Leader0726a by The Heights Leader, Fort Bend Star and The Greensheet

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Inside Today: Real estate market continues to grow • 1B

The Vision is still alive! See page 13

THE

s ’ e n e l r a D

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

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Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Vol. 60 • No. 38

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THE BRIEF.

Milwee succeeds Burge as Chamber President

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce (GHACC) Board of Directors unanimously voted to name Jacob Millwee the organization’s next President. He will succeed Terry Burge, the longtime Leader publisher, who is stepping down at the end of August to become vice-president of Mueller Environmental Designs, a Houston-based manufacturer of natural gas production equipment. Milwee steps into the position having the most experience with the Chamber of any president in its history. In his six year tenure, he progressed to become Director of Operations, overseeing all of their activities. He is thoroughly familiar with the Chamber’s members, events and processes. “Due in no small part to the excellent leadership of Terry Burge, the Chamber is in the best position it has been in years,” Milwee said. “We have a strong base of dedicated members, successful events, and strong ties to both the community and our local government. I am deeply honored to be asked to continue to serve the Chamber in this new role.” The Chairman of the Board, Trent Salch, is excited about the future of the Chamber with Jacob at the helm. “Jacob’s work ethic and his dedication to the GHACC cannot be matched,” Salch said. “His leadership will help ensure the Chamber’s continued success and help us stay focused on creating new and dynamic ways to help our members and the Greater Heights Community.” Burge admits to having mixed emotions about his transition. “While I’ve accepted an unexpected and exciting new opportunity, my heart will continue to be here with the Chamber, and our wonderful community where I’ve worked for four decades,” Burge said. “The leadership and members have been incredibly supportive during my time here.”

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It’s your vision that really matters We print 52 issues of The Leader every year. If I had to pick a favorite edition, there isn’t even a close second. Of course, I’d encourage you to put down that smartish phone of yours and take an hour out of every week to skim through the pages of your local newspaper, but if you only read one edition a year, please spend JONATHAN some time with MCELVY this week’s Leader. For the second Publisher year in a row (and hopefully for many years to come), we’re turning The Leader on its head. Just for fun, we’ve even changed the name of the paper – well, kind of – for just this one week. Last year, I explained the genesis of this special edition. I’ll do it again for the newcomers and the new readers, if we should be so lucky to have any. For a number of years, The Leader published a section called “Those Were the Days.” The section was an ode to yesteryear – a time some would argue was much better than what we’re seeing in our neighborhoods today. We ran old advertisements. We told old stories. We pulled out the archives and tried to take you on a journey to the history of our homes, businesses and schools.

The value of yesteryear, however, is its impact on tomorrow. The recitation of history only matters when it frames our discourse on the future. Thus we created this once-a-year edition called “The Vision,” where nearly every story in today’s newspaper takes a look at what we might expect in our community in the years to come. Our staff started working on these stories nearly two months ago, and our charge was to ask those who understand our history best to offer their insights on tomorrow. I think you’ll find the work was well worth the investment. In today’s edition, you’ll find stories about some of the most pressing issues in our communities. What will our neighborhoods look like in five or 10 years? Are we going to lose all the character of our streets as ranch homes are demolished one-by-one? We’ve talked to one of the most influential social scientists in Houston about the demographic shifts in our neighborhoods. What does that mean for our schools, our land prices, our way of life? We’ve talked to our education leaders about the future of our schools – both public and private. Are we going to have the best neighborhood schools in the city, or are we a long way off from that bragging right? We’ve talked to law enforcement officials – the ones who have watched crime trends and the meteoric rise of

our neighborhoods. Have the changes in our neighborhoods made us susceptible to crimes we haven’t imagined? Is there new technology that will make us safer than ever before? All of these “crystal ball” stories have been fun to report. It allows us leeway in the questions we ask and the answers we receive. But my favorite part of today’s edition isn’t the hypothetical; it’s the factual. In The Vision, we talked to three wonderful people about the history of our area. We asked for their personal experiences, their perception of the changes, and their prognosis for the future. Anne Sloan, Delinda Holland and Dr. Jon Enloe have provided wonderful insights about this community, and I’ll do everything but beg you to read the three stories they graciously helped us craft. We found them to be intriguing interviews, and we also found a commonality among each of them – they care about what we become. Along with those stories, we’ve added another nugget to this year’s edition, and those who have moved here recently will appreciate it more than the “long-timers.” Ever wonder who Durham Drive and Durham Elementary were named after? Who was S.P. Waltrip? We’ve looked at roadways and school names, and we think you’ll enjoy learning a little about the namesakes of our community. Today’s edition of The Vision is something fun we get to do at our of-

Page 5B

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The area is going through a rapid transition. What does it mean for the future of the Heights, Oak Forest, Garden Oaks and North Houston?

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REAL ESTATE

Page 1B

The local real estate market continues to grow. What are some of the developments we can expect?

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THE INDEX. 6A

Classiﬁeds

Coupons

Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

13B 8B

Opinion

Public Information Puzzles Sports

2A 8A 12B

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

A quick guide to what you can ﬁnd inside this Leader special edition DEMOGRAPHICS

Church

fice, but I also think it’s an incredibly important tool in our community. Our day-to-day lives are usually wrapped up in what we’re doing, what our children are doing, what our bosses want us to do. Very few of us are able to step back from our busy lives and really reflect on our community, where we’re going, what we’re doing next. In relative terms, we are but a small little slice of this megatropolis called Houston. In some ways, that’s a great thing, because we maintain that smalltown feel so many of us crave. In other ways, though, that isn’t such a good thing. We don’t have city officials we really can call our own. They’re too busy for us, or they forward us to a different department. Our problems aren’t their priorities. If there’s one thing we’ve learned at The Leader over the last couple of years, it’s that the future of our area depends on those of us who live and work here. If we want to make improvements, we must take the lead. If we want to improve our schools, we get involved ourselves. And if we want to spur the local economy, we have to make that choice ourselves. In a strange way, that’s why we publish The Vision every year. We want to spur you, our readers and residents, to get involved in the discussion on our future. We want you to help shape it. We want you to understand our history to help shape our tomorrow.

CRIME

Page 2A

What are some of the ways local law enforcement will combat crime in the coming years?

EDUCATION

Page 11A

As our population grows, so does the demand for superb schools. What are parents doing to ensure that happens?

THE PUBLIC. Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Page 2A

McClelland and Rosen optimistic about the future of ﬁghting crime By Michael Sudhalter

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Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen

Houston’s longest serving indepedent bank. HPD Chief Charles McClelland

there are only three academy classes of 70 cadets each (210 per year) for a net gain of 10 officers per year. McClelland will propose to the city adding the maximum seven academy classes per year for an addition of 490 new officers per year and a net gain of 290 officers per year. At that rate, the department can add 1,000 officers within the next five years. “The economy is robust and continues to grow,” McClelland said. “HPD will have to grow considerably in the next five years.” Ninety four percent of the police department’s budget is directed toward personnel, said HPD spokesperson John Cannon. McClelland said burglaries are down 10 percent city-wide, but said that citizens must remain vigilant and use common sense approaches such as closing and locking their garage doors, keeping the yard maintained and strengthening communication between neighbors. Like Rosen, McClelland emphasized the importance of inter-department collaboration. “We have to make sure we’re sharing information and that we’re sharing it in a timely manner,” McClelland said. Last year, HPD established a Mental Health Division, becoming the first major police

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HPD plans to increase ranks The Houston Police Department is stretched thin, but HPD Chief Charles McClelland has a plan to address the problem that would put more patrol ofﬁcers in neighborhoods, including the Heights, Oak Forest and Garden Oaks. Currently, about 200 ofﬁcers per year are retiring, and

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department in the nation to do so. “It is a community that is underserved and falls through the cracks,” McClelland said. “We transport them to mental health facilities and make sure they’re medicated, and not going to jail just because there’s no place else to put them.” “The state has decreased mental health funding, so it falls on individual communities and cities (to address the situation).”

michael@theleadernews.com

Harris County Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen believes the growth of the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest areas, along with improvements in technology, are good developments for law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. “With the kind of homes going up in the Heights, Oak Forest and Garden Oaks, there will be a much larger tax base and expendable income,” Rosen said. “Residents will want even greater visibility than we already provide, and we’ll be able to add officers to patrol the neighborhoods.” “In the next 10 years, technology is going to be night and day from how it is now,” Rosen said. “We will have Touch DNA, for instance. If a burglar touches a window or door, we can get the DNA from those areas — as opposed to the (traditional) fingerprints. Touch DNA will help us connect crimes better than ever before.” Many burglars and thieves repeat their crimes, so they will be in the system for authorities to check their DNA. Rosen said law enforcement will use ever-improving technology to recognize and address crime trends. “The computers are going to run a bunch of statistical analysis and be able to tell us which area is more likely to be hit by a crime soon, based on a bunch of statistical analysis,” Rosen said. The increased communications and collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Harris County, which has already started, will be another tool in the fight against crime, said Rosen. But even with all of these developments, there will still be challenges. “Criminals will adapt to the new initiatives and new technology,” Rosen said. “If the economy continues thriving like it is, property crimes will stay pretty steady. A lot of crooks came here because they knew the economy was good and people are spending money and buying things.”

