Quickly becoming a destination for visitors seeking wellness-oriented breaks and escapes, north Houston’s City Place has further elevated its status as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with a newly completed trailhead to the Spring Creek Greenway, the longest, connected, urban forested corridor in the nation. Direct access to this premier natural asset – spanning approximately 40 miles, covering more than 12,000 acres of native flora and fauna, and serving as a beautiful backdrop for cyclists, hikers, equestrians, kayakers and bird watchers – enhances an amenity set rich in trails, greenspace, parks and mostly free fitness programming.

Guests of the sustainable and pedestrian-oriented community also enjoy three onsite hotels, flexible meeting and event space, a variety of dining, retail and entertainment options and a location in close proximity to a range of family-friendly attractions, ranging from Lake Conroe and Old Town Spring to central Houston’s numerous cultural offerings.

“City Place is perfectly situated to tap into its natural surroundings, while offering every urban convenience,” said Warren Wilson, Executive Vice President of CDC Houston, Inc., the community’s master developer. “We’ve worked diligently to find harmony in these two aspects, creating what we believe to be a wonderful crossroads well-suited for staycations, group travel, weddings and more.”

For cyclists, a number of nearby bike shops offer rentals for those ready to explore the Spring Creek Greenway and miles of trails at City Place with options including Biking Roots, ECO EZ-Riders and Sun and Ski Sports. Kayakers and canoers can immerse themselves in Spring Creek with rentals and guided tours available via Southwest Paddle Sports (advance reservations encouraged). And equestrians of all levels have the opportunity to experience scenic trail rides through the corridor by saddling up with Cypress Trails Equestrian Center.

Additionally, Harris County Precinct 4 hosts a number of complementary nature and adventure series along Spring Creek in close proximity to City Place. Each month, Trails as Parks naturalists lead a guided hike starting at Jones Park. Guided canoe sessions are showcased at parks serving Spring Creek several times a month, including Canoe the Creek, held every second Saturday morning at Jones Park, and Kayak the Creek on the first Thursday of the month at Dennis Johnston Park. The bi-monthly Friday Cart Tour gives nature lovers an up-close look at different sections of the greenway with Precinct 4 staff at the wheel.

City Place programming includes complimentary yoga and meditation classes each Saturday at 10 a.m. on the Plaza green. Popular HIIT workout group, Camp Gladiator, provides classes every Monday and Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Fit4Mom Stroller Barre brings together new mothers and on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Both Camp Gladiator and Fit4Mom Stroller Barre are free for the first session with memberships available for ongoing attendance.

For those looking to make a night or weekend of it, the AAA Four Diamond Houston City Place Marriott has launched a new bike valet program with complimentary overnight storage. In addition to a prime location directly on The Plaza, amenities include a heated pool overlooking City Place Park and locally inspired dishes and craft cocktails in a rustic setting. Fall rates start at $149 per room.

The nearby Residence Inn Houston Springwoods Village is showcasing its Snacks on Us package with rates starting at $129 and a $10 snacks credit perfect to stock up on trail mix. Get a healthy head start on the day at the Courtyard Houston Springwoods Village with the Room and Breakfast rate starting at $104 per night.

Resources available to plan your outdoor adventure in and around City Place include RunGo, AllTrails and TravelStoryGPS.

Celebrate Halloween at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion with a movie night under the stars Saturday, October 16 at 7 p.m. Families are encouraged to come in costume for a screening of Shrek on the venue’s large LED screens. Mezzanine and lawn seating are FREE. Tickets for GA orchestra seating are $10 each and include unlimited popcorn. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for the event sponsored by Woodforest National Bank.

Mozambik, a popular Portuguese-inspired South African restaurant with 24 locations in South Africa and Zambia, will soon make its US debut in The Woodlands and Houston. Restaurateur Ryan Stewart, a Johannesburg native and Houston resident since 2018, will open the concept’s first stateside location on Sept. 10 at 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr. Suite 304 at The Woodlands Mall. A second location will follow soon at 5085 Westheimer Rd. in the Houston Galleria.

Known for its peri peri chicken and Afro-Porto cuisine, Mozambik is one of South Africa’s fastest growing dining brands. Signature dishes include peri peri chicken, trinchado, espetadas and South African comfort food staples such as Sodwana Bay crab cakes, Malay curry and bobotie. New menu items will be introduced every six months, along with monthly specials. Drink offerings will include a wide selection of South African wines such as the country’s signature variety Pinotage and handcrafted cocktails like the R&R, a traditional rum drink known by South Africans as “Tipo Tinto”, and the Fikile, named after the longtime manager of Mozambik’s first location, which opened in 2005.

“Mozambique is a popular vacation destination for South Africans,” Stewart said. “The food is influenced by the Portuguese, and that combined with the local cuisine has become part of South Africa’s diverse cultural landscape. Mozambik is more than a restaurant -- it’s a destination and an immersive experience. We like to say it’s a ‘taste of escape’.”

