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Greetings and welcome to the first edition of Commissioner's E-Corner for 2014! First, I'd like to mention the listing of upcoming events at our parks and community centers located at the bottom of each E-Corner. This is a great at-a-glance tool to keep you informed about all of the opportunities for you and your family. We encourage everyone to resolve in the new year to spend more time with family at the numerous educational and recreational activities Precinct 4 offers!
We are right on track for a busy 2014 and, in this issue, offer a construction update on the Tomball Tollway, a brief note about progress on the Spring Creek Greenway, and reveal plans to celebrate Mercer's 40th anniversary throughout the year.
Don't forget that you can access past issues of Commissioner's E-Corner on the Precinct 4 website. When you visit Precinct 4 online, you can also learn more about the road projects taking place, as well as the upcoming events at Precinct 4's community centers and parks, and Senior Adult Program activities through Fun4Seniors.
Sincerely,
Commissioner R. Jack Cagle
Harris County Precinct 4
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Spring Creek Greenway Receives Donation
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Precinct 4's plans for the Spring Creek Greenway recently received a boost thanks to a generous donation from Skymark Development of Houston. Mr. Clinton Wong presented a check for $100,000 to Commissioner Cagle and the Precinct 4 Parks Administrator, Dennis Johnston.
The funds are intended for a planned trail to connect Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center to a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the San Jacinto River near Highway 59. This segment is still in the early developmental stage.
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Tomball Tollway Construction Update
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 The Harris County Toll Road Authority will permanently close the existing crossover between Three Lakes Boulevard and Canyon Point Drive in March 2014 between the northbound and southbound lanes of SH 249.
The Tomball Tollway project will provide three toll lanes in each direction within the existing SH 249 corridor. The current frontage roads will remain in place and will not be tolled. The project is proposed to be constructed in two phases.
Phase I, located in Harris County, consists of three toll lanes in each direction from just south of Spring Cypress Road to just north of FM 2920. Phase II will extend the toll lanes north of the bypass to the Harris County line at Spring Creek and points beyond in Montgomery County. Phase II will require partnership with Montgomery County to achieve successful development. Construction of Phase I is underway and expected to be completed in 2015.
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HMNS Distinguished Lecture Series
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To celebrate Mercer's 40th anniversary, Harris County Precinct 4 and The Mercer Society (TMS) are proud to partner with the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) to offer signature presentations throughout 2014 that will take place at the museum located at 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston 77030.
The series begins with "The Chinese Economic 'Bloom' - People, Plans, and Plants for a Verdant Earth" on Thursday, April 10 at 6:30 p.m. presented by Dr. David Creech of Stephen F. Austin State University.
Tony Avent, owner of Juniper Level Botanic Gardens and Plant Delights Nursery, will present "Exploration to Exploitation - The Road from Plant Discovery to Market" on September 4. Then "Growing an Ark: The Expanding Role of Botanic Gardens in Plant Conservation" will be held on November 6, offered by Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson of Missouri Botanical Garden.
Reservations are required, which can be made directly through HMNS by calling 713-639-4629 or visiting www.hmns.org. Individual lecture tickets are $12 for TMS members and $18 for non-members.
Free transportation to and from the lectures will be available to senior adults 50 years and better using Harris County Precinct 4 buses departing from Mercer. Seating is limited and reservations are required on a first-come, first served basis. Please call 281-443-8731 to make arrangements.
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is located one mile north of FM 1960 at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, 77338. For more information, visit www.hcp4.net/mercer.
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2014 Destinations Galore Travel Show
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 Precinct 4's Senior Adult Program is hosting the 2014 Destinations Galore Travel Show Tuesday, January 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Humble Civic Center located at 8233 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble. This free event is designed to assist Harris County senior adult trip coordinators and the traveling public with trip planning information.
This transportation show offers one-stop shopping for trip ideas to interesting destinations throughout southeast Texas. More than 100 vendors from historical societies, chambers of commerce, trip and tour operators, special event coordinators, museums, parks, theaters, annual festivals, craft shows, and restaurants will be showcased.
A barbecue sandwich lunch will be available for $6.50, which includes chips and a drink.
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Congratulations!
