It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in Houston, TX gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Houston, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Marisa and her team care deeply for their clients and provide great quality service!”
“I love this place I????????they give you the best of the best”
“Hello my experience with Best care senior service is excellent. The team is professional,polite, caring”
“We’ve been using Always Best Care for about a year now and are very happy”
“This was an awesome experience. Always Best Care, you can feel the care in the”
“The staff are very patient and knowledgeable. We felt both seen AND heard. I recommend”
“Always Best Care is such an exceptional home health care service. The professional and compassionate”
“I highly recommend! You won't find anything better. I can assure you that your”
“Just wanted to thank you and your staff for the loving care given to my”
“I have work with Always Best Care for almost 1 year and a few months”
“We found Marisa and her team after changing hospice companies and realizing that we needed”
“Marisa Thompson - owner of Always Best Care and Arlene are incredible! Personalized, in-depth service,”
“A good place to work for, management are very helpful and supportive, Ms. Marissa is”
“I am very pleased with Marisa and her staff. I highly recommend the”
“I’d like to say that Always Best Care Senior Services is a company that truly”
“ABC es una compa��a que siempre est� atenta al mejor cuidado de sus clientes. Los”
“When your family member has changes in their life even after care giving has started…They”
“Always Best Care takes good care of their clients and their hospitality/ customer service is”
“Always Best Care takes good care of their clients and their hospitality/ customer service is”
“We needed care for our mother after dad had a stoke and was going to”
“**Review for Always Best Care** I recently had the pleasure of working with Always Best Care,”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care due to their compassionate and thorough approach. Manager”
“Marisa Thompson is very genuine, compassionate, and a great leader of Always Best Care Senior”
“Excellent and professional services! No fear , love ones will be in the best care.”
“I’ve been working for the company for a few months now . This is by”
“Marisa and her team care deeply for their clients and provide great quality service!”
“I love this place I????????they give you the best of the best”
“Hello my experience with Best care senior service is excellent. The team is professional,polite, caring and dependable.This company is flexible and easy to work with. I love the services.”
“We’ve been using Always Best Care for about a year now and are very happy with their services. We had struggled finding reliable care for our elderly parents. ABC has found us help that is consistent and provides backup when needed, including training backup caregivers in advance. Also the ABC management is very communicative and we feel comfortable knowing the service is dependable. The Always Best Care caregivers have been wonderful! the caregivers are kind and gentle with our parents especially with our Mom who has mobility and vision issues. Strongly recommend this company!”
“This was an awesome experience. Always Best Care, you can feel the care in the atmosphere. I would recommend them for sure. Thank you ????????”
“The staff are very patient and knowledgeable. We felt both seen AND heard. I recommend Always Best Care- Kingwood for your loved one.”
“Always Best Care is such an exceptional home health care service. The professional and compassionate staff provides the comfort and care needed during the most difficult times.”
“I highly recommend! You won't find anything better. I can assure you that your loved one will be safe, comfortable, and well cared for!”
“Just wanted to thank you and your staff for the loving care given to my mom during her final weeks on Earth. The staff you chose were exactly what we needed during this time. Thank you for all you do for your clients. You have a gift and we are grateful that y'all came into our lives during this time. PS Thank you for the ivy and visit to Dad after Mom's death. Meant a lot to us that you took the time for that.”
“I have work with Always Best Care for almost 1 year and a few months it has been a wonderful experience to get to know Ms Thompson and Arlene Bright and a few other Caregivers, and I come to notice that they are very pleasant and respectful. I've had the pleasure to meet some of the nicest clients and caregivers in my life.and for that I will always be grateful. I looking forward to staying with them for a while Sincerely Mary Closen! Thanks again.”
“We found Marisa and her team after changing hospice companies and realizing that we needed help overnight with Mom. On a Friday evening, Marisa and the first of two regular caregivers came to my parents’ home. God truly works in mysterious ways as Marisa chose the caregivers that were perfect for our family. Thank you Always Best Care Senior Services for knowing what we needed before we did! Y’all are the absolute best!”
“Marisa Thompson - owner of Always Best Care and Arlene are incredible! Personalized, in-depth service, placement and care of her families that need a wide variety of in-home care needs. They are immediately ready to help and support in so many ways! Thank you both so much for the deep care you provide for all of your families❤”
“A good place to work for, management are very helpful and supportive, Ms. Marissa is very easily approachable, happy to be part of a caring, client oriented company.”
“I am very pleased with Marisa and her staff. I highly recommend the company. I love the professionalism.Keep up the great work Always Best Care!”
