Greetings!
October 1st is International Coffee Day... why? ... b/c it's delicious!
Not to be confused with National Coffee Day celebrated on Sept 29th.
Coffee is the 2nd largest traded commodity right after crude oil, and the most consumed beverage after water.
They're called coffee beans because of the resemblance, but they're actually part of the pit of a coffee cherry. Each pit contains two seeds which are harvested as green coffee beans. There you have it - coffee is a fruit, the mystery is solved! Be sure to get your recommended daily allowance of two fruit servings today.
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I’m looking forward to seeing everyone this Tuesday, October 4th in Spurlock Park to celebrate National Night Out (NNO) from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. Paletas from La Brisa Ice Cream will be provided along with light refreshments. We will have multiple tables set up in the Park with info on how you can become further involved with our beautiful neighborhood.
The Magnolia Multi-Service Center at 7037 Capitol St. is confirmed for our October 18th Civic Club Meeting and all subsequent meetings through May. I’m planning to devote a large portion of the October meeting to talk about the new neighborhood committees (for which people can sign up at NNO): Deed Restrictions, Social Events for the Neighborhood, and Community Improvements.
We now accept Zelle. Send dues payments to [email protected] and include your street address in the memo line. The Idylwood Civic Club has officially entered the 21st Century!
As a reminder, Trees For Houston orders will need to be placed by November 30th. Click here to enter your selections. Order forms will also be made available at NNO and at the October Civic Club meeting.
Mark your calendars - Tuesday, December 6th the Idylwood Annual Christmas Party will take place at the home of Patricia Hattenbach. This will be our final Civic Club “meeting” for 2022.
Regards,
Diane Schenke
President
Idylwood Civic Club
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Idylwood Halloween Celebration |
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On Saturday, October 22 all ghouls, goblins, and ghosts are invited to Spurlock Park for a spooktacular celebration starting at 5 pm. There will be a hotdog dinner, face painting, and a make-your-own monster station. Trick or treating will begin at 6:30 pm.
If you would like to participate in the face painting or the DIY monster station please bring cash. Costumes for all attendees, young and young at heart, are encouraged.
Volunteers - Help us to ensure a spooky good event by volunteering your time or providing supplies. Access the sign-up sheet by clicking the following link, Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet
If you have any questions about the event or issues accessing the volunteer sign-up sheet please contact Ericka Lewis (Fairfield St) via call or text at 281-794-4545.
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A Note From Tx State Senator Alvarado |
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Friends,
It has been two years since the death of Specialist Vanessa Guillen. September 30th would have been her 23rd birthday.
During the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature, I worked with State Representative Christina Morales to pass Senate Bill 1185, which names a portion of Highway 3 in Harris County as the "Vanessa Guillen Memorial Highway."
To honor her memory and encourage others to learn her story, we are hosting a dedication ceremony on October 8, 2022. There will be community, veteran and women's resources available to attendees. There will also be local food truck vendors selling a variety of options.
Should you have any questions regarding the event do not hesitate to contact our office at (713) 926-6257.
Sincerely,
Carol
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Houston Public Works Rain Barrel & Compost Bin Sale ends Oct 9th! Click the image below for ordering and additional info.
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Did you know a 50-gallon rain barrel at a residence in Houston saves about 2,880 gallons per year when used regularly? |
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The weather is cooling off and what better time to cruise Houston’s waterborne highway, less than 4 miles from your doorstep with the Sam Houston Boat Tour. This tour offers a fantastic opportunity to get an up-close view of the 2nd largest port in the US.
The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as Port Houston’s public tour vessel since its inaugural voyage on July 30, 1958. This free service offers a leisurely, 90-minute round-trip, educational tour along the Houston Ship Channel. Embarking from Sam Houston Landing, visiting sightseers can enjoy passing views of international cargo vessels and operations at the port’s Turning Basin Terminal. The 95-ft. vessel holds up to 100 passengers and features air-conditioned, lounge seating, as well as standing room outside on the boat’s deck.
