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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
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Saturday, June 22, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No.25
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Stepson accused of kicking, beating Timbergrove man to death on Father’s Day By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
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Houston Police say they responded to a report of an assault in the 4100 block of Sherwood Ln. on the morning of Father’s Day, June 16, around 5:45 a.m. Upon arrival they found an unresponsive man inside his Timbergrove area apartment. The elderly victim had reportedly suffered blunt force drama and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. “The victim’s stepson, Ricky Allen,
confessed to his role in the man’s death,” HPD officials said in a media statement. “He was subsequently charged and taken to the Harris County Jail.” Harris County court records show Ricky Ray Allen, 48, is charged with murder in the 185th State District Court. The victim is identified as 72-year-old William Fazenbaker, Allen’s stepfather. According to the charging statement, Allen allegedly beat and kicked Fazenbaker to death. According to court records, Allen has an extensive criminal history in Harris
County, stemming mostly from vehicle break-ins and drug-related convictions. In February of this year, a judge ordered that Allen’s probation from a 2018 felony DWI conviction be revoked because he allegedly had not reported to his probation officer since late 2023, and had violated the terms of his probation when urine tests allegedly detected illegal substances like THC and meth in his system on several occasions. Allen is currently being held in the Harris County Jail, awaiting a bond ruling.
FEEDING FRANK. FEEDING HOPE.
Photo released by HPD
ARRESTED: Ricky Ray Allen
Houston LEGO artist recreates iconic 19th Street By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Real estate: May local data by zip code
In a creative intersection of architecture and play, Tim Howell, also known as Timmy Owl, has brought a beloved part of the Houston Heights to life through LEGO bricks. Howell, a Houston-based former architect with a degree from Rice University, has meticulously recreated a section of the iconic 19th Street, showcasing the historic street’s charm and character.
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Weekend at a glance, June 22-23
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Photo by Stefanie Thomas
Packed and ready to go! Cheryl Engler readies a cart filled with groceries for a food distribution event at HIM Food Pantry.
Meet Strawberry, Friends For Life Pet of the Week
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A visit to the Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry forms its important work without fanfare – alleviating food insecurity for anyone who needs it. With a dedicated team of volunteers and a rocksolid commitment to the community, the pantry serves as a vital lifeline for many in need.
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
METRO adjusts June services to accommodate riders
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YMCA launches this year’s Operation Backpack
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The shelves are stacked high. Carts filled to the brim with groceries are lined up at the door. People bustle around, getting things ready for a food distribution event. In a corner, a young woman stands quietly, watching, smiling. She asks what else she can do to help. It’s a typical Thursday afternoon scene at the Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry. A breathless rush inside. Patient anticipation outside, where dozens of cars are already lined up, their occupants anxious to receive their monthly food supplies. At the door, a half dozen unhoused persons wait for much-needed provisions. The woman in the corner turns out to be one of the food pantry’s clients. She arrived a bit early and decided to
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come inside to help out. Inconspicuously nestled amid the urban sprawl of Houston, the Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry per-
See FOOD PANTRY P. 6
From LEGO Masters to 19th Street Howell’s participation in LEGO Masters was a pivotal moment.
See LEGO P. 6
Photo courtesy of Tim Howell
Tim Howell, aka Timmy Owl, and Houston Toy Museum owner Matt Broussard, with the LEGO replica of a section of 19th Street in the Heights.
Making Magic: An intimate look into the logistics of bringing art to Heights Boulevard By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
This weekend only: AstroWorld exhibit at Houston Toy Museum
Photo by Stephanie Thomas
HIM Food Pantry Executive Director Cheryl Engler and volunteer/board member Laurie Hardwick discuss an impending food distribution event.
How It Works The HIM Food Pantry operates through a robust network of donations, grants, and community partnerships. Supply sources include purchased items funded by Frank’s Endowment, larger food pantries like the Houston Food Bank, as well as monetary and food donations from members of the community. Contributions from Second Servings, which collects food items from grocery stores around the area, also play a significant role.
A Lifelong Passion for LEGO Howell’s journey with LEGO began in his childhood. “I built and played with LEGO bricks a lot when I was a kid,” he said. Despite stepping away from LEGO during his college years and early career, the birth of his two sons rekindled his interest. “My wife and I had two boys, and when they got to be about four years old, they got out a box that my mom had saved for me, which was all the LEGO bricks I had when I was a kid. So, the boys and I dived into that and had a great time building things,” Howell recalled. This family activity soon evolved into a serious hobby. Howell’s architectural background naturally influenced his LEGO projects, leading him to create detailed models of buildings and structures. His expertise and passion culminated in his participation in the popular TV show, LEGO Masters, Season 4 (2023).
Every spring, for over 11 years now, Heights Boulevard blooms with a very different kind of beauty. Through a challenging, yet rewarding installation process, artists from all over Texas will have transformed the historical, treecovered esplanade into the canvas for one of the community’s greatest outdoor art exhibitions. However, very few understand or appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to make this venue the success that it has inarguably become.
The True North project was the brainchild of Co-founders Gus Kopriva, owner of the Redbud Arts Center on 11th Street, and prominent Houston mosaic artist and curator Chris Silkwood, working in tandem with Kelly Simmons, Dean Ruck and Donna Bennett. The project didn’t happen overnight. Members of the True North team spent years researching and partnering with community leaders and city officials to bring it to fruition. But, True North’s inception is just the beginning of the story. Every year, this five-member team has the timeintensive task of putting out a new call
Photo by Kelly Simmons
The True North Team, from left to right: Donna Bennett, Dean Ruck, Kelly Simmons Chris Silkwood and Gus Kopriva
to artists, reviewing every submission proposal for planned or existing artwork, overseeing its installation and marketing the exhibit and its respective participating artists. What is likely unknown to the public and is rather astonishingly impressive is that all of this is done in a volunteer capacity and is grounded in passion and dedication to the arts. Because the exhibition is such a treasure to the Heights and surrounding communities, a closer look into the planning, processes and people that make this
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See TRUE NORTH P. 4