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Bail reform back in spotlight after local fatal shooting By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com A man who spent seven years in prison for aggravated robbery and recently bailed out of jail after being charged in 2021 with felon in possession of a weapon has been accused of shooting and killing a man while out on bond last month. The shooting and circumstances surrounding it has some, such as Jaime Zamora, who lives in nearby Garden Oaks, wondering how this could have
happened. “I don’t understand how someone with an extensive felony criminal history could be granted a PR bond,” Zamora said. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg also called the use of a PR bond in Allen’s case a decision that “defies common sense.” On June 22, the 28-yearold Allen was arrested and charged with murder and unlawful carrying of a weapon with a felony conviction in connection with the shooting death of
29-year-old Luis Espinoza, according to Harris County Court records. He remained in jail as of Tuesday, according to court records. The Leader left voicemails with the office of Dallas Craig Hughes, listed in court records as Allen’s appointed defense attorney, on Friday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday requesting comment on this story. Those calls were not returned as of Wednesday afternoon. About seven months prior to the shooting of
Espinoza, Allen was arrested on Dec. 18, 2021, on a Felon in Possession of a Weapon charge according to court records. That was a little more than two weeks after he was released from prison on parole after serving time for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. “We’re seeing a lot of those (Felon in Possession of a Weapon) defendants being released on PR bonds on those charges,” Allen
See BAIL P. 8
Back to business
Houston receives first monkeypox vaccine shipment By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Cooling off It may be summer in Houton, but Art Valet Mitch Cohen has the scoop on his upcoming indoor market.
Page 5
A cut above From the prime rib on down, Laurenzo’s was a hit for Dan Greer in this week’s food review.
Page 5
Photo by Ana Guzman Though it might not be quite the packed house, White Linen Night is returning to the Heights next weekend, giving area businesses a chance to make up for lost revenue with no in-person event since 2019. Dear Tabby In this week’s column, Tabby has some tips for dog owners whose pooches are guarding resources by growling.
Page 6
THE INDEX. Church........................................................... 3 Classifieds................................................ 7 Coupons....................................................... 6 Food/Drink................................................. 5 Opinion......................................................... 3 Public Information............................. 8 Puzzles.......................................................... 3
Local business is our business. Send us your story of interest news@theleadernews.com
Return of White Linen Night to boost 19th Street shops By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
For all the businesses lining West 19th Street in the Heights, the return of White Linen Night means they will have a chance to make up for thousands of dollars lost in revenue the last two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. And though it is not going to be exactly the same, the event – which is typically hosted on the first Saturday of August each year – is still a welcome sight to business owners along the Heights’ main street as they continue to seek additional revenue in a post COVID-19 world. “I’m looking forward to it this year,” said Chrissie Ramirez, owner of Casa Ramirez FOLKArt at 241 W. 19th St. “I think it should be a good turnout…it’s going to be a nice boon to everybody here. It’s a great opportunity for brand new businesses as well as existing businesses like us.” The event will not have
barricades on 19th Street between Ashland and Yale streets as per usual, according to event organizer Sara Jackson, though multiple area businesses will host White Linen-themed events. But several business owners said it is still a boon to have the night back in any form. It was created in 2006 as an effort to bring attention to small and independentlyowned businesses, and drew more than 50,000 attendees during the last in-person event three years ago. “August is a slow month for retailers and this gives people a reason to come out and shop,” said Kristal Kirksey, owner of Jubilee in the Heights at 345 W. 19th St. “White Linen has really put the Heights on the map and we always get new customers who have never been to 19th Street. Even if they don’t shop that night, they remember us and come back.” It has been particularly
slow the last two years, business owners said, with no in-person events having been held along 19th Street since 2019 because of the pandemic – though some still held individual events last year. For We Olive & Wine Bar situated at 249 W. 19th St., owner Luis Rabo said WLN brings in three times the revenue and usually stands as one of the wine bar’s top five revenue days of the year while bringing in new customers who he said didn’t know the wine bar was there until visiting during White Linen Night. That, he said, was the most detrimental effect to We Olive over the last two years. “We obviously didn’t get that incremental revenue bump that a typical WLN would give us,” he said. ”However, most importantly, our business didn’t get the folks that would come back to visit us after WLN. … We’re looking forward to introducing ourselves to a bunch of new clientele
that may have never visited us before.” Harold’s Tap Room and Restaurant, 350 W. 19th St., was also down 280 percent in sales revenue on the night White Linen Night would typically occur in 2021 compared to the $25,000 it brought in during the last in-person event in 2019, according to owner Alli Jarrett. The restaurant will have a musical performance by the Zydeco Dots and face painting, among other festivities, during White Linen Night in efforts to help bring in customers and recoup revenue that has been lost over the last several years. “We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to have a solid revenue night (on Aug. 6),” Jarrett said. “We need it with everything going on.” Kirksey said Jubilee typically doubles or triples their sales on White Linen Night compared to typical Saturdays, and sees at
