By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Houston police are searching for a Heights man who Houston Crime Stoppers says has been accused of sexual abuse in the Greater Inwood area in 2021, according to an alert from Houston Crime Stoppers.
Frank Pool, 39, is wanted on charges of two counts of Indecency with a Child and one count of continual sexual abuse of a child, according to Harris County
Court records, and has warrants out for his arrest. Pool, whose address is listed as being in the Heights according to court documents, remains at large according to Crime Stoppers.
A news release from Crime Stoppers said HPD received a report on Aug. 2, 2021 of alleged sexual abuse that allegedly happened in the 7000 block of West Gulf Bank Road in the Greater Inwood area. Over the course of the investigation, Crime Stoppers said the child made an outcry of
alleged sexual abuse by Pool. The alert said Pool has brown eyes and brown hair, and remains on the run.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the charging and/ or arrest of Pool, according to the alert. Anyone with information about the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-8477 (TIPS), submit the tip online at crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Edward Ball has already brought his daughter out to the new all-inclusive playground at T.C. Jester Park four times since the park opened to the public a few weeks ago.
And she’s having so much fun with the new equipment and toys, he said, that it sometimes makes him wish he was a kid again.
“We didn’t really come here a whole lot (with the previous park), so to have this park and have it be one of the closer parks to us has been great,” said Ball, who lives just two blocks from T.C. Jester Park. “… The kids are enjoying it, and that’s really all you can ask for.”
Ball and his daughter are just one of many families who have made their way out to the new park, which officially opened to the public in late March with a private ribbon cutting. And last
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Not even four years ago, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School didn’t even have a softball team to put on the field. Now, the Cardinals are champions. Last week, St. Rose of Lima’s softball team defeated St. Ambrose in the finals of the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association Softball championship to win the school’s first title since the team was created four years
Saturday, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department along with District C councilmember Abbie Kamin held a public ribbon cutting with children playing and screaming in the background.
And that’s really what it’s all
ago.
“From the outside looking in, it was like a movie,” St. Rose of Lima Athletic Director Evan Vaden said. “You couldn’t believe that it happened. Everybody was hugging and crying, it was an unforgettable feeling, honestly.”
A few years ago, assistant coach Brandon Mullen said his daughter as well as the daughter of head coach Oscar Montemayor and several other players were
about, according to HPARD Assistant Director Chris Carroll.
“Every kid deserves a great park, and a great playground,” Carroll said. “… This playground is for all – for all kids, for all people just love to have that atmosphere and want to play.”
At least a dozen children and their families were out and about Saturday, climbing on the jungle gym and sliding down slides as parents kept a watchful eye on a park that has been more than a year in the making. Officials broke ground on the park in February 2022, with the hope that it would be open by the fall. However, officials said inclement weather and supply chain issues resulted in the opening of the park being pushed back multiple times prior to finally opening in late March. And in the weeks since it has opened, several parents said Saturday that the new and improved playground is perfect for the community.
There are amenities at the park for all different age groups at the playground, including swing sets, climbers, freestanding play components and a boulder water play element. There
Saturday, May 6, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 18 2020 North Loop West Suite 220 (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader THE INDEX. Public 2 Sports 3 Church 4 Classifieds 8 Local Culture 10 Food/Drink 10 INSIDE. Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston INSIDE: Alleged driver sought in fatal Northside hit-and-run • Page 2 ABOUT US See St. Rose P. 6 See Playground P. 6 17500467 Lane Lewis Agency 713.688.8669 Smart choices last a lifetime. LLewis@FarmersAgent.com 2200 North Loop W Ste 136 Houston, TX 77018 713-692-0300 Wills, Probate Estate Planning & Real Estate Leader’s Choice 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Legal Services For PHYLLIS A. OESER BEST ATTORNEY Attorney At LAw 5005 W. 34th Street, Suite 104A Pizza party Leading Nibbles and Sips this week is the Upside Pub’s impending pizza eating contest State’s best A senior student from a local private high school recently earned a state academic honor Down to the wire St. Pius X saw a close TAPPS area round victory that was tight throughout. See how they did it inside today Opening statement See how the Heights Lady Bulldogs dominated in a bidistrict playoff sweep Page 8 Page x Page 4 Page 4 New T.C. Jester Park playground a hit with local families Heights man wanted on sexual abuse allegations St. Rose of Lima wins GHCCA softball title Pressing play
by Van Nguyen The St. Rose of Lima softball team won the Greater Houston Catholic Athletic Association title last week, its first since the team was formed four years ago. Photo courtesy Houston Parks and Recreation Department Children play on the new playground at T.C. Jester Park last Saturday following a publc ribbon cutting. The playground has been open to the public since late March, and it appears to have become a staple for area families. Photo
Parks and Recreation Department District C councilmember
center, and other city officials cut the ribbon during the publc ceremony at the park last
Frank Pool Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same. We look forward to a bright future together. We empower people to thrive. 2222 North Durham | 281.517.8760 Margaret Vandever, Bank Office President Cecilia Rodriguez, Office Manager STELLAR.BANK NMLS #451312 Flowers & Gifts Mother’s Day May 14th! Flower & Gift Shop 10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350 ORDER EARLY
Photo
courtesy Houston
Abbie Kamin,
weekend.
Fire damages vacant Independence Heights church
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Houston’s fire authorities are trying to determine what led to a fire that caused hundreds of thousands of damage to a vacant church in Independence Heights earlier this week, according to the Houston Fire Department. There was nobody inside the vacant church at the time of the fire and no in-
juries reported, according to the department.
Crews from stations 30, 15, 31, 34, 6, 12, 58, 15, 24 and Heavy Rescue 11 responded to the vacant church at 4105 Airline Dr. just after 5 a.m. Thursday, according the department to find fire coming from the back of the church. After removing burglar bars, however, crews had to wait to enter until the fire ventilated through the church roof according
Heights house fire impacts multiple homes
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Investigators are still trying to determine what led to a fire in the Heights last week that started at one home and spread slightly to nearby homes last week, according to the Houston Fire Department.
There was nobody reported injured in the fire, according to the department.
Crews from Stations 15, 6, 31, 9, 11, 12, 16, 30, and 62 responded to a call in the 100 block of West 10 ½ Street in the Heights just before 8:50 p.m. last Thursday, April 28 to find fire coming from a onestory house and spreading to
nearby homes in the area. After crews made a defensive attack, HFD said crews were able to extinguish the fire in the main house and limit the damage to the homes nearby that had been exposed to the fire. Searches were also completed, the department said, with nobody found inside or injured.
