The 2020~2021 North Shore Senior High School Scarlets Dance Team. Director Mrs. Audra E. Taylor & Assistant Director Ms. Angela Upshaw. (Allan Jamail Photo)
By Allan Jamail
January 12, 2021 – “Once a Scarlet, Always a Scarlet” is the motto of the Scarlets. The GPISD Scarlets is a dance team that perform at functions like varsity football and basketball games, pep rallies, community events and contest in the state. The Scarlets are composed of students from the 10th, 11th, and 12 grades of North Shore Senior High, with a junior varsity dance team called the Reserves, which is composed of the 9th graders.
The Scarlets have a Booster Club which supporters, fans and citizens can join for $8 a year. As a member of the booster club, you’ll receive information on upcoming Scarlet events and be invited to vote on fundraisers which is how they earn money to help offset costs or various items throughout the school year.
Harris County Branch Libraries Celebrates 100 years of Service and Continue modified services during the Pandemic.
This year HCPL celebrates the library’s first one hundred years and its commitment to remain a vital and vibrant asset for the people of Harris County. Edward Melton, HCPL’s Executive Director says, “The growth, progress and innovation you see in the library’s story over its first one hundred years mirrors that of Harris County.”
In preparation for their Centennial, HCPL librarians, for the first time, began systematically collecting and digitizing materials to document the library’s history. Their efforts resulted in the HCPL Digital Archive, an ongoing collection of photos, articles, scrapbooks, and videos of HCPL since 1921. Each month in 2021, the Archive will present digital exhibits to tell a specific story – bookmobiles, important people at HCPL, hurricanes and other disasters. It will also feature each of HCPL’s 26 branches throughout 2021, with detailed timelines that trace the library’s century long commitment to serve Harris County residents.
Although Harris County Branch Libraries have been closed to the public since the end of March 2020, the libraries have had alternatively a strong online presence by posting virtual programs to Facebook and Instagram pages. Since people can no longer walk into library buildings to browse books or utilize the rows of computers, the new curbside services have made it possible for citizens to still obtain materials and print needed documents.
Stratford, North channel, Jacinto City, Galena Park, High Meadows, and Aldine are only six of the twenty-six Harris County Branches that have adapted their services to meet their community’s needs. (more…)
School kids walking home with their parents stop to get candy and have their photo made with Jacinto City’s friendly Grinch. (Allan Jamail Photo)
By Allan Jamail
Jacinto City, TX. – December, 18, 2020 — Jacinto City’s elementary school kids have been getting a pleasant greeting from a friendly Grinch on their way home from school for the past three weeks.
The friendly Grinch, along with Henry, its helper, passes out Christmas candy canes along the sidewalk as the kids leave the school grounds. Parents walking with their kids want to take their photo and encourage them to not be afraid of the Grinch.
At school kids must wear masks to prevent catching or spreading the virus. And most are too young to understand why they could be in danger of the deadly and highly contagious disease.
Jacinto City’s Mayor Ana Diaz said, “I’m thrilled to see our city has citizens like the friendly Grinch sacrificing their time to make children happy at a time when there’s been so much worry and nervousness over the COVID-19 virus.”
The Grinch said, “One day while sitting on my porch watching the kids walk by, I was thinking how the pandemic has affected them in so many negative ways. So I figured everyone needs a little cheer and laughter to lift their spirits. I decided to be a friendly Grinch, not like the unfriendly Grinch who stole Christmas in the children’s story books.”
Precinct 2 Commissiioner Adrian Garcia and North Channel Chamber president Margie Buentello cut the ribbon to officially open the Rotary Park for public use.
CHANNELVIEW – Commissioner Adrian Garcia celebrates completion of one of the largest Playgrounds in Precinct 2, at an official Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Wednesday, December 9th at 10 am in the morning.
Officials attending the Opening Ceremony included Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Senator Carol Alvarado, and North Channel Area Chamber President Margie Buentello in attendance.
North Shore Rotary Park is located at 14000 Force St., Houston, TX 77015. The park was a project of the North Shore Rotary Club, with the partnership of Harris County Precinct 2.
Jacinto City Fire Department will hold a DRIVE THRU Winter Wonderland Experience on December 12.
Celebrations are different
By Jada Mier
Community Christmas plans have been affected by the ongoing global pandemic. There are a few places where they are either changing things up or are still pushing through despite the disease.
The Channelview Fire Department will be hosting a “Community Gift Card Drive”. Due to COVID restrictions, the Annual Community Toy Drive will only be collecting financial donations, which will be used to purchase Gift Cards to be passed out to those most in need until December 17.
Channelview Fire Department will also be holding a Christmas Parade on the 18th of December starting at 6pm.
Partnering with Free Will Baptist Church, Sheldon Community Fire and Rescue will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages. Donations will be accepted until December 20 at 8407 C.E King Pkwy, Houston, TX 77044.
