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Highway plans reignite lawsuit Plaintiffs: Lanes will be too loud

METRO increases HOV rates for commute

METRO will increase its High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane rates for portions of the morning commute on several highways throughout Harris County, effective Jan. 6. The rates will remain the same for all other hours of the day, according to Carolina Mendoza of the METRO public information office. Mendoza said the reason for the rate increases is “to improve the flow of morning traffic over peak times.” Tolls on U.S. Hwy. 290’s High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane will increase from $5 to $7 during the 6-6:30 a.m. morning commute. The HOT lane goes from the Loop 610 interchange to the Sam Houston Tollway interchange. The 3+ HOV requirement on 290 will begin at 6:30 a.m. through 8 a.m. It previously began at 6:45 a.m.

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by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com When Holly Park resident Dawn Harrell goes outside, she can hear all of the noise from the nearby U.S. Hwy. 290 and Loop 610 interchange. She knows that noise will only increase as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans additional, and elevated, lanes for the ongoing 290 project. Harrell, who lives five or six house lengths away from W. 18th Street, met with Houston attorney Carol Caul, who is representing her and 12 other plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against the Federal Highway Administration and TxDOT. Other plaintiffs in the case reside in areas of Oak Forest, Timbergrove and Lazybrook that are close to the highway construction. Because TxDOT changed its original plan to accommodate managed lanes, Caul must re-file the original lawsuit, which she filed in 2012, by Jan. 24, which she plans to do. The defendant will have 60 days to respond to the suit, during which time the judge could dismiss it. If the judge doesn’t dismiss the case, the two sides will speak to the judge on April 24 and decide how to move forward. In the revised suit, Caul said she’ll also be seeking a supplemental environmental impact statement for 290, 610 and I-10, including Memorial Park and the Arboretum. “(We’re seeking) adequate noise abatement,” Caul said. “That might sound easy, but when you have these massive highways, it should have included those plans in the design.” Caul is working pro-bono on the case and said she and the plaintiffs are not seeking monetary damages. She wants to make sure that TxDOT is abiding by federal noise regulations. “I made a promise to some of the people that I would do it, Caul said. “It’s something I believe in.” The issue affected Caul’s neighborhood,

Seven of area’s neighborhoods top pub’s list Just in case Leader residents didn’t know they lived in great neighborhoods, the official ballot for the 2013 Swamplot Neighborhood of the Year Awards is out and out of seven contenders, five are in or near the area. That’s right, five. Voting ended on Dec. 27 so there’s no chance of getting your two cents in now, but you can view the finalists.

Germantown Historic District

Swamplot said, “This tiny neighborhood of 71 homes tucked between Woodland Heights and I-45 used the historic preservation ordinance to protect itself from a big, bad developer — without drawing the wrath of haters.”

Oak Forest

The fundraising efforts of the community were part of the ﬁnal ballot mention as were the new security program and the quality of Oak Forest Elementary and Black Middle School. Swamplot also said that “Oak Forest has a ridiculously active Homeowner’s Association/Facebook page, large lots, and TC Jester Park.”

Norhill

If the hassle of the ongoing road construction on 610 and 290 isn’t enough of a headache already, a group of homeowners within earshot of the improved roads also have concerns about the noise the highways will produce, and have ﬁled suit over the concerns. (File photo) on North Post Oak near Loop 610, a decade ago. She ﬁled a suit against the same entities, and they responded with a noise wall. TxDOT has offered noise barriers in some areas of the 290 construction, but not in all of the areas that would be affected by them,

Caul said. TxDOT cannot comment on pending litigation, but they’ve said in the past that longitudal tining, a type of pavement, will make

see Highway • Page 4

According to Swamplot, this neighborhood is “one of the few, maybe only, Heights-area neighborhoods to have escaped the scourge of New Charlestorleans-style homes, humper house additions and the light industrial/garden apartments that inﬁltrated the area in the ’60s and ’70s. Deed restrictions and historic district status have helped it keep the original look, and attract the type of buyer who wants and appreciates that look.” An interesting perspec-

see Tops • Page 4

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Bayou plan taking shape, eye on environment

ALTERATIONS: Reasonable. Pick up and delivery. Charlotte, 713-6940003.

by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

See More Pages 11&12

THE INDEX.

Public Safety Hipstrict Topics Obituaries Coupons Puzzles Sports Classiﬁeds

2 3 5 6 7 6 6 11

Chris Medina is a semi-regular ﬁsherman on White Oak Bayou. He says he’s caught bass there.

There is no doubt that Houston is taking its role as the Bayou City seriously. The Bayou Greenways 2020 project – funded in part by the November 2012 bond referendum providing $160 million in park funding – will add an uninterrupted system of 150 miles of parks and trails along Houston’s bayous. More people are subsequently exploring the existing paths by foot and on bike and perhaps familiarizing themselves for the ﬁrst time with “the rich ecological corridor” – so put by Roksan Okan-Vick, executive director of the Houston Parks Board. She’s right. In the Leader area, the West White Oak Bayou Trail, running from 11th and TC Jester Boulevard all the way up to Antoine Drive, provides a glimpse

One important step, according to Roksan Okan-Vick, executive director of the Houston Parks Board, is determining who will maintain the bayous, especially cleaning them of trash. of both Houston’s natural beauty, and its randomness. While the trails themselves are being tended to, the bordering buildings are not, as they are the responsibility of the individual property owner. And due to Houston’s lack of zoning, what is built along the bayous is up to their own discretion. A prime example of this is the part of the White Oak Trail which begins at 34th and TC Jester Boulevard and extends to the current end point at Antoine. While

following the TC Jester Park for a bit, around Pinemont it becomes a different trail altogether, giving way to business and residential areas, including trailer parks and apartment complexes, some of which are abandoned. Yet on the other side, people are ﬁshing, bird watching and just plain taking it all in. Blue herons delicately step along the water while turtles bob underneath. The trash is here – no doubt about it – but also miles of uninterrupted green space. The true deﬁnition of a dichotomy, repeated all along the Bayou City. But it’s only going to get better.

Plans for West White Oak Trail

First, the West White Oak Trail is going to be extended from Antoine to Alabon-

see Bayou • Page 4

Page 2 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

Washington Avenue Safety

Double murder sparks concern by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com The Washington Avenue Corridor, with its collection of bars and nightclubs, appears to be a relatively safe area. But that assumption was challenged at 2 a.m. Dec. 26 when Patrick Prince and Brian Washington shot and killed each other outside the NOx nightclub, at 4701 Nett, just north of Washington. Another man was grazed by a bullet and received non-life threatening injuries. According to the Houston Police Department, there were a total of ﬁve calls for service since Oct. 1 at 4701 Nett – two thefts, an auto theft, a burglary of a motor vehicle and an assault – “not unusual…in and around nightclubs,” according to HPD spokesman John Cannon. Efforts to reach the management at NOx were unsuccessful. The nightclub had previously made headlines in October when 19-year-old music star Justin Bieber was spotted in the 21-andover club. Just a few blocks away from where the Nett shooting took place, the tragedy didn’t seem to affect other establishments. “We haven’t had any problems,” J Black’s manager Joe Klein said. “We haven’t heard anyone talking about (the NOx shooting).” One bar owner decided to move his business a few years ago, partially due to safety concerns.

Crime Briefs: Man booked for Heights assault Jimmy Serena, 52, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault of a family member at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 23 in the 700 Serena block of E. 17th St. Serena allegedly threatened his 47-year-old girlfriend with a box cutter and allegedly assaulted her. The victim suffered a minor injury.

Jack in the Box robbery

Patrick Prince and Brian Washington both died after a gunﬁght outside NOx nightclub just oﬀ of Washington Avenue. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter) Andy Adams, who owns The Corkscrew wine bar in Timbergrove, had previously owned three bars on Washington Avenue. He said a drive-by-shooting in 2010 at 4 a.m. – in which nobody was shot – near the Washington Avenue Drinkery – played a factor in his departure from the corridor. “We were ducking for cover. After that night, I decided it would be a good time to get out of there,” said Adams, who also pointed to the corridor’s younger demographics as a factor in relocating his establishment.

Although safety is a concern, Super Neighborhood 22 – which represents the Washington Avenue Corridor – has made noise a more pressing issue. “Neighbors don’t like the kids getting out of the bars and staying out in the streets until 4 or 5 a.m.,” said Carol Caul, a volunteer on SN22 Noise Committee. The noise situation was enough of a concern that the question was asked to councilman-elect David W. Robinson during a candidate forum last month, who said he would continue to “track the problem and keep working on it.”

Three suspects wearing ski masks robbed the Jack in the Box at 7502 N. Shepherd at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 22. The suspects, described as 5foot-10 or 5-foot-11 black males wearing blue pullovers (and one wearing a black coat), entered the establishment armed with guns. They took money from the cash register and ﬂed. There were no injuries.

two Hispanic males, including one armed with a knife, took her phone. She described the suspects as being 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-4, respectively, and between the ages of 18 and 24.

Aggravated assault on Cavalcade

A 60-year-old man told police that his 39-year-old girlfriend cut him with a knife as the two got into an argument at 4 p.m. Dec. 23 in the 100 block of Cavalcade. He was taken to the hospital and treated for a minor injury. Police are looking to get more information about the suspect.

Man robbed, beaten on Mangum

A 49-year-old male was taken to Memorial City Hospital with pos-

sible internal injuries, along with knocked out teeth and broken ribs after he was assaulted and robbed at 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 29 in the 3200 block of Mangum. The victim was walking down the street when he was approached by four black male suspects in their early 30s who hit and kicked him before robbing him of his wallet and cell phone.

Moore charged in simple assault

Freddie Moore, 40, was arrested and charged with simple assault after allegedly throwing a bowl of soup at his 44-year-old brother at 11:56 p.m. on Dec. 23 in the 4900 block of Tulane. There was no description of the victim’s injuries.

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Studewood robbery

JAN CLARK, J.D.

A 35-year-old woman had her cell phone stolen at 6 p.m. Dec. 22 in the 800 block of Studewood. The victim told police that

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Page 3 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

Hair of the Dog won’t help It is that time of year when many of us might overdo it when it comes to celebratory drinking. The Thirsty Explorer came up with a list of hangover cures that are said to be the best and some that are questionable.

Hair of the dog, or continuing drinking, to avoid a hangover can be a viable option, but almost all sources agree that it is just delaying the inevitable.

