Leader1 28 a

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Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Vol. 63 • No. 4

About Us 3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd Suite A (713) 686-8494

H-E-B: 18th Street location rumors erroneous, Heights opening delayed

news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.

NOW OPEN THEHEIGHTSTHEATER.COM

It appears to be full speed ahead as the new Heights H-E-B moves towards an early 2018 opening date, while other rumors regarding existing properties were once again put to rest.

The Leader got wind of social media rumors last week that the San Antonio-based grocer had for sure decided to shut down its location at 18th Street and T.C. Jester Boulevard in light of multiple potential larger sites--the second such rumor in recent months. However, H-E-B spokesperson Cyndy Garza-Roberts denied the

notion, saying no such determination of any kind has been made.

“A decision on the T.C. Jester (and 18th) location has not been determined,” she said.

Commission approves variance Earlier this month during a regularly scheduled meeting, the city of Houston Planning Commission unanimously approved the grocer’s variance request to move the store’s property line from 25 feet off North Shepherd Drive (the current require-

ment per city ordinance) to 10 feet off the road.

H-E-B Houston Division President Scott McClelland and other representatives revealed the plans during a community meeting in the Heights in early December, saying the request of variance revolves around creating a more urban feel as well as incorporating local flare such as artist pieces and more around the two-story store at the site of the old Fiesta to make it “their” H-E-B. “The variance allows us to create

an urban design while pulling the store closer to the street, and by doing this it will look more like what you would see in urban areas throughout the United States,” McClelland said.

“What you’ll see is an actual building that comes right up to the street and has a much more urban and finishedoff feel that’s more reflective of what the Heights is looking for.”

Additionally, McClelland told The Leader that the Heights location’s opening timeline has been pushed back to Spring 2018 (as opposed to an original January opening).

“My hope is to open by the end of March,” he said.

School Work

of e s t 20

16

B

339 W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

THE LEADER

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inside.

Waltrip is the first of area schools to near completion of construction

109th Beer Dinner. Rudyard’s

is kicking off the new year with Eureka Heights Brew Co. as the featured brewery for their monthly event.

Above: outline of Houston Heights West survey

Historic Heights design guidelines feedback due soon

Page 7A

By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader

School bond projects making major headway

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Keep it Heights. To honor the rich history and creativity found in Independence Heights, the owners of Alabama Furniture commissioned celebrated mural artist, Wiley Robertson, to show the area some love.

Page 1B

Find it.

OAK FOREST - SMALL OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT: $550 monthly. 713204-9904.

MOVING SALE: 1242 Lehman. Saturday, Jan. 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Antique furniture, bicycles, dishes, clothes, evening dresses, gas heaters.

Page 4B

The INDEX.

Three Leader area schools are making headway in transforming their campuses for area students.

The funding for construction is the result of the 2012 vote when Houstonians approved a $1.89 billion bond to replace and repair 40 schools across the district, including 29 high schools.

One of those high schools is Waltrip High School, which according to HISD Bond Communications manager Holly Huffman – and eyewitness reports – is nearing completion. The HISD website states the budget for work at Waltrip was $30,115,000.

Huffman says that the new front entry, administration areas, and third-floor addition are complete, and work on the girl’s locker room and gym expansion is continuing.

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structural steel is being installed.

“The project is on schedule and set to be completed by the first quarter of 2018, with site work continuing through the third quarter,” said Huffman.

At Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, with a bond budget at $26,678,000, the ground is cleared for a new two story building.

GOMM parent engagement coordinator Stephanie Dubroff-Acosta says the school community is excited about the building which will house a UIL regulated gym on the first floor and classrooms on the second floor.

Behind that, the temporary buildings, including the existing multi-purpose building, will be removed for another new three story structure that will all be classroom space. Both new buildings will be See Bond P. 2A

Outlooks for 2017

Area leaders, experts hold optimism amid uncertainty

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Church....................................................... 6A Classifieds.............................................. 4B

While the existing brick is more yellow/cream in color, the new brick is darker. Huffman says that the contrasting brick colors are part of design plans.

“Contrasting brick colors were used in parts of the original building, so a similar pallet was used in the new addition,” she said. “For example, the existing gym features a lighter brick so the gym expansion uses a similar light brick. The new band hall and girls’ locker room additions utilized a darker brick to help break up the elevation along 34th Street and give the school an updated street view.”

