Note: Events with + in front indicates newly added event!

While we strive to ensure that all of our events are current and accurate, please always check to ensure that the event is still scheduled and that the information below is correct.

• +Fall Market @ Town Square – Sept. 20^th 10am-2pm 
   213 W. Texas Ave., Baytown

• +Caribbean Vibes Sat. Sept. 20^th 6pm-10pm @ Town Square, Baytown
  Games, activities, dance, Fun for entire family

• +SkyZone Grand Opening - Sat. Sept. 20th - 9am- 5pm
  3501 Garth Rd.

• Houston Latin Jazz Orchestra @ Lee College PAC - Sat. Sept. 27th @ 7:30pm

• +Pre-Grito Party at Baytown Town Square [Free] Fri., Oct. 3rd Starts @ 6pm

• +Grito Fest at Bicentennial Park, [Free] Sat. Oct. 4th 4:30 pm – 9 pm

• Mont Belvieu Market @ the Park Oct. 4th 8am-12pm

• Deaf Social Where Bakery - Oct. 4th - 11 am @
  Heart & Whisk Bakery 4618 N. Main St., Baytown

• National Night Out 2025 Mont Belvieu – Tues., Oct. 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm

• +Nurture Nature Festival - Sat., Oct. 11th, 10:00AM – 4:00PM.
  @Baytown Nature Center 6213 Bayway Dr. [FREE to attend]

• ORW Founders Day Free Festival Sat., Oct. 11th - 10am-4pm
  4818 FM North 565 Old River-Winfree Silent & live auction, entertainment, Ethel P. Ramsey bake-off, exhibits, car, truck, and motorcycle show, and free activities for kids! Click for more info

• +Fall Market Trade Days Sat. Oct. 11th 10am-4pm
  @ Baytown Community Center 2407 Market St.

• +Annual Public Safety Softball Tournament [BPD vs BFD]
  Sat., Oct. 18th @11 am @ Wayne Gray Sports Complex - Come out and cheer on the first responders who keep our community safe! Show your team spirit by wearing blue or red—depending on who you’re rooting for. Open to the community—bring your family and friends!

• +Fall Market @ Town Square – Oct. 18th 10am-2pm 
  213 W. Texas Ave., Baytown

• +Community Yard Sale - Oct. 18th 10am-2pm @ Town Square,
  213 W. Texas Ave., Baytown

• Annual Back the Blue BBQ Festival and 5K Family Fun Run Sat. Oct. 18th – 10am-5pm @ Jimmy Burke Activity Center in Deer Park.

• The “Fab 5” Music Event – Sat. Oct. 25th @ 8 pm – @ Lee College Performing Arts Center - Fund Raiser presented by Baytown Crime Stoppers

Hooky Entertainment to
Open 73,000-sf Cinema-Plus
Venue in Baytown

According to company announcements and other news releases, Hooky Entertainment is taking over the former ShowBiz Cinemas site at 10550 I-10 Service Road in Baytown and relaunching it as a 73,000-square-foot entertainment center. The opening is planned for Oct. 3.

The revamped venue will keep the 10 movie auditoriums—including an IMAX—and add a lot more to do under one roof. Plans call for 14 full-length bowling lanes, an 8,000-square-foot arcade with classic and interactive games, two virtual dart bays, a full-service bar, shareable food, and private event spaces for parties and groups. The project also includes about 6,800 square feet of new space for games and restrooms.

Design work is by EVOke Design + Architecture, and Rise Collective LLC is the general contractor for the expansion, according to the releases. Hooky operates multiple locations in Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida and is positioning Baytown as its next “cinema-plus” site.

For families, teens, and date nights, the draw is simple: movies, bowling, games, and food in one stop—right off I-10. More details on hours, hiring, and grand-opening specials are expected closer to opening day.

Check out their website

Barbers Hill ISD Teachers
Turn to AI Tool to
Save Time and Help Students

According to district staff and company materials, Barbers Hill ISD began trying an educator-focused AI tool in spring 2024 and is now encouraging teachers across grade levels to use it to support instruction. The goal is simple: cut busywork and boost one-on-one help for students.

Teachers use the software to draft quizzes, worksheets, lesson plans, and quick feedback on writing. It can track progress by unit and help create resources at the right reading level—including materials for students with IEPs or those learning English. The district’s tech team says the tool keeps teachers in the driver’s seat: they can edit or override anything it generates.

