Hurricane Report

by Mark Williamson, HHA President

I hope this issue of The Heights finds you all well and without too much property damage. We have all had to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike to some extent, and many of us will be doing so for some time to come.

This article is to let you know how the properties that HHA owns, rents, or maintains were affected by the storm and to let our out-of-town members know how the neighborhood fared. Parts of it will be familiar to some of you who were fortunate enough to have power and an Internet connection during the last two weeks.

Quite a number of trees lost limbs in Marmion Park. The crape myrtles along 18th Street are nearly gone. We have removed the smaller branches and scheduled a tree service to remove the larger ones. Kaiser Pavilion came through with no significant damage.

We also lost two medium-sized trees in Donovan Park. HHA volunteers cut them apart and removed much of the debris. The Heights Playground equipment suffered only slight damage, but we had to close the park until the remaining debris (including broken glass from several of the lights) could be cleared out. Other repairs are pending.

The historic Houston Heights Fire Station where we hold most of our meetings suffered some wind and water damage, but the structure is intact. Repairs there are being done professionally and should have started by the time you read this. There was no power at the Fire Station for over two weeks, so some meetings and rentals had to be adjusted or cancelled. The large pecan tree in the parking lot lost another major branch; the whole tree will have to be removed due to this damage and an earlier lightning strike.

The Heights Boulevard esplanade lost quite a number of old trees and major parts of others. We have left the removal and cleanup of major trees to City contractors, who have already started working on some blocks [right].

Some of the trees planted in our Boulevard Reforestation Project were knocked over by Ike. A group of HHA volunteers [left] has swept the esplanade, staking those that could be saved and clearing some of the smaller downed branches from larger trees. The foresight shown by those who initiated the reforestation to get a head start on replacing the tree losses on the esplanade is now clearly obvious.

Elsewhere in this issue, you will find a number of articles about aspects of the recovery effort and continuing effects of the storm. Most HHA meetings and events are still on track, including the Heights Bike Rally and Urban Forestry Day. National Night Out in Milroy Park has been cancelled. Several organizations are offering or seeking assistance or information.

The City of Houston has published a Hurricane Ike Recovery Guide available in PDF form. See the link on the temporary front page of their web site www.houstontx.gov.

City Solid Waste personnel resumed normal trash pickup schedules on Monday two days after the storm, but curbside recycling has been suspended in favor of picking up storm debris. The recycling drop-off site at 3602 Center (at Harvard) is open. That location is now accepting household batteries (such as AA, AAA, C, and D) due to the large number used while the power was out, in addition to aluminum and tin cans, plastic (#1-5 & 7), glass food and beverage bottles and jars, paper, and flattened corrugated cardboard boxes.

If you just can’t wait for the city to pick up your storm debris, and you have or can borrow a truck, four Solid Waste depositories are accepting small amounts (one pickup truck load or less) from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The depository serving the northwest area is at 6023 Windfern Road, just off the Hempstead Highway between Tidwell and North Gessner.

For information regarding regular garbage pickup, bagged yard waste, and heavy trash, go to www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/press-20080929.html.

It is recommended that you separate debris into the following piles/areas: household garbage (in the black bin); bagged yard waste; tree limbs & stumps that may be possibly recycled; and other hurricane items such as treated wood (fences, lumber, etc.), carpet, tires, roof shingles, and broken lawn furniture.

The branch library on Heights is still closed, but the downtown central library is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and a growing number of neighborhood branches are open, including the Carnegie Neighborhood Library at 1050 Quitman in 77009. See the HPL web site at www.houstonlibrary.org for more information.

For those of you still out of town:

Houston Heights lost quite a number of trees and major limbs. More than a few of them hit houses or blocked streets, but many more of them missed anything vital. Most of the ones in the streets were cleared (largely by residents) and traffic was moving after a day or two.

The water supply pressure was low and quality in question for a while (under a warning to boil before drinking), but that was a formality until testing could be completed after pressure was restored.

