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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

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Saturday, February 1, 2014 • Vol. 60 • No. 13

ABOUT US 3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd. Suite A (713) 686-8494

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Game Over: Law watching suspicious rooms By Michael Sudhalter

news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.

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The City of Houston is about to get tough on game room regulation, according to City Attorney David Feldman. And that could impact local businesses, especially some in Oak Forest that are under the eye of law enforcement. Last week, Precinct One deputies raided a game room in the 5700 block of Airline Dr., arresting two individuals and seizing 170 gambling machines. Maria Montemayor was arrested and charged with possessing gambling

equipment devices, and Alma Hernandez was arrested on an animal cruelty livestock warrant. Harris County Constable Precinct One Alan Rosen said the new regulations could help, but his ofﬁce has been working toward curbing the problem. Hernandez “My interest is protecting the neighborhoods (and residents) in and around these game rooms,” Rosen said. “The County has taken a leadership role

in dealing with the illegal gaming operations and the crimes that happen around them.” Last year, the Texas Legislature authorized Harris County to enforce new regulations on game rooms. Most of the time, these authorizations Montemayor are only valid in the unincorporated areas of the county, but this one allows the city to enforce the same regulations. It’s expected to be approved by the

city council and commissioners court in February, said Feldman. Feldman was scheduled to make a presentation before Mayor Pro Tem Ed Gonzalez and the city council’s Public Safety Committee, but due to the inclement weather, it has been postponed until Feb. 11. “It’s an ongoing problem,” Gonzalez said. “More enforcement is better for everyone.” Feldman said the collaboration between the city and county will help curb the problem.

Trout

See Games, P. 9A

LEADER L OVEABLES It’s over. The search for the cutest pets in our area of Houston – as decided by voters – has ended. During the course of the contest, The Leader’s website collected more than 80,000 pages views just on the pet pages, which suggests people care about their animals. We also had thousands of ballots returned to the ofﬁce. So you want to know who won?

in this area? Yep.

St. Thomas football star feels called to service at West Point. Page 5B

See Page 3B

THE BRIEF.

What changed in your paper?

Houston Bar oﬀers Pro Bono program The Houston Bar Association has legal handbooks in English, Spanish and other languages following Consumer Law, Elder Law and Family Law. LegalLine has been available throughout Harris County since 1986 and provides referrals to free legal services such as the Houston Volunteer Lawyers (713) 228-0732. The HVL provides pro bono attorneys for certain types of civil cases, while individuals must meet income and criteria guidelines. Lone Star Legal Aid (713) 652-0077 also provides legal assistance for certain types of legal matters. The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC), (713) 755-8274, handles disputes between neighbors, consumers, landlords/tenants, employers/employees, families and friends.

Malcolm Armstrong enjoys a Saturday morning ﬁshing at Bane Park, 9600 W. Little York. At top, North Houston resident Wayne Modgling caught a rainbow trout last Saturday morning at Bane Park. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter)

Another fun season of ﬁshing comes to end

FIND IT.

By Michael Sudhalter

GENERAL CARPENTRY AND PAINTING: Small jobs welcome. Excellent references. 832-5230360, 281-743-8467. SEEKING FT BOOKKEEPER in Northwest Houston. Please send resume to: davidrodriguez@marekbros.com. MOW, WEEDEAT, BLOW, RAKE: Leaves, ﬂower beds, appliance pick up. 832-272-3960. CERTIFIED NURSE’S ASSISTANT looking for work. Day or night. Good references. 832439-9971.

We know Classified sections are different these days. But we think you might be surprised at all the good and services you find inside. Page 6B

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North Houston resident Wayne Modgling looks forward to mid-January each year when Harris County Commissioner Jack Cagle partners with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to stock Lions Club Lake at Bane Park, 9600 W. Little York, with rainbow trout. “I like catching little trout,” Modgling said. “They’ve got a lot of energy, and they taste pretty good. It’s usually a pretty good crowd when they drop the trout.” Modgling has been coming to Bane Park for the past decade or so, and en-

Aidan Vasquez checks his line after a ﬁsh took his bait last weekend.

joys seeing “a lot of little ﬁsh in a small area.” He usually ﬁshes alone but has met friends at the lake over the years, through

ﬁshing. The closest similar pond is located in Tomball, which is also re-stocked with trout by the county. The trout-stocking program is supported by the sales of Texas Freshwater Fishing Licenses and a 50 percent match by Harris County Precinct 4. Anglers may also purchase a license over the phone by calling the Texas Parks & Wildlife credit card license sales line at 1 (800) TX LIC 4 U [1 (800) 895-4248] or online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us. The collaboration gives anglers a unique opportunity to ﬁsh during the See Bane, P. 9A

In case you don’t notice – and we kind of hope you don’t – a few things are different about your newspaper. Last week, on our Topics page, we informed readers that a change was coming. And here it is. The most glaring difference in today’s edition of The Leader is that the paper you’re holding is smaller than ever before. That’s because our entire industry has moved to what the geeks call a “smaller web.” To the rest of us, that means the paper is narrower but just as tall as it was last week. Because our printer made this change, we decided to make a few cosmetic alterations to the paper, as well. For starters, the font you’re reading right now is a little different. We hope (and we never really know until it comes back from the press) it’s a little darker, making it easier to read. Our headline fonts have changed a little, too. The purpose was to make the paper easier to read, which is always our ultimate goal. We’ve introduced a Food, Drink & Arts section – formerly Hipstrict. And we’ve added a couple of new short features, like places to volunteer, tips for parenting, and retirement activities. As always, we like your feedback. Send it to jonathan@theleadernews.com.

Community of Hogg supporters encouraged by progress By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

For James S. Hogg Middle School Principal Mina Schnitta “failure is not an option.” When she joined the staff in February 2011, after working in Leadership Development at Houston ISD, she knew of the concerns that parents and others in the district had about the campus. “The perception was that the school wasn’t safe,” she said. “And academically we were not where we needed to be.” The safety issue was addressed ﬁrst and today the school’s record is excellent. The focus now is on academic rigor for the school’s 740 students – 120 of whom are magnet students – and the work is paying off. “I want kids to feel safe and feel chal-

lenged,” said Dr. Schnitta. “That’s where my lens is.” The school is on probation with HISD, with the possibility of losing magnet funding next year because of performance on the Texas Education Agency’s STAAR test results. But it’s worth noting that the school missed the ‘met standard’ designation – the only one now offered to schools who perform to standard (unlike the Exemplary or Recognized of years past) – by one point on only one of the four testing indexes. As of this year, the school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) for every student. All students participate in either the STEM Academy or the Inﬁnity PROJECT STEM See Hogg, P. 9A

Chandler Roberts and Abraham Estrada build a hydraulic arm in their Concepts of Engineering class. (Photo by Betsy Denson)

The Right Size. The Right Time. In your neighborhood & online at yourblvd.com 713.862.1600

THE PUBLIC. Saturday, February 1, 2014 • Page 2A

Garden Oaks resident hopes city will ﬁx sinkhole By Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

The City of Houston thought it fixed a Garden Oaks sinkhole, but it’s still there according to local resident Susan Kostelecky. Kostelecky, who lives in the 1300 block of Sue Barnett in Garden Oaks, said a sinkhole appeared in front of her home in the middle of August. She called the city and they came out within a day or two to put up an orange traffic cone to keep drivers and pedestrians outside of the one-and-half-foot sinkhole. Kostelecky called the city again in October because one of her neighbors attracted a significant amount of traffic due to their Halloween display. She didn’t want pedestrians or motorists to fall into it. She called the city again, and was told that the sinkhole was fixed, according to their system. Kostelecky filed a report online, where

A 46-year-old male was assaulted by a suspect described as a black female, with a bottle and a knife at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 18 at the Tropical Motel, 4831 N. Shepherd. The victim had his wallet stolen and was treated for injuries at the scene, while the suspect ﬂed on foot.

Apartment complex robbery

Sinkhole in the 1300 block of Sue Barnett is growing in size and poses a hazard to both pedestrians and motorists.

again it said the sinkhole was ﬁxed. She said the size of the sinkhole has grown to about 2.5 feet, and she hopes the city comes out to ﬁx it. The Leader is waiting for a response from the city.

TxDOT: W. 18th ramp to be relocated After reading The Leader’s update on TxDOT, Lazybrook resident Chris Broussard asked about the future plans for the I-610 southbound entrance ramp from W. 18th Street. Karen Othon, public information oﬃcer for TxDOT, said that ultimately plans call for the current southbound I-610 entrance movement from W. 18th Street to be relocated. “The contractor recently put up beams for the new continuous southbound I-610 frontage road over Hempstead Road and the railroad tracks,” she said. Once improvements are complete, motorists from Lazybrook wanting to access southbound I-610

Male assaulted with bottle and knife

A 27-year-old male and a 28year-old female were robbed in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 1:10 a.m. on Jan. 20 in the 3900 block of Sherwood. The suspect, described as a white male between the ages of 25 and 30, robbed the victims at gunpoint. The suspect ﬂed with the male’s car keys and phone and the female’s purse.

22 in the 1600 block of W. T.C. Jester. The suspect stole knives and cooking utensils, which were later recovered. There were no injuries.