On Friday, the Houston Health Department announced that it has received a first shipment of more than 5,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine, according to a news release sent out last week. More than 1,700 people can potentially be treated with the vaccination, the city said, which is a two-dose series administered four weeks apart. “While the threat of monkeypox to Houston’s general population remains low, we welcome this vaccine shipment and look forward to receiving more as long as there is a need in the community,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. “I have asked our health department to remain vigilant in its work to educate and advocate on behalf of individuals considered most at-risk.” A Monday report from KHOU said the Houston/Harris County region has a total of 57 confirmed monkeypox cases. The Houston Health Department announced the first case of monkeypox in the city on June 18. According to an article from CNN, the current monkeypox case count is up to more than 2,900 nationwide. Officials said in the release that the overall risk in Houston remains low. Monkeypox symptoms include a rash or sores that look like pimples or blisters, fever, headache, weakness, chills and swollen lymph nodes, according to the health department. It can last 2-4 weeks, the department said, and be spread from person to person through prolonged face-to-face contact, intimate contact, and or close contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. Those deemed in close contact or as high-risk patients will be vaccinated first, according to the health department. “Our department has for weeks strongly advocated for an increase in the supply of monkeypox doses dedicated to the Houston area,” health department director Stephen Williams said. “The shipment represents a significant step forward in protecting people at highest risk for this disease in our community.”
See SHOPS P. 2
Outdoor classroom coming to local middle school By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Photo from Facebook Pictured is an artist’s rendering of the new outdoor classroom coming to Frank Black Middle School. It will be finished by Aug. 12.
When students return to Frank Black Middle School for the first day of school on Aug. 22, there will be a new amenity waiting for them. Construction is almost complete on the school’s first outdoor classroom, according to project organizers, which aims to add to the school’s existing outdoor space while offering an enhanced alternative natural learning environment. Masters students in
the graduate design/build studio(GDBS) program at the University of Houston’s Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design are designing the classroom, which should be complete by Aug. 12. “Students learn in many different ways,” said FBMS parent Dianne Murata, an interior designer who along with her husband Robb Runge helped initiate the project. “Nature has always been important to us, so the ability to learn in an environment surrounded by nature and fresh air makes for
nurturing experience. It provides a place for teachers and students to change their scenery, like standing up from your desk once in a while.” The project was started with a $28,000 donation from an FBMS family. The Leader requested a full breakdown of the project costs, but Runge declined to provide it, saying he could not remember the exact total cost or donation totals. The project began back in See CLASSROOM P. 2
Page 2 • Saturday, July 30, 2022 • The Leader
Photo by Ana Guzman
A multitude of shops will host White Linen Night events on Aug. 6.
Photo from Facebook Workers examine a storm drain as during work on the Frank Black Middle School outdoor classroom.
Classroom, from P. 1A
Shops, from P. 1A least 200 customers come into the store during the course of the event. Ramirez also said that even if a person was not attending WLN, they would frequent 19th Street businesses for themed clothing or catering. “Losing White Linen
Night the past few years has hurt, we lost sales that night and also white clothing and house party decor and party supplies leading up to the event,” Kirksey said. “The pandemic obviously drastically hurt in person businesses like Jubilee,
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but thanks to our wonderful Heights neighbors, we made it through.” Those neighbors, Rabo said, are the key to Heightsarea businesses continuing to recover from the financial losses incurred during the last two years without the event. And the event, business owners said, will remind neighbors and visitors alike that small businesses like those on 19th Street are part of what makes this part of the city unique and different. “If a visitor to WLN could buy just one thing from a choice of dozens of local shop owners on 19th Street, it would help so much with our recovery,” Rabo said.
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grating outdoor learning is no longer simply a response to the pandemic lifestyle, but is a long-term solution that provides benefits on student mental health and academic performance,” he said. “Students often display calmer dispositions and can better focus when learning in nature.” The original intent was to design the project spring semester of 2019 and then build in the summer, according to Murata, so UH students would see the entire project process from design through construction. However, permitting delays and the COVID-19 pandemic – among other obstacles - prevented work from getting started until this past May. But it is full speed ahead now. “Students and the neighboring Oak Forest community will see and experience the benefits of the envi-
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ronmental performance and sustainable ecological practices demonstrated through the design and construction of the sustainable classroom structure,” Peters said. A significant part of the effort to keep the project going, Runge said, has been the commitment to its completion by the Oak Forest community. Along with the initla donation, the school’s PTO has also made additional donations. With the funds from the initial donation and additional PTO input, as well as donation of construction materials from 10 Houston-area companies, she said the school received the equivalent of $100,000 learning space for a fraction of the cost. Dozens of community members, as well as FBMS faculty and HISD employees, have also been volunteering hours to ensure the project is ready. “People are pretty amazing when you ask for help,” Murata said. As a result of that help, local middle school students are well on their way to having an alternative learning space that organizers hope will benefit the school for years to come. “It’s been difficult to keep the project alive,” Runge said. “But it was too big and too beneficial to let it wither away.”
