The 07-29-23 Edition of The Heights Leader

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A city of Houston council member whose district includes much of the local area is proposing an additional resource to help address gun violence within the city of Houston that officials say might be the first of its type.

District C councilmember Abbie Kamin, whose district includes much of the Heights and part of

Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, is heading up an initiative that is proposing creating a public dashboard that would keep track of all firearm death and injury data from multiple sources in one place for all departments to be able to access it.

The city’s health department is pushing to partner with its medical partners to put all data regarding injuries from firearms in one place – which officials say

is not currently possible.

“In order to be collecting all of the data that is necessary to make informed, scientific public health decisions by experts on prevention, you need to be having the same baseline information across the board that then you can look at,” Kamin said when she first presented the dashboard proposal during a June budget meeting.

As part of the dashboard, Houston Health

Department Chief Environmental Science Officer Dr. Loren Hopkins said data would automatically be pulled from the city’s Level I Trauma Centers as well as the Houston Police Department, the Harris County medical examiner, and more in order to compile everything into one go-to spot.

And though the city has made efforts to combat

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Two men accused in a fatal shooting in Timbergrove earlier this year have been extradited from San Francisco back to Harris County to face charges, according to the Houston Police Department.

Jaidan

Nguyen, 25, and Polie

Phan, 26, are charged with capital murder in the fatal shootings of 37-yearold James Martin and 35-year-old Dana Ryssdal in the Lazybrook/ Timbergrove area this past January, according to Harris County court records.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Houston Dance Works director Autumn Rosemond has a passion for inspiring her dancers to find their own power and strength through dance. And not only have two dancers from the studio done so, they have been recognized as being the best in their craft during a recent national competition.

Earlier this month, HDW works dancers Marina Hart and Charlotte Sanchez were crowned the grand champions in their respective divisions during the Platinum Dance Company’s National Finals Gala at the Ultimate Invitational that took place in Washington, D.C. July 14-16.

The Ultimate Invitational is an invitation-only national competition where only the top scoring dances from each regional city receive an invite. Dancers compete again upon arrival in D.C. against the nation’s top scoring routines to receive invites to compete in the Gala.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A local charter school set to open its doors over the next couple of years has named its inaugural leader.

Heritage Classical Academy, which is set to begin operations in the 77092 zip code for the 2024-2025 school year, announced Friday that the school has appointed longtime educator Melissa Martin to serve as its inaugural head of school.

Martin, who has been an educator in Texas for more

Hart was the Grand Champion in the 11U group at the competition for her piece entitled “Cute,” while Sanchez took home the Grand Champion title in the 12 and over division for her dance called “100 years.” “It was really cool,” Hart said

of hearing her name called.

This was the third year HDW had sent dancers to the national competition, according to director Autumn Rosemond, but the first time to have anyone

Phan was extradited to Harris County on July 19, the department said, and Nguyen was extradited July 21. Both men are currently in custody in Harris County, according to court records, and both men have been denied bail.

Another suspect, 22-year-old Kathy Vu, was previously arrested and is accused of tampering with evidence according to Harris County court records. She was arrested in March, and is currently out of jail on a $40,000 bond according to court documents.

Officers initially responded to a home in the 1700 block of West T.C. Jester Boulevard around 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 27 to do a welfare check after detectives said a neighbor noticed a car running with nobody inside, according to HPD. A man, later identified as Ryssdal, was later found dead with multiple gunshot wounds inside the home –which Martin owned – according to the department.

than 20 years according to the school, will oversee all school operations including preparing HCA to open its doors to students beginning with the 20242025 school year. A United States Air Force veteran who holds a master’s degree in education, Martin has also previously served on the Texas Commission on Public School Finance, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, and Innovative Teachers of Texas.

HCA will open with grades K-1 in its first year and grow into a full Pre K-8 classical school by

adding a new grade every year, according to the school.

