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Houston Astros Baseball - Minute Maid Park - May 9 - May 15

Live Quarter Horse Races - Sam Houston Race Park - Daily March 18 - May 15

CenterPoint Sidewalk Issues

I am still not happy with some of the reconstruction of the sidewalks damaged by CenterPoint.  I will be doing a walk through over the weekend to report back to them.

Water Line

Your tax $$$$ are at work.  The good news is that most of our neighborhood will be seeing upgrades to the waterlines toward the end of the year.  Please see the attached document for details.  The bad news is that the areas of the streets that are going to be dug up will only be patched.

Legacy Community Health Services

Legacy has moved out of the neighborhood.  However, this move to a larger facility on California St will allow them to provide more Family Practice services, eye, and dental Care. Please see the attached document for details.  We are trying to get a representative to come speak at the May meeting.

We are delighted to welcome our two newest business members, Hollywood Hair & Nail Salon located at 2409 Grant St and Hyde Park Blvd and Marbella Spa and Salon located at 415 Westheimer.

In accordance with Mayor Parker's announcement today,  ATS is working to immediately reactivate and fully functionalize Houston’s red light safety cameras. Parker said the city will conduct a review of the system, and it is possible that some of the cameras will be moved to other intersections with higher collision rates.

The cameras started going up in 2006. More than 800,000 tickets had been issued, resulting in more than $44 million in fines.

The moral of the story, don’t speed through intersections on yellow lights turning to red, it may cost you!

SIDEWALKS

There is some utility work around the neighborhood and sidewalks are being destroyed.  This may not necessarily be a bad thing; we might see some improvements on some of our sidewalks.  I contacted 3-1-1 and they indicated that they would be repaired once the work is done.  If sidewalks around your homes are not repaired in a timely manner, please follow up with the city’s 3-1-1 line

Volunteers Needed!

Council Member Larry Green, along with ABC Dental, is sponsoring a "Smiles on Wheels" bike giveaway event for needy children this holiday season.

ABC Dental has graciously donated a significant number off bikes for the "Smiles on Wheels" event. However, we are seeking volunteers to assist with assembling all the bikes. Council Member Green is calling all "Santa Helpers" to assist (i.e. civic leaders, fraternal organizations, scouting troops, church groups, school groups/organizations, social service organizations, etc.).

The bikes will be assembled at the Fountain of Life Center, 14905 South Main St. (77035). All volunteers are asked to stop-in between 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. between now and December 6.

For more information about how to participate as a volunteer or information about the "Smiles on Wheels" event, please contact Vivian Harris at 832-393-4203 or contact ABC Dental at 713-723-9200.

If you know of any children in NEED of a bike, please forward their contact information to Vivian Harris.

Help spread the word!

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National Night Out 2012

Thank you to all of you who came out for National Night Out 2012.  Councilmembers Jack Christie and Ellen Cohen made an appearance and Christopher Attar from Councilmember Costello’s office stuck around to visit with our residents.  We saw a lot of new faces at the event.  The auction netted nearly $1200.00  I want to thank Carol Metzger and Greg Mouser for soliciting donations for the auction, Cat Head for getting the food donated through El Real Tex Mex Café,  Greg Legrande for getting all of the posters made, and F Bar Houston for the desserts and providing us with a great venue.  I also want to extend a special Thank you to ReadyHoustonTX for the emergency preparedness bags and really cool led reflector strobes and finally, Agelia Perez for making the wonderful guacamole!

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GRAFFITI IS A CRIME

Report Anonymously

By phone 713 222 8477

by text Tip610 to crimes(2746370)

by website http://www.crime-stoppers.org

Crime Alert

Apparently there have been a few home burglaries on the north side along the Hyde Park Corridor.  The most recent at 200 Hyde Park. Please keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it immediately.

Hello Avondale Neighbors,

It's almost time to elect new Association board members and your neighborhood needs your help. 

Who will be our next Avondale President? Who will be our board members? Maybe it’s you or someone you know. If you are interested in serving on the Avondale board of directors or know someone you think can help make a difference in our community, please let us know. 

Avondale Association is currently accepting nominations for officers and at large board members.

Please save the date for National Night Out

 Thank you Aike for the beautiful invitation that you put together!

