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Mixed-use White Oak District aims to anchor a revitalized Near Northside By JUHI VARMA The Leader News Contributor
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INSIDE.
Solid Waste Management Department announces holiday tree recycling program
Real estate firm Marquette Companies has planned a multi-phase redevelopment in Houston’s Near Northside, beginning with apartment complex Tempo at White Oak that was completed in May and is now on its way to being fully occupied. The next phase would bring a mixeduse district near White Oak Music Hall,
redeveloping portions of Keene Street with approximately 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space. Construction was initially anticipated to begin in 2025, but the project has not yet broken ground, Marquette said in an emailed statement. The development, dubbed the White Oak District, is intended to function as a neighborhood hub, according to Marquette, with an emphasis on walkability alongside long-term economic viability.
“The White Oak District is emerging as one of the city’s hottest destinations with existing attractions like the White Oak Music Hall, H-Town Brewing and Woodlands Social bar and restaurant, among others,” said Chris Yuko, managing director of development at Marquette. Marquette has released renderings of the project. The district takes its name from nearby White Oak Music Hall, a longtime anchor of the Near Northside community.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
Page 4
Guest Column: Navigating Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment with confidence
Page 5
Coming to a Table Near You: Cheers to Dry January!
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Pet of the Week: Meet Candy, a kitten as sweet as her name
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to make our streets safer, By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com our schools stronger, and our shared spaces better for As we ring in 2026, we at everyone. In moments both The Leader say thank you— joyful and challenging, you to our readers, our neigh- showed up for one another. From celebrating local bors, the advertisers who milestones and small busisustain us, and the countless individuals who make the nesses to standing together Heights and Garden Oaks/ when it mattered most, the Oak Forest neighborhoods spirit of caring and connecsuch a special place to call tion defined the year. It’s a reminder that real change home. This past year reminded doesn’t always come from us of something powerful: big headlines—it comes community isn’t just a word, from everyday people who it’s an action. We saw neigh- choose kindness, generosity, bors helping neighbors, vol- and courage. At The Leader, it is our unteers stepping up without being asked, and residents privilege to tell these stories speaking out—sometimes and to serve a community loudly, sometimes quietly— whose residents believe in
looking out for one another. As we head into a new year, we carry with us the hope that this spirit continues to guide us—encouraging us to listen, to act, and to keep building the kind of community we’re proud to pass on. With that, we give you our picks for the top stories of 2025. The list is by no means comprehensive -- so many big and small acts and events have affected great change, inspired great hope, and made a great difference. Without further ado... #1 -- January 2025 Waltrip High School Band’s Sugar Bowl Trip Marked by Triumph and Terror
The Waltrip High School Ram Band’s long-awaited trip to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl and a major band competition became one of the year’s most dramatic stories. After earning more than a dozen awards for their performances, the students and chaperones were thrust into a citywide crisis when a terrorist attack struck Bourbon Street early on New Year’s Day. Though at least 14 people were killed and dozens injured, Houston ISD confirmed that all Waltrip students were safe in their hotel at the time of the attack, See REVIEW P. 5
Tempo at White Oak
Located at 2623 Keene St., Tempo at White Oak was designed with remote workers and entrepreneurs in mind, offering apartments that combine living space with areas suitable for professional meetings and at-home business use. It has six stories, 304 units and ground-floor retail. Among the new apartment residents is Dustin Landry, the new owner of See WHITE P. 2
Heights’ Be More Pacific serves Filipino flavors – and staying power By BETSY DENSON The Leader News Contributor When Be More Pacific opened its Houston location in February 2020, co-owners Giovan Cuchapin, Mark Pascual, and Roveen Abante watched their Filipino bar and kitchen take off. It was “killing it,” doing almost double the business of the established Austin counterpart. “We thought, ‘This is it,’” said Cuchapin. “And then COVID hit three weeks later and shut everything down.” However, after five years, the Heights restaurant at 506 Yale Street remains standing – even though the original Austin location closed just three months into the pandemic. In an industry where restaurants are struggling nationwide, Be More Pacific’s story offers lessons in resilience, cultural authenticity, and creative community building. Cuchapin, a first-generation FilipinoAmerican born and raised in Houston, started Be More Pacific as a food truck with Pascual in Austin in 2011. Their goal was simple: introduce Filipino flavors to people who’d never tried them. “Filipino cuisine is pretty well unknown to the general community,” Cuchapin says. “We thought we’d start serving some of the stuff that we grew up with, that we love, and just wanted to share with everybody.” After six years of late nights, brunches, and catering gigs, they opened their See PACIFIC P. 2
Photo courtesy of Be More Pacific
Bottles of Be More Pacific’s signature banana ketchup, a Filipino staple featured on the restaurant’s menu.
Michael Morris: A young artistic talent with an unusually old soul By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
Tapestry of Culture: Houston’s 12th annual Islamic Arts Festival brings artists and communities together
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THE INDEX. Topics .....................................................4 Classifieds ............................................7
On Dec. 6, Redbud Arts Center in the Heights hosted an exhibit for artist Michael Morris. Last summer, he was awarded first place at their Emerging Visions Exhibition by curator Bradley Sumrall of the Ogden Museum. It was so successful that Redbud planned a follow-up event recently for a hungry art world to learn more about Morris. Executive Director and Curator of Redbud, Tanja Peterson describes Morris’ work this way: “His watercolor paintings
unfold as quiet, surreal worlds; psychological landscapes shaped by memory, mythology, and intuition,” she said. “The exhibition is appropriately named Hiraeth, after a Welsh word describing a deep longing for home, a place or time that may no longer exist, or perhaps never did.” There was something else extremely unique about December’s exhibition; Morris sold every one of his works at the exhibition, something that rarely happens, according to Peterson. Morris modestly refers to himself as a painter and printmaker. But, his body of work suggests so
much more. “Growing up, I developed a fondness for stories and myths, and how they mattered to the people of their day,” Morris said. “I became interested in mysteries, which evolved into an exploration in historical esoteric and occult practices. All these things make their way into my work and I apply the learnings into my art and myself.” At only 23, Morris is a promising young talent with a very old soul. “I was originally born in See MORRIS P. 2
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
Bradley Sumrall, Curator of the collection at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (L) moderated a conversation with Michael Morris, a burgeoning new artist at an event hosted by Tanja Peterson, Executive Director for the Redbud Arts Center.
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Page 2 • Saturday, January 3, 2026 • The Leader
MORRIS, from P. 1 Beaumont. At four, we moved just south of Houston, between Clear Lake and Pasadena, so I have so I’ve spent the majority of my life in this area,” Morris said. “My dad has always been an artist. I vividly remember drawing with him at our coffee table. We’d draw pictures together and from then on, I’d do them on my own. I just loved expression and was always drawing.” Morris said he first became interested in the concept of magic around age 12, influenced by the video games he grew up playing in the 2010s and his early fascination with Greek myths and fables. He works in many mediums, but credits his middle school art teacher with sparking his love for watercolor. He explained that elements like alchemy and hermeticism have always felt present in his life, shaping both his interests and the ideas he gravitates toward. “One of the things I first noticed was this beautiful palette that you have; it’s uniform throughout the watercolors and the oils,” said Sumrall. “I was thinking about these concepts of the black, the red, and the white. With black being putrefaction, death and dissolution and the white being purification and red being unification towards perfection in Alchemy. Were those colors
PACIFIC, from P. 1 Austin brick-and-mortar in 2017. The Houston expansion followed in 2020, with Houston hospitality veteran Roveen Abante joining as a co-owner. “About a year and a half after COVID, it picked up,” Cuchapin says. But the past year and a half has brought new challenges. “Restaurants in general are just not having the same kind of foot traffic. Everybody’s trying to figure it out. Everybody’s trying to survive.” So what’s keeping Be More Pacific going when so many others have shuttered?
