HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctoberNUN
Volume 22, No. 10
West University Library
A group of eleven senior patrons of
the West University Library met with
Ms. Suzanne Crockett, consultant for
ten year planning for Harris County
Library Systems.
The following brief statements
represent the general consensus of
opinion of this group:
• Many of our West University
Residents undoubtedly do not know
the relationship of the West Univer-
sity Library and the City of West
University Place. The Library is a
part of Harris County Library System.
The City has provided and maintained
a building for the library functions.
ie County provides books and other
__orary materials and pays the salaries
of the staff which operates the library.
® There has been considerable
growth in the City in the past few
years, particularly among the youth of
the City, who need the library facili-
ties to help with their schoolwork.
The library also provides preteen
programs as an aid to getting them
acquainted with the library and an
incentive to read. However, there had
been no expansion in the library space
since the present building was built
32 years ago. As a result, the library
is overcrowded, particularly during
the school year after school hours and
on Saturdays.
• In as much as there is no physical
space left for expansion of the ground
floor of the present building without
destroying valuable green space, it is
the group's opinion that it would be
everyone's best interest for the City
construct a new building within the
City with more area, and separate the
youth library from the adult library,
or expand the second floor of the
October 1995
Vote!
The City of West University Place will hold a bond election with Harris
County on Tuesday, November 7, 1995. Qualified voters will be able to cast
their votes on the same ballot for the Constitutional Amendments and the W.U.
Bond Issue. Election day voting will be from 7:00am to 7:00pm at the follow-
ing four precincts:
Precinct 15: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Precinct 87: Scout House
Precinct 133: Colonial Park Recreation Center
Precinct 183: Senior Wing/Community Building
Please note a change in early voting for this election only:
Early Voting by personal appearance for West University residents will be
conducted at the following locations:
Bellaire Library, 5110 Jessamine
Bayland Park Community Center, 6400 Bissonnet (near Hillcroft)
Anderson Clayton Court House Annex #44, 1310 Prarie @ Caroline
Times for Early Voting are as follows:
Weekdays, October 18 -November 1: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Weekend, October 28-29: 1:OOpm - 6:OOpm
November 2-3: 7:00am - 7:00pm
An application to vote by mail may be obtained by calling 755-6965.
If you have any questions, please call Kay Holloway at 662-5 813.
Watch your ail for complete
information o the upcoming o
Election!
present building, keeping that area for the youth and free up some space on the
first floor for adults. This would serve two purposes:
A. It would reduce the congestion and noise in the adult section.
B. It would free up space for additional reference material used primarily
by adults and teenagers.
• We further feel that the parents and teachers of our youth should do a better
job of teaching their children library discipline, specifically SILENCE!!!
• Last but not least, since the library budget provided by the County for 1996
has been reduced 32% since 1993, it is more important than ever that residents
and the leaders of this great City be more responsive to the calls for help by the
Friends of the West University Library. The `Friends' is registered as a not-
for-profit organization, and all contributions whether cash or used books, to
`Friends' are tax deductible. All proceeds received, including those from the
sale of used books, are used to purchase books and supplies not included in the
present budget, much for the youth, but also some adult reference material not
included in the County Budget.
Inside Council Chambers
Frm the Maya's Desk
"It was gratifying that so many new
residents were eager to be of service to their
nevi hometown. .I believe the most recent
newcomer had been here for only two
weeks." -Bill 8Vatson
Volunteerism is not dead in West U or even under the
weather. We had many committee members re-up for
another term and a large number of new volunteers for the
vacant positions. It was gratifying that so many new
residents were eager to be of service to their new home-
town. I believe the most recent newcomer had been here
for only two weeks.
We really appreciate the response and regret that we were
unable to give everyone their first choice of committees.
The Zoning and Planning Commission, Building and
Standards Commision and the Zoning Board of Adjust-
ment are limited by State statues to a certain number of
members. All we could do in such cases is rotate new
members into some positions and try to convince the
rotated old members to serve in some other capacity. This
was not a universally popular solution, but we ask your
understanding.
