The Griffin House at the Tomball Depot · Photo by pinemikey, CC BY-SA 2.0

INSIDE TOMBALL

The good-news letter for Tomball, Texas · Issue #1

Well, hello, Tomball — and welcome.

This is the first regular issue of Inside Tomball, a free, good-news-only letter for our town. Every week we round up what’s happening around Tomball — local news worth knowing, events worth leaving the house for, a hometown business in the spotlight, and the best local deals — and land it in your inbox. No crime blotter, no bad-news drumbeat. Just Tomball, on its good side.

We’re the sister letter to Inside The Woodlands, and we’re published by Mpac Media Group right here in the Spring–Tomball area. The list is small today — you’re one of our very first readers — and it grows one neighbor at a time. If you like what you see, forward this to a friend and tell them to jump in.

Let’s get to it.

— Vern

Tuesday’s votes are counted (unofficial until canvassed), and Tomball’s school board has a new face:

Tomball ISD, Position 1: Lacey Derrington won the seat, defeating appointed incumbent Patrick Beecher — carrying the Montgomery County portion about 70–30 and leading in Harris County returns as well. Position 2: Michael Pratt and Position 4: Mark Lewandowski were re-elected unopposed. Position 3 is honestly too close to call from the published county splits — Joseph Ferguson took the Montgomery County portion by just 68 votes, while incumbent John McStravick led the early Harris County returns, and most district voters live on the Harris side. We’ll print the certified winner when the combined totals are official.

Around the counties: Harris County voters chose Letitia Plummer as the next County Judge (about 61–39 over Orlando Sanchez; she succeeds Lina Hidalgo). State Rep. Tom Oliverson (District 130, the Harris side of Tomball) and State Rep. Will Metcalf (District 16, the Montgomery side) were both re-elected, Brett Ligon won the full term in State Senate District 4, and Montgomery County Commissioner Charlie Riley (Precinct 2) was re-elected unopposed. Statewide, voters sent James Talarico to the U.S. Senate and Gina Hinojosa to the Governor’s office — both called by the Associated Press.

And a calendar note for newcomers: Tomball’s own city council elections are held in May, so there was no city race on this ballot.

Call them at (281) 351-1749 · See their listing on Tomball 411

Every issue, we put one Tomball business in the spotlight — and Issue #1 goes to a genuine hometown institution. Goodson’s Cafe on Tomball Parkway is famous well beyond Tomball for its chicken-fried steak and home cooking, served the way it has been for decades. If you’ve never been, Issue #1 is your excuse.

Depot Day Fall Fest — this Saturday. The city’s annual fall festival takes over the Tomball Depot Plaza (201 S. Elm St.) Saturday, November 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Model railroad displays for National Model Railroad Month, the Depot Museum open, trackless train rides, live music, food vendors, and kids’ activities. Admission and parking are free.

Tomball Farmers Market — every Saturday. The certified producer-only market sets up in Old Town at 205 W. Main St., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, with 70+ local vendors — everything grown or made within about 180 miles of Tomball.

Movie night under the stars — November 14. The city’s last 2nd Saturday Movie Night of the year shows How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Depot Plaza: games and a Grinch meet-and-greet from 5 p.m., movie at 6. Free admission and free popcorn.

Library Family Movie Night — November 19. The Lone Star College–Tomball Community Library (30555 Tomball Pkwy) shows Fantastic Mr. Fox (PG), 4–6 p.m., with snacks. Advance registration is required — space is limited.

Save the date — the Holiday Parade, November 21. The 61st annual Tomball Holiday Parade rolls down Main Street at 10 a.m., “Two Miles of Smiles,” this year themed “250 Years — Main Street Americana.”

New in town: Copan Coffee Lab has opened at 716 S. Persimmon St. — a mobile café from local roaster Copan Coffee Roasters, serving Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Welcome to Tomball.

Cook Up a Cranberry Treat

Apple and pumpkin get most of the fall glory, but cranberry can make a big statement too. Mixed with white chocolate and walnuts, these bars are sweet, tart, and just a little bit festive — perfect for the season or an early holiday bake.

Cranberry Bars — recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”:
1 box white or yellow cake mix · 2 eggs · 1 stick melted butter · 1½ cups dried cranberries · 1½ cups chopped walnuts · 2 cups chopped white chocolate chips, divided

Heat oven to 350°F. Mix the cake mix, eggs, butter, cranberries, walnuts, and 1 cup of the white chocolate chips. Spread into a 7-by-11-inch baking dish and bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool, then melt the remaining white chocolate chips and drizzle over the bars.

Recipe via Family Features · Source: Culinary.net

Getting Your Wood-Burning Fireplace Ready for Winter

As cold temperatures creep in, cozy evenings in front of a crackling fireplace sound better and better. Before the first fire of the season, walk through these steps so it heats cleanly, safely, and efficiently:

Clear out old ash and debris. Clean out last season’s leftovers, but leave about a 1-inch layer of ash at the bottom of the firebox — it insulates and makes wood easier to light.

Schedule professional maintenance. A chimney sweep can remove buildup and spot ventilation issues or masonry cracks. The National Fire Protection Association recommends an inspection once a year, with cleaning as needed.

Consider efficiency upgrades. Glass doors, a new damper, or a high-efficiency insert can cut heat loss; a chimney cap and waterproof sealant on the bricks (about every five years) protect against moisture damage.

Burn the right wood. Stock seasoned hardwood dried 6–12 months, stored dry and away from the house. Skip painted or treated lumber, wet wood, and household trash — they smoke and pollute.

Use safe equipment. A sturdy screen for sparks, plus a good poker, tongs, shovel, and brush, keep fires under control and cleanup easy.

Via Feature Impact · Source: eLivingtoday.com · Photo courtesy of Unsplash

That’s Issue #1, Tomball. Thanks for being here at the very start — tell a neighbor, and we’ll see you next week.