SEPTEMBER 2014 TIMBERGROVE MANOR CIVIC CLUB ○ PO BOX 70977 ○ HOUSTON, TX 77270-0977 WWW.TIMBERGROVE.ORG

The Independence Day Ice Cream Social brought big smiles to Jaycee Park

INSIDE THIS

ISSUE

The Timbergram

by Lorraine Cherry, Environmental Chair

On July 28, 2014, the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) finished his technical review of Southwaste Disposal’s permit amendment application and issued a draft permit. This draft permit, if finalized and issued, would authorize a substantial increase in the volume of waste materials processed at Southwaste. Since they appear to be unable or unwilling to control the noxious odors that result from processing their current volume, it is unconscionable that they would be allowed to expand without legally binding assurances that they will take steps to control the odor.

At this point, Southwaste has not yet provided the TCEQ with adequate assurance that their operation will present no adverse affects on the health, welfare, environment, or physical property of

nearby property owners. Much of their data and representations are clearly inaccurate and out-of date. For example, they asserted in their application that: “Virtually all of the land within 5 miles east, north, and west of the facility is experiencing no population growth or negative population growth.” The reality is that, over the last 3 years, more than 1,000 new homes have been built within 2 miles of the facility, and even more growth is projected over the next 3 years.

Because of this, residents of T i m b e r g r o v e a n d s u r r o u n d i n g communities were urged to submit letters to the TCEQ during the month of August to request that an additional public meeting and a contested case hearing be scheduled. These meetings would provide an opportunity for more people who are affected by the business practices of Southwaste to meet with them face-to-face. As this issue of the Timbergram goes to press, we are waiting on a response from the TCEQ. We will keep you posted on what comes next.

General MeetingTuesday, September 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

Sinclair Elementary Schoolcome early for pizza at 6:30

Our speaker will be Abigail Taylor

Principal, Sinclair Elementary

Abigail Taylor has just completed her second year as principal at Sinclair Elementary.  In the past two years, Sinclair has seen growth across academic areas, increased student enrollment, and greater levels of parental and community involvement.  Students have improved 17 percentage points in reading and 8 percentage points in math with increases in student cohort groups.  In 2013, Sinclair earned distinctions from the Texas Education Agency in all 3 areas; i.e., Academic Achievement in Reading/ELA, Academic Achievement in Mathematics, and Top 25 Percent Student Progress.  Taylor was named HISD First Year Principal of the Year in 2013 and Texas PTA Elementary Principal of the Year in 2014.

Update on the Proposed Expansion of Southwaste Disposal

Southwaste Disposal

W 11th StElla Blvd

Shirkmere RdHurst St

Save the DateTimbergrove fall activities will soon be upon us including the Masquerade Party, National Night Out and the first Fall Festival

by Bill Morfey, President, TMCC

Citizen Patrol is sponsored by the City of Houston Police Department, and is a part of HPD’s Volunteer Initiatives Program. As stated on HPD’s website, “The Citizen Patrol program is designed to provide a means for citizens to organize into patroller groups for the purpose of reducing crime in their community. Citizen Patrollers are the additional eyes and ears the police can count on to make Houston a safe place to live and work.”

Historically, TMCC has promoted and supported Citizen Patrol as if it were a civic club committee. Although TMCC intends to continue supporting our neighborhood Citizen Patrol exactly as it has been doing for years, including providing funding for reimbursement of volunteers’ gas expenditures, extending an open invitation to provide updates/announcements at civic club meetings,

and passing along relevant news in the Timbergram, TMCC is going to move away from portraying Citizen Patrol as a civic club committee, which it is not.

Why the change? The most fundamental reason is that it simply is inaccurate, as explained above. TMCC has no power to add or remove Citizen Patrol members, direct its activities, enforce its rules and regulations, etc. All of that occurs in Citizen Patrol internally or through HPD. Thus, while TMCC certainly likes and supports Citizen Patrol’s mission, Citizen Patrol is an autonomous entity created by the City, not by TMCC.

There is also the practical reason of liability for TMCC. If any Citizen Patrol member was ever in jured whi le performing their volunteer duties, or if any person contended that a Citizen Patrol member acted improperly towards

them, there could be legal ramifications. A blurred distinction between TMCC and Citizen Patrol could thus cause TMCC to improperly be the target of a lawsuit.

