Our DH Streets

OurDHStreets Highlights: deecolonize.com

2012-01-10T23:29:00.000-08:00

www.deecolonize.com
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this is the new website of our main contributor and editor! Please check out dee!colonize's work ~ she is from dh and will be addressing issues, announcing events, and giving opinions on topics that impact the OurDHStreets community along with sharing her poetry & daily musings.

support local artistry!

Salsa Spectacle - TONIGHT & tomorrow!

2011-10-28T11:45:00.000-07:00

Salsa Spectacle - TONIGHT & tomorrow!

It's Hot Hot Hot!!!

2011-08-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Off Lyons Avenue in Denver Harbor

Is it hot or is it hot?! I went out about 1pm & 4pm and my thermometer read between 108 and 110..and it shows! We hope everyone is taking precautions to keep cool and feel good! The key elements for DH kids and adults alike should be H2O! Keep it steadily streaming through the body, because more than any spruced up (probably with some chemicals or sugars) drink can ever provide, WATER does all that and then some. Stay hydrated!

As many of our kiddos were off during the Summer, the DH Bloggers took to brainstorming in the shade!

See You Soon With New Stories & Events that Affect & Reflect Our DH Streets!

And in the meantime, check out these FACEBOOK Pages that deal with our Community:

Denver Harbor Fan Page

You Know U From Denver Harbor When...

Denver Harbor Civic Club

OurDHStreets Spotlights: Poet Radames Ortiz

2011-06-24T13:11:00.000-07:00

I sat along the wall of booths inside of Jacales Restaurant perusing the menu as I waited for poet / writer / artist Radames Ortiz to meet me. I looked over notes and recalled videos of him I’d youtubed for our meet up as the waitress politely asked me if I’d like more tea. After a few more people scrambled in, Radames made his entrance with the same contemplative look that makes him stand out, spotted me waving from the corner, and made his way over to our table. He was wearing the baseball cap he’d promised to wear so we’d be able to recognize each other, which made me laugh, since I’d been audience to a good handful of his performances around Houston over the last 2 years. I was intrigued from the get-go and was eager to know what made this raised-in-D.H. poet tick.

OurDHStreets: You have a quote by Dana Gioia on your blog that reads “Anyone attentive to the new popular poetry sees the antithesis--the death of the text. American culture conditioned by electronic media and a celebrity culture based on personalities has given birth to a new kind of author, the amplified bard.”

Can you explain this quote and why it came to be part of your arsenal?

Radames: The quote describes how writers have started their own personal branding. With technology and social media, our personalities are “amplified” and we have more control than ever in developing our brands. For example, I have a digital self - a fractured self like my avatar and my social networks. In starting my blog I finally had a space to bridge all of these selves. I think the image of my avatar transmitting poetry to a laptop and a laptop transmitting my work to the rest of the world is a good depiction of “the amplified bard.”

OurDHStreets: You’ve worked with Writers in the Schools before. Tell me about this organization and its programs. What personal things did you gain from working with this great organization?

Radames: Writers in the Schools is a nonprofit in Houston which helps different level students engage with the power and joy of writing. WITs normally places a writer in a classroom who works with a teacher and help students explore creative writing whether it’s fiction or poetry. I taught students in the 3^rd, 6^th, and 8^th grades.

My main takeaways from my teaching experiences were: 1. Some students are eager to write and they are creative and very talented. 2. The role of writer as teacher is extremely important and necessary in the public school system.

OurDHStreets: You are one of the few poets in Houston who incorporates music in your performances. Why do you find this music / word fusion necessary?

Radames: The idea behind my poetry / music collaboration with Jonathan Jindra is that we wanted to enhance the audience’s experience. Our upcoming poetry cd, Ratlines, is a multimedia project. Since technology is so readily available, we wanted to create a multi-sensory experience. When the cd comes out, it will include audio, an ebook, video and artwork.

Jonathan is an electronic music composer, so he created this great ambient soundscape to accompany my poetry. When we perform live, we like to overload the senses. We bombard our audience with poetry, music and video projections in order to create a different type of poetry reading.

OurDHStreets: What muses inspire your art? How have your themes evolved over time?

Radames: In the beginning, I wrote mostly about my childhood experiences. Like the old adage says, “Write what you know,” right? In these early poems, I wrote about the way I experienced the world around me. I’m a narrative poet. I guess it makes sense since I initially wanted to be a short story writer but like my girlfriend at the time told me, I just wasn’t “good at it.” But I always carried over those narrative qualities over to my poetry. At first, it was about capturing experiences like the way I grew up, and then I moved to writing about what others experienced.

Currently, I’m focusing on the theme of addiction. For some reason, I’m interested in how others handled and have been affected by their demons. When I was younger, I experienced the drug counterculture, later I spent some time in rehab. So, I got to witness firsthand how addiction can affect people’s lives.

OurDHStreets: I see from your day job at Schipul – The Web Marketing Company and your social network accounts that you are interested in the huge scope that is social media and I see you are a regular blogger and poster on Facebook as well - can you comment on the impact that social media and networking has had on poetry?

Radames: I think one of the benefits of using social media as a writer is the opportunity to connect with your audience and the poetry community. The act of writing is still a solitary act but being a writer doesn’t have to be anymore. There are many places to connect with other poets and your audience. For example, I am member of the Houston Poetry group on Facebook where local poets in the area share information, talk shop and promote poetry readings and events. Also, I’m an avid tweeter and I follow a lot of great poetry organizations like @harriet_poetry the twitter feed of the Poetry Foundation’s blog as well as @poetswritersinc the twitter feed of Poets and Writers. Through these various networks, I feel like I’m part of a community and not so alone as a writer anymore.

But the greatest benefit of social media and the internet is that it gives us a different distribution channel. For example, we no longer have to depend on traditional publishing houses to get our work out to the world. Social networks and the internet have made it easy to share one’s work to a larger audience. Truthfully, I get more exposure when I publish my work online as opposed to traditional print journals, which let’s be honest, are mostly read by other poets. Publishing online gives readers instant access to your work and social networks gives them the opportunity to be exposed to your personal brands.

Don’t get me wrong. All this technology can’t make you a better poet. You still have to do the work, put in the hours, like poet Carol Muske-Dukes says you must have “an absolute commitment to the art and craft.”

OurDHStreets: Tell me about living in Denver Harbor?

Radames: It’s a funny thing but I was literally born in Denver Harbor. My parents didn’t have insurance and my mom was still illegal at the time of my birth, so they hired a midwife for about $300 to help deliver me. My dad still has the receipt the midwife gave him. So, I was born in a garage apartment on Gazin Street. Anyway, I lived in D.H. from the day I was born until I was 17 years old.

D.H. has definitely made me the person I am in good and bad ways. The neighborhood was rough sometimes. There were race wars between the blacks a lot. Also it didn’t help that I eventually became a vegan skateboarder and listened to pop punk. My friends and I definitely didn’t feel like we belonged here and we didn’t belong in other neighborhoods like Montrose either - since we were a bunch of brown kids f*cking up business properties when we skated.

But growing up here gave me a lot material to write about when I eventually began writing poetry. I carried with me these broken sidewalks, the rumbling train horns, the race riots, the sensuous smell of tortillas from Porras.

I eventually left the neighborhood, dropped out of school, got a GED and ultimately graduated from college with a B.A. in English. But I will always have a connection to these D.H. streets.

OurDHStreets: These are just extra questions that I ask every person I interview for the blog. Answer anyway you want. - You grew up in this neighborhood. What things have changed or are changing that stand out to you? What can you say about these changes?

Radames: I really love that there is a skate park in front of Cliff Tuttle library now. We use to have to skate up and down Lyons, shredded the curb at Popeyes. So, it makes me extremely proud that the neighborhood is accepting countercultures. I’d like to believe that my generation of skaters had a hand in that. The idea of kids skating instead of having stupid race wars or being in gangs makes me joyful.

I also see that the neighborhood still remains primarily Latino; which is a natural instinct i.e. creating tribes. But, it’s great to see there are people like you who interested in transitioning and building pride for the neighborhood.

OurDHStreets: What do you hope for yourself / Denver Harbor / and the community in the future?

Radames: I’d like to lead a poetry workshop at the library here and hold a poetry reading / skateboarding exhibition in the skate park. I think it would be an awesome event. Poetry and skating! Things can’t get better than that.

As for the neighborhood, I want it to continue building pride in itself. When you grow up here, you are taught to stay loyal to the hood, to show your colors and that’s fine. But I hope with the new initiatives you are leading, the revitalization efforts you are creating, people here will be more proud where they came from and to never forget.

OurDHStreets: Would you share a poem or two with us?

Radames: I would love to.

Rough Travels

In sixth grade, Lupe and I skipped eighth period.

We hid beneath shacks, tiny pebbles in our mouths

and waited for the bell to ring.

When Mr. Duncan never looked for us

we cut across the football field, jumped over a barbwire

fence. Our bodies brown and strong,

chests heaving like red balloons.

We smashed bottles against walls

of old tire factories. Echoes of broken glass

rung throughout the sky. We were

boys who wanted out; a place of our own

like the twisted valleys across the border.

We talked nonsense: Metallica and kick-flips,

of Erica’s breasts staring at us.

A train horn exploded inside our chests,

Our pounded cheeks, our clobbered ears

detected opportunity. We ran out

to the tracks, eager to greet the iron cattle

stampeding through streets. Like thieves,

we waited for the perfect moment.

Our grins slicing our faces,

the whiteness of palms bruised red.

A pair of fuming buffaloes, we charged the train.

Our hands gripping ladders, clutching

to metal rails. We rode

through neighborhoods like birds,

past blurred telephone poles in rain.

We blew kisses to mamasitas wearing

red-skirts and blue-eye shadow.

I dreamt these endless train rides,

would take us past the horizon.

To shed our ghosts on the thick grass

of playgrounds, to pull us

into a great cloud of dust.

Until Lupe and I were no more.

Black Girl Pain

Between McReynolds, my old middle school
& a bridge arched over I-10, I
helped beat a black girl with hair
curled-up & skin purple as a plum.
Back then the Browns stayed on the Eastside
sporting Raiders caps & jeans draped
on hips. While the Blacks, with raised fists,
shouted us to go home, across the border.
The train track, a black strip of iron,
divided the neighborhood into countries.
One side—KRS 1 dropping beats out of purple mini-trucks.
The other—boleros blaring out of men drunk
on wooden porches. But on that day, a black
girl walked on fresh grass, heading towards
a grandmother deep in the barrio. & us,
ignorant with hate, became mob of brown fists
& rocks. She stood with crescent arms
showing the world the power of her skin.
Her pinned-up hair set free. She swayed
& seemed almost to fly into smoky air,
almost to be superb in clouded sky.
& despite our kicking, our shouting
no newspaper reported the strength
gleaming from her bruised face.