Volunteers save this City substantial sums of money that
can be used in other beneficial ways. You may have
noticed in the local papers that an adjacent City feared for
its soccer program because the budget had been cut in that
area. West U has about 1,000 soccer players and the whole
program is run by dedicated and much appreciated volun-
teers. This is just one example of how our City benefits
from citizen participation. Many others could be cited.
If you did not get the committee you preferred, or if you
did not volunteer at all, do not give up on community
service. All through the year vacancies occur as people
move away, and we will need your help. Thanks again for
caring about our City.
Page 2
From a Council Member's Desk
"I invite each and event' citizen of West Univer-
sity Place to take a self -,guided tour of your newly
remodeled Community Building at the corner of
Rice Boulevard and Auden."- Teresa Fowler
I invite each and every citizen of West University Place
to take a self-guided tour of your newly remodeled Com-
munity Building at the corner of Rice Boulevard and
Auden. More than a year in planning and renovation have
resulted in a beautiful and functional facility. My thanks
to John Stone, architect on the project and West U resi-
dent, and to the city staff for the job they have done.
Allow me to describe for you some of our objectives in the
renovation process and the means to achieve them.
One of the forces driving the remodeling was the Ameri-
cans with Disabilities Act ("A.D.A.") and its Texas
counterpart. Recent changes in A.D.A. require that every
space in a public building be made wheel-chair-accessibi,
Despite the fact, for example, that the Senior Wing
restrooms are outfitted with facilities for wheel-chair-
bound citizens, the restrooms at the front of the building
had to be brought up to the exacting standards of A.D.A.
as well. In addition to complying with federal and state
law, the outdated air conditioning and heating units
servicing the facility had to be replaced, the office space at
the front of the building was impractical if not unusable for
our purposes because entry to the inner office could only
be gained by passing through the outer office, and we were
in desperate need of an additional meeting room. It was
with these initial demands, and the desire to make the
facility more attractive and use-friendly, that we began to
redesign the building.
The unappealing auditorium needed a major facelift. It
was dark, as a result of both the brown color of the low
quality fiberboard paneling that lined the walls and the
inadequate lighting. The old ceiling tiles were disintegrat-
ing, the mishmash of exposed beams and ductwork at the
ceiling were just plain ugly, and there was virtually no
See Council, Page 8
Mayor Bill Watson (665-3969)
irfayor Pro Tem Teresa W. Vogler (66141-6433)
Cioy Coursc H rvIennbers Lin& Lewis (662-5812), Stan McCandless (669-1830),Ton- Rushing (666-0434)
City' ltfanager Michael Tanner (662-5812)
3000 University Boulevard - Hrouston, t eyp.~s 7/9M
668-.',441
City I Page 3
emp-
'T'hink Before You Throw, Keep Our Taxes Low!
In a way, West U residents live from Wednesday to Wednesday. Many
times each day we must decide how to dispose of things, with anything
recyclable being saved for the next Wednesday, Recycling Day. According
to a recent, very informal survey, it appears that most West U households
recycle newspaper, at the very lest. Of course, the city's recycling Commit-
tee would like EVERYONE to recycle EVERYTHING!
* It should bother your conscience if you throw even one aluminum can
into the trash. Environmentally and economically, it is better to recycle that
can than to manufacture a new one from raw materials. Every can in the
garbage represents lost revenue to the city. Stop! Don't throw even one can
in the trash!
* New newsprint has become much more expensive in recent years,
resulting in increased demand for recycled paper. The city receives money
for every pound of paper delivered to the de-inking plant. You should
routinely recycle newspaper, junk mail, all kinds of miscellaneous paper, and
magazines, and there's lots of it. There should never be paper in your
"regular" garbage! (Used books and recent magazines can be sold to Half-
Price Books or taken to a charity)
* In tandem with the increased demand for recyclable paper, cardboard--
especially corrugated- has become very valuable. The amount of cardboard
we have gathered during our monthly cardboard drop off has risen steadily,
reaching four tons in July and August. The city is paid by the pound for
;ardboard, also avoiding substantial fees for disposal at the landfill. There
should be NO cardboard on West U's curbs! Every time a box is thrown in
the trash, money is thrown away with it. (Remember, Cardboard Drop off
Day is the last Saturday of each month).