HFD’s arson investigators are still trying to determine what led to the fire breaking out and spreading to multiple homes, according to the department, and there has been no estimate released from the department yet as to how much damage was done to the homes.
to HFD.
Crews were eventually able to extinguish the fire, the department said, and did not find anyone inside while searching the parts of the church that were deemed safe.
HFD arson investigators are still working to determine what led the fire, which caused an estimated $384,000 in damage to the church property according to the department.
Police searching for alleged driver in fatal Northside hit-and-run crash
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Police are searching for the alleged driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Northside that killed a woman last weekend, according to the Houston Police Department.
The identity of the victim is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department.
Police said officers responded to the scene of a hit-and-run at 500 East Little York Road in the Northside/Northline area around 12:50 a.m. last Saturday, April 22 to find the woman dead at the scene. The department said the woman is believed to have been standing in the street when she was allegedly hit by a white car that allegedly fled the scene without stopping to assist the victim.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact HPD’s Hit-and-Run unit at 713247-4072 or speak anonymously to Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
THE TOPICS.
What is in a name?
In early February, custom workers at the Belgian port of Antwerp destroyed a shipment of 2,352 cans of Miller High Life beer. No, the beer was not sour or flat or counterfeit. The name “Miller” is not obscene in French. The sin was the slo gan: “Champagne of Beers,” which Miller has been using since 1906. (It was originally “Champagne of Bottle Beers” but dropped the “Bottle” in 1969.) The 27-nation European Union, which includes France, has a system of protecting geo graphical designations to make sure food, wine and spirits really come from there and protect them from imitation. Champagne has to come from the Champagne region of France. Even here at home, starting in 2005 it was decreed that sparkling wines from the U.S. could no longer have the word “Champagne” on their labels. That’s why you see a bottle that looks like Champagne, tastes like it and pops like it, is labeled “sparkling wine” or some such dodge. The French have always been testy about calling something “Champagne.” The Champagne region successfully banned producers in the Touraine region from labeling local sparkling wines as Champagne -- in 1843. The French Champagne industry keeps eight lawyers on staff to prosecute those who would misuse the name. They have successfully sued the Yves Saint-Laurent perfume formerly known as “Champagne,” which was banned in 1993 after a lawsuit, and the “Champagne”colored iPhone was ultimately called “gold” after Apple was threatened with a lawsuit. Besides Champagne, the French are very defensive about their language and try to keep it pure. They even have an agency, The Association for the Defense of the French Language -- I assume that’s an English translation -which is a watchdog looking for foreign words, especially English, trying to sneak into their vocabulary. Now it is suing – get this -- Notre-Dame Cathedral. Since the 2019 fire, many of the signs explaining Notre-Dame’s reconstruction are written in French and English. The watchdogs demand the signage be in at least two other languages besides French, citing a law from 1994 that stipulates this. The association previously forced the Eiffel Tower to add Spanish to its signs alongside English and French. It charged that only translating signs into English helps increase the dominance of that language. Speaking of the French, in 1966 when President Charles DeGaulle told a U.S. general that he wanted all NATO troops including Ameri-
Ashby
derful Swiss chocolate, Toblerone, easily recognizable by its distinctive shape, a yellow, triangular box with bright red print, and the iconic image of Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountain. Wait! The brand’s U.S. owner, Mondelez, decided to move production to Slovakia. Under Swiss law, only milk-based products produced exclusively in Switzerland can use the country’s symbols in their packaging and marketing. So the Matterhorn will be replaced by a generic summit – maybe the Houston Heights. Instead of the chocolate being stamped “Switzerland,” it will now read “Established in Switzerland.” We must wonder who, exactly, makes the Swiss Army Knife? Probably the Chinese.
Well, two can play that game. In 2015, French and Swiss cheesemakers demanded that U.S. cheesemakers stop calling their Gruyère cheese. “Gruyère.” They said that only cheese that hails from Gruyère, the mountainous region between France and Switzerland, can be called “Gruyère.” A U.S. court ruled that the label “Gruyère” is generic, adding that it is “a category of cheese that may be made anywhere.”
Panama hats are made in Ecuador. French fries are made at McDonald’s. Custom officials have not yet seized Belgian waffles, Brussel sprouts or Italian dressing. If, like the French and Swiss, you are a stickler for honesty in origin, don’t call those fall baseball playoffs “the World Series.” It’s the U.S. Series because only U.S. teams compete. The World Series is actually the World Championship Series, which Japan recently won. Incidentally, if baseball is “America’s pastime,” why are its baseballs, made by Rawlings in Costa Rica and China?
Speaking of honest names in sports, it is the Arlington Rangers and Cowboys, the New Jersey Giants and Jets. The SMU football team sports “Dallas” on its jerseys when actually the school is in University Park. In 2006, the NFL Seattle team, the Seahawks, came up with niffy title for their fans: “The 12th Man.” Apparently no one in Fog City had ever been to a
football game at College Station and seen, across the stadium a huge sign: “Home of the 12th Man.” The Aggies, who had proudly used that slogan for more than a century and had trademarked it, sued. They got $140,000 for limited rights of a five-year deal. The Ags should have demanded a running back to be named later. The Indianapolis Colts started using the “12th Man” without the school’s permission. The lawsuit was settled with no money changing hands and the Colts stopped using it. One more: The City of Forth Worth hatched a cute logo for Cow Town, as it calls itself: the silhouette of the head and horns of a Texas Longhorn, rather like the logo UT has been using since forever. UT sued, but considering that Forth Worth is the home of the TCU Horn Frogs, that logo made no sense.
The next time you are in a restaurant and ask for butter, if it comes in those little foilwrapped cubes, look carefully at the wrapper. It might read “Buttery Favored” or “ButterLike Spread,” but not “Champagne.” Honest in labelling gets sticky when it comes to names, like Robert Allen Zimmerman (Bob Dylan), Reginald Dwight (Elton John) and even Marion Robert Morrison (John Wayne).
Oh, as for those 2,352 bottles of Miller High Life, Belgian customs said the destruction of the cans was carried out “with the utmost respect for environmental concerns by ensuring that the entire batch, both contents and container, was recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.” Translation: “We drank it.”
Ashby originates at ashby2@comcast.net
the leader Puzzlers.
