HoustonHeights.org

March 2026

Neighbors!

I am so happy to welcome the arrival of spring to the Heights!

This time of year is magic. The sound of wind chimes on porches; the sight of neighbors on the trails; all those flowers coloring our neighborhood. Whatever it is, it reminds us why we’ve chosen to call this historic corner of Houston home.

🌿 To kick off the season of growth, I want to invite everyone to the Heights Garden Club Annual Plant & Seed Swap.

Whether you are a seasoned Master Gardener with a yard that belongs on a postcard or a novice just trying to keep a cactus alive, this event is for you. Our community thrives on the sharing of knowledge, stories, and—in this case—the literal seeds of our future harvests.

• When: Monday, March 9 from 6:30pm-8:00pm

• Where: Historic Houston Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th Street

• What to Bring: Labeled Plants, Seeds, Starts, Tools, Pots, Garden Ornaments or just your curiosity!

Cultivating Our Community

The Heights has always been more than just a collection of bungalows and quirky local shops; it is a living, breathing ecosystem. Just as a garden requires diverse plantings and careful tending, our neighborhood flourishes because of your involvement.

As you prune your hedges and prep your flower beds this month, I encourage you to also plant yourself in our community activities. Volunteer for a committee, subscribe to the Heights Constable Patrol Program, support our local businesses, or simply take a moment to greet a new neighbor or an old one, for that matter.

Let’s make this spring our most vibrant yet. I look forward to seeing your gardens (and your smiling faces) in full bloom.

Warmly,

Katye Tipton

HHA President

Join us for the 2026 Annual Plant & Seed Swap on Monday, March 9 at the Historic Houston Heights Fire Station! The evening kicks off with a Meet & Greet at 6:30pm, followed by the meeting kick-off at 7:00pm.

In addition to swapping plants and seeds, the Girl Scouts Troop 122211 will be on-site selling cookies—so bring some extra cash for a sweet treat! Sign in for a raffle ticket and stay for refreshments and community fun.

Future General Meeting Dates and Topics:

• Monday, April 13 - Land Use Discussion

• Monday, May 11 - Celebrating Houston Heights History
• Monday, June 8 - Pride Month Bingo
• Monday, July 13 - Great American Pie Contest
• August (Date to be determined) - HHA Goes to the Alley Theatre
• Monday, September 14 - 9th Annual Greater Heights School Choice Fair
• Monday, October 12 - HHA Board of Directors Candidate Speeches
• Monday, November 9 - HHA Business Members Showcase
• Monday, December 14 - Holiday Event & Annual Toy Drive

👏🏼🏆 CONGRATULATIONS! 🏆👏🏼

Volunteer Appreciation & Community Improvement Award Winners

Gus Kopriva - 

Citizen of the Year

Bumble Bee Blinds -  Corporate Citizen of the Year

Brian Richard - 

Marcella Perry Award

Dee Melancon - 

Lauriel Hindman Legacy Award

Brit Vora - 

2025 Presidents Award

Hannah White - 

Tireless Champion Award

Jordan Chismar - 

Rising Star Award

Donna & Jim Bennett - 

Pioneer Award

Emmanuel Nunez - 

Spirit of the Heights Award

Rubena Gracia - 

Jim Bennett Boulevard Award

The Furnish-Ruiz Family: Meredith, Francisco, Isaac & Gabriel - 

Family Spirit Award

Residential New Construction

2052 Cortlandt

Stasi and Damian Ogier

Commercial New Construction

Hotel Daphne

Residential Renovation

301 E 5th St / 508 Cortlandt

Donna and Jim Bennett

Commercial Renovation

Padre's

Step into the neighborhood's most anticipated season at the 2026 Houston Heights Spring Home & Garden Tour! Scheduled for Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, this beloved tradition invites you to explore a curated selection of six stunning homes and gardens. From meticulously restored historic gems to modern architectural marvels, the tour offers a rare look at the creative spirit and diverse design that define the Heights.

The experience runs from 12:00pm to 6:00pm both days, with convenient shuttles departing regularly from the Historic Houston Heights Fire Station at 107 W. 12th St. Whether you’re looking for renovation inspiration or a beautiful weekend stroll, there is something for everyone to enjoy as we celebrate the unique character of our community.

Tickets are available online for $40.00 plus a processing fee. Your purchase directly supports the Houston Heights Association’s ongoing efforts in community projects, local park maintenance, and neighborhood beautification. Don't miss this chance to see some of the most beautiful spaces in the Heights!

The final round of community engagement for the Greater Heights Strategic Connections Plan is officially underway, and your input is needed to help shape the future of our neighborhood! Led by the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority, this community-focused initiative aims to make traveling through the Heights safer and more efficient—whether you are walking, biking, driving, or taking transit.

During this final phase, the project team is sharing a list of Recommended Projects designed to improve day-to-day trips for everyone. This is your opportunity to review these plans and let the planners know if these projects meet the needs of your community.

How to Get Involved

You can provide your feedback in person at one of three local events this month, or participate online at your convenience:

In-Person Events:

• Sunday, March 8 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM): Heights Farmer’s Market (MKT Trail @ Heights Blvd)

• Thursday, March 19 (6:30 PM): Super Neighborhood 22 Meeting (1217 Morin Pl.)

• Sunday, March 22 (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM): Soundscapes on the Trail (701 Yale St.)

Online Participation: If you can’t make it to an event, you can still make your voice heard! Visit mhraconnects.com to review the projects and complete the online survey. The digital portal remains open through March 27. Please share this link with your neighbors, friends, and local community groups to ensure all voices are represented.