The Banana Ketchup Factor
Walk into Be More Pacific, and you’ll encounter something unexpected: banana ketchup. Made without a single tomato, this unusual condiment is made from bananas, brown sugar, onions, seasonings, and vinegar. It is a Filipino staple that mystifies first-timers. “Everybody was like, ‘Man, what’s banana ketchup? I have no idea what this is,’” Cuchapin says. “And then they’ll try it, and they’ll fall in love with it. They’d put it on everything that we had on the menu.” Today, a manufacturer bottles it using their recipe, and it’s available at the restaurant.
Adam and Eve, by Michael Morris, is a silverpoint drawing eliciting a conversation about gender.
Photos by Stephanie Shirley
Every last piece at the Dec. 6 exhibition sold, as indicated by the traditional red markings.
and those concepts also a part of this?” In art, alchemy is defined as the practice of ‘transforming ordinary materials or experiences into something extraordinary, often with spiritual or psychological depth’. Morris said many of the scenes in his work exist in a state of transition, a concept rooted in an early Celtic belief in the “in-between”—the periods between winter and spring, or dawn and dusk, when the world is thought to sit closer to the spiritual realm. During these liminal moments,
he explained, gods, ancestors, fairies, demons, and ghosts are believed to move more freely, an idea that has deeply influenced his work. Sumrall chose a work at random, Cosmic Guides, and asked Morris to address the inspiration, imagery, narrative behind the process. Morris shared that he’d been through a particularly challenging time of life between college and graduate school. “I’ve always felt guided. My mom, in particular, encouraged me as a child and instilled
“It’s almost Sriracha-like,” Cuchapin explains. “You can put it in marinades, eat it with anything fried, or any kind of protein.” The restaurant’s appearance on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” in 2021 gave them another boost, though not the overwhelming surge such features once delivered in the pre-COVID era. “It was a bump, but it didn’t help us how it would’ve helped us probably 10 or 12 years ago,” he said. Karaoke and Culture Perhaps Be More Pacific’s secret weapon is its embrace of Filipino culture beyond the plate. Two private karaoke rooms – seating up to 20 and 15 people respectively – stay busy most weekends. The restaurant also hosts a monthly $100 karaoke contest. “Karaoke, family time, eating big meals together is a very typical Filipino lifestyle,” Cuchapin explains. “We definitely wanted to bring in the karaoke rooms to the new location.” The strategy works. “The karaoke rooms are pretty much usually booked on the weekends,” he says. Cuchapin also launched a lumpia (popular Filipino fried spring roll) eating contest, inspired by the Fourth of July hot dog competition, during COVID’s early days. Cuchapin used it to promote
other local businesses while driving traffic to the restaurant.
Staying Power
These days, Cuchapin lives in Austin but travels to his hometown two to three days a week to run Be More Pacific. Of the three co-owners, he’s the only active operator. His parents, who visit a couple of times a month for takeout or meals, are proud of what he’s built – especially after his professed early misdirection at UT Austin. “The food truck and the restaurant were about something they have a connection with; they were proud,” he says. In a restaurant landscape where survival often feels miraculous, Be More Pacific’s recipe includes consistency, cultural education, and giving people experiences they can’t find elsewhere. Sometimes that means banana ketchup on everything. Sometimes it means belting out karaoke with friends in a private room. Always, it means showing up every day. “Consistency with our food, consistency with service, and just being kinda different with the karaoke, just a mix of that,” Cuchapin affirms. It’s a recipe that’s working, one day at a time.
a belief in guardian angels,” Morris said. “That was always really comforting as a kid. The flying figures were inspired by one of my favorite alchemists, a greater influence than any other artist, Paracelsus. He believed in these kinds of spirits that relate to the natural world; sylphs (the elements of air).” They were one of the elementals, along with earth, fire and water. “Some hold chamomile flowers representing resilience and endurance. I’ve always felt deeply connected to the natural world, believing these spirits are guiding me,” Morris continued. “I suspect they represent parts of myself. People
have even commented that they look like me. That wasn’t the intention, but it’s probably fitting.” Hillaree Hamblin, HCU’s Director of the Masters of Fine Arts Program, was moved by Morris’s expression: “He has an understanding of love, life, and death well beyond his years.” Sumrall also asked Morris about the intentionality of the androgynous characters in his works. Morris feels like imposing things like gender, race and age takes the conversation to an unintended place outside of what he is trying to communicate. “I just wanted these humanoid figures to be stripped
of everything,” Morris said. “I didn’t realize the alchemical significance of intersex figures as being the unification in opposites until recently. Many alchemists believed that Jesus was intersex. I think all us have an understanding of what it means to be male or female. We all have masculine and feminine traits. I feel like denying those parts of ourselves, as in men being taught not to be emotional, is such a disservice. Perhaps, that’s why men tend to die sooner than women, but that’s just my personal perspective!” For further information on the artist, exhibit or gallery, please visit: redbudartscenter. com
WHITE, from P. 1
planned for Keene and Main streets near Houston’s Woodland Heights neighborhood, is envisioned as a four-by-six–block, pedestrianfriendly zone, Marquette said. Located directly across from Tempo, it will feature bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and other retail, creating a lively, walkable district. “As a local business owner, it definitely helps our plight; we want it be a walkable area,” Landry said about the planned mixed-used space. “Obviously we think it’d be really good for business, and it’ll bring some new fun stuff to the neighborhood. We want people to
be able to walk from here to White Oak to Raven Tower.” It is intended to meet growing demand for dining, retail, and rental options among residents drawn to the neighborhood’s nightlife, outdoor access, and proximity to downtown Houston, Yuko said in a statement. The White Oak District is a short walk from the Quitman/ Near Northside station on Houston’s METRORail Red Line. Landry said he has been told construction could begin as early as the first quarter of 2026.
Raven Tower, an event venue located near White Oak Music Hall. Landry assumed ownership of Raven Tower in September and moved into Tempo in November. The complex is currently about 30 percent occupied, he said. “It’s an absolutely gorgeous place with tons and tons of amenities,” he said. “So I definitely tip my hat to them (Marquette), they’re doing a really, really good job.”
White Oak District
The White Oak District,
Rendering courtesy of Marquette Companies
Rendering of the forthcoming White Oak District highlights planned bars, dining patios, and ground-floor retail designed to activate the Keene Street corridor, with Tempo at White Oak seen in the background.
Rendering courtesy of Marquette Companies
A conceptual rendering shows plans for the White Oak District, a mixed-use development slated to bring new restaurants, retail, and pedestrian-friendly gathering spaces to Houston’s Near Northside.
Photos courtesy of Be More Pacific
Guests raise a pair of cocktails at Be More Pacific, which blends Filipino flavors with a lively dining experience.
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A view of proposed storefronts within the future White Oak District, which Marquette Companies envisions as a walkable destination near White Oak Music Hall.
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THE TOPICS.
The future lies ahead Get ready. Set. Go! It’s time to celebrate a really big year: 2026, which has finally arrived, and it’s about time. It’s the Year of the Horse, at least for the Chinese. Actually, for them the new year doesn’t start until Feb. 17, and will last until Feb. 21. That time span is an official public holiday, when the Chinese take off from work. This year they will celebrate by invading Taiwan. Back here in America we also have a lot to celebrate. The midterm elections and the World Cup. This is also the time when I make my annual predictions, and, once again, I shall be 100 percent correct. Last year I accurately forecast that A.I. would replace parents, a team would win the Super Bowl, and Sen. Ted Cruz would embarrass Texas. So take notes while I say the sooth. January – Local TV meteorologists finally learn the difference in farther and further, and try to convince us that we should care about the dew point. Gov. Greg Abbott, following his vow to “turn Harris County red,” relocates the Cincinnati baseball team to Daikin Park, but he has trouble explaining where to park your Daikin. ERCOT says it is ready for the summer heat wave, proclaiming in a press
LYNN ASHBY Columnist
release: “Your air conditioners will work 24/7.” When a reporter notes that it’s the middle of winter, a spokesman replies: “Oh really? We can’t see our calendar. It’s been dark and cold in our offices for months.” February – Beto O’Rourke issues a press release hat says he is running “for something -- anything.” Houston police announce: “This week Buffalo Bayou is relatively clear of bodies.” The University of Texas System regents say: “We are making UT the antiHarvard.” Harvard replies, “Thank you, Jesus,” and is immediately charged by the Justice Department with prosemitism. On Valentine’s Day, President Donald Trump sends Russian President Vladimir Putin a gift: Ukraine. March – Malls take down their Christmas decorations. Fox News interrupts its special: “Donald Trump is a Great President” with breaking news: “A new Fox poll shows that Trump is our greatest
president!” Gov. Abbott sends 200 National Guards to South Padre for two weeks of rest, explaining: “They really need some R&R after half a year battling those left-wing rioters in Chicago.” When a reporter points out that there were no riots in Chicago and that the Guards had absolutely nothing to do, Gov. Abbott wisely replies: “What’s your point?” April – Accused of false advertising, the White House changes “tariffs” to “taxes.” CBS says it “fully supports” late night topical and cuttingedge talk shows, and will simply replace “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” with re-runs of “My Mother, the Car.” Regents at the Texas A&M System agree to any demands from the U.S. Department of Education, only to find the U.S. Department of Education has been abolished, so they follow suit and abolish its College of Education. May – The Jeffrey Epstein files are finally released, however Democrats are suspicious – the redactions were handled by “a student intern,” Ghislaine Maxwell. UT quarterback Arch Manning releases his 2025 IRS records. Elon Musk is no longer the richest man in Texas. Malls put up their Christmas decorations. ICE deports the entire Notre
Dame Fighting Irish football team to Dublin. A spokesman explains: ‘Those Irishmen were fighting.” June – With the start of hurricane season, the revamped FEMA announces: “Our crack staff of expert disaster relief force is ready to serve. His name is Charlie.” President Trump is awarded the Noble Peace Prize. It’s from Barnes & Noble. The World Cup comes to Houston which hosts the javelin catchers, slipped discus throwers, and 1-foot hurdles. Prices have been reduced to only your first born or just one kidney. Joe Biden says he’ll serve a second term. July – All of America celebrates Independence Day since, coincidentally, this year the Fourth of July falls on July 4. President Trump presides over a parade featuring the entire U.S. military plus every veteran and the Salvation Army. Trump explains why he being honored: “It’s the anniversary of my third marriage.” August – A terrible hurricane hits Texas, but FEMA is nowhere to be found. “Charlie is on his summer vacation,” a spokeswoman says. CenterPoint Energy reports, unlike previous debacles, “This time we are ready – but we can’t do much until power
is restored.” A Fox News climatologist argues that hurricanes, floods, and droughts causing massive fires are not due to climate change but angry gods. September – Labor Day is cancelled. “As I’ve said before, we have too many holidays. They interfere with productivity,” the President says as he departs for his weekly golf vacation at Mara-Lago. Joe Biden demands to know why his office isn’t oval anymore. The UT Systems flagship is renamed Trump University-Austin. October – Halloween is celebrated by costumed children going door-to-door in immigrant neighborhoods demanding, “Trick or Trump?” However, anti-ICE mobs rampage in cities across America looking for anyone dressed in black and wearing a mask. Several Batmen are stoned to death. November -- To save taxpayers “billions of dollars,” Elon Musk halts work on the White House Ballroom. He is quickly deported. War Secretary Pete Hegseth proudly announces the sinking of “a large ship carrying drugs.” Walgreen’s sues. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is banned from featuring huge balloons following orders from White House
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “We have no inflation.” Ken Paxton denies he ever committed adultery, adding: “Just ask my mistress.” December – U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts declares: “The court hereby overturns a decision by the Fifth Federal District Court which upheld a lower court’s decision to void the ruling by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to allow…uh, what did we just do?” Justice Roberts is quietly led away by his clerks. Gov. Abbott orders public schools to stop singing Christmas carols. “Come on now. Don we now our gay apparel? How woke can you get?” Venezuelan fighters nearly knock down the new Air Force One: “We won’t be bombed by Qatar.” Ashby is predictable at ashby2@comcast.net Editor’s note: This column and its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of The Leader News, its staff, or its publisher. The Leader News welcomes opinion articles on matters of interest to Greater Heights residents at editor@ theleadernews.com. Publication is at the discretion of the editor.
Solid Waste Management The Junior League of Houston to host “78th Annual Department announces Charity Ball: A Saddle and Silver Soirée” holiday tree recycling program COMMUNITY REPORTS
COMMUNITY REPORTS The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department is inviting residents to recycle their natural Holiday trees and help give them a second life. Beginning on Friday, December 26th and continuing through Friday, January 23rd, residents can drop off their undecorated trees at any of 20 recycling locations across the city. Trees delivered to these sites will be turned into nutrient rich mulch and compost that support local parks, community gardens, and other green space projects. To prepare a tree for recycling: • Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, wire, nails, and stands. • Ensure the tree is not flocked, painted, or artificial, as these cannot be recycled. Residents can find a full list of the 20 recycling locations along with maps and hours on the Solid Waste Management Department website. The Solid Waste Management Department appreciates the community’s commitment to reducing waste and supporting a cleaner, greener Houston. For more information visit our website or call 311 for general Solid Waste Management assistance.
The Junior League of Houston, a historic nonprofit committed to “Building A Better Community” by pairing trained, effective volunteers and financial support to community projects, is thrilled to announce its 78th Annual Charity Ball: A Saddle and Silver Soirée. The Charity Ball will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, and Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas 77027. Featuring delicious food, lively dancing and dazzling festivities, this year’s Charity Ball promises a celebration like no other, blending the elegance of the past with the bold spirit of the open range. New this year, The Bridle & Bloom Luncheon marks the League’s first event of its kind.
HOLIDAY TREE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS Open Wed.-Sun. 10am – 7pm (New Hours starting January 5, Tue.-Sat 9am - 6pm) 2240 Central St.
Kirkpatrick Neighborhood Depository
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Sommermeyer Neighborhood Depository
14400 Sommermeyer
N. Main Neighborhood Depository
9003 N. Main
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Ellington Airport Recycling Drop-off
Hwy 3 @ Brantley Rd
Photo courtesy of Jacob Power and Priscilla Dickson
Junior League of Houston 2025 Centennial Ball
the most significant issues impacting the city of Houston. By training and inspiring members to be effective volunteers and leaders, the nonprofit creates a community of trailblazers committed to mentorship, development and civic service that sparks mon-
umental change. Tickets and underwriter opportunities are now available for the 78th Charity Ball. Please visit www.jlh. org/charityball to learn more about The Junior League of Houston and the event.
THE LEADER PUZZLERS.
Neighborhood Depositories
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Guests will enjoy a light lunch with a coffee and pastry bar, explore the rich history of the League, and have the chance to bid on select auction items. Exclusive Junior League of Houston merchandise will also be available for purchase. “Charity Ball is not only a celebration of our community’s generosity, it’s a tribute to the incredible dedication of our League members,” said Katie Doyle, President of the Junior League of Houston. “Their hard work throughout the year makes a lasting impact across Houston, and supporting this event helps the League continue our vital mission.” The two-day affair will raise critical funds to support the nonprofit’s operations and charitable grants. The support from Charity Ball will enable the League to address
Answers found in this week’s Classified section
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1. Hindu stratification 6. Least harm 12. Medical confinement 16. Silver 17. In a sick state 18. Belonging to me 19. 1/2 an em 20. “Makeover’s” Pennington 21. Take a seat 22. 1/10 meter (abbr.) 23. Atomic # 13 24. Fallow deer genus 26. Skin lesions 28. Charlie Parker’s sax 30. 31st state 31. Disparity 32. Poking stroke 34. Long time 35. Wm. the Conqueror grave 37. Hosts film festival 39. Mend 40. Gear teeth 41. Of cadmium 43. 1618 Reformed synod 44. Fringe-toed lizard 45. Where passengers ride 47. 1/60 hour (abbr.) 48. Initials of TV cartoon father 50. Pack down 52. ___ and feathered
54. Hyperbolic cosecant 56. Operating system (abbr.) 57. Atomic #99 59. Crown owned Isle 60. Santa __ trail 61. Booze support group 62. Footcandle 63. Retaliations 66. Natural logarithm 67. Quality of usefulness 70. Sitting position 71. They turn litmus paper red
DOWN
1. Brandy region of France 2. Equally 3. Spittles 4. Very small 5. Ethiopia 6. Filled with sediment 7. An antiviral AIDS drug 8. Saudi king to 2005 9. Early word forms 10. Yes in Spanish 11. Ketchup veggies 12. Used to have (Scottish) 13. Old Greek storyteller
14. Den 15. Stockings 25. Scottish road surface 26. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 27. Bodily cavity 29. Durations 31. About gene 33. ‘Footloose’ actor Kevin 36. Supply weaponry 38. Neither 39. Capital of Syria 41. Shortcut 42. Feline 43. Have already done 46. Rifle barrel cleaning tool 47. High IQ group 49. Libra constellation 51. Perch genus 53. Summer precipitation 54. Ancient Roman boxing gloves 55. Silver Skates’ Brinker 58. Cobblestone 60. Policeman (French) 64. Pizza, apple or chiffon 65. Winglike structure 68. 37th state 69. Potato state
WORD SCRAMBLE
The Leader • Saturday, January 3, 2026 • Page 5
GUEST COLUMN
Navigating Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment with confidence in Houston By KIM BOUIE VP of Market Growth, Village Medical If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to have the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period, Jan. 1 through March 31, on your calendar. This period offers you the opportunity to make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage plan, with changes taking effect on the first of the month following your request. Understanding this enrollment period can help you make informed decisions that best suit your own health and wellness goals. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, you can make the fol-
REVIEW, from P. 1 shielded by an HISD Police escort that had accompanied the group from Houston. Parents praised both the band’s accomplishments and the measures taken to keep students informed and protected amid the tragedy. Federal authorities later identified the attacker as a Houston man and uncovered signs of extremist intent, prompting a nationwide investigation. While the Sugar Bowl was postponed and New Orleans reeled from the violence, the Waltrip community returned home grateful for students’ safety — and proud of a trip that was both unforgettable and unexpectedly harrowing.
#2 -- February 2025 Shepherd-Durham Reconstruction Disrupts Business, Enters New Phase
One of the Heights’ most disruptive but consequential infrastructure projects—the multi-year reconstruction of the Shepherd–Durham corridor—became a defining issue of 2025. Led by the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 5), the project aims to modernize drainage, utilities, sidewalks, bike lanes, and traffic infrastructure along a corridor that has not seen significant upgrades since the 1960s. While Phase One is expected to wrap shortly, Phase Two has now begun following a temporary administrative pause and design review. This next phase, stretching from I-10 to West 15th Street, is anticipated to take roughly three years and includes more extensive wastewater improvements, bridge work, and construction near Love Elementary. Throughout 2025, residents expressed concerns about delays, communication gaps, and especially accessibility issues—most notably when newly relocated CenterPoint utility poles were installed directly in wheelchair ramps. CenterPoint attributed the placement to City-directed requirements for the new sidewalk layout, while the City and TIRZ confirmed they are coordinating with utility and telecommunications companies to remove old poles and restore ADA access. Though frustrations remain high, project leaders emphasized that the improvements will bring long-term safety, mobility, and resiliency benefits. For now, neighbors continue to navigate congestion and construction zones while keeping a close eye on one of the Heights’ largest and most transformative public-works efforts.
#3 -- March 2025 Heritage Classical Academy Gets New Home at Former Lutheran North Academy
Heritage Classical Academy (HCA), a new tuition-free public charter school, marked several major milestones in 2025 as it prepared to welcome students for its inaugural 2025–26 school year. Enrollment officially opened for kindergarten and first grade, the first steps in HCA’s planned expansion to a full K–8 program that will grow by one grade level each
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year. The school will offer a classical education model focused on character formation, critical thinking, and a curriculum rooted in literature, history, math, science, and the arts. In another major step, HCA secured a permanent location at 1130 W. 34th St., the current home of Lutheran North Academy. Renovations began immediately to prepare the campus for the fall opening. Michalak called the new site “a beautiful space” that will support students’ academic growth and character development.
#4 -- May 2025 Heights’ Odd Fellows Lodge Marks 102 Years With Historic Marker
In May, the Houston Heights Odd Fellows Lodge #225 received a Texas Historical Commission marker, recognizing more than a century of continuous service. Founded in 1905, the lodge has occupied its current East 14th Street building since 1923, making it one of the Heights’ longest-standing community institutions. The lodge’s first home burned in 1911, but the organization rebuilt and has remained active ever since— now with more than 70 members. Only about 20 historic markers exist in the Heights and nearby neighborhoods, placing Lodge 225 among a select group. Throughout its history, the lodge has hosted weddings, community meetings, cultural events, and social gatherings, serving as a reliable public space in a rapidly changing city. It is also a contributing structure within the Heights East Historic District, affording it protections similar to formal city landmarks. After surviving a near-closure in the 1990s due to dwindling membership, the lodge rebounded and continues to welcome new members while preserving its long tradition of fellowship and community service. Monthly meet-and-greets are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. More information is available at houstonheightslodge225.com.
#5 -- June 2025 Casa Ramirez Folk Art Gallery Announces Closure
Casa Ramirez Folk Art Gallery, a Heights cultural landmark for more than 40 years, announced it will close in March 2026 as owner Chrissie Dickerson Ramirez prepares for retirement. The shop will operate normally through 2025 before beginning a gradual wind-down. Founded in 1985 by Chrissie and her late husband, activist and educator Macario Ramirez, Casa Ramirez became a hub for Mexican and Latino art, heritage, and community organizing. The couple’s early activism—rooted in Macario’s push for cultural representation in education— shaped the gallery into both a cultural classroom and a gathering place. Over the decades, it hosted grassroots meetings, literary events, art workshops, and countless celebrations tied to Mexican tradition. With Macario gone and Chrissie approaching 79, she said it is time for a new chapter, though the Casa Ramirez name will continue through fu-
efits that weren’t available when you first enrolled. This could include more extensive drug coverage, transportation to medical appointments or even wellness programs like gym memberships. Medicare
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ture cultural events she hopes to organize. Community leaders reflected on the gallery’s outsized impact, from inspiring Houston’s Latino literary movement to offering immigrant families a place of connection and support. Longtime staff members also shared how the gallery guided them through personal grief and introduced them to cultural traditions like ofrendas. Casa Ramirez’s closing marks the end of a beloved Heights institution that served as a shop, gallery, library, and refuge for generations. A full slate of Día de los Muertos and holiday programming is planned for its final year before the space begins clearing in early 2026.
#7 -- August 2025 18th Congressional District Special Election Heads to Runoff in January 2026
#6 -- July 2025 Community Mourns Sinclair Elementary Student Lost in Kerr County Flooding
The Heights community was heartbroken this summer by the death of 11-yearold Greta Toranzo, a Sinclair Elementary student who was among the more than 100 lives lost in the devastating Kerr County flash floods over the July Fourth weekend. Greta had been attending Camp Mystic along the Guadalupe River when sudden floodwaters swept through the area; her body was recovered after several days of searching. More than 160 people initially remained missing in what officials called one of the state’s deadliest flood events. At Sinclair Elementary, a silhouette of Greta surrounded by flowers, notes, and blue ribbons—her favorite color—became a place for classmates, teachers, and neighbors to grieve. The school’s PTO expressed deep sorrow, asked the community to support the Toranzo family, and pledged counseling resources for students. The tragedy has renewed questions about Hill Country emergency preparedness, especially in “Flash Flood Alley,” where extreme rainfall can create life-threatening conditions within minutes. Across Houston, blue ribbons, vigils, and community tributes honored Greta’s memory by visiting the memorial at Sinclair, displaying blue ribbons, and sharing #GoBlueForGreta on social media.
Texas held a special election on Nov. 4, 2025 to fill the U.S. House seat in Texas’s 18th Congressional District left vacant by the March 2025 death of Representative Sylvester Turner. With no candidate winning a majority of the vote in the crowded field, the top two finishers—Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee and former Houston City Council Member Amanda Edwards—advanced to a runoff. Gov. Greg Abbott set the runoff election for Jan. 31, 2026, with early voting beginning Jan. 21. Texas.gov The winner will serve out the remainder of Turner’s term, which runs through January 2027. The race comes amid potential redistricting that could reshape the 18th District’s boundaries and demographics. GOP lawmakers’ proposed map would make the Houstoncentered district even more Democratic by adjusting its composition, a move likely to draw legal and voting rights challenges. The initial election featured a broad and diverse slate of candidates—from well-funded Democrats like Menefee and Edwards to grassroots and third-party contenders—reflecting the district’s historical significance and deep local engagement. With the runoff scheduled for late January, the race is poised to draw strong turnout and shape representation for one of Houston’s most iconic congressional seats.
#8 -- October 2025 Flying Saucer Pie Company Faces First-Ever Holiday Supply Crisis, Asks Houstonians for Help
For nearly 60 years, Flying Saucer Pie Company has been a defining Houston holiday tradition—famous for overnight campouts, news helicopters circling above, and police directing the Thanksgiving pie crowds. But in 2025, the 58-year-old institution issued an unprecedented warning: it might not be able to afford supplies for the season after a financially difficult year. The bakery, which typically sells close to 20,000 pies during Thanksgiving week, shared that rising costs and lower rev-
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Facebook photo: Sinclair Elementary PTO
More than 300 members of the community came together for a candlelight vigil at Sinclair Elementary School on July 5, 2025, to show support for the Toranzo family while Greta was missing. Most people wore blue, Greta’s favorite color.
Flying Saucer Pie Co. Facebook photo
The iconic Flying Saucer Pie Co. called on the community to help them secure inventory for an ambitious 2025 Thanksgiving season.
enue left them unable to purchase the ingredients needed to prepare. It was the first time since opening in 1967 that the shop had asked the community for help. In true Houston fashion, the community responded. Days after the plea, Flying Saucer shared that donations poured in, allowing the bakery not only to secure needed supplies but also to give back. “Houston, thank you so much for your donations. Because of you we were able to make it happen for Flying Saucer and foster families in our community,” the shop announced on social media, noting that 100 pies were delivered as part of Thanksgiving baskets through DePelchin Children’s Center. Flying Saucer’s roots stretch back to founder Bill Leeson, who arrived in Houston in 1963 as a broke merchant seaman and eventually launched what would become a city landmark. Known for its Fresh Strawberry Cream Pie and whimsical green-alien mural, the shop has remained a constant even as the city transformed around it. Today, Bill’s daughter Heather Leeson runs the bakery. Flying Saucer Pie Company is located at 436 W. Crosstimbers St. More information is available at flyingsaucerpieshop.com.
#9 -- December 2025 Houston City Council Makes Evening PublicComment Sessions Permanent
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
Chrissie Dickerson Ramirez announced the impending ‘retirement’ of the legendary Casa Ramirez Folk Art Gallery on June 2, 2025, after continuing it for five challenging years following her husband’s death.
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In a major win for civic access, Houston City Council voted 15–1 in 2025 to launch monthly evening public-comment sessions—an experiment that has since become permanent. The change, championed by District H Council Member Mario Castillo with co-sponsors Sallie Alcorn and Amy Peck, updates long-standing rules that limited public comment to Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Castillo credited the victory to residents who pushed for a more accessible system.
“This belongs to the teachers, nurses, small business owners, shift workers, students, and caregivers who had to choose between a paycheck and being heard,” he said. After strong turnout, the evening sessions were officially adopted as a standing part of the council schedule. Residents must register with the City Secretary’s office before the meeting by calling 832-393-1100, emailing speakers@houstontx.gov, or visiting the office at City Hall Annex. Agendas are available at houston.novusagenda.com/ agendapublic.
#10 -- December 2025 Council Member Abbie Kamin Enters Race for Harris County Attorney
Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin filed to run for Harris County Attorney, seeking to replace Christian Menefee after his resignation to pursue the 18th Congressional District seat. Citing ongoing political battles at the state and federal levels, Kamin said the role would allow her to “dive into the fight in a bigger way.” Her announcement triggers Texas’ resign-to-run law, meaning a special election will be held in 2026 to fill her District C seat. During six years on council, Kamin championed initiatives such as the Houston Women’s Commission, paid parental leave, the city’s first firearminjury dashboard, policing reform, and significant infrastructure and flood-mitigation projects. If elected, she plans to prioritize Child Protective Services cases, environmental enforcement, nuisance abatement, and housing conditions. Kamin faces Judge Audrie Lawton-Evans in the Democratic primary, with the winner advancing to face Republican Jacqueline Lucci Smith—guaranteeing Harris County will elect its first female County Attorney in 2026.
Page 6 • Saturday, January 3, 2026 • The Leader
Fed economist: Inflation to remain 'sticky' in 2026 By KEN FOUNTAIN kfountain@fortbendstar. com
Economic growth in Texas and in the greater Houston region will likely be tepid while inflation will continue to be "sticky" in 2026, an economist told a Fort Bend County audience last week. Jesse Thompson, a senior business economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas's Houston branch, spoke at the Ford Bend County Chamber of Commerce in Sugar Land on Dec. 18. "The forecast is for trend or near-trend GDP growth through 2026, 1.8 to 2 percent," Thompson told an audience of business leaders and elected officials. "We're a little bit below that." "Somewhere around trend is where we are, and it looks like we're going to stay (in 2026)," he said. Thompson said that inflation in 2026, which the Fed had earlier projected would
Photo by Ken Fountain
Jesse Thompson, an economist with the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, discusses the economic outlook for 2026 at the Fort Bend County Chamber of Commerce.
ease to its target goal of 2 percent in 2025, is projected to remain elevated in 2026. "It's a little bit stickier than we projected earlier, for a variety of reasons," he said, with the inflation rate projected to remain in the 2.5 to 3% range. Among the reasons for the expected continued inflation are policies instituted by the Trump Administration, particularly its tariff policy.
Theatre Suburbia presents the regional premiere of "The Roommate" by Jen Silverman COMMUNITY REPORTS
Two women. One house. A lifetime of secrets— and second chances. Theatre Suburbia has announced its upcoming production of The Roommate by acclaimed playwright Jen Silverman, running Jan. 9 through Feb. 7, 2026. This marks the regional premiere of Silverman’s sharp, funny, and deeply human play in Houston. Directed by Suzanne King and starring Karla Brandau as Sharon and Shannon Matson as Robyn, The Roommate tells the story of Sharon, a recently divorced woman in her mid50s living in rural Iowa, who takes in a roommate to help make ends meet. Enter Robyn, a mysterious woman from New York with a past that’s anything but ordinary. What begins as a simple arrangement quickly evolves into an unexpected journey of reinvention, self-discovery, and the thrill—and risk—of starting over. Jen Silverman’s work has been celebrated nationwide for its wit, emotional depth, and fearless exploration of identity and transformation. The Roommate is no exception, offering audiences a poignant and often hilarious look at what happens when two very different lives collide. Performance Details: Dates: Jan. 9 – Feb. 7, 2026 (Fridays & Saturdays @ 8 pm, Sundays Jan. 25 & Feb. 1 @ 2 pm) Venue: Theatre Suburbia, Houston, TX, 5201 Mitchelldale St, Suite A-3, Houston, TX 77092 Tickets: Available at www.theatresuburbia.org or by calling the box office at 713-682-3525.
"Federal policy is mixed, for a variety of reasons, and uncertain," he said. Thompson said that is reflected when the Fed polls business leaders across the country, including in Texas. "We have many businesses that say I would really like some more clarity, some certainty, and stability of policy. It's hard for many businesses to find that happy medium where they're
splitting the upside/downside risk between policy choices," he said. The employment and wage growth projections for Texas are decidedly mixed, but Thompson cautioned that the data from recent months has been murky due largely to the recent government shutdown. "Texas job growth is approaching 0.9 percent growth in 2025, based on data through September. We have potentially very significant revisions to jobs data in Texas across all sectors. "Houston is coming in at about 0.5 percent jobs growth in 2026. That is very, very low. But it is still growth," he said. The underlying trends call for about 1.7 percent job growth, he said. One bright spot for the Houston region is that oil prices are rising after a long period of decline, which should end layoff in the oil and gas production sector, Thompson said. "The good thing for Houston is that the worst
herbaceous Secret Garden, citrusy Chelsea Bloom, refreshing Somerset Spritz, and the bold Windsor Fire. Where: 2531 Kuester St, Houston, TX 77006 Info: themarigoldclub.com
STAFF REPORTS
Submit entries to editor@theleadernews. com Houston’s restaurants and bars are kicking off the new year with a wave of creative zero-proof offerings, proving that Dry January doesn’t have to mean dull sipping. From elegant, chef-driven mocktails to non-alcoholic beers and fresh juice–powered creations, spots across the city are embracing flavor, flair, and wellness-forward twists. Whether you’re going dry, curious, or simply eager to try something new, these refreshing January specials are coming to a table near you.
Dry January delights across town
Azumi Azumi brings refinement to Dry January with Japaneseinspired zero-proof cocktails that feel every bit as indulgent as the originals. Highlights include the Matcha Colada with matcha, coconut, pineapple, and lime, and the Boketto, made with Seedlip Garden, jasmine green tea, cucumber, and yuzu. Where: 4444 Westheimer Rd., Ste. G-130 Info: azumirestaurant. com/houston, @azumihouston Reservations recommended: (830) 830-0220
The Union Kitchen keeps Dry January fun—and affordable—with a full lineup of $6 mocktails. From the Ginger Apple Fizz and Dreamsicle to the fruity Berry Cilantro Limeade and Passion Topo, each zero-proof option offers playful, nostalgic flavor without the alcohol. Where: 3452 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77018 Info: theunionkitchen.com; @theunionkitchenhou Good God, Nadine’s Good God, Nadine’s debuts a new menu of $12 zero-proof drinks made with ZoZo Fresh cold-pressed juices. Whether it’s the bold Obsidian with charcoal and strawberry, the vibrant Golden Hour with beet and ginger beer, or the soothing Elder Red with elderberry and chamomile, each drink brings functional, feel-good benefits. For something indulgent, try the Nightcap with cacao nut milk and cold brew. Where: 33 Waugh Dr. Info: goodgodnadines.com; @goodgodnadines Reservations encour-
Friends For Life to feature an adoptable pet every week. To view all adoptable animals, fill out an adoption application, show your support through donations or volunteering, or take a pet compatibility quiz to zero in on your very own best friend for life, please visit friends4life.org.
Name: Candy Gender: Female
Age: 2 years old
Candy was found wandering alone, and it was clear right away — this gentle girl had known the comforts of a home before. Likely abandoned, she was lucky enough to find a caring foster who could give her the safety and love she deserves. Now, Candy is ready for her next chapter: a forever home where she’ll never be left behind again. This affectionate sweetheart lives for human companionship. Whether it’s curling up beside you, following you from room to room, or nudging in for a good scratch, Candy is happiest when she’s near her people. She becomes instant best friends with just about everyone she meets — truly a social butterfly with a heart of gold. Candy also has a playful side, enjoying the simple joys of toys, cozy blankets, and long cuddle sessions. She’s the perfect mix of fun and affection, and she’ll bring warmth and love to any home lucky enough to have her. Are you looking for a friendly, playful, and loving companion to spend your days cuddled up with? Candy is ready to be cherished, snuggled, and loved forever. Apply to adopt this sweet girl today! Learn more about Candy at friends4life.org/ adoptable-pets/candy.
aged: (713) 864-8084 Kazzan Ramen & Bar Kazzan introduces Asahi Super Dry 0.0%, a non-alcoholic beer brewed to capture the crisp character of Japan’s iconic Super Dry lager. Guests can also enjoy the Yuzu Green Tea Mocktail, a bright and refreshing zero-proof option ideal for Dry January. Where: 191 Heights Blvd. Info: kazzanramenhtx.com; @kazzanramenbar Phone: (832) 925-7919 Lyric Market Lyric Market offers alcoholfree margaritas made with non-alcoholic tequila, lime, and agave, with blueberry, strawberry, mango, and classic variations. Guests can also opt for non-alcoholic beers from Athletic Brewing Co. Where: Lyric Market, 411 Smith St, Houston, TX 77002 Info: lyricmarket.com The Marigold Club At The Marigold Club, Dry January feels sophisticated with an elegant menu of zeroproof cocktails such as the
Brasserie 19 Brasserie 19 brings its signature polish to spirit-free cocktails, including the Nojito with Ritual Rum, the spicy and bright Spicy Paloma with Ritual Tequila, and the celebratory French “O”-75 made with Ritual Gin and alcoholfree sparkling wine. Where: 1962 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019 Info: brasserie19.com
A Toast to Tradition: Houston Public Library Foundation’s Robert Burns’ Supper
The Houston Public Library Foundation will host its inaugural Robert Burns’ Supper on Jan. 22 at the Julia Ideson Building, celebrating the installation of the first-ever Fellows of the Houston Public Library. Guests will enjoy an evening of Scottish traditions, poetry, music, and remarks from His Britannic Majesty’s Consul General Keith Scott and Houston Poet Laureate Reyes Ramirez. Tickets begin at $300, supporting the Library’s mission of lifelong learning and community enrichment. Info & tickets: houstonlibraryfoundation.org
Save the Date!
Pet of the Week The Leader is excited to partner with local no-kill shelter
"The immigration shock is doing two things simultaneously. It's pulling labor supply out of the market, and also pulling demand out of the market. That dual effect is making predictions about the labor market really cloudy," he said. "Texas manufacturing is seeing an uptick in production, driven by certain niche sectors, LNG pipelines, data centers, and semiconductors. I don't know how sustainable it is," he said. Thompson said that the services sector is seeing a slight decline. "This doesn't mean that we're in (an overall) decline but it does mean that services numbers aren't as positive as they were," he said. "Service sector leaders are saying they are less optimistic about the next six months because of a fear of business slowdown. They've stopped telling us that they are understaffed and they are more or less balanced. There's definitely some softness there," he said.
Cheers to Dry January!
