President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Architectural Control

Citizens Patrol

Constable Patrol Coordinator

Deed Restrictions

Entrance Bed Maintenance

Greeters

Historian

Hospitality

Membership

Parks/DRT/PIP Liaison

Publicity/Pulse Advertising

Website Publisher

Section 1 Rep.

Section 2 Rep.

Section 3 Rep.

Section 4 Rep.

Garden Club Rep.

Plaza Moms Co-Rep.

Men’s Group Rep. Pulse Editor

- -

Pulse Co-Editor

New to the neighborhood?

Contact Shannon Zierau at

713-775-0307 or

szierau@yahoo.com so we can

welcome you officially.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR 2019

Are you new to Shepherd Park Plaza? Want to know more about our great neighborhood?

There are plenty of social opportunities and clubs to keep residents of all ages busy in

2019. The list below is just a few, and while all the dates haven’t been set, keep these fun

events in mind as you plan your year.

Spring Business Meeting (usually in March or April). You can learn about the volunteers

that are on the Civic Club Board and find out about the clubs and groups in the area.

Crawfish Boil (usually April or May). This is an elbow shoving, down & dirty, mudbug event

you won’t want to miss.

Backyard Garden Tour (April 7th). This event held every other year is a great chance to

see the hidden gems behind the gates and fences of our residents’ lovely yards!

Neighborhood Garage Sale (usually in April). We’ll put out signs and get an ad in the Leader

so you can clean out your kids’ closet, the garage or the attic for a little spending money.

Easter Yard Decorating awards (the week or so before Easter). This is a chance to show

your crafting or decorating skills by displaying that giant bunny or big Easter eggs or blow-

up figures.

July 4th—Plaza Moms July 4th Parade. This is one event not to be missed. The kids are

enthusiastic about showing their nation’s colors with bikes, flags, fun clothes, sparkling

hats, pom poms and decorated wagons. All are welcome to participate or enjoy the parade

from the sidelines.

Oktoberfest (Usually on a Friday night in September or October). This event is packed

with family fun stuff! Contests, music, costumes, crafts and good food!

Halloween Decorating Awards (Late October). Whether your lean toward the scary or the

silly, decorate your front yard to delight the kids when they go by.

Fall Decorating Awards (November). Squeezed in between Halloween and Christmas,

residents have another chance to show off their yard-decorating skills highlighting Fall.

Wine & Craft Beer Crawl (Late November or December). A fun fundraiser for the

Constable Program.

Christmas Decorating Awards (Mid-December). This is the BIG ONE! Neighbors, streets

and cul-de-sacs go all-out for these coveted awards for colorful, whimsical, shiny, musical

and religious decorations. And oh the ARCHES!

And don’t forget all the great events for Durham Elementary, the Civic

Club meetings, the Garden Club, the Men’s Group and Plaza Moms.

2

CITY OF HOUSTON CONNECT

Have you ever wondered how to contact particular Departments at the City of Houston? This new section of the Pulse should give you some direction. Check back frequently, as new items may be added. The main number is 713-837-0311. Website—www.houstontx.gov/ City Ordinances—www.houstontx.gov/codes/ Non-emergency concerns (street issues, traffic signal problems, fire hydrant issues). http://hfdapp.houstontx.gov/311/index.php or Dial 3-1-1. There is also a mobile phone app for this. Permit questions—www.houstonpermittingcenter.org/ Interactive map (to find information about your City Council district, police department, solid waste schedule)—http://mycity.houstontx.gov/public CenterPoint Energy has a new website to report street lights that are out at http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/sloreporting/

Rollout Houston!—check out the app for figuring out the COH trash pickup schedule.

Report a pothole at http://www.houstontx.gov/potholes/

Street sign down? Traffic light blinking? Tree limb down over the street? The City of Houston has a dedicated phone line for these types of non-emergency related issues. You can dial 3-1-1 from any land or cellular line or you can download the app to your SmartPhone.

Speaking of Trash NOT Recycling….

