The 04-22-23 Edition of The Heights Leader

HISD holding off on proposed budget cuts

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Ahead of a June transition to a board on managers upon the Texas Education Agency’s takeover of the district, Houston Independent School District is holding off on proposed budget cuts and making changes to its proposed

budget for the 2023-2024 school year.

The announcement came during an April 13 board meeting in which superintendent Millard House II said the district would be “pressing pause” on several proposed cuts that had been proposed and would have saved the district more than $40 mil-

lion. “I’ve heard loud and clear that the will of the board is to not move forward with any campus-level budget reductions,” House said during the meeting.

The most significant cut that is now no longer being proposed would have been taking away the district’s ADA harmless provision

that protected campuses from having funds reduced due to lowered enrollment. HISD’s enrollment has decreased by about 5,000 students since last year, and by roughly 31,000 since 2017 according to House. It began as a state provision during the COVID-19

City announces initiative to remove dangerous buildings

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A city of Houston initiative that aims to take down buildings deemed as presenting a danger to public safety kicked off last week.

On April 15, Mayor Sylvester Turner and other city officials kicked off the city’s 2023 demolition initiative, which the city said is aimed at removing 300 buildings citywide that the city’s department of inspections have deemed as dangerous by the end of the year.

“My top priority to ensure that our neighborhoods are safe and livable,” Turner said in a news release. “This means tackling the problem of abandoned buildings that degrade our neighborhoods, harbor vagrancy and crime, and pose real safety concerns for residents.”

Contributed photo

Former Santikos and Sons owner known as loving family man, mentor

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Seth Santikos is going to miss his go-to ride-along and lunch buddy. And two months after the passing of his father, Peter Santikos, he said it hits hard every day.

On Feb. 24, Peter Santikos passed away at the age of 79 following a battle with cancer that lasted more than a year after he was diagnosed in November 2021.

“We did a lot of stuff together,” Seth said. “But it got cut short.”

Peter Santikos was born on Aug. 6, 1944 in Corpus Christi, but the family has been in Houston for decades, moving there when Peter

According to the city, nearly 130 “residential dangerous” structures have been demolished so far this year, with plans for more than 100 more by the end of the year. A number of such buildings reside in underserved neighborhoods including the city’s 10 Complete Communities, according to the city, among them Acres Homes and Near Northside.

Since 2016, the city said nearly 11,500 cases involving dangerous buildings have been resolved through owner compliance or demolition of a building if the owner does not comply with the city’s standards. The demolition process is undertaken by the Department of Neighborhoods, according

Artist applications open for Memorial Park art festival

Sta Reports

Any local artists who want to be a part of the massive art festival happening at Memorial Park later this year can now submit their works of art for consideration.

The Bayou City Art Festival announced in a news release Monday that interested artists can now apply for the opportunity to showcase and sell their art at the upcoming outdoor art festival scheduled for Oct. 14-15 at Memorial Park.

Applications can be submitted online at zapplication.org/event-info. php?ID=10785 through midnight (Central Standard Time) on June 18

for consideration for the prestigious festival, according to the organization.

According to the organization, more than 1,000 qualified applicants from 19 different disciplines typically submit their applications to be reviewed by ACA jurors from countries around the world including Canada, Mexico, South America, and Israel. Of those, only 300 will be selected to have their artwork shown in the festival.

The organization said interested artists must submit five images and an application fee of $50 by the

Photo courtesy city of Houston

The city of Houston has begun an initiative aimed at taking down dangerous buildings in area communities.

Millard House II

Charged A woman has been cahrged in connection to an auto-pedestrian crash in the area last

Diving ahead St. Pius X baseball continued their strong play last week to lead our annual recap

Art all around Check out this week’s Art Valet for an array of art happenings in the area this weekend

An icon lost Longtime realtor Pat Walker passed away last month. See our story as we share memories from those who knew her

Woman arrested,

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A woman has been charged in connection to an auto-pedestrian accident that killed a man earlier this month in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area, according to the Houston Police Department.

Michele Livesay, 53, has been arrested and charged with failure to stop and render aid in a crash involving injury as well as Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – second offense, according to Harris County court records. She remained in jail as of Tuesday, according to court records, with her combined bail set at $30,100.

The identity of the victim is still pending an autopsy from the county’s

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Fire investigators are still working to determine what caused an abandoned warehouse to go up in smoke in the Independence Heights area last weekend, accord-

ing to the Houston Fire Department.

There was nobody reported hurt as a result of the fire, according to the department.

HFD said first responders were called to fire at a warehouse in the 5500 block of Yale Street near Tidwell

medical examiner, according to HPD. He was pronounced dead at Ben Taub General Hospital on April 9, according to the department.

The man was crossing the street –not in a crosswalk – at 4700 N. Shepherd Dr. just after 12:30 a.m. on April 2, according to police, when a white Hyundai Elantra driving north hit him. Responding patrol officers later allegedly found the driver, alleged to be Livesay, a short distance away from the scene according to HPD. She was subsequently arrested and charged, according to the department.

Paramedics transported the victim to Ben Taub later that night, according to police, and he was pronounced dead on April 9.

Road just after 4 a.m. last Sunday, April 9, to find fire coming from a large abandoned warehouse at the site.