All Brands Cigarettes & Candy robbery Five suspects forced their way into the All Brands Cigarettes & Candy store, 10338 Hempstead Hwy., assaulting and robbing the store’s employees of money and cigarettes. There were no descriptions of the suspects. One of the victims was taken to Memorial Hermann Northwest

where he was treated for multiple lacerations.

Seaspray robbery A married couple of 32-yearolds pulled into the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 1700 block of 1700 Seaspray Court when a suspect stole their wallet and purse at gunpoint at 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 22. The suspect has been arrested and charged in another robbery, believed to be related to this one, but hasn’t been charged in this one, pending further investigation.

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A 24-year-old male had his wallet, cell phone and car keys stolen at 12:50 a.m. on Jan. 20 in the 2800 block of W. T.C. Jester. The suspect is described as a white male between the ages of 18 and 25. A 48-year-old victim was robbed at gunpoint by a Hispanic male in his early 30s at 1:40 a.m. on Jan.

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will go west on W. 18th Street to southbound I-610 frontage road and then make a right on southbound I-610 frontage road. They will then stay on the new continuous southbound I-610 frontage road and access the new entrance ramp to the southbound I-610 main lanes. “It is possible the new entrance will be open for use by early 2015,” Othon said. “TxDOT plans on keeping the exiting southbound I-610 entrance from W. 18th Street open until the new entrance is ready, at which time the existing entrance will be closed.” --Betsy Denson

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JAN. 17 Theft 3:45 PM 500-599 19TH ST Burglary 3 PM 1500-1599 ARLINGTON ST Theft 4:20 AM 700-799 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 11:30 AM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD DR Theft 2 PM 3800-3899 MAIN ST Theft 12:30 PM 11000-11099 NORTHWEST FWY SER Theft 2:30 PM 5300-5399 34TH Theft 9:15 PM 2600-2699 NORHILL BLVD Theft 6 AM 800-899 OAK Theft 9:40 PM 200-299 20TH ST Theft 7:30 PM 300-399 19TH ST Theft 7:30 AM 4400-4499 SHEPHERD DR Theft 8:30 PM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD DR Theft 6:15 PM 1900-1999 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 4:45 PM 4800-4899 ELI ST

JAN. 18 Robbery 9:30 AM 4800-4899 SHEPHERD DR Theft 9:30 PM 800-899 OAK Burglary 7 PM 5600-5699 YALE Theft 10:30 PM 9500-9599 HEMPSTEAD HWY Theft 12 AM 1900-1999 CENTER Assault 12 AM 500-599 THORNTON Assault 5 PM 6100-6199 MAIN Theft 11 PM 4200-4299 SPENCER

JAN. 19 Theft 11:15 PM 1900-1999 ASHLAND ST Burglary 4:18 AM 2300-2399 NORTH SHEPHERD Theft 12:01 AM 1300-1399 LAWRENCE Assault 10:45 AM 400-499 WHITNEY Theft 5 PM 2200-2299 WHITE OAK DR Theft 5 PM 100-199 YALE Theft 7:14 AM 800-899 FOWLER Theft 1 PM 5100-5199 LILLIAN Theft 5:30 PM 2200-2299 CENTER ST Theft 6 PM 2200-2299 CENTER Theft 4:45 AM 700-799 PINEMONT DR Theft 5:46 PM 5600-5699 YALE Theft 3 PM 1100-1199 SHEPHERD DR Theft 7:30 PM 1100-1199 BRASHEAR ST Burglary 3 PM 3700-3799 CORTLANDT ST Assault 3:15 AM 1200-1299 34TH ST Theft 6 PM 600-699 STUDEMONT Theft 10 AM 600-699 AURORA Theft 4:45 PM 4600-4699 ELI ST Theft 9 PM 2300-2399 RADCLIFFE Theft 6 PM 2400-2499 KATY FWY SER Theft 12 PM 1200-1299 THOMPSON

JAN. 20 Robbery 2 AM 4500-4599 WASHINGTON AVE Theft 12 AM 900-999 LEHMAN Robbery 12:50 AM 2800-2899 T C JESTER BLVD Robbery 1:10 AM 3900-3999 SHERWOOD LN Theft 3 PM 100-199 YALE

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JAN. 21 Theft 6 PM 400-499 43RD ST Robbery 7:10 PM 10300-10399 HEMPSTEAD HWY Theft 10:30 PM 1600-1699 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 8:30 PM 2300-2399 SHEPHERD DR Theft 5 PM 3800-3899 MAIN ST Burglary 8:30 AM 600-699 17TH ST Theft 7 PM 2700-2799 WHITE OAK DR Theft 4:18 PM 1400-1499 STUDEMONT Theft 6:30 PM 3600-3699 WILLIA ST Theft 3 PM 2700-2799 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 4:30 PM 4000-4099 34TH Burglary 1:39 AM 4200-4299 ELI ST Theft 9 PM 1400-1499 THOMPSON Burglary 7 PM 1700-1799 BLOUNT ST Theft 9:10 AM 200-299 YALE Burglary 9 AM 1600-1699 WAKEFIELD DR Theft 7 AM 6600-6699 SHEPHERD DR

JAN. 22 Burglary 5 AM 1800-1899 DURHAM DR Theft 6 PM 4000-4099 SHEPHERD DR Robbery 9:35 PM 500-599 CROSSTIMBERS Robbery 1:40 AM 1600-1699 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 11 PM 200-299 VICTORIA Robbery 1:46 AM 1700-1799 SEASPRAY CT Theft 10 PM 100-199 CROSSTIMBERS Theft 7:20 PM 5000-5099 YALE

Robbery 9:40 AM 2300-2399 WASHINGTON AVE Theft 2:35 PM 100-199 YALE Burglary 2:30 PM 2300-2399 CHANTILLY LN Theft 3:25 PM 4000-4099 PINERIDGE Theft 8:11 PM 900-999 NORTH LP W Theft 1:15 PM 1000-1099 STUDEWOOD Theft 9 PM 900-999 GARDENIA Theft 9 PM 5700-5799 CORNISH Theft 8:48 PM 4900-4999 SHEPHERD DR Theft 8:30 PM 300-399 RED RIPPLE RD

JAN. 23 Theft 5:15 PM 100-199 19TH ST Theft 5:10 PM 100-199 NORTH LP Burglary 7:30 AM 1500-1599 NASHUA Theft 6 PM 1000-1099 20TH ST Theft 7 PM 1000-1099 20TH ST Theft 5:15 PM 1000-1099 20TH Theft 5 PM 1000-1099 STUDEWOOD Theft 8 AM 1400-1499 NORTH LP SER Theft 8:25 PM 4000-4099 SHEPHERD DR Burglary 6:45 AM 4500-4599 YALE Theft 5:36 PM 1800-1899 DURHAM DR Theft 1:20 PM 4800-4899 YALE Theft 6 PM 0-99 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 11:20 AM 4200-4299 ELLA Burglary 5 PM 2700-2799 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 7:30 PM 2300-2399 SHEPHERD DR Burglary 8:30 AM 1500-1599 PRINCE

JAN. 24 Robbery 9:44 PM 1800-1899 43RD ST Theft 10:30 PM 1700-1799 YALE Theft 5 PM 500-599 GARDEN OAKS BLVD

JAN. 25 Theft 3:30 PM 300-399 19TH ST Theft 11 AM 1300-1399 24TH ST Theft 11:05 AM 4400-4499 HAYGOOD Theft 6 PM 5300-5399 NOLDA Theft 5:30 PM 5300-5399 NOLDA Burglary 6:12 PM 5300-5399 YALE Theft 2 AM 1900-1999 WASHINGTON AVE Theft 2:30 PM 5300-5399 34TH Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

�� 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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FOOD, DRINK & ART Art a la Carte: We’ll get right to it Saturday, February 1, 2014 • Page 3A

Just the facts for this week’s column. It’s one of those weekends to practice gallery hopping. Event listings with commentary after each from me. Enjoy and happy art hopping! Thursday, Jan. 30 Art Salon, 4-7 p.m., 517 W. 17th St. Featuring First Saturday Arts Market regular, painter Mitch Cohen Linda Hardy Arts Columnist and photographer Michael Sudhalter. This is a combo show, featuring the artists’ work, a fundraiser for a MS150 Team and an open house. Expect sizzling fajitas, delicious margaritas, great art and a good time. Friday, Jan. 31 Mixed Up - Mixed Media Group Show, 6-9 p.m., Avenue Gallery, 3219 Houston Ave. This will be a group show with an obvious focus on mixed media. Should prove interesting. Corazón Anatómico, Solo show by Lizbeth Ortiz, 6-9 p.m., East End Studio Gallery, 708C Telephone Rd. Artist Lizbeth Ortiz says, “I have always been intrigued by the organ that

Thirsty Explorer

Vincent Fink’s Rhino. Fink is a Hunting Art Prize ﬁnalist and an award-winning illustrator who works out of his Winter Street studio.

pumps life through our bodies. The anatomically correct heart has been a source of inspiration as I explore the visual and emotional bonds associated with it. I’ve invited a group of artists to share their view and feelings in reference to this vital organ through their art.” “A Social Commentary,” Solo show featuring Mic McAllister, JoMar Visions, 902 Hardy St. “Art for me, is a bridge of communication.” This is emerging artist McAllister’s ﬁrst solo show. JoMar Visions Gallery space is at the back right of the Hardy & Nancy Street Studios. Saturday, Feb. 1 First Saturday Arts Market The Lover’s Show, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 548 W. 19th St. between Gen’s Antiques and the new YogaOne Studio in the former Wind Water space.

