News/Events

Once upon a time, there was a popular community event that attracted hundreds of participants to enjoy a day in the sun, while raising money for charity. Then an unfortunate pandemic swept the globe, sending office workers home, shuttering retail stores and restaurants and making “social distancing,” “the new normal,” and “work from home” the new buzzwords. As the effects of the pandemic have subsided and more workers are returning to the office, Westchase District’s…..Read More

It was a windy, sunny fall day when Woodchase Park officially opened to the public before a large crowd of special guests, some of whom were instrumental in the park’s development. On October 28, 2021, Woodchase Park opened and Parks Programming Director Louis Jullien was feeling excited anticipation as he turned his focus to a massive community event only three days away. Jullien marveled over the task of distributing 20,000 pieces of candy to kids…..Read More

Pacha Nikkei Merges Two International Cuisines with New Restaurant What do you get when two great culinary traditions intersect? Serving Japanese and Peruvian fusion cuisine, Pacha Nikkei recently opened in Carillon Shopping Center next to Marble Slab Creamery. Chef-owner Masaru Fukuda curates and creates the recipes influenced by his Japanese-Peruvian ancestry. Fukuda's concept centers around Nikkei food which comes from Peruvian ingredients - tropical fish, quinoa, Amarillo peppers - molded by techniques perfected in Japan. Ceviche is…..Read More

Criminal activity and public safety issues never take time off. Neither does Assistant Police Chief Ban Tien with the Houston Police Department. Chief Tien recently gave a 3 a.m. media briefing in the rain for an incident involving a distraught man allegedly threatening suicide. The crisis escalated with gunfire between the man and a responding officer. It’s a dangerous reality that situations can develop at any time and as an HPD senior leader, Tien thrusts…..Read More

With 37 years in commercial real estate – 22 of them at Granite Properties – Sandy Benak has worn many hats during her career. From leasing professional to Senior Director of Corporate Marketing, she’s also served as an officer on the boards of several professional real estate organizations. “I transitioned from leasing to marketing in 2015,” said Benak. “At that time, the Houston portfolio was leased up and Dallas was going gangbusters. The Dallas office…..Read More

As summer draws to a close, Woodchase Park has made the season a magical time of year for kids and families. May through July marked the first summer since the opening of Woodchase Park, bringing a variety filled plethora of activities and new opportunities for summer fun in the park – seven days a week. Parks Programming Director Louis Jullien added dozens of events to the park’s regular offerings, even extending the daily hours when…..Read More

When HCC’s Jordan Carswell first heard about the Westchase District’s Community Garden, he knew it was a great opportunity for HCC and its West Houston Institute to become involved in the community. “The Community Garden fit in with goals that we were already working on,” said Carswell, the college’s director of innovation strategy. “Prior to the pandemic, there was interest in this kind of activity, but COVID zapped all that. This is a great opportunity…..Read More

Zafar Anvarov wanted soccer cleats and his own bicycle when he was a young boy. Anvarov eventually got both by earning money working in his dad’s restaurant at the age of 7. In 2005, Anvarov arrived in the U.S. from Tajikistan, a mountainous country in Central Asia that was once part of the Soviet Union. He came for college but needed to pay for his tuition. “My life was to work in restaurants while studying…..Read More

Open your favorite news app or read the local newspaper and you’ll see plenty of news about catalytic converter thefts. An off-duty Harris County Sheriff’s deputy was killed recently as he attempted to intercede when he discovered thieves removing the catalytic converter on his personal vehicle while he and his wife were grocery shopping. Many of these thieves are targeting vehicle fleets and cars parked in office building parking garages or overnight at area hotels.…..Read More

By hosting donation boxes, Westchase District-area businesses can help the Westchase District Community Fund's (WDCF) school supply drive, taking place during the month of July. Locations hosting a donation box for school supplies will help collect donations that the WDCF will distribute to West Houston Assistance Ministries to help families in need. The need for school supplies is always essential especially as retail prices have risen since last year. Requested supplies include: Backpacks (transparent or mesh) Colored…..Read More