Leader February 6 by Street Media

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Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • Vol. 66 • No. 06

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Removing racist restrictions could be made easier By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

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Photo by Adam Zuvanich Heights neighbors Elizabeth Ortiz, right, and Andrea Brashear look at a vacant lot near their homes that is slated to become a convenience store and gas station at 2503 Yale St.

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Neighbors worried about gas station By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com When they found out a gas station was going to be constructed across the alley from their homes in the Heights, Andrea Brashear and Elizabeth Ortiz set out to stop it. They quickly discovered that would be unlikely, if not impossible, because the developer had already platted the property with the City of Houston and was in the process of obtaining the necessary permits to build a Should the city enact zoning convenience store and install gasoline laws? storage tanks underground. Also, the land at the southwest corner of Yale Page 3A and 26th streets had previously been used for commercial purposes, and businesses can be situated next to residential properties in a city without comprehensive zoning laws. The situation still seemed surprising to Brashear and Ortiz, whose garages are less than 15 yards away from the southern fence line of the proposed gas station. They wondered if it was legal for such a business to sprout up so close to their homes, since it has the potential to pose health risks to those in the immediate vicinity, and they wondered if they and their neighbors should have been notified about the development before it was set in mo-

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Sisters Julia Ortiz, 8, and Lourdes Ortiz, 3, play in the alley behind their home on West 25th Street in the Heights. In the background is a vacant lot where a gas station is slated to be constructed later this year.

tion. “What we’ve learned is that health, safety and environment are not part of the permitting process,” said Ortiz, who has two young daughters. Moe Momin, whose family owns the planned gas staSee Gas station P. 5A

Residents fighting storage facility By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Around the corner. A sculpture made with hubcaps has moved to Redbud Gallery.

Page 7A

Tee it up. A youth golf clinic recently was held at Memorial Park Golf Course.

Fred Lindner has a tree in his front yard that he’s thought about cutting down. Now the Heights resident is thinking he’ll keep it, because it might block his view of something he considers even more unwanted. Lindner is among the nearly 4,500 people who, as of Wednesday morning, had signed an online petition called “Stop Big Tex Storage,” which aims to thwart the construction of a seven-story storage facility planned for the site of a former theater and church at

730 E. 11th St. According to the petition – which features a cartoon image of a building-like monster with a chain and padlock for a belt – the storage facility will be out of scale and character for the neighborhood, increase truck traffic and light pollution, negatively impact property values and go against the community’s push to become more conducive to cyclists and pedestrians. “This area that I live in I feel like is one of the few places, at least in Central Houston, that has a real sense of community, which is See Big Tex P. 5A

See Legislation P. 4A

Upcoming foster closet to serve families in area By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

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THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons................................................... 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries............................................... 4A Opinion..................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A Sports......................................................... 4B

Photo by Betsy Denson Big Tex Storage, which operates a self-storage facility in Garden Oaks, plans to construct one at 730 E. 11th St. in the Heights.

A bill was proposed in the Texas Legislature two years ago that sought to make it easier for homeowners to remove unconstitutional, unenforceable and discriminatory provisions from real property records. State Sen. John Whitmire said he did not catch wind of the proposed legislation until late during the biennial session, which ended without it coming to pass. This year, though, the longest-tenured legislator at the state capitol in Austin is determined to help the bill become Texas law, which would be welcomed by many of his constituents in his hometown of Houston. “It’s my priority among my priorities,” Whitmire said. Whitmire has filed Senate Bill 214, which is identical to Whitmire House Bill 485 authored by State Rep. Gene Wu of Houston, in the legislative session that began last month. If the bill makes it through both chambers and is adopted by state legislators, it would become Texas law on Sept. 1. The legislation, first introduced two years ago by Wu, would allow homeowners in neighborhoods such as Garden Oaks and Oak Forest to more easily remove the racist provision in their longstanding deed restrictions that say only members of the “Caucasian race” are allowed to own homes in the communities or even live there. The restriction has been unenforceable for decades under state and federal law, but it remains in Harris County property records and continues to be an eyesore and embarrassment for residents of both neighborhoods. “I would love it,” Oak Forest resident Ashley Cavazos said. “If this bill comes to pass, hopefully it provides a pathway for the entire neighborhood.” Cavazos is the leader of a volunteer neighborhood initiative called Oak Forest Deed for Change, which aims to remove the racist language from the deed restrictions by amending and restating them through procedures outlined by the Texas Property Code. But the process has proven exhaustive, because updating the deed restrictions in the seven Oak Forest sections that contain the offensive language requires the approval of at least 75 percent of property owners in each section. Cavazos and her fellow volunteers have started with Section 4. Eight months into the effort – which has included regular Zoom calls, pro bono work by attorneys in the neighborhood and a signature party – she said signatures have been obtained from only about 25 percent of the section’s property owners. A second signature event is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Saturday at 4205 Piney Woods Dr. “The way the Texas Property Code is written, it’s set up for failure,” Cavazos

Photo by Betsy Denson Oak Forest resident Nicole Aboudaher plans to open a foster closet in a few weeks at 1216 Bethlehem St.

After Oak Forest’s Nicole Aboudaher and husband, Naseem, took in two young brothers over a two-year period, eventually adopting them, they discovered there was another sibling who had recently been born. So they made the decision to adopt him, too, completing their family of three adopted children and two biological ones. But what was missing were all the items the new baby needed.

“I had already gotten rid of everything,” Aboudaher said. “I needed diapers, wipes, you name it.” This sent her on a quest to stock up on items at foster closets, which provide supplies for families with foster or adopted children. But she learned the ones in the Houston area were nowhere close to her, so Aboudaher decided to create one that will soon open at a local church. “There was one in The Woodlands, Conroe and Cypress,” she said. “And I was somewhat north. I couldn’t

imagine where people in Bellaire and south of me would be able to go. I had a friend who had fostered 50 kids and she had never been to a closet because it wasn’t convenient.” Aboudaher, who had known adoptive families growing up, said she saw the “preciousness of adoption.” In addition to being open to that path for her family, she also wanted to be a help to others caring for foster children. She knew children sometimes showed up with clothes that did not fit and broken See Closet P. 4A

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THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • Page 2A

Suspect arrested in recent Local supply distribution officer-involved shooting site among HISD closures By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Police have arrested and charged a man suspected to be involved in a fatal shooting last week in Independence Heights. According to the Houston Police Department, 43-year-old Andra Foster has been charged with aggravated assault against a police officer in connection with the Jan. 25 incident, in which a 29-year-old man was shot and killed at 8502 N. Main St. Foster, who is suspected of shooting the other man, according to HPD, was subsequently shot by a responding HPD officer and transported to an area hospital in stable condition, police said. The 29-year-old victim’s identity is pending notification of family members, according to HPD. HPD said officers responded to an afternoon shooting on North Main Street to find the victim with a gunshot wound. Citing eyewitnesses, the department said officers were told the suspect

was walking toward East 44th Street with a gun. According to HPD, a responding officer later located the suspect in the front yard of a home in the 100 block of East 44th Street allegedly holding a gun. Police said Foster allegedly ignored commands to drop the gun and instead allegedly pointed it at the officer, who fired multiple shots in response, striking Foster. The suspect then ran behind the home, police said, again allegedly ignoring commands to drop the gun and pointing it at an officer. Foster allegedly fired a shot while walking toward the front of the house, according to HPD, which said its officer again fired in response and again wounded Foster. HPD identified the officer who shot Foster as R. Kloeppel, who has been an HPD officer since 2017 and was not injured in the incident. HPD said the incident is under investigation by HPD’s Special Investigations unit, the Internal Affairs division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Heights house fire under investigation By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews. com The Houston Fire Department said it is investigating a house fire in the Heights area last weekend. Nobody was home at the

time of the fire, and there were no reported injuries, according to HFD. HFD said crews responded to a home in the 1200 block of East 24th Street just after 3:30 p.m. last Sunday, Jan. 31 to find fire and smoke coming from a small one-story house,

which eventually spread to the attic before it could be extinguished. Arson investigators are still determining the cause of the fire, which resulted in an estimated $130,000 in damages, according to HFD.

Police Reports • Jan. 28 - Feb. 1 JAN. 28

Theft 1 PM 1400 BLOCK DOROTHY Theft 2 AM 3000 BLOCK AIRLINE Arrest 6 PM 1600 BLOCK WALTON Theft 8 PM 00 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS Theft 10 PM 5100 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Assault 4 AM 200 BLOCK S HEIGHTS BLVD

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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Houston ISD said its Nutrition Services department has closed 12 distribution sites, including one in the area, in efforts to streamline community meals and supply distribution. The district said the nowclosed sites were locations with extremely low or no participation, including one at Clifton Middle School at 6001 Golden Forest Dr., and

were shut down “to allow the department to focus food and resources at the most populated sites where the need is greatest,” according to a news release. There are still local distribution sites open at Waltrip High School (1900 W. 34th St.) and Booker T. Washington High School (4204 Yale St.) that are open Mondays and Thursdays from 2-5 p.m. There is also a neighborhood supersite at the Hattie Mae White Educational

Support Center (4400 W. 18th St.) that is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Student meals are offered free of charge for students ages 1-18. Families must have a birth certificate or proof of enrollment in any school district for each child needing meals if the student is not present. For an up-to-date list of distribution times and locations, visit HoustonISD.org/StudentMeals.

