Friday, May 27, 2011

Amazing Aldine--Looking for a good school for your child? Smith & Ermel are now open enrollment. Learn more at http://ping.fm/wMneX
RSVP for the Business Network Breakfast Today! 713-895-8021 -- 6/2, 7:30, Meet area business owners, presentation on Livable Centers Study

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The date for the Near Northwest Management District’s Fall Job Fair is October 19, 2011. Save the date! Contact Ruby Glass 713-895-8021.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Business Network Breakfast, June 2, 7:30 am, Speaker Ric Guenther-Livable Centers Study, Door Prizes, RSVP 713-895-8021

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Business E-newsletter

May 23, 2011

The Near Northwest E-News is your source for what’s going on in Near Northwest Houston each and every week. Whether you’re looking for opportunities to get involved in your community, business development tips, new business openings, or special events we’ve got the information you need. So spread the word to your friends and coworkers. Tell them to sign up at www.nearnorthwestdistrict.com

Business Network Breakfast
Our next Business Network Breakfast is scheduled for June 2 at 7:30 am. These free networking events allow local businesses to meet each other and explore ways they can work together. This month’s speaker is Ric Guenther of LRK Architects and Planners to present the preliminary plan for the Livable Centers Study. Come and learn all about proposed changes to our community. Contact Shalu, 713-895-8021, for information about the location and to RSVP.

Job Fair
The District just completed another successful Job Fair. More than 25 employers participated, over two-thirds of which were from the area, and more than 150 high quality job candidates attended.

Our next Job Fair is tentatively scheduled for October 19. Previous participants are being given first choice for our limited spaces. Contact Ruby Glass, rglass@nearnorthwestdistrict.com, to reserve your spot.

Need staff before October? Post your jobs on the District’s Jobs Page. Contact Ruby for more information.

METRO Long Range Plan Public Workshops
METRO is hosting a series of public workshops to discuss the future of transit in our region. They are working with communities throughout our service area to learn where service is needed and how they can modify or add existing service to better serve the needs of the community.
They will be exploring option for transit services including:

• Streetcars
• Commuter rail
• Light rail
• Improved bus service
• Bus rapid transit
• HOV/HOT Lanes

The public workshop in our area is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24 from 6-8 pm at the Crowne Plaza –Brookhollow, 12801 NW Frwy.
Livable Centers Study
Thanks to all the community members and business owners who attended our public meetings. More than 150 people participated in each meeting and worked with designers to help vision improvements to our area. Go to the Livable Centers page of our web site to see some of the ideas presented. Businesses or community groups who would like a full length presentation should contact Wayne Norden at 713-895-8021.
METRO Long Range Plan Public Workshop, Tonight, May 24, 6-8 pm, Crowne Plaza Brookhollow, 12801 NW Frwy

Friday, May 20, 2011

Security & Development Update

May 20, 2011

This month’s Security & Development Meeting was attended by Officers from Harris County Precinct One Constables, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Aldine Police Department as well as several private security companies working in the area and corporate security personnel. We are extremely grateful to all of these organizations for their commitment to making our community safer.

Law Enforcement Updates
Constables - Last month several apartment complexes mentioned that several individuals were frequently found in the area. In response to these reports, the Constables have focused patrols in the area and have issued warrants for the arrest of these individuals.

K-9 patrols have begun. Officer Buzz and his handler, Deputy Ben Adams, are at work in the area and have already made several arrests for possession of narcotics. Who’s a good dog?!

HPD Update – Crime in general is down. HPD is seeing an increase in purse snatchings, usually among mothers with small children and older ladies. Most of these incidents are taking place in the shopping centers on Antoine and 290. HPD has made one arrest for purse snatching recently but expect the number of incidents to rise during the summer months.

During the last two years HPD has been focusing on vagrant crimes. A concentrated effort has been made to move everyone who sleeps under bridges along 290 and 610 as well as from the wooded areas along Pinemont out of the community.

Sheriff’s Department Update – Sterling Grove contracts with the Sheriff’s Department to patrol the property. Sterling Grove is under construction, so much of the property is closed closed and fenced off. The construction is going well and the property is beginning to look good. The portion of the property that is fenced off is patrolled by private security personnel overnight.

