Two years after 26-year-old Delano Burkes’ body was discovered in the Houston Ship Channel, his family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against McIntyre’s, a popular sports bar located on 20th Street in the Heights. The family alleges gross negligence on the part of the establishment, claiming that the bar’s actions and decisions contributed to Burkes’ untimely death.
McIntyre’s and its legal representatives, who say they have not yet
been served with the lawsuit, strongly deny the allegations.
“[...] The incident was thoroughly investigated by the Houston Police Department almost two years ago during which my client fully cooperated,” McIntyre’s attorney, Philip Robert Brinson, told The Leader in an emailed statement. “[...] Despite the tragic nature of Delano Burkes’ death on the night of November 12, 2022, my client vehemently denies the allegations contained within Plaintiffs’ Original Petition, will vigorously defend itself against the causes of action asserted, and is confident
that discovery conducted during the pending litigation will produce compelling evidence that will fully exonerate McIntyre’s from all claims brought by the heirs and representatives of the Estate of Mr. Burkes.”
According to the lawsuit filed in Harris County District Court on Nov. 8, Burkes was last seen at McIntyre’s “on or about November 12, 2022”, several days before his body was found on Nov. 25, 2022. The lawsuit accuses the bar of overserving alcohol to Burkes, despite his apparent intoxication. Additionally, it claims that staff forcibly removed him from the
By JULIANNE GUTIERREZ Special
to
The Leader
Julianne Gutierrez is a student at the University of Houston, double majoring in Journalism and History. Julianne says that she has always noticed the retro facade of the Heights Theater whenever she visits W. 19th Street and chose the historic movie house as a topic for one of her assignments.
From a distance, a boy sees the curvature of the Spanish colonialstyle building. He races down W 19th Street in the Houston Heights, hoping he’s on time to buy some ice cream from Ebert Armstead’s Heights Confectionery and catch the
latest Western film at the Heights Theatre. The long vertical sign with the theater’s name and marquee comes into view. His heart races, and his feet pound against the ground as he nears the movie house, almost knocking down a businessman heading home from work. The boy has been working hard, delivering
newspapers that left his shoulder sore. But it was worth it if he got to watch the Durango Kid and Smiley “Foggy” Burnett face off against the bad guys for just 9 cents per ticket. Finally, he reaches the confectionery door, buys his ice cream with hardearned money, and heads next door to purchase his movie ticket. Without a television at home, the theater is a blessing for him and the entire Heights community.
According to the City of Houston Protected Landmark Designation Report, the Heights Theater has been located at 339 West 19th Street for almost a hundred years, although it originally stood just a minute away from its current location. The storefront building, built in 1922,
By CHARLIE HARDWICK The Leader News Contributor
One of the many benefits of living in the Bayou City, as most Houstonians will tell you, is the city’s immense cornucopia of diverse restaurants throughout the city. Houston has a large ethnic population yielding a wonderful variety of cuisines from all over the world, while the city’s economy affords many restaurateurs the ability
to offer fair-priced menu options.
Tia Maria’s, a favorite among Oak Forest and Heights area residents, was recently highlighted in a national survey for having the fairest prices in town.
THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT
One good resource many diners turn to in making their dining choice are reviews on Google or Yelp. By the same token, these platforms are
a way for restaurants to view their patrons’ experience, as diners will often turn to these internet platforms to write reviews. A company called Preply, a language learning platform, conducted an analysis of the language used in 57,245 reviews, spanning over 10,000 restaurants in 50 U.S. cities, to identify the most fairly priced restaurants in the United States.
premises, despite recognizing that he was in no condition to get home safely.
According to Houston Public Media, HPD spokesperson Jodi Silva stated at the time that it was “definitely a possibility” for someone to be swept from the Heights area to where Delano Burkes’ body was found, near 9601 High Level Road, if they had fallen into White Oak Bayou. McIntyre’s is located just a few blocks from White Oak Bayou, which flows into Buffalo
By LISA MORALES
The Leader News Contributor
The 16th Annual Harvest Luncheon, one of Kids’ Meals’ most significant fundraisers, took place last week at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Houston, gathering hundreds of supporters dedicated to the organization’s mission of ending childhood hunger. Kids’ Meals, a Garden Oaks-based nonprofit, provides free, nutritious meals delivered directly to the doors of Houston’s neediest preschool-aged children and partners with families to help break the cycle of poverty. Hosted by Khambrel Marshall, the event was co-chaired by Mayor John Whitmire’s daughters, Sarah and Whitney Whitmire, with Mayor Whitmire himself in attendance. The biggest announcement of the day came when ExxonMobil’s global manager of corporate giving, Alvin Abraham, took the stage to reveal a $3 million donation from ExxonMobil to the Kids’ Meals Building Hope Capital Campaign. This major contribution will fund a new 50,000-square-foot facility, which will be named the Kids’ Meals ExxonMobil Campus.
THE PEOPLE.
Carrying the Torch: Erica Lee Carter fills late mother’s seat in congressional transition
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Erica Lee Carter, daughter of the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and current employee of the Office of Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, was sworn in on Nov. 12 to serve the remainder of her mother’s term in the 18th Congressional District. This temporary appointment comes ahead of former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner taking on the position as Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s permanent successor in January. On Nov. 5, Carter won a
special election to complete her mother's term, while Turner was elected the permanent representative for the district. Carter's oath-ofoffice ceremony took place in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday evening.
