lives. Like, for example, I would like to see more public transportation in the city. More bike infrastructure. More housing built just to address the housing crisis. And a lot of this stuff is decided locally,” Levine said.
He added that many of his peers do not follow local politics, focusing instead on national or global headlines. He said this was often influenced by social media and other media outlets, which can pull attention away from local issues.
Levine said a recent ballot measure to expand public transit in Columbus was the moment he realized how much local decisions affect daily life.
Organizers echoed that sense of urgency, noting that Generation Z is increasingly seeking to hold leaders accountable.
“We’re willing to take on hard things. We aren’t ones that are just pushovers. We want to see our world get better. We want to be somebody that’s in those roles, bringing about positive impacts on the world and holding our elected officials accountable,” said Karina Burck, political engagement intern and organizer with Columbus Stand Up.
Tom Sutton, a retired political science professor from Baldwin Wallace University, said participation at the local level often sets the foundation for lifelong engagement.
“The reason it’s so important for 18- to 29-year-olds to start voting is it establishes the habit of civic engagement,” Sutton said.
Sutton noted that local races are typically decided by fewer votes than statewide or national contests, making youth participation particularly consequential.
“It can be a difference of 25 or 50 votes in some of these races where you just get that little bump up in turnout from younger voters and it’ll make the difference in who gets elected,” he said.
For Levine, becoming involved in local politics has also shaped how he views the city he calls home.
“Columbus is not just like a word on my address. It is almost like a living being that I interact with and that I have a relationship with and that I’ve, I guess Columbus is a place that I’m getting to know,” he said.
Organizers said the debate was designed not only to prepare young people for the upcoming election but also to encourage long-term civic engagement. To draw in younger attendees, the event included a raffle for those under 25, offering a Nintendo Switch 2 as the prize.
Here’s a look at this week’s hottest culinary happenings:
Monday–Tuesday
Cooking Class and Dinner with Chef Eric Cook at Brennan’s
Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith, welcomes celebrated New Orleans chef, combat veteran and cookbook author Eric Cook for two high-energy cooking classes from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Each session includes a live demo and three-course dinner inspired by Cook’s Modern Creole cookbook, showcasing bold twists on classic Creole flavors. Tickets are $95, with optional add-ons including a $45 wine pairing or a $35 signed cookbook.
Monday–Thursday
30th Anniversary Celebration at Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe
Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe, 3600 Kirby Dr., continues its month-long 30th anniversary celebration with a sweet throwback. From September 8–11, the first 30 guests to purchase a slice of the bakery’s classic Carrot Cake can snag it at the original 1995 price of $4.95. The deal is part of Dessert Gallery’s nostalgic lineup of birthday specials running all month long.
Thursday, September 11
The Tailgate at 8th Wonder
CultureMap Houston hosts The Tailgate at 8th Wonder, 2202 Dallas, for an evening of food, drinks and game-day fun. Tickets are $35 GA and $60 VIP. The fun kicks off at 7 p.m.
Thursday Night Football Bingo at The Kid
The Kid, 1223 West 34th, is spicing up Thursday night football with Bingo on the patio, sponsored by Jack Daniels. Guests can play along during the game for a chance to win fun Jack Daniels prizes while enjoying $11 burgers and tots after 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
Friday, September 12
Jane’s Bakehouse Dine Inn at Jane and the Lion Bakehouse
Jane and the Lion Bakehouse, 4721 North Main, re-launches its intimate supper series with the first Jane’s Bakehouse Dine Inn of the season. Guests can enjoy a five-course, family-style feast celebrating late summer’s bounty, crafted in collaboration with Whitehurst Farm. The evening begins with cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $111 per person, inclusive of gratuity, with optional beverage pairings available.