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DON’T BE A VICTIM! Police Reports will return next week. This week’s listings can be found online at www. theleadernews.com in the Crime Reports section.

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THE TOPICS. Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Page 5A

Growth, development needs to be respectful and responsible Understanding your community helps with planning for the future of it. That’s why longtime Heights resident Anne Sloan wants to tell everyone just how unique the Heights should stay. Sloan, 73, has written books about the history of the Heights and would like to do walking tours down Heights Blvd. for students and other groups. “I’m not averse to cramming Heights history down their throats,” Sloan said. Sloan’s concerns for the future of the Heights are not totally unfounded. “If it can maintain its historic identity, it’ll remain the best place in town to live,” Sloan said. “If they lose that, who knows what will happen?” Absent its historic character, Sloan foresees the Heights becoming similar to Katy or The Woodlands – pleasant communities but places that aren’t as historic or unique as the Heights. “Development is a doubleedged sword,” Sloan said. Who, as Sloan so eloquently said, would travel to the Heights for a homes tour if all of the homes looked the same? Change is already happening, but it’s time for a smart reaction, not a knee-jerk one. The conundrum is that what made the Heights cool also poses its toughest challenge. “People are responding to the lack of homogeneity that’s a part of our world,” Sloan said. “The Heights is diverse with local shops run by local people.” Realistically, it would have been naive to think neighborhoods such as the Heights would remain the best kept secrets in Houston. That’s impossible when you’re that close to downtown. But we often forget that the prospect of growth is better than the alternative – a deteriorating neighborhood where few desire to live. It will be important in future years for Sloan and fellow historic preservationists to pass down their knowledge to the younger generation. They need to have that appreciation. But preservationists also have to be effective in picking their battles. Few people in the area want to see a slew of town homes replace streets full of bungalows. We love looking at the older homes, and it’s a reminder that Houston, one of the newer cities in the U.S., still has a strong foundation built in the early 20th Century. But when it comes to historic bridges, it’s time to leave

in the Heights may not share Sloan’s excitement for preservation, but it’s MICHAEL good to see that residents overlooking their difSUDHALTERare ferences for a common Editor cause. The churches have received a boost, with the arrival of two dynamic ministers on Heights Blvd. churches – Jimmy Lykes the nostalgia at home. Grace at St. Andrew’s EpiscoYes, the Yale Street Bridge is pal and Collin Taylor at Grace on a list of historic bridges in United Methodist. the state of Texas, but a new The Heights has the largest bridge is the right decision for cluster of historic churches in residents, new and old. the state, but many of them While the existing bridge have declining memberships. had weight limits, the Houston A beautiful, yet empty church Police Department ticketed won’t do much for the comthose drivers exceeding the munity. weight limit. But they can’t stop Vibrant churches in the everyone, and and the motor- Heights equals interested peoists who traveled on the bridge ple who will give back to the unticketed compromised the community and care about it safety for all motorists. enough to preserve its history.

“Development is a doubleedged sword” Anne Sloan

The best answer for preserving the historical character of the area is education and community involvement. Sloan wrote books on the Houston Heights, thanks to the assistance of longtime Heights librarian Jimmie May Hicks, who provided scrapbooks, photos, newspaper clippings and more. Some of us will purchase the book, while at the Walgreen’s checkout counter, and others will receive a copy after purchasing a home. The books, however, should be available throughout schools and churches in the Heights. Whether you want to see McMansions or bungalows, it’s in everyone’s interest to strengthen schools. Sloan is on a Houston Heights Association committee to boost the schools in the neighborhood and has mentored Hamilton and Hogg middle school students to achieve awards in University Interscholastic League competitions. It’s very likely that others looking to improve education

Church leaders will play a key role in making local residents proud of their neighborhood. The best solution to make sure that everyone to have a place at the table would be an annual State of the Heights (SOTT) Conference at the Heights Fire Station. At the top of the agenda should be a strategic plan to ensure the factors that made the Heights popular remain firmly in place. These growing pains are comparable to a well-liked indy rock band who finally signs a record deal. Sure, things will change, but it shouldn’t mean a total surrender of artistic creativity. The proverbial record deal has been signed, but it will ultimately be up to the band (Heights residents) and developers (record executives) to work this one out together. I’m confident that they’ll strike the right balance and for the most part, avoid Sloan’s concerns of becoming akin to a generic suburban community.

THE READER.

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Heights poultry plant owner bails

(from theleadernews.com) Dear Editor: So Bastian isn’t going to make as much money as he thought. He can still make a ton of money on slightly shorter and skinnier homes. The real travesty is that existing codes will allow him to jam houses 4 feet apart, less if no one is looking. The real shame is that builders all over the Heights and Shady Acres are being allowed to over-build lots to the detriment of the local drainage. I am sick of these developers coming into our neighborhoods, claiming to ‘love the ambiance,’ and then doing everything they can to change it. It just goes to show that when we had the opportunity of zoning (back in Bob Lanier’s day) we should have taken it. What we have instead is chaos, ﬂooded streets, neighborhood character destroyed and lots of uber-wealthy developers and realtors. - Katie McDonald

Dear Editor: Looks like a feature, not a bug. I couldn’t possibly care less if a speculator has difficulty with requirements that those of us who make our home here put in place to protect our community. The Leader has often taken the position that these speculative developers benefit the community by increasing the value of our homes. That’s silly. When home values rise by anything greater than the rate of inflation, it’s bad for the homeowner UNLESS they are planning to leave the community. The only people who benefit from the rising values are the speculative builders, the realtors, and the corporate transients who need rapid appreciation to cover their transaction costs when they move to their next assignment. If you’re investing in the community, not in a property, and you expect to live here the next 20, 30, 40 or 50 years, the rising values and the rising taxes that go along with them only mean you have less money to save for retirement, your children’s education or other things you might desire. Today, the value of homes that aren’t protected by historic district regulations are driven not by what a buyer would pay for our homes, but by its investement value to a speculator who would mow it down, cut down all the trees and build a home almost 2x the current size. Speculator-built homes will always be large because they are sold by the square foot. If it’s difficult for speculators to live within the guidelines the community has set, that’s a feature, not a bug. - Brent Sullivan Dear Editor: I am an engineer, not a realtor, and I live several doors down from the proposed Bastian homes. As noted with my quote in the article, I supported the original designs that were rejected by the HAHC. The $2 million dollar price paid by the builder is probably within reason for six lots in the Heights. In comparison, a vacant lot on Tulane was listed in 2013 for $399,000. A vacant double lot on Heights Blvd was listed for $800,000. In comparison, a lot with a historic home on it, that cannot be destroyed, is worth $350,000 or less. Mr. Sullivan correctly notes that speculator-built

homes in the Heights will always be large because they are sold by the square foot. However, all homes are sold by the square foot, if the quality and age of construction are similar. These houses need to be large to offset the high cost of the land and drive the cost per square foot down to the local average. Moreover, I would argue that I have seen more backyard trees cut down by the ‘ hump back’ renovations resulting from the ‘“no tear down” rule, combined with the HAHC setback guidelines, than I have seen from new construction. The problem with the HAHC is that they do not have standards, only guidelines. Their guidelines often conflict, as they did in this case, with the Deed Restrictions for the area. Standards are mandatory rules that must be followed by everyone. Guidelines are subject to the interpretation and whim of the enforcer. The HAHC needs to be reformed. Ms. Cohen indicated in a prior Leader article that something needed to be done; I encourage her to act. Speculators, both buyers and sellers, deserve credit for the turn-around in the quality of life in the Heights over the past 20 years. There are reduced levels of crime, increased quantities of restaurants and increased variety of shopping, and it is all due to speculators investing in the area. In order to enjoy the improved quality of life, you have to pay the “participation fee” in the form of higher property taxes. What’ s really needed regarding increased taxes is a revolt against the fixed percentage (3%) being used regardless of real estate market price fluctuations. With increasing property values, the taxing authorities are getting a windfall gain that they don’ t deserve. The Historic District residents that I feel most sorry for are the elderly who have been unable to cash out by selling their property to a builder. Their property rights have been infringed upon. The marketability of their homes has been reduced because they cannot be torn down due to the ordinance, and few people (owners or builders) want to take on an unpredictable renovation, especially when faced with the fickle HAHC. - Randy Johnson Dear Editor: I’ ve watched the Historical Commission on the municipal channel and half of them NEVER utter a word . Everyone acts like the Heights is some big deal. How can a bunch of Sears Roebuck frame bungalows in an area for the most part looks like some dying small town in Louisiana truly be historical? What’s next? The early 1970s tract homes of Northwest Houston will be historical? A 2-foot ridge line is hardly worth quibbling over and as tacky as this city (and many many parts of The Heights) is as a whole, so what if the house has a slightly wider profile? And don’ t even get me started on do nothing Cohen. But hey, throw up some cactus in an iron box in the middle of a parking lot and she’ s there. - Kyle Dear Editor: $2 million for a 22,000 square foot lot? What in the world was this guy thinking ? And now he’ s bent ‘cause his oversized monstrosities were approved by the City? -C.L.