Reservations are required to board the Sam Houston Boat Tour. Reservations can be made online and will only be available at the first of each month for a 30-day period. The slots go fast!
Tour address: 7300 Clinton Drive, Houston, 77020
Port Houston Gate 8 (ID required to enter the Gate)
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Family Fun in the East End |
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Friday, October 21st from 7pm - 9pm
Saturday, the 22nd from 2pm - 4pm
Tour TXRX Labs, learn about classes offered, memberships and education programs. The tour will conclude with a hands-on workshop where you will screen print your own Halloween treat bag! Screen Printing is a fun and easy craft, ideal for the whole family.
Space is limited; RSVP options below.
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TXRX Labs is a maker space located in east downtown Houston. They offer classes in Woodworking, Welding, 3D Printing, Laser Cutting, Machining, Arts, and more.
Location
6501 Navigation Boulevard
Houston, 77011
(behind the CenterPoint Energy building)
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Finca Tres Robles has found a long term home in the East End and is hosting a groundbreaking event on Saturday, October 15th for their new farm site at 6000 Canal St.
Free food and drinks will be provided from farm friends Tacos El Nene and Blanca's Café. Bring the family and learn more about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA).
Finca Tres Robles is an urban farm in Houston's historic Second Ward. The farm is operated by Small Places, a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating community health through urban farming.
Space will be limited so please reserve your place!
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DEED RESTRICTIONS - REMINDER |
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Kicking off a home improvement project or hiring a contractor for a remodel? Download a copy of the deed restrictions here so you know the Dos and Don'ts before you make a potentially expensive mistake.
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Idylwood Community Exchange is now
Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange
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The former Idylwood Community Exchange is now being hosted on Google Groups as the Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange. To request an invitation for this group, please send a request to: [email protected]
Please note that like its predecessor, this group is privately maintained by a resident, and not managed by the ICC Board.
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Idylwood Pet of the Month
October 2022
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Our 'best' friends now get their turn in the spotlight! They bring us so much love, joy, exercise, human friendships, and truthfully, higher grocery bills!! So, here we go..... |
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“Blue Ball is LIFE!!”
Yes, that is Gracie’s mantra and a Ted Lasso reference (for those that have seen the “Football is life” episodes). She is Nicole Wood and Chris Galvan’s three-and-a-half-year-old lab mix often known to the neighborhood as the dog with blue ball—her pacifier. Gracie adopted Nicole & Chris during one of Nicole’s Pilates classes in May 2018. Nicole’s instructor had just picked Gracie up for fostering and had her in the studio, needless to say, Gracie didn’t make it to her foster home that night. Gracie spent a lot of time training at Peace, Love, and Dogs School in west Houston and socializing with other dogs in her first year.
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Her temperament is friendly and sociable, she loves kids and many of the neighbors that play her two favorite games “driveway ball” and “gravity ball” in which Gracie noses the ball down a hill to her playmate and then catches it in mid air or runs all over Spurlock park to fetch it. She loves to run Idylwood or walk the bayou, and needs a lot of exercise which keeps Nicole and Chris fit. Gracie was a blessing during COVID because she met lots of you all! A special thanks to Gwen Leggett known as “grandma” to Gracie because of her ball (and often times toy) supply over the last two years!
By Nicole Wood
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Neighbors: Submit your pet(s) to be featured in upcoming newsletters by sending 1-3 photos with a short story about your best friend(s) with the subject line: "Pet(s) of the Month" to: [email protected]
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Friendly Reminder From The Pets
For the health and safety of all neighborhood pets and people,
please scoop our poop!
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Please watch for email updates for the October meeting from
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Garden Club Meeting Dates for 2022-2023
First Saturdays from 10 am-noon
(except for September)
New members are welcome to join us!!
September 10,2022: Host: Suzy Harrington- 6609 Lindy Lane;
Speaker: James Holmes: Garden Bed Prep
October 1, 2022: Host: Irma Nino - 6625 Meadowlawn;
Speaker: Victoria Ortega: Succulents
*Begin Annual Poinsettia Fundraiser:Oct.1-28; only $10 each
November 5, 2022: Host: Amy Dinn -6724 Sylvan;
Speakers: Amy Dinn and Jason Schnegg: Bees, Hives, Plants, and More!
