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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

10570 NW Frwy 713-680-2350

Saturday, April 30, 2016 • Vol. 62 • No. 18

About Us 3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd Suite A (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.

This month’s special section takes a look at some of our area craftsman that are building with their hands and imagination.

Meet our section sponsor Nicholas Pagel and his business, Imagination Woodworks.

Buying Or Selling

Find it on 1B

I would love to help!

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Gamel Hartman

713.305.5036

Oak Forest homeowners, businesses help those affected by floods

eileenhartman@kw.com 5050 Westheimer Suite 200

INSIDE.

Pride in JROTC programs

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com In the wake of extreme flooding across the Houston area, members of the Oak Forest Homeowners Association and area businesses extended more than a helping hand to those affected by last week’s intense rainfall with a successful benefit for local victims.

Donna O’Connor, OFHA president, and other community members called on local residents to bring non-perishable food items to Haum Salon, MytiBurger, sweetFrog and Oak Forest Chill by the end of business hours Monday. Items were delivered to the Salvation Army on Tuesday and O’Connor was proud of the initiative.

“We were able to deliver two loads in

Local high school JROTC programs have been celebrating milestones and achievements in the last few months, with some standout success at Scarborough and Reagan High School. Find out what’s been happening in area programs and where recent successes might take students later in their lives.

the back of an SUV by the end of the day,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor and others had reached out to residents last Wednesday and said there weren’t too many that responded immediately to the request for non-perishable items like canned goods and other supplies.

“We were curious to see how many were going to drop off items,” O’Connor said.

“When we visited the businesses we were happy with the response we saw and we’re quite excited we were able to do something for those in need in a very short amount of time.”

OFHA also received feedback from local groups and other businesses, the latter See Floods P. 2A

Contributed Photo Ben McPhaul (left), legislative chair for the Oak Forest Homeowners Association, drops off donations at the local Salvation Army to help victims of last week’s flooding.

Four (Charity)!

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Find it on 3A

Ever since the City Council of the fourth largest city in the US voted on a new contract with Waste Management that omits glass from curbside recycling pickup – to be sure a money saving move in a time Houston needs it – local residents have been scrambling to fill in the gaps.

Some, like reader Lindsey Romeo, are becoming very familiar with the recycling center at 9003 N. Main.

“I’m going old school just like I used to,” Romeo said. “Taking it off Main myself. Ten minutes from door to door and I’m done.”

“I bought a big trash bin from Home Depot to start collecting glass,” said Nicole Aboudaher. “[I] offered it to the neighbors on my street and when it’s full I will drop it off at center. Very easy and happy to do it.”

There are others who are starting glass pick up as a business. Leader news partner KHOU reported on third grader Tristan “Pan” Berlanga, who with his older sister’s boyfriend David Krohn started Hauling Glass Houston. For $10 every other week, they are picking up glass – first in 77007, and now in a wider area in The Heights.

Oak Forest resident Bill Robertson kicked off iRecycle Glass two weeks ago and has already signed up more

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INSIDE.

C&D Scrap Metal to close doors It’s the end of an era for a Heights-area scrap yard – C&O Scrap Metal will be closing its Heights location as it opens a new facility in Northwest Houston.

Find out why the business is making the big move in this week’s issue.

Find it on 4A

The INDEX. 7A

Church Classifieds

6B

Coupons

6A

Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

11A 8A

Opinion

5A

Public Information Puzzles Sports

2A 5A 8B

Local residents find ways to cope with losing city’s glass recycling

Reagan alumni host successful charity golf tournament

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com

T

he weather stayed sunny and warm for April 25, as Reagan High School alumni and other members of the community held yet another successful charity golf tournament at Hearthstone Country Club in northwest Houston.

Proceeds from the annual event go towards four $12,000 scholarships, organizer Stephen Marmion said. This year attracted roughly the same amount of golfers as the previous year, with about 150 people total in attendance. About 50 items were available for the silent auction as well.

Principal Connie Berger felt there was great turnout.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the money that’s raised for our students to give them a great start in going to college,” Berger said. “It’s about the connection between the alumni but it’s about raising money for the students. At the end of the day it means so much, especially when you see the smiles and the hope on these student’s faces when they’re able to go to college.”

Lunch for the event was donated by Joyce’s Seafood & Steaks and owner Francisco Ruiz said he was delighted to help out.

“I participated last year and this is a beautiful course,”

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Photos by Jonathan Garris Top: Kyle Berger, son of Reagan High School principal Connie Berger, tees off at the annual John H. Reagan Golf Tournament April 25. A week of rain and flooding fortunately gave way to sunny skies and warm weather as nearly 150 people teed off, enjoyed food and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting scholarships for low-income students at Reagan High School.

Below: Volunteers and attendees at the event were pleased with the turnout. Pictured: Nancy A. Abrego, Gennifer Ehmling, Jane Ann Miller-Tesch, Branda Wooten Spillman, Lucy M. Ferrel, Leticia Caballero, DeVincent Idlebird, Sandra Lillich, Charlene Porter Pettigrew, Stephen Marmion, and Reagan High School principal Connie Berger

Ruiz said. “We made a lot of friends and it’s a great event.”

Students were interviewed Thursday as part of the process to determine which students receive scholarships. The screening process involves looking at grade point average, attendance, community service, class rank, a teacher’s recSee Charity P. 9A

Contributed photo For some local residents, the glass is piling up in the wake of the city’s loss of its glass recycling program.

The public.

Saturday, April 30, 2016 • Page 2A

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Precinct One: Heights truck, package thief caught Heights Crime Alert • Late on Friday, April 22 Precinct 1 deputies arrested and charged a man who stole a package that day from a front porch in the 300 block of West 16th Street and stole a lawn care truck with $20,000 worth of equipment on April 14 in the 1800 block of West 14th Street.

The investigation was aided by video and photos captured by the victims: A resident of the home from which the package was stolen showed deputies surveillance video of the crime. Deputies located the suspect and getaway vehicle in

the area. They realized he was also one of the suspects in the April 14 theft. In that case, the owner of the lawn care truck and equipment had photographed the suspects unloading the goods into another stolen vehicle in the 1400 block of Parker Street.

• On Tuesday, April 19, a resident of the 1300 block of Rutland Street reported that the $2,000 tailgate to his 2012 Dodge pickup had been stolen around 5:30 p.m. He told deputies he saw a Hispanic man in a dark SUV drive away quickly from the scene and chased the

vehicle but was unable to get its license plate number. Pct. 1 deputies sent a report to HPD for investigation.

• The owner of a business in the 500 block of East 20th Street reported that a TV was stolen from the business around 2:30 a.m., Thursday, April 21, by burglars who smashed a front window to get inside. Security video is being reviewed to see if the suspect or suspects can be described and/or identified. Pct. 1 deputies completed a report and referred it to HPD for investigation.

APRIL 20

Burglary 4:56 AM 400-499 W 19TH Burglary 2:37 AM 1000-1099 26TH Theft 7:49 AM 1200-1299 N LOOP W Theft 11:52 AM 900-999 WAKEFIELD Burglary 12:02 AM 4600-4699 DACOMA Theft 1 PM 1400-1499 CORTLANDT Theft 6:30 PM 4500-4599 RANDWICK Theft 6 PM 200-299 W 10TH Theft 2 PM 900-999 W 31ST Theft 12:30 PM 700-799 ALLSTON Theft 6 PM 500-599 W CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 5:20 PM 4200-4299 EUROPA Theft 8:20 AM 2100-2199 ELLA Assault 9:15 PM 1800-1899 W

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Reagan

Save The name

Our attorney believes that it will be beneficial to our LAWSUIT against the HISD Board of Revenge if we can demonstrate that a large number of the community is opposed to changing the name of John H. Reagan High School. If you concur, please cut out the petition, sign and mail. You may make copies; need not be in color, for others to sign. Non-Reagan Alumni is also encouraged to sign. Call me, Howard Moon, 713-686-7778 and I will mail copies to you. A small donation to help cover expenses will be appreciated. Signed copies and donations should be sent to: Reagan: Save the Name, Box 800149, Houston, TX 77280.

Citizens Petition

To Stop The HISD School Board from Spending $2,000,000 to Change the Names of 8 Houston Schools.

We the citizens of Houston, Texas oppose the Houston Independent School Districts Board of Trustees planned spending of our tax dollars to change the names of eight Houston schools for the reasons as stated below.

Please check the appropriate boxes: I oppose the spending of my tax dollars to change the names of 8 Houston schools.

I oppose the renaming of eight Houston schools because the HISD school board have not listened to the citizens of Houston who overwhelmingly oppose this vote by the school.

