K9 Health Open House /  by Lori Bigler

One of our newsletter sponsors has moved and is having an open house to celebrate! See below for info.

K9 HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER OPEN HOUSE

Specializing in Hydrotherapy since 2006

Please join us to Celebrate the opening of our New Center at Bellaire. Stalls spread apart for social distancing, Prizes, Demonstrations of Hydro Suite & Julie Speaks Dog Training. Enjoy food & drink while you visit with us and tour the facility. Book any Session and receive 20% discount.

12:30 till 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 21st

We’re excited to show you our facility and what we can offer to your pet. Come have some fun, feel free to bring a neighbor or friend. 6734 Larkwood Drive Houston, TX 77074 Located off Bellaire on Highway 59 South.

Curbside Tree Project with Trees for Houston /  by Lori Bigler

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The WHCA is pleased and excited to announce that we are bringing back the Curbside Tree Project for late April in partnership with Trees for Houston. Homeowners will be able to select a tree of their choice for their yards from a selection available in our webstore. The WHCA will coordinate tree ordering, delivery and planting! A menu of trees is forthcoming but we will have a selection such as Live Oak, Bald Cypress, Loblolly Pine, Pecan, Red Maple, Shumard Oak, Redbud, Water Oak, Cedar Elm and possibly more.

  • Trees will be 15 gallon, 6-8' tall with approx. 1 1/2" caliper.

  • Trees will be delivered by WHCA volunteers, and we will be organizing additional volunteers to assist with some of the tree planting.

  • Pre-payment will be required.

  • Tree purchasers will be responsible for watering and maintaining the tree(s). Donut rings which replenish naturally except in really dry weather will also be available for purchase.

  • The total cost to the homeowner for the tree, donut ring and materials (soil, mulch, stakes, tree guard) will be approximately $100.00.

  • If you know of anyone who wants to participate but cannot afford to do so, please let us know and the WHCA will work with them.

  • Please consider making a donation to help cover tree grants for neighbors.

We'd like to get an understanding of the level of interest in the Curbside Tree Project, so if this sounds like something you would participate in, please check out the survey from our email campaign:

Curbside Tree Project

Trees benefit the neighborhood in so many ways from shade, bird and animal habitat, improving air quality, flood protection, improving the value of your home and more! Many trees in Woodland Heights were planted as curbside trees in the 2000s. I have 2 gorgeous live oaks and one huge magnolia in my own yard that were part of the earlier Curbside Projects.

- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

Friends of Woodland Park Update /  by Lori Bigler

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Friends of Woodland Park would like to thank everyone who helped to clean up our park in November and December.  We had over 100 people participate, including local Heights Girl Scout troops 122195, 122229, 122202, 122036, 122333, 122007, 122251, 122285, 122286, 125076 and 25001.   Troop 122286 had the largest group with a total of 26 participants and won a cupcake party from Friends of Woodland Park.  We were also grateful to have a group from the Friends of PJ Library come and do a family cleanup in January.  We welcome any groups who are interested in helping us keep the park clean and maintained.  If you have any additional photos, please send to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org so that we can recognize you and your team. 

Upcoming events include:

March 20, 2021:  Monthly Bird Survey - Join a representative from the local Audubon Society on a bird walk. Meet at the community center (212 Parkview) at 7:30am. Long pants and closed toe shoes are advisable; please bring binoculars if you have them. No experience required. 

March 25-28, 2021: Trash Bash -Trash Bash® is the largest, single-day waterway cleanup in Texas, and we are excited to include Little White Oak Bayou in Woodland Park. Trash Bash® 2021 has been reimagined, but we hope you will join us to "Clean It Like You Mean It!"®. The event will include educational videos, small personal cleanups, and more. Go to http://www.trashbash.org/2021-trash-bashreg.html to learn more and sign up!

We are also interested in hearing from our younger birders and would love to post any bird or wildlife photos taken by any park visitors 18 and under.  We are happy to help identify any plants or wildlife you see in the park, and also recommend the iNaturalist app. Please send pictures to photos@friendsofwoodlandpark.org with your name and any questions you have.        

