Saturday, September 3, 2016 • Page 1B
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Driving down Washington Avenue for the past two decades, amidst the bars and “advanced” development popping up, one would see a community staple that has remained true to itself—and though October will mark the end of one era, it will also signal the genesis of new growth and opportunity. Wabash Feed & Garden Store, the beloved country feed store at 5701 Washington Ave., is in the final stages of re-locating its services to an expanded property near 43rd Street and North Shepherd Drive after a nearly year-long ordeal which has seen the potential moving date postponed on multiple occasions, though owner Betty Heacker has continued to see a wealth of opportunity despite the constant setbacks. Wabash sells organic edible plants and gardening supplies as well as yard decor, pet supplies, livestock and livestock feed, and has served the Washington Corridor since Heacker bought the property in 1987. New opportunities One goal for Wabash’s new location is expanding on several of the educational and community commitment aspects of the business. Heacker’s vision involves actively teaching residents urban homesteading
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Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Betty Heacker said that they are working as hard as they can to make the needed renovations and open on N. Shepherd, hopefully by late October.
skills as well as food storage and food preparation skills (how to dry food, how to can, how to pickle and how to ferment) which mesh with their client base’s shared values. “It’s just farm-related activities that people can do in an urban setting,” she said. “A lot of our customers are very interested in not just eating organic food, but also leaving a smaller footprint, so they get involved in all kinds of recycling and gardening and make it a family event. They want to know where the food comes from.” Despite her undying love for the Washington property and
the memories it has provided for more than two decades, Heacker said she and her staff are eager to have the chance to “spread their wings” on the education front with the expanded location. “I think it’s important to our customers to have a sense of being centered and grounded,” she said. “A lot of our customers are plugged into the social media side of their lives, but then you have this more spiritual side of things, and that’s where Wabash comes in.” Circle of life Despite the change, however, a sense of familiar destiny remains in the air for the
beloved shop. “When I bought this, it was a plumbing supply house,” she said of the Washington location. “The property we’re moving to on Shepherd? It’s a plumbing supply house.” As luck would have it, the owner of the property at 43rd Street and North Shepherd from whom Heacker bought the space would be the son of the plumber who built the Washington location. “When I found that out I was thinking this has to be destiny or something,” she said. But
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Culinary Institute LeNôrte Announces Grand Opening of LeBistro On-Site Restaurant Offers Premier Dining and Chef-Student Training For The Leader Alain and Marie LeNôtre are pleased to close the chapter on Kris Bistro and open “Le Bistro” in the heart of the Culinary Institute LeNôtre, creating a premier restaurant and training environment. The on-site restaurant held its grand opening on Saturday, August 20th for press and guests by invitation only. Le Bistro aims to provide the opportunity to change lives, one chef-student at a time. From the initial interview, students at Culinary Institute LeNôtre are following the path of all culinary professionals—that perfect blending of sight, smell, texture and taste transposed with art, to create culinary experiences like no other. Le Bistro is the perfect place to ignite
their creativity under the supervision and guidance of a team of international ChefInstructors. The Le Bistro menu combines classical and innovative French techniques taught in school with dishes designed to reflect the International palate. “We want to create the perfect marriage of the expected and unexpected, the refined and the provincial, the classical and the eclectic, on a menu that provides
Business Briefs Polka Dot Dogs expands
Polka Dot Dogs at 2505 Ella Blvd has recently expanded their location size. Owner Susan Dooley says they enlarged their grooming department, allowing them to now have two full time groomers. “It will allow us to do more grooms Monday through Saturday,” she said.
Back to U Challenge
My House Fitness will kickoff its Back to U Challenge on September 11 in partnership with the GAP at River Oaks. The fitness challenge is an 8-week weight loss challenge, which includes semi-private training, group classes, meal plans, and nutri-
tional workshops. All participants will also receive a free pair of GAP jeans to conclude the challenge. Registration is currently open. Call My House Fitness at 281-377-5018 or email houston@ myhousefitness.com. My House Fitness, which is located at 1507A W. 18th St. next to the H-E-B, is a boutique fitness studio that helps people live better through a personalized, holistic approach to health and wellness.
Branché Boutique and Beauté by YBF
Lisa Buss and Emily Moore have opened Branché Boutique at 3415 Oak Forest Drive. The Leader previously featured
a vehicle to experience the new while still respecting the past,” said General Manager John Staton. Le Bistro’s mouthwatering menu offers a selection of salads, petits plats, and main courses - among which include Chicken Chasseur and French Green Lentils, as well as Buffalo Striploin done Au Poivre and Snapper Coubion. The restaurant’s well-rounded wine list features enticing selections of
their popular home shows for curated clothing and accessories. In related news, Leah Salinas has opened Beauté by YBF, a makeup boutique for makeup lessons, party and special event makeup, and retail sales featuring the locally owned Jentry Kelley Cosmetics. It’s the sister company of Salinas’ Your Beautiful Face which has serviced 2000+ bridal parties over the last 10 years. Visit Branché at https://www.facebook. com/brancheallday/ and YBF’s website at yourbeautifulfaceco. com or https://www.facebook. com/BeauteByYBF/ Have a brief? E-mail betsy@theleadernews.com Mosquitos Fleas
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Local club just popped up on the map By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader There is no shortage of interesting people doing creative things among The Leader’s readership, but we recently discovered a new batch. The area has birthed a community of adventurers called ”Texas Vanagons,” folks who are dedicated to traveling the US in a retro Volkswagen Vanagon, and their numbers are growing nationally. Production of the Volkswagen Vanagon was discontinued in 1991, but in keeping with the brand’s reputation for longevity, many are still on our roadways. “We are a family who likes to explore, and we slow down from the pace of city life when we we travel in the Vanagon,” explained Garden Oaks resident Kim Ellis. Ellis, her husband Jason, 7-year-old son Benji, and the family dog love traveling to wildlife centers and nature preserves in their vehicle. “Our family had a full-scale recreational vehicle for a while, but my husband always wanted a Vanagon,” Ellis continued. “Then we we were tipped off to one that was for sale, and we went to see it. It was in our driveway the next evening.” The young mother explained that there is a refrigerator in the vehicle, and a two-burner stove so they can cook. They also have room for two king-sized beds, and everyone in the family, including the dog, a has their
Photo by Abel Longoria Local Vanagon members attend a recent meet-up at Cottonwood. (L to R) Jason, Benji & Kim Ellis, Abel Longoria & Lesa Quintero, Antoine Minois, and Peter & Duree Lammers
own place in the wagon. Oak Forest resident Abel Longoria is considered the “Godfather” of Vanagon enthusiasts. The professional photographer launched a free club for Texas Vanagon owners, but the club quickly grew to include members all across the US. “I started Texas Vanagons over a year ago,” explained the amiable Longoria. “Today, we have 130 members in Texas with our largest group in Austin. However, we have about 600 members nationwide and all are on the lookout for more to join.” What is the appeal, you ask? “It’s pretty much the same for all of us,” explained Longoria. “There is something romantic about it. It’s an old vehicle, but it’s a vehicle you can live in, and see the country. The road trips are fun, and it’s affordable.” A $750,000 RV coach with its TVs and slide-outs has its appeal to some, but it is not
nearly as adventurous, says Longoria. RVs also leave a large carbon footprint, and get miserable gas millage. Plus a Vanagon comes with its own community. “The vehicles are old, and finicky so we
try to figure break-downs into the adventure. Club members are all friends, and often step up to help out when that happens.” Longoria illustrates his assertion with a story. On a recent trip to Los Angles, he broke down on I-10 in the middle of nowhere. “I posted a shot of myself on our Facebook page, sitting in my lawn chair on the side of the highway waiting for a tow truck. A club member saw the picture, and identified my location by a mile-marker in the photo, so he had a pizza delivered,” Longoria stated laughing. For more information, or to join Texas Vanagons, go to www.TexasVanagons.com
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HHA dedicated to more green for our area The Houston Heights Association will dedicate the Yale Green Corridor during its Annual Urban Forestry Gift of Trees Day celebration, set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 18. In addition to activities and events to be held at the Heights Fire Station located at 12th and Yale, Trees for Houston and the Houston Heights Association will distribute 150 to 300 three- and five-gallon containers of native trees for planting in Houston yards, businesses or right of ways. Comprising trees originally
planted in the late 1980s by Trees for Yale volunteers with assistance from Trees for Houston and the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce, the Yale Green Corridor, which runs from 6th Street to 19th Street, provides 1.6 miles of protected, mature trees, forming a canopy along the thoroughfare. Nearly 30 years later, this stretch of Yale Street was designated as the city’s first green corridor through a vote by the Houston City Council in June.
Greater Heights Comedy Night September 14, 2016
A Night of Talent
• Dinner 7 - 8PM • Show 8 - 10 PM • $20 admission
T
his year is a year full of surprises, while we struggle to rediscover ourself as a nation, 2016 gave birth to a little comedy show that is making a lot of buzz. Over the last five months The Greater Heights Comedy Night has been bringing in major comedic talent to grace the miniture stage of American Legion Post 560 on 3720 Alba Rd (across the street from the new Liberty Kitchen Garden Oaks). Along with local restaurants catering each show, the monthly event - held every second Wednesday - serves as a fundraiser to assist our local Veterans at Post 560 to remodel their post. “It’s a great way to support local talent, restaurants, and our Veterans, all in one shot,” Naro Mak, former Infantryman USMC, Legionaire, and Hartz Chicken on Pinemont Manager said. In addition to the food and humor, patrons are also treated to some great tunes. Army Veteran and show Dj, Shawn Taylor, encourages patrons to come out and enjoy a great evening. “We put the ‘Fun’ in ‘Fun-k’, oh yeah we will bring the funk,” Taylor said. The residents of Garden Oaks and Oak Forest have responded very positively to this show, selling out a couple shows, and now patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets online to ensure group seating. “We are fortunate to have such a supportive audience, it feels great when 150 people is laughing at the same time,” Mak said. Dinner is served at 7 p.m. and show starts promptly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, which includes admission to the show, two adult drinks, and a catered dinner. September 14, marks the sixth GHCN Show and we will be welcoming Kristin Linder to our stage. Linder, a Conroe native, and full-time working comic, is a clever comedian with dry wit that has never conformed to traditional values. Armed with 17 years of experience entertaining across the U.S., her unyielding style of comedy will be a treat to our guest. Linder approaches her successful stand-up career the same way she does her life – with unrepentant enthusiasm. It’s a balancing act few will ever master. Disenchanted with corporate America and inundated by the challenges of marriage and family, Linder channeled the weight of emotion, disappointments and untapped creativity into a hysterical declaration of her life altering experiences. “I was laid off by Sysco and I decided to take my joke telling full-time,” Linder said. Featuring for Linder, is local favorite Rich Williams. Williams was chosen from a nationwide pool of over 300 comics as the Winner of “Loni’s Laugh Off”. In addition, Williams was selected to appear at “Whatever Fest” alongside Bobcat Goldwaith and Iliza Schlesinger. Each show has a guest spot and September’s will be filled by new comic Jared Douglas. GHCN offers the audience a wide range of comedic talent from the beginner to the polished professional. It’s a great way for an audience to experience and appreciate the diversity in talent. This month’s show is sponsored by The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce and The Benavides Law Firm. “The business community is coming together to support our post and we appreciate that very much,” said post Commander Richard Voorhies. “There will be difficult decisions facing our nation over the next few months, however, over the next few days we hope you decide to come and support our neighborhood comedy show, you can’t go wrong. As someone once said, ‘To err is human, to blame it on somebody else shows management potential.’”
American Legion Post 560 3720 Alba Rd • Houston, TX 77018 713-682-9287
Headliner Kristin Linder Featured Rich Williams DJ Shawn Taylor
Guest: Jarod Douglas Host: Naro Sponsored By
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To purchase tickets - Find us on Facebook Greater Heights Comedy Night
Proceeds from Greater Heights Comedy Night go directly into the American Legion’s veteran services and immediate community.
Saturday, September 3, 2016 • Page 3B
Local Scouts in need of community’s assistance after flood damage Plenty has been accomplished with materials bought and the Scouts working tirelessly, but with the discovery of just how much additional work is needed, the organization is now asking for the community’s help. The Scouts of Troop 604 have collectively earned nearly 70 merit badges, eight special awards and 17 rank advancements since this time last year. The troop has also dedicated more than 100 hours of time in service in Oak Forest and beyond and produced over 100 Eagle Scouts, with five more who could possibly be earning the rank before the end of the year. “It is the place where young boys learn and grow into young men of good character, imbued with the values of the Scout Oath, Scout Law, and Outdoor Code,” Sherwood said of the importance of getting the Scout house back up and running as soon as possible. To donate funds, visit www.gofundme.com/troop604scouthouse.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com An Oak Forest community staple is asking for its neighborhood to play a vital role in repairing extensive damage to their home and extending its life. The Boy Scout Troop 604 house on West 43rd Street is in need of numerous repairs after the building recently suffered a significant amount of damage from flooding from heavy rainfall. Boy Scout Troop 604 has been a fixture in Oak Forest since 1955. The goal of the unit is to provide an environment for young boys to learn patriotism, citizenship, self-reliance, confidence and leadership. “Scouts have the opportunity to engage in activities they would otherwise not have thought of, be able to afford or don’t have the resources to participate in,” Troop Leader Ed Sherwood said. Adult leaders had previously made arrangements to remodel the house about 18
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months ago, later attempting to begin following last September’s floods, but Sherwood said more issues were found as they dug deeper, forcing them to reconsider original plans and modify them in order to extend the life of the house. “Instead of just putting on band-aids and covering up the problems, we chose to make proper repairs in hopes of extending the life of the Scout house for another 20 years,” Sherwood said. The scouts need money for lumber, hardware, electrical updating, sheetrock, insulation and paint in order to proceed with repairs following the discovery of 16 broken roof rafters and several ceiling joists which must be repaired.
Move from P. 1B that is not the only parallel between the old and the new which leads her to believe the move had to have been in the cards. “I’m also buying a piece of property in a neighborhood that has already seen its worst time (43rd/North Shepherd). This neighborhood (Washington Boulevard) was [also once] at its lowest ebb,” she noted. When Heacker received the permit to build, the permit granted to her was the first permit issued in the Washington Corridor in more than a decade. Though she believes it unlikely the store will have the same density on North Shepherd as in its current location, Heacker maintains a belief that it will work out because it seems meant to be. “We’re buying a plumbing supply shop in a transitioning neighborhood—it’s a small version of the circle of life,” she said, smiling.
about what it was going to cost to fix some of this up,” she said. However, all seems to be in place for the time being. According to Heacker, the new move-in date is scheduled for Oct. 23, but for now it is simply one foot in front of the other. “We’re going to try and be a good neighbor and I think we’re moving into an area where people are going to be happy to see us,” she said. “Moving a business five miles is a real gamble, because you know you’re going to lose at least some customers.” That said, Heaker assured the public that serving their client base remains the priority, wherever such service occurs. “You figure it’s going to take a little while for people to realize you’ve moved, and our situation has been that we can’t tell people when we’re moving in for sure,” she said. We’re going as fast as we can.”
The (hopefully) final countdown Wabash began the process of moving in December of 2015 (though plans and engineering and things began even earlier, in October), closed on a buyer by January and received their first building permit for the new property in May. However, the date was postponed several times due to unforeseen circumstances. Heaker now believes that management’s original expectations for the move-in may have been slightly ambitious and naïve in hindsight, due to the unforeseen costs of remodeling and retrofitting a more than 50-year-old building with modern changes, such as lowering the property around them about five or six inches due to the slab being at grade. “That’s stuff you don’t think about. When I was looking at the building, I wasn’t thinking
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Football once foreign to LHN star running back By Jonathan Valadez For The Leader Four years ago, when Atanasio Simba started school at Lutheran High North, he did not know how to play football or really even what it was. Now, the senior is expected to carry the load offensively for the Lions as the team’s running back this season. When he was 14 years old, Simba came to Houston from the Province of Cabinda in Angola just before he was supposed to start his freshman year. “First, my oldest brother came,” Simba said. “He came to college here and after two to three years, my dad decided that we all should come - my other siblings and I.” Before he enrolled at LHN, Simba spent six intensive months learning English at the Bilingual Education Institute. He decided to go to Lutheran after his brother’s friend, who was an alumnus, suggested that it would be a good fit. Simba said the first few months were difficult while he adjusted to his new life, but once he started to grasp the language better, it became easier for him. While he was in Cabinda, Simba ran track but did not
focus too much on sports because he was waiting to come to Houston. When he arrived at LHN, Simba was approached by head football coach Nathan Robbins, who asked him if he would like to try out for the team. “At first, I didn’t want to play football because I didn’t know what it was,” Simba said. “I tried. I didn’t like it at first, but through practice, I started to get better.” With a new school and a new sport, Simba had difficulty learning the nuances of the game but refused to give up. After a few weeks of practice, it all started coming together for him, and he really started to enjoy playing the game, despite seeing limited playing time. He did not see a whole lot of playing time his first two years, mostly because of the talent that was in front of him on the roster, but also because of how small he was. During his freshman year, Simba weighed only 119 pounds, had trouble benching his own weight and ran a 5.0 second 40-yard dash time. He started putting in more work in the weight room and spent the spring months running track for the Lions, which helped improve his speed. “What helped me the most
was track,” Simba said. “I do track workouts at home. I do the 100-meter, the 4x100 and the 4x400.” In his junior year, as he started to add weight and get faster, Simba saw more playing time and rushed the ball 60 times for a total of 367 yards, adding eight touchdowns. Entering his senior year, Simba has added almost 30 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-7 frame, squats over twice his body weight, benches more than 1.5 times his body weight and runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds. Robbins believes that he could be the fastest player in LHN’s district. He also said that Simba has the potential to reach 2,000 yards rushing for the season. While he is one of the driving forces behind LHN’s revamped offense, Simba said he is more focused on doing whatever he can to help his team win and get the Lions in the playoffs. Regardless of what happens this season, Simba said that he hopes he can get to a college where he can continue playing the sport he once knew little about and major in something like computer science. “I would like to stay close to Houston, so Sam Houston State or (Houston Baptist University),” Simba said.
Lutheran High North’s Wood named Athlete of the Week For The Leader
This week’s Athlete of the Week is Lutheran High North’s Rebecca Wood. Wood is starting her senior year and plays on the volleyball team. We chatted with Zeno for a quick interview.
What has been your most memorable moment/game as a player so far? My first high school playoff game, freshman year against Emery Weiner.
Which team has been the most difficult that you have played? It would have to be Episcopal High School or Saint Thomas Episcopal.
If you could play anywhere in college, where would it be and why?
I would play at Texas A&M because they are one of the best SEC volleyball teams and it’s close to home.
What drew you to the sport(s) you are now playing?
My older siblings grew up playing sports and I’ve always looked up to them.
Who is your favorite athlete/biggest influence? I’d say Katie Ledecky.
Do you have any pregame rituals, if so, what are they?
I put in my headphones an hour before we warmup and I don’t talk to other people so I can focus. We would like to thank Raising Cane’s #103 for partnering with The Leader to spotlight these great students. Special thanks to Raising Cane’s managing partner, Justin Harrod, who has something special planned for each school. “During the week of your ‘Athlete of the Week’ come and visit the Raising Canes on Ella that Tuesday night from 4 to 10 p.m. and mention “Athlete of the Week,” Harrod said. “Raising Canes will donate 15% of those proceeds back to the school.”
Rebecca Wood
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