You can hear Radames Ortiz read some of his poetry on the radio by tuning in on Tuesday, June 28 at 7:30 PM to the Nuestra Palabra show on 90.1 FM

http://www.nuestrapalabra.org/

Bio: Radames Ortiz's work has appeared in numerous literary journals including, Gulf Coast, Texas Observer, Open City, Hayden's Ferry Review, Cortland Review, and Exquisite Corpse. His work has also been collected in various anthologies which include: US Latino Literature Today, Regeneration: Telling Stories from Our Twenties, and Is This Forever, Or What?: Poems and Paintings from Texas. He was nominated for a 2003 Pushcart Prize. He was also awarded a 2003 Archie D and Bertha Walker fellowship from the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. He was the 2006-2008 Naomi Shihab Nye Scholar and was a featured poet at the Poetry at Roundtop Festival. You can follow him on twitter @radameso and read his blog at http://theamplifiedbard.blogspot.com/

Dia De La Mujer Latina: Fiesta de Salud

2011-05-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

2011 Denver Harbor Cook Off- UPDATED INFORMATION!!!!

2011-03-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

DH Ticker: March 26th is DH Clean Up Day!

2011-03-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

Spring is near and that means going through all the shelves, nooks, and crannies, and getting rid of the dust bunnies that have started multiplying over the Winter! This time of year is also a great time to do a little neighborhood cleaning, so Denver Harbor Civic Center is excited to invite all residents (and friends) to...

Saturday, March 26, 2011 has been designated as DENVER HARBOR CLEAN-UP Day! Grab your gloves and lend a hand to Keep Denver Harbor Clean! Meet at 5800 Old Clinton Dr. at 9am! Presented by the Denver Harbor Civic Club.

For more info, email dphinojosa@hotmail.com.

Almost Time for the Annual DH Cook Off- Still Registering Teams!!!

2011-03-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

Denver Harbor Cook-off

Saturday, April 2, 2011

RAIN or SHINE!

Palmer’s Ice House

I-10 E @ Wayside Houston, TX 77020

General Cook-off information

Time: 7am – 6pm (Guest invited from 11-6)

Entry Fee: $50.00 per parking space (approx 10 x 18, enough for a pop up tent, and pit.) 2 spaces max. Site must be clear by 6pm, however you are invited to stay as long as you like inside Palmer’s.

SPACE IS LIMITED!!! First come, first serve!

Events: Enter one category, or enter all!

11am Salsa*

12 pm Chili

2pm Chicken

3pm Wildcard (Anything Goes!)

4pm Awards

There will also be an award for showmanship. (Cleanliness, booth appearance, hospitality)

All Entries must be prepared on-site, no-pre-marinades.

*Salsa may be prepared off-site (due to electricity). Salsa must be prepared by a team member and must be homemade, within 6 hrs of turn-in. Your word is good with us.

Awards:

All Categories 1^st – 5th place Showmanship 1^st place only

Safety

It is the team captain’s responsibility to be mindful of safety and the behavior at their respective tents. Unacceptable behavior may result in being asked to leave the cook-off area. Cook-off Committee, Palmer’s Ice House or Sponsors will not be responsible for any theft, damage, or injury.

NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY BE BROUGHT ONTO THE PROPERTY.

You may bring water.

This is a family oriented event. Teams responsible for their own water and ice.

Payment:

Send a Check or Money Order to: Daniel Hinojosa along with the Info below. Also taking cash!!

Contact Daniel at 713.373.6703 or dphinojosa@hotmail.com

By paying your entry fee, you agree to all rules and regulations. *This is a family oriented event.*
Team Name:
Team Captain Name:
Telephone Number:
Email:

DH Ticker: Music Fusion @ Echo This Weekend

2011-02-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Last week, we met Jesus & Stephen of Los Guerreros de la Musica (LGM) -see post here- & the guys wanted to let DH know that LGM along with A-19, Super Pancho Combo, and Amir Bel-Ami will be having a show downtown at Echo (formerly Jet Lounge) this coming Saturday, February 26th, 2011. Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 9pm, & only $5 to see 4 amazing bands!

Put on your dancing shoes and come party with LGM and the rest!

Echo (fomerly Jet Lounge)

1515 Pease St.
18 & Up welcomed

Visit the Facebook Event Page to check out the bands & Invite Your Friends tambien!!

DH Ticker: Local Band- The Dukes - Looking for Bassist & Guitarist

2011-02-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

Local Band in Denver Harbor- The Dukes- are looking for a new bassist & guitarist to join their 8 part ensemble which includes a horn section. The are requesting someone who can play all types of music - specifically, you must be able to play Tejano, Motown, Blues, and Country.
They get along great & have performed mostly at Festivals around Houston.
They practice every Tuesday @ 7pm.
For more information- Contact Duke @ 713-679-0384.

OurDHStreets Spotlights (& Shows Love to): Jesus Romero & Stephen Araujo of Los Guererros de la Musica

2011-02-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

2011 is the year for Los Guerreros de la Musica (LGM) - a group of 7 young musicians that have fused all of their respective tastes and experiences to create a very fresh and not-to-be-labeled style. Two of the band members, Jesus ‘El Guero’ Romero and Stephen Araujo, have roots in Denver Harbor & took the time to sit down with me to share how they came together as a band, their musical stylings, and where they see themselves and the community in the years to come.

Los Guerreros de la Musica formed in 2009, yet Jesus and Stephen had been exploring their musical niches even prior to meeting in 1995 at John H. Reagan High School. Jesus recanted that one of the first people to open his eyes to music outside of rock/metal/cumbia was Mr. Allen from McReynolds Middle School. He described how the sound of the trumpet entered his ears and how it just became a part of him. Stephen said that his aunt bought him a toy drum set when he was about 8 years old, and he bashed that one up until he was 13 and a friend convinced him to save up his quarters and buy a new drum set. He started a band and delved into punk and rock styles. At Reagan High, he was accidentally checked into band- and was told by the band director, Mr. Hoon, that he’d have to participate in the first marching band parade before he could decide to check out. He participated and he was hooked. That is where he met Jesus. With their friendship came 6 to 7 hour long jam sessions where they found their courage and realized how well they vibed as musicians. In high school, Jesus began being mentored by Mr. Guerra, who taught him the fundamentals of Mariachi music from Son, Guapango, to traditional ballads. This only gives insight into one side of LGM’s melodic foundation.

To hear Los Guerreros de la Musica is like indulging in a ‘musical goulash’, as Stephen explained it. A look at their facebook fan page confirms their genre as a blend of ‘Spanish Rock, Cumbia, Funk, Tropical, Reggae, Jazz, Ballad, and Improvisation. The thing that makes LGM stand out, on top of the fusion of the music, is that their lyrics are en Español. I asked them about this, as English are both of the guy’s first languages and the way they mainly communicate. Jesus explained that he learned more Spanish in high school through Soccer and the Mariachi scene and when he first began writing poetry, it came naturally in that tongue. We also talked about how many Spanish words can have double meaning- see Cantinflas- and how Jesus never shied away from using the language to express himself – regardless of how others might perceive him for it. “We play what we feel inside, and if people like it, it’s just a bonus!”

I also asked the guys about how growing up in Denver Harbor influences their music and who they are. Stephen told me that he lived between DH and the Heights, and how you could tell the difference between how the people interacted in the two neighborhoods. “In DH the neighbors all knew each other” and he feels it’s helped him to stay grounded after all these years. Jesus said that he appreciates what he went through living in Denver Harbor and that he makes sure to make everyone feel welcomed around him because that’s what it was like for him in DH. He also said that growing up here has helped him keep close to his Mexican culture- and we at OurDHStreets say, they’re open, friendly, and cultural pride is very noticeable in all the right ways!

For other musicians and artists, Jesus and Stephen gave a few words of advice and experience. In their avisos, we couldn’t help but tie it to the way you should deal with all things and people in your life, so I list them as a ‘how to’ for every relationship- band or other:

1. Keep an open mind – If they would have closed themselves to certain people in the band due to their musical background, they wouldn’t have the sound that sets them apart now.

2. Trust each other- You have to know that the people around you are reliable.

3. Find people that are on your level- Jesus shares that there are a lot of talented people, yet it doesn’t always mean that you will mesh well together.

4. Communicate- Stephen says that you have to remember that [we] all have feelings, so you need to talk.

5. Heart- Stephen explains that all of LGM are dedicated and hard workers.

6. Attitude- Both guys say you have to have a good onda, because it reflects in the sound.

When asked what changes they have seen in DH and what they see for our streets in the future, Stephen said that he feels people are starting to think more, that the youth show respect, and that people seem to have drive and energy to make changes. Jesus says that he feels that DH was a lot tougher when he was growing up and that people who live here have begun to branch out. Like Stephen, he sees the potential the young have and shared that one of his goals in the coming years is to form a network with other DH residents and like-minded people to create a center for the arts here locally- not just for music, but to build community.

So, with all these thoughts and musical powers combined, Jesus is cranking out tunes on the trumpet, writing music, and doing vocals while Stephen takes care of all percussion instruments and live audio for Los Guerreros de la Musica. Along with the rest of the band, they have a lot coming up this year.

Please make sure to check their links below for upcoming performances, but most definitely look out for them at this year’s iFest: Journey Across Asia! They will be performing on the Latin Stage on May 8^th at 4:00PM! Come out and vibe with the energetic, distinct, and invigorating music of LGM!

http://theLGMwebsite.com/

http://www.facebook.com/LosGuerrerosDeLaMusica/

http://www.myspace.com/GuerrerosDeLaMusica

http://www.youtube.com/GuerrerosDeLaMusica

http://twitter/LGMusica/

♥

Be Prepared For the Cold Weather

2011-02-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

It's really cold out there DH'ers! Here is a bit of information about the weather for the upcoming days and helpful links in case anyone needs them. Bundle up, Keep an eye on the heater, Make sure the pipes are covered or that the faucets are left slightly on, bring the pets in, and cover the plants!
Be safe out in the streets, mi gente.

-OurDHStreets

Office of Disaster Preparedness & Response

Greetings!

The National Weather Service had reissued a hard freeze warning for tonight. Temperatures today will only increase into the low to mid 30s. Temperatures will quickly fall again into the teens and low 20s tonight into Thursday morning.

Beginning Thursday, moisture is expected to override the colder surface air which may support the development of frozen precipitation on Thursday night into Friday morning. Most of the precipitation should fall as snow for inland areas with expected accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Surface temperatures are expected to be in the mid 20s to lower 30s through the duration of this weather event. This means that roadways, especially elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses, are more likely to become icy and hazardous Thursday night and Friday morning.

Remember the 4 P's during this hard freeze:

Pipes
Plants
Pets
People

Harris County-Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

IM's Office of Disaster Preparedness & Response (ODPR) will deploy to Harris County's Emergency Operation Center Thursday ahead of tomorrow's impending winter weather precipitation. If your house of worship or non-profit responds to needs in our community due to the weather, please contact Jennifer Posten at Jposten@imgh.org to report the conditions that your organization has responded to. Communications are critical for coordination and situational awareness. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Did your power go out today?

