BOARD CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS The Magic of Hyde Park

PRESIDENT’S LETTER
M
y theme this
month is taken
from the song
“Don’t Nobody Bring Me
No Bad News” from “The
Wiz,” the musical version
of “The Wizard of Oz.” That song title mirrors my mood as I write this.
The Supreme Court just struck down
the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and
upheld a lower court decision reinstituting same sex marriage in California. The
“friends of Dorothy” – and their many
friends – have much to celebrate. I
imagine this year’s Houston’s Annual LGBT
Pride Festival on June 29 will hold a special place in the hearts of many.
The party continues on July 4 with
Freedom Over Texas in Eleanor Tinsley
Park. Houston’s Official Fourth of July
Celebration features live music, family activities and a fireworks extravaganza. For
details, visit freedomovertexas.org.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION
On July 29, we celebrate the volunteers
who make our civic association possible: the block captains who deliver our
newsletters, Citizen Patrollers who help to
keep us safe, and committee and board
members who invest many hours working
for the betterment of Hyde Park. You and
your significant others are invited to “The
Magic Of Hyde Park” on Monday, July 29,
at Rudyard’s upstairs.
If you volunteered this year, you’re welcome to share free food and drink while
enjoying the magic of Shane Wilson,
amateur magician and chair of our Deed
Restrictions Committee.
FOUNTAIN: DONATE ONLINE
The Lamar Park Committee is getting
ready to launch a major fund-raising campaign to renovate the dolphin fountain in
Lamar Park. Committee Co-Chair Rodney
Morris explained at the last meeting his
plan to raise the estimated $150,000 to
refurbish and preserve the 75-year-old (or
more) fountain. Rodney is the kind of guy
who can get ‘er done. You can email him
at lamarpark@hydeparkunited.org for
details or to volunteer to help.
Residents can make tax-deductible
donations online to the fountain renovation project at houstonparksboard.org.
Detailed instructions are featured on page
8 next to a photo of the fountain.
CHAPTER 42 CAMPAIGN
Cynthia Greenwood, former vice president of HPU, is working to raise awareness of the protections available to our
neighborhood under Chapter 42. That City
of Houston ordinance offers minimum lot
size (MLS) and minimum setback protections on streets where 50% or more of the
residents request them. MLS protection
prevents subdividing single family lots.
For example, MLS protection would
have prevented the replatting of 1902
Waugh, a subject of recent controversy.
The City Planning Commission approved
replatting that property, which is not deed
restricted. Not all properties in Hyde Park
are covered by our deed restrictions,
whereas Chapter 42 restrictions cover
every property on the specified block(s).
NEWSLETTER EDITOR NEEDED
OK, I have to end with a little bad news.
Beth Cunningham retired last month as
newsletter editor after more than two
years in the job. Beth did great work; our
newsletter is the envy of nearby civic
associations. She also endured nearly everyone missing deadlines and she still did
a fabulous job. Thank you, Beth.
I put together this month’s newsletter.
Several years ago, I served as newsletter
editor. However, I can’t serve as president
and newsletter editor simultaneously. If
you know how to use Adobe InDesign (or
even if you don’t) and want the job, email
president@hydeparkunited.org or call
713-522-7050.
George Sroka, President,
Next Meetings
The Magic of Hyde Park
Annual Volunteer
Appreciation Reception
Monday, July 29 • 6:30 PM
Next General Meeting Aug. 5
All meetings held at Rudyard's Pub
(upstairs), 2010 Waugh Dr. near Welch
BOARD CONTACTS
PRESIDENT
George Sroka
president@hydeparkunited.org
VICE PRESIDENT
Macy Bodenhamer
vicepresident@hydeparkunited.org
SECRETARY
Janet Nichols
secretary@hydeparkunited.org
TREASURER
Bill Curry
treasurer@hydeparkunited.org
OTHER CONTACTS
DEED RESTRICTIONS
Shane Wilson
deed restrictions@hydeparkunited.org
MEMBERSHIP
Susan Ellis
membership@hydeparkunited.org
CITIZEN PATROL
Cynthia Greenwood
citizenpatrol@hydeparkunited.org
NEWSLETTER
THIS COULD BE YOU
newsletter@hydeparkunited.org
NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING
Carlos Fernandez
advertising@hydeparkunited.org
LAMAR PARK
Rodney Morris and Dean Emmons
lamarpark@hydeparkunited.org
HPU Civic Association, PO Box
66422, Houston, TX 77266-6422
www.hydeparkunited.org
NEIGHBORHOOD
BLOCK CAPTAINS
Bomar
Greg Jeu & Jim Hurst 281-541-6756
California / Westheimer
Cecilia Kammer 832-788-1586
Commonwealth
Liz Hudson & Carol Brownstein 713-527-9852
Mark McCreary 713-338-1929
Fairview
Irene Dahlgren 713-299-5190
Sandie Zilker 713-906-7123
Hyde Park / Hyde Park Apts.
