Rice Military News June 2010

8/9/2019 Rice Military News June 2010

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Rice

Military

NewsletterJune 2010

your source for

neighborhood news

Quarterly Meeting

Presentation on

Super Neighborhood 22

Transportation Master Plan

along the

Washington Avenue Corridor

Wednesday, July 14

7 pm

St. Luke Baptist Church

714 Detering St.

Native Garden Plantings at The WOW Roundabout

by Phyllis Thomason

On a clear, cool, and brightSaturday morning in April, a group of

Rice Military neighborhood volunteers

met to plant the initial offering of our

native garden species as we enter the

second phase of plantings at The WOW

Roundabout! While The WOW

Roundabout furnished the plants, eachneighborhood surrounding the

roundabout was responsible for planting

and will be responsible for watering the

new plants by hand until they are

established. By using plants native to

our area, hand watering will only be

necessary during extensive dry periods.

With gloves and shovels inhand, Paul Hesson, Joe McKee, B. J.

Smith, and Patrick McIlvain (he says his

roots are still in Rice Military!) joined

me for a couple of hours as we designed

and installed the first phase of the Rice

Military Native Garden at The WOW

Roundabout. A big thanks goes to these

ladies and gentlemen who gave their

time and energy to the neighborhood!

I invite you to take some time,walk over to the roundabout, and enjoy

the changes that have taken place.

The WOW Roundabout board isnow moving forward with a capital

campaign to complete the project with

the installation of the light sculpt

created by local artist Tim Glover.

works grace some of Houstons f

public venues, including his Hea

Nature at University of Hous

Recreation and Wellness Center. Gl

teaches at the High School for

Performing and Visual Arts and board member of Buffalo

ArtPark.

Glovers Light Gardconsists of three light towers org

and tree-like with intertwined,

reaching brushed steel arms capped

glowing LED orbs. With this dram

up-lighting, the structures at night

create a tiara of light above

roundabout, visible from

approaches. With this artwork in p

and the continued addition to the

native gardens, The WOW Rounda

will be one of Houstons m

recognized landmarks.

Funding for this project cofrom charitable organizati

corporations, community busine

and individuals like you and me.

WOW Roundabout is seeking

generous arts benefactor for

sculpture as well as small and l

donations for paving bricks, bould

landscaping, and perpetual care. If

or someone you know might

interested in contributing to

completion of this beautification pro

please email info@wowroundabout

If you wish to receive fur

information on our Naming Ri

P r o g r a m , e m a

[email protected].


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w w w . R i c e M i l i t a r y . o r g

RMCC Newsletter

Rice Military Civic Club 2010 Membership Form

$20 Household Membership $5 Senior Membership

$30 Business Membership I would like to donate $____ extra for community outreach!

Name ____________________________________ Address _____________________________________

Telephone _________________________________ Email _______________________________________

Contact me about local volunteer opportunities Send me the newsletter by email only

Mail this form to PO Box 130311, Houston TX 77219 or pay online at www.RiceMilitary.org

by Christopher McCarty

We often hear on the news

ground-level ozone warning and

eldom pay attention. What is

ground-level ozone? Where is it

ound? What causes it? How does it

ffect us? What can we do to help

educe it?

Ozone is a colorless gas that is

variety of oxygen. Oxygen consists

of two oxygen atoms while ozone

onsists of three. Ground-level ozone

s one of the main components of

mog, which is formed by the

nteraction of hydrocarbonsunburned or evaporated gasoline)

nd nitrogen oxides in the presence of

unlight.

Stratospheric ozone (in the

upper atmosphere) is known as the

ozone layer and protects our health by

hielding us from the sun's damaging

ultraviolet rays. However, ground-

evel ozone (tropospheric ozone) is a

pollutant with highly toxic effects. It is

health hazard causing damage tohuman health, the environment,

rops, and a wide range of natural

nd artificial materials.

Ground-level ozone comes

rom the breakdown (oxidation) of

volatile organic compounds found in

olvents. It is also a product of

reactions between chemicals that are

produced by burning coal, gasoline,

other fuels, and the chemicals found

in paints and hair sprays. Oxidation

occurs readily in the presence of

sunlight. Motor vehicles and

industries are major sources of

pollutants that cause ground-level

ozone. Ozone that is close to theground can cause eye irritation,

headaches, coughing, impaired lung

function, and eye, nose, and throat

irritation. Asthmatics and children are

most at risk. The chance of

experiencing adverse health eff

from elevated ozone levels incre

during heavy exercise or outd

activity. Ground-level ozone can

damage trees, plants, and redvisibility.

