Inside Today: Kamin appointed vice chair of National League of Cities committee Page 2 Gifts For Everyone on Your List!! 20% STOREWIDE SALE! Flower & Gift Shop
Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350
Saturday, December 14, 2024 • Vol. 69 • No. 50
ABOUT US 713-371-3600 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader
Cheers to a wonderful season!
INSIDE.
METRO breaks ground on new maintenance facility to boost rail efficiency By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com On Dec. 9, METRO officially began construction on its new 30,000-square-foot Maintenance of Way (MOW) Facility, marking a significant step toward improving the efficiency, safety, and reliability of its METRORail system. Situated near the Burnett Transit Center on N Main St, the new facility will act as a centralized hub for maintenance and repairs across the Red, Green, and Purple lines. By consolidating operations, METRO aims to enhance response times, streamline workflows, and ensure smoother ex-
periences for passengers. “As part of our METRONow plan for 2025 and beyond, we are working to increase our on-time performance and reliability,” said METRO Board First Vice Chair Bob Fry during the groundbreaking ceremony. “Our goal through METRONow is to earn our customers’ trust each day with improvements and service upgrades that will improve their experience and make them excited to choose METRO.”
Facility Features and Community Enhancements
The new facility will house a 3,500-square-foot maintenance
The project goes beyond just operational improvements, adding sidewalks, street enhancements, and improved drainage along Brooks and Keene streets, further benefiting the surrounding community.
A Step Forward for METRORail
Submitted photo
MOW groundbreaking, Dec. 9, 2024
shop, a storage warehouse, a laydown yard, and surface parking. It will also include stormwater detention infrastructure to address drainage needs.
PEDALING TOWARD LITERACY
The MOW Facility represents the final project tied to the extension of the Red Line and is expected to be completed by July 2026. METRO’s focus on bolstering infrastructure aligns with its METRONow plan, which prioritizes system upgrades to build reliability and trust among riders.
Amy’s Ice Creams celebrates 40th anniversary with nostalgia, flavors, and fun
Special needs Christmas choir wants to sing for you
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Page 3
Amy’s Ice Creams is celebrating 40 years of serving up bold flavors, quirky creations, and plenty of smiles across Texas, including the Heights. Since opening its doors in 1984, the iconic ice cream shop has become a beloved institution in Austin, with its reach extending to San Antonio and Houston. In April, Amy’s Ice Creams in the Heights celebrated its 1-year anniversary here. Known for its fun, irreverent approach to ice cream, Amy’s is inviting fans to join the festivities and relive four decades of “keeping it weird.”
Take a trip Whoville with the adults-only comedy “Who’s Holiday!”
A Storied Legacy of Scoops and Smiles
Page 5
Over 7,000 bikes will be distributed by the CYCLE program this fall.
Trees for Schools initiative promotes learning and sustainability
Page 5
Movie Review: Gladiator II & Wicked
Page 6
Submitted photo
CYCLE celebrates 20 years of changing young lives
Celebrating 40 Years with Throwbacks and Deals
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor CYCLE (Changing Young Children’s Lives through Education), a Houstonbased nonprofit, is celebrating 20 years of fostering literacy among second-grade students in Title I schools by combining education with the joy of earning a bicycle. As part of its anniversary, the organization plans to distribute approximately 7,500 bikes and helmets this fall, marking a significant milestone in its mission to bridge the literacy gap. CYCLE’s unique approach incentivizes students to meet literacy goals by earning a new bike. This simple yet impactful model motivates young readers to engage with learning and fosters a culture of achievement. According to CYCLE volunteer and advocate Mike Raab,
The story began in 1984 when founder Amy Simmons opened the first Amy’s Ice Creams, driven by a dream to make every customer’s day brighter. What started as a small shop has since grown into a Texas favorite, renowned for its deliciously bold flavors, whimsical atmosphere, and creative concoctions. From Austin’s iconic SoCo district to the Houston Heights, Amy’s has become synonymous with fun and flavor.
To mark its 40th anniversary, Amy’s Ice Creams is rolling out a celebration that extends beyond scoops of ice cream. Highlights of the festivities See AMY’S P. 2
Submitted photo
CYCLE volunteers help with all aspects of the organization including interfacing with schools, social media content, and bike distribution.
“There’s nothing quite like witnessing the joy of a student who achieves their goal and receives their bike. It’s truly inspiring.” Title I schools in the Greater Heights area benefiting from CYCLE’s programs include: • Black Middle School
• Clifton Middle School • Waltrip High School • Washington High School In these schools, where a large percentage of students come from low-income families, the program’s See CYCLE P. 2
Submitted photo
The 40th anniversary flavor trio at Amy’s Ice Creams
Local Spotlight: Air Marshall LLC brings honest HVAC service to Oak Forest By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com Art Valet: The seven weeks of December
Page 8
THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������4 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture �����������������������������8
As winter takes hold in Houston, local HVAC business owner Marshall Bennett of Air Marshall LLC, based in Oak Forest, has a simple mission: provide honest, reliable heating and cooling services to the community. With over 20 years of HVAC experience under his belt, Bennett founded his own company in September of this year, determined to break away from the upselling practices common in the industry.
A Commitment to Honesty “I’ve seen too many companies create problems that don’t exist just to sell expensive fixes,” Bennett said. “My goal is to offer transparent pricing and only recommend what a client truly needs.” This commitment to integrity has earned Air Marshall LLC a loyal customer base, built through word-of-mouth and trust.
Winter Heating Tips to Save Costs With temperatures dropping, Bennett offers practical advice to keep heating costs low:
1. Keep Your Thermostat Below 70°F: “When no one is home, keeping your heater set below 70 degrees can save significantly on electricity.” 2. Seal Doors and Windows: Proper seals around doors and windows prevent cold air from entering your home and reduce energy loss. 3. Regular Maintenance: “A technician should inspect your heating system to ensure it runs efficiently and safely. This includes checking for carbon monoxide emissions and cleaning vents.” See HVAC P. 2
Submitted photo
Marshall Bennett, owner of Marshall Air LLC in Garden Oaks, prides himself on bringing honest and transparent HVAC services to area clients for more than 20 years.
H E L P SUPPORT Scan this QR code to make a donation through Paypal today!