The holiday season is upon us. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, there is no getting around the fact, the holiday season is fast approaching. For the Woodland Heights, the holiday season comes with more than its annual evening of fun, Lights In The Heights.
The LITH big night is December 8th, a Saturday, as a culmination of several events coordinated by the Woodland Heights Civic Association via the LITH Committee. Lighter In The Heights, completed over two weekends (October 8 and October 15), expertly pulled off by Sharon Greiff and the LITH committee despite rain on the first weekend, gave folks in the neighborhood a chance to be free of their garage sale items without going through the hassle of staging a garage sale.
November 3 at 7 PM is Light Up The Night Bash, a casual gathering for fun and frolic, will feature unique silent auction items, food from neighborhood restaurants, wine, and beer. Friday Night Lights on December 7 (I luv the name of this casual gathering for neighbors on the Norhill Esplanade!) followed by the biggie, LITH. There are full details on the events, opportunities and merchandise posted on the WHCA website under https://www.woodland-heights.org/lith/.
After months of planning and coordination, at our WHCA General Meeting and General Forum (for all Woodland Heights residents, not just those who are members of the WHCA) of September 11, Sharon Greiff presented a detailed overview of all the plans and preparation going into pulling off a fun, safe and secure LITH. Several members of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events along with Representative Cisneros and her Director of Special Operations were in attendance along with numerous WHCA members and non-member residents. The crowd showed unanimous support of all the efforts put forth to better LITH. No one who had a negative opinion of LITH or might have a criticism of the organizers and their plans attended.
That stated, we, the Board of the WHCA, know there are those in the neighborhood who long for the good old days when LITH was a tiny event almost exclusively for the neighborhood. Gone are those days. Personally, I moved into the neighborhood in 2007 and have lived on both Omar and Bayland, the guts of the LITH in years past. I personally witnessed the huge attendances and have also personally witnessed the decrease in attendance over the last few years. This decrease is the result of a concerted effort by previous WHCA Boards and LITH Committees to “localize” the event. These efforts have been hugely successful by decreasing the attendance more than 50 percent. As my wife would say, Good on ya, you beaut!
For all the gains, there is no doubt there was and will be continue to be incidents which rancor some folks in the neighborhood. To the extent possible, the LITH committee and the WHCA Board of Directors have worked diligently to limit the potential of such incidents and secure the event in such a way, should such incidents occur, a suitable response is available. The Board and LITH Committee cannot control individual behavior. We suggest, should you witness foul behavior, report it. The LITH Committee have seen to it there is plenty of security, both HPD and Constable Patrol.
Although the General Neighborhood Forum for LITH is past, we have another WHCA General Meeting scheduled for November 13th. We invite you to attend. If you are not a member of the WHCA, we also invite you to join so you too will have a chance to vote your opinion on any issue raised to a ballot.
Harry McMahon
President
Woodland Heights Civic Association
Greater Northside Management District (GNMD) & UH Urban Design Workshop /
Greater Northside Management District (GNMD) would like to invite you to our Urban Design Workshop with the University of Houston - Community Design Resource Center (CDRC) on November 9, 2018, at 12 PM at BakerRipley Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South Street. The purpose of this Urban Design Workshop is to develop the strategic vision and place-based urban design strategies for opportunity areas related to connectivity, identity, and economic development for the District. We are excited to receive a design standard toolkit for the District designed by CDRC composed from stakeholder workshops.
Please RSVP to info@greaternorthsidedistrict.org for lunch count.
Greater Northside Urban Design Workshop
Greater Northside Management District/Community Design Resource Center
November 9, 2018, at 12PM
Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South Street
And the Winning Bid Goes To … /
This year’s Light Up the Night Holiday Bash will feature a live auction of special items:
Cooking class with Jay Francis for you and 5 friends. You'll learn to make a German chocolate cake, almond biscotti, and a surprise dessert. Date to be mutually agreed upon.