December 3, 2022 : Host: Patricia Hattenbach- 1404 N MacGregor Way
Annual Holiday Lunch and Fun Gift Exchange ($15 or less)
January 7, 2023: Host: Robin Raasch- 6655 Rockbridge Lane
Speaker: Catherine O'Brien- All About Herbs
February 4, 2023: Host: Joshua Espinedo/Nathan Reedy-6670 Meadowlawn
Speaker: Dany Millikin- Houston Botanic Gardens
March 4, 2023: Host: Sally Lehr- 1704 Idylwood;
Speaker: Dr. Liliana R. Cracraft: Use of Medicinal Herbs in Prehispanic
and Traditional Mexican Medicine
April 1, 2023: Field trip to the Eastern Glades in Memorial Park; carpool;
Lunch at the Black Walnut
* Election of Officers
May 6, 2023: Host: Diane Schenke - 6715 Fairfield;
Speaker: TBD
June, July, August: summer break
For more information, contact the Garden Club President:
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The Texas Gulf Coast native prairie evokes visions of undulating grasses, vibrant wildflowers, insects, birds, bees, animals, and places for rain to create temporary ponds as the water soaks into the ground. Alas, this land is sadly rapidly vanishing and now an endangered ecosystem!
Luckily, Rice University landscape architects Maggie Tsang and Issac Stein have created 16 plots of native prairie on the Rice University campus to recreate and study this unique ecosystem. This area is open to the public to view and watch the progress of the prairie plots. Enjoy a day at nearby Rice U. to learn about our native prairie, how it is at risk, and what you can do to help save it! Also, visit the nearby Turrell Skyspace while you are there!!
Click on the title above to learn more about this great project.
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Autumn Signals Tree Planting Time In Houston!
As our Idylwood trees age, succumb to disease and storm damage, and grow too close to our homes and power lines, we sadly see these marvelous companions disappear. Now is a good time to start researching the best trees for your yard to properly fit your needs, desires, and space.
The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council has a fabulous planting guide for trees in the Houston area. This guide is packed with all the basic info you need when considering planting new trees. Some of the topics include:
why plant, what to plant, where to plant, selecting your tree, extensive charts for types of small and large trees for the Houston area, pruning, energy conservation, wildlife habitat, improved air quality, and more!!!
Click on the link below for this very helpful guide:
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Houston Botanic Gardens
Oct. 1: Sweat & Stretch
Oct. 1: Greater Houston Rally for Recovery
Oct. 2: Fall Day
Visit these areas throughout the Botanic Garden:
The Island
NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS
South Gardens ~~ Community Garden
Mailing Address: 8205 N. Bayou Drive Houston, TX 77017
Ticket Window: 713.715.9675 ext. 100 Call to verify details for each event.
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Vegetable Garden Planting Dates Chart
Do you want to know exactly when to plant vegetables and herbs in your garden? Check out the web link to Texas A&M University's yearly planting calendar for Harris County below! You may want to print this out for future use. Select:
Happy gardening!
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Remember: COH Tree Trash Gets Turned Into Mulch
When Picked Up on The First Tuesdays of Odd # Months!
Keep in mind that trimmings from trees, shrubs and bushes can be placed on your curb for the city's Tree Trash pick-up on the first Tuesday of odd months.
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Thanks for your membership and love of nature!
Let's keep Idylwood beautiful and safe!
Kind regards,
Patricia Hattenbach
713-724-9608
Welcome the 2022-2023 Officers:
President: Patricia Hattenbach
Vice President: Hugo Banda
Secretary: Richard Vela
Treasurer: Nicole Wood
Thanks again to Jim McCallum for providing the Yard of the Month write-ups and photos. It's wonderful to learn more about our great neighbors!
