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 WashingtonontheBrazos State Historic Site in Navasota, 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 Navasota, 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.
“I have enjoyed Mabel immensely. Mabel is a wonderful caregiver to my husband Larry. We”
“Monique has been an exceptional care giver to Mr Cal! Very kind, compassionate and skilled!”
“I cannot praise Kathleen enough! My wife was in the hospital, the hospice service for”
“Kathleen is truly one of a kind. I personally experienced the care and support she”
“Kathleen is an “Angel” today my mom lost AC at 4:30pm in the Hot Houston”
“I found Always Best Care (ABC) after searching for in home care for my mother”
“Muy contenta con la compa��a ☺ y con el servicio que ofreceTangice Smith muy amable”
“Merle Ratliff is the best CNA I ever had she gave me a bed bath”
“Today while my mother was struggling with groceries, lady in scrubs helped her. She was”
“Cathy is a wealth of knowledge about what seniors in our area need and want!”
“We are very pleased with Latricia Powell and recommend her to other clients.”
“This has been the best and most enjoyable hiring experience. Easygoing and enjoyable experience. Looking forward to”
“Great place to work!”
“We have had an outstanding experience with All About Care. From the very beginning, the”
“I'm not typically one to leave a review but I was at my mom's senior”
“Working with Cathy Bruce is a treat! I have referred friends to her several times”
“I have referred friends to Cathy Bruce at Always Best Care Senior Services because I”
“I have been working with Always Best Care and Kathleen for sometime now. The lines”
“Always Best Care employees are truly caring and trustworthy. Definitely would refer them!!”
“Great company and great people. Cathy Bruce and her team love serving and adding value”
“Always Best Care gives exceptional care to their clients ! They are kind, caring ,”
“This organization is full of kind compassionate caregivers! If you want to trust your loved”
“A great company doing awesome work with our family!”
“Always Best Care is the best. They bring a level of compassion that is second”
“They are awesome they are professional and have great services. Cathy Bruce deserves a raise”
“Professional service, excellent caregiving, reliable and attentive to client's needs.”
“Bryan, he does an excellent job! I would strongly recommend him for other jobs and”
“Bryan has been taking care of me for several weeks and he is always courteous”
“We had such a great experience with Always Best Care Senior Services in our community.”
“Kathleen Craig, our care coordinator from Always Best Care, was exceptional for the months we”
“Always Best Care has been amazing for my mother. Kathleen is a wonderful director. She's”
“It is with immense pleasure that I commend Kathleen Craig, an exceptional Director at Always”
“Kathleen is wonderful to work with. She truly cares about her clients and their families.”
“Kathleen Craig and the team at Always Best Care are amazing to work for. Such”
“I appreciated the ability to get out of the house for a few hours.”
“I have enjoyed Mabel immensely. Mabel is a wonderful caregiver to my husband Larry. We have many laughs together. I trust her in every way possible. I love her and I know she loves Larry and I. She is a blessing to be in my home. Thank you.”
“Monique has been an exceptional care giver to Mr Cal! Very kind, compassionate and skilled! Would like her to be one of our care givers when her schedule matches ours!”
“I cannot praise Kathleen enough! My wife was in the hospital, the hospice service for my mother in law did not come through. I was frantically trying to find someone who could help assist me at 8 AM on a Sunday. She quickly contacted me and spent over an hour and a half taking care of her needs. She is truly an angel.”
“Kathleen is truly one of a kind. I personally experienced the care and support she provides, and I can honestly say her knowledge, compassion, and understanding go far beyond what you normally find. She took the time to listen, understand my needs, and make me feel comfortable and cared for every step of the way. What stood out most to me was how genuinely she cared. It never felt like I was just another client. Kathleen brings so much experience and knowledge to what she does, but it’s her heart and the way she treats people that really makes the difference. I’m incredibly grateful for the care she provided and would recommend Kathleen to anyone looking for someone who truly knows what they’re doing and, more importantly, genuinely cares about the people she serves. She is exceptional at what she does.”
