Events
The Buzz About The July General Meeting /
Late Breaking Update: Eek! Due to a miscommunication tonight's general meeting has moved from Hogg Middle School to A 2nd Cup Coffee on 11th street. Sorry for the late notice!
The July General Meeting of the Woodland Heights Civic Association will take place Tuesday, July 10th at 7pm in the cafeteria at Hogg Middle School, 1100 Merrill.
The agenda includes:
- David Welch with the Community & Regional Planning Division of the City of Houston Planning & Development Department presenting about the Special Minimum Lot Size and Building ordinances, including information about how the program works, the application and renewal process, and answering questions.
- All Things Bees in Texas - by Shelley Rice, a WH resident who is a member of Houston Beekeepers Association.
Of course, the WHCA board members will provide updates on their various areas of activity. It's also your chance to pose questions to the civic association board. We hope to see you there!
LITH 2018: Save The Dates! /
Lighter in the Heights
Neighborhood Garage Sales
Saturday, September 29, 2018
7 am - 1 pm
Light up the Night Holiday Bash
Benefiting Lights in the Heights
1111 Studewood
Saturday, November 3, 2018
7 pm - 11 pm
Friday Night Lights
Neighborhood Gathering
Norhill Esplanade
Friday, December 7, 2018
6 pm - 9 pm
Lights in the Heights
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Byrne and Euclid Streets
6 pm - 9 pm
Presented by the Woodland Heights Civic Association.
Details to follow by email and at http://www.woodland-heights.org.
For more info contact lightsintheheights@gmail.com.
Hope to see you at all four events!
Fourth of July Parade Cancelled! /
Morning All,
I have been up watching the radar and the forecasts for about an hour. Although the thunderstorms have been pushed back a little, the thunderstorm probability for the Woodland Heights is still very high... 79% by 9 AM, 94% by 10 AM and 98% by 11 AM. Given these numbers and risking err on the conservative side, I have decided to cancel the Fourth of July Parade. The last thing I want to do is put the folks in our neighborhood in any kind of danger.
- Harry McMahon, President, WHCA
Fourth of July Parade 2018 Status /
Given the impending inclement weather on the morning of the Fourth of July, we thought it important to notify the neighborhood on what will occur if there is inclement weather. Unfortunately, in the event of inclement weather, the parade is canceled. We will make the final go or no-go decision early in the morning of the Fourth and post that decision well before the scheduled start of the parade at 9 AM.
- Harry McMahon, President, WHCA
Annual 4th of July Celebration /
This 4th of July, join us and your neighbors at the Norhill Esplanade from 9am to 12 noon. Kids are encouraged to bring their decorated ride for the holiday parade! The fun will include the parade, snow cones, games and a bouncy house.
A family neighborhood event open to all, this 4th of July event is sponsored by the Woodland Heights Civic Association.
Critical Mass Ride will NOT be meeting at Stude Park as originally announced /
On June 8th it was announced that Critical Mass Houston would be relocating the meeting place for their major monthly bike ride to Stude Park. This was announced in a video posted to their Facebook page. We shared the video to the WHCA Facebook page to inform neighbors of this fact.
As you might expect, this announcement caused a great deal of discussion in various forums. There were numerous threads on Nextdoor, with many people sharing their past experience of the ride. The were many voices both for and against this change. Some legitimate concerns were raised by both the organizers and those concerned about the impact of the event on the neighborhood.
All of that is preface as earlier today Hector Garcia, one of the organizers of CM, left the following comment on the WHCA Facebook page:
"UPDATE: Hello Woodland Heights. Wanted to update you all and let you know that Critical Mass WILL NOT be meeting at Studewood park.
We had a great meeting this morning with HPD, a couple of key officials and council woman Karla Cisneros, who detailed a lot of logistical issues with using Studewood as a meeting location. We now have a couple of great alternative meeting spots for the once a month ride in the works and you can all breathe a little easier now. :)
I do want to thank the few residents who stepped up to offer assistance and anyone else who showed patience and understanding. We'll see you the next time we pass through the heights. Again, you're all invited to come join the ride on the Last Friday of the Month. We'll post the new meeting spot as soon as we confirm."
A big thank you to everyone who came together to help Critical Mass find a new meeting place that would meet their needs, while minimizing the impact on the neighborhood.
Celebrating Ms Helen's 79th Birthday /
Ms Helen has been an HISD crossing guard for the past 17 years. It happens that May 17th was her 79th birthday. Alan Krathaus & Fiona McGettigan were amongst the neighbors that staged a birthday celebration marking the occasion.
The celebration included lights, decor, and music, along with juice, snacks and fresh coffee for those who passed by her normal location on the southwest corner of Bayland and Beauchamp.