Chief's Citywide

"Positive Interaction Program" 

This month our program presentation Topic will be:

“Law Enforcement Response to Persons with Alzheimer’s”

The Houston Police Department’s Mental Health Unit and the Missing Persons Division will present this informative program. 

Also, comments from Chief of Police

Charles A. McClelland, Jr.       

WHERE: . . . . . 1602 State St. (Auditorium)

 Tuesday  July 10^th 2012 7:00 p.m. 

From: Officer James Sobota  

     Hope to see you there.

      Voice # 713-308-9079  

TTY For emergency dial  911 - then tap space bar !

        E-mail: james.sobota@cityofhouston.net

          Interpreter and captioning provided

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Please join us for the April 3rd General Meeting. 

Councilmember Cohen will be present and discussing some CIP Projects for Avondale.

Please review the content on this PDF prior to the April 3rd general meeting so that we can identify what sidewalks might be covered under this program.

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ABC News Story on Avondale Sidewalks 

I hate the fact that our neighborhhood was featured on the news like this.

However, it presents us with an opportunity. Now is the time to reach out to the council and CenterPoint to get this resolved. Click here for the full report.

Remember, it seems like the squeaky wheel gets the grease so we must unite and do the following:

Call 3-1-1 

Contact

Council Member Ellen Cohen
City Hall Annex
900 Bagby, First Floor
Houston, TX 77002

Phone: 832.393.3004
FAX: 832.393.3239
E-Mail: districtc@houstontx.gov

Contact:

Alicia.Dixon@CenterPointEnergy.com. Office: 713-207-5885

March 2012 Mixer at The Fairview

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The new board finally had the opportunity to meet and we know that we have our work cut out for us.  Last year we committed to increasing our cash and ensuring timely communication.  In addition, we also made a commitment that we would support our business partners whenever possible.

In 2011, we saw our cash balances nearly double, we have a stellar website (courtesy of Computer-Wiz), we have a facebook page that residents are starting to utilize, we had a record number of businesses sign up in comparison to recent history.  , especially for National Night Out. (I hope we can outdo NNO 2011, but it will be hard.) Due to redistricting, we are now part of City Council District C and welcome City Councilmember Cohen as part of the neighborhood.   I am hopeful that we will have visible representation on the council, who will fight for our interests, our streets, lighting, and creating a neighborhood that will be safe and pedestrian friendly; thus allowing us to enjoy our surroundings.

DO 1 THING

For a homeless youth

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Open your heart for homeless youth this Valentine’s by dropping off new or gently used clothing,

I hope that everyone had a great holiday and got to visit with friends and family. Thank you to everyone who came out to the January Mixer at Don Julio’s.  It was a nice event, thank you Sam for hosting.

Yale Street Bridge

The Yale Street Bridge has been further downgraded. It is now at 7,000 pound capacity. HISD has rerouted their school buses to avoid the area. Furthermore, there are signs prohibiting large trucks from crossing the bridge. Please use discretion when utilizing this bridge that is deemed to be unsafe.

Drought

Despite the heavy rains we have recently had, SE Texas is still under drought conditions.  Please continue to conserve water.

Brrrrr

Remember as the temperature dips; take precautions with any exposed pipes and pets.  If it’s too cold, wrap the pipes and bring the pets in.

Property Taxes

Reminder - Property taxes are due at the end of the month. Click here for more information.

Time to renew

If you have not renewed for 2012, please take a moment to complete the attached form and send in your check.

January Avondale Mixer

Save the date for the first Avondale Mixer in 2012.

It will take place on January 10th at 6:00 pm at Don Julio’s on Westheimer Road at Taft.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are some tips to keep you safe!

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

PCT 34

Poll location Hostelling International Houston
501 Lovett Boulvard Houston

Voter information www.harrisvotes.com

PCT 34 Sample Ballot

 Joint Election

Harris County, Texas

November 08, 2011

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

STATE OF TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROPOSITION 1

(Vote for none or one)

"The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of

the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROPOSITION 2

"The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development

Board in an amount not to exceed $6 billion at any time outstanding."

(Vote for none or one)

Thanks to the F Team for arranging a great National Night Out at FBar,

and to all the merchants that donated food and silent auction items

and, most of all,

the Residents of Avondale for coming out.

