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Saturday, February 13, 2016 • Vol. 62 • No. 7

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Houston-based band The Suffers rocks out on The Daily Show

By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com Heights resident Nick Zamora, the drummer for the ten piece local act, The Suffers, accredits his hometown for the many successes of his band. Tuesday night, The Suffers took the stage in a national light as the guest artist on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

The Suffers performed at 10 p.m., playing their brand new single “Peanuts”.

We chatted with Zamora for a quick interview before the big show on their latest album and how everyone can get their hands on it.

“This album has been in the works for a long time now and is sort of the culmination of our process of figuring out who we are as a band,” Zamora said. “The sound spans soul, reggae, blues, jazz, and lots of sonic elements that stem from Houston’s rich musical landscape.

Allowing ourselves this freedom to jump between genres has resulted in us connecting with a really broad audience and gives us a lot of freedom as we continue to write new music for our next album.”

The self-titled debut album releases

www.tbpheights.com

Takeout Available

March 30 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SPJST Lodge 88 1435 Beall St. The Leader’s premiere, annual event for area seniors is coming closer and closer. RSVP today for your chance to attend this free event, connecting seniors with vendors and organizations providing healthcare, transportation and other services for those in their golden years.

See Suffers P. 8A

RSVP online at theleadernews.com

INSIDE. Photo by Michael Sudhalter While circumstances may have kept Jim White and Kathleen Ballard apart, the former Reagan High School couple reunited later in life and have now been happily married for more than 11 years.

Former Reagan High School sweethearts now happily married

By Michael Sudhalter msudhalter@fortbendstar.com

A walk down memory lane

A special group of local residents took a journey back in time by revisiting their beloved Hamilton High School and, although the dynamics of school life have changed drastically over the years, the memories are still just as vibrant as ever. Read about their impressions in this week’s issue.

Find it on 10A

See Sweethearts P. 2A

Contributed Photo Nick Zamora, the drummer for the ten piece local act, The Suffers, celebrated the opportunity to perform in front of a national audience during Tuesday night’s episode of The Daily Show.

Waltrip student selected as All State musician

Q & A with Love’s Robert Chavarria

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com

See it on 6A

The INDEX. Church

Jim White asked for Kathleen Ballard’s phone number twice – on occasions separated by 40 years.

White and Ballard grew up in the Houston Heights and were briefly high school sweethearts at Reagan High in 1963.

They went their separate ways, and after becoming both divorced and widowed, they re-connected on classmates.com, an early digital precursor to social networking sites like Facebook, in 2003 and married the following year. Now, the Missouri City couple has been happily married for the past 11+ years.

White was a high school junior, and Ballard – now Kathleen White – was a sophomore when they met in a

Latin class in the spring of 1963.

“She sat by the pencil sharpener and I sat by the back wall,” White said. Every day before class I would go to the pencil sharpener to sharpen about five pencils and talk to her. Finally I got up enough nerve to ask her to a movie.”

White still has what he believes to be that pencil sharpener that is so symbolic of their relationship.

When Reagan High was being renovated approximately 12 years ago, White went to the school and told a construction worker he’d give him $20 for the pencil sharpener.

The construction worker obliged, and White presented the sentimental gift to his wife for their first Valentine’s

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Eduardo Sierra, a member of the Waltrip High School Ram Band, said he was shocked to find out he was selected as a Texas All-State Musician.

“I was obviously hoping for the best but when I actually saw the results and that I had made it, it was pretty surprising,” Sierra said.

Sierra will be joining over 1,600 students, selected from a pool that begins with over 64,000 students around the state, in San Antonio this Saturday as part of the 2016 Texas Music Educators Association Clinic & Convention. According to a press release, over 26,000 people from Texas and beyond will attend over 315 workshops, 100 performances and visit over 1,300 booths at what is called the “nation’s largest music educators’ convention,” from Feb. 10 to 13.

Sierra, who plays the french horn under the direction of Ram Band director Jesse Espinosa, was selected after a rigorous competitive process held this year across the state. It’s been a long time coming for Sierra who has played the french horn for years.

“I actually started playing in middle school,”

Sierra said. “I kept playing when I went on into high school and all those years I played the horn.

I didn’t try any other instrument at the time and it was recommended to me by my band director at the time.”

Sierra focused on improving himself with each year, particularly following his first auditions for Texas All-State. With his departure for San Antonio happening relatively close to the initial announcement of being accepted, he said he’s sticking to his fundamentals as his performance with the 5A Symphonic Winds draws near.

“I’m not quite sure what to really expect since it’s my first time,” Sierra said.

Beyond his time in high school, Sierra said he desires to continue playing an instrument and perhaps make a career out of composing music – perhaps at the University of Houston. For now, Sierra will be keeping his mind on Saturday’s performance which he says is something his family is proud about.

“I’m excited about it,” Sierra said.

The Texas Music Educators Association is an association of over 12,000 school music educators dedicated to promoting excellence in music education. Go to www.tmea.org/convention for more information.

Contributed Photo Eduardo Sierra plays with his fellow Waltrip Ram Band members during a Christmas performance late last year. Sierra was selected as one of only a small group of young musicians to perform as a Texas All-State Musician.

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Rice Military homeowners might notice some new signs going up in their neighborhood along with new security vehicles bearing the SEAL Security insignia. As of last week, the community’s civic club finalized a six month contract with the organization to provide an extra layer of policing to their neighborhood.

Rice Military Civic Club president Andrea Debaldo said she and other community leaders are hoping to get more residents on board as word of the security program spreads. The topic of private security had been a subject of discussion for nearly six years but the process began to pick up steam in March of last year following a community meeting.

Although the ink is only drying on the deal, which was finalized last week, Debaldo is working with volunteers to help spread the word.

“We still have some people that don’t attend meetings and sometimes live in their own bubble,” Debaldo said.

“We had volunteers that went around knocking on doors,

but because all of the work is done entirely by volunteers not every street was hit.”

The costs for participating households is $25 per month, and Debaldo emphasized that 24/7 coverage would have carried a higher price. Currenly, about 250 homes are signed up for the service – a number Debaldo would like to see grow as the program picks up speed.

Most have been supportive of the endeavor, however there is some dissent among some homeowners. Debaldo said those with gated driveways question the need for the extra security but Debaldo said everyone can benefit from the added protection.

“This isn’t about just leaving the house,” Debaldo said.

“The SEAL vehicles will be an added presence in the community and an important benefit for paying members is the

service can be called to have an officer come in and make sure their home is safe.”

In deciding which group to go with, between Top Gun, SEAL and the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office, it came down to a question of service between paying members and those who wouldn’t participate. Debaldo said that, because the Constable’s Office responds to all homes, including those not paying dues for the extra security, residents would have a better incentive to pay dues and participate through SEAL (which does not offer added security benefits for those not under contract).

“Only paid members can use the hotline and get added services like a vacation watch for their home,” Debaldo said.

In the meantime, the group will be reaching out through email and on social media to increase support for the initiative and current members will also be able to display signs in their yards and on their homes if they subscribe to the service. Those interested can email president@ rice-military.org and visit the civic club’s website at www. rice-military.org.

Sweethearts from P. 1A Day together.

Circumstances kept them apart in high school.

Jim was operating a lawncare business and taking care of his father, who was suffering from cancer.

Kathleen was involved in several extracurricular activities such as cheerleading and the storied Reagan Redcoats Drill Team, and her mother put strict limits on her social schedule.

“It broke my heart when I stopped hearing from him in high school,” Kathleen said.

“He was a cutie in high school and still is.”

Both Whites said the brief romance was still on their minds over the four subsequent decades.

“A week didn’t go by in 40 years that I didn’t think of her,” Jim said.

Kathleen added, “I thought about him because he was so sweet, kind and gentle.”

In 2003, Kathleen received a message from Jim on classmates.com, and within a day, she returned the message,

writing “is this my Jimmy?”

They made plans to meet, but Kathleen’s schedule was limited due to the fact she was taking care of her ailing mother.

Most of their dates were low-key dinners and movies on the couch at Kathleen’s mother’s house in the Houston Heights. Jim would pick up food and bring over movies to watch.

“We had our wedding in her mom’s bedroom so that she could be part of our big day,” Jim said. “I guess I never forgot my first love and now we are finally together.”

These days, Jim and Kathleen live a happy life together.

