Early Voting Begins Oct. 13 with Drive-Thru Polling

Early voting for registered Harris County voters begins Tuesday, October 13, 2020, with a new spin — drive-thru voting sites.

The unique drive-thru option is intended to reduce concerns around in-person voting during a pandemic. Polling officials will actually bring a voting machine to your vehicle at these locations, according to the Harris County Clerk’s office.

While there are only a handful of drive-thru polling sites citywide, Super Neighborhood 12 residents can find one nearby at Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church , 2025 West 11th Street.

All early voting locations can be found at the Harris Votes website here. Some of the closest early voting locations to Super Neighborhood 12 are:

• Acres Homes Multi Service Center – Auditorium, 6719 West Montgomery Road

• Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel – Magnolia Room, 3000 North Loop West Freeway

• SPJST Lodge Num 88 – Ballroom, 1435 Beall Street

You must be a registered in Harris County to vote and present a photo ID (Texas Drivers License, Military card, U.S. Passport, Texas Personal Identification Card and other forms that can be found by scrolling down at this Harris County Clerk’s webpage).

Early voting runs from Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 30, 2020. The general election is Tuesday, November 3.

Public Meeting Sept. 24: East Segment of Garden Oaks / Shepherd Park Plaza Drainage Project

Houston Public Works will hold a virtual public meeting for the east segment of the Garden Oaks / Shepherd Park Plaza stormwater drainage project at 5 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2020.

Though currently not funded, the east segment is now in the design phase. It is the third and last phase of the overall project. The first phase, primarily along Alba Road and Chamboard Lane, was completed in 2019.

During the virtual meeting, neighbors can meet the project team and hear updates on the status and design of the final stage of this capital improvement project — including pavement design.

A Q&A session will be provided; email questions in advance to the Public Engagement Team by Monday, September 21, at: buildforward@houstontx.gov.

The three segments for the overall drainage and streets project are designed to work in tandem to help reduce flooding.

1. The central segment was completed more than a year ago along Alba Road, Chamboard Lane and Brinkman Drive.

2. The $26 million west segment primarily runs along Golf Drive, but includes work along Briar Haven Drive, Chamboard Lane and Park Plaza Drive in Shepherd Park Plaza, and Wakefield Drive, Rosepoint Street south of Garden Oaks. Construction is scheduled to start in Fall 2021 with completion set for Winter 2023.

3. The $24 million east segment will cover portions of W. 43rd Street, Sue Barnett Drive and Wakefield Drive in Garden Oaks, plus several Shepherd Park streets. A construction schedule has not been set.

As with the central, primary segment, the east portion will involve significant storm drainage improvements, concrete and/or asphalt paving, curbs, sidewalks, driveways and underground utilities. Overall, the three-phase project was designed to reduce recurring in Shepherd Park Plaza, while improving stormwater drainage throughout the area.

The Public Works meeting will be held on the free-to-access Microsoft Teams platform.

For a meeting link, dial in number and more, visit https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/engage.

For more on the east segment of this project, visit https://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/garden_oaks_and_shepherd_park_east

East segment map of the Garden Oaks / Shepherd Park Plaza stormwater drainage Houston Public Works project.

Overall project layout for the three segments of the Garden Oaks / Shepherd Park Plaza stormwater drainage project.

COmmunity Prosperity Virtual Summit, July 30

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Community Prosperity Virtual Summit July 30 is an event designed to foster hope and opportunity, asset building and wealth creation.

The Summit will convene a variety of community stakeholders to:

• Assist communities in the development of local prosperity councils, create wealth and build assets.

• Illustrate successful practices for developing key partnerships.

• Connect attendees to USDA and other relevant federal programs.

• Model success for communities and future generations of communities.

Free.

July 30, 2020
8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Central Time

Click here for the July 30 Prosperity event registration.   

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Make Your Vote Count: SN 12 Mayoral Candidate Forum is Sept. 3; Council District C Forum is Oct. 2

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet your 2019 Houston Mayoral and Council District C candidates. Hosted by Super Neighborhood 12 and the Garden Oaks Civic Club, this election year’s forums will take place on two days to accommodate the extensive candidate slate.

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• The 2019 Houston Mayoral Candidate Forum is set for 7pm Tuesday, September 3.

• The 2019 Council District C Candidate Forum will be 7pm Wednesday, October 2.

• Both will take place at Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, 901 Sue Barnett Drive, Houston, TX 77018.

Meet the candidates. Hear their positions. Represent your neighborhoods and make your vote count.

Wainwright Elementary Earth Day Celebration is April 27!