New bike racks out front! We’re right on top of our 10th anniversary next month! Forty plus artists from San Antonio, Austin and all of greater Houston in attendance. For Entertainment Renise Dichards and the Wild Things will perform at 11 a.m. Taking the audience back to the 60’s with songs from Lou Reed, Connie Francis and The Shangris-Las. At 3 p.m a trio from different bands perform in the round; Wendy Elizabeth Jones, Alexis A. Moore and Alex Guitarzza. Expect everything from this group from rock to classic blues. FirstSaturdayArtsMarket.com Siren’s 2014 Chili Cook-Off, 2 -7 p.m. Cottonwood Houston, 3422 N Shepherd Dr. Houston Roller Derby’s Psych Ward Sirens annual chili cook off. Fernando Casas “Duality,” 6-9 p.m. Redbud Gallery, 303 East 11th

Super Bowl party and Las Vegas trip giveaway

The Federal Grill will be showing Super Bowl XLVII, with the Denver Broncos against the Seattle Seahawks. The party will run from 3-11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2. There will be $5 cocktails, $4 beers and complimentary appetizers at half time. For more details, visit http://thefederalgrill.com or call 713-863-7777. The Federal Grill is located at 510 Shepherd Dr.

Superbowl Sunday at Heights General Store The Heights General Store will kick oﬀ its Super Bowl XLVII party at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2. The event will feature Ryan’s Jerk Wings for $8, George’s Spicy Meat Balls for $10, Antoine’s BBQ Ribs and Jambalaya for $14, roasted local veggies for $5 and happy hour prices on beer and wine. Heights General store gives you a place to kick back and relax at their upstairs bar or on the rooftop terrace. There are also discounts on domestic and premium beer and cocktails, plus a special bar bites menu. For more information about Heights General Store, located at 350 W. 19th St., visit http://www.heightsgeneralstore.com or call 713-360-6204.

BBQ Block Party at the Saint Arnold Brewing The legendary Texas barbecue joint Louie Mueller Barbecue will be serving barbecue for the first time in Houston from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Saint Arnold Brewery. Wayne Mueller, the third generation owner and pit master, will make the drive from Taylor, Texas to the brewery with his mobile barbecue rig filled with brisket, links and beef ribs. Tickets are $26 and include unlimited sample portions of all the barbecue and two pints of beer. Additional beer will be available for purchase. Also, whole Louie Mueller briskets and beef rib racks will be available for presale. This could be a great addition to a Big Game party. Whole briskets are $90, and beef rib racks (three bones) are $60. A very limited number of briskets/beef ribs will be made available for presale, so we recommend ordering ASAP. Desserts will also be available for purchase (cash only) from Houston pastry chef extraordinaire Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar. This event is presented in collaboration with the Houston Barbecue Festival. Tickets will only be sold in advance, with no tickets sold at the door. This is a

The Corkscrew will be holding an Anti-Valentine’s Day Dance at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. No one hates Valentines more than the Corkscrew. They won’t make you buy them roses or make reservations at a restaurant that you can’t afford. The Anti-Valentine’s Day Dance at The Corkscrew is a Houston tradition filled with fun, drinking, and dancing. The legendary DJ GSpot will be spinning all of the favorite 80’s dance songs and admission is FREE! Let’s just say you are single. You could: A) Try to meet somebody tonight and accelerate the relationship to where there would be no question that you have a date for Valentines night. B) Re-check all the profiles you kind of glossed over on your profile page on a dating site... maybe someone got better looking. Or C) Go to The Corkscrew’s AntiValentine’s Day 80’s singles dance! The Corkscrew is located at 1308 W. 20th St. For more information, visit http://www.houstoncorkscrew.com/.

Katch 18 Shrimp for $18 On Mondays in February, Katch 22 will be oﬀering 18 shrimp for $18. There will also be $3 pints of domestic beer and $18 bottles of Pinot Grigio. The Shrimp Fest will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Monday in February. Katch 22 has Happy Hour Specials from 3 to 7 p.m. with $2 oﬀ all wines by the glass, $3 long necks, $4.50 16 oz. craft draft, and $4 well cocktails. Katch 22 also has “Wine Down Wednesdays” with all wines by the glass for half price. For more information about Katch 22, located at 700 Durham, visit http://www.katch22houston.com/.

Town in City Brewing Company, a craft microbrewery set to open in the 1100 block of W. Cavalcade, could open its doors as soon as June. The location is awaiting ﬁnal approval for its permits, according to owner Justin Engle. Town in City will serve a number of unique beers, including City Amber, City Porter, Chipped Tooth and Mosquito’s Revenge.

Mytiburger named top drive-through Houston Press singled out Mytiburger for the Rest of the Best 2013 honors saying, “The beloved burger shop closed for a while in 2012, but a devoted fan took over in 2013 and brought it back from the dead. New owner Shawn Salyers continues to serve the same burgers that made Mytiburger

popular when it opened way back in 1967.”

Chick Fil-A near Home Depot on 610? Swamplot recently passed along a report from a reader about the possibility of a “parking lot pad site takeover.” David Hille said, “After a morning run to the ‘Brinkman’ Home Depot on 610 near N.

The Idol of the Heights singing competition is drawing closer. Contestants will be competing for first prize of $1,500, a second prize of $700, a third prize of $300. The winners of the competition will be announced following the final performance at the Crawfish Festival in the Heights, Saturday, March 8. The preliminary rounds will be held at The Blue Moose Lodge at 5306 Washington Ave., from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. beginning Friday, Feb. 7. To register to compete, or for more information about the Idol of the Heights singing competition, visit http://heightschamber. com/idol-of-the-heights . Follow Ivee Sauls on Twitter @ThirstyExplorer. To submit an event, email ivee@theleadernews.com.

Shepherd, I became curious about the temporary fencing which was being erected around the northeast quarter of the parking lot. So, I stopped, and spoke to a couple of men who were reviewing a fairly large roll of blueprints on the lowered tailgate of a truck. I had a little head rush when I was told that a new Chick Fil-A was about to be erected . . . right there in the parking lot.”

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Monday, Feb 3 Masters of Representational Art Meet-up, 7:30 at Piola, 3201 Louisiana St #103. Representational artists, this is for you - networking, news, opportunities and guest speakers. Contact Elizabeth Cencini at 832-671-3826 or via email at monalisacompany@aol.com. Cohen is the founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him at ArtValet@gmail.com.

The Corkscrew’s Anti-Valentine’s Day Dance

Super Bowl Sunday at FEDERAL Explorer

Coltivare, a new Heights Neighborhood Italian/American restaurant from Revival Market’s Chef Ryan Pera and Morgan Weber, is now open at 3320 White Oak Dr. The new restaurant has a 3,000 square foot garden where vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown for the two restaurants. They also have a 60-bottle wine list and eclectic dishes that range from pizzas to marinated chicken and a Spanish-inﬂuenced Revival Pork Roast. Coltivare is located in what was the White Oak Bakery at one time.

Sunday, Feb. 2 Rockin For Robin Kirby, 2 p.m. until midnight at The Last Concert Café, 1403 Nance St. A benefit and silent auction for one of Houston’s most prolific singer/songwriters. Robin Kirby was a guest of another musician at another show about four years ago and I’ve not let her out of my sight since. Recent health issues got this benefit going. There will be tons of things to buy, including vendors, but the best part is the two music stages and the best of Houston performing all day and night. I’ll be there, come dance with me.

rain or shine event. Saint Arnold is located at 1900 Lyons Ave. For more information, visit saintarnold.com/

Luke’s Icehouse will be hosting “the Hottest Super Bowl Party in Houston,” where there will be four trips to Las Vegas given away. Attendees will be able to buy two pounds of crawﬁsh and a bucket of Miller Lite Cans for $25. There will also be Bud Light buckets for $15 and a Big-OBucket of Wings for $15. There will be promotions and giveaways starting at 2 p.m. Call 281888-7028 to reserve a table and enjoy Cold Drinks, Hot Food and some Big Super Bowl Fun! For more information about Luke’s Icehouse, located at 903 Durham Dr., visit http://www.lukesicehouse.com/, or ﬁnd them on Facebook.Thirsty

Coltivare now open

St. The exhibit “Duality” focuses on the dual, symmetrical nature of our anatomy and, by extension, focuses as well on dual aspects of our humanity beyond mere anatomy. More precisely, it is human binocular vision that is the focus of this exhibition. *This will have you looking sideways, cross eyed, one eyed and more - on display through February 23. Hello-Lucky 6th Anniversary Par-Tay, 6-9 p.m. Hello-Lucky, 1025 Studewood. When proprietor and artist Teresa O’Conner throws a party, GO. Her shop is one of the reasons the Heights remains, cool and eclectic. Even I will attempt to get there after my art market. Dj Nick DiFonzo will be spinning tunes, a sidewalk fashion show at 7:30, and of course libations too. A trunk show with goods from Hunter Gatherer, and a fashion show by Bronwyn Lauder, Hello-Lucky and

Hunter Gatherer. Renewal: Opening Reception featuring Tra Slaughter, Allison Hunter, Morris Malakoff, 6-8 p.m. Esperson Gallery, 815 Walker, Ste. 125. Tra Slaughter is one of the Houston artists to watch, and if you collect art, buy his now.

