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OUR Region, OUR Vision, OUR Future

The Houston Galveston region is expected to see 4 million new residents in the next 30 years. Where will those residents live? How will this change affect quality of life? How will they get around? The Houston Galveston Regional Plan for sustainable development is an important chance to look forward and find ways to keep our communities prosperous, healthy and attractive for generations to come.

The 13- county plan explores opportunities to improve the region’s most important resources, including clean air and water, good jobs, safe and attractive neighborhoods, affordable housing, transportation choices, and open spaces and parks. Your input through May 10th of 2012 will help set goals and priorities for the plan.

Share your ideas and help make that vision for a better tomorrow a reality.

View the Houston Galveston Area Council Sustainable Communities Flyer

In November, Houstonians elected Councilman Larry Green to represent the citizens of District K, newly defined by 2011 redistricting efforts. The new District K is roughly bounded by Almeda Road, South Braeswood, Gessner and FM 2234 in Fort Bend County, taking in areas previously contained in council Districts C and D. The area, which includes Reliant Stadium, Westbury, Willowbend and Hiram Clark, is now represented by Houston attorney Larry Green. Green is the CEO of HoustonWorks USA, and the former district director for Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Green shared his visions for the unique new district in a recent Q&A session.

You’ve been very much involved with civic activities within your district for some time now. How would you describe the unique characteristics of your district that set it apart from the rest of the city?

Green: I think District K is very diverse, both socioeconomically and racially. You have everything from working class to middle class neighborhoods. The district encompasses neighborhoods that have been around 20, 30 or 40 years, and are very well established.

What are the unique challenges and opportunities you have witnessed?

Green: Challenges will definitely include the infrastructure. We have huge infrastructure issues with regard to drainage and streets––which are also opportunities. With the whole Rebuild Houston effort, I’m looking forward to clearing up some of the problems we have with road repair and flooding. Economic development is also a challenge. In some areas of the district, we have no grocery stores or quality shopping centers. We want to work to afford those opportunities to our residents by working with our management districts, the Greater Houston Partnership and other economic entities. We have very active churches in our area which have economic development arms. From the Hiram Clark area ,you have the Windsor Village effort that extends on down South Post Oak. In Brays Oaks, you have Bethel Chapel spurring development through the chamber of commerce within their church. There’s a lot going on, but we need to do more.

What is your vision for the district and goals that you hope to achieve during your term on city council?

Green: One of the things I want to do is make sure our communities understand the process of getting things done, with regard to code violations as well as making sure that, in dealing with City Hall, they know what’s available to them. And so, an educational process needs to happen, which we will undertake with all our residents. And secondly, I think we will be able to do something about these streets where we’re having problems. With regard to infrastructure issues, Rebuild Houston offers opportunities that come with dollars to repair some of those problems.

Are there some longer-term goals you envision––perhaps 10 or 20 years down the road?

Green: There are certain parts of the area that don’t have community centers or police stations. When you look at the CIP (capital improvement plan), they’re not on there for the next five years. We want to make sure to the case for the areas that need it and try to get them into the CIP. At least they’ll be on track to get those much needed resources, even after I’m gone from city council. District K is a new brand, but a district of established, working class neighborhoods. We’re just pleased that now we have a voice at City Hall and that the city will hear our voice.

Got talent?

Compete for Cash Prizes

Contest to be held in Southwest Houston

Saturday June 2, 2012, 6-9 p.m.

Contest is open to dancers, singers, musicians, etc.

Call Susan Perron at 281-935-8331 to register as soon as possible
Deadline for registration is 04/30/12

The fundraiser is for the benefits of POLICE & CLERGY TEAM to carry on their mission of servicing those folks that are victims of disasters in our community.

From the President’s Desk
by Vincent Sanders

Greeting Neighbors,

Breaking news from this month’s board meeting, NORTHFIELD I & II Board of Director’s has decided to raise assessments by $150.00…..Belated April Fools!!!!! Although I’m joking on this matter, we still have about 25 neighbors who have not contacted any board member or our attorney. Therefore, demand letters have been mailed and now these neighbors are subject to subject to pay an additional $80.00-$150.00 in fines and that’s no April Fools. C’mon my neighbors, we are all in this together, for those who have not paid, handle your business.

Now speaking of business, a neighborhood subdivision is a lot like running a business. You have home-steads, clubhouse, and greenways as the raw materials/physical input. The talents are the homeowners who work at the business to maintain upkeep and protect the input materials. And yes, there are rules and regulations that we must all follow—that’s in the form of deed restrictions. You as business owners have products and services at your disposal such as: having a private swimming pool and clubhouse, beautiful greenways, mosquito control spraying and private security in the form of Constable Precinct 7. Northfield I & II is ran by a Board of Directors whose is responsible for coordinating the resources of the subdivision to produce a viable, thriving and safe neighborhood that can complete for potential buyers from any subdivision in the city of Houston. The bottom line of any business is a higher rate of return and an increase in stockholder’s equity. (in other words, higher property values). Continue Reading »

On the far west side of Brays Oaks Management District, a couple of interesting-looking buildings house an equally interesting community of several cultures.

On Saturday, March 24, the Turquoise Council of Americans and Eurasians celebrated the Nowruz Spring Festival for people whose origins include Eastern and Central Asian, Siberia, Crimea, Anatolia, the Caucasus and the Balkans.

Traditionally, this spring festival that dates back 3,000 years corresponds to the Vernal Equinox and literally means “a new day,” said Kemal Oksuz, president of the council for the region that includes Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the City of Memphis.

Last year, in its inaugural Nowruz celebration, the center in the 9300 block of West Bellfort attracted more than 1,500 people––significantly more than the couple of hundred that were expected, Oksuz admitted. For the 2012 event, expectations were raised and preparations made to host as many as 3,000 to 5,000.

Traditional holiday activities from countries like Azerbaijan, Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Turkministan, and Uzbekistan might include singing, folk dancing, story-telling, and horse races.

There was no horse racing scheduled at the Turquoise Cultural Center, but competition still plays a role, Oksuz said. The final game of the Nowruz Soccer Tournament was set to determine the championship, to be followed by an award ceremony. Other scheduled activities included shows and performances, craft shows, multi-cultural cuisines, and games for the children.

Press Release

BARC Takes on 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge;
Vote in Qualifying Heat April 5th – April 16th

April 3, 2012 – Beginning April 5, 2012, BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions will be a participant in the Qualifying Heat of the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge. BARC is competing for a chance at more than $500,000 in grant funding, including a grand prize of $100,000. Supporters of BARC can help by voting online at http://votetosavelives.org/ and selecting BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions. Upon your first vote you will need to confirm your email address for your vote to count, then vote EVERYDAY from April 5th – 16th! Continue Reading »

On Sunday, February 19th, 2012, Parker Elementary performed for a large crowd at Sunday Music in the Park at the Willow Waterhole Natural Reserve hosted by the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy.

Here are photos taken from the performance

[Show as slideshow]

See What’s New at Westbury Christian School Continue Reading »

ECHOS—Epiphany Community Health Outreach Services—was formed in 1999, as an organized response to health and social services needs in the increasingly ethnically diverse area of southwest Houston. As a non-profit 501(C) 3 organization, ECHOS opened its doors in April 2001 after refurbishing a building donated for ECHOS’s use by the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. Continue Reading »

See What’s New at Westbury Christian School
Continue Reading »