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October 2022 Yard of the Month |
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The Idylwood Garden Club’s Yard of the Month for October 2022 goes to Tiffany and Luis Fernandez of 6653 Wildwood Way. |
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Tiffany and Luis purchased their property in November 2021. There were other interested buyers for the home at the time, but they all wanted to tear it down. Tiffany and Luis promised the owner that, not only would they not tear the home down, but would, instead, restore the exterior and interior of the home in harmony with its original mid-century design elements. And they are incorporating those same design elements into the plans of their expansion currently under way in the back.
The couple currently live in Eastwood, “so the move will be short for us”, Luis told us. The couple’s original plan was to move in by this December but delays within the City permit department have forced them to push that date to April 2023. Construction has started in the back yard area, hence the mud in the driveway.
Luis says, “The Idylwood community has been so welcoming and supportive. We appreciate the good comments from everyone. We are excited about joining the Idylwood community”. The attractive improvements to the appearance of the property certainly have delighted the neighbors on Wildwood Way.
Regarding the home itself, Luis remarks that “The house has classic mid-century features that we love.” Those mid-century features include the striking raised medallions on the front wall, the large attic vent on top, which is copper, the small roof extension over the front door, as well as rounded corners on the interior walls.
Another mid-century feature includes, unfortunately, interior gutters. The gutters run along the top of the walls behind flashing strips or coping and empty out over the sides of the home. Over the years this design has allowed for many leaks into the interior requiring the removal of rotted wood flooring and interior wall repair. The plastic covering part of the roof was an attempt to mitigate further rain damage to the interior.
Luis, who is an architect himself, plans to install a new, more practical roof and gutter design. Although this means the removal of an original feature of the home, he plans to return to the home’s original roofing material, namely metal. He is contemplating a color something close to the original copper roof. Luis and Tiffany will have a better idea of the best metal roof color after they finish polishing and restoring the copper attic vent.
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Luis tells us that “Tiffany is the visionary with the landscaping.” She designed the planter boxes on the left side and sidewalk to help beautify the property edges. Tiffany added Horsetail Bamboo to the side boxes which define a clean evergreen edge line. The sidewalk boxes have flowering plants. The plant bed along the front of the house has a variety of plants chosen for their colors that “pop” with the house’s striking white wall as background. These include several dwarf Red Yucas that won’t grow so tall as to obscure the decorative front wall. Other plants in the beds include: Ornament Kale; Pink Vinca; Purple Salvia; Dichondra Silver Falls; Spanish Dagger; Dark Red Canna Lily; and Boxwoods.
A short, wood-toned wall has been added near the entry to act as a backdrop for additional plants in keeping with mid-century styles. This wall also carries the 6653 address in raised metal numbers which replicate the same light and shadow effect as the medallions on the front wall. A wooden side gate on the left complements the shape and color of the short wall. Tiffany also designed a new, dedicated walkway to the front door with large white tiles on grey gravel reflecting the look of the home. Tiffany loves gardening and helping to beautify the neighborhood. The couple is looking forward to adding more gardening features after their move-in.
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Louis says, “When we first looked at the property back in 2021, we immediately identified the mid-century modern features buried behind years of overgrown grass and weeds. Maintaining much of these features is our objective as we add square footage to the back of the house.” |
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click link above for access to their website
October Gardening Tips
Planting Guide
- Plant trees, shrubs, rose bushes and perennials. Planting now will ensure better survival next spring/summer and earlier growth and blooms.
- Plant fall and winter color – pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, alyssum, ornamental kale and cabbage, dusty miller, etc. Plant in beds you cleaned out (from #1), or in pots on deck or porch.
- Plant fall veggies and herbs – Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts , lettuce, cabbage, peas, dill, cilantro, parsley, Swiss chard, mustard greens, etc.
- Plant bulbs by the Holidays. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving: Crocus, anemones, freesia, ranunculus, alliums, lycoris, etc. Plant paperwhites in pots by November 11th (Armistice Day) for blooming in time for Christmas. Refrigerate tulips until New Year’s Day, then plant every two weeks through Valentine’s Day for longer bloom time.