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THE TOPICS. Saturday, February 1, 2014 • Page 4A

Old, new generation have a whole lot in common

W

e have written very few stories at The Leader that have received the sort of emotional response we got from our piece on Paul Carr and the train he built for Donovan Park in the Heights. Before those in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest put down the paper, consider staying with us, because this applies to you, as well. I met Paul two weeks after buying The Leader. His years as a ﬁreﬁghter since passed, Paul has dedicated himself to improving his community. He helped bring life to the Heights esplanade. Heck, the jogging trail along Heights Boulevard is named after him. In my tenure as publisher of The Leader, I do not think I’ve ever heard a bad word spoken about Paul – and there’s a reason for that. He is a kind man, listens loyally to his wife Mary, and goes about his business of piddling in his garage and helping maintain a couple of parks in the Heights. As you may notice in the letters below, a number of our readers are appalled at what happened to Paul in the past couple of weeks. If you didn’t read the story last week, here’s a summary: Paul built a wooden train for Donovan Park, which is unique because everything in the park is wooden. He “secretly” worked on the project, and very few knew about the gift until Paul installed the train and all its cars one Sunday morning.

JONATHAN MCELVY Publisher

It turns out, Paul didn’t ask permission to put the train in the park. He surprised children, their parents and the Houston Heights Association, which has responsibility for parks in the Heights. And you can read “responsibility” as “insurance policy.” There’s no doubt in my mind that Paul built this train because he knew young people would enjoy playing in it. But I also think there was a side of Paul (and he has not told me this) that wanted to needle the Houston Heights Association, as well. Paul has long been a member of that organization – he actually helped found it – and I get the sense that he does not like the direction of the board. Why else would he have skipped the simple process of getting approval for the project? Apparently, the folks at the Houston Heights Association have had enough of Paul, as well. They ﬁred him from his position of maintaining Donovan and Marmion Parks.

In essence, they bid him adieu from the HHA with what has turned into an emotional ﬁreball to many in the community. Why is this story such a big deal? Why have media from across the city contacted The Leader asking for more information? Here’s my sense, and I can only hope it adds a little perspective to the discourse. We live in an area of Houston that is wildly transitioning from one generation to the next. Whether you live in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest or any of the neighborhoods of North Houston, you can see this transition every single day. When a home renovation begins across the street, and you awake on Saturday mornings to saws and hammers, you can hear the sound of transition. When road crews have half of your morning commute blocked off with orange cones, you’re driving through transition. When you see a beloved old men’s store turned into a restaurant/store with organic foods and roof-top seating, you are eating at the table of transition. When you see a marquee on the front of an elementary school thanking a local builder for his support, your children are attending a school in transition. Whether we like it or not, we are a community – our own little town

– of exceptional growth. We are here because of people like Paul Carr, who with his own hands built a jogging trail, not just for the 70-year-old neighbors, but for the 20-somethings who have dogs or who want to ﬁt in their old jeans. It is the Paul Carrs of our community who have helped bring new life, and a ton of money, into this area. The same is true in Oak Forest, where schools have been revitalized and others are well on their way. It’s the Boomer generation that has maintained an area that will continue to grow for years to come. But there’s a difﬁcult dichotomy when the children buy and renovate grandmother’s old home. Feelings start to get in the way. Sense of purpose also gets in the way. What I’ve observed in nearly two years running this newspaper is that we have a lot of young people moving in with money in their pockets and ambition on their minds. They want to transform the place they live. They want to get involved in their children’s schools. They want to build bigger homes and have more of a say when the neighborhood hosts a cook-out, or a Christmas light show, or a night full of white linen. They want to build a name for themselves, just as Paul Carr did when he helped start the HHA. And there’s a problem when young people start running the show (and when we say young, we’re talking

THE READER. Train derails Carr

From theleadernews.com Mr. Carr should have gotten permission before the installation. But I’m not sure why that should have resulted in his firing. No harm, no foul. Greg From theleadernews.com Ok, guys…lets get back to reality. As a former board member, I hope current HHA board members include those who love their neighborhood and appreciate the good that volunteers do for the community. Sounds like the board members may have lost sight of the original intent of the HHA. Respect and work with those who improve the neighborhood, don’t fire the hand that offers improvement. Maybe current politics and personal agenda are now the new driver of decisions! This is why I am no longer a member. Heights resident From theleadernews.com I would be hard pressed to think of folks who have contributed more to the quality of life in the Heights than Paul Carr together his wife Mary. I believe these antagonists in the Houston Heights Association need to do some serious interspection to determine if they have allowed hurt pride to set in motion events that will hurt the both the HHA and the community for years to come. Humility is the ability to give up your pride and still retain your dignity. John Fitzgerald

From theleadernews.com This story saddens me deeply. What I see happening is a sense of community being slowly demolished. The train was bought and paid for out of Carr’s own pocket and now that he has built it, they fire him? Is there no shame in these people on the Association board? What greed and petty-mindedness! I find it particularly ironic that the Association doesn’t want to remove the train. If it was such an ‘insurance’ issue, they would have to remove it. Absolutely amazing. The train is wonderful and the kids love it. I don’t pretend to understand shallow people with no heart. I suppose Carr didn’t play their political games enough to satisfy them. Too bad that the Association is losing such a valuable member and contributor. Erin Urban From theleadernews.com Paul Carr came to my house in 1980 when I moved to the Heights in my home on Harvard. I joined the Heights Assoc. and attended meetings for a while and stayed connected for years to the association. He and Mary are such kind people and welcomed me and my husband to the neighborhood. This is a very strange and twisted story for someone as dedicated as Paul Carr is to the Heights. That’s almost as insane as if someone was to tell Mitch Cohen that he can no longer operate The First Saturday Art Market, another great leader, businessman and promoter of The Greater Heights area. I’m saddened about this news. Sam Van Bibber From theleadernews.com I wonder if anyone can fire the Heights Association for stupidity!!!! Mr. Carr is a wonderful example for The Heights! I wish there would be more people like him in this world…it would be less screwed up. Lindsey Michalak Kindall From theleadernews.com It is just amazing how often politics and personal agendas begin to interfere with a wonderful gift by a DEDICATED public servant. Funny…was that a family member who is taking over that small paying JOB? Now isn’t that just a coincidence??? Anybody smell an odor here?” Lin Chamberlain Dear Editor: Yeah, we’re dumping the old coot. But – cosmically fortunate coincidence here – I just happen to have a brother who immediately step into that $1,100 per month job. J. Reynolds

Historic Shilling

Dear Editor: The Houston Archaeological and Historic Commission are not the bad guys! I am concerned about the negative tone of your articles regarding the HAHC. I found little objectivity in them. Let me remind everyone that the Heights is a vintage neighborhood and when it is gone, it will be gone! I was at the December meeting of the HAHC. I heard Ms. Watson say that their revised house of over 3,000 sq. ft. would not be out of place on their block. Exactly! Everyone else on her block has a mini mansion, so why not them? And one writer to The Leader in December actually said they would prefer McMansions to having to deal with HAHC. Really? Because we have neighborhoods like that now. Why can’t that reader move to West U, Montrose or Bellaire and leave the Heights to those that love it the way it is? You mention the architect who complained bitterly about the HAHC and not knowing what they wanted. Since he makes his living building add-ons, do you think he might not be the most objective person to interview for this story? I can tell him what the HAHC wants; respect for a lovely, old neighborhood. And I do want to add onto the bungalow I have owned for 22 years. But I only want another bedroom and bath, not to double my square footage. I hope to add on without having any impact on the visuals from the front of the house, unlike my brand new neighbor who I have not yet seen. He got permission from HAHC to expand his house in Historic Norhill to 1 foot of the property line. So long green space! Why must the entire neighborhood change to please an architect, some new residents and some grubby developers? Can’t Houston keep this one beautiful neighborhood? And Mr. McElvy, can you please take up a cause that is more worthy than shilling for these people? T.M. Rockwell

Jonathan McElvy Publisher & President

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THE PUZZLES. Solutions in this issue’s classsied section.

Grapefruit Heist

From theleadernews.com Personally, I am not laughing about this. Late last year, all the grapefruit disappeared from our tree, which is in my back yard. I don’t want to point a finger, but the circumstances sound strikingly similar. Perhaps their volunteers are either a bit over zealous about collecting fruit or they are really bad with addresses. If asked I would have even donated some fruit, but not all of it. I think that maybe they should confirm with the tree owner at the site, that they are at the right location or at least leave some sort of notice that it was them and not someone else who took the fruit, so as to not leave the tree owner guessing. I had promised a portion of my fruit to someone else. Imagine my disappointment when I had to go back on that offer. Not to mention the loss of fresh fruit for my own family. And to add insult to injury is the line in the article which said that the organizers and collectors get to sample the fruit… something we did not even get a chance to do! So, while the cause is a good one, I would please ask that they be more careful with their collecting! Deb Nevinger Response: Wow, Deb, I can imagine how upset you were when you found your tree empty of its fruit. I am sorry you had that experience. I would like to assure you that we were not the culprits in that situation. Of the thousands of pounds of fruit that we have harvested and shared with those in need, we have made only one mistake: the one in this story. Since the story came out we have had a bounty of calls from those willing to share the fruit from their trees. We are grateful for that and the people from Casa Juan Diego are grateful for that. Kent Keith FruitShare Houston

ACROSS 1. Lawyer disqualication 7. Filled in harbor 13. Die 14. Expected 16. As in 17. Squares puzzle 19. Of I 20. Small depressions 22. Cambridgeshire Cathedral 23. Layout and furnishings 25. Sandhill crane genus 26. Challenges 28. A widow’s selfimmolation 29. Earth System Model (abbr.) 30. Sound unit 31. A teasing remark 33. Surrounded by 34. Distinctive elegance 36. Imperturbable

38. Gulf of, in the Aegean 40. Ice mountains 41. Rubs out 43. German writer Weber 44. Tub 45. Digital audiotape 47. UC Berkeley 48. Actress Farrow 51. Epic body of poetry 53. Weight unit 55. A mild oath 56. More infrequent 58. One point N of due W 59. More rational 60. Exclamation of surprise 61. Manual soil tiller 64. 24th state 65. Surveyor 67. About ground 69. Something beyond doubt 70. Add herbs or spices

SUDOKO

He’s still here

If you want to send us a letter, we might edit it a little, and we won’t let you personally attack your pesky neighbor. But we’ll publish as many letters as our readers choose to write. (One a month from a speciﬁc author.)