“All children deserve access to quality education and the opportunity to expand their minds and possibilities for their future,” Martin said in a news release. “I look forward to leading HCA as we work to open our doors and prepare a new generation of Houstonians to reach their greatest potential.”

According to a 2022 article from the Texas Tribune, Heritage had previously been controversial among state board members

YMCA Operation Backpack running through Aug. 15

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Earlier this month, YMCA of Greater Houston kicked off its annual initiative called YMCA Operation Backpack, which aims to provide local youth with the necessary supplies for the upcoming school year according to a news release from the organization.

The initiative, which the YMCA said has equipped local youth with the tools necessary to succeed for more than 19 years, hopes to provide backpacks and essential school supplies to Houston-area students for the 2023-2024 school year.

Contributions can be made online at ymcaoperationbackpack.org, by texting “YMCABACKPACK” to 24365, or by making a donation at a local H-E-B – one of the partners for this year’s Operation Backpack. There are two H-E-B locations in the area where local residents can make donations, one at 2300 N. Shepherd Dr. in the Heights and another at 3663 Washington Ave.

The YMCA says that last year’s Operation Backpack helped net 30,000 backpacks along with essential school supplies for the Houston region’s children, and the organization is hoping to match or exceed that total with this year’s initiative. Funds raised through the initiative will be used to purchase supply kits that include

packaged school supplies from H-E-B, according to the release.

“The YMCA is able to support thousands of children because of the generous contributions from caring Hous -

tonians,” Stephen Ives, president and CEO YMCA of Greater Houston, said in a news release. “Confidence is the foundation for success, and through YMCA Operation Backpack, the

YMCA can instill youth with the confidence they need to succeed in the classroom. The strength of the Houston community brings children one step closer to achieving their dreams.”

Central Northwest garage fire under investigation

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Houston fire authorities say they are working to determine what led to a garage fire that caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage in the Central Northwest area earlier this month, ac-

cording to the Houston Fire Department.

Nobody was reported injured in the fire, according to the department.

More than 30 firefighters from stations 4, 13, 15, 49, 50, and 67 responded within six minutes to a call of a garage fire just before 7 p.m. on

July 12 in the 5000 block of Droddy Street in Central Northwest, according to HFD.

On arrival, the department said crews found fire coming from a detached garage next to a home. However, crews were able to extinguish the fire and any resulting

was a 1973 graduate of GC Scarborough High School in Houston and a proud 1977 graduate of his beloved Texas A&M University. Gig ‘em! He then received a medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School in 1982 and went on to complete a residency and fellowship in oncology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. There, he met his wife Patty, and took up a position at the Sammons Cancer Center and Texas Oncology, where he served patients from 1995 until his retirement in 2021. He is remembered as a wise and inspirational mentor by students at the Texas A&M School of Medicine, as well as interns and fellows at Baylor. His accomplishments as a clinician, researcher, and teacher are well-recognized by the audiences of his presentations in dozens of countries across a number of continents, readers of impactful publications in major medical journals, and as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. His spirit of doing good, his passion for curing cancer, and his sense of adventure drew him to hospitals from Vietnam to Costa Rica. John's family built a treasure trove of memories on journeys together, tagging along to far- ung locales from Lisbon to Hong Kong, on bikes around Europe, or in the bleachers of Kyle Field as well as the better portion of Major League ballparks across the US. When not with family, patients, or cheering crowds, he could usually be found in nature hiking, watching birds, or in his garden. He really loved the family lakehouse on Richland Chambers Reservoir, playing golf with friends at Lakewood Country Club and watching his beloved Houston Astros. John (Rusty) was preceded in life by his parents, John Eldred Sr. and Lauree Slack Pippen. John is survived by his wife, Patricia, two sons, Jack (Denton, Tx) and Charlie (Washington D.C.) and his sister, Maureen and her husband Andres Harnisch (Honolulu).

hot spots to keep the fire from spreading.