Here are some things you do daily to help reduce ozone lev

Try to incorporate them into y

daily life, especially on ozone warn

days which are most often days w

temperatures above 90 degrees:

avoid idling your motor veh

excessively;

conserve energy and recycle;

do not refuel your vehicle or lmower on ozone warning day

you must refuel, do so after d

remember that sunlight as

ozone-forming reactions;

keep your vehicle well tuned;

limit driving: carpool, walk, ri

bicycle, and combine trips;

start charcoal with an ele

lighter or a newspaper-fu

"chimney" instead of lighter flu

use public transportation.

Understanding ground-lozone and incorporating sm

changes to our daily lives can not o

help us protect ourselves but

reduce unhealthy levels of ozon

our environment.

Ground-Level Ozone Safety Awareness
http://www.ricemilitary.org/http://www.ricemilitary.org/http://www.ricemilitary.org/http://www.ricemilitary.org/http://www.ricemilitary.org/


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RMCC Newsletter
http://www.ricemilitary.org/http://www.ricemilitary.org/


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RMCC Newsletter

by Monica Savino

Houstons rapidly changingbuilt environment is something we

ll are reminded of each time weeave town for a week or so. Weeturn and sometimes dontecognize our own neighborhoodbecause a new building suddenlyppeared or disappeared while we

were gone. It does seem that re-development occurs very quickly,

nd while we acquire something inhe newness, we have also lost aremendous amount of history in

he neighborhoods alongWashington Avenue. The latestpotential victim to rapid re-development is the Doris MillerCenter at 5216 Feagan Street,ormerly Doris Miller Elementary

School. Seemingly contemporary,he school is historic on manyevels.

Designed by architectRobert Talley and built in 1957 by

HISD, the school is a wonderfulnd compact example of late 1950snternational Style. Innovative at

the time, the structural system ismade of poured in place concreteframe, with natural and glazedbrick infill walls and an articulatedroof edge. The style was commonduring the 1950s as constructionin the state boomed and Texasschool districts built many newschools for black students duringthe finals years of segregation after

Brown vs. Board of Education.These schools were small, this one

designed for no more than students because they wereserve only the African-Amerstudents in the neighborhood.

The Doris Miller Centcomplex of classrooms, entry, cafetorium are a neat compositioasymmetric yet balanced volumThe entry is open and welcomas nature almost enters the build

with a planting wall and exten

The Built Expression of Our Modern History: The Doris Miller Center

continued on p

Share Your News We welcome your news, photosand editorials. We reserve theright to edit for clarity, style, andlength. Send questions andc o n t r i b u t i o n s t o

[email protected]. Articlesand ads do not necessarily reflecthe views of the Rice MilitaryCivic Club, nor does the CivicClub take responsibility forerrors of fact that may beexpressed by the writers andadvertisers.

Wendy Wilkinson,

editor


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RMCC Newsletter

roof frame. Modern schools arehighly legible meaning that theexterior gives us clues to theprogram within. For example,one readily identifies thec l a s s r o o m w i n g , t h eadministration areas, as one canidentify the assembly wing at theelementary school.

Many schools built duringthis time were expressions of ourmodern, post-war ideals as theyprovided greatly improvededucational opportunities forAfrican-American children.Standardized modernization inschools provided a safe buildingthat protected children from theelements. They were designedwith modern plumbingconveniences including hallwaywater fountains and were oftenonly one story tall so that children

could have easy access to thehealthful outdoors. Theclassrooms were filled withnatural light as this wasconsidered desirable for optimallearning

The elementary schoolsnamesake, Doris Miller, was anAfrican American from Waco,Texas, who served in the U.S.Navy during World War II. His brave and quick responses duringthe attack on Pearl Harbordistinguished him, and Miller wasawarded the Navy Cross for hisheroic actions.

On a local level, the DorisMiller Center has served as

assembly space for neighborhoodgatherings including RMCCmeetings and annual NationalNight Out events. The schoolcampus has given decades ofcommunity service and couldpossibility continue to serve in this

way if the building escademolition. Its currenendangered, as HISD wants to it.