Eat Food

Avoid acetaminophen, in such products as Tylenol or Aspirin, because it is tough on the liver. It is best to take ibuprofen, which is in such products as Motrin or Advil. Taking ibuprofen before bed can help reduce the probability of a headache when you wake up. However, if you partied like a rockstar the night (or hours) before, more ibuprofen might be necessary in the morning. *Please refer to product directions prior to usage.

Many people, such as The Corkscrew’s Andy Adams, suggest having a greasy breakfast. He prefers Huevos Rancheros from Mi Sombrero on 34th St. Here are the best foods to help cure the symptoms of a hangover: It is best to Thirsty make sure to Explorer have a full meal before partaking in alcoholic beverages because food helps slow the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Some sources say that asparagus might help prevent a hangover because it contains enzymes that help breakdown alcohol. Carbohydrate-rich foods can help bring your blood sugar levels back up when the liver has been busy metabolizing the alcohol. This can help alleviate the tired, irritable feeling of a hangover. Eggs are said to be effective in curing a hangover because the Thirsty(NAC), which can yolks contain the amino acid N-acetyl-cysteine break down the toxins that cause hangover symptoms. Explorer Another great hangover food is the banana, which replenishes potassium lost by alcohol’s diuretic effect. Potassium can improve muscle function and alleviate feeling shaky. Bananas are also said to contain a natural antacid to help fight nausea, as well as magnesium to relax blood vessels and relieve headaches. Another supposed hangover cure is Honey, which has antioxidants and concentrated fructose that helps to flush out alcohol quickly.

Drink Water

Stay hydrated by pre-gaming with water rather than alcohol. Hydration is key to avoiding a hangover. It is best to have no more than one alcoholic drink per hour and to have a glass of water in between each of them. It is said that lighter colored alcohol is less likely to cause a hangover because darker alcohols contain more congeners, a substance which is said to contribute to the symptoms of hangovers.

Other Beverages

In a study earlier this year at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, Chinese researchers found that, of 57 beverages researched in a lab, Sprite is a the perfect hangover cure. The study did not indicate whether funding was provided by Sprite or not, so our best suggestion is to stick with water. Some also say that coﬀee is a good hangover cure. While it might help to make you feel more alert, it can also dehydrate you more. So, be sure to drink water too. Sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade are no better than water, so save your money and stick with water.

Medication for Pain Relief

Sweat it Out

While sweating it out has been said to be a myth, the release of endorphins could help boost your mood, if you can handle it. Some say exercise increases circulation which speeds toxins out of your system. However, strenuous exercise can dehydrate you further and make you feel worse. Other sources say that having sex can help because of the release of oxytocin, which increases your threshold for pain. It can also help burn oﬀ calories from the excessive alcohol intake.

Best Solution

Drink less. If you frequently find yourself suffering from hangovers, it might be best to make drinking less a New Year’s resolution. Moderate drinking is considered one to two drinks per day. Heavy drinking is considered more than three to four drinks per day. The limit is higher for men because they are larger than women, on average, and metabolize alcohol differently. Regardless of your preferences, be sure establish a designated driver before partaking in any alcohol. Each year over 10,000 people die due to drunk driving. Drive sober or get pulled over!

Cyclone Anaya’s New January Features

Cyclone Anaya’s has new features on the menu for January. The drink features include the El Burro Margarita, with 1800 Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, lemon juice, simple syrup and ginger beer, served up or on the rocks; The 1800 Skinny Margarita, with 1800 Silver or 1800 Reposado Tequila, Splenda and fresh lime juice; Three Tea-ni with Three Olives Strawberry Vodka, Art In the Age Rhubarb, lemon juice, simple syrup and pineapple juice, served up or on the rocks. Cyclone Anaya’s featured shots include the Mexican ROse, Kamikaze Kickoﬀ, Banana Splitz and Maestro Dobel Shot. There is also a selection of guiltless mojitos all with less than 130 calories, which include the Blueberry Coconut Mojito, Sinless Strawberry Mint Mojito, Weightless Mojito and Mango Pineapple Fusion Mojito. The $15 Tequila Flight consists of three types of tequila: 1800 Silver, 1800 Reposado and Maestro Dobel Tequilas. Happy Hour starts at 3 p.m. during the weekdays, with wine features for $5. There are also half price bottles of wine for Wine Down Mondays and Tuesdays. Cyclone Anaya’s is located at 1710 Durham Drive at I-10. For more information, visit www. cycloneanaya.com, ﬁnd them on Facebook. Follow Ivee Sauls on Twitter @ThirstyExplorer. To submit an event, email ivee@theleadernews.com.

Art a la Carte: Gearing up for a great year Happy New Year! 2014 has arrived and it appears most folks are still hibernating, on vacation or just working off the holiday bulge. The art is scarce. Next weekend we’re going to need fast cars and comfortable shoes to hit the many art openings around town. It is first Mitch Cohen Saturday and Arts Columnist that means the entire Heights neighborhood will be abuzz with activity. Here’s my spin on it: start at Revival Market on the corner of Heights Blvd. at White Oak Dr. for breakfast. Travel west to Yale then north a block to Barrio Antigua Furniture which features Mexican imports and home and garden décor. Some of the finest furniture made right there on site. Barrio is at 725 Yale St. Next door is Scootersmith, home of all things scooter, new and refurbished, so if you have a hankering to purchase one, you couldn’t find a better shop. Keep traveling north to 19th St., and you’ll find the quaint shops and boutiques that enthrall so many year round. Continue west to 540 West 19th by foot or car to Gen’s Antiques (plenty of free parking too) and inside you’ll find one fine collection of restored juke boxes among all the treasures. If the food trucks in the parking lot don’t give it away for you, the artists at First Saturday Arts Market will be out in force in Gen’s parking lot with half a dozen new artists trying out the scene, for a total of three dozen artists.

the Craig Lesser “Works on Paper” from 6-9 p.m. at Redbud Gallery, 303 East 11th St. From Redbud: “Craig was born and grew up in Houston and studied art at the University of Houston, graduating in 1978. His work was included in the 1985 landmark “Fresh Paint” show at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. He was represented by Meredith Long Galleries, with his ﬁrst solo show being at the gallery in 1985. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s and passed away in 1989. His painting style could be called a combination of abstract and ﬁgurative images. He liked bright colors and mixed media (watercolor, oil crayons, markers).” The exhibit will be on display from Jan. 4 through Jan. 26.

Niko Lorraine (Photo from reverbnation.com) 3 p.m. Andrew Karnavas returns with his originals. This singer/ songwriter, with his smooth voice and catchy lyrics, will have you wondering what I always do while listening to Karnavas, “Next time I see him will be on the big stage or television, or receiving an award.” He’s that good – both of them are – so do not miss Andrew or Niko. More on the market and upcoming events is at FirstSaturdayArtsMarket.com. Also on Saturday night are two events to catch. First in the Heights head back to 11th St. for

Mitch Cohen is the founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him at ArtValet@gmail.com or visit him on the web at ArtValet.com.

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First Saturday Arts Market is introducing many new talented musicians to our audience in 2014. On Jan. 4, we are honored to hear the talent of Niko Lorraine. Niko says she is the daughter of the marriage of folk and rock. With inﬂuences like Ani Difranco, Billy Holiday, the Indigo Girls & Johnny Cash, Niko will have everyone toe tapping and smiling. She performs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. At

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Page 4 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

Garman leaves legacy in Oak Forest by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com There are a lot of things that the community is remembering about Oak Forest Elementary ﬁrst grader Matthew Garman, who succumbed to a rare form of pneumonia before Christmas. Evan Erftmier shared a love of Legos with Matthew and said he “was lucky to have him in Kindergarten and ﬁrst grade.” Owen McCormick enjoyed playing Angry Birds with him. “He built a really great tower and was so nice to me,” he said. Anne Holik got to hang out with Matthew at Vacation Bible School this past summer. “You could tell he enjoyed everything he was able to participate in. It was a blessing to have known him. I’m so glad my children got to know him as well.” Matthew’s kindergarten class was protective of him and also took note of his advanced reading skills which got his picture on the top rung of the Accelerated Reading wall, a coveted accomplishment. He wrote in a school newsletter that he liked video games and going to the beach. For a class project, Matthew said he wanted to be a doctor to help other kids. His mom said he loved “broccoli with cheese, Daddy’s three

Matthew Garman cheese lasagna and Skittles.” Matthew’s dad recalled chasing the Oak Forest trains with his boy. And everyone remembers his smile. Texas Children’s Nurse Amy McCormick said, “It would light up the room.” From birth, Matthew faced health challenges that could have diminished his enjoyment of life. He lived with Type I diabetes and

was one of only a 100 people diagnosed with Lipodystrophy, which is the body’s inability to process fat correctly and store it. He also had Celiac disease. However it is not his challenges that people are talking about but rather how he met them. Michael Garman wrote on his son’s Facebook page: “We’re proud of Matthew. If ever someone could have had an excuse to look ahead and dread the day he could. Matthew didn’t. He met every new day with a zest and love of life. Matthew’s courage led us at times and strengthened our hearts to be better parents.” Most of all, Matthew was a regular kid who enjoyed the most regular life his parents were able to provide for him. “If you asked him how he was doing, you usually got a small smile and a thumbs up, sometimes he threw in a ‘ﬁne’ if he was feeling more chatty,” said Oak Forest Principal Jenny Thomas. “On the other hand, ask him about superheroes or the latest movie he had seen and you would get an earful. He was one of the bravest young people I’ve ever been fortunate enough to know.” Friends of the Garmans have set up a PayPal account to assist the family. For more information, email friendsofmatthewgarman@ gmail.com.

Harpeth Rising to visit Cortland Street Concert Series by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com An Americana/roots rock band will make its Texas debut as part of the Cortland Street Concert Series on Jan. 11. Harpeth Rising, a four member band made up of Jordana Greenberg, Rebecca Reed-Lunn, Maria Di Meglio and Chris Burgess, are excited about playing their music in front of an audience in the Heights. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $15 with a student ID. They’ll perform two 45-minute sets. “We do original music -- folk, folk rock, Americana,” said Greenberg, the leader vocalist and violinist. “Lyrically, we’re inﬂuenced by Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, but our sound is more contemporary.” “Texas has such an incredible modern music culture, and we’ve heard really awesome things about this series,” Greenberg said. The members of Harpeth Rising represent a crossroads of North America. Greenberg hails from Canada, while Reed-Lunn, Di Meglio and Burgess are from California, New York and Kentucky, respectively. They’re all classically-trained musicians, and they met as students at Indiana University in

Tops • from Page 1

Highway • from Page 1

tive in light of the Leader’s recent article about the HAHC.

the newly constructed roads quieter. Caul contends that the longitudal tining is good because it’ll make the roads safer, but something else must be done to make it quieter than the federal standard of 67 dba (decibels), which is comparable to the sound of a vaccum cleaner. Caul said unless someone contests TxDOT on noise standards, the problem goes unsolved. Caul said she and the plaintiffs believe that the 290 project is much needed, but the neighbors’ concerns must be taken seriously.

