Category Archives: Community

Community

Juneteenth Fun Day at Emancipation Park

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childrens dun day 2

Laughter and learning filled the gymnasium of Emancipation Park as Browning Lucas stood before a crowd of children teaching them the history of Juneteenth and Emancipation Park.

Lucas gave a lively recount of the reasons why there is a Juneteenth celebration while informing the children about the very place they sat at. The children engaged Lucas in dialogue as well as answered questions about slavery and emancipation.

“I learned that Juneteenth was a day for everybody and for Black people to celebrate freedom to celebrate our ancestors that they have made it all the way and so far,” said 13 year-old, Sambriya Craig.

Sister Momma Sonya joined in as another host for the Children’s Fun Day that is a part of the Juneteenth activities sponsored by the Friends of Emancipation Park. She taught the pre- teens and teenager how to make peace cranes while giving them history on their heritage.

“I learned how to make peace cranes and how many years we have been free. I also learned about Emancipation Park,” said 12 year- old, Samiya Kerr.

The children colored, learned, laughed but most importantly bonded over a shared cultural tie that inside of an historical place purchased just for that exact reason.

City, Community, Lifestyle

Demolition Day 2013

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Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

The city of Houston continues their demolition initiative as the city held their 4th Annual Demolition Day where they took down 39 blighted structures around the city in over 14 different zip codes.

Mayor Annise Parker joined Council member Jerry Davis (District B) in Kashmere Gardens to bulldoze a dilapidated house that has stood as an eye sore on Lavender Street for the past seven years.

“I’m happy to be joining Council member Jerry Davis on this Demolition Day. We started Demolition Day last year as well and I appreciate his effort to improve District B,” said Mayor Parker. “We have done this now for four years and Demolition Day gets better and better and the first thing I want to say is these efforts against blighted properties like this just don’t happen in one day. I created demolition day so we can draw attention to the problem come together as a community to focus on it one day a year and with volunteers to accomplish a lot of things in one day.”

The Department of Neighborhoods and seven divisions of Inspections and Public Service take the lead role in Demolition Day each year. They work closely with the Mayor’s office, Solid Waste Management, Public Works and Special Events. Through their efforts along with the city’s legal department and outside contractors the city is able to focus on houses and apartment complexes that are decaying across Houston.

“The property behind me took six years to get to today,” said Mayor Parker. “Its not because the city doesn’t want to tear down properties, it’s not because we don’t recognize how detrimental it is to a neighborhood these kind of properties are.”

State law in Texas is very specific and very precise and it is on the side of property owners. Even if the property is driving down the property value of the houses around them the city has to follow proper guidelines and procedures before tearing down the house.

“When we focused on Demolition Day we had 250 properties. We started on this last year and we said ok on Demolition Day this year our goal was to take down 100 properties,” said Mayor Parker. “This is good news because finally we have demonstrated over these last four years that we are serious about taking down these properties and owners have received the message so in some cases after years of pleading, begging and asking nicely and finally having the law knock on their door and taking them through the legal process they finally say ok I’m going to give up and do the right thing.”

The city has 136 properties to take down this year. The Houston Contractors Association has donated their equipment and labor for the past four years. Mayor Parker noted that their contributions over the years have probably totaled at around half a million dollars. Companies such as Pelitier Brothers Construction, AAA Asphalt Construction, Conrad Construction, BRH Construction, Garver Construction, Angel Bros. Construction, Reytec Construction, and Cherry Construction donated their labor and service to Kashmere Gardens and communities all around Houston.

“We’re overjoyed to be able to help the city and to be able to help the beautification of the city,” said Jeffrey Nielsen, Executive Director of the Houston Contractors Association. “It helps with crime when we are moving a blight that’s in the neighborhood and it’s not just a blight it’s a safety hazard as well. We earn our living by building the roads, the bridges, water line, sewer lines for the city of Houston and this is one of the few ways we have to give back and kind of paying forward an we are very happy to do it.”

The community of Kashmere Gardens is neighborhood friendly. The elderly sit on their front porches and the children walk to the school that is down the street from the house that was torn down. The house at 4522 Lavender Street was a pressing issue that needed to be addressed. Neighbors like Kenneth Ellis and his mother, Mrs. Ellis sat on their porch across the street, watching as city officials and the construction crews blocked off the area to bulldoze a house that they have reported numerous of times over the past seven years. They were leery about the after effects of the tearing down of a house that was vacant for so long and how the city would handle the debris that surrounded the home.

“We already have a problem with possums,” said Mrs. Ellis. “They’re just going to knock down the house but what about the over grown trees. It’s still an eye sore and we’ve been calling on this property for years and years.”

Mayor Parker is aware of how long the house has been sitting as she told those who gathered to see the demolition that after six years of legal process, the house being trashed out by vagrants, even a fire started in it at one point, the demolition is set and ready to go.

The process to demolition a house is not as simple as a call. Mayor Parker spoke about how the city has to jump through legal hoops, make sure all the utilities are cut off and no underground gas leaks, asbestos or any thing hazardous is still active within the house.

“It is a very rigorous process. One of the things we do is sweep the neighborhood and have inspectors look around and see what’s going on,” said Landon Taylor of the Department of Neighborhoods. “We talk to the neighbors that report them and also look at the tax status that is on the property. Then it goes through the process of being dually noticed, an administrative hearing and then sometimes the owner wants to appeal but then it’s our job to show all the facts and go ahead and take them down.”

