City Seal
From the Office of Council Member Mike Laster 
Distric
t Journal
Official Newsletter of Houston City Council District J

Friday, April 4, 2014
Mike Laster - Flipped
832.393.3015
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

PO Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251-1562

Matt Brollier
Chief of Operations

Agenda & Policy Director

Sharon Shanahan
Administrative Services Director
 
Constituent and Community Affairs Director
  
Community Links


District J Parks 

City Contacts 

HPD (non-emergency) 

713.884.3131

 

Anti-Gang Office 

832.393.0931

 

Mayor's Citizens' Assistance 832.393.0955

 

Department of Neighborhoods 832.393.1038

 

Health & Human Services

832.393.5169

 

Parks Department 

832.395.7000

 

Public Works & Engineering 832.395.2511

 

Solid Waste Management 713.956.6589


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A Garden Grows in Gulfton . . .           

 

 

Though Saturday, March 22nd started off cloudy, muggy and under threat of rain, little could dampen the spirits of the sea of volunteers gathered at HISD's Gabriela Mistral Early Childhood Center in Gulfton. That morning, I had the great joy of joining Mayor Parker and School Principal Laura Alaniz for the ground breaking of a community garden and nature playground at the Center.  

 

Gabriela Mistral serves over 350 four and five-year-old area students. The event was the product of a grant given to the Center by the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company as part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' nationwide GRO1000 gardens and green spaces program. These grants are being awarded for green space development in communities around the country and was secured for the Center through the efforts of Mayor Parker's Office of Sustainability. 

 

More than 150 Gulfton area children joined droves of teachers, parents, local neighborhood volunteers, and helpers from Scotts Miracle-Gro and Dow Chemical to transform the playground into an incredible green-space and butterfly garden. The garden, designed by acclaimed Houston landscape design architect Keiji Asakura, joined Piney Point Elementary and the Westbury Community Center in being the third Houston school-based green space initiative sponsored by Scotts Miracle-Gro. Scotts presented the Mayor with a check for $40,000 dollars in support of the project.

 

As part of the workday the volunteers installed container gardens, fruit trees, compost bins, rain barrels and a playhouse, among other features. Continuing education concerning gardening and environmental activities have been, and will continue to be, available to area residents and youth. A few of the Center's talented students were presented with the Scotts Miracle-Gro "Give Back To Gro Youth Gardener Awards".

 

Allow me to thank Mayor Parker, the Mayor's Office of Sustainability, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Dow, and the countless volunteers for all their efforts in making this garden a great success. Thanks also to State Representatives Gene Wu and Sarah Davis, Judge Steven Kirkland, Council Member Jack Christie and HISD Trustee Mike Lunceford for joining in the festivities.

 

It is great to see national companies like Scotts Miracle-Gro showing interest in investing in communities like Gulfton. This garden and green space will be a vital learning resource to the children of Gabriela Mistral and Gulfton for years to come. With such good corporate sponsors, a little bit of local government support and the sweat equity of our industrious and hard working residents, there really are no limits to how we can revitalize, clean and green District J for the benefit and joy of us all.

 

Best, 

 

 Mike Laster - signature

 

- Mike Laster, Council Member - District J 

Because we Promised . . .

Conceptual Drawings of the New Lee HS

  

 

Stop the presses! Our office was able to obtain some conceptual drawings of the new Lee High School, and we are excited about the work the architects at AHR and  Lake/Flato are doing.

 

 

The $73.8 million project is expected to start this summer and will take 18 to 24 months to complete. The new school will feature a daycare center and clinic, as well as a dance studio, two gyms, black box theater, large stage and auditorium, music studios, science labs, ROTC facility and a swimming pool. Enrollment capacity will be increased from just over 1,300 to between 1,700 and 1,900.

 

 

 

Your District J office is proud to welcome this addition to Southwest Houston.

Revisions to Chapter 6 Pass City Council

Changes to BARC and Animal Control

 

Last week, City Council voted in favor of sweeping revisions to Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances, which regulates animal control issues. Through cooperation with the Sharpstown Civic Association (SCA) as well as the Super Neighborhood Alliance, and Mayor Parker and BARC, a proposal was finalized after a year of discussion and changes.