Although the TMCC Board of Directors feels that this is a prudent course to take, it is in no way intended to diminish the need for (or financial support of) Citizen Patrol. Indeed, TMCC encourages neighbors to volunteer for Citizen Patrol. If you would like more information about Citizen Patrol, you can visit HPD’s website at www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/vip_citzpatrol.htm or contact the Timbergrove Manor Citizen Patrol lead c o o r d i n a t o r, L i l l i a n Jo l i f f e , a t 713-869-1079.

Citizen Patrol and TMCC

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HPD to Homeowners:  Help Us, Help YouThe Houston Police Department

wants to help you make your home as safe as possible and a nuisance to would-be burglars. Here are some tips:

Don't advertise you'll be out of town to casual acquaintances or in social media.

Instead, tell a reliable neighbor and have him/her watch your property.

Leave a few lights on or use timers that will turn lights on and off periodically.

Leave drapes in a normal position. Drapes or shades fully closed give a deserted look.

Use an etching device to mark your valuables with an identifying mark known only to you.

Make an inventory list of all your belongings, include serial numbers.

Stop all newspaper deliveries and have someone pick up your mail.

Store an inventory of your valuables in a safe deposit box or fire safe.

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Crime Reportby Lillian Jolliffe, Timbergrove Manor Citizen PatrolPatrol members continue to report observing many open garage doors with no one nearby. You are urged to keep your home and your family safe by closing garage doors if you are not there working in the yard. You are responsible for your own safety.

TYPE OF CRIMEJUNE 2014JUNE 2014 JULY 2014JULY 2014

TYPE OF CRIMEDIST. 2 TMCC DIST. 2 TMCC

Aggravated Assault 4 0 2 0

Auto theft 12 0 12 0

Burglary of Motor Vehicle 19 0 22 1*

Burglary 17 2# 19 2#

Theft 23 1## 16 0

Robbery 0 0 0 0

TOTALS 75 3 71 2

* 6000 Wister# 6700 Kury, 2400 Blk Haverhill## 6200 Lindyann

(note: blocks, not specific addresses)

IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS, CALL HPD NON-EMERGENCY AT (713) 884-3131. TO VOLUNTEER FOR CITIZEN PATROL CALL LILLIAN AT (713) 869-1079.

Don’t forget: National Night Out is October 7

Fourth of July Ice Cream Social Source of Smilesby Jennifer Vickers, Timbergram Editor

Dozens of Timbergrove families beat the heat on the Fourth of July thanks to the annual Independence Day Ice Cream social sponsored by Sharon Ettinger with Keller Williams Metropolitan Realty.

In addition to delicious sundaes by Amy’s Ice Cream and a patriotic parade around Jaycee Park, Timbergrove resident Chrissy Morse was the lucky winner of a $500 raffle sponsored by Sharon.

Tours of the fire engine were enjoyed by neighborhood children, courtesy of Houston Fire Station 62 on Seamist.

Many thanks to the volunteers who helped make this year’s Ice Cream social possible, especially Jessica Nute, Darlene and Jeff Wayt and Tim Louque and Gary Nordstrom and to event sponsor Sharon Ettinger. Sharon can be reached at (713) 299-5149.

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Sharon  E nger,  Realtor 713.299.5149

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Call  me….to  find  out  why  people  like  you,  hire  people  like  me.

JUST SOLD

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The Metropolitan 5050 Westheimer, Ste.200 Houston, TX 77056 Each office is Independently owned and operated.

1806  Sea  Queen 3/2/2    $419,000

1839  Locksford 3/1.5/2  $290k’s

1223  Clovis 3/1.5/1    $310k’s

JUST SOLD

2515  Haverhill 4/3/2    $440k’s

2435  Brooktree 4/2.5/3    $450k’s

2010  Sea  King 3/2/2    $410k’s

Sinclair Elementary Fall Festival

Sinclair Elementary PTA will host a Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 17th from 3:15 to 7 p.m. at Sinclair Elementary located at 6410 Grovewood Lane Houston, Texas 77008. The e v e n t is open to the community and will include games, food trucks, face painting, a bounce house and haunted house.