I oppose the renaming of 8 Houston schools because the HISD 2016 operating budget already has a projected $107 million dollar shortfall for the year 2016. I believe that the spending 2 million dollars to change the names of 8 Houston schools is a misappropriation of the taxpayers’ money.

Signed by: _________________________ Signed by Date:______________________ Address: __________________________ City/State/Zip:______________________

Mail petition and donation:

Reagan: Save the Name Box 800149 Houston, TX 77280

22nd Annual

President Obama approves federal disaster declaration for Harris County which will pave the way for federal recovery assistance.

President declares major disaster following floods For The Leader Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office yesterday confirmed that President Obama has approved the governor’s request for a federal disaster declaration for Fayette, Grimes, Harris and Parker counties. The action paves the way for federal recovery assistance to begin flowing into the Houston area.

“I hope this leads to help for all of our residents who were impacted by the flooding, including our most vulnerable residents in the 17 apartment complexes in the Greenspoint area,” said Mayor Sylvester

Turner. “Many of these families have lost everything and they do not have the financial means to recover. They have a whole host of needs that include housing, transportation and more. I urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be flexible in its decision making regarding assistance for these residents.”

More than 1,900 apartment units were damaged in the 17 complexes in Greenspoint. Approximately 200 of these units took in as much as six feet of water. In addition, hundreds of single-family homes in Houston along White Oak and Brays Bayous also suffered ex-

tensive damage.

Houston residents and business owners who sustained losses in Harris County can apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, calling 1800-621-FEMA (3362), or by a web enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov.

The City of Houston has established a website to help residents navigate the disaster recovery process, which includes the latest information from FEMA, as well as ways to receive and give help following the flooding. Visit houstonrecovers.org for more information.

Floods from P. 1A of which have approached the group with the prospect of potentially adopting families facing similar adversity in the long term, O’Connor said.

“At the next board meeting we will discuss that possibility and reach out to local groups and businesses that show interest in perhaps doing something bigger,” O’Connor said.

Local business is our business.

Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com

Come out to enjoy a

Fun Saturday with Us!

$15 for event, or can buy on www.eventbrite.com

Kids, under six, get in free and there are fun things for them to do.

We will also have a Silent Auction to help the neighborhood.

Heights Rotary helps elementary schools, the Heights Library, the less fortunate at Christmas, college students, graffiti removal, and on a national level we are trying to end Polio and other health issues in the world.

Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 10:30am - 3:00pm Bouncy castle and face painting for kid's, & live music by the Zydeco Dots!

Whitney Oaks Hall

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Contributed Photos (Left) Reagan High School cadet Christian Salinas , a graduating senior, with escort Stephanie Garza. (Right) Scarborough High School JROTC students volunteered their time at the Houston Food Bank recently.

Area JROTC programs celebrate milestones, success in community

By Jonathan Garris & Kim Hogstrom jgarris@theleadernews.com It has been a month of good news for the JROTC programs at Scarborough and Reagan High School, as the former shared news of earning a trip to compete at the National Junior Academic Board in June and the latter celebrated a signficant milestone.

Maj. Rick Parker, a senior army instructor at the Scarborough High School JROTC program, said students earned a trip to Washington D.C. for the National Leadership Bowl Championship and said it came as a big shock.

“Every year we would get past the first level but we wouldn’t make it past the second,” Parker said. “Last year we missed being in third place by one point, but the pieces all came together this year.”

The school earned top scores and is one of only forty Army JROTC Leadership Bowl teams in the nation to advance to the national competition. Parker said the distinction also comes with an all-expense paid trip to the event.

“It’s a difficult process,” Parker said of the evaluation. “It encompasses all aspects of leadership and cadets are tested on knowledge of everything from leadership skills and values to current events and other information.”

The distinction also comes at a time when JROTC programs at schools like Scarborough are challenged by issues with school population. Parker said the number of students enrolled in the program typically decreases in a year due to academic or personal issues. Currently, 225 cadets are enrolled in the program and that number originally began at 260 at the start of the year.

The program also faces challenges with budget issues, not only from the government but also a tightening belt on the local level with HISD. “We’ve had to get a little creative with some of our fundraisers,” Parker said. “We want to be able to get the kids out and experience different aspects of community service whenever possible.”

He emphasized that students are available for activities like posting flags at local events, and Parker encourages local community members to reach out to the program for their needs.

The group has helped on a community service level by volunteering their time at places like the Houston Food Bank.

“It’s a total effort from the students and my partner, Command Sgt. Maj. John Williamson,” Parker said. “Without the outstanding leadership and team efforts we have, the cadets at Scarborough High School would not learn and perform at their best.

On Saturday, April 9, the JROTC of Reagan High School held its 45th Annual Military Ball at the Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel.

More than 250 students, alumni, teachers and parents attended in uniforms and ball gowns. The event was held to honor Junior ROTC graduating seniors and to recognize people who have supported the program throughout the year.

The year 2016 is a significant one – it marks three historical milestones for JROTC students. This year is the 100th Anniversary of the United States Army ROTC Program. It is also the 90th Anniversary of the ROTC program at RHS, making it one of the oldest ROTC programs in the city. Perhaps most significantly, the ball celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Junior ROTC program at Reagan High.

“It is an honor to work with these outstanding Cadets,” said Brian M. Lynch, senior army instructor, charged with the JROTC Program at Reagan. “JROTC teaches self-discipline, self-confidence, and pride in a job well done, and it offers opportunities to sharpen communication skills, promote citizenship through participation in community service, and much more. There is no military obligation. In fact, our main focus is on graduation and the development of a solid foundation for career development and post-high school success.”

A portion of the ceremony at the ball was dedicated to the Reagan cadets who performed in an outstanding manner while representing the school. The Reagan JROTC physical fitness team ended the season in second place overall in the district. Its Shooting team finished third overall and the Reagan JROTC Drill team, the Reagan Rough Riders, ended the season in first place overall. They are the Houston City Champions.

While the JROTC places value on physical fitness, it also stresses scholastic skills.

“The Junior ROTC has helped me lot academically,” said 16year-old Second Lt. Katherine Garcia, who acted as a host at the ball. “For example, I can speak publicly now, just like I did at the

ball, and the JROTC helped me learn that.”

For some students, the JROTC has an impact on their lives in general.

“The entire experience has been a very rewarding one,” stated 18-year-old graduating senior and Battalion Commander, Cecilia Melo. ”We’ve learned communication and leadership skills, generosity, teamwork and being humble. There is no experience to compare to the life skills we gain and I will be grateful my whole life.”

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L O C AT E D AT 61 0 A N D E L L A B LV D Contributed Photos Community service at places like the Houston Food Bank is essential for JROTC programs.

Page 4A • Saturday, April 30, 2016

C&D Scrap Metal to close doors

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com After years of being open on West 25th Street, C&D Scrap Metal’s Heights location will be permanently closed in mid-May. The location had already begun closing on Fridays and Saturdays earlier this year and a new announcement hung at the property and posted online says the

location will be permanently closed May 12.

The business has specialized in sales and service of scrap metal in the Greater Houston area since 1979 specializing in “processing and shipping of non-ferrous and ferrous scrap metal” according to their website.

The company processes and sells over 200 tons of metal weekly.

C&D is touting the opening

of what it’s calling a “state of the art” facility located at 6775 Bingle Rd. According to a statement on C&D’s website, owner and CEO Dennis Laviage said the new location comes with a much needed expansion for his business.

“We are thrilled to expand our business with a second C&D location,” Laviage said on the C&D website. “We needed more space, and there has been quite a demand in

this highly commercial area, so opening this second location will provide a convenient solution for customers in the Northwest part of Houston.”

Further comments from Laviage for a potental sale of the soon-to-be-closed location and what might happen to the property once vacated could not be reached before press time.

Glass from P. 1A

C&D Scrap Metal’s new location is on Bingle Road.

than 100 people.

“It started as a conversation with neighbors,” he said.

“I have no idea if this is going to scale.”

Robertson, a software manager at Baker Hughes, told his wife he was going to try the service out to gather data but that it’s been hard to forecast because there are so many unknowns, like the amount of glass each house will have and the distance between houses.

“This service should not exist,” Robertson said, noting that he’s not putting much money into the endeavor in the hopes that there will be long term solution elsewhere.

“I feel the city or county should provide an option for everybody.”

Until then, Robertson says he doesn’t want to tell anyone that they can’t recycle. On his website, he notes that he picks up in the zip codes for Garden Oaks and Oak Forest, but when a homeowner in Woodland Heights contacted him, Robertson accommodated her too once the homeowner recruited some more pickups in that neighborhood.