Reader’s Thoughts: METRO will be selling the lot where Pinemont Park & Ride was previously located? What should the buyer do with the property? “Nice restaurants or upscale shopping,” – Louise Young “Awesome, hopefully something good,” – Jennie Oshman Sciba “A park would be nice,”– Karl Fulbright “Three comments and no one has said HEB?”– Megan Lapari Rasmussen

Front Cover: Three generations of local residents, grandmother Cindy Bamsch, mother Mandy Derryberry and her children, Ellis Derryberry, bottom left, and Ryder Derryberry, bottom right, enjoyed an afternoon at Garden Oaks SPARK Park.

We won’t turn our back on these refugees

The kids trek across vast and dangerous lands, then ford a river to get to Texas, fleeing gang violence, gun battles on every street corner, drug dealers lurking in the doorways. I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t want to live in Chicago, either. Meantime, to the south we have another group coming to visit, and perhaps to stay. We all know the story: so far 56,000 young people and mothers from Central America are coming to the U.S. seeking a better life. Experts predict the number will swell to 100,000 by fall, and why not? The only thing to prevent more of them from coming to the U.S. is that Central America runs out of children. So let us discuss this matter. First, the back story to the story. On Dec. 23, 2008, President George W. Bush signed the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. A White House spokesman, Tony Fratto, told reporters, “This is a piece of legislation we’re very proud to sign.” It was a bipartisan law to stop human trafficking, and specifically gave strong new protections to children entering the country

alone who were not from Mexico or Canada – it prohibited them from being quickly sent back to their home country.

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

We must suppose all illegal Eskimos now claim they are from Tegucigalpa. So word trickled down to Central America that children and women with children could claim King’s X when caught on the Rio. Next came the DREAM Act allowing young illegals to stay until we lose interest in their plight. Add to that political asylum, parents in Plano and we have what we have. Politicians keep calling for – all together now –“more boots on the ground” to stop the ﬂow of immigrants and turn them back. But these newcomers WANT to be caught. They hunt for Border Patrol guards. Boots on the ground

is as worthless a term as “comprehensive immigration reform.” That means whatever you want it to mean. Into this mess comes the militia. Now let’s consider the number of these newcomers. We ﬁrst heard 40,000 then 56,000 and so on to 100,000. This is like the DEA saying, “We intercept only 15 percent of illegal drugs coming in to this country.” How do they know that? They don’t. Another point: Currently, these young people go before a judge who gives them a future court date to show why they shouldn’t be deported. Not surprisingly about 90 percent of them are never seen again. The other 10 percent are soccer players. Speaking of deportation, Jay Leno’s observation: “They say we can’t send 11 million Mexicans across the border. Why not? Mexico did.” What about a U.N. observation that these young people are not illegal immigrants but refugees? That’s a technical, but legal, term. Does that change things? Question: How do penniless peasants have 8,000 U.S. dollars to pay a coyote? Also, I don’t want to hear any effete Eastern snob noting

that Texas ranks 50th among the states in high school dropouts, math scores and reading rankings. Place tens of thousands of kids, who are totally illiterate in English, on any state and that might affect rankings. Fortunately, Texas can handle the situation. All our students are above average, our teachers are overpaid and we’ve got a couple of billion in unspent school funds. Texas officials say the state is spending about $1.3 million a week on this law-enforcement situation. Again, no problem. One perfectly logical reason these newcomers give for their trip is their country’s corruption, inefficiency and callousness. That is undeniable. In 1990 in the 10-county Houston area, there were 93,000 Salvadorians who had fled that country’s civil wars. When the war was over, the Salvadoran government urged all refugees in the U.S. to stay here and send back money to their relatives. What a country. We must remember Rule No. 2 around here. (Rule No. 1 is what’s in it for us?) Don’t complain if you don’t have a solution. So here are some. We hear a lot about “humanitarian

efforts.” Indeed, Texans are noted for that. Think Katrina, think Astrodome filled with storm refugees. Hey, those Cajuns couldn’t speak much English either. Every humanitarian should take five refugee children into their homes. Put your money where your mercy is. We could simply enroll our new viisitors into UT and A&M with in-state tuition. It’s not new. In a larger view, to end the violence, bloodshed, drug cartels and other reasons for this Children’s Crusade II, the U.S. needs to invade and occupy Central America. Again, this is not new. You’ve heard of the Banana Wars when U.S. Marines took over small countries there and brought peace and prosperity. Indeed, some of Haiti’s best years (19141934) occurred when the Marines ran the place. Even the railroads worked. They don’t now. One of the strangest aspects of this debacle, aka Obama’s Katrina, was when Gov. Rick Perry implied that President Obama orchestrated this flow (Dan Patrick calls it an invasion) of Latino children. Obama is “in on this somehow or another.” Perry said,

“I hate to be conspiratorial, but I mean, how do you move that many people from Central America across Mexico and then into the United States without there being a fairly coordinated effort?” In another TV interview, Perry suggested that Obama had an “ulterior motive” in allowing the ﬂow to grow. On the other hand, Perry was dead right in wondering why Obama, who visited Dallas and Austin, didn’t visit the Valley. The Obama people said it would just be a photo-op. Perry shot back that Obama visited New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy. What was that called? Perry is right. Finally, we all know what will happen to these poor, unfortunate mothers and children. We will give them aid, education and health care, treat them with Lone Star hospitality. And in ﬁve years they’ll no longer be called “illegal immigrants.” They’ll be called “Texans.” Thank you, William Wilberforce. Ashby is crusading at ashby2@comcast.net

Page 6A • Saturday, July 26, 2014

THE CALENDAR. PCC COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR F.M. Black Middle School The Pursuit Community Center Awareness is hosting the health fair being held at F.M. Black Middle School, 1575 Chantilly Ln., from 9 a.m.-noon July 26. There will be free vaccinations, shoes, backpacks and school supplies. First serve students must be present to receive items. ‘BAD MEDICINE OR GOOD TO THE LAST DROP’ MELLER DRAMMER Theatre Suburbia The theatre presents “Bad Medicine, or Good To The Last Drop,” by Kris Thompson. Performances will continue through Aug. 23. The performance on Fridays and Saturdays are at 8:30 p.m. with 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays, July 27, Aug. 3, 10, and 17. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, and $12 on Sundays. Call to make a reservation. Theatre Suburbia is located at 4106 Way Out West Dr. Information: 713-682-3525, www.theatresuburbia.org.

live every Wednesday from noon1 p.m. on www.kbrzsports.com. Pod casts are available after the live show at the website. Justin Gordon of Justin Gordon Homes will be featured July 30; Paolo Castagnoli, new Black Middle School principal will be Aug. 6. HYPO MEETING Red Ox Bar & Grill Allegiance Bank will be sponsoring the next meeting from 5-8 p.m. July 31, at Red Ox Bar & Grill, 811 Collingsworth St. Information: www.heightschamber. com/hypo, 713-861-6735. LEGIONNAIRES BARBECUE American Legion Post 560 Come out for a good meal and support the Legionnaires. Barbecue plates will be served from noon until sold out Aug. 2. The Post is located at 3720 Alba Rd. Information: 713-682-9287, www.americanlegionpost560.org.

BLOOD DRIVE Prudential Premier Properties A Blood Drive with the Gulf Coast Blood Center will be from 2-5 p.m. July 30. There will be a donor coach in the parking lot. Prudential Premier Properties is located at 1803 W. 43rd St. Every person who donates will receive a free T-shirt. MAKE IT HAPPEN WITH DAVID LORMS Internet radio show The Internet radio show “Make It Happen With David Lorms,” is

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Cypress Triathlon The triathlon held Aug. 3 is in need of volunteers. This is an excellent opportunity to earn service hours and earn money for the groups. Get paid for each shift worked and donations for groups start at 10 shifts. Information: info@onurmark.net, iam-innovationandmarketing. com, bamawgraﬀ@gmail.com, 832-763-8857. OAK FOREST WOMEN’S GROUP MEETING Sweet Frog The OFWG is an oﬃcial 501c organization focused on service projects and social interaction

for all women of Oak Forest. The meeting will be at Sweet Frog, 1214 W. 43rd St., 7-8 p.m. Aug. 5. Information: 281-635-7181, ginny@thereynagroup.com. FAST PITCH SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME MEETING Lyndon’s BBQ The Fast Pitch Softball Legend Hall of Fame will hold their annual meeting as ﬁve former fast pitch stars will be inducted. Inductees will be Pee Wee Thomas, Herb Theiss, Gene Smith, George Koenning and Gene Martin. All inductees have played for 20 or more. The meeting will be 10 a.m. Aug. 5, at Lyndon’s BBQ, 5320 Hollister Rd. Information: 713682-5358. GATEWAY TO GOVERNMENT LUNCHEON Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Houston Mayor Annise Parker will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon, from 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. Aug. 7, at the Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West Frwy. The mayor will address the opportunities and challenges ahead for this region. All sponsorships are for tables of eight and individual seats are $65. Information: 713861-6735, info@heightschamber. com. BACK TO SCHOOL SHOT BLITZ Northwest Assistance Ministries The annual Shot Blitz will be from Aug. 12-14 and Aug. 18-20. The event provides immunizations for uninsured children in kindergarten through 12th

grade. The cost is $10 per child (cash only). Parents must bring all of their child’s immunization records. Shot Blitz will take place at The Childrenís Clinic at NAM, 15555 Kuykendahl Rd. Appointments are not required. Hours for the event are as follows: 2-6 p.m. Aug. 12 and Aug. 19; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 13 and Aug. 20; and noon-4 p.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 18. Information: 281-885-4630, www.namonline.org. HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL REGISTRATION/ORIENTATION Hamilton Middle School Registration will be held at the school, 139 E. 20th St., from 2-6 p.m. Aug. 11-15; and 8 a.m.-noon Aug. 18-21. New student orientation for 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 6-7. Parent info session will be at 1 p.m. Aug. 6 and Aug. 7th (en espanol). Students and parents can tour the school and get all the information needed for the start of the new school year. Information: 713802-4725. HOUSTON CHORAL SHOWCASE AUDITIONS Zion Lutheran Church Theatre Under The Stars’ local partner, Houston Choral Showcase, will be holding auditions in August at Zion Lutheran Church, 3606 Beauchamp. This volunteer group is the only mixed community show choir in Houston. Open rehearsals and auditions are Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. No prepared audition piece is required. Information: 281-346-0161, www. choralshowcase.org.

