The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection has officially opened its doors in Houston’s lively central business district. Featuring 223 contemporary guest rooms, and an enticing restaurant and bar serving upscale Southern cuisine, The Laura Hotel embraces Houston’s charm and character with enriching experiences for guests and locals.

“The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection will become an instant favorite in downtown Houston, and we are delighted to welcome guests to experience what’s new,” said Charley Morales, general manager of The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection. “Much like when the steamship Laura made its way through Buffalo Bayou to open up a world of possibilities at the founding of modern-day Houston, today’s The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection is the backdrop for business and personal adventures. We look forward to visitors and locals embracing our warm hospitality and upscale service and using that hotel as the launch point for exploring the great city of Houston.”

Named after the steamship that city founders navigated to solidify Houston as a center of industry and opportunity, The Laura Hotel embraces the spirit of exploration as an inviting starting point for visitors and a welcome respite for locals. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into a sophisticated entryway featuring a grand staircase bathed in white marble and a second-floor lobby adorned with gold accents and plush furniture. Guest rooms and suites feature well-appointed and spacious interiors with a mix of modern and art-deco design touches. The marble-clad guest bathrooms feature deep soaking tubs, some of which are situated next to gold-framed mirrored walls that open up to the guest room or beautiful city views.

New on the lively Houston dining scene starting January 2022, Hull & Oak Southern Kitchen will feature a menu concept focused on innovative twists on classic Southern dishes. Featuring bright and airy interiors, the restaurant is framed with dimensional archways reminiscent of the hull of a ship, while circular mirrors resemble ship portholes.


Beginning March 2022, the restaurant will host a monthly dinner series the third Thursday of each month. In collaboration with globally-known or uniquely-local wine and spirits brands, the hotel’s executive chef will create bespoke menus designed to pair perfectly with the partner of the month, ensuring each dinner is delightfully different from the next. Adjacent to Hull & Oak Southern Kitchen, The Bar at The Laura Hotel offers seasonal cocktails along with local twists on classic libations, such as Smokin’ in the 713 – a southern take on the Old Fashioned, prepared in an eye-catching smoked glass on a cedar plank. The restaurant and bar will also tie in local tastes by teaming up with nearby Houston breweries to create signature brews available exclusively on-site.

At the rooftop pool, guests can soak up the sun and city sights from loungers shaded by large umbrellas. On select afternoons and evenings, the pool transforms into a hotspot for guests and locals with its “Pool & Patio Party.” For guests looking to break a sweat, the hotel features a fully equipped fitness center and for an additional array of fitness services, guests have access to Lifetime Fitness, located next to the hotel. Guests can also look forward to the launch of a full-service spa salon, slated to debut in spring 2022.


Additionally, The Laura Hotel offers immersive programming and events, inviting guests and locals to feel connected to the city’s history and culture. Experiences include ‘Beyond the Vine,’ a monthly wine tasting curated by the hotel’s sommelier from unexpected vineyards; onsite cigar events that offer a selection of premium cigars chosen from the hotel’s humidor; and complimentary rosé wine at check in on weekend days. In the lobby, the ‘Music Remix’ – the hotel’s weekend listening series – spotlights the sounds of local artists.

Guests can be among the first to enjoy a luxurious stay when they reserve one of several enticing offers available at The Laura Hotel, including the Bubbles & Brew package, inclusive of two welcome beverages at The Laura Bar, and a $50 food and beverage credit to be used at the bar or restaurant. Rates from $219 per night.

The new lifestyle hotel joins Autograph Collection Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy’s diverse and dynamic portfolio of independent hotels championing individuality. Marriott Bonvoy members will earn points for their stay at The Laura, Autograph Collection, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind.

To learn more about The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection or to make a reservation, please visit thelaurahotel.com or call (713) 242-8555.

Have you tried The Volleyball School that opened in our area last year? We suspect your little ones will love it! The school, originally established and thriving in Katy, has a new location at 22309 Gosling Rd, just south of The Woodlands near the Grand Parkway.

I recently tried the school with my 7 and 13 year old daughters, and they both enjoyed the program. When I tell you that SPORTS is not my family’s thing, hear me well. Sports is NOT my family’s thing. Even still, the coach made it easy for them to join the class and immediately start learning the game of volleyball!

