01.28.06
Posted in News at 7:34 pm by Paloma Cruz
Harris County fifth in nation for number of woman-owned businesses
– reported by the Houston Business Journal
The number of woman-owned businesses grew 20 percent between 1997 and 2002, twice the national average for all businesses, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report in which Harris County ranked fifth in the number of woman-owned firms.
The nearly 6.5 million businesses generated more than $940 billion in revenue, up 15 percent from 1997.
[snip]
Counties with the highest number of woman-owned firms were Los Angeles County, Calif. (265,919); Cook County, Ill. (130,418); Miami-Dade County, Fla. (88,173); New York County, N.Y. (86,364); and Harris County (86,042).
[snip]
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01.22.06
Posted in News at 11:17 pm by Paloma Cruz
Lindemann: crisis looms in economy
Under-schooled population poses problems for area
– reported by the Pasadena/Baytown news
[snip]
“There’s a huge gap between the requirements of the entry-level jobs in our area and the education level of the work-force population. That’s the perfect storm.”
The crisis is looming, he said, because many workers who were hired 25 or 30 years ago and have received on-the-job retraining throughout their careers are getting ready to retire. The number of East Harris County workers who are qualified to replace them will probably fall short of the need, he said.
[snip]
In that same 33-year period, the Hispanic population grew from about 98,860 to 468,480, nearly quadrupling with an increase of 374 percent. Meanwhile, the Anglo population decreased from about 433,000 to 306,700, or about 30 percent.
Between 1970 and 2005, the Hispanic percentage of the total population grew from 17.5 to 57.4, while the percent white decreased from 76.5 percent to 31.5 percent, according to the college’s report.
The importance of these figures is that Hispanics have lower education levels than whites, African-Americans and Asians, Lindemann said.
The explanation for the lower education attainment of Hispanics, the chancellor said, is recent immigration.
[snip]
Sometime between 2020 and 2035, Texas will be more than 50 percent Hispanic. This trend doesn’t matter, Murdock said, unless Hispanic education levels continue to lag behind.
But if education differences remain, Texas will be poorer and less competitive than it is today, he said.
[snip]
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Posted in News at 11:12 pm by Paloma Cruz
Campaign launched to educate voters
– reported by Houston Community Newspapers
In an effort to educate voters in Texas about their right and responsibility to vote, Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams has launched a new campaign, VOTEXAS, to prove to Texas voters that the voting process is now “easier, faster and more secure.”
[snip]
The Help America Vote Act, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2002 demands that all 50 U.S. states improve election-related standards, and provides funding for these improvements.
[snip]
For the last presidential election, 49.65 percent of Pasadena was represented at the polls, as opposed to 58.03 percent of voters countywide. This seven-point drop in percentage is considered unusual by the Harris County Clerks office.
[snip]
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Posted in News at 11:06 pm by Paloma Cruz
GPISD board mulls vacant seat
Position 6 may be left open until May election
– reported by the Houston Chronicle
The Galena Park Independent School Board of Trustees are pondering whether they will fill the seat left vacant after trustee Jerry Toliver resigned from the board last month.
Toliver, an 11-year board veteran, stepped down from his Position 6 seat effective Dec. 31, 2005, because he is moving out of the district. The term for Position 6 expires in May 2008.
[snip]
Stanfield said that the filing period for the May 13 election begins Feb. 11 and concludes at 5 p.m. March 13.
Other news on Galena Park ISD.
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01.16.06
Posted in News at 9:55 pm by Paloma Cruz
Voluntary water conservation in Friendswood
– reported in KHOU CBS Channel 11
Monday’s rain is too little, too late for the city of Friendswood.
The summer-like drought in the middle of winter has created a call for people to voluntarily conserve water.
Most of the fields and yards have gone brown around Friendswood.
[snip]
The dryness got city officials thinking. If residents use more water than normal during the winter, what would happen to the supply when spring and summer come?
[snip]
City officials are urging residents to water yards in the early morning or late evening.
They would also like for everyone to follow April Waller’s example and only wash full loads of laundry.
[snip]
City leaders said the water supply is fine, but light rains like on Monday might not be enough to keep it that way. That is why they are asking residents for help.
I wonder if this is a sign of things to come in this year for all of us.
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01.14.06
Posted in General at 11:34 pm by Paloma Cruz
Have you seen the promotional video “We Love It Here”? I just viewed it at the Pasadena, Texas Chamber of Commerce Web site. It’s nice.
