2011 Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt

It’s not too late to register - you can sign up online through September 29 or at Marmion Park on Rally Day, Sunday, October 2.

This is not a race. Open to riders of all ages, the Rally is designed as a casual self-paced ride. Choose between a 20-mile course through the Heights and near-by neighborhoods, or a shorter 5-mile ride designed for kids and their adult companions - or do both!

The Rally starts and ends at Marmion Park, 18th Street & Heights Boulevard.

Here’s the schedule for the day:

8:00 AM

• Day-of Registration begins
• Rally Packet Pick-up begins
• Water Bottles distributed to first 300 rider entrants
• 20-Mile Rally starts

2:00 PM

• 5-mile Rally starts

3:30 PM

• Bike Rally Party in the Park: Music • Food • Fun

4:00 PM

• Bicycle Rally & Scavenger Hunt ends
• Last chance to submit rally cards and clue sheets for prizes

4:30 PM Awards Ceremony

• Door Prize Drawings (you must be present to win)

Bike Safe & Bike Smart! Each rider will receive a Smart ID emergency identification tag courtesy of SmartID™. And don’t forget your helmet!

Plan to make a day of it - ride a little, and take a break along the way to use one of the restaurant coupons in your rider packet to stop for a bite to eat or drink. Then make your way back to Marmion Park for the After Party and Awards Ceremony.

Full details are on our Bike Rally page.

So, air up those tires and come enjoy a great day in the neighborhood.

November General Meeting:
HHA Business Member Showcase

Monday, November 14, HHA Fire Station, 12th & Yale

Mark your calendar. For this one night only, Heights Business Members will be on hand to showcase their services and wares. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with the grand variety of local businesses and retail shops in our Heights neighborhood. Bring your wallet to pick up some great holiday items from our local Heights merchants, and preview what they are featuring in their Heights locations.

Doors open at 6:30 PM for Mix & Mingle, general meeting commences at 7:00 PM. Everyone is invited to attend!

HHA Business Members

Sign up now to reserve your space for the HHA Business Member Showcase. Tables are available with advance reservation, on a first come, first served basis. This is a highly attended evening, and complimentary to HHA Business Members.

Reserve by November 1 to 2011 Business Showcase Co-Chairs Mel Melançon of the Heights Pages gmelancon50@sbcglobal.net and Angela DeWree of Design & Inspiration at info@designandinspiration.net to get all the details.

Fire Station Exterior Renovation Wraps Up

The southwest bay door opening has been restored to its original 1914 appearance, matching the other front door openings, and awaits installation of replacement doors.

Crews wrap up the brick repair, mortar repointing, and surface treatment.

Director Election Schedule

Eight 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. One position is for the remaining two years of a term ended by resignation. Two positions are for the remaining final year of terms ended by resignations.

The five nominees receiving the highest numbers of votes will fill the three-year terms; the nominee receiving the sixth highest vote count will fill the two-year vacancy; and the nominees receiving the seventh and eighth highest vote counts will fill the one-year vacancies. See the right column for a list of current Directors and Officers.

The remaining schedule for the election of Directors to serve terms starting in 2012 will be as follows, in accordance with the By-Laws and Policies of the Association (as amended at the August 15 Board meeting):

• October 10 at the General Meeting, nominees or their representatives may speak on their qualifications for 3 minutes. They will also draw for ballot positions at the beginning of the meeting.

• On or before the Friday following the General Meeting (October 14), the Election Committee will mail a ballot with a control number to each member in good standing whose dues are currently paid as of October 1. (Members invoiced by August 15 and not paid by October 1 are deemed not in good standing.)

• By November 12 at the close of the post office, ballots returned by mail must be received with control numbers intact.

• November 14 before the General Meeting, polls will be open for secret balloting in person from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM sharp. The Election Committee will tabulate ballots and announce the results during the meeting. The results will also be published in the December newsletter.

Director Candidate Statements

The following ten candidates were nominated at the September General Meeting of the Houston Heights Association. An eleventh candidate was nominated but subsequently withdrew. Statements are presented as submitted, without editing, in alphabetical order by last name.

Matt Bedingfield

Heights resident for the past ten years and an active participant in Boulevard Beautification and other projects; member of the Heights Finance Committee with a successful career in financial accounting; active in many boulevard beautification projects. Our involvement in the community builds the character and history worth preserving.