This year there will be a Pumpkin Patch! Bring the family, take pictures and purchase the perfect pumpkin.

The community festival will enable Sinclair to strengthen its parent and community relations and showcase all that the school has to offer. Sinclair PTA is seeking sponsors, vendors and donations for their Silent Action.

Contact Yolanda Si lva, PTA Pres ident for more infor mat ion: Sinclair.pta.president@gmail.com or 713-894-7881.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Volunteers, save the date for the annual volunteer dinner, Sunday, September 22, 5:30 p.m. at Kojak's Cafe on W. 18th Street. If you have volunteered with TMCC this year, please plan to join us. Thank you for all your time; Timbergrove would not be a great place to live without you! 

Masquerade Party Promises Hauntingly Good Time for TMCC

ResidentsLocal rea l tor and TMCC event c h a i r w o m a n

Michelle Ray with resident Ty Smith of Envoy Mortgage are sponsoring the s e c o n d a n n u a l r e s i d e n t appreciation event on Thursday, October 16 from 7 - 10 p.m. Hosted at Rainbow Lodge, the adults only soiree, has limited seating. See the enclosed flyer for more details.

National Night Out“America’s Night Out Against Crime” - an annual event billed as National Night Out is set for Tuesday, October 7 in Texas. This fun filled neighborhood event not only provides a chance for camaraderie between TMCC residents, bu t , accord ing to the Nat iona l Association of Town Watch Director Matt Peskin, “National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and d e t e r m i n a t i o n t o h e l p m a k e neighborhoods a safer place year round.” Details on your street’s gathering will be distributed soon by your block captain.

Save the Date

Traces of Timbergrove

Traces of Timbergrove reader Chris Daigle sends this photo of workers at the Eureka Heights Oil Field in the 1930's. Stretching from West 18th St to West 11th St in the area of modern day Timbergrove, the Eureka Heights field was discovered in 1934, the date of this photo, by C.B. Bunte. By the end of 1938, 23 wells were producing in the field. Ultimately, more than 50 wells covered an area from White Oak Bayou to Hempstead Rd, with more than 40 proving productive. The Eureka Heights Field produced more than 7.5 million barrels of oil before being depleted in the late 1970's.

Last year Sinclair said good bye to many long time staff members.  Although we were sad to see them go, we are excited to welcome some new members to the Sinclair Family and would like to introduce them to our neighborhood.  Ms. Cindy Santana will be joining the Special Education Department.  Jenifer Wilde will be joining the 5th grade team and Dan Spencer will be joining the 3rd grade team.    Lisa Gonzales, a native Houstonian will be coming aboard as an instructional specialist.  Mrs. Cox has moved into the computer lab and Mrs. Amos has moved into the science lab.  Mr. Mashburn has also expressed a desire to wish his Timbergrove neighbors well and let them know that he will be moving to Scarborough High as an Assistant Principal next year.  He has grown close many families in the neighborhood and although he is excited about this new opportunity, he does so with a heavy heart. 

To win Yard of the Month you must be a current dues-paying TMCC member and cannot have won a YOTM award within the past year.  Congratulations to the following neighbors for their attractive, well-groomed yards!

The YOTM committee is in need of volunteers! Have an eye for landscaping? yardofthemonth@timbergrovemanor.org to volunteer.

July

6418 Cindy Ln. – George Jensen2223 Willowby – Ana & Phillip Leech

August

6322 Wynnwood – Barbara Bennett2202 Tannehill – Pamela Zimmerman

Timbergrove Manor Civic Club LeadershipOFFICERS AND DIRECTORSOFFICERS AND DIRECTORSOFFICERS AND DIRECTORSOFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