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2019, when Murata said several FBMS parents reached out to the GDBS program regarding an outdoor classroom as part of an ongoing mission to “enhance” the campus by way of an outdoor arboretum and green space. According to GDBS director Patrick Peters, the outdoor classroom at FBMS incorporates active environmental design to promote learning in an outdoor setting and will enhance environmental learning. According to UH, the project is working on a 296-square-foot steel shade canopy to cover the existing outdoor space, which already has a butterfly garden, pond, and benches. According to Peters, the outdoor learning space has evolved from pandemic-induced necessity to a natural learning enhancement tool. “The initiative for inte-
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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, July 30, 2022 • Page 3
Is there a draft coming in here? Lynn Ashby Columnist
Going through my many old credit cards, I find this card: “Selective Service System – Texas Local Board 30.” It is my draft card which is in bad shape because I always had to carry it with me. Remember the military draft? It was abolished in 1973, so if you are a male born after 1955 you do not know the fun of wondering if you would go to school, get married, have kids, or sit in foxhole in the rain wishing you were a female. The Selective Service registration requirement was resumed in 1980. Today almost all men age 1825 who are U.S. citizens or immigrants living here are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18 and immigrants must register within 30 days of arriving in the country. Men here on visas -- student, visitor, or diplomatic -- and American women are not required to register. Don’t register? No access to federal student loans or grants. No federal job training money or certain government jobs. And, in some states, no driver’s license. The reason I bring this up is that Army officials have warned that service will fall about 10,000 soldiers short of its planned strength for this fiscal year, and prospects for next year are grimmer. The Army has achieved just 50 percent of its recruiting goal of 60,000 soldiers. It will have a total force of 466,400 this year, down from the expected 476,000. So we’ll have a smaller Army. (The number of active-duty service members is now about half of what it was in the 1980s.) All recruiters these days are having a dreadful time. The Navy and Marine Corps do not release recruiting figures before the end of the fiscal year, but both acknowledged they might not meet quotas this year. Even the Air Force is about 4,000 recruits short. Why? Unemployment is low. The pandemic limited recruiters’ visits. Only about one in 10 young people say they would even consider signing up. And – get this -- less
than a quarter of young American adults are physically fit to enlist and have no disqualifying criminal record. The military has pushed enlistment bonuses as high as $50,000, and is offering cash of up to $10,000 for certain recruits who can leave for basic training in 30 days. The service branches have loosened their restrictions on neck tattoos and other standards. In June, the Army even briefly dropped its requirement for a high school diploma, before deciding that was a bad move and rescinded the change. This reluctance to put on a uniform is odd. America loves its military, and we sure pay for it. Our armed forces are the most expensive defense force of all time: $778 billion was allocated for defense spending in 2022. China comes in a distant second at $229 billion. This raises the question: Should we bring back the draft? Wait, before you send you sons to Canada, hear me out. The draft is nothing new to America. We have had the draft in six conflicts: the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In 1940 we had a peacetime draft, the Selective Training and Service Act. Our World War II military was 61.2 percent conscripted. In Vietnam, it was 25 percent. Of those killed in Vietnam, the war most tightly linked to the draft, 69.3 percent were volunteers. The armed forces don’t need every 19 year old, and it would be costly to add those millions of youths to the government payrolls. So, it has been proposed, we hold a draft lottery, but unlike those during the Vietnam War where a student deferment or a friendly podiatrist (remember Private Donald Trump) could get you a deferment. Today only a few thousand – OK, maybe 10 thousand – would be needed. Serve two years, learn a profession and qualify for the GI Bill for college. Or I have another idea for the recruiters: GTT. Go To Texas. Nobel laureate John Steinbeck wrote: “Among other tendencies to be noted, Texas is a military nation. The armed forces of the United States are loaded with Texans and often dominated by Texans. Even the dearly loved spectacular sports are run almost like military operations.
