Issuu

Inside Today: Renovations upcoming for SJMC Heights • Page 1B

inds F s u o l u Fab aily! D g n i v i Arr Flower & Gift Shop

MICHAEL SILVA

michael@michaelwilliam.com

713-725-8748 cell

Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350

Saturday, February 2, 2019 • Vol. 64 • No. 5

About Us 2020 North Loop West Suite 220 (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader

40 YEARS INSULATING!

GET $50 OFF

your purchase of $750 or more

Attics • Walls • Floors Noise Reduction • Removal

FREE ESTIMATES

713.868.1021 www.paylessinsulation.com

HCC pulling out of Pinemont location in August By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Houston Community College plans to close its Pinemont Campus, leaving a 63,489 square foot shopping center mostly vacant. While speculation will commence about the ultimate fate of the space at the southeast corner of Ella Boulevard and Pinemont Drive, Brixmor, a publicly traded real estate investment trust that invests in shopping centers, is playing it close to the vest. “We do own the entire center and we are still working on the

plans for its future at this time,” said Michelle Bauer, a senior leasing representative. An HCC statement said it plans to close the Pinemont Campus, located at 1265 Pinemont Dr., when its lease expires in August. The HCC Board of Trustees approved the closure of Pinemont in October 2018 and said a smooth transition for the community, students, faculty and staff is the priority. “Enrollment at the Pinemont Campus has been declining for years and there is no indication this trend will reverse,” the statement said. “Created in a former

strip center in the late 1990s, the instructional environment, physical condition and range of services at Pinemont are below state standards and below newer HCC locations, peer institutions and student expectations.” Even if enrollment picked up, officials say, there are other nearby HCC campuses, mainly the Northline and Acres Homes campuses, which are within a 10-minute drive of Pinemont. HCC spokesperson Mike Edward said the school is looking See HCC P. 4A

Come on in

Photo by Betsy Denson HCC is preparing to close the doors on its Pinemont campus when its lease expires in August.

GOMO gets go-ahead to present plan By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Jason Knebel (713)232-9712

jasonk@greenwoodking.com GREENWOOD KING

PROPERTIES

See our NOW ad inside. OPEN page 9A THEHEIGHTSTHEATER.COM

339 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

Photos by Adam Zuvanich Hana Lee of Tokyo Garden Catering, which provides sushi for H-E-B, talks to H-E-B executive Scott McClelland on Wednesday, when the much-anticipated grocery store opened at 2300 N. Shepherd Dr. in the Heights.

inside.

Enrique Sapien represents the “I” in Heights. Casa Ramirez FolkArt Gallery is taking Valentine’s Day to heart with an upcoming show.

Page 9A

A Down House brunch review pays tribute to their biscuits and berry jam.

Page 9A

The Hogg Middle School wrestling team got 2nd place at a state tournament.

Page 2B

The INDEX. Church/Calendar............................... 5A Classifieds.............................................. 7A Coupons................................................... 6A Food/Drink/Art................................... 9A Obituaries............................................... 6A Opinion..................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A

A customer checks out Wednesday at the new H-E-B.

Jackson Lee’s constituents express mixed opinions By Adam Zuvanich news@theleadernews.com Mark Steuer is a supporter of Sheila Jackson Lee, the United States congresswoman who has represented his slice of Houston since 1995. He likes her voting record as a Democrat, her presence in the communities she represents and the fact she fights for the underprivileged. But Steuer does not like the controversy surrounding Jackson Lee, who keeps one of her offices in the same Heights neighborhood where he resides. So his opinion is subject to change. Jackson Lee, in the aftermath of a federal lawsuit filed against her office and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation on Jan. 11 in Washington, D.C., stepped down from two key posts last week. She is alleged to have fired a former female staffer in retaliation to a sexual assault claim the woman made against a former supervisor at the foundation, of which Jackson Lee was the chair.

Sheila Jackson Lee

“I’ll certainly be interested in how this pans out,” Steuer said. “And if she has ignored a very serious problem, I think she’s going to have to face some sort of reckoning for it.” Jackson Lee publicly denied the allegations of retaliation and mistreatment. Nonetheless, she resigned last week as chair of the foundation and temporarily resigned as chair of the House Judiciary subcommittee on crime, terrorism and homeland security. So her lengthy political career is at a crossroads, just a few months after her latest landslide election win granted her a

The fate of Garden Oaks’ homeowners association now rests in the hands of the homeowners themselves. Federal bankruptcy Leader Staff photo court judge David Jones A restructuring plan will soon be presented to Garon Monday den Oaks homeowners. conditionally approved a Chapter 11 restructuring plan by the Garden Oaks Maintenance Organization (GOMO), which has enforced deed restrictions in the affluent northwest Houston neighborhood since the early 2000s. The plan includes revamped bylaws and deed restrictions, which would change the fee structure for homeowners and streamline the process for future amendments, and calls for the organization to change names and officers while enlisting a third-party management company to enforce deed restrictions. An information package outlining

13th two-year term. Jackson Lee secured more than 75 percent of the vote in a District 18 race against three other candidates. “I thought she was doing a good job,” Oak Forest resident Maria Reyes said. “I’m not so sure now.” Despite Jackson Lee’s history of runaway wins – she never has garnered less than 70 percent of the vote in a general congressional election – she already was a polarizing figure in the area. Most of the 22 commenters on The Leader’s Jan. 23 Facebook post about Jackson Lee applauded the news of her resignations, with some saying they wanted her out of office altogether. Oak Forest resident Eddie Gonzales, a political independent, said he hasn’t voted for Jackson Lee in recent years in part because of her reputation for being “hard to get along with.” Gonzales also said Jackson Lee plays favorites among her constituents. See Jackson Lee P. 4A

A RATE THAT WORKS, EVEN WHILE YOU PLAY. 15-month CD

2.27% APY*

See GOMO P. 4A

HISD superintendent search clouded by ongoing controversy By Betsy Denson and Landan Kuhlmann news@theleadernews.com Houston ISD serves more than 215,000 students. A total of about 40 people showed up to Jan. 23 meetings at Heights High School and Frank Black Middle School, where community members were given the chance to chime in about HISD’s nationwide search for a new superintendent. “It is not going to matter who the superintendent is if the (school) board cannot get its act together,” said Heights High School parent Amy Maddux, who also is the president of the parent-teacher organization at Frank Black Middle School. The Texas Education Agency recently opened a special accreditation investigation into the HISD Board of Education, which also faces the possibility of a takeover by the TEA if any of four consistently underperforming schools do not meet state academic standards in 2019. That casts a cloud over the country’s seventh-largest public school district as it searches for a new leader. The two community meetings at area schools were among 15

Grenita Lathan

hosted by HISD and Illinois-based firm Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates from Jan. 14-24. The board is in the process of consolidating feedback from those meetings to finalize its superintendent profile and begin searching for candidates to potentially replace interim superintendent Grenita Lathan. Lathan took over in March after former superintendent Richard Carranza departed the district to become New York’s head of public schools after just 18 months on the job. “HISD needs a superintendent who values stability at the school See HISD P. 4A

Ask about our Money Market and other CD rates. Heights Office | 2222 N. Durham | 281-517-8760 * $1,000 minimum balance required. Annual percentage yield is accurate as of 6/7/18. Interest compounds quarterly. Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Offer is eligible for new money deposited into Allegiance Bank. Limited time offer.

AllegianceBank.com | 281.894.3200

The public. The Leader • Saturday, February 2, 2019 • Page 2A

Pterygium Dry Eye is not something to ignore. When left untreated, dry eye will develop into a pinguecula.

Photo courtesy of Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office Pictured here in a video still is a suspect authorities say stole a package off a porch in Garden Oaks.

Authorities still searching for package theft suspect From Staff Reports Investigators are searching for a suspect they say stole a package off the porch of a Garden Oaks home the morning of Jan. 22. According to the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s office, a resident told responding investigators a package was stolen from the porch in front of their home in the 800

block of W. 32nd Street shortly before 11 a.m. Jan. 22. Investigators have recovered surveillance video from the home showing a man running up to the porch, taking the package and rushing to a waiting SUV before fleeing the scene. Based on photos provided by the constable’s office, the suspect has a medium build and dark complexion and was wearing a black T-

shirt, gray shorts, white shoes and a black cap worn backward. Though investigators were able to read the license plate on the SUV, which is a silver GMC, the suspect remains at large. Anyone recognizing the suspect or getaway vehicle is encouraged to contact Precinct 1 Dispatch at 713-755-7618.

A pinguecula is where the white of the eye will develop yellow, raised spots. While a pinguecula is more common in middle aged or elderly people who spend time in the sun, it can occur at any age. When left untreated, a pinguecula will develop into a pterygium. A pterygium is an elevated, pinkish wedge shaped growth that most commonly grows from the corners of the eye. A pterygium many times comes with a burning or itching sensation. If still left untreated, the scarring from a pterygium can cause vision loss. A pterygium can only be corrected with surgery. Call today for your dry eye check up with Dr. Cantú!

Could you be suffering from a pterygium? Symptoms to watch for:

Police arrest OF robbery suspect By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Don’t Be A Victim!

A man was arrested Jan. 24 in connection with the robbery of an Oak Forest Walgreens. According to Houston Police Department spokesperson Victor Senties, 57-year-old Kenneth Anthony Miller is being held on a pending charge of aggravated robbery. Senties said a store security guard told officers that a man entered the Walgreens at 1215 W. 43rd St. shortly before 9 p.m. Jan. 24, initially asking for cigarettes. When the store

we Buy aLL GuNS

Concealed Handgun Classes

New LoCatioN

2001 Karbach Suite F Houston, TX 77092

713-694-4867

Buy SeLL trade

Gift Certificates

Black Gold Guns & ammo Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer employee turned back around, Senties said the suspect demanded all the money in the

register and acted as though he had a weapon. Senties said the suspect then fled the scene on foot, money in hand. Witnesses told responding officers they saw a man matching the suspect’s description enter the Domino’s Pizza at 4230 Ella Blvd. a short time later. Senties said officers confronted Miller while he was sitting at an inside table, then used a stun gun on him before making the arrest. Senties said officers found a large, undisclosed amount of cash on Miller and no weapon.

Irritation Redness

Eye Discomfort Growth in Eye

CALL TODAY

1740 W. 27th St. Suite 180

(713) 864 - 8652 Follow Us on Facebook & Instagram

Houston, TX 77008

FEB 15 - MARCH 15 BEST DEALS OF THE YEAR ON TRUCKS!

doggettford.com (Formerly Lone Star Ford)

W 43rd St

Houston

9225 North Freeway

I-45 North

W Gulf Bank Rd

h Nort I-45

Ella Blvd

Pinemont

unt

Airlin

al D

ori

ran

e Vet

Rd W Gulf B ank

HOME OF THE PERFECT PAYMENT

W Mo

Hwy 249 Ella Blvd

Come Visit Our New Location!

Crosstimbers

9225 North Freeway Houston, TX 77037 281.878.4200

The Topics. The Leader • Saturday, February 2, 2019 • Page 3A

Our children will stop drinking Kool-Aid, too

ver heard of an organization called Ofcom? If you have neighbors who speak with an odd accent, drink too much hot tea and love the Queen, ask them. Ofcom is the FCC of the United Kingdom. And if you don’t know what the FCC is, well, we have bigger issues. Both government entities regulate communication in their countries, and Ofcom released a report earlier this week that, at some point, will make it to your news feed. After 2,000 interviews, Ofcom has discovered we’re raising mutant robots who spend more time in front of screens than they spend interacting with mutant robot human beings. Among their findings, children spend more than two hours every day online and nearly another two hours each day watching TV. It probably doesn’t matter how you try to juggle those numbers, because that’s a whole lot of time staring at a screen. In any given week, children ages 3-4 spend almost 30 hours a week in front of a screen, and that seems disgusting. Of course, the results of this study come with dire warnings about the future, because children who watch too many videos or play tablet games are, quite obviously, destined for a life of solitude in

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

grandma’s basement. In a story from the Daily Mail, the first (hyperbolic) sentence read, “Children have become such screen addicts they are abandoning their friends and hobbies, a major report warns today.” It continues, “Youngsters aged 12 to 15 average nearly three hours a day on the web, plus two more hours watching TV. The study said YouTube was a ‘near permanent feature’ of many young lives…” So what do these staggering numbers mean? Depends who you ask. Sue Palmer, who works with the group Toxic Childhood, told the Daily Mail: “In the early years, children need interaction with other people, and play – it is key to their social skills.” I understand the hysteria over numbers like this. Of course, we have to remember the study was

done in the United Kingdom, and because it rains over there all the time (doesn’t it?), what else are those kiddos going to do besides drink tea and watch American kids open new toys? But from a dad of three, let me tell you the anxiety is real. My wife and I have panic attacks when we see our sons become demonic over the chance to touch a smart phone. Let me offer another perspective, though, from the anxious one my wife and I have most days. These days, you can’t swing a broom without reading a study about the impact of the digital world on our young people; this one just happens to be the latest. The problem with these studies, at least in my opinion, is that we use an older generation’s perspective to predict what our children’s generation will face. Consider my childhood, for instance. I drank Kool-Aid. Most young people won’t remember this, but the contents of a 2-quart pitcher of Kool-Aid included one small pack of flavored dye and two cups of sugar. Fill the rest of the jug with water and, boom, a refreshing, diabetes-inducing drink. And if you haven’t seen two cups of sugar at the bottom of a pitcher, it looks like a mountain. If I wasn’t drinking Kool-Aid,

I had a jug of grape juice nearby. Maybe some of you still do this, but my body goes into glycemic shock if I try to drink a small glass of straight juice. At some point in my life, and I don’t know when, I realized KoolAid was no longer a viable option for thirst quenching. Same with grape juice. Upon becoming a reasonable adult, I stopped drinking it because it wasn’t good for me. But this study isn’t about food; it’s about TV and video consumption. My 2-year-old son watches a YouTube show called Little Baby Bum whenever mom or dad feels like handing him a phone. While that may sound like a terrible practice, each of the videos in that series is some modern version of a learning song. Cal, who still has eight months before he turns 3, can nearly count to 20 (those teen numbers are tricky). He knows every color, every shape, and he sings, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” when he hits baseballs off a tee. When I was a kid, I caught my share of Looney Tunes, and the only thing I remember from those animated masterpieces was the anvil trying to crush Bugs Bunny. Our cartoons were about violence – here’s winking at you, Popeye. Today’s cartoons are educational. Yes, we can fuss about our chil-

A rare medium, well done The reader.