Our trial class at The Volleyball School was our first experience with playing volleyball in any capacity (if you don’t count that sad game of beach volleyball we played on our family vacation). The coach on staff was friendly and personable, and what especially stood out to me is that she really made it her job to learn all the athletes’ names. The class began with warm-ups and quickly moved to volleyball fundamentals and drills. On the day we tried it, they were working on proper foot positioning, learning to serve, and hitting.

Throughout the drills, Coach was watchful and made rounds, taking the time to address each athlete individually to assist with anything needing improvement. And, as you might expect of a good coach, she dished out many high fives, encouraging the athletes along the way! The session ended with a fun serving game called Spider.

The Volleyball School offers coed classes for beginners and intermediate athletes ages 7 to 14 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays in our area. They can also provide training for your advanced player! To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Are your closets full of toys that are no longer played with? Do you have piles of kids' clothes that don't fit anyone? Or maybe a garage full of bikes, kids' sports equipment, and old furniture that are just collecting dust!

Why not turn all those items into cash at The Second Blessings Children's Consignment Sale at StoneBridge Church?  When you sign up to be a seller, you'll make 70% back on everything you sell.  Items available for consignment include kids' clothing, toys, furniture, baby accessories, home decor, children's books, and more. We visit this sale year after year, and it's always a goldmine!

Selling is easy.  Just tag your items, drop them off at the church (One StoneBridge Church Dr., The Woodlands, Tx 77382), and start making money.  The sale takes place on February 24 and 25 and is open to the community.  Visit the website to learn more and to get signed up!    

Waterway Nights, a free concert series produced by The Woodlands Township, will return for its spring season on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waterway Square, 31 Waterway Square Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380. 

Waterway Nights is a family-friendly event and features live music from a variety of bands and entertainers from multiple genres such as country, rock and pop. Coolers, picnic baskets, blankets and lawn chairs are permitted. Glass is prohibited. The following acts are scheduled to appear on Saturday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. this spring at Waterway Square:

Saturday, February 5, 2022
 Tracy Perez Band (Top 80s)
 
Saturday, February 12, 2022
 Leslie Lugo (Latin Variety)
 
Saturday, February 26, 2022
 Mike Donnell (Texas Country)
 
Saturday, March 5, 2022
Midnight Soul (Variety)

For sponsorship opportunities, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

For more information about The Woodlands Township, please call 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

Main Street Theater (MST) is staging Christopher Paul Curtis’ powerful novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, adapted by Reginald André Jackson. A fictionalization of the 1963 16^th Street Baptist Church bombing, Curtis’ novel won the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Awards.

“The best way to initiate change is to educate our young people,” offers Vivienne M. St. John, MST Theater for Youth Artistic Director. “Racism and hatred are still very prevalent in our society. If this play does anything, I hope it’s to teach our youth to stand up for others, to show compassion and empathy, and to listen.”

Performances will be held at MST’s MATCH location, 3400 Main St., Houston, TX  77002 on Sundays, Jan. 23 & 30 and Feb. 13 at 2:30pm. Recommended for Fifth Grade and older. All tickets are on sale via phone at 713.524.6706 or online at MainStreetTheater.com. Tickets are $18 - $28. Group rates are available. No children under 3 are admitted in the theater (including sleeping babies). All audience members are required to wear masks inside the theater.  (Performances are also available for school groups and homeschools. Call 713.524.9196 ext 1 or visit the website.)

Main Street Theater also offers Accommodations Performances:

Sensory-Friendly / Relaxed Performance: Jan. 30 at 2:30pm

ASL & Audio Described Performance: Feb. 13 at 2:30pm (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve audio description option 7 days prior to the performance)

About The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963

It’s 1963 and the Watsons, an African-American family, journey from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama to take their troublesome son, Byron, to live with his grandmother, a trip that lands them in one of the darkest moments in America’s racial history. Recommended for Fifth Grade and older. 

About the Production

Rachel H. Dickson directs. The cast includes Algy Alfred, Michael Hunter, Jessica T. Johnson, Kierra McKay, Joyce Anastasia Murray, Devin-Judy Norwood, Camryn Nunley, Steven J. Scott, and Christian Simon. The design team is Lee O Barker (set design), Janess Harris (lighting design), Krystal Uchem (costume design), Ricjuane Jenkins (sound design), and Tabitha Bounds (properties design). Curmira Bill is the stage manager.