The City has two Environmental Service Centers where

hazardous materials and electronics can be taken. The North

unit at 5614 Neches is open on the second Thursday from 9:00

a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and accepts batteries, aerosols, antifreeze,

pool chemicals, telephone equipment, TVs, tires, paint, motor

oil, lawn equipment, microwaves, fluorescent bulbs, fertilizer,

fuel, electronic scrap, cooking oil, small appliances, styrofoam

blocks, printers, and solvents. Complete details can be found

at http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/esc.html

Residential electronic devices should not be placed in your

black or green rolling bins or in curbside heavy trash collection.

They can be taken to a variety of drop-off locations. Complete

details are available at http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/

electronics_recycling.html

RECYCLING UPDATE

On 1/11/19, the City of Houston updated its recycling collection schedule temporarily. All recycling for Shepherd Park Plaza (known as Monday & Tuesday B-week Curbside Recycling) is now scheduled for specific Saturdays as noted on the City of Houston website. As of the time of printing of this publication, the February revised scheduled had NOT been released. This is

for the GREEN recycling bin.

Because of the frequent changes recently and uncertainty of a firm schedule please www.Houstontx.gov/solidwaste for more information or call 3-1-1. You can also go to www.facebook.com/houstonsolidwaste.

January Yards of the Month

Section 1:

1110 Curtin

Corley Walters

Section 3:

1002 Cheshire

Angela & Matt

Hoover

Section 2:

935 Chantilly

Lori Wheeler

Section 4:

1041 Richelieu

Vastine Hightower

Are you new to Shepherd Park Plaza and want to start 2019 with a bang? There are several groups and lots of volunteer

opportunities. Check out the Plaza Moms Group, the Garden Club and the Men’s Group just to name a few. The Civic Club

volunteers play a big role in keeping this great neighborhood rolling, and we are always looking for new volunteers to help with

Event Planning (Crawfish boil, Oktoberfest, Christmas Decorating judging). Right now, we’re looking for someone to take over

the Pulse publication in 2020. Not sure where to go? Check out our website for the links to various groups. Happy New

CALLING VOLUNTEERS! We need someone to coordinate this year ’s Spr ing Neighborhood Garage Sale (date to be

determined). If you want to lead this project, please email the Pulse editor from the SPP website. Duties involve tracking the homes

that are participating, putting out signs the morning of the sale, and getting an ad in The Leader.

THE SPP GARDEN TOUR IS BACK!

In 2017, the SPP Garden Club hosted its first Backyard Garden Tour and it was a great success! So

they’ve been preparing for the 2nd Tour scheduled for April 7th. We are currently looking for SPP

residents that would be interested in showcasing their unique and special backyards for our

tour. The Backyard Garden Tour is a one day event that allows our neighbors and others in the

community to enjoy our neighborhood spirit, meet new people, and share in the beauty of

gardening. This year the Backyard Garden Tour will benefit SPP Garden Club Beautification

Projects, SPP Constable Program, and Durham Elementary Special Projects. If you are interested in

sharing your backyard for the tour please contact Julie Hetrick at 281-748-8126.

PRESIDENT’S DAY TRIVIA

George Washington was the 1st President & on the $1 bill.

Future Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson signed

the Declaration of Independence.

Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, William McKinley & John

F. Kennedy were assassinated while in office. Another 6

nearly perished in assassination attempts.

Mount Rushmore in South Dakota has the carved likenesses

of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln

and Theodore Roosevelt.

December 2018

Property Found…1 Contract checks...88 Disturbance/Loud Noise…1

Follow-Up...1 Miles Patrolled...4177 Special Assignment...17

Writ...3 Meet the Citizen…261 Theft Other...3

Suspicious Vehicle...6 Suspicious Persons...3 Theft residence...2

Alarm...3 Traffic Hazard...1 Open Door/Window...2

Information call...3 Park Checks...6 Other...6

Vacation Watch...62 Meet the Officer...4 ****************************************

Calls handled by Deputy Constable

*Figures are for entire contract including SPP and Candlelight Plaza

Vacation Watch registry (1 week in advance)...http://pct1constable.net/sign-up/vacation-watch/

Sign up for the Constable Office’s Newsletter...http://pct1constable.net/sign-up then click Newsletter

Durham Elementary News

February brings exciting events to Durham Elementary!