Phone etiquette at Sheila’s offices

THE FRONT PORCH – After a rocky start of getting my newspapers delivered to my new digs, they arrive right on time to bring me their biased left-wing views on everything from baseball scores to the weather. But for how long? These are tough days for papers, what with all the competition from semaphores, smoke signals and particularly the iThings. Those last devices make reading from a large piece of paper with printed words on it comparable to checking your sundial for the time. Every survey shows more people, particularly millennials, are getting their news from sources other than newspapers. There is one factor that Generation X or Y or whatever, who think Global Warming is a rock band and J. Edgar Hoover invented the vacuum cleaner, don’t know or don’t appreciate: These various iBoxes – and radio and TV news -- get most of their news from newspapers. Put it this way: take away newspapers from these other sources of information and the parasites would have to shut down. How many on-the-scene reporters do Breitbart News and Rush Limbaugh have? (The fact that, at this very moment, you are reading a newspaper puts you in an elite class.) One example: Years ago I visited KPRC-TV and the news director, Ray Miller – an icon in Houston journalism – had on his desk clippings from the two Houston newspapers. He would call a reporter over and give him (back then they were all hims) a clipping and say: “Follow this up.” On the national level, I suspect you would find in the newsrooms of the networks, wellthumbed copies of our major daily newspapers. This is also true of our conservative radio talk-show hosts and commentators whose feed stock are the daily newspapers they love to hate. Yet those papers are struggling. Other sources for the disappearing press play a role, along with the fact that the papers’ obituary pages carry the names of newspaper readers, and young folks are not replacing them. Another reason is that the newspaper industry has been torpedoed by nitwits who think they can run a paper. The Chicago Tribune was bought by Sam Zell, a guy who made millions in Chicago real estate and always wanted to own a newspaper. The paper went bankrupt. The Los Angeles Times has the fourth-largest circulation among U.S. newspapers and has won more than 40 Pulitzer Prizes. After many changes in owners, management and editors, the LA Times is now controlled by Patrick SoonShiong, surgeon, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Not a newspaperman. Good luck, Times. The New York Daily News (which had been sold for $1) saw revenues sink 22 percent between 2014 and 2016, then cut half its staff. Since 2007, 15 dailies have

Lynn Ashby Columnist

shuttered and the industry has shed a fifth of its journalists since 2001. This trail of tears for “the enemy of the American people” continues. Dean Singleton, known as “the newspaper killer,” made a fortune by selling his papers in Dallas and Houston to the competition, which immediately closed them. Singleton’s company, MediaNews Group, bought the Denver Post, then went bankrupt, and sold the Post to one of those faceless New York City hedge funds, Alden Global Capital, known for laying off reporters, cutting costs to the bone and hallowing out papers. Like I said, nitwits, often with little or no journalistic experience just greed, have helped torpedoed the newspaper biz. Going against the grain is the Washington Post. Owned forever by the Graham family, it was sold to Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos (from Houston, incidentally) for $250 million in cash. Bezos is not exactly a hands-on meddler. A Post editor said, “He checks in about every two weeks to see how we’re doing.” No dimwit. While we are discussing the Post, we have all heard the “Washington Post March.” I’ll hum a few bars and you will recognized it immediately. In 1889, John Philip Sousa, the U.S. Marine Band conductor and composer, was asked by the Washington Post to compose a march for the newspaper’s essay contest awards ceremony. Sousa wrote a march which caught on and is now played by most of the bands around the world, but not many people make the connection that the song is named for a newspaper. Now we come to the food fight: Bezos is getting a divorce after love letters were revealed by another publication, and an expert on such matters, President Donald Trump, tweeted: “So sorry to hear the news about Jeff Bozo being taken down by a competitor whose reporting, I understand, is far more accurate than the reporting in his lobbyist newspaper, the Amazon Washington Post. Hopefully the paper will soon be placed in better & more responsible hands!” Trump’s “far more accurate” paper is – ta-da! – the National Enquirer. But for him to publicly ridicule a man about to lose half of his fortune certainly shows class. Stop the presses! Despite all this gloom in the city room, there is a silver lining around the front page because these are good times for the Times – Trump’s most hated enemy next to Nancy Pelosi – The New York Times. (Full disclo-

sure: for seven years I worked for the Times in the city room as news writer for its radio station.) “The failing New York Times” announced that during the third quarter of 2018 it reached more than 3-million paid digital subscribers, a net increase of roughly 203,000, and more than 4-million readers total. Most of this increase is due to turning from paper to online, which is the way newspapers are going. Net income reached $24.9 million while profits rose a whopping 30 percent to $41.4 million. The paper now has more readers than ever: it is read in all 193 countries that belong to the United Nations, and has at least one online reader in Tuvalu and Antarctica. Sorry, Mr. President, but that’s not fake news. Oh, and stay away from Times Square. It was named for that failing newspaper – in 1904. Ashby reads at ashby2@comcast.net

dren doing too many activities on a screen, but here’s a question: How many hours did you spend today looking at a screen? I still have two hours of work left and I’ve spent five hours staring at my computer. Sure, we need to be cautious with our children, but a recent conversation with my oldest son, Hank, reminded me that we’re parenting in a different age. I asked Hank if he could remember when he and I took a trip together last year to our office in Charlotte. Not only did he remember the trip, he remembered the decorations in the room, the exact water slide we rode 29 different times and the snacks he got when we visited my office. From there, he immediately started talking about a trip he and I took to Galveston. He talked about a crab we found on the beach and the dessert we had at dinner. Not once did he mention a show we watched or a video game he played. Sure, should all do a better job of watching over our children, but we also need to remember that their lives will be full of screens when they’re our age. We aren’t creating mutant robots just because they use today’s technology. We just need to make sure they know when to stop drinking Kool-Aid. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Dear Editor: As a constituent of Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee, I called her Houston office to express my opinion that Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to allow Trump to use the House of Representatives for his State of the Union Address was petty. The response I got was, do you remember a congressman yelling “you lie” during an Obama SOTUA? Not that I saw the relevance of the staffer’s remark, but I told him Democrats could yell all they wanted at Trump’s SOTUA, but he deserves a chance to deliver it. I then advised the staffer that my father was in the service during the Korean War, and he helped fight socialism and communism. I indicated that I did not appreciate SJL cozying up to the socialist Rep. Ocasio-Cortez from Brooklyn. He hung up on me. Apparently, SJL’s staff uses the same approach to handle constituents opinions as her D.C. office - rudely hang up on the caller. In contrast, I have called several other Representatives and Senators, often opposing their positions, and they always ended the call politely with a thank you. I urge all of SJL’s constituents to call with an opinion that differs from that of the Congresswoman, and see what kind of response you get. SJL recently resigned from her Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and House Judiciary subcommittee positions due to being sued for retaliation against a staffer who claims she was raped by a Foundation supervisor. As a result of this action, you may want to suggest that SJL resign from Congress entirely and see if you get a polite response - I doubt it. R. Johnson

Tossed aside: Recyclables mount as city scraps regular collection Dear Editor: You picture a resident placing a plastic bag of recyclables in his bin. Plastic bags are only recyclable when taken to the grocery store bag recycling bin. It is my understanding, at least in other cities, that plastic bags full of recycables put in curbside bins are simply discarded, without opening them, as garbage. The recycling companies do not want to incur extra expense to open them and take the contents out. Thus people think they are being kind to the earth by recycling when at best they are causing extra work and at worst are simply shunting garbage to another bin. Russell J. Sanders

Businesses should recycle too Dear Editor: Although most citizens do their best to recycle, I’ve noticed time and time again that dumpsters used by businesses almost always contain both garbage or trash, along with recyclable materials. In particular I see many corrugated boxes which will go into dumps. Are businesses not required to recycle? Without question some businesses could recycle many times what several households do. As a previous business owner I know that we recycled hundreds of boxes every week. Is this not required in Houston? Herman Kirkpatrick

the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss 1. Teletype (Computers) 4. Loose-fitting sleeveless garment 7. They __ 8. Extinct Turkish caucasian language 10. Tall N Zealand timber tree 12. Piedmont city on the River Gesso 13. Burl __, storyteller 14. Made up of 50 states 16. Not or 17. Given a monetary penalty 19. Unnilpentium 20. ISU town 21. Equality for everyone 25. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms 26. Actress Farrow 27. Scottish caps 29. Gobblers 30. __ Lilly, drug company

31. Process an animal hide 32. Describe in perfect detail 39. 1000 calories 41. American National Bank (abbr.) 42. MN 55121 43. Everyone 44. Substitute 45. Rubber, marching or head 46. Dance Latin rhythm 48. Inside of 49. A way to let know 50. Morning moisture 51. Point midway between S and SE 52. Sales messages

dOwn 1. Duty 2. Whatchamacallit 3. A citizen of Yemen 4. __ Dhabi, Arabian capital 5. Nickname 6. One seeded fruit (alt. sp.) 8. Fiddler crabs 9. Troughs of bricks 11. Exploiter

14. Atomic #104 15. Italian ice-cream 18. Algerian dinar 19. Consume 20. Macaws 22. Insignificantly small 23. Tooth caregiver 24. Direct toward 27. Bluish green 28. Caliph 29. Faucet 31. The bill in a restaurant 32. Capital of Tocantins, Brazil 33. Explosive 34. The most abundant of the rare-earth group 35. Japanese sock 36. Kampala is the capital 37. Raged 38. Provides with property 39. Miniature racing vehicle 40. Signs 44. Express pleasure 47. Bridge-building degree

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, February 2, 2019 • The Leader

Hines to build apartments at 34th & Alba By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com A variance sign on 34th Street in Garden Oaks has gotten the attention of local residents, and with good cause. According to the agenda for the Jan. 31 Houston Planning Commission meeting, an application has been submitted by Windrose Land Services on behalf of Hines Multifamily division to seek allowances before building an apartment complex on the site of a home that was an electrical company before it was sold to the developer. Three variances are being sought. The first is to allow a 20-foot right-of-way dedication along Gardendale Drive as opposed to the code-required 30 feet. In the statement of facts

the application states that “the subject property is 5.0 acres located on the south side of West 34th Street approximately 320 feet east of the intersection with Alba Street. The site is bordered by West 34th Street on the north side, Gardendale Drive and a Houston Lighting & Power tract on the south side, a single-family townhome subdivision on the east side (Villas on West 34th), and a commercial use on the west side (Jack Johnson Upholstery). The applicant is proposing to redevelop the property, which currently includes a variety of commercial and business park uses, in to an upscale multifamily residential complex…because high-density, urban infill development - including other large multifamily and singlefamily townhome projects -

are a defining characteristic of this community, the applicant knows that their project will be a highly-compatible and positive addition.” The second variance asks to allow an alternate right-ofway turnaround configuration at the terminus of Gardendale Drive that does not meet the City’s design criteria – meaning that they don’t want to put a turnaround in the shape of the required cul-de-sac but want to do something different that achieves the same end. The third variance asks for a reduced building setback of 5 feet along Gardendale Drive as opposed to the code-required 20 foot building setback. The applicant stated that they are reducing the building setback along West 34th Street to 15 feet, but said that no variance is necessary as they

are doing so by opting in to the City’s Performance Standards. With regard to the Gardendale variance, the application says that the situation was created when Gardendale Drive was partially created with the filing of Sunny Hollow Subdivision in 1958 – “The developer of the residential subdivision only dedicated 30 feet of right-of-way for a public street that is not required for intersection spacing and that was not a street abutting their property - and therefore not subject to mandatory extension guidelines. To avoid the perception of impropriety at the time, the residential developer concurrently dedicated a temporary right-of-way on top of their 20-foot building setback with the stipulation that said temporary right-of-way would extinguish when the

Contributed photo Hines stresses that all renderings at this point are preliminary.

property across Gardendale Drive to the north developed and dedicated their right-ofway.” The application shows multiple renderings of the proposed development which the

applicant stressed were preliminary. The Houston Planning Commission met to hear the variance request on Jan. 31. See The Leader online for updates.