Mayor Parker compared these blighted homes to cancer stating that you have to cut out cancer so that is what the city was doing, cutting out the cancer in that neighborhood. Council member Jerry Davis has made it a commitment to get rid of the blighted structures in District B as he has already taken down 200 properties in the two years he has been in office.

Jeremy Ratcliff, president of the Super Neighborhoods- Kashmere Gardens showed his excitement for the development of his community and the efforts made by the city to help restore African American communities.

“There’s a misconception when you come through Kashmere Gardens that none of these people care and we are trying to change that,” said Ratcliff. “There are people here that care and we appreciate the help and hopefully this is a start of a relationship between the neighborhoods and the city to get more of these structures down.”

Demolition Day has helped paved the way for new opportunity and growth. Mayor Parker has issued a message to property owners that if they don’t want to keep up their property and the city has to step in and do it they will because this is a city about neighborhoods and they care.

Community, Entertainment, Lifestyle

Summer Pool Schedule – Houston

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Its summer time in Houston and the pools are open for some fun in the sun. There are 37 outdoor swimming pools and 20 water spray grounds throughout the city that will open in two phases.

In Phase 1, 20 select pools will open Saturdays and Sundays from May 25 – June 9, and on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. In Phase 2, all 37 Houston Parks and Recreations Department pools will open Tuesday – Sunday from June 11 – August 18. For the Fall swim schedule, 20 select pools will open Saturdays and Sundays & on Labor Day from August 24 – September 2. The daily hours of operation will be 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,July 4th hours of operation are 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Labor Day hours of operation are 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. The 20 water spray grounds are open year-round at park locations across the city.

For citizens with disabilities there is a heated indoor natatorium at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray. The 5-lane, 25-yard heated pool is fully accessible by wheelchair and is equipped with a zero depth entry ramp, hand rails, and three chair lifts. Changing and shower facilities are available adjacent to the pool area. Participants are required to have independent functioning mobility skills or bring an adult attendant to assist, according to the city’s website for aquatics.

H.P.A.R.D. will off Water fitness classes at various pools throughout Houston at no charge. Fulltime lifeguards and trainers lead water fitness classes and FREE exercise periods for people with disabilities. Water fitness classes are offered at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Monday – Friday.

Year-round swim lessons are available for adults and children. Pre-registration is required and must be complete prior to getting in the pool. H.P.A.R.D. staff will conduct initial safety screening in the water.

Online Registration
The Houston Parks and Recreation will be conducting FREE Learn to Swim classes at select municipal pools throughout the city during the summer. There will be 4 (two week) sessions available for children ages 8 to 17. Starting May 20 registration will be available online at https://activenet011.active.com/houstonparks, and onsite registration the first date of each class session if space is available.

Sessions
Session One
Session Two
Session Three
Session Four
Dates
June 18 – June 28
July 2 to July 12 (No class on July 4)
July 16 to July 26
July 30 to August 9

Class Days
Tuesday – Friday
Tuesday – Friday
Times
5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Locations Address
Emancipation – 3018 Dowling, 77004
Greenwood 602 – Beresford, 77015
Hobart Taylor – 8100 Kenton, 77028
MacGregor 5225 – Calhoun, 77021
Oak Forest – 1400 Dubarry, 77018
Sharpstown – 6600 Harbor Town, 77036
TC Jester – 4205 T.C. Jester, 77018
Townwood – 3402 Simsbrook, 77045

All public pools will be closed Mondays throughout the summer.
All public pools will be closed Monday – Friday during the fall phase.
All public pools will be closed following Labor Day.

Agnes Moffitt (10645 Hammerly)
Denver Harbor (1020 Gazin)
De Zavala (907 75th Street)
Glenbrook (8201 N. Bayou)
Greenwood (602 Beresford)
Lincoln City (1048 Grenshaw)
MacGregor (5225 Calhoun)
Memorial (6402 Arnot)
Moody (3201 Fulton)
Northline (6911 Nordling)
Reveille (7700 Oak Vista)
Sagemont (11507 Hughes)
Sharpstown (6600 Harbor Town)
Stude (1031 Stude)
Sunnyside (3502 Bellfort)
T.C. Jester (4205 West T.C. Jester)
Tidwell (9720 Spaulding)
Townwood (3402 Simsbrook)
Westbury (10605 Mullins)
Wilson Memorial (100 Gilpin)

Community, Education, Lifestyle

Juneteenth: Here now and forever

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Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

Juneteenth is right around the corner and the festivals and pageants are in full swing. Beautiful black women and handsome black men, young and old are ready to celebrate the activities that surround the holiday.

After 148 years of Juneteenth’s, the holiday has blossomed from just a day of celebration in Galveston, Texas to a state holiday that many other states have adopted and weeks long events that lead up to the big Juneteenth day celebration.

Centuries of history ties into the day of Juneteenth. The enslavement of African American’s ancestors is a history that cannot be taken lightly and the emancipation of those slaves is a monumental moment in American society that has set off a chain of events that can still be felt to this very day. But one thing those freed slaves and their descendants had was a spirit of joy and that joy caused jubilation for their freedom that has kept Juneteenth thriving for 148 years.

