Home Care In Humble, TX

There’s some exciting news for foodies living in the Humble, Kingwood and Atascocita areas. Opening at the end of this summer, Porky’s Backyard is bringing 17 food trucks, a full bar with 40 beer taps, 15 big screen TVs, an expansive playground area, car lifts and more to 5131 Atascocita Road in Humble. This new family- and pet-friendly food truck park is owned by local father-and-son duo Michael and Austin Wolf, who are hoping to launch in time for a grand Oktoberfest bash.

The park features a 10,000-square-foot indoor dining area which will be surrounded by the food trucks, over 2,000 square feet of playground area (including two playsets), a 40-foot long Instagrammable garden wall, a 2,000-square-foot mezzanine and private event space, and maybe most important of all: spacious “Buc-ee’s-esque” marble restroom facilities. Guests can sit at one of the many picnic tables under the three giant fans and walk up to the indoor bar to enjoy specialty cocktails, beer, wine and cider. Well-behaved fur-babies are welcome in the shaded dining area and all throughout the park — as long as they are secured on a leash. Porky’s will even provide waste baggies, receptacles and water bowls.

As avid car enthusiasts, the Wolfs are decorating the facility with a number of racing signs, jackets and other memorabilia for the Houston car community to enjoy. They are also working with local car show coordinators The Car Culture to host meets and rallies. Plans for three new murals painted by local artists are currently in the works, with subjects including Ferrari, McLaren and Lamborghini. The marquee attraction is a pair of double car lifts in the main dining hall that will be used to display eye-catching gems and exotic sports cars from the Wolfs’ collection and others.

For entertainment, a variety of sports and races will be played on the numerous big-screen TVs scattered throughout the dining hall. Non-car-enthusiasts can entertain themselves with fun activities like giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, darts and corn hole. There is also space for live music and local vendor tables, and Austin hopes to soon host weekend markets and demos.

Manager Leah Wolf revealed that the park has been a passion project of her father and brother three years in the making. Her father has “been in business for himself nearly his entire life, wearing a million hats, most successfully as an electrical manufacturer for 20 years before moving into commercial real estate development.” Meanwhile, her brother “was earning his degree in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Houston and interning for a local home builder”. With their combined ambition, resources and knowledge, they decided that the location would serve both themselves and the community best as a food truck park.”

Porky’s aims to offer a crowd-pleasing food selection, and the opening line-up includes The Chicken Coop HTX’s fried chicken, That One Place’s Cajun fare, Bebecitas HTX’s tacos, Kurbiside Eatz’ Asian fusion and more. The Wolfs are actively looking for more food trucks, and, as an incentive, the park also serves as a private commissary — meaning food trucks can remain on the premises. Water, power, sewer and grease traps are all provided. If you have a food truck and are interested in a spot, contact Austin Wolf directly via email.

Porky’s Backyard will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the weekends. Parking for over 200 cars is available on-site. For updates on the opening, follow Porky’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

On the heels of opening six locations in Houston since March, Gordon Food Service has secured a seventh location in the Humble area with plans to open soon following renovations.

The family-owned food service distributor boasts operations in both the U.S. and Canada and typically serves local restaurants, educational institutions, and the public. The expansion into Texas is the largest one-time investment by the company, a press release said.

“Gordon Food Service Store believes in the power of good food and its ability to bring people together and make moments special,” Tim Grabar, president of Gordon Food Service Stores, said in the release. “We are excited to open our doors to the greater Houston community and provide the chef-quality food products our stores are known for.”

INSIDER NEWSLETTER: Stay updated on important stories and news to know around Kingwood, Humble and Atascocita

Spokesperson Sharon Devine confirmed the food distribution service plans to move into 156 W. First St. in Humble. The space, which formerly housed a Big Lots, will be renovated and is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2024.

Devine said they occasionally lease vacant properties like Big Lots for expansion.

“It’s a combination of both—new construction and real estate opportunities that makes sense for them,” she said.

According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the cost of the project is estimated to be around $3 million, though details are subject to change. The TDLR document show the building to be 34,160 square feet.

The company caters primarily to restaurant owners and food service professionals, but Devine emphasized home shoppers are also welcome.

“No membership card is required, and shoppers can buy by the piece, pound, case, whatever fits their need,” she said.

VALENTA: Global consulting firm opens first Houston office

Gordon stores stock fresh produce, quick dinners, tailgate foods, walk-in customer coolers with produce, meat and dairy items, grab-and-go meals, 15 varieties of fresh popcorn and much more.

“They also have a loyalty program for businesses and nonprofit customers to earn points. They also have online ordering for same day and store pickup and same-day express van delivery,” she added.

The store is expected to be staffed by 40 full- and part-time team members.