Neighbors: Welcoming newborns and dedicated blackbelts By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com Welcome to the world, precious Kayelea Shaye Cabrales! Kayelea was born Dec. 13 at 12:39 p.m., weighed 5 lbs., 2 oz., and was 18½ inches long. Her proud parents are Heather Thomure and San Juan Cabrales Jr. Welcoming Kayelea are her beaming grandparents here on Earth, Marcillia and San Juan Cabrales Sr., and Pete and Rhonda Thomure, both in heaven; godparents Gelene Gaines and Gary Dillard; excited future babysitters and siblings John Eric, Jesse Adam, Cashous, Sebastian and Skyelynn; and fursister Chiquis. Congratulations Heather and San Juan! Training with White Horse White Horse Academy of Martial Arts has some good news to share! Black belt tests are held only twice per year, while rank tests are held every couple of months, and this most recent test was the school’s 157th rank test and the first black belt rank test in its new location on Pinemont Drive.

Kayelea Shaye Cabrales

Congratulations to the following students: Mary Anne Burch is a 52-year-old mother and grandmother who was one of the first students to sign up at the new location. She holds a first dan black belt in Taekwondo from 15 years ago. She hasn’t trained since earning that black belt, so she opted to start over at white belt. She was promoted to eighth gup yellow belt. Mindy and Javier Perez, 10-year-old brother and sister, tested for ninth gup orange belt. Romulo Diaz

HCC, from P. 1A to make a “long-term investment” in the campuses owned by HCC. There are no specialized programs offered at the Pinemont location. According to Library Services College Director Gwen Richard, the location, which is an electronic resource center, is used primarily for student research. “HCC remains involved and invested in the area and is a strong continuing partner not only of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, but the Pinemont community as well,” said Heights chamber president Jacob Millwee. The other existing tenants in the center, which was built in the 1970s, include Oak Forest Cleaners, Family Dollar and Beauty Supply. According to Harris County Appraisal District records, Brixmor also owns the stand-alone building occupied by Hartz Krispy Chicken On Pinemont as well as the gas station at 1295 Pinemont Dr. A staff member who answered the phone at Oak Forest Cleaners said that business is staying put for now. The total square footage of land Brixmor owns along that

tested for seventh cup yellow belt. Jacob Flores, a 16-yearold student at Heights High School, began training in White Horse’s after-school program at Travis Elementary when he was in prekindergarten. After a few years there, he moved to the main school to train and now teaches regularly at White Horse. Jacob tested for second dan black belt. Jessie Flores, Jacob’s older brother, is a 17-yearold student graduating from Heights High School this year. He began training at Travis Elementary when he was in kindergarten. Like his brother, he moved to the main school to train after a few years and teaches regularly at White Horse. Jessie tested for second dan black belt. Jessie and Jacob’s mother, Cynthia, was tired of sitting on the bench watching while waiting for her boys in class, so she began training and is now a fourth gup purple belt. Eric Bounds, now 28, began training with White Horse at age 3. He earned his first dan black belt in 2007, the same year he graduated from

name of our system is the ‘Universal Way’ and martial arts should be for everyone, including people with differences or challenges,” said Master Barbara Dickens, the White Horse owner.

White Horse Academy of Martial Arts recently held Black Belt tests.

Waltrip’s got talent Mark your calendars for Waltrip’s Got Talent, a multischool talent show! WHEN: 6 p.m. Feb. 9th WHERE: Waltrip High School, 1900 W. 34th St. WHY: Senior class fundraiser The schools in Waltrip’s feeder pattern as well as students at Waltrip have created a talent show full of fun and amazing talent. Students from Oak Forest Elementary, Stevens Elementary, Durham Elementary, Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, Frank Black Middle School and Waltrip will be performing. This family-fun event has been organized by the students and Shelley Gillis, Waltrip’s dance teacher, and they invite the community to come out and enjoy an entertaining Friday evening. Tickets at the door are $7 for adults and $5 for children. Concessions will be available.

St. Pius X High School. He now teaches martial arts for WHAMA in the after-school programs at Regis Catholic School, St. Anne Catholic School, The Joy School, Sinclair Elementary and St. Theresa Catholic School. He tested for his second dan black belt. Joe Coym began training in 1994, now regularly teaches at WHAMA, and he tested for fifth dan black belt, which is master level. Mollie Coym came to White Horse in 1993 as a 13-year-old brown belt. Now

married to Joe and the mother of a 4-year-old daughter who is already training at White Horse, Mollie is now researching and learning to teach people with differences or challenges, whether physical or emotional. Her goal is to incorporate this into White Horse’s regular curriculum and to teach the program to its students and black belts. Mollie tested for fifth dan black belt, which is master level. “Everyone here is enthusiastic about this because the

disclose whether they come from inside or outside of the district. An HISD spokesperson said the board voted to keep the applicants’ identities confidential. Some of the meeting attendees at Heights High School echoed Maddux’s sentiment that the district should ensure its next superintendent makes a long-term committment to the district. A parent at the Frank Black Middle School meeting said she wanted a community-builder and collaborator. “He or she will need to

lead the district with integrity, compassion and a willingness to work with HISD leaders from all walks of life,” added Jessi Heiner, president of the parent-teacher association at Wainwright Elementary School. For several of the meeting attendees, former administrators or candidates from within the district would be preferred. Others felt that a bigger fish would not necessarily be the better choice. “HISD is not a Fortune 500 company,” said the father of a Heights High School student.

“(I) just want someone to stay, (and) if they leave don’t give them money.” Northside High School teacher Ryan Penner, the husband of board trustee Elizabeth Santos, said there is an overemphasis on standardized testing in HISD. He wants a superintendent who would find “innovative ways to evaluate campuses and teachers.” Penner talked about the “sacred cows” or inequities in the magnet system. “We don’t value the neighborhood schools,” Penner said.

larity. Regarding the allegations against the 69-year-old congresswoman, who was a leading sponsor of legislation reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, Nolan is giving Jackson Lee the benefit of the doubt. “It doesn’t change the fact that she’s a nice lady,” Nolan said. “I think everybody makes mistakes. I think that the sad part is you can do more good than bad, but if

you do one bad thing, everybody just blows it up.” An Oak Forest woman who asked to remain anonymous echoed Steuer’s sentiment, saying she is a longtime supporter of Jackson Lee but is reserving judgement until the outcome of the lawsuit. If there is truth to the allegations, the woman said Jackson Lee “needs to suffer the consequences of it.” Either way, the woman

said it might be time for new blood in Jackson Lee’s congressional seat and several others around the country. “I think she’s earned people’s votes. I think that’s why she’s been voted in repeatedly,” Steuer said. “But as I said, we’ll see how this flies. There should be pretty zero tolerance for sexual misconduct in any office environment, or anywhere else for that matter.”

HISD, from P. 1A stretch of Pinemont totals almost 450,000 square feet, or a little more than 10 acres. The appraisal value for the total land in 2018 was a little more than $5 million. Although growth has been much slower at Pinemont and Ella as opposed to the bustling corner of 34th Street and Ella, there have been a number of developments in the area in past years, such as the redeveloped Pinemont Pavillion at 965 Pinemont Dr., which houses Ploughman’s Deli and Marchese’s Take-Home Kitchen, among others. There also is the small shopping complex at 5135 Ella Blvd., which is home to Maria’s Tacos and other newer tenants. On the housing front, Abundant Homes Living recently built 13 homes in the 5000 block of Ella, just up the road from the HCC Pinemont campus. The single-family homes are being offered in the low- to mid-$400,000 range. Pario Novo’s Andre Reed was the developer for the Pinemont Pavillion and the center on Ella and said he believes in the potential of the area.

level,” Maddux said. “It’s been proven that strong leaders are essential to strong schools, but HISD has a history of moving principals around so that very few stay at one school for long. That lack of stability erodes community trust and causes good teachers to leave. It also causes students to leave, which in turn exacerbates the district’s funding issues since districts are funded based on enrollment.” Representatives from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates said there are 12 applicants for the position, but did not

Jackson Lee, from P. 1A “She doesn’t do anything,” Gonzales said. “If there’s a parade or anything going around this area, she never shows her face.” Donald Nolan is a lifelong resident of Acres Homes, where Jackson Lee keeps her other Houston office, and said she is a visible and supportive presence in the community. He also pointed to the convincing election results when asked about Jackson Lee’s overall popu-

GOMO, from P. 1A the details of the plan, along with a statement of objection by the court-appointed committee of unsecured creditors, will be mailed to homeowners and creditors by Feb. 15. The recipients can submit votes for or against the plan until noon April 1, with a majority required for approval. If homeowners elect to adopt the plan, it could be approved by the court at a hearing scheduled for April 9. “If we’re going to get past this awful period in our history as a neighborhood, we need an outcome that says, ‘… The neighborhood has spoken. This is the will,’” GOMO office manager Pam Parks said. “I’ll be putting energy into making sure we’ve got the best mailing addresses and contact information for our members.” If GOMO’s plan is not approved by homeowners or the court, a competing plan submitted by the creditors committee will be discussed at the April 9 hearing and likely put to a similar vote. Details

for the plan of the creditors committee, which comprises five Garden Oaks homeowners and represents more than 400 creditors, was filed with the court Monday. Both plans call for doling out deed-restriction enforcement to a third party, lowering the threshold to approve amendments from twothirds to a simple majority and replacing the .75-percent transfer fee at the closing of a home sale with an annual mandatory fee of $80 per lot. And both would remove the outdated and illegal-to-enforce restriction that says all Garden Oaks homeowners and residents must be of the “Caucasian race.” A key difference between the plans is how much of GOMO’s assets, which Parks said totaled more than $700,000 as of the end of December, would be distributed to the creditors. GOMO’s plans calls for the creditors to receive a total of $50,000, whereas the creditors committee wants the entirety of GOMO’s assets after attorney fees and other administrative costs re-

lated to the bankruptcy case. Transfer fees were the primary revenue source for GOMO, which was ordered to stop collecting them in August. A 2016 state district court ruling in favor of Garden Oaks resident Peter Chang, a member of the creditors committee, revealed that GOMO had no authority to collect transfer fees because it violated the Texas Property Code while petitioning residents to include them in the deed restrictions. The creditors committee’s plan also calls for fewer changes to the deed restrictions, while leaving the potential for future amendments. Creditors committee attorney Charles Rubio said the proposed changes by GOMO are too broad, which could make them difficult to be adopted. “We’re taking what we think are the critical things in order to successfully confirm a Chapter 11 plan,” Rubio said, “and leaving everything else for another day so the community has more time to vet it, negotiate it and not just let it

get sprung on them, like wholesale changes to deed restrictions.” Rubio said the creditors committee also prefers a plan that gives more oversight to members and less discretion to the homeowners association. GOMO’s plan, for example, would give the homeowners association the authority to provide waivers and variances on a case-by-case basis. Rubio said that could lead to unequal treatment of homeowners. But Parks said the idea behind waiver authority is to give the homeowners association the ability to make reasonable exceptions, which GOMO could have done in Chang’s case when he decided to construct a third garage. Instead, GOMO filed a lawsuit and lost, with court findings in the case precipitating its bankruptcy filing. “The other side is now arguing that this gives our HOA too much power,” Parks said. “It’s the opposite.” It’s now up to Garden Oaks homeowners to settle the argument

by deciding which plan they prefer. If they strike down both plans, they could potentially be left without a homeowners association. What’s next The Garden Oaks Maintenance Organization (GOMO) was granted permission to present its Chapter 11 restructuring plan to homeowners for a vote of approval. Here are the key dates: Feb. 15: Deadline for information packages and ballots to be mailed to homeowners and creditors

March 25: Deadline for GOMO to object to creditors committee’s restructuring plan April 1: Deadline for homeowners’ votes to be submitted April 9: Court hearing for final approval and confirmation (if GOMO plan approved by vote); if not approved by vote, subsequent hearing for creditors committee’s plan

The Leader • Saturday, February 2, 2019 • Page 5A

Things to do.

The Arts

Singer/songwriter Amanda Pascali will be performing at Visionary Heights.

Joan Osborne Friday, Feb. 1 6 – 11 p.m. The Heights Theater 339 W. 19th St. Joan Osborne is performing Bob Dylan’s songs at The Heights Theater.

Steven Sachs, Packs and Flocks Saturday, Feb. 2 6 – 9 p.m. Redbud Gallery – 303 E. 11th St. Come out to the opening reception of Steven Sachs’ exhibition “Packs and Flocks”. As an artist Steven sees himself as an urban archaeologist, whose quest is to transfer the original use of found objects into whimsical creations.

Tunes in the Tap Room Tuesday, Feb. 5 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room – 350 W. 19th St. Enjoy live music in Harold’s Tap Room every Tuesday night.

The Markets

Rachel Yamagata Friday, Feb. 1 8 p.m. White Oak Music Hall 2915 N. Main St. Rachel Yamagata is performing at White Oak Music Hall with Radnor & Lee.

Little White Oak Night Market Saturday, Feb. 2 4 – 8 p.m. Sideout Volleybar – 2623 Keene St. The Little White Oak Night Market brings together local farmers, craft merchandisers, and artists.