Great Cycle Challenge Fundraiser Dinner at Georgia James
Georgia James, 5750 Westheimer, is hosting a special dinner in support of the 2025 Great Cycle Challenge USA, benefitting the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. On September 12, 10 percent of all food sales will be donated to support research and improved treatments for childhood cancer. Guests can enjoy a memorable dining experience while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Saturday, September 13
First Anniversary at Buttermilk Baby
Buttermilk Baby, 600 North Shepherd Drive, Suite 250, is celebrating its first anniversary with an afternoon of giveaways, sweet treats and family-friendly activities from 3 to 5 p.m. Guests can enjoy free logoed balloons for kids, a birthday-themed coloring table, complimentary Carvel ice cream cake samples, a special appearance by Fudgie the Whale, face painting, balloon twisting and a chance to win Buttermilk Baby for a Year. Plus, throughout September, a limited-time Birthday Cake Shake is available.
Oktoberfest at Little Woodrow’s EaDo
Little Woodrow’s EaDo, 801 St Emanuel Street, invites guests to Oktoberfest fun at 3 p.m. Competitions include stein hoisting, where participants hold a liter of beer straight out for as long as possible to win prizes, and dog lovers can register their dachshunds for the Dachtoberfest Weiner Dog Races. Sunday, September 14
Oktoberfest at Little Woodrow’s Rice Village
Little Woodrow’s Rice Village, 5611 Morningside Drive, hosts Oktoberfest celebrations at 6 p.m. Guests can compete in stein hoisting for cash prizes, gift cards, and Samuel Adams steins and dachshunds can race in the Dachtoberfest Weiner Dog Races.
All weekend long
Fiestas Patrias at URBE
Folks can celebrate Fiestas Patrias (Mexican Independence Day) with $10 red, white and green margaritas at URBE, 1101 Uptown Park, from September 12–16. The restaurant is also hosting a ticketed Fiesta ($55) on Saturday, September 13 from 7 to 11 p.m., with Mexican street food, desserts, agave cocktails,and entertainment including folk dancing, live mariachi and a DJ.
All month long
Two Dine for $99 at Brennan’s
Brennan’s, 3300 Smith, is bringing back its Three-Course, Two Dine for $99 experience all September long. Guests can start with Snapping Turtle Soup or Shrimp Rémoulade, then choose entrees like Petite Filet Oscar, Gulf Shrimp & Grits or Eggs Brennan before finishing with Mississippi Mud Pie, Bananas Foster or Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé (+$5). Select wines are specially priced at $9/glass or $30/bottle. Reserve online or call 713-522-9711 and mention “Two Dine for $99.”
Chiles en Nogada at Hugo’s
Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer, is celebrating walnut and pomegranate season with its annual Chiles en Nogada, served throughout September only. Representing the colors of the Mexican flag, the festive Puebla-born dish features poblano peppers stuffed with pork, apples, pears, peaches, plantains, almonds and raisins, topped with creamy walnut sauce and garnished with pomegranate seeds and parsley. The special includes two peppers with rice for $29.
Taco Tuesday Bash at Fish Company Taco
Fish Company Taco, 1914 23rd, is celebrating one year under its new ownership with a Taco Tuesday bash. Guests can enjoy all-day happy hour pricing, retail swag, gift card raffles, a festive photo wall and social media-driven giveaways.
Hunger Action Month
Houston Food Bank and partner agencies mark September as Hunger Action Month, with Wednesday, September 10 designated as Hunger Action Day 2025. This year’s theme, What Does Home Mean to You, highlights how safe, affordable housing supports food security, with opportunities to advocate, volunteer, and donate throughout the month. From Operation: Hunger Relief competitions to SNAP Challenges and voter registration drives, Houstonians can take part in hands-on activities and special events to help reduce food insecurity across the region.
Farm-to-Table Specials at River Oaks Shopping Center
The River Oaks Shopping Center is teaming up with Urban Harvest Farmers Market for limited-edition dishes at Brasserie 19, Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina, Zanti Cucina Italiana and Leo’s River Oaks, running all September long. Highlights include grilled tri-tip with mushroom- and goat cheese-stuffed tomato at Brasserie 19, Mexico City–style mushroom quesadillas at Goode Co., ricotta-stuffed cannelloni and dessert cannoli at Zanti, and heirloom tomato cocktails and tarts at Leo’s. Ten percent of sales from these farm-to-table creations benefit Urban Harvest’s local food-access initiatives.
