Inside Today: Mutiny Wine Room hosts 5th Anniversary & Release Party - Page 3
A NEW YEAR... A NEW STYLE! AND NEW MERCHANDISE ARRIVING DAILY!
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Saturday, January 18, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 3
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Cedar Creek Bar & Grill to host 6th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off
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By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 1, as Cedar Creek Bar & Grill prepares to host its highly anticipated 6th Annual Gumbo Cook-Off. The venue at 1034 W 20th St. will transform into a lively gathering filled with food, fun, and community spirit from 1-6 p.m. This family-friendly event promises something for everyone, with live music by A Pack of Strays, a
special performance by The New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band, and DJ MLE spinning tunes. For thrillseekers, there’s a mechanical bull, while attendees of all ages can enjoy games and prizes. Javier Montemayor of The Creek Group shared the heart behind the event: “Our gumbo cook-off has grown into so much more than a competition—it’s become a tradition that brings the community together.,” he said. “Every year, we see new flavors, fresh creativity, and the
same incredible energy that keeps everyone coming back. Some of our teams have been with us year after year, with a few participating in four out of the six years we’ve held this event. It’s not just about the gumbo. It’s about the camaraderie, the music, and the memories we make together. This event is proof that great food and good company can bring out the best in everyone.” Aspiring gumbo chefs can
Submitted photo
You can help pick the People’s Choice award winner from more than 26 competing teams.
See GUMBO P. 2
END OF AN ERA
True North announces 2025 sculpture artists for Heights Boulevard exhibition By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
HAR local housing data by zip code for December, year’s end
True North has unveiled the eight talented Texas artists whose sculptures will grace Heights Boulevard’s esplanade as part of its 2025 exhibition. The muchanticipated annual showcase will be open to the public from March through December, offering Houstonians and visitors alike a chance to experience the best in contemporary outdoor sculpture.
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Featured Artists
Friends of Moody Park hosts inaugural kick-off event
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Photos by Lisa Morales
New construction numbered at over 1,600 units sit behind the Salvage Warehouse is a factor in the warehouse’s decision to close.
Houston’s Historic Salvage Warehouse to close after 21 years By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor Rodeo Houston: Entertainment tickets go on sale this week!
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Plume launches new wellness program with GLOW Sip Soirée
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After over two decades of preserving Houston’s architectural history, Historic Houston’s Salvage Warehouse announced on Jan. 1, 2025, that it will be officially closing its doors. The beloved 40,000-square-foot facility, located at 1200 National St. just south of Heights proper, has served as a regional resource for reclaimed historic building materials across an 11-county region of southeast Texas. The closure marks the end of an era for Houston’s preservation community, but Lynn Edmundson, executive director and one of the founding members, insists the decision isn’t a sad one. “It’s a natural conclusion after 21 years,” she said. “The Salvage Warehouse has had an incredible run, but the market and environment have changed.”
Lighting, plumbing, hardwood flooring and fixtures occupy every inch of the 40,000 sq ft Salvage Warehouse.
The Origins of Salvage Warehouse The building that now houses thousands of architectural treasures had its origins as a V-shaped building that pressed cotton seed. One side of the
building pressed the cotton seed, and the cotton oil went out on rails to the other side. A fire in the 1890s destroyed the back of the building while the front section was saved. Enter Historic Houston, founded in 1999 by three preservation enthusiasts who aimed to preserve the city’s architectural heritage through education and consultation. Edmundson, who holds a degree in architecture, was often called by neighborhoods like Montrose and the Heights to consult on historic home preservation. “We thought we would simply publish some information about preserving historic homes, says Edmundson, but then the phone started ringing,” she said. Historic Houston was becoming the go-to resource for all things historic home. “Our first project was moving houses to save them from demoli-
The 2025 True North exhibition will feature works by the following Texasbased artists: • Elizabeth Akamatsu (Nacogdoches) • Olaniyi R. Akindiya (AKIRASH) (Pflugerville) • Amanda Barry Jones (Houston) • Susan Budge (Pattison) • Dave Clark (Tomball) • Tim Glover (Houston) • Felicia Schneider (Houston) • Ben Woitena (Houston, Heights) These artists were selected for their diverse approaches to sculpture, with works that promise to captivate and inspire through their unique use of media, themes, color, and visibility.
A Legacy of Art and Community Since its inception in 2014, True North has become a staple of Houston’s public art scene, transforming Heights Boulevard into an open-air gallery. Named for the compass bearing of the boulevard, the exhibition has showcased 96 unique sculptures by established and emerging Texas artists over its 12-year history. True North’s mission is to advance the accessibility, understanding, and enjoyment of contemporary art by showcasing temporary public sculptures created by Texas artists. The project fosters engagement between art and the community, making fine art an integral part of Houston’s cultural landscape. True North is made possible through the efforts of an all-volunteer team, including Donna Bennett, Gus Kopriva, Dean Ruck, Chris Silkwood, and Kelly Simmons, who are dedicated to advancSee TRUE NORTH P. 2
See WAREHOUSE P. 2
Eat Drink HTX Returns: Dining for a cause By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
“Beat The Bomb” opens in Houston in January 2025
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THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture �����������������������������8
The much-anticipated Eat Drink HTX is back for its fourth year, inviting Houstonians to enjoy fantastic meals while supporting meaningful causes. From Feb. 15-28, 2025, diners will have the opportunity to experience special prix fixe menus at participating restaurants, all while supporting local businesses and contributing to the charities Kids’ Meals and the Houston Food Bank. This year, the event introduces the Garden Oaks nonprofit Kids’ Meals as a new beneficiary. The organization is dedicated to ending childhood hunger by delivering free, nutritious meals directly to
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the doorsteps of Houston’s most vulnerable preschool-aged children. “Being part of Eat Drink HTX 2025 is an amazing opportunity to turn the joy of dining out into hope for hungry children,” said Beth Braniff Harp, CEO of Kids’ Meals. “Kids’ Meals is deeply thankful for the support from participating restaurants and diners, whose generosity will help us continue to feed preschoolers in Houston and build brighter futures.” The Heights, Garden Oaks, and Oak Forest neighborhoods, known for their vibrant food scene, are one again wellrepresented in this year’s lineup of participating restaurants. Among the early participants are The Barking Pig, Hughie’s on 18th, Postino’s, Da Gama,
Harold’s Bistro & Bar, Millie’s Kitchen, and many more.
season while raising funds to fight hunger.
Dining with a Purpose
How to Join
Eat Drink HTX was founded as a sister event to the renowned Houston Restaurant Weeks, with a focus on casual dining. The lower price point for prix fixe menus allows more eateries, including fast-casual establishments, to participate. Prices are set at $15 for lunch or brunch and $25 for dinner, with participating restaurants donating $1 or $3 per meal sold to the benefiting charities. Over the years, Eat Drink HTX has become a cornerstone of the dining calendar, boosting restaurant sales during the typically slow February
Menus will be available online starting Feb. 1, 2025, at EatDrinkHTX. com. Interested restaurants can still register to participate by contacting Katie Stone at katie@cleverley.com. Follow the event for updates and featured restaurants on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @ EatDrinkHTX. Eat Drink HTX invites you to turn your meal into a meaningful contribution to the community. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy great food while making a difference in the lives of Houston’s children.
Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank. While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same. We look forward to a bright future together.
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