At Booker T. Washington High School, where a groundbreaking was held last April, the budget is $51,732,000 for an entirely new school.

Huffman says that crews are almost a quarter of the way through the construction process. Currently,

What a year that 2016 was, with changes abounding in virtually every part of The Leader readership area. With that in mind, several area experts took some time to discuss what 2017 has in store for the local neighborhoods as January wraps up, such as their high hopes despite uncertainty on

many fronts and more.

Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce President Jacob Millwee noted that while he normally has a grasp on the upcoming year’s forecast, 2017 feels slightly different in several ways.

“Usually I have a good feel for what to expect, even when time proves me wrong. But entering into this year every day seems more of a roll of the dice than a

reasonable forecast,” he said.

That said, The Leader area could see several shifts or changes which directly impact our neighborhoods on many fronts.

A major Chamber initiative over the last several years has been for residents to “buy local,” pouring into the shops which make the Heights unique. Millwee believes

For many in the historic Heights districts, time is running out to have their voices heard.

The city of Houston’s “Design Guideline Surveys” must be returned by Jan. 27 to register the new home construction or addition designs you feel best fit your district’s aesthetics.

The surveys were mailed in January to property owners in the Freeland, Houston Heights (East, West, and South), Norhill, and Woodland Heights districts.

While it might sound like work at first, the surveys are interesting. They were customized for each of the seven districts, and developed to clarify the direction each should take regarding home construction while maintaining the feeling of community cohesion.

Each survey contains questions such as “What is a good size for a building on one lot?”, “What is acceptable garage placement for maintaining the integrity of the district?” and “What percentage of the property should be hard surface?”

“The city has been working with Winter & Company, one of the finest design, preservation and planning companies in the nation, to help create these guidelines,” stated Steph McDougal, Project Manager for the Houston’s Planning and Development Department. “We held community workshops with homeowners in September and December and collected the initial feedback.”

“There was generally a consensus at the extremes,” McDougal said. “For example, most people agreed that large buildings and additions obscure sun to neighbors’ backyards, and so fourth. In the middle ground, we needed more information. Winter & Company took the data from our prior meetings with homeowners, and crafted the surveys so we can establish further clarification.”

The recommendations generated by the surveys will be presented in early March. An additional community workshop will be held on March 30, at a location to be determined.

The surveys were publicized with help from See Guidelines P. 5A

See Expecations P. 3A

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Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Page 2A

Cedar Creek vehicle burglaries causing major unrest

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Cedar Creek Café has become increasingly popular over the years; however, with the influx of customers accompanying Houston’s growth sometimes comes a greater chance of crime, which is exactly what has some residents concerned with regards to recent events at the popular neighborhood dining spot A recent post on the Garden Oaks Nextdoor page bought to the forefront a major issue at the restaurant, saying three folks had their cars broken into during dinner.

Additionally, information exists which suggests the restaurant itself has been broken into a few times in addition to an ongoing issue of vehicle burglary.

“I rarely go to this location

due to how often this seems to happen,” one Oak Forest resident said.

“The percentage of crime there is disproportionate to crime in the area,” another Oak Forest resident said. “There’s no excuse for management to not protect the patrons.”

However, some felt as though the crime at Cedar Creek is not as bad as the string seems to indicate, and urged patrons to simply keep things out of sight to deter potential thieves.

“I go there a lot and feel safe.

I never leave anything in my car,” another Oak Forest resident chimed in. “Don’t leave anything in your car—this is Houston, not Mayberry.”

Cedar Creek owner Gary Moseley echoed the sentiment.

“This is happening rampantly everywhere, so you’re

Photo from Facebook Cedar Creek Cafe, shown here, has experienced numerous vehicle burglaries in recent months, leading to an outcry. However, owner Gary Moseley says extra efforts have been made to mitigate the issue, and the best defense remains not leaving valuables in the car.

not going to be able to stop all of it,” he said.

