Yard of the month for August goes to The Gorney Family at 728 Bayland. The Gorneys have done extensive renovations to their beautiful home and their tasteful landscaping and airy ferns on the front porch make this a lovely sight! A huge Majestic Oak anchors their front view. I know original residents of Bayland are thrilled to see this Victorian lady all dressed up! Good job y’all!
- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
This month, I received an uplifting email from a neighborhood, long time constable patrol subscriber. With her permission, I will share her story with you. The family was out of town and requested the vacation watch.
“We have been constable patrol members since inception and have had many watches. Constable Bettencourt went above and beyond. On one particularly heavy storm day, he called our cat sitter. Having not gotten a response, he reached out to me to let me know our scared-of-thunder cat had been left outside and was currently on the porch looking very unhappy in the downpour. As a result, we were able to get him inside and dried off stat. The constable stopped by a few days ago and our cat was very happy to circle his feet. We thanked him in person for caring not only for our house and property, but being kind enough to factor in a scared little animal.” Anne & William Baumgardner
The Usual Reminders (especially now that it's hurricane season!):
1. Lock your car!
2. Don’t leave your wallet in the car
3. Don’t leave valuables in your car
4. Don’t leave anything you want to keep in plain sight
5. If you're having construction, yard work or anything else that involves tools, tell the people you have hired to lock up their equipment. It can be stolen and is stolen in the blink of an eye.
6. If you are building, renovating or do anything else where you have multiple people in and out of your house;
Know who is in your house
Make sure the property is secured at night
Know who has access
Visit your property (if currently not residing in the residence) as frequently as possible
7. As my father always told us (it was really for my sister), be aware of your surroundings.
8. Get to know your neighbors (even the nosey ones... you may really need them one day!) In doing this, friendships are built you never thought would be possible. Your children’s best friends may be on your block but you have to meet them first. All of these actions help add another layer of security. We can pay for constables (which have helped our neighborhood tremendously) but we are the true eyes and ears of our our neighborhood. We know it better than anyone else. It’s our home.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns. Let’s keep our two shifts. Let’s try and add more. This can only happen with you. We have about 2000 households in our community. There are currently under 400 keeping this program alive. We don’t want to resuscitate it, we want it to respire and continue beating on….. Sign up and if you already are a member, tell someone else about the program.
Are you a Constable Patrol subscriber? Sign up here:
https://www.woodland-heights.org/store
-Margaux Poizat, Director of Security
security@woodland-heights.org
Friends of Woodland Park would like to thank SPLASh and Bayou Preservation Association for a fantastic cleanup at Woodland Park on July 24. Thank you to everyone who turned out to make this so successful! Thanks to your hard work, we were able to remove 316 pounds of trash from along White Oak Bayou!
Sign up for the SPLASh newsletter here or follow them on social media so you know when the next cleanup is happening!
- FWP Board
In recent months, neighbors have reported a few instances where fences were erected out of compliance with Houston City Ordinances and/or their governing neighborhood deed restrictions. Common issues have included non-compliance with building setbacks and required minimum distances from the street, and specific to corner lots, encroaching upon the "visibility triangles" required by city ordinance. We understand that many of our neighbors want their privacy, but the purpose of these restrictions is to prevent unsafe conditions for drivers and pedestrians. If you are building a fence, please double check your deed restrictions (if applicable), and ensure you are using a reputable, local contractor who is aware of the fence restrictions in the city ordinances. If you suspect a fence is being erected out of compliance with deed restrictions and/or city ordinance, for deed restriction violations, email deedrestrictions@woodland-heights.org and for city ordinance violations, you can report via 311.
Deed restrictions and maps for the various Woodland Heights neighborhoods are included under 'Land Use' on our website for reference but you can always reach out to deedrestrictions@woodland-heights.org with questions.
Nancy Hennessy, who is in charge of constable patrol divisions, had a few security tips for the summer:
People are traveling more, so please utilize vacation watch.
Set alarms
Secure property (bikes, lawn equipment, etc.)
