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Carranza’s departure the latest upheaval for HISD

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com The news that HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza was leaving Houston after 18 months to become the new school chancellor in New York City was just another bump, albeit a big one, on what has become quite the wild ride for the district.

On Sunday, March 4, Mayor Bill de Blasio offered Carranza the spot after his first choice Alberto M. Carvalho, the superintendent of schools for Miami-Dade County, backed out of the position. On Monday, Carranza was announced as the new chancellor at a press conference in New York, after he had informed the mayor and the trustees, but before he addressed the Houston community.

Despite saying on his 2016 Listen and Learn tour that he wanted to retire from HISD when the time came and perhaps become a history professor, he was enthusiastic about his new challenge. The New York system has about 1.1 million students in about 1,800 schools.

Houston, while the biggest in Texas, has about 215,000 students in approximately 284 schools.

“My word is my bond, we shook

hands,” Carranza said of the New York mayor during the press conference, according to The Wall Street Journal. “I’ll be in New York City as long as you’ll have me.”

Reaction to Carranza’s departure was largely one of surprise and shock.

“He won’t finish the school year?

That’s terrible,” said a parent in response to HISD’s Facebook post about his departure. “What a waste

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the statue of Booker T. Washington which resides at Tuskegee University in Alabama. The replica would be placed at the high school.

Then on March 24, a parade and family reunion will take place.

Parade organizer John Gibbs said that participants are still being invited but all are welcome. Motorcycles, Corvettes, horses and wagons, and antique cars carrying local dignitaries will make a 1.5 mile route before ending back up at the school. The Family Reunion will be held immediately after the parade on the school campus. Community members, alumni and students can sign up

For the most part, Tuesday’s primary to elect statewide nominees had little in the way of controversy or telling story lines.

Sheila Jackson Lee easily disposed of challenger Richard Johnson, garnering 82 percent of the vote.

Incumbent Governor Greg Abbot won 90 percent of his party’s vote in Harris County, Kathaleen Wall while U.S. Senator Ted Cruz won 87 percent.

But one race – the one to fill retiring U.S. Rep. Ted Poe’s seat in District 2 – turned the heads of voters and political observers simply because the one candidate who spent a family fortune won’t even appear in a May 22 run-off.

Of the nine Republican candidates looking to fill Poe’s seat, philanthropist Kathaleen Wall poured nearly $6 million into her campaign – the same amount Cruz raised in an election that spanned the entire state. Wall appeared on TV sets for three months straight, bought advertising during the Olympics, and hired groups from Hollywood to Washington, D.C., to run her campaign.

A lifelong Republican Party contributor, Wall seemed a shoe-in to at least earn a spot in the District 2 run-off.

Except she didn’t.

Kingwood State Rep. Kevin Roberts won 33 percent of the vote, and veteran Dan Crenshaw, known for his eye patch and his jogs throughout the district – which includes parts of the Greater Heights, Timbergrove and Lazybrook – barely edged out Wall for the second spot in the run-off. He won 12,644 votes to Wall’s 12,499.

The startling results become jaw-dropping when comparing the amount of money spent to win the Congressional seat.

Roberts raised $343,071 for his campaign, accord-

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Photo by HISD A resident captures the groundbreaking for Booker T. Washington’s new building, which was big news in April of 2016. The spring of 2018 brings a lot more to celebrate, as the building is almost complete and the school celebrates 125 years.

Booker T. Washington celebrating 125 years

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

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of time for HISD,” said another.

While some mourned the loss and said that they appreciated his warmth, others thought Carranza wasn’t a good fit for HISD and are glad to see him go.

Monica Richart, an education advocate, said that she was hopeful for the future.

“We have incredibly capable

In 1893 Grover Cleveland became president, Thomas Edison finished the first motion picture studio, the World’s Fair debuted in Chicago, and “Colored High” — the only secondary school for African Americans in the city — opened in Houston’s Fourth Ward. Most know the school now as Booker T. Washington, so named in 1928 before it moved to Independence Heights in 1959.

Former notable alumni include Eldridge Dickey, the first AfricanAmerican to go in the first round of the professional football draft, Grammy award winner Jennifer Holliday, and Dr. Rogers Whit-

mire, who among many other accomplishments, was the first student of any race to graduate from Michigan State University’s medical school in just three years.

For 40 years, from 1965 to 2007, Franklin D. Wesley served as principal of the school. For the past 37 years, the high school has also been an Engineering Professions magnet. Engineering students at the school partner with NASA, Texas A&M, and other entities on various projects.

Not every institution makes it to its 125 year anniversary and the alumni and supporters of the school are planning a yearlong celebration. It kicks off on March 17 with a golf tournament that will raise money for a replica of

Locals sound off at final high-speed rail meeting

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Trying to follow the saga of the proposed Houston-to-Dallas High Speed Rail can seem like a crash course in futility – but that has not sapped concerned citizens of their desire to question the planned project as it currently stands.

Monday, March 5, hundreds of landowners, homeowners and concerned residents gathered inside the Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Texas Central held one last meeting for public feedback on their Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed high-speed rail line connecting10 Texas counties.

With issues ranging from an alleged lack of ethics from Texas Central representatives when claiming eminent domain down to how the project would merge with local transit options or perceived inconsistencies within the DEIS,

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Hundreds filled the conference room at the Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel Monday night for the final HSR public meeting. Dozens of concerned homeowners, landowners and officials spoke to FRA reps before the comment period ends March 9.

the group had plenty to say. Other questions raised included what will happen to the NW Mall site as well as potential funding for construction.

Mobility, parking concerns locals

For several, concerns stem from a belief TCR may not have fully vetted the potential congestion around the Houston terminus thoroughly. Evan Michaelides with the Houston High Speed Rail Watch – which includes representa-

c u r r e N t p r o p e rt y L i s t i N g s

tives from the First Ward, Garden Oaks, Independence Heights, Oak Forest, Inwood Forest, Old Sixth Ward and other areas around the terminus – said such a concern is paramount within the group, though they have taken no public stance on the project. Despite being touted as a partial solution to the city’s congestion, Michaelides said the group still has some questions about it.

“It’s critical for Houston that this project be integrated with local mass transit, because if the local mobility solution for high speed rail riders is going to be a five-story parking garage with rental car facilities, that’s just going to increase Houston’s existing traffic problems,” he said. “If 400 riders get off a train and get into cars, all we have done is move the problem from I-45 to the local streets of Houston. What has TCR done to ensure high-speed rail riders they will not bring See Rail P. 6A

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Election from P. 1A ing to Federal Elections Commission reports. He spent $374,616, which included a loan to his campaign.

Crenshaw’s coffers were even smaller. He raised $171,282 and spent just $92,064.

And then there’s Wall, who stormed not just the district, but the entire Greater Houston metro area, with TV, radio and digital advertising certain to build her name recognition.

Wall raised just $32,206 from contributors, but she poured in $5.9 million of her own money. The initial bank account is startling, but the amount she spent is even more shocking.

