The 09-30-23 Edition of The Heights Leader

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A flood damage reduction project whose scope includes work in part of Greater Inwood is now under way, according to the Harris County Flood Control District.

The HCFCD said in a news release Sept. 22 that work has begun on both of the final segments of the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project – a portion from FM 1960 to Hollister Road as well as a segment from Hollister to Cole Creek, which runs through the Greater Inwood area.

Construction has begun on the Hollister to Cole Creek section that runs through Greater Inwood, according to the HCFCD, with construction tentatively slated for completion in the Fall of

2024. The other portion is scheduled for completion next spring, according to the Flood Control District.

According to the Flood Control District, the scope of the project along White Oak Bayou in these areas includes channel excavation, channel grading, and outfall pipe replacements. Workers will also give bridges, pedestrian bridges, and pipe bridges slope paving, channel lining, and rip rap installed to help protect the structures from damage and erosion.

“Residents near the project areas may see increased construction activity around these waterways, which will include trucks and heavy machinery,” HCFCD said in the release. “Residents are urged to respect all warning signs as work crews move around the area.  Trails in the project limits will remain closed for the duration of construction for the

safety of the public and construction personnel.”

The project is also set to include constructing hike and bike trails along the main stem, bypass channel, and around the detention basins, as well as new hike and bike trail parking lots according to the release.

When the project is completely finished, the Flood Control District says that many areas within the confines of the project will see water surface elevation reductions of 0.64 to 2.49 feet in the event of a 100-year storm, according to the release.

For more information and to stay up to date on all updates regarding the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, community members can visit the Harris County Flood Control district’s project website at hcfcd.org/Activity/Active-Projects/

Mealer drops lawsuit over 2022 elections

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A former Republican candidate in last year’s Harris County Judge elections has dropped her lawsuit contesting the election results related to alleged failures with the voting process and procedures, according to a statement released last week.

In a news release last week, Alexandra Mealer said that she has dropped her lawsuit contesting the results of the election, which saw her lose out on her bid to unseat incumbent Lina Hidalgo by about 18,000 votes last November.

Over the last year or so, Mealer has been attempting to file a lawsuit related to the election results, one of several Republican candidates to do so in the county. However, she said she is dropping it due to having exhausted all efforts and alleging she has been stonewalled by county officials “Unfortunately, instead of making a good faith effort to gain a full accounting of the many failures on Election Day, Harris County chose to put their head in the sand and avoid capturing key information that was needed to meet my legal burden,” Mealer said in her statement.

“As a result, I have decided to drop my lawsuit as the factual records to support or dispute my claims do not exist or are not being made available.”

And some county officials are saying it was about time, and expressed hope of moving forward with 2023 elections just over a month away.

“I’m glad Mrs. Mealer finally realized what a waste of time and resources it was to litigate this case,” county attorney Christian Menefee said in a statement. “She didn’t win the election and she wasn’t going to win the election contest,

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

An annual event meant to promote camaraderie and trust between police officers and the communities they serve is back next week, with events set to be sprinkled all throughout local neighborhoods such as the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Shepherd Park Plaza, Northside/Northline, and more next week.

On Oct. 3, communities throughout Houston and the local area will take to the streets for the annual National Night Out event, which will have events all around the region, including many in the local area. It is the 40th anniversary of the annual tradition that brings police of-

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

ficers and neighbors out together each year.

“National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” its website reads about the event, which gets celebrated the first Tuesday in October. “Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.”

One such event will be at the Houston Heights Odd Fellows Lodge #225 hosting its sixth annual National Night Out Celebration on Oct. 3, from 5:30- 8 p.m. at the lodge located at 115 E. 14th St. Among the attractions to be at the event include Free hot dogs, snacks and refreshments, as well as tours of the

Odd Fellows Lodge.

There will also be neighborhood art Cars, a bouncy Castle for kids, cornhole, live music by the Mojo Sisters, and firetrucks and firefighters. Attendees will also have a chance to meet and greet with officers from the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office.

“Our Houston Heights neighbors are invited to join us and bring the kids to this free event for the whole family,” the organization said in a news release.

Also taking part in the festivities will be an event hosted by the First Ward Civic Council at Sawyer Yards in the Washington Avenue area. From 6:308:30 p.m. on Oct. 3, community mem-

Photo from Facebook Alex Mealer

THE PUBLIC.