Everyone is invited to our Great Thinker’s Expo on Thursday, February 21st at 5:30 p.m. Many of our students will share their

research and findings on a variety of self-chosen topics. You’re in for a treat as these young scholars present their passion

projects in various formats.

Want to help your local school while eating a yummy meal? Durham PTA partners with local restaurants for Spirit Nights.

When you mention Durham at checkout, we’ll receive a portion of the proceeds. These fundraisers help us provide needed

items for the school such as computers, STEAM tools, and continuing education for our teachers. Join us on Wednesday,

February 13th from 5:00 -8:00 p.m. at Chick-fil-A (925 North Loop W - by Home Depot) and Shipley Do-Nuts on Saturday,

March 2nd from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 noon. (3410 Ella Blvd). A big thank you to these local business for their support of our

school!

SAVE THE DATE! Come celebrate 50 years of Durham Elementary School. We’re throwing a classic birthday party for our

school on Saturday, April 6th with cake, games, and lots of fun all at no charge. Signup at www.DurhamTurns50.com to receive

news and updates about the celebration.

If you want to know when crime happens

in our area, consider signing up with

Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s

Office to receive crime alerts via email

or text. Please make sure to select our

neighborhood when signing up for this

service. Click the link below to learn

more about this service.

Crime Alert Sign up with Precinct 1:

http://pct1constable.net/sign-up/crime-alerts/

Don’t forget your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day, which is Thursday, February 14th. Whether you prefer flowers,

a sports outing, chocolate, jewelry, a fancy meal, a night on the town or a concert, or fun plans with the kids, we

hope it’s a good one spent with the one you love.

Citizens Patrol Stats

Prepared by Deborah DeBram & Katherine Peale

SHEPHERD PARK PLAZA CITIZENS PATROL WELCOMES VOLUNTEERS!

The Houston Police Department is concerned about crime in the neighborhoods and communities

throughout the city. In response, the Citizen Patrol Program was established in an effort to bring the

citizens and the police department together for a common goal, and that is to improve the quality of

life by eliminating crime. You can become a volunteer by signing up today! Contact Deborah

DeBram or Katherine Peale at 713-812-7626 or algebrakp@aol.com for more information.

The Citizen Patrol Program is designed to provide a means for citizens to organize into patrol

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. The value of

police/citizen cooperation is well illustrated by the success of the Citizen Patrol Program.

The winner of the $10 random drawing is August Galiano. Patrollers who turn in at least 4 driving hours by the 5th of the month are

eligible for this drawing. We need volunteers. Training is just a few hours and you can be on your way to helping us protect the

neighborhood.

The Shepherd Park Plaza Garden Club met at the end of January at the wildlife habitat garden of Lauren Jansen Simpson on

Thornton over in Oak Forest for a tour. On February 11th, we will meet at Barbara Raines’ lovely home on Chamboard, and on

March 11th, we are planning a potting event at the home of Julie Hetrick also on Chamboard. Planning is in the works to hold a

neighborhood Backyard Tour in the spring.

Shepherd Park Plaza Garden Club is open to all SPP residents who pay Civic Club and Garden Club dues, whether green thumb

or brown. Meetings and outings are held monthly throughout the school year. For information about any of our events, please

reach out to Colette Robichau 713-201-3322 crobichau@comcast.net

YARD OF THE MONTH:

Congratulations to Gina Gollub! She is the January Garden Club yard of the month

recipient. Gina has been in the neighborhood for about a year and she is new to Garden

Club. Her front beds contain wax leaf ligustrum shaped into rounded trees, loropetalum,

Indian Hawthorne and boxwoods. Additionally, foxtail ferns, Texas skullcaps, Greggs

mist flower and blackfoot daisies add to the beauty of the front yard. Congratulations!

