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In this edition of GO News...
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- "Two Paws Up for Petoberfest"
- KaBOOM! New Playground Built at Houston Can!
- Join Us for a K.L.E.A.N. Up!
- National Night Out Brings Neighbors Together
- Ryon Safety Audit Creates Positive Change
- Spotlight on...GO Mobility!
- What's Happening? Community Announcements
- Get Involved! A calendar of upcoming events...
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Two Paws Up for Petoberfest!
200 Residents Come Together for Animal Health Fair
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Neighborhood kids learn about puppy care at Petoberfest.
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Pet owners and service providers came together on Saturday, October 22 at Marshall Middle School to celebrate responsible pet ownership. Northside Village residents enjoyed the pet festival, which included spay/neuter services, discounted rabies vaccinations, a pet photo booth, a bounce house, a DJ, and a blessing of the animals.
The idea for the festival came out of the GO Neighborhoods Quality of Life Agreement and GO Safety team, which recognized a problem with stray animals in the neighborhood, and brainstormed Petoberfest as a fun way to provide education and resources to pet owners. GO Safety then joined with the Greater Northside Management District to plan the festival, and added many partners along the way, including the offices of State Rep. Jessica Farrar's and city Council Member Ed Gonzalez.
The morning began early for residents eager to take advantage of the free spay and neuter services offered by the SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program) mobile unit. Almost 50 people were present for the 7am lottery, and 24 animals received surgery that day.
After the SNAP lottery, the festival began. Residents and pets posed at the Halloween-themed pet photo booth, created by All Smiles Dental. They also took advantage of the service providers, such as Barrio Dogs and Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), for tips on dog training and grooming, and visited the BARC booth for discounted rabies vaccinations.
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Father Brendan Murphy of Holy Name Catholic Church blesses the animals.
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Mario Martinez, a member of the GO Safety team who took a lead role in planning and organizing the festival, was thrilled by the turnout. He said that SNAP saw the need in the community, and is already planning a trip back to the Northside in January.
If you missed the festival, but are still interested in spay/neuter services and other pet care, check out the new BARC Wellness Center in the neighborhood!
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Volunteers tackle the mulch pile.
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KaBOOM! Volunteers Build Playground at Houston
Can! Academy
7 hours, 200+ volunteers, a bit of rain, and KaBOOM! The empty lot across from Northside Village's Houston Can! Academy at 3401 Hardy St. has been transformed into an inviting playground area with shaded picnic tables, a mural, and a garden.
The playground is the culmination of a months-long community planning process. It began with a need: Houston Can! Academy, an open-enrollment high school for students up to age 21, could not start a daycare until they had a playground. Community leaders, including GO Neighborhoods, came together to form a plan for a vibrant community space that would involve a large mural and a playground. Together, the partners submitted an application to KaBOOM!, a national non-profit that builds playgrounds around the country. KaBOOM! agreed to build, and brought BlueCross BlueShield of Texas on board
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The completed playground and mural!
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as a partner.
On Build Day, Saturday, October 7th, volunteers from the community, BlueCross BlueShield, and Houston Can! came together to make the plan a reality. To a DJ's tunes, participants mixed and poured concrete, assembled playground equipment, built benches and picnic tables, and moved 135 cubic yards of mulch.
Neighborhood children participated as well. The kids planted a flower garden and painted the mural, which was designed by Shine Studios and funded in part by GO Neighborhoods.
Undeterred by scattered rain showers, volunteers moved the last shovelful of mulch around 2:30pm, and the ribbon cutting commenced. The playground is now ready, so come check it out!
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National Night Out Brings Residents, Police Together for Evening of Fun
On Tuesday, October 4th, bed time was optional.
Instead, residents gathered at four different locations in Northside Village to meet their neighbors and local law enforcement officials. These gatherings were part of the 28th Annual National Night Out, a crime prevention event designed to strengthen neighborhoods and resident-police relationships.
