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park and having kids and adults that used to play here come up to me and ask me how I’m doing - it just shows how much they appreciate what ODC has done.”

ODC has grown a lot over the past 60 years and plans to continue that path. Just two years ago, the old Candlelight League donated property off of Pinemont where ODC now holds their soccer program.

The main way that ODC will grow is through parents bringing their kids to come play, according to Jez. Once a parent registers their child they become a member of the club.

Membership entails voting rights and ability to serve on any board.

Another way to contribute is to sponsor a team, or to just come out to lend a hand where needed or even hop on a lawn mower - a job that doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but something Jez notes as of high importance.

You can also show support to teams by just watching a game.

Opening day for the baseball/softball season is March 25 and ODC will have games almost every night from then until May. The soccer program is currently underway in their non-competitive season, and will continue their competitive season

Many in the Heights feel a certain nostalgia towards community institutions, yet in today’s day and age have been constantly forced to adapt to the changing times; and it appears as though they will once again be faced with a community staple undergoing a modern upgrade.

Last week, the Chase Bank on W. 19th Street featured a “For Sale” sign propped up to face motorists as they sped past the two-story 3,800-square foot building which has towered over the “Main Street” into the Heights for more than 40 years, and representatives confirmed the bank is relocating its services within the Heights.

“That’s a large site, and we’re looking at some redevelopment options for it. Our plan is to build a new branch on part of the land, and that will allow us to better serve our customers with the latest banking technologies,” JPMorgan Chase spokesperson Greg Hassell said of the current 3.14-acre property which covers more than 137,000 square feet over four parcels of land.

When considering the modernization, Hassell said Chase made it a priority to keep a presence directly off the Heights ‘Main Street,’ and intend to simply slide over to an adjacent lot a Photo by Jonathan McElvy stone’s throw It came as quite the surlast week when this east of the cur- prise ‘For Sale’ sign popped up rent building- in front of the Chase Bank -a solution he on 19th Street said provides the best of both worlds.

“It’s such a large parcel of land that we can have a contemporary, technologically advanced branch and redevelop part of the land, so that’s our plan,” he said.

Though the branch (known to locals as the ‘Reagan’ branch) in its current state has been a staple of the Heights community for nearly half a century, Hassell said the time had come for a facelift, as well as a shift in operation style to keep with the ever-changing times.

“If you drive around the Heights and see the other branches, along with the size and technology of these branches, the Reagan branch is certainly a different branch,” he said. “Branches today look and behave differently—people are looking to get in and out, and they’re used to new technology and next-generation ATM’s. There’s a lot of that which happens, and a two-story office building is just not what we need for a bank

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Photo by Christina Martinez A few smiling faces of an Oaks Dads’ Club baseball team visiting the Houston Astros’ Minute Maid Park.

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Oaks Dads’ Club provides the ground work for neighborhood youth

By Jennifer Layer jennifer@theleadernews.com In 1954, back when Oak Forest was still a forest, a group of local dads came together and decided to create a baseball club for the community. Today, this club and nonprofit is known as Oaks Dads’ Club (ODC).

Having grown from just baseball, ODC has offered softball, football, basketball, and just recently soccer though the program currently offers baseball, soccer and softball.

Serving approximately 800 children a year, ODC has truly grown to be a committed and permanent institution in the community.

ODC is not self-sufficient, however, but continously maintained and organized by a 100 percent volunteer staff.

“We give our time to run the organization,” said Sean Jez, corporate board president of ODC. “That includes everything from getting people registered, to cutting the grass, to making sure the fields are playable, to even just paying the bills.”

Each sport ODC includes has a board of approximately 16 members, all of whom are volunteers.

“Although all the board members want to participate consistently, unfortunately not all of them do,” Jez

said. “And there is overlap between the members as many serve on multiple boards.”

ODC relies heavily on the commitment of their volunteers and on the connections with the community. Just recently, on March 4, ODC had their spring clean-up and close to 150 parents participated to prep the baseball and softball fields.

“We got new dirt put in the fields, got the grass cut, got our bleachers repainted, and got trash picked up,” Jez said. “And we did it all in about two and a half hours since we had so many hands.”

For many, ODC is a staple in the community as it has aided in creating hundreds of relationships.

Not only does ODC connect people, but they connect generations within families as well.

“What’s unique about the Oak Dads’ Club is we have generations of people who have played here,” Jez said. “I mean we’ve got grandparents that once played here and are now watching their grandchildren play here. It’s a lot of fun.”

“What has made the most impact on me is watching the kids grow up, and not just my kids but all of ODC’s kids,” Jez said. “Some of the kids that were on my t-ball team are as big as me now. And it’s just a really cool feeling walking through the

Cigna Sunday provides a local route to good health

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Too often, we shut ourselves away inside our homes, none too eager to meet the neighbors—even on those rare occasions when the Texas weather remains the same for a few days at a time. However, the city of Houston’s annual initiative aimed at promoting health, wellness and community interaction is coming fast to Leader country to try and change that mindset.

On Sunday, March 26, Cigna Sunday Streets will finally make its longawaited debut in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area as part of the city’s annual initiative to promote and improve the health of Houstonians. The Garden Oaks route will run along West 43rd Street from Ella Boulevard to Rosslyn Road.

“We’re trying to get to as many neighborhoods as we can to try and spread

the fun of this event, because it’s a fun event for the neighborhood,” said Susan Christian, director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. “We’ve never gone to this neighborhood before, and we wanted to spread the love.”

While Mother Nature forced the city to cancel the event back in December, Christian said the community’s enthusiasm never dimmed, in part due to their inclusion in deciding the specs of the event.

“We provide the infrastructure and set up community meetings, but it’s

really up to the community,” Christian said, noting that as much as 90 percent of the activities are based on suggestions from residents. “We really focus on what they think would be a fabulous event in their neighborhood, and they add to the activities.”

Events such as Cigna Sunday Streets would not be complete (or possible) without the involvement of the community, and Sunday’s proceedings promise not to disappoint.

The Friends of Oak Forest Park will be in attendance, with activities taking

place on the Oak Forest Elementary front lawn at 1401 W. 43rd St. Festivities include family-friendly fitness, lawn games, an art tile painting fundraiser and Idea Lab STEM projects. Donations to the organization will be contributed to the future playground for all abilities in honor of Vicki Flanery, a beloved substitute and retired HISD teacher who was part of the Oak Forest community.