Don’t Be A Victim! Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer Black Gold Guns & ammo Concealed Handgun Classes New LoCatioN Buy SeLL trade we Buy aLL GuNS 2001 Karbach Suite F 713-694-4867 Houston, TX 77092 Gift Certificates Page 2 • Saturday, May 6 2023 • The Leader THE PUBLIC. ourrealtordebbie@aol.com DEBBIE EllIott 713-906-5481 Realty Associates Experience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination Roof Replacement & Repairs Shower, Siding & Additions 832-860-1054 EXPERIENCED IN TOTAL HOME REPAIRS! • Framing • Sheetrock • Painting • Fences • Concrete/Granite • Tile, Brick & Laminate • Tree Service Send your story of interest to: news@theleadernews.com CHEAP TRASH HAULING FAST Home/Business • FREE ESTIMATES AAACheapTrashHauling.com Insured 713-235-0560 #1 Cheapest Trash Hauling / Demolition Co. in TX! If You’ve Got It, We’ll Haul It. 7 Days Same Day Service • In Your Area 20% Off With Ad WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE
SUDOKU WORD SCRAMBLE
Lynn
Columnist
aCrOss 1. Cycles/second 4. Fit for cultivation 10. Saami 12. Perceived scent 13. Liberal rights organization 14. Female flying fighters 15. Durham school 16. Ancient Scand. poet 18. Charitable performances 20. Siddhartha author Hermann 21. Letter destination 22. P.S. Buck’s Pulitzer 25. Feel regret 26. Initials of e = MC2 author 27. From a distance 29. Cronies 31. Forty 32. Printing speed measurement 33. Nutty spread 40. White seedless grape 41. Hillsides 43. Inflammation of a bursa 44. Artery 45. Nail polish brand 46. A routine that is hard to escape 47. Indigo plant 48. Owners 50. Animal fluids 51. Mustelid in its white winter coat 52. Communist dOwn 1. Come into conflict 2. A collection of things wrapped together 3. Bath spatter 4. Gunsmoke actress Blake 5. Direct to a source 6. Cartoonist Capp 7. Somewhat blue 8. 40 weekday periods 9. El Dorado High School (abbr.) 11. Heartbeat 12. Brit. rutabaga 17. Angle (abbr.) 18. Said as a greeting or wish 19. Festivals 23. Rita ___, singer 24. Belonging to us 27. Skating jumps 28. Building at 175 5th Ave. 29. Parts per billion (abbr.) 30. Atomic mass unit 32. Old Spanish currency (abbr.) 33. Insistence on traditional correctness 34. PBS wildlife show 35. Measuring blocks 36. Don’t know when yet 37. Ancient city from which St. Paul first sailed 38. Breadwinner 39. Go to bed 40. Highest in degree or quality 42. Tossed, potato or waldorf 43. The trunk of a tree 49. Yes in Spanish Answers found in this week’s Classified section Copies of The Leader are at our office: 2020 N. Loop W., Suite 220 or MytiBurger • 2211 W. 43rd St. C&D Hardware • 314 E. 11th St. Fetch your Leader Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon 5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625 New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam Call About Cat Vaccines * With Wellness Exam Dog Rabies Vaccination $1045 FREE * Routine Male Cat Neuters $49
The Leader • Saturday, May 6 2023 • Page 3 Convenient, customized care — close to work or home. Our Houston Methodist primary care doctors provide personalized care for you and your family, including physicals, immunizations and preventive health services. Many of our practices: • Provide in-person and virtual visits with online scheduling • Offer same-day sick visits • Are conveniently located close to work or home • Accept most major insurance plans Bellaire West University Southside Place The Heights 59 Texas Medical Center 610 10 45 8 Memorial City Memorial Green Pearland 8 288
CARE
You houstonmethodist.org/pcg 713.441.7265
PRIMARY
Personalized to
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL
St. Pius X walks it off in opening round win
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
St. Pius X’s baseball team had a tough finish to the regular season. But the Panthers bounced back in a big way in the TAPPS area playoffs Tuesday night.
The Panthers walked off Parish Epsicopal 6-5 on Tuesday night in the first round of the TAPPS division playoffs moving to 19-12 on the season. SPX advanced to take on Addison Trinity Christian in the TAPPS regional playoffs on Saturday.
Jackson Mobley had the biggest swing of the night for the Panthers, crushing a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the Panther faithful into a frenzy.
Elsewhere in private school action, the St. Thomas Eagles capped off the regular season with a three-game sweep of San Antonio Central Catholic last week, winning 4-3 on April 26
LAndAn KuhLmAnn Editor
before winning 10-0 and 10-3 on April 27 to finish the regular season 20-12-1 overall and 7-5 in TAPPS district play. Jack Clinton threw a five-inning no-hitter in the 10-0 victory for the Eagles, who have a bye in the first round of the TAPPS Division I playoffs and will face the winner of Plano John Paul II (20-11) and El Paso Cathedral (11-8-2) next weekend.
Public schools
In the public school ranks, Heights, Waltrip, Scarborough,
and Booker T. Washington have all punched their tickets to the playoffs, and will do battle this weekend.
Waltrip polished off a strong regular season with four wins last week, and took home the
District 19-5A crown in the process. The Rams defeated Wisdom 12-2 on April 26 and Carnegie Vanguard 8-0 on April 27 before beating Austin 11-1 and Wisdom 7-0 on April 29 to complete an electric run through the
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
district. The Rams (25-1, 17-1 district) won their final 10 regular season games, and will face off with Rosenberg Terry (1513-1) in the bi-district round this weekend.
The Heights Bulldogs put the
finishing touches on a strong regular season as well, defeating Chavez by a score of 14-0 on April 28 to end the regular season with an 11-1 mark in District 18-6A competition. Jeriko Smith had two hits including a double and four RBIs in the game for the Bulldogs, while Paul Smith homered and drove in two runs of his own in the win. Heights (22-7) is slated to face Cypress Creek (9-20-1) in a best-of-three playoff series beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Jersey Village High School.
Booker T. Washington had a pair of victories over Scarborough last week to complete their regular season, winning 10-0 on April 24 and 17-2 on April 29 to finish the regular season. The Eagles (14-2) will face Caldwell (12-13-1) in the bi-district round. Scarborough (9-6-1) will face Taylor (23-3-1) in a one-game playoff on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Waller High School.
Heights softball breezes through bi-district playoffs
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
The Heights Lady Bulldogs’ softball team is on a mission to prove that their run through District 18-6A was no fluke. And in last week’s first round of the UIL state playoffs, they made an emphatic opening statement.
Heights opened what the team hopes is a deep playoff run last weekend by sweeping a pair of games against Stratford to advance to the area round. The Lady Bulldogs won a 12-2 decision on April 28 before winning Game 2 by a score of 14-3 on April 29 to punch their ticket to the next round. Heights (27-2-1) is slated to face Katy Cinco Ranch (20-9), District 19-6A’s second-place finisher, in a best-of-three series beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. at Delmar Sta-
dium.
