Heights Fun Run

Get your running shoes on, ’cause it’s time for the 22nd annual Houston Heights 5K Fun Run! Run day is Saturday, June 2. Start time for runners participating in the sanctioned race will be 7:30 AM. Walkers start at 7:35 AM, and the kids’ 1K follows at 8:30 AM. The course will start on Heights Blvd. at 18th Street heading south, turning around at 5th Street, and going north on Heights Blvd. Stopping point for all participants is Marmion Park, where the post-race party will begin. Plan to celebrate with food, juice, and music while awards are announced and the door prizes are given!

The entry fee for the 5K Run and Walk is $20 on or before May 31, then $25 from June 1 to June 2. The fee for the kids 1K is $10 on or before May 31, then $15 from June 1 to June 2.

The Heights Fun Run is sanctioned by USA Track & Field and USATF Gulf Association. The 5K course is certified TAC TX86015ETM. Overall Open, Master Male, and Master Female winners will each receive a $50 Luke’s Locker gift certificate. Awards go to the top three males and top three females in each of the following age groups: under 14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.

To register online, visit www.houstonheights.org/funrun.htm or www.signmeupsports.com. Send checks payable to Houston Heights Association along with an entry form to Heights Fun Run, P.O. Box 70735, Houston, TX 77270. No refunds will be made. Credit cards will be accepted at packet pick-up and registration. Packet pick-up will be at Luke’s Locker (1953 West Gray) on Thursday, May 31 and Friday, June 1 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, then at Marmion Park on Saturday, June 2 (Race Day) from 6:15 to 7:15 AM. Each entrant will receive a commemorative T-shirt at packet pick-up.

Thanks to the following food and drink contributors:

• Berryhill Restaurants
• Fiesta Markets
• Jake’s Fine Foods
• Katz Coffee
• Kroger Grocery
• Luke’s Locker Exercise Solutions
• Silver Eagle Distributors
• Spanish Flowers
• The Hot Bagel Shop

Thanks to these other participants:

• C.A Thorp Studio, Inc. - T-Shirt and Logo design
• Constable Jack F. Abercia, Precinct 1 - Security
• Race Director Howie Ryan, Ryan Race Management

For more information, check the Fun Run page or call 713-861-4002, mailbox 4.

HHA Receives Preservation Award

The Houston Heights Association recently received the 2007 Preservation Award from The Park People for the Heights Boulevard Reforestation and Beautification Project. The Park People is a Houston non-profit organization dedicated to restoring, preserving, and expanding parks and natural areas. Boulevard Chair Jim Bennett accepted the award for HHA. The text below was read by Frank Billingsley during the award presentation at the annual “Green Tie Affair” awards dinner.

“The Heights Association receives the 2007 Preservation Award. The preservation award is awarded to those who have saved significant trees during development or restoration. The Heights is well known for preserving the character of their neighborhood. The redesign of the Heights Boulevard esplanade illustrates the neighborhood association’s commitment to preservation and enhancement.

“Since 1973, the Houston Heights Association has been the driving force behind the neighborhood’s revitalization. Heights Boulevard was cleared in 1892 for what was to be the centerpiece of the City of Houston Heights - it was patterned after Boston’s Commonwealth Avenue. In 1997, the Heights Association recognized the need for an overall plan for the boulevard that would replace the aging urban forest and provide guidance for future improvements.

“With significant community input, a dozen residents laid out the Heights Boulevard Reforestation and Beautification Project in 1998; this was the design for what they envisioned for the boulevard. Together with City officials, Houston Parks and Recreation, Houston Building Services, and Clark Condon and Associates, a master plan was developed. The Heights Association raised over $500,000 to fund the project.

“The major construction was completed in 2003 and continues to be maintained by Houston Heights Association volunteers. This scenic boulevard now offers 20 all-new metal park benches, new and expanded flower beds, a brick plaza, water fountains, and a donor monument. There are now irrigation systems on every block; over 400 trees were planted by volunteers and contractors; and to alleviate flooding, over 1,000 cubic yards of fill were added.”

Congratulations to all the volunteers and contributors who have helped with the successful completion of this project and who continue to maintain the results!

Heights Trees Count!

Our Heights Urban Forest is a remarkable natural resource. Trees provide natural pollution mitigation, are natural sources for flood control, and supply a habitat for wild birds. A Champion Tree can reduce scorching summer heat by 30 degrees - so protecting our urban forest is a natural!

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 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 Starbuck’s at 610 & Nicholson. Participants will receive tree brochures, and information will be available for everyone.