Open Source Saturday, Feb. 2 9 p.m. White Oak Music Hall 2915 N. Main St. Simensez, Hiram, 9th Stage, and Morgan Morgan are performing at White Oak Music Hall.

First Saturday Arts Market Saturday, Feb. 2 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 530 W. 19th St. First Saturday Arts Market is back this Saturday with a full roster of over 40 artists. Special guest this month is new restaurant La Lucha Chef Bobby Matos, who will be shucking fresh oysters from 11-1PM or until it runs out! He will do a demonstration on how easy it is to do as well as how to make a quick and easy mignonette to accompany the tasty bivalves. The 15-yearold fine arts market is located at 530 W. 19th St. and open 11 - 6 pm. Details at 1stSatArtMarket. com.

Peter Murphy Saturday, Feb. 2 8 p.m. White Oak Music Hall 2915 N. Main St. Peter Murphy is performing at White Oak Music Hall with David J and Desert Mountain Tribe. Tickets: $35. Current Joys Wednesday, Feb. 6 7 p.m. White Oak Music Hall 2915 N. Main St. Current Joys is performing at White Oak Music Hall with Gap Girls and Meet Me at Midnight.

Flea at Silver Street Saturday, Feb. 2 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Silver Street – 2000 Edwards St. Shop the flea at Silver Street for the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. You’ll find collectables, jewelry, vintage items, art, and more.

Neko Case Thursday, Feb. 7 7 p.m. White Oak Music Hall 2915 N. Main St. Neko Case is performing at White Oak Music Hall. Tickets: $34 for advanced, $36 day of show.

Heights Morning Market Sunday, Feb. 3 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3106 White Oak Dr. Heights Morning Market gathers local talented artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs to bring you closer to the goods you need. Stop by to shop and stay to brunch, drink mimosas, and listen to live music at Onion Creek.

Guitar and Harp Concert benefiting Fory Charitable Trust Saturday, Feb. 2 7-8:30 p.m. First Congregational Church 10840 Beinhorn Road Marc Garvin, Guillermo Serpas, Emily Klein and others will perform in this concert benefiting Fory Charitable Trust and its work with orphans in Russia. Light refreshments served during intermission. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www. forytrust.org.

The Pews Pancake breakfast at St. Matthew’s Saturday, Feb. 2 8:30 – 10 a.m. St. Matthew’s UMC - 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. St. Matthew’s hosts the free monthly pancake breakfast in the fellowship hall. The community is welcome to come enjoy pancakes with all the trimmings. Visit www. stmatthewsmethodist.org or call 713-697-0671 for information.

Constant Billy Saturday, Feb. 2 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. EQ Heights – 1030 Heights Blvd. Enjoy tunes from Constant Billy at EQ Heights. Laughing Lizards Saturday, Feb. 2 1 – 4 p.m. Town in City Brewing Company – 1125 W. Cavalcade St. Come hear the Laughing Lizards play Cajun and Appalachian old time music. Amanda Pascali & The Family Saturday, Feb. 2 7 – 10 p.m. Visionary Heights – 1331 Nicholson St.

Chili cook-off lunch at St. Stephen’s Sunday, Feb. 3 Noon St. Stephen’s UMC - 2003 W. 43rd St. The annual chili cook-off Lunch will be held in the fellowship hall following the 11 a.m. worship service. Chili entries will be available for sampling. Love offerings are appreciated. Senior Activities Day will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 9:30 a.m., including domino games, and a soup and sandwich meal. Call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org for information.

SPJST Lodge 88 - 1435 Beall St. Ricky Davis Frank Sinatra Tribute, Big Band music will perform. There is a dress code. The cost is $15 per person. Reservations are suggested, but not required. Call 713-869-5767 or visit lodge88. org for information.

Chocoholic Feast Friday, Feb. 8 7 – 10 p.m. St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community - 3600 Brinkman St. The St. Rose of Lima Altar Guild is hosting its Chocoholic Feast. This evening of games, a light dinner and decadent desserts will be held in the St. Rose East and West Halls. Tickets are $10 per person and include a silent auction, door prizes and all-you-caneat food and fun. Reserve a table or purchase individual tickets at www.stroselima.org or call 713692- 9123.

Potluck and Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3 4 p.m. Eight Row Flint – 1039 Yale St. Join Eight Row Flint as it puts on its third annual Super Bowl party. Agricole Hospitality cooks will come with all kinds of food to share. Bring a dish and join the good time.

All Saints TALC Valentine party Thursday, Feb. 14 10:30 a.m. All Saints Catholic Church - 215 E. 10th St. All Saints Third Age Learning Center will hold its 2019 Spring Registration in the parish hall. The Spring Semester begins on Monday, Feb. 11 and late registration will continue until Feb. 15. TALC offers a variety of classes, monthly parties, seminars, day trips and birthday celebrations. Call 713-248-1277 for lunch reservations and information.

Super Bowl and Himalaya Sunday, Feb. 3 5 – 10 p.m. Johnny’s Gold Brick – 2518 Yale St. Join Johnny’s for its second annual Super Bowl watch party with a free Himalaya buffet. Super Bowl Party Sunday, Feb. 3 Noon – 7 p.m. Bobcat Teddy’s Ice House – 2803 White Oak Dr. Come out and watch the big came at the Ice House with bucket specials, complimentary hot dogs and burgers, live music, and more.

Women’s Bible Study Group Monday, Feb. 4 5:30 p.m. YMCA –1234 W. 34th St. The Women’s Bible Study meets every Monday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA. The study is called The Faithful, which explores crucial moments in the lives of five Old Testament figures--Queen Esther, Gideon, Hosea, Malachi, and Nehemiah. Guests and new members are welcome to attend this nondenominational Bible study. Email scripturesharing@earthlink. net for information.

Seinfeld Trivia Thursday, Feb. 7 7 – 9 p.m. Eureka Heights Brew Co – 941 W. 18th St. Eureka Heights is hosting a Seinfeld themed trivia with themed prizes for the top three teams. Happy hour Friday, Feb. 1 5 – 6 p.m. Noted – 1901 Lawrence Come sip and shop every Friday at Noted. They’ll pop a bottle of something as you shop or just get to know the owners.

MANNA Breakfast fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 16 9 a.m. Tony’s Mexican Restaurant – 2222 Ella Blvd. MANNA is raising funds for its resale store renovations. At the event will be a silent auction to participate in.

Bingo in the Biergarten Monday, Feb. 4 6 – 8 p.m. Karbach – 2032 Karbach St. Come out to Karbach for bingo and brews. Multiple rounds, prizes every round and no fee to play.

Fun & Games Dad joke tournament Friday, Feb. 1 7 – 9:30 p.m. Eureka Heights Brew Co – 941 W. 18th St. Eureka Heights is hosting a dad joke tournament, so get your cheesiest jokes ready.

Irish Genealogy: Three Sessions with Rich Venezia Saturday, Feb. 2 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Trini Mendenhall Community Center - 1414 Wirt Road The theme of this year’s Spring Seminar is Researching Your Irish Ancestors with the popular new genealogy speaker, Rich Venezia. Registration is required and must

Ricky Davis Frank Sinatra Tribute Saturday, Feb. 2 8 – 11:30 p.m.

• 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

Weekly Sunday Services • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.

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

1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.

Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters

www.gethsemanelutheran.org

Ad # 32285

Candlelight Church of Christ Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor

2003 W. 43rd St. ◆ 713-686-8241 ◆ s t s u m c . o r g

Monthly Sip and Stroll Wine Tasting Wednesday, Feb. 13 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Rainbow Lodge - 2011 Ella Blvd. Join us the second Wednesday of each month for our themed wine tasting events that feature four wine tastes and four menu bites for only $40. These popular tastings are casual, walk around “sip and stroll” styled - not formal seated dinners - in the Tied Fly Bar and on the patio when the weather cooperates. Each month we feature a different group of wines. Call 713-861-8666 or visit www.rainbow-lodge.com for information. Heritage Republican Women meeting Thursday, Feb. 14 7 p.m. Watonga Church of Christ 4215 Watonga Blvd. The guest speaker will be the Gail Stannart, SREC representative from SD15. She will be discussing the five legislative priorities voted on at the state Republican convention last June, the committee that was formed to lobby for these priorities and how we can be involved in this process. Call 713-682-0496 for information. MANNA Breakfast Fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 16 9 a.m. Tony’s Mexican Restaurant 2222 Ella Blvd. Funds raised from the event will go towards resale store renovations. There will also be a silent auction and donations are currently being accepted. Email houstonmanna@gmail.com for information.

New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam

FREE Routine Male Cat Neuters

$ 40

Years

of quality care for your family pets

Dog Rabies Vaccination

75 *

* With Wellness Exam

Call About Cat Vaccines

5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625 Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon

Join us for Services in English or Spanish Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday Bible Classes 9am Wednesday Bible Study 7pm

4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092

OVER IT!

By Pastor Will Cover Arise Baptist Church t goes without saying,St. butHouston I’ll say itTX anyway: 803 Curtin 77018“we have all 713-659-9697 www.arisebaptistchurch.org made mistakes.” As• Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” We should remember How will you be remembered? What do you hope this the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we people will remember you by? This weekend is one of must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue the biggest sporting events of the year for many as two to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While NFL teams will meet for the Super Bowl. Many parties will it can be hard enough to forgive others for their mistakes, it be had and much foodimpossible will be consumed millions can sometimes feeljunk almost to forgiveasourselves. of people who should eat better and exercise more sit on We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something couches and yell at people who eat well and exercise every we’ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves day for notortrying enough to win a game. They will be for years, evenhard decades, over youthful indiscretions. In yelling things “if may that not player to win addition, somelike, of us be really able towanted forget the sinsthis of game he And would push harder andprevent run faster” as the couch our past. although that may us from repeating potato is busily mouthfuls of potatojust chips them, we must bemunching charitableonand forgive ourselves, as and hot wings. people areshould a lot better yelling we should forgiveOften others. So, we make aabout real effort in things and saying things than arethe at offenses doing things. Are the coming days and weeks to they forgive of others you worth remembering? A often used to and trueabout sayas well as our own. Sometimes, it helps justvery forget ing is that, “your walk talksthem andout your but your them; that is, to try to put of talk our talks, mind and stop repeatedly mullingthan over your them.talk Onetalks.” of the In reasons use walk talks louder other we words, the phrase “forgive and forget” is because sometimes what you do often matters more than what you say. that is theInonly way to forgive,1:3 i.e.,Paul by forgetting. far better, and 1 Thessalonians speaks of aBut church that was more divine, is to be able to forgive even while remembering worth remembering. He remembered their work of faith, the offense. we and should go of those unforgiving, their labor ofSo, love, theirletpatience of hope. It is invindictive, shameful feelings about the past, and get love, over teresting to note that all three of these things, faith, it! Corrie ten Boom, who survived incarceration in a Nazi and hope, were all things that required them to put forth prisonkind campofsaid, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and some effort. I would challenge my reader today to realize that the prisoner was you.” to think of how you will be remembered. Living for Jesus is the greatest thing in all the world. It makes you worth Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn remembering. Your work will last long beyond not, and you will notfor beChrist condemned; forgive, your time hereand on this earth. I hope you will consider how you will be forgiven... you can make a difference for eternity for those around you and be worth remembering! R.S.V. Luke 6:37

St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

Teen Driver Education Course Monday, Feb. 11 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Scarborough High School - 4141

Costa Rica Rd. Class is open to teens 14-17. The course is state approved 32 classroom hours and 14 hours of in-car instruction. The cost is $385. The classes will be held Monday-Thursday. Also available is Adult Drivers’ Education and Defensive Driving. Call 281-7462288 to register.

Worth GET Remembering

DIRECTORY 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470

Relatives as Parents Conference Saturday, Feb. 9 8 a.m.-4 p.m. DePelchin Center 4950 Memorial Dr. Grandparents and relatives raising kin children are encouraged to attend this free event. Featured are workshops, vendor fair, and door prizes. Lunch will be provided. No children are allowed. To register, call 713-682-8911 or email houstonboardroom@ mch.org.

African American History Month Celebration Saturday, Feb. 2 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research - 5300 Caroline St. Genealogist Sharon Gillins’ is a native of Galveston with ancestral roots in Louisiana and Texas, has been researching African American family history for more than 25 years. Space is limited. Registration is required. 832-3932600

The Amazing Acro-cats Saturday, Feb. 2 3 p.m. Match 4 - 3400 Main St. Come see The Amazing Acrocats Featuring Tuna and the Rock Cats that are a troupe of touring performing house cats.

MANNA Sponsor

AARP Chapter 1265 meeting Monday, Feb. 4 10 a.m. Candlelight Park - 1520 Candlelight Lane Do you have ongoing issues with Hurricane Harvey assistance? Are you dealing with scams and fraudulent vendors? Ryan Marquez from the University of Houston Law Center will speak about The Harvey Project associated with the People’s Law School and shares useful information for consumers. The meeting is open to anyone 50 or older, and will be preceded by a meet-and-greet at 9:30 a.m. Coffee and refreshments are provided. Contact Georgia Lewis, chapter president, for information at 832-654-4744.