Negligence charges filed after shooting in Timbergrove/Lazybrook

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Charges of misdemeanor negligence have been filed against two men after a teenager was found shot in the arm in the Timbergrove/Lazybrook area last week, according to the Houston Police Department.

Yomil Andrew Leon-Estrada, 18, and Lord Armaugh Crawford, 21, have been charged with Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child – a misdemeanor charge – in connection with the shooting, according to Harris County court records. Both men were

Crawford

out of jail on bond as of Tuesday, according to the department. The victim, a 15-year-old boy according to HPD, was taken to an area hospital with non-life-

Leon-Estrada

threatening injuries, according to police.

HPD said officers responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 3900 block of Dacoma Street in Lazybrook/

Timbergrove around 8:30 p.m. last Tuesday Sept. 19 to learn that a teenage boy has suffered a gunshot wound to his arm. Houston Fire Department paramedics then took him to an area hospital, according to police.

Police said officers retained and questioned three men, including Leon-Estrada and Crawford, according to the department. Leon-Estrada and Crawford were subsequently charged in the incident, according to the department, while an additional 23-year-old man was questioned and released with no charges filed.

Man dies in Northside auto-pedestrian accident

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A man died after being hit by a car in the Northside/ Northline area last week, according to the Houston Police Department.

The identity of the man, who is believed to have been

in his 20s according to HPD, is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner according to the department.

According to the department, the driver of blue Volkswagen Jetta was heading south on the main lanes of the frontage road on Interstate 45 at 2400 Northwest Fwy. (In-

One dead, one critical after Northside car crash

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

One man has died and another was in critical condition following a car crash in the Northside area early Monday morning, according to the Houston Police Department.

The identity of the deceased man is still pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the police department.

Police said one of the men was driving a silver Nissan Xterra northbound at 5100 North Fwy. before entering the North Freeway (Interstate 45) near the Airline Drive

ramp. The driver then allegedly crossed four lanes of traffic before hitting the concrete median, according to the police department. Both the driver and a second male were ejected from the vehicle, according to police. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced one man dead at the scene, according to the HPD, while the other was taken to Ben Taub Hospital in critical condition according to the department.

Police said they do not currently know which man was driving the car, though the investigation remains open according to HPD.

terstate 45) when the victim allegedly failed to yield the right of way and stepped in front of the car and was subsequently hit.

Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to the police department.

The driver of the Volkswagen remained at the scene, was determined not to be impaired and was questioned and released with no charges filed, according to the department. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the police department.

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Local realtor Briggs wants to find clients’ best fit

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Michelle Briggs of Strada Texas Real Estate may not have started her real estate career until a few years ago, but she said has long possessed an understanding of the process through previous work stops. And for four years and counting, she has used that knowledge to add a personal touch to the process of buying and selling a home.

And she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

“This move was motivated by my desire to play a more active role in assisting individuals and families in achieving their dream of owning a home,” she said.

Briggs began her journey in the title industry as she joined Houston Title (now Old Republic) on the title plant, handling tasks like document copying for examiners, and occasionally stepping in as a receptionist when needed. During the course of that time, she said she developed a deep understanding of the documents crucial in real estate transactions.

From there she would go on to the escrow side of the business, where she would specialize in closing refinances, home equity deals, and residential transactions, before being promoted to being a branch manager in 2003 and staying there until she retired in 2018. And that’s when she dove headlong into real estate, getting her real estate license in April 2019.

“I sought to offer a personalized experience, guiding clients through the entire process rather than simply presenting documents for signatures,” she said.

In the local area, Briggs works with buyers and sellers in the Greater Heights, Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, Timbergrove, and the Inner Loop as well as in Lake Livingston. And in the Greater Heights area as well as other areas in Houston this year, she said there have been several notable trends and patterns in the real estate market.

One of the most prominent trends so far this year has been the continued high demand for

single-family homes in well-established neighborhoods, according to Briggs.

“Buyers are actively seeking properties that offer a sense of community and long-term value,” she said.

There is also a persistent shortage of inventory, she said, as the supply of available homes remains relatively low. She said that has caused a more competitive environment for the homes that are available, and that mortgage rates can fluctuate depending on a variety of factors, including the overall economy, inflation, and the bond market. Therefore, she said it is always a good idea to shop around and compare rates from multiple lenders before getting a mortgage.

“As a result, the beginning of summer we’ve seen multiple offers on many properties and not seeing the over list price of last selling season, towards the end of summer prices were going down and now we are seeing an uptick due to lack of inventory,” she said.