“Kathleen is an “Angel” today my mom lost AC at 4:30pm in the Hot Houston area. Kathleen came over, got my mom and sister ready and took them to a hotel. Then met the AC repair man while he got it fixed. God is good!! Thank you Kathleen ❤”
“I found Always Best Care (ABC) after searching for in home care for my mother after a fall and hospitalization. I selected BAC based on their Google reviews. The initial setup was quick and easy. Cathy Bruce (An absolutely unparalleled Senior Advocate) came to our home, interviewed me and my mother for over an hour to understand our needs and schedule, and set up the caregivers. The caregivers were on time and developed a rapport with my mother. The care provided was excellent and my mother developed a great rapport with her caregiver. Unfortunately, my mother's condition continued to deteriorate. After a hospital stay, the hospital wanted to deny my mother's post hospital rehab stay. I was in panic mode, trying to find somewhere for my mother to stay while I prepped her move into my home. While I was absolutely speeding towards Houston, Cathy Bruce was on the phone, helping me find alternatives. She went the extra mile in a way difficult to describe. Later, after the rehab stay, Cathy also helped me find an assisted living facility for a respite stay until I had modified the new home for my mother's mobility needs. Now I've moved my mother to my home, and have set up ABC in the new city. No surprise, the caregiver they sent here was also excellent. This company is miles ahead of their competitors, and Cathy Bruce is a rockstar. Ten out of five stars. Use ABC Woodlands. If you're in over your head, if it's your first time having to be a senior caregiver, they'll help. Be sure to ask for Cathy.”
“Muy contenta con la compa��a ☺ y con el servicio que ofreceTangice Smith muy amable muy servicial y profesional todo, resuelve dudas y ayuda”
“Merle Ratliff is the best CNA I ever had she gave me a bed bath Best I ever had”
“Today while my mother was struggling with groceries, lady in scrubs helped her. She was so caring, and patient. Wish others were like her. Thank you LaTricia Powell”
“Cathy is a wealth of knowledge about what seniors in our area need and want! She always takes the time to work through my questions. She truly believes that "old people are cool!"”
“We are very pleased with Latricia Powell and recommend her to other clients.”
“This has been the best and most enjoyable hiring experience. Easygoing and enjoyable experience. Looking forward to working with Always Best Care.”
“Great place to work!”
“We have had an outstanding experience with All About Care. From the very beginning, the agency has been responsive, professional, and truly compassionate. A special thank you to Kathleen Craig, who has been wonderful to work with—she is incredibly knowledgeable, a great source of information, and always attentive and supportive. She has been quick to respond to any questions or needs, which has made this process so much easier. Our caregiver, Tiara, has been exceptional. From day one, Tiara has been professional, experienced, and fully dedicated to her work. She is never on her phone and remains focused and attentive the entire time she is here. Always on time, never misses a day! My husband is bedridden and requires consistent care, and Tiara goes above and beyond during every shift. Even though she works 5-hour shifts, Tiara is always engaged, anticipating his needs and making sure he is comfortable at all times. What truly sets Tiara apart is the joy she brings into our home. Tiara not only provides excellent care, but also lifts both my husband’s spirits and mine. She has even taken the time to teach me helpful tips and share ideas that have made a meaningful difference in our daily routine, which I truly appreciate. I am incredibly grateful to All About Care, Kathleen Craig, and especially Tiara for their compassion, professionalism, and dedication. I would highly recommend this agency to anyone looking for dependable, high-quality caregiving support. I love Always Best Care and their high standards. There’s no agency in the Houston area that can compete. ♥”
“I'm not typically one to leave a review but I was at my mom's senior living home and there were several people in the lobby for some event that was going on. One of the ladies walked over to talk to us and see how our day was. Her name is Cathy Bruce, and she was just so nice. She sat down with us and we had a great conversation. She explained it was a networking event going on but she was more interested in how my mom was. She gave me her card and said if I ever wanted to just talk, to give her a call since I recently lost my husband. It was refreshing to have a complete stranger care and basically live it out loud. I haven't reached out yet but I wanted her to know how much I appreciate her sitting with my mom and I for a little bit. It meant the world to us.”
“Working with Cathy Bruce is a treat! I have referred friends to her several times and she has always been the most helpful placing their loved ones in great care!”
“I have referred friends to Cathy Bruce at Always Best Care Senior Services because I know she will go above and beyond to help them. She is very educated in insurance coverage and will help you find care for your senior loved ones, whether needed at home or finding a facility. She cares deeply about her clients. I would highly recommend you give Always Best Care Senior Services a call!!!”
“I have been working with Always Best Care and Kathleen for sometime now. The lines of communication are wonderful and their services are great. They have successfully helped me and my family taking care of our loved ones without worry.”
