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Saturday, December 9, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 48
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Grace Pizza and Shakes to open at former Sonoma location By Lisa Morales The Leader News Contributor In an exciting development for pizza enthusiasts in the Houston Heights area, The Leader has officially confirmed that the renowned former 2nd generation Sonoma restaurant at 801 Studewood is set to transform into the third Texas location of Grace Pizza and Shakes. Grace Pizza and Shakes, a culinary haven for coal-fired pizza aficionados, boasts a menu curated with locally sourced ingredients. The establishment, founded by Adrian
Hembree in 1990, has gained popularity for its unique offerings, including extravagant ice cream shakes like the show-stopping Gia’s Cake Explosion. This delectable creation features a generous slice of freshly baked cake adorned with a sparkler perched atop the milkshake. Apart from their signature shakes and pizzas, Grace Pizza and Shakes offers a diverse menu featuring starters, salads, hot sandwiches, and a selection of draft beers. The Heat Wave pizza, a fiery masterpiece blending spicy marinara, shredded mozzarella, Calabrian chilis, Calabrese salami,
Italian sausage, and a drizzle of local hot honey, is among the highlights. Grace’s new location is a freestanding restaurant with a rooftop patio that was built in the 1940s. The property underwent a meticulous renovation in 2012, ensuring a perfect blend of vintage aesthetics and modern comfort for patrons. As Grace Pizza and Shakes continues its expansion, bringing its distinctive flavors to the heart of Houston, locals will surely be eager to Submitted photo indulge in the culinary delights that Over-the-top shakes and signature pies are See GRACE PIZZA P. 8
NEVER FORGOTTEN Your neighborhood living room in The Heights Serving coffee, tea, wine, beer, savories and sweets 7 am to 9 pm daily.
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Photos courtesy of Woodlawn Funeral Home and Garden of Memories
Photos from last year’s wreath-laying ceremony at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Garden of Memories.
Wreaths Across America: Honoring local heroes By Elena Sandovici The Leader News Contributor
Heights business tests Neuron Activation Pod
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Opinion: A Houston bus ride
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4th Wall Theater presents Sense and Sensibility
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THE INDEX. People ���������������������������������������2 Topics ����������������������������������������5 Classifieds ���������������������������������7 Local Culture ���������������������������10
Oak Forest Foster Closet a crucial resource for kids and families By Elena Sandovici The Leader News Contributor
1030 Heights Blvd, Houston,TX 77008
Santa Paws is Coming to Stomping Grounds!
the hallmark offerings at Grace Pizza and Shakes.
“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” — Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003)
For almost 30 years now, on Wreath Day, the second or third Saturday in December, Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization, makes its annual pilgrimage from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery to honor our nation’s fallen heroes by laying fresh evergreen wreaths on their tombs. But Wreath Day is celebrated elsewhere across America, too, including at several locations here in Houston. What started out as a beautiful gesture by the Worcester Wreath Company -- who found themselves with a surplus of wreaths around the holidays in 1992 and decided to take them to Arlington National Cemetery -- grew into a touching national tribute of epic
Woodlawn Funeral Home and Garden of Memories, along with other Houston-area cemeteries, will hold its annual wreath-laying ceremony on Dec. 16.
proportions, due to a viral photo of the wreaths at Arlington National cemetery in 2005. As stated on the Wreaths Across America website, “in 2022, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our nation’s
service members at 3,702 participating locations. This was accomplished with the support of more than 5,000 sponsorship groups, corporation contributions, and in-kind donations from the transportation industry across the country.” This year, Wreath Day falls on Dec. 16, and there are several ceremonies you can attend or volunteer for here in Houston. The Wreaths Across America Houston chapter has a heart-warming story that will make you want to get involved. In 2007, a seven-year-old boy in Atascocita named Alex DeMasi watched a video of the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery with his dad, Scott. Alex asked his dad why our local heroes were not getting wreaths as well. Then he asked the most important question of all: “What can one person do?” It turns out, a lot. His son’s question prompted Scott DeMasi to form the See HEROES P. 8
Have you heard about the Oak Forest Foster Closet? Started in February 2021 by Nicole Aboudaher, a foster mom herself, in order to fill a need in the community, the Oak Forest Foster Closet, located at 1216 Bethlehem Street, is a non-profit organization that helps families who foster, adopt, or serve as kinship care providers for kids. “People donate, we sort through and organize everything, then families come shop,” Aboudaher told me on a busy Saturday morning as she and a team of teen volunteers from Frank Black Middle School helped families who had come to shop the Oak Forest Foster Closet. By “shop” Aboudaher means select things to get for free. “We don’t sell anything,” she added. Families were indeed picking out items. Some had brought kids along because, obviously, kids like to choose things they enjoy. We saw toys, books, among other fun offerings, but also neatly organized supplies that are much more mundane, but quite necessary. Think diapers, potties, etc. Some families had come both to “shop” and to donate things. “Bedding is one of our big needs,” Aboudaher said. “Twin size kid prints. Kids take it with them when they move to a new home.” Behind her, an assortment of sheets, some featuring cute designs, such as trucks, was neatly arranged. Everything in the closet was See OAK FOREST FOSTER CLOSET P. 8
Photo by Elena Sandovici
Oak Forest Foster Closet founder Nicole Aboudaher saw a need for resources after she herself experienced the challenges of being a foster parent.
Bell Crest Apartments marks grand re-opening after extensive renovations By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com Bell Crest Apartments at 808 Frawley St. recently celebrated its grand re-opening, marking the completion of an extensive renovation project designed to enhance the living experience for older adult and disabled residents. Community leaders, project partners, staff, and residents joined in the festivities to commemorate the occasion. Under the guidance of Alliance Ar-
chitects, the renovation project aimed to create a modern and inviting atmosphere. Whitestone Construction served as the general contractor. National Church Residences acquired Bell Crest Apartments in 2021 from its previous owner, The Salvation Army, as part of a larger acquisition of seven Texas communities. “The connection between the Salvation Army and National Church Residences is a natural one, based on similar mission alignment with a commitment to affordable housing,
The Holidays are right around the corner
support programs and a robust chaplaincy program to serve all residents, regardless of their beliefs,” said Lianna McNeil, regional director of philanthropy and public relations of National Church Residences’ Texas operations. With the support of the state, National Church Residences was awarded a 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit, allowing for a wide range of repairs and upgrades at Bell Crest Apartments. The improvements included window and door replacements, redesign and modernization of
Photo courtesy National Church Residences
The building formerly owned by the Salvation Army underwent a complete remodel to better serve seniors with limited income.
common spaces, full renovation of all accessible units, cabinetry and fixture upgrades, new flooring, and more. See BELL CREST P. 8
See SEARS P. 7
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