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Saturday, January 13, 2018 • Vol. 62 • No. 52
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Photo contributed Residents say marbles, nuts, ball bearings and nails have become dangerous projectiles for drivers near Durham and 12th/13th Street. From the types of dents left on cars and shattered windows, they believe the objects are being shot by someone; but police say there is no video evidence to prove it.
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Courting Strong. LHN Lions girls basketball team begins TAPPS play strong.
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Find it. CARE FOR YOUR ELDERLY:
Flying projectiles raise concerns and questions
Heights Boy Scouts brave frozen tundra
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com When sub-freezing temperatures hit earlier this month, many of us ran for the scarves and jackets without a second thought; but in the meantime, a group of local boy Scouts was putting our toughness to shame. Last week, a group of three adults and four youths from Boy Scouts of America’s Troop 30 (based at St. Mark’s UMC in the Heights) participated in the Okpik Dogsled Trek at BSA’s Northern Tier High Adventure Base near Ely, MN, just six miles south of the Canadian border. Part of BSA’s High Adventure program, youth campers Johnny Kramer, David Buckles, Jacob Buckles and Mitchell Poche joined adults Evan Kramer, Mike Buckles and Leo Poche for a three-day, two-night dog-sledding trek through the frozen wilderness, returning late in the day Jan. 7. In and of itself, the frozen trek consisted of three days and two nights camping on ice with four dogsleds and 25 dogs, along with a guide and a musher to keep everyone in line. Scouts and leaders established a base camp on a frozen lake about 12 miles from the base, ultimately traveling about 40 miles in the dogsleds, with each of the four sleds pulled by a team of six dogs. “The rest of the time, we were just trying to survive. I’m not sure many of them even owned long pants before going up there,” Troop 30 Assistant Scoutmaster Evan Kramer reflected Monday with a slight chuckle. Along with Kramer, the boys and the rest of the group had to chisel through nearly a foot of solid ice to obtain water for boiling and conducted all cooking over fires built on the ice while on the trek. Further, with all food fro-
Contributed photos Boy Scouts of America Troop 30 (based at St. Mark’s UMC in the Heights) participated in the Okpik Dogsled trek in Ely, MN. from Jan. 2-7. The threeday two-night trek spanned about 40 miles of sledding through the frozen forest in sub-zero temperatures.
zen solid, Scouts had to put many items in their boots during the day to thaw them out enough to eat once the group made camp. “It was essentially an adventure and survival trip all rolled into one. It’s like being on the moon [facing those temperatures],” Kramer said. One might think there would be some relief come nightfall; but as Kramer described it, the battle was heightened even a bit more
during the night. Upon removing it, Scouts had to pack each individual layer of clothing underneath their sleeping bag before diving deep into it, desperate for any shelter from the frozen tundra. “You could hear the ice cracking beneath you at night, and it would wake you up,” Scout Mitchell Poche said. “Early on, it was very iffy there – I don’t really know how to describe it. The first night was pretty rough,” Kramer added, describing in detail the complex sleeping pattern the Scouts must undergo simply in attempts to get a few hours reprieve from the biting wind and cold. “You can’t wear anything even slightly damp to bed [because of the temperature]. You can’t leave anything laying out either, because it’ll be frozen solid as a rock in the morning. It was a real challenge just to get into the sleeping bag and through the whole routine.” The experience conjured up more than a few frightening times for the crew once night fell – genContributed photo erally around 3 or 4 p.m. [“The boys] were a little scared, A Scout attempts to put a collar on one of the sled dogs prior to another leg of the group’s trek through the frozen tundra.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
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From decimation in June to resurrection in the New Year, Simos Diner is back – and judging from the lunchtime crowd, it was as though that tragedy never happened. Last June, The Leader had to tell the heartbreaking story of the burning down of beloved neighborhood restaurant Simos Diner at 5004 N. Shepherd. However, the family pledged to bring the diner back to life in short order, and that promise came to fruition as they re-opened their doors to the neighborhood Jan. 8. “We basically gutted the building ourselves,” Steve Simos said of the long road back. And that wasn’t all they had to endure. Following Hurricane Harvey, the restaurant’s contractors were pulled off that job to assist in the recovery efforts
Church....................................................... 5A Classifieds.............................................. 4B Coupons. ................................................. 6A Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 6A Opinion. ................................................... 4A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 4A Sports. ......................................................??B
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Motorists making their way down Durham Drive in the Heights have experienced what they thought was BB gun pellets shattering their windows. But now some say the flying objects are of a more damaging variety – and the problem is worsening,. In our Dec. 31 edition, The Leader briefly detailed a report where drivers reported having their cars and windows hit by flying objects near Durham and 13th Street – once thought to be BBs, but now said to be slingshot marbles, metal nuts and ball bearings after another occurence near Durham and 12th. “It happened to me two nights in a row, so I assumed it had to have happened to somebody else,” a resident named Holly said after she was hit. As it turns out, she was right. Almost immediately after putting out a call on social media, she received multiple responses confirming her suspicions, along with a lengthy thread on a neighborhood NextDoor page that wound up totaling about 20 reports. “People have been getting dents and broken windows, and the car (drivers) feel as if they’re getting shot at,” Holly said. Deputies with the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office investigated the happenings in the area last week, and concluded that the occurrences are the result of a marble spill onto the road, which have then been disturbed and kicked up by passing drivers, causing the subsequent damage. “The landlord behind [the nearby house being blamed] has video that goes all the way around that house. When I watched the whole thing, nobody comes out with a slingshot,” said Deputy Bowden with the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, who investigated the claims. “When I walked to the other side – where the house was – there’s these marbles and things all over the place. At this point, I have video evidence this guy isn’t shooting a slingshot at these people.” However, the explanation seemed a bit odd to Holly and her husband, who walked down to investigate – and she says what they found points to more than just a simple marble spill. “When we walked down there, we found various tracers (slingshot marbles). There were also metal nuts and ball bearings, and metal nuts were what hit our car the second night,” she said. “The more
– essentially decimating their workforce down from seven or eight workers to just a couple. “That’s when our family came into the picture and did what we could do. It’s been a wild ride.” Along the way, the family knows their progress would have been substantially stunted without community support, and expressed endless gratitude for the tireless support the family received throughout the rebuilding process – an outpouring of love Steve called “beyond words” as they worked to restore Simos to glory. At one point – with investment in repairs coming in around $350,000 – Steve even had his house up for sale as a contingency plan should additional funding not come through. Thankfully, it never got that far. “Every day I would come up here and just find See Simos P. 6A
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann George Simos flips over a tasty-looking steak during the diner’s late morning/early lunch rush. After a fire severely damaged the diner back in June, they re-opened for business Jan. 8.
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The public. The Leader • Saturday, January 13, 2018 • Page 2A
Fake city letter makes local rounds By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
If residents have become fearful of future penalties based on official-looking letters, don’t worry – the city’s Solid Waste Management Department says a letter making some rounds in our local neighborhoods is bogus.
Last week, a Leader reader submitted the photo after receiving the strange letter in the mail, complete with the official-looking SWMD letterhead at the top. Along with seemingly commonplace warnings and advisements, however, came a warning that residents are likely unfamiliar with. “To ensure compliance with
SWM’s rules and regulations, City of Houston residents are provided one warning,” the letter reads in its current form. “Subsequent violations will result in a minimum $45 citation per occurrence. Those fees are assessed to the resident’s City of Houston water bill on the next billing cycle. Thank you for your cooperation!”
City representatives confirmed the statement was indeed a fabrication. “This letter IS NOT from our department. All residents please be advised and on the lookout for this FAKE letter that is circulating!” the department wrote on its Facebook page.”
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The Topics. The Leader • Saturday, January 13, 2018 • Page 4A
College sports more than a game for many Publisher’s Note: For the first time in five years, this week’s column is taken from our archive folders (with a few updates).
Jonathan McElvy
H
onesty, it seems, is an important quality for someone who writes a column. We deliver about 34,000 newspapers every week, and while most people probably don’t care about my drivel, there are enough of you who will call me on a lie. So I’ve got to be honest about today’s column: I am in absolutely no condition to write it. This column is supposed to be written on Tuesdays, and on Tuesday of this week, I had neither the will or desire for creativity. You see, I was not born in Houston. I am from Tuscaloosa, Ala., a nice little town of about 100,000 people, where the Black Warrior River splits the pine trees and rubs the northern edge of the city’s largest employer: The University of Alabama. In a sense, I grew up on that campus. From the day I can first remember, I was always around the Capstone, as we call it. And in the fall, I was religiously there every Saturday that my beloved Crimson Tide played a football game.
Publisher
Many of you still may not realize why that’s significant, but on Monday night, my football team won its fifth national championship in the past nine years. Trying to put a tally on how many titles we’ve actually won is a matter of controversy (ask my Auburn friends, of which I have few). The school now claims 17. Others say we have 12, but now we’re just being boastful. The history of Alabama football is as ridiculous as any story you’ve ever heard. My parents, as God-fearing a couple as you’ll ever meet, were introduced to my then-girlfriend (now wife) only when I could match the trip with an AlabamaFlorida game seven years ago. As we were preparing to leave for the game that Saturday morning, my Dad literally told my wife that she was
about to attend a worship service of 100,000 people. Here’s my point: After faith and family, I’m not sure anything has as much consequence in an Alabama native’s life than college football games. And because we played (and won) the national championship on Monday, it’s been hard to find the energy to research anything other than a last-second pass from a true freshman to another true freshman. It’s really quite brainless, if you think about it. I’m supposed to be a grown man who owns a business, and the only thing I thought about in the 24 hours after that win was how Alabama figured out another way to win. To those who don’t care about football, this literally sounds like the dumbest, most meaningless waste of time for a human being. Playing sports is one thing – that’s where real discipline is learned, in my opinion. But a man who spends too much time worrying about the performance of some 18-22 year olds sounds foolish. In a sense, it is. Then again, I’m not so sure. Houston is a sports-crazy city. Drive through one of our neighborhoods, and you’ll find University of Texas, Texas A&M or Houston
Texans flags draping off the front of homes and trees. On football Saturdays in College Station or Austin, or Sundays outside of NRG Stadium, regular people like me put on expensive jerseys (even though they’ve never put a foot inside the chalk of a football field) just because they care about their teams. Why do people do this? Why has it virtually eliminated one week of my productivity, when my concern over a game means absolutely nothing to the people playing? Here’s why: Athletic loyalty is more than just love of a jersey. For me, it’s an opportunity to have friends over every Saturday. It’s a chance to stay in touch with people I would likely never call if I couldn’t talk to them about “the team.” It’s a reason to save my money, hop on a plane and go visit family and friends. True story: One of my best friends growing up is a guy named Eric Chandler. Eric and I played youth sports together, went to basketball camps all over the South together, and for one year, went to high school together. I don’t know how many guys I played sports with, but I probably had 15 really close friends during those teen years of my life. But Eric and I also went to Alabama games
When IRS eyes are crying
The reader.
THE EVENING NEWS – Here is one of Donald Trump’s daughters – I can’t tell which one, they are all beautiful – standing in front of the White House saying, “I will be traveling across America and on April 15th will be seeing how happy everyone is to have their taxes cut.” Beautiful, but clueless. This April 15th is the deadline for filing our 2017 taxes, last year, under Obama. President Donald Trump’s tax cuts don’t go into effect until 2018. Nevertheless, it is easy to get confused over the new budget and how it will change our taxes, medical coverage and coffee we drink. It’s called America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again, and costs $4.1 trillion. Your share is every dime you’ll ever make, plus money earned by your descendants even until the fifth generation. During the last presidential campaign, it was vowed the tax form would be simpler. It isn’t. Indeed, some CPAs say the new budget is even more complicated. We were told we could fill out our federal income taxes on a post card. But do you really want your postal carrier knowing how much you make in light of that crummy Christmas tip you gave him? Anyway, let’s look at the new Blueprint. Trump has said he wants to “re-strengthen” our military, this despite the fact that we spend more on our military than the next six nations combined, upwards of $650 billion a year. Expanding our military has more to do with air bases and naval docks in Congressional districts than defense. The Pentagon today is not so much a war machine as a jobs program. In the 2018 defense authorization bill, Congress called for strength increases including 8,500 new soldiers, 5,000 new sailors, 5,800 new airmen and 1,000 new Marines. Trump has also publicly promised a 355-ship Navy and at least another 100 combat aircraft for the Air Force. This is in keeping with his campaign promise to “take care of the generals,” General Dynamics, General Motors and General Electric. Elsewhere, the Department of Homeland Security gets increased spending on border security and immigration enforcement, and to build a wall on the US-Mexico border, despite promises that Mexico would pick up the tab. You are now a citizen of Mexico. How will we pay for all of this? Well, we won’t. After eight years of screaming about the Obama administration’s deficits and debt spending, this GOP budget will increase the national debt by – hang on -$1.4 trillion. Assuming current programs remain unchanged, the federal debt will swell by an additional $9.4 trillion over the next decade. Our children will understand. Still, the new budget does cut some wasteful spending, like on education,
Dear Editor: I’d like to correct a few misconceptions in the article on “Why do grackles congregate?” published in The Leader of Jan. 6, 2018. First of all, the large flocks of birds that are the focus of Mr. Kuhlmann’s article are made up of more than just grackles! Next time you see a flock of birds gathering on utility wires in the evening, take a closer look: they are not all the same size. In addition to common and great tailed grackles, these huge congregations include many starlings and brown-headed cowbirds (both species are a little smaller than grackles). It’s hard to tell them apart during the evening when they are lined up in silhouette, but during the day the species can easily be distinguished, not just by their size, but by their plumage. Male grackles are much larger with longer tails than the females, and during breeding season are a spectacular glossy blue-black. The smaller females are brownish. Brown-headed cowbirds are also sexually dimorphic: males are glossy black with brown heads; females are a dull brown. Adult starlings of both sexes are iridescent purplish black with lighter speckles. All these birds are year-round residents in Houston; they do not migrate. Grackles and cowbirds are native to North America, and are related to blackbirds and orioles (the Icteridae family). Starlings, sometimes called “rice birds,” are an introduced species that originated in Europe, and are related to myna birds (Sturnidae family). Furthermore, none of these birds are true
Lynn Ashby Columnist
pollution and the National Institutes of Health. Specifically, it includes the elimination of food for education and water and wastewater loan programs. Smokey the Bear is going on welfare: The budget eliminates over 4,000 jobs in the Department of Interior and decreases funding for the United States Forest Service by $118 million. Hey, California, you don’t really need all those trees, do you? Out go funds for 49 National Historic Sites. It cuts funds to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and programs and grants for teacher training, after-school and summer care, and aid to low-income students. Houston, you will be happy to know the budget reduces funding for FEMA. The EPA, that pesky agency that tries to protect us from acid rain, coal sludge in our creeks and air you can climb, suffers the elimination of more than 50 programs and 3,200 jobs. It cuts funding for the protection of endangered species, like conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans. The State Department’s budget is reduced almost a third -- 29 percent. Here’s something we can all support. The new budget reduces funding for the Internal Revenue Service. But before we cheer too much, remember that, according to press reports, “Since 2010, Congress has cut the agency’s budget by nearly $1 billion, or 18 percent, adjusted for inflation, as the I.R.S. processes about 10 million more tax returns.” Its work force has been reduced by 21,000, or nearly one-quarter. This means when you try to call the IRS for advice and help in filing your own returns, you get put on Hold for like three days. The size of the compliance staff -- the pros who go after tax evaders -- has shrunk by one-third, and the ranks of criminal special investigators are thinner than at any time since the Nixon era. This means a lot of tax cheats have been getting by, and now even more will be able to dodge Uncle Sam. Guess who gets to make up the difference? I guess this also means we’ll never see Trump’s income taxes. We are promised lower federal income taxes, but maybe not. Our first clue was the lobbyists circling above the Capitol. Stealing from other researchers, I find that a law was passed in 2004 giving companies a tax break on income that manufacturers earned from making things in the United States. Starbucks hired lobbyists to claim that it, too, was
a producer, because the company roasts coffee beans. So Congress allowed coffee shops to deduct a percentage of every cup sold if it was made with beans they roasted off site. This became known as the Starbucks Footnote. Suddenly, everyone became a manufacturer. Movie studios got the break because they produced films, and tech giants won it, too, for making computer software. Construction companies got it for making buildings, and so did engineers and architects for designing them. The government initially estimated that the 2004 law would cost a net $27.3 billion from 2005 through 2014. It ended up costing over $90 billion during that period. This new budget should end that end-run. Finally, I’m all for cutting out fraud and waste, like weekly golf trips on Air Force One to Mar-a-Lago. I’ll run it by the Trump daughters. Ashby pays at ashby2@comcast.net
Why do grackles congregate?
– football and basketball – together, and amazingly we’ve never lost touch. For the past 12 years, I think, Eric and I have called each other before every single Alabama game. We may have missed one or two in the past decade, but it’s not often. And because of that, Eric and I have stayed closer than any of my childhood friends. There’s only one reason for that. Ultimately, being a sports fan isn’t just about rooting for a team. It’s about rooting for a team with people you know and love. It’s about cooking ribs, drinking a beer and talking to your friends about everything except the big game. I know it sounds crazy, but is it really? I’m not so sure. I have friends from a lifetime ago, and we’ve remained involved in each other’s lives simply because we support the same team. My Dad and I talk before every important game. My brothers and I send each notes before, during and after the games. Maybe it’s immature. Maybe it’s not. Roll Tide.
Email jonathan@theleadernews.com
Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com scavengers. Grackles in particular are omnivores that eat many insects (you can see them foraging for insects in grassy areas during the day), but they will also eat minnows, frogs, eggs, berries, seeds, grains, and even small birds and mice. And yes, they will eat remnants of human food when it’s available. Starlings are also omnivores, while cowbirds eat mostly insects and seeds. These large mixed-species congregations are a winter phenomenon; in spring and summer the birds disperse for the breeding season. The birds’ main choices for congregation sites appear to be places that have lots of overhead wires, where they gather en masse in the evenings, before moving to settle down for the night in trees with lots of sheltering foliage. The Kroger parking lot on 43rd Street offers both of these amenities. Food trash in the parking lot also provides easy pickings during the winter when insects and other more natural food items are scarce. I was glad to read the conclusion of the article suggesting that these birds are worthy of our admiration, not our scorn or disgust, and that we should just accept them (but perhaps avoid parking under the trees where they roost at night). There is no sure-fire method to drive them away, and furthermore the native species, grackles and cowbirds, are protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Act (it is illegal to kill them). Keep in mind that this is a seasonal problem. Once spring comes and the birds start thinking about finding a mate and raising a family, they will go their separate ways until the next fall. Nancy Greig
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
aCrOss
1. Hindu stratification 6. Least harm 12. Medical confinement 16. Silver 17. In a sick state 18. Belonging to me 19. 1/2 an em 20. “Makeover’s” Pennington 21. Take a seat 22. 1/10 meter (abbr.) 23. Atomic # 13 24. Fallow deer genus 26. Skin lesions 28. Charlie Parker’s sax 30. 31st state 31. Disparity 32. Poking stroke 34. Long time 35. Wm. the Conqueror grave 37. Hosts film festival 39. Mend 40. Gear teeth 41. Of cadmium 43. 1618 Reformed synod 44. Fringe-toed lizard 45. Where passengers ride 47. 1/60 hour (abbr.) 48. Initials of TV cartoon father 50. Pack down 52. ___ and feathered
54. Hyperbolic cosecant 56. Operating system (abbr.) 57. Atomic #99 59. Crown owned Isle 60. Santa __ trail 61. Booze support group 62. Footcandle 63. Retaliations 66. Natural logarithm 67. Quality of usefulness 70. Sitting position 71. They turn litmus paper red
dOwn
1. Brandy region of France 2. Equally 3. Spittles 4. Very small 5. Ethiopia 6. Filled with sediment 7. An antiviral AIDS drug 8. Saudi king to 2005 9. Early word forms 10. Yes in Spanish 11. Ketchup veggies 12. Used to have (Scottish) 13. Old Greek storyteller
14. Den 15. Stockings 25. Scottish road surface 26. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 27. Bodily cavity 29. Durations 31. About gene 33. ‘Footloose’ actor Kevin 36. Supply weaponry 38. Neither 39. Capital of Syria 41. Shortcut 42. Feline 43. Have already done 46. Rifle barrel cleaning tool 47. High IQ group 49. Libra constellation 51. Perch genus 53. Summer precipitation 54. Ancient Roman boxing gloves 55. Silver Skates’ Brinker 58. Cobblestone 60. Policeman (French) 64. Pizza, apple or chiffon 65. Winglike structure 68. 37th state 69. Potato state
WORD SCRAMBLE
The Leader • Saturday, January 13, 2018 • Page 5A
The calendar. MAKING OF AMERICA BOOK CLUB Adolf Hoepfl Garage The Making of America Book Club is starting a new book beginning Jan. 11. If you enjoy American history and the people who shaped it, this is an opportunity to meet with other like-minded readers. We will be reading Constitutional Sound Bites, America’s Founding Documents and First Principles in a 21st Century Presentation by David Shestokas. Meetings are 6:30 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month in the Liberty Room at Adolf Hoepfl Garage, 4610 N. Shepherd Dr. Information: Kathryn@adolfhoepfl.com, 713-516-4282. ROBERTO CORTAZAR - A 30 YEAR SURVEY Clark & Associates Clarke & Associates, 301 E. 11th St., is proud to host the inaugural Houston 2018 exhibition of a 30 year survey of work by the wellknown Mexican artist, Roberto Cortåzar. The opening reception will be from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 13, and
the exhibition runs through April 2. Information: 713-254-2998, www.clarkeassoc.com. COMMUNITY DANCE SPJST Lodge 88 The SPJST Lodge 88, 1435 Beall St., will feature Mollie B and Squeezebox, Polka and variety music, from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Jan. 14. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Reservations are suggested, but not required. Reservations held only 30 minutes past start of dance. Information: 713-869-5767, lodge88.org. ANNUAL ART SHOW Assistance League of Houston Assistance League of Houston will open its annual juried art show at 6:30 p.m. and award prizes at 7 p.m., Jan. 17, at Williams Tower Gallery, located at 2800 Post Oak Blvd. Featuring the works of emerging Texas artists, the art show is called Assistance League of Houston Celebrates Texas Art. Information: 281-550-8860, jbpaul66@yahoo. com, www.assistanceleague.
org/houston ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING Lone Star College-North Harris Lone Star College-North Harris, Community Education Building, located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Dr., will hold a Open House from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 18. Meet the instructors, visit with other members, get a new catalog and parking permits and register for membership and classes. The Academy for Lifelong Learning provides free classes and social opportunities for senior adults 50 and older. Membership is just $20/year for LSC-North Harris and LSC-Victory Center. Information: 281-7657947, lonestar.edu/all. FREE INTRODUCTION TO MODERN SQUARE DANCING Memorial Drive Lutheran Church Healthy, social fun, square dancing is friendship set to music. Fairbees Square Dance Club welcomes the community to experience the fun and fellowship
of Square Dancing at two free fun night events on Jan. 11, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., and Jan. 18, from 7- 8 p.m. No prior dance experience needed, no partner required, older children and teenagers welcome. Classes are held at Memorial Drive Lutheran Church, in the fellowship hall, 12211 Memorial Dr. (77024). Park rear of church. Information: 713-9572762, 281-495-2397. OPEN HOUSE Aldine Library Aldine Library, 11331 Airline Dr., will hold their open house from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 19. There will be games and prizes for kids, representatives from organizations and businesses around the community, and examples of some of the digital offerings on display. There will also be food and a book sale. Information: 832-927-5410. ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING Lone Star College-Victory Center
The Academy for Lifelong Learning at Lone Star College-Victory Center, 4141 Victory Dr., will hold an Open House from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 25. The Academy for Lifelong Learning is a membership community that offers free and low-cost classes, events and activities for adults age 50 and older. Choose from technology, health and wellness, financial planning, community service projects, literary discussion groups, genealogy, arts and crafts and more. Information: 281-8105680, www.lonestar.edu/all.htm. GHACC ECONOMIC FORECAST LUNCHEON Reserve a table and invite your clients to this valuable luncheon. Hear from one of the Nation’s leading economists about the economic outlook for Houston, our state, our nation and our world. Dr. Gilmer will discuss business, employment, interest
Peace through P.I.E. at St. Matthew’s Be a part of bringing peace through P.I.E. (Peace Includes
Everyone) to Houston from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 13. Using culinary traditions, Peace through P.I.E. brings different people together to share history and discover commonalities. Celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by attending this hallmark MLK holiday tradition. Come eat pie and share neighborly love. This event is in partnership with Beauty’s Community Garden, St. Matthew’s UMC and Memorial Hermann-Greater Heights. Free admission. PieO-Neer aprons are $15 if preordered online. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. Visit https:// peace-through-pie.eventbrite.
com for information. ‘Radically Free’ worship series at St. Stephen’s “Radically Free,� a new worship series, begins Sunday, Jan. 14. The series will explore Paul’s Letter to the Galatians and how it calls Christians to live today. Pastor’s Wednesday Bible studies resume Jan. 17, at 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and will continue throughout the spring. Adults of all ages are welcome to attend. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org and the church’s Facebook page.
Senior Time Event at First Church Heights Senior Time Event is held the last Tuesday of every month. Come and enjoy visiting with other seniors in the area and listen to interesting guest speakers and enjoy breakfast. The guest speaker for this month is Sherida Ramirez of The Gardens at Spring Shadows and she will discuss “Importance of Activities and Social Interaction for Seniors.� The event is 10:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 30. First Church Heights is located at 201 E. 9th St. Call 713-861-3102 for information.
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Velma Louise Bonura, 91, born Nov. 13, 1926, died Dec. 31. She is survived by her 12 children Celeste Bryant, Dorothy Everett, James Bonura, Vivian Feland, Thomas Bonura Sr., Vincent Bonura Sr., Dolores Koenig, Robert Bonura Sr., John Bonura Sr., Velma Smith, Yvonne Bell, Paule Anne Lewis, 28 grandchildren, 60 greatgrandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. Worley Ovid Bryan Jr., 86, born Nov. 4, 1931, died Nov. 29. Edith Carson, 88, born Dec. 10, 1929 in Loire, Texas, died Jan. 4. She is survived by four sisters, five children, Larry Carson, Linda Schuetze, Janet Fite Long, Carol Higginbotham, and Mark Carson, 12 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Dorothy Lourine Cox, 91, born Jan. 8, 1926, died Jan. 2.
Horace William Elsberry,
85, born July 8, 1932, died Dec. 29. He is survived by his children, Carolyn Peterson Phillips, Kathleen Elsberry, Horace Elsberry Jr., and Ronald Elsberry.
Dixon Stephen Gilbreath,
78, born Nov. 4, 1939 in Weimar, Texas, died Dec. 27. He started Dixon Motors and ran his dealerships for more than 30 years. He is survived by his second wife Kay Meyers Gilbreath, and children Todd and Leigh.
John A. Hanagriff Jr., a longtime resident of Oak Forest, died Dec. 19. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sylvia Hanagriff, children Georgeanna, Susan and John III, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Hanagriff was a member of Oaks Presbyterian Church and enjoyed coaching at the Oaks Dads Club. Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in his daughter Georgeanna’s name. Jimmy Dale Lawson, 75, born Oct. 24, 1942, died Dec. 31. Lawson attended Helms Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High and Reagan High School. He married Jewel (Judy) Jenkins in 1961. He was employed with Harris County Precinct 3 where he retired.
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The Obituaries. Jeffrey Jackson Bell, 76, born March 4, 1941 in Ogden, Utah, died Dec. 28. Bell is survived by his wife, Susan Bell, his children Courtney Bell Assir, Ashley Bell Frey, Stacey Bell Wiggins, his stepchildren Brandy Utz, Matt McRee, Rachel Kaufman, and Austin McRee, sisters Janet Riger, Susan Tribe, eight grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.
CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES CONFERENCE AND RESOURCE FAIR Family to Family Network Save the date. The Success for Children with Disabilities 13th Annual Conference and Resource Fair, hosted by Family to Family Network and Region 4, will be held Jan. 27, at Houston Community College Northwest - Spring Branch Campus, 1010 Sam Houston Pkwy. The conference is 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and the resource fair is from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Information: familytofamilynetwork.org.
New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam
From the Pews. Women’s Bible Study Group meets at the YMCA The Women’s Bible Study meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. The new Bible study begins on the Book of Daniel. There will be Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Guests and new members are welcome to attend this non-denominational Bible study. Email scripturesharing@ earthlink.net for information or call 713-516-4282.
rates, energy and real estate. The luncheon will be at the Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 N. Loop West, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 25. To purchase tickets or to sponsor, call 713-861-6735 or heightschamber.org.
713-688-9625
Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon
Jeffrey Patrick Lyon, 50, born March 30, 1967, died Jan. 4. He is survived by his father, Donald Lyon and niece Jennifer Lyon.
include his daughter, Jennifer Burkholder, son Dr. John R. Sykes, and four grandchildren.
Amanda Sue Markevich,
67, born Jan. 25, 1950, died Dec. 27.
24, born July 8, 1993, died Jan. 5.
Patricia Ann Thompson,
Conrado Salazar Martinez, 89, born Jan. 7, 1928 in La
Aztec StorAgeS
Costa, Texas, died Dec. 30. He is survived by his son, Steven W. Martinez, adopted daughter Emilie Liceaga, brothers Jesse Martinez and Henry Martinez, six grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren.
Isabel Pizzini, 88, born July 29, 1929, died Dec. 26. She is survived by her husband of 60 years Archie Pizzini Jr., son Archie Pizzini III, sisters Rosa Santiago and Estella Edwards. Carolyn Ann Stevens, 79, born June 7, 1938 in Birmingham, Ala., died Jan. 5. Stevens was a graduate from Reagan High School. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Selby Claud Stevens, daughter Deborah Stevens Walne, son Robert Selby Stevens, sister Gaye Mouer, four grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren. John Richardson Sykes,
85, born Dec. 10, 1932 in Chicago, Ill., died Dec. 31. Survivors
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Pet Comfort with Anesthesia and Surgery Veterinary medicine has made a lot of progress since the twentieth century and the anesthesia standard of care has changed for most surgeries. Could you imagine yourself waking up from an anesthetic procedure nauseated, confused, chilled, in pain, and thirsty from dehydration? What if you were in a strange environment with no one familiar to comfort you? This is no longer the acceptable standard for people and now with today’s advanced medical care we can avoid most of these discomforts and complications for our pets also. First it’s important to address your pet’s anxiety. A quiet environment, gentle nursing care, speciďŹ c drugs and pheromones on your pet’s bedding help reduce stress. Fluid support (intravenous is preferred) maintains cardiovascular support, hydration, electrolytes and provides a lifeline if complications should occur. The advanced anesthetics used today are combined to reduce their individual dose, and thus possible adverse effects. This is greatly increases safety while decreasing post-anesthesia nausea. Close monitoring of your pet before, during and after the anesthetic procedure by experienced personnel is vital for safety. This includes anesthesia and prevent them from becoming chilled quickly. EKGs and blood pressure monitors are used to monitor cardiovascular function while pulse oximeters and respiratory monitors are used to maintain your pet’s oxygenation and breathing. All these are used with anesthesia to increase your pet’s safety.
Always call your Vet if you have any concerns or questions
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MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
Focus for the New Year By Pastor Will Cover
directory Weekly Sunday Services
Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston, TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org
First FirstChurch Church Heights
• Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.
Sunday School ........9:15 am Sunday Worship......10:30am Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service 6:00pm
1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters
Pastor C. David Harrison 201 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 www.fbcheights.org
Gethsemane Lutheran Church 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227
We invite you to worship with us! Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am
Ad # 22283 Sunday-- Bible BibleStuday Study For Ages .. 9:30am Sunday For All All Ages..9:30am Morning Worship............ 10:45am Morning Worship.............10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed.Wed. - Prayer PrayerMeeting Meeting&&Missions Missions Organization......................6:15pm Organization .....................6:15pm
Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org
St. Stephen’s
1822 W. 18th
Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor
713-864-1470
United. Methodist. Church. A Caring, Sharing, Faith Family.
Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40
Scouting groups for all ages. Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children
Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe 2003 W. 43rd St. ď ľ 713-686-8241 w w w. s t s u m c . o r g
St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA MANNA Sponsor
• Worship (English)..... 10:00 am - 11:00am • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm
1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577
I began reading in Genesis on January 1st of this year. It is my goal to read through the Bible this year. In Genesis 11 the story is told of the Tower of Babel when God confused the languages of the people so that they would be unable to continue to work together. This passage was interesting because I think many people are confused as to what the people at the Tower of Babel were doing that was wrong. In the Bible it says that they came together to build a tower to heaven to make a name for themselves. It is not wrong for people to work together. God desires unity. It is not wrong to want to be with God. God desires a relationship with His creation. The sin of the people that day was in their desire to make a name for themselves. The believed that by working together, they could make their own way to God. By getting to God on their own this would prove that they didn’t really need God and were equal with God. They wanted to make a name for themselves. This year, I have many goals. You probably have spent some time making resolutions and plans for 2018. Whatever your goals are and whatever your focus is, remember that bringing glory to God is what God created you to do. Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever, ye do, do all to the glory of God. Make sure that your goals put God first and demonstrate obedience to His will. Trying to make a name for yourself apart from God will only result in failure. Putting God first will bring success in your new year!
Page 6A • Saturday, January 13, 2018 • The Leader
Pet hazards to consider when temps drop Dear Tabby, With the cold weather that we’ve been having lately, I’ve been worried about how to keep my pets safe in colder temperatures. Obviously, all outdoor animals come inside when the weather is freezing, but are there any other cold-weather pet hazards that we need to consider? Chilly in Candlelight Estates
pery surface and tear a muscle or ligament. Antifreeze: With colder weather comes the use of antifreeze in our cars. Even a little antifreeze could be fatal to your dog. It’s important to keep these containers locked away and mind any spills. Arthritis Flares in Older Pets: If your dog is already experiencing symptoms of arthritis, these symptoms can become more apparent in cold weather. Help keep your dog as warm as possible (try heated bedding) and if your vet provided medication,
Dear Chilly, Houston has experienced some rather unseasonably cold temperatures lately and there’s a good chance that winter is not quite done with us yet. While meteorologists remind us to protect our pipes, plants and pets during freezes, there’s more to it than just putting a sweater on your dog when the temperatures dip below freezing. Here are a few other things to consider: Watch Out for Outdoor Cats: If you have a cat–or even if you don’t and there may be strays around–before you start your car, be sure to bang the hood or honk your horn to scare off any cats who could be sleeping on top of wheels or in the engine to keep warm. Walking on Thin Ice: While we in Houston don’t typically see frozen ponds or lakes, even just a thin layer on ice on the sidewalk can pose a danger to dogs. Thin ice is a real danger to dogs and puppies who might not realize where they’re stepping. When walking on frozen driveways and sidewalks, your dog could lose control on the slip-
be sure to give it to your dog as instructed. While we’re all looking forward to the warmer, sunny days that winter in Houston has become famous for, it’s still a good idea to remain mindful of ways that we can make our pets more comfortable in cold weather. With a little care and forethought, you and your pets can survive whatever weather winter 2018 throws at us. Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com
Pet of the Week
Simos from P. 1A boxes of supplies outside the restaurant; I had customers come up here and give us a little bit of money to do whatever we needed with it,” he said. “Thank the Lord, everything went right. Most of the people knew the restaurant and knew who we were since we’ve been in the neighborhood so long, so they tried to help us in any way they can. I don’t know what to say.” Seeing as the neighborhood gave back to them, the Simos family spared no expense in doing the same for its Garden Oaks/Oak Forest family, renovating the interior and sprucing up several features. And as soon as permitting cleared, open flew Simos’ doors once again.
her sister-in law. “It was so emotional seeing it open again. You don’t realize how much your customers really are like family until you don’t get to see them, and these last few months have been so hard,” she said. “We couldn’t get in touch with some of them or see how they were doing, and seeing them in the streets would make us so happy because we knew they were ok.” So emotional, in fact, that Natalie admitted tearing up several times when the first customers walked in. “It made me so emotional to see people come in, as though it was just a normal day – like we were never gone,” she said. “My feet feel like they’re going to fall off, but it’s such a good feeling to be able to come back to work. I love it.” And Simos’ regulars returned that love tenfold, flocking to the spot following the company’s Facebook post, filling its parking lot nearly to capacity. “So much scrubbing, so
Home again “It may look different, but for me it feels like it’s the same place,” said Vicky Simos-Connelly. “This just feels so good, to have it open again. It was a process, and we went through a lot – but we got through it. We made it.” Steve’s wife Natalie echoed
many nails driven, so many trips in and out the door, so many hours. Thank you, Simos Family. Make extra grits — I’m hungry for one of your omelets,” resident Gala Gerber wrote on Facebook. Without a grand opening, Steve didn’t know what to expect upon re-opening their doors; but the result floored him. “I really thought it was going to take about three to four months to re-spread the word about this business,” he said. “I always think of the worst outcome.” His sister, however, had no such doubts given what she knows about the neighborhood. “They thought business wasn’t going to be good, but I knew people would come today – they’ve been waiting for this place to be open again,” Vicky said Monday. Simos’ tragedy is now firmly in the rearview mirror; with its doors open and counters bustling with the sounds of their neighborhood. They’re back – stronger than ever.
Scouts from P. 1A
Meet Harley. This sweet girl got lost from her family and took up residence under a Harley Davidson motorcycle (a cool cat, indeed!). A kind stranger rescued her and now she’s ready to jump-start her new life. Harley does have feline leukemia but feline leukemia only affects cats --it cannot be transmitted to people, dogs, or other animals. This sweet girl really craves human affection--wouldn’t she be the perfect fit for your gang? To learn more, visit www.friends4life.org.
[the adults] were scared – everybody was scared about it. You’re thinking ‘how can I possibly sleep in -33-degree temperatures without freezing to death?’ Because even standing still in those temps is usually bad,” Kramer said. But through it all, Kramer said, the boys pushed through. Whether it was enduring the rigorous routine to sleep each night or playing soccer on the ice to keep the blood pumping before bed, they didn’t miss a beat. And ultimately, the trip was deemed a success – no frostbite on any member (two-legged or fourlegged); all safe, sound and forever bonded by the experience.
“I learned that even though we had a 95degree temperature difference, it’s not as hard as it seems. It’s easier to adapt than you think,” Scout David Buckles said. “At the end of the day, they all had a great time, and that second night you’re not nearly as nervous since you already know you can do that and stay warm,” Kramer added with a light laugh. “It was an adventurous trip, plain and simple.”
Local business is our business. Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com
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Come in for one of our homemade casseroles • Lasagna • Meatballs • Chicken Spaghetti • King Ranch Casserole • Chicken Pot Pie • Chicken Salad • Quiches • Gumbos & Chowders • Eggplant Parmasean • Beef Enchilada Casserole • Desserts • Italian Sausage
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The Leader • Saturday, January 13, 2018 • Page 7A
ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR Samantha Brown’s Places to Love Houston Watch Party! Saturday, Jan. 13 1 - 3 p.m. MKT Bar - 1001 Austin St.
Stop in for MKT’s watch party for Samantha Brown’s Places to Love premiere episode on the great happenings in Houston! The MKT family showed Samantha around Phoenicia Specialty Foods market on Westheimer. The list of amazing Houstonians and organizations she interviewed on her trip include The Suffers, Hugo Ortega, GONZO247, Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Orange Show Center for Visionary Art and The Community Cloth. Show airs at 2 p.m., party starts at 1 p.m.! Come enjoy Brunch and celebrate all things Houston till 3 p.m.! Saint Arnold will be sampling brews and handing out swag! Find St. Arnold’s limited release ICON Blue-Chocolate Milk Stout in honor of Hugo Ortega, as well as Art Car IPA for a tribute to the Orange Show on draft and pair them with MKT food specials. 18th Annual Fruit Tree Sale Saturday, Jan. 13 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 5601 W. Loop S. FREE
Urban Harvest hosts its 18th Annual Fruit Tree Sale on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year’s sale takes place at a new location: the Houston Community College West Loop Campus. Gardeners can shop for more than 100 varieties of fruit trees that are adapted to grow in the climate and soils of the greater Houston area, including selections suitable for large areas, small spaces and container gardening. Enjoy live music and food trucks while you shop, and enter the drawing for a free fruit tree. Free admission and open to the public. For more information about the event and fruit tree resources, visit urbanharvest.org/free-tree-sale. Intro to Homebrewing & Beer Release at Holler! Saturday, Jan. 13 12 - 3 p.m. Holler Brewing - 2206 Edwards St. Ste A FREE
Come out for the release of Holler Brewing’s “First Time Homebrew� (American Strong Ale) AND enjoy a live demonstration class by Farmboy Brew Shop to learn all the fun of homebrewing!
Growing Heirloom Tomatoes Saturday, Jan. 13 1 - 2 p.m. Wabash Feed - 4537 N. Shepherd Dr. FREE
Growing Heirloom Tomatoes, a lecture by Dianne Norman. There are over 100 varieties of tomatoes. Dianne will introduce you to heirlooms that do well in our area as well as hybrids that have great flavor. She will also share secrets of growing your favorite tomatoes. Instructor: Dianne Norman is a Texas Master Gardener and had one of the first Organic Subscription Farms in the Coastal area.
A remedy to clear the sinuses and warm the heart Raise your hand if you started 2018 with fever, chills, congestion, a cough and more. Now, raise your hand if your crud is still lingering around, not enough to stay home, but just enough for your co-workers to consistently bless you on the hour. I’ve got a feeling I’m not the only one that started this year with a bang. This past weekend, I spent time resting and nursing my health. My sinuses have taken a hard hit, so I took them to lunch to try a new-to-me spot. Local Pho opened in April 2017 in the Sawyer Yards Campus, serving up Viet-
Christina Martinez Managing Editor
namese staples like their pho, spring rolls, egg rolls, bahn mi, vermicelli, coffees and teas. The restaurant has their menu up on the wall as soon as you walk in to study and counter service ordering is what you can expect for your dine in. There are two dining rooms filled with ample seating: one
overlooking the adjacent Holler Brewing - yes, they have Holler Beer on the menu and the other overlooking the Houston skyline. Local Pho Photo by Christina Martinez going for a very modern, simplistic look. Local Pho’s Pho Dac Biet a beef Getting down to food, I noodle soup combination with Eye Round Steak, Meatball, Brisket, ordered the Pho Dac Biet and Tendon. Local Pho is located at which is a beef noodle soup 2313 Edwards St. comblination of their Eye
Round Steak, Meatball, Brisket and Tendon. Their Pho starts with gluten free rice noodles served with white onions, scallions and cilantro. You can dress your Pho with additional add-ins at the topping bar with jalapeĂąo, bean sprouts, basil, lime and more. My bowl add-ins consisted of bean sprouts, jalapeĂąos for my sinuses and lime. My bowl had great broth and my sinuses are thanking me today. Email christina@theleadernews.com
Art Valet: 30 Women of Winter Street Host Show
Last summer I introduced you to portrait artist Rhonda Lanclos, who maintains an art studio at Winter Street Studios. She spearheaded a multi-artist “face-off� where portrait artists lightheartedly competed by painting portraits of live subjects. Winter Street Studios is the oldest of the art studios on the Sawyer Yards Creative Campus, that is now one of the largest creative communities. More than 300 artists occupy five buildings now. Lanclos sees great ideas, inquires about them and suddenly finds herself “volunteered!� That’s OK, she’s pulling it spectacularly, and she’s done it again. Friday evening at the Winter Street Studios, Rhonda has gathered over 30 women to participate in Women of Winter Street Art Exhibition
Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
(WOW), 6 - 9 p.m., in the gallery space upstairs. 2101 Winter St. 77007. I asked Lanclos what inspired her to do this show and few of the participants what their thoughts were, too. “I was inspired by the number of women in the building,� Lanclos said. “Instead of an Ah-Ha moment, I had a Wow moment! And the show name was born: Women of Winter Street.� Lanclos got an overwhelmingly positive response to participate after sending out an email to her neighbors. The collaborative effort will feature over sixty works of art in ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing and photography. Lanclos invited her friend and former teacher Hagit Barkai to curate. Chris Silkwood is a mosaic artist and 12 year resident at Winter Street Studios (WSS). Her studio is on the walkway that faces Winter Street, and her roll-up door is almost always open as she works on her latest masterpiece. “Winter Street Studios is
yer Yards (and elsewhere I hear). Find her in studio 18 at Winter Street and http://artistsofhouston.com. Women of Winter Street Art Exhibition (WOW), Friday, January 12, 6 - 9 p.m., in the gallery space upstairs at 2101 Winter St. 77007. The art will
be on view Saturday during open studios 12 - 5 p.m. Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the new Market at Sawyer Yards, find him at ArtValet.com
Cavatore’s Flowers From the Garden by Angie Spears.