* Grass clippings should be obsolete, considering how well mulching
mower blades work. If you (or your lawn service) insist on bagging the
clippings, you are depriving your lawn of essential nutrients which reduce
the need for fertilizer, and you are causing the city to pay to dispose of your
grass. Why not try composting, yourself? The city offers compost bins at
the subsidized rate of $15.00 each. Better yet, fit your mower with a mulch-
ing blade and there will be nothing left to worry about.
Someday all West U households will recycle everything as a matter of
routine. It is everyone's responsibility to participate in the city's recycling
programs fully by recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum and glass every
week. You help the city EARN money from your recycled materials and
SAVE money by reducing disposal fees, while preserving precious natural
resources for generations to come.
In 1995, all funds received by the city for recycled materials have been set
aside in a fund to be allocated by the Recycling Committee with approval of
City Council. To date, the fund had reached more than $50,000, more than
double the amount at this time last year. While we wish it were due to
residents' increased recycling, it is also because recyclable materials are
more valuable than ever, making it more profitable to recycle. No more
excuses. Recycle.
Public Works Department
Surface waters are subject to peri-
odic episodes in which grassy, musty,
or other characteristic tastes and odors
can occur in drinking water derived
from these sources. This tends to
occur in the Houston area in the mid
to late summer, and is most often
caused by blooms of algae in the raw
water reservoirs.
The City of Houston routinely runs
odor tests on its raw and distribution
waters, and produced water is tasted
daily by members of the laboratory
staff who have demonstrated sensitiv-
ity to compounds causing the tastes.
Additionally, a close watch is main-
tained on any customer complaint
calls related to taste/odor problems.
Whenever one of these test methods
indicates the beginning of a problem,
the water treatment plants respond
with the addition of powered activated
carbon (PAC) to the early stages of
the treatment process. PAC is ac-
cepted as the best available technol-
ogy for the removal of taste and odor
causing compounds from water. PAC
is a highly surface active compound
with a tremendous surface area to
volume ratio, making it a very effi-
cient absorber of organic contami-
nants in drinking water. The City
responds to the onset of a taste and
odor occurrence by dosing with PAC
at a concentration of 8-10 mg/1. This
is generally sufficient to absorb the
objectionable contaminants which are
probably present in the part per billion
or even part per trillion range. Test-
ing is done on a continuing basis, and
the PAC dosage is adjusted accord-
ingly for the duration of the event.
Prompt response can generally control
the onset of a taste and odor event
within 24-36 hours. PAC addition
The newly appointed Recycling Committee will continue the efforts started continues until raw water conditions
by previous committees, and, as always, we welcome your comments and indicate the causative factors have
suggestions as work gets underway. Call Cindy Neal, Chairman, at 665- dissipated, and the PAC is gradually
3949.
reduced.
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Laissez les bons temps
!
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rouler!
W est University Elementary
Carnival
A fun family event held on the school grounds
For more information call Auction Coordinators
Lisa Coffin 661-9988 or Leslie Cauffman 665-5291
Proceeds from both events to benefit West University Elementary School
Crime Up Close - August
Aggravated Robbery
4000 Bellaire - A manager of the
Discovery Zone carried two bank
bags out to his vehicle. He was
approached by a black male wearing
a stocking mask. The male pointed
what was later described at a toy gun
at the manager. The male grabbed
the two bank bags and fled. Detec-
tives are working the case and believe
the suspect is a friend of an em-
ployee.
