Rice Military News 0309

R ICE M ILITARY N EWSLETTER M ARCH 2009

Your source for neighborhood news

NEXT Q U A R T E R LY MEETING APRIL 7, 2009 T U E S D AY, 7 P M DORIS MILLER CENTER 5216 FEAGAN ST

RMCC

Our Rice Military Neighborhood by Phyllis Thomason, President

W

When we get to know one another, we begin to create a sense of community in our neighborhood – right in the middle of a major US city! What better way to get to know your neighbors than through working together to improve our neighborhood? And what a secure feeling it is to know the family next door, the young couple down the street, the older couple who walks past you every day on the way to the park! As 2009 begins, I encourage all of you to become members of the Rice Military Civic Club and get involved. We have all chosen this neighborhood for a reason – whether it’s near work, near bayous and parks, or near downtown and entertainment centers – and we have made the decision to live in Rice Military because it’s a great place to live! We invite you to meet your neighbors by joining us for socials at local restaurants, by taking part in the book club, and by attending the organized wine tastings. If you are a gardener at heart, stop by the community garden at Nellie Keyes Park (Lester@Rose) any Saturday morning and join the many folks who plant, harvest, and enjoy the fruit of their labor. All of these activities are posted on our website www.RiceMilitary.org. Check it out! Another great way to get to know your neighbors is by volunteering and working together on community projects. We’ve adopted an esplanade on Westcott, and along with Trees for Houston and Houston Parks and Recreation, we are developing our planting schedule. Sadly, Hurricane Ike took out some of the mature trees at Nellie Keyes Park. We need to replace those trees and plant additional trees to create a cool, green space in the middle of Rice Military. Are you able to help choose trees, direct the planting, organize a committee to research our needs, or just be a worker bee? Here’s an opportunity for you! Are you bothered by the loud sounds of the train horns? Did you know that lots of your neighbors have been very instrumental in the creation of the Washington Quiet Zone? They have not only set up a website full of the latest information but have also encouraged each of us to write to city officials asking that we be prioritized to Tier One status. On January 27, during a trip to speak at a City Council Meeting, we were informed that Washington Quiet Zone has been placed in Tier One and work is to begin during FY 2009 budget. This quiet zone spans the Union Pacific tracks from Sherwin Street to National Street. The Winter Street Safety Zone picks up at Sawyer and goes to Holly Street. Visit [email protected] to view the official announcement as well as maps of the area. A proliferation of late night bars has begun to crawl down Washington Avenue. When news of five (now six) bars opening on just two blocks of Washington reached us, your civic club organized a meeting of neighbors, City of Houston attorneys, TABC representatives, Washington Avenue property owners, and new bar operators. Plans of types of bars, noise and parking ordinances, and the liquor license permitting process were all discussed. Many answers were not what we wanted to hear, but in the process, we learned what we as a neighborhood can do to avoid some of the issues that have come about in the east end of Washington. We wish to be “proactive” rather than “reactive.” RMCC is working with other neighborhoods to sponsor Town Hall type meetings to address both quiet zones and bar proliferation. So join us now and become a voice in the neighborhood! Go to www.RiceMilitary.org, click on membership and join by PayPal. While you are there, scroll to the bottom of the home page, click on subscribe and join our google group. We’ll keep you up to date on all that going on in Rice Military and surrounding neighborhoods.

MARCH 2009

1

www.ricemilitary.org

Catch the WAve Celebration by Patrick McIlvain It is always a beautiful day in our Super Neighborhood, and on March 7, 2009, it will be even better! In March of 2007, there was the first “WOW the Parade,” (and we are planning its return!) The Washington On Washington the Parade. In March of 2008, it was WOW Day ’08 “A Walk On the Avenues.” Now on March 7, 2009, there is Catch the WAve. What is “the Wave?” Well, if you are like many of us here in the First Ward and in the other neighborhoods along the Washington Avenue corridor, you are quite tired of being referred to as part of “the Heights!” We are not and have never been a part of the Heights. So the Washington Avenue Collation/Memorial Park Super Neighborhood No. 22 is test-driving a branding campaign for the area: The Washington Avenue District “Between the Bayous” or “The WAve” for short. The neighborhoods that make up The

