The District J Journal – September 21, 2012

A Time For Reflection 

As you receive this newsletter our Jewish friends and neighbors are ending their celebration of Rosh Hashanah – the new year of the Hebrew calendar. As a poignant bookend to those celebrations, beginning on Tuesday evening, the community will observe Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement – the most holy of days.  The day provides individuals a time to reflect on their sins and failings, partake in fasting, reflections and worship and make atonement for shortcomings.

Most, if not all, religious communities observe a period of reflection and repentance that allow individuals the opportunity to take stock of their lives and actions.  Regardless of what end of the faith spectrum we may find ourselves, such times can be not only restorative but serve to rejuvenate us in the doing of our daily lives.  As urban residents each of us are bombarded by a barrage of conflicting but important demands.  Our families, our work and the demands of being good community partners with our neighbors can be a constant drain on our energies and focus.  Each of us needs to take time to reflect on the “busy-ness” of our lives, to remember what is of true value to us, and to re-dedicate ourselves to the work of making our futures brighter and our communities better. 

I trust you will join me in wishing our friends “Tsom Kal” – “an easy fast”.

– Mike Laster, Council Member – District J   

Bellaire Boulevard Reconstruction Groundbreaking 

L-R:  Welcome Wilson, Jr.; Mayor Annise Parker; Council Member Al Hoang; Council Member Mike Laster; State Representative Scott Hochberg; Kenneth Li; Peter Acquaro; Bill Calderon

It was a great day for a groundbreaking! The sun was shining and the breeze was cool. Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ #20 Chair Welcome Wilson, Jr., presided over the festivities. Mayor Annise Parker spoke, highlighting the importance of investing in infrastructure and praising Southwest Houston for its tremendous growth in recent years.   

Other speakers and guests included Council Members Laster and Hoang, State epresentative Scott Hochberg, Greater Sharpstown Management District Chair Kenneth Li, Sharpstown Civic Association President Peter Acquaro, TIRZ #20 Executive Director Bill Calderon, and local residents and business owners.   

September is World Alzheimer’s Month 

As part of World Alzheimer’s Month, today is National Alzheimer’s Action day.   

In honor of Alzheimer’s Disease awareness, the Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association  is hosting a screening of “The Notebook” at Discovery Green this evening.  There will be a drawing for prizes and The Lakehouse will be giving participants 15% off to-go orders so families can grab a bite to eat while watching the movie.  Everyone is encouraged to wear purple to show their support for Alzheimer’s awareness and research.  

Sheltering Arms Senior Services is also hosting an Alzheimer’s Action day on September 24 as part of their 25th Anniversary Celebration.  Staff will be wearing purple and they will signing up participants for October 20’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

On September 27, Sheltering Arms will be hosting a Virtual Dementia Experience in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association and Silverado Senior Living.  This simulation takes you from the beginning to the late stages of the disease process, while experiencing the effects of trying to perform everyday tasks for a person living with memory loss. Consultation and a brief education program will be provided after the simulation and resources will be provided. The simulations are scheduled every 10 minutes and will be available between 3p-7p.  For more information, please call (713) 685-6577. 

National Night Out – October 2 

Texas’ “29th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 2, 2012. We cordially invite you and your community to be a part of our NIGHT OUT 2012 team.

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2011.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

If your neighborhood or block is hosting an National Night Out event, District J would love to hear about it!  Please email us at [email protected].

Storm Water/Storm Water Quality Design Comment Period has been extended 

The City of Houston Public Works and Engineering Department (PWE) is reviewing and considering changes to the technical standards for storm water and storm water quality design (Chapters 9 and 13 of the IDM).

Suggested changes to the technical standards are still being accepted and the comment period has been extended until Saturday, September 29, 2012.

For consideration, proposed changes to the standards must be submitted on the forms available here and must include the appropriate supporting documentation identified.

In March 2013, the proposed changes will be posted for comment on the PWE website www.publicworks.houstontx.gov with final revisions effective July 2013.  

For questions regarding the comment or change process, contact Rajiv Arya at [email protected] or 832.394.9131. 

Community U! Conference 

Community U! Conference is a half-day event that will   teach you about ideas and resources to improve your community.

Come learn from others. Build leadership. Share experiences. Work collectively. Strengthen and increase sustainability in your neighborhood.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or 713-837-7701.    

Set your own agenda based on your interests. Pre-registration is critical to ensure adequate seating in each session. Online registration ends September 25, 2012.

To register, click here.

HPD Braeburn Storefront Annual Golf Classic 

The Citizens Advisory Council invites you to join them at the 2012 Annual Golf Classic supporting the Houston Police Department’s Braeburn Storefront.   

Monday, October 1

1:30 pm shotgun start

Bear Creek Golf Club

16001 Clay Road

281-859-8188

For more information:

Braeburn Storefront Coordinator:
Officer Shawn Demaree
832-767-9806
  [email protected]  

Citizens Advisory Council Coordinator:
Barbara Hite
713-882-4975
[email protected]