Much like they have done all season, the Lady Bulldogs used a combination of strong pitching and their offensive onslaught to overwhelm Stratford in the bi-district series, pounding out 26 hits over the course of two games while allowing the Lady Spartans to muster just seven total hits of their own to extend their winning streak to 15 games dating back to the end of the regular season.
Senior infielder Sydney Palomo was the offensive catalyst in Game 1 for the Lady Bulldogs in going 3 for 3 with her fourth home run of the season to go along with five RBIs, while Angelina del Pozo also had two hits and two RBIs of her own. In Game 2, del Pozo and Helen Maddux led the Lady Bulldogs’ offense with a home run and three RBIs apiece, while Flora Moreno (two doubles, two RBIs)
along with Palomo and Alyssa Morris (two RBIs apiece) also contributed strong offensive performances.
The Lady Bulldogs also saw both pitchers dominate in the circle last week, as they have done for much of the season. Hayley Jaime struck out 10 batters with no walks while allowing just four hits in Heights’ Game 1 victory, while Sara Paniagua earned the win in Game 2 by allowing just three hits and striking out four in a complete-game effort.
Washington, Waltrip seasons end
It was not as favorable an outcome for the area’s other two softball teams, as the Waltrip Lady Rams and Booker T. Washington Lady Eagles saw their seasons come to an end.
Waltrip saw its season end with a pair of losses to Rosenberg Lamar
Consolidated, falling 10-0 on April 28 before losing 12-1 on April 29 to draw their season to a close. The Lady Rams closed out the 2023 season with a 17-6 overall record. Booker T. Washington, meanwhile, saw its season end on April 28 with a 15-0 loss to Navasota. The Lady Eagles ended the season with a 7-6 record.
Private schools
On the private school side, St. Pius X bounced back from a 7-5 loss to St. Agnes Academy on April 25 to beat Concordia Lutheran 13-2 on April 27 to secure a TAPPS district title. The Lady Panthers then defeated Bishop Lynch 15-3 in the area playoffs Tuesday thanks to four RBIs each from Victoria Hunter and Kennedy Flenner.
Page 4 • Saturday, May 6 2023 • The Leader SPORTS.
Photo by Wayne Donnelly
St. Pius X’s Jackson Mobley follows through on the swing on his walk-off grand slam Tuesday afternoon against Parish Episcopal, which propelled the Panthers to a 6-5 opening-round victory.
Photo by Wayne Donnelly Pitcher Sara Paniagua and the Heights Lady Bulldogs made a strong opening statement with a bi-district playoff sweep of Stratford.
MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT A CRIME In partnership with The Harris Center and law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office ensured 4,000+ mentally ill, non-violent offenders received mental health treatment instead of going to jail. If someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call Harris Center for Mental Health at 1-713-970-7000
BERING MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Second Blessings
NEW LOCATION, SAME SITE, DIFFERENT BUILDING!
SPRING SALE
1427 HAWTHORNE ST., HOUSTON, TX 77006
Montrose Area • New Building (former Bering Dental Clinic)
FRIDAY, MAY 12TH • 8 AM - 3 PM
SATURDAY, MAY 13TH • 8 AM - 2 PM
1st floor of Second Blessings: Furniture & antiques 2nd floor of Second Blessings: Linens, vintage linens, men’s clothing, electronics, art, CDs, and DVDs.
Fellowship Hall: Christmas decor, household items, kitchen, glassware, stemware, vases, crystal, silver plate, ceramics, artwork, pottery, china, cameras, figurines, and miscellaneous items.
Bering Boutique: Vintage clothing & accessories, silver, gold, and costume jewelry.
Outside: Tools, power tools, patio furniture, and lawn equipment.
*Masks and vaccines are greatly appreciated inside of the buildings!
For more information: Call 713.526.1017, option 1
in the transfer of real estate.
Full Probate Traditional probate can include uncontested matters (where there are no arguments between the parties) or contested matters (arguments involved). It can also include matters where there is a Will (testate), which is much simpler, or where no Will is involved (intestate), which is not as easy. During probate, the Court will ultimately issue Letters Testamentary to the Executor (or Letters of Administration when there is no Will) directing the person designated to distribute real estate among beneficiaries in a Will, creditors, or anyone else who has an interest in the property.
Muniment of Title
If the decedent had a Will, but did not have any creditors against his estate (other than a mortgage), the family can probate the Will as a Muniment of Title. This means that the Will, if accepted by the Court, can serve as proof of title once it is filed in the real property records and can transfer ownership to the beneficiaries named in the Will. In an action for Muniment of Title, however, there is no Executor or Administrator appointed and there can be nothing else in the estate, other than real property, that requires administration or transfer.
Small Estate Affidavit
If the decedent died without a Will (intestate), and the total value of the estate not including the decedent’s homestead is less than $75,000, the family can file a Small Affidavit in the probate court. This process is more economical than the traditional probate process, but there are many limitations. For example, the homestead can be the only real property owned by the decedent. In addition, the homestead must only be inherited by the decedent’s surviving spouse or children, who were also living there. Like the Muniment of Title alternative, there is no Executor appointed and no administration of other assets should be needed.
Avoiding Probate for Real Estate
When planned in advance, people can avoid the probate process for real estate through the use of a revocable living trust or a Texas Transfer on Death Deed.
If no plans in advance were made, families can sometimes use an Affidavit of Heirship to transfer title when someone has passed, but that is only possible when no Will was left. In that case, the house will go to the people Texas states should inherit and not necessarily who the decedent would have wanted to inherit. To make sure your plan gets in place, and not the “Texas plan,” be sure to plan in advance. For help with probate, or planning your estate, please contact Jennifer Solak at 713-588-5744 or jennifer@solaklegal.com.