Wainwright Elementary is hosting an Earth Day Celebration with fun, educational events and more from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Children can enjoy learning stations, a fish release in the pond and plant their own seed to take home and grow. Bring the family to see Wainwright’s newly revived natural habitat and butterfly garden, where you can have fun learning how to identify different plants.

Wainwright Earth Day event partners include My Brother's Keeper, the City of Houston Health Department, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, HISD Nutrition Services and Harris Health System.

Wainwright Elementary is at 5330 Milwee Street (map link).

You can help out by volunteering for this event. Sign up here.

Add a reminder for this event by following it on Wainwright Elementary PTA’s Facebook page here.

Texas 2050 Transportation Plan open House is Feb. 19

From the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) …

TxDOT will host a series of open-house style public meetings to solicit input to guide the development of the TTP 2050 – the state’s multimodal, long-range transportation plan.

At the open house, the public can review displays, talk with staff and provide input.

Public comments will be accepted throughout the development of the Texas Transportation Plan until Sept. 6, 2019.

Why:

The TTP 2050 will serve as TxDOT’s "blueprint” to guide collaborative planning efforts with our stakeholders to address the state’s transportation needs, and to accomplish the goals in TxDOT’s Strategic Plan. The TTP 2050 will include strategies for the development, construction, and implementation of projects and services for all transportation modes including roadways, aviation, public transportation, bicycle and pedestrian, waterways and coastal waters, freight, and passenger rail.

Where:

Houston TxDOT District Office
Conference Room 105
7600 Washington Ave.
Houston, TX 77007 (Map)

When:

Tuesday, February 19, 2019
5:30-7 p.m.

Fun-Filled 2018 Festival of Abilities, Oct. 27, Benefitting Playground for All Abilities

Our hard-working volunteers at Friends of Oak Forest Park are hosting their annual fun-filled family festival, the 2018 Festival of Abilities from 3-7 p.m. this Saturday, October 27, 2018. 

Benefitting the creation of a Playground for All Abilities, the festival will feature engaging family activities, live performances, a food court and craft beer.

Proceeds benefit the first accessible playground planned for our central Northwest community. Please help spread the word among your civic clubs and neighbors. Then come out and join the fun this Saturday.

2018 Festival of Abilities, Saturday, October 27, 3-7 pm

Oak Forest Park, 2100 Judiway 

Benefiting the Playground for All Abilities

Celebrate Halloween at an activity-packed festival for all ages and abilities: 

• SIRE therapeutic horses, petting zoo, sports, games, trick or treating, pick-your-own pumpkin patch

• Dynamo Diesel appearance

• food court

• craft beer garden, wine tastings

• art tile painting, costume contest, bake sale, auction and much more! 

 Featuring: Fly Dance Company – The River Performance Troupe – The Amazing Blake’s Magic Act – Live Music by Breakfast at Tiffany’sBand

Order and pick up festival packages in advance to skip the check in line! http://houstonparksboard.org/events/festival/

Admission is free for kids under 2.

For event information, contact Elyssa Horvath, Chair, FriendsofOakForestPark@yahoo.com.

Follow https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofOakForestPark/ for event updates.

Volunteer to Remake Clifton Middle School's Library Sept 22

HISD’s Clifton Middle School’s library is turning a new page, and volunteers are needed to help create a well-functioning library, something the school’s been lacking for some time.

A Community Service Day, 9a.m. - noon Saturday, September 22, is calling on volunteers to help new Principal Georgina Castilleia create a proper library for the school’s students during the first phase of this project.

Volunteers can help paint, clean and move the library for this important effort, designed to improve the learning environment for Clifton’s students.

Clifton Middle School Community Service Day

9 a.m. - Noon, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018

Clifton Middle School, 6001 Golden Forest Drive, Houston, TX 77092

We'll Miss You, Donald Perkins, Super Neighborhood Angel

Gratitude from the Super Neighborhood Alliance for the great Donald Perkins, Chief of Staff, City of Houston District K, who passed too soon on August 15, 2018. Donald was instrumental in forming Super Neighborhoods throughout Houston. His honesty, drive, and good-natured hard work and friendship will be sorely missed. The following is an SNA letter to friends and family of Donald Perkins.

Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the untimely passing of Donald Perkins, a tremendous loss for the City of Houston, District K and the Super Neighborhood Alliance.

We express sincere appreciation from the Super Neighborhood Councils and the Super Neighborhood Alliance of Houston for his many contributions as a key participant, guiding, directing, and developing Super Neighborhood Councils, their communities, and their leaders. Donald’s endeavors in community planning and in District K formed the cornerstone of this organization, breathing vitality and courage into it.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Super Neighborhood Program initiated by Mayor Brown, we acknowledge Donald’s contribution of nurturing and organizing that surely came from his heart. Donald was the visionary executor of the mission and he performed it masterfully. We celebrate these achievements and know Houston and District K are the great places they are today because of his influences.

