Two MLK Parades Who do I M Call? Set to Begin in Midtown in 2012

idtown is proud to be the originating point for the 6th Annual MLK Youth Parade (January 14) and the 18th Annual MLK Grande Parade (January 16) that will join with celebrations across the nation to commemorate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. The festivities are sponsored by the MLK Parade Foundation whose sole purpose is to promote racial harmony through educational and promotional concepts and ideas. The 5th Annual MLK Youth Parade will begin at 12 p.m. (check in at 10 a.m. at Houston Community CollegeCentral (HCCC) campus, 1300 Holman) and will wind along a .7-mile route. The 18th Annual MLK Grande Parade, set for January 16, will begin at 10 a.m. led by Co-Grand Marshals Curly Neal and James Sanders.Well-known as “Curly”

and “Twiggy”, the two showmen and their on-the-court antics are synonymous with the famous Harlem Globetrotters. The Parade is expected to attract 300,000 spectators with hundreds of thousands more that will view the parade on TV. Led by The University of Houston “The Spirit Of Houston” Marching Band, the day will include professionally designed floats, marching bands, and performing groups. Various dignitaries and community organizations will join in as well. Both parades will originate at San Jacinto and Elgin. For additional parade information and registration, as well as details for the 11th Annual MLK Battle of the Bands Competition and MLK Day of Service with the Harlem Globetrotters, please go to www.mlkgrandeparade.org.

Healing Streams San José Clinic - helping hands in midtown

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or the wide population of individuals who are uninsured and lacking heath care, life can sometimes be compared to a parched, dry ground in need of water. The ‘healing streams’ emanating from San José Clinic may just be the refreshing answer for which they’ve been waiting. San José Clinic began in 1922 supported by the Charity Guild of Catholic Women and is a ministry of the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston as well as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In 2010, a generous gift from the CHRISTUS Foundation of Healthcare, enabled the Clinic to relocate to the new John S. Dunn/W.T. & Louise J. Moran Family Health Center in the center of Midtown. “We want to provide quality health care with dignity and respect to individuals and families that have limited access to such services,” explains Paule Anne Lewis, executive director. Individuals living within 10 counties and 200 zip codes, even as far away as Waller and Galveston counties, can call for eligibility. The host of services literally span the alphabet. From audiology, cardiology, gastroenterology, and internal medicine, to ophthalmology, neurology and urology—so many more needs can now be met. Through the third quarter of this year, 3,760 patients journeyed to the Clinic totaling a stunning 21,763 visits. Julius Crenshaw is in that number. He is 50-years-old and lives in an outlying area, far from downtown Houston where the Clinic is located; yet he qualified for services. For over three years, Crenshaw has received dental services, eye care, diabetes education and receives his medications from the Class A pharmacy conveniently located for patients within the building. “The staff is sincere and treated me with respect and dignity,” Crenshaw shares gratefully. “They didn’t treat me like I had no insurance—they treated me like I had insurance. I was overwhelmed by the service.”

By Elizabeth C. Searcy

Respectable organizations team up with the Clinic including 23 university teaching affiliations and 18 collaborative partners who provide direct support. The lifeblood of any nonprofit is their volunteers. There are many needs and just as many rewarding opportunities to give back. Dentists, hygienists, medical assistants, nurses, pharmacy technicians, and physicians, especially those bilingual in Spanish, are all needed to share their gifts of healing and compassion in this nurturing atmosphere. Likewise, volunteer opportunities abound for individuals in the community. Roles in administration, marketing, patient care and support are all available. Hilda Vollero, M.D., is a pediatric neurologist and has been volunteering once a week at the Clinic for 10 years. Her husband, Dr. Robert Vollero, a urologist and surgeon is the Clinic’s volunteer medical director. “Whoever comes can pick and choose their own time,” Dr. Hilda encourages. Revitalize your health and partake of this invigorating oasis called San José Clinic. San José Clinic Wish List Clinical Needs: Cardiology Stress Test Equipment; Fiber Optic Endoscope; Hyfrecator, (A Dermatology and Minor Surgical Procedure Unit); Surgical Equipment. Non-Clinical Needs: Computer Server; Incumbent Bike; Treadmill Contact: Executive Director, Paule Anne Lewis 2615 Fannin Street (at McGowen), Houston, Texas 77002 Telephone: 713-228-9411 • Eligibility: 713-490-2610 Volunteer: 713-228-9413 • www.sanjoseclinic.org Email: volunteer@sanjoseclinic.org

Emergency calls: 9-1-1 Non-Emergency Houston Service Help Line: (Traffic signals & signs, potholes, broken curbs, water leaks, etc.) Be sure to request a reference number. 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 Midtown Management District 713-526-7577 City of Houston – Animal Control 713-229-7300 City of Houston – Public Works City of Houston – Public Utilities City of Houston – Solid Waste City of Houston – Curbs & Ditch City of Houston – Code Violations/ Neighborhood Protection City of Houston – Fire Marshall Enforcement 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 www.houstontx.gov City of Houston Environmental Investigations 713-525-2728 CenterPoint (gas) 713-659-2111 Reliant Energy (electric) 713-207-7777 Nonworking street light. Provide the 6-digit pole number (6-7 ft high on the pole)

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AT&T (telephone) 1-800-464-7928 (new service) 1-800-246-8464 (repair) Comcast 713-462-9000 METRO Light Rail/Bus Schedules & Routing 713-635-4000 Police Dispatch (concerns along the rail/bus stops & HOV) 713-224-COPS (2677) Houston Police Department (HPD) (Non-Emergency) 713-884-3131 HPD Central Station 713-247-4400 HPD South Central Station 832-394-0200 Harris County Sheriff’s Dispatch 713-221-6000 Harris County Precinct 7 Dispatch 713-643-6602 Crime Stoppers 713-222-8477 Texas Poison Center Network 1-800-222-1222 Mayor’s Citizens’ Assistance Office 713-527-4002 mayor@cityofhouston.net James Rodriguez, City Council District I 832-393-3011 districti@houstonTX.gov Wanda Adams, City Council District D 832-393-3001 districtd@houstonTX.gov