Did you know that Moody Park and Woodland Park are connected by trail?  On February 1st, the FWP board hiked from Woodland Park to Moody Park along banks of Little White Oak Bayou (LOWB), and then back through Hollywood Cemetery. This hike took several hours at a leisurely pace, with time for discussing some of the landmarks and concerns about the park.  We also observed multitudes of birds, including hawks, cormorants, woodpeckers, egrets, herons, and kingfishers to name a few.  FWP continues to lobby for a maintained trail connection between Woodland Park and Moody Park.  Connectivity and clean-up between our public green spaces is key to preservation, community feel, and public access.  A map of our journey is posted now on our Facebook page.

 If you have not checked out our kiosk in the park lately, you will find a list of the most recent birds spotted at the park, as well as a little history of the park.  You can also find the most recent bird list on the ebird app at https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1995953

Looking to stay up to date on Woodland Park?  Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWoodlandPark/  or visit our website: https://www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org/  

If you have concerns about the park, please raise them on the City of Houston 311 or you can contact social@friendsofwoodlandpark.org .  The community center is managed by Julia Soto of the Houston Parks Department, and you can contact her at julia.soto@houstontx.gov .

-Friends of Woodland Park Board

Yard of the Month: 605 Omar /  by Lori Bigler

What a month this is for yard of the month! While most of the neighborhood hovers in a monotony of various shades of brown, the Guyres at 605 Omar were able to have color survive through snowmegeddon! A couple of these photos are pre-Uri but the cheerful pansies along the front fence made it through. The Guyres will have the rest of the yard whipped back into shape quickly as you can find the entire family doing yard work most weekends. The color on the porch in those handsome chairs is the adorable Guyre family. They are long-term residents of Woodland Heights and have been active in the neighborhood, especially with the Learn Local program at Hogg and community service.

-Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification

WHCA SECURITY REPORT - JANUARY /  by Lori Bigler

Thank you neighbors who are current subscribers to our constable program. We've had two successful weekends of Constable Patrol sign and sticker pick-ups. We know a few of you were inconvenienced after we cancelled the first date due to the impending storm because we "didn't want to freeze" and man, if we had only known what was coming! Then we changed the location up on you guys and, I'll be honest, I didn't do the very best job getting the word out. We're trying to make sure everyone can get their stickers and I think we did a littler bit better on our second try. We're planning future pop-ups with new merchandise that we have on order and can't wait to see who we see next!

Our success with these pop-ups has really been tri-fold! We've enjoyed being able to get out and see our neighbors. Having been in pseudo-lockdown for a year has been trying and just getting to talk to folks about the neighborhood, the 100 year home program, neighbor's four-legged friends and life has reminded us of everything we have to look forward to in the coming months and year. Additionally, membership in the program is UP! Big thanks to our volunteers for setting up these events and to our neighbors for coming out and saying hello! As always, if you have any questions about the program, email our Director of Security, Margaux Poizat, at security@woodland-heights.

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Below is our January Security Report:

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WHCA SECURITY REPORT - DECEMBER /  by Lori Bigler

Thank you neighbors who are current subscribers to our constable program. In addition to their normal duties such as patrolling, responding to alarm calls and dispatch requests and performing vacation watch checks, our deputies take care of our four-legged neighbors. Luna was not arrested for criminal behavior; she was reunited with her family after a little neighborhood adventure. Thank you Deputy Vest for helping runaway neighborhood pets and strays!

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Below is our December Security Report:

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WHCA SECURITY REPORT /  by Lori Bigler

Thank you neighbors who are current subscribers to our constable program. I would like to share what the program means for our neighborhood. 

We have two deputy patrols each working 40 hours per week.  They patrol in marked cars to deter crime. Duties include:

  • Answering alarm calls;

  • Responding to HPD dispatch requests;

  • Performing vacation watches and free home security inspections for subscribers; 

  • Basic law enforcement activities (speeding tickets, traffic stops, arrests etc.)

Deputy Vest wanted to relay a few things to our community. 

  1. As everyone starts throwing there awesome gift boxes out. remember to turn the boxes inside out. You don’t want to advertise what you got for Christmas. 

  2. Don’t  leave valuables in your car and to not leave it unlocked. This seems like a no brainer but it happens all the time. 

  3. As usual if something just doesn’t look right, call it in. 

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Yard of the Month: 501 Teetshorn /  by Lori Bigler

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 /  by Lori Bigler

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 /  by Lori Bigler

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!!

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2020 Lights in the Heights Winning Homes /  by Lori Bigler

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 /  by Lori Bigler

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.

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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 /  by Lori Bigler

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