“Always Best Care employees are truly caring and trustworthy. Definitely would refer them!!”
“Great company and great people. Cathy Bruce and her team love serving and adding value to our elders.”
“Always Best Care gives exceptional care to their clients ! They are kind, caring , and professional !!”
“This organization is full of kind compassionate caregivers! If you want to trust your loved ones with the best care speak to Kelly Britton or Cathy Bruce they are amazing!”
“A great company doing awesome work with our family!”
“Always Best Care is the best. They bring a level of compassion that is second to none! ALWAYS!!”
“They are awesome they are professional and have great services. Cathy Bruce deserves a raise she’s awesome”
“Professional service, excellent caregiving, reliable and attentive to client's needs.”
“Bryan, he does an excellent job! I would strongly recommend him for other jobs and if we ever need someone again. I would strongly like to have him. Yours truly, Earl JOHN.”
“Bryan has been taking care of me for several weeks and he is always courteous and attentive to my needs! I think he was a great choice for your company as a health professional.”
“We had such a great experience with Always Best Care Senior Services in our community. Kathleen is a wealth of knowledge and has such a heart for what she does. She was full of smiles and so patient with our residents. It was really special to have her in the community. I look forward to partnering together in the future.”
“Kathleen Craig, our care coordinator from Always Best Care, was exceptional for the months we used the agency’s services. She was able to accurately assess our home care needs during our first encounter and was always accessible by text/phone to make any needed adjustments to the schedule as our needs changed. This was a HUGE relief during an especially challenging time for us. Kathleen understood our criteria for caregivers (skills for dementia care) and was attentive to identifying the best providers. Kathleen even stepped in to cover a shift at a different location (during a hospitalization of my loved one) and offered useful strategies to make care more effective. Thank you, Kathleen for your compassion, creativity , accessibility and Care (with a capital C!).”
“Always Best Care has been amazing for my mother. Kathleen is a wonderful director. She's so kind and clearly cares about her clients, and she's always on the ball. She's communicative, available, anticipates problems (like making sure my mom had last-minute overnight care during a winter storm), and has resolved any issues immediately. Best of all, she paired my mother with her caregiver Evelyn, who has been an absolute godsend and a perfect match. Evelyn cares for my mother like her own family, and treats her with such care and respect. I never thought I could feel this safe and at ease with someone other than me taking care of my mom, but the Always Best team has done it! I'll simply never be able to thank you all enough.”
“It is with immense pleasure that I commend Kathleen Craig, an exceptional Director at Always Best Care. Kathleen consistently exemplifies outstanding professionalism and leadership within her role. She possesses a remarkable ability to proactively engage with and effectively resolve diverse challenges, demonstrating a keen dedication to finding practical and comprehensive solutions. Furthermore, Kathleen consistently approaches all interactions with profound empathy and respect, ensuring that individual perspectives and concerns are acknowledged and addressed with the utmost consideration. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and understanding environment is truly invaluable.”
“Kathleen is wonderful to work with. She truly cares about her clients and their families.”
“Kathleen Craig and the team at Always Best Care are amazing to work for. Such an involved team who knows how to communicate and works hard to make everyone including their employees happy. They are flexible understanding amazing ladies who work hard and strive for better. It was such a great experience working for them and being a part of this awesome team.”
“I appreciated the ability to get out of the house for a few hours.”
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 Hillside Park in Navasota, 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 Rail Rye or visit Barrington Living History Farm State Historic Site, 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 Navasota, 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 Navasota, 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 Navasota, 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.
NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) - A new wine bar has opened in downtown Navasota, offering wine, beer, full cocktail service, appetizers and live music on weekends.Portofino, located in downtown Navasota, is connected to Damiano’s Cucina Italiana by a shared garden space, allowing guests to move between the two venues.The menu features Italian-inspired small bites, including a charcuterie board with prosciutto, salami, fruit, ciabatta toast and burrata. Additional offerings include steak tartare and tuna tartare. Manager Laurie Ta...
NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) - A new wine bar has opened in downtown Navasota, offering wine, beer, full cocktail service, appetizers and live music on weekends.
Portofino, located in downtown Navasota, is connected to Damiano’s Cucina Italiana by a shared garden space, allowing guests to move between the two venues.