While some homes took on a little water through doors or windows, few if any in our immediate area experienced flooding from rising waters. We are called Houston Heights for a reason.

Almost all CenterPoint Energy customers in town lost power during the storm. Over the first two weeks, two million customers had power restored by teams from all over the country. As of 5:00 AM on September 29, 145,000 customers (6%) were still without power, including around six thousand in Heights area zipcodes (5% in 77007, 20% in 77008, and 12% in 77009).

HISD schools were closed for a week, but re-opened in phases as power was restored and damages repaired. Almost all were open by September 29.

Essentially all restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations were closed for some time. Many have now reopened.

National Night Out Observance Cancelled

Due to hurricane damage to Milroy Park, the observance of National Night Out previously planned for October 7 has been cancelled. We encourage you to plan a more local event with your immediate neighbors.

Director Election Schedule

Seven of the fifteen positions on the HHA Board of Directors will be filled by election over the next few months. Five positions are opening due to normal expiration of terms; members elected to these five positions will have three-year terms. Two positions are for the remaining last year of terms ended by resignations.

The five nominees receiving the highest numbers of votes will fill the three-year terms; the nominees receiving the sixth and seventh-highest vote counts will fill the one-year vacancies.

The schedule for the election of Directors to serve terms starting in 2009 will be as follows, in accordance with the By-Laws and Policies of the Association:

• At the September General Meeting, 15 names were placed in nomination for the 7 positions available. Nominees submitted written statements, which appear below.

• October 13, nominees or their representatives may speak on their qualifications at the General Meeting for 3 minutes. They will also draw for ballot positions.

• On or before October 20, the Election Committee will mail a ballot with a control number to each member whose dues are current as of October 1.

• By November 8 at the close of the post office, ballots returned by mail must be received with control numbers intact.

• November 10, polls will be open for secret balloting in person from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM before the General Meeting. The Election Committee will tabulate ballots and announce the results during the meeting. The results will also be published in the December newsletter.

Candidate Statements

Park Blair: As a business owner in The Heights I have seen the diversity of the people who live and really enjoy being a part of the Houston Heights. I appreciate the support of the people here and welcome the opportunity of giving back to the community. Thank you all for your support and consideration.

Hilary Cobb: A resident and member of the Houston Heights Association since 1994. Docented Home Tours including her own on Arlington in Home Tour 2000. My mission would be to find common ground to incorporate the very best of the old with the promise of the new in our neighborhood.

Anne Culotta: I feel strongly that the Heights is a neighborhood with a great history behind it and an even better future ahead. The key word here is “neighborhood”: homes, businesses, schools, parks and people. The Heights is not just an investment opportunity nor is it a bungalow museum. Balance is essential.

Mary Ellis: Experience has prepared me: A founder of the Heights Home Tour, 1978; Survey committee, Multi-Resource Area; Home Tour Chairman 1981; Residence on 1983 Tour; Chaired “Christmas in the Heights”; HHA Board in 1980’s; HHA Board, 2008. I’m ready and eager to serve again!

Simon Eyles: Heights resident since 1984, long time HHA member. Two homes on spring tour. Regular volunteer for home tour, bike rally and fun run. I will support our neighborhood by appreciating our past and looking towards our future. I feel proud to live in such a wonderful and diverse community.

Michael Jungnickel: Living in the Heights, and watching its character be developed out of existence house by house, has made me want to become more closely involved in the efforts of the Houston Heights Association to balance preservation of neighborhood character and responsible growth in one of Houston’s most historically significant neighborhoods.

Amy Lawson: I am a fourth generation Heights resident, neighborhood food pantry volunteer, and archivist for All Saints Church. I hold an MA in History and am interested in preserving the historic integrity and vibrancy of our neighborhood. I look forward to bringing enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the HHA board.

Sue McFarland: We recently chose to live in the Heights because of the small town feel, beautiful historic homes and strong community. I will bring a fresh, new approach to the Board to work together with different elements of our community to help achieve a reasonable balance between preservation and compatible re-development.

