City Seal
From the Office of Council Member Mike Laster 
Distric
t Journal
Official Newsletter of Houston City Council District J

Friday, June 1, 2012 
Mike Laster - Flipped
832.393.3015
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby
Houston, TX  77002

PO Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251-1562

Leah Olive-Nishioka
Communications Director


Matt Brollier
Constituent Servi
ces Director

Jeremy Brown
Agenda & Policy Director

Sharon Shanahan
Administrative Services Director

 
Community Links


Hurricane Season Resources

Hurricane Symbol







District J Parks 

City Contacts 

HPD (non-emergency) 

713.884.3131

 

Anti-Gang Office 

832.393.0931

 

Mayor's Citizens' Assistance 832.393.0955

 

Department of Neighborhoods 832.393.1038

 

Health & Human Services  

832.393.5169

 

Parks Department 

832.395.7000

 

Public Works & Engineering 832.395.2511

 

Solid Waste Management 713.956.6589


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Strengthening our Communities by Supporting our Parks

 

Working to Create "Friends of Parks" Organizations for the City of Houston Parks Located in District J

 

Lansdale ParkThis week residents living near Lansdale Park have begun receiving an invitation to attend an upcoming meeting concerning the future development of that park. Lansdale Park is one of eleven City of Houston parks located within District J. Situated at the intersection of Mary Bates Boulevard and Roos Road, across the streets from St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and Sharpstown Middle School, the park has been long an active gathering spot for the neighborhood that it serves. However, like some of us who may be approaching age 50 and above, the park is beginning to show its age and will soon need "attending to". Lansdale is like all the parks in District J - each one has its own special set of circumstances and needs.

 

The purpose of the meeting is to call the park's neighbors and natural allies together to begin the process of understanding the needs of that park and visioning the park's future. As part of that visioning process, the assembled neighbors will be invited to consider the creation of a "Friends of Lansdale Park" association. Such "Friends" organizations are designed to establish an association of advocates and supporters of their local park. Friends groups help to raise money for their respective park, serve as a creative voice for programs within the park and provide a volunteer base organized to make the park the best it can be.

 

I believe that a strong park can help build a strong community. As your Council Member I hope to provide this model to the neighborhoods and parks throughout District J. We will tell you more about the outcome of the meeting in the next edition. So stay tuned for more and wish the neighborhood success in this endeavor.

 

Here is looking to the future.........

 

Mike Laster - signature 

- Mike Laster, Council Member - District J 

   

The organizing meeting of the Friends of Lansdale Park is scheduled for June 12, 2012, and is listed on our community calendar. It is a public meeting and all are invited to attend. The meeting will focus specifically on Lansdale Park - a City of Houston park. The meeting will not address the operations or facilities of the neighboring Monsignor Bill Pickard Park, which is managed by Harris County Precinct 3.

Hurricane Season Begins Today

  

Hurricane Symbol It's that time of year again - Hurricane Season.  Every year, from June 1 through November 30, Houstonians are on guard for tropical storms, hurricanes, and other big weather events in the Gulf of Mexico.  It's also time to start preparing for an emergency - stocking up on supplies, researching evacuation plans, and readying your home and family for the worst.

Ready Houston is hosting a Hurricane Workshop on June 9 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  Admission is free and registration online is encouraged. 

Other important resources include the National Hurricane Center and the Harris County Homeland Security & Emergency Management Department. Track storm activity, get information on planning, learn how to build an emergency kit, and stay informed.  
All City of Houston Pools Open by June 5

  

 
COH PoolsThe Houston Parks & Recreation Department (H.P.A.R.D.) has announced that all 38 City of Houston pools will be open by June 5.  Currently, all 20 water spraygrounds are open. 

H.P.A.R.D. pools are open to the public free of charge Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All H.P.A.R.D. pools are closed on Monday for routine maintenance. . City of Houston Pools will be open on
Labor Day, Monday, September 3. Please note holiday hours on the H.P.A.R.D. website  www.houstonparks.org for more details.
 
Pools in and near District J include:

In addition to the FREE swimming offered at HPARD pools, select pools will offer the following classes: Learn to Swim, Water Fitness, Water Aerobics, Lap Swimming, and Swimming Clinics. Information on associated costs, if any, is available on the H.P.A.R.D. website.    

