We have been busy at City Hall reviewing and balancing the budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2011-2012. This has been a difficult process working to streamline expenses, but I believe in the end the City will be much more responsible in working within our means.
I’m glad to see some rain! Summer is here and hurricane season has begun. Remember to be prepared. The city pool’s have all opened, so be safe and keep cool.
Vice Mayor Pro-Tem
Council Member, District H
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sábados de Verano Presents Alacranes Musicales
Free Event Presented by Pepsi
Houston, get ready for a refreshing summer! Pepsi’s Sábados de Verano is bringing you Alacranes Musciales for FREE on Saturday, eventJune 11. There will be free give-aways, face painting and lots of family friendly activities.
Avenue Oaks Home Tour
City of Houston Down Payment Assistance Program
Avenue CDC invites you to come and see what everyone is talking about…Avenue Oaks. Take a tour of five beautiful homes this next weekend. You can buy a home priced at $152,900 with a bank mortgage CDCas low as $92,900!
How? Qualified buyers will receive City of Houston downpayment assistance and a subordinate loan from Avenue CDC. For more information call 713-864-8099 or visit avenuecdc.org.
Young-at-Heart Party
Bringing Seniors a Reason to Celebrate
Navidad en el Barrio provides a special event, the Young-At-Heart Party, each year during the summer. Approximately 300 senior citizens are invited, lunch is served to those in attendance and then the dancing begins. During the dance, seniors are treated to door prizes and an oscillating fan for the long hot summer months. Navidad realizes that numerous seniors are on a fixed income and cannot afford air-conditioning so the fans hopefully help them cope with the weather. Rest assured, a good time is had by all. Old friendships are renewed and new friends are found.
Date: Saturday, June 18
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Ripley House Neighborhood Center
4410 Navigation, Houston 77011
For more information call (832) 689-4518
Spay and Neuter Assistance Program
Offered by City of Houston BARC, FCAP and SNAP
SNAP in partnership with BARC will continue their efforts to spay and neuter stray cats in our neighborhoods. There will be traps available for those who are able to help beginning at 4:30 pm on Thrusday, June 16 at Ripley House. Cats may be dropped off at the same location starting at 7:30am on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19. This upcoming cat trap and release program will focus on zip codes 77001 and 77023.
Pick-up Traps: Thursday, June 16 between 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm
Drop-off Traps: Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19
Time: 7:30 am
Location: Ripley House Neighborhood Centers
4410 Navigation
Contact: Susan Lamb 713-661-35652nd Annual Juneteenth Parade
Independence Heights Celebrates
This family fun event will observe Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States, and will highlight the Independence Heights’s historical virtues of being the first African American municipality in Texas.
The parade will start on N. Main at Neyland St., travel south along N. Main, east along 35th and will conclude at 35th St. and Oxford St.
Date: Saturday, June 25
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Independence Heights – N. Main At Neyland Street
Contact to register for the parade: John Branch 832-880-0414 or
Natasha Johnson 713-410-799 or mlkgrandeparade.org
Battle of the Bands – following the parade.
Scheduled at 5:00 pm at Butler Stadium
14083 Main Street, Houston, TX 77035-5447
AROUND THE DISTRICT
Older Americans Month
Ms. Lillian Risher Celebrates 104th Birthday
On Thursday, May 26, Council Member Gonzalez proudly Ms Risherpresented a proclamation and flowers to Ms. Lillian Risher; she will be turning 104 years young this year. Council Member Gonzalez wants to thank the Health Department and the Harris County Area Agency on Aging for facilitating this visit and for all of their hard work on behalf of our seniors.
West End Park Re-Opens
Unveiling of Brand New Playground
On Thursday, May 26, Council Member Gonzalez was happy to join the West End Civic Club and community leaders to celebrate the grand re-opening of the West End Park. The first phase, which was completed this year, brought a brand new West End Parkplayground for neighborhood families to use and has greatly improved the quality of the park. I want to thank the West End Civic Club, the Mayor’s Citizens Assistance Office, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, the Parks and Recreation Department and the General Services Department for all their hard work to make this park shine and the celebration a success.
Comcast Digital Connectors Program
Engaging Teens and Young Adults in Leadership
On May 27, Council Member Gonzalez had the chance to speak to young adults who completed the Comcast Digital Connectors program. The program was developed by Onecomcast Economy and engages teens and young adults in leadership development, digital education, community service, and workforce skills. This is one of many programs aimed at keeping our kids college-bound and ensuring a great future for our children and for our city. I am proud of the graduates and wish them continued success!
Marshall Middle School Graduation
Encouraging Young Students
On June 1, Counicl Member Gonzalez gave marshallthe commencement address to the 8th grade graduating class from Marshall Middle School in District H. His remarks touched on decision-making, modern technologies and staying connected. Congratulations to all these students who will continue their education at area high schools this fall.
26th Annual Houston Heights 5 K Fun Run
Supporting the Heights Community
On June 7, the Houston Heights Association conducted its 26th Annual 5K Fun Run and Walk. This was a very successful event with included 1,500 runners of all ages. There was also a separate 1K Kids Run. Once the runners crossed the finish line, they enjoyed an After Race Party with music, delicious refreshments, door prizes, and awards for the top runners. Thanks to the City of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department and Conrad Construction for clearing the way at 11th and Heights Boulevard for the runners. The proceeds forfun run the Fun Run go directly into the community for beautification, restoration, maintenance and education.
Restoration of Love in Near Northside
Anna Bermudez Brings Grandma’s House Back to Life
Anna Bermudez and her husband Ken Price, residents in District H, were featured in the Ultimate Heights edition of the Houston Chronicle on May 26, 2011. Anna remembers the feeling she got when she went to her grandmother’s Near Northside home and her affection for this Queen Anne-style home led her to restore it and bring it back to life.
Ygnacia Bermudez, Anna’s grandmother, purchased the house in 1963. She passed away in 1993 and Anna expressed her desire to purchase her home from her Aunt who had inherited it.
The couple’s efforts to save Anna’s family home supported the efforts of the Texas Historical Commission to list the Near Northside neighborhood on the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Register of Historic Places in November of last year.
The Near Northside Historic District includes the area roughly bounded by I-45 on the west, Hogan Street on the south, Little White Oak Bayou on the north and North Main Street on the East side, which is the site of the new Metro LightRail expansion, a modern touch to the historic area.
For more on this story view the complete article in the Ultimate Heights select the May 26, 2011 Heights/Neartown Neighbohood Edition.
TIPS FROM DISTRICT H
Hurricane Season is Here!
Be Prepared with the Following Checklist
Hurricane season has just begun and lasts until November 30th! Remember to always be prepared and have hurricaneprecautionary measures in place, to keep you and your family safe.
If you want to get involved in the emergency response process, please click here to find out more about the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. You too, can make a difference, and become a CERT member today!
Prepare Your Emergency Kit
Obtain a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack or a duffel bag as storage for supplies you most likely will need for an evacuation.
These are the six basics you should have on hand in your home:
- Water – stored in plastic containers, one gallon of water per person per day.
- Food – at least a 3 day supply of foods which requires no refrigeration. Ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
- First Aid Supplies
- Non-Prescription Drugs
- Clothing and Bedding
- Tools and Emergency Supplies – Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, battery operated or hand cranked radio, batteries and flashlight.
- Special Items – for family members with special needs.
- Important family documents
Find a more extensive list of items needed in the Disaster Supply Kit. or download the Disaster Preparedness Guide.
