Dear District F Residents and Friends,

I was pleased to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new $156 million international terminal at Hobby Airport. The project, fully funded by Southwest Airlines, includes a new five-gate international terminal, expansion of the existing security checkpoint, and upgrades to the Southwest Airlines ticketing counter area. When completed, the terminal will accommodate regional international flights, with service reaching destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and the northern cities of South America. Southwest Airlines anticipates the first international flights from Hobby Airport to begin in late 2015.

Despite the drizzly weather, hundreds of people came out to watch dozens of  floats, marching bands and drill teams perform in the 6th annual Alief International Parade. Organized by the Alief Community Association, the parade showcases and celebrates our community's diversity. Thanks to dedicated volunteers and sponsors, the parade has grown each year, with more businesses and organizations adding their entries, and more people coming to watch the performers pass by. I have been a proud supporter and look forward to participating in future parades.

Respectfully,

PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR TEXAS VOTERS 

 

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD), in partnership with The Houston Furniture Bank, has launched a pilot program to recycle mattresses. Instead of going to the landfill, mattresses dropped off at two of the City's six Neighborhood Depository and Recycling Centers (depositories) will be delivered to The Houston Furniture Bank where the mattresses will be deconstructed and the materials recovered will be recycled into new products.

"Mattresses are made up of primarily recyclable materials, including polyurethane foam, cotton, wood and steel coils," said Harry Hayes, SWMD Director. The City is committed to providing solutions for residents that want to recycle responsibly. Mattresses are a commodity that can be extracted from the waste stream and given a second life."

Mattresses dropped off at the depositories located at 2240 Central Street and 5565 Kirkpatrick will be recycled. The service may be expanded to all six depositories at a later date.

Depositories are open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Non-Daylight Savings Time. Residents may use the depositories four times per month. Citizens are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time to allow adequate time to unload. Each user must provide a Texas Driver's License or ID and a current utility bill or city property tax receipt as proof of residency.

The two containers used to house the mattresses were generously donated by BBVA Compass Bank to The Houston Furniture Bank.

2013 HOUSTON FIRE FEST

Saturday, Oct. 19

 

 

 

• Diesel Tank Fire
• Bus Fire with Extrication
• Tanker Truck Fire
• Ladder Truck Aerial Competition
• House Fire Demonstration

The Safety Skills Zone will include:

• Flashover Demonstration
• Ventilation Demonstration
• Extinguisher Demonstration
• Thermal Imaging Camera Demonstration

Proceeds and sponsorship of Fire Fest benefit the Fire Museum's outreach and education programming, as well as VJTF and its programs to train firefighters.  

 

The HFD Val Jahnke Training Facility is located at 8030 Braniff Ave. Parking is extremely limited, so FREE parking will be available at the corner of Monroe Rd. and Braniff. A FREE shuttle service will take attendees to Fire Fest every 15 minutes. For more information visit www.HoustonFireFest.com.

• Household cleaners
• Fluorescent light bulbs including CFLs
• Fuels (gasoline, propane, diesel)
• Paints 
• Pesticides and fungicides
• Pool treating chemicals
• Wood stains and varnishes
• Strippers, waxes and polishes
• Aerosols 
• Antifreeze 
• Motor oils and filters 
• Batteries  
• Electronics and computers 
• Rubber tires  

Saturday, Oct. 27 & Sunday, Oct. 28

 

Vintage warplanes, a special Korean War 60th anniversary tribute, a flight performance by the star of Disney's "Planes," the world's only flying B-29 Superfortress, and world-class aerobatic performers are among the highlights of the 29th Annual Wings Over Houston Airshow, which will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, at Ellington Airport. Wings Over Houston Airshow is a non-profit event produced by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). Continuous show updates and ticket information are available at www.WingsOverHouston.com.

 

Vintage military flight demonstrations will include a special 60th Anniversary Korean War Tribute presentation; pilot Randy Ball's performance in a MiG-17F fighter jet; FIFI, the world's only flying B-29 Superfortress; the B-24/LB-30 Diamond Lil, one of only two flying "Liberator" bombers; as well as the C-45 Expeditor, Bucket of Bolts. Other flight demonstrations include the Disabled American Veterans' B-25, Special Delivery, a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, and U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight showcasing planes from different eras. TORA TORA TORA also returns to the show with its dramatic re-creation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that signaled the beginning of American involvement in World War II. 

Several museums and organizations will display vintage aircraft, some of which they also will fly. The Texas Flying Legends Museum, based at Houston's Ellington Airport, offers a collection that includes a rare and flyable Japanese fighter plane, an A6M2 Model 21 Zero, as well as a B-25J Mitchell Bomber, two P-51D Mustangs, a P-40 Warhawk, and a F4U Corsair. Other organizations participating in this year's show include Lone Star Flight Museum, Lewis Air Legends, Vietnam War Flight Museum and Experimental Aircraft Association.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 through 11 and free for children 5 and under. To purchase tickets or to obtain additional air show information, visit www.WingsOverHouston.com.