I am pleased to present the 2026 slate of Tanglewilde Civic Club board members who were voted into office on January 29th. Thanks to all who attended our meeting to vote and for those who sent proxies. We thank you for your confidence. We’re off to a terrific year in Tanglewilde. Between the five of us, we possess 185 years of business experience.
Please welcome Homer Carvajal and Claudia Groesbeck as they are new to the board.
Gessner Road Update
If you missed our January 29th meeting, then you missed hearing our City Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas speak on a variety of topics. As reported, City of Houston will not enlarge Gessner Rd. with the original proposed six lanes.
As a result, we are working on more speed bumps as the bottleneck from Val Verde to Westheimer Rd. causes a backup, and drivers cut through our streets sometimes at an alarming speed. We have problem areas of cut through vehicles from Rockyridge Dr. and Westmont. In addition, our present speed bumps also need repainting. Speed bumps are accessed every three years.
A paving and pipeline project will be forthcoming on Gessner Rd at Richmond Avenue moving south to the Westpark Tollway. No doubt, Tanglewilde South will experience some inconvenience with the road construction.
Heavy Trash Pick Up Update
While the city was considering a new Heavy Trash Pickup Program where residents would call the City of Houston 311 Number for a scheduled pickup date prior to setting out heavy trash, the initiative has been cancelled.
The current “Even/Odd” month schedule is in force. Keep in mind they continue to run behind.
Tanglewilde Schedule – First Friday of the Month
Even months for Heavy Trash – February, April, June, August, October and December.
Odd months for Tree Trimmings – January, March, May, July, September, and November.
A Reminder of What Can Be Collected
Tree Waste includes clean wood materials such as tree limbs, branches, and stumps.
Bulk Waste includes items such as furniture, appliances, and other large household materials.
Appliances containing refrigerant must have a certified technician’s tag showing the refrigerant has been removed.
Heavy trash should be placed at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day (Friday).
City of Houston has reorganized departments to better serve Prohibited Yard Parking regarding vehicles parked on the lawns in Tanglewilde and other communities. Evidently this is a huge problem across City of Houston neighborhoods. Fortunately, Tanglewilde has an ordinance that prohibits parking on areas not paved, front yards and sides. Fines can be levied daily.
“Vehicles parked on non-paved areas compact the soil, kill grass, and damage piping underground. Consistent lawn parking can make a property appear run down, reducing curb appeal and lowering home values.”
If you are experiencing a problem, report to 311 or 832-393-3973 with the make and model of the vehicle, address and days/hours it is parked.
Drainage Flooding
Drainage/flooding in neighborhoods is defined as “water up to and into your home. If the street and 2/3rds of your yard are flooded, but drains within a reasonable time period, no improvements in drains at corner intersections can be authorized.”
If you have a problem, please document with photos and send to Councilwoman Tiffany Thomas at districtf@houstontx.gov.
A Gazillion Jelly Beans
On behalf of our residents, the Tanglewilde Civic Club donated multiple bags of Starburst Jelly Beans for the Houston Police Department, Midwest Division’s “Easter Donation Drive” which occurred Saturday, March 21 at Piney Point Elementary School. Their theme was Help Us Celebrate Cultures from Around the World.
Trouble in Paradise – Lock Your Doors
Unfortunately, we had a break-in and an attempted break-in early March. It was a scary event for both female neighbors on separate streets, north and south of Richmond who were home alone. The suspect’s first attempt was unsuccessful with a keypad lock, and his second attempt was successful. He walked into a woman’s unlocked side door. We have no idea how many homes he may have approached.
The suspect was arrested, booked and then let out on $100.00 bail. Have you seen him?
Please lock your doors, check them, not once, but twice. We live in the 4th largest city in the country so sticky fingers abound.
Always DIAL 911 and only for life threatening emergencies – POLICE, FIRE OR MEDICAL.
TEXT 911 if it isn’t safe to talk.
In addition, we had a vehicle stolen on Meadowbriar Ln., and two kids were seen stealing packages from a porch. Hopefully, this is a rash of activity that will end.
New Emergency Feature for Members of the Tanglewilde Civic Club
Coming soon is our Tanglewilde Civic Club “Emergency Texting Service” available for all members of the Tanglewilde Civic Club at no cost to our members. Because texting is now the No. 1 means of communication, we’re moving forward to bring this service to residents for emergency events, such as fire, update on fires, blocked streets, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, break ins, car thefts, wind storms, lights out, utility lines down, lost animals, and much more.
This service will be on an opt-in basis. It’s your choice.
The service we have chosen was a referral from a reputable source. They also help other HOA’s, Civic Clubs, Churches, non-profit organizations, and large corporations. Our data will be protected and privacy adhered. In short, your information will not be sold. Only board members will have access to providing information via text. The service will be two-way; all respondent messages will appear on our message board so you will not receive multiple texts.
We also believe this service will be a great selling feature to potential buyers knowing that the Tanglewilde Civic Club is active and concerned with the welfare of our residents.
More information will come as we get close to launch date by April 23.
