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  April 03, 2013

Several Items of Importance to Houstonians


It Can Wait, Houston - No Texting While Driving Campaign

Mayor Annise Parker encourages all Houstonians not to text while driving. The new City of Houston campaign, It Can Wait, Houston, was launched April 2, 2013, as a part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

In 2011, 13 percent of the over 3,000 traffic fatalities in Texas were due to texting while driving. Without a change in the trend, there will be roughly 1.3 million traffic accidents due to texting while driving this year. New research released just last week by AT&T indicates that 43 percent of commuters admit to a "habit" of texting while driving, even though they are aware of the risks. The main risk is that those who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in a crash.

It Can Wait, Houston is an extension of AT&T's national Texting and Driving-It Can Wait movement. The local effort will be guided by a task force consisting of representatives of law enforcement, government, education, corporate, medical, professional and faith-based organizations. The task force members have agreed to not only help get the word out, but also consider developing company or institutional policies that prohibit texting while driving, if such policies don't already exist.

The Texas state legislature is currently considering a bill that would ban texting and driving statewide. Such legislation was vetoed two years ago. The mayor urges Houstonians to utilize Twitter and Facebook to voice their support for It Can Wait, Houston and for a different outcome in Austin this year. Use the hash tag #itcanwaithou.

For any questions or comments, email mayor@houstontx.gov.


Houston Intercontinental Airport Community Job Fair
Friday, April 5, 2013

Job Fair Flyer

The Houston Airport System, the Greater Houston Partnership, Lone Star College and Workforce Solutions, a company that specializes in assisting job seekers, are hosting a job fair to support the community surrounding Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on Friday, April 5, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Lone Star College North Harris Campus in the Student Services Building Conference Center at 2700 West Thome Drive, Houston 77073.

More than 30 employers will be hiring in all industries for entry-level positions in the IAH area. Interested applicants for these positions must bring a form of identification; a resume is optional.

To learn more about the job fair including which companies are hiring, visit www.fly2houston.com/JobFair. For additional information about the job fair, contact Tim Joniec at Tim.Joniec@houstontx.gov.

To learn more about the Houston Airport System, visit https://www.fly2houston.com/.


Houston Money Week
April 6-April 13, 2013

Money Week FlyerThe City of Houston and the Houston Money Week Leadership Committee invite individuals and families to participate in a week-long event to learn more about establishing a budget, estate planning, first-time home buying, small business ownership, teaching kids about money, understanding credit reports and credit scores and much more! There are exciting free programs and activities for all age groups, financial backgrounds and income levels.

Hundreds of local organizations including the City of Houston, private businesses, financial institutions, government and community service agencies and nonprofit organizations, along with many other local establishments, have collaborated to put together this amazing opportunity to help empower the citizens of Houston to reach financial success.

The Houston Library will be hosting a variety of free classes during Houston Money Week, Saturday, April 6 - Saturday, April 13. For more information visit https://www.houstonlibrary.org/ or call 832.393.1313.

To learn more about Houston Money Week and to see a schedule of events, visit https://www.houstonmoneyweek.org/ or email askben@houstonmoneyweek.org.

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities offers financial programs to assist citizens with disabilities throughout the year. To learn more visit https://www.houstontx.gov/disabilities or contact Alvita McKinney at alvita.mckinney@houstontx.gov or 832.394.0814.


Saturday Hours Restored at More Neighborhood Public Libraries
The Central Library Will Be Open Seven Days a Week Very Soon

As Mayor Annise Parker proudly announced several months ago, more neighbhorhood public libraries will be restoring Saturday hours, some beginning this Saturday, April 6, 2013. (See below for details.)

In addition, the Central Library will be returning to a seven days a week schedule very soon. Beginning, Friday, April 19, 2013, the Central Library will be open on Fridays, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and beginning, Sunday, June 2, 2013, it will be open on Sundays, 1 - 5 p.m.