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St. James Lutheran welcomes Rev. Murphy St. James Lutheran Church, 1602 W. 43rd St., welcomes the community to the installation of newly ordained Rev. Arthur Murphy at a worship and communion service at 3 p.m. July 27. A light reception will follow. The St. James Camp Hope continues its children’s summer program from 8:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 1. The program is open to all children 6 years through 12 years old. The weekly cost is $25. The St. James Family Life Center is seeking used or new children and young adult book donations for its newly created library. Upcoming events include a garage sale fundraiser to beneﬁt the church repair fund. Donations of furniture, clothes, household items, toys, boys, and other miscellaneous household items are needed. Call 713-686-1577 for information. St. Stephen’s organist Chuck Kent retires St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 W. 43rd St., will host a reception for organist, Chuck Kent, who is

retiring this month, during the fellowship lunch at noon Sunday, July 27. All are welcome to attend Family Movie Night at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, in the fellowship hall. Admission is free, and the church will provide popcorn and lemonade. Bring pillows and blankets (and dinner, if preferred). Call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org for information. TCH Mobile Clinic Program at Pathways Church Texas Children’s Hospital will be offering immunizations for children 0 to 18 years old at Pathways Church, 5900 Pinemont, from 9 a.m.-noon, July 30. A parent or guardian must be present and are asked to bring child’s immunization card. If applicable, bring CHIP/Medicaid card. Call 832-372-9871 for information. Free pancake breakfast at St. Matthew’s The Lydia Circle will host the monthly free pancake breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in the fellowship hall. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd. Call 713-697-0671 or visit www.stmatthewsmethodist. org. Just Hit Restart Youth Week at St. Mark’s St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, will hold Just Hit Restart Youth Week Aug. 3 through Aug. 11 (desig-

nated as Youth Sunday). The group will be involved in various mission projects as well as several events for fun and fellowship for junior and senior high aged students. Call 713-861-3104 or email youth@smumc.org for information. Faith and film at Oaks Presbyterian Oaks Presbyterian Church, 1576 Chantilly Ln., will be showing various Disney/Pixar films with a Christian theme for the Wednesday Bible Study. Rev. Noelie Day will give a brief introduction. A discussion will follow the presentation. The meetings for the summer schedule will be the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at noon. The schedule for the summer will be as follows: Aug. 13, Finding Nemo; and Aug. 27, The Incredibles. Call 713-682-2556 or visit www.oakspresbyterian.org for information. Texas Christian Writers Conference at Houston First Baptist Build relationships with others who share a passion for writing. Enjoy a variety of fiction and nonfiction workshop sessions presented by accomplished and award-winning authors. There will be door prizes and other giveaways.

The conference will be held at Houston First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Fwy., from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Aug. 2. For information, email melanie@melaniestiles.com.

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s the world has become digitalized, the world of dentistry has been following right along. Paper is quickly leaving the office in favor of paperless charts. Websites can allow a patient to fill out any paperwork needed for an appointment and “send” it straight into their chart at the office. All of this saves time, saves a stamp, and even better — saves a tree! Photos and X-rays can be taken, viewed immediately and magnified to 25x their original size. This allows for better diagnoses from your dentist and for you, the patient, to see what your dentist is fussing about when he sees a problem (the classic “picture worth a thousand words”). These images can even be e-mailed to other offices, in most cases eliminating the need for a new office to take their own images. Digital radiographs also require far less radiation compared to their conventional counterparts. This is a great benefit as we should all be concerned about our levels of radiation exposure and minimizing it wherever possible. Another benefit from digital advancements is the ability to take digital impressions for restorations. It is possible to take an “impression” through a camera scan that allows for your dentist, or their lab to fabricate restorations without the need of traditional impression materials. Take a look around at your next dental appointment and see how all of these advancements are moving to make your patient experience a much more pleasant one.

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FROM THE PEWS. Gospel singing at Healing Waters Fellowship Healing Waters Fellowship, 1039 Heights Blvd., will host Gospel Singing Sunday at 5 p.m. July 27. Everyone is welcome. The pastor is Russell Rodgers. Call 713-862-3140 or visit www.healingwatersfellowship. org for information.

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THE GOOD NEWS

magine a newscast every evening with headlines such as “Crime Is Down” and “Charitable Giving Is Up” and “People Are Helping Others Everywhere.” Miracle of Miracles, that is indeed the case in many places around the world, but you wouldn’t know it from watching the news. But, perhaps one way to put all of this good news in perspective is to realize that people helping others is such a commonplace practice that it doesn’t make the news unless it’s something really extraordinary. Likewise, the millionaires and billionaires who give generously have become so commonplace that they even have their own club and well over a hundred have signed onto a pledge, the so-called “Giving Pledge,” which commits them to give away the bulk of their fortunes. People who perform horriﬁc acts of cruelty or commit heinous crimes are pretty much the exception to the rule of people acting decently, and that is why their heinous crimes make the news. It’s just too shocking to ignore. So, perhaps we should remind ourselves every day of the Good News that is all around and spread the word to others.

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Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Page 7A

What would you like to see in the Greater Heights? “It would be great to have a pool in Forest West. With the taxes being raised and our area becoming more and more popular, it would be great to have a new aquatic center for the families, and I think the younger children will really enjoy it.” Anna Abdo, Forest West

“I would like to see each home manicured and kept up in a community of people that will contribute to helping those like elderly, single moms, etc. to keep up with their homes by doing things like painting or weed pulling for them.” Cheryl Murphy, Mangum Manor

“Sushi. Also, I saw they added a toy store so that’s good.” Tammy Takeda, Shady Acres

“Book stores — more places to read.” Satoshi Takeda, Shady Acres

“Mixed use development with a focus on walkability and alternative transportation methods. Development should be accessible by bike, bus and foot.” Jessica Wiggins, Garden Oaks

“More ethnic restaurants.” Ahmed Rehal, Heights

“I would like to see a place where the LGBT community can be free to express themselves.” Aaron Diaz, Shepherd Forest

“I want more community events and places geared towards youth like drive in movie theaters, scavenger hunts or snow in the winter at the park.” Kevin Stallones, Oak Forest

“I’d like to see more historic preservation. It makes me sad to see all of the bungalows being torn down.” Tiffany Eckhardt, Heights

“A new gym — 24 Hour Fitness, or something similar.” Mark Feller, Heights

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Page 8A • Saturday, July 26, 2014

Local residents are divided on potential 34th St. Quiet Zone By Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

Some northwest Oak Forest residents will sleep a little easier at night when the Greater Inwood Quiet Zone, from W. Little York to Watonga, is completed in the beginning of 2015. A Quiet Zone modiﬁes railroad crossings so trains can pass through without sounding their horns. It puts the gates down before the train arrives and requires that federally approved devices and signage be installed at each crossing to keep motorists and pedestri-

ans safe. A Quiet Zone, which has been achieved successfully in other parts of the Houston area such as Washington Avenue, Bellaire and West University, doesn’t guarantee that the horn will never be blown. But that would only happen if a person, animal or vehicle is on the tracks. But the north-south Inwood Quiet Zone will likely be the last one for a while, as the east-west proposed 34th St. Quiet Zone, through Oak Forest and Garden Oaks, was the last one to miss the cut. During Bill White’s mayoral

administration, 16 different quiet zones throughout Houston were approved, but only eight of them were funded. Inwood is the last of the eight, and 34th was scheduled to be the next one, but the city has changed the way it funds public works projects. With the new Rebuild Houston, the city pays as it goes, whereas the previous administration used debt funding. Rebuild Houston funds Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), and those are almost always used exclusively for roads and drainage projects. “If the city stepped up to

The 34th St. Quiet Zone project is unfunded at this time.

fund a second round of Quiet Zones – areas which were already on the list – the money would make signiﬁcant contributions to the quality of life in those neighborhoods greatly affected by increasing rail traf-

Parklet highlights area’s green space effort By Michael Sudhalter

michael@theleadernews.com

There was no “Big Yellow Taxi” next to the city of Houston’s inaugural (parklet) on West 19th Street in the Heights. “This is the exact opposite of paving paradise to put up a parking lot,” said District C Councilmember Ellen Cohen, referring to the popular 1970 song about development compromising nature. “I have a feeling we’ll see parklets sprout all over.” The parklet is a semi-permanent green space that is installed where a 125-square foot parking space used to be, in front of New Living Bedroom on West 19th St. It was created by industrial designer Jose Martinez, and it offers a

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Mathew Naftis, D.D.S.