Though the ordinance is comprehensive in scope, some of the new features provide that no more than four dogs or four cats will be allowed to be kept within 100 feet of a residence without a permit, and Animal Control Officers will now have new levels of authority to remove animals designated as dangerous, aggressive, or a nuisance.

Thank you for all your input and civic participation during this process. Please continue to contact your District J office when you have comments, concerns or suggestions involving policy and other general City services.

Sharpstown Clean-Up Tomorrow

  

It's time to get your hands dirty! On April 5th, there will be a neighborhood clean-up effort put on by the Sharpstown Civic Association. Everyone will be meeting at the Burger King on Fondren and 59, next to HBU, and the event will last from 9am to 12pm.

 

Please contact the SCA at (713) 789-2311 for more details.

Support the American Cancer Society Walk

Contribute to the South Gessner Pacesetters

 

 

 

Although the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk isn't taking place until May 10th,  you can start contributing to the South Gessner Pacesetters Team page now! All funds collected will go to the American Cancer Society on behalf of HPD.

 

To give, click on the link provided here, then click on Houston Heat-HPD. Go to South Gessner Pacesetters to donate and then forward the link to your friends and family so they can contribute as well.

 

 

If you cannot contribute but would like to do the 5K walk, please sign in to the link on behalf of the South Gessner Pacesetters. And bring everyone you know on May 10th

to 1 Reliant Park at 9am to support a great cause.

Support the Police and Clergy Team

Talent Show Raises Funds for PACT

  

Judwin properties, SMI Realty, and the Police and Clergy Team (PACT) are hosting the 3rd annual PACT Talent Show. The event will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 6pm to 9pm at Bethel's Family Chapel, 14442 Fonmeadow Drive (Gate 7), Houston, TX 77035.

 

The show will showcase many local amateur artists. Tickets may be purchased at the door, and it will be $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Anyone is free to make a monetary donation.

 

The Police and Clergy Team (PACT) is a faith-based organization which works in partnership with HPD to improve the safety and wellbeing our citizens. They provide emotional and spiritual support to people affected by crime or disaster.

 

Beginning this year, the Ruth Hurst Legacy Award will be presented during the talent show event, recognizing outstanding individuals in the community. For more information, or if you know of anyone wanting to participate in the event, please call or e-mail the event coordinator Susan Perron at 281-935-8331. 

Go Fly a Kite!

International District Hosts Kite Festival

 

On April 12th, from 10am to 2pm, the Alief International District will be hosting the 2014 Kite Festival! It will be held at the Alief Nature Center at Beechnut and Dairy Ashford. People of all ages are encouraged to come out and show off their kite-making skills.

 

On site registration will occur for the following categories:

  • Largest Kite: 10AM
  • Smallest Kite: 11AM
  • Most Unique Kite: 12PM
  • Highest Flying Kite: 1PM
  • Most Colorful Kite: 2PM

Entertainment will be provided, and food and drinks will be for sale. For more information, visit the link above or contact Annie Trinh via e-mail.

Like Us on Facebook!

 

If you find yourself chomping at the bit for some District J news and it happens to be one of those unfortunate off weeks when there's no newsletter, wander on over to our Facebook page!

 

It is updated fairly regularly and you can see lots of great pics and articles about what's going on around District J. Feel free to "like" us while you're there too!

Upcoming Events

Calendar2
 
  
Please refer to the Community Events Calendar on our website for the time, location and other event details.

New events are added every
week. Be sure to check it often!
 
 
Tuesday, April 8
  •  Sharpstown Rotary Club - 11:45am
  •  City Council - Public Session - 1:30pm
  •  AARP Chapter 50 Meeting - 1:30pm
Wednesday, April 9
  •  City Council - 9:00am
  •  Gulfton Area Service Provider Meeting-12:00pm
Thursday, April 10
  •  Braeburn Valley West Board Meeting - 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 15
  •  Sharpstown Rotary Club - 11:45am
  •  City Council - Public Session - 1:30pm
  •  Braeburn PIP Meeting - 7:00pm
Wednesday, April 16
  •  City Council - 9:00am
  •  GSMD - Environmental & Urban Design Committee Meeting - 11:00am
  •  Midwest PIP Meeting - 7:00pm

 

Do you have an event to share? Let us know!