Save For a Rainy Day By Making a Rain Barrel

Posted in News
by Lee Ruiz (President)

Dallas Water Utilities will host a rain barrel making class taught by Water Resources Extension Program Specialist Dotty Woodson. Participants will learn how to build a 55-gallon rain barrel and discuss how to install an efficient irrigation system.
 
Cost for the class, which is open to Dallas Water Utilities customers only is $50 for each barrel (covers cost of rain barrel and materials)
 
Note: Rain barrels are 24 inches in diameter and 36 inches tall. Please bring a vehicle large enough to haul your rain barrel(s) home.
 
 
When:            6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday May 10

Where:          Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Whitehurst  Atrium, 17360 Coit Road.
 
To register for the class visit: http://dallas.tamu.edu/courses/may-10,-2012-making-a-rain-barrel-class-%28dallas-water-utilities-customers-only%29

Racoon Problems Reported

Posted in News
by Lee Ruiz (President)

The Kessler neighborhoods have reported a concern about the wild raccoon population in their neighborhoods, which are just North of Winnetka Heights.  Several neighbors have reported seeing raccoons wandering the streets in daylight hours (something they do not do naturally), and that they are acting strangely, showing no fear of nearby humans, loosing their balance as they walk, etc.   One neighbor reports that the city is aware of a distemper problem, and this may well be the explanation.  We are told that racoon distemperis not normally a threat to humans, but can spread to dogs.  It is generally recognized by Dallas Animal Services that raccoons, though great “looking” animals, are notable disease carriers, including hydrophobia.  Interestingly, opossums, their ugly distant cousins, are positive neighbors (sometimes making a mess, but always on the hunt for snakes and other small varmints).  All that being said, don’t look to this bulletin for authoritative statements on animal diseases, but do be vigilant.  If you see raccoons acting strangely, don’t approach it, call Animal Control (dial 311).  If you want to learn more about raccoon distemper, it’s easily researched on-line through Google, et al.  Perhaps even atwww.dallascityhall.com<http://www.dallascityhall.com> <http://www.dallascityhall.com/> under “animal control.”

Nominating Committee Announced; Annual Meeting June 12

Posted in News
by Lee Ruiz (President)

 

The Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association Executive Committee appointed this week the following individuals to serve as the Nominating Committee for the election of association officers to be held at the WHNA Annual Meeting on June 12:

Past- President:  Rob Romano

Member of the Executive Committee:  Jack Hagler

Member At-Large:  Sandi Adams

Nominations for officers will open soon and the association will announce the process by which a member may be nominated for office.  The association bylaws require the appointment of the Nominating Committee at least three months before the Annual Meeting.

St. Patrick’s Day Wine Tasting – March 17th

Posted in Events, News
by whna

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Join us for a neighborhood wine tasting hosted by Susan Blackburn on March 17th. And, yes. it is true that Ireland is not a country which has had much success in the world of wine, they ferment meade, not quite the same, but there are wineries all over the world with Celtic origins, so we are taking this opportunity to enjoy the grape with friends and toast the Irish at the same time.

Susan lives at 201 S. Willomet. The evening begins at 7 pm for a brief meet and greet, then the official tasting starts at 7:30. This gives you an opportunity to start off your evening and leaves plenty of time to hit the pubs and continue the celebration of the wearing of the green.

Please rsvp in the forum if you plan on attending and if you know what varietal of wine you will be bringing, post that as well. Remember, space is limited. The wine tasting is best with 24 guests, although 1 or 2 more may squeeze in. So, sign up early, as the tastings often become “fully subscribed”. Here’s how it works. Each couple, or pair of neighbors who have teamed up, brings a bottle of wine and a bite to eat that complements the wine. As the night progresses, you will introduce yourselves, your wine and your food and we eat and drink one wine and one food item at a time until we are all full and happy! It is perfectly acceptable to come alone with your wine and food, more wine for the rest of us.

What type of wine? Anything works. Winos range from aficionados to novice wine drinkers. There is no snobbery. Bring something special or something you just found at the store. While we all enjoy tasting the nice stuff, we also appreciate finding new inexpensive and accessible wines. On any given night, there is a wide range of wines, including whites, reds, sparkling wines, and dessert wines.