Linda Carter 713-524-2952
Alex Aranda 713-533-9474­
Hyde Park Crescent
Susan Ellis 713-528-8289
Carlos Fernandez 713-520-7017
Hyde Park Townhomes
Daniel Posada 713-454-7834
Indiana / Yupon
Alice McCarthy 713-521-5807
Jackson
Brandon Bartee 832-866-1426
Maryland
Cathy Hanchett 713.542.4921
Michigan
Tom Whitworth 713-523-8035
Missouri
Jeanne Wallace 713-528-0834
Montrose
Syndee Sharrar 281 216 0953
Peden
Lori Corwin 832-582-6520
Vermont
Sharon Lord 713-522-9427
Waugh
Will Martin 405-361-2523
Welch
Scott and Lina Rigrod 713-528-2791
Cliff Jones 713-524-3055
West Drew
Mike McKann 713-526-6777
West Gray / Hazel
Sherry Waddell 713-252-3968
Willard
Camille Bogel 832-794-2577
Yoakum/Van Buren
Macy Bodenhamer 713-201-5810
Block captains: Notify
vicepresident@hydeparkunited.org of
any changes in contact information.
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Minutes of June 2013 Meeting
Hyde Park United President George
Sroka called the meeting to order
at 7PM June 3 at Rudyard’s. HPU
members and guests were invited to
introduce themselves, and mention
an area problem of primary concern
to them. Subjects of concern included
traffic, street disrepair, heavy trash
being left on curbs, dog poop, and
crimes. However, the main concern of
the crowd was the deteriorating quality of life caused by overdevelopment
and overpopulation.
These concerns are ongoing and
possibly increasing. As Membership
Chairwoman Susan Ellis pointed out,
civic association members as a group
have more influence on getting their
concerns addressed. Let’s help increase membership!
PROGRAM
George introduced Guest Speaker
Jackie Miller from the City of
Houston’s Office of Homeland Security
to present the topic of Hurricane
Preparedness. Miller did a wonderful job, communicating through slides
and examples as well as her well-organized speech. She answered questions and provided several informational items for attendees, including
the “Disaster Preparedness Guide.” All the information she covered is
included in this booklet, which is available from the Office of Emergency
Management.
You may email jackie.miller@houstontx.gov or houstonoem.org, or call
832-393-0922 or 713-884-4500 for
more guides, calendars, information
wheels and and DVDs.
Hurricane season for our region runs
June 1 to Nov. 30, and the most dangerous, active time is August through
September. For more on Miller’s
presentation, see “Are You Ready for
Hurricane Season” on page 7.
The Office of Homeland Security
offers a class detailing storm disaster
tips and instructions that is taught in
three-hour segments per week over
eight weeks. Call (832) 393-0922 or
(713) 884-4500 or email houstonoem.
org or jackie.miller@houstontx.gov for
more information.
LAMAR PARK UPDATE
Following Miller’s presentation,
Lamar Park Committee Co-Chair
Rodney Morris updated us on the
Lamar Park Dolphin Fountain renovation. Rodney and Dean Emmons
co-chair the Lamar Park Committee,
and are busy communicating with the
Houston Parks Board and preparing
to raise funds for the work, which
Rodney hopes will commence this
summer. Approximately $150,000 is
needed for the fountain restoration. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the Houston Parks Board
at houstonparksboard.org. Detailed
instructions available on page 8.
Minutes of the May HPU meeting were approved as printed in last
month’s newsletter.
CHAPTER 42 CAMPAIGN
Cynthia Greenwood is working to
help homeowners to initiate petitions under the Chapter 42 ordinance
to establish Minimum Lot Size and
Minimum Setback restrictions on
their streets. Minimum Lot Size would
prevent the subdividing of lots and
Minimum Setback would require new
construction to maintain the same
setback as existing houses. Chapter 42
Protections are available to homeowners if more than 50% of residents sign
a petition. Please contact Cynthia if
you can help and/or you want your
street protected. Her email address is:
cynthiagreenwood@sbcglobal.net.