Keep garage doors closed so passerby's won’t be tempted to come back and steal
Be aware when you are out driving that you are not followed home
Beware of tree trimming scams and utility companies wanting access to your backyard. They get you to show them your trees or utility lines and, in the meantime, someone is in the house stealing things. Also ask for ID if you are not sure.
Remember, if you have a yard service, let them know to keep everything secure while working. It is very common to have equipment and supplies stolen from their vehicles.
Are you a Constable Patrol subscriber? Sign up here:
https://www.woodland-heights.org/store
-Margaux Poizat, Director of Security
security@woodland-heights.org
July Yard of the Month goes to 922 Bayland! Marcy and Scott Pryor have so much WOW!! going on in their yard. Woodland Heights residents for seven years, they have taken advantage of almost every inch of the front to plant beautiful vignettes, beds and gorgeous planters. Flowering sky vines are being trained up steel cables around the porch and a new arbor is going in at the front sidewalk. Full disclosure: that adorable puppy is mine who had to put up with me taking photos for a few minutes!
Tip O’ The Trowel to Marcy and Scott! Looks fantastic!
- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
The WHCA is looking for volunteers for the following committee positions. If you are interested, please reach out to communications@woodland-heights.org.
Newsletter Leader
Primary responsibilities include:
Coordinate submissions of newsletter content from Directors and members of the community
Prepare and send monthly Newsletter
Manage newsletter sponsors
Ad-hoc graphic design support (minimal)
Approximate time commitment = 4-6 hours per month
Webmaster
Primary responsibilities include:
Administration of WHCA website updates and changes
Ensure timely addition of news and calendar items
Assist with Web Store (membership and merchandise)
Assist with web-related initiatives (minimal)
Approximate time commitment = 4-6 hours per month
Yard of the Month - Tip of the trowel for June goes to 604 Omar. This yard has recently gone through a transformation adding zoysia grass, beautiful potted arrangements and bright new flower beds. Homeowners, Lisa, Matt and their precious baby girl, Eloise now have a gorgeous landscape to look at while they are enjoying their front porch visiting with neighbors or playing in the front yard! Looks fantastic guys!
- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
Our neighborhood continues to make me smile. There is something to be said about kids biking to school. People walking in the streets and biking in the streets. We kind of have the six degrees of Kevin Bacon in our community. You meet new people and you will find they know someone you know. This keeps our community secure and close knit.
We are lucky to have the means to have a constable program. We not only have one, but two shifts. However, we are still lacking the number of subscribers required to maintain two patrols. We will always have our connections and neighbors to look out for us but do we want to lose a constable shift? Sign up and spread the word. https://www.woodland-heights.org/store
-Margaux Poizat, Director of Security
security@woodland-heights.org
On behalf of Deputy Vest:
School is almost out.
Make sure your cars are locked and valuables are not visible.
Remember we have vacation watch.
Please call the dispatch with anything, no matter how big or small.
Yard of the Month - May goes to the Sloans at 931 Ridge. Their colorful front yard is bright and lovely. A combination of junipers, decorative kale, snapdragons, pentas, pansies and more provide an eye catching burst of beauty to the passerby. Melinda and Chris's meticulous renovation provides a seamless transition for the original bungalow into a 2 story charmer. The view from the front including their precious daughter is just icing on the cake!
Tip O' the Trowel to the Sloans!!
- Allison Hartzell, Director of Beautification
Is Your Car Road Trip Ready?
A Checklist for Peace of Mind
With summer just around the corner, a lot of us are looking forward to a well-deserved vacation. For many people this means a great, American road trip!
Before hitting the open road, make sure your car is road trip ready with these tips:
1) Plan Your Route and Pit Stops
Be sure your favorite spots have reopened so there are no last minute surprises. Also be sure to check that you have up-to-date registration and insurance paperwork in your glove box.
2) Perform Scheduled Maintenance
Refer to your owner’s manual to see your car’s list of scheduled maintenance listed by age of car and/or mileage. Be sure you are up-to-date to avoid unwanted surprises.