I encountered the festivities while out walking Julio & Gwen. By then many of the kids had proceeded to school, so the crowd had thinned. Ms Helen was genuinely touched the by the expression of caring by the neighbors.
WHCA May General Meeting Tuesday, May 8th /
The May General Meeting of the Woodland Heights Civic Association will take place Tuesday, May 8th at 7pm in the cafeteria at Hogg Middle School, 1100 Merrill.
This month the agenda includes:
All About Learn Local
..whose mission is "to establish a bridge for our children between our successful Heights neighborhood elementary schools and Hogg Middle School, enabling progression within our strong, unique community."
Presented by Angela Sugarek, Principal of Hogg Middle School
Everything you ever wanted to know about NextDoor
Presented by Mark Sternfels, one of two neighborhood leads for Woodland Heights.
Firefly Field Installation
Project status presented by the Friends of Woodland Park.
...and all the usual updates from the WHCA board and committees.
The general meetings are your opportunity to find out what's going on and have your voice heard as well. We hope to see you there!
2018 Home Tour Wrap-Up /
2018 WH Home Tour Delivers Roaring Success!
Woodland Heights put its best foot forward, welcoming hundreds into our neighborhood to tour eight historic homes in late March. With thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, support from sponsors, the generosity of civic-minded homeowners and interest from lots of tourgoers, the tour set a fundraising record.
The weekend kicked off with a sneak peek of the eight homes on tour followed by the preview party at Janeen Cook’s historic Rolle House. Close to 100 partygoers mixed and mingled in their “construction chic” garb and some dancing broke out to the toe-tapping Latin jazz of Zenteno Spirit. The delicious spread featured a wide range of nibbles, from hors d’oeuvres through desserts donated by local restaurants with beer, wine and non-alcoholic libations on tap.
A gallery of pictures from the preview party is available at the WHCA web site.
Janeen led an impromptu tour of her 1910 William Wilson home that has remained in her family since its construction. A raffle with exciting prize packages raised another $1,200-plus dollars and one lucky neighbor took home the wine-and-food pairing for eight door prize donated by Kagan Cellars. The “Bob the Builder” mural painted by Hogg Middle School art students and construction props leant by neighbors Jane and Steve Ista set the theme. See the sponsor list for all who contributed to another fun preview party, with thanks to Peggy Sparks, Pat Schaper and Kim Lytle for leading the preview charge.
The next two days saw more than 800 visitors touring some or all of the eight featured homes, ranging from a 1,200-square-foot charmer now housing a family of five to the 6,600-square-foot beauty built by Woodland Heights’ founder William Wilson for his family. Some 200 docents and cashiers made the visitors feel welcome and shared the homes’ fascinating histories. Three of the homes were recently saved from the wrecking ball by homeowners with a love of the past and passion for restoration. Others had gone through earlier renovations, revisions and expansions to provide modern comforts while respecting their storied past.
The home tour chairs would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who came together to make the event such a success. The neighborhood’s largest fundraiser, proceeds will help keep our community connected and beautiful – truly “our hometown near downtown.”
Homes for the 2020 tour will be selected summer 2019 so if you would like yours to be considered, please email limoss@comcast.net.
Janeen Cook offers a calendar containing photos of her family's historic Rolle House. The house has been in the family since it was built.
Joey and Kelly Sanchez of the Blue Tile Project generously donated the homeowner thank-you gifts this tour. Each received the house's street spelled out in the blue tiles. Installed as markers for Houston's first paved streets in the 1920s -- including throughout Woodland Heights -- many examples of this early "street art" still remain. More information on the project that salutes our history and to order your own sign, visit BlueTileProject.com.
Pam & Greg Roach of 3304 Beauchamp with their new sign courtesy of the Blue Tiles Project.
Thanks to our 2018 Home Tour Sponsors! /
Our wonderful neighborhood businesses help make the tour possible. Please reward these firms with your business and let them know you appreciate their support!
Banner
Morningside Architects
Door Hanger
Lucas Craftsmanship, Inc.
Homes
Sara Black Team, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Anderson Properties
Kay Harden, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
Grogan Building Supply Co. and JELD-WEN Windows & Doors (2 homes)
Lucas Craftsmanship, Inc.
Yvonne Meyer, Karen Stowers, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty, and Renovative Thinking
Melissa Kubala, Boulevard Realty, and The Modern Bungalow Co.
Mary Wassef, Circa Real Estate LLC & FW Heritage, LLC
Tickets
Boulevard Realty
Ticket Booth
Elizabeth Smith, The Mortgage Group
Brochure
Greenwood King Properties, Brigette Larson & Caroline Schlemmer
Bodensteiner Service Inc.
Four Square Design Studio
Hirsch & Westheimer PC
Master Car Care & Collison
Nick’s Plumbing & Sewer Service Inc.