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has instructed utilities to begin rotating outages to compensate for a generation shortage due to numerous plant trips that occurred because of the extreme weather. Rotating outages are controlled, temporary interruptions of electric service, typically lasting 10-45 minutes per neighborhood. The locations and durations are determined by the local utilities. Critical need customers such as hospitals and nursing homes are generally not included. It is not known at this time how long the need for rotating outages will last.

Consumers and businesses are urged to reduce their electricity use to the lowest level possible, including these steps:

§ Limit electricity usage to only that consumption which is absolutely necessary. Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment.

§ Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible.

§ Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing non-essential production processes.

See more conservation tips at "Powerful Advice," Public Utility Commission of Texas: www.puc.state.tx.us./ocp/conserve

Helpful Winter Websites

http://www.safeschoolalerts.org - The official site for school district alerts in the Houston/Harris County
region

http://www.houstontranstar.org/ - Real time traffic conditions, maps and freeway cameras for the Houston/Harris County region

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/ - The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office for Houston/Galveston region

http://www.readyharris.com - Regional Joint Information Center for timely and accurate information when emergency conditions exist in the greater Harris County area

DH Ticker: DH Resident & Poet to speak on Nuestra Palabra- 90.1 KPFT Tonight!

2011-02-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

Ticker Announcement:

Listen in to radio show Nuestra Palabra tonight!!- 90.1FM KPFT @7:30PM to hear about the upcoming Word Around Town Poetry showcase featuring poet/activist/writer Deniz Lopez - who is from Denver Harbor & helps maintain the Our DH Streets community website!

DH Ticker: Denver Harbor Cook Off 2011 Date Announced!

2011-01-31T09:45:00.000-08:00

Ticker Announcement:

2011 Denver Harbor Cook-Off Event date has been announced!!

Saturday April 2nd @ Palmers Ice House!

Email dphinojosa@hotmail.com for more information! Palmer's Ice House Re-Opens this Friday Night (2/4/11)!

It's Childhood Immunizations Time Again!

2011-01-14T09:38:00.000-08:00

From CitizenNet-Connecting Houston:

It's Childhood Immunizations Time Again!

The Houston Fire Department (HFD) and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van Program are teaming up again in 2011 to offer FREE childhood immunizations at area HFD Fire Stations and other locations.

This is the perfect opportunity to get your children up-to-date on their immunizations because all childhood vaccines (from birth to 18 years) will be provided and FREE children's flu shots will also be available.

Just bring your children and a copy of their immunization records to one of the following locations between 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. on the dates listed below.

Parents or guardians MUST accompany their children.

2011 Winter/Spring Clinics

Date Location Address

Thursday, January 20 HFD Fire Station 44 675 Maxey Road

Thursday, February 3 Larkin Community Center 5410 Larkin Street

Thursday, February 17 Kingdom Builders Family Life Center 6011 W. Orem

Thursday, March 3 HFD Fire Station 29 4831 Old Galveston Road

Thursday, March 17 HFD Fire Station 44 675 Maxey Road

Thursday, April 7 Larkin Community Center 5410 Larkin Street

Thursday, April 21 Kingdom Builders Family Life Center 6011 W. Orem

Thursday, May 5 HFD Fire Station 29 4831 Old Galveston Road

Thursday, May 19 HFD Fire Station 44 675 Maxey Road

For more information please contact the Houston Fire Department Public Affairs Office at 713.495.7900.

For additional locations please visit the Care Van website: www.carevan.org

To download the clinic flyer, click the link here: http://www.houstontx.gov/citizensnet/2011immunization-eng.pdf

To download the Spanish version of the clinic flyer, click the link here: http://www.houstontx.gov/citizensnet/2011immunization-span.pdf

Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives! Test Yours Today!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted to OurDHStreets by: MGC - Thank you!!!

A Denver Harbor Holiday Toastada and Toy Drive

2010-12-14T11:17:00.000-08:00

Join Palmer's Ice House on Thursday, Dec. 16th from 6 - 9(ish) pm for a Holiday Toast and Toy Drive!

The Facebook event page says-

We'll have door prizes like sweet gift certificates, great drink specials from Palmer's , live DJ, and a chance to see good friends again.
No cover.
Bring an unwrapped gift to donate, and we'll make sure Denver Harbor area families who may be in need have a brighter Christmas!!

For more information or to donate a door prize, contact Daniel - dphinojosa@hotmail.com
Presented by your friends at Palmer's Ice House - Kathy Talamantez and the Texas Cyclone Cookers

Picket for Oscar Grant this Weekend in Houston- 2202 St. Emmanuel

2010-11-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

Join All Communites Against Brutality (ACAB) this Saturday, November 6, 2010 @ 1pm as they Demonstrate in support of Oscar Grant, his family, and friends:

ACAB invites the community to take part in this National call for Oscar. We are interested in keeping a peaceful demonstration and creating a space for our gente to come together to talk about Oscar's case, about their own thoughts on the true role of police in our neighborhoods, call for an end to police violence, and most importantly, to build connections with each other around the issue of police brutality- that we can all be affect by- just like Oscar- at any moment.

For more info about Oscar's case- See Below:

http://www.californiabeat.org/2010/11/03/sentencing-nears-for-ex-bart-cop-johannes-mehserle
Sentencing nears for ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle-

By Tashina Manyak, Steven Luo and Jennifer Courtney

On Friday morning, one of the final chapters of a tragic high-profile Bay Area story will be written.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge is set to sentence former BART Police Officer Johannes Mehserle on Friday for the shooting death of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station platform on January 1, 2009.
The incident was captured on numerous video recorders and disseminated throughout the world. The video sparked widespread protests and rioting throughout Oakland in the days following the shooting. Later, protests broke out in response to the jury’s decision to convict Mehserle of involuntary manslaughter with a weapons enhancement — and acquit him of murder — in June.
Mehserle is white, while Grant was black. The controversy over the killing took on racial overtones and unleashed long-held animosity between city residents and law enforcement.
The former officer, now 28, has been jailed at a Downtown Los Angeles jail since the day the verdict, awaiting sentencing for the crime.
Judge Robert Perry, who presided over the trial, will sentence Mehserle, who could be sentenced to anything from probation to a maximum of 14 years in state prison.
The involuntary manslaughter verdict angered members of Grant’s family and prosecutors, who argued that Mehserle murdered Grant when he drew his firearm and shot the unarmed 23 year-old father once in the back, killing him. Mehserle’s defense contended the action was a mistake and that the former officer meant to Tase Grant when he drew his service weapon instead of the Taser.
The jury agreed, in part, with the defense argument that the shooting was accidental when it came to a verdict of involuntary manslaughter. Legal experts said that the weapons enhancement charge was a compromise solution for the jury.

Dueling public relations campaigns

The families of Grant and Mehserle have undertaken very public and bold steps at soliciting public support before Friday’s scheduled sentencing.

Grant’s family has urged Perry to seek the maximum sentence for Mehserle, a 14-year stint behind bars.
The family has drawn support from the International Longshoreman’s Worker’s Union, whose members shut down operations at the Ports of San Francisco and Oakland for one day in September in a public display in favor of the maximum sentence.
“We want justice,” said Christopher McKay, an International Longshore and Warehouse Union worker. ”We want [Mehserle] to serve his time just like anybody else would serve their time — to the fullest extent of the law.”
The union’s organized community events put together to draw attention to the shooting have the blessing of the Grant family, who said they would be in the courtroom Friday for the sentencing.
Meanwhile, the family of Mehserle is waging its own campaign to urge Perry to go in another direction: being lenient towards the former police officer.
After nearly 18 months of silence from Mehserle and his supporters, friends and family members have initiated an aggressive and highly visible outreach campaign to get “his side of the story” in the public domain.

This yacht has made regular appearances at McCovey Cove outside AT&T Park drawing attention to the Johannes Mehserle sentencing date.

During the San Francisco Giants’ playoff run, Mehserle’s father, Todd, who sells sailing equipment for yachts, has paraded a large ship with “Free Mehserle” banners during home games in McCovey Cove. The move drew attention — including from the Fox Sports baseball telecasts — to the high profile case and the upcoming sentencing date.
Last week, Mehserle gave his first interview to KTVU Television from the Los Angeles County Jail, telling the television station that he expects to walk out of the court “a free man” on Friday.
”The decision I made was to Tase Mr. Grant, it wasn’t to shoot him, and I know that,” he told Channel 2 reporter Rita Williams.

Sentencing Day

Sentencing is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Superior Court says that the few seats available to the public will be distributed via a lottery held at 8 a.m. outside the courthouse.
In court filings, the former officer’s defense attorney has asked Perry for a new trial, citing a Kentucky case where a police officer whose Taser was configured for a dominant hand cross-draw — just like Mehserle’s, and unlike other gun-Taser confusion cases presented at trial — mistook his gun for his Taser. Perry will rule on that motion before Friday’s sentencing.
The Beat will provide updates on the sentencing from Los Angeles on www.californiabeat.org and on its Twitter page.
The Beat News Service contributed reporting. Contact Steven Luo, Jennifer Courtney and Tashina Manyak at news@californiabeat.org.

Houston’s 5th Ward AAPDEP Community Garden- October 30 African Festival Announced

2010-10-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Feliz Friday Mi Gente! Check out what our neighbors in 5th Ward are doing this weekend!

From Uhuru News:

Houston’s 5th Ward AAPDEP Community Garden gains support as fall crop is planted – October 30 African festival announced

Published Oct 15, 2010-

On Saturday, October 9, community residents and All African People's Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) members came together at the 5^th Ward Community Garden and Food Co-op, in the heart of Fifth Ward at 3703 Brill Street to break dirt and plant seeds in an all-day work project to plant its fall crop.

Below is a pictorial of the work that is sure to bring in a bumper fall crop of collard and mustard greens, turnips, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, winter squash, cucumber, a host of herbs, and other vegetables that are guaranteed to fill the 30 odd rows to their maximum capacity.

The people came for the whole day, as they worked, ate fruit and learned more about producing our own food.

The twenty or so odd people who came out to work the Garden were also getting the area ready for a community African Festival and a Halloween get-together for the children, scheduled for October 30, which will feature live music for the adults, and special entertainment for the children.

Booth Space is available for the Festival and all are welcome. Please contact Nykeba Griffin (832-788-4332, econdev.tx@apspuhuru.org) or Omowale Kefing (281-974-2012).

Oh Yes & Be Safe taking the kiddos out on Halloween !!!! ~ OurDHStreets Staff

All Communities Against Brutality (A.C.A.B.) hosting FREE Community BBQ This Weekend

2010-10-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Today, October 22, 2010 is National Day of Police Brutality Awareness. There are several events going on around the Houston area, including tonight @ 6pm @ Emancipation Park. Come out to march, eat, and share stories of how you or your community has been affected by police and police brutality.

From Oscar Grant's murder by Oakland cops to the severe beating of 16-year old Chad Holley by 8 Houston police officers, there is something to be said about how police work and don't work in our communities.

