Greetings!
"Have some wine," the March Hare said in an encouraging tone.
Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea.
"I don't see any wine," she remarked.
"There isn't any," said the March Hare.
"Then it wasn't very civil of you to offer it," said Alice angrily.
"It wasn't very civil of you to sit down without being invited," said the March Hare.
The idea of the Mad March Hare comes from the excessively energetic behavior you're most likely to witness during breeding season, which in Europe peaks in the month of March. The sort of antics you might observe include madcap chases, furious boxing matches and jumping vertically for seemingly no reason.
“Mad as a March Hare” is an even older proverb than “Mad as a Hatter.” On the other hand, the March Hare also proves himself to be one of the most philosophical characters of the book, as is demonstrated in this exchange with Alice:
"... and they drew all manner of things... everything that begins with an M--"
"Why with an M?" said Alice.
"Why not?" said the March Hare.
Why not, indeed!
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Our speaker for the February 21st Civic Club meeting was Celina Vargas, who is collecting public input on a 31 mile trail, which is sponsored by Harris County and Harris County Toll Road Authority. The portion that is currently under consideration extends from Mason Park to Milby Park, and more information on the process can be found at this new weblink: The Destination Trail
Our next Civic Club meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 21st from 7:30-8:30 pm and will feature Council Member Mike Knox, At-Large Position 1. Also on the meeting agenda, Committee Chairs will provide updates and solicit your input on what residents want to see in our neighborhood. Finally, Celina Vargas has promised to return to the March meeting with more details on The Destination Trail, so if you are interested, please come and look at her materials.
The meeting will be at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center at 7037 Capitol St. (just a 3 minute drive from Idylwood!). We encourage everyone to attend - bring your neighbor!
Save The Date - Idylwood Neighborhood Cleanup Event takes place on Saturday, April 15th (details to follow).
I welcome any ideas you might have for speakers at future meetings in the new year. What interests you about our neighborhood and the East End? Send me a note at president@idylwood.org.
Regards,
Diane Schenke
President
Idylwood Civic Club
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We’re so egg-cited to announce that the Idylwood Easter Egg Hunt is back! Please join us on April 1st at Spurlock Park from 11 am - 1 pm. We will have three age-appropriate egg hunt areas: 1-3 year olds, 4-6 year olds, and 7-11 year olds. Followed by a hopping good time of games, free face painting and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. Delicious treats will be on offer at the Bake Sale booth with all proceeds supporting future Idylwood social events in the neighborhood. All ages are welcome!
What to Bring:
- Easter basket, if you are participating in the egg hunt
- Camera to take pictures with the Easter Bunny
- Cash for the fundraiser Bake Sale
- Family and friends
Volunteers
The Easter Bunny needs your help. Help us to ensure a great event by volunteering your time or by providing supplies.
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East End Side Trip
KIOSK K67: System for Urban Imagination
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What started as a passion project for Dijana Handanović to restore K67 kiosks from the Balkan peninsula has evolved into a unique exhibition at the University of Houston. The assistant professor at the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design spent three years trying to locate, restore and preserve the K67 kiosks that once served as newspaper stands, coffee shops and post offices for people in the former Yugoslavia, located in the Balkan Peninsula.
They were designed in 1966 by architect Saša Janez Mächtig. About 7,500 pieces were made before production stopped in 1999. Only a small number remain, with most destroyed during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s.
UH students and music composition professor Rob Smith composed 24 works inspired by the various functions the K67 kiosk once had. A QR code is posted on the kiosk, which will allow visitors to listen to the works.
The restored kiosk will be on display in the Courtyard of the Fine Arts Building through May.
LAST CHANCE: Archived drawings from the architect, small 3D models and a video spotlighting the kiosks will be on display inside the Blaffer Art Museum through March 12.
WHERE: Blaffer Art Museum, 4188 Elgin St., 77204
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METRORapid - Public Engagement Meetings |
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METRO is hosting a second round of public engagement meetings regarding the METRORapid (Bus Rapid Transit) University Corridor project.
Community input is essential for the success of this project, and with your assistance METRO hopes to reach a wider audience.
Segment #4 (Lockwood alignment) meeting will be held on:
Wed, Mar. 8, 6 pm – 8 pm
Houston Community College – Felix Fraga Academic Campus
301 N. Drennan
Houston, TX 77003
1st Floor
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Paddles at the Ready! Set! Go!! |
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The 51st Annual Buffalo Bayou Partnership Regatta on Saturday, March 11 has a new race route! Due to an unforeseen lack of access to the traditional start line, the race will now start and finish at Allen's Landing (1001 Commerce St.) in downtown.