WAve are: 1st Ward, Old 6th Ward, Memorial Heights, West End, Magnolia Grove, Rice Military, Woodcrest, Cottage Grove, Crestwood/Glen Cove, and Camp Logan. To showcase the district, many of our businesses will be hosting WAve specials and events at their locations on March 7th – primarily between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM. You may pick up maps with participating locations at 1st Ward’s very own Dharma Café, in the Old 6th Ward at MECA, and at participating businesses along the WAve. Catch the WAve is being presented in collaboration with The Office of Mayor Bill White. In addition to businesses along Washington Avenue, a Catch the WAve focal point will be Spotts Park at 401 South Heights Boulevard (near the, sorry to say, old YWCA building). Between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, Spotts Park will be the site of the WAve Eco-Fair. This community building event is geared to encouraging our area business partners and residents alike to consider just how our community might be improved if we were more “green”

Put on your calendar: The WAve 2009 Eco Fair Saturday, March 7 10 am to 5 pm Spotts Park and at participating businesses

RMCC

MARCH 2009

2

www.ricemilitary.org

and chose to live a more sustainable existence.

in my mailbox at 1618 Weber Street, Unit A.

The Wave 2009 Eco Fair will feature displays, workshops, and information booths that will let us know about developing sustainable lifestyle choices. City of Houston Green Departments, many other eco-oriented groups, and nonprofit organizations will participate. MECA will provide entertainment. We have asked the League of Women Voters to do voter registration (since we have the upcoming November city elections including the Special Council District H election). We are planning a Children’s Spott to include Memorial Elementary, The Children’s Museum, Orange Show, Weather Museum, and Hits Theater.

Rice Military Civic Club will send out an email to the Rice Military google group before the event with more information on “Catch the WAve.” If you are not a member of the google group, sign up at the bottom of www.RiceMilitary.org.

So get your walking shoes, bicycle, or scooter ready for a great green, informational, and entertaining day on March 7th: Catch the WAve . We will need some very important items to make sure that we all have a funfilled day and a successful event: VOLUNTEERS. If you can give us at least one hour during the day of March 7th, between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, PLEASE email me at [email protected], call 832894-9584 and leave me a message, or put a note

RMCC

MARCH 2009

3

www.ricemilitary.org

Letter from the Editor by Wendy Wilkinson During our January 13th Rice Military Civic Club meeting, we honored Michelle Wolpert for her volunteer efforts during the past several years as treasurer. We gave her a gift certificate to one of her favorite restaurants (instead of a plaque). She stepped down from her position this year although she continues to volunteer for many activities including running the Rice Military Book Club. Thank you, Michelle! * * * On Feb. 2, the local restaurant Zushi hosted one of our socials. Below is one of many pictures you can find in a new Facebook group Will and I have started. If you are a member of Facebook, look up Rice Military to find and join the group or you can

find a link on the top of the website www.RiceMilitary.org. * * * Our local book club has been tackling some difficult but rewarding books. On January 14, we discussed Pillars of the Earth, a book almost a thousand pages long. We met at Nicole Alcock’s beautiful house and enjoyed a potluck meal that reflected the English setting of the book.. Then on February 18, Kim Wilson was kind enough to host the discussion on The Devil in the White City, where we marveled at the history while dining on fair foods. * * * The Hoopla Station is our local support for the Houston Marathon. On Jan. 18, many Rice Mili-

tary neighbors cheered on the marathon runners at Mile 22. Pictured here are two local runners, Michelle Wolpert and Steve Murray. We had a great time cheering the runners. * * * You may have noticed a change on the calendar, on page eight, concerning the heavy trash. The city is now picking up tree trash every other month to recycle and avoid ending up in landfills. To help Houston grow greener, time your gardening and trimming to coincide with the pickup dates.

RMCC

MARCH 2009

4

www.ricemilitary.org

Rice Military Civic Club Membership Form _____ $20 Household Membership for one year _____ $30 Business Membership for one year _____ $5

Already a member? Give this to a neighbor!