According to her campaign finance reports, Wall spent a total of $1.97 million on advertising. She spent another $1.34 million just to produce and place those ads. And she spent $172,753 on “consultant” fees in the few months leading up to the primary. She even spent more than $38,000 on opposition research – the kind of campaign maneuver that happens in national races, not Congressional district, hyper-local contests.

“I don’t know if you can over-saturate a marketing with advertising,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at

Rice University. “But you can get in trouble if your ads are ineffective.”

Based on the $4.375 million Wall listed as expenses, it turns out her 12,499 voters cost her $350 each.

“She was a flawed candidate,” said Dr. Robert Stein, a Heights residents and longtime professor of political science at Rice. “She had crafty ads, but she had no message.”

As early voting numbers came in, Stein said Crenshaw’s campaign management was masterful because he trailed so much after the early votes.

Indeed, after absentee numbers came in, Crenshaw only had 824 votes to Wall’s 2,368. “[Wall] was not a strong candidate. She didn’t find a niche,” Stein said. “She ran like she was running for President of the United States.”

Jones agreed, saying Wall’s

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We will continue to take clothes until noon on March 9, 2018. Counter will remain open from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

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“Historical data tells us that about 50,000 people are going to vote in this election,” Jones said. “You know how many people are going to vote, and you pretty much know who is going to vote.”

To reach those 50,000, Jones said Wall erred greatly by advertising to the 7 million people in the Houston media market.

“What she spent wasn’t effective,” Jones said. “She was seen as stand-offish and rude.

She was seen as someone who avoided the pubic, avoided the voters.”

Stein was even more blunt: “She didn’t campaign. She didn’t go door-to-door. She tried to run a wholesale campaign from 30,000 feet, and it didn’t work.”

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The Leader • Saturday, March 10, 2018 • Page 4A

Dress shoes don’t make for good fins M

y 18-month-old son drove his car into our 59-degree swimming pool last week.

I know this because I happened to be standing about 10 feet away. I also know this because I checked the pool thermostat after hoisting the livid bull shark from the driver’s side of his zero horsepower Cozy Coupe.

Let’s get some specifics out of the way. Yes, my youngest son, Cal, was technically inside the car when it plunged into our still-wintery pool. And yes, I have been made very aware (thanks to my lawyer wife) that admitting this event to 34,000 households could very well instigate a visit from Child Protective Services.

Before the bureaucrats send Russians to raid my hard drive, here’s what happened: Each day, when I get home from work, my two sons stick to a rigid routine. Mainly, they attack my legs when I walk in the door and then desperately squeeze their bodies toward rays of light emanating from the back yard. It’s not like they’re locked in dungeons for the first 11 hours of the day. It’s just that the chemical composition of dirt creates a magnetic pull toward little boys.

And besides, I’d rather they play outside than add to the nation’s obesity epidemic by eating cheese spread on

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

the couch whilst watching re-runs of animated Monster Machines.

Most days, I don’t even walk inside until dark, which means I’m in dress shoes, slacks and some sort of button down as we enjoy the open air.

Our activities in the backyard border on hypnotic. Hank, our now four-and-a-half-year-old monsoon, has a motorized Jeep that circles the pool as he imagines race cars on his bumper. Cal stands to the side of the Jeep with his thumb extended.

Most days, Hank lurks by his baby brother, pretending Cal doesn’t exist.

That means the toddler must find his own activity, which usually includes throwing something valuable into the pool.

Like his brother before him, Cal whimpers until I hand him one of my golf clubs, which I use to angrily swat weeds growing in my St.

All eyes are on deck when it comes to keeping up with my sons, Cal and Hank.

Augustine. He doesn’t want to swing the club like his proud father. No, he’d rather slam it against concrete and then watch it disappear in the deep end.

Once Hank has finished his 6-lap race, and once I’ve netted my expensive golf club from the deep end for the fourth time, I usually encourage something more constructive.

Cal is led to the trampoline – the one with a net (here’s looking at you, CPS). Meanwhile, Hank proceeds to remove every rock from the plant-

The reader.

The Spies of Texas THE STREET CORNER -There are two interesting looking people standing across the street. Both are wearing cowboy outfits right out of Gene Autry or Roy Rogers, complete with huge hats, fringe vests, boots and even spurs. They approach me. “Howdy, pard,” says one. “Yippy-yi-yo and get along doggy little.”

I don’t know how to reply.

The other one speaks up. “I am Billy Ralph Pecos and this is Tex Spindletop. We from Amarillo, here to learn more of your local elections. Like how to vote, who votes and how to, uh, fix ballot boxes to make it easier. We want to work with grassroots organizations.”

“You came to the right place,” I say. “Texas consistently finishes last among the states in voter participation.

We don’t vote because most of our politicians are either third-rate hacks or such demagogues that they only care about their own agendas.”

One of them takes out a pad and starts writing. “You mean like Fred Cruz or Hilarious Clinton, and Little Mario Ruby?

We hear the only decent politician is Donald Trump. Tell us, is Trump a great president or the greatest president? And do you think he is too hard on other countries, like Iceland, Ireland and, uh, Russia?”

“I would rank Trump right up there with James Buchanan and Millard Fillmore among our presidents. Say, if you’re from Amarillo you may know about the Cadillac Ranch.”

They look at each other and suddenly say they have to leave. That night I see on TV that Russian agents worked to interfere with the 2016 presidential election. They visited Texas in 2014 to spread derogatory information against Cruz during the Republican primary, and posed as Americans while communicating with a person “affiliated with a Texas-based grassroots organization.”

Huh? Those two strangers I met today may be the same agents who now have come back to influence the upcoming elections. The next day I see them asking questions of passersby and taking notes. I approach them. “Are you two sure you are from Amarillo?

Something about you tells me you’ve never even been to the Panhandle.”

They grin. “You too smart for us. We are really exchange students from Station College.

Hook ‘em, Aggies. We taking poll for Internet Research Agency, an organization in Saint Petersburg, the one in Florida, that is. Do you know the way to the local mosque?

We need to visit there, preferably at night.”

Later I looked into these people a bit more and discovered that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had charged that the Internet Research Agency was “engaged in political and electoral interference operations” across the United States, especially in swing states like Florida. But a Texas organization was mentioned several times. I couldn’t find the name of that Texas group nor any

Lynn Ashby Columnist

person affiliated with it, but the Mueller report said the alleged conspirators created a fake American named “Matt Skiber” as their front man. So we have a Texas group that knowingly or unknowingly worked with Russian agents to help Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the last presidential election, and apparently the Russians are still busily at work.

The indictment said the person affiliated with the Texas grassroots group also promised the Russian nationals he or she would pass along Facebook events to Tea Party voters in Florida. That doesn’t make any sense, but a lot of this story doesn’t. One rightwing fringe group, the Texas Nationalist Movement, which advocates for secession, put out a statement saying it “had no knowledge of nor any involvement with the Russian-led efforts to influence” the election. Of course that’s what they would say. Does anyone really expect their press release to read, “Yeah, we worked with the Ruskies to elect Trump and defeat Hillary. So, what’s your point?”