IN MEMORIAM

Elizabeth Lawrence Elizabeth Hansen Hansen

Elizabeth “Liz”“Liz” Lawrence Hansen, 72, was72, welcomed lizabeth Lawrence Hansen, was welinto the comed arms ofinto her the Heavenly Father on January 20, arms of her Heavenly Father 2021 surrounded by her at their family in on January 20,children 2021 surrounded byhome her chilHouston,dren TX. at their family home in Houston, TX. Liz was was born born on on June June25, 25,1948 1948atatFort FortMcKinley McKinley Liz U.S. Army ArmyHospital Hospitalin in Manila, Philippines, firstU.S. Manila, Philippines, the fithe rstborn born of child of Rhodes Cecil Rhodes Lawrence his Filipino child Cecil Lawrence and his and Filipino bride, bride, Dolores Bueza Lawrence. The Lawrence famDolores Bueza Lawrence. The Lawrence family returned ily returned to Houston, Texas in 1949, where Liz to Houston, Texasan in active, 1949, where Liz would becomememan would become enthusiastic, lifelong active, lifelong member ofLiz theattended Oak Forest ber of enthusiastic, the Oak Forest Community. SteCommunity. Liz attended Stevens Elementary, Black vens Elementary, Black Junior High, and Waltrip High School.High, Herand friends andHigh classmates Junior Waltrip School. still Her recall friendsher andas the “glue” still thatrecall held her the as Class 1966that together. Her classmates the of “glue” held the beautiful, welcoming smile, her infectious laugh, and Class of 1966 together. Her beautiful, welcoming smile, overall energy and zest for life drew people to her, and her infectious laugh, and overall energy and zest for life her superb organizational skills made her a natural in drew people to her, and her superb organizational skills planning reunions and keeping communications and friendships alive. made a natural in ofplanning reunions anda keeping Thishercombination keen intelligence, strong work ethic, and the ability to quickly communications and friendships befriend and connect people alive. was key in shaping her successful thirty-year career in the This combination of From keen intelligence, strong work ethic,to and the ability to quickly and natural gas industry. Tennessee aGas to Champlin Transwestern Pipelinebefriend at Enron, she continually broadened her skills and accomplishments. was fearless when facing connect people was key in shaping her successful thirty-year careerShe in the natural gas industry. From a challenge, in 1995,towhen asked toPipeline move attoEnron, Dallasshe to continually take on a broadened new position, Liz Tennessee Gasand to Champlin Transwestern her skills jumped at the chance. that four-year stint,a challenge, she established a whole network and accomplishments. SheOver was fearless when facing and in 1995, whennew asked to moveofto colleagues Dallas to takeand on afriends. new position, Liz jumped at the chance. Over that four-year stint, she established Liz had an uncommon ability to be fully present in whatever task she set for herself. a whole new network of colleagues and friends. Whether engaging with coworkers, listening to and supporting friends, planning celebraLiz with had an uncommon ability be fully present in time whatever she setFamily, for herself. Whether tions neighbors, she gavetounstintingly of her and task attention. friends and engaging with coworkers, listening to and supporting friends, planning celebrations with neighbors, neighbors regularly received tokens of her affection in the form of thoughtful notes, delishe gave unstintingly of her timeand andhand-crafted attention. Family, regularly received cious meals and baked goods, gifts. friends She wasand anneighbors accomplished seamstress as well, and talents the benefit She was a tokens of constantly her affectionusing in theher formenergy of thoughtful notes, to delicious mealsof andothers. baked goods, andalso handprolificgifts. gardener whoanenjoyed spending hours outside with her plants in her and well-kept crafted She was accomplished seamstress as well, constantly using and her energy talents yard. Within home, thewho piano and spending harmonizing others to the benefi t ofher others. Sheshe wasloved also amusic, prolificplaying gardener enjoyed hourswith outside with in song, and always quick to provide a delicious home-cooked meal for family and friends. her plants and in her well-kept yard. Within her home, she loved music, playing the piano and And last but surely not least, the golf course was one of her favorite places to be. Her love harmonizing with others in song, and always quick to provide a delicious home-cooked meal for of golf was legendary among her family and friends, who note that she was a fierce comfamily last and but surely not least,every the golf course was one of her favorite places to petitorand yetfriends. alwaysAnd smiling just enjoying single minute. be. Her Her top lovepriority of golf however was legendary among her her family note that a fiand erce was always family,and her friends, parents,who siblings and she theirwas kids, competitor yetchildren, always smiling enjoying everyher single her beloved Kelly and just Patrick. Despite busyminute. work schedule, she never missed a performance, a game, anwas award ceremony or a lesson in those earlyand years. delighted Her top priority however always her family, her parents, siblings theirShe kids, and her in beingchildren, the “Mom” welcomed all her comers to her home. she Kelly and Patrick’s network beloved Kelly that and Patrick. Despite busy work schedule, never missed a performance, friends cameceremony often andorstayed they could, the the attention aofgame, an award a lessonasinlong thoseas early years. Shenourished delighted inbybeing “Mom”and that love she offered so freely. Even now they recall there was always a delicious meal and welcomed all comers to her home. Kelly and Patrick’s network of friends came often and stayed as an empathetic ear at the Hansen home. Her love for and pride in Kelly and Patrick were long as they could, nourished by the attention and love she offered so freely. Even now they recall unlimited, and she never wavered in her conviction that they could accomplish whatever there wastheir always a delicious meal and an empathetic earencouraging at the Hansenletters home.she Herwrote love to forhim and they set minds to do. Patrick treasures the many pride in Kellyher andlove Patrick unlimited, and she never wavered in her conviction thatcareer. they could expressing and were support as he faced changes and challenges in his own accomplish whatever they set their minds do. Patrick treasures the many encouraging letters she This belief was foundational whentoKelly launched her own business in 2002, Inspirational Arts, in whichhershe creates original using Bibleand Scriptures. would her wrote to him expressing love and support as heart faced changes challengesLiz in his own be career. catalyst and was cheerleader, andwhen having shared a deep, strong faith in throughout their lives, Lizin This belief foundational Kelly launched her own business 2002, Inspirational Arts, and Kelly embarked wholeheartedly on this journey. They traveled together to as many as which she creates original art using Bible Scriptures. Liz would be her catalyst and cheerleader, and 60 craft shows annually. Once again, Liz used her array of talents, booking shows for Kelly having shared a deep, strong faith throughout their lives, Liz and Kelly embarked wholeheartedly at local businesses, helping design the display booth, making inventory and befriending on this journey. They traveled together to as many as 60 craft shows annually. Once again, Liz used many of the other artists at the shows. With her ready smile and her homemade treats, her talents, booking Kelly at local helping design theand display booth, Liz array was of a beloved fixtureshows at theforshows, and thisbusinesses, opportunity to support co-create making inventory befriending of the artists at the shows. her readywork smilelife. and with Kelly was aand source of truemany joy and a other beautiful bookend to herWith productive her homemade Liz was a beloved xturetreasure at the shows, Together, theytreats, built relationships that fithey to thisand day.this opportunity to support and Liz leaves a deeply rooted, of people whotowere her unco-create with behind Kelly was a source of truerich joy network and a beautiful bookend her touched productivebywork life. commonthey generosity and kindness throughout herthis life. Together, built relationships that they treasure to day.As a keeper of memories, she was theLizperson wasa deeply alwaysrooted, ready rich to listen, to of support, grieve youbyorher to uncommon celebrate leaveswho behind network people to who were with touched your good fortune. Her presence will be deeply missed by many. generosity and kindness throughout her life. As a keeper of memories, she was the person who was Liz was predeceased by her parents, Cecil and Dolores Lawrence, and her two siblings, always ready to listen, to support, to grieve with you or celebratetoyour fortune. Herher presence Janie Lawrence Dolmage and Rocky Lawrence. Intoaddition hergood daughter Kelly, son, will be deeply missed by many. Patrick and daughter-in-law, Kelley, Liz is survived by her ex-husband of twenty years, LizHansen, was predeceased by her Dolores Lawrence, and She her two Janie R.K. and her one andparents, only butCecil veryand dear WIL, Janet Hansen. alsosiblings, leaves three Lawrence Dolmage and Rocky Lawrence. In addition hernieces, daughter Kelly, her son, Patrick and grandchildren, Douglas, Kennedy and Presley andtotwo Brittany Lawrence, Ashley Lawrence Strine and her daughter-in-law, Kelley, Liz husband is survivedKyle. by her ex-husband of twenty years, R.K. Hansen, and her one held at Pat Foley Funeral 1200 W. 34th St. Douglas, with a visitation andServices only but will verybe dear WIL, JanetH.Hansen. She alsoHome leaves at three grandchildren, Kennedy on February 10th 4-7Brittany p.m. and the celebration of Liz's life on February 11th atKyle. 11 a.m. and Presley and twofrom nieces, Lawrence, Ashley Lawrence Strine and her husband InServices lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the non-profit First Tee-Greater will be held at Pat H. Foley Funeral Home at 1200 W. 34th St. with a visitation on Houston that represents Liz's love and passion for the game of golf and celebrates her February from p.m. and the celebration of Liz’s life on February 11th at 11 a.m. In lieu of spirit of 10th giving and4-7 helping others. flowers, memorial donations can be made to the non-profit First Tee-Greater Houston that represents Liz’s love and passion for the game of golf and celebrates her spirit of giving and helping others.

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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • Page 3A

Let’s take long, hard look at zoning laws T he topic is almost taboo in some circles around Houston, yet it seems to come up often in conversations about neighborhoods, real estate development and how residential interests intersect with those of industry. I’m talking about the “Z” word and, no, I don’t mean Zuvanich. Its lack of zoning laws has become a claim to fame for Houston, much like the oil and gas business, the rodeo (which has been canceled again this year because of COVID-19) and the Astros. Allowing property owners to build almost whatever they want just about anywhere has contributed to the city’s growth and affordability and even its character, which is evident in popular neighborhoods such as the Heights. Houses and apartments are mixed in with restaurants, bars, shops, fitness centers and all sorts of other businesses, which can make for charming communities that are easy to navigate, not only by vehicle but also by foot and bicycle. But the absence of comprehensive zoning laws also leads to problems and disputes like you read about on today’s front page. Some Heights homeowners with young children are upset about a gas station going up within a few feet of their properties near

Adam

Zuvanich Editor

the intersection of Yale and 26th streets, and there’s little they can do to stop the development in part because there is no zoning law to prevent it. Much the same is true near the intersection of East 11th and Studewood streets, where thousands of community members are petitioning to thwart a seven-story storage facility that is planned for the site of a former theater and church that was built in 1939 and, without hardly any notice to the neighborhood, demolished in December. It’s legal for Big Tex Storage to set up shop in the mostly residential area because, again, there is no Houston law that says it cannot. Issues like these arise all the time in the part of town we serve, and the elected officials who serve the area often remind residents that zoning – or a lack thereof – plays a part. “As a city with no zoning, we

need stronger neighborhood protections,” Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin said in a statement about the Big Tex Storage development. “While some areas in the Heights have protections through historical districts, historical landmarks, or lot and setback restrictions, the lack of zoning leads to situations like this.” Perhaps it’s time for the fine folks of Houston to consider enacting zoning laws, which can only be implemented through a citywide referendum, per the city charter. There were three such votes in the last century, most recently in the 1990s, but the proposal failed each time. Would it pass now? Should it pass now? I don’t know, and it’s a complicated issue that affects all sorts of homeowners, business owners and developers. It also affects the people who cannot afford to own property, because enacting zoning could potentially drive up land prices and, in turn, the price of leasing land. What I do know is the city already has zoning mechanisms in place, even if city leaders refuse to use the “Z” word while discussing them. Deed restrictions like those in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest could be considered a form of zoning, and so could the Special Minimum Lot Size Area

ordinances the city enacts at the request of property owners who want a specific geographic area to favor specific types of land use and structural specifications. As Kamin mentioned, there also are designated historic districts, nine of which are located in the Greater Heights. Property owners can pool together and petition the city for such a designation, which requires structures in those districts to adhere to design standards that match the character of the district. Well, guess what? Two Heights homeowners, Paul Luccia and Kathleen Powell, have challenged the legality of the city’s Historic Preservation Ordinance, suing the city in a case that is now before the Texas Supreme Court. They claim the ordinance constitutes zoning and should therefore be deemed illegal because zoning laws violate the city charter. Arguments were made before the state’s high court in early January, and a ruling by the court is pending. So why don’t we consider stopping the charade, and refraining from using the “Z” word, and just vote to allow zoning? Then we could talk about the concept more freely and apply it in more cases, such as when a gas station plans to situate itself across the alley from a home with young children.

