Leader Feburary 2 by Street Media

Inside Today: Wiley leading resurgence of SPX boys basketball • Page 8A PREMIER PROPERTIES

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Inside Today’s Edition of THE LEADER A new section, publishing the ﬁrst week of every month, that focuses on the businesses of our area.

We launch a weekly feature focusing on the wildlife in our area, courtesy of Trapper Jones.

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After weeks of anticipation and enough – maybe a little too much – angst, we announce the winners of our pet contest.

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Bring us your best burgers

Clucker Compromise

If you’re like us, you consider burgers one of the major food groups –– and not only do Leader-area eateries boast some world-renowned patties, but we hear that you grillmeisters have a few tricks of your own. On Feb. 23, The Leader will be unveiling “The List,” spotlighting the best in burgers in establishments throughout our neighborhoods. But we also want to feature the home cook, so we’re running a burger recipe competition. Have a killer patty or inventive toppings? A brilliant idea for a bun? It will probably take all of the above to win this contest and a place in The List. And there’s more. We’ll screen recipes with our guest judge, Delicious Concepts’ Ken Bridge – the man behind Shepherd Park Draught House, Witchcraft Tavern, Lola’s and Pink’s Pizza –– and the ﬁnalists will each have a chance to prepare their burger for Bridge so that a winner can be crowned. There’s a good chance your burger will earn a guest appearance on the menu of one of Bridge’s restaurants, too. So send those recipes in to news@theleadernews.com by Feb. 12.

Houston looking at hen ordinance proposal by March by Michael Sudhalter news@theleadernews.com

I think my decision would have been the same regardless.” Angela Pennington of Oak Forest sent her children to elementary school but decided to bring them home for middle school. “The middle schools that I found acceptable academically had a reputation for piling work on,” she said. There was also the social aspect. “My oldest daughter has emerged as her own person, not a mish mash of what she wants to be and what middle school girls want her to be,” said Pennington. “Her homeschool friends are very grounded, never catty, and I am so proud of the individual she has become.” And then there’s the freedom. When Daniette Hunter’s husband went for a month to the United Kingdom for work,

Rene and Erica Gonzalez enjoyed having pet chickens, but the Heights couple had to give them up about a year ago due to a city of Houston ordinance. “It wouldn’t bother me if my neighbors had chickens – my kids would look at them,” said Rene, who has five children, ages 1 to 23. The current ordinance – which mandates that chicken coops must be at least 100 feet from their neighbors’ yard – affects many Houstonians who find themselves in a similar situation to the Gonzalez family. In many cases, the houses are too close together. The times could be changing for local urban chicken keepers and would-be owners, who have proposed through a non-profit called “Hens for Houston” an ordinance that would eliminate the distance requirement. According to HFH’s website, Bellaire and San Antonio don’t have a distance requirement, while Dallas’ is a mere 20 feet. “Hens for Houston” is a movement that’s gaining steam. They have 454 “likes” on Facebook and proudly advertise Houston Mayor Annise Parker’s support for their cause. Through social media, they’re hoping to secure the support of city council members. They state that the current ordinance is outdated, doesn’t support “green living” and that cities such as New York and San Francisco allow chickens on city lots. As “Hens for Houston” was beginning its campaign, BARC was beginning to re-visit its regulations, which are listed in Chapter 6 of the City Codes. Chris Newport, public information officer for the City’s Administrative and Regulatory Affairs (which includes BARC), said the timing is “serendipitous” and that BARC and HFH have found common ground in addressing nuisances that chickens may cause. Neither organization is advocating roosters in the

see School • Page 10A

see Chickens • Page 10A

THE EVENT.

