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Affirmative ActionCongratulations to Juan Padilla, promoted to affirmative action specialist ... The Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, the Internal Revenue Service, and the National Disability Institute provided free tax preparation assistance to families who earn less than $40,000 a year. – Patsy Jackson Aviation
Middle Eastern carrier Qatar Airways nonstop flights between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Qatar’s Doha International Airport are scheduled for takeoff in November. The flights, which will be three times a week, will become daily in December. Qatar Airways will become the second Middle Eastern carrier to offer nonstop passenger flights to Houston ... As of March 20, Singapore Airlines operated four weekly nonstop flights from Bush to Moscow with continuing service to Singapore, adding two new destinations to the nearly 70 international destinations already served from Bush. These are the first scheduled passenger flights from Houston to Singapore and Moscow. To celebrate, the air carrier will unveil an eye-catching display at Bush’s Terminal D ... Aviation registered another record-setting year of passenger and air cargo traffic. More than 387,000 metric tons of air cargo and 52 million passengers were served by Aviation in 2007. Of those travelers, more than 7.7 million were on their way to international destinations – marking an increase of 4.2 percent compared to 2006. Total air cargo shipments to and from Houston increased by 5.4 percent compared to 2006. International air cargo traffic grew by 3.5 percent ... Better parking spots and easier terminal access will be part of the more than $42 million of upgrades at Bush. Terminal C’s parking garage will be the primary facility affected by the renovations, which are expected to take place over three years ... As of this February, all international travelers arriving at the airport with non-U.S. passports or visas are undergoing the Department of Homeland Security’s new 10-fingerprint initiative. U.S. Customs and Border Protection replaced all of their two-print scanners with 10-print models at the airport’s federal inspections services facility. With help from the department’s US-VISIT program, this change provides more accurate data, less false identification, and enhanced security. In addition, collected fingerprints are checked against the FBI’s criminal master file ... For the fourth year in a row, an “Air Cargo World” survey named Bush Intercontinental the number one airport for excellence in air cargo among North American airports handling 499,000 tons or less annually. Each year, “Air Cargo World,” one of the most widely read air cargo industry publications, asks its readers to evaluate the performance, value, facilities, and operations of air cargo facilities around the globe ... In January, Bush’s new business center opened in Terminal A ... Through a partnership with the Houston Independent School District and airport tenant Flying Tigers, students enrolled in the aviation magnet program at Ross Shaw Sterling High School will have access to the Hobby Airport airfield. These students are enrolled in a specialized curriculum to get their pilots license before or shortly after graduating from high school. About 160 teenagers are enrolled in the program, now in its 16th year. – Juan Alanis City CouncilNo submission from this office.
City SecretaryNo submission from this office. Controller's OfficeNo submission from this office.Convention & Entertainment
Carlos Medel and Tim Smith were honored as department employees of the month.... Welcome John Klumb, John Flores, Nidia Gonzalez, Thomas Smyer, George Martinez and Ashley Wilson ... Farewell and best wishes to Keisha Lopez, who transferred to Aviation, and Linda Hunter, who retired. – Pete Radowick Finance & AdministrationNo submission from this office.FireDuring open houses at stations 36 and 25, residents met their neighborhood firefighters, learned important fire and safety tips, saw a fire truck up close, toured the fire station, and got fire smoke detectors ... On Feb. 6, Chief Phil Boriskie accepted $19,635 from Houston-based Wortham Insurance & Risk Management and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. The donation will be used to buy more than 80 high-voltage electricity detectors, otherwise known as AC HotSticks. The HotSticks are sensitive AC voltage detectors that can detect exposed and dangerous wires or voltage-carrying surfaces from a safe distance ... On March 1, EMS personnel held a reunion