“It’s a large-scale community gathering, and a large part of our group mission is community outreach and letting them know what we’re doing at Oak Forest Park,” said Elyssa Horvath, director for Friends of Oak Forest Park. “This was an opportunity to be involved with the community on a large scale. Thousands come from around the city, so this is a great way for us to spread the word about what See Cigna P. 3A

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Turner selects PWE, interim Parks directors engineer for Professional Service Industries, Inc. Sreerama serves on the boards of the Houston Downtown Management District, Houston Community College Foundation, American Council of Engineering Companies of Houston and the Indo-American Political Action Committee of Greater Houston.

Mayor Turner also announced the appointment of Lisa Johnson as interim director of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Johnson has worked for 31 years exclusively in the public section as a Parks and Recreation professional. She has been employed by the city of Houston since 2002, most recently serving as division manager in the General Services Department with oversight of parks department’s multi-million dollar capital program. She has been involved in the renovations of Bethel Park, Gragg Park, Emancipation Park and Lake Wilderness Park and nu-

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merous other neighborhood park projects including the construction of the Memorial Park Living Bridge, Bayou Greenways and hike and bike trail connections.

Johnson is a graduate of Texas A & M University and has completed post-graduate training programs at Southwest Texas State University, the National Park Planning and Maintenance Safety School and the National Playground Safety Institute. She will replace Joe Turner, who is retiring, effective April 30.

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Millwee assured The Leader and its readers that their local chamber is in no danger.

“We didn’t necessarily budget for this move, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. We do have to find something within our means,” he said.

B

able to transition into a new office with a minimum of disruption to the services we provide and to our office staff,” Chamber President Jacob Millwee said Tuesday. “I am exploring multiple options in the area and surrounding areas, and I have lined up some good possibilities, but at this time we don’t have anything concrete.”

The Chamber is searching for a space consisting of about 1,400 to 1,500 square feet with room for a reasonable amount of parking to accommodate small meetings at the offices, while maintaining (if possible) its connection to the Heights community and overall maintaining easy access for its members.

“It needs to be relatively attractive – because we do see ourselves as the face of the business community – and it needs to be someplace that’s easy for someone to find and get fairly simple directions,” Millwee said.

Though the move was not one members had anticipated,

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Trickle-down effect As some may know, the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce makes its home within the confines of the current Chase Bank building, and many residents are not just residents, but Chamber members—so what will become of it when Chase relocates?

“We are aware of the move, and we are taking steps to be

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Chase from P. 1A branch.”

Though nothing is definitive, David Cook with Cushman and Wakefield said the size of the lot on which the current office building stands lends itself to a multitude of options once sold.

“The drive is towards retail in that area. There will very likely be a retail component,” he said, while also noting multi-unit housing remains a possibility too. Multiple developers (though not willing to speak on the record) echoed the sentiment regarding the attractiveness of the venue as a rare large piece of land in this area.

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ODC from P. 1A this fall.

Jez said the most important thing the community should understand about ODC is their values and purpose, which go far beyond sports.

“We are a family based, kid-friendly environment,” he said. “We want kids to come here and play, not only to play sports but also to learn sportsmanship, learn to be a good person, and to appreciate the people around you.”

Oaks Dads’ Club has provided youth sports for generations, and is constantly evolving to continue for generations to come. Visit ODCsports.com to learn more.

90

TC Jester

Veteran Houston engineer Karun Sreerama is Mayor Sylvester Turner’s pick to head the Houston Department of Public Works and Engineering (PWE). Sreerama is a highly respected engineer with 28 years of experience managing multi-million dollar capital projects across the U.S. and abroad. He is a registered Professional Engineer and holds a doctorate in civil engineering as well as a Master’s degree in business administration. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Dale Rudick, who has led PWE since 2014.

Pending council approval, the new appointment is to be effective April 3. In the interim, PWE’s Deputy Director for Engineering and Construction Carol Haddock will manage the department.

“Karun has developed an impressive 100-day transition plan,” said Mayor Turner. “He is focused on the organiza-

tion’s culture and spending as well as collaboration with City Council, neighborhoods and the engineering community.

He definitely understands the important role the city plays in boosting the quality of life for all Houstonians. He will be able to build upon the excellent progress made during Dale Rudick’s tenure. I want to thank Dale for his service and wish him well in this next chapter of his life.”

Sreerama comes to the city from ESPA Corporation where he served as president and CEO. Under his leadership, the firm secured contracts with the Harris County Hospital District, Harris County Toll Road Authority, the City of Houston, Pearland, Missouri City, Rice University, University of Houston, Houston Independent School District, Aldine Independent School District and the Texas Department of Transportation. Prior to joining ESPA, Sreerama was senior vice president and chief

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Cigna from P. 1A our mission is.”

Further along the trail, route-goers will encounter the Waltrip High School and Frank Black Middle School marching bands providing musical entertainment, while Scarborough High School’s Class of 2017 will conduct a fundraiser. If residents are a part of the arts crowd, the First Saturday Art Market will have a booth set up, and food trucks will be at locations throughout the route for residents to re-charge. As Christian noted, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s just really a collection of people and businesses in the neighborhood providing a lot of different activities other than riding a bike or skateboarding or just enjoying walking the route,” she said.

vibrant city, you need to have healthy neighborhoods. It’s about supporting this whole idea of civic mindedness and bringing the community together to celebrate it. That is fundamental to our way of thinking here,” she said. “This

really focuses on the neighborhood. It’s so much fun, because no matter where it’s staged, people from other neighborhoods come. It’s a very personal, intimate way to get to know a neighborhood.”

Benefits for all As folks proceed along 43rd Street, encountering many neighbors they have seen, and some they have not, they will witness what it looks like when each of a neighborhood’s cogs all work in unison. Such a conglomeration and intertwining of a community’s various parts along with health and fitness, Christian said, is vital to the quality of life of a neighborhood, its individual residents and the city as a whole.

“If you’re going to have a

Oaks dads’ club Thank you to all of our members, volunteers, sponsors and community for your continuous support.

Here’s to many more memories!

Easter Fun

Providing Youth Sports Since 1954 Photo supplied The popular Garden Oaks topiary bears welcome the first day of Spring, 2017, as local residents Tina Sabuco (L) and Shellye Arnold (R) dress their topiary bears for Easter.

www.ODCsports.com

The Topics.

Saturday, March 25, 2017 • Page 4A

What will it take to move the needle at 43rd and Rosslyn?

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

I

don’t write many editorials for The Leader. Only when the spirit – or the publisher – calls. The first one I did in 2012 was about a subject I felt very passionate about.

Called ‘Imagining commercial potential in her little corner of the world’, the article still lives online.

Interestingly, it’s the first thing that comes up under a Google search for my name.

As a near neighbor to the corner of 43rd and Rosslyn since 2004, I was continually bummed to see that nothing ever really took off at that corner. As I mentioned in my first piece, I was optimistic when a Super Cuts moved in at 4301 Rosslyn Road. Any tenant was going to get my business. Then after about a week, there was a fire. Then nothing for 13 years.

