Where do you go for holiday events, holiday celebrations and to get the perfect gift for everyone on your list? Pearland Town Center.

Sierra Vista residents love to hang out at the 100,000-square-foot open-air lifestyle center because there is so much to do.

Pearland Town Center boasts nearly 60 retail stores ranging from Dillard’s and Macy’s to Buc-ees and Bath & Body Works. Boutique shops like Buff City Soap and Beau Bazar share space with Chico’s and Rack Room Shoes.

Salons, barbershops, dentists and optometrists have hung out their shingles here. Neighbor’s provides emergency medical services. Pet parents can board their furry friends in style at Pet Suites. Got a gamer? Belong is a gaming arena offering the latest games, consoles and accessories as well as tournaments and viewing areas.

Shopping works up an appetite, of course. When you’re ready for a snack you can stop by Krispy Kreme, Dairy Queen or Kung Fu Tea. For sit-down meals, you can grab a burger at Red Robin, a beer at BJ’s or seafood at Fish City Grill. International dining includes Mongo, Shogun and Pei Wei. You can even pick up your holiday dinner at The Honey Baked Ham Company.

When it comes to the holidays, Pearland Town Center really knows how to deck the halls. The tree lighting ceremony from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, is an extravaganza featuring fireworks, a LED dance floor, LED swings and seesaws, reindeer and a visit from Santa. On Sunday, Nov. 28, from noon to 6 p.m., shoppers will be able to find unique gifts from local merchants at a fun-filled Holiday Market.

In addition to shops and restaurants, the mall boasts a Courtyard by Marriott, office space, a 25-acre lake and adjacent walking paths and parks.

There’s always something at Pearland Town Center, and if you make your home in Sierra Vista, you can shop there every day.

 

Tired of pumpkin spice and everything nice? So are we. Fall is bursting with flavors that have nothing to do with pumpkin. Apples, cinnamon and maple all remind us that the holidays are on the way. So, kick the pumpkin spice habit and explore these 10 fantastic flavors instead.

Apple

Is there anything more comforting on a chilly fall day than a glass of warm apple cider? Apples were once the quintessential fall flavor before the pumpkin interloper showed up. If your family went apple picking this year, use your finds to fry up delicious apple cider donuts, bake an apple pie and don’t forget the caramel apples.

Pecans

Pecans are an underrated fall flavor but anyone who brought a pecan pie to Thanksgiving dinner knows the value of these nuts. Start the morning with these tasty banana pecan pancakes. For a savory dish, pop them in the food processor and coat chicken breasts in them for pecan-crusted chicken. Celebrate fall in salad form with an apple, cranberry and pecan salad.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the secret ingredient in pumpkin spice lattes. Add it to anything sweet or savory. Our favorite is cinnamon rolls. If you’ve got some leftover sweet potatoes hanging around, use them in this yummy sweet potato cinnamon bread. Snickerdoodles are the ultimate cinnamon cookie. Pair them with apple and cinnamon infused bourbon.

Maple

Maple is for more than pancakes. The sweet treat can be used in combination with salty dishes like maple bacon, stirred into Old-fashioned cocktails or to dress up hot wings for the big game.

Sage

The smell of sage reminds us of Thanksgiving turkey, but the aromatic herb can be used to flavor just about anything. Sage takes this roasted pork with apples recipe up a notch. Enjoy butternut squash and sage soupon a rainy day. For holiday dinners, try this sweet potato and sage-butter casserole.

Salted Caramel

Admittedly, salted caramel is good all year round, but there is something special about sipping a salted caramel latte in the fall. You could wow your guests with these camembert-apple grilled cheese with salted caramel sandwiches. Give the gift they’ll keep on eating with salted caramel popcorn.

Chai

Before there was pumpkin spice there was chai, packed with clove, cinnamon, and cardamom. You can drink it as tea. Even better, you can add it to a range of baked goods, including banana chai bread, chai-spiced pound cake and chai spice monkey bread.

Cranberry

Think cranberries are just for juice? These colorful little berries can grace any dish. We like them in cranberry-apple hand pies, vodka cranberry punch and white chocolate cranberry cheesecake.

Ginger

Move over gingerbread cookies. As delicious as they are, there are many more delicious ways you can use this spectacular spice. Your family will gobble up this apple gingerbread cake. Need a beautiful centerpiece? You can’t go wrong with this cranberry orange trifle. Warm up the team after football practice with Indonesian ginger chicken.