“In Marlin, TX the community or families would come together and celebrate. They would kill a hog or other stock and prepare a big meal and eat,” Lorenzo Lucas, Jr. No one worked on Juneteenth. You may have worked on July 4, but never on Juneteenth. It was an important celebration that was eagerly anticipated each year in the community.”

Year after year the African American community has to remember and decide whether they want to celebrate their past hurts, pains and triumphs. Over those years the climate of the country has changed and the reminder of slavery and the oppression of those with the African traits in America has gone cold but once a year Juneteenth comes and in the back ground you can hear James Brown’s “Say It Loud” playing and in the attitudes of the African Americans all around.

“Juneteenth is freedom, celebration, love for my people its exciting it’s a historical event we tend to belittle and it’s one of the most important days to celebrate and we should celebrate. It also means watermelon, red soda and fun,” said Sister Momma Sonya.

Although the climate of Juneteenth is evolving like any tradition does after a 100 years there are people who still see the need for Juneteenth and not just for one day.

“I celebrate because it’s an honor that African Americans have their own holiday where we can celebrate that we were no longer legislatively enslaved. It gives an opportunity to talk about the history, about the slavery people don’t want to talk about,” said Sister Momma Sonya. “There are many wonderful stories about our ancestors and we have to tell that tale and once you see the things our ancestors went through we have to celebrate the end of that era.”

Sister Momma Sonya is a “her-storian” who researches and teaches the history of the African American culture. She spoke about the anticipation of the slaves not knowing what this general had to say when the slaves were going to hear General Gordon Granger read the General Order #3 to emancipate the slaves in Texas.

“Can you imagine the anticipation of not knowing and going to see what is going to happen and when General Granger reads that proclamation and says their free. So what happens next, no jobs, no place to go, and can you imagine the emotion, they had been enslaved all their lives, someone told them when to get up, when to go to bed, what they can eat, working hard and not get any money, seeing their babies, children everything taken away from them and now all of a sudden their free. What kind emotion does that bring out and I love to celebrate Juneteenth to talk about those emotions. To let people know as African Americans ,we have been through so much. Juneteenth represent the insurmountable odds we’ve been through like an ushering in of a brand new era,” said Sister Momma Sonya.

The brand new era has transformed time and time again and no its 2013 and we have tons of African Americans walking around and are not aware of what a Juneteenth is. Filmmaker Isaiah Fanuiel went around the country asking random people what did they know about Juneteenth in his documentary “The New Juneteenth”. The responses varied and for every person who had some knowledge there were two who had not a clue.

“I’m from Galveston where Juneteenth started and I grew up celebrating Juneteenth all my life. I never knew what it really was so as for my self and like many other people we just celebrated and knew that it may be something for black people about slavery but not really have an understanding about what it really means,” said Fanuiel. “I think that if you don’t have an understanding of what Juneteenth means then you really don’t get the issues that we as black people may be up against with the history of this country so if you don’t really understand Juneteenth and the history of slavery then there are so many other things you don’t get and don’t understand.”

Through his travels Fanuiel saw people of various ages that were not knowledgeable about Juneteenth and that raised concerned for them as he made educated them on the meaning once it was clear they didn’t know.

“We have to teach our kids, we can’t just let this part of history disappear. Naturally when we have something that is so atrocious like the institution of slavery it’s natural to not want to get into it and not to want to talk about it but we can never forget that part of history,” said Fanuiel.” I mean we were enslaved people for over 200 years and we’ve only been free for 148 years at this point. That’s why I think Juneteenth is that day that America should celebrate and commemorate the end of slavery not just a day for Texas. It has to be at some point a come together and unify to make this day the day we celebrate freedom.”

Fanuiel’s goal is to unite nationwide versus the format where communities come out and celebrate individually or collectively.

“In Crocket, TX and in Houston the community would come together for a big celebration. There would be barbecue, soda water and of course watermelon,” Florence Daniels, a 92 year- old Texan. “The boys would play baseball games against the neighboring communities such as Augusta. After the game there would be a big dance. Everyone who could get off work would do so. It was a big community celebration.”

There are still celebrations going on throughout the towns as Galveston is still celebrating with their parade, Juneteenth pageant and the reading of the General Order #3 at Ashton Villa.

“In recent years there has been Juneteenth celebrations for many years and it has shifted to more than just Juneteenth but really a week or two of celebrations,” said Dwayne Jones Executive Director of Galveston Historical Foundation. “One thing that has been fairly consistent is the reading of the General Order #3 at the county court house or at some location in Galveston or at a place what is called now Reedy Chapel and it wasn’t called Reedy Chapel in the 1870’s but it’s the same location of the building. It’s always some type of celebration around food, other speeches, discussions and political actions and what that means for African Americans. It has always been various events but they always have those components.”

Ajee Long, 18 and a native of Galveston County, competed in the Galveston area Juneteenth pageant 2013 voiced concern that the younger generations are losing their appreciation for Juneteenth.

“Juneteenth is becoming a faded tradition because the younger generations are losing respect for the work of the slave and no one is trying to teach them any better,” said Long.

Long’s concern is has not gone unnoticed as Sister Momma Sonya and Isaiah Fanuiel both expressed the same sentiments about the lack of enthusiasm about Juneteenth.