Arson investigators are still trying to determine the cause and starting point of the fire, according to the department, which caused an estimated $55,000 worth of damage to the garage.

Local 13U baseball team celebrating prestigious Ripken Experience tournament win

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

For Coach Ronald Smith of the 13U Houston Storm baseball team, it’s all about seeing the hard work from his kids pay off. Winning tournaments is the goal, of course, but he said just as a great a reward is helping his players see the results of effort and work ethic.

And that came full circle again recently, as Smith and his 13U Houston Storm team were invited to the Cal Ripken Experience World Series tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from July 2-7. And not only were they invited – they took home the tournament title, beating some of the best 13U teams from across the coun -

try to do so.

The 12-team Ripken Experience World Series tournament is an inviteonly event, Smith said, with some of the top teams from around the country taking part each year. Only five games are guaranteed, he said, and from there it becomes single-elimination. Over the course of the tournament, Smith said his team went 6-3 overall, including

4-0 in the single-elimination bracket play.

In order to take home the title, the Storm defeated several previouslyundefeated 13U squads and some of the top 13U teams from around the country from states including Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and Ohio.

“For me, it’s great to see it because they’re a hard working group of kids,” Smith said of the title. “They’re kids that started with me four years ago and put in the time to accomplish what they did.”

It’s especially meaningful, he said, because the team is made up of local players from around the area. The team practices at the baseball fields for Lutheran

North Academy on West 34th Street, and many of them attend area schools.

And now, he said, everyone in the community will be able to see the fruits of the sweat and hard work that has gone into their success with the tournament win.

“It gives them an opportunity to show their accomplishments and their success,” he said.

And though he has had a team previously win a prestigious Ripken Experience Tournament, Smith knows that each team is unique –and each different team has a different story that brings extra meaning to bringing the trophy back home to Houston.

Most of his players, he

said, stay with him from the year they start playing the sport to when they graduate high school. And chemistry that’s bred from such familiarity – along with a support system both on and off the field – is what drives success such as the recent tournament victory, according to Smith.

“This was a whole team that’s been together for years. And they just got better and better. They’re a dedicated group, and their parents are dedicated to helping them do what they need to do,” he said. “We got a great group of kids and a great group of parents, which leads to good coaching and success…. They trust each other and they play for each other.”

Houston Storm 13U

Head Coach: Ron -

ald Smith

Assistant head coach:

Chris Delgado

Bat boy: Sam Escamilla Roster

Kaden Tran

Austin Caldwell

Nico Longoria

Kaleb Golden

Josh Vasquez

Christian Escamilla

Ryan Montemayor

Noah Harvey Zeke Zuelke

Coen Childress

Raif Lindstrom

Rocco Lindstrom

Yadier Madrazo

Matt Sanchez

LANDAN KUHLMANN Editor

Contributed photos

The 13U Houston Storm baseball team, which is composed of players from the local area, were the champions of the Ripken Experience Tournament in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee earlier this month.

Most of us that bring you The Leader live right here in your community and we appreciate you reading it every week.

Suspects from P. 1A

Martin and Ryssdal’s white Dodge truck were missing from the home, police said, and the truck was later found in the 6900 block of Cullen Boulevard in Southeast Houston. Martin was found dead inside another car that had been on the property on Feb. 1, having been shot multiple times according to the department.

The department said detectives learned in late June that Phan and Nguyen had been located and taken into custody in Vietnam, and they were taken to a San Francisco jail on June 29 before being extradited according to the department.

gun violence and injuries such as One Safe Houston and various other programs, Hopkins said a problem still persists.

From 2018-2020, a presentation during a June 20 Public Health and Homeland Security Committee meeting said there was a 76 percent increase in pediatric firearm injuries and deaths as well as a 67 percent increase in adult firearm injuries and deaths in Harris County. And since 2020, it’s even higher according to the presentation.