For advice, I needed to talk to my neighborhood spy, Clark N. Dagger. I found him listed in Google, and he agreed to meet me at midnight at his favorite bar, the Ode-kay Oomray. Dagger looked around as he approached me. “Thomas wears pink socks,” he whispered. I replied, “The ostrich awakens at dawn.” We exchanged our secret handshake and then I explained the situation. “Were you followed?” he asked. “Did anyone ask if Oscar drinks orange sodas?”

I replied no. Dagger looked around, then whispered, “You are dealing with two of Putin’s most dangerous agents. They go by Aleksandra Yuryevna Krylova and Mikhail Leonidovich Burchik. That’s their cover names. They’re actually Billy Ralph Pecos and Tex Spindletop, or maybe it’s the other way around.”

He paused for a moment: “Anyway, we think they traveled to Texas and eight other states in June of 2014 to gather intelligence. They bought political ads under fake names and staged political rallies.

They got email servers like Yahoo, Gmail and Outlook to pass along their messages.

They even set up fraudulent bank names to open PayPal accounts to pay for their work. Some of the addresses included usernames like allforusa, unitedvetsofamerica, patriotsus, staceyredneck and ihatecrime1.” It was all to elect Trump.”

He continued: “Big time operators. You don’t send them out for borscht. Krylova

ers in our yard because he’s on a “Creature Adventure.” Creatures, it turns out, are anything with a pulse.

And these days, about the only pulse a kid can find in a back yard is an earthworm.

As Cal bounces around the net, Hank grabs earthworms by the handful and places them on our concrete patio. And right about the time Hank scuttles back to his rocks in search of more fish bait, Cal escapes his trampoline and lunges for the worms, apparently because they move.

Without fail, Hank and I both run toward Cal and plead for the worms’ lives.

And this chain of events happens nearly every day, until last week, when Cal got sick of our PETA instincts.

As I helped Hank remove a particularly heavy rock, Cal walked around the pool (just as he always does) and got in his car. Most times, he’ll sit in the same position and turn the steering wheel because he hasn’t learned how to shuffle his feet and make the car move forward. At least that’s what I thought.

After pulling the rock for Hank and watching his utter joy at a gold mine of armless slime, I heard a small gulp. It actually sounded like Cal had found my golf club and

Blame is our nation’s worthless currency

is described as the Internet Research Agency’s third-highest-ranking agent. Burchik is described as the executive director or second-highest-ranking agent. Your life is probably in danger.”

A few days later I spotted the two Russian spies again.

They were using Facebook to push “Trump in 2020.” I approached them. “You two are the most incompetent secret agents I’ve ever seen. First, you don’t blend into Texas in those ridiculous cowboy outfits. Your back stories are unbelievable, and finally, you are wasting your time trying to swing Texas voters to Trump.

Last election he beat Hillary by nine points here in Texas.

Spend your efforts on purple states like Colorado, Virginia and Florida where you might make a difference.”

“Maybe right,” sighed Pecos.

“We shouldn’t spend rubles any place where Trump is beloved and welcomed.”

“Like the White House?” I asked.

“No, the Kremlin.”

Ashby is watchful at ashby2@comcast.net

rinsed it once again. Except that isn’t what happened at all.

I’m not sure what triggers this instinct, but just the sound of moving water tightened every muscle in my body. And when I turned around and saw a red and yellow plastic car floating in the pool, I threw my glasses to the ground and made a leap that, in hindsight, must have looked like a rabid wildebeest being chased by a swarm of bats.

I’m not sure how long it took me to get to Cal, but I know the dress shoes and button-down didn’t aid in my aqua-dynamics. After lifting Cal to dry land, pulling myself from the water, and then removing my wallet, car keys and, yes, phone from my pocket, the two of us bristled off to a warm shower and a good laugh.

When we made it back outside, fully dressed and thawed, Cal did what every semi-intellectual kid would do: He walked to his still dripping Cozy Coupe and turned the steering wheel. Then he walked to the edge of the pool, got on his knees, stuck his hand in the water, and looked at me with a smile the size of our yard.

Meanwhile, I grabbed my golf club and slammed it into my heart, just to get it beating again.

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Dear Editor: Thank you for a thoughtful, insightful editorial on the Parkland tragedy. I agree that there is plenty of blame to go around. Clearly these students and their families were underserved on so many levels and by looking at who and what to blame perhaps we can find meaningful solutions that will minimize the amount and size of these events.

As a parent of grown children, I am eternally grateful that I was never faced with these challenges, however that doesn’t stop me from looking past the rhetoric in the hope of not just “doing something,” but analyzing why we treat each other so badly. We live in the best country in the world, have the most opportunity to live successful lives and yet we are dogged by the same problems over and over again.

So, I hark back to when my children were growing up. First and foremost there was family dinner. This was a time to discuss our day, complain, vent, seek guidance or praise and develop a dialogue where children could feel safety and love. There were rules and consequences to not following rules that were clearly defined by adults, be they parents or teachers. That seems to be missing in the lives of so many young people.

I guess I blame adults for not doing their job where young people are concerned. It is our job to teach these kids right from wrong. I don’t blame the guns. Guns have always been prevalent without the cultural violence that we see today. My kids never had toy guns. Guns in my opinion are not toys. However, they were taught what guns were for, the harm that guns can do and the proper way to use a gun. They were not fascinated by guns because they understood that a gun was a tool not a plaything. They were brought to a gun range and given instruction by experts. It was part of their education. If you bring a child who doesn’t know how to swim to water, leave him unattended and the child drowns, it is the adults fault for not giving

that child the tools for his protection.

It’s the same with guns. We, as adults must educate young people about responsible gun use and ownership.

Marianna Jayson

What should and shouldn’t be on the ballot

Dear Editor: I presume everyone knows we will lose an hour’s restive sleep - again- this coming Sunday. Net gain?

An extra hour of HEAT June, July, August, September, early October. Cessation of this ridiculous practice should have been on Tuesday’s ballot.

What shouldn’t have been on the ballot was Sheila J. Lee’s name: the “me too” Rep. who does virtually nothing for her gerrymandered caucasian constituents nor little more for “her people.” If she really cared, she could intro a bill restricting ‘FloodLighted Vehicles’ that blind drivers (coming and going). Yeah, right.

(Former) HISD Superintendent is smarter than I thought! He bailed out of this revolving-door relatively fast to take on NYC’s gigantic school district ... for the identical paycheck! Two Supers: less than 2 years.

I think it is high time the state steps in and takes over HISD; they couldn’t do a worse job than this bunch of Haters on last year’s skool bored. Seems obvious to me they couldn’t manage a lemonade stand much less the GOTHAM district for the 4th largest U.S. city. (Himsl’s “kiss of death” was the previous district member’s recommendation. You remember, the one who IGNORED Davis and Reagan alums to save the names?)