Local oﬃcials, including Mayor Annise Parker, dedicated a parklet on W. 19th St. along with several local Heights business owners. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

bench to sit down, and a place where pedestrians can gather. It’s also expected to be a hot spot for musicians. Laura Spanjian, Director of Sustainability for the city, foresees the addition of more park lets in the area. “The city is interested in

promoting the parklet to encourage additional small business owners to join the pilot and build parklets in front of their businesses,” Spanjian said. “Just one parking space can bring a wealth of social, health and economic beneﬁts to the business corridor and

PET EMERGENCIES

In its sixth decade, Oak Forest thrives

Legendary property developer Frank Sharp was a visionary, and his neighborhoods – most notably his largest project, Oak Forest – revolutionized the way neighborhoods were created and changed the way of life for thousands of Houstonians. Now well into its sixth decade, Oak Forest continues to thrive as young people, many of whom grew up there, move in with their families. Oak Forest resident and Realtor Leann Salmons grew up in the neighborhood. “I have lived in Oak

ﬁc,” said Mark Klein, president of the Central Northwest Super Neighborhood Council, which includes Oak Forest and Garden Oaks. Not everyone agrees that a Quiet Zone would be a good

move for the area. The discussion of the Quiet Zone has been one of the components in a sometimes heated debate between new residents who’d like to see it go and longtime residents who ﬁnd it to be nostalgic, or a non-factor. “I love hearing the trains,” Amy Grable wrote on the Oak Forest Homeowners Association page. “so I’m in no hurry Ad # 31448 for it to be funded.”

Forest for close to 40 years and am raising my own children here,” said Salmons. “I am so proud of what has been accomplished here to improve everyone’s quality of life, especially the amazing transformation of Oak Forest Elementary School. Oak Forest Elementary has won a number of awards and is recognized as one the ﬁnest public elementary schools in Houston. It’s been a tremendous asset for neighborhood residents and given an incredible boost to our home values.”

Leann Salmons

“I purchased my ﬁrst home in Oak Forest for $53,000 when I was 18,” Salmons continued. “That home is now val-

ued in the high $400,000s. All of our homes, including those in Shepherd Park Plaza and Candlelight Plaza, have rocketed in value. However, next to other close-in neighborhoods such as Briargrove, our homes represent great value. A typical, nicely-redone brick home in Oak Forest is still attainable for well under $500,000. Paired with the excellent elementary school, that’s an amazing opportunity for home buyers and keeps our neighborhood ﬂourishing.”

or use you own judgement & get to the clinic. Emergencies do interrupt the clinic routine so be prepared to spend more time and money especially near closing time. The best care if your clinic is closed or about to be, is an emergency clinic. They are open at night, weekends and holidays when most clinics are closed. They are staffed with alert and skilled people, who work long and undesirable hours. They are fully equipped to treat and monitor your pet while your vet is closed. The emergency clinics will cost more due to higher overhead expenses and you need to be nancially prepared to care for your pet beforehand. In NW Houston if your vet is closed call 281-890-8875 (Hwy 249 near Cypresswood) or 713-693-1100 (near the Galleria).

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THE PUZZLES. Solutions in this issue’s classsied section.

ACROSS 1. Express disgust or contempt 4. Do-nothings 10. Before 11. Gave birth to a horse 12. Spanish pain 14. Khmer Rouge’s Pot 15. Tory opposition 16. Even chance 18. Horse feedbag 22. Selshness 23. Windward Island nation 24. On and on:ad ___ 26. 2nd musical tone 27. A steady brisk pace 28. People in southern India 30. Withered, dry 31. Central nervous system

34. Short composition for solo instrument 36. Communist 37. Specic localities 39. Garden cultivator 40. Stratford’s river 41. Atomic #34 42. Stalkless leaves 48. Signicant other 50. Chilled 51. Dakar is the capital 52. Amuse & delight 53. Explorer Vasco da ____ 54. Annoy 55. 365 days (abbr.) 56. Peremptory command 58. Born of 59. Particle neness grades 60. Obtain

SUDOKO

DOWN 1. Colas 2. Awaken 3. Better half 4. In event that 5. Demotes 6. City in NE Pakistan 7. Lotus roadster model 8. University board trustees 9. 40th state 12. Egyptian Sun god (var. sp.) 13. Hindu exercise discipline 17. Small coin (French) 19. More naked 20. Feel deep affection for 21. A protected community 25. Nation of birth 29. Two people singing 31. Applauding sounds 32. Variable stars 33. Reject 35. Building up 38. Not a fraction 41. Sailor 43. An evening party 44. Hollow for a light bulb 45. Type 46. Dutch portrait painter Sir Peter 47. River of Hesse 49. N. Botswanan lake 56. 1/10 gram (abbr.) 57. Original Hawkeye actor’s initials

Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Page 9A

Neighbors: Waltrip grad Origins of Leader-area street/school names is Colorado mayor now By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com

Congratulations to Anita “Sweetie” Marbury, daughter of Mack and Corine Marbury of Brookwoods Estates, who became the Mayor of Durango, Colorado, on April 15. Marbury graduated from Waltrip High School in 1965, the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in speech/ drama in 1969, and Adams State College with a master’s in secondary education. In her ﬁrst teaching assignment, Marbury taught drama at Lamar High School from 1969-1975, and she continued teaching in Colorado and New Mexico for over 37 years. She was selected to the Colorado State Thespians Hall of Fame and she was the featured teacher for San Juan County Kids magazine in 2010. After discovering Durango as a skier in 1974 and moving

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Waltrip graduate Anita Marbury, right, is the mayor of Durango, Colo. She’s pictured with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.

there in 1975, Marbury began her career in city politics in the late 1980s when she protested a city plan to sell Durango’s Brookside Park as a location for a Wendy’s restaurant. She was elected to the Durango City Council in April 2011. Her primary focus is improving recycling, smart growth through inﬁll, and protecting neighborhoods of Durango. Her son, Dru English, also lives in Durango with his wife and two children.

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T.C. Jester Blvd, T.C. Jester Park — T.C. Jester was the pastor of Baptist Temple, which was Houston’s ﬁrst megachurch. Heights icons Clayton and Libby Lee lived in the home that was originally built by Jester. Marmion Park — Marmion Park in the Heights is named after J.B. Marrion, who served as the ﬁnal mayor of the Houston Heights before the city of Houston annexed it. He was the mayor when the Heights Firehouse opened 100 years ago.

Love Elementary — The campus was built in 1923 and named for William Graston Love, a former mayor of the Houston Heights. Helms Elementary — James F. Helms was the president of the Houston Heights Board of Education. Waltrip High — Stephen Pool Waltrip was an educator and funeral home owner in the Heights who became principal of Reagan High in 1918. When a new school in the community of Oak Forest

opened in 1959, it was named in his honor. Reagan High — John H. Reagan was a U.S. Congressman who also served in Jeﬀerson Davis’ cabinet during the Civil War. Stevens Elementary — Named after Lulu M. Stevens, the longtime HISD Director of Music. The school opened in 1952. – School inforrnation courtesy of HISD

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Durham Drive, Durham Elementary — Dr. Mylie E. Durham founded the Durham Clinic and served as president of the Harris County Medical Society. The school opened in 1968. Field Elementary — The Heights-based school opened in 1929 and was named after the famous poet, Eugene Field. Harvard Elementary — It was originally named the Harvard Street School when it opened in 1898. It was named for the street on which it is located.