At the end of the day, she simply wants to help everyone find their best possible fit.

“Today, this commitment continues to define my professional journey,” she said.

Chairing Alzheimer’s awareness event

On Nov. 2, Briggs will be chairing an upcoming charity event with The Alzheimer’s Association’s “The Longest Day” to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s from 7-9 p.m. Briggs said The Longest Day is the day with the most light possible – the summer solstice – and is a fundraising activity of a person’s choice on a day that works for everyone. The funds a person raises, then advances the care, support, and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association, including research that has let to treatments that can give many people more time to live independently.

The evening commences at 6:30 pm with a Champagne reception, and the event will begin at 7 p.m. with a curated tasting featuring three wines selected during a June event in collaboration with We Olive and Wine Bar, as well as three whiskeys from Giant Texas Distill-

ers. Each tasting will be accompanied by “small bites” to enhance the flavor experience. There a selection of silent auction items, ranging from Tiffany & Co. pieces to gift Certificates from Houston Sports and Social, and more until 8:30 p.m.

There are currently more than 400,000 Texans living with Alzheimer’s, according to Briggs, with more than 1 million family members and friends providing care. She said over 50 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, with more than 6 million of them residing in the United States.

Event tickets are now on sale.

“These individuals are supported by a network of over 11 million devoted caregivers. However, without intervention, these numbers are poised to continue their upward trajectory,” Briggs said. “The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.”

This story is paid content for The Leader.

Contributed photo

Michelle Briggs

Stewart Rhodes, we’ll see you again in 2042. Henry “En rique” Tarrio, you are now 39 years old. You’ll be 61 before you can riot again. Guy Wes ley Reffitt, of Wylie, Texas, you won’t be free to see your son until after 12 years in prison. That may be just as well since he was the one who turned you in to the feds. Be proud, my fellow Texans, Ref fitt was only one of at least Texans who were accused of taking part in the Capitol in surrection on Jan. 6, 2021. At least five of them have already been convicted. Texas has the third-highest number of residents charged in the riot, just under Florida and Pennsylvania. Among the rioters’ banners (“Stop the Steal” and “Hang Mike Pence”) I saw at least one Lone Star flag, so we have a dog in this fight.

First, unlike Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s outward non-partisan facade while running the Ken Paxton impeachment trial, let me state right off that I am prejudiced. Along with Texas high school football, the Presbyterian Church and cheese enchiladas, I favor not trying to overthrow our government.

THE TOPICS. It’s a Capitol idea

6, you would actually think it was a normal tourist visit.”

Lynn Ashby Columnist

Unfortunately for Clyde, video showed him helping barricade the House chamber door from the rioters. The latest Rasmussen Reports finds that 49 percent of likely U.S. voters believe the riot was a mostly peaceful protest that got out of control, while 45 percent think the storming of the Capitol was an illegal insurrection.

bogged down in figures, as of May 2023, more than  1,033 people have been arrested for storming the U.S. Capitol building. Approximately 47 percent of those arrested (485 people) have received criminal sentences, while the rest are still await their trials or haven’t yet reached plea agreements.

helmet and flak jacket, carry a club and cans of spray (unless it is Off! -- mosquitos can be terrible in Washington, even in January) and beat up police, then raid and vandalize the Capitol.

But this may put me in a minority. Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Republican congressman from Georgia, said during a Congressional oversight hearing on May 12, 2021, “Let me be clear: There was no insurrection, and to call it an insurrection, in my opinion, is a bold-faced lie. You know, if you didn’t know the TV footage was a video from January

Speaking of polls, a Politico/Morning Consult Poll found that that eight out of 10 Republicans still view Donald Trump favorably. Some 35 percent, including 68 percent of Republicans, believe that the election was stolen. That makes about 50 million deniers. This is similar to polls that show 70 percent of Republicans say they don’t think Joe Biden is the legitimate winner of the 2020 election.

Back to the “peaceful tourists visit.” The wheels of justice are grinding slowly. It’s been, what? more than two and a half years since that awful January 6, still the court cases drag on, and we have a ways to go. Not to get

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has reported that 277 defendants have been sentenced to prison time, with longer prison terms for those who engaged in violence or threats. The median prison sentence is only 60 days. An additional 113 rioters have been sentenced to home detention, while most sentences have included fines, community service, and probation for low-level offenses like illegally parading or demonstrating in the Capitol.