Funded by local civic organizations and GO Neighborhoods, Northside Village's National Night Out was a great success that brought out more than 600 participants and 90 volunteers. The four events were hosted by B.O.N.D, Lindale Park Civic Club, Melrose Civic Club, and North Lindale Park.
At Castillo Park, B.O.N.D put on a party with the help of several hundred residents and a DJ. At the event, City Council Member Ed Gonzalez stopped by and gave an award to B.O.N.D. president Armando Bermudez for his years of service in the community. Mr. Bermudez sees the National Night Out as an important community event, saying "BOND helped host National Night Out to bring neighbors together and meet each other, as well as meet police officers,
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B.O.N.D. President Armando Bermudez receives an award from City Council Member Ed Gonzalez
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city officials, and learn about agencies and businesses in the community. "
The Melrose Park Civic Club partnered with the new Walgreens to host an event of more than 135. The civic club served tacos and snow cones, and the event was a great time for neighbors to reconnect and meet new people.
At Lindale Park, over 150 people came together at St. Albans Episcopal Church. Children loved the bounce houses, facepainting, and visiting fire truck, while adults had fun on a "scavenger hunt" to meet their neighbors.
While many civic clubs have been participating in National Night Out for years, Northside Village welcomed a new event. North Lindale held their first event at Speedy's Burgers, and had a crowd of over 50.
If you missed the fun, make sure to look for this event next year, or join the GO Safety team to learn about creating an event on your block!
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Ryon Safety Audit Brings Positive Change
On June 14th, partners in the Northside came together to conduct a Safety Audit in the Ryon community. The report this produced has already had positive effects on the neighborhood.
One of the most useful tools that the GO Safety team has used to increase safety in our community is conducting Safety Audits. Using a strategy called Crime Prevention Though Environmental Design; community volunteers evaluate the use of space, with the goal of making practical recommendations that will improve public safety.
GO Safety's most recent Safety Audit was conducted near Houston Can! Academy in the Ryon area. Monique Howard, a leader in the Ryon Civic Association and GO Neighborhoods, explained the choice of this site: "We decided to take this on because of the new Houston Can! Academy opening in the neighborhood. Kids get let out at different times, and there are drugs being sold in that area and liquor being consumed at the Chevron station. We thought that this was a danger to the students at this schooland wanted to look for a way to clean up the area."
GO Neighborhoods, Avenue CDC, The Greater Northside Management District, Houston Can! Academy, Ryon Civic Association, Avenue Villas Homeownership Association and the Houston Police Department worked together on this project.
On June 14th, volunteers were trained, and the audit was conducted along Collingsworth between Hardy and Elysian. The audit consisted of both daytime and evening evaluations to see how activity and conditions changed.
The audit produced a report that documents community assets, crime reports for the area, raw data of the surveys conducted by volunteers, and recommendations about changes that would help improve public safety. The full report is available here.
To summarize the report, there are no particularly bad design flaws in terms of how public space is laid out, but there is a lot of neglect. For example, 9 lights were out on this single block, and there is a significant loitering problem, which is made worse by a handful of business in the area. The recommendations of the report focus on the businesses; Chevron, a carwash, Pace-Setters and Worker's Co-op, and the policy or design improvements that could benefit the area. For example, if businesses posted hours of operation and no loitering signs, and residents reported loitering, public intoxication, and other violations to law enforcement, the area would be safer.
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Community leaders and law enforcement officers come together to perform the Ryon Safety Audit.
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Will Trevino of the Greater Northside Management District, who trained participants in how to conduct the survey, summarized some of the outcomes thus far: "The Ryon Safety Audit was the first step in a long journey to improving the area for all. It brought issues to the forefront that are now being addressed. The biggest success, so far, has been that many of the unsafe vehicles have been removed due to HPD's participation. With persistence, hard work, and help from the community, eventually it will become the place I know it can be."
This audit is valuable because it identifies the assets, records the unintended uses of space, and recommends changes that allow for more appropriate uses of a key area in the Northside.
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Join Us for a K.L.E.A.N Up!
Project K.L.E.A.N. (Keeping Lots Empty and Neat) is coming together to revitalize a neighborhood lot!
