Michael Graves

Introducing the Greater Heights Management District Project /  by Michael Graves

At the WHCA Member’s meeting Tuesday, March 25th I outlined an effort by a small group of neighbors to create a “Greater Heights Management District.” In order to appreciate the value of this idea, it’s necessary to understand what a “Management District” is and does. It’s also worth mentioning something known as a “Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone” which is often called a TIRZ. 

For the more visual, the following are the slides I used at our member’s meeting.

What is a TIRZ?

In brief, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone is a way for a portion of property taxes for a defined region to be collected for development use within that geography.

TL;DR – a TIRZ is a source of development funding based upon property taxes.

What is a Management District?

Management Districts are special districts created by the Texas legislature. These districts are empowered to promote, develop, encourage and maintain employment, commerce, transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, arts, entertainment, economic development, safety and the public welfare.

Management districts are typically formed to benefit one of three categories: to support raw land development, support a major activity center, or support neighborhood redevelopment. For our purposes, we are interested in redevelopment. Activities could include, but are not limited to, safety & security, public right-of-way maintenance, litter and graffiti abatement, landscaping and public art, branding and way-finding signage, public nuisance and sign code violation reporting.

TL;DR – A Management District does things for the improvement of the community.

The Greater Northside Management District

Woodland Heights is currently part of the Greater Northside Management District. Established in 2001, the GNMD first started to deliver services in 2006. GNMD revenue sources include a tax on business and commercial properties, but not residences. They also seek grants and partnerships.

Woodland Heights is in the southern-most corner of GNMD. It has done a number of projects in the neighborhood. Often, their projects also involve other parties.

For example, TIRZ-5 provided funds for the upgrade of the intersection at White Oak Drive and Houston Avenue, and renovation of the nearby parkette. TIRZ-5 could only provide the funding. They contracted with GNMD for the ongoing maintenance of the installation.

The Greater Heights

There is no Management District immediately to the the west of Woodland Heights. This has certain implications. For example, the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ-5) has provided funding for the redevelopment of the Shepherd/Durham corridor. Once that work is complete, maintenance and cleaning of the area will fall to the city, in conjunction with any nearby civic associations. That means there’s very little resources available.

In reality, it would be vastly better if there was a Management District that was able to take up the ongoing operation and maintenance work required once the redevelopment effort ends. A small group of neighbors have launched an effort to create such a new Management District, which they are/were calling the “Greater Heights Management District.”

This effort has been ongoing for at least 6-8 months, but very little has actually been stated about what might be involved. In January, I attended a meeting at the Montie Beach Community Center where I learned a little. There I saw a map that proposed GHMD to cover the area from I-45 west to TC Jester, and I-10 north to the 610 loop. You’ll see this in the slides shown above.

They had the idea that GHMD would levy a small tax on both businesses and residences. This would be something that would ultimately be voted on by impacted neighborhoods. The resulting funds would be used to address a long list of potential priorities. Some of the ideas included; timely maintenance of public spaces, improvements to park facilities, and a constable patrol program covering the entire area.

This is all very encouraging, most especially the constable patrol. Much of the GHMD area does not have any constable patrol, and those that do constantly struggle to fund them via purely voluntary means. GHMD has the potential to be quite transformative. It could do a lot of good.

Progressing the Idea

GHMD must be created by the Texas Legislature. That means crafting a bill, and finding representatives to support it going through committees in both the house and senate. Initially there was a rumor that the GHMD team might seek to get this put before the current session of the legislature. It now seems that won’t be possible. The language of the bill is not ready. There are too many other bills already submitted. Time is just too short.

On that basis, GHMD won’t be officially created until the next legislative session. Even so, now is the time for neighborhoods potentially included in the project to have some input on the crafting of the bill. Have some say in defining the scope of what it sets out to do.

Want to know more?

Of course you do! At least, I hope you do. In the end, it might impact literally everyone in the area. All the above has been gleaned from various sources. I’m told that the scope of the project has evolved, but little has been shared. Nothing made public.

The team leading the charge to create GHMD are going to be presenting at the next meeting the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Council. That’s Tuesday, April 15th at 6:30pm at the Historic Heights Fire Station, 107 W 12th St.

I encourage anyone interested from Woodland Heights to join me in attending this meeting. It’s the first significant opportunity to discover what’s being considered, and possibly have some input into the process.

Michael Graves, President, WHCA

Update on Short Term Rental Regulations /  by Michael Graves

The following message was received from the office of CM Abbie Kamin. It pertains to new regulations that may impact short term rental, such as Air B&B, in the City of Houston. If you have concerns about such potential rules, here’s your chance to get informed about what’s coming.

Dear Neighborhood Leaders,

We are writing as our office has been informed that on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, Houston City Council will consider adopting an ordinance that would establish regulations for short-term rental (STR) properties operating within the city limits.

We encourage you to review the revised proposed ordinance. You can find the proposal at the following link: https://www.houstontx.gov/ara/str.html 

It is our understanding that the ordinance is not slated to go back to a Council Committee.