I wasn’t exactly young when I started writing for The Leader but I was somewhat green in the ways of the newspaper world. I thought I was going to write this piece, and then someone would read it and buy the building on Rosslyn and then of course, there’d be a neighborhood diner or some such awesomeness that my family and I could walk to for breakfast.

Because a number of people told

Betsy Denson

me they’d expressed an interest in the property. Back in 2012, local realtor Stacy Mathews said that the asking price to buy ‘as is’ was $695,000. He said it was also available ‘as is’ for lease with some flexibility on the price if the person who leases makes improvements.

But nothing happened. My editorial got a good bit of e-mail comments but no action. Since then there have been a couple other real estate agents attached to the property but with each new sign I schooled myself not to get my hopes up. Which turned out to be a good course of action because the 2017 corner looks a lot like the 2004 corner, give or take the months out of the year where the trash piles up because of illegal dumping.

There are valued businesses near the corner too that give the area its life. The Book Scene, Salon Studio Dean McNeely and Ryden Architecture lease from Hudson Chiropractic center in an adjacent building on 43rd.

MANNA leases another building next to 4301 Rosslyn and does a lot to help the underserved in our area. With building improvements and more welcoming surroundings – MANNA could be more like the highly reviewed Guild Shop on Dunlavy whose resale store proceeds go to St. James House. In the same complex is the Dollar Store and a vacant space which owner Fouad Mekdessi told me he’s hoping to have a tenant for soon. But he told me that five years ago too.

It’s the thoroughly vacant building though that looms large in my dreams. I wish I could get in my time machine and go to the early 2000s when the current owner purchased it – and tell some investor what Oak Forest would look like in 15 years.

Ironically though – although the asking price of this building has no doubt gone up – the values keep going down. In 2009 the property was valued by HCAD at $350,000.

In 2016, it’s $250,500 with almost $190,000 of that the land value.

One person who pays attention to the corner more than me is Greg

Lynn Ashby Columnist

kansas Travelers and Tulsa Drillers. The south consists of the Corpus Christi Hooks, San Antonio Missions, Midland RockHounds and Frisco RoughRiders. (Last season the RoughRiders adopted a Teddy Roosevelt-style uniform – bully for them.) Through the first century of the circuit’s operation, 38 cities in eight states hosted Texas League teams.

And including other leagues, in Texas alone, 101 cities -more than in any other state - have supported minor league franchises. (Incidentally, the Sugar Land Skeeters are in the independent Atlantic League.

Those teams are concentrated on the East Coast, except for Sugar Land.) Towns and cities that have fielded Texas League teams range alphabetically from Albuquerque to Wichita Falls, geographically from Kansas to the Rio Grande Valley, but they have always kept the same league name, maybe because it is one of the oldest minor leagues in the nation. By 1994 only three Texas cities, San Antonio, El Paso, and Midland, were part of the eight-team league, and there have been only 15 years in which the Texas League has had an exclusively Texan makeup throughout the season.

I love some of their names: the Ardmore Territorians (this was in 1904 -- Oklahoma didn’t become a state until 1907), Dallas Hams, Houston Babies.

Longview Cannibals, Paris Parisians, Sherman Orphans, Temple Boll Weevils and Texarkana Casket Makers. A side note about a former member of the Texas League which moved up to AAA, the Round Rock Express. Nolan Ryan was pitching for the Houston Astros, and sport writers, always looking for a stale nickname (Little Miss Baby Cakes, Pinstripes, Hammer of Thor) fiddled with the name “Ryan.”

Ryan’s Daughter didn’t work, but Houston novelist David Westheimer had written a thriller book, “Von Ryan’s Express,” so Nolan (Lynn) Ryan became Ryan’s Express or just the Express. When he got involved, businesswise, with the Round Rock minor league team, the name followed.

Good thing Westheimer didn’t write “Ryan’s Casket Makers.”

In 1930 Katy Park in Waco became one of the first stadiums in organized baseball to install lights for night games.

When Fort Worth’s LaGrave Field was rebuilt in 1950 following a fire, it was the first new baseball park to include a television booth. Over the years, fans witnessed players such as Tris Speaker, Hank Greenberg, “Dizzy” Dean, Duke Snider, Frank Robinson

Hudson Chiropractic center, the air conditioning repair business and the storage facility. That’s a whopping 5.8 acres in an area that still is clamoring for goods and services.

In the meantime though, it looks like things won’t change much.

Council Member Ellen Cohen told me that while she wished there was a city recourse available to compel development, there is none. Or as a developer friend said: “The right to exclude others is one of the fundamental rights in the bundle of property rights. As long as he or she wants. Indefinitely.”

Cohen said that it would be a different matter if the property wasn’t being kept up or if there was a health hazard, like the condemned Oakbrook Apartments that were recently purchased and then razed by the city.

What is important is for property owners to know that residents are watching, and that we care about blight. Once Mr. Mekdessi was given 24 hours’ notice to clean up the trash last week at Rosslyn, he did so.

“If you see something that’s happening report it, and keep reporting it,” said Cohen, who noted that if blight becomes pervasive, people don’t ‘see’ it anymore. “Don’t assume someone else will.”

That I can do. And I can still dream…

The reader.

A League Of Our Own Play ball! Yes, the baseball season is upon us once more.

The Lone Star grudge match between Dallas and Houston was always a good one, and when the Fort Worth Cats took on the Dallas Eagles, after seven or so innings and as many beers, there were fist fights in the stands. For you youngsters and newcomers, Texas baseball in air-conditioned stadiums with huge scoreboards and suites with bars and toilets are a relatively new way of seeing and playing America’s game. I am talking about the Texas League which, along with Southwest Conference football games, united and divided the state like nothing since the Civil War (or the War for Southern Independence as my grandmother called the Late Unpleasantness).

But whatever happened to the old Texas League? Actually, it is still going strong, packing in fans. Since its founding in 1888 as the Texas State Baseball League, this organization has become one of the most colorful and historic minor leagues in America.

And the bat goes on. Today on summer evenings in their field of dreams, young men on their way up to the Bigs, play ball.

The players compete in 140 games, about 20 shy of what the major league teams play.

Each Texas League team is affiliated with a major league team which pays the players’ salaries, about $1,800 a month during the season, along with the salaries of the coaches, managers and trainers, plus some costs for the equipment. In turn, the teams send part of their gate receipts to Major League Baseball. This financial arrangement allows for one of the great bargains in professional sports. Ticket prices in most of the league’s stadiums go for about $10 to $20 with general admission as low as $2, and parking is usually free.