Stay proactive about neighborhood safety by joining the 2026 Heights Constable Patrol Program, which is officially on sale now for $385 per household providing you coverage through January 31, 2027. Your support of this program is vital to our community, as it allows dedicated patrols and rapid response times that ensure an extra layer of security for you and your neighbors. By participating, you are directly investing in the peace of mind and well-being of the entire Heights area. To secure your subscription for the year or to find more details about how these patrols protect our streets, please visit houstonheights.org/constable. 

The Houston Heights Association is looking for dedicated volunteers to help lead the work that keeps our neighborhood strong and connected for 2026. We are currently seeking individuals to serve in the following leadership roles next year:

• Sponsorship Chair

• Business Member Committee Members

• Heights Constable Patrol Committee Members

• Membership Committee Members 

If you care about the future of the Heights and want to give back in a meaningful way, we’d be grateful to have you step forward. Please email hhabusinessmanager@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these opportunities or if you have questions about how you might serve.

March Yard of the Month

Congratulations to Joanne and Ron Starbuck of 2053 Cortlandt Street, our March Yard of the Month winners! Their garden features showstopping spring azaleas and creative resilience, including salvaged Sycamore stumps repurposed as planters for Texas Red Yuccas after Hurricane Beryl. To see more photos of this beautiful landscape and a full list of their butterfly-attracting plants, click the button below to learn more!

The Business Corner:

Local Opportunities

One of the many perks of being an HHA Business Member is our commitment to supporting local growth; we are happy to help our members find talented new associates by sharing job opportunities directly with our community. If you are a HHA Business Member and you have a job listing that you would like us to share, please email hhabusinessmanager@gmail.com.

Bumble Bee Blinds of Houston Heights is growing! After a successful 2025, they are looking for a creative, energetic, and sales-oriented Sales Design Consultant to join their small, yet mighty team. You’ll work side-by-side with the owner to provide a 5-star experience for residential and commercial clients—and eventually get the keys to the unforgettable Bumble Bee Blinds van.

• How to Apply: Email an intro and your resume or LinkedIn profile to bb144@bumblebeeblinds.com.

• Subject Line: Please use "Bumble Bee HHA Listing".

Join the Houston Heights Association for a community blood drive on Tuesday, March 24 from 10:00am to 2:15pm at the historic Houston Heights Fire Station. As a thank you for your life-saving contribution, every donor will receive a sleek Gulf Coast Blood power bank to keep your devices charged. Appointments are preferred to help manage the flow, so please click the button below to schedule your time at giveblood.org or contact emily@houstonheights.org with any questions.

Individual and Household Members

Joyce I Worthington
Sonda Watts
Susan Purcell
Wui Heng
Kelly Simmons
David Stracener
Amy Peevey
Rober and Lana Brown
Matt Steinheider
Ingo Rumohr
Sally Munoz
Sarah Cherington
Sergio Oquendo
Eleonora Kuruc
Kendra Bridges
Nancy Hosman
Kelly Wilson
Sheryl Kolasinski
Mark Mundey
Jessica Little
Ed Lehotsky

Ralph Herring
Jacquelyn Barish
Stephanie Shirley

Susanna Allen
Michael Twomey
Dawn & Josh English
Teresa A Botkin
Megan Pallister
Robert Nadolny
Cheryl Ursin
Linda Deitz
Elizabeth Kellam
Veronica Saenz
Dawn Babcock
Andrea Holberg
Oliver Nava
Donna Bedford
Ed Lehotsky
Audra Williams
Gregory DeJarnett
David Genova
Connie Ames
Maxine Olefsky
Leslie Moon

les dupre
Patricia Huey
Curtis Carlson

Diane Webb
Wendy Mixon
Brianne Metzger-Doran
Ashish Mahendru
Gary & Maureen Hall
Neil Crawford
Jason Goodwin
Dena Dahu
Benjamin Alcala
Tad Fichtel
Rex Coates
Edward Guthrie
Rives Taylor
Belinda Ambrose
Steven Jugle
Simon Eyles
Stuart Wagner
Rebecca Adams
Blanca Avery
Jones Devlin
Deborah Hasou
Brittany Shattuck
Susan Guidry

Business Members

City Church Houston
Queen Bee's Tea Room
Bespoke by GJCD/Bungalow Revival
Tutu School Heights
Mahendru PC
Texas Residential Specialists
Jubilee
RYDE
Alma Fajitas&Ritas

DONATIONS

Ville Kivela - Heights Boulevard Beautification Project
Jones Devlin - Heights Boulevard Beautification Project
Ville Kivela - HHA General Donation
Jackson Murrey-Ittmann - Reimagine Donovan Park
Jeffrey T Rachlin - Reimagine Donovan Park
Kelsey Latham - Reimagine Donovan Park
david p chaney - Reimagine Donovan Park
Amanda Dooley - Reimagine Donovan Park
New Heights Coffee Roasters - Reimagine Donovan Park
Anya Marmuscak - Reimagine Donovan Park
Jessica Little - Reimagine Donovan Park
Amanda Dooley - Reimagine Donovan Park
Krista Robinson - Reimagine Donovan Park
Jennie Biggs - Reimagine Donovan Park

Heights Constable Patrol Program

Register for the 2026 Heights Constable Patrol Program

Donate to Help Us Reimagine
Donovan Park

SPRING SPONSORS