Brooke Smith

Described as “rough around the edges”, Brooke Smith gets props for Montie Beach Park, an active civic club, and of course Teotihuacan and the D&T Drive Inn. Also from Swamplot: “Thankfully, the former unbridled 3story townhouse tsunami has been contained, and the focus has redirected onto single family homes that aren’t built to the lot lines.”

The Shepherd Parks

Others may not have grouped them this way but Swamplot did. Here’s the commentary: “Shepherd Park Plaza, Candlelight Plaza, and Shepherd Park Terrace are neighbors with the GOOFers, but still somewhat more affordable. All three have great neighborhood organizations, and you can’t beat the holiday lights.” Leader readers had their own opinions. Oak Forest’s Eva Cummins thinks that Oak Forest should win “simply because the people really care for each other and the neighborhood.” Realtor Pat Walker said “’The Plazas’ have always been a great, active neighborhood and a neat close-in place to live. I was pleased to see Shepherd Park Terrace included in this group. My prediction has been (for several years now) it is the next ‘hot spot’ in the real estate industry.”

tain rate. Slowing the ﬂow could cause back ups, and ﬂooding, for those upstream. In order to transition from concrete to grass, there would have to be room for the bayou to expand, meaning the city would need to acquire additional land to store water. A wish for many in the near term is the removal of some of the derelict, and possibly dangerous, buildings along White Oak Bayou. Oakbrook Apartments at 5353 DeSoto St. is a 222-unit complex that now bears little resemblance to an actual apartment building. It’s for sale though and the Houston Parks Board did try to acquire it with help from the city, but according to Okan-Vick, the price was too high. She said however it might be a candidate for acquisition in the future.

A boon for all bayous

The litter problem is no small one for Houston’s bayous. And if you’re going to build a lot of nice, new trails, you want them to stay that way. Today, trail cleanup and main-

Bloomington, Ind. “We graduated and went our separate ways for a couple of years, and then got back together to start the band,” Greenberg said. “We play Bloomington several times per year and have an awesome fan base there.” Harpeth Rising, which released its fourth album, “Tales from Jackson Bridge,” in October, is currently based in Nashville, Tenn. They came up with the band name after a river that runs through Music City.

��

Karen Othon, information ofﬁcer for TxDOT provided some updates on construction projects. After Jan. 8, she’ll have an update on the Loop 610/US 290 interchange. “For the US 290/34th Street intersection, we estimate it will be about another year before the contractor reconstructs that intersection.” On 610 construction at West and East TC Jester: “The contractor is rebuilding both West and East TC Jester just north and south of I-610. Temporary pavement has been built which allows trafﬁc to move through the intersection while the street work is being done,” Othon said.

tenance is the responsibility of the Harris County Flood Control District and the Houston Parks Department, but come July 2014 responsibility will shift to the Houston Parks Board as stipulated by the grant conditions set by the Kinder Foundation. For the past year and a half, Okan-Vick said the board has been studying the best standard of maintenance, so whoever they work with in the future – whether that be the Parks Department or the Flood Control District or a private company – there will be a standard of care. The addition of simple trail amenities are also on the front burner. Trailheads with drinking fountains, trash cans, benches are on the horizon. And what about a place to check out bikes, visit a juice bar, or buy a Frisbee? Maybe. “The Greenway plan was the basic plan,” said Okan-Vick. “Phase 1 is for the next seven years. Many things can be layered on to that in the future. The goal is to keep things in their natural form and to keep them accessible.”

Reed-Lunn plays the banjo, and Di Meglio, the cello. Burgess is the band’s percussionist. They all contribute vocals to the band. “We have an Appalachian tinge because we do so much with fourpart harmonies,” Greenberg said. While the band mostly plays original music, they also put their own spin on cover tunes. “We play everything from Blue Oyster Cult to the Beatles,” Greenberg said. “Audiences really enjoy that, too. It’s a good way to introduce them to your sound.”

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Construction Update

Bayou • from Page 1 son. It will take advantage of the city’s acquisition of the former Inwood Forest Golf Course which closed in 2007. Before the purchase, residents were concerned that developers would use the land commercially, and the case went to court. The area will now stay green, used both as a multi-purpose park and detention pond, similar to Keith Weiss Park. The second piece of the trail expansion is currently in the design phase and will take it all the way up to Hollister, adding an additional 3.4 miles to today’s trail. Okan-Vick mentioned the popularity of the Hollister basin. “It is a huge recreation area and so it was important to use it as an end point,” she said. A longer range plan – like 50 years or more – might include the removal of the concrete from the bayou channels. Okan-Vick said that not all of the bayous were concreted but portions of Braes Bayou and White Oak Bayou were. Aside from being difﬁcult to remove, the concrete edges were designed to move water at a cer-

Harpeth Rising will take the stage on Jan. 11 as part of the Cortland Street Concert Series in the Heights. Band members are Jordana Greenberg, Rebecca ReedLunn, Maria Di Meglio and Chris Burgess. (Photo courtesy of Harpeth Rising)

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Page 5 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

PROUD NEWS PARTNER WITH

Thank you to the folks who have contributed this year

’m late to the champagne toasting party because I’m not quite finished with 2013. If you’ll grant me just a couple of minutes, I’d like to offer a humble “thank you” for the year that has passed and the calendar to come. A few weeks ago, I wrote a letter to all of our readers, telling you about our annual program called “Voluntary Contributions.” The program, kind of like public radio and TV fundraisers, is a one-time request to support the costs we face to publish, print and deliver a newspaper each week. When we launched the program in 2012, I had no idea how readers would respond. And as you may or may not remember, our entire office was touched by the people who sent envelopes and thank you cards. This year has been no different, and for those of you who have offered your financial support to a newspaper (you know, that budding industry – right after buggy whips, of course), I want to tell you how much we appreciate the folks who understand a little about the service we try to provide every week. My favorite part about our voluntary contribution program is not just the monetary support we receive. Just as important – and more moving – are the notes you all send with your envelopes. The simplest notes are often the best: “I wish it could be more, but I live on social security.” We actually received a number of

each week, we’re able to charge a much more affordable advertising rate to local businesses. Yes, we could probably ask for more money, but we’d rather keep advertising rates as low as possible, and programs like this help offset rate hikes. So while we understand some folks may take offense to us asking for a contribution, we do it, in part, because it’s a way for readers to support the community – if they wish. Despite the few negative notes we received, the majority of you sent notes that really encourage the people who publish your newspaper every week. One of my favorites came from a thoughtful gentleman: “In many ways, The Leader provides more value to my wife and I than the Chronicle. The Chronicle is easily replaced by various websites. You cannot so easily be replaced. It will be interesting to see if your niché can grow. The challenges are abundant. Good luck.” That letter kind of encapsulates what goes on inside my head, literally, on a daily basis. As we have heard from countless readers, we do believe The Leader – and any good community newspaper – can cover an aspect of your lives that no one else can, or will cover. We can provide news with our staff that other media sources in the market just don’t have time, or manpower, to provide. As most small business owners do, we spend sleepless nights working through ideas that will help your community

JONATHAN MCELVY Publisher

notes like that, and I can’t tell you how much that means to our entire staff. There is nothing – no product, no service – that gets cheaper (except for TVs and microwaves, I suppose), and for people on ﬁxed incomes to send us support, no matter what size the check, is incredibly humbling. While there were plenty of “thank you” notes, a program like this isn’t complete without equally opposite notes of discouragement. “Stop trashing my yard,” said one man. Another, complete with vile drawings and ﬁlthy language, told us to stop asking for money. “Stop selling ads, then ask for money,” was scribbled near the bottom of the page. I didn’t plan to publicize that note, but it’s probably a question many people ask. One of the reasons community newspapers can be successful is by offering local businesses an avenue to market their stores, products and services. Because we don’t print 400,000 copies of the paper

THE READER.

Mascot Mistake

Dear Editor: Reading the Leader’s article, “HISD’s final vote on mascot issue set for Jan. 9” dated 12/21/13, I was disappointed that this report was so one-sided and incomplete. Other than recalling how the board voted, there was no mention of what took place at the board meeting, how well it was attended, or the level of support or opposition. The article did mention that Hamilton’s principal, Wendy Hampton had a meeting with parents and that there was no “huge opposition to change”. Well, you’ll have to define “huge” for me because based on her statement, there was opposition. As for reporting both sides of an issue, I’ll have to give this article an “F”. Regarding the change in policy proposed by Superintendent Terry Grier, I have several objections. That’s why I signed up to speak at the board meeting. There were a total of 28 people registered to speak, but because of a rule limiting discussion on an agenda item to 30 minutes, a reduction in speaking time from 3 minutes to 1 minute was ordered. As it turned out, it was fairly evenly split between opposing sides. My first complaint to the board was about the timing of the vote. I first heard of the mascot name being an issue on the Monday night news. During this report I learned that a vote by the board was to be taken on Thursday night that same week. At first I thought I had misunderstood, but I had not. I later learned that the Houston Chronicle ran a story on this in the Sunday paper. That meant that from the first public mentioning of this being an issue, to the vote being scheduled to address it, there would be a total of 4 days. Keep in mind that this was being scheduled during the Christmas season, when most people are preoccupied. Why the rush, and why now? What was the emergency that required it to be dealt with so swiftly? Frankly, I don’t see one, and I view the maneuver as a political trick to suppress opposition and ram the changes through. This type of action in my book is an abuse of power and does a disservice to the community. My second complaint has to do with Grier’s decision to sit in judgment and declare that such symbols as the “Indian” no longer reflect the values of who we are. Who and when did Grier get appointed to judge who we are? I find this claim by Grier to be highly offensive, for it suggests that over 200,000 Hamilton Indian students, over an 87 year period, have wronged a people simply by calling themselves Indians. It also implies that these students were being hateful and racist in the process. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I attended Hamilton during the 60’s and I was a proud Hamilton Indian, as were my fellow students. I have no recollection of any hateful or demeaning behavior by anyone regarding our symbol. When the speakers had their say, and the board was about to call for the vote, each board member got a chance to say a few words. Board member Harvin Moore related an interesting story he was told by a faculty member of Hamilton Middle School. This faculty member did some research on the history of Hamilton’s mascot’s name and came up with an interesting find. Research showed that in 1926, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in Livingston bestowed upon Hamilton the honor of the Indian name. Also, the Chairman of their Tribal Council spoke at the board meeting and said the Tribe decided not to take a position, and that he personally was not bothered by it at all. This to me is vindication that there was no malice in selecting and using the Indian as a mascot. As I said at the meeting…why would the school founders do such a stupid thing as to choose a name they would not be proud of and would bring ridicule and embarrassment to the school? The last point I want to make is this: retiring the mascot’s name automatically finds the school, and anyone who was ever involved with it, guilty as charged of being hateful, demeaning, behaving wrongly, and even being a racist. These schools will forever carry the stigma of having been censured for improper behavior. Grier’s idea that “decisions made generations ago need to be reconsidered” is an elitist’s attitude and shows his arrogance. If a policy change is really needed, then grandfather all of the

