District J Journal – February 22, 2013

See You March 6th  

I hope to see you at the 2013 District J Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013.  The meeting will be held at the Sharpstown Community Center at 6600 Harbor Town Drive. 

This CIP Meeting is your chance to hear from Directors and representatives of the City’s many Departments.  Presentations will be made by those representatives describing the Capital Improvement and Rebuild Houston projects planned for District J.  Additionally, this will be your opportunity to share your requests for projects to be included on the City’s Capital Improvement project list. 

Congratulations to Sharon Shanahan 

This week I had the special privilege of being able to present Sharon Shanahan with a Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Parker and the City of Houston on the occasion of her 10 year anniversary as an employee of the City of Houston.  Sharon currently serves as your District J Administrative Services Director, managing the operations of the office.  Sharon began her career with the City by first serving in the office of Council Member Mark Ellis (District F) and then for Council Member Anne Clutterbuck (District C).  Sharon is a graduate of St. Agnes Academy.  She, her husband Jim, and family are 30 year residents of Sharpstown. 

Congratulations Sharon on your 10 Year Anniversary.  Keep up the good work!

   
– Mike Laster, Council Member – District J

Don’t Block that Sidewalk!  

Many District J residents may not be aware that it is illegal to park a car in a private driveway if it blocks pedestrian traffic on a sidewalk. State of Texas Transportation Code Section 545.302(a)(2) states that “an operator may not stop, stand, or park a vehicle on a sidewalk.”  If there is a public sidewalk present on a private property, that sidewalk continues to exist as public right of way.  This law exists to encourage pedestrians to use sidewalks safely without being forced into streets.   

We encourage all District J residents to park in their garages or car parks when possible. Residents can also park far enough forward in a private driveway so as not to block sidewalk access, or park on the street.

If you have  any questions please contact the District J office at 832-393-3315.  

BARC Lost Pets Initiative 

BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions is proud to announce a new and improved city-wide Lost Pets Initiative. The new initiative provides a simple checklist to help organize a pet owner’s search for their lost pet.

BARC is required to take in any animal that enters the facility. BARC also provides animal control services to Houston residents. That means BARC is the shelter most likely to have a lost pet if it was turned in to a Houston shelter.  BARC reunites approximately 100 animals with their families each month.  Even if BARC doesn’t have your pet, BARC can utilize its relationships with great partners that can help search for your pet.  

BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions is committed to reuniting lost pets with their owners as quickly as possible. In the event your pet is lost, take A.C.T.I.O.N. with BARC.

• Anticipate. Take important preventative measures before your pet is lost. Microchip your pet (pre-registered microchips are available at BARC for $25). Get a pet license. Spay or neuter your pet to suppress their instinct to roam and reduce their chances of leaving home. Also ensure that all fences, gates and patios are secure to keep your pet from escaping.

• Contact BARC. Call Houston’s 311, email [email protected], search BARC’s website, and post a photo on BARC’s Facebook page. As Houston’s animal control authority, BARC is required to accept any animal taken to the shelter. Other local shelters are not required to do this and typically refer all lost and stray animals to BARC first.

• Take Control. Stay calm. Get organized. Have a photo and description of your pet, their last known location and keep their microchip number handy.

• Investigate like a Detective. Create flyers. Ask Neighbors. Search within a two mile radius day and night. Remember, cats will not generally venture far from home and dogs generally travel into the oncoming wind.

• Online Pet Harbor Registration. Visit www.PetHarbor.com to search for your pet, register to get daily emails with photos of found pets in the area, or send “lost pet” postcards to neighbors and surrounding areas. Pet Harbor is updated hourly with new animals that enter BARC.

• Never Give Up. This is a big one. Your pet wants to go home as much as you want him to. Keep looking and don’t lose hope. You never know when you or one of your neighbors will spot your pet.

The simplest but most powerful thing you can do to help BARC and pets throughout our community, is to talk to your friends, neighbors and family about caring for pets responsibly.  Additional tips for finding a lost pet can be found on the “Lost or Found a Pet” page.  

Alief Year-Long Toy Drive  

The Alief Community Association is hosting a year-long Toy and Food Drive to help families and children in need.  Unexpired canned food and new unwrapped toys will be collected until December 15, 2013, at the International Trade Center, Room 217.  Monetary donations are also welcome.  Families in need will receive assistance at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and throughout the year.   

Please contact ACA President Marie Lee at 832-448-0530/832-651-3428 for more information.   

March on Crime – Law Enforcement Luncheon  

The Greater Sharpstown Management District invites you to join them for their “March On Crime – Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon” on Thursday, March 7, at Houston Baptist University’s McNair Hall, Morris Cultural Arts Center, located at 7502 Fondren Road. 

11:30 am – Registration
12 noon – Program & Awards Presentation

Lunch is complimentary, however seating is limited and no walk-ins will be accepted.  RSVP by February 26 to Alice Leeat 713-501-8719.

Grand Slam for Youth Baseball   

It’s not too late!  Registration is still open for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s  Eleventh Annual Grand Slam for Youth Baseball program! Boys and girls ages 4 – 18 may participate in this FREE baseball, softball, and T-ball league, which begins in area parks starting March 2, 2013. T-shirts, equipment, and coaching are provided. Grand Slam for Youth Baseball is a partnership between the HPARD, the Houston Astros, and Minute Maid. Volunteer coaches are needed and training is provided. Contact Claudia Orozco at Burnet Bayland Park at 713-668-4516 to register or volunteer.

District J Spotlight:  Gulfton Super Neighborhood #27 Meeting

The next Gulfton Super Neighborhood #27 meeting will be Monday, February 25, at 6:30 pm at the Burnet Bayland Park Community Center, located at 6000 Chimney Rock Road.

We encourage all Gulfton area residents, business owners, service providers and community partners to join us.