Concluding - when the state completes their magic HISD ‘fix’- the future HISD Superintendent should be on the ballot for Taxpayer Voters to decide...not just another wimp the skool bored wants to run all over.

Removing my soapbox, R. Lee Young

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Licenses TV stations 4. Worn-out horse 7. Expire 10. Winglike structure 11. Supplement with difficulty 12. Confederate soldier 13. Attempter 15. All persons of the earth 16. Vertical position 19. Live longer than 21. Showing keen interest 23. Old Spanish currency units 24. Ingested by sniffing 25. A narrow path or road 26. Old Tokyo 27. Bound map collections 30. Deliquium 35. Brownish coat mixed with white 36. 3 banded S. Am. armadillo 37. Coat a metal with an oxide 41. Slave-like 44. 1950’s TV Wally 45. City founded by Xenophanes

46. Hermaphroditic 50. Kale plant with smooth leaves 54. Forelimb 55. Unassisted 56. Jeweled headdress 57. Auricle 59. Competing groups 60. Cardinal number 61. Light bulb inventor’s initials 62. Heat unit 63. Doctor of Education 64. Make a mistake 65. Point midway between S and SE

dOwn

1. Bazaars 2. Cuyahoga River city 3. Latin word for charity 4. Scourges 5. Alias 6. Origins 7. Subjugate using troops 8. Dutch name of Ypres 9. Siskel and __, critics 13. Teaspoon (abbr.)

14. Herb of grace

17. Brew 18. Kilo yard (abbr.)

20. Barn’s wind indicator 22. Griffith or Rooney 27. Macaws 28. 2000 pounds 29. Official language of Laos 31. Cleveland’s roundball team 32. Office of Public Information 33. Chum 34. Before 38. Nation in the north Atlantic 39. Apportion into sections 40. Skilled in analysis 41. More assured 42. ___ Musk, businessman 43. In a way, tells 46. Immature newt 47. Hawaiian taro root dish 48. Extremely angry 49. Wrapped up in a cerecloth 51. Expression 52. Paradoxical sleep 53. Tooth caregiver 58. Swiss river

WORD SCRAMBLE

The Leader • Saturday, March 10, 2018 • Page 5A

The calendar.

UNIFY STROKE DISCUSSION Memorial Hermann - Greater Heights Hospital The discussion group meets the second Thursday of every month. The next meeting is from 3-4 p.m. March 8, and is open to all stroke patients, survivors and caregivers. The meeting will be held at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, 1635 North Loop West, South Tower, First Floor, Classroom C. Please register if you plan to attend this free event by calling 713-2222273.

will include family friendly activities including a sing along with Selena music and refreshments.

Information: 713-880-2420, casa. ramirez@att.net.

IRISH ANCESTRY Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research Explore some 21st century methods of finding and understanding the records created by your Irish ancestors. Civil registration, census, and church records in Eire and Northern Ireland will be explored. The library is located at 5300 Caroline St. The class will be from 10:30 a.m.-noon March 10. Reservations are required.

Adults/Teens. Information: 832393-2600.

THE LIFE OF - LA VIDA DE SELENA BOOK RECEPTION Casa Ramirez Folkart Gallery Casa Ramirez FOLKART Gallery, 241 W. 19th St., will host a reception for the release of the young children’s bilingual board book The Life of – La Vida de Selena from 1-4 p.m. March 13. The bilingual word and picture book focuses on the Tejano music queen and idol, Selena. The reception

SENIOR ADVANTAGE BINGO St. Joseph Medical Center Join members of the Senior Advantage Program at St. Joseph Medical Center in the Heights March 14, from 2-3:30 p.m. for Bingo and light refreshments. The fun takes place in the 4th floor meeting room of the hospital at 1917 Ashland St. Seating is limited and reservations must be made by March 12. Held the second Wednesday of each month, senior Bingo is free and part of St. Joseph’s Senior Advantage Program that offers monthly educational and social events. Membership is open to all seniors 55 and older. Information: 713-969-5376, sjmctx.org/senioradvantage.

MARCH EVENTS American Legion Post 560 The American Legion Post 560, 3720 Alba Rd., will be hosting upcoming events in March.

Comedy Night will be March 14.

Doors open 6 p.m. and food will be served at 7 p.m. The show begins at 8 p.m. Sons of the American Legion will hold their Steak Night at 6 p.m. March 16.

The Ladies Auxiliary will hold their Fish Fry at 6 p.m. March 23.

Food will be served until they run out. Information: 713-682-9287, www.txlegion560.org.

NOONTIME LECTURE The Heritage Society Tea Room Noontime Lecture is back at The Heritage Society Tea Room, 1100 Bagby St., from noon-1 p.m.

March 15. JR Gonzales, master of the Bayou City History domain at the Houston Chronicle, will share rarely seen photos from the image archives at the Chronicle and the old Houston Post. They will include stories large and small about a random and wide variety of people and places from our city’s past. The cost is free for members, $5 for non-members.

Guests may bring a lunch or purchase one for $10. Information: 713-655-1912, ext. 101, heritagesociety.org.

PLANT SALE Mercer Botanic Gardens The community is invited to shop at March Mart Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the East Side Gardens.

Purchase a TMS membership to gain VIP early access to the sale Friday, March 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday, March 17 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Early shoppers have the best chance of taking home Mercer’s rarest plants not available at local nurseries. Visit themercersociety.org or call 713274-4107 to get a TMS membership or upgrade an existing membership.

SPRING/EASTER FESTIVAL Northwest Educational Center The community is welcome to attend Northwest Educational Center’s Spring/Easter Festival

from 1-4 p.m. March 24. Free admission. There will be food, games, photos with the Easter bunny, door prizes/raffles, music, petting zoo, Easter egg hunts, and more. The campus is located at 2910 Antoine Dr., Suite B, 77092. Information: 713-6802929.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SPINSTERS OF BLACKMEAD Theatre Suburbia Theatre Suburbia presents the regional premiere of C. P. Stancich’s Sherlock Holmes and the Spinsters of Blackmead, an exciting new look at Sherlock, his compatriots and all with a twist.

The show runs through March 24, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:30 p.m. and Sundays, at 3 p.m. (March 11 and 18, only) at Theatre Suburbia, 4106 Way Out West. Reservations are encouraged. Tickets are $16 Adults, $13 Students and Seniors, and $13 Sunday Matinees. Information: theatresuburbia.org, 713-6823525.

The Lemon Climb Houston Alex’s Lemonade Stand Join Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for the inaugural Lemon Climb March 24 at 8:30 a.m. to climb the stairs of the tallest building in Texas! Challenge yourself to walk, run, or race up 35, 60, or all 75 flights of stairs to the top of Chase Tower at 600 Travis. The climb can be completed individually or climbers can create a team. Participants must raise a minimum of $100–which

From the Pews.