In MeMorIaM
M
Martin Victor Cattoni March 2, 1957 – July 25, 2022
artin Victor Cattoni left this life too soon on Monday, July 25th in Ashburn, Virginia. Preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Martin Cattoni and Loly Boettner Cattoni, Martin is survived by his adoring siblings, Ruth Cattoni, John Cattoni and Katy Cattoni. Loving nephews Cash, Gage, Cannon, Juan Victor and Juan Martin, and great nephews Taetum and Kayson. He also leaves the love of his life, Karen Hokanson and numerous cousins and relatives in Asuncion, Paraguay to mourn his loss. Martin attended St. Vincent’s, Strake Jesuit, U of H and Widener University and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. He made many friends wherever he went living in Boston MA, Newark DE and finally Ashburn VA. to his Houston friends and family. He was extremely adventurous and went on numerous diving and cycling trips all over the world and loved exploring new things; Maldives, Fiji, Egypt, Europe, many places in the Caribbean and all over the United States. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed music, dancing, trying new things (skydiving, parasailing and more), movies, cooking and most of all will be remembered for his sense of humor and intelligence. He was our rock after our parents passed away when we were so young. Martin was always there for us and we all depended on him and loved him deeply. We will remember his genuine smile, zest for life and the joy he spread in his 65 years making this world a better place for all who knew him. Martin, we will always, always remember you.
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Nowhere are there larger bands or more marching organizations, with corps of costumed girls whirling glittering batons. Sectional football games have the glory and despair of war, and when a Texas team takes the field against a foreign state, it is an army with banners.” If you ever went to a UT-OU football game, you know what Steinbeck is describing. It’s a tradition. ““. . . the Texians being entirely a military people, not only fought, but drank, in platoons.” -- Western Monthly Magazine, October, 1838. Texans fighting with the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War were so ruthless and undisciplined that Gen. Zachary Taylor complained, “On the day of battle I am glad to have Texas soldiers with me for they are brave and gallant, but I never want to see them before or afterwards, for they are too hard to control.” Later, Confederate President Jefferson Davis wrote, “The troops of other states have their reputation to gain. The sons of the Alamo have theirs to maintain.” Gen. Robert E. Lee said about his Texans, “Their ragged clothes make no difference. The enemy never see their backs.” During World War II, although Texas had 5 percent of the United States population, it provided 7 percent of those who served in the armed forces. Texas A&M University alone provided more officers for the armed forces than the military academies combined. By the end of the war 750,000 Texans, including 12,000 women, served. Texas had contributed a larger percentage of men to the armed forces than any other state. So, recruiters, GTT for your troops, although they may be too hard to control. Lance Corporal Ashby is at ashby2@comcast
CHURCH DIRECTORY
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am sure you have heard someone say along the way, “It’s going to be okay.” That might sound nice when you fall and bump your knee or when you lose your pencil, but hearing those words when you are facing great grief and loss do not suffice for the struggle you are facing. What do you do when it is not okay? There is a song that has been sung for many years in churches around the world called, “It Is Well with My Soul.” The story behind this song is that the writer, Horatio Spafford, was a man who faced great loss. He was a business man in Chicago who lost most of his property during the Great Chicago Fire. Not long after the fire, he and his family were going to take some time away and so his wife and daughters sailed ahead to Europe and he was planning to join them after he finished up some business. During their voyage across the Atlantic, his wife and daughters were caught in a huge storm and only his wife survived.
• 713-681-9365 This 4215 manWatonga wasHouston, notBlvd. okay but he was able TX 77092 to say, “It is well with my soul.” He was able to make this statement because even though his children had been taken from him and he had lost so much of his business in the fire, he knew that he would see his children again. He had the comfort of knowing that this life, while sometimes full of pain and suffering, is not all. There is a life to come beyond this world. As a believer in Jesus Christ, Spafford was able to look forward with great anticipation to the end of this life so that he could spend eternity in heaven with his family. No more pain, no more suffering, and no more loss would ever be felt again by him and his wife. You may have faced some hard times and you may feel at the end of yourself. You may not be okay at all. I want you to know that even if you are hurting deeply that there is a God who loves you and offers eternal life and eternal peace to all who trust in Him. If you would like to discuss this further or have questions, Pastor Will Cover can be reached at Arise Baptist Church at 803 Curtin St., or www.arisebaptistchurch.org, or 713659-9697.
THE READER.
Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in ON thisPAGE week’s8 ANSWERS FOUND
"Measuring Up on the Job" by Barb Olson
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The Leader • Saturday, July 30, 2022 • Page 5
Art Valet: Cool on off with BAM! Art Market coming Aug. 13 Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
There’s a new art group in the Heights, and everyone is invited to join in and as you’ll read, there’s room for everyone. Artifex (the Latin word for artist) officially launched June 8, 2022 with a meeting on the newly renovated 3rd floor of Baptist Temple Church in the Heights, 230 W. 20th St. I spoke to Robyn Crowell, the founder of Artifex to bring you the skinny. “Artifex is a visual arts initiative of Baptist Temple that is intended to be an outreach and support ‘hub’ for visual artists in the community,” Crowell said in a
statement. “Artifex will offer; fellowship, master classes, seminars, art classes for adults and children, an opportunity to exhibit, recreational events, community involvement and just a place to create art together.” Crowell, has an extensive 20 year background in the arts that has prepared her to run the community based outreach programs the Artifex group have planned. Crowell’s credentials, in addition to her teaching and administrating community art events in her Fort Bend Community, include award winning professional artist, arts administrator, instructor, artist consult, award winning published children’s book illustrator and gallery director/curator. Edward Crowell, her husband, is a classically trained tenor and is the Executive Director and Choir Director of Baptist Temple.
