February

Honoring the Best

H-GAC's 2008 Board of Directors is at work leading our organization as it addresses opportunities and needs of our region.  Much of what we do is designed to help our region enhance our quality of life while accommodating significant growth.

On Tuesday, February 19, the Board will be honoring eight outstanding parks and natural areas projects.  As population growth continues, parks and natural areas will be critical community assets, and their development will require continued planning and commitment by public and private groups.

The projects H-GAC will recognize are important in themselves, and they are also examples of the cooperative work being done every day across our region to enhance our quality of life today and tomorrow.

Jack Steele
Executive Director

H-GAC and the Office of the Secretary of State are co-sponsoring the 2008 Election Law Workshop on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at the Marriott Houston Hobby Airport.  This comprehensive workshop on how to conduct an election includes an overview of the updated Election Law Handbook.

A special presentation from the Office of the Secretary of State will be held in the morning for election officials.  The afternoon session will include the detailed update on election law and step-by-step procedures for conducting an election.  Click here for invitation and agenda.

Delores McKenzie, City Secretary at the City of Friendswood, will be honored at a special presentation at lunch for her dedication during more than 15 years of service with the Election Law Workshop

Please click here to register.

H-GAC is pleased to announce its 2007 Best Practices in Parks and Natural Areas Honor Award Winners.  These organizations have made significant contributions to the planning, acquisition and enhancement of parks and natural areas in the Houston-Galveston region.

Please join us at H-GAC's Board of Directors meeting as we recognize these innovative projects on February 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room A, with Reception following at 11:00 a.m. in Room B.

H-GAC received applications for these categories: Projects Over $500,000, Projects Under $500,000, and Planning.  Winning entries demonstrated collaboration between developers, local governments, and citizens, and were evaluated on innovation, merit, and regional impact.  Together, these projects impact approximately 150 acres and include master plans to double that amount.  Projects include initiatives to restore coastal wetlands to mitigate flooding, integrate natural areas in an urban setting, and develop community urban green space. Winners are: 

• Jim and JoAnn Fonteno Park, east Harris County Precinct 2
• Jarboe Bayou Shoreline Restoration Project, City of Clear Lake Shores, Galveston County
• Eleanor Tinsley Elementary School SPARK Park & Nature Center, Houston ISD
• Kickerillo Mischer Preserve Acquisition and Plan, northwest Harris County, Precinct 4

These projects are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the region: 

• Seabreeze Environmental Landfill Wetland Project, City of Angleton, Brazoria County
• Alice Staub Liddell Garden Project, Lynn R. Lowery Arboretum, Rice University
• Timber Lane Utility District Master Park Plan, North Harris County, Precinct 4
• North East Water Purification Plant Demonstration Garden Master Plan, City of Houston

Jury members included Robert L. Rayburn, ASLA, senior project manager for the Energy Corridor District; Rafael Longoria, registered architect and professor at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture; Kevin Shanley, president of The SWA Group; and last year's award winners, Margaret Robinson, ASLA, principal of Asakura Robinson Company, LLC; and Judson W. Robinson, Deputy Commissioner of Harris County Precinct 2.

This year's sponsors include the Bayou Preservation Association, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Harris County Improvement District No. 4 (Energy Corridor District), Sierra Club-Houston, The Park People, The Trust for Public Land, and Upper Kirby District

For information about H-GAC's Parks and Natural Areas Program, contact Kathleen Ramsey, PhD, at Kathleen.Ramsey@h-gac.com or 713-499-6653 or visit http://www.h-gac.com/PARKS . 

Thanks to a partnership of H-GAC, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and EPA, along with media partner KHOU-TV Channel 11, a new effort to raise the environmental IQ of the region is here and its name is Envirocast®.  Envirocast® was developed by StormCenter Communications, Inc. to raise the environmental IQ of America and it is now running in a number of cities across the United States.  A combination of live environmental newscasts and an accompanying web site make environmental information available and useful to the general public.
 
To provide general direction to the project, a Steering Committee has been established with representatives of H-GAC, Galveston Bay Estuary Program, Citizens Environmental Coalition, Bayou Preservation Association, Harris County, City of Houston, Harris County Flood Control District and Waste Management Inc.  The Steering Committee will soon work with StormCenter and outline the web site and identify content providers and experts who could be interviewed on location.

Envirocast® is expected to have an official launch by early April, to which dignitaries including H-GAC Board members and other local elected officials will be invited.  Envirocast® has been a success so far in north Texas; for those who want a preview of what our region will experience, please go to http://ktvt.iewatershed.com/.  For additional information, contact Carl Masterson at carl.masterson@h-gac.com or 713-993-4561.

The Houston Chapter of the Texas Economic & Demographic Association presents:

Census and More-What You Need to Know Now

Thursday, February 21, 2008
Houston Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
1801 Allen Parkway
Registration with continental breakfast 8:00 a.m.
Workshop 8:30 a.m.-12 noon

This information-packed TEDA/Houston workshop brings you a look at the latest developments and issues affecting data and programs we all rely on.

l      American Community Survey: We're about to get the first ACS three-year averages, to be followed quickly by five-year averages.  How does the Census Bureau suggest these data be used and explained to the public?  Given the size of some of the 90% confidence intervals for ACS data, does it make sense to construct time series?  Is ACS funding secure?

l     Census 2010: How have changing demographic patterns affected the 2010 census?  What problems lie ahead?  How can you participate in delineating census tracts?  Given the large confidence intervals for ACS data, why does the Census Bureau want to lower the optimal population of a census tract?  How can you help ensure a complete count for the area you serve?

l      Texas State Data Center: How has the state changed since the 2000 census?  What trends should concern us?  What is the future of the Texas State Data Center after its current funding expires next year?  What are the odds that it will be expanded or downsized and what would that mean?  Will it remain at UTSA? 

Registration is $20 per person for TEDA members and their guests, $15 for persons with current student identification, and $30 for all others.  Please register by email to teda@houston.org.  Include your name, firm or organization, mailing address, phone, and email address.  No cancellations after noon February 19.  Please make checks, to be submitted at the event, payable to TEDA/Houston.  No-shows will be invoiced.

For directions to the Fed's free parking, visit http://www.dallasfed.org/fed/direct_hou.pdf.

For more information, call Rita Ricard at 713-844-3620.

Visit TEDA/Houston at www.teda.org.

Each year, advertising and public relations agencies in our region compete for the prestigious ADDY awards for their creative works.  Each year, Gilbreath Communications enters products and campaigns of its best work, including some they have done for The WorkSource. Competition is fierce and only the best creative works come out winners.

This year, Gilbreath entered Harvey and the child care marketing campaign for employers and their employees. The campaign (child care financial assistance materials) received a Citation of Excellence in the category of Public Service Single Medium Campaign, and the Harvey postcard to employers won second place (a Silver ADDY) in the category of Public Service Direct Marketing. It is the first time The WorkSource has won in one of the top two ADDY categories!