“Today, as Erica Lee Carter steps into her mother’s role, we’re witnessing more than a transition; we’re witnessing the endurance of a powerful legacy,” said Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “The late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee was a warrior for justice—a voice that never faltered, a force
that shaped our community in ways that will resonate for years to come. Now, her daughter steps forward, not just to honor her mother’s work, but to bring her own strength and compassion to the role.
Ellis added that he has had the privilege of watching Erica grow up and seeing her evolve into a community leader.
“The people of Congressional District 18 are in good hands,” he said, “and I have complete confidence that Erica will carry herself with the same courage her mother showed. Sheila would be so proud, and so are we.”
Buy Nothing Day Barter Fair to be held Nov. 29 at Live Oak Friends Meeting
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Looking for an alternative to the consumer-based Black Friday? Have good stuff that no longer brings you joy that you would like to find new homes for? Then bring that stuff to Live Oak Friends Meeting, 1318 West 26th Street, Houston, TX 77008 between 1 and 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, for their biannual Quaker Barter Fair. The Barter Fair offers the community an opportunity to share in the practice of the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, stewardship and earth care. It creates a space to practice thinking together in a new way about how we place value on objects and
In an emotional address, Kids’ Meals CEO Beth Harp Braniff expressed her gratitude for this unprecedented support.
“We are so grateful for the transformational ExxonMobil gift,” she said. “ExxonMobil told us that they have never put their name on any building. If you look at any sports arenas in our area, you won’t see their name. I’m so grateful that they have faith in our mission and that they have the confidence in what we’re doing to help children—many of whom are going to bed hungry—that they put their name and lent us their brand to make the ExxonMobil Campus.”
Braniff explained that the new facility will enable Kids’ Meals to scale up its efforts to combat childhood hunger.
“This donation will help us go into this campus strong, not only covering construction costs but also establishing a reserve fund,” she noted. “This means we won’t have to divert operation dollars for unforeseen expenses like a broken air conditioner. Thanks to ExxonMobil, we’ll be able to grow our resources to feed more kids every year.”
services within our community. It is also a fair, with family friendly activities, games, story telling, live music, and more. There is also a plant and seed exchange. To get involved, just come. Bring a table, shelf, rug or blanket to display your goods or a sign that describes your service(s). Bring some food to share, if you wish. Children are welcome at this family-friendly event. Kids are often the best models of how this can work. They have the ability to add value to an item by describing potential uses, and the creativity to negotiate three-way trades.
There will be a designated area for “free” items that you are willing to give to whoever wants them. Visitors may then use such items to barter and trade with if they wish. At the end of the day, whatever is left on the free table will be donated to a local charity
No money will be exchanged for services or goods. The purpose of this event is to challenge us to care for the earth by practicing community sharing rather than focusing on individual acquisitions. For more information visit https://friendshouston.org/ events/barterfair.
The $3 million announcement was a surprise even to some Kids’ Meals staff members, like Volunteer Manager
Monique Saldana. Reflecting on the moment, she said, “It’s always huge to me when people go that far above and be-
yond. When I started at Kids’ Meals three years ago, we had just launched the Building Hope Capital Campaign. To see how far we’ve come and then to see someone give such a huge chunk of that all at once—it literally takes your breath away.”
The luncheon featured a silent auction, a vendor market, and a heartfelt moment from co-chairs Sarah and Whitney Whitmire, who illustrated the impact of childhood hunger.
“Imagine a packed NRG stadium, each seat filled with a preschool child,” they said, underscoring the scale of the is-
sue Kids’ Meals is addressing. “That is what it would look like if the 80,000 Houston children living unsure of their next meal gathered in one place.”
Local artist and longtime Kids’ Meals supporter Taft McWhorter participated in the vendor market and emphasized his commitment to the organization.
“We love it. It’s one of our favorite charities in Houston. We’ve made sack lunches and seen the inner workings.
To put it simply, volunteering at Kids’ Meals shows you just how worthy this organization is,” he said.
Kids’ Meals, which has delivered more than 16 million meals since 2006, continues to make a measurable difference in the Greater Houston area. For those looking to support, a donation of just $2 covers the cost of preparing and delivering a meal. Additionally, Kids’ Meals welcomes volunteers to help assemble meals on-site or at their own locations, providing an easy way for companies and groups to give back. For more information on how to donate or volunteer, visit kidsmealsinc.org or stop by their location at 330 Garden Oaks Blvd.
Photo by Lisa Morales
Hundreds of supporters with a common goal of ending childhood hunger recently gathered for the Kids’ Meals 16th Annual Harvest luncheon.
File image
A rendering of the planned new Kids’ Meals ExxonMobil campus.
Photo from campaign website www.ericaleecarter.com
The late Sheila Jackson Lee and her daughter, Erica Lee Carter
2024 Wine & Dine: The ultimate food and wine event to be held Nov. 16 at The Revaire
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Presented by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese GalvestonHouston
Sip and savor at one of the most anticipated culinary and wine events of the year! The Catholic Charities’ 2024 Wine & Dine will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, at The Revaire, 7122 Old Katy Road in Houston.