“I think Juneteenth is becoming a fading tradition and I don’t know if it’s because we are ashamed of our history or is it because of a lack of knowledge of our history,” said Sister Momma Sonya. “I have heard so many say they don’t want to talk about it anymore or there are new things they need to talk about and all that slavery stuff is old. People not knowing their traditions, history and maybe a little fear because if we know about our past we will have to confront who we are now and plan for the future and that can be a scary proposition.”

Fanuiel echoed Sister Momma Sonya as he too thinks Juneteenth is fading in a sense as there isn’t much press coverage on it and he doesn’t feel that America has embraced Juneteenth as a celebratory day.

“I think we are scared to touch on race and I think that’s definitely an issue in America and when we touch on race the issue is so sensitive and so controversial and it makes so many people shy away it,” said Fanuiel. “Juneteenth is a celebration. It’s a treasure for the country to embrace the history through celebration. It’s like a hidden treasure and once we get it and embrace it, it can really do some good for the country.”

The question is where do we as a country go from here? How do we make sure Juneteenth keeps thriving and pumping through the minds and hearts of the descendants? Sister Momma Sonya suggested that communities get more organized and involved with one another to plan Juneteenth activities, to have a big Juneteenth calendar, To keep teaching the children the stories and the history, to never forget the meaning of the celebration. Isaiah Fanuiel wants the whole country celebrating Juneteenth by 2015 to commemorate 150 years of the celebration and for African Americans to not be ashamed of it and learn the valuable lessons being taught by their ancestors being enslaved. Ajee Long has hope for her generation as she believes that people should go back to telling the story of the slave to family and friends and going back to the “old ways” by throwing parties in their communities and having different activities that center around the history.

Juneteenth 2013 will not go unnoticed as there are many celebrations and events going on throughout Houston and all the down to Galveston. Emancipation Park will hold activities throughout the week ending on Juneteenth day, Galveston will do the same and 4th Ward will be holding a celebration as well. Many will barbeque, eat watermelon and drink red soda while giving an oral history to their loved ones at their homes while others will pilgrimage to Ashton Villa and stand in unison as they hear the reading that brought tears, hope and dreams to enslaved Africans who soon would be Americans over 148 years ago.

Community, Lifestyle, News

The crusade to end chronic homelessness in Houston

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Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

The city wide initiative to end chronic homelessness has become a pressing issue for Mayor Annise Parker. On May 15, 2013, Parker gave a report on her findings from a survey taken as volunteers and herself canvassed the streets of Houston taking account of the homeless in order to see how they can service them.

More than a 160 volunteers, Council members Adams and Costello as well as the mayor went out surveying and chronicled each person according to their own specific needs and specific problems and history.
“We announced January 2012 we were going to have an intensive focus on homelessness in Houston and we are going to make a difference in homelessness. We intend to end chronic homelessness in Houston and we are going to put in place a three part plan to do that,” said Mayor Parker. “We have to have the resources in place first then the outreach and then what we hope to have a success placement for the chronically homeless in Houston.”

There are more than 8,000 people across the city that is homeless. The main focus is to place the chronic homeless first which is approximately 2,000 people.
“We are trying to identify and prioritize the most vulnerable homeless individuals and place them into permanent housing and provide services and treatments around that housing to make sure that we don’t make it easier, better or more comfortable to be on the street we make it possible and imperative that people get off the street,” said Mayor Parker.

Registry week deemed successful as the homeless were asked 33 questions off of a questionnaire that resulted in a list of 847 chronically homeless individuals classified and pin pointed so the city knows exactly who and where they are and what their specific needs and services.

“We did learn some things such as out of the 847 chronically homeless individuals interviewed 18% were veterans, 15% were women, 20% had been victims of some form of domestic violence, nearly half have identified mental health issues, nearly half suffer from one or more serious chronic health condition such as kidney disease, diabetes, liver failure, a third have been victims of a violent attack since becoming homeless and a third are employed despite sleeping on the streets every night,” said Mayor Parker.

Parker also rolled on with the statistics of how the homeless soak up city resources in the criminal justice and medical system. The city has received data that 50% of the homeless go to the hospital and emergency rooms for healthcare, 964 visits went to emergency room care in the last three months, 695 visits ended up as inpatient hospitalizations in the last year and 81% of the homeless have been jailed for unpaid tickets.

The information gathered, which was a part of Houston registry week that is encompassed with the national 100,000 homes campaign, has already gone into use by the Houston Police Department homeless outreach team and many other organizations. The goal is to access all 2,500 chronic and near chronic citizens in the very near future, according to the Mayor.

“We have started to place some of our most vulnerable into permanent housing with supportive services,” said Mayor Parker. “It’s not just hey we find you an apartment and give you a key and you’re good to go, you have to wrap services around it. We already have five we’ve interviewed and they will be in housing by the end of the week. We are continuing forward momentum on homeless veterans and our next goal is to house 300 more veterans in the next 80 days to go through the list identified.”

Mandy Chapman- Semple, the Mayor’s point person for the Homeless Initiatives in the city added more information as she thanked the Coalition for the Homeless, Health and Human Services and the Houston Housing Authority.

“The registry was just the first step in our three part plan and the next step is really about creating more supportive housing opportunity and really bringing the services to these units and individuals so they can stabilize long term in this housing,” said Semple.
The assessment used during the registry will now be used on a daily basis by homeless outreach teams so as they encounter individuals they didn’t find during registry week they will be assessed and placed according to their vulnerability and needs. The assessment will also be accompanied by their picture

The Housing Authority’s focus will be on finding the units and buildings and providing the housing subsidy. The services that accompany housing the homeless is the problem that still needs to be worked out.