The Texas League is Class AA, a level that many in player development consider the make or break level of the minor leagues. If a player performs well in the Texas League, he has a fair chance to play, some day, in the major leagues. Then there are the stadiums. Build it and they will score runs. In Class AA, there must be at least 6,000 seats in each stadium. (Corpus Christi’s Whataburger Field was named by USA Today among the top 10 minor league parks in the nation.) Many of the league’s parks also feature grassy knolls beyond the outfield where families can spread out a blanket and lie down to watch the games.

Over its 129 years, the host towns have changed with just the San Antonio Missions hanging in there from the beginning. Today the league is divided into North and South.

The northern bunch is made up of the Springfield, Missouri, Cardinals, Northwest Arkansas Naturals (I guess they liked the movie), Ar-

Ryden of Ryden Architecture who is happy to have an office lease so close to his home. He says that people have contacted him to draw up plans – for, be still my heart, a coffee shop at the 4301 Rosslyn site – but that he cautions them not to get too excited.

Ryden looks to the example of what the rehabbed Harold’s development did for 19th Street and notes that while 19th Street didn’t need nearly as big a jump start as the Rosslyn corner, one cool thing begets another.

He thinks it’s ironic that a city that says it wants density won’t work with property developers more on variance requests. At 4300 Rosslyn, now owned by Light Hill Partners, Fisher Homes wanted to put in high end condos and wasn’t planning to go too vertical – they just wanted to raise the second story by a few feet and add a new roof. They were denied. Now the Light Hill project seems to have stalled too.

“It’s going to take somebody with a lot of cash and a lot of patience,” Ryden said about a turnaround at the corner.

Maybe someday an intrepid developer will put together all the parcels that exist. This includes the building owned by Fouad Mekdessi, the 4301 building owned by Susana Z. Zarazua, the building owned by

The Leader above hate speech

and Brooks Robinson. One player, Homer Rainey, became president of The University of Texas. John Alton “Al” Benton, later, in the majors, gave up home runs to both Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. Johnny Berardino, San Antonio’s second-baseman in 1938, later starred as Dr. Hardy on General Hospital. Earlier, as a child actor, he appeared in several episodes of Our Gang. More recently there were stars like Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser, Joe Morgan and Darryl Strawberry. The Astros’ dugout was a Texas League reunion with Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge.

Finally, a hit ball that drops safely between the infield and the outfield for a single is called a “Texas Leaguer,” or used to be. We don’t hear that term much anymore.

But maybe we will if Field of Dreams ever comes to town and the Cats and the Eagles go at it again.

Ashby plays ball at ashby2@ comcast.net

Dear Editor: The newspapers, television, radio and internet are chockful of national news ... and chockful of nuts.

When I go out to my front yard each week and bring in The Leader to read while having my coffee, I look forward to reading a really good local newspaper full of events and concerns of our community. I feel it not only gives us information about the community, but also builds a sense of “neighborly-ness” for the families of our reading area.

I like much about The Leader and I want you to know that I understand: (1) freedom of speech - not just the speech I agree with and (2) freedom of the owner of a newspaper to choose what will be printed in that paper.

But, I cannot pass over the upsetting comment in The Reader section of last week’s paper that described President Obama and the Democratic party in vulgar insulting terms and was clearly a partisan screed.

I feel the content of The Leader is above such language. I feel the content of The Leader is above hate speech, “alternative facts,” fake news, alt-right and other extremist’s wise cracks.

I believe that The Leader supports civil respectful discourse and desires to add to the feeling

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com of community with neighbors living and working in harmony with each other. I feel it is wise to repeat to ourselves the words of Michelle Obama “When they go low, we go high.” Let’s raise the bar for our community ...

Yes, we can ... together.

Anonymous

Lynn Ashby’s left-wing slant distracting

Dear Editor: I’m loathe to get into a word battle with columnists because the nature of their jobs gives them a bully-pulpit and always the last word. I get that. But sometimes an expression of one’s views has a cathartic effect (At least it does for me). This brings me to Lynn Ashby. I’ve read Ashby for years, from the Post, to the Chronicle, and now The Leader. He has few peers when it comes to Texas history, or for that fact, almost anything.

It’s his unending left-wing slant that’s so distracting to me and, I would guess, many others. We know he detests Dan Patrick. We know he detests the President.

We know he detested Rick Perry. Does he ever wonder how those people got elected?

Talk about disingenuous! Why does he have to inject politics into his columns anyway? His humor, puns, mixed metaphors etc. are sufficient. Leon Hale was entertaining, Joe Holley is

entertaining and I don’t know or care what their politics are.

How about a column on why you make Texas your home, other than having a Senator like Sheila Jackson Lee (who thought we had landed on Mars).

Kenneth Graham

Reporter’s interesting upbringing

Dear Editor: I know a reporter from the Heights who writes for a major national daily newspaper. Her parents are avid leftist Democrat activists; one cannot be in their company more than five minutes without hearing vehement, visceral disgust expressed for Republicans, for George W. Bush, for Ronald Reagan, for the “one percent” et cetera.

And this bursts completely out of nowhere... “How’s your hamburger?” “I hate Rick Perry.”

Now let’s be honest: Growing up in an environment that badly unhinged invariably results in brainwashing. Such indoctrination profoundly infects one’s world view, and we have to know it severely taints that individual’s reportage. (But she landed with the right outfit.

Their motto, properly put, is “All the news that fits our views.”)

And golly, we just have to wonder how many with consonant upbringing now work for our own Houston Slanticle.

J. Reynolds

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. __ Nui, Easter Island 5. Midway between south and southeast 8. Small mark 12. Small antelope 14. Protects from weather 15. Goddess of women and marriage 16. City in Washington 18. Independent voters association 19. Bird genus 20. Train line 21. Annoy 22. Waste matter 23. 41st President 26. Type of cracker 30. Remove 31. Looked quickly 32. The habitat of wild animals 33. Type of gene 34. Humble 39. Barrels per day (abbr.)

42. Respectful compliments 44. Star Trek: The Next Generation doctor 46. Pithy remark 47. Sums up 49. Tailless amphibian

50. American Gaming Association (abbr.)

51. After seventh 56. Czech River 57. Folk band __ Iver 58. Kids ride this 59. Ancient Greek City 60. Liquefied natural gas (abbr.)

61. Net 62. Colors clothes 63. Midway between east and southeast 64. Japanese beverage

dOwn

1. Island north of Guam 2. Biblical region 3. Scottish ancestor 4. Hills in northeast India 5. A way to cook by baking 6. Attacked ferociously 7. Furniture with open shelves 8. Burt Reynolds film 9. A way to examine 10. Plant of the goosefoot family 11. Job 13. Capable of being

thought 17. One seeded fruit 24. Largest English dictionary (abbr.)