Community

CHURCH Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am Morning Worship ............... 10:45am Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children and Adults............................ 6:15pm

Northwest Flyers Kid’s Track Club registration Saturday, Feb. 2 8:30 a.m. Cypress Creek Christian Community Center Forum - 6823 Cypresswood Dr. The Northwest Flyers Youth Track Club will host its annual free registration/orientation breakfast for all boys and girls who are interested in joining for the 2019 track season. Visit www. northwestflyers.org or contact linette.roach@sbcglobal.net for information.

Open Mic Night Tuesday, Feb. 5 9 p.m. Heights Vinyl – 3301 Cline St. This is a free flowing, “tap in,” share the mic event where everyone is welcome.

GO Montessori Pancake Breakfast Saturday, Feb. 2 8 – noon Garden Oaks Montessori 901 Sue Barnett Dr. Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet’s Pancake Breakfast will add a carnival to celebrate this special 25th milestone. The carnival will include bounce houses, obstacle course, rock wall, craft stations, potato sack races, ping pong and much more! Wristbands will be pre-sold for $10, and $15 at the door. Call 713-696-2930 for information.

Sunday

be made prior to meeting. Bring a snack to share. Call 713-6820496 for information.

Page 6A • Saturday, February 2, 2019 • The Leader

The Obituaries.

Are rawhides a ‘raw deal’ for your pet? wrap around her intestines, causing the same obstruction.. • Toxic chemicals: The process of making rawhide involves chemically separating the outer layer of skin (usually of a cow) from the hide. This process leaves deadly poisons in the chew, including arsenic and formaldehyde. • Questionable ingredients: An investigation by Humane Society International stated in their report, “In a particularly grisly twist, the skins of brutally slaughtered dogs in Thailand are mixed with other bits of skin to produce rawhide chew toys for pet dogs. Manufacturers told investigators that these chew toys are

Dear Tabby, Are rawhide chews really that bad for dogs? We’ve always given them to our dogs with no issues but I’ve been hearing that they’re the worst thing you can give your dog! Please help! Rooting for Rawhides in Garden Oaks Dear Rooting for Rawhides, Rawhide chews have been the go-to chewy treat for dogs of all ages for quite some time but recently pet experts have started to speak out against them. It is also very common for vets to warn pet owners about the dangers of this treat. There are several factors that cause rawhides to be potentially dangerous for your pooch: • Choking hazard: Once your dog swallows a tiny, broken piece of rawhide, that portion can get lodged in her throat, putting your dog in serious danger. • Digestive blockage: Allowing your pooch to swallow a large piece of rawhide can also endanger her life. Rawhides can expand inside her stomach, putting her at risk of a fatal blockage. It can even

regularly exported to and sold in U.S. stores.” Healthier Alternatives? So, what are some healthy alternatives to rawhide chews? Experts have several to recommend: “Bully sticks,” (which are the dried achilles tendons of cows) offer hours of chewing and are highly digestible. While they can be expensive, consider cutting the long ones in thirds to extend the “cost-per-chew” ratio. Carrots have also been a long-enjoyed treat for dogs. The crunchy carrot offers similar teeth-cleaning and dental health benefits as other chewy treats. If you have a teeth-

Frederick Jackson Gaugler Sr., 90, born Dec.

ceive a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design degree from the University of North Texas. She started working part time as a doorperson at Rudyard’s British Pub. She quickly moved into managing the door staff at Rudyard’s as well as tending bar for Rudyard’s, Poison Girl and the Little Dipper. In 2014, Stacy became the booking manager at Rudyard’s. In 2018 became general manager at Rudyard’s. She is survived by her parents Susan and Harlan, brother Ray, and French Bulldog, Pearl.

8, 1928, died Jan. 15. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated from the University of Houston after serving in the Korean War. He worked at Exxon for 33 years where he met his wife. After working at Exxon he joined Union Texas Petroleum where he worked for 10 years. Gaugler is survived by his sons Frederick Jackson Gaugler Jr. and William Edward Gaugler, and two grandchildren.

ing puppy, put a carrot in the freezer to give your pup some relief from the pain of teething. Even better? Carrots are digestible, healthy and cheap! Lastly, ask at your local specialty pet store about raw bones. Unlike cooked bones, which can break and splinter, raw bones are safe for your dog. Luckily, there are ample alternatives to rawhide chews on the market. You and your pooch should be able to find a chew that you both can feel good about sinking her teeth into.

Brian Shelley Groves, 66, born Nov. 30, 1952, died Jan. 14, after a brief and unexpected illness. He is survived by his children Jennifer Groves and Dylan Groves, and siblings Suzanne Ferguson and Steven Groves. Born and raised in Austin, he called Houston home for the past 20 years. A celebration of his life and art will be held at Dan Electros, 1031 E. 24th St., Saturday Feb. 2, at noon.

Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at dear tabbyquestions@gmail.com.

Erwin James Haas, 83, born Dec. 11, 1935 in Weimer, Texas, died Jan. 23. He was drafted into the Army in 1959 where he was stationed in Schweinfurt Germany and earned a place on the rifle team. After military service, he was hired by the U.S. Postal Service and had a 35-year career as letter carrier, supervisor, and assistant general manager. After retirement, EJ and Joyce raised cattle and ranched for 19 years, pushing up to 100 head. He was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4550 in Houston. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce Berger Haas, children Steve Haas, Andy Haas, sisters Elsie Farek and Mabel Mazoch, and four grandchildren.

Pet of the Week Meet Josie

Sweet Josie has had a string of owners who dumped her when life threw them a curveball. This sweet, 6 year old beauty is a rare orange gal who is ready to find a home where she’s not viewed as disposable. If you have room for two bonded besties in your heart, consider adopting Josie’s friend, Sparkles (info available online) as well. They’d be so grateful for a loving home together. Go to www.saveacatrescue.org to learn more.

Stacy Nell Hartoon, 42,

born Dec. 3, 1976, died Jan. 18. She graduated from Westfield High School and went on to re-

Melba Chavez Olivares,

89, born Jan. 25, 1929, died Jan. 18. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Coates, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and one great-great- grandchild.

Betty Jo Shelton, 92, born Feb. 12, 1926 in Little Rock, Ark., died Jan. 22. She is survived by her daughter, Judy Guyon, two grandsons, and two great-grandchildren. Florian J. Stolarski, 89, born April 19, 1929 in Chappell Hill, Texas, died Jan. 25. He was a Houston area entrepreneur and businessman for nearly 70 years most notably in the grocery, dance hall, ready-mix concrete, and charitable bingo industries. He founded Florian’s Finer Foods and Dance Town USA. He was a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and was a Knight of Columbus. He is survived by his daughter Charlotte Wisnoski, sons Robert, Joel and Michael Stolarski, sister Cathy Polasek, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Beverly Luella Stubbs, 88, born Nov. 15, 1930, died Jan. 21. Wendy L. Wilkerson, 68, born Oct. 30, 1950, died Jan. 17. She is survived by her sister Lauri Stoll.

FREE DONUTS 2 KOLACHES FREE DOZEN FREE DONUT HOLES Get 1/2 dozen glazed donuts FREE with purchase of one dozen donuts or more.

To place an ad on the most popular page in the Leader, give us a call at (713) 686-8494 and ask for one of our professional sales executives

Good at this location only. One coupon per visit. Tax not included. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons.

GET A REGULAR HAMBURGER

FREE

Southwell’s HAMBURGER GRILL

DINE IN ONLY.

VALID MON.-FRI. 3 PM TIL CLOSING AND ALL DAY SAT. AND SUN.NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. OFFER EXPIRES 2-9-19

10% OFF

TRUE LOVE

713 682-2053

1512 W 34th St • Houston, 77018

www.trulitegas.com

OFF SECOND ENTREE $ 95 Buy 1 Dinner Get $4.95 OFF Second Dinner Dine-In Only. No Takeout Orders. Good 3-10 p.m. only.

* Lunch Specials Daily * Take Out Orders Available * Complete Bar Facilities * Party Room Available (Seats 85)

(713) 680-0825

Party Room Available Par

5 OFF DINNER

Buy One Dinner And Receive $5 Off Second Dinner Of Equal Or Lesser Value. DINE IN ONLY. THIS COUPON GOOD MON. THRU FRI. 3PM TIL CLOSING. THIS COUPON ALSO GOOD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11:00 UNTIL CLOSING. EXCLUDES ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. OFFER EXPIRES 2-9-19

LIVE MUSIC Thursday - Sunday 6 til Close

Let Us Help You

Love Your Car!

Did you know that by doing regular maintenance you can extend the life of your car by 1000s of miles? Most models need special maintenance at 30K, 60K, 90K, 120K. Let us educate you!

4610 N. Shepherd

713.695.5071

2500 Off

on all preventive maintenance services over $250.00. We are your dealership alternative. save time & $$$.

Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, Sat 8:00 am - 4:00pm

AdolfHoepfl.com

Like us on Facebook/AdolfsGarage Expire 2-16-19 Must present Coupon at time of service. Cannot combine with any other offer. Limited time offer.

Authentic Mej icano Cuisine VALENTINE SPECIAL

Fajitas For Two $ PLUS 2 MARGARITAS

With this coupon • Dine In Only • Expires 2-9-19 W

DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS BAR FACILITIES TAKE-OUT ORDERS AVAILABLE

4618 Dacoma

(Between Hwy. 290 and Mangum)

Mexican Restaurant

5305 Antoine @ Pinemont 53 713-682-3853

Give us a call

Expires February 8, 2019. Can not be combined with other offers offers.

• Not available on Senior Citizens or Kids Menu • One coupon per table / one coupon per family ORIGINAL COUPON ONLY! No copies accepted • Must be presented before ordering • Expires 2-9-19.

Carlos Is Back!

A Reputation of Integrity since 1946

ANY GAS LAMP CLEANING AND REPAIR SERVICE.

Happy Hours: Mon-Thur 3-8

WITH THIS COUPON

Next to PetSmart

Weekdays & Saturdays 2:00-7:00 pm. Sunday - All Day

1909 Taylor Street Suite #A 713-862-6611

NEW LOCATION

Full Service Bar - 13 oz. Regular Margaritas $3.50

FAJITAS FOR TWO

Take Out Available

White Oak

Coupon Expires 2-28-2019

• LIMIT THREE COUPONS PER TABLE •

Mexican Restaurant

Taylor

FOR

Residential Cleaning Service for first time customers

Quality • Experience • Low Rates • Monthly • Biweekly • Weekly • Everyday

HOURS Thurs & Fri: 11am - 10pm Sat-Wed: 11am - 9:30pm

A HAMBURGER, FRIES AND A MEDIUM DRINK

off

please call to set up an appointment

up to 5 qts + taxes + courtesy multi point inspection

PURCHASE

SPECIAL OFFER

FREE SUSPENSION CHECK

.95

(713) 682-4343

Homes • Apartments • Offices Residential & Commercial

Your Complete Car Care Center

FREE BRAKE INSPECTION CASTROL FULL SYNTHETIC OIL SERVICE

Buy a dozen donuts and get 1 dozen donut holes FREE!

3410 Ella Blvd. at 34th St.

5675 W. Tidwell 713.686.5677

New Year Special

With purchase of one dozen glazed donuts.

Mexican Restaurant

2615 Ella Blvd. @ 27th

713-868-5232

OPEN Monday - Saturday 8am - 10pm & Sunday 8 am - 4pm

THE CLASSIFIEDS.

Page 7A â€˘ Saturday, February 2, 2019 â€˘ The Leader

Wanting to run a classified ad? CALL 713-686-8494 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards.

FANTASTIC ESTATE SALE Thursday Evening January 31st 5 PM - 7 PM Friday & Saturday February 1st & 2nd 8 AM - 4 PM 7700 Renwick, Houston 77081 The Estate of Reverend & Mrs. C. Morgan Large 19th Gold Leaf Frames, Many Asian Ceramics & Carvings, 10â€™ x 12â€™ OUSHAK Rug, Pair Antique French Twin Beds, Sterling â€œSmallsâ€?, Garden Statuary, Lovely Linens, Bibles, Antiques Reference Books, Lots of Art (Original by Emile Renouf), Housewares, Electronics,Costume Jewelry

WANT TO BUY

COMPUTERS

WE BUY GUNS!

Websites, Promo Products, Graphics Social Media, etc.

713-694-4867

Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer

FOR YOUR GUNS:

TOWN & COUNTRY ESTATE SALES Penny Millican - Owner

FOR SALE

SELL US YOUR ANTIQUES

FREE ESTATE SALE CONSULTATION

CABINET SHOP CLOSING

KAM

ENDEAVORS, LLC

ESTATE SALE

We have one of the highest rated delivery systems in the country, but mistakes can happen. If you donâ€™t receive your Leader any week, weâ€™d sure appreciate it if youâ€™d call and let us know so that we can correct the problem.

4705 Nina Lee 77092 Saturday & Sunday 8am - 3pm

Furniture, Collectibles & Glassware

Antiques and Collectibles Providing Estate Sales Services 3311 Ella â€˘ 832-286-7882

BOATS & RVS

713-694-4867

PEST CONTROL

I Can Help You Speak and Read French in 3 Months. Lessons Given at Your Place of Choice.