“Homelessness is down one quarter and it’s not as simple as I just need a place to sleep,” said Mayor Parker. “We have shelters all across the city that isn’t always adequate in number for shelter with beds but there are options and opportunities.”

Services will be tailored to the problems of the individual and the most severe will be handled first. The city will not force anyone into an apartment. This is an opportunity for the chronic homeless to find stability in a residence and with supportive measures.

Community, Lifestyle, News

Mayor Parker announces 2014 city budget

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Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

Mayor Annise Parker released the 2014 proposed $4.9 billion budget for the city of Houston on May 14, 2013 that will go into effect on July 1, 2013. Mayor Parker continues her emphasis on jobs and development, public safety, quality of life, infrastructure and fiscal responsibility as she maintains that the budget will not require a tax increase.

The budget has made provisions to finish restoring the services that were cut or rolled back due to the economic issues of the city. The city has also completely funded their Rainy Day Fund which is $20 million strong with a 7.5% allocated reserve which is above the 5% mandated amount, and pensions, health benefits and mandated pay increases for city employees are included as well.

“This budget proposal builds upon the progress of the last 3.5 years,” said Mayor Parker. “We’ve cut waste, made city departments more efficient and balanced every budget without raising taxes.”

Jobs growth is a national issue that always hits home first and Mayor Parker continues to work at providing employment opportunities for Houstonians as she will stay connected with Hire Houston First. According to city data, within the programs first year more than $139 million of city business was awarded to certified firms, sustaining more than 6,000 jobs. The city has attracted more than $2.2 billion of economic development since 2010, generated 250,000 jobs, exported approximately $300 billion in locally-produced goods and services and has issued permits for construction on nearly 74,000 single family homes.

Majority of the money looks to be heading towards public safety as the report shows that’s where two- thirds of the general fund budget will go.

“More than $2.2 million is included in this budget proposal to fund operations of the city’s new public safety radio project, which is improving the city’s capability to communicate with Harris County and surrounding jurisdictions when fighting crime or responding to natural disaster,” said the Mayor’s office.

Public Safety will include the creation of a Forensics Transition Special Fund to keep separate and account for the costs with the Houston Forensics Science LGC which has been under scrutiny for years about its methods and outcomes. This venture will help with the effort to establish an independent crime lab, and will push forward with the elimination of the DNA backlog. The city also will proceed to do more demolitions of dangerous buildings.

The city has added a General Fund line for the first time for infrastructure and the amount is $2.5 million which is representing approximately 2% average annual Capital Improvement Plan for Public Improvement Programs for infrastructure maintenance, renewal and replacement. The city has already invested $180 million has already been invested in drainage and street improvements. In the fiscal year 2014 additional progress on replacement f city information technology and fleet infrastructure which has been underfunded for years.

“These dollars will be used for upkeep to existing city facilities, such as libraries, community centers and neighborhood fire stations, to help avoid the deferred maintenance issues identified in the recent facilities assessment,” said the Mayor’s Office.

The quality of life for Houstonians remains a hot button issue and Mayor Parker in her efforts to clean up the city while going green, has doubled the houses that use single- stream recycling from 100,000 to 200,000. The first part of the expansion will start in July when 35,000 households will be added and then another 70,000 will be added later in the year. The stream recycling will be easier and convenient as all recyclables will go in one big bin. Mayor Parker emphasized the high priority for the planet but it will also be a long term financial investment and it will help preserve the landfills.

“The expansion will impact neighborhoods citywide rather than be limited to one specific area of town,” said Mayor Parker.

The city also prepares for the completion of the new adoption center, the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control will include an increase in funding for $693,683. There will be progress made on the Bayou Greenways that will link parks and trails throughout the city and the budget will also include revenue for the Mayor’s initiative to end chronic homelessness in the city which has cost the city over a million dollars in the past.

Fiscal responsibility for the city remains on the minds of Houstonians as it affects the quality of the life they live within the city. The city is making the steps to have more transparency with their finances. They have included $676,000 for financial controls and audit capabilities.

“I feel like I spent my first term in office plugging holes in a leaky boat, but the boat stayed afloat and now we have the funds to take the boat and put up a new sail and I’m very excited about this,” said Mayor Parker.

The mayor’s financial plan is set and will begin in the middle of the summer. The Capital Improvement Plan for the fiscal years of 2014 through 2018 will coincide with the proposed budget and will have the same emphasis with infrastructure and public safety.

Community

Ben Hall enters race for Mayor of Houston

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Attorney Ben Hall at his campaign launch party.
Attorney Ben Hall at his campaign launch party.

Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

Attorney Ben Hall has entered into the 2013 race for the Mayor of Houston and has raised the stakes in the competition for the head of the city.

At the beginning of March, Hall announced his candidacy for mayor running against the twice voted in incumbent, Annise Parker. Hall released the platform he will campaign on that generated much praise from his supporters.

Hall’s focus lies with education, crime, transportation, diversity, infrastructure, drainage and downtown. At least one or more of the campaign issues touch Houstonians in some way or another. Hall spoke in the tenor that has made him the successful attorney he is and won over many present to see exactly what Ben Hall is about.

