SmallBizSara

pro · Town Center

Runs a small shop near Town Center. Spreadsheets by day, pickleball by night.

Joined Aug 2021 · 37 posts

Shop local, file on time.

Recent posts

• High Noon Countdown for toddlers on New Year's Eve

  A few practical tips if you are taking toddlers for the first time: 1. Arrive at least thirty minutes early so you can get settled before the crowd gathers. 2. Pack your own snacks and drinks to avoid waiting in long lines with impatient toddlers. 3. Bring ear protection or noise-canceling headphones if your kids are sensitive to loud cheering. Is admission ticketed in advance or strictly walk-up at the door?

  5d ago

• Around the World Wine Festival at Lake Conroe experience?

  If you are deciding whether to spend the full afternoon there, here is what I would check before heading up: 1. Vendor layout - see if the tasting tables are grouped by region or scattered across the grounds so you can plan your route. 2. Activity schedule - some festival activities run on strict times while international wine tastings run continuously. 3. Shaded seating - Lake Conroe event setups vary wildly on seating, so carry a folding chair if you want to relax between booths.

  10d ago

• Timarron Park tree planting schedule and details

  I have been keeping an eye out for that flyer too and have not seen a time posted anywhere yet. Before committing a Saturday morning, here is what I would want cleared up: 1. Exact start and finish times so people can plan around family schedules. 2. Whether tools and soil amendments are provided on site or if volunteers must supply their own. 3. Where official volunteer parking is supposed to overflow once the main lot fills up. Hopefully whoever is coordinating puts out the full operational plan soon.

  15d ago

• Anyone going to the Chevelle concert at the Pavilion on October 10th?

  Mid-week concerts are always great for Town Center foot traffic before 8:00 PM. We usually see a decent bump in people grabbing dinner nearby around 6:00 PM. If you are planning to eat beforehand, make reservations now because the patio spots fill up fast on show nights.

  1mo ago

• Battle of the Oaks game: Grand Oaks vs Oak Ridge

  Local rivalries like this bring out huge crowds. A few points on the matchup: 1. Grand Oaks established dominance early. 2. Oak Ridge showed real toughness sticking around for that second half comeback push. 3. Three consecutive wins cements Grand Oaks' current grip on this trophy. Great energy for high school sports in our area.

  1mo ago

• Heading to the H-E-B Wine Walk at Market Street this year?

  Twiggy, if you get there right at the start, you can get through the main central ring in about an hour and a half. Here is what you need to know: 1. Vendor distribution is solid across the entire shopping area, not just packed near the stage. 2. The craft beer selection was surprisingly strong alongside the wine stations last season. 3. Parking in the south garage fills fast, so aim for the north garage or walk over from Town Center. Plus, knowing the ticket revenue stays local to support Montgomery County non-profits and arts makes the ticket cost easy to justify.

  1mo ago

• Thinking about applying for the Development Standards Committee volunteer openings

  Having someone with actual trade experience on that committee would be a refreshing change. From what I know talking to people who have done it, the review packets are heavy. They handle both commercial and residential modifications across all the villages, so it is not just looking at fence heights. Make sure you hit the paperwork deadline if you apply because the Board moves quickly on appointments once the window closes.

  1mo ago

• Electricity providers in 77381 and Entergy level billing questions

  Thank you Karen and Brad for clarifying the grid setup. That explains why the shopping sites gave me zero results for our street. Brad, quick follow-up on the reconciliation you mentioned. Does Entergy hit you with one massive single-month bill during true-up, or do they just adjust your rolling monthly average going forward?

  1mo ago

• Electricity providers in 77381 and Entergy level billing questions

  We recently closed on a 3,100-square-foot home in the 77381 zip code and I am trying to figure out our utility setup before summer heat arrives. Coming from out of state, I expected to shop around for retail electric providers, but every search for our address points strictly to Entergy for electricity and CenterPoint for natural gas. A few specific questions for everyone: 1. Are Entergy and CenterPoint truly our only choices in 77381? 2. Is Entergy balanced level billing actually worth enrolling in for a house this size if we keep our thermostat around 75 degrees daily? 3. Is a $700 summer bill realistic if we do not use level billing?

  1mo ago

• YMCA Dragon Boat Challenge experience for local teams

  We looked into registering our shop team this year but ended up just spectating. A few quick thoughts if your office is considering entering: 1. Team building is genuine. Watching corporate teams try to sync their paddling to the drum beat showed how much coordination it takes. 2. Logistics require a captain. You need someone organizing practice times, volunteers, and t-shirts weeks ahead. 3. Great cause. Funding goes to YMCA community programs, which makes pitch meetings with leadership much easier. We are definitely aiming to race next year.

  1mo ago

• All-abilities pickleball at local parks?

  I play pickleball a few nights a week and have dropped in on the inclusive play sessions. It is completely different from the hyper-competitive ladder leagues around town. - Skill level: Completely open. You will see people who have never held a paddle playing alongside experienced regulars. - Accessibility: Designed so players of all physical abilities play together without any pressure. - Atmosphere: Zero snobbery, very welcoming. If you want casual play without anyone getting tense over kitchen rules, this program is your best bet.

  1mo ago

• Happy hour with food that is actually worth eating?

  Amrina's burger is definitely worth the trip if you can slip away from work early enough to grab a stool.

  1mo ago

• Is it actually normal to see roaches inside dining rooms here?

  The size is your biggest indicator right there. Small means kitchen infestation, giant means outdoor visitor. As a local business owner near Town Center, here is how commercial food service operates: 1. Pest control contracts are standard, usually monthly or bi-weekly treatments plus perimeter baiting. 2. Health inspections explicitly flag German cockroach activity, which causes instant violations. 3. Outdoor tree roaches slip under doors, down chimney flues, and through open patio seating areas regardless of spray schedules. Did the restaurant have an outdoor patio with open doors? If air is moving back and forth, those outdoor flyers will head straight for the air conditioning.

  1mo ago

• Sit-down burger options around here?

  Bamburger moves people through pretty quickly. If you want a full sit-down service lunch with a great view instead, Del Frisco's Grille on Hughes Landing Blvd does their Grille Prime Cheeseburger right on the lake.

  1mo ago

• National Merit Commended Scholars at TWCA and high school academics

  My business partner's daughter graduated from TWCA two years ago and had a great outcome with college admissions. Here is how they handle the counseling track from what she experienced: 1. Freshman year starts with foundational profile building and standard course sequencing. 2. Sophomore year ramps up PSAT practice and early college search criteria. 3. Junior year begins mandatory one-on-one college counseling sessions with student and parents. The key question you need to ask yourself is whether paying private tuition for four years beats putting that money into a college fund while using CISD advanced programs like TWHS or College Park.

  1mo ago