Magnum Manor Volunteer Captures Success at Wainwright Elementary

Just down the street from Jessi Heiner's Magnum Manor home is a public school named after "Skinny" Wainwright, a veteran of both World Wars who survived mistreatment in Japanese prison camps with his soldiers before being awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor and promoted to four-star general. Skinny, known to get down in the foxholes with his troops, would have appreciated seeing Heiner and other community members digging deep to help motivated teachers and staff at his namesake school give youngsters a fighting chance at a good education. 

As Magnum Manor Civic Club President, Heiner wondered about the education provided at Wainwright Elementary, an HISD math and sciences magnet school just a couple of blocks from Magnum Road. The nearby school, Heiner says, had come up during civic meetings. She decided that personal experience was the only way to find out just what Wainwright Elementary was all about. 

So, she spent several days this year visiting Wainwright, its students, staff, principal and parents.

Popping in, often unannounced, Heiner and her cameras captured a school working vigorously to engage students from all walks of life. The result is a video Heiner shot that should be compelling to anyone who believes public schools and their surrounding communities have the potential to vastly improve lives.

"Needless to say, I fell in love with the campus, the kiddos, the teachers, the principal and admin team," says Heiner. 

Heiner, who is not a parent, also ginned up a bucket list of ways SN 12 residents can help the school. Volunteers, whether parents or not, can help Wainwright Elementary continue its mission to become a valuable asset to the community, Heiner says.

"Wainwright Elementary School is always looking for volunteers from the community to help out," explains Heiner. "If you would like to volunteer, please register with the Volunteer in Public Schools program by visiting www.houstonisd.org/vips."

There are many ways to help:

1. SDMC (Shared Decision-Making Committee): Wainwright is looking for 1-2 community members to be part of this committee that brings community members, parents and staff together to help determine the path for the school.
2. Reading MENtor Program: Wainwright is looking for gentlemen in the community to adopt a classroom and come read with the students once a month.
3. Assist Teachers: Teachers often need help with classroom projects and preparing materials for activities. They would love to have community volunteers help them out.
4. Habitat and Outdoor Classroom: Wainwright has a large habitat that is currently not in use, but with much potential and an asset that could become an outdoor classroom as part of the school's STEM program. The school will be looking for volunteers to help clean up and plan out projects for this interesting space. And anyone connected with local landscaping companies that would be interested in bidding to regularly maintain this space, please let the school know.

In fact, a small clean-up event is planned for the Wainwright habitat. From 9-11 a.m. Saturday, November 4, volunteers will gather at Wainwright to do some basic cleaning and organization of the habitat area. During the event, plans will be made for upcoming projects designed to celebrate Earth day in April 2018.

For school updates, follow Wainwright Elementary on Facebook and Twitter, where volunteer opportunities will also be posted.

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to Speak Aug. 1 at Grace Church

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett will be the featured speaker during a special event hosted by the Garden Oaks, Candlelight Plaza and Candlelight Oaks civic clubs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, at Grace Church, 3754 N. Shepherd (at 38th Street).

Elected in 2007, Judge Emmett manages the nation's third largest county. He also is director of Harris County's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HCOHSEM), chairman of the Harris County Juvenile Board and chairman of the Conference of Urban Counties Policy Committee. 

In addition to his numerous duties leading Harris County, Judge Emmett takes particular interest in transportation and energy issues. 

He was named Transportation Person of the Year by Transportation Clubs International, and was recognized as one of the Top 20 Logistics Professionals by Logistics Forum.

A member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1987, Judge Emmett was chairman of the Committee on Energy and a member of the Transportation Committee. He also represented Texas on national committees overseeing energy and transportation policy. Emmett served under President George H. W. Bush in 1989 as a commissioner for the Interstate Commerce Commission. 

For more background on Judge Emmett, visit the latest Garden Oaks Gazette here.

SN 12 Clean-Up Project with Scarborough High is May 20

Scarborough High school students will be earning community service hours when they volunteer to help clean up Mangum Road in Super Neighborhood 12 from 9 a.m. - noon, Saturday, May 20, 2017. 

Sponsored by My Brother's Keeper (City of Houston Health Department), Super Neighborhood 12, Scarborough High School, White Oak Baptist Church and MytiBurger (which is graciously providing breakfast), student volunteers will join Super Neighborhood 12 residents to clean up trash, remove weeds and clear shrubs, edges and curbs. Volunteers will meet at the White Oak Baptist Church parking lot, 3615 Mangum Rd., Houston, 77092.

