Hymns and Hers.

Woodlawn Funeral Home & Garden of Memories is proud to provide Domani for Grief and Loss resources to support families as they deal with the difficult loss of a loved one.

Join us for our grief support group receptions. Delicious breakfast compliments and refreshments will be served.

We are a church for the Heights.

Bible Study @10am | Worship @11am 230 W. 20th St. 77008

Everyone is welcome at Heights Church. We are an exciting blend of old and new, and we warmly invite you to visit.

Heights Church @heightschurchhouston Heights Church, Houston, Texas HeightsChurchHouston.org

COFFEE 930AM | BIBLE STUDY 1OAM | WORSHIP 11AM | 230 W. 20TH ST. 77008 Heights Church @heightschurchhouston Heights Church, Houston, Texas HeightsChurchHouston.org

Women’s Health Directory

Directory of Local Female Health Service Professionals

Board Certified Ophthalmologist. Dr. Fredrickson has been practicing ophthalmology for over 12 years. She routinely sees patients for diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and ocular infections. She specializes in surgical procedures including cataract, eyelid lifts, eyelid cysts, Botox and Juvederm, and pterygia.

1415 N. Loop, Ste 400 • 427 W. 20th St. Ste 100 Houston, TX 77008 713-668-6828 • www.houstoneye.com

Dr. Lindsey Fogle,

M.D.

Board Certified physician, Dr. Lindsey Fogle, has joined primary care/internal medicine practice White Oak Medical Associates in the Heights. She really likes connecting with people, to be someone who’s trusted for patients and their families during an illness. A primary care doctor is really important for anyone to have.

1900 North Loop W, Suite 580 • Houston, TX 77018 713-714-5376

Whiteoakmedicalassociates.com

With an ad in the

Call 713.686.8494 to get started

They are doing what federal agencies do, using the term enforcement when historically we have seen no follow through,” Stevenson said. “Trust has been broken for generations, and by signing off on the choices of the state, only enforcing after harm has been done, they continue a painful legacy. So far, I see no tangible changes that don’t rely on TxDOT’s good faith participation.”

The organization says it will study the details of the agreement with Air Alliance Houston and LINK Houston, and “continue to be a responsive and reliable source of information for the public.”

“We will not stop fighting for our city and our lives,” the organization said in a written statement Tuesday morning.

Ultimately, supporters say the project will reconstruct I-45 North between downtown and Beltway 8 to bring the roadway “up to federal safety standards and enhance mobility.” Among improvements coming are increased modal options through four non-tolled managed lanes, bicycle and pedestrian features along frontage roads and cross streets, and trails parallel to bayous within the right of way. There will also be 12 detention ponds around White Oak Bayou, as well as pump stations and other flood mitigation tools.

Dr. Fulton is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her practice consists of obstetrics, gynecology, and cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and completed residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center where she was a Chief Resident. Dr. Fulton volunteers as part of the health team ministry of her church.

1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 • Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com

Hoops from P. 1 and those players set out to make sure it wouldn’t happen again.

“It just felt crazy (when that buzzer sounded),” said senior Andre Walker II, the team’s two-year starter at point guard. “… I really wanted to win that game, and winning it for the community was big.”

The passion even rubbed off on newcomers like junior Odis Carter Jr., who is in his first season at Booker T. Washington

“Hearing we were playing the team they lost to last year, it was almost like a revenge thing for me too,” Carter said. “We’re here working hard every day, and to hear they sent my brothers home last year? It was a good feeling (to win it).”

Dream season

There is often a turning point in a season like the Eagles have authored so far, one which consisted of a non-district gauntlet. Booker T. Washington has wins this season over Class 6A playoff qualifiers such as Lamar, Bellaire, Stratford, and Pearland Dawson.

But one major turning point in particular, Carter said, was an early-season game against Beaumont United – who is playing in the Class 6A state semifinals on Friday. Booker T. Washington beat the Timberwolves

The plan has previously drawn criticism from local elected officials, such as Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, and more. In March 2021, Menefee filed a lawsuit against TxDOT in federal district court, on behalf of the county.

In late 2022, the county announced a resolution of its lawsuit against TxDOT under the National Environmental Policy Act with a Memorandum of Understanding.

“Many of the commitments TxDOT made to the county and the city are now subject to federal government monitoring and en-

71-65 in their second game of the season on Nov. 19 –and that remains the only loss of the season so far for Beaumont United, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches’ (TABC) No. 2 team in Class 6A and last season’s Class 5A state champions who have since reeled off 34 consecutive wins.

“When we played them and beat them, we already knew we could beat anybody in the state,” Carter said.

Walker echoed his teammate and added that a comeback win over Stratford in the VYPE tournament last December was another key piece of the season because it showed the team its identity and followed its last loss to this juncture.