Crews from stations 15, 30, 31, 34, 58, and 67 helped extinguish the fire, according to the department, and nobody was found inside the warehouse.

Fetch your

The department estimated the fire did about $60,000 worth of property damage, according to HFD, though arson investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire and how it initially originated.

THE TOPICS.

It’s a blind date

Certain dates have become to mean certain events, some good and some not so. Dec. 7 is one such case, as FDR said, “A date that will live in infamy.” He was speaking to the U.S. Congress on the next day, and said “date,” but it has become “day of infamy.” Who cares? Certainly in our lifetime “nine-eleven” will always mean the attack on the World Trade Center that caused the disastrous invasion of Iraq. We celebrate the Fourth of July, which conveniently always seems to land on July 4, and that’s when the Declaration of Independence was signed by the delegates. Well, most of them. We fudge the date a bit because it says on the top of the document: “In Congress, July 4, 1776.” Actually, the document was signed by most of the members on August 2. Other delegates trickled in and Thomas McKean didn’t sign until 1781. Let’s not get too picky about it.

But now we have a new date to remember: May 11. Back on Jan. 30, President Joe Biden announced that he would end both the national emergency and the public health emergency declarations on May 11, 2023. Let’s have a big mask burning. Get as close to others as you wish. No more vaccinations. The Covid-19 pandemic is over! Sort of. Biden’s announcement came on the very same day that theWorld Health Organization, or WHO, said it still considered the Covid-19 pandemic to be “a public health emergency of international concern.” Not to get bogged down in statics, but these are human beings we are discussing: According to WHO, as ofJan. 31 worldwide there had been 6,817,478 deaths due to the pandemic. By April 18, the worldwide death toll stood at 6,897,012, a gain, or loss, of another 79,534 people in two and a half months. Since Jan. 31, the U.S. has registered 1,118,800 Covid-19 deaths. That’s 21,554 deaths during that period. Texas went from 90,366 deaths to 92,018 while Harris County counted 11,547 deaths at the end of January. Now the death toll is 11,650, but it’s still early in the day. So maybe Joe’s happy announcement was a little quick onthe-draw.

A little background. The first human cases of Covid-19 were identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The first confirmed case in the U. S. came on Jan. 20, 2020 in Washington State, wherea man developed symptomsafter returning from a trip to Wuhan. (That’s when Dr. Anthony

I always wondered who, or WHO, named the disease? Wonder no more. WHO came up with Covid-19 as an acronym for the coronavirus disease which began in 2019. Unlike the Spanish Flu of 1919 that killed up to 100 million people, Covid-19 makes no reference to any people, places or animals to avoid stigma. We wouldn’t want to chap the Chinese who, experts say, have been of little help in investigating the pandemic’s origins.

Which brings us to an argument that has come about because of Covid-19. Where did it originate? We know the disease began in Wuhan, but was it accidentally spilled from a lab that was working on the disease or from a meat market that sells dogs, rats and other delectables. Almost everyone has taken sides, talking heads on TV have entered the fray, but I have a question? What possible difference does it make? In our priorities we need to find a cure, we need to prevent another exact or similar outbreak and it makes absolutely no matter which building in Wuhan gave the world the disaster.

But this is so typical of our times. You name a subject and you will find Americans taking angry sides.

Usually it’s Republicans versus Democrats, progressives (who used to be called liberals) versus conservatives. You find angry confrontations not only about politics but about guns, transgender children, birth control and school books. Most of these have been around for years.

“Eve, did you take your pill today?” Now we are in furious fights over age-old situations. Why now? Want to start a fight in a bar room or a company picnic? “I think Trump won.” Dr. Greg Abbott, having solved all of Texas problems, got into the mask-no mask fight. Poor airline flight attendants were punched in the face for simply trying to carry out the mask rule. To mandate or not to mandate? Dr. Fauci got crucified for trying to save our lives. At 83 years old, working 54 years at the National Institutes of Health, 38 of them running

The Railroad Commission of Texas has disposed of equipment and/or hydrocarbons pursuant to Section 89.085 of the Texas Natural Resources Code. Any person with a legal or equitable ownership or security interest in the equipment or hydrocarbons that was in existence on the date the Commission entered into a contract to plug the following well(s) or clean the following leases/facilities may le a claim with the Commission. Contact the Houston District Of ce at 713-869-5001 to obtain a claim form.

03-263616

SMP Code Number:

Operator Name: Baileys Energy, LLC

the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, he’s retiring and I don’t blame him. How many medical scientists need a bodyguard? A lot of these demonstrators and sign wavers have too much time on their hands. Do something useful. Adopt a highway.

Someone should start a COVID-19 Museum. Glass cases showing the vast number of different masks. Show marks that went on the floors of grocery stores, lobbies and tattoo parlors telling us where to stand 6-feet from our fellow cougher.

The museum should show photos of the anti-vaxxers with their posters -- along with their obituaries. These exhibits will be reminders to our grandchildren of what life was like back in 2020 to 2023. But even now that the pandemic is over, our lives have been changed forever. It will take years, or maybe forever, when our wage slaves and cubicle dwellers will go back to a 40-hour work week in the office. A lot of people like to commute to their jobs down the hall and into their laptops. Restaurants and theaters are still suffering from a lack of both workers and customers. I spotted a newspaper (remember them?) article telling how dry cleaners are hurting. We don’t need clean clothes for the office. Bathrobes can be washed.