281-788-1363

120 gallon fish tank and 5 parakeets with cage Must pick up and move

Call Greg 713-725-2432

Royalty Pet Center Since 1976

â€˘ Grooming â€˘ Boarding â€˘ Pet Supplies 9900 N. Houston Rosslyn www.royaltypetcenter.com

Clean As Can Bee... Caregiving & Cleaning

â€˘ Residential â€˘ Laundry â€˘ Mop/Vacuum â€˘ Cook â€˘ Grocery Shopping â€˘ Bathroom/Kitchen

Call or Text Today!

713-551-3152

Looking to hire good local people? Leader classifieds get great response and cost less than the daily paper.

YOUR AD CAN RUN HERE

Call 713-686-8494

â€˘ AT T E N T I O N â€˘

Contractors and Handymen,

Cherokee

â€˘ Termites â€˘ Roaches â€˘ Ants â€˘ Silver sh â€˘ Rodents

are you looking for additional work?

Free Termite Inspection

713-682-6801 SLEEP BETTER

713.686.6622

Cell (713)444-8517 (713)682-5246

GALVANIZED BOAT TRAILER $150.00

PEST CONTROL

FOAM store

Mitzi Bonded

FOR SALE

WE BUY/SELL GUNS: Top cash paid.

Memory Foam Mattresses the

The application has been made with Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Wine & Beer Retailerâ€™s Off-Premise Permit by RKG Petroleum LLC DBA Extra Miles Truck Stop 4to be located at 8870 North Loop East Houston Texas 77029 Managing Member of the said entity are Gaurab Basnet, Ram K. Ghimire, Kishor Ghimire.

832-646-6103

Affordable Pet Care In Your Home Will Treat Your Loved Ones As My Own

713-849-9000

Application for Off-Premise Permit

Trucks, MTX & RVâ€™s Not running OK

PRIVATE FRENCH TUTORING

Call George

M&M Pet Sitting

FREE FREE FREE

CLEANING SERVICES

LEGAL NOTICE

CA$H TODAY For Unwanted Cars,

FFL concealed handgun classes.

Like us on www.facebook.com/ bluemoonantiques-houstontx

713-686-8494

LEGAL NOTICE

AUTOS & TRUCKS

713-862-7971

PETS & LIVESTOCK

281-460-8403

FOR SALE BLUE MOON ANTIQUES

you read this, then classified ads work. Call today to advertise

713-694-4867

Various Tools 281-460-8403

Buy * Sell * Trade

Contact Kevin 713-416-5872

Most of us that bring you The Leader live right here in your community and we appreciate you reading it every week. Thanks.

FFL Concealed Handgun Classes

M&C CONSULTING

TUTORING

832-818-4970

TOP CASH PAID

Personal Financial Asst. IRS Notices, All Tax Filings m.c.consulting@hotmail.com

Upgrades, Installation, Conďƒžguration (Virus-Removal) Home - NetWorking

Houston, TX 77092

www.houstonestatesales.com 713-666-0970

BUSINESS ACCOUNTING

713-686-6470

Home, Small Ofďƒžce Computer Repair

2001 Karbach Suite F

SICOLAâ€™S

Lawn Service â€˘ Landscape Drivers Foreman Helpers â€˘ Irrigation Tech APPLY 6:30 AM 5608 HOOVER

713-269-1515

BLACK GOLD GUNS & AMMO

TAX SERVICE/ BOOKKEEPING

NOW HIRING

promoteyourmessages.com

TOP CASH PAID FOR YOUR GUNS!

HELP WANTED

ÂŽ

A new Home Services company is opening in the area and weâ€™re looking for quality home repair professionals who are dependable and reliable.

Sell it fast with an inexpensive Leader classified.

Specifically, we need contractors on a per-job basis. Our company will provide the insurance coverage for the work, the jobs, and set up the job times. You provide the tools, work and dependability. All jobs on paid on a per-job basis with repeat work for the best contractors. Full-time work is a possibility

Among others, services include: ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§ ď‚§

Shopping?

Interior and exterior minor painting Door install/repair Minor tile and caulking repair Drywall and window repair Appliance repair Gutter cleaning repair TV wall mount installation Fence and gate repair Honey-do lists

Find those bargains from your Leader neighbors...

If this sounds like a fit for you and if you have experience in any of these areas or other home services, call us at

Or advertise your sale by calling

713.628.1689

713-686-8494

LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE Gilbertâ€™s Landscape Lawn Care

Mowing â€˘ Edging â€˘ Blowing Flower Bedding â€˘ Fertilizing

TREE CUTTING & TRIMMING

FREE ESTIMATES â€“ 17 Yrs. Exp.

(281) 948-4879

Jefferson Mowing, LLC

TREE EXPERTS, INC.

Dennis Clooney - Manager 25+ Years Experience â€˘ Tree Trimming/Removal â€˘ Stump Grinding â€˘ Fertilization â€˘ Construction Preparation â€˘ Residential/Commercial Insured Liability and Workmanâ€™s Comp

Mowing, Hauling & Demolishing Insured and Certified Since 1985

Call 713-682-2185 10 % Off

713-683-TREE (713-683-8733)

for first time customers

LUXURY LAWNS Lawn Maintenance Landscape & Design Sprinklers/Drainage Systems Free Estimates 20 yrs. exp.

713-688-4244 David Bartula

RANGER

Trimming â€˘ Planting Removal â€œTrain up your trees in the way they should grow.â€? â€˘ A+ Rated â€˘ Free Estimates â€˘ Insured â€œMaking Thousands of Houston Trees Healthy & Beautiful for over 33 yearsâ€? 713-690-TREE (8733) Call or Text

FREE ESTIMATES

SALAZAR TREES

â€˘ Tree Removal â€˘ Trimming â€˘ Topping â€˘ Stump Grinding â€˘ Pruning â€˘ Dangerous Tree Removal â€˘ 23 yrs experience Free Est.

832-434-7101

012*$/&+!&+$

Residential/Commercial FREE ESTIMATES/Credit Cards

1/""

YOUR AD CAN RUN HERE Call 713-686-8494

U S Tree Experts

â€˘ Tree Removal â€˘ Shaping & Trimming Insured â€˘ Free Estimates

FRANK ZENIL

713-681-4079 â€˘ 713-410-4265

Verdeco

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

New Horizons Lawn Maintenance Landscaping & Design Sprinkler Repair Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Taylor Herrmann

713-298-4628 713-Go-GReen

â€˘ Lawn Maintenance â€˘ Fertilize â€˘ Mulch, Tree Trimming â€˘ Flowerbed Cleanup â€˘ Grass Installation

713-703-6406

YOUR AD CAN RUN HERE

Call 713-686-8494 â€˘ Landscape Design & Installation â€˘ Maintenance â€˘ Irrigation â€˘ Drainage â€˘ Lighting â€˘ Hardscape (pavers, flagstone, concrete) We accept all major Credit Cards

office@mashues.com

#ALL TODAY BEAUTIFUL HOME TOMORROW

â€˘ Landscape Installation â€˘ Weather Damage Replacement â€˘ Tree Trim & Removal â€˘ Lawn & Bed Maintenance â€˘ Landscape Lighting â€˘ Organic Soil Amendments

www.richtersservicesinc.com

The Leader â€˘ Saturday, February 2, 2019 â€˘ Page 8A GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

GENERAL HOMEADVERTISING IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOMEADVERTISING IMPROVEMENTS STATEWIDE STATEWIDE

Khanâ€™s Oriental Rug Washing

SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified. Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-866-293-9702 Call Now!

AT&T Internet. Get More For Your High-Speed Internet Thing. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Ask us how to bundle and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. Call us today 1-833707-0984.

A PLACE FOR MOM has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call 855-741-7459

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-844374-0013.

RUG CLEANING

Family Owned Since 1954 Hand Washing & Restoration Pet Odor & Stain Specialist

713 960 8200

WORK WANTED

PHARMACY TECHNICIAN ONLINE TRAINING AVAILABLE! Take the first step into a new career! Call now: 833-221-0660.

Work Wanted

HANDYMAN

SAVES YOU MONEY Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry

281-660-0350

PLUMBING Joe Petrovich

PLUMBING Since 1977 Free Est.

Repairs & Remodels Complete Plumbing Services

Shop 281-442-7863 Cell 281-831-2302

Insured â€˘ Lic. #M8922

Aaronâ€™s

Since 1974

PLUMBING Drain & Sewer Cleaning #17773 - 7 Days a week

825 Curtin 77018

713-695-2222 Danielâ€™s Plumbing & Drain Experts

10%

SENIOR DISCOUNT

832-441-9683

MPL#37341

NO TRIP CHARGE

STATEWIDE ADVERTISING Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800245-0398. Spectrum Triple Play! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-877-338-2315. AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. Financial Aid for qualified students - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704. MAKE MONEY MAILING POSTCARDS! Easy Work, Great Pay! FREE Info: www. PostcardsToWealth.com Earn Multiple $250 Payments Daily! www.250PerDaySystem.com HomeWorkers Urgently Needed! www.LegitOnlineWork.com. Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855534-6198. CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! 2002 and Newer! Any Condition. Running or Not. Competitive Offer! Free Towing! Weâ€™re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-416-2330. VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! 100 Generic Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-445-5928 Hablamos Espanol. Cable - Internet - Phone. No Credit Check! No Contracts! $29.99 each! Bundle - Save huge! Weâ€™re local installers! Call Free Quote! 1-888-480-7717. CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Nationwide Free Pick Up! Call Now: 1-800-864-5960. ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds. FREE information kit. Call 877929-9587. Suffering from an ADDICTION to Alcohol, Opiates, Prescription PainKillers or other DRUGS? There is hope! Call Today to speak with someone who cares. Call NOW 1-855-399-8803. INVENTORS - FREE INFORMATION PACKAGE Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers. Call 1-888-5010236 for a Free Idea Starter Guide. Submit your idea for a free consultation. Financial Benefits for those facing serious illness. You may qualify for a Living Benefit Loan today (up to 50 percent of your Life Insurance Policy Death Benefit.) Free Information. CALL 1-855-632-0124. Recently diagnosed with LUNG CANCER and 60+ years old? Call now! You and your family may be entitled to a SIGNIFICANT CASH AWARD. Call 877648-6308 today. Free Consultation. No Risk. BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 888-912-4745. H E A LT H C A R E C A R E E R TRAINING ONLINE. Start a New Career in Medical Billing & Coding. Medical Administrative Assistant. To learn more, call Ultimate Medical Academy. 855-629-5104. DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures.888-623-3036 or http://www.dental50plus. com/58. Ad# 6118

DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply 1-800-718-1593. BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR! We edit, print and distribute your work internationally. We do the workâ€Ś You reap the Rewards! Call for a FREE Authorâ€™s Submission Kit: 866-951-7214. CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Makes/Models 2002-2018! Any Condition. Running or Not. Top $$$ Paid! Free Towing! Weâ€™re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888985-1806. AIRLINE MECHANIC TRAINING - Get FAA Technician certification. Approved for military benefits. Financial Aid if qualified. Job placement assistance. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 866-453-6204 . Suffering from an ADDICTION to Alcohol, Opiates, Prescription PainKillers or other DRUGS? There is hope! Call Today to speak with someone who cares. Call NOW 1-855-866-0913. Lung Cancer? Asbestos exposure in industrial, construction, manufacturing jobs, or military may be the cause. Family in the home were also exposed. Call 1-866-795-3684 or email cancer@breakinginjurynews. com. $30 billion is set aside for asbestos victims with cancer. Valuable settlement monies may not require filing a lawsuit. Cable - Internet - Phone. No Credit Check! No Contracts! $29.99 each! Bundle - Save huge! Weâ€™re local installers! Call Free Quote! 1-888-486-5572. GENERIC VIAGRA and CIALIS! 100 Pills $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-889-5515. HEAR AGAIN! Try our hearing aid for just $75 down and $50 per month! Call 800-426-4212 and mention 88272 for a risk free trial! FREE SHIPPING! Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866-428-1639 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket. HughesNet Satellite Internet 25mbps starting at $49.99/mo! FAST download speeds. WiFi built in! FREE Standard Installation for lease customers! Limited Time, Call 1-800-610-4790. Cross Country Moving, Long distance Moving Company, out of state move $799 Long Distance Movers. Get Free quote on your Long distance move 1-800-511-2181. ENJOY 100% guaranteed, delivered to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Makes a great Holiday gift! SAVE 75% PLUS get 4 FREE Burgers! Order The Family Gourmet Feast - ONLY $49.99. Call 1-855-349-0656 mention code 55586TJC or visit www.omahasteaks.com/ love13. Sleep Apnea Patients - If you have Medicare coverage, call Verus Healthcare to qualify for CPAP supplies for little or no cost in minutes. Home Delivery, Healthy Sleep Guide and More - FREE! Our customer care agents await your call. 1-844545-9175. Applying for Social Security Disability or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys, 1-855-498-6323! FREE Consultations. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/ NM Bar.)] DISH Network $69.99 For 190 Channels. Add High Speed Internet for ONLY $14.95/month. Best Technology. Best Value. Smart HD DVR Included. FREE Installation. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-855-837-9146. Start Saving BIG On Medications! Up To 90% Savings from 90DAYMEDS! Over 3500 Medications Available! Prescriptions Reqâ€™d. Pharmacy Checker Approved. CALL Today for Your FREE Quote. 844-776-7620. DIRECTV & AT&T. 155 Channels & 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/SELECT Package.) AT&T Internet 99 Percent Reliability. Unlimited Texts to 120 Countries w/AT&T Wireless. Call 4 FREE Quote1-855-781-1565. SAVE ON YOUR NEXT PRESCRIPTION! World Health Link. Price Match Guarantee! Prescriptions Required. CIPA Certified. Over 1500 medications available. CALL Today For A Free Price Quote. 1-855-5308993 Call Now! A PLACE FOR MOM. The nationâ€™s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-844-722-7993. Spectrum Triple Play! TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-855-652-9304. Become a Published Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920 Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-626-2213 or visit http://dorranceinfo.com/ classified.

J&D HANDYMAN SERVICE For Your Home Repair Needs: âœ” Painting âœ” Drywall âœ” Hardi Plank Siding âœ” Any Type of Carpentry Work âœ” Complete Remodels TEL

Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201.

832-731-3866

All Work Guaranteed

Insured for your protection â€˘ EST 1974 email: Wells5517@sbcglobal.net

â€˘ Carpentry - Cabinets to Patios & Decks â€˘ Painting, Interior/Exterior â€˘ Sheet Rock Repair & Installation

Your Best â€œSTOPâ€? For A Drip

FREE ESTIMATES DAVID OJEMAN 713-682-8033

20 Yrs. Exp. - 30 Yr. Resident

Honey Do Projects & Home Repair

â€˘ Specializing in Doors & Windows â€˘ I install ceiling fans & hang chandeliers â€˘ Assemble Ikea & Wayfair furniture â€˘ Hook up washers & dryers â€˘ Shelving, cabinets, curtain rods & Valances Call 832-206-5397 or email: masterbuiltconstruction@gmail.com

ADVERTISE to 10 Million Homes across the USA! Place your ad in over 140 community newspapers, with circulation totaling over 10 million homes. Contact Independent Free Papers of America IFPA at danielleburnett-ifpa@live.com or visit our website cadnetads. com for more information.

Charlie's

ROOFING

+ Quality Work + Low Prices + + Hand Nailed + Hardi-Siding + Oak Forest Area Resident 40+ years Free Estimates

713-688-6463

AMS Remodeling

COMMERCIAL - RESIDENTIAL â€˘ Custom Homes â€˘ Garages â€˘ Room Additions â€˘ Kitchens â€˘ Bathrooms â€˘ Hardi Siding Free Estimate

JUNK HAULING

REMODELING

EUGENE

HAULS TRASH: Cleans Garages, Trims Trees.

832-890-5453

713-680-2019

02)-% 2//&).'

From a drip to a leak, turn to the Leader Classifieds to turn those headaches off.

â€œInsured For Your Protectionâ€? Warranted Workmanship

,TĂŽĂŽĹ™

â€˘ Commercial â€˘ Residential â€˘ New Roof â€˘ Re-Roof

Junk Remover

281.414.8698

t Home t Yard t Garage t Storage t 4IFE 3FNPWBM Insured

GOT LEAKS? NEED REPAIR?

ALL HOME REPAIR â€˘ Termite/Water Repair

â€˘ Sheetrock â€˘ Painting â€˘ Texturing â€˘ Roofing Repair/Replace â€˘ Shower/Bath Redo â€˘ Tile â€˘ Flooring/Carpet â€˘ Ceramic Tile â€˘ Fence Repair

35 Yrs. Exp. & Leader Advertiser

Call Sam 713-582-5500 713-686-2285

*OTUBMMBUJPO t 4BOEJOH 'JOJTIJOH t 3FQBJS 5JMF t #BDLTQMBTI

Gilbert 281-948-4879

832-901-9748

QUALITY CONCRETE WORK

Martinez Concrete Works

At Reasonable prices

â€˘Patios â€˘Driveways â€˘Room Additions â€˘Expedient Work American Made â€œGod Bless Americaâ€?

713-703-8488 Jim

FENCES & DECKS Repair & Installation All Type Fences â€˘ Chain link â€˘ Wood â€˘ Ornamental Iron Small jobs welcome Call 7 Days

Jose `

Cell (281) 221-0637

HOME SPECIALISTS

Daniel Martinez

â€˘ â€˘ â€˘ â€˘ â€˘

Driveways Patios Sidewalks Foundations Stamp Concrete

Bonded and Insured Free Estimates

713-408-0137

House Painting â€˘ Interior/Exterior â€˘ Sheetrock Repairs â€˘ Door Re nishing â€˘ Wood Repairs â€˘ Pressure Washing

HOME REMODELING

â€˘ Painting â€˘ Sheetrock â€˘ Tile Work â€˘ Roo ng â€˘ Carpentry â€˘ Carpet â€˘ Concrete â€˘ Power Wash â€˘ Burglar Bars â€˘ Brick â€˘ Trees FREE ESTIMATES - Hector

281-827-4447

713.206.5965 Frank Montes

Painting Interior/Exterior

Sheetrock Repair

the

Match any texture

WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS

Including Flooded Homes â€˘ Exterior/Interior â€˘ Pressure Washing â€˘ Sheetrock Repair â€˘ References â€˘ Insured 713-201-5569 832-372-5577

petesqualitypainting300@gmail.com

FOAM store

SLEEP BETTER

713.686.6622

Roofing Work Carpentry Handyman Services Power Washing Maid Service Good References

(713) 962-3474

Peteâ€™s Quality

CUSTOM PAINTING

Memory Foam Mattresses

THE FOAM STORE

Custom Cut Memory Foam Chair Pads Couch Cushions Mattress Foam 2217 W. 34th, Ste. A.

713-686-6622

Johnny & Rhea Danna, Owners RETAIL CENTER www.thefoamstore.com WHOLESALE PRICES

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Complete Pavers â€˘ Patios â€˘ Decks â€˘ Driveways â€˘ Brick Columns

Gilbert 281-948-4879

John Kuenstle Electric,LLC

Interior/Exterior

Oak Forest Resident/Office â€˘ Residential â€˘ Commercial â€˘ Service Licensed - Insured - 26 Yrs. Exp. â€œAâ€? ON ANGIEâ€™S LIST

Power Wash

Free Estimates

Cell: 832-584-0725

MASTER #178565

Adamâ€™s

WOOD FLOORS Installation Repair Sanding Finishing

832-515-4214

Kitchens & Baths ROOFING by

832-949-0116

Ramiro Garcia

martinezconcreteworks@gmail.com

Houston

Major Renovations Room Additions Windows & Doors Outdoor Structures Siding & Paint Cabinets & Flooring Insured * Free Estimates

713-686-8494

www.PrimeRoofing.com

WOOD FENCING Wood Floors R Us Repair & Install Pressure Washing Painting â€˘ Siding

To Advertise Call Today

You may have been affected by a storm and not know of your damage. Let us give you a FREE damage inspection! CALL NOW

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENT

SERNA BROS.

Serving NW Houston Since 1973

FREE estimates

713-688-3277 YOUR AD HERE 713-686-8494

ITâ€™S NOT JUST A FENCE ITâ€™S AN INVESTMENT

RIO GRANDE FENCE CO.

Thank you for your continued business Free Estimates on Fencing Compare us.

FREE ESTIMATES

Gutters â€˘ Siding â€˘ Painting â€˘ Roof Leaks Call Today

HOWDY'S HANDYWORK

Call Empire TodayÂŽ to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring. Call Today! 1-800-508-2824. TOP CASH FOR CARS, Any Car/Truck, Running or Not. Call for INSTANT offer: 1-888417-9150.

281-272-6900 CELL713-569-4199

WELLS ROOFING

713-862-7320

30+ Yrs. Exp.

25 Residential & Commercial Years â€˘ Shingles: Flat - Tile - Metal â€˘ 5" and 6" Seamless Gutters â€˘ Carports â€˘ Carpentry â€˘ Free Estimates

713-664-1815

We deliver The Leader to you without charge, but weâ€™d sure appreciate your telling our advertisers that you saw their message. After all, theyâ€™re the ones that really bring you our paper.

APPLIANCE & TV REPAIR !PPLIANCE , $ 2EPAIR â€˘ Refrigerators â€˘ Ovens â€˘ Washers â€˘ Dryers

ELECTRICIAN All types of new wiring and repairs

D&E Electric Since 1975 Low Rates

.0 , * #, All Makes & Models â€œWe Make House Callsâ€?

(281) 448-8615

YOUR AD HERE 713-686-8494

BRAVENEC ELECTRIC Since 1953 - TECL 19210 Res./Comm. Wiring

281-808-5686 cc accepted

HAR BINGER

electric

Lights-Plugs-Breakers Cover all electric needs Licensed-Insured

TEL. 713-721-5490 17823

HEAT/AIR CONDITIONING

! # -AN Cooling & Heating Res. - Com.

I Buy cracked Flat Panel TVâ€™s

$20 OFF

1622 W. 23rd

KINARDâ€™S Appliance Service

Washers - Dryers Dishwashers - Ranges 281-350-6255 713-857-2050

Native Houstonian - 46 Yrs.

bravenecelectric@gmail.com

TECL# 43460

832-526-8531

Davidâ€™s

TECL #25670

832-425-2152 - Free Estimates

with this ad

American Standard Authorized Dealer

713-460-COLD(2653) www.acmanhouston.com TACL B27781E

you read this, then classified ads work. Call today to advertise

713-686-8494

AW Appliance Sales & Service Washer â€˘ Dryers Ranges & Stoves Refrigerators Freezers

713-697-0335 (open 6 Days)

www.camposroofing.com

CAMPOS Roofing

9235 N. Houston Rosslyn 77088

LEADER PUZZLER SOLUTIONS

â€œThe Residential Roofing Specialistsâ€?

Re-roofs â€˘ Repairs Hardi Siding â€˘ Gutters â€˘ Painting â€˘ Windows

All Work Guaranteed Free Estimates

3308 Ella Blvd â€˘ (713) 680-3530

Houston Heights

ROOFERS

Roofing, Siding, Painting, etc. Keep it local and call the pros.

713-385-1576

w w w. h o u s t o n h e i g h t s ro o f e rs . c o m

WORD SCRAMBLE Festive

CRyptO fun A. celebrate B. presents C. enjoy D. relatives

The Leader â€˘ Saturday, February 2, 2019 â€˘ Page 9A

Art Valet: Eat your hearts out at â€˜Amor Eternoâ€™ Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

The Heights has always been supportive of local artists by showcasing their work in stores and businesses. Casa Ramirez FolkArt Gallery is one of the biggest supporters and features both local artists and artisans from Mexico. Beginning this Saturday, Feb. 2 and continuing through Feb. 16, Casa Ramirez will celebrate the month of Valentineâ€™s Day with â€œAmor Eterno: The Heart Show,â€? which is held annually in February. The retailer will feature original heart-themed work by local artist Lizbeth Ortiz

as well as hand-crafted hearts from artisans in Mexico. Hand-crafted artisan hearts from Mexico are symbols of love, caring, passion and protection and are frequently created from wood and tin. Ortizâ€™s hearts are made with nails, bullets, ceramic and glass. Why hearts? What do they represent? â€œHearts are universal,â€? Ortiz said. â€œEveryone can relate to one and I take joy creating them with found objects to interpret different feelings. I will have a dozen new and unique hearts on display at Casa Ramirez for their â€˜Amor Eternoâ€™ (Eternal Love) show.â€? Ortiz is an award-winning artist. She attended the High School for the Performing & Visual Arts/Houston and studied at the Pratt Institute in New York City. Born in Mexico City, she follows her creative

heart and is inspired by familial culture and traditions. Many know Ortiz as the founder of the East End Studio Gallery and the Frida Festival. Iâ€™ve known her for many years and see her work literally all over Houston. Did I mention chocolate will be part of â€œAmor Eterno: The Heart Show?â€? The public is invited to a â€œChocolate and Champagneâ€? reception from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. Chocolate is indigenous to Mexico and is valued in many of its culinary dishes. Casa Ramirez is located at 241 W. 19th St. Follow Ortiz at lizbethortiz.com. Casa Ramirez FolkArt Gallery is on Facebook. Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com.

Corazones (hearts) by Lizbeth Ortiz.

Heart available at the Amor Eterno: The Heart Show by Lizbeth Ortiz.

Heart work in progress by Lizbeth Ortiz.

2019 milagro hearts by Mexican artisans.