So, after you get your fill of demonstrating today, come over to Eastwood Park off Harrisburg Blvd (5020 Harrisburg) tomorrow, Saturday, Oct 23, 2010, to eat and discuss solutions and alternatives with A.C.A.B. (All Communities Against Brutality).

FREE EVENT!!!!

3rd Annual East End Cultural Arts Fest 2010

2010-10-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

A free cultural arts festival designed to expose quality artistic culture and to showcase the East End to Houston and beyond. This year the festival has teamed up with non-profit SER and the Greater East End Management District to celebrate “Going Green” by highlighting SER’s Green Job Training Program as well as other local green initiatives including recycled art, products and services.

The festival will feature performance zones including a visual arts zone showcasing over forty local artists; a cultural arts zone showcasing spoken word, indie films, dance, and a variety of eclectic music; as well as the world beat zone, focusing on music performances by artists representing various regions of the world. Over 50 booth spaces will also be made available to local artists and green businesses to show case their products and services.

Featured performances include Gitanerias Flamenco with Lucia y Valdemar, Grammy award nominee SisterSister, the conjunto soul of the East End Pistoleros de Tejas and many more TBA. A special blessing by Danza Aztec Teokali is scheduled. The celebration will also involve a silent auction with several Houston visual artists, including Julie Zarate, Lizbeth Ortiz, Christian Navaratte and many more TBA.

Please join us for this special event!
For more information and update on schedule performances, please visit:
www.bohemeos.com

What: 3rd Annual East End Cultural Arts Fest 2010
Where: Tlaquepaque Market, 700 Telephone Rd., Houston TX 77023
When: Oct. 17th, 2010 (Sunday) Noon till 8pm
Admission: FREE

31st Annual Festival Chicano @ Miller Outdoor Theater

2010-10-06T12:11:00.001-07:00

The 31st Annual Festival Chicano is a cultural celebration of 31 years of Chicano music from Tejano & Conjunto to Mariachi & Orchestra. It is one of the oldest ongoing events of its type in the world starting tomorrow and into the weekend at the Miller Outdoor Theatre for FREE! Bring the kiddos, blankets, comida, and good vibes- they'll provide the musica of our cultura!
Little Joe & Mazz...need I say more? Nos miramos DH!

Here is the line up running from 7pm- 10pm each night:

Thursday, October 7, 2010
Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz
Ram Herrera

Friday, October 8, 2010
Little Joe
Shelly Lares
Stefani Montiel

Saturday, October 9, 2010
Latin Breed
Los Palominos

Public Forum on Chemical Security

2010-09-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

Texas has more “high-risk” chemical facilities than any other state in the nation. In fact, the greater Houston area alone has 17 of the top 101 most dangerous facilities in the nation. These plants are putting millions at risk of a toxic nightmare. The U.S. Army Surgeon General estimates that an attack on just one of these facilities could kill or injure 900,000 to 2.4 million people.

Come learn about this vital issue and what you can do to help protect our community from a toxic nightmare.

The good news:

Just four poison gasses are responsible for the majority of these chemical threats. For each of these gases, safer alternatives are available today. Nationwide, more than 500 plants have switched to safer chemical processes since 1999, thereby eliminating risks for 40 million Americans.

The very highest risk facilities, however, have yet to adopt safer chemical processes. We need chemical security standards that put all high-risk facilities on an even playing field. The current law actually bars the government from requiring safer chemical processes and exempts thousands of water treatment plants and hundreds of port facilities. The chemical lobby wants to make that law permanent and that is unacceptable.

Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey recently introduced a bill into the U.S. Senate which would go would require the highest risk plants to convert to safer processes where commercially feasible. This bill is now under consideration by the Senate.

Saturday, September 11th, 2010
3pm- 4pm
Houston, Texas
Rice University--Sewall Hall Room 309. (Building is near visitor parking).
http://www.rice.edu/maps/colormap.pdf

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117113331675588

Books on the Bayou 2010

2010-08-27T09:43:00.000-07:00

For the record, we at OurDHStreets, LOVE Persepolis. A must see!! And this event is free!!!
From chron.com- Ultimate East End-

The Houston Public Library invites the community to join Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Houston Public Library Director Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson for the Opening Celebration of the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program. This year’s selection is “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood” by Marjane Satrapi. Mayor Parker’s welcome address is only one of several events which are scheduled to begin at 11 AM thru 5 PM at the Central Library on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

The opening celebration includes a day of Persian cuisine, musical and dance performances, speakers, book discussions, and a film screening of the award-winning film adaptation of “Persepolis” (a French film with English subtitles). In addition, at 1:15 PM there will be a screening of archival footage of Satrapi’s visit to Houston. The Central Library is located at 500 McKinney, 77002, 832-393-1313. The program is free and open to the public.

About Books on the Bayou

The Houston Public Library invites all Houstonians to join together to read “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood” by author Marjane Satrapi for the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together program. Books on the Bayou brings Houstonians together to read the same book at the same time, provoking discussion among co-workers, friends, families, and classrooms. This program cultivates a culture of reading in Houston by encouraging people to visit libraries, bookstores, community centers, homes, churches, and schools to discuss the featured book.

Now through September 30, 2010 everyone is invited to attend the many diverse activities that are planned at all neighborhood library locations. There will be book and film discussions, displays, storytelling, and other events. For a detailed list of events visit www.houstonlibrary.org/booksonthebayou or pick up a Resource Guide at any of the Houston Public Library’s 35 neighborhood locations.

Opening Celebration

Book Discussion | 11 AM
Connie Lewis from Houston Great Books Society will lead a book discussion of “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood.” Whether you’ve read the book or are just thinking about reading it, you are invited to join the discussion.

Welcome Addresses | 12 NOON
The official opening of the 9th Annual Books on the Bayou: Houston Reads Together reading and programming series, featuring Persian cuisine, special musical and dance performances, and guest speakers Mayor Annise D. Parker and Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, director of Houston Public Library.

Archival Footage Screening | 1:15 PM
A special screening of archival footage from Marjane Satrapi’s visit to Houston, introduced and provided by Inprint. Graphic memoirist Marjane Satrapi, author of “Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood,” was featured in the in the 2007/2008 Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series as a special event presentation on Saturday, April 12, 2008, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

Film Screening | 3:15 PM
A special presentation of the award-winning film adaptation of “Persepolis.” French, with English subtitles; MPAA Rating: PG-13.

For further information, visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org/booksonthebayou or call 832-393-1313.

It's A Tejano Weekend in DH

2010-08-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

From UT:Austin- The Roots of Tejano & Conjunto Music-

The roots of Tejano and Conjunto music are as widespread and diverse, and run as deep, as the traditions, cultures and people which gave them life. The main root is the music of Mexico with all its regional and class variations, its extraordinary range of songs and dances, and its social and religious lyrics ranging from the solo voice to the powerful sound of the bandas from Sinaloa to the highly stylized format of today's mariachis. The genteel polished urban orchestras as well as the often untrained rural string bands, the romantic bolero singers, the smooth as well as the gutsy, male and female rural ranchera stars, the vocal trios, the Jarocho harp music of Veracruz, the Huastecan fiddlers and falsetto singers, the danzon and mambo orchestras, and above all the norteño sound of the accordion accompanying the duet vocals from the North, have all contributed to the sound of present day Tejano and Conjunto music.

The musical traditions of the Tejanos of South Texas and Norteños of Northern Mexico have been influenced not only by the mother country Mexico, but also by their Anglo, African, and immigrant neighbors like the Czechs, Bohemians, and Moravians as well as the Germans and Italians.

These various incorporations and collaborations led to Tejano music, native to Tejas. Names like Little Joe y La Familia, La Mafia, Sunny Ozuna, our reina, Selena, and Mazz brought to life the spirit of being Tejan@.

And in recognition of our Tejan@ roots, this Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Palmers Ice House, DJ tomcruz and DJ Steve Audio will go head to head for

The 1st EVER

DJ TEJANO/CUMBIA BATTLE!!!

The show starts at 8pm and will also include special guests The Saints & Sinners.
Organizer Mike Marron had this to say about Saturdays big show!:

"The Saints & Sinners" have a 5 piece horn section with congas and that the band consists of 11 members which is a rare special treat for music and dancing lovers.The band performs a variety of music from Tejano/Cumbia/Latin/ and Old School R&B Funk music. You hardly ever see big groups like this performing these days!
Every dollar you pay is well worth it and actually you are getting way more than you pay for.
We will be making history in the Tejano World (actually all over the world) and having the "1st ever DJ Tejano/Cumbia Battle." DJ tomcruz hailing from Denver Harbor/East Houston vs DJ Steve Audio hailing from North Side/Houston will be battling it out!
And Special Referee for the battle will be East Sides Own PEPE(Nick Marron)"

Palmers will be showing the Texans Game and having Free Pizza that night.
$7 pre sale tickets can be purchased at Palmers Ice house.
$10 at the door, $8 before 10pm
Palmers Ice House
7315 Lyons Avenue
Houston, TX 77020-5454
(713) 670-7756
Brought to you by SNS Ent.
For more info: facebook.com/mikemarron1
myspace.com/snsband1969
or call 832-668-0067
To Reserve your table call:713-670-7756

Tejano Viva!!!

Feliz Dia de Resistencia! Cuauhtemoc Celebration This Weekend

2010-08-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Versed from WE WILL RISE by Kurly Tlapoyawa
Section 11- The Plague:

On April 21,1521, Hernan Cortez returned to Tenochtitlan, after previously invading and leaving behind a terrible smallpox epidemic, and began to lay siege of the great city- today known as Mexico City. He came with dozens of boats, each one equipped with a cannon. As they entered the surrounding areas of the city, The Mexica- today called Aztec- warriors met the Spaniards in full force. The battles were bloody, fast, and furious; Causing each side massive losses. But the superior fire power of the Spaniards, along with the weakened condition of the Mexica, gave the Europeans the upper hand. Bit by bit, battle after battle, sections of Tenochtitlan were isolated and overrun by Spanish forces.

Then, after mapping the clearest route through the canals surrounding Tenochtitlan, the Spaniards launched their boats from along the side of Texkoko. The heavily armed craft, blasted their way through the Mexica canoes sent to confront them. The slaughter was incredible. The white invaders used war horses, lances, guns, catapults, flesh-eating dogs, armor, cross bows, and their hunger for blood, and thus ensued an 8o day fight that left thousands of Mexica dead.

On August 13, 1521, Tenochtitlan finally fell to the Spaniards.

On our final day as a free people, the young Cuauhtemoc, the last heroic tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, made a declaration to the people and the day has since been declared a Dia de Resistencia or Day of Resistance, for Cuauhtemoc's words promised that a new day would rise for the Mexica people, our ancestors....for us.

This Saturday at Eastwood Park- 5000 Harrisburg, Houston TX, 77023- starting at 6pm- Come honor the resistance of one of our greatest leaders, Cuauhtemoc. We will be reading Cuauhtemoc's last mandate to the people of Mexiko, given originally 500 years ago today in remembrance that through our struggle as a Brown people, we have endured, and we will rise to our ancient knowledge and glory again.

