R ICE What’s a Civic Club....at least in Rice Military?

by Phyllis Thomason, President

M ILITARY
N EWSLETTER T he term “civic club” comes from the word civic, meaning of the citizens, or
of the city, and from the word club’s definition, an association of persons
meeting periodically for a shared activity or purpose. (By the way, the
first definition of club is a heavy stick with a thick end!) Put the two words to-
September 2008 gether and a civic club becomes people who gather for the purpose of being citi-
zens.
Now that we have established what a civic club is supposed to be, let’s
think about what Rice Military Civic Club is
now: we are a group of volunteer citizens who
share the responsibility of building community
Your source for through established operating structures, out-
side resources, and by producing quality activi-
neighborhood ties that involve the membership. We encourage
news fellow citizens to bring their talents and become
involved in deciding what we want to do, what
we are able to do, and choose what we will do!
Three years ago surveys were distrib-
uted in the neighborhood and the majority of those who responded stated, “We
want to get to know each other!” So with this perspective in mind, leaders created
small groups within the large group consisting of a wine club, a book club, jogging,
and kids’ groups. A neighborhood social hour was planned and is now held bi-
monthly at area restaurants with complimentary appetizers and happy hour
prices. Many RM residents also enjoy dinner after the social gatherings. What a
great way to get to know your neighbors!
Our National Night Out celebrations, as well as our Christmas Holiday
Reception benefiting DePelchin Children’s Center, draw large crowds and large
amounts of gifts for neighborhood non-profit organizations. We have just recently
joined Crestwood Civic Club in a tree planting project to reforest Westcott.
Rice Military Quarterly Membership
Meetings are organized and kept on schedule
because we value your support and respect
your time. Speakers from outside resources
N E X T Q U A R T E R LY give us current information on relevant top-
MEETING ics like quiet zone status, commuter and light
rail plans, parking and drainage issues, and
property tax dispute procedures. We also
NATIONAL spend time in small group discussions to
formulate a realistic vision for Rice Military.
NIGHT OUT We want our programs to appeal to
your intelligence and your emotions. We hope that you have as positive and pas-
sionate an outlook for Rice Military as we do!
6:00-8:00PM We want you to feel that you own this group. We want you to join it, work
for it, and raise money for it to help keep it going!
TUESDAY It’s time to renew or begin your membership now! Our dues are minimal
OCTOBER 7, 2008 and are used conservatively. By joining now, your membership is good until the
end of 2009! We invite you to sign up now and take advantage of the extended
membership. Go to www.RiceMilitary.org and join us online, or fill out, clip, and
DORIS MILLER CENTER
mail the application in this newsletter.
5216 FEAGAN ST Come join us, express your ideas and concerns, and be a part of a redevel-
oped, densely populated, urban “hot spot” in Houston. Our next meeting will co-
incide with National Night Out on October 7, 6:00 pm, at Doris Miller Center.
Great things are on the horizon!
If you would like to start receiving the newsletter by email only, please
email news@ricemilitary.org with “PDF NEWSLETTER” in the subject
line and your name and home address in the email.

RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008 1

 www.ricemilitary.org
Neighborhood Issues
By Wendy Wilkinson
During our last civic club meeting, we had the
pleasure of a presentation by Eric Dargan, Deputy Director
of Public Works and Engineering’s Right-of-Way and Fleet
Maintenance Division. Dargan gave a fast-paced and in-
formative talk about the different divisions of his office and
how they affect our neighborhood. We appreciate and con-
tinue to talk about his
enthusiasm for his job
and our city.
Dargan spent
some time illustrating
the organization of
Houston. The Depart-
ment of Public Works
and Engineering is bro-
ken in six divisions: En-
gineering and Construc-
tion, Planning and De-
velopment Services, Re-
source Management,
Public Utilities, Traffic and Transportation, and Right-of-
Way and Fleet Maintenance.
It’s this last department of Right-of-Way and Fleet
Maintenance that handles many of the problems and ques-
tions I hear from Rice Military neighbors. The Right-of-
Way and Fleet Maintenance has four branches: Adminis-
trative, Storm and Water Maintenance, Street and Bridge,
and Fleet Maintenance. The Administrative Branch han-
dles 3-1-1 calls. The Storm and Water Maintenance works
on our ditches and storm sewers.
3-1-1 is for non-emergency calls to the city. This
wonderful service provides a single call for people who
need to report problems or find information. It allows us
to spend less time on the phone and eliminates the need to
research which agency to call and the inevitable multiple
transferring of callers. 3-1-1 handles a large number of is-
sues including, but definitely not limited to: litter, pot
holes, traffic signal malfunctions, information on how to
RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008
pay a ticket, sewer concerns, abandoned cars, replacement
of lost garbage containers, graffiti, and obtaining a recy-
cling bin. We can also access this service online at
www.houstontx.gov/311.
When it comes to our ditches, possibly the most
controversial issue of our neighborhood, the responsibility
for those is found in Road Side/Off Road Ditch Mainte-
nance Section which is part of the Storm and Water Main-
tenance Branch. While it is the property owner’s responsi-
bility to keep debris out of the ditch, ditches will eventually
fill in with soil. The city will regrade ditches when water
no longer flows through them. Dargan explained that the
city’s main concern with ditches is that they remain clean
and do not trap debris and clog up the ditch. The city rec-
ommends not placing plants in the ditches for this reason.
To report a ditch that needs to be dug up, call 3-1-1.
Flooding is a big issue to Houston, and Dargan
works hard to keep it at a minimum. While some of the
neighborhood would like to see curb and gutters installed
here, Dargan explained that ditches work better at keeping
an area from flooding. But we need to keep our ditches
clean in order for them to function. Another way to keep
an area from flooding is to never dispose of anything in a
storm sewer. These grates in curbs are built to handle only
water. Anything else can clog the drain and cause local
flooding, so don’t throw anything in them including grass
clippings, trash, or motor oil.
Eric Dargan
is a true public ser-
vant—he believes in
the importance of
his department
serving the needs of
the people of Hous-
ton. He under-
stands the con-
straints of finance as
well but does his
best to make Houston a better place to live. I hope the city
continues to employ people with his knowledge, dedica-
tion, and motivation.
2
 www.ricemilitary.org

