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Our next Civic Club meeting will take place on November 18 at 7:00 pm at the home of Amy Dinn and Jake Goldstein, 6724 Sylvan Rd, and will focus on electing new officers and directors of the Idylwood Civic Club Board. You can vote before the meeting by printing out a copy of the ballot and delivering it to a member of our Elections Committee (names and addresses are below). Circle the names of the candidates or write in a candidate’s name on the line provided. You can also vote in person at the meeting itself. The elections will be our first order of business that evening.
Elections Committee:
Steve Palmer - 6615 Meadowlawn
JoAnn Luco - 6646 Meadowlawn
Elaine Hess - 1745 Idylwood Dr.
| 2025 has been an amazing year for our neighborhood. The sidewalk project, the Art Stairs, the Dog Park opening, and the upcoming speed bumps are all projects carried out by the Civic Club (with partners, of course) that make this neighborhood special. In addition, we had twice the numbers of members as joined in 2024. The support through the dues and volunteer time enable the Civic Club to undertake these wonderful projects. Click below for a complete copy of the Annual Report. | |
On a personal note, I will be ending my time as Civic Club President this year. It has been a privilege to work with so many of my neighbors to improve the neighborhood we all love.
Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting on November 18.
Best Regards,
Diane Schenke
President
Idylwood Civic Club
| | The Civic Club is looking for a few good hosts for our 2026 meeting schedule. We have really enjoyed our in-neighborhood meetings and would like to continue. Drop an email to president@idylwood.org if you are interested in hosting a meeting. You don't need to have a large house - any size will do (as shown in pictures from a recent meeting). | | |
Houston Police Department informed us that they did apprehend the burglar who was caught on camera at one of the Sylvan break-ins. The pictures from the neighbor's doorbell camera helped a lot, and the burglar was a known vagrant to HPD.
We did have a report of another garage burglary this week on Idylwood, so if you haven't checked your gates, fences, and garage locks, please consider doing so. And if anything happens, please share pictures with HPD. They often find the pictures very useful, and constables and HPD don't always share info. In the Sylvan case, Constable Precinct 6 opened the warrant, and HPD did the investigation using the neighbor's pictures and made the arrest using the Constable's warrant.
Jake Goldstein
Idylwood Citizens Patrol
| | Ain't No Party Like a Dog Park Party | | |
When: Saturday, November 8th from 10am-12pm
Where: 6810 Lawndale St.
| | | Calling all Cooks & Storytellers! | | (Click the image above to view a full copy in your browser.) | | Harriet Street Community Garden | | |
There is a new community garden being built by Urban Harvest at the vacant lot on the corner where Telephone Rd meets with I-45. The ground breaking is Nov 8 (after the Dog Park Party!) and Idylwood residents are invited to attend and help out.
Thanks to Tracy Hamblin (Rockbridge) for the update.
| | Community Meeting on Animal Welfare | | |
Where: SPCA Carruth Education Center
7007 Old Katy Road, 77024
When: Tuesday, November 18, 6pm-8pm
Barrio Dogs, the Houston SPCA, Harris County Constable Pct. 1 and the Texas Humane Legislation Network are collaborating on this event to host an important conversation about critical issues affecting animal welfare in our neighborhood. Join this vital conversation.
| | METRO Community Connector Service | | |
The Community Connector is making it easier to get around Houston neighborhoods! This on-demand rideshare service operates within a defined zone and makes reaching bus stops, rail stations, and local destinations simple and convenient - all for free!
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Service Areas:
Monday - Friday 7am - 5pm
- Third Ward
- Second Ward
- Heights North
- Heights South
- Near Northside
Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm
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- Nov 01: Sadie Hawkins Day
- Nov 02: Daylight Saving Time ends (fall back) & Day of the Dead
- Nov 04: Election Day!
- Nov 04: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste
- Nov 07: WALK30
- Nov 10: Recycling
- Nov 11: Veterans Day
- Nov 14: WALK30
- Nov 18: Civic Club Meeting @ 7pm, 6724 Sylvan
- Nov 21: WALK30
- Nov 23: Fibonacci Day (1,1,2,3 aka the Golden Ratio)
- Nov 24: Recycling
- Nov 27: Thanksgiving
- Nov 28: WALK30
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If you have something you would like to see published in the Newsletter, drop us a line. Comments or concerns?