God speed to Donald - we will miss him. 

Regards,

Michael Huffmaster,  Chair, Super Neighborhood Alliance

cc: Mayor Sylvester Turner, District K CM Martha Castex-Tatum

$2.5 Billion Flood Risk Reduction Bond Election is August 25, 2018

White Oak Bayou Watershed

Harris County Commissioners Court has called a $2.5 billion Flood Risk Reduction bond election for August 25, 2018, for the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD). Registered voters in Harris County can vote to fund flood risk reduction projects throughout the county.

> 2018 Bond Proposed Project List as of July 11, 2018 (PDF)

An interactive map shows the approximate locations of more than 150 potential projects being considered for bond funding. According to HCFCD, these potential projects have been identified to provide flood risk reduction benefits in the watersheds in which the projects are located.

Potential projects indicated on the interactive map represent projects that would meet the goal of the bond election to both assist with recovery after previous flooding events and to make our county more resilient for the future.

On the interactive map, type in an address of interest (home or business) to find your watershed and learn about proposed projects for that area.

SN 12 to Host HISD Trustee Runoff Candidates Himsl & Santos Nov. 29

Gretchen Himsl, HISD Dist. 1 Trustee Candidate

Facing a runoff on December 9, the top-two vote getters in the recent HISD District 1 Trustee election will be the featured guests at the Super Neighborhood 12 Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Candlelight Community Center, 1520 Candlelight Lane.

HISD Trustee Dist. 1 Candidates Gretchen Himsl and Elizabeth Santos will discuss their approach to public education and take questions from the audience.

Elizabeth Santos, HISD Dist. 1 Trustee Candidate

With HISD trustees serving four-year terms, the upcoming District 1 runoff could impact the lives of the community's students for years to come. HISD runs 287 public schools with nearly 29,000 employees serving 216,000 students. About 100 different languages are spoken among the HISD student body.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from HISD trustee candidates Himsl and Santos about their plans for one of the nation's largest public school systems.

For more about Elizabeth Santos, visit http://www.santos4hisd.com. For more about Gretchen Himsl, visit http://www.gretchenforhisd.com.

To find out where to vote in the December 9 HISD runoff election, visit http://www.harrisvotes.org.

Loads of Family Fun to Celebrate a Worthy Cause: Festival of Abilities Oct. 28

Celebrate Halloween weekend at fun-filled event for all ages and abilities, 3-7 p.m. Sunday, October 28, 2017, at Oak Forest Park, 2010 Judiway. 

Proceeds benefit the future Playground for All Abilities being planned for Oak Forest Park. Once funded, it will be the first city playground in the central northwest area community that is accessible and inclusive of kids with disabilities.

Festival at a Glance

• Adaptive sports and an obstacle course
• Petting zoo, pick-your-own pumpkin patch and trick or treating
• SIRE therapeutic horses
• Costume contest with prizes
• Gymnastics, tennis drills, taekwondo demos, soccer and games
• Appearance by Dynamo Diesel
• Art tile painting fundraiser, raffle and auction
• International food court with BB's Café, El Pollo Loco, Hartz Krispy Chicken on Pinemont, King's BierHaus, Peli Peli Kitchen, & The Union Kitchen
• King’s BierHaus Craft Biergarten (21+ with valid ID) including Back Pew, Brash, Great Heights, Eureka Heights, Karbach, Saint Arnold, Shiner Beers, Southern Star and Spindle Tap

Special performances by Fly Dance Company, Cookie Joe’s Dance Company, and The River Performance Troupe

Master of Ceremonies – Scott Arthur, Texas Radio Hall of Famer

Cookie Joe's Dance Company, inclusive of dancers with special needs, will perform a "She's Like Wind" tribute dedicated to Cookie’s childhood friend, fellow Waltrip High School graduate, and dance classmate Patrick "Buddy" Swayze and his mother, her mentor Patsy Swayze.

Festival packages and event wristbands

Check out the festival packages and donate online at http://houstonparksboard.org/events/festival_of_abilities_2017/ 

$10 in advance | $15 at the event (Under 2-free). Credit cards, cash or check made payable to Houston Parks Board, a 501(c)3 -- note "Festival of Abilities."

For more about this Halloween celebration, contact Elyssa Horvath, chair, Friends of Oak Forest Park, at FriendsofOakForestPark@yahoo.com. Or call 832-771-8030. 

Visit http://houstonparksboard.org/projects/oak_forest_park/

Like https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofOakForestPark/

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