Fighting burnout, not replacing teachers
District leaders say the focus is cutting paperwork, not handing the classroom over to a bot. The tool gives teachers a starting point, so they can spend more time teaching and coaching individual students. Newer teachers, in particular, are using it to learn how to give better feedback while keeping their own voice.

The district started small with demonstrations and one-on-one support. As training spread, more teachers opted in—some who were cautious about tech at first. According to district figures, the license cost $25,125 last year and $41,700 this year for an upgraded version.

Teachers report using the tool to adapt texts, translate content for non-English speakers, and even let students “chat” with literary or historical characters to make lessons stick. Math teachers have used image uploads to walk through problem steps. The tool runs on school computers only, which the district says aligns with the state cellphone ban.

Why this matters:
✅ Less prep time means more student time
✅ Materials can be leveled for different readers
✅ Students can get targeted tutoring and practice, not just answers

The district says data insights help teachers spot who needs help sooner.

Looking ahead
District staff say they will keep refining how the tool is used and share examples that work well. Across Texas, other districts are using the same platform, and Barbers Hill ISD says it will continue focusing on sound teaching practices with tech embedded, not the other way around.

La Porte Mayor Rick Helton
on “Mondays with the Mayor”

Congratulations to La Porte Mayor Rick Helton who was interviewed by Fox 26 Houston News on "Mondays with the Mayor".

Mayor Helton provided an update on La Porte, it’s growth, and an exciting event coming soon to La Porte.

You can watch the full segment starting at the 12 min. mark of the video.
Click here to watch

Editor’s Note: Baytown’s Mayor Johnson was interviewed on the ‘Monday’s with the Mayor” back in July. If you missed it, click here to read

La Porte Police Seek Help
to Find Two Runaway Juveniles

The La Porte Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating two runaway juveniles.
Mika Morales, fifteen years old, was last seen in the La Porte area on Sept. 12th.

Isaiah Morales, also fifteen years old, was last seen in the La Porte area on
Sept. 15th.

Investigators are working to ensure their safe return home and are asking for anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact the La Porte Police Department
at 281-471-2141.

Please reference case # 25-02549.

The La Porte Police Department would like to remind the public that it is illegal to harbor a runaway and any person found aiding their apprehension may be prosecuted.

The Nurture Nature Festival is Back!🐢

The Nurture Nature Festival presented by the Baytown Nature Center is set for Sat.,
Oct. 11th, from 10:00AM – 4:00PM.

🌳🦋🐢 This is a FREE family friendly event celebrating nature and the great outdoors with activities including:
👉 Children’s Games
👉 Informational Exhibits
👉 Stage Shows 🎭
👉 Inflatables
👉 Live Animals 🐢
👉 Guided Nature Walks 🌳
👉 Bungee Jumps
👉 Archery 🎯
👉 Kid Fish Tank 🐟
👉 Variety of Food & Drinks 🥤

🚌Due to limited on-site parking, there is a small fee (cash or card) to park on-location. Free parking with a shuttle service will be located at West Town Shopping Center (4220 Decker, Baytown, TX).

🛍Local Garage, Yard & Estate Sales!🏷

Please help us spread the word: share this newsletter with your friends, neighbors, and anyone who loves a good deal. Encourage them to subscribe so they never miss a sale. And if you're planning a sale of your own, be sure to submit your info by Tuesday at 5 PM to be included in this week’s issue!

Friendly Note: Garage and Estate sales are as unpredictable as the Texas weather—sometimes they pop up, sometimes they blow away! 🌦️ Hosts may change times, addresses, or even cancel altogether. We just share the info; the rest is part of the treasure-hunting adventure. 🛍️

Garage Sale

Sterling Green Community Garage Sale
14947 Scotter Dr, Channelview 
Sept. 20-21st.
Sat. - 7am-2pm
Sun. - 8am-12pm

Estate Sale/Antique Store Going Out of Business

 202 W. Main, LaPorte
Thurs. Sep 18, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Fri. Sep 19, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sat. Sep 20, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sun. Sep 21, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Job Listings Now on a Separate Page! 🎉

To make scrolling easier for everyone, we’ve moved job listings to a separate page! If you're job hunting, check it out—if not, enjoy a quicker read! 😊👀

Click job listings page

Wednesday’s Quiz: Which bird can rotate its head up to 270° without injury?
Answer: A) Owl.
Specialized neck vertebrae and blood-vessel adaptations let owls swivel dramatically to scan for prey.