We hope this event will lead to more clean-up efforts throughout Super Neighborhood 12. Come out and help improve your community this Saturday, May 20!

Walk, Bike, Stroll SUNDAY STREETS in SN 12, Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 26!

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Pennies for Our Playground Launch Party

The Pennies for Our Playground Launch Party 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb 19., 3508 Oak Forest Dr. 

All proceeds benefit the future Playground for All Abilities at Oak Forest Park. Admission is $5/family in advance | $10 at the door.

Come and join a fun afternoon of family activities:

• My House Fitness challenge course (all levels welcome)
• ReadyFlipGo gymnastics
• Masterful Mommy crafts
• Art tile painting fundraiser with Mr. Roy
• Idea Lab Kids projects
• ReCoop Designs salvaged wood decorating
• DJ by Retrograde Events
• Local business promotions and more!

Event info: http://houstonparksboard.org/blog/pennies-for-playground/  

REGISTRATION/CONTACT INFO
Email Elyssa Horvath at FriendsofOakForestPark@yahoo.com to register in advance for the event through 2/18, sponsor or host a vendor tent.

For tax deductible donations $15+, including signing up for Idea Lab Kids, go to “Donation-other” at the bottom and note your selections in the comments:

http://houstonparksboard.org/projects/oak_forest_park/

Or by check (note Oak Forest Park) mailed to: Houston Parks Board, 300 N. Post Oak Ln., Houston, TX 77024

Halloween Celebration Oct. 29: Festival of Abilities to Benefit Oak Forest Park

Celebrate Halloween weekend with fitness, art, dance, music and fun for all at the Festival of Abilities, 3-7 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Oak Forest Park, 2100 Judiway Street.

The festival will benefit plans to build an accessible, inclusive playground for all abilities at Oak Forest Park. 

Festival goers of all ages and abilities can enjoy a bevy of fun activities, including:

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• Stroll & Roll costume parade;
• Arts Alive! “Halloween Happening” expressive arts program;
• petting zoo;
• fitness for all;
• arts and crafts;
• pick-your-own pumpkin patch;
• Disney-trained caricature artist Tom Rye;
• games, music, trick or treating;
• craft beer garden and wine tasting (21+ with valid ID), festival food and refreshments

Fly Dance Company -- "the Gentlemen of Hip-Hop" -- will perform at 5:30 p.m. The River Performance Troupe will open the live show.

Enjoy scrimmages with the TIRR Memorial Hermann Hotwheels -- defending national champion wheelchair basketball team, 2015 junior champs -- and TIRR Texans wheelchair rugby.

Cheer on the Fireballs power soccer team, plus participants in a Monster Dash adaptive obstacle course, hosted by HPARD Adaptive Sports & Recreation.

Bayou City Play will feature its “loose parts” adventure play area.

The community can become part of the legacy at Oak Forest Park with the Mad Potter painted art tile project fundraiser, where a $100 donation will get a "buy one, get one" tile through October 29 (future paint days TBA including pre-purchased tiles).

Guests of Honor will included Houston Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, Council Member District C, and Michelle Colvard, the park project’s ADA advisor; a former Ms. Wheelchair America and Texas; as well as the former Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities, Ms. Colvard was a driving force in building the Vale-Asche Foundation Playground Without Limits at Memorial Park and has been a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities.

All net proceeds will benefit the Oak Forest Park Revitalization - More Than1Way 2Play campaign. A $10/person donation is suggested (ages 2+) with cash, checks payable to Houston Parks Board (note "Oak Forest Park"), credit cards, or online donations at http://houstonparksboard.org/projects/oak_forest_park/ (select donation: "other amount"). All donations to Houston Parks Board are tax-deductible.

You can "Like" the Oak Forest project at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofOakForestPark/

Interested in volunteering? Sign up with the Leather Apron Foundation, which is coordinating festival volunteers in two-hour shifts, at http://bit.ly/OFPark2016

For more information on the Festival of Abilities, contact Elyssa Horvath, event coordinator FriendsofOakForestPark@yahoo.com, or call/text 832-771-8030.