Attempted Aggravated Robbery
3500 block of Robinhood - A
resident had driven home from a
location in Bellaire. She parked in
her driveway about 9:30pm and
began to place a locking device on
sr steering wheel. Her doors were
still locked. A black male ap-
proached her door window and told
her to "Move". He was pointing a
gun at her. She slumped down in her
seat and began to scream and then
began to honk her hom hoping to
catch her husband's attention. The
suspect left in an unknown direction
by unknown means. The resident,
thinking the suspect might still be
around, drove to the police depart-
ment to obtain help.
Burglary of Habitation
3516 Bellaire - Unknown suspect(s)
kicked in the front door of this town
home. They opened the garage and
apparently pulled a vehicle into the
garage to load up stolen items.
Several pieces of jewelry and elec-
tronic equipment were stolen. A pair
of latex gloves were found in the
home which indicated that the
aspect(s) wore those in order not to
"leave fingerprints.
4117 Emory - Officers responding
to a house alarm found that an
unknown suspect had kicked open a
set of french doors and had stolen a
cassette player and a speaker. One
fingerprint was recovered at the scene.
2733 Wroxton - A bathroom window
was broken on this residence in, what
officers believe, was an attempt to
disguise the use of a key. A key had
been hidden outside the residence.
Jewelry and coins were stolen. No
suspects have been identified.
Burglary of Building
3933 Amherst - A bicycle was stolen
from an unlocked garage.
Attempted BurglaryRabitation
5816 Community - An unknown
suspect broke out some plexiglass on
the back door of this residence. Entry
was not gained into the house.
Burglary of Motor Vehicle
2629 Wroxton - A window was
broken out of a Jeep and a portable
cellular phone was taken.
2601 Rice - A door lock was pried
open on a Honda and a cellular phone
was stolen.
2900 Tangley - The passenger side
front window of a Honda was broken
out by throwing the ceramic top of
spark plug. A stereo was stolen.
2911 Tangley - A window was
broken by the same method (spark
plug top). A cellular phone was
stolen.
6701 Brompton - A stereo was stolen
from an Isuzu Trooper. There were no
signs of forced entry.
6636 Brompton - A spark plug top
was used to break out the window of a
Ford Bronco. A stereo was stolen.
5900 Fordham - Again, a plug top
was used to break a window and a
stereo was stolen.
6120 Lake - A radio was stolen from
a Jeep.
2631 Bissonnet - A customer of the
Marquis Bar had his vehicle broken
into and the stereo stolen.
Chiefs Corner
Recently the Houston Chronicle
published a report issued by the
Justice Department on Juvenile
Crime. The article summarized the
report as follows:
In 1991, one in every five violent
crimes was committed by a juvenile.
From 1980-1992, reports of children
abused and neglected almost tripled,
to 2.9 million from 1 million.
Juvenile arrests for violent crime
increased 100% from 1983 to 1992.
Between 1984 and 1993, gun related
murders of juveniles increased more
than fourfold.
Between 1984-1993, the number of
homicides among juveniles involving
handguns increased five fold.
If the current trends continue, the
juvenile arrest rate will double by
2010 to more than 260, 000.
These are frightening statistics.
What has changed in today's world?
Recently Judge Eric Andel spoke to
the West U Rotary Club. He made an
excellent presentation. One point
struck home with me. He asked the
audience "Who thought that kids
today were different now than in the
past?" To those that responded in the
affirmative, he made the point that if
you believed kids today were really
different, then they must really be
aliens from a different planet. And if
that is the case, then as parents, do we
really have to be responsible for aliens
that we can't possibly understand or
communicate with? His point is well
made. Kids today are no different
than in the past. What is different?
We are! As "modern" parents, we
have different priorities and values
than our parents did. Maybe, as
today's parents, we are the problem.
Just food for thought, more to come!
Chief Steve Griffith
lore Recreation Parks & Page 6
October 4, Wednesday
The Picardy Players will present "Radio Daze" in our
newly renovated auditorium. Their presentation is a series
of skits and songs that recreate the golden age of radio
shows. They will be singing many of your favorite "old-
ies". We will also need four of you to help participate with
sound effects and one-line readings. Any Volunteers?