Volunteers Needed! Join Us for a Morning of Fun!
November 12
9am-Noon
745 Dorchester St.
For more information, please call Donna Espadas at 713-876-7376 (Cell)
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Spotlight on...
GO Mobility!
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Quality of Life Agreement Mission Statement: "We will leverage transit projects in our community as a tool for upward mobility, our residents will be linked to opportunities, and we will be connected to one another."
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GO Mobility's Rail Summit
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Major Accomplishments: Rail Resolution, Rail Summit, Annual Jeff Davis METRO Q Card Sign-up
Meetings: Every 2nd Monday of the Month, 6pm, at Metro Solutions 2613 Fulton
Captain: Jon Cooper
Our Story: As GO Neighborhoods interviewed Northside Village residents to create the Quality of Life Agreement, a theme emerged: mobility was a major concern in the neighborhood. There was a need for a group to provide the neighborhood with clear information about changing transportation services, and to advocate for the needs of the neighborhood. Thus, GO Mobility was born.
The first challenge that GO Mobility took on was to create a Rail Resolution: a document which clearly outlines the neighborhood's vision of the new light rail. To determine the needs of the neighborhood, GO Mobility team members reached out to residents through meetings and interviews. The final document, which was signed by more than 100 residents and presented to METRO, gives Northside Village a voice by calling for specific rail designs, infrastructure changes, and education programs about the light rail. Then, in February of 2011, GO Mobility held a Rail Summit to inform residents about the light rail project and explain the Rail Resolution. More than 150 residents attended.
Going forward, GO Mobility will continue to act as a voice for residents in the light rail process, while also pursuing other projects to continually improve the transportation needs of all residents in the Northside. Currently, GO Mobility works with METRO to host an annual event at Jeff Davis High School to sign students up for discount Q cards, and is looking for more opportunities to connect residents to transportation services. The team is also looking at ways to improve bus shelters, provide updated transit maps to residents, and educate people about new bike lanes.
For more information about how you can be a part of GO Mobility, please contact the team captain Jon Cooper or attend an upcoming meeting!
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2011 ANNUAL ART ON THE AVENUE event, an art show of more than 300 artists and a silent auction benefiting the affordable housing programs of Avenue CDC! This year's event will feature the work of 20 student artists from Marshall Middle School. Entry includes live entertainment, beer and wine, and excellent food.
Auction/Party - Saturday, November 12
Time: 6-10 pm (bidding closes at 9:30 pm)
The event also features a silent auction including vacation packages, jewelry, and other items provided by local businesses. Featured items this year include a BMW BICYCLE, A FOOTBALL SIGNED BY MARIO WILLIAMS, GIFT BASKETS and more!
Tickets: $20 in advance or $25 at the door
For tickets, visit http://avenuecdc.org/art-on-the-avenue/
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HUD Senior Citizen Retirement Community Fulton Gardens Ready for Occupancy Late 2011 48 One Bedroom Units Available Applicants must be at least 62 Years of Age and earn less than $22,800 ($26,050 for a Couple) Rent will be 30% of Income after Medical Deductions Interested Persons can call (713) 692-1801 |
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TxDOT is Back! Public Meetings in November!
After several years of the I-45 project being on hold, public meetings are now being scheduled by TxDOT.
- TxDOT is about to significantly change the I-45 project
TxDOT has provided NO advance information on exactly what the project now covers. The ONLY way to get information is to attend the public Scoping meetings scheduled:
- Tuesday, November 15, 6pm - 8 pm, Jeff Davis High School, 1101 Quitman St.
- Thursday, November 17, 6pm - 8 pm, Aldine High School, 11101 Airline Drive
Meetings will be in an 'Open House' format, so you can come & go. A short 10-minute video will be shown regarding the project. There will be informational maps shown & TxDOT will be there to answer questions. Both meetings will be identical.
For more information, please check the facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=126404660719854) or the website www.I-45Coalition.org. Jim Weston, I-45 Coalition
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Like "Money Talks"?
More Financial Literacy Classes Near You!