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Parents work to strengthen local Houston ISD schools By Betsy Denson

betsy@theleadernews.com

It is the families with young children who are changing the face of many Leader neighborhoods. Anne Sloan, Chair of the Houston Heights Association Education committee, tells a funny story about a friend of hers in Timbergrove who called a while back to exclaim that there was someone with an actual baby now on their street. And it’s not only the neighborhoods that are starting to look different – it’s the schools, elementary in particular, with increasing enrollments and greater parental and community involvement. It used to be a cinch to transfer to an elementary school you weren’t zoned for, but depending on the school, that is no longer the case. As Frank Black Middle School Parent Coordinator Tim Weltin notes, the change didn’t happen overnight: “Garden Oaks Elementary and Harvard Elementary have [both] been the beneﬁciary of very successful turnaround efforts. The Garden Oaks effort is almost two decades in the making and the Harvard project has been underway for almost a decade, so it does take time.” Katherine Heinrick, a Travis Elementary parent and volunteer with “Learn Local,” whose mission is to establish a bridge between Heights elementary schools and Hogg Middle School, said that the neighborhood demographics are what’s driving the transformation. She cites Houston ISD data that shows that the number of elementary-school age children, kindergarten through ﬁfth grade, living in the Travis Elementary attendance zone rose by 43 percent between 2006 and 2013. “A decade ago, the conventional wisdom was that many families in the Heights sent their kids to private schools,” she said. “Since then families

Parents spoke to Houston ISD oﬃcials at a meeting regarding the search for a principal at Durham Elementary last summer. Throughout The Leader area, parents are becoming more involved in public schools. (File photo)

have gotten involved in their local schools and helped to make them schools the neighborhood can be proud of..” The trickle down – or up effect – is also reaching Leader middle schools. “While many area parents are sending their children to public middle schools outside our area – particularly Lanier – others are organizing efforts to get the community engaged with their neighborhood middle schools,” said Heinrick. Black Middle School is the latest success story of what can happen when a community comes together. In 20082009, the school’s enrollment stood at 559 and the district was considering closing it altogether. Enter a group of dedicated teachers, parents and community members who wanted students to be able to attend a quality middle school in the neighborhood. School bond money helped improve the school’s aesthetics and the district granted the school a Vanguard designation. After a lot of community meetings and outreach to engage others and publicize

what Black has to offer, the school started gaining traction. In 2013-2014, enrollment was 839. Most tellingly, twothirds of the ﬁfth grade class at highly ranked Oak Forest Elementary will be attending Black next year. “The success at FBMS has been exceptionally important because the middle school options were previously so limited,” said Weltin. “There is still plenty of capacity for growth at the school, so more and more area kids can be accommodated.” There’s an upward tick at Hogg as well. Heinrick said that in the fall they expect 26 Harvard Elementary graduates to be part of the sixth grade class at Hogg, up from 18 students last year. In addition, they expect 24 graduates of Travis Elementary to “Learn Local” at HMS in the fall, up from 18 students the year before. What makes a success story? The biggest indicator of a school’s success is the support

Local private schools thrive under a robust Houston economy

of stakeholders in the community, both with and without school aged children. People like Anne Sloan, retired from her family’s business, who took on the role at HHA. Sloan, along with committee member and former Jefferson Davis High School principal Emily Cole, recently embarked on a survey of Heights principals to see what priorities they could identify for improving their schools. As a result of their feedback HHA will be funding and volunteering at field trips for each of the eight Heights HISD schools as well as tapping others to serve in additional volunteer capacities. Monica Richard, whose children will be starting HISD schools in a few years, is a founder of the Heights Area Parents Network. They recently had a town hall meeting with HISD Trustee Anna Eastman to discuss school options and the enrollment process at HISD. “I know in the past, there were many parents in the area who would not have considered public schools for their children,” said Richard. “And while there are many reasons private schools remain a good option for some families, I don’t believe that a deficiency in the education received in our local public schools remains one of them.” Besides “Learn Local”, there are other local support groups for area schools, but as Sloan notes, there needs to be involvement from more companies and corporations that can share both their expertise in STEM related fields as well as their volunteer and financial resources. “I think the energy and resources are there to support our local schools,” said Richard. “If there is anything that is lacking right now, I think it is the link between those resources and the needs at the schools.” See PUBLIC SCHOOLS P. 12A

By Betsy Denson

By Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

You don’t have to be a whiz with a crystal ball to see more restaurants coming to The Leader area. But just in case you need more proof, three area restaurateurs share their thoughts about what is – and what should be – coming down the pike. Ken Bridge of Delicious Concepts said he deﬁnitely sees continued growth. “It’s common for patterns such as this in outward growth neighborhoods.” Rainbow Lodge’s Donnette Hansen concurs and said that like all established neighborhoods in Houston, the biggest challenge is zoning since part of the permit process includes a restaurant’s proximity to schools and churches. “I think a coordinated effort by developers and neighbors is the best path to success for any restaurant in this area,” she said. Potential newcomers shouldn’t consider the area a free for all though. “I look at things as a whole and that’s becoming lost in this business,” said Lance Fegan, the culinary director and owner of the F.E.E.D. Restaurant group. “They only see packed houses and want in without really thinking things through.” Quantity doesn’t always mean quality. “Some of the products that will come in won’t make any sense and won’t make it,” said Fegan. “For example, when Claire Smith at Shade started she blew people’s minds coming into the Heights. I followed a bit after her with Glass Wall and then Liberty Kitchen because I lived there too and there was nothing to eat.” Fegan says that ten years later the Heights area dining is “way past maximum density” in certain places and hopes that the operators and the real estate people moving into Oak Forest will use their common sense to ﬁgure out what the community wants. “How the suburbs build their base out there works completely differently than neighborhoods like Oak Forest and the Heights.” One thing the suburbs do

St. Pius X is in the middle of a $7.1 million capital project.

St. Rose of Lima students enter a new building that was constructed as part of the school’s capital project. (File photo)

ing from 10 different schools in the area and we have six incoming students who were the valedictorian or salutatorian of their (respective) middle schools. Kids just want a great education and to feel like they’re part of a family.” There are no capital projects planned at this time, but Lusk said adding space for Fine Arts will be a priority in future years. St. Rose of Lima has increased its enrollment from 217 students to 255. With many young families moving into the area, demand has increased for pre-K education. St. Rose of Lima Catholic School has added a third preK class, after having two last school year. “A lot of the folks who are choosing the early childhood center for their daycare needs are staying with the school itself,” said Emily Garcia, director of development for St. Rose of Lima. St. Rose is in phase two of its estimated $12 million capital campaign. They’ve renovated their food pantry and added ﬁve new classrooms. The third

phase, planned within the next ﬁve years, is for a new two-story building for the school. Immanuel Lutheran School, which opened in 1929, shifted its focus from a grammar school to a pre-K. Its enrollment is up from 82 to 95 entering this year. At some point, Immanuel may bring the grammar school back, but right now, pre-K is the best population that it can serve. Diane Guevara of Our Savior Lutheran School said the school’s “classical Christian education” sets it apart from other schools. “Enrollment is staying pretty steady (at 235 students),” Guevara said. “We’d love to be at capacity.” The spacious school has 60 acres and was recently voted The Leader’s best private/parochial school in the Reader’s Choice Awards. “As parents look at their option for schools, it will deﬁnitely help our enrollment,” Guevara said.

Enloe has grand plans for Waltrip High School By Michael Sudhalter michael@theleadernews.com

Oak Forest native and Candlelight Forest resident Dr. Jon Enloe is an impressive man who’s done a lot of very interesting things in his 70 years on Earth. It would be fascinating to hear him talk about all of the places he’s performed as a vocalist, or how as a research scientist, he helped set up the cloning of Dolly, the Sheep in 1996. But those things are merely a footnote for Enloe, who has put a huge amount of focus on the apple of his eye, Waltrip High School. Enloe was the first student to enter the new building on West 34th St. when it opened in the summer of 1960 and was one of 166 graduates in the inaugural Class of 1961. So why is Enloe, the president of the Waltrip Alumni Association, so dedicated to the school he graduated from more than a half-century ago? “I know how Waltrip was intended to be the day it opened,” Enloe said. “It’s initial purpose was for it to be set up an Advanced Placement Academy with the best teachers. Gordon Cotton, the first principal, wanted to prove a public school could provide the best education possible.” Enloe said Waltrip fulfilled Cotton’s plan for it, but things eventually changed. He’s optimistic about the future of it with second-year principal Andria Schur, whom he calls “the best thing that could have happened to this school.” As new residents move into Oak Forest with expensive homes and disposable income, Enloe knows that Waltrip must step up its game. If it’s not high quality, those parents will have the means to send their children to a wide variety of private schools. “The neighborhood has changed more rapidly in the last five years than anyone suspected,” Enloe said. “This school’s gotta get fixed, or the community is going to die. Oak Forest is renewable. The

Dr. Jon Enloe

school is renewable.” Enloe attended many schools in the area, starting with Our Savior Lutheran – when it was still located at Shepherd and Crosstimbers – and both Black and Hamilton middle schools, and for two years, Reagan High. Before Waltrip opened, Cotton – who was an administrator at Reagan – tasked Enloe and some of his classmates with starting some of the Waltrip traditions. “We needed a mascot just as aggressive as a Bulldog,” said Enloe, explaining why the students chose the Rams over the Red Wings as a mascot. Enloe thinks it’s important for students and faculty to know that the school was named after Stephen Pool Waltrip, who was the superintendent of Houston Heights ISD when the Heights was its own independent city. He was also the principal at Heights High and later, Reagan High. Waltrip was also owner of the Heights Funeral Home. Knowing the story of the gentleman who started Waltrip will inspire students to take pride in the school, Enloe said. “They should know that highly motivated and highly successful people went to Waltrip,” Enloe said. As the Alumni Association president, Enloe works tirelessly to ensure the association can raise money for scholarships as well as stipends for teachers (for additional resources in the classroom). He’s also spearheaded improvements in athletics and ﬁne arts.