Linda Hulsey & Steve Ciapi, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors
Floral
Athas Florist
Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop
Gaye Jackson’s Flowers in the Heights
J.A. Polito III and Scherry Lindley
Kroger on Studemont
Nuvo Builders
Picked Flower Co.
Friends of Woodland Heights
Jane & Steve Ista
Nuvo Builders
In-Kind
BlueTileProject.com
Crowley Signs & Graphics
LP Printing
Pennebaker
‘Bob the Builder’ Preview Party
Special thanks to Janeen Cook
General Contractors
Mary & Nelson Curl
Greystar
Montalbano Lumber
Subcontractors
The Contemporary Craftsmen
Gina Lesch
McIntyre + Robinowitz Architects PLLC
Semmler Pollard Properties
Vendors
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, Deborah Markey
Ista Construction
Hogg Middle School, Kati Ozanic’s class
Suppliers
Alexander Valley, Arnold Gilberg
Alice Blue
Andy's Home Café
B B's
Becker Vineyards
Bellagreen
Roland Chavez
DaCapo’s Pastry Café
Fusion Taco
Ginger & Fork
Good Dog
Hughie's Heights
Kroger on Studemont
Liberty Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Los Pinos Wines
Mister French’s Gourmet Bakers
Pinkerton’s BBQ
Red Dive Dessert
Sonoma Wine Bar & Restaurant, Heights
Peggy Sparks, Realtor, Semmler Pollard Properties
Sprouts Farmers Market
Town in City Brewing
Door Prize
Emily Trout & Mark Ellenberger, Kagan Cellars
Raffle
Berryhill Baja Grill
Bojangles Music School
Buchanan's Native Plants
CAMBRIA
C&D Hardware
Citizen Pilates
Eclectic Home
Howard Safe & Lock
Gridiron Cookers
Joshua's Native Plants & Garden
Lin Chong
Mila Nelson, Satori Salon
Natran, LLC
Polish Parker and Roe
Richard Hall
Sharon Greif
Tacos a Go-Go
Step Forward to Cure TSC Houston Walk: April 14 in Stude Park /
Everyone is invited to be a part of the “Step Forward to Cure TSC Houston Walk” on April 18, 2018, in Stude Park. Registration starts at 8:30 AM, next to the Stude Community Center. The walk will begin at 9:30 AM. Stude Park Community Center is located at 1031 Stude Street.
The walk brings together individuals and families impacted by a rare genetic disorder called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), and people who join the fight against the devastating condition. TSC is the leading genetic cause of epilepsy and autism.
For more information about the walk, to form a team or to register as an individual participant, email Rachael Jackson at Rachyjack@gmail.com.
Lights in the Heights: Tribute to Jan Greer and Call for Volunteers /
This past December was the 30th anniversary of Lights in the Heights, a Woodland Heights tradition. This memorable neighborhood event has been made possible by the hard work of volunteers right here in our community.
The most recent Chairperson of the Lights in the Heights Committee was Jan Greer, who served from 2015 to 2017. Jan first served on the committee from 2011 to 2014 under the leadership of Terri Guerra, Glen Sementelli, and Tim McConn. During that time she gained experience as Captain of the House Decorating Contest, T-Shirt Captain, and Secretary. Jan has been hard-working, energetic, and eager to help in all of her roles.
Committee members recall her loaning personal décor items for the Gala, coordinating with local businesses, responding to countless e-mails and phone calls, and handling difficult situations with grace, even in the last few days before her second child was born! During her years as Chairperson she has worked to maintain the neighborhood and family-centered nature of Lights in the Heights by seeing to operations and logistics and maintaining appropriately-sized attendance.
L-to-R: Katie McCafferty (FNL Chair), Mrs Claus, Mr Claus, Jan Green (LITH Chair, 2015-17)
She oversaw three successful fundraising Galas and neighborhood-only Friday Night Lights events. Despite challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Jan and the Committee held a fantastic 30th Lights in the Heights celebration and organized additional neighborhood-only gatherings in the week leading up to the main event. Jan’s passion for the Woodland Heights and willingness to serve is clear, and we are so grateful for her leadership. Thank you, Jan!
After serving for three successful years as Chair, Jan has decided to step down for 2018. Our very own Beth Allen-Brock and Melissa McKee (with the blessing of the WHCA board) are searching for people willing to serve as Co-Chairs for the Lights in the Heights Committee.
This year the plan is to have multiple Co-Chairs to spread the load of the Chair position and welcome more volunteers to the committee. Jan has kindly consented to be a “consultant” for this year to help with the transition and provide valuable history and background on Lights in the Heights.
If you are interested in serving as a Co-Chair or in another role, please contact Melissa McKee and Beth Allen-Brock at lith-chair@woodland-heights.org.
