Government
Events
BY MELISSA ENAJE & LEAH FOREMAN
BY ASIA ARMOUR
Houston OKs repairs on I-69 bridge lights Houston City Council passed an item Sept. 20 approving a collaboration between the city and Houston First Corporation on the repair and upkeep of the decorative lights on bridges over the Southwest Freeway. The current situation The lights, which were installed in 2017 ahead of Super Bowl LI, have been defunct for months. The collaboration serves to repair the lights and maintain them for the next decade. The details The project is estimated to cost $4 million over the next 10 years, and the city will pay two-thirds of the cost, or $2.7 million, in fiscal year 2023-24. Houston First, the city’s marketing branch, will pay one-third and will cover any overruns in installation and maintenance for the
Harris County officials adopt $2.7B budget Harris County will be operating fiscal year 2023-24 on a $2.7 billion budget, a $500 million increase from last year’s budget, after commissioners unanimously approved the amount on Sept. 19. Digging deeper According to officials, the budget includes the most significant investment in public safety in the county’s history. • $119 million to law enforcement • $5 million to provide body-worn cameras to jail staff • $7.8 million in additional jail medical costs Other countywide funding includes $128 million for Harris County Flood Control District and $888 million for Harris Health.
Andrist will perform at the concert. • Oct. 12, 7-8 p.m. • Free • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 5500 Main St., Houston • www.mfah.org Silver Celebration The Houston Contemporary Dance Company kicks off its 2023-24 season with Silver Celebration. The show will feature a world premiere from Norbert De La Cruz as well as works by McKinley Willis, Yoshito Sakaraba and solo guest artist Sean Carmon. • Oct. 14, 7:30-9:30 p.m. • $25-$50 • Hobby Center for Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St., Houston • www.houstoncontemporary.org
October
Zoo Boo 2023 Throughout October, guests visiting the Houston Zoo are encouraged to wear costumes as they enjoy fall festivities—such as animal-themed carved pumpkins, autumn-based photo ops, and a pumpkin lantern tunnel between the lions and tiger exhibits. • Daily through Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • From $24.70 • 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston • www.houstonzoo.org Hispanic Business Summit Local organizations will collaborate with the U.S. Small Business Administration for a morning of networking and a panel of lenders with tips on accessing business capital. This event will be held entirely in Spanish. • Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-noon • Free • The Ion, 4201 Main St., Houston • www.iondistrict.com Sight and Sound Concert The River Oaks Chamber Orchestra collaborates with Houston’s Museum of Fine Art for an evening of art and music. Violinist Eva Burmeister and Pianist Audrey
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next decade. The installation will include new technology, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. The lights were originally installed and maintained by the Montrose Management District, which has
Bayou City Art Festival The annual festival returns to Sam Houston Park, giving attendees a chance to view and purchase original art in a large outdoor gallery, meet artists and enjoy live entertainment at two stages. The event will also feature a food truck park, beverage stations and a chef’s table, which will offer an arts and tasting experience with local chefs. • Oct. 14-15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • $20 ($75 for VIP) • 1000 Bagby St., Houston • www.bayoucityartfestival.com
been inactive. Quote of note
November
“I think we’re all familiar with the decorative lights across [I-69],” Turner said to the council members. “You talk about adding to the beautifi- cation of the city and that whole area. I know in just driving through, over the years, I’ve heard from so many people how attractive the city looked with those lights changing colors.”
Native Plant Propagation Instructor Nova Morales teaches attendees different methods of plant propagation in this hands-on class. • Nov. 4, 10 a.m.-noon • Starts at $45 • Houston Arboretum, 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston • www.houstonarboretum.org
HOUSTON SUPERSTORE 2410 Smith Street (713) 526-8787
WESTCOTT AND MEMORIAL 5818 Memorial Dr (713) 861-4161
SHEPHERD 1900 S Shepherd (713) 529-4849
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