Greater Northside Management District
October 7, 2020
Dear GNMD Friend,

This newsletter is full of COVID-19 resources, meeting notices, transportation updates, employment opportunities and District events. We hope that you will take the time to browse through it!

Please note that it is not too late to respond to the 2020 Census as the deadline has been extended to October 31, 2020.

We are continuing to obtain signatures for our 2021-2030 Service Plan. If you are a commercial property owner in the District and are interested in supporting the District’s Service Plan and our much-needed services and programs, please call or email us. If you have not heard from us or had a personal visit by one of our Patrol Officers, please let us know by calling (713) 229-0900. We look forward to visiting you soon. 
 
Please contact me at (281) 914-0652 to discuss any questions, concerns or comments you have in further detail.  

Sincerely,
Rebecca Reyna
Executive Director

#NorthsideStrong 
North Houston Highway Improvement Project
Final Environmental Impact Statement
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Project (NHHIP), and it is available for review. The Final EIS identifies the preferred alternative for the project.

This project is from US 59/I-69 at Spur 527 to I-45 at Beltway 8 North.

To read the statement, click here.
GNMD Public Safety Committee Meeting
October 14 at noon
GNMD Capital Improvement Program meeting
October 19 at 6 p.m.
A virtual meeting of the Greater Northside Management District Capital Improvement Program committee is being held as follows:

Date: October 19, 2020
Time: 6 p.m. CST

Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 835 2978 7025
Passcode: GNMDCIP

Dial by your location: +1-346-248-7799
Meeting ID: 835 2978 7025
Passcode: 0765935

COVID-19 Updates
Free COVID-19 testing sites
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners are announcing the schedule for sites offering free COVID-19 tests the week of October 5, 2020. The week will offer more than a dozen free testing sites across Houston, including four mega sites.
In-home COVID-19 testing
Food distribution drive being held
October 17 at 10 a.m. while supplies last
The Annual Jensen Jubilee Parade & Fall Festival will not be held this year due to COVID-19. Instead, a food distribution drive will take place on October 17 beginning at 10 a.m. The event will be held while supplies last.

We look forward to next year for the 7th Annual Jensen Jubilee Parade & Fall Festival! 
The proper way to wear a face covering
Rental Assistance Program
UPDATE: Landlord Enrollments & Tenant Applications
Still Being Accepted!

The BakerRipley COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program, funded by Harris County and the City of Houston, is providing rental assistance to residential tenants who live within the City of Houston and/or Harris County and are experiencing an economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. 

The program will continue to accept tenant applications and landlord enrollments until all funds have been awarded.

Landlord Enrollment
Landlords can sign up as Participating Landlord once they agree to the terms and conditions of the program. Landlords will be paid directly by BakerRipley on behalf of eligible Tenants. Landlord enrollment is intended for residential rental properties located within Harris County and/or the City of Houston. 

Tenant Applications
Tenants whose landlords are enrolled in the program as Participating Landlords may apply for rental assistance for past due rent. If a tenant is approved for assistance, the landlord will be paid directly by BakerRipley. 

Click here for eligibility details and to apply. 
Do you need help?
The Houston Food Bank supports food and produce distributions, senior boxes, meal sites and more!

Click here for a map of food distribution locations.

Click here for a list of organizations offering food assistance.
If you are experiencing violence because you are forced to stay with an abusive partner, call the Houston Area Women’s Center 24-hour hotline for free-and-confidential assistance. 

Houston Area Women's Center
Domestic Violence Hotline 
713-528-2121 
TTY: 713-528-3625 
Legal clinics offer free advice by phone to low-income, U.S. military veterans every Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Veterans may submit applications by phone at 713-228-0735

The clinic is open to all low-income veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in the Houston area.
Text "food" to 877877 to find
the nearest curbside food
for children and youth up to age 18.
Local legal groups are working together to help Houston area residents fight evictions.

Go to www.hba.org/evictions for information on free legal representation. The site includes a self-representation kit, mediation and lawyer referrals. Anyone who has received an eviction notice should act as soon as possible!

Other sources of information include www.makejusticehappen.org.
The Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide one-to-one, professional financial counseling to Houstonians at no cost.

The service is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities supported by Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund and Regions Bank.

FEC counselors provide guidance to how to manage your money, pay down debt, increase saving, establish and build credit, and access safe-and-affordable mainstream banking products.