Meet with Meek – Renowned artist Bill Meek of Meek Gallery will host you and 20 friends with a wine and lite bites evening at his gallery. Bill will demonstrate his unique glass sculpturing and contouring techniques. Date to be mutually agreed upon.
Wine Lover’s Dream – Your WHCA Board has thoughtfully filled the Little Red Wagon with choice bottles of red and white.
Conroe Lakehouse Get-away for a Week– Relax in this 3-2 Walden lake house on the water. Bring your boat or rent one at the Walden Marina for a scenic cruise of this 30-mile long lake. Lounge on the large porch with a good book, or fish off your dock. Date to be mutually agreed upon.
Holiday Hayride – Celebrate the season by touring the 2018 LITH streets and neighborhood in style on Monday, December 17, from 6 – 8 pm. Departs from Buchanan’s on 11th Street at 6 pm sharp. 15 spots, shared ride. This ride normally books a year in advance, so don't miss out!
Get your ticket soon so that you can be one of the winning bidders!
Light up the Night Holiday Bash
Saturday, November 3, 2018, 7 – 11 pm
Roof-top of 1111 Studewood
Join this unique opportunity!
Holiday Bash Volunteers Needed! /
Hello neighbors!
We are looking for volunteers to help make our Holiday Bash a smashing success! It is going to be an awesome event with delicious food and drinks from local vendors, a cool rooftop venue, great silent auction items, and lots of fun neighbors ready to celebrate LITH 2018! We need people to help in the following time slots:
Saturday, November 3rd:
3 people to help set up silent auction items from (5pm - 6:30pm at the party venue)
2 people to check-in people to the silent auction (7 - 9pm)
4 people to help check out guests after the silent auction is over (choose a 9pm - 10 pm or 10pm - 11 pm shift)
2 people to be in charge of items that don't get picked up that night
If you’re interested signup using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B45A5A62EA46-light
For additional information about the Holiday Bash see woodland-heights.org/holiday-bash
Thank you making this year's LITH party a great success!
Recipe: Moroccan Spice Sweet Potato Stew /
Jay Francis, WHCA Board Member for Membership offers the following delicious Fall recipe. And, it’s vegetarian to boot. Four servings, 360 calories each, 14g protein, 70g carbohydrate, 13g fiber
Moroccan Spice Sweet Potato Stew
7 tsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced sodium vegetable broth
1 cup no salt added chickpeas ( I make my own by simmering chickpeas in water until tender, after soaking overnight)
Several sweet potatoes equalling one pound, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 small zucchini, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces (what I do is make my stew but simmer the zucchini separately, in water. I then top the stew with the zucchini. So that the zucchini doesn’t disintegrate by simmering with the stew itself)
1 cup couscous reconstituted with hot water per package instructions, and fluffed with 1 tablespoon of butter
In a pan, heat the oil over medium heat, add the onion and cook until tender but no more than lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in garlic, curry powder, cumin, and allspice and stir until combined.
Add the tomatoes, broth, beans, and sweet potato. Return to medium heat, and cook, covered for 10 minutes or until all is tender. Separately, cook the zucchini. If time is an issue, add the zucchini to the stew to cook with it.
Serve with the couscous
Mayor Turner and HPFFA President Marty Lancton Debate on Proposition B /
In the coming election on November 6th there will be two propositions on the ballet in the city of Houston. While both are important, Proposition B with respect to the firefighters is an especially contentious matter.
It’s important that residents seek the best information they can find to be well-informed about both sides of the issue. To this end we commend the Harris County Democratic Party for hosting a debate on Saturday, October 6th. This is the only time you’ll see both sides of the matter presented together.
Note that the firefighters sued to ensure that (amongst other things) HTV could not televise the Mayor’s Town Halls. While those events remain ongoing around the city, they are only streamed in a limited fashion via Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Periscope account.
Coming Events at Trinity Downtown /
While Trinity Lutheran Church (Trinity Downtown) isn’t within Woodland Heights, it’s just across the tracks and is offering some fun upcoming events that neighbors might be interested in knowing about.