The menu features Italian-inspired small bites, including a charcuterie board with prosciutto, salami, fruit, ciabatta toast and burrata. Additional offerings include steak tartare and tuna tartare. Manager Laurie Tayce said all ingredients are sourced fresh.
“Everything is from Italy,” Tayce said. “All of our products are fresh. We buy only the freshest Italian ingredients we can find.”
Tayce said the recipes were developed by Portofino owner Blake Zeitman, who has traveled extensively throughout Italy.
“These are a lot of recipes that he’s found,” she said. “They’re all from his palate.”
Tayce said the charcuterie board is among the top sellers.
“Everybody loves to snack,” she said. “We have fresh almonds, figs, all kinds of fresh fruit that people can come in and eat.”
Portofino is open Fridays from 3 p.m. to midnight and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight. The bar features a deck, large-screen TV and live music on weekends.
Tayce said the goal is to give residents and visitors from surrounding areas a reason to spend several hours downtown.
“We wanted a destination place for people in Navasota and surrounding areas to come out and spend three or four hours with us,” she said. “We have the garden in between so people can hop from one place to the other and visit with friends.”
Tayce added that Portofino is part of a broader effort to make downtown Navasota a dining and entertainment destination.
“There are a lot of great restaurants down here and we want to bring people in,” she said.
NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) - Historic Downtown Navasota is getting ready to turn red, white, and blue again as the city gears up for its seventh annual Freedom Festival. A full-day Fourth of July celebration featuring a parade, carnival rides, live music, and a new drone light show before the traditional fireworks finale.“We are gearing up for our seventh annual Freedom Festival here in Navasota and celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” said Taylor Hughes, the city’s marketing and communications director....
NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) - Historic Downtown Navasota is getting ready to turn red, white, and blue again as the city gears up for its seventh annual Freedom Festival. A full-day Fourth of July celebration featuring a parade, carnival rides, live music, and a new drone light show before the traditional fireworks finale.
“We are gearing up for our seventh annual Freedom Festival here in Navasota and celebrating America’s 250th birthday,” said Taylor Hughes, the city’s marketing and communications director.
City crews and volunteers have been in “full festival mode prep,” with carnival staples like a Ferris wheel and carousel set to arrive alongside kids’ activities and a packed entertainment schedule at City Hall, Hughes said. The newest addition this year is the America250 drone light show, expected to begin around 9:15 p.m. after the live music. Fireworks will follow immediately.
The day starts with the Freedom Festival Parade at 11 a.m. in historic downtown. Festival activities at City Hall begin at noon, followed by live music throughout the afternoon and evening, including a 5:30 p.m. set from ’90s country cover band All Hat No Cadillac and a 7:30 p.m. performance by Last Child, an Aerosmith tribute band.
Organizers say the event is free to attend, with free activities across the festival grounds. Food and beverage vendors will be on site, along with a merchandise booth selling America250 items.
Parking is available throughout downtown, and Hughes said City Hall is within walking distance from almost everywhere, but visitors should plan to arrive early.
“We do recommend arriving early, spending the day with us, and just having fun,” she said.
As the city prepares for the crowds, one local business is helping behind the scenes.
Ericksol Barrios, owner of Macver Integral Cleaning Services LLC, said his team has spent days power-washing sidewalks and the City Hall entrance — and he said they’re doing it as volunteers.
“No, we’re volunteering all the time in our equipment,” Barrios said. “We try to give back to the community as much as possible.”
Barrios estimated about 32 hours of work since last Wednesday, including multiple areas around town, with a focus on keeping public spaces clean for families and kids.
“A lot of times we do it quietly, we don’t really advertise it,” he said. “Keeping areas clean and stuff for the kids — that’s our goal.”
For Hughes, the biggest payoff comes when the event grounds fill up.
“I am really looking forward to this whole lawn and area just being full of people,” she said. “Seeing all the smiling faces and families just enjoying Navasota and enjoying the day.”
Organizers encourage festivalgoers to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the shows and to prepare for the heat with sunscreen and water. Free iced water stations will be available throughout the festival grounds.
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) - Down a winding road in Iola, past oak trees and trumpet vines, sits a small, weathered building surrounded by overgrown weeds. It doesn’t look like much, but this aging structure, a water intake and pump station on the banks of the Navasota River, is now owned by a company connected to Elon Musk, and it sits at the center of growing questions about water in Grimes County.KBTX went out to Roese Road to get a closer look and to hear from the woman who has lived next door to it for nearly 30 years....
