Our April Civic Club meeting will be devoted to committees again. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 7pm at the home of Monique & Bill Studak, 6720 Sylvan Rd. This is a busy time of year for activities within the neighborhood! Come join us and participate in the fun.

The Spring Cleanup was a rousing success - good work crew! Read on in our Newsletter about the Idylwood Wine Tasting event next May and the Spring Party happening this month in Spurlock Park.

Best Regards,

Diane Schenke

President

Idylwood Civic Club

The Centennial Committee is thrilled to announce the winner of our Centennial Cookbook Naming Contest!

We were delighted to receive over fifteen creative and heartfelt title submissions. After a spirited semi-final name-off, three standout finalists rose to the top. From there, the Centennial Committee cast their votes—and while it was a tight race, we’re excited to share that Sonya Bertolino’s entry, Flavors of Idylwood: A Culinary Stroll Through the Neighborhood, has been selected as the official title of our Centennial cookbook!

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted ideas and participated in the voting process. Your enthusiasm and creativity helped make this a truly special community moment.

Next up: We'll be reaching out to all Idylwoodians, past and present, to collect your favorite recipes and memorable stories or historical tidbits about Idylwood. This is your chance to help us capture the unique flavor of our community—both in and out of the kitchen!

Stay tuned for more details soon. Let’s make this cookbook a delicious tribute to 100 years of Idylwood!

Our annual Spring Fest event will be Saturday, April 12th, from 10am to Noon at Spurlock Park! Everyone is invited to attend -- there will be Spring Games and other fun activities (including a special visit from the Easter Bunny!). Come spend time with neighbors as we celebrate Spring.

As part of the event, we are hosting a Bake Sale. The proceeds of this Bake Sale directly benefit the Idylwood Social Committee to help with future events. Making a dessert for our bake sale is a great way to support our community's efforts to continue offering fun and engaging events! We welcome desserts of all kinds.

If you would like to contribute a dessert, please fill out the form using the QR code on the flyer.

You can also access the Sign-Up form by clicking on the flyer.

Because last year’s wine tasting was such a roaring success, we will be hosting another evening of wine benefitting the Idylwood 2028 Centennial. Mark your calendars, buy your tickets and claim your keepsake wineglass! Spaces limited to the first 50 entrants.

Richard Schafer, a longtime resident of Idylwood at 6626 Fairfield, died of pancreatic cancer on February 28. Many of us knew Richard because of his long walks through the neighborhood wearing his signature red socks. Richard was the chair of the Elections Committee for the Board of the Civic Club for many years. He also served on the Board from 2011-2013. He often joked that he served on the Elections Committee because that position kept him from occupying a Board position!

Richard had two complete careers: first a 20+ career year in information technology at Rice University (his undergrad and graduate alma mater); then, after earning his law degree at University of Texas, a nearly 30-year career as an intellectual property attorney at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; Wong Cabello LLP; Blank Rome LLP; and finally his own firm Schafer IP Law.

He was very smart and technically-minded, had a wry sense of humor, and took umbrage at what he perceived as sloppy or imprecise language - so much so that he wouldn't sign the deed restriction amendments because he thought the whole document should be rewritten. After helping to rewrite those amendments, he worked to obtain the necessary signatures to renew the deed restrictions. He was always willing to lend his support to neighborhood initiatives and was very active online in neighborhood discussions.

As one of his neighbors observed, Richard could always be counted on to keep a cool head and give good advice when everyone else “had their panties in a wad.” We will miss him and his contributions to Idylwood.

(Contributors to this article include Laura Manion, Kathy Cenatiempo, Jeff Klemm, and Diane Kopfensteiner.)

Small changes made within our own lives can have a powerful impact on the health of our planet. From the food we eat, to the way we shop and reduce waste, even the smallest changes add up over time. This April, in honor of Earth Day, take a moment to reflect on how you can live more sustainably. Whether it's choosing local produce, reducing plastic dependence, or just enjoying time in nature, small steps can lead to big change. Try these tips to make your lifestyle more Eco-Friendly - not just on Earth Day, but all year long.

In Health, 

Candace - your friendly neighborhood nutritionist

Thank you to our 13 volunteers who assisted on March 22 with a variety of spring clean up efforts in Spurlock Park, Wayside Drive and along the bayou. Our collective improvements included clearing the sidewalk on N. MacGregor along Spurlock of built up silt, and adding markers to over 20 storm drains recently installed by TxDOT. Spurlock Park received some overdue tree trimming, removal of dead and fallen limbs, flowerbed freshening up, delittering in the park and along the bayou, and cleaning the newly painted art stairs. If you see your neighbors who assisted in the clean up efforts, please let them know you appreciate them. Our next clean up will be in the fall of 2025. We hope you will join us.

Volunteers: Selene Arrazolo (and children), Amanda Cai, Amy Dinn, Jake Goldstein, Jimmy Graves, Patricia Hattenbach, Brandon & Elaine Hess (and children), Jeff Klemm, Dave Martin, Gary Powers, Richard Vela, and Nicole Wood.

Click the image below to see the team in action.

Saturday, April 12 - 6-9 PM

Poster Show

MidMain Gallery (3550 Main)

Burning Bones Press welcomes the public to enjoy hot dogs and Saint Arnold Brewing Co. refreshments, while viewing posters by artists from all over the country.

Sunday, April 13 - 11 AM - 4 PM

Main Event

St. Arnold Brewing Co. (2000 Lyons)

Printmakers from across the country descend upon Houston during Burning Bones Press’ Annual “It Came From The Bayou!,” printmaker print sale, every April at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. It Came From The Bayou! showcases work for sale by sought-after printmakers from across the U.S. This event is free and open to the public. Food and cold beverages from Saint Arnold will be available for purchase. Music by Felipe Galvan's Pachuco Boogie Sound System.

