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Inside Today: Shepherd Forest club sweeps 34th clean • Page 9

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We’re ready to make your mouth water again with The List – and this time, our major food group is all manners of Tex-Mex. We’ll be featuring the Leader areas’ most popular local eateries and their specialties, from breakfast tacos to tamales to fajitas. This time, you’ll get your chance to support your favorite Tex Mex joint by voting online at www.theleadernews. com. You can vote for ﬁve restaurants once each day, and the winner will be the recipient of free advertising in The Leader. Andale! Get voting now! And look for The List supplement in your April 27 edition – just in time for Cinco de Mayo.

see Robberies • Page 10

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“Not feeling safe in the neighborhood and may be moving,” the email to The Leader read. It was from a resident of Chamboard Street whose “small trip” to a grocery store for shampoo, beer and tea with his girlfriend on a leisurely Friday See related night had turned their lives column on into chaos when a gunman police approached, pulled a pistol, aimed it three feet from the communication man’s face and ordered the PAGE 4 couple to the ground. “Those idiot hoods ultimately got a locked, erased iPhone and 10 bucks cash,” the victim explained. And the victims’ peace of mind, causing the man to miss work and consider seriously whether he and his girlfriend wanted to stay in the neighborhood.

Six robberies in 10 days have spun the quiet residential Oak Forest-area neighborhoods back into the grip of fear that set in during an eerily similar spree last fall, with a Houston police spokesman suggesting last week that residents stay inside after dark unless they had to leave their homes. Men wielding guns and demanding valuables have accosted seven Oak Forest-area residents and visitors in driveways and yards late at night in ﬁve of the incidents. No one has been hurt, although one shot was ﬁred in an early robbery. One other incident, in which an 84-year-old woman was robbed at about 5:30 a.m. April 11 in the 4900 block of Oak Forest, showed marked differences. The woman was outside her daughter’s home in her vehicle when a young white man with dark hair leaned on top of her and stole her purse, leaving a “nasty” bruise on her cheek and lip, according to the daughter. The victim jabbed her assailant in the stomach with

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by Charlotte Aguilar charlotte@theleadernews.com

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Energy HS could open off Durham by Charlotte Aguilar charlotte@theleadernews.com

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Over the past two to three years, bingo at the SPJST Lodge 88 has attracted an increasing number of young professionals.

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by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

PINEMONT PARK SUBDIVISION COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE: Across from Collier Library, 6200 Pinemont Dr. Multi-families. April 27, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Since the early 1950s, Clara Bruz has enjoyed playing Bingo at SPJST Lodge 88. “I’m really amazed it’s lasted this long,” said the 81-year-old Heights resident. “People who come here seem to have a terrific time.” On the other hand, there’s Michael Arnold, a Rice Military resident who works for Shell who was first introduced to SPJST during a company-organized intern event. He enjoyed it and kept coming. “It’s a change of pace from your usual stuff, which is barhopping,” Arnold said. For many years, SPJST, which is translated to the Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, hosted Thursday night Bingo games that attracted a total of 200 people, mostly Lodge members and senior citizens. But over the past two or three years, the Lodge has experienced a boom in interest, primarily from 20- and 30-something young professionals who are new to the Heights and surrounding areas. The capacity, according to SPJST Bingo Chairman JoAnn Buri, is 756, and it’s not uncommon for the hall, at 1435 Beall St., to fill up early and turn away would-be bingo players. “I like it for the lodge because it brings in money,” said Bruz, a 1948 Reagan High graduate. “With the crowd they have, you

MOVING IN/MOVING OUT? Call Frank to haul oﬀ trash/junk. 281-312-9795. HELP WANTED: • AP/AR clerk needed. • Econoline van mechanic needed. • Church bus driver needed.

More on Page 10

THE INDEX.

Public Safety Hipstrict Topics Obituaries Coupons Puzzles Sports Classiﬁeds

2 3 4 5 6 4 13 10

Magnets were back on the agenda for Houston ISD trustees at their monthly meeting last week after a two-year absence, with the school board approving two new magnet schools – including an energy school that could be located in the Heights – and giving initial approval to a new set of policies governing magnet programs. Board President Anna Eastman indicated that she would push for a community task force to have input on how the policies are carried out, if the guidelines are approved on the second reading at the board’s next meeting. “Presumably we’ve held this off because it will result in something functioning differently than it does right now,” Eastman said. “A lot of people want to see that happen, a lot of people are nervous about it, a lot of people have strong opinions, so I think it’s really important for the community to be represented in the conversations around what those changes look like.” The new policies establish criteria for evaluating the success of existing magnet programs and for creating new ones, as well as procedures for selecting students. After a long evaluation process by an outside consultant, a controversial report that recommended removing the magnet designation from about half of the programs, and a series of well attended and frequently combative town hall meetings two years ago, the issue faded. Only two speakers spoke – calmly – on the agenda item, and the limited discussion among trustees largely centered on transparency in the lotteries used by most

see Magnet • Page 10

SPJST member Carol Havemann, a third-grade teacher in Spring ISD, doubles as the SPJST bingo caller on Thursday nights. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter) can’t win very often.” Guests bring food and drinks to the bingo hall, and celebrate special events there, such as birthday parties. “I can’t think of a better place,” said David Wells, who was celebrating a birthday

with a group of friends on Thursday. James Graham, who lives in Midtown, said the “atmosphere” at the SPJST kept him and his friends coming back. “We like

see Bingo • Page 10

The old Holden Elementary School near Durham just south of the North Loop could become the location of a new HISD energy magnet high school. Most recently, the facility served as Central Region oﬃce for the district. (Photo by Charlotte Aguilar)

Page 2 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

Gonzalez: Do you want to ban texting and driving?

Timbergrove residents get a look at the new bikes they helped provide to oﬃcers at the HPD Storefront on North Shepherd in the Heights. Pictured are, from left to right, Leah Braden, Sharon Balke, Sergeant Chad Wall, Oﬃcer Mark Leija, Cynthia Hatten, Mozelle Wilkes, Dorothy Hatten, Steve Carmichael and Dan Horn.

by Councilman Ed Gonzalez

Residents put HPD on 2 new bikes by Leah Braden For The Leader Twenty-one Timbergrove residents recently made it possible to purchase two Trek bikes for HPD Storefront officers who serve the community. Cindy Bucek of Houston Cycling Centres made the donations stretch to cover two bikes. The purchase of the two bikes was a result of feedback received during a Timbergrove block meeting with Sergeant Chad Wall, Officer Mark Leija and Officer Rene Ledesma. The block meeting was to address one of several recent burglaries in our neighborhood and to

see how residents could partner with HPD to stop the burglaries. During the meeting, the officers mentioned they felt the bike patrols were a good way to get to know the neighborhood better and to quickly identify criminal activity. The meeting participants resoundingly said they would contribute to purchase a bike to help the officers which in turn, helps the neighborhood. Two bicycles have been purchased and to celebrate, a few of the residents involved in the project went to the storefront on North Shepherd to meet the officers and see the bikes.

Last week, the Houston City Council’s Public Safety Committee reviewed two measures intended to keep Houston roadways safe and secure for all citizens. The Committee considered a Vulnerable Road Users Ordinance (also known as the ‘Safe Passing Law’), which would protect Houstonians using our roads other than in a motor vehicle, and a No Texting While Driving Ordinance. As a champion for Complete Streets, I’m encouraged that the Council is considering the holistic approach that the proposed Safe Passing Law provides. The texting while driving ban would make it a ﬁneable offense to drive while operating a wireless com- Councilman Ed Gonzalez District H munications device. Reports show that you are 23 times more likely to crash when distracted by a mobile device. The No Texting While Driving Ordinance was presented while we await the outcome at the Texas Legislature of related House Bill 63 and Senate Bill 28. Your feedback on the work that we are doing at City Hall is appreciated. You can weigh in at www.edforh. com. As an 18-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, serving as chair of the Public Safety Committee is one of my favorite parts of my job. Please remember to follow our committee meetings on Twitter via @HOUPublicSafety.

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Legacies are earned

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.

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Page 3 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

�� From the farm to Garden Oaks, every week by Mickey Morales For The Leader

Woodrows Heights 1200 Durham St. www.woodrowsheights.com Starters: $5-$15 Po-Boys and Plates: $10-$17 Crawﬁsh: $5.99/pound Kid Friendly: Early evening is probably best LE’s Favorite: Crawﬁsh

The vendors of the Farm Stand at Petrol Station – your neighborhood farmer’s market - are a collection of sustainable fruit and vegetable growers, prepared food makers, artisans and me, Mickey Morales, their head cheerleader and market orchestra leader. We set up every Saturday morning from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 954 Wakefield Drive in Garden Oaks, in the parking lot of what will be known as The Wakefield Crowbar. (Hint: Just look for the professional level sand volleyball courts.) I prefer to think of us as the best little market around, so don’t let our size fool you. Just in Sullivan’s Happy Heart Farms tent alone, there are the products of four different farms represented - goat cheese from Hammond Farm, honey from Big Creek Berry Farm (with berries to make an appearance later The Farm Stand at Petrol Station has become something of a comthis spring), olive oil from Texas Hill munity gathering place for families, with farm animals occasionat Big Woodrows. The place has Country Olive Oil Company and of ally brought in, and local groups setting up booths. Morales is the organizer and managkept its tavern-like interior with course, Sullivan’s own fruits, produce er of the Farm Stand at Petrol Station. (Photo by Charlotte Aguilar) sports playing on overgrown TVs as well as the picnic table-filled patio, which is where I got my two pounds of crawfish recently. They came out in the standard Frisbeelike dish, and Leader Eater opted out of the potatoes for more corn (in hopes of redemption from preAre you an artist? We all are when we are Koelsch is the name behind this amazing space. vious flaming corn experience). young, so don’t let the years between your childFounded in 1994 and moved into its current Our tiny speckled friends from hood genius and now stop you from exploring space in 2006, Koelsch carries fine art, folk Louisiana had come out look- that creative bug. The 3rd Annual Brazarre - outsider - self taught art, including gugging ing strapping and healthy and 2013 has an open call for artists with a deadline (named after an Austrian psychiatric clinic had been dressed like the chefs at of May 10. Being an artist is not a requirement; whose patients became famous for their part), Woodrows have stock in Tony Ch- in fact last year a one of a kind ceramics and jewelry. Koelsch achere’s. But the bugs hadn’t stayed bidding war erupted represents many early to mid-career artists, in their bath too long, and despite over a high school which is one of the many reasons I love this the absence of my crawfish boil student’s rendition space. At most receptions, the artists attend favorites - sausage, mushrooms of a bra made from and answer questions and always Franny and and artichokes - the spice and boil a soccer ball. assistant director are there. The space is right combination were as good as any According to the on the bike trail at Yale and 7th St. www.koelI’ve had this season. As I ploughed call for art, each schgallery.com through my mound of yabbies, submission should the heat of the seasoning started incorporate all or Friday, April 19 to emerge in my mouth. part of an actual One Step Promenade - 7 p.m. April 19-20. Woodrows has a craft and indie brassiere, and each The shops on 19th Street (200,300,400 19th brewers beer list to be proud of. piece should be Mitch Cohen St) host a moving dance performance by Hope (And as I’ve come to realize, eat- three-dimensional Arts Columnist Stone Dance Company. They will perform ing crawfish is really just a pur- and at least vaguely quite literally on the street, in and out of shops suit to facilitate beer drinking.) or abstractly represent a bra. The piece need as the audience follows from Ashland to Yale. I snagged a Cabotella from Baja not be wearable or functional. True, that last Details online http://hopestoneinc.org or Shop Brewing, a wispy Mexican lager, part is quite obvious when viewing the com- built and managed by Hans Payan Geler. The Heights 19th Street on Facebook. to cool my food hole. But I had pleted art bras. Many established artists and first is located at 214 E. 27th St. with nine stuThis Constellation of Things: Artist recepalready built up reinforcements to local celebs participate in this fantastic fund- dio spaces called Heights Art Studios & Gallery. tion at Hardy and Nance Street Studios, 7 p.m. battle any blazes that might have raiser. If you can’t muster enough creativity to Solo art exhibits generally occur monthly at the Friday - 902 Hardy St. 77002. http://hardysHeights Art Studios, where Aurora only hosts arisen from the crawfish. A side of submit a piece, don’t miss the event. treetstudios.blogspot.com/ The opening will Woodrows’ fried pickles, with the The Brazarre is an annual event to raise funds the open studios on first Saturdays. For more follow on April 20, with third Saturday open heat-neutralizing batter, a slight for the Relay for Life Greater Heights of the information on both venues and shows, con- studio events. sour current and creamy dressing, American Cancer Society. Described as “imagi- tact Geler at 713-894-4480, has-g@live.com or is a tasty sidekick to the mudbugs native renditions of a woman’s most support- www.hasg.blog.com 14 Pews, 800 Aurora St. 14 Pews is a 501 (c) Saturday, April 20 and defuses any five-alarm situa- ive sartorial asset,” the art really is amazing. Open Studios and events at Hardy & Nance (3) nonprofit organization. 14 Pews in short, tions. This is now one of my favorite art events. Both You always run the risk of en- silent and live bidding of the artful bras will be is a microcinema, founded by film enthusiast Street Studios (see above). Free and all day. “East End Arts Market” Presented by East countering some over-spiced bugs held from 6:30-9 p.m. May 25 at G Gallery, 301 Cressandra Thibodeaux in 2010 in a former End Studio Gallery & Bohemeo’s 12 - 5 P.M. church. Now you get the name, right? I was when you’re not on the salt and E. 11th St. For more information about subpepper yourself, even if you’re in missions or to make a donation, contact Vicki embarrassed to admit on my first visit that I 708 Telephone Rd. Ste. C, Houston, Texas had never been, even when another arts non- 77023. For details: http://www.eestudiogallery. the best boiling spot - the back- Eaker by email, Veaker@gmail.com. profit used the space for many years. I can’t com/ yard. But before the bugs go, Discovery Green Flea Now at Night - 6-10 speak for the past, but now the space is pheWoodrows has everything you Did you know about...? p.m. Recycled/up-cycled, eco-friendly art marnomenal. 14 Pews may very well represent all need for crawfish, no matter your Here are three art venues in the Heights you of the arts in the Heights under one roof that ket now at night! At Discovery Green downflavor. may not have known about. The newest on the I love - music, film, discussion and lectures. town. http://www.discoverygreen.com/flea 6scene is Aurora Studios at 129 Aurora St just There’s an artist in residence program and yes, 10 P.M. off North Main, There are a whopping 22 artist film festivals, too. If you’re an indie film lover, Cohen is the founder and manager of studios and common walls for artists to display heaven is around the corner. Learn more and First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him at artwork. Each first Saturday an open studio is visit www.14pews.com ArtValet@gmail.com or visit him on the web at held. Koelsch Gallery 703 Yale St. 77007. Franny ArtValet.com This is the second artist studio in the Heights

