Voice of Community-Minded People since 1976 October 3, 2013 Email: [email protected] www.southbeltleader.com Vol. 38, No. 35 SVFD seeks volunteers The Southeast Volunteer Fire Department is currently seeking volunteers. Interested par- Hobby $156 million international terminal begins ties should be between 18 and 60 years of age. increasing competition, boosting the local econ- not only literally breaking ground at Hobby Air- While experience is preferred, it is not neces- Houston Mayor Annise Parker joined repre- nations in the Caribbean, Mexico and the north- omy and strengthening the ties that already exist port, we are charting new territory for our com- sary, according to SVFD Chief Chuck Tylka. sentatives from Southwest Airlines for a ground- ern cities of South America. with our friends in Latin America,” says Parker. pany and for low cost and high value air travel,” “No prior training is required, only a strong breaking ceremony on Monday, celebrating the Parker, as well as local and state dignitaries, “And perhaps the best news of all, it comes at no said Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines. sense of community and the willingness to beginning of construction on a new $156 million joined Southwest Airlines employees in the brief expense to the Houston taxpayer.” “This will be Southwest’s fi rst international ter- sacrifi ce your time to help and serve,” Tylka international terminal at William P. Hobby Air- ceremony before construction work immediately The terminal project, fully funded by South- minal in our 43-year history, and we look for- said. port (HOU). began. west Airlines, includes a new fi ve-gate interna- ward to bringing lower fares and more interna- Volunteers train every Thursday evening Once completed, the fi ve-gate facility will “Establishing international air service at Wil- tional terminal, expansion of the existing secu- tional fl ights to a city that could benefi t from from 7 to 9 p.m. and on weekends at SVFD accommodate regional international fl ights for liam P. Hobby Airport will benefi t Houston pas- rity checkpoint, and upgrades to the Southwest increased competition.” Station No. 1, located at 10510 Scarsdale Southwest Airlines, with service reaching desti- sengers in a variety of different ways, including Airlines ticketing counter area. A 2012 study commissioned by the Houston Blvd. “With this new international terminal, we are Continued on Page 2A Prospective volunteers should attend a Thursday training session or visit www.south- County celebrates National Night Out eastvfd.com or call 281-922-5556 for more information. Drainage project goes out for bid A City of Houston project to provide exten- streets throughout the Sagemont community. Church bazaar Oct. 4-6 sive drainage and paving improvements to the The project will be in addition to and coordi- New Life Lutheran Church will hold its 22nd Sagemont area is set to go out for bid Thursday, nated with the long-awaited Hughes Road proj- annual fall crafts and barbecue Oct. 4, 5 and 6 Oct. 3. ect. Also a city CIP endeavor, the Hughes Road at the church located at 3521 E. Orange in Pear- Part of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan project will make drainage and paving improve- land (formerly King of Glory Lutheran Church (CIP), the endeavor will include the design and ments on Hughes Road from Beltway 8 to the on Fuqua). On Friday, there will be food only construction of storm drainage improvements, city limits near Sagemeadow. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday – food and necessary concrete paving, curbs, sidewalks, See future editions of the Leader for addition- crafts from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday – food driveways and underground utilities to several al information. and crafts from noon to 4 p.m. Indoor and outdoor crafts will be available, along with hourly prizes. Other activities will Annual Evening of Cuisine nears include raffl e tickets at $l each for Texans tick- ets and quilt or Kindle Fire, home-baked des- More than a dozen local vendors will be tak- event will feature music, live and silent auctions serts, and fun activities for children (Saturday). ing part in the South Belt-Ellington Chamber of and door prizes. For booth or event information, contact Char- Commerce’s annual Evening of Cuisine, set to Current prizes and auction items include a lotte Thurman at 281-485-1818 or visit www. take place Thursday, Oct. 10, at The Gardens, sectional sofa from Exclusive Furniture, the newlifelutheran.com. 12001 Beamer, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. chance to name two area streets, Houston Astros Now in its 16th year, the event gives attendees tickets, an overnight stay at Casa Del Mar ho- Festival, health fair at Jessup a chance to sample a wide variety of