Saturday, April 20, 8 a.m – 10 a.m.

Robinson-Westchase Neighborhood Library: 3223 Wilcrest Dr.

Join us as individuals and teams of volunteers from companies and organizations will converge on the Westchase District trail system on a mission to clean up litter during our annual Trails Without Trash event.

Joggers, cyclists, dog walkers and pedestrians regularly enjoy Westchase District’s trail system, which begins at Westheimer immediately east of Houston Community College’s Hayes Road campus. The trail continues all the way to Art Storey Park south of Bellaire. A popular amenity in the District, trails free of litter are a year-round priority.

ALL VOLUNTEERS WILL MEET AT ROBINSON-WESTCHASE LIBRARY, 3223 WILCREST DRIVE 77042, BY 7:30 A.M. ON 4/20/24.

Register as an individual or as a group below. For questions, email Louis Jullien at Ljullien@westchasedistrict.com

Amjad Khan, fueled by his passion for top-notch food and ingredients, co-owns Dimitra’s Dishes with his wife, Dimitra. Their business boasts an array of gourmet offerings, from First Cold Pressed Olive Oil to thyme honey, balsamic dressing and an assortment of herbs and teas.

Drawing inspiration from Dimitra’s father, who hails from the Greek island of Crete, their olive oil is sourced directly from this rich heritage.

Their signature cold-pressed olive oil undergoes a methodical extraction process, preserving its natural flavor and nutritional goodness without the use of heat or chemicals. Renowned for its health benefits like liver and kidney detoxification, skin and hair nourishment, and gum health improvement, this olive oil stands out as a healthier and tastier alternative.

Another gem in Dimitra’s Dishes treasure trove is their thyme honey, sourced exclusively from Dimitra’s uncle's bees nestled in the mountains of Crete. This pure, raw and unprocessed honey boasts a luscious texture and aromatic flavor, elevating dishes from cheese platters to desserts.

Amjad and Dimitra opened their first restaurant in the middle of a recession without any experience in the food business. Over the years, they gained a loyal following, and customers would always ask if they could buy the ingredients used in their dishes. Now, patrons can purchase their premium olive oils, dressing, honey and more at the Westchase District Farmers Market.

The Houston Marriott Westchase was the scene of the H-Town Showdown Scrabble Tournament held in conjunction with National Scrabble Day (Saturday, April 13.) The two-day, 13-game tournament was sponsored by the National American Scrabble Players Association and Scrabble Club #359, which meets weekly at Jason’s Deli in Westchase District.

The tournament featured 42 players from Texas, Louisiana and Idaho. Players were divided into four divisions and paired up for play. All games were one-on-one timed games. The host club held a silent auction, featuring donated items, which brought in extra money for the prize fund. Prizes were given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus High Play in each division. Two special prizes were given: "Wordiest Word" (most words overlapped in one play), and "Most Letters in LEXIKO." (Lexiko was the original name of Scrabble created by Alfred Butts in 1938.)

If you’d like to join these Scrabble enthusiasts, they play every Sunday at 2 p.m. at Jason’s Deli, 11081 Westheimer. New players are always welcome.

In the realm of security and policing, dogs have long served as invaluable allies. Dale Buckner, CEO of Global Guardian, describes them as "the most wonderful nonlethal means of addressing an intruder." In Westchase District, SEAL Security pairs its officers with specially-trained K-9 partners, predominantly used for de-escalation. “When the dogs come out, they’re a visual deterrent,” said Erica Rocha, SEAL’s chief client officer. “When the dogs start growling and barking, people usually back down.”

These K-9 units, comprised of German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois from Slovakia come to the United States with their own passports, X-rays and vaccination records. The dogs then undergo meticulous training overseen by SEAL's Kennel Master Rene Garcia while Diana Rivette, SEAL's office manager, ensures their health and vaccinations are up-to-date. SEAL uses an outside veterinarian, rather than bringing that job in-house, because they want to be transparent and open about the dogs’ health. Many of the K-9s become training partners when they’re no longer on active duty.



Despite their behind-the-scenes role, these canine teams contribute significantly to public safety. It was never a question for Westchase District’s Vice President of Public Safety Mark Hubenak. “We knew we wanted the K-9 teams,” said Hubenak. “It adds another tool to our public safety program. The dogs are very rarely ordered to engage, but we know they’re here to protect their handler and de-escalate a situation if it becomes necessary.”

There's still time to get your tickets to attend "Spring Up In Westchase" on Friday, April 19 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. This event, located at Grace Presbyterian Church, benefits the Friends of Westchase non-profit organization.

Friends of Westchase works with local partners to help neighbors in need. Funds raised from the event help support our community by providing food and basic needs, mentoring local school students, providing after school programming in local apartment communities, beautifying schools, supporting teachers and so much more!