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school mascot’s names and apply the new rules to the new schools. Is it possible to please everyone all of the time? No, it isn’t. These days everything seems to offend people. Even the word “Christmas” offends. Some don’t like the name Jesus. My nephew is named Christian. Being a Christian is offensive to some. Should he reconsider the decision his parents made by naming him Christian because he might be offending someone? Do we need to reconsider the name Jesus? Don’t kid yourself people, this is about trying to redefine who we are. It has gotten ridiculous! Alex Martinez

Take rail line seriously

Dear Editor: With Houston growing more dense around its urban nodes of the Galleria, the Medical Center and Downtown and with so much insane crosstown traffic increasing yearly, the only solution Houston will have to dedicate funds toward mass transportation in such a way that suburbanites can feel safe while being efficiently transported from one side of town to the other. The excess feeder road peripheral areas that parallell all our highways could be used for the rail lines , where, they efficiently parallel our living areas and, can also easily welcome commuters stuck in traffic, to exit, park , and take the train for the rest of their commute. The rail line could be elevated or at grade and would connect all parts of Houston to a central hub at the Hardy Rail Yards , just north of downtown, and a hub at the southern end of the Galleria on Richmond. These commuter rail stations would be geared to suburban to urban node locations/destinations, bypassing high crime areas of town. We now have a ridiculously slow, uncomfortable, inefficient train to connecting bus service, at grade Metro rail system that connects areas of town that are too closely situated and do not justify its continuual funding when bus service would be more appropriate for these less densely populated areas. Tom Desantos

Biased ‘Top Stories’

Jeanette Black Inside Sales Executive

Dear Editor: In this article [on biggest stories of 2013] there are several references to the Heights real estate growth i.e. • How rich everyone is getting • Beneﬁcial aspects of construction and small houses giving way to larger properties ‘on the same lot’ • ‘Nothing that tops the gentriﬁcation of our neighborhoods’ …. but what about the low income people that are being pushed out • Addition of chain restaurants is good • HAHC trying to enforce the Historic District Ordinance …. which was democratically voted into law ..,.. is getting in the way of developers and people wanting to cash-in on their properties There is a passing mention of the HHA Land Use Committee but no real explanation on their role. Regard this as a very biased piece of reporting. As I note on The Leader website that your other alternate address is sports@theleadernews.com, then maybe that would be a better subject for you to be reporting on. Roger Watkins

lucy@theleadernews.com

Dear Editor: I can see that you write with a bias . When gentriﬁcation is tops then the opportunity for working people to live in a “nice” neighborhood is diminished. Many working families will be priced out of Oak Forest and for me that is not “tops”. I hope Oak Forest will not turn into a gentriﬁed neighborhood with little diversity but it seems when people like you write with such enthusiasm about tearing down homes and building “bigger and better” then I’m afraid your opinion must be shared by others. It seems you would enjoy the exclusivity of the neighborhood. Linda Trejo

Predictions for Ashby

Dear Editor: In reading Lynn Ashby’s recent column, reflecting on 2013 events and Texas politicians, he finesses his way around the dumbest statements of the year made by a member of Congress from Houston. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee declared from the House floor in February during debate on the sequester, “I stand here as a freed slave.” And in October, during the government shutdown, the Congresswoman said from the House floor that “we have martial law.” Evidently, these statements from the representative who represents this very area of “The Leader” were, in Ashby’s view, not newsworthy and not fit to print. So, for those newcomers to the area who are readers of The Leader, just know that Lynn Ashby is a Democrat working as a journalist--pardon the redundancy--who will dutifully protect Texas Democrat politicians from embarrassment, no matter how outrageous their comments. In all the years I’ve read The Leader I have never once read a single sentence in which Ashby has ever cited one statement of the Congresswoman’s that would make her look bad. I predict in 2014, he’ll keep this trend going – and that she’ll win re-election even at the advanced age of 149. Mike Crowe

Historically Stuck

Dear Editor: I feel I must reply to Mike Walker’s letter to the Leader in which he is described as “historically stuck” in the Heights. Firstly, Mr. Walker inaccurately states that “City Hall had crammed an historic ordinance through the system.” In actuality, Mr. Walker, the majority of home owners in your area of the Heights voted in favor of the historic designation, and there was no shadow conspiracy on the part of City Hall. Secondly, since his views on the historic district have been published by the Leader, I think that, in all fairness, Mr. Walker should have also noted that he sold two other lots on his block - one lot was vacant and the other had an old home on it which was subsequently demolished. Both lots have been redeveloped. I believe that by adding this additional information in his letter, he might have painted a more accurate picture of his situation. Instead of being “historically stuck” in the Heights, he has proﬁted ﬁnancially from the lack of historic protection of our neighborhood. That is the full picture, and I believe it sheds a bit of light on his woeful letter to the Leader. Amy Lawson

newspaper grow in the coming year. For that matter, our entire industry has had a few hundred sleepless nights over the past few years, trying to determine if there’s a future for print publications. And I think that’s where this last note ﬁts perfectly. We received a contribution from a lady in our community, and like so many of the envelopes, hers included a letter to us. “I am very disappointed in your support of developers who want to destroy the Heights and our historic district. The rules may not be perfect, but what is the alternative? Can’t we preserve a few blocks of our history?” As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, we’ve had a number of people weigh in on the historic preservation story we published on Dec. 7. (For that matter, we are not ﬁnished reporting on that story. There’s more that we’ll publish in the coming weeks.) What struck me about the letter above, though, was that we had a lady who was disappointed in something we had written, but at the same time, she sent a contribution. Sounds a little off, doesn’t it? One of the things I’ve always loved about community journalism – and I’ve written about this before – is that not everyone will agree with you all the time. In fact, as we now land in 2014, I imagine that in the 52 editions we publish this year, we’ll probably upset every single reader in some form or fashion. When we made some changes to

The Leader 18 months ago, we made a commitment that we would cover our community better than anyone else. In the process, we’ll write stories or offer opinions about the news of this area. A great example is our listing of the Top 10 stories of 2013. We didn’t say anything about the “Best” stories of the past year; rather, we went through every page of our paper from 2013 and found the stories that had the biggest impact on our neighborhoods. It was a no-brainer that real estate development was the biggest story of the year. Heck, it’s a good bet that the same story will repeat itself in 2014. That’s not to say we love all the construction and the pricing of homes (ask my wife and me about that as we start our search for a home). But there’s nothing more important taking place in our community than the dramatic shift in real estate. So to the lady – and she knows who she is – who wrote a letter of reprimand yet still sent a contribution, thank you so much for “getting” what we do here. I suppose most folks don’t always understand, and I know there are plenty who would like their local paper to keep everyone happy all the time, but as we move into a new year, I promise that our mission will remain the same at The Leader: To be relevant to your lives, to report on as many events as possible, and to offer a product every week that challenges and encourages our readers. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

Predicting 2014 to be a year of more confusion Campers, the new year is upon us, and what promises 2014 holds for us all. To get a head start on our upcoming next 365 days, or is it 366? – Leap Years mess me up as much as Daylight Saving Time. Anyway, I now shall predict what will and won’t happen to us in the next 12 months (or is it 13?). Clip this and save. JANUARY – 49 bowl games lead to couch failure, alcoholism among unemployed kidney donors and terminal ennui. Congress meets to hear President Obama’s State of the Union speech and immediately adjourns until the Easter recess. Gov. Rick Perry travels to Madrid, Paris and Hong Kong on his “farewell tour.” With so many DPS troopers working as his traveling security detail, the unprotected Governor’s Mansion is again hit by an arsonist. As scheduled by NBC, Jimmy Fallon replaces Jay Leno despite Leno’s constant spot as number one in ratings. FEBRUARY – UT-Austin names its former president, William Powers, as the next football coach. Rachel Maddow sends Bill O’Reilly a box of valentine candy. O’Reilly’s food taster is rushed to the ER. At the Winter Olympics, the CIA team wins an old event with a new twist: snowboarding. In an emergency session, the Texas Legislature names fracking the official state savior and redistricts Austin to Oklahoma. MARCH – NSA warns members of Congress not to put limits on the agency, explaining: “Want to see our files under C?” A new cable network is formed and will open for business sometime between May and August. The Texas Congressional delegation is expelled by the rest of the members for voting to repeal the law of gravity. The Supreme Court of Texas reverses its decision and declares that all beaches in the state are open to the public, but only at high tide during shark season. As Jimmy Fallon’s ratings drop, NBC fires Fallon and brings back Jay Leno. APRIL – Enrollees for Obamacare reach two dozen. “We’re right on track,” a White House spokesman brags. Sen. Ted Cruz demands to be admitted as the 51st state “or at least as a Canadian province.” Campaigning for the GOP nomination for governor, Greg Abbott vows to be “the best governor of Texas since Sam Houston.” When it is pointed out that Houston was thrown out of office for opposing secession, Abbott calls it “liberal propaganda.” MAY – Local 10 o’clock TV news goes one night without showing yellow police tape. Staff is fired. Sears and Neimans are arrested in the disappearance of their business partners Roebuck and Marcus. Obamacare enrolls its 100th participant, who promptly dies. The White House blames the Bush administration. JUNE – Harris County Commissioners Court promises to make a final decision on the Astrodome “any millennium now.” Although Jay Leno’s ratings continue to rise, NBC fires Leno and brings back Conan O’Brien. Sarah Palin admits she can’t see Russia from her front porch, but adds excitedly: “I can see my next door neighbor!” The Obamacare computers get a virus which are not covered by any policy. JULY – Hurricane Horace Timblebrook-Hastings III (NOAA had run out of other names) hits Louisiana destroying houses, towns and crops,

