Yard of the Month: 501 Teetshorn /
January Yard of the Month goes to 501 Teetshorn on the corner of Helen. The current homeowner purchased the property in 2017. A large southern magnolia anchors the front yard on the western edge. Seasonal beds line the front of the home and add a welcoming entrance to the home. Hog fencing surrounds the property dividing the front and side yard which has a cocktail pool plus more lush landscaping. Citrus and vegetable plants are mixed in the back area and along the driveway.
Tip of the trowel to this friendly neighbor and her two Irish Wolfhounds!
-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
Infrastructure Corner /
11th Street Bikeway
We have an update on the 11th Street Project after the City’s presentation on December 16th (which we advertised via social media). For those who don’t know, the City plans to implement a “road diet” on 11th Street between Shepherd and Michaux: removing one car lane, converting the middle lane to a turning lane (like on Studewood) for most of the road, and adding separated bike lanes. The general idea is to reduce car speed, while maintaining traffic volume, and add infrastructure to make it safer for people walking in biking in the area. The City is currently at 30% design phase and hopes to start construction this coming Summer.
Two particular points of interest for our neighborhood. The first is the location and design of protected crosswalks on 11th Street, such as around Hogg Middle School. The second relates to sections of the project inside our neighborhood. The Houston Bike Plan includes Michaux as a bike thoroughfare to connect 11th Street to the White Oak Bayou Trail. As part of the 11th Street Project, the City plans to (i) add bike signage on Michaux and (ii) install a pedestrian/bike island refuge at Michaux and White Oak.
There are trade-offs for all of these projects. I’m in communication with the City, and would like to get a sense for what our neighbors think about these two points in particular. To be clear, we are likely past the “no go” stage; the project is almost certainly happening. However, there is opportunity to improve the project and have our voices heard in the final design. If you have comments on how the project could improve—and just not general opposition—or are interested in meeting (virtually) about these issues, please contact me (Brad Snead) at infrastructure@woodland-heights.org.
The meeting presentation can be found here: https://houstonbikeplan.org/planned/11th-street/ (look in the public engagement section). Individual comments and questions can be submitted here: www.letstalkhouston.org/11th-street-bikeway.
Overview of Total Project Area
As always, please email any comments, ideas, and suggestions to infrastructure@woodland-heights.org.-
-Brad Snead, Director of Infrastructure
LITH 2020 SCAVENGER HUNT /
Welcome to the Lights in the Heights 2020 Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt! Look for the items listed below using your keenest adventure skills! Check your items off as you find them. Please feel free to share your favorite selections with us by sending us a note or picture to LightsInTheHeights@gmail.com. Be mindful that some photos may be showcased on the Lights in the Heights website for your friends and neighbors to enjoy. This way everyone can get a glimpse of the wonderful and inventive decorations they may have missed!!
Dinosaur
A Sign of Peace
Funny or Impressive Leftover Halloween Pumpkin
Flying Pig
Favorite Inflatable
Hanukkah Bear
Snow Man
Candy or Sweets
Nutcracker
Brightest House
Big Christmas Tree
Small Christmas Tree
Large Bow
Something Whataburger Related
Most Decorations
Favorite Cartoon Decorations
3 Favorite Santas
Favorite Holiday Theme
Most Creative
Animals and Wildlife
Once you have completed the hunt, please submit your forms or selections to LightsInTheHeights@gmail.com.
**Please be mindful of private property, traffic laws, personal safety and social distancing practices while completing your hunt. All items are in public view from public spaces and this activity is intended to be completed via public streets, sidewalks and thoroughfares and trespassing on private property is not suggested. If taking pictures, please be sure not to include home interiors, property owners or children outside of your group.
HAPPY HUNTING!!!!
Make sure to tag us and show your Lights in the Height’s spirit at #LITH2020 or #LightsInTheHeights2020!!