Come for the palabra, stay for the danza!

Cooking Carne: The 1st Annual DH Cook Off in Retrospect

2010-07-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

The author, Jose Limon, in his article entitled 'Carne, Carnales, and the Carnivalesque' paints a picture of the Chicano bbq scene by observing:

'I am most interested in the way the consumption of food is a kind of interactional parallel to the charged language which paradoxically generated friendship. Everyone brings his meat- and contributes it to a central collective pile; everyone at some point or another takes a turn at shooing flies away, broiling and cutting the meat, and making the sauce.'

It's true! Few things bring people together the way that sharing food can. It's a part of our cultura and it comes back like 2nd nature in moments when the gente get together to make something happen- in this case, the mission to create a BBQ CookOff in Denver Harbor, organized by Denver Harbians, and participated in by them and their friends.

The Sun was shining and the smell in the air was o-so-good at Palmers Ice House on June 26, 2010. The DH Crew didn't get to taste all the winning food,but we did stay around long enough to test a few of the delicious eats and talk to some of the cooking teams about what they were most looking forward to and what being a part of this event meant to them personally.

Every tent had an inviting & busy feeling to it. The Try This Cookers were beating the heat with mini-raspas they shared with everyone who visited their tent. Other tents had their winning trophies out in prominent display- adding a bit of healthy competition to the whole thing. Fajita seemed to be the Wild Card entry most people were looking forward to and every camp had tables and tents where family and friends were sitting to give company, cheer, taste, and help out where they were needed.

My favorite was the Le Flame Kookers which consisted of all females. They said that while they haven't won in a category yet, they have a great time competing. They most definitely balanced out a bit of the testosterone flying around the place! Trisha, Lisa, and Eva spoke a bit to OurDHStreets Crew member, Dee, about how participating in this cook-off allowed them to reconnect with the community, since some of them had moved away from the 'hood when they got older. The Texas Cyclone Cookers hooked us up with cups of Chili while they recanted about how they are all family and they love to grill and get together, so the Cook-Off (that they initiated) was just a way to fuse that and share with other DH residents and friends that love to do the same.

The palate-ready judges sat snuggly inside of Palmers avoiding the heat and the pressure of the competing teams while BBQ lovers hung out inside with a few cold beverages taking in the aromas and the World Cup on the big screens.

OurDHStreets would like to thank Daniel Hinojosa, The Wild Style Kookers, the Smoked and Chopped Cookers, the Le Flame ladies, and the rest for a great time and yummy food!!!

PS. Palmers Ice House will be hosting another worth-while BBQ event this Saturday, July 17, 2010. Come out anytime from 11:00am - 5:00pm, and support Lena (Ybarra) Lara who is battling cancer. Plates will be $7.00 and include Brisket, Sausage, Potato Salad, and Rice. DJ Locura is sponsoring and there will be a moonwalk for kids. All proceeds will help with medical expenses. For more information, call (713)393-9485.
Please come by and support, enjoy the day, the BBQ, Palmers, and the amazing gente that make it all happen in Denver Harbor!!

Can You Smell What Denver Harbor is Cooking?

2010-06-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

MMmm.. there is nothing like the comida that comes off of the open flame of a barbecue pit. We, at OurDHStreets, can already smell the rich aromas rising and spreading through the area as the first pieces of carne and chile hit the grill this weekend at the 1st Annual Denver Harbor Cook-Off! We had a chance to exchange a few quick words with participant and organizer Daniel Hinojosa about what inspired the event and how it will be going down this Saturday, June 26, 2010 from 8am - 5pm at the famous Palmers Ice House!! It will be so good to see the Raza out in full force with friends and familia! Who will take come the Golden Chancla?!

DHStreets- The flier says 8am to 5pm - can you give us a bit more of a breakdown to know what time things will be going on?
DHinojosa- The event is from 8am - 5pm. Teams will begin to set-up as early as 7am, This is serious BBQ business here people, the challenge to win the GOLDEN CHANCLA is on! I am encouraging everyone to carpool as much as possible, ride Metro, or even walk to Palmer's. Parking will be very limited and we want to be good neighbors to everyone out there and not congest the streets. We are anticipating a near capacity crowd. The teams have been briiefed, and category turn-ins are as follows Homemade Salsa - 11am, 12pm - Chili, 1pm - Chicken, 2pm - Pork, 3pm - WildCard (anything goes!). Awards will begin at 4pm. We will be asking for random judges, so if you have a talent for tasting, come by the cook-off and sign up to be a judge! Don't forget World Cup action, USA vs Ghana 1:30pm!

DHStreets- If you can, the names of a few of the teams that are participating.

DHinojosa- The teams that have signed-up are The Tejano Renegade Kookers!, Smoked n' Chopped!, Smokin's a Habit, Smoke 'em up! Cookers, Dammit Boy Cookers, Try This Cookers, Roy Meza Cookers, Goodfellas Cookers, David Rodriguez (he's so cool, he uses his own name!), Stone Cold Cookers, Luv Ya' Q! Palmer's Ice House, and your host cooking team, Texas Cyclone Cookers!

DHStreets- What if there is rain?

DHinojosa- I've participated in cook-offs in ankle deep water before. If there's rain, we will be cooking in the rain, the show must go on! (Safety First always!)

DHStreets- What inspired the Texas Cyclone Cookers to create this event?

DHinojosa- I love bringing people together, I love BBQ, and I am very proud to be from Denver Harbor. There are so many other cook-off teams that originate from Denver Harbor that compete elsewhere in the city, it just made sense to have our own "home field" event for the teams that call Denver Harbor home. I also wanted a signature event in the Denver Harbor area that is a good, positive community event. Often, the negative things that occur in our area (that also happen in every community in America) are highlighted and the positive stories are ignored. There are highly intelligent,educated, resourceful, and good citizens that reside or have their roots in Denver Harbor. This event is a celebration of our neighborhood and culture!

DHStreets- Right on, Daniel! Anything else you'd like to say about the event?:

DHinojosa- Fans can keep up with the cook-off by becoming a friend of www.facebook.com/denverharbor. I want to thank everyone who has supported this event, Kathy Talamantez at Palmer's Ice House, Anna Gonzalez with the Denver Harbor Civic Club, Pearl Pecina with Epic Hair Productions, all the teams for participating, and the fans and sponsors who support our cook-off teams.

This wil the INAUGURAL DENVER HAROR COOK-OFF. We will be making this an annual event, so be prepared to see who wins the GOLDEN CHANCLA at the "2011 Denver Harbor Cook-off"!

We can't wait, Daniel! See you all on Saturday, mi gente!

Que Padre

2010-06-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

My dad was very loving and involved when I was a kid. When we did wrong, instead of hitting us, he preferred the 'lecture approach'. He made sure that I understood why I was being forced to sit through his speech. He would explain the situation, tell me why it was wrong, and then ask me why I had done the wrong I had. Having to explain why I had misbehaved as a child to my grown father in front of me intently listening, was sometimes the hardest part of the 'lecture approach'. But, in retrospect, I appreciate it because it proved to me that my dad 1) was invested in helping me understand how things worked in the world based on my actions and 2) even though I was only a child, I knew that I could critically think and gave me the space to express myself every time we interacted. These memories and lessons have proved to be priceless in my adulthood & I am extremely thankful for it. Although he never hit us (maybe my lil sis once, because she was a terror) we still knew not to disrespect him and to be fearful when mom said "just wait till your dad get's home". Still, everything he did and said was in love & he is still the same dad we can approach to help smooth out the hard edges.

I know that not everyone has had the same lucky experience as me and my sisters- that some kids had to grow up without the male energy helping mold them - so I must use this Fathers Day as a chance to say a few different thank you's too:
Thank you to the fathers that have passed on, but have left behind great memories for those that knew them.
Thank you to the mom's & other extended family that played dad when a real dad was not around.
Thank you to the soon to be dads- Children are an extension of you. - you will soon have a fresh start to build up your kids, and thus, your self.
& last, Our DH Streets would like to send a big abrazo and smile to all the dads celebrating with their families today! Have a great one!!
---------------------------------------
Another great Fathers Day blog ---> here.

El Gato Media Network Carwash

2010-06-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

El Gato is a student organization at the University of Houston Their mission is to pioneering a unique, multidisciplinary student news organization to recruit more Latinos to journalism and improve coverage of Hispanics. If you have time this weekend, please come by and support their endeavors by getting your car washed! - Beats doing it yourself in this heat!

Details Below:

Date:	Saturday, June 19, 2010
Time:	11:00am - 4:00pm
Locati	on: Barry's Pizza

On behalf of El Gato Media Network, we invite you to our first ever Car Wash!!!
This event will be taking place on June 19, 2010 @ Barry's Pizza on 6003 Richmond Avenue at Foutainview, Houston from 11 to 4.
This is a DONATION BASED Car Wash!!
RSVP on Facebook here!

Eye Can See Clearly Now

2010-06-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

We've all had bad experiences when going to the doctor. Whether it be the ER, the dentist, or the optometrist, you can usually bet on someone on staff - or even the doctor- being impersonal, rushing, or being straight up rude.
That's why it's refreshing to hear about places that treat their clients respectfully by taking their time, sharing their knowledge, and making sure the client leaves with a smile...especially when that place is in your own neighborhood!
So, when DH Streets staff received an email about a great eye doctor experience, we felt compelled to share:

TEXAS STATE OPTICAL - DENVER HARBOR - right across from Fiesta y Fallas Paredes 711 SHOTWELL STREET 77020 HOUSTON , TX Phone:(713) 673-6355

On May 31st, 2010 I visited TSO on Shotwell for my annual eye check up and it was such a nice experience. This was the 3rd time I had been there, the last time being 2005. This time I had the opportunity to meet the elder Mr. Gold who explained everything to me, put me at ease with his conversation and warm manner. His assistant Lori helped me in selecting the best eye wear for me- using my vision benefits. Usually neighbors will go outside our area for this type of service but we got it right here in DH! - M.G. Coronado

So, if you have been wondering where you can go for your next eye exam, look no further than down the street!! Happy Seeing!

--Thank you for this M.G. -and if YOU have had a great experience at any business in or near DH, let us know! We love to spotlight places that are invested in good customer service & care.