All services are free and available to all residents regardless of income. Counseling assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Click here for more information and to make an appointment.
Consejos Legales is a service of the Mexican American Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association that offers legal consultations by phone to residents of Houston and Harris County on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. To confirm the date and time of the next Consejos Legales, check the website calendar or call the Houston Bar Association at 713-759-1133.

Consejos Legales es un programa de la Asociación Mexicana de Abogados y la Asociación Hispana de Abogados. El programa ofrece asesoría legal gratuita en español por teléfono para los residentes de Houston y el Condado de Harris el primer jueves de cada mes, entre las 6 y las 8 p.m. Para confirmar la fecha y hora de los siguientes Consejos Legales, consulte el calendario del sitio web o llame a la oficina de Houston Bar Association al (713) 759-1133.
Northeast Apartment
Positive Interaction Program meeting
Date changed to October 8 at 6 p.m.
Precinct 2 Parks and Trails workshop
October 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Transportation issues and updates
Your feedback is needed for Houston
to have safe, accessible streets and sidewalks
Everyone deserves safe, accessible streets and sidewalks. That’s why Houston is committed to ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. We can prevent people from dying on our roadways. No loss of life is acceptable.

Vision Zero Houston prioritizes safety and accessibility in street design for people of all ages and abilities.

Help the City of Houston and partners to prioritize street safety improvements and tell us what actions to take right now to end traffic deaths and serious injuries. The survey has four questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Click here to participate in the survey.

Learn more about the Harris County Transportation Plan on October 7, 2020, at 6 p.m. Mark your RSVP by registering! You may also find out more by visiting the Harris County Transportation Planning Series page.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email: HarrisVisionZero@eng.hctx.net.
METRO plans new transit center at 7705 Fulton
METRO will replace the existing Northline transit center at 7705 Fulton, Houston 77022, and will build a new facility near the existing transit center.

The new facility will:
  • Be able to accommodate more buses.
  • Provide additional parking spaces.
  • Be fully accessible with enhanced safety and security features.
  • Have improved customer services.

Click here to view a video about the proposed center.

To comment about the proposed center:
Conceptual rendering of proposed transit center
Employment opportunities
Receive a free certification
in IT, healthcare, finance and more
Workforce Solutions has partnered with Coursera and Google to offer an educational opportunity for the residents in our region. 

Anyone looking to receive FREE certifications in IT, healthcare, finance and more from some of the top-ranked universities can apply by October 31!

For questions, email: online.learning@wrksolutions.com.
SERJobs offers free training
for unemployed or underemployed
SERJobs is offering FREE training to help prepare unemployed or underemployed clients for greater earning potential. 

Click here to apply.
Free online job training
Sign up today and start learning!  

The City of Houston is now part of Microsoft’s Global Initiative that is offering free online training for high demand tech-jobs to 25 million people across the world.

You can 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.

BID OPPORTUNITY
PRIME COMPANY: Houston Community College
PRIME PROJECT: West Houston Campus Expansion

SCOPE OF WORK:
The project consists of constructing a new 70,000 square foot, three-story tilt wall building for the HCC Northwest College. The building will include Student Services, Testing Center, Classrooms, Science Labs, Learning Commons,Administration, Building Support Services and all necessary infrastructure and MEP.


The scope of work will include:
  •  Detention Pond
  •  Utility Services
  •  Surface Parking
  •  Landscaping

BID DUE DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14,
AT 2 p.m.

The bid package must be delivered at the proposer’s expense to:
Attn: Arturo Lopez- Sr. Buyer
Houston Community College
Administration Building
3100 Main (deliver to the loading dock located in the rear of building on Rosalie Street)
Houston, Texas 77002

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
ARTURO LOPEZ, SENIOR BUYER
T: 713-718-7463 / EMAIL: arturo.lopez@hccs.edu
Applications are being accepted for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program
The 2020 application period for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program is open! The program supports neighborhood beautification and improvement projects by providing dollar-for-dollar matching grant reimbursements ranging from $500 to $5,000. The application deadline is November 6, 2020. 

Eligibility Requirements
Neighborhood-based organizations and civic clubs with State of Texas 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) non-profit certification are eligible to apply. 
Neighborhood-based organizations without official nonprofit status may apply in partnership with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organization as co-applicant.

Grant projects must represent a specific geographic area located within the Houston city limits.