Houstons role in mod20th century race relations is interesting series of events tha

on-going. From the 1917 CaLogan riots to this modincarnation of institutiosegregation, the far wneighborhoods along WashingAvenue have played a critical pof the American story. In exuberance to re-develop at evturn, it would be a great shamelose the Doris Miller CenHoustons recognition of a Te

World War II hero and acknowledgement of the powertime period it represents.

Monica Savino is a Woo

resident and Advisory Board mem

for Houston Mod.

continued from page 4


6/8


RMCC Newsletter

Electronic Newsletter Available

If youd like to receive this newsletter by email on PDF in lieu of a hard copy,

then email [email protected] with PDF Newsletter in the subject line

along with your name and home address in the email.

Queen of Green:Save the Environment

Inside and Outside

Your Home!

by Laury Adams

Refrigerators and

freezers use more electricity

than any other single

household appliance. They

account for about a sixth of all

electricity use in a typical

American home. Over orunder crowding makes a

refrigerator work harder to

maintain its optimal

temperature of 37 degrees.

TO DO: Fill empty

milk containers with water,

leaving room for expansion

during freezing, and use these

to fill spaces in your freezer.

When necessary, these can beused as ice packs in coolers for

picnics or during hurricanes.

Shop Smart Magazine,

June 2010, found the following

floodlights to be cheaper and

brighter than others they

tested: Phillips Energy Saver

and GE Energy Saver.

TO DO: Remember toturn off lights in areas not

being used.

Easy Effective Weapon

of Choice for War on Fire

Ants: Amazing how those tinycreatures can build large homes

and launch such painful

attacks on humans. Forget thecostly toxic chemicals! Keep

handy weapons at your

fingertipsjust 2 tablespoons

each of Molasses and Orange

Oil (Wabash Feed Store) in a

gallon of water can launch a

deadly counterattack in

seconds!


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RMCC Newsletter

Civic Club Officers

Elected Offices

President Doug [email protected]

Vice-President Cindy McCauley

[email protected]

Secretary Will Wilkinson

[email protected]

Treasurer Kathleen Zimmerman

[email protected]

Non-Elected OfficesSocial Coordinator Peggy Moore

[email protected]

Newsletter Editor Wendy Wilkinson

[email protected]

All officers are volunteers. Please contact them withany questions, issues, or compliments! We would liketo thank our officers and all of our volunteers for their

work to make Rice Military one of the besneighborhoods in Houston!

by Pamela OBrien

The fire element of Feng Shuiprovides dynamic enthusiasm,desire and passion as well as joy,laughter and love. Summer is aGREAT time of year to take action

on all of those dreams and goals. Atwork, you can focus on sales,marketing, advertising and publicrelations. At home, you might betempted by travel and romance! Aperson with a healthy fire element

will feel happy, compassionate,light and playful.

Find your fire area, which is the back center area of your home,office, or desk. By adding Feng Shuifriendly elements, you can become

more visible to others, enhance yourreputation, improve marketing,make more sales and enjoyimproved public relations.

Here are a few easy ways to light upthe fire in your home or office:

Paint the room red or perhaps jan accent wall.

Use red, gold or wooden decoratitems, including items trepresent animals (art, animal prfabric, leather).

Add fire by using candles, lighand electronic media.

Select decorative items or art tare oriented upwards and contmotifs like arrows, mountain peand pyramids.

Feng Shui Tip: Summer Heat and Energy

Save the Date for

National Night OutTuesday, October 5

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in Nelli Keyes Park


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Rice Military Civic Club

PO Box 130311

Houston TX 77219-0311

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Rice

MilitaryNewsletter

June 2010

your source for

neighborhood news

Your Fine Homes Specialist in Rice Military

Direct:

[email protected]

Ronnie Kee, CRSBroker Associate

Fine Homes Specialist

Visit me online today for the latest listing in Rice Military and surrounding areas, plus:

FOR SELLERS

If you're planning to sell your home, my FREE MarketAnalysis Service is designed to help establish yourhome's current market value. With your homes most

up-to-date information, I will use comparable soldlistings to help you calculate the fair market valueof your home.

FOR BUYERS

Buyers can automatically receive personalized MLS listingvia e-mail. Early each morning I will search the localMLS and find the homes that match your criteria and

notify you immediately with the latest listing information.Ask me how I can help your find the home thatsperfect for your individual needs.

I look forward toworking with you!

Ronnie

A superior level of Real Estate expertise.

Rice Military News June 2010

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