Deepwater

2010-05-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

Published by Daniel Bvon May 14, 2010 in Energy
- From the Houston Museum of Natural Science's blog- BEYONDbones-

On April 20, 2010 the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven people were lost and over 5,000 barrels of oil a day have been pumped into the gulf. It is a tragedy and one of the worst environmental disasters of all time.
This blog will help to explain why there is oil offshore, what an offshore oil rig is, what cementing and containment domes are and how we can help.
Crude oil is made form the desiccated remains of microscopic organisms that plied the water ways millions of years ago. They died (the very theme of nature), fell to the bottom of the ocean and were covered by layers of rock, sand and other debris. Through compression and temperature they were converted into hydrocarbons (crude oil and natural gas). Thanks to plate tectonics, many of these hydrocarbon reservoirs have ended up on land, but there are also many that are still under the ocean floor.

photo credit: Magnera

The Mineral Management Service has estimated that there are 17.8 billion barrels of oil off the cost of America (for comparison the Ghawar field is Saudi Arabia has 60 billion barrels). So why do we drill for oil offshore? Here are a few numbers that will help explain. America uses 21 million barrels of crude oil each day (most have been refined into gasoline), but we only produce 9 million barrels a day.
The two countries that we import most of our oil from, Canada and Mexico, also have large offshore oil projects. Canada produces around 368 thousand barrels a day and Mexico produces 2.2 million barrels form their offshore wells. Other counties such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Russia also have offshore production.
So what are offshore platforms? An offshore oil rig is like an extreme onshore rig. Not only does the rig have to drill thousands of feet through the earth, there is also have hundreds of feet of water on top of the drilling site. The rigs must also survive whatever the sea can toss at them, whether it be waves, hurricanes or tsunamis. There are many different types of offshore oil rigs. Deepwater Horizon was a semi-submersible rig, meaning that there were large tanks that would fill with water to submerse some of the oil rig, so that it would not move off the site it was drilling at. It can be put in water depth from 200 to 10,000 feet. A fixed platform is fixed in place by cement or steel legs and can go up to 1700 ft. A jacked up platform can use their legs to jack the platform up till it is above the water level, and then jack back down to move to a new location. They usually operate in up to 400 ft of water. A drillship is not a platform at all but a ship that can be used to drill wells. Its uses a series of thrusters to maintain position and it can operate in up to 13,000 feet of water.

Semi-submersible rig
photo credit: roger_melb

So which one is the best one? Because all the different offshore options can operate in varying depths and environments, it really is dependent on the location.
Cementing has come up a lot in the news recently. Most people may not know what that means. After a well is drilled and the casing is laid in, a special mixture of cement can be poured down to help support the well. It can help to keep the pressure constant, to reinforce the well walls or to plug up a well that is no longer producing. The cement used for the wells very from well to well. The mixture is based on the rock in the well and other variables such as the pressure at different depths.
If the pressure becomes too much an uncontrolled release can occur called a blowout. It can be oil, natural gas, water or a combination of two or three of those. One the most iconic examples of a blowout is Spindletop. No one wants a blow out. Not only does can it cause environmental damage but it can threaten the very lives of the people who work on rigs. To stop this there are automated measures and human control methods. For example, an operator could notice a change in pressure in the drilling mud. He would then try to relieve the pressure in a controlled method. If all else fails a blow out preventer can be used. A blow out preventer is a device that physically plugs the well so nothing can escape.
So if a blowout happens, then what? What happens when an offshore oil rig can’t stop producing such as Piper Alpha or Deepwater Horizon? Remote operated vehicles (ROVs) can be sent down to assess the situation and try to stanch the flow. A remotely operated vehicle is just that, a vehicle that is operated remotely by a person. If the ROVs can not stop the well a containment dome can be lowered down to cover the leak. A containment dome works by covering the area and then channeling the pressure off, and in this case to collect the crude oil. The first containment dome lowered down on the Deepwater Horizon was unsuccessful due to a build up of methane hydrates (or fire ice) on the dome. There are plans to drop a smaller dome, which would be easier to heat up if methane hydrates forms.
There are also efforts to contain and remove the oil that has come up. One of the choices is to burn off the crude oil. This can only be done under certain conditions, such as low winds, calm seas, and can not work on every spill. Another way is to put a boom around the spill to contain it and reclaim it. If the oil is on the surface, a skimmer can be used to gather and separate the oil. Chemicals can be sprayed on the oil spill to make the oil disperse or to clump together. Two types of dispersants have been spread on the Deepwater Horizon spill to help disperse it.
Another way to try and stop the oil that is coming out of the well is to drill a relief well. This would take the pressure off the well hole (it is like opening another hole in a shaken coke bottle to take the pressure off the main hole).
So what can we do? The national wildlife federation has created a page to help with that. Check with your barber or hair stylist to see if you can donate hair to make a boom. The best thing you can do is become energy aware. To understand where we get our energy from and how much of it you use. That is the first step to true energy independence.

Find this and more by visiting www.hmns.org

Channeling Malcolm X

2010-05-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

Before he was El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, he was Malcolm X. And before he was Malcolm X, he was known on the streets of Harlem, as Detroit Red. I discuss him this day with respect and with relevance to you and I today.
When I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X four years ago, I didn't expect to read what I read and found in those pages, but I found it touched & shaped me as a woman - as a Brown woman - as a Brown woman who was becoming aware of her Self and her place in the world.
I read the story of a boy who was so caught up with the 'dog eat dog' that he was lost in the world wind of it. He sold drugs, he pimped, he robbed, and he went to jail - only to find hisSelf in jail.
Malcolm was more than a preacher for the Nation of Islam, he was a teacher to us all. What I loved about Malcolm's story is that he didn't shy away from the truth of who he was and as he changed, he was not afraid to say he'd been changed. He was not afraid to call out the evils of the world after he'd seen himself though those evils. He was not afraid to say what needed to be said although he was well aware that it might cost him family, friends, and his life. He looked back at his hustle on the streets of Harlem, not with embarrassment or apologies, but with purpose and understandings & helped me see my self in my hood and then took me on an international journey of discovery.
The changes that are happening in ourSelves and in our communities of color are again at odds with the status quo- just like they were when Malcolm hit the streets and started talking to the people about it. He never made excuses, he found reason.
Today, as our skin tone & our very existence as gente of color- Black & Brown- has come under attack by laws like Arizona's SB 1070 & Houston's 287G, it's that much more important to take responsibility for our past, learn from that and our present, and make moves with pride in our Selves for the future.
....And if you haven't read The Autobiography of Malcolm X or don't know too much about who he is, do yourself the favor---> you can start here.
Many people are trying to figure out how to make real change happen - I learned through Malcolm that it starts by arming yourself with knowledge- through books and the street- and then taking what you learn & discussing it with those you love- that's how you build community. That's how you reach the youth.
Malcolm did & said everything he did & said because he loved his people & who he was because of who he had been. Channel that...by any means necessary.

Denver Harbor Can BBQ!

2010-05-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

Come on out (or enter to compete) in Denver Harbor's 1st Annual Cook Off! A little friendly competition, family fun, good eats, Palmers in the background- and all will be made possible by you- the community! Check details below!

Denver Harbor Cook-Off

Saturday, June 26, 2010

RAIN or SHINE!

Palmer’s Ice House

I-10 E @ Wayside Houston, TX 77020

General Cook-off information

Time : 8am – 5pm

Entry Fee: $40.00 per parking space (approx 10 x 18, enough for a pop up tent, and pit.) 2 spaces max. Site must be clear by 6pm, however you are invited to stay as long as you like inside Palmer’s. If you want 2 spaces, $80.

SPACE IS LIMITED!!! First come, first serve!

Events: Enter one category, or enter all!

11am Salsa*

12 pm Chili – NO BEANS, NO FILLER!

1pm Chicken

2pm Pork – any type of pork

3pm Wildcard (Anything Goes!)

4pm Awards

There will also be an award for showmanship. (Cleanliness, booth appearance, hospitality)

All Entries must be prepared on-site, no-pre-marinades.

*Salsa may be prepared off-site (due to electricity). Salsa must be prepared by a team member and must be homemade. Your word is good with us.

Awards :

All Categories 1^st – 3^rd place Showmanship 1^st place only

Safety

It is the team captain’s responsibility to be mindful of safety and the behavior at their respective tents. Unacceptable behavior may result in being asked to leave the cook-off area. Cook-off Committee or Sponsors will not be responsible for any theft, damage, or injury.

This is a family oriented event. No Generators allowed.

Propane and notes…

Propane tanks are prohibited (Fire Dept. Request)

How does this effect Chili? You can use a small pit (Old Smokey) to prepare your chili. There was no propane back on the old trail rides… Hank Hill doesn’t like this rule…

Teams responsible for their own water and ice.

Payment:

Send a Check or Money Order to: Daniel Hinojosa, 7502 Alderson, Houston, TX 77020 along with the Info below. If you wish to pay in cash, contact Daniel at 713.373.6703.

By paying your entry fee, you agree to all rules and regulations. *This is a family oriented event.*
Team Name:
Team Captain Name:
Telephone Number:
Email:

DH Presente @ May Day March- Houston

2010-05-02T23:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday, May 1st, 2010 was a day to remember. The range of the people- in every way imaginable- was the most beautiful thing to see. We came together to build bridges & to see people from all walks of life fight for human rights - respect & dignity. The Houston Chronicle counted 7,000 people, the HPD counted 8,500 people, and the organizers counted about 11,000 people. Whatever the number, the message was clear: Houston is proud of it's cultural diversity. The people are remembering that they and they alone have the power to create & direct things that work in their communities & they will stand up for that cause as children of the Sun & the Earth. Here are the pics we took!

If you attended the march and would like to give us your words about the event &/or have your pics up on the blog, please email them to ourdhstreets@gmail.com.
(You will be given full credit for all submitted things)

Houston Will March for May Day

2010-04-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

Se Ve! Se Siente! El Pueblo Sera Presente!

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 1st, 2010, Houston will join an international call to March for dignity & respect for all human beings.
May 1st marks International Workers Day and historically was used to celebrate the gains of several labour movements throughout the world. In recent years, especially in the U.S., it's come to mark a day of political protests and rallies to demand workers rights and immigrant rights.

With the recent signing of SB 1070 by Arizona's governor, this May Day March is especially important and especially significant. SB 1070 "makes it a state misdemeanor crime for an alien to be in the United States without registration documents required by federal law,[8] and requires police to make an attempt, when practicable, to determine a person's immigration status if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is an illegal alien." This bill is problematic because it gives police officers who suspect you may be illegal, the right to stop, question, and detain you. Arizona says that officers will use things like 'how someone is dressed' to decide whether they may be illegal. The law pretty much gives police the right to racially profile brown people. This law is a slap in the face for all Brown people that have come here due to the promise of the American Dream. And it's a slap in the face to the Brown ancestors that maintained, worked, and roamed this land long before borders.
Houston will stand in solidarity with all Brown people suffering due to laws imposed on them. Houston also marches to demand respect to immigrant workers’ rights, for the right to be acknowledged, “to come out of the shadows”, through a just immigration reform for all the contributions immigrants make, for the right of family unification and a stop to the raids and deportations, for respect to the human rights of all immigrants and refugees, for Passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the DREAM Act, for justice for all, and for unity amongst ALL communities.

We at OurDHStreets post the information here for all interested in taking part of this March. We understand what this means to all Latinos, Mexicanos, Xicanos, Mexican-Americans, Immigrantes, etc in this country and throughout the world. Brown people have a long and proud history in the Southern states, and it's upsetting and saddening that after all that we have given, law makers work day in and day out to destroy our cultura.

