Mandell Place Civic Association

SECURITY INFORMATION

§ January 23rd, 2010 § Filed under Security § No Comments

The eyes and ears of all Mandell Place residents are the most thorough means of keeping our neighborhood safe. If you see or hear anything unusual, please call the Houston Police Dept. (HPD) non-emergency number 713-884-3131. Store this number in your cell phone and have it near a phone in your house.

The post below was forwarded by HPD Officer Wayne Pate. It sheds some light on how criminal minds work and how we might make our homes and daily lives safer. The information was provided by convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , and Kentucky ; security consultant Chris McGoey, who runs crimedoctor.com; and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis , who interviewed 105 burglars for his book Burglars on the Job

THINGS A BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … And taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.

10. Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11. Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

12. You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com.)

8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU:

1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

3. I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.

4. I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

5. I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.

7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.

8. If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.

River Oaks Examiner – Deed Restrictions Article

§ January 13th, 2010 § Filed under Community Comments Off

This article appeared in the ’River Oaks Examiner’ on 1/11/10. It is an interesting commentary regarding WAMM, the adjacent neighborhood east of Mandell Place, and deed restrictions. The author, Clifford Pugh, a weekly columnist for the ‘Examiner’ since April 2009, is a resident of WAMM. Link: ‘Cliff notes: Of deed restrictions and parking lots’. Copyright © 2010 – Houston Community Newspapers Online

Kipling Street Academy

§ January 8th, 2010 § Filed under Community § Tagged Community § No Comments

map The owner of Kipling Street Academy has purchased the lot at the southeast corner of Kipling and Mulberry and plans to tear down the apartment complex there to expand her daycare facility that is located next door. On the one hand, this is great news because the apartment complex was causing a lot of problems for Mandell Place residents. On the other hand, the lot will be re-platted from residential to commercial property, eroding the residential feel of the neighborhood a little bit more. The owner is currently in the process of re-platting the property in order to combine it with 1425 Kipling to form one large commercial property. Since the previous property owner opted out of WAMM’s (West Alabama Montrose Mulberry Civic Association) recent deed restrictions, there is nothing preventing the approval of the re-plat. WAMM, which is directly to the east of Mandell Place, voted last night to write a letter to the owner supporting this change. The hearing with the Planning Commission will be held at the City Hall Annex on January 21, 2010. Attendance is open to the public.

MANDELL PLACE ‘TOP 10′ PARTY – 01/10/10

§ January 2nd, 2010 § Filed under Fun, Meetings Comments Off

The Mandell Place Civic Association is having a party on January 10, 2010 celebrating Montrose’s selection as one of the TOP TEN great neighborhoods in America. Join your neighbors at 1602 Harold (side street gate entrance) Sunday evening from 5-7 for drinks and light appetizers! Feel free to bring your favorite snack to share. The party will also kick off the 2010 membership drive. You may pay your dues at the party Sunday. Let’s start the year off with a bang!

Montrose Among Top 10 Great Places in America!

§ January 1st, 2010 § Filed under Uncategorized § No Comments

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The American Planning Association has unveiled the top 30 places to live in America and wouldn’t you know it, Montrose is listed among the top 10 neighborhoods! Our neighborhood was the only neighborhood in Texas that was selected. To read about their selection criteria and their article on our neighborhood, click here. Other articles that highlight this news: Houston Press, Fox Houston, Dallas Voice

menil park

East End Management District Getting Sidewalks

§ October 7th, 2009 § Filed under Uncategorized § No Comments

The Greater East End Management District announced that it has been awarded $5 million in stimulus funds for bringing sidewalks to city standards along Navigation, York and Sampson in the East End. The improvements will also include lighting, striping, benches, plantings, transit shelters and ramps.

For those who might not know, we have recently become a part of the newly created West Montrose Management District. The hope is that we can get some of the same attention that this district has received. Here is an except from the Houston Chronicle about our new management district:

The West Montrose Management District also has a proposed inaugural board of directors and its service and assessment plan is in place, reflecting those of its east Montrose counterpart, which has 11 board members.

The west district will have only five, but “there’s some overlap” that would facilitate unification of the districts, Hawes said.

All directors are volunteers and either property owners or agents of property owners.

