Spring Forward!

We had a wonderful February meeting, which included honoring our Local Heroes that make our neighborhood so special. All attendees to our March meeting will have the opportunity to become heroes by participating in one of our Civic Club Committees. We’ll kick off the meeting on Tuesday, March 18 at 7pm at the home of Robin Raasch, 6655 Rockbridge St. with a short introduction from each Committee Chair and then spend the majority of the time broken out into those committees. Planning is underway for a variety of Spring events, including the Spring Party, the Annual Spring Cleanup, and our 2028 Centennial. Please come and help to make the events wildly successful! It is our Committees who make possible the projects like the art stairs, which have already been a huge hit with the youngsters and the young at heart.

All our wonderful events happen because of volunteers and residents who pay the modest $40 yearly dues. We are currently at 43% of households paying dues. Our plans for the year projected 50% of households paying dues—please contribute if you have not yet done so.

Best Regards,

Diane Schenke

President

Idylwood Civic Club

What: Bring Your Own Chalk Party

Where: Spurlock Park Mural Stairs

When: Any Sunny Day

The Idylwood Art Stairs Project in Spurlock Park is finally complete and ready for the public to enjoy this interactive art mural on the stairs in this city park. Everyone is welcome to "paint" the woodland bayou design with cute creatures with your favorite colors of chalk. Bradly Brown is the Idylwood resident and artist responsible for the design and execution of this public art project sponsored by Idylwood Civic Club. Idylwood welcomes everyone to BYOC to the stairs on N. MacGregor Way and participate in your own creation of this art project. A new opportunity to color the stairs occurs every time it rains!

Few things are more comforting and nourishing than a warm, broth-based soup. With flu season hitting hard and winter lingering, you and your family might need an extra boost to fight off any remaining symptoms. Making your own broth is an affordable way to pack in nutrients while making the most of larger cuts of meat like whole chicken, turkey, or pork shoulder. Toss in any vegetable scraps you have, along with your favorite herbs, for a rich and flavorful base. Use this bone broth in soups, to cook grains like rice, or simply sip it warm from your favorite mug.

In Health, 

Candace- your friendly neighborhood nutritionist

(click the image below to view the full hearty recipe)

Idylwood's Community Improvement Committee will be hosting its spring neighborhood cleanup on March 22 from 9-11am at Spurlock Park. We welcome volunteers to participate in our cleanup efforts to beautify the neighborhood. If you have ideas for clean up areas or projects in the neighborhood for this upcoming event or would like more information, please reach out to Amy Dinn, 713-501-5070, acdinn@gmail.com.

On February 26, 2025, City Council authorized the funding and contract for the new dog park planned at Lawndale and N. MacGregor Way adjacent to the Brays Bayou Trail at the bridge in the open greenspace. Construction should begin in the next 30 days and will take approximately 6 months (September 2025). The contractor will be able to provide more updates soon. The budget for the dog park and other amenities is $500,000. The revitalized site will feature an ornamental fenced dog park, agility feature, landscaping, water fountains, poop bag station, and a detention area. Idylwood Civic Club will be planning a pet parade and community celebration at the grand opening this fall. Please let your furry friends know it won't be long now.

Mason Park Conservancy is a new nonprofit in our Super Neighborhood advocating for the largest community park in our Super Neighborhood, Mason Park. The conservancy's primary goal is to fundraise for the master plan for the park adopted by the City of Houston in 2019. You can learn more about the master plan and the conservancy at www.masonpark.org.

We hope you will join the Conservancy at Earth Day at Mason Park on Sunday, April 20th from 11am-4pm. The conservancy will also be sponsoring a cleanup in Mason Park on Saturday, April 26th from 8:30-11am. Also check the website for information on upcoming events at the park like yoga classes.

• Mar 03: Recycling
• Mar 04: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste
• Mar 04: HLSR Kicks Off
• Mar 07: WALK30
• Mar 09: Daylight Saving Time
• Mar 14: Holi - Festival of Colors / WALK30
• Mar 17: Recycling
• Mar 17: St. Patrick's Day 🍀
• Mar 18: Civic Club Meeting @ 7pm, 6655 Rockbridge
• Mar 21: WALK30
• Mar 27: Astros Home Opener vs. NY Mets
• Mar 28: WALK30
• Mar 31: Recycling
• Apr 01: Heavy Trash

Abraham Lincoln is a grey mackerel tabby. Abe was born in Palacias Texas, he’s a beach kitty. 

His foster owns the Peaceful Pelican B&B. If you like birding, go stay where Abe lived, the Peaceful Pelican! Y’all will thank Abe for a feathering good time! 

Meet Charleston, a Bengal and tabby mix.

Charleston is very regal but still can be a snug bug when the time is right! 

Meet Luz, the calico baby! Luz is the sweetest, most gentle bunny in the tribe. Her fur is heaven! 

