It's Time for a Clean Sweep  

During my 2011 campaign for City Council I was asked by an interviewer, "If you had one wish for District J what would it be?"   I almost instantaneously responded: "I would wish for two street sweeping machines.  I would place them on the each end of the District and have them cleaning streets on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis."

My point was then and is now that District J has a litter problem! 

As I drive around our neighborhoods I too encounter esplanades that are covered with plastic bags caught in bushes, fast food boxes, bags, cups, or goodness knows something worse.  Our parks and public spaces are heavily used by our community.  We often leave them all the worse for wear.  I know I am not alone in this observation.  Many of you have relayed to me how you have witnessed people carelessly tossing all forms of trash from cars or simply dropping it as they walk down the street.

However, there is some good news on this front.  For example, the Greater Sharpstown,  Alief International and Brays Oaks Management Districts each hire private companies to help abate litter in their respective areas - which incidentally cover a large portion of District J.  On average each Management District area has workers picking up trash five days a week.  Each district reports an average of 4,000 pounds of trash recovered each month.  These district work crews also remove approximately 250 bandit signs a month and mow around 200 business fronts that need cleaning up. Thank goodness for their important clean-up work or we would really have a problem.

Additionally, civic associations and other groups are chipping in to help clean up our area.  I am looking forward to joining my Sharpstown neighbors at the Sharpstown Civic Association's sponsored Spring Cleaning Day this coming Saturday, April 13th.  A few weeks ago students from YES PREP - Gulfton, with assistance from the City's Department of Neighborhoods, spent several hours of community service cleaning several main streets in our Gulfton neighborhood.  Your District J office is currently working with other student and community groups to plan future clean-up day activities.  Thanks to all these civic minded groups for helping to correct our litter problem.

 All those efforts are a good start, but we have to do more.  In short we have to begin to change our collective culture about littering.  Each of us has a role play.  We should all be talking about our litter problem at our civic associations, clubs and organizations, houses of worship and schools. These discussions will re-enforce our community values of keeping our neighborhoods clean.  As we patronize businesses in our area we should take a moment to thank those who keep their properties clean and gently encourage those who don't to do better.  We need to remind ourselves and our friends and family that we can prevent and clean up litter. But complaining is simply not enough.  We can't assume that others will do the heavy lifting in this endeavor - or for that matter wait for others to do that hard work.   We have to change our habits and start picking up the trash around us and help prevent littering in the first place.

In short, it's time for a good clean sweep!  Let's get to work.  

Houston Children's Festival - April 6 & 7 

The Houston Children's Festival, April 6 & 7 from 10:30am to 6:30pm in downtown Houston, was recently selected as "one of the world's 300 unmissable events" by Frommer's Travel Guides. Celebrating its 25th year in 2013, it is one of Houston's signature events and has developed into one of the primary fund-raisers for Child Advocates. The festival celebrates over two decades of proven success for sponsors, the community, participants and most importantly, for Child Advocates and the abused and neglected children it serves.

The Festival has consistently provided high-quality educational and fun entertainment in a family friendly atmosphere. The Festival is divided into themed Family Adventure Zones and delivers over 300 exciting activities. This year's featured guests include Victoria Justice of Nickelodeon's hit series "VICTORIOUS," Laura Marano from Disney Channel's "AUSTIN AND ALLY," Dora the Explorer, and PBS's Sid the Science Kid. There is adventure and fun for everyone. The Houston Children's Festival reigns supreme as "Number One for Family Fun!"

Tax Preparation at Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center   

As the tax deadline looms and tax payers are looking to get the most out of their refund, the United Way of Greater Houston and Neighborhood Tax Centers remind Houstonians to learn more about the tax-saving Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and check their eligibility. Individuals who earn less than $50,270 from wages may be eligible for the EITC, but an estimated one in five eligible workers still miss claiming the EITC because of a lack of information. The average refund for families in Texas who claim EITC is over $2,000.

Vestido Rojo 2013 - April 20 

Go Red Por Tu Corazón is hosting it's Vesitdo Rojo 2013 event on Saturday, April 20, at Sharpstown High School from 8am to 1pm.  Go Red Por Tu Corazón is a nationwide campaign aimed at raising awareness about cardiovascular disease and stroke among Latin women. This event is designed to present that information in a culturally relevant way to the Hispanic community.

The FREE conference will begin with BMI, blood pressure, total cholesterol, and glucose screenings from 8:00am to 9:00am. Screenings will be followed by four sessions including: interactive cooking demonstrations, a fun physical activity class, heart health education course and a scanning evaluation consultation. There will also be a kid's zone presented by Community Health Choice for children ages 6 and up to learn about making healthy choices with food and the importance of being physically active through a kids friendly health conference!

Go Red Por Tu Corazón is expecting 300-400 women for this FREE event. Each participant will receive a goodie bag filled with items from partners and sponsors to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Registration is required to attend by calling 713-610-5008 - leave your name and number on a voicemail. You will receive a call back to confirm your registration.

First Annual Willow Waterhole Jazz Festival - April 28

District J Spotlight:  Police and Clergy Team (PACT) 2nd annual Talent Show - April 13 

The New Braeswood Revitalization Association, Judwin properties, SMI Realty, and the Police and Clergy Team (PACT) are once again hosting the 2nd annual Talent Show. This event will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the Calvary Chapel located near the corner of Fondren Road and the 59 Southwest Freeway, 7544 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX 77074. Tickets may be purchased at the door for $10 for adults, $5 for children.   

The Police and Clergy Team (PACT) is a faith-based organization in partnership with the Houston Police Department (HPD) focusing on Southwest Houston to improve the safety and well-being of the community through the deterrence of crime by providing emotional and spiritual support with social resources to any person affected by crime or disaster.

PACT concentrates their efforts on positive support programs that include, but are not limited to:

• Call Outs - PACT responds to the Houston Police Department's request for assistance in a crisis.
• Ride-A-Longs - Collaborating with officers on Patrol on a consistent basis providing community outreach for: Counseling youth and adults regarding the consequences of criminal behavior, and parenting skills.
• Residential Intervention - PACT trained team members are building relationships in the community through Apartment Resident Teams, After-School Programs, Youth Community Gardens, and Educational Programs
• Service Provider to Victims of Crime - PACT continues to make our communities in SW Houston a safer place by using the Mobile Recovery Vehicle Crisis Center and helping under-served populations needing resolution to problems resulting from crime.

If you have any questions, please call an event coordinator; Susan Perron at 281-935-8331, Ruth Hurst at 713-776-2760, or Larry Frank at 713-448-0305 .

We genuinely hope you join us in celebrating the success of this Talent Show and allowing us to share with you the warm emotions generated by this event.