Inside Today: Greater Houston Disaster Alliance secures second round of grants Page 4
RED, WHITE & BLUE SALE!
JULY 2ND - JULY 13TH
40% OFF!
(Excludes previous markdowns, plants & flowers)
Flower & Gift Shop
Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350
Saturday, July 6, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No.27
ABOUT US
Solid Waste Management Department schedules second pass of derecho debris collection
713-371-3600 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader
COMMUNITY REPORTS After picking up more than 1.55 million cubic yards of storm debris, the City of Houston’s Department of Solid Waste Management (SWMD) will begin the second and final pass of debris collection in earnest on July 8, 2024. Houstonians can expect the second pass to last for 30 days. At the conclusion of the second pass, the remainder of the storm debris operation will consist of completing reduction and restoration. The first pass ended on June 30. The period between the first and second pass is intended to provide a break for the contractor crews, who have been
Leader’s Choice BEST ATTORNEY
2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 5005 W. 34th Street, Suite 104A Legal Services For Wills, Probate Estate Planning & Real Estate
PHYLLIS A. OESER Attorney At LAw 713-692-0300
working seven days a week on their respective routes, and to provide residents additional time to prepare their debris for collection. SWMD urges residents to separate storm debris from bulk waste. Please ensure that tree trunks are 2-3 feet or less in diameter and 3 feet or less in length and tree branches are 6 feet or less in length. In addition, debris piles must be within 10 feet onto private property lines as crews cannot encroach beyond that limit. The May 16, 2024, Derecho that took Houston by storm is estimated to have created 1.8 million cubic yards of storm debris. So far, the city has col-
Data courtesy of City of Houston
lected roughly 1.55 million cubic yards, enough to fill 50% of NRG Stadium. In May, the City of Houston and SWMD brought in two debris collection contractors and a project moni-
Farmers Market welcomes Alamo Tamales in its place
Housing Authority, HUD expand services with new programs
By RUBENA GRACIA The Leader News Contributor
Page 2
713 Day: Things to do around town
Page 4
Photo courtesy of Waltrip Ram Band
The man, the legend: Charles Stephens on the field with the Waltrip Ram Band in the 1980s. Stephens grew the band program at Waltrip High School from a handful of participants to more than a hundred within a few short weeks.
Waltrip Ram Band mourns passing of band founder Charles Stephens
Some residents’ water bills are now for actual usage
Page 4
By CHRIS DAIGLE The Leader News Contributor
Page 5
You’re invited: Friends For Life throws birthday bash
“He was more than a teacher, he was family to us,” says Brenda Corral-Smith of Waltrip’s band founder and former director Charles Stephens, who recently passed away after a teaching career at Waltrip from 1983 to 2012, and an overall career in education of 43 years. A successful teacher touches a lot of lives in that many years, and students remember them. Talking to three former students, now band leaders for the Waltrip Ram Band themselves, it becomes clear that Stephens made teaching a personal mission in his life. Jonny Olivares, class of 2012, Jeremy Diggs, class of 2007, and Brenda Corral-Smith, class of 1996, have personal stories of an amazing man who went above and beyond for students. “He not only took to teaching, but he was a great motivator,” says CorralSmith. She seemed to lean into the con-
See ALAMO TAMALES P. 4
Photo courtesy of Waltrip Ram Band
Longtime Waltrip Ram Band Director Charles Stephens takes a moment to consult with band leaders.
versation as she spoke. “When I went to Waltrip in the mid 1990s, Mr. Stephens was a mentor for those of us whose parents were not here. He loaned us funds for leadership camp, and with his help, I could get financial aid to sign up for Indiana State University.” Stephens came from a background of leadership and accomplishment. He
was born in Beaumont where his family taught him the value of hard work. He received a BS degree from Florida A&M University in music education. He received an MA degree in education from Pepperdine University. He served as band director at Wheatley High School Alamo Tamales
See STEPHENS P. 9
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
Page 9
THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������5 Classifieds ���������������������������������7
The Redbud Arts Center, formerly the Redbud Gallery, takes up more than half of the north side of the 300-block of 11th Street, across from C&D Hardware in the Heights. Neighboring residents often drive by without giving it a second thought or actually having any understanding of whom and what the center is all about. That’s understandable, because in its lifetime, the structure had once housed a grocery store, a furniture store and even a boat
We empower people to thrive. S TE LL A R . BA N K NM L S # 4 5 1 3 1 2
Alamo Tamales will open its second location at the Houston Farmers Market later this summer. The family-owned and operated Mexican Taqueria and Bakery will have indoor and outdoor covered seating in the space formerly occupied by Comalito, which closed in June after only a little over 6 months in business at the location. The current flagship location of Alamo Tamales is located on Berry Road, east of I-45 between Tidwell and East Crosstimbers. Alamo Tamales, which began in San Antonio in 1960, offers guests more than eight varieties of tamales, all handmade using family recipes handed down through the generations, as well as baked goods, menudo, and barbacoa. Trompo tacos, similar to those served by Comalito, have been added to the menu. There will be a full-service bar with beverages including traditional Mexican coffee. The Farmers Market welcomes this new addition. The previous occupant of the space, Comalito, is a taqueria concept that provides an authentic al pastor experience using only thoughtfully sourced ingredients and the nixtamalization method to create distinctive tortillas and tacos. Internationally renowned chefs Luis Robledo Richards and Atzin Santos said they are searching for a more intimate location for their concept. Comalito is
Photo courtesy of Alamo Tamales
From Gallery to Non-Profit: Redbud Arts Center’s mission to preserve the local art scene
Page 7
Pet of the Week: Introducing His Majesty, King Arthur
See DERECHO P. 4
long, Comalito: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP So The Houston
INSIDE.
Junior League of Houston installs Garden Oaks woman as VP of Community
tor to pick up the City’s storm debris. Additionally, in compliance with FEMA requirements for public safety
Photo by Stephanie Shirley)
The Redbud Arts Center is dedicated to supporting art, artists and education through sponsored events, exhibitions and community education.
shop, smack dab in the middle of the Heights. The boat store, which opened in
the ‘60s, was owned by Red Ortman until the early ‘80s. It was called ‘Red Ortman’s Outboard’ and older Heights
residents will likely remember it. His daughter Sharon and her husband Gustava Kopriva bought it from him in 1999 to turn it into a gallery and studio workspace, after her father suffered a heart attack. Gus and Sharon have no children and nobody to ensure the continuity of their endeavors. For this reason, they were determined to find a way to perpetuate their pursuit of artistic excellence and give back to the community in a big way. They realized the best way to accomplish this See REDBUD ARTS CENTER P. 2
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.
2222 North Durham | 281.517.8760 Margaret Vandever, Bank Office President Cecilia Rodriguez, Office Manager