President Bill Morfey 832-651-0112 tmccpres@timbergrovemanor.org

VP Leslie Hillendahl 281-236-6345 tmccvp@timbergrovemanor.org

Secretary Peter Davies 713-861-1550 secretary@timbergrovemanor.org

Treasurer treasurer@timbergrovemanor.org

Director Michael Thompson mthompson@timbergrovemanor.org

Director Darlene Wayt 713-385-4465 dwayt@comcast.net

Director Lorraine Cherry 713-869-4445 environmentalaffairs@timbergrovemanor.org

Director Allen White allenwhite1@gmail.com

Director Patrick Valentz 713-545-1308 pvalentz@xiterealty.com

Past Pres Angie McKinney 713-894-2317 pastpastpres@timbergrovemanor.org

Yard of the Month

CHAIRPERSONS - TMCC COMMITTEESCHAIRPERSONS - TMCC COMMITTEESCHAIRPERSONS - TMCC COMMITTEESCHAIRPERSONS - TMCC COMMITTEES

Activities Michelle Ray 832-715-5819 activities@timbergrovemanor.org

Beautification Leslie Hillendahl 281-236-6345 beautification@timbergrovemanor.org

Block Captains Carolyn Bryant 281-723-9810 blockcaptains@timbergrovemanor.org

Deed Restrictions Enforcement

VOLUNTEER NEEDEDVOLUNTEER NEEDEDdeedrestrictions@timbergrovemanor.org

Design Review Dana Whitney drc@timbergrovemanor.org

Environmental Affairs

Lorraine Cherry 713-869-4445 environmentalaffairs@timbergrovemanor.org

Membership Tim LouqueGary NordstromTim LouqueGary Nordstrom

membership@timbergrovemanor.org

Timbergram Jennifer Vickers 713-240-9671 timbergram@timbergrovemanor.org

Timbergreeters Carolyn Bryant 281-723-9810 timbergreeters@timbergrovemanor.org

Web Site Chris Ochterbeck

webmaster@timbergrovemanor.org

Yard of the Month

Leslie Hillendahl 281-236-6345 yardofmonth@timbergrovemanor.org

Tree Waste:

Wednesday, September 17Wednesday, November 19

Junk Waste/Heavy Trash:

Wednesday, October 15Wednesday, December 17

Recycling - every other week:

Thursday, September 11Thursday, September 25Thursday, October 9Thursday, October 23Thursday, November 6Thursday, November 20

Solid Waste Collection Schedule

Sinclair Update

Super Neighborhood 14Super Neighborhood Council 14 meets bi-monthly on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. The next 2014 meeting dates are: Oct 8 and Dec 10. Contact Megan Jackson, at meganjackson79@gmail.com to get on the e-mail list and visit the website at www.snc-14.org.

by Lorraine Cherry, Friends of West 11th Street Park

The trail rebuilding project at West 11th Street Park received a giant step forward with a generous donation from Sharon Ettinger of Keller Williams Metropolitan Realty. With Sharon’s donation, we now have the money to complete the half-mile loop trail inside the forest. One of our important goals at the park has been to have a complete loop trail that can be walked by anyone, regardless of the weather, 365 days a year. With this last piece, our loop will be complete. We are hoping to raise an additional $3200 to extend the trail out to the street on the Shelterwood side of the park. If you’ve entered the park after a heavy rain, you know that the grassy perimeter areas get pretty boggy, and it would be great to have at least one place to enter the park where you can keep your feet (and your dog’s feet) dry.

If you use the park trails every day or every week or even every month, please consider donating to this important project. Donations can be sent to: Friends of West 11th Street Park, P.O. Box 7679, Houston TX 77270-7679.

Before the trail reconstruction can start, we are waiting for foresters from the Houston Parks & Recreation Department to do some additional tree work. Two trees will be taken down, and an addition 4-5 trees will be topped off. If you are using the park and come across a trail blocked with a safety cone, please turn around and use another trail.

The Kroger Community Rewards Program for this year started on August 1. As you may recall, this is a program in which you can support the park, but it doesn't cost you anything. When you sign up for the program, any purchase you make for the rest of the year using your Kroger customer card will rack up points

for West 11th Street Park. We receive money based on the number of points we collect. Last year, with the support of people like you, we raised over $400 that was used to purchase plants and seeds for the gardens, dog waste bags, and maintenance supplies. You can re-enroll for the 2014-2015 program year (or enroll for the first time if you’re new to t h e p r o g r a m ) b y g o i n g t o www.krogercommunityrewards.com.

