Let’s Recycle More! Let’s Win!

The City of Houston curbside recycling has come a long way since the pilot phase kickoff in 1990 with 27,000 households. Houston Heights is proud to be one of the neighborhoods that volunteered to test the concept, and we remain part of the 152,000 households covered by the program by 2004. Unfortunately, the program seems to be losing momentum.

Many of you have recently received a letter from Mayor White about the declining percent of participation in the program. Citywide, only one in five eligible households is taking advantage of curbside recycling. The letter raises the possibility that Houston Heights may lose its recycling pick-up service in favor of neighborhoods that have been waiting for service.

Let’s not let that happen!

Most of the Houston Heights Association area is in the program now. The area served runs from Shepherd to Studewood and from North Loop 610 to I-10, but it excludes the corner south of 11th and east of Oxford.

If you live in the area served, please use the curbside pick-up service and encourage your neighbors to do so as well. If your recycling bin has disappeared or you need a second one, you should be able to get one through the City’s 311 Help Line or their web site; be sure to get a Service Request number to track your request.

As an added incentive for neighborhoods to raise their participation levels, the City is sponsoring a competition among areas currently in the curbside program. Areas will be scored based on participation rate and amount of recyclables. The area with the highest score and the most improved area will each win a $5,000 cash prize to be used on neighborhood improvements.

Curbside recycling allows residents to recycle:

• Paper, including newspaper, magazines, telephone books, corrugated cardboard, mail;

• Metal, such as aluminum and tin cans;

• Plastics #1 and #2, like soft drink, milk, and water containers (with a recycling symbol around a number to indicate the type of plastic, usually on the bottom of the item);

• Used oil with screw-on tops, placed next to the bin.

Although glass is not picked up curbside, food and beverage bottles and jars are accepted at neighborhood recycling drop-off sites, such as the one at 3603 Center Street (entrance on Harvard). Paper, plastic #1 and #2, aluminum and tin cans, and corrugated cardboard boxes are also accepted there, but do not count toward the competition.

Thanks to Heights neighbor Mary Lawton, whose note inspired this article. She says “Ask for paper bags at the market and then use them to put out your paper stuff. It’s really easy once you get into the swing of it. You will be amazed at how your trash level goes down. It’s a tiny bit more work on your part but once you get going it’s no big deal. We could do something cool with the $5,000.”

HHA volunteers recycling after the 2006 Fun Run.

Recycling resources on the web:

• Recycling Area Maps and Schedules by ZIP Code

From the website, appears that 77007 & 77008 have the same pickup dates: July 10, 24, August 7, 21, September [4], 18, October 2, 16, 30, November 13, 27, December 11, [25], January 8, 22, February 5, 19, March 5, 19, April 2, 16, 30, May 14, [28], June 11, 25. (Dates in brackets are City holidays; Solid Waste services are provided the following day.) We are now noting those dates on the newsletter calendar. If you live in a different ZIP, please check the City web site noted above.

• To obtain a recycling bin, call 311, complete online service request form, or try this shortcut to recycling bin request

• Items acceptable for recycling

• Yard trimmings recycling info

Historic District Volunteers Needed:
2.4 Houses Are Demolished Each Week In The Houston Heights Area

by Sharie and David Beale

Your neighbors need help to get signatures on the applications for historical districts in Houston Heights while there is still some historic Houston Heights to preserve.

An extraordinary number of our historic homes have been demolished or moved out of the area of the Houston Heights Association in the last year - over 126 houses were lost, an astounding average of over two houses demolished or removed per week, according to information on the City’s website, as researched by Mark Williamson, Sheila Sorvari, Janice Evans, and us. A vast majority of the houses were over 80 years old. A partial list of those houses is at the end of this article.

The City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance will provide some protection when the Houston Heights Historical District West and Houston Heights Historical District East are accepted as City of Houston Historical Districts.

67% of the property owners in each district must sign the blue signature pages before the historical district applications can be filed with the City. That is about 900 signatures in the east district and 320 in the west district. Only about 10 of us are working on this at any one time. We are working hard, but we need help to get signatures. The sooner we in Houston Heights can get this done, the more of the historic Houston Heights we can save.

Here are ways you can help:

(1) Sign and send in your blue signature page to Houston Heights Historic Districts, P. O. Box 70735, Houston, Texas 77270. Call 713-426-3240 if you cannot find your blue signature page.

(2) Volunteer to be a block captain for your block or volunteer to get your neighbors’ signatures. Call 713-426-3240 for more information or to volunteer.

(3) Volunteer to host a block party for your block. Historical district volunteers will provide the goodies and the historical district expertise. Call 713-426-3240.

The tentative boundaries of the east district are roughly 22nd Street to 5th Street and Heights Blvd. to Oxford. The west district boundaries are roughly 16th Street to 11th Street and Allston to Ashland.