New and ongoing specials
Passport Germany at Central Market
Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, brings the flavors of Germany to Texas with its in-store Passport Germany event. Guests can enjoy tasting strolls, cooking classes, and a wide range of German specialties, from sausages, Frikadelle, Rouladen and Currywurst to pretzels, marzipan pigs, seasonal wines and sodas. Festive pumpkin displays and desserts like Apple Torte and Bee Sting Cake round out the two-week celebration.
Bernie’s Burger Bus at PINCHO
Five years after closing, Bernie’ Burger Bus brings its fan favorites back for a limited-time collaboration with PINCHO. Now through October 5, alll Houston PINCHO locations will serve reimagined Bernie’s classics, including The Bernie’s Burger, Honor Roll fries and the Cookie Butter Milkshake. A portion of proceeds benefits the Periwinkle Foundation.
Rosh Hashana at Kenny & Ziggy’s
Kenny & Ziggy’s, 1743 Post Oak, is ready to help folks celebrate the High Holidays with a traditional prix-fixe Erev Yom Tov menu ($259, feeds four to six). The package features soup, matzo balls, chopped liver, tzimmes, a large Challah, and main courses like prime Angus brisket, apricot-roasted chicken or stuffed cabbage, plus sides, kugels and desserts. Orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Monday, September 15, and picked up by 5 p.m. Sunday, September 21, or 2 p.m. Monday, September 22. The deli also offers a la carte and catering.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
We hear the word “local” a lot these days, like local farms, local services or local support. But when it comes to your small business, especially one that is trying to grow online or compete with national chains, localization is no longer just a nice-to-have. It’s now something that directly affects how people find you, trust you and buy from you.
Localization means you have to tailor your business (products, messaging, search visibility and even customer service) to the community around you. Here’s why it matters more than ever, especially if you’re running a small business in 2025.
1. Your local audience is already searching differently
Consumers are using more specific search terms than they used to. Instead of “coffee shop,” they type “coffee near Apalachee Road” or “best ice cream place in Morgan County.” If your site, social content or Google listing doesn’t mention those keywords, you’re just invisible to the people who live down the street.
Google’s algorithm prioritizes businesses that appear relevant to local search intent. That means even if your coffee is better, the cafe next door that lists its street name in titles and tags will show up first. If you haven’t already optimized your website and listings for your city, neighborhood or zone, you will probably be losing customers without realizing it.
2. People want to support local — but only if it’s easy
There’s a strong desire to support small businesses right now, especially post-pandemic. But emotional intent alone doesn’t lead to action. If your store hours aren’t updated online or your delivery zone is not clearly mentioned, people will move on to whoever makes it easier.
It is not only convenient but also perceived as professional. Customers expect your local business to behave like a national one in terms of service and clarity.
3. Localization reduces your marketing budget
Advertising can quickly become costly. If you’re running broad Facebook or Google ads without geographic targeting, you’re paying for clicks from people who’ll never walk into your store or buy from your service area.
Localizing your marketing through zip code targeting, city-specific ad sets and regionally relevant messaging is great, and it means you waste less money and reach better leads.
It also improves ROI on content. A blog post titled “How to Prep for Monsoon in Georgia” will perform far better for a local outdoor gear shop than a general “Monsoon Readiness Tips” article.
4. Word of mouth still works — but only with local visibility
Digital reviews are just the online version of word of mouth. When someone in your area sees that their neighbor used your service or visited your shop, it builds instant credibility.
Localization helps here in two ways:
It puts your business in front of the right people on platforms like Google Maps and Nextdoor.
It encourages more local reviews by showing that you’re an active, responsive part of the community.
But to get there, you need to claim your listings, respond to reviews and first add your local contact details accurately. These small tasks make a real difference over time.
Most small businesses are still behind when it comes to local SEO, map listings or even using locally relevant content. It gives you an advantage.
You don’t need a massive budget for starting, but you just have to have a consistent approach.