food from tel in Galveston, a ride on a fi re truck, Kemah Jessup Elementary will hold its Fall Festival area restaurants. Boardwalk passes, a two-night stay at the NASA and Health Fair on Friday, Oct. 18, from 4 to Newcomers to this year’s event include Sa- Hilton hotel, tickets to Space Center Houston, 6:30 p.m. This is a time to have some fun and vannah Café & Bakery, Barcenas Mexican Res- rounds of golf from the Golfcrest Country Club, be provided with health and wellness screen- taurant and Buttercream Dreams. a two-night stay at Caesar’s Palace in Las Ve- ings. Returning favorites include Outback Steak- gas, tickets to Sea World, Houston Ballet tickets, Jessup is located at 9301 Almeda Genoa. house, H-E-B Blackhawk, San Jacinto College Houston Grand Opera tickets, Houston Sympho- For additional information regarding ticket Culinary Department, Casa Olé, Cakelicious, ny tickets and gift cards to Perry’s restaurants, sales, booth setup, or volunteer participation Rene’s Catering, Fox and Hound Smokehouse & Longhorn Steakhouse and Gringo’s. or help, contact Val Noland at 713-740-0616. Tavern, Scotty’s Pub, Egg & I and Silver Eagle Dining tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at Distributors. the door and are available at the chamber, 10500 St. Luke’s holds food drive Harris County offi cials celebrated the 30th annual National Night Out Tuesday, Oct. 1, Awards will be given to best entree, best des- Scarsdale; H-E-B, 9828 Blackhawk; and the at the county annex located at Scarsdale and Beamer. The event featured speakers, live sert, best decorated, rookie of the year, people’s Leader offi ces, 11555 Beamer. St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church is music by the band Bare Necessity (featuring South Belt residents), cheer performances, choice and best of show. For more information, call chamber Executive now holding a Thanksgiving food drive to voter registration and food and drink. Organizers said they hope to make the event an In addition to the all-you-can-eat cuisine, the Director Sally Mitchell at 281-481-5516. assist families in the area. Donations of non- annual function. Shown above at the event are Harris County community aide David Mat- perishable food can be brought to the church thews (representing Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee’s offi ce), Judge Jo Ann office at 11011 Hall Road Monday through Delgado and Harris County Precinct 2 Constable Chris Diaz. Also attending the event Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations can were Curtis Lampley from the Harris County Flood Control District and representatives also be dropped off at the church entrance from the Southeast Volunteer Fire Department, local civic clubs and the Houston Police Dixie Farm ditch overgrows before Mass on Saturday or Sunday. The food Department. See related photos on Page 2A and Page 6A. Photo by Marie Flickinger drive will continue through Friday, Nov. 22. Contact St. Luke’s Social Services at 281- 481-6816 with any questions about the Thanksgiving food drive. Martin to hold town hall Oct. 7 Burnett festival seeks vendors Houston City Council Member Dave Martin tions the public may have. Burnett Elementary will host its annual fall will host a town hall meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, Cindy Harreld with the Clear Lake Area carnival on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at the University of Hous- Chamber of Commerce will also attend to give 2 p.m. There will be festival games, refresh- ton-Clear Lake, Garden Room located at 2700 a brief update relating to business growth and ments, music and a silent auction. Funds Bay Area Blvd. community partnerships that add to the vital- raised from this event will be used to enhance The community is invited to attend to hear ity and quality of life throughout the Clear student and teacher programs by providing from city and community representatives about Lake community. Additionally, Collin Pier with resources and materials. ongoing projects, issues and community news Trendmaker Homes will present the company’s The festival is also seeking vendors to sell related to the southeast Houston and Clear Lake plan to build more than 700 single family home their crafts/items. To reserve a booth for $25, areas of the city. sites in Clear Lake as well as to address ques- or $30 for a booth with electrical access (lim- “I encourage residents to attend to learn valu- tions regarding the impact it may have on the ited number available), call Teresa Abel at able information relating to their community as existing community and its residents. 713-740-0536. well as to take the opportunity to ask city repre- Attendees will also have the opportunity to sentatives and myself questions regarding proj- be introduced to the new commander of the U.S.