Houston Bike Plan Heads to Council for August Vote; Plan Envisions 1,789 Miles of Bikeways

It's time to contact your City Council Members if you'd like Houston to become a more bike-friendly city.

One year and 4,000 online survey responses later – coupled with dozens of public meetings and community events – the Houston Bike Plan is bringing a vision to a Houston City Council vote in August that could make a car-driven city the gold standard for bicycling metropolises.

Council Members reviewed the plan in June that calls for 1,789 miles of bikeways across Houston with more off-road trails, high-comfort bike lanes to make riders feel safer, and connections so riders can get to where they need to go.

While ambitious – the total plan is a 20-year vision with a $500 million price tag – planners believe it can be partially implemented through grants and existing dedicated city funding of up to $5 million per year. In fact, planners believe adding close to 800 miles of bikeways is doable within the next decade. Beyond that, creative funding will be required, such as seeking donors or a possible referendum to give voters the opportunity to weigh in.

Nearly 700 miles of proposed bikeways would be separated from automobile traffic creating what are called “high-comfort” lanes. Numerous surveys indicate people want to bike but they just don’t feel safe, or comfortable, doing so on city streets.

ADDING CONNECTIONS TO MORE DESTINATIONS: JOBS, PARKS, SCHOOLS

If the plan comes to fruition, it would connect more Houstonians with more destinations via bicycle to job centers, parks, schools and entertainment venues.

The idea is that adding connections between existing bikeways would encourage more bicycling. Currently, Houston has a hodgepodge network of bike lanes and trails making it challenging to bike east and west. Several neighborhoods in Near Northwest Houston don’t connect with trails or bike lanes. 

The city has taken significant strides to improve bicycling in the past few years, earning Houston a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community award from the League of American Bicyclists in 2013.

CONTACT CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO ADVOCATE FOR BIKE PATHS IN YOUR AREA

For Houstonians who want more opportunities for safer bicycling -- along with more transportation choices -- now is the time to contact your city council member. Council members representing Near Northwest Houston and Super Neighborhood 12 include Brenda Stardig for District A, Ellen Cohen, District C, and all five at-large council members, Mike Knox (Pos. 1), David Robinson (Pos. 2), Michael Kubosh (Pos. 3), Amanda Edwards (Pos. 4) and Jack Christie (Pos. 5).

Review an executive summary of the plan and an interactive map of trails and bike lanes here. You can advocate for specific trails and bike paths in your area.

The Houston Bike Plan is supported by 4,000 public comments, 97 percent of which were positive, according to Bike Houston, the city’s only non-profit bicycle advocacy group, one that played a key role in community outreach for the plan.

Candidate Forum for Texas State Rep. Dist. 139 is February 22!

Who Will Replace Sylvester Turner as Our State Representative? 

HOUSTON, February 15, 2016 – Near Northwest Houston residents can find out more about the candidates vying for Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner’s former seat during the Texas State Representative, District 139 Candidate Forum, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2016, at Advent Lutheran Church, 5820 Pinemont Dr.

With four candidates participating in the Texas Democratic Primary March1 – and no Republican candidates – time is short to learn more about who will likely be the next Texas State representative for District 139 during the 2017-2019 term.

The forum, sponsored by the Central Northwest Super Neighborhood Council (SN 12) and the Inwood Forest Community Improvement Association, will give voters a chance to meet the candidates and learn where they stand on issues like transportation mobility, education and healthcare.

“This is an opportunity to learn about the four candidates for District 139, one of whom will likely be our next state representative,” explained Alicia Nuzzie, vice president with the SN 12 Council. “This timely forum can help voters make an informed decision during the early voting period and just before the primary.”

The four candidates running for Turner’s seat are Randy Bates, Jerry Ford, Jarvis D. Johnson and Kimberly Willis. The Texas Democratic and Republican primaries will be held Tuesday, March 1. Early voting runs through February 26. 

A Candidate Mingle from 6:30-7 p.m. will give voters a chance to meet candidates up close. The political forum with questions from the audience will begin at 7 p.m.

“By attending this forum, Near Northwest Houston residents can help ensure that their voices are heard in the State Legislature,” said Mark Klein, president, SN 12 Council. “When candidates see a community cares enough to attend a forum and then vote, they tend to be more responsive to its needs.” 