25. Platitudes 26. Very fast airplane 27. Pet detective Ventura 28. Resinous substance 29. Explosive 35. Purse 36. Swiss river 37. Separately managed account (abbr.)

38. Electron scanning microscope (abbr.)

40. Fable 41. Mythical monsters 42. Whale (Norwegian) 43. Domed recesses 44. Member of U.S. Navy 45. Cause to be loved 47. Expression of surprise 48. Jessica __, actress 49. Drove 52. Commands to go faster 53. Chinese dynasty 54. Military vehicle 55. Chinese Muslim

WORD SCRAMBLE

Saturday, March 25, 2017 • Page 5A

The calendar.

SPRING SALES EVENT Just Between Friends Find all you need for your growing family at Just Between Friends Spring 2017 Sales Event.

Items for sale include: Children/ teen/maternity clothing, shoes, accessories, cribs, changing tables, swings, Port-a-cribs, strollers, toys, bassinets, high chairs, movies, exersaucers/walkers, books, maternity/nursing items, crib/twin bedding, games, and office/household furniture.

The sale will be March 23-25, and is located at 5280 W. 34th St. Information: centralhouston. jbfsale.com.

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES Houston Assembly of Delphians Houston Assembly of Delphians’ Distinguished Speaker Series features noted Houston historian and preservationist Betty Trapp Chapman at 5 p.m.

March 25, at the West University Community Center, 6104 Auden St. Information: 832-632-2143.

TOWN HALL TALKS Belmont Village Hunters Creek Belmont Village Hunters Creek, 7667 Woodway Dr., will feature guest speaker Jeff Friedman, CEO of Distinctive Life, from 10-11 a.m. March 25. Friedman will discuss making plans for end-oflife care and funeral planning.

Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Call 713-781-1505 to make a reservation.

NEW SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY Theatre Suburbia “Sherlock Holmes: John Watson’s Body,� will be showing through March 25, at Theatre Suburbia, 4106 Way Out West Dr. The performances will be at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets

are $16 for adults, and $13 for students and seniors. Reservations are encouraged. Call or visit website for tickets and reservations. Information: 713-6823525, www.theatresuburbia.org.

CIGNA SUNDAY STREETS Garden Oaks/Oak Forest Come celebrate the first Cigna Sunday Streets of the year and walk, run, bike or play in the streets with your neighbors at 43rd Street between Rosslyn Road and Ella Boulevard. The event will be from noon-4 p.m.

March 26. Information: facebook. com/events/1343373959065425/ , gohealthyhouston.org.

DOG HOUSE EXTRAVAGANZA Bayou City Event Center The 2017 Houston Association of Realtors TRLP class presents the Dog House Extravaganza.

View custom-made dog houses provided by local Houston donors and judged by celebrity judges.

Enjoy complimentary hours d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

The event will be from 6-9 p.m.

March 30, at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Rd. 77045.

Visit the website to purchase tickets. Information: www.dhe2017. com.

COMMUNITY DANCE SPJST Lodge 88 The SPJST Lodge 88, 1435 Beall St., will host the Jeff Woosley and The Dancehall Kings, Country Western music, from 8 p.m.11:30 p.m. March 31. The cost is $15 per person. Reservations are suggested, but not required. Enjoy complimentary dance instruction before all Saturday night dances, starting at 7:30 p.m. and during intermission. Reservations held only 30 minutes past start of dance. Information: 713-8695767, lodge88.org.

AARP MONTHLY MEETING AARP Chapter 1265 The monthly meeting will be held at 10 a.m., April 3, in the community room at 1520 Candlelight Ln. The meeting is open to anyone 50 or older, and will be preceded by a meet-and-greet at 9:30 a.m. Information: 713-6811133.

DAY OF SERENITY The Forum at Memorial Woods Live well, stress less! The Forum at Memorial Woods, 777 N. Post Oak Rd., will hold a Day of Serenity, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 6.

There will be a hot tea bar upon arrival. Guest speakers featured are Robert Landau, who will discuss how to manage stress; and Simone Oliver, who will lead a meditation. A spa cuisine healthy lunch will be served. RSVP to 713-956-0870 or email ecollins @5ssl.com.

COMMUNITY YARD SALE Katherine Smith Elementary School Katherine Smith Elementary School, 4802 Chrystell Ln., will hold a community yard sale from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. April 8. Information: myoakforest.org.

TOUR THE ART COMPOUND Heights Garden Club Come view the property of prominent artist Dixie Friend Gay, owner of the garden, house and art studios located on an acre of land off a tributary of White Oak Bayou in the Clark Pines neighborhood. The garden is a collection of native and tropical plants intermixed with beautifully placed art and found objects.

Features of the garden include a beautiful mixed-media gate by the artist, artfully designed meandering plant beds and a goldfish pond. The event will

be at 10 a.m. April 8, at 1901 W. 14th St. Information: www. heightsgardenclub.com.

URBAN BALLET CONCERT Houston City Dance Houston City Dance, 1307 Clay St., will present their Urban Ballet Concert at 8 p.m. April 13 and 14, and 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 15. The cost is $25 for adults and $20 for students. Information: houstoncitydance.com, 713-5296100.

STEAK NIGHT American Legion Post 560 Come by the American Legion Post 560, 3720 Alba Rd., for a delicious steak dinner and entertainment, April 21 (third Friday of each month). Steaks will be served from 6 p.m. until sold out.

The cost is $15 per plate. Information: 713-682-9287, facebook. com/AmLegionPost560/, www. txlegion560.org.

CIRCLE OF LIFE GALA Memorial Hermann Foundation Memorial Hermann Foundation will host the annual Circle of Life Gala, “Celebration,� from 7-9:30 p.m. April 29. The gala will be held at the Hilton Americas

Blood drive at St. Stephen’s Donate blood and help save a life. St. Stephen’s will host a blood drive benefiting the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center March 26, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Please come well-hydrated and with a full stomach.

Adults age 50+ are welcome to attend a Fun4Seniors luncheon, sponsored by Harris County Precinct 4, March 27, at 11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. The cost is $10 per person and includes live musical entertainment. RSVP to Precinct 4 at 281-893-3726.

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.

‘The Hands of Lent’ at Advent Lutheran The inspirational Lenten Season series, “The Hands of Lent,� continues with Wednesday worship services are held at noon and 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday. A light supper will be served from 5:30-7 p.m. by one of the church organizations. The message for March 29 is “Nervous Hands.�

Regular Sunday Worship times are 8 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.(traditional) and 10:25 a.m.(contemporary). Educational hour for all ages is from 9:15-10:15 a.m.

Advent Lutheran Church is located at 5820 Pinemont Dr. For information, call 713-6868201 or visit adventhouston. org and the Church’s Facebook page.

Lenten activities at All Saints The All Saints Knights of Columbus council is hosting four Lenten Fish Fries at the Parish Hall. Dinners are served March 31, from 5-8:30 p.m.; and 3-8 p.m. Good Friday (April 14).

Plates include great 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 to purchase for dessert. Come and enjoy the food, fellowship, and help raise funds for the KC’s charitable activities.

The Stations of the Cross

will be every Friday at 6:45 p.m. in English and 7:15 p.m. in Spanish.

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

Lenten meals and pancake breakfast at St. Matthew’s The Wednesday evening Lenten meals and lessons continue each week, leading up to Easter. The community is invited to come and participate in a “lite� meal at 6 p.m., followed by a Lenten lesson and a testimony from anyone wishing to share his/her experience in their walk with the Lord. The meal is free.

The Lydia Circle and United Methodist Men will be hosting the free pancake breakfast, Saturday, April 1, from 8:3010 a.m. in the fellowship hall.

Come by for good food and fellowship.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. Call 713-6970671 or visit the web site at www.stmatthewsmethodist. org for information.

Oaks Presbyterian to hold annual garage sale Oaks Presbyterian Church, 1576 Chantilly Ln., will hold their fifth annual garage sale from 8 a.m.-noon, April 1.

Available for purchase are clothes, toys, antiques, homemade baked goods, plants and more. All proceeds are for the benefit of the church.

Call 713-682-2556 for information.

Annual Ladies Tea at Oak Forest Baptist Oak Forest Baptist Church Women’s Ministry is hosting its annual Ladies Tea, April 22, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the church. All ladies in the community are welcome. Tickets are now on sale and seating is limited.

Call 713-682-4942 for tickets and information. Oak Forest Baptist Church is located at 1700 W. 43rd St.

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am often asked why it’s a big deal if a child gets a cavity on a baby tooth or loses that tooth early, since it’s going to fall out anyway. It’s actually extremely important that a child maintain their primary dentition for as long as possible for many reasons.

Some of these are obvious, and some not so obvious.

To begin with, a full complement of teeth will allow a child to eat properly, which will provide them with the nutrients for all of the growing that they are doing. Of course, cavities are painful and will interfere with chewing function. They will also help them to speak properly, a difficult thing to do when missing teeth.

And now, the not so obvious...primary teeth help to shape a child’s face during their growth. Without their teeth in place, the jaws can have a poor growth pattern affecting their overall appearance. Also, primary teeth provide a lead for the permanent teeth to follow. When the baby tooth is lost too soon, the adult tooth can have trouble erupting into its proper position. This causes many problems with crowding as the permanent teeth come into place.

Proper homecare and regular trips to your dentist will help to be certain your child’s teeth are in good shape. Your child should be seen by their dentist every six months starting by their first birthday to keep them in optimal health.

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

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60TH REUNION Reagan High School class of 1957 The John H. Reagan Class of 1957 will have their 60th reunion May 6-7, at the Sheraton Houston Ad # 30111 Hotel, 3000 N. Brookhollow

STRIBRNANKA SPJST Lodge 88 On tour from the Czech Republic, Stribrnanka will perform April 29, at the SPJST Lodge 88, 1435 Beall St. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. performance and dance. Dinner menu includes pork schnitzel, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, and iced tea. Advance tickets for the dinner and dance are $20, dance only $12. Tickets at the door for the dance only is $15. Call 713869-5767 for reservations and more information.

From the Pews.

ACTS Fish Fry at St. Ambrose Come by for great fish and fellowship March 25, sponsored by the ACTS. Plates include fish, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, bread and tea.

Dinner will be served from Men’s Club. The cost is $10.

Tickets can be purchased in the church office.

Penance service will be at 7 p.m. April 4. The Stations of the Cross is 7 p.m. every Friday through Lent.

St. Ambrose Catholic Church is located at 4213 Mangum Road. Call 713-6863497 or visit stambrosehouston.org for information.

- Houston, 1600 Lamar St. For sponsorship and ticket information, call 713-242-4450 or email cathleen.fishel@memorialhermann.org. Information: www. circleoflifegala.org.

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GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sunday School ........9:15 am Sunday Worship......10:30am Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service 6:00pm

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

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Reverend John Cain, Pastor

Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m.

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org

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he third spiritual work of mercy is to counsel the doubtful. We are hereby instructed to bolster the faith and confidence of those who doubt. This may involve reassuring others that God cares about them and that He has everything under control, or it may involve an even more basic assurance that God exists. On the other hand, if someone is convinced that God does not exist, counseling the doubtful may simply involve telling them that God cares about them nonetheless, and that His love for them is not conditioned upon their belief in Him. Sometimes a person’s doubts are of a more personal nature; many of us suffer from low selfesteem and a lack of confidence in our own abilities.

Counseling these people may simply involve telling them to trust themselves. Self-doubt can be crippling, and a reassuring pat on the back and some words of encouragement from a trusted friend or family member may often be all that is needed to melt away any lingering doubts. As always, we should counsel others with tact and discretion, remembering that our advice, especially if unsolicited, may not always be welcomed.

Therefore, we should carefully reflect on how we might counsel the doubtful, in order to best restore their faith and confidence. And convince some, who doubt.

R.S.V. Jude 22

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Page 6A • Saturday, March 25, 2017

When the dog bites...

Dear Tabby, We have some aggressive dogs that live in our neighborhood. They sometimes get out of their yard and wander around. I’m so worried that someone will be bit! What should we do to stay safe around these dogs?

Worried about aggressive dogs in Woodland Heights Dear Worried, You’re right to be worried. Did you know (according to www. dogbitelaw.com) that dog bites send more than 898 people to the hospital per day? Houston has recently seen an alarming increase in dog bites.

As a result, BARC has released some tips and suggestions for avoiding a dog bite and also how

to react in the event of a dog bite.

“All dogs may potentially bite and it’s important to always be aware of that,” said Chris Newport, BARC spokesman. “Dog bites are not exclusive to any breed or size of dog. By following these dos and don’ts, your chances of being bitten could greatly diminish.”

Do’s: • Be alert and aware while in the presence of an unknown dog.

• Remain relaxed and look for warning signs of aggression in the dog (such as raised-fur, teeth-shown, tail up and held in place, etc).

• If knocking on the door of a person who might have a dog, create space between yourself and the door, in case the dog comes out the door.

Don’t: • Leave a child unattended in the presence of an unknown dog • Scream • Pet or give an unknown dog food • Touch a sleeping dog or approach a dog when puppies are around • Chase or bother a dog while it’s eating • Get between a dog and it’s owner • Try to break up a dog fight

with your bare hands--instead spray with a hose or use a broom or other long object to separate the dogs If the unthinkable happens and you’re attacked by a dog, here’s what BARC suggests that you do: 1. If you can, substitute something else (aside from your body) for the dog to bite down on, such as, a stick or a notebook.

2. Once bitten, resist the urge to pull back. This will only increase the damage to your person and possibly excite the dog further.

3. If you’re able to remove yourself from the dog, square your stance and firmly say “No” while slowly backing away from the dog.

4. If all else fails, go limp, curling up into the fetal position and protecting your head and trunk with your arms and legs. When possible, immediately wash all wounds and call BARC (at 713229-7300 or dial 311) to report the attack. State law dictates that all bites be reported.

Oct. 19, 1950 in Omaha, Neb., died March 13. Messa practiced law in Houston for 32 years.

She was an active member of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. She was also a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association. Messa is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Robert Messa, son John Robert Erwin Jr., stepson Dr. Matthew Jonas Messa, brother David McClanahan, sister Becky Jalass, and two grandchildren.

as a machine foreman. Navarro is survived by his wife of 45 years, Rosa Navarro, daughters Angelique Vasquez, Melissa Asbell and Romula Navarro and eight grandchildren.

How you can help: In the mood to shop? Head over to CAP’s (Citizens for Animal Protection) thrift store, located at 8950 Clarkcrest St. on Saturday,

The Obituaries.

Susan Gray Neale Hoefer,

72, born Feb. 6, 1945 in Birmingham, Ala., died March 12.

Hoefer graduated from St. Pius High School and received her Bachelor’s of Arts with a major in English and a minor in History from Lamar University. She was employed as a public school educator in Houston Independent School District for 38 years. She later furthered her expertise by earning a Master’s of Education from St. Thomas University.

Survivors include her husband Joseph, daughters Jennifer and Sara, sister Terri, brother Peter, and three grandchildren.

Sharon K. Messa, 66, born

James Darrell “Jimmy” Newbury, 57, born May 13,

1959, died March 16. Newbury was employed by EGC for 20 years before going to work for H.I.S.D. He was a member of the Garden Oaks Masonic Lodge #1306. Survivors include his wife of 36 years Sharon Kuecker Newbury, son Matthew William Newbury, and brother Kenneth Newbury.

Angelo Martinez Navarro, 85, born Nov. 1, 1931, died

March 15. He was retired from Borden’s Ice Cream Company after working more than 26 years

March 25 from 10am-5pm to shop their incredible March Madness Warehouse Sale. There will be huge discounts on designer jewelry and much more! Go to: www.cap4pets.org to learn more.

Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com

Pet of the Week

Speak to a receptionist today or call (713) 937-7274 to schedule your pet’s appointment

During the month of March, receive a special 10% savings on all dental cleanings and supplies

Meet Holden. This 1 year old Golden Retriever mix would make the perfect family pet. Holden loves going for nice long walks, giving sloppy kisses and playing with children and other dogs.

If you think that Holden The Golden is the right fit for your family, contact K-9 Angels at: www.K-9AngelsRescue.org or www.facebook.com/k9angelsrescue.

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Allyne Pearl Pollard, 87, born Sept. 9, 1929, died March 13. She was a faithful member of St. Stephens United Methodist since 1961. She retired from the Harper Beauty Salons after 45 years and continued her career at the Beauty Pavilion and the Salon of Woodway. Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, Eddie Nash Pollard, sons Kerry Pollard and Byron Pollard, sister Verlyn Smith, brother Ewald Grawunder Jr., seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

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Janet Kay Ross, 56, born Oct. 3, 1960, died March 18.

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Saturday, March 25, 2017 • Page 7A

Entertainment

Calendar

Saint Arnold Spring Fling! It’s A Pooch Party!

6 - 10 p.m.

Friday, March 24 Good Dog Houston - 903 Studewood St. Saint Arny’s is taking over the taps at Good Dog Houston - Heights. There will be a specialty cask of a Meyer Lemon/ Lemon Drop from the brewery, so bring the family and pups!

Fashion Truck Fest

12 - 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 25 Onion Creek Cafe - 3106 White Oak Dr. Fashion Truck shopping from curated boutiques on wheels is happening this weekend!

This will be the first fest of the year hosted by Onion Creek Cafe in the Heights. Join for Spring looks, fresh brews, cafe eats and a Saturday of fun!

In attendance find: Shoe Bar Houston, Height of Vintage, Stateline Designs, Lularoe, Crystal Reed, Free Native, Luxe Style, Truq Shop and Roll Emporium Twiggy’s Boutique.

Dan Electro’s re-opens

7 p.m.

Saturday, March 25 Dan Electro’s - 1031 E. 24th St. Some new bar news: Dan Electro’s will be re-opening and the party is kicking off this weekend to celebrate. Find more in next week’s Leader.

Peli Deli Pop-Up at Axelrad Beer Garden

1 - 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 26 Axelrad - 1517 Alabama St. Peli Deli, the “baby” version of Peli Peli Kitchen, will pop-up at Axelrad on Sunday. Hang out in the gardens with hammocks, beer and South African inspired bites from Peli Deli, a new micro fast-casual concept which will have a nine month residency at the Esperson Building downtown.

111th No-Beer Dinner - mead and ciders

7 - 10 p.m.

Thursday, March 30 Rudyard’s - 2010 Waugh Dr. Rudz is throwing a curve ball this month, and putting the beer glass down; for now.

This month, Rudz is bringing in B. Nektar out of Ferndale, MI to try and learn about mead and cider.

On the lineup: -Apple Pi with Spices and Graham Cracker Crust -Tuco-Style Freakout -NecroMangoCon -The Dude’s Rug -Zombie Killer Each mead/cider is paired with a seasonal, local food course, so come hungry!

You can make a reservation by clicking the ticket link or sign up with a bartender at the pub in person. Early bird discount is $60 per person before Monday, March 27.

First poke around at Slowpokes We have a relatively new coffee shop in the neighborhood, Slowpokes. Opening in late November 2016, the coffee shop is getting its start along Alba Road and has finalized the finishing touches for their killer patio – just in time for spring and before the Houston summer.

For a second week in a row, I’ve stumbled upon another Photo by Christina Martinez hidden gem that’s being trafficked with yet another length A caramel macchiato from of Alba Road construction. Slowpokes, located at 1203 W 34th St. More construction woes aside, the coffee shop is tak- fee shop for a chat with a ing to its coffee legs well and new Leader advertiser and has partnered up with the sponsor - meet Oak Forest Harriet and Joe Foster Fam- resident and area real estate ily YMCA for a community agent Amanda Cruser below. event: Upgrade Your Happy! Amanda recommended the The 34th Street neighbors are meeting location, and the hosting a family movie night spot is perfect for a meet for at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 21 coffee and more. Yes, wi-fi is at Slowpokes, located at 1203 part of that more for guests.

W. 34th St. The movie will be I ordered the caramel macplayed on the patio, with food chiato and the cup is a true trucks and prizes in atten- artisanal treat from start to dance, and of course coffee, finish. beer and wine served inside.

I’ve been making an effort The featured movie will be to stick to a stricter diet, not Zootopia. always succeeding mind you, I stopped in the cof- but have done well this week

4/20

Last Sunday I got a grand tour of the East End Street Market located along the 2800 block of Navigation Blvd. by market manager, Roy Rodriguez; the market is just east of downtown Houston. A few years back, The Greater East End Management District (GEEMD) completely revitalized Navigation Blvd by turning it into an outdoor destination space, park and event venue.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays, The East End Street Market takes place: a mix of farmers, arts, crafts, packaged foods and food trucks.

As I walked with the market manager through the space, I tried not to drool over hidden electric outlets, solar panels, built in public art, overhead canopies, picnic benches and two fantastic restaurants within sight - the iconic Original Ninfa’s and the family owned successors next door, El Tiempo Cantina-Navigation.

All around this amazing three block-long space are murals and other public art projects worthy of a weekend adventure. Get all the details including mural maps and an events calendar at eastendfoundation.org.

This Friday and Saturday the GEEMD has partnered with Cynthia Vela to produce the first annual free comiccon, East End Comic Fan Festival. It’s free to the public, family and pet-friendly and free. Yes, I said free.

Normally, comic conventions have a very high entry fee, and much of that goes to the costs of paying for celebrity signings and photo-ops.

I asked my friend Cynthia Vela, the curating director about that.

“The GEEMD wanted to bring a ‘comic-con’ type event to the Esplanade and they asked me to produce the event since I do a lot of comic cons,” Vela said. “The goal is to bring a comic-esk event to the community so families who generally cannot afford to go to the bigger comic cons can attend. We wanted the focus more on an Artist Alley/Dealer vibe where the fan spends their money supporting local and other comic artists who do the comic con circuit all over the world.”

Vela assembled an amazing team to help put on this huge production that includes Roy Rodriguez, Julian Garcia, David J. Anderson, Blue 130 and Tierney Lyons.

4/23 3/24 4/28 3/25

3/29 4/29 3/31 5/3 4/1 4/2 5/4

and did not get to sample from the menu this go-round.

In compromise, I reached out to a good reference that might know a thing or two from the menu and chatted with owner JC Rubiralta. From the food menu, Rubiralta immediately had one suggestion.

“Chicken Pesto Panino,” he said. “The bread is by Kraftsman and cheese by Houston Dairy Maids. The pesto is made in-house. The regulars love it!”

The menu offers options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with additional choices from rotating food trucks parking in the lot. The coffee shop is open every day 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.; 8 a.m. on the weekends.

Email christina@theleadernews.com

10 for $10 Pick from 10 items for $10 for a healthy and homemade lunch.

Monday – Friday Lunch Hours Only

C avat o r e

i ta l i a n r e s ta u r a n t 2120 Ella Boulevard • (713) 869-6622

www.Cavatores.com

ginger

fork

Houston’s Best Soup Dumplings

Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

Set your GPS to one of the aforementioned restaurants or 2800 Navigation Blvd. On Facebook; East End Comic Fan Festival, 6-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.

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

Modern Authentic Cantonese Cuisine and Craft Cocktails HourS Tues-Thu 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am - 11pm Sun 11am - 3pm Closed Mondays

4705 Inker Street

Lunch Specials Tues. – Sat. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Happy HourS Tues-Fri 2:30PM - 7:00PM BruncH Sun 11:00AM - 3:00PM

Houston, TX 77007 (713) 861-8883

gingerandforkrestaurant.com

Annual Crawfish Shrimp Boil APRIL 8, 2017 Whitney Oaks Hall 816 E-Whitney Street

$15 • Plate Sponsored by:

SPJST H

Contributed photo Jaycee Colunga and Craig BBC Long DJ at the event and invite the public to draw on Live Art Panels courtesy of Up Art Studio.

Del Castillo Monte Montgomery with Jeff Plankenhorn Justin Hayw ard, DaDDy the voice of The Moody Blues Big BaD Vo0Doo Son VoltWomaCk with Johnny Irion lee ann Bela FleckJones & Abagail Washburn –(early & late shows) RiCkie lee James McMurtry 10,000 maniaCs KT with Kelvin Jones texas & peRsephone mCTunstall 900 Ft Jesus , Cottonmouth, Kasey Chambers and Parker Millsap ReBiRth BRass BanD With speCial guest keRmit RuFFins Agnes Obel ezRa ChaRles BoDeans: zuCCheRo Wth mike zito

Stripped down, beautiful renditions of BoDeans classics DReW holComB With stephen kellogg

3/23 The Tontons, Say Girl Say & more 4/21

Managing Editor

Art Valet: first free family friendly comic con debuts this weekend

upcoming shows 3/25 3/3 3/4 3/29 3/5 3/31 3/10 4/1 3/11 4/7 3/12 4/8 3/14 4/13 3/15 4/14 3/18 4/15

Christina Martinez

los loBosDonate Life Texas) (benefitting

saRah JaRosz Sha wn Mullins aleJanDRo esCoVeDo With peteR BuCk, Del Castillo sCott kuRt BloCh, & Jon moen Big BadmCCaughey, Voodoo Daddy moRgan James Lee Ann Womack- ReCekless aBanDon touR leo kottke Rickie Lee Jones River Whyless the zomBies

theheightstheater.org 339 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

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We are cooking up crawfish, shrimp and brisket to benefit local and global charities! We will have the Zydeco Dots, free bounce Music by houses for youth, and a silent auction.

Free admission! Food plates can be purchased online at or at the door for $15. Plates include your choice of shrimp, crawfish OR brisket plus corn and potatoes. Children’s food will be for sale as well. Alcoholic drinks separate Want a chance to win $7,500? Purchase a $100 raffle ticket and get 2 dinners and enter the raffle for a chance to win $7,500!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/23rd-annual-crawfish-and-shrimp-boil-tickets-32636078389 4.92x4.92-AmandaCruser-4C-Ad_PRINT-bleeds.pdf 1 2/27/17 5:01 PM

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