The Houston Gay Pride Festival
and Parade is coming June 29. Learn
more at pridehouston.org. You are
advised to avoid driving on or crossing Westheimer the afternoon and
evening of June 29. The parade starts
at 8 PM.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted by Janet Nichols
HPU Calendar & Announcements
HPUCA 2013 CALENDAR
TRASH/RECYCLING
General meetings held upstairs at Rudyard’s at 7 pm
July 29
NEW DATE! Volunteer Appreciation
Reception
Aug. 5
General Meeting
Sept. 9
General Meeting (delayed due to Labor Day)
Oct. 1
National Night Out
Nov. 4
General Meeting / Election
Dec. 2
Annual Holiday Party
General meetings held on the first Monday of the month
except when they conflict with holidays.
The City of Houston collects recyclables every other week
on Monday, our regular garbage collection day. When our
collection day falls on a Monday holiday like MartinLuther
King Day, garbage and recyclables are picked up the following day. Here are recycling pickup dates:
(Schedule A, dual-stream):
HPU CITIZEN PATROL REPORT: JUNE
No. of known incidents reported to police: 1
No. of arrests: 0
Hours patrolled on foot: 159
Hours patrolled by car: 52.75
No. of trained citizen patrollers: 28
July 8, 22
HEAVY/JUNK WASTE AND TREE WASTE
July 3 – Tree Waste
August 7 – Heavy/Junk Waste
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Deadline for the August 2013 newsletter is July 20. Inquiries:
newsletter@hydeparkunited.org
Advertising: advertising@hydeparkunited.org
Freedom Over Texas: Thursday, July 4th 2013 – Eleanor Tinsley Park from 4pm – 10pm
Houston’s Official Fourth of July Celebration Featuring Live Music, Family Activities and a Fireworks Extravaganza.
Southwest Airlines Freedom Over Texas with Entertainment Presented by NRG. For details: http://freedomovertexas.org/
3
A Growing Health Hazard in Hyde Park
“Poop Pollution” isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a serious health problem
As our population density increases
in Hyde Park we are facing a growing
health hazard. Simply put, the dog poop
is piling up. It is not a simple nuisance
of the smell which can be substantial,
or having to scrape it off your shoes,
which is maddening. According to the
EPA, dog waste is considered non-point
source pollution, along with: herbicides,
insecticides, oil, grease, toxic chemicals
from urban runoff and energy production, salt from irrigation practices and
acid drainage from abandoned mines.
Not so benign, is it?
Unlike other sources adding to water
pollution, such as lawn fertilizer, rinse
water from driveways and motor oil, dog
waste carries parasites and bacteria that
can be transmitted directly to humans.
Dog feces are common carriers of:
heartworms, whipworms, hookworms,
roundworms, tapeworms, parvovirus,
giardia, salmonella, and e.coli. The
longer dog waste stays on the ground
4
the greater the contamination becomes.
Roundworm is one of the most common parasites found in dog waste. It can
remain infectious in contaminated soil
and water for years. A recent CDC study
found 14 percent of Americans tested
positive for roundworms.
Two or three days worth of droppings
from a population of about 100 dogs can
contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and all watershed
areas within 20 miles to swimming and
shell fishing. That may
not sound important
to Hyde Park but it
simply illustrates the
seriousness of this
pollutant that we
take so carelessly.
The Houston Department of Health
and Human Services Pooper Scooper
Law -- Section 6-24 roughly states: Pet
owners must remove all fecal material
deposited by their pets on property
they do not own, including neighbors’
yards, city parks, school property, public
rights-of-way, etc. Pet owners must have
materials to remove feces left by their
dog or cat when they are off their own
property.
Violation of this section is punishable
upon conviction by a fine of not less
than $75 or more than $500. Each violation of this section is a separate offense.
What can you do to help? If you own
a dog, simply pickup after it. If you see
someone not picking up after their dog
offer them one of your bags. If you have
a friend with a dog, educate them about
the hazards of “Poop Pollution”. If you
see someone picking up after their dog,
thank them. – Submitted by Susan Ellis
Azar Fisher
Wishing you
health, happines and
HOME.
Call
Azar Fisher
for the finest service
and results.
azarf@johndaugherty.com
innerloophomesreport.com
Cell: 713.301.4570
Direct: 713.561.6612
Fax: 713.561.6712
Established 1967
Newsletter WINTER 2013.indd 1
12/5/12 3:59 PM
General Craftsman
Large & Small Scale
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Call: Richard Paulssen
(713) 520-6311
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5
6
Are you ready for Hurricane Season 2013?