The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program is administered by the Department of Neighborhoods in partnership with participating Houston City Council offices.

The program is designed to encourage civic activity among neighbors, promote volunteerism and support projects that contribute towards building stronger communities.

Click here for the application form and guidelines.
Have you responded to the census?
The 2020 Census is making more adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now extended until October 31st.

You can fill out the census online, over the phone, or by mail. If you don’t complete it, Census Bureau staff will visit your home before the end of October.

The national head count is important for many reasons, including drawing congressional districts. That data is used to distribute funding for services like schools, hospitals, fire and first responders.
Events
Drive-in movies at Raven Tower
Movies in the Northside will continue at Raven Tower by the Best Little Drive-in in HTX, which is located @raventower next to White Oak Music Hall, 310 North Street, Houston 77009.

Upcoming movies/events:
  • October 8 - Booksmart
  • October 9 - The Cabin in the Woods
  • October 10 - Yesterday
  • October 11 - Space Jam
  • October 15 - Bridesmaids
  • October 16 - Beetlejuice
  • October 17 - Blinded by the Light
  • October 18 - Click here to learn about a special adventure offered through the Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • October 18 - Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

For tix and info: www.littledriveinhtx.com
Story time for children
October 11 at 6 p.m.
The Ryon Civic Association is hosting a literacy event to promote reading to children.

Read Me A Story will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 11. Children will get to hear and participate in story time with energetic-and-theatrical guest readers.

Contact Monique Howard at ryoncivic@gmail.com for any questions about this event or to be a reader.

Topic: Ryon's Virtual Read Me A Story
Time: 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 11
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 730 7137 6418
Passcode: 5L6vcq
The Feast of Saint Arnold
Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m. | Zoom
$425 for 6 people

On Sunday, October 18, Saint Arnold will host the Feast of Saint Arnold, their annual fundraiser for Texas Children’s Hospital’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center. IBD includes Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, which together affect 1.4 million people in this country alone.

Gather six people in your pod or backyard with appropriate spacing with family and friends. Saint Arnold will provide you with a spread of food and ale worthy of any medieval castle celebration.

Feast packages are $425 and you’ll get a full meal for six people, three six packs and four 500 mL of beers carefully paired with the courses, six Saint Arnold pint glasses, and admission to the private Zoom event. Click here to view the menu.

Pick up your package at the Beer Garden on Sunday, October 18, between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The virtual event begins at 2 p.m.
Mayor Turner's State of the City address
October 22 at noon
WHEN
Thursday, October 22
Noon - 1:00 p.m.

WHERE
Virtual Event

COST
Complimentary
Click here to register.

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, energy downturn and natural disasters, how will Houston continue to lead as a great, global city?

Watch City of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner's fifth annual State of the City address to find out where the city of the future is heading. He will speak to the City's ongoing efforts to combat the coronavirus, strengthen racial equity and enhance Houston's identify as a global powerhouse.
13th Annual Oktoberfest Celebration
Thursday, October 22 at 7 p.m. CST
On Thursday, October 22, Comp-U-Dopt’s Annual Oktoberfest celebration is going virtual! Join us for a fun-filled, live-streamed event featuring a Talent Show Competition, Silent Auction and much more! Each ticket comes with an At-Home Oktoberfest Kit that will be shipped right to your door.
 
Thirteen million households across the U.S. still lack access to their own computer at home. Because of the generous support of individuals like you, we have provided nearly 15,000 computers into the homes of underserved children throughout the nation since the outbreak of COVID-19.
 
Every dollar raised from our virtual event will allow us to continue to tackle the divide in technology access and education experienced by children in our most vulnerable communities.

Click here to purchase tickets or a sponsorship.

Click here to make a donation.

Click here to participate in the wine pull.
BakerRipley Houston Turkey Trot
Every year, BakerRipley spends months preparing for the Houston Turkey Trot, but they cannot have a physical event this year as your safety comes first.

This doesn’t mean their mission stops. In fact, it’s of vital importance for the recovery of communities around Houston. The effects of COVID-19 have been devastating for many families and individuals in our area.
 
The trot will be virtual, but BakerRipley always makes it fun. And, this year will be no exception.
Trot for Good.
Trot for Houston.
Trot for RECOVERY.
 
Click here to register.
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or event featured in our newsletter?
Send us an update, and we'll gladly feature it in our newsletter!

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Click here to submit your information.