Pear

It’s easy to forget that pears are a fall fruit. As an alternative to apple, they can’t be beat. Try poaching them for an elegant dessert. Dig into a pear ginger crumble. Bring orange glazed chicken with pears to your next shindig.

 

 

Davidson Homes, an Alabama-based builder operating across the southeastern U.S., will soon begin selling homes in the Sierra Vista community in Iowa Colony south of Houston.

The company, which plans to build homes starting in the $300,000s on an initial 61 lots at Sierra Vista, will unveil its new lineup of homes at a grand opening event on Sept. 11. Since entering the Houston market in April, Davidson has secured more than 550 lots across eight local communities.

Sierra Vista is a development of Land Tejas along the Texas 288 corridor, south of County Road 56, in the Alvin Independent School District.

 

 

Living in Sierra Vista confers many benefits. One we like addresses the needs of our college-bound residents — the Manvel High School dual degree program.

Sierra Vista is zoned to the highly regarded Alvin Independent School District and Manvel High School. The school is considered one of the top 50 standout high schools in the Houston area by Niche. While the school offers an assortment of AP and honors courses, it also offers students the opportunity to enroll in college classes at Alvin Community College. Students can even earn an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies.

Students enrolled in the program receive high school and college credit. Most of the classes are taught at Manvel High so there is no need for students to drive to the college. Students are also able to attend classes on the ACC campus.

There are opportunities for students not bound for college to earn dual credit, as well. A technical enrollment program offers highly specialized classes for students ready to enter the workforce. These classes won’t always transfer to state universities but can be applied toward an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Why sign up for dual enrollment? Dual enrollment classes save time, fulfill requirements for the Texas High School Distinguished Achievement Plan, transfer to most Texas public universities with a grade C or higher and they save money. In general, students that take dual enrollment courses can save up to 75 percent off the cost of their tuition.

Before enrolling in the program, parents and teens should consider if it is right for them. Taking dual enrollment classes requires students to be highly motivated, goal-oriented and detail-oriented. They also must understand that a college-level course may require more work and that these courses do become part of their permanent transcripts.

We are proud of all Sierra Vista students who are enrolled in the program and happy that living here can offer them opportunities to easily meet their education goals.

 

 

Sierra Vista has something for everyone — including a dog park for your furry Fido. Dog parks are great places to let your pup roam free and make friends. You might make a few, too. To get the most out of any dog park and to keep you from making a “faux-paw,” here are some tips.

There is an Etiquette

You wouldn’t work out in the gym without learning the rules, would you? Dog parks have written and unwritten rules. Written rules are usually posted on the gate or the park’s website. Unwritten rules include exercising your dog before going to the dog park to burn off excess energy, not bringing a sick or unvaccinated dog, not bringing human food and not giving treats to other dogs without their owners’ permission.

Bring Everything You Need

A park is just that, a park. It may have play equipment for your dog and even a watering station, but you will still need to bring a few things. Pack a bag and include a water dish, water in case you don’t want your dog sharing the water station, treats, toys and a towel if it rained the night before.

Pick a Side

Most dog park are divided into two sides — one for small dogs and one for medium and large dogs. Never unleash your dog on the wrong side, even if there are no dogs playing there. The potential for an accident or an altercation that could result in a smaller dog getting injured isn’t worth it.

Two Can Be a Crowd

If you have more than one dog, be aware that they may be protective of one another. This may not be a problem if your dogs are well socialized. It can be a problem if one of your dogs thinks the other is in danger. If that is the case, take your dogs to the park individually.

Yes, You Can Bring Toys

Bring balls and frisbees but not your dog’s favorite toys. He or she might not want to share. Bring extras so other dogs can join in the fun.

Don’t Worry if Fido Won’t Play

Some days your pup may not want to socialize. If it is your first time at the park your pup may be wary of the other dogs. That’s okay. Let them sniff the grass away from the others, chase butterflies or just have fun running off leash. If your dog suddenly stops playing, they may be saying they want to go home.

Supervise Your Pup

It’s tempting to just let your dog play while you do other things. Don’t. Make sure your dog is playing appropriately and is safe. If your pup poops, clean it up.

Dog Parks Should Be Fun

If your dogs enjoy the park, plan to take them at least once a week. It’s good for them and for you. Keep in mind that not all dogs enjoy it, so find another way to play if your pup prefers your backyard.