However, Cedar Creek has taken some extra security precautions to cut down on the incidents as much as possible, such as a security guard

Police Reports • Jan. 13-21 JAN. 13

Theft 12 PM 1400-1499 ENID Theft 10:30 AM 1700-1799 E T C JESTER Theft 8 PM 700-799 TULANE Theft 1:05 PM 3900-3999 N MAIN Theft 9 PM 1400-1499 N LOOP W

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Theft 5 PM 1000-1099 TULANE Robbery 10:08 PM 100-199 W 20TH Theft 9 AM 500-599 REDAN Theft 8:22 AM 1600-1699 N LOOP W Burglary 2 PM 4400-4499 NORTH

JAN. 15

Theft 1:17 PM 4100-4199 N SHEPHERD Theft 1 PM 400-499 W 16TH Theft 6:30 PM 2400-2499 COUCH Burglary 7:01 PM 5600-5699 KANSAS Assault 10:45 PM 4600-4699 ARLINGTON Theft 12 PM 1200-1299 19TH Theft 3:34 PM 700-799 N LOOP W Burglary 11:34 PM 4400-4499 NORTH Theft 2:45 PM 4400-4499 NORTH Theft 1:30 PM 4900-4999 WASHINGTON

JAN. 16

Theft 3:00 PM 1300-1399 RUTLAND Theft 7:01 PM 200-299 13TH Robbery 2:30 PM 8500-8599 N MAIN Theft 10:30 AM 4400-4499 N SHEPHERD Burglary 3:50 AM 400-499 W 21ST Theft 4:00 PM 1100-1199 LAWRENCE Assault 3:30 PM 300-399 E 37TH Theft 12:20 PM 1800-1899 ELLA Theft 2:00 PM 2400-2499 KATY Burglary 1:45 AM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD Theft 9:42 AM 4400-4499 NORTH Theft 10:20 AM 300-399 E 26TH

JAN. 17

Theft 10:12 AM 1600-1699 TURNPIKE Theft 6:45 PM 700-799 T C JESTER Theft 7:39 PM 3900-3999 NORTH Theft 5:15 AM 400-499 W 20TH Theft 7:30 AM 1500-1599 N LOOP W Other 7:14 PM 900-999 GARDENIA Theft 4:22 AM 4400-4499 NORTH Theft 11:25 AM 300-399 WALTON Theft 7:01 PM 100-199 YALE Theft 1:38 PM 400-499 W 26TH Theft 5:30 PM 200-299 N LOOP W Theft 11:45 AM 200-299

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Burglary 12:30 PM 700-799 E 25TH Arrest 12:47 PM 800-899 E 40TH 1/2 Other 11:57 AM 900-999 W 43RD

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Theft 11 AM 900-999 N LOOP W Robbery 6:15 PM 700-799 CORTLANDT Assault 1:19 PM 400-499 W CROSSTIMBERS Theft 3:21 PM 1400-1499 N LOOP W Theft 9:20 AM 100-199 YALE Theft 10:45 AM 1900-1999 N SHEPHERD Theft 4:05 PM 1100-1199 DUNBAR Burglary 4:30 AM 1000-1099 FUGATE Theft 3:43 PM 3400-3499 WHITE OAK Theft 7:01 AM 1800-1899 SHEPHERD Other 5:39 PM 900-999 ASHLAND Burglary 8:37 AM 1300-1399 ENID Burglary 4:30 AM 1400-1499 STONECREST Theft 5:30 AM 3000-3099 ELLA Theft 9:50 AM 1000-1099 GARDNER Theft 9 AM 700-799 E 8TH

JAN. 19

Burglary 2:40 AM 900-999 ALGREGG Theft 7:08 AM 1000-1099 BAYLAND Theft 8:53 AM 4400-4499 SHEPHERD Theft 6:14 AM 700-799 WENDEL Theft 5 PM 3200-3299 WHITE OAK Theft 4 AM 4400-4499 N SHEPHERD Theft 8:50 AM 100-199 HEIGHTS Theft 4:02 AM 300-399 BAYLAND Theft 5 PM 100-199 HEIGHTS Theft 4:30 AM 900-999 W 16TH Theft 9:30 AM 500-599 GARDEN OAKS Assault 5:05 PM 1200-1299 CROSSTIMBERS Theft 4:39 PM 4700-4799 WASHINGTON Burglary 8:45 PM 5000-5099

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icki Acker Cave Flanery was born in Huntsville, TX on January 10, 1953. After a long life full of love she left this earth on December 30, 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, and husband, Glenn Ferrell; grandchildren Phoenix, Campbell, and Keegan.

Mother, June McCaffety.

Vicki shared her life with stepsons, David Flanery III and Marcus (deceased), his wife, Laura, and grandson, James Flanery. Vicki was a graduate of Sam Houston State University.

She leaves an eternal legacy of children she taught and inspired at Washington High School and Oak Forest Elementary. A long time Oak Forest resident, Vicki was always active in and loved her Oak Forest community. Vicki’s celebration of life will be held January 29, 2017 at 2 PM at SPJST Lodge 88; 1435 Beall St. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Vicki Flanery to the 501(c)3, Leather Apron Foundation.

Checks payable to: Leather Apron Foundation, 5017 Creekmont, Houston, TX 77091, Memo: Assistance for Jenni and Glenn Ferrell Fund.

In MeMorIaM

Kerry renae Mays Monroe

K

being stiffer.

“There’s not a harsh enough punishment right now. From every bar and restaurant you know of, everyone’s getting their cars broken into,” he said.

“I just think we need to really press hard with our officers and have them be able to do something. But if the system is allowing these people to get out, how can the cops stop this?”

Moseley added that extra lighting has been employed in efforts to light up the parking area (among other measures) in attempts to deter thieves but said that unfortunately crime is still happening all around, and not a lot can be done with current resources.

“If I (or someone else) am on the north side of the property watching for cars, I can’t be everywhere,” he said.

tAeKwOndO

JAN. 18

Bond from P. 1A connected with a skywalk.

Dubroff-Acosta said that the seventh and eighth graders will be housed on the third floor, fourth through sixth grade will be on the second floor and pre-K and kindergarten will be on the first floor. First through third grade students will stay in existing classrooms, but those will be renovated and enlarged too. When the work is done, there will be no temporary buildings left.

The field behind the existing SPARK Park is out of commission as well for a while but Principal Dr. Lindsey Pollock said the bright spot is that they will get new sod for an improved field.

As for a construction schedule, Pollock said she is hopeful for a fall 2018 completion but that “we don’t need any more rain, and no hurricanes.”

A February groundbreaking ceremony is in the works at GOMM in February.

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YALE Theft 10:30 PM 1500-1599 CHESHIRE

patrolling the parking lot and hiring out an extra HPD officer and employees on their peak nights for safety purposes.

“That’s courteous, because it does cost them,” one resident said. “They also have

signs everywhere telling customers to lock their cars and not leave valuables. Sounds like just negligence on the customers’ part.”

As an extra precaution against opportunistic, wily thieves, Moseley urged residents to take everything they can into the restaurant, as any visible item can become a trigger for the criminals.

“I have left signs, I have officers come by and give notes saying to not leave things in your car,” he said. “If they’re breaking into cars, there’s obviously something valuable in there. Everyone will tell you not to do that, because that’s what criminals are looking for.”

Though a larger police presence would be welcome, Moseley acknowleged that the follow ups are that much harder due to the penalty not

october 18, 1957 – December 8, 2016

erry Renae Mays Monroe, 59, of Houston, Texas passed away December 8, 2016. She was born in Tomball, Texas on October 18, 1957. She was preceded in death by her husband Douglas and daughter Dawn. Kerry grew up in Oak Forest, attending Katherine Smith Elementary, Black Junior High and graduated from Waltrip High in 1976. She was employed

by Kmart for 29 years, was manager of Curves on 43rd for 10 years, and then employed by Builders Products, Inc. on McAlister Street in 2015. Kerry never met a stranger and she was always there to help anyone that needed help. She always met you with a big smile and that great personality. She was known and loved by many, many friends in and around the community. She will be missed throughout by everyone that had ever come in contact with her. Kerry is survived by Mary Mays Duncan, her mother, and James and Michelle Mays, her brother and sister-in-law. A visitation was held on Tuesday, December 13 at Integrity Funeral Home, 3915 Dacoma Street in Houston, Texas 77092. The funeral and burial was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at the Veterans National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. Donations can be made to American Heart Association in Kerry’s honor.

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We have assorted sliders, wings, pinwheel trays, and much more. Perfect for your BIG GAME!

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Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Page 3A

Seeking the Scoop on the Poop in Garden Oaks adult dogs). Chances are that if your dog is maintaining a good weight, the feces are of normal consistency (ie. not loose or hard) and your dog isn’t having trouble defecating or straining to defecate, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

Dear Tabby, How many times a day should my dog be pooping? It seems like he goes a lot and I wanted to see what the “norm� is.

Seeking the Scoop on Poop in Garden Oaks Dear Makin’ a list, Just like humans, there’s no “norm� as far as your dog’s potty habits. However, there are a variety of factors to consider when scrutinizing your pup’s poop schedule. Experts do agree though that between 1 and 5 times a day should be considered normal for most healthy dogs.

A few factors to take into consideration: This includes how much they have eaten in the last 24 hours, fiber content of the diet, individual variation and the age of the dog (puppies tend to defecate more frequently than

If your dog is defecating very frequently, especially if these motions are loose or contain spots of fresh blood or mucus, there may be a medical problem such as colitis or inflammatory bowel disease. Ensure your dog is wormed regularly as well.

If your dog isn’t defecating daily then it could be due to constipation, although other signs would be expected such as straining to defecate or the passing of dry, solid feces. If your dog hasn’t eaten much then this could be another reason and it should be determined why your dog is off of his food. Try not to be concerned if your dog doesn’t pass feces just on one occasion, as it may just be a daily variation. Watch for the passing of normal feces over the next 24 hours.

Certain medications can also cause abnormalities in your pup’s pooping habits, ranging from constipation to diarrhea.

Your vet can offer you guidance if your dog is taking medications.

Also, feeding a good quality diet will encourage your dog’s system to become regular and work efficiently. Once you have your

dog on a good, healthy feeding schedule, you’ll get to know his routine and will come to understand what’s “normal� for him..

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

Pet of the Week

Meet Hugh. This 1 year old wire-haired Chihuahuamix holds a Master’s degree in Cuddling and is as sweet as can be. Hugh prefers the ladies to men (he was likely abused by a man in his past) but warms up quickly for the right gentleman. Hugh has a lot of personality and is smart as a whip. You can learn more about Hugh at www.K-9AngelsRescue.org or www.facebook. com/k9angelsrescue.

Free Spay/Neuter (Cats Only!)

Have you been holding out on getting your cat (or neighborhood cats) fixed? Wait no longer: Get them fixed FOR FREE on Saturday, January 28th at Montie Beach Community Center (915 Northwood St 77009). Check in time is from 6:30-7:30 am. This service is available to all City of Houston residents (please bring current ID with address). Services are provided

on a first come, first served basis. If you’re unable to be served at this opportunity, you’ll be scheduled for another time to take advantage of the free service. All cats must be in a carrier, secure box or pillowcase. All feral cats must be in traps. Cats must be 4 months or older and weigh over 2 lbs. For more info, email: fixhouston@friends4life.org or call (713) 422-2251.

Expectations from P. 1A 2017 will bring large chains attempting to muscle their way into the area, making it difficult for mom and pop shops to survive. “The price of commercial real estate continues to inflate and we are an attractive market – an active community of varied age with comfortable means,� he said. “If we do not make a conscious effort to frequent and promote such places, we run the risk of losing a vital piece of our community identity.�

Banking/Finance Another key is how to manage one’s finances with the shift in leadership. From a commercial and business standpoint, Scott Lester with Allegiance Bank in the Heights said the likely trend could see an impact resulting from rising interest rates on the borrowing capacity for a business. “We are expecting at least a half point increase in 2017, and that could impact people’s borrowing capacity,� he said.

On the consumer’s side, Lester said rising interest rates could impact someone’s ability to obtain mortgages for like properties. “People who are fully leveraged on their homes could be in those homes for a long time because they wouldn’t qualify for like properties again if rates go up significantly,� he said.

However, Lester remains optimistic about 2017, and urged residents to be responsible with their money, as a personal knowledge is the best defense against any variance.

Real Estate Area realtor Pamela Efferson echoed Lester in a sense, saying unknowns such as higher interest rates — along with potential layoffs and some political instability — caused waves in the latter portion of 2016, and will continue

throughout 2017. “I have experienced many buyers choosing to rent for a short time due to the unknowns we face� she said. Moving forward, Efferman said rising interest rates could be a deterrant for potential homeowners since doing so could have a direct impact on their monthly mortgage. She also said the first few weeks of 2017 has indicated many buyers reside within the area who have been slow to make an offer, which could be the result of the abundance of new multifamily housing and higher listing prices. “Many inner loop listings have longer days on the market and multiple price reductions before receiving an offer,� she said.

Despite the impact of the lower oil prices, Efferson expects local markets to remain relatively stable in 2017 due to the city’s overall diversified economy. However, she cautioned factors such as the abundance of new inventory, re-sale and new construction could also have a direct impact on local potential homeowners. In order to adapt, Efferson suggested using data specific to the neighborhood within which the property sits when searching for a property or when looking to sell.

Much to look forward to Despite the uncertainty, there remains ample opportunity for noticeable positive impacts in the Heights and its surrounding areas, such as the renovated Heights Theatre and the H-E-B set to put down roots. On the flip side, Millwee said changes such as the dry laws being revoked will likely pass by virtually unnoticed. In the end, he offered these words of caution. “We must ever be mindful of the long term health of our community,� he said. “Patience, care and time ensure longevity.�

Lovables

Photo Contest - Fund Raiser Go online www.theleadernews.com and cast your vote for these lovables and help out a worth cause.

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shift from preventative care to reactive care typically costs more if pets are to stay healthy or alive.

One driving force behind this trend, besides the recession, is dependence on the Internet. Pet owners often look online first if their pet is ill. This delay means pets are far worse off when they finally get to the vet, therefore costs are much greater, some cannot be saved and euthanasia rates are up significantly.

Although reliable Internet sites can provide knowledge they can not deliver know-how, experience or action for quick and proper treatment. Soon, it will be puppy parvovirus season again. Thousands of the cutest puppies will die needlessly as they do every spring. This killer disease is easily prevented with basic vaccines. With increasing mosquitoes, thousands of cats and dogs will acquire heartworms despite available prescription preventatives.

All pets deserve at least an annual veterinary exam and consultation on their individual basic health care needs. To understand optimal preventative healthcare for your pet visit: www.pethealthpartnership.org. If your pet is ill, do not delay. Make an appointment and then research online.

Always call your Vet if you have any concerns or questions

Fairbanks animal CliniC www.fairbanks.vetsuite.com

7151 Fairbanks N. Houston (1 mile North of HWY 290)

(713)-937-7274

The Topics.

Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Page 4A

Maybe we should give our kids a lesson in losing

F

or the past week, I’ve done exactly what I swore I would not. I have read and watched far too much political coverage, and it makes me feel awful.

As most of our weekly readers know, it’s not often that I dip my keyboard into national discussions.

When I do, it’s because I believe there’s room for a local conversation, and now seems as good a time as any. May I offer some observations?

The Inauguration First, watching our nation’s transfer of power is astonishing. We just spent eight years with a president half our country loves and half utterly despises. We just elected a new president that the first half now despises and the second half has grown to love.

President Obama and new President Trump will share no Beer Summits in the next four years. They are as diametrically opposed on issues of national importance as any two politicians can be. Yet there they were – Obama welcoming Trump into the White House, shaking his hand, and sitting politely behind him as Trump spent his first 20 minutes as President disparaging virtually every action Obama had taken as this nation’s leader.

Funny thing, because eight years earlier, George W. Bush welcomed Obama to the White House with an even bigger smile and sat behind

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

Obama as the new president spent his first 19 minutes as president scorning every move Bush had made as president.

We either live in the most civilized nation in the world, or we are the biggest bunch of fakes this planet has ever known. It’s probably both.

We are gracious frauds.

Meek Shall Inherit No matter if you love or hate him, let’s not make any mistake about this new fellow in office. President Trump is not a sip of beer that gently eases over the palate. He’s an acquired taste of a craft brew that blends boisterous barley with a touch of parking-lot bully.

One of Trump’s press lackeys went on a talk show earlier this week to hail the IQs of the men and women the new president has nominated for his cabinet.

If these nominees are one-tenth

as smart as we’ve been told, they will hold a group intercession with our new president and tell him to cut it out with the pre-teen whining.

Don’t send your press secretary in front of every camera in America to pick a fight on inauguration crowd size. Yeah, and my dad can beat up your dad.

Trump has been most appealing over the past 18 months in his fleeting moments of humility. At its core, that is what our country seeks most from her leaders, and our new president would do much to heal this nation’s discord by an injection of meekness.

That’s probably like asking a duck to bark, but at least we can ask.

Our Nation of Winners If the last week of political observation has shown me anything, it’s that we may be ruining our nation, child-by-child, one T-ball game at a time.

Some of you may have heard of a guy named Michael Jordan. As a youngster, my room was littered with posters of the greatest basketball player of all time – and it’s not even arguable.

If you haven’t heard the story, Jordan tried out for the basketball team at Emsley A. Laney High School when he was a 15-year-old sophomore, and when the final roster was posted to the locker room wall, Jordan’s name was nowhere

Lynn Ashby Columnist

if not only, feedstock are the “mainstream media” as they like to despairingly put it. Talk about biting the hand. Donald Trump, like a good vaudevillian, tried out different lines in various speeches. He removed lines that fell flat: (“I am a Humble man. And Exxon and Shell and the Koch Brothers.”) He kept the zingers: The Wall and insults to the press.

Now he works them into every speech. His followers love it.

I have been a journalist for a long time. Actually, when I got my first scoop I rushed into the city room yelling, “Stop the chisels!” But never before have I witnessed the press so hated. Indeed, a story from the Huffington Post repeated (remember that earlier line about parasite journalism) cited a Gallup poll that showed people don’t have much confidence in newspaper and TV reporters when it comes to being honest and ethical. In a survey taken of more than 1,000 adults in the U.S., only 20 percent rated TV reporters “high” or “very high” for honesty and ethical standards, putting it sixth from the bottom of Gallup’s list of professions. Only 21 percent of respondents rated newspaper reporters positively for honesty. Another poll said newspaper reporters ranked the worst of the worst jobs in Career Cast’s 2016. Broadcaster was rated the fourthworst job, finishing behind disc jockey, military personnel and pest control worker, according to the report.

Another point to learn: You will be hated. Total strangers will walk up to you and insult your profession, employer, colleagues and your mother.

Learn how to say, “Sorry. Did I spell your name wrong in the story about the brothel bust?”

Or: “After reading page one, do your lips get tired?” Students, you won’t find, or need, such training in the Architecture School, Pharmacist College or the Department of Ceramic Engineering.

All of this is not new. Thomas Jefferson wrote. “The man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them, inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.” However, Tom also wrote: “And were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

Don’t complain. You know what you are getting into. If you don’t like it, there is still time to go over to the Depart-

We’ve come a long way, haven’t we? Maybe this started with the Baby Boomer generation, as one friend suggested. I tend to think this is the product of a new generation of people – many of them first-time voters – who have been told that the word “losing” is no longer part of the American lexicon.

We don’t keep score at games.

We hand out participation trophies, because everyone’s a winner. We create safe-spaces so people can insulate themselves from the real world.

If you’re like me and feel awful about the state of this country and her political climate, maybe it’s not so much the person who just assumed the highest office in the land. Maybe it’s our fault. We are the ones teaching young people they are always right. We have shielded them from life’s greatest teacher – losing.

It’s no wonder our country feels like it’s in a state of constant revolt these days. We’ve introduced a large part of America to the foreign concept of losing, and all they can do is blame the coach, their teammates and start kicking in locker room windows.

Maybe we should close our eyes, see the changes we’d like to make, and get going again. That’s what losers should do. That’s what winners do.

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

The reader.

A rare medium, well done THE CLASSROOM -- Welcome, class, to Journalism 101, in which you will learn the basics of journalism such as how to change facts to suit your own political positions, slant stories, stick in biases without leaving fingerprints and destroy America as we know it today. First, here are a few random notes: Never write a headline that ends with a question mark. Your newspaper is supposed to know the answer, that’s why readers turn to it. Never print a letter to the editor that begins with: “Now let me get this straight.”

If the writer doesn’t know how to solve the problem, get it straight before bothering the rest of us. We’re busy. Do not write headlines about missing pets with, “Dog Gone,” or run a story about unexpected reptiles with the headline, “Snakes Alive!” They were shopworn before Johannes Gutenberg was setting type.

When you told your folks you were going to major in journalism, they probably said, “But newspapers are dead.”

Wrong, they are only on temporary life support. It goes this way: The first newspapers sprang up in London in the 1600s and look nothing like the papers of