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Inside Today: Get Going with Growing • Page 10A
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Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Vol. 62 • No. 35
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Carranza revs up communication efforts By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com This time last year, Richard Carranza was just trying to get his sea legs. Now, however, he’s ready to hit the ground running in his second year at the helm as HISD’s head man. Houston Independent School District’s captain knows the 2016-2017 school year was about getting to know the district and its school sites while understanding some the historical and contextual issues surrounding the community — and familiarity has bred a
confidence in his plans for HISD’s future. “I have a better understanding of where the schools have been, what some past initiatives have been, and I think the board has a clearer picture of where we’re going. I think we’re starting in a much better place to hit the ground running than we were last year,�
he said. U p o n taking the position, Carranza stressed in last year’s conversa- Richard Carranza tion with HISD Superintendent The Leader that communication was the key to uniting the multitude of distinct communities within HISD, including within our local communities
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in the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest. To do so, he embarked upon his district-wide “Listen and Learn� tour, vowing to take the community’s concerns under consideration before enacting any sweeping measures; and while 2016-2017 was the beginning, he believes there are still hurdles to clear. “I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job at communicating this year, but we’re nowhere near the level of communication we want to have,� he said. To aid in such efforts, Carranza said
“More than anything, we’re trying to reach out to community members so they have a voice in some of the policy decisions we’re making,�
4
SWAN LAKE See Section B of today’s edition for complete previews of our six area high school football teams before they kick off the season.
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Page 7B
The INDEX.
Church....................................................... 5A Classifieds.............................................. 7B Coupons. ................................................. 7A Food/Drink/Art................................... 9A Obituaries.............................................. 5A Opinion. ................................................... 4A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 4A Sports. ....................................................... 1B
The Leader’s 5th annual Senior Expo, presented by Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 27, from 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the SPJST Lodge on Beall Street in the Heights. The event, which has grown in popularity every year since 2013, is a free event for seniors and their families and offers an opportunity to put local businesses in front of members of the community who need their services. “When we started this event five years ago, we weren’t sure what sort of impact it would have,� said Leader publisher Jonathan McElvy. “Every year, we get notes and phone calls from the people who attended and all of them are so thankful for having an event that focuses solely on the needs of our seniors.� Memorial Hermann Greater Heights has been the presenting sponsor of the event every year, and they use the opportunity to visit with seniors who otherwise may not have scheduled needed visits to a local doctor. Along with healthcare, the Senior Expo offers every sort of business imaginable – from legal and insurance help to automotive care and estate planning. “When I talk to people about this event, there are two things that stand out,� McElvy said. “First, seniors aren’t always mobile, and this allows them to visit 50 or 60 local businesses in about four hours. Second, there’s not a local business that will have more than 500 people come by their store in one morning, and that’s exactly what happens here.� Registration is free, but we ask attendees to call (713) 686-8494 to register.
Garage sales provide thrilling chase, hidden gems By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Most likely know the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,� but for some in our local area, the allure of a garage, estate and home sale takes on a much different mystique. For Garden Oaks residents Linda Acker and Sylvia Munoz, their routes to the pursuit of hidden treasures came about in varying fashions, but spawned a passion all the same, which endures to this very day. “I just had a lot of time on my hands — I started going to resale shops and garage sales, and then I opened a little business in a flea market,� said Acker, who now works as an antique dealer at Thompson’s Antique Center.
“I really just kind of got into it by accident. Just had time on my hands, and started going out and buying stuff — it became an obsession.� For some such as Acker, it’s the thrill of the chase. For others, it’s a question of need or a hobby. But for Munoz it’s truly an art — one she has undertaken for nearly a decade, not only for herself, but for the mutual benefit of her customers and her antique shop in the Heights. “I love going to garage sales and estate sales, and moving sales — for some reason I even go to the backyards and go through the bushes to see if there are any little statues. I go a little beyond what other people going to garage sales are looking for,� Munoz said with a laugh. “If you go to my garage,
it’s full of antiques right now, because it’s getting towards that time where I’m already going to have another sale.� Following expeditions nearly every weekend, Munoz twice a year displays a full, extravagant spread with precious trinkets collected from her own treasure hunting over the years. Garage sale-ing is not just for her own gain, she says, but for those repeat customers she now calls friends, as well as those she has not yet met. Symbiotic relationship “With a lot of garage sales, people are selling clothing, baby items, and more of their personal items. But if you go to my garage
See Treasure P. 6A
Photo by Jonathan McElvy Residents peruse a Garden Oaks garage sale. Garage sales have become more than a just a hobby for some local residents.
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The public. The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 2A
Police Reports • Aug. 11-20 AUG. 11
Theft 11:30 AM 300-399 GARDEN OAKS Theft 10:30 AM 200-299 PATTON Theft 8:20 AM 6500-6599 N MAIN Arrest 6:30 AM 1000-1099 ASHLAND Burglary 8 AM 2000-2099 CORTLANDT Theft 4 PM 1600-1699 T C JESTER
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Burglary 11 AM 1800-1899 RUTLAND Theft 10:39 AM 1000-1099 N SHEPHERD Assault 12:30 PM 400-499 OXFORD Assault 8:01 PM 5500-5599 ENID
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Robbery 9:10 PM 4500-4599 N MAIN Burglary 7 AM 200-299 NORTH LOOP W Theft 11 PM 100-199 YALE
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Theft 4 AM 600-699 RIDGE Theft 6:10 AM 4400-4499 N SHEPHERD Robbery 4:09 AM 100-199 RIGGS Theft 1:40 PM 500-599 W 19TH Theft 1:50 PM 500-599 W 19TH Theft 2:30 PM 2100-2199 N SHEPHERD Assault 5:30 PM 1500-1599 N
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Theft 2:30 PM 400-499 W 16TH Theft 8:01 PM 200-299 NORTH LOOP W Theft 11:45 AM 1800-1899 AIRLINE Theft 4 PM 7900-7999 MAIN Theft 6 AM 1200-1299 W 34TH Theft 6 PM 400-499 E WHITNEY Theft 1:16 PM 200-299 HEIGHTS Theft 9:36 AM 4500-4599 AIRLINE Theft 10:10 AM 200-299 E 10TH Theft 10:45 AM 900-999 N LOOP W Burglary 4 AM 4700-4799 MARABLE
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Theft 10 AM 3300-3399 WHITE OAK Theft 11:04 AM 4100-4199 N SHEPHERD Theft 4:30 PM 1400-1499 W 20TH Theft 9:40 AM 1500-1599 N LOOP W Theft 5 PM 800-899 JACKSON HILL Theft 5 PM 2400-2499 HACKETT Theft 10 AM 500-599 REID Theft 9:31 AM 400-499 HEIGHTS Arrest 11:27 PM 700-799 W 22ND Theft 10:20 AM 4600-4699 N SHEPHERD
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flooding from heavy rainfall Center. HCOHSEM will conanywhere from eastern Tex- tinue to monitor forecasts Residents in our local ar- as into western Louisiana, and weather developments along with the National eas may need to be on the including Houston. However, it remains too Weather Service and the lookout for some serious rainfall this coming week- early in development to Harris County Flood Conend as Tropical Depression track or predict the system’s trol District. Harvey makes its way down exct path or landfall spot. Based on the current foreHouston has a 100 percent cast, HCOHSEM strongly the Gulf Coast. As of press time Wednes- chance of rain this coming encourages residents to day, Houston is set to be on weekend, with the largest monitor the forecast daily the “dirty” side of the storm potential impact poised to and review their family’s according to meteorolo- be widespread flooding with emergency plan. For a check list of what items you gist Brooks Garner with our more than a foot of rain. media partners at KHOU. The Harris County Office should have as part of your According to KHOU, the of Homeland Security & emergency essentials kit, Management readers can look at KHOU’s storm is set to move north Emergency and make landfall along the (HCOHSEM) has moved to Severe Weather preparedTexas coast. Harvey could Level 3 (Increased Readi- ness Guide. activated produce storm surge flood- ness) and has UC112_ad_halfpage_Heights_Leader_final.qxp_Layout 1 7/28/17 2:50 PM Page 1 ing along the coast and the Emergency Operations For The Leader
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New Texas Children’s Locations Now Open in The Heights
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Texas Children’s Urgent Care and Texas Children’s Pediatrics’ new location is now open in The Heights! We’re right in your neighborhood and right next door to each other, offering expert pediatric health care day and night.
The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 3A
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1 Offer not available in all areas. Discount applied by retailer representative at time of contract execution. Cannot be combined with other offers. Buy one window, get the second window, of equal or lesser value, 40% off. Discount applied to lowest priced window and/or door products in purchase. To qualify for discount offer, initial contact for a free Window Diagnosis must be made and documented on or before 9/3/17 with the appointment then occurring no more than 10 days after the initial contact. No interest for 48 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Not all customers may qualify. Higher rates apply for customer with lower credit ratings. Financing not valid with other offers or prior purchases. No Finance Charges will be assessed if promo balance is paid in full in 48 months. Renewal by Andersen retailers are independently owned and operated retailers, and are neither brokers nor lenders. Any finance terms advertised are estimates only, and all financing is provided by third-party lenders unaffiliated with Renewal by Andersen retailers, under terms and conditions arranged directly between the customer and such lender, all subject to credit requirements. Renewal by Andersen retailers do not assist with, counsel or negotiate financing, other than providing customers an introduction to lenders interested in financing. “Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are marks of Andersen Corporation. ©2017 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. ©2017 Lead Surge LLC. All rights reserved. *See limited warranty for details.
The Topics. The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 4A
Where is this valley where contractors disappear?
M
y wife and I live in a house. We like our house. It has rooms and sinks and windows; it comes with electricity and air conditioning. We even like the people in our house, namely the two young boys who have completed one-third of their operation to destroy it. Like most homeowners with young children, my wife and I often find ourselves walking across the middle of the den screaming unspeakable words. We do this when we step on toys the size of Bic lighters with edges that pierce like a staple gun. If you’re a parent, you know this pain. And without fail, it leads to a conversation between mom and dad that goes something like this: “We need a bigger house.” Meghan and I had this conversation about two days after unloading the boxes in our just-purchased home. Yes, that sounds ludicrous (and it’s a bit facetious, because everything else in this column is so serious), but it didn’t take long to realize we needed some room. About seven months ago, we got serious about renovating our home. The master suite is a mess, with nooks and crannies everywhere, even if I technically don’t know what a cranny is. We also needed to open our kitchen to have a better view of our sons eating the lava rocks lining the fireplace.
Jonathan McElvy Publisher
Our first meeting was with a local Realtor, just to determine our options. Should we put the house on the market, take what we can get and buy something bigger? Or would it make more sense to invest in some renovations that would either make the home more marketable or more functional for us for another couple of years? If you own one of the homes in this area that was built in the 1950s, you’ve had this same discussion with a professional. Meghan and I went the renovation route. Well, that’s what we thought we were going to do. What I’m about to describe is based on a series of real events. The names have been changed to protect the guilty, and if you get squeamish at the idea of anger, best to look away. When a family like ours wants to do a mid-sized renovation to a home, we dig through our list of friends who are either 1.) Contrac-
tors/builders or, 2.) Sleeping with a contractor/builder. My wife happens to work with the wife of a builder. Bingo. “Do you have someone who could do this project,” we asked the builder after giving a general explanation of what we wanted done. “Why certainly I do,” he responded. A series of phone calls and emails were exchanged with Chris the Contractor and, a few days later, he arrived at our home armed with a notepad and a tape measure. My wife appointed herself superintendent of the project and she walked Chris the Contractor through the project. “I’ll get back with you in about a week with a bid,” he told Meghan. After two weeks, we heard nothing back. Fair enough. We figured Chris was a busy guy, and I’ve read that you want a contractor who is busy because it means he does good work. Another week went by, which instigated a kindly worded email from my wife: “Just checking in…” sort of subject header. Crickets. After another week, my wife became upset. Chris had disappeared into the valley where all contractors go to hide. As any husband reading this column knows, the idea of renovating a home means a lot more to the wife than it does some jerk wad like me.
If it were up to Neanderthals like us men (is that politically appropriate in these days of flakey feelings?), we’d just put a portable AC in the garage and call it good. But this is where a caring husband like me has a chance to fulfill civilizations most honest maxim: “Happy wife, happy life.” I ran into a home designer friend at a local restaurant, and in a moment of pure brilliance, I asked if he knew any contractors who could do a home renovation. He immediately gave me the number of a guy who – and this is a real quote – “… is the best I know.” Immediately, I called Rick the Renovator, dropped a few names, and asked if he could do our home project. “Absolutely, I can,” he told me. That evening, my wife looked at me with the same gazing eyes she had when she walked down the wedding aisle. She was so proud to call me her husband. Beautiful. Rick the Renovator showed up to our home the next week and I talked him through the project. He carried a notepad and a tape measure. I had seen this movie before. “How long do you think it will take to get a bid back?” I humbly asked Rick. I didn’t want him to feel any pressure. “Probably about a week,” he answered, bluntly. Two weeks later? Nothing. I did
better than the “Just checking in…” email. I called Rick and he said he needed to bring his designer out. We met the next weekend, another notepad and tape measure in hand. “We’ll have you something by next weekend,” Rick told us. It has been nearly five months since we first met with a contractor to renovate our kitchen and bathroom. We still do not have a single bid. I don’t know if this is a plea to my small audience or just a moment in which we can all commiserate. Maybe it’s a bit of both, but could someone please help me understand? Do we need to stand at the door with a box full of thousanddollar bills and drop a few on the sidewalk just to get a forsaken bid for this project? I asked our builder friend what I might be missing in this futile effort to find some help. He was quite direct in his answer: “Besides lawyers, we’re probably the most hated people,” he said, knowing that both our wives are lawyers and I happen to be a hated journalist. “Most contractors are just really bad communicators. They may think they can do a job and then can’t, or maybe they’re just scared of the work.” Or maybe we’ll just keep stepping on staple guns. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com
Rants and ratings await this fall’s lineup The reader.
Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com
Your trust, our reputation sacrificed for dollars
THE TV – “Best season ever!” “Fantastic fall to come!” “Must watch TV!” You have noticed that all the TV networks are gearing up for the autumn schedule with bombastic promotions promising wonderful shows that will fill in for all those mustwatched wonderful shows that debuted last fall, only to be cancelled after sponsors discovered there were more viewers watching microwaves screens. To spare you from spending hours checking out the new fall schedule, I have stolen their plans and present them now for your consideration. As you can imagine, the TV networks were quick to spot the best way to win an audience: present anything at all dealing with President Donald Trump. So we have: Military Intelligence -- Retired Marine Generals Kelley and Mattis resign their posts in the Trump administration, saying: “We’ve seen better cabinets at Ikea.” Rocky XV -- Rocky Balboa attempts to make a comeback but, in the second round, trips on his walker. Local News – A cat is stranded in a tree, an apartment house is smoking and what you need to know about tangerines. Plus shootings, stabbings, lots of yellow police tape, car wrecks and a funny weatherman. (repeat) Film Flam – Legally Blond: White House hairdresser tells all, and is shot by the Secret Service. The Texas Democrats Channel – Cancelled due to lack of interest. The Food Channel – Featuring the Trump Shredded Cheese Salad: Make America grate again. Shark Tanks – The Pentagon, so desperate for troops, puts great whites in armored fighting vehicles. 21 Jump Street – But the 22nd and 23rd don’t make it and are flattened to jelly by a Peterbilt. Capitol News Channel – Gov. Greg Abbott calls the Legislature into yet another special session, explaining, “There is much unfinished business – some minorities are still voting, Planned Parenthood has not yet been totally eradicated and a transgender was spotted using a one-holer at a school outhouse.” The New O’Reilly Factor – Host is fired after interrupting and shouting over his one commercial. ESPN – Sports Talk. Buzz and Mongo say that both the Pin Stripes and the LaLa Landers swept a walk-off, while in pro hoops King James sunk one from downtown. Subtitles are available because no one else has the slightest idea what they are saying. Austin City Limits -- State Board of Education abruptly halts production of new textbooks, yelling: “Stop the chisels!” M*A*S*H – Hawkeye and
Lynn Ashby Columnist
Trapper John are recalled to duty in Korea to remove Kim Jong Un’s ego. Kim dies on the operating table because there’s nothing left of him. PBS – Update report on breakthroughs in caribou soup, Vice President Mike Pence -- Man or Myth? and a two-hour special on why you should donate to PBS. Movie Time: &%$#X -- The Anthony Scaramucci Story. (X rated) Flip This House – A look at Galveston during hurricane season. Let’s Make a Deal – President Trump proudly announces he has exchanged the U.S. Navy’s Seventh Fleet for some magic beans. The Sean Hannity Show – Hannity claims to have proof that Hillary Clinton, disguised as an ISIS mermaid, led the attack on Benghazi, nominates Trump for sainthood and urges Trump’s face be carved into Mount Rushmore, bumping Thomas Jefferson, who was “mediocre at best.” Texas Times – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick leads a posse of Texas Rangers in a midnight coup to toss out Gov. Greg Abbott. Unfortunately, the Rangers forgot to bring their bats and balls. “It’s an honest mistake,” Patrick explains. “I’m a carpetbagger from Baltimore where I was in charge of race relations, and my name isn’t really Dan Patrick.” Lock Up -- Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller subpoenas the Statue of Liberty as “a person of interest.” What Ailes You – The ghost of former Fox chairman tells aspiring anchor women he is a licensed physical examiner. News You Can Lose – Special report on the American people’s drive to “repeal and replace” Congress. Due to the number of Americans fleeing south to seek asylum, Mexico announces it will build a wall. Beat the Press – A new show dealing with the administration’s plan to end fake news, such as polls, TV tapes of Trump’s quotes and aerial photos of previous inaugurations. The Sean Spicer Show (formerly Here Lies Sean) – In his new show, Spicer becomes a joke writer for Saturday Night Live. The Family Values Channel – Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh and Newt Gingrich get together with their nine wives. Fox and Friends – Panel discusses the need for more bubbleheads with long blonde hair and sexy legs opining on the hoax of global warming
– from Port Denver. The Socially Correct Channel -- “A Confederacy of Dunces” is denounced by the NAACP as “racist.” There is a drive to remove the statues of Robert E. Lee, “and those of his relatives, Certain Lee, Social Lee and Brave Lee.” Late Bulletin News!! – For the third year in a row, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is named the Official State Demagogue, and retires the trophy. All in the Family – The President fires his entire cabinet and replaces members with Melania, Ivanka, Eric, Donald, Jr., Tiffany and Barron. A White House press release denounces Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller’s investigations into Trump’s ties with the Kremlin as “a witch hunt,” which is translated from the original Russian. Movie Madness -- Pirates
of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Heaving Chest. Pittsburgh baseball team moves to Jamaica to escape coal smog after EPA is abolished. MSNBC – Rachel Maddow spends so much time hyping an upcoming story that the show ends before she gets to it. News from the White House -- At 4 a.m., Trump Tweets that it is actually 5 a.m., forbids keeping his scores at golf courses, plans to pose for the one dollar bill, and announces, “They will never corner me in the Oval Office.” Lock Up -- Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller hunts down and burns a witch. Even Later News Bulletin!! – A burning cat escapes from a tree but is arrested for smoking in a no smoking zone. Ashby’s remote is at ashby2@comcast.net
Dear Editor: Great job Jonathan! Definitely not an honest mistake. The two people who interviewed me from xinhuanet were both American and spoke perfect English. They used the phrase “white linen night” at least 5 times during the interview. David Stein Dear Editor: This may not be directly related to your article, but I noticed that the Un. of Texas has removed statues of Confederate heroes because the school president believes the statues are “symbols of modern white supremacy and neo-Nazism” Give me a break!! What is next, removing the early history of the United States from all text books? The history of a country cannot be changed by removing the monuments or statues of those who helped forge that history. The Un. of Texas president, as well as those from Duke University and other schools, might look at another group that is big on destroying monuments and that would be ISIS. Jeff Przybyla
Lynn Ashby’s expressions precious
Dear Editor: (In response to J. Reynolds) A Democrat picking up a welfare check? All of the Democrats whom I know are well heeled, and believe that by voting once a year they can save the planet, foster world peace, and give justice to all. Jason Hochman
See Reader, P. 7A
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
aCrOss
1. Baseball team 5. Hymns 11. Actor Jared 12. Fragrance 16. __ Von Bismarck, Iron Chancellor 17. Nordic God 18. Weighed down 19. Coppola’s mob epic 24. Nanogram 25. Famed street artist 26. Identifier 27. 23rd letter of the Greek alphabet 28. In addition 29. Micturated 30. Shock 31. Accept 33. Allotment 34. Eras 38. Emerges 39. Cape Verde capital 40. __, United Arab Emirates capital 43. Small amount 44. Back of the foot 45. Pakrit language 49. Home of ‘60 Minutes’ 50. Condemn 51. Ailed 53. Elevated railroad 54. Rebelliousness 56. Ancient Greek city
58. Clothing company (abbr.) 59. Member of the cabbage family 60. Softens or smooths 63. Mass of coagulated liquid 64. Problems 65. Irish Republic
dOwn
1. Dress 2. Deadly 3. Says aloud 4. PT Anderson film ‘__ Nights’ 5. Teacher (abbr.) 6. Anesthetized 7. Anno Domini (in the year of Our Lord) 8. __ and behold 9. French young women (abbr.) 10. Scorch 13. Notre Dame 14. Express disapproval 15. Cars need these 20. Not off 21. Unit of mass 22. You 23. Concealed 27. Parent-teacher organizations 29. Approximately 3.14159
30. Chinese conception of poetry 31. Satisfaction 32. College degree 33. Formerly Ceylon: __ Lanka 34. Effeminate 35. Something to solve 36. Horses like these 37. Intelligence organization 38. Blood type 40. Exhibition 41. Poisonous plant 42. Aluminum 44. Possesses 45. Penetrate with a sharp instrument 46. Ring-shaped objects 47. Speaks at church 48. Form in the mind 50. Selectors 51. Probability of default 52. 2001 Spielberg film 54. Where to get a sandwich 55. Newts 57. Modus operandi 61. Exists 62. Politico-economic union
WORD SCRAMBLE
The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 5A
The calendar. ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING OPEN HOUSE Lone Star College Victory Center The Academy for Lifelong Learning Open House will be from 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Lone Star College Victory Center, 4141 Victory Dr. The Academy for Lifelong Learning provides free classes and social opportunities for senior adults (50+). Members may choose classes in a variety of fields including technology, health fitness and nutrition, financial planning, culinary arts, literary discussion, genealogy and foreign languages, along with trips and tours throughout the year. Membership is just $20/year for this campus. Information: LoneStar.edu, 281-765-7947. FISH FRY American Legion Post 560 The Ladies Auxiliary Unit 560, 3720 Alba Road, will host their monthly Fish Fry and live entertainment Friday, Aug. 25 (fourth Friday of each month) from 6 p.m. until sold out. Information: 713-682-9287, facebook.com/ AmLegionPost560/, txlegion560. org, www.txlegion560.org.
BOOK SIGNING The Book Scene Local author and Speaker Kim Garcia will discuss and sign her book Tolerance, from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. There will be food, fun and prizes. The Book Scene is located at 1820 W. 43rd St. Information: 713-869-6117. BRAZILIAN DANCE SOCIAL Brazilian Arts Foundation The Brazilian Arts Foundation is pleased to announce and welcome the community to its next Brazilian Dance Social, from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 26, at 316 Pecore. Admission is $5, and free to current BAF students. BYOB and come to the Brazilian Arts Foundation for an evening of Samba de Gafieira and Forró. BAF instructors will provide lessons during the first hour, followed by the 10 p.m. dance social. Information: 713832-3300, info@brazilianarts.org, bit.ly/BAFdancesocial. GREATER HOUSTON STAMP SHOW Humble Civic Center The 70th Annual Greater Houston Stamp Show will be held Sept. 15-17, at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Park-
From the Pews.
Donations collected by Heights Presbyterian for Star of Hope Heights Presbyterian is collecting over the counter medication for the Star of Hope center as well as zip lock sandwich baggies for Kids Meals in Oak Forest. Donations can be dropped off at 240 W. 19th.
Wandering Home worship series at St. Stephen’s Wandering Home, a new fall worship series about the journey of God’s people in the book of Exodus, begins Aug. 27, during the 8:30 a.m. praise celebration and the 11 a.m. traditional service. Students of all ages are welcome to bring backpacks to both services this Sunday for the Blessing of the Backpack. “Wednesday Nights” at St. Stephen’s begin Aug. 30. Bring dinner for the family and enjoy fellowship from 5-6:30 p.m. Paper goods and beverages will be provided. From 6:30-7:30 p.m., Senior Pastor, Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, will lead a Bible study and Rev. Lindsay Smith, Music and Worship Pastor, will lead the children’s
choir practice. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org and the church’s Facebook page.
Community Senior Recognition Day at Greater First Baptist A Community Senior Recognition Day will be held at Greater First Baptist Church (W.E. Gibbs Educational Building), 4441 Haygood St. Featured are guest speakers Dainter Dietz, Senior Advocate for Medicare/Medicaid; Natilea Henderson of Blue Cross BlueShield of Texas; and Varlette Broussard, SafeLink Representative. The presentation will be from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 10. Medicare/Medicaid open enrollment will be held Oct. 15 through Dec. 3. Call 713-695-7061 or visit facebook.com/gfbhouston for information. Third Age Learning Center to hold fall registration All Saint’s Third Age Learning Center senior program will
way (77338). The show will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The event features free admission and parking, 30+ dealers, 1,200+ pages of exhibits, beginner’s booth, door prizes, and meetings/presentations/U.S. Post Office sales. Information: www. houstonstampclub.org/HoustonStampShow.html. MELANOMA WALK AND FUN RUN MD Anderson Cancer Center The 10th Annual AIM for the Cure Melanoma Walk and Fun Run 5K will be held at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Mays Clinic - 1180 Pressler St., Sept. 23. Registration/sign-in is 6 p.m., The Check Points perform at 6:30 p.m., followed by the opening ceremony, and 8 p.m. is the walk/run. There will be education and awareness information, sunscreen application demonstrations, massages, food vendors and children’s activities. Register online at: www:AIMatMelanoma. org by Sept. 1 to receive a free t-shirt. Wear anything that glows since this is an evening event. Information: aimforthecure@ mdanderson.org, 713-745-1804.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MHGH When you lose someone you love, you are left to pick up the pieces and try your best to go on. Having a strong support system can help you on your grief journey and be an important part of building a strong support system. Classes will be held Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through Sept. 26. The group meets in the South Tower Classrooms at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, located at 1635 North Loop West. Information: 713-222-2273 (CARE). 10K/5K WALK Houston Happy Hikers Come out and participate in this non-competitive, non-timed walk through Buffalo Bayou Park. Families are encouraged to participate. Everyone participating must register and carry a Start Card and turn it in at the finish. Event will be held regardless of weather conditions. The walk will begin at Fonde Recreation Center, 110 Sabine St. The walk will be from 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 30. The fee is $3. There is no pre-registration. Information: 979-478-6203, houstonhappyhikers.com.
hold its 2017 Fall Semester registration from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 31, in the parish hall. The fall semester begins Sept. 11 and concludes Nov. 17. Registration will continue the first week of the semester. New classes this semester include Texas Hold’em and Pony Tail Canasta. A hot lunch is available at noon MondayFriday for $2. Reservations are requested by 10 a.m. each morning. For TALC information and lunch reservations, call 713248-1277. All Saints Catholic Church is located at 215 E. 10th St.
Free concert at All Saints Don’t miss this concert featuring Coro Gloria Dei under the direction of Dr. Rick Lopez. Gloria Dei will be performing the works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gerald Finzi, and Gonzalo Alonso Ramos at 5 p.m. Sept. 17, at All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E. 10th St. The performance is being offered to the community for free and is hosted by the Bravura Concert Series at All Saints Church. There will be a dessert reception after the concert. Call 713-972-4714 or visit www.allsaintsheights.com.
Kids Rock Cycle for Safety at Mt. Ararat Baptist Join Mt. Ararat Baptist at 5801 W. Montgomery Rd., for a free kids skills and safety festival. Children can learn how to ride a bike safely, start and stop properly, avoiding hazards, yielding, ride an obstacle course and more. Four bikes will be awarded. All donations for food or bikes are accepted. The festival will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 9. Call 713-692-9954 for information.
Get ready for the St. Rose Pumpkin Patch The St. Rose pumpkin patch will be open for business Oct. 6. The annual St. Rose Halloween Festival will be from 5-10 p.m. Oct. 27. St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community is located at 3600 Brinkman St. Call 713-6929123 for information.
Aztec StorAgeS On West 34th St.
The Obituaries. Mary Joann (Marsalisi) Miller, 94, born Dec. 7, 1922 in
New York, NY, died Aug. 15. She is survived by her children Michael Miller, Tanny Miller, Ann Marie Harbour, three grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.
Elsie “Bernice” Noski,
87, born Oct. 28, 1929 in Waller, died Aug. 19. She is survived by daughters Pam Lawrence, Tricia Triola, son Douglas Noski, five grandchildren, and five greatgrandchildren.
Chloe Ann Schultea, 86, born Dec. 30, 1930 in Houston, died Aug. 15. Schultea began her career as a church organist for West End Baptist Church at
(Between Ella & T.C. Jester)
the age of 13. She graduated from Sam Houston High School where she was a lieutenant in the Black Battalion. She continued to play both the organ and piano for many churches during her lifetime. One of her many accomplishments was creating the “Reach Out” group while at Lazybrook Baptist Church. During her time at White Oak Baptist Church she created the trio group called “The Generations.” Survivors include her son Volie Schultea III, daughter Susan Gower, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Christine Thomas, 95, born Feb. 5, 1922 in Bremond, Texas, died Aug. 15. She was a devout
Catholic, attending St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Survivors include her brothers Gene Hablinski, Daniel Hablinski, and Leonard Hablinski.
Virginia Key Trammell,
91, born Dec. 30, 1925 in Wagoner, Okla., died Aug. 18. Trammell graduated from Sam Houston High School and later married Kenneth Trammell on Feb. 2, 1944. She had a career in accounting at Basic Products, and was a member of Baptist Temple for more than 60 years. Survivors include her son Ken Trammell, daughter Ginger Thomas, brother Jack Key, sister Betty Baker, five grandchildren, and a great-grandson.
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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT Odd Fellows Lodge #225 The Houston Heights Odd Fellows Lodge #225 is hosting its second National Night Out celebration, from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 3. Neighbors are invited to come to the lodge, located at 115 E. 14th St. Bring the kids to this family
event. There will be hotdogs and refreshments, free fingerprinting and child ID kits, HFD staff and firetruck, art cars, moonwalk and horseshoes for adults. Information: marilybbrooks@gmail. com, facebook.com/OddFellowsLodge225.
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understand that there is some mystery in the patient’s eyes as to what is happening when having a filling placed. Today we will pull back the veil, to better understand how composite fillings work and how a tooth can go from having decay to appearing as good as new. Once a cavity is removed from a tooth, the tooth is shaped to best hold a filling in place. An etchant is placed to remove any remaining debris from the tooth and to expose the microscopic tubules which make up the tooth. From this point forward, it is imperative that your dentist keep your tooth perfectly dry or your filling may prematurely fail. An adhesive is placed over the cavity preparation which locks into those dental tubules and provides additional retention. At this point the composite resin filling is placed into the preparation which bonds to the adhesive layer. The composite is made up of a pebble-like filler material, often silica, bound within a resin-based matrix. Once placed, the composite can be shaped by your dentist to look and function just like your tooth. An ultra-violet light is now used, activating a catalyst within the matrix which causes the restoration to harden. Now your dentist can polish your new restoration to ensure the fit is correct and is smooth to a glossy shine. With proper technique in placement and with good homecare, a composite restoration can last you for many years to come.
Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the office of: Chase Baker, D.D.S., 3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.
MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
Incompletely Saved By Pastor Will Cover
directory Weekly Sunday Services
First FirstChurch Church Heights
• Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.
Sunday School ........9:15 am Sunday Worship......10:30am Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service 6:00pm
1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters
Pastor C. David Harrison 201 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 www.fbcheights.org
GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227
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Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m.
Sunday-- Bible BibleStuday Study For Ages .. 9:30am Sunday For All All Ages..9:30am Morning Worship............ 10:45am Morning Worship.............10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed.Wed. - Prayer PrayerMeeting Meeting&&Missions Missions Organization......................6:15pm Organization .....................6:15pm
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Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston, TX 77018 www.arisebaptistchurch.org •713-659-9697
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United. Methodist. Church. A Caring, Sharing, Faith Family.
Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40
Scouting groups for all ages. Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children
Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe 2003 W. 43rd St. 713-686-8241 w w w. s t s u m c . o r g
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1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577
I come from a musical family. As a boy, I took piano lessons and spent quite a bit of time practicing the piano. My mom is also a piano player and sometimes just to annoy her, I would play a song and leave off the last note or the last chord. A song without the last note is incomplete. It often releases the tension or resolves the conflict in the sound of the music. My mom would run to the piano and find the last note and play it herself just to find the resolution to the music. We all understand something that is incomplete. In the book of Esther, we learn about a young woman who was taken into the king’s harem and then chosen to be his wife and queen. She was put in a precarious position of putting her life on the line in order to save her people, the Jews, from death. Many people look at Esther as a wonderful example of a woman in the midst of awful circumstances who stood up, had courage, and made a huge difference for her people. Even though Esther did these wonderful things, the Jews still faced bondage and struggle later on in their history. While Esther is a great example to us, even with all of her courage, she wasn’t able to save her people forever. Later on in their history, the Jews experienced more bondage and suffering. Esther saved her people, but it was an incomplete salvation because it saved them from their present circumstance but did not save them forever. We live in a world today that is in need of a savior. Some people think that savior will come in the form of a better political leader or a better financial system. Some people are hoping for a better job, a better healthcare plan, or a miracle drug. The Bible is clear. The only complete Savior is Jesus Christ. He alone has the power to forgive sin. He alone can give eternal life. He alone can give us access to God. You can live your life by your own rules. You can blame others for your problems or you can blame yourself. You can talk about the problems in the church or the frustrating things your spouse says or does, but none of those things will bring your happiness and none of those things will fulfill your need of a savior. You must confess you sin and turn to Jesus for hope and healing. He alone can completely save!
Page 6A • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • The Leader
Treasure from P. 1A sale, it’s become more of a trend where I go out and buy in order to re-sell,” she said. “I’m thinking in terms of ‘If I buy this, [person’s name here] will buy it, or someone else will buy it.’ I’m out there thinking about how I’m going to turn it around and sell it.” Whether as a seller or a buyer, Munoz said she always keeps an ear out for what those in the neighborhood might be keyed in on; a process which may seem stressful from the outside looking in. However, Munoz said she finds the endeavor a therapeutic one due to the symbiotic nature purpose her trips typically take on. “I know that if I buy something, it’s either going to the shop, to the house because it’s something I love and can do something with, or I found it for somebody else. I feel like I’m out there shopping not just for me, but for my own return customers,” she said, noting that despite the cycle of spending money to make money, she easily manages to
turn a nice profit. Friendly competition Acker said sale-goers tend to gather in packs, and said on occasion the familiarity breeds some friendly fire, seeing as for many, it’s about the thrill of the chase. “You always see a lot of the same people, plus a lot of us are looking for the exact same thing, so it’s a bit of a friendly competition,” she said, briefly recounting an encounter where, though still cordial, someone attempted to snipe a purse away from her that she had already bought. “I just gave him a dirty look and said I had already bought it. He was trying to outbid me after I had already paid!” she said with a hearty laugh. “Sometimes it’s about whoever’s the fastest, and my husband and I aren’t that fast anymore, so we kind of depend on luck.” Trekking through the sweltering Houston heat, however, she said, is worth the chase. Throughout her decades of
garage sale-ing, Acker has found many hidden gems—including an old woodblock print by Gustaf Bowman, which she says is her most prized find to this day. “I ended up selling it through an art gallery, and they sent me a check for $8,400. It was probably a $10,000 piece overall, and it was completely by accident,” she said. “I didn’t really know a lot about art, and had a friend tell me it was very valuable from a famous artist. That was pretty cool—it was sort of my ‘Antique Roadshow’ moment.” In the end, Munoz said, that feeling and that rush is what it’s all about every time she opens for business, whether it be her antique shop or the friendly competition of garage sale goers. “I’m going to try to sell what the customers are looking for, not what I like, so that when they come back they like what they see,” she said. “I try to listen to people, what they’re looking for and what they like.”
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The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 7A
Reader, from P. 4A Greater Heights listed as tough spot to build
Israel Romen, takes pride in pointing this out. (Neither Kuhlman nor Romen bother to say who are first and second, a bit of homework that might have lent greater credibility to the article) West University Place comes to mind, since it’s harassment and restrictions make it a very undesirable choice for those builders, who generally cut costs and slip as much past the inspectors as possible. Don’t know about #2 except maybe Bellaire? Kuhlmann gives Romen credibility and I question why? From whence does Romen derive his income? According to Romen, the lack of blockbuster building proves that the historic guidelines make our neighborhood “tough to build in� unless you “break the rules of low-density construction.� What is he saying? These
Dear Editor: I was truly offended by Landan Kuhlmann’s “Greater Heights Listed as Tough Spot to Build� article 8/19/17. He links the problem to the “wake of the ongoing design guidelines ‘saga,’ as he quotes Israel Romen’s pronouncement that Historic Heights is desirable for prospective homeowners, but builders are not proportionately building here. This is a bad thing for our neighborhood? Not to me. Yet, Kuhlmann’s pejorative tone in the Leader’s front page article. suggests Heights residents should be embarassed/and or/ashamed by the fact it is “third� down on the list of “easy places to build.� BuildZoom economist�
prospective builders will only choose the Heights if they can break the rules? The builders who are calling our neighborhood “a tough spot to build� are those who want a easy in and an easy out. Throw the house up and leave, preferrably without any forwarding address. Are we supposed to be sorry that not enough construction is going on in our neighborhood? First of all, I challenge Kuhlmann and Romen to find any area of Houston Heights where construction is not present. Most residents feel that the area is becoming too densely populated. We are not saddened by being “third.� I wish Houston Heights could grab the first place spot. I ask the Leader to please present more balanced articles and not continue to give constant credi-
NEED COLOR COPIES? as low as
bility to those who oppose any historical guidelines for their homes and builders who reject the Heights because they do not want to follow restrictions made at the “local level,� which I suppose means the City of Houston. Your articles quite often begin by disucssing one problem but at some point always make reference to the “problem� with the “guidelines. By doing so in issue after issue, headline after headline, you are pandering to those developers and remodelers who love living or building in Houston Heights because of its “charm� but are vociferously opposed to historic guidelines. Has any homeowner, builder, remodeler, or realtor ever called Houston’s “distant� suburbs “charming�? Anne Sloan
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Page 8A • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • The Leader
Cat Acne: Is that dirt on Kitty’s chin or zits?
Dear Tabby, My cat has this dirt under her chin all the time--and she doesn’t even go outside! Are these fleas or something else? Help! What The Heck Is This Stuff, in Woodland Heights Dear What The Heck, A quick trip to the vet will confirm this, but it sounds like your kitty is suffering from a mild case of “cat acne.” As soon as your vet rules out other skin conditions, such as mites, a fungal or bacterial infection or fleas, you’ll probably embark on a routine to manage your kitty’s acne-because it’s not something that can really be cured. But, worry not! Most likely, it doesn’t cause your cat any discomfort and will
stay in control with a few new habits. If left untreated however, this skin condition can get worse, resulting in inflamed and itchy blackheads. Ew. What causes this cat acne? No one knows for sure, but there are a few contributing factors to this condition. Vets believe that stress plays a role in it, poor grooming (as cats age), dirty food bowls and even a suppressed immune system. One way to help your cat get a hold of her acne problem is to help her clean the affected area. Home treatments include gentle washing of the chin once or twice daily with a mild soap, benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine or other cleanser recommended by your veterinarian. Another way to help is to make sure that her food bowls are cleaned every day and, if you’re currently feeding her from plastic bowls, consider switching to glass or stainless steel. Plastic tends to harbor this acne-causing bacteria. Considering that, (if your kitty is like most) she’s happiest when her face is in her food bowl--this can lead to bacteria transfer from
the bowl to her chin. If your at-home remedies don’t seem to help make the acne better or the acne appears to get worse, it’s then time to high-tail it back to the vet. The vet can prescribe an antibiotic or even steroid injections to help the situation. Also, a prescriptionstrength pet shampoo might be in order and your vet can advise you on that as well. With a few tweaks to your hygiene habits and a little patience, you’ll probably find that kitty’s acne clears up nicely. The good news is that it likely doesn’t bother her at all and won’t affect her chances of getting a date to the middle school dance. Ready to adopt? Join Friends For Life for a catsonly adoption event on Saturday, August 26 at Loyl’s Natural Pet Grocery and Groomery located at 2726 Bissonnet Suite 100, 77005 from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Loyl’s will also be offering deals on select cat food, cat scratchers and treats that day. Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby question@gmail.com
Pet of the Week Meet Clairee. This 7 year old gal is a treasure for sure. Sweet and social (and beautiful), Clairee gets along with absolutely everyone. In her foster home, she’s a friend to all of the other cats and is right by her foster parent’s side the whole time. Her very best bud is Kiwi, a delightful orange tabby so, if Clairee and Kiwi could get adopted together, they’d feel like the luckiest kitties alive. To learn more, go to www.saveacatrescue.org.
HISD from P. 1A HISD has revamped its communications office with new members fixing to be instrumental in telling the district’s story far and wide. Doing so, he said, will not be only by written and spoken word, but also by becoming more active on social media and producing video segments to share with the community in multiple languages on potential policy changes. “More than anything, we’re trying to reach out to community members so they have a voice in some of the policy decisions we’re making,” he said. One such example, he noted, was the implementation of an advisory review board for a look at potential changes to some of HISD’s programs and policies. This third party advisory board is going to interview community members about special education, special educations services, and how well (or not so well) the current policies and procedures are (or are not) working in HISD. “There’s going to be an unprecedented opportunity for parents and community members to be involved, and as we go forward transparently, they’ll have the opportunity to lend their voice,” Carranza said. Additionally, 2017-2018 will see the beginning of a program to aimed at involving parents and the community in the district’s Magnet School review. “We want to review how we establish it, fund it, how we hold ourselves accountable to make sure everyone
has an opportunity to attend a good magnet school, and how we improve them if they’re not helping accomplish district goals,” Carranza said. “Parents are going to have a voice in that process and the ideas that come before the board for any changes. That’s different than what I heard of the way this used to be done in the past.” Carranza senses that people are very eager to have a voice in how decisions are made, and that people see that equity is an issue — in other words, making sure HISD is meeting the needs of all students, and campuses have all they need to be successful. How that is to be accomplished remains an unknown for now, but he senses no apprehension in the community despite the waters they must wade through. “I think they’re interested in understanding how we develop programs, where those programs get placed and how to go about evaluating whether those programs are effective. People want to know what the direction of the district,” he said. “As we’ve discussed our global graduate profile and what we’re trying to accomplish on a day-to-day basis, I think people get excited—but I also think they want to un-
derstand what their role and voice can be in helping us accomplish that.” And though that was the goal, Carranza may not have expected opportunity to present itself so soon. Carranza and the community got an early crash course in discovering their voice in 2016-2017 as they endured a tumultuous and sometimes contentious legislative session involving K-12 education as well as multiple votes on the district’s Recapture obligations. “That process was educational for the entire community, but took up a whole lot of time and space for us to wade through all the different permutations of what that could mean for the district and the greater Houston area,” he said. “I think there have been a lot of opportunities for people to get an understanding of these things. Above all, people want to know how they can make sure there’s a good school in every neighborhood.” “We have a long way to go, but I feel we’re making tangible efforts to include the voice of the community” HISD’s head man may still be feeling out HISD a bit, but make no mistake — the future is now with Carranza.
Local business is our business. Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com
Neighbors: Nowak turns 103; Castillos celebrate 50th wedding anniversary By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com
Happiest of birthday wishes to Sudie Nowak of Shepherd Forest. Ms. Nowak celebrated her 103rd birthday on Aug. 10. A beloved neighbor to all, Nowak has been a resident of Section 1 in Shepherd Forest since 1976. Neighbors send birthday wishes for good health, sunshine and happiness. Happy anniversary to Vera and Bill Castillo! Mr. and Mrs. Castillo,
our long time neighbors in Oak Forest, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary – 50 years! – with their extended family at a festive surprise party at a hall supported by the Knights of Columbus Council 8482 on Sunday, Aug. 20. The couple was truly surprised as they walked into the hall and realized what was happening; the hall was full of loved ones, every seat taken, and the number of friends and family present was a stirring tribute. A beautiful slideshow of
photos was a treat to see as it brought back memories for everyone. A wonderful meal of Pappasito’s fajitas with all the trimmings was served and guests enjoyed champagne and delicious cakes before dancing and playing games together. Married on Aug. 20, 1967 at Our Lady of St. John’s Catholic Church in Houston, the Castillos grew up in a community known as Bonita Gardens off of Hirsch Road. Vera attended Jeff Davis High School, now Northside High School,
and became a teacher. Beginning her career as a teacher aide at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, Vera then became a Kindergarten teacher at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School where she taught and loved her students for over 26 years. Bill attended St. Thomas High School and worked at Brown and Root as a draftsman for over 30 years. Daughters Veronica Ann, married to Christopher Robertson, and Carol Lynn, married to Ronnie Doud Jr., attended St.
Rose of Lima Catholic School, Seton Catholic Jr. High, and St. Pius X High School. Both coming from large families, Vera and Bill hold their family close to their hearts and have played a vital role in the lives of their daughters and sons-in-law as well as their many siblings, nieces and nephews. This special and unique couple is cherished and appreciated for the many, many hours of love and attention they have shared with their family, always making a difference.
Senior EXP September 27, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. SPJST Lodge 88 (15th & Beall) The Leader is hosting a day-long event geared toward seniors in our community, and you’re invited. We’ve invited businesses all across the community to take part to provide information about issues that are important to you. There will be speakers attending to help with health care concerns, including the impact of the new Affordable Care Act, and how it impacts Medicare. We’ve invited professional finance planners who can help you take that dream trip or manage your fixed income better, and attorneys who will talk to you about any legal concerns you have. But this isn’t going to be all serious business, either. We’ll have breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon.
The best part, besides the food, fun and fellowship is that it is all FREE! All you have to do is register.
What to expect at the 2017 Senior Expo: • FREE Admission • FREE Food & Drinks • Educational information on health, finances and legal concerns • A chance to meet experts who will offer free advice on a number of senior issues • An opportunity to mingle with friends
Register Online www.theleadernews.com or fill out and mail form below Name Phone # Address Email Address
Mail to: The Leader - Senior Expo P.O. Box 924487 Houston, TX 77292 Call us: (713) 686-8494 do it online www.theleadernews.com (see “Senior” tab)
The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 9A
Entertainment
Calendar Donovan Keith & The Funky Feat At Cottonwood
8 - 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 3422 N. Shepherd Dr. Austin Soul singer Donovan Keith is back at Cottonwood and he hasn’t forgotten his Funky Feat. Come get down Saturday to this solo venture from the singer of Soul Track Mind.
Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting KC
8 - 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 8th Wonder Brewery and the Houston Dynamo have teamed up to offer a game ticket and brewery package that can’t be beat! $30 will get you a ticket to the Dyamo vs. Sporting KC game, a limited edition 8th Wonder/Dynamo limited edition plastic cup, and three beer tokens to the 8th Wonder taproom. Packages will be available for pick up in the taproom the day of the game. They can be purchased online, ahead of time, or in the tapeoom the day of the game. Dynamo are on the pitch at 8 p.m.
Presidio Market
8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 Presidio - 911 W. 11th St. Stop by the 11th Street restaurant to see what’s new at the Saturday market!
Intro to Backyard Beekeeping - Bee2Bee Honey Collective
2 - 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 Houston Dairymaids 2201 Airline Dr. Are you a wannabeekeeper or simply have questions about beekeeping? In this class you will discuss the basics of what you need to know to get started keeping bees in your backyard or rooftop. Discussions will focus on honey bee biology and behavior and learn what honeybee stewardship entails. The class will focus on sustainable urban beekeeping, including a hands-on demonstration of necessary equipment and information on where and when to purchase supplies. You’ll walk away with the resources and knowledge you’ll need to decide whether to pursue this sweet, rewarding hobby! Follow Bee2Bee Honey Collective on Facebook for ticket information or online at www. bee2beehoney.com/
Hughie’s Heights matches up to original location I
t’s probably no secret that I’m a fan of craft beer, with Houston craft beer at the top of my list. I’ve heard many say that you can drink a new and different Houston craft brew every day, for an entire year, and still have options to wave through at the end of your binger. While I’m not sure I can get behind a 365 day binger, having that many local options is nice and the Hughie’s restaurant family just expanded to boast a second location in the Heights for us to enjoy new menu items, old standbys, more great Houston brews and something new. Before you worry if the original Timbergrove location is going anywhere, let’s clarify that now - it’s not going anywhere. The original Hughie’s Tavern & Vietnamese Grill, located at 1802 W. 18th St., will operate just as it always has. The second location is located in the former Hunky Dory building, located at 4721 N. Main. This location will serve their menu standbys, sticking to their wine and beer offerings from the drink menu. Unlike the original Hughie’s location, this brand new location has a full chef kitchen - giving possibility of new creations rolling out from the Heights side. From my recent visit, I had to order my favorite order to make sure things hadn’t changed. I ordered the pan fried dumplings, the shaking
Christina Martinez Managing Editor
ing up craft cocktails and libations.
Photos by Christina Martinez From the left going clockwise, Hughie’s Heights’ Shaking Beef with an addition of a fried egg, served with fried rice and a kale salad. Eureka Heights’ Mini Boss, one of many beers on tap at Hughie’s Heights. The pan fried dumplings.
beef plate - adding on a fried egg - and opting for the fried rice option, served with a kale salad. I went for an IPA pairing and grabbed Eureka Heights’ Mini Boss, but with 37 taps
brew options are aplenty. I’m happy to report that the Hughie’s standbys are just
as delicious as remembered, served in a great new space. This location is down the street from my home, so I’ve got zero complaints. As for what’s new, the location came with an additional space that was used for a bar and that’s exactly what Hughie’s decided on for the space. One Armed Scissor bar is what’s new to the family lineup and is listed under the same address as Hughie’s Heights, with access to the bar from the restaurant and from the street. The bar is operated by partner Michael Molina of Moving Sidewalk and Wooster’s Garden, serv-
they’re dead. Oh, that’s fair, isn’t it? Is that the kind of exposure you want as an artist? On exposure, I’ll just quote one of my favorite memes: “Exposure can’t pay the bills, but it can get you arrested.� Actually, I added the second part. Ha. While Congress squabbles about how to make it harder for us artists, many nonprofits are helping out by giving artists the option to keep a percentage or donate all proceeds from a sale. I encourage nonprofits that contact me to do that because it definitely gives the artist more incentive to donate. To artists, I encourage them to be even more pro-
Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
ing. They’re paying for it, too. Request for proposal details are on the website front page: www.assistanceleague.org/ houston Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the new Market at Sawyer Yards, find him at ArtValet.com
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Brazilian Dance Social
7 - 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26 Brazilian Arts Foundation - 316 Pecore St. Join the Brazilian Arts Foundation at their next Brazilian Dance Social on Saturday, August 26! You will be given basic ForrĂł and Samba de Gafieira instructions for the first hour and then dance away for two hours to the beat of Brazilian music! No experience is necessary; just join for a good time! BYOB suggested. Admissions: $5 Event is FREE to all students of our Portuguese, Capoeira, Forro and Samba de Gafieira Programs!
