By Gilbert Hoffman North Forest Publisher North Forest’s new Multi-Service Center was the site of a public meeting last Saturday, June 28, to hear an update on the current status of the North Forest ISD from leaders of the educational community. The featured speaker was Ron Rowell of the Texas Education Agency, but also present to speak and answer questions from a large audience of parents and citizens were NFISD superintendent William Jones, NFISD Board Vice President Alan Provost, and officers of the NEEF (Northeast Education First) advocacy group, including Robin German Curtis. Additionally, although not present, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee issued a strong statement calling for a new “Board of Managers” and the reassignment of special education children to other districts. The meeting was moderated by NEEF’s Paula Settles, who also ran a question and answer session later with Albert Coleman. The main speaker, TEA’s Ron Rowell, who has led the team that is trying to correct problems at NFISD, made a four part presentation, reviewing the problems, situations, and outlook for the future. He broke his talk down into the history of TEA’s involvement with North Forest’s problems, the academic failures, the financial problems, and the interaction with the community. [MORE]

Greenspoint Mall was the site of a spectacular Share-A-Song Concert last Saturday, with thousands enjoying the sun and song. At top, John Reuben entertains, and at right, Mark Harris of 4Him sings. MORE events this Saturday, with a SPORTS SHOW all day.

Firefighters battle a blaze at the Rockwood Landing Apartments on John F. Kennedy Blvd. June 26. Approximately 50 residents were forced from their apartments due to the fire.

Approximately 50 people were left homeless last week when a fire broke out at the Rockwood Landing Apartments on John K. Kennedy Blvd. near Aldine Mail Route.
Tommy Searcy, with the Westfield Volunteer Fire Department, said that the fire started about 1:15 p.m. Although the fire was contained to one building in the complex, eight apartments were destroyed by fire and 4 damaged.
Also responding to the three-alarm blaze were the Houston Fire Dept., Aldine Fire & Rescue, Little York VFD, Atascocita VFD, Northwest VFD and Ponderosa VFD.
Officials say that due to a quick evacuation of residents there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Greselda Onofre of Nimitz High School receives one of 13 scholarships awarded last Sunday at the American Legion Hall. At left, president Daniel Viera of the Vaqueros Trail Riders, and at right Commander Rudy Barelas of American Legion Post 578.

NORTHEAST HOUSTON– Over one hundred persons were on hand last Sunday afternoon, as the American Legion Post 578, on Aldine Mail Route, and Fort Bend County’s Vaqueros Trail Riders, combined their efforts to recognize and award scholarships to deserving college bound students from both of their service areas.
A total of 13 students received the scholarships of $1000 each for their college expenses. This included students from MacArthur, Aldine, and Nimitz High Schools in the Aldine District, and other schools in the greater Houston and Fort Bend areas.
The ceremony and luncheon were also a celebration for the local American Legion Post of their 20th year serving veterans in the Aldine/Greenspoint district. It was April 1988 that the post was founded, with several locations between then and now. According to Post Commander Rudy Barelas, the group has recently completed a remodelling and update to their buildings and facilities on Aldine Mail Route, and this was an opportunity to show them to the public.
The program also included talks for the benefit of the scholarship recipients. Speakers included Tatcho Mandolia, Jr., a professor at the University of Houston; Brittany Rivas, the 2007 Scholarship recipient; and Rudy Cano, a vice president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Four of the scholarships were from funds raised by the American Legion post, with the help of the VFW Post 9187, and the balance from the Vaqueros, who said they expect to be able to raise even more next year.

Date: Saturday, June 28, 2008
NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION:
Location: Northeast Multi-Service Center
9720 Spaulding, Houston, Texas 77016
Time: 10am to 12 noon
SPONSORED BY NEEF
NORTHEAST EDUCATION FIRST

Guest Speaker: Mr. Ron Rowell
Texas Education Agency (TEA)

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