Kartoberfest at St. James The community is welcome to come to St. James Church, 1602 W. 43rd St., and see exotic cars, Model A’s and Porsches. The event will be from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 17.

Buy a $10 raffle ticket to win a 2002 Jaguar XK8 convertible and other prizes. Tex-Mex, barbecue and drinks will be served. Bring your children to play in the bounce house.

All proceeds support the ministries of St. James and their Family Life Center.

Call 713-686-1577 for information or to register your exotic car for display.

Cruisin’ for Christ Car Show at St. Stephen’s The 2018 Cruisin’ for Christ Car Show will be held March 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (rain date March 24). All types of vehicles are welcome. Preregistration is $10 per vehicle; $20 per vehicle the day of the show. Proceeds will benefit the Playground for All Abilities at Oak Forest Park.

Admission to the show is free. There will be activities for kids and a White Glove Tour for the hearing and sight impaired. Boy Scout Troop 604 will have lunches available for purchase.

A Confirmation class, open to all youth in the community in sixth grade and above, will begin Sunday, March 18. For information, visit www.stsumc. org/confirmation/ 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.

Enjoy Music for the Soul at St. Andrew’s Music for the Soul is a weekly spirit-lifting concert series featuring a great selection of performing artists and an eclectic variety of musical styles. Hosted by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Heights Blvd., the concerts are free and kick off at 6 p.m. Paul Hardwick and Ed Amash will perform March 14, supporting Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry. Interpreting long-time musical favorites and original songs with acoustic harmonies, Paul and Ed connected in the St. Andrew’s choir where they found a common bond with music and guitar. Donations to each artist’s chosen charity will be gratefully accepted.

Call 713-861-5596 or visit www.saecheights.org for information.

All Saints Knights of Columbus/Guadalupanas hold Lenten Fish Frys The All Saints Knights of Columbus council is hosting Lenten Fish Fries in the parish hall. Dinners are served March 16, from 5-8 p.m.; and from 38 p.m. Good Friday, March 30.

The Guadalupanas will hold their Fish Frys from 4:30-7 p.m. March 9 and March 23.

Plates include fish, hushpuppies, fries, slaw, green beans, sauces, and tea/lemonade.

Adult plates are $10 and children under 10 are $5. Cookies will also be available.

Family friendly rugby at St. Pius X Kubiak Stadium Arrows RFC, Houston’s Catholic Men’s Rugby Club, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of family-friendly Rugby. On Easter Monday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m., high school boys from Strake Jesuit, St. Pius X, and St. Thomas will unite as the Arrows Schoolboys to host their brothers from Fordham Prep, a Jesuit school of the Bronx, NY. Join us at Kubiak Stadium (at St. Pius X High School) for this free, fun-filled evening that includes two rugby matches and a dinner social to follow. The match will be held at St. Pius X High School Kubiak Stadium, 811 W. Donovan St. For information, visit www. ar rowsr ugby.com/schoolboysmatch.

Lenten soup meals at St. Matthew’s The Wednesday evening Lenten Soup Meals and Prayer Service continue at 6 p.m.

Come and enjoy a free meal of soup and enjoy the singing of hymns and hearing a short Lenten Message. Pastor Wall leads a noon Bible Study each Wednesday in the Parlor.

All are welcome to come and participate in the study. Remember the time changes this weekend, so move your clocks forward to avoid being late to Sunday School at 9:15 and worship at 10:17 a.m.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. Call 713-6970671 or visit the Facebook page or the website at www. stmatthewsmethodist.org.

Stations of the Cross at Hope Episcopal Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd St., will have the Stations of the Cross each Friday at 6 p.m. during Lent.

There will be a soup supper afterward. Everyone in the community is welcome.

Call 681-6422 for information.

Women’s Bible Study Group meets at the YMCA The Women’s Bible Study meets at 6:30 p.m. every Monday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. The new Bible study begins on the Book of Daniel.

There will be Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Guests and new members are welcome to attend this non-denominational Bible study.

Email scripturesharing@ earthlink.net for information or call 713-516-4282.

Men’s Scripture Sharing Group meets at the YMCA The Men’s Scripture Sharing Group meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. There will be music, Bible study and fellowship.

Guests and new members are welcome to attend this nondenominational Bible study.

Email scripturesharing@ earthlink.net for information.

CHURCH Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters

Pastor C. David Harrison 201 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 www.fbcheights.org

Gethsemane Lutheran Church 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

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713-864-1470

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Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Scouting groups for all ages.

Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children

Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe 2003 W. 43rd St.  713-686-8241 w w w. s t s u m c . o r g

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FAMILY FUN FITNESS DAY Playground for All Abilities Join Friends of Oak Forest Park and training partners for an afternoon of fitness and sports for all ages from 3-5 p.m. March 25.

Activity stations include group workouts, youth sports, Family Fun Run and Roll (4 p.m. start), tennis drills, Fun Zone lawn games, healthy snacks and more.

All fitness levels are welcome. The event benefits the Playground for All Abilities. Oak Forest Park is located at 2100 Judiway. Early bird registration runs through March 20. Information: 832-771-8030, houstonparksboard.org/events/ fitness_day/.

On West 34th St.

(Between Ella & T.C. Jester)

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

DIRECTORY

We invite you to worship with us!

funds two hours of childhood cancer research. All participants will receive a limited edition Lemon Climb t-shirt. Information: www.LemonClimb.org.

Years

All Saints Catholic Community is located at 215 E. 10th St. Call 713-304-1626 for information.

Aztec StorAgeS

• Worship (English)..... 10:00 am - 11:00am • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm

1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577

Do you ever feel like you don’t have an answer to a problem you are facing? If you haven’t felt that way, perhaps you are ignoring a problem you don’t have an answer to or you just haven’t lived very long. Either way, we will all face problems along the way that will seem impossible to solve. Here at our church we have faced some interesting problems along the way. I have called friends and asked their advice, I have read books looking for answers, and I have just worked hard and tried to just figure things out on my own. While these methods have all been helpful, there have been some things that have been beyond my ability to figure things out even with the help of others. In 2 Chronicles 20 there is a story about a king who had an enemy coming to destroy him and his people and he did not know what to do. This king prayed to God and asked for help and God gave him an answer. To me, the most fascinating part of this story is the what this king prayed to God. In his prayer he recognized God’s sovereignty over every situation, he remembered God’s promises, he found rest in God’s presence, he reminded himself that he was God’s possession, and he stated his complete dependence on God for help. Each of these steps are important if we are going to find answers from God for our problems.

Sometimes when we pray we still try to do things in our own strength. When God spoke to the king he said, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.”

Some problems are beyond what God has given us the ability to solve. We need to learn to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. You can’t do it all on your own. You need God’s help. He will help you if you truly trust in him. If you have had God give an answer to an impossible problem I would love to hear about it.

If you are struggling with an impossible problem and need some guidance on talking to God about it I would love to help you with it.