They attend church at The Vineyard in Stafford and both work part-time. Jim is a crossing guard for Fort Bend ISD, and Kathleen fills in sometimes at a local Edward Jones office.

They’ve enjoyed traveling over the past 12 years, including a cruise, a trip to Washington D.C. and a visit to Disney

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They chose the prize of attending the Sugar Land Skeeters Murder Mystery Dinner on Sunday at Constellation Field.

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I am back in the neighborhood to help with all of your Real Estate needs. Call today!

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Jan Clark, J.D. 281-686-0761 Janhtx@gmail.com

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Rice Military says ‘yes’ to SEAL

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com

ARNIEAltsuler ALTSULER ANDREA JOSEPH Arnie AndreA Joseph Managing Director Commercial & Investment Single Family Homes Listing & Sales New Home Builder Services Buyers & Sellers Representation (281) 236-7777 (832) 324-9903 aka@altsuler.com andreajoseph@kw.com aka@altsuler.com andreajoseph@kw.com

at Candlelight Park

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FEB. 4

eileenhartman@kw.com

Mildred Holeman Owner/Agent

Reagan

Save The name aTTenTion

REAGAN WAS TEmpoRARily EXClUDED FRom THE RENAmiNG liST SO THAT TRUSTEE ANNA EASTMAN WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAUGE THE ATTITUDE OF THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE NAME CHANGE. A MEETING HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AT REAGAN

FEBRUARy 16 AT 6:00pm

TO HELP DETERMINE OUR FEELING TOWARD THE NAME CHANGE.

iT iS moST impoRTANT THAT WE Fill THE AUDiToRiUm We will have a table out front of Harolds In The Heights on Saturday 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until shirts are gone. The price of the shirt is $10.

If you want to call Jessie Hamlin at 713-688-8007 or 281-785-5818 to order a T-shirt, the cost of $3 will be added to price of shirt if she needs to mail it to you.

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Are You a WWII Veteran or Do You Know A WWII Veteran?

American Legion Post 560 wants to speak with you for its Oral History Project!

The Post is recording the experiences of area World War II vets. Representatives will document the events that have shaped your memories.

On February 19, 2016, American Legion Post 560 is invit-

For more information, call Richard Voorhies, Commander at 832-725-1003

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ing all WWII service men and women as guests of the Post to an honorary appreciation dinner.

Volunteers stand ready to help with transportation, and any other needs.

American Legion Post 560 3720 Alba Rd. Houston, TX 77018 www.americanlegionpost560.org

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Floyd “Bud” Walker, WWII Vet

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Valentine’s Day Sunday, February 14 Order Early

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The Topics.

Saturday, February 13, 2016 • Page 4A

Planning Commission making no Presidential candidates take turns friends along North Shepherd Dr. stabbing at the Establishment If there was ever a time a group of city officials would need to pump the brakes and revaluate things, the situation regarding sidewalks on North Shepherd last month would be it for the Planning Commission.

As many have read and shared online, we wrote a big story about how the commission was butting heads with a beloved local business – Wabash Feed & Garden Store – after a dispute over plans for an extended porch somehow turned into a proposal for a new sidewalk and actually losing a portion of her own property.

I have tried to wrap my head around that sentence and admittedly it has been a challenge. I am huge proponent of walkability and sidewalks in Houston, and I believe the lack of substantial pedestrian amenities through the bulk of our sprawl to be one of the city’s greatest weaknesses. (Good luck getting where you’re going on foot consistently outside of Montrose, midtown and downtown.)

If this were a different situation, I would probably be in favor of rolling out improvements to the sidewalk along North Shepherd. It’s an area in dire need of such amenities, but the way the city is going about it makes me want to rake my fingernails over my face and I’m not even the one having to deal with the city.

From around the I-10 frontage road up through our coverage area and north to Interstate 45, it takes about a 15 minute drive across about 6-and-a-half miles. According to Google Maps, it would take over 2 hours to walk the length of it.

Now, I’m not suggesting that a person would realistically need to walk from one end of North Shepherd to the other, but that’s still a pretty long thoroughfare.

I personally spoke to representatives with Public Works and TxDOT and neither of them indicated that there was any plan or initiative presented to them regarding any sort of substantial measure to improve the sidewalk along North Shepherd. So why choose Wabash and only its several hundred feet of space as the sacrificial lamb (for lack of a better term) for an effort to improve the area?

Fernando Brave had me scratching my chin and wondering just how out of touch some city officials are with the reality of building a business in Houston, particularly along a road like North Shepherd. When a business comes to you for an opportunity to improve the area with something as trivial as a variance request for a porch and to adjust a parking lot with no detriment to any surrounding property or liability, it’s probably not the best idea to not only demand an arbitrary improvement but also wag the decision in the face of the business owner as something that they should be thankful for.

This was the impression I got while sitting in on the meeting with the commission when they passed the “compromise,” (a funny thing, as I

Jonathan Garris Editor

don’t think anyone outside of the commission believes this needed any sort of compromise in the first place).

Commission member Fernando Brave straight up told Wabash owner Betty Heacker that she should be “proud” that her business has been chosen to arbitrarily give up land for a whopping few hundred feet of improved sidewalk.

Keep in mind, Brave is part of the same commission that hasn’t indicated if there is any overarching plan for any stretch of sidewalk along North Shepherd Drive and from what I can see hasn’t spoken with either PWE or TxDOT (the latter of which still technically owns the road) for any sort of initiative to improve walkability.

If the Commission is trying to make a point here, it’s coming across as petty and ridiculous in my eyes. Had the members presented some type of comprehensive plan or gone to some of the businesses face-to-face to talk about potential changes to the variance process or met with city officials for some clear plan of attack for improving sidewalks then I likely would have (cautiously) supported it. As it stands now, this seems like a way for officials to pat themselves on the back - “Good job! We’ve improved the sidewalk for those few hundred feet! Hundreds will be able to enjoy the 30 second walk from one end of Heacker’s property to the other – never mind the rest of North Shepherd or communicating with other businesses, we’ll cross those bridges when we get there.”

One of the things I’m curious about now is how other potential businesses moving into the area will respond. The permitting process is already a nightmare for most builders it seems.

Are they going to want to go through the headache of having to readjust their plans for some sort of arbitrary roll out of an improved pedestrian realm or will they try their luck elsewhere?

Are currently established businesses along North Shepherd going to be giving up land for these improvements?

If we’re going to just up and decide sidewalks are important, it’s probably best not to do it in a way that will frustrate and potentially drive people away who are bringing business into the area in the first place and actually, you know, think these things through.

The reader.

Offensive history should be revised or eradicated

Dear Editor: Regarding renaming Reagan High School et cetera: If the reality of history, fact from the past, is embarrassing or offensive, then it absolutely must be revised or eradicated. The old Soviet Union -- far superior to the USA, a progressive, Democratic-Party-style centralstate paragon that would be flourishing today if the GOP had not interfered -- the USSR constantly amended its history books, photos and statues in furtherance of social justice.

We now have a glorious, revolutionary opportunity to be like Russia and implement that practice in America. Unite, Comrades!

J. Reynolds

Tackling the Wabash controversy

In response to your recent story about the owner of Wabash Feed Store’s request to build a porch that would intrude on the 25-foot setback, the North Shepherd Area Business Association supported her variance request without any conditions or controls for a “pedestrian realm.”

Unfortunately, the Planning Department, following their long established pattern, took Betty Heacker’s reasonable request as an opportunity to negotiate tit for tat. What is sad is that the Planning Commission, a board of citizens, like you and I, approved their request. Where is respect for property rights? Why can’t the variance request stand on its own merits? Why does it become a bargaining tool for the City? I wonder if the Leader Newspaper could research what legal authority the Planning Department has to demand land use controls in exchange for a variance request? Mrs. Heacker’s concept will enhance a dilapidated building on a blighted area.

The City planners should be ever so grateful that she is willing to move to a block of the City where drunks and prostitutes roam all hours of day and night.

Just to be clear for Leader Readers, the City is expecting Mrs. Heacker to pay for reconstructing the sidewalk in front of her business, widen it, add a landscaped buffer between the curb and the sidewalk and another buffer between the sidewalk and her parking lot.

The City doesn’t even own the

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com right of way. The land actually belongs to TxDOT. The building was built when Shepherd was a two lane road and the State widened it to six lanes over time. Mrs. Heacker is not building a new building. She is renovating an old one. Why can’t the City be more gracious and grateful?