Charter from P. 1A

because it planned to use a curriculum developed by Hillsdale College, a conservative college in Michigan. However, board member Kathryn Van der Pol claimed the previous rejections were largely because a swath of board members had been opposed to the concept of charter schools. And with the school’s approval by the Texas BOE earlier this month, it is full speed ahead for its inaugural year after four long years of fighting for what they believe is

another avenue by which the area’s children can receive an effective education based on their needs. The school has not yet found a permanent home on which to build the school, but are hopeful that they will find a place soon where it can set down roots for the area’s kids.

”HCA is a unique option for families looking for a free public school alternative that can deliver both academic rigor and a focus on character formation and leadership,” said Stuart

Saunders, Board Chair of Heritage Classical Academy. “We are thrilled to receive charter approval and look forward to offering a new option for high quality education to students in northwest Houston.”

Those interested in learning more about HCA can sign up to stay in touch on their website at heritageclassicalhouston.org or complete an enrollment interest form to be notified once enrollment opens for the 2024–2025 school year.

Branch.

According to the presentation, the dashboard would compile information gathered from the trauma centers, medical examiners, police department and more that include where a shooting took place and how it took place. It would also attempt to take information gathered from doctors and nurses at trauma centers to zero in on why a shooting may have taken place and other factors.

beyond the surface.

“It’s filling a gap in terms of impact on the community that we don’t necessarily have. Knowing (this type of information), it can better help us target resources,” said HPD Assistant Chief Wyatt Martin. “If there’s something we see that’s different from what our crime and call data says, then that’s going to be beneficial to us.”

“Every system has a piece of information we want, but it’s not all together,” she said. “Our job here with this project is to bring it all together so it’s fast and actionable for intervention so we can work in real time on solving the problem.”

that the police department isn’t already keeping track of?” Kubosh asked during the June budget meeting.

According to its supporters, it would give all the data to make a more informed decision for intervention that the city does currently possess despite its ample efforts.

“This is a problem that is unremitting in our city,” said Dr. Bindi Naik, Chief of Pediatric Surgery and Trauma for the University of Texas Medical

from P. 1A

Both have been dancing as part of the HDW studio at 3500 E. T.C. Jester Blvd. Suite G since they were 4-5 years old according to Rosemond, but the national titles are a crowning achievement for them.

“It was an incredibly proud feeling,” Rosemond said.

And making their way there was no easy task.

Both Hart and Sanchez had to make their way through a regional competition in Houston in order to receive an invitation to

The goal, according to the presentation, is to have a clearer picture of the full scope of firearm injuries and their impact on the public from a holistic perspective that goes

nationals. From there, they danced in a preliminary round where only the top eight scoring dances were invited back to perform in the finals.

Preparation on their routines began back in August, Sanchez said, where they worked with choreographer Seth Judic to pick out a song best suited for them. From there, it was up to five hours a week in the studio plus dedicated sessions for their competition piece.

“We put in a lot of work, and it was really cool (to

Using that data, Hopkins said the goal is to use the compiled information to better target resources towards neighborhoods and populations that might be the most vulnerable to firearm injuries for various reasons.

The proposal was not initially met with much support in council in June, however, with councilman Michael Kubosh and councilman Dave Martin raising questions about it. Kamin said it would require $240,000 over the next two years to get the program off the ground, and a grant would likely be necessary to create funding for the dashboard.

“This gives us more data to promote and raise awareness and maybe adjust some of our policies or put our resources in the right places,” Naik said. “We’re already doing some of this in our city, but we all know we could be doing a lot more.” crowned a champion.

hear my name called),” Sanchez said.

The feeling was mutual for the parents of both children.

“It was really emotional for me, and really overjoying. It made me really proud,” Elizabeth Sanchez said.

Cindy Hart said her daughter was part of the national competition last year as part of a group, and wanted to do everything possible to get back there again this year.