Senior Membership for one year

_____ I want to donate $_____ extra for community outreach! Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________ Telephone ___________________ Email __________________________________ _____ I would like to be contacted about upcoming civic club events _____ I would like to be contacted about local volunteer opportunities Please mail this form to: PO Box 130311, Houston TX 77219 or go online to pay dues at www.RiceMilitary.org

RMCC

MARCH 2009

5

www.ricemilitary.org

Home Invasion Safety by Christopher McCarty HOME INVASION is the crime of entering a privately-occupied dwelling with the intent of committing crimes and often includes threats and/or violence against residents. The most common point of attack is through the front door or garage. The home invader hopes that the occupant will simply open the door without question. They may also approach someone as they are getting in or out of their vehicle. Often a home invader will use a trick to get in and then will attempt to gain control in order to obtain their objective. PREVENTING home invasion takes planning, effort, and habit. Assess your home as a potential target and take measures to lessen the risks; for example, ensure security monitoring signs are visible, trim shrubs to eliminate hiding spots, make entrances more visible from the street, and install motion-sensing lights. Keep your doors and windows locked and never open your door until the person has been certainly identified (consider intercoms, peepholes, or cameras and request identification from service people even if you have an appointment). Open and close your garage door only when you are secured in your vehicle and be observant as you enter and exit your garage (if someone approaches you, drive away or make noise to draw attention). Always use your home’s alarm system both when you are away and when you are home (do not disable it

RMCC

until you have identified the person at your door). Talk with your neighbors, discuss security concerns, and arrange ways of signaling them in the event you find yourself in a bad situation. IF IT HAPPENS, having a plan and knowing how to act is essential. If possible, try to escape or lock yourself in a room, and then seek help or leave through a window. If you are unable to escape, try to remain calm and cooperate but always be looking for an escape or way to summon help. If you have personal protection devices, make certain you’re comfortable using them or they might be used against you. If your alarm has a silent feature, look for an opportunity to activate it. Leaving with an intruder opens you up to more dangers, but if you find yourself without an option, cooperate, but keep looking for an escape or a way to seek assistance. Never stop thinking and carefully assess your situation and use your own instincts as tools to get yourself through the ordeal safely. Unfortunately, not all crimes in your home are preventable, but the risks can be reduced through preparation. It is my sincere hope that none of you ever find yourself facing home invasion; I hope this article will promote thought on what you can do to keep your family safe. Make home security a priority and discuss a plan with your family and neighbors.

MARCH 2009

6

www.ricemilitary.org

Holiday Celebration Pictures The Rice Military Holiday Celebration benefited DePelchin Children’s Center this past year. On December 2, we hosted dinner at the United Way. Over 130 people attended, and we raised over $2,000! Thank you to everyone who attended, whether you volunteered or gave a donation, to help with this wonderful cause. You can find these pictures (in color) and others from the reception at www.RiceMilitary.org under the Photo Album link.

RMCC

MARCH 2009

7

www.ricemilitary.org

Queen of Green Says: Yikes—All That Junk Mail!

Rice Military Calendar Check for times, places, & sign up for email updates on www.RiceMilitary.org

March

by Laury Adams We may take pride in being recyclers, but how about reducing the need for recycling in the first place? This point is made in a dramatic way by the awesome display created by artist Annette Lawrence. She collected and shredded 265 pounds of paper from direct mail advertising over 395 days and created a display of monthly stacks. Don’t miss seeing a photo of this exhibition at www.FlatBedPress.com. Take action! Enter “stop catalogs” on Google to find web sites for stopping unnecessary advertising. One of the best choices listed on Herb Weisbaum’s “ConsumerMan” site is www.CatalogChoice.org. Herb’s web site has many fascinating ways to save money and the environment. You may have to access MSNBC to print his articles.

Monday Saturday

2 7

Monday

9

Tuesday Thursday Monday Wednesday Monday

10 12 16 25 30

April Tuesday Monday

7 13

To stop the barrage of catalogs pouring into your home, you can go directly to the companies’ web sites. Under the “contact us” section, many have a “stop catalog” option. When that option does not appear, you can write a note requesting your name be deleted from their mail list.

Monday

27

Monday

11

Remember: Everyone doing a LITTLE helps to achieve BIG goals!