It is expected that hundreds of additional cases will be tried in the coming months. Every now and then we learn that some guy – it’s usually, but not always, a guy – is picked up by the feds for the way he spent that cold January afternoon. So we can only wonder how soundly others have

been sleeping. One more point which should be mentioned: several of these punishments include a fine. For instance, David Lee Judd of Carrollton (Texas!), was sentenced to 32 months in prison, 24 months of supervised release and fined $5,691.That’s an odd amount but maybe that’s the price to replace a Capitol window.

This brings us to the dollar cost to us that the rioters caused. It will be more than $30 million immediately. There is the obvious cost to replace shattered windows and bashed down doors, stolen equipment and to replace rugs and repaint walls. The House’s fine art collection was damaged. Two lanterns designed and built by the eminent landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 19th century were ripped from their mounts. Paint was tracked all over the stone balustrades and into the hallways. Busts of former speakers of the House and a Chippewa statesman, a statue of Thomas Jefferson and paintings of James Madison and John Quincy Adams were coated with chemicals.

There is another less-obvious and long-term cost: The strain on Congressional employees from the assault caused a substantial increase in demand for mental health counseling.

There’s a funny sidebar to this story: The man who wasn’t that man. Ray Epps was at the riot. TV shots showed him at first urging on the demonstrators, then later, telling them to calm down. Fox News got the story that Epps was actually an FBI plant to make the Trump tribe look bad. The late Tucker Carlson showed Epps’ photo and repeated the accusation at least 28 times. Epps denied he was a fed plant as did the FBI. He got so many death threats that he had to quit his job and he and his wife had to leave their home in Arizona and hide in the wilds of the Rockies. He is suing both Fox and Carlson.

Since these expensive knuckle-draggers are not Texas high school football, the Presbyterian Church or cheese enchiladas, I say lock ‘em up for a long, long time.

Ashby demonstrates at ashby2@comcast.net

A bittersweet farewell and a debt of gratitude

Saying goodbye is always so difficult. Whether it’s saying goodbye to a place, a person, community, or a memory. And in the case of this column, it’s a little bit of all four.

By the time many of you read this column, I will no longer be entrenched as editor of The Leader, as I have been presented with a new opportunity and have decided to take it. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a tough decision. In fact, it was one of the hardest ones to make on both a personal and professional level.

I love the communities of Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, the Heights, and its surrounding communities that I have been given the absolute privilege of covering in various capacities over the last seven years – first as the senior reporter, then on occasions the interim editor, and then the full-time

LAndAn KuhLmAnn Editor

editor for the last year and

change. Honestly, it was more than I expected to love a community that I had barely stepped foot into before being hired back in 2016.

So I just wanted to give a hearty “thank you,” to you, our readers, for continuing to support what we do each and every week, which is bringing the timeliest, most relevant, and locally important news to your doorsteps, front lawns, and driveways as we have done for seven decades.

Thank you, for showing

the true meaning of community. For being so invested in your neighborhoods, showing what being a community entails – supporting your neighbor, advocating for them, and picking them up when they fall. I have so enjoyed writing and hearing stories in spades of how much you love your communities.

In fact, that reminds me of an anecdote from my early days with The Leader. I wrote a story, of which the exact details escape me – as the hundreds of stories I’ve written in my career tend to run together. But what I want to draw attention to is that, as I was still in the process of learning the neighborhood, I mixed up Garden Oaks and Oak Forest. And a reader emailed to let me know about the mix-up, which was then corrected.

That may not seem a huge deal to many. But to me, it signaled right away how special

the community was, and how much pride every single one of you takes in living where you do. And I will forever be thankful that my journey took me through this special slice of Houston, and that you continue to welcome us into your home or inbox each and every week. It has truly been a blessing, and I will always hold this community near and dear to my heart – no matter where my career takes me. This is a special place, and I’m honored to have been able to tell your stories for so long. I also have to give a special shout-out to all of the special people who I have learned from in my years at The Leader, and those who have given me the opportunity to do what I love so much for so many years here at the paper. I owe a debt of gratitude to former owner and publisher Jonathan McElvy, who took a

chance over seven years ago on a young writer barely two years out of college based on word of mouth from a mutual friend in the industry. And to Adam Zuvanich, who many of you likely remember as the former editor for a number of years before leaving for another post. I learned so much from him, and still think back to things that he instilled in me during his years here covering these neighborhoods of north Houston.