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) - Down a winding road in Iola, past oak trees and trumpet vines, sits a small, weathered building surrounded by overgrown weeds. It doesn’t look like much, but this aging structure, a water intake and pump station on the banks of the Navasota River, is now owned by a company connected to Elon Musk, and it sits at the center of growing questions about water in Grimes County.
KBTX went out to Roese Road to get a closer look and to hear from the woman who has lived next door to it for nearly 30 years.
The pump station sits on a three-acre parcel just off the Navasota River in Iola. Right next to it, WIT TECH LLC, a shell company connected to Elon Musk, also purchased a one-acre parcel consisting of the river itself, including what appears to be a low dam. The deed explicitly references river pumps.
State records show this pump station is capable of drawing up to 11,000 gallons of water per minute directly from the Navasota River and piping it into Gibbons Creek Reservoir, the same reservoir that sits at the heart of the proposed SpaceX Terafab site.
The pump station was operated by the Texas Municipal Power Agency, TMPA, to cool the Gibbons Creek coal-fired power plant. When reservoir levels dropped, these pumps drew water straight from the Navasota River and piped it to Gibbons Creek. The coal plant has since been demolished. The pumps have sat largely idle ever since.
Susan Bench has lived along the Navasota River in Iola since 1996. Her property sits directly next to the pump station, and she has watched it operate through decades of change.
“TMPA was a good neighbor,” Susan told KBTX. “They fixed our road when no one else would. They had to come down this road, down to the pump, down to the intake, because they had to measure the water. It had to stay a certain height.”
Susan says she found out WIT TECH had purchased the property the same way most people did, when KBTX first reported it last month. She says she isn’t alarmed.
“They’re not taking your tap water,” she said. “This is coming out of the river.”
And to those in Grimes County who are worried about what a massive facility like Terafab could mean for the area’s water supply, Susan has a simple message.
“Nobody has to panic. They’re not taking any water that TMPA didn’t take for however long TMPA was here.”
KBTX reached out to both the Brazos River Authority and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to find out who currently holds the legal right to pump water from that station.
The answers were clear.
The Brazos River Authority confirmed to KBTX that no active water contract has existed for that property since 2019, when the previous owner canceled their agreement.
State records reviewed by KBTX show WIT TECH LLC holds no water rights permit with TCEQ to pump from the Navasota River.
TCEQ told KBTX in an email that a water right is required, no exceptions, before any water can legally be diverted from the Navasota River. The Navasota River falls under the jurisdiction of the Brazos Watermaster program, which allocates water between permitted users and ensures compliance with water rights.
In other words, the infrastructure is secured. But the legal right to use it does not yet exist.
State records, including TCEQ’s Certificate of Adjudication 12-5307, originally issued to TMPA, show that whoever eventually holds the water rights for this pump station will be subject to strict conditions:
TCEQ also confirmed that before any new water right is granted, the agency must find that sufficient water is available in the river and that existing water rights and the environment will not be adversely affected.
While questions about the pump station remain unanswered, WIT TECH continues to expand its footprint in Grimes County. Since KBTX’s first report in June, the company has added at least two more parcels — including a 92.3-acre agricultural tract in the Gibbons Creek area — bringing its total land holdings to at least eight parcels and more than 3,300 acres.
All parcels list the same mailing address: 1450 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California — the headquarters of X-AI, one of Elon Musk’s ventures.
| Property ID | Location | Size | Assessed Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| R76980 | FM244, Iola, TX 77861 | 248.59 AC | $2,153,330 |
| R63073 | 8733 Timberwolf Trl, Anderson, TX 77830 | 1,694.17 AC | $781,880 |
| R68015 | 30.620202, -96.013058 | 414.88 AC | $99,500 |
| R16092 | 30.6520394, -96.1664714 | 1.24 AC | $33,440 |
| R79595 | Split from R19706 | 433.79 AC | $32,260 |
| R16093 | Roese Rd, Iola, TX 77861 | 3.83 AC | $116,050 |
| R20058 | 30.60650, -96.03475 | 422.86 AC | $25,380 |
| R11036 | Gibbons Creek Area, Grimes County | 92.3 AC | $14,310 |
| TOTAL | 3,311.66 AC | $3,256,150 |
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