Review: ’Bugs and brews at Woodrows

Everyone has their own tricks of the trade for crawfish indulgence. Some have a special pinch on the tail to get that meat lodged from its crustacean armor. Others take a good, long pull from the mudbugs’ heads after a carefully-crafted crack at dislodging the rubbery gold in side those pint-sized lobsters. Some are finicky about the spice in the giant bath of boiled water while others pick out a particular potato or sausage selection to swim with the crawdads. For Leader Eater, I prefer my crawfish in a backyard rather than a restaurant. The communal process of standing around a newsprint-lined table (preferably recently-read copies of The Leader) while a cauldron of crawfish is dumped out onto it like a full net let out onto the floor of a fishing boat, snapping out the bugs while dipping potatoes into tiny pools of ranch dressing and trolling the dark red pile for flavor-exploding mushrooms is about as good an eating experience as it gets. I had recently been treated to one of these Cajun-inspired, springtime rituals (that may or may not have been hosted by this publication’s publisher and featured lip-scorching corn) but I needed to get one last fill of crawfish before the end of the month when mudbugs start to disappear. In this part of town, one the steadfast servers of crawfish each year is Heights Woodrows, which is not to be mistaken for Little Woodrow’s that are now populating the area - or its previous life as Mardi Gras Grill and Floyd’s Cajun Restaurant. Despite the revolving branding on the exterior, the little house on Durham with the long and narrow entrance ramp has stayed true to its Gulf Coast roots and is under the control of the folks

Wine bargains can’t be missed The Thirsty Explorer recently visited Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen to find half price bottles of wine for Wine Down Mondays and Tuesdays. The wine selection was vast, and the special is not just limited to a select few wines. Cheers to Bartender Mike who assisted the Thirsty Explorer in making an excellent wine selection! There are also monthly drink specials and featured shots at Cyclone Anaya’s. The Hot Mexican and Sailor’s Brew were both tasty to the Thirsty Explorer when she made another visit for Happy Hour, which starts at 11 a.m. during the weekdays. During Happy Hour select wines are available for $5, and there are bar food items from $4 to $6. Cyclone Anaya’s is located at 1710 Durham Drive at I-10. There are four Houston locations, with the fifth set to open in West University. There are also two locations in Dallas and new location opening in Fairfax, Va. For more information about the historical Cyclone Anaya’s, visit www.cycloneanaya.com or find them on Facebook.

More grape deals...

When discussing the half price wines with a comrade, the Thirsty Explorer learned there are other half price wine specials locally. Cavatore Italian Restaurant at 2120 Ella Blvd. has half oﬀ all wine bottles on Mondays, and Rainbow Lodge at 2011 Ella Blvd. at E. T.C. Jester has half price wines by the glass on Sundays at 5 p.m. For more information, visit www. cavatoreitalianrestaurant.com or www. rainbow-lodge.com or ﬁnd them on Facebook.

Kudos for Saint Arnold.

Another noteworthy item from the

and Honest Eggs (truly free range). My little corner of the parking lot represents pasture-raised pork sausages from Harrison Hog Farm, fresh baked bread from Angela’s Oven, freerange chicken from Bryan Farms (our market is the only place in Houston to buy these birds, which are served at some of the areas top restaurants), locally roasted coffee. And, by the way, I cook breakfast, using those fresh eggs and produce. Along with jams, jellies and pickles from Kristi’s Kitchen, more fruits and vegetables from Nawara Farm, a wide array of items from Nisha’s Quick-nEasy Indian Foods and hand carved pieces from Stormware Creations made from salvaged wood, 13 purveyors are represented. Come support nearby farmers and explore your inner locavore. In coming weeks, we’ll be talking about not only what’s new in our market, but we’ll be exploring issues involved with growing, selling and buying truly local.

Art a la Carte: Relay for Life stands to beneﬁt

Thirsty Explorer

Classics at heart of Opera in the Heights next season

Opera in the Heights’ (Oh!) 2013-2014 season has been announced. Four of the most popular works in all of opera will come alive on the Oh! stage beginning this fall. A new performance schedule will go into effect featuring two Sunday matinees for each opera, one in each performance week. Every production will still have seven performances, but now the first weekend will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday matinee; and the second week will be Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday matinee. The season opens with Verdi’s La Traviata, a story of passionate love and heartbreaking sacrifice. Age-appropriate singer/actors will be cast in the roles of the young Parisians pushing the boundaries Park it at Cottonwood of societal rules. Performances at Cottonwood aficionados may have been 7:30 pm are Oct. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12; upset to find it closed Monday. This was a Oct. 6 and 13 are the 2 p.m. Sunclassic case of short-term-pain-long-term- day matinees. gain, as the closing allowed for the long In November, Don Pasquale by Gaetano Donizetti bounds to the overdue paving of the parking lot. stage in all its bluster. This over– Ivee Sauls the-hill dandy thinks because he is rich, he will be able to marry a

Brewers Association, the not-for-proﬁt trade group that tabulates production statistics for the U.S. Brewing industry: The annual list of the top 50 craft and overall brewing companies in the U.S. based on sales and volumes was recently released. Houston based Saint Arnold Brewing Co. made the list of the Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies based on 2012 beer sales volume. “In 2012, craft surpassed six Thirsty percent of the total U.S. beer market, with Explorer volume and dollar sales reaching record levels,” said Paul Gatza, director, Brewers Association. “Increasingly, beer lovers are turning to craft brewed beer from small and independent producers to satisfy their thirst for bold, innovative and ﬂavor-forward beers.” Cheers!

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young woman and be happy. This comedy is played out to some of Donizetti’s most high-spirited and tuneful music. Performance dates are Nov. 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 7:30 pm; Nov. 17 and 24 are the Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Mozart’s Don Giovanni is the winter production – a blend of tragedy, comedy, high drama and hi-jinks, servants and masters, and a gravitational force at its center, Ad # 37768 Don Giovanni himself. Perfor-

mance dates are Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 pm; Feb. 2 and 9 are the Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. The season closes with Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, an opera brimming with emotional intensity. The epitome of the bel canto opera, the tunes and ﬂourishes are endless, and the circumstances of the story are full of dramatic ups and downs. Lucia takes the stage on March 28, 29, April 3, 4, 5 for 7:30 p.m. performances;

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Page 4 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

HPD policies don’t help improve public’s safety B

elieve it or not, there’s a philosophy behind this weekly column. I shouldn’t be serious all the time, nor should I make this a stand-up routine. So after two weeks of serious talk, this was supposed to be a light-hearted read. I apologize, in advance, that we’re about to have one more serious conversation. Every once in a while, my wife and one of her friends go on a walk around our area. We live in Shepherd Park Plaza, and the friend lives a few blocks away in Oak Forest. Last week, my wife came home and said she and the friend were meeting for one of these walks. “Where?” was my immediate question. “You don’t need to walk around this area at night.” Do you know how sad it is to worry about two women walking around a part of town where there are thousands of homes, plenty of street lights and what we all thought was power in numbers? “Don’t worry. We’re going to Memorial Park,” was my wife’s answer. I know that sounds overly concerned, maybe a little too protective, but can you blame me? Especially when the head spokesman for the Houston Police Department offered this quote a few days earlier: “We don’t like to let the bad guys change our lives, and we know this sends a mixed message, but for now we’re telling people if a trip after dark can possibly wait until daylight, put it off.” Over the last 10 days (as of press time) there had been six reported robberies and, to many of you, this may be news. In the past, we’ve done our best to

THE READER. Robbery reactions

Dear Editor: ...I know any neighborhood can have problems, but this just NEVER used to happen in Oak Forest when neighbors knew each other, and communicated, and were friends – and didn’t just buy the lot and build a mcmansion for ﬁnancial gain. Give me the blue collar families, with small homes who looked out for each other over the yuppies with their range rovers and bmw’s and houses that leave no room for lawn any day. Just me via www.theleadernews.com

Ashby vs. Fox

Dear Editor: (Lynn Ashby’s) obsession with Fox News is rather revealing. If you had any sense

JONATHAN MCELVY Publisher

publicize these safety concerns, and when we’ve had reliable information about robberies or assaults in the area, we’ve had great cooperation from HPD and their team of spokespeople. But in the last two weeks, we’ve discovered there’s a gaping lack of communication from the people charged with disseminating news and information about your safety. Some of the robberies listed today should have been communicated to you more than a week ago. John Cannon is the head public information officer for HPD. I’ve had the chance to work with Cannon on a number of crime reports in The Leader. He’s a first-rate professional at what he does, he’s worked in media, and he knows the important role of mass media in informing the public about their safety. But Cannon’s job – like many bureaucracies that we fund, as taxpayers – is mired in a red tape that makes absolutely no sense. I think it’s important that our readers understand the process for communicating with the city of Houston. (If you want another example about the problems there, you should visit Kathryn van der Pol at Adolf Hoepfl and get her to tell you about outsourced fingerprinting for some

of dignity, any ounce of objectivity as a career journalist, you’d knock it oﬀ. It’s bordering on emotional stress for you to experience the decay of traditional news networks while Fox News crushes its competition routinely. You care to elaborate on the credibility of Brit Hume, Chris Wallace, Ed Henry, Neil Cavuto, Greta Van Sustren, Lou Dobbs, Geraldo Rivera, Bernard Goldberg, John Stossel, and Bill O’Reilly? Most of these Fox News faces have decades of work at what were once mainstream news networks. But you KNOW you cannot get speciﬁc about your hang-ups with Fox News because you expose your shallow world, even your level of intelligence. If at any time, you wish to discuss the subject of Fox News in person– over an

of our business owners.) When The Leader provides crime news to you, here’s how it works: We get a report from a national website that tracks such data. That report gives us a date and time of the reported crime. If we see something that is worthy of more information, we call Cannon or one of his colleagues and give them the information about the crime. Cannon then takes that information, finds the actual report by the officer who handles the case, and then he reads us that information. That seems simple enough, right? It is, except it lacks one of the most important functions of communication – information from both sides of a discussion. And if that’s a standard definition of communication, HPD does very little of it. For instance, HPD has never – not once – called us and said, “Hey, we’ve got a crime problem in your area.” Despite our weekly calls to them for information (thus knowing it’s important that we receive information for our readers), our only leads for local crime news come from a national website, your phone calls, or your social media posts. If we don’t ask, they don’t tell. Sounds governmental to me. It gets even worse. HPD officers are not allowed to talk to the media, except if a TV camera appears (and that’s an entirely different discussion). I completely understand the need to funnel news through a common voice – the purpose of having a public information department – but the consistency borders on the absurd. Last week, when these robberies were at their peak (we hope), we tried to get

adult beverage, or by hitting the REPLY button and emailing me–I’d be happy to patiently explain the glaring weaknesses in your shallow and juvenile insults with which you pepper your weekly column. You obviously do not watch Fox News, Lynn. As a great former president so appropriately stated, “It’s not that liberals are ignorant. It’s just that there’s so much they believe that isn’t so.” mc via www.theleadernews.com

Shepherd Forest 34th Street cleanup

Dear Editor: What a great event! We had 25 volunteers who worked tirelessly until the sidewalk path was cleared. We hope the

information on them. However, we did not have a street address or approximate time of the alleged crime. Even though we knew the crime had occurred, HPD could not give us the information because we were missing the details. A couple of days later, we learned that an officer with HPD regularly sends emails to homeowners’ associations in the area when there’s a public safety concern, and that’s a wonderful idea. But when we asked if The Leader could be included in those reports, we were told a direct no. That’s not HPD’s policy. The only information we can get is through the public information division. And we can only get that information if we know the specifics. Horseshoe rules don’t even apply here. That led to the next question: Can these emails to HOAs be sent to the public information office so we can then get them from you? Nope, that’s can’t happen either. That would mean the PIOs would receive an extra 200 emails a day, and that’s just too much information to compile. I’ve worked and edited newspapers for almost two decades now, and I’ve always had a steadfast rule that we don’t whine in our newspapers. In fact, I despise writers who do it. It’s our job to get the information, and if we can’t get it, then we’re not doing our jobs. If you want to call this whining, then I’m making an exception here, and I’m doing it for two reasons. First, I’ve never worked with a division of city government that did not call or email us with information pertinent to our readers. Heck, even the city of Houston has divi-

City of Houston will now build upon what our community did and keep that area clear for pedestrian use. Jennifer Woodruﬀ

Chamber editorial, pro and con

Dear Editor: As one of the founders of the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, I feel compelled to respond to Jonathan McElvy’s recent column regarding the organization. My good friend, Jonathan, is delivering us a better and better local newspaper every week and is as committed to building this community as anyone I know. Nevertheless, I found the tone of (the) article disappointingly adversarial. Perhaps a bit