Genie Mims: As 2008 VP of Communications, I know the importance of advertising HHA events throughout the community. I also realize the need for an exchange of ideas and information among the membership and board. If re-elected, I hope to develope a way to open up these lines of communication.

Martin Piké: I am currently a board member. I am a long-time Heights resident and have volunteered for many Heights events. I am a small business owner in the neighborhood. My wife and I just completed a total remodel of an 1898 home. I am eager to serve a full term as a Board member.

Paula Swain Priestly: Building set back for block, block captain for West Heights Historical District Task Force (her block -70%), docent for HHA Home Tours, walked HHA - City tree inventory and instrumental in raising awareness of historic oaks (Ashland) to be cut down and thus saved the annual herons’ nesting site.

Margarete Sanchez-Ripps: 8 year Heights resident & owner of The Artful Corner, which won “2005 Commercial Renovation” Award. Sponsor of many community events including: School Supply Drive, Hamilton Fundraiser, National Night Out. HHA volunteer: Fun Run, Awards Dinner, Spring Home Tour Ad-Sales Chair. Goal: Strengthen relationships between Heights businesses and the community.

Christine Spin: Chaired Home Tour twice, supporter of Heights artists. I will cultivate broader perspective and forge relationships so that we maintain character of the neighborhood, even as the city around us grows and changes. My focus will be special events to raise neighborhood funds and nurture our unique sense of community.

Bart Truxillo: Historic preservation and the hard work of the HHA have succeeded in making our wonderful neighborhood most desirable. Dealing with this success is even more of a challenge. Once again I wish to be apart of this effort. Thank you Bart Truxillo

Janet Wagner: Being involved in the primary documentation for the Heights Multi-Resource District and author of old Sixth Ward Historic District, historic preservation of neighborhood scale and quality is the primary focus of my interest in the Heights Association.

Restoration Met In The Dark After Ike

The Restoration Committee sends a really great big “Thank you!” to John Palmer for the meeting held at his home/studio on Thursday, September 25, with candles and flashlights. Since John did not have electricity for the meeting, we had a very small intimate meeting group, and everyone was most understanding.

John led the group of attendees around the exterior by flashlight to show how he did not want any of the rear addition to be obvious from Heights Blvd since he was very aware of the sensitivities of building in the Heights. Inside, John led the group upstairs to view all the rooms by candlelight, which added a mysterious air to the meeting, which was very, very unusual and quite enjoyable.

The special touches to the upstairs master bath with unusual tile design added a great deal to the overall idea to save the old building but yet maintain a functional contemporary living space inside.

In the original bungalow, one point of special interest was the use of the original shiplap wood walls, which were caulked for insulation and exposed for a rustic look. The City inspector remarked “this must be an artist’s home with that feature.” John insisted that the original doors be utilized in the restored/added construction.

John’s artwork was not exhibited well; therefore he invited the committee back for a future date to see all the work from his collection and that which he has in progress. John did show and tell the group about his insistence on using wood from restored homes in the Heights in his sculptures, only one of his interesting creative ideas using recycled materials.

John deserves special attention because of his dedication to all things in the Houston Heights and the Association. He even thought about getting a generator for the meeting but committee chair Dean Swanson discouraged it. A great layout of munchies and champagne was served to the small group that attended. In many ways it served as a pre-Halloween nighttime home tour. John always goes first-class!

The next meeting will be held on November 20 at 1630 Harvard. The home is new, replacing one that was struck by lightning, caught fire, lost most of the second story, stood vacant for months, and was found to be too structurally unsound to remodel or add onto. For more details, see the announcement in the September issue, and watch for a possible update in the November issue.