Moving lock, stock and gun barrel Get ready to welcome yet another new Texan. This move follows a long list of those who have GTT (Gone To Texas, Pilgrim). In recent times we have seen Elon Musk pull up stakes and come here. There have been Apple, Charles Schwab and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Now we have the National Restaurant Association coming, or maybe it’s the Nuclear Reactor Agency or New Republican Antifa. No, this NRA is the National Rifle Association, that all-powerful lobby that protects Americans right to bare arms. (They like short sleeve shirts.) It seems the organization is “dumping New York” and exiting its “toxic political environment.” Wayne LaPierre, the NRA’s chief executive officer, said in a letter, “We are leaving the state of an attorney general who, just a few months ago, vowed to put us out of business through an abuse of legal and regulatory power.” The gun-rights group said that it would reincorporate in Texas. Why do the NRA leaders have this sudden urge to become Texans? Probably for our Tex-Mex restaurants, great August climate and fantastic state government. No, according to LaPierre (a great name), “Texas values the contributions of the NRA, celebrates our law-abiding members, and joins us as a partner in upholding constitutional freedom.” Actually, there is a back story (journalists’ overused term) here. New York Attorney General Letitia James has been conducting an investigation into corruption at the gun group since 2019. She alleges that the NRA diverted charitable (the NRA is a charity?) donations for years to enrich executives, in violation of New York laws. The organization has undergone years of revelations about its spending and oversight practices, including hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on LaPierre’s Zegna suits and far-flung travel to places like the Bahamas, Palm Beach, Reno and Italy’s Lake Como. The NRA even once explored buying a $6 million mansion in a Dallas-area gated community for his use. (If LaPierre moves to Big D, he may find that city has an aversion to guns, particularly sniper rifles.) Atty. Gen. James claimed that the NRA paid a personal travel consultant for LaPierre $13.5 million, largely through no-bid contracts. Private flights were chartered for LaPierre’s wife and his niece, according to the complaint. During trips to the Bahamas, he made use of a 108foot yacht called “Illusions” owned by an NRA contractor. He spent millions more on “unwarranted travel expens-

Lynn Ashby Columnist

es” such as luxury black-car services, racking up more than $3 million in the last two years. He lavished gifts from Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman on his inner circle, and once put his niece up at a Four Seasons hotel for eight nights at a cost of more than $12,000, the complaint said. Even after removal or retirement he has an NRA income for life: a $17 million post-employment contract. NRA members must remember this when they pay their next dues. NRA has its headquarters in a really spiffy complex in Fairfax, Virginia, not far from Washington, D.C., but was chartered in New York in 1871 and that state says it has jurisdiction. If the organization moves to Texas, think of all those new jobs, big budget and La Pierre going through Neiman’s with a shopping cart. Gov. Greg Abbott jumped on welcoming the gun rights organization with open arms -- or armed. “Welcome to Texas -- a state that safeguards the 2nd Amendment,” he said in a tweet. Even then-President Donald Trump approved: “The NRA should move to Texas and lead a very good and beautiful life. Texas would be a great place and an appropriate place for the NRA. … They’ve been absolutely decimated by the cost of that lawsuit, and it’s very sad.” But wait. Before that highrise HQ building goes up on Congress Avenue, the NRA may settle for a suite at Motel 6. You see, the organization said it was declaring bankruptcy. The NRA and a subsidiary filed Chapter 11 petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court in Dallas. It reported between $100 million and $500 million in assets and the same amount in liabilities. Those Zegna suits and yacht trips can add up. On the other hand, court papers filed in New York show assets of about $203 million — mostly in cash, investments, receivables and its headquarters -- against liabilities of $153 million. (Because of its financial plight, the NRA didn’t have its usual muscle in the 2020 elections.) NY Atty. Gen. James said in a joyful statement: “The NRA’s claimed financial status has finally met its moral status: bankrupt.” Now comes the big legal fight: by moving to Texas and declaring bankruptcy, does that change

anything? Can the organization find a friendlier court? Atty. Gen. James, quoting a New York legal term, said, “Fuggedaboutit!” or something akin, and plans to continue her pursuit. In any event, we must hope the NRA lawyers get paid in advance in cash. Controversy is nothing new to the NRA or LaPierre. In 1995, former president George H.W. Bush resigned as a Life Member. The reason? Bush explained in a letter to the NRA: I was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Mr. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of NRA, defended his attack on federal agents as “jackbooted thugs. To attack Secret Service agents or A.T.F. people or any government

law enforcement people as “wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms” wanting to “attack law abiding citizens” is a vicious slander on good people. Al Whicher, who served on my [Secret Service] detail when I was Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City. He was no Nazi.” Then there was the power struggle between its president, Oliver L. North, and LaPierre, whom North accused of “self dealing.” North got fired. So we see, with mixed blessings, that the NRA, “America’s Oldest and Largest Civil Rights Group,” may GTT. Maybe it should be Guns To Texas.” Be careful going to a Target store.

Of course, there already are lots of situations in the area – and all over Houston – where businesses are next to residences and they get along just fine. They can even complement each other in some cases, and it would not make much sense to mess with such a dynamic. Existing setups that would violate zoning laws could be grandfathered in so as not to cause too much of a disruption for businesses and the local economy in general. But if parameters are put in place for future construction, it could ease some tensions as the city continues to grow, expand and become more densely populated. Those are just some observations and suggestions from a local newspaper editor who has seen the benefits of a lack of zoning laws but also sees where they could be put to good use. I won’t pretend to have answers to all the questions raised by the issue, but it might be worth it to solicit input from the appropriate stakeholders and take a long, hard look at what zoning laws could do for the city at this stage of its development. If nothing else, perhaps zoning would make some local residents a little bit happier with where they live. Email azuvanich@theleadernews. com

THE READER. Sinclair’s Pine Trees

Dear Editor: Your article in the January 30 Leader was incredibly frustrating to read. Your cavalier just-get-over-it attitude is a Houston staple but is not a healthy way to interact or in the best interest of our city. You state an opinion that the school plan that was never put before the community for comment is the best one but you don’t tell us why you think that. Are we just supposed to trust you because you are an expert at such things? What other plans were considered? If none were then why not? There is more to say but I don’t have time. I’m just very irritated that our local community paper would devote half a page to this and leave so much out. Mike

Public comments requested for Shepherd-Durham project

Dear Editor: The artist rendering forgot the unicorns and rainbows! Not one car … only pedestrians and bike riders on this heavily traveled road! With all the new apartments being built in the area traffic will be worse. Add the planned “road diet” on 11th, this will be a nightmare. Do the people that plan these major changes even live in our neighborhood? MrsKP

Ashby shoots at ashby2@comcast.net

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Owed 7. Shawl 13. Slow tempo 14. Bodily structure 16. Sun-god 17. Franklin or Eleanor 19. Degree 20. Norwegian poet 22. Local school organization 23. Consumer 25. Brews 26. Hero 28. To clear or tidy 29. 9th month 30. Hit lightly 31. Pinna 33. DoD computer language 34. One Direction won at 2014 awards 36. No. Am. peat bog 38. Clear wrap 40. Napped leather 41. In a way, takes 43. Transported 44. Back muscle 45. Unhappy 47. Wrong 48. Chit 51. Epic poem 53. Capuchin genus 55. ____traz: The Rock 56. Weight unit 58. Foot (Latin) 59. Egg-shaped nut

palm 60. A radioactive element 61. Roosevelt V.P. 64. Railroad track 65. More dense, less liquid 67. Block, Fire & Reunion 69. A set that is part of another set 70. Hair product

dOwn 1. Ineffective 2. 39th state 3. Skins 4. In a moment 5. Japanese Prime Minister Hirobumi 6. Tyrant 7. A cruelly rapacious person 8. Point midway between NE and E 9. Abnormal breathing 10. Essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers 11. Italian river 12. Fixed firmly into 13. Opera songs 15. Cloth measurement 18. 7th Greek letter

21. Extractor 24. For boiling water to make tea 26. Possesses 27. Edible tuberous root 30. Glass window sheets 32. Tactics 35. More (Spanish) 37. Our star 38. Makes a choice 39. Great Plains indians 42. Baglike structure in a plant or animal 43. Female sibling 46. Diverge 47. Adherent of Islam 49. Defer 50. Semitic gods 52. Indian term of respect 54. 10 decibels 55. Surface regions 57. Small amounts 59. Liberal rights organization 62. Teeny 63. Volcanic mountain in Japan 66. Atomic #71 68. Canadian province

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A â€˘ Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 â€˘ The Leader

Eagles dominate private-school football honors at Touchdown Club By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A high school football season that saw St. Thomas finish with yet another undefeated district record is in the rearview mirror, but several key contributors to the 2020 campaign were front and center last week. The Eagles had quarterback Maddox Kopp, kicker Pablo Tager and head coach Rich McGuire recognized among the cityâ€™s TAPPS elite during the Touchdown Club of Houstonâ€™s private school awards

ceremony Jan. 27. Kopp, who is committed to the University of Houston, was named the Touchdown Clubâ€™s private school offensive player of the year after producing 3,426 total yards as the signal caller for an Eagles offense that scored nearly 33 points per game. A secondteam TAPPS all-state selection, the senior had 30 touchdown passes against just four interceptions in leading St. Thomas to the TAPPS state quarterfinals. He joins former St. Thomas quarterback Peyton Matocha, who took home

the Touchdown Club honor in 2018. Tager was named the special teams player of the year after going 42 of 44 on extra points during the season. This is the second consecutive season an Eagle has taken home the award â€“ Paul Langenmeier won the honor in 2019. McGuire was named the organizationâ€™s coach of the year after guiding the Eagles to a third consecutive undefeated district championship and another playoff appearance.