Lastly, to the work family that I have built here over the years – thank you so much. There are far too many to name, but you all know who you are. When I was new, you welcomed me with open arms. And over the last seven years, we have become family as we helped put out hundreds of papers together for our readers. I am honored to call each one of you a friend, and family.

I also want to give a shout out to weekly columnists such as Mitch Cohen, who has and will continue to enrich our local coverage with his knowledge of the area’s art scene. And once again, thank you to our readers. Whether you loved our stories or not, thank you. You are the lifeblood of what we do here at The Leader, and always will be. You are why our staff works week in and week out to produce a product you can take pride in and love to read.

This is such a bittersweet farewell. I am moving on to a new opportunity, but The Leader and the communities we cover will always be a part of me. Thank you for allowing me to tell your stories and be a part of your community family. I hope you enjoyed reading those stories as much as I enjoyed telling them.

It’s not goodbye, just so long for now.

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HISD, from P. 1

Those three schools were serving over 3,000 students as of the 2021-2022 school year.

The goal of the initiatives is help re-engage students by visiting them at home, identifying their reasons for not returning to school and offering them solutions to help them get back on a path to graduation, according to HISD.

“Our goal is to help our families see the opportunities available and make them achievable,” North Division Superintendent Orlando Riddick said in the release. “We strive to reconnect these families with their home school and offer a friendly and convenient pathway back to their school.”

In efforts to help serve its large student population of nearly 200,000 students across more than 100 total schools,

yet she insisted on continuing to spread conspiracy theories in an attempt to overturn the will of the voters. It’s time for the other losing Republican candidates to drop their lawsuits as well.”

However, Mealer claimed in her statement that she was not attempting to re-litigate or recount the election results, but attempting to improve transparency with regards to the process and alleged failures at polling locations last November.

Among alleged problems at polling spots last year were polls that allegedly opened late, closed early, or stopped voting for undetermined periods of time because of ballot paper shortages and malfunctioning equipment inside. Mealer also claimed that there were numerical inconsistencies of at least 10,000 with regards to mail-in ballots, among others. And Mealer claims that county officials have either overlooked or left out key findings in relation such is-

the district said the Wraparound Services Department works alongside community partners to provide “critical non-instructional support by offering resources and services to students and their families both in school and out.”

“These supports are crucial for the success of HISD’s scholars, and these re-engagement initiatives do the hard work of connecting students and their families to these resources and letting them know that they are not alone, their absence is felt, and their campus and their district supports them,” the district said in the news release.

It is just one of several initiatives the district says it has undertaken this year in an attempt to bring children back into the district and its schools.

Find Your Way Back North,

20TH

77008

sues, leading to a long list of unknowns such as how many people voted, how many polls opened late or closed early, how many polls ran out of paper, and more.

“Why so many unanswered questions nearly one year after the election?” she said.

“Harris County chose not to download critical information from its voting systems that would show definitively when individual polls opened, when individual polls closed, and when voting machines were

The Central Mission Recovery Project, and the West Division’s re-engagement walk earlier this month are just a few of many student re-engagement efforts that HISD teachers, administrators, and volunteers participate in every school year according to the district. For more information about HISD’s Wraparound Services Department, see their website at houstonisd.org/wraparound.

“Regardless of their individual stories or the circumstances that led them to discontinue their schooling, we want them to know that we are here to support them wholeheartedly, and we welcome them with open arms,” said Diego Linares, Principal of Houston MSTC in Northside, who participated in the North Division walk along with other teachers, staff, and volunteers.

able to accept voters.”

Menefee said the time has come to focus on the future instead of the past when it comes to elections.

“I look forward to putting this behind us, and focusing on moving the county forward,” he said. “With Early Voting just weeks away, I’m committed to supporting the voters of Harris County and doing my part to ensure a fair election.”

To do that, however, Mealer said the public trust has to be rebuilt, and claims that requires transparency about the 2022 elections and so much more.

“Harris County officials – beginning with the Commissioners Court – owe the public complete transparency regarding the November 2022 election,” she said. “The only way to solve our problems is to begin with an honest assessment. Without a thorough and accurate understanding of what happened, voters will continue to lose confidence in our election process, and voter participation will decrease.”

bers can head to Art Alley in a joint effort by the First Ward Civic Council, the Old Sixth Ward Neighborhood Association, Arts District Houston, and Sawyer Yards.