Of the first six Texas locations, Devine said four became operational on March 14, followed by the fifth store about two weeks later. The last of the six is online now as well.

The stores include a Champions location at FM 1960 and Stuebner Airline; Westheimer location at Westheimer and Dairy Ashford; Katy location at S. Mason Rd. at Kingsland; League City location at West Main at Hwy. 3, Houston location at Antoine and Pinemont; and Braeswood location at North Braeswood and Chimney Rock.

Store hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

[email protected]

May 31, 2023|Updated June 1, 2023 5:03 p.m.

David Taylor is the reporter/photographer for Houston Community Newspapers / Houston Chronicle and writes news, sports and investigative pieces. He is a member of the Texas Press Association and has won numerous state awards.

He attended Rice University and the University of Houston and has led the news rooms of several newspapers including The Sentinel Newspapers, The Pasadena Citizen, The Examiner Newspapers, and The Observer Group.

Trustees for the Houston-area school district are considering terminating a contract it signed in 2021 that would create a campus-based health clinic at Humble High School. Memorial Hermann says it does not provide gender-affirming care to anyone younger than age 18 and that parents must consent to any services provided at the clinic.

Elected trustees for a Houston-area school district are considering scrapping a longstanding plan to open a free medical clinic for students on one of its high school campuses, because of concerns about doctors potentially providing birth control and gender-affirming care.

Humble ISD, which serves an area northeast of Houston, signed a contract in November 2021 with regional hospital chain Memorial Hermann to create a healthcare center at Humble High School to be utilized by students there as well as those from some lower-level schools. The project has been delayed by construction-related issues, according to district superintendent Elizabeth Fagen, who said during a Sept. 12 school board meeting that she and Memorial Hermann wanted to explore the possibility of opening a temporary facility on campus before a permanent center could be constructed in 2026.

But board members instead discussed terminating the contract, because it includes "family planning" services and because of fears that Memorial Hermann physicians might provide advice or resources to transgender students. Trustee Chris Parker, one of the five current board members who voted to approve the contract in 2021, made a motion earlier this month to back out of the agreement.

Her proposal ended up being tabled until Humble ISD's next board meeting on Oct. 17, with trustee Marques Holmes saying he wanted more information before deciding.

"I want the clinic. I want care for kids. It's a great project," Parker said. "But for those two isolated words, family planning, I cannot support it."

Memorial Hermann said in a statement that it provides campus-based healthcare services to more than 80 schools in the Houston area and hopes to do so within Humble ISD "in the near future and for many years to come." The hospital system also said it "works closely with each ISD to determine the mutually agreed upon services that will be available at each clinic."

"In addition, we obtain written consent annually from a parent or legal guardian for the school-based clinics to provide any healthcare services," Memorial Hermann said. "As part of the options for consent, parents or legal guardians can refuse to sign if they don't want their child to access any of our services, or they may also opt out of specific services provided in the clinic."

Fagen reminded the board members that abortion is illegal in Texas and said family planning accounts for about 3 percent of the services provided at Memorial Hermann's other school-based clinics, adding, "They will discuss birth-control methods for students who require that and whose parents want that."

Board member Michael Grabowski said he worried that a treating physician would be bound by the Hippocratic oath to help a student who might say, "I don't want to be a boy or a girl anymore. I want to be the opposite."

A Memorial Hermann spokesperson said the hospital system does not provide gender-affirming care to anyone younger than age 18 at any of its facilities, including the school-based clinics.

"I think it's a fantastic idea and a community outreach," Grabowski said of a campus clinic. "I just think we need a new vendor other than Memorial Hermann, who has peddled in this type of surgeries and hormone blockers and other issues."

It is unclear whether Humble ISD would have the option to use another vendor for a free campus clinic. The planned center was the product of discussions between Fagen and the CEO for Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital about healthcare needs and trends in the Humble area, according to school district spokesperson Jamie Mount, who said, "No other healthcare provider has submitted a formal proposal."

A representative of the Northeast Hospital Authority, a governmental entity that committed $4 million for the campus clinic, told Humble ISD trustees on Sept. 12 that the organization was familiar with all the services offered when it agreed to provide the funding.

Fagen told the board members the district had asked about the possibility of removing family planning services from the contract before it was signed in 2021, adding that Memorial Hermann was not open to that because it is "part of their core mission to support the community."

Trustee Robert Sitton, who also voted to approve the contract two years ago, highlighted the fact the language in the agreement remains unchanged.

Bryant Lee, a local church pastor who spoke during the public comment portion of the Sept. 12 board meeting, told trustees he regularly interacts with underserved children and families in the Humble community and noted that some avoid going to the doctor because they lack health insurance or the money to pay for medical services. He asked the board members to "make haste" in opening the planned clinic and to not allow "politics" or other factors to get in the way.

