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May 28, 2008

Contents


FORECLOSURE PREVENTION FAIR
Saturday, June 7th

Did you know that over 3,000 properties are in foreclosure each month in the Houston area?

Mayor Bill White, in partnership with ACORN, invites you to attend a Foreclosure Prevention Fair to be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Saturday, June 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This event is FREE, and open to everyone.

For more information, please contact ACORN at 713-868-7015 or visit www.acorn.org/texas.

Participating Lenders Include: Chase, Countrywide Mortgage, HSBC, GMAC, & Litton.

Please bring a copy of your most recent mortgage statement to the event.


2008 HURRICANE WORKSHOP
Saturday, June 7th

Do you have a plan ready for the next hurricane? Attend a free family hurricane preparedness event at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Saturday, June 7th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The exhibit area features an interactive kids activity center, a free hurricane preparedness video, and other items.

Learn more and register online at www.hurricaneworkshop.com.


HISD STUDENTS GET INTENSIVE SUMMER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITY

Houston Mayor Bill White has joined HISD Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra in announcing a newly expanded summer school program that will give HISD students a chance for intensive study in math and science at eight schools.

Mayor White and Dr. Saavedra announced the expansion of the program to eight schools serving 850 students from surrounding schools starting next week, June 5.

The 850 students from many HISD schools will attend the eight schools this summer and take part in a four-week science and math enrichment program. During each six-hour day, students will focus on problem solving in math and on inquiry-based science lessons.

Last year the "Summer Opportunity Sessions" were launched in two schools, Rodriguez and Roosevelt elementary schools, serving 200 students from surrounding areas. The program seemed to have some success. Students who attended the program outperformed those who didn't on the Stanford and Aprenda math and science tests. Some research suggests the students who participated in last summer’s sessions retained information better and scored higher on science portions of standardized tests.

For more information, contact the HISD Press Office at 713-556-6823.


CITY OF HOUSTON SWIMMING POOLS OPEN
Swimming Classes for Children and Adults Available This Summer

This summer take your family to one of the many municipal swimming pools to cool off. The 2008 swim season opened May 24 and runs through Labor Day weekend. Certain pools will continue to operate on a reduced-hours basis during the fall.

The pools are staffed by American Red Cross certified lifeguards. The Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the American Red Cross will offer swimming classes for children and adults this summer. For sites and registration information, please visit www.houstontx.gov/parks/learntoswim.html.

For information on applying for a seasonal position with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department's Aquatics Division, please visit the Seasonal Job page.


GREEN HOUSTON
Working Towards a Sustainable Future

Houston is the largest city in Texas and strives to be a leader in environmentally friendly practices.

The Office of Environmental Programming coordinates environmental activities for the City and implements community-wide environmental programs but these efforts would not be successful without your support.

For more information about the Office of Environmental Programming and to find out how you can volunteer, visit www.houstontx.gov/environment.


WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR TV AFTER DIGITAL SWITCHOVER?

At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting promises to provide a clearer picture and more programming options and will free up airwaves for use by emergency responders.

Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.


RETURNING VETERAN INITIATIVE WORKING TO IMPROVE SERVICES FOR OUR VETERANS

In June of 2007, Harris County and the City of Houston jointly launched the Returning Veteran Initiative. It is an effort to ease the transition home for the thousands of veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq returning to the greater Houston area. We’re working to improve services for our returning heroes. Details about these services and efforts can be found at www.houstontx.gov/vetaffairs.


HELP FIGHT DISABLED PARKING ABUSE
Attend a Volunteer Training for Citizens

As part of Mayor Bill White's Volunteer Initiatives Program (VIP), the Parking Management Branch of the Department of Public Works & Engineering holds volunteer trainings for citizens who are interested in getting involved in protecting their communities and helping to fight disabled parking abuse.

The Volunteer Parking Enforcement Program is designed to ensure that individuals, whose needs require accessible parking spaces, have those spaces available.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are required to attend a 4-hour training session and pass a background check. Once complete, volunteers are empowered to issue citations to those who abuse disabled parking spaces.

For more information or to register for the class, please contact Roland Delacerda at 713-853-8275 or via e-mail, roland.delacerda@cityofhouston.net. You may also register online at www.houstontx.gov/volunteer.


GRAND REOPENING OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY
Houston Public Library Invites You to Attend

Date: Saturday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 1, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Place: Houston Public Central Library, 500 McKinney St., 77002

On Saturday, May 31, 2008, the Houston Public Central Library re-opens its doors after a two-year, multi million-dollar renovation.

The celebration kicks off with a 10 a.m. dedication ceremony, followed by a weekend festival featuring library tours, author readings, musical entertainment, games and crafts, and a celebration of the new World Languages Collection through multi-cultural dance performances and storytelling. Saturday's author appearances include mystery writer Bill Crider and Houston novelist Anita Bunkley.

On Sunday, HPL's Annual Summer Reading Program kicks off featuring award-winning children's authors Rosemary Wells and David Wiesner. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313.


CHEVY’S FREEDOM OVER TEXAS WITH FIREWORKS PRESENTED BY SHELL
Features Country Music Sensations Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert & Jo Dee Messina

Houston will celebrate America's birthday on Friday, July 4, with an explosive concert by country music stars Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert and Jo Dee Messina, the largest land-based fireworks show in the nation, presented by Shell, and a lively outdoor festival.

Chevy's Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell festivities will take place in the heart of downtown Houston at Eleanor Tinsley Park.

For more information, call 832-393-0868 or visit the Chevy's Freedom Over Texas with Fireworks Presented by Shell Web site at: www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com.


MAYOR’S SUMMER YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS
Coordinated by Houston Department of Health and Human Services

The Mayor's Summer Youth Conservation Corps, in partnership with Houston Works, will employ and train youth to be energy conservation advocates. As energy advocates, the youth will educate residents and distribute 250,000 free Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulbs that are energy efficient to low and middle income neighborhoods throughout Houston.

The program will provide 100 Houston youth with training, job skills, and meaningful employment through the listed objectives:

  • Personal responsibility
  • Workplace specific skills and work ethic
  • Positive relationships with adults
  • Self confidence and Communication Skills
  • Public Service
  • Safety

Energy advocates will also learn and share that using CFL bulbs:

  • Use at least 2/3 less energy and produce 70% less heat
  • Last longer than traditional bulbs
  • Can reduce your electric bill up to 10%
  • Require special disposal

Energy advocates will also provide information about:

  • Adjusting air condition thermostat appropriately
  • Sealing windows and doors leading outdoors
  • Maintaining heating and cooling systems
  • Finding the best deal from electric providers

The neighborhoods receiving energy efficient bulbs are selected according to the parameters set by CenterPoint Energy and the City. The selected neighborhoods include approximately 62,500 households from all nine City of Houston council districts. This summer project is funded by CenterPoint Energy.

For more information or sponsorship information, contact Sydney Igleheart at 832-393-8126.


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