Events

Get your LITH merchandise before it's gone! /  by Lori Bigler

Hello friends and neighbors,

The cool weather is here, reminding us that the holidays, and thus Lights in the Heights®, are just around the corner!

NOW is time to purchase your official 2019 Lights in the Heights merchandise, before online sales close on December 8 at midnight!

We have a brand new hand-crafted cloisonné ORNAMENT for 2019. (Did you know this year's logo was designed by Oli Bayse, a middle school student in Hogg's graphic design program?)

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We have T-SHIRTS this year! They come in a 50/50 cotton/poly blend in both men's and ladies' sizes. 

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And back by popular demand is the Woodland Heights ceramic COOKIE JAR. (It would make such a great gift!)

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We also have party ESSENTIALS like cocktail napkins, aprons, private party signs, and MORE. 

Quantities are LIMITED, so go online now to reserve yours!

https://www.woodland-heights.org/store

ALL merchandise will be available for pickup at Friday Night Lights on the Norhill Esplanade on December 13, from 5-9pm.

Thanks for supporting LITH and WH!

Melissa and Beth, merchandise co-chairs

Need Holiday Decorating Help? /  by Lori Bigler

Live along the Lights in the Heights route and would love to light up the night with your home, but untangling light strings gives you nightmares? Or, more seriously, age, injury or illness makes decorating a challenge? Santa’s elves, otherwise known as the LITH committee, may be able to help.

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Volunteers will again be providing assistance to those who can’t do the decorating themselves. Send an email to lightsintheheights@gmail.com to be considered. Please indicate if you have lights or need them supplied. Also send us a message if you have extra lights or other decorations you’d like to donate, or if you’re willing to help with the decorating.

Calling all Bakers! /  by Lori Bigler

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LITH committee needs volunteers to help with cookie baking! This long-standing tradition provides cookies to the houses that volunteer their porches for the night’s live entertainment along the route.

Whether you can provide one dozen, five dozen, or more: be a part of the tradition. Cookies will need to be delivered between Dec. 12th and 13th. Please email robyn.klepper@nadel.com to volunteer or for more details.

Friday Night Lights 2019 /  by Lori Bigler

Kick off your Lights in the Heights weekend at Friday Night Lights on Friday, December 13 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm on Norhill Esplanade. At this festive event, neighbors can gather around the campfire and toast marshmallows or enjoy dinner from a local food truck under the glow of Jurassic Christmas displays.

Lights in the Heights merchandise will be on sale all night, so be sure to grab your private party signs and keepsakes. Some of our generous sponsors will also be at the event to spread the holiday cheer.

Enjoy the lights around the neighborhood by hopping on the famed hayride, starting at 5:30. Children can take part in a 30-year old neighborhood tradition at the craft tent and decorate a luminaria. And while you are enjoying all the fun, keep your ear out for sleigh bells because Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6:30.

To give back as a neighborhood, Woodland Heights will host a toy drive in coordination with the Lights in the Heights festivities. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Norhill Esplanade on Friday, December 13 from 5-9 pm. There will be large donation boxes with the Operation: Stocking Stuffer logo for your gift.

To volunteer to help with FNL please contact katie.m.mccafferty@gmail.com.

Do your friends need a Lyft to Lights in the Heights? /  by Lori Bigler

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For the second year in a row, we are proud to partner with Lyft to help you get to and from Lights in the Heights safely. Share the promo code LIGHTSRIDE with your friends and party guests, and they will receive 50% off two (2) rides (up to $4 per ride) during Lights in the Heights. Otherwise, very limited parking is available in the neighborhood, including at Vineyard Church, Zion Church (fee applies), Hogg Middle School (fee applies), Woodland Park, and Stude Park.

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Party Host Program

*** Note that the deadline for this program has now passed ***

Lyft is also generously offering a Woodland Heights Resident / Party Host Program for those hosting parties or residing in the neighborhood. Lyft will provide up to 50 households a set of exclusive promo codes to be shared with their friends, family and party guests.

Residents must opt-in to the program, at which point they will be contacted by Lyft with instructions and codes. Lyft will be donating a portion of the proceeds from every ride to the WHCA in support of the neighborhood!