Lunch will follow. 11:00am-1:00pm. $4.00.
University State Bank seminar series: Health Insur-
ance and Medicare HMO's. 2:00pm. Free.
October 11, Wednesday
Do you need ideas on decorating your home for the
upcoming holidays without spending a lot of time or
money? Martha Gray of the Decorating Den will be on
hand to share some tricks of the trade. In addition to all the
great ideas, she'll bring hand outs for all and door prizes.
10:30am-noon. Free.
October 12, Thursday
The Chi Omega Kaleidoscope, a three day gift market of
fine arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles raises money for
the Chi Omega House at Hermann Children's Hospital and
the Center for The Retarded, Inc. We will take names and
help in car-pooling efforts. If you are lucky you may be
able to view the 11:00am fashion show. 10:00am-1:00pm.
Price is $4.00. Each rider will help with the parking fees.
October 20, Friday
The Museum of Fine Arts begins a new season of Senior
programs with a showing of Nicolas Poussin's "Works on
Paper" that are on loan from HRM Queen Elizabeth.
9:30arn-noon. $1.0052.00.
October 23, Monday
How about a half day van trip for a tour of The Bagel
Manufactory? We will learn of the history of the bagel and
even make one ourselves. The tour includes lunch at their
in-store restaurant. We will take a load and up to two
private cars. 9:30am-1:00pm. $6.50. (Call before Septem-
ber 10th to make reservations.) Call West University
Senior Services at 662-5895 for reservations on all of the
above activities.
Senior Exercise Returns
After a long search, we have found an exercise instructor
for our Sit and Get Fit class which meets on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 to noon. Nancy
Santamaria has been hard at work all summer learning the
exercises and locating the perfect music. The cost is only
$2.00 per session. We are really excited about being able to
offer this class again. If you have any questions or would
like directions to our building at 6104 Auden, please call
662-5895.
Great news! For those of you who are not aware of th;
the West University Parks & Recreation Dept. is now in
the Community Building again. We encourage residents
to stop by and "tour" our newly remodeled facility! Our
new phone number is 662-5 892, and if you should have
any questions please talk with Adrienne.
"Colonial Park Pool will be closed October 23 throumh
November 6 for reinstallation of the "bubble." We apolo-
gize for the inconvenience.
West University Biathlon: The Parks & Recreation
department will host another Biathlon on Saturday,
October 7th at 8:00am sharp! This race will consist of a
350 yard swim and a 5K (3.lmile) run. Awards and prize
drawings will be given away by Bikesport. The cost of
this race is $10. Late registration will be taken on race
day at $12. Come out and try your hand at a multi-sport
race!
Line Dancing Lessons: Come join Cliann Stevens for
weekly line dancing lessons! Classes will be offered on
Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm and Saturday
mornings from 10:30am -12:00noon starting October 11th
and October 14th. Sign up for one class or both! This is
a 6 week session and the cost is $35. For both Level I
(Beginner) & Level 2 (Intermediate) students! We ask
that you please register at the Community Building, 6104
Auden @ Rice Blvd., between the hours of 8:00am and
9:00pm. For questions regarding class content please call
Cliann at 772-3262.
1995 Halloween Spooktacular: The West U. Parks
& Recreation Dept. will be hosting another costume
contest and haunted house this year! The haunted house
promises to be even spookier than last year, so prepare
yourself for a night or two of frightingly fun times.
Please contact Adrienne at 662-5892 for specific dates and
times.
Cite Currents
of
Test University dace, 'texas
is published bv' the
Communications Committee
Robert Bunch, Chairman
Production for this issue provided through the
efforts of Steve Griffith.
City Currents tiveicomes your contributions, Fonvard to
3814 University Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005 c/o Chief
Griffith by the 10th of the month preceding publication
to assure consideration.
It is the policy of the City of Test University Place not
to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, veteran status or disability.