Speaking of the Tanglewilde Civic Club Membership
Our 2026 Membership Campaign Drive will kick off April 23rd at our General Meeting. We sincerely thank all of our 2026 members who have paid their dues thus far. If you have not paid your 2026 dues, please consider doing so. We need your support. Participating in the Tanglewilde Civic Club makes you an integral part of this community. It speaks volumes to your sincere interest in building our community and being a part of its growth and stability.
If you wish to pay online, please go to www.tanglewilde.cc, open Menu, and scroll to Dues and Donations. We accept Credit Cards and PayPal. You may also drop off a check or mail to 9535 Val Verde Street, Houston, TX 77063. Make your check payable to: Tanglewilde Civic Club. We also accept donations. If you would like to donate for any of our events, please let us know.
Scheduled events for 2026 include July 4th Parade and Party, National Night Out, Feed the Hungry Food Drive and Holly Jolly Christmas Caroling Holiday Party.
Dominos Anyone?
The Domino Group invites all Tanglewilde residents to join them on Thursday nights to play Dominos. Meeting Place is Los Tios Restaurant in the “Red Room” which is located behind the bar from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
The group reports lots of merriment occurring in the Red Room — eating, drinking and visiting, with the games starting around 7pm. The Group plays “42”, “Moon” and “Straight”.
Domino games are a brilliant exercise in concentration and memory along with teaching perceptiveness. It also promotes the development of cognitive functions, training the brain which has an enormous impact on memory development.
Are you ready to make new friends and indulge in a fun evening? Next Domino Group night will be Thursday, April 16thand thereafter every two weeks.
Call Mary Ann at 713-725-8090 for information or text Valerie at 281-840-8371 to sign up to play.
A Heart Warming Story
Imagine a gardener who faithfully serviced a home for a year, mowing and edging, without payment and not knowing that the owner had passed away. In January 2026 he placed an invoice in the owner’s mailbox for $1050.00. No payment was ever received from the family member who inherited the house, so he stopped mowing. As he mows a neighbor’s house down the street, he mentioned his unresolved issue. She asked if the Civic Club could help. Unfortunately, we have no legally enforceable right nor could we pay this gardener from our coffers.
Fast forward a few months. While attending a supper with several neighbors, someone asked about the house in question. I commented that the new family member had not paid the gardener’s bill to the tune of $1,050.00 when one of our neighbors said, “I’ll pay the bill. No one should labor for free.” The very next day our neighbor wrote a check in the amount of $1,050.00 sight unseen.
Can you imagine the gratitude felt by the gardener when he received this gift?
We have countless wonderful and generous neighbors in Tanglewilde which speaks volumes to the quality of our community. While $1,050.00 seems exorbitant, especially for a stranger, our neighbor recognized the injustice. I think her generosity sets an important example of how community can come together. We can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in a thousand tiny ways – picking up trash off the street, rolling in your neighbor’s trash receptacle, acknowledging neighbors, welcoming new neighbors – all taking very little effort. Be that neighbor.
Curbside Garbage Cart Schedule Reminder
Place your city-issued garbage cart at the curb between 6:00 p.m. the day before (Sunday) and 6:00 a.m. on collection day which is Monday for pick-up. After pick-up, please return them to their designated home by 10 p.m. Monday evening.
We have a disturbing amount of residents who place their carts on the street outside of the time frame the city mandates. No one wants to look at garbage carts.
City of Houston Cracks Down on Airbnbs
Airbnbs have until April 5, 2026 to register their property with the city per an ordinance passed. As I am aware of only three Airbnbs in Tanglewilde, please hit return on this email and give me the address of the properties that you know exist.
There are countless restrictions and regulations to be enforced by the City of Houston. The ordinance requires owners “and/or” operators to register properties with the city for a fee of $275. It also provides criteria for the revocation of registrations, including instances of renters committing certain crimes, like reckless discharge of a firearm, disorderly conduct, prostitution or multiple violations of the city’s noise ordinance.
For it to be effective, we must have Tanglewilde homeowners reporting undesirable activities and city noise violations. We’re charged with the responsibility. As homeowners, remember it’s our quality of life. If you do not feel comfortable contacting the city, then please contact me.
Cinco de Mayo Event Postponed
At our January 29th meeting, I reported that we would celebrate the Cinco de Mayo holiday. Much to our disappointment, we’ve made a decision to push those “event funds” toward our JULY 4th 250th Anniversary to make it more memorable. We’re making big plans for our parade and party immediately following. If you’d like to get involved planning this event, please let us know. We need your help.
Correction
In the January 3rd newsletter, I made an error. I reported that we would be applying for a 501(c) (3) status when in fact that status is designated by the IRS for non-profits such as charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary purposes. As we are a 501(c) (4), your donations and/or dues are not tax deductible.
I regret this error. Please accept my sincere apology.
We Love Tanglewilde!
We Love Tanglewilde T-Shirts are coming your way. Enthusiasm is contagious. Let’s ignite our 70-year spirit.
A Parting Request
Could I ask you to please forward this email to any neighbors whom you think might be interested in the newsletter or civic club (especially new neighbors) and if someone has forwarded this email to you, please use the Signup Form Here to join our mailing list?
Thanks y’all! I look forward to seeing you at our General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 23rd (if not around the hood beforehand.)
My best,
Beth Garrett
Tanglewilde Civic Club President
713-962-7238