“I’d like to say that Always Best Care Senior Services is a company that truly cares about the well being of our loved ones . From the owner , who happens to be an amazing family advocate to the staff that takes the extra effort to make sure that the best care is provided for all whom they encounter …. I highly recommend this group to lighten the the load when you need help to care for your loved ones when you can’t always be there.”
“ABC es una compa��a que siempre est� atenta al mejor cuidado de sus clientes. Los caregiveres han sido educados en el campo del cuidado de ancianos y enfermos cr�nicos y mantienen un esquema de educaci�n y supervisi�n continua. Atender este tipo de clientes necesita una preparaci�n especial que aqu� vas a encontrar.”
“When your family member has changes in their life even after care giving has started…They where willing to change for us and the service they provided was more than I could expect. They were very knowledgeable about the conditions my mother has and gave suggestions to me so I could better help her. Very professional and timely! James Parish”
“Always Best Care takes good care of their clients and their hospitality/ customer service is wonderful”
“Always Best Care takes good care of their clients and their hospitality/ customer service is wonderful”
“We needed care for our mother after dad had a stoke and was going to be out of their home for an undetermined period of time. We now have 24 hour care for both of our parents in their home. We are extremely happy with the care provided by Always Best Care. They care for and treat our parents as they would hope their own parents would be treated and cared for. We are very fortunate to have found Always Best Care and would recommend them to anyone seeking care for their loved ones.”
“**Review for Always Best Care** I recently had the pleasure of working with Always Best Care, and I cannot express enough how impressed I am with their services. From the very first interaction, their team demonstrated professionalism, compassion, and a genuine commitment to providing exceptional care. The caregivers are not only highly skilled but also incredibly attentive and kind. They took the time to understand my loved one's needs and preferences, ensuring that every aspect of care was tailored to their comfort. The consistent communication from the management team kept us informed and reassured throughout the process. What stood out the most was the personalized approach they take. It’s clear that they truly care about their clients and work hard to create a positive and supportive environment. My loved one has thrived under their care, and I can’t thank Always Best Care enough for the peace of mind they’ve provided our family. I highly recommend Always Best Care to anyone in need of reliable and compassionate home care services. They truly live up to their name.”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care due to their compassionate and thorough approach. Manager Marisa and Supervisor Arlene are particularly dedicated to finding the ideal caregiver for your loved one.”
“Marisa Thompson is very genuine, compassionate, and a great leader of Always Best Care Senior Services Humble/Kingwood.”
“Excellent and professional services! No fear , love ones will be in the best care.”
“I’ve been working for the company for a few months now . This is by far the best company I have worked for here in Texas. They are very caring and attentive to their workers. They work with your schedule and allow you to be flexible. This doesn’t feel like a job but more of a career because of mostly how caring the managers treat their workers. I would recommend this company to anybody . I currently work for the location in Kingwood.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Levy Park in Houston, TX with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Mastro's Steakhouse or visit Sam Houston Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Houston, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Houston, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Houston, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
ShareOpen Extended ReactionsThe calendar has officially flipped to October as we transition to college football's midseason.At least one thing always remains constant, though -- the uniforms every week are still strong. Plenty of teams are bringing out fresh looks for Week 5, with all sorts of themes and inspirations being used. One of those teams? Houston, which is going outside of the school's traditional color palette for its threads this weekend against UCF.The Cougars traditionally play in red and white. This...
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The calendar has officially flipped to October as we transition to college football's midseason.
At least one thing always remains constant, though -- the uniforms every week are still strong. Plenty of teams are bringing out fresh looks for Week 5, with all sorts of themes and inspirations being used. One of those teams? Houston, which is going outside of the school's traditional color palette for its threads this weekend against UCF.
The Cougars traditionally play in red and white. This week, however, they'll add a new color to that mix: powder blue. Or, more specifically, "Houston Blue."
The lighter shade of blue has long been tied to the city's identity -- most notably being represented on the city's flag. The Houston Oilers played in the shade during the team's days in the NFL (1960 to 1997) as well. Now, the Cougars are repping the look -- and their home city -- in the Big 12.
?#BuiltByHouston x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/yH3HwGEoq0
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) September 30, 2026
Houston isn't the only team donning distinctive threads this weekend. Here are the top uniforms from around college football in Week 5.
Texas A&M is bringing out a set of specialty uniforms this week, with a particularly -- and ironically -- distinctive color scheme taking center stage: camouflage.