The evening begins with a 6 p.m. reception followed by an exquisite 7 p.m. seated, four-course dinner by awardwinning Executive Chef Ryan Bouillet, paired with rare wines from around the world, meticulously curated by Master Sommelier Brandon Kerne.
The evening also includes a fine wine pull and live auction of one-of-a-kind items and experiences.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 16 with a 6 p.m. reception and a 7 p.m. seated dinner
WHERE: The Revaire, 7122 Old Katy Road (77024) TABLES & TICKETS: www.CatholicCharities.org/ WineandDine
The event is presented by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese GalvestonHouston and supports its mission, where a network of life-saving programs helps thousands of low-income families who are struggling with poverty every day. Proceeds from the event will assist Catholic Charities in providing food, shelter and many other services to vulnerable children, seniors and families of all religious backgrounds who live in poverty.
Heights restaurants earn entry in Texas MICHELIN Guide
By STEFANIE THOMAS
Houston made a strong showing in the first-ever Texas edition of the MICHELIN Guide. Austin led the state with 47 selected establishments, followed by 31 in Houston, 22 in Dallas, 13 in San Antonio, and three in Fort Worth.
Among Houston's honorees were four Houston Heights restaurants that earned the MICHELIN designations of “Recommended” and “Bib Gourmand”.
According to the MICHELIN Guide...
The “Recommended” designation means these restaurant are recognized “as establishments serving good food”.
The Bib Gourmand award highlights restaurants that MICHELIN inspectors consider
to be “the best value for money within their selection. At these establishments, restaurant-goers can enjoy very good food at a moderate price.”
One MICHELIN Star means “High-quality cooking - Worth a stop.”
Two MICHELIN Stars means “Excellent cookingWorth a detour.”
Three MICHELIN Stars means “Exceptional cuisineWorth a special journey.”
Congrats, Heights restaurants! RECOMMENDED: Baso 633 W 19th St # A, Houston, TX 77008 basohtx.com
BIB GOURMAND: Ema 5307 N Main St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77009 emahtx.com
BIB GOURMAND: Mala
Sichuan Bistro 600 N Shepherd Dr Suite 453, Houston, TX 77007 malasichuan.com
Six eateries across Houston earned 1-star designations. Among them, just outside the Heights, is Tatemó, at 4740 Dacoma St Ste F, Houston, TX 77092. The others around the metro area are BCN Taste & Tradition, Corkscrew BBQ, Le Jardinier, March, and Musaafer.
For more information about the MICHELIN Guide, visit guide.michelin.com.
Houston Grand Opera to host free annual holiday concert at Discovery Green
Houston Grand Opera (HGO) invites the entire city to join the company for its annual Carols on the Green concert and sing-along, held in partnership with Discovery Green. The family-friendly evening will feature a program of opera, holiday hits, mariachi, and more.
Company favorite Vanessa Alonzo—who has performed in all three of HGO’s world-premiere mariachi operas—will take the
stage in the park. She’ll be joined by the University of Houston Mariachi Pumas band, Indigo Diaspora Dance Company, Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus, members of HGO’s Butler Studio program and Bauer Family High School Voice Studio, and the renowned HGO Chorus. The free event will feature interactive activities for audience members of all ages to enjoy, with guests invited to don their most festive holiday attire. While last year’s
Carols on the Green performance was rained out, the 2022 event drew a record 1,000 people to the park for an uplifting evening of music and holiday cheer. WHO: HGO presents an evening of beautiful holiday music and invites audience members to sing along.
Bayou and eventually flows into the Houston Ship Channel.
The lawsuit states that employees at McIntyre’s failed in their duty to provide the necessary assistance to prevent “serious injury or death.” According to the filing, the bar staff should have been aware that Burkes was at risk and that he lacked the capacity to return to his home or any other safe location on his own. In their lawsuit, Burkes’ family aims to hold McIntyre’s accountable for what they see as a preventable tragedy.
The family seeks damages in excess of $1 million and hopes this legal action will bring attention to the consequences of overserving and inadequate safety protocols within the Houston nightlife scene. According to court records. McIntyre’s USA LLC, which operates several establishments in the Houston and San Antonio areas, is the only named defendant in this lawsuit at this time. As of this writing, the website of the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences still shows Burkes’ cause and manner of death as undetermined.
MCINTYRE, from P. 1
TIA MARIA’S, from P. 1
Photos courtesy of Tia Maria’s
Submitted photo
An exquisite evening awaits at the 2024 Wine & Dine annual charity gala, benefitting Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese Galveston-Houston, on Nov. 16.
Submitted photo
Master Sommelier, Brandon Kerne and Executive Chef Ryan Bouillet
File photo
Pictured is the sliced brisket, glazed pork ribs, jambalaya and South Texas beans from Pinkerton’s Barbecue.
Photo by Dan Greer
The star of the show: Baso's cabbage with lamb bacon strips.
Photo by Dan Greer Pan Dulce at Ema at 5307 N Main St.
File photo
McIntyre’s, a popular patio sports bar in the Heights, is located at 1230 W. 20th St.
THE TOPICS.
