Four District K Neighborhood Organizations
will Receive Matching Grant Funds
 
Four District K neighborhood organizations have successfully applied for matching grant funds for 2021 from our District K Council District Service Funds. I am ecstatic to announce Maplewood West Civic Club, Plant it Forward Fondren Farm, Willow Meadows Civic Club and Knollwood Village Civic Club each submitted exciting projects to improve their neighborhoods.
 
Maplewood West Civic Club will receive $5,000 for Esplanade Irrigation and Planting Replacement
 
Plant It Forward Fondren Farm will receive $5,000 for Farm Beautification
 
Willow Meadows Civic Club will receive $5,000 for Willow Park Rejuvenation
 
Knollwood Village Civic Club will receive $2,600 for Neighborhood Markers
 
We are looking forward to celebrating with each of these communities as their projects are completed. Congratulations!
 

‘Tis the Season to Recycle Your
Holiday Lights in District K
 
Holiday lights are festive and beautiful as they adorn our homes. The sparkling displays are sure to bring out all the holiday feels and community spirit of goodwill. Last year, Brandi Harleaux of South Post Recycling and I, started the District K Christmas Lights Recycling Program. As part of the #CleanStateofMind Initiative, we’re doing it again this year.
 
Please do not place holiday lights (tanglers) in your curbside recycling. Tanglers, including holiday lights and power cords, cannot be recycled in your home recycling cart and will cause problems and shutdowns at the city’s recycling facility. We’re asking all of our residents, civic clubs, HOAs and community groups to bring your non-working string lights to South Post Oak Recycling Center at 14600 South Post Oak and dispose of them responsibly. Help us keep these string lights out of our landfills while also sparing the environment from their toxic and non-biodegradable components.
A portion of the proceeds from our collective donations will benefit our District K HOT Team supplies. Learn more about South Post Oak Recycling and their services at southpostoakrecycling.com. Recycling is Joy to the World!
 

Congratulations Marcy Williams

This week in City Council, I was honored to present a proclamation to Marcy Williams as she retires from serving as the president of Super Neighborhood 36 for ten years.
 
Marcy has been a dedicated community leader and has held many positions in several organizations. She is a true servant leader and we have enjoyed working alongside her. We wish her the best in this next season of life. Thank you for your years of service to the City of Houston and District K!
 

Southwest Airlines Coming Back
to George Bush IAH

On November 19th during the COH Economic Development Committee meeting, chaired by VMPT Martha Castex-Tatum, HAS Director, Mario Diaz’ presentation included the terms for the return of Southwest Airlines to George Bush IAH. Southwest Airlines was last at IAH between 1980 and 2005.
 
On, December 3rd, Houston City Council authorized an Airport Use and Lease Agreement between the City of Houston and Southwest Airlines. The Airline will return during the first half of 2021, utilizing approximately 93,000sf of space in Terminal A. Southwest will continue to maintain service at William P. Hobby Airport. Schedules and fares have not been released yet. Southwest Airlines has nearly 4,000 employees in Houston.
 
To see the entire presentation click here: https://www.houstontx.gov/council/committees/econdev/20201119/SWA-IAH.pdf
 

Concrete Panel Replacement Work to Begin on Buffalo Speedway
 
If you have driven down Buffalo Speedway lately you know how much this stretch of roadway needs to be repaired. I have advocated for 3 years for attention to this street. I’m happy to share the notice that Houston Public Works has authorized work to replace the concrete panels on Buffalo Speedway from South Braeswood Blvd. to the 610 West Loop. Work is scheduled to begin December 15, 2020 and is expected to be completed by March 15, 2021. The project contractor is Grava LLC. Can’t wait for a smoother ride in this area of the district.
 

My Interview with Nuro During
National League of Cities Summit
Vice Mayor Pro Tem Martha Castex-Tatum talks with Nuro about Autonomous Vehicles in Houston
 
Have you seen Nuro’s autonomous vehicles on our roads yet? Last month I had the opportunity to serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Services Committee during the National League of Cities Summit. My interview with Sola Lawal was played and I discussed autonomous vehicles in the city of Houston with elected leaders from all over the country. I was so proud to highlight what we are doing in District K and how Nuro is delivering goods and meeting needs in our community.
 
The driverless vehicle company has partnered with Kroger, CVS, Walmart and Domino’s Pizza to provide curbside deliveries safely to our homes. With the onset of COVID-19, Nuro has implemented a contactless delivery solution for customers. Rather than putting in a code, you can give R2 a thumbs up and remote operators will open doors so you can retrieve your goods. We are looking forward to Nuro expanding to more zip codes throughout Houston, providing more tech jobs and helping to overcome concerns of food deserts in Houston as well.
 
The TIS is responsible for leading National League of City’s policy development advocacy on transportation connectivity, including federal funding, safety and innovation in all modes of transportation.
 

The Linkwood B-Cycle Station is In!

The Linkwood B-Cycle Station near Stella Link, along Brays Bayou has been installed and we are ready to ride. More bicycles will be delivered to the dock station in the next few days.
 
Houston B-Cycle is operated by Houston Bike Share, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
 
The mission is to provide equitable access to bike share that fosters recreation, mobility and personal wellness. Bike sharing is perfect for leisurely rides around the city and I hope District K residents will enjoy touring the trails in and around our community. I will continue working with Houston B-Cycle to get more stations throughout District K. For more information about Houston B-Cycle visit www.houstonbcycle.com.
 
 

District K Pet Food Pantry
 
The District K office has partnered with the Houston Humane Society to offer pet food for both dogs and cats to assist residents during this time when so many people are out of work and struggling to make ends meet. Our goal is to help families and their pets remain together and out of the shelters.
 
Resources will be given on a first come first served basis while supplies last.
 

Westbury Community Garden #SeedMoneyChallenge
 
Westbury Community Garden is participating in the #SeedMoneyChallenge, a 30-day fundraising challenge and we could really use your support TODAY! In addition to keeping the funds we raise from individuals like you, we have a chance to win a challenge grant of up to $600 from SeedMoney based on how much we raise over the course of the 30-day period running from Nov 15 to Dec 15.
 
As an extra incentive, SeedMoney is offering 40 $100 bonus grants to the 40 garden projects that have raised the most after the first week. Your support TODAY can put us into the running for one of those bonus grants. You can find our donation page here:
https://donate.seedmoney.org/4560/westbury-community-garden
 
Thanks very much for helping get our Driveways and Parking fundraising campaign to get off to a running start!
 
Due to Covid-19, the 2020 Reliant Lights Mayor’s Holiday Spectacular 101st year event has been reimagined as a virtual holiday celebration. Relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday from the comfort of home. The virtual show will take place on December 5, from 6:30 pm. – 8:00 pm., LIVE Streamed on ABC 13 Digital Platforms. The show will be rebroadcast on Friday, December 18, 7 pm. – 8 pm on ABC 13.
Learn about our amazing entertainment
 
here: https://www.houstontx.gov/mayorsholiday/2020entertainment.html.