And once Marina’s mind was made up, her mother

“What are we doing here

said there was nothing that would stop her from accomplishing her goal.

“We talked about it and I told her she knew what it takes – all the hard work and practice,” Cindy Hart said. “So for her to not only qualify again but to win, was just very unexpected emotional. And I knew this was what she wanted.”

Added Robin Judic, who worked with Marina and Charlotte on their dances: “They’re two very hardworking dancers. When they come into their class and into their lessons,

they’re always prepared. They work throughout the week. To see them on stage (winning) it just gives me such joy because I know what they’re wanting to accomplish, and we all get to see it and enjoy it.”

For Rosemond, that is ultimate payoff. Like many things, dance is about hard work, preparation, and repetition. For both Marina and Charlotte, she said the national competition was a moment they will never forget.

After all their hard work,

the two local dancers are considered the best the country has to offer –something not many get to experience in their lifetimes. And it’s something Rosemond knows they will never forget.

“One of the cool things about dance is that it teaches work ethic and perseverance,” Rosemond said. “I really think that hearing their names called on stage and everything really brought all of that full circle.”

Dashboard from P. 1A

Dance

The State of the Lone Star

“Thank God for Arizo na,” we now say. This is a change, because Texans used to say, “Thank God for Mississippi,” otherwise Texas would rank last among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. in vot ing rights, education and other standards of qual ity of life. Now Arizona is the worst state to live in. We’re Number 2! But don’t worry about our lower rank. We are still bottomdwellers in inclusion of all Texans, dropping from No. 49 last year. In a state which houses the largest medical center on Earth, health care in the state is poor -- the state is No. 50 for clinical care, and No. 47 for access to primary care physicians. No state has a greater percentage of residents without health insurance.

On the bright side, Texas is still good for business. Well, not as bright as before. For the first time in this survey, Texas dropped out of the top five states for business, placing sixth. We got high rankings in workforce (second), economy (eighth), technology and innovation (fourth), and capital access (third). The top four states for doing business were North Carolina, Washington, Virginia and Colorado, respectively.

All right, let’s pat ourselves on the back for all these top rankings, but there is another facet of Texas that should make us downright ashamed: our quality of life, like schools and the air we breathe, crime and simply making Texas a good place to live. In an apples-toapples comparison with other states, we are at the very bottom in living the good life. Nobody does it worse. “For all its strength as a place to do business, Texas keeps trying to outdo itself when it comes to laws and policies that are seen as exclusionary,” the ranking noted. But who or what is the ranker we have been citing? It’s the 2022 edition of CNBC’s “Top States for Business” study which found that Texas scored just 72 out of a possible 325 points in the Life, Health and Inclusion category, earning an “F” grade. The CNBC rankings also considered Texas’ non-response to Ice Storm Uri and note Texans endure nearly 20 hours without electricity per year. That is the thirdworst in the nation. We might claim that the CNBC rankers are a bunch of East Coast effete snobs, but rankings such as teachers’ pay, rate of health insurance coverage and such are flat facts. “Skilled workers are still flocking to Texas despite longstanding quality of life issues,” CNBC wrote. “When they arrive, they are finding limited childcare options, a stressed health care system with the highest rate

According to the National Education Association, Texas drops to No.35 for education, from No. 21 in 2022. Per-pupil spending is among the nation’s lowest. The U.S. Department of Education reports K-12 test scores are lagging, and Texas drops to No. 35 for education from No. 21 in 2022. CNBC finds much of Texas’ poor rankings stem from our new laws prohibiting the use of diversity, equity and inclusion in state-funded higher education, banning transgender healthcare for minors and severely restricting access to abortions. This is playing havoc with our higher education. “I was recently contacted by a headhunting firm recruiting for an academic position in Texas. I was honest in my response that I would not consider a position in Texas under the current state leadership, because it would not be safe for me or my family to live there.” –Dr. Elizabeth T. Jacobs, a professor of cancer and chronic disease epidemiology at the University of Arizona. And remember the attempted hiring by Texas A&M of esteemed journalism professor Dr. Kathleen O. McElroy. She was to lead the university’s new journalism school, but the deal unraveled after school leaders appeared to bow to pressure from conservative influences who opposed the hire in a bout of what McElroy called “DEI hysteria.” At least she stayed in Texas – at UT.