More people, more restaurants? betsy@theleadernews.com

Last year, St. Pius X received between 350 and 400 applications for a class of 180. While some of those students applied to many schools throughout Houston, it signified that SPX, approaching its 60th anniversary, is in high demand. That appears to be the trend throughout the area. Most private schools are finding themselves in a position where they are wait listing, or turning down, applicants. The Houston area has seen a strong economy in recent years, but even when things were iffy, many schools were still in good shape. “When people started to cut, they left education toward the end of what they cut,” said Sister Donna Pollard, the head of school at St. Pius X. St. Pius X is in the middle of a $7.1 million capital project that will expand the school’s enrollment. “We’ll probably have 670 students next year – we can’t fit 800 students until we complete the new facility,” said Pollard, noting the school is working on raising funds for a new Science Building and Media Center with hopes to break ground in the spring. Enrollment at St. Pius X has doubled over the past 20 years, and St. Rose of Lima’s addition of a middle school has been beneficial to both schools’ enrollment. A few miles away at Lutheran High North, Dallas Lusk, who’s entering his second year as head of school, said the administration is capping enrollment at 46 students per class. Lusk said the school wants to provide students with an opportunity to attend a midsized private school. Staying at 46 students per class allows LHN to compete in TAPPS Class 3A for academics, arts and athletics. Applications have far exceeded the 46 students who are admitted. “No (TAPPS) 3A school in our area can offer what we do,” Lusk said. “We’re draw-

Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Page 11A

have in common with The Leader area though is families with children. Bridge says that kid friendly concepts will always be in play. “It’s always tricky when you think of elevated or higher ended concepts in our area, as they tend not to get much traction. We tend to think more casual as patrons,” said Bridge. Fegan remembers the sign on the door of the restaurant they took over that is now Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette that said ‘No one under 17 allowed.’ He wishes he had hung it in his ofﬁce as a reminder of what they don’t do. “The fact is that most of us in this company have families and we like that our families can experience what we do, so we do take the family assessment

or pick up to go, they want “scratch cooking with quality ingredients.” She said that modern diners have a much more reﬁned palate and the kids are picking up on it too. She also notes that there aren’t a lot of places in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest where you can dine with a group of more than six people. Bridge said he’s heard from a lot of people who want Indian food. While busy maintaining the success of their current establishments, all three restaurateurs are moving ahead with projects in our area. Fegan says that they expect to ﬁnally start construction this month on Cowboy Surfers at the corner of W. 34th and Ella. “We had some permit issues because we are doing live music in the Lance Fegen, owner and culinary director of the F.E.E.D. Restaurant group, plans on opening Cowboy Surfers on Ella, among other endeavors. (File photo)

very seriously,” said Fegan. “We can make everyone feel welcome and wanted. Bottom line is that if you provide great food and service you will have crowds every day and night.” What Bridge calls the “word of Yelp” also plays a part in restaurant life nowadays. Everyone is a critic. The most successful ones get a jump on the online chatter by going to their source. “I have a sign in my ofﬁce area of Rainbow Lodge that says, ‘Find out what your customers want and get it for them’,” said Hansen. “It sounds simple but it really is the foundation of good service, listening, paying attention and ﬁnally, anticipating.” What Fegan says they want are things like variety, price choices, and an extremely consistent product which are chef driven, minus the chef’s prices. “They want exceptional service even for a simple bowl of gumbo, and they absolutely deserve it,” he said. Hansen said that whether people are looking to dine out

large space out back,” he said. “When it was a pizza place it was never properly permitted with the City of Houston so we had to re-work it.” He said the restaurant will be a smorgasbord of chef driven food like custom burgers, street tacos, pizzas, fried chicken and wood roasted oysters. Bridge, who recently opened The El on Studewood, said that next year will be a big one for Delicious Concepts. “We have a couple of new concepts we’re working on and should see Pinks continued growth,” he said. He’s also bringing back the Dragon Bowl early in the second quarter of next year. Hansen says she has a couple of concepts “in (her) pocket”. I have probably found the only 105 + year old log cabin in town for Rainbow Lodge, so these are different,” she said. “But to anyone who knows me, they reﬂect my style and passion for good food. Here is a clue –‘Simple is Good.’”

Page 12A • Saturday, July 26, 2014

TxDOT says 290 project will ease congestion, improve safety By Michael Sudhalter

michael@theleadernews.com

Trafﬁc and congestion on U.S. Hwy. 290, especially near Loop 610, have always been a concern for local motorists. Improvements and widening of lanes is ongoing and scheduled to be completed by summer/fall 2017, according to Karen Othon, public information ofﬁcer for the Texas Department of Transportation’s 290 project. The estimated $1.8 billion project began in the summer of 2011 and extends all the way from the Loop 610 interchange to Mueschke Road, just northwest of Cypress. Othon said 250,000 cars

per day travel on 290 between Loop 610 and FM 2920, located in rural northwest Harris County. “More people are moving into the state and city, so we look at the project with (the scope) of many years in advance,” Othon said. “The planners look into the future and forecast population growth, and address that with their designs.” In addition to addressing congestion, Othon said TxDOT is addressing safety by making I-10 accessible directly from 290, by early 2016. Under the current setup, motorists have to merge on to Loop 610 and then merge on to the 290 exit ramp.

TxDOT’s 290 project is expected to ease congestion and improve safety. It’s scheduled completion date is summer/fall 2017. (File photo)

Last month, a new ramp from 610 westbound to 290 westbound opened, and a new ramp from 290 eastbound to I-10 should be open later this year. “We’ll eliminate merging and weaving that goes on the 610 West Loop,” Othon said. The original plan for TxDOT was a partnership with the Harris County Toll Road

Authority to have managed lanes with a toll/HOV component. While the Toll Road Authority is still contributing ﬁnancially to the 290 project, “TxDOT is going to be the sole operator and owner of 290,” said Othon. The lanes will be widened, and TxDOT is expected to announce in early August its plan

for the managed lanes, which will likely include three lanes switching from inbound in the morning to outbound in the afternoon. “We came to the conclusion that it would be better for TXDOT to take over as the sole owner of 290,” Othon said. “All of the managed lanes are going to be done at the very end of the project. It will consist of striping the lanes and placing the barrier.” Relocating and adding exit ramps on 610 has helped ease congestion as well, Othon said. “We moved the Ella exit further back, so it allows people to get off at Ella and go on the frontage road,” Othon said.

“People aren’t getting off freeway right at the light, so it’s not a chokepoint to get on and off the freeway.” Public transportation is another tool in the ﬁght against trafﬁc and congestion, and METRO has been working toward becoming more effective. METRO is currently in the process of receiving public feedback from a Major Transit Proposal that would decrease bus wait times and allocate public transportation resources to the areas that use it the most. Upon receiving public feedback, METRO plans to implement an improved public transportation system by next summer.

A letter from la Madeleine’s executive chef Let’s Travel Together will plan your next vacation or trip

From our very ﬁrst day, la Madeleine has always made our food with the joie of our guests in mind. Using real, wholesome ingredients and writing our recipes using classic French techniques has let us craft unique products that create an addiction with our guests. The inspiration for our recipes, old and new alike, comes from the many diverse regions of France and the foods they serve. From Paris to Provence we take the local favorites and introduce them to our la Madeleine guests. We call it French with a wink...taking the best foods of France and using the best ingredients from the US, we ensure the freshest products for our guests. Changing our products with the seasons allows us to use these ingredients when they are at their peak.

The la Madeleine Heights team with General Manager Manuel Gomez in the middle. (Submitted photo)

And in each of our cafes we cook and bake in small batches because that’s how we receive our guests. La Madeleine loves Houston. We have 16 cafes in the greater Houston area, and recently opened up a new bakery in The Heights at I-10 and Taylor. We look forward to becoming a part of your wonderful community, and of course

welcome the opportunity to serve you. Bon Appetit, Susan Dederen Susan Dederen, Vice President of Culinary Operations, has been with la Madeleine for over 23 years. She attributes many of her culinary successes and inspiration

to her family. Susan grew up in a bakery family, and has worked in kitchens her entire life. She attended Johnson Wales University in the College of Culinary Arts, and it was then that the spent a semester in Paris, France where she interned in the culinary world. It is in Paris where Susan fell in love with everything French. Susan met and married a man from Provence, and attributes her love for the French culinary arts to her greatest teacher, her Ma Belle-Mere or mother in law. Her mother-in-law taught her to cook regionally and seasonally in the classic French style, using only the freshest ingredients. Inspired by her Ma Belle Mere bakery family and loyal la Madeleine guests, Susan continues to create fresh and authentic country French fare for la Madeleine.