Rates were determined from Facebook feedback: weekly pick up is $5, biweekly is $6 and monthly is $7. Robertson understands that the city’s rules say the recycling bins need to have lids so he provides those to customers.

With the help of volunteers, Robertson takes the glass to Strategic Materials, a nationwide business that is the largest glass recycling company in North America, headquartered in Houston. He does not separate the colored from the clear glass, but would make slightly more if he did.

“I’m just looking to fill a void while the city figures out its long term plan,” said Robertson.

Strategic Materials Executive Vice-President Curt Bucey said that the company is seeing a couple of new entities that are trying to collect glass.

Through Waste Management, they still get some glass from the city because of the grace period to truly eliminate glass – the city hasn’t sent a formal notification yet – and Bucey said he’s not sure how much the volume will truly decrease over time.

“We are going to be putting our bins in public collection sites with the city’s blessing,”

said Bucey. “We are hoping to build glass recycling in a different way.”

Kimberly Spaeth uses a service called Hauling Glass.

“I know it’s unfortunate the city won’t take our glass but remember most cities have residents pay for trash service,” she said. “Houston does not. I would gladly pay a monthly trash fee. So in the alternative, it’s really not a big deal to pay another service a small fee to pick up glass. We

pay $40 in Galveston for two trash cans and an additional $6 recycling fee and they don’t even recycle there.”

Perhaps the most unique idea for glass recycling comes from artist Kiki Neumann.

“I plan on getting a glass cutting kit like the Kinkajou bottle cutter,” she said. “Then make a bunch of drinking glasses for gifts in the fall.

Especially great for some of the cool beer and wine glass designs.”

Contributed Photo

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The Topics.

Saturday, April 30, 2016 • Page 5A

From lawyer to teacher, one woman’s tale W hen compiling the copy that HISD schools sent for their teachers of the year I was intrigued by a submission from the Davis High School principal about their Rookie Teacher of the Year, Amber Homolka.

It said that Homolka was “an attorney who left the legal world Betsy Denson to become a teacher this past year and that her goal was to help students overcome life challenges and become whatever they dreamed – her most exciting moment this year was getting two students who had never debated to UIL regionals in the Lincoln Douglas Debate.”

Now I definitely wanted to know more. When I was in my 20s and laid off from a dot-com job in 2001, I decided I wanted to be a teacher too – I’d been watching a lot of Dead Poets Society and Lean On Me at the time – so I entered the substitute pool at the Austin Independent School District. It took me exactly two weeks to know I didn’t have what it took. The old adage, ‘Those who can, do, those who can’t, teach’ is not accurate.

You have to do a great deal as a teacher.

Homolka, who grew up west of Asheville, North Carolina, knew a little more about what she was getting into. Her mother and grandmother were high school teachers.

She thought about being a teacher herself but the pressure to get a “real job” sent her in a different direction. She got a degree in political science from the University of North Carolina and both a bachelor of Civil Law Studies and a law degree from Louisiana State University.

She worked at Ernst and Young and at Lehman Brothers in San Francisco and subsequently started a finance company with her thenhusband which brought them to Houston. Still, she says she knew she wanted something different – she’d been a guardian ad litem for abused children in Atlanta courts, and had a heart for kids. Homolka took the Texas certification exams to teach English and Social Studies to 7th through 12th grade students and passed them both. She did online courses and also the requisite hours of classroom observation before receiving her probationary teacher’s certificate.

Getting a job as a teacher is the same as getting a job anywhere else. You interview and someone has to want you. Homolka met with Davis High School Principal Julissa Alcantar-Martinez and was then offered a position teaching English and Debate. She accepted.

Nearly all the students at Davis High School in the Near Northside are classified by HISD as economically disadvantaged and 84 percent have an at-risk classification. Homolka went to a Title 1 public high school herself in Appalachia where the demographics were different, but the poverty and struggles the

Davis High School Rookie Teacher of the Year Amber Homolka

kids face are the same.

As Homolka wrote in her essay to HISD: “Sixty-six percent of the students tested ‘unsatisfactory’ in English. Ninety-six percent are economically disadvantaged, and ninety percent of those eat free lunch at school. Last summer, I read these statistics about my school on U.S. News and World Report’s web site. I was slated to teach English to these kids. I imagined my classroom and wondered how I would reach these students.

Frankly, on the eve of the first day of school, I was trying not to be scared.”

Although Homolka said nothing could have prepared her for that first day, she told herself to pull on her “big girl pants” and get on with it.

“Frankly, the day moves so fast you don’t have much time to be nervous,” said Homolka.

There was a lot to process. Two

weeks into the year Homolka got assigned a freshman English class – normally she taught English III to juniors – and was shocked to see that many of the kids were reading well below their reading level, some even on a 2nd and 3rd grade level.

“I thought surely there would be some kind of intervention team available,” she said, “but I was it.”

She learned she was halfteacher and half-social worker. The student’s writing prompts revealed a world that many of us can’t, or don’t want to imagine: “incarcerated or deported parents, neighborhood drug dealers, prostitutes and gangs, long hours spent working to help pay family expenses, and scarce pantries. That is, of course, in addition to the usual teenage struggles.” Two actual social workers from CIS – Communities in Schools – are on staff at the school if they are needed.

“A warm smile or a kind word wins their loyalty,” Homolka wrote, saying that the kids needed both second chances and great expectations: “It is out of respect for their dreams, even when they do not know that they deserve to have any, that I hold them to a high standard.”

As Homolka settled in, she learned she really liked teaching juniors. “They are nice people,” she said. “They are not afraid to be real.” In a test-centric atmosphere, she found she was able to spark a love of literature.

“The unexpected favorite reading were essays from Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emer-

Think outside the ballot box To: All Patriotic Texans From: Another Patriotic Texan Subject: Voter Fraud Fellow God-fearing, guntoting, red, white and blue (mostly white) Texans, I call on you once again, just as you prevented a military takeover of Texas by Jade Helm 15, to fight another sneak attack on our life, liberties and pursuit of hippies. This time those um-American slime balls are trying to wrestle away our Constitutional right to elect people who tell us what we want to hear. Those varmints want to vote illegally. That’s right, they are attempting to win elections by putting into office crooks, cheaters and those state officials who are not yet under indictment.

But first let me give you some background since most of you don’t read those leftwing newspapers, or anything else, for that matter. According to the Austin AmericanStatesman (speaking of leftwing) our Kenyan President, Barack Ali Hussien Mohammed Obama, recently visited Austin to speak to the South

by Southwest Interactive conference. There he said that the U.S. is the world’s only advanced democracy that “makes it harder for people to vote.’’

This is a veiled reference to voter registration hurdles in dozens of states, including Texas, by forcing voters to present a photo ID before casting a ballot. To add insult to inhalants, he said, “The folks who are currently governing the good state of Texas aren’t interested in having more people participate.”

Well, our great governor, Greg Abbott, quickly replied (three days later) that our voting requirements were necessary because: “The fact is voter fraud is rampant -- and in Texas, unlike some other states and unlike some other leaders, we are committed to cracking down on voter fraud.” Is it really “rampant?” Absolutely, by the millions, but let’s look at the record. First is PolitiFact, a non-partisan fact-checking organization which investigates pols’ more controversial statements to see if they are true.

It’s a gold mine because our pols, from both parties, are truth challenged. In this case.

PolitiFact determined that, according to the Texas attorney general’s records, 18 instances of voter fraud have been confirmed in Texas since 2002.

Then we have a student group at Arizona State University’s journalism school which compiled a nationwide database that showed in Texas there were 104 cases of alleged election fraud since 2000. The investigative journalists determined that 37 of the 104 Texas allegations were made against voters, but a whopping

Lynn Ashby Columnist

15 had resulted in a guilty plea or conviction. An August 2014 analysis made by a Rutgers University political scientist professor, Lorraine Minnite, found three – yes, THREE! -credible allegations of fraud in Texas elections since 2000.

We must put these horrifying numbers in perspective: From 2000 to 2014, per the Texas Secretary of State’s online record, about 72 million ballots were cast in Texas, and that’s not even counting municipal and other local-only elections.

My fellow patriots, 18 or even as many as 104 votes out of 72 million could easily swing our Legislative or Congressional seats into the commie community.

Charges of an abundance of voter fraud have been made only by Republicans, but the Dems can be just as wrong in the other direction. U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Dem from Dallas, wrote in an opinion column published Aug. 8, 2013, in the Fort Worth StarTelegram:“Studies have shown that voter fraud is non-existent in Texas.” She later explained she should have written “virtually non-existent.”