Let us know how we're doing.
| | November 2025 Idylwood Pet of the Month | | Baseball + Blues = A Winner !! | | Hey, my name is Dusty, and I am fully enjoying life in Idylwood, ever since moving here in June 2024. Holy moly, so many squirrels! So many intriguing scents to sniff! So many fascinating crannies to explore, especially at Spurlock Park and along the Bayou Greenway. | | You may have seen me out strolling with one or both of my humans, Marla and Roger Wood. I adopted them in 2021, not long after arriving at the SPCA as an irresistibly cute refugee. Though I still look like a puppy, I’m now approximately six years old. As for my breed lineage: maybe some border terrier and/or chihuahua, with various other possibilities in the mix. But I don’t get hung up about such designations: damn proud to be a Houston mutt. | | | |
My primary name is a tribute to the great Dusty Baker, the now former manager of our beloved Astros. Furthermore, my middle name is Hopkins, in honor of the great blues singer and guitarist Lightnin’ Hopkins, whose grave lies just across our bayou in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery—yet another reason to love Idylwood.
Yep, I confess that I can sometimes be skittish, especially around larger canines or strangers, and I can vocalize robustly when triggered. But I don’t mean to offend anyone, I promise, and once I get to know you, I’ll be your friend forever.
| | Narrative by Dusty to Marla Wood | | Neighbors: Submit your pet(s) to be featured in upcoming newsletters by sending 1-4 photos with a short story about your best friend(s) with the subject line "Pet(s) of the Month" to: phattenbach@gmail.com & idylwoodgardenclub@gmail.com | | |
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 !
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Garden Club 2025-2026 Calendar
First Saturdays of the Month from 10 am-noon!
(Usual exceptions may be for Labor Day, New Year's, and Easter,
then it's the 2nd Saturday)
New members are welcome to join!! Yealy dues are only $20.00!!
(Easy to pay: Zelle Treasurer Peggy Wallace (Stark) at: pwallace7820@yahoo.com)
Meeting dates for our 2025-2026 year!
Sept. 6: Hosts: Amanda Cai and Dave Martin-6652 Merry Lane; Speaker: Briony Gannon- Texas Master Naturalist
Oct. 4: Free Field Trip and Guided Tour of Finca Tres Robles;
5715 Canal St, 77011; 10am-noon; if you have not rsvp'd, there is still room to join the tour, just meet the group at the farm at 10 am.
Nov. 1: Hosts: Nathan Reedy and Josh Espinedo - 6670 Meadowlawn; It's a Double Header Meeting !!
Speakers:
1. Jaime and Joseph - Owners of Bloom Handcrafted Beauty Products (using botanicals) AND
2.Fern Specialist Darla Harris will show and tell us all about ferns for our area.
Dec. 6: Hosts: Patricia Hattenbach and Jim McCallum - 1404 N MacGregor Way; Holiday Pot Luck Brunch and Fun Gift Exchange ($15 max)!
Jan. 10: Host: Nicole Wood - 1725 Idylwood; Speaker: Janice Brown - Girl on the Grow!
Feb. 7: Hosts: Irma Nino and Carmen Martinez - 6625 Meadowlawn;
Speaker: Chevvy Tang, Master Gardener; Topic: Permaculture
March 7: Fieldtrip: Edith L Moore Bird Sanctuary - 440 Wilchester Blvd 77079;
Members will carpool leaving at 9:50 am
April 11: Host: Suzy Harrington - 6609 Lindy Lane; Speaker: TBD
May 2: Neighborhood Plant Sale- Host: Sally Lehr - 1704 Idylwood
June, July, & August 2026: members and meetings take a 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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Going Native
Tips from Buchanan's Native Plants
Incorporate Texas Natives into Your Landscape!
Native plants. The term has different meanings for different gardeners. There are Texas natives, US natives and those plants that act like natives. All in all, what most of us want in our garden are low maintenance plants that are attractive and functional. Plants that are not invasive and are a benefit to wildlife.
When you plant a garden, it is not just for you – it is a habitat for all living things around you. So, with that in mind, here is our top 10 native plants for Houston that do just that. Many are heat and drought tolerant – cheerfully returning year after year in your garden.
Click here to learn more: Buchanan's Top Ten Native Plants.
