Don't miss the MUSIC FEST 2021! Vice Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum will guest host this phenomenal day of music at the Willow Waterhole. Mayor Turner will also make an appearance around 3:30pm.

Bring your chairs/blankets and come out for good music, Trunk or Treat, Haunted House Maze, Mortal & Dogs Costume contest, and what's an event without food trucks! I hear the Turkey Leg Hut and Cool Runnings Jamaican Food are 2 of the trucks scheduled.

When entering the MusicFest on Dryad Dr. you will notice the new and improved asphalt road instead of the old dusty gravel road. This improvement was one of the final commitments made by former Council Member Larry Green. The $150K he committed to this project was used by my office to see this project to fruition. Thank you Medina Construction for getting the work completed prior to the MusicFest. Join us for a ribbon cutting of the new entrance on Dryad Dr. on Friday, October 29th at 10:00am.

For more information and line-up of performances visit: WillowWaterhole.org/MusicFest
More District K Improvements in Briargate!
Residents in Briargate will soon enjoy new concrete sidewalks. Houston Public Works will remove and replace concrete sidewalks and ramps on Briargate Drive from Castleview to Indian Woods Drive. Below is a layout sheet for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin this week and should be ready for walking and bike riding by the end of December 2021. We are always happy to see these improvements in Fort Bend's Complete Community!
New Sidewalks in Gessport Neighborhood
in Brays Oaks
Residents in Gessport Neighborhood will soon be able to enjoy new sidewalks. Houston Public Works will begin replacing concrete sidewalks and ramps on Vinkins Rd., from N. Rachlin Circle to N. Rylander Circle at the end of the month. Construction on these sidewalks will take approximately 60 days. We can't wait to see our District K constituents enjoying a safer walk around the neighborhood.

Election Information You May Need!
EARLY VOTING began, October 18th and will run through October 29th. The November 2nd Election ballot contains 8 amendments to the Texas Constitution, called “Propositions.” If approved by the voters, these Propositions will impact the lives of Texans. Have you looked at your sample ballot yet? You can pull up your sample ballot on harrisvotes.com/sampleballots, fortbendvotes.org or vote411.org.

The League of Women Voters have prepared these short videos explaining why your vote matters and a summary of each proposition.
 
Each video is divided into 3 segments: (1) a description of the Proposition; (2) the arguments of proponents who are in favor of approving the Proposition; and (3) the arguments of opponents who are against approving the Proposition. The League of Women Voters, nor the District K office is suggesting how you should vote but definitely want you to be an informed voter.

Your Vote Matters!  https://youtu.be/wm7RUtNssFU
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 1https://youtu.be/cOmWA1pDfq0
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 2https://youtu.be/mWn3GnqGE2o
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 3https://youtu.be/ncFEnVq6sTs
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 4https://youtu.be/tm1zHQMscz8
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 5https://youtu.be/yH1J6v98dSU
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 6https://youtu.be/jCJGSS1EQgk
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 7:  https://youtu.be/lziZRjGi2PQ
 
Watch a short video on Prop. 8: https://youtu.be/-QaJnSpny9g

There are also 5 seats on the Houston Independent School District school board that are up for general election on November 2nd. Print out your sample ballot and make sure you vote for your local Board Trustee along with the 8 state-wide propositions.

The electoral process is at its strongest when our community is informed and engaged!
Southwest Livable Centers Study in District K- We Want to Hear From You
Livable Centers are places where people can live, work, and play with less reliance on their cars. They encourage a complementary mix of land uses that are designed to be walkable, connected, and accessible by multiple modes of transportation, including; bus, bike, foot, or vehicle (multi-modal). The program works with local communities to reimagine auto-focused infrastructure, policies, and programs to be more multi-modal friendly. As we continue to improve our community we want to hear from you. How can we improve the place you call home? We need your input!

Find out more on the the Southwest Livable Centers Study by visiting the District K web page at: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/k/livable-centers-study.html.

Take the community survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthwestHouston.

Register for the public meeting via this link: Southwest Livable Centers Study Public Meeting Registration.
Happy 185th Birthday Houston
As we continue the celebration of the City of Houston’s 185th Birthday throughout the year, Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Castex-Tatum is continuing to promote the city-wide anti-litter campaign. Houstonians are encouraged to pick up 185 pieces of trash in and around their communities. People who make the effort to pick up trash in their community often find they will inspire others to do the same. This campaign is a great compliment to our on-going district "Clean State of Mind" campaign.

It is also important to hold business owners accountable for the maintenance of and around their properties. Citizens should say something when frequenting businesses in our community and the property and or parking lot needs attention.

Litter grabbers for residents who plan to pick up debris are available in the District K office. Call us and we will arrange to get them to you.
Congratulations District K
2021-22 Mayor's Youth Council Members!
On October 13th Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the members of the 2021-2022 Mayor's Youth Council (MYC). Seventeen high school students took the MYC oath of office administered by the mayor at an inauguration ceremony at City Hall. In attendance were students' family members and City officials.