At this point we must note that Texans can vote by mail or in person, and our voter ID law, the very strictest in the nation, is only aimed at fraud in person. I mean, you don’t have to present a photo ID to the postal carrier when you mail in your ballot. So here we have a ticking time bomb. Just how prevalent is this treasonous act? Sen. Cory Booker, DN.J., went on ABC’s This Week on Aug. 9 and said: “Take Texas for example, where Lyndon Johnson’s obviously from, they passed these voter ID laws. In the decade before it, 10 years, they only prosecute two people for in-person voter ID, only two people. You’re more likely to get struck by lightning in Texas than to find any kind of voter fraud.”

According to PolitiFact, in 2014, the National Weather Service said the odds of being struck by lightning are 1 in 960,000. Texas had the second-highest number of lightning-related fatalities from 1959 to 2013, behind only Florida. But that’s mostly because Texas is so big, both in terms of area and population; once you adjust the death rate, Texas actually ranks 33rd. The NWS said that the probability of being struck by lightning in Texas is right around 1 in 1.35 million. So how does this 1 in 1.35 million chance compare

to the probability of finding voter fraud? OK, let’s do the math: Four cases of fraud for 72 million votes makes the chance of voter fraud 1 in 18 million. So you really are more likely to be struck by lightning in Texas than turn up any case of voter fraud. But can we trust figures from some Yankee senator, or the stats from a federal government that tells us we can keep our doctors? I say the number of Texans being struck by lightning is far more, or maybe less.

How rampant is voter fraud?

In 2015, Francisco “Frankie” Garcia, Rebecca Gonzalez, Diana Balderas Castaneda and Guadalupe Escamilla were

convicted of trying to buy votes in a Donna school board race with cocaine, cash, beer and cigarettes. It’s a small step from the Donna school board race to Congress or the White House. Some lefty pinkos say Texas’ strict voter laws are a transparent attempt to screen out minorities who would probably vote Democratic. I reply: So? Now our course of action is clear. No one gets to vote in Texas without a photo ID, a note from their doctor that they are heathy enough to cast ballots and they must pass a urine test for coke.

Ashby votes at ashby2@ comcast.net

son,” she said. “Seventeen-yearolds really relate to existentialism.”

Homolka was given a lot of support from the teaching staff.

“There are wonderful English teachers at Davis,” she said. “I truly respect them and love my advisor Rebecca Hampton, who is a great mentor. I was given a lot to go with.

I was fortunate.”

Then came January. One of Homolka’s freshman students left after school but never made it home. He was murdered by a so-called friend soon after he got off the bus.

“Part of me will always be haunted by the notion that I should have done something extraordinary to get him home safely,” wrote Homolka in her teacher essay. “Our kids, especially in Title I urban schools, bear heavy burdens. We are always looking for ways to reach them. We succeed, and we fail.”

To honor their fallen classmate who said in his last writing piece that he wanted to be a chef who could make beignets, the class did a procedural writing piece – a recipe for the student, describing how he might cook the best beignet.

“Then, we ate delicious beignets as we remembered him,” she wrote.

“It was one of those moments of magic for which there was no recipe.”

Homolka says that she’s realized that teaching is one career where thinking with one’s heart and relentlessly thinking outside the box are necessary -- not a liability.

“You realize how much you matter,” Homolka told me. “Life is not all about the money.”

The reader.

School renaming Dear Editor: The Civil War, resulting in the death of 650,000 white men, was fought over secession, not slavery. Most educated people know this.

After the Civil War ended, there were four states: Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland and Missouri, all below the Mason Dixon Line that retained slavery. Acknowledging this, the powers that be are still hell bent on renaming our schools, let’s be all inclusive and fair, let’s rename the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial. Both Washington and Jefferson had many slaves.

Wayne L. Strickler Reagan Class of 1950

Felons voting in Virginia Dear Editor: Did you hear about Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe issuing an executive order that will allow 200,000 convicted felons to vote this November?

No doubt whatever these thieves, murderers, pedophiles, rapists and domestic abusers -- societal rubbish -- will enthusiastically vote for Hillary Clinton. But will they also have restored their creator-imbued right to keep and bear firearms?

J. Reynolds Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss 1. Women (French) 5. Hyrax 8. Distress signal 11. Trade 13. Large northern deer 14. The 3 Wise Men 15. Marten of N Asian forests 16. Hoover’s agency 17. Received an A 18. 2nd Islamic month 20. Light brown 21. Clarified butter used in Indian cookery 22. Frankness 25. Argentina’s capital 30. Citizen of Kenya or Zimbabwe 31. Noah’s boat 32. Family of languages in So. Africa 33. Inappropriate 38. Scientific workplace 41. Hungriness 43. Say to talk about an annoying topic 45. Sing and play for somebody 47. Strike buster 49. A citizen of Thailand

50. Civil Rights group 55. Honest Company’s Jessica 56. ‘__ death do us part 57. Malarias 59. Claim against another’s property 60. Mined metalbearing mineral 61. Dashery 62. Capacity unit 63. Primary color 64. Indian dress

dOwn 1. Manuscripts (abbr.)

2. Netherlands river 3. Italian island 4. One’s own being 5. More adroit 6. Balkan country 7. Psychologist B.F. 8. Investment group Goldman ___ 9. Double curve 10. The plane of a figure 12. Ocean 14. Public presses 19. Civil Rights activist Parks 23. Cooking container 24. Arctic native

25. Founder of Babism 26. Bashkortostan capital 27. Bulky grayishbrown eagle 28. Louse egg 29. About sight 34. ___/Tuck: TV drama 35. Black tropical American cuckoo 36. Chest muscle (slang) 37. Expression of disappointment 39. One who assists 40. Antilles island 41. Served food 42. Egyptian Sun god 44. Performed successfully 45. Cavalry-sword 46. Abba __, Israeli politician 47. Jonas __, cured polio 48. The Muse of history 51. Express pleasure 52. Turkish leader titles 53. Castro country 54. Nobleman 58. ___ Lanka

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 6A • Saturday, April 30, 2016

Houston Texans help HCC veteran students with educational goals

HCC Foundation Scholarship Gala celebrates golden ticket to education at themed gala continuous contributions to the Houston community. Mayor Turner presented the Individual Honoree Award to Susan D. Sarofim and the inaugural Corporate Honoree Award to Memorial Hermann Health System.

“It’s a tremendous honor.

Education is a passion. Houston Community College is the epitome of where someone can go--as far as the facilities, the quality of the teachers, and the staff,” said Sarofim, who also serves on the HCC Foundation Board.

Will Williams, Memorial Hermann Board of Directors Chairman, accepted the award on behalf of Memorial Hermann Health System.

Williams proudly expressed, “Houston Community College has a phenomenal reputation for developing and training highly skilled individuals. These graduates are vital to filling the workforce needs of Houston.”

From the evening’s live and big board auction and multiple sponsorships, generous donors provided valuable support for the HCC Foundation to offer students the “golden ticket”, which in this case symbolizes the educational opportunities that have no limit.

“Just this year alone, the Foundation awarded a record $1 million in scholarships to HCC students,” said Shawn Taylor, HCC Foundation Board of Directors President. “By giving to the HCC Foundation and by supporting events such as this gala, you are providing these young people an opportunity.”

For The Leader What do an island vacation getaway, a ceremonial first pitch at an Astros game, and an American Kennel Club (AKC) Silver Lab puppy have in common? They were among the many coveted items up for auction at the Houston Community College (HCC) Foundation Scholarship Gala 2016 chaired

by Foundation Board Member Randy Sim and his wife Sue. The Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-themed fete turned a ballroom at the Hilton Americas-Houston into a magical wonderland filled with hundreds of generous attendees including The Honorable Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, other notable elected officials, HCC Trustees, HCC Foundation Board of Directors, administrators, staff, and scholarship recipients.

“Our students represent Houston’s future workforce. We truly do offer the golden ticket of educational opportunity to our students and to our community,” said Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor.

“We celebrate our students and what education makes possible in their lives and for their families,” said Dr. Adriana Tamez, HCC Board of Trustees Chair. “HCC is committed to 21st century learning and we value the support received from the community. You are making a difference for future generations.”

It was a night to say “thank you” to donors and to honor two recipients of the HCC Crystal Eagle award for their

For The Leader The Houston Texans are putting Houston Community College (HCC) veteran students in great field position for educational success. During the April meeting of the HCC Board of Trustees, Texans President Jamey Rootes presented the HCC Foundation with a check for $56,275 to support the Houston Texans Scholarship for Service for veteran students and their dependents.