This would be the only section of sidewalk on N. Shepherd between 610 and i-45 that will have this pedestrian realm. Mrs. Heacker would not only have to pay for the expenses of all the above but also continue to pay the property taxes on the improvements she made. If she doesn’t build the porch, then she doesn’t have to do any of this.

If you were in Mrs. Heacker’s shoes, what would you choose? This is indeed troubling to any property owner who wants to build in the City of Houston. What happened to business friendly?

The North Shepherd Area Business Association has been advised to develop a strategic economic development plan.

We invite anyone concerned about N. Shepherd to attend our next meeting at Nundini’s Italian Table at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 17.

Kathryn van der Pol, Founder, North Shepherd Area Business Association

Reader concerned about the direction of The Leader

Dear Editor: Jeanne, you are certainly entitled to your opinion.

This column is obviously this man’s opinion. And we are all entitled to our opinions.

Perhaps you may have heard of the first amendment?

The most basic component of freedom of expression is the right of freedom of speech.

The right to freedom of speech allows individuals to express themselves without interference or constraint.

Despite popular misunderstanding the right to freedom of the press guaranteed by the first amendment is not very different from the right to freedom of speech. It allows an individual to express themselves through publication and dissemination. It is part of the constitutional protection of freedom of expression.

Webster’s Dictionary definition of opinion: A belief, judgment, or way of thinking about something: what someone thinks about a particular thing.

You don’t have to agree with

what was written. Some people are of a differing opinion than you.

Tony G.

THE TV – “I am running against the Establishment.”

“If elected, I shall take on the Establishment.” Can we stand one more? “This is an antiestablishment campaign.” No matter which party, gender, age or silly promise, all the presidential candidates are running against the Establishment. But who or what is this awful creature that seems to personify evil? Many of you -- OK, maybe someone was going to – have asked this question so, as your intrepid reporter, I set out to find this wart on the body politic.

My first stop was the campaign HQ of Sen. Bernie Sanders. “Senator, you have made a big deal out of running against the Establishment. So what, exactly is the Establishment?”

He set fire to a stack of stock certificates and turned to me. “IT’S WHAT’S WRONG WITH AMERICA!” he shouted, waving his hands wildly in the air. I suggested, since I was standing three feet away from him, he didn’t have to shout.

He nodded, and continued.

“The Establishment are the billionaires, the Wall Street typhoons, the top one point one, one, one percent who own everything, and those members of Congress who have been there so long they’ve lost touch with middle-class America!” I replied that he had been in Congress 26 years. So how is he an outsider? “Because I represent the curmudgeon vote, and nobody likes a curmudgeon. Hey, you want a free college education?”

I found Donald Trump lunching at the New York Billionaires Club. He paused for a moment from shooting out the window at pedestrians on Fifth Avenue. “The Establishment is made up of the very rich, who tell everyone how rich they are. Their egos are huge! They never mention how their airlines went bankrupt, how their casinos in Atlantic City went under, or how they lost millions trying to buy the Plaza Hotel. They are arrogant, have weird hair and probably have been married at least three times.” I pointed out that it seemed Trump was describing himself. “You sound just like that ugly lightweight, Megan Kelly, the mouthpiece for the Establishment. Just look how she treats me in debates. She

Lynn Ashby Columnist

actually asks me questions.

I don’t have to put up with that kind of insult. Now bring around my limo. It’s huge!”

My next stop was the senate office of Sen. Ted Cruz. I asked the secretary if I could see him. “Who? Cruz? It rings a bell. Hey, Gloria, do we have someone on the staff named Cruz? No? Sorry, Sir, but no one here is by that name.” I explained that he was the junior senator from Texas. She replied that there had been no junior senator from Texas since Tom DeLay was indicted. I showed her a picture of Cruz. “Oh, him. I thought he was a member of the Canadian Parliament. He drops by the Senate clerk’s office every now and then to collect his paycheck. Last we heard of him he was visiting Iowa or maybe South Carolina. Something to do with primates.”

It’s funny how “Establishment” has become a dirty word when it used to be a coveted term meaning long-standing, dependable. You know how businesses proudly proclaim their longevity. Brooks Brothers may hold the record: “Established 1818.” In Texas, we are sort of new at this. Any Houston building that gets a second coat of paint qualifies for a historical plaque, so we see: “Established 2010.” Yet now the Establishment is the enemy of all decent candidates, as it represents the old guard, the entrenched status quo. Odd how meanings or acceptance of words change, as I was telling the gays, coloreds and Redskins.

My investigation led me to an all-night dinner on a country road outside Broken Nose, Nevada. A familiar face was working the counter – tall, white hair, big smile. “What can I do for you, prospective voter for the most experienced candidate for President?” I explained that I was looking for the Establishment. “You won’t find it here. My -- that is, our -- campaign is anti-Es-

tablishment. We are outsiders.

Excuse me for a minute. Hey, Hillary, are those eggs with hash browns ready? Booth 16 is still undecided.” Not only the candidates but their endorsers are railing against the Establishment, so I sought out Sarah Palin for a brilliant insight.

“Golly gee,” she said while coloring inside the lines. “The Establishmenters are in the wrong side of hysterics, while the terrorists are polluting the growth rate. As the great George W. Bush said, ‘Fool me twice and you’ve fooled me more than once.’ Gotcha!” I sought out another important endorser, Phil Robertson, better known as the head of the Duck Dynasty clan, but he didn’t have a phone – or electricity or indoor plumbing, for that matter.

Palin’s mention of Bush immediately led me to the latest member of that family to hold office, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t been seen in his Austin office since Thanksgiving. “You might try his daddy’s campaign headquarters,” I was told. There, instead, I found Jeb! He stopped hanging chads, and said, “The Establishment is America’s enemy, and ours, too. It is made up of families who have formed a dynasty of officeholders. Fathers and sons, uncles and nephews, generation after generation, like the Santorums and the Kasiches.

People are looking for fresh new faces like the Clintons and Bushes.”

Moving on, I woke up Ben Carson and asked my question. “That’s Doctor Ben Carson,” he yawned. “I am so anti-Establishment that I am anti-government, anti-Congress and anti-experience.

Who needs all that knowledge about forum relations, budgets and Yellowstone?” Then he nodded off. Carly Fiorina told me she was running against Washington to the extent, that, if elected, she planned to stay at Hewlett-Packard.

“They love me there,” she said. I finally found Ted Cruz and asked if his secret dual citizenship with Canada until found out still allowed him to become President. He replied, “Oui.” Ashby is established at ashby2@comcast.net

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. A sleeveless garment 5. Cold vegetable dish 10. Believed to bring good luck 12. Shittah tree 14. Hotel heiress 16. Of I 18. Diego, Francisco, Anselmo 19. __ King Cole, musician 20. Passover ceremony 22. ___ fi: space genre 23. Yearned 25. Desperate 26. Corded fabric 27. London radio station 28. Digital audiotape 30. Licenses TV stations 31. Employs 33. Food bar 35. Bigeye shad genus 37. Hog fats 38. Spoke 40. Moss capsule stalk 41. Openwork fabric 42. Chit 44. Holds for use 45. Ed Murrow’s

home 48. Egyptian god of life 50. Shaped into a sphere 52. Golfing stand 53. Red Sea straits 55. Swiss river 56. Hostelry 57. Indicates position 58. Inoculation 63. Slip by 65. Apple smartphone 66. Sheep cries 67. Affirmatives

dOwn

1. An inferior dog 2. 4th Caliph of Islam 3. Foot (Latin) 4. Relating to a people 5. Added sodium chloride 6. Perform something 7. Vientiane is the capital 8. Blemished 9. Roman 501 10. Keep up 11. Operator 13. Arbitrarily punished

15. 007’s creator 17. Gets up 18. Used to be United __ 21. Optical phenomenon of light waves 23. People supported broadcasting 24. Tap gently 27. With no brim or bill 29. Bulrushes 32. Educational test 34. Overweight 35. Musical composition 36. A religious recluse 39. Alt. of Tao 40. Heavyhearted 43. Brit. suspenders 44. Bodily structure protrusion 46. Sesame 47. 1/100 yen 49. About navy 51. Dali language 54. Celery cabbage 59. Winter time in Chicago 60. Annual percentage yield 61. Definite article 62. Operating system for 65 across 64. Pound (abbr.)