When it comes to business, “For Texas companies uncomfortable with the restrictive and anti-freedom posturing of elected officials, instead of quietly figuring out ways to make end runs around state laws to provide abortion access to the women you employ, may I offer a solution: Come to New Jersey.” -Phil Murphy is the governor of New Jersey. And at a time when cutting-edge manufacturing companies are seriously looking for reliable power, they must be considering ERCOT.

Notice Dr. Jacob’s citing she “would not consider a position in Texas under the current state leadership.” We can only wonder how many excellent professors, not to mention top-quality students, have

been scared away by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s obsession with faculty tenure and our Lege enacting all sorts of crackdowns on voting rights, local control and even renewable energy. In June, Gov. Greg Abbott signed laws banning transgender care for minors, and restricting transgender women from competing in college sports. A bunch of old men in Austin are telling knockedup 16-year-old girls what they can’t do with their own bodies. There is a famous observation from our early days, “Texas is paradise for men and dogs, but hell for women and horses.” These days horses have the upper hoof.

We can be defensive and ask if things are so bad in Texas why are so many others trying to come here? (Do you ever wonder if the Border Patrol is watching the wrong river?) But as a sixth generation Texan and a card-carrying member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Lone Star State has been very good to me, and to you, too, or you wouldn’t be here. So it pains me that in so many ways we have become the laughingstock of the other states. We live in a rich, powerful blessed land, and there is no reason for these embarrassing rankings. But, as usual, I have a solution that doesn’t cost a cent, but is increasingly difficult (by design): vote.

Ashby ranks at ashby2@comcast.net

Nibbles & Sips: Area brewery pouring last pint July 30

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

An area brewery in the Northside Village area has announced that it will pour its last pint early next week, just two months shy of its one-year anniversary.

On Monday afternoon, Black Page Brewing Co. announced via its social media pages that the brewery will be closing its doors for good at the end of the day on July 30 –just 10 months after it opened in the area. The reasons for closing were not given in the social media posts.

“We’d like to thank so many people who have supported us during this amazing but often difficult 10 months, most especially our staff, loyal customers, investors, food vendors, and musicians,” the post read.

“We are incredibly proud of the beer that we’ve made and the environment that we’ve created.”

Black Page initially opened last October at 210 Glen Park St. promising “traditional German-style lagers and adventurous American ales.” To do so, co-founders Anthony Heins and Chris Manriquez joined forces with German master brewer Henryk Orlik – formerly of Louisiana’s Abita Brewing Company – to work on the buildout of the production facility next to the taproom.

And though it is soon to be no more at close of business on Sunday, its founders said they are proud of what they accomplished, and hope the spirit of the space lives on.

“It is our sincere hope that this brewery will live on and that someone is willing to continue what we set out to do by embracing the history of beer while peering anxiously beyond the horizon,” the post read.

drink on Sunday, just two months

Photos from Facebook Black Page Brewing Company announced on social media last week that the brewery will pour its last

shy of its one-year anniversary.

Art Valet: Recovering attorneys set to make suds at local market

are natural and I use both essential oils and high grade fragrance oils in my soaps. Once soap is made and sliced, it must cure in the air for at least three weeks before it is usable.”

AV: Your soap has an artistic angle too, tell me about that.