As of this Saturday, April 6, 2013, these four libraries will offer Saturday service hours:

Beginning Saturday, April 19, 2013, six more libraries will offer Saturday service hours:

Beginning Saturday, May 4, 2013, even more libraries will offer Saturday service hours:

After the restoration of these 14 Saturday openings, the total number of neighborhood libraries open on Saturdays will be 41. For more information visit https://www.houstonlibrary.org/new-library-hours-2013 or call 832.393.1313. To find a library near you and/or to see the current schedules, visit https://www.houstonlibrary.org/hpl-locations.


Houston Bike Share Program Expands

Mayor Annise Parker wants Houstonians to know that in addition to stations at Houston City Hall, the George R. Brown Convention Center and Market Square Park, there are now an additional 18 newly installed Houston Bike Share stations with more than 175 new bikes throughout Downtown, East End, Midtown, Montrose and the Museum District/Hermann Park.

Houston B-cycle is a membership-driven bike share system requiring a minimum age of 18 to join. The red B-cycles are specially designed for all riders - short or tall, thanks to an easy-to-use adjustable seat post. Fenders, skirt guards and chain guards keep clothes clean. Automatic lights help keep riders visible and safe. All bikes are equipped with a lock and basket. Riders can take the bike anywhere and lock it up, even if no kiosk is available. Riders are encouraged to wear their own helmets.

Houston's program is managed and operated by Houston Bike Share, a non-profit whose mission is to implement, expand and operate a Houston-based bike share program that will be environmentally friendly, financially sustainable and affordable. All are equipped with Radio Frequency Identification and GPS technology, the most advanced bike share system available in the U.S. Annual and weekly members can track their mileage, calories burned and fuel savings through the website www.houston.bcycle.com.

Funding for the additional bikes and stations installed as part of Phase II of the program was provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and the United States Department of Energy. For more information, memberships and maps visit www.houston.bcycle.com, contact Lisa Lin at lisa.lin@houstontx.gov or 832.393.0850.


Houston National College Fair
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Houston National College Fair
Thursday, April 11, 2013
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m.

Reliant Center
8400 Kirby Drive
Houston 77054

The Houston National College Fair is a free, annual fair for high school students and parents, as well as adult students, graduate students and veterans that provides tools to help their transition to college. Attendees meet with national college admission representatives, receive resources to support the college preparation and search process, as well as help applying for, paying for and succeeding in college. Over 290 counselors and representatives from colleges and universities meet with students and their families to discuss admission and financial aid opportunities and informational workshops are held.

The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 10, 2013. No onsite registration will be allowed. Register for the National College Fair (scroll down to Houston) or call Anne Lohoues at 832.393.0901 for more information.

The Mayor's Office of Education Initiatives (MOEI) is partnering with the Houston A+ Challenge, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, area colleges, school districts and universities to bring college admission resources and support to Houston area families.

To learn more about MOEI, visit https://www.houstontx.gov/education.


Houston Airport System Lands Turkish Airlines Service to Istanbul

Turkish Airline PhotoGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is now the fifth U.S. gateway to offer nonstop flights on Turkish Airlines to Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport (IST) in Istanbul.

The new service will allow travelers to connect to 220 destinations globally once they've reached Istanbul.

Beginning Tuesday, April 2, 2013, there will be four flights per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Beginning July 3, 2013, flights from IAH to IST will increase to six times per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Turkish Airlines is known for its award-winning gourmet cuisine and amenities on the Boeing-777 aircraft that will be used on this route.

For more information on Turkish Airlines, visit www.turkishairlines.com/en-us. To learn more about the Houston Airport System, visit www.fly2houston.com.


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Council Members: Helena Brown • Jerry Davis • Ellen R. Cohen • Wanda Adams • Dave Martin • Al Hoang • Oliver Pennington • Edward Gonzalez • James G. Rodriguez • Mike Laster • Larry V. Green • Stephen C. Costello • Andrew C. Burks, Jr. • Melissa Noriega • C.O. “Brad” Bradford • Jack Christie
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