The Leader • Saturday, May 6 2023 • Page 5 OFFERING PEACE AND COMFORT TO THOSE STRUGGLING WITH LOSS SERVING HOUSTON SINCE 1931 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 02_2023 3.22 x 4.00 Ad The Leader V2.pdf 1 2/9/2023 10:35:19 PM Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am Gethsemane Lutheran Church • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m. 1700 West 43 at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Weekly Sunday Services Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters Ad # 32285 Join us for Services in English or Spanish Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday Bible Classes 9am Wednesday Bible Study 7pm 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092 Candlelight Church of Christ • Worship (English) • Learning Hour • Worship (Spanish) St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA 1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577 MANNA Sponsor GET OVER IT! We invite you to worship with us! DIRECTORY CHURCH Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor 2003 W. 43rd St. 713-686-8241 stsumc.org Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40 Sunday Bible Studies For All Ages 9:30am Morning Worship 10:45am Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children and Adults 6:15pm 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 Say a Prayer Today! J OI N U S ON S UN D Bible Study at 10am Worship at 11am 230 W. 20th St. 77008 Bible Studies at | Worship at 230 W. 20th St. 77008 Park in our lot on W. 19th St. behind the building Children of all ages are always welcome in worship. There’s a place for you at Heights Church. We welcome all people. www.facebook.com/stmatthewsunitedmethodistchurch 4300 N. Shepherd Dr., Houston, TX 77018 713-697-0671 St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Free pancake breakfast May 6th 8:30-10am, in Fellowship Hall JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: WEDNESDAYS @ 1:00pm • Words of Wisdom THURSDAYS @ 10:00am • Chapel Time for Tots 2 Teens SUNDAYS @ 10:17am • In-person, FB & YouTube Worship
713.588.5744 or jennifer@solaklegal.com Death and Real Estate: Types of Probate for Real Estate Probate is the court-supervised process that is used to appoint someone to sign on behalf of assets owned by a deceased person. Those assets often include real estate. Below are the types of probate involved
The information in this column, which was sponsored by Solak Legal as part of The Leader Expert Series, is intended to provide a general understanding of the law and not legal advice. Readers with legal questions should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713-588-5744. SolakLegal.com Subscribe to helpful videos at: TinyURL.com/SolakLegal Jennifer Solak, Attorney Probate, Wills &Trusts, Business Law and Real Estate Subscribe to helpful videos at: TinyURL.com/SolakLegal
Jennifer M. Solak Attorney & Counselor at Law
713.588.5744
jennifer@solaklegal.com
Baptist Temple / “Heights Church”
Begin Run on 12/03/22
Baptist Temple / “Heights Church”
10” x 2”
Begin Run on 12/03/22
10” x 2”
Edward Crowell 713.628.2468
Edward Crowell
713.628.2468
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.
Our section Support Local will provide local businesses each week to you, our readers. There is no time like the present to strengthen and invest in our community! Call The Leader at 713-686-8494 or email jblack@theleadernews.com to advertise in this section.
We are a church for the Heights.
We are a church for the Heights.
Hymns and Hers.
Hymns and Hers.
Bible Study @10am | Worship @11am
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.
230 W. 20th St. 77008 Heights Church @heightschurchhouston Heights Church, Houston, Texas HeightsChurchHouston.org
Heights Church @heightschurchhouston Heights Church, Houston, Texas HeightsChurchHouston.org
Everyone is welcome at Heights Church. We are an exciting blend of old and new, we warmly invite you to visit.
COFFEE 930AM | BIBLE STUDY 1OAM | WORSHIP 11AM | 230 W. 20TH ST. 77008
COFFEE 930AM | BIBLE STUDY 1OAM | WORSHIP 11AM | 230 W. 20TH ST. 77008 Heights Church @heightschurchhouston Heights Church, Houston, Texas HeightsChurchHouston.org
Heights Church @heightschurchhouston Heights Church, Houston, Texas HeightsChurchHouston.org
Playground from P. 1
have also been sidewalk upgrades made and decorative fencing put up, as well as new picnic tables, benches, trash receptacles and a drinking fountain.
“(My son) literally asks to come here,” Garden Oaks resident Lindsey Broadwell said. “He’s not even two years old, and he says ‘Park!’ He loves it.”
The legwork in raising funds for the new playground – which cost roughly $1 million according to Carroll – began with former Mayor Pro Tem and District C councilmember Ellen Cohen, and continued when Cohen reached term limits and current District C councilmember Abbie Kamin took over. And Kamin said that seeing all the kids out and about, made the wait and the investment worth every penny and every second dedicated to its creation.
“I think this is one of
St. Pius X senior earns state academic honor
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A graduating senior from a local private high school recently earned a prestigious academic honor as the school year comes to a close.
On May 2, St. Pius X High School senior Stephanie Birkelbach was selected by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as a member of the TASSP All-State Academic Team, according to a news release from the school. She was one of just 20 high school senior from across the state to earn the recognition, according to the release.
“This prestigious award was designed to recognize Texas high school seniors for their…academic achievements and focuses attention on the rewards of superior scholarship,” the school said in the release.
According to the TASSP, each Texas
high school whose principal is a member of the TASSP can submit the name of one graduating senior for the award, which the TASSP says recognizes the state’s top high school seniors “who have demonstrated excellence in areas of academic achievement, test scores, and writing skills.”
Each nominee, the organization said, was given a score based on their GPA, SAT, or ACT mark that accounted for 65 percent of their score, while each nominee also had to write an essay of at least 300 words that accounted for the final 35 percent of the students’ score.
Birkelbach will be introduced at the general session of the TASSP Summer Workshop held in Austin in June and honored there with a luncheon featuring the students, their parents, and their principals, and receive a $500 scholarship from the organization.
the best playgrounds in the city,” she said. “We’ve heard that from multiple parents coming out here. It’s a playground for all. It could not be more welcoming.”
Additionally, she said it adds another resource to the community that came to appreciate the outdoors more during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We found a new love of our parks and of the outdoors through the pandemic, but the importance of them was always there. And we have to hold onto that to move forward,” she said. “This started long before the pandemic, but people were able to appreciate it that much more afterwards.”
The goal of the project, officials said, was to redevelop and enlarge T.C Jester Park’s playground with “state-ofthe-art” equipment to provide holistic opportunities for children and families to both play and
playing softball with the Timbergrove Sports Association. But they wanted something more – they wanted to represent the private school at 3600 Brinkman St. along with their classmates.
So Mullen brought the idea to Vaden, who at the time in his second season as the school’s athletic director. And it was a no-brainer for Vaden.
“My main thing was just wanting to expand athletics for the school, so whenever they presented me with the opportunity, I was on board,” he said. “… (Being part of a team) gives them the opportunity to be part of a team, learn how to work together, and have those different solutions to help figure things out. It also helps them gain that self-esteem. Just different life situations and social skills can really come into effect.”
It was a short initial foray into the GHCAA for St. Rose, which played its first season during 2020 and managed to play just four games – going 2-2 –before the season was shut down due to the pandemic. But it didn’t stop Vaden, Mullen, and Montemayor from pressing forward.
The Cardinals would then go 4-4 the next season and 12-1-1 in 2022 – winning a division championship – before this season’s perfect 15-0 run which culminated in the title in the 13-team league that includes teams from Sugar Land, Tomball, and more. And both Vaden and Mullen said the team’s core is what spurred them to those new heights.