2020 Lights in the Heights Winning Homes /
The LITH judging committee judges toured the neighborhood and submitted their ballots for consideration. The following are this year’s award winning homes:
Most Colorful – 901 Omar
Most Festive – 2905 Beauchamp
Most Creative – 311 Euclid
Most Wattage – 614 Byrne
Most Religious - 616 Highland
Best Theme – 3511 Oakridge
Best Single Color – 1020 E. 7th
Most Traditional – 801 Merrill
Most Historical – 3003 Norhill
Pick of the Night – 412 Highland
Ho-Ho-Ho! – 629 Merrill
Most Crafty – 501 Euclid
Best Porch – 922 Bayland
Best Inflatables – 408 Bayland
Best Block - 400 block of Byrne
Most Appreciated* - 3004 Beauchamp
Most Trending* - 3212/3218 Beauchamp
Most Geological* - 428 Byrne
Most Mystical* - 402 Byrne
Most Astronomical* - 312 Bayland
Most Fishy* - 909 Highland
Most Wildlife* - 903 Highland
Most Synchronized* - 1009 Omar
Best Tribute* - 927 Merrill
The houses listed above are all within the Woodland Heights neighborhood. The judges start out with a list of categories that have been used for years, but also designate ad hoc categories* based upon what they find on their tour.
A special thank you to all the wonderful and committed residents of Woodland Heights that make this time of year beautiful and twinkling!
Spirit of LITH 2020 Reminder /
We just want to post a gentle reminder that there’s no organized Lights in the Heights® event this year. What does this mean?
There were no permits pulled for the event because of Covid-19
There will not be extra police presence in the neighborhood
There will not be trash receptacles
There will not be porta potties
There will be no “one way” directional signs for cars or any other no traffic control
City of Houston will be the contact for any noise ordinance complaints
There has not been a coordination with Lyft this year
It’s sad, we know, so we wrote you this poem to cheer you up.
All kidding aside, we really want our neighbors to have a safe and happy holiday season. We’re working to spread the word that we’re not having our traditional LITH event. This includes signage at the esplanade, coordination with local businesses and groups to communicate our plans, notifying the constable over concerns there may be a potential uptick in pedestrian traffic and reaching out to local media as another avenue to share our plans.
-LITH Committee and WHCA
Yard of the Month: 530 Omar /
December yard of the month goes to 530 Omar!
Amy Morris and Kenny Kurtzman have a lovely, traditional holiday look working in their beautifully landscaped yard. This beautiful home is white, which makes the garlands and wreaths decorating it pop! At night, the house and grounds are lit up in warm white. In the winter, the gardens are layers of various greens punctuated by white roses and occasional color. Olive trees flank their western edge, shading the stone walkway that wraps around their expansive front porch, with roses on the fence wrapping the perimeter of the yardspace. A variety of plantings colorize and accessorize the yard including azaleas, foxtail ferns, fig ivy, gardenias, honeymoon roses, and magnolias. Congratulations!
- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
WHCA STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY OCTOBER 2020 /
WHCA FINANCIAL STATEMENT
10/1/2019 TO 10/31/2020
Friends & Family Park Clean-up at Woodland Park /
Show your love of Woodland Park by participating in this year’s Friends and Family Park Clean-up from November 14-29, 2020!
For additional information, go to www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org.
LIGHTS IN THE HEIGHTS 2020 MERCHANDISE /
Though Lights in the Heights will be different this year in many ways, the cloisonné ornament tradition continues!
The 2020 edition of the hand-crafted LITH ornament, along with NEW Woodland Heights merchandise, will be for sale on Saturday, November 7 from 9:30 to 4:30 at the Norhill Esplanade at Woodland and Norhill (and also at https://www.woodland-heights.org/store?category=Lights+in+the+Heights.)
If you've already purchased merchandise online, your order will be waiting for you for pick-up at the Esplanade. We hope to see you soon!
Travis Elementary Frights in the Heights 2020 /
Looking for a fun way to spice up your 2020 Halloween? The Travis PTA is hosting Frights in the Heights where you can:
Enter for a chance to win an electric bike from CYKL
Enter your own pumpkin in the Art Contest
Order dinner from Mastranto’s on October 30th or 31st
Visit www.travispta.org/carnival-2020
All funds raised go to Travis Elementary PTA
Event sponsored by Sara Black, Nan & Co Properties, Christie’s International Real Estate
How old is my house? /
Tracing the history of your house can be interesting and time-consuming. Here are some basic resources to help you determine the age of your home and get you started. Check these to determine the age of your home:
Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD)
You can do a quick search by address and you should find a date for your home and possibly a remodeling date (not 100% accurate but will provide a starting place).
https://hcad.org/quick-search/
2. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
These neighborhood maps were created by an insurance company and many libraries provide online versions to search. One of the easier collections to search is found at the University of Texas in the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection. For the Woodland Heights homes, you should look for Houston and use the Key page to locate the area of interest. The book from 1924 has many of our homes in it. You will see a drawing of the home identified with the street address. Most of Woodland Heights can be found on these sheets: 253,254,256,259,260,263,267,268,271, and 272.
