Don't let your guard down! COVID-19 is on the rise again. The positivity rate in Houston is creeping up every week and has now increased to 6.9%. As we enter the holiday season, take steps to protect your family and people you love by celebrating differently this year.

Registration is now open for BakerRipley's Annual Turkey Trot. The event is virtual and you can pick where you want to run and when you want to run. By running in any of the race events you are supporting nearly 600,000 men, women, children and seniors earn, learn, and belong. Register here.

Council Member Cisneros is funding four anti- trafficking mini murals and is requesting your input on the designs. The images are meant to inspire hope for victims and would also provide them with the National Human Trafficking Tip Hotline number. Please vote for the images on the online survey that you feel would be most uplifting and would best inspire hope and healing. Sunday, Nov. 15th is the last day to cast your vote.

Learn more about the City's partnership with UP Art Studio for the Mini-Mural Program here.

This year's Tour de Northside is being held virtually and ends November 14th. All you need to do is take a picture of yourself with your bike in a Northside location and post it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #TourdeNorthside2020. While you are at it, be sure to tag Greater Northside Management District and Tour de Northside.

Then show up at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Avenue, Houston, 77022, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on November 14th. The first 150 people will receive a pint glass, a cooling cloth from Memorial Hermann, a bag from METRO and other goodies for sharing your picture(s). Make sure to RSVP to receive your gifts.

New murals are coming soon at a Northside small business, Granel Spice Market, 2503 Link Road, Houston, 77009. Artists for the project are Gelson Lemus “w3r3on3” and “Cease” Martinez.  The murals will include a loteria card with symbols that represent the Northside community. A community survey is being conducted to determine the last image to be included on the mural.

Take survey here.

Applications for the City of Houston’s Musicians and Music Venues Economic Relief Program are now being accepted. The program, which is funded with $3 million of the City's allocated CARES Act 2020 funds, will provide immediate and short-term grant assistance to musicians and music venues that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on November 25, and must be completed online here.

Musicians will be eligible for up to $5,000 in relief funding, and music venues will be eligible for up to $50,000 or $100,000, depending on budget size. MOCA has tapped Mid-America Arts Alliance (MAAA) to administer the program. MAAA will host office hours and zoom webinars to assist with applications. More information here.

TxDOT is still accepting public comments on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) through December 9th. Review the FEIS document here.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider volunteering or donating to the following events.

Please be safe this holiday season by continuing to wear a mask and to practice social distancing. Houston's postivity rate has increased slightly to 6.9%, which is above the wanted rate. Please get tested if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19. Information on dates, times, and locations of testing sites are available on the City of Houston's Free COVID-19 website. Call 832-393-4220 to reach the COVID-19 call center.

The Office of Business Opportunity will launch its 6th cohort of Build Up Houston in February 2021. The 7-month program is designed to increase the capacity of a small business. The program has expanded applications to include construction, hospitality, restaurants, and retail. November 30, 2020 is the deadline to apply. Apply here.

Join the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department for one of their virtual Fall Community Meetings to give input for the development of the 2021 Annual Action Plan. Approximately $45 million in federal entitlement grants will be available to improve Houston’s neighborhoods and the quality of life for low- and moderate-income families over the next year.

The meetings are Wednesday, November 18th at 3 p. m. and Thursday, November 19th at 6 p.m.

More info here.

The Houston Dynamo's free Soccer Starts at Home program is great for families to take advantage of to get fit, learn soccer by professionals, and create memories while we work our way back to normalcy. Visit the website and click on the Video Skills Library to view the Ball Mastery videos.

Additionally, the Houston Dynamo and Dash will be providing live virtual Soccer Starts at Home classes for youth participants to encourage family engagement. These popular classes will be offered on November 10th, 24th, and December 8th at 6:00 pm on the Soccer Starts at Home website. More information here.

Coding: On Friday, November 13th 4:30pm - 5:30pm, girls age 13 and older will learn how to build musical beats with code using block programming in JavaScript. During the workshop session, Beats Unlocked will host a beat contest with the top winner receiving a prize. Register here.

Feelings During COVID: On Saturday, November 14th from 11am-12pm, Girls will explore their feelings and emotions over COVID in a healthy and supportive environment. The workshop will explore self-care activities, coping skills, and the importance of sharing our feelings during times we need it the most. Open for all girls in the Houston area and 3rd-12th grade. Register here.

City Council approved a $3 million relief fund to assist local child care centers so that they can remain open and continue to serve families during the pandemic. Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Health Equity Response (H.E.R.) Task Force will partner on the relief fund with Collaborative for Children, a local non-profit that works to improve the quality of early childhood education and care for Houston’s children. More info here.

Harris County is seeking proposals from public, private, and nonprofit entities for the newly approved Early Childhood Impact Fund (ECIF), which will invest up to $10 million in programs and interventions with significant potential to dramatically improve early childhood outcomes in Harris County:

Information sessions will be held for each of the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) next week. Sign up by emailing Sandra.Melancon@pur.hctx.net. For more info and any updates, please visit our website.

During the virtual town hall, panelists and participants will provide advice on coping with the demands of parenting, finances, and physical and emotional stress during the holiday season.

Register here.

Sign up today and start learning for free! Develop a new skill or sharpen your skills for your next job with LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn. Certification tests are offered at discounted rates and job-seeking tools are free. Start now!

Tech/Cyber Career Workshop with Project Grad and Deloitte on November 18th at 5 PM: Register here

Production Assistant in Medical Supply Warehouse in the East End: Call 281-542-7348 and ask for Krys Bryan or Diana Ortiz with Meador Staffing if interested. More information here.

Goodwill Houston Offers Free Job Training: More information here.

Free 4-Week Computer Support Specialist Training: HCC Southwest West Loop Campus, November 16-December 18, from 9AM-1PM. More information here.

Graphic Design Paid Training: Ages 16-24 Virtual Career Training. More information here.

Free Tuition and Supplies for Healthcare Training! Provided by San Jacinto College, you can find more information and requirements here.

Call Center and Customer Service Training: Enroll here today!

*Please refer to the District H Resource page for more opportunities.*

Check out our District H Resources Page for links and more information about available resources. Resources are updated every week.

Download the 311 app to your Android or iPhone. When you see an issue in your neighborhood, use the app to report it. You can even include photos! If you prefer to talk directly to a representative about your issue, or want to request information about City resources, birth certificates, elections, and more, call 713-837-0311. Remember: Always call 911 in the case of an emergency!