Find out with these tips from the Houston’s Office of Homeland Security
•
Our Texas Medical Center is the largest in the world.
•
Our Metropolitan Service Area (MSA)
is larger than the state of Massachusetts, but slightly smaller than the
state of New Jersey.
•
We have historically had more than
32 presidential declarations of disaster.
•
47% of hurricanes are predicated to
enter the Gulf Coast this year.
The four main tips for storm preparedness are:
• Make a plan.
- Have a plan for what you and your
family will do in an emergency.
Consider how you will communicate
with each other, where you will meet,
and who you can leave messages
with out-of-state if you can’t reach
people locally.
- If you or a loved one has special
needs, be sure to account for these
as well.
- Be sure everyone in the family
knows how to get in touch with one
another.
- Keep a list of important phone
numbers by the phone and in your
emergency kit.
•
Prepare a kit.
- The basics include enough food and
water to last five to seven days. Then,
start thinking about other needs.
- Non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand-crank
radio and tone-alert weather radio,
with extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Personal Papers with information
such as social security numbers,
important addresses, phone
numbers, and email addresses.
- Financial Information such as
wills, insurance policies, including
policy numbers, coverage limits, and
insurance agent contact information,
bank accounts with account numbers
and bank contact information, and
credit card account numbers with
card company contact information.
Additional Tips
• Buy a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) radio
or download the wireless app to your
phone to keep abreast of the latest
weather reports.
•
Follow prepared steps for relocation
and evacuation when necessary and
know your routes in advance.
•
Use the 211 call line for registering
disabled persons in advance so they
will have assistance.
Residents can download and watch videos
or request a DVD about preparedness at
http://readyhoustontx.gov/videos.html.
Download a Disaster Preparedness Guide
from the city here http://www.houstonoem.net/go/doctype/4027/97747. It’s
available in six languages.
Visit http://readyhoustontx.gov/ for more
information and tips.
Stay informed.
- Be sure to keep up with information
from your local government leaders and
media. If the Emergency Alert System is
activated, tune to 740 AM or 88.7 FM
to receive emergency messages. And
many jurisdictions offer text message or
email notifications. But don’t just rely on
one source--stay
informed by using
multiple sources of
YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
information.
SPECIALIST
• Know your
neighbors.
Call Me if You are Planning
- Disasters
to Buy or Sell Property in Our
shouldn’t be
the only time
Neighborhood.
our communities come
together. Make
the time now
Top Listing Agent &
to get to know
Most Transactions Closed
your neighbors
2010 & 2011
so you’re ready
to help each
other out when
Call me for all of
disaster strikes.
your real estate needs.
And make sure
your neighbors
are prepared
too, because
mspear@marthaturner.com
there’s no better resource
than a prepared
community!
MIKESPEAR.COM
At June 3rd’s monthly association meeting, special guest Jackie Miller with the
Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security
shared everything we need to know to
prepare for the season’s expected high
level of hurricane activity.
• Jackie first discussed the significance
of hurricane impact upon Houston.
We’re the fourth largest populated
state in the nation.
Mike Spear
713.204.7653
7
Contribute to renovating the Lamar Park Fountain
T
he Houston Parks
Board has added
a drop-down box
identifying “Lamar
Park” on their web site, allowing contibutors to make
tax-deductible donations. Although major fundraising
isn’t scheduled to start for
another month, individuals
can donate by.
1. Visiting
houstonparksboard.org
2. Clicking light orange
“Donate” button on the top
right of the page,
3. Clicking “Pay by Credit
Card” link,
4. Clicking “Donation For”
drop-down box and Lamar
Park will appear. Tax-deductible donations are
only a few clicks away!
Support Our Advertisers
8
We are proud to be
a part of Hyde Park!
Serving the food of Houston and delicious
craft beer to our friends and neighbors!
1100 Westheimer Road • Houston, TX 77006
Underbelly: 713.528.9800 • www.underbellyhouston.com
Hay Merchant: 713.528.9005 • www.haymerchant.com
9
HPD works to make apartment living safer
Blue Star Multihousing Program provides training, inspection and certification
Presumably, everyone wants to live in housing that is
safe. In a single-family dwelling, you control many factors and decide how much to spend and what to do. If
you live in an apartment, you have far less
control. You can control your space, but
what about the parking lot, the walkways,
the spaces between the buildings, the
lighting around the complex?