McGuire

Kopp

Tager

High school athletes sign to play at colleges By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

It was an exciting Wednesday for a number of the areaâ€™s high school students who will be continuing their athletic careers at the college level. More than a dozen players from area schools signed to play in college, led by Heights girls basketball star Gracelynn Alvarez signing with the Uni-

Billy Thursland â€“ Tulsa (preferred walk-on) Brian Mayes â€“ Incarnate Word Kendric Rhymes â€“ Kilgore Junior College Patrick McDowell â€“ Texas A&M Kingsville Christopher Smith â€“ Texas A&M Kingsville Keyondrick Douglas â€“ Blinn Junior College Jonovan Foreman â€“ Pitts-

versity of Texas-El Paso. The Bulldogs also had Billy Thursland commit to the University of Tulsa football program as a preferred walk-on. The full list of the areaâ€™s college signees is below. HEIGHTS Girls Basketball Gracelynn Alvarez â€“ UTEP Football

burgh State Byron McDaniel â€“ McMurry Zayan Primes â€“ Howard Payne Darius Howard â€“ Gustavus Adolphus College Baseball Jovanny Garcia â€“ University of St. Thomas

landan@theleadernews.com

Beginning later this month, a womenâ€™s Bible study group will once again start meeting every other Tuesday from noonâ€“ 1:30 p.m. at the Harriet and Joe Foster

ST. PIUS X Carson Rodgers â€“ Texas Wesleyan (football, baseball)

Family YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. The first in-person Bible study will take place Feb. 16 and meet every two weeks afterward with COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing and mask wearing. On the Tuesdays in between meetings, the Bible study will be conducted via video

teleconferencing. It is open to all women in the community. For more information, community members can reach Kathryn van der Pol at 713-516-4282.

Whitmire said the goal during the legislative session is to tweak the billâ€™s language so a petition filed by one property owner would apply to the entire neighborhood or an entire section within a neighborhood. He said the antiquated, racist provision in the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest deed restrictions is common throughout the Houston area and affects â€œmaybe hundreds of thousandsâ€? of homeowners in the region. â€œWeâ€™re going to try to improve it,â€? Whitmire said of the billâ€™s language. â€œPeople shouldnâ€™t have to go to court.â€? Knowing the bill is a work in progress and may not ultimately pass, Cavazos is

cautiously optimistic and said the introduction of the legislation is at least a step toward removing the barriers she and her fellow volunteers have been facing. Whitmire said State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, who represents part of the area in District 139, also supports the legislation and is working with him and Wu to see it to fruition. â€œI think weâ€™ll get some results,â€? Whitmire said. â€œWeâ€™ve just got to keep working it.â€? Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @ AZuvanich

ing Aboudaher to run back and forth from her house, the closet also benefits from the generous people in Oak Forest who are donating items. â€œThis is an amazing place to host this,â€? she said. Those interested in learning more can ask to be added to the private Facebook group, Oak Forest Foster Closet. â€œI want to try and supply every need I can,â€? Aboudaher said. â€œThese people are doing all the hard work.â€? Follow us on social media @FromTheLeader

IF I COULD WALK...

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713.686.8494 Get Your Business Up and Running

CHURCH D I R E CTO RY

In light of theSunday COVID-19 outbreak, please check with church below for updated St.each James Lutheran Church, ELCA Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am Morning Worship ............... 10:45am â€˘ Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am information Wednesday about services and events. In-person services are temporarily restricted. Bible Studies For Youth, Children â€˘ Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm MANNA

Dale Chaffin Box

fter two difficult years of battling the effects of liver cirrhosis, Dale Box was called home by our Heavenly Father! His Life Celebration Service will be at Houston's First Baptist Sanctuary, 7401Katy Frwy., 77024, on Monday, Feb. 15, visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m. Dale Chaffin Box, 73 years old, passed peacefully into Heaven on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, with his beloved wife, Dee Dee, at his side in their home in Tomball, TX. Dale was born in East Bernard on March 16, 1947, to Joe and Allyne Box. He was born with a congenital heart defect. At age 11, his heart valve was amazingly repaired by Dr. Denton Cooley! Daleâ€™s huge heart for others is truly his lifelong â€˜giftâ€™! He grew up in Freeport, Texas and graduated from Brazosport High School, where he was elated to be on their State Championship Baseball Team in 1964. Dale earned his degree in Psychology from the University of Houston, and became a world-renowned Juvenile Probation Officer for 28 yrs. in Houston, TX. He married Dee Dee Arnold Green (who grew up in Timbergrove) on Dec. 18, 1971. Dale loved well, and he loved big. He loved those hardest to love. Genuinely. He followed in his Saviorâ€™s footsteps doing exactly that! More easily loved were Daleâ€™s own children: John Byron Box and Brittany Allyne Box Lemmons. They survive him, along with their families: sonâ€™s wife, Sharon; grandsons: Braden Luke and Bryce Andrew; and daughterâ€™s children: Daley Kate, Jacob Brigman, and Greenley Jane. For the very few of you who never heard, Dale has THE best, most amazing, attractive, smartest, and talented grandkids EVER! After retiring from his first career, he spent some quality time at Enron/Minute Maid Park ushering fans, but mostly watching his favorite sport in person. Then he took his huge heart to serve as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines for 17 years, a company he wholeheartedly respected. Above all else, Dale loved Jesus! The heart God gave Dale, then renewed, beat for the Lord - a legacy for the rest of us for whom his heart beat also. â€œWell done, My good and faithful servant . . . Play ball!â€? In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations be made to the Faith Center of Houstonâ€™s First Baptist Church.

GET Confidence gives courage OVER IT!

t goes without saying, but Iâ€™ll say it anyway: â€œwe have all made mistakes.â€? As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: â€œTo err is human, to forgive, divine.â€? We should remember this the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While it can be hard enough to forgive others for their mistakes, it can sometimes feel almost impossible to forgive ourselves. We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something weâ€™ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves for years, or even decades, over youthful indiscretions. In addition, some of us may not be able to forget the sins of our past. And although that may prevent us from repeating them, we must be charitable and forgive ourselves, just as we should forgive others. So, we should make a real effort in the coming days and weeks to forgive the offenses of others as well as our own. Sometimes, it helps to just forget about them; that is, to try to put them out of our mind and stop repeatedly mulling over them. One of the reasons we use the phrase â€œforgive and forgetâ€? is because sometimes that is the only way to forgive, i.e., by forgetting. But far better, and more divine, is to be able to forgive even while remembering the offense. So, we should let go of those unforgiving, vindictive, shameful feelings about the past, and get over it! Corrie ten Boom, who survived incarceration in a Nazi prison camp said, â€œForgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize that the prisoner was you.â€?

By Pastor Will Cover

Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 â€˘ www.arisebaptistchurch.org

e live in crazy times. While there is much 1602 West 43rd St. â€˘ Houston, Tx 77018 â€˘ 713-686-1577 1822 W. 18th â€˘ 713-864-1470 First Church that is unknown, St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA Weekly Sunday Services Gethsemane Lutheran Church there are great opportunities to â€˘ Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI BN BN â€˘ Morning:10:30 a.m. We invite you to worship with us! â€˘ Evening: 4:15 p.m. those with the courage to take t -FBSOJOH )PVS BN QN 1700 Sunday West 43 at Rosslyn School ........9:15 am MANNA 713-682-4942 them. In 1 Peter 1, the Bible t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN Pastor â€“ Dr. Richard Walters Sunday Worship......10:30am 4QPOTPS Ad # 32285 tells us about our salvation Wednesday Bible Study 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t & Prayer 6:00pm Candlelight Church ofService Christ that we have in Christ. It is Join us for Services FC Heights Family and Staff a salvation that the prophets in English or Spanish Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 201 E. 9th St. â€˘ 713-861-3102 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40 ofyouold about and that not, and will notspoke be condemned; forgive, Please website at: Sund visitforour Sunday Bible Classes 9am www.fbcheights.org Ministries All Ages and you will be forgiven... Wednesday Bible Study 7pm Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children the angels themselves try to www.lazybrookbaptistchurch.org for the following: Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor 4215 Watonga Blvd. â€˘ 713-681-9365 R.S.V. Luke 6:37 Sunday Services: @ 9 AM and 2003 W. 43rd St.Wed 713-686-8241 s t s u m cIn-person .org Houston, TX 77092 understand. Because salvation 11 AM (Live stream during 11 AM service) Say a is by grace through faith in Bible Studies: From Homepage, click on Jesus Christ it is something Prayer 1822 W. 18th â€˘ 713-864-1470 Connect/Small Groups that can be enjoyed by those Today who have trusted in Christ and can experience the joys of Gethsemane Lutheran Church a personal relationship with Pastor Jerry McNamara God. From the outside, it can 4040 Watonga â€˘ 713-688-5227 be hard to understand the We invite you to worship with us! peace and joy that comes from Weekly Worship Services 9:00a.m. walking with God as his child. Online services can be reached The Bible says in Philippians through the website below at 9:00 am. and Adults............................ 6:15pm

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â—†

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Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com

IN MEMORIAM

but also for kinship guardians, who could be a family member of the child or even a family friend. â€œI know it is always best to prevent children from entering the system,â€? she said. â€œI hope to reach out to area schools, so they know this is a resource for their foster and kinship families, too.â€? Aboudaher said they will verify people as foster or adoptive parents through their paperwork or by asking for a school or nonprofit to vouch for them. Aside from the convenience of the location, allow-

and Aboudaher had met at the opening for Fostering Family. By coincidence, Knowlesâ€™ husband, Drew, is opening Sojourn, a new church, at the former Oaks Christian property. The couple offered her free use of space in the church building and helped her set up a nonprofit corporation. Now, Aboudaher is busy finding volunteer workers and painters to get the space ready. There will be four rooms -- one for wipes and diapers, another for clothes, one for toys and one for cribs and highchairs. About 20 percent of the donations she currently has are on site, to enable easy sorting. The rest are at her home, waiting to be assimilated. Aboudaher said she wants not only to be a resource for foster and adoptive parents

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Closet from P. 1A toys. She also knew that foster families oftentimes could not make a big investment in new items, especially when they didnâ€™t know how long a child would be staying with them. To meet the need, Aboudaher resolved to start a free foster closet in the area. The closet was just an idea a month ago, and this month it will open at 1216 Bethlehem St., in a previously unused space at the former Oaks Christian Church. While researching how other closets operated, Aboudaher also reached out to anyone she thought could help her. Through those efforts she connected with Amber Knowles, the executive director of Fostering Family, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to strengthening foster/kinship families and their communities. Knowles

DEBBIE ourrealtordebbie@aol.com ELLIOTT

Every WEDNESDAY @ 1:00pm - Words of Wisdom Every THURSDAY @ 10:00am - Chapel Time for Tots 2 Teens Every SUNDAY @ 10:17am - Online Worship www.facebook.com/stmatthewsunitedmethodistchurch 4300 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77018 713-697-0671

Legislation from P. 1A said of efforts to amend the deed restrictions. â€œIf we can continue to convince legislators to put something in place and make it easier, then I could say the work wasnâ€™t for nothing.â€? According to the existing language of the proposed bill, a property owner could remove an unconstitutional, unenforceable or discriminatory deed restriction by filing a petition in a district court of the county where the restriction is recorded. But Whitmire said the removal would only apply to the one homeowner, which would be cumbersome for courts and has drawn opposition from real estate agents and title companies.