WORD SCRAMBLE

Saturday, February 13, 2016 • Page 5A

Expert Opinion

Cooler heads prevail with Mission Air Conditioning

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com There’s never a bad season to care for your home’s air conditioning or heating system, says Mission Air Conditioning founder David Lewis.

Mission Air Conditioning, located at 3500 E T.C. Jester Blvd. (Suite M), originally began in 2013. Lewis said his company offers a three-point focus to help with the city’s sometimes overworked HVAC systems, focusing on comfort, efficiency and safety while avoiding what he refers to as a “trojan horse” approach.

“Houston’s obviously a hot and humid place so our heartbeat is taking care of people as quickly as possible,” Lewis said. “They aren’t usually very happy when their air condi-

tioning is broken.”

With the weather steadily heading into spring territory, some people might not be inclined to be thinking about cooling their homes in the summer months. Lewis says that when people are comfortable, the thought of air conditioning doesn’t particularly come up – but the moment it breaks, people do everything in their power to fix it.

Lewis says his company can help prevent those break downs before they break down.

“Birth-to-death systems should be cleaned and checked at least twice a year,” Lewis said. “Filters should be changed every single month, if not more, in a standard home.”

Lewis said replacing filters

is one of the more common is- can be more cost effective. sues he sees in homes. Cleaner “Plus you get rid of the systems will not only last lon- headache of having something ger, but will also use less en- that can potentially break ergy to remove heat from a down in the middle of sumhome. mer,” Lewis said. He said his “Air conditioning is about company’s professionals can heat removal, not pouring cold help analyze homes to give air in,” Lewis said.

“The cleaner the unit Mission Air is, the more capable it is of carrying out its Conditioning primary job.”

Understanding how 3500 E T.C. Jester Blvd. Suite M long systems should 713-520-2012 last is also important. www.missionac.com Lewis says typically in Houston systems last around 12 to 15 years, and customers a better idea of people may believe the best the cost of a new system and option is to “squeeze every what other maintenance might last drop” out of a system until be needed, and offers a one the very end of its life span. year no-risk guarantee with He said that replacing the unit new equipment and a one year before the end of its life cycle price match guarantee as well.

Contributed Photo David Lewis and his local business want to keep both your body and mind cool as temperatures gradually warm in the coming months.

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Page 6A • Saturday, February 13, 2016

Q&A: Love Elementary principal talks dual-language, competing in the area

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com 1.) What has been your career path to principal?

How long have you been in HISD? At Love?

I’ve been in HISD for 30 years but I’m actually a northerner. I got a degree in bilingual education from Western Illinois University. In 1985 Houston was looking for bilingual teachers and they were one of the highest paid districts at the time – a whopping $29,000 – plus I thought I’d like the warmer weather, so I came to Houston to be a student teacher. I got hired as a fifth grade teacher at Tijerina Elementary School on the east side and I was there for nine years. After getting a masters at University of Houston Clear Lake, I was the assistant principal at Edison Middle School, and then principal at Lee Elementary. After that school was absorbed into Ketelsen Elementary I went on to Looscan Elementary School, then became principal of Reagan High school. It was a time when the school was undergoing a transformation implementing specialized academies within a school. I also was there when HISD was redesigning the building and we had to maintain a functioning campus for students. My own children were coming of age and I wanted to find a position where evening hours weren’t such a priority so I came to Love Elementary and I’ve been here 10 years.

2.) In 2011, Love was in danger of being closed for low enrollment, but did not because of the community’s feedback. What is enrollment now?

We are at 477 students now and could take about 80 more kids. About 430 of our students come within the zone and we get the other students from overflow campuses. There has been a shift in our school population and we are seeing more students who are not classified by HISD as economically disadvantaged. There

Robert Chavarria

are less rental properties in the area and a few apartment complexes zoned to us were torn down. Whoever walks through our door, we want to meet their individual needs.

3.) Love is also a Neighborhood Vanguard school.

What percentage of students are classified G&T? What kind of instruction do they receive?

Between 20 and 25 percent of kids are classified as G&T at Love. When I came it was 5%. Students get individualized instruction from teachers.

A teacher’s responsibility is to utilize the area where a student may be gifted, and use it to help an area where they may not be as gifted. For example, if a student is a fantastic reader, how can we use this talent to help them in Math where they may not be as strong? Some of our G&T students move to magnet schools, but I feel our size offers an advantage because we can really individualize instruction to the individual.

4.) What about Neighborhood students? How are they challenged?

Teaching has changed so much. Teachers are trained to differentiate content to meet each student. Within any given subject, both for G&T and non G&T students there is a high, middle and low range of comprehension. We put students in groups, both with those of equal abilities and those of varying abilities to really teach.

5.) This is your first year to be a dual language school? Why did you decide this was a direction

you wanted to take the school in?

This is our first year as a pilot program with Pre-K and K students. We’re in a competitive area as far as quality schools go with Harvard, Travis, Helms and Sinclair, among others. Parents want to know what we are going to be able to offer their children and many see a dual language education as an advantage.

In the coming job market, if there are two equal candidates and one is bilingual and one is not, the nod will probably go to the bilingual student. We do a 50/50 split, with students learning reading and math in Spanish and Science, and Social Studies and Language Arts in English. Also, 50 percent of students are native Spanish speakers and 50 percent are native English speakers. Everyone learns from each other.

Most importantly, students are learning all concepts at a higher level with a multi-language approach. The younger students are like sponges and every year we will add another grade. The expectation is when our kids start middle school they can take Spanish I and II and then in high school they can take Spanish Literature. Our goal for them is to continue with it and excel.

6.) Are there any other programs at Love that you want people to know about?

We have an ensemble and a choir who perform at different venues like Tommie Vaughn Ford and the Heights library.

We are have a robotics program which is in its infancy.

I’m really excited about our Early Act First Knight Character Education program where we look at what are the virtues that a noble knight has – like respect, responsibility, tolerance, and perseverance. We cover the virtues on a monthly basis and at the end of the month students are selected by their teacher who embody that virtue. There’s an assembly where Sir James presents students with a medal and their parents are invited as a

surprise. We’ve partnered with the Heights Rotarians on this and have had the program four years. We have very few discipline problems. In society we celebrate high grades and great athletes, but how often do we celebrate kids who make the right choices?

7.) Are there any misconceptions that you think people have about Love that you would like to clear up?

I think that some parents perceive that any campus that might not have a magnet program can’t provide the same quality education as a nonmagnet. We don’t have a designation but we are committed to every child who walks in our door – and not just their present needs but their future. We are planning Wednesday afternoon open houses for parents

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Saturday, February 13, 2016 • Page 7A

The calendar.

VALENTINE’S DAY Houston Association of Retired Teachers The Houston Association of Retired Teachers (HART) will celebrate Valentine’s Day at its meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 12, at Bethany UMC, 3511 Linkwood.

Social time begins at 9:30 a.m.

Janis Brooks wil give a book review, and information on the 64th Annual Texas Retired Teachers Association Convention at the Westin Galleria, on April 10-12, will be presented.

COMMUNITY DANCE SPJST Lodge 88 The SPJST Lodge 88, 1435 Beall St., will host The Fab Five, Beatles tribute band, from 8 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Feb. 13. The cost is $10 per person. Reservations are suggested, but not required. Reservations held only 30 minutes past start of dance. Information: 713-869-5767, lodge88.org.

IDOL OF THE HEIGHTS Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is calling all vocalists to be contestants in the 7th annual “Idol of the Heights� competition. Pre-registration is $30 for all music genres. Genre preliminaries will be as follows: Rhythm, Blues and Ballads at Corkscrew, 1308 W. 20th, Feb. 12; and Rock and Country at Little J’s, 5306 Washington, Feb. 19. Semi-finals will be Feb. 26, at Karbach, 2032 Karbach St. Information: 713-861-6735, www. heightschamber.com.

GRAND OPENING Cowork Lab Come by for grand opening events. Stop by for complimentary wine, live entertainment and more. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be from 4-7 p.m. Feb. 16.

Local businesses are welcome to showcase their products and services. There will be complimentary lite bites, wine and live entertainment. The event will be at Cowork Lab, 2500 Yale St., Suite B. Information: 832-7030011, www.thecoworklab.com.