A SH BY AT L ARG E

and inflicting $2.50 worth of damages. Two million Cajuns flee to Texas. The Fourth of July falls on July 4th. In an effort to boost sagging attendance, the Houston Astros adopt a catchy new slogan: “Remember, at an Astros game you are never more than half an inning away from major league baseball.” AUGUST – Hillary Clinton denies any interest in running for President. The announcement is made by her Presidential campaign spokesman. Texas Democrats meet to nominate their gubernatorial candidate. The vote is 34 to 5. Campaigning for governor, Wendy Davis vows to be “the best governor of Texas since Sam Houston.” When it is pointed out that Houston was thrown out of office for opposing secession, Davis calls it “right-wing propaganda.” SEPTEMBER – The Texas State Board of Education formally adopts the wheel. Syrians overthrow their dictator, copy the U.S. Constitution as their own and make lasting peace with Israel, crediting the Obama administration. Fox News calls it “nothing new.” GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott shows up to debate Sen. Wendy Davis wearing pink tennis shoes. Not Davis, Abbott. The Longhorn Network logo is put on the sides of milk cartons. Teenaged hackers from Singapore break into the Obamacare computers and fix everything. OCTOBER – Noting its equipment needs electricity and running water, FEMA announces it will arrive in Louisiana “when everything is working.” Houston and Dallas install video cameras at major intersections to spot motorists who stop at red lights. The Supreme Court of Texas reverses its reversal and declares that all beaches in the state are open to the public, but due to global warming, high tide is now at Port Waco. The Washington Redskins change their name because “it is demeaning and embarrassing to much of the nation.” Hereafter they are called the Chevy Chase Redskins. NOVEMBER – Two million Cajuns refuse to leave Texas and return to Louisiana, reducing Texas’ average IQ but greatly improving its gastronomy. Texas Longhorns go 0-13. As Conan O’Brien’s ratings continue to drop, NBC fires O’Brien and brings back Johnny Carson. In a write-in campaign, Sam Houston is elected governor of Texas. In what is termed “the ultimate putdown,” the Dallas Cowboys play the Houston Texans at noon on Sunday, then play the Chicago Bears that night. DECEMBER – In an effort to pay for its empty football stadium, UT is renamed Texas A&M University at Austin. U.S. Supreme Court rules Bethlehem, Penn. can keep its name “as long as it doesn’t involve religion.” Carefully cultivating his legacy, President Obama renames the Affordable Care Act, calling it Bidencare. So there you have it, campers. Now let’s hide till next New Year’s. Ashby says the sooth at ashby2@comcast.net

Page 6 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

LHN senior doubles as hockey star by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Amanda Curtin’s first encounter with ice-related sports came when she was a 2-year-old figure skater. The Lutheran High North senior never participated in the sport competitively, and by age 9, she wanted to find a new sport that she’d enjoy more. “I didn’t like figure skating very much,” Curtin said. “Hockey was faster and more competitive. It’s a team sport.” Curtin, 17, stayed on the ice but made the transition to ice hockey. Before long, she was playing for a Klein ISD boys hockey team. Many private schools do not have ice hockey teams, and since it’s not a UIL-sanctioned sport, players can compete for teams nearby their home. On New Year’s Day, Curtin was scheduled to play in a regional hockey all-star game in Sugar Land, in which she’d be the only girl competing. Curtin said playing with that team has helped her gain experience that she’s used as a member of the Dallas Stars 19U Elite Girls team. The 5-foot-6 senior travels to Dallas most weekends -- carpooling with fellow teammates from the Houston area. When’s she’s not headed to Dallas, Curtin is traveling with the elite team to Canada, New England, Michigan, Minnesota or Wisconsin. Curtin, who has a 3.69 grade point average, has accepted an opportunity to play women’s college hockey at Concordia University of Wisconsin, near Milwaukee. She

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plans on studying biomedical science and eventually becoming a veterinarian. “It will be fun to be able to do something I like and am used to when I’m away at college,” Curtin said. “I really like animals, even more than hockey. I have two dogs, a cat and a bunch of ﬁsh at home.”

In addition to playing the sport, Curtin also coaches a youth hockey team. She said the numbers of young hockey players indicates the sport is on the rise in the Houston area. Hockey isn’t Curtin’s only sport. She grew up excelling at gymnastics, but gave it up to focus on hockey. She also raised more than

$17,000 in the MS150 Bike Ride from Houston to Austin. At LHN, she competes in cross country, soccer and track -- even though it sometimes means missing a game or a practice due to her extensive hockey traveling schedule.

Donald Gene Landry Sr., born Nov. 20, 1936 in Port Arthur, ded Dec. 22 from heart and kidney failure. Landry recently completed 50 years as a property tax professional. The ﬁrst 25 years at the City of Houston Tax Department where he directed the Appraisal Department. After retirement in 1988 he joined the management team at Harris County Appraisal District as director of the Personal/Industrial Property Division, he later became Director of the Review Appraisal Division. Survivors include his wife, Nelda; daughter, Terri; son, Gene, and three grandsons. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.

Pet Cremations

BASKETBALL SCHEDULES

Jan. 10 BOYS Scarborough at Worthing, 4 p.m. (Barnett) Concordia Lutheran at St. Thomas, 7 p.m. Beaumont Kelly at St. Pius X, 7:30 p.m. at Reagan, 8:30 p.m. (North Forest) AdWaltrip # 31448

Jan. 6 BOYS Waltrip at Wheatley, 4:30 p.m. (Barnett) Jones at Scarborough, 4:30 p.m. (North Forest) Jan. 7 BOYS St. Thomas at Fort Bend Christian, 7 p.m. Reagan at Lee, 7:30 p.m. (North Forest) GIRLS Waltrip at Milby, 4:30 p.m. (Butler) St. Pius X at St. John’s, 7 p.m. Jan. 8 GIRLS Reagan at Davis, 4:30 p.m. (North Forest) Jan. 9 BOYS Lutheran North at Emery-Weiner, 7:30 p.m. GIRLS St. Pius X at Incarnate Word, 6 p.m. Lutheran North at Emery-Weiner, 6 p.m.

Elouise Vaughan Massey, 93, born Dec. 30, 1919 in Crosby, died Dec. 23. Massey graduated from Crosby High School in 1937. The day following graduation, she moved to the Houston Heights. She attended Massey Business College and went to work for Reed Roller Bit as a secretary. While at Reed, she met Roland, the love of her life, and they were married on June 17, 1950. She later returned to work as a medical secretary and was employed by Durham Clinic for more than 25 years. She was a faithful member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and the Triple M Sunday School class for more than 60 years. Massey is survived by her children, Pamela Massey, Roland Massey Jr. and Marilyn Simpson and Alan Massey, ﬁve grandchildren and a great-grandson. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, Houston 77009.

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Clement Ray “Clem” Mondy Jr., born July 10, 1928 in Joplin, Mo., died Dec. 25. graduated from Allen Military Academy in Bryan and attended Texas A & M University. Mondy was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conﬂict and was in charge of a heavy mortar ﬁre directional center. Clem was a longtime member of Shiner American Legion Post #201. He was a resident of Oak Forest for 51 years and his children attended Northwest Academy. He was employed as an artist at Mondy and Son Sign Company, in sales at Federal Sign and Signal Corp. and Stewart and Stevenson Services Inc. He was president and CEO of Job-Master Sales Inc., selling high pressure water jet cleaning equipment worldwide. Survivors include his wife Peggy, daughters Cath-

William G. “Bill” Valentine, 84, born Feb. 8, 1929 in Bloomington, Ill., died Dec. 20 in Kansas City. Valentine ran his home business in Washington Township for more than four decades, providing employment opportunities to countless numbers of area folks. Valentine was a member of the legendary Valentine family of trapeze artists, working with them from his early teens and into his 20s at circuses throughout the south and midwest. He graduated from Reagan High School in 1947, and attended a number of diﬀerent state universities before his conscription to the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Stationed in Germany, he worked as a helicopter mechanic. Valentine is survived by his four children, Michael, Hilary Harmon, Loren Reyes, and Sara Valentine, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Andrew Charles Weiss Sr., born March 25, 1914, died Dec. 23. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Anna; son, Herman Weiss; daughters, Charlene Laramey and Julie Tatum, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

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The Puzzles. Solutions in this issue’s classsied section.

ACROSS Cont... 42. Lay a tax upon 45. Ed Murrow’s home 46. Newsman Rather 47. Swiss mountain 49. Till 50. Potato, tossed or green 52. Italian automaker 53. Birthplace of Abraham 54. Scheduled visits 57. Yemen capital (alt. sp.) 59. Assisted 60. Persian kings 61. Accumulate

CLUES DOWN

Mary Jane Moore Schmidt, 68, died Dec. 28. She is survived by her children Catherine Moore, Philip Moore, Wendi Francis, mother Evelyn Woodruff, siblings Woody Woodruff, Sidney Woodruff and Charlotte Bobbitt, and six grandchildren.

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Lutheran High North senior Amanda Curtin, right, competes for the Dallas Stars 19U competitive girls ice hockey team. She also plays for the Klein ISD team in a local high school boys league. (Submitted photo)

Waltrip High senior guard Nathan Washington and the Rams will face defending 4A-21 champion Wheatley at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Barnett Fieldhouse. Both teams are undefeated in district competition. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Samuel “Ray” Kennedy, 78, born Oct. 25, 1935 in Birmingham, Ala., died Dec. 24, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Kennedy worked for the City of Houston for more than 35 years and was director of the Traﬃc and Transportation Department. He was a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo serving as vice chairman of the parade committee for many years. Kennedy also served 22 years as vice chairman of the Houston Municipal Employees Pension Board. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Shirley, and son Sam Kennedy, brother Charles, sisters Dorothy Alford, Janet Molinaro and Janice Kennedy, three grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada, c/o Beth Brennan, 323 Maine St., Reno, NV 89502 or 100 Club of Houston.