What’s on Texans’ dinner plates? The Texas Legislature is wrestling with mighty subjects this session, mainly how to repair the damage they did last session with their smoke-and-mirrors budgeting, their mean-spirited war against poor, pregnant women, their deliberate procrastination in naming an official state pie, their immigration policies, the drought, the... Wait a minute. No life of pie? We have the official state tree, the pecan. Our official snack, tortilla chips and salsa. The grapefruit is the state fruit while the official state vegetable is not the Legislature, as many think, but the 1015 sweet onion, and the state pepper is the jalapeño. The official dish of Texas is chili. Texas’s official dance is the square dance or the Texas Two-Step, depending on how much official state tortilla chips, salsa and chili you’ve had. But we had no state pie, until finally a new legislator, Rep. Marsha Farney, Republican from Georgetown, won approval of her bill making the pecan pie the official state pie. It was her first bill, and she is clearly bound for greater glory. Her colleagues asked for amendments that only Texas pecans be used in pecan pies statewide, and that it formally be declared illegal to include chocolate. In honor of Farney’s measure, the state Capitol cafeteria sold pecan pie. So now is a good time to take a look at what Texans eat and why -- besides pecan pie. The early settlers (hold on, this isn’t a history lesson -- I’m trying to make you hungry since I hate to eat alone) ate what the Indians ate: bear meat, deer tongue and, in the case of the Karankawas, unsuspecting visitors. We have long had beef, including barbeque, ever since Spaniards brought the first cattle to Texas in the 1600s. Two centuries later, Travis’s last letter from the Alamo ended with, “We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.” So we know what their last meal was. In the 20 years after the Civil War cowboys drove five to 10 million cattle out of Texas to the north. “Out of Texas” was the problem. The ranchers could get a lot more money for a steak in Chicago or

ASHBY AT LARGE

New York City than in Waco. Thus Texans raised and sold great steaks to Yankees, but were stuck with tough T-bones to gnaw on. We hear a lot about buying and eating “local products,” as though Mister Grocer invented the idea of consuming what comes from the backyard garden. Silly idea. Local products were all that Texans had to eat until the refrigerated rail car was invented. Before then, Texans ate what was near. A side story: The last train robbery in Texas was the Holdup at Baxter’s Curve in 1912 out near Sanderson. The theft was thwarted (try saying that three times quickly) when David A. Trousdale, an express messenger for Wells, Fargo & Co., who was being held at gunpoint, noticed an ice maul, a heavy hammer used for cracking blocks of ice, on the top of a barrel of oysters. Whack! The main point being that in West Texas in 1912 you could get fresh oysters. Nevertheless, when I was growing up in Dallas, we had one seafood restaurant, Jay’s Marine Grill. Fishermen probably loaded their catch on a truck in Galveston which was driven at 45 mph up Highway 75 and got to Dallas the next day. And tasted like it. For years, if you wanted lobster in Texas, you got frozen lobster tails from South Africa. Then I saw live lobsters ﬂoating in a tank at a grocery store in Kerrville. Today there are many excellent eating oasises (oasisi?) around the nation -- New England clams, Louisiana Cajun, Kansas City steaks, and New York City is undeniable a feast. But Texas has a particularly ﬁrm hold on good eating. Here is why: We are surrounded by good food. As we have discussed before, Texas ranks sec-

ond for total agricultural production. We are first in cabbages, and cattle and calves. Texas is the leading producer of pecans, second in sorghum grain and fifth in rice. Finally, Texas is especially fortunate to be the home of the Texas Aggies, who can grow moss on a rolling stone. All of this may explain why, among the states, we are 10th in the percentage of obese adults and 37th in overall health. And don’t forget Houston was crowned the Nation’s Fattest City The Texas restaurant scene changed drastically when mandatory BYOB, which held back good restaurants for decades, was abolished. There’s profit in booze. And it is my theory that we are lucky in our geography. To the east we have Southern cooking which has seeped into Texas, particularly after Katrina when 250,000 Cajuns fled here and many stayed. (Wouldn’t you?) To the south we have that wonderful influence of Mexican food, blended into our own Tex-Mex. We have the ranches to the west, only now our steaks stay here. Did I mention Gulf seafood? And Texas has become a magnet for foreigners, particularly in Houston, bringing their own gastronomy of yak fat, ox colon and filet of python. A good way to appreciate our varied foods is to visit the State Fair of Texas in Dallas next fall and wander through the Agriculture Building. There you will see agricultural products you never thought of as being Texan, like Christmas trees. But there are also honey, fruits and veggies, pork and beans, wine and roses. How good do Texans have it? Remember that on Sept. 17, 1989, Boris Yeltsin toured the Johnson Space Center and was on his way back to Ellington Air Force Base when he decided to visit a Randalls grocery. For 20 minutes he wandered the aisles, and commented, “Even the Politburo doesn’t have this kind of choice. Not even Mr. Gorbachev.” He left a changed man, and when he returned to power, began dismantling the Soviet Union. You can look it up. Paper or plastic? Ashby eats well at ashby2@comcast.net

sions that do a good job of spreading news – see Public Works and Planning & Development. But not HPD. Second, it’s not like I’m writing a fairy pop story about something that impacts only a few people. Public safety is important to any person who lives and breathes here. This is a matter of our livelihoods and well being, and it’s so important that I’m breaking my own rules to get the information. We can make all the jokes we’d like about the aging importance of the printed press, and I know better than most how valuable social media has become. But newspapers like The Leader ﬁlter rumors from the truth and offer our readers the best information possible on issues that impact them. We just completed an independent audit of The Leader’s distribution, along with a biannual reader survey. That audit says we deliver to 33,683 homes and are read by about 54,000 people every week. I love Facebook pages and Twitter accounts, but the biggest Facebook page in our area, hosted by the Oak Forest HOA, has about 1,900 followers. If HPD and the city of Houston could ﬁgure out a way to get around the red tape, open up some lines of communication with the largest media organization in our neighborhoods, and start sharing a little information, maybe we could avoid a few of these crimes. And as HPD always tells us to tell you, the best protection is prevention. Be aware of your surroundings. Know what’s going on. Stay informed. Sure would be nice if they’d help a little more with that. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

of perspective might be worthwhile. Over its quarter century the Chamber has been a formidable force for good. This brief space does not allow an inventory of all its accomplishments, but let me cite one of which I’m particularly proud: the hundreds of thousands in scholarships awarded to hundreds of students from our neighborhoods. I know from experience that chambers of commerce – like all volunteer organizations – can wax and wane over the decades. Recent Chamber boards should be applauded for putting the organization back on sound footing and returning it to an upward trajectory. Can more be done? Always. That’s the exciting opportunity. But rather than poking a ﬁnger in the chest of those who

are volunteering their time and treasure, I would urge more business leaders in our growing local economy to roll up their sleeves and join in the effort. In doing so, they will not only be benefiting this community, but building their own businesses in the bargain. And I’m confident they will, because that has always been the tradition of the wonderful Houston Heights. Terry Burge Dear Editor: I like reading The Leader now. I like the new format and I look to getting it every week. There is always going to be negative comments or whatnot. Keep doing what you are doing..... Leetta Hammack, via Facebook

The Puzzles. Solutions in this issue’s classsied section.

ACROSS Cont... 45. Discovered alternating current 46. Tears down (alt. sp.) 48. Resinlike substance in shellac 49. Military mailbox 50. Smoothed wood 53. Old Testament book 56. Japanese lake with marimo 57. Card, dining or coffee 59. Checks 61. Telephone exchange (abbr.) 62. Greek covered walks or colonnades 63. Pigmented eye mem brane 64. No. French river 65. Airborne (abbr.) 66. Shock therapy

CLUES DOWN CLUES ACROSS 1. Something curved in shape 4. Tattoo (slang) 7. Therapeutic resort 10. His ark 12. Organized crime heads 14. Actor Connery 15. Free from danger 16. Honey badger 17. Part of a deck 18. Cause to run off the tracks

20. Classical music form 22. Defensive nuclear weapon 23. Volt-ampere 24. “Socrate” composer Erik 26. Keep up 29. Foot raced 30. The 44th President 35. Aboriginal (abbr.) 36. Wedding vow 37. 21st Hebrew letter 38. “Little Man Tate” director 44. Teletype (Computers)

SUDOKU

1. Autonomic nervous system 2. Highway 3. Eating house 4. Afrikaans 5. Likely 6. Foot digits 7. Place to sit 8. For in Spanish 9. Also or including 11. N W Afghan city 12. Black Sea peninsula 13. Language of Slovakia 14. Divine Egyptian beetle 19. What a baby wears to eat 21. River of NE Ecuador & N Peru 24. European wooden shoe 25. Positive pole 27. Hereditary social class (Hindu) 28. Utters 29. British rule over India 31. ___ de Janeiro 32. Promotional materials 33. Narrow collapsible bed 34. Whatsoever 39. Land surrounded by water 40. Ardor 41. Aspects 42. Removes writing 43. __ Nui, Easter Island 47. Conductor Sir Georg 50. Landscaped road (abbr.) 51. Research workplaces 52. Organized factual information 53. A scheme or program 54. Female horse or zebra 55. Invests in little enterprises 56. Signing 58. Robert’s nickname 60. Very fast airplane

Page 5 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

OBITUARIES Linda Elaine George, 59, died April 12. She was born Aug. 29, 1953. Linda is survived by her husband of 41 years, Bailey; son, John; and daughter Kaitlyn Vanhekken; two granddaughters and two greatgrandchildren; and four brothers and sisters. Bernice Greco, 96, died April 12. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Sam Greco, her parents Sylvester and Angela Montalbano, brothers Joe, Jack and Bill Montalbano and sister Mamie Cimino. Bernice is survived by son, Frank Greco; daughter Marie Baskin; sisters Rosie Schaefer, Lena Martin, Mary Bedford and Sylvia Farris; four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Douglas Jack Harvey, born

July 20, 1948 in Houston, died April 9. A U.S. Army veteran, he worked as a paralegal for 18 years. Survivors include his brothers, Don and Harold Harvey and sister Jo Ann Brantner.

NEWS FROM YOUR PEWS

elder at Candlelight Church of Christ. Memorial contributions may be made to the church, 4215 Watonga, Houston 77092.

Virginia Exa Chesnut Mays, 79, died April 6. She was born Jan. 8, 1934, in Jacksonville, Texas to Randolph Holland Chesnut and Dezzie Massingill Chesnut. Virginia is survived by her husband of 57 years, Russell Ray Mays; daughters Randi Carol Mays-Knapp of College Station, and Susan Mays of Houston; two siblings, June Crosby of Jacksonville, and Joe Chesnut of Beaumont; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two siblings, Billy and Sarah Jane Chesnut. Ray T. Hartﬁel, 78, died April 7. Dewey James Faske, born

Aug. 2, 1944, died April 10 in Houston.

Margaret June Killgore Reed, 83, died from cancer April 8 at

her home in Houston. A graduate of Reagan High School, she is survived by her three daughters, Bonnie Penelope Reed, Geneva Margaret Reed and Amy Kathryn Reed, three granddaughters, brother John Michael Kilgore and sisters Kathryn Irene Weeks and Molly Susan Potts.

Mary Ann Tolbert, 88, died April 9. She worked at Scarborough High School from 1974-2002, and was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church since 1960. She is survived by her son, Joe B. Tolbert, Jr., two grandsons, two great-grandchildren and a sister, Francis Hesslink.

CHARLES “WAYNE” MUTZ

Edress Pauline Key, 96, died April 9. She is survived by her children, Shirley Nettles and Douglas Key; three grandsons, ﬁve great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter and sisters Marie Lisembee and Bessie Brown. Kenneth D. Kirkpatrick Sr., born on Dec. 5, 1939 in San Antonio, died April 10. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy, daughter Kathleen Brezina, son Ken Kirkpatrick Jr. and two grandsons. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was a Mason and past master of the DeMolay Lodge, and an

CHRIST CRUISE: St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church in Oak Forest held its second ‘Cruisin’ for Christ’ car show Saturday, which also featured children’s activities and a barbecue lunch. Proceeds went to Church World Services. (Submitted photo)

Women’s study at Oak Forest Baptist

Oak Forest Baptist Church, 1700 W. 43rd St., is offering a women’s Bible study class. James: Mercy Triumphs is an eight-week Beth Moore Bible Study with ﬂexible participation to be held Thursday mornings from 10 a.m.-noon through May 30. James, the brother of Jesus was a skeptic, an unbeliever, who later became a disciple. Small group study will be from 10-11 a.m. followed by a video presentation from 11 a.m.-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.

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ayne Mutz of Houston, Texas passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the age of 68. Wayne was born in Taylor, Texas on December 19, 1944 to the late Charles and Vernice Mutz. He grew up in Blue, Texas and graduated from Lexington High School. Wayne pursued his career in the automotive industry, and was employed by Southwest Lincoln-Mercury for 23 years. At the age of 43, he began his long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Gloria Mutz; mother-in-law, Ruby Gruszeczka; son, Charlie Mutz and wife Traci of Pinehurst, TX; daughter, Lisa Cole and husband Ben of Hockley, TX; grandchildren, Chris Mutz and wife Allison of Spring, TX, Brittany Cole, Benton Cole, Tristle Cloud and ﬁancé Jaimin Garabedian of Tomball, TX, Troy Cloud; great-grandchild Caden Mutz; niece, Brenda Cantrell of Longview, TX, and a multitude of cousins. Visitation will be held 5-8 pm on Thursday, April 18 at Pat H. Foley & Co. Funeral services will be held 10:00 am Friday, April 19, then, laid to rest at Memorial Oaks.

Pet Cremations

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Learn more about United Methodists

The Rev. Kevin Otto will conduct a ﬁve-week, video-based class titled “What Does It Mean to Be a United Methodist?” from 4-5:30 p.m. beginning April 21 at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 W. 43rd St. Content will cover the sacraments, theology and organizational structure of the church. St. Stephen’s GriefShare support group meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 101. Each session includes a video seminar featuring biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics and small group discussion time. Participants may begin at any time during the 13-week program.

For information, contact Jeanne Peters at snowowl2011@yahoo. com. For general information, call the ofﬁce at 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org.

Heavenly music at First Baptist Heights

First Baptist Church Heights, 201 E. 9th St., is hosting its ﬁrst “9th Street Hall Concert: Songs About Heaven,” at 5:45 p.m. April 21. Local musicians will perform original compositions and new arrangements of faithbased rock, rhythm and blues, Blues and country music. The 9th Street Band features Doug Fuller, guitarists Big Al Bettis and Michael Heyman, and guests Lance Aldrich and Dustin Bass. Admission is free. For information and free reserved tickets, call or text 713-5487921, email my9thstreet@gmail. com, or visit www.9thstreet.org or www.facebook.com/9thstreet.

‘The King’ in person 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, leas 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.

Unity theme for St. Ambrose parish bazaar

St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum Road, will host its annual parish bazaar, “One World, One Faith, One Community,” from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 28. Food, shopping and games are planned, with entertainment by the Telstars. Entertainment will be provided by the Telstars. For information, call 713-6863497 or visit www.stambrosehouston.org.