Contributed photo Pictured is the painting entitled “The Day it Snowed in Houston by Lauren Luna,” who attends the 1st Saturday Art Market..
“We believe music, art and dance can make an impact on people’s lives in a very special way,” Robyn Crowell said. “We also believe that ‘creatives’ need a place to put down the ‘load’ and encourage one another.” Crowell has assembled a stellar team of core artists to get things started for Artifex, Houstonians that follow
the Houston art scene (or even Art Valet, ahem) will recognize this group. They include Joe and Eunice Calzada, Gene Barron, Travis Horton, Erika Korozsi, Julie Verville, Art by Nora, Carolyn Holloway, Kristen Ferguson, Shannon O’Hara, Kyaunna Hall, Javier Hernandez, Ray Dunlap,Teresa Staley, Cherie Salinas and Ron Gordon.
Those last four, Dunlap, Staley, Salinas and Gordon are the four amazing artists that I know and until today, all except Dunlap have been mentioned or featured in Art Valet. Mr. Dunlap, we need to talk! “Gene Barron, Teresa Staley, Ray Dunlap, Carolyn Holloway, Erika Korozsi, myself and Art by Nora are currently on display,” Crowell said. “Nora is just 9 years old and is exactly what we are trying to do. Encourage our youth and others to explore their creative gifts.” The first group activity recently was a huge success Crowell told me on a phone call. A group of 21 had lunch at Star Pizza Heights then visited the Menil. Crowell also said the next meeting will be Wednesday August 10, at 6 p.m., at Baptist Temple, 230 W. 20th Street 77008 on the third floor where classes will be
held in the fall. All are welcome. Save the date, the first Artifex art show, CRE*A*TION,’ will be September 18. Open calls will begin August 7 and the theme is the definition of creation - “The action or process of bringing something into existence.” Classes for all ages are scheduled to begin this fall, including a masters critique and seminar by Gordon and a youth mural project led by Staley and Salinas. Crowell said all classes will be affordable. For schedules and announcements, follow Artifex on Instagram, https:// w w w. i n s t a g r a m . c o m / btartifex/ and Facebook “Baptist Temple Artifex” or email Crowell, crowellrobyn@gmail.com. Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards.
Nibbles and Sips: Chris Shepherd departing Underbelly Hospitality By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com An award-winning chef who oversaw multiple local restaurants is calling it quits for now to focus on other missions. Chris Shepherd is leaving Underbelly Hospitality, according to a statement released last week, to focus on work with his locally-based nonprofit Southern Smoke Foundation. Shepherd has overseen the opening of new restaurants in the area this past year such as Wild Oats and Underbelly Burger at the Houston Farmer’s Market, 2520 Airline Dr. “We’ve done a lot in 10 years. It’s time for me to focus on smaller projects and dedicate more time to Southern Smoke….Underbelly Hospitality is in great hands with MLB Capital Partners and the
team we have assembled over the last five years,” Shepherd said in a joint statement. “I’ve put my heart and soul into these restaurants, and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished. I want to thank the entire Underbelly family for always being there, showing up and giving it everything, always.” For more information and to stay up to date on Underbelly, visit underbellyhospitality.com/. Goode Co. Kitchen and Cantina coming to Heights A restaurant company with a large presence in the Houston area is expanding its footprint by moving into the Heights. Goode Company Restaurants announced on July 19 that it will be opening its newest restaurant location at the site of the former Down
Contributed photo Chris Shepherd, pictured, is leaving Underbelly Hospitality to focus on other ventures such as his local nonprofit Southern Smoke Foundation..w
House at 1801 Yale St. in the Heights, according to a news release from the restaurant company. Founded more than 40 years ago, the company owns and operates restaurants all around the Houston region, from Goode Company Barbeque to Goode Company Seafood and more according to the release. “Goode Co. is always looking for great spaces and new neighborhoods to become a part of, and we are excited to be opening Kitchen & Cantina in the Heights,” Goode Company Restaurants chef and president Levi Goode said. “We are looking forward to doing something ‘Goode’ in this unique part of Houston.” An opening date has not been set, according to the release, but those interested in working can apply online
at goodecompany.com/careers/. For more information about Goode Company restaurants, visit goodecompany.com. Buffalo Bayou Brewing hosting “Christmas in July” event July 31 A local brewery is getting into the holiday spirit early once again. Buffalo Bayou Brewing, 2101 Summer St. near Sawyer Yards, is hosting its 11th annual Christmas in July event on July 31, according to a post on the brewery’s Facebook page. The event will include special beer releases, a DJ, Winter Wonderland photo opportunities, and more. Tickets for the event are $25, and can be purchased online at the event page by following the link on Buffalo Bayou’s Facebook page @ Buffalobayoubrewing.
