Greater Northside Management District
October 26, 2020
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Dear GNMD Friend,
Does the Greater Northside Management District make a difference in our community? We sure hope so! We just received news that the McDaniel Street Cemetery, previously known as Westcott Cemetery, has been recognized as a Historic Texas Cemetery by the Texas Historic Commission.
For years, volunteers in the neighborhood maintained the cemetery, but in the early 2000s it fell into disrepair. In 2013, Sunbeam Curry Civic Club members partnered with Houston Northeast Community Development Corporation and Greater Northside Management District to clean it up. We think you'll enjoy the article in this newsletter about this historic cemetery.
We are continuing to obtain signatures for our 2021-2030 Service Plan. If you are a commercial property owner in the District and are interested in supporting the District’s Service Plan and our much-needed services and programs, please call or email us. If you have not heard from us or had a personal visit by one of our Patrol Officers, please let us know by calling (713) 229-0900. We look forward to visiting you soon.
Please contact me at (281) 914-0652 to discuss any questions, concerns or comments you have in further detail.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Reyna
Executive Director
#NorthsideStrong
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McDaniel Street Cemetery
named Historic Texas Cemetery
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Descendants of early Houston-area families saw several years of hard work pay off when the Texas Historic Commission recognized the Crosstimbers-area’s McDaniel Street Cemetery as a Historic Texas Cemetery on October 8, 2020.
Established in the mid-1800s by a group of neighboring families, the cemetery is located at the corner of McDaniel Street and Schuller Road in northeast Houston.
Descendants of the Westcott family, whose ancestors are buried at the cemetery, joined with local community members to form the nonprofit Westcott Cemetery Association (WCA) in 2018. WCA applied for the historic designation earlier this year.
In 2013, the Greater Northside Management District and the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods received a 2013 Keep Houston Beautiful Mayor's Proud Partner Award for their clean-up of the cemetery.
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Sara Westcott Haynes, founding board president of the Westcott Cemetery Association at McDaniel Street Cemetery |
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A gravestone at the cemetery |
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Tour de Northside planning meeting
Friday, October 30, at 11 a.m.
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Houston Solid Waste Management
needs your input about waste
and recycling programs
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The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) needs your input on their proposed Long-Range Solid Waste Management Plan covering waste and recycling programs for Houston until 2040.
The draft Plan covers recommendations on how to plan for adequate infrastructure, increase waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and improve the level of service provided to residents for the next 20 years.
If you haven’t already please take their survey.
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How do you feel about jury service? |
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The Harris County District Clerk, Marilyn Burgess, is asking you to take part in a survey about jury service. For many people, serving on a jury can be difficult. District Clerk Burgess wants to know which factors motivate county residents to serve as jurors and which barriers prevent them from showing up.
The survey takes less than 10 minutes, and your input helps ensure diversity.
Click here to take the survey. Please respond by Sunday, November 1.
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Houston Health Department
encourages Halloween alternatives
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The Houston Health Department encourages people to forgo traditional trick-or-treating and Halloween gatherings this year in favor of safer alternatives. Going door-to-door and attending traditional Halloween events are high-risk activities for spreading COVID-19 during the pandemic.
“The City of Houston is not canceling Halloween this year, but we are discouraging people from gathering in large groups,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Families and children can still have a ghoulish good time without jeopardizing their health and safety during the pandemic.”
Use individually wrapped goodie bags
A safer alternative is one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while maintaining a safe social distance. This can be accomplished by setting up a table or blanket at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard.
Alternatives to haunted houses and indoor activities
Haunted houses and other indoor activities are also high risk for COVID-19 transmission. Safer options for Halloween fun include:
- Haunted forests for easier social distancing;
- Halloween scavenger hunts or spooky movie nights with household members;
- Baking Halloween-themed treats with household members; and
- Virtual costume parties.