“No one in Texas educates more veterans than HCC,” said Rootes. “We are proud to be your teammate for Houston and look forward to building upon our success to maintain a great, well-educated workforce to fill those great jobs we are creating in our community for many years to come.”

This generous gift from the Texans will help 19 veteran students for the 20152016 academic year, including Randy Presley, who is currently in the Associate Degree Nursing program at Coleman College for Health Sciences.

The former Army Combat Medic said, “The scholarship is a big load off my back. With having to study and work to provide for my family, this money gives me one less thing to worry about.”

The Houston Texans have demonstrated a longstanding partnership with HCC

Contributed Photo Dr. Cesar Maldonado, HCC chancellor; Dr. Adriana Tamez, chair, HCC Board of Trustees, District III; and Shawn Taylor, president, HCC Foundation Board of Directors attend the HCC Foundation Scholarship Gala 2016.

Funds raised from the 2016 gala will be distributed as scholarships for HCC students, two-thirds of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and nearly half of whom are the first in their families to pursue a higher education. That includes Kabine Kaba, a student at the HCC Robert Garner Firefighter Academy, who is thankful for a scholarship that pays for his tuition and training gear.

“I don’t know if I would have been able to be a firefighter without the help of HCC. They basically changed my life by giving me the scholarship,” said Kaba. “I was working a regular job and the scholarship will give me the opportunity to have a career.”

HCC alumna Wendi Hay, who was featured in a student testimonial at the gala, was liv-

ing in a homeless shelter with her four daughters at the time she was accepted to HCC and is now living independently, has a full-time professional job, and pursuing her four-year degree thanks to the HCC Foundation.

Hay said, “It boggles my mind that a stranger chose to invest in my education without judging me or knowing who I am. But because they understand the importance of an education, because they understand there are barriers that people will encounter, they have removed those barriers and they have done it for somebody they do not even know.”

To learn more about the 100-plus scholarships offered through the HCC Foundation, visit hccsfoundation.org.

and have generously donated more than $160,000 to the HCC Foundation for scholarships to date. HCC is the only community college in the nation that is an educational partner with an NFL team.

“This valuable ongoing scholarship support from the Texans recognizes our veterans’ service on the front lines by providing scholarships to help support their education and skills training in the classroom,” said Dr. Adriana Tamez, HCC Board of Trustees chair.

Shawn Taylor, president of the HCC Foundation Board, expressed his appreciation for the Texans’ longstanding support of student success at HCC. “The money presented today will go really far with our program for veterans and workforce,” said Taylor.

“It’s a tremendous investment in the individuals who are enrolled in the various programs at Houston Community College.”

The 2015-2016 scholarship recipients will be recognized at a ceremony for veteran graduates at NRG Stadium in May. To learn more about the Veterans programs at HCC, visit hccs.edu/veterans.

For information about scholarships through the HCC Foundation, visit hccsfoundation.org.

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Saturday, April 30, 2016 • Page 7A

The calendar.

MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR Heights Young Professionals Meet, network, socialize and make direct connections with area professionals April 28. This month’s event will be hosted by Karbach Brewing Co., who will be providing complimentary appetizers and happy hour drink pricing.

The cost for non-members is $20 at the door. Information: info@ heightschamber.com, heightschamber.com, 713-861-6735.

HEALTHY KIDS DAY Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA Bike to the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St., and celebrate Healthy Kids Day, a national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids. The event is free and will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 30. There will be fitness challenges, class demonstrations, health screenings and games. Information: 713-8693378, ymcahouston.org.

COMMUNITY YARD SALE Sinclair PTA The Sinclair PTA will hold their community yard sale from 8 a.m.-noon, April 30, at Sinclair Elementary, 6410 Grovewood.

Popcorn and bottled water will be available for $1 each. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Information: 713-885-3898, 713304-3266.

CHIHUAHUA DE MAYO Houston Humane Society Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Rd., has Chihuahuas available for adoption from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 30 through May 15. The adoption fee is $50 on Chihuahuas 6 months or older. Information: 713-4336421, houstonhumane.org.

SHRIMP AND CRAWFISH BOIL Whitney Oaks Hall Bring your appetite to the 22nd Annual Shrimp and Crawfish Boil, from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. May 7, at Whitney Oaks Hall, 816 E. Whitney St. There will be a silent auction, bounce house and live music by Zydeco Dots. The event is sponsored by Rotary Club of Houston Heights, Tommie Vaughn Ford and The Leader. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for children 712, and children 0-6 are free.

MAY BREAKFAST CONNECTION Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Come network with your fellow Chamber members, share business concepts and hear about new business concepts. This month’s guest speaker will be Jonathan McElvy, Publisher and owner of The Leader. Enjoy a hot breakfast from 6:45-8:30 a.m.

May 12, at Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. Guests and non-members are welcome. The cost is $20

each and non-members $25 each.

Register online. Information: 713861-6735, heightschamber.com.

delicious steak dinner May 20.

Steaks will be served from 6 p.m. until sold out. The cost is $15 per plate. Information: 713-6829287, americanlegionpost560. org.

APRIL EVENTS The Health Museum Mindfulness Classes for children ages 6-8 and one parent will be on Sundays through May 22, 1-2 p.m.; children ages 9-11 and one parent will be on Sundays from 2:30-3:30 p.m. through May 22.

Register online. Mindfulness classes to cultivate positive emotions will be held Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. through May 11.

Boy Scout Merit Badge Classes will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30. The Health Museum is located at 1515 Hermann Dr. Information: www.thehealthmuseum.org, 713521-1515.

GREAT TASTE OF THE HEIGHTS All Saints Catholic Community Several restaurants will be featured at the Great Taste of the Heights from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

May 21. Live music is provided

by BackBeat. Tickets presale are $25, and $35 at the door (based on availability. There will be beer tents, entertainment and a silent auction. All Saints Catholic Community is located at 215 E. 10th St. Information: 713-864-2653, greattasteoftheheights.com.

THURSDAY NIGHT BINGO SPJST Lodge 88 Bingo at SPJST Lodge 88, 1435 Beall St., is held every Thursday night (unless otherwise noted, or announced). Bingo pads are $5 each. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.

Early bird special starts at 7 p.m. with regular bingo games beginning at 7:30 p.m. Information: 713-869-5767, lodge88.org.

AARP MONTHLY MEETING AARP Chapter 1265 The monthly meeting will be held at 10 a.m., May 2, in the community room at 1520 Candlelight Ln. The special guest is The Sunshine Band. The meeting is open to anyone 50 or older, and will be preceded by a meet-andgreet at 9:30 a.m. There will be no meetings for June through August. Next meeting will be Sept.

12. Information: 713-681-1133.

teach gardening classes. Information: 832-910-8261, Beautysgarden1@gmail.com.

LEGALLINE: FREE LEGAL ADVICE Houston Bar Association The Houston Bar Association offers free legal advice over the phone through LegalLine from 5-9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month. Consejos Legales for Spanish speakers is the first Thursday of every month

LAUGHTER YOGA Heights Library Laughter Yoga utilizes breathing and play-based exercises for health and wellness by people of all professions/ages/abilities.

Meet from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday at 1302 Heights Blvd. Information: www.houstonlaughteryoga. com.

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Garage sale at Heights Church of Christ Come find bargains at the garage sale at Heights Church of Christ, located at 1548 Heights Blvd., from 8 a.m.3 p.m. April 30. There will be miscellaneous household items, electronics, furniture, clothes and tools.

Call 713-861-0922 for information.

Eat, Pray, Read! Book club at Oaks Presbyterian The Eat, Pray, Read! Book Club, open to all adults in the area, will discuss the current selection, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler plus enjoy dinner cooked by members.

The community is invited to GOOF (Garden Oaks/Oak Forest) Game Day on May 7, from 10 a.m.–10 p.m., come-and-go as you please. Admission is a $5 donation per person. Enjoy strategy-based, fun board games and more, including prize drawings throughout the event. Children are welcome with accompanying adult.

Oaks Presbyterian Church is located at 1576 Chantilly Ln. For information, visit www.oakspresbyterian.org or call 713-682-2556.

St. Rose of Lima holds Spring Festival The 2016 Spring Festival is scheduled for the weekend of May 1, kicking off with a live auction and dinner at 6:30 p.m. April 29, in the parish hall.

Tickets are $35. The Sky is the Limit is this year’s theme.

Purchase wristbands for the children to play and enjoy the midway from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There will be lots of entertainment for the kids. Each presale pass includes one hot

dog, chips and drink, one can of silly string, bubbles and unlimited access to the age appropriate entertainment.