On May 11 it’s hats and horns! COVID-19 is officially over! But get your booster.

Ashby celebrates at ashby2@comast.net

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Baseball/Softball Recap: Pitching, timely hitting lead St. Pius X baseball to big week

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

As St. Pius X’s baseball team continues to find its groove, it took every aspect of the game to keep its recent winning streak going last week.

SPX won both games last week, taking down Kinkaid 2-1 on April 10 before emerging victorious over the John Cooper School by a score of 6-1. The Panthers (15-9-1, 3-3 district) have now won five consecutive games, and were up to 16th in the private school rankings released by Texas High School Baseball on April 10.

Front and center on the mound for the Panthers last week was their prowess on the mound through both contests. Tyler Comeaux started things off with six shutout innings in the win over Kinkaid, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking

out seven hitters. Three days later, LSU commit Casan Evans hurled a nohitter against John Cooper, striking out a seasonhigh 17 Dragons in the win to keep the Panthers’ streak alive.

But it also took some timely hitting and base running to keep the streak alive as well. Ethan McMinn had two hits against John Cooper, while Cooper Brown had three hits of his own and Easton Dean homered to help the Panthers come out on top. SPX also scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch to beat Kinkaid.

The Panthers are set to battle San Antonio Central Catholic on Thursday, looking to run their winning streak to six games.

Elsewhere in the private school ranks, St. Thomas dropped its only game of the week, a 5-1 defeat to 2nd-ranked Concordia Lutheran. The loss dropped the Eagles to 16-8-1 overall and 3-1 in TAPPS district competition.

On the public school side, the Heights Bulldogs bounced back from an April 4 loss to Westside with a pair of wins last week. The Bulldogs took down Westbury 10-1 on April 11 before exacting a measure of revenge on Westside with a 6-4 victory on April 3 and taking down Westbury again 6-2 on April 14. R.J. Robinson had three hits including a homer to lead the offensive attack for Heights (18-7, 7-1) on April 11 against Westbury on April 11, while Brady Pro had

eight strikeouts in the April 14 victory.

Waltrip had three wins in four games last week, a 26-0 win over Madison on April 12 before an 8-2 win over Carnegie Vanguard on April 13. The Rams then lost 4-2 to Lutheran South on April 14 before taking down Madison again by a score of 16-1 on April 15 to move to 20-2 overall and 12-1 in district play.

The Booker T. Washington Eagles won a pair of games via forfeit against Worthing last week, moving their record to 10-1 on the season.

Scarborough ran its winning streak to three games with a 9-1 win over North Forest on April 11 before winning via forfeit on April 14 to improve to 7-3 on the season.

Softball SPX’s Lady Panthers had a pair of wins last week, beating Concordia

Lutheran 14-4 on April 11 before defeating Incarnate Word Academy 22-3 on April 14 to improve to 22-10 overall and 6-0 in TAPPS district play. Maddie Trejo had nine combined RBIs in the two games, while Julie Tresco went 5 for 5 with a home run and six RBIs in the win over Incarnate Word Academy.

In public school action, Waltrip’s Lady Rams won two of their three games last week, with a pair of 15-0 wins over Sterling on April 12 and Madison on April 13 before dropping a 7-3 decision to Galena Park on April 14. Anaya Ortega had three RBIs for Waltrip (15-4, 12-2) in the win over Madison, while Cinthia Castillo had three hits including a double and two RBIs.

The Heights Lady Bulldogs have now clinched the District 18-6A crown and put an exclamation point on their district

dominance with wins over Westside (8-1) on April 11 and Westbury (16-0) on April 14 to secure their second district title in the past three seasons. Laila Robins, Kennedy Hill, and Alyssa Morris had three apiece for Heights (23-21, 10-0) in the win over Westbury, while Flora Moreno hit a grand slam and Angelina del Pozo also homered. Hill and Helen Maddux drove in two runs apiece against Westside to back Hayley Jaime’s complete-game effort that included nine strikeouts.

Booker T. Washington lost both games last week, a 17-2 decision to Worthing on April 14 before dropping a 19-4 game to Furr on April 15 to drop to 7-5 on the season.

LANDAN

Photo by Wayne Donnelly

A St. Pius X base runner dives into home plate with the winning run in the Panthers’ 2-1 victory over Kinkaid on April 10. The Panthers have won five straight games following three more wins last week.

By Pastor Will Cover Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org

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was 10 years old. He would graduate from Reagan (now Heights) High School and start his life in the workforce – not knowing that he would soon make an enormous impact on those around him. He would soon become one of the most recognizable businessmen in the Oak Forest area, as in the late 1960s he would create and own Santikos and Sons Texaco Auto Repair until he retired in 2012. And one thing was for sure, his son said – Pete Santikos loved to work, often working 18-hour days according to his son.

“I would work with my dad in high school and in college, and he would always outwork me. He outworked me really until he got diagnosed,” Seth said. “… That was my dad’s whole thing in life. He grew up with nothing, so he wanted to provide for his family, and that’s what he did.”

