Britney Johnson, owner of Jaden Lane and a representative of the Heart of Tomball Alliance, told the Tomball City Council during public comment Sept. 2 that the group will host a fashion show Sept. 21 to showcase downtown businesses and raise funds for scholarships.

"Our mission for the Heart of Tomball Alliance is to strengthen Tomball by supporting local businesses, creating community events, and giving back to our schools and families," Johnson said, adding the event will feature local restaurants and boutiques and be held at Balmora Wedding Venue "right on the border of Tomball."

The nut of Johnson's remarks was that the fashion show is intended both to drive customers to downtown businesses and to fund scholarships for Tomball Independent School District students "who are pursuing entrepreneurship." Johnson said the scholarships have already launched and the alliance plans more scholarship events and other community giving—she specifically mentioned the idea of helping elementary students with low lunch accounts as an example of future outreach.

Council staff did not take action on the public comment itself; Johnson used her allotted public-comment time to describe the alliance's purpose and upcoming event. She named participating food vendors (Whistle Stop and Rip Tickler), local boutiques and several salons as planned participants and said the venue was chosen because the host offered a discount.

Ending: The alliance plans to continue scholarship and business-promotion events; Johnson asked the council and public to note the Sept. 21 event. No council motion, vote or formal city endorsement of the event was made during the public-comment period.