Marbella Spa & Salon

Male U Wear

Half Price Books

Eclipse Tan

Tejas Boots

Michelangelo's

Don Julios

Sorrento

Randall Jobe

Barnaby’s

Sean Greene

Out Design

IP Design

Schlotzsky's Deli 1005 Westheimer

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More Pictures under Neighborhood News!

Tuesday October 4^th from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm join us on the patio at F Bar for the 2011 National Night Out celebration. Complimentary burgers and hotdogs and cash bar with lots of great selections from which to choose.  Visit with neighborhood law enforcement and city leaders.

We will also hold a silent auction!

Items up for bid include:

Marbella Spa & Salon - A gift certificate for a one hour massage and a full one hour facial. Total of $150.00.

Male U Wear - $50.00 Gift Certificate

Half Price Books - $25.00 gift card

Eclipse Tan - $25.00 gift certificate

Tejas Boots -  $50.00 shoe or boot repair

Michelangelo's 2- -$100.00 gift certificates

Don Julios 2 -- $50.00 gift certificates

Sorrento -  $100.00 gift card

Two tickets to Music Box Theater's " Damaged Divas of the Decades" ($70.00 value)

Artist Randall Jobe, limited edition art print - 16 x 20 matted and framed ($250 value)

And much, much more.

Cash or check preferred.

National Night Out is America’s night out against crime! The "28th Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 4th, 2011 across the state of Texas. We cordially invite the residents of the Avondale Association community to be a part of Avondale’s NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2011.

First of all, I want to thank Kiti and Cat for hosting a great Friday Fiesta on the 19^th.  Due to the success of Friday Fiesta, it will be held over into September.  Oleg and Tanya will be hosting and the date will be announced soon.

Next Tuesday, September 6^th at 7:00 pm we have our general meeting.  I would like to request that as many of you attend as possible and bring a neighbor.  The board met earlier this evening and agreed that we will be brief.  We will not have a speaker since we will host a City Council Dist C Candidate forum immediately after the meeting.   It is critical that we have as many residents as possible to demonstrate that we are a solid voting bloc.  Keep in mind, the person that wins this seat will be influential in assisting us with projects in the future.

Thursday, September 1^st there are quite a few new laws taking effect.  Here are some highlights.

 

  Mayor Parker Orders Mandatory Water Conservation Measures

Due to persistent drought conditions and continuously decreasing water levels in Lake Houston, as of Monday, August 15, 2011, Mayor Annise Parker has mandated the implementation of the City of Houston Stage Two Water Conservation Measures in accordance with the procedures outlined in Chapter 47 in the Code of Ordinances.

During Stage Two of the conservation plan, customers are required to:

In addition to our regular meeting on September 6^th, we will have a candidate forum for those candidates seeking the city council district C position.  Please put this date on your calendar, since it is right after Labor Day.  If we have over whelming attendance, priority will be given to paid members of the association.

The Montrose Remembrance Garden Set to Open

The Aaron Scheerhoorn Foundation for Change is getting ready to dedicate the Montrose Remembrance Garden on Thursday, July 28 at 8:15 p.m. ‎1000th Block of California St at Grant (one block from Baba Yega's)

For more information or to see pictures and videos, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Montrose-Remembrance-Garden.

We need assistance to build our flyer distribution cadre.  If you are looking to get out of the house and get a little exercise, we could use your assistance delivering flyers on the weekends before our socials. Our next social will take place at Boheme Café & Wine Bar so we will be distributing flyers the weekend of July 30^th and 31^st.  Most zones are about 65-75 houses. Please let me know if you are interested by Wednesday July 27^th.

Join us on Friday July 15th at 6:00 pmish at the home of Agelia Pérez Márquez & Eric Voute located at 310 Stratford at Taft.  As always, bring a small dish to share and a cooler full of your favorite beverages.  I would like to thank our hosts in advance for opening up their home to us this month.

AVONDALE NEIGHBORHOOD WIDE YARD SALE

Saturday April 30, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm CDT

609 Avondale- Get there early for the best deals!

Any resident wishing to donate items my drop them off on the front porch

 609 Avondale between 6:00pm and 8:00pm Thursday April 28th