Review: Laurenzo’s stands out as a prime cut above all the rest By Dan Greer tdan101@gmail.com You want to talk about some of the most revered restaurant families in Houston? They don’t get much more iconic than the Laurenzos. Their roots can be traced back to one of Houston’s most beloved matriarch’s… Ninfa Laurenzo. Her Tex-Mex pedigree was unquestioned and lives on today in El Tiempo and Ninfa’s. Laurenzo’s is also a part of this legacy, but is distinctive from the aforementioned mainstays. When someone asks what “kind” of restaurant it is, the answer is not so simple. One restaurant site says they are a steakhouse, another says seafood. Others say Italian or Mexican. Yet another places them in that ambiguous “American” category. You could come here every day and get a different cuisine. Sort of a foody magical mystery tour. Some might say
Photo by Dan Greer The prime rib at Laurenzo’s was one of many things that made the restaurant a cut above, according to reviewer Dan Greer.
this approach would dilute their expertise and make for a mediocre experience. Well, let’s explore that. Autographed sports photos and memorabilia adorn the walls throughout. The dark wood floors, tables, ceiling fans and bar are accented with brass railings. Smooth, eclectic lighting delivers an inviting and comfortable atmosphere.
The complimentary bread got the meal off to a good start. We began with the coconut shrimp appetizer. The delicate coating contained just the right texture of coconut. They were arranged on a split loaf of very tasty garlic french bread. The dipping sauce was a sweet orange/ citrus blend which turned out to be a refreshing surprise on
a hot summer night. I’ve got to say, those succulent shrimp disappeared faster than the Cowboys in the playoffs. Next the entrees. Since there are so many options here, we went with a variety. The Caesar salad was very good by itself, but the chicken strips were a great addition for the protein. Some places seem to just throw in some bland, boring pieces of chicken but these were very flavorful. On to Italy! When the linguini Alfredo was brought to the table, we remarked at the relatively small portion. Our wonderful server must’ve overheard us because within just a few minutes an identical serving of it arrived. Super nice of them. The pasta was cooked just as we like it and the sauce, although a bit heavy, was up to the mark. It turns out we couldn’t finish the second plate, so maybe our carbload requirements don’t actually need to prepare us for the
Ironman Marathon after all. The cheesesteak sandwich was not what we were expecting. Once you’ve had an authentic Philly cheesesteak, that is what all others are measured by. This was not the thinly sliced beef of the real deal. It was more of a regular steak sandwich that was a little overcooked. On the bright side, the bread, cheese and caramelized onions were very good. The shoestring fries were so delicious, several four-hand collisions ensued. My prime rib was outstanding. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare. Any prime rib cooked more than this should be considered, at minimum, a misdemeanor. If you are used to having a baked potato with this tender, luscious beef, consider the mashed potatoes here. They were absolutely delectable and came with a thick brown gravy on the side that would make your grandmother proud.
So conventional wisdom aside, Laurenzo’s manages to balance a variety of cuisines quite well. Perhaps on our next visit we will circle back to some fajitas or fish & chips. They have a full bar and half off wine bottles on Monday nights. They also have a popular and reasonably priced weekend brunch. I’m certain Mama Ninfa would be pleased. Laurenzo’s Address: 4412 Washington Ave. Dining options: Dine-in, takeout Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 11 a.m.10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday Entrée prices: $14 - $57 Kid-Friendly: Yes Senior Discount: No Alcohol: Yes Healthy Options: Yes Star of the show: Prime Rib Rating: 4 out of 5 bites
Page 6 • Saturday, July 30, 2022 • The Leader
What is resource guarding and how can you fix it? Dear Growling in Garden Oaks,
Dear Tabby, Our new rescue dog growls and lunges at us if we try to grab his food, treats or favorite toys. Thankfully, it’s just my partner and I in the home–no children–so we can handle this and are willing to work through it with him. Why is he so possessive of his things? Growling Grumps in Garden Oaks
What your new dog is displaying is called “resource guarding” and is quite common, especially among dogs who have a traumatic past. When you do something that makes your dog feel as though one of his favorite things (food, treats, or toys) are threatened or at risk of being taken away, he may act aggressively. In fact, while growling and lunging are common, even just a “side eye” or bared teeth are also signs of resource guarding. Resource guarding can involve things other than
food and toys, too. Even your dog’s personal space (especially their bed) can be perceived as threatened if someone or something gets too close. Resource guarding is a natural behavior, even though it’s not always appropriate, and it stems from the need of all animals to have access to food, water and comforts. How to help a dog who resource guards If you head to the internet for help, you might find false information on how to work with a dog who has this issue. One of the common and faulty tips is to get the dog used
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to having his food touched and his toys taken away. This, unfortunately, will likely only result in more aggression from your dog and is ill-advised. Instead, the best approach is to work with high value treats. Using these treats, you will work to desensitize your dog to acting out when they feel as though their favorite things are threatened. Teaching ‘Drop it’ or ‘Leave it’ commands Seeking help from a trainer can help you to master the art of the “drop it” and “leave it” commands for your dog. Using this method, you’ll trade
your dog a high value treat for dropping or leaving an item when you command him to do so. This can also help when, in the “real world,” your dog encounters something interesting that he would typically not want to give up. Leave them to eat in peace If your dog is only resource guarding at feeding times, give him a safe space to enjoy his meal. Use baby gates or rooms of the house where you can enclose him, so that no one gets injured if they inadvertently pose a perceived threat to your dog’s meal.