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Entertainment: Rita & Lore

3720 Alba Rd.

Church Guide

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

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.

1624 W 34th • 713-686-7689

www.gethsemanelutheran.org

“The Heart of the Heights”

1245 Heights Blvd.

Member of MANNA

Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship10:45 AM Pastor Don Joseph Member of MANNA Visit us on FaceBook www.oakscchouston.org

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

Sunday School . . . . . . . 9:30 AM Sunday Worship . . . . . 10:45 AM Nursery Provided Reverend Hill Johnson, Pastor

713 862-8883

1216 Bethlehem at Ella Blvd. (713) 688-7761

Oaks Presbyterian Church

Grace United Methodist Church

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

(Disciples of Christ)

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.

www.gospeltruthchurch.org

Ministering to the Oak Forest Community since 1948 Reverend Noelie Day

(713) 682-2556 1576 Chantilly @ Piney Woods

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MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

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GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Gospel Truth Church

Candlelight Church of Christ Join us for Services in English or Spanish Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday Bible Classes 9am Wednesday Bible Study 7pm

IN PRAISE OF MARRIAGE

here is much to say in praise of the institution of marriage. Beyond the purely practical reason that two can live almost as cheaply as one, there is a great benet in having two parents to help in raising children. The unmarried birth rate in the United States is now over 40%, and most of America’s poor children live in single-parent homes. The prospects for impoverished children who are being raised by a single parent are bleak compared to their wealthier counterparts with two parents. They are more likely to drop out of school, be incarcerated, and to have children while they themselves are still children, all of which perpetuates the cycle of poverty. This is an old story, and it seems hard to tell it without sounding like a fusty old moralizer. But, perhaps there is good reason for oldfashioned morality here. Human beings are born helpless, we usually die helpless, and there are lots of occasions in between where we need help. That is a pretty good reason for getting married, as if being in love and wanting to spend the rest of your life with someone aren’t reason enough. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092

Sunday SundayWorship WorshipServices Service

1822 W. 18th

at 8:30am & 11:00am 10:45 am

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

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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

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Page 6 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

THE CALENDAR. WALK TO CURE PSORIASIS 8 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. walk April 20 Discovery Green 1500 McKinney 877-825-WALK (9255) walk.psoriasis.org/houston-walk

The event aims to raise funds for the Foundation’s research, education and advocacy programs. Registration is free. Participants who raise $100 will receive a T-shirt. Choose between 1K and 5K routes.

OUTSPOKEN BEAN PRESENTS CONVERSE: INTROSPECT, LIVE, WORD 8 p.m. April 20; 3 p.m. April 21 Frenetic Theater, 5102 Navigation Blvd. 713-449-8375 www.freneticore.net

Join Texas Poet Laureate nominee and 2012 Houston Fringe Festival performer Outspoken Bean for a one-act spoken word performance. Tickets are $12 presale and $15 at the door.

CHARLOTTE’S WEB 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. April 20-May 18 Main Street Theater-Chelsea Market 4617 Montrose Blvd. 713-524-6706 mainstreettheater.com

Main Street Theater’s Theater for Youth production is E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web. Ticket prices for public performances are $12 to $16. Tickets are on sale in person at the Main Street Theater Box Oﬃce at 2540 Times Blvd. in Rice Village or by calling or visiting the website. Group rates are available. Recommended for Pre-Kindergarten and up. No children under 3 allowed in the theater (including sleeping babies).

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this Waltrip Alumni Association-sponsored trivia tournament. The $20 entry fee will go to scholarships for Waltrip students. Refreshments will be available, and items will be raﬄed oﬀ between the eight rounds of play.

OUR LADY OF THE TORTILLA 7:30 p.m. April 25-27 MECA 1900 Kane St. 713-802-9370 www.meca-houston.org

HEIGHTS ROTARY DINNER & AUCTION 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 27 SPJST LODGE 1435 Beall St. 713-299-9896 HeightsRotary.org

A barbecue dinner, silent and live auction, with live music and dancing is being organized by Waltrip High School’s Imperial Guard Alumnae to raise college scholarship funds for Waltrip students. Members of the community are welcome. Advance tickets are $15 or $20 at the door. Call or e-mail for information.

GLASSELL SCHOOL SUMMER SIGNUPS June 3-Aug. 5 5100 Montrose Blvd. 713-639-7700 www.mfah.org/juniorschool

Tickets are $12 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. Burgers and hot dogs are available for the kids. Fun Activities include face painting, inﬂatables, outdoor activities and balloon twisting. The live and silent auction begins at noon.

Our Lady of the Tortilla is a play written by Luis Santeiro and directed by Daniel Perezvertti. Tickets are $9 online/presale, $10 at the door and $5 for students. Visit the website for information.

TRIVIA CHALLENGE 2-5 p.m. April 27 Waltrip High Cafeteria 1900 W. 34th St. www.waltripalumni.org

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“GIT YER BOOTS ON!” BARBECUE, AUCTION 6:30 p.m. May 3 SPJST Lodge 1435 Beall St.

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Page 7 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Time to nurture love of nature

Earth Day ethic seen in ‘green’ animal shelter

by Dennis Woodward For The Leader

by Jenny Jurica For The Leader Walking into the sun-drenched lobby of the Friends For Life Animal Shelter and Sanctuary, one is made immediately aware that this place is different from any other animal shelter in the city or, quite possibly, in the world. Located in the heart of the Heights, at 107 E. 22nd St., near Yale, the shelter, built on reclaimed urban land (using original and repurposed materials in the process) boasts that it not only operates as the city’s only no-kill shelter but also Houston’s only LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, green animal facility. Friends For Life subscribes to the belief that a shelter can be successful and still be an accessible community resource, environmentally responsible and a true guardian of the animals in its care. From the large picture windows, skylights and open design, bathing the building in natural light, to the air handling system that provides 100 percent outside air to the building--(the air in every space is turned over 15 times per hour) it’s clear that the “old school” animal shelter system, with its odor, illness, and general feeling of despair, is a thing of the past. Executive director Salise Shuttlesworth feels as though Friends For Life’s model is the wave of the future. Under the direction of Gensler, a local architecture firm and with the guidance of Animal Arts--a Boulder, Colo.-based architecture firm, specializing in animal care facilities--Friends For Life’s space is designed entirely from the point of view of the animals that it houses. Sound baffling creates a quiet, serene space, even when the shelter is full of vocal dogs on the weekends. “Sniff holes” are in place on the glass doors of the dog rooms, so that dogs may sniff their environment and get a sense of calm in knowing who’s coming and going in the walkways around them.

A volunteer plays with the cats waiting for a ‘forever home’ at Friends for Life’s green, no-kill shelter in the Heights. (Submitted photo) The in-wall wet vacuum system ensures that rooms, such as the cats’ cage-less rooms are kept sanitized, free from disease-causing, waterborne bacteria and odor. According to the organization, it’s estimated that the LEED design of Friends For Life will save the shelter $110,000 over ﬁve years. This, in turn, provides Friends For Life the opportunity to save 458 dogs and cats and spay or neuter 1,718 animals. The excitement generated, due to the success of this shelter, is palpable in the feeling of optimism and fun among the army of dedicated volunteers and staff. Friends for Life boasts that 75 percent of its animals would be deemed “unadoptable” at more traditional shelters) and the facility treats each animal with dignity. Friends For Life always welcomes visitors to come in, tour the facility and visit with the animals in residence there. Beginning on Earth Day on April 22 through April 28, adopters will receive half-off adoption fees and receive a free gift basket, full of eco-friendly pet products from Natural Pawz. Visit Friends For Life online at: www.nokill1.org.

Maybe the solution is with the primary caregivers. We continue to mow down the bluebonnets because we fail to see the beauty. We don’t see the beauty because we are simply not taught what real beauty is from a young age. Sure, we are driven out of the city to see nature and bluebonnets. However, each and every day we can see the beauty of nature right where we live. We simply need to allow it to exist. The monarch butterﬂy is a glaring example. We have destroyed much of the monarch habitat. However, there are places that are on the fringes of our farms, parks, railroads, rivers, ditches and bayous where milkweed still lives. I never knew that there were over a hundred varieties of milkweed. I simply planted the variety that is sold in local nurseries. All you need is one plant. The seeds from that plant will make more. If you plant it, then you will have monarchs. So, please take that delightful child of yours and purchase some milkweed if you do not have any. After you acquaint your child with the monarch you will most assuredly add other butterﬂy host plants. Now is also the high point of the spring migration. Each day thousands, if not tens of thousands of birds are passing through our area. We are not aware because so much of our lives are inside. There is a

doubt they like it one little bit. Finally, there are hundreds of babies to feed in nests. What a racket it is. Spoonbills, snowy egrets, great egrets, and cormorants raise their young on the island. Alligators wait hopefully and patiently for a meal. Survival of the fittest is a lesson that is cruel to learn, but it is part of the system. Sometimes I wish I did not love nature so much. It certainly would be a lot easier to ignore the city crew mowing down the bluebonnets. I believe the solution is to spend time in nature with your little ones. Please find me on Facebook if you want some seeds or plants that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your property. It may be too late for adults. My hope is with the very young. Woodward gardens at his home in Shepherd Park Plaza and does restorative planting on public properties.

place about an hour and a half drive from Houston called High Island. It is neither very high, nor is it an island. It is a salt dome formation very close to the beach. Please take your little ones to High Island this year. The rookery is worth the trip. From what I have been told birds leave the Yucatan peninsula at night and fly north on favorable winds. They are returning to North America from Central and South America. They begin arriving about 3:15 p.m. and leave by about 10 a.m. the next day. Some fantastic migrants that I have seen in my 10-plus visits to High Island are the painted bunting, vermillion flycatcher, hooded warbler, American redstart, rose breasted grosbeak, and cerulean warbler. There are of course scores of other birds that stop at High Island on their way north. You must see the rookery. The rookery is an island about 200-300 feet long. It is about 60 feet from several observation platforms built specifically to accommodate the hundreds of people that visit each year. First, the rookery is a big bird orgy. Okay, it is really a mating bonanza. Then those mother birds just sit, sit, sit, and, I

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Page 8 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

Neighbors: Blowing out birthday candles by Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@sbcglobal.net Happy birthday to Brianna Leigh Malota who will turn 14 on April 20. She will start off her special day by competing in a district championship qualifying speech tournament, next she will play in her third game of the season with her Ace’s volleyball team, and finally, she will finish off the day with a good, old-fashioned, great-friends-getting-together slumber party. The rest of the weekend is completely all about Brianna as she spends time with her parents Djuana and Kenneth and sister Jacqueline. Happy, happy birthday to neighbors Bonnie Yezak who celebrated her special day on March 31, Kelly Shupak who blew out her candles and drove out to see the bluebonnets on April 13, Susan Smith Porterfield who enjoyed cake and balloons with her family on April 14 and last but not least, the lovely and talented Shannon Boone who was 21 years of age on April 16. Cheers! Waltrip’s teachers and staff entering the Teacher’s Lounge at lunchtime one day last week were surprised to discover some delectable delights provided for their enjoyment which were donated by a few local businesses. Sincere thanks goes out to neighbors as well as local business owners Lonnie Vekiri of Brothers Pizzeria on North Shepherd and Diana Davila of Frida’s Kitchen on Ella, as well as manager Christine Morales at Edible Arrangements on West 43rd St. and Aramark Food Services, for their thoughtful and delicious donations. Aramark donated a variety of coffees, teas and hot

chocolate mix to last through the end of the school year for Waltrip’s teachers and staff. Two of Waltrip’s Ram Band jazz ensembles participated in the Texas Southern University Jazz Festival and, as expected, both ensembles performed very well and came out victorious. Jazz Ensemble #1 under the direction of Jesse Espinosa received first place – 1st Division – Superior Rating, and Jazz Ensemble #2 under the direction of Eric Jimenez received an Excellent Rating. Along with the overall ensemble recognition, some of the Band’s students also received individual awards: Jose Barrios (12th grade) – Most Outstanding Musician of the Day (he was awarded 8 hours of recording at the KTSU recording studios); Reyvan Gray (10th grade) – Most Outstanding Piano; Richard Rodriguez (11th grade) – Most Outstanding Bass; Diego Espinoza (12th grade) – Most Outstanding Trumpet; and Odalis Saldana (12th grade) – Most Outstanding Clarinet. The Ram Band has just received notification that they were nominated by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee to represent the State of Texas in the National Memorial Day Parade to be held in Washington D.C. in May of 2014. Congrats to the student teams from Waltrip High School who won second and third place in the Lego Robotics Competition at SECME last Saturday at Clifton Middle School. Ruben Zuniga, Larry Ayala, and Elizabeth Hernandez received second place, while Lucero Sanchez, Hugo Medina, and Guillermo Rivera received third place. The team is led by Josefina Pacaon. Anyone know how to contact Harold Starsk Haines, a 1977 graduate of Waltrip HS and a

Houston’s new poet has roots in the Heights (wouldn’t you know it?) by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com Gwendolyn Zepeda, a 1990 Reagan High graduate, loves to write poetry and work on award-winning novels. Zepeda, 41, works as a technical writer for VALEC in Houston, Monday through Friday. “I can’t write (poetry) at work,” Zepeda said. “I write in the parking garage, and I have five poems about parking garages.” One of Houston’s most successful authors, Zepeda was named last week to be the city’s first poet laureate. “It’s pretty freaking big -- I did not expect to win,” said Zepeda, who earned an English degree from the University of Texas but strongly prefers Houston over Austin. “I love the city. I’ll write poems about the city, for the city.” As Poet Laureate for a two-year term, she’ll read at Houston Public Library branches and become involved in community outreach events, essentially bringing to poetry to people who probably wouldn’t have been exposed to it. She’ll receive an annual honorarium of $5,000 through the city’s Initiative Grant Program of the Houston Arts Alliance. “Selecting Houston’s first poet laureate was difficult due to the talent among the nominees,” Houston Mayor Annise Parker said in a press release. “We were searching for a people’s poet rather than a poet’s poet – someone who can excite people about poetry. I believe we have found just that in Gwendolyn Zepeda and her approach.” Zepeda was selected over about 20 applicants for poet laureate, some of whom hold Ph.Ds in poetry. She submitted 15 pages of poems, including one about a Vietnamese noodle house in the city. One of the poems that Zepeda plans to write for Houston will be about “how important our cars are to us.” “I’m excited about it – I really like doing poetry readings,” Zepeda said. Zepeda’s interest in poetry began in the third-grade and took lasting hold in the late 1970s. “You learn poetry in elementary school,” Zepeda said. “We had a little contest. One of the girls wrote a good poem, and the teach-