All my best,
Anna Smith
External Affairs Director
Office of Council Member Abbie Kamin, District C
City of Houston

President's Report February 2025 /  by Michael Graves

The WHCA held a Special Member's Meeting on Tuesday, February 18, in The Great Room at Zion Lutheran Church on Beauchamp Street. We nearly filled our new venue with neighbors drawn to a focus on security matters. We invited several special guests, including;

  • Constable Alan Rosen, Pct 1

  • Council Member Mario Castillo, COH District H

  • Deputy Constable Jacob Lemmons, Pct 1

  • Deputy Constable Amanda Suggs, Pct 1

  • Sergeant Graham, HPD Central Division

  • Lt James Mancango,HPD Central Division

WHCA Constable Patrol 2025-26

The first order of business for the gathering was to announce a change to the Woodland Heights Constable Patrol program. WHCA Co-Director of Security Beth Sorensen began by giving an overview of the program and its benefits to the community.
 
She was followed by WHCA Treasurer Doug Carroll, who explained the numbers that illustrate why the board felt it necessary to raise the program's membership cost. The current $350/yr rate was established in 2019. That price has remained unchanged, even as the cost of the contract has increased every year.

In point of fact, the Constable Patrol Program has been losing money for many years. For a time, that loss was offset by revenue from special events, including the Home Tour and Lights in the Heights. When COVID hit, special event revenue imploded. We missed one entire cycle of Home Tour. And Lights in the Heights actually lost money for several years, only just returning to break even in 2024.

With revenue sources declining and costs increasing, the board unanimously decided to raise the price for the Constable Patrol. We considered several possible rates, eventually settling upon $420/yr. This new rate will take effect on April 1, 2025. That's just $1.15 a day.

From a purely analytical perspective, this change is a 20% increase over the 2019 price, even though the contract cost has increased 26% over that time. Further, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports inflation (CPI) as 25% over the same period.

Much of how the change is enacted is dictated by the credit card payment processor used by our web host. Most CPP supporters participate in the program by way of auto-renewing subscriptions. They will receive a message notifying them of the change and when it will impact them. If your subscription renews before April 1, 2025, you'll already be paid up for the year. You won't pay the new price until 2026.

Neighborhood Safety More Broadly

The Constable Patrol had been an issue being considered by the board for several months. We had already been planning a meeting to go over those details when, on January 27, the neighborhood was rocked by the assault of a young girl on her way home from Travis Elementary School. To address this matter in depth, we invited local government and law enforcement representatives.

Constable Alan Rosen, Precinct One

Constable Alan Rosen was the first to address the gathering. He was very well informed about the situation, going into depth about the perpetrator, Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, a registered sex offender, released in 2024, who, as of this writing, remains a fugitive. The constable was able to detail this person's criminal history and how he was released in Harris County without local law enforcement being alerted to his presence.

The constable took questions from the crowd for 30 minutes.

Council Member Mario Castillo, District H

Council Member Mario Castillo, District H, addressed the gathering regarding his concern for public safety and the additional resources and initiatives his office has taken. In particular, he highlighted a program funded through his office called the District H Patrol initiative.

"This new public safety initiative includes community patrolling by the Houston Police Department's Differential Response Team (DRT), the use of two new Polaris vehicles, and the community-led District H Patrol Task Team." District H Patrol website

CM Castillo noted, "This program is not meant to just be enforcement, but it's also meant to be educational. And so we have done workshops in the past. We did a firearm safety storage and handling workshop where we also gave folks gun safes so they can properly store their firearms. We're in the in the works of planning a CPR one and we're open to ideas. If there are other workshops that communities want to do, as part of this initiative, we can bring one to the Woodland Heights or to the surrounding area. But I do want to make sure that y'all utilize the program."

Council Member Castillo stressed the importance of using other resources provided by the City of Houston and Harris County Precinct 1.

  • COH 3-1-1 system - Call for non-emergency access to city services

  • 9-1-1 - Call to report a life-or-death emergency that requires an immediate response from police, fire, or ambulance personnel.

  • (713) 755-7628 - Precinct One Constable Dispatch number for the WHCA Constable Patrol

Sergeant Clayton Graham, HPD Central Division

Sergeant Graham from HPD Central Division stepped up to describe the Central Division, which includes Woodland Heights. He emphasized how HPD and the Constables work in partnership and noted,

"Regarding the incident on the 27th, I do know that they are actively trying to track where the suspect is. He's sold all his property and is not in Harris County right now. I can tell you that much. Because if he was, we would find him."

Sergeant Clayton addressed numerous further questions from the crowd. Questions he could not answer were addressed by some of the many Deputy Constables and HPD officers in attendance.

Wrapping It Up

As I conclude this report, let me share the board's primary message to the neighborhood. We are working to ensure the WHCA Constable Patrol Program's future by stabilizing its financial path.

First, I encourage you to subscribe to the program. The new price, $420 a year, going into effect on April 1, 2025, is less than a cup of coffee a day at your favorite shop. Personally, I think it's a pretty good investment to provide increased security for your family and your neighbors.

Second, if we can secure funding to sustain the two patrol shifts and we get an overwhelming response from our neighbors, we could look into adding a third shift. That would provide 24-hour security with dedicated officers patrolling Woodland Heights streets. Their ability to respond to neighborhood crime when it happens is key. Officers you know, looking out for you and your family, is priceless in a city as large as Houston.

Finally, if we are not able to raise enough funding to add a third patrol but have enough to have two patrols with some additional funding left over, we could consider some new strategies. Both the Constables and HPD have spoken highly of the Flock Safety camera systems. These surveillance cameras monitor traffic at key entry points to the neighborhood, logging vehicle information, including license plates.

Our own Deputy Lemmons devoted many hours to reviewing Flock footage from elsewhere in the city to help identify the truck associated with the January 27th incident. This is how they ID'd the suspect. Just imagine how useful such a system could be if we had cameras closer to home! But this system is on our wish list and is on standby until we're able to get our financial footing again for the WHCA Constable Patrol as it currently stands.

I know this is a lot of words, but I hope you understand how much work, discussion, and even debate your WHCA Board has had over this issue. I hope you understand and join us in supporting the program. We thank you in advance for that support.

Volunteers Needed! /  by Michael Graves

While we expect a little attrition from the Constrable Patrol due to the new price, we will work to ensure that neighbors are aware of the program's existence and how it helps make the neighborhood safer.

Of around 2000 homes in the neighborhood, only 475 support the WHCA Constable Patrol program. This falls short of covering the entire cost of the constable's contract. The remaining cost is covered by funds WHCA raises through events like the Home Tour and LITH. Clearly, the numbers show there's room to grow the program, so the WHCA is embarking on a renewed effort to promote it to all Woodland Heights neighbors.

We're seeking volunteers to help with our promotional efforts. We're already producing fliers, door hangers, and other signage to promote the program. We need a team of committed neighbors to help see these goods distributed.

Word of mouth works, too! Talk to your neighbors! Encourage them to support the program. If just one in three existing constable patrol supporters could sign up one new member, we'd not have to raise the price at all.

WHCA Board - Nominations Sought /  by Michael Graves

Elections to be held in May

What/Who is the WHCA?
If you have ever wondered what the WHCA is and who the board of directors is, the answer is—they're your neighbors. The WHCA is a voluntary organization comprised of community members (your neighbors) elected to serve on the board and work together to address common concerns, improve their neighborhoods, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

The WHCA Board comprises nine (9) homeowners in the Woodland Heights neighborhood. The terms for the existing Directors of the Association are staggered, so half of the board is elected every two years. Elections for the board are held during the WHCA Annual Meeting, which is held every year in May. Terms for the new board begin 30 days following the election. There are two requirements for individuals running for the board: 1) candidates must be resident homeowners of Woodland Heights, and 2) candidates must be members of the WHCA.

What Do the WHCA Board Members Do?
We also act as a bridge between residents and local government to communicate information about local issues and services, advocate for improvements that benefit our neighborhood, and organize events and activities to create community and unite neighbors. Board members are neighbors working together, hand in hand, to address community concerns and improve our neighborhood.

  • Represent the interests of the WHCA community to local government and other organizations, for improvemnts and changes that benefit the Woodland Heights neighborhood.

  • This includes advocating for community improvement, safety, beautification projects, and public services. 

  • Regarding safety, the WHCA coordinates the contract with Harris County Precinct 1 for the WHCA Constable Patrol. 

  • In addition, the Association oversees the event committees that produce the following annual events: Fourth of July Celebration, Lights in the Heights, and its accompanying LITH BASH and Friday Night Lights, as well as the biannual Home Tour.

Why Should I Be A Board Member?

You might ask. Here are five reasons we hope you will consider and help you decide Yes - I want to run for the WHCA Board.

  1. You want to make a difference in your community and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

  2. You want to get involved and enjoy meeting new people.

  3. You have a positive mindset and enjoy solving problems.

  4. You want to help shape the future of your community and use your planning skills to accomplish this.

How do I Apply Or Make a Nomination?
If this sounds like something you or someone you know who is a WHCA member and resident and would like to be a part of the WHCA Board, please email president@woodland-heights.org expressing your interest or nominations for a WHCA board position.

Announcing the February 2025 WHCA Member's Meeting /  by Michael Graves

Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m
Zion Lutheran Church
3606 Beauchamp St,
Houston, TX 77009

With Guests:

  • Precinct One Constable Allen Rosen

  • COH District H Council Member Mario Castillo

  • Precinct One Deputy Constable Jacob Lemmons

  • Precinct One Deputy Constable Amanda Suggs

  • HPD Representative

Thank you for your patience as we worked through the rescheduling of the February Members Meeting. As previously indicated, the topic of the meeting is the WHCA Constable Patrol and issues of neighborhood security.

About the Constable Patrol Program

The WHCA Constable Patrol was established in 2011. The program provides two Precinct One Constables dedicated to Woodland Heights, to supplement existing law enforcement services. It is a supplemental patrol that is paid for through subscriptions by residents.

For some years the revenue raised by Constable Patrol supporters has not fully covered the cost of contract. WHCA subsidized the program with funds raised by the association's special events (the bi-annual Home Tour and Lights in the Heights). This has become unsustainable. We currently have no choice but to increase the price of subscriptions to meet the escalating cost of the program. This is the first price increase since 2019!

This member's meeting is firstly to explain the current status of the program, it's cost and benefits, and chart a path forward. We'll be announcing a new price for Constable Patrol subscriptions effective April 1, 2025.

At present, only 472 of 2000 homes in Woodland Heights support the Constable Patrol Program. Given this fact, we are also be seeking community support to grow the number of Constable Patrol subscribers. With more homes supporting the program, it can be expanded, and additional measures considered to enhance neighborhood security.

Neighborhood Security More Broadly

Some weeks ago there was an incident that has alarmed and upset many neighbors. This warrants a more general discussion of neighborhood security. With this in mind, we have invited an array of guests from law enforcement and local government to inform our discussion. We anticipate an animated, respectful, and informative Q&A session.

Please note: While this is a officially WHCA Member's Meeting, all Woodland Heights residents are welcome.

Have you seen this man? /  by Michael Graves

UPDATE/WANTED: Photo of Carlos Jose Ayala Morales, 43, now charged with felony attempted indecency with a child in an incident in the 800 block of Omar St. on Jan. 27

Tips about his whereabouts? Call Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS for a reward up to $5K.

Help detectives ID this suspect wanted for inappropriately grabbing & touching a female, 7, in the 800 block of Omar St. just after 3 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 27).

The male was also seen on foot on Reagan and Watson Streets nearby. Any residents who have any video, please contact our detectives at 713-986-3300.

Know his ID? Call Crime Stoppers of Houston 713-222-TIPS for a reward up to $5K.

President's Report - January 2025 /  by Michael Graves

Recently, I’ve heard it said that the past week feels like a month or more. It certainly has been odd, with more snow than I’ve seen since I arrived here in 1998. As January comes to a close, I find myself looking forward to 2025 while also casting one last look back at the final word on Lights in the Heights 2024.

Looking Forward - District H Townhall Meeting Update
Council Member Mario Castillo, District H, held a town hall meeting at the Woodland Park Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 25th. This is the second in a series of meetings that he's arranged. The purpose of the meeting was to review initiatives and accomplishments in 2024, detail plans for 2025, and garner feedback from the community.
 
The council member mustered significant support from various city, regional, and state services. Many tables were set around the room, with people available to answer questions. These included Houston 311, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on I-45 and I-10 projects, COH Solid Waste Management, METRO, COH Department of Neighborhoods (DON), COH Fire Department (HFD), Houston Land Bank, The Harris County Area Agency on Aging, Friends of Woodland Park (FWP), COH BARC, and the Houston Parks & Recreation Department.
 
The presentation lasted a solid 90 minutes, including a spirited question-and-answer session. It covered more than I can address here, but I will mention a few highlights that stand out to me.

When traffic calming was implemented in Woodland Heights in 2016, White Oak Drive and Houston Avenue were considered significant feeder streets. We were not allowed to deploy traffic cushions on those roads. In 2024, CM Castillo worked with a neighbor on White Oak Drive to recategorize that street. As a result, it's now possible to consider traffic calming measures along White Oak Drive in the future.

Pedestrian safety is to be improved along Houston Avenue. The new crosswalks at Parkside Drive and North Street were described previously. The council member showed a work-in-progress design for a new pedestrian island planned for the crosswalk at Bayland Avenue. This will significantly help people walking to & from Travis Elementary School.

Representative Garcia took a few minutes to address federal issues at the gathering. She offered some interpretation of some things resulting from the recent spate of executive orders from the incoming president. She noted a "red card" that's available that details a citizen's rights when dealing with an immigration enforcement agency like ICE.
 
She further noted that a recent White House pause on federal funding may impact some major construction projects (I-45) involving federal funds. That received a small round of applause from the audience.

The Q&A session was lively. The single largest concern appeared to be trash collection, including heavy trash and tree waste. The council member explained the constraints faced by the solid waste department (staffing and equipment shortages). Mr.Richard A, Nguyen from Solid Waste noted they are just as frustrated as residents. They work seven days a week with equipment often beyond its intended lifespan.
 
Given the difficulty of sticking to a fixed schedule, it's worth monitoring the COH Solid Waste social media channels. These typically have schedule updates. The HTX Collects app for smartphones is also useful.

There was a question about the $240M deficit in the city budget. CM Castillo noted that's "a big number." Also, a pair of studies are underway that will (hopefully) provide some guidance on how to address the matter.
 
One thing is clear to me: CM Castillo is busy. His first year in office was definitely ambitious. The next may be less frantic but hopefully just as productive.

Michael Graves

Major Infrastructure Projects Impact Woodland Heights /  by Michael Graves

Our historic neighborhood, nestled in the crook of I-10 and I-45 at the first freeway exit from downtown Houston, is entering another transformation chapter. Over recent decades, Woodland Heights has experienced dramatic changes through rapid redevelopment and a flourishing local business scene. Major infrastructure projects will reshape our transportation boundaries over the next decade.

TxDot Map of Katy Corridor Construction Project.

White Oak Bayou I-10 Elevation Project.
Construction has begun on the $400 million I-10 White Oak Bayou elevation project along our southern boundary. Phase one started this month by reducing westbound I-10 from five lanes to three between I-45 and Studemont. The Taylor Street exit and entrance ramps are now closed, with detours via Sawyer Street and Washington Avenue.

A significant highlight of this project is the reconstruction of the Houston Avenue bridge, a longtime pain point for our community. Long-term residents will recall the frequent bridge strikes by oversized vehicles, each incident requiring emergency repairs and causing major traffic disruptions. The new design will position Houston Avenue beneath the I-10 main lanes, the goal is to eliminate these bridge strikes and their associated delays.

For trail users, portions of the MKT Trail and White Oak Bayou Greenway under I-10 are temporarily closed. TxDOT has established marked detour routes and added new infrastructure, including a switchback trail at Studemont and a wider sidewalk along the eastbound feeder road south of I-10. While periodic trail closures may occur during construction, both trails will remain accessible throughout the project.

Key Impacts and Timeline

  • I-10 White Oak Bayou Project: Now through late 2028

  • Lane reductions and intermittent closures: Through late 2027

  • Houston Avenue bridge reconstruction: Mid-2025 through late 2027

  • New trail features: Studemont switchback trail and wider sidewalks along I-10

  • I-45 NHHIP: Construction reaching our western boundary in 2028, continuing through 2033

As a neighborhood that has successfully navigated significant changes over the past decades, we will adapt to these infrastructure improvements while maintaining our strong community bonds. The Woodland Heights Civic Association will continue to advocate for our neighborhood's interests throughout these projects.

Courtesy TxDOT website https://its.txdot.gov/its/District/HOU/lane-closures

Did you know you can check traffic conditions or lane closures among other options in your area you can visit TXDot's Advanced Traffic Management System (ITS - intelligent transportation system) page on their website. Here you can zoom in on the map to see specific areas close to your neighborhood or in other areas across the state where TxDot cameras or located.

Brian Edmondson

LITH - The Final Wrap Up /  by Michael Graves

Lights in the Heights - The Bottom Line
It can take some time for the dust to settle, receipts to be submitted, and checks to clear. In the December issue I hinted that Lights in the Heights 2024 looked to be close breaking even. That would have been a big improvement, since it’s been run at a loss the past few years.

Now that all the accounting is in, I’m very happy to report that LITH 2024 actually made $1,950! Yes, it’s cast off the red ink! This is critically important since proceeds from special events support other WHCA activities, including the Constable Patrol Program.

Further, we look forward to even better results in 2025 resulting from our new partnership with the White Oak Entertainment District; EZ’s Liquor Lounge, Christian’s Tailgate, Bobcat Teddy’s Ice House, Little Woodrow’s Heights, and Onion Creek Coffee House Bar & Lounge.

Many thanks to the Lights in the Heights Committee Chairs Lauren Snead and Ashley Allison, the Porch Bands Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Frey, and especially our newly minted group of Sponsorship Wranglers Josh Shaner and Brad Snead who pinched in to help me with this effort. It takes a number of dedicated individuals to lock down all the details and get this event going. All your work is truly appreciated!

Friday Night Lights
In the December edition of the newsletter we somewhat spaced out and neglected to highlight Friday Night Lights. For those of you without kids, this is the event that’s held the Friday before LITH on the Norhill Esplanade. A family-focused event for just the neighborhood, it doesn’t draw the large crowd of the main event on Saturday.

This year’s event once again featured Santa & Mrs Clause backed by the White Oak Bayou Band. Boy Scout Troop 30 (the 3T0) was there fund-raising with holiday wreathes. Memorial Hermann Greater Heights was there, and Eureka Heights was pouring holiday themed beer. It's A Wrap and Wokker Texas Ranger food trucks was on-site for those who got hungry. WHCA Precinct 1 Constable Patrol provided security and support. Many thanks to the Norhill Families for their sponsorship of the Dinosaur Display Lights.
 
Neighbors were able to pickup WHCA merchandise ordered online. And there was some serious production of s’mores over the fire pit. Thank you to Pat Walzel for assembling all the s'mores kits!
 
The event started out on the damp side, with rain in the mid-afternoon while everything was being setup. Happily the rain cleared, allowing the event to go forward. Some quick-thinking volunteers provided tents for band, so no musicians were electrocuted over the course of the evening.
 
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in staging this event. In particular, Beth and Carl Sorensen and Alyssa Holub.

Upper East Side Beautification /  by Michael Graves

As of the posting of this newsletter on January 31, 2025, there are now only 48 days left until Spring! Something many of us may be wishing for. The Vernal or Spring Equinox to return (in the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox is called the vernal equinox, because it signals the beginning of Spring (vernal means fresh or new like the Spring).

In anticipation of Spring and in the hopes of enhancing the entrance from Main Street and I-45 would be a more inviting one if it greeted residents, guests, and others into our neighborhood. Last November, following the adoption, Boy Scout Troop 30 (the 3T0) pitched in to help Director of Beautification Ryan Taylor and his crew prep the Upper East Side Houston Avenue Esplanade and scatter wildflower seeds at the site. Rain came the following week – something we were not sure would happen, so that was a pleasant surprise and a very helpful one as baby bluebonnets are now growing. Here’s hoping we get more along with a variety of wildflowers joining them. Something we can all look forward to now that the snow has melted – let’s see what February brings.

Soon two signs will grace the esplanades - one indicating WHCA is maintaining the esplanades with the permission of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department. And the other sign like the one at the top of this article to remind everyone that there are seeds working hard to make flowers when Spring comes.

Estella Espinosa

WHCA Constable Patrol Activity Report - December 2024 /  by Michael Graves

By Beth Sorenson

If you are already registered as a WHCA Constable Patrol member, thank you for supporting this service. If you are not, we invite you to join by clicking the button below and help make Woodland Heights a safer community.

For December 2024, the Constable Patrol reported the following activity.

Have you had a positive experience with our Constable that made a difference in your life or the safety of our community? We want to hear about it! Whether it was help during an emergency, assistance with a concern, or simply their presence making you feel secure, your stories matter.

Please share your story with us by emailing security@woodland-heights.org. Your experiences help highlight the important role the Constable plays in keeping Woodland Heights safe and thriving.

Thank you for taking the time to share your gratitude and support!

Yard of the Month - 1101 Highland /  by Michael Graves

Jane Nelson and Deb Richardson have lived at 1101 Highland Street since May 1991. They enjoy sitting on their front porch when the weather is good so they can see their front porch and greet neighbors who pass by.

Their garden includes sage, Burford hollies, planted soon after they moved in in 1991, hawthorns, foxtail ferns, dwarf azalea, esperanza, an orange tree that has never given us oranges, amaryllis, liriope edges the beds, and wedelia, which keeps their front easement full of yellow flowers when it's in bloom.

The Amarillys and Oaks on their property hold a special place in Jane and Deb's hearts.

"Our amaryllis plants are from bulbs obtained from Deb's late mother's yard in the early 90s. The amaryllis bloom in the spring each year and have remained prolific in bulb production, so we have been able to pass along bulbs to friends and family."

The Oaks date back a century to the original home's owner. "One great feature of our yard is the stately oaks on the east side along Norhill. We had the good fortune to meet the granddaughter of our home's original owner, who planted the oaks back 100 years ago!"

With the help of a gardener, their yard provides continuous enjoyment for the couple.

"We see bees, butterflies, lizards and squirrels. The squirrels typically ensure that we never have red berries on our hollies. We love ixoras and have tried repeatedly to plant them. Unfortunately, they proved too tropical for our care and were repeatedly killed by freezes. Currently, we have chosen hardier plants, such as the hawthorns and wedelia, as recommended by our gardener."

Deb continued, "We're not at all proficient! Jane's late mother was a Montgomery County Master Gardener who advised us on plant selection and care. Now, however, primary credit goes to our gardener, Hector Rodriguez, who visits every other week."

Deb likes being outdoors and puttering in the yard/garden. Jane enjoys looking at the garden. Deb spends a few hours weekly keeping the yard looking neat. It is maintained primarily by Hector.

"Our current inspiration is a mix of choosing beauty and hardiness! Our favorite plants are the amaryllis because they connect to our loved late mother/ mother-in-law and our past."

Deb concludes by saying, "Being chosen as YOM is a lovely recognition! We're pleased to have been asked!"

New Year Resolutions /  by Michael Graves

As we embark upon yet another trip around old Sol, I'm casting a quick look over my shoulder at the recent past and trying to imagine goals for the Woodland Heights Civic Association's future.

With much effort by many people, we did (I think) a good job with Lights in the Heights 2024. Everyone on the committees involved worked very hard. We worked to spread the effort amongst a larger group than usual. That meant there were some new people involved. I'd like to recognize those who are new or taking on new tasks.

Relatively late in the year, Alyssa Holub took over handling LITH/WHCA merchandise. While the transition was a little uneven, we did sell out of cloisonné ornaments, and almost everything was delivered before the holidays. (True story: I can recall going to Jan Greer's house to pick up our ornament late in January one year!)

In addition to the committees, the WHCA board was more directly involved than in recent years. I would especially like to thank Stephanie Frey for taking on the challenge of coordinating bands and porches. Stephanie truly stepped up to fill a notable hole and did an excellent job. In so doing, she documented the process so we have a good grasp of the task in the future.

Finally, a new committee was created to seek out new sponsors for the event. This resulted in sponsorship by "The White Oak Entertainment District," which is the name we gave to a collection of bars and restaurants along White Oak near Studewood. They became our partners, offering the LITH crowd somewhere to go when the event wound down at 9 p.m.

That effort came together quite late in the planning process. Next year, with this new partnership already established, we’re hopeful that it will be even more fruitful.

While the final numbers are not yet tallied, it looks like Lights in the Heights may be close to break-even this year. If so, that reverses a COVID-era trend that was simply unsustainable.

Looking ahead, we can see a busy time. There are many new issues before us, some pressing, others still off on the horizon. There are definitely changes coming to the Constable Patrol Program.

There are several improvements to infrastructure planned for the coming year. Some of these were detailed in the last printed newsletter.

It won’t be long before we need to elect a new members to the WHCA Board. By design, half of the board is elected each year. This presents an opportunity for those who have an interest in what goes on in the neighborhood to take an active role in directing those efforts.

There are also larger structural matters in play. The WHCA board is working on a revision of our bylaws to clarify and adjust some areas which may be outdated from when the bylaws were last addressed. Further, we may have an opportunity to restructure in a way that will change our tax status. That has the potential to make fund raising considerably easier.

Our neighbors to the west, the Houston Heights Association, are reportedly working on the creation of a new “Greater Heights Management District.” This has the potential to impact all the neighborhoods in Super Neighborhood 15, including Woodland Heights. We don’t know much about it as yet, but we’ll surely being tracking their progress very closely.

There’s just so much potential that remains untapped. There’s much to be done. Won’t you come join us? It’s going to be fun.

Lights in the Heights 2024 Winners /  by Michael Graves

November WHCA Newsletter: Lights in the Heights and so much more! /  by Michael Graves

The November 2024 edition of the WHCA newsletter is a printed issue. A troop of volunteers is hand delivering one to every home in the neighborhood this week. We do this to ensure that everyone knows all the details about Lights in the Heights 2024.

But that’s not all it contains! There are numerous other stories and news from the neigborhood:

  • Help Wanted: WHCA Board seeks a Vice President

  • Woodland Heights Recognizes Outstanding Volunteers

  • Constable Patrol Recovers Stolen Goods

  • Recap of November Member’s Meeting & Social at Maven Sawyer Heights

  • Safety Improvements on Houston Avenue

  • Yard-of-the-Month: 509 Woodland

  • Houston Ave Greenspace Adopted!

Yard of the Month - 1132 Highland /  by Michael Graves

Longtime residents Brook Ward and Jason Stark lived on Euclid Street before moving to Highland four years ago.

"We moved in September of 2020.  We previously lived on Euclid St.  We have two boys who are now grown.  When they went away to college, we decided to downsize," said Brook. "We are not too picky about what plants we like.  It's important to us to have something that we can easily maintain, and that looks good.  Of course, color is important and we look to add colorful seasonal plants to the base we already have."

While they appreciate the front porch and yard, most of their time is spent in the pool area, which they have landscaped with potted plants. In the front, we enjoy the porch, which includes the flower beds on either side.

"We had a huge side yard that was perfect for adding a pool. So now, we have two options when we want to be outside. We can sit on the front porch swing and enjoy our garden, or we can choose to sit out by the pool and enjoy a little more privacy."

Their garden includes some natives, but they worked to match the plants in their yard with ones that match the Houston climate. While they had a good base of plant knowledge, to begin with, they worked with a landscape artist to provide them with help on what plants were year-round and which ones were seasonal to fill out their garden.

"Salvia, Lantana, Yucca, Vinca, Cherry Laurel, Verigated Ginger, Potato Vine, Pencil Cactus, Begonias, Oleanders, Foxtail Ferns, Ligularia, Canna, boxwood bushes, and a few we can't remember the names," Brook continued.

Regarding who has a green thumb, Brook says, "I wouldn't say we are proficient. Jason tends to have a greener thumb and is also creative. He enjoys designing and piecing together several plants into one pot, like the large pot to the right of our porch and pots by the pool."

Brook and Jason's garden does not take many hours to maintain, and they pull weeds and trim back plants as needed.

"The favorite thing would be planting. It's rewarding to see the final product. My least favorite would be adding soil and mulch. It can be backbreaking and quite messy. We enjoy getting outside and working in the yard when we have nice weather. In the summer, not so much!."

In terms of having their yard recognized as WHCA Yard of the Month, Brook remarks,

"It feels great! We pride ourselves in keeping an organized and clean house and that extends to the garden. We walk a lot in the neighborhood and have the opportunity to see other yards. We often comment on how good someone's yard looks. So it's nice to know that our yard has been noticed and adds beauty to our community."

WHCA V.P. Needed! No Experience Needed /  by Michael Graves

The WHCA board has been busy these past couple of months. There’s a lot going on—there’s just so much to do. One of the tasks in a process is a bylaw revision. Such matters are no fun, but they are important. A recent review of the bylaws highlighted a simple fact that’s gone unnoticed for some time. Also, our level of activity—the WHCA board is one body short! So, we are announcing a call for volunteers for the vice president position.

The role of the Vice President, which has been vacant for a considerable time, is a little nebulous. Along with the President, Secretary, and Treasurer, the vice president is a member of the executive committee. They could sometimes be called upon to stand in for the President, chair a meeting, or take on any of a variety of tasks.

Historically, the Vice President was tasked with organizing the annual 4th of July Kids Parade. However, since we’ve not had a VP for some time, others have most recently organized that event. A newly minted VP could engage in any way that fits their sphere of interest. Leverage their strengths.

Suppose you love our little hometown close to downtown, and have thoughts about its future. In that case, this is your chance to help steer the civic association and, by extension, the neighborhood as a whole. Interested parties who are WHCA members can contact me directly.

Michael Graves
President, Woodland Heights Civic Association

Oh My Gourd! /  by Michael Graves

Halloween and Thanksgiving, holidays that bring to mind Jack O' Lanterns , pumpkin pie, and yes pumpkin lattes (though I'm not sure how much pumpkin is actually in that latte). So how many pumpkins are grown for these holidays? According to the United States  Department of Agriculture, in 2022 the U.S. produced 1.2 Billion (that's Billion with a B) pounds of pumpkins every year!

This week you may see a number of Jack O' Lanterns sitting out on porches to welcome trick or treaters. But did you know this Halloween staple traces it's origin to an old Irish Myth and was originally carved from vegetables like turnips and beets to ward off 'Stingy Jack' and other wandering evil spirits. Check out the link to read about the myth - migh make for some spooky tails this Halloween-and who knows maybe you'll be inspired to carve up a turnip or two.

And while you may think the pumpkin is a vegetable, according to botanists. the pumpkin is actually a fruit. That's because it is a product of the seed bearing structure of flowering plants - while vegetables are the edible part of plants like leaves, stems. roots, bulbs, flowers, and tubers.

Finally, one more fun pumpkin fact - pumpkins can be called both a gourd and a squash - no matter what you call it a pumpkin is part of the Cucurbitaceae family which includes a very large family of fruit. The Cucurbitaceae family include  over 900 species of food and ornamental plants, including pumpkins to honeydews to spaghetti squash to cucumbers to watermelon to those decorative gourds.

Regardless of what you call them vegetable or fruit pumpkin or gourd - the question arises - what do you do with all the leftovers from Halloween and Thanksgiving? Here's some ideas for what you can do when the holidays are over:

4th Annual Pumpkin Compost DropOff -  the COH Solid Waste Department is holding their 4th Annual composting of retired pumpkin drop off from Nov 1 - December 6, 2024. Visit the link above for details.

Lights in the Heights 2024 - Update /  by Michael Graves

Planning for this years LITH event is well underway! Thank you to all the behind the scenes dedicated group of volunteers who are busy getting sponsors, ordering merchandise, and planning the LITH Bash to make sure the cost of security, permits, and of course the ever necessary "facilities" (port-a-potties) costs are covered.

You can help by purchasing your LITH Bash tickets today, if you haven't done so yet, aside from helping offset the cost of the event - you're bound to have a great time with your neighbors and friends!

LITH Bash
Friday, Oct . 15th 
Eureka Heights Brewing
941 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008.

In addition, you can support the LITH Bash fundraising effort by contributing auction items to the event. So if you or your business has event tickets, signed memorabilia, gift baskets, or any other item you'd like to donate email the LITH Bash volunteers at LITH@woodland-heights.org. Remember all proceeds from the LITH Bash and auction help cover the cost of the annual LITH event in December.

One of the wonderful parts about LITH is being able to stroll down the route and see the decorated homes along the route while listening to the different bands and entertainment from your neighbors front porches. Neighbors along the 2024 route, Byrne, Euclid, and 7 1/2th Streets, have received notifications about volunteering their porches for music or entertainment venues or letting us know what music or entertainment they have already planned for their own porches so we can coordinate the types of music so all musicians can be heard.

That free music concert is provided courtesy the bands and neighbors who have volunteered their talent and porches to create an  evening of music and merriment that is typical of this neighborhood tradition.

If you live on Byrne, Euclid, or 7 1/2th Streets and would like to volunteer your porch to host a musical act email entertainment@woodland-heights.org the volunteers who are coordinating the porch musicians will be happy to hear from you!

2024 LITH Event Schedule

  • Week of December 8 - 12 House Decorating Competition
    Featured streets and nominated homes are eligible to compete

  • Friday, December 13 - Friday Night Lights - Norhill Esplanade
    Neighborhood-only event

  • Saturday, December 14 - Lights in the Heights®
    Featured streets -Byrne, Euclid, and 7 1/2th Streets

And Yes Virginia, the 2024 LITH Ornaments have arrived! You can order your own ornament to complete your collection at the Woodland Heights Civic Association store today. Ornaments will also be available during Friday, Night Lights on December 13 - but why wait until then make sure you have your order in before they are all gone.

Note: All ornaments will be available for pickup during Friday Night Lights - shipping is not provided. All proceeds from ornament sales goes to cover the cost of Lights in the Heights.