Renovation Celebration at Mandell Park

Save the date for August 21st!

Nearby Mandell Park has been undergoing renovation since this past February and they are pleased to be celebrating its completion on Thursday, August 21 with a "Renovation Celebration." This project was made possible through fundraising of over $1 million by Friends of Mandell Park and will feature a larger organic community garden (known as Meredith Gardens), a compost station, a lovely tree-lined area for relaxation and a garden center (made out of a recycled shipping container!).

This is an excellent example of an urban green space within the city, and we are happy that it is a Neartown retreat for Winlow Place residents.

Details about the grand opening and celebration:

• Thursday, August 21 from 9am – 10:30am
• Located at the corner of Richmond and Mandell
• Free and open to the public; refreshments will be served
• Special guests Mayor Parker and Houston Parks and Recreation Department Director Joe Turner are expected to attend

– Thanks to Kay Warhol for passing along information regarding this upcoming event!

Construction on Shepherd Drive

You might have noticed that construction recently started on Shepherd Drive around August 4th. Our President, Russel Garrison, was able to attend a meeting regarding this portion of the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Attached to this blog post are two items he collected: a map and FAQ that you might find helpful in answering questions related to this work.

High-level summary:

• This project will be completed in 3 phases over 370 days (through August 9, 2015) and will include new underground utilities as well as new pavement/pavement repair
• The project begins on Shepherd at the intersection of Avalon and moves south to Westheimer; then Westheimer to McDuffie; then they move back up to the intersection at Avalon and proceed north to Chilton
• Details of the three phases are outlined below:
  • Phase 1 includes closure of the south-bound lanes (west side of Shepherd Drive) from August 4, 2014 – January 11, 2015
  • Phase 2 includes closure of the center section of Shepherd Drive from January 12, 2015 – March 26, 2015
  • Phase 3 includes closure of the north-bound lanes (east side of Shepherd Drive) from March 27, 2015 – August 8, 2015
• It is focusing on 400-800 feet of roadway at a time
• Work takes place 24/7 (no off-days), generally from 7am-7pm
• Download the map
• Download the FAQ

Again, please review the map and FAQ for any additional questions regarding the project, or reach out to your Winlow Place Board for items uncovered in those documents.

– by Caroline Garry

A Fond Farewell

Dear Winlow Place Residents,

Please join us in thanking long-time resident Donia Caspersen for all of her years – decades – as a resident of Winlow Place, and for many years of dedicated service to our neighborhood (most recently as block captain). She is moving from the home where she has lived on Kipling for the better half of the past century. She served as a former officer and was an instrumental force in getting several projects in Winlow Place completed, always with a great attitude and genuine concern for our residents and their needs.

With sincere gratitude, we wish Donia well in her new abode. She will be dearly missed.

– Winlow Place Board and Officers

Timeless Traditions

We are lucky to have Argo Georgandis, our Historian, living in our neighborhood. She has family roots in Winlow Place dating back decades, as illustrated by the collection of her photo documentation below. These images tell both a story of time and place, but also a story of strength, perseverance and preservation of our beautiful inner-loop neighborhood over the years.

Above: 1824 Marshall – Then (early 1950s) and Now (2014).

To begin, it is telling to look at the above photographs of 1824 Marshall then – and now. As many of the homes in Winlow Place, to this day 1824 Marshall stands proudly, well-maintained and still showcases details dating back to original construction, such as the brick detail on the façade. Built in 1935, the home would be only about 18 years old at the time of the photograph on the left. The modern (2014) photograph on the right is almost a mirror image of the original, with exception of improved color/digital photography!

Left: 1828 Marshall as an empty lot with 1824 Marshall in the background.
Center: 1828 Marshall as an empty lot with 1819 and 1821 Marshall in the background.
Right: 4-plex built in the 1950s on the 1828 Marshall lot by Dick George, still standing today.

Those who live in Winlow Place know that to the left of 1824 Marshall now stands a 4-plex. See the "then and now" photos above. Argo has shared details of how this was actually an empty lot for quite some time, as late as the early 1950s. The 4-plex was originally built by Dick George who constructed 1823 Kipling in the early 1950s as well (shown to the right). 1823 Kipling is documented as being built in 1952. Dick George went on to build several large complexes on "Mid-Lane" Street between Westheimer and San Felipe as well as other parts of Houston in the 50s and 60s.

Above: Another Winlow Place Dick George project – 1823 Kipling.

A Drive Down Memory Lane:

In addition to color photography, it's safe to say that our automobiles have changed significantly since the beginnings of our neighborhood. Just check out this Buick! Not quite the same type of car you'd see on the roads with today's hybrid and electric cars! Who would have thought...

Below are a few more "then and now" photos. First, one of Argo's grandfather, Marvolis Damiris, taken in 1957 with 1825 Marshall in the background. The architectural details of 1825 Marshall are largely the same to this day thanks so the diligence of its owners – a few modifications to the front with a lovely stained glass window on the center second floor and updated front door, but notice how a large number of the home's original details still remain.

Above: 1950s Buick.

Above: 1825 Marshall – Then (1957) and Now (2014).

Above: 1959 Snow Day!

As you know, Houston is not one for winter wonderlands, but just for the record, there was a full-on snow day in 1959 – just look at Argo and Simos Georgandis in a snow-covered front yard!

Many thanks to Argo for sharing these family photos to document a piece of Winlow Place history. We are dedicated, as a neighborhood, to ensure that there are many, many more decades ahead.

– by Argo Georgandis and Caroline Garry

Winlow Goes Green!

As you know, we are excited to have been chosen for the City's Automated Recycling Program! By now, you should have all received the 96-gallon green cart to replace the smaller bins we previously used. It's roughly the same size/capacity as the regular garbage bin.

The best part is, it's a way more convenient method for storing recyclables as it fits more, accepts more types of recycled material and is easy to roll out to the curb for pick-up. There is no need for residents to sort recyclable prior to placing them in the bin.

Please see the list printed on the lid of the bin for details as to what can go into the container. One of the biggest changes is that this bin accepts glass (so no more trips to recycle glass only!).

A list of approved items is on the lid.

The City’s website lists these items as approved for recycling:

• Newspaper
• Plastic Containers #1 - 5 and 7
  (rinsed and drained)
• Magazines
• Aluminum and Tin Cans
  (rinsed and drained)
• Catalogs
• Cardboard (flattened)
• Phone Books
• Glass Bottles and Jars (rinsed and drained)

Timing:

• We are on the "B" schedule with the City — the new bins will be picked up beginning the week of June 30 (so until then, please just use your old bins -or- fill up your new bin since it holds so much more).
• Please be sure to have your recycling bin at the curb by 7am along with your trash to ensure pick-up.

See the full details of the Solid Waste Schedule at www.houstonsolidwaste.org. Enjoy!

– by Caroline Garry