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Something that you should know about yours truly: I’m a lover, not a hunter. Now, this is not to say that I don’t get the occasional hankering for a green anole lizard--clammy on the outside, gooey on the inside--perfection! But, I’ve never so much as pounced on a mouse, rat or bird. In fact, I’m relatively famous in my neighborhood for rescuing two baby squirrels a few months ago. (Ahem) Still awaiting that Citizen of the Year recognition from Mayor Parker... Speaking of rodents: Did you know that rodents (rats, specifically) can make great pets? “Rats are probably the most social and interactive of the small rodents. They’re gentle, seldom bite and are active during the day,” according to Sharman Hoppes, clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. While probably not the ideal pet for small children, children ages 10 and older would make great pet owners for rats. Rats are very smart, sweet and enjoy being with their humans. One important aspect of owning a pet rodent is cage cleanliness. Their cage needs to be cleaned once or twice a week to keep ammonia levels down and also to decrease the incidence of respiratory disease. Pet rodents do not need vaccinations and by following common-sense precautions (such as hand-washing after handling your rodent) you can greatly decrease any possible maladies associated with rodentkeeping. Are you convinced yet that a rat is the perfect pet for your family? Guess what: You can find many local, rescued rats and other small furries in search of a new adoptive home on www.petfinder. com and at CAP (Citizens for Animal Protection: www.cap4pets.org) Please consider this option before purchasing from a pet store!

ers wouldn’t stop talking about it. I was jealous.” It was that same “jealousy” that motivated Zepeda to wrote ﬁctional novels and to start a an online blog. Prior to attending Reagan, Zepeda graduated from Hamilton Middle School in the spring of 1986. Zepeda said that many of her poems are about “feeling constricted by society” -- things like living in the suburbs and working Help! in the corporate culture. Oak Forest Veterinary clinic is in need of hand and bath towels. If “I like to write about edgy subyou’ve got some laying around, please consider donating them to this jects that make you think,” Zepeda veterinary practice. The patients would be ever so grateful! You can said. drop them off at: 2120 W. 34th during business hours. A three-time Arts Alliance winner, Zepeda is currently workFurry Head’s Up ing on a novel about “a Catholic Bring your dog along and join us in the stands on Sunday, April 21 girl coming of age in the time of at noon for Bark in the Park at the University of Houston, hosted by AIDS.” the U of H softball team. Our good buddies, Friends For Life will be “It’s a novel that’s the most there with their mobile adoption vehicle. Go to www.uhcougars.com closely based on my life,” she said. for tickets or purchase at the gate. Zepeda’s previous novels were SNAP is offering free spay and neutering services throughout the titled, “Growing Up Tamales,” month of April in various locations around the area to pet owners “Houston, We Have A Problema,” who qualify for Food Stamps, TANF, Medicaid, Harris County Hos“Lone Star Legend,” and “Better pital District Gold Card, SSI/SSD, CHIP, free school lunches, major With You Here.” VA disability or Section 8 Housing. Please encourage your friends and She’ll have a poetry book debut neighbors who might qualify to take advantage of this generous offer. next year, titled “It’s Zepeda, Not Call (713) 522-2337 for more information. Zapata.” “It’s an incredible honor to be Coming April 27: Puppies for Breakfast. (Yum.) Go to www.pupchosen as Houston’s ﬁrst poet laupiesforbreakfast.com for more information. reate,” Zepeda said in the release. Ad # 29672 “I’m excited about sharing poetry with our diverse communities and, InvestInvest in Your Future more importantly, hearing what in Your Future my fellow Houstonians will exThrough America’s Past Through America’s Past press through their own writing.”

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Page 9 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Shepherd Forest Civic Club takes initiative, cleans up 34th They’d hoped for an army of at least 100 volunteers, but it was left to about two dozen stalwarts from the Shepherd Forest Civic Club to spread out, take charge and make a visible difference Saturday morning in sprucing up an overgrown and trashed-out section of the south side of 34th Street, at the gateway to their neighborhood west of T.C. Jester. The crew filled a 30-yard dumpster, donated by Waste Management, with branches, grass clippings and trash and turned an eyesore into a groomed, walkable street. More than one volunteer fretted over why the city doesn’t tend to the right-of-way, which had become virtually impassable to pedestrians. They were pleased, though, that Councilwoman Helena Brown, who represents the area, worked side-byside with them in her cap and reflective vest, trimming wild brush along the fencelines. “It’s great that these residents are taking charge,” Brown said. “This is something that had to be done,” said Lisa Talbott, who led the effort. For those who didn’t show up but want to support the civic club’s beautification efforts in general, donations may be made to the Shepherd Forest Beautification Committee through PayPal at www.shepherdforest.org.

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by Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Although there is a five-year difference in their ages, Enrique and Paul Dryere shared a similar passion as children. “When we were really little my brother and I would make up card games and board games,” said Paul, the younger of the two and a 2005 Reagan High School graduate. “We always wanted to design a video game - we just didn’t know how.” Fast forward to 2013 and the Dryere brothers have it mostly figured out. In May they will release Ring Runner on the PC with plans to expand to Xbox in the near future. They funded the project with a very successful Kickstarter campaign which raised $27,000, more than twice their goal, from backers in the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America. Ring Runner is getting good early buzz thanks to the brothers’ appearance on The Next Game Boss, a reality show sponsored by IGN Entertainment. Judges included gaming legends David Jaffe and Jenova Chen as well as former Nickelodeon star Lisa Foiles who now has a popular YouTube Channel called The Game Station. “It was a worthwhile experience,” said Enrique. “There were a lot of big names in the industry.” The Dryeres and Ring Runner came in second. Not bad at all, when the first place winner, Eric Provan, is a 3D artist working for Disney. Enrique says that the judges were impressed not just by the game’s function but also by its 20 hour long story driven campaign – somewhat of an anomaly in the Space Shooter/Role Playing genre of which it is part. “People don’t expect a story,” said Enrique. In this case though, he had one ready, a book he started in 2006 after graduating from UT Austin with a degree in psychology and classics. Called Ring Runner: Derelict Dreams, Enrique says he was inspired by Douglas Adams for the sci-fi and Kurt Vonnegut for the tone and humor. The sci-fi universe that Enrique created is rooted in some scientific fact. The Sages of Enrique’s story are endowed with quantum computers implanted in their minds which allow them to penetrate the subatomic realm. Below the string level lies the Subrostrum (EnAd # 35524 rique’s own term) where the pow-

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Enrique and Paul Dryere have been perfecting their game for years, and now their efforts are paying off. At left is a logo of their game, Ring Runner, which will be released in May on PC with future plans to expand to Xbox. (Submitted photos) er of an observer’s will is stronger than any other force, and where a Sage can affect reality. The protagonist, a Sage named Ex, was abandoned by his mother in the middle of space at 13 but doesn’t know why. He works to solve this mystery as he tries to survive a failed heist that sees him shipwrecked on an arid planet that is being mined out of existence by the very forces that hunt him. “We thought we’d be done in a year,” said Paul about a journey seven years in the making. “We’re pretty confident about the game. What we promise people will be real.” A superstar kid Paul is the programmer for Ring Runner, and built the engine from scratch, while Enrique handles story, music, marketing, and art. It is an even division of work. And while both brothers studied programming and 3D modeling in UT Dallas’ Arts and Technology program, Paul also had a solid background in computers and science from Reagan High School. “Paul was one of those students who forced me to look beyond the curriculum and really step up my game,” said former physics teacher 31448who is now in teachAd # Dodd, James

Chris’

er development at HISD. He remembers working a complicated problem in real time on the board when Paul came up with a quicker solution just by watching him. For his part, Paul hasn’t forgotten Newton’s laws of motion. He uses them in designing the way the ships move in Ring Runner. He also recalls telling Dodd he’d send him a copy of his ﬁrst game. Dodd says he wants an autograph too. “Often you don’t get to know the kind of impact you have on your students,” Dodd said. “He was always a superstar kid.” Ring Runner will retail for $15 initially and there are plans to publish the book as a companion piece. The Next Game Boss is still available on You Tube. For more information about Ring Runner, visit RingRunner.net.

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Page 10 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader

Long time coming, Ruggles Green ready to ﬁt in by Charlotte Aguilar charlotte@theleadernews.com Some restaurateurs aspire to earn four stars in prestigious food rankings. While Ruggles Green’s Federico Marques takes food seriously - as evidenced by his staff ’s labors to create a Heights-friendly menu and daily specials - it’s the goal of becoming a four-star “green” restaurant that really puts a twinkle in his eye. “We’re out to create a new sustainable energy standard at this Heights location,” said Marques, who’s aiming for a soft opening no later than Monday (but was a possibility for Friday). “If we can get four stars, well…” his voice trails off and he launches into an impressive list of accomplishments including 100 percent LED lighting, solar power, composting and recycling of every available material, selling old fryer oil for conversion to biofuel and a cutting-edge energy management system. He hopes all those measures and more will lead to the elusive four stars from the international Green Restaurant Association. Ruggles Green, with locations

“and although it meant delays and a lot of additional cost, we did it out of respect to the neighborhood.” Back when he initially brainstormed the Ruggles Green concept with partners ﬁve years ago, Marques had hoped the Heights would be the ﬁrst location, but that didn’t happen for a variety of reasons. “We’ve always felt this was the perfect place for our philosophy,” he said. “It’s a close-knit community that’s receptive to the green philosophy. “

That not only includes care about the environment, but use of local, sustainable foods, and menus heavy on options for vegetarians, vegans and those who require gluten-free diets, he explains. “We can make 90 percent of our menu items gluten-free.” Ruggles Green’s biggest change in the Heights will be to offer a weekend breakfast, not available at its other locations, “because we know this is a big breakfast neighborhood,” he said. And diners can look for surprises, especially in the daily specials, where chefs get the chance to exercise their creativity and feel for their new clientele. “It could be something like buffalo chili or special pizzas – anything we think might work,” he said. Ruggles Grill will introduce its old-looking but state-of-theart building and food at a grand opening from 6-10 p.m. next Thursday, April 25, beneﬁting the Discover Fitness Foundation, a Heights-area organization that battles childhood obesity through healthy physical activity. For more, follow the Ruggles Green Facebook page or go to www.rugglesgreen.com.

While Buri didn’t disclose the amount that was given to charity, she said the recipients are St. Mark’s Medical Center Foundation, Shriner’s Hospital, Boys & Girls Country of Houston Inc., Timbergrove Little League, Meals on Wheels and Young Survival Coalition. The donation to Timbergrove Little League will help fund the new concession stand and the installation of lights. The Young Survival Coalition is a non-proﬁt dedicated to helping women under age 40 who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Its leader for the state of Texas, Sandy Castillo, regularly plays bingo at SPJST. “We usually take up this whole table -- we cover table in pink and lots of people want to talk to us,” said Castillo, a breast cancer survi-

vor who was diagnosed at age 39. The SPJST’s youth group works the concession stand, and those proceeds fund their events. The bingo workers receive a small stipend, but it’s primarily a volunteer effort. “When you can give it to charity,” Buri said. “You feel like it’s worth it.” Carol Havemann of Spring is a third-grade teacher by day and the bingo caller every Thursday evening. “It’s entertaining,” Havemann said. “It’s fun to sit and watch the people get all excited.” There are times, however, when the packed bingo hall resembles a third-grade classroom. “I just want to tell them to be quiet and be good listeners,” Havemann said. “Then, I remember, it’s not my classroom.”

Manager Christina Blick and Chef Manager Sylvester Reyes are getting ready to launch the latest Ruggles Green restaurant at the site of the old 11th Street Café in the Heights. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter) in River Oaks, City Centre and Sugar Land, already holds the distinction of having the greenest restaurants in Texas and the U.S., Marques says. The new restaurant is located in the old 11th Street Café, 748 E. 11th St. And while from the outside, the historic building looks untouched, it’s something like the façade of a Hollywood movie set. Three outside brick walls were all that could be kept intact after design needs were evaluated. “We had to build an original building from the inside out,” said Marques,

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Bingo • from Page 1 it quite a bit,” Graham said. “You get a chance to actually do something on a Thursday. Everybody is involved, and you can and bring your own food.” SPJST is a national organization that’s been around since the late 19th century. The lodge also hosts dances, primarily attended by senior citizens. Its rooms and large outdoor patio are available for rent. The Lodge has about 7,000 members, although not all of them are active. Buri credited her predecessor, Mildred Holeman, for creating widespread interest in the bingo hall. All of the employees are certiﬁed by the Texas Lottery Commission, which ensures that all of the bingo is played within the hall itself and not outside it.

Heights resident Clara Bruz, 81, has enjoyed bingo at SPJST Lodge 88 since the early 1950s. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter) Aside from the operational costs, the bingo proceeds are donated to charities determined by the board of directors.

The city of Houston Street Recycling Center is trying to ensure that its residents won’t have difficulty recycling in the wake of the property at 3602 Center Street (one of its recycling centers) being sold. According to Gary Readore, Chief of Staff for the City’s Solid Waste Management Department, the recycling center was sold to Admiral Linens for revenue purposes. The recycling center was scheduled to close on June 1, but the city is finalizing negotations with Admiral to extend the use of the property for the next six to 12 months. The location is a block east of Heights Blvd. and a block north of Washington Ave. Readore said the City is currently looking for a property in the area to replace the 3602 Center Street drop-off.

a black sedan whose make and model couldn’t be discerned. He was described by the victim as a black man just over 6 feet tall, about 180-210 pounds with a white T-shirt and black jeans. The most outstanding feature: a yellow bear mask, complete with ears. The same night the Chamboard couple was robbed, April 9, a 31-year-old woman, who had stopped at an ATM machine for cash moments before, was robbed in the driveway of her home in the 2300 block of Chantilly. In both incidents, the robber was described as possibly Hispanic, wearing a multi-colored ski mask, brandishing a pistol and getting away in an older gray 4door sedan. The Chamboard victim believed it was a Mitsubishi Elantra. The series of incidents started with two similar robberies – in the 2000 block of Hewitt and 1700 block of Candlelight – the night of April 5, in which victims felt they may have been followed home. In both incidents, the robber was

– Michael Sudhalter

Magnet • from Page 1 magnet schools where applicants exceed spaces to select youngsters. In what seemed a bit backwards, the board approved two magnet school programs earlier in the meeting before voting on the new guidelines. The Energy Institute High School will start in the fall with a ninth-grade class and could be located at the former Holden Elementary School – most recently HISD’s Central Regional ofﬁce – at 812 W. 28th St. in the Heights. Training students for jobs in both traditional petrochemical and new energy sources, such as solar and wind, the school would be the ﬁrst of its kind in the nation, according to HISD. The board also approved creating a middle school Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan Middle School, 4610 Elgin St., east of downtown. It will launch in Ad the #fall34143 with a class of sixth-grad-

ers and be a feeder school for the highly regarded DeBakey High School for the Health Professions. The board voted last month to close Ryan because of chronic low enrollment. Each year, a new grade will be added at the two campuses until they reach their full range. The district has applied for $12 million in federal magnet grant funds that would support the schools for their ﬁrst three years. The public will get their ﬁrst chance to get acquainted with the new schools at the district’s annual School Choice Fair, which is scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon April 27 at the district’s headquarters, 4400 W. 18th St. HISD is also seeking teachers for the non-traditional medical and energy programs, with a tight application deadline of April 22. For more information on applying, go to www.houstonisd.org/careers.

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Robberies • from Page 1 an umbrella, and he cursed her before ﬂeeing in a car, which she did not see well enough to describe, the daughter said. The robber was apparently not armed. While there are some common descriptions of suspects, vehicles, weapons and modus operandi, robbery investigators have yet to make a connection among the crimes. “They’re sifting through all the evidence looking for similarities,” said HPD spokesman John Cannon, who said the department has stepped up both marked and unmarked patrols of the area. But while the pace of robberies has slowed, the incidents haven’t stopped. The latest victim was a 62-year-old man visiting the 1400 block of Curtin Street shortly after 10:30 p.m. Monday. When he got out of his car, he told investigators, a man ran up to him pointing a gun and demanding his money. After he complied, the robber ran west a few houses and escaped in

“It’s kind of a tough road trying to find a replacement property that is economical,” Readore said. “We had a spot we thought was worked out and the community squashed it. There’s a lot of residential development. We can’t be too close to residential. The cost of the land is so expensive in that area.” The dropoff site is unstaffed and includes a parking lot with roll-off containers. Residents deposit materials into it. When the 3602 Center location finally closes, residents will be able to drop off their recycling at two sites – 9003 North Main in Houston and 5004 Dincans in West University Place, although the latter may be shutting down in the future.

described as a black man armed with a pistol, with the Candlelight victim observing a 4-door white sedan as the getaway vehicle. HPD’s Cannon and the Chamboard victim had identical advice: for residents to be aware of their surroundings. As a precaution, suggests the victim, “maybe even honking and ﬂashing lights when coming home. As brazen as these scum have been though, I don’t know if it would make a difference.” Don’t hesitate to call with even the slightest suspicion of an individual or vehicle, said Cannon. Broader tips or leads should be phoned in to the robbery division at 713-308-0700 or to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For now, the followers are growing on neighborhood Facebook pages, where residents are freely sharing ﬁrst-hand accounts of robberies, tips, rumors and advice – as well as the same zeal to learn about concealed weapons permits and classes and Citizens Patrol that peaked, then waned, during last fall’s robbery spree.

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Page 11 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com FOR SALE

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No Nights or Weekends. MUST HAVE: Dependable Transportation,speak English Have References,clean 6 to 10 houses per week. Call : M-F, 9-5 only

TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR DELIVERY DRIVER: Standard transmission. Bilingual a plus. Heights area. Call Sandy, 713868-0950.

713-866-4856 COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING COMPANY is currently looking for leadmen with minimum one year of experience. For more information, please call 713-6882435 or apply at 2048 Johanna Dr. We are an equal opportunity employer. (S) (4-20)

HAIRDRESSER NEEDED WITH FOLLOWING ONLY: Garden Oaks area. Busy shop. Some benefits included. 713-2522836.

COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPING WORK WANTED COMPANY is currently looking for English speaking foreman with one year+ of experience. Good salary and beneﬁts. For more information, please call 713-688-2435 or apply at 2048 Johanna Dr. We are an equal opportunity employer. (S) (4-20)

We have one of the WANTED highest rated WORK delivery systems in the country, but mistakes can happen. If you don’t receive your Leader any week, we’d sure appreciate it if you’d call and let us know so that we can correct the problem.

General Service Tech/Driver Oil and ﬁlter changes, tire mounting and minor repairs. Pick up parts and shuttle customers. Must have good driving record. Mon-Fri 7am-6pm

Harting Automotive

COMPUTERS

Residential Maintenance Company seeking leadman with experience in sheetrock, painting, wood, tile, plumbing, etc. Must have own truck & tools. Part-time to full time. Drug & background check. Call/Fax resume to 713-686-0344 GROWING AGAIN!! IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR

Local hauling/home daily. Paid weekly. Paid Orientation. Excellent beneﬁts package. Quarterly Safety and Performance bonus. Class A-CDL-X with T/T experience required Visit us online @: www.mipe.com Or in person at: 8450 Mosley Road HOUSTON, TX 77075 John Payne 832/615-0708

$2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS

CRYOGENIC TRANSPORTATION LLC is hiring

Class A CDL DRIVERS

out of Baytown, TX for our OTR positions (15 days out & return home for 5 days)! We offer competitive pay, medical beneﬁts for you and your family, paid training on product handling, paid uniforms paid vacations, 401K & MORE! 2 years tractor-trailer experience, Tank & Hazmat endorsements (or ability to obtain) & safe driving record required.

Garage Sale Shopping This Weekend?

Find Them All In One Easy Map

APPLY NOW at TheKAG.com or call (800) 871-4581

HELP WANTED

COMPUTER PROBLEMS?

We offer Mobile Repairs Mr. PC Computer

832.641.6786

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENT BURGLAR BARS: Custom made. Residential and comWORK WANTED mercial. Free estimates. 281448-2759. www.burglarbarsandmore.com. (TF) HANDYMAN: Build, repair fences, garage doors or decks. Carpentry — install Hardi-plank, cabinets, windows, doors, locks. Painting, home theater set up. 35+ year Oak Forest resident. Call David, 713-688-1839, leave name and number.

KIKER & SON

Pinemont

W. 20th St.

ster

Blvd

ROOFING

• ReRoof • Repair • Siding • Windows

713-849-2727

www.asap-roong.com

BALDERAS CONCRETE WORK • Driveways • Sidewalks • Patios FREE ESTIMATES

Call Gregory

832-675-2485 713-864-3755

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

� � � � � � � • Openers • Cables � � • Springs • Sections � � Repaired & Replaced � � � � 281-352-3350 � � 713-545-6162 � 24 Hrs/7 Days � � Se Habla Espanol � �

1 Day Service Gas or Electric

Pecore St.

White Oak Dr.

Watson St.

W. 11th St.

Rd.

Yale St.

N. Shepherd Dr.

Katy

ASAP

E. 11th St.

Heights Blvd.

Greater Heights

N. Durham Dr.

T. W. Ella Blvd.

Post Oaks Rd.

(713) 686-4954

713-984-1849

E. 20th St.

Wirt Rd.

Silber Rd.

Antoine Dr.

Lazybrook Timbergrove

Berry Rd.

Airline Dr.

ster B

Fulton St.

.J e

in St.

Yale St.

Bingle Rd.

Westview Dr.

Memorial Dr.

610 E. T .C

W. 18th St.

5 N. Ma

W. 34th St.

Longpoint Rd.

N. Shepherd Dr.

Ella Blvd.

W. 34th St.

. lvd

Hammerly Blvd

Crosstimbers St.

Oak Forest Garden Oaks

Spring Branch East

.C .T W

Blvd.

Pinemont

Candlelight Plaza Shepherd Park Plaza

Rosslyn Rd.

T.C. Jester Park

Tidwell Rd.

W. 43rd St.

Wat on

290

Kempwood Dr.

ery

W. Tidwell Rd.

Langwood He

All Types Of Roong

We Install Water Heaters

E. Parker

Greater Inwood

.M W

W. Tidwell

Wheatley St.

Antoine Dr.

Bingle Rd.

Apply in person at: 5616 Pinemont Drive Inquiry: 713-686-0627

W. Little York

Hollister Rd.

Office AP/AR Clerk ( NW Houston) Growing company seeking motivated individuals to assist in busy accounting office. Duties include: * maintaining accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll * creating and using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets * managing daily office operations * answering multi-line phone * filing * handling customer service calls Successful applicants will have: * recent experience using Quickbooks and Excel * strong verbal and written communication skills (bilingual a plus) * excellent organizational skills * general office knowledge * willingness to work in a team environment Salary based upon experience.

832-818-4970

Leader Ad vertiser

GASOLINE DRIVERS

Harting Automotive 713-688-0967

Upgrades, Installation, Conguration (Virus-Removal) Home - NetWorking

ROOFING 29 yr. Consecutive

713-688-0967

Must have good driving record and own tools Mon-Fri 7:00am to 6:00pm

QUALITY HOME CARE provided for your loved ones. Call Shay, 713-935-5064.

Item One (1) Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) leather product; Two (2) Python (Python species) leather products; 1 Tegu (Tupinambis) leather product

24/7 ANSWERING SERVICE seeking a (Spanish) bilingual WORKwith WANTED representative call center customer service experience. Employment Line. 713-8664490. (4-20)

��

NOTICE OF SEIZURE AND INTENT TO FORFEIT

Value $1,200.00

MECHANIC WITH EXPERIENCE on Econoline vans needed. Experience with A/C, alternators, brakes and suspension. Tools required. Salary commensurate with experience. 713-681-3600. (TF)

��

EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER: Available ﬁve days per week. Nobody delivers to more homes Latisha, 832-343-4277. in our area than The Leader.

Seizure 09/10/2012

Great Pay, Hometime! No-Forced Dispatch! New Singles from Houston to surrounding states. Apply: www.truckmovers.com or: 1-866-224-8948

Shop Online 24/7 ��

713-849-9000

Notice is hereby given that the United States Department of the Interior is hereby commencing a forfeiture proceeding against the following items of wildlife or wildlife products, which were seized in the Houston area of Texas on the date indicated because they were involved in one or more violations of any of the following law: Endangered Species Act, l6 U.S.C. 1538(c)(1), 16 U.S.C 1538(d)(3) and 16 U.S.C 1538 (e). These items are subject to forfeiture to the United States under Title l6, U.S.C. Sec. l540(e), 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1377, or l6 U.S.C. Sec. 3374 and Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Section l4.91(a) and 14.61. Any person with an ownership or financial interest in said items who desires to claim them must file a claim with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Law Enforcement office,16639 W. Hardy, Houston, TX 70060-6230. Such claim must be received by the above office by June 18, 2013. The claim will be transmitted to the U.S. Attorney for institution of a forfeiture action in U.S. District Court. If a proper claim is not received by the above office by such date, the items will be declared forfeited to the United States and disposed of according to law. Any person who has an interest in the items may also file with the above office a petition for remission of forfeiture in accordance with Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, and Section 12.24, which petition must be received in such office before disposition of the items. Storage costs may also be assessed.

File No. 2012206096

FOR SALE

To Advertise Call A Local Sales Rep 713-686-8494

Haute Dawgs

� Custom Cut � Memor y Foam � Chair Pads � Couch Cushions � Mattress Foam

WORK WANTED

FOR SALE

Home, Small Ofce Computer Repair

CHIHUAHUAS FOR SALE: $200 each. Four females, one male. 832-816-7882.

THE FOAM STORE

WORK WANTED

FOR SALE

FIND YOUR FRIEND FOR LIFE: Adopt or foster a shelter animal. www.nokill1.org. (TF)

5229 Brinkman St. Houston, Tx. 77091

store

FOR SALE

610 Washington

Crockett St.

Ave.

Go online and look for our map page www.theleadernews.com

HOME REMODELING

• Painting • Sheetrock • Tile Work • Roong • Carpentry • Carpet • Concrete • Power Wash • Burglar Bars • Brick • Trees FREE ESTIMATES - Hector

281-827-4447

LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE LET THESE PROFESSIONALS ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR LAWN & GARDEN NEEDS

High Quality Sheetrock Repair By Joe Lopez • Installation • Tape & Float • Match All Textures • Remove Wallpaper

Apply Tuscan Trowel Texture

TREE CARE

PROFESSIONALS

Comm.-Res. • Trimming • Removal • Stump Grinding • Planting • Pruning • Trash Hauling Free Estimate • Insured Lino 281-704-6828

Lawn Care

Mowing • Edging • Blowing Flower Bedding • Fertilizing

TREE CUTTING & TRIMMING

FREE ESTIMATES – 17 Yrs. Exp.

(281) 948-4879

Ranger Tree Service

Specialize In Dif�cult Removals, Trimming and Planting of New Trees Free Estimates

Insured

Gilbert’s Landscape

713-690-TREE-(8733)

TREE CLIMBERS Expert Tree Services

• Removal • Trim • Prune • Spray • Feed • Top • Stump Grinding Fully Insured • Free Est.

10% OFF Labor w/ad

281-866-8859

OUTSIDE

35 yrs. exp.

Al’s

Alfredo’s Landscape

Experienced LAWN & TREE SERVICE Landscaping • Insured Satisfaction Guaranteed

Al Rojas 713-863-7310 Cell 713-416-1092

RON'S YARD SERVICE Great work at competitive prices!

• Mow • Edge • Weedeat • Fertilize Ask for Ronnie

281-468-2158

Landscape Renovations

• Mowing • Seasonal Color • Mulching • Wood Fences • Cleanups • Pressure • Tree Trimming Washing

• lawn maintenance • commercial-residential • driveway pressure washing Bob Penick (281) 914-7747 • Landscape Design & Installation • Maintenance • Irrigation • Drainage • Lighting • Pool Design & Installation We accept all major Credit Cards

713-683-TREE

YOUR AD CAN RUN HERE

JR RAMIREZ

Call 713-686-8494 For Details

• Landscape Installation • Weather Damage Replacement • Tree Trim & Removal • Lawn & Bed Maintenance • Landscape Lighting • Organic Soil Amendments

��

www.richtersservicesinc.com

LUXURY LAWNS

Lawn Maintenance Landscape & Design Sprinklers/Drainage Systems Free Estimates 20 yrs. exp.

TREE EXPERTS, INC. Dennis Clooney - Manager 25+ Years Experience • Tree Trimming/Removal • Stump Grinding • Fertilization • Construction Preparation • Residential/Commercial Insured Liability and Workman’s Comp

713-683-TREE (713-683-8733) FREE ESTIMATES

Residential/Commercial FREE ESTIMATES

832-563-9301

��

INTERESTS, INC.

STUMP GRINDING

713-688-4244 David Bartula

Spring Cleanup & Planting Flower bed preparation, soil, mulching, gravel, fertilizing, tree service, sprinkler repair, fence.

832-541-0770

• Sprinkler Systems • Drainage Systems • Design • Installation • Service & Repair We specialize in Sprinkler Repair

Painting Interior/Exterior

Since 1975

Gardening Makeover Specialists Heights Resident

Lic.# 4876 Joseph Frusco Consultant

(832) 435-8685

www.fruscolandscaping.com

��

• Tree Trimming • Pruning • Take Downs

• Stump Grinding • Wood Fences • Landscape Maintenance

Bonded / Insured For Your Protection

��

Wilber’s Tree Service Complete Tree Service

w Trimming w Pruning w Topping w Removal w Stump Grinding Comm. Res. (of�ce) 713-545-3677 Free Estimates • Reasonable Rates • Insured

Spring Maintenance Service Special $39.95 + tax

Match any texture

Roofing Work Carpentry Handyman Services Power Washing Good References

(713) 962-3474

Houston Heights

ROOFERS

Roong, Siding, Painting, etc.

Keep it local and call the pros.

713-385-1576

www.houstonheightsroofers.com

WOOD FENCING Repair & Install Pressure Washing Painting • Siding

• Tree Removal • Shaping & Trimming Insured • Free Estimates

FRANK ZENIL

Wood Floors R’ Us

TREE SERVICE FOR LE$$

281-763-0635

All Type Tree Work

24 Hour Emerg Serv.

Sheetrock Repair

Gilbert 281-948-4879

LET ME $AVE YOU MONEY

Mower Parts and Supply Co.

Frank Montes

U S Tree Experts 713-681-4079 • 713-410-4265

Applies to Walk behind mowers ONLY up to 22” cut.

4560 W34th @ Mangum (Next to Fiesta Tacos) We service most major brands!

713-480-8571

��

OPEN SATURDAY 9AM - 2PM

713-686-8306

Frusco Landscape & Irrigation Co.

Will Meet or Beat Any Reasonable Written Estimate! Insured • Free Estimate Tony Downing • Cell 281-850-7171

• Sand • Finish • Installation New or Old Flooring

Fence Repair & Installation 281-827-5136 30 years experience FREE QUOTES

Page 12 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • @heightsleader GENERALPLUMBING HOME IMPROVEMENTS

GENERALPLUMBING HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Painting - Exterior

Adam’s

ALL HOME REPAIR

One Story House...$599 Two Story House...$950

Includes: Pressure Washing, Caulking-Labor Only Rotted Wood - Extra Charge 10% Discount - Interior Painting

WOOD FLOORS Installation Repair Sanding Finishing

832-515-4214

281-999-1495

AJG REMODELING

and Handy Service • Paint • Trim Free Estimates • Cabinets • Sheetrock Adam • Driveways

• Texture • Gutters • Flooring • Siding • Rooﬁng

832-208-4871

• Termite/Water Repair • Sheetrock • Painting • Roong Repair/Replace • Shower/Bath Redo • Tile • Flooring/Carpet @ Wholesale Prices Sales & Installations

35 Yrs. Exp. & Leader Advertiser

Call Sam 713-582-5500 713-686-2285

FENCE

Serving Inner Loop area since 1978 Fully Insured Free Estimates

713-862-7320

www.riograndefence.net

SIFUENTES SERVICES Room Additions

25 Years

Residential & Commercial • Shingles: Flat - Tile - Metal • 5" and 6" Seamless Gutters • Carports • Carpentry • Free Estimates

• Ceramic Tile • Kitchen/Bath • Flood Damage Repair • Painting • Sheetrock, Concrete Small Jobs Welcome Free Estimates

281-508-1718

QUALITY CONCRETE WORK

713-664-1815 ��

•Patios •Driveways •Room Additions •Expedient Work American Made “God Bless America”

Sheetrock • Shower Pans Regrouting • Floor Refinishing Fencing • Install Windows/Doors Roofing/Repair Free Estimate 713-466-7703 10% Off with Ad

713-703-8488 Jim

JL WOODWORKS Expert Home/Ofﬁce Remodeling • A/Z Kitchens & Baths • Built-ins For Flat Screens • Repairs of All Kinds Call for Spring Specials • References John Laney 713-870-8021 Call Billy, The

FRA NK ’S

PAINT ING Interior/Exterior

Sheetrock • Power Wash

Texture Work & Repairs

713-249-2140

Free Estimates

Cell: 832-584-0725

Drywall Finisher Texture Match Interior & Exterior Painting FREE ESTIMATES

by SERNA BROS.

Serving NW Houston Since 1973 FREE estimates

713-688-3277

713-965-3146

PRIME ROOFING “Insured For Your Protection” All Work Guaranteed

• Commercial • Residential • New Roof • Re-Roof

GOT LEAKS? NEED REPAIR?

Did you know you could still le a claim under Hurricane Ike? Call now for a FREE Inspection with an insurance claims specialist.

713-681-5001

Licensed and Insured MPL #40046

Low Price Guarantee

COMMERCIAL - RESIDENTIAL • Custom Homes • Garages • Room Additions • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Hardi Siding Free Estimate

713-680-2019

HOWDY'S HANDYWORK • Carpentry - Cabinets to Patios & Decks • Painting, Interior/Exterior • Sheet Rock Repair & Installation

FREE ESTIMATES DAVID OJEMAN 713-682-8033

20 Yrs. Exp. - 30 Yr. Resident

www.camposroofing.com

CAMPOS Roong “The Residential Roofing Spe cialists”

Re-roofs • Repairs Hardi Siding • Gutters • Windows

All Work Guaranteed - Free Estimates

919 Judiway • (713) 680-3530

HEIGHTSCONDITIONING CUSTOM HOME REMODELING HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING G HEATING/AIR • Room Additions • Baths & Kitchens • Hardwood & Tile Flooring • Painting • Window Replacement

FREE ESTIMATES Major Credit Cards Accepted

AMERICAN GENERAL REMODELING & PAINTING • Remodels • Siding • Doors • Hardiplank • Patios • Decks • Windows • Porches • Roofs

832.229.3939 FREE ESTIMATE Fair Prices

�� ELECTRICAL SERVICES ��

INTERIOR-EXTERIOR REMODELING SHEETROCK REPAIR & TEXTURE ��

832-885-4939

GARAGE DOORS Repair or Replace Doors/Openers

Repair Specialist 7 DAY SERVICE

½ HP Sears Openers Installed

270

Choice Door

Credit Cards Accepted

FENCE SALE • Chain Link • Wood • Wrought Iron • Operators 30 yrs. Exp. Free Est.

Tony 713-680-9353 Cell 281-787-5942 tonymunozjr@comcast.net

BEST VALUE CONSTRUCTION Residential/Commercial

Remodeling & Repairs

• Cabinets • Counter Tops • Garages • Doors • Sheetrock • Hardi Siding • Painting Interior/Exterior ALL TYPES CARPENTRY Quality Work • Insured FREE ESTIMATES • Edward Lunsford

281-352-7304

��

LET

HELP YOU WITH SPRING FIX-IT LIST • Painting • Ceiling Fans & Lights • Drywall • Carpentry HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING • General Repairs • Door Locks References • Heights Home Owner

713-248-0763

FENCES & DECKS

ROOFING

� Quality Work � Low Prices � � Hand Nailed � Hardi-Siding � Oak Forest Area Resident 40+ years Free Estimates

713-688-6463

Repair & Installation All Type Fences • Chain link • Wood • Ornamental Iron Small jobs welcome Call 7 Days

Jose `

Cell (281) 221-0637

J&D HANDYMAN SERVICE

For Your Home Repair Needs:

� Painting � Drywall � Hardi Plank Siding � Any Type of Carpentry Work � Complete Remodels

281-272-6900 CELL713-569-4199

Sell it fast with an inexpensive Leader classiﬁed.

• Repiping • Water Heaters • Gas Test • Drain Problems • Sewer Camera Inspection • Faucet Installation and Repair • Water Leaks and Much More

GENERALPLUMBING HOME IMPROVEMENTS

APPROVED PLUMBING

LEE $25 $25 CLAYTON PLUMBING Complete Plumbing Service – Residential & Commercial REPAIRS ON: Water Heaters • Faucets • Tubs • Water & Gas Lines • Pipe Breaks and Leaks

713-692-3820 John Kaminski

Best Appliances Repairs

MPL # 16533

$25

SINCE 1911 MPL# 36961 Discount on $150 minimum

For All Your Plumbing Repair, Replacement and Installation

PLUMBER

SONNY’S REPAIR SERVICE Independent Master Plumber

ALWAYS UPFRONT PRICE$

Free Estimates

Senior & Veteran Discounts

Call 281-836-6414

�� www.HoustonPremierPlumbing.com

MPL#40381

KINARD’S Appliance Service

Washers - Dryers Dishwashers - Ranges 281-350-6255 713-857-2050

Same Day Refrigerator Repair

Most �� Repairs ��

“I want to be YOUR plumber”

Call Sonny and SAVE!

Single Homeowner Discount

OAK FOREST

Since 1995

Refrigerator & Appliance Repair GOFAR Services, LLC.

If we can’t repair it, you don’t pay a dime.

832-465-5325

Est. 1979 Ins. RMP #18131

1 yr. Warranty On Parts & Labor

Don’t Throw It Away Call Today!

(713) 681-4343 (713) 232-0045

713.263.7979

713-695-2222

OAK FOREST REPAIR Refrigerators • Dryers • Washers

D Appliance & Repair L

(713) 681-4343 (713) 232-0045

Joe Petrovich

• Re frigerators • Ovens • Washers • Dryers Off. 713-973-1263 Cell. 832-526-8531

Aaron’s

3511 Pinemont Suite A-1 Houston, TX. 77018

Since 1974

PLUMBING Drain & Sewer Cleaning #17773 - 7 Days a week

825 Curtin 77018

Specializing in Galvanized Pipe Replacement

• Drain Cleaning • Disposals • Tankless Water Heaters • Gas Test

APPLIANCE & TV REPAIR

• Refrigerators • Freezers • Stoves • Dishwasher Free Trip • Washers Charge with • Dryers Repair

GREAT PRICES – PRESENT COUPON FOR DISCOUNT OFFICE (713) 864-1700

APPLIANCE & TV REPAIR

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Thanks for reading The Leader Newspaper.

peters-plumbing.com

PLUMBING Since 1977 Free Est.

Repairs & Remodels Complete Plumbing Services

Shop 281-442-7863 Cell 281-831-2302

Insured • Lic. #M8922

IDEAL PLUMBING

Free Estimates

Martin Gonzales 832-472-2427

Charlie's

GENERALPLUMBING HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Ranges • Ice Makers

WASHER/DRYER REPAIR SAME DAY SERVICE All Work Guaranteed 25 Years in Business Tommy Smith

713-984-1849

30 yr exp - call Ron

713-545-3414

AMS Remodeling

TEL

��

$20 OFF

��

713-899-5554

281-807-5588

www.PrimeRoong.com

REMODELING

Blinds & Shades Installation

ROOFING

��

PLUMBING

At Reasonable prices

• • • •

SHEET ROCK DOCTOR

GENERALPLUMBING HOME IMPROVEMENTS

GARAGE DOORS • Repair Specialist • Springs • Rollers • Sections repaired & replaced • Cables

40 years' exp. • Low Rates

$10 off w/Ad (713) 682-3528

NEED A NEW COAT?

Residential - Commercial

WALL TO WALL, WE DO IT ALL! • Plumbing • Sheetrock & Painting • Water Lines • Tile & Carpet • Gas Lines • Siding $35 • Disposals • Concrete discount • Faucets • Fencing w/ad • Shower pans & doors • Counter Tops • Sewer Service • Roofing • Gas test • Complete Remodeling

25 Years In Business

ONE CALL – ALL PROBLEMS SOLVED

ELECTRIC SERVICES

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

HAR

BINGER

electric

Lights-Plugs-Breakers Cover all electric needs

With their phones and small digital cameras, everyone can now be a photojournalist for The Leader. If you get a great shot in our area, e-mail it to us and we'll share it with the whole community on our website. Contact our editor for more information.

ELECTRICIAN All types of new

Licensed-Insured

TEL. 713-721-5490 17823

wiring and repairs

REESE ELECTRIC

D&E Electric

Residential Wiring & Repairs Discounts available

Since 1975 Low Rates

TECL# 43460

Mastercard & VISA accepted TECL 23960

(281) 448-8615

281-397-7411

John Kuenstle Electric,LLC

Oak Forest Resident/Ofce • Residential • Commercial • Service Licensed - Insured - 23 Yrs. Exp. �“A” ON ANGIE’S LIST MASTER #178565

TECL #25670

Native Houstonian - 43 Yrs.

713-686-8494

PEST CONTROL

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Cherokee

PEST CONTROL

RENT ROOM: Separate bath, kitchen access, brick. 610/290. $420. Nicole, 832-206-5330.

Free Termite Inspection

TIMBERGROVE: 3-1-1. Large ravine lot, hardwoods. $1,550/ month. 713-660-7152. (4-27)

• Termites • Roaches • Ants • Silversh • Rodents

713-682-6801

CARPET & FLOORING FAIR PRICES ON CARPET/ FLOORING SALES, INSTALLATION AND REPAIR: Thirty-ﬁve years experience. Carpet, hardwoods, vinyl, ceramic tile. Carpet shampoo and restretch carpet. Dry cleaning now available. 713582-5500. (TF)

Your Best “STOP” For That Drip

TECL 23126

713-864-2791

Auto mechanics, body shops, electrical shops or plumbers. Also vehicle, boat and RV storage 2 acres - full concrete located on 34th Street between Hwy 290 and Mangum cell 281-902-9931 ofﬁce 713-682-0623

REAL ESTATE From a drip to a leak, turn to the Leader Classiﬁeds to turn those headaches off.

Residential - Commercial

Free Estimates • 10% Seniors Discount

Spring Checkup Special $49.95

We offer up to 12 months no interest with approved credit. We accept all major credit cards.

Up to $1000 instant rebate with select units Oak Forest Resident A+ Rating

713-628-2039 www.jvaircondition.com

Licensed & Insured - TACLB019197E

LOST YOUR COOL? ��

Need a new high efciency condenser, an entire system or service on your exisiting equipment? TACL 6413B

MOUNTAIN AIR

Sr. Discounts • Free Est.

Sales, Leasing & Property Management

713-906-5481 Experience and

Knowledge... A DEBBIE Powerful Combination. ELLIOTT Realty Associates

ourrealtordebbie@aol.com

NEW LISTING

Lindale Area 804 Erin: 1/1 plus study $82,500. Corner lot.

Repair • Installation • Sales

Call Your AC Friend

REAL ESTATE

We have one of the highest rated delivery systems in the country, but mistakes can happen. If you don’t receive your Leader any week, we’d sure appreciate it if you’d call and let us know so that we can correct the problem.

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING A/C & Heating Service

No matter what it is you’ve got to sell, there are Leader readers out there interested in buying it.

WAREHOUSE BAYS FOR LEASE

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

J&V

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

(832) 435-7734

Since 1953

TECL 19210

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

450 sq ft. Great location! $500 a month.

BRAVENEC ELECTRIC 713-864-4168

OAK FOREST APARTMENT FOR RENT: Two bedrooms with laundry room and private patio area. 713-213-4530, 713-6863011. (TF)

OAK FOREST SPACE FOR LEASE

Breaker Boxes • Troubleshooting Underground Specialist New Construction & Remodeling

INSURED —RADIO EQUIPPED COMMERCIAL —INDUSTRIAL—RESIDENTIAL For All Your Electrical Needs

12’X30’ CARPORTS: Perfect for boats, RVs, etc. Call 713-6944647. (TF) ELECTRICAL SERVICES

CRAVENS ELECTRIC Commercial • Residential 281-701-9909

FOR RENT

832-425-2152 - Free Estimates

Free Est.

713-686-8494

To Advertise Give Us A Call

MPL 12701

MASTER PLUMBER 713-466-8795

�� 713-468-5359 ��

Air Conditioning Sales � Service Repairs � Cleanings FREE Service Call w/Repair Senior Discount Credit Cards

TACLA 28719E

QUICK

RELIABLE

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Page 13 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Finding the winning formula... Timbergrove residents Tony Salvaggio, left, and Julian Kujawa attended the Fastpitch Softball Legends Hall of Fame annual reunion on Tuesday at Texas Cafeteria. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Legends of the diamond Fastpitch softball alums reunite for memories and camaraderie by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

LHN Softball team win first game in three years High school athletics, to anyone with perspective, is about much more than winning and losing. Let’s face it -- most prep athletes won’t play competitive organized sports beyond their high school years, so learning about teamwork and life lessons is paramount. With that said, nobody enjoys a lengthy losing streak. But ending one can be cause for celebration, MICHAEL which was the case on Monday night when the SUDHALTER Lutheran High North softball team defeated Emery-Weiner, 17-9. The Lady Lions hadn’t won a game since 2010, and since there are no seniors on the current roster, it was the first experience that the team had in the win column. “We don’t want to stop here -- we have two more games,” said LHN first-year head coach Bill Huhn said as he presented the game ball to junior pitcher Tiffany Spanos. Few of LHN’s games had been very close. Some of the players recalled a one-run loss to Lutheran South two years ago, and a relatively close game against Northland Christian. “The only way you’re going to learn about something,” sophomore infielder Melody Easter said. “is by losing.” While the losing streak was difficult, it built the team’s character and brought them closer as a group. “We love each other,” Spanos said. “And we have faith in God.” Huhn watched his players work tirelessly at practice. He knew that winning a game would mean the world to them. “They play their hearts out every day,” Huhn said. “I’m so happy for them all. It’s been a tough thing because you want to see them win so bad.” The victory is symbolic in two ways...it’s setting the stage for the future of the program, which will return all of its players in 2014. And it’s also a sign of hope for the LHN athletic program, which has struggled with numbers and winning results in several sports. With a new leader in athletic director/head football coach Nathan Robbins, the cohesiveness and dedication of the Lady Lions softball team on a mid-April afternoon could soon come to represent the return to success for a once-strong athletic program.

Timbergrove resident Tony Salvaggio loves to tell stories about his longtime friend and neighbor, Julian Kujawa, who was considered among the top amateur fastpitch softball players in the nation. “He’s the best,” said the 86-year-old Salvaggio, who’s lived in Timbergrove for the past 65 years,“to ever play the game.” Salvaggio, who was a prep basketball star at Sam Houston in the mid-1940s, and the 88-year-old Kujawa were classmates at Hogg Middle School in the late 1930s. In mid-20th century Houston, there were no Astros, Rockets, Oilers or Dynamo. Men’s Fastpitch Softball dominated the sports page, and many local businesses sponsored teams. Games were played at Lubbock Field on South Main until 1948. It then moved to Memorial Park, until the late 1980s, when slowpitch exceeded it as the game of choice. On Tuesday afternoon, members of the Fastpitch Softball Legends

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Top: The Lutheran High North softball team won a game for the ﬁrst time in three years with a 17-9 win over Emery-Weiner on Monday. Bottom: LHN sophomore inﬁelder Melody Easter steps to the plate for the Lady Lions. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Reagan junior qualifies for area championship meet in three events There’s a reason why Reagan High junior Tracey Conner is the anchor on both the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays. No lead is insurmountable for the 17-year-old track & field phenom. “I knew I had to win, and that’s what I did. I knew that I was going to catch (my opponent),” said Conner, after the Lady Bulldogs won the 4x200 in 1:44.87 with Diamond Green, Maria Smith, Lanique Bradley. The 4x400 wasn’t nearly as close, with Conner, Smith, Green and distance runner Karen Torres leading Reagan (4:03.82) to a nearly eight second win over second place Wheatley. “We’re all determined, and we know what we have to do on the track,” ConSee Results: ner said of the relay teams. Reagan, If that wasn’t enough, Conner finished Scarborough and second in the 100 meter dash (12.75) to qualify for three events in the Area Track Waltrip track & field Meet in Fort Bend County. results on Page 14 The top four finishers advance to the regional meet, which Conner has qualified for as a freshman and a sophomore. “She has a natural talent and plays volleyball in the offseason,” Reagan girls track & field coach Sheila Burley said. “She’s hard working and dedicated.” Conner has loved running since she was 9 years old, but she began competing in track & field as a seventh grader at Johnston Middle School. During the summer, she regularly runs on Braes Bayou. Reagan was the site of her first competitive first track & field meet, and she just felt comfortable at the school in the Heights. Last fall, Conner played middle blocker on the first Reagan volleyball team to win the first outright district championship in 16 years. Conner would like to compete in track & field at the University of Tampa where she plans on studying broadcast communications. “Tampa has a good track team and good weather,” Conner said. “I’m taking a video editing class at Reagan, learning Final Cut Pro and getting certified in it.” Although she’s never qualified for state, Conner said it’s possible this spring. “It will take a lot of hard work,” Conner said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll get there if we keep our work ethic up.”

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Reagan junior Tracy Conner qualiﬁed for the Class 4A Championship meet in the 100 meter dash, 4x200 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

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Page 14 • The Leader • April 20, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

Reunion• from Page 13 Hall of Fame caught up with old friends and exchanged stories from days gone by at its annual reunion, at Texas Cafeteria on Shepherd. “Softball was bigger than anything,” said 84-year-old Ron “Pinky” Lee, the organizer of the event. “(Fastpitch men’s softball) has just about died out.” Lee said former Houston ISD Athletic Director (and Reagan High graduate/head football coach) Joe Tusa played competitive softball in the city, as did Lee’s Davis High classmate, the late Slater Martin, a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The oldest ex-player at the reunion was 92-year-old Paul Coons. “We really did recognize that it was the best time of our lives,” Tom Cary said. Softball took some of the players across the United States and to Mexico City. They even talked about a couple of games played inside the walls of California’s Folsom Prison. But many of the stories centered around the legend of Kujawa, an 88year-old who graduated from Reagan High in 1943. Kujawa once struck out 22 batters in a seven-inning game because the catcher dropped the ball on one of the batters. From 1939 to 1982, he pitched about 80 perfect games. He once pitched ﬁve consecutive perfect games, which was good for 120 straight outs, and participated in 20 World Series championships. Salvaggio, who played from 1945 to 1980, and Kujawa said that softball helped them ﬁnd and keep jobs. In many cases, companies hired the individuals with their softball skills in mind. “I was never without a job (because of softball),” Kujawa said. The website for the organization, which has 45 members in its Hall of Fame, is fastpitchlegends.com.

St. Pius X football players sign with D-II, D-III colleges by Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com The St. Pius X football team won eight of its 12 games last season, so it’s not surprise that three players have joined All-American quarterback Kohl Stewart in committing to colleges. Stewart signed with Texas A&M to play football and baseball, but he’ll have to make a decision in June since he’s projected as a topﬂight MLB Draft pick. Wide receiver Damitri Morris committed to Mary-Hardin Baylor in Belton, an NCAA Division III powerhouse, and kicker Javier Ponce will join the start-up football program at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark. Offensive lineman Travis Hartman has committed to Tarleton State in Stephenville, while fellow offensive lineman Michael Vicic is deciding between Mary-Hardin Baylor, Howard Payne and East Texas Baptist.

SPX is also looking for a head track coach. Football coach Blake Ware and cross country coach Erin Van Wassenhove are currently sharing those duties on an interim basis. Kimball expects to hire a full-time track coach by the summer. LHN quarterback transfers, spring ball ahead Lutheran High North sophomore quarterback Nelson Gunnell has transferred to College Park High, a UIL Class 5A school, in his hometown of The Woodlands. The Lions will begin spring drills on May 6 under ﬁrst-year head coach Nathan Robbins. Robbins said the Lions will have a new head coach in volleyball this season, but that coach hasn’t been hired yet.

SPX looking for boys basketball, track coach St. Pius X is looking for a new boys basketball coach after the school parted ways with Henry Sims in what athletic director Jason Kimball said was a mutual decision. Sims coached the Panthers for four seasons, and last season he led the program to its ﬁrst district title in about a decade. They lost in the ﬁrst round of the TAPPS 5A Playoffs. Kimball said he’s interviewed several candidates and expects to make a decision by the end of the month.

Track & Field Qualiﬁers 3A-23 (Scarborough Athletes)

(Top four in district qualify for area in each event)

Girls

1600- Fatima Orellano 3rd 3200- Lucila Longo 1st 100 Hurdles- Genesis Evans 2nd, Logan McCord 3rd Triple Jump- Logan McCord 4th Shot Put- LaEriqua Jackson 4th Discus- Sasha Harrison 3rd

Boys

1600 Jeorge Martinez 1st 3200 Jeorge Martinez 1st 4x200 Relay- Alexis Chavez, Nicholas Williams, Tony Carter, Titus Randle 3rd Pole Vault- Titus Randle 1st, Derek Walpool 2nd Shot Put- Sean Holmes 2nd

4A-21 (Reagan and Waltrip athletes)

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100 Tracy Conner (Reagan) - 2nd 400 Karen Torres (Reagan) - 3rd 800 Karen Torres (Reagan) - 1st 4x100 Reagan (Lanique Bradley, Maria Smith, Tjasia Roach, Diamond Green) - 3rd 4x200 Reagan (Diamond Green, Maria Smith, Lanique Bradley, Tracey Conner) - 1st 4x200 Waltrip (Melissa Martinez, Tonia Carlin, Kelsey Ross, Jasmine Perez) - 4th 4x400 Reagan (Maria Smith, Karen Torres, Diamond Green, Tracey Conner) - 1st 4x400 Waltrip (Melissa Martinez, Jasmine Perez, Ashley Corder, Tonia Carlin) - 4th Discus - Shasity Guerra (Reagan) - 2nd

Boys

100 Kyler Scott (Waltrip), 4th 200 Reggie Pelayo (Reagan) 4th 400 Joshua Riojas (Reagan) 4th

Follow Leader sports on Twitter @HouSportsLeader

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(Top four in district qualify for area in each event)

Girls

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800 Joshua Riojas (Reagan) 2nd 800 Guadalupe Leija (Reagan) 3rd 1600 Gabriel Jaramillo (Reagan) 2nd 1600 Wilson Gibbs (Reagan) 4th 3200 Gabriel Jaramillo (Reagan) 1st 3200 Wilson Gibbs (Reagan) 4th 110 Hurdles Cedric Pickrom (Reagan) 3rd 300 Hurdles Cedric Pickrom (Reagan) 4th 4x100 Relay Waltrip (Nathanael Leighton, Clinton Williams, Triston Gentry, Kyler Scott) - 3rd 4x200 Relay Reagan (Javon Conner, Reggie Pelayo, Joseph Dehn, Tavon Dodd) - 3rd 4x400 Relay Reagan (Joshua Riojas, Darshawn Birks, Elmer Magana, Reggie Pelayo) - 4th Long Jump - Reggie Pelayo (Reagan) - 1st Triple Jump - Stephen Dixon (Reagan) - 1st Shot Put - Genis Williams (Reagan) - 2nd Shot Put - Reuben Washington (Waltrip) - 4th

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