But as much he loved work, Seth said his father loved people even more. He was always quick to help anyone, whether they were part of the family or not. He simply wanted to give back and pour into the community he held dear.

And even though they might have known him from his business, his son said Peter Santikos was more than just a businessman. According to an obituary from Dignity Memorial, Peter served in multiple board positions on the Oak Forest Lions Club as well as on several committees for the Houston Livestock Show &

pandemic in 2020, and HISD continued to do so even after the state removed the provision for districts last year. According to a PowerPoint presentation from the March 23 budget meeting, taking it away would have saved the district roughly $29 million in the upcoming fiscal year. Also among the cuts would have been a reduction in small school subsidies and the high school allotment per student, according to House. Per the March 23 meeting, reducing those allot-

The Week After Message of the Week

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mination that he always worked with. But it would later come back, and Peter would pass away in his home in late February.

But he didn’t fight it alone. He was supported, Seth said, with his wife Sharon to whom he was married for 47 years, and his four sons and daughters and many more family members. And countless community members, Seth said, would visit their home in his father’s final days, weeks, and months.

Peter was a son, husband, father, and grandfather to grandkids who would call him Pappou, according to his obituary. He also became a mentor and a father figure to so many, even though Seth said he became that important figure without realizing it. His father’s passion for people, Seth said, has always been evident. Since his father’s passing, he said the outpouring of love and support for the family means everything. It also hammers home, he said, just how adored and loved his father was and the impact he made through his love of his family and the community he called home.

Rodeo.

He was also involved with local Boy Scouts for many years, Seth said, and was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, where he served a term on the pastoral council.

“Everybody knew Santikos and Sons. It seemed like everywhere we go, somebody knew my dad,” Seth said. “It could be at a gas

ments would have resulted in an additional combined savings of about $13 million.

House said that the district does still need to find ways to reduce its budget, because he said fewer students means incoming revenues coming will decline for the foreseeable future. That comes in part because the district’s payment for recapture – a practice by which the stat receives funds from propertywealthy districtssuch as HISD and redistributes them – contin-

to the city, and is a process which can at times take up to a year to complete due to the legal process that must be followed before a building is approved for demolition according to DON director TaKasha Francis.

“Our team of code enforcement officers take great pride in the role they play to remove abandoned buildings that pose hazards for people who live nearby, pedestrians, and particularly for children who may venture onto the property,” Francis said.

The city says it attempts to aim for owner compliance before demolishing a build-

station, it could be because they were in the Lions Club together. He knew a lot of people.”

When he wasn’t working or serving in the community, Seth said his dad loved to fish and hunt. Peter and Sharon had bought a lake house in Jacksonville, Texas in recent years, the obituary said, where he loved to fish and ride boats and bring the

ues to grow in the “wrong direction.”

The district’s payment last year, House said, exceeded $200 million. HISD also approved a budget of more than $2 billion last year that included record raises for teachers by increasing their pay about 11 percent. The district has stayed above water, House said, due to federal payments from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 as well as the ADA harmless provision and COVID-19 federal aid. But as the last of those – the

ing, which can often take time. According to the city, any demolition order issued by the Building and Standards Commission and Administrative Hearing Officer must undergo a review by the city’s Demolition Assessment Panel before it can be approved

“Ultimately, property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties in compliance with city codes,” Turner said. “However, when owners fail to comply, we must do all we can to remove the hazards and keep residents safe.”

whole family out to the house. He was all about family and bringing them together.

“We were always doing stuff together,” Seth said.

When his father was first diagnosed with cancer in November 2021, Seth said initially that after rounds of chemotherapy it went into remission, as his father fought it with the same deter-

COVID-19 money – is set to expire, House said the district’s fiscal fund would be exhausted by 2026 without changes.

“If not for (those funds), we would not have been able to move forward and would have been in dire distress,” he said. “The hard truth is that the FY 2026 fund balance will be exhausted if nothing is done.”

However, he said the district also wants to relieve some of the uncertainty that is hanging over the district in light of the impend-

deadline. All artists selected to participate in the 2023 Bayou City Art Festival will be notified as such by July 5.

For each festival, a new juror panel of anywhere from 5-7 judges is invited and consists of artists, collectors, educators, curators, and industry professionals. They are selected based on their specific interests, professional knowledge, and expertise in the arts, according to the organization.

Cash prizes will be awarded for “Best

Because of that and the man he was, Seth said, he will forever be cherished in the memories of those who knew him.

“He had a lot of impact on everything,” Seth said. “Something my dad said toward the end was ‘I didn’t know this many people loved me.’ Because everybody came forward.”

ing TEA takeover. TEA officials have previously said that the new board of managers and superintendent will be put in place by this coming June – which is right around the time the board is set to vote on the new budget.

“This is already a time of significant uncertainty for our schools, and I hope that agreeing to this budget recommendation as soon as possible will reduce a layer of uncertainty for our campus leaders, teachers and community,” he said.

in Show,” second and third place, as selected by the on-site judges at the festival. Ribbons will also be awarded for “Best Booth” and all winners will receive jury exempt status for two years as well as priority booth placement.

For more information or to submit an artist application for Bayou City Art Festival, visit zapplication.org/eventinfo.php?ID=10785.