Kitten Adoption Event
12 - 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27 Jubilee - 325 W. 19th St. Barrio Dogs A Home For All will host a kitten adoption event on Sunday, August 27. All kittens are fully vetted. Come find your perfect match.
Email christina@theleadernews.com
Cavatore’s
Art Valet: how valuable is great exposure for free art, labor I plead guilty to tooting my horn between the title and my byline fairly often. However, I cannot recall using this space as a soapbox for much more than a pet peeve or two on word usage. This time of year, artist’s inboxes fill up with requests from nonprofits looking for “local� art donations for fundraising. Phrases such as “100% Tax Deductible� and “Great Exposure� fill the introduction letters to entice artists to donate their art. Guess what? Tax law only allows an artist to deduct the cost of materials, not the value of time put into a piece. Blame Nixon. Yes, the former president - Nixon wrote-off
Dinner at Hughie’s and a nightcap at One Armed Scissor sounds like a great outing. I’m glad to see the North Main space get put to good use and I’m glad the Hughie’s family are new neighbors.
Cantonese Cuisine veggie options brunCH served 11 am - 3 pm sunday Houston’s best Cantonese and Hong Kong dining experienCe.
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The mural at the Sawyer Yards, located at 1502 Sawyer St.
millions of dollars for donating his own manuscripts to a library. Then Congress enacted a law with some loose enough terminology to include artists that, basically, states creators can only deduct material costs and not a donation’s fair market value. That was 1969, and from what I’ve read, donations by artists to museums and libraries created by the artist virtually stopped right then. As a collector, you can deduct the fair market value of artwork purchased if you decided to donate it. An artist’s estate can claim the fair market value, as well. Wait till
active about it and approach their favorite nonprofit(s) about being an exclusive or featured artist to benefit both. That’s a good way to get exposure. If you plan to donate my artwork to a good cause, let me know and I’ll triple the price for you. I’m just cool like that. How about a real call for artists? The Assistance LeagueŽ Houston is celebrating 50 years of serving the Houston community in 2018, and one way they are commemorating the achievement is by hiring an artist to paint a mural on their build-
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upcoming shows
AMERICAN AQUARIUM with Matthew Ray COLIN HAY with Ruston Kelly SUZY BOGGUS with Jason Eady EZRA CHARLES “The Story of Boogie Woogie� CAROLYN WONDERLAND with John Egan THE CHURCH with The Helio Sequence MATT WERTZ with Dustin Ransom an evening with DRACO ROSA LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS with Mia Borders DAVID RAMIREZ with Molly Parden JIMMIE VAUGHAN & the Tilt-a-Whirl Band JAMES VINCENT MCMORROW an evening with PETE YORN
www.theheightstheater.org
The Leader • Saturday, August 26, 2017 • Page 10A
Garden-nials Get Going with Growing the
By Cynthia Lescalleet For The Leader Now that millennials are buying homes, their gardening yen is starting to reboot landscape design. The socalled “golf course aesthetic” of yesteryear’s suburbia is shifting toward multi-functional designs with fuss free maintenance, according to national industry surveys and local landscape architects working in an around Leader News neighborhoods. Millennial with garden aspirations seek plantings that are a bit wilder in appearance, edible, bouquet-friendly and not (too) time consuming. Sustainability, especially in terms of water usage and soil management, also factor into their landscape decisions. These are among the findings of the” 2016 National Garden Survey” by Garden Market Research Co. Comprised of today’s 18to 35-year-olds, the demographic subset is noted for its experience-based lifestyle, in which travel and entertaining rank high. As renters, the garden-minded among them have tried tabletop gardening for herbs, experimented with window boxes for edibles - or perhaps tossed a seed packet into a patch of grass in hopes of getting something-anything to bloom. With home ownership, their eyes are now on the yardage. The garden survey over the past two years has found millennials appear to making a shift from shortterm consumable categories, like houseplants, to more capital intensive, longer term categories, meaning they’re springing for garden tools and power equipment as well as “lifestyle” products, such as patio furniture, grills and such. Some are even opting to hire professionals to design, install and even maintain it all. (Acronym trackers will find a new one in the home improvement milieu: DIFM, or Do it For Me rather than DIY, Do it Yourself.) The indoor-outdoor living trend in home design dovetails with millennial lifestyle tenets, observes landscape architect Mark McKinnon of McKinnon Associates. They want an outdoor living/entertainment environment to share with friends. They want a garden. (And many of them want to make sure it’s all petfriendly.) Mostly, he says, they want value. They come to the design table informed and armed with goals. McKinnon’s advice to them? Find a balance between “what is practical and what is achievable.” Sometimes, the musthaves on the list compete with each other, he says. For example, in many of our neighborhoods, larger footprints of homes on small lots coupled with outdoor entertainment amenities have reduced space for plants. So millennial clients who are environmentally-conscious are discovering they need to choose what that eco-sensitivity means to them: shade for energy efficiency or sun for food and flowers. Access to a community garden might be another option for millennial gardeners to uphold their interest in locally sourced food as well as sharing the experience of producing it, he says. SEAMLESS AND PRIVATE Like McKinnon, landscape architect Lauren Olenius of L3 Designs has found her savvy millennial clients, having saved up and planned, are “willing to invest in their space and to ‘dec it out’ as soon as possible. Sometimes, the wish list and the budget don’t match up.” Since they consider the yard part of the home, she says, their typical requests
include some sort of patio or enhanced gathering area to “seamlessly transition” the indoor-outdoor living space. Meanwhile, there’s need for plantings to harvest, provide shade or privacy, or all three, she says. Given budget, however, much of the plans focus initially on the back yard, with perhaps a future phase planned for the front yard when funds allow. The smaller the lot, the more streamlined the design tends to be, she says, despite industry trends toward natural habitat gardens. So, outdoor features need to be multi-functional, she says, such as a water feature with gas line to support a fire pit. The readership area’s larger lots can be looser in how they accommodate all the amenities, she adds. Privacy is another common design request, she says, so having some sort of wall or fence often figures unto her designs. She likes these screens to be used for vertical growing, which turns them into usable space as well as a visual component. Meanwhile, she recommends boxwood as a dependable dash of green that’s low maintenance. For a pop of color, use containers mixed into the landscaping. It’s just easier to swap out a dozen six-inch plants in a container than to install 15 flats of blooms, she says. As part of planning, Olenius advises clients to consider how long they’ll be in the home and how many “chapters of life” need to be accommodated in the design. In other words, will the yard use be selfie-friendly party central or a family playground? And remember that nature always wins, she cautions. “Learn to work with what you have,” she says. If the home
Photo courtesy of L3 Designs. As with the generations before them, millennials are finding that home ownership and landscaping are intertwined. Still, their take on how to do that has its own aesthetic, landscape sources say.
is in the shadows of massive trees, it’s not realistic to think you can plant farm-to-table crops beneath the limbs. One of McKinnon’s solutions for a shady setting is to design a woodland garden, which accommodates shade plus competition between plantings, including root systems, for water and soil nutrients. And for yardage that leans more toward a sunny meadow, the growing options are endless, he says. Follow local gardening suggestions, not national ones, he says. Houston’s growing season can be
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Homeownership and gardening go hand in hand – at all ages, McKinnon says. “The gardening tradition continues with this new generation…We have agricultural instincts. It’s a natural
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