Costume masks
A costume mask is not a substitute for a face cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that cover the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
People should not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it harder to breathe. A safer alternative is using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
Mask up, distance socially, wash hands and get tested
Houstonians should continue to mask up, social distance, wash hands and get tested to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Free COVID-19 testing sites |
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners are announcing the schedule for sites offering free COVID-19 tests this week. Getting tested at Houston Health Department-affiliated sites is free and does not require proof of residency, citizenship or insurance.
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Do you need more face masks? If so, Acme Business Cards & Signs is selling masks for $5 in different colors and designs for kids and adults.
Stop by Acme at 2900 North Fwy, Houston, 77009.
Hours:
- 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. weekdays
- 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays
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COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program |
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The BakerRipley COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program, funded by Harris County and the City of Houston, is providing rental assistance to residential tenants who live within the City of Houston and/or Harris County and are experiencing an economic hardship as a result of COVID-19.
Harris County provided $40 million in funding, and the City of Houston provided $20 million, which will be distributed to Participating Landlords on behalf of eligible tenants. Tenants whose landlords agree to the program terms may apply for rental assistance for past due rent.
Harris County Commissioners approved rental assistance for the months of September and October in addition to months going back to April. Tenants were able to request assistance for past due rent of September and October beginning Thursday, October 22.
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The Houston Food Bank supports food and produce distributions, senior boxes, meal sites and more!
Click here for a map of food distribution locations.
Click here for a list of organizations offering food assistance.
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If you are experiencing violence because you are forced to stay with an abusive partner, call the Houston Area Women’s Center 24-hour hotline for free-and-confidential assistance.
Houston Area Women's Center
Domestic Violence Hotline
713-528-2121
TTY: 713-528-3625
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Legal clinics offer free advice by phone to low-income, U.S. military veterans every Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.
Veterans may submit applications by phone at 713-228-0735
The clinic is open to all low-income veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in the Houston area.
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Text "food" to 877877 to find
the nearest curbside food
for children and youth up to age 18.
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Local legal groups are working together to help Houston area residents fight evictions.
Go to www.hba.org/evictions for information on free legal representation. The site includes a self-representation kit, mediation and lawyer referrals. Anyone who has received an eviction notice should act as soon as possible!
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The Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide one-to-one, professional financial counseling to Houstonians at no cost.
The service is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities supported by Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund and Regions Bank.
FEC counselors provide guidance to how to manage your money, pay down debt, increase saving, establish and build credit, and access safe-and-affordable mainstream banking products.
All services are free and available to all residents regardless of income. Counseling assistance is available in English and Spanish.
Click here for more information and to make an appointment.
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Consejos Legales is a service of the Mexican American Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association that offers legal consultations by phone to residents of Houston and Harris County on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. To confirm the date and time of the next Consejos Legales, check the website calendar or call the Houston Bar Association at 713-759-1133.
Consejos Legales es un programa de la Asociación Mexicana de Abogados y la Asociación Hispana de Abogados. El programa ofrece asesoría legal gratuita en español por teléfono para los residentes de Houston y el Condado de Harris el primer jueves de cada mes, entre las 6 y las 8 p.m. Para confirmar la fecha y hora de los siguientes Consejos Legales, consulte el calendario del sitio web o llame a la oficina de Houston Bar Association al (713) 759-1133. |
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HPD Positive Interaction Program
Tuesday, November 10, at 7 p.m.
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Eastex Jensen Super Neighborhood Meeting
Thursday, November 19, at 6 p.m.
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Save the Date! The Eastex Jensen Super Neighborhood will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, November 19, at 6 pm. A Zoom link will be sent out prior to the meeting!
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METRO plans new transit center at 7705 Fulton |
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METRO will replace the existing Northline transit center at 7705 Fulton, Houston 77022, and will build a new facility near the existing transit center.
The new facility will:
- Be able to accommodate more buses.
- Provide additional parking spaces.
- Be fully accessible with enhanced safety and security features.
- Have improved customer services.