Santikos, from P. 1A

HISD, from P. 1A

Demolition, from P. 1A Art Festival from P. 1A

Contributed photo

Peter Santikos, left, was a strong family man and eventually became a mentor and father figure to many in the community.

health

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Today I get to use my favorite word to describe Houston’s relentlessly, persistent and diverse art communities … plethora. Here goes, there are a plethora of art activities all over Houston this weekend. Here are just a few that crossed my radar.

Hemplication Wellness

Boutique & CBD Spa, 26411

Preston Ave , Spring, TX, began celebrating their five-year anniversary April 20 and continues through Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m each day. Perhaps that should read, four twenty? Those that know, know.

The three day event at Hemplication in Historic Old Town Spring will feature artists, food vendors, games with prizes, live art and of course music featuring DJ Matt Lion Music spinning Roots Reggae. There will be infused edibles and it was noted they are legal hemp products via Texas

House Bill 1325.

There’s a connection here, Hemplication proprietor and founder Lisa (Hilton) McAuley started her art career out of rehabilitation using art and music. It was when she discovered cannabis for treatment after two life altering strokes that led to Hemplication.

I met McAuley after she took her art therapy to a professional level and started bringing her 3D music themed art to shows and festivals like mine. She had studio space at The Silos at Sawyer Yards before returning to her career as an Oncology Aesthetician. An interview with McAuley ran in Art Valet in November 2017.

Because of her use of cannabis in her ongoing recovery for all her ailments, McAuley added that to her repertoire and received a Cannabis Masters from Cannabis Universities in both Colorado and California.

When McAuley returned to her practice, she of course brought her new found love of art and music with her. Visiting her first location in Old Town Spring, I was not surprised to find art and jewelry throughout. Artists were often found under tents selling their wares on weekends too. Hemplication is definitely more than

a CBD store. As her website states truthfully, it’s an experience. For details follow Hemplication on Instagram, https:// www.instagram.com/hempli-

cation88/

Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22 marks the return of Midtown Art in the Park at Elizabeth Baldwin Park, 1701 Elgin St., Houston, TX 77004.

This is one of Houston’s most gorgeous outdoor events, and everytime I’ve visited, I definitely get a little envious of this location. There are always familiar faces among the 35+ artists that set up here.

This year’s theme is “Let Art Inspire HOU!” an homage to the brilliant selection of talent in Houston. Midtown Houston puts on fantastic events with activities for everyone. Friday, April 21, 2023, from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities are listed here https://bit. ly/2023artinthepark

A few more art options or to add to your already full plate.

Artist Suzanne Buckland informed me that Studio 122 at The Silos at Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer St., will be open Saturday, April 22, noon to 5 p.m. They can give you details then about the networking and live art demo happening Sunday or email Buckland at confident_realm@yahoo.com.

Galveston Arts Center’s Artwalk is Saturday afternoon. Details https://www. galvestonartscenter.org/ I recommend starting at Rene Wiley Gallery, 2128 Postoffice St., Galveston Island, Texas 77550. Brenda J. BuntenSchloesser, a mosaic textile artist, is one of the many fea-

tured artists. You will not believe your eyes when you realize her work is not painted.

Onion Creek, 3106 White Oak Dr Houston, TX 77007, is celebrating 20 years this Saturday. I recall people losing their minds when Onion Creek was preparing to open in 2002. Onion Creek was a regular meet up location for the early artists at what became First Saturday Arts Market. I have very fond memories of those gatherings. Live Music from Kiss A Like Band, & DJ Melodic. Cold beer, frozen cocktails, and great memories to be shared! http://www.onioncreekcafe. com/.

Finally, my friend Mark A Smith wrote, “The First Robotics World Championships is at GRB. 630 Teams from around the world competing to see who is world’s best. Come see us after enjoying spring and art.” This must be where those crazy viral videos of fighting robots come from, or at least the robotic vacuum cleaners. Details https://www.firstchampionship.org/

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

Nibbles and Sips: Padre’s Wine hosts grand opening on White Oak

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

There is now a new way for Houstonians and wine connoisseurs to wet their palates in the local neighborhood.

On April 12, Padre’s Wine Company officially opened its doors in the Heights at 3522 White Oak Dr. in the Heights with a grand opening event.

In addition to offering 500 labels sourced from other small distributors for sale at the bottle shop, the 4,000-square-foot space at 3522 White Oak Dr. will double as a wine bar and retail shop where customers can enjoy one of 20 rotating wines by the glass.

In addition, a small food menu will accompany the wine list and feature charcuterie boards, paninis, and other light bites.

Padre’s Wine closed on Tuesdays but is open from 11 a.m.10 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from 11 a.m.-midnight on Friday and Saturday according to its website.

For more information on Padre’s Wine, visit the winery’s website at padreswine.com/ or call 346204-5160.

Dinette opens new bakery, launches happy hour

A Vietnamese restaurant in the Heights has expanded its offerings by opening a new bakery next to its existing restaurant and launched a new Happy Hour menu.