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01.13.06
Posted in General at 12:39 am by Paloma Cruz
The Pasadena Texas Chamber of Commerce is holding the 14th Annual Business Expo and Monthly Luncheon. To be held on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at the Pasadena Convention Center, here are the details:
Thursday, February 16, 2006
14th Annual Business Exop and Monthly Luncheon presented by Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Theme “Viva Las Vegas”.
When: Thursday, February 16, 2006, 10 am - 7 pm
Where: Pasadena Convention Center - 7902 Fairmont Pkwy
Luncheon $15 p/person $120 p/table of 8
For more info: Sherry Trainer, (281) 487-7871
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01.11.06
Posted in News at 10:23 pm by Paloma Cruz
Isle ready for big Mardi Gras crowds
– reported by KHOU CBS Channel 11(1)
The city of Galveston is preparing for Mardi Gras and what could be thousands of extra visitors.
Those visitors are people who would normally head to New Orleans, but because of Katrina, performers and tourists are expected to be in Galveston.
The first weekend, which is Feb. 18, will be free.
The city is expecting 300,000 people, which is how many people went last year.
[snip]
* * *
Reminders:
- KHOU CBS Channel 11 requires a free registration.
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01.10.06
Posted in News at 11:20 pm by Paloma Cruz
Have you caught the most recent CityGram? Sent out via email to update Pasadenans about what’s going on, you can read the most recent one on the City of Pasadena Web site. Here’s an excerpt:
Although 2005 will long be remembered for cataclysmic tsunamis, massive fires, record breaking hurricanes and the fears of a global pandemic; it must also be remembered as a year of courage in the face of tragedy, kindness in times of distress and unmatched charitable giving to our fellow man. As a country we moved forward gracefully and as a city we helped establish Pasadena as a model of excellence for communities across the state, proving that we are prepared for whatever the future may hold.
[snip]
As Mayor Manlove began his second term he outlined an agenda based on successes from his administration’s first four years, setting the tone for the next four years before nearly 700 people at the Pasadena Convention Center. Working from the theme Imagine the Possibilities, Manlove stressed the importance of moving forward with a new vision for the Pasadena community and a new understanding of the city’s potential, always striving to position Pasadena as a model of excellence.
At no time did that image shine brighter than during the two largest natural disasters to hit the Gulf Coast in years. Shortly after the mayor’s second term was underway, the Gulf Coast was hit with two storms of incredible ferocity. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita not only tested the strength of our nation’s coastline and cities, but challenged the fortitude and generosity of our communities.
After Hurricane Katrina stormed through the Louisiana area, the people of our city stepped forward offering shelter, food, clothes, water, and caring to those affected by the destruction of the ravaging storm. Joining with local organizations, City officials successfully coordinated a city-wide effort to establish community donation locations and informal or ‘spontaneous’ shelters for displaced Louisiana residents. Citizens generously donated items, ranging from toiletries and school supplies to pet food, to aid hurricane victims. More than 70 volunteers donated 350 hours to help the sort and distribute hundreds of items for area shelters.
[snip]
Then, just as the community-wide mobilization to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees was underway, the third-largest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin took dead aim at our community. As the threat of Hurricane Rita escalated, City employees rallied to mount an effective response. For the first time ever, the City’s Emergency Operations Center was staffed with management personnel who were able to assist in making important and time-sensitive decisions as the storm neared landfall. As Hurricane Rita climbed to a Category 5 status, the mayor issued a mandatory evacuation for residents. Seventy-five percent of Pasadena residents are estimated to have left the city during the evacuation. With help from the Pasadena Independent School District, METRO, the City of Houston and East Texas Medical Center, 900 residents received City assistance during the evacuation, 160 with special needs.
[snip]
Read the whole thing, it’s good info to have.
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01.08.06
Posted in News at 8:35 pm by Paloma Cruz
Little bit of news I found at the Pasadena Citizen:
North Pasadena gets first liquor license
When Proposition 1 passed last November, one convenience store was ready.
The proposition allowed for sales of beer and wine for off-premises consumption in North Pasadena which allows for sales of beer and wine for off-premises consumption in north Pasadena.
The Neighborhood Shop, at 2104 Strawberry Road, received its wine and beer license Wednesday and owners were eager to get started on the sales. This store is the first to sell beer and wine on the north side of town. Businesses on the south side of Pasadena were already allowed to sell alcohol.
[snip]
The alcohol will be placed in the back of the store so it will be out of the way of children that come into the store.
[snip]
Interesting. I wonder what this means for Pasadena, and its future.
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