Page 6A • Saturday, March 10, 2018 • The Leader

Carranza from P. 1A top administrators who have been committed to our District and its students for years,” Richart said. “I am sure they will provide the work and leadership we need at this critical time.”

HISD Parent Advocates leader Ben Becker says he sees the development as a largely positive one, as it will allow the board an opportunity to truly engage the community in order to set policy and develop a codified vision. To Becker, it’s not an issue of decentralization versus centralization with regard to funding, as much as it is a lack of policy to govern either.

“Is centralization helpful to equity?” he asks.

Becker also said that Carranza is paid 50 percent more than the next highest paid administrator in the district and suggested that there might be some local candidates who could get the job done more effectively, and with less cost.

“To me the number one issue for HISD in recent years has been instability,” he said. “Students need stability. There are plenty of people in the HISD administration who have been here a long time and are dedicated to educating children.”

that “we will not let the abrupt departure create chaos for the state’s largest school district.” Board president Rhonda Skillern-Jones said that a priority was the IR (improvement required) schools, getting those schools out of IR and making sure no new schools get the designation.

When asked at the press conference how the district would proceed without Carranza’s leadership, Skillern-Jones said that the vision is set by the board and that “the leader that comes in will be tasked with the how.” She also said that the magnet proposal already on the table will be the one that the board vets and votes on.

Where do we go now?

At Tuesday’s HISD press conference, Mayor Sylvester Turner said he wished Carranza well and

Honored from P. 1A for a vendor booth.

A gala will be held at the end of October, as it is the hope of organizers to have it on Homecoming weekend. By then the school’s new building, a $56.5 million project which was part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, will be complete.

“It’s not every day that you have a 125 year anniversary and get a brand new school that is entrenched in success,” said Gibbs. “We are community proud and Houston Strong.”

Frank North, a Booker T. Washington graduate and pharmacist who recently obtained a master’s in Public Administration, said that he was honored to be a part of the planning, as his grandfather attended “Colored High,” his mother and father attended and met each other in the halls of Booker T. Washington, and his brothers and sister attended the school.

North said the overall goal is to give financial support to students through scholarships and programs that expose them to better careers and outlook on life. He says he hopes to reengage alumni and com-

$

munity stakeholders and to reinforce the legacy that Booker T. Washington High School has had in the community.

“Everything I have accomplished and set to achieve was shaped and inspired by my experiences at and of Booker T. Washington High School,” said North. “To have the opportunity to celebrate Booker Washington’s collective history and strengthen its future in the community and city to me means that I am celebrating, honoring and in some cases reuniting and strengthening family.”

Current principal Carlos Phillips has been at the school for three years. He says he is honored to serve during the school’s historical year and also looks forward to the completion of the new campus. “[It] will add a greater value that will showcase honor, pride and discipline among our students who deserve to be educated in a state of the art educational facility to support their learning and other academic endeavors,” he said. “Our success will continue to thrive on how our students and the school community responds to

the needs of our students and supports all facets of learning that will develop well rounded students who can compete globally.”

Mayor Sylvester Turner has long been an advocate of the school since the time he was in the Texas Legislature.

“I would like to extend my best wishes to the alumni, staff and students of Booker T. Washington as you celebrate your 125th anniversary,” said Turner. “As we come together to celebrate, let us also remember the life that Booker T. Washington lived and the many obstacles he faced. Born into a life of slavery, he understood the importance of obtaining an education and persisted until he finally became a teacher.

His actions opened doors for all of us and his legacy should encourage us to never give up on our dreams.”

For general information about the festivities or to participate, please contact Dr. Frank North at franknorth5@ gmail.com, Lorraine Gibbs at LGibbs@HoustonISD.org or Roxanne Castillo at ECastil7@ HoustonISD.org.

5 off

A plan in flux In mid-January, HISD announced they needed to cut $200 million from the 2018-19 budget and also proposed a plan to take away the magnet designation, and subsequent funding, from some schools. A more centralized funding model was outlined. At the same time, the district was exploring partnerships with other organizations, including charters, to help IR schools improve.

The seemingly drastic nature of the initial plan was alarming to many parents who were unaware that the district would be required to keep making recapture payments to the state, and that IR

schools could be taken over by the TEA. The Superintendent and other trustees routinely stressed the severity of the cuts that HISD would have to make.

An HISD FAQ from HISD dated February 1 stated that: “the district is dealing with a perfect financial storm in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey...property values are expected to decrease in the wake of the storm. We also anticipate a decrease in student enrollment.”

In late February, the district adjusted the projected budget deficit to $115 million, which gave parents a sigh of relief but also sparked questions about why the district used a worst-case scenario

in the first place, and why they now publicized a sunnier outlook.

It was September of 2016 when the new superintendent told The Leader how he would approach change in the district.

“You really have to be thoughtful in advance how you’re making your moves so people don’t feel left out as much as possible,” he said. “You don’t want somebody to feel like someone else has information before they do or that you’re pitting one neighborhood against another.”

What is clear with his departure is that a lot of people felt left out of the conversation.

Rail from P. 1A more congestion to our local streets and freeways?”

Others brought concerns regarding the parking situation, a perceived failure to define “peak hours,” and other inconsistencies which could have a significant impact on local roadways as well as the viability of the currently-proposed parking garage at the Houston terminus, despite TCR’s insistence of ample parking for visitors with no needed street overflow. “[Such a definition of peak hours] factors into the volume of traffic, anticipated levels of congestion, and parking requirements. Since this project is the first of its kind in the United States, it should have a firstof-its-kind plan to make sure the project benefits the areas it serves,” Super Neighborhood 5 (Greater Inwood) President Philip Salerno said. “When you factor in the number of departures from the Houston terminus, time between departures (every 30 minutes), expected capacity and so many more dynamics, you’re using up those spaces very quickly.”

and officials insist the station will “revitalize” the under-utilized space – but what will happen in the meantime? Currently, Texas Central projects a project timeline of roughly 4-5 years should the project gain approval – would NW Mall sit there stewing in its own juices?

TCR Managing Director of Outside Affairs Holly Reed told The Leader that getting permits in place for construction – which officials hope occurs before the end of this year – remains a key step. Once that happens, she insisted there would be no time spent waiting in limbo, with 10,000 workers spending time on the project each year it remains under construction.

“The federal permits set the pace for the entire project, so once those permits get approved, then construction can start,” she said. “Our building of the 240 miles will commence on all segments – including the stations – at the same time.

It’s an ambitious project that will have an economic impact across the state.”

before Christmas as expected.

But a glance at Texas Central’s website last month turned up no source of funding for potential construction costs -- only that for planning and pre-construction.

However, Reed said TCR simply has not requested the backing for construction yet, given that approval remains pending. Current estimates for construction of track between Dallas and Houston is approximately $16 billion according to TxDOT. “The timelines for this type of project are different from those that are federally-funded.