There are bound copies at the Houston Metropolitan Archives.
http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/sanborn/texas.html
3. Houston Metropolitan Research Center
Closed for now due to pandemic but it has many archival papers related to Houston history. Some items are digitized, but some require you to research the files in person. This collection is located downtown at 550 McKinney in the Julia Ideson building and in the same block as the Central library. Here are some examples of what you might find:
The plat of the Woodland Heights as offered by the William A. Wilson Company https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/archival/id/1201/rec/1
City Directories – There are directories from many early years. You might be able to search for your street name, find your address and see who lived there in a certain year. Below is a link to a city directory from 1920-21: https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/citydir/id/11660/rec/40
4. City of Houston Preservation Guide
This source gives a bit of history and examples of notable homes in the neighborhood.
5. Recollections: a history of Woodland Heights and surrounding communities by Omar Holquin Jr.
This book is available from Amazon and was written around the centennial of the Woodland Heights. The author lives in the neighborhood.
- Debbie Hall
Yard of the Month: 815 Merrill /
November yard of the month goes to the fall festival that’s happening at 815 Merrill. Joanna Queen and her husband, Daniel Dylla moved in 2 years ago with their two girls after doing a renovation to the original bungalow. The front porch is so inviting and is a welcome extra room during this social distancing time. It’s got swings and comfy furniture along with attractive details that encourage you to sit outside and relax, visit or have a cocktail.
Front beds are planted with sandy leaf fig ivy, walking irises, giant liriope and lysmachia. The birch tree is about 30 years old and they planted the maple when we moved in. Joanna has the Front porch beautifully decorated with pumpkins and chrysanthemums right now. A fun flock of decorative bats seem lifelike on the walls and in fact flitter off sometimes!
Tip of the trowel to this family for creating such a beautiful yard and outdoor space! Congratulations!
- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
A New Face on the WHCA Board of Directors /
Director of Communications: Lori Bigler
I'm a Texas native and grew up in the Houston area. I had an early love for the Heights, starting with frequent trips to hear bands play at Fitzgerald's during my high school and college days. Fast forward many years later, a couple of moves from and back to Texas, my husband and I bought our house in Woodland Heights in 2015. We love biking the neighborhood with our two young kids and frequent the various area parks and esplanades.
Since moving here, aside from participating as a block captain, I've mostly watched as other civic minded neighbors volunteered their talents to community efforts such as LITH, the newsletter, 4th of July on the Esplanade and the Constable Patrol Program. I'm happy to have the opportunity to give back to our community through volunteering as Director of Communications and to contribute to the many activities that make Woodland Heights wonderful and unique.
WHCA Statement Of Activity September 2020 /
WHCA Financial Statement
9/1/2019 to 9/30/2020
Note: Questions about WHCA finances can be directed to treasurer@woodland-heights.org
Travis PTA Spooky Scavenger Hunt /
Looking for something safe and fun for the family this Halloween? Join us for the Travis Frights in the Heights Scavenger Hunt. The event will take place Wednesday, October 28th through Saturday, October 31st at 5pm.
Registration is $20/participant. Each participant will receive a secret coded list of our Haunted Homes, decoder key, list of Halloween clues, clipboard, pen and Frights in the Heights t-shirt. **Must register by Friday, October 16, for t-shirt guarantee.**
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: http://www.travispta.org/shop-carnival
Each participant will navigate the mystery in the Woodland Heights neighborhood at their own pace. Put on your thinking cap and don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume. There will be a costume selfie contest and other fun-filled freaky activities to enjoy.
Yard of the Month: Parkette at Houston Ave & White Oak /
October's Yard of the Month is an intersection which has undergone HUGE improvements in safety and appearance. The intersection of Houston Ave. and White Oak Drive now has a beautiful area thanks the the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ No. 5. Beautification of the area included new pavement, traffic signals, new bike and pedestrian features as well as landscaping all while providing better crossing conditions and connectivity to the bike trails and park. Even our old clock was refurbished and is a wonderful accent to this area. Greater Northside Management District is providing maintenance of the area. Many thanks to these groups for taking an interest in the southeast corner of our neighborhood and making it a beautiful space.
Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
Lights in the Heights 2020 Update /
The “cooler” weather is here and the holiday season is right around the corner! With that, every year, comes the building excitement and anticipation for our beloved Lights and the Heights! Interest and inquiries have been pouring in and the Committee has been hard at work in discussions about how it will be presented this year.
The LITH Chairs and the Civic Association Board have agreed that postponing all the live events would be the most socially responsible thing to do. Protecting the neighborhood and our wonderful residents is being prioritized this year.
However! The event will still be there in spirit since we’ll have the house awards and will also be supplementing with several social media and social distancing endeavors that we’re ironing out over the next few weeks.
We’re excited to redesign the event to fit the current climate and are looking forward to getting creative! If anyone would like to submit an idea, or be involved, please reach out to Ashley Allison or Karen Stowers at lightsintheheights@gmail.com.
WHCA Security Update /
I love to listen to music loud while my windows are rolled down and my hair is whipping around every which way. One particular evening, REM was playing…
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn………..It’s the end of the world as we know it…..
And I wasn’t feeling so fine. In fact, I almost ran over my neighbor when he was walking his dog……..What?
Did I get your attention? No one was hurt or even close to it, but I did talk to my neighbor. We talked about current events, life, religion and all the big things :) After our very detailed five minute conversation, he asked me something…”do you remember that Dr. Seuss quote?”
We’ve got to make noises in greater amounts!
So open your mouth lad for every voice counts!!!!!!!!
How are you going to make your voice count?
I’ll use my voice to ask, have signed up for
the constable patrol program?
August numbers:
2 motor vehicle burglaries
2 theft other
1 Missing person
1 stolen vehicle
1 arson
A missing person who wondered away from home was found promptly by Deputy Vest and HPD. The son was very complementary about our constable.
2020 Online Merchandise Sale /
Although the Covid Pandemic has changed the way we are doing everything, we are all looking for the reassurance of familiar and simpler things. This year, Lights in the Heights will be simpler with no planned gatherings. But the WHCA wants to keep the beloved LITH tradition alive with familiar items for sale on the WHCA website. All orders will be through the WHCA Store Page and you can arrange contact-less pick up of your merchandise purchases. More details about contact-less pick up will be announced.
Fearing the Pandemic would delay production of the popular and collectible tree ornaments, our Merchandise Committee started planning the hand-painted ornaments in February. The 2020 Lights in the Heights cloisonné ornament was designed by a Hogg Middle School student in the Graphic Design Program during the 2019 spring semester.
NEW for 2020, is the Woodland Heights ornament! The glass bulb has the familiar blue and white tiles spelling Woodland Heights with Houston, Texas on the opposite side.
Cloisonné LITH ornaments sell for $45 and glass WH ornaments sell for $30.
2019 Lights in the Heights ornaments are on sale! The 2019 cloisonné ornament is $35, some have slight imperfections. Complete your collection of LITH tree ornaments while supplies last.
More Lights in the Heights swag is still available!
The original LITH bulb-logo has been beautifully embroidered on a white cotton apron for $25.
Red drink koozies, with the bulb-logo printed in gold, make great stocking stuffers. A pack of 4 sells for $10.
Although there will not be a 2020 Lights in the Heights T-shirt, the iconic 30th anniversary T-shirt is available for $10, in unisex sizes.
2019 Lights in the Heights T-shirts are available in limited quantities for $10, in men’s and ladies’ sizes.
In addition to the NEW Woodland Heights tree ornament, we have NEW Woodland Heights paper cocktail napkins. The 5-inch-square, white napkins are printed with the familiar blue tiles spelling Woodland Heights, with Since 1907 and Houston, Texas below. A pack of 50 sells for $15.
The popular Woodland Heights cookie jar is available, while supplies last. We do not plan to re-order and we have 5 in inventory. It sells for $50.
All profits from merchandise sales benefit our neighborhood through the Woodland Heights Civic Association.
In these uncertain times, we wish you and your family joy through the fall and holiday seasons,
WHCA Merchandise Committee
Beth Allen-Brock
Melissa McKee
Robyn Klepper