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Council Member Abbie Kamin releases annual report on District C progress By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin (District C) has released her annual report, highlighting key achievements and ongoing initiatives in her second term. The report covers a wide range of topics including public safety, infrastructure improvements, flood prevention, and disaster recovery—while underscoring her
commitment to serving District C residents amidst changing local and state dynamics. “We are in full swing in the second year of my second term serving District C,” Kamin told District C residents in a recent newsletter. “It remains an absolute privilege to work with so many residents in our community to move our neighborhoods, businesses, and our city forward. Whatever comes our way, we
will continue to serve you.” Council Member Kamin noted that many shovel-ready projects remain paused under the new administration. With severe weather events becoming more frequent, she emphasized that progress on drainage initiatives cannot be delayed. “The longer we wait, the more it costs, and we’re already on borrowed time when it comes to extreme weather,” she said. “I will not stop
sounding the alarm that these projects must move forward.” Below are highlights from Council Member Kamin’s annual report.
Public Safety
Public safety remains Council Member Kamin’s top priority, involving holistic approaches to reducing violent crime, domestic abuse, and See REPORT P. 5
A Safer 11th POLLINATORS, Street Is at Risk: PEPPERS, AND PASSION Residents rally to preserve a lifesaving corridor
The Rothko Chapel: Remembering Frida Kahlo
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
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Heights HS students compete in bridge design April 11
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Rainbow Lodge owner Donnette Hansen and cook turned gardener Pascual Garcia harvest broccolini from the restaurant’s garden.
Inside the mini-ecosystem at Rainbow Lodge
21st Anniversary: First Saturday Arts Market to feature nearly 50 artists this weekend
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Pet of the Week: This young lady is a peach
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By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor Nestled in a century-old log cabin along the banks of White Oak Bayou, Rainbow Lodge has long been known for its elegant take on wild game, steaks, and seafood—but behind the beautifully plated dishes and rustic charm lies a deeper story rooted in connection to nature and community. What sets Rainbow Lodge apart is not just the elk, duck, or Gulf shrimp on the menu—it’s also the gardengrown chard, the fresh-picked herbs, and the commitment to supporting pollinators like bees, which are essential to food production and responsible for every third bite we eat. These aren’t just culinary embellishments; they’re a celebration of the great outdoors and part of the
A Houston icon, the Rainbow Lodge sits along the banks of White Oak Bayou in a century-old log cabin.
culture owner Donnette Hansen has spent decades cultivating. “We have had a kitchen garden at Rainbow Lodge for decades, but when the opportunity arose in 2011, we extended our neighborhood roots by adding a larger second gar-
den across the street from the restaurant,” Hansen said. “It took me three years to develop the gardens. I had lofty goals for the gardens but ultimately realized that we just didn’t have the time to be full-time farmers! See LODGE P. 2
A few years ago, a stretch of 11th Street in the Heights was just like many others in Houston — busy, fastmoving, and dangerous to cross. Today, it’s a different story. Thanks to a community-driven redesign completed in 2023 under the leadership of the late Mayor Sylvester Turner, 11th Street now includes protected bike lanes, safer crosswalks, and traffic-calming measures that have made it a model for street safety in Houston. But that progress could be in jeopardy. Mayor John Whitmire is considering dismantling the 11th Street improvements — a move that has left many residents stunned and rallying to protect what they view as hard-earned, life-saving changes. Supporters of the redesign have launched a grassroots campaign, I Love 11th, to raise awareness and mobilize community voices. “These changes didn’t just beautify the street. They saved lives,” said Heights resident and safe streets advocate Emmanuel Núñez, who helped launch the I Love 11th initiative. Quoting a Greek proverb, Nunez added, “A society grows great when we plant trees in whose shade we know we shall never sit.” “Our city’s network of active transportation may not seem useful to all, but it’s a lot like planting young trees— what starts as a stick will one day grow into a strong canopy that offers comfort and connection,” Núñez said. “These paths deserve our care, our maintenance and, most importantly, our love. That’s the heart behind I Love 11th, and we invite all Houstonians to stroll through our neighborhood to experience the magic of what has already been built—and what we risk losing. 11th Street needs your voice to help protect these improvements for generations to come.” The 11th Street redesign came after three years of planning, six See I LOVE 11TH P. 2
A Legacy of Learning: Family honors mother through Texas History Scholarship Community Calendar: See what’s happening around town!
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By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor For the Hughes family, Texas history isn’t just something found in textbooks—it’s a personal legacy. Since 1999, the Mary M. Hughes Research Fellowship in Texas History has been awarded annually by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) to support research on 20th-century Texas history. The award, named in honor of Mary M. Hughes, celebrates her lifelong passion for the state’s rich his-
tory and was established by her thirteen children—who all grew up in Oak Forest—as a tribute to their mother. This year, the TSHA presented the 2025 fellowship at its annual meeting in Houston on Feb. 28, continuing the scholarship’s 26-year tradition. The recipient, Hannah Shepherd, a graduate student at East Texas A&M University, will use the $3,000 award to fund research on British Indian immigration to El Paso in the early 20th century. “She was excited about the award because it gives her the capital she
needs to further purchase access to the specific historical data needed to complete the project,” said Bernie Hughes, one of Mary Hughes’ sons. “The main goal of her research is to bring awareness to the struggles of immigrants from India in gaining access to and citizenship in Texas in the late 1800s.” Shepherd’s work continues the Submitted photo scholarship’s mission of highlighting Texas history’s overlooked stories, Mary M. Hughes, mother of 13 children See HUGHES P. 5
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who have created a Texas History Fellowship in her name.