Insta-worthy food not always worth it By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com There you are scrolling through Instagram when you see a sponsored post of the most perfectly swirled ice cream. The caption reads, â€œNow open,â€? and itâ€™s just a few blocks away from where you are. You look at the picture again and see the neon sign behind the photo that has some type of inspirational quote. A few days later you walk into the shop and have a hard time choosing between the traditional flavors and ones they seemingly pulled out of a hat, like orange blossom, dragon fruity pebbles and brownie mix. You taste test a few and choose to play it safe with a mix of vanilla and blueberry. Thereâ€™s a line of people waiting to take a photo in front of the inspirational quote with their ice cream stretched out before them. The cashier rings up your order and promptly asks for

$8 for your small cone. Luckily you grab a photo in front of the sign before the ice cream melts. You eat half the cone before tossing it. After posting your photo on Instagram commenters ask how it was. You reply it was OK. You spent $8 on an ice cream cone that was just OK. As Instagram culture takes over the food scene I worry that taste has taken a back seat to look. Add that to Houstonâ€™s ever-growing culinary landscape and itâ€™s not surprising that the newer the place, the â€œcoolerâ€? the food is. Food presentation is important, but I donâ€™t care how nice something looks in a photo. If it tastes mediocre, I probably wonâ€™t be going back. With so many options to choose from, concepts are turning to functional art to get people in the door. But how many places that rely so heavily on the look of their product are worth the higher price? I knew I couldnâ€™t be alone with this thought so I asked

Zarah Parker, left, and her niece, Emma Parker, enjoy an ice cream sandwich at SMOOSH Cookies.

in a Houston food group on Facebook how they felt about companies creating a beautiful product that fails to taste as good as it looks. â€œAbout 95-percent of the â€˜Instagrammableâ€™ foods Iâ€™ve tried were just overpriced garbage,â€? Justine Hernandez said. Another user talked about

is a lightbulb and restaurateurs the moths. Also at home in the Heights is some of the most Instagram-friendly foods. One place I stopped by in the Heights because of the enticing photos on Instagram was SMOOSH Cookies, the food truck that opened its first brick and mortar in September 2018 at 718 W. 18th St. I ordered on the simple side with cookie dough ice cream smashed between a chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie with rainbow sprinkles on top. The cookies were fresh and the ice cream was delicious.

how sometimes itâ€™s genuinely good, while for other places itâ€™s just a gimmick. Just because a food photographs well doesnâ€™t automatically mean that itâ€™s all for show. It does make it harder to figure out where to eat. Reviews help, but not always. While Houston is drawing in new restaurants all the time, the Heights in particular

Review: Brunching at Down House? Wait for it

Outside Cavatoreâ€™s Italian Restaurant

2120 Ella Blvd.

EVERY SATURDAY Year Round

8am - 12pm p

713-869-6622 71371 3-8 86 699 66 662 22 2 info@eleanorasmarket.com info in fo@e @ le @e lean anor orras asma ma ark r et et.c .com om

www.eleanorasmarket.com

Cavatoreâ€™s

hours I have sympathy, but once the crowds have largely gone on with their day I have higher expectations.

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com When I found myself walking into Down House in the Heights last Saturday with brunch on my mind and half my family towing in behind me, I wasnâ€™t surprised there was a one-hour wait for inside seating. While I usually take it as a good sign when a restaurant is busy, no matter how good the food is I wouldnâ€™t wait an hour just to sit down. Lucky for us, the patio was open and the weather was at that perfect stage of not cold but slightly breezy. Plus, Down House has heaters outside, which we only used once when the wind picked up. Iâ€™ll admit Iâ€™m not a fan of eating on patios, mostly because tables always feel dirtier outside. So, I was pleasantly surprised about the cleanliness of Down Houseâ€™s patio tables and chairs. And because of this I felt genuinely excited to be eating outside with dirt beneath my feet. I ordered a cappuccino and from the waiterâ€™s advice, added vanilla to it. It hurt a little to have to pay an extra dollar for vanilla, but it did give the cappuccino a nice flavor that wasnâ€™t too sweet. However, my nephews and niece were a little disappointed to learn that their hot chocolate didnâ€™t come with whipped cream. The server let us know the hot chocolate came from the bar, which makes its own whipped cream, but it takes 10 minutes. The kitchen has its own whipped cream, but the server said she wouldnâ€™t be able to use it. So, we let it go and the kids were still happy. I got my cappuccino relatively quickly, but others in my group waited at least 15 min-

Itâ€™s one of the few Insta-worthy places I look forward to visiting again. While itâ€™s great to have such a variety of interesting places in the area, some of the mosthyped restaurants Iâ€™ve visited left me feeling disappointed. I got a mediocre meal at too high of a price. Oh, and a photo to show off what I ordered. Iâ€™m all for a pretty plate of food or a perfectly swirled ice cream, but taste should come first. Trying new things becomes a chore when nothing lives up to the photo.

Down House

The biscuits and berry jam at Down House in the Heights.

utes for iced tea. The menu was broken into â€œbreakfasty,â€? â€œlunchier,â€? and salad options. The bottom of the menu features a list of vendors Down House uses so that customers can see where their meals came from. Some of the vendors Down House uses are 44 Farms, Houston Dairymaids, Fat Cat Creamery, Cake & Bacon and Farm to Table HTX. Before our meal we got two orders of biscuits that came with berry jam. We thought it was a lot to spend $5 on an order of two biscuits, but since we had two orders we found that breaking the biscuits apart for everyone to share gave us enough to go around. Now, I love a good biscuit drowned in jam, but these arenâ€™t typical biscuits. The biscuits werenâ€™t fluffy and flaky, but rather had more of a cornbread texture. This paired well with the sweet jam, and I didnâ€™t even have to go heavy on the jam. Just a dip of jam complemented the biscuitsâ€™ flavor. For my entrĂŠe I got the â€œlunchierâ€? option of chicken and waffles to satisfy my sweet tooth and savory craving. It

comes with buttermilk fried chicken, a whole-grain waffle, real maple syrup, whipped cream and spicy pepper honey. When it came out a while later I found the chicken thigh and leg on my plate next to the waffle to be breaded and seasoned deliciously, while not being too greasy. I prefer my chicken and waffles to feature white-meat chicken, so I was a little disappointed that it didnâ€™t specify on the menu that it came with dark meat. I put my prejudice aside and continued eating the chicken. I had my reservations about it, but it turned out just fine. The waffle was perfectly cooked and the whipped cream tasted good slathered on top. Halfway through the meal I wandered inside and was able to appreciate the dim lighting and a few leather couches that gave the place a comfortable, casual vibe. I also found that most of the patrons had left, causing me to wonder why it still took 10 minutes to get a refill on iced tea. A restaurant can have great food, but if the service is slow, then the whole experience can be tarnished. During busy

Address: 1801 Yale St. Hours: 9 a.m.â€“3 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.â€“9 p.m. Tuesdayâ€“ Thursday, 9 a.m.â€“10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.â€“10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.â€“9 p.m. Sunday EntrĂŠe pricing: $8-$16 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Alcohol: Yes Health options: Yes Stars of the show: Cappuccino, biscuits and jam

339 W 19TH STREET HOUSTON, TX 77008

JAN 6 JAN 12 JAN 18 JAN 19 JAN 24 JAN 26 JAN 31 FEB 1 FEB 8 FEB 9 FEB 14 FEB 15 FEB 16 FEB 20 FEB 22 FEB 23 FEB 27 FEB 28

THE LEADER

Make your reservations at the Leader Readersâ€™ voted

Best Italian Restaurant!

2120 Ella Boulevard â€˘ (713) 869-6622

www.Cavatores.com

upcoming shows

ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO WITH DON ANTONIO MIKE AND THE MOONPIES & JAMIE LIN WILSON JOE ELY WITH SARA VAN BUSKIRK MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO WITH HANNA BENN GRIFFIN HOUSE & JOSH ROUSE AMANDA SHIRES WITH THOMAS CSORBA PRETTY THINGS PEEPSHOW JOAN OSBORNE: SINGS THE SONGS OF BOB DYLAN WITH SHERITA PEREZ SAMANTHA FISH BOB SCHNEIDER MARC BROUSSARD WITH DAVID GRACE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL BJ BARHAM WITH JOSHUA RAY WALKER DONAVON FRANKENREITER STEVE EARLE WITH SHANNON MCNALLY JOHN OATES and THE GOOD ROAD BAND WITH VANESSA PETERS THE ZOMBIES GUNGOR, THE BRILLIANCE & PROPAGANDA

www.theheightstheater.com

Page 10A • Saturday, February 2, 2019 • The Leader

Apartment project underway near proposed bullet train site By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com One of the area’s familiar developers is aiming to bring an affordable high-end renting experience to Timbergrove, where it could be next door to a high-speed rail station. Per Alliance Residential Development director Luke Phillippi, work is underway on a 432-unit rental apartment complex – coined Broadstone Timbergrove – near Minimax Drive and Loop 610, just south of W. 18th Street. Alliance closed on the 8-acre site, which is in close proximity to Timbergrove and the Heights, this past October. Just across the way sits the old Northwest Mall site, which is the proposed Hous-

ton station for the high-speed rail between Houston and Dallas. Broadstone Minimax has been under construction for about two-and-a-half months, and Alliance’s hope is to deliver the first units -- which will average 776 square feet -- by the first quarter of 2020. “We always hope to bring people a good place to stay at a good value. We’re really excited about this project,” Phillippi said. “We build highend apartments, and while this will certainly have great amenities, what’s unique is that it’s going to be a bit more affordable relative to other spots while opening it up to folks who otherwise might not be able to live there.” Despite its proximity to the proposed bullet train

site, Phillippi insisted such a prognosis had little impact on Alliance’s choosing of the location. He said Alliance previously worked on the site for many years but had not already developed it because of the recession in 2008. In the end, all the pieces fell into place in late 2018. “As a company, we just started looking around town, and inside the 610 Loop is a lot of expensive apartments, but not a lot of opportunities to build a place that’s a lowercost alternative – and that’s because there’s not much land available,” he said. “This is a unique circumstance that comes about in a great location, when we can buy enough land to build a surface-park apartment, which substantially lowers the cost and enables

Sketch courtesy of Alliance Residential Alliance Residential has begun work on the Broadstone Timbergrove near Minimax Drive and Loop 610.

us to be able to charge lower rents.” Amenities will consist of two large scale courtyards with a resort style pool, outdoor kitchen, gaming lawn and dog park. Interior amenities will consist of resident lounge areas, fitness center with cardio and virtual train-

ing, a business center and conference spaces. Phillippi said Alliance also likes to bring the history of sites into the design process whenever possible – a distinct possibility for Broadstone Timbergrove, given the site’s location. “We’ve found historic items on properties while excavat-

ing the site that we’ll bring into and showcase in the project,” he said. “We’re not through that part of the design, but we’d love to do that, because Timbergrove and the Heights are truly historic areas that have been around a long time.”

Area mother robbed at gunpoint outside home would be that big of a deal.” Senties said the suspects are described only as a black male and a white or Hispanic male. Anyone with information on the suspects or who may have captured them on surveillance

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com A Candlelight Estates woman is shaken up but safe after she was the victim of an armed robbery Jan. 24, and warned neighbors to be vigilant in its aftermath. According to Houston Police Department spokesperson Victor Senties, officers responded to a robbery call in the 1300 block of Bethlehem Street shortly before 3 p.m. The resident, Lauren Hirshberg, said she had just gotten back from picking up her daughter from school and had her two small children in her car. She stopped momentarily to bring in her trash bin when she heard a voice behind her. “I turned around to pull the garbage can up, and suddenly someone behind me starts screaming, ‘Give me your keys,’ ” Hirshberg said. “I turned around because I was so confused, and there was a man with a gun.” Hirshberg said that following her refusal, the armed man retreated to a vehicle, but a second man came up and hit her in the jaw and kicked her.

AZTEC STORAGES On West 34th St.

(Between Ella & T.C. Jester)

713-681-1383

AztecStorages.com

Contributed photo Candlelight Estates resident and mother Lauren Hirschberg, left, is shaken up but all right after she was robbed at gunpoint last week. She urged her neighbors to be aware of their surroundings.

She said he also grabbed her purse off her body. Both men then fled the scene in a car with an unknown make and model. Hirshberg said she sustained only a few scrapes, and she’s grateful that her children were

unharmed. Additionally, she urged her neighbors to remain aware of their surroundings. “It’s definitely pretty surreal,” she said. “There’s a lot of us coming home with kids throughout the day. … I didn’t think taking in my trash can

Rent Online and

Move In Today!

video is encouraged to call HPD’s robbery division at 713308-0700. “This was certainly a crime of opportunity, but it’s been a good reminder to be vigilant,” Hirshberg wrote on Facebook.

Experience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination

713-906-5481 Realty Associates

DEBBIE ourrealtordebbie@aol.com EllIott

IN MEMORIAM

usan Kay Cernosek, 61, passed away Friday, January 11, 2019. She was born February 11, 1957 at Heights Hospital to parents, Leon & Betty Warnke Smith. Susan grew up in Lazybrook. She attended Sinclair Elementary, St. Theresa Catholic School, Hamilton Middle School, and graduated from Waltrip High School in 1975. Over the years she worked at Foley’s, Handy Andy, Dr. Smith’s, Cameron Iron Works, Elegance in Bloom, Flowers & Frills, Twins Design, and finally The Accessory Place. She loved working with beautiful flowers every day. Susan’s favorite pastimes were going to dances, movies, working in her yard, and taking pictures. She enjoyed being on Facebook and watching her favorite soap opera, Days of Our Lives, which she had watched since she was a child. Susan is survived by her loving husband, Wilbert Cernosek, who she met while in high school at the Bill Mraz Ballroom. She is the proud mother of Melissa Ann Dobson (Neil Dobson), and Allen Bradley Cernosek. Susan is the blessed grandmother of Lucas John Cernosek. She is also survived by her mother, Betty Smith; brother, Terry Smith; numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.