Texas House District 139 includes neighborhoods such as Acres Homes, Candlelight, Garden Oaks, Inwood Forest, Oak Forest and Shepherd Park Plaza. To see if you reside in District 139, visit bit.ly/TX_Dist139 or check your Voter Registration Card.

SN 12 & Inwood Forest CIA Candidate Forum

6:30-8 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2016

Advent Lutheran Church

5820 Pinemont Dr., Houston, 77092

ACTION ALERT: Expansion of Antoine Being Considered

On October 20, 2015, the City of Houston’s Public Works & Engineering Department (PWE) arranged a community meeting about reconstructing Antoine Drive – a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) slated to begin in 2020 – at the offices of the Near Northwest Management District. Unfortunately, PWE did not provide enough advance information to surrounding neighborhoods about this meeting, so many communities impacted by the Antoine corridor were not aware of this presentation. 

While only the north end of the corridor (from Victory Drive to Bridge Forest Drive) is funded for reconstruction at this time, PWE discussed plans to widen the southern portion of Antoine from four to six lanes from HWY 290 to Tidwell. This plan, which was previously off the agenda according to the City of Houston's Mobility Study and study representatives due to strong neighborhood sentiment, is now being considered again.  

Public comments on both projects are currently being taken and are due Monday, November 30, 2015.  

Though the southern portion of the project is only in the planning stage and unfunded at this time, speaking out now against any widening of this street is important. If you disagree with the expansion of Antoine, please consider submitting comments against this proposal. 

Comments can be sent to Carol Haddock, Public Works and Engineering at the City of Houston at pweplanning@houstontx.gov. Below is a sample letter along with some points to consider when writing comments:

Dear Ms. Haddock,

My name is ____________ and I live in _______________(neighborhood). I am against the widening of Antoine drive from Highway 290 to Tidwell from four to six lanes for motorists because the expansion will be detrimental to surrounding neighborhoods. Widening the road will not alleviate traffic or ease congestion. It will only create more problems for this residential corridor. We want a safe, pedestrian-friendly street where residents and all modes of transportation, not just cars, are considered. 

Sincerely,

(Name and Address)

**************************************************************************************

Other talking points to consider including in your letter:

• Antoine Drive is a residential corridor with a school and homes lining each side of the street. Widening the street from four to six lanes for motorists will create an unsafe environment for homeowners whose driveways empty out onto the corridor, neighbors who walk along the street, and students who cross the street to get to and from Scarborough High School. 
• There are already problems with motorists traveling at high speeds on Antoine. Adding additional lanes of traffic will only turn this residential corridor into a highway of motorists. This will create an unsafe street and an unsafe environment for those who live in the area.
• For decades, there have been numerous attempts to widen Antoine to alleviate traffic congestion; all have been met with strong resistance from people who live in this area.  It is disappointing that this plan is again being considered when there has already been so much opposition expressed in the past.
• Under the current plans for the north end of Antoine, reconstruction was kept to four lanes. We ask that the same be considered for the southern end as well and that there be consistency between the two projects.
• Numerous urban transportation studies show that widening streets do not relieve congestion and can actually increase congestion over time. 
  • Many traffic engineers state that "trying to cure traffic congestion by adding more capacity is like trying to cure obesity by loosening your belt."[ii]
  • In an Aug. 16, 2013 New York Times article, “Widen Main St.? Community Had Other Ideas, and Thrived,” transportation project manager Ken Kuminski states, “bigger is not better” when plans to widen a town’s street was met with opposition. By working with residents, a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly street was developed. The design helped cut down on car accidents and injuries and actually helped improved the overall community[i]. 
• In 2013, City of Houston Mayor Annise Parker issued an Executive Order making Complete Streets the basis for a new, more urban and inclusive approach to the City’s streets as they are rebuilt over the next 20 years. Complete Streets are defined as streets that are safe for all users, including walkers, bicyclists, drivers, people who are disabled, and transit commuters.
  • In a press release outlining this decision, Mayor Parker is quoted as saying, "The Complete Streets and Transportation Plan recognizes that all streets are different. The function of the road, current and projected adjacent land use and travel demands, availability of right-of-way, community input and the level of vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic must all be considered in decisions regarding enhancements. The ultimate goal, where appropriate, is walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods with amenities such as trees and landscaping, public art and street furniture.[iii]  

[i] Gaffney, Dennis.  "Widen Main St.?  Community Had Other Ideas, and Thrived." New York Times, August, 2013.

