The Timbergram - July 2015

The Timbergram TIMBERGROVE MANOR CIVIC CLUB ○ PO BOX 70977 ○ HOUSTON, TX 77270-0977

JULY 2015

Ice Cream Social Saturday, July 4 4:00 PM Jaycee Park 1300 Seamist Dr. Ice Cream Sundaes Ice Cold Watermelon Children’s Parade Prizes for the Kids Pets Welcome!

Sponsored by Sharon Ettinger Keller Williams Realty (713) 299-5149

Y’all Come Out for Our Annual Independence Day Ice Cream Social and Children’s Parade This Saturday, July Fourth, beginning at 4:00 PM, join us and celebrate our nation’s independence at our annual ice cream social and children’s parade.

Neighborhood realtor, Sharon Ettinger of Keller William Metropolitan Realty, is once again generously sponsoring the Timbergrove Manor event.

Family fun for everyone does not get any better than celebrating and seeing life through the eyes of children.

The best part?

The children’s parade, with their pets! We know that it’s a big deal for children to be in a real parade. So come on kids! Decorate your wagons, bicycles, tricycles, strollers, carts and YOURSELF! Show us your red, white and blue! Join the parade around Jaycee Park. Be sure to bring your pets with you. It is a little known fact that pets love to show off in the annual parade too.

There will be prizes for everyone!

Amy’s Ice Creams will be back again this year, of course, to serve up your favorite flavors. “Would you like that in a cup or a cone? One scoop or two? And which toppings would you like?” We all knew that the hot weather was coming soon and it has! THIS should take the hot edge off of a summer day.

NEW this year, we are bringing the watermelon back! Served ice cold and cut fresh! “Would you pass the salt?”

INSID E THIS

ISSUE

WWW.TIMBERGROVE.ORG

The first Run the Grove 5K event benefiting West 11th Street Park was a big success. Get the details…

No Independence Day celebration hosted by Timbergrove Manor be complete without a fire engine? NO! So KIDS! You can come out and see the fire engine which will be parked nearby and climb aboard, turn the steering wheel, meet the firemen, take pictures and learn about firefighting first hand.

At all of our neighborhood events, you will find an infor mation table.

Make d o n at i o n s t o our current effort (PLEASE make a donation) to collect money to keep the portapotties in Jaycee Park. There is a chance Timbergrove Manor might lose the porta-potties at the park, installed in December, due to lack of funding. If you haven’t yet, you can pay your 2015 Membership Dues.

We will have car window neighborhood decals available. We urge you to come and pick one up if you don’t already have one.

Neighborhood security is very important and these stickers help our Citizen’s Patrol volunteers distinguish between Timbergrove Manor residents and the bad guys.

Private Security Update TMCC volunteers are actively pursuing private security services for the neighborhood. Learn how you can help make Timbergrove event safer.

Update from Jaycee Park

by Darlene Wayt Regarding the Jaycee Park Ball Field Lighting CIP Project, per the Project Manager, during the next eight weeks, documents and a design set will be submitted to Permits and pricing and cost estimates will be developed by the Job Order Contract contractor resulting in a permit, a final proposal and a work order by late August. Lead time for equipment takes about twelve weeks.

Demolition may begin in late October with the entire project expected to be completed by the end of the year. Super Neighborhood Council 14 will continue to follow up. Look for more info in the September Timbergram and monitor www.snc-14.org, www.timbergrove.org and FB Jaycee Park for updates and a design when made available by the Project Manager.

Regarding the small tennis court shelter, pricing for reroofing and replacing the wood for the seating will

Proud Timbergrove residents with more than 50 years of combined experience selling in the area.

occur at the same time as the pricing for the lighting project.

This fall the TMCC board will decide whether or not to fund the portopotty units for 2016 and, of course, a big factor in that decision will be whether or not the TMCC has the funds. For 2015, TMCC funding was possible largely because of the designated donation of $3,000 from Silver Eagle Distributors solicited by CM Cohen. However, the total cost was $3,487.35 for the portopotty units, mandatory liability insurance and the HPARD deposit. The expected total cost for 2016 is $3,217.42. The TMCC needs a donor or designated donations from residents. If you think this park amenity has been beneficial or you are affiliated with a business or sports group that uses the park and therefore has a stake in keeping the park clean and safe, the TMCC needs your help.