Oak Forest’s Angela Pennington teaches at a homeschool school where three of her children also attend. (Photo by Betsy Denson)

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Some make ultimate school choice

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WHAT: Garden Oaks Elementary School’s annual Dads’ Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction, a 19-year tradition where dads and granddads flip thousands of free pancakes, brew gallons of Katz’s coffee and auction off thousands of dollars in donated goods and services. WHEN: 8-11 a.m. Feb. 9 WHERE: 901 Sue Barnett. HOW MUCH: Those pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice are all free, but your generosity during the auction will help bridge funding gaps at this Montessori Magnet School with its award-winning environmental science program. LEARN MORE: Email gardenoaks. pancake@gmail.com EDITOR’S TAKE: Since GOES has probably helped add a hefty amount to the value of your home, can’t you return the favor by supporting this auction?

THE INDEX. Public Safety Hipstrict Topics Obituaries Coupons Puzzles Sports Classiﬁeds

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by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Some say it’s the ultimate in school choice – committing to educate a child at home. According to the Texas Home School Coalition, Texas leads the nation in the number of families who homeschool. THSC estimates that more than 120,000 families in the state are homeschooling more than 320,000 children. In keeping with these stats, The Leader area has an active homeschooling contingent. And while the reasons for the decision vary from person to person, the ability to maintain a strong connection with their child was echoed by many as a key factor. Garden Oaks mother Julia Johnson is currently teaching two boys, ages 5 and 6, while also taking care of her 2 year and 10 month old.

HOMESCHOOLING RESOURCES • Texas Home School Coalition www.thsc.org • Southeast Texas Home School Association www.sethsa.org • The Homeschool Store http://www.thehomeschoolstore.com/ • Houston Alternative Education Alliance http://haea-houstonalterneducalliance.com/ • The Garden Oaks Home School Support Group https://www.homeschool-life.com/sysﬁles/member/ index_public.cfm?memberid=457

“I love that homeschooling fosters strong family relationships,” said Johnson. “It’s also a wonderful way to tailor each child’s education to their unique learning style. While there is a religious component,

New delivery service offers local food, on your doorstep by Charlotte Aguilar charlotte@theleadernews.com It’s part Revival Market, part farmers’ market and co-op – but it’s on wheels and now taking orders to deliver to your doorstep starting Monday. Greenling is new to Houston –– and will be servicing all Leader neighborhoods (77007, 77008, 77009, 77018, 77091 and 77092). But the company has been successfully operating for eight years in other parts of Texas, providing online-based custom ordering of locally grown organic products with what it claims are prices competitive with grocery stores – – and no delivery charge, up to twice a week, with a $25 minimum order. Included are fresh produce, pasture-raised meats and dairy products, baked items, coffees and teas, cheeses and snacks. The company also offers pre-selected

Greenling claims to supply locally sourced produce and other foods – and delivers them in ‘green’ hybrid vehicles. “boxes” which offer a choice of different products weekly, pantry-stocking items and snack foods, and “recipe kits,” which package

items to prepare a particular dish, complete with instructions, as well as entree salads and sandwiches. There’s everything from Mediterranean and Indian food items, tortillas and tamales, kettle corn, olive oil and sauerkraut on suppliers’ lists. “We’ve seen a great response in Houston and are so excited for deliveries to start next week,” said Greenling spokesperson Aspen Lewis after ordering began Monday. Customers going to the company’s Greenling Houston Facebook page are eligible for special offers and giveaways to help boost early participation. Behind the service, Greenling says, are more than 40 local agribusinesses, the same farmers and artisans you may run into at your local farmers’ markets. One of them, Garrett Gundermann, who has been working with Greenling since 2009, says in company

literature, that he’s been able to expand his Wharton County farm by 300 acres because of the demand from the delivery service’s customers in Central Texas. Another on the list of suppliers is Cathy Sullivan of Happy Heart Farm in Damon, whose produce, herbs and just-gathered eggs are a staple of the weekly Farm Stand at Petrol Market in Oak Forest. “Supporting local farmers and producers is key to fixing what’s wrong with our food system. Food that is picked early and trucked thousands of miles to the store loses flavor and nutrients,” said founder Mason Arnold in material supplied to the media. “Eating local and organic food tastes better, is better for the environment and supports our local economy.” He’ll get no argument from Tiffany Tyler,

see Greenling • Page 10A