The Union Kitchen
CANDY
has likely passed," he said. "That doesn't mean there's a recovery in 2026. But it does mean that it isn't a drag on the region." The construction and real estate sectors are likely to be "soft" in 2026, he said. One thing buttressing the overall economy is that consumer expenditures remain strong, Thompson said. But, he added, most of that consumption is by higherearning people, while lowerearning people aren't buying as much since inflation hits their pocketbooks harder. The Federal Reserve prefers measures of what is called "core inflation," which strip out highly volatile items like food and energy, Thompson said. "Core inflation is still pretty sticky. Some of it is affecting the lowest-wage earners the most," he said, adding that the current data is still "choppy." The Administration's immigration policies are also having an impact on the employment outlook, Thompson said.
STAFF REPORTS
Houston’s Kinetic Ensemble for a one-nightonly performance of Yo Soy la Tradición, an Please email entries to editor@ evening-length suite for saxophone and theleadernews.com. string orchestra inspired by Puerto Rican musical traditions. When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 7 p.m. THROUGH JANUARY 4, 2026 Where: Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the GALAXY LIGHTS AT SPACE CENTER Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St., 77002 HOUSTON, PRESENTED BY Cost: $35–$75 WELLBY FINANCIAL Info: Tickets at https://bit.ly/ZenonKinetic What: Houston’s brightest space-themed Stop Treating Your Soil Like Dirt holiday light show returns for its seventh year, blending festive fun with space explo- What: January rose-care seminar featuring Danny Wilson of Farm Dirt Compost, who ration. Highlights include Apollo-themed will discuss soil health, compost tea, biochar lanterns, a 200-foot LED tunnel, 40-foot shooting star light display, LED swing sets benefits and production, and techniques under the 747 aircraft, and screenings of for growing better roses. Biochar inocuHolidays in Space. lated with compost tea will be available for Where: Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA purchase. Consulting Rosarians attending Pkwy., Houston, TX 77058 will earn one hour of continuing education When: Nov. 15–Jan. 4; nightly, 6–10 p.m. credit. Cost: Ticket prices vary; advance purchase When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 2 p.m. recommended Where: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Info: spacecenter.org Heights Blvd., Houston, TX, or via livestream on the Houston Rose Society Facebook page JANUARY 10 Cost: Free Miguel Zenón & Kinetic Ensemble: Info: Email president@houstonrose.org Yo Soy la Tradición
What: Grammy-winning saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón partners with
Cornelius Nursery Garden Talks
What: Cornelius Nursery launches its
Local business is our business. Send us your story of interest news@ theleadernews.com
monthly Garden Talks series led by Texas Certified Nursery Professionals. The Jan. 10 kickoff focuses on houseplant care. Attendees who participate in 10 sessions throughout the year will be entered to win a $5,000 Pick & Plant landscape makeover. When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, 10–10:45 a.m. Where: 2233 S Voss Rd, Houston, TX 77057 Cost: Free Info: www.calloways.com/event/2026garden-talks/ JANUARY 19 Houston MLK Day Unity Parade
What: For the first time, Houston will host a single unified Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade, presented jointly by the Black Heritage Society and the MLK Grande Parade. The event will feature marching bands, floats, community and cultural organizations, and local leaders. Grand Marshals include radio personality Madd Hatter, MLK Grande Parade President Charles Stamps, and Houston Mayor John Whitmire. METRO will provide complimentary transit to the parade. When: Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, 10 a.m. Where: Parade begins on San Jacinto Street in downtown Houston Cost: Free Info: https://houstontx.gov/mlk/index.html
Inside Today: A 9-year-old girl was killed in the Heights • Page 10
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City moving forward with traffic plan for 11th By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Protected bicycle lanes are coming to 11th Street in the Heights, where drivers will have fewer lanes to maneuver along one of the neighborhood's most popular thoroughfares. That is by design, according to Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who announced Tuesday that the City of Houston will move forward with its long-debated plan to transform traffic on 11th Street in the interest of safety and to make the road more multimodal. Bike lanes will be added on
both sides of 11th between North Shepherd Drive and Michaux Street, where there will be one vehicular lane in each direction with a center, left-turn lane along the stretch between Yale and Studewood streets. The plan also calls for bike lanes along Michaux between 11th and Stude Park to the south as well as protected crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at intersections such as 11th and Nicholson Street, where the Heights Hike-and-Bike Trail crosses 11th, and Michaux and White Oak Drive. There now are two vehicle lanes in each direction on 11th
between Shepherd and Michaux, and no center turn lanes. "With four lanes for cars, the street encourages fast driving," Turner said in a 4-minute, 30-second video released by his office. "That speed results in 10 percent more crashes than the average road across the state of Texas. Those crashes are at nearly every intersection between Michaux and Shepherd. Eleventh Street is not safe for the neighborhood." David Fields, the chief transportation planner for the city, said Photo by Adam Zuvanich construction is estimated to start A cyclist waits to cross 11th Street at its intersection with NicholSee 11th Street P. 5
son Street. The City of Houston is adding protected bike lanes on 11th and reducing the number of vehicle lanes.
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Bullet train project in limbo with CEO’s resignation
It’s not just my business, It’s my neighborhood
By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
INSIDE.
Show them the money. Houston ISD teachers are getting significant pay raises.
Page 4
Photo by Mark Lear An eastern screech owl named Owlouette loves on Beaker, one of her offspring, in the backyard of Oak Forest resident Mark Lear.
Big art, small studio. An artist with ties to the Heights will display her work on Almeda Road.
Page 6
Top talent. Evelyn Garcia of "Top Chef" fame brings her brand of cuisine to the Heights.
Page 9
Joy for Julep. A Washington Avenue cocktail bar won a James Beard Award this week.
Page 9
Owl-watching becoming popular pastime By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
There are loving displays of care and affection, inspirational moments and harrowing scenes that can end up being upsetting. Eating is a big part of the action as well, with the stars of the show making the most of the ingredients they have available. There’s also an eclectic soundtrack, with rustling, rattling, whinnying and hooting. The feed from the camera in the backyard of Oak Forest resident Pam Berry – set up inside a wooden owl house that her boyfriend built and affixed to an oak tree – creates a nightly show that’s a cross between “The Bachelor,” “The Voice,” “Survivor” and “Chopped.” But Berry says it’s more entertaining than any reality show, because what she’s watching is actually real. Call it “Chronicles of Eastern Screech Owls, The Nesting Edition,” which offers a unique glimpse into the lives and annual mating rituals of nocturnal birds that are common in the Houston region. “It’s better than TV,” Berry said. “Sometimes we’ll put the video up on the TV and watch it for a while.” Berry and her boyfriend, Spring Branch resident Scott
Photo by Mark Lear Three owlets stick their heads out of the owl house in Mark Lear’s Oak Forest backyard earlier this year.