TMCC designated donations may be paid online at www.timbergrove.org; mailed in to POB 70977 Houston, TX

77270-0977; turned in at TMCC meetings, events or to your block captain.

Contributions to the TMCC, a 501 (c) (4), are NOT deductible as charitable contributions for income tax purposes.

Reminder: The TMCC took this on because of complaints from many of you that the park had no facilities and residents were being bothered in various ways by park users needing a restroom.

The Houston Parks & Recreation Department declined to provide these units in spite of numerous requests over a two year period from CM Cohen, the TMCC and the SNC-14. Houston Parks Board also declined to help with this particular issue.

As of this printing, designated donations have been made to the TMCC

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Neighborhood Expert

Save the Date: Upcoming Meeting Guest Speakers Council Member Ellen Cohen will be the TMCC’s guest speaker at the September 8, 2015 general meeting. CM Cohen will give a City Hall Update, explain proposed changes to the City’s charter, will answer pre-submitted questions and some impromptu questions.

Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Harris County Precinct 4, will send a representative from his Community Assistance Department to the TMCC’s November 10, 2015 general meeting to discuss Harris County services that benefit all taxpayers. Representatives from Harris County Flood Control will also join us to discuss Timbergrove’s 11

FEMA lots in Sections 5 and 6, their use, maintenance and future plans. They will also discuss Flood Plain Management risk maps and what it means to own property in the flood plain.

Email your questions for these s p e a k e r s t o D a r l e n e Wa y t a t d i r e c t o r d w a y t @ t i m b e r g r o v e . o r g.

Questions for CM Cohen must be received

by August 19 to accommodate her staff ’s request for lead time to research answers.

Save these dates, pass the word, come early for pizza, residents from surrounding neighborhoods are welcome!

Pay Attention to Your Storm Drains

by Lorraine Cherry, TMCC Environmental Chair The Memorial Day storms resulted in flooding for many homes in Timbergrove.

Unlike Tropical Storm Allison, White Oak Bayou stayed in its banks this time.

Instead, a lot of the damage that occurred was from street flooding with water backing up from the storm drains.

The storm drains in our streets are an integral part of the flood control infrastructure in Houston.

They are designed to route rain runoff into large pipes that lead directly to major ditches, bayous, and other waterways, which ultimately empty into Galveston Bay. To serve their function in flood mitigation, storm drains must be kept clear. Nothing but storm water should ever go down the drains. Lawn clippings, leaves, and other debris often clump, c o n t r i bu t i n g t o fl o o d i n g i n o u r neighborhood.

While you may never blow yard clippings down your storm drains, are you sure that your yard crews don’t? How about the yard crews that your neighbors use? Even if they don’t blow clippings directly down the drains, do they stack the bagged clippings right on the curb for days at a time where a heavy rain can wash them directly into the storm drain? It’s worth the trouble to make sure that they stop doing this.

If you have never seen the city come out and clean your storm drain or if you believe that your drains are not working as well as they should, make a call to 311 to have someone come out and check.

During the heavy rains that came with Hurricane Ike in 2008, the storm drain across from our house started backing up almost immediately and water almost got to our front door. We called the city the next week and had it cleaned out (and have done every year since), and have never had another problem with it.

Timbergrove was draped in red, white, and blue in the summer of 1976, America's Bicentennial Celebration. to celebrate America's 200th birthday, homes, buildings, cars, and fire plugs were painted red, white, and blue. Here, Suzanne Daigle does her part by painting the fire hydrant at Wister and Shelterwood in section six, to ring in the patriotic spirit. Photo by Chris Daigle

Pay attention to your storm drains. It can make that critical bit of difference when the next big rains come.

