YOUR LETTER FROM CYPRESS, TEXAS
Cypress Digest
Local news. Good neighbors. Your weekend.
FRIDAY · NOVEMBER 13, 2026 / THE WEEKEND EDITION
A NOTE FROM ASHLYN
Happy Friday, Cypress! 🌲
Friday the 13th? We won’t mention it if you won’t. 🫢 We’ve got playoff football tonight, barbecue on Mueschke and a little Nutcracker magic on Sunday.
Inside: a new CFISD tax rate, next year’s school calendar and the state band results we were waiting on Tuesday. Plus, a few free ways to get the family out of the house tomorrow.
Have a wonderful weekend, Cypress!
Cheers! - Ashlyn 🌲💚
P.S. Peep the new layout. 👀 We clean up pretty nicely, huh? Let us know what you think!
Dark-mode readers: sorry about the mood lighting. Your inbox has its own decorating opinions.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH · LIFE TIME CYPRESS
Movie nights, Paint + Sip—and a new local partner.
We’ve got some news to share: Life Time Cypress is officially a Cypress Digest partner! We’re teaming up to help more neighbors discover the events and experiences happening at the club at 9922 Fry Road.
Think Havana Nights, Caffeine & Chill and holiday programming, with a movie night and Family Paint + Sip planned for December. Alongside the group fitness, pickleball, pools and kids’ spaces, there’s a social calendar you might not have on your radar.
We’ll help you keep up with what’s coming. Watch upcoming issues for event dates, registration links and who each event is open to—whether you’re already a member or curious about the club.
01 / FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY
The Weekend Planner
LOCAL PARTNER UPDATE · LIQUORI’S LIGHTING
Cypress, y’all showed up. 💚
Liquori’s Lighting is booked for Christmas! Thanks to our readers and followers for helping fill his calendar.
Permanent-lighting consultations are still available. Mention Cypress Digest for $100 off permanent lighting.
FRIDAY · NOV. 13 · 7 P.M.
Playoff football starts here
Five CFISD teams take the field tonight. Bridgeland hosts Vandegrift at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium; Cy Falls hosts Magnolia at Pridgeon. Cy Woods plays Klein at Klein Memorial, Langham Creek faces Tomball at Tomball ISD Stadium, and Cy Ranch meets Hutto at Tigerland Stadium in College Station. All five kick off at 7 p.m. → Matchups & tickets
FRIDAY & SATURDAY · NOV. 13–14
A little Broadway at Cy-Fair
Cy-Fair Theatre presents Chicago: Teen Edition at 7 p.m. both nights in the high school auditorium. → Show details
FRIDAY & SATURDAY · NOV. 13–14
The Cy-Fair BBQ Cook-Off is back
The 37th annual Houston Metro Go Texan Cy-Fair BBQ Cook-Off is open to the public at Frio Grill & The Barn, 16410 Mueschke Road. The organizer lists the event from 10 a.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Saturday; check the schedule before heading over. → Cook-off details
SATURDAY · NOV. 14 · 9 A.M.–1 P.M.
Fire trucks, family activities and health resources
The free CFISD Health Expo & Fire Fest returns to the Berry Center, 8877 Barker Cypress Road, with health information, children’s activities and fire demonstrations. Some medical services may have separate requirements or costs. → Plan your visit
SATURDAY · NOV. 14 · NOON–4 P.M.
Pumpkins & Possibilities at John Paul Landing
This free family festival combines games and activities with autism awareness, mental health and community resources at 24202 West Road. Registration is required. → Register
SUNDAY · NOV. 15 · 11 A.M. OR 2:30 P.M.
A trip to the Land of Sweets
Houston Repertoire Ballet brings an abridged Nutcracker, desserts and movement with the dancers to Lindsay Lakes, 16536 Mueschke Road. Tickets are $45 for children and $35 for adults. No tickets at the door—check remaining availability before making plans. → Tickets & details
02 / THE IMPORTANT STUFF
What’s New in Cypress
SCHOOLS · CFISD
CFISD adopts its lowest tax rate in 40 years
After last week’s election, here’s the next update: trustees approved a 2026 tax rate of $1.0369 per $100 of taxable value, down 3 cents from 2025. The district says it’s the lowest rate in four decades. The reduction comes from the debt-service portion; the operating rate is $0.6669. Your own bill also depends on your taxable property value and exemptions.