Trunks ‘n’ Treats
Looking for a family friendly Halloween event? Trinity Downtown invites you to join the fun at Trunks ‘n’ Treats on Friday, October 26, 2018 from 5pm-7pm at Upbring School, located at 1316b Washington Ave. An entirely free event, festivities include decorated trunks, candy, bounce houses, carnival games, hot dogs, nachos and more!
Trinity Downtown Oktoberfest
Join Trinity Downtown at 800 Houston Ave. on Sunday, October 28, 2018 from 4pm-6pm for an afternoon of German tradition! Brats with all the fixings will be served. Free beer from St. Arnold’s will be poured, and festive steins will be available for purchase. Enjoy a live Oompah band, corn hole and other fun activities. Event admission is free.
Trinity Concert Series Hymn Festival
Trinity Downtown presents the Hymn Festival featuring James Marriott, Director of Musical Arts at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis who will play on Trinity’s recently renovated 50 rank Holtkamp/Reuter pipe organ. The concert will take place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 2:30pm, 800 Houston Ave and will feature exciting arrangements of many inspiring church hymns. The audience will be encouraged to sing along and will be joined by the voices of the Trinity Sanctuary Choir and the Houston Lutheran Chorale. Admission is free. Freewill offerings are appreciated.
WH Creature Feature #1: Duke /
From the Editor: You may recall (or perhaps not) that some months ago I floated the idea of a Pet-of-the-Month. After all, there are quite likely as many pets in WH as there are people. And they are often full-fledged members of the family. It took until this week for someone to offer up their pet for this first installment.
I call it the “Creature Feature.” Beyond merely being seasonally appropriate, this highlights the fact that I’d welcome pics that are not pets. Birders! I’m talking to you! See an especially great turtle in the park, grab a pic with your phone. Send it along to communications@woodland-heights.org.
Duke: A Labrador / Great Dane Mix.
We rescued Duke as a puppy around Christmas time last year. He loves to go to the dog park and play with dogs of all sizes even though he's usually the largest. When he's not playing at the park, you can find him lounging on the front porch or taking up an entire couch. Even though he's over 100 lbs, he still our big ol' lap dog!
Mayor's Town Hall Meetings On Upcoming City Referendum Elections /
Come get the facts and ask your questions at Mayor Sylvester Turner's town hall meetings about the Rebuild Houston and Fire Union salary referendum elections on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
If you missed the District H meeting on 9/10, you can find dates for upcoming town hall meetings here. The next meetings in the series are:
Wednesday, Oct. 3 – District D – Sunnyside Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 9314 Cullen, 77051
Thursday, Oct. 4 – District I – EB Cape Center, 4501 Leeland, 77023
Monday, Oct. 8 – District F – Alief Community Center, 11903 Bellaire Blvd., 77072
A one-page fact sheet on the vote can be found on the District H website, along with a link to the Mayor's Town Hall PowerPoint presentation.
WHCA Statement of Activity September 2018 /
Questions about WHCA finances can be directed to treasurer@woodland-heights.org.
Yard Of The Month: 134 E 7th Street /
This Yard of the Month is special because, by the time you read this, the very thing that makes this yard so extraordinary may be gone. It's also special because to really appreciate this yard you will look up, and take your time in the shade to appreciate the century oak's quiet life, and now its death. The limbs reach far toward its nearly-as-old home, which it has guarded until now, and to me they look like wind, if you could see wind. To Telia Weisman, the tree wraps itself in a hug. Across the street, the mighty oaks reach out everywhere, locking arms in solidarity with their neighbors.
Telia and her husband, Mark Guzman, have tended to the tree for three years, but now after consultation with arborists, it's determined that the tree is dying inside, causing a danger to those around them as it drops its limbs. The City has marked it for removal as they search for some way to save it. Arborists have now warned that neighbors should take caution around it, and yellow tape moves admirers away.