with a cardiac arrest survivor who was resuscitated in late February. Richard Teeters thought he was having indigestion as he waited to board a plane at Hobby Airport. Fellow travelers saw a pale Teeters suddenly slump in his chair. They called for help, and several paramedics and physicians waiting to board a plane rushed to his side and determined he had no pulse. The bystanders called 911, moved him to the floor, applied one of Hobby’s public access defibrillators, and administered CPR, returning Teeters’ heart to a normal rhythm. EMS members arrived soon and administered additional treatment, including clot-busting drugs ... On Feb. 28, training Class 2007F graduated. Class 2007D graduated March 6 ... From January to March, second graders at Shlenker School read books and raised $5,303 to create bears at Build-A-Bear Workshop. The bears were donated to HFD to comfort children during a stressful event or ambulance transport. Each bear includes a special wish for the child who receives it. Firefighters carry the toy bears in their vehicles and ambulances ... On March 15, more than 200 members of the department, family, and friends attended the annual memorial ceremony at the Houston Firefighters’ Memorial Garden, 4225 Interwood N. Parkway. Mariana Oyanguren Stanley, program supervisor for HTV, the city’s municipal television station, was the master of ceremonies, and Mayor Bill White and U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady spoke. A presentation by Councilman Rick Sala of Grand Prairie honored retired deputy chief L.O. Martin, who died recently. Martin was instrumental in developing the life-flight program. – Alicia White General ServicesWelcome new team members Genaro Rangel, Olga Gonzalez, Broderick Grissett, Richard Castorena, Jose Guillen,Webb Mitchell, Irma Sierra, Rocky Martinez and Judd Dibrell ... Congratulations to Shalia Mason, promoted to management analyst III, and to Jessie Moore, promoted to maintenance mechanic I. – Jacquelyn L. Nisby Health & Human ServicesThe Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke awarded gold-level recognition to Houston for a perfect score during an assessment of policy and environmental supports important to reducing heart disease and stroke ... The department conducted its fourth assessment, intervention and mobilization project in April. Staff, community organizations, and volunteers visited Near Northside homes to identify health issues. They distributed information packets featuring community resources and provided referrals for health care and human services. AIM helps the department evaluate and improve residents’ management of their health and well-being. It also helps the department get statistical information to determine a community’s health status and needs and improves readiness for disasters ... In February, the Bureau of Community and Children’s Environmental Health launched the Bringing Reduction and Education of Asthma Triggers in the Home Environment program. The grant-funded project trains health care professionals and residents, mostly mothers, to recognize asthma triggers and other environmental hazards ... Also in February, the department opened Sharpstown Health Services, 6201 Bonhomme Road. The 17,000-square-foot facility allows the department to add another Women, Infants and Children clinic and to relocate its sexually transmitted disease clinic to an area with increasing demand for both services. The department also plans to offer comprehensive dental health services at the site ... Welcome to Celina Garza Ridge, new assistant director of the administrative services division. – Porfirio Villarreal Housing & Community Development
On March 7, Mayor Bill White, Director Richard Celli, Councilwoman Jolanda “Jo” Jones, Covenant Neighborhoods board members, and residents of Kingwood Senior Village Apartments participated in a ribbon cutting at the newly constructed 193-unit affordable senior facility. HCDD provided $1.85 million in Home Investment Partnerships Program funds toward the $16.5 million project, which received a tax-credit commitment from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs ... Welcome Shantel Atkins, My-Hang Nguyen, Ha Nguyen, Brandon Jackson, Olaolu Kasunmu, Tracy Beavers, Ada Edwards, Will Guajardo, Deirdre Williams, Eric Williams, Donald Sprayberry, Caroline Gamble. – Lester Whiteing Houston Emergency CenterElizabeth Padilla, 911 PSAP supervisor, is the first recipient of HEC’s Director’s Award recognizing her for outstanding service. Padilla was nominated by her peers. Criteria for selection