Reagan Alumni Invited to Join “Dawg Pound” as Bulldogs Face Rival Waltrip on October 3

On Friday, October 3, the Reagan Bulldogs will face off against the Waltrip Rams at 7:30 PM in Dyer Stadium located at 2020 Mangum. “Due to a shortened home team schedule, this game will honor Reagan Alumni as well as serve as our annual Homecoming football game,” notes Reagan Athletic Coordinator Coach Harry Colon.

Reagan Alumni are encouraged to attend the game an hour early to take part in a Tailgate Party being hosted by accounting firm and school business partner, Deloitte & Touche. Bulldog attire for the evening will be maroon spirit shirts - either vintage or current. A canopy will be located outside the stadium entrance from 6:30 to 7:30 PM where alumni can stop to mingle with other classmates while enjoying light refreshments before the game.

The Reagan cheerleaders, band, and bulldog mascot will also be on hand to greet and entertain the tailgaters. Attendees will have an opportunity to join the Reagan “Dawg Pound” by having their face painted or a paw print tattoo applied.

Heights residents are also invited to come cheer on the Bulldogs as these two long-standing rivals face off.

For more information about the Reagan Alumni Game, please contact Coach Harry Colon, 713-865-4400 or visit the Reagan Alumni website: http://www.alumniclass.com/reaganhstx.

How’s Your Home After Ike?
AIA Houston Offers Free Assessment Service

AIA Houston (a chapter of the American Institute of Architects) will operate an emergency disaster action office from September 29 to December 19, 2008, to assess damaged buildings in the greater Houston area, including Galveston and Beaumont. Volunteer Registered Architects will complete American Institute of Architects Survey Forms specifically created for disaster assessments. The AIA-Houston Disaster Action operations are modeled on those used in other recent disasters, including hurricanes Rita and Katrina. This service is free to building owners and carries no obligation.

Beginning Monday, September 29, applicants for damage assessments can call 713-226-7443 (outside of Houston: 888-388-1885) or email AIA-HDA at hda@aiahouston.org to set up an appointment to meet an architect at the damaged property. The volunteers will provide thoughtful, independent surveys to help building owners understand the nature and severity of damage to their property, which will aid communication with insurance companies and contractors. The surveys will provide long-term solutions for repairs and recommendations for avoiding future damage.

Antoine Bryant, Assoc. AIA, is the project manager. Experienced disaster relief workers from Disaster Action, Inc., a subsidiary of the Texas Society of Architects, will train volunteers. To volunteer for the program, email AIA Houston or call 713-520-0155.

Information About Ike Damage And Your Property Tax Appraisal

from the Harris County Appraisal District

Normally, tax appraisals are determined as of January 1 of the year. The tax bill you receive for this year (2008) will be based on that January 1 value, even if you have sustained damage from Hurricane Ike. HCAD has no legal authority to change values based on damage that occurs after January 1. However, individual taxing jurisdictions (the county, your city, your school district, etc.) can ask HCAD to do a “disaster reappraisal” of their property, which would result in a value change for damaged property in the jurisdiction.

The district plans to reinspect areas that have received the most damage prior to January 1, 2009. If your property has not been repaired by January 1, 2009, your 2009 reappraisal will reflect the value of the property as of January 1, 2009.

Calendar of Events for October-November 2008

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.

October 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 - Opera in the Heights presents Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly at 8:00 PM in Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. For tickets or more information, call 713-861-5303 or visit www.operaintheheights.org.

October 4 - SGI-USA Houston Culture Festival “Performing for Peace” from 2:00 OM to 6:00 PM on Dow School Green at MECA, 1900 Kane Street in Old Sixth Ward. Free admission. All ages welcome. For more information, visit www.sgi-houston.org.

November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22 - Opera in the Heights presents two works by Gaetano Donizetti in Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. For tickets or more information, call 713-861-5303 or visit www.operaintheheights.org.

Future History

December 5-6, Holiday Home Tour

In 2009:

February 22, Awards Dinner

April 3-5, Spring Home Tour

April 18, HHA Camp-Out & Music Fest

June 6, Heights Fun Run

October 4, Bicycle Rally