This promotion includes the following:

  • Each WH resident will receive 10 promo codes

  • Each promo code is valid for $15 in ride credit (up to $7.50 on 2 rides)

  • Valid Friday, December 13 at 12:00pm until Sunday, December 15 at 12:00pm

If you wish to participate, please visit the link below and enter code lyftlights.

https://woodlandheightspartyprogram.splashthat.com/

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Lyft Hot Chocolate Station

A Lyft hot chocolate truck will be on the Norhill Esplanade during the event from approximately 5:00-9:00 pm (or while supplies last). Visitors who show a Lyft receipt reflecting a ride to Lights in the Heights will receive one (1) free hot chocolate. For those without a Lyft receipt, hot chocolate can be purchased with a $2 cash donation, which will go directly to WHCA.

Lights in the Heights Bike Parking, A.K.A. Bike Valet /  by Lori Bigler

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To get around traffic, encourage your friends and guests to leave their cars at home and arrive by bicycle to enjoy Lights in the Heights. BikeHouston will be providing free monitored bike parking on the Norhill esplanade at Bayland Street starting at 6:00 pm and ending at 9:00 pm Saturday December 14, 2019.

Bike valet is for visitors on bikes who want to experience Lights in the Heights on foot. It’s simple. Your friends and guests can ride their bikes to the Norhill esplanade at Bayland Street. Volunteers will check their bike in and provide a claim check.

Make sure your guests pick up their bikes before 9:00 pm when BikeHouston packs up and goes home.

Travis Elementary Girl Scouts are collecting new toys for the Star of Hope “Christmas Toy Store” /  by Lori Bigler

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The Travis Elementary Girl Scouts are collecting new toys for the Star of Hope “Christmas Toy Store” as part of their holiday service project. The Girl Scouts will be on a caroling hayride through the neighborhood to collect donations from your porch from 3-5 pm on Saturday, Dec. 7.

If you would like to donate, please email Melanie Gehman (Girl Scout Leader and WH Resident) at Melanie.Gehman@gmail.com with your address by Thursday, Dec. 5. 

 The Star of Hope is especially in need of baby toys and art supplies for all ages. To learn more about their mission, please visit: https://www.sohmission.org

 Thank you for supporting your neighborhood Girl Scouts. We will see you again in January when cookie sales start!

 - Melanie Gehman

You're Invited to the Ribbon Cutting at White Oak Drive & Houston Ave. /  by Lori Bigler

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The Friends of Woodland Park (FWP) are proud to report that the traffic intersection improvements at Houston Ave. and White Oak Dr., including the new community park, have been fully completed, and a dedication celebration has scheduled.

Please join us on Saturday October 26th from 2-3 PM for refreshments and community fellowship.

FWP’s original master plan (envisioned and drawn by Scott McCready and others from SWA Landscape Architects) showed a streamlined, safer, more beautiful intersection at this busy and confused juncture. It has been an FWP goal to implement this vision as the Houston Ave./White Oak Dr. intersection is the southern entrance to Woodland Park and our Woodland Heights neighborhood.

But it was the hard work and 100% funding from Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ-5 and the City of Houston that made it a reality. Additional thanks are due to our District H City Council Member Karla Cisneros for her significant involvement and financial contributions for the extension of the bike lanes to Spring St. and the Bayou Greenway hike and bike trail.

Our community is fortunate to have and enjoy this new neighborhood amenity. So please come to the dedication and help us show our appreciation.

Super Neighborhood Candidate Forums this Week! /  by Lori Bigler

This just in!

Dear SN22 Colleagues and Friends,

Super Neighborhood 22 (along with several other Super Neighborhoods) will host three forums this week—At-Large (Positions 1, 3, and 5), and Districts C and H. Please see the Eventbrite invitations below for more details including schedule breakdown, and candidate information for each forum. 

Questions were developed around the following topics of interest—Civic Engagement and Transparency, Super Neighborhood Initiative and Planning, Infrastructure, Quality of Life, and Budgeting and Economic Development. 

All three forums will be held in MECA's Auditorium. Food and drinks will be provided at each event. Free on-street parking is available.