An unexpected find at the fine art leaning First Saturday Arts Market is a soap maker. There’s often a crowd of people around this island booth taking advantage of free smells. Dogs head straight for the colorful bowl of water in the corner. Meet Cammie’s Handmade Soaps, a staple at the Heights market since 2006. Cammie and Larry Cain are the creative duo behind their namesake moniker. They joined the market when it was still a mix of crafts and art. As the market matured and the artists (including the Cain’s) began jurying in more fine art in lieu of craft, the Cain’s continued to participate.

The Cain’s are popular regulars now that keep many artists and neighbors in the Heights, myself included, smelling good and coming back for more. After 17 years at the market, it seemed like a real introduction was past due.

Art Valet: You are both attorneys, tell me about your background.

Cammie Cain: “Larry and I are both from the Kansas City area,” Cain said. “We moved here in 1980 when Larry started law school. I decided that, if he can do it I can do it, so I started law school in 1982. We opened our own law firm, Cain & Cain, in 1986. We are now “recovering attorneys.” Just a little bit here and there. We live in Katy, along with our family of dogs and son Russell three blocks away.”

AV: When did the soap making enter the picture?

Cain: “I started making soap after we closed down our storefront law firm around 2002 to work from home,” Cain said. “I was always motivated to make soap with an artistic flair. I started doing art fairs at Market Square Market in 2005, and when it closed down in 2006, I hunted Mitch down. Many of our Market Square Market vendors bailed on the first Saturday of every month and I learned why!”

“We started at First Saturday Arts Market in March, 2006, and have been there ever since! Along the way I did farmers’ markets, other art fairs. As things got busier, Larry started helping me produce soap and doing the events as well. These days, we have pared back down to doing mostly “Mitch events.” After 20 years or so, it feels good to cut back!”

AV: As a customer, I know your soap is different, can you reveal your secret?

Cain: “My soap is made by the cold process method from scratch,” Cain said. “Lye, water, coconut oil, sustainably sourced palm oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, and organic cocoa butter. All of my pigments

Cain: “One day we were smooshing some leftover freshly made soap into a baked potato shape for us to use and realized that, at a certain point after soap is made and not yet cured, it has the consistency of playdoh,” Cain said. “A lightbulb went off! So Larry and I (honestly, mostly Larry!) developed custom extrusion equipment which allows us to make soap in many different shapes, creating soap designs not seen elsewhere.

AV: What scented soaps do you have now?

Cain: “We carry lots of great scents – lavender, lemongrass, sandalwood, nag champa, patchouli, eucalyptus, vetiver, pineapple mango, peppermint, spearmint, some with goat’s milk, lots more. Having made soap for over 20 years, I have had plenty of time to try and either keep or reject many scents.”

AV: How did glass nightlights enter the soaping business?

Cain: “Glass started out with soap dishes. One day I held a dish in front of a light and the night light idea began,” Cain recalls. “Our friend Shelia taught me basic glass fusing techniques maybe ten years ago. We now make and sell fused glass night lights, soap dishes, hair barrettes, key fobs, and Christmas ornaments. Larry particularly has really taken to the glass work. He loves doing it! Our overall theme is “functional art.” Soap, dishes, night lights. This Christmas season we will be trying a new design of fused glass and wood mantle pieces, with or without a tea light.

During the year find the Cain’s at both First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. They’ll be attending the market’s only summer event called BAM! Art Market at Silver Street Studios Warehouse, 2000 Edwards Street, Houston, TX 77007 on Saturday, August 12, 2023 noon-7 p.m., coinciding with Second Saturday Open Studios. https://firstsaturdayartsmarket.com/ Contact the Cain’s via their website https://www.cammieshandmadesoaps.com/. First Saturday Arts Market at 540 W. 19th St. resumes Sept. 2.

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

Contributed photo

The Cain’s in action at First Saturday Arts Market.

Contributed photo

Larry and Cammie Cain will attend Big Art Market Aug 12.

Contributed photo

The Cain’s present a night light in the image of the author Mitch Cohen.

Contributed photo

Cammie and Larry Cain are Cammie’s Handmade Soaps.