This family fun day in the Heights Urban Forest begins at the Fire Station at 7:30 AM on Saturday, May 12. Pick up your four-block assignment and return the completed form to the Fire Station by 11:00 AM.

This time around, we’ll be counting trees on the west side of the HHA area. The third phase of the count will be held on October 6 - counting trees on the north end. The start and end point will again be the Fire Station.

Sign up now! Contact adewree@earthlink.net.

2007 HHA Spring Home & Garden Tour - The Colors of Our Lives

Thanks again to the many volunteers, the generous businesses, the homeowners, and the dedicated home tour committee that pulled it all together, making the 2007 Spring Home and Garden Tour a huge success. We would like to mention a few home tour VIPs:

Kristi Synek graciously took the reins of the event this year, choosing six stunning homes and pulling together a stellar committee. Kathy Russell, last year’s Spring Home Tour Chair, was on hand throughout the event providing experience and wisdom and filling in the gaps when needed.

Christine Spin, serving as Chair-Elect, produced the Kick-Off Party, which recognizes and celebrates our sponsors, homeowners, and the home tour committee. Held at the beautiful home of hosts Bill Baldwin and Joe Gonzales, 15 tables to the Candlelight Dinner were sold before the party was over. Delicious appetizers were served by La Griglia, and the wonderful martini bar was provided by Julie and Byron Pettit of Pet Ventures. Guests had fun adding their hallmarks to a large canvas that was later auctioned at the Candlelight Dinner, and Harold’s provided a fashion show featuring ensembles that fit the upcoming gala’s attire theme: color-licious cocktail.

Chris Silkwood and Kelly Simmons once again pulled off a spectacular Candlelight Dinner. Held at Winter Street Studios to a sold-out crowd, the warehouse space was uniquely designed by Angela DeWree of Design and Inspiration, with fabulous and funky pop art renderings and “compact disc” mobiles. The Winter Street restrooms went from dull to luxurious thanks to the design genius of Kristal Kirksey and Jubilee. Dale Johnson and Colby Weems of Eclectic Home donated beautiful gifts for every guest that adorned the colorful dinner tables. Barbara Potter and Julie Pettit provided their time and flair for style by helping to set up the venue for our 475 guests, who enjoyed a gourmet meal by Massoud’s Catering and colorful martinis donated by Heights Liquor on 11th Street.

The record-breaking silent auction, led by Auction Chairs Cindy Wingo Hemenway and Sandra Crook, raised $38,000! We believe it is important to note that Cindy and Sandra live in surrounding neighborhoods but have businesses in the Houston Heights - Cindy Wingo Realtors and Cover Your Windows. The live auction was organized by Chris and Kelly and included generous donations from John Palmer, Mark Bradford, and Chris Silkwood herself. This portion of the auction, led by Auctioneer Extraordinaire John Blass, raised almost $12,000, bringing the total auction proceeds to $50,000! The fun and fabulous auction committee consisted of Karen Derr, Kathye Elledge, Peggy Gilbert, Kay Lockard Harnden, Pamela O’Brien, Stasi Ogier, Andrea Sharp, and Kay White. We also want to thank all of the silent auction donors (listed in the right column) and ask you to stop by their places of business and thank them for supporting the neighborhood.

The marketing material for the home tour was very special this year, and we want to thank John Palmer for providing the artwork that was our inspiration throughout the tour. Not only did John lend his artwork for our printing design, but he donated the original work, which sold for $5,000 in the live auction. Angela DeWree of Design & Inspiration took John’s artwork and designed beautiful pieces that included the poster, a postcard, the Candlelight Dinner invitation, and the keepsake home tour ticket. The keepsake ticket included insightful photographs of the homes by photographer Bill Dijak. Robin Franklin and Honi Knowles, our Marketing Chairs, made sure the public found information on the home tour at every turn, and Cindy Wingo Hemenway created highly visible and effective signs for all aspects of the event.

Our Volunteer and Head Docent Chair, Denise Martin, helped organize the over 300 volunteers it takes to make the home tour work and provided her steady skills as needed to the head docents and homeowners. Of course, the home tour homes are the nucleus of the event, and we want to thank the following homeowners and their head docents: Debbie and Don Broman Home, with Diane Easley and Donna and Jim Bennett; Jan and Paul Cottage Home, with Linda Eyles and Danae Stephenson; Ellen and John Newcaster Home, with Max Beauregard and Jon Helmer; Tracey Conwell Home, with Melinda and Lee Gaskill; Christine and Jan Spin Home, with Marta Montenegro and Bill Baldwin; and Joy Stapp Home, with Janet and Tom Buchheit. We also want to thank the florists who provided floral designs for these homes - Another Place in Time, Central Market, Darlene’s Flowers, The Empty Vase, Jana’s Flowers, and Webwood Flowers - led by our amazing Floral Design Chair, Marta Montenegro.