• Apr 01: Heavy Trash (possibly delayed up to 2 weeks)
• Apr 04 & 11: WALK30
• Apr 12: Idylwood Spring Fest
• Apr 14: Recycling (delayed 1-2 days)
• Apr 15: Tax Man (Beatles)
• Apr 15: Civic Club Meeting @ 7pm, 6720 Sylvan
• Apr 18: WALK30
• Apr 22: Earth Day
• Apr 25: WALK30
• Apr 28: Recycling (delayed 1-2 days)
• May 03: IdylWine in the Garden
• May 06: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste

Meet Dulce . . .

I loooove to prance, jump, and dance in the air when I see other pups. I pull as hard as I can when I see my neighbor Carolyn so I can full-body hug her. My mom fusses and tries to stop me. But I love Carolyn because she let me follow her home when I was little after I was forgotten in the park. She fed me when I was hungry and let me sleep on her porch. But then Carolyn’s neighbor (my mom!) scooped me up and I’ve been so happy with my sisters ever since! My mom says I was meant to live with her.

Meet Penny . . .

I am the guardian of the yard and I know every single scent and place where a rabbit hid in Idylwood. I walk slowly so I can make a mental grid where I located them. I used to live in First Ward and would come to visit my sisters, but now I live with them. They’re pretty wacky, but I still love them. A long time ago, I lived in fear on the streets and was found hiding under a truck in a Penske lot. But then my dad took me home and gave me my first toy – a fluffy rabbit! I hear I was a “Covid foster fail”, but I’ve been so happy ever since!

Meet Lali . . .

I have always lived in Idylwood and mostly nap on pillows. My mom says I came from the ‘pound’ whatever that is! I also have a black-belt in squirrel chasing ninjitsu. I practiced for 8 long years to catch one. And when I finally succeeded, I laid the squirrel’s warm body on the sofa and guarded it. I don’t understand why my mom screamed and called my dad to take it away. Besides squirrel ninjitsu, I practice human mind-control so I can get more snacks, enjoy toxic fart blasts and my favorite delicacy -- old cat poo.

Meet Emo . . .

I am 100 years old and I am my own boss. A lady feeds me on time everyday so I’ll keep her for now. 

Story submitted by Tina Cardona

Friendly Reminder From The Pets

For the health and safety of all neighborhood pets and people,

please scoop our poop- especially along the bayou trails !



Nature News !!

Get the upper hand on brown patch in the lawn

Neil Sperry has great advice on how to try to prevent major brown patch damage to your lawn. Check out his March 15 Chronicle article by clicking the link below:

Treating Brown patch

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A citrus catastrophe across the country

Hit by storms and disease, Florida is struggling to save their citrus crops. The Asian citrus psyllid carries the citrus greening disease which is found around the country. Mike Schneider's March 15, 2025 Chronicle article gives a good overview of the impact to our gardens, local and national economies, and the research that is being done to help minimize this devasting disease. Click on the link below to learn more:

A citrus catastrophe

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Tips on potting soil, firecracker ferns,

devil's ivy plants, and rocks in the garden

To reuse or not to reuse? - That is the question... about potting soil.

Why won't a Russelia (firecracker fern) just pop with color?

Devil's ivy plants leaves as big as dinner plates?- You're tricking me !

Rocks can 'rock ' in the right place in your garden.

Click the link to learn more:

Garden Tips from Neil Sperry

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NASA wildfire scientist: Why blazes are hitting new places

This topic hits close to home for us. Find out what scientists have to say about why they are happening and how to be prepared!

Click the link below to learn more:

Why blazes are hitting new places

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Rare bean could be an answer to coffee crisis

As leading coffee-producing countries struggle to grow crops in drier, less reliable weather, prices have soared to the highest in decades. The industry is looking for solutions. Learn more from the fascinating article about how the excelsa bean can hopefully offer a solution to the crisis.

Rare coffee bean-excelsa !

The Idylwood Garden Club's Yard of the Month for

April 2025 goes to Amy and Doug Lawson

at 6632 Merry Lane.

Amy says “Our yard has had a tough run of luck this past year. We had the freeze this winter and lost two old growth trees to damage from Hurricane Beryl in 2024. We’re now trying to navigate the challenges that come with a “full sun” backyard. So far, only the hibiscus and the tomato plants love it!”

Besides the gorgeous shrub covered with striking petite yellow blooms of Carolina Jasmine, in their front yard Doug and Amy have Mealy Blue Sage, Blue Salvia, Milkweed, Gerber Daisies, Dianthus, Amaryllis (from bulbs they kept and transplanted across 3 moves over 20 years), Foxtail ferns, and more!

In their side yard they have Star Jasmine and Azaleas.

The back yard has Tomato plants that volunteered from the couple's compost bin soil along with lots of herbs, including Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Cilantro, and Basil.

If going out of town, alert your neighbors and request a Vacation Watch from Precinct 6 Constables. Click HERE to access the form.

Please keep an eye out for unusual activity and report to HPD (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.

To view crimes reported to HPD from through Jan 2025, download the HPD Excel file here and sort by zip code or beat. Our beat is 11H10, which includes several zip codes. 

Click here to view the Community Crime Map. Enter 77023 in the search window and filter by date range.

Jake Goldstein and Steve Palmer co-chair our patrol group and report the group’s collective 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.

president@idylwood.org