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Houston Botanic Gardens
Texas Arbor Day
Trees, Glorious Trees
November 1, 2025 10:00 am
Autumn in the Garden Market
Shop the Season
November 1, 2025 10:00 am
Flower Imprints
Exclusively for Girl Scouts
November 8, 2025 10:00 am
Sketch-plorations!
Exclusively for Girl Scouts
November 8, 2025 10:00 am
Restorative Yoga and Sound Bath
Discover Tranquility
November 16, 2025 1:00 pm
Storytime in the Garden
With Park Place Regional Library
November 21, 2025 10:30 am
Wild Neighbors
Meet an Urban Wildlife Biologist
November 22, 2025 2:00 pm
Storytime in the Garden
With Park Place Regional Library
December 19, 2025 10:30 am
*Be sure to confirm all events' details & fees by clicking the link below*:
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Vegetable Garden Planting Dates Chart
Do you want to know exactly when to plant vegetables and herbs in your garden? Click here: TAMU Harris County for Texas A&M University's
yearly planting calendar for Harris County.
You may want to print this out for future reference.
Tree Planting Guide For 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.
Houston Area Urban Forestry Council - Tree Planting Guide
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
2025-2026 Officers:
President: Patricia Hattenbach
Vice President: Nicole Wood
Secretary: Amanda Cai
Treasurer: Peggy Wallace
Thanks again to Jim McCallum and Patricia Hattenbach for providing the Pet and Yard of the Month articles and photos.
It's wonderful to learn more about our great neighbors!
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Yards of the Month
November 2025
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Neighbors!
Thanks for making Idylwood Spooktacular !!!
As you walked, rode, or drove about in Idylwood in October, especially at night, you may have noticed homes that transformed into spooky, festive, funny, and eerie visions of the Halloween spirit!
How wonderful to see the creative community spirit in Idylwood!
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Buchanan's Native Plants
(click the link above for access to their website)
November 2025
Planting Guide
- Continue planting trees, shrubs, rose bushes and perennials. Planting now will ensure better survival next spring/summer and earlier growth and blooms.
- Plant fall and winter color – pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, alyssum, ornamental kale and cabbage, dusty miller, etc.
- Plant herbs and winter veggies. Cilantro, parsley, dill, mint, lavender and rosemary. Lettuce, spinach and other greens are just weeks from the salad bowl. Start onion sets, leeks and garlic now for spring harvest.
- Plant bulbs between Halloween and Thanksgiving for the holidays: Crocus, anemones, freesia, ranunculus, alliums, lycoris, etc. Plant paperwhites in pots by November 11th (Armistice Day) for blooming in time for Christmas. Refrigerate tulips until New Year’s Day, then plant every two weeks through Valentine’s Day for longer bloom time.
- Plant wildflower seeds through November – bluebonnets, paintbrush, larkspur, etc. Also plant sweet pea seeds in November for better results in spring.
Lawn
Replace dead grass with St. Augustine sod. Weeds will sprout in dead patches if you don’t. New sod will be well-established by spring.
Weeds
Apply pre-emergent weed control such as corn gluten or Barricade to prevent weeds from sprouting.
Mulch & Fertilizer
Winterize the lawn with an organic, slow release fertilizer.
Last chance to get that mulch down before the weather gets cold. The mulch you applied last spring is long gone! Protect roots and maintain moisture while keeping weeds to a minimum with a 3-inch layer of the mulch of your choice — pine straw, bark mulch, compost, leaves.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 (residents only)
If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please send an invitation request to Barc.Lee2020@gmail.com.
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Idylwood Officers and Directors 2024-2025
PRESIDENT: Diane Schenke (Fairfield)
VICE PRESIDENT: Keith McCarthy (Merry)
TREASURER: Nicole Wood (Idylwood)
SECRETARY: Danika Murphy (Rockbridge)
Directors: Class A (two-year terms ending in December 2025):
Patricia Hattenbach (N. MacGregor); Tim Johnson (Wildwood); Monique Studak (Sylvan); Blake Mudd (Meadowlawn); Richard Vela (Lindy)
Directors: Class B (two-year terms ending in December 2026):
Beth Barrette (Meadowlawn); Amy Dinn (Sylvan); Suzy Harrington (Lindy);
Jeff Klemm (Merry); Paul Leggett (Merry); Laura Manion (Meadowlawn)
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Post Office Box 9225
Houston, TX 77261-9225
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