Convenience Big Store: Want to try horseback riding? Pearland and Alvin have the perfect places to learn

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Why real Christmas trees are in demand

Virginia pine trees were planted in 2007 at Holiday Acres Christmas Tree Farm in Manvel as a decades-long effort to grow better Christmas trees in Texas.

The demand for the pine trees, however, has the Texas A&M Forest Service struggling to keep up.

"With COVID, people really got into wanting a real experience," said Fred Raley, tree improvement coordinator with the Texas A&M Forest Service. "It's been a challenge for us to keep up with the seed demand because there's such as high demand for live Christmas trees."

The demand for Virginia pine seedlings has soared from about 40,000 annually a few years ago to 150,000 now among the association's farms near Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, East Texas and West Texas that grow them.

Did you get a real Chistmas tree this year? Why or why not? How do you get rid of it after the holiday season is over?

Pooja Bhakta, Pearland reporter

pooja.bhakta@houstonchronicle.com

Education

Magnolia players take the field through their tunnel before their District 10-5A high school football game against Magnolia West held at Mustang Stadium Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in Magnolia, TX.

Photo by: Michael Wyke, Contributor

UIL releases conference cutoff numbers for next realignment.

Iowa Colony and Manvel among Houston-area schools moving up to 5A and 6A.

Growing Pearland

Southeastern fried chicken chain, Bojangles has announced it will expand to Texas with three new franchises including a stop in Houston.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Bojangles

P. Terry's, Bojangles and more fast food coming to the suburbs.

The new year brings new fast food options to the Houston suburbs, including another Chipotle in Pearland.

Need to Know

Tina Jackson pets Dolly, a horse pulling the trailer she rides in during day two of the Northeastern Trail Riders's six-day journey from Beaumont to Houston to kick off the Houston Rodeo on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023.

Photo by: Elizabeth Conley, Staff Photographer

Want to try horseback riding? Pearland and Alvin have the perfect places to learn.

These farms, equestrian centers and stables offer both long or short horseback rides in the Houston area, whether you're a beginner in the saddle or expert with the reins.

Openings and Closings

Power Fit Meals, located at 5517 Broadway, is a meal prep service curated through nutrition and accountability coaching. Pearland Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting from 10-10:30 a.m. on Jan. 11 at Power Fir Meals.