Because of space considerations, Lynn Ashby’s column appears on Page 6A of today’s edition of The Leader. Don’t worry, we didn’t boot him in the redesign.

news@theleadernews.com

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

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late 30s, early 40s here). This generation – and I’m part of it – steps on toes the wrong way. Instead of putting arms around the older generation, we tend to just walk around the folks who came before us. We’re faster now. We have more technology. We don’t write letters – we send texts. Look at what we did with The Leader two years ago. In literally one week, I changed almost everything about this paper, except the name. I don’t know Matt Bedingfield, the current president of the Heights Homeowners Association, but I bet he and I have a lot in common. I know Bill Baldwin only professionally, and I know he runs a good business. While I firmly believe Paul Carr had good intentions with this train at Donovan Park, I also believe Bedingfield and Baldwin want to continue the incredible growth they’re seeing all around them. I just think they may need a public relations lesson in how to get that done. This is a situation that needs to cool, and I believe the HHA needs to take the lead. They’re doing everything they can to thank Paul. Maybe they need to do even more. I also believe the generation that preserved the Heights, Oak Forest and all our wonderful neighborhoods might take a glance in the mirror. What they may find is younger versions of themselves.

DOWN

1. Shelves 2. Max. medical unit 3. Religious orders 4. Blocks 5. Volcanic mountain in Japan 6. Close again 7. Clemens hero 8. ___-Jima 9. Rendered hog fat 10. Ocean ebbs 11. Spielberg blockbuster 12. Grade reducing 13. Shirk 15. Treats with contempt 18. Single Lens Reex (abbr.) 21. Integer 24. Photographers 26. Lair 27. Female sibling 30. Supported a structure 32. German socialist August 35. Angeles, Alomos or Lobos 37. Ripe tomato color 38. Indenite small number 39. Wind River Res. peoples 42. A baglike structure 43. Flying mammal 46. In poor taste 47. Hosts lm festival 49. Evansville Hockey team 50. Ohio tire town 52. Popeye cartoonist 54. Resource Based Economy (abbr.) 55. Hates, Scot. 57. Evaluate 59. Porzana carolina 62. Decay 63. Own (Scottish) 66. Atomic #29 68. Santa says X3

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Page 6A • Saturday, February 1, 2014

These all look like worthless cold pills THE PHARMACY – Sniffsniff, cough-cough. As you might notice, I’ve got a code in de node. My eyes are red and wet, my nose looks like I’m trying out for Rudolph in the school Christmas play. I feel wretched. Yes, this is flu season and no I don’t have the flu. If I did I’d be dead or wishing I were. You may have a cold, too, so what do you do to treat it? Looking down the aisles I see boxes and bottles, tubes and more boxes holding more pills. You remember the other week we discovered that most vitamins and treatments for Low T are hoaxes? I am looking yet another example of sheep getting fleeced. Don’t believe me? Let’s ask Mayo Clinic which knows something about health, treatments and medicine. Those experts proclaim without hesitation, “There’s no cure for the common cold.” Why doesn’t that make us feel better? You know the old saying: Treat a cold and it lasts seven days. Don’t treat it and it lasts a week. Not that we can’t do things to make us feel better, so let’s explore. First, head colds have been around as long as people have had noses, and today the common cold is the most frequently occurring illness in the world. Estimates are that Americans suffer 1 billion colds per year, which makes them a leading cause of missed days from school, with approximately 22 million days of school absences recorded in the U.S. annually. Colds are also the leading cause for missed days at work. Don’t you hate it when a fellow worker shows up looking and sounding like I do now, to proudly proclaim: “I’m sick

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

as a dog, but, cough-cough, I’m going to get my work done ‘cause I’m a real trouper. Sneeze!” This ailment is also the Number 1 reason for doctor visits, although unless you are really sick you don’t need to see a doctor. Besides, Obamacare doesn’t cover it – the doctor, not the cold. Here are a few things we need to know from Mayo and other experts, along with several facts we already know: Preschool children are at greatest risk of frequent colds, slightly older children are next, which brings up the question of why more elementary school teachers aren’t sick much of the time. Most people recover from a common cold in about a week or two. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds, but the biggest culprit is the rhinovirus. Just how I’m supposed to know which bug to guard against isn’t clear. The best way to come down with a cold is to stand beside someone who sneezes or coughs without using a Kleenex or at least a sleeve. Those viri thrown into the air enter your nose or mouth or, some tests show, through your eyes. The next best way to end up sick is through a third party such as touching a counter, door knob or anything recently touched by a Typhoid Mary, then touching your face. Clue: If you ﬁnd yourself in

the same room with a carrier, wash your hands constantly and don’t breathe. About the only advancement on the scene is that scientists finally determined that colds are caused by a virus, so we don’t catch a cold by being cold. When I was a small tad it was generally believed that we could come down with a head cold by being out in freezing or even chilly weather. Same with sleeping with a wet head or in the wind of an air conditioner. Here’s why cold weather got the blame: It ain’t the cold, it’s the humidity, or lack thereof. Cold winter air, which is less humid than warm summer air, can dry out the mucus lining of your nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to get in and make you sick. So, while colds can occur at any time of the year, they are most common in the winter. But if it true that cold air was only the accomplice, not the criminal, why do people in humid places like Port Arthur and New Orleans get colds? To keep things wet, besides your upper lip, get a humidifier, but it can also cause mold, fungi and bacteria if not cleaned properly. Change the water in your humidifier daily. Also, take a hot shower whether you need it or not. The steam from the hot water will help to clear your nasal passages, and help you to relax. If the heat leaves you feeling a little dizzy, consider putting a plastic chair or stool in the shower – along with a good book or maybe a small TV set. People are most contagious for the first two to three days of a cold, thus a cold is usually not contagious after the first week. You won’t be cured, but you

Intercept ‘tom’ with a free neuter Feb. 19 by Molly Sue McGilicutty Do you have a male cat that you keep meaning to get neutered? Maybe he’s an affectionate, loyal pet who is a part of your family or maybe he’s your resident “tom,” scrapping in the yard at night with other cats and impregnating every saucy female that glances his way? There’s no doubt about it, neutering eases the strain of behavior issues and lessens the overpopulation of cats in our neighborhoods. A less invasive surgery than spaying, a neuter typically doesn’t even require stitches--only a dab or two of glue--and your brave little boy will be back to his old (albeit, calmer and less intense) self in no time at all. Neutered male cats are far less territorial, so they are less likely to spray urine to mark their territory. Another bonus: Once neutered, their urine won’t smell (quite) as stinky. Also, neutering makes male cats much more docile, less likely to ﬁght other cats and

easier to socialize and handle. Are you ready to nip the problem of cat overpopulation in the (ahem) buds? Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Feb. 19. This is the day that the Houston Humane Society will be neutering 700 male cats for free. Pet owners must show proof of current rabies certiﬁcate, or they can purchase a rabies vaccine for their cat the day of the event. Additional optional services will be offered at the time of surgery for a small fee. Also, all cats must be contained in a carrier when they arrive.

Touchdown, BARC!

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will feel a little better by drinking water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey. They help loosen congestion and prevent dehydration. Now the bad news: Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse. I take hot tea with bourbon. Chicken soup might help relieve cold symptoms. Gargling saltwater can temporarily relieve a sore or scratchy throat. Nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers offer some symptom relief, but they won’t prevent a cold or shorten its length, and most have some side effects. Warning: If nonprescription decongestants and pain relievers are used for more than a few days, they can actually make symptoms worse. Remember that acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) can cause serious liver damage or liver failure if you take them in doses higher than recommended. Don’t take antibiotics – they attack bacteria, but they’re no help against cold viruses. Avoid zinc because most studies show it does no good and may actually harm you – like losing your sense of smell. Now which box of worthless pills do I want to buy? Sniff-sniff. Ashby is cold at ashby2@comcast.net

Parent conﬁdential Parents, here’s a two-hour session that could potentially prevent your kids from requesting your money when they’re in their mid 30s. The Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Financial Night from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4 at Waltrip High. In addition to speakers and vendors, Brian Gilbert has arranged for a Financial Reality Fair, which is a very success-

ful role playing program organized by the National Credit Union Foundation. Students begin by choosing a career with its appropriate income, and then progress through various booths where they make life choices regarding housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, food and more. Then they total their budget and sit down with a ﬁnancial counselor for advice.