We believe that becoming City of Houston historical districts will preserve the historic character of Houston Heights, stabilize the neighborhood, and deter demolition of historic buildings.

Sharie Beale Named to HAHC

Sharie Beale was appointed to the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission on June 21 by unanimous vote of Houston City Council. District H City Councilman Adrian Garcia nominated her for the position.

Sharie is Co-Chair of our Historic District Task Force and Chair of the 2006 Holiday Home Tour. HAHC, an 11-member board, makes recommendations to City Council on historic properties,and reviews requests for historic district designations, landmark and archaeological sites, and certificates of appropriateness.

Congratulations, Sharie!

August 1 Is National Night Out

National Night Out 2006 is set for Tuesday, August 1 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. We encourage individual blocks or small areas to plan local events.

National Night Out (NNO) 2005 involved 34.8 million people in 10,750 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, many Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2006 is expected to be the largest ever. NNO is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in partnership with Target and the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relations; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back.

Along with the traditional display of front porch outdoor lights and front porch outdoor vigils, cities, towns, and neighborhoods celebrate National Night out with a variety of special citywide and neighborhood events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, visits from local law enforcement, safety fairs, and youth events.

The City of Houston and Houston Police Department have been taking part in National Night Out for 23 years and have won numerous awards for large-city participation.

Planning was underway at press time for a possible neighborhood-wide event. Watch for more information. Meanwhile, start talking to your neighbors and planning an event on your block.

Please visit http://www.nationalnightout.org/ for national information and http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nno06.htm for citywide information.

Neighbors at Milroy Park Community Center during National Night Out 2005.

Late-Breaking News From Crime/Security

The pilot area for the Constable Patrol Program has been extended southward to the I-10 north frontage road. The deadline to sign up for the pilot program will be August 1.

The gates of Donovan Park are again being locked at night by a rotating group of volunteers. The park’s hours of operation are posted on the gate.

2006 Fun Run

A big “thank you” to everyone who volunteered for our 2006 Fun Run! Volunteers started showing up on Heights Boulevard at 5:45 AM, and everyone and everything just seemed to fall into place. Constable Jack Abercia’s Precinct One Constables closed Heights Boulevard down. Local DJ Peter Manry, Other Brother, kicked the party atmosphere off early. Seasoned Race Manager Howie Ryan started the race at approximately 7:30 AM.

More than 912 racers and 84 kids signed up to run, and over 50 people volunteered. Because of the support of the racers and volunteers, as well as the support of our sponsors, the Houston Heights Association will be able to continue to support Donovan and Marmion Parks, the Heights Boulevard beautification project, the Heights Fire Station, and many of our other projects, including educational funding for local teachers.

Next year’s race will change to 5-year age groups instead of ten year groups. Our Fun Run Committee is working on the 2007 Run now. We had a lot of fun this year and hope to see you next year!

White Linen Night

Join your neighbors for art, culture, community. White Linen Night will be August 5 from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.

Gathering a big head of steam, White Linen volunteers are signing up more and more participants and underwriters. PediCab sponsors, White Linen Signature Drink Stations, Trolley Stops, galleries and studios, eclectic shops, boutiques, and restaurants - new and established - most featuring local and regional artists on a night to see the neighborhood as never before. Sponsors include White Oak, Studewood, 11th St., Yale, Heights Blvd., 19th St., and Heights 1st Saturday businesses.

Designed to provide a night to champion art, culture, and community, the White Linen Committee plans to familiarize patrons with more great artists and the ever-changing and growing number of art galleries and studios, shops, and restaurants in the area. Enhancements include artists’ exhibits in some businesses, live music, PediCab gallery and venue-hopping, plush trolleys, Signature Drink stations, eclectic retail, galleries, cafés, and restaurants. It’ll be an exotic, steamy evening of exposure to new and different elements and promote the artistic nature of the neighborhood.

Want to participate? Visit www.heightsfirstsaturday.com and click on the White Linen Night link or email whitelinen@heightsfirstsaturday.com.

Heights Trees Count!

by Angela DeWree, Urban Forestry Chair

Join us for a working walk through our Heights Urban Forest with the City of Houston’s Urban Forester Victor Cordoba and the San Jacinto Council Girl Scouts!

Volunteers are invited to help Victor to update our Heights Street Tree Inventory. Did you know that our street trees belong to everyone - and that these trees are the foundation of our Heights Urban Forest? The Heights has the most Champion and magnificent 100 year old trees in Houston. Enjoy an early morning walk to appreciate our rare Neighborhood Treasure.

Enjoy refreshments from our sponsors Dacapo’s, Buchanan’s, and a hot & iced coffee bar courtesy of Katz Coffee! Participants will receive C&D Hardware seed packets and a gift plant from Newton Nursery. Tree brochures & information will be available for everyone.