Members of Troop 673 poses with a sun canopy that they will install as part of the Dog Pound improvements they have built this year.
By Jada Mier
The Jacinto City Dog Pound Rescue has been receiving help from Boy Scout Troop 673 for the past three years. The pound was in need of minor improvements, and new equipment.
This year on November 15th, the troop first gifted the pound with 3 beautiful blue benches. Judy Clarke, who currently runs the pound, says, “The dogs love to sit on the benches with us volunteers. We love them!”
When the troop saw the containers lack of room, they built shelves and re-organized. Not only did the troop make improvements, but they saw a need and provided.
A canopy tent, step ladder, and artificial turf were purchased with money from a fundraiser for the pound. New fencing was put up, and old fencing was repaired, to keep dogs from escaping. Maintenance tasks were also completed, like cleaning leaves and getting rid of a wasp nest.
At the end of the day, whatever leftover fundraiser money is given to the pound; this year it was a donation of $769.
North Shore Mustangs vs Deer Park Deers – Thurs, Dec. 10th @ 7:00 PM @ GPISD Stadium.
This is 1st round of the 6A Div. 1 Region 3 Bi-district play.
Galena Park Yellowjackets vs Barber Hills Eagles – Fri, Dec. 11th @ 7:00 PM @ GPISD Stadium.
This is 1st round of the 5A Div. 2 Region 3 Bi-district play.
Channelview Falcons vs CE King Panthers Fri. Dec.11th @ 7:00 PM @ Panther Stadium. This is 1st round of the 6A Div. 2 Region 3 Bi-district play
Houston, TX – December 2, 2020 Michelle Bonton the Executive Director of the Harris County Cultural Arts Council (HCCAC) announced the Council is making an old tradition new again by inviting east side residents on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.to enjoy a free Community Christmas Tree Lighting. The event will take place at 13334 Wallisville Rd, Houston and will feature vocalists, instrumentals, dance, and poetry, all rounded off by the lighting of a 12 foot Christmas tree. It will be the first time for such an event on the east side and organizers hope it will be the start of a new tradition for area families.
The HCCAC is the managing organization for the Harris County Cultural Arts Center. Many of us may know the Christian Tabernacle – location of the facility as Christian Tabernacle Church or, more fondly, CTAB. The church is being repurposed as a cultural venue and gathering place. The old prayer hall has been converted to make way for an art gallery.
The tree lighting is the 3rd event of what Executive Director Michelle Bonton hopes will be a long list of signature events designed to bring the community together and enhance the quality of life for residents in unincorporated east Harris County.
Bill Palko convinced others to play him at his first game of blackjack.
By Jada Mier
Jacinto City’s Town Center transformed into a casino for North Channel Chamber Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraiser. On Friday night, Local companies, North Shore Rotary, and Chamber members joined for a night of games and Chick-Fil-A. Poker, blackjack, and roulette were a few of the games played with funny money. A raffle took place with a chance to win a bucket of wine, a YMCA membership, and much more. Casino night scheduled to take place this August was postponed due to the coronavirus. Playing it safe, all attendees sported masks, and tables were set six feet apart. Bill Palko, the foundation’s chairman, explained that all the proceeds would be going to a 5,000-dollar scholarship. The scholarship is to be awarded to a local student studying in health care.
At Grayson Community Center, Pct. 2 Staff posed with turkeys as they got ready to give them to local families.
By Jada Mier
Harris County Precinct 2 — THURSDAY, November 19, 2020, Commissioner Garcia hosted “Turkey Thursday,” where he distributed turkeys to registered families. Each of 10 locations gave out 140 turkeys. This is the first time in Harris County history a precinct distributed a total of 1,400 turkeys in one day. “Turkey Thursday” was a project in prior years held exclusively at Irvington Park, but this year spread out across ten community sites.
Grayson Community Center was one of 10 Harris County Precinct 2 Community Centers to host this event. Staff members of Precinct 2’s Lean Grayson Community center worked distributing turkeys from 5-7 pm. Mario Anzaldua said this accommodation was made among the staff due to the heightening COVID-19 risks. He explained that there is always “fluff,” meaning extras, ten people who registered after the original 140 slots had been taken would also be receiving a turkey. Harris Health, also stationed at the location, gave out small bags of health products. Masks and hand sanitizer were given to all participants. After only an hour, 105 turkeys had been successfully given out.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, at center, poses with workers and volunteers that gave out these food boxes and Turkeys for Thanksgiving to 1400 families that registered their need.
Harris County Precinct 2 — Commissioner Adrian Garcia hosted “Turkey Thursday” last Thursday, where he distributed turkeys to families at 10 Harris County Precinct 2 Community Centers.
Each location gave out 140 turkeys to registered families. This is the first time in Harris County history a precinct distributes a total of 1,400 turkeys in one day.
“Turkey Thursday” was possible thanks to partnership with non-profit Precinct2Gether, HEB Grocery Stores, and Partners in Primary Care.