At the May PIP meeting, HPD officers
presented an overview of the Blue Star
Multihousing Program, offered through
the Apartment Enforcement Unit. This
program provides training, inspections,
and officers who work with multifamily
dwelling owners and managers to improve
conditions at the complex, help make residents safe and
achieve Blue Star Certification for the complex.
The voluntary program consists of eight hours of
training for property owners, managers, and, preferably, everyone else in the apartment staff, an inspection and survey of the complex, and a presentation to
all staff and residents. A candidate complex must pass
the CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design) Survey and then hold a Safety Social at which
officers explain to residents the ways in which the apartment management and residents can work with the
police to keep the community safe.
The program is free thanks to sponsorship by Houston
Apartment Association (http://www.haaonline.org/).
Blue Star certified apartment complexes display the
plaque shown above. Managers can include special Blue
Star addenda to their leases. The addenda detail specific
actions that managers can take if a resident or someone
under the resident’s control is involved in illegal or dangerous activity on or near the rental property.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
9-1-1 for Emergencies Only
HPD dispatch line 713-884-3131 to report
suspected criminal activity
3-1-1 City Help & Info OR
http://www.houston311.org/
ROAR Hotline (improper dumping):
713-525-2728
10
Since 1999 the program has been available to apartment units within the city limits. Currently there are
2300 apartment communities around Houston. Of them,
just 80 are Blue Star Certified. We should all
hope for an increase in that number.
For help in convincing an apartment
manager to enroll, you may be able to contact someone in one of several partnering
districts: Westchase Management District,
Greenspoint Management District, Near
Northwest Management District. Even if you
are not in the district, there will be someone
who can help you get things moving for your
complex.
If you are the owner, contact HPD to
start the process. If you live in a complex, talk to your
neighbors and together contact the apartment owner.
Encourage him or her to enroll soon. Get information
from HPD Blue Star Multi-Housing Program at (713) 3083900 or http://www.houstontx.gov/police/multi_family/
Although there does not seem to be a Blue Star program for them, you can get similar assistance for singlefamily dwelling by contacting Public Affairs (public.
affairs@cityofhouston.net) for inspection.
Submitted by Rick Wannall
Positive Interaction Program
The purpose of PIP (Positive Interaction Program) is to
facilitate an exchange of information between the Houston
Police Department (HPD) and neighborhood residents, using
monthly community meetings as a forum. Hyde Park United
falls within the boundary of the Central Patrol/District One
PIP Group and meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at
7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited (and encouraged) to attend
the meetings, which are held at the Police Officers Union
Bldg., 1602 State St.
The Magic of Hyde Park
H
Monday,
July 29
6:30 PM
yde Park is a
magical (and
sometimes funky) place
to live. This year, we
celebrate “The Magic
of Hyde Park”
at our Annual Volunteer
Appreciation Reception
honoring those who
serve on the board,
the committees, the
Citizen Patrol, or as Block Captains. Please join
us with your significant other at Rudyard’s on
July 29 to enjoy food, drink and magic.
Rudyard’s
(Upstairs)
2010 Waugh
Join the Hyde Park United Civic Association or renew your membership
Fill out this Membership Form, check “New Member” or “Renewal,” then mail the application with
your $30 check to: HYDE PARK UNITED CIVIC ASSN, PO BOX 66422, HOUSTON TX 77266-6422.
Date:
Lamar Park
Check one: ❏ New Member ❏ Renewal
$
☞
for these local projects
☞
Enforcement Fund
$30
$
Name:
Address:
Primary Telephone:
Secondary Phone:
Email Address:
Interests/Concerns (check all that apply): ❏ Membership ❏ Lamar Park ❏ Social ❏ Newsletter ❏ Citizens on Patrol
❏ Block Captains ❏ National Night Out ❏ Other ________________________________________________________________
Thank you for joining, and helping us all build a “Sense of Community.”
You can also join online using PayPal at www.hydeparkunited.org.
11
12
and much more....
Personal Projects
Manuals, Flyers,
Business Presentations,
Full Color Copies for
Standard Size and White Card Stock
$39.00/500
Full Color
Business Cards
Summer
Special
Fax: 713.521.0124
rokk43@sbcglobal.net
713.526.2273
1405 Waugh Drive
Houston, Texas 77019
Volunteer
Appreciation
Reception at
Rudyard’s
July 2013
Full Color Presentation Posters • Print on Gloss Paper • Mount on Foam Board
Special on Poster Packages