The east district’s budget for 2009 is $453,000, based on 2008 property valuations, Hawes said.

If legislation passes, west Montrose businesses will be assessed 12.5 cents per $100 valuation.

A four-component service and assessment plan operational in the district’s eastern half would be extended into the district’s western half if the legislation passes, Hawes said.

The service plan includes public safety, business development, transportation and visual promotion.

“In public safety, (we would have) off-duty patrol officers patrolling the area, as they already do in East Montrose,” Hawes said. “We have a vehicle and they patrol and we are already seeing great effects from that.

“We work closely with (Houston Police Department) vice squads and gang task force.”

Business development is achieved through marketing the nonresidential business area, Hawes said, and transportation planning will pay close attention to opportunities and challenges afforded by Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County’s proposed light-rail line on Richmond Avenue.

Parking plan

“We’re working with St. Thomas University in coming up with a parking plan,” Hawes said. “We want people to be cognizant of the vitality of these commercial developments and businesses without negative affects.

“We just hired Walter P. Moore to do a mobility assessment for parking, streets, curbs, pedestrian walkways and we’re doing that right now.”

The fourth area of visual promotion focuses on public right of ways and thoroughfares, but from an aesthetic viewpoint aimed at improving the area’s landscaping, lighting, esplanades and pedestrian crosswalks and business access.

“We’re not here to replace city and county services,” Hawes said. “We’re trying to be the glue that brings the community together to speak as one voice.”

Though only commercial enterprises are assessed or targeted for improvements, the districts end up benefiting residents, visitors and customers, he said.

“Everyone benefits from higher values and a higher caliber of commercial development, areas where people want to walk and spend money,” Hawes said.

2009 National Night Out

§ September 29th, 2009 § Filed under Fun, Meetings § No Comments

Texas participates in 2009 National Night Out on October 6th. Residents of Mandell Place are invited to join your neighbors at 1504 Harold Street from 6-8 pm. Mandell Place Civic Association will provide beverages. You are encouraged to bring a favorite snack to share. A representative from the Houston Police Department will provide information about keeping our neighborhood safe.

2009 National Night Out is the 26th anniversary of a campaign involving citizens, law enforcement, civic groups, businesses and local officials in an effort to: heighten crime prevention; generate interest and partcipation in anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals that our neighborhood is organized.

Come out Tuesday, October 6th, to visit with your neighbors and participate in making Mandell Place a great place to live.

2010 MPCA Board of Directors Election

§ September 29th, 2009 § Filed under Elected Officials, Meetings § No Comments

Election of the Mandell Place Board of Directors will be held in November. Board member positions are president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. Candidates are nominated through a committee organized in October. If you would like to participate in the nominating committee, contact a current member of the MPCA board or sign up at the 10/06/2009 National Night Out meeting at 1504 Harold from 6-8 pm. Nominations are also accepted from the floor at the general election in November. Residents of MPCA must be current on membership dues in order to run for a board position or vote in the election. 2009 dues are accepted up to the time of the election. The 2010 elections will be held in the Bering United Methodist Church. The election date and time will be determined at the end of October. Residents will be notified via email. Check the MPCA website for election details, as well.

2009 Houston Greek Festival

§ September 16th, 2009 § Filed under Fun § No Comments

The 43rd annual Greek Festival is October 1st through 4th, Thursday through Sunday. The festival is one of Houston’s best outdoor events during some of our best weather. The festival is centered around the esplanade at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex (map) four blocks east of Mandell Place. Yoakum Street is blocked off between Kipling and Harold with plenty of tented and open air seating/dining. The festival features authentic Greek cuisine including dinner plates ($10.00), ala carte food and pastries ($1.00 to $6.50). Enjoy Greek music, folk dancing, church tours and gift shopping. It’s a great place for a casual dinner (you can buy glasses or bottles of wine) while listening to Greek music and people watching. Lunch is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $5.00 but free before 5:00p Friday and for children under 12. Enjoy one of Houston’s best festival events within walking distance from our neighborhood. More information is available at http://www.greekfestival.org/about.html Opa!

Lawn Tips from Carol Wolk

§ September 4th, 2009 § Filed under Gardens & Lawns § No Comments

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