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A Special Focus issue from The Leader which looks at area news and trends Saturday, January 30, 2016 • 1B
business
Putting the ‘art’ in heart at Heights Theater By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader Anticipation continues to mount for the reopening of the historic Heights Theater, as construction on the interior of the building has finally begun. The Leader first broke the news last year that the theater, which first opened its doors in 1929, has been bought by Edwin Cabaniss, the owner of the Kessler Theater in Dallas. The building itself has remained in the hands of local owners Gus and Sharon Kopriva; however the venue will be getting new life under its new proprietor. According to Cabaniss, the
theater is safe from distortion or removal, and is about to assume its rightful position as the cultural heart of the Heights. The venue occupies about 7,000 square feet, and will open this summer as a 300- to 700-seat flexible entertainment facility complete with a historically reconstructed balcony. This is not Cabaniss’ first rodeo. He identifies himself as a preservationist and owns the old, renovated Kessler Theater in Dallas. The renovation there has been successful at breathing life back into that diamond as well as its surrounding community. As with the Kessler, Cabannis plans to offer live con-
certs, as well as independent films and community events. “I understand the role that an old theater like the Heights Theater plays in a community, not only historically, but also in the future,” Cabaniss told The Leader. “Right now, 19th Street largely closes down at night. We operate from about 7 to 11pm. I think we will see the addition of more activity and nightlife to the street when we open.” Cabaniss, who has a family in Dallas, wisely recruited a “dude on the ground” here. Mark Austin is a Houstonian and a band promoter who knows the music industry very well.
“I have been working with The Kessler for some time, and know what a great track record it has,” Austin said. “These type of theaters offer a unique product and when I discovered Houston was getting a sister club to The Kessler, I was thrilled.” As an industry professional, Austin is also happy to report that the Heights Theater is a music space designed for listening to music. Drunkenness, and loud talking will not be tolerated. “I know we all live in our See Theatre P. 4B
Contributed Photo Robert Ellis plays his guitar in the shell of the Heights Theater, currently under renovation.
education
lifestyle
Booming area = zoning changes?
Versatility in fitness By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com The influx of young professionals with money to spend and bodies to maintain (or otherwise improve) has played a big role in the development of athletic centers like gyms. Now, O Athletik is throwing its hat in the ring with a new facility that aims to be a one-stop-shop for fitness needs. The 35,000 square foot facility is finishing its final stages of construction at its home at 767 North Shepherd Drive, just south of the UT Health Physicians Center in the Heights. Operations manager Brian Kawano said he envisions the gym area opening by Feb. 1, and he and his company will be doing their best to attract the Millennial market by
offering a variety of activities under one roof. “Most people have to get multiple memberships for multiple venues,” Kawano said. “We’re focusing on being a major resource in the area for everything from boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to personal training and indoor soccer leagues.” Among the amenities planned at the facility include a juice bar and cafe (open to the public), private showers, a locker room, a sauna & steam room and an isolated and noise proof room for yoga, Kawano said. O Athletik might not be the only game in town, however. The Leader previously reported in early October that
Photo by Betsy Denson Of Oak Forest Elementary’s 812 students, 325 are not zoned to the school. Time will tell if that ratio changes due to population growth within the zone.
See Fitness P. 3B
New look at attendance zones at their outskirts? “It’s pretty simple,” said District II Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones. “There are a certain number of seats at a given school. When they fill up, parents still want viable options. It’s necessary that we do something about it.” That’s why the Board of Education recently proposed and approved a plan calling for the evaluation of attendance zone boundaries for all schools within HISD. According to HISD’s Media Relations Manager Holly Huffman, “the first phase of the plan will be to seek out an independent consultant who
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com It’s no secret that The Leader area is booming with families who want the best in public education. Whether this is accomplished by buying a house – and spending more – in the zone of their preferred school or by transferring into a desirable magnet program, the end result is the same. However, those in the latter category are finding it is no longer certain that they will find a spot in their first choice school outside their zone. And what about those school zones, with the most sought after areas bringing developers to build higher density housing
Contributed Photo Renders of the soon-to-be-finished O Athletik club show a wealth of modern amenities and all-inclusive features including a boxing and mixed martial arts area, an indoor soccer field, activity room for yoga, a cafe, showers and an outdoor area.
safety
See Schools P. 4B
For local area, the future looks even safer By Alan Rosen Harris County Precinct One Constable One reason is that I have made sure my staff will have cutting edge technological tools to better keep the peace and improve the already-robust quality of life in greater northwest Houston. Ours is the only law enforcement agency I know of in Harris County whose entire fleet of patrol cars already is equipped with video and audio recorders. The equipment does not only ensure that our encounters – good and bad – with the public are carried out correctly. It also makes a record of crucial evidence we need to take criminals off the streets. This year I will distribute “body cams” to all of our officers, for the same reasons.
We are trying to stay ahead of the curve. Also, we will soon unveil a free mobile phone app through which residents can send us crime tips, anonymously or not, and stay up to date on information about our operations. Sometimes a crime tip is a cell phone photo of the license plate of a suspicious car. Sometimes it’s a video of suspicious activity. Preventing crime in the Heights/Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area? “There’s an app for that!” Late last year the City of Houston provided funding for, and entrusted Precinct 1 with the responsibility of, obtaining, deploying and monitoring 25 more surveillance cameras at suspected sites for illegal dumping. We are close to finishing the project. Either people will dispose of tires,
furniture and other refuse at the proper locations -- or they will risk having their freedom trashed. Because our deputies have the unique job of ensuring the safety of the Downtown Courthouse Complex and other government buildings, we have gained some very detailed insights into the implementation of the Texas “open carry” law as well as dealing with the threat of an “active shooter” in public. We have conducted training sessions for select groups on these topics and I plan to bring the sessions to other interested groups. With neighborhood safety as our continuing focus, our patrol force has grown by a third and I hope to continue the increase. We will be adding a second deputy to our
animal cruelty and neglect program, in which we work exclusively with the Houston SPCA to bring to justice those who mistreat animals! Certainly one of the big challenges ahead is marshalling limited financial resources at the Houston Police Department, with which we work closely as siblings of a sort. Mayor Turner has said the department needs more officers, and at the same time the city government is facing budget problems. Without an HPD expansion, more neighborhoods in The Leader circulation area may choose to sign up for extra patrols via a contract with Precinct 1. Of course a patrol contract requires the residential organization pay the county for the services. But from our view, contract patrol work is one
Contributed Photo
Harris County’s entire fleet of patrol cars already is equipped with video and audio recorders.
our most satisfying and effective activities. It allows us to carry my community-oriented policing strategies into neighborhoods that become so familiar that we can better sense when something is out of kilter before it can develop into serious crime. Our contract deputies get to know almost every facet of residents’ home patterns – their children, pets
cars and other things important to all families. Regardless, I feel confident that we are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the next few years – especially as we have the readers of this message, and their neighbors, looking out for each other and working with us to keep you safe and secure in your neighborhoods.
GREENWOOD KING The Leader of Real Estate Sales in your Area
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