Aldine Police Department – Chief Allen reported that Aldine PD is operating 24/7, so if residents see kids behaving suspiciously or committing a crime they can report them to Aldine PD.

Community Input
Forged Products – Security personnel reported theft of brass coupling off of their sprinkler system. There have been numerous instances of thefts of brass and copper fittings in the area. Equipment containing brass or copper parts should be secured and marked.

Linda Vista – Has received approval for renovation funding from the City of Houston. Construction should begin June 1with resident relocations.

Email circulating – Reports that people banging on doors yelling 911 to gain entrance to homes. Never open the door without knowing who is on the other side.

H-GAC Livable Centers Study
As part of there efforts to improve the area, the District is moving forward with a H-GAC Livable Centers Study Grant. Public Meetings were held on April 26 & 28 to get community input for the scope and type of changes needed in the area. Designers took several days to process this information and have presented an initial plan. See the power point presentation at http://ping.fm/4HhBQ

Improving the area depends on security. We all need to be vigilant about paying attention to what is happening in the community and who is moving in. We need eyes on the street and for residents and business owners to attend our security meeting and share information with law enforcement officers.

Security Prevention Tips with Deputy Art St. John
1. Every door and door frame has its fatigue and breaking points.
2. Screws must extend through the jamb and into the studs of the door frame.
3. None of the fasten screws should be aligned as in-line screws tend to split the wood.
4. Recommended screw length is 3 inches.
5. A deadbolt lock is recommended. Must lock with a minimum bolt throw of 1 inch that penetrates a metal strike plate. It locks into place with no spring to extend or retract it.
6. If a door is secured by a deadbolt lock has breakable glass within 40 inches, the lock must be key-operated from both sides unless prohibited by life safety codes.
7. The single cylinder deadbolt is locked or unlocked from the outside by a key and from the inside with a thumb turn.
8. The double cylinder deadbolt is locked or unlocked by a key from either side.
9. Solid core wooden doors that are 1 3/8 inches thick are considered to be very secured if properly set in a secure frame with deadbolt locks.
10. Garage doors are equipped with key-operating locking device.
11. Use non-removeable pins or weld pins in place. For exterior hinges, drill hole though hinge into hinge pin and place a set screw in hole preventing removal.
Goal is to deny, deter, delay and detect.

National Night Out
The District has begun planning for National Night Out scheduled for Tuesday, October 4. We are looking for home owner and business participation to make this event bigger and better than last year.

Next Meeting
June 14, 9am at 5300 Hollister, 100, Please forward this update to your contacts in the area. The more participation we have from the community we have, the safer our area will be.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Near Northwest Entertainment & Events #6

May 19, 2011

The Near Northwest Entertainment & Events is your source for entertainment and recreational activities in Near Northwest Houston. Whether you’re looking for family activities or a night out on the town, we’ve got the information you need. So spread the word to your friends and coworkers. Tell them to sign up at www.nearnorthwestdistrict.com

Brick House Tavern and Tap

Stop in every Tuesday between 6 & 9 for Pint Nights! Experience these featured brews:
• May 24 Bass Ale
• May 31 Fireman’s 4

Happy Hour every Monday-Thursday 3pm-6pm!
Enjoy $1cans, $2 Domestic Drafts, $3 Import Drafts & Wells, $4 House Wines & Specialty Imports, $5 Appetizers

Family Nights at Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A at 13240 Northwest Freeway is offering fun family activities every Tuesday night from 6 to 8 pm.
• May 24 Airbrush Tattoos
• May 31 Build –A-Bot

Or Saturday events from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
• May 21 Face Painting
• May 28 Clown


Celebrate Chick-fil-A 290s 1st Year Anniversary, Friday, May 20, Balloon artist from 10 am to 7 pm, Cupcakes will be served and free meals given away to every 50th guest that comes in.

Tinseltown 290
Summer fun at the movies! Check out the great flicks at Tinseltown 290 this weekend.

Got entertainment news?
Send information about your events to melfahey@nearnorthwestdistrict.com and we will include it in our newsletter!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Commuity Job Fair-Wed, May 11 10 am-2pm, Advent Lutheran, 5820 Pinemont, Opportunities from training to professional available