713-906-5481 Realty Associates

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Womenâ€™s Bible study to restart soon at local YMCA By Landan Kuhlmann

Bethany Davila â€“ Briar Cliff University Alexandria Hill â€“ Jarvis Christian College

Experience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination

that the peace of God is beyond human comprehension. When you have the peace of God because you are at peace with God you will have confidence because of what Christ has done for you. That confidence will give you the courage to walk through difficult places, to step out by faith where God leads, and to continue to walk in obedience even when the human outlook is bleak. If you are struggling with doubts and discouragement in your life I want to invite you to a closer walk with Christ. God has all of the answers that you need. You can go to Him with every problem and burden that you carry. He promises life, joy, and peace. In Him, we can have the confidence that our future is secure. This confidence gives courage to continue through whatever life brings.

The Leader â€˘ Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 â€˘ Page 5A

Gas station, from P. 1A tion and also operates convenience stores at 1535 N. Durham Dr. and 1500 Shepherd Dr., said he did not get pushback from nearby residents regarding those developments. He said the property at Durham and 15th Street was previously residential, and he installed a tall fence behind the property to provide a buffer between homes and his business. Brashear and Ortiz, whose adjacent homes are surrounded by a mix of residential and commercial properties, are still pushing back against the prospect of having a gas station for a new neighbor. They started an online petition Monday that asks the Houston City Council to stop the development, and as of Wednesday morning it already included nearly 80 signatures. Theyâ€™re also challenging the framework that allowed the gas station project, which is expected to begin construction next month, to nearly

reach the point of no return. Corey Williams, the policy and research director for local nonprofit Air Alliance Houston, said properties that serve as gas stations are difficult to remediate and generally remain filling stations for generations. He also said gasoline contains harmful chemicals such as benzene, a carcinogen, that can impact people with sustained exposure to it. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulates underground storage tanks at gas stations but does not require a buffer between them and residential structures, Williams said. Houston has a Hazardous Enterprises Ordinance that aims to protect residents from businesses that are considered harmful. But in a car-centric city that is a hub for the oil and gas industry, gas stations are exempt. Williams said the fact gas stations are specifically carved out of the ordinance, which was otherwise

the director of the cityâ€™s Planning & Development Department, also deferred to the fire department when asked about the carve-out for gas stations. A spokesperson for the fire department did not provide an answer by press time Wednesday â€“ six days after the question was submitted in an email. â€œSomething like this, involving fumes and hazardous materials, I think we should be made more aware,â€? said Sara Qaddumi, a neighbor of Brashear and Ortiz on West 25th Street. â€œI know Houston with no zoning, anything can happen, but something like this should have a certain category. It should not fall in the same category as a commercial permit.â€? Wallace Brown said the property owner, Yale Ventures LLC, according to the Harris County Appraisal District, platted the land in December 2019 and has had most of its permitting applications ap-

strengthened last year after the explosion at Watson, Grinding & Manufacturing in West Houston, suggests those businesses are generally considered hazardous. â€œItâ€™s par for the course and itâ€™s messed up,â€? Williams said. â€œGas stations pose a risk to peopleâ€™s health. Long-term exposure to gasoline fumes can pose significant risks.â€? Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, who represents the Heights and recently was appointed to serve on the National League of Citiesâ€™ Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Center, did not comment on the planned gas station at Yale and 26th or the nearby residentsâ€™ concerns about it. When asked why gas stations are exempt from the Hazardous Enterprises Ordinance, and whether the city council should consider removing that exemption, a spokesperson for Kamin deferred to the Houston Fire Department. Margaret Wallace Brown,

proved. A landscaping permit was initially rejected, Wallace Brown said, but figures to be approved if a few more trees are added to the site plan. Momin, the property owner, said he has talked to Brashear and Ortiz about the site at Yale and 26th and promised to construct a tall fence between their properties. Momin, who plans to begin construction in March and have it completed by October, said he wants to be a good neighbor and serve the needs of the community, which is why he plans to offer organic food, among other products. Momin said he also understands why Brashear and Ortiz, who live closest to the site, are worried. â€œThose concerns are valid. Itâ€™s something that needs to be brought up to city council,â€? Momin said. â€œWeâ€™re going with whatever todayâ€™s law is, and (the city) approved our plat for that purpose. If they said no, obviously I wouldnâ€™t be doing it. We donâ€™t want to

break the law.â€? Brashear and Ortiz said they take greater issue with the laws that are allowing a gas station to be built in close proximity to their homes than they do with Momin. They said they are grateful he is receptive to their concerns and hope they can mitigate the effects of his gas station as much as possible. Williams said conflicting land uses are becoming more and more prevalent across the city and Harris County because of continued growth and expansion without zoning laws. He also said there is blame to go around â€“ at the local, state and federal levels â€“ for not having regulations in place that would prevent situations like the one in the Heights. â€œWhat if he wasnâ€™t a nice guy? What if the developer was not responsive?â€? Ortiz said of Momin. â€œIs Houston depending on developers to be nice guys and work with the neighborhoods?â€?

Big Tex, from P. 1A what we love about it,â€? Lindner said. â€œSomeone coming in and dropping a seven-story warehouse right in the middle of it is the exact opposite of what we want to see here.â€? Houston City Council member Karla Cisneros also has expressed disappointment over a project she called â€œso out of characterâ€? for the community, even though the proposed storage facility would be outside of her district. The council member who serves the area, Abbie Kamin, did not criticize the project directly but pointed out Houstonâ€™s lack of zoning laws and encouraged residents to push for more neighborhood protections. Unfortunately for the thousands of petitioners who oppose Big Tex Storage, there is little they can do to prevent the business from setting up shop in the neighborhood. The property is located just outside one of the seven historic districts in the Greater Heights, meaning developments there are not required to adhere to the design standards of a historic district.

Margaret Wallace Brown, the director of the cityâ€™s Planning & Development Department, said the property owner and developer, Bobby Grover of Grover Ventures, has followed all the cityâ€™s laws and protocols and has nearly completed the permitting process, with only the fire marshal left to sign off on it. Wallace Brown said the property was platted as an unrestricted reserve in December, with no variance request and no notification to nearby residents required. Grover said in December, when an 81-year-old theater-turned-church was demolished at the site, that construction for Big Tex Storage was scheduled to begin in March and be complete by January 2022. â€œThere is nothing that will stop him unless he decides not to do this,â€? Wallace Brown said. â€œHe is following all of the City of Houston rules.â€? Grover, in a statement, indicated he could be willing to address the concerns of the neighborhood, saying, â€œWe look forward to working

with Heights residents and organizations on this project.â€? He said the storage facility is being designed to complement the architectural character of the Heights, with â€œhoned brick, la Habra stucco and architectural metal panels,â€? but did not respond to a question about whether he would be willing to reduce the planned height of the structure. Big Tex Storage has existing locations in Montrose, River Oaks and Garden Oaks, with the latter selfstorage facility located at 3480 Ella Blvd. A representative of the Houston Heights Association (HHA) said early this week that the neighborhood organization had a meeting scheduled with Grover for later in the week. â€œThe HHA has heard from concerned citizens about the proposed size of the structure in proportion to the surrounding buildings as well as nearby residential neighbors,â€? the HHA said in a statement. â€œWe are hopeful the owner will work with our community to address these

concerns.â€? Even if Heights community members cannot convince Grover to reduce the scale of the Big Tex Storage development, residents have means of preventing similar projects in the future. Kamin said she plans to partner with the HHA on a presentation for residents next week that will outline the cityâ€™s planning and permitting processes as well as the tools homeowners have for protecting the character of their neighborhoods. One of those tools is seeking a historic district designation from the city, which requires the support of at least 67 percent of property owners in a proposed district. According to Roman McAllen, the cityâ€™s historic preservation officer, such a designation likely would have prevented the demolition of the old building on 730 E. 11th St. and would have required the upcoming development to conform with the scale of surrounding structures. â€œHowever, there isnâ€™t a (historic) district there,â€? he said. â€œUnfortu-

nately, the theater was not landmarked.â€? Lindner said the fact a sevenstory storage facility can legally be constructed in a historic community such as the Heights is an â€œembarrassmentâ€? for the city and reflects poorly on the cityâ€™s leadership. He said he and his fellow community members will continue to push back against Big Tex Storage, with a protest scheduled for Saturday in front of the property. â€œItâ€™s not that weâ€™re anti-development,â€? Lindner said. â€œThereâ€™s been tons of development in the Heights. I would say the majority of it has been positive. Itâ€™s improved our neighborhood and given a chance for a large number of people to come in and enjoy the community. What we donâ€™t like is people secretly coming in here and dropping things on the community that nobody wants and nobody needs.â€? Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich

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The Leader • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Saturdays are for arts-filled trips around Heights Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

On my way home heading east on 11th Street, I passed Redbud Gallery (at the corner of Cortlandt Street) with barely a glance as I was clearly on autopilot. My peripheral vision glimpsed a 12-foot sphere made out of hubcaps sparkling in the new sculpture garden next to the gallery. I absolutely did a double-take. The sphere is called “What Goes Around Comes Around” and is made of metal and plastic hubcaps over wire mesh over steel armature by artist John Carroll Runnels. The sculpture was part of True North 2019: a Heights Boulevard sculpture project, where many thousands probably saw this sculpture on

their daily commute, stroll or exercise. “Redbud Gallery is pleased to present the diverse works of 80 artists from the Texas Sculpture Group (TSG),” Tanja Peterson, director of Redbud Gallery, stated on the gallery’s website. “The group of regional Texas sculptors represents a vast repertoire of styles, mediums and form for the viewer to contemplate, experience or simply enjoy. There will be indoor pieces at our east gallery and west gallery and outdoor pieces at our newly created sculpture garden. We also included an honorary as well as a memorial display of deceased Texas artists who are important to the scene.” There is no need to follow my double-take to see this sculpture. Head over to Redbud Gallery at 303 E. 11th St. and take in over 80 sculptures on view through Feb. 63. Redbud is open daily from noon-5 p.m. Visit the website for details at redbudgallery.com. In other news, the first Sat-

urday of the month is this Saturday and that means I get to write “Saturday” five times in one sentence because this Saturday is the First Saturday Arts Market! My editor probably cursed over this sentence (or laughed). Many of the artists have poured their hearts into creating Valentine’s Day-themed works. See what I did there? More puns. From hand-carved hearts of wood, stained glass, buttons, yarn to paintings of hearts in bandages, thorns, adorned with angel wings and all the other emotions associated with love and more. There’s “regular” art, too. Find the First Saturday Arts Market at 530 W. 19th St. and online at 1stSatArtMarket.com.

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

Contributed Photo John Carroll Runnels’ “What Goes Around Comes Around” is at Redbud Gallery.