Our hats are off once again to the amazing team of Paul and Mary Carr, our Operations Chairs, for keeping the homes and Fire Station furnished with drink carts, drinks and ice, signage, parking cones, and supplies. Fred Arnold of Minute Maid donated all the water and lemonade, which kept our guests and volunteers hydrated. Lauren Dunlap did a fabulous job as Shuttle Bus Chair, organizing dozens of volunteers and getting hundreds of home tour guests to their destinations.

We appreciate the businesses that took the time to sell home tour tickets before the event - Another Place in Time, Buchanan’s Native Plants, Karen Derr & Associates, and Eclectic Home. Lauriel Hindman once again did an outstanding job keeping up with online ticket sales, Candlelight Dinner reservations, accounts receivable and payable, weekend ticket sales (with Bob Pearson) at the Fire Station, and about a million other things.

New friends were made, Houston Heights shone, and, due to months of effort on the parts of many volunteers, the 2007 Houston Heights Spring Home Tour, Candlelight Dinner, and Auction was a resounding success, netting approximately $70,000 for neighborhood projects.

Youth Art Show is Judged a Success

The Education Committee of the Houston Heights Association held their second annual Youth Art Show at the historic Fire Station on Yale Street on April 13 through 15. Concurrent with the Spring Home Tour, the show included more than 80 works of art entered by youth who either live or attend school within the Houston Heights boundaries. Visitors were impressed by the talent displayed and the quality of work exhibited by entrants as young as five years old.

Prizes provided by Red Bud Gallery were presented to the three best of show artists, who received gift certificates to Texas Art Supply. Keith Crane, who previously has organized professional fine art shows, provided the display panels and expertise. Mitch Cohen, owner/organizer of the Yale Street Arts Market, installed and judged the works with the help of numerous volunteers. An elegant artist’s reception was held Friday evening for artists and their guests.

Prize winners include the following:

Best of Show

1st - Deborah Carballo - Helms CLC

2nd - Zachery Martinez - Helms CLC

3rd - Chloe Welch - Hamilton Middle

Category Winners:

Pre-K through Grade 5

1st - Bianca Torres-Aponte - Helms CLC

2nd - Joshua Puente - Helms CLC

3rd - Jasmine Melo - Love Elem.

Grades 6 through 8

1st - Ivonne Trevino - Hamilton Middle

2nd - Jacob Gonzales - Hamilton Middle

3rd - Taylor Harris - Hamilton Middle

March Board Summary

by Janet Buchheit, Secretary

President Jim Potter calls the meeting to order at 6:35 PM. The minutes from the previous meeting are approved. Treasurer Jim DePitts reports that the Fire Station needed repairs. Jim will have the audited Financial Statements ready for the April board meeting. Jim Potter gives a summary of the meeting he and several other board members had with a Grant Writer that HHA may hire. The preparation of a grant request for Donovan Park is discussed.

Donovan Park is the target of vandals and graffiti. It may be necessary to hire a property manager to lock and unlock the park and supervise the maintenance of the park. The number of volunteers willing to keep the park up has decreased.

The lack of volunteers to help maintain the esplanade of Heights Boulevard is also discussed. The volunteers who do step forward with fundraisers and maintenance seem to be the same ones over and over. New volunteers need to be recruited. Once the Spring Home Tour and Fun Run have concluded, the board will hold a meeting to discuss a long-range strategic plan for HHA.

The Fun Run is discussed. This event is being worked on by several board members and volunteers but does not have an official chair. There is also a need for a Holiday Home Tour Chair.

Revisions to the Committee section of the Policy Manual are discussed. The Sponsorship Policy is discussed. Additional revisions will be made to both sections for review at the next board meeting.

The board votes to allocate $500 to cover the cost of signs to publicize the monthly General Meetings. There has been an offer to sponsor printing and postage for hard copies of the HHA newsletter.

The Heights Champion Tree Registry/Hunt will be held on April 28. On May 12, a tree count will be conducted on the West side of Heights Boulevard. A retreat for the board is discussed. The meeting adjourns at 8:45 PM.