The Aggies' "Honor and Support" threads contrast the school's traditional maroon color on the numbers and lettering against a tan-and-green-shaded desert camouflage background. A special shoulder patch contains details that nod to the school's tradition -- the star and laurel leaf reference the school's Aggie Rings, while the patch's circular shape honors the wheels of the Spirit of '02 field gun famously fired at Kyle Field.
Game Five#GigEm | #BTHOarkansas pic.twitter.com/6oBuZVYc7i
— Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 29, 2026
It's a Commander-in-Chief's Trophy battle for Air Force in Week 5 with Navy coming to town, and the Falcons are bringing out a fresh set of threads for the occasion.
Air Force is going "stealth mode" for the game, with an alternate uniform inspired by the upcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber jets. The look features a sleek black-and-gray color palette, with a "B-21" tag on the front of the helmets and "POWER PROJECTION" on the nameplate in lieu of player names.
???????????????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ????????????????. NEW THREADS - Get your tickets: https://t.co/6wuwCd9pQY#FlyFightWin | @USAA pic.twitter.com/K44PTufECW
— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) September 29, 2026
A couple of details set Kentucky's Week 5 uniform apart from the Wildcats' usual white-and-blue look. The first is the helmet, which not only is gray but has received a chromic finish as well. Less visible is a unique decal on the jersey's sleeves -- an alternate design featuring a wildcat midroar.
No notes ???? pic.twitter.com/nY6B5VsXNr
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 29, 2026
Rutgers will face long odds on the gridiron when it plays No. 6 Indiana on Saturday night, but it'll take the field in style while going for the upset.
The Scarlet Knights are rocking an all-black look for the primetime tilt, with the team's eponymous bright red primary color popping on the numbers and logo against a blackout background.
???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ?? pic.twitter.com/79CtsmzZxL
— Rutgers Football ???? (@RFootball) September 28, 2026
Party like it's 2007, anyone?
Boise State is throwing it back this weekend with helmets featuring the school's 2007-era logo, a nod to the Broncos squad that famously won a trick-play-laden Fiesta Bowl that season. The throwback emblem features a traditional orange bronco outline looming above a bold font "BOISE STATE" wordmark.
????????????????????'???? ???? ???????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????? ????????????????.#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/DlgZ5mT123
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) September 30, 2026
Another squad rocking distinct threads for Week 5 is North Dakota State, which is going with a limited-edition "Code Green" set against Wyoming on Saturday.
The most notable detail in the uniforms comes on the numbers, where a silhouette of mountains is visible on the jersey's front, back and shoulders. The looming peaks are a nod to this fall being the Bison's first season in their new conference, the Mountain West, with the Wyoming game being North Dakota State's first-ever home Mountain West tilt.
Own the standard pic.twitter.com/tSSSgHPzUS
— NDSU Football (@NDSUfootball) September 29, 2026
The Houston Cougars look to extend their home winning streak against the UCF Knights.The No. 20 Houston Cougars are looking to bounce back in conference play this Saturday against the UCF Knights.Houston brings back its blue alternate uniform against the Knights as it hopes to make some noise in 2026. Another convincing win would be a great sign from this dangerous Cougar team.How to Watch Houston Vs. UCF• Who: No. 20 Houston Cougars 3-1 (0-1 in Big 12) vs. UCF Knights 3-1 (1-0 in Big 12)...
The Houston Cougars look to extend their home winning streak against the UCF Knights.
The No. 20 Houston Cougars are looking to bounce back in conference play this Saturday against the UCF Knights.
Houston brings back its blue alternate uniform against the Knights as it hopes to make some noise in 2026. Another convincing win would be a great sign from this dangerous Cougar team.
• Who: No. 20 Houston Cougars 3-1 (0-1 in Big 12) vs. UCF Knights 3-1 (1-0 in Big 12)• What: Week 5 of the regular season. • When: Saturday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. CT • Where: TDECU Stadium, Houston, Texas • TV/Streaming: ESPN2 • TV Announcers: Anish Shroff (Play-by-Play), Andre Ware, Houston legend (Analyst), Morgan Uber (Sideline) • Radio: KPRC 950 AM, The Varsity Network- “Search Houston”, SiriusXM: 138 or 199, and on the SiriusXM App • Radio Announcers: Kevin Eschenfelder (play-by-play), Ted Pardee (color), and Jeremy Branham (sideline reporter) • Last Season: Houston went 10-3 and beat LSU in the Texas Bowl for its first double-digit win season since 2021. Houston defeated UCF 30-27 in 2025. • Series History: Houston is just 4-8 against UCF all-time.
