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Saturday, September 14, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No.37
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National Night Out: Strengthening communities through unity and crime prevention By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
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This October, neighborhoods across Houston are preparing to come together for National Night Out (NNO), a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering community spirit and building stronger relationships between residents and law enforcement. Celebrated in Texas on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, National Night Out encourages neighborhoods to gather for an evening of fun, food,
and connection while promoting safety and crime prevention. The event has evolved into one of the largest community-building campaigns in the United States.
ORIGINS OF NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
National Night Out began in 1984 as the brainchild of Matt A. Peskin, the Executive Director of the National Association of Town Watch. The goal was simple: to increase par-
ticipation in local crime prevention efforts by uniting entire communities for a single night. The first event involved 400 communities in 23 states, with around 2.5 million Americans participating. Today, more than 37 million people in over 15,000 communities take part in NNO, celebrating from coast to coast, and even in U.S. territories, military bases, and Canadian cities. See NNO P. 2
TINY TREASURES
By CHARLIE HARDWICK The Leader News Contributor
The Church at 1548 introduces new minister
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Tale of Two Bridges to plant shade trees along Heights Hike & Bike Trail
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Greg Cain displays his United States commemorative stamps he has been collecting all his life.
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Here’s who’s moving into the former Buff Brew space
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“It’s been a passion of mine since I was a kid,” says Greg Cain of his love of stamp collecting. “Like many collectors, my dad got me started at a young age, and we usually start with United States Commemoratives, the colorful stamps that most start with. Then I worked up to United States Revenue stamps, and my own particular collection is about Franklin D. Roosevelt these days.” Cain echoes a fascinating interest in combining history with a hobby. Cain, a resident of Oak Forest, retired from Service Corporation International a while back, and that allowed him to pursue stamp collecting and being involved with the Houston Stamp Club, also known as the Houston Philatelic Society. Lots
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THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture �����������������������������8
Photo by Greg Cain
The annual Houston Stamp Collectors Show in Humble draws collectors from around the United States for a threeday event.
of people collect lots of things, and it often stems from a family history and an affinity for interesting things
that are familiar. Philately involves the study, appreciation, and collection of postage stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, and related materials associated with mail delivery. While closely linked to stamp collecting, a person can be a philatelist without owning any stamps. The focus lies in understanding the historical context, design, and significance of these miniature works of art. This hobby emerged after the introduction of the world’s first postage stamp, the “penny black”, in 1840 England. In the United States, early collectors were known as “stamp gatherers”. Stamps gained popularity, and even old stamps from before the American Civil War were reissued by the United States Postal Service due to public demand. See STAMP P. 5
A new mobility service rolls into Houston offering safe rides, serving those with mobility challenges in and around the 610 Loop area. Tootl Transport is a new Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) franchise that provides wheelchair accessible vehicles and trained drivers to assist those with mobility and cognitive challenges. Houstonians Kenneth Bardlette and his wife Delilah launched the franchise in our area with an interest in providing the community with a high quality service that strives to make a positive impact, emphasizing core family values as their primary mission.
ROOTS IN CHICAGO Bardlette explained the history of the Tootl franchise, saying it was started by Chicago couple Tom and Michelle Dacy. The Dacy’s are industry professionals with over twenty years working with people who have special needs and their families. Their expertise in coordinating wheelchair accessibility for tens of thousands of clients is supported by their mission and core family values, driving their desire to deliver a high quality service for the community. The Dacy’s success in Chicago See TOOTL P. 5
Photo courtesy of Tootl
Kenneth Bardlette and his wife Delilah recently launched the Tootle franchise in Houston.
The Heights Petite Shoppe celebrates grand opening with international flair By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
Comings & Goings: Check out the new places at M-K-T and around town
Photo by Chris Daigle
How an Oak Forest man and the Houston Stamp Club keep history alive By CHRIS DAIGLE The Leader News Contributor
Attention teachers: Thinking about retiring? Here’s an info session for you
New mobility ride service for disabled and seniors rolls into town
On Sept. 5, The Heights Petite Shoppe, a unique women-owned coop, celebrated its grand opening at 1020 Studewood Street. A vibrant space filled with art, design, and global creativity, the shop showcases handmade goods, home decor, and culinary delights from artists and creators from around the world. The grand opening was a testament to the shop’s mission: to provide local and international artisans a platform to showcase their creations while building a cultural bridge in the heart of The Heights.
The brainchild of art historian and gallery owner Yvonamor Palix, The Heights Petite Shoppe is the latest addition to Palix’s impressive portfolio, which includes galleries in Paris and Mexico City. Palix, a FrenchMexican art expert, has a long history of working with internationally renowned artists and organizing exhibitions at prestigious art fairs worldwide, including Art Basel, FIAC, and ARCO. Her goal with The Heights Petite Shoppe is to create a space that celebrates her passion for art and culture while empowering women-owned businesses to thrive. See PETITE SHOPPE P. 5
Submitted photo
The space behind Artique Gallery where art talks, book signings, and art showings are held.
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