"Poor families often will not send their kids to school for minor things, colds, what they think may be a flu," Lee said. "Often, kids show up in Title I schools not properly immunized. Our most socially and economically challenged will miss many school days, but having a free clinic on our campus for those in that feeder pattern will make a world of difference.

"I just want to say let's not delay, let's find a way to make it happen, even though we don't have all the space and all the pieces that we wanted to have happen," he added.

D1 Training, a leading fitness concept utilizing the five core tenets of athletic-based training, will be opening a new location on October 2 in Atascocita at 7040 FM 1960 Rd. The group fitness facility employs a sports-science backed training regimen led by certified trainers to help people of all ages achieve their sport and fitness goals.

Local owner Wendell Preadom will join a roster of impressive existing franchisees and owners some of which include professional athletes such as Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, Tim Tebow and Michael Oher. A former college athlete at Wichita State University and Houston Christian University (formerly known as Houston Baptist University), Preadom understands the hard work and dedication that goes into training and exercising. His past collegiate basketball career has inspired him to build a training facility for all ages.

“As a former college basketball player, I know that the skill of the sport is necessary, but equally important is training to gain athleticism,” said Preadom. “After I graduated college, I was looking for a training program that was similar to my training as a D1 athlete and I did not find that until discovering D1 Training. I am excited to bring this type of training to community members of all ages. I think they will really enjoy this facility and the training it will offer.”

Currently a youth basketball assistant, Preadom enjoys watching people succeed. His passion for helping people will create an inviting and encouraging atmosphere at his D1 facility. A resident of Atascocita himself, Preadom hopes to service fellow community members and allow them to work towards their goals, whether that be on their fitness journey or their athletic career.

D1 Training offer four age-based programs including Rookie (ages 7-11), Developmental (ages 12-14), Prep (ages 15-18) and D1 Adult. Each fitness program is based on the five athletic-based tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down. Outside of group workouts, D1 Training offers one-on-one training with world-class coaches. The goal is simple: to continue to train athletes who are dedicated to their sport or their fitness goals, regardless of age or athletic background.

“Wendell is the ideal candidate to bring the D1 Training experience to Atascocita,” said the brand’s Chief Operating Officer, Dan Murphy. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the D1 family and are confident in his ability to show the Atascocita area what they’ve been missing out on. D1 is a one-of-a-kind fitness experience that’s built around the individual and meant to help people meet their appropriate edge. Our strong network of franchisees embodies our core values to bring the D1 Training vision to life, and we know Wendell will do just that in Atascocita and its surrounding communities.”

Strategically expanding across the nation through franchising, D1 Training has more than 85 performance centers open with over 200 additional locations in various stages of development. The brand is currently seeking qualified and active community members to expand its footprint and help more people meet their fitness goals.

For more information on D1 Training Atascocita, please visit www.d1training.com/atascocita/ or call (713)-597-7181.

The city of Humble is moving forward on a $345,000 renovation to Uptown Park as city officials push to complete the project before the holiday season.

What residents should know

Humble City Council awarded the contract to Bey Commercial Construction at its Aug. 10 meeting to begin the planning and construction on the project, which will involve clearing and remodeling the area to include an updated park space and music area.

Council members noted concerns about ensuring the park will be available in time to host the city's annual Christmas celebration and parade. City Manager Jason Stuebe assured meetings with Bey will begin as soon as possible to move forward with the project.

In their own words

“We were very pleased that our local contractor, Bey Construction, was the low bidder, so I look forward to working with them again. They are dependable and had success within the past,” Mayor Norman Funderburk said.

Also on the agenda

The city also approved a core switch replacement project for $250,000 for fiscal year 2022-23 with additional funding to be discussed during budget hearings for FY 2023-24.

Stuebe said the core switch is the central hub for all internet and intranet communications in the city, and purchasing a replacement has been put off for several years.

The next meeting of council will be a budget workshop Aug. 15 at 9 a.m.

Government Reporter

Jessica joined Community Impact in 2022 as a reporter covering The Woodlands greater area. She now covers countywide government issues for Montgomery County as well as the cities of Humble, Oak Ridge North and Shenandoah, and The Woodlands Township. A graduate of Blinn College, she has previously worked for two local papers covering city and county government. When not in a meeting, Jessica can be found crafting and caring for her cat, Chubbers.

Thank you for reading Community Impact

Want more from CI? Becoming a CI Patron grants you access to an exclusive weekend newsletter and CI Swag. Your one-time or monthly donation catapults our mission to hire high-quality journalists and provide trusted news in Texas communities.

Become a CI Patron