Food Truck - Looking for the Right Stuff

 

Same MedallionLooking for something yummy to enjoy for lunch? Why not try one of the many food trucks (aka Mobile Food Units) that are popping up all over Houston? But before you order, be sure to look for a "Mobile Food Unit Medallion." The medallion is reassurance that the truck has been inspected by the city and declared ready for business. It will display the City Seal, the medallion's expiration date, and the Mobile Food Unit's identifying number. Be sure to make sure it's not expired.  (see sample to the right) 

 

All Mobile Food Units new to Houston must submit plans to the City of Houston's Health and Human Services Department. They are then inspected, and if they pass, the medallion is installed. Existing units are also inspected, as are units that change ownership. All inspections must be renewed every year. Just as with restaurants, there are varying levels of compliance, and requirements vary depending on the type of vehicle. A medallion doesn't necessarily mean that the food temperatures are right, for example. The Bureau of Consumer Health does surprise inspections in the field, in addition the annual medallion-renewal inspections.

 

Have any questions about Mobile Food Units? Visit the City of Houston's Health and Human Services Bureau of Consumer Health Services website for more information.

 

Congratulations to the Alief Community Orchard!

Communities Take RootDistrict J sends a hearty congratulations to the Alief Community Orchard for being one of the winners of the Dreyer Orchard "Communities Take Root" contest

The Alief Community Orchard will receive fruit trees to plant.  In addition to yummy fruit, the trees will create a lush green space in the community and will help grow a stronger, healthier community.   "This was truly a community effort and the results will be here for generations," said Barbara Quattro of the Alief Super Neighborhood Council.

Thank you to everyone who voted! 
All-In-One Academics Scholarship Opportunity

All-In-One Academics logoOn May 21, All-in-One Academics announced that it will fund 24 scholarships to attend its exclusive Summer 2012 College Applications Crash Course slated for August 6-10, 2012 at the University of St. Thomas. Each Crash Course scholarship recipient will be coached and mentored through the completion of key elements of the college applications process, including a resume and three essays, with expert guidance and editing from All-in-One Academics college admissions consultants.

 

The Crash Course will be held at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Tex. and will focus on the ApplyTexas Application for Texas universities and colleges. The course will run from 10am-3pm, with a one-hour lunch break. Course inquiries and scholarship applications must be directed only to All-in-One Academics.

 

To qualify for a Crash Course scholarship, a student must be a college-bound junior or rising senior (by summer 2012) in the top 25% of his or her high school class, must have received College Board fee waivers for the SAT, and must be nominated by the student's high school counselor. Counselors may nominate up to 3 students and may make nominations via the All-in-One Academics electronic short-form on the All-in-One Academics website. Students must secure transportation to and from the St. Thomas campus each day of the week-long course.

 

Additional information about the scholarships and fee-based courses is available at www.allinoneacademics.com or (713) 405-1193. 

Miller Outdoor Theater - Summer Productions

Miller Outdoor TheaterLooking for some free summer fun that the whole family can enjoy?  Check out the Miller Outdoor Theater

Upcoming productions include:
ALL performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre are FREE OF CHARGE.  Evening events (excluding movies) offer ticketed, assigned seating in the covered area. Only four (4) tickets per person age 16 and up. Hillside seating is not reserved. Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome.

 

Free, assigned seat tickets are available at the Miller Theatre Box Office on a first-come first-serve basis while supplies last between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm on the day of the performance . Remaining tickets are given out one hour before curtain. Assigned, ticketed seats will be held  at the box office until 5 minutes before the performance starts.

 

There is NO assigned seating for the children's theatre shows. These performances are always offered on a first-come first-serve basis.

 

For more information on seating and performance schedules, please visit milleroutdoortheatre.com.  

Upcoming Events

Calendar2Please refer to the Community Events Calendar on our website for time, location and other event details

June 1 
  • Disaster Preparedness Workshop for Religious Leaders     
June 2
  • Disaster Preparedness Workshop for Religious Leaders  Alief Community Forum - Save Texas Schools Regional Workshop  
  • Free Press Summer Fest 
  • Immigration/Citizenship Forum by OCA-Greater Houston
June 5   
  • FELA! Community Workshop
  • Free Press Summer Fest 
  • Sharpstown Rotary Club 

June 6

  • FELA! Community Workshop

June 7  

  • AARP Chapter 4418 Meeting
  • Trees For Houston tree sale

June 8

  • Trees For Houston tree sale
June 9
  • 2012 Hurricane Workshop    
  • Trees For Houston tree sale  
June 12
  • AARP Chapter 50 Meeting
  • Friends of Lansdale Park Kick-Off Meeting 
  • Sharpstown Rotary Club

June 13

  • Deed Restriction Workshop 

June 14

  • Flag Day