Special Feature for Timbergram readers by Pamela Efferson Properties

Hurricane Survival Kit The most important part of your hurricane plan is a Hurricane Kit that includes the basic life support you will need after a disaster. Prepare to be self sufficient for at least 3 days to two weeks.

Here’s a list a thorough hurricane kit list of Survival Materials: • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

•

•

Food/Water * Bottled water ( 1 gallon per day per person) for 14 days* Manual can opener* Non-perishable foods:* • Canned meat, fish, fruit and vegetables • Bread in moisture proof packaging • Cookies, candy, dried fruit • Canned soups, & milk • Powdered or single serve drinks • Cereal bars • Package condiments • Peanut butter and jelly • Instant coffee & tea Flashlight (1 per person) * Portable battery powered lanterns Glass enclosed candles Battery powered radio or TV Battery operated alarm clock Extra batteries, including hearing aids Ice chest and ice First Aid Kit-including aspirin, antibiotic cream, and antacids Mosquito repellent Sun screen (45 SPF recommended) Waterproof matches/butane lighter Money* Plain bleach or water purification tablets Disposable plates, glasses, and Utensils Maps of the area with landmarks on it Cooking : • Sterno • Portable camp stove or grill • Stove fuel or charcoal, lighter fluid • Disposable eating utensils, plates & cups • Napkins & paper towels • Aluminum foil Personal Supplies: • Prescriptions ( 1month supply)* • Photo copies of prescriptions* • Toilet paper • Entertainment: books, magazines, card games etc* • Soap and detergent • Toiletries* • Bedding: pillows, sleeping bag* • Clothing for a few days* • Extra glasses or contact lenses • Rain ponchos, and work gloves Babies: • Disposable diapers* • Formula, food and medication*

* If you are planning to evacuate be sure to at least take these items.

• Documents: • Photo copies of prescriptions • Photo identification* • Proof of occupancy of residence (utility bills) • Medical history or information • Waterproof container for document storage • Back-up disks of your home computer files • Pet Supplies • Dry & canned food for two weeks • Water (1/2 gallon per day) • Litter box supplies • Traveling Cage • Other Necessities: • Tools: hammer, wrenches, screw drivers, nails, saw • Trash bags (lots of them) • Cleaning supplies • Plastic drop cloth • Mosquito netting • ABC rated fire extinguisher • Masking or duct tape • Outdoor extension cords • Spray paint to identify your home if necessary • One of your home phones (many people lost theirs during Andrew, even though their phone service still worked)

Update from West 11th Street Park

by Lorraine Cherry, Friends of West 11th Street Park The Trail Project at West 11th Street Park has something in common with the Gulf Freeway Reconstruction— it’s never really done. About the time we finish up one part, another part needs attention because of heavy use, rampant growth of underbrush, or (as in the case of Memorial Day weekend) pounding rains.

We walked the major park trail a couple of days after the Memorial Day deluge, and were happy to see that most of the trail held up very well in the rains and was usable a few days after the storm. However, there are a few trouble spots on the main trail that need some work, and the access trail that enters the park next to the kiosk is still in need of construction with compressed crushed granite.

We were very excited to receive a generous donation of $2,500 from the Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association “Run the Grove” Fun Run to cover some of the costs of this work. We have also received donations for this project from park users (and of course would welcome any additional donations!) The areas where water still ponds after a very heavy rain (shown on map at right) will need to have additional granite brought in and compressed. The access trail on the east side needs total reconstruction, including grading, layering of materials, and compression.

The original trail segments (shown in solid lines in the figure above), now almost 5 years old, are shrinking down due to the encroachment of

More than 400 runners participa ted in the Run the Grove 5K rais ing funds for Timbergrove area esplanades and a $2,500 donation for West 11t h Street Park photo credit: Chris Daigle

undergrowth from the sides and need regrading and new granite in many places. We will be meeting soon with

representatives from the Houston Parks Board to see how much we can get done with the funds allocated for this project.

E2= Excellent Eats

by Lorraine Cherry

A Taco to “Suit” Everyone Unless you’re over 50 and/or have lived in this area for awhile, you may never have heard of Harold’s in the Heights. Harold’s was a clothing store in the old tradition of quality inventory and personalized service that held the corner of 19th Street and Ashland for 61 years before closing in 2011.

