Happy Tuesday, Katy 🤠
It's shaping up to be one of those great Katy weekends — a Juneteenth celebration in Woodsland Park on Saturday, Father's Day on Sunday, and lots of other fun going on around Katy. If you've been waiting for an excuse to get the family out of the house, this should be a great time for it.
Now, in today's edition:
A big life-saving upgrade at Memorial Hermann Katy
Katy ISD students stand out on a global stage
A local restaurant that won’t let hurricanes or burst pipes stop it
35+ events and a packed weekend ahead
— Grant Hamilton
Community News
Memorial Hermann Katy Unlocks 24/7 Stroke Care
Big news for Katy stroke patients — and it could save a life close to home. Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital just announced it can now perform mechanical thrombectomy around the clock, 24/7. In plain terms: doctors can physically remove a large blood clot from the brain during a stroke without first transferring the patient to another hospital — and when it comes to strokes, those saved minutes are everything.
Here's what to know:
Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that pulls clots straight out of the brain, sharply reducing the risk of death and long-term disability from a stroke.
Until now, Katy patients needing it had to be transferred to another Memorial Hermann campus. They can now stay right here in town.
The hospital's very first thrombectomy patient, Jane Ellen Bialas, lost movement on her left side and began slurring her speech at home — and was walking independently just two days later.
"When someone is having a stroke, every minute counts," says Jerry Ashworth, CEO of Memorial Hermann Katy and Cypress hospitals.
Memorial Hermann Katy is a 303-bed, Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center and the only Level III Trauma Center in Katy.
Learn the warning signs with BE FAST — Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time. If you spot any of them, call 911 immediately. Every minute really does count.
A Message from Auvoria!
Forget Botox - Women Over 50 Use This Strange Trick to Look Younger
Experts say this Korean-formulated serum targets the #1 cause of wrinkles most creams ignore. Women over 50 report firmer-looking skin, smoother lines, and a more lifted appearance in weeks — which is why Costco shoppers are calling it a "facelift in a bottle."
Real quick: The Katy Dispatch is currently looking for local businesses that are interested in being featured in the newsletter. If you or someone you know might fit the bill, please reply to this email. We’d love to chat!
Good News
Four Katy ISD Teams Place Top 10 — In the World!
Some of the most creative kids on the planet go to school right here in Katy. Katy ISD students just brought home four Top-10 international finishes from the 2026 Destination Imagination Global Finals in Kansas City, holding their own against more than 600 teams from 11 countries.
If Destination Imagination is new to you, here's the basics: teams of students get handed an open-ended challenge in engineering, science, fine arts or service learning, then spend months designing, building and performing their solution. No script, no kit, no adult fixing it for them — the kids figure it out together. That's what makes finishing in the global Top 10 such a big deal.
Here's the rundown:
Morton Ranch High School's "The Nerd Herd" took 2nd in the world in the Improvisational – Casting Shadows category.
Three more Katy ISD teams landed in the global Top 10: Team DInoMite (Cinco Ranch, Beck, Katy and Taylor), Purple Popsicle (McMeans JH), and 6 Spirited Psychologists (Adams JH).
Team DInoMite earned an extra honor — leading the entire Texas delegation in the Parade of Nations, chosen from 133 Texas teams.
"Our students demonstrated outstanding creativity, perseverance and collaboration on the world stage," said district DI sponsor Kristi Sides.
Local Restaurant Spotlight 🍽️
A Fulshear Comeback Story
When Hurricane Harvey flooded Manny Atenco's little Katy café in 2017, most people would have walked away. He rebuilt instead. The Puebla, Mexico native — who grew up in the restaurant business — first opened La Balance Cafe Mexicana on Westheimer Parkway in 2013, lost that location to Harvey's floodwaters, and reopened in Fulshear in 2018 in the only spot he could afford. Then he weathered COVID and a burst-pipe flood, too. As Manny puts it, his business "is a roller coaster… but I like it." That’s the Katy spirit I love!
Here's what's happening at La Balance today:
After years as a French-leaning kitchen, Manny has leaned all the way into his roots and reinvented the menu as authentic Mexican — "Mexicana with a twist." His reasoning: "there is no authentic Mexican restaurant around Fulshear."
Everything is made from scratch and to order. Nothing is chopped, cracked or warmed until you order it.
The breakfast burritos remain the worst-kept secret in Fulshear, still served from the drive-thru that helped keep the place alive through the pandemic. The "Supreme Burrito" is the local favorite.
A new outdoor dining deck is open for larger gatherings, and the wine-tasting menus are back by reservation.
Find it at 8050 FM 359 South, across from the Post Office. Open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays).
P.S. Share this with the Fulshear friend who's been asking where to take their out-of-town family to brunch.
Events coming up this week:
This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!
🐣 Family Fun
Typhoon Texas Theme Days | Various dates in June | (Free with admission)
Location: Typhoon Texas
Description: A bunch of awesome theme dates and cool activities going on at Typhoon Texas in the month of June:
June 18th: Movie Night | Details
June 21st: Father’s Day (Dads get in free!) | Details
June 23rd: Mermaid Day | Details
June 24th: Faith and Family Night | Details
June 25th: World’s Largest Swimming Lesson | Details
June 26th: Foam-A Palooza | Details
June 26th: Family Slide Night | Details
June 27th: Rodeo H2O | Details
All Tuesdays in June are 2 for 1 | Details
ImagineNation Expo | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturday–Sunday, June 20–21 | Tickets
Location: Merrell Center
Description: The third annual expo rolls in with LEGO® zones, superhero and princess meet-and-greets, laser tag, face painting, bounce houses, Funko Pops, and themed foods. One ticket covers both days. Kids under 3 are free; family bundles available online.