Pop goes the population
THE FREEWAY – Cars and trucks, trucks and cars. Do you get the idea that each day there are more vehicles on our roads than before? Your idea is correct. There are nearly 26 million registered vehicles in Texas. In 2016, there were around 8.2 million. There are more people, too. Texas adds more than a thousand residents every single day. In 2022, almost half of the growth was due to people moving from other states to Texas. About a quarter was because of people from other countries moving here; only another quarter was due to the natural increase, which was births minus deaths. As we can see, Texans are not reproducing fast enough. Do your part! Get busy!
We know where all these newcomers are coming from, but where are they going?
Spoiler alert: Not to Starr County, which is down on the Rio, or San Augustine County, in East Texas. Those two are losing population. So are a lot of other places. We have 254 counties in Texas, more than any other state (Delaware has three), and our population is growing faster than any of the lesser 49. But this huge growth is uneven. Why
didn’t know we had one, but I’m certainly glad we do) has just released a report based on last year’s figures. They tell us some facts we already knew and some most interesting and unexpected trends. So let’s look at us.
Texas’ population now stands at almost 31 million, but it’s early in the day. (I’m rounding off the stats to keep my fingers from getting numb.) Newcomers are moving to what demographers and researchers refer to as The Texas Triangle, the geographical area formed by the state’s large metros. That’s a region formed loosely by Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio-Austin. The
Triangle is home to 68 percent of Texans. According to the Texas Demographic Center (let’s just call it the TDC, not to be confused with the TDCJ, which is the Texas Department of Criminal Justice that has its own population growth), six of the top 10 U.S. counties with the largest population growth are in Texas: Harris, Collin, Denton, Fort Bend, Bexar and Montgomery. Other suburbs of our big cities are booming, too. These counties are Kaufman, Rockwell, Parker, Comal and Chambers. Fort Bend County has a greater population than Denver. Montgomery County has more people than Seattle. So much for the big boom in population. Meanwhile, vast parts of Texas are actually losing population, mostly in West and South Texas, but it’s pretty widespread. Depending on which data you’re looking at, around half or sometimes more than half of the 254 counties have lost their population in recent years. According to the TDC, just between 2022 and 2023, 75 of the state’s counties shrank in population. Take, for instance, Kenedy County. It’s between Corpus Christi and Brownsville. As of the 2020 census, its population was 350.
It is the third-least populous county in Texas and fourthleast populous in the United States. Kenedy lost almost 1 percent of its folks – six. As a side note, in the plus column, a few years ago a hurricane roared through Kenedy and only knocked over a few barns. Borden County lost 8 percent – 49 people. The biggest loser percentagewise? Between 2021 and 2022 the population of Lone Star County (that’s in upper East Texas) declined from 1,798 to 1,653, an 8.06 percent decrease. I guess just the poor folks left Lone Star because the county’s median household income grew from $39,961 to $41,806, a whopping 4.62 percent increase. Jefferson County (the Beaumont-Port Arthur area) lost 3,285 Jeffersonians, or 1.3 percent. Maybe it’s because Port Arthur is ranked one of the worst small cities in the nation. That’s according to a new ranking from WalletHub, a personal finance website that compared more than 1,300 cities with populations of 25,000 to 100,000. Bug off, WalletHub. I like Port Arthur. My wife came from there. I got married in PA. It’s a nice place – at low tide.
The most populous coun-
ties in Texas? The usual suspects (not rounded off): Harris County with 4,835,125, Dallas County at 2,606,358 (not-soBig D only has a bit more than half the number of folks that live in Harris), Tarrant County (Fort Worth) with 2,182,947, Bexar County (San Antonio) at 2,087,679, and Travis County (Austin) with 1,334,961. On the flip side we have Loving County, on the New Mexico border. It is the least populous county in the U.S. Alas, Loving County, now has only 51 people, a decrease of 12 or 20.3 percent in one year. (Wouldn’t that, percentagewise, put it ahead of Lone Star?) An interesting point: In the 2020 Census, Loving had 64 people of all ages. Even so, in that year’s presidential election, Donald Trump got 60 votes to Joe Biden’s four. Maybe Loving only has adults. We don’t have the 2024 voter total, but it is clear that’s why Trump swept into the White House.
All these people movements means a change in our Congressional districts. District 23, for instance, is losing population so that it goes from just east of El Paso (which has its own rep), practically to the streets of Laredo.
The 13th District covers from the northern border of the Panhandle to the Dallas suburb of Denton. The 28th District spreads from south of New Braunfels to the Mexican border. The greater Houston area has six Congressional districts. Thanks to gerrymandering those districts look like a Rorschach test.
With a growing population of 7.5 million in the nine-county Houston metropolitan area, we have more people than 36 different states. Throw in Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. and that makes it 38. So if you think that half the people in St. Louis and Cincinnati have moved here, you may be right.
Ashby headcounts at ashby2@comcast.net
Editor’s note: This column and its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of The Leader News, its staff, or its publisher. The Leader News welcomes opinion articles on matters of interest to Greater Heights residents at editor@theleadernews. com. Publication is at the discretion of the editor.