As with most unwanted dog behaviors, training is the safest and most effective solution. A reputable dog trainer will be able to work with you and your dog and get the resource guarding under control. In fact, training can not only build confidence in your new rescue dog, but also serve as stimulation and bonding time as well. Resource guarding can be scary, but with a little work and a lot of patience, you can help your dog to feel safe, secure and to know that life in your home means never having to fight for food or toys again.
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Page 8 • Saturday, July 30, 2022 • The Leader
THE PUBLIC. Surveillance photos released in fatal shooting Woman found dead inside area apartments
Police at about 6:30 p.m. June 6 responded to a home at 6500 block of Thornwall Street to find a man with x gunshot wounds, according to police. A witness told police four men had forced a resident back inside the residence at gunpoint before stealing x from the home, according to the department. Investigators assert Castro was shot while lying in a bed, according to the department. Anyone with information about the car, the suspects, or the shooting is asked to contact HPD’s Homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-2228477
By Landan Kuhlmann
landan@theleadernews.com
By Landan Kuhlmann
landan@theleadernews.com
Authorities are still working to determine what led to the death of a woman whose body was found inside a Washington Avenue apartment earlier this month, according to the Houston Police Department. The cause of death and the woman’s identity are still pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department. Officers at about 6:40 a.m.
July 15 responded to the Memorial Heights at Washington apartment complex at 201 South Heights Blvd. to find the woman unresponsive with severe bruising to both her face and body. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to HPD. The investigation will continue pending the cause of death results upon an autopsy, according to the department. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713308-3600 or call Crime Stoppers.
Photo courtesy of Houston Police Department Pictured is the car alleged to have been used during a break-in that resulted in the fatal shooting of a man in the Langwood area last week, according to the Houston Police Department.
Bail, from P. 1 said victim advocate Andy Kahan with Houston Crime Stoppers. “To date, I have documented 177 people allegedly murdered by those released on personal bonds, PR bond or bonds forfeiture. And a majority of those have occurred since 2020.” Bail reform in Harris County has been a hot topic in recent years as the county has undergone significant changes to its existing system. In particular, it has come under fire at times when previously convicted violent offenders are let out on personal recognizance (PR) bonds and are later accused of additional violent crimes, according to Ogg. That dispute, she said, has created a debate about the effectiveness of the system. “What we see in Houston is a reality that professional criminals behave like you would expect when they’re let out on insufficient bonds,” she said. “Many times, we’ve seen them commit other violent crimes. That has angered Houstonians, and it’s created a political divide.” Allen paid a $5,000 personal recognizance (PR) bond at the time and was released while being allowed to stay on parole, according to court records. The decision has come under fire in light of the alleged shooting.