West Urjive ~si Community Bulletin 11,3ard Page 7
October 177-Y
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Friends of
Building and
West U Parks @
Standards Commis-
6:15pm, Conference
sion @ 6:30pm,
Room
Council Chamber
Parks Board @
7:30pm, Conference
Room
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Council Workshop
Zoning and Planning
@ 6:30pm,
@ 7:30pm, Council
Conference Room
Chamber
Council Meeting @
7:30pm, Council
Chamber
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Zoning Board of
Adjustment @
7:30pm, Council
Chamber
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Council Workshop
@ 6:30pm,
Conference Room
Council Meeting @
7:30pm, Council
Chamber
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Upcoming Events
Bond Election November 7th
29
30
31
Page 8
Council Continued
storage space in the room for the myriad of equipment required for classes held there.
Architect Stone's concept for the room solved all of these problems. Dual storage areas have been incorporated into the
back wall of the room. The ceiling beams and ducts have been "cleaned up" design-wise and painted in vibrant colors.
The paneling has been replaced with sheetrock which has been painted in a lighter color using a special damage-resistant
method. Various architectural touches and lovely colors have been added to the auditorium, as well as to the entire
building, to make it more inviting, brighter, and less institutional. Although the auditorium was not designed for any
single purpose, but rather to serve a variety of community needs, ceiling fans were installed to cool exercisers and
tumbling children alike. And the new lighting scheme allows for an immense range of possibilities: from bright enough
to take notes in pencil at a recent evening-hour public hearing to total blackness.
Prior to the reopening of the building, an acoustical expert was consulted to test the auditorium sound and to suggest
acoustical measures suitable for this multi-use room. Let me note that it is customary to complete, clean, and acclimatize
a room prior to measuring the sound levels in the room. Obviously, if there were no walls in place, but only the framing
for walls, there would be nothing for the sound to reverberate against. In his written recommendations, the expert opined
that to achieve a reverberation time of 1 to 1.25 seconds (comparable to theWortham Theater), 1200 square feet of
acoustical materials should be added to the room. We have authorized the addition of 700 square feet of acoustical
materials, after which the room will be retested. If more is needed, it is a simple matter to add additional prefabricated
panels. While no one who worked on this project believes the acoustics in the facility are currently acceptable, we are
addressing the issue. But we do not believe that our Community Building auditorium must rival the Wortham Theater
acoustically.
More than the auditorium was addressed in this renovation. Space for an additional meeting room was found behind
the auditorium by sacrificing the seldom-if-ever-used backstage area. The new meeting room also boasts additional
storage facilities. The stage that remains is large enough to service the functions for which it had been used over the past
few years. We are constantly in need of small meeting rooms for classes, and now we have an additional one for imme-,`
diate use.
The solution to the office space dilemma satisfied another request of the Parks and Recreation Department: a counter
space in the foyer of the building to facilitate class registrations and room rentals. The formerly cramped outer office has
become an open walk-up counter. Now registrants can wait comfortably in the foyer and loge areas when lines are
lengthy. Of course, provisions have been made for the protection of the records and equipment used by the Parks De-
partment during the hours when the counter is not manned. Parks Department personnel are pleased with the accessibil-
ity the counter design provides--both to the public using the building and to the employees charged with overseeing the
facility.
Some citizens have already commented on the enlarged size of the foyer area. The architect accepts your compliments:
the foyer is precisely the same size as before the renovation. The new, cleaner design and the lighter colors combine to
create the illusion of spaciousness we all sought for the entry to this new showplace, and the integrated, colorful commu-
nity bulletin boards achieve function as well. Seldom has so much been accomplished in the renovation of an existing
structure and been brought in under budget! Again, my thanks to John Stone and to the city staff for a job very well
done.
City of West University Place
3800 University Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77005
OAR-RT SORT **WS C020
RESIDENT
6412. BUFFALO SPEEDWAY
HOUSTON TX 77005
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 600
Houston, TX