What type of food? Again, whatever you like! While some people take the opportunity to flex their kitchen skills, it is perfectly fine to bring something store bought or simply prepared at home. Don’t let the cooking keep you away. Just have fun with it. Some tips: Bring enough for about 24 tastes. If your food requires a utensil, plate or toothpick to serve, bring what you need (don’t count on the host having enough utensils or plates). Also, don’t count on the host for any special equipment. You should be able to warm your dish in the oven or microwave, but because of the number of dishes, do not plan to cook your dish at the host’s home.

If you have any questions you can email b.a.roy@sbcglobal.net for more information or call Barbara directly at 214.942.4043. We hope to see you all on the 17th. Let’s keep the camaraderie building toward the wonderful Night in the Heights, a great neighborhood event in April.

iBike Rosemont Set for April 9-13; Kids get ready to bike! Volunteers needed.

Posted in News
by Lee Ruiz (President)

Rosemont Elementary School  knows that kids need to do more than sit around and play video games. Recently, the elementary school became involved with a cycling event called iBike Rosemont, where students are encouraged to ride their bikes to school each day for one week. At the end of the week, Eno’s Pizza Tavern throws a celebration for the kids who biked to school each day. iBike Rosemont is a wonderful, healthy way for school-aged children to get active and gain independence. 

This year, iBike Rosemont is set for Monday-Friday, April 9-13, 7:15-8:15am.  And the finale on Friday, April 13 biking to Eno’s 3-4pm.   Volunteers are needed each day to make sure the event is once again fun and safe for everyone. Please contact Jenni Stolarski  at jennisto@yahoo.com to help.

General Membership Meeting – Tuesday, March 6 at 7pm.

Posted in Events, News
by whna

See you at the General Membership Meeting
Turner House – 401 N. Rosemont Ave.
Tuesday, March 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Wine tasting starts at 6:30 p.m.

North Oak Cliff Beer and Wine, located at Clinton and Davis, has generously offered to do a free wine tasting to help kick off our General Membership Meeting. The wine tasting starts at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Our guest speaker will be Dallas City Councilperson Delia Jasso. We’ll also hear about the Turner House Centennial Celebration, plus get an update from the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League.

Hope to see you Tuesday!

City of Dallas To Offer Free Landscaping Seminars on March 24

Posted in News
by Lee Ruiz (President)

Free landscaping seminars to be held March 24
Learn how to have a drought-tolerant landscape by attending free seminars Saturday, March 24 at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center Auditorium, 17360 Coit Road.

Landscape designer and author Bonnie Reese of Beautiful Landscapes will be the speaker at both sessions. The first 100 attendees at each session will receive a copy of Reese’s book, “Common-Sense Landscaping.” Attendees can also enter a drawing for free bags of Green Sense organic fertilizer from Rohde’s Nursery and Nature Store.

Water-Wise Landscape Design 101 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24
Whether you have a new landscape or plan to update an existing area, it is critical to begin with a good design. This program teaches the principles of landscape design with an emphasis on how to create a beautiful landscape that will save resources – natural and financial.

Fantastic Plants for North Texas – 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, march 24
Using colorful photographs, Bonnie Reese demonstrates the natural beauty of native and adapted plants that thrive in the North Texas region. Learn when, where and how to plant each of the recommended plants, their size and height at maturity, seasonal color, texture and more. This program provides information on trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, groundcovers and turf grasses.

The seminars are sponsored by Dallas Water Utilities Conservation, City of Dallas Stormwater Management, and Texas AgriLife Extension.

For more information call: (214) 670-3155
Register online at SaveDallasWater.com

Winnetka Heights Wins Best Mardi Gras Parade Float

Posted in News
by whna

They strutted, they thrusted, they danced their way into first place for this year’s Mardi Gras Parade!

Photos courtesy Sandra Adams, Mike Walker and Teri Merrick. If you have photos from the wild event, please email whnaadmin@winnetkaheights.org

Full gallery images can be found here.