Come Run or Walk On The Boulevard

Get your running shoes on! The 25th annual Heights Fun Run is coming up on Saturday, June 5, and you don’t want to miss it. As usual, our Heights business community has stepped up to the plate and donated lots of goodies for this year’s Fun Run. We are lucky to have such a generous community!

The 5K Fun Run starts at 7:30 AM, the 5K Walk starts at 7:35 AM, and the After Race Party festivities begin at 8:00 AM. There is also a fun Kids’ 1K that starts at 8:30 AM.

Registration can be done by mail, at www.signmeupsports.com, through the Houston Heights website Fun Run page, or at Marmion Park (Heights Blvd. at 18th) the morning of the race. Adult registration is $25 before May 31 or $30 after May 31. Kids are $15 before May 31 or $20 after May 31.

Race packets may be picked up at Luke’s Locker from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Thursday and Friday, June 3 and 4. Final packet pickup will be at Marmion Park just before the race.

The post race event will be a blast, so take a load off and prepare to party after the race! The Al Bettis Band will play tunes to kick the party off right. Breakfast tacos, a Heights Fun Run staple, will be served along with fruit, kolaches, and much more! Come join in the fun!

We want to recognize our Platinum Summer Sponsors, KBR, Republic Services, and San Jacinto Stone, as well as our Bronze Summer Sponsors, Boulevard Realty, Phil’s Texas Barbecue, and Rampart Builders, for their generous support of the Houston Heights Association and for making this event possible.

If you should have any questions regarding pricing or registration, you can email funrun@houstonheights.org or leave a message on the Houston Heights Fun Run line at 713-861-4002, extension 4. If you have an interest in volunteering on race day, please contact Andrea Sharp at andrealsharp@att.net.

Looking forward to seeing all of you in June!

Spring Home and Garden Tour Wrap-Up

by Linda Eyles, Tour Chair

More than 1,300 people came out to visit the 2010 Spring Home and Garden Tour. After a few early morning showers on Saturday, the skies cleared just in time for the six homes to open. The rest of the weekend was all sunny skies and comfortable temperatures ensuring a big success.

Each home featured a piece of the unique character and architecture that make up this eclectic neighborhood. The 1904 cottage owned by Curry Glassell featured stunning contemporary artwork alongside beautiful art deco antiques. Tour guests meandered through Sue and Bob Burleson’s meticulous vegetable garden after visiting their delightful house. At David Morello’s home, people marveled at all the charming details, including his bathroom decoupaged with insects and the riot of color in his garden. Antiques, Murano glass, and a glorious vintage piano were the draw at Anne Rodgers’ 1920s bungalow. The contemporary crispness of Brenda and Mike McIntyre’s abode was refreshing and Zen-like. And Anna and Brad Eastman’s family style and huge screened-in porch delighted everyone.

The homes were beautifully accented by arrangements provided by local florists. Many thanks to Gayle Klaybor and Mary Lou Erbland for their work in securing just the right florists to complement the homes. Jana’s Flowers, Darlene’s Flowers, Central Market, Village Greenery and Flowers, The Empty Vase, and newcomer Sketch by Albert created spectacular floral designs.

Joe Gonzalez did a fantastic job working with our room sponsors again this year. Pottery Barn, Kuhl Linscomb, Krispen, and Regina of Twins Design created elegant tablescapes and vignettes in some of the homes, adding the perfect finishing touches.

Our beautiful marketing materials this year were conceptualized by Katy Bomar. Local artist Kevin Peterson created an acrylic-on-canvas painting of Pamela and Steve Kunkemoeller’s classic 1967 Impala in front of the iconic Heights Theater. This painting inspired the old movie vibe of the entire weekend event. Thanks to Michael Stencel for his help with the photographs and the collateral.

The home tour received lots of attention in the media, with articles in the Houston Chronicle and Texas Monthly among others. With all that attention, we had lots of visitors to our neighborhood throughout the weekend. Thanks to the hard work of volunteer coordinator Janet Buchheit, the flow through the busy tour homes went smoothly and lines were kept to a minimum. Head docents Diane Easley, Katy Bomar, Bill Baldwin, Hillary Parr Cobb, Joy Stapp, Kathy Butler, Barb Waugh, and Jan Cottage performed the delicate balancing act of ensuring that tour-goers and homeowners alike are happy and well cared for. And, of course, Paul and Mary Carr were once again instrumental in making it all happen.