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Writers in the Schools boosts Garden Oaks literacy By Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

Garden Oaks Elementary School principal Lindsay Pollock wanted the school’s 676 students to get an opportunity to learn from published authors. “The addition of a creative voice invigorates children and re-invigorates teachers,” Pollock said. “It increase academic achievement and adds a connection to the real world.” Pollock, in her sixth year at Garden Oaks, has expanded Writers in The Schools (WITS) program into every classroom at the pre-Kindergarten through seventh grade school. Garden Oaks’ PTO raised the $41,000 to ensure that each of Garden Oaks’ 29 classrooms gets to participate in the program. There’s also a summer camp version of WITS, which is held at 50 campuses across the Houston area. WITS executive director Robin Reagler, a Garden Oaks resident, said students of all grade levels enjoy WITS. A third of the writers are University of Houston graduate students, and each WITS writer makes 25 visits per year at approximately 4 hours per week. The writers work with the same group of students

throughout the year. “We have creative writers, novelists, poets and playwrights,” Reagler said. “The writers really make it fun for the kids.” The program also includes a trip to The Menil Collection art gallery in the Montrose area.

“

The addition of a creative voice invigorates children and re-invigorates teachers. • Lindsay Pollack

Florence Miyamoto, an author and retired educator, has enjoyed being a member of WITS who’s worked with Garden Oaks students. “We’re really working on personal narratives -- storytelling and dramatization,” Miyamoto said. “I bring in a heart-shaped necklace to show the students that good writing comes from the heart.” Statistics have shown that better writing skills have translated to increased standardized test scores, more community service, and lower dropout

Carolyn Bolton of the Writers in the Schools program reads to Garden Oaks Elementary ﬁrst through third graders about biographies on Monday. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter)

rates, according to WITS. Pollock said the program ﬁts in with Garden Oaks’ mission as a Montessori school. Garden Oaks is one of three Montessori campuses in Hous-

ton ISD, and it gives students more applied instruction and freedom of movement within the classroom, rather than the traditional method of sitting in rows and listening to a lecture.

Local school’s closure brings sadness By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Recently Hope Episcopal Day School shared the news on Facebook and elsewhere that it would be closing its doors after more than 60 years of service to the community. “We’re ﬁnishing out the year and closing up shop,” said Will Shepherd, Hope Episcopal Day School ofﬁce administrator. He said that the reason for the decision is the age and condition of the day school buildings. It will take considerable funds to get the buildings up to code. Rev. Bobbie Knowles, who has been at Hope Episcopal since 2010, said that the decision to close the school was not made lightly.

She said that the school is comprised of temporary buildings which were never meant to be permanent and at this time the church isn’t ﬁnancially ready for a new building project. There is also work to be done on the other permanent church buildings in the near future. Once the board made their decision, notices went out to the day school families. Shepherd said that school staff was very cognizant of the fact of the potential for growth in the neighborhood and that the school had a waiting list. He said they were aware that the school buildings needed major work and had embarked on a fundraising campaign. “At a time when the school was preparing to grow, this

Garden Oaks had ﬁve Montessori classrooms when Pollock arrived six years ago, and now all but two are Montessori. Last month, the HISD board

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was disheartening news,” he said. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a school in the future though. “I am hopeful that the

school will be reborn one day in a proper building,” said Rev. Knowles. “We are deeply affected by [the closing] and saddened by it.”

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THE CALENDAR. HEIGHTS MEET AND GREET Miniature Schnauzer Rescue The Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston will host a meet and greet from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 1 at 811 Yale St. Preregistration for pet adoption is available in advance by visiting the website. Information: 713-513-7811, www. msrh.org.

REGISTRATION BREAKFAST Northwest Flyers Youth Track Club The Northwest Flyers Youth Track Club will be hosting a free registration/information breakfast at 8:15 a.m. Feb. 2, for all boys and girls interested in joining this track season. The breakfast will be held at the Cypress Creek Christian Community Center Forum, 6823 Cypresswood Dr., Spring 77379. Information: www. northwestﬂyers.org, linette. roach@sbcglobal.net or 281-5878442.

LEGALLINE: FREE LEGAL ADVICE Houston Bar Association The Houston Bar Association offers free legal advice over the phone through LegalLine from 5-9 p.m. the ﬁrst and third Wednesday of every month. Consejos Legales for Spanish speakers is the ﬁrst Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m. Information: 713759-1133, www.hba.org.

FREE CONCERT ‘SERATA LIRICA’ All Saints Cultural Arts Series A free concert “Serata Lirica” will be followed by a light dinner at All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E. 10th St., at 5 p.m. Feb. 9. Information: 832-641-6319, www. incantoagency.com.

PRE-K AND KINDERGARTEN TOURS Stevens Elementary School Lulu M. Stevens Elementary School, 1910 Lamonte Ln., is offering Pre-K and Kindergarten Tours on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 21 at 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Mar. 26 at 8:30 a.m. and Wednesday Apr. 30 at 8:30 a.m. All tours start in the front hallway. To request a tour at another time, please call 713613-2546.

RELATIVES AS PARENTS CONFERENCE Relatives As Parents Coalition A free conference for grandpar-

ents and other relatives raising kin children to learn information and resources. The conference is for adults only and will be held from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 22 at DePelchin Children’s Center, 4950 Memorial Dr. Pre-registration is required. Information: 713-4600781 x3016, 832-830-2398, rapp@voatx.org.

RED WINE DARK CHOCOLATE HEART HEALTHY EVENT Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital To promote awareness of cardiovascular disease, Memorial Hermann Northwest, 1635 North Loop West, will host a free educational and fun event, where attendees can enjoy red wine and dark chocolate while they learn how to lower their risk of heart disease and stroke. The event will be in the classroom in South Tower from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 25. Information: 713-222-CARE (2273).

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PANCAKE BREAKFAST SEEKING VOLUNTEERS Garden Oaks Montessori PTO Volunteers are needed in various positions for the 20th Annual Community Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction. Shifts are 1-2 hours with some positions providing opportunities to help from home or prior to the event. All volunteers must be VIPS approved. Information: 713-696 2930.

DRESS DRIVE Waltrip HS JROTC Donations are needed of semiformal and formal dresses. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Waltrip High School, 1900 W. 34th St. in building T-4. Information: elizabethlenich@yahoo. com, elizabethlenich.wix. com/jrotc9thbattalion.

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JOHN H. REAGAN CLASS OF 1974 40th REUNION Cadillac Bar The reunion will be held from 6-11:30 p.m. April 12, at the Cadillac Bar, 1802 Shepherd Dr. Early reservation cost is $50 per person if postmarked by Feb. 15; $60 per person thereafter and at the door. Checks or money orders should be made payable to: John H. Reagan Class of 1974. E-mail Karen (Andrews) Kowal (karen. andrews44@yahoo.com) for payment mailing information.

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Page 8A • Saturday, February 1, 2014

Neighbors: Welcome home, Capt. Whiteﬁeld By Elizabeth Villareal elizasgarden@outlook.com

One of our area sons, Capt. Nick Whitefield, USMC, returned yesterday from a seven month long deployment to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Capt. Whitefield was welcomed home by his wife, Laura, daughter Audrey, and his three and a half month old son Ethan, whom he met for the first time. The family is planning a visit to Texas in February, much to the delight of Nick’s parents, Bill and Janeal Whitefield of Candlelight Plaza, and his grandmother, Billie Whitefield, a longtime Oak Forest resident. The Oaks Dads Club 60th Anniversary BBQ Cookoff was held this past weekend and in spite of a chilly beginning (pardon the pun) on Friday, spicy and delicious food was the name of the game. Cookoff teams were as follows: EuroTechs Cook Team led by Billy Medina; Bull Of The Woods Cookers led by Kevin Cramer and Mike Murphy; Smoke This Cookers led by Darin Galloway and Donnie Fick; Triple X Cookers led by Thomas Yanez; ODC Smoke led by Robert Edwards and Stacey Culliver; Bald Beaver BBQ led by Sean Jez; Smoke-A-Holicks led by Jeremy Woods and Gerald Holick; Morning Wood led by Rick Kasischke and Vince Romero; Spirit Of Texas Cookers led by Andy Ballard; JC Cookers led by Craig Cramer; Sons Of American Legion led by Jose Limas; and The Dutchman led by Debbie Weggemann. Judges were Carlos Aguilar from Ugly Guppy Productions; Jeremy Rogalski (coach and Baseball Board member) and Chita Johnson from KHOU Channel 11 News; James Johnson; Ron Roznovsky of Roznovsky’s; Bill Whitefield of Whitefield