“It was a huge accomplishment for the community as a whole, and the girls really put in the work,” Montemayor said. The team, which has 11 players from fifth to eighth grade, had a core of eight players in grades 7-8 who have been playing together for three years, ac -
learn. And that certainly has held true, at least for Broadwell, who said she and her sister consistently bring their children out to the park on a regular basis.
Pressing play on the new amenity, she said, has become one of the best things to happen for the community and their families.
“We’re really excited about this park. It’s just a great place for kids to go and have fun,” she said. “We have a lot of little kids in the family who just enjoy it, so they get really excited to come out.”
And while it may have only been a month, it appears that the new and improved local playground is already a hit with the neighbors.
“I think they’ve done a great job with everything,” Ball said. “I kind of wish I was still a kid.”
cording to Mullen. Vaden echoed the sentiment, with Mullen interjecting that the Cardinals’ wins in both the semifinals and the final came on walk-off base hits.
“They know how to win a game even when their backs are against the wall. They have each other’s back through anything,” Vaden said. “Seeing them throughout the years continuing to grow as players and young ladies is pretty impressive.”
What’s more, they said the support from the school as a whole served as an extra jolt of life both throughout the season and during the playoffs, which were hosted at the St. Pius X softball field barely two miles from St. Rose.
And even though SPX was the host site of the final regardless, both coaches said the site sitting so close to the St. Rose community helped provide that adrenaline and boost from what was essentially home field advantage.
So the Cardinals took, and they ran with it to take home the title.
“It’s one thing when your coaches are saying ‘I believe in you and you can do it.’ It’s another when you have the full stands of people believing in you,” Mullen said.
And whether it’s bouncing back from errors and coming from behind, or relying on a teammate to pick them up, Mullen said the lessons of team sports go beyond the on-field championship.
“You’re presented with adversity…. that you have overcome where you have to rely on your teammates, and they have to rely on and trust you,” he said. “Once you do that a couple of times, it builds that confidence and builds that strength to face anything that comes up.”
Page 6 • Saturday, May 6 2023 • The Leader
St. Rose from P. 1 shopping • health • services • dining
Support
TRUSTS PROBATE BUSINESS LAW
WILLS &
2950 N. Loop West, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77092
Contributed photo
IF I COULD WALK... I WOULD RUN 713.686.8494 Get Your Business Up and Running an ad in The Leader
St. Pius X senior Stephanie Birkelbach was recently chosen as a member of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals all-academic team, one of just 20 seniors selected statewide.
The Leader • Saturday, May 6 2023 • Page 7 Looking for a Garage Sale or Yard Sale? Find them in our ne Market Square section. Advertise your garage sale here. It’s Garage Sale Season! 713-686-8494 Manny Junk Remover 281.414.8698 • Home • Yard • Garage • Storage • Shed Removal DMI GENERAL CONTRACTOR 713-296-9753 For all your construction / remodeling needs •Electrical Plumbing •Plumbing •Siding •Roofing •Tile •Flooring •Carpentry Paint •Paint Thank you for reading The Leader. The Leader is YOUR newspaper. GARAGE/ESTATE SALE TACL A020360E 713-869-8876 “Honesty is our best discount” A/C And HeAting SAleS, ServiCe & MAintenAnCe The Leader • Saturday, May 6, 2023 • Page 7 GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTSGENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTSGENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTSGENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTSGENERAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES PEST CONTROL WANT TO BUY PLUMBING At Reasonable prices •Patios •Driveways •Room Additions •Expedient Work American Made 713-703-8488 Jim “God Bless America” QUALITY CONCRETE WORK House Painting • Interior/Exterior • Sheetrock Repairs • Door Renishing • Wood Repairs • Pressure Washing Ramiro Garcia 713.206.5965 Cherokee PEST CONTROL ® 713-682-6801 Free Termite Inspection • Termites • Roaches • Ants • Silver�sh • Rodents 713-862-7320 Free Estimates on Fencing IT’S NOT JUST A FENCE IT’S AN INVESTMENT RIO GRANDE FENCE CO. Compare us. 30+ Yrs. Exp. Thank you for your continued business Pete’s Quality CUSTOM PAINTING WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS • Exterior/Interior • Pressure Washing • Sheetrock Repair • References • Insured petesqualitypainting300@gmail.com 713-201-5569 832-372-5577 Including Flooded Homes Re-roofs • Repairs 3308 Ella Blvd • (713) 680-3530 All Work Guaranteed Free Estimates CAMPOS Roofing “The Residential Roofing Specialists” www.camposroofing.com Hardi Siding • Gutters • Painting • Windows 3825 Pinemont Dr. All Makes & Models I Buy cracked Flat Panel TV’s 1622 W. 23rd David’s “We Make House WeMakeHouseCallsCalls” a PRIME ROOFING Commercial • Residential New Roof • Re-Roof 713-681-5001 www.primeroofing.com Washers - Dryers Dishwashers - Ranges KINARD’S Appliance Service 281-350-6255 713-857-2050 Frank Montes Painting Interior/Exterior Sheetrock Repair Match any texture Roofing Work Carpentry Handyman Services Power Washing Maid Service Good References (713) 962-3474 Complete Pavers Gilbert • Patios • Decks • Driveways • Brick Columns 281-948-4879 BRAVENEC ELECTRIC Since 1953 - TECL 19210 Res./Comm. Wiring 713-864-4168 cc accepted bravenecelectric@gmail.com Gilbert 281-948-4879 Repair & Install Pressure Washing Painting • Siding WOOD FENCING R.B. GARAGE DOORS Garage Door Experts • 20 Years Experience Affordable Prices • Free Estimates ROGELIO 832-755-5245 www.rbgaragedoorshouston.com rbgaragesdoors@gmail.com • Genie • Craftsman • Lift Master • Chamberlain * Garage Door Openers * Lube & Tunes * Crashed Door Resets * Springs • Residential • Commercial • Service Licensed - Insured - 26 Yrs. Exp. MASTER #178565 TECL #25670 Native Houstonian - 46 Yrs. John Kuenstle Electric,LLC Oak Forest Resident/Office 832-425-2152 - Free Estimates “A” On Angie’s List John Kuenstle Electric,LLC Oak Forest Resident/Office • Residential • Commercial • Service Licensed - Insured - 34 Yrs. 832-425-2152 - Free Estimates MASTER #178565 TECL #25670 Native Houstonian - 52 Yrs. “A” ON ANGIE’S LIST Aaron’s PLUMBING Drain & Sewer Cleaning Since 1974 #17773 - 7 Days a week 713-695-2222 825 C urtin 77018 713.686.6622 FOAM the store Memory Foam Mattresses BETTER BETTER 832-731-3866 Insured for your protection • EST 1974 email: Wells5517@sbcglobal.net All Work Guaranteed Wells Roofing fRee estimates Gutters • Siding • Painting • Roof Leaks Call Today EUGENE HAULS TRASH: Cleans Garages, Trims Trees. 