Review: Gus’s tunes fried chicken just right By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

I’ve long accepted the fact that fried chicken is my favorite food. It’s a deceptively simple dish that can either have you cringing because there’s no seasoning in the breading, or singing because of how much flavor comes from one bite into its crispy skin. On a recent stop into Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken at 1815 Washington Ave., I was singing. Lucky for me, I’m always ordering extra food for family, meaning I always get to try more than what I order, which was the two-piece dark meat plate. The plate came with a slice of bread and two sides. I chose the baked beans and coleslaw. The big difference in dark versus white meat is that dark tends to be fattier with more chicken flavor, which is a nice way of saying it has kind of a gamey taste. While there’s a class of people who believe you aren’t truly a fried chicken lover unless you think dark meat is king, I don’t really agree. People have different preferences. As a child, dark meat freaked me out. I soon learned the error of my ways, but I still like white meat as well. That being said, Gus’s dark meat chicken might be

Photo by Zarah Parker Fried pickles are among the appetizer options at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken at 1815 Washington Ave.

the best I’ve ever had. It was juicy and tender. The breading made that perfect crunch sound when I bit into it. I also tried a piece of the white meat, and while the chicken itself was lighter in flavor, the seasoned crust still made it a worthy dish. The spice level of Gus’s golden brown pieces is mild. It’s touted as spicy chicken, but it’s a soft spiciness. It doesn’t burn your throat. It springs off your tongue in the most pleasant way. I also tried a small piece of a chicken tender, which came out more of a reddish brown than the bone-in chicken. I

wondered if this meant it was spicier, but it wasn’t. The tender, which was a thick slice of chicken, was just as juicy, and the seasoning had really seeped past the breading and into the chicken itself. The baked beans had a thick sauce that made the beans a mix of sweet and savory. But my favorite side was the coleslaw, because I enjoyed how the cabbage and carrots were chopped up. I tried a few pieces of fried okra and French fries as well. The fries were lightly seasoned and definitely a side I would consider in the future. The fried okra was great as

Photo by Zarah Parker Pictured are chicken tenders with fries and fried okra from Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken.

well. The breading was in a thick layer around the pieces of okra. I wouldn’t say the breading was seasoned much, allowing the sweet and grassy notes of the okra come through most. The appetizers I debated over were the fried green tomatoes and the fried pickle spears. But after learning that the latter was the most popular option, I wanted to see if

they were as good as I had heard. They were. At this point I’m convinced Gus’s could fry anything and I’d like it. The spears were coated in a generous layer of breading that while looking thick, proved to be not overwhelmingly so after first bite. If you’re a fan of fried chicken, Gus’s is a place to check out.

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken Address: 1815 Washington Ave. Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday Pricing: $5.25-$12.95 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: No Star of the show: Dark meat fried chicken

Chef-driven taco truck coming to Heights By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Like many restaurateurs, Victoria Elizondo had a roller coaster of a year in 2020. This year things are looking up as she gears up to open a new taco truck in the Heights. In 2016, Elizondo became chef and owner of Cochinita & Co., a restaurant specializing in showcasing the vibrancy of Mexican food. The brick-and-mortar restaurant was located in a Rice Village food hall called Politian Row. “My concept is Mexican, but I’m trying to showcase something different than what Texans are used to,” Elizondo said. “There’s nothing wrong with Tex-Mex, but I’m trying to showcase something different.” When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Cochinita & Co. went through a cycle of opening and closing. Then, in November of last year, the food hall closed, making the restaurant shutter along with it. Elizondo pivoted her business to wholesale and now Cochinita & Co. is more of a brand, though she hopes to open a brick-and-mortar again in the future. “We started packaging our tamales, tortilla chips, which

are different because they’re made with non-GMO, so you get more of a corn flavor,” Elizondo said. “We also package salsa, trail mix and variety of other products.” Elizondo sells these products at Henderson & Kane General Store, 715 Henderson St., a store she also plans to utilize while operating her upcoming Heights food truck, Cochi’s Taqueria. The taqueria food truck will be parked near Interstate 10 and Shepherd Drive at the beginning of March. “Cochi’s Taqueria focuses on street style,” Elizondo said. “The food truck’s not going to be light food, but it will be vibrant Mexican food.” Elizondo said the truck won’t just serve the typical chicken or beef fajita tacos, but more traditional meats as well, like barbacoa. “Me and the person helping me run the truck are both chefs, so the food is going to be chef-driven,” Elizondo said. “You’ll be able to tell the difference between food made from us and other taquerias. It doesn’t mean it’s better, just with the different cooking techniques, you’ll be able to tell the difference.” The food truck will also have a coffee program. Co-

Mexican options, making the taqueria a good opportunity for the area. Come March, Cochi’s Ta-

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Photo by Zarah Parker Victoria Elizondo plans to open a taco truck in the Heights called Cochi’s Taqueria.

chi’s Taqueria will serve coffee from Apolonia Coffee, which roasts its coffee in Houston, but imports it from a family farm in Guatemala.

Elizondo said one of the reasons that part of the Heights seemed perfect for the food truck was that there wasn’t a lot of authentic

“Treat the problem itself, not just the symptoms.” This is the philosophy behind the chiropractic practice of Dr. George Junkin. Chiropractic adjustments and healthy lifestyle choices produce the best results. For over 35 years, Dr. Junkin has helped patients get releif from pain due to an injury or chronic condition. The result being fast long-lasting relief. 11500 NW Fwy. Suite #201 • Houston, TX 77092 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com

Page 8A • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • The Leader

Jellyfish Sushi serving up fresh delicacies By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Jellyfish Sushi - located on the corner of Ella Blvd and W 34th street, is a unique dining spot that prides itself on serving reasonablypriced cuts of fish and creative sushi rolls. This Japanese restaurant is in the same shopping center with local favorites such as Shipley Do-Nuts and The Union Kitchen. Opened in December 2019, Jellyfish Sushi had to quickly transition from a dine-in to a take-out only restaurant in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently the restaurant is back open for dine-in as well as take-out service while taking COVID-19 precautions seriously. With its approachable menu and relaxed casual atmosphere, the restaurant is quickly becoming a local favorite. It is still BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer), as the restaurant is still waiting on their liquor license. “Once we have our alcohol license, we will serve domestic and imported Japanese beers, wine and various

Japanese sakes,” says one of the managers at Jellyfish Sushi. Among Jellyfish’s most popular specialty rolls are the Citrus Hamachi roll (which features shrimp tempura, salmon, yellowtail, kimchee ponzu, cilantro and purple onion), – and the Be_Someone roll, which has salmon and avocado on top along with spicy tuna, cucumber, spicy mayo, fried garlic and micro greens on the inside. For non-raw options, the restaurant offers an variety of hibachi grilled dishes such as hibachi chicken, teriyaki chicken, hibachi steak along with a few other combinations. Each hibachi entrees comes with a house ginger salad, onion soup and steam rice. Another popular dish is the Shrimp-Lime Cilantro Soba, which is Japanese stir fry noodles with yuzu butter sauce.

For catering and large orders, Jellyfish also offers a multitude of large sushi, hibachi and appetizer party trays. Please visit their website for more information. Jellyfish Sushi Address: 3434 Ella Blvd Hours: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. Closed on Mondays. Phone: 346-406-3932 Kid friendly: Yes, has kid’s menu. Alcohol: BYOB while waiting on permit Healthy options: Yes Online Ordering: Yes, at jellyfishsushi.com This article is part of The Leader Experts series, where companies pay for editorial content on topics important to the community. If you’d like to be a Leader Expert, contact us at 713-686-8494.

Contribued photos Pictured are a few of the fresh samplings offered to diners at Jellyfish Sushi and Grill at 3434 Ella Blvd.

Here’s where to get a good local bowl of soup Zarah Parker Managing Editor

The weather has been sporadic. Some cold days, some warmer days. This hasn’t helped my sinuses, but what does is a nice cup of soup. There are a few places in the area that I dine at when I get a craving for a warm bowl of goodness, and recently I had a Leader reader reach out to me to ask me what are good places in the area for soup.

The actual question was, “Since Doyle’s has closed I can’t find a good place to get good soups – and who doesn’t enjoy a good cup of soup on these cool winter days?” My first thought after reading this was, “What kind of soup are we talking here?” If it’s pho you’re looking for, I’d recommend Les Ba’get, 1717 W. 34th St. The summer spring rolls also make for a great appetizer. If it’s a deli-style soup, I’ve been impressed with the matzo ball soup at Katz’s, 2200 N. Shepherd Dr. It’s a chicken soup with a matzo

ball, which is a traditional Jewish dumpling. I also love the soup at Flower Child, 1533 N. Shepherd Dr., which rotates its soup. Common Bond Bistro & Bakery, 449 W. 19th St., serves my favorite tomato soup, which always hits the spot on colder days. But to go beyond my own opinion about local soups, I also wanted to share where other locals are going for soup. So, I asked them in a neighborhood Facebook group where their favorite soup was. Here’s what they suggested.

The smoked duck gumbo from Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella Blvd., is a favorite of Garden Oaks resident Justin Gordon. And at least five other residents agreed with the sentiment. Garrett Gibson recommended any soup from Ploughman’s Deli, 965 Pinemont Dr., which was also echoed by many people. If Common Bond is where one ends up, aside from the tomato soup, a resident also recommended the chicken, bean and poblano soup. Another tomato soup that was recommended is from Bellagreen, 748 E. 11th St.,

as well as pho from Pho Le, 5015 Antoine Dr., ramen from Tamashi, 1214 W. 34th St., or JINYA, 449 W. 19th St., and chicken tortilla soup from El Rey, 233 N. Loop W. If you have a hankering for caldo, Alma Latina, 2203 N. Shepherd Dr., is a popular spot for it, especially the caldo tlalpeno. Its chicken tortilla soup was also recommended. Seafood soup favorites came from Connie’s Seafood, 2525 Airline Dr., and Millie’s Kitchen & Cocktails, 3542 Oak Forest Dr., for its chowder. Pozole, a Mexican soup,

was a popular suggestion from multiple places, including Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage, 2009 W. 34th St.; Superica, 1801 N. Shepherd Dr.; and Local Foods, 714 Yale St. Garden Oaks resident Brooke Murphy wrote that the roasted corn chowder soup from Jax Grill, 1613 Shepherd Dr., is just what the doctor ordered for a chilly day. While it’s hard to find a replacement for a neighborhood favorite like Doyle’s, I hope this list helps all who are looking for a good bowl of soup to warm the cold days we have left.