The MYC members were selected from a pool of nearly 100 applicants consisting of students ages 14-18 who live and attend high school in Houston. The members were chosen through an application and interview process conducted by a selection committee and their term runs from October 2021 to May 2022.

Congratulations to District K's Megan Tran, who attends DeBakey High School for Health Professions and Alternate, Sheralyn Cruz who attends YES Prep Southwest.

We can't wait to meet and work with you!
City-funded Grant Opportunities For Nonprofit Organizations and Individual Artists
The last cycles of the 2021 Let Creativity Happen! (LCH) and 2021 City's Initiative (CI) grant programs are open! Both city-funded grant opportunities are available to nonprofit organizations and individual artists. Visit the HAA website for detailed eligibility requirements and application guidelines for each grant. The deadline to submit your application is October 29, 2021 at 5 p.m. CST.

The Let Creativity Happen! grant category provides funds of up to $2,500 for specific projects that amplify artistic creativity and vision taking place in the city of Houston. This grant is open to individual artists, 501(c)3 organizations and fiscally sponsored projects. Funding for the grant opportunity is provided through the City of Houston. For complete eligibility requirements, please review the Grant Guidelines in detail. LCH grant guidelines begin on page #15.

The City’s Initiative grant program provides funding to individual artists and nonprofits for strategic and creative opportunities to engage visitors and residents while building upon Houston’s cultural identity and tourism. Proposed activities should not be a part of the applicant’s regular programming or annual schedule of activities or events. Grant expenses are restricted to project-related costs, which include artist fees, and marketing costs. Typical awards are between $5,000 and $10,000.

Domestic Violence Awareness
Every 9 seconds a woman is physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S.

1 in 3 female murder victims are killed by their intimate partner

72% of all murder-suicides involve intimate partners &
94% of those murder victims are female

These are staggering statistics. Anyone can be an abuser. They come from all groups, all cultures, all religions, all economic levels, and all backgrounds. They can be your neighbor, your pastor, your friend, your child's teacher, a relative, a coworker -- anyone. It is important to note that the majority of abusers are only violent with their current or past intimate partnersOne study found 90% of abusers do not have criminal records and abusers are generally law-abiding outside the home. If you're in an abusive relationship get help!

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now..
New Artwork on W. Orem Dr. @ Chimney Rock
Have you driven down W. Orem Dr. lately? If so, I hope you noticed the newest artwork designed by Anat Ronen and painted by Sylvia Blanco. The bridge caps are newly painted with this vibrant floral design and block colors. We're working hard to improve our community and I hope you enjoy the beauty as you drive through our community. Thank you TIRZ 9 and 5 Corners Management District and UP Art Studio for helping us to make District K more beautiful.
The City of Houston and Harris County are working together to provide over $159 million in rental, ustility and case management assistance to those facing housing insecurity.

Visit: www.HoustonHarrisHelp.org for more information and to apply.
We All Eat
Meal Program in Fort Bend Houston
If you are struggling as a result of COVID-19, you may be eligible for FREE daily meals. If you are a District K resident who lives in Fort Bend County apply for FREE meals at www.wealleattexas.com

Get a FREE daily meal from some of Fort Bend Counties finest restaurants including: Louisiana Fried Chicken, Dimmassi Mediterranean Grill, Crabheads, MiMi's New Orleans Kitchen, Yais Thai Kitchen, Ninfas, The Roof Sugarland, and many more.

Eligible participants must live in Fort Bend County and have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Apply today at www.wealleattexas.com
"SHE GOT NOW" Returns To Empower The Next Generation of HBCU Female Leaders
For the third consecutive year, up to 12 amazing HBCU women will be granted a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join PepsiCo as interns, with the potential to be hired for a full-time role. The ultimate goal of "She Got Now" is to celebrate, support and honor young Black women making strides and shifting culture at their respective HBCUs, while also guiding them to success through caree opportunities.

Applications for the "She Got Now" Allen McKellar Jr. Internship Program are open now through December to young Black women aspiring to attend or are currently attending an HBCU. To learn more about the program head over to: www.essence.com/shegotnow.
Prairie Restoration Volunteers Needed
at Simsbrook Dr. and S Post Oak Road
Volunteers are needed for a prairie restoration event on Sims Bayou Greenway. Prairies are a vital part of Houston’s ecosystem, especially for pollinators, birds, and bats. It’s only fitting for the Houston Parks Bard to sponsor this event during International Bat Week, and the day before Halloween!

This family-friendly volunteer opportunity includes planting and seeding, and tools, gloves, and refreshments will be provided. Volunteers will be split up upon arrival into 3-4 groups of 10 or less due to COVID-19 safety precautions. This will be a smaller event due to COVID, just 40 people. You are invited to attend, and we hope we can count on your support sharing this opportunity! The registration link:
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