“That’s the game that really turned it around,” Walker said.

Starting with the Stratford victory, Booker T. Washington has won 20 straight games including the current postseason run. And Grayson said the team’s maturity as they worked their way back towards their ultimate goal of a state championship has been the most impressive thing about the group.

“They know what they need to do, and knew what they wanted to do (this season),” Grayson said. “They’re focused, and I didn’t really have to come into the locker forcement throughout the projects design and construction,” Menefee said in a statement Tuesday. “I’m glad the federal government ratified and built on the work done by local government –this agreement ensures the county and city’s interests will be considered during the life of the project”.

Among actions that will be taken under the act, according to the FWHA and TxDOT, will include twice annual meetings throughout design and construction, drainage improvements, and more. But its opponents are not so sure concerns have truly been addressed.

There is also a petition

Board Certified Internal Medicine

Dr. Jaclyn Harrison, a board certified internal medicine physician, has opened a new primary care/internal medicine practice, White Oak Medical Associates in the Heights. She believes patients deserve their doctor’s focused attention, personalized care, and is devoted to compassionate, effective treatment for her patients.

1900 North Loop W, Suite 580 • Houston, TX 77018 713-714-5376 Whiteoakmedicalassociates.com room and tell them that, because they knew what they needed to do.

Carter said.

One team, one dream

When many talk about the Eagles, eyes immediately go to the high flyers the Eagles possess. Booker T. Washington possesses three of District 21-4A’s leading scorers in Lewis (19.2 points/game), Carter (18 points) and Chris McDermott (18.9 points).

But one who holds it all together, Grayson said, is Walker. And even though he may not get the accolades that his teammates do, Grayson said those in the program know exactly how invaluable Walker is to its success as their floor general.

“He’s a coach on the floor, and the moment is never too big for (Andre). A lot of kids might not want the ball at this time or that time – but he’s never scared of having that ball in his hands,” Grayson said. “… That main ingredient may not be flashy or whatever everybody thinks it is – but it’s the main piece. When he’s in the game, everybody else can go back to doing their regular thing.”

And Walker and Carter both said the team’s experience along with its cohesiveness has been the biggest factor in its historic season.

“When we play together as one, I don’t think there’s anybody who can beat us,” that has been composed by residents of the Woodland Heights neighborhood that is attempting to have a portion of the White Oak Bayou green space designated as city park space in efforts to stop the project from being able to cut through and impact the neighborhood and its residents.

“We know from experience that TxDOT does not operate in good faith: they continue to manipulate data and use disproven population and traffic models,” Stop TXDOT I-45 said in their statement. “… To expect new outcomes from their current methods is waiting for harm to occur again.

Making history Players and coaches both know how big this weekend is and could be for the Eagles. They have not been to any iteration of a state tournament since the 1950s when they made the Prairie View Interscholastic League (PVIL) state title game.

“It means a lot to do this (for this school and community),” Walker said. “If we go up there and win that ring, nobody can take that away from us.”

His teammate echoed the sentiment.

“This is the most important week of our lives in basketball, so I just feel like it’s our community versus theirs,” Carter said. “It’s a big deal, because 40 years from now we can tell our kids that we did this. Everybody is always going to remember this moment.”

Grayson said they already do. And no matter what happens this weekend, he said this year’s team will forever be etched in the history books in the city of Houston and within the walls of Booker T. Washington.

“There’s a lot of history at this school – but this group of kids will never be forgotten,” he said. “I’ve told them that people will always remember them and what they did.”

Harm monitored is still harm done.”

But at least for now, the project is full-speed again ahead for I-45, the city, and the county.

“(It is) a project that addresses I-45’s repeated flooding while maximizing the opportunities for people to stay in their homes and neighborhoods,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “It is a project that helps people and goods travel through the region while encouraging people to travel between our neighborhoods without impacting them.”

Houston Methodist Hospital

For The Leader

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S. Every 36 seconds someone dies from cardiovascular disease. Prevention is the best form of reducing your risk of future heart issues. Dr. Kershaw Patel, a preventive cardiologist with Houston Methodist, says he routinely hears concerns from some of his patients who have a history of heart disease in their families.

“I often have patients who are fearful that they will experience a heart attack because it’s something their parent went through,” said Patel. “Following a hearthealthy lifestyle coupled with other prevention measures is a great strategy to prevent future heart problems.”

Not sure where to start?

Prevent heart disease by getting into these five essential habits.

1. Stop Smoking – Smoking is a proven risk factor for heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, not to mention lung cancer. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing heart disease and improve your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

2. Adopt a heart healthy diet - Making nutritious foods a part of your diet can go a long way when it comes to preventing heart disease and managing cholesterol levels. Fill your plate with fruits, vegetables, whole-grain and high fiber foods, fish and lean proteins and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.