GHP: Houston region younger, more diverse than its peers
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Editor's Note: In its "Economy at a Glance" report for November, the Greater Houston Partnership - the regional chamber of commerce - discusses the latest edition of the annual American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The main body of the report is presented here with permission. This article was first published in The Leader's sister paper, The Fort Bend Star. Each fall, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the American Community Survey (ACS), its annual snapshot of the nation’s economic, demographic, housing, and social characteristics. By examining ACS data
over time, one can see shifts in the population. This is the second of a three-part series. The October issue examined ACS data for 2013 and 2023 and the changes in the Houston region over that time. In this issue, the Partnership examines ACS data for the nation’s 20 most populous metro areas, exploring similarities and differences between Houston and its peers. The December issue will examine the differences in the 10 counties that comprise the Houston metro area. Metro Houston includes Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller Counties. In a nutshell, Houston is
older, better educated, and more ethnically diverse. One in four Houstonians was born outside the U.S., the fastest growing age group is the 65 and older population, and one in seven Houstonians moved to a different home in ’23. However, fewer Houstonians are having babies, a large portion of the population remains uninsured, one in 10 suffers from a disability, and many households still live in poverty. Metro Houston has one of the youngest and most diverse populations in the U.S. The region also has one of the nation’s largest foreignborn populations. We’re in the middle of the pack for home ownership, but we lag in edu-
cational attainment and health care coverage. Houston also has the highest share of residents whose income falls below the poverty line and in the middle of the pack for home ownership. The details follow.
Race and Ethnicity Houston is the nation’s most racially and ethnically diverse major metro. No individual race or ethnic group represents a majority of the region’s population. It’s been that way for over 20 years. Other metros also have large racial/ethnic populations, but they lack balance among the groups. For example, Los Angeles has a large Hispanic community but much small-
er Black or White populations. Atlanta has a large Black community but few Hispanics or Asians. San Francisco has a large Asian community but few Black residents. Philadelphia has a large White community but fewer Asians.
Foreign-Born Population
One in four Houstonians (24.8 percent) is foreignborn—far more than the one in seven (14.3 percent) nationally. Among the nation’s 20 most populous metros, only four others—Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York —have larger foreign-born populations.
Age Metro Houston has the youngest population among its peers. The median age in Houston is 35.7 years, which means half of all residents are younger and half are older. The median age for the nation is 39.2.
Houston’s young population translates into a large supply of entry-level and earlycareer workers to meet local hiring needs, a substantial base of consumers entering their household formation and wealth-acquisition years, and a large population open to social change. Find the full report at houston. org.
Rainbow Lodge welcomes new beverage director, adds seasonal dishes for fall/winter
COMMUNITY REPORTS
For nearly a half-century, Rainbow Lodge has been a dining destination for wild game, steaks, seafood and Lodge-inspired dishes, an award-winning wine list and one of the most beautiful and unique settings in the city. Never resting on their laurels, Rainbow Lodge is constantly updating and refining to keep “the Lodge experience” matchless.
As the calendar flips to fall/winter, not only is the kitchen adding seasonal dishes to the menu, but the Lodge is also happy to welcome Peter Clifton as beverage director/sommelier.
Clifton has extensive experience in hospitality and food & beverage, from wine distribution to restaurant service, restaurant and bar management, and ownership. He opened with three partners The Ready Room, an intimate, upscale bar with a jazz and blues in the Heights area, whose wine & spirit program was conceptualized by Clifton and Cody Northcutt.
From 2016 to 2020, Clifton worked side-by-side with Chef de Cuisine Brandon Holmes who joined the Rainbow Lodge kitchen team earlier this year. “I’ve witnessed this dynamic duo in
action, and I absolutely love what the two of them put together,” says Rainbow Lodge Owner Donnette Hansen. “Brandon starts by meticulously creating the dish and then Peter jumps in with the perfect spirit or wine pairing. Chef Mark Schmidt and I immediately lean in for the final stamp, which is the best part!”
When you are a 40-plusyear-old thriving restaurant, it’s important to stay fresh and embrace changes, adds Hansen. “I’m always refining and enjoying every moment and so are my loyal guests who expect that level of attention from me.”
Submitted photos
Clifton says he is ready for this next challenge and is jumping in with both feet. “Wild game is new-ish to me and is opening a whole new horizon for my wine and spirits pairings,” he says enthusiastically. “I want the cocktail program to be wide-ranging but not overwhelming. The list encompasses the classics – the foundation of any list – and from there, curate a thoughtful list of culinarydriven cocktails which push the boundaries a bit.”
Clifton’s new Koppang Sour – which incorporates horseradish – pairs perfectly with steak, cheese, Coppa and oysters. The Rye Highball fea-
tures house-made pumpkin soda and is great alongside The Lodge’s famous Smoked Duck Gumbo and charcuterie. And Clifton’s classic Espresso Martini with Averna marshmallows is a surefire soon-tobe guest favorite.
On the culinary side, Executive Chef Mark Schmidt and Chef de Cuisine Brandon Holmes have added several dishes for the fall/winter season.