A new feature of our tour this year was the addition of a raffle. A Madsen bike was raffled off at the April 12 Houston Heights Association General Meeting. Please see the related article on page 6. Beth Martin did an incredible job of organizing this exciting new event for us. Thanks, Beth!

We would like to wish the very best to the 2011 Spring Home and Garden Tour co-chairs, Denise Martin, Chris Silkwood, and Kelly Simmons. With all that talent and experience, next year’s event is sure to be a huge success!

[Thank you, Linda, for making it all come together! Ed.]

Reviewing… The Candlelight Dinner and Auction

by Linda Eyles, Tour Chair

The 2010 “Now Showing… The Candlelight Dinner and Auction” premiered at Master Car Care on Yale, and the event was a blockbuster! Byron Rusk and Ruben Martinez transformed their facility, and it was absolutely sparkling by the time we took it over for the party. Right out in front of the event was the now famous Impala and, inside, guests were awed by the vintage cars up on the lifts. Special kudos to Paul Carr for finding the venue for our party; with a sell-out crowd of 500, we needed an extraordinary place!

Candlelight Dinner chairs Donna Bennett and Kristi Synek turned the space into a scene from a James Dean movie premier with the help of Angela DeWree and her team from Design and Inspiration. The paparazzi photographed guests as they walked the red carpet to enter the event, and then - once they were past the velvet drapes - racing flags, black and white checked banners, and glitz were everywhere!

Partygoers sipped on Side Cars provided by Heights Liquor as they soaked up all the excitement. The gourmet dinner provided by Massoud’s Catering was fit for a celebrity with plenty of delicious Chicken Marbella and tasty stuffed bread for everyone. And if that weren’t enough, everyone took home a beautiful gift generously provided by Eclectic Home.

The auction room was bustling with people bidding on all the fantastic items collected by chairs Pam Kunkemoeller and Kit Davis and their committee. There was so much to choose from - dinners, accessories, packages, and more! There was an incredible grouping of art on display for guests to vie for as well as some truly gorgeous jewelry to covet. Please support all of the donors who so generously gave to our event and without whom the party could not have been such a success. Our donors have been listed separately in this newsletter.

This year, the auction featured “Barkitecture,” seven superb custom created doghouses by local architects and builders. Each structure was unique and beautifully crafted to suit someone’s pampered pooch. The bidding excitement was fueled by the slide show put together by Damian Ogier. It featured images of all the doghouses and live auction items set to exciting music that played throughout the night.

And what a live auction it was! Danae Stephenson and Linda Eyles introduced Master of Ceremonies extraordinaire John Blass, and the bidding took off. First on the block was a beautiful print by Sharon Kopriva that got the crowd excited. Keith Crane’s fun and funky fan light created from found objects sold next. The competition became fierce over a weeklong winter holiday in Telluride at a private home along with airfare provided by Continental Airlines. The incredible totem pole collaboration created by John Palmer and Chris Silkwood was snapped up by a collector. The final item in the auction was the iconic Heights Theater painting created by Winter Street artist Kevin Peterson, which will have pride of place in a business along Heights Boulevard.

We are very happy to announce that the live and silent auctions this year made more than $85,000, which will support the many wonderful projects of our neighborhood and the Houston Heights Association. Thanks to all the volunteers who made it happen!

Photographs of the event can be viewed at www.christinetremoulet.com. Click on “clients,” create a profile, and you can purchase photos online.

2010 Home Tour Bike Raffle Has a Winner!

We have a winner in this year’s 2010 Spring Home Tour Raffle! Isaac Tapia, a Heights resident, won the blue Madsen Kg 271 Bucket Bike. The happy winner and family are pictured below as they set off to meet their builder, who is building their new Heights home!

Surely, you will see the Tapia family on the new Heights Hike and Bike Trail or driving our beautiful neighborhood streets. So, if you see them, say hello and maybe they will give you a ride.