The project fundraising has met every goal that’s been set so far,” she said. “Currently the project is funded to get through feasibility and development.

When the permits are in place, then we’ll close on the money for construction.”

Though Monday was the final public meeting, residents still have a chance for their voice to be heard. If you would like to provide comments on the Environmental Impact Statement process, send an email to DallasHoustonHSR@ urs.com or visit the FRA’s comment section on their website

by March 9.

NW Mall site in limbo?

It’s no secret that the Northwest Mall site has become more ghost town than coveted shopping spot in recent years,

Construction funding still to come According to Reed, Texas Central would like to begin construction early in 2019, provided permits gain approval

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to place to-go

Bread Pudding

OPEN Monday - Saturday 8am - 10pm & Sunday 8 am - 4pm

Landa Café

dessert

authentic mexican restaurant

with purchase of 2 Adult Entrees

FInal ExpEnsE

Limit 1 Coupon per table, per visit. Good only at Stuttgarden Tavern Heights. Must present coupon to redeem.

Expires March 17, 2018

50 years old+, senior care benefits broker.

I’ll shop your price to best fit your company.

Top line life insurance to final expense.

I represent multiple carriers, Guaranteed Insured, Benefits Coordinator

4002 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009 832-831-6895

Julio Garza, Lic. Agent

FREE SEaSoning

Purchase 2 Seasonings and get the 3rd for Free.

713 682-2053

1903 Lawrence St. • Houston, 77008

www.trulitegas.com

5 OFF

$

Minimum $20 ticket. 1 coupon per table.

Must present coupon. Not valid with any other offers.

We serve Margaritas, Beer and wine!

Great Breakfast Menu Too!

302 W. Crosstimbers 281-888-4876

Monday - Saturday 7am - 9pm Sunday 7am - 3pm

281-435-4205

Marchese’s Kitchen Come in for one of our homemade casseroles • Lasagna • Meatballs • Chicken Spaghetti • King Ranch Casserole • Chicken Pot Pie • Chicken Salad • Quiches • Gumbos & Chowders • Eggplant Parmasean • Beef Enchilada Casserole • Desserts • Italian Sausage

Expires March 31, 2018

4

2615 Ella Blvd. @ 27th  713-868-5232

Mexican Restaurant

10% oFF

Stay Cool

$1.00 off SnowConeS!!

Limit One Coupon Per Customer

965 Pinemont (Between Ella & Shepherd) 713-497-5378

Open Monday-Friday 9:30 am to 6:30pm Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

$ 95 OFF secOnd entree Buy 1 Dinner Get $4.95 OFF Second Dinner Dine-In Only. No Takeout Orders. Good 3-10 p.m. only.

• Not available on Senior Citizens or Kids Menu • One coupon per table / one coupon per family ORIGINAL COUPON ONLY! No copies accepted • Must be presented before ordering • Expires 3-18-18.

* Lunch Specials Daily * Take Out Orders Available * Complete Bar Facilities * Party Room Available (Seats 85)

Happy Hours: Mon-Thur 3-8

4618 Dacoma

(Between Hwy. 290 and Mangum)

(713) 680-0825

LIve MUSIC Thursday - Sunday 6 til Close

FREE DONUTS 2 KOLACHES FREE DOzEN FREE DONUT HOLES Get 1/2 dozen glazed donuts FREE with purchase of one dozen donuts or more.

With purchase of one dozen glazed donuts.

Buy a dozen donuts and get 1 dozen donut holes FREE!

Good at this location only. One coupon per visit. Tax not included. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons.

3410 Ella Blvd. at 34th St.

(713) 682-4343

The Leader • Saturday, March 10, 2018 • Page 7A

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR Paint party for kids 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 Studewood Park – Studewood St. Kick off spring break on the right foot, with this instructional paint party hosted by the Rita Ann Reyes Collection. This event caters to ages 5-12 years old!

Each child will complete a painting on a 16 x 20in stretched canvas and be able to take it home afterwards. The price in $25 per little artist.

As a bonus they will be serving sno cones and lite snacks.

Boss Olympics and crawfish boil 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 Eureka Heights Brew Co – 941 W. 18th St. Come join the fun with the Bayou City Bosses for their third annual Boss Olympics and Crawfish Boil Fundraiser. The Boss Olympics will have several events designed to test your strength, mobility, and mental acuteness. If you have a love for fun, competition and camaraderie, the Boss Olympics are for you!

What you need to sign up is a team of four members, but if you don’t have four they can provide an extra person. Everyone does have to be 21 years or older to participate. The fee is $30 per team member, which includes entry and a chance to win prizes.

Don’t forget a team name, matching uniforms, and your best game face.

The schedule: 2 – 2:30 p.m. – open registration, 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. – opening ceremonies and team photos, 2:45 -3:30 p.m. – the games begin, 3:30 – 3:45 p.m. – intermission, 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. – second half of the games, 4:30 – 6 p.m. – auction and closing ceremonies.

Axion Quartet CD release concert 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 Lambert Hall – 1703 Heights Blvd.

Experience music in a new way this Saturday. The Axiom Quartet is debuting their long-awaited album, “Axioms – Moments of Truth.� If you haven’t heard from this quartet before, know that they don’t just play the classics. These classically trained musicians bring together moving, exciting, and compelling music from different eras and genres.

You’ll hear a wide range of music, from electronic dance music to Bach’s aria “Erbarme dich,� and from 80s tunes like Fleetwood Mac to a Claude Monteverdi opera.

Community meetup by Twitch 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 Wakefield Crowbar – 954 Wakefield Dr. Are you a streamer, mod, game developer, or just a viewer and lover of those things? This community meetup will give you the chance to meet others with the same interests in real life. It’ll be a laid back, network-focused meetup. This is not a Twitch run event, but a it is run by a community of volunteers operating under the Stream Texas brand.

While there enjoy good food, beverages, and mingle with the crowd. There will be giveaways, but you must rsvp online to enter—and be there to win.

General admission is free!

White Oak Bayou Trail Cleanup and Trash Bash 9:45 a.m. - Noon Saturday, March 10 Stude Community Center - 1031 Stude St. Making Houston Beautiful - One Trail at a Time!

Join Bayou City Outdoors and friends for a White Oak Bayou Trail Cleanup and Trash Bash.

If you haven’t seen White Oak Trail it is awesome! The group is pitching in to help make it sparkle a little more. There will even be Parks & Recreation employees in attendance to assist and perhaps speak about the program, and what we can do to help in the future.

Come out and join! Please bring your own water in a reusable container.

Plan on joining BCO after the clean-up for a meal after! Plans are tentative for somewhere local like Taco’s A Go Go. Additional info call 713-5243567 or e-mail to info@bayoucityoutdoors.com

Local Foods menu inspired by chef’s weight loss journey

had the Salmon that was topped with a light orange blossom cucumber salad.