3. Get Active – Exercise has far-reaching health benefits beyond preventing heart disease. If you have other risk factors, consult with your physician before starting a new workout regime.

4. Manage conditions –Monitoring your blood pressure to ensure its within a healthy range is key. Ideal blood pressure is 120/80. Also, there is also a strong correlation between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Work with your doctor to take steps to manage your diabetes or prevent it altogether, and make sure your blood pressure is within optimal range.

5. Monitor Your Cholesterol – High cholesterol can contribute to plaque in arteries or atherosclerosis. A healthy diet can lower your cholesterol levels, and it is important to monitor these levels to reduce risk of heart attack or other heart disease.

Signs and Symptoms

Staying up-to-date on regular check-ups also can help with staying on track with some common risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, but some signs and symptoms are more serious and may require the expertise of a cardiologist, a physician that specializes in diseases of the heart and blood vessels who can administer and evaluate tests, manage risk factors and determine the best course of action for treatment and prevention of future complications.

Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for that may indicate it’s time for you to see a cardiologist.

• Chest pain

• Swelling in your legs

• High blood pressure or hypertension

• Shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting

• Abnormally fast or slow heart rate

“As with any health condition, it’s better to address it as early as possible,” said Patel.

Manage your risk

Family history, age, chronic kidney disease and modi -

By Shana Tatum RD, LD, IFMCP www.shanatatumrd.com

The news has reported much about the importance of vitamin D for bone and tooth health, as well as its ability to help prevent fractures, osteopenia, improve immune health and help balance blood sugar. With COVID, we heard even more about the benefits of this mineral. However, a single nutrient intervention or replacement will only work if there is a deficiency. Optimal health requires a network effect.

As with most nutrients, Vitamin D has been shown to work in concert with other nutrients.

Minerals like calcium, magnesium, vitamin K2, vitamin A, vitamin C and other trace minerals like zinc. Much of the US population has been shown to be deficient in many of these minerals.

To optimize Vitamin D metabolism, ensuring adequate intake of other key minerals is important.

Calcium - This mineral must be present in the small intestine, or Vitamin D cannot be absorbed. It is estimated women aged 40-59 years old are only getting 882 mg/day, just over half of the recommended daily allowance of 1200 mg. Women aged 65 and older can see less efficient calcium absorption. It has been reported to be 50 percent of what is absorbed by an adolescent.

Examples of calcium in the diet are:

Plain yogurt, 8 oz. – 415 mg

Canned sardines, 3 oz. – 325 mg

Cheddar cheese, 1.5 oz. 300 mg

Firm tofu, ½ cup – 252 mg

Collard Greens, 1 cup – 198 mg.

Sesame Seeds, 2 Tbsp – 175 mg

Bok Choy, 1 cup – 74 mg.

Orange, 1 medium – 60 mg

Vitamin K –Vitamin K was named for the Danish word koagulation for its important role in blood clotting. It also activates osteocalcin, which encourages new dentin, the calcified tissue under the tooth’s enamel to grow. Forms of Vitamin K, like K1 and K2 perform different functions. Vitamin K2 is the cofactor that helps calcium get where it needs to go, bringing calcium into the bone. It keeps calcium from depositing in soft tissues and vessels or arteries of the cardiovascular system and kidneys. Ways to enhance K intake to meet RDA 9 0mcg/day for women and 120 mcg/day for men:

K1

Kale, cooked, 1 cup – 493 mcg.

Swiss Chard, raw, 1 cup – 299 mcg.

Parsley, raw, ¼ cup – 246 mcg.

Broccoli, cooked, 1 cup – 220 mcg.

Spinach, raw, 1 cup – 121 mcg.

K2

Fermented soybeans, such as natto, 1 cup – 40 mcg.

Goose liver pate, 3.5 oz.- 369 mcg

Cheddar Cheese, 3oz. – 15 mcg

Egg Yolk – 1 yolk, - 15 mcg

Magnesium – An important mineral for many body functions but particularly important in Vitamin D conversion. To convert sunlight into Vitamin D, there are many steps. Starting with the skin, to the liver and then the kidneys, each step along the way requires enzymes. Magnesium works to activate an enzyme needed in the kidneys to convert to its active form 1, 25 (OH)2D. It is reported that 48-55 percent of the US population is deficient in magnesium. The RDA for magnesium is 310-320 mg for women and 400-420 mg daily for men.

Examples include:

Brown Rice, 1 cup – 107 mg.

Cashews, 1oz, (~15 pcs) – 83 mg.

Fish, mackerel, cooked, 3 oz. – 82 mg.

Almonds, 1oz (~20 pcs) – 77 mg.

