Bike Rally

The 5th Heights Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt will be held on Sunday, October 3. Entrants will bicycle a 20-mile course through the Heights, Montrose, River Oaks, South Hampton, Mid Town, Downtown, and Sixth Ward. The entire route is on City of Houston bike trails. Each entrant will be issued a rally card, a rally map, and a scavenger hunt clue list. There is no rain date for this event. Rain or shine, the event goes on.

The rally route starts and ends at Marmion Park at 18th and Heights Blvd. Participants may start at any time after 7:30 AM. (This is not a race.) Children under 12 must wear required safety gear. Riders must obey all traffic laws.

Prize Rules:

To be eligible for prizes, an entrant must complete the rally by 4:00 PM and deposit the validated rally card in the prize entry box at Marmion Park. The rally card must be validated at the checkpoint.

Check Point:

There will be one combination checkpoint and rest stop.

Scavenger Hunt:

Each entrant will be provided a list of clues that describe a sight or an object that can be seen along the rally course. The person who finds the most mystery objects will be judged the winner. The clue list will have a place to write the address or near-by intersection where the mystery object is located. Scavenger hunt entries must be turned in by 4:00 PM.

Registration:

Pre-registration by mail or on-line costs $15.00 for an adult rider or $7.50 for a child age 12 or under). You may sign up on-line at www.SignMeUp.com or by mail to Houston Heights Association, PO Box 70735, Houston, TX 77270-0735. The deadline for on-line and mail registration, is Saturday, October 2. Make checks payable to “Houston Heights Association” (or just “HHA”). Rally participants that have pre-registered may pick up their packets at Marmion Park on the day of the event.

Participants may also register at Marmion Park on the day of the event. Registration then will be $20 for an adult, $10.00 for a child.

It’s Almost That Time of Year Again!

by Elizabeth Poirrier, Chair

“Holiday Greetings from the Houston Heights!” It’s that time of year again: time to invite Houston to visit our wonderful neighborhood, to see our beautiful Boulevard and bustling downtown 19th street! Recently described by National Geographic Traveler in their March 2010 issue as a “Small town in a big city: Houston Heights offers Texas history, global cuisine and stately architecture”… the Holiday Home Tour promises the opportunity to experience our unique and friendly neighborhood all decked out in the splendor of the season!

This year’s Holiday Home Tour highlights six beautiful homes dressed up to celebrate the Holidays:

• The Sam Blackman Home owned by Victoria Harrison & Jay Wehnert at 729 Rutland
• The Modern Craftsman owned by Gene & Trinh Kuo at 1222 Allston
• The Wade Home owned by Jeffrey Wade at 1432 Tulane
• The Classic Queen Anne owned by Ruth Davis at 1629 Cortlandt
• The Batterson-Drouin Home owned by Debbie Drouin at 1445 Harvard
• The Batterson Home owned by Dan & Kyna Batterson at 1439 Harvard

With all of these stunning homes to showcase on the Tour, it takes many volunteers to create a successful event! Although many have already volunteered, more Docents are needed, and there are other planning essentials to complete. Many volunteering opportunities are available! So, if:

• you are willing to spend a three-hour shift in one of our fantastic Holiday Tour homes, guiding folks through the home while giving a few details of the home - you’d be a great docent!

• you have any decorations you’d like to clean out of your attic (Our Holiday Tour homes can never have too many decorations!), or

• you are a musician who would like to provide live Holiday music for a three-hour shift or know a musician(s) you could recommend,

then send an email with your interest and/or offering to holidaytour@houstonheights.org and be added to our volunteer list.

Beautiful, unique, friendly, warm, and inviting - the Heights and the Holiday Home Tour offer a glimpse to all that is the Houston Heights! Mark your calendars, invite your friends and join us on Friday, December 3, 6:00 to 9:00 PM or Saturday, December 4, 3:00 to 9:00 PM! Happy Holidays!!

Elves Needed!

The Holiday Tour Patron Party kicks off the Heights Holiday season, and we need a few elves to help! Minimum time commitment. Costume not required. Contact PatronParty@houstonheights.org.

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. See our August issue for a list of current Directors.

The schedule for the election of Directors to serve terms starting in 2011 will be as follows, in accordance with the By-Laws and Policies of the Association:

• September 13, Nominations for Board of Directors will be held at the General Meeting. Nominators and nominees must be current members of the Association. Nominators may speak for two minutes, seconders for one. Please be sure before you nominate someone that your nominee will commit to serve. Nominees will not be allowed to speak on their own behalf during the September meeting.