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community is located at 3600 Brinkman. Call 713-692-9123 for information.

Senior Activities at St. Stephen’s Adults age 50+ are welcome to attend Senior Activities Day on May 4, in the fellowship hall. Games begin at 9 a.m., followed by a soup and sandwich lunch at 11:45 a.m. Love offerings are appreciated to help cover the cost of lunch.

Registration is now open for the 2016 Bill Hardwick Memorial Golf Classic, to be held May 7, from 8 a.m. to noon at Jersey Meadow Golf Course, 8502 Rio Grande Dr., in Jersey Village. Entry fees are $125 per golfer ($75 per golfer age 72 and older), and includes lunch and awards. Registration forms are available at www.stsumc.org and through the church office.

Also needed are hole sponsors and donations for door prizes. Call church office, if interested.

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

All Saints TALC hosts Fiesta lunch All Saints Third Age Learning Center (TALC) will host its Spring Semester closing party with a Fiesta fundraiser luncheon on Friday, May 6. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. in the church parish hall located at 215 E. 10th St. with entrance and parking off of Cortlandt

Street.

Fiesta Food Store is sponsoring the Fiesta luncheon and tickets are $5 per person and are available at the TALC lunch desk. Fiesta and its vendors will offer door prizes during the luncheon. The semester closing Party held prior to the serving of lunch will feature class demonstrations, displays of class crafts, music by the Strummin’ Saints, and refreshments served by members of the Houston Junior Forum volunteers.

For lunch reservations or information on the TALC event, call 713-248-1277.

the Women’s Resource of Greater Houston to offer free financial literacy classes. The class is called Money Matters and will help teach the basics money management.

Classes are offered the first and third Wednesday every month from noon-2 p.m. at St. James Church located at 1602 W. 43rd St. MANNA has partnered with the Houston Food Bank and the Health and Human Services Commission to assist individuals in applying for and managing social service programs. Spanish speaking assistance will be available.

MANNA will provide assistance for SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, etc. to all individuals the first Friday of every month, starting Friday, March 4, from 9 a.m.-noon at St. James Lutheran Church located at 1602 Ad 43rd # 36774 W. St.

Voice of the Martyrs six-week series at Hope Episcopal Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd St., will hold a six-week discussion series beginning Wednesday nights on Christians facing Islam extremists around the world.

The following six weeks will focus on different sections of the material produced by Voice of the Martyrs and other missions organizations.

All are welcome to attend at 6 p.m. Wednesdays for dinner followed by Christian Formation.

Call 713-681-6422 or visit hope-episcopal.org for information.

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You are cordially invited to the church that can guide you in what you must do to be saved.

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

It has operated as a church of Christ since 1927, it is located at 634 West Cottage on the corner of West Cottage and Reagan streets.

The Norhill Church of Christ teaches only the Bible, without reference to any man-originated creed. Bible study services for all ages are held at 9:30am Sunday mornings. Sunday morning Worship begins at 10:15am. Sunday evening worship is at 5:00pm Wednesday evening worship and Bible study is held at 7:30pm.

Norhill welcomes everyone to attend worship or Bible study to learn more about the truth of the Bible.

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fraid to whiten your teeth because of sensitive teeth? One of the side effects of whitening can be increased sensitivity to temperature extremes in your food. This is caused by the whitening gel cleaning out the teeth’s enamel tubules which creates a more direct path to trigger a reaction from the tooth’s nerve. Fortunately this is a transient side effect, and can be improved or lessened by a few little tricks before starting your whitening process.

Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and an at-home fluoride treatment for several days before and after whitening can improve any symptoms. A desensitizing gel can be provided by your dentist as well, which will help diminish the possibility of side effects. Taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen prior to whitening will provide the teeth relief before any sensitivity starts. Lastly, using a soft bristled toothbrush will protect the enamel from unnecessary wear which can create problems.

As always, let your dentist know if you have any concerns regarding any treatment. Oftentimes, a few simple tips ahead of time can improve your overall experience and allow you to have the white teeth that you deserve.

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

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FREE GARDENING CLASSES Beauty’s Community Garden Beauty’s Community Garden, 3201 Airline, holds free gardening classes the first Saturday of every month. Call to reserve a space.

Volunteers are also needed to

STEAK NIGHT American Legion Post 560 Come by the American Legion Post 560, 3720 Alba Rd., for a

from 6-8 p.m. Information: 713759-1133, www.hba.org.

Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters

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

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

4U 4UFQIFO T

e can learn much from our mothers besides such wise advice as to eat a good breakfast and to wash our hands often. While it is true that mothers usually know a lot of good practical stuff, infinitely more important than their practical wisdom is their solicitous care and unconditional love. Across most of the animal kingdom, and almost universally among mammals, we see in motherhood an instinctual care and protection of their young. For example, think of the mother bear and the warning to never come between a bear and her cubs. Good mothers will defend their young against almost any threat, often at great risk to themselves, and usually attend to their children’s care and feeding before they attend to their own. Good mothers too, love their youngsters even when they have gone astray; this unconditional maternal love is perhaps the clearest reflection of God’s unconditional love.

In the same way that a good mother will tell a child that is being punished that this doesn’t mean they are loved any less, so too does God chastise His children, telling us that God is love and everything He does is a manifestation of that love, including His punishment. This Mother’s Day, we should reflect on how our mother’s love mirrors God’s love for us, even in those times when she is correcting us.

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Page 8A • Saturday, April 30, 2016

Neighbors: Oak Forest resident Cernada headed for the Ivy League

By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com On April 4, neighbor Francisco Cernada, an Oak Forest resident and valedictorian of the senior class at YES Prep Gulfton, received acceptance letters from Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Brown. His family, teachers and his college counselor are very, very proud of him.

A message from Cernada’s brother, Juan, reads: “You are at the helm of the elite, Francisco.

The road to it proves that there is no such thing as obstacles. Our first generational roots here are not very deep, but we just got a hold of excavators, my brother. That goes for anything you desire in life, because this is our playground. Let’s play and bring light to this world.

I love you, Francisco. Stay on that grind and I will, too.” Francisco’s sister Gaby said, “We didn’t expect anything less from our little

Francisco Cernada received college acceptance letters from four Ivy League universities in one day !

crouton, you’re a shining example that hard work still goes a long way – we couldn’t be prouder of you.

We love you home slice! - Gaby and George.”

Cernada attended YES Prep Gulfton for both middle and high school. In high school, he has been captain of the cross country team, a varsity soccer player, student ambassador, and president of the student council. In the spring semester of his junior year, he attended the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, a semester-long boarding school in Washington D.C. While at SEGL, he became passionate about global affairs and public policy. Cernada is considering attending Yale or Harvard in the fall and plans to major in international relations in college. Currently, he can be found several times a week at Kroger, attempting to juggle things he really shouldn’t, and eating frozen yogurt with his younger siblings at sweetFrog. He loves to run in TC Jester Park where he trained for the New Orleans Rock n’ Roll Marathon, finishing in just over 4 hours in Feb-

ruary. Cernada’s favorite restaurant in Oak Forest is Toasted which reminds him of all the local bagel shops he used to frequent in D.C. Well done, Francisco!

Neighbor Monica Shiel would like to thank her brother, Johnnie Gonzales, for decorating his house and yard at 903 W. 43rd St. in Garden Oaks for the holidays.

Many of you will know instantly which house this is! From spider webs and bats at Halloween to Peanuts characters and tons of bright, sparkly lights at Christmas to the Easter egg tree on the lawn, Shiel said “It’s a pleasure driving by seeing the holiday decorations. Even though I call him names about the whole thing (Sparky Griswold), I have to say that I become proud when someone says, “Have you seen your brother’s house?” Johnnie’s wife and daughter, Mary and Alisa, also get into the spirit of decorating the house and yard for

April showers and thunderstorms bring anxiety for some pets

Dear Tabby, Our dog (and one of our cats) gets really nervous during thunderstorms. With the weather we’ve been having lately, you can imagine how tense things have been in my home! Do you have any advice on how to help them?

Scared of Storms in Shepherd Park Plaza Dear Scared, It’s very common for our pets to have a reaction to thunderstorms--some more severe a reaction than others. Veterinarians don’t know all the triggers but suspect that dogs are set off by some combination of wind, thunder, lightning, barometric pressure changes, static electricity, and low-frequency rumbles preceding a storm that humans can’t hear.

According to one theory, dogs even experience painful shocks from static buildup before the storm.

What can you do to ease your pet’s thunderstorm anxiety?