Update your site with a location page.
Add area-based keywords to your product descriptions.
Use customer photos and tag neighborhoods or landmarks.
It’s small details, but it signals relevance to both humans and algorithms.
And remember, when large chains enter your area, they rarely localize at the ground level. That’s your chance to stay ahead.
6. Localization helps you build loyalty faster
People are more likely to trust and return to businesses that understand their context. I am not referring to language or location — it’s about showing you “get” the environment your customers live in.
If your Instagram shows weather-specific product tips (“What to wear for the Georgia heatwave”) or you create bundles around local holidays, you stand out. That kind of relevance keeps you top of mind without hard selling. And when customers feel like your business is part of their neighborhood( you are not just a vendor), they stick with you longer, even when cheaper options show up.
7. Logistics and delivery actually depend on it
This is the part most businesses overlook. Your delivery, service appointments or even store pickup options all depend on how well you define and manage your local area.
A well-localized system avoids order confusion, reduces customer complaints and sets realistic expectations only. You don’t want someone in another city trying to order same-day delivery because your site didn’t make the coverage zone clear.
When you’re tracking customer behavior, product sales or even foot traffic, broad analytics cannot always tell the full story. What works in one neighborhood might not work in another — even when they are a few kilometers apart.
Localization helps you narrow down your data and spot patterns tied to specific zones, seasons or events. For example, maybe sales for a particular product spike in one district but stay flat in another. Or a certain payment preference change between urban and semi-urban customers. These insights will let you shift your inventory, marketing or service focus in a more agile way. You can stop guessing and start acting on real, local behavior.
If you’re serious about growing in your local market, start by reviewing how visible, relevant and accessible your business really is to the people nearby. You just need consistency, some smart tools and a bit of time each month to review your data and make changes. Good luck!
We hear the word “local” a lot these days, like local farms, local services or local support. But when it comes to your small business, especially one that is trying to grow online or compete with national chains, localization is no longer just a nice-to-have. It’s now something that directly affects how people find you, trust you and buy from you.
Localization means you have to tailor your business (products, messaging, search visibility and even customer service) to the community around you. Here’s why it matters more than ever, especially if you’re running a small business in 2025.
1. Your local audience is already searching differently
One week after a 69-year-old grandmother was shot and killed while walking to her East Harlem home after grabbing lunch, a suspect was arrested and faces federal charges.
The NYPD said Faisil McCants was arrested Thursday and charged with three counts of murder, just over a week after the Aug. 27 killing of Robin Wright, who was shot near 110th Street and Madison Avenue in East Harlem.
Friends of Wright said she lived across the street from where she was killed. She was walking home after picking up lunch from one of her favorite Chinese restaurants when she was shot in the face, police said.
“It wasn’t right. One minute she’s walking, I’m waiting, and the next minute, she’s dead,” said Sonya Hampton, who knew Wright. “I saw her on the ground and ain’t nothing you can do but to hold her hand and tell her that you love her.”
Witnesses said they heard at least a dozen shots, but they do not believe Wright was the intended target.
Images from the scene showed a solitary walker, which Wright needed to get around, along with blood on a corner that was taped off with police vehicles nearby. More than a dozen shell casings were picked up at the scene, sources said.
McCants faces multiple charges in addition to murder, including robbery, weapon possession and gun possession, according to police. Federal prosecutors with the Southern District of New York alleged the 18-year-old fired 15 shots from a machine gun after trying to rob a drug dealer.
According to the criminal complaint, McCants and two others went up to the drug dealer and soon they all started fighting. McCants and one of the others he was with grabbed backpacks full of marijuana from the dealer then took off, running up Madison Avenue.
As he ran off, McCants allegedly took out the machine gun from his sweatshirt pocket and opened fire, striking Wright.
“As alleged, after robbing a drug dealer at gunpoint, Faisil McCants fired a machine gun in the middle of the day on the busy streets of New York City, killing another person,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.
If convicted, McCants could face life in prison.
Police were still looking for the other two men believed to be involved in the robbery and deadly shooting.