With a capacity for hauling 600 lbs, this family, which includes their 15-month-old son, has room to spare. You can’t miss the bike, and you will enjoy meeting this wonderful family. Madsen, a company out of Utah, doesn’t distribute in Texas, and that makes this a pretty unique ride.

Congratulations to our winner and thanks to the nearly 650 people who purchased tickets. Proceeds from the raffle will go towards the Houston Heights Association’s charitable efforts.

Heights Youth Art Show Results

The judges for the Heights Youth Art Show, held in conjunction with the Spring Home & Garden Tour, recognized the following local students for their excellent work.

Best of Show

First Place: Andrew Cantu, Reagan HS

Second Place: Eduardo Barrera, Love Elementary

Third Place: Armando Olvera, Hamilton MS

Elementary Division

First Place: Eduardo Barrera, Love

Second Place: Lela Delorme, Helms

Third Place: Victoria Ortega, Love

Honorable Mention: Miguel Sirdayan, Love

Honorable Mention: Kathy Simon, Love

Middle School Division

First Place: Armando Olvera, Hamilton

Second Place: Jacquelin Aquilar, Hamilton

Third Place: Darla Marie Loyala, Hamilton

Honorable Mention: Jessica Romero, Hamilton

Honorable Mention: Nelly LY, Hamilton

High School Division

First Place: Andrew Cantu, Reagan

Second Place: Victoria Sanders, Reagan

Third Place: Tomas Montelongo, Reagan

Honorable Mention: Monica Zavelo, Reagan

Honorable Mention: Mario Martinez, Reagan

Restoration/Historical Committee

The next Houston Heights Association Restoration/Historical Committee meeting will be held at 226 W 19th St. on Thursday, June 10, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.

Moving to the Heights with a newborn and a plan to buy a garage or garage apartment to convert it into a recording studio took some time to make changes and implement for a young couple. Starting from scratch, this couple, who were experienced with commercial and real estate development, bought the land in June of 2008 and built their own home on a parking lot on W 19th Street in the Houston Heights. They designed the entire home without the assistance of an architect using a Google design program and implemented the design to fit on the 138x32 foot lot maximizing natural light with privacy. Two enormous 26-foot windows facing south were included for light. The recording studio was designed with the help of John Sayers, a professional recording studio designer from Australia.

A friend used a Computer Assisted Design (CAD) program to get all the details needed for City of Houston permits including standard dimensions and fixtures. Engineers designed the piers, foundation plan, sidewalks, and drainage plans so they would pass codes.

Permitting was a brutal experience and took until February 2009. Moving from commercial to residential permitting took extra time, but it was required since it was a home, and the studio isn’t open to the public nor is it a walk-in type of business. Then the biggest struggle with permitting was the alley. The City insisted with new construction that the entire alley be repaved. That issue was finally rectified without spending additional budgeted funds and permits were finalized for construction.

Building construction was completed in a little over a week, but additional hazards with homeless transients were not expected. A family company in the Woodlands did the construction, and other family members were the general contractors.

Meeting attendees will see first hand the results of new construction of this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home. Decorating was completed by the couple for simplicity, without intricate baseboards, moldings, or elaborate woodwork or trim. Making everything look sleek and simple, they used their eclectic furniture and art to warm the feeling of the home. All the space is used without the typical family areas but with an open great room with spacious 26-foot ceilings and exposed insulation to give it a loft feel. They embraced the plain, ridged aluminum exterior without color. Cabinets were simple, and dark and simple tile was used throughout the house with clean, white ceramic subway tile in all of the bathrooms accented with light green glass and travertine. The floors throughout the first floor are dyed concrete in a dark green. Online shopping for construction items will be discussed in detail.

The recording studio uses the same “big, metal box” concept with gates and locks so studio visitors do not have access to the home, but the dog does. Recording rooms consist of a “live room,” a control room, an isolation room, a “vocal booth,” reception area, kitchenette, and bathroom. The full-service studio is the husband’s dream since college and it can be viewed at website www.226recordings.com.

This meeting will highlight a most unusual example of a one-of-a-kind home in the Houston Heights. Overall, meeting attendees will see what new ideas bring to the Heights historic neighborhood using modern construction techniques.