• By September 15, the Election Committee will distribute to nominees election packets containing bylaws, policies, articles of incorporation, committee responsibility list, detailed election schedule, and a statement confirming that the nominee has read the bylaws and policies and agrees to serve in accordance with them if elected.

• By September 18, signed statements from nominees are due, as well as a 50-word statement from each nominee for publication in the October newsletter.

• October 11, 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 15, the Election Committee will mail a ballot with a control number to each member whose dues are current as of October 1.

• By November 6 at the close of the post office, ballots returned by mail must be received with control numbers intact.

• November 8, polls will be open for secret balloting in person from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM sharp 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.

Historic Preservation Ordinance Amendment Status

The next draft of the proposed amendments to the City of Houston Historic Preservation Ordinance is expected to be ready for public review on September 15. The Development and Regulatory Affairs Committee of City Council is expected to review the amendments on September 20.

The Houston Planning Commission will hold the next public hearing about the proposed amendments on September 23 at 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall E of the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de Las Americas. Attendees can park in the Hilton/George R. Brown parking garage located on Polk Street subject to availability. According to the announcement, attendees may submit their parking stub for validation (from that garage only).

Please see City of Houston Planning and Development web site at www.houstontx.gov/planning/HistoricPres/hist_pres_amend.html for any updates on the status of the proposed amendments.

Views on the proposed amendments are available on the following web sites:

• www.preservehouston.org
• www.responsiblehistoricpreservation.org

The Houston Heights Association is remaining neutral on the proposed amendments.

Proposed Retail Development - Update

The Houston Heights Association Board and the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Council (GHSNC) continue to follow the proposal for a large retail development at Yale and Koehler Streets (south of I-10), referred to by the developer (The Ainbinder Company) as “Washington Heights” and known to some as “the Heights Wal-Mart.” Members and representatives of the Board and of the Council have meet with representatives from the developers, the City of Houston, and Wal-Mart itself to discuss how the development might affect our neighborhood and how the potential impact can be mitigated.

Mayor Parker hosted public meetings on August 25 and September 1 to air public concerns about the developer’s plans for this center and negotiations on a possible “380 Agreement” between the City and the developer. In the 380 Agreement, the developer pledges to make improvements to public infrastructure beyond the standard city requirements; if the project yields increased ad valorem tax revenues over the subsequent ten-year period, the developer will recoup some or all of these increased expenses. At the second public meeting, Mayor Parker stated that she expected to bring the proposed 380 Agreement to City Council for a vote in about two weeks.

The City has established a website with links to the August 25 presentation and answers to questions brought by the public: http://www.houstontx.gov/koehler/index.html

The Ainbinder Company’s plans for infrastructure improvements can be accessed on their website http://www.washingtonheightsdistrict.com. Walmart’s Houston website: http://walmarthouston.com

Community opposition to these plans and to the city’s negotiation to enter a 380 Agreement is being organized by a newly created non-profit organization, Responsible Urban Development for Houston (RUD). Information about RUD and its efforts is available at http://www.rudh.org.

The HHA Board has chosen to take a neutral stance on the development as a whole, focusing rather on mitigation of potential negative impacts on the neighborhood. The GHSNC has not yet taken a position on these plans, but is working along similar lines.

Immanuel Restoration Ribbon-Cutting

by Chris Silkwood, Immanuel Church Restoration Committee Community Representative

Dear Community Members,

The Immanuel Church Restoration Committee is pleased to inform you of the progress currently underway in the restoration of this important historical structure. The church is located on the southeast corner of Cortlandt and 15th Street in the Houston Heights. For months, the committee has worked diligently to secure an architectural plan and construction costs to move the project forward. Paul Lodholz of Ziegler Cooper Architects and Bob Fretz of Fretz Construction have provided all the pertinent information.

If you have driven by the church over the past couple of weeks, you would have seen a roofing crew working hard to replace the entire roof, flashing, and gutters. A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to the extremely generous donation of KBR, Fretz Construction, the Immanuel Church congregation, and the greatly discounted replacement cost extended to this project by Vogler Sheet Metal. The intention is to have the church become a “flex” space that can be used by the school, church, and community upon completion. The lower floor will be a dedicated community youth center, and the main floor will serve educational and church purposes as well as allowing area organizations to host performances and art events. We have realized a huge victory in the saving of this beautiful structure built by German architects in the early 1930’s. The plan is to bring the building back to its original splendor while adding an elevator, updating and adding restrooms, revamping the electrical and plumbing, installing a/c units along with major cosmetic upgrades.

The restoration of this building will be a costly project, and we need your help. A professional grant writer has been hired, and she is working diligently to secure funding from major foundations. Community participation is always needed, and we are ready to receive your donations. It is our goal to raise over $1,000,000 to comprehensively complete this undertaking. Financial donations are welcome at any level. Every dollar will make a meaningful difference, and what a great opportunity to be able to say that you were part of this historic preservation effort.