Included in the night of neighborhood camaraderie will be food and drinks, raffle prizes, music, and mingling with local small businesses, elected officials, police, and the fire department, according to its event page.

“National Night Out enhanc-

es the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community,” the event page reads.

There are also several other events taking place in the Heights and Greater Inwood areas. The Woodland Heights Civic Association (WHCA) will host its event from 6-8 p.m. at the Norhill Esplanade at Euclid Street while the Near Northwest Management District is hosting its annual event at the White

Oak Bayou Shopping Center, 6640 Antoine Dr., from 5:308:30 p.m.

“This annual event is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and local law enforcement officers, fostering communitybuilding and promoting policecommunity partnerships,” the WHCA wrote on Facebook. “Let’s work together to make our neighborhood a safer and more caring place to live.” For more information on National Night Out, visit the event’s website at natw.org/.

MEALER, from P. 1

Contributed photo Lina Hidalgo

SPORTS.

HS Football roundup: SPX continues to roll in third straight victory

St. Pius X head coach Greg Cranfill expressed before the season that he believed his team had the pieces to compete for championships if they stayed healthy. And a recent winning streak, which continued last week, has done little to dispel that notion so far.

The Panthers defeated Dallas Bishop Dunne 36-14 last week, cruising past the Falcons for their third straight win following two losses to begin the season. St. Pius X (3-2) will finish up their nondistrict slate with a road game against Ponder this Friday.

SPX used the ground attack to run roughshod over the Falcons last week, and Joshua Mitchell led the charge with 150 yards and his second touchdown on the season –

LAndAn KuhLmAnn Editor

the fourth straight game this year that Mitchell has topped the century mark on the ground. Easton Dean also ran for a touchdown, while Micheal Fowler caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Braxton Bies.

Defensively, Nathan Alvarez was in the backfield all night long, accumulating four

tackles for loss and a sack among his eight tackles on the game. Samul Williams also had a sack and fumble recovery for the Panthers, while Kameron Brown recovered a fumble and Alex Yearwood tied Brown for the team lead with his third interception of the year. And in addition to his touchdown, Dean racked up a team-leading 14 tackles on defense.

Elsewhere in the private school ranks, St. Thomas –the top-ranked Texas private school by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football – continued their early season dominance with a 49-3 rout of Plano John Paul II. Johann Cardenas carried the offensive load with 206 yards rushing and a touchdown on 15 carries,

while Donte Lewis completed 15 of 17 passes for 191 and four touchdowns along with a 69-yard touchdown run. Luke Edgecomb led the receiving corps with four catches for 65 yards and a score, while Logan Branting caught two touchdowns.

Defensively, Trace Langin had a team-leading nine tackles, while Anthony Pellerin had a sack and fumble recovery. Charles Bellomo also picked up a sack, while John Carr III and Patrick Murphy had eight tackles apiece.

Lutheran North Academy (2-2) was off last week, and will face Alpha Omega Academy on the road this weekend.

Public school Waltrip’s Rams were the only local public school team

to emerge victorious last week, taking down Northside 61-0 to improve to 2-2 on the season and 2-0 in District 9-5A while winning their second straight game. The Rams’ ground game dominated the entire night, piling up 307 yards on the ground. Jaylen

Middleton led the charge with 188 yards and four touchdowns on just nine carries, while Kevion West, Houston Perry, and Justin Henry also found the end zone on the ground.

Middleton also starred on defense for the Rams with his first interception of the season, while Anddy Lopez blocked a punt to help Waltrip post its second consecutive shutout on that side of the ball.

This

The Heights Bulldogs dropped their second straight game last week, falling to 2-3 on the season and 0-1 in District 18-6A. Heights will look to rebound when they take on Bellaire (0-4) on Friday night.

Booker T. Washington, meanwhile, dropped to 1-3 on the season and 0-1 in district play following a 34-0 defeat to Kashmere in their district opener last week. The Eagles will look for their first district win in a showdown with Wheatley on Thursday.