Click here to view a video about the proposed center.
To comment about the proposed center:
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Conceptual rendering of proposed transit center |
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Free help for Medicare Open Enrollment
October 15 - December 7
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Medicare open enrollment began October 15 and runs through December 7. It is a period for beneficiaries to compare all their Medicare options and make changes to their health or prescription drug coverage for the following year.
“There are a few new things this year. Many of the drug plans are offering a 30-day supply of insulin for $35 or less a month. If you have diabetes, take insulin and enroll in one of these plans, you could save almost $500 a year in out-of-pocket costs,” said Rose Ortega, a benefits counselor with the agency.
Face-to-face meetings aren’t feasible this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but clients can receive guidance from benefits counselors by scheduling appointments via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The appointments are available at 832-393-4301 or 800-213-8471.
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Employment opportunities and health |
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Receive a free certification
in IT, healthcare, finance and more:
Apply by October 31
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Workforce Solutions has partnered with Coursera and Google to offer an educational opportunity for the residents in our region.
Anyone looking to receive FREE certifications in IT, healthcare, finance and more from some of the top-ranked universities can apply by October 31.
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SERJobs offers free training
for unemployed or underemployed
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SERJobs is offering FREE training to help prepare unemployed or underemployed clients for greater earning potential.
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Sign up today and start learning!
The City of Houston is now part of Microsoft’s Global Initiative that is offering free online training for high demand tech-jobs to 25 million people across the world.
You can develop a new skill or sharpen your skills for your next job with LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn. Certification tests are offered at discounted rates and job-seeking tools are free.
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Build Up Houston for small businesses:
Apply by November 30
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Free Meet the Buyer Purchasing Forum
December 10
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Applications are being accepted for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program:
Apply by Friday, November 6
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The 2020 application period for the Neighborhood Matching Grant Program is open! The program supports neighborhood beautification and improvement projects by providing dollar-for-dollar matching grant reimbursements ranging from $500 to $5,000.
The application deadline is November 6, 2020.
Eligibility Requirements
Neighborhood-based organizations and civic clubs with State of Texas 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) non-profit certification are eligible to apply.
Neighborhood-based organizations without official nonprofit status may apply in partnership with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organization as co-applicant.
Grant projects must represent a specific geographic area located within the Houston city limits.
The Neighborhood Matching Grant Program is administered by the Department of Neighborhoods in partnership with participating Houston City Council offices.
The program is designed to encourage civic activity among neighbors, promote volunteerism and support projects that contribute towards building stronger communities.
Click here for the application form and guidelines.
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Drive-in movies at Raven Tower |
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Movies in the Northside are continuing at Raven Tower by the Best Little Drive-in in HTX, which is located @raventower next to White Oak Music Hall, 310 North Street, Houston 77009.
Upcoming movies:
- October 30 - Hocus Pocus @ 9:15 p.m.
- November 6 - Edward Scissorhands @ 7 p.m. & 9:15 p.m.
- November 7 - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind @ 6 p.m. & 8:35 p.m.
The cost: $30 per vehicle
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Houston Masters Sports Association
schedules virtual races
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BakerRipley Houston Turkey Trot |
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Every year, BakerRipley spends months preparing for the Houston Turkey Trot, but they cannot have a physical event this year as your safety comes first.
This doesn’t mean their mission stops. In fact, it’s of vital importance for the recovery of communities around Houston. The effects of COVID-19 have been devastating for many families and individuals in our area.
The trot will be virtual, but BakerRipley always makes it fun. And, this year will be no exception.
Trot for Good.
Trot for Houston.
Trot for RECOVERY.
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Coming to the Northside:
A mural at Granel, 2503 Link Road, Houston
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Would you like to have your restaurant
or event featured in our newsletter?
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Send us an update, and we'll gladly feature it in our newsletter!
If you have a picture, that helps to draw the eye to the article. Please give us at least two-weeks notice!
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