2 minute read
A message from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle
Welcome to another intriguing issue of Precinct4Update! Since our debut issue last fall, my team has taken a deep dive into Precinct 4’s local cultural arts scene and parks system to bring you an issue packed with useful information perfect for spring and summer.
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Our cover story looks at a few of the beloved institutions that make our community special. These spaces provide a vibrant legacy of cultural enrichment and art across the precinct, from the Charles Bender Performing Arts Center and the Nathaniel Center in the northeast to the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts and the Burroughs Park pavilion in the northwest. These performing arts venues host live performances ranging from classical opera and theater to modern musicals, while the Pearl exhibits a collection of fine art. I encourage you to learn more about these important amenities in the article “Community Enrichment Through the Arts.”
Spring and summer also provide plenty of opportunities to embrace the outdoors. As we enjoy longer, sunnier days, I encourage you to learn about some of the many activities coming your way. Read about a recently opened innovation lab at Lone Star College-Tomball, a new style of birding for the modern age, and tips for using edible plants in dishes, teas, and soaps. In case you need any more encouragement to head outside, read about a few Precinct 4 residents who serve as models for embracing the outdoors. Learn about why they love their local parks and how they make nature a priority.
Precinct 4 also works to improve the community each day with the help of a healthy volunteer base. In this issue, read about how our volunteers make a difference by maintaining the gardens at Mercer Botanic Gardens, serving as reenactors at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, and providing other important services throughout the community.
On a more serious note, flooding remains a concern in Precinct 4, especially during the rainy spring months and during hurricane season, which begins June 1. As your commissioner, I take pride in keeping you informed about important issues that may affect your homes, lives, and property. In “Forgotten Waterways,” read about why some of our local waterways went unmaintained and how Harris County Flood Control District works to assign responsibility for these neglected channels.
If you enjoy this publication, I invite you to submit article ideas, important community projects, and other newsworthy events and issues to our editor and communications director, Joe Stinebaker, at jstinebaker@hcp4.net. With your help, we hope to tailor Precinct4Update to reflect your needs and interests because it truly is “for you.”