FIX FELIX FOR FREE The Houston Humane Society The Houston Humane Society, will neuter 700 male cats for free at the HHS Animal Wellness Clinic, 14700 Almeda Road, Feb. 17. Owners must have an appointment, and there is a limit of five cats per person. Domesticated and feral cats qualify, and there are no resident restrictions.

Each feline must be in a plastic crate or carrier. A current rabies vaccination is required by law.

Pet owners must show proof of current rabies certificate, or they may purchase a rabies vaccine the day of the event. Information: fixfelix@houstonhumane.org, 713-433-6421.

STEAK NIGHT American Legion Post 560 Come by the American Legion Post 560, 3720 Alba Rd., for a delicious steak dinner Feb. 19.

Steaks will be served from 6 p.m. until sold out, so come early.

Information: 713-682-9287, americanlegionpost560.org.

From the Pews.

Valentine’s Day bake sale at St. Matthew’s The Lydia Circle will host a Valentine’s Day Bake Sale, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, Feb. 14.

Baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies and even homemade soup will be available. Stop by before or after the 9:30 a.m. worship service or the 10:30 a.m. Sunday School classes. The sale will be a fundraiser to purchase new paraments for the sanctuary.

Life Line Screening will be at St. Matthew’s Feb. 27. This Saturday event accommodates those working during the week. Life Line Screening is helping to save lives with early detections of heart and cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Those interested in the screening should call 1888-653-6450 to schedule an appointment. Screenings run from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. For information, visit the website at www.stmatthewsmethodist. org. or call 713-697-0671.

Johnson Memorial Preschool now registering at St. Stephen’s The Johnson Memorial Preschool is registering 3- and 4year-old children for the 20162017 school year. Children must be 3 years old and potty trained by Sept. 1. For information or to schedule a tour of the school, please contact Amy Mingle, director at 713686-8241 or jms@stsumc.org.

All who love art and would like to explore new ways to pray are welcome to attend Artist’s Prayer, Feb. 17, at 4 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Art supplies and inspiration will be provided. For more information, please contact Rev. Lindsay Smith, Music Minister.

St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org and the church’s Facebook page.

TALC holds Valentine’s Day party All Saints Third Age Learning Center (TALC), 215 E. 10th St., offers classes and activities that will continue until May 6.

Senior Adults in the community are welcome to participate in activities that TALC offers such as classes in computer, Conversational Spanish, mah jong, computer, woodworking, line dancing, stain glass and much more. There are also special parties, seminars, day trips and birthday parties. A hot lunch is served at noon Monday through FriAd 30111 day# for $2.

FOREVER PLAID Houston Family Arts Center Stuart Ross’s “Forever Plaid,� is one of the most internationally popular Off-Broadway musicals to hit the stage, and it’s coming to the Houston Family Arts Center, 10760 Grant Road. This nostalgic, 50’s revue runs through Feb. 21.

Visit the website for showtimes.

Information: www.houstonfac. com.

Hazard. With donations from households throughout the inner Houston area, the huge inventory continues to be a strong draw for garage sale fans as well as local families who look forward to the annual tradition. Donations will be accepted from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. Information: poecogaragesale@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/poecogaragesale.

MYSTERY WRITERS BOOK SIGNING The Book Scene Local authors Hardy Roper and Diane Twilley will be doing book signings from noon-4 p.m. Feb. 27, at The Book Scene, 1820 W. 43rd. Information: 713-869-6117.

JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS SPRING SALE Resurrection Church Come check out the largest consignment sale in central Houston. The sale will be held at Resurrection Church, 2025 W. 11th St., March 3 through March 5. Consignors wanted. Information: 713-861-9149.

RELATIVES AS PARENTS CONFERENCE DePelchin Children’s Center This free workshop will be from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 27, and will feature workshops, a vendor fair, door prizes. Lunch will be provided. No children allowed. The event will be at DePelchin Children’s Center, 4950 Memorial Dr. Registration is required as space is limited.

If emailing, please include first and last name, phone number, referral source and email address.

Information: 713-682-8911, houstonboardroom@mch.org.

JOINT PAIN SEMINAR Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Memorial Hermann Greater Heights will be hosting a complimentary Joint Pain Seminar at

TALC will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a party on Friday, Feb. 26, in the parish hall.

Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. with refreshments, door prizes and live music by Big Ed and the Happy Band.

For lunch reservations or information, call 713-248-1277.

The Journey School of Houston admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Eat, Pray, Read! women’s book club meets at Oaks Presbyterian The Oaks Presbyterian Church welcomes all women who enjoy reading and getting together for dinner to join the Eat, Pray, Read! book club.

The group meets at 7:15 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month to discuss the previous month’s selection while enjoying dinner. The book for the next month is also chosen, and the evenings close with prayer requests from the group.

The selection to read before the next meeting on March 1 is “The Invention of Wings� by Sue Monk Kidd.

Oaks Presbyterian Church is located at 1576 Chantilly.

For information go to www. oakspresbyterian.org or call 713-682-2556.

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Hear The Gospel - Mark 16:15; Roman 10: 14-17 Believe The Gospel - John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6 Repent - Luke 17:3-5; Acts 17:30 Confess - Mathew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10 Be Baptized - Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col 2:11-13 Live Faithfully Till Death - John 8:31; Revelation 2:10; Hebrew 10:23 The Norhill Church of Christ is a non-denominational church located in the near north side of Houston in the inner loop 77009 area.

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estorations (fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.) have a way of breaking or getting lost at the most inconvenient times ... like over the holidays when there’s no time to see your dentist.

The only long lasting repair is that which is made by your dentist, but here are a few emergency measures.

If a filling falls out or a tooth breaks, it has to be replaced by the dentist. You can ease some of the discomfort by rinsing with luke-warm water and then placing a piece of cotton soaked in oil of cloves into the cavity. Your local pharmacy should also have temporary dental filling material that is very inexpensive and can hold you off until you can be seen by the dentist.

If a crown or a bridge come off, don’t try putting it back on with commercial glue. Ideally, the crown needs to be placed back in so that the tooth doesn’t begin to move which would prevent the crown from fitting back on. Vaseline or denture cream can hold it in place temporarily until you can get in to see your dentist.

Don’t try to repair a broken denture yourself. It could damage both the appliance and the tissue against which it rests. A broken denture or fractured denture tooth is a real emergency and can be repaired quickly by the dentist.

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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PROM DRESS GIVE-AWAY Lone Star College-CyFair The 12th Annual Prom Dress Give-Away is set at Lone Star College-CyFair Branch Library, Rm. 131, 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Sunday, April 3 from 1:30-4:30 p.m., and Saturdays April 2, April 15 and April 23 from 1-4 p.m.

Dresses are free to the recipients.

All dress sizes 0-30 (plus sizes are in most need) and accessories are accepted year-round. Information: elise.j.sheppard@lonestar. edu, 281-290-5248.

GARAGE SALE Poe Cooperative Nursery School Poe Cooperative Nursery School will hold their 41st annual garage sale from 8 a.m.-noon, March 5, at Poe Elementary School, 5100

Do You Have Old or Damaged Photos?

11 a.m. Friday, April 8. Everyone is welcome to attend this event which will cover advancements in the prevention and treatment of joint pain and sports injuries. For more information or to register, call 713-222-CARE.

Sunday - Bible Study For All Ages .. 9:30am Morning Worship............ 10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed. Prayer Meeting & Missions Organization .....................6:15pm Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor

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Weekly Sunday Services • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.

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Give expectinG nothinG in RetuRn

T

he saying “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts� is an old piece of wisdom which advises us to not trust our enemies, after the story in the Iliad of the Trojan horse, a ‘gift’ that ultimately destroyed the city of Troy and its inhabitants. But there was also another reason to beware of Greeks bearing gifts, and that was that they always expected something in return, of comparable value. Gift-giving in ancient cultures was meant to be reciprocated and this carries over to modern times. But, a true gift should be something freely given without any expectation of return. If there is an expectation of a comparable return then we are really bartering rather than giving.

So, we should give with a spirit of genuine charity, not expecting anything in return. Test your ability to give in this spirit by giving anonymously, so that the recipient won’t know who it came from. This isn’t always practical, but can sometimes be done by sending someone an anonymous gift through the mail or by arranging for an intermediary to give the gift for you, perhaps even allowing the intermediary to take credit for the gift. Wanting to be thanked for a gift is all about our ego, and while it is only natural to desire thanks, it is better to give expecting nothing in return.