Scott Frost, UCF: Scott Frost is in just his second year with the Knights (in his second tenure). After going 13-0 in 2017, Frost returned to his alma mater, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Unfortunately, Frost was fired after a terrible tenure in which the blue-blood program was essentially driven into the ground, as he went just 16-31 and 10-26 in Big Ten Conference play - among the worst stretches in Husker history. The Knights then hired Frost again, and he went 5-7 in his first season. Frost and the Knights are 3-1 in 2026 thus far.
Willie Fritz, Houston: This is Willie Fritz's third season with Houston. He is 16-12 so far. Fritz has 34 years of coaching experience and a 263-132-1 record overall. He was hired from Tulane in Dec. 2023 and has turned the Cougars into legitimate Big 12 contenders.
Spread: Houston -11.5 (-455), UCF +11.5 (+350)
Over/Under: 50.5 ( O -50.5, U -50.5)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Houston has no major injuries, with two players out (kicker Evan Noel and linebacker Evan Castile) who are both near the bottom of the depth chart for the Cougars.
Other than those two, the Cougars have remained a very healthy team.
Expect the Knights to try to achieve a balanced offensive attack. The Knights have had the worst passing offense in the Big 12 and the second-worst in the Power Four, but with Houston having such a weak secondary thus far, the Knights would be silly not to try to exploit that weakness.
Plus, the running game of UCF has been decent. A huge stat to watch Saturday will also be the turnover margin. The Knights have forced 9 turnovers, massively helping what has been statistically not a great defense. If Conner Weigman and Houston can continue to do well at limiting turnovers, then UCF might not have much of a chance.
This game is a chance for the Cougars to truly prove themselves. Yes, the Cougars have impressed so far, but they still haven't beaten a Power Four opponent. It will be interesting to see how the Cougars do against a potential challenge in the Knights.
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The focus for organized widespread heavy rain has dissipated, but the tropical moisture remains in place. With the heating of the day we’ll get scattered heavy rain developing Saturday afternoon. There is also a chance of heavy rain moving along the coast Saturday night.Sunday’s forecast:Texans and Cowboys fans will have a rain free tailgate ahead of the noon kick-off. After the game is where isolated showers could pass through the Houston area. Rain chances are lower Sunday with the best chan...
The focus for organized widespread heavy rain has dissipated, but the tropical moisture remains in place. With the heating of the day we’ll get scattered heavy rain developing Saturday afternoon. There is also a chance of heavy rain moving along the coast Saturday night.
Texans and Cowboys fans will have a rain free tailgate ahead of the noon kick-off. After the game is where isolated showers could pass through the Houston area. Rain chances are lower Sunday with the best chance of getting storms along our coastal cities.
We’ve been teased with four cold fronts late summer into early fall. All of them have stalled to the north of Houston so far. But the one Monday into Tuesday looks like it is moving all the way through southeast Texas. It isn’t a strong front in regard to temperature, but it will bring low humidity, sunny skies and cool mornings in the 60s. We’ve been waiting a long summer for this.
Tracking the tropics:
The Atlantic basin remains remarkably quiet. The one thing I’m watching is the Bay of Campeche next weekend. There is a 40% chance the yellowish green cold becomes a tropical storm. It most likely won’t head in our direction but this is the area I’ve been concerned with all season long.
So far this hurricane season we’ve had eight tropical storms. We have not had a hurricane in the Atlantic basin. The latest first hurricane to form was Gustav and Humberto, which formed on September 11th. This means our 2026 hurricane season set a record for the latest hurricane to form.
Rain chances are with us through the weekend so having some alternative plans is a good idea. Check out next week’s winds. That northeast breeze is bringing dry air, low humidity and cool mornings.
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The event is celebrating 33 years and focuses on helping veterans seeking employment, housing, healthcare or a fresh start.HOUSTON – For veterans looking for a new job, housing assistance, healthcare or a fresh start, Houston Stand Down brought resources — and a message of hope — together Friday.The annual event, now in its 33rd year, connected veterans with organizations offering help with everything from VA benefits and housing to employment, education, healthcare and basic needs.Th...
HOUSTON – For veterans looking for a new job, housing assistance, healthcare or a fresh start, Houston Stand Down brought resources — and a message of hope — together Friday.
The annual event, now in its 33rd year, connected veterans with organizations offering help with everything from VA benefits and housing to employment, education, healthcare and basic needs.
The event was held at 170 Heights Boulevard in partnership with the City of Houston, Houston Veterans Affairs and Career Gear.
For Cheryl Angus, Houston Stand Down is personal. She was there for the very first event.