[ii]Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream, North Point Press, 2000, 88-94.

[iii] The City of Houston, Office of the Mayor. (2013). Mayor Annise Parker Announces Visionary Complete Streets Policy for Houston [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/press/20131010.html

FRA Rules Out Bullet Train Routes Threatening Urban Neighborhoods

With the release of FRA's Alignment Alternatives Analysis Report, it seems safe to conclude that the high-speed rail project no longer presents an imminent threat to urban Houston neighborhoods. View this email in your browser

On Monday, Nov. 9, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released its final Alignment Alternatives Analysis Report, which can be accessed here. This report contains excellent news for Houston neighborhoods:

• The Houston station is to be located in the 290/610 area, just as Houston High-Speed Rail Watch has been advocating. 
• All routes that were under consideration for reaching downtown were rejected and are off the table (it turns out only two were being studied).

It seems safe to conclude that the high-speed rail project no longer presents an imminent threat to urban Houston neighborhoods.

We are gratified by this turn of events, and we hope and believe that our voice and the voices of our communities played a role in the decision that has been taken.  With our mission apparently achieved, Houston High-Speed Rail Watch and its individual members are now considering our next steps.

For those who want more details, specific points of interest include the following:

• Page 22 of the Alignment Alternatives Analysis Report discusses the two Downtown Houston routes being eliminated from further consideration and details the reasons.
• The FRA also released a report from TCR called Screening of Alignment Alternatives.  Pages 134 and 135 of that report contain maps of the routes TCR and FRA were considering for reaching downtown that are more detailed than the maps previously disclosed to the public.
• TCR’s view of the last-mile choices is detailed in yet another TCR report calledLast Mile Analysis, dated March 27, 2015, but not released publicly until now.  Pages 62 through 65 of this report discuss the routing and station alternatives within Houston.

Houston High-Speed Rail Watch is watching out for you.

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FRA Issues HSR Report: Narrows Route Selection but Leaves Door Open for Concerns

On August 12, 2015 the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued the Corridor Alternatives Analysis Technical Report, which analyzes four possible corridors for Texas Central Railway’s (TCR) proposed high-speed rail project. Unfortunately, the report provides little insight on the real impact the high-speed rail project would have on Houston neighborhoods.  
 
While two of the corridors running through Houston neighborhoods – the BNSF line along 34th Street and the UPRR line in the Washington Corridor – appear to have been eliminated from consideration, the report leaves many concerns:

• The Utility Corridor (the only alternative to make it through FRA’s screening process) ends in Hockley. From Hockley to Houston, this routing alternative would follow the UPRR (rail) corridor.
• The report indicates that portions of the BNSF, UPRR and I-45 Greenfield corridors may be further investigated in the event there are constraints in the Utility Corridor that would require an alternative to be developed.
• The report fails to address the question of where the Houston station would be located (downtown or outside the 610 Loop).

Ultimately, the report leaves the door open for potential routes through Houston neighborhoods. Findings in the report relate mostly to the path that would be taken through rural counties between Dallas and Houston.

View the full report and potential corridor map here. 
 
The FRA’s next step will be to evaluate the range of alignments within the Utility Corridor and identify alternatives in more detail. 
 
Your Houston High-Speed Rail Watch will keep you posted.

Be sure to like our Facebook page to get high-speed rail updates, fast!

Sincerely,
Houston High-Speed Rail Watch

Houston 2015 Mayoral Candidate Forum - Sept. 1

Meet and hear from all seven Houston Mayoral candidates at the 2015 Mayoral Candidate Forum, Tuesday, September 1, at the Grace Church Garden Oaks auditorium, 3754 N. Shepherd Dr.

Hosted by the Garden Oaks Civic Club, Super Neighborhood #12 and the Leader Newspaper, this public conversation with mayoral candidates will focus on their vision for the nation's fourth largest city. Jonathan McElvey, publisher of the Leader, will moderate the forum.

• Meet and greet the candidates from 6:15 - 6:45 p.m.
• The candidate forum follows from 6:45 - 8:30 p.m.

Childcare will be provided for children at least three years of age and potty trained by the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA.

This special forum is free and open to the public. To ensure your spot at the forum and suggest a question for the candidates, please register at theleadernews.com, or call (713) 686-8494.