Plastics; Judge Jay Karahan; Shawn Salyers of Myti-Burger and Baskin Robbins; Charles Bishop of Cottonwood; Francisco Herrera, manager of La Hacienda; Leroy Janicek, ODC Head Umpire; Carl Waters, ODC Umpire; Andy Tomczeszyn, ODC Corporate Board Member; Angela Solice, President of the Corporate Board of ODC; and yours truly. Yes! I was a grateful lucky ducky and checked off a personal bucket list item as I sampled numerous, mouthwatering bites of spicy chili, succulent ribs, smoky chicken and tender brisket. Winners: Grand Champion award went to Bull of the Woods Cookers, the winners in Chicken were Bull Of The Woods Cookers, the winners in Ribs were Bull Of The Woods Cookers, and Winners in Brisket were the Triple X Cookers. Congratulations to the winners! Parents and kiddos would like to thank the Board (including Andy Moore and Norbert Aguilar), cooking teams and volunteers who soldiered through the night, cooking and setting up despite brisk temperatures, all in the name of fundraising for a neighborhood institution. Oak Forest neighbors send out a special thanks to Bill Mallin who designed, built and installed a charming, tiny red schoolhouse in his yard which is to be a Little Free Library. Bill has plans to build three more LFLs which are in the design stages and will be placed throughout Oak Forest. Multi-talented and with a beautifully humorous nature, Bill is constantly creating something, repairing something for someone, or watching out for his neighbors – and sometimes he does all three at one time. Thank you, Bill, for making a difference where it counts! The LFLs will be enjoyed for neighbors for many years to come. Speaking of neighbors making a difference, Lisa Junco and

FROM THE PEWS. Free monthly pancake breakfast at St. Matthew’s St. Matthew’s Youth will host the monthly free pancake breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. Feb. 1. The menu will consist of pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit and breakfast drinks. Immediately following the pancake breakfast, the Lydia Circle will gather in room 108 for their monthly meeting. Adele Collins will present the program on “Famous Women.” Sunday morning worship and children’s church starts at 9:30 a.m., followed by Sunday School for all ages at 10:30 a.m. A prayer and praise service with Holy Communion starts at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. Call 713-697-0671 or visit www.stmatthewsmethodist.org for information. Boy Scouts barbecue dinner at St. Rose Troop 40 Boy Scouts will have their 15th annual barbecue dinner from noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 1, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 2, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 3600 Brinkman. Call 713-956-7366 for information.

Spring Bazaar at St. Andrew’s St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., will have a Spring Bazaar from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 1. Admission is free. Chopped beef sandwiches and fresh home-made desserts will be available as well as the wares of 40 local and regional vendors, artisans and craftspeople. Call 713-861-5596 or visit saecheights.org for information.

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‘33 The Series’ study at YMCA Practical insights and Biblical principals will be presented in “33 The Series,” a journey to authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus in His 33 years on earth. The study will be at 7 a.m. beginning Feb. 6, at the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. For information or to make a reservation, call 713-758-9134 or email jclark@ymcahouston.org. Chocolate Valentine Fantasy at St. Rose St. Rose of Lima Altar Guild will hold a Chocolate Valentine Fantasy featuring a chocoholic feast and games. The church is located at 3600 Brinkman and the event will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 7. The cost is $10 per person. Proceeds go towards the St. Rose ministry. Information: 281-610-5608, www.stroseoﬂima.org., gcolonetta@sbcglobal.net.

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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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ortunately — or unfortunately — you no longer have any problems with your upper teeth. They were all removed some years ago and you now wear a full upper denture. Does this mean you can forget about visiting your dentist regularly? Not if you value your health and future comfort! Regular appointments with the dentist are as important for denture-wearers as for people with natural teeth. The mouth tissue, bony ridges and gums that support dentures are constantly undergoing changes and may impair the dentures’ proper function. Even such general health ailments as vitamin deficiencies, extended illness, drug therapy, weight loss, diabetes or high blood pressure can change the way dentures fit. Ill-fitting dentures can seriously damage the mouth, causing abrasions, bruises, inflammation and rapid destruction of the supporting bone. Prolonged irritation of this kind may result in the development of tumors. It is important to have a dental checkup at least once a year to insure that your dentures are properly adjusted and that your mouth is in good health.

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.

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MANNA to host a Food Fair at Temple Oaks Baptist MANNA is reaching out to the community and will be hosting a food fair from 10 a.m. to noon, Feb. 15, at Temple Oaks Baptist Church, 2101 W. 34th St. Must have ID. Members from St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church will be volunteering to help with this event. To volunteer for MANNA’s next food fair, please contact Patricia Dornak at 713-504-5486 or email her at pdornak@gmail. com for information.

Coffee shop renovation at The Vineyard All Saints TALC classes begin Feb. 3 The Vineyard Church of Houston, 1035 E. 11th St., is near All Saints Third Age Learning Center classes begin Feb. 3, completion of the renovation of their coffee shop, which will include an elevator, new restrooms, kitchen, entrance and furnishand late registration will continue Feb. 3-Feb. 14. TALC offers a variety of classes and activities for seniors ings. The cafe will be home to A 2nd Cup coffee shop on Sunday 50 and older. Some of the classes offered for the 2014 Spring mornings. A 2nd Cup is Houston’s only coffee shop dedicated to Semester include watercoloring and art, woodworking, stained raising awareness and preventing human trafficking in Houston. glass, exercise, computer, line dancing, sewing/machine quilt- Opening date is scheduled for March 9. The facility will be used ing and more. Monthly parties are held as well as birthday cel- not only for raising money for this cause, but also for related films, speakers and markets. ebrations, seminars and day trips. Ad # 37568 Seniors can enjoy a full course hot lunch for a nominal fee of $2. Lunch is served Monday through Friday during the semester Come Checkout One of Houston’s Largest Bingo Halls at noon. Lunch reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 713-248-1277 by 10:30 a.m. weekdays. For information call 713-248-1277. Senior activities day at St. Stephen’s Adults age 50+ are welcome to attend St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church monthly senior activities day games and lunch Feb. 5, in the fellowship hall. Games begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a soup and sandwich lunch at 11:45 a.m. Donations are encouraged to help cover the cost of lunch. Family Movie Night is at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7, in the fellowship hall. Families are welcome to bring dinner with them and blankets. The church will provide popcorn and lemonade. Admission is free. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. Call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc for information.

other neighbors noticed two dogs living in or near Judiway Park last summer. Lisa and those neighbors fed and watered the pups regularly, but the dogs would never let anyone get close. Once the holidays arrived and colder weather set in, the food and attention wasn’t as plentiful and Lisa could not stop thinking about the dogs. After she witnessed a failed capture attempt by BARC, Lisa began to look for someone to help her trap the animals. Neighbor Nora Loera knew of Kevin Miller, a very nice fellow who rescues and traps animals, and called him to help. Within 30 minutes of Kevin’s arrival, the dogs were safely captured and Kevin took them to his home where the dogs were placed in large kennels (he is working to build more in an effort to help more animals) with plenty of space, food and water. Big Red and Jude have been taken to the vet where they received their shots and a good bill of health. Kevin is working to socialize the pair with humans and other dogs and they are doing very, very well. Lisa raised funds throughout the area utilizing Facebook and UCaring.com, so the vet costs, spay and neuter, and kennel charges are covered through the next month. The dogs are coming along beautifully and the last time Lisa visited them, the dogs exhibited no aggression, wagged their tails furiously, gave doggie kisses, and seem to crave being petted and loved. Now they need a home! For more information on how to help, contact Lisa Junco at Lisa.mezzatesta@gmail.com.

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hether we consider love to be a commandment or a spiritual gift, it is clear that it is to be given priority over everything else. When Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is, he says to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37-39) Although Paul speaks of love as a spiritual gift rather than as a commandment, it is clear that he also gives priority to love: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13: 13) It is really quite simple. Our overriding duty is to love: to love God and our fellow man. This is, however, sometimes very difficult, as people are not always lovable, and we don’t always know quite how to love God, but that is first and foremost what we are called to do. All the great men and women of history have been great lovers, people whose capacity to love was seemingly endless. So love always and everywhere and banish fear and hatred, those two great enemies of love, from your life. “No one has ever seen God;but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:12

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Saturday, February 1, 2014 • Page 9A

Hogg, from P. 1A

tween our successful Heights neighborhood elementary schools and Hogg Middle School, enabling progression within our strong, unique community.” The feeder schools for Hogg are Crockett, Travis, Harvard, Browning, Sinclair, Love, Ketelson, Memorial and Field Elementary schools. Local parents, especially those from Harvard and Travis elementary, rallied behind the effort to promote Hogg to the immediate area. Two of them from Core Design Studio designed a logo and there’s also a professional looking brochure for the school and a Facebook page. The group doesn’t just talk the talk. One Learn Local board member has already moved his daughter from St. Stephen’s Episcopal School to Hogg and others are committed to sending their children to their neighborhood school. “We wanted people who were serious about jumping on board,” said Guyre. “Everything was very purposeful.” As part of the goal to break down perception and show

THE OBITUARIES. Lani Terisa Billingsley, 63, born June 8, died Jan. 21. She was a member at Lazybrook Baptist Church. Betty Anne Blackburn, 78, died Jan. 21. Blackburn retired from Exxon after 37 years of service. She is survived by her husband Guy, children Michelle Blackburn, Gilbert Blackburn, Kelly Blackburn and Reesa Guevara, brother Mike Reinecker, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Jimmie R. Gaidry, 85, born Nov. 25, 1928, died Jan. 21 in The Woodlands. She is survived by her daughter Mary Callander, son James Gaidry, and six grandchildren. Doris Lorene Gray, 89, born July 27, 1924, died Jan. 21. John M. Linden, 73, born Sept. 12, 1940, died Oct. 10, 2013. Linden joined the U.S. Army and served on active duty in Vietnam. He served as an advisor to the South Vietnamese military under Gen. Westmoreland. John was decorated with both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor by the U.S. Army and the Silver Star of the South Vietnamese Army. He worked for ExxonMobil for 33 years, retiring in 2001. He was an active member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 2200 Space Park Dr, Suite 100, Houston 77058 or online at www. WoundedWarriorProject.org or to

the Lone Star Veterans Association, 170 Heights Blvd., Houston 77007. Vernon Dennis Meyer, 91, died Jan. 20. He retired from Mrs. Baird’s Bakery after 40 years of employment. He is survived by daughters Linda Burling, Diana Lyons and Vicky Fessenden, five grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Dolores Mendoza Rubio, 70, born Sept. 19, 1943, died Jan. 19. Rubio was retired from working several years at Texaco. She was an active member of the Co-Cathedral of Sacred Heart and participated in the Legion of Mary, as a member of the Holy Communion, lector and usher. She is survived by her sister Gloria Astran, and brothers Edward Moya and Freddy Cruz Jr. Mildred Schoeneman, 82, born April 24, 1931 in Warda, Texas, died Jan. 18 in Sugarland. She is survived by her son Vernon Schoeneman, daughters Kathryn Schoeneman and Janet Ferguson, five grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Donald V. Thompson, 84, born Oct. 14, 1929 in Ardmore, Okla., died Jan. 9 in Katy. Thompson was a member and Deacon of White Oak Baptist Church. He is survived by his daughter Donna Prause, two grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.