Rob Hellyer

Three years ago I relocated my design/build remodeling business, Premier Remodeling, to The Heights. My home is also in The Heights.

Board experience: HOA President, Greater Houston Builders Association, Remodelors Council 2011 President and long-time Board Member, first and only remodeler member of the Houston Archaeological & Historical Commission.

Bill Pellerin

As a member of the HHA board, I will work hard to keep the Heights the best neighborhood in Houston. Being a member of the board while keeping the chair of the Land Use Committee will allow me to better coordinate activities between the board and the committee.

Elizabeth Poirrier

Resident of the Heights since 2005. Volunteered on several home tours; had their 1915 craftsman bungalow on the 2009 Spring tour; Chaired the 2010 Holiday Tour. Volunteers for many HHA events. Recipient of the 2011 HHA New Generation Award. Committed to making the Heights a better neighborhood for all. Married.

Alan Ratliff

Built Heights house in 1995, love history, community, character of neighborhood, committed to urban renewal and livable inner cities. CPA-attorney co-owns national small business, investor in neighborhood restaurant, annually supports Candlelight dinner and capital projects. Motto: small things each and every day to make the world a better place.

Andrea Sharp

Chairman; 2009 Spring Home Tour Auction, 2010 Heights 5K Fun Run, Membership committee and 2011 Holiday Home Tour & Patron Party co-chair. Forward-thinker, problem solver, level headed, and proud Heights homeowner since 2006. Maintaining character and integrity while encouraging growth is key to our community’s success. Heights business supporter.

Becky Standridge

[No statement received.]

Dave Steitz

As a15-year Heights resident, my volunteer activities have included: Heights Chamber (President), Heights-based Houston Achievement Place (President), opening my home twice for home tours & helping launch 1st Saturday. As a business coach & advisor, I bring strength and experience working with diverse groups to achieve outstanding results.

Paula Swain

Raised awareness of lot with magnificent oaks targeted for subdivision. HHA purchased lot, deed restricted, sold. Trees saved! Co-chaired home, worked numerous HHA tours, received prevailing building set back. Native Houstonian, working mother, two daughters, married for 21 years. If you want something done, give it to a busy person!

Mark R. Williamson

Over twenty years, I’ve served HHA as President, Director, Newsletter Editor, Super Neighborhood Delegate, and general volunteer. I would be proud to serve again as the Board faces the continuing challenges of keeping our “small town in the big city” vital, neighborly, and historic. Owner/resident of contributing East District property.

Remember, if you are not current on your HHA dues on Oct.1, you will not be able to vote in the upcoming Board election! You can pay your dues online at www.houstonheights.org; use the “Join or Renew Your Membership Today!” link in the upper left corner under the HHA logo.

New Plaza on Heights Boulevard

It was in the early morning hours of January 3, 2011, when a three-alarm fire destroyed the three-year-old Victorian-style residence at 1135 Heights Boulevard, and also tragically took the life of the homeowner, Evelyn “Patti” Worthington, and her caregiver. Many of you may have toured her magnificent home during the 2008 Holiday Home Tour or enjoyed her hospitality at the 2009 Patron Party for the Holiday Home Tour.

To honor Ms. Worthington’s memory, her family is providing an endowment for construction of the Worthington Plaza, which is being constructed in the esplanade on Heights Boulevard at 7th Street, under the canopy of an established tree across from Donovan Park. Once constructed, the Houston Heights Association will maintain the new plaza along with the other designated areas on the esplanade.

Plans for the plaza are in keeping with other designated areas along Heights Boulevard. Construction materials will incorporate granite, concrete and brick. The plaza will also include four trees and planting beds with ground covering, four benches, brick walkways, drinking fountain, and two bicycle racks.

Please attend the dedication for the Worthington Plaza on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 10:00 AM. In the meantime, thank you to the following for their help with the construction of the Worthington Plaza:

• Jenny Worthington and the Worthington family - endowment for construction
• Carvel Glenn - design work for the plaza
• Jim Bennett - guidance on matters related to Heights Boulevard
• Chris Silkwood - support with the City of Houston
• City of Houston Parks Department and Houston Parks Board - assistance in planning and development of the plaza

Plan of the new Worthington Plaza; north is to the left. For a more detailed version in PDF form, click here.

View of the site before construction, looking northwest across the bike trail and jogging path.