Rice Military Civic Club

Membership Form
Already a member?
_____ $20 Household Membership for one year
_____ $30 Business Membership for one year Give this to a neighbor!
_____ $5 Senior Membership for one year
_____ I want to donate $_____ extra for community outreach!

Name _________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________________
Telephone _______________________ Email __________________________________

_____ I would like to be contacted about upcoming civic club events

_____ I would like to be contacted about local volunteer opportunities

Please mail this form to: PO Box 130311, Houston TX 77219

or go online to pay dues at www.RiceMilitary.org

RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008 3

 www.ricemilitary.org

Book Club Update Rice Military Calendar

By Eileen Sullivan Check for times, places, & sign up for email updates on
www.RiceMilitary.org
Last month was another “Wow” for the book club.
Shopgirl, acclaimed actor/comedian/author Steve Mar- September
tin’s first attempt into fiction, takes place in L.A and cen- Monday 2 Recycling pick up
ters around Mirabelle, the “shopgirl,” an aspiring artist Monday 8 Heavy trash
who pays the rent by selling gloves at the Beverly Hills Super Neighborhood #22 Meeting
Neiman Marcus. She captures the attention of Ray Porter, Monday 15 Recycling pick up
a wealthy, lonely businessman. As Ray and Mirabelle ten- Tuesday 16 Wine Club
tatively embark on a relationship, they both struggle to Monday 29 Recycling pick up
decipher the language of love, with consequences that are Tuesday 30 Social Club
both comic and heartbreaking.
This short novella, which the group thought was October
going to be a “light” summer read, actually turned out to
Tuesday 7 National Night Out &
be a quite touching, bittersweet, and insightful look into
Civic Club Meeting
relationships, love, and loneliness. The author also takes
Monday 13 Recycling pick up & Heavy trash
a rather witty look at how men and women communicate,
Super Neighborhood #22 Meeting
or at least think they communicate! The group’s discus-
sion centered around the complexities and comedies of Thursday 16 Book Club
life and relationships between men and women. Monday 27 Recycling pick up
Our delicious food evoked “California Cuisine”
and included everything from Sushi to Peach and Brie November
quesadillas. Great company. Enlightening conversations. Tuesday 4 Election day!
Delicious food. It all added up to a wonderful evening! Monday 10 Recycling pick up & Heavy trash
Thanks to everyone who participated. I am look- Super Neighborhood #22 Meeting
ing forward to our next meeting and the next great read! Monday 24 Recycling pick up

RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008 4

 www.ricemilitary.org

Queen of Green says,

“Use It or Lose It!”
By Laury Adams

Don’t let us lose it! Neighborhoods with low partici-

pation in recycling will lose the service next year. If
you don’t see a neighbor’s recycling bin on alternate
Mondays, please clip and give them this notice: Call
311 to request delivery of a bin.

REMEMBER: Now you can recycle all

plastics except for #6 items. Look at the
bottom of any plastic container for the re-
cycle symbol and the number in the cen-
ter. If the number is a one through five or
a seven, rinse it and put it out for recycling!

Got old Cell Phones or Inkjet Cartridges?

Drop them off on my porch at 114 Arnold St. I send
them to a young woman who uses them for a project
that sponsors education for young people in Africa.
Doing a LITTLE helps to achieve BIG goals!

RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008 5

 www.ricemilitary.org
Smoke Detector Safety
By Christopher McCarty
Smoke Detectors are the single most important means
of preventing home fire fatalities. Most home fire deaths
occur between 10 pm and 6 am—a properly located and
maintained smoke detector can save lives by allowing
extra time for escape.
LOCATION
Smoke detectors should be located on each level of your
home, outside and/or inside each bedroom. Since
smoke rises, place a detector on the ceiling or on the
wall 6-12 inches from the ceiling but away from vents,
steam, and cooking vapors which can result in nuisance
alarms. If you are uncomfortable standing on a ladder,
ask a relative, friend or neighbor for help. Always follow
manufacturers’ installation instructions.
TESTING
Test detectors once a month by pressing the test button.
Anytime your smoke alarm starts making a "chirping"
noise, do not ignore it. Replace the batteries and reset
it. If the problem persists, replace the unit.
MAINTENANCE
Replace batteries once a year. Hard-wired units have a
back-up battery which should also be replaced annually.
Choose a specific day of the year (holidays, birthdays, or
daylight savings start/end) to replace batteries. Keep
detectors clean by dusting or vacuuming. Replace de-
vices every 8-10 years. Smoke alarms powered by long-
lasting batteries are designed to be replaced on a set
schedule according to their manufacturers’ instructions.
FALSE ALARMS
Do not disable your smoke alarm if it alarms due to
cooking or other non-fire causes because you may not
RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008
remember to put the batteries back in the unit. Instead
clear the air by waving a towel near the alarm. Some
newer models have a “hush” button that silences nui-
sance alarms. If the problem persists, the alarm may
need to be relocated.
CHILDREN
Alarms that have a recording device which will alert
them with a familiar voice and also will sound an alarm
are available. Have children observe you testing and
changing batteries so they know their importance. In-
sure you have gone over escape routes and meeting
places. After going over the plan with your family, con-
sider a fire drill at night. Activate your alarm while your
children are sleeping so that you and they can determine
the appropriate response to a smoke alarm.
TRAVEL
Ask the hotel how often they test smoke alarms and if
you may test the one in your room. Consider traveling
with a smoke alarm since some hotels in foreign coun-
tries may not have the same regulation as the states.
Consider staying on a lower lever which will allow easier
escape and review the location of emergency exits from
your room after checking in.
Because smoke detectors are only one tool in fire safety,
it’s also important that you have a plan and everyone
understands the dangers of fire. Please remember: Re-
place Batteries, Test monthly, and Replace de-
tectors every 8-10 years. And NEVER return to the
home or allow anyone other than emergency responders
to enter during an emergency.
Visit www.HomeSafetyCouncil.org or contact your local
fire department (on a non-emergency phone number) if
you need help or have questions about fire safety in your
home.
Do you have old pictures
of the Rice Military neighborhood?
We’d love to see them!
Let us know at news@ricemilitary.org
and we’ll make arrangements to scan them
and return the originals back to you.
6
 www.ricemilitary.org
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
“Green Footprints”
Tuesday, October 7, 6:00—8:00 pm
Doris Miller Center, 5216 Feagan St
How Green Are Our Footprints? Let’s Find Out!
Great food! Great Fun! Great Green Info!
The Civic Club will furnish the brisket, bread, and drinks—you
bring a salad, side dish, or dessert! Use locally-grown prod-
ucts if possible.
We’ll have the fire truck on display, the mounted police offi-
cers, as well as K-9, and our neighborhood police officers as
our guests. Representatives from WOW Roundabout, Memo-
rial Park Conservancy, Houston Arboretum, and GoGreen
Houston will give us important info on achieving our green
status. And, speaking of green, we created a raffle full of
great prizes from local businesses to help us in our quest to
raise money for the planting of trees on Westcott.
Come join us! Enjoy a great meal, become inspired to be
green, and contribute to the tree planting project. It’ll be a
great evening!
RMCC SEPTEMBER 2008
Civic Club Elections
By Jack Hardin, Secretary
An election of officers for the Rice Military Civic Club
will be held on October 7, 2008, at the Doris Miller Center.
The October meeting will be held during National Night Out
from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Rice Military Residents whose dues are paid currently
or who pay their dues for 2009 the evening of the election are
entitled to vote. Nominations for any of the club offices may
be made by notifying Phyllis Thomason, the current Presi-
dent, by email to pres@ricemilitary.org. Nominations may
also be made from the floor on the evening of the election. In
order to have your candidates appear on the ballot without
requiring write-ins, please make nominations as soon as pos-
sible.
The following persons have been nominated by the
Executive Committee so far: Phyllis Thomason for President,
Jack Hardin for Vice-President, Will Wilkinson for Secretary,
Lisa Murray for Treasurer. Under our Bylaws, the new offi-
cers take office at the conclusion of the election and serve for
the coming year.
Special thanks is due to Michelle Wolpert, who is
stepping down after serving as our Treasurer for several
years, having done an outstanding job organizing our data-
base, establishing a means of paying dues on-line, and coordi-
nating payments for advertising in our newsletter.
7
 PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
Rice Military Civic Club PAID
PO Box 130311 HOUSTON TX
PERMIT NO 1678
Houston TX 77219-0311

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7
6:00 - 8:00 PM
DORIS MILLER CENTER
5216 FEAGAN ST

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