832-890-5453 FENCES & DECKS Repair & Installation All Type Fences • Chain link • Wood • Ornamental Iron Small jobs welcome Call 7 Days Jose Cell (281) 221-0637 ` Wanting to run a classified ad? CALL 713-686-8494 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards. HEAT/AIR CONDITIONING GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENT ADULT CARE HAR BINGER electric Lights-Plugs-Breakers Cover all electric needs Licensed-Insured 713-721-5490 TEL. 17823 Cooling & Heating Res. - Com. 713-460-COLD(2653) www.acmanhouston.com TACL B27781E American Standard Authorized Dealer with this ad $20 OFF EDUCATION BUILD A BETTER LIFE Houston Enroll in our FREE skilled trades training program to start your career in construction Hbi.org/buildstrong-houston Please Give Us a Call for More Details 832-515-2855 heartsdedicated4@gmail.com Are You Looking for Someone to Care for Your Senior or Family Member in Your Home or a Facility? Dedicated Hearts Provides: • Exceptional Personalized Care • Companionship • Light House Keeping • Meal Prep, etc. PETS M&M Pet Sitting Affordable Pet Care In Your Home Will Treat Your Loved Ones As My Own Bonded Mitzi 713-444-8517 M S Afford FOR SALE www.thefoamstore.com The Foam STore Retail CenteR wholesale pRiCes Custom Cut Memory Foam Chair pads 2217 W. 34th, Ste. A. 713-686-6622 Johnny & Rhea Danna, Owners Couch Cushions Mattress Foam BLUE MOON ANTIQUES AND ESTATE SALES Antiques and Collectibles Like us on www.facebook.com/ bluemoonantiques-houstontx Providing Estate Sales Services 3311 Ella • 832-286-7882 HEALTH & FITNESS JUNK HAULING Aikido - Judo Japanese Martial Arts 8th Degree Black Belt 713-826-5877 www.aikibudo-aikido.com APPLIANCE & TV REPAIR Martinez Concrete Works martinezconcreteworks@gmail.com Bonded and Insured • Free Estimates 713-408-0137 • Driveways • Patios • Sidewalks • Foundation Additions • Stamp Concrete • Weather Damage Replacement • Lawn & Bed Maintenance • Landscape Lighting • Organic Soil Amendments • Landscape Installation • Tree Trim & Removal 713-682-5296 www.richtersservicesinc.com Call today - beautiful home tomorrow! LANDSCAPING SERVICES • Lawn Maintenance • Fertilize • Mulch, Tree Trimming • Flowerbed Cleanup • Grass Installation Verdeco 713-703-6406 Gilbert’s Landscape Lawn Care Mowing • Edging • Blowing Flower Bedding • Fertilizing FREE ESTIMATES – 17 Yrs. Exp. (281) 948-4879 TREE CUTTING & TRIMMING Free Est mates Estimates Insured & Bonded Residential & Commercial Trimming • Removal Pruning • Topping Stump Grinding 713-480-9450 RAMIREZ TREE SERVICE LOCAL LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE LUXURY LAWNS Lawn Maintenance Landscape & Design Sprinklers/Drainage Systems Free Estimates 20 yrs. exp. 713-688-4244 David Bartula YOUR AD CAN RUN HERE Call 713-686-8494 TOP CASH PAID FOR YOUR GUNS! WE BUY GUNS! 2001 Karbach Suite F Houston, TX 77092 713-694-4867 Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer BLACK GOLD GUNS & AMMO CONSIGNMENTS WELCOME Serving NW Houston Since 1973 FREE estimates 713-299-2711 ROOFING by SERNA BROS. BEST VALUE CONSTRUCTION HOME REPAIRS Handyman Services, Carpentry, Painting-Int/Ext, Cabinets, Doors, Trim, Insured Eddie Lunsford 281-352-7304 Call Gilbert 346-303-7003 jose.salazar020473@gmail.com Texas Lawn Services & Landscaping • Flower Bedding • Mowing • Edging • Fertilizing • Mulch • Trimming and More Arctic Auto Air Automotive Air Conditioning Auto Electric and Leak Detection Call Casper 713.205.6922 AUTO AIR CONDITIONING Houston Heights 281-728-7552 RoofeRs www.houstonheightsroofers.com Roofing, Siding, Painting, etc. Keep it local and call the pros. TONY MUNOZ FENCE CO. 45 yrs. Exp. - FREE EST. • Chain Link • Wood • Wrought Iron / Hand Rails • Gate Operators 713-680-0059 H H VETERAN OWNED H H Residential & Commercial Advertise Your Lawn Care Service With • SHEETROCK REPAIR • PAINTING • SIDING • SMALL ROOF LEAKS REPAIR • TOTAL ROOF REPLACEMENT 15% SENIOR DISCOUNT! 832-274-1599 FREE ESTIMATES! DANIEL’S ROOFING Residential and Commercial -change phone number to 713-263-7939 -add Dishwasher after Freezer -add BBB logo -add Don't throw it away, call today! -replace and with or between Senior and Military -if at all possible add graphic of washer & dryer Family Owned & Operated since 1995 Most Repairs only $95 Same Day Service • Refrigerators • Stove/Oven • Washers/Dryers • Freezer • Dishwasher 10% Senior or Military Discount Don’t throw it away, call today! 713-263-7939 Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm BEST APPLIANCE REPAIR 281-389-4654 Charlie ✔ Painting ✔ Drywall ✔ Hardi Plank Siding ✔ Any Type of Carpentry Work ✔ Complete Remodels 281-272-6900 713-569-4199 For Your Home Repair Needs: J&D HANDYMAN SERVICE CELL TEL Painting Drywall Hardi Plank Siding Cabinet Re-facing Any Type of Carpentry Work Complete Remodels CELL 713-569-4199 Turn to The Leader Classifieds. 713-686-8494 NEED A NEW ROOF? We’ve got you COVERED! HOME SPECIALIST •NEW DOORS INSTALLED •DOOR REPAIRS •WEATHERSTRIPPING •STORM DOORS & RETRACTABLE SCREEN DOORS •ATTIC DOORS •WINDOW REPAIRS •NEW SHUTTERS INSTALLED 281-636-4027 We are Houston’s Door Specialist Flower Beds • Sell Flowers • Mulch Lawn Service • Shrub/Tree Trimming Fertilizer & Weed Control Roofs & Gutter Cleaning Power Washing & Trash Removal & More! 832.591.8398 Rubio Landscape ALL HOME REPAIR • Flooring/Carpet • Ceramic Tile Repair • Sheetrock • Painting • Plumbing • Sheet Vinyl & Tile • Roofing Repair • Shower/Bath Redo • Tile • Fence Repair • Termite/Water Repair 40 Yrs. Exp. & Leader Advertiser Call Sam 713-582-5500 713-686-2285 LEADER PUZZLER SOLUTIONS WORD SCRAMBLE Answers: A. worker B. salary C. company D. job Hours CRyptO fun
Heights Chamber welcomes new members
From Staff Reports
The Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce welcomed three new members to its ranks with a ribbon cutting last week.