But that’s old news. Today, that corner has done a complete 180º and been taken over by Torchy’s, a trendy taco shop based out of Austin. The original patrons of Harold’s would probably feel out of place among the green and purple hair set that frequents Torchy’s, but this is Texas—everyone loves a good taco! We have found that the high quality and variety of the offerings at Torchy’s keep luring us back in, and we are never sorry we went.

So, a taco is a taco, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong if you are talking about some of the amazing selections available here. Sure, you can get the standard

chicken or beef fajita tacos, but how about a blackened salmon topped with a grilled corn and black bean relish, queso fresco, and cilantro, drizzled with avocado salsa? Or a Jamaican jerk chicken with grilled jalapenos, mango, sour cream, and cilantro with a Diablo hot sauce?

Vegetarians might want to try the handbattered fried fresh avocado served with veggie refried beans, pico, lettuce & cheese, and poblano sauce; or the fried Portobello mushroom strips with refried black beans, roasted corn, escabeche carrots, queso fresco, and avocado with ancho aioli.

When you first look at the menu and see prices ranging from $3.75 to $4.75, you might be thinking (as we did): “Wow, that’s a lot for one taco.” Be advised that these are BIG TACOS; for me, one is enough for a good-sized lunch.

back. Check out the complete menu at http://torchystacos.com If you haven’t been over to 19th Street in the Heights lately, get some lunch at Torchy’s, and then walk off the meal with a stroll down the street to see some of the interesting new shops that have opened in the last year or two. A great way to spend a weekend afternoon!

Torchy’s opens for breakfast at 7 a.m. during the week and 8 a.m. on weekends, and stays open until 10 p.m.

Sunday through Thursday and until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They have a full bar and a good-sized parking lot in

Elizabeth McCormick

Neighborhood realtor

832.661.7300 elizabethmccormickrealtor.com

2014 - 2015 TIMBERGROVE MANOR SALES STATISTICS

# Homes Average Ave. Days Sold Price On Market

®

2015 QRT. 1 APRIL/MAY

7 12

$468,783 $435,649

30 56

●

2012-2015 Texas Monthly Five Star Agent

2014

●

2011-2014 Top Producer

QRT. 1

12

$462,663

22

●

Master Certified Negotiation Expert

QRT. 2

15

$479,047

26

●

Relocation Certified

QRT. 3

21

$462,291

21

QRT. 4

10

$462,377

10

heritagetexas.com

Wherever Life Takes You, Call On Us

I’ll sell your home for more and make a donation to W. 11th St. Park, Jaycee Park or Sinclair Elementary!

President’s Corner Resolution on Section 5 Deed Restriction Controversy

by William Morfey, President, TMCC Board At the March 10, 2015 TMCC general meeting, the attending civic club members reviewed the status of a new home being constructed on Abington Way in Section 5.

The review focused on aspects of the home that neighbors believed were in violation of Section 5 Deed Restrictions.

One area of specific concern was that the appearance of the home was not in har mony and confor mity with the neighborhood. Another area of specific concern was that the home appeared to have three stories, whereas the Section 5 DR’s specify that a home can have no more than two stories. Historically, the home had originally been permitted by the City of Houston as a three story structure with no attic. After being reported to the City as a DR violation, the project was “red-tagged,” causing the owners to revise the building plans by re-designing the third story as an attic/mechanical room.

Significantly, the new design did not eliminate the exterior windows that gave the structure a three-story appearance.

In prior discussions leading up to the general meeting, the homeowners, through their attorney, had asserted alternatively that the home did not violate any deed restrictions, or that the relevant DR provisions had been waived.

The

Private Security

homeowners also expressed intent to litigate the matter if a mutually agreeable resolution could not be reached.

The attending membership voted to authorize legal action against the construction project if no acceptable resolution could be reached within 45 days. The attending membership also instructed the TMCC Board of Directors to handle the negotiations with the homeowners to see if the matter could be resolved within the allotted timeframe.