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The Leader • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • Page 1B

PPP saved businesses, not jobs By Jonathan McElvy jonathan@mcelvypartners

s millions of small business owners around the nation await funding from a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program, all but assuring six more months of viability, higher-education economists have begun to call the first round a failure. As we know, hindsight is always perfect – unless it isn’t. In separate studies, publicized in a Feb. 1 article in the New York Times, the bipartisan relief to small businesses failed because of its inefficiency. David Autor, an economist at MIT, directed one of the studies that suggested the government program didn’t save nearly as many jobs as once projected. Eric Zwick, an economist at the University of Chicago, said the PPP was “an insufficient use of funds.” According to the NYT article, “Given the program’s cost, saving jobs on that scale doesn’t necessarily qualify as a success. Unemployment benefits also provide income, at far less expense, and programs like food assistance and aid to state and local governments pack a larger economic punch…” The article also gave a Photo by Patric Schneider glimpse into the argument against the findings of the Jonathan McElvy is the economists. A survey in Oak- CEO of McElvy Partners, land, Calif., said businesses which serves small businesses. that received PPP loans were 20.5 percent more likely to stay open for at least six months. The crux of the argument made by economists like Autor and Zwick is that government could have used the money better, especially if the purpose was to keep income flowing to employees of small businesses. Even the Times, in its “reporting,” included a sentence that wasn’t attributed to anyone in particular: “The divergence in views over the program’s economic payoff stems from ambiguity about its goals: saving jobs or saving businesses.” Well, as a small business owner and someone whose companies work with thousands of like-minded business owners, let me help fill in the blanks. Let’s start with this: Any economics professor, be it at MIT or any other Ivy League school, should absolutely spend time analyzing government programs like the PPP. While these professors are normally confined to data sets and peer review, taking a hard look at bureaucracy remains a healthy function of an institution consistently grappling for one. The problem, as I’ve learned after years of working with academia, is they tend to pay little attention to anecdotal evidence and, for them, that’s the right approach. A success here or a failure there should not impact the overall assessment of the larger trends. Unfortunately for these same professors, studying data and authoring blanket analyses of a program’s efficacy cannot be done in the case of PPP, because it misses a larger picture. Heck, even the New York Times had to include a line that there’s such a divergence of opinion on the purpose of PPP. On its shell, PPP was exactly what the name implied. It was to protect the payroll of small businesses. It was designed to keep businesses like mine from laying off half (or all) our workforce. It was to protect against massive furloughs, which would take money out of the economy and would have precipitated a collapse far greater than we saw. That was the skin of PPP, but the heart of the federal program became so much more. You see, small businesses are not just the people who earn paychecks there. They are the core of communities, of which our republic depends. Small businesses are the greatest avenue for the growth of ideas – Microsoft, Amazon, the birth of Facebook happened in a dorm room at Harvard and then a drunk house in California. While federal legislators may have initially envisioned PPP as a means to save jobs, what the program really did was provide relief to businesses whose customers those same legislators told to stay away. In turn, we were allowed to keep our doors open, and when we walked inside those doors, we were allowed to keep dreaming, keep creating, keep trying new approaches to old business models. If there is a question of whether PPP was designed to save jobs or save businesses, the answer is clear: Save the businesses that provide the jobs. What these data sets and blanket analyses won’t tell you is that most people don’t want to file for unemployment. Remember the good old days, when doing so carried a negative connotation? The men and women who show up to work at small businesses every day want to be part of growing something new. They want to share in the success of the idea. They want to build businesses that lead to new businesses. They want to employ their own set of a dozen employees one day. There’s a reason 48 percent of this nation’s eligible workforce works at a small business. Most of us don’t want to work in warehouses. Most of us like the idea of being more than an employee number. Most of us enjoy the prospect of creating something new, rather than grudgingly stamping what is old. And all of us want to earn what we take home. Basic income and hand-outs from government are the antithesis of our ethic. If you want to know how Ivory Tower types view programs like PPP, then read the MIT study. If you want to know the impact of the actual program, you’ll have to minimize the value of data sets and watch what happens, assuming we aren’t shuttered by the academics who counsel government administrations.

Merchants on 19th Street showing love to outdoors By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

The small businesses on 19th Street are showing the love, both to customers and to other small businesses. This Saturday, Feb. 6, a new monthly event called Local Love Market will debut on the popular street in the Heights. From 11 a.m.6 p.m., the first Saturday of each month, shops will utilize the sidewalks in front of their stores to feature other small businesses they want to support. Coryne Rich, who helps the Heights merchant group with its outreach, said the market was a collective idea. “They want to give back to others,” she said. “That’s what makes 19th Street so special.” No stranger to utilizing their sidewalks for special events, the merchants also want to offer open-air shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Masks and social distancing measures will still be in place. Bonnie Reay, who owns clothing and accessories store Emerson Rose, said they will have a Farrah B charm bar for people to make necklaces for Valentine’s Day. Although because of the short notice, Reay will not be hosting any of her vendors and partners in person but hopes to do so in the future. “I do want to host those we have long-term partnerships with,” Reay said. Reay said the 19th Street merchants are a “very cooperative” group and recognize that community members feel most comfortable out-

Photo from Facebook While many 19th Street merchants have been using their outside space, such as Jubilee at 325 W. 19th St., the Local Love Market will make sidewalk shopping a monthly event.

side. “We want to bring some of the magic of the stores outside where it’s safe,” she said. Debbie Greenbaum, who owns AG Antiques with her cousin, Cynthia Anhalt, said they have been utilizing their sidewalk a lot lately and looks forward to the monthly street-wide event. This month she will host Sarah Finster, the owner and chef of Chef Sarah’s Family Favorites, who will be selling preserved seasonal fruits and vegetables, non-GMO popcorn in flavored kettles and succulents in vintage

cups. Greenbaum is also excited about Shandy’s Café, which will soon be in business next door to her and will have an entrance into the antiques store. If her equipment cooperates, Chef Shandy might be offering baked goods this Saturday. “We’ll continue to build on (what we’ve been doing),” Greenbaum said. Mitch Cohen is the founder of the First Saturday Arts Market at 530 W. 19th St., which has been on the street since 2006. His market also runs every first Saturday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

“I have always been a fan of 19th Street and I am excited that as a group, the merchants are working together to bring people to the Heights,” Cohen said. “The Heights has become extremely popular and has seen many changes over the past few years. Nineteenth Street, and especially the small businesses there, is the Heights’ version of Main Street, USA, only cooler.” For more information about Local Love Market, visit “Local Love Market” on Facebook.

Revocable v. Irrevocable Trusts – What’s the difference? For The Leader An estate planning question that often arises is about the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts. At its most basic level, revocable trusts are those that you can “revoke,” change, or terminate at any point during your life. They are trusts that come into effect immediately, and generally, allow the person who created them to retain complete control over the trust assets. Revocable living trusts are largely used as a “will substitute.” They allow you to leave instructions for what you want to happen when you pass away. But unlike a will, any assets that are owned by the trust are not subject to the court-supervised probate process. Probate avoidance is a key reason to establish a revocable living trust. Another reason to consider a revocable living trust is if you own property in more than one state. In this scenario, without a revocable living trust, your heirs will be required to go through probate in each state in which you own property. Revocable living trusts also offer a level of privacy that a will, which needs to be filed in the probate court, cannot provide. In this regard, revocable living trusts are less likely to be contested and are a great choice for blended families. Finally, revocable living trusts also allow for someone else to easily manage trust assets during times of incapacity. No power of attorney is required. By contrast, an irrevocable trust is a trust that cannot be changed once it is created. Irrevocable trusts can be created immediately, or they can be created from a set of instructions left in someone’s Will or revocable living trust. For example, parents of minor children often leave instructions to set up an irrevocable trust to protect their children from inheriting any money until they are mature enough to

WEBINAR DETAILS: Title: Tips & Tricks to Avoid Probate Cost - Free Date - Wednesday, Feb. 64, 2021 Time - 4:30 p.m. Can’t make it? - All registrants receive a replay To Register - Email Jennifer@solaklegal.com

Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713-588-5744.

manage it. This arrangement allows for a level of asset protection that cannot be achieved through a revocable trust, when the grantor is typically still in control of the assets. Irrevocable trusts can also provide asset protection from lawsuits, provide for individuals with special needs, or help those who are concerned with los-

ing their savings to nursing home expenses or estate taxes. To learn more about the best tools to use when planning your estate, please join Solak Legal’s next FREE online event, “Wills v. Trusts,” on Wednesday, Feb. 64, at 4:30 p.m. A replay will be provided to all registered participants. Email Jennifer@solaklegal.com to register.

attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713588-5744.

The information in this column, which was sponsored by Solak Legal as part of The Leader Expert Series, is intended to provide a general understanding of the law and not legal advice. Readers with legal questions should consult

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Page 2B • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • The Leader

Business Briefs: Tulum Wellness Spa to join Stomping Grounds By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

When Brittany Moss and Briana Hubbard first signed a lease in Stomping Grounds on West 34th Street, they planned to open a WowMoms franchise that would cater to mothers and their children. Now, however, they have pivoted to a new standalone concept, Tulum Wellness Spa. Moss and Hubbard say it will be a medispa offering facials and other treatments while also providing a number of holistic therapies, like reiki and halotherapy as well as nutrition counseling. Hubbard, who used to work as a nurse, said wellness is something she and Moss have always been passionate about. Moss is studying to be a holistic health practitioner. Moss says they will also bring in partners from the community. Tulum will open this summer in a 3,000 square foot space on the second floor of Stomping Grounds. Open Road debuts in Garden Oaks area Chris and Joy Shute announced the opening of Open Road Automotive Repair Shop at 400 W. Crosstimbers St. Providing everything from tune-ups and state inspections to intensive diagnostics and repairs, Open Road services all vehicle makes and models as well as European and import vehicles. Chris Shute is an ASE certified, master technician with more than 15 years of experience in the automotive industry. “Quality auto repairs and excellent customer service is my passion,” Shute said. “A core value of our business is integrity. I wanted

to open a repair shop where residents can come and get a clear explanation of any issues with their vehicles and be confident in the outcome. We accomplish this by providing reliable, honest service with complete transparency.” Open Road Automotive offers a two-year/24,000mile warranty on most repairs. The shop also offers digital vehicle inspections sent directly to customers’ phones or emails complete with photos and a summary of the overall health of their vehicle. Guests can also enjoy complimentary beverages, such as Starbucks coffee, and snacks when dropping their cars off for service. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Visit them online at www. openroadautorepair.com, on Facebook @OpenRoadAutoRepair and Instagram @open_road_automotive Go Easy is newest M-K-T tenant Go Easy, which bills itself as “a self-care focused shop” opened its first location in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas and is now making the move to Houston this summer at M-K-T on North Shepherd Drive. The store will carry skincare and CBD products as well as a host of other items, including sexual wellness products. Owner and creative director Molly Mathias said in a news release that the store aims to take the taboo out of purchasing sexual wellness products and wants their customers to be informed and excited when shopping. “Go Easy is thrilled to bring our unique brand of self-care to Houston,” Mathias said. “We are so glad we

found a home at the M-K-T development. We have some fun surprises up our sleeves so stay tuned for a summer opening.” Added Lisa Reyerse, the marketing and brand director for Triten Real Estate Partners, one of the M-KT developers: “Health and wellness is a huge component of the M-K-T lifestyle which is evident in our site’s programming with Yoga on the Lawn, KIDZ MOVEZ, M-K-T Sunset Market, and more. Go Easy’s theme focused on accessible self-care and wellness plays perfectly with the M-K-T vibe and their location at Building 1 will only heighten the visitor’s experience we are providing with other unique, female-owned retailers.” For more information about Go Easy, visit https:// www.goeasy-shop.com/. GooseWorks Screen Printing Studio open in Oak Forest Gustavo Gonzalez’s new screen printing studio is fully operational at 3511 Pinemont Dr., Unit C2. Gonzalez has more than five years of experience in the industry and offers T-shirt printing and graphic design. “We would love to help design and/or print your T-shirts for your business, club or event,” Gonzalez said. “Automatic equipment means outstanding consistency, higher quality prints and a quicker turnaround