According to a news release from the chamber, the GHCC welcomed Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS), Houston Angels, and Gut Instinct as new members on Tuesday.
CIS included representatives from several local schools, including Waltrip High School student support manager Alison Flores and MC Williams Middle School
student support manager Elexis Pantoja. Other businesses welcomed included Gut Instinct and Houston Angels.
“This event is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers, who are committed to ensuring that every child in Houston has the resources they need to succeed,” CIS Houston CEO Lisa Descant said. “We are grateful for the support of the Chamber of Commerce.”
For more information about Communities In Schools of Houston, visit www. cishouston.org.
Art Valet: New artists close out the season at first Saturday
This weekend will be one to celebrate, dress up and people watch and it is likely the two groups celebrating will not cross paths. One group will be celebrating the 161st anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire, and the other a horse race that has taken place annually since 1875 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Why bring up these two very different celebrations?
This is the First Saturday Arts Market weekend, and I always wonder if I should promote one of these themes for the big day in May. Personally, I like to mix it up, and go Hawaiian themed!
The real theme every month at First Saturday Arts Market is local art, artists and soul invigorating inspiration. On that note I’d like to introduce you to three very different artists that will be attending for the first time Saturday.
Sherri Allen paints using acrylics, paper and mixed
media. She’s probably the newest artist on the scene having discovered her true passion in the past few years. From what I’ve seen of her work, her self taught abstracted style of figures, portraits and nature shows a level of passion one cannot get in school. Here’s what she said about finding her true path in her artist statement.
“I began drawing and painting in 2021 during the Covid Pandemic at the age of 52,” Allen wrote. “Working from home and unable to get out I picked up a book, The Artist’s Way, (1992, Julia Cameron) that I had had for years but never read. That book changed my life. I realized that I had always been called to create and I was finally ready to embrace it!”
Allen says she’s kept her day job in the “corporate world,” but paints and sketches every free minute she can. Follow her on Instagram and meet her Saturday. https://www.instagram.com/sherriallenrocks_art/
Agnes Russo was born in Poland surrounded by nature and wheat fields. She’s an abstract artist creating minimalist pieces that evoke calm and serenity. Russo’s use of water color, acrylic, pen and pencil is light to the touch, creating images
of soft colors, transparent layers and delicate strokes that as she puts it, reflect her memories and love for nature. The flowers often present in her work are a symbol of her childhood in the countryside. Follow Russo on Instagram too, https://www.instagram. com/agnesr_art/
Where Allen’s passion for life comes through her paintings, and Russo’s calm
in hers, Jeff Lung’s work is almost psychedelic. A selftaught artist, Lung describes his style as figurative abstract expression, he fills up all the empty spaces on his canvas. I like his work, it reminds me of the wild poster art of the early 70s. Born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, since leaving home at 18 years old he has lived in big cities like Madrid, Beijing, Los Angeles and Chica -
go. He now spends his time between south Texas and central Illinois. I think Jeff would prefer you follow his blog and website, https:// jefflungart.com/
First Saturday Arts Market is open Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at 540 W. 19th St. Details and full roster of attending artists is available on the website at https://firstsaturdayartsmarket.com. The market is
open September - May, making this the last market until fall, when we are hopeful for sweater weather by Labor Day weekend. One can always dream.
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: Sonoma Wine hosts Stomping Grounds grand opening
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Street location in the Heights as it searched for a new home – which it later found at Garden Oaks’ Stomping Grounds development.
Now, the new location is open for business. Sonoma was planning to host a grand opening ceremony for the Garden Oaks location on Tuesday from 2-9 p.m. at the Stomping Grounds spot, 1225 W. 34th St. according to a Facebook post from Sonoma.
The wine bar, which also operates locations in the Katy and Upper Kirby areas, will offer retail wine as well as a tasting bar and temperature-controlled wine storage at its Garden Oaks location, according to the Facebook post, according to the company.
For more information on Sonoma Wine and what it has to offer, visit their website at sonomahouston.com.
Upside Pub hosting upcoming specials
A local pub is gearing up to host several special events here in the coming weeks, according to a news release.
The Upside Pub will host several special events and collaborations in the coming
weeks, beginning with its inaugural pizza eating competition on May 20 in partnership with Pink’s Pizza and Eureka Heights Brewery, where entrants will compete to see who can eat 12” cheese pizza the fastest, with proceeds going to Kids Meals. Even if they are not participating, the
event is free and open to those of all ages in the community to attend, according to the pub.
Registration is $7 until May 7, and $25 until the day of the competition.
Whoever eats their entire pizza the fastest will win a trophy and a prize pack. Those wanting to participate can regis -
ter online at eventbrite. com/e/first-annual-pizza-eating-competitionat-the-upside-pub-tickets-615378903867.
The pub will also host several “Support Local” events in collaborations with Frankie and Flora Florists, as well as Cheese By Cassie and Valor Barber Shop.
Page 8 • Saturday, May 6 2023 • The Leader
Mitch cohen Art Columnist
Contributed photo
Communities in Schools was one of three new Heights Chamber of Commerce members last week.
Contributed photo
Agnes Russo will bring her calm art to First Saturday Arts Market.
Contributed photo
Sherri Allen will attend First Saturday Arts Market with her abstract art.
Photo from Facebook
Sonoma Wine Bar recently held a grand opening for its new location at the Stomping Grounds development.
Contributed photo
The Upside Pub will host its inaugural pizza eating competition at the pub on May 20.
www.apextaekwondo.net 1355 Judiway 713-290-1911 Self-Defense & Physical Fitness SUMMER SPECIAL * for new students only 3 months $249 *FREE UNIFORM