After continued discussions and negotiations, the Board was able to reach agreement with the homeowners concerning acceptable modifications and limitations to the structure. In significant part, the homeowners agreed that the windows would be eliminated on the attic/ mechanical room area, and that the space would remain a non-conditioned/nonhabitable area.

Additionally, the homeowners agreed that exterior concrete masonry units would be colored and textured to resemble stone, and that a portion of the roof would be pitched instead of flat, so as to more readily match existing Section 5 aesthetics. In exchange, the Board agreed that TMCC would stand down on its objections to the structure.

All things considered, the Board believes that the agreement reached is in the best interest of the neighborhood.

The agreement means that the potential DR violations were mitigated without the need to expend significant civic club funds in a legal action.

Naturally Good Lemonade Recipe submitted by Cindy Lane resident Darren Barlow ✤

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

✤

1 cup maple syrup

Mix, chill, and enjoy!

For extra refreshment blend with fresh mint leaves or your favorite fruit!

✤

1 gallon pure water

by Jennifer Vickers and Chris Ochterbeck, Private Security Committee Following the April 2015 TMCC special meeting to discuss private security patrol for the neighborhood, the newly formed P r i vat e S e c u r i t y C o m m i t t e e h a s evaluated results from a survey of members. Overwhelmingly, Timbergrove residents indicated they would prefer Harris County Constable Precinct 1 be retained to provide private security services for the neighborhood.

Now the Private Security Committee, led

by Board appointee Chris Ochterbeck, faces the challenge of raising more than $75,000 to hire the Constables to start patrol in March 2016.

Thus far, the intention is to fund the endeavor with a combination of resident p a y m e n t s, d o n a t i o n s f ro m l o c a l businesses and fundraising events. In the Private Security Survey, residents indicated they would be willing to give an average of $260 per year to underwrite supplemental patrol coverage in the neighborhood.

The Constable Patrol program will bring highly visible supplemental security s e r v i c e s t o T i m b e rg rove M a n o r.

Uniformed officers in marked vehicles would spend a minimum of 32 hours per week patrolling the streets of our neighborhood.

As law officers, these individuals would have the authority to stop suspicious vehicles, write citations and arrest perpetrators as needed. They would also provide valuable supplemental services such as vacation watch, alarm response services, area crime alerts and home security reviews (which can lead to a homeowners insurance discount with some companies).

How can you help? Join the TMCC Private Security Committee. It’s our intention to have committee support from every section represented by the Timbergrove Manor Civic Club.

If you’re ready to help spread information about our efforts, solicit donations from businesses, assist in planning events and ask your neighbors to financially support this effort, email volunteer@timbergrove.org.

Bryce St. Wastewater Treatment Update According to Houston City Council member Ellen Cohen, Council awarded a contract to Industrial TX Corp for odor control improvements to the wastewater treatment plant located at 2100 W. 11th St at Bryce St. Council

Member Cohen has been working with the Public Works and Engineering Department to address the ongoing odor control issues at this facility since she began her first term in 2012. The planned upgrades will include the

Crime in TMCC

APRIL 2015

MAY 2015

DIST. 2

DIST. 2

TYPE OF CRIME

by Lillian Jolliffe, Timbergrove Manor Citizen Patrol

Big jump in the number of incidents in District 2 and Timbergrove has nothing to report for May. School is out and children are looking for something to do. Keep them occupied so they won’t get into trouble. The bad guys are always out there. Please remember National Night Out is October 6; start making plans so we can get addresses to HPD by the first week of September.

We stand a better chance of having HPD visit if we get request in early.

construction of two new biological odor control treatment systems and fans, chemical feed systems, and three new chemical storage tanks. The contract duration is set for 360 days.

