November in the Upper Kirby District

Bridges at San Felipe Street and Westheimer Road that cross a drainage ditch formally identified as W129-00-00 in the Galleria area will be completely or partially closed temporarily in early 2012 as part of the Harris County Flood Control District's W129-00-00 Conveyance Improvements Project.  

The project also includes rebuilding and enclosing a section of the drainage ditch, which runs adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad tracks just inside West Loop 610 (See attached project area map). Work on the San Felipe bridge is expected to begin in mid-January 2012, while work on the Westheimer bridge is expected to begin in March 2012, weather and construction schedule permitting.  

The bridge reconstruction projects will require all lanes on the San Felipe bridge to be closed for up to two weeks and traffic flow on the Westheimer bridge to be limited to one lane in each direction for up to a month. The Flood Control District will establish detour routes that will aid in the flow of traffic during the bridge projects and will provide an advisory to area residents and other interested parties closer to the time of bridge construction.

For more information about the project, visit the W129-00-00 Conveyance Improvements Project webpage at www.hcfcd.org/W129. If you have questions or comments, please call the Flood Control District's Project and Study Information Line, which is monitored daily, at 713-684-4040.

Greenway Plaza and the Upper Kirby District is hosting their last of the Green Office Education series of training meetings for office building owners, property managers and tenants. The topic for the final meeting is, Green Certification and Sustainable Design with presentations by Crescent, Hines and HOK companies. Now that we have done all the work, this training session will inform you how you leverage it into recognition!

Lunch will be provided on Monday, November 28, 2011 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm at Greenway Plaza Phase II Auditorium (located on the ground level between 8 & 12 Greenway Plaza) on Richmond Avenue between Edloe Street and Timmons Lane. This luncheon will also include a tour. We will eat, hear a brief presentation and then proceed on a tour of 9 Greenway Plaza building which is LEED Certified-Gold.

Save the date and mark your calendars so you don't miss out on this opportunity to see-touch-smell-sense what a sustainable building is all about!

To make reservations and for additional information, call Linda Gilliam at 713.524.8000 or email linda@upperkirby.org .

The August Enews featured Houston Entrée' 2011 Winners and Finalists for Best Restaurants with the Upper Kirby District home to nine winners and 22 finalists. Well, congratulations are in order again as the 2011 Houston Culinary Awards has been announced.

Presented annually by My Table Magazine, the awards are given in 10 main categories and 15 Foodie Star Awards to Houston's top culinary talent.  

Finalists are selected by a nominating committee comprised of local food writers, restaurant-industry professionals and dedicated foodies that discuss, vote on and present the slate of finalists. Finalists in all categories were posted online for voting by the general public. Hats off to the following honorees located in the Upper Kirby District:

2011 CHEF OF THE YEAR

Finalists:Anita Jaisinghani (Indika and Pondicheri)               Randy Evans (Haven Restaurant)

2011 UP-AND-COMING CHEF OF THE YEAR (age 35 or Younger)

                Winner: Philippe Gaston (Haven Restaurant)

2011 PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR (Includes Breadmakers)

                Finalist: Sara Brook (The Dessert Gallery)

2011 OUTSTANDING BAR SERVICE

                Finalist: Haven Restaurant

2011 BEST NEW RESTAURANT (Must have opened since June 1, 2010)

                Finalists:  Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar

                                Eddie V's (West Ave Location)

                                Pondicheri

2011 FAVORITE BAKERY

                Finalists: Dessert Gallery

                               Rustika Café & Bakery

2011 FAVORITE BREAKFAST

                Finalist: Avalon Diner

2011 FAVORITE BURGER

                Finalist: Goode Co. Hamburger & Taqueria

2011 FAVORITE OUTDOOR DINING

                Finalist: Haven Restaurant

2011 FAVORITE SUPERMARKET

                Winner: H.E.B.   

                Finalist: Whole Foods

2011 FAVORITE PUB OR BAR

                Finalist: McGonigels Mucky Duck

2011 FAVORITE SWEETS/ICE CREAM

                Winner: Amy's Ice Cream

                Finalist: Dessert Gallery

2011 FAVORITE WINE SELLER

                Finalists:  Houston Wine Merchant

                                Sonoma Retail Wine Bar & Boutique

                                The Tasting Room

The beneficiary of this event was Foodways Texas, an organization that works to preserve, promote and celebrate the diverse food cultures of Texas.

To view all of the Houston finalists for the 2011 Houston Culinary Awards, go to www.my-table.com/archives/sidedish/2011/07/.

Looscan Neighborhood Library Closed for Renovation  

The Houston Public Library Looscan Neighborhood Library began renovation efforts this August and is expected to be closed for approximately 120 days. The Looscan Neighborhood Library is located at 2510 Willowick, Houston 77027, 832.393.1900.

The Houston Public Library system is advising Looscan customers to visit the following neighborhood libraries for general customer services and programs:

Jungman Neighborhood Library
5830 Westheimer, Houston 77057, 832.393.1860
Tuesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;

Thursday noon-8 p.m.; Friday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library
4100 Montrose, Houston 77006, 832.393.1800
Tuesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;

Thursday noon -8 p.m.; Friday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.