Deck the Heights

2011 Houston Heights Holiday Home Tour

Six Houston Heights homes will be decorated for the holidays and open for visitors at Deck the Heights, the 2011 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour. On Friday, December 2, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, and Saturday, December 3, 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM, tour goers will have a rare opportunity to look inside these unique spaces that reflect the rich architectural tradition of this charming neighborhood.

Homes On Tour

• Gribble/Eaton Home - 1116 Allston
• Burnett House - 219 W. 11th
• Kirksey/Tate Home - 1133 Arlington
• Cummings Home - 301 E. 10th
• Proto Home - 901 W. 14th
• Clark Home - 801 Arlington

Home Tour Tickets & other information

Advance tickets will be available online at our website beginning October 31 and at various Houston Heights locations closer to the event dates. Tickets will also be available on tour days at the Heights Fire Station (12th and Yale) and at each Holiday Home Tour home.

Tickets are $20 in advance for all six homes or $25 on tour days. $5 per-home tickets can also be purchased on tour days at those particular homes. Bundles of 10 tickets will be available online for $175 from October 31 through November 30.

Free shuttle buses will operate during the tour on both Friday and Saturday. Patrons may board the buses at the Fire Station at 107 W. 12th Street at Yale, where parking is available.

The Patron Party

This annual festive event will take place on Thursday, December 1, with tickets at $125. The location is set for 205 Bayland, the magnificent historic home of Bill Baldwin and Joe Gonzalez. Tickets will be available on our website.

Other Happenings

The excitement of the holidays will be in the air, with Mistletoe Madness and its invitation to “Eat, drink, shop & be merry!” and Heights 1st Saturday (link) and First Saturday Arts Market on 19th Street (link).

It’s a great time to get in some holiday shopping in the antiques and vintage clothing shops, art galleries, eclectic boutiques, and the ever-popular gourmet food and cupcake trucks, and to relax in the Houston Heights coffee shops and world-class restaurants.

Proceeds

Proceeds from the Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour are used to maintain Marmion Park, Donovan Park, and the Heights Boulevard esplanade park. Among its many missions and projects, the Houston Heights Association owns and maintains the historic Heights Fire Station at 12th and Yale (currently undergoing an extensive restoration) as a community center, supports local schools with grants, scholarships, and classroom projects, and fills hundreds of food baskets around the holidays for the needy.

For more information about the tour, visit the Holiday Home Tour web page later this month, call the Houston Heights Association at 713-861-4002 and select option 7, or send email to the committee at holidaytour@houstonheights.org.

Calendar of Events for October–November 2011

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

Community Calendar

Events planned by other community organizations.

Visit www.houston175.org for information about events and exhibits planned for the official 175th birthday of the City of Houston through November.

October 1, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Annual Rotary Club of Houston Heights Book Sale at the Heights Library, 1302 Heights Boulevard. Proceeds benefit the library.

October 1, Fall Festival at Buchanan’s Native Plants, 611 E. 11th; free. Urban Harvest class on winter veggie gardening, fun for kids, hot dogs, hayrides, music, and pumpkins.

October 4, 6:00-9:00 PM, 14 Pews will be hosting a potluck for Neighbors Night Out (National Night Out, Texas Edition) at 800 Aurora. For more information, visit www.14pews.com.

October 14, 14 Pews 1st Birthday Party at a local home. Tickets free to members at the $100 level. Visit www.14pews.com to join.

October 23, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Fall Festival at St. Stephen Catholic Church parking lot, 1900 Center Street. Games and rides for kids, live music in Spanish (from 2:00 PM), Mexican food, drinks, and beer (from 12:00 N). For more information, contact Hugo Banda, Parish Administrator, at 713-581-3633.

November 10-12 & 17-20, Opera in the Heights presents Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte in Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. For more information, visit www.operaintheheights.org.

Heavy Trash Notes

October is a “Junk Waste” month; November is a “Tree Waste Only” month. For dates in your area and more information, visit the City Solid Waste site (click here).

Future History

December 2-3, Holiday Home Tour

December 13-14, Holiday Basket Preparation and Delivery [note new dates]

2012:

February 26, Awards Dinner

April 13-15, Spring Home Tour

June 2, Heights Fun Run

October 7, 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.

November 16, White Oak Bayou Association Annual Meeting. Social gathering starts at 6:00 PM; program at 7:00 PM.