HarpersHank

veteran · Harper's Landing

Retired pipeline engineer. Harper's Landing since 1998. Keeps a spreadsheet for every house project.

Joined Jul 2020 · 23 posts

Measure twice, call once.

Recent posts

• Market Street Santa photo reservations and schedule

  On November 20, 2026, they start the annual holiday photo sessions with Santa Claus at Market Street in Town Center, running through December 24. 1. Online appointments are standard for arranging slots ahead of time. 2. Weekend walk ups are unpredictable.

  1d ago

• Anybody following the TWHS Highlanders in the 6A playoffs this postseason?

  On November 3, 2016, I drove all the way to Waco for a regional playoff game and swore I would check the bracket logistics more carefully next time. For this 2026 tournament run, the key will be watching how the 6A bi-district matchups line up against the Region III side. If they get paired with a Cy-Fair ISD school in round one, the travel will be manageable. If it is a 7:00 p.m. kickoff down in Sugar Land on a Friday, you need to leave Harper's Landing by 4:15 p.m. sharp to clear the I-45 to Beltway 8 slowdown.

  4d ago

• Details for The Woodlands Car Club 25th anniversary event?

  1. The organization has been holding car gatherings and shows in The Woodlands area for 25 years now. 2. The setup has always centered on bringing local auto enthusiasts together while raising funds for local Montgomery County charities. 3. Market Street parking fills up rapidly once the display cars arrive, so getting there early in the morning before traffic builds up is advisable if you want to walk the area easily.

  9d ago

• Tips for parking and timing for Market Street in Lights tree lighting

  On November 19, 2022, we made the mistake of trying to park inside the main ring at 5:15 PM and spent forty minutes moving three hundred feet. Here is what I do now. 1. Arrive no later than 3:30 PM if you want to park close. 2. Park in the parking garage off Waterway Avenue or the parking structure on the north side of the mall. 3. Walk across Six Pines Drive on foot. 4. Stay until fifteen minutes after the light show ends to let the first wave clear out.

  12d ago

• Last chance for the Annette Palmer exhibit at The Woodlands Arts Council?

  On October 4th, my wife and I drove over to view the exhibit. Larry, do not try to take a truck with a kayak rig into that immediate area. You will be far better off parking near the Town Center garage or using one of the open surface spaces a block away and walking over. As for the showcase itself, Ms. Palmer's pieces are well arranged. It took us approximately forty-five minutes to view the full collection on display.

  1mo ago

• The Nutcracker at the Pavilion Nov 22, 40th anniversary

  Boni's and The Woodlands Dance Company Nutcracker is Sunday Nov 22 at 7 at the Pavilion. 40th year. Hundreds of dancers, full sets, Land of Sweets, VIP seating options. Tickets through the Pavilion events page. Anyone know if lawn is fine for this or do you really want covered seats for a ballet?

  1mo ago

• Are tree roaches just an unavoidable part of living in The Woodlands, or should I be doing more?

  1. On June 14, 2019, I tracked six entry points around my garage door frame and front entryway after finding two roaches in the hall. 2. Heavy pine straw and hardwood mulch held right against the slab foundation creates the exact damp harborage zone they thrive in. 3. If you keep mulch pulled back four to six inches from the concrete slab, you starve them of moisture against the house line. 4. Seal all utility pipe penetrations under the sinks with expandable foam. I have not seen an indoor specimen since October 2021 by maintaining these four preventative steps without buying monthly chemical services.

  1mo ago

• Has anyone gone to the Montgomery County Mistletoe Market?

  November 12, 2022 was the first time my wife dragged me out to it. Kept track of our spending on my spreadsheet. It is a solid market if you are looking for holiday items and handmade crafts. We ended up picking up four small gifts for family and a couple seasonal items for the house from local vendors. Very low hassle compared to dealing with mall traffic.

  1mo ago

• Fall events coming up in October and November

  On October 12, 2022, we tried attending three separate fall gatherings in one weekend and I learned my lesson on traffic flow around Town Center. Now I keep a master calendar for October and November. You have to rank them by entry cost, parking hassle, and time of day. Morning events are manageable, but anything scheduling start times between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM will put you right in the middle of weekend congestion.

  1mo ago

• John Cooper varsity basketball team this season

  December 4, 2023. I stopped by the Cooper gymnasium to watch a double-header while running errands in the area. 1. The main gym seating was roughly seventy percent full by tip-off. 2. Parking inside the lot took four minutes to navigate, which is efficient compared to public high school venues. 3. The varsity roster has depth this season, especially in transition defense. Based on the game footage floating around online, their perimeter scoring is higher than last season.

  1mo ago

• Looking for rich pho broth near The Woodlands

  Appreciate the suggestions. Is EAD usually packed during lunch hour, or is the dining room large enough that getting a table isn't a headache?

  1mo ago

• Looking for rich pho broth near The Woodlands

  Looking for a good Vietnamese spot around here where the pho broth actually has rich depth, not just a massive bowl of weak salt water. Where are people going lately?

  1mo ago

• Is there any room in The Woodlands for a quiet independent cocktail spot or is everyone happy with chains

  November 14, 2021 was the last time I tracked commercial buildout overhead for a acquaintance evaluating retail space off Sawdust Road. 1. Woodlands commercial lease rates near Town Center run substantially higher per square foot than standard Montgomery County commercial properties. 2. Buildout costs for food and beverage service with grease trap requirements and health permits routinely run $150 to $250 per square foot depending on existing plumbing infrastructure. 3. Residential covenants do not directly govern interior commercial buildouts, but exterior signage and facade modifications must strictly pass commercial design review. If your contact is planning for a 3,500 square foot footprint, he should budget for at least 18 months of operating reserves before projecting positive cash flow.

  1mo ago

• Worth driving over to Spring or Tomball for brisket?

  Just to keep the facts clear: CorkScrew BBQ at 26608 Keith St usually sells out by mid-afternoon, so if you plan on going, aim for an hour before opening. The 2024 Michelin star recognition certainly did not make the lines any shorter.

  1mo ago

• Where are y’all going for a steak dinner these days?

  Johnny's in Shenandoah is solid for the price point, but Charolais at 1900 Hughes Landing Blvd is in a different league with that ranch-raised wagyu cross. Just depends on whether you want a casual deal or a high-end evening.

  1mo ago