The march organizers invite people to bring signs, whistles, drums, etc to make lots of noise & bring attention. Houston is sending a message to Arizona, the lawmakers here, and the country, that we do not support unjust laws.
It may be rainy, so be sure to bring umbrellas, raincoats, etc & water to drink. Details are below.

Date:
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time:
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:
Starting Point: Bellaire and Renwick
Street:
5900 Bellaire Blvd.
City/Town:
Houston, TX
Ending Point: Rally @ Burnett Bayland Park (Chimney Rock & Gulfton)

Visit www.houstonmarches.info for more details.
You can also call or text (832)497-5035 for more info.
Visit the Facebook Page for this Event, here.

The People United, Can Never Be Divided
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May 2nd is Lemonade Day!

2010-04-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

A big THANK YOU to Myragene Coronado, a DH resident, for sharing this with OurDHStreets:

Encourage our next generation of young entrepreneurs to participate in Lemonade Day. This free, annual community-wide event teaches youth how to start and run their own lemonade business. Organized by Prepared 4 Life, it empowers youth and helps prepare them for life.

Help spread the word that all across Houston, children (with help from their parents, mentors, and friends) will be starting their own businesses (with a little guidance from Prepared 4 Life, a nationwide, not-for-profit organization). Children of all socioeconomic backgrounds, in every neighborhood, will learn how to make money to "spend a little, save a little and give a little."

The goal is to help 50,000 young Houstonians start their own business on May 2. This ongoing annual event has life-changing results. Story after story has shown the immediate and long-term effects of this program for children across Houston and around the U.S.

You can help by sharing this email with your friends, colleagues, and business contacts. Everyone can encourage children to sign up at www.LemonadeDay.org. When signing up, each child will receive a backpack filled with
instructional materials to guide them through the process of developing their lemonade stand.

Then, support the youngsters by purchasing a tasty cup of refreshing lemonade on that very special day--May 2!

Last years Lemonade Day video-

For more information, visit http://houston.lemonadeday.org/

Add your comments online: http://www.bigtent.com/group/forum/message/32727304?md=MTEzNjAxODk=

Feliz Earth Day Denver Harbor!

2010-04-22T10:23:00.000-07:00

Mother Earth has given us a place to stand, live, and love for our entire lives & works with the Sun to sustain all of these things. Today is marked as the day to take part in the preservation of Earth and we just wanted to send out a reminder to all of you to take the time to do something for the planet - maybe this will be a good day to start an ongoing project!
We recommend talking to your children about the Earth and maybe helping them plant some cilantro, make a recycling bin, or start a worm farm. All things like this can be found in how-tos online! Here is a source for activities to help you! Click here.
Happy Earth Day mi gente! Let's preserve the planet that provides for and sustains us!

Around Town: Houston Children's Festival

2010-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Houston Children's Festival benefits Child Advocates, Inc. and the abused and neglected children it serves. Now in its 22nd year, the festival is "Houston's Official Family Celebration" and takes place in downtown Houston.
Set for April 10 & 11, 2010, 10:30 am - 6:30 pm, the festival offers festival guests 10 Big Family Adventure Zones, 6 Stages and over 350 fun activities. It's NUMBER ONE FOR FAMILY FUN!Visit the official website here for more info!

P.S. Dora & Diego will be there!!!

In Memoriam: Remembering Selena

2010-03-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995

It's been 15 years since we lost Selena Quintanilla Perez on this day in 1995. Many of us can still remember where we were and how we felt when we heard the news that she'd been shot and her life lost. Selena was and continues to be an icon to mujeres- and in particular- Tejanas today. She was talented, strong, and lovely & it was beautiful to watch her star rise while she was among us. She left behind the ideas of entrepreneurship, style, and to never stop working towards your goals.

We remember you, Selena. Rest in Peace.

An Opening Day to Remember

2010-03-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Opening Day for the Denver Harbor Little League and the people were out in full force to support the new teams of the season! After a morning parade that went from Sol Supermarket, down Lyons and crossed over to Denver Harbor/Selena Park, President of the DHLL board, Hector Bazaldua, gave opening remarks. He touched on the pride he felt seeing so many more people involved than last year and reminded the community that they are what make things happen by working together. He said "You bring a little bit, you bring a little bit" and together, we are successful.
Decorated cars, trucks, trailers, and low-riders carried loads of kids throwing candy, waving, and smiling to onlookers as they passed. 11 year old Nathan Garcia got to ride on a float as a supporter and said that "it was fun and that all the kids were smiling and having a good time" cruising through the streets.

Each team and it's coaches were introduced and the families and friends that crowded around the middle field has the chance to clap and cheer as the kids in uniform beamed happily.

Melissa Gomez, mother of Jason Gomez on the Braves team, shared that her son is an only child and that this is his second year playing for the DHLL. She said that last year he had so much fun and made so many friends that when the chance came around this year, Jason was the one who told her he wanted to play again!
The sun was out, the people were together, the kids were learning & meeting friends, and the strength of DH could be felt throughout the park. We have a truly beautiful community.

The rest of the day commenced with each team playing at different times throughout the day, while the snack bar provided food and drinks to beat the heat.

We would like to congratulate the Little League and Denver Harbor residents for making Saturday, March 27th, a day to remember for a long time here in our neighborhood!

Denver Harbor Little League OPENING DAY!!! Parade & Games

2010-03-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

Date:	Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time:	9:15am - 9:00pm
Location:	DH PARK 6200 Market St. 77020

Opening Day Parade and Games!!!! Parade Starts 9am on Lyons (near Palmers) to Lathrop to Market to circle the park and end at DH Gym...parking will be crazy so get there early...we expect over a thousand people...ball games will begin at 11am...guest speakers include Hon. Constable Trevino, Hon. Congressman Gene Green, and others...bring the kids, grandparents everyone...we willl have Turkey legs, Sausage on a Stick plus many other goodies...come join the fun and celebration!!!!!

Celebrating the 11th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Parade

2010-03-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

from Facebook Event page-

TEJANO ASSOCIATION FOR HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
www.tejanoahp.org

Lorenzo de Zavala Chapter and Other Participating Organizations present the
11th Annual CESAR E. CHAVEZ PARADE in Houston, Texas deep in the heart of the East End

The 11th Annual Cesar E. Chavez Parade will be held March 27, 2010, Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. in Houston, Texas. The parade line up will begin at 9am at 601 North Cesar Chavez Boulevard and end at Hidalgo Park 7000 Ave. Q Houston, TX 77011. Elected officials will be participating as well as veteran groups and students. Festivities will follow at Hidalgo Park and elected officials will be delivering speeches at the gazebo in Hidalgo Park.

Come and show your support for the Cesar E. Chavez Parade. There is no charge for non-profit organizations to participate.

For more info. regarding the Cesar Chavez Parade please contact TAHP President, Loretta Martinez Williams at 713-673-1418 or email at latejana@comcast.net

OurDHStreets Spotlights: Amber Vela

2010-03-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Little League baseball has once again begun in Denver Harbor. Selena Park is serving as the epicenter for young and old alike looking to shake off the freezing winter, take in the Sun, and get involved in community events for another year. We were able to speak to Amber Vela; One of the mothers who stepped up to the plate and decided to help coach the Tiny Tee team. Amber is a single mother of three who has lived in Denver Harbor for most of her life. She spoke to us about how she got involved, the skills she feels baseball provides for children, and what changes she’s noticed in our neighborhood.
-----------------
1. You are coaching Tiny Tee for the Denver Harbor Little League. Is this your first time coaching a team?
Yes, this is my first time coaching. I've been trying to get my daughter to play with no luck for the last 2 years. Now, my middle son is finally old enough.

2. What made you decide to coach this year?
The coaching job came along at the last minute. I volunteered to assist with the draft, but they still needed another coach and assistant coach. I thought it would be a great experience for my son and I to go through together, so I just went with it.

3. Tiny Tee is for 4 year olds. What kinds of things do you practice with them?
Since they're still so young, you have to take advantage of the 45 minutes to an hour long span off attention that they are going to give you. Every practice consists of the basics, like running bases, proper stance for hitting the ball, and trying to throw the ball to each other’s general area without having to run after it or get hit with it.

4. Can you tell us about a memorable experience so far?
When we first started practicing, I had a player who I would tell to run as soon as they'd hit the ball...and he took off running around the whole field instead of the bases. It was cute!

5. Many people know that being involved in different sports has the potential to build skills in kids. What skills & experiences do you think stand out most about kids involved in baseball?
[I think] what will stand out the most about these kids is their ability to show how great of a team player they are. Also, as they get older they tend to show much more determination and integrity in different situations that they are faced with in their daily lives. Although I'm no expert, I've seen these traits in relatives and friends who played growing up, versus those who did not.

5. What has been the hardest part of being involved with the Little League for you?
There are too many politics involved. It ends up putting stress on everyone. The focus should be on the kids; giving them something constructive to spend their time on that they can also enjoy.

6. When is practice? Where can we find a game schedule?
Although we don't have an official game schedule yet, Tiny Tee games will be on Saturday mornings. Our practices are Sundays at noon, Tuesday & Wednesday at 6pm, and Saturdays at 10am.

7. You have children of your own. Are they involved with the DH Little League as well? Have you gotten them involved in other events at the Park or around the City?
This will be the first extracurricular activity outside of school that my kids are involved in.

8. Lastly, you grew up in this neighborhood. What things that have changed or are changing stand out to you? What can you say about these changes?
Yes, I've pretty much lived here my whole life, and although my parents tried to shelter me from the reality of what went on in this neighborhood, they even sent me to schools across town, but they weren't able to keep it all from me. I've got to say that from what I see now, there has been a dramatic improvement from my school age years. I clearly remember being awakened regularly to the sound of gun shots in the middle of the night; seeing fights breaking out at the parks were treated as no big deal. I drive around here quite a bit, as much of my family resides here, and I see nothing more than kids walking home from school. I'm relieved cause my own kids are attending school in the neighborhood.
-------------------
Seeing so many people out working together to benefit our children is a very encouraging site to see. It caused me to recall that communities that are made up of Raza carry with them the ancient things passed down by our ancestors- Communal working, communication, and knowing that at the end of the day, the work we do has to be work that impacts our kids positively- even maybe on a subconscious level. I learned that the key to the Tiny Tee strategy is to teach the babies the fundamentals of the game and build from there. Can’t go wrong building from the ground up!
We at ourDHstreets wish Amber all the luck for this season & look forward to bringing you more stories from the Little League, the people involved, and about the streets in general- of course!

Upcoming Event:
Denver Harbor Little League OPENING DAY!
Opening Day Parade and Games!!!! Parade Starts 9am on Lyons (near Palmers) to Lathrop to Market to circle the park and end at DH Gym...parking will be crazy so get there early...we expect alot of people...ball games will begin at 11am...guest speakers include Hon. Congressman Gene Green, and others...bring the kids, grandparents everyone. We willl have Turkey legs, Sausage on a Stick plus many other goodies...come join the fun and celebration!
To RSVP on Facebook, Click here.