Home Tour Preview Party Tonight! /
There are about 20 tickets still available for the “Bob the Builder” preview party tonight. Music, food, libations and fun! $100 online until noon or at the door (assuming still available), 530 Byrne starting at 5 p.m. If you are attending, attire is “construction chic!” As Bob says: Can we fix it? Yes we can!
Tickets remain available online.
WHCA General Meeting Tonight! /
The March General Meeting of the WHCA will take place tonight! That's Tuesday, March 20th at 7pm in the cafeteria at Hogg Middle School, 1100 Merrill.
The focus of this meeting will be the election of a new board of directors for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Over the past seven weeks the nominating committee has sought out candidates to run for the board. Now that nominations are closed, the final list of candidates is as follows:
- President: Matt Reynolds (current President-Elect)
- President-Elect: Harry McMahon
- Deed Restrictions: Melissa Sternfels
- Communications: Michael Graves (Incumbent)
- Membership: Jay Francis, Kelly Hare
- Treasurer: Sharon Greiff
- Beautification: Stephanie Riceman
- Security: Cody McGregor
- Infrastructure: Matt Johnson (Incumbent)
- Secretary: Debbie Hall
This meeting is your once a year opportunity to meet the candidates and cast your vote for who you think should help steer WHCA for the coming year. Come let your voice be heard!
Nominations from the floor of the meeting are not allowed. All WHCA Board members must be current homeowner members of the WHCA, and the VP of Deed Restrictions must also be a licensed attorney.
WHCA General Meeting Tuesday, March 20th at 7pm /
The March General Meeting of the WHCA will take place on Tuesday, March 20th at 7pm in the cafeteria at Hogg Middle School, 1100 Merrill.
The focus of this meeting will be the election of a new board of directors for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Matt Reynolds, President-Elect in 2017-18, will transition into the role of President for the coming year. All other board positions are up for election.
For the past six weeks the nominating committee has been seeking candidates to run for the board. Those who wish to run for a position must be WHCA members in good standing and submit a completed application form to the nominating committee no later than Monday, March 19th. Completed application forms can be emailed to nominations@woodland-heights.org.
Nominations from the floor of the meeting are not allowed. All WHCA Board members must be current homeowner members of the WHCA, and the VP of Deed Restrictions must also be a licensed attorney.
This meeting is your once a year opportunity to meet the candidates and cast your vote for who you think should help steer WHCA for the coming year. Come let your voice be heard!
Lights-In-The-Heights Toy Drive Revisited /
As you may know, this past year the LITH Gala committee added a toy drive to the event, in support of local families impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Everyone attending the sold out gala brought a toy. The toys collected were contributed to the Houston Fire Department’s Operation Stocking Stuffer.
Further, event sponsor Big Blue Whale Toys & Curiosities on 19th street bested their original offer to match every toy purchased there by people attending the gala, more than doubling-up on the good cheer!
Late in January we received a summary of the results of Operation Stocking Stuffer in 2017. Over forty pages long, it documents everything that went into producing the biggest and most successful toy drive in their history. It includes a specific call-out to the Woodland Heights for the truckload of toys donated as a result of the LITH Gala.
Little League teams will parade In neighborhood March 24th /
Norhill and Michaux will be the main streets for the opening day parade of the Heights-Norhill Little League season. The parade, which will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, features an entry for each team. Players will be wearing their complete uniforms. Traditionally, bands, cheering squads and HPD units are part of the pageantry.
The parade route starts at the corner of Forester and Usener, adjacent to Stude Park (where the league teams compete). The parade will head north on Norhill, turning east on Woodland, before making a turn onto Michaux and heading south, back to Stude Park.
For more information, email Heights.Norhill@gmail.com.
2018 Woodland Heights Home Tour /
Fresh Traditions - plus 3 Bonus - “Teardown Turnarounds.”
Woodland Heights will once again welcome visitors into some of its most charming historic homes during its “Fresh Traditions” biannual home tour March 24-25, from noon to 6 p.m. In addition to five original homes ranging in size and style, the tour will showcase three “teardown turnaround” bonus homes. Once considered unsalvageable, these houses are testament to how a homeowner’s vision and commitment, combined with creative architects and experienced contractors, can rescue even the most neglected house and turn it into a showplace.
Tickets $25 in advance, $30 starting March 23. Purchase today online. Tickets will also be available at a variety of local merchants beginning March 1st.
WHCA January General Meeting Cancelled! /
This most recent bout of cold, freezy weather has resulted in HISD closing all their facilities today. As a consequence, we are forced to cancel the WHCA January General Meeting that had been planned for this evening at Hogg Middle School.
The next General Meeting will be Tuesday, March 20th. That will be the Annual General meeting, which includes the election of a new board of directors for 2018-19.
Be on the lookout for announcements about the Nominating Committee that will shortly be formed to seek candidates for the board. Also, for news about the WHCA Home Tour, which is coming up in March.
