S
Volume 26, Issue 10
Circulation 1000
Published by the Shepherd Forest Civic Club
P.O. Box 925282, Houston, Texas, 77292-5282
www.ShepherdForest.org
October 2014
A Helping Hand – or a Handout?
Tired of dealing with panhandlers who loiter and beg around the freeways
and busy intersections near Shepherd Forest? Well, make plans to attend
the next Shepherd Forest Civic Club General Meeting on Monday, October
20th where two Houston Police Department Captains will be in attendance to
address your concerns. We are proud to welcome Capt. L. Baimbridge,
Commander of the North Patrol and Capt. W. Baimbridge of the Mental
Health Division to our October meeting to speak about the
homeless/panhandler/mentally ill situation that we have seen increase over
the last few years. They will also discuss crime in our area. These officers are at the top of their respective
commands, and have agreed to meet with residents about this issue. Please come out and take advantage of
having their attention, as well as letting them know that Shepherd Forest supports them.
Shepherd Forest Civic Club Monthly Meeting
Monday, October 20th @ 7:00 pm
Temple Oaks Baptist Church – 2100 West 34th @ Oak Forest
(Parking on north and south side of the church)
Topic: Panhandling in our Neighborhood
SFCC meetings are held on the third Monday of every month
All Shepherd Forest residents are ENCOURAGED to attend.
Congratulations to the newly elected
Officers and Directors for Shepherd Forest CC
Officers
Board of Directors
President – Jennifer Woodruff (1) 713-303-3511
Glenn Cessna (2) 832-659-2069
Vice President – Kristi Grizzle (2) 281-630-9443
Martha Stoerner (2) 713-864-3776
Secretary – Amy Derr (3) 610-762-0380
Mollie Weber (3) 713-515-4014
Treasurer – Melody Johnson (3) 915-276-9060
Jason Syrinek (1) 832-350-3811
Newsletter – Mary Lamb (1) 281-488-3216
David Hille (1) 713-551-1350
Security Coordinator – Isaac Derr (3) 985-860-1740
Beautification Committee – Jan Hughes (3) 713-594-3543
Halloween is almost here – Leave a porch light on if you’ll be
home. And if you drive between sunset and dark, please watch
out for our little ones as they Trick or Treat. Slow down and be
safe!
Citizens Patrol Security Report
September was a much quieter month crime-wise in our area – only a few infractions were reported. However,
don’t forget that the holidays are approaching (local retailers are quick to remind us that even though
Halloween isn’t here yet, Christmas is already available for purchase!) Scammers and thieves know that you
are busy with family and often away from home – a good chance to enter your yards and homes and take
whatever they find easiest to steal. Be very much aware of strangers and strange activity in your area –
people who are looking into windows, over fences and into parked cars.
9/12 Section 1 – 900 block 31st – Theft
9/24 Section 2 – 2300 block Ansbury – Theft of vehicle
9/28 Section 1 – 1500 block Ansbury – Theft
10/1 Section 1 -- 1600 block Stonecrest – Theft
10/17 Section 3 – 4200 block Gardendale – Tailgate stolen from truck
Recently: Section 3 resident (4100 block Marlborough) reports that a suspicious man was knocking on doors
wanting to repair cracked curbs for $30.
Nearby in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest:
9/5 700 block 31st – Burglary of home
9/15 3700 block Ella – Burglary of home
9/25 1400 block 43rd -- Family Dollar store robbed (thieves caught at Subway on 34th @ TC Jester)
Do you allow your cats the freedom to roam the neighborhood? If so, please consider keeping them inside
these days. There has been a recent spike in cat mutilations (details too gruesome to list here) in the nearby
Heights and Timbergrove areas. (Three new incidents were reported between Sept 20th and 24th). Officers
with the city’s Animal Cruelty unit have met with a number of groups and residents regarding the reported
deaths. Remains of the animals have been found on citizen’s property, although no known witnesses have
come forward with information related to these deaths. The Leader (our local weekly publication) is reporting
that an area resident has posted on Craigslist offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of
whoever has been committing this heinous crime. AND if you own a black cat, be especially cautious – they
can be a “target” around Halloween (many shelters will not adopt out black cats at this time of year).
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Citizens Patrol reminds us to call HPD if you should see anything or anyone that appears to be
“suspicious,” regardless of how insignificant it may seem. Then, AFTER you have made the call to HPD,
notify our Citizens Patrol by reporting it to David Hille 713-551-1350 so that our patrollers will also be advised
of “hot spot” areas or descriptions of people/vehicles.
A few words from our NEW President
Dear neighbors,
I'm looking forward to serving the community this year, alongside some eager and outstanding fellow
volunteers. It's easy to take for granted what we, as volunteer leaders, do for the community. I've been guilty of
it myself so I want to start out by thanking those who served before me. John Weber, Isaac Derr, Jessica
Jones, Darla Coons, Lisa Talbot, and countless other volunteers helped keep our neighborhood a place you
have come to enjoy as 'home' and I for one truly appreciate the time and effort they put forth to serve the
neighborhood.