TMCC

TMCC

Aggravated Assault

2

0

4

0

Auto theft

7

0

9

0

Burglary of Motor Vehicle

13

1^

34

0

Burglary

13

6^^

20

0

Theft

27

0

26

0

2

0

4

0

Robbery

^6700 Cindy ^^6400 & 6700 Kury, 6400 & 6500 Lindyann, 6400 Wister, 6000 Woodbrook

TOTALS

62

7

93

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS, CALL HPD NON-EMERGENCY AT (713) 884-3131.

TO VOLUNTEER FOR CITIZEN PATROL CALL LILLIAN AT (713) 869-1079.

0

Yard of the Month

Timbergrove Manor Civic Club Leadership OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS President

Bill Morfey

832-651-0112

president@timbergrove.org

VP

Leslie Hillendahl

281-236-6345

vp@timbergrove.org

Secretary

Peter Davies

713-861-1550

secretary@timbergrove.org

Treasurer

Paige Ochterbeck

214-435-6293

treasurer@timbergrove.org

Director

Kirk Guy

Director

Darlene Wayt

713-385-4465

directordwayt@timbergrove.org

Director

Lorraine Cherry

713-869-4445

directorlcherry@timbergrove.org

Director

Forrest Andrews

713-328-9848

directorfandrews@timbergrove.org

Director

Gary Nordstrom

directorkguy@timbergrove.org

directorgnordstrom@timbergrove.org

CHAIRPERSONS - TMCC COMMITTEES Activities

Tim Louque

Beautification

Leslie Hillendahl

281-236-6345

beautification@timbergrove.org

Block Captains

Carolyn Bryant

281-723-9810

carolyn@CarolynBryant.com

Deed Restrictions Enforcement

Traci Riley

Design Review

Dana Whitney

Environmental Affairs

Lorraine Cherry

Membership

Tim Louque Gary Nordstrom

Timbergram

Jennifer Vickers

713-240-9671

timbergram@timbergrove.org

Timbergreeters

Carolyn Bryant

281-723-9810

carolyn@CarolynBryant.com

Web Site

Chris Ochterbeck

Yard of the Month

Leslie Hillendahl

activities@timbergrove.org

deedrestrictions@timbergrove.org

drc@timbergrove.org 713-869-4445

environmentalaffairs@timbergrove.org membership@timbergrove.org

281-236-6345

yardofmonth@timbergrove.org

Tree Waste:

Recycling - every other week:

Wednesday, July 15 Wednesday, September 16

Thursday, July 2 Thursday, July 16 Thursday, July 30 Thursday, August 13 Thursday, August 27 Thursday, September 10

Wednesday, August 19 Wednesday, October 21

May 1251 Clovis – Randall Hay 2331 Droxford – Ray Dittmar 6615 Kury – Holly Rosenow 6118 Queenswood – Catherine Yuksek & Sasha Yuksek June 6435 Wister – Jan Walker 2426 Willowby – J. Urbanovsky 6619 Grovewood – Helen & Skyler Schawe 6203 Abington – David Berryhill

Webmaster’s Blog Did you miss the last meeting and are curious as to what happened? Meeting Minutes are now ONLINE! We’re currently working to get archived minutes up also, but until then you can investigate back through 2014. Are you interested in additional contract security for the neighborhood? Then check out the new dedicated web page. Coming Soon: New Residents Page Get in touch with TMCC we b m a s t e r C h r i s O ch t e r b e c k at webmaster@timbergrove.org.

SN14 Meeting Dates

webmaster@timbergrove.org

Solid Waste Collection Schedule

Junk Waste/Heavy Trash:

To win Yard of the Month you must be a current dues-paying TMCC member and cannot have won a YOTM award within the past year. Congratulations to the following neighbors for their attractive, well-groomed yards!

SN 14 will meet August 12, October 14 and December 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Heights Library, 1302 Heights Blvd., 77008.

Topics include the Jaycee Park CIP and the Bryce Chemical Feed Station Rebuild. For info, check the website, w w w. s n c - 1 4 . o r g , o r c o n t a c t Correspondence Secretary Megan Jackson at meganjackson79@gmail.com.

Trading Post Like new Bernhardt chair & a half in neutral tones. Retails $900, asking $250 OBO. contact: dnabarlow@icloud.com