Mary Teinert

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4A-21 showdown

Frances Davila, died Dec. 28, after a valiant battle with dementia. She is survived by her loving husband, Carlos, and two sons, Richard and Michael Davila.

FEATURING

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(abbr.) 25. Go in advance 28. Ancient Egyptian King 29. Insert mark 31. Palm fruits 33. Peels a fruit’s skin 34. Many not ands 35. Cathode-ray oscilloscope 36. Bo __, “10” 38. Satises to excess 40. More dry 41. Of he

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1. Unkeyed 2. Recable 3. Sea eagles 4. Small social insect 5. __ Paulo, city 6. 2 man ght 7. Honey (abbr.) 8. Anno Domini 9. Malibu and Waikiki 10. To burst in 11. Mild yellow Dutch cheese 12. Liqueed natural gas 15. Douroucoulis 16. Spoiled child 17. Founder of Babism 21. Ireland 26. Love intensely 27. One who confronts boldly 28. Atomic #52 29. Feels concern or interest 30. Got up from 32. Sound of disappointment 33. Out of 100 (abbr.) 36. Actress Kerr 37. Irish Gaelic 38. 10 Commandments mountain 39. Morning 40. Straight downhill ski run 41. Angel’s crown 43. Canonized individuals 44. Old school tablets 46. Dip lightly into water 48. Traumatic anxiety disorder 50. Mineral spring resorts 51. Desoxyribonucleic acid 52. Greek cheese 54. Express pleasure 55. Don’t know when yet 56. 13th Hebrew letter 58. Chinese tennis star Li

Page 7 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

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Page 8 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

NEWS FROM YOUR PEWS

The

Molly

Diaries

‘The Story’ Bible study resumes at St. Stephen’s

St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 W. 43rd St., will offer weekday studies of The Story, a journey through the Bible, written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Adults of all ages are welcome. Those who are ﬁnding the loss of a loved one especially difﬁcult after the holidays are welcome to attend a new GriefShare group at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9, in Room 101. GriefShare is a nationally recognized program of support for the grieving. Each session includes a video teaching on grief recovery and a small group discussion time. Call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org for information.

Pancake breakfast at St. Matthew’s

The free monthly pancake breakfast will be from 8:30-10 a.m. Jan. 4, in the fellowship hall at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit and breakfast drinks will be served. The Lydia Circle will have the ﬁrst meeting of the year following the breakfast. The Methodist Men will meet, along with the Rev. Frank Coats for Bible study. All men of the church and visitors are welcome. St. Matthew’s offers many opportunities for those wishing to participate in worship, Bible study, choir, mission work and quilting and knitting group. Sunday morning worship with Children’s Church begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by Sunday School. A Wednesday evening prayer and praise service with Holy Communion starts at 6:30 p.m. For information call 713-697-0671 or visit www.stmatthewsmethodist.org.

‘Proof of Heaven’ book study to resume Jan. 29 at St. Ambrose

St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum Road, will present a book study called “Proof of Heaven,” in a ﬁve-part series. These faithbuilding discussions make an excellent prelude to Lent, with the last session ending the week before Lent. Any donation to offset the cost of the book is appreciated. Call 713-686-3857 for information.

Mourning the loss of a pet

by Molly Sue McGillicutty It’s been an emotional few weeks in the McGuillicutty household, friends. My feline housemate, Simon, passed away on December 17. He was 16 years old and had a wonderful life here in my home. His life was full of fluffy beds, good food and catnip and his death was peaceful; however, we’re all mourning none the less. I thought today, I’d talk a little about coping when you lose a pet. First of all, know that it’s healthy to grieve the loss of a pet. Don’t discount real feelings of sadness, loss and depression. According to the ASPCA, the loss of a beloved pet is a serious event that society does not always respect. Your first task is to take care of yourself. Make sure you get the rest and nutrition you need, even when you feel distracted. Your concentration may be impaired, too, so that you need to take extra care with driving and crossing the street. Grief is a normal, healthy process and sometimes necessary to move forward. We form real, family-like bonds with our pets. In many cases, we’re closer to our pets than we are other humans. The ASPCA reports the grief suffered by pet owners after the loss of a beloved pet is the same as that experienced after the loss of a person. Also, it may sound cliché, but time really does heal. With time, care and a little understanding from those close to you, soon you will forget the immediate feelings of pain and loss and remember only the good times. If you’re having trouble coping with the loss of a pet, seek help or support. The Houston SPCA has a special pet loss support group, led by Kevin Lofton, a licensed professional counselor. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the conference room at the shelter, 900 Portway Dr. The Houston SPCA’s Pet Loss Support Group provides a safe, supportive environment where thoughts and emotions can be shared with those in similar circumstances and feelings of grief are understood and validated. Call 713-869-SPCA (7722) or visit www.houstonspca.org for more information. Finally, it might feel like immediately replacing the beloved pet with a new one is

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Glazier event increases team building

MANNA needs volunteers

Make a difference in the community by volunteering just a few hours, one day a week. Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance (MANNA) a coalition of churches and community partners, provides social services in near northwest Houston, is seeking volunteers for the Assistance Program, Vision Center, Food Pantry and Resale Store. Students at least 16 years of age are welcomed. All volunteers must attend a training and orientation session. MANNA Resale Store is pleased to announce it has extended its hours and is now open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to better accommodate the community. MANNA is looking for sociable and extroverted volunteers who enjoy planning events to help further the mission of helping those in need in the community. MANNA is looking for group(s) or individuals who would like to serve on its fundraising committee. For information call Patricia Dornak, executive director, at 713-5045486 or email her at pdornak@gmail.com.

the best medicine in times of sorrow; however, it’s probably best to wait a while before doing that. Getting a new pet so soon after your loss might be a mistake and make an already sad situation even worse and more stressful. After exploring your feelings of grief and properly shopping (and by shopping, of course I mean browsing the area animal shelters!) for a new pet, you might ﬁnd that you’re truly ready to love again and then the right pet will be waiting for you.

Glazier Foods’ School Department team won the company’s holiday team building contest last month. (Submitted photo)

What started as a small thing of decorating for the holidays by one of the departments within Glazier Foods Company, 11303 Antoine Drive, turned into a major competitive and team building event for the company. The company decided to begin a friendly competition by having several teams demonstrate their artistic ability. The challenge was emailed to all of the various departments, who came up with decorations, tools and labor -- all in competition for a prize. The competition was judged on a scale of 1 to 9 (with 9 being the best). Ad # 33711 The criteria was creativity, content,

group participation. The entire company was excited and involved, plus it increased activity between departments. It put employees in the Christmas spirit. The winning departments had a banner in their area for the rest of the year that signiﬁed the talent, unity and team building they had showcased. The School Department, which works with schools on food and cleaning supplies, won ﬁrst place in 2013. Everyone at Glazier enjoyed the competition and fun of the project. The managers felt it was a good learning experience that had put the employees on the track of working toward a common goal.

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Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the ofﬁce of: Chase Baker, D.D.S., 3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.

Church Guide Oaks Presbyterian Church

Grace United Methodist Church “The Heart of the Heights”

1245 Heights Blvd.

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Sunday School . . . . . . . 9:30 AM Sunday Worship . . . . . 10:45 AM Nursery Provided

Ministering to the Oak Forest Community since 1948 Reverend Noelie Day

Reverend Hill Johnson, Pastor

713 862-8883

Gospel Truth Church Sunday 10:30 am Worship and The Word Children’s Church Wednesday 7:30 pm Life Equip classes for all ages

1624 W 34th • 713-686-7689 www.gospeltruthchurch.org

(713) 682-2556 1576 Chantilly @ Piney Woods

Food Pantry, Thurs. 2-4:30 PM www.graceintheheights.org

GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Reverend John Cain, Pastor Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m. Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org

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SILENCE IS GOLDEN

he value of silence in our noisy and busy world is easy to overlook, and even though many of us would like a quieter environment, it can be almost impossible to nd a truly quiet place in much of the modern world. Cars, trucks and motorcycles with loud mufers are some of the worst offenders when it comes to disrupting what little serenity we have. Loud music and boisterous parties are perennial disturbers of the peace as well. Since loud and inconsiderate people are not likely to be convinced of the errors of their ways, holy men and women have always known the importance of sequestering themselves, going into caves or sojourning in the wilderness. Some religious orders even take vows of silence. Finding quiet time each and every day pays big dividends to our spiritual and emotional health, and probably our physical health as well. We should consider also whether our lifestyle is contributing to a quieter world or if we are one of those vexatious disturbers of the peace. “Make it your ambitionto lead a quiet life.”

��

1 Thessalonians 4:11

��

A House of Hope and Prayer in the Heart of Houston Rev. Herschel Moore, Pastor

��

Page 9 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • www.theleadernews.com

BUSINESS

Rusk ‘masters’ old-time service with technology

Briefs People

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Danyel Ramelow is proud to announce that he works for the No. 1 ranked financial services firm, according to a survey administered by WealthManagement.com/ REP. magazine. The magazine randomly Ramelow selects financial advisors nationwide and asks them to rank their firms in various categories. It is the 19th time that Edward Jones has taken top spot. “This honor is a testament to the enduring strength of our firm values, our trade offs and our partnership,” said Ramelow, who is located in the Garden Oaks Shopping Center. “We are guided by a clear mission to serve the serious, long-term individual investor and to provide the best career-long opportunity for financial advisors who take pride in their work and appreciate the importance of the work we do.”