Grace UMC welcomes new pastor The new pastor at Grace United Methodist Church is the Reverend Collin Taylor and he arrives at his new parish with excitement and passion as Grace UMC looks forward to many new ways of serving the Heights community. Part of Grace’s mission will be to engage the community which surrounds their historic campus at Heights Blvd. and 13th St. Rev. Taylor believes that they can do this with several of their upcoming ministry opportunities such as the Blessing of the Backpacks in August, Blessing of the Animals in September, their Pumpkin Patch in October and looking all the way into next summer, a summer concert and art series on their front lawn. In many ways, Grace UMC is already engaging the Heights with their “Wine and the Word” Bible study every Saturday at 5 p.m. If you are

Rev. Collin Taylor, pictured with his family, is the new minister at Grace United Methodist Church in the Heights.

interested in joining them or if any businesses are interested in hosting them, contact Rev. Taylor at the church. One of their most signiﬁcant ministries is the food pantry done in conjunction with the Houston Food Bank. Every Thursday from 2-4 p.m., they open

their campus to the hungry of Houston. Because of the diligent and tireless hours put in by many of their members, they are able to feed more than 3,000 people each year. One of Rev. Taylor’s passions is Biblical preaching. “I believe that there is a stereo-

type within our society that leads people to believe that the Bible isn’t relevant or useful for our way of life or that it has little to do with modern times.” Taylor went on to say that although the Bible is an ancient text, it is certainly not a static one – “It will always be relevant and part of my job is to help bring that fact to light. Sermons at Grace are full of humor, practical life advice and the members there have a firm belief that church can and should be a fulfilling, rewarding, challenging yet enjoyable experience.” Rev. Taylor‚‘s first Sunday at Grace UMC was July 6 and he sincerely hopes that each of you reading this article will come and visit him this Sunday. As one can see, Grace United Methodist Church has something for everyone, and their future is bright.

Immanuel Lutheran serves Heights area Immanuel Lutheran Church has been a presence in the Houston Heights for almost a century. Just as with the Heights, Immanuel has changed much during that time. They are excitedly looking forward to what our Lord has in store for tomorrow. Jeffrey King was recently installed as the new senior pastor. He has two elementary age boys and his wife is on staff at Rice University. He has a heart for outreach and missions and enjoys working with people of all ages. When asked what the key to a healthy ministry is, he replied, “Relationships! A loving relationship with our Heavenly Father and loving relationships with those God puts into

our path.” Immanuel is a Bible based church where people can come to worship God in a traditional, yet meaningful manner. It is a place to make friends. It is a place to reach out and to be reached. Simply put, it is a place for families to call home. Immanuel Lutheran has also been a center for education in the Heights for 75 years. Today they proudly carry on that tradition with their Early Childhood Education center. Because parents with young children are one of the Heights most vigorously growing demographics, they are able to both serve this community as well as reach out with Christ’s love at the

same time. As a curriculum based program, they provide the love, the care, and also the training to give children a leg up when stepping out into the world. Whether you are looking for a place to build community, faith, or relationships, Immanuel has something to offer. On Sundays they hold a traditional Worship Service at 9 a.m., with Adult Bible Class, Youth Bible Class, and Children’s Sunday School at 10:15 a.m. For more interaction they host many regular events such as Movie Nights, Parents’ Time Out, Hamburger luncheons, Social Sundays (with food & fellowship), Bingo, and midweek Bible Studies. As well, they host many annual events

including a Community Easter Egg Hunt, summer Vacation Bible School, an outdoor worship and Community Picnic in May, Oktoberfest, and a Fall Community Gathering (Oct.31). Pastor King wants to extend a warm welcome to everyone. “If you’ve visited in the past, we’d love to see you again so that you can see all we have to offer. If you’ve never been by, please stop in and let us get to know you. If you’ve got questions, we’d love to hear them. The world can be a big cold place. Come home to Immanuel, where the love of God is what we share. Thank you and God Bless you.”

said. “HISD can be helpful to the transformation process, especially if it supports the emerging schools with needed resources -- and if it listens to and understands community input,” said Weltin. “It’s a giant district with wide-ranging needs and there really should not be an expectation that people who are a level or two removed from the school, with a long list of items on their plate, would be able to engineer the process effectively.”

I have seen over the past few years. Their IB program offers the IB diploma programme for some college credits at statesupported schools. As more zoned students head toward Reagan, I see only a continuation of the positive track that this school has followed for the past few years..” It is interesting to note that of the three schools, only Reagan’s 2013-2014 enrollment (2,190) is an increase over its 2008-2009 numbers (1,730). Waltrip had 1,794 students in 2008-2009 and 1,630 in 20132014. Scarborough was 725 in 2008-2009 and 670 in 20132014. Eastman notes that while she foresees positive change for each of The Leader area’s three high schools – Reagan, Scarborough and Waltrip, each school has a very differ-

PUBLIC SCHOOLS, from P. 11A The school district itself has to be a key player too. Anna Eastman, the District I trustee, says that HISD must ensure that schools get adequate funding and high quality school leaders who can provide stability in times of teacher turnover and other disruptions. She also said that they can continue to push the kinds of measureable academic achievement, like the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT), as well as AP courses, to get benchmarks for college readiness. “These are the same benchmarks my peers and I look at for our own children,” said Eastman.” The district does as much as it can, but it’s beneﬁcial to have a watchful com-

munity to spur us on.” With regard to the Heights, Emily Cole said she thinks that HISD is doing its part. “Our school district has provided our neighborhood with an International Baccalaureate program that starts at Harvard Elementary, moves on to Hogg Middle School and ﬁnishes at Reagan High School.” Ben Weaver, a Harvard parent and member of their Shared Decision Making Committee (SDMC), adds that the art, music, and STEM program classes are both necessary and a draw. But he was disappointed about HISD’s recent review and vote on changes to the Magnet funding for its schools. “It has really opened our eyes to the reality that what makes your particular school great can change quickly,” he

Area high schools to beneﬁt? What this will mean in ﬁve to ten years at our area high schools is promising but uncertain. Weaver said of Reagan, his zoned school – “I have been pleased with what

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Fairbanks United Methodist introduces Reverend Young

Fairbanks United Methodist Church located in northwest Houston off Fairbanks N. Houston Road and Hwy 290 has been serving and growing with the community since 1904. On Sunday, July 6 the congregation welcomed their new pastor, Reverend Deanna Young, during the Sunday 10:50 a.m. worship service. Reverend Young moved from Christ Church UM in The Woodlands to Fairbanks UMC with incredible enthusiasm and a mission to serve God and His people. Her vision for Fairbanks UMC is to serve, engage, and love this growing community as they grow this church.

She has an undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science in Biology) from Sam Houston State and a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Deanna has been married to her husband, Scott, for over 38 years and they have three children and 10 grandchildren. Pastor Deanna invites you to be a part of this exciting new beginning for Fairbanks United Methodist Church. Come visit with us on Sundays at 10:50 am. They’ve got something just for you!

Don Jose celebrates four decades of great taste Don Jose Mexican Restaurant offers an inexpansive menu that has something for everyone’s taste in Tex-Mex. Luis Hermosillo worked his way up from waiter nearly 40 years ago to own the restaurant. He and Carlos Garcia, his general manager and his nephew are grateful for their customers’ continued patronage. They invite new diners to drop by to try their great food and atmosphere. They are located at 5305 Antoine at Pinemont. The ent personality and will attract a different kind of student. “Scarborough is a much smaller, specialized school,” she said, noting the FUTURES Academy program with its career training in high-demand technical ﬁelds. Waltrip, on the other hand, is poised to get bigger with the growth in Oak Forest of real estate and property acquisition. “Principal Andria Schur is completely committed to Waltrip and wants it to be the ﬁrst choice for families in the area,” said Eastman. “Ideally, with the resurgence of Black Middle school, the area could have a feeding pattern similar to Lamar and Bellaire.” Weltin sees the wheels just beginning to turn and speculates that at least one or two will make major strides towards reconnecting with the sur-

telephone is 713-682-3853. In addition to fantastic appetizers, they offer fajitas, enchiladas, tamales and American dishes, including senior and kiddie choices. The restaurant boasts of a full wine and liquor bar, and the house favorite, the 13-ounce margarita. “We are so grateful for our customers’ loyalty and are looking forward to the future,” said Garcia.

Anna Eastman

rounding communities. “Whichever school or schools achieve that important breakthrough success will emerge as the ﬁnal piece of the puzzle for our local feeder pattern,‚“ he said.

Saturday, July 26, 2014 • Page 13A

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Bringing the Front Porch back to Houston We don’t complain about the Outdoor Heat, We Rule It! 7 13 4 RENTALS • SALES 628 5 5 5

1995 doesn’t seem so long ago, but I know for a fact I had Black hair and weighed 40 pounds less. It seems like yesterday, moving into our ﬁrst building on Pickering Street. We John Ferrata had one service writer and two technicians and one junk yard dog. The equipment was hand–me-down from another shop and the desk was picked up from a yard sale. We had no computer and 2 phone lines. We worked hard and had a vision in our mind. It was slow going for a while. Some days we didn’t make enough to pay for the lights. We spent more time cooking fajitas than working on cars. As time went on we started to get busier, added a few more employees and moved a couple of times. I like to think we have a found a home in the Garden Oaks - Oak Forest area. Today we have 9 employees working full time; most of them are long time employees. We now have 7 bays and a large air conditioned waiting room for our customers. Looking forward our goal for the future is to continue

The Heights Showroom • 728 W. 22nd

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to improve daily. We want to be the preferred repair shop in our area, providing great customer service in a timely manner. We want to earn your business the old fashion way by meeting or exceeding your expectations. If you want to check us out just come by and ask for Peter or John, they are our service writers and will answer any question you have. I want to thank our loyal customers for sticking with us over the years. Your patronage has helped us stay aﬂoat and keep working through these tough economic times.

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