idylwood News
September 2022
A publication of Idylwood Civic Club
Greetings!

Civic Club elections were conducted at our August General Meeting in Spurlock Park. Thanks to all our neighbors who attended the event. We would like to extend a special thanks to the Elections Board for organizing the new slate of candidates and tallying the votes. Congrats to our new Officers and Class-B Directors:

Idylwood Officers for 2022-2023
President: Diane Schenke (Fairfield)
Vice President: Keith McCarthy (Merry)
Treasurer: Nicole Wood (Idylwood)
Secretary: Monique Studak (Sylvan)

Class B Directors (2-year terms ending Aug 2024):
Beth Barrette (Meadowlawn)
Amy Dinn (Sylvan)
Joshua Espinedo (Meadowlawn)
Jeff Klemm (Merry)
Paul Leggett (Merry)
Laura Manion (Meadowlawn)

If you would like to know what an officer position entails, you can reach out to that officer directly or check out the bylaws here.
Hello, Neighbors—I’m excited about being the new Idylwood Civic Club President and want to thank all the outstanding chairs who served in the past. 
  • We are cautiously moving to in-person meetings. The September 20th Civic Club meeting will be in Spurlock Park, and we’re asking everyone to bring their own chair. We will adapt if the COVID threat level increases in Harris County, for this meeting and future meetings.
  • The other big event we have coming up is our Neighborhood Night Out on October 4, which will be a block party hosted by a neighbor on your street. At this point, we are still looking for hosts. Please let me know, via president@idylwood.org, if you’re interested in serving as a host.
  • Stay tuned for details on our October 18 and November 15 Civic Club meetings.
  • Patricia Hattenbach has generously offered to host our annual Holiday Party on December 6.

Stay tuned for more details in the October newsletter. Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to seeing you on September 20 at 7:30 in Spurlock Park.

Regards,

Diane Schenke
President
Idylwood Civic Club
Coming Soon!
Idylwood Trick or Treat
The neighborhood Halloween celebration is back! Please save the date, October 22nd. More details will be shared in the October newsletter. 

If you have any questions or would like to participate, please contact:
Ericka Lewis
281-794-4545

National Night Out
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
NNO is an annual event that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make safer, more caring places to live. This year Idylwood will be supporting NNO by hosting individual Block Parties. Look for a flyer in your mailbox with the details. This is an excellent opportunity to get out and meet your neighbors.
Idylwood Green - Recycling Tips
East End Day Trip - Big Birds
What’s roosting outside the Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library at the intersection of MLK & Griggs? It’s “Books of a Feather” by local artist Dixie Friend Gay. This art installation features three 12 to 15 feet tall x 6 feet wide x 10 feet long stainless steel and concrete birds that are covered in vibrant glass and ceramic mosaic tiles. Stamped into the birds’ colorful wings is a reading list referencing birds, wings and flight. A lighting system illuminates the birds after sunset. These whimsical sculptures are the finishing touch to the state-of-the-art building constructed in 2016, a short distance from the library’s original 1957 location on Griggs Road. The branch is named after Alice McKean Young, one of Texas’ earliest suffragettes and strong advocate for more city libraries.

Location
5107 Griggs Road
Houston 77021
A short walk from the METRO Palm Center Purple Line station.
Bonus: Further out down Old Galveston Road at Clear Lake City Blvd is another installation by Dixie Gay Friend in Sylvan Rodriguez Park (15 miles from Idylwood). The Sun Temple was completed in 2001 and consists of concrete pavers, carved granite, and oak trees. The labyrinth in the paving pattern in the center of the plaza is based on the medieval design in Chartres Cathedral in France. Très Cool.
After School Enrichment Program
HPARD is hosting After-School Enrichment Programs at Eastwood Community Center for children ages 6-13
September 6, 2022 to May 12, 2023

Youth participants are engaged in a wide variety of activities that include crafts, nutrition, fun fitness, nature exploration and instructional sports. Cost is free but advance registration is required.
14 Slots remaining - sign up now!
DEED RESTRICTIONS - REMINDER
Kicking off a home improvement project or hiring a contractor for a remodel? Download a copy of the deed restrictions here so you know the Dos and Don'ts before you make a potentially expensive mistake.
Idylwood Community Exchange is now
Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange
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.
Keep in Touch with your Civic Club
Pay 2021-2022 Dues
Deed Restrictions
Historic Idylwood
Idylwood Pet(s) of the Month
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.....
Hey Neighbors! This is Tiger Talking. What's up??