Earlier this month, Dinette opened its new endeavor, Dinette Bakery, at 1018 N. Shepherd Dr. adjacent to the restaurant. Ac-

cording to the restaurant, the bakery will offer different types of Vietnamese pastries, sticky rice balls, scones, baked buns and more for diners. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

The restaurant has also launched a new Happy Hour menu daily from 3-6 p.m. that will offer all house cocktails for $7 as well as a $5 food menu that includes hushpuppies, pork rinds, Fried Bahn Beo, and hose made Taro Chips. The restaurant has also launched a reverse happy hour in the bar only that will be available Fridays and Saturdays from 9-11 p.m., and are also showcasing a new featured food every two weeks.

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Contributed photo

CannaChef and artist Lisa McAuley prepares for her fifth Anniversary at Hemplication.

Photo from Instagram Pictured are Padre’s Wine general manager Nick Nguyen (left) and owner William Farley. The new wine spot at 3522 White Oak Dr. opened on April 12

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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

In the eyes of many, longtime local realtor Pat Walker was truly one-of-a-kind. To know her was to love her, and once someone met her they were friends for life.

And though she is now gone, those who knew her say they will never forget her. Walker passed away last month on March 28, at the age of 86, and the community has since seen an outpouring of love for the longtime realtor, friend, daughter, and sister.

“Pat knew everyone and nobody who met Pat ever forgot Pat,” said longtime friend David Frost, also a fellow realtor in the profession. “She was like a celebrity wherever she went and was universally admired.”

In both her work and her personal life, those who knew her characterized Walker as someone who was always encouraging others, constantly seeking opportunities to be a light in someone’s light and to lift them up with words of affirmation, praise, and more.

She will be remembered by many, friends said, for her loyalty, generosity, and kindness that was one of a kind.

“I remember many times when a friend was in need, Pat was fast to send food, money or some of her encouraging words or all three…She was a mentor to many professionally and personally,” Efferson said. “(She was) quick to assist with anything and at any time. Devoted to her family… So many of us feel the loss of this truly great and one of a kind woman.”

Flo Perry, who said she met Walker in 2012, said she watched Walker become the “church mom” to many in her church as she displayed the warmth and compassion friends say was instantly palpable upon meeting her.

“I was immediately impressed by her warmth, humor, and deep faith. I grew to love and admire her as did most people who got to know her,” Perry said. “… Her love of people was so obvious.”

Walker’s profession was as

a realtor, where she helped buyers and sellers in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and more for more than 40 years before her retirement. And many acknowledged that she was phenomenal realtor, one who was a top producer at multiple brokerages and owned a Keller Williams office in Oak Forest.

““She shared her wisdom and professionalism as well as her clients. Pat had very loyal clients, many of whom she had assisted with multiple real estate transactions over many years,” Efferson said.

But many said that she was also much more than simply a realtor helping a client. She became so closely embedded with some of those she helped buy or sell a home that she was invited to come to special events in the family’s lives such as birthdays, baby showers, housewarmings, anniversaries, and weddings.

“She gave of her time, talents, and treasures wherever she was engaged. She loved and was dedicated to her family and friends. You knew when you were with Pat that she gave you her full

attention,” said Rev. Leslie Jackson, the senior pastor at St. Peter United Church of Christ, where Walker attended. “... Pat lived life to the fullest, but for all she took from life she gave it back tenfold to those of us that knew her well.”

That kind of relationship, friends said, was one of the many things that made her almost a larger than life person in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and surrounding communities.

“She served her community in such a positive way,” said Lauren Amaro with Nan and Company Properties. “Her clients didn’t see her as just their realtor, more like a family member.”

For Efferson, it was a friendship she didn’t even see coming. She and Walker attended the same church for a while, Efferson said, but never really knew one another. Then one day out of the blue, she Walker called her up to take her out to lunch.

And her personality, Efferson said, was instantly almost magnetic and one that those who met Walker throughout

her life could not help getting drawn in by.

“She was – from our first meeting – a person that would always be an important part of my life, personally and professionally,” Efferson said. “…. It seemed as though she knew everyone and everyone that knew her loved her.”

And even as serious as she was about her work and decades-long career in real estate, those who know said she could also cut loose with the best of them. Frost said she loved having a good time and often ran over to Las Vegas to play and see a show.

Efferson remembered Walker joking she could not retire because “she loved shoes, hats and a new Cadillac,” and that she had special collection of unique hats that she never failed to bust out for special occasions. Whatever the occasion, she was always ready.

“We always had a giggle and a laugh about some crazy story we’d heard or one of life’s endless absurdities,” Frost said.“I will miss her terribly.”

Amaro echoed the senti-

ment. “Pat’s witty humor and ability to light up any room (stands out),” Amaro said. “She was full of jokes and enjoyed making people have a good laugh.”

And though she is now gone, the light that she shined onto and into others’ lives will not be forgotten in the eyes,

hearts, or memories of those who say they were cherished and blessed enough to know her.

She will live on forever in their hearts, a person whose impact on their lives will be there for the rest of their lives.

“If you knew her, you knew unconditional love, respect and a bond that true friendship brings,” Efferson said. “I know that Pat Walker is now with all of the angels that went before her. And friends, that means there is a big celebration in heaven.”