The vegan mashed potatoes were a sweet potato base and topped with nutritional yeast or as chef Gonzalez likes to call it, “Vegan Cheese.� “Nutritional yeast isn’t exactly attractive on the menu,� she said.

Christina Martinez Managing Editor

  I’m a fan of Local Foods.

The downtown location is a quick hop and skip from my home in the Heights and it’s a great addition to Photos by Christina Martinez the downtown community. Local Foods’ Vegan Mashed Potatoes, Oak Farm’s Spinach Salad and the Salmon with orange blossom Now, the Local Foods brand cucumbers. has expanded to the Heights something that’s more of a edibles and seasonal salads, peĂąo rim. at the Heights Mercantile, lo- ‘cheat day’ option, we have fresh soups and homemade From the dinner menu, I cated at 714 Yale St Ste 1A. that, too.â€? snacks for the taking. The tried the Oak Farm’s Spinach I just visited our Heights Gonzalez will oversee seven layer bar - sometimes Salad, Salmon and the Vegan location and got the chance kitchen operations after also referred to as the “dream Mashed Potatoes. to visit with executive chef working alongside chef and barâ€? - is a must try from the “The spinach salad is simMaria Gonzalez and I left partner Dylan Murray since homemade snacks menu. ple and we’re hoping more an even bigger fan of Local 2001, when the two met at During my visit, I had a customers will give it a try,â€? The Almost Spring non-alcoholic Foods and our local location. the acclaimed Saba Blue few things on my order. First, chef Gonzalez said. “It has specialty cocktail.

Chef Gonzalez shared with Water CafÊ. The Heights Lo- we started by tasting two simple ingredients, but that The Heights Local Foods me that she is currently on a cal Foods is the fifth location specialty (virgin) cocktails: is what makes the salad so is a great addition and the healthy journey and just re- and concept to be added to Almost Spring and Nojito. great.�

Heights Mercantile is deficently lost 70 pounds. the Greater Houston area.

The Almost Spring was my The salad consists of lo- nitely the place to be. “What I like about our From the menu, the con- favorite, made with Seedlip cal spinach from Oak Farms menu is that it offers health- cept brands themselves as Garden 108 non-alcoholic - a seasonal item - cherries, Email christina@theleadful options,� Gonzalez said. a scratch gourmet sand- spirit, fresh cucumbers, fever almonds and tossed in a light “But when you want to get wich shop showcasing local tree tonic and a salted jala- vinaigrette dressing. I also ernews.com

Art Valet: two Grand Openings with imagination, galore Mitch Cohen

Kavalan Taiwanese Whiskies

Art Columnist

One creates monsters and ghouls from her imagination, another takes fantastical creatures from real life and immortalizes them forever.

Jessica Carlos and Ruben Salazar may have attended the same show together a time or two, and both have taken their next big steps opening their individually unique studio and retail space, respectively, and are hosting grand openings this weekend.

Salazar was one of the first exhibitors at The Market at Sawyer Yards and frequents the popup circuit almost weekly. Salazar creates shadow boxes and frames with exotic insects and butterflies from around the world and calls his business “Bug in The Box.�

His mother was an entomologist and taught Salazar about spreading and pinning insects and how to preserve them. His father was a botanical artist. The combination of skills certainly influenced his current artistic endeavors. “I guess I merged what they both taught me and that’s how ‘Bug in The Box’ came to be,� Salazar said. “I opened a studio because I needed the extra space to get all the ideas I have going on in my head into a reality. I want to make really big pieces with bugs and butterflies and was running out of room for that at home. The studio is the perfect place for all the things I want to do and making bigger and more grand pieces that really show off what nature has to offer.�

Salazar’s future plans include traveling to different parts of the world to learn about new butterflies and insects.

The opening is set for 4 – 10 p.m. Friday, March 9 at The Silos at Sawyer, 1502 Sawyer St. upstairs in Studio #132. Catch Salazar at Second Saturday Open Studios and other events at buginthebox.net.

Jessica Carlos has an imagination like few adults do. Her spin with her crocheted creatures are humorous, charming and trending with current culture. I’m sure you’re thinking scarf, sweater, mittens or hat.

Wrong; think zombie rabbit, “eye� pods in a pot, eyeball ice-cream cones, a jar full of calavara ornaments (human skull!).

Carlos, with her husband, Louis, have painstakingly converted a 140 square foot space into a storefront and invited similarly creative artists to display their work

Come experienCe tHe magiC oF our bar!

The Screaming Eagle Sour Houston’s best Cantonese and Hong Kong dining experienCe.

maKe your reservation today!

Join us tues. - tHurs. 11:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Friday - saturday 11:00 - 11:00 p.m.

4705 Inker Street | (713) 861-8883 Conveniently located off of I-10 and Shepherd

w w w. g i n g e r a n d f o r k r e s t au r a n t . c o m

Cavatore’s with her.

How long have you been participating in art shows? “I’ve been participating in markets since about 2010,� said Carlos. “My creations have always been very “me!�

By this I mean, a bit quirky, a little off the wall, but still very approachable.

Tell us about the shop. “The shop has been an idea in the works for quite a while,� Carlos said. “I felt it was time for me to plant my roots somewhere and take the next step with my art. I had another space in mind but it fell through. I was visiting with my goods at Misfit Toys when the idea of a space in the same building happened. I mean, what better place to open shop than in the Heights.�

Carlos tells me she plans to sell at the shop exclusively for at least a year before the bug to return to outdoor shows resurfaces.

Carlos currently represents 13 different artists that includes jewelry, canvas and print art, woodwork, and home goods with plans to continue expanding the variety.

The Whimsy Artisan Boutique opening is 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, March 1802 Yale St. Visit them online at thewhimsyartisan.com.

Saturday afternoon The Market at Sawyer Yards finally returns, with over 50 exhibitors, two food trucks and Grifters & Shills performing on the TaxAct stage.

Get details at SawyerStreetMarket.com The market is located at 1502 Sawyer St. - right by Ruben Salazar’s new studio, he plans to be in studio and the market!

Contributed photos At the top, Ruben Salazar’s Bug in The Box art work translated into a butterfly lamp. Above, one of Jessica Carlos’ crocheted creatures that can be found at her new The Whimsy Artisan Boutique - pictured left - which celebrates its grand opening this weekend at 1802 Yale St.

Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the new Market at Sawyer Yards, find him at ArtValet.com.

THE LEADER

Make your reservations at the Leader Readers’ voted

Best Italian Restaurant!

2120 Ella Boulevard • (713) 869-6622

www.Cavatores.com

Family Mexican Restaurant 1431 W. 26th • (713) 880-0100 Located behind Lowes Hardware

1973-2018

Years

Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3pm - 7pm

House Margarita

Sm $3.99 • Lg $5.99

Flavored Margarita Sm $4.50 • Lg $6.50

Reservations Welcome. Can accomodate parties up to 40+, split checks

www.LaHaciendaEscondida.com

Page 8A • Saturday, March 10, 2018 • The Leader

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