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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston
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Saturday, March 29, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 13
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Burglary at Friends For Life Animal Shelter sparks heartfelt community response By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
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On the morning of Friday, March 21, staff at Friends For Life Animal Shelter arrived to find one of their offices had been broken into, leaving the nonprofit without a laptop, a mini-fridge, various IT equipment, Internet, and a much-
needed toolbox. Security camera footage showed the burglar entering an external office building around 4:30 a.m. by breaking through a window and then kicking down the door from inside the building. In a Facebook post, the organization emphasized that no animals were harmed during the burglary.
“It is incredibly disheartening,” said Friends For Life Managing Director, Fiona Layfield. “We’re here trying to help the community by saving animals that have nowhere else to go, so having someone damage our property and steal essential items is a real kick in the teeth.” Layfield said it appeared the
burglar was familiar with the layout of the facilities. “It seemed that he knew exactly where he was going. He walked straight to the executive director’s office,” she said. “We ended up having to sort through everything, tidy up, speak with See BURGLARY P. 2
FIRE AND FATE: THE 911 HOUSE
Houston Heights Association Spring Home & Garden Tour returns in full bloom
Houston’s Top 50: Heights woman joins ranks of most influential women
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
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Fun & Impact: City Market scheduled for April 11/12
Page 3 Photos by Stephanie Shirley
From the moment HFD firefighter Ricardo Ocampo and his wife learned of this home’s history, its fate was sealed.
Oaks Dads’ Club removes president over financial mismanagement allegations
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A Fail of Two Bridges: Local organizations call for pedestrian safety measures, more bridges
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Still image from surveillance footage, courtesy of Friends For Life
A Houston Heights home’s heritage stays firmly rooted in the Houston Fire Department By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor It’s hard to imagine a more fitting address for a firefighter than one whose house number reads “911.” Nestled in the Heights, this century-old home has lived up to its symbolic number, remaining a beloved haven for Houston’s bravest across multiple generations. Originally the home of a local HFD veteran and his wife— whose firefighting lineage dated back to the 1930s—it has now passed into the hands of a young firefighter who plans to preserve its legacy. In a twist that feels almost destined, the new owners discovered the
property’s deep firefighting roots only after falling in love with it—and once they learned of its nickname, the “911 House,” there was no going back. The story that unfolds is one of chance, community, and enduring dedication to a profession that literally stands at the front lines of public safety.
A Home Steeped in Firefighter Heritage
Amy Lynch Kolflat, a thirdgeneration realtor, owns Zebra Properties and has a special talent for matching buyers and sellers, especially in the Heights. It was destiny that Realtor Amy Kolflat of Zebra Properties displays dozens of heirlooms and memorabilia her sellers graciously she was fortunate enough to agreed to leave behind after learning about the special significance of the home’s new ownership. See HFD P. 3
The Houston Heights will be bursting with spring spirit and architectural charm during the much-anticipated return of the Houston Heights Association Spring Home & Garden Tour, taking place Saturday and Sunday, April 5–6, 2025, from noon-6 p.m. each day. This beloved annual event gives guests a chance to peek inside six stunning homes in one of Houston’s most treasured historic neighborhoods. Each home reflects the unique personality and evolving style of the Heights while preserving the area’s historic character. “Kendra Bridges and I are super excited to be the co-chairs again for the HHA Spring Home & Garden Tour,” said Laura Ruppert of Norhill Realty. “Last year’s tour was an amazing success and community builder. This year we have a wonderful variety of homes that truly represents how the Heights has evolved but stayed the same as one of the most sought-after Houston neighborhoods. We are grateful for all the underwriters and support for this year’s event. Ticket sales are already well underway and it’s looking to be an even more successful event this year!” With your $35 ticket, you’ll enjoy one-time access to all six homes, each filled with inspiring design, lush gardens, and that unmistakable Heights charm. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, a local history buff, or just looking for a fun weekend outing, the tour offers something for everyone. Guests can explore at their own pace—on foot, by bike, or by car— with street parking available at each stop. For added convenience, a complimentary shuttle service will run throughout the weekend, picking up and dropping off visitors from the historic Houston Heights Fire Station at 107 W. 12th Street. Limited parking is available at the Fire Station, with overflow parking across Yale at Milroy Park. See TOUR P. 3
Mala Market finds a new home, strong future with Central City Co-Op By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor Tired of the ripped lawn bag mess? You’re not alone...
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Since 2022, Mala Market has been a breath of fresh air in Houston’s small business scene, providing a nonprofit retail space that allows local makers, crafters, and creatives to showcase their work without sacrificing their profits. This spring, founder Somya Gupta is turning the page on a new chapter—one that includes a move to the Central City Co-Op building, a partnership rooted in shared values and mutual support.
“As we prepared for our move into the Heights, we recognized that we couldn’t navigate the economic and operational challenges alone,” Gupta said. “Many small businesses face similar struggles, and we knew that to continue supporting local artisans, strategic partnerships were essential.” That search for sustainability and synergy led to Central City Co-Op, a collective dedicated to serving Houston’s rural and urban farmers and food producers. Gupta says their aligned missions
made the partnership a natural fit. “This shared space will significantly enhance our operations, enabling us to expand our reach and provide greater support to our resident businesses,” Gupta explained. “By sharing resources with the Co-Op, we can help reduce operating costs for our vendors and reinvest savings into our programs. Submitted photo Additionally, this collaboration At Mala Market, the mala (a string of 108 will allow us to better manage the beads used as a tool for meditation and prayer financial pressures of rising rental in various spiritual traditions) represents the See MALA P. 2
practice of connecting the community together with purpose and intention.
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