| February: History, Love and the District J CIP Meeting . . .
As a month, February is chock full of holidays, and your District J Office staff is excited to join our residents in observing each one. Not only are we finishing up this year's Lunar New Year festivities, we are also celebrating African American History Month, the birthdays of Susan B. Anthony
February 15th, and Abraham Lincoln on February 12th and George Washington's birthday, which we celebrate as Presidents' Day, on February 17th. Of course we need no reminders that in the middle of all those historical celebrations comes St. Valentine's Day on the 14th. May each of you find a special way to spend that day with friends and loved ones. Finally, on Wednesday, February 28th, District J will be hosting its annual City of Houston CIP Meeting. Please mark your calendars to attend this important gathering where we will discuss current, upcoming, and needed City of Houston infrastructure construction projects for District J. Bring your list of projects that you think the City should consider for major capital construction or needed repairs. We hope to see you there.
Welcome to Eric Widaski . . .
I am pleased to announce that Eric Widaski will be joining the District J office as your new Constituent and Community Affairs Director. As such he will assist with constituent services, district communications, and special projects. Eric is a 2012 alumnus of the University of Houston where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. We are glad to have him on the District J team. Eric will join Matt Brollier, Chief of Operations, Sharon Shanahan, Administrative Services Director and Jonny Flores, Agenda and Policy Director. As always, your District J team looks forward to serving you in 2014.
Regards,
- Mike Laster, Council Member - District J
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Now Hear This!
CIP Meeting Reminder
As mentioned  above, the District J Capital Improvement Plan Meeting will be held on February 26th at the Sharpstown Community Center from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. The community center is located at 6600 Harbor Town Dr., Houston, TX, 77036.
Our office encourages everyone to attend this meeting, as an overview of upcoming infrastructure projects in our District will be presented. Community input related to these projects is also encouraged. We hope to see you there!
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150 Years of African American History in Southwest Houston
In 1865, $1.50 purchased the acre on which the original Jeanetta-area Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church and memorial plot sat. Almost 150 years later, this church, some of whose parishioners descend from the original founders, has moved a few times, but now stands at 3401 Jeanetta, just across the street from District J. The cemetery now has the address of 22 Shady Lane, just north of Westheimer.
Freed slaves from throughout the South, led by Reverend Max Austin, banded together to establish the original location of this spiritual refuge on what was a mix of open prairie and oaken groves. That spot is now the 8000 block of Westheimer, near the Home Depot.
In honor of African-American History Month, we salute this Southwest Houston house of faith, and the century-and-a-half of benevolent works, spiritual guidance, and civic participation with which Pilgrim Rest has enriched our community.
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Asia Society Presents Bound
Original HGO Opera Part of East + West Series
An original one-act opera, Bound, will be performed on February 15th and 16th at the Asia Society at 2pm. The opera, with a libretto written by native Houstonian Bao-Long Chu, tells the story of a Vietnamese high school truant, who struggles with conflicting aspects of her life. Haunted by her mother's memories of war, she navigates between forgetting and remembering, as well as desire and duty.
The original opera is a part of Houston Grand Opera's East + West series, which celebrates the collaboration of Eastern and Western cultures in our own, diverse city. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the links provided.
There will be free performances at the following venues:
Wednesday, February 12, 5 pm
Ripley House Neighborhood Center
4410 Navigation Blvd., Houston, TX 77011
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HISD Students & Teachers Issued Laptops
Sharpstown & Lee High Among First in Program
Announced nearly a year ago, HISD's PowerUp initiative is distributing more than 18,000 laptops to students and teachers over the course of two years. Both Sharpstown High School and Lee High School are among the first schools to receive laptops through Phase 1 of the program. When fully completed, the initiative will have expanded to every HISD high school and will reach about 65,000 high school students and teachers.
HISD officials are quick to point out that the program is about more than just the distribution of laptops. Students will now have an additional resource to use for homework and research, while teachers will be able to hold students more accountable.
Students who receive the devices have completed a digital citizenship class, signed a loan agreement and paid a $25 deposit. The laptops will have filtering software, and students are informed of what is an appropriate use of the laptops in the citizenship class as well. The computers will be returned at the end of the school year, cleaned up and re-issued when classes resume.
HISD will be assessing the initiative not just on academic outcomes but on its impact on classroom instruction as well. Please click on the links above for more information.
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Free Children's Vaccines
Texas Children Mobile Clinic at ECHOS
Free vaccines will be offered to children up to 18 years old on Monday, February 10 at ECHOS. It will be located at 9600 S. Gessner and Bissonnet.
Parents are encouraged to bring their child's shot records. Please call (713) 303 - 5317 or (832) 372 - 9871 for more information or click the links available above.
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week. Be sure to check in often!
February 10
- Mid West Super Neighborhood #20 Meeting
February 11
- City Council - Public Session
February 12
- Gulfton Area Service Provider Meeting
February 13
- Braeburn Valley West Board Meeting
February 17
- Brays Bayou Association Meeting
WhenMon, February 17, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
WhereThe Gathering Place - 5310 South Willow ()
February 18
- City Council - Public Session
February 19
- GSMD - Environmental & Urban Design Committee Meeting
Do you have an event to share? Let us know!
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