Inside Today: City council, county commissioners vote to slash taxes for childcare facilities Page 7
FACEBOOK LIVE SALE LOTS OF NEW MERCHANDISE
APRIL 2ND 6 PM - 8 PM
Flower & Gift Shop
Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350
Saturday, March 30, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No.13
ABOUT US 713-371-3600 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader
St. Thomas High School student receives appointment to U. S. Air Force Academy By RUBENA GRACIA The Leader News Contributor
you’re reading this, so are your potential customers call today to advertise!
Pablo Ramirez, a senior at St. Thomas High School and resident of the Heights, was recently appointed to the U. S. Air Force Academy. He will be the first in his family to serve in the U. S. Military. The appointment is an impressive achievement. The United States Air Force Academy, located near Colorado Springs, CO, prepares cadets for service in the U. S.
Air Force and the Space Force. The acceptance rate for full-time undergraduate students is 16%, and the Academy boasts a graduation rate of 85%. The student enrollment of young men and women is approximately 4,000. The Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947 and, by necessity, the Academy was later established in 1954. Since then, over 50,000 officers have graduated from the Academy. In order to be considered for appointment, an applicant must obtain a
nomination from their congressional representative, senator, or the vice president. Each member of Congress may recommend up to five cadets at a time. The Academy’s world-class, 4-year education is offered at no cost to cadets or their families, and cadets graduate as officers. In return, all graduates are required to serve at least five years on active duty and three as inactive reserve, although graduates who complete pilot See STUDENT P. 5
Submitted photo
Pablo Ramirez wants to pursue a major in systems engineering, hoping to create new, innovative defense systems.
713-371-3600
INSIDE.
Sno’d Shaved Ice: The new cool spot for hot days
With grit and determination, little Evelyn and her twin sister Eliza, 2, fought for their share of Easter candy at the Shepherd Forest Civic Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25.
Page 2
HOPPY
Aaand... they’re off! Members of the Shepherd Forest Civic Club spent hours stuffing approximately 1,800 eggs for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25.
EASTER
Photos by Stefanie Thomas
Summer career fairs: It’s fun to work at the YMCA!
Page 2 Cody, 3, got a headstart on the hunt through strategic positioning. One down, lots to go!
What’s an egg hunt without the Easter Bunny? Milo and Wiley paid him a visit at the Shepherd Forest Civic Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25.
Crime Stoppers: Know something? Say something!
Page 4
Hounds Town USA: Where dogs make a day of it
Page 5 Twins Colette and Willow, 3, brought their bunny buckets to collect as many goodies as possible at the Shepherd Forest Civic Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25.
Introducing Stomping Grounds “After Dark”: A playground for adults
Page 7
THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������6 Local Culture �����������������������������8
Friends Isaac, 4, and Gavin, 10, inspect their loot at the Shepherd Forest Civic Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 25.
Local women artists shine at Bayou City Art Festival By LILY MONROE The Leader News Contributor The Bayou City Art Festival (BCAF), formerly known as the Westheimer Colony Art Festival, celebrated its tradition of showcasing exceptional artistry in downtown Houston this past weekend. Organized by local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Art Colony Association, the festival has been a pillar of the Houston arts scene for over 50 years, fostering creativity,
community engagement, and philanthropy. Supported by grants from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, corporate sponsorships, private contributions, in-kind support, and volunteer assistance, BCAF has raised over $3.7 million in support of local nonprofit organizations. This year’s festival continued its legacy as a juried art festival, attracting more than 20,000 attendees eager to explore the outdoor gallery of origi-
nal works and meet with 280 select artists from around the world. Among the talented artists participating at BCAF were several local female artists who have made significant contributions to the city’s vibrant art scene. Considering over 700 artists apply to participate in BCAF, having a core group of ladies who reside and work in the Greater Heights area speaks volumes about the See WOMEN P. 5
Twins Bella and Maya, 7, made quite the haul.
Houston’s Hidden Music Scene: Intimate house concerts bring big talent to private home in the Heights By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com If the mass of bodies at a big concert hall is too chaotic for you; if the background noises of the local bar are too distracting to absorb the live band; if you’re not a Swiftie or member of the Beyhive (gasp!) and prefer to discover lesser known musical artists minus the pressure, this is for you! A Heights couple is gearing up for a couple of intimate
H E L P SUPPORT LO C A L J O U R NA L I S M Scan this QR code to make a donation through Paypal today!
house concerts this April. Hosted by local residents Cristina and Josh Bedwell, these concerts offer music enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience live performances in the cozy setting of a private home. Cristina shared insights into the origins of this distinctive musical experience. Working in partnership with Undertow Music, a music management See MUSIC P. 2