Participants will paddle east, where there will be a turnaround point at Wayside Drive. Then participants will paddle west back to the finish line at Allen's Landing. With this new route, the race will be a total of 8.5 miles compared to the original 15 miles.
Participants ages 12 and older can compete in solo, tandem, or unlimited boating categories, or paddle for fun along Buffalo Bayou. Sign up to secure your spot and support Buffalo Bayou Partnership’s efforts to create and steward welcoming green space along Houston’s historic waterway.
Note: Early Bird registration price of $55 per person will be available until registration closes on Mar 9th!
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Parents,
The next session of Youth Skateboarding Classes at the Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark will be held March 21 - April 20th every Tuesday/Thursday 5 pm - 6 pm. Online registration takes place March 1st - 14th at the link found below.
Don't wait because this class always fills up quickly.
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2023 Lifeguarding Summer Jobs |
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If you or someone you know has swimming skills and the desire to work for HPARD, please contact the Aquatics Office to schedule a swim evaluation: 832-395-7129
The following positions are available:
- Lifeguard - $16/hr
- Headguard - $18/hr
- Aquatic Center Supervisor - $20/hr
Incentive Details:
- $250 on first full two-weeks of work after being hire
- $250 after completing last two-weeks of work for the season
Requirements:
- Must be at least 16 years of age on or before 5/31/2023
- Must pass standard Lifeguard Swim Evaluation
- Must pass American Red Cross Lifeguard Training
- Must pass physical examination, drug test and criminal background check
- Must have reliable transportation
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DEED RESTRICTIONS - REMINDER |
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As a reminder, Section 3.1 of the Deed Restrictions describes Locations Of Buildings. The front building setback will be a minimum of 25 ft from and parallel with the front property line. Provided, however, an open porch in front of any building may extend to within 17 ft of the front property line.
For more details, download a copy of the deed restrictions here
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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: Barc.Lee2020@gmail.com
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 Pets of the Month |
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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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Introducing Stella and Kate on Park Lane! |
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Stella and Kate came to our lives through The Forgotten Pets Advocate in 2012.
Even though they are not blood sisters they grew up together and when we first adopted them, they used to sleep on the same bed, looking adorable.
Stella loves to cuddle, go for long walks and watch TV on the sofa. Kate prefers to be alone and enjoys laying out in the sun to get her vitamin D. These two girls cannot be any more different, but both are equally needy.
Stella and Kate not only brought lots of hair to our home, but also lots of love and warm company.
Submitted by Roberto Gomez and Charles Roeseler
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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: idylwoodgardenclub@gmail.com
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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 March meeting from
Idylwood.neighbors.group@gmail.com.
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Garden Club Upcoming Meeting Dates
First Saturdays from 10 am-noon
New members are welcome to join us!!
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: 11 am- 1 pm at Spurlock Park: Garden Club members will participate in the Idylwood Annual Easter Egg Hunt and festivities!
* 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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A Spring Awakening !
It's time to start picking out plants that bloom,
deal with weeds and get to pruning!
Houston Chronicle Gardening contributor, Brandi Keller, has a timely article with fabulous photos on blooming trees and plants, tips on weeds, and pruning. (Suggestion: use caution when considering using herbicides on 'weeds' that could also have flowers that can benefit bees and butterflies.) Click this link to get more information:
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NatureFest celebrates park's untamed ecosystem!
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center features birdlife as it has fundamentally remained the same for centuries. Gary Clark, author of "Book of Texas Birds", writes about how there are more than 200 species of birds that have recorded in the park. Learn more about this special park and the Naturefest event on Saturday, March 4. The park includes boardwalks, paved trails, a restored Indian village, and more- just down the road in Humble. It's a great place to take the family to learn so much about our natural surroundings. Clink on this link to learn more:
On a personal note, you'll see a great photo of a Pileated woodpecker in the article. For a week, I have seen 2-3 of these magnificent birds in my trees and my neighbors' trees, along the bayou and the park. You hear them first and then find them as they tap away looking for food! Keep your eyes and ears open!!
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Tree Planting Guide For 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 March Events
Restorative Yoga & Sound Bath - Cultivating Self-Care
Sunday, March 5, 2023 2:00 — 3:30 pm $45
Jessica Garcia of Chandra Yoga will guide participants through a relaxing and luxurious yoga session, while Susie Hernandez of Gongsia Sacred Sound Sessions provides a live soundscape of gongs, crystal singing bowls, and chimes to support a meditative mindstate and relaxed body.
