IMD Blog

Stories from our district — community voices, businesses, and the people shaping the International District.

Latest articles

My International District 4 min read

Groundbreaking HPD leader wants all officers to be role models

In spring 2021, Houston Police Department Chief Troy Finner promoted Commander Yasar Bashir to be one of his eight assistant chiefs. Bas…

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Community News 3 min read

Refugees grow & sell seasonal flowers to support non-profit projects

Plant It Forward Farms has long been known for selling weekly boxes of fresh and flavorful local produce farmed by refugees through its F…

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My International District 3 min read

Here comes a dazzling new community center for Alief

The long-awaited Alief Neighborhood Center is nearing completion, as a team of design professionals, construction workers and City of Hou…

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My International District 3 min read

Young Asian sausage makers set sights on Houston and the nation

Two hours before closing time, the pork and salted egg yolk sausages that Katy Truong and Steve Ong make on site were sold out for the da…

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My International District 3 min read

Shop warms customers’ hearts with freshly made pressed meats

A steady stream of customers flowed through the Duc Huong storefront one recent day between lunch and dinner time, picking out traditiona…

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My International District 7 min read

Immigrant artist’s passion for inclusion is uncontainable

Artist Matt Manalo has made his mark on the Alief community – literally – through his passion for art and inclusion. In 2019, he boug…

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Community News 4 min read

New Vietnamese cafe in Alief takes a road less traveled

When some Asian food businesses along Chinatown’s Bellaire Boulevard bloom into popular crowd-pleasers, they open a second or third sto…

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My International District 5 min read

Educator’s mission reflects his past hardships

Meet Kendrick Deon Thomas, assistant principal at Hicks Elementary School in the Alief Independent School District. The native of Shrevep…

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Alief ISD 4 min read

Center Bistro: Tasty fare for all, training for Alief ISD students

What’s for lunch? How about Beef Bourguignon — slow-roasted beef tenderloin in a demi-glace served with whipped potatoes, sautéed …

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Community 3 min read

Malaysian bubble tea chain’s first U.S. store arrives

It may be the Asian Year of the Tiger, but at Daboba bubble tea in the International Management District, you can come face-to-face with …

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Community 5 min read

School garden is grounds for learning, eating and an award

Youngblood Intermediate fifth and sixth graders dig in the dirt to harvest sugar snap peas and red beets they grow from seed. For the las…

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My International District 4 min read

A Hot Team comes to the rescue when residents spot a hot mess

Debris and trash can take a toll on quality of life and the spirit of a neighborhood. Wouldn’t it be great if there were someone you co…

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