Circus on the Square | 6:00–9:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 | (Free) Details
Location: Katy Historic Town Square, 904 Avenue C, Katy
Description: The City of Katy throws a circus-themed community night with music, performers, classic carnival games, food, and drinks. If you've got kids or you just like cotton candy, this is your Saturday evening.
Farm Life Summer Camp | Monday–Thursday, new session runs each week in June | Tickets
Location: ROSE Therapeutic Farm
Description: Hands-on farm learning and animal care for ages 5–13. The second of two week-long sessions. If your kid has ever asked to pet a goat, this is the place. They also have another session later in July, check the link above for more details.
🎸 Live Music & Entertainment
AEW: Dynamite & Collision | 5:30 PM (doors 4:30 PM), Wednesday, June 17 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: All Elite Wrestling brings a live televised doubleheader to Sugar Land – Dynamite and Collision back-to-back. If you've got a wrestling fan in the family, this is the one.
TJ Monterde & KZ Tandingan – "In Between" | 7:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: A night of OPM (Original Pilipino Music) hits from two of the Philippines' biggest stars. Their duet "Palagi" was named Billboard Philippines' #1 Song of 2024.
Fools & Misfits (Stand-Up Comedy) | 7:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 | Tickets
Location: Midway BBQ
Description: A lineup of Houston comedians taking the mic over barbecue. An evening with laughs and brisket-adjacent vibes is a great Katy night.
World Music Day featuring Moodafaruka | 7:30–9:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park at LaCenterra
Description: Houston-based Moodafaruka mixes flamenco, soul, pop and rock into one genre-bending live set. Pack a picnic blanket and call it date night.
Sesame Street Live! "Elmo's Got The Moves" | 6:00 PM, Thursday, June 25 | Tickets
Location: Smart Financial Centre, Sugar Land
Description: Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and the whole gang are bringing a singalong stage show to Sugar Land. A safe bet with little ones.
Mary Jane – The Tom Petty Experience | 7:30–9:00 PM, Friday, June 26 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park at LaCenterra
Description: A free Tom Petty tribute concert on a Friday night in Cinco Ranch. "American Girl" under the stars — not exactly a hard sell.
🏛️ Community & Culture
"Sip and See" at The Ballard House | 12:00–2:00 PM, Wednesday, June 17 | Tickets
Location: The Ballard House, 21421 Cinco Park Rd., Katy
Description: A patriotic-themed tea party and luncheon to benefit The Ballard House — a free, 40-suite hospitality home for patients and caregivers run by Cinco Charities. Grab three friends and a table.
International Day of Yoga Celebration | 8:00–10:00 AM, Friday, June 19 | (Free) Details
Location: Central Green Park at LaCenterra
Description: A special community yoga gathering marking the UN's International Day of Yoga – separate from the park's regular Friday Yoga on the Green. Roll out early, stretch it out, start your weekend right.
No Label Brewing 1st Street 5K Beer Run | 8:00 AM, Saturday, June 20 | Tickets
Location: No Label Brewing Co., Katy (Old Town Katy)
Description: A chip-timed 5K through Old Town Katy past the iconic rice towers, finishing at the brewery with a custom souvenir pint glass and four beer tastings for 21+ runners. Benefits the Rotaract Club of West Katy. Walkers and strollers welcome. Pre-race packet pickup available Friday June 19, 4–7 PM at the brewery.
Juneteenth Celebration (Katy Texas African American Heritage Society) | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 | (Free) Details
Location: Woodsland Park, 443 Danover Rd., Katy
Description: Live music, family activities, food trucks and local vendors honoring Juneteenth and the historic Danover community right here in Katy.
Juneteenth Celebration at Southland Bar & Grill | 4:00–9:00 PM, Saturday, June 20 | (Free) Details
Location: Southland Bar & Grill, 5990 Stockdick Rd., Katy
Description: Music, food and good company to mark Juneteenth into the evening — a nice second stop after Woodsland Park if you want to keep the day going. There will also be family-friendly activities, food trucks, local vendors, and a great community atmosphere. Free community event open to everyone.
🏃 Sports & Fitness
Space Cowboys vs. El Paso | 11:05 AM, Wednesday, June 24 | Tickets
Location: Constellation Field, Sugar Land
Description: Another home-stand series. Check the details link for specific theme nights and activities.
🔁 Recurring Weekly Events
Story Time with Ms. Najia | 10:00–11:00 AM, Third Monday Each Month, Next is July 20 | Details
No Label Brewing Co. | Daily Food Trucks | Monday - Thursday | Details
Fleet Feet Tuesday Run — Tuesdays, 6 PM | Details
Yoga on the Green | Wednesdays & Fridays, ~8 AM | Details
Bird Walk | Thursdays, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Details
Totally Toddler Time | Thursdays, 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM and 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM | Details
Adult Watercolor Art Club | Every Other Thursday, Next is June 25 | Details
Katy Garden Club | Second Thursday of Each Month, Next is July 9 | Details
Farmer Market on Grand Parkway | Saturdays, 8 AM - 12 PM | Details
A big shoutout to Barbara for bringing this one to our attention this week. Go check out her awesome stall at this market, Coco Belle Freeze Dried Dog Food and Treats, as well as Barbara’s Best Baked Goods for humans!
Farmers Market at The Dryer — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
Fulshear Farmers Market — Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM | Details
George Ranch Historical Park | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturdays | Tickets
Knotty and Nice Knitting Club | Every Wednesday 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Details
Pick-Up Ultimate Frisbee | Saturdays, 9:30-11:30 AM | Details
Farmers Market at LaCenterra — Sundays, 11 AM - 3 PM | Details
That's it for today!
Thanks for reading The Katy Dispatch this week! See you next Tuesday!
P.S. Want to get your business in front of 5k+ Katy locals? Email us at [email protected].