Swiss Chard, cooked ½ cup –75 mg.

Lima beans, cooked, ½ cup –63 mg.

Banana, 1 medium – 32mg.

Other factors important in Vitamin D health are digestive function, liver and kidney health and obesity. Optimal digestion depends on adequate stomach acid. Many patients take proton pump inhibitors to relieve onset will give you the best chance of living a long and healthy life.”

Houston Methodist has cardiovascular experts who can help prevent, diagnose manage and treat an array of heart diseases. Visit houstonmethodist.org/heart-vascular or call 713.332.2539 to schedule an appointment.

Preferred Health

fiable risk factors such as high alcohol consumption or obesity can also impact your risk level for heart disease. Be open with your physician about your concerns or symptoms so the best treatment plan can be created to meet your health needs.

“Sudden symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, discomfort or pain in arm or shoulder or jaw, neck or back pain, require medical attention immediately or a call to 911, as these are the common heart attack warning signs,” said Dr. Patel. “Getting ahead of some of these signs and symptoms through prevention measures or at initial reflux symptoms. This lowering of stomach acid can inhibit absorption of key minerals. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may also play a role in proper Vitamin D metabolism. Patients with this condition have reported higher prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis. As kidney function declines, in patients with diabetes, production of 1,25-D can decline by 50 percent. Obesity has also been shown to increase Vitamin D needs. A high BMI can double or triple needs. The best way to know, is ask your healthcare provider to measure. This laboratory assessment can provide a good base for which to enrich your diet, or perhaps supplement with the vitamin and necessary minerals to replete deficient levels.

Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 1635 North Loop West Houston, Texas 77008 Tel: 713-867-2000 memorialhermann.org Physician Referral 713.222.CARE

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Two of the area’s local high school softball teams are continuing to impress with strong early season play.

The Heights Lady Bulldogs continued a scorching start to the season by going 4-0-1 at the Lamar Consolidated ISD Tournament March 2-4 to move to 15-2 overall on the season. Alyssa Morris and Helen Maddux amassed six hits apiece to lead Heights during tournament, while Maddux, Flora Moreno, and Sydney Palomo all homered.

Haylie Jaime led the Lady Bulldogs on the mound, giving up just four earned runs in 13 tournament innings, striking out 17 batters and walking just four. Heights will return to action with a Friday night district game against Westside.

Waltrip’s Lady Rams also had a strong week, winning four of their five games to move to 8-1 and 5-0 in district play.

Gabrielle Thomas-Brice doubled and drove in two runs for Waltrip in a 16-0 victory over Sterling on March 3, while Haley Allen homered and drove home two runs of her own. Cinthia Castillo doubled and tripled in the game, while ThomasBrice and Castillo combined for nine strikeouts in three innings in the circle.

Booker T. Washington won both of its games last week, beating Wheatley 22-12 on March 1 before taking down North Forest 21-10 to improve to 3-0 on the season ahead of Wednesday’s schedule game against Furr.

On the private school side, the St. Pius X Lady Panthers were 3-1 at the St. John’s Tournament, moving to 12-6 overall on the season. Victoria Hunter homered twice in the tournament for SPX, which has won seven of its last nine games.

Baseball

On the public school side, the Waltrip Rams followed up a 15-0 district win over Sharpstown on March 1 by going 4-0 in tournament play March 2-4 to stay perfect on the young season.

Waltrip defeated John Cooper School (6-2) and Northland Christian (42) on March 2 before taking down Beaumont Kelly Catholic (9-7) and previously undefeated Houston Christian (8-0) on March 3. David Medina had the standout pitching performances of the week, throwing a complete game two-hit shutout against Houston Christian to help the Rams move to 10-0 on the season. Heights went 2-2 in tournament play last week. They lost 7-1 against Sterling on March 2 before splitting a pair of games against Katy Taylor (18-3 win) and Dobie (6-3 loss) on March 3 and then beating Memorial 12-4 on March 4. Robert Robinson had two hits against Taylor, while Paul Smith had two doubles and two RBIs in the loss to Dobie. The Bulldogs then blasted past Nimitz 14-2 on Monday thanks to two hits from Owen Gibbs.

St. Thomas went 3-11 at the Father Wilson/ Sister Julia Tournament co-hosted with St. Pius X last week. Donte Lewis went 3 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs in a 9-1 win over Beaumont Kelly on March 2 and 4 for 4 in a 10-9 loss to Houston Christian on MArch. Lewis also reached base four times with two RBIs in a 6-5 victory over Archbishop Rummel on March 3, while Caleb Davis homered in a 4-4 tie with Northland Christian on March 3.

St. Pius X went 2-2 in the tournament, losing to Archbishop Rummel (105) and the John Cooper School (9-3) before tak -