Scarborough dropped its first game of the season last week, falling 56-0 against Worthing to fall to 3-1 on the year. The Spartans were set to clash with Yates on Thursday night looking to get back in the win column.

schedule

Thursday Booker T. Washington vs. Wheatley, 6:30 p.m., Dyer Stadium Scarborough at Yates, 7 p.m., Barnett Stadium

Friday

Waltrip vs. Wisdom, 7 p.m., Dyer Stadium Heights vs. Bellaire, 7:30 p.m., Delmar Stadium

St. Thomas at Kinkaid, 7 p.m., Kinkaid High School

St. Pius X at Ponder, 7 p.m., Ponder High School

Lutheran North Academy at Alpha Omega, 7 p.m., Alpha Omega High School

Last week’s scores

St. Pius X 36, Bishop Dunne 14

St. Thomas 49, John Paul II 3 Waltrip 61, Northside 0 Lamar 36, Heights 8 Worthing 56, Scarborough 0 Kashmere 34, Booker T. Washington 0

Photo by Wayne Donnelly

St. Pius X running back Joshua Mitchell breaks away from a defender during the Panthers’ Sept. 22 game against Dallas Bishop Dunne. Mitchell rushed for 150 yards as the Panthers won 36-14 to extend their winning streak to three games.

Art Valet: Inaugural Art Ramble set

Sawyer Yards will launch their inaugural Art Ramble, Saturday, September 30, from 2-7 p.m. The walkable event includes four buildings, over 100 participating artists, music performances, multiple exhibitions and of course food trucks and drink partners.

Parking for Silver Street, The Silos at Sawyer Yards, and First Industrial Studios is available at 2101 Winter St. and Sabine Street Studios, 1907 Sabine St. Just like the open studios, this is a free event.

Unfortunately, Winter Street Studios will not be open for Art Ramble, construction surprises put the kibosh on that. Several Winter St. artists are still participating, find the artists inside the Silver Street Studios warehouse.

First Industrial Studios for those that haven’t been to Sawyer Yards lately, is located just behind Silver Street Studios with entrances located on Art Alley, across from Winter St. Studios.

As you ramble from building to building, studio to studio, you can indulge in the tastes and sounds of more Houston creatives. As mentioned, local drink vendors will be pouring their finest, while talented mu-

Mitch cohen Art Columnist

sicians fill the corridors with their sounds for an all-encompassing celebration of art and community.

Here’s a quick guide for the libation indulgers; Platypus Brewing will be at Sabine Street Studios, Modern Vintage (they make and sell very tasty ready to go mixers) is at Silver Street, Eureka Heights Brew Co will be at Silver Street Warehouse, and William Price Distilling inside The Silos at Sawyer Yards.

The musicians include Bill Solley + Kim Prevost at Silver Street Warehouse, Loreta Kovacic at Sabine Street Studios, Mark Winters at The Silos at Sawyer Yards, and Karina Nistal & The Cosmic Cats at Silver Street Studios. Crunchy’s For the Munchies food truck will be outside Silver Street Studios and Katy Sliders will be on Art Alley.

I know many of the participating artists, but want to highlight a few that you’ve read about here in Art Valet. Ruben Salazar and Tristan Erickson of Bug In The Box are at Silver Street Studios #112. Lauren Luna has just moved into Sabine St. #128, and Laura Aurealis, featured artist at BAM! has returned to Silver St. Studios, find her in #310.

The artists from Winter Street that can be found in the Silver Street Warehouse include, Angela Rose Walling, Crystal Wreden, Olga Porter, Rebekah

Molander, Teresa Staley, Toria Hill, Vincent Fink and Manju Unnikrishnan. All have been highlighted in Art Valet the past few years with the exception of Manju Unnikrishnan, whom I haven’t met yet.

Receptions for multiple exhibitions, including a ceramics showcase and a corn maze installation, will close out the day in each of the participating buildings from 5-7 p.m.  Silver Street: Gabriela Monterroso: Down to Earth, West Gallery. The Silos at Sawyer Yards: Clay Houston:

Annual Members Exhibition, Bay 100 Gallery. The Silos at Sawyer Yards: Scott White: Curiouser and Curiouser, Bay 300 Gallery.

Sabine Street Studios: Lorena Molina: Corn Maze, North Gallery Sabine Street Studios: Arohi Ranade: Restless Node in a Quiet Net, East Corridor Gallery

Sawyer Yards is a creative community thriving in the heart of Houston’s historic First Ward and Arts District Houston. One of the largest working artist communities in

the country, Sawyer Yards is home to over 400 artists and creative businesses.

The website lists attendees, reception info and has campus maps you can take with you (on your phone). A good time awaits! https://www. sawyeryards.com/events/ art-ramble 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.