I don't mean to be caterwauling about this, but.....I've already had my 15 minutes of fame! Now it's time for your pets to shine in the spotlight. I guess a little hounding might get your attention so your feathery and furry friends can have something to chirp, howl, and meow about to their friends! We're all about the love connection, so let's share it with everyone. See the info below for the details. Once you do it, you'll feel purrfectly pleased. Thanks. Tiger.
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
Friendly Reminder From The Pets
For the health and safety of all neighborhood pets and people,
please scoop our poop!
Garden Club News

Please watch for email updates for the September meeting from
Idylwood.neighbors.group@gmail.com.
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Garden Club Meeting Dates for 2022-2023
First Saturdays from 10 am-noon
(except for September)

New members are welcome to join us!!
September 10,2022: Host: Suzy Harrington- 6609 Lindy Lane;
Speaker: James Holmes: Garden Bed Prep
October 1, 2022: Host: Irma Nino - 6625 Meadowlawn;
Speaker: Victoria Ortega: Succulents
*Begin Annual Poinsettia Fundraiser:Oct.1-28; only $10 each
November 5, 2022: Host: Amy Dinn -6724 Sylvan;
Speakers: Amy Dinn and Jason Schnegg: Bees, Hives, Plants, and More!
December 3, 2022 : Host: Patricia Hattenbach- 1404 N MacGregor Way
Annual Holiday Lunch and Fun Gift Exchange ($15 or less)
January 7, 2023: Host: TBD;
Speaker: Catherine O'Brien- All About Herbs
February 4, 2023: Host: TBD
Speaker: Dany Millikin- Houston Botanic Gardens
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: Field trip to the Eastern Glades in Memorial Park; carpool;
Lunch at the Black Walnut
* 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:
Patricia Hattenbach, at phattenbach@gmail.com or at 713-724-9608. 

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Autumn Signals Tree Planting Time In 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
Upcoming September Events

Mailing Address: 8205 N. Bayou Drive Houston, TX 77017
Ticket Window: 713.715.9675 ext. 100 Call to verify details for each class.
Click on this link to get all event information: Event info and details

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SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
10:00 AM / Health & Wellness
Fermentation Basics
Scotty Sheridan of Scotty's Fermented Foods

Scotty Sheridan, owner of Scotty's Fermented Foods, will give a fermentation demonstration, with basics on how to ferment, the health benefits of fermentation, and the practical aspects of preserving vegetables through fermentation. Scotty will...
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SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
1:00 PM / Horticulture & Gardening
Sprouts & Seedlings
Family Gardening Class

In the Family Gardening series, budding gardeners of all ages can get their hands in the dirt and discover various aspects of gardening, including prepping, planting, and harvesting. Each class in the Family Gardening series will include a...
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SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
2:00 PM / Arts & Culture
heART in the Garden
Nature Mandalas

Join artist Sarah Gish to discover all there is to know about mandalas! She will discuss how they help with centering, make for beautiful and interesting art, and teach us about symmetry. You...
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SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
2:00 PM / Health & Wellness
Restorative Yoga & Sound Bath
Cultivating Self-Care

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...
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SEPTEMBER 17,2022
9:30 AM / Horticulture & Gardening
Hear From Our Experts
Houston Botanic Garden Horticulture Seminar

Join the Garden’s in-house experts on the horticulture team for a day of learning about soil, plants, trees, water, and more. In addition to lectures from four Garden experts – covering lessons...
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SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
10:00 AM / Health & Wellness
Meditation with Garden Herbs
Lavender

The Meditation with Garden Herbs series explores some of the herbs in the Culinary Garden that can support meditation and healing. In this latest session, Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, founder and director of...
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SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
2:00 PM / Arts & Culture
Canvas & Cocktails
Unleash Your Creativity

Unleash your creativity and explore biodiversity through the visual arts. Join Houston artist and teacher Roberto Castillo for a cocktail-infused painting party, exploring color and form, based on plants at the Houston Botanic...
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SEPTEMBER 17, 2022
7:00 PM / Arts & Culture
Hurricane Harvey: A Remembrance
Reduction, Readiness, Response & Recovery

Five years ago around this time, after proceeding through reduction, readiness, and response, Houston entered the fourth, and final, phase of disaster preparedness following Hurricane Harvey:recovery.Join us for a..
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
9:00 AM / Arts & Culture
Celebrate & Connect
Houston Botanic Garden's 2nd Birthday Party

Join us to celebrate the Garden's 2nd birthday and the opening of “Sean Kenney's Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks,” an award-winning outdoor exhibition that uses whimsical works of art made from simple...
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
10:00 AM / Arts & Culture
Gentle Movement with Danza Azteca
Offered free of charge courtesy of AARP in Houston

AARP in Houston has joined forces with the Garden to offer patrons this no-cost opportunity to learn traditional dance steps inspired by Danza Azteca artist Monica Villarreal. Only 25 spaces are available,...
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2022
11:00 AM / Horticulture & Gardening
Lawn Care Basics
Garden Guru Series

Having a healthy and green lawn is less complicated than you may think. Dany Millikin, the Garden’s director of education, will share some of his favorite tools and strategies for...
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SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
10:00 AM / Arts & Culture
Fairy Gardening
Whimsy & Creativity

Katherine McDaniel, founder and director of Synkroniciti, an incubator for arts and creativity, will inspire participants to repurpose fallen leaves, seedpods, stones, shells, dried flowers, and more, to construct whimsical...

