President's Report August 2026

Christmas In July

I cannot help myself. I must make a reference to "Christmas in July." For I believe it was in July that efforts on Lights in the Heights 2026 first got underway. Now that we're at the end of August, things are most definitely in process. The route has been decided, which allowed the permit to be submitted. We're currently reaching out to potential sponsors and donors.

The organization of the Lights in the Heights Bash is well and truly in-process. We're happy to announce that Gabby's BBQ is returning as the food sponsor. Kagan Cellars is and Eureka Heights will once again be providing liquid refreshment. There's a lot more yet to do. In particular, we're still seeking donations of items for the auction. Bash Committee head Nikki Hanley has more on the event later in this issue.

On to more business-like matters. The new contract for the Woodland Heights Constable Patrol Program just arrived in my inbox. The rate we pay Harris County Precinct One for the constable patrol has increased incrementally. This was not entirely unexpected. The program remains a valuable resource to the neighborhood.

We currently have 478 neighbors who support the constable patrol. However, only 247 are paying the new rate established in May of 2025. That means most are still paying the older rate.

Since last December, every month we've sent messages to those Constable Patrol subscribers whose support just renewed at the old rate. That message provides guidance on how to move to the new rate. Although we are happy to help, it's not something that we can do for you. 

To those of you who have acted on that message, on behalf of the entire WHCA board, I thank you!  To those of who have not, we will continue to try and get your attention. We need everyone paying the new rate, or we will eventually be forced to cut back on the program.

On the Constable Patrol

On to more business-like matters. The new contract for the Woodland Heights Constable Patrol Program just arrived in my inbox. The rate we pay Harris County Precinct One for the constable patrol has increased incrementally. This was not entirely unexpected. The program remains a valuable resource to the neighborhood.

We currently have 478 neighbors who support the constable patrol. However, only 247 are paying the new rate established in May of 2025. That means most are still paying the older rate.

Since last December, every month we've sent messages to those Constable Patrol subscribers whose support just renewed at the old rate. That message provides guidance on how to move to the new rate. Although we are happy to help, it's not something that we can do for you

To those of you who have acted on that message, on behalf of the entire WHCA board, I thank you!  To those of who have not, we will continue to try and get your attention. We need everyone paying the new rate, or we will eventually be forced to cut back on the program.

Ornamentally, my dear Watson: Thinking about LITH in July

In July every year WHCA picks a logo design for the coming edition of Lights in the Heights. This logo is typically used in event branding, signage, etc. It’s also turned into a cloisonné tree ornament that we sell online. This series of ornaments has offered for almost a decade. Proceeds from all the merchandise sales help to support the event.

In order to have the new ornaments ready for Lights in the Heights the logo design needs to be selected in July. It takes the company that makes them a considerable time to turn the design to something they can implement in cloisonné. Once the design proof is approved, they go on to produce and deliver the ornaments. Our aim is to have them available for pickup at Friday Night Lights.

Over the years, there have been various approaches to arriving at an event logo. For some time, we were able to get the cooperation of art teachers at neighborhood schools, such that local kids created the designs. Sadly, our outreach to HISD for participation went unanswered.

Undeterred but wanting to involve neighborhood youth in the design process, we decided to hold a contest, inviting kids from area schools via social media and our newsletter to submit their designs. It was limited to students, but not strictly to Woodland Heights schools. To make it a little more interesting, we decided to offer a modest prize for the top three submissions.

After a slow start, we received a total of 7 entries. These were presented to the neighbors attending the July WHCA Member’s meeting. Those in attendance were invited to rank the designs.

Lights in the Heights 2026 Logo Design Submissions

After the ranking we discovered there had been in fact an eight submission. It was submitted on time but got misplaced in a mass of email. It was not presented at the meeting but is nonetheless a strong contender. At next week’s WHCA board meeting we're hoping to find out from the manufacturer if the 1st ranked ornament works for their manufacturing processes. Once that is clear then all who made submissions will be notified of the results and we'll let you know as well.

This is the first time that we’ve ever done this sort of contest. We’ve learned a few things along the way. If we do this again, the process will be tweaked to give kids a more concrete sense of the design parameters. Even so, we’ve got some great designs, so we’re happy to be able to go forward with one (or maybe two!) of the best designs.