Experts recommend rewarding calm behavior year round. This means practicing getting your dog to settle down on command. Barbara L. Sherman, PhD, DVM, associate professor of veterinary behavior at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a past president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, recommends putting a special “inside” leash on the dog and practice having the pet lie at your feet while praising the calm behavior. “They should practice when there is no storm, so the dog learns the routine,” she says. “When the storm comes up, then they put on the leash and say, ‘Come on and lie down here,’ and the dog still knows what to do.”

It’s also important to give your pet a safe place to go and hide during the storm, if that’s what she wants. Notice where she goes during a storm, and if possible, allow access to it. Be sure your pet can come and go freely, since some animals become more anxious if confined.

You might also consider purchasing a Thunder Shirt-type of garment for your dog. These

snug-fitting shirts for pets have a calming effect similar to swaddling a baby. Providing a gentle “hug” for your pet, these compression garments have been shown to lessen anxiety for some animals.

If all else fails, consult your veterinarian. In extreme cases of thunderstorm anxiety, vets can prescribe medications to address the issue. Dr. Sher-

man adds, “We have our best luck with a management plan that includes changing some features in the environment, applying some behavior modification techniques, and often some anti-anxiety medication,” Sherman says.

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

Pet of the week Meet Popeye. This sweet poodle-mix came into the rescue group in pretty bad shape. But, since being in a foster home, he’s had his teeth taken care of, gets good food and a glucosamine supplement for his creaky joints.

Despite his humble beginnings, Popeye loves to play and gets along well with everyone. Come visit him at K-9 Angels rescue center at 5533 Weslayan (next to Chuck E. Cheese’s) Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 11am-3:30pm.

the holidays. Monica related that her family has a history of giving in the neighborhood and I thought I’d share her memories with you, readers, because her family’s giving spirit is reflected in many of your neighborly actions today. Monica’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie M. Gonzales, moved to Garden Oaks in 1965 when they bought their home at 902 Lamonte. She has very fond memories of growing up there and now sees the fruit of her parents’ hard work – making and giving tamales to their neighbors with her mother, and her father helping neighbors with household repairs they didn’t know how to do themselves. She said as an adult, she now understands why her parents were so giving and feels they made the world a better place, giving their all and working to make people happy. Thanks, Johnnie, Mary and Alisa for making a difference in the community, and Monica, for the memories.

The Obituaries.

Alta J. Anderson, 96, born Sept. 13, 1919 in Cashion, Okla., died April 24. As a student of Central State University, she met Bill and they were married in 1941. Anderson is survived by her children Pete Anderson, Jennifer Dylan, Joe Anderson, Helen Anderson, seven grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Houston Hospice, or the American Red Cross: Houston Flood Relief Fund.

Kathy Jo Anthony Blackwell, 59, Dec. 30, 1956 in Lufkin, died April 22. Blackwell graduated with a Bachelor of Science as a registered Dental Hygienist from Lamar University. She began her career as a dental hygienist for a private practice but later found her calling as a dental health educator with the Harris County Health Department. She is survived by her husband, Neil Blackwell, son Aron, parents Joe C. and Sissy Anthony, sisters Terry Carter, Cindy Anthony and brother Mark Anthony. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Diabetes Association.

Marie Louise Butler, 95, born May 21, 1920 in Chicago, Ill., died April 15. In June of 1940, she married Monette Lea Butler in New Orleans; he predeceased her in 1995. She began the second phase of her life at 75 and traveled the world. Survivors include her children Steven M. Butler, Brian M. Butler and Denise M. Butler, three grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Guide Dogs of Texas (guidedogsoftexas.org) or a charity of one’s choice.

Brenda Sue Craig, 65, born Oct. 15, 1950, died April 23.

Ruby Lee Ghutzman, 100, born Sept. 10, 1915 in Tomato, Ark., died April 17. She is survived by her son, Gerald W. “Butch” Ghutzman, three grandsons, and three great-grandchildren.

Paul Perez Jr., 73, born Sept. 23, 1942, died April 24.

Andrea R. Serena, 92, born Feb. 4, 1924, died April 14. Serena is survived by her children, Minerva Ruiz, Connie Ramirez, Jesse Serena Jr., Cynthia Kleinworth, Jimmy Serena and Christina Serena, nine grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

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Saturday, April 30, 2016 • Page 9A

Teacher of the Year selected unanimously at Booker T. Washington High School

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Jennifer Charles was selected unanimously by the teachers and staff at Booker T. Washington High School of Engineering Professionals as their Teacher of the Year for demonstrating leadership qualities.

Charles is a four year Social Studies teacher at Washington. She currently teaches AP US History, AP Government, AP Economics, and World Geography. She says she grew up in Houston hearing about the prominent legacy held within the walls of Washington High School, and as a 2012 graduate of the University of Houston, she applied for and was accepted for a position as a 9th grade teacher.

“Each year at Washington I have taken on a new responsibility in the form of added courses or leadership,” she said. “This has been difficult in that it requires constant flexibility and innovation,

Charity from P. 1A ommendation and other academic criteria. Most importantly, the group also selects those with an economic need for the scholarships The group typically donates about 85 percent of what is raised and has few expenses, Marmion said.

“Our focus is on low-income, and minority families, so it’s need based first and after that it’s on merit,” Marmion said.

Marmion also said the group would likely know how much was raised before the end of the week.

but I am rewarded in knowing that my students and administration have faith in my abilities. This journey has also kept me humbled, because in acquiring new knowledge, I am forced to understand the level of grit I require of my students.”

Charles is inspired by the famous quote by Maya Angelou; “People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, But people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Charles believes students will often refuse to learn from you unless they know and trust that you have a vested interest in their success in life. “I try to do something every day that conveys that very message,” Charles said. “I have also tried to impart that failure and mistakes in no way signify the end, but instead a foundation from which we should make a fresh start. I am honored to know that at this enormously historic institution, I have managed to make a mark on

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Jennifer Charles, an AP teacher at Booker T. Washington High School, was selected unanimously as Teacher of the Year.

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Page 10A • Saturday, April 30, 2016

Timbergrove rings in spring with ‘Fling’

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Source: Facebook It was another succesful year for the annual Timbergrove Manor Spring Fling and Run the Grove 5k. Event organizer Suzanne Driscoll said the run had approximately 350 participants that finished the 5k or the kids fun run, and had over 50 corporate and neighborhood sponsors who generously contributed to the fund raising efforts. Proceeds raised from the event go towards funding initiatives at the West 11th Street Park and its preservation.

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ART

Saturday, April 30, 2016 • Page 11A

Art Valet

By Mitch Cohen

Arts Columnist

Thirsty Explorer

By Christina Martinez Managing Editor

The Market at Sawyer Yards coming soon Lucky’s Pub Heights suffers damage from flood Picture this: a thick hardcover binder with plastic inserts holding printed calendar pages, covered in notes, to-do lists, interview schedules, ideas for stories and people to interview, things to buy for upcoming events and press deadlines scheduled six, three and one month out.

If you see anything like that, I assure you it is not mine. It took me half the day to realize what day it is and then close to the end of the same day before I realize my column deadline was … yesterday. Hit the panic button!

Fortunately for you dear readers, my idea of being short and to the point gets right up to the maximum word count for my column.

Which by the way, I’ve never ascertained what that count is. Oh well.

I have been busy, and I think it’s safe to reveal what exactly that is. Last summer I wrote about my visit to the Eugene Saturday Market in Eugene, Oregon. (Search the online archives under lifestyle/artvalet to August 28 and September 3) The market is the longest running weekly in the country, and I was beyond thrilled talking to long time exhibitors and some of the newer ones. I had coffee with patrons who met there every week for breakfast. The market is, literally, a thriving economy wrapped up in a community event.

On May 14, I am bringing my version of Eugene’s famous market to Houston and we’re calling it The Market at Sawyer Yards.

The “we” is the fabulous team at Sawyer Yards (sawyeryards.com) which includes the new Washington Avenue Arts District. The market will be surrounded by The Silos at Sawyer Yards, Winter and Silver Street Studios and soon a brewery and new retail in neighboring spaces. The studios are not just art studios but the highest concentration of working artists in

Contributed photo by Bayou City Art Festival The Heights’ own Yeti Sunshine serving up ice at last year’s festival.

Texas!

For that reason, this market will focus on folk art, artisan crafts, specialty foods and handmade goods. We’ll have original music and, of course, everyone’s favorite food trucks. To start we’ll be open on 2nd Saturdays through the summer and I expect our hours will change with the heat, but on our first show, May 14, we’ll be open 10-5 p.m.