Open Road Automotive is now open in Garden Oaks at 400 W. Crosstimbers St.

time. Please contact us for a quote.” CatDog Pet Sitting launches Megan Scheiffele has been working as a pet sitter in the area for years and recently opened her own petsitting business, CatDog Pet Sitting. CatDog Pet Sitting, LLC is bonded and insured and open seven days a week. Email catdogpetsitting@ gmail.com. Rodriguez moves to Sola Salon Studios Grove Arthur Rodriguez moved from Revive Salon on West

43rd Street to the Sola Salon at 1928 W. 18th St. “Salon ownership has always been a long-term goal of mine, so this is why I’m excited to announce that I have taken a small step towards that goal,” he said in a message to clients. “I look forward to seeing everyone in my new space.” Pho & Grill closes Pho & Grill, the Vietnamese restaurant that opened in 2017 on Northwest Freeway and got good neighborhood reviews, is now closed. Its last Facebook post was from March 2020 with a message

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about takeout options due to the coronavirus pandemic. Goodwill shutters Northwest Freeway location A Goodwill representative said the location at 10903 Northwest Fwy. is permanently closed for both shopping and donations. There are still Goodwill drop-off locations at Ella Boulevard and West 43rd Street and in the Heights at 215 W. 20th St.

If you have something for business briefs, please email betsy@theleadernews.com.

The Leader • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • Page 3B

Keep cool when your dog deals with hot spot Dear Tabby, Our dog has a “hot spot” that he won’t leave alone! How did he get it and what can we do to help? Help for Hot Spot in the Heights Dear Help for Hot Spot, For anyone who has ever had a dog suffering from hot spots, you know the frustration of watching your four-legged best friend constantly licking and chewing at a spot, only to render it oozy, irritated and bald over the course of a few days! The bad news is that hot spots are very common, but the better news is that these pesky skin problems can usually be treated rather easily.

is a cycle of itching and scratching that often results in a large sore that can get infected and painful very quickly. It doesn’t take much moisture on the skin to become a safe haven for bacteria to grow and thrive. Before you know it, a bacterial infection can develop in the hot spot and then you have a whole new set of issues to deal with. Treatment for hot spots Luckily, many hot spots can be treated at home (but watched very closely for any sign of a serious infection which might warrant a trip to the vet). Your first course of action in treat-

ing a hot spot should be to trim the fur around the sore. By removing the fur surrounding the sore, you’re able to expose the area to air, which can help it to dry out and heal more quickly. Your next move should be to keep your dog from messing with it -- and this is likely the most difficult task in healing a hot spot. The dreaded “cone of shame,” is helpful in keeping the dog’s head (mouth) away from the sore, but cones can be difficult to deal with. Another option, especially if the hot spot is located on your dog’s leg, is to put a sock on him or tape it up using first-aid gauze. You’ll also want to use an antisep-

Houston rodeo cancelled amidst ongoing pandemic By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

tic spray and hydrocortisone cream on the sore to help it to heal and become less itchy. Hot spots are no fun for dogs or their owners and, unfortunately, there’s little that you can do to prevent a hot spot from forming in the first place (aside from making sure to stay up to date on your dog’s flea preventative), but if you can catch a hot spot early and stop its cycle in its tracks, you might be able to save both you and your dog a lot of hot spot-related grief !

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which was scheduled for May 4-23, has been cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Wednesday news release from rodeo officials. The rodeo’s Downtown Rodeo Parade, Trail Ride activities, Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition, and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, also have been scrapped. The Junior Livestock and Horse Show competitions as

Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabbyquestions@gmail.com.

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What is a hot spot? A hot spot is a skin condition that your vet might call “moist eczema.” Hot spots occur when your dog chews or licks themselves excessively, forming a sore. This sore, in turn, gets irritated and causes your dog to continue to lick and chew on it, thus repeating a nasty cycle. Hot spots can initially be caused by something like a small flea bite that gets itchy, and then what ensues

Brock is a Rottweiler who arrived at BARC after his owner landed on tough times due to the pandemic and made the difficult decision to give up his beloved pets. Brock is well-mannered and very friendly. He’s a big boy who loves warm laps (even though he weighs close to 100 pounds!), rides in the car and seems unbothered by other dogs. Brock is ready for a fresh start. Can you help? Go to www.scoutshonor.org for more information.

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well the Junior Market auctions and Champion Wine Auction will still be held in May, but as private events in accordance with state and local health and safety guidelines. “While this is an extremely heartbreaking decision for our rodeo volunteers and the larger rodeo community, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the health and well-being of our community,” rodeo president and CEO Chris Boleman said. Dates and information for the 2022 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will be announced once available.

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Page 4B • Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 • The Leader

Memorial Park hosts free youth golf clinic By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The next generation of Houston golfers got free hands-on instruction during a youth clinic hosted last Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Chevron Center for Education and Golf at Memorial Park Golf Course. Kids from various Greater Houston Police Activities League (GHPAL) program sites and Houston Parks and Recreation Department community centers received golf instruction from GHPAL officers and department professionals during the inaugural session, according to a news

release from the City of Houston. Following playing lessons, students were also taught various STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) concepts related to golf such as aerodynamics, the geometry and physics associated with golf balls and golf clubs and more. The city said plans for more youth golf and STEM lessons at the Chevron Center throughout the year are in the works. Memorial Park Golf Course was renovated beginning in late 2019 and hosted the PGA Tour’s Houston Open last fall.

Photo from HPARD Twitter A young golfer holds a putter during a free youth golf clinic last Saturday, Jan. 30, at Memorial Park Golf Course.

Photo from HPARD Twitter Kids from the Greater Houston Police Activities League and Houston Parks and Recreation Department community centers participated in a golf clinic.

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Bulldogs hoops squads continue hot streaks By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Heights High School’s basketball teams continued to shine last week as the boys and girls teams went a combined 6-0 to highlight the area’s standout performances. Gracelynn Alvarez was the star for the Lady Bulldogs on Jan. 26, posting her first double-double of the season (25 points, 10 rebounds) in a win over Lamar. Tierra Simon and Jada Beasley each had four steals to help lead the defensive effort. Tatianna Brown then scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Heights in a win over Houston Math, Science and Tech on Jan. 29. The Lady Bulldogs also took down Westbury 76-15 on Monday, improving to 21-4 overall and 11-0 in District 18-6A. Booker T. Washington’s Lady Eagles beat Worthing 65-33 on Jan. 27 before dropping a 70-23 decision to Yates on Jan. 29. They are 10-9 overall and 9-3 in District 23-4A competition. The Waltrip Lady Rams won two of their three games

last week. They defeated Milby on Jan. 27 before losing to Sharpstown on Jan. 29, then took down Wisdom on Monday to move to 5-8 on the season. On the private school girls circuit, Lutheran High North continued its run through TAPPS 3A District 7 with two wins last week. Dalanna Carter scored 32 points along with eight rebounds and four steals in a 61-38 win over Beaumont Legacy Christian on Jan. 26. Andrea Ramirez also grabbed 13 rebounds for the Lady Lions (16-3, 7-0), who were scheduled to face Covenant Christian on Friday. Breelyn Sanborn had 19 points and seven rebounds for St. Pius X in its Jan. 26 loss to Incarnate Word Academy, while Zachara Perkins added 14 points and 16 rebounds. Perkins then scored 27 points to lead the Lady Panthers (9-8, 1-3) as they bounced back with a 50-38 win over Concordia Lutheran on Jan. 29. Boys The aforementioned boys teams at Heights had a per-

fect week with wins over Chavez, Westside and Houston Math, Science and Tech. Heading into this week’s action, Heights (11-3, 7-1) had won seven of its last eight games to vault into second place in the District 18-6A race ahead of Tuesday’s scheduled game against Lamar. Four Bulldogs scored in double figures in the Jan. 27 win over Westside, led by Sir Roberts (22 points) and Jaiden Briscoe (20 points), while Kolby Williams had 14 points and 10 rebounds. Michael Rodriguez paced Heights in its Jan. 29 win over Chavez, while Roberts had 18 points against Houston Math, Science and Tech. Booker T. Washington also kept its district-title hopes alive on Jan. 29 with a 77-59 win over Worthing. Kenneth Lewis scored 29 points, while Kendrick Wyatt grabbed 12 rebounds for the Eagles (138, 10-2), who were scheduled for a showdown with districtleading Yates on Tuesday night. For Lutheran High North, Marvin Robinson Jr. led the way in a 58-51 victory over

Photo by Gabriela Alvarez Heights’ Tierra Simon puts up a shot during a 2020 regional quarterfinal game against Cypress Creek. The Lady Bulldogs went 3-0 last week to extend their lead in the District 18-6A race.

Beaumont Legacy on Jan. 26 with 29 points and eight rebounds. It was the sixth straight game with at least 25 points for Robinson, whose 27.8 points per game lead TAPPS 3A and are ranked seventh in the state, according to MaxPreps. The Lions also beat Tomball Rosehill Christian 68-60 on Jan. 29. LHN was 10-1 overall and

sat atop the TAPPS 3A District 7 standings at 6-1 ahead of Thursday’s scheduled game against Spring Providence Classical. St. Pius X beat Beaumont Kelly Catholic 48-47 on Jan. 26 to improve to 9-8 overall and 1-2 in TAPPS 6A District 4. Scarborough lost to Mickey Leland Preparatory Acad-

emy on Jan. 26 and North Forest on Jan. 29, falling to 0-15 on the season. St. Thomas lost an 86-57 decision to Concordia Lutheran on Jan. 29. Waltrip beat Sterling 82-63 on Jan. 27 before dropping contests against Madison on Jan. 30 and Milby on Monday. The Rams are 8-7 overall and 5-5 in District 23-5A.

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