the only building within Sawyer Yards where all tenants are working studio artists,� Silkwood said. �Our other buildings include galleries, studio artists, performance art and other creative interests. I’ve always loved the ‘raw’ environment of WSS and you truly feel the industrial vibe of the building.� “The show is special because of Rhonda Lanclos, she decided to bring the women of WSS together for a fabulous presentation of very diverse art pieces,� Silkwood said. Angie Spears, a mixed media artist is inspired by her neighbors. “I have been at Winter Street less than two years but love every minute of it!� Spears said. “The number of quality artists around me is incredibly inspiring as an artist but the part I love the best is that almost all of the artists take the time to stop, talk and exchange information. I simply can’t get that experience working alone and it is invaluable; It really is like a big family!� April Murphy is known for her whimsical animal paintings and has had several spaces in Winter, and now is downstairs in 3B. “I love WS so much,� Murphy said. “It has so many working studios, meaning people come every day and create art; more grit, less showroom. I love that because we can pop in on each other, give feedback, share artsy thoughts and inspire
Contributed photo
each other.â€? Being inspired by other artists in a working studio seems to be a theme here, as Paula Hawkins told me in an email. â€œâ€Ś being around such amazing artists is inspirational and ups my game,â€? Hawkins said. Her abstracted paintings are inspired by her interest in science, art, nature and quantum physics. Lanclos has a podcast called Artists of Houston and interviews artists from Saw-
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Page 8A • Saturday, January 13, 2018 • The Leader
‘Walking for Veterans’ rolls through the neighborhood By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Shane Moore’s life could have gone into a critical tailspin. But following a saving grace, the former military veteran is attempting to do his part in combatting an unfortunately-common sight. Moore served in the military from 1990-1996. Then, several years after ending his deployment, he nearly had his life de-railed through some financial decisions. However, he has used a second chance to spread awareness of veteran homelessness while teaching at times through his own experiences during a nationwide walk from Jacksonville, Fl. to San Diego, Ca. “I was so close to becoming homeless myself,” he said. Moore, a former district manager for Planet Fitness in Beaumont, had previously moved to Texas with his daughter so she could attend school. After losing his job, however, the former veteran said his financial decisions
nearly caused a disastrous situation. “After I left that job, I just couldn’t find a replacement, so over the course of a year I wound up burning through almost all of my life savings. But a navy shipmate reached out to me with a job in Michigan,” he said. And just like that, he had new life. During this time, Moore said he discovered not only that he enjoyed the service, but found a cause that hit home. Further, he had long harbored a passion for hiking and backpacking; so why not meld the two ideas into something greater than himself ? “I had been thinking for awhile that I would to hike the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail,” he said. “Then I got to thinking, instead of just doing a hike there – which would be just for me – why not try to combine my passion for hiking with helping out vets?” In the end, he brainstormed an idea to walk across the country, coast-to-coast to spread awareness. According
Durham from P. 1A we talked about it, we realized it was all on the left side [of the one-way road]. Other cars couldn’t have been kicking it up – cars were being hit straight on, too.” Bowden, however, said that is always possible when kicking up those type of projectiles. “You run over a marble – or anything like that – and rolls up behind your tire, that thing’s going to shoot like a slingshot at your car, whatever way it goes. It will go whatever direction it can.” Holly proceeded to then post it to several Heights neighborhood groups, and has gotten even more responses – bringing the total to around 30 reports that she knows of. One neighbor has even found the ball bearing in their car. “The police just are not willing to do much about it,” she said. “The more people tell me [about these things], the messier things seem to be getting.” In Bowden’s mind, however, there’s simply not much to be done legally, seeing as it remains plausible those buts and ball bearings could be remnants from a nearby Tommy Vaugh Ford lot. He said he has placed a call in to 3-1-1 for a cleanup along that stretch, but at this juncture, there is no visual evidence of wrongdoing. “I can see every window of this house on video, and there’s nobody shooting anything. There’s nothing there. If I had video of someone shooting, they’d be in jail right now,” he said.
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Shane Moore stayed overnight earlier this week at the Garden Oaks American Legion Post 560 as he nears the midway point of his cross-country walk. The former military veteran is walking from Jacksonville, Fl. to San Diego, Ca. to raise money and awareness for veteran homelessness.
to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs report released in October 2016, there were still
about 40,000 homeless veterans. “If I do that [for this cause],
I would get the chance to meet people and see the outdoors, while letting people know there are unfortunately [thousands] of veterans who don’t have place to call their own,” Moore said. “It’s sad when anyone is homeless, but these are people who specifically sacrificed for the betterment of the country, and I think it’s important we do a little something to give back to them.” Adding to the depression of the situation, Moore said, is a certain misconception. “There’s the assumption that a lot of those who are homeless are that way because of drugs or alcohol, or they’re lazy or whatever, and honestly that’s not always the case,” he said, citing his own earlier decisions to the point of homelessness. “In some cases, people just make bad decisions. In some cases, Moore said, the trauma induced from the events service throws at someone can also affect different people in a variety of ways, and that is another key point he intends to stress. The U.S. De-
partment of Veterans Affairs estimates PTSD afflicts nearly 31 percent of Vietnam veterans, as many as 10 percent of Gulf War veterans and 11 percent of veterans of the war in Afghanistan “Even if they do [have issues with drugs or alcohol], sometimes it’s possibly because they didn’t get the mental treatment they needed after they got out of the service,” he said. “[Homelessness] isn’t necessarily because someone’s a bad person or lazy or whatever. And even if that is the reason, we can still show some compassion.” Anyone wishing for an update of the journey can visit hikeforvets.com or the Hike For Vets Facebook page, and those wishing to donate can do so through the cause’s website. “As private citizens, I think it’s important for us to recognize someone who’s made that sacrifice, and sacrifice a bit of our time, energy and treasure into helping them,” Moore said.
Neighbors: Dinkins celebrates her 80th By Elizabeth Villarreal
the HISD system. A local and national community activist and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Bertha has three children and three grandchildren. A resident of the Heights for over 50 years, she is also the aunt of Bishop James Dixon, II, Pastor of the Community of Faith Church on Pinemont.
elizasgarden@outlook.com
Oh what a night it was on Dec. 16. “From Berth to 80” … the perfect catchphrase adorning the priceless invitation to an evening with family and friends. LaFontaine VIP was the place to be recently when the offspring of Bertha Dinkins, along with oversight by Kenneth Babineaux, rolled out a stellar celebration for their mother and lifelong educator, mentor and now, octogenarian. The honoree stunned the waiting audience wearing an elegant heavily beaded bronze, gold and silver couture gown as she descended the spiral staircase to an applause that resulted in a standing ovation! Program participants included jaw dropping performances by Jada Walker and contemporary dancer and vocalist Chad George. Presentations were made by long-time friend State Representative Senfronia Thompson, gospel recording artist Sara Jordan Powell, and former principal Dr. Ron Johnson. Former students and program participants included comedian Margo Foreman, Reverend Jerome and Lady Nickerson, Mary Gatlin of Gatlin’s BBQ, Mrs. Judy Owens, Dr. Barbara Allen and Burl and Sheryl Jones.
Bertha Dinkins with sister Carrol Barnes Dixon and husband James Dixon, Sr.
Reverend and Mrs. Phillip Kent, Sr., graciously served as emcees. Bertha’s previous and present church families were on hand to share in the beauty of the moment. Lovingly nestled in hilarious familial remarks, Bishop James Dixon, II gave insight about his “Aunt Bertha” like no one else could. Bertha Maxine Barnes Dinkins is the oldest of three children born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Titus Barnes, Sr. who were lifetime residents of the Heights and owners of Carl Barnes Funeral Home. Bertha attended public school in the Heights, was graduated from Prairie View A&M University where she was later employed as a counselor and instructor, and she was also a tenured educator in
Happy, happy birthday to Kael Seyum Juan who blew out 15 candles on Dec. 15. Kael is a talented freshman at HSPVA in Theater Arts (he attended Frank Black M.S.) and was at school taking a final exam on his special day. A gifted actor, Kael has discovered he loves working on the technical side of theater with sound and lighting. Proud mom Abnet Hurst had a fantastic birthday yard sign set up for Kael as a surprise (done by Elizabeth Cardner and HoustonYardArt.com of Oak Forest). Kale enjoyed several days of a birthday extravaganza with his family which includes his sister Emily and dad Gar and their best four-legged friend Tucker. Kael’s birthday celebrations included dinner at North Italia and Lupe Tortilla with his grandparents and Gatlins, too, topped off with a Rockets game attended with friends Rick and Taylor Worley. Sounds like a young man’s dream birthday week!