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Page 8A • Saturday, February 13, 2016

Neighbors: Junior League of Houston raises almost a million

A heart-to-heart about heart disease in dogs

By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com Happy February birthdays to Barbara Fisher, Shirley Evanicky, Marisol Rodriguez, Carey Webb, Donna Hobart, Helen Pagola, Patricia Thomas, Alan Nevill, Jackie Madden, Loretta McAllister, Louis Becerra, Terry Sutton, Faith Johnson-Davis, Cathy Darrell, Terry Webb, Abby Villarreal and Larry Carollo.

Family, friends and neighbors would like to wish a very happy anniversary to Karen and Alan Carr of Candlelight Plaza. Karen and Alan celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary on Feb. 9th. Cheers to many more wonderful adventures for this couple.

Mazel tov!

Heartfelt condolences go out to the family of our dedicated Lazybrook gardening correspondent, Agnes Haney, who passed away on Feb. 6th. Mrs. Haney kept us up to date on her garden’s bounteous production throughout the years. Even in bad weather and drought conditions and as late as September and October each year, her garden was still producing okra and tomatoes!

The Junior League of Houston hosted its 68th Annual Charity Ball, this year’s theme the “Bon Temps Ball,” and raised an impressive $904,053 to fund the Junior League’s Community Program and volunteer initiatives. Leader community neighbors Ginny Ledwell, Julie Ellis, Tanya Boucher, Sarah Stuhldreher and Katie Hackedorn attended. Mrs. Stuhldreher was the 2016 Charity Ball Ad Sales Chairman and Mrs. Hackedorn was the Charity Ball Decorations Chairman. Ball revelers wound their way through the beautiful Briar Oaks Lane property of the Junior League with a seated dinner held in a tent that transformed the back garden into a place of Mardi Gras merriment. The after party took place in the Ballroom and featured an over-the-top Mardi Gras float and dueling pianos, belting out songs at the request of attendees. Each night of the Bon Temps Ball highlighted New Orleans-themed bands, along with musical and variety-style acts performed by talented Junior League members as part of a bluesy dinner theater. Since 1949, the Charity Ball has served as an opportunity to celebrate the pivotal partnerships that enable the Junior League to continue its mission of training volunteers to champion positive change in the Houston community each year.

The Leather Apron Foundation would like to thank everyone who came out to the SPJST Lodge on the evening of Feb. 6th to attend the LAF’s 3rd Annual Round Up 2016, the group’s largest annual fundraiser. “Without sponsors and the generosity of attendees, we could not fulfill our mission in the community.” Music, dancing, wonderful food and a lively auction were the order of the evening. A bidding war ensued during the live auction for a package donated by Joey Cox of Haum Salon and the very happy winner was Suzanne Tyrell. Anne and Eddie Holik, beloved neighbors in our community, long time sponsors of LAF and recent recipients of an LAF fundraiser, spoke of their recent experiences. Boy Scout Troop 655 volunteered to serve food and serve as VIP guest runners. Mike Evans, baseball coach at Waltrip High School, emceed the event with aplomb.

Other neighbors spotted were Sam Zagaar (Sam’s Soccer Jam), his wife, Carol Etzel and their son, Adam; Leah and Marty Salinas and their children; Kim and Mike Evans and their children; Leann Salmons; Greg and Angela Ryden; Sean and Beth Jez; Patricia and Tom Dornak; Harry (TheTexasFlagCurbPainter) Millirons; Donna O’Connor; Christina Lesher; Liz and John Tharp; Jon Marek; Creston & Holly Inderrieden; Carolyn Bryant; Angela and Craig Pennington; Shannon and Andreas Zierau along with son Max; Jason Vance; and David Tyrell. Sponsors of the event were Great Oak Land & Cattle; Joey Cox and Haum Salon; Sigi Cabello Photography; Oaks Wealth Management; Leann Salmons, Realtor; IndyQuest Properties; Carolyn Bryant, Realtor; Lupher, LLC; H2B, Inc.; Florascapes; Darlene’s Flowers & Gifts; Plonk Wine Bar; Ryden Architecture; FastSigns; The Leader; Retrograde Events, and more.

Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet hosted its 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction this past weekend. Traditionally, fathers and grandfathers are the pancake flippers (or as GOMM dad Mark Klein once said, “MOMS – Men Of MonteSsori”) and flip out they did with thousands of pancakes served in the cafeteria while visitors browsed through the silent auction items. Many of the hot auction items were priceless art pieces created by student classrooms. The Garden Oaks Montessori community and event co-chairs Amabelle Cowan and Michelle Trevino Ray would like to thank the many volunteers as well as donors who made the event possible. A great big thanks goes out to sponsors Momma Strong, Major Equipment & Remediation, Shipley Donuts, Harry James Building & Design, Garden Oaks Civic Club, Michelle Ray Properties, U.S. Capital Advisors LLC, Mambo Seafood, Friends of Montessori, Impressive Events, T-Shirts Work, Katz Coffee, and Kroger. Folks spotted eating pancakes and drinking coffee were Terry Jeanes, Elizabeth Klein, Heidi Lozano, Steve and Diane Pittman, Devin and Elizabeth Olivares-Reed, Mary Sharon and Chris Komarek, Richard Weirich, Faith Johnson Davis, Matthew Jefferson, Dana and Emmanuel Gallegos, Tonya Knauth, Gina Pecoraro, Phil Ramirez, Janice Stokes, Shannon Hugetz, Jayne Maltbie, Kari Noser, Tina Sabuco and Shellye Arnold, Constable Alan Rosen, Erica Davis, and many more!

The Obituaries.

Dr. Alvin Louis Griffith,

88, born July 6, 1927 in Port Arthur, Texas, died Feb. 1. Griffith was the founder of Oak Forest Veterinary Clinic.

Agnes E. Haney, 88, born April 6, 1927 in Plantersville, Texas, died Feb. 6, after a brief illness. A resident of Lazybrook for over fifty years, she was a member of SPJST Lodge No. 88 and Sons of Hermann, Edelweiss Lodge. Preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years, Thomas, she is survived by her children Joyce Coggin, Sheila Brock and Dennis Haney, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Irene D. Zoch, 84, born Dec. 21, 1931 in Talala, Okla., died Jan. 28. Zoch was employed by Exxon Oil Company, retiring after 38 years of service. A faithful

member of Trinity Lutheran Church since the 1960s, she served as a choir member and volunteered in various church groups. She is survived by her predeceased husband’s children, grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Fund, 800 Houston Ave., Houston 77007.

Beatriz M. Villarreal, 77, born March 11, 1938, died Feb. 7.

She is survived by her husband, Eriberto Villarreal, daughter Nora Garza, son Oscar Villarreal, brother Margarito Macias, and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 11. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., at Heights Funeral Home. A funeral liturgy is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 4918 Cochran St.

Dear Tabby, Happy Valentine’s Day! Since we all have hearts on the brain this month, I’m curious to know more about my dog’s risk for heart problems. What are some signs of heart disease in my dog?

Heart-Healthy in The Heights Dear Heart-Healthy, What a timely question for this month, starring hearts and love and how lucky is your dog that his owner loves him enough to care about his heart health? Heart disease is scary and the quicker you can identify it the better. Vets have compiled a list of the five most common signs in heart disease in dogs.

• Elevated respiratory rate: The most subtle (but the most reliable) sign of a heart problem is a faster-than-usual respiratory rate at rest. This can be very hard to notice if you are not looking for it. If you know your dog has a heart problem, your vet may recommend that you learn your dog’s normal character and rate of breathing at rest, so that you may recognize a problem in the future if you become concerned.

• Cough: The most common reason a dog with heart disease is seen by a veterinarian is due to the development of

a cough. The cough may be a dry hacking cough that sounds like your pet gags after coughing. Some describe it as if their pet is “trying to hack up a hairball” at the end of the coughing spell. Others describe an occasional moist cough. Coughing is never normal in a dog. So, if your pet does develop a cough for any reason, especially if you have been told that your pet has a heart murmur, you should seek veterinary attention sooner than later.

• Rapid tiring: If you take your dog out for his usual walk and you notice that he does not want to walk the usual mile, but instead stops at the third or fourth block, sits down and pants, this may mean he is tiring sooner than he used to.