Update from West 11th Street Park

Friends of West 11th Street Park President Lorraine Cherry accepts a donation from Sharon Ettinger with Keller Williams Metropolitan Realty

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Resident and active in the community

Proud supporter of the Timbergrove Sports Association, Jaycee Park, TMCC and Candlelighters

TOP PRODUCER

by Darlene Wayt

Welcome back to the neighborhood, Aimee Barlow! In 2009 when Ileana Desalos began the neighborhood effort to renovate Jaycee Park, Aimee Barlow was one of the first residents to step up and put forth a lot of work and time toward the effort.

Although partnered with Houston Parks Board, a large portion of the private funds raised for the revitalization came from the efforts of neighborhood volunteers like Aimee. Aimee designed the early flyers and created the Facebook page to get news out to the neighborhood about meetings and fundraisers. Under Ileana’s overall supervision, Aimee organized volunteers for the first coin drive, our first event which raised about $10,000, showed Houston Parks Board we were serious and snowballed into other volunteers coming onboard.

In 2010, even with the news that her husband’s work would take their family overseas for at least three years, Aimee helped plan two future fundraisers, one of which was our second coin drive that September. With a million things to do to get ready for their move, Aimee still found time to walk blocks to raise funds for the park.

This past July 4th for the TMCC’s Ice Cream Social, we needed a leader for the parade. Although they had only been back in their house for a few days, Aimee’s husband and son, Darren and Wilson, generously volunteered. Wilson is a boy scout with Troop 40. Daughter Avery is an accomplished equestrienne and animal lover. So, welcome back to

Jaycee Park supporters Aimee & Darren and Wilson & Avery Barlow.

That’s a bit of recent history about the private fundraising effort that took place from 2009-2012. As for news about the Capital Improvement Project public funds allocated for our park in 2015, in an email response to an early August query to Lisa Johnson, Parks Program Manager: The consultant is working on cost estimates for the priority items discussed at the 5/13/14 Community Meeting and looking at options that will fit the budget. At the May meeting, Ms. Johnson invited direct contact with her at lisa.johnson@houstontx.gov or (832) 393-8081.

Update from Jaycee Park

Returning Timbergrove residents and Jaycee Park volunteers

Wilson, Aimee and Avery Barlow pictured at Jaycee Park

Boy Scout Wilson Barlow leads the Independence Day Parade at Jaycee Park. His father and Scout Leader Darren is pictured further back.

Rising electricity costs can be hard on your bank account, but by combining several cost-savings strategies you can save $1,000* on your home energy bill each year. For the biggest savings consider these ways to reduce heating and cooling costs without sacrificing comfort:

Add new insulation to your attic. It’s especially smart if your house is more than 25 years old. Sometimes the state will subsidize professionally installed insulation and other energy-efficiency improvements. Check with your gas and electric companies to see what subsidies are available and how to qualify. COST: About $750 for an 800 square-foot attic to do it yourself, or $1,500 if you hire a professionalSAVINGS: $600 per year

Seal air leaks around the house. Weather strip your windows and doors by filling gaps and cracks with caulking, and use plastic window-insulation kits on older windows. Also, seal gaps from plumbing lines, recessed lighting, and crawl spaces. COST: Tube of caulk is $3 to $6 (save by buying multi-packs), and a window-insulation kit is $10 to $20SAVINGS: $350 per year

Upgrade to a programmable thermostat, which automatically adjusts your home’s temperature settings. You can buy a Wi-Fi model ($100 to $200) with more features that lets you remotely control it by using an app. COST: $25 to $50 (Check for rebates with your utility provider)SAVINGS: $180 per year

Here are the easiest ways to save:

Wash clothes in cold water. Heating water is the single largest expense to run a load of laundry. Also, hot water shrinks and fades your clothes and should be used only when there are major stains.COST: FreeSAVINGS: $130 to $300 per year on

water heating costs, depending on the size of your family.

Unplug electronics when not in use. Energy “vampires” include TVs, computers, video game consoles, phone chargers (basically anything that “glows”) and account for 5 to 10 percent of household electricity costs even when they’re turned off. Save money by unplugging them, shutting them down, or attaching them to a single power strip than can be turned off. COST: Free or $10 to $40 for a power strip/surge protector SAVINGS: $100 per year

Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). While they cost a bit more, CFLs use 75 percent less energy and last at least 6 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs. COST: $5 to $15 each (save by buying multi-packs)SAVINGS: $75 per year in electricity by replacing your five most frequently used b u l b s . S a v i n g s p o t e n t i a l i n c r e a s e s s i n c e t h e average home has 30 light fixtures.

A l l products are available at a h o m e improvement s t o r e o r o n l i n e . Savings vary depending on h o m e s i ze , c l i m a t e , e l e c t r i c i t y rates, etc. and are based on an average a n n u a l energy bill of $2,200.

Have A Laugh…

The teacher asked students to name an animal that begins with an “E.” One boy said, “Elephant.”

Then the teacher asked for an animal that begins with a “T.” The same boy said, “Two elephants.”

The teacher sent the boy out of the class for bad behavior. After that she asked for an animal beginning with “M.”

The boy shouted from the other side of the wall: “Maybe an elephant!”

D o n ’t Yo u Ju s t H a t e P u s h y Salespeople?

If you’re like me, you can live without the pressure and hassles from aggressive salespeople. That’s why I treat my friends and clients with helpful, healthy respect. So if you or someone you know ever has questions about real estate, please feel welcome to call me at 7 1 3 - 8 2 2 - 8 5 5 5 o r e m a i l Pamela@SellingHomesInHouston.com.

How To Save $1,000 Off Your Annual Energy Bill Special Feature for Timbergram readers by Pamela Efferson Properties

by Lorraine Cherry

Freshly-made, home-baked pizza: For when you want something a little bit better and a lot more

convenient

Okay, so it’s late June and I’m off in the Pacific Northwest, just returning to Seattle after a trip to Vancouver Island. (And yes, it was fabulous!) Anyway, we’ve been on the road all day, and we call ahead to my friend’s husband, who assures us that he has dinner waiting because he went to Papa Murphy’s and picked up a pizza.

Papa Murphy’s pizza??? Oh no, I think. Is this going to be one of those horrible concoctions where they put corned beef and cabbage on bad flat bread and call it a pizza? It turns out I needn’t have worried—Papa Murphy’s happens to be the largest take n’ bake pizza operation in the world and Zagat’s #1-rated pizza chain. The pizza that we had was vegetarian, with huge quantities of very fresh veggies on it, covered with fresh-grated mozzarella, and sitting on top of a great sauce and a very decent

crust. When we got home, it was popped in a 425 degree oven on its own little baking tray that comes with the pie, and 15 minutes later we were sitting down to eat a really good pizza, fresh out of the oven.

As I munched through my third piece, I mused aloud about how maybe someday we would have a Papa Murphy’s i n H o u s t o n . Fr i e n d ’ s h u s b a n d disappeared for a few minutes and returned to report that we already had them here, and he was right. I thought that maybe there wouldn’t be one close enough to be of use, but I was wrong there, too. The closest one is right up on West 43rd and Ella in the Oak Forest shopping center.

Of course we’ve tried it out. You have the option of ordering one of their specialties or else building your own. The pizza I had in Seattle was their Gourmet Vegetarian with spinach, artichoke hearts, sliced zucchini and mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and mixed onions on creamy garlic sauce. The build-your-own pepperoni, onion, and pepper version that we ordered here was just as good.

They have the regular crust, a thin lower-calorie crust, and a big, fat, two-layer stuffed crust. You pick the crust, the size, the sauce, and any of 23 different toppings. If you’ve got kiddos in the 5-8 year range, they might enjoy making their own personal pizza at home with a Mini Murph® kit of scratch-made dough, p i z z a s a u c e , 1 0 0 % w h o l e - m i l k mozzarella, and pepperoni. Whatever you want, you can just go in the store and order, or else call in advance and speed the process up a little bit more. (It doesn’t take long in either case.)

There are admittedly all kinds of options out there for pizza. You can make your own (top of the list), go to a restaurant, have it delivered, or (way down at the bottom of the list) buy a frozen one at a supermarket. I’d say that Papa Murphy’s competes pretty well with going to a restaurant.

The Papa Murphy’s closest to us is at 1214 West 43rd Street, on the northwest corner of Ella and 43rd, behind the Starbucks. For more information and to take a look at the menu, go to www.papamurphys.com.

E2= Excellent Eats

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