No prior yoga experience is necessary;
class is suitable / beneficial for participants at all levels.
Non-member fee of $45 includes general admission to the Garden.
Members receive a $10 discount.
DIY Terrariums - Make Your Own Self-Sustaining Environment
Saturday, March 11, 2023 10:00 — 11:00 am $50
Join us for a beginners terrarium class, taught by Ankita Vadher of My DIY Terrarium LLC. Learn how terrariums function as miniature,
self-sustaining environments, and then craft one of your very own with soil,
pebbles, living moss, and miniature figurines.
Families are welcome to attend the workshop together,
but a separate ticket is required for each terrarium made.
Non-member fee of $50 includes general admission to the Garden and one terrarium to take home. Members receive a $10 discount. All terrarium supplies are included in the cost of the class.
Wet N' Wild - Spring Break BotaniCamp
Monday-Thursday, March 13-16 9:00 am — 2:00 pm
Youth & Family $200/child (Garden members save $25 per child)
Get Wet N’ Wild this spring break with Houston Botanic Garden’s BotaniCamp, a plant-centric nature camp for K-5 students. The sensory and inquiry-driven curriculum will present many opportunities to go beyond just observation Discover amazing aquatic animals & plants, experiment with water chemistry, and help clean up Sims Bayou to keep our waterways safe and healthy.
March for Monarchs - A Migratory Adventure
Saturday, March 18, 2023 10:00 am - 1:00 pm $15
March for Monarchs will take participants on a journey through the Garden designed to mimic conditions along the route the butterflies follow on their northern migration from Mexico to their summer breeding grounds in the northern United States. Along the way, they will face challenges and obstacles, and other times receive rewards. At each station, they will learn everyday things they can do to help protect monarchs on their long journey. The event will culminate with a backyard celebration, welcoming the monarchs to their breeding grounds, with food, sweet treats, crafts, games,
and info on how to make your backyard a wonderful home for monarchs.
Aztec New Year Celebration - Planting, Storytelling, Dance & More
Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:00 — 5:00 pm $20
In connection with the Aztec New Year, the Garden and Xochipilli Collective will host a Celebration of the Planting of Corn. The celebration will include storytelling and a dance performance by Danza Azteca Taxcayolotl and Danza Chikawa de Conroe, based on Native American myths derived from the seed of the corn. There will also be a demonstration planting of a Three Sisters Garden, a Native American guild planting technique with squash, because their leaves create a natural mulch to protect the soil from drying out, beans to fix nitrogen in the soil, and corn, which acts as a trellis for the beans.
Participants will receive corn, bean, and squash seeds to take home for a Three Sisters Garden of their own. Families will also be able to do a craft activity together and shop a market of Indigenous craft vendors.
$20 ticket includes general admission to the Garden. No charge for members.
History of Mezcal - North America's Original Spirit
Friday, March 24, 2023 4:00 — 6:00 pm $85
Blending education and tastings with Rafael Avila, a small batch producer of Mezcal in Mexico, the History of Mezcal will provide attendees with knowledge of and increased appreciation for the history and cultural uses of
North America's original spirit.
The presentation will cover the following aspects of mezcal:
Etymology of the word
Historical origins
Artisanal production
Diversity of the genus Agave
Difference between tequila and mezcal
Pours of artisanal Mezcal from San Luis Potosi, Mexico,
will be paired with orange slices with agave worm salt,
cabuches (the flower of California barrel cactus), and ceviche.
Garden members receive a $15 discount off registration.
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Visit these areas throughout the Botanic Garden:
The Island
Natural Ecosystems
South Gardens ~~ Community Garden
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? Click here for Texas A&M University's yearly planting calendar for Harris County. You may want to print this out for future reference.
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
phattenbach@gmail.com
713-724-9608
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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Yard of the Month
March 2023
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Redo and Renew!!
The Idylwood Garden Club’s Yard of the Month for March 2023 goes to Sally Harris at 6644 Lindy.
Sally is among other Idylwood residents who are redoing their yard with replantings.
Sally bought her home in 2005 and there were no beds - grass came all the way up to the pier and beam foundation.
Sally’s yard has had three renovations. The first being at initial purchase the second thanks to hurricane Ike and the third because of the polar vortex of 2021.
She expects that various gingers, false cardamom, Louisiana Iris and other bulbs will come back. Several large stands of bird of paradise reliably come back. Sally keeps her fingers crossed for the lemon tree. Sally says, “the azalea is beautiful this year, along with the fire cracker plant, and the camelia bushes are loaded with buds.”