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Vegetable Garden Planting Dates Chart

Do you want to know exactly when to plant vegetables and herbs in your garden? Check out the web link to Texas A&M University's yearly planting calendar for Harris County below! You may want to print this out for future use. Select:
“Vegetable Garden Planting Dates for Harris County" https://harris.agrilife.org/hort/

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

Welcome the 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!
September 2022 Yard of the Month
The Idylwood Garden Club’s Yard of the Month for September 2022 goes to Gail and Terry Newlin at 6710 Wildwood Way.
Gail is a clinical audiologist and Terry is a retired CPA. Gail has lived in Idylwood since September 2001. She moved here after her rental home in Bellaire flooded during Tropical Storm Allison. 

She says, “I’ve always loved old fashioned architecture and had always dreamed of owning a home in The Heights. So, when my realtor showed me Idylwood, it was like a dream come true!” Gail feels that Fate intervened when “as we drove right up to this precious little Wildwood Way Tudor bungalow and there it was—a FOR SALE sign out in front! Even better, the owner happened to be home for lunch and was watering out in his front yard. He must have seen the excitement on my face, as he asked us if we might want to come in to see it right then.”

When Gail and Terry were married in 2009, they decided to add a second story to their home instead of looking elsewhere for something larger. “We took great care to keep the architectural integrity as original as possible” she informs us.  

Gail says, “Idylwood, for me, is like taking a step back in time—a little pocket of “once upon a time” streets, if you will. We love our neighbors, the little park area and gently rolling hills, the church chimes that bless us every day, and the fact that we are so close to every area of Houston that we frequent.”
  
Gail lost several of her favorite Althea bushes and vines from her yard during the winter freeze last year and decided to replace some of them and take that opportunity to change the landscaping this past spring. Her Rose of Sharon bushes (Althea) are a standout, and some Azalea bushes were added this year. Gail likes the brightly colored Canna Lilies she planted across the front of her house, and she added the bright orange Pride of Barbados near her charming birdbath. The local bumble bee population seems to like her choices!

Gail has great hopes for a (currently) diminutive specimen of a Robinson Crabapple Tree. She had seen a mature tree in Missouri in full bloom last April, did some research, and discovered that it can grow in Houston. (See the white framed photo.) Unable to find a nursery in Houston that had a Robinson Crabapple she ordered it online from Sprintimeblooms on Etsy and it came in a small size poster carton. She placed it in a front yard stone planter box and surrounded it with bright multi-colored Vincas. She hopes that with consistent water and “LOTS of love” it will survive.  

click link above for access to the website

September Gardening Tips

Planting Guide

  • Fall is in the air. Refresh container gardens with snapdragons, dianthus, mums, petunias, lobelia, crotons & more.
  • Get your transplants in your fall vegetable garden. Early September is your last chance to get tomatoes and peppers in the ground. Cool-season vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, mustard, lettuce, and kohlrabi can be planted September through January, look for seeds or transplants to add to your garden.

Pests
Blast off sucking insects (aphids, mealybugs, etc) with water and/or spray with insecticidal soap. Leaf miners are active on citrus, they will not kill your citrus, leave alone or alternate treatments of spinosad and neem to keep them at bay. BT will get rid of cabbage loopers. Insects such as chinch bugs and fungal diseases on lawns (grey leaf spot) are two things to watch out for. Organic treatment products can be found in our plant care shed.

Mulch
Mulching keeps plant roots cooler, weed seeds at bay, and conserves water. Apply 3” deep around trees and shrubs. Add compost around annuals, herbs, and vegetables. Do not mound mulch against the base of a plant, this only invites insects and fungus to come in contact with the crown of plants

Hummingbirds
Migrating hummingbirds can be found at your feeders and natural nectar sources. Keeping feeders clean, filled, and in a shady area will encourage visitors.

Recipe for Nectar: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 1 cup of granulated sugar, stir until dissolved. Allow to cool, fill feeders. Keep excess sealed in refrigerator.(no need to add red food coloring)

Natural nectar sources for hummingbirds: Turk’s cap, Hamelia, Shrimp plant, Firespike, Salvia, Lobelia (cardinal flower), Mexican oregano, Pride of Barbados, Anisacanthus, and cigar plants. These are all hummer magnets.

Water
Maintain watering on newly planted seeds and transplants, use a rain wand to avoid disturbing plants with small root systems. On St. Augustine and other lawns, water well but less often. With shorter days and cooler nights – begin to reduce the amount of water applied as needed. Avoid watering in the evenings if possible to prevent fungal diseases.
police_men_car.jpg
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.
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.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
  • 09/05/2022: Labor Day
  • 09/06/2022: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste
  • 09/06/2022: Recycling
  • 09/19/2022: Recycling
  • 09/20/2022: Idylwood Civic Club Meeting: 7:30pm @ Spurlock Park
  • 10/03/2022: Recycling
  • 10/04/2022: Heavy Trash
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.
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.
Post Office Box 9225
Houston, TX 77261-9225
If you have notes about Idylwood that you would like to submit for the newsletter, please submit to president@idylwood.org.
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)