Complementing the menus are not only the award-winning wine program and eclectic cocktail list, but also the selection of curated, hard-tofind whiskeys which Hansen has traveled and worked
enthusiastically to compose and maintain. All is available throughout the restaurant and in the famous Tied Fly Bar, which features happy hour runs from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday to Friday. Rainbow Lodge, located at 2011 Ella Boulevard (77008), serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch; closed Mondays. At lunch, they offer a $19 three-course business lunch for those in a hurry, and private romantic tables for those who want to slow it down. Don’t miss the popular Game Burger Friday during lunch, featuring a custom blend of elk, venison and ribeye and unique burger top-
pings that change weekly - just $15 with house-made chips. The Lodge is “Wild about Sundays” and offers $2 mimosas and Champagne until 3 pm, and at night features halfprice wines-by-the-glass and their wildly popular Sunday Suppers, a comfort food feature for $18. Rainbow Lodge has five private dining rooms for special occasions of all sizes and descriptions.
Rainbow Lodge is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 am to 10 pm; Saturday, 5 to 10 pm; and Sunday, 10:30 am to 9 pm. For menus and information, visit the restaurant online at www.rainbow-lodge.com or call 713-861-8666.
CenterPoint Energy plans to work toward resolution of its 2024 Rate Case
COMMUNITY REPORTS
CenterPoint Energy (CenterPoint) recently announced its plans to proceed with settlement talks for its 2024 CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (CEHE) rate case that the company had previously requested to withdraw on August 1, 2024. The CEHE 2024 rate case was first filed with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and municipal regulatory authorities on March 6, 2024.
Over the last several weeks, CenterPoint has received feedback and continued to communicate with intervening parties to the rate case. The company plans to resume settlement talks immediately.
The original withdrawal request was part of the company-wide commitment to act urgently to improve and strengthen the resiliency of the energy system during this hurricane season.
"Throughout the second half of the year, we've been
THEATER
from P. 1
first served as a simple movie house with 350 folding chairs, a projector, and a screen.
The Great Depression and the Theater’s New Home
As the Great Depression hit, Charles Wygrant built a new theater in 1929 and leased it to his son, Robert. The second building opened to the public at its current location on May 14 that year. Styled in Spanish Mission architecture, it featured a vertical sign with “Heights” and a marquee. People all over the nation were experiencing a devastating financial crisis, especially businesses. Robert wanted to ensure income during the Depression; before the decision to cut the cost per seat, admission was 20 cents for adults. After, it was 15 cents for adults and 5 cents for children. Unlike modern theaters with concession stands selling popcorn, candy, and nachos, the Heights Theater had no such amenities at the time. Patrons instead often bought
acting urgently to strengthen our resiliency, including completing the first phase of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, and we are making good progress on phase two. Our company's collective focus remains on building the most resilient coastal grid in the country," said CenterPoint President and CEO Jason Wells.
"Even as we have focused on rapidly hardening our system, we've continued to listen to our customers and parties to the rate case. Based on that feedback, we believe there is a shared interest in working toward a constructive resolution. We remain focused on providing value to our customers and affordably delivering our ambitious long-term resiliency goals that are vital to Houston's future economic growth," said Wells.
"We are determined to reach an agreement that reflects our commitment to customer affordability while addressing the fact that in
sweets and ice cream from Ebert Armstead’s Heights Confectionery next door. J.T. Chapin recalls that second runs and B Western movies shown during “Saturday Shoot-em-ups” kept costs low. The theater fostered a sense of community for Heights residents, especially children who looked forward to a sweet treat and a film on weekends.
Upgrades in the 1930s By the 1930s, the theater underwent renovations for a more modern American look. Wygrant installed air conditioning and expanded seating capacity to 900 patrons. Western films remained a favorite among neighborhood kids, and residents even had chances to win free movie tickets. The Wygant family was well-known in the community. According to the Houston Chronicle, writer J.T. Chapin fondly remembers his time at the theater, watching Robert drive his big black Cadillac and seeing his son, Michael, work as an usher. Chapin once remarked, “If I ever get rich, I’d like to buy the Heights, put
2023 alone CenterPoint invested more in our system, resulting in $75 million more in costs that were not billed to customers for additional system improvements and vegetation management. We look forward to working with all parties bring resolution to this case," said Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President of Regulatory Services and Government Affairs.
First Phase: Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative
Since Hurricane Beryl earlier this summer, CenterPoint has taken action across the 12-county Greater Houston area to improve resiliency and help reduce the risk of outages this hurricane season.
In the first phase of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/corp/ pages/centerpoint-energycommitment-tracker.aspx), CenterPoint crews and contractors installed more than 1,100 stronger and more resil-
everything back in place, and have a month-long Cowboy Film Festival.” After Robert passed away in 1951, his son Richard eventually shut down the theater in 1957 as business declined.
Ownership Changes and Struggles
New owners, John Scott and W.E. Coats Jr. eventually purchased and renovated the theater. They installed missing seats and concession stands and used extra space to rent out. Scott tried to save money by cutting the union projectionists and the relief man; however, the union picketed outside the theater, and Scott later got an injunction.
An unknown individual later released a vial with a foul odor in the theater, causing workers and patrons to gag. The smell emptied the theater. After days of relentless cleaning, workers and movie-goers could go in again, but the odor returned and destroyed the ticket machine and money-changer. The Heights Theater was not the only movie house targeted in Houston; another called
ient fiberglass poles, trimmed vegetation along more than 2,000 miles of power lines and installed more than 300 automation devices in neighborhoods across the region.