FAMILY CALENDAR
Next school year’s calendar is official
Planning ahead? CFISD approved its 2027–28 calendar this week. Students start Aug. 11, 2027, with fall break Oct. 11–15 and Thanksgiving break Nov. 22–26. The last student day is May 25, 2028. Save the full calendar before booking those trips.
COMMUNITY · DEADLINE SATURDAY
Need Thanksgiving meal help? Register by Saturday.
Cypress Assistance Ministries’ Thanksgiving assistance registration closes Nov. 14. Walk in at 12930 Cypress North Houston Road Friday from 1–3 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m.–noon. Eligibility and ZIP code restrictions apply.
Want to help a neighbor? CAM is also seeking turkeys and hams for its holiday meal effort.
LOOKING AHEAD · A QUICK REMINDER
Bridgeland neighbors: Station 17’s groundbreaking is Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 4–5 p.m. at 21500 North Bridgeland Lake Parkway, weather permitting. We first covered the planned station earlier this month; the community ceremony is next. → Check the department’s calendar
03 / WITH BLAIR REALTY GROUP
Homes of the Week
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Bridgeland
A heated pool and spa, two bedrooms downstairs and a three-car garage. Take a look at 12118 N. Founders Shore Drive.
Towne Lake
An outdoor kitchen, greenbelt views and no rear neighbors. Inside: a study, flex space and upstairs media and game rooms. Explore 19707 Hubbard Creek Court.
Listing photos: Blair Realty Group. See each listing for current details and availability.
04 / A FEW GOOD LOCAL LINKS
Cypress Weekend Picks
SPONSORED LOCAL PICK · BOUNTIFUL BOARDS
Hosting after the game?
Bountiful Boards makes charcuterie boards for the table.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH · COCO CREPES & COFFEE ELYSON
A sneak peek before your Saturday crepe run.
I teamed up with Coco Crepes & Coffee’s Elyson location and got a sneak peek inside. Come take a look before Saturday’s grand opening!
Saturday, Nov. 14: The announced grand-opening offer is a free Nutella crepe or Berry Berry smoothie during 7–11 a.m. and 2–6 p.m.
📍 7040 Elyson Exchange Way, Suite E-400
→ Find the Elyson cafe
Thanksgiving without all the cooking: Compare local pickup and dine-in options in our Thanksgiving guide. Check the restaurant’s current deadline before ordering.
Start planning the lights-and-Santa outings: → Keep our holiday guide handy
05 / YOUR COMMUNITY CORNER
A Little Good News
The state results are in. Way to go, band families!
We were waiting on these Tuesday: Bridgeland finished 11th in the UIL Class 6A state marching band finals with Finding the Silver Lining. Cy-Fair placed 17th and Cy Woods 22nd in preliminaries. Congratulations to the students, directors and families behind all those hours on the practice field!
Cricket’s ears have entered the chat. 🐾
Photo: Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue
One ear up, one flopped, and speckled paws to match. Meet Cricket from Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue—then ask the rescue whether she could be a fit for your home.
Don’t forget to → pick them up some treats 🐶
A little love for Purrs N Barks, who’s been with Cypress Digest from the start.
THE THREE-NEIGHBOR CHALLENGE
Good neighbors don’t gatekeep. 🌲
You know that friend who always asks what’s happening this weekend? Send them our way.
Your challenge: help three Cypress neighbors find Cypress Digest. Text your personal link to a friend or drop it in your neighborhood group chat.
Your personal sharing link:
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Neighbors you’ve brought along: {{rp_num_referrals}}. Reach three to become a Cypress Connector—with the option of a first-name thank-you in a future issue.
Already brought three neighbors along? → Choose your thank-you preference
OWN OR RUN A LOCAL BUSINESS?
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