Diversity:
Houston is racial melting pot and can no longer ignore the fact that the Hispanic community is the largest ethnic population in the city. Hall is campaigning on intercultural acceptance as he see’s the value in such a diverse city.
“Diversity is important in order to captivate the economic market so that we may be successful,” said Hall.

Crime:
Hall’s passionate approach about crime met much approval as he said, “I want to send a message out to criminals. Houston is out of bounds for all criminal activity we will no longer tolerate our elderly being barricaded into their homes at night because of thugs on the street. I mean thugs on the street have to go. I’m not trying to send them over to Sugarland but they cant do it here in Houston.”
He spoke on the economic side of housing inmates for petty crimes as well. Hall told the crowd that in terms of incarcerating criminals we are punishing ourselves, when we think we are punishing them.

“We need to rethink our criminal justice system. When I have to wake up every morning and work in order to feed myself and someone over in a cell, I have to rethink this,” said Hall. “When I have to pay for their air conditioning and their jail cells, I have to rethink this.”
Hall proposes that if someone is incarcerated and have committed a non-violent crime in the city of Houston they should perform community service. He believes they owe citizens an obligation to come and cut weeded lots or other service duties.

“Somebody might say that is the District Attorney’s job, that’s not your job but the Mayor has to set the tone of the city,” said Hall. “I stand up to tell every criminal to say you are not welcome here.”

Education:
As an advocate for a stronger educational system in Houston, Hall is looking for excellence in standards and performance. He’s said that the teachers, staff and civic leaders are already in place to turn around the issues seen in the educational system.

“I will work with Houston’s school districts to help them create the best educational experience for our students, advancing pragmatic city/school district initiatives to integrate education with real world business experiences,” said Hall.

Transportation:
The means of travel is a hot topic of any conversation in Houston as the city is so large and commerce is a way of life. Transportation is a high interest point as safe commutes and the availablity of public transportation is a serious issue during an election cycle. Hall said, “Houston’s city government must plan and work with TXDOT to coordinate travel patterns through and around the city. Better transportation practices and policies do more than reduce congestion on the highways; they also assist with air quality issues, making Houston safer and even more enjoyable.”

Downtown:
With the vision to develop and bring people from all over the world to experience Houston, Hall has high hopes for downtown. With a mixture of businesses, restuarants and attractions downtown has much to offer. “My administartion will actively encourage the development of a thriving downtown shopping and entertainment center by fostering innovative public-private partnerships. In that way, we will work to encourage the development of a larger retail business footprint downtown,” said Hall.

Infrastructure:
Houston is a huge city with many inhabitants and those inhabitants and our guest have beaten the road to a hole derived trail. Ben Hall has made it a point to address the roads in Houston even making it a platform on his campaign. “Houston’s roads must be repaired and upgraded immediately,” said Hall.

Drainage:
Houston has developed a reputation for flooding during a heavy thunderstorm leaving many citizens inconvienced and stuck with a sever clean-up process. With the interest of the citizens in his mind Hall has put the issue of drainage in his campaign. “By challenging the current approach and employing innovative drainage solutions, we will dramatically improve the way we handle storm water and flooding in our city,” said Hall.

Hall’s initiatives in his run for city hall are being received well by many Houstonians. Linda Prescott said, “I think Ben Hall will do tremendous things for Houston.” Patricia Brown of Fort Bend came to support Hall as she believes what happens in Houston will eventually effect her area so its very important to support the leaders inside the city as well.

“I think he will be a great leader and he needs our support all of the issues he targets in my opinion affect the community,” said Joseph Brown. “If you look at the diversity in this group you can see a lot of people are aware of that”

Hall is aware he has a full blown campaign ahead of him and is ready for the challenge as he made a statement to the crowd saying, “Have you ever heard of an aggressive, economic approach to an international market in 16 years?”

Kim Roxie called Ben Hall “a new breath of fresh air to Houston” and noted that the out pouring of support at his candidacy party shows what kind of campaign he’s going to have.

Community

Beauty Tips for Spring/ Summer 2013

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Joy Williams
The Houston Sun

Ready to escape from the confines of seasons passed and into a refreshed, inviting version of yourself? Embrace your best self with these quick and easy makeup tips based on Spring/Summer 2013 trends.

SKIN
Your soft, subtle, flawless skin will leave an impression on everyone you meet this season! Gone are the days of covering up your natural beauty and those perfect little imperfections with layers of full coverage makeup. While concealer still should be a primary survival kit item, you can peel off those layers of product and make your makeup work for you this spring.
Apply a sheer to medium liquid foundation or the increasingly popular “BB Cream” from your favorite retailer liberally over the face. Pop on a little concealer to perfect those few areas (under eyes and blemishes) and place a little powder down the middle of the face to shoo away shine and you are ready to go!

LIPS
The bold lip is back! This spring the lip makes a statement without ever saying a word. Bold tones like tangerine, magenta, pink and royal purple are revving up your everyday threads and taking them to dangerous dimensions in couture. Don’t be afraid of the size or shape of your lips, this trend has a color for everyone. The bold lip trend also allows your lips to be the main attraction and is perfect for every woman on the go. It takes 5 minutes go from drab to DIVA!

EYES
Embellish your eyes with ease this season! Colorful eyeliners are definitely trending. Instead of the typical (and boring) black, try a pretty blue, green or purple eyeliner. It makes a great accessory when batting those beautiful lashes. Simplicity is also seen in eye shadow techniques this spring. Instead of 5 different colors try a glittery cream shadow as a base in your favorite neutral tone (gold, bronze, beige) and pop a simple earth-tone eye shadow (plum, brown, teal) in the crease to make a huge impact without a lot of effort.

Beauty Challenge:–
For the next 5 days try each of these makeup trends. Day 1-skin, Day 2- lips, Day 3- eyes, Day 4- the easiest trend for you, Day 5- the trend you got the most compliments on. I would love to hear how they worked for you. Email me at info@houstonsun.com.
Ms. Joy is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Certified Makeup Artist with over a decade of experience in and around the beauty industry.

Community

Spring Fashion Update 2013

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Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

In the great state of Texas weather is temperamental and seasons really can be compared more to weather mood swings. Color and texture will rule the hotter months for women and men, but prints are in …

Prints:
Polka Dots, Stripes, Florals and Tapestry:
Pink, Teal, Orange, Green, Purple and all the sizes you could imagine, Polka Dots are back by popular demand. Tank tops, shorts, Capri pants, skirts and wherever a dot can fit you will see Polka Dots this spring season.

Stripes:
The bolder the better is the trend this spring as stripes are all the rage. The direction doesn’t matter as long as several lines are going across the shirt or even the purse. Thick or thin, stripes are in.

Florals:
As retro fashion has taken over the fashion scene the past couple of years floral designs are all over jeans and blouses. Floral patterns or just a sprinkle of flowers in pastel coloring is what girls are wearing this spring.

Tapestry:
Tapestry design is no longer for the older generations. Young women have made an old design new and trendy. Dresses and accessories are made out of tapestry designs that can also be accentuated with metallic threading for that extra pop.

Maxi Dresses will reappear again this year. Maxi dresses are fun for brunch, lunch or a date night out. Easy, flowing and comfortable the Maxi dress is for all body types and can be worn in almost every environment. There are various styles and patterns that make the dresses extremely appealing.

Sheer Blouses:
Long sleeve or short sleeve, midriff, waist length or a long tail; sheer blouses are a main attraction in fashion for 2013. From the business arena to the party scene you can see sheer blouse worn in many different ways that suit your needs.

Moto Vest:
The motorcycle jacket was the hottest attraction for the fall of 2012 but for the spring of 2013 the Moto Vest will replace the full sleeve jacket and the vest will rule the warmer season.

Colors:
Bright, Brighter and Brightest describes the colors of spring 2013 as the splash of excitement that makes the outfit, THE OUTFIT! Neon, metallic and all shades of blue are the color schemes for 2013.

Neon:
Pink, orange, green, yellow, blue and purple are now popping as they glow on the shirts, dresses, skirts and bottoms of women. Accessories also have taken on the brighter hues as bangles and earrings mix and match the colors and patterns of the outfit.

Metallic:
Metallic jazzes everything up and turns plain into eye-catching with just a twinge of metallic shine.

All Shades of Blue:
Teal, sky blue, obsidian, navy and all the hues it comes in is making a big splash in 2013. From the beautiful blue sky to the water of the pools, blue will be seen all throughout the spring.

Community, Education, News

National Urban League releases State of Black America

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Myra Griffin
The Houston Sun

The National Urban League has released their analysis of the State of Black America, on April 10th which is a survey and statistical data of the economic and educational equality standards of African- Americans for the past 50 years in America.

President of the National Urban League Marc Morial along with Dr. Valerie Wilson, Economist and V.P. of Research Key Findings and Chanelle Hardy,Senior V.P. of Policy and Executive Director of the National Urban League Policy Institute, spoke with the Sun on the 50 year retrospect and top line findings for equality index that focus on problems and equality gaps seen between the black and white communities.

State of Black America and Education:
The high school completion gap has closed by 57 percentage points and there are triple the number of African- Americans enrolled in college today than in 1963. For every graduate in 1963 there are now five, 50 years later.

Fifty years ago, 75 percent of black adults had not completed high school. Currently, 85 percent of black adults have a high school education. At the college level, there are now 3.5 times more African- Americans between 18-24 years old enrolled in college, and five times as many black adults hold a college degree.

“We have closed the college enrollment gap at five times the rate of closing the unemployment rate gap,” said Morial.

State of Black America and Employment:
During the last 50 years, African- Americans remained twice as likely as whites to be unemployed and earn less than two-thirds the income of whites. In many ways, employment remains the biggest barrier to economic equality in America. The unemployment gap has only closed by 6 percentage points and through research the National Urban League saw a 2 to 1 unemployment rate gap that remained very persistent even as they factored in all the situations such as education, economic status, and geographic location.

“We have factored in people with different levels of education and what impact that has on employment opportunities,” said Dr. Valerie Wilson, Economist and V.P. of Research Key Findings. “For example African- American’s with a college degree are four and a half less likely to be unemployed versus an African-American without a college degree or diploma.”

The primary hurdle that the National Urban League feels African- Americans need to overcome is getting a job. Once that is done they believe that findings will show people with similar characteristics tend to have a level of income and economic status that is closer than it would be for both ethnic groups overall.

State of Black America and the Income Equality Gap:
With gains and educational attainment the capacity for African-Americans to climb the economic ladder is evident by the fact that the African-American poverty rate has been cut nearly in half since 1963 and it is also evident aamongst people with different levels of education. Looking in the terms of equality and the outcomes seen for blacks and whites at similar levels of education, age groups and the same region of the country; yet much less progress is seen in terms of closing the disparities between blacks and whites.

“Over time we have not seen the two groups come closer together in terms of economic well being in this country,” said Wilson.

On average, African- Americans enjoy less than three-fourths of the benefits and privileges offered to white Americans. Similarly, with an index of 75.4 percent, Hispanic Americans are experiencing only three-quarters of the full benefits that America has to offer.
Income inequality varies upon where people live, what kind of job they have, whether it is in the public or private sector how many earners are in a household and how that affects the income gap. The study found that based on where you live in the country effects your income. According to The National Urban League the income gap is smaller in the South and largest in the Midwest. Compared to people living in the suburbs to the city, income inequality is greater in the inner city and that’s between blacks and whites.

The Houston Sun posed the question to The National Urban League about why the income gap is smaller in the South than in the Midwest?

“It has a lot to do with the kind of industry and occupations people work in and the extent of the segregation in the workplace in terms of what occupation blacks versus whites are employed, the difference between the types of jobs are based more or less on the education attained in the different regions of the country varies,” said Wilson. “In the South the opportunities for people with a high school diploma or less versus those with higher levels of education and the types of jobs sought, you don’t see much disparity in terms of what they pay but in comparison to the Midwest the kind of occupations the people of the Midwest seek and the different racial groups there tend to find a larger disparity in what those types of occupations pay. It has to do a lot with the industry mixing, with the cost of living and overall levels of education, all of those play a roll in that income gap.”

The State of Black America and Poverty Levels
The anti-poverty efforts since 1963 has significantly raised the leading standards for African- Americans and the percentage of blacks living in poverty has fallen by nearly half (45%), and the percentage of black children living in poverty is down by more than one-third. The percentage of blacks living in poverty has decline by 23 percentage points and the percentage of black kids living in poverty has fallen 22 points.

The National Urban League has solutions for the problems they have noticed in their 50 year assessment of the State of Black America. Marc Morial noted the initiatives the NUL has been working on such as Jobs Rebuild America, which is a five year initiative by the National Urban League and its affiliates to train and help as many people get to work as possible. There will be ten programs under the banner of Jobs Rebuild America that include job training, entrepreneurship, and afterschool programs for teenagers. This will provide job training opportunities for thousands of people and will be available in up to 20 plus cities. The NUL will announce cities and the Jobs Rebuild America opportunities on May 20, 2013 at the Cleveland, Ohio Urban League. There will also be training for those previously incarcerated, training opportunities for older workers over the age of 55, leadership development opportunities for youth and teens, and a wide variety of measure that are designed to enhance financing for small business.

They are also two pieces of Federal legislation that are being introduced to Capitol Hill, The Urban Jobs Act and Project Ready STEM Act.
The Urban Jobs Act was introduced in the Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and in the House by Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA). The Project Ready STEM Act was introduced in the House by the Congressional Black Caucus Chair Marsha Fudge and they are still looking for a Senate sponsor.

“The way the programs would work it would actually provide funding to organizations like the National Urban League and other communities based organizations. Currently organizations are being hit in a serious way by the effects of the federal deficit reduction in Washington with the sequester and with the cuts there are fewer dollars available and fewer community members served; this will ensure that there is funding so those programs can be offered at the most robust level possible,” said Chanelle Hardy, Senior V.P. of Policy and Executive Director of the National Urban League Policy Institute.

The Urban Jobs Act
The Urban Jobs Act is designed to provide a stream of funding necessary support to a population that is largely unreached by current policy strategy. The population between 16 and 24 years- old that are not community college ready are underserved. The community college system has been the beneficiary of the administration’s focus dollars seeking to increase job readiness. This population is made up of high school drop outs, adjudicated youth, foster care and those who have aged out of the system and students who are not ready to benefit from community college programs. Many of these students are not the type to seek a college education at high cost so what we seek to do with the Urban Job Act is to promote a program that takes a multi disciplinary approach to benefitting the population which may include GED training, or other academic skills, mentoring, with a community service component that provides real world on the job training and a wage.

“The strategy for this workforce investment act has been under a reauthorization effort for many years and it is the most important part of job readiness legislation and funding in the congress and it has been awaiting much needed reauthorization for years and our goal is to get it inserted in that package of legislation,” said Hardy.

The Project Ready STEM. Act:
The Project Ready Stems Act is designed for underserved youth who need to be exposed to STEM careers. STEM careers are occupations that deal in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Challenges seen in equality index show that there is a high level of interest in our STEM careers in our community but the problem is the students are not able to take the appropriate course work needed so they have the option to pursue a STEM career at the college level and beyond. Project Ready Stem Act is a middle school enrichment program that buys exposure, training and preparation to the student so they can plot a path to those types of careers.

The National Urban League released their 37th edition of the State of Black America, Redeem the Dream: Jobs Rebuild America which also includes a commemorative Special Collection of essays that pay homage to the early freedom fighters in the civil rights movement. This Special Collection includes reflections from those who were in the civil rights and those who have picked up the torch and kept the fight alive. With 50 years in review tells a story of the past while laying out a roadmap for a promising future provided the work continues to be done.