Each month, the Near Northside Financial Opportunity Center hosts Financial Literacy Classes to help families and individuals become financially stable and self-sufficient.
Each household will receive one free gift card; food and drinks are provided.
Here are the details:
WHAT: Financial Literacy Classes
WHEN: Classes begin at 6 p.m. on these dates
- Thursday, November 10 - Borrowing Basics
- Thursday, December 8 - Charge It Right
WHERE: Wesley Community Center
Near Northside Financial Opportunity Center
1410 Lee Street
Houston, Texas 77009
For more information, contact Lucretia Jelks at 713-223-8131, extension 244.
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BARC Announces New Wellness Center
BARC, the City of Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, unveiled a new Wellnes s Center on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, in honor of World Rabies Day. BARC will offer low-cost rabies vaccinations, heartworm testing and other preventative medications through the new Wellness Center. A full description of the services and products is available at the Wellness Center are available at the Wellness Center page on the BARC website, www.houstonbarc.com. The Wellness Center will be open daily from noon to 6 p.m., with the exception of Mondays and Thursdays when BARC is closed to the public.
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| Free Internet Class at Jeff Davis High School Friday, November 4th. For all the details, check out the flier here! |
| Free Immunizations for Children!
The Houston Fire Department (HFD) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van Program are offering FREE childhood immunizations at area HFD Fire Stations and other locations. All childhood vaccines (from birth to 18 years) will be provided, so this is the perfect opportunity to get your children up-to-date on their immunizations. Children's flu shots will also be available beginning in October.
Just bring your children and a copy of their immunization records to one of the following locations between 4pm-7pm on the dates listed below.
Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
2011 Fall Clinics
Thursday, November 3
HFD Fire Station 29- 4831 Galveston Road
Thursday, November 17
HFD Fire Station 44- 675 Maxey Road
Thursday, December 1
Larkin Community Center- 5410 Larkin Street
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Houston 311 Help & Info Website Redesigned
The City of Houston has launched a redesigned Houston 311 Help & Info website, http://www.houston311.org/. The new customer friendly website is easy to use. Users can place more than 100 Service Requests online, and more are being added every day. Additional information is just a click away. While citizens may still call Houston 311 Help & Info, submitting requests online is much faster and can be done anytime -- day or night, weekday or weekend.
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Curious about healthcare reform? Watch this informative video created by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation!
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40 Fridays 4 Teens- November 4, 6pm
Transformation Youth Center, 113 Coronado
GO Commerce - November 7, 6pm
Avenue CDC Homeownership Center, 707 Quitman
Art on the Avenue November 10th Preview Party 6pm-9pm November 12th Auction/Party 6pm-10pm Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. GO Youth and Education - November 11, 12pm M.D. Anderson YMCA, 705 Calvacade 40 Fridays 4 Teens- November 11, 6pm Salvation Army, 4516 Irvington Project K.L.E.A.N. (Keeping Lots Empty and Neat)- November 12 -8:30am-12:30pm 545 Dorchester GO Mobility - November 14, 6pm Metro Solutions, 2613 Fulton Lindale Park Civic Club Quarterly Meeting- November 15, 7pm 218 Joyce St. TxDOT Public Scoping Meeting- November 15, 6pm - 8pm, Jeff Davis High School, 1101 Quitman St. TxDOT Public Scoping Meeting- November 17, 6pm - 8pm, Aldine High School, 11101 Airline Drive Art Crawl - November 19
2315 N Main St Houston Near Northside Healthy Partnership November 22, 2pm, La Nueva Casa De Amigos, 1809 N. Main LIKE US ON FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE! |
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"We envision that our community will be a safe and inviting place where all ages and income levels can live well in quality housing; a place with an outstanding educational system that nurtures every child until they achieve their goals in education and life; and a neighborhood where we all work together to build on our strengths to create a diverse, vibrant, and connected community."
-Northside Quality of Life Agreement
For more information about how you can get involved, please contact Jenifer Wagley at Jenniferw@avenuecdc.org or 713.864.8099 ext 237.
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