Hello District K Friends,

A warm greeting to everyone as we enter November—a month for gratitude, reflection, and honoring those who serve. First, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our veterans and their families. Your dedication, courage, and sacrifice inspire us daily, and we honor your service not just today, on Veterans Day, but every day.

As we look toward the close of another year, I’m reminded of the incredible strength of our community. From the events we’ve shared to the conversations we’ve had, it’s clear that our community is resilient and ready to rise to every challenge and opportunity. Let’s keep working together to make our neighborhoods vibrant, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

Thank you all for your continued involvement and dedication to making our community the best it can be.

Wishing you a fantastic November!

In Service

Martha

Join Us for "Houston Salutes American Heroes"

on Veterans Day

Houston will come together to honor the courage and sacrifice of our armed forces at the annual "Houston Salutes American Heroes" Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 11, 2024. Texas is home to over 250,000 veterans, and we are proud to recognize the men, women, and families who have served for our freedom.

The Veterans Day Ceremony begins at 10:00 AM, featuring acknowledgements and a keynote speech from Vice Admiral James W. Crawford III (Retired), 14th President of Texas Southern University. A special Moment of Silence will follow at 11:00 AM in honor of the Armistice that ended WWI.

At 11:30 AM, the American Heroes Parade will kick off at Dallas and Bagby, winding through downtown as local veterans, ROTC members, marching bands, and supporters come together to celebrate our heroes. The event is open to everyone—come line the route and cheer for our veterans!

Note: Solid Waste collection will operate as usual on Veterans Day. However, Neighborhood Depositories, Recycling Centers, and administrative offices will be closed on Monday and reopen on Tuesday, November 12.

We look forward to celebrating with you and showing our gratitude to those who have served!

A Special Thanks for a Great Community Event

The Fort Bend Townhall was a fantastic community gathering! We had an incredible turnout where residents connected with city leaders to discuss important issues. A huge thank you to Mayor John Whitmire, Police Chief Diaz, Fire Chief Munoz, Director Wilfalk of Solid Waste, Director Sims of the Department of Neighborhoods and Fort Bend Commissioner Grady Prestage for their valuable insights and for answering your questions. Your engagement makes a difference—thanks to everyone who joined and contributed to the conversation!

The topics included improving infrastructure, public safety, parks and neighborhood beautification. It was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we come together, listen, and work toward common goals. Thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a impactful night!

#DistrictKCommunity

Breast Cancer Yoga Event

We wrapped up Breast Cancer Awareness Month with our 2nd Annual “Pose in Pink” Yoga Experience for surviveHers and supporters! We celebrated survivors, honored caregivers, and stood united in raising awareness for early detection. Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime?

Co-hosted by Lyndsay Levingston with Sade leading the yoga practice, we had a great time moving together to breathe and honor our bodies while highlighting the importance of self care. Let’s make a difference by spreading the word on the importance of yearly mammograms and wellness.

#breastcancerawarness #communityhealth #selfcare

Cheers to a Pawsome Healthy Pets,

Happy Homes Event

What a fantastic turnout at Saturday’s Healthy Pets, Happy Homes event! It was wonderful to see so many pet lovers from District K and beyond stop by for free microchips, vaccines, and pet food. Keeping our furry friends healthy and safe is what it's all about! Big thanks to BARC, Lone Star Animal Welfare, PetSmart, and our friends at the Houston Police Department for making this day a success. Here’s to happy, healthy pets all around!

#DistrictK #HPD #BARC

#HealthyPets #HappyHomes #CommunityEvent #PetWellness #HoustonPets

Heartfelt Thanks for a Memorable Senior Thanksgiving Feast

Huge shoutout to the Ridgemont CIA in District K for putting together an incredible Senior Thanksgiving Feast in Fort Bend, Houston! The room was filled with joy, laughter, delicious food, music, games, and exciting raffles—everything needed to make it a truly special day for our seniors.

We’re so grateful for the chance to gather, celebrate, and share some holiday cheer with our amazing community members. Here's to more fantastic events like this one!

#CommunityStrong #ThanksgivingFeast #SeniorCelebration

#DistrictK #FortBendHouston

New Trails Open at the Greenway: Honoring Donald Perkins and Expanding Community Connections!

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of two new trails at the Willow Waterhole Greenway, including the Donald Perkins Neighborhood Trail, honoring our former District K Chief of Staff. Donald dedicated so much to our community, and this trail, running from the Chimney Rock/West Bellfort intersection to Heron Lake’s Audubon Trail, is a fitting tribute that he would have truly loved.

A big thanks to Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy for making this possible! The second addition, the Menninger Trail, was made possible by an easement from The Menninger Clinic and connects Scout Lake’s O’Quinn and Bayou Trails to Heron Lake.

With eight miles of scenic trails ready to explore, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the cooler weather! Look out for maps at key trailheads to help guide you.

#DistrictKSpotlight #SustainabilityLeaders #Solugen #ProudDistrictK

Willow Waterhole Greenway New Tables Added

Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy has added ten brand-new picnic tables around the Greenway! Now, all six lakes have dedicated picnic spots for you to relax and enjoy the views.

The new tables are located at Scout Lake (5500 South Willow), Heron Lake (5300 South Willow), Willow Lake (11200 Clematis), and Prairie Lake (11400 Windwood). With these additions, they’re up to 25 tables across the Greenway—perfect for your next outdoor gathering!

#WillowWaterhole #DistrictKGreenspace

Sidewalk Improvements Coming Soon to

Junction Drive

Exciting improvements are on the way for Junction Drive! We’re replacing old sidewalks with new concrete, tying them in with existing driveways for a smoother and more connected pathway. Construction is set to start around November 18 and wrap up by the end of the month.