include customer service, initiative, leadership, professionalism, and contribution to teamwork ... The most recent group of co-op students from the High School for Law Enforcement will graduate May 31. The students work part-time and handle nonemergency phone calls. The graduating students are Victoria Alamos, Josh De La Cerda, Trayveon Gilmore, Gabrielle Gomez, Carlisle Johnson, George Lozano, Rosemary Reyes, Sergio Rodriguez, Lisa Rodriguez, Ivon Telon, Brandon Williams, and Edward Reyna. Thank you for your hard work and good luck in your education. – Joe Laud Human ResourcesWelcome Angel Barnhart, Andrea Banks, and Alisa Franklin-Brocks ... Goodbye to Shantel Atkins, who accepted a promotion with Housing & Community Development, and to Ceasar De La Rosa, who accepted a promotion with Library ... As it has done for the past several years, temporary services is helping place 100 temporary laborers in city parks to work through the growing season. – Dave Schafer Information TechnologyNo submission from this office. LegalKudos to Michael Martin from Ray Haley with the Shepherd Forest Civic Club for his professionalism and efforts in working with the deed restriction enforcement team and the deed restriction hotline; to Katherine Sacra from Emily Burton in appreciation for the hard work and determination she rendered at the trial of J. Span; to Paulette Wolfson for her presentation on the nuisance ordinance at the Mayor’s Youth Council Meeting; to Susan Taylor, deputy city attorney, and Larry Schenk, Michele Austin, and Raced Gambrell for serving as panelists on the Mayor’s Ethics in City Government: Boards & Commissions presentation, and Arturo Michel, city attorney, for moderating the panel; Denise Miller and Cora Garcia, with technical assistance from Erica Schwam for winning the virtually “unwinnable” Adventures in Birds n’ Pets lawsuit; and to Trudell Eldridge for being a recent recipient of the Celebration of Life award from the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for her outstanding contributions and volunteerism ... Kelly Shoemate and Paula Slaughter-Harris won second place, and Rico Davis and Slaughter-Harris third place in the Mayor’s Cup co-ed team bowling competition. Aaron Jaso and Alexander Cruz won eighth place in the male team bowling competition ... Celebrating Milestones are Randy Zamora and Wynetta Chaney, 10 years; Mary Mckeral and Tanja Hunter, 5 years ... Welcome new hires Dimple Joseph, Paul Apple, Susana Sosa, and Elida Ortuno. – Vachel Henry Library
Welcome Maria Ortiz, Sheila Jackson, Crystal Velez, Natalie Schun, Kenneth Hailey, Aaron Gabaldon, James Chavez, Eric Marques, Joseph Gordon, Mark Hall, Andersen Phan, William Barnard, Edmon Loville, LaQuinta Pierre, Megan Lowry, Jessica Branch, Olevia Kennerson, Sammira Jenkins, Erin Norris, Cyntrill Waller, Natana Gill, Laura Edwards, Jared Jefferson, Alisa Baker, Tega Zoma, Te’Rone Eaglin, Michaela Watson, and Charlene Collins ... Congratulations on well-earned promotions to Laura Costila, Joan Agumanu, Jonathan Bisso, Patricia Bustamante, Natasha Dunn, Angelia Rose, Candace Sawyer, Hellena Stokes, Brittney Walker, Valla Phillips, Mary Hoffman, Dimitri Revada, Alice Jackson, Antonio Ruiz, Tanishia Gray, Adalinda Gonzales, Eyugene Green, Marla Garza, Thuy Vo, Rudy Robinson, Saima Kadir, Julia DeBerardinis, Mary McMillen, Ronnie Denson, Vick Martinez, Patrick Atkins, and Timothy Siegel ... Farwell and best wishes on your retirement to Nicholas Garofalo, Kim Cochran, Tamara Barnes, and Andeberhan Tensae ... In May, branch libraries will offer fun and educational programs and activities for the entire family in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. All programs are free. For more details visit www.houstonlibrary.org or call 832-393-1313. – Blanca Quezada Mayor's OfficeNo submission from this office. Municipal Courts AdministrationNo submission from this office. Municipal Courts JudicialNo submission from this office. Parks & RecreationOn March 8, a new and improved version of Hermann Park’s 50-year-old mini-train opened. It had been closed since January. The new train runs on a wider-gauge track and accommodates wheelchairs and strollers. Work continues on the second phase, which includes a new depot at Lake Plaza and more track with stops in other parts of the park … Mother Nature scored a victory when the last five acres of West 11th Street Park were transferred to the city, bringing park acreage to 20. A dedication ceremony for the park, one of the last pieces of wild forest in the 610 Loop, was Feb. 21 … On Feb. 19, the department