Allen had previously been convicted on deadly conduct charges in 2012 according to court records, as well as the aforementioned aggravated robbery conviction for which he spent nearly a decade in jail. Policy Director Emily Gerrick, with the Texas Fair Defense Project bail reform advocates, said the organization’s stance on the use of PR bonds is the same for any alleged offense – felony or misdemeanor. “If a judge believes that jailing a person accused of an offense is not the only way to reasonably protect public safety and the person is not an unreasonable flight risk, the person should be released,” she said. “The difference between freedom and jail should never be how wealthy you are -- and that’s true for any alleged offense, misdemeanor or felony.” Kahan, however, said he was still stumped at the decision. “How do you get a personal recognizance bond, a get out of jail free card, for a convicted felon just released from prison?” he told Houston TV station FOX26. Ogg also said during a presentation in front of the Texas Senate Committee on Finance earlier this month that Harris County has suddenly stopped recording bail hearings without notice, so her office has no
way of knowing the reasoning behind the PR bond issued to Allen. A Tuesday email request to the Harris County Office of Court Management requesting comment in response to Ogg’s claim was not returned prior to press time. Ongoing discussion The discussion about Harris County’s bond reform has been a persistent one, and one that came under changes several years ago. Lawmakers passed a new set of reforms three years ago that were aimed at making it easier for those charged with low-level misdemeanor crimes to get out of jail on PR bonds. The changes stemmed from the 2016 O’Donnell vs. Harris County case. Defendants are constitutionally entitled to bail; however, a judge found in the 2016 case that Harris County’s cash bail practices for misdemeanor arrestees was unconstitutional and biased against “poorer” defendants. In turn, the county got rid of the cash bail requirements and began allowing those charged with low-level crimes to be released from jail while awaiting trial on those PR bonds. PR bonds are generally used to allow low-level, nonviolent defendants to be released without having to put up the money after information is gathered. In the case of many alleged offenders, factors such as possible flight risk and prior criminal history are consid-
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ered, as well as whether the person is already on probation or parole. A 2021 report from Houston Public Media said Kahan and Crime Stoppers “wholeheartedly” supported the misdemeanor bail reform. And Gerrick believes the initiative has brought an overall positive impact to the public. “Thousands of people who otherwise would have been jailed solely due to inability to pay bond are now being released,” Gerrick said. “We’ve seen that teenagers are able to get back to their classes, mothers to their children, people are able to keep their jobs.” According to a March report from Houston Public Media, the volume of misdemeanor cases in Harris County fell from 62,000 per year in 2015 to 49,828 in 2021 – a 19.6 percent drop – seemingly indicating the recidivism rate, or rate of previous offenders offending again, has dropped. And per a Community Impact report from March, the number of misdemeanor arrestees who had new charges filed against them within a year of their release dropped from nearly 12,000 in 2015 to just over 8,600 in 2020. “It has been a good thing for the public,” University of Houston Law professor Sandra Thompson said over the phone earlier this month. While Ogg echoed that sentiment with regards to misdemeanor offenses, she said she feels it has been an “abject failure” when it comes to felony ofExperience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination
fenses. “I feel like it worked for low-level offenders, and we didn’t see an impact on the public’s safety,” she said. “…but so many violent offenders have been released since the beginning of 2019. So as the prosecutor, that’s where my interest is.” Alleged offenders released on 2-4 felony bonds jumped from 1,191 in 2019 to 3,595 in 2021, according to data from Ogg’s office, while those released on 5-7 felony bonds jumped from 46 in 2019 to 341 last year. There were no alleged offenders released on eight or more bonds from 20162019, according to Ogg’s office, but there were 25 released in 2020 and 49 released last year. Part of the issue, Ogg said, is the backlog of cases due to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and then the COVID-19 pandemic – which prevented the holding of any trials for nearly two years and increased apprehensiveness about the spread of COVID-19 in county jails. There have also been concerns about overcrowding in recent years, according to Ogg. “Those out on bail are out on our streets much longer than we would like them to be,” she said. “There’s just too much opportunity to commit additional crimes when it takes 4-5 years to get a case to trial.” Despite the recent fatal shooting, however, Ogg said that far fewer people have been released on PR bonds since the implementation of Senate Bill 6 in December of 2021. SB6 was meant to ban the release of people accused of violent crimes on personal bonds,
according to a report from the Texas Tribune, requiring instead that they be able to post the amount of cash set by the court, or pay a percentage to a bail bonds company. There had been 118 alleged violent offenders released on PR bonds in Harris County as of the end of June and a projected 236 releases through the end of the year, according to Ogg’s office, compared to at least 895 each year from 2019-2021. To be continued In the end, the DA’s office can only recommend against bond or request a higher “appropriate” one according to Ogg. Ogg’s office submitted a request for Allen’s bail to be set at $50,000 based on his prior convicted criminal history, according to court records. “We just don’t agree with the judicial philosophy of release without adequate protection for the people,” Ogg said. She said cases like the recent local one has become emblematic of dozens of cases the last few years in Harris County. And she knows the bail reform system will likely be at the forefront of those discussions, so her office has appealed to the Texas Legislature to include violent crimes as part of mandatory review by trial courts for bail purposes. Her only concern, she said, is the safety of Houstonians. “As the DA, I want a safe Houston. So I think bail reform should have limits,” she said. “We should not keep low-level, nonviolent offenders in jail on bail they can’t afford. But we should ensure the public’s safety by keeping dangerous people inside jail as they await trail.”
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Houston police are looking for help identifying a vehicle in connection to a fatal shooting during a home break-in last month in the Langwood neighborhood. The shooting led to the death of Julian Castro, 31, who was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital shortly after the shooting on June 6, according to police. Police are looking for a black or gray hatchback, possibly a Toyota Prius, according to the Houston Police Department. Investigators have released surveillance photos of the vehicle.
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