These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to making our community safer and more accessible. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our neighborhood!

#DistrictKInfrastructure #KeepDistrictKMoving

Concrete Improvements Coming to Bob White from Quail Meadow to W. Airport Blvd

More positive infrastructure news! We’re starting improvements along Bob White, with plans to remove and replace concrete panels from Quail Meadow Dr. to W. Airport Blvd. This work will begin around November 8 and is expected to be completed early first quarter 2025. We’re excited for these updates to help improve the area, and we appreciate your patience as the project moves forward!

#DistrictKInfrastructure #KeepDistrictKMoving

Neighborhood Depository & Recycling Center Updates Hours with End of Daylight Saving

The City of Houston's Neighborhood Depositories have adjusted their hours to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., in line with the end of Daylight-Saving Time. These hours apply at all six depository locations, which are open Tuesday through Sunday (except on City-approved holidays). Be sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing to allow time for unloading.

Here’s where you can drop off recyclables or dispose of junk waste:

• North – 9003 N Main, 77022
• Northwest – 14400 Sommermeyer, 77041
• Northeast – 5565 Kirkpatrick, 77028
• South – 5100 Sunbeam, 77033
• Southwest – 10785 SW Freeway, 77074
• Southeast – 2240 Central Street, 77017

To use the depositories, just bring proof of Houston residency, like a Texas driver’s license, a valid Texas ID, or a current utility bill or property tax receipt.

Accepted items include junk waste like furniture, tree limbs, large appliances (appliances with refrigerant need a certified tag), up to five auto tires per month, and building materials (up to four cubic yards, excluding roofing shingles, brick, and plaster). You can also drop off recyclables like tree waste, concrete, plastics, cans, bottles, cardboard, used motor oil, and even clothing and shoes (at North and Southeast locations).

Remember, trailers over 16 feet long or 4 feet high can’t be accommodated. And please separate your recyclables to help make the drop-off process quicker and easier!

Career Opportunity Fair

The 7th Annual Career Opportunity Fair is just around the corner—don’t miss out! This is your chance to explore exciting career paths and connect with top employers.

When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Where: Houston Community College West Loop Campus, 5601 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77081

What to Expect:

• Over 50 businesses across various industries like construction, education, hospitality, and healthcare
• Hundreds of job openings to explore
• On-the-spot hiring opportunities
• A chance to register for certifications tied to available jobs

Last year, more than 1,500 job seekers joined us, and we’re excited to offer even more opportunities this year.

If you have any questions or need more details, reach out to Karen Levingston-Franklin at Karen.Franklin@houstontx.gov. See you there!

High School Students Invited to Help Shape Safer Schools in Harris County

Harris County Commissioners Court recently created the Safe School Commission to advise Commissioners Court on safety and wellness in K-12 schools across Harris County. The commission will work to study, compile and recommend measures that Commissioners Court can take to support safety strategies at schools across Harris County.

The Commission will consist of 7 members, including 2 high school students. To be eligible, students must be enrolled at a high school in Harris County. Joining the Safe School Commission is a great opportunity for high school students to make their voice heard and make a difference in their school community.



Save the Date: Sunday in the Park

at Willow Waterhole

Mark your calendars for Sunday in the Park! November 17, 2024

Join us for a fun-filled day at Willow Waterhole!

📍 Location: 5300 Gasmer Dr, Houston, TX 77035

📅 Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024

🕛 Time: 12 PM - 4 PM

Enjoy live music, dancing, free food, and games for the whole family! Don't miss out on this fantastic community gathering. We can’t wait to see you there!

#InTheParkHTX

Lead and Copper Rules Revisions

We’re working hard to keep our community safe with the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions! This plan is all about identifying and eliminating potential lead pipes, ensuring our water stays clean and safe for everyone.

If you have questions or want to learn more, the above flyer is a great resource. It has helpful info about the process and links to official webpages where you can find even more details. Let’s stay informed and work together for safer water in our neighborhoods!

Hot Job Opportunities – Start Work Soon and

Get Paid Fast

Looking for a job or know someone who is? LaneStaffing has some great opportunities available, and we'd love your help spreading the word!

Here’s a look at this week’s hot jobs:

🎉 Event Staff – Help with event setup and takedown (short-term) (77478)

📞 Front Desk Receptionist – Long-term opportunity with a local non-profit (77002)

We’re always hiring for both short-term and long-term positions, and the best part? You can start work this week and get paid next week! Feel free to share these opportunities with anyone in your network who’s looking for a new gig.

#DistrictKWorks #EmploymentOpportunities

Unlock Exporting Success: Free Workshops Starting November 19

Ready to boost your knowledge of exporting goods and services in today’s global market? We’re offering free virtual workshops just for you!

Register today and get started on Tuesday, November 19th!

The first two workshops will be held virtually from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Then, join in-person for an exciting export panel discussion on November 21st from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at 1300 Holman Street, William W. Harmon Building, Room 100, Houston, TX 77004 (and yes, lunch will be provided!).

This is a great chance to learn, connect, and grow your business in the global marketplace. Don’t miss out—sign up today!

Click here to register for the virtual workshops

Click here to register for the in-person session

Empower the Next Generation

The A.I.R. Project invites youth and young adults (ages 12-24) to join our Generational Empowerment Project—a chance to build leadership skills and make an impact in your community!

This program offers hands-on activities like field trips, mindfulness training, and a youth-led initiative, all while exploring topics like STEAM, financial literacy, mental health, and cultural heritage. Participants can earn rewards, volunteer hours, and even work toward a Presidential Service Award!

Apply by November 23rd to be part of this inspiring journey. Find more details in the flyer above or apply here: Generational Empowerment Project

KEEP DISTRICT K MOVING...