CRIME REMINDER

If you are a victim of a crime, report it to the Constable. Even if you make a report to HPD, report it to the Constable as well

since they have a history of retrieving stolen items. Call the Constable’s Office at 713-755-7628.

Volunteers Needed

***CORRECTION – PLEASE NOTE THE NEW DATE***

February Social – Couples Mixer

Saturday, February 16th, 8:00pm - 11:00pm @ 1003 Cheshire

Call the sitter! It’s time for the Annual Plaza Moms Society and Shepherd Park Plaza Beer Club

joint Couples Mixer. Join us for a delicious Italian dinner and drinks – it is Valentine’s weekend

after all! Look for more details on our FB page and at http://groupspaces.com/PlazaMoms/

** Purchase tickets options**

The cost is $10 per couple. Space is limited 60 people - 40 Plaza Mom tickets (20 couples) and 20

Beer Club tickets (10 couples). Drop off your check or cash (reference your last name) at 4711

Golf or pay via Group Spaces. Space is limited so RSVP today!

March Ladies Night Out

Thursday, March 7h, 8:00 pm – 10:00pm @ Cottonwood

Take your own Spring Break with the ladies of Plaza Moms. We will be heading to Cottonwood

for some drinks and some adult time. We look forward to seeing you there!

Note: There is a no March Social due to Spring Break.

Donuts with Dad

Saturday, March 23rd, 9:00am – 10:00am @ Shepherd Park Playground

Join us for Donuts with Dad at the park. Bring the whole family! Plaza moms will provide

donuts, coffee, juice, and water. Plus there will be some fun games to play!

New Plaza Moms Officers Needed for the 2019/20 School Year

Would you like to be more involved in Plaza Moms? Well you are in luck as we are looking for some new fresh faces to replace those

of us that are finishing up our terms as Plaza Moms Officers in August. We would love to have you join us! If you are interested

please don’t hesitate to reach out at our next Social or via Facebook.

Join Plaza Moms Today!

Pay your dues online at http://groupspaces.com/PlazaMoms/ - 2018/19 dues are $35 per school year and can be paid online or at our

next event via cash or check. Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/plazamoms

*Note: All Plaza Moms events as well as our FB page will be members only again this year. We wouldn’t want you to miss out on all of

the fun, so join/renew your membership today!

Volunteers Needed

If you would like to volunteer for these events, please contact us via email or Facebook. Volunteer opportunities are available for

prep well before the event date, set-up before the event begins, help during the event and take down after each event.

Jan 27 28 29

30 31 Feb 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22

23

24 25 26

27 28 Mar 1 2

Important Numbers Police/Fire: 911 City Helpline: 311

Citizens Patrol

713-812-7626

Deed Restrictions

713-316-5255

Plaza Moms

281-216-3452

New Neighbor/Greeter

713-775-0307

Garden Club

713-201-3322

Architectural Guidelines

713-316-5255

Plaza Pulse News

713-316-9688

SPP Historian

713-851-3000

Traffic & Safety

713-681-7479

Constable Dispatch

713-755-7628

SPP Membership

713-338-2989

City Liaison

713-688-7979

Pulse Advertising

713-688-0574 or 713-681-3600

Men’s Group

832-623-4268 HPD

713-884-3131

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

30 Febr uary 2019 SPP CALENDAR

HEAVY

JUNK Waste

SPPCC

Board Mtg

Reminder about Heavy Trash: Our heavy trash pickup is the 3rd

Thursday of each month. Tree waste is picked up in ODD months, and

Junk waste in the EVEN months.

Although the City of Houston’s website doesn’t indicate a change in

Heavy Tree Waste/Junk pickup, these items are not being picked up on

schedule.

President’s Day

Garden Club Meeting

Please check www.HoustonTX/gov and click on Recycling Schedule Update for information on the REVISED/

TEMPORARY recycling schedule. SPP is Monday & Tuesday, B-Week in the Recycle Schedule.

Shepherd Park Plaza Civic Club

P. O. Box 10453

Houston, TX 77206

www.ShepherdParkPlaza.com