Second Phase: Greater Houston
Resiliency Initiative
The company's second phase is taking the boldest series of resiliency actions in its nearly 160-year history. In early September, CenterPoint announced a comprehensive suite of new actions as part of the next phase of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, including strengthening the energy system and operations over the next eight months and before the start of the 2025 hurricane season. These extensive near-term actions will: build on the work CenterPoint completed in the first phase of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, continue to strengthen resiliency, improve its communications and develop stronger partnerships, and help rein-
Don Gordon Theatre, also a non-union movie house, suffered the same fate.
Racy Films, Protests, and Bomb Threats
The foul odor was not the only incident the theater suffered. Prior to Scott and Coats, the movie house played safe films for conservative families and children to come and watch their beloved Westerns. Scott and Coats began to allow Rand X-rated movies to play, like “I Am Curious (Yellow)” by Vilgot Sjöman.
“We’ve had several bomb threats, the cashier has been threatened, we’ve been picketed, and we’ve been followed home,” Mrs. Scott told the Houston Chronicle at the time. Fury and raging chants occurred outside the theater. Shady Oaks Full Gospel Church members exclaimed that the film was vulgar. The church members and residents of the Heights picketed for the removal of racy films. The Ku Klux Klan protested by passing out leaflets.
Threats of bombing the movie house kept coming,
force its electric system as it prepares for both the upcoming winter season and the 2025 hurricane season.
The actions in Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Phase Two will help enable a self-healing grid, reduce the length and frequency of outages and lead to more than an estimated 125 million fewer outage minutes annually for customers in the Greater Houston area. Work will be completed ahead of the 2025 hurricane season, or June 1, 2025, and will include:
Installing new or replacing 25,000 poles that meet extreme wind standards; Trimming or removing higher-risk vegetation across 4,000 miles of power lines; • Installing 4,500 automation devices, known as trip savers, and 350 Intelligent Grid Switching Devices as part of our effort to build a self-healing grid that utilizes automation to respond to outages faster; and • Strategically undergrounding more than 400 miles of
but one followed through with their threat and set fire to the theater. In 1969, the fire ate away the roof, turning the interior walls to char and ash, burning seats and furniture, forever destroying the history of moviegoers’ joyous times in the building.
“It has to be arson,” Mrs. Scott said.
The Theater’s Decade of Silence
For more than 10 years, the theater sat silent, devoid of laughter, films, and candy wrappers on the floor. It became a machine shop owned by John Scott, until Gus and Sharon Kopriva bought the historic building.
The theater was a birthday gift to Gus, who cherished his childhood memories there. As other historic movie houses in Houston disappeared, Gus was determined to preserve this one.
Following extensive renovations, the theater’s façade was restored with a smooth stucco finish and rounded corners for a retro style, retaining the iconic sign and marquee. The theater reopened in 1989 with a live
power lines.
Third Phase: Multi-Year System Resiliency Plan
As previously stated, CenterPoint will file its updated and enhanced multi-year system resiliency plan by the end of January 2025.
Estimated Monthly Customer Bill Impact CenterPoint's filing originally sought a net increase on the average residential customer bill using 1,000 kwh per month of approximately $1.25 per month, which is overall less than a one percent net increase on the total retail bill.
CenterPoint Earnings Monitoring Report As was reported in the company's 2024 Earnings Monitoring Report to the PUCT, for calendar year 2023, CenterPoint invested more in its system, resulting in $75 million more in costs that were not billed to customers for additional system improvements and vegetation management.
production of Pigs Dance II: Romp Thru Hell by Dreem Katz, soon followed by fashion shows, lectures, and art galleries. The Houston Heights Association awarded the theater the Community Improvement Award and the Good Brick Award for its preservation efforts.
A Modern Success Story Once listed as an endangered historical site by the Texas Historical Commission, the Heights Theater now thrives. After enduring vandalism, protests, fire, and decades of nearabandonment, the theater is alive again, hosting indie music, laughter, and cheers on bustling W 19th Street. It still retains the retro-style building, neon lights, vertical signs, and lines that will open the door for the next musician to come to town. The historical building has been around for almost a century. It was here before Houston annexed the Heights and held a sense of community for most of that time. It still provides local entertainment for the residents nearby, and from around Houston.
Peter Clifton
Modern Animal set to bring 24/7 vet services, membership perks to Houston Heights in 2025
also does great with other dogs, and would be the perfect addition to your family. It’d be hard not to love a dog like Liberty, I mean who wouldn’t?! So, if you’re on the hunt for a fun-loving, snuggle bug in the form of a furry best friend, look no further! Liberty is here to set your heart free and show you just how great life with her could be.
Learn more about Liberty at friends4life.org/ adoptable-pets/liberty.