Wednesday Monday Tuesday

20 25 26

RMCC

recycle WOW Roundabout WAve Celebration heavy trash: tree waste SN #22 meeting HPD PIP Wine Tasting recycle Book Club recycle

RMCC Meeting recycle heavy trash: junk SN #22 meeting recycle

May

MARCH 2009

recycle heavy trash: tree waste SN #22 meeting Wine Tasting Memorial Day recycle

8

www.ricemilitary.org

Rice Military Civic Club Officers

ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER

Elected Offices President

Phyllis Thomason [email protected]

Vice-President

Jack Hardin [email protected]

Secretary

Will D. Wilkinson [email protected]

Treasurer

Kathleen Zimmerman [email protected]

NOW AVAILABLE

Non-Elected Offices

Get a greener Rice Military Newsletter! If you’d like to receive this newsletter by email on PDF in lieu of a hard copy,

Social Coordinator

Peggy Moore [email protected]

then email

Newsletter Editor

Wendy Wilkinson [email protected]

[email protected] with “PDF Newsletter” in the subject line

All officers are volunteers. Please contact them with any questions, issues, or compliments! We would like to thank officers and all other volunteers for their work to make Rice Military one of the best neighborhoods in Houston!

RMCC

along with your name and home address

MARCH 2009

in the email.

9

www.ricemilitary.org

WOW Roundabout Update by Tom Dornbusch The Washington on Westcott Roundabout Initiative grew from a seed planted in the late 1990’s when former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier asked the Washington Avenue Coalition, now SuperNeighborhood 22, members to envision concepts for the improvement of the Washington Avenue corridor. Resulting community forums assisted by Architects Bert Tibbits and Antonio Flamenco suggested redesign concepts for three Washington Avenue intersections: Houston Avenue, Heights and Yale, and Washington and Westcott. The four neighborhood associations surrounding Washington/Westcott—Camp Logan, Crestwood, Rice Military and Woodcrest—created the 501(c) 3 Washington On Westcott (WOW) Roundabout Initiative, Inc., in 1998. Construction of the landmark gateway to historic Washington Avenue and Downtown began following a groundbreaking ceremony in December 2003. Basic infrastructure was funded by the City of Houston in its CIP 2002-2006. Other improvements, including street pavers, sidewalks, neighborhood walls, landscape lighting, furniture, irrigation, boulders, trees, and planting, are WOW’s responsibility and have been made possible with community-based philanthropic support.

specifically calculated to accommodate two lanes of traffic and to preserve and feature the 180 year-old Post Oak tree as the intersection’s centerpiece. Landscape Architect Keiji Asakura’s plans for five pedestrian-realm gardens call for use of low maintenance, drought-tolerant native plants representing specific Texas regional areas. In addition, the knoll surrounding the central Post Oak will be planted in a distinctive pattern with native grasses. These garden plantings along with the installation of Houston artist Tim Glover’s “Light Garden” sculptures will complete the final phase in the realization of the WOW Roundabout. Site preparation for the Native Grasses Planting began in the Spring 2008 with the destruction of the existing stray grasses and weeds by covering the area with COH Park and Recreation supplied mulch. WOW is putting out the call

A confusing, signalized, five-way intersection with broad expanses of concrete splitter islands has been transformed into Houston’s first true European-style un-signalized modern roundabout. The roundabout’s geometries were

RMCC

MARCH 2009

Put on your calendar: Native Grass Planting WOW Roundabout Saturday, March 7 8:30 am to 1pm

10

www.ricemilitary.org

for volunteers from the four surrounding neighborhoods to assist with the Native Grasses Planting and a general environmental clean-up of the adjacent rights-of-way. In conjunction with Catch the WAve that same day, Saturday, March 7, the planting will be from 8:30 am to around 1 pm, culminating with a special lunch event. Even volunteers able to work only a short time are encouraged to participate. For more information or to volunteer, contact Monica at [email protected] or Tom at [email protected]. WOW is also seeking a contracting business that will partner, as an in-kind supporter, for the final major element of the project: the stainless steel Light Garden sculptures. This project will consist of constructing three cylindrical bases and installing the sculptures. A number of great recognition opportunities for this and other contributions exist. For more information, contact Monica at [email protected] or Phyllis at [email protected].

RMCC

MARCH 2009

11

Rice Military Civic Club PO Box 130311 Houston TX 77219-0311

Support Your Civic Club And Become a Member! Pay Dues at Www.RiceMilitary.org SHARE YOUR NEWS We welcome your news, photos, and comments on items published but reserve the right to edit for clarity, style, and length. For the June newsletter, articles are due May 1, 2009. Send items to [email protected]. Articles and ads do not necessarily reflect the views of the Rice Military Civic Club, nor does the Civic Club take responsibility for errors of fact that may be expressed by the writers and advertisers. Thank you, Wendy Wilkinson, editor

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID HOUSTON TX PERMIT NO 1678