Thank you to everyone who has been engaged in this huge public effort. Your advocacy has mattered. Thank you for continuing to voice the consistent message, that Houston deserves better. It is critical to keep insisting that in order for the project to move forward, TXDOT must partner with Houston. We must work together to ensure that the reconstruction of IH-45 is a welcome addition to our city’s infrastructure. We are now also at a point where there are a lot of unknowns and things are playing out on so many different levels. The fight is not over yet.

A project that goes away, does not get us to where we want. Nor will a project that is just wrong, get us to where we want. The reconstruction of I-45 needs to solve some serious existing problems, and it certainly doesn’t need to make matters worse for residents who live and work here.

Over the last few years, the City of Houston led a series of highly regarded public engagement exercises that resulted in the identification of critical issues and opportunities to refine and improve the project. A collaborative effort to refine the current inappropriate, inadequate design for a future version of I-45, should be guided by the lessons learned in developing “Vision C”. 

(read CM Cisneros' full statement here.)

Congratulations to Sawyer Yards, in Houston's historic First Ward on their selection as a winner of the Urban Land Institute’s Americas Awards for Excellence. This national award recognizes “truly superior development efforts in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Winning projects represent the highest standards of achievement in the land use profession. Read more here.

Help save lives and overcome the pandemic. Get vaccinated at one of the 33 Houston Health Department-affiliated sites across the city this week. Vaccines are free, safe and effective. The schedule is available on the vaccine page of the Houston Emergency Center Website.

People who get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at a Houston Health Department Health Center or Multi-Service Center clinic will receive a $25 gift card at the completion of the series if it is completed within 42 days of the first dose.

THANK YOU to all the organizations supporting District H communities with valuable back to school resources! Be sure to check the requirements for each specific event before you go.

Back to School Family Expo

American Legion Harrisburg Post 472, 7599 Avenue C

Ryon Civic Association Back 2 School Supplies Event

4501 Elysian Street

Northside Back-To School Supply Drive-Thru Event

Northside High School, 1101 Quitman

East End Back to School Health Fair

Baker Ripley House, 4410 Navigation Blvd

Millard House II, HISD Superintendent, invites you to join him in a webinar on Friday, August 13 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about HISD's 'Ready, Set, Go!' Safety Plan to keep our students and employees safe for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Every Saturday in the month of August is a SUPER SATURDAY VACCINATION DAY. The City of Houston and eleven area school districts are collaborating to vaccinate students and their families at various schools sites across Harris County. School sites may be different each week. For a list of this week's participating school locations click here. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for people age 12 and older, with parental consent. No appointment needed.

Come out and see Big Boy, the World's Largest Steam Locomotive. "The Big Boy 2021 Tour" is rolling into Houston early next week and will be open for visitors on Tuesday, Aug. 17th from 8am-3pm. Stop by and see this historic train at the Amtrak Station on Washington Avenue. Learn more here.

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern turns 95! This architectural wonder was built for the City of Houston in 1926 to provide drinking water to the city until 2007.

Join the Buffalo Bayou Partnership this Friday and sing "Happy Birthday" to one of Houston's landmarks.

Learn more here.

When: Friday, August 13th

Where: The Water Works, 105 Sabine Street

Enjoy some café and pan dulce as well as brunch offerings at Blanca's Cafe all while listening to the rhythmic music of TRIO FORTE. You'll feel the urge to get up and Salsa!

When: Saturday, August 14th, 9 am-2 pm (live music 11 am - 1 pm)

Where: Blanca's Cafe, 241 N. Milby Street 

The Houston Solid Waste Management Department has launched HTX Collects, a new mobile app that will allow residents to stay better connected with the City’s waste and recycling collection programs. 

HTX Collects will include collection reminders for garbage, recycling, yard waste and tree/junk waste specific to their service address. The mobile app will also send a reminder to residents of their collection days. Read press release here.

The City of Houston launched a new website this week detailing its plan for utilizing the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The site is to help provide transparency on how the City of Houston looks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever. Learn more here.

BusinessLink is a series of virtual classes on how to access library resources like:

Seating is limited. Learn more here.

See if your home qualifies for free water testing for lead & copper pipes. Lead and copper can enter drinking water through plumbing materials, and exposure to lead and copper may cause health problems.

The short survey will take no more than 2 minutes and will determine if you qualify for free water testing. Take the survey here. Survey closes August 27th.

Please feel free to visit BARC Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm to adopt a pet. BARC is closed for adoptions on Mondays. Please note that animal adoptions remain first come, first serve. 

Learn more and view available pets here.

Avenue/Go Neighborhoods will be awarding sponsorships to Greater Northside groups for National Night Out events taking place on Tuesday, October 5th.

Sponsorships will be awarded PRIOR to the event this year. The application process is open to groups in the Greater Northside. Application deadline is August 31st. Apply here.

Día De Los Muertos Festivals

Volunteer and vendor applications are now available here for MECA's 21st anniversary Dia de los Muertos event, featuring altar and retablo exhibitions, community workshops, and a two-day virtual festival. The festival will be held at MECA’s colorful, art-filled campus located at the nationally recognized Historic Dow School in the heart of Houston’s Old Sixth Ward.

The Ofrenda at Montie Beach Park will take place Oct 30th and coincides with the dates of Dia de los Muertos. For more information, visit here.

If you would like to be a part of the festival, either as a vendor or a sponsor please email: diadelosmuertos@montiebeach.org.

The Houston Dia de los Muertos Parade and Festival at City Hall is an exciting new tradition for the City of Houston. Follow this link to learn more info on how to participate .

The Department of Neighborhoods and community partners are offering “A Month of Service” online workshops covering a variety of legal topics: Eviction & Tenant Rights, Worker's Rights, Child Custody & Divorce, Consumer Concerns, Wills & Estate planning, and more.

Classes are free but you must register in advance at www.nrcdc.org/site/getregistered or by calling 346-339-1088.

Workshops are intended for informational purposes only and are not forums for legal advice.

In partnership with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, One Body Networking presents the 9th annual Janice Weaver Blood Drive this Friday, August 13th. Click on the flyer to the left for upcoming dates and locations near you.

When: Friday, August 13th, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Where: Green Houston International, 200 W. Greens Rd.

Hire Houston Youth: Over 800 jobs are still available! Applicants must be between 16-24 years old and reside in Houston City limits. Learn more here.

Free Job Training for Many Careers provided by SERJobs. More info here.

Young Invincibles: Looking for young adults ages 18-34 to engage in their community. Applications are due August 22. More info here.

*Please visit 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!