History for Sale

If you are in the market for a new home, why not consider investing in a piece of history? Below is a sampling of the houses for sale in the Houston Heights that are at least 65 years old. Many have been completely renovated. Others need some updating.

The Houston Heights Association began listing properties for sale in its newsletter as part of the effort to deter demolition and encourage renovation of our existing housing stock, and to raise awareness of the petition drive to establish historic districts. If you live within the boundaries of the proposed historic districts and have not yet done so, please sign the blue petition page and send it in. The petition as well as more information is available at http://www.houstonheights.org/historicdistrictmaps.htm.

• 615 Allston - 1920
• 626 Allston - 1930
• 801 Allston - 1930
• 832 Allston - 1920
• 1230 Allston - 1913
• 1433 Allston - 1900
• 539 Arlington - 1920
• 630 Columbia - 1940
• 1844 Columbia - 1920
• 941 Cortlandt - 1920
• 1445 Cortlandt - 1920
• 411 Harvard - 1920
• 915 Harvard - 1905
• 1346 Harvard - 1935
• 1011 Heights Blvd - 1907
• 1214 Heights Blvd - 1920
• 1229 Heights Blvd - 1896
• 1421 Heights Blvd - 1930
• 836 Rutland - 1915
• 1324 Tulane - 1920
• 714 Waverly - 1940
• 1409 Yale - 1930
• 519 E 4th St - 1920
• 411 W 11th St - 1920
• 320 W 15th - 1920
• 235 W 18th St - 1908
• 802 W 18th St - 1920
• 611 E 21st St - 1920
• 314 W 21st St - 1920
• 407 W 23rd St - 1925
• 411 W 23rd St - 1925
• 602 W 28th St - 1920

Demo Watch

Another eight buildings were demolished in Houston Heights between March 10 and April 16, bringing to 236 the total number of demolitions or relocations of housing in the last 22 months.

Over the last two months, demolition activity appears to have dropped slightly below the average and has shifted to the fringes of the neighborhood. This trend may or may not continue.

Establishing historic districts is the only legal way to deter the bulldozers. If you live within the boundaries of the two proposed historic districts and have not yet signed the blue petition page, please do so. Check the Historic Districts page on the Houston Heights Association web site.

Below is the list of the latest demolitions or relocations:

• 617 Arlington
• 2115 Gostic
• 739 E 8th St.
• 711 E 8th 1/2 St.
• 634 E 10th St.
• 306 W 6th St.
• 539 W 25th St.
• 524 W 26th St.

New Members

Please welcome the following new or returning members to the Houston Heights Association.

Martha Alexander

Barrio Antiguo Mexican Imports

Dean & Laura Bernshausen

Catherine Craig

Terry Hamman

Matt & Angela Hugo

Kathy Newman

John Sargent

Calendar of Events for May-June 2007

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

Community Calendar

Events planned by other community organizations.

Every Wednesday and Saturday, 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.

Saturdays through June 2, Galveston Historical Foundation presents demonstration classes at its salvage warehouse. Topics include remuddling versus rehab, preparing your historic house for a hurricane, and window and shutter repair. $10 per class. For more information, visit www.galvestonhistory.org/ec-calendar.htm or call Lori Crossno at 409-765-7834, Ext. 37.

May 4 through 27, Houston Metal Arts Guild Members Show and Sale “Artful Metal” at Artful Corner, 3423 White Oak Drive. Artist reception May 4, 6:00-8:00 PM. For more information about the Guild, visit www.hmag.org.

May 19, 11:30 AM, Heights Women’s Club luncheon at the Clubhouse, 1848 Harvard. See article on page 9.

June 1, Opera in the Heights presents their Bravissimo Dinner Concert at The Houston Club, 811 Rusk. Reception at 6:30, dinner at 7:15, concert at 8:30. Tickets available through Opera in the Heights at 713-861-5303.

June 10, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Classy Chassis Vintage Auto Show at Reliant Stadium, benefitting United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston. More information at www.classychassis.org.

June and July, various dates and locations, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Houston offers Camp Buckeroo, a week-long day camp tailored to children with all types of disabilities.

July 1-6, United Cerebral Palsy offers Camp Smiles, a week-long overnight camp for children with cerebral palsy. For more information on either UCP program, contact Erin Houder, 713-838-9050 x309 or ehauder@ucphouston.org.

Future History

October 7, Bicycle/Skate Rally

November 30 - December 1, Holiday Home Tour

February 24, 2008, Awards Dinner

April 4-6, Spring Home Tour

June 7, Fun Run