“We’re really excited about it,” Feldman said. “Game rooms are a problem, and we ﬁnally have an effective tool to restrict their operation and to shut them down. This is most effective tool that has come around for the regulation of these game rooms.” In the past, enforcement of game room operations has become a proverbial game of cat and mouse for law enforcement. The law states that gamblers can only win a single “win” that is worth $5 or 10 times the value of the bet, whichever is

less. But often times, the rules get broken, and it goes unnoticed. The new regulations would require game rooms to close at 10 p.m. Any new game rooms would

have to be located at least 1,500 feet from a church, school or hospital. Current game rooms would be grandfathered in, but every game room must re-apply for its permit.

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Bane, from P. 1A winter months when warm water species are less active. There’s enough trout in the pond for two to three weeks. Fisherman at Bane Park must have a Texas fishing license, but otherwise, the fishing is free. There’s a limit of five trout per day that can be taken home. “It takes a couple of days for the fish to get used to the environment,” said North Houston resident Enrique Arreola. “You can catch them if you keep on trying.” Malcolm Armstrong makes the trip south from the Champions area to check out Bane Park’s trout season. “It’s relaxing – the lake has good accessibility,” Armstrong said. “I did OK yesterday, and I did OK another day. Today has been bad.” Bane Park is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Learn Local Much of the current momentum at Hogg is due to the work of a group called Learn Local, chaired by Heights resident Emily Guyre who has a third grader and a ﬁrst grader at Travis Elementary. Guyre met with Dr. Schnitta last spring and pitched her the idea for Learn Local, whose stated mission is “to establish a bridge for our children be-

Emily Guyre and Principal Mina Schnitta are both working to raise Hogg’s proﬁle.

people what Hogg has to offer, the group sponsored a Food Truck Fundraiser with the first Heights STEM Night at Hogg to benefit Hogg’s library. They also promoted Razorback Madness with the Hogg boys basketball team who did a special clinic with first and third graders. “This is our middle school,” said Guyre. “I want my kids to be right here for their middle school years and I believe that the school is ready. The faculty is fantastic and the community has a chance to make the school what we want it to be. It’s not often you get that opportunity.” She notes that for Harvard students who also have the IB programme, Hogg would be a natural progression for their learning. And Travis is a Vanguard school similar to the pre-AP course work at Hogg. The work of Learn Local is paying off. Membership in Hogg’s PTO has increased sevenfold for the current school year. Dr. Schnitta also sees another benefit of Learn Local. “Good schools can sometimes be competitive but this has brought the Travis and Harvard communities together,” she said. Of course, the true success of the school will rest with the students themselves. Kailya Elder is a seventh grader in her second year at Hogg who said she’s happy with the current climate. “There’s a lot of diversity here so there’s no discrimination. I just really like the people,” Elder said.

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program, which both focus on Science, Math, Technology and Engineering. Students can also take PreAdvanced Placement courses in each grade level in four core subject areas: Math, Science, English Language Arts and Social Studies. The school offers Algebra, Concepts of Engineering – which is the eighth grade STEM magnet class – Spanish, Spanish AP, Art 1, and Journalism for high school credit. “Middle school is the time to try Pre-Advanced Placement classes,” said Dr. Schnitta. “They can try out the rigor and pace of these classes before they get to high school. It’s good for them to reach.” As for the building itself, the library – headed by Suzanne Webb who came from Episcopal High School – has gotten a major upgrade with $30,000 for new books as well as 16 computers. This summer, $9 million in bond money will pay for upgrades to the school’s mechanical and electrical systems, as well as new science labs and other infrastructure improvements.

Games, from P. 1A

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��w�� IN MEMORIAM

Alvin Wernecke, 95, born Nov. 24, 1918, died Jan. 17. Ethel Mae Wolfe, 66, born June 9, 1947, died Jan. 20. Wolfe earned two master’s degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. After Seminary, she moved to Houston to work as assistant director at the Fletcher Street Mission Center. She

later worked for the Food Stamp Office, Child Welfare and Child Protective Services, managed her husband’s CPA and law offices, worked as a youth counselor and capped her career as an 11th grade English teacher at Lamar High School, and as an elected trustee for Cy-Fair ISD. Wolfe is survived by her sons Michael and Jeffrey Wolfe.

IN MEMORIAM

LESTER RICHARDSON April 8, 1916 to January 26, 2014

L

ester Richardson, 97, joined his Heavenly Father on Jan. 26, 2014. He was born on April 8, 1916 in Lyric, Texas. He was preceeded in death by his wife of 72 years, Mary Richardson. He is survived by his devoted daughter, Bevilly Kallina; grandchildren, Paul Kallina, John Kallina and wife, Debbie; great-grandchildren, Cameron and Reagan and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, he was a member of Garden Oaks Baptist Church, a veteran of the Army in WWII, and a resident of Oak Forest since 1950. Lester was a wonderful person who will be deeply missed by those who loved him. Funeral service is Friday, Jan. 31, at 10 a.m. at Oak Forest Baptist Church, located at 1700 W. 43rd. He will be laid to rest at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.

James Alan Christian October 26, 1949 to January 4, 2014

J

immy was born in Houston, the last of four children (John, Nancy, Steve, Jim) of Abbie and Millie Christian. He grew up in Garden Oaks and attended St. Rose of Lima and St. Thomas High School. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Constellation off the coast of Vietnam. Jim lived most of his adult life in the northwest area of Houston. Jimmy owned ProCoat, a construction company, and later worked for ten years on the catastrophe team of Traveler’s Insurance. Jim was an outspoken man and an excellent storyteller. He had many lifetime friends, but his thirteen-month-older brother, Steve, remained his best friend. Jim along with Steve and Linda, built retirement homes on Bolivar Peninsula. Steve happily retired to a life of fishing. Jim however continued to work part time, building homes for friends and investing in property on Bolivar. Jim’s last 6 years were filled with fishing, sunsets, motorcycles and beach. There are many good things to be said about Jimmy, but the most important is that he was an excellent father. He loved Patrick (his son with Marcelle Campbell) and Molly ( his daughter with Annie Osten). Jim worked hard his entire life to make sure his children were well taken care of. Jim was always there for them. Jimmy died at 64 from cancer on January 4th. He was asked by a niece about a bucket list. Jim laughed and said he had finished his list and perhaps that was part of the reason for his early departure. Jimmy didn’t want a funeral but he did want a celebration for his family and many friends. On an unseasonably beautiful day one week after Jimmy left us, close to 250 friends gathered at his home on the bay to remember Jimmy’s life. There was barbecue and stories and laughter and tears. The drinks were on Jim!

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PHYLLIS A. OESER ATTORNEY AT LAW

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WENDY L. PRATER ATTORNEY AT LAW

ß Probate ß Wills ß Powers of Attorney ß Divorce ß Family Law

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

Call for an appointment today.

713-802-9171

praterlaw@sbcglobal.net | www.praterlaw.com

GREENWOOD KING

Page 10A â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, February 1, 2014

Reaching #1 in the Heights in 2013* W

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1246 Omar

1418 W. 21st

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1371 Arlington

5409 Libbey

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954 W. 41st

1831 Hewitt

811 Le Green

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622 E. 19th G IN D N PE

1233 Yale

1420 W. 21st

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1115 Nadine

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2609 Elysian

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811 Aurora

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510 W. 8th

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103 W. 13th

1923 Wroxton

*These homes represent Houston Association of Realtors single family home transactions in 2014. Price ranged from $300,000 and above.

Rich & Amanda Anhorn

Lauren Baker

Alex Berry

Emily Brandenberger

Krista Grissom

Shirley Foreman

Jennifer Gangeri

Karen Keplinger Stowers

Soo Kim

Brigette & Chris Larson

Nancy Jane McMillan

Juli Moore

Caroline Schlemmer

Sasha Van Nes

Catherine York

Brittany Zalman

Felicia Zbranek

Linda King & Julie Greenwood

GREENWOOD KING 713.864.0888 1801 Heights Blvd.

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