Both Mozambik locations will take the place of Peli Peli, which will have its final day of service on Sept. 5 after 12 years in Houston. Stewart -- a co-owner of Mozambik since 2008 who moved to Houston in 2018 to assist the Peli Peli Restaurant Group -- will lead Mozambik’s US expansion as CEO alongside executive chef Macey Maples, a Houston native and former Peli Peli chef de cuisine.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Stewart introduced Mozambik’s signature recipes to the Peli Peli menu as the restaurant pivoted from fine dining to a more affordable price point. Peli Peli’s Woodlands location has been transformed with new design and bright color schemes. Peli Peli’s Galleria location will undergo similar renovations prior to Mozambik opening. Stewart and his partners plan to open additional Mozambik locations throughout Texas and the United States.

“We want to thank all of the guests who have supported Peli Peli through the years,” Stewart said. “We know there’s an appetite for great South African food in Houston, and we are very excited for the opportunity to bring Mozambik to the US.”

Women are invited to dedicate a day for themselves to gain wisdom, knowledge, and insight at the 2021 WISE Conference.

Set for Wednesday, September 29 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Parish Event Center located at 26777 Glen Loch Drive in The Woodlands, TX, the in-person conference is designed to enrich attendees for personal and professional development.

WISE (Women Inspiring and Supporting Entrepreneurs) was founded in 2012 by Kiki Koymarianos and Carol Gooch who shared a vision to inspire, support and educate women through educational and motivational seminars for professional and personal development.

The mission of the WISE, which is a 503© organization, is focused on fundraising for local non-profit organizations in the community, and empowering women with knowledge. The events bring businesswomen together to inspire, support and empower each other while giving back to those in need.

The WISE Conference is hosted by the Montgomery County Association of Business Women (MCABW) and Women on a Mission to Earn Commission (WOAMTEC). This year’s theme is “Empowering Women With Knowledge” and more than 300 guests are expected to attend.

The in-person conference will feature emcee Michelle Merher, a former FOX 26 news anchor and traffic reporter, who is now staying home with her three young children.

The keynote speaker is Melissa Wilson, the award-winning anchor for FOX 26 Morning News.

Breakout session speakers include:

• Certified financial planner Natallia Ornelas, who will present the topic “Sustaining and Maintaining Your Business Through a Pandemic or Other Major Disruption”

• Dr. Ashley Prince of Prince Health and Wellness will present “COVID Strong Health Strategies for Winning After a Pandemic”

Guest speakers include:

• Kristina Perez will discuss “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – Strategies for the Work Place”

• Mary Jo Rapini will discuss “The Practice of Self-Care Is Not an Option; It’s a Necessity”

As a new twist this year, ticket holders will also enjoy access to a weekly series of four informative virtual speakers four weeks before the event. The line-up of virtual speakers includes:

“Living Healthy during a Pandemic: The Hidden Danger of Toxins”
September 2 at 1 p.m.
Dr. Ashley Prince – Prince Health & Wellness

“Get Dressed and Go Out, or Jump Online”
September 9 from 10 – 11 a.m.
Heidi Furlong – Heidi Furlong Lasting Style, Independent Cabi Stylist

“Leading After the Pandemic: Holding on While Letting Go”
September 16 from 10 – 11 a.m.
Dr. Cecelia Martin – International speaker, best-selling author, leadership coach, educator, and mentor

“Networking Etiquette For In-Person and Virtual Events”
September 23 from 10 – 11 a.m.
Dawn Candy – I Promote You

For the past eight years, the WISE Conference has attracted women who are working in a corporate environment or with a non-profit, have a home-based business, looking to start their own business or transition into a new career, involved in community leadership, and/or simply like to learn, grow, and be inspired by other women in their community.

Participants at this year’s in-person conference will enjoy perusing informative vendor tables presented by for-profit and non-profit organizations. New to this year’s conference site, the vendors will be able to sell items.

The 2021 WISE Conference Charity of Choice is Angel Reach, a faith-based, nonprofit organization that helps children and youth from the foster care system to achieve their full potential despite the obstacles placed on them by broken families and a broken system. 

Proceeds from sponsorships and ticket sales will fund a $1,500 scholarship to a deserving woman with a desire to further her career through education, expand her business or start a new one, based upon her personal vision and community service. For information about applying by the deadline of August 28, 2021, visit the website at www.thewiseconference.com/scholarship or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“This year is expected to be our best ever,” said Dawn Candy, founder of I Promote You, WISE board member and event coordinator. “This will be a special day with informative topics and great networking opportunities to all women, no matter where they are in their life and career. We encourage women in our local community to be wise and attend this must-see conference!”

Individual tickets to the 2021 WISE Conference are $69 and include lunch. Sponsorships are available and range from $250 to $7,500. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.thewiseconference.com.