All That Glitters: Commentary on McDonalds in Our Community

2010-03-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

There’s a new McDonalds at the corner of Navigation Blvd. & Lockwood Dr. on the East End of Houston. When I saw the sign and the beginning of the building structure actually taking shape, I got queasy. I have a few things that caused this less than desirable reaction. And this article is my attempt at exploring why.

1. I thought about the fact that the food sold at McDonalds is some of the most unhealthy, yet affordable available. It’s a fast food chain. Sure, they’d like you to think they are health conscious (They have salad, right?) and they’d like you to trust they wouldn’t be feeding you harmful things (Not Roland McDonald! He couldn’t!) – Yet still- They are a fast food chain. Their food is over-processed, made up of several different cows, chickens, and what nots, from all parts of the animal from several factories, soaked in Chlorine, and salty. It’s not going to be healthier than going to a sit down restaurant, or better yet, eating homemade food. Yet, in a neighborhood that bridges the thin line between old and new age, where 3rd and 4th generation Mexican Americans are now the key holders of the fate of the neighborhood, and while we are going through a recession silently becoming a depression, it will become one of the most convenient and affordable places to eat. So, what will it do to the people living in that community? We are already battling obesity*, cancer, and other maladies that can be linked to this type of food – these things are sold to us as Original people. Why?

2. Along those lines, I also wonder how this will affect the locally owned restaurants that line both of these major streets. Will places like Dona Marias or La Silla see a drop in customers? Can they compete with a fast food dollar menu? McDonalds is an international company and will only benefit the community by offering low wage jobs. Where is the self determination, personalization, and community building -that local eateries provide- in that? Is it coincidental that this fast food chain has taken shop here as gentrification also moves in to 2nd Ward? Which brings me to…

3. Location. Location. Location. Navigation Blvd. and Lockwood Drive are two of the oldest streets that make up 2nd Ward – the Historically Hispanic Neighborhood- and the entire East End for that matter. Navigation Blvd begins closer to downtown Houston at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church- the first Hispanic Church (Ethnicity in the Sunbelt), from which the entire neighborhood grew. At the other end you find a bridge leading towards Manchester- the Ship Channel community where many newly migrated Mexicanos settled for work close to the inception of the City of Houston. Lockwood Drive runs parallel and connects the UH community, 2nd Ward, and causes a median between 5th Ward and my/our neighborhood Denver Harbor- All Black and Brown Communities. In mere passing to many of us with the knowledge of our history, it has causes remembrance and silent pride in what we built as a gente. Now, when people pass it they will awe at the fact that yet another Micky D’s/ Gas station has taken over a corner in Houston.

With all of this going on in my head, at the end of it all- whatever the answers to these inquiries & assessments are- I write so that we can understand it as something that has been steadily happing to our communities**. Is this okay? Do we not have the means or the want to use land we grew up on for our own use, businesses, and well-being? I'll miss the old Navigation and Lockwood once it's gone.. if it's to be gone.
McDonalds brings a whole lot more to us than just a Dollar Menu. The changes that come with the glitz of modernization are not always as glamorous as they seem at face value. In other words, not all that glitters is gold.

*http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/10/21/childhood.obesity/index.html

**An example in 3rd Ward- When the people (community, artist, activists) realized gentrification was taking over their neighborhoods, they moved to create programs and centers that would help the community continue to provide a bridge connecting young and old. Places like Project Row House, Our Park, and the SHAPE Community Centers, still stand around the incoming gentrification, although they are suffering in many ways by the incoming mindsets, focused on Materialism/ Capitalism/ and Individualism, that- while taking over land- are also taking over the psyches of our youth.

Happy International Women's Day

2010-03-08T10:06:00.001-08:00

All around the world today, people are taking note, celebrating, and demonstrating in observation of International Women's Day. March 8th has marked this occasion since the early 1900s and has taken on many forms. According to Wikipedia (one of my favorite research tools- don't believe the school hype), "In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and social achievements."
This day shows that we have come a long way in showing love to the women of the world, but also shows that we have much work to do. In this country, there are still many hurdles to overcome and viewpoints to change when it comes to women- from the home to the office building and to the street. In history, rules and regulations have been mostly decided by men, and only in recent decades, have women begun to exhibit their rights as human beings to make decisions and show and prove that they are capable of so much more than has been taught to be our glass ceiling in the past- on every front. We are sisters, wives, mothers, daughters, the Earth that life springs from- and without us, existence would not be. Can we all reflect and recognize that?!?
So, men and women, please take the time today to acknowledge the women that have impacted your life & our community - and if you are a woman, take the time to show some love for yourself!
OurDHStreets supports and loves the women of Denver Harbor, Houston, Tejas, and the World.

Happy International Women's Day!!!!

Events going on today for IWD 2010:

>
Join other Houston area women in celebrating International Women's Day. We will share food and stories of the women who have inspired us.

There will be an open mic for anyone wanting to share poetry, music or stories with the group beginning at 8pm. Drinks will be available through Avant Garden - alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Love sin Sun!

2010-02-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

Despite the continued cold weather, we still can't help but feel the amor (love)! We, here at OurDHStreets, want to wish all the hombres y mujeres out there good energia for your day. Take the time to spend some time with the ones you love- and if some are not so close (like those long distance loves or family separated by borders or drama) at least take the time to touch base or send out good vibes to them too. And one more thing- for all of you with babies, as much as they want to demonstrate their love to you with cards or small gifts they present you with today- take the time to really show them the love back. A good hug, kiss, or warm words have always meant more to us than flowers, candy, or bling. This should be every day of course, but today is a good day to start! All love. c/s

*arte del blog here

McReynolds Middle School LCDC Fundraiser This Weekend!

2010-01-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

McReynolds Middle School LCDC is having a BBQ fundraiser at Palmers, Jan 23, 2010 from 11:30am until the food runs out.
Plates will include chicken, sausage, rice, beans and fixings!!!
Come out and support the McReynolds Students!

Click here for Palmers Ice House Info & here for Map!

Denver Harbor Little League Sign Ups Starting This Weekend

2010-01-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

The Denver Harbor Little League has been a beacon of light & pride in our community for over 50 years now and Pete DeLeon, this years Vice-President for the league, is particularly interested in getting more kids & parents involved in the program- one that has been getting less and less kids as the years have gone by.

"I will do whatever it takes to get the kids back on the playing field. At one time we had as many as 30 teams, last year they were down to 9 teams."

Many great ball players have traced their roots back to DHLL, and have noted that the friendships they forged there, have lasted a lifetime.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2010 SEASON STARTS SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2010 @ 10AM- 2PM. @ DH Park (Selena Park) Concession Stand.

Registration will continue every Saturday (Jan 16- Feb 9) @ 10am- 2pm.

Make sure to bring your child's Birth Certificate & all will receive a FREE baseball w/ Parent Participation.

Visit Denver Harbor Little League's Website for more information on how adults can get involved by clicking here & you will also find the link to team uniforms, hoodies, and TShirts!
Lets help these people that are dedicated to helping our kids excel & make this baseball season be one to remember in our community!

Mi Vecina Reminded Me of a Fundamental

2010-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

As I left for work (late) this morning, I noticed one of my neighbors from a few houses down gathering wood fallen from trees and putting them in the city dumpster. She was hard at work & didn't look up at all, although I was feet away from her and I'm more than sure she knew I'd walked out of the house.
At first, I didn't think much of it, more concerned with getting to work before anyone noticed, but then, as I started to drive towards the I-10W ramp, I started to reflect on it.
We've been discussing things that we feel are needed in order for us to 'bring up' our neighborhood via the Denver Harbor Fan Page on Facebook. Many people have discussed retail options, cleaner streets, better upkeep of homes by residents, etc. - & I put it together in my mind like this:
This woman that didn't even bother to look up at me as I was opening my gate, getting in my car, backing out - all within feet of her- was not a random or new neighbor. This is a woman who drove me to school for part of my middle school years at McReynolds & took me cada dia to a Summer course so that I could get into Debakey for high school. She and my mother were friends. They would talk on the phone, keep each other up to date on going-ons on the block, and who would trade favors to help each other out. I grew up with her kids and never hesitated to feel like I can walk up to her and say hello or help her out if she needed things.
What changed? How did it happen that her and our family went from being so interconnected - not dependent- but communal in our exchange, to not even looking up from our own world?
It bothered me, mi gente- because change, learning, & beauty starts in the home- on the block- with us knowing each other. If we know each other, we will give a damn about each other. And when we don't...Well, we see where it's been taking us.
Many of the old residents did grow up and leave DH, but not all of us did. To recapture what DH was and absolutely has the potential to be again, we need to talk to one another.
To start- Say hello when you come across anyone on the street- old and young. If a woman is walking down the street with groceries and trying to keep her 3 kids in tow at the same time, watch out for her till she's safely across the street. Ask your neighbor if your kid could mow their lawn since he's already mowing yours. Take a moment from your busy existence to notice someone co-existing next door, down the street, or in your communidad..and I know, we'll see how the face of our barrio changes for the better. And even more importantly, those young eyes that watch our every move for direction, will learn how to work together for a common goal in our community.
Con Safos y Puro Amor
~dee!colonize

1st Official One-Year Anniversary Protest for Gaza

2009-12-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

from houstonindymedia.org-

A protest to mark the one year anniversary of the Israeli war on the people of Gaza.

Date:	Sunday, December 27, 2009
Time:	1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:	The Galleria
Street:	Corner of Post Oak & Westheimer
City/Town:	Houston, TX

From Wikipedia:The Gaza War—known as Operation Cast Lead by the Israel Defence Forces and the Gaza massacre in the Arab world, was a three-week military conflict between Israel and Hamas that took place in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel during the winter of 2008–2009.

On 18 December Hamas declared the end of a six-month ceasefire with Israel and on 24 December began an intensification of rocket fire towards the country's towns.[19] On 27 December Israel began a wave of airstrikes[20] on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of stopping the rocket attacks from and arms smuggling into the territory. Israeli forces attacked military targets, police stations and government buildings. There was also significant damage to civilian buildings. Hamas further intensified its rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, hitting civilian targets throughout the conflict and reaching major Israeli cities Beersheba and Ashdod for the first time. An Israeli ground invasion began on January 3, 2009. The war ended on January 18, when Israel first declared a unilateral ceasefire, followed by Hamas' announcing a one-week ceasefire twelve hours later. Israel completed its withdrawal on January 21.

Between 1,166 and 1,417 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed. More than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, while 4,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless; 80 government buildings were hit.

A UN mission headed by Judge Richard Goldstone was established in April 2009 and produced a report in September 2009, accusing both Palestinian militants and Israeli Defence Forces of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, and recommending bringing those responsible to justice.[31] In October 2009 the UN Human Rights Council endorsed the report by 25 votes for, 6 against and 16 abstentions/failures to vote.

Check out this video from one of the ongoing protests last year: