2018 Home Tour Sets Revenue Record by Lori Bigler

The home tour committee would like to extend its effusive thanks to the sponsors, homeowners, volunteers, and party and tour goers who helped us set a new record with the 2018 tour – the neighborhood’s major fundraiser. The tour and preview party’s net revenue of $44,048 exceeded the goal by more than $10,000 and topped the 2016 tour proceeds by more than $12,000! Thanks to everyone who helped showcase our “hometown near downtown.”

Proceeds will support enforcement of deed restrictions, beautification, general operations. Further, up to 10 percent will be allocated to support the constable patrol. 

  • Total proceeds were $48,851. 
  • Home tour underwriting revenue - $16,090
  • Home tour ticket revenue - $23,301
  • Preview party underwriting revenue - $2,500
  • Preview party ticket & raffle revenue - $6,960

Thanks to the many generous in-kind donations from our wonderful neighborhood businesses, expenses were kept to approximately 10 percent of revenue at $4,802. 

Looking ahead: The committee will select 2020 home tour homes next spring/summer. If you’d like your historic home to be considered, please email limoss@comcast.net. While it may be a high bar, the committee would love your help in showing off our charming neighborhood to the rest of Houston and hopefully setting a new record next time. 

LCI Brings Woodland Heights Home to Life by Lori Bigler

Lucas Craftsmanship (LCI) has been satisfying homeowners and businesses in Houston and the surrounding areas since 1994. The family-owned company has developed numerous lasting relationships with area suppliers as well as with repeat clients. In addition to its full time skilled craftsmen, LCI has been using the same fully qualified and insured subcontracting partners since its inception. Each member of LCI shares in the firm’s work ethic and integrity, guaranteeing you “exceptional quality” and outstanding results.

Billy Lucas started the company in 1994. Born and raised in the Northeast, he has been hands on in every facet of the building trade from a very early age. Mentored by his father, Billy learned the industry, but more importantly, he absorbed his father’s values, including his work ethic and commitment to reliability, “exceptional quality,” creativity and individualized service. 

Relocating to Texas in 1991, Billy was building his business in the Spring area when a local plumber hired him to build a porch for a home at Watson and Merrill. Billy immediately fell in love with the area. It featured the Craftsman-style homes that he had grown up around in northern New Jersey and knew he wanted to grow his business here. Upon completion of the porch project, Billy was awarded another project down the block. That referral led to another and another. 

“Our business has been built on personal referrals,” Billy says. “That is so gratifying, but it also spurs us to go the extra mile with each new client. We know this is your dream, your home, and we want to make it special.” 

Brother Dan Lucas joined LCI in 1998. Along with a degree in business, he brought expertise in in client management, and his ingenuity and insight added a new dimension to the team. Dan, a managing partner, governs the business side as well as overseeing daily operations. Mentored by his brother Billy, Dan also has become a craftsman too. 

“While I enjoy the business side, I get real satisfaction by being part of the construction process itself,” Dan says. “I love getting my hands dirty, so to speak, and directly helping our clients realize their visions for their homes.”

In 2005, third brother Steven Lucas joined the family business as project manager. With a degree in communications, Steven manages the fine details of select projects, assuring daily operations run smoothly. 

“Each project is different; each project is special; each project is someone’s dream,” Steven says. “That’s what makes my job so rewarding.” 

The Lucas brothers care about their clients’ satisfaction, and pride themselves on living up to their father’s example as honest, hands-on men of integrity who use their knowledge and experience in the building trade to deliver “exceptional quality.” 

“We were extremely happy with Lucas Craftsmanship and our major home renovation,” says satisfied couple Jennifer Schneider and Chris Pratt about their LCI experience. “For years before rebuilding our house, we watched rebuilds and new homes in the neighborhood, and LCI’s work always stood out. We felt that LCI – Billy, Danny, Steven and the entire staff – did an outstanding, and thorough job throughout the entire process of our rebuild. The communication was open and often, the quality of work was top notch, and when issues arose they were dealt with fairly and timely. We appreciate their attention to detail, delivery, and follow through on the entire project. We are very pleased with the final product, and very happy in the new house”

With this commitment to customer service and quality construction, LCI has restored life to several hundreds of homes in the Heights area in the past two decades.   

Giving back to the community is an integral part of the LCI mission. Among various other charitable events and contributions, LCI has sponsored the Woodlands Heights and Houston Heights home tours in recent years, showcasing their work in more than 15 homes.

At LCI, all carpentry is done in house due to a commitment to old-world craftsmanship and high-end custom woodwork. Custom renovations, outdoor kitchens, new construction and even light commercial work, LCI is dedicated to taking what you envision and actualizing it – turning your dream into reality.
 

Celebrating Ms Helen's 79th Birthday by Lori Bigler

Ms Helen has been an HISD crossing guard for the past 17 years. It happens that May 17th was her 79th birthday. Alan Krathaus & Fiona McGettigan were amongst the neighbors that staged a birthday celebration marking the occasion. 

The celebration included lights, decor, and music, along with juice, snacks and fresh coffee for those who passed by her normal location on the southwest corner of Bayland and Beauchamp.

I encountered the festivities while out walking Julio & Gwen. By then many of the kids had proceeded to school, so the crowd had thinned. Ms Helen was genuinely touched the by the expression of caring by the neighbors.

What's Wrong With This Picture? by Lori Bigler

The other day I was walking my dogs down the street. It was morning. It was a Thursday so the trash bins were out for collection. Along our path we noticed a bag of yard trimmings with a bright green tag. I'd never seen this tag before so I looked to see what it said. 

What a bright green tag!

What a bright green tag!

"The City of Houston is no longer accepting petroleum-based (plastic) bags for curbside collection of yard trimmings. These lawn items must be placed in City-Approved Compostable Bags. In addition, materials such as paper, plastic and other trash may not be placed in the compostable bags with yard trimmings. Small twigs and branches do not have to be bagged as long as they are in bundles less than 4 feet in length, less than 18 inches in diameter, weigh less than 50 pounds, and must be tied up with string." 

For more information, please call 3-1-1 or visit www.houstonsolidwaste.org
City of Houston Code of Ordinances Chapter 39 -76


There you have it. The bag was tagged, but not collected, because it was not one of the approved, green, compostable bags. You know the sort...the ones that seem to start to decompose as soon as they get a little damp.

The NTMP Comment Period Ends Soon! by Lori Bigler

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Just a friendly reminder that the deadline for submission of comments about the traffic calming measures is fast approaching. Comments must be submitted by Monday, May 14th.  

Every household in the neighborhood received a mailing that includes a comment form. They seek the opinion of each household using a simple poll:

  • Support the devices
  • Support with modifications
  • Do NOT support the devices

Comments may also include suggestions for where traffic cushions might be added or removed to further refine the approach. Comments can be submitted by post mail or online at the following web page.

https://services.publicworks.houstontx.gov/ntmp-feedback

Only one comment per household is allowed. Questions about the program can be directed to ntmp@houstontx.gov.

WHCA May General Meeting Tuesday, May 8th by Lori Bigler

The May General Meeting of the Woodland Heights Civic Association will take place Tuesday, May 8th at 7pm in the cafeteria at Hogg Middle School, 1100 Merrill. 

This month the agenda includes:

All About Learn Local

..whose mission is "to establish a bridge for our children between our successful Heights neighborhood elementary schools and Hogg Middle School, enabling progression within our strong, unique community."

Presented by Angela Sugarek, Principal of Hogg Middle School


Everything you ever wanted to know about NextDoor

Presented by Mark Sternfels, one of two neighborhood leads for Woodland Heights.

 


Firefly Field Installation

Project status presented by the Friends of Woodland Park.

...and all the usual updates from the WHCA board and committees.

The general meetings are your opportunity to find out what's going on and have your voice heard as well. We hope to see you there!