3) Top Off Fluids
Check all fluid levels: oil, coolant, brake, and windshield-washer fluids. As applicable, also inspect the power-steering and transmission fluid levels. Be sure to get an oil change if you are due.
4) Check Tire Pressure & Tread for each Tire
Be sure to check the spare too! Follow your vehicle’s manufacturer recommended tire pressure, found on the front door jamb or in your owner’s manual. It’s also a good idea to check for signs of abnormal or uneven wear, cuts, or sidewall bulges.
5) Change the Air Filter and Cabin Filter
Clean filters help the engine run better, and increase air quality. A filter that is overdue to be changed can increase your fuel cost by 10% and can add stress to other vehicle components.
6) Buy New Wiper Blades and Fill the Washer Fluid
Windshield wipers typically last about 6 months, if they are a few months old consider replacing before a long trip.
7) Check Your Lights
Be sure to check that your headlights, fog lights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals are all working properly, and that the lenses are clean.
8) Check Your Battery
Check terminals and cables for corrosion, and that the battery is securely attached to the vehicle.
9) Get a Road Trip Inspection
One of the easiest, and best, ways to have peace of mind before a road trip is to bring your vehicle to a trusted automotive repair shop to have all systems inspected. Some things your technician can inspect are the radiator and hoses, brakes, belts, suspension, A/C, and check engine light.
10) Have Fun, Drive Safe, and Enjoy Your Road Trip!
By Chris Shute - Owner of Open Road Automotive located at 400 West Crosstimbers St., Houston, TX 77018. They can be reached at (832) 409-6621
Lights Out for Birds Until May 7: Thank you to all our neighbors who have observed Lights Out Nights to help our birds safely migrate. Please continue to turn off non-essential exterior lighting from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. to help create a safe migratory space for our bird population.
Save the Dates: Friends of Woodland Park will host our Annual Meeting in the park on Wednesday, May 19th at 7 p.m. Agenda and more details to follow but please BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair.)
We will also be hosting a virtual Happy Trails and Hot Dogs in conjunction with National Children’s Day on June 13th. Family friendly activities and more details to come.
So Many Birds: Our April birding event was incredible, with over 50 species recorded. The list is so long you need to visit our Facebook page to see them all: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfWoodlandPark/ If you would like to join in the fun, our next birding event will be Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 a.m. All are welcome.
Trash Bash Wrap-up: We had over 100 people join us to clean up trash for our Annual Trash bash, so thank you to all the neighbors, families and Scouts who turned out, even in the rain. The amount of trash that was removed was incredible, and all the animals that inhabit Woodland Park thank you, too.
For more information or to join Friends of Woodland Park, please visit our website: https://www.friendsofwoodlandpark.org/membership
- FWP Board
Security Report
If it wasn’t for COVID, I probably wouldn’t be in this board position. I don’t like talking in front of people I don’t know. I find it difficult sometimes to get my point across without too much emotion. :) Surprisingly, Zoom made it easier. I’m embarrassed to say I never went to an in-person general meeting before I was on the board. I had my opinions and felt strongly about them, however I did nothing. So I guess I'm making up for some lost time. I have been in this position for almost a year. My first communication in the newsletter started with "Be someone…. be someone who participates in this program…. be someone who tells their neighbors the benefits of having two constable shifts…. be someone that lets the program coordinators know what needs to improve." Thank you to those of you who have been someone who believes in the mission of this program and the benefits it brings to our neighbors and families. There's still work to do, but it's been a year full of progress and lots of familiar and new, friendly neighborhood faces. Thank you to all who have come out to see us!
Sign up now at:
https://www.woodland-heights.org/store
-Margaux Poizat, Director of Security
security@woodland-heights.org
Below is our March Security Report:
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Within the last couple of years, app-driven e-scooters have rolled into our urban landscape and have changed the way Houstonians navigate around town. They provide a cheap way to commute quickly and are conveniently dockless.