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Modern Animal, a membership-based veterinary practice, is set to open a new clinic in Houston Heights in 2025. This expansion follows the recent opening of their Rice Village location. The Heights clinic will be located at 238 W 19th
St. All-access memberships plans are $199 per year and include free exams (including urgent care), on-demand video consultations, 24/7 chat and phone support, and discounts on all services and products. The membership can be used at any Modern Animal location, with clinics in major metro areas in Texas,
California, and soon Arizona. Pay-as-you-go services are also available for $80 per exam. Modern Animal offers comprehensive veterinary services, including annual check-ups, vaccinations, surgeries, dental care, and diagnostics. Members benefit from 24/7 virtual care through the Modern Animal app, which also facilitates appointment scheduling, records access, and prescription refills. The Houston Heights clinic aims to provide accessible, high-quality veterinary care to the community's pet owners. For more information and updates on the opening, visit Modern Animal's website at www.modernanimal.com.
Name: Liberty Age: 4 years old Sex: Female
Art Valet: Meet the maker behind RoRo’s Retro
Life has a funny way of nudging us in unexpected directions. After 30 years in property management, Ronda Wenger likely didn’t foresee spending her weekdays crafting and weekends at pop-up markets.
About two years ago, Wenger started a family business with her mom, Norma, and boyfriend Danny, after her mom’s health needs led her to move in with them.
Their business, RoRo’s Retro, specializes in repurposing vintage vinyl records and album covers into drink coasters and notebooks.
That same Christmas her mom moved in, money was tight. So, Wenger returned to the crafts she’d practiced 25 years earlier, making gifts by hand.
“I love upcycling and collecting records so I repurposed some of my scratched records into drink coasters and repurposed their album covers into notebooks,” Wenger said. “Though I’d made a few over the years for family, I’d never had the time to make them for everyone who asked. This time,
Mom and I worked on them together, and the response from friends and family was amazing.”
ART VALET: How did you transition from gifts to outdoor markets?
“During the holidays, a family friend who received one of the notebooks invited us to sell them at his gallery, Riches Art Gallery, in Austin,” Wenger recalled. “We jumped at the chance. We crafted as many as we could in 30 days, headed to Austin for our first pop-up, and were blown away by the success. From that moment, our journey took off. We were invited to do more shows in Austin, including a pop-up at my favorite music
venue, Antone’s, and a twoday SXSW event. Our first 60 days were a whirlwind, and that’s how RoRo’s Retro began.”
AV: Sounds like you’re 100% for RoRo’s now.
“Bringing our creations back to Houston, we realized we’d found our calling,” Wenger said. “Working alongside my mom has been one of the best parts. After years of moving from city to city, I’m grateful to share this time with her, making something meaningful that we both love. We now make them full-time during the week, and do pop-ups on the weekends.”
AV: At heart, you love music. Tell us about your music connection.
“My passion for music has deep roots, thanks to my parents, who were huge music lovers themselves,” Wenger said. “Growing up, our home was filled with music. My parents would regularly drive 12 hours from our small town in Kansas to Houston just to visit Gilley’s Club throughout the ’70s and ’80s, well before
the Urban Cowboy days. My older brother also played a big role by taking me to concerts where I discovered rock, hip-hop, and, most importantly, the blues, a genre we both shared a love for with my dad.
AV: You’re a big blues fan. Is there a story there?
“While living in Atlanta, I became immersed in the blues scene, traveling with one of my favorite blues and gospel singers, Sweet Betty,” Wenger said. “She’s been one of my best friends for the past 25 years, and I was lucky enough to travel with her as her driver and friend throughout the South—and even overseas. My friendship with her has been an amazing experience, full of unforgettable moments and insights into the heart of music and life on the road. Through Betty, I met so many incredible blues musicians who became like family, including Beverly ‘Guitar’ Watkins, Cootie Stark, Tommy Brown, and Eddie Tigner.
“At one point, most of my
best friends were in their 80s and 90s, so I’ve lived an incredible life surrounded by music and history. Even after I moved to Houston, they’d come here for shows and stay with me for weeks before heading back to Atlanta.”
AV: Music can be very personal, do you get unusual requests?
“One of the most rewarding parts of our business is the reaction and positive feedback when people realize our products come from unplayable vinyl records,” Wenger said. “We also love hearing the stories people share -- it’s touching to hear about first concerts, favorite albums, and personal connections to the music and artists.
“Recently we met the sweetest person from Florida who requested a Johnny Mathis album cover notebook as a gift for her mother, in memory of her grandmother. We’re upcycling a Johnny Mathis album cover and making a set of record coasters just for her today and shipping them to Florida. Talking with her brought
tears to my eyes.”
AV: Any final thoughts?
“There’s no limit to the ways music can bring people together, and I’m grateful we get to share that connection with so many people—and especially with my mother and my boyfriend, who I couldn’t do this without.” Wenger replied.
RoRo’s Retro attends many Houston markets, regularly they can be found at Flea By Night at Discovery Green, and The Montrose Market. Find RoRo’s Retro at The Market Square Park Farmers and Art Market, Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Market Square Park is located at 301 Milam Street Houston, TX 77002. For parking info and more visit downtownhouston.org/experience. Learn more about Ronda Wenger at rorosretro.com and follow her on Instagram instagram.com/ roros.retro.
Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market. Visit his website at ArtValet.com
Submitted photo
RoRo’s Retro display, ready for visitors.
Photo by Egidio Narvaez RoRo’s Retro returns to Downtown Houston Saturday.
Submitted photo
Ronda Wenger with Mom Norma, sporting their favorite club shirts.