This could be a sign of what vets call, “poor exercise tolerance.” There are several reasons for such lack of exercise tolerance; however, weakening of the heart muscle from heart disease is high on the list, and should be investigated.

• Pot belly: Weakening of the heart muscle from heart disease can also result in poor forward flow of blood, which then causes fluid buildup in the belly. This manifests as a sudden or gradual onset of a pot-bellied appearance. There are also other reasons why this could occur, but you will definitely want to see a veterinarian regardless the reason.

• Fainting: A less common, but more alarming sign, is fainting (which can look like seizures) when your pet gets very excited. This is very scary but they often faint and

then quickly recover from the episode. If your dog is doing this, take them to the vet immediately.

Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at: dear tabbyquestions.

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Pet of the week

LS SEARCHER LEADER

Meet Bunny. A 3 year old Chinese Crested/Papillon-mix, Bunny and her baby were found wandering down Highway 6.

Bunny was in bad shape, struggling to nurse her baby, while foraging for food and trying to survive in the wild-something a Chinese Crested/Papillon isn’t meant to do. Despite her rough start, now Bunny is a happy, playful girl, who weighs a whopping 6 lbs! Don’t you need a little Love Bunny this Valentine’s Day? If so, go to www.cap4pets.org to learn more.

www.LeaderSearcher.com Your local business and community directory

Love from P. 6A and prospective students to meet teachers and learn what we’re about.

8.) What do you consider Love’s main strengths?

The students know my name and I know theirs. This comes from being a small neighborhood school where personalization and nurturing is key. We have a large

property with a lot of green space and we are a very open and welcoming campus. The teachers and staff are our main strength. Our building was built in 1926 and it’s spotless. We have a welcoming front office and teachers are dedicated both during the day and after school to their students.

9.) What is the main thing that the community can do to support you?

Give us a chance. Come visit. A parent’s child is their gem, I understand that, and we provide a safe environment where they can be pushed academically and be encouraged at the same time. I call those things the three pillars

of our school.

10.) Where do you want Love to be in 5 years?

A model school of dual language – and a school where parents have such a positive experience that they actively recruit in their neighborhoods.

has been instrumental in our success around the rest of the country,” Zamora said. Everywhere we go there are people introducing themselves to us who were “forced” to come see us by a friend or family member from Houston. Houston has been like a proud parent sending us out into the world, making sure we’re taken good care of and welcoming us back with a big hug when we return.”

Beyond that, Zamora said they take the job very seriously in representing their city.

The members can all agree that they’ve cut their teeth on Houston stages in many different bands and give credit

to all of the great talent across the city.

“We hope to help pave a path for our sisters and brothers who are working hard to make beautiful music back home so that they have the same opportunities we’ve been really lucky to have had,” Zamora said.

Before stepping on stage, Zamora looks to his neighborhood, community and gives credit to places like Heights landmark, Fitzgerald’s, Heights Vinyl, Vinal Edge, repair shops like Fuller’s and Heights Guitar Tech and the soon-to-open Heights Theater, just to name a few.

“Equally important, how-

ever, are the folks that appreciate and support Houston’s musicians, presenting their music through local events like Lights In The Heights and White Linen Night,” Zamora said.

For anyone who missed the broadcast, the performance will be available later online, including a song that The Suffers are taping just for the web.

You can find their latest album available for pre-order through their website, thesuffers.com, as well as iTunes and Amazon.

Suffers from P. 1A officially on Friday, Feb. 12, but CDs and Vinyl are available now at Cactus Music.

The purchase of their album also gets you a wristband for admission to an in-store performance on Saturday, Feb.13, at Cactus Music.

After The Suffers released their EP “Make Some Room”, in 2015 and jumped in head first for their first ever concert circuit tour, the band has gained national attention from mediums like Billboard Music, National Public Radio and even had a guest appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman late last year.

“We’re proudly representing the city whose support

To advertise contact your sales rep

713.686.8494

The Leader will be publishing a Custom Homebuilders Section in the April 30th edition. Reach your target audience at their home with over 34,000 in circulation. The section will include articles on home building, home decorating, curb appeal and home trends in our area.

THE LEADER.

Food, drink

ART

Saturday, February 13, 2016 • Page 9A

Art Valet

By Mitch Cohen

Arts Columnist

Ten tenants, ten international artists, one group show births the TEN Ants TEN Ants is the title of an artist exhibition conceived by Valentina Atkinson of Serrano Gallery at Silver Street Studios. The opening reception will be held at Silver Street Studios on Thursday, Feb. 11, 6 - 9 p.m. and the exhibition will run through Sunday Feb. 14.

The ten artists, selected by Atkinson, to participate are not only all tenants of Silver Street, Spring Street, the Silos or Winter Street Studios, but they are also each from a different country. The reference to ants is a play on the word “tenants.” Each artist is involved in some way within the arts community, giving back and making a bigger impact, selflessly, by working with others.

I went to the new exhibition space at Silver Street Studios and met with six of the artists including Atkinson. Atkinson is not a participating artist but referred to affectionately as “The Queen”!

“We are using the ant concept, as the community that works together as a team,” Atkinson explained. “That nothing big is done if it is not made as a team. My husband came up with the name ‘the Ten Ants’, actually, and I said let’s make a show, the Ten Ants. Because also it’s a message to the tenants here that we are privileged, we have many privileges as ants - and I wanted to make a statement, we are ‘ten’ ants; we are not entitled for the walls, we are not entitled for more rights, we are just tenants.”

Kelyne Reis, Brazil/Germany, followed with, “but we can still make it work.”

Work they certainly did.

All the artists participated in some way putting this amazing exhibit together, from lighting installations, marketing, layout and painting of the giant shipping crates that will be used to exhibit the artwork. The crates are used to ship art internationally, and though they were initially chosen to avoid complications of exhibits changing, have become a focal point of the exhibit.

Anita Varadarajuif, India/USA, is an abstract colorist. (I think I just made up a new medium), her work is colorful and plays on form and visual textures. She see the crates as symbolic to TEN Ants.

“The crates are symbolic of how there are really no borders, no boundaries,” Varadarajuif said. “We could go anywhere, our art could reach a lot of people beyond the boundaries and also that each one of us comes from a different country that makes it so much more congruent with the concept of the border-less travel crates.”

Chris Silkwood, representing USA/Australia, is a glass mosaic artist, and she summed up what this show is about quite nicely.

Sun - 10 Ants by Chris Silkwood.

“Valentina just deserves all the kudos on it, because she’s so good at putting this together, and she’s so imaginative and creative and really thinks outside the box,” Silkwood said. “I think the play on the word tenants, that we’re all tenants, but to stretch that to ten ants and the ants signify our busyness, that all of us that are in this show are not only very involved with our own work but we’re very involved in many other ways in the arts, through the community, through volunteering with schools, through other curated exhibits. That’s really important.”

I asked Silkwood if artists were encouraged to create their own work.

“Yes, absolutely,” Silkwood said. “There is no theme to the artwork itself. It’s what best represents that particular artist. But we’ve really collaborated on this in terms of meeting multiple times and sharing ideas on how we want it to go and how we want it to look.”

It is going to look amazing, I am certain of that. Silkwood created several pieces for this show including a red cardinal on a stand that must outweigh me. The opposite side is a woodpecker!

The exhibit includes paintings, digital art, plastics, sculpture, mosaic, jewelry and fabric.

The artists are; John Bernhard, Kyong Burke, Luisa Duarte, Justin Garcia, Erik Hagen, Monica Melgar, Kelyne Reis, Mariana Sammartino, Chris Silkwood and Anita Varadarajuif.

A public reception will be held Thursday evening, Feb. 11 and the exhibit will remain on view through Thursday evening 6-9 p.m.

Sunday Feb. 14. Set your GPS to 2000 Edwards Houston, Texas 77007 for Silver Street Studios. Find more on TheSerranoGallery on Facebook and www.serranogallery.com Cohen is the founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him at ArtValet@ gmail.com or visit him on the web at ArtValet. com.

Thirsty Explorer

By Christina Martinez Managing Editor

Chat with bats and the Houston Area Bat Team this Friday Houston Area Bat Team volunteers will be at the Waugh Drive bridge along Allen Parkway by the bat viewing platform this Friday, Feb. 12. The volunteers will be there to answer any questions and join in the fun.

Friday night you can expect a quarter million Mexican Free-tail bats to emerge from their nestled home under the Waugh Drive Bridge.