Companies such as Bird, Lime, and Skip have made it easy for riders to zip around sidewalks and streets. But, the recent spike in ER visits has doctors worried that these helmet-free e-scooters aren’t worth the risk.
Are Electric Scooters Legal in Houston?
Yes, it is legal to ride electric scooters on Houston roads that have a speed limit of less than 35 miles per hour. In addition, you do not need insurance, a license or registration to ride and operate an e-scooter in Texas. Helmets are not required but encouraged.
Ride At Your Own Risk
The distribution of E-scooters in Houston seemed to happen overnight. This swift entrance has given lawmakers, drivers, and locals little time to prepare. Bird (the ringleader of the movement) makes it very clear to riders that they're on their own in the event of an accident or injury.
That means your car insurance policy may not cover you if you are in an accident.
According to Birds agreement, “Your automotive insurance policies may not provide coverage for accidents involving damage to this vehicle. To determine if coverage is provided, you should contact your automotive insurance company or agent.” This explicit warning also shows that if you are in an accident, your insurance company might not cover your injuries because you are signing a liability waiver.
Common E-Scooter Injuries
Every day, more and more people are being sent to the emergency room due to e-scooter related injuries. Here are a few of the most common injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Neck Injuries
Broken Bones
Catastrophic Injuries
Paralysis
Amputation
Take The Bike Lane & Avoid Sidewalks
Pedestrian advocates argue these dockless e-scooters pose a threat to sidewalks. Since there's no designated place to park these bikes, many people tend to leave them in the middle of the sidewalk.
This is a major safety concern for people who are in wheelchairs, bicyclists and joggers. In 2019, Texas lawmakers attempted to pass Senate Bill 549, which would have placed a statewide ban on sidewalk use.
Wear a Helmet & Avoid Road Obstructions
A recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that “2 percent of e-scooter riders interviewed reported wearing a helmet, whereas 66 percent of the bicyclists receiving emergency treatment said they had worn one.”
This study highlights that in order to avoid a catastrophic accident, helmet use, avoiding cars and pedestrians, and providing well-maintained surfaces for travel, would reduce injuries among e-scooter riders.
Health officials and these major scooter companies are working toward enforcing regulations and combating safety issues. For example, Bird offers free helmets to riders from their website (you just have to pay the shipping fee).
Tips For Safe Riding in Houston
Avoid riding at night and always make sure your lights are working.
Ride in the bike lanes when possible.
Before going on a trip, make sure you check that your brakes are properly working, your handlebars aren’t loose and your tires are in good condition.
Only one rider per-scooter. Doubling up riders will only double your chance of an accident.
Avoid a slip and fall injury, don’t ride in the rain or on damp ground.
Be on alert for road hazards such as small curbs, potholes and sewers.
Minimize all distractions and keep both hands on the handlebars at all times.
Never operate an electric scooter under the influence.
Don’t use your phone, camera or anything that could distract you while riding.
Follow The Rules of The Road
Electric scooters don’t seem to be going anywhere. In fact, the expansion is happening at a rapid rate. It’s clear that these major companies and local councils need to come together to find a safer alternative to operating electric scooters around our roads.
The spike in injuries is a major cause for concern. The lack of regulation poses a great threat to pedestrians and drivers. Always be cautious when riding around on your E-scooter. Follow the rules of the road.
Author Bio
Alana Redmond is a legal content writer and consumer safety advocate that works with Milano Legal Group, a local personal injury law firm that specializes in Houston car accidents.
Security Report
Thank you to all our current subscribers to the constable program who came to see us and pick up their 2021 stickers! Come see us for the next sticker pick-up at Active Passion on April 24th from 10am-2pm! If you want to make a morning of it, Active Passion will be hosting their Earth Day plogging event.
If you have any questions or concerns email Margaux Poizat at security@woodland-heights.org.
Sign up now at:
https://www.woodland-heights.org/store
-Margaux Poizat, Director of Security
Below is our February Security Report:
