Leader 0413B

Page 1B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

You’re in pretty good

HANDS

Convenience and quality combine in community-centered care by Cynthia Lescalleet For The Leader

Matter of convenience

It’s better to get better closer to home – and that’s getting easier for patients in the Greater Heights. Hospitals and healthcare providers serving Leader neighborhoods have added new facilities, extended the range of services and brought in physicians and other specialists to handle the types of illness, injury and long-term treatments that resonate with their communities.

Nationally, so-called convenience in care is both “a growth strategy” for the healthcare industry and a conscious shift toward getting patients in the door “before the acute episode,” said Rivka Friedman, a senior consultant at The Advisory Board Co., based in Washington, D.C. In the event of such an episode, such as a stroke, convenience also means a more holistic, coordinated continuum of care. “Providers are more connected now,” she said, in managing a patient from diagno-

sis to treatment to follow-up care. Healthcare providers are also looking at various segments of their patient population to serve better, she said.

Suburban now urban

Part of community-based care comes from knowing the community in the ﬁrst place, said administrators at Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital. The giant has been serving the area since 1966. It opened as Memorial Northwest – back when the location really was the

city’s northwest boundary, observed business development administrator Jeremy Brynes, leafing through a thick tome of hospital history. The original hospital was an early satellite campus of downtown’s Memorial Baptist Hospital System. The merger with Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center came in 1999. Memorial Hermann Northwest’s muchexpanded campus today encompasses a 260-bed facility, an emergency department fielding an estimated 50,000 visits annually and more than 600 affiliated

TIRR helps restore normal life by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com For Wanda Comeaux, having The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research’s Neurological Outpatient Center at Memorial Hermann Northwest made a world of difference. “When I found out it was there, it made it more convenient for me,” said Comeaux, a 63-year-old Shepherd Park Terrace resident. Comeaux discovered that she had a tumor last December, and her primary doctor referred her to MD Anderson Cancer Center. “I knew something wasn’t right with me,” Comeaux said. “I was losing my balance and falling. I couldn’t walk and had to start using a cane.” The tumor, which turned out to be benign, was removed during a surgery in late January, but Comeaux needed to re-adjust to every day life. “I couldn’t drive at ﬁrst -- someone was taking me there,” Comeaux said. “As I gained my strength, I was able to drive on my own.” Adrianna Laprea, the senior physical therapist in the program, said Comeaux was “determined and reached her goals.” Laprea handled Comeaux’s physical therapy, and Emilia Dewi was the Occupational Therapist who worked with Comeaux. The outpatient facility was opened last November and is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Prior to that, patients would have had to travel to the main TIRR facility at Kirby & South Braeswood, near the Texas Medical Center. Over the past two months, Comeaux has gone through Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs “to get strength back on the left side” of her body. She went twice per week and ﬁnished the program at the end of March. The OT focused on hands, eyes, and typing (or daily functions, like cooking) and the PT emphasized balance, walking without a cane, walking up and down the stairs and walking on the treadmill. “They are things you do every day but you take them for granted,” Comeaux said. “My progress was so great. I pushed myself. I was so determined to be where I was before to do the things I wanted to do, like travel and go out with my friends.” Comeaux will have more time to enjoy those things, since she’s retir-

physicians. Specialty departments include heart and vascular, orthopedics, cancer treatment, sleep labs, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, women’s care and wound care. “We optimize services across campuses,” said CEO Gary Kerr. However, some emerging needs in the community have been addressed recently with new facilities: a family practice clinic started serving patients last fall on 19th Street in the

see Hands • Page 4B

Major cancer study looks to Houston for participation Residents of Houston and the surrounding area have an opportunity to participate in a study beginning May 11 that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations, according to the American Cancer Society. Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer, are urged to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). CPS-3 wants to enroll 1,400 residents of the Greater Houston area and 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The opportunity for local residents to enroll in CPS-3 is being made possible in partnership with 7 Greater Houston community organizations, which will provide 19 enrollment locations throughout the area starting May 11 through June 2. The YMCA of Greater Houston is providing a majority of those sites with 13 YMCA locations hosting a CPS-3 enrollment, ensuring local residents have a convenient place to sign up for the study. Those interested in participating are asked to conﬁrm their eligibility and schedule their appointment at CancerStudyGH. org or call 888-604-5888.

see Study • Page 3B

Why a Health section in The Leader?

Shepherd Park Terrace resident Wanda Comeaux cooks a meal in her home on April 8. Before going through rehab at TIRR, simple tasks like cooking and walking were diﬃcult for Comeaux. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter) ing from Chevron after 22 years this month. “I feel a whole lot better,” she said. “There’s a big difference in my reactions, my movements. I feel much, much better.” According to its website, TIRR’s Outpatient Rehabilitation-North-

west, “offers the highest level of treatment in northwest Houston for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy...these facilities have the latest equipment and technology and are designed with the patient in mind.” In addition to Laprea and Dewi,

the staff includes Bethany Costa (PT), Tamara Traber and Nora Byrd (OTs), Speech Language Pathologists Tiffany Harrington and Nichole Diez, Rehab Technician Jenna Scarcella, Clinic Manager Jessica De La Rosa and Clinic Business Director Sandra Loyd.

Historic Community. Legendary Care.

Today marks the third in a four-part strategy in The Leader to highlight some of the most important topics of our community. Last year, we introduced a monthly section called “Leader Listings,” aimed at coverage of the real estate market in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and North Houston. Earlier this year, we launched “Business Leaders,” a section designed to bring more positive news about our local businesses. And today, we introduce the third of those sections, appropriately titled “Our Health.” Beginning in May, we’ll also introduce “Family Time,” a monthly section devoted to the things parents and families can do with their children. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. “Our Health” gets all the attention today. Our area of Houston has changed rapidly over the past ﬁve years. We have a segment of readers who look more and more to healthcare in our community as a necessity. We have an older, extremely important generation of readers who want to know about the health programs in our area, and someone needs to provide coverage of our local doctors and institutions. We believe we can provide that news. We also have a younger generation of readers who may have just moved into the area. For them, we’d like to use this section to inform them about all the wonderful doctors and facilities in our community. If you have thoughts or ideas about “Our Health,” please feel free to email our editor: charlotte@theleadernews.com.

For the past 125 years St. Joseph Medical Center has lovingly cared for the Houston community with dedication and excellent service. We continue to add new healthcare services to improve the lives of our patients and our community. We are proud to have recently opened the doors to St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights, which includes the following amenities: Emergency Department � 7 beds � Imaging � Lab � Pharmacy Inpatient Care � 48 beds � 4 Operating Rooms � 1 Endoscopy Suite Outpatient Care � Diagnostic Radiology � Outpatient Surgery � Special Procedure Room All 800+ board certiﬁed physicians at St. Joseph Medical Center will be available to patients in the Heights. To ﬁnd the right physician to care for you and your family, please call 713.757.7575.

1917 Ashland Street | Houston, TX 77008 | 713.969.5400 | Physician Referral 713.757.7575

Page 3B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • @heightsleader

Waltrip alum impacting health of athletes

NEED HELP WITH YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH DOCUMENTS? WENDY L. PRATER ATTORNEY AT LAW

by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com As Houston Independent School District’s head athletic trainer, Gary Nicol supervises a staff of ﬁve and has managerial responsibilities. Still, his greatest joy is working directly with student-athletes. “I work with their injury and give them the necessary treatments and rehab,” Nichol said. “I get them back in shape the way they were before they were hurt.” Nicol’s professional journey began in the fall of 1976 when he was a sophomore at Waltrip High. The Oak Forest native played some football at Black Middle School and the YMCA, but he knew he’d be a little too small to play serious minutes for the Rams. Waltrip coaches encouraged him to work as a student athletic trainer. He learned all about the discipline, and it paid off big time. After graduating from Waltrip in 1979, Nicol earned a full scholarship to the University of Houston where he worked with the Cougars’ football team as an athletic trainer. Upon graduation from UH in 1984, Nicol worked part-time with HISD during football season and later did some groundskeeping and maintenance work. A job opening came up at Barnett Stadium on the south side of town. Nicol worked there for more than a decade, before longtime trainer Logan Wood retired. That gave Nicol an opportunity to return to Delmar-Tusa Stadium, just a few miles from the Oak Forest neighborhood where he grew up. “It’s a nice, peaceful neighborhood,” Nicol said. “I still think it’s a real nice neighborhood.” There are two trainers per complex, and unlike other districts, the trainers are stadium employees,

Can help you with: ��

713-802-9171

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

e-mail: praterlaw@sbcglobal.net or www.praterlaw.com

Excel Hospice Care

Alpha Home Health Services More than just a health agency

Compassionate care with Dignity and Respect

Excel EXperience Compassion Empathy Love

Skilled Nurses Home Health Aides Social Workers Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists

Excel Hospice is committed to providing the highest quality comprehensive care for patients and their families. We strive to promote comfort and quality of life by minimizing pain and suffering while serving with compassion and respect.

Working with your physician, our team addresses your individual needs to provide the most patientfocused home health care available.

Houston ISD head athletic trainer Gary Nicol works on a Fort Bend ISD soccer player during a playoﬀ game last week. He is a 1979 graduate of Waltrip High and has worked in HISD for 25 years. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter) rather than employees of the individual school. As head athletic trainer, Nicol’s responsibilities range from scheduling trainers for games, ﬁnding doctors for the sidelines of football games, working with medical

supply vendors and a considerable amount of paperwork. He encourages athletes to keep their mind on safety. “They should eat a well-balanced meal, keep hydrated and exercise,” he said.

www.ExcelHospice.com 713-290-9554 2220 North Loop West, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77018

www.Alphahhs.com 713-691-6777 2200 North Loop West, Suite 300 Houston, TX 77018 Proudly Serving

Brazoria County • Fort Bend County • Harris County • Montgomery County Wharton County • Waller County • San Antonio • Austin

Study • from Page 1B CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. “We have an amazing opportunity here in Houston to enroll thousands of men and women of all backgrounds in this landmark CPS-3 study,” says Betti Guzman, the American Cancer Society’s vice president for the Gulf Coast Region. “CPS-3 is our gift to the next generation, a life-saving gift to our friends and families, our children and grandchildren. The ﬁndings of CPS-3 will change the face of cancer for generations to come and provide fresh insight into cancer risks, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. I urge everyone in Houston and the surrounding communities to get involved in this study and to help move us closer to the day that cancer is a thing of the past.” Paul McEntire, chief operating ofﬁcer of the YMCA of Greater Houston, added, “The YMCA of Greater Houston is committed to large-scale, community health and is a leader in promoting healthy living and preventive healthcare. It is a natural extension of our evidence-based programs and services to work with the American Cancer Society on this study.” To enroll in the study, individuals will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on lifestyle, behavioral, and other factors related to their health; have their waist circumference measured; Ad # D and give a small blood sample.

Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic follow-up surveys to update their information and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately half an hour to complete. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are expected to be sent every few years to individuals enrolled in the study. “Many people diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer the question, ‘What caused my cancer?’ In many cases, we don’t know the answer,” says Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. “CPS-3 will help us better understand what factors cause cancer, and once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent it.” Dr. Patel adds, “Our previous cancer prevention studies have been instrumental in helping us identify some of the major factors that can affect cancer risk. CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks, and we can only do this if members of our community are willing to become involved.” For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3 in Houston, visit www.cancerstudyGH.org or call toll-free 1888-604-5888.

P L I 0 D 1

Legacies are earned

Tailored Personal Care Services • Light Housekeeping • Medication Reminders • Sitters/Companions 4-24 Hours

Essential Caregivers 281-661-7686 www.essentialcaregivers.com

LASER GUM TREATMENTS Chase Baker, D.D.S.

A

laser is a device that focuses a beam of intense light that can reshape or remove tissue. Lasers have been used in the practice of dentistry for over 20 years, and can provide exceptional results for many dental procedures. The use of a laser has a number of benefits compared to traditional dental therapies. Procedures can be performed with incredible precision, oftentimes using minimal local anesthesia and having hastened healing times. Types of dental treatments lasers can be used in include: periodontal treatments to destroy disease causing bacteria, treatment of infections during root canal procedures, biopsies of suspicious areas for cancer screenings, alleviation of discomfort associated with canker sores or cold sores, and recontouring of the gingiva for esthetics in patients with a “gummy smile.” Your dentist can determine if a laser treatment may benefit you to provide the best results for your smile. 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.

For more than 45 years, we’ve delivered innovative care to The Heights community. At Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, we’ve established a local reputation for world-class healthcare. From leading services that are exclusive to the area, to the numerous accolades we’ve received, to a recent $10 million expansion of our Emergency Center, our steadfast commitment to The Heights continues. • Ranked one of America’s Best Hospitals by HealthGrades® for three consecutive years • Recipient of Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Gold Award* from TMF Health Quality Institute • The area’s only accredited Level III Trauma Center • A nationally accredited Chest Pain Center • Supported by 500 physicians locally and 4,000 physicians throughout the Memorial Hermann network • Part of the Memorial Hermann system, with ready access to Life Flight® • A full-service hospital with 260 licensed beds, 38+ ER beds, 22 medical ICU beds and eight cardiac ICU beds For a physician referral, call 713.222.CARE or visit us at memorialhermann.org *As part of the Memorial Hermann Health System: Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and The Woodlands Hospitals.

L J M C M H J N H L T 6 B L 4 M F P T Q P @

Page 4B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • @heightsleader

THE PATH TO PAIN RELIEF

Good Habits Early

• A Health History • An Orthopedic & Neurological Exam • X-rays (if necessary) • Plus A Private Consultation to discuss test results

At Durham, ﬁtness starts with walk to school

George G. Junkin, D.C.

by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

OFFER GOOD TIL 4-30-13

NORTHWEST CHIROPRACTIC CENTER 11510 Northwest Fwy. • 713-686-0828 w w w. d r j u n k i n . c o m

You Don’t Have To Be A Boxer To Train Like One 1215 W. 20th St. Houston TX 77008

New Morning Classes! Monday/Wednesday/Friday 6AM-7AM Thai Kickboxing 7AM-8AM MMA Fitness Matthew Schmidt - Personal Trainer

(713) 360-9577

All Fitness & Skill Levels Welcome Great for beginners! Great for Both Women & Men! 10,000 square ft. facility! Large Variety of Equipment!

WWW.SLAVABOXING.COM

WE’VE BEEN PUTTING SMILES ON OUR PATIENTS Since 1974

��

M. REAGAN MCKEWEN, DDS 6915 Antoine - Suite C • (713) 682-6307

At top, Abbi Richardson gets ready to walk home from school. At left, Durham students wear bright safety vests as they walk to and from school.

��

I’M IN PAIN...CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP ME?

CONDITIONS THAT ARE DANGER SIGNALS

• Headache • Arthritis • Loss of Sleep • Scoliosis • Leg & Arm Pain & Numbness • Backache • Tension •Whiplash

29

$

(Photos by Betsy Denson)

95 EXAM & X-RAYS Reg. $140.00

Must present ad at time of appointment. Expires April 30, 2013.

HUDSON CHIROPRACTIC

continue the program when they see the beneﬁts. “The CDC suggests that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily to help improve overall health,” said McLeod. “Previous studies we have conducted show that actively commuting to school

is a good way to increase the minutes children move each day to reach this goal.” BCM will present the preliminary ﬁndings of their study next year at medical and scientiﬁc conferences in the effort to inspire more research institutions to implement similar programs in school systems near them.

Baylor Study: It’s healthy to make time for family meals tian at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital (www.texaschildrens.com). King says that research has shown other beneﬁts including: •Children being less likely to consume alcohol, smoke cigarettes and try illegal or prescrip-

tion drugs •Children having better grades in school •Parents being more likely to hear about any serious problems that might be occurring in a child’s life King recommends several steps to starting family meals:

•Set a goal – start with twice-aweek family meals •Have everyone help out – children can set the table, help plan the meal and help cook the meal •Make the meal conversation enjoyable and ask questions •Make a rule that no phones are allowed at the table.

We Accept Medicare, Medicaid & Insurance, WORKERS COMP. 1820-1 W. 43rd. St. Se Habla Español (713) 290-1905 Ad # 34651

�� • Wheelchairs • Walkers • Canes • Ostomy • Wound Care • Diapers/Underpads • Pillows • Braces • Bath Safety • Nebulizers • Support Socks • Scrub Sets $9.99

Bath/shower chairs Starting at

�

��

Neighborhood care

New to the neighborhoods but not to full-service healthcare, St. Joseph Medical Center in the Heights brought full healthcare services back into that community last November. The satellite facility occupies 2 1/2 ﬂoors of Select Specialty Hospital, located in the former Heights Hospital. Since Heights Hospital closed decades ago, however, the role, reach and ability of a communitybased hospital has changed from “stabilize-and-transport” to fullservice and acute care, said SJMC’s Derek Curtis, associate chief nursing ofﬁcer. SJMC’s new facility opened with

a 48-bed unit for patient care and four operating rooms. Services include diagnostics and treatment, surgery and emergency services. “We have just entered month six of operations here in the Heights and continue to make changes to accommodate the needs of this community,” said Jeff Bielik, administrative director. An example is the new six-bed Cardio/Pulmonary/Neurology Unit prompted by the complexity of cases physicians are bringing to the facility, he said. Also, the facility is scheduling more outpatient procedures because of the convenience for physicians, patients and their families. “As the conﬁdence of ambu-

All sizes in stock and 10% off with the coupon below

Without back. With back (as pictured) $39.99 Also available bath benches with arms, transfer benches, commodes and MUCH more!

1714 W. 18th Street (At Ella Blvd)

and patients delivered by a very busy emergency department. That Level 1 trauma center is the midst of a multi-phased $10 million renovation. “We’ve been a community hospital all along,” Kerr said, reﬂecting on care closer to patients. “The core services have not changed. What has changed is the transparency and drive to communitybased care.” For more information, visit www.memorialhermann.org/locations/northwest/.

BIOFREEZE

��

(713) 880-4000

Hands • from Page 1B Heights, and a general rehabilitation clinic with TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Network opened at the hospital in March. Quality care and patient safety have always been hallmarks of the hospital, Kerr said, citing several national awards. Because of this, he welcomes healthcare reforms making providers more transparent and accountable for their patient care outcomes and satisfaction, and he supports components that stress wellness, prevention and proper follow-through on follow-up care to reduce patient readmission. Kerr said community-based care means ﬁnding and maintaining the right level of care and balance of care to serve the shifting needs. As an example, he mentioned how the more active lifestyle of newer residents in some neighborhoods has hospital ofﬁcials looking into upping the sports medicine side of its orthopedic surgery services, which have been more focused on joint replacements, which are more common to an older client base. However, the hospital’s market area encompasses not only new families discovering the close-in neighborhoods and older resiAd # 36378 dents, he said, but the indigent

$30 (Regularly $250)

Not valid with State or Federal Health Care Plans Must mention this ad when setting appointment, to receive this offer.

D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist

Fifty years ago, nearly half of school age youngsters walked or rode their bike to school. Now that figure is less than 15 percent. With these statistics in mind, Baylor College of Medicine has teamed up with four HISD elementary schools – including Shepherd Park Plaza’s Durham Elementary – for what they call a Walking School Bus program. In the WSB program, students walk to and from school with adult supervision. WSB program coordinator Jessica McLeod said that Durham was suggested by HISD because its physical education teacher Natalie Zeringue is very passionate about the fitness, education and safety of her students. “The neighborhoods that surround Durham also have accessible sidewalks, which make it safer for students to walk,” she said. Children in grades 3-5 were invited to participate at the start of the school year. Those who signed up for the program received a small monetary incentive. For accommodating the study, Durham received $1,000. Some of the 20 children who signed up for the WSB program had already been walking to school. Others were new walkers. There are two separate groups who each cover about a mile each way every day. For the first week of the program, all participants wore activity monitors. McLeod says that the activity monitors, called accelerometers, measure the students every movement during the day and can additionally distinguish the intensity of their movement. “For instance, we can tell how many minutes were spent sitting, slowly walking, briskly walking, or doing a more vigorous task such as jumping rope or running,” she said. Students will also wear the accelerometers for a week in April toward the tail end of the program. “Our primary goal is to see a significant increase in the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity the participating students achieve each day,” said McLeod. Third-grader Teresa Fierros feels better after her morning walk and likes “that we get more exercise.” Fourth-grader Cameron Glover says it is good he’s in the program because he wants to be an athlete one day. In addition to the physical activity, the kids benefit from the WSB program in other ways. Safety rules, like stopping fully at a curb or continuing to look for oncoming traffic, are a part of their daily training. Children learn to be aware of their surroundings in general and to be on the lookout for loose animals, strangers, and other dangers. The camaraderie is also something a lot of the children enjoy. “I like getting to talk to my friends,” said third grader Kori Bowie. At the end of the year, BCM will no longer oversee the program at Durham. However, researchers hope that parents and/or staff will

Sitting down together as a family to eat is an important factor in making healthy food choices, and one that is conﬁrmed by research studies, says a local nutrition expert. “Having a family meal can be good for the body and the soul,” said Kristi King, registered dieti-

All for only

Bring this coupon for:

10% OFF

Houston, TX 77008 lance services, including HFD Se Habla Espanol All Medical Supplies (the Houston Fire Department) Not Valid On Rentals, Uniforms, or Special Orders www.CompleteMedicalSupply.net has grown, we are finding a good balance between those who are di- Ad # 33365 Monday - Friday (9am-6pm) Saturday (10am-5pm) rected here by their physicians and those who arrive via ambulance,” he said. The seven-bed emergency department is building its volume Certified By and seeks initial ranking as a Level American Board of 4 trauma center, Curtis said. Meanwhile, the emergency Internal Medicine room recently introduced a new feature called “InQuicker” that Serving the Heights for over 25 years allows patients to schedule minor emergency visits online, he 427 West 20th St. • Suite 212 said. The fast-track access is first (across from Heights Hospital) for SJMC and is only available in the Heights location (www.sjm713-864-2621 Fax: 713-864-2622 cheights.com).

Chi C. MAO, M.D. Ph.D.

TOTAL FOOT CARE

Barry P. Weinstein, DPM Nail Laser Center Of Houston

Adult & Childrens’ Foot & Ankle Disorders • Nail Laser Treatment • Sports Injuries • Ingrown Toenails • Corns • Calluses • Warts • Bunions • Heel & Arch Pain • Hammertoes • Orthotics • Diabetic Foot Care

713-680-1979

www.barr yweinsteindpm.com www.NailLaserCenterHouston.com

4234 Ella Boulevard • Houston, Texas 77018

InQuicker™ is intended for use by individuals who have non-life and non-limb threatening medical conditions. Those with life- or limb-threatening medical conditions should dial 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

Page 5B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • @heightsleader

Heights resident, Boon, changing lives in mission ﬁelds around world

��

Ad # 37199

��

by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Heights resident Dr. John Boon said he saw “God perform miracles” through the Faith in Practice staff during a medical mission to Guatemala last month. “One lady showed up from 12 hours away to (the hospital), and she had a CT Scan in her hand,” Boon said. “She had a tumor larger than 10 centimeters in her right kidney. We took her to the operating room, made a huge incision and took it out. She was going to die if she didn’t have it removed... God put us all together to get this woman taken care of.” Faith in Practice was originally founded by the Presbyterian Church in Houston. The group of physicians said they needed a urologist, and Boon said he’d be happy to make the trip about 1,550 miles to the south. The trip to Guatemala was Boon’s third mission trip and ﬁrst to Guatemala. The 35-year-old urologist had previously traveled to Haiti with his wife, Camille, a Heights native and ObGyn, after that nation’s devastating earthquake. “God called me on all of (the missions),” Boon said. “The earthquake happened. My wife had been doing missions in Haiti before. We

Since 1936

In The Heights

Caring for The Eyes of Texas

Complete Medical Supply is located at 1714 West 18th, on the corner of 18th Street and Ella in the Lazybrook Shopping Complex. With more than four years at the current location, Complete Medical Supply offers a wide range of medical supplies and equipment directly to the consumer at some of the lowest prices in the city. Specializing in home medical equipment, the priority at Complete Medical is to provide each and every customer with the time, knowledge and customer service required in order to make an informed and confident purchase. Whether it’s locating a hardto-find item, or getting items delivered the same day, they will do everything in their power to make sure each customer is satisfied with the product they get, as well as the customer service. Some of the services provided by Complete Medical include: free delivery, next-day ordering for items not in stock, competitor price match, and longer hours for your convenience (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday). Medicare and Medicaid are accepted on a variety of items, which result in zero outof-pocket expense. For more information, email CompleteMedSup@gmail.com, call 713-880-4000 or visit them at www.CompleteMedicalSupply. net.

��

Aurea I. Rivera, OD Therapeutic Optometrist, and her staff welcome you to come by their new, beautiful location.

Right In The Neighborhood

Dr. John Boon, second from right, a urologist who lives in the Heights, traveled to Guatemala for a medical mission trip. (Submitted photo) said, ‘Well, we’ve got to go down there to help out. We went through Airline Ambassadors, which meets non-government organizations on the ground, and they get you where you need to go.” Boon said the medical mission in Haiti was an eye-opening experience. “It was unbelievable -- it was such a blessing to go, and it really changes your perspective on life,” Boon said. “There was just rubble everywhere. From a medical standpoint, it was pretty devastating.” Boon, who specializes in urologic surgery with robotics at his practice in Sugar Land, said there’s less medical technology on mission trips, but it’s very rewarding. “The four stages of being a mis-

sionary are (1) the good feeling you get, (2) the feeling that changes your life when you get home, (3) witnessing God’s work and miracles in action and (4) watching God perform miracles through you,” Boon said. The Boons are members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in the Heights, and they traveled to Haiti with the church to help rebuild a church near Port-AuPrince, Haiti. Boon, who grew up in Ennis, Texas and met his wife while they were both studying at Baylor College of Medicine, sings in the choir at St. Mark’s. “I’m the worst singer in the choir, but I sit next to the best singer, so it works out,” he said.

April’s Featured Medical Businesses Specializing in home medical equipment

��

cated bilingual and experienced staff that has been with her for more than 20 years. Rivera was located in the Merchants Park complex on Shepherd and 11th Street for 26 years, but relocated to 550-B Heights Blvd., at the corner of White Oak (6th Street) in the heart of The Heights. This is proving to be a great location because of the beautiful area, growing neighborhood and convenience for the patients. TSO has a large designer frame inventory that allows you a frame to ﬁt your life. There are professionally trained opticians and frame stylists to assist you. TSO accepts most all of the vision insurance plans. Call and make your appointment today. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Dr. Mark Lawton provides personal dental care

With more than 30 years of combined staff experience, Dr. Mark Lawton, DDS, PA, and his dental staff of professionals offer the ﬁnAd ?????dentistry and oral health est #gentle

If you’d like to be included in this section, contact a Leader sale representative at (713) 686-8494.

WHY WAIT IN LINE?

TSO Heights serving the community’s optical needs

Dr. Aurea I. Rivera has been in practice at the TSO Heights location for more than 29 years. She has been afﬁliated with Texas State Optical since 1974. She is a native from Puerto Rico, USA. A licensed Therapeutic Optometrist, Rivera performs comprehensive eye examinations and contact lens ﬁttings in both English and Spanish. She has a dedi-

services in the Houston area. Providing personal service and detailed dental care, the friendly staff uses a very conservative, upto-date approach for the problem solving and treatment planning. “Whether one needs general dentistry, a root canal, crowns, implants, dentures, tooth whitening or oral health guidance, we are here to assist,” said Dr. Lawton. Patients are seen by appointment and emergencies are always addressed in a prompt and efﬁcient manner. The dental staff welcomes all patients in a professional, warm family atmosphere. Come experience the difference! Call 281-447-2186 for information or to make an appointment, or visit www.markelawtondds. com. Dr. Mark Lawton, DDS, PA, is located at 7038 Antoine, along the new bike trail.

713.862.3149

Pharmacy Service

Ask for Gidgette or Sherita

STD TEST

New Diet Pill Now Available Call or stop by 281-444-1711 Medicaid/Medicare Accepted

��

5740 W. Little York ß 281-447-7648 Fax: 281-447-7740

��

4950 FM 1960 West Suite A-6 www.champions-urgentcare.com

Ad # BL-February

��

We accept Care-Credit

��

� ��

��

�� 7038 Antoine Drive Houston, Texas 77088

(e-mail) mark_e_lawton@yahoo.com

www.markelawtondds.com

��

Ask for Maria

Ask for Mary Lu

��

Loss $179 Weight SPECIAL $89

Notary/Faxes/Copies Postal Service

❖�� ❖�� ❖�� ❖�� ❖ ��

heights@tso.com

A WALK-IN CLINIC $65

Let Us Deliver Your Medicine Directly To Your Door!

��

550-B Heights Blvd.

At the corner of White Oak (6th St.) and Heights Blvd. next to Revival Market Call or email to schedule your appointment today!

��

�

��

Deborah A. Thomas, O.D. Therapeutic Optometrist

��

SMART PHONE SCAN HERE

��

�� I��

� ��

��

1337-B W. 43rd (@ Ella Blvd.) 713-686-3221 Across the street from Kroger.

��

Page 6B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Maj. General Mills set for Reagan HoF induction by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

Mills said. “I’m very honored and very surprised. Being at Reagan High School were some of the better years of my life. I enjoyed all of my relationships there and tried to stay in touch with people over the years. “I had outstanding teachers that have been role models in my life. They’ve meant a lot to me throughout my life.” The Reagan HOF was started in 1988 by then-principal Joel Sturdivant. It includes many well-known alums such as oilfield firefighter Paul “Red” Adair, celebrated criminal attorney Richard “Racehorse” Haynes, and HISD coaching legend Joe Tusa. Mills, who was nominated by longtime friend, Virgil Barfield (RHS Class of ’54), joins Gina Wray Wright, a former Houston ISD trustee, and the late Marcella D. Perry, a prominent Hous-

Maj. General Roberta Vilven Mills was a trailblazer in American military history as the ﬁrst general in the U.S. Air National Guard. “My cousin was an Army Nurse in World War II and was my role model, and I wanted to do that as well,” said Mills, a 1956 Reagan High graduate who now lives in Memphis, Tenn. Mills, who celebrated her 75th birthday on March 18, has had a decorated military career and has received many honors as a nurse and hospital administrator in Memphis. But becoming the 28th member of the Reagan High Hall of Fame ranks right up there with those awards, she said. “It’s a beautiful, wonderful thing,”

ton banker and chairman of the board of Texas Women’s University, as the only female members of the Reagan HOF. Perry, a longtime benefactor of the school, was the most recent inductee. “She has served our country well and at retirement, was the assistant to the director of the Air National Guard, Washington D.C.,” Reagan principal Connie Berger said. “She has received many great honors in her tenure (in the) nursing profession. Mills earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Sacred Heart Dominican College and a Master’s in Nursing from St. Louis University. She enjoyed a career in Nursing and Hospital Administration that spanned from the 1960s until her retirement in 2003. Since then, Mills has volunteered with her church and the local chapter of the Literacy Council.

Her military career began in 1962, and she received her ﬁrst star as a General during a Pentagon ceremony on April 27, 1992. Upon retirement from the military, she worked as the assistant to the director of the National Guard. During her three-decade military career, Mills’ honors included the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon and several honors from the Tennessee Air National Guard. Mills was the president of the Visiting Nurses Association of Memphis, and she was the assistant dean at the University of Tennessee Bowld Hospital. She and her husband, Dr. Dan C. Mills, have been married for 43 years.

Maj. General Roberta Vilven Mills

Up & Running Oak Forest club fosters neighborliness, fitness by John Wethington For The Leader Having grown up in the Oak Forest area, I have had the rare opportunity of experiencing this wonderful community as both a child and an adult. Yet, much of the change I have noticed since I have moved back has not been because I am older or wiser (I’m 24), but because the neighborhood has drastically changed over the past decade. After leaving Oak Forest from 2007-’12 – attending college and marrying – I was thoroughly proud to see that my childhood neighborhood was finally getting the attention it always deserved but rarely seemed to attract. One of the positive new changes: the Oak Forest Running Club which has definitely “taken off.” If you show up at the Oak Forest Chill located on Oak Forest Drive around 6 p.m. Tuesdays you can expect to find people stretching, conversing and signing in. Shortly thereafter different running groups head out based upon distance and their preferred pace, and once everyone has run or walked to their preferred exhaustion the group reconvenes at Oak Forest Chill for conversation, a beer and some great, free pasta, generously donated by Brother’s Pizzeria on Shepherd Drive. The vibe is pleasant, and the atmosphere is motivating. You are surrounded by others who value running and living a healthy lifestyle. After returning to the community, my wife and I were anxious to meet people in our area. This group has become a mainstay for us. People want to live in a safe community where they can enjoy their family and build friendships with other people in their area. Yet between a job, family and hobbies, it can be hard to find time – not to mention energy – to meet other people. And yet therein lies the beauty of a local neighborhood running club. You can exercise, spend time with your family, meet new people and participate in a hobby all in one activity. If you can barely make it down the block, don’t worry, there are groups that

HPD Officer Steve Duffy, a Storefront Officer in the Heights, has joined the Houston Bicycle Relay Team, which will ride to Portland, Maine in June to raise money for Leukemia and Lymphoma research. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Ofﬁcer joins team to arrest leukemia by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

Members of the running club gather at the Oak Forest Chill neighborhood ice house after their runs of different length and speeds. (Submitted photo) simply walk together, but if you are a topnotch runner, there are former collegiate runners for you to pace with. The diversity in age is another unique characteristic of this new club. Participants range from their early 20s to late 60s, newcomers and lifelong residents. Some enjoy a beer after while some simply replenish with water. With so many things riding on our health, it is good to know there is a local community organization that can provide accountability and support in living a healthy lifestyle. The first week I attended I could not even make it a mile and a half before having to stop. Yet, six weeks later I ran four miles for the first time in my life at a pace

much faster than I ever had. While the health beneﬁts are great, the social beneﬁts are just as important. The idea that you can connect with 20-30 people in your community on a weekly basis in about 90 minutes has its appeal. “My favorite part is the camaraderie and getting to know your neighbors,” said member Eddie Gonzales. Nelson Sosa, believes that simply getting people from Oak Forest to interact allows for an opportunity for “ideas to get exchanged.” Local service project ideas have already been tossed around within the group. Friendship, involvement, exercise and accomplishment are offered in a single group that meets for an hour or so a week.

Houston Police Department Officer Steve Duffy had consistently heard about the Houston Police Bicycle Relay Team that’s dedicated to funding research to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. Duffy, a 23-year HPD veteran who’s stationed at the Department’s Heights Storefront, decided to get involved for the first time because he’d lost several relatives to cancer. “Scientists have said if we can cure leukemia and lymphoma, we can cure all other cancers,” Duffy said. “I’ve decided to step up to the plate, (and help) to stop (cancer) from happening.” In 31 years, the Relay Team has raised more than $5 million for leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers. All of the money from the Relay goes to researching those cancers. Every year, the Relay Team plans a route, and this year, it’s Portland, Maine – approximately 2,100 miles away. The team will leave Houston on June 18 and arrive in Portland exactly a week later. Thirty-five officers will be divided on to five different relay teams, so there will be a team of officers riding somewhere between Texas and Maine, 24-7, during that week. Officers take their own vacation time

and pay their own meal and travel expenses on the trip, said Lt. Randall Upton, who leads the team. Along the way, the riders visit with cancer patients and survivors. Duffy, who rides a mountain bicycle as part of his HPD duties, purchased a long distance bicycle for the trip. He’s not a regular rider but said that compared to what the cancer patients are going through, riding a bicycle long distance isn’t much of a challenge. Each officer rides in honor of someone currently battling leukemia or lymphoma or someone who has lost their battle. “It helps you remember why you’re out there,” Upton said. Duffy said being part of the Relay Team has been a special experience so far. “This has opened my eyes a lot,” Duffy said. “It’s a life lesson for myself and my two boys (ages 12 and 6). It’s not about us - it’s about someone else.” Each officer is responsible for raising $5,000 on their own, and Duffy still has to raise about $1,000. Donations can be made at www.hpdrelay.com or Houston Police Bicycle Relay Team c/o Officer Steve Duffy, P.O. Box 3224, Houston, TX 77253. To help Duffy raise money for the Relay, he can be reached at the Storefront at 713-803-1151.

Dressing the Part: Local costumer works off energy, vision by Cynthia Lescalleet For The Leader Adrenaline is as much a part of the costume process as inspired design and skilled execution. Actors and audiences ultimately enjoy the products of that design-on-deadline. Costumers, however, choose the angstdriven artistry of bringing characters to life by what they wear. Artist and veteran costumer Janette Arsement is one of the latter. Creative to the core and a self-described queen of the glue gun, she’s currently juggling the springtime onslaught of quick-turn theater projects. That and the seasonal and event-related rentals she has managed at Party Boy, 1515 Studemont, for a dozen years. Scholastic theater competition this time of year bumps up demand for theatricalquality threads, the Corpus Christi native explains. Teams from high school and college productions need their casts outfitted for judged performances that advance from local- to regional- and state-level competition. Since about January she has been fielding and filling orders from across the state for a variety of plays and musicals, both familiar and lesser known. Armed with actors’ measurement sheets and directors’ notes on various plays, time periods and turnarounds, Arsement et al check what’s on the racks to use as-is and what needs to be built, whether by transforming an existing garment or making something from scratch. Either option has its tools, tricks and twinkle dust. A painter of abstracts and landscapes, Arsement sees similarities between her art and costume work, such as the use of light and dark in a cohesive composition. In-

Janette Arsement, who works in the Heights area, is an artist whose range of media includes costuming. (Photo by Cynthia Lescalleet) stead of paint, however, costumes use textiles. And instead of a canvas, there’s the stage to ﬁll with 3-D design enlivened by actor movement and changing light. (Curiously, she chooses not to paint portraits, though she has previously used plenty of faces as canvases for elaborate masks at Mardi Gras and at the Texas Renaissance Festival.)

Design on deadline

If costuming is a vision thing, however,

it is also a mechanics thing. Arsement is quick to credit her seamstress colleague Stephanie Hill. “I make the promises, but she makes it work,” Arsement says. Watching the talented pair conferring on a character or newly arrived job order list is like seeing interlocked gears turning inside a watch. Pins, trims, overlays and seemingly random ﬂourishes, for example, can transform the same basic piece from a Puritan frock into a 1760s day gown or

1990s-length dress into a turn-of-century hobble-skirt. A snip here and there, and full-length trousers for a more modern gentleman become suitable breeches of yesteryear. Thus, a stage director’s request for a futuristic production of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” time travels into a space age setting. Another, more period-correct production of the same show opts for a frosty pastel palette. While history, art and fashion’s ever-

changing silhouettes and detailing play into a day’s work, so does some basic chemistry, she says, since dyes and adhesives interact with fabric content. However, “You have to be creative,” she says of her type of work. “You can learn a time period.” Meanwhile, there’s art to pulling and building costumes so a show has a cohesive look, Arsement explains: “When actors are on stage, they need to blend (visually). One can’t stand out – unless it’s on purpose.” Racks designated for each production hold costumes being considered and tweaked. On her check list: Do they look well together? Do they convey their character? Do they fit? As challenges go, it’s rarely the design concept that triggers frustration, she says. Rather, it’s that actors come in all shapes and sizes. Costumes do as well, but getting actor, character, color and size in alignment is a rare match off the rack. Gussets and hidden panels help the fit, but even those tricks can’t make a deadon-perfect-for-the-part slim-waisted 1840s gown fit an ample gal of the modern age. Nor do they easily alter a suit to fit an actor with a 32-inch chest who’s more than 7-feet tall. (Well, not easily. That’s where Hill plies her start-over-from scratch skills.) And then there are those inevitable, last-minute changes, Arsement says, such as when a 6-foot-4 brawny lead actor is replaced by his 5-foot 7-inch understudy. Not all rentals are theatrical, however. The shop is a resource for the creatively impaired who need a costume, she says. “The others stay home and make their own.”

Page 7B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

OBITUARIES

NEWS FROM YOUR PEWS

Andrea Stubbleﬁeld Baker, 65, died recently. She was born Nov. 23, 1947 in Columbia, Missouri. Survivors include her mother, Lorraine Hovey Fields; husband, Nash Baker; son, Carson Nash Baker; sisters Cheryl LaBarba, Lana Salinas, Diana Lucas, Deborah Fields and Teri Irons; and brothers, Jerry Stubbleﬁeld and Steve Fields.

Oak Forest Baptist to conduct a Women’s Bible Study

Quentin Dee “Boss” Barrington, 92, died April 3. Quentin was born April 29, 1920 in West Texas, to Sam William Barrington and Mary Etta Benson. Survivors include his wife, Mozelle; daughters, Susan Barrington Sanchez and Vicki Jo Barrington; and brother Reuben Allen “Buddy” Barrington. Dorothy Verna Andryan Bielamowicz, 90, died March 31. Dorothy was born Jan. 1, 1923, in Houston to Adam and Mary M. Nowak Andryan. Survivors include three sons, Philip Bielamowicz, Patrick Bielamowicz and Paul Bielamowicz; sisters, Sudie Novak, Theresa Smith and Rose M. Galla; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

James: Mercy Triumphs is an eight-week Beth Moore Bible Study with ﬂexible participation to be held Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon starting April 11 through May 30. James, the brother of Jesus was a skeptic, an unbeliever, who later became a disciple. Small group study will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a video presentation from 11 a.m. to noon. Homework is optional. One can participate in both activities or attend either the small group study or the video. For information, call the church ofﬁce at 713-682-4942. The church is located at 1700 W. 43rd.

Cruisin’ for Christ Car Show at St. Stephen’s

St. Stephen’s 2nd Annual “Cruisin’ for Christ” Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13 (rain date April 20). All types of Oswald Julius “OJ” Bischoff, 88, died April 4. OJ was born in the Heights on June vehicles are welcome. The cost to pre-register is $10 per vehicle ($20 the 8, 1924. Survivors include his three children, Richard Lee Bischoff, Dee Linda Jackson and day of the show). To register, contact cruisin4christssumc@yahoo.com Michael Lynn Bischoff Sr.; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. or call the church office. Admission to the show is free. Special activities are planned for children and Boy Scouts Troop 604 will sell barbeque Shirley Susan Brazda, 71, died March 31. Shirley was born Jan. 21, 1942 in lunches for $5 each. Proceeds from the show will benefit Church World Berwyn, Illinois, to Stanley and Clementine Bezdek. Survivors include her brother, Services. Roger Bezdek; sister, Charlotte Grove; sons, Brian Brazda and Brooks Brazda; and two The GriefShare support group meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room grandchildren. 101. Each session includes a video seminar featuring biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics and small group discussion time. Participants John Shields Brukner, 85, died March 29. Survivors include his children John Ken- may begin at any time during the 13-week program. For information, neth Brukner, William Powell Brukner, and Sonja Elise Brukner. contact Jeanne Peters at snowowl2011@yahoo.com. Join Pastor Kevin Otto for a five-week, video-based class titled “What Nancy Henna Chalmers, 91, died March 30. She was born Dec. 9, 1921, in Bloom- Does It Mean to Be a United Methodist,” Sundays beginning April 21, ington, Illinois, to Louis James Henna and Meeva Armbruster Henna. Survivors include from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room 101. Learn about the sacraments, theher daughters Susan Edwards, Jo Ellen Weisner; and son, John E. Chalmers, Jr.; sister, ology and organizational structure of the Methodist Church. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St., Virginia Hueseman; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. between T. C. Jester Boulevard and Donna Bell. Rev. Kevin Otto is the Maria “Tere” Gonzalez, 79, died April 6. She was born Sept. 23, 1933 in Monterrey, pastor. For information, call the office at 713-686-8241 or visit www. stsumc.org. Mexico.

Henry Peter Hoelscher, 84, died March 30. He was born on May 25, 1928, in Ellinger, Texas, to Henry William and Sophie Gully Hoelscher. Henry is survived by his sister, Nora Schobel; daughters Patricia McKirahan and Debbie Jennings; and sons, Charles Hoelscher, Derek Hoelscher and Mark Hoelscher.

Cheryl Cooper Johnson, 60, died March 11. Cheryl was born on Jan. 19, 1953 in Groves, Texas. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Bruce Johnson; sons, Ben Nowlin and Nathan Nowlin; brother, Don Cooper; sister, Janet Cooper; and three grandchildren. Helen Belk Ledbetter, 90, died April 2. Helen was born Nov. 21, 1922, in Houston. Survivors include her daughter, Carol Wilson; son, Craig Ledbetter; and four grandchildren.

Joe K. McLeroy, 70, died April 4. Joe was born April 3, 1943. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Shirley; sons, Shannon, Robert and Travis; father, W.T. Martin; brothers, Thomas and Ted; and three grandchildren.

All Saints Catholic features Women’s Chorus Festival

The Heights Women’s Chorus Festival will perform at 4:30 p.m. April 14. Featured will be the Moores School Women’s Chorus, Friendswood High School Varsity Women’s Chorus and Houston Girls Chorus. All Saints Catholic Church is located at 215 E. 10th. Call 832-641-6319 for information or e-mail inquiries to eduarturo_c@yahoo.com.

St. Andrew’s UMC celebrates 85th anniversary

St. Andrews United Methodist Church, located at 6235 Maybell St., is celebrating it’s 85th Church Anniversary, Sunday April 14. Dr. Don Waddleton, Director of Congregational Excellence, will deliver the 11 a.m. anniversary worship sermon. The anniversary theme is “On Fire and in Step with God in 2013.” For information about anniversary events, contact the church at 832671-5232 or visit the website at standrewshouston.org.

Songs About Heaven at First Baptist Heights

First Baptist Church Heights is hosting its ﬁrst “9th Street Hall ConRichard Blakely Richardson Sr., 81, died March 26. He was born March 25, 1932. cert: Songs About Heaven,” at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Premier local Survivors include his sons Dan William Richardson and Richard Blakely Richardson Jr. musicians will perform original compositions and new arrangements of faith-based Rock, R&B, Blues and Country music. The 9th Street Band Frank Spitzenberger III, died March 29. Survivors include his wife, Mary Gene features Doug Fuller, noted guitarists Big Al Bettis and Michael Heyman, Spitzenberger; sister, Rosalie Grant; brother, Paul Spitzenberger; and sons Rick and and special guests Lance Aldrich and Dustin Bass. Admission is free. Steve Spitzenberger. In lieu of ﬂowers, the family requests donations to be made to MD First Baptist Church Heights is located at 201 E. 9th St. at Harvard. Anderson Hospital. For information and free reserved seating tickets, call or text 713-5487921 or e-mail my9thstreet@gmail.com or see www.9thstreet.org, also H. Brooke Thompson, 87, died March 29. He was born on May 6, 1925 to Harold facebook.com/9thstreet. and Mildred Thompson in Memphis, Tennessee. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Hazel Thompson; two sons, Spencer Thompson and Hal Thompson; two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

Lucille Grace Urban, 89, died March 29. She was born Nov. 12, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Wesley and Mildred Rossier. She is survived by sons, Thomas and Richard; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Carol B. Van Fleet, 77, died March 29. She was born Sept. 26, 1935 to Henry and Mary Striebeck in Houston. She is survived by her son, Scott C. Van Fleet.

Luau dinner and show at St. Matthew’s

The “King” will be the highlight of a Luau dinner and show at 6 p.m. May 4, featuring Elvis Tribute Artist, Ray Covey. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call the church ofﬁce. A Hawaiian style menu of baked chicken breast over rice pilaf, green beans and a dessert will be served. Don your Hawaiian shirts, leis and skirts. The Methodist Men will host a spaghetti dinner immediately after 11 a.m. Sunday School April 21. Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $4 for children. Proﬁts from the dinner will go toward restoration of the carillons. Sunday morning worship and a special Children’s Church begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages. A Wednesday evening 6:30 p.m. prayer and praise service is available, along with Holy Communion.

The Youth meet at 6 p.m. Sunday evening. A Knitting and Crochet group also meets at 6 p.m. Sundays. Visitors are welcome. For information, visit the web site at www.stmatthewsmethodist.org or call 713-697-0671. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. at Crosstimbers.

Annual parish bazaar at St. Ambrose

St. Ambrose Catholic Church will have their annual parish bazaar from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28. This year’s theme is “One World, One Faith, One Community.” There will be plenty of food, shopping and games. Entertainment will be provided by the Telstars. St. Ambrose is located at 4213 Mangum Road. Call 713-686-3497 or Ad # 37491 visit the website at www.stambrosehouston.org for information.

Are you earning enough on your savings? Danyel T Ramelow - Financial Advisor 3818 N Shepherd • Houston, TX 77018 713-694-6644 danyel.ramelow@edwardjones.com Member SIPC

www.edwardjones.com

CASKET OVERSTOCK SALE

UP TO 75% OFF KING CASKET & MONUMENTS

Senior & Veteran Discounts • Accepted by all funeral homes

713-222-8522 • 2817 W. TC. Jester Blvd.

The Most Toxic Plants To Your Pet Pets consuming toxic or non-edible plants can become ill with vomiting, diarrhea or life threatening obstructions. Some common house and yard plants produce toxins to protect themselves and these can kill your pet. Take care and precautions if your pet chews on 1. Lilies - GI signs and Kidney Failure 2. Castor Bean Plants - GI and Liver Damage 3. Cycad (Sago) Palms - GI and Liver Failure 4. Azalea, Rhododendron, Laurel - GI and Neurological Disorders 5. Yews - GI, Neurological and Cardiac Disorders 6. Foxglove - GI and Cardiac Failure 7. Oleanders - GI and Cardiac Failure 8. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Neurotoxin and Seizures 9. Lantana - GI damage A ﬂorist or nurseryman can help identify these plants so you can be aware of their presence. Pica (eating non-foods) in pets is caused by a variety of physiological parasitic, and psychological conditions. Examining, testing and consulting by your vet can help prevent Pica.

Always call your Vet if you have any concerns or questions

�� WWW.FAIRBANKS.VETSUITE.COM 7151 Fairbanks N. Houston

(713)-937-7274

(1 mile North of HWY 290)

Church Guide

Oaks Presbyterian Church

Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m. Nursery Provided

Ministering to the Oak Forest Community since 1948 Reverend Noelie Day

Grace United Methodist Church “The Heart of the Heights”

1245 Heights Blvd.

Sunday School . . . . . . . 9:30 AM Sunday Worship . . . . . 10:45 AM Nursery Provided

(713) 682-2556 1576 Chantilly @ Piney Woods

Reverend Hill Johnson, Pastor

713 862-8883

Food Pantry, Thurs. 2-4:30 PM www.graceintheheights.org

First Baptist Church Heights Sunday Worship 10:30am Wednesday 6:00pm Friday Youth 6:00pm Sunday School 9:30 am

Nursery Provided Spirit Led Worship 713-861-3102 201 E. 9th St. • Houston TX 77007

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

Gospel Truth Church

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

Member of MANNA

��

1216 Bethlehem at Ella Blvd. (713) 688-7761 Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship10:45 AM

Sunday 10:30 am Worship and The Word Children’s Church Wednesday 7:30 pm Life Equip classes for all ages

1624 W 34th • 713-686-7689 www.gospeltruthchurch.org

��

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

(Disciples of Christ)

Pastor Don Joseph Member of MANNA Visit us on FaceBook www.oakscchouston.org

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

��

T

CALLING OUT EVIL

he philosopher who composed Ecclesiastes advises us “Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise, why destroy yourself?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16) Accusing others of wrongdoing, especially when there is any chance that we might be mistaken, is almost always folly, and we are likely to have the lens of criticism focused on us as a result. But, there are times when it is appropriate to be assertive in calling someone out. When someone is mistreating us our “moral alarm bells” are usually loud and clear and we should speak up about it. It may take courage to do so, but it usually prevents a lot of future mistreatment. It’s even more important to stand up to bullies and haters when they are picking on someone who is weaker or too timid to stand up for him or herself. Students at Ohio State University and the University of Nebraska recently created web sites intended to “call out” people who posted racist, sexist, or otherwise hateful comments on Twitter and other social media web sites. Courage is central to the moral life because it requires courage to speak up for what is right. But, we should remember also to be circumspect about our criticism. It is often easier to see the speck of dust in your neighbor’s eye than the log in your own. “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” ~ John 7:24 ~

Sunday SundayWorship WorshipServices Service at 8:30am & 11:00am 10:45 am

Bible Study 9:30 am 3206 N. Shepherd

713-864-4447 � Website www.gobc.org JimBob Daniel Interim Pastor Pastor Dr. Overton

A House of Hope and Prayer in the Heart of Houston Rev. Herschel Moore, Pastor

1822 W. 18th

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

713-864-1470

Page 8B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

THE COUPONS. To place an ad on the most popular page in the Leader, give us a call at (713) 686-8494 and ask for one of our professional sales executives

Ad # 37586

The al in Orig

‘TWO CAN DINE’ $ Includes 2 Quarter Pound Basic Burger Baskets & 2 Drinks

9

99 ��

Now honoring Spoton Frequent Dinner Program Kids Eat Free On Wednesdays!

��

5:00 - 8:00 pm

��

Voted Best Burger Joint by Michael Berry Show M-F 10 AM-9 PM • SAT 11 AM-9 PM • SUN 11 AM-5 PM

5503 Pinemont��713-683-6700 www.littlebittyburgerbarn.com

Ad # 37759

• LIMIT THREE COUPONS PER TABLE • Full Service Bar - 13 oz. Regular Margaritas $2

COOL SPECIAL

Weekdays & Saturdays 3:00-6:00 pm. Sunday - All Day

• Vacuum Interior • Windows Cleaned • Wipe Dash & Door Panels • Clean Cup Holder • Towel Dry

(713) 895-7434

EXPIRES 4-19-13

www.wetzonecarwash.com

COUPON CODE: 7946

�

Ad # 37771

FAJITAS FOR TWO

Reg. $12.99

7316 W. Tidwell @ Hollister

13

$

HEIGHT’S C L E A N E R SY & LA U N D R 3319 Ella

Ad # 37757

& Pressed

2

DINE IN ONLY.

VALID MON.-FRI. 3 PM TIL CLOSING AND ALL DAY SAT. AND SUN.NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. OFFER EXPIRES 4-19-13

Ad # 37756

*

Plus Tax

3 ITEMS OR MORE. Must be presented with order. No coats, suede, leather, formals or household Items.

Same Day Service Up Til Noon One Day Service On Alterations

713-681-5301

Mon-Fri 5:30 am-7 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm

95

5305 Antoine @ Pinemont 713-682-3853

$

Party Room Available

5 OFF DINNER

Buy One Dinner And Receive $5 Off WITH THIS COUPON Second Dinner Of Equal Or Lesser Value.

$AVE ON YOUR DRY CLEANING! Most Garments 30 Drycleaned $ Full Laundry Service

Mexican Restaurant

FULL SERVICE WASH

CARWASH $799

www.papamosdeli.com

Ad # 37755

DINE IN ONLY. THIS COUPON GOOD MON. THRU FRI. 3PM TIL CLOSING. THIS COUPON ALSO GOOD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11:00 UNTIL CLOSING. EXCLUDES ALCHOLIC BEVERAGES NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. OFFER EXPIRES 4-19-13

OFF SECOND ENTREE 5

$

Buy 1 dinner and get $5 Off second dinner of equal or lesser value.

• Dine-In Only • This coupon good Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-10 p.m. • This coupon also good all day Sat. & Sun. • One coupon per party • Excludes alcoholic beverages • Not valid with other specials, special dinner menu or half orders • Expires 4-19-13

Juanita’s

ENJOY OUR HAPPY HOUR

Monday - Friday 11am - 7pm Saturday & Sunday - All Day

Frozen Jumbo Margaritas $5.95 or 10 oz. $2.95 - regular or avored -

Mexican Restaurant & Cantina 2728 West T.C. Jester @ 610 • 713-680-8011 11550 Louetta • 281-251-0206

Coupon good at all 3 locations. Open Mon.-Sat. 11-10, Sun. 11-9

Ad # 37758

FREE DINNER Buy 1 Dinner Get 1 Dinner FREE ��Coupon value up to $4.95 �

Dine-In Only. No Takeout Orders. Good 3-10 p.m. only.

FREE DONUTS

• 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 4-19-13.

FREE DONUTS

2 KOLACHES

FREE

Get 1/2 dozen glazed donuts FREE with purchase of one dozen donuts or more.

With purchase of one dozen glazed donuts.

EXPIRES 4-19-13.

Buy 6 Glazed Donuts Get 6 Glazed Donuts

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

FREE!

EXPIRES 4-19-13.

Happy Hours: Mon-Thur 4-8

3410 Ella Blvd. at 34th St.

(713) 682-4343

Ad # 37783

��

� ��

�

��

Ad # 36863

$

��

4618 Dacoma

(Between Hwy. 290 and Mangum)

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

(713) 680-0825

5 OFF

Buy One Dinner And Receive $5 Off Second Dinner of Equal or Lesser Value. (Includes Fajitas for 2 Special) • Dine-in-only • 1 Coupon per table, please • Present coupon when ordering • Offer good Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM only Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM • Expires 4-27-13 • Full bar and open air patio

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

I WO AMIGOS

14121 N.W. FREEWAY

713-462-4321

Highway 290 @ Fairbanks North Houston in Kroger Center

Ad # 36862

Authentic Mej icano Cuisine

��

FREE Dinner Buy 1 Dinner and 2 Drinks, Get 1 Dinner Free (up to $10.00) One coupon per table

Dine In Only After 3:00 pm • Expires 4-27-13 � DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS � BAR FACILITIES � TAKE-OUT ORDERS AVAILABLE

2615 Ella Blvd. @ 27th ��713-868-5232

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

Page 9B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

‘Wild Thing’ makes Bulldogs’ hearts sing Reagan junior pitcher maintains control of the mound by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

Reagan High junior pitcher Brandon Escamilla threw 10 shutout innings in a 1-0, 11 inning loss to Waltrip last month. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

MICHAEL SUDHALTER

Brandon Escamilla wasn’t yet born when the memorable sports ﬁlm, “Major League,” hit the big screen in 1989. But the soft-spoken Reagan High junior let out a chuckle when Bulldogs head coach David Petty began calling him, “Wild Thing.” “It’s funny,” Escamilla said. “I hear it over the loudspeaker, and I’ll get a little giggle out of it.” Escamilla, 16, was bestowed with the ironic nickname of wild pitcher Rick Vaughn, played by Charlie Sheen, because he’s just the opposite, “he throws strike after strike,” said Petty. On March 19, Escamilla accomplished the highly improbable when he threw 10 shutout innings in a 1-0, 11 inning loss to Waltrip.

“I love pitching -- it’s the best part,” Escamilla said. “I love doing my job throwing strikes and letting my defense work.” Professional pitchers rarely throw for 10 innings -- shutout or not, but what was amazing about Escamilla’s feat was that he did it in 105 pitches. “You get over 100 and you start to look at getting them out of there,” Petty said. “A lot of times, they do that in six or or seven innings. For him to do that in 10 was incredible.” In his ﬁrst 18 innings of pitching in district games, Escamilla has allowed just one run. He has a 70-30 strike to ball ratio. “If you keep up that pitching and enthusiasm, we’re going to win a lot of games,” Petty said. Last season, Escamilla was a backup second baseman on the Bulldogs’ Class 4A-District 21 Championship Team. Nine seniors graduated, and Petty

needed players to step up. One of them was Escamilla, who said he counts his curveball as his favorite pitch. “I like the way it moves, and I’m able to throw lots of strikes with it,” he said. He worked hard during the offseason to excel on the mound and to play second base when he’s not pitching, competing in the summer and in the Aldine Fall League. The Bulldogs (5-3 in district) will face Waltrip in a rematch of the March 19 loss at 7 p.m. Friday at Ashmore Field. Escamilla hopes to play college baseball and study to become a coach or trainer. He credits his experience at Timbergrove Sports Association and Oaks Dads Club with helping him develop into the player he’s become. “My dad coached and taught me everything -- I (learned) the fundamentals of the game and made a lot of friends in Little League,” he said.

Spartans’ playoff run a memorable one Waltrip High junior Hayden Guidry shot a 95 for the Rams during the ﬁrst day of the Class 4A-District 21 Tournament on Tuesday at Sharpstown Golf Course. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Waltrip advances to Class 4A Golf regionals Scarborough senior soccer captain Dwight Hernandez, left, competes in the Spartans’ 3-1 regional quarterﬁnal loss on April 5. . (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com There were just five minutes remaining in the game, and Scarborough trailed by two goals. But you wouldn’t have known it by the way the Spartans were constantly pursuing the ball and attacking toward the goal. The atmosphere a few yards away in the Orange-and-Blackclad home stands at Delmar-Tusa Stadium was every bit as spirited as the representatives on the field. Fans hollered and the vuvuzuelas? Wow. They could probably be heard by people on the other side of U.S. Hwy. 290. So, why did the Scarborough High boys soccer team and its legion of fans stay determined until that final buzzer sounded? Well, if you truly want that answer, you need to take a trip back about five years to Clifton Middle

School. “We decided (back then),” Spartans senior co-captain Dwight Hernandez said. “to play as a family.” That commitment carried through as the current group of seniors established themselves as freshman in the spring 2010. They knew eventually they’d make history and put Scarborough on the map. Was the 3-1 loss to Ridge Point disappointing? Absolutely. But nothing can change what the Spartans accomplished. We’re talking about an a program that hadn’t won a postseason game in 12 years, then went on to win two 1-0 games (Richmond Foster and Stafford) in a single week. With the talent in place, Scarborough made a great choice on its new head coach -- Sergio Hernandez Jr., who arrived with a plan to take the team to the next level.

Scarborough had a strong showing of fans to support the soccer team during its playoﬀ run. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter) No Scarborough team had enjoyed the postseason success that this group of soccer players had seen, but this group changed all

of that. SHS Athletic Coordinator Jay-

see Soccer • Page 10B

New coach, same dominant golf programs. Waltrip first-year golf coach Daniel Davidson has enjoyed the sport since he was a child but had never coached it before. This spring, he took over for longtime Waltrip athletic coordinator Anthony Zuccarini, who coached golf and football for the past three decades. Zuccarini retired last year after winning most of the district titles during his tenure at 34th and Ella. The Rams retained their top form during the Class 4A-District 21 Championship on Monday and Tuesday at Sharpstown Golf Course. The WHS girls defeated Davis, 413-486, to win the district championship on Monday. The top two teams will advance to the Class 4A Region III Tournament on Monday and Tuesday at Raven’s Nest in Huntsville. “It was really big,” Davidson said. “Every single one of them played their best golf, all at once. I’m really proud of what they did.” “I was really excited for her. She did a great job. A great kid, and she worked really hard. She was one of the consistent (golfers) in practice, and it definitely paid off.” The WHS boys led Davis, 385-433, on Tuesday. Final results were not available at press time, but Davis said the Rams held “too big of a lead” not to win the tournament on Wednesday morning. “I think (we) can get better for sure -- I’m happy with it, for a windy day,” Davidson said. Waltrip’s Sabrina Lopez, one of three sophomores on the team, won the tournament’s individual title with a 92. “I was really excited for her,” Davidson said. “She did a great job. She’s a great kid, and she worked really hard. She was one of the consistent (golfers) in practice, and it definitely paid off.”

see Golf • Page 10B

A new way to read the news

Every month, The Leader publishes 4 sections devoted to speciﬁc topics in our community. Week 1: Business Leaders Week 2: Our Health Week 4: Leader Listings

And coming in May Week 3: Family Time

Call us at (713) 686-8494 for more information

Page 10B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Sports Schedules

Soccer • from Page 9B

The Spartans advanced to the regional quarterﬁnals for the ﬁrst time in the school’s 45-year history. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Golf • from Page 9B Sophomore Victoria Gonzalez recorded a 99, and senior Miranda Loveless finished with a 107. Sophomore Christina Iniguez and senior Michelle Soria shot 115 and 121, respectively. Reagan senior Sarah Alcardo was an individual medalist, with a 105, and will advance to Huntsville next week. On the boys side, Waltrip junior Anthony Hernandez led through the first 18 holes with a score of 92. “It’s the second tournament in a row that he’s got the best score for our team -- he really picked it up with his short game,” Davidson said. Waltrip juniors Hayden Guidry (95), Alfaro Zavala (99) and Zachary Whiting (99) each finished the day under 100.

UIL Class 4A, Region III Tournament Raven’s Nest Golf Course, Huntsville Girls: Monday, Tuesday Boys: Wednesday, Thursday

Reagan High senior Malik McLemore was the Bulldogs’ lone representative at the Class 4A-District 21 Tournament on Tuesday at Sharpstown Golf Course. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

son Merren is working hard on building a competitive athletic program. He’s putting the right coaches in the right positions. Many athletes of other Spartan Teams were in the crowd on Friday night, and they got to see the end result of four years of hard work and dedication. In the near future, it’s very possible that it’ll be them on the ﬁeld, with the rest of the school in the stands. “The Spartans are alive,” Dwight Hernandez said. “and we can go to playoffs in every sport.” Have you ever been to a regular season high school soccer game? There’s only a handful of fans. Some of that has to do with the start times, the fact that games are played off-campus and that other athletics and activities overlap. But it was startling -- in a good way -- to see a band and pep squad to support the Spartans at their regional quarterﬁnal game. “We brought fans that probably never came out (before), to tonight’s games),” Coach Hernandez said. It was heartwarming to see the SHS boys soccer team inspire school spirit throughout the campus. Your thoughts on the season? E-mail Michael@theleadernews.com Twitter: @HouSportsLeader

St. Pius X softball set to make a state title run by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com St. Pius X head softball coach Nellie Kelly may want to remember to bring a box of tissue before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. regular season home finale against Incarnate Word Academy. It marks the final regular season home game for seniors Jordan Alvarez (catcher), Cara Nunez (third base) and Briana Santiago (right fielder). “I already know that I’ll choke up and cry because they’re such good kids,” said Kelly, the Lady Panthers’ third-year head coach. “They’ve stepped up as such great leaders. I know they have a bright future, and it’s been such a joy to coach them.” The Lady Panthers (15-3) are undefeated in district and set to repeat as district champions. Last season, SPX won district for the first time in 12 years. Beyond that, they have a chance to win the program’s first TAPPS State Championship since 1991. All of their 2013 losses were outside of TAPPS -- University Interscholastic League programs San Marcos and Willis, respectively, in tournaments, and Kinkaid of the Southwest Preparatory Conference. Last season, SPX lost to San Antonio Antonian in the TAPPS 5A State Championship Game, and Kelly said they’ve improved since the title game loss. Nunez and Alvarez are four-year varsity players for the Lady Panthers, while Santiago joined the program this season. “Cara is a big action leader,” Kelly said. “Jordan is a big verbal leader. Briana just has a spirit about her that you can’t help but like.” Nunez will continue her softball career next season at San Jacinto College. She’s been a consistent leader for SPX. “I like encouraging everyone to do

“

APRIL 13

BASEBALL Scarborough at Worthing, 10 a.m. (Butler) Sharpstown at Reagan, 10 a.m. (Delmar-Tusa) Brazoswood at St. Thomas, 2 p.m.

APRIL 15

TENNIS St. Pius X, St. Thomas at District Tournament at St. Pius X, 8 a.m. SOFTBALL Emery-Weiner at Lutheran North, 5 p.m.

APRIL 16

BASEBALL North Forest at Waltrip, 7 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa) St. Pius X at Concordia Lutheran, 7 p.m. Northland Christian at Lutheran North, 7 p.m. Beaumont Kelly at St. Thomas, 7 p.m. SOFTBALL Scarborough at Furr, 4:30 p.m. (Barnett) Incarnate Word at St. Pius X, 6 p.m. North Forest at Waltrip, 6:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)

APRIL 17

I already know that I’ll choke up and cry because they’re such good kids.

BASEBALL Jones at Scarborough, 4:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa) Wheatley at Reagan, 7 p.m. (DelmarTusa) SOFTBALL Reagan at Wheatley, 4:30 p.m. (Barnett)

• Nellie Kelly

their job,” Nunez said. “I pick them up if they’re down. I’ll make them feel like it’s OK if they make a mistake, to just (focus on) making the next play.” In addition to the three senior leaders, SPX has a strong nucleus of juniors, including pitchers Rocki Tello (10-2, and two no hitters) and Brittany Rodriguez (3-1). “One isn’t the main pitcher over the other -- they (each) offer different abilities,” Kelly said. “If we have a team that we know they can hit faster pitching, Rocky puts a lot of spin on the ball. Rodriguez recovered from elbow surgery last summer to return to the lineup and having both pitchers available could pay dividends in the postseason. Junior first baseman Samantha Grosch leads the team in hitting (.522 batting average) and home runs (four). Nunez and Tello are hitting .511 and .500, respectively. Junior Victoria Ozuna (left fielder) and Rachel McClellan (second base) have played key roles for the Lady Panthers. Junior outfielder Iliana Barron missed last season with a torn ACL, but she’s now an important contributor to the team, while sophomore shortstop Dana Salvato, a key member of last season’s team, continues her success. She is second in singles (20), to Tello’s 26. Alvarez and Grosch are tied for third with 13 apiece.

FREE WATCH BATTERY with in this ad

��

�� Ad # 34138 ��

APRIL 17

TRACK & FIELD St. Pius X, St. Thomas at District Tournament at St. Thomas, TBA

APRIL 18

BASEBALL Lutheran North at Emery-Weiner, 4:30 p.m. St. Thomas at St. Pius X, 7 p.m. SOFTBALL Fort Bend Christian at Lutheran North, 4 p.m. St. Pius X at St. Agnes, 6 p.m. TRACK & FIELD St. Pius X, St. Thomas at District Tournament at St. Thomas, TBA Lutheran North at Fort Bend Christian Meet, 4 p.m.

APRIL 19

BASEBALL Washington at Scarborough, 4:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa) Second Baptist at Lutheran North, 6 p.m. Waltrip at Reagan, 7 p.m. (DelmarTusa) SOFTBALL Waltrip at Reagan, 4:30 p.m. (DelmarTusa)

APRIL 20

BASEBALL Deer Park at St. Pius X, 1 p.m. SOFTBALL Yates at Scarborough, Noon (DelmarTusa)

Ad # 31448

Chris’

Since 1978

Alterations & Dry Cleaning Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm, Sat 8 am - 3 pm

1765 W. 34th • 713-682-8785

Dog Rabies Vaccination

75*

8

$

* With Wellness Exam

Call About Cat Vaccines

New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam

28

Years

of quality care for your family pets

FREE

Routine Male Cat Neuters

49 Forest West $

Animal Clinic 5315 Antoine@ Pinemont

713-688-9625

Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook