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April 4, 2007

GOOD NEWS FOR THE HOUSTON ECONOMY
Houston Area Adds More Jobs And Ranks No. 1 In Residential Permits

Greater Houston PartnershipMayor Bill White is touting Houston's economy. The metropolitan area created more than 95,000 jobs last year – that's 1 out of every 22 new jobs in the country. In fact, Houston added more jobs than 16 entire states combined.

The city also ranked No. 1 in the nation in the number of new residential building permits, with 71,257. That is approximately the number of Chicago and Los Angeles combined.

Houston remains an affordable city of opportunity. More data is available in The Greater Houston Partnership's “Houston Economic Indicators” report, visit https://www.houston.org/pdfs/EconomicIndicators.pdf.


ETHNIC ENTREPENEURS HELPING HOUSTON'S ECONOMY

Report CoverAccording to the Center for an Urban Future's report, titled A World of Opportunity, Houston ranks third among all American cities in the number of Hispanic-owned businesses (41,753) and is home to 16 of the largest 500 Hispanic-owned firms in the country. Houston also ranks sixth among U.S. cities in the number of Asian-owned firms (15,966).

Houston has the largest Nigerian population in the U.S. and the third largest Vietnamese community.

For more information about the Center for an Urban Future's report, visit https://www.nycfuture.org/images_pdfs/pdfs/IE-final.pdf.


URBAN CORRIDOR PLANNING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Report Cover

Urban Corridor Planning will change how the City regulates development and designs its streets and other infrastructure along METRO's light rail and guided rapid transit corridors: Main Street, Uptown, East End, North, Southeast and University. A kick-off workshop for all six corridors will be held Saturday, April 14, 2007.

Everyone is welcome to attend any of the workshops. Your input will help determine the plans and policies that will create a quality urban environment in your area. We hope you can join us for the kick-off workshop for all six corridors on Saturday, April 14, 2007 . For workshop locations and more information, visit www.houstonplanning.com, and click on Urban Corridor Planning


 

FRIENDS OF THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HOLD 29th ANNUAL BARGAIN BOOK SALE
More Than 80,000 Books Featured In Annual Book Sale Bonanza

Library LogoFriends of the Houston Public Library invite the community to the 29th Annual Bargain Book Sale scheduled for April 20 - 22, 2007 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. More than 80,000 books will be available to the public at “bargain” prices, with proceeds benefiting the Houston Public Library.

For more information on the 29th Annual Bargain Book Sale, visit www.friendsofhpl.org or call 832.393.1387.


KEEP HOUSTON BEAUTIFUL DAY APRIL 14
Join The Largest One-Day Neighborhood Cleanup In Houston!

Keep Houston Beautiful LogoLet's make Houston shine! The City of Houston is sponsoring Keep Houston Beautiful Day on April 14, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This is the perfect time to perk up and pick-up your community.

There are many opportunities for you to participate in The Great American Cleanup campaign. Help us plant trees, pick up trash, paint over graffiti or do other activities to improve the appearance of your community.

Mark your calendar:
April 14, 2007

For more information, contact Keep Houston Beautiful at 713-839-8855 or register online at www.houstonbeautiful.org.


14th ANNUAL CITY OF HOUSTON WATER FESTIVAL -- MAY 10
Fun For Students At The Downtown Aquarium

Water Festival LogoPlease join us at the 14th annual City of Houston Water Festival Thursday, May 10, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby Street.

More than 2,000 students are expected to attend and Mayor Bill White will proclaim May as Water Conservation Awareness Month and greet the student winners of the 2007 Water Conservation T-Shirt Design Contest at the 11 a.m. ceremony.

This outdoor educational event is free to the public. Student groups are encouraged to pre-register.

To register or for more information visit www.houstonwaterconservation.org or call 713.837.0473.


TAX DEADLINE APRIL 17 RAPIDLY APPROACHING
Website Provides Free Tax Filing For Low-Income Working Texas Families

I Can E-File GraphicAs a service to low-income Houston area residents, the Texas Legal Services Center is sponsoring a website that does free, secure tax preparation for Texans who earned less than $50,000 in 2006. The website, www.icanefile.org, can also file federal taxes after the April 17 deadline. The website helps users automatically claim the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, and other major credits for which users are eligible.