Commissioner Cagle received an unexpected Christmas gift in the form of delivering the "commencement" speech on December 20 to a group of 16 youths who recently completed their GED high school courses.
This group stands out because it's made up of teenagers who are in the county's Juvenile Probation system. We should all applaud their hard work and dedication during a difficult period in their lives.
A special thanks goes to the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department staff who work to better the lives of our next generation.
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Senior Adult Program Expands Services
Harris County Precinct 4's Senior Adult Program (SAP) is expanding its programming with excursions designed for active adults 50 years of age and better. These excursions are geared to those who want to explore new interests, and some may require extra physical ability and stamina.
Active adults can now take excursions from Barbara Bush Library (6817 Cypresswood Drive in Spring, 77379), Fairbanks Library (7122 North Gessner in Houston, 77040), and Kingwood Library (4400 Bens View Lane in Kingwood, 77379) to various attractions in the greater-Houston area.
Free transportation is provided for individuals 50 years and better through Harris County Precinct 4's Senior Adult Program. Please call 281-893-3726 to learn more.
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Upcoming January/February Activities
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Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center:
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Winter Woods Orienteering. Sat., January 25, 10 a.m. Take advantage of absent fire ants, mosquitos, and snakes in the winter forest to enjoy an exploration with a compass. Participants must supply compass. Ages 10+. Reservations required; please call 281-446-8588.
Antique Roses. Sat., February 1, 10 a.m. Learn about the many old-fashioned rose types that are disease resistant, low maintenance, and well adapted to the Harris County climate. All ages.
Homestead Heritage Day. Sat., February 8, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Bring the family for a "living history" look at 19th century Texas settler life. Enjoy the sights and sounds of folk music, blacksmithing, black powder weaponry, open fire cooking, and more as the skills of times past are demonstrated by scores of authentically outfitted re-enactors. All ages.
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Community Centers/Senior Adult Program:
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Senior Adult Program: The Oak Ridge Boys. Sun., January 26. Come enjoy your favorite country hits such as "Elvira," "Thank God for Kids," "Fancy Free" and many more. To check ticket availability, please call the Senior Adult Program at 281-893-3726.
Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park: AARP Safe Driving Course. Mon., January 27, noon - 5 p.m. Reduce your car insurance by as much as 10 percent by completing AARP's Safe Driving Course. This class cannot be used for ticket dismissal. Call 281-350-1029 to sign up.
Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park: Popcorn and a Movie Features Casablanca. Wed., February 5, 12:30 p.m. Are you in need of an afternoon break? Come to the Center to enjoy a free movie, popcorn, and a drink! Call 281-350-1029 to sign up.
Mangum-Howell Center: "All Trumped Up" Party Bridge Tournament. Thurs., February 6, 10 a.m. Meet local bridge enthusiasts and spend an enjoyable day playing this fascinating game. Reservations required; please call 281-591-7830.
Senior Adult Program: Hill Country BBQ Buffet. Thurs., February 6. All senior adults 50 years of age and better are invited to Lone Star College for a luncheon and live, musical entertainment. For more information, please call the Senior Adult Program at 281-893-3726.
Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park: Get the Facts on Serving Sizes, Fat, and Sodium Nutrition Seminar Series. Thurs., February 6, 1 p.m. Join Any Comer, program assistant with Better Living for Texans, as she presents a nutritional seminar series that will benefit anyone who needs to monitor their diet.
Big Stone Lodge at Dennis Johnston Park: Lindy's Famous Cake Balls Cooking Class. Mon., February 10, 1 p.m. Join Lindy Maze of Lindy's Country Cupboard Cake in Spring as she shares the secrets of her famous cake balls. Call 281-350-1029 to sign up.
Mangum-Howell Center: Looking Back and Moving Forward Covered Dish Luncheon featuring Black History Awareness. Tues., February 11, noon. Celebrate Black History Month at the Center, and enjoy the delightful and inspirational program planned for this annual celebration. Reservations required; please call 281-591-7830.
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Commissioner R. Jack Cagle
Harris County Precinct 4
1001 Preston, Suite 950
Houston, Texas 77002
By phone: 713-755-6444
By fax: 713-755-8801
Email: commissionercagle@hcp4.net
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