Feeling Cooped Up Lately? Hit Westchase District's
Trail System for Fitness, Fresh Air and Nature Sights


Now is an important time to stretch, relax and discover while you reconnect with nature and fitness.  Westchase District's trail system  offers a welcome remedy where you can walk, hike, ride your bike, spot nature, view art and enjoy the weather and fresh air.

From dawn to dusk, joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and pedestrians regularly use the District's trail system. Residents and people who work in offices along the trail are attracted to many of the trail's amenities as recently captured in a  Houston Chronicle story by Dug Begley. 

Trail Open With Some Restrictions, Construction Work
To prevent the possible spread of the COVID-19 virus, the District has temporarily closed the use of exercise stations and Trailside Park playground until further notice.
From Meadowglen to Westheimer, the HCC Trail will be closed for construction through April 27.

 
There will be complete closure of the trail segment from Meadowglen to Westheimer at Houston Community College expected to begin on April 10 - 27 while construction equipment is working in the area.

A portion of the sidewalk will be removed to install pipeline. This part of the trail is expected to be reopened after April 27 with a temporary surface for pedestrians and eventually restored to concrete.




Government Acts With Massive Bill to Help
Small Businesses Endure COVID Shutdown

Small Businesses like restaurants and retail around Westchase District have been severely impacted by a stay-at-home order by Harris County. Critical revenues from customers who dine in and shop for goods and services have vanished over the past month. Relief and help are on the way.

The stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump on March 27 has set aside $377 billion for small business.  Made through Small Business Administration member banks, the funding will provide forgivable loans in order to help with payroll, unemployment and other essential costs. The bill even covers independent contractors and freelancers. For example, if you work in a hair salon, you may qualify as an independent contractor. For more information and guidance, visit this SBA website.

The Office of United States Senator John Cornyn has sent specific information that can help borrowers get started.

Companies Steer Sponsorship Proceeds to Charities Despite First-Ever Corporate Challenge Cancellation
Louis Jullien, Westchase District Projects Director, and Westchase District Community Fund chair Craig Eichhorn recently presented WHAM's Lisa Iparrea with a $2,000 made possible by  Corporate Challenge 2020 sponsors .
For the first time in its 23-year history, the Westchase District's Corporate Challenge has been cancelled. 

"We'd originally hoped to simply postpone it to a later day," said Sherry Fox, organizer of the event. "But as Harris County and the City of Houston looked to extend their guidelines against large gatherings, it became obvious that we could not reschedule." 

All sponsors and teams were offered the opportunity to receive a reimbursement on their fees. "Some businesses did ask for their money back," said Fox. "But the vast majority said they'd be happy to donate their fees, knowing that they would be used by the Westchase District Community Fund and distributed to serve current needs in our community which have been made worse by the pandemic."

From left, Ricky Gonzalez of LAN and Dave Gilkeson of Westchase District at Corporate Challenge 2019 Awards Ceremony. As 2020 title sponsors, LAN leaders didn't hesitate to apply sponsorship money to the community the company serves.
Leading the way was our 2020 Title Sponsor Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam . LAN's Ricky Gonzalez discussed the sponsorship with LAN's President Wayne Swafford and Vice President Steve Gilbreath. All agreed to allow the sponsorship money to stay with the community. 

"We all agreed that Westchase is LAN's home and, as such, we need to take care of our own," said Gonzalez. "We look forward to partnering with Westchase and the Corporate Challenge next year."

View the complete list of sponsors who generated an $18,000 contribution to WDCF.

  Thursdays @ 3 p.m.  *Rain or shine* St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
10503 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77042 (at Rogerdale, just west of Beltway 8)


Farmers Markets Deemed Essential  by Homeland Security, Offer Option to Grocery Stores 

Don't panic when the market is closed next week for Easter holidays...we'll be back on April 16. 

As a food source (open air grocery store), Farmers Markets are deemed exempt from the Harris County "Stay at Home" order due to COVID-19.  Also, Homeland Security states agriculture is essential.  Coming to the Farmers Market helps support small business and is an alternative way to get food while supporting vendors. 
With safety guidelines and rules in effect, the Farmers Market has attracted shoppers and new vendors like Inconceivable Coffee Roasters.


 

Westchase Neighborhood Donor Center Still Needs Blood

After holding mobile blood drives at churches and corporate centers around the District since the outbreak hit, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is still facing a severe blood shortage.

The Blood Center accepts appointments for donations at its 10001 Westheimer center.
The Blood Center has a pressing need for more donations. The Neighborhood Donor Center in the Carillon Shopping Center at 10001 Westheimer Road, Suite 2117 accepts donations by appointment only, Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 832-242-7600 to schedule.

Blood Drives are an essential service and are part of Houston's Emergency Response team. While recommendations are to stay at home, blood donations are allowed and desperately needed during this time.

You can save three lives with one blood donation. The Blood Center is following all heightened CDC recommendations regarding sanitization and safety to provide a clean, safe environment for donation. 

Area Churches Shift Easter Sunday Service Online


It's Holy Week. How we worship on Easter Sunday will be different because social and public gatherings are on hold. As a result, churches have transitioned to online broadcasts. Worshipers who want to take part in Easter Sunday Services on April 12 can access the services online at these churches:

Ascension Episcopal Church
Virtual Sunday morning services are held and recorded for Sunday morning prayer service. 

Congregation or Ami will Passover Day 1 Services on April 9 and Passover Day 2 Services on April 10. Go to Upcoming Events on Congregation or Ami's website for instructions on see how you can view the services online.

Services will be held at 8:45 and 11:00, and with services being live streamed on its website and on the church's Facebook and YouTube pages.

Grace Presbyterian Church
Grace will livestream one worship service each Sunday at 10 a.m. during this period of constant change. You can  join Grace's livestream on Vimeo or on Facebook. Download a  House Worship Liturgy guide for use during the service.

St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
St. Cyril invites all to join its live stream Mass on Facebook.
To view the Live Stream on a mobile phone or iPad you will need to use the Facebook App. 


After the Live Stream Mass is over, you can watch the recording on your mobile phone or iPad by going to St. Cyril's Facebook page.

St.Cyril's service schedule:

Sunday: English Mass at 11:00 am
Domingo: Misa en Español a la 1:00 pm
Monday to Thursday: at 11:30 am
 
West Houston Christian Center posts sermons on its website. Click here to watch a sermon.


Westchase District Staff Are Working Remotely. All Staff Are Available by Phone or Email
The Westchase District team is available by phone or email. Click here for contacts.


About Westchase District
Westchase District is a municipal management district funded by local property owners in a 4.2 square-mile area centered on Sam Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59 on the west side of Houston, Texas. 

The district promotes growth by enhancing: 
  • Mobility
  • Beautification 
  • Public Safety
  • Planning and Development

 

Have District-related news on how your business or organization is responding to COVID-19? 

Send it with your contact info to:[email protected]. 

 

Approved items may be altered for clarity, length and style, and will appear as our editorial calendar permits.  

 
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