m
LEADER LISTING The Leader • Saturday, April 25, 2020 • Page 1B
Community grapples with affordable housing plan By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Bobby Speer knows he’s fighting an uphill battle. He also knows that no matter what he says or does, he might be forced to live across the street from a three-story apartment complex within the next couple years. The Heights-area resident is still determined to thwart the Dian Street Villas, an affordable housing project on a 2.05-acre property at the southwest corner of Dian Street and 15th Street, using just about any means necessary. “It doesn’t bother me to go down swinging,” Speer said. “I’m not going to roll over.” Speer is not alone in his fight against the Dian Street Villas, a proposed mixed-income development by Houston-based nonprofit Texas Inter-Faith Housing. It is under contract to purchase the property at 1433 Dian St. and plans to construct a 108-unit complex, with 96 of those units designated for low-income renters, and is seeking federal funding to help pay for the project. Several nearby residents oppose the plan and have placed signs in their front yards that indicate as much. Speer has helped to organize the effort, having creating the website stopdianstreetvillas.com and started an online petition that had more than 200 signatures as of Wednesday morning. At this point, however, the effort might be futile. The project is in good position to receive a 9 percent federal housing tax credit allocated by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), having already received letters of support from the Houston City Council and Texas Rep. Anna Eastman. The city council voted in February to support a total of 20 affordable housing projects within Houston, including a 180-unit complex called The Ella that is proposed for 1718 W. 26th St. There is a competitive scoring process that will determine how many of those projects will receive the tax credits, with the TDHCA planning to make those allocations in July. Last year, the TDHCA awarded the annual tax credits, worth about $1.5 million per year over a 10-year period, to nine projects
Several residents near a proposed affordable housing project at 1433 Dian St. have put up yard signs illustrating their opposition.
within the Houston region. Eastman, a Heights resident who was elected to the District 148 seat of the Texas House of Representatives in late January, said she wrote letters of support for both local projects in late February. Based on the TDHCA’s scoring process, her support is critical to the developers seeking the tax credits. “Affordable housing is a realy big issue,” Eastman said. “District 148 is going through rapid and fairly aggressive gentrification, both resulting in people having to sell their homes because they can’t afford their taxes and making it impossible for teachers or art-
ists or other people that have solid middleclass jobs. It makes it impossible for them to move in to the neighborhood.” Speer and another nearby resident who opposes the Dian Street Villas, Kevin Strickland, both said they are not opposed to affordable housing. They said their problem with the plan is that it would increase traffic and the risk of flooding in the area and put a strain on infrastructure in an already dense neighborhood. Even more problematic, they say, is that they received no notification about the project and have not been asked for their input
Contributed photo
by either the developer, Eastman or District C council member Abbie Kamin, who was elected in December and voted to support the projects in February. Kamin said in an emailed statement that she is facilitating communication between the developer and the neighborhood associations for nearby Clark Pines and Shady Acres. Russ Michaels, the executive director for Texas Inter-Faith Housing, has recently been in contact with Clark Pines Civic Association President David Charvoz and said they’re in See Dian P. 4B
Revive’s bingo game aims to boost area businesses ucts directly from her instead of online, and she’s personally delivering what she sells. Her estheticians who are conducting the virtual consultations can receive commission from products they sell as well as gratuity. Every little bit helps until
By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Not touching your face is a good way to avoid contracting COVID-19. But the public-health guideline is bad for businesses such as Skoah Facial Shop, which needs to touch faces in order to be viable. Owner Lauri Stufflebeme said the social distancing restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating to her Oak Forest facial spa, which opened less than a year ago and had been building momentum in terms of its customer base. Skoah has been closed for more than a month as Houston and Harris County remain under a stay-at-home, work safe order, which allows only essential businesses to operate and requires all citizens who are not part of the same household to maintain at least 6 feet of separation from each other. “It’s just been awful,” Stufflebeme said. Fortunately for Skoah and several other businesses in the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest areas, their landlord has come up with a creative way to drum up business – even for its tenants that are temporarily closed. Revive Development, a commercial real estate firm based in the area, unveiled a communitywide, interactive game called “Revive Bingo” last week. Twenty-four of the 26 tenants in Revive’s portfolio represent squares on a bingo card, which includes a free space in the middle and can otherwise be filled by making a purchase or booking a future service with the business. The first 10 people to complete a five-square row will win a $250 prize package that includes gift certificates, products and services at the businesses, the first person to patronize all 24 businesses will receive a prize package worth more than $1,000. Fourteen of the Revive tenants are restaurants, which are allowed to operate with drive-through, carryout or delivery services. Eight of the businesses – two boutiques, two fitness centers, two hair salons, Skoah and a surf shop called Surfhouse – have been closed since at least March 24. “We have focused 100 percent on helping our tenants,” said Monica Danna, Revive’s
Skoah can go back to providing facials at its spa on 34th Street. The same goes for bingo-inspired purchases. “I’m waiting for folks to need that square,” Stufflebeme said. “I’m ready to serve them when they do.”
FREDRICK’S AUTO REPAIR PA If You Have a Good Honest Mechanic... ic...
KEEP HIM!!
If Not, Call Me Now Offering Mobile Service
832-884-4169
Contributed photo Skoah Facial Shop owner Lauri Stufflebeme, shown with her husband, Mike, temporarily closed on March 20 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her landlord, Revive Development, is trying to help.
director of leasing and marketing. “Every single one of our 26 tenants are affected by it.” Danna said service-based businesses such as Skoah, Brush & Bobby salon and Re/ forme lagree fitness have been most significantly impacted by the pandemic. Some of the restaurants, meanwhile, have fared a little better since they’ve been able to remain open. One example, Danna said, is Mico’s Hot Chicken in the Heights. The business was a popular food truck in the process of transitioning to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, so it already had been successful with a to-go model. BB’s Tex-Orleans co-owner Maricela Bassler, who has a White Oak Drive location in the Heights and is a Revive tenant at 1737 W. 34th Ste. Suite 500, said their sales have declined by only about 10-15 percent. BB’s specializes in crawfish and Hurricane cocktails and has promoted takeout specials for families, which have resonated with customers, according to Bassler. Even though the business is doing fairly well, BB’s remains appreciative of Revive’s initiative. Danna, the cousin of Revive founder Bryan Danna, said the company’s eightperson staff came up with the idea while brainstorming about how they could help their tenants. “We have 10 locations,” Bassler said. “I can tell you right now that not all landlords are supporting their ten-
ants like Monica and Bryan are.” Monica Danna said there were three bingo winners during the first week of the promotion, which is set to last through May. She said it made sense to group the businesses together, since they all are located within a few miles of each other. And while trying to spark an uptick in immediate sales for their tenants, which in turn will help them pay rent to Revive, the bingo game also fig-
ures to create future business for those companies since their services are part of the prize packages. “It’s really kind of a win-win for our tenants,” Danna said. As of Tuesday, Stufflebeme said Skoah had yet to make a bingo-related sale. Even though its shop is closed, Skoah is doing free virtual consultations and selling its proprietary skin-care products. Stufflebeme said she her franchise benefits more by customers buying Skoah prod-
We have been providing property tax services since 1968 for both our residential and commercial clients.
Do you need help protesting your property taxes? Give us a call
(713)349-1009
localpoke.co
micoshotchicken.com
aladdinshouston.com
skoah.com/houston
kasushi.com
721 W 19th
squabletime.com
fatcatcreamery.com
threadfare.com
reformelagree.com
handohtx.com
ritualhouston.com
FREE SPACE
brushandbobby.com
sharkeyscutsforkids.com
1737 W 34th
eatlola.com
1737 W 34th
brancheallday.com
1102 Yale Street
cantinabarba.com
1737 W 34th
hugsanddonuts.com
bicyclespeedshop.co
721 W 19th
REVIVE BINGO!
Help support our REVIVE businesSes in the Heights, Oak Forest and Garden Oaks: Make a purchase, take-out order, online product, book a service; email receipt and bingo card to marketing@reviveco.com; first 10 winners to complete one row of bingo win a prize package worth $250. first winner to complete a blackout wins a prize package worth over $1000. valid thru 5/31/20.
Contributed graphic The Revive Bingo card includes squares for 24 area businesses.
Page 2B • Saturday, April 25, 2020 • The Leader
REALTOR SHOWCASE Pribble brings personal touch to Houston real estate
Your neighborhood expert.
Stephanie Pribble REALTORÂŽ 713.542.1730 pribble@pribblegroup.com pribblegroup.com compass.com /sOlVBbWO +oWJJ_O Wp B oOB_ OpsBsO BUObs BTÂ _WBsOM zWsV dalBppĂ dalBpp Wp B _WKObpOM oOB_ OpsBsO Jod^Oo BbM BJWMOp J| TOMOoB_Ă› psBsO BbM _dKB_ _BzpĂ ntB_ dtpWbU #lldostbWs|Ă
Leader-2p3x3-AskJan-May-19.indd 1
YOUR OAK FOREST, GARDEN OAKS AND SHEPHERD PARK PLAZA EXPERTS
Abigaill Bocchetto Realtor, GRI
Our signs make houses
Metro
Oakington n Realty ws knows orest Oak Forest
move.
THE CAROLYN BRYANT TEAM
SOLD 713-528-1800
Kristi Kolmetz
Carolyn Bryant
Kristi@KristiKolmetz.com 281.723.9801
Carolyn@CarolynBryant.com 281.723.9810
Serving Oak Forest • Heights Shepherd Forest Shepherd Park Plaza Candlelight Plaza Timbergrove Lazybrook Garden Oaks
“We Make Real Estate Simple.� Janet & Cecil Schmidt
713.419.7918 homes@janetandcecil.com
HOME SERVICES PREMIER PROPERTIES • 713-686-5454
Clark/Kotzur Real Estate Team Serving the community for over 40 combined years!
Give us a call today so we can help you!
METRO Debbie Kotzur 713.822.4951
debbie@debbiekotzur.com
Mike Clark
713.906.4148
mike@clarkkotzurteam.com
READY TO SELL OR BUY YOUR NEW HOME? I WILL BE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
New Listings
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES PREMIER PROPERTIES; THE FOREVER COMPANY
LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITY?
Harley is the BEST! He explained everything to us indetail, knows the real estate market, negotiated very effectively, and communicated with us throughout the entire process. He is very personable. We highly recommend him!
LISTIN G S 5034 LIBBEY ACTIVE 813 N. 26th ACTIVE
an outside analyst or consultant – providing that personal touch. “You’re telling the story of a home online with words and photos, and online advertising allows you to directly target people or a specific buyer, so that was a fairly easy transition for me,â€? she said. “Having firsthand knowledge and being able to apply it directly has been very valuable over the years.â€? Pribble’s approach, she said, takes real estate beyond the home. As a longtime Houstonian coupled with an extensive history in the industry and deep roots in the area, she brings record buying and selling to both on and off market properties in some of the most sought after Houston neighborhoods. She was recognized as a top producer for four straight years from 2016-2019. “I think about it as more than just a house – it’s about where they’ll go grocery shopping, or what restaurants they’ll be going to‌It’s narrowing in on what their commute is going to look like, and where they spend their weekends,â€? she said. “It’s trying to show them the bigger picture on where they want to be area wise.â€? That approach has made her a soughtafter realtor in the Houston area, with her business thriving due to repeat business and referral history. She said she believes such loyalty is a result of her effort to become more than a realtor for her clients. It’s about a relationship beyond the transaction. “My favorite part of the process is the people,â€? she said. “All of my clients have become friends and grown into genuine relationships.â€? To contact Pribble about buying or selling a home, you can reach her by email at pribble@pribblegroup.com or give her a call at 713-542-1730.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Stephanie Pribble knows the impact of buying or selling a home goes well-beyond a simple transaction. She’s not just pushing for the next transaction, going for quantity over quality. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. “Real estate is not a job. It is a lifestyle. It is about the people and walking them through every part of the process providing our guidance and experience. Whether you’re a first time home buyer, upgrading, downsizing or somewhere in between, it goes beyond just the home or property,� she said. “Each home sale is like a small marriage – you’re with someone through typically the largest investment of their lives and brought into their home seeing the most intimate part of their lives.� Pribble is an agent with Compass Real Estate and has been in the business since 2014. She said it was time for a leap of faith shortly after getting married to get into the business. “I always had an interest in the industry, so I decided to jump in – and it was everything I needed it to be,� she said. In her six years on the job, Pribble has worked primarily in inner loop and nearinner loop neighborhoods such as the Heights, Garden Oaks and beyond while trying to keep a toe on both the buying and selling sides of the job. With a strong marketing and advertising background that has proven critical to the world of real estate, she believes she brings a unique skill set to the table in an ever-changing industry. Most notably, she said, everything begins online in today’s day and age. As such, she’s able to put her journalism degree and marketing background directly into each transaction as opposed to needing to hire
Harley Hedgpeth
Overall Rating: 5/5.0 Competency 5/5.0 Market Knowledge 5/5.0 Communication 5/5.0 My Experience 5/5.0
www.oakingtonrealty.com abby@oakingtonrealty.com (713)882-2244
Stephanie Pribble
Each office is independently owned and verified
Put our 42 years of experience to work for you!
5034 LIBBEY SOLD 2007 WOODCREST SOLD
YOUR FOREVER AGENT
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
1026 W 43rd St. $425,000
UNLIMITED EARNING POWER HEALTH INSURANCE JOIN BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES PREMEIR PROPERTIES Contact me to see how you can get started TODAY!
714 Garden Oaks Blvd. $615,000
Marcia Luzader Kyanka
Vanessa Groves Career Consultant
832-628-2118
713-724-8207
harley.hedgpeth@gmail.com 1803 W. 43rd St. Houston, TX 77018
Marcia@MarciaKyanka.com
1803 W. 43rd St. Houston TX 77018
Vanessa.Groves@preproperties.com
713-254-3671
Home Services Premier Properties • 713-686-5454
Put our 42 years of experience to work for you! Janet & Cecil Schmidt Serving Oak Forest • Heights Shepherd Forest Shepherd Park Plaza Candlelight Plaza Timbergrove Lazybrook • Garden Oaks
713.419.7918 homes@janetandcecil.com
1/21/2020 3:24:59 PM
1182 Chamboard
PRIC
E RE
DUC
ED
$749,000 1546 Gardenia
NEW
MICHAEL SILVA • 713-725-8748 cell michael@happenhouston.com
Your Walking Agent Ashley Day 504.237.6535 REALTORÂŽ ashley.day@compass.com
Ashley Day is a Real Estate agent affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker and abides by federal, state and local laws. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Be a part of our
Realtor’s Showcase
You’re guaranteed a monthly ad in our Leader Listings section, along with a story about you and your business. The cost is unbeatable! Find out more by calling
713-686-8494
Tired of your house looking like this? A division of Home Hands Group LLC
LIST
ING
713-686-4936
$1,025,000
ItJustBroke.com
HOME SERVICES PREMIER PROPERTIES • 713-686-5454
“We Make Real Estate Simple.� Š 2013-2016 BHH Affiliates, LLC. Real Estate Brokerage Services are offered through the network member franchisees of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Most franchisees are independently owned and operated. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.Ž Equal Housing Opportunity.
Let’s pressure wash it!
Bonded & Insured
The Leader • Saturday, April 25, 2020 • Page 3B
Art Valet: During quarantine, Houston writer storms readers with historical novel about area hurricanes Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
Maria Elena Sandovici was first introduced in this column in the week’s following Hurricane Harvey with her watercolor painting of the Houston skyline. Sandovici’s waterlogged Houston skyline with stormy skies above seemed to reflect the sentiment of the entire cities population. A former Galveston resident, Sandovici is a full-time artist, writer, and a 2018 graduate of John Ross Palmer’s Escapist Mentorship Program. She has been a frequent exhibitor at the First Saturday Arts Market where we met. As an avid fan of tenacious artists pursuing their goals, it is no surprise that I tell you that
Sandovici has released her sixth novel during the stay at home world we have lived in the past weeks. Sandovici has released her new historical novel, Storms of Malhado. In Storms of Malhado, three women with strikingly similar destinies face deadly hurricanes on Galveston Island through three different historical eras. The novel was set to release in September, on the anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900, but Sandovici decided to surprise her readers with an early release during the COVID-19 quarantine. “Too many fun things had to be cancelled or postponed,” Sandovici said. “This was something much anticipated by my readers, which I could speed up for them.” Focusing on three emblematic moments in Galveston’s history – 1900, 1961, and 2008 – Storms of Malhado
“Storms of Malhado” arrived earlier than expected.
pays homage to the Island’s resilience in the face of adversity. Several local businesses that survived Hurricane Ike and continued to thrive are mentioned (Maceo Spice and Imports, The Witchery, and The Tremont House among others), and many locations are recognizable to those who
love Galveston. Sandovici, a frequent visitor to Galveston, was initially inspired by a story her friends Melissa and Caitlin Fortier, to whom the novel is dedicated, told Sandovici during Hurricane Harvey. The book received critical input from several beta readers, includ-
ing authors Donna Dechen Birdwell and Courtney Brandt, as well as feedback on historical accuracy from Margaret Doran, long associated with the Galveston Historical Foundation and the Rosenberg Library. The book was edited by Mandy Schoen and formatted by graphic designer Lisa Goodrich, whose contribution especially shines through in the old-world charm of the paperback version. The ebook cover was designed by Buburuza Productions using original art created by Sandovici for this purpose. Signings and release parties must wait, but an exclusive group of loyal readers already received their copies in the mail and early reviews are glowing. “Ms. Sandovici has done an extraordinary job of writing three distinct stories yet subtly weaving them together
to create a fascinating whole,” writes long-time Sandovici reader Jill Macomber. “This has to be my favorite of all of Ms. Sandovici’s works!” writes Charissa Paulson, another loyal reader. Sandovici’s five previous novels are Dogs with Bagels, Stray Dogs and Lonely Beaches, Lost Path to Solitude, The Adventures of Miss Vulpe, and Lone Wolf, as well a volume of poetry in the voice of her dog. She blogs daily at HaveWatercolorsWillTravel.blog. The blog has links to Amazon where her book is available on Kindle or paperback. If you have questions about Maria Elena Sandovici or her new book, please contact her at 570-807-6411 or elena@ elenasandovici.com Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com.
REVIEW:
Urban Eats packs flavorful feast to take home Zarah Parker Managing Editor
It’s the aroma of Urban Eats’ dishes that I’m still dreaming about. The food had that justfinished-cooking smell that I don’t experience very often with takeout. The Sundried Tomato & Prosciutto Meatloaf, an oven-baked sirloin with spicy Italian sausage and lean turkey topped with tomato brown gravy and parmesan, was packaged in a small tin to-go box. There were two loaves, which was too much for just me. The meatloaf is currently on Urban Eats’ meal bundle special in which you can get one “Nuts & Bolts” item and two “provisions” for $35 for two people and $65 for four people. The meatloaf smelled as good as it tasted. The meat was tender and had just enough of the tomato gravy. My favorite aspect was the Italian sausage, which definitely was a main flavor component. I’d never had
sausage in my meatloaf, so it was a nice twist to an old dish. The Bacon & Onion Braised Brussels Sprouts, which are also featured on the bundle menu, were packed full in the tin container. Caramelized onions and bits of bacon were mixed in and kept each bite of the Brussels sprouts fresh with flavor. I found the sprouts to taste pretty sweet. And as a self-proclaimed breadie, I couldn’t go without trying Urban Eats’ Monkey Bread, which are pull-apart rolls infused with garlic, rosemary and alderwood-smoked sea salt. The bread was still warm and fluffy. I loved the rosemary, which I could both smell and taste. But most of all, it was the whipped honey butter that brought it all together. The sweets I tried were the Chocolate Pecan Tarte and the Menage a Trios Cobbler. The tarte was a pecan pie made with dark chocolate morsels. The dark chocolate didn’t add sweetness, but a rich under layer that I enjoyed with the pecans. I especially loved the soft crust. The cobbler, which was made with blueberries and
crème de cassis and layered with a biscuit and brown sugar streusel, also made for a good meal ender. The berries brought their natural sweetness that balanced well with the biscuit. I liked that it wasn’t a traditional cobbler made with more of a crust. While I haven’t tried Urban Eats’ egg salad, the restaurant was also recently featured in Huff Post’s “How To Make The Best Egg Salad,” in which owner Levi Rollins shares how to make it. You can find the recipe here: feasturbaneats.com/ make-the-best-egg-salad-athome. Urban Harvest Address: 3414 Washington Ave. Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 5 – 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday (current hours) Pricing: $8 - $29 Alcohol: Yes Kid-friendly: Yes Health options: Yes Star of the Show: The Sundried Tomato & Prosciutto Meatloaf Follow us on social media @ FromTheLeader
Millie’s to debut in midst of pandemic By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
Being restricted to carryout and curbside services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been a burden for most restaurants. But it might just be the right timing for Millie’s, which is set to open Friday at 3542 Oak Forest Dr. “Like most everyone, this sudden disaster completely caught us off guard and turned our company entirely upside down,” Ken Bridge, a co-owner of Millie’s, said in a news release. “We still have many employees that we’re trying to get paid and this will help us get them the much-needed funds that they are depending on for their survival.” Bridge and co-owner Chris Jones said they decided to move forward with opening Millie’s in hope that it will bring in money to help keep employees afloat even with the potential risk of opening during a pandemic. Bridge is the CEO of Delicious Concepts, which owns various neighborhood spots, including Ritual at 602 Studewood St., The Ready Room at 2626 White Oak Dr., Blackbird Izakaya at 1221 W.
Chris Jones and Ken Bridge outside the old Oak Forest Chill where the new restaurant Millie’s was set to open on Friday.
11th St. and Shepherd Park Draught House at 3402 N. Shepherd Dr. Millie’s will open for lunch and dinner beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, operating curbside and delivery services en-
tirely through the Roovy app. The app was developed last year by Bridge and his team and will serve as a contactfree way for the restaurant to provide its service.
A recent to-go spread from Urban Eats was satisfying to food writer Zarah Parker.
Page 4B • Saturday, April 25, 2020 • The Leader
Jeanes, longtime neighbor, advocate and area real estate agent, joins Led Well Realty For The Leader Realtor Terry Jeanes, a longtime area resident, community advocate and real estate expert for more than three decades, has joined Led Well Realty. Jeanes, a native Houstonian with a marketing degree from the University of Houston, is a recognized top agent with awards from local to regional sectors with both Century 21 and RE/MAX. Jeanes also has been recognized by
the Houston Association of Realtors as recipient of the Progressive Professional Award, in addition to HAR’s Presidential Citations. Her career work includes designations of Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate of the Realtors Institute, and the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award. She views herself not only as a REALTOR, but also as a connector and a catalyst. Jeanes has been a volunteer
Terry Jeanes
in the Garden Oaks community since 1981, is a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Lifetime Member and volunteer since 1996, and a supporter of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce since the late 1980s. She is a motivating force behind many programs within the area, including the Garden Oaks Constable Program. Jeanes did not miss a beat work-wise during her 3.5year breast cancer journey which was featured in The
Leader in October 2017. She consistently worked during all treatments and multiple surgeries. Her “no vacancy” mantra was an inspiration to many and the same determination during that life lesson is applied to her well-balanced personal and business life today. Ginny Ledwell, broker/ owner, said: “The team at Led Well Realty is beyond excited about Terry joining us. Her expertise and top-notch knowledge of marketing and
the area as a whole are a huge asset. Led Well Realty takes our commitment to the community very seriously, and having a seasoned professional like Terry who has lived, worked, and contributed to our area in so many ways is perfectly in line with our mission of ‘Community drive. Client focused. Trusted advisors.’” Jeanes can be reached at 281-236-8033 or terry@terryjeanes.com.
FOOD BRIEFS:
Common Bond to open drive-through spot in Heights By Zarah Parker
bundles. Area participants included La Lucha and Superica, which are sister restaurants at 1801 N. Shepherd Dr., Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. at 2101 Summer St., Mutiny Wine Room at 1124 Usener St., Postino Wine Café at 642 Yale St. and Rainbow Lodge at 2011 Ella Blvd.
zarah@theleadernews.com
Common Bond, which has a location in the Height Waterworks Development at 449 W. 19th St., plans to open another concept in the neighborhood that specializes in to-go and drive-through services. The upcoming space is at 601 Heights Blvd., previously Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts, and is scheduled to open May 18. The concept will feature sweet and savory items, coffee, small plates, beer and wine. According to Houstonia Magazine, the Common Bond team first discussed plans for a grab-and-go concept last summer. The building got a fresh layer of turquoise paint to match Common Bond’s color theme as well as an expanded outdoor patio. Antone’s brings back Bun B’s sandwich Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys, 2724 W. T.C. Jester Blvd., has brought back Houston hip-hop star Bun B’s Hot Wang sandwich. The sandwich shop and Bun B teamed up to bring the sandwich back to benefit the Houston Music Foundation. The recently launched foundation gives grants to
Coltivare meals to be sold at area H-E-B stores H-E-B has been offering to-go meals from Underbelly Hospitality, Cherry Block Craft Butcher and Kitchen and Brennan’s of Houston at stores around Houston since the beginning of April. Coltivare Pizza & Garden, 3320 White Oak Dr., has been added to the list of restaurants and is preparing togo meals now available at HE-B locations in the Heights (2300 N. Shepherd Dr.), Buffalo Heights (3663 Washington Ave.) and Montrose area (1701 W. Alabama St.). Coltivare’s offerings at HE-B include parmesan and black pepper penne with charcoal grilled chicken, rigatoni Bolognese and 44 Farms braised beef lasagna.
Contributed photo The upcoming Common Bond location will open on May 18 where the former Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts was located.
musicians’ affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hot Wang sandwich, which Antone’s released for a limited time last September, featuring a fried chicken breast, Buffalo sauce, bacon and blue cheese-ranch dressing between a ciabatta bun. Half of the proceeds from Hot Wang sandwich sales will be donated by Antone’s to the Houston Music Foundation.
Local restaurants participate in picnic campaign This year restaurants teamed up to make National Picnic Day, which was Thursday, extra special to encourage people to celebrate at home. More than 20 restaurants participated, featuring six local places, by preparing a picnic that was available for curbside pickup and delivery, along with beverage
Follow us on social media @FromTheLeader Photo by Emily Jaschke Antone’s Famous Po’Boys, 2724 W. T.C. Jester Blvd., is bringing back its Bun B’s Hot Wang sandwich.
‘Take Us To Your Table’ initiative aims to support restaurants By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Northwest Houston is known for having great restaurants, most of which have seen a decline in business during the COVID-19 pandemic. While dining rooms across the city are closed to promote social distancing, Mayor Sylvester Turner is asking Houston residents to support local restaurants by purchasing their food and bringing it back home. The city’s “Take Us To Your Table” campaign start-
ed Thursday. Residents are asked to patronize restaurants — which have been restricted to drive-through, carryout and delivery service since March 17 — every Thursday. “While you may not be able get a seat at your favorite restaurant right now, they can certainly have a seat at your table,” Turner said. “Every Thursday, please consider ordering takeout or delivery as part of your weekend plans.” Turner also announced last week that ExxonMobil is donating $100,000 to the
Dian, from P. 1B the process of scheduling virtual community meetings that will be held within the next two weeks. “That’s fine, but they’re a day late and a dollar short,” Strickland said. “They’ve already voted, the city council voted to approve it, and Eastman provided her letter of support.” Michaels and Jervon Harris, who is working with the developer, said they had planned to engage nearby residents sooner, saying the recent turnover among elected officials as well as the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a delay. Harris also said they are open to hearing neighborhood concerns and possibly incorporating them into the project. Harris said the developer is working on flood mitigation and traffic control plans and intends to make the Dian Street Villas a gated community. “Closing and construction on the project are not imminent,” Harris said. “It’s always been our intention to engage the community as we go through the design and development process.” Michaels said the project, which also is seeking federal money as part of Houston’s Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery fund, likely will not move forward without being awarded the tax credits through the TDHCA. A spokesperson for the state agency said members of the public have until June 19 to
submit comments, either in support or in opposition to the projects, on the TDHCA website (www.tdhca.state. tx.us). Public comments could have an impact on the outcome of the tax credit competition, so Speer is encouraging his like-minded neighbors to chime in. He said he also is enlisting legal professionals and public works experts to study the plan for Dian Street Villas and see what else can be done to undermine it. While Eastman and Kamin support the project, they also said the developer should seek and consider community feedback as it moves forward. Michaels and Tori Williams, a board member for the Clark Pines Civic Association, said there are several community members who support the plan. Charvoz said the more he speaks with the developer and learns about the project, the more agreeable it seems. Eastman cautioned that if nearby residents successfully thwart the project, they could end up with something they dislike even more. The property previously was used for commercial purposes. “I don’t understand why our neighbors are so adamant and opposed to something that is good for people,” Williams said. “The loudest people right now are the ones who don’t want it. The ones who do want it are feeling a little overwhelmed by the ones who don’t want it.”
Texas Restaurant Association’s TX Restaurant Relief Fund, which will support Houston-area restaurants, their staffs and, in turn, first responders. In a statement on the Texas Restaurant Association’s website, president and CEO Emily
Williams Knight said the donation will help participating restaurants hire back up to 50 percent of their furloughed employees. The funds from the oil and gas company also will be used to help Houston-area chefs prepare and deliver
about 6,000 individually packaged meals — or between 100 and 200 per day — to Texas Medical Center hospitals, the Houston Police Foundation, the Fire Fighters Foundation of Houston and the Spring Fire Department. Cameron James, the president elect of the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, which is a local affiliate of the statewide organization, said the Houston area has more than 12,000 restaurants and 350,000 restaurant employees. He said the community restrictions
in place to fight the spread of COVID-19, the upperrespiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus, has put all those businesses and workers in jeopardy. The economic effects also have been felt by those who supply food to restaurants, James said, including farmers and ranchers. “They are all at risk,” James said. “We need everyone’s support right now to get through this, otherwise your favorite restaurant won’t be here when this pandemic is over.”
2020 CARES Act
Small Business Financial Relief
Small Business owners: Did you know...
Here’s what you can get:
250% of your monthly payroll
Did you know...
here’s what you have to pay back:
$0 (as long as you use the money for payroll, rent or utilities) If you own a small business, no matter if you have 2 or 200 employees, you probably know the U.S. Government passed the CARES Act in March to help your business survive. But too many businesses are going to let the cash go because the work is tedious.
The hard part for many small businesses is the application process. You need payroll records. Most applications average around 13 pages. There are business questions that will take time. None of that is a good reason to leave free money on the table.
Does Your Business Qualifiy? Find Out Today!
StimulusHelpers.com Experts in the 2020 CARES Act