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In the 1930’s and 40’s, Moscow, Texas was like many small East Texas farming communities that had all the necessities for life: a school, a Baptist church, a general store and a funeral parlor. The funeral parlor was located in a large, two story white house with a circular front porch, white picket fence, and sat atop one of Moscow’s rust colored hills that also served as the home of Pat’s great uncle and aunt, Kirby and Clara Walker. This was the home and town where Patricia Jean Walker grew up.

The circumstances that took her to Moscow to live as a baby and subsequently adopted by the Walker family aren’t as important as the love and a life she was given by the Walkers that her mother, Dede, could ill afford as a young, poor, single Mom. Pat would often say that she was not only adopted by the Walkers, but was also adopted by the town of Moscow because anywhere “Miss Pat” went, she felt the protective eyes of her community. No doubt her childhood experiences are what led to her empathy for others growing up with much less than she had.

After graduating from Corrigan High, Pat attended Stephen F Austin college, but the big city and neon lights of Houston called her to a life of adventure. Her first job was at the Heights Library. For sure, anyone who knew Pat would say that she was not cut out to be a librarian. At the first opportunity, she left the books behind and took an entry level job at Southwestern Bell, working her way up to a management position where she retired and subsequently became a real estate agent serving the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest neighborhoods.

Real estate was a perfect fit for Pat. Her generous spirit and love of helping others navigate the sometimes emotional and often complicated world of selling or buying their most important asset. Also, she thrived on the socializing aspects her job offered. She enjoyed helping new agents get a start in the business. If there was a fund raiser or community event, she was always there as a volunteer, raising money and often a soft touch for those in need.

Pat and sister, Nancy Rust, were joined at the hip throughout life and known in the community simply as “The Sisters”. They lived together, worked and took care of each other for many years. Their home was always welcoming where friends would sometimes drop by just to hang out. If you were ever fortunate enough to be invited to a Thanksgiving dinner in their home, normally a daylong event with mountains of food, laughter, camaraderie, and love, you would be retelling the day for years to come.

Pat suffered with COPD for many years and died peacefully at home under the care of her beloved sister. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Rust of Houston; brother, Ray Mathis of Seattle; nephew, Adam Mathis of San Francisco .

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held in the early summer. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to honor Pat’s memory can make a donation to her church, “St. Peter United Church, Pat Walker Memorial Fund”. Donations can be made on line at stpeterunited.com.

Pat Walker 1936 - 2023

Inwood, Acres Homes continue steady growth so far in 2023

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Home sales have steadily been declining in Houston, with sales dipping more than 18 percent year-over-year last month and more than 22 percent year-todate in the Greater Houston region. And many local zip codes have not been immune to the trend that has continued so far in the first quarter of 2023.

Only the 77091 zip code, which includes much of Greater Inwood and Acres Homes as well as part of Independence Heights, was the only local market to show year-over-year March growth according to the data, and is also the only area currently ahead of its 2022 pace through the end of the month. Every other code showed a yearover-year dip of at least 24 percent in March and is behind its pace from last year.

77018

The area including much of Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Central Northwest, and much of Independence Heights experienced a 26.2 percent year-overyear decrease in March sales, with 62 homes sold last month compared to 84 in March 2022.

Year-to-date, the 133 sales represents a 32.1 percent downturn from the 196 sold in the same time span in 2022.

Pricing wise, March home price here dipped 2.5 percent year-over-year to $632,915 and median price was up slightly (1.2 percent) to $502,450. Through the end of the month, average homes cost 11.3 percent more ($658,585) compared to 2022, while median price has been up 8.5 percent so far this year to $509,900.

77091

Just to the north, a zip code encompassing much of Greater Inwood and Acres Homes as well as part of Independence Heights was the only one to see even a slight year-over-year jump in March home sales. There were 34 homes closed on in this area last month, up slightly from the 32 that were sold the previous March. As a result, the area is now basically in line with its 2022 pace through the end of the

month with its 77 sales, a tick up from 76 through the same period last year.

On a pricing front, the 13.9 spike in average home price (up to $333,674) was the secondbiggest jump in the area while median home price jumped 20.3 percent to $354,900 – the biggest rise among local zip codes.

Year-to-date, the average buyer has paid 7.7 percent more for a house here ($327,604) so far in 2023, and the median price is up 16.4 percent to $349,000 through the end of March.

77092

In the zip code including the western edge of the Central Northwest neighborhood as well as Langwood and Kempwood, was both the fewest number of homes sold last month as well as the area’s largest year-over-year

March percentage dip. There were 15 homes sold in this area last month, down 66.7 percent from the 45 sales last March. It’s also the area where the fewest total homes (38) have been sold so far this year, 55.3 percent behind last year’s mark of 85 sales in the same span. Average March home price here rose slightly (3.7 percent) year-over-year to $341,407, while March median price jumped 14 percent year-overyear to $366,000. Homes have cost the average buyer 6.7 percent more ($345,253) through the end of the month, while the median price has spiked 8.8 percent up to $348,000.

77008

Moving down to the Greater Heights, there were 79 homes sold in this zip code last month

– a 24.8 percent dip from the 105 sales in March 2022, according to HAR. As a result of the year-over-year March sales dip, the area is now 37.2 percent behind last year’s pace – there have been 174 sales in this zip code through the end of the month, as opposed to 277 through the same period in 2022.