One change Sally made was to move a large fountain from the backyard to the front yard so that she will be able to enjoy it from the dining room window.
Sally says that she has “always been a bit of an intuitive gardener right now I am just staring at all of the contours revealed by a serious clean up and the fresh mulch and waiting for ideas to emerge.
The Garden Club intends to follow up to see how Sally’s redo is progressing later in the year.
Sally also has a Little Free Library in her front yard.
In 2013,she commissioned and chartered a neighborhood library, Little Free Library 4918. Her original library was recently replaced.
What makes her new library so very special is that it was made and shipped from Ukraine. The colors of this library are those of the Ukrainian flag in support of their cultural heritage and identity.
(Photos by Jim McCallum)
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click link above for access to their website
March Gardening Tips
Planting Guide
- Plant tomatoes by the middle of the month for a spring harvest. Plant peppers, okra, cucumbers, eggplant, climbing spinach and more. Use Cottonseed Meal or a liquid organic fertilizer like MicroLife Ocean Harvest for an abundant and healthy harvest.
- Plant fruit trees, shade trees, and ornamental trees. Be sure to apply mulch around the root zone to keep moist and avoid weeds. Make sure trees are watered regularly during first few years of growth, while tree is getting established. Add mycorrhizae to planting hole to also aid establishment of the tree. Use Super Thrive or Root Stimulator every few weeks for the first three months after planting.
- Plant shrubs such as roses and azaleas. Use Super Thrive or Root Stimulator every two weeks for the first few months after planting.
- Plant Sun Perennials Shasta daisy, rudbeckia, gaillardia, verbena, coreopsis, lantana, perennial salvias, bee balm, porterweed, mist flower, jatropha, skullcap are some of the many we offer.
- Plant colorful Shade Perennials like firespike, shrimp plant, Persian shield, leopard plant, cat whiskers, ruellias, turk’s cap, sweet potato vine, creeping jenny, and many more!
- Plant color annuals such as marigolds, fuchsias, petunias, osteospermum, perilla, bachelor buttons, coleus, forget-me-nots, dusty millers, annual phlox, geraniums, impatiens, begonias and more!
- Start seeds or set out plants for spring flowers and herbs. Plant now and get established before heat sets in. Good herbs to plant include basil, dill, chives, cilantro, fennel, oregano, mint and parsley. (Come on in and see our wide selection). Use a dilute solution of Kelp Me Kelp You to improve vigor.
Lawn
Mow lawn to help eliminate weeds. Keep weeds cut back to prevent flowering and re-seeding. Fill bare patches with St. Augustine sod. Apply lawn food after three mowings. At this time the grass will be actively growing and it is a good time to apply Micro Life or other lawn fertilizer.
Pruning
Prune roses. Now is the time to begin applying rose food on a monthly basis. Use Rose Glo, an organic fertilizer we keep in stock.
Prune trees and shrubs while dormant. If you need assistance with the proper way to prune your crepe myrtles, let us know~!!! Don’t butcher the poor things. Prune spring-flowering shrubs such as azaleas, spireas, and redbuds after they’ve bloomed. Feed with Nutri Star or Micro-life, once after they bloom and then again in June.
Birds
Clean birdbaths and feeders. Keep feeders full!! Birds are hungry. We sell feeder cleaning supplies in the bungalow.
Put out hummingbird feeders. We are expecting our first sighting any day now! To keep birds at your feeder, maintain a fresh nectar supply, and empty and wash the feeder each time you refill. Hummingbirds remember where they find a reliable food source –so if your yard is one of them, they’ll often return year after year.
Pests
Apply dormant oil to smother insects before they become a problem. Apply to hollies, magnolias, and camellias for scale. Release Lady Bugs to control insects like aphids and whitefly.
Houseplants
In mid-March, move houseplants outside into shade and repot if necessary. Feed with an organic liquid fertilizer like Kelp Me Kelp You by Bushdoctor.
Fertilizing & Mulching
Feed Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Plumeria, with Nutri Star. This will help plants to put out new lush growth and plenty of blooms.
Spread a fresh layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and beds to protect roots, retain moisture, and prevent weeds.
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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 |
- 03/04/2023: Garden Club
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03/06/2023: Recycling
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03/07/2023: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste
- 03/17/2023: St. Patrick's Day
- 03/21/2023: Idylwood Civic Club Meeting: 7:30pm @ Magnolia Multi-Service Center
- 03/20/2023: Recycling
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04/03/2023: Recycling
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04/04/2023: Heavy Trash
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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 Barc.Lee2020@gmail.com.
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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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