This meeting will be enjoyed by all as this energetic and lively Heights couple tell us its meaning for them including how exciting it is to live on a commercial street in the heart of the Houston Heights and how quickly you get to know your neighbors. They say they “have the greatest neighbors of anywhere they ever lived!” And they love getting to know their business neighbors on 19th Street.

Please let Committee Chairman Dean Swanson know if you have a restoration project, historical structure under restoration, or historical information or photos pertaining to the Heights to share at future meetings. Dean can be contacted at E-mail swansonad@sbcglobal.net or telephone 713-880-2832.

Living In Tandem With Trees:
Information About Our Heights Urban Forest

The Heights is a marvelous neighborhood, and diverse array of native trees make up our extraordinary diverse canopy. These mature trees thrive and provide the unique quality of life that everyone enjoys.

Trees provide flood and pollution mitigation, cooling temperatures outside and in. Our urban forest contributes to the habitat for Texas migratory birds, wildlife, and families. Texas, and especially Houston, is the apex of bird migration in the western hemisphere.

Living In Tandem With Your Heights Trees:

Trees in the City right-of-way (generally between the sidewalk and the street) are protected. Trees on private property are protected if deed restrictions that include protections for the trees are adopted for that property. Trees can also be protected if the property owner petitions City Council to place protections on the trees. If a tree has active nesting, then Texas Parks & Wildlife can halt destruction.

For questions or concerns about your neighborhood trees, contact Dale Temple, your City of Houston Urban Forester and Senior Superintendent at dale.temple@cityofhouston.net.. He will personally come out to visit your trees.

Here are some links for educating yourself about trees and native gardening for our wildlife:

Texas Parks and Wildlife - Urban Wildlife Program

Houston Audubon Society

The Houston Audubon Society presented an incredible educational program in March at the General Meeting at the HHA Heights Fire Station. They brought three amazing live birds and incredible information on how to provide habitat on your property.

The Heights is the heart of bio-diversity - Living in Our Urban Forest. For more information about the HHA Urban Forestry Committee, visit the committee's web page.

Constable Patrol News

East Side

Officer Muñoz reported that in March he patrolled 1,221 miles; responded to 2 alarms, 2 major accidents, and 8 disturbances; made 1 arrest, 36 park checks, and 67 citizen contacts; and 41 vacation watches were in effect. Keep up the good work, Officer Muñoz!

Remember that we are currently taking renewals and new subscriptions for the east side for June through December. We must have the money in hand from 300 subscribers there to continue service.

West Side

Our new west side Constable Deputy, Brien Le, reported that he patrolled 1,391 miles; made 2 arrests, 25 park checks, and 45 citizen contacts; and 57 vacation watches were active in March. Welcome to Houston Heights, Officer Le!

Officer Le came to the U.S. from Viet Nam at the age of 10 knowing no English. He graduated from Alief Hastings High School (Cum Laude), University of Houston, and Texas Chiropractic College. He practiced chiropractic, rehabilitation, and pain management for 12 years; he also went to the Sheriff’s Academy and was assigned to Patrol Division in District 4. Last year, he decided to pursue law enforcement full time and transferred to Harris County Constable Precinct 1.

North Side

You can now sign up for constable patrols in the north side area, which will be between 610, Airline, 20th and Durham. The cost is $175 for the period from June 1 to Dec 31, 2010. We need about 300 subscribers by the end of May to make this work. If you are in that area, please spread the word to your neighbors, as not everyone gets the newsletter. If we do not reach the 300-subscriber requirement, then your money will be refunded minus a small transaction charge of less than $5. You do not need to be a member of the Houston Heights Association or the Sunset Heights Civic Club to subscribe.

You can sign up for the north side by credit card here. You can also pay by check and mail if you like. Make checks to HHA Northside Constable Patrol and mail to P.O. Box 70735, Houston, Texas 77270-0735. Please include your name, service address, phone, email, and a note that this payment is for the North Side Patrol.

More detail about the benefits and areas covered, including a downloadable brochure and links to signup pages for all three areas, is available at http://www.houstonheights.org/security.htm,

Merry Christmas!