Spotlight

• The Young and the Restless Resale shop, 3468 Ella Blvd., is adding a junior’s room in January, where trendy junior clothes, shoes and accessories will be sold. Owner Angela Pennington says to think of Plato’s Closet or Buﬀalo Exchange. They will take these clothes on consignment as well. Also, the Young and the Restless is now accepting consignments from customers every day. • Home stylist Heather Raine is launching a new website in January 2014 at www.porchswingstaging. com. To celebrate the New Year and the new website, she will be offering a $14 discount on any home staging or interior redesign services.

by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Heights resident Byron Rusk prides his business, Master Car Care at 2305 Yale Street, on its motto, “Yesterday’s Service… Today’s Technology.” Rusk and his employees provide personalized, attention to detail customer service, while investing money in the newest technologies each year for the auto repair, collision repair and paint shops, which are all on site. Rusk, a lifelong Houstonian who has owned RMS Auto Care in Montrose since the 1980s, moved to the Heights and bought Master Car Care. He said it’s the perfect location, since it attracts customers from all of the surrounding areas -- Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Timbergrove and Independence Heights. When the property at 2305 Yale was ﬁrst built in the 1950s, it was a Chevrolet showroom, and Rusk said he’d like to restore part

Master Car Care owner Byron Rusk, right, and one of MCC’s auto technicians, examine a vehicle in the shop last month. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

of the building to give it a nostalgic feel. Rusk shows that giving back to the community is a priority through Car Pros for

Kids, which he founded. The program, which is held every February, raises money by donating oil changes in exchange for 100

percent donations to Child Advocates Inc. Child Advocates is a non-proﬁt organization that mobilizes court-appointed volunteers to break the vicious cycle of child abuse and guide the children into safe environments where they can thrive. Rusk and Master Car Care suffered a huge tragedy when service manager Jeffrey Stott, 40, died in a car accident in November. Rusk mentored Stott for the past 14 years and considered him a son. He said Stott was irreplaceable, but he credits his employees with showing tremendous character and determination in the aftermath of Stott’s passing, to continue the business the way Stott would have wanted it. Stott left behind a wife and four young children. Donations can be made by sending a check payable in the name of the The Jeffrey A. Stott Memorial Fund, mail to the care of Byron Rusk RMS Auto Care, 1759 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098.

One Street, Two Restaurants

Salyers keeps food close to home by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Timbergrove’s Shawn Salyers has been in the restaurant business in Oak Forest for three years. First he opened a Baskin-Robbins franchise next to the Kroger on 43rd Street in December of 2010 and in August of 2012, Salyers took the reigns at MytiBurger, on a less trafﬁcked area of 43rd. Interestingly, Baskin-Robbins encouraged him to locate his ice-cream franchise in the suburbs, perhaps Rosenberg or Stafford, but Salyers Salyers persisted in sticking closer to home. There was a vacancy in his current spot and he jumped on it. “I knew the area was going to be growing,” he said. Still, he didn’t realize just how many kids there were until he was in business. Salyers describes Baskin-Robbins as a “lower

ticket, higher volume” endeavor which lends itself to a higher trafﬁc area because it depends on the impulse buy. As for MytiBurger, “people are hungry so they seek it out.” Salyers said he was disappointed when he ﬁrst opened since business started out slower than he wanted but once he got a good review in the Houston Press, things started to pick up. Customer Betty Crain didn’t need a review, because she’s been coming to MytiBurger for more than 40 years. “I brought my grandkids here if they were good,” she said. “It was quiet and they could get a milkshake.” On a recent weekday after Christmas, her 18-year old grandson Stephen Consoli, home from his freshman year at Texas A&M, returned the favor and took her to lunch. Salyers says he sees the same faces at both of his businesses and uses bounce backs, or coupons, to help cross pollinate. People use more of the MytiBurger coupons they get at Baskin-Rob-

see Salyers • Page 13

Despite a slower than expected start, Shawn Salyers said business at MytiBurger picked up, especially after a good review. (Photo by Betsy Denson)

The View from Morrison Heights

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Page 10 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

History of Hair Heights Ofﬁce

2222 North Durham Houston, TX 77008 281.517.8760 Scott Lester - Bank Ofﬁce President Margaret Vandever - Senior Vice President Amy Ritter, Banking Ofﬁcer/Lender

Business Loans Made Simple. When Business Is On The Line �� www.allegiancebanktexas.com

Doug Dreher bought Don’s Barber Shop in 1999, and said he loves doing business in the Heights. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Dreher continues Heights tradition When Doug Dreher was a customer at Don’s Barber Shop, he knew there was something special about the location at 219 East 11th in the Heights. “I don’t think you could ﬁnd a better location,” Dreher said. Dreher, who has lived in Woodland Heights for 34 years, was ﬁnishing up a career in the oil and gas industry when the owner at the time, Don Willis, said he needed some help in the

barber shop. Dreher got certiﬁed as a barber and bought the shop in 1999 from Willis, who still works there as a barber. Dreher employs six other barbers, including one who doubles as a stylist. The location has been a barbershop, with various owners, since the late 1920s. The shop was featured in the 1998 ﬁlm, “Rushmore”, directed by Houston native Wes Anderson. Willis owned the shop at that time. Dreher, 61, enjoys living in the Heights. He moved to Houston in the mid 1970s because

the job market was good. “Back in 1976, the Heights was still considered the dangerous part of town,” Dreher said. “That all changed in 1995 when Travis Elementary got its exemplary status.” The walls at Doug’s are adorned with art, historic newspapers and various memorabilia. It looks as if they’ve been there for decades, but they’ve all been Dreher’s work, with the help of his customers. “People bring things to me,” Dreher said. “Any place I inhabit for long (starts to) look like this.”

Robert Gilmer to update Chamber on economic forecast

Gilmer

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce will present Dr. Robert W. Gilmer at its 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Economic Forecast Luncheon on Jan. 23 at the Sheraton Brookhollow. The event will be emceed by Eyewitness News Reporter Ted Oberg of ABC, Channel 13. Gilmer will speak about the city’s economy, including energy and commerce, the outlook for interest rates and employment in the region. Gilmer is Director of the Institute for Regional

Forecasting at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business. The Institute monitors the Gulf Coast business cycle, including the inﬂuence of the national economy, energy and global expansion on Houston area growth. Prior to joining the Institute, Gilmer served the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas for 23 years, retiring from the bank as a Senior Economist and Vice President. Gilmer’s work on the Texas economy has been recognized by such publications as the

Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and Forbes. He holds an M.A. and a Ph. D. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Sponsorships for this luncheon are available for the following levels: Platinum sponsorships - $2,500, Gold sponsorships - $1,000, Silver sponsorships - $500 (All sponsorships include a table of eight). Individual tickets are $65. For more information, call (713) 861-6735 or visit www.heightschamber.com.

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by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

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Small ads really do work if they say the right thing Try One - (713) 686-8494

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PREMIER PROPERTIES

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Page 11 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

Wanting to run a classiﬁed ad? CALL 713-686-8494 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards.

Estate Sale

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Fri-Jan 10th, Sat Jan. 11th Furniture, Vintage Swag/Rain Lights, Cut glassware, Dishes, Tools, Misc.

MANNA - DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Your neighborhood thrift store appreciates any WANTED and all donations. HELP We can arrange pickup for large items or large donations. Call 713-686-6440 or donate at 1806 W. 43rd St. Thank you. (TF)

HELP WANTED

AUTOS & TRUCKS

FOR SALE

MOVING IN/MOVING OUT? Call Frank to haul off trash/ junk. 832-893-5697. (TF)

Looking for motivated reps to join my team.

TOP CASH PAID FOR YOUR GUNS: FFL concealed handgun classes. 713-694-4867. (TF)

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Gardening Makeover Specialists

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• Landscape Installation • Weather Damage Replacement • Tree Trim & Removal • Lawn & Bed Maintenance • Landscape Lighting • Organic Soil Amendments

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Wat on

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We don’t charge for The Leader, it’s priceless.

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before 8:00 am

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Days & Evenings Apply in person only - 2pm and 5pm

Johnny & Rhea Danna, Owners RETAIL CENTER www.thefoamstore.com WHOLESALE PRICES

ANIMAL LOVERS NEEDED to volunteer at no kill animal shelter in the Heights. Download volunteer application at www.nokill1. org or visit us in person at 107 E. 22nd Street, Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. (TF)

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Hours are 9am-3pm Monday-Thursday Fax resume to 713-869-3533 or email resume to 7138693533@hotmail.com Attention: Ofﬁce Manager

THE FOAM STORE

FIND YOUR FRIEND FOR LIFE: Adopt or foster a shelter animal. www.nokill1.org. (TF)

Alan-r-digges@swbell.net

Construction Company in Heights needs permanent part-time office help. Some knowledge of Excel or Word, Quickbooks, plotter, A/P, and bilingual a plus but not necessary. Office duties would include running blueprints, filing, arranging bills to be paid, fax & email of bids to various construction companies. And any other general office duties.

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FOAM store

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Page 12 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENT

BURGLAR BARS: Custom made. Residential and commercial. Free estimates. 281448-2759. www.burglarbarsandmore.com. (TF)

Have a strong opinion about something that’s going on in your neighborhood? Share your thoughts with thousands by emailing us a Letter To The Editor to news@theleadernews.com.

Know of a local business that could use more customers? Tell them to call The Leader, you’ll be doing us both a favor.

Adam’s

GARAGE DOORS

WOOD FLOORS Installation Repair Sanding Finishing

FRA NK ’S

PAINT ING

832-515-4214

Interior/Exterior

Sheetrock • Power Wash Free Estimates

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Cell: 832-584-0725

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References • Heights Home Owner

info@zeusplusllc.com www.zeusplusllc.com

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� � � � � � � • Openers • Cables � � • Springs • Sections � � Repaired & Replaced � � � � 281-352-3350 � � 713-545-6162 � 24 Hrs/7 Days � � Se Habla Espanol � �

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The Leader is the ONLY paper that delivers both weekly and daily news to the community. If you want to stay in touch with your community turn to the Leader. Discover why more readers are turning to the Leader than any other community publication. You can follow us online weekly at www.theleadernews.com

We deliver The Leader to you without charge, but we’d sure appreciate your telling our advertisers that you saw their message. After all, they’re the ones that really bring you our paper.

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electric

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TEL

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HOME OF THE

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Call Sonny and SAVE!

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PLUMBING

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Est. 1979 Ins. RMP #18131

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25 Years In Business

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$20 OFF

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FOR RENT

FOR RENT OAK FOREST: Master bedroom (300 sq. ft.) with half bath. Completely remodeled. Christian couple seeking mature tenant with employment income. References required. $475 + % of utilities/cable. 713-560-7470. Looking to hire good local people? Leader classiﬁeds get great response and cost less than the daily paper.

12’X30’ CARPORTS: Perfect for boats, RVs, etc. Call 713-6944647. (TF) 2-1 HOME FOR RENT: Fresh paint. Fenced-in yard. New appliances. Remodeled bath. $875 monthly, $875 deposit. 713-691-2696. OAK FOREST: 3-1-2. Large living area, central high efﬁciency AC, hardwoods. 5317 Verdome, 77092. $1,295. 281-574-7303. (TF)

REAL ESTATE

The Leader is the ONLY paper that delivers both weekly and daily news to the community. If you want to stay in touch your community turn to 713-906-5481 with the Leader. Discover why more Experience and readers are turning to the Leader Knowledge... A DEBBIE Powerful Combination. than any other community ELLIOTT Realty Associates publication.

