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Saturday, May 3, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 18
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Heated Debate: Tempers flare at GHSNC meeting as 11th Street improvement talks continue eight civic groups: Clark Pines, Norhill, Woodland Heights, Montie Beach, Shady Acres, East Sunset Heights, Sunset Heights and the Houston Heights Association.
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood Council (GHSNC) convened for its scheduled bimonthly meeting at the Historic Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th St. The council—designated Super Neighborhood 15—covers parts of City Council District C and District H and includes delegates from
Code of conduct and agenda shift
GHSNC President Kevin Strickland reminded attendees of Houston’s meeting-decorum rule: “We are a community organization that is composed of the civic as-
sociations in this area,” Strickland said. “This meeting is for the respective stakeholders and community partners and is open to the public. Engaging in verbal attacks or comments intended to disrupt, insult, abuse, malign or slander any individual may be cause for the termination of privileges.” Strickland explained that origiPhoto by Stephanie Shirley nally the published and promoted The April 15 GHSNC meeting began relatively subdued, but when See GHSNC P. 2
the focus was redirected to the controversial 11th St. improvement project, it became quite contentious and politically charged.
LOOK OUT WORLD, HERE THEY COME!
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
Last Chance: Get your Mother’s Day gifts at the last First Saturday Arts Market of the season
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Legacy Community Health breaks ground on new Acres Homes Clinic
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Saturday Funday: Great Taste of the Heights returns May 3
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COUNTY FAIR Exciting event lineup at St. Rose of Lima this weekend
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Surfhouse bids farewell to the Heights after decades of riding the wave
Submitted photos
Oak Forest Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind Team is heading to the World Championship this summer.
Oak Forest Elementary Odyssey of the Mind team heads to world finals By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor The community has a special group of children to cheer for this spring: Oak Forest Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team has earned a coveted spot at the 2025 OM World Finals, to be held May 21–25 at Michigan State University. After placing second at both the regional and Texas state competitions, the team—composed of seven talented third through fifth graders—is ready to take on the world. The Odyssey of the Mind program, founded in 1978, is an international
creative problem-solving competition that challenges students to think outside the box. Participants tackle complex challenges with ingenuity, critical thinking, and teamwork— skills that serve them far beyond the competition stage. Every year, OM draws students from over 40 countries, and advancing to the World Finals is an extraordinary accomplishment at any age, especially for elementary students. Team members Jillian Maida (5th grade), Sloan Notley (5th), Braden Lucas (4th), Saajan Patel (4th), Maya Abraham (4th), Zane See ODYSSEY P. 2
Balsa wood test structure built by the Oak Forest Elementary Odyssey of the Mind team (left). The final design is top secret until the Worlds competition is over. Note that the platform holding the weights is carried in its entirety by the seemingly fragile balsa wood structure in the center (right). The sturdy posts are simply there to catch the weights in the event the balsa wood structure should collapse.
Houston’s beloved Surfhouse, Texas’ oldest traditional surf and skateboard shop, has closed its doors, marking the end of an era for generations of local surfers, skaters, and adventurers. First opened by Lloyd and Carol Sandel in December 1967, Surfhouse built its reputation on more than just gear—it became a welcoming hub where the motto was always “no shirt, no shoes, no problem.” Originally located in Spring Branch before relocating to West 34th and Ella in Oak Forest, the store spent nearly six decades fostering a laid-back community spirit that made it a Houston institution. Following Lloyd’s passing in May 2022, Carol continued operations for over a year before passing the torch to new owners and longtime patrons, Brian Fish and Brian Menn. In November 2023, they reopened Surfhouse at a new location at 215 E. 11th Street in the Heights. Housed in a century-old building, the new Surfhouse proudly honored its rich history, showcasing original fixtures like the cash stand and surfboard quiver alongside expanded merchandise that included women’s apparel, shoes, and Surfhouse-branded gear. “We are amped to re-open Surfhouse to the Houston community and carry on the ‘hang loose’ vibe fostered by Lloyd and Carol Sandel,” Fish said at the grand reopening. “We preserved its rich history while introducing changes to satisfy all surfing and skateboarding needs, complete with a smile and good See SURFHOUSE P. 3
Photo courtesy of Unicorn Photo by DeAnna AndersonDezignmachine
Surfhouse was Texas’ oldest traditional surf and skate shop.
When the Apple Falls Far From the Tree: Heights Rotarians pay tribute to the life and legacy of Howard Moon By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor Art Valet: A Tribute to Carolyn “Bertrand” Hodges
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In early April, family, friends and fellow Rotarians gathered to pay tribute to a 92-year-old community icon and one of the Heights club’s longest-living members, Howard Moon. Health issues in recent years may have slowed his physical pace, but they have done little to slow his ever-present dedication to community service. Moon’s life and legacy extend well beyond The Heights, as do his contributions to philanthropy. At the
“Well I’ve got to start off by saying that I’m not telling my whole life story, only that which has been through the passage of the statute of limitations,” he joked. “And, I have an urge to make it clear that my telling about my secrets and about sharing the dirty laundry of A Candid Look at the Moon Family is only so that othChallenging Beginnings ers who may have found themselves Howard D. Moon came not only in a hole in life can climb their way from very humble beginnings, but out, if they follow their heart and do Photo by Stephanie Shirley he came from an extremely chal- the work of the Lord.” Howard Moon was presented with multiple awards for lenging and difficult upbringing and his lifelong service, achievements and contributions to the Rotary Club of Houston Heights and the community. See ROTARY P. 3 family life. event, he spent much of his speaking time sharing some very private and poignant details about his childhood and upbringing. His resounding message was that, no matter how devastating life’s circumstances, there is always hope, always a way out.
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