As sad as this is for Telia and Mark, I think many in our community will miss its awesomeness, even if we did occasionally bump into its great limb that swoops over the sidewalk. Maybe as we dodged that limb we looked up and took it all in. It was there when soldiers returned from wars abroad, when all kids walked or rode their bikes to school, before freeways buzzed, and when everything was quieter and cooler. Time stands still on this corner. I hope others will have time to walk around Norhill and E 7th and enjoy the peace of the oaks all around here, find some acorns, and plant a tree. They can't be taken for granted in the Woodland Heights.
- Stephanie Riceman, VP-Beautification
Care and therapy for stressed trees /
Trees have been having it tough in recent months, arborist Matthew Petty told a Houston Chronicle writer. “We’ve had odd weather patterns, with Harvey, hard freezes last winter and long, hot dry spells this summer.”
In a story appearing Sept. 6, 2018, Molly Glentzer, staff writer, said some arborists have coined a term for trees that appear to be alive but, in fact, are standing on dead roots. The term is “zombie trees.” Trees, you see, can take years to die.
On the positive side, care and intervention can sustain or occasionally revive trees that have endured stressful conditions.
Here are tips for prolonging tree life:
Periodic pruning
Regular fertilizing
Show, deep watering during dry spells
Checkup by a certified arborist
The drought of 2011 killed almost half the trees in Memorial Park. Yet, hope remains for some of the survivors of the drought, specifically post oaks. The Memorial Park Conservancy is hoping to revive some of the post oaks in the park through a regimen of aerating their root systems and injecting them with biological material made from the compost of fallen trees.
- Rosie Walker, Writer and long-time WH Resident
Woodland Park 3rd Annual Scout Clean Up Day /
Sunday, November 4th 2-4 PM
212 Parkview St, Houston 77009
Join us as we help to clean up a local treasure. All Scouts, friends, family and neighbors are welcome.
To register your group, please email Lauren Lindsay: mail and complete the online waiver on the FWP website: https://www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org/ All materials provided and fun patches available for purchase. We hope to see you there!
Jay’s Sugar Cookies /
Jay Francis, on the Board, representing Membership offers the following easy and delicious Sugar Cookie recipe this month:
Yield: 3 dozen cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 6-8 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter (make sure that the butter has softened at room temperature)
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups all purpose flour
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F.
In the bowl of your mixer cream butter and sugar until smooth, at least 3 minutes.
Beat in the extracts and egg.
In a separate bowl combine baking powder and salt with flour and add a little at a time to the wet ingredients. The dough will be very stiff. If it becomes too stiff for your mixer turn out the dough onto a countertop surface. Wet your hands and finish off kneading the dough by hand.
There isn’t a need to chill the dough. Divide into workable batches, roll out onto a floured surface and cut. You want these cookies to be on the thicker side (closer to 1/4 inch rather than 1/8).
Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes. Let them cool on the cookie sheet until firm enough to transfer to a cooling rack.
Lights in the Heights Merchandise Now For Sale! /
The 2018 edition LITH cloisonné ornament is in production. This year's festive logo was designed by Jacob Gonzales, a student in Hogg Middle School's graphic design program. We've added a second cloisonné ornament this year with the highly recognizable trademarked LITH bulb logo. The illustrations don't quite do these beauties justice. These custom ornaments are handcrafted with 24k gold plated wire outlining the vivid colors of the design. Each ornament comes in a silk covered gift box - perfect for giving and safekeeping.
We also have Holiday Bash tickets, LITH embroidered aprons, printed tea towels, private party signs, and the 30th Anniversary t-shirts available for sale on the website.
Pre-order any of these items and they will be ready for you to pick up at Friday Night Lights on the Norhill Esplanade on December 7. Additional merchandise not sold on our website will be available at FNL including koozies, lighted wands for the kids, and LITH printed cocktail napkins (perfect for your LITH party!)
https://www.woodland-heights.org/store/?category=Lights+in+the+Heights
Healthy East End Week Sept 17-22 /
Please Join Representative Carol Alvarado for Healthy East End Week September 17 - 22nd. Events include:
Monday, September 17th
Shoot For Your Goals! Kid's Soccer 6:30pm-8:00pm
Eastwood Park, 5000 Harrisburg Blvd
Tuesday, September 18th
Rock And Stomp! Line Dancing 11:30am-12:00pm
Settegast Park, 3000 Garrow St.