Sherrill, who works as a handyman in the Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and Shepherd Park Plaza area, both have owl boxes equipped with cameras in their backyards. Sherrill said he’s constructed a couple dozen or so of the small wooden structures for other local residents, in the hopes the bird
The yearslong effort to construct a high-speed railway between Houston and Dallas appears to have stalled, at least for the time being. Carlos Aguilar announced last weekend in a LinkedIn post that he had resigned as CEO of Texas Central, the Dallas-based company behind the quest to connect the state’s two largest cities with a bullet train. His departure comes as the Texas Supreme Court considers a case that will determine whether the company has the legal authority to exercise eminent domain - likely a critical factor in its ability to acquire the land needed for the proposed railway - and amid questions about the project’s financial viability. Carlos Aguilar “While I could not align our current stakeholders on a common vision for a path forward, I wish the project the greatest success and remain convinced of the importance of this venture for the safety and prosperity of all Texans,” Aguilar wrote. “... Texas and the U.S. deserve the best transportation options and I am convinced that in time, these will become a reality.” Texas Central did not respond to a Tuesday email seeking comment, nor did representatives of a Dallas-based public relations firm that has worked for the company. A call to the phone number listed online at texascentral.com, cited as a hotline for the bullet train project, was answered with a recording that said, “The number you dialed is not in service at this time.” It is unclear who is leading the company, if anyone, as there was nothing listed under an “Executive Leadership Team” header on the Texas Central website. The site also said the company has no current job openings. A string of news releases on the Texas Central website ends with an announcement dated Sept. 21, 2020. That’s when the company said the Federal Railroad Administration had issued a series of safety and operational standards that
See Owls P. 5
See Railway P. 5
Carter comes home as new principal at Hamilton By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Erika Carter has never lived in the Heights, but she’s long
tant principal and a summer school principal. She still kept tabs on the Heights campus after leaving
teacher, I always wanted to give back to it.” Carter succeeds Robert Michaels-Johnson, who she
the seventh-most pandemicresilient middle school in the Houston region. A total of 107 Houston-area schools re-
!"#$%&'(()*)#+(,
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Tapestry of Culture: Houston's 12th annual Islamic Arts Festival brings artists and communities together By ESTHER MAINA Special to The Leader The origins of the Houston Islamic Arts Festival date back over a decade. In 2014, a group of local Houstonians, bonding over a shared passion for Islamic art, curated an art show that was exhibited at a local mosque. This initial art show laid the foundation for the present-day Islamic Arts Society. The Islamic Arts Society is a Houston-based nonprofit that organizes the Islamic Arts Festival. Their mission is to share the rich heritage of Islamic Art and organize events to celebrate Islamic culture and promote the positive image of the Muslim community amongst the Houston community at large. The Islamic Arts Society hosts year-round events, creating a cultural bridge between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Artist talks, demonstrations, and community panels create an environment where people can engage with the cultural and historical significance behind the artwork. Since its inception, this festival has grown into the largest one of its kind in the United States. Artists and their connoisseurs flock from across the nation to Houston to partake in the beautiful display of Islamic heritage. The festival is a testament to Houston’s best trait: diversity. This year, the 12th annual festival took place on Nov. 15 and 16 at the University of Houston. It was inaugurated by Houston Mayor John Whitmire, who officially designated the weekend as Islamic Arts Festival Days. Throughout the weekend, various elements of Islamic art were showcased. In the Houston ballroom, painters, glass workers, woodworkers, mosaic artists, and calligraphers took center stage. Downstairs in the theater, short films, storytelling, comedy show, and Sufi music performances entertained the guests. The films narrated present-day Muslim experiences in America. Meanwhile, an academic seminar brought together artists, museums, and scholars of Islamic art for a meaningful dialogue. The weekend was a blend of contemporary and historical artwork. The lynchpin of it all being Islam. When speaking with different artists, there is a consistent theme in their discussions of inspiration. There is a sacred dimension to their art that connects their mind and souls. That inner dimension is what gives their work its quiet power, transforming each piece into a reflection of both personal devotion and collective memory. We cannot talk about the festival without retracing its most important root: its spiritual connection to Islam. Even more contemporary pieces draw heavy inspiration from religion. For instance, calligraphers on-site wrote verses from the Quran. Turkish paper marbling drew in a large crowd, each person captivated by the delicate act of shaping drifting pigments into ethereal, mesmerizing patterns. And Henna artists who, through
Submitted photos
Mayor John Whitmire inaugurated the festival and toured the festival hall.
A ceramic artist displaying his skills by creating intricate patterns on ceramic tiles.
Collaboration with the Houston Museums provided children with the opportunity to learn about Islamic art.
Henna artists drawing beautiful patterns for visitors at the festival.
meticulous tracing of floral and geometric designs, turned skin into temporary canvases. Also present were the Illumination artists who drew vegetal and floral patterns used to decorate the Quran and other religious texts. It preserved the beauty of the Quran while straying from iconism. At the Islamic Arts Festival, many artists utilized this age-old art of calligraphy and illumination to create refreshing pieces that told a beautiful story. The festival and its artists portray the Islamic world in a manner that counters Western misconceptions. It is a diverse, nuanced culture that does not exist as a monolith. Artists use the festival as a platform to highlight their individual heritage. This consequently seeped into the pieces they showcased. Distinctions can be seen in the work displayed by artists of different nationalities, even when it was the same art form. It was a harmo-
nious visual journey that gave the viewer a glimpse of the historical beauty of the Islamic world. The mosaics and handmade tiles echo patterns seen throughout Ottoman, Persian, and Andalusian heritage. Their interlocking forms are not merely decorative but rooted in a worldview that finds meaning in order, symmetry, repetition, and the search for the infinite. Many of the painters and contemporary visual artists reinterpret miniaturepainting conventions, architectural motifs, and textile patterns, folding historical elements into modern media. Beyond the artist showcase, visitors were able to interact with partners like the Museum of Fine Arts, the Children’s Museum of Houston, and the Asia Society through the festival. These partners generously brought art activities for visitors to take home and enjoy the festival's artistry beyond this weekend, including bracelet-making, geometric, and paper art. These longstand-
Artists standing in front of their Islamic art pieces.
ing partnerships have fostered further connection with the general Houston community. The food court and complimentary chai downstairs were another attraction. Visitors not only enjoyed the art, but they also enjoyed our traditional hospitality with a cup of chai or qahwah, a cultural practice central to Muslim social life. Compared to other art festivals that focus on a single tradition, Houston’s festival feels like a cross-section of the Islamic aesthetic universe. It is an experience that encompasses the old and the new, the devotional and the secular, while educating the visitor along the way. What makes this festival stand out is not only the variety of media represented but the way historical knowledge is thoughtfully woven into the programming. Many art festivals offer beautiful objects, but few provide the context that helps visitors understand why
these objects carry meaning. During the festival, artists are available to explain their art to visitors and the significance behind the piece. Because of this, the festival feels like both a museum and a community gathering. It preserves tradition while giving space for artistic innovation. Visitors leave with a layered understanding of Islamic culture that counteracts the oversimplified narratives that often circulate in the West. Reflecting on the festival’s beginnings in 2014, the transformation is remarkable. What began as a small show in a mosque has expanded into a multi-room, multi-level, multidisciplinary event that draws artists and visitors from across the nation. Early festivals emphasized traditional forms and regional crafts, while the most recent one incorporated contemporary painting, experimental film, multimedia
installations, and performance arts. The programming has become broader and more ambitious. Curated galleries now share space with live demonstrations, workshops for children, and public conversations about identity and art. This evolution shows a festival that is growing in scale while maintaining its roots in community connection. If this trajectory continues, the festival will likely grow in several meaningful ways. More artists from across the country and beyond will participate, and Houston’s festival will continue to be recognized as a leading platform for Islamic art in the United States. The year-round initiatives of the Islamic Arts Society will deepen, creating long-term support for emerging artists and collaborations with universities, museums, and cultural organizations. There is also room for a stronger digital presence, including virtual exhibitions and recorded artist talks, allowing people from across the world to experience the festival. The Houston Islamic Arts Festival is more than an art event. It is a cultural space where history, spirituality, and creativity come together. The beauty of the festival lay in its ability to draw people of all religions, ethnicities, and ages. Visitors of all backgrounds and demographics joined together to celebrate this signature Houston event. The festival reminds us that art rooted in community and faith has the power to bridge divides, challenge misconceptions, and celebrate the diversity of the Islamic world. Whether someone attends for the calligraphy, the tiles, the films, or simply for a cup of chai, they left with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and breadth of Islamic artistry. For anyone interested in culture, art, or community building, this festival is a quintessential experience that reflects the very best of Houston. Esther Maina is a political science undergraduate at the University of Houston and an intern at the Islamic Arts Society.
St. Ambrose Students journey to Galveston for Jubilee Pilgrimage and Day of Faith
REALTY OF AMERICA
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Submitted photo
St. Ambrose Catholic School students gather inside St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Galveston during their Nov. 20 Jubilee Pilgrimage. The field trip offered a fun, educational, and spiritually enriching experience as students learned, prayed, and grew together in faith.