Sales, Leasing & Property Management

ourrealtordebbie@aol.com

Buying or Selling? Call Charlee

(281) 859-5159

WORK

ON THE MARKET REALTY Charlee@OTMrealty.com

Charlee Peddicord

SUSAN PESL REALTOR®

Turn to the Leader Classiﬁeds For Easy Home Repairs.

CARPET & FLOORING

PLUMBING

ASTRO PLUMBING & TILE

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PEST CONTROL

The Leader delivers both weekly and daily news to the community. If you want to stay in touch with your community turn to the Leader. Discover why more readers are turning to the Leader than any other community publication. You can follow us online weekly at www. theleadernews.com

Oak Forest Resident/Ofce • Residential • Commercial • Service Licensed - Insured - 23 Yrs. Exp. �“A” ON ANGIE’S LIST

Since 1975 Low Rates

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PAINTING Est. 2005

Cherokee

CRAVENS ELECTRIC Commercial • Residential

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713-682-6801

D&E Electric

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ELECTRICAL SERVICES

BRAVENEC ELECTRIC

ELECTRICIAN All types of new Turn to the Leader Classiﬁeds to locate professionals trained to help solve any of your household problems.

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Please Call

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Attic Change Out

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Free Estimates Senior Discounts

TACL 6413B

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+ tax

UPSCALE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

CUSTOM Millwork & Cabinetry. Trim & Countertops. General Remodeling & Custom Tile Work.

50,000 BTU RUUD Furnace

190000

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wiring and repairs

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Senior Discount Credit Cards

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Decks & Wood Fences

25 Residential & Commercial Years • Shingles: Flat - Tile - Metal • 5" and 6" Seamless Gutters • Carports • Carpentry • Free Estimates

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Be safe & have your heating system checked.

Deck Doctor

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Match any texture

Roofing Work Carpentry Handyman Services Power Washing Good References

Cooling & Heating Res. - Com.

• Residential • Commercial Refrigeration

Washers - Dryers Dishwashers - Ranges 281-350-6255 713-857-2050

Ranges • Ice Makers

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KINARD’S Appliance Service

Sheetrock Repair

• Room Additions • Baths & Kitchens • Hardwood & Tile Flooring • Painting • Window Replacement FREE ESTIMATES Martin Gonzales 832-472-2427

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281-508-1718

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HEIGHTS CUSTOMREMODELING HOME REMODELING MJG HOME

• Ceramic Tile • Kitchen/Bath • Flood Damage Repair • Painting • Sheetrock, Concrete Small Jobs Welcome Free Estimates

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

Call Sam 713-582-5500 713-686-2285

GARAGE DOORS

832-675-2485 713-864-3755

Fence Repair & Installation 281-827-5136

• Repair Specialist • Springs • Rollers • Sections repaired & replaced • Cables

713-545-3414

COMMERCIAL - RESIDENTIAL • Custom Homes • Garages • Room Additions • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Hardi Siding Free Estimate REMODELING

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

APPLIANCECONDITIONING & TV REPAIR HE APPLIANCECONDITIONING & TV REPAIR HEATING/AIR GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS HEATING/AIR GENERAL HOMECONDITIONING IMPROVEMENTS HEATING/AIR GENERAL HOMECONDITIONING IMPROVEMENTS HEATING/AIR GENERAL HOMECONDITIONING IMPROVEMENTS HEATING/AIR GENERAL HOMECONDITIONING APPLIANCE &IMPROVEMENTS TV REPAIR HEATING/AIR

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Page 13 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • @heightsleader

Crawﬁsh Festival ﬁnds new home

Tommie Vaughn puts Waltrip students to work on Quicklane Tommie Vaughn Ford sponsored a community workday for students in the Waltrip High School Automotive Program. Waltrip had 10 young men and women working with mentors on the Quicklane so that students could see the day to day procedures of maintenance and repairs being done on the automobile. Students worked with three mentors along with the manager, on how the tasks and jobs needed to be performed on each vehicle. The automotive students did everything to assist the techs from completing tickets to performing brake jobs, oil changes, tire rotations, changing cabin & engine air ﬁlters, and repairing tires. The idea of having this day

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights for March 8, 2014. The Festival will be held at 411 West 20th Street, across from Select Specialty Hospital on 1917 Ashland Street, and the hours are 11 a.m. to sunset. This family fun event is one of the Chamber’s primary fund-raising projects and offers plenty of food, festivities, and of course, crawfish. The events of the day include entertainment by local high school bands and drill teams, music, the finals of the “Idol of the Heights” singing contest, vendor booths and much more. Raffle tickets are being sold for only $5, and the drawings at the Festival will award three terrific prize packages: A weekend getaway to Galveston with a BMW for the weekend, tickets to the pleasure pier, dinner and breakfast. The pamper package which includes maid service, car washes,

came from Glen Tinsely and Kyle Janke, who have been top supporters of the Waltrip Automotive Program for the last 15 years. The exposure of the students to the daily procedures in an auto dealership gives them a better idea of how the industry works, and possibly may encourage some to pursue a career in the automobile industry. Also, some members of the Waltrip Senior class held a car wash on the service drive at Tommie Vaughn Ford, however due to the weather, it was cut short. Part of the proceeds made from the car wash, and from students working on the Quicklane, went to the Waltrip Automotive Program and the Waltrip senior Class Project.

oil changes, massages, , a home A/C check and new thermostat, a wine fridge and 12 bottles of wine. The backyard bliss package which includes a ﬁre pit, grill, grill utensils, and 20 lbs. of meat/chicken. Vendor tables are available in a shopper’s paradise that will allow companies to show off their merchandise, promote products, offer specials and build recognition at the event which is anticipated to attract more than 5,000 visitors to

the Festival. The cost for member vendor tables is $100 and $125 for non-members. Zydeco music will be making the Festival exciting and the kids will enjoy a fun area featuring face painting, moon walk, train and other fun activities. A crawﬁsh plate costs $15 and includes two drinks. Other foods offered will include hot dogs by Happy Fatz, desserts by Happy Fatz and beer from Silver Eagle Distributors plus soft drinks and water. “Everyone is invited to share in the fun,” said President Terry Burge. “This is a wonderful opportunity to reward customers, employees and their families.” Find out more information on the Chamber website by going to www.heightschamber.com and clicking on Crawﬁsh Festival under the “Events Calendar” tab. Submitted by the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce

THE CALENDAR.

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AARP MEETING Candlelight Park Community Center

The Houston Northwest AARP Chapter #1265 will have a meeting Jan. 6, at 1520 Candlelight Dr. The meet and greet with refreshments will be 9:30 a.m. followed by the meeting at 10 a.m. Local chapter dues are $6 this year. Residents must have a National AARP card to join the local chapter and is open to anyone 50 or older. Bring non-perishable food items for MANNA food pantry. Information: 713-681-1133.

OAK FOREST RUNNING CLUB ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Oak Forest Chill

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The Oak Forest Running Club will celebrate its ﬁrst year anniversary at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7, at the Oak Forest Chill, 3542 Oak Forest Dr. All past and present runners are wel-

come to attend. ‘Squirrel earners’ are encouraged to wear their shirts. The running group is for any area resident who wants to run/walk and have fun. The Oak Forest Running Club is sponsored by the Oak Forest Homeowners Association, the Oak Forest Chill and Brothers Pizzeria. For information, call Lucy Fisher Cain at 281-685-9929.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE Houston Bar Association

GHACC BREAKFAST CONNECTION Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel

OPEN HOUSE St. Jerome’s Catholic School

The focus for the January Breakfast Connection is city regulations. Former Chamber Board Member Kathryn Van Der Pol will moderate a panel of local business owners. The breakfast will be held from 6:45-8:30 a.m. Jan. 9, at 3000 North Loop West. The cost to attend is $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Register online. Information: 713-861-6735, www.heightschamber.com.

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The Houston Bar Association oﬀers free legal advice over the phone through LegalLine. The next session in English will be from 5-9 p.m. Jan. 15. Information: 713759-1133, www.hba.org.

St. Jerome’s, 8825 Kempwood, will host open houses on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, log on to www. stjeromecs.org or call 713-468-7946

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Neighborhood IceHouse

Meet your neighbors, book your party! “Make It Yours” 3542 Oak Forest 713-682-6900

Salyers • from Page 9 was at The University of Texas and never looked back.

“Once I got in the restaurant business, I couldn’t get back out.”

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Ryland Homes IN TOWN

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W 20th St

Map not drawn to scale Katy Fwy

Homes from the $360’s

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713-301-4702

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832-831-1391

Yale St

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W 11th St

White Oak Dr

Enclave on Oxford

Homes from the $600’s

713-301-4702

STREET

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In the Houston division, prices, plans, elevations and speciﬁcations are subject to change without notice. Map is an artist’s conception for general information purposes only and is not to scale. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only. See Sales Counselor for details on available promotions and restrictions. © 2013 The Ryland Group, Inc. RH1063

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YOUR LOCAL ATTORNEY ß Probate ß Wills ß Powers of Attorney ß Divorce ß Family Law

WENDY L. PRATER

ATTORNEY AT LAW 1919 North Loop West, Suite 490 (Between T.C. Jester & Ella)

713-802-9171

praterlaw@sbcglobal.net | www.praterlaw.com

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ﬁne jewelry

W 34th St

North Loop Fwy

Shepherd Dr

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bins than the reverse, but both are effective. Salyers wavers on which his prefers, franchise owner or sole proprietor, depending on the time of year. He pays part of his gross to Baskin-Robbins corporate so in the winter when people aren’t running out the door to get ice-cream, he leans toward MytiBurger. But in the summer he might change his mind. With regard to the competition that some of the new ice-cream and yogurt shops – like Fat Cat Creamery – will bring, Salyers said he’s sure he’ll feel it somewhat. “I have to make sure to do things right and retain my regular customers. We’ll buckle up and see.” Any future restaurant ideas are on hold. Salyers said he always has ideas but wants to focus on what’s currently in front of him. As for another profession? Not likely. A teenage employee of Whataburger and Baskin-Robbins, he also worked at The County Line in Austin and on the San Antonio Riverwalk. Salyers started managing restaurants when he

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PHYLLIS A. OESER ATTORNEY AT LAW

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Page 14 • The Leader • January 4, 2014 • www.theleadernews.com

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