kicked off a capital campaign for Memorial Park renovations. The renovations will include a pedestrian overpass crossing Memorial Drive, another jogging trail, a center for runners, and a plaza in front of the tennis center … Sabine Street has been the scene of busy workers putting together the Lee & Joe Jamail Skate Park. This 30,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will open in June and catapult Houston to the forefront of the skating world … Elementary school students in Parks community center programs in northeast Houston watched hundreds of trout move into the pond at Herman Brown Park. Then they were introduced to angling. The fish didn’t have much to fear from the students’ first efforts with a fishing pole … The Alief Community Center hosted the Youth Health & Wellness Rally Jan. 19 … The Robert C. Stuart Park will be transferred to the city from the Houston Parks Board and will become part of a chain of parks linked by a hike-and-bike trail along the bayou. One improvement will be a canoe launch site … Anyone driving along Main Street and Montrose Boulevard got a treat Feb. 29 when the Mecom Fountain was relit. New lighting will keep this landmark glowing for years … Check out the “Activities in the Park” catalog at
www.houstonparks.org and at community centers. Planning & DevelopmentSteve Stelzer, program director of the Code Enforcement Green Building Resource Center, and other members of the department are hosting a workshop teaching Super Neighborhood and community leaders how to save hundreds of dollars by reducing the annual carbon dioxide output in their homes by at least 15 percent. As part of the Grassroots Residential Energy Efficient Now program, the leaders are trained to present the information to other members of the community. At the end of the workshop, they received certification as a Super G.R.E.E.N. Neighbor ... Kudos to Gwen Tillotson from Jun Chang, Public Works & Engineering, for her “invaluable contribution and assistance” to PWE’s negotiations with municipal utility districts. – Suzy Hartgrove PoliceNo submission from this office. Public Works & Engineering
Mike Marcotte, director, and Jeff Taylor, deputy director, made a presentation to City Council on the department’s efforts at reducing sanitary sewer overflows though a rehabilitation program. The plan includes replacement or rehabilitation/renewal of the city’s wastewater collection system, totaling 950,000 feet of wastewater pipe per year and 9.5 million feet over the next 10 years. This also includes cleaning 2 million feet of wastewater lines per year ... The city’s community rating in the National Flood Insurance Program was upgraded from a class 6 to a class 7, which will reduce rates property owners in and outside of the 100-year floodplain pay for flood insurance ... Several dignitaries from Salamanca, Mexico, paid a visit to the department. The group met with city leaders and discussed a variety of topics. They were given a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the basic techniques PWE uses in wastewater treatment and water production. Marcotte provided a detailed overview of the department and how it operates. Taylor and his executive staff answered questions about water and wastewater operations. Topics included use of new energy-conserving technology, operations support, utility maintenance, wastewater operations and water productions ... Congratulations to administrative specialist Ruth Bocanegra, who in December graduated Summa Cum Laude from LeTourneau University with a bachelor’s in business administration. Then, on Jan. 9, Bocanegra was sworn in as a U.S. citizen ... Public Works Lunch Bunch Toastmasters once again took prizes in area and regional competitions. In the Toastmaster spring contest, Vale Mussio won first and Linda Williams captured second in the evaluation category. Mussio also won first in the international category, while Betzi De La Rosa grabbed second. In the Dress for Success group, De La Rosa won first in the evaluation category, and Michael Williams took first and Yolanda Bynum won second in the international category. Mussio then took third place in the international category at the 0-10 and 0-11 joint contest March 1. De La Rosa also won third in the evaluation category for Dress for Success ... PWE won first place in division one for large departments in the first Mayor’s Cup, a wellness challenge developed by the Employee Wellness Advisory Council. – Alvin Wright Solid Waste ManagementNo submission from this office.
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