Luz, like Mama, loves snacks.

Meet Julia Drusilla! AKA black bean, panther, or monkey baby! 

Although Julia Drusilla weighs the least of her fur brothers and sister, she smacks the big boys in the face without hesitation or provocation!! She’s sass!

Story submitted by Robin Raasch

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 !!

Still helpful info!! One more time!

How to Help Your Garden Recover from a Freeze and Prepare for Extreme Weather

By: Samantha Page

As the current deep freeze grips our region, gardeners are faced with the challenge of protecting and reviving their plants. Freezing temperatures can cause significant damage, but with quick action and proper preparation, your garden can recover and thrive. Here are some tips to help your garden bounce back and safeguard it against future weather extremes, including droughts, floods, and heat waves.

Post-Freeze Recovery Tips

1. Assess the Damage: Wait until temperatures rise before inspecting your garden. Frost-damaged plants often look wilted or discolored, but not all are beyond saving.

• Gently check for pliable stems and green tissue under the bark.
• Leave damaged foliage in place until the threat of further frost has passed, as it can provide temporary insulation.

1. Prune Carefully: Remove dead or mushy plant material once it’s clear the freeze is over. Avoid cutting back too much, as some plants may regrow from their roots.
2. Hydrate Wisely: Water your garden deeply but avoid overwatering. Frozen soil can restrict water absorption, and plants need time to recover their root function.
3. Fertilize Later: Avoid fertilizing immediately after a freeze. Plants need time to stabilize before receiving nutrients.

Preparing for Future Freezes - Remember for next winter.

• Mulch and Cover: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants to insulate roots. Use frost cloths, burlap, or even old sheets to cover vulnerable plants during cold spells.
• Choose Hardy Plants: Incorporate native or cold-hardy plants that are better adapted to local conditions.
• Invest in Protection: Install windbreaks, cloches, or cold frames to shield your garden from icy winds and frost.

Tackling Drought, Floods, and Heat Waves

Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and a resilient garden requires year-round planning.

Drought

• Efficient Watering: Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to minimize water waste.
• Drought-Tolerant Plants: Select species like succulents, lavender, or native grasses that thrive in dry conditions.
• Soil Health: Incorporate compost and organic matter to improve water retention.

Floods

• Elevated Beds: Build raised garden beds to improve drainage.
• Rain Gardens: Create areas designed to capture and filter excess rainwater.
• Amend Soil: Add sand or organic material to improve drainage in heavy clay soils.

Heat Waves

• Shade Solutions: Use shade cloth or plant strategically to create natural shade for sensitive areas.
• Water Timing: Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation.
• Resilient Varieties: Opt for heat-tolerant plants such as sunflowers, zinnias, and peppers.

By taking proactive steps, you can protect your garden from the challenges of extreme weather and ensure it remains a source of beauty and sustenance. Whether you're recovering from a freeze or planning for future climate challenges, a well-prepared garden can weather any storm.

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'Angelface Wedgwood Pink' blooming in popularity

Looking for a verticle element in your garden that creates interest and excitement with delightful color? Norman Winter suggests this new pink and white angelonia, or summer snapdragon in his January 11, 2025 Chronicle article. Read all about how it can be a great addition to your landscape. Click on the link below to learn more:

Angelface Wedgwood Pink

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A step-by-step guide to renovating a neglected garden

Life can get busy and sometimes parts of our landscapes take on a life of their own. If there is a spot in your yard that needs a bit of rehab or if you are ready to make some changes in general, here are some great tips on how to make the project manageable one step at a time!

Click the link to learn more:

Step-by-step guide to renovate a garden

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'Completely different world'

We are accustomed to just looking outside our window to see the habitats at our fingertips. Yet, there is a whole other world of ecosystems that require a deep dive to discover the unique biodiversity in underwater caves in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel.

Click the link below to learn more:

Mexico's underwater caves

The Idylwood Garden Club's Yard of the Month for

March 2025 goes to Luis and Tiffany Fernandez

at 6653 Wildwood Way.

Yucca and boxwood along with bamboo act as the backdrop to the various seasonal color that gets changed out during the year. "We lost some plants during the freeze that we will be replacing soon."

Along with plants (firestick, kalanchoe, succulents, Mexican stonecrop), raised beds, and a well-placed pony wall in front, concrete orbs and accent lighting was added to highlight architectural features.

The couple's "renovation" was more of a rescue/transformation as the home was in need of many repairs. The original design of the midcentury bungalow had concealed gutters that leaked into the house. Luis repaired the interior walls and added exterior gutters.

Tiffany is the gardener and designer of the landscaping. Luis says that "As husband, I supply the muscle when needed."

"Tiffany and I have enjoyed our move into the neighborhood and look forward to meeting more of our wonderful neighbors."

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