More details on the website including an application: sawyerstreetmarket.com.

Bayou City Art Festival’s featured artist April Murphy (left) and her friend Chrissy Doolen.

First Saturday Arts Market will remain and continue to showcase area fine artists. Remember, our last day show until September is from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 7.The market switches hours to evenings in June. 1stSatArtMarket.com.

This weekend, the Bayou City Art Festival, produced by Art Colony Association is back at Houston’s Memorial Park as one of the top ten outdoor fine art events in the nation.

The festival will take place on from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 29; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. This year’s featured artist is April Murphy, who specializes in capturing nature, pets and whimsical fantasies using vivid colors and animated characters.

“I’m excited about welcoming more than 300 artists from all parts of the country as we celebrate this milestone year at Art Colony Association,” said Executive Director Bridget Anderson. “This festival has been around for 45 years, and it’s an honor to share this 3-day weekend with such a diverse group of artists, community leaders and of course, Houstonians.”

This year I had the honor of being a juror for this esteemed event and so I’m going all out and coerced art market artist friends to join me bar-tending Saturday and Sunday at noon. Look for us at the Stella Artois Art Bar. I’ll be there Sunday; heavy tipping is encouraged.

There is no parking at Memorial Park, very comfortable and fast shuttles are available, get info and tickets on the website www.artcolonyassociation.org.

Cohen is the founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him through his website ArtValet.com.

After recent rainfall and flooding in Houston, many area homes, restaurants and even bars experienced significant flooding. One of our area drinking establishments, Lucky’s Pub Heights, took in a significant amount of water again and closed doors for repairs.

Lucky’s Pub Heights is located at 2520 Houston Ave. The location is right where White Oak and Houston meet and right where White Oak Bayou runs. The intersection and area is known for its flooding from the bayou, as this is not the first year Lucky’s Pub Heights has taken on water.

Alas, some good news: Lucky’s Pub Heights is reopening this weekend!

From 11 a.m. on Friday, April 28 to 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, Lucky’s will resume their normal hours.

NFL Draft Party The seasons are changing and right around this time is when sports fanatics, like myself, are in pure bliss with all of the sports highlights unfolding.

One highlight this week is the NFL Draft. Who will the Texans draft with their first pick? Who do you want them to draft? If not the Texans, who is your team? And who is your rookie you have your eyes on?

The next big question where are you watching the draft unfold? Red carpet coverage will begin at 5 p.m. and will air on the NFL network. If you don’t have the NFL network, here’s a few spots in the neighborhood to watch.

Leader Nibbles

Houston Dairymaid launches beekeeping startup

By Christina Martinez

christina@theleadernews.com

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Mother’s Day May 8th

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Hughie’s Tavern 1802 W. 18th St. Little J’s Bar 5306 Washington Ave. Lucky’s Pub Heights 2520 Houston Ave. Wakefield Crowbar 954 Wakefield Dr.

Variety Night

Live Oak Bar and Grill and Soalz Entertainment are hosting some local talent this weekend.

Starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, three local acts will take stage on Live Oak’s patio. Find performances by hosts D3, Phantom Arcade and Tribe Hill.

There will be plenty of food and drinks and vendor space is available.

Live Oak Bar and Grill is located at 10444 Hempstead Rd.

The Raven Tower kicked off free yoga Sundays in March and will continue this on through June. Yoga will be instructed by Black Swan Yoga on the patio, just bring a mat and yourself.

After your yoga session, check out drink specials, food, and local vendor offerings for a well-balanced Sunday Funday as we slide into summer.

The Raven Tower is located at 310 North St.

Try our

Lunch SpeciaLS

Mango Chicken $6.50 Sesame Shrimp $7.50 Free Wi-Fi • Free Delivery limiteD AreA ($12 min.)

Order online at AuntieChAngs.Com 2621 S. Shepherd at Westheimer | 713.524.8410

Rememeber when country music was country?

Take a trip down memory lane and join us on

Saturday, May 7, 2016

8:00 p.m. to Midnight KC Odin Hall, 607 East Whitney Street Houston, Texas 77022

Dance to the music of Bill Mock & the Highway 105 Band Admission $10 per person (doors open at 7:00 p.m.)

Profits from this dance will go to the Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter Alzheimers Association Sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of KC 2917 Please call Kathy at 281-356-3535 for more information.

Banquet Hall Screenshot from YouTube Nicole Buergers promoting her Bee2Bee Honey Collective campaign on Youtube.

ton Dairymaids for the past five years (and will continue to be!).

Find out more at www.indiegogo.com/projects/houston-beekeeping-bee2beehoney-collective#/

Whitney Oaks Hall

816 E. Whitney Dr. 713-692-0198 w w w.whitneyoakshall.com

E. Whitney

Crosstimber

Northline Mall Airline Dr

Email christina@theleadernews.com

Seating Capacity: 640 Stage • Dance Floor • Lighted Secured Parking

5

Union Kitchen in Garden Oaks makes progress Progress is underway for Union Kitchen to move into Ella Plaza. Gr8 Plate Hospitality owner Paul Miller has

invited community leaders, businesses, residents and partners to come see what they have planned from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 29.

The Hard Hat Brunch will be hosted at the restaurant site, 3452 Ella Blvd.

I-4

One of Houston Dairymaid’s own dairymaids is getting a little bee-zy and launching Bee2Bee Honey Collective this spring.

From their Indiegogo campaign web page, Bee2Bee Honey Collective’s mission is to provide a healthy, sustainable habitat for honeybees and promote urban beekeeping and education. They plan on going about this in two ways: launching beekeeping services and boasting a website for beekeepers (including those receiving the beekeeping service) to sell their honey.

The queen bee heading up the project is Nicole Buergers. Buergers has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds and as of Tuesday, March 27, she’s raised $9,247 of her $20K goal.

Buergers has also been a cheesemonger at the Hous-

Cavatore’s

Christian’s Tailgate 2820 White Oak Dr.

Free yoga at the Raven Tower April Murphy’s rendition of Mitch’s 1st Saturday Art Market entitled “1st Caturday Bark Market”.

Facebook photo Extensive flood damage to Lucky’s Pub Heights at 2520 Houston Avenue.

610

R E !

P S D R I E U P K S Y S D I K H Y T !

S L H D I K A HEEALTHY H Join us for Healthy Kids Day®, a FREE community event on Saturday, April 30 from 10 am to 1 pm at the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA. Join the Y between April 18-May 2 and pay no joining fee, a savings of up to $125.

Member benefits include: · Access to outdoor pool · Discounts on programs including Y Day Camp, Swim Lessons and Youth Sports · Over 80 free Group Exercise Classes

Learn more at ymcahouston.org/foster-family

YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Everyone is welcome.

The Amegy Bank Great Don’t-Wait Rate.

Apply for yours today.

A Home Equity Line of Credit from Amegy Bank can fund just about anything under the sun, like a pool, a dream trip, college tuition or even cash flow management for the family budget.

And when you can do it with a low introductory rate this great, the last thing you want to do is wait.

Introductory 1.99% APR* fixed for the first 6 months; variable 3.75% - 4.00% APR thereafter.

Respond Now! Call/Visit: Heights: (713) 232-5257 Downtown: (713) 232-1316

Online: Get a low introductory rate on an Amegy Bank Home Equity Line of Credit. Apply for yours today.

www.amegybank.com/PromoHELOC

Important Disclosure Information: *Loans subject to credit approval; terms and conditions apply. Minimum loan amount is $8,000. Minimum draw amount is $4,000. Property insurance is required, and other restrictions or conditions may apply. Other loan options are available. Speak with an Amegy banker for more details. Effective 03/21/2016 through 06/30/2016, 1.99% introductory APR is fixed for the first 6 months of account opening; variable APR of 3.75% - 4.00% after that. The variable APR is based on the Prime Rate as stated in The Wall Street Journal plus a margin and is subject to change.

Prime Rate is currently 3.50% as of 03/21/2016. Maximum APR is 18%. The interest rate will change effective with changes in the Index. Offer not available for existing Amegy Bank Home Equity Lines of Credit. No additional interest rate discounts may apply during the introductory rate period. After the introductory rate period, additional rate discounts may apply. Maximum discount .25%. Speak with an Amegy banker for more details. No closing costs on loans up to $250,000, unless a full appraisal is necessary. For lines over $250,000, borrower is responsible for third party closing costs, which may not exceed 3% of line amount.

Amegy Bank | 4400 Post Oak Pkwy, Houston, TX 77027 A division of ZB, N.A. Member FDIC. ©2016 ZB, N.A.

Equal Housing Lender NMLS#467014