Lawn
Replace dead grass with St. Augustine sod. Weeds will sprout in dead patches if you don’t. New sod will be well-established by spring. Winterize the lawn that you still have left. An organic, slow release fertilizer is just what the grass needs to get ready for cold weather.
Birds
Be sure to have nectar feeders or nectar plants for migrating hummingbirds and butterflies.
Mulch & Compost
Mulch, mulch, mulch — the mulch you applied last spring is long gone! Protect roots and maintain moisture while keeping weeds to a minimum with a 3-inch layer of the mulch of your choice — pine straw, bark mulch, compost, leaves.
Compost – Add to your pile or create one. Clean out all the dead stuff from your garden and flower beds. Leaves are already falling — add them, too.
Garden Planning
Move and divide perennials and roses while they are dormant or growing slowly. They will be ready to burst into bloom in spring.
Plant wildflower seeds through November – bluebonnets, paintbrush, larkspur, etc. Also plant sweet pea seeds in November for better results in spring.
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Keep eyes out for your neighbors!
If going out of town, tell your neighbors but do not post on social media. Please keep an eye out for unusual activity and report to HPD (911) and (713) 884-3131 and the Constable's office (713) 274-3400. Please keep your home and cars locked at all times. Report any incidents to ALL authorities;
more reports = more patrols.
HPD is moving to a National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). To view crimes reported to HPD from Jan-Mar 2022, please go to HPD's website and download the excel file here and sort by zip code or beat. Our beat is 11H10, which includes several zip codes.
A screenshot of last month's crime map is below. To interact with this map, including date ranges and area, go to Community Crime Map.
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Jake Goldstein and Steve Palmer co-chair our patrol group and report the group’s collective 30 patrol hours per month to HPD. Please contact Jake if you are interested in volunteering with our citizens patrol group.
Having a patrol presence in the neighborhood is a crime deterrent and a great way to give back to our community.
Please join us! More information on HPD's Volunteer Citizen Patrol is available here.
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Upcoming Dates to Remember |
- 10/03/2022: Recycling
- 10/04/2022: Heavy Trash
- 10/04/2022: National Night Out @ Spurlock Park
- 10/10/2022: Columbus Day
- 10/17/2022: Recycling
- 10/18/2022: Idylwood Civic Club Meeting: 7:30pm @ Magnolia Multi-Service Center
- 10/22/2022: Idylwood Halloween Celebration @ Spurlock Park
- 10/31/2022: Recycling
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11/01/2022: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste
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Stay Informed!
Check out info about the neighborhood, including downloading a copy of the deed restrictions here.
Report a pothole, get your trash bin repaired or replaced, report a problem with a traffic signal, missed trash pickup, and more.
GRAFFITI ABATEMENT
Call the East End District at 713.928.9916 during business hours with the tagged address, intersection, and colors.
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Stay Connected!
NEXTDOOR.COM
Great way to connect with East End residents. It’s a great place to report or look for a missing pet, announce a garage sales, put out a crime alert, etc. This site is endorsed and its use encouraged by HPD. Sign up here
FACEBOOK
Google Email Group - Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange
If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please send an invitation request to [email protected].
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If you have something you would like to see published in the Newsletter, drop us a line. Comments or concerns?
Let us know how we're doing.
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Idylwood Officers and Directors 2022-2023
PRESIDENT: Diane Schenke (Fairfield)
VICE PRESIDENT: Keith McCarthy (Merry)
TREASURER: Nicole Wood (Idylwood)
SECRETARY: Monique Studak (Sylvan)
Directors: Class A (two-year terms ending in August 2023):
Keith Hamm (Meadowlawn); Patricia Hattenbach (North MacGregor Way);
Irma Niño (Meadowlawn); Charlie Storer (Fairfield); Richard Vela (Lindy)
Directors: Class B (two-year terms ending in August 2024):
Beth Barrette (Meadowlawn); Amy Dinn (Sylvan); Joshua Espinedo (Meadowlawn);
Jeff Klemm (Merry); Paul Leggett (Merry); Laura Manion (Meadowlawn)
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Post Office Box 9225
Houston, TX 77261-9225
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