Happy Birthday America. . .

As we prepare to celebrate July 4th this coming Thursday, I am sure many of us have arranged your calendars to take extra days off on either side of the holiday. Whether you are planning to join in the Freedom Over Texas celebration or the Exxon Mobile Star Spangled Salute, travel to a family reunion, or just enjoy a quiet day at home, I encourage you to take a few moments to ponder the story of our nation's founding. Our improbable beginnings are still remarkable, and our history continues to be inspiring. Each new generation continues to write the story of freedom and is uniquely called to sacrifice for the gift of liberty. In the midst of the celebrations, take the time to give thanks for the nation we are continuing to build.

Wishing you a safe and happy July 4th!

More Big Green Bins Coming to District J!

The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) is expanding the curbside recycling program to an additional 35,000 households -  including 810 addresses in District J. Homes in Braeburn Glen, Westwood Corner, and Westwood Patio Homes will receive their "big green bins" for single stream recycling in July. The single-stream collection will begin on Monday, July 22, for "A" collection week or Monday, July 29, for "B" collection week. Residents will continue to have their recycling collected on their regular pick up schedule.

Recyclable items that can be placed in the green carts include newspapers, magazines, office paper, junk mail, cardboard, paperboard, paper bags, glass bottles and jars, aluminum cans, tin and steel cans and plastics 1 - 5 and 7.

 

For more information on the City of Houston's recycling programs and services, please visit the Solid Waste Management Department's website.   

 

A friendly reminder... When placing your carts at the curb, remember to leave 3 feet between each cart and other objects such as cars, trees, and mailboxes so the SWMD trucks can pick them up quickly and easily. 

It's Hurricane Season - Are you evacuating or sheltering in place?

The first step in making your hurricane plans is to decide if you will evacuate or shelter in place. Both require similar preparation, planning, and gathering of supplies. For both, authorities such as FEMA and the National Weather Service recommend building an emergency supply kit.  More information on those kits can be found in the "Hurricane Season Resources" links found in the left hand columns of this newsletter.  

While none of District J falls in any of the mandatory evacuation zones in the Houston and gulf coast area, some residents may choose to evacuate. If you choose to evacuate, the District J office urges you follow FEMA's guidelines for evacuation planning and to follow all evacuation instructions from the City of Houston and Harris County. FEMA advises to have a pre-determined meeting place for your family, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood. If you are using your own vehicle, be sure to have a full tank of gas if evacuation seems likely. Gas stations may be closed, busy, or out of fuel. And leave early enough to avoid the heaviest of evacuation traffic and severe weather threats.  

Independence Day Celebrations In Houston

The 4th of July is around the corner, and the City of Houston is celebrating in style!  

Houston will set the stage for an extraordinary patriotic celebration on July 4 beginning at 4 pm at Eleanor Tinsley Park along Buffalo Bayou, at Mayor Annise Parker's official Fourth of July event, Southwest Airlines' Freedom Over Texas with entertainment presented by NRG. The annual event will culminate with a fireworks extravaganza set to a perfectly timed bed of patriot and current musical selections. Featured acts on the main stage this year are Sheryl Crow and Martina McBride. For more information, please visit freedomovertexas.org.

The Houston Symphony will treat the audience to an evening with Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski and the Houston Symphony listening to patriotic, toe-tapping American music at the Miller Outdoor Theater with their Exxon Mobile Star Spangled Salute. The performance is scheduled begin at 8:30 pm, and seating on the green is free. Make sure to stay until the end for the 1812 Overture-complete with booming cannons! This celebration concludes with a magnificent display of fireworks provided by Miller Theatre Advisory Board. Click here fore more information.

Alief Veterans Luncheon - July 12

The Alief Community Association cordially invites you to their annual "Honor A Hero In Alief" luncheon featuring their guest speaker, Congressman Al Green, on July 12 from 10 am to 1:30 pm.  The luncheon will be at the Chapel of Eternal Peace, located at 2454 S. Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas 77077.  

The Alief Community Association requires an RSVP by July 5.  For more information, please call 832-651-3428 or email Marie-Lee@sbcglobal.net.

Complementary lunch will be provided for all Veterans and their guest. 

District J Spotlight - Got Grocery Carts?

If you see abandoned grocery store carts in your neighborhood, the District J office recommends that the fastest way to get them removed is to call the grocery store and report the location.

Here are the contact numbers to some of the grocery stores in and near District J:

Family Dollar

5631 Beechnut St - 713-771-2098 

5861 Bissonnet - 713-668-4726 

8646 S Braeswood Blvd - 713-779-5820  

9890 Fondren Rd - 713-779-0160  

5932 Renwick Dr - 713-668-8775  

 

Fallas Paredes  

8006 S Gessner - 713-995-7568  

7417 Southwest Freeway - 713-541-9351    

 

Fiesta

6200 Bellaire - 713-270-5889  

8710 Bellaire - 713-981-0858  

8650 S Braeswood - 713-988-1685  

 

Foodarama

5665 Beechnut - 713-771-6377  

 

La Michoacana

6906 Atwell - 713-668-3869 

 

Sam's Club 

5310 S Rice Ave. - 832-778-9736 

 

Sellers Bros.

5900 Renwick - 713-663-7750