You can catch these Freetails for free every first and third Friday night, starting at 6:30 p.m. (sunset is when they hunt), year round.

Meet on the East side of the Waugh Drive Bridge along Allen Parkway by the bat viewing platform to see and hear about bats.

Visit the volunteer website to learn more at www.waughbatmonitor.org.

Second Saturday at Sawyer Yards On the second Saturday of each month, the artists of Sawyer Yards (The Silos, Silver Street, Spring Street Studios, and Winter Street Studios) open their studios to the public from 2 - 5 p.m. Spend the afternoon wandering through four repurposed warehouses and discover an extensive selection of painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, clothing, textiles, printmaking, mixed media and more. It’s a laid back way to meet some talented artists, explore the Washington Avenue Arts District, and maybe find a treasure or two. Free entry and free parking.

The Silos at Sawyer Yards, Silver/Spring/Winter Street Studios are the participating studios and all have parking.

Paws and Kisses Wabash Feed will be hosting a Cutest Photo Contest for an early Valentine’s Day from 1 - 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 13.

There will be judging of the best photo shot and the prize will be a gift basket worth $50.

Can your pet be the cutest? A rescue group will be on-site, with possibility of finding your forever friend.

Hit these spots between 2 6 p.m. (be sure to go before 3) - Little Woodrow’s - BB’s Cafe - Fitzgerald’s - Jimmy’s Ice House - Public House Heights - Christian’s Tailgate At 6 p.m., head to the final stop at Onion Creek for awards and prizes. Designated drivers are included in the awards!

Onion Creek is located at 3106 White Oak Dr. Valentine’s day Craft and Farmer’s Market Town In City Brewing Co.’s Farmer’s and Craft Market happens to be on Valentine’s Day! Enjoy live music and crafts from local artists, produce from local vendors, and a brunch menu from on-site food truck, Tied House Kitchen. The market is from 11 a.m.

- 3 p.m. and live music until 4!

Town In City Brewing Co. is located at 1125 W. Cavalcade St. Yoga and Hops at Karbach Brewing Co. Switch things up this love day and bring your bestie or your sweetie for a Yoga and Hops “perfect pair” yoga class.

Fun and easy partner poses (and some challenging options if you want to take it up another notch).

Class starts at 11 a.m., ending at noon and beer will be poured for attendees immediately following.

RSVP for the class online at squareup.com/market/yogaandhops

Email christina@theleadernews.com and follow on Twitter @ThirstyExplorer and Instagram @FromTheLeader

10444 Hempstead Rd. Houston 77092 713.686.9625 Near Karbach Brewery

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Valentine’s Weekend Blues and BBQ W/ John Egan Full Band Southern Goods is ready for a Valentine’s Weekend with Feges BBQ. This month, while the barbecue is in the works, the John Egan Band will be playing the blues starting at 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Southern Goods is located at 632 W. 19th St.

Contributed photo From left back row, Mariana Sammartino, Anita Varadarajuif, Justin Garcia, John Bernhard, Kelyne Reis, Chris Silkwood, Erik Hage, Kyong Burke, Monica Melgar and Luisa Duarte

From a tip this week, a confirmation has been given for a new concept to move into Oak Forest, merging coffee and wine into one bar.

The concept will be called Slowpokes and resides at 1203 W. 34th St. So far, a Facebook has resurrected for the concept and an Instagram account @Slowpokes_Htx.

fee, tacos, churros, cocktails, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, and a lunch and dinner menu.

No word on an opening yet.

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Pictured above is a Instagram post from this week, Feb. 9 and the post reads “Day one.

Inspect the inside. Time to start sketching out ideas.”

The owners responded to a Facebook message this week, saying that they will be ready to fill us in more. Stay tuned.

like us on Facebook

Free Wi-Fi • Free Delivery limiteD AreA ($12 min.)

Email christina@theleadernews.com

Show your Amore, join us for dinner.

Call today to make a reservation!

An Instagram post from Slowpokes.

Houston TX, 77018

Try our

Leader area tapping into wine and coffee bars Cafeza opening on Houston Avenue Another similar concept, Cafeza, is making steady progress to an opening at 1720 Houston Ave. The concept will feature cof-

713-869-6117 1820 W. 43rd St

Saint Arnold Pub Crawl in The Heights Saint Arny’s is taking over White Oak on Saturday, Feb. 13 for the annual Spring Bock Pub Crawl in the Heights.

Leader Nibbles

By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com

sunday

Service Industry Night

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Page 10A • Saturday, February 13, 2016

Contributed Photo For members of Hamilton Middle School’s alumni from the 1950s, making a visit back to the school was a welcome trip down memory lane - even if things do look a little bit different these days.

Hamilton alumni go back in time with visit to area school

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com It was the baby boom, Eisenhower and the birth of rock and roll, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, the Cold War and the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. And for a group of Leader area residents, the 1950s was also the decade that they attended Hamilton Middle School. Recently, nostalgia and curiosity gave rise to a tour of their alma mater sixty some odd years later organized by HHA Education Committee Chair Anne Sloan and Hamilton Middle School Vanguard Coordinator Maggie Trendell.

For alum and participant John Jansen, it was a trip back in time. He said that the idea of the visit originated with Hamilton alums Billy Stephens and John Webb who were wondering if the trophy Hamilton received for their undefeated, city championship football team was still around. Then, as now, football was a big deal, and even in junior high there were 10 teams. The “holy grail” was not discovered but Trendell told the group she’d try to locate the trophy.

There was plenty else the group did learn.

The auditorium was still in the same place, while their old cafeteria is now the library. Alum Sandra Rogers Lillich remarked that the students were upbeat and the whole school seemed very clean. She was surprised that Hamilton had kept their lockers and observed that the seats seemed a lot more comfortable than the hard flip seats they had in the 50s.

When the 1950 alums were in school, boys took woodshop and metal working while girls took sewing and cooking along with math, English, social studies and science. Now the woodshop is a computer lab where both sexes take classes.

“There were so many more buildings but everything in them looks smaller,” Lillich said.

One thing Lillich didn’t miss about junior high? The “ugly gym uniforms.”

“They were a white, one piece, with buttons, bloomers and a belt,” she said. “They tried to make sure we weren’t noticed.”

But as Jansen remarked – it was the time when “hormones started flowing” and since Hamilton went through ninth grade, and kids could get their driver’s license at 14, there was a lot of freedom as well.

Sandra Lillich was classmates with her future husband Ralph. They were both ‘high nines’, which meant they had birthdays before September 1st and started school a semester earlier than the ‘low nines’ who were younger and started a semester later. Others on the tour met their future spouse at Hamilton too.

The trip back in time was fun for all since so many had fond memories of the school.

“My days at Hamilton were really wonderful,” said Lillich. “We had great teachers and I enjoyed the sock hops in the gym on Fridays.”

Jansen said that the opening of Black Middle School in 1957 changed the dynamic of Hamilton somewhat because it no longer drew heavily from Oak Forest and Garden Oaks.

“It was the camaraderie with friends that made it special,” he said.

Bring Your Sweetheart to Cyclone’s for Valentine’s Day Contributed photo Notice some new trees along White Oak Bayou? You’re not just seeing things - about 275 were planted by the Houston Parks Board along area bayous. The above shows the plantings along Brays Bayou.

Nearly 300 trees planted along area bayous, including White Oak

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Local residents may have noticed some new fledgling trees across White Oak Bayou from Juanita’s Mexican Restaurant near I-610.

Houston Parks Board Communications Manager Catherine Butsch tells The Leader that this is part of a greater effort.

“Each year, Houston Parks Board arranges for some reforestation throughout the Bayou Greenways,” Butsch said. “We’ll do another round this fall.”

About 275 trees were planted for a cost of $48,000

by Trees For Houston, under contract with Houston Parks Board. This includes purchase and installation of the

trees and watering for two years. Trees were planted along Brays Bayou Greenway, White Oak Bayou Greenway and and the Sims Bayou Greenway.

Butsch said that the planting was done for beautification, as well as carbon sequestration, heat island reduction, bird habitat, and greenhouse gas reduction since less mow-

ing will be required.

“The new trees are being planted on the high shelf of the bayou, where they won’t interfere with Harris County Flood Control District operations,” she said. “The plantings were coordinated with and approved by the Flood Control District and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.”

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