This year's board is looking at many suggestions brought forth by residents to make the area an even better
place to live. We hope to accomplish several goals that I will outline in a future article, but we can only do it
with your help. My wish for us this year is to ramp up our committees and get more residents involved in the
direction of Shepherd Forest. So it's time to get off the sidelines and lead by example. If you'd like to learn
about volunteer opportunities, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Jennifer Woodruff, Civic Club President
Seasonal Advice From The Beautification Committee
(Jan Hughes, Chairperson)
As fall arrives, we look forward to some cooler weather, but shorter days. Daylight savings time ends
November 2nd. I'm sure everyone will agree that it's no fun when the sun goes down @ 5:30 pm. Shorter
days brings changes to our plant life – here are some hints for what you can do as we draw closer to winter.
Plant trees, shrubs, rose bushes and perennials. Planting now will ensure better survival next spring/summer
and earlier growth and blooms. Plant wildflower seeds through November – bluebonnets, paintbrush, larkspur,
etc. Also plant sweet pea seeds in November for better results in spring.
Mulch, mulch, mulch — 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.
With Halloween approaching, I will need volunteers for judging the contests for decorations and scarecrows.
Please contact me at [email protected] or 713-594-3543 if you would like to help. I would also like
to invite anyone interested in joining the beautification committee to contact me directly. I'm planning on
having our first meeting on Tuesday November 18th. We will discuss future projects as well as just throwing
some ideas around.
One more thing... Everyone can help keep our neighborhood beautiful, please be mindful of the problem we
have with trash. When you're walking or even driving, take a minute to stop and pick up what you can.
Halloween Decorating Contest is November 1st
The Beautification Committee will be visiting all three sections of Shepherd Forest on
Saturday November 1st to find the best and the scariest Halloween decorations.
One
house in each section will be awarded a $25 gift certificate from Cornelius Nursery. So bring
out your best Boo-abilia and show us your scariest stuff!
As always, thanks to
Cornelius/Calloway Nurseries for their generous contributions to the Yard of the Month
winners.
Shepherd Forest Fall Picnic a success!
There was a great turnout on September 21st for food and fun in Stonecrest Park. Timbergrove Fire
Department brought one of their trucks for all to see, and The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Speakers
Bureau sent their rodeo clowns and a not-quite-real bull for pictures. New participant Oak Forest Animal
Advocates was also there, and one of their fosters, a beautiful calico named Jade, found her new forever
home with a resident of Section 2. Board Member David Hille was at the grill, putting the “hot” on the dogs.
Of course these events do not happen without the help and generous donations of our local residents and
merchants. Please patronize our sponsors – they make this event possible. Thanks to all who participated.
HEB on 18th – hot dogs, buns, condiments
Dr. Gleem -- Petting Zoo
Aztec Rentals – tables and chairs
Valero @ 34TH St. – ice
Delores & Clyde Muske -- ice
Roznovsky’s -- Chips
Real Estate Report – New Faces, New Records
This month Shepherd Forest welcomed 8 new families – 3 in Section 1, 4 in
Section 2 and 1 in Section 3. As we continue to add new families to the
neighborhood we are also setting new records! Record sales prices, record
prices per square foot. This is a song being sung in most of the neighborhoods
in our area. Oak Forest has had two houses this year which have sold for over
a million dollars. Homes in the Heights are routinely selling for over $400 per
square foot. Nicely restored and renovated 2 bedroom 1 bath 1920s bungalows
are pushing the half-million dollar mark. Increases in sales prices are rising in
double digit percentages all around. Next month, we’ll talk about whether or not
we’re flirting with another housing bubble. But for now, since I was on vacation
last month and completely overestimated the availability of reliable internet in
Spain, let’s catch up with the activity in our awesome neck o’ the woods.
Right now, of the 13 houses on the market in Shepherd Forest, 10 are under contract! We would have 11
under contract, if it weren't for some pesky title issues, soon to be resolved. One house under contract in
Section 3 could set an all-time SF price record if it sells for anywhere near its list price of $559,000. Another
house in Section 1 is under contract with an asking price at $327 per square foot, also poised to set a SF
record. Due to the low inventory over the past few months, we've only had 5 sales within the past 60 days.
Average sold price was $243,000.
David Hille, Realtor & Shepherd Forest Resident
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Wishing a happy October birthday to Jan Hughes (10/23).
Blowing out the candles in early November will be Gerry Barbeau
(11/1), Ricardo Tristan (11/4), Lisa Nieto (11/5), Justin Alvarez
(11/6), Travis Holland (11/7), and Eva Kirten (11/15).
Congratulations to Clint Holland and his new bride, Renata, on their wedding September 20th 2014. They are
now making their home in Shepherd Park Plaza. Clint’s parents, Richard and Delinda Holland, are long-time
residents of Section 2.
If you have news of birthdays, new neighbors, illnesses, anniversaries, or any other news to share, please
update the SF Times by contacting the editor at 281-488-3216 or by e-mail [email protected]
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Thanks -- and a call for help!
As you know, this newsletter does not arrive at your home on its own. We are grateful
for the dedicated group of carriers who walk through the neighborhood every month,
delivering our news to your doorstep. We want to give special recognition to Joe
Jungbauer in Section 1 and Wanda Wisniewski in Section 2, who are “retiring” from
their routes this month. If you would like to deliver the SF Times in either of these two
sections, please let me know at the contact # above. It’s a great way to get some
exercise, meet your neighbors, and you can even walk your dog while you do it!
Do you have news we can use? Comments to make? Compliments or complaints? We welcome and
encourage your input! Call the Editor, Mary Lamb at 281-488-3216 or email:
[email protected]
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Visit our website: www.shepherdforest.org