A New Year, One Mile at a Time

As 2026 opens, the reminder stands: we control two things — our thoughts and our actions. Everything else is noise from a thousand miles away. This year, invest that hour within one mile instead: try a local business, meet a neighbor, show up to a council meeting.

The same truth that started this newsletter still holds: the most meaningful change happens through what we actually control, applied where it has the most power — right here in Deer Park, La Porte, and Pasadena.

— David Campbell

Watch on YouTube →

Liberty Watch — Your Government, This Week

Deer Park City Council — Jan 6 & 20, 7:30 PM, City Hall, 710 E San Augustine St. Register to speak by 7:25 PM; City Secretary 281-479-2394. Agendas: cityofdeerpark.legistar.com. Council: Mayor Jerry Mouton Jr.; Positions 1–6: Garrison, Haight, Ginn, League, Martin, Ford.

Pasadena City Council — Jan 6 & 20, 6 PM, 1149 Ellsworth, 6th Floor. Agendas: pasadenatx.gov/AgendaCenter/City-Council-3.

La Porte City Council — Jan 12 & 26, 6 PM, 604 W Fairmont Parkway. Cycle the City with Mayor Helton: Jan 20, 6:30 PM, Garden of Eden Tea Room, 10515 Spencer Hwy.

Prosperity Spotlight

Bee Reel — the new local podcast from The Social Hive: raw conversations, real stories. Business owners welcome to come on. thesocialhivetx.com.

New Orleans Seafood Kitchen — 324 W Main St, La Porte. Fried seafood platters and comfort sides.

Gyro Guys — 9901 Spencer Hwy Ste B, La Porte. Greek gyros, falafel, shawarma.

Next Level Nutrition — 10414 Spencer Hwy, La Porte. Nutrition teas and meal-replacement shakes.

Growth & Learning — How Sustainable Are Your Own Finances?

We spend a lot of ink holding government accountable for financial sustainability. Fair question back at us: how sustainable are your own finances? Since last August I've run a simple, almost boring options framework — target around 1% a week, an hour or two to manage, none of the day-trading drama. It runs on the philosophy we preach here: systems over speculation, consistency over chaos, control what you can actually control. (It's the framework I use personally; the founder goes by Troy.)

Check out Low Stress Options →

Sponsors support the mission, never influence the message — I don't recommend anything I don't use.

Service Spotlight — What If Healthcare Worked Like a Community?

My family of four has never carried traditional health insurance. We used a health-sharing ministry for years and recently switched to CrowdHealth. The model: a per-person monthly subscription for the platform and advocacy team, then each month you contribute toward another member's bills — never more than your set max. When you have an event, you pay a $500 commitment and the community covers the rest. We're testing it live right now on a $6,000 ER visit — CrowdHealth negotiates it down, I pay $500, the crowd covers the rest. No claims department, no denial letters. Our family runs roughly $400–660/month versus $1,500–2,500 for traditional Texas family coverage. What sold me: unlike an insurer, CrowdHealth doesn't profit from sickness — it's members helping members.

Learn how CrowdHealth works →

Referral link; paying member since January.

Service Opportunities

La Porte Volunteer in Parks (VIP) Program — coach youth sports, assist senior programs, support community events, help maintain parks. Apply: laportebythebay.wufoo.com.

Pet of the Week

Six adoptable cats — five boys and one solid-black girl — at the Deer Park Animal Shelter & Adoption Center, 4221 Luella Ave.

Community Calendar

Morning Meditation (AA) — daily Mon–Sat, 7 AM, The Wheelhouse, 210 W Helgra St, Deer Park (men).

Pasadena Gun Show — Jan 10–11, 9 AM–4 PM, Pasadena Convention Center & Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy.

Warm Winter Wishes: Coffee & Canvas — Tue Jan 6, 7–9 PM, Painting with a Twist, 4912 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena ($40).

From Local Theory

New playlist to kick off the year: New Year, New Mountain.

Take Action This Week

1. Attend a January council meeting.
2. Support a local eatery you've never tried.
3. Connect — meet one neighbor.

Value for Value

TAAL provides value freely; you give back based on the value you receive. No paywalls, no required subscriptions. We feature paid local sponsorships — but their support never influences our message. Three ways to give: Time (share it, show up, report back), Talent (submit stories, photos, expertise), and Treasure (support the mission when you receive value).

Support Think and Act Locally →