Yes, we know it’s a bit early, but if you think you might be interested in volunteering for the 2010 Holiday Home Tour, please email your name and email address to Elizabeth Poirrier at holidaytour@houstonheights.org. Happy Holidays!

Relay For Life Greater Heights

Community members invited to attend annual fundraiser

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that every year brings together more than 3.5 million people nationwide to celebrate the lives who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes so much. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the event to take part in this community-based effort. Relay For Life of Greater Heights will start at 6:00 PM on May 14 and end at 6:00 AM on May 15 at the Delmar Stadium Complex. Attendees are encouraged to bring cash to make purchases from booths set up by the teams, purchase raffle tickets, and to participate in other fundraising efforts going on throughout the night.

The first lap around the track is completed by the survivors in attendance. This is an emotional time that sets the stage of the importance of each participant’s contribution. A festive atmosphere develops around the track. As walkers make new friends and spend time with old ones, the Relay heats up and the camp-out begins. An atmosphere of camaraderie is created with team members entertaining each other: eating, playing games and, of course, walking for a great cause.

Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria ceremony taking place after dark. Luminaria are bags with lights inside them purchased in honor, support, or memory of individuals who have had cancer. They line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the importance of their efforts.

“Relay For Life is as much about raising awareness of the progress against cancer as it is a fundraiser,” said Barbara Dickens, event chair. “Many of the participants will be people who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in improving cancer survival rates and the quality of life following cancer treatment.” If you have ever been told the words “You have cancer,” then you are a survivor. Cancer survivors are encouraged to register at www.rflgh.org or to send an email to survivor@rflgh.org to be honored at the event to show that not only are they encouraged to fight back, but that members of their community are here to support them too.

The event is already at 45 teams and growing! It’s still not too late to get involved. For more information about the relay, and how to get involved, contact: event@rflgh.org, visit the website www.rflgh.org, or contact Barbara Dickens at 281-630-5120.

Calendar of Events for May-June 2010

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

Community Calendar

Events planned by other community organizations.

Every Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Historic Houston’s salvage warehouse is open. See www.historichouston.org.

Every Monday, 7:30 to 10:00 PM, Houston International Folk Dancers introductory lessons at Oddfellows Hall, 115 E. 14th.

May 1, 6:30 PM, St. Andrew’s in the Heights presents a spring piano concert by Thomas Sicard at the church, 1819 Heights Blvd. Featuring works from the Romantic Period, the performance will showcase works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, and many others. Tickets and more information at www.saintandrewsepiscopal.org.

May 5, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, first session of eight-week Heights CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training class at Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church, 211 Byrne. For information, email dkelly1@sbcglobal.net or call 713-409-4240.

May 7, 6:00 to 10:00 PM, Spring Fling on 19th. This year, businesses on 19th street are partnering with various charities, which will benefit from sales made during the evening at various 19th Street businesses, services, and restaurants.

May 8, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Art Car Parade on Allen Parkway. For more information, visit http://www.orangeshow.org/en/cev/15.

May 14, 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Relay For Life Greater Heights fundraiser for American Cancer Society at the Delmar-Dwyer Sports Complex. See article above. For more information, visit www.rflgh.org or send email to event@rflgh.org.

May 14, 6:00 to 9:00 PM, St. Andrew’s in the Heights will host an exhibit of works by the students of the Hernandez School of Art at the church’s Parish Hall at 1819 Heights Blvd. The art may be previewed at www.garyschool.itgo.com.

May 15, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Spring Bazaar in the parking lot of St, Andrew’s in the Heights. Admission is free. The event will feature food, homebaked goodies, special musical performances, and a variety of artists and vendors offering jewelry, specialty foods, decorative items, and more.

Future History

October 3, Bicycle Rally

December 3-4, Holiday Home Tour

February 27, 2011, Awards Dinner

April 1-3, 2011, Spring Home Tour

June 4, 2011, Heights Fun Run

At The Fire Station

Events at the Historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 12th and Yale

Every second Monday, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, and every fourth Monday, 8:00 AM to noon, the City Council District H Satellite Office is open at the east door.