Welcome To August!

Idylwood 2028 Centennial Committee members gathered on July 17 in the Giesens’ backyard oasis for an Ice Cream Social hosted by Co-Chairpersons Karen Giesen and Richard Vela. Over sundaes, root beer floats, and watermelon, neighbors discussed plans for the Centennial Home Tour (chaired by Hugo Banda and Rosie Pesina), Idle Wine in the Garden (Evan DuVall, Meghan Tibbs, Monique Studak), History of Idylwood lecture series (Cindy Villareal), and Flavors of Idylwood: A Culinary Stroll Through the Neighborhood, a book of recipes, stories, and myths (Beth Barrette.)

To join the fun, contact:

kgiesen@sbcglobal.net or thevelafella@yahoo.com

The Civic Club has been getting questions regarding the recent new sidewalk construction in the neighborhood and whether both sides of the street will get sidewalks. These sidewalks are being installed with funds through the Americans with Disability Act. Only one side of the street will be expanded, since persons with disabilities will be able to cross the street to use a safe sidewalk on the block. 

As you probably know, Houston does not typically build sidewalks. The city requires the builder to install sidewalks, and the homeowner is responsible for maintenance, even though the sidewalk is on City-owned land.

Just wanted to give a shout-out to the Idylwood Civic Club Community Improvement Committee who held a mural design competition for the stairs in Spurlock Park with neighborhood artists, sponsored a community vote, obtained City approval, paid the artist, and purchased the paints. The results? We believe Nicole’s family day out says it all…

On July 5th (after a hot and early AM pontoon boat cruise at Armand Bayou with 11 family members), we settled into Spurlock Park for 2 hours of family artistry and fun. The adults and the kids so LOVED “just being” in the park chalking art, riding bikes, and family together time. Thank you so much for your community improvements!

PS… Thanks Bradley!

Senator Carol Alvarado would like to invite the Idylwood Civic Club to her State of the District address at Ripley House on Saturday, August 23rd, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm.

This is a biannual event where the Senator informs the community about the legislation passed during the 89th legislative session that directly affects all Texans, especially her constituency.

Click the button below to RSVP or call 713-926-6257 to register.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Erin Gonzales

Policy Analyst

Office of Senator Carol Alvarado (SD-6)

o: (512) 463-0106 | e: erin.gonzales@senate.texas.gov

Afterwards, head over to Holler Brewing Co. for National Dog Day.

Saturday, August 23

3:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Celebrate National Dog Day the right way—with cold beer and cute pups! Friends For Life will be at Holler Brewing Co. (in Sawyer Yards) with some of their adorable, adoptable dogs and ready to chat all things rescue at the Friends For Life booth.

There’ll be local vendors, treats, and dog-friendly fun—aka the perfect Saturday. Come meet your future furry soulmate or just swing by for some tail wags and good vibes.

What: Cat Video Fest 2025

Where: River Oaks Theater

When: August 2nd - THIS SATURDAY - One Day Only!

CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. Ticket proceeds raise money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area.

“WATCHING SILLY CAT VIDEOS IS GOOD FOR YOU.”

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, OCT. 4, 2016

• Aug 01: WALK30
• Aug 04: Recycling (in theory)
• Aug 05: Heavy Trash
• Aug 08: WALK30
• Aug 11-13: Perseid Meteor Shower (peak viewing)
• Aug 15: WALK30
• Aug 18: Recycling (don't hold yer breath)
• Aug 19: Civic Club Meeting @ 7pm via Zoom (we're gonna Zoom-a-Zoom-a-Zoom-a ZOOM)
• Aug 22: WALK30
• Aug 23: National Dog Day @ Holler Brewing
• Aug 24: At St. Bartholomew, there comes cold dew
• Aug 29: WALK30
• Sep 02: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste

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 !!

Downtown abuzz with rooftop bees

Did you know that there are over 15 beehive communities across commercial buildings downtown? This practice helps provide positive impacts on the environment, fosters community connectivity and helps people to understand how important bees are to our world.

Check out the July 30th Chronicle article by clicking the link below.

Downtown abuzz with rooftop bees

_________________

Troubleshooting plant and tree conditions

In his column, Neil Speery answers some questions about impatiens being eaten, crape myrtles with split bark, grapefruit leaves withering, and more!

Click the link below to learn more:

_Cats, cold snap and more to blame for plant damage



The Idylwood Garden Club's Yard of the Month goes to

Tina Cardona and Michael Galko

at 6715 Wildwood Way.

Tina has lived in Idylwood for about 26 years. She fell in love with the neighborhood when she got lost here during the pre-Google era. Tina has lived in two houses in Idylwood and both on Wildwood Way. Michael comes from the First Ward; however, he moved in with Tina in January of this year and they got married a few months later. They have been partners for the last 8 years.  

Neither Tina nor Michael are native Houstonians. Tina comes originally from Chicago and Michael from Connecticut. Prior to moving to Houston about 15 years ago, Michael lived in San Francisco, CA where he attended UCSF and received his PhD.

Tina has lived in Idylwood so long that it’s hard to think about before-times. She left the suburbs 25 years ago and has never looked back.

Michael was living in First Ward prior to moving in with Tina. He developed Haiku House in First Ward. Michael had created hundreds of original haiku that he engraved on the fence and along the wood lattice that surrounded the bottom of his house. He has brought most of his haiku with him and has begun to put up one at a time in the crepe myrtle in front of the Idylwood house. Tina is delighted that neighbors have noticed it!! 

Michael and Tina both love the unusual-for-Houston hills, the mature trees, the winding roads, Brays Bayou and all it’s flora, the cemetery with it’s great Live Oaks, the golf course trail that takes you as far as you want to go. The dogs get the best walks and Michael and Tina have started the best urban hikes that begin at the front door. We usually end our hikes at Ninfa’s on Navigation. 

Tina also loves the stories that the historic homes carry, and she loves her original Chambers stove that was in the house when she bought it. The stove still works beautifully.

Tina is definitely the gardener and now that she is retired she hopes to spend quite a lot more time building a vegetable and herb garden.  

Tina has kept the back of the backyard as an urban wildscape to provide refuge for insects, birds and other local fauna. There is a large fig tree that remained undaunted by last year’s storms and produces baskets of figs every year although the birds get most of it. There are also multiple tubular flowering vines for the hummingbirds.  

There is a young and well-trimmed Live Oak as well as a mature pine in the front of the yard that provide shade and beauty.

The best part of Idylwood are the people! I have the best neighbors. Each of us have rescued at least one dog from the park or bayou and all are willing to help when needed. We also all have stories about the neighborhood that keep me endlessly entertained.

Narrative by Tina Cardona

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