This family fun day in the Heights Urban Forest begins at the Fire Station from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 29. Pick up your 4-block assignment from an area bounded by 4th, 20th, Heights, and Oxford. Return the completed form to the Fire Station by 11:00 AM.

The next “Heights Trees Count” will cover the West Side in the fall. Sign up now! adewree@earthlink.net

Rose Garden

We wish to again thank Bill Salario of William Salario Landscape Design for providing the “bones” of the central bed at the Rose Garden. Years ago, Bill made suggestions for the garden that have proved to be invaluable in the restoration process. He received the 2001 Marcella Perry Award for this and other contributions to Heights Boulevard and the neighborhood.

Some of Bill’s selections have become large and beautiful colonies of Chrysanthemum, Shasta Daisies, Rudbeckias, Bulbine, and several varieties of salvias. It has been very easy to choose plants and roses to “plug” in the surrounding spaces.

Plants that have been added are Bat Face Cuphea, Celosia, Cleomes, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Dahlberg Daisy, and Mexican Butterfly Weed. New roses that have been added to the central bed are Chrysler Imperial, Clothlde Supert, Dame de Coeur, Ducher, What a Peach (gift of Newton’s Wholesale), Mrs. Oakley Fisher (gift of Barbara Skerrett), Marie Van Houtte, Mrs. Dudley Cross, and Zephirine Drouhin. Valentine and Pearls de Jardin were added to the Crepe Myrtle bed, Mrs. Joseph Swartz to the Mrs. Joseph Swartz bed, and three La Marne to the oak tree bed.

If you happen to notice empty spots in the central bed, thieves have been very busy digging them up almost as soon as we can plant them! We also have someone who seems to think the Rose Garden is their personal cutting garden. Approximately $150.00 worth of plants have been stolen. A police report has been filed.

If you would like to help in the gardens on the boulevard, contact Boulevard Beautification Chair Jim Bennett, or Rose Garden volunteer Cynthia Corn Parker at boulevard@houstonheights.org.

Donations for the gardens are always welcome.

Heights Bike & Skate Rally and Scavenger Hunt

We are sponsoring a new fun event this fall. Get out the bike or skates and get ready to enjoy the first Heights Bike & Skate Rally and Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, October 15. The Rally will start and end at the Heights Fire Station on 12th and Yale Streets.

This is not a race! This self-paced event will start at 8:00 AM, when participants will receive a packet containing a rally card, map, and scavenger hunt clue list. Clues will describe a site or object located along the rally course with space to note its location.

The rally route is a 15-mile course on City of Houston bike trails going through several inner-loop neighborhoods. There will be three check points/rest stops where the rally card will be validated by a rally volunteer. In order to be eligible for prizes the rally card must have been validated at all three check points. The completed clue list and rally card must both be turned in by 5:00 PM.

The Rally will end with a party. Plan to celebrate with food, soft drinks, and music while awards are announced and door prizes given!

Please note: Children under 12 years of age must wear required safety gear. Riders and skaters must obey all traffic laws.

Entry fee schedule: $10 on or before October 12, $15 beginning October 13.

Awards and Prizes: Awards will be given in three age groups (Adult, Youth & Children) in two categories (best decorated bike and best costume). It will be almost Halloween, so use your imagination and have fun! Awards will be given to the youngest and oldest participants to finish the course. Award in the Scavenger Hunt goes to the participant who finds the most mystery objects along the course. Prize Drawings during the party!

To register online, visit http://www.houstonheights.org. Credit cards are accepted. Send checks payable to Houston Heights Association along with an entry form to Heights Bike & Skate Rally, P.O. Box 70735, Houston, TX 77270. No refunds will be made.

Packet pick-up for pre-registered participants is at the Fire Station on the day of the event. Registrations will also be accepted at this time.

For more information, call 713-861-4002 option 6 or check our web site http://www.houstonheights.org.

Calendar of Events for July-August 2006

HHA headquarters: The Fire Station is on the corner of Yale and 12th Streets.

Community Calendar

Events planned by other community organizations.

Every Wednesday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Historic Houston’s salvage warehouse is open. Call 713-522-0542 or visit their web site www.historichouston.org for more information.

Saturday, July 1 and 15, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Historic Houston’s salvage warehouse is open. Call 713-522-0542 or visit their web site for more information.

Saturday, August 5 and 19, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Historic Houston’s salvage warehouse is open. Call 713-522-0542 or visit their web site for more information.

Future History

October 1, Festival cancelled

October 15, Bicycle/Skate Rally

December 1-2, Holiday Home Tour

December 11-13, Holiday Food Baskets

February 25, Awards Dinner

April 13-15, Spring Home Tour

June 3, Fun Run