Decorate Your Fence and Make It A Good Fence!

January 5, 2011 The First Ward Civic Council would like to welcome to our neighborhood, a group of young people who live in an intentional community at 1201 Spring Street (east of Houston Ave). Their mission is outreach to the community through service and the arts. They look for ways to assist in creating community and being involved in everyday life within our neighborhood. These young people can be seen working in the community garden or playing music at our bus stops. Be on the lookout for some of their creative arts installations within the First Ward.

One of their major art projects is called "Good Fences". Check out their creative fence art on their home at 1201 Spring Street. In the spirit of community, they encourage our neighbors to create their own "good fences". So get into the community spirit and create! Check back for more details.

Washington Quiet Zone Update

December 2, 2010 Visit the Washington Quiet Zone website for the latest updates.

2010 "Operation: Outreach Stocking Stuffer" Toy Drive

December 2, 2010 The holidays are fast approaching and that means the Houston Fire Department and KPRC Local 2 will be hosting our 2010 "Operation: Outreach Stocking Stuffer" Toy Drive.

This event kicks off on December 2, at the KPRC Local 2 studios located at 8181 Southwest Freeway at Beechnut. If you would like to be a part of the kick-off event, you can bring your new or gently used toys to that location between 6am-6pm.

Of course you can also bring your new toys to any HFD Fire Station anytime between December 2-16. If your business would like to host their own toy drive to benefit Operation Stocking Stuffer, HFD can pick up your donations at your location. If you would like posters or other materials to promote your event, please contact Paul Box, HFD, 713-495-7916.

Please help us bring some much needed holiday joy to our Houston area families.

Election of Officers

November 11, 2010 We will elect the 2011 officers of the First Ward Civic Council during the general business meeting on November 11th. Please plan to attend this important meeting at 6:30p.m. at Mallalieu United Methodist Church located at 1918 Hickory Street (just north of Crockett).

The nominees for First Ward Officers are as follows:

• President – Tom Radosevich
• Vice President – Jeanette Chinelli
• Treasurer – Randy Raimond
• Secretary – John Barnard

Voices Breaking Boundaries

November 6, 2010, 8pm
Women’s Voices: Honoring Alice Valdez and Sheema Kermani
Home of Larissa Lindsay and Stuart Bailey
1816 Kane, Houston TX 77007
Admission is Free
See www.vbbarts.org for more information

14th Annual Art on the Avenue By Avenue CDC

November 13, 2010, 6 – 9pm
Winter Street Studios
2101 Winter Street
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door

Art on the Avenue raises funds for Avenue CDC to improve our Washing Avenue and Near Northside community by developing affordable housing and increasing economic opportunities, while preserving our area’s cultural, economic, and historic diversity. For more information, visit www.avenuecdc.org.

Theater LaB Houston

First Ward’s very own Theater LaB Houston presents its 18th season of staging Houston premieres. Visit www.theaterlabhouston.com for more details. The next production is The Little Dog Laughed. Opening night is Wednesday, November 10th at 8pm and runs through December 12th. This fine theather is located at 1706 Alamo Street.

Texas Art Asylum Opens Business in the First Ward

July 3rd, 2010 If you are looking for high quality reclaimed material for your next art project, then the Texas Art Asylum is your destination. Located at the corner of Houston Avenue and Dart Street, Texas Art Asylum is filled with beads, cigar boxes, frogs of all kinds, Fisher Price people, seashells, yarn, and the list goes on.

Walking through the store is like walking down memory lane. Many of the items will spark your memory and take you back in time. If you haven’t stopped in to shop around yet, you need to check this place out!

Ramona Brady, co-owner, opened for business May 22, and is happy with business so far. Word is getting out about this unique store among Houston’s artist community, and the store is a perfect fit for the First Ward. Future plans include offering art classes and doing community outreach programs with local area schools.

Visit www.texasartasylum.com for more information. Phone: 713-224-5220.
Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: 10AM – 6PM
Thursday – Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
Sunday: 1PM – 6PM

Prepare Now Before the Next Storm Hits

Hurricane season is here. Are you ready? Here are four important steps to take:

• Make a Plan - before a hurricane hits, families should determine if they are in an immediate flood zone and will need to evacuate, how to contact one another and where to meet in case of separation. Those who might be unsure whether their home can withstand hurricane force winds should locate nearby shelters such as a local church, workplace or neighborhood school for protection
• Build a Kit - food, water, first aid kits and other supplies to last three days should be on hand
• Stay Informed - residents should find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and manmade, are most likely to occur in their areas and how to best prepare for each one
• Know Your Neighbor - neighbors should talk about preparedness to be sure everyone has a plan and, if necessary, register for transportation assistance (See below for more details)

Residents who may need transportation assistance during an emergency evacuation are encouraged to register with the Emergency Transportation Assistance Registry with the City of Houston Office of Emergency Management (OEM). All persons who have registered for transportation assistance in previous years must re-register for assistance in 2010.

To register, individuals may choose from the following options:

• Online registration forms are available on the official City of Houston OEM website www.houstonoem.net. Click on the "Transportation Assistance" tab, complete the form and submit your information
• Paper registration forms were mailed to individuals who registered in 2009. Call Houston OEM directly at 713-884-4500
• Dial 2-1-1, the Texas/United Way Helpline, and follow the instructions provided

For more information and helpful tools for disaster preparedness, please see www.readyhoustontx.gov.

Transportation Master Plan

May 24, 2010 Super Neighborhood 22 (SN22), is a recognized council of civic clubs and community groups within a twelve-mile range between the White Oak and Buffalo Bayous and includes Washington Avenue and Memorial Park. The First Ward is one of the ten neighborhoods that make up SN22. The council serves as a forum where residents and stakeholders can discuss issues impacting their super neighborhood, reach a consensus on projects and develop a super neighborhood action plan (SNAP) for community improvements.

SN22 created a Transportation Committee that includes members from most of the neighborhoods within SN22 and advisory support provided by Christof Spieler, Citizens Transportation Coalition. Tami Merrick, Jeanette Chinelli, and Marci Perry represented the First Ward. This committee was tasked with developing a transportation master plan for our area that met the following goals:

• Accommodate mobility with inevitable increase in density
• Facilitate movement within SN22 and connections to other places
• Minimize transit footprint, neighborhood disruption, traffic impact, and pollution

All modes of transportation were considered such as freight rail, commuter rail, light rail, local transit, and hike & bike trails.

Click here to view this very important and relevant presentation.

10.10.10 Fundraiser

July 5, 2010 With your support and volunteer spirit, the First Ward Civic Council will be hosting our first ever, major fundraising event on October 10, 2010 at Winter Street Studios (time to still be determined). This 10.10.10 event will be called the First Bash.

The event will feature entertainment provided by Texas Johnny Boy with a special appearance by MECA. Area businesses will be on hand to promote their products and services. Delicious food for sampling will be provided by area restaurants.

We also plan to have artists in residence and area artists participate in a silent auction.

Sponsors as of this writing (and still growing):

• Martin Preferred Foods
• Boulevard Reality
• Winter Street Studios
• MECA
• OurBlok

What we need at this time is some volunteers! Join us on this WORKING committee. If you are not able to join the committee but would like to help with the event, please email Patrick McIlvain (Chair) at c.patrick8113@yahoo.com.

We will need assistance with:

• Event set up
• Event break down and clean up
• Art set up
• Silent auction assistance
• Manning First Ward and Tee-shirt tables
• Docents
• And many more

So come join us and make the First Bash an exciting and successful event! You will meet your neighbors, have fun, and feel proud in helping your neighborhood produce a quality fund raising event. We need all skills, knowledge, and know how. Everyone has something to offer. I look forward to working with you!

Fund Raiser at Dharma Cafe - A HUGE Success!

May 17, 2010 The First Ward fundraiser hosted by Dharma’s restaurant in May exceeded all expectations! The silent auction proceeds totaled almost $4,100.00 and every item donated sold. This money will be used to fund the First Ward Community Garden and to purchase “Welcome to the First Ward” sign toppers, as well as additional Art District sign toppers.

Special thanks to Dharma owners Susan Ralph and John Gurney for their endless support of the First Ward; to all of our local artists who donated their very special creations; to Elder Street Loft residents who stepped up and worked so very hard to make this event such a success; to the First Ward Community Garden committee members; to all who donated silent auction items; and of course, to all who attended and spent their hard earned money!

Contributions such as these help our community to grow in spirit, strength and quality of life every day. Thank you all!

Urban Harvest Fundraiser

April 8, 2010 “Movie Night in the Garden” was a great success. The First Ward Civic Council community garden hosted this event to benefit Houston’s Urban Harvest. This event was presented by Whole Foods Market, Inc. and featured the Academy Award nominated short documentary called “The Garden”.

The weather was perfect for the outdoor showing. Those who attended enjoyed touring the garden and catching up with their neighbors. Everyone received a goodies bag complements of Whole Foods that included, among other things, popcorn and drinks for the movie. Everyone also brought chairs or blankets and settled in to watch the excellent and thought provoking movie. All had a great time.

We would like to thank the community garden volunteers, Urban Harvest, and Whole Foods Market for all their hard work in putting on this fine event.

Houston Mayor, Annise Parker, Unveils First Ward Arts District Signs

March 27, 2010 The unveiling ceremony was a great success.  The weather was picture perfect for our gathering of neighbors and dignitaries.  MECA entertained us with their famous Mariachis.  They played and sang several wonderful songs.  Maui Wowi provided delightfully fruity smoothies and Dharma Café melt-in-your-mouth delicious blueberry scones.  InTown Homes, Bank of America, Sign-A-Rama on Durham, and Rob Griffith also sponsored the event – making the sign unveiling a success.

Mayor Annise Parker did the honors of unveiling our new First Ward Sign Toppers.  Also joining us was City Councilman Ed Gonzalez and U.S. Representative Shelia Jackson Lee.  Liaisons from the offices County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and State Representative Jessica Farrar were also in attendance.

These First Ward Sign Toppers are just the first step in our efforts to preserve our own identity and historic heritage.  For those of you who are new to the neighborhood, the First Ward is one of the four original wards established by Houston’s city government in 1840.  As such, it has a rich history, a blend of commerce and community that continues today and we are now the center for art galleries and studios as well home to Theater Lab Houston.

The First Ward Civic Council is committed to preserving our First Ward identity while embracing positive change within our neighborhood – change such as the new hike and bike trail on Spring Street, new retail, and the railroad safety/quiet zone to name a few.