Since then, Angus has watched the event grow and has seen the impact of Houstonians coming together to support veterans, “It gives them a foot in the door to maybe a new life, a new step in what they are going through.”
Bringing resources together for veterans
The goal of Houston Stand Down is to make it easier for veterans to find help by putting multiple services and organizations in one place.
Veterans were able to connect with resources involving:
Joseph Carmody, who attended the event first time, was overwhelmed with the efficiency and services being provided to veterans, “It’s awesome because it gives you all the resources on one site.”
For others involved in the event, the day started long before veterans arrived.
Holly Walker said she and others had been there since early in the morning, ready to help, “We’ve been here since 7 a.m. and just giving out.”
A Houston tradition focused on veterans
Participating organizations included veteran-service groups, public agencies, healthcare providers, employers, education and workforce partners, nonprofits, volunteers and community supporters.
The event’s purpose remains straightforward: connect veterans with people and organizations that can help them take their next step.
Can’t make it to Houston Stand Down?
Veterans who were unable to attend can still seek assistance through Career Gear Houston, one of the driving forces behind the event.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.
The sun was setting fast during a Saturday visit to Camaraderie in Houston's Heights neighborhood. Several minutes after sitting down at our table, my wife and I had finally decided on the restaurant's prix fixe menu. Drinking was never a thought. And then I saw the "Mini Classics."Cocktails are expensive. Business owners can make the case of why they're priced the way they are, but they can't explain away the sticker shock. Camaraderie, however, has done something special: It's taken the traditional cocktail and shrunk it, ...
The sun was setting fast during a Saturday visit to Camaraderie in Houston's Heights neighborhood. Several minutes after sitting down at our table, my wife and I had finally decided on the restaurant's prix fixe menu. Drinking was never a thought. And then I saw the "Mini Classics."
Cocktails are expensive. Business owners can make the case of why they're priced the way they are, but they can't explain away the sticker shock. Camaraderie, however, has done something special: It's taken the traditional cocktail and shrunk it, both in volume and pricing. What eventually lands on the table is something that is simultaneously small, substantial, approachable and, more importantly, inviting.
Especially when each drink is just $10.
The Mini Classics have been a part of Camaraderie's menu since the restaurant opened in March 2025 at 608 W. 11th St. Owner and executive chef Shawn Gawle told Chron the cocktail format was part of the original idea for the restaurant.
"If I get a full cocktail, I'll probably drink it. I'll want something else and then think I had too much," Gawle said. "It's part of being in the 'full plate club.' Some people will finish no matter what. But if you do a smaller portion, you regulate. In my mind, I do a mini cocktail and I move onto [more] mini cocktails."
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The Mini Classics menu is rotational. When I visited, there were four drinks: a boulevardier, an old fashioned, a vesper and a sidecar. Each comes in about a 2.75 to 3-ounce glass. Gawle said they're all batch-made and frozen in one- to two-liter bottles and usually require one or two moves from the bartender to finish them for serving.
The individual cocktails are miniature facsimiles of their fuller sized and $16-priced siblings, but they don't feel small. Much like the individual prix fixe dishes, they demand you take your time with them. The boulevardier, a concoction of rye, vermouth and campari, was boozy with notes of sweet citrus. The vesper was bright and herbal. I found that I had one drink for every two dishes during the tasting.
The drinks are popular. One only had to look around the open dining room to see servers carrying tiny cocktails every so often to one table or another. Gawle said the Mini Classics compose 30 percent of total cocktails sold at the restaurant month to month, but most months they make up 50 percent sold. The vespers are typically the most popular.
Camaraderie's two-tiered approach butts against the larger problem facing operators nationwide. Fewer and fewer guests are wanting to spend upwards of $20 on a cocktail. In March, Restaurant Business Magazine reported on a Zappi survey that posted some disturbing numbers:
With that, Camaraderie's approach isn't just unique compared to other restaurants and bars around the city, it's also smart, said Jonathan Horowitz of Convive Hospitality Consulting.
"It's along the lines of wine flights with a few half-pours for variety," Horowitz said. "I bet they sell a bunch of them."
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Gawle said the minis fared much better than the larger-format cocktails they had pitched before opening Camaraderie. These were large vessels containing about four-to-six servings of a beverage for the table. The problem, as Gawle discovered, was that there were too many barriers to entry. The prices were around $80-120. And you had to get the whole table to buy into it, and not everyone may be on board with getting the same drink.
"From September 2025 to September 2026, we sold 13 sharable cocktails, so you can see why we ended up moving on," Gawle said.
The Mini Classics are also half off, along with regular cocktails and the tipple-free section, during happy hour.
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