Wednesday, September 19th
Shake It 'Till You Make It! Zumba Class 6:00pm-7:00pm
Mason Park, 541 S. 75th St.
Thursday, September 20th
Just Beat It! Aztec Dance 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ingrando Park, 7302 Keller St.
Saturday, September 22th
Mason Park Bridge Grand Opening
Includes a free 5K run at 8:00am
‘Picnic in the Park’ from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm!
Live music by Nick Gaitan and Tejas Got Soul Sound System!
Soccer clinic led by the Houston Dynamo.
541 South 75th St
For More Information - 713.649.6563
13th Annual Houston Heights Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt /
Grab your bike, helmet, family and friends and get ready to ride! For the 13th year, the Houston Heights Association will host the annual Houston Heights Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt starting and ending at Marmion Park located at 1802 Heights Boulevard.
Designed as a casual, self-paced ride, the rally is open to riders of all ages. Cyclists may choose between a 20-mile course through the Heights and surrounding neighborhoods, a shorter 5-mile ride designed for children and their adult companions, or the new Stroller and Bike parade — or participate in all three!
After completing the rides, participants can celebrate at the Post Ride Party with entertainment, door prizes, and refreshments.
The registration fee for the 20-mile ride is $25 through October 4 when online registration will close and $30 for day-of-event registration on October 7. The 5-mile ride is $15 through October 4 and $20 on event day. Online registration is now open at https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/Houston/13thHoustonHeightsBicycleRallyScavengerHunt.
See www.houstonheights.org/event/bicycle-rally-scavenger-hunt/ for more information.
The HHA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and proceeds from the Bicycle Rally go directly into the Houston Heights community for beautification, restoration, maintenance and education.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help with the Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt, please contact co-chairs Sharon Dearman and Carol Welter at bicyclerally@houstonheights.org
Replay: The Mayor's Town Hall Meeting /
Update: The Firefighters have sued to have the HTV recording of the town hall meetings taken offline.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner held a Town Hall meeting on Monday, September 10th at The Moody Park community Center. This meeting targeting District H was the second in a series of town hall meetings to address the two propositions on the ballot for the November 6th election.
Speakers included CM Karla Cisneros, Mayor Turner, Director of Finance Tantri Emo, Fire Chief Samuel Peña, Police Chief Art Acevedo and Carol Haddock, Director of Public Works.
The presentations began with Proposition B, which is a ballot initiative by the firefighters union who are seeking to force wage parity with Houston Police officers.
Discussion of Proposition A, with respect to management of the Rebuild Houston funding, followed later in the meeting.
HTV live-streamed the meeting. This means that you can watch recorded playback of the event right here.
Get The Facts On The Upcoming City Referendum Elections /
Mayor Sylvester Turner is hosting a series of town hall meetings to discuss the two city ballot items that will appear on the November ballot. Come learn about the Rebuild Houston and the Houston Fire Union referendum elections on the November 6, 2018 ballot. Details on District H's public meeting are below. For more info click here.
When: Monday, September 10th, 6:30-7:45 pm
Where: Moody Park, 3725 Fulton
Lights in the Heights 2018 Proposed Route /
This year the LITH committee, with feedback from residents of Woodland Heights, have selected Byrne and Euclid streets as the official route for the event, with the “anchor” being the Norhill Esplanade. It’s been close to 10 years since these streets have participated and we know that everyone will be excited to see the displays, hear the performers and enjoy the holiday cheer.
A larger, print-ready version of the route map is available for download here.
As plans are finalized with the city, further details about the route will be published in coming issues of the WHCA newsletter.
Questions, concerns or suggestions can be sent by email to lightsintheheights@gmail.com, or by mail to Lights in the Heights, P.O. Box 7754, Houston TX 77270. Please include
your name and contact information.