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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350
Saturday, October 12, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No. 41
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Friends For Life Shelter’s Studio Fifty-Fur Gala set to raise vital funds for area animals By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
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INSIDE.
Volunteer shoppers needed for Be An Angel program serving kids with special needs
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Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce invites to community spaghetti lunch
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ArBOOretum at the Arboretum: Popular family fall festival is happening Oct. 19
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Cornhole tournament and party to raise funds for Timbergrove Sports Association
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On Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, Friends For Life Animal Shelter will host its highly anticipated Studio Fifty-Fur Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel in Houston. From 7-11 p.m., attendees will gather to celebrate the Heightsbased shelter’s ongoing commitment to saving animals in need, all while
enjoying an evening of music, food, and community spirit. This year’s fundraising goal is an ambitious $300,000, which will help Friends For Life continue its groundbreaking work in animal welfare. Founded in 2002, Friends For Life has long been recognized for its innovative, community-based services that no other shelter in Houston offers. The shelter prides itself on
taking in animals that often require medical treatment or behavioral rehabilitation, giving them a second chance at life through the dedicated efforts of staff, fosters, and volunteers. This year’s gala promises to showcase the incredible stories of animals who have overcome the odds, thanks to the shelter’s tireless work. The evening’s theme, Studio FiftyFur, is a nod to the iconic disco era,
MEET TAN MAN! The story behind the Heights’ larger-than-life personality
with a playful twist that reflects the shelter’s lively and innovative approach to animal rescue. Guests will enjoy an evening of dancing, live entertainment, and a silent auction, all in support of the shelter’s vital mission. “Attending the Friends For Life Studio Fifty-Fur Gala is more than See GALA P. 2
Heights High School student builds custom birdhouses for community parks
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
In the vibrant and quirky Heights neighborhood, there are few characters as beloved as Phil “Tan Man” Brayton. Known for his signature look—a sports coat with no shirt underneath—Brayton is a local icon, regularly spotted at Houston’s biggest events, from White Linen Night to the Texas Renaissance Festival, and Lights In The Heights. His tanned, muscular physique and ever-present smile make him instantly recognizable, and his joyful personality is just as memorable as his unique wardrobe choice. Brayton’s now-famous style began in 1982, inspired by a Don Johnson look in the hit TV show Miami Vice. In one particular episode, Johnson’s character swapped his usual T-shirt and sports coat combo for just the coat, and Brayton, a former bodybuilder, thought, “I can pull that off.” From that moment on, the “shirtless blazer” became Brayton’s go-to look. “I’ve never looked back,” he says, laughing. But Brayton is more than just a bold fashion statement. He’s a fixture at many Houston events, bringing positivity and fun wherever he goes. Whether attending the Houston Rodeo, taking a Carnival Cruise, or making an appearance at St. Arnold’s Brewery, Brayton’s big personality matches his 6’5”, 325-pound frame. His presence has made him a fan favorite at local festivals like the Greek Festival, Italian Festival, and Dickens On The Strand. One of Brayton’s most notable appearances occurred at the First Saturday Arts Market (FSAM) on 19th Street in the Heights. Market director and The Leader’s Art Valet writer Mitch Cohen recalls the day he first noticed Brayton walking around the market. “Here comes this tall, tan guy in a sports coat with no shirt, and I thought, ‘Who is this?’” Cohen’s curiosity led him to post an inquiry on social media, “Does anybody know this tan man?” The nickname stuck, and Brayton
Heights High School senior Enrique Araiza has taken his passion for architecture and design to new heights— literally. As part of his International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirement, Araiza recently completed a unique project called Wing-It Habitats, where he designed and built birdhouses for his local community. Araiza, who aspires to become an architectural or civil engineer, was determined to find a way to blend his love for drawing and design with a hands-on experience. “I wanted to create something that was both beneficial to the environment and visually appealing,” said Araiza, explaining the inspiration behind his project. He decided to focus on birdhouses that would not only serve local wildlife but also enhance the aesthetic of his neighborhood parks. “I was able to be as detailed as possible to construct beautiful birdhouses for not just our flying friends, but for the bird watchers and park goers in the Heights community.” The project began with Araiza drawing on the architectural styles of homes in his neighborhood, aiming to incorporate those designs into his birdhouses. See BIRDHOUSE P. 3
Phil “Tan Man” Brayton in the Heights, promoting the city he loves.
fully embraced his new moniker, even though he was initially puzzled by it. “People kept saying, ‘There’s the Tan Man,’ and I was thinking, ‘Who are they talking about?’” he jokes. Cohen and Brayton became fast friends after that encounter, bonding over Brayton’s cheerful outlook on life. “He’s a mood booster,” says Cohen. “He always has a kind word to say, no matter the situation.” In fact, one
Submitted photos
FSAM event saw Cohen and others playfully paying homage to Brayton by donning bare-chested, white blazer T-shirts, much to the Tan Man’s delight. Brayton, however, is quick to point out that his upbeat persona serves a deeper purpose. A former funeral industry professional who worked for Service Corporation International, See TAN MAN P. 3
Photo courtesy of HHA
Heights High School senior Enrique Araiza built a total of four custom birdhouses for local parks as part of his IB DP program.
Heights businesses step up to the plate in this year’s Shuck Cancer Houston event Heights merchants serve up Boos & Brews on 19th Street Oct. 24
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THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture �����������������������������8
By CHARLIE HARDWICK The Leader News Contributor Several Heights merchants are joining together with Houston’s best chefs from over 25 restaurants to support cancer research in this year’s third annual Shuck Cancer event. Participating restaurants will showcase their signature bites to fundraise for The American Cancer Society. The Houston Young Professionals for The American Cancer Society committee announced the third annual American Cancer Society Tricoast
Homes, Shuck Cancer Houston, for Nov. 21. This year’s fundraiser and foodie tasting event is presented by She Space and will take place from 7-10 p.m. at POST Houston. Houston’s top restaurants, bars and wineries will be offering guests a variety of oyster and wine pairings alongside other delectable dishes. This premier event will feature an oyster shooter bar, craft cocktails, a virtual reality experience, live music Photo by Jacob Power More than 25 restaurants will offer bites and much more. This year’s presenting sponsor is and sips at the third annual Shuck Cancer SheSpace, a Heights-based work and Houston event Nov. 21.
meeting place where business women gather to find community, amplify ambition and propel their dreams forward. Excited to be back as a cosponsor, SheSpace founder Katie Tsuru explains, “Shuck Cancer is a remarkable event that showcases Houston’s exceptional cuisine, lively entertainment, and emerging leaders while raising crucial awareness about the growing impact of cancer on people of all ages. We couldn’t be prouder
H E L P SUPPORT Scan this QR code to make a donation through Paypal today!
See SHUCK CANCER P. 5