A Wish For Thanksgiving 

O beautiful for spacious skies,  

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law! *   

Allow me to simply wish each and every one of you a Thanksgiving holiday complete with joy-filled gatherings, secured by safety in travel, and buoyed by grateful hearts.

- Mike Laster, Council Member - District J

*America the Beautiful, Katherine Lee Bates, Stanzas 1 & 2   

Last chance to register early for TXU's 2012 Turkey Trot! 

Start your Thanksgiving Day off right in a healthy and fun way by joining TXU Energy and Sheltering Arms at the 20th Annual TXU Energy Turkey Trot! All proceeds benefit Sheltering Arms Senior Services, who, for 119 years, has helped seniors in the Greater Houston area live more independent and engaged lives through a variety of older adult and caregiver programs.

Important Dates:

• Last day for EARLY registration: Friday, Nov 16 (all race fees go up $5)
• Last day for ONLINE registration: Monday, Nov 19, 7 pm
• Packet Pick-Up at Luke's Locker at 1953 West Gray - Saturday, Nov 17 - Wednesday, Nov 21
• Last day to register for a timed race - Wednesday, Nov 21 at Luke's Locker only

New This Year:

• Our VIP Grand Marshall is Marlen Esparza, Houston native and Olympic Bronze Medalist in women's boxing
• New race route to make the race easier and more comfortable for our expected 15,000 participants!

Please visit www.HoustonTurkeyTrot.org 

YES Prep Southwest, BOMD, and DON

Keep District J Clean 

On Thursday, November 8, students from YES Prep Southwest participated in a litter clean up near the Westwood area of District organized by the City of Houston's Department of Neighborhoods (DON) and the Brays Oaks Management District (BOMD).  They collected 20 bags of litter and debris, and even an illegally dumped tire.   

The District J Office sends a big THANK YOU to everyone who helped make the day a big success.   

Wortham Center tree Lighting - Nov 21

Hundreds of Houston-area children will celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the Wortham Center Tree Lighting Ceremony - a joyous, colorful festival held in the Grand Foyer of the Wortham Theater Center downtown. The highlight of the event will occur when the Sugar Plum Fairy illuminates 8,000 twinkling lights on Wortham Theater Center's 25-foot tall Christmas tree, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21. The festivities will include visits by costumed characters from Houston Ballet's "The Nutcracker," including life-sized fuzzy mice and soldiers.

For more information or to purchase tickets please click here.   

Houston Area Women's Center

The Houston Area Women's Center has helped individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward since 1977.  Did you know that 74% of Texans have either been personally affected by domestic violence or know someone who has?  Harris County reported a total of 35 deaths in 2010 related to domestic violence - the highest in number of deaths in Texas counties.   

The Center's Crisis Hotlines are available to victims and their families seeking information and assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Hotline staff and volunteers are always there to help.  IN 2012, the Center received a staggering 37,377 domestic violence and 2,815 sexual assault calls.    

Domestic Violence Hotline:  (713) 528-2121

TDD Line  (713) 528-3625 
Outside Area Line  (800) 256-0551   

Sexual Violence Hotline:  (713) 528-RAPE (7273)

TDD Line  (713) 528-3691  

Outside Area Line  (800) 256-0661   

The Houston Area Women's Shelter provides shelter, counseling, and advocacy to support clients in building lives free from the effects of violence.  Their doors are always open to survivors of domestic and sexual violence in need of counseling and advocacy services.  All services are free of charge.  

To learn more about the Houston Area Women's Shelter's services or how to volunteer, please visit www.hawc.org or call (713) 528-6798. 

District J Spotlight:  Neighborhood Centers Inc.'s Sheltering Arms Senior Services

Sheltering Arms Senior Services is a nonprofit organization in the Neighborhood Centers Inc. and family committed to the health and well-being of older adults and their family caregivers. Their  mission is to promote the dignity and independence of older adults through service, advocacy, and support for caregivers.

Annually, Sheltering Arms serves more than 68,000 seniors and their caregivers through In Home Care, Geriatric Care Management & Consultation, Lifeline Medical Alert, Case Management, Adult Day Care, Housing and Energy Management, and Telephone Reassurance.  

Sheltering Arms can also provide assistance with utility costs and home weatherization.  

If you have a friend or loved one who may benefit from Sheltering Arms' many services, you can submit a referral online or call 713-685-6577, or the United Way's 2-1-1 Helpline.