On the pricing front, the average March price for a home in this area was down 4.6 percent – the second local zip code to see a dip – to $676,557 last month, while year-over-year median price remained stagnant at $610,000. To this point of the year, the average home has cost $681,656 – an 8 percent increase from the same point last year – and the median year-to-date home price has gone up 8.2 percent ($595,000) compared to the

same period last year.

77009

On the eastern edge of the Heights, the zip code encompassing the Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights, and the Northside area, March home sales were down 38.6 percent yearover-year, with 35 homes coming off the market compared to 57 in the same month last year. Year-to-date, agents have closed on 87 homes – a 37.4 percent dip from the same time period last year.

Pricing-wise, average March home price was up 9.6 percent to $607,077 while median price spiked up 13.8 percent to $535,000. Through the end of the month, median price is up 10 percent to $495,000, while the average cost for a house here has gone up 18.3 percent ($611,403) compared to the same time in 2022.

77007

On the southern edge of the area, the zip code including Rice Military and Washington Avenue saw the largest decline in total homes sold, with 40 fewer sales (61) than last month’s figure of 101 homes sold. Meanwhile, the 39.6 percent decline was the second-largest percentage drop among local zip codes according to HAR data. On a year-to-date basis, there have been exactly half as many houses sold in this zip code (143) compared to the same point last year.

Along with the decreased sales here last month, accompanying it was a 30.5 percent year-overyear monthly spike in average home price up to $782,002 as well as a 21.5 percent spike in median home price – which finished the month at $586,700.

Year-to-date, the average buyer has paid 18.3 percent more for a house here ($710,929) while year-to-date median home price is up 15.2 percent to $570,000.

Photo from HAR website

Sales of homes like this one, currently listed in the 77091 zip code, have continued to rise in places like Greater Inwood/ Acres Homes while still dropping in all other local neighborhoods, according to Houston Association of Realtors data.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

When Creston Inderrieden and his wife Holly founded IndyQuest Properties almost 10 years ago, they were looking to do an even better job serving those who are looking to buy or sell their homes and providing a more personal touch to the process.

And a decade later, their desire and mission have not changed. IndyQuest will turn 10 years old this coming August, and the Inderriedens have no plans to slow down.

“I think the reason we’ve been successful is because we’ve continually added value. It’s not necessarily about being the smartest person in the room,” Creston said. “Sometimes it’s about being a listening ear and meeting people where they’re at. All those things play an important role in helping people understand that we care. It’s not just a transaction for us.”

For nearly 10 years, the Inderriedens and IndyQuest have served home buyers and sellers in Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, The Heights and other neighborhoods of North Houston. They and more than 20 agents in their charge now also serve Sugar Land, Katy, and The Woodlands, but primarily focus on the local area. Owners of three different homes in Shepherd Park Plaza at various points, the majority of IndyQuest’s transactions occur in Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, the Heights and other local markets north of I-10.

Largely balanced between buying and listings, IndyQuest has been the top listing broker in Shepherd Park Plaza since 2014 according to Creston Inderrieden. And together, the Inderriedens and their team at IndyQuest Properties have remained dedicated to their mission of loving, serving and caring for their clients for as part of their work in Houston and its surrounding suburbs. The team at IndyQuest has been consistently ranked in the Top 30 out of more than 41,000 agents by the Houston Business Journal.

And that success begins, they say, with the culture that being an independent brokerage firm allows them to cultivate.

“We really try to encourage our agent-toagent support here, so it’s really a complementary and supportive environment. We’re not a cutthroat environment, we try to foster people’s goals and dreams within their own real estate careers,” Holly said. “Having a positive environment really allows us to focus on the needs of our clients and be supportive of them in the same way that we are for our agents. We dig in and step up when anyone needs support.”

Creston echoed his wife’s sentiment.

“By working as a team, you have some-

thing that works because we’re not sitting here viewing the other agents as competition,” he said.

In the nearly 10 years since IndyQuest set down roots in the north Houston community, Creston Inderrieden said there have been some changes to the way things are done, such as technology becoming more prevalent through things such as video showings and listings, and more. And

he said that it will continue to be as such in the coming years, with more people wanting more information at their fingertips faster.

But one thing that will never change, the Inderriedens said, is IndyQuest’s dedication and commitment to building relationships with their customers. It’s one of the tentpoles of their service, they said, and it has served them well for a decade – so they don’t plan to change it up.

“The thing that has not changed and will continue to be a pillar of our business is going to be looking at who is adding value. It’s a whole other thing to be a neighborhood expert, market expert and transactional expert, and to understand the nuances that go into a transaction and being successful,” Creston said. “So regardless of how much technology changes and impacts our business, there will always be a place for people who are adding value in that transactional process.”

The Inderriedens add that value, Holly said, by being their clients’ respite amidst the storm that can be the selling or buying process.

“It’s an emotional process, so you have to navigate and help them go through that transaction,” she said. “That’s a key skill that we bring to the table, helping them ride that sea of ups and downs with a lot of calm.”

And when the journey is complete, Creston said there is no better feeling as an agent.

“It’s really rewarding to play a role in helping people navigate and evaluate decisions – what neighborhood they want to live in, what kind of home they want,” he said. “It’s extremely rewarding seeing them fulfill their goals and dreams.”