A fund has been established through the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Attached is a form to send your donation by check or online. All donations in excess of $250 dollars will receive a tax-deductible receipt from GHCF. If your donation is less than $250, your check will serve as your tax deduction. Checks can be mailed and made out to the Greater Houston Community Foundation, 4550 Post Oak Place, Suite 100, Houston TX 77027. On your check memo, please indicate Immanuel Restoration Fund. If you wish to send a donation online, the attached form will provide easy instructions. [See the link below. -Editor] Our contact at GHCF is Judy Everett and can be reached at 713 333 2202.

Mark your calendar and please plan to attend the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, September 8 at 6:00 p.m. The event will take place at the church and will be immediately followed by an informal reception.

Sincerely, Chris Silkwood, Immanuel Church Restoration Committee Community Representative, 306 East 15th Street - Houston, Texas 77008-4239

Phone: (713) 861-8787 - Fax: (713) 861-8787 - www.immanuelhouston.com

[Visit this site and select “Immanuel Restoration Fund” in the Program Designation drop-down menu to contribute online. -Editor]

White Linen Night in the Heights! Wrap-Up

Over 125 Heights retailers, businesses, and visiting sponsors hosted the 5th annual White Linen Night in the Heights on August 7 to a record number of attendees. This year, event organizers closed the 200 and 300 blocks of 19th Street and wish to thank Councilman Ed Gonzalez and staff for their assistance as well as Gregory Griffin, Event Coordinator with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.

New this year: an event-sponsored fashion show in the middle of 19th Street at Rutland featuring clothing from area merchants, additional shuttle buses, and a pie-eating contest that featured off-duty firefighters from five fire stations. A Heights fire station won the competition, naturally!

This year the event was coordinated by First Saturday Arts Market founder Mitch Cohen with assistance from The Homestretch owner Maura Cannon. Mitch and Maura extend special thanks to Sara Jackson of Kenektid, Karen Mann, Lindsay Peyton of Cadence Enterprise, Sarah Nezamzadeh of SPEAK Fashion, Jeff Taplin, Becky Holmes of Houston Web Gal.com, and Fiesta Mart.

More than 100 artists exhibited work throughout the neighborhood, and more than two dozen bands and musicians performed. Images from the event’s photo competition are available for viewing at www.WhiteLinenNightHeights.com.

Heights First Saturday, White Linen Night, and Mistletoe Madness have previously been operated as part of the Business Committee of the Houston Heights Association. This year, they have been spun off to other organizations. First Saturday will operate as part of the Houston Heights Merchants Association (HHMA), a 501(c)(6) formed in the mid-1990s at the end of the Heights Main Street Project. After the initial transition, White Linen Night and Mistletoe Madness will probably also become parts of the Merchants Association.

Calendar of Events for September-October 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.

September 8, 6:00 PM, ribbon-cutting ceremony at Immanuel Lutheran historic sanctuary building, Cortlandt at 15th. See article above.

September 11, 10:00 to 11:00 AM, Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates offers a free lecture on “Newborn Basics” at 1919 North Loop West, Suite 140. Call 713-869-1692, option 3 to register.

September 11, 1:00 to 4:00 PM, Reagan Lodge AF&AM presents an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social at the Lodge, 1606 Heights Boulevard at 16th Street. See article above.

September 25, 10:00 to 11:00 AM, Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates offers a free lecture on “Healthy Sleep Habits for Children” at 1919 North Loop West, Suite 140. Call Tonya Wiltz at 713-869-1692, option 3 to register.

September 25, 4:30 PM, Sunset Heights Centennial celebration in Halbert Park, Cortlandt at 23rd.

October 5, National Night Out (Texas Edition). Please leave your porch lights on that evening. Consider planning a get-together on your block. The City of Houston NNO Coordinator suggests collecting non-perishable food for the Houston Food Bank.

October 30, 7:30 to 9:00 PM, Houston Storytellers Guild presents Skyline Screamers (scary stories for all ages) in Marmion Park, Heights Boulevard at 18th Street. See article above.

Future History

December 3-4, Holiday Home Tour

December 6-8, Holiday Basket Preparation and Delivery

February 27, 2011, Awards Dinner

April 1-3, 2011, Spring Home Tour

June 4, 2011, Heights Fun Run

October 2, 2011, Bicycle Rally

At The Fire Station

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

The second Monday, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, and the last Monday of the month, 8:00 AM to noon, the City Council District H Satellite Office is open at the east (office) door.