Monday, October 14: At-Large (Positions 1, 3, and 5) Eventbrite  

Food provided by the Orlando Sanchez Campaign for Houston City Controller from Shandy's Cafe on Memorial Drive; food available at 6:00 PM. 

Forum will begin at 6:30 PM.

Tuesday, October 15: District H Eventbrite

Food will be available at 6:30 PM; graciously donated by Chatter's Cafe & Bistro, and Southwell's Hamburger Grill.

Forum will begin at 7:00 PM.

Thursday, October 17: District C Eventbrite

Food will be available at 6:30 PM.

Forum will begin at 7:00 PM.

Location:

MECA Auditorium
1900 Kane Street
Houston, Texas 77007

Free on-street parking is available. 

National Night Out in Woodland Heights /  by Lori Bigler

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National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.

Woodland Park Community Center

212 Parkview, Houston TX, 77009

Tuesday, October 1st

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Members of the WHCA board will be on-hand to answers questions about the civic association and discuss matters facing the neighborhood.

Seeking Silent Auction Items /  by Lori Bigler

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Every year the Woodland Heights comes together to throw an amazing Lights in the Heights and that would not be possible without YOU! The annual party, this year the LITH Holiday Masquerade Bash (Formerly Lights in the Height Gala) hosts a Silent Auction that helps fund Lights in the Heights. We are currently seeking silent auction items. No contribution is too small.

Do you have Texan tickets you can't use? Astros Tickets? Ballet Tickets? Can’t get a babysitter? Already have plans that night? Instead of having those tickets go to waste, consider donating them to our Silent Auction in October. Do you own a local business? This is a great opportunity to not only support Lights in the Heights, but to advertise.

Thank you to everyone that has already graciously made donations in support of Lights in the Heights. It's because of you that we can have an amazing event.

If you have any questions, please contact Silent Auction Co-chairs Lauren (lauren.o.snead@gmail.com) and Shani (archiesparents@hotmail.com).

Holiday Masquerade Bash Seeking Sponsors /  by Lori Bigler

Individual Sponsor Opportunities 

There are several ways for local businesses and residents to sponsor the Holiday Masquerade Bash. Each includes visibility in WHCA publications, social media channels and at LITH events throughout the holiday season.

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Lights in the Heights® Masquerading Pumpkins  – $1,000 

  • Listed as a sponsor in Holiday Bash invitation

  • Name in program at Holiday Bash

  • Name on WHCA LITH website

  • Name in LITH newsletter

  • 2 tickets to the Holiday Bash

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Lights in the Heights® Scary Cats – $600

  • Listed as sponsor in Holiday Bash invitation

  • Name in program at Holiday Bash 

  • Name on WHCA LITH website

  • Name in LITH newsletter 

  • 2 tickets to the Holiday Bash 

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Lights in the Heights® Black Bats – $300 

  • Listed as sponsor in Holiday Bash invitation

  • Name in program at Holiday Bash 

  • Name on WHCA LITH website

  • Name in LITH newsletter 

  • 1 ticket to the Holiday Bash

Click on any of the images to visit the WHCA web store.

FWP Partners with Houston Audubon Society in the First Ever Houston Bird Week /  by Lori Bigler

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This just in from the Friends of Woodland Park:

We’re excited to be an official partner with the Houston Audubon in the first-ever Houston Bird Week, in honor of their 50th anniversary. Equal parts fun, education, and celebration, experience firsthand the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds, and the everyday life of our urban-dwelling birds. Led by Houston Audubon’s Young Professionals Advisory Council in collaboration with local conservation partners, we have a flock of fun planned for all.

Don’t miss the kick-off party, where an official Bird Beer will be unveiled! From pop-up birding stations to park clean-ups and bioblitzes, your participation and excitement will help us continue to be a welcoming home for Houston’s birds.

We hope you can join us Saturday, September 28th for Woodland Park Clean-Up from 9 am - 12 pm

Let’s get chirping on social media. Use #HoustonBirdWeek to share your excitement! Check out the jam-packed list of events at www.houstonaudubon.org/birdweek

Announcing the WHCA September General Meeting & Candidate Forum! /  by Lori Bigler

The next WHCA General Meeting of members will be Tuesday, September 10th at 7pm at a location yet to be determined.

The highlight of the agenda is a Candidate Forum moderated by WH resident and long-time political writer Charles Kuffner. Confirmed forum participants include; Karla Cisneros, Cynthia Reyes-Revilla, Isabel Longoria, and Gaby Salcedo. All four are running for Houston City Council representing District H, which includes Woodland Heights.

Residents attending the Candidate Forum will be able to submit written questions, to be asked by the moderator, and answered by each of the candidates.

Also on the agenda:

The usual suspects will be on-hand to present the current state of WHCA activities. We may also have some news from the Lights in the Heights Committee.

Be watching your inbox for further details about this most interesting and timely event.

Bike To The Beach /  by Lori Bigler

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On September 28, my husband Cory and I will once again join hundreds of other cyclists in the 4th annual Houston to Galveston edition of Bike to the Beach. This year we will pedal 62 miles in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Autism, the most prevalent developmental disability in the world. If you’d like to support this important cause, you can make a tax deductible donation here: https://my.biketothebeach.org/MelissaMcKee

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My goal is to raise $1,000, while this event as a whole will raise more than $250,000 to be used both locally and throughout the state of Texas.

Bike to the Beach is not just the host of charity bike events, but a community made up of individuals, cyclists, local organizations, advocates, philanthropists, corporate companies, and national partners, on a mission together to promote bicycle riding, raise funds, and make an impact on the community affected by autism.

- Melissa McKee, Former WHCA Treasurer

Lights in the Heights 2019 Logo Unveiled /  by Lori Bigler

As the end of August approaches, all of us are wilted. We are dreaming of cool breezes, color in the trees and the spicy aromas of Fall. The holidays are just around the corner, and the Lights in the Heights Committee is already hard at work.

Before summer vacation, the LITH Committee began working on the 2019 Lights in the Heights logo with Hogg Middle School art teacher Connie Sulewski and students in the Graphic Design Program. The Graphic Design Program at Hogg offers students comprehensive graphic design from conceptual-development through production, using digital technologies. Graphic design students address a variety of design problems while gaining confidence and proficiency working with digital media.

Ms. Sulewski brought over 100 student designs to the LITH Committee and they were all fantastic! The Committee was greatly impressed with the student submissions, and choosing just one logo design was really hard. After much deliberation, the Committee chose a beautiful logo of Holiday Bells wrapped in lights designed by Oli Bayse, who was in 6th grade when she designed the logo.

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Congratulations Oli Bayse!
Olivia’s 2019 LITH logo design will be on signs, posters, letters, T-shirts and tree ornaments. The Merchandise sub-committee is organizing pre-sale dates and online orders for all Lights in the Heights merchandise. Melissa McKee and Beth Allen-Brock will be at the WHCA September General Meeting and the November General Meeting to take pre-sale orders for LITH merchandise.

Online orders will be through the WHCA website at www.woodland-heights.org, and plan to start September 10th, closing at midnight, Sunday December 8th. All merchandise will be delivered at Friday Night Lights on Friday, December 13th at the Norhill Esplanade, to take advantage of tax-free savings. Alternate pick-up dates will be the week of December 16th.

Now, add an entry to your calendars to order 2019 Lights in the Heights merchandise!

Happy Fall, Y’all!!

Open House: September 7, 2019 Houston Heights Woman’s Club with the Heights Public Library /  by Lori Bigler

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The Houston Heights Woman’s Club welcomes all our Greater Heights Area neighbors to an informal Open House on Saturday, September 7 from 10 am to 12 noon.

Visit our historic clubhouse, learn about our neighborhood community service activities, social events and 119 year old Literary Club. View the latest updates to our beautiful rental venue. Take the opportunity to also learn about the many services offered by our Heights Neighborhood Library who is sponsoring a table at this open house.

What: Houston Heights Woman’s Club’s Open House

When: Saturday, September 7, 2019; 10:00 am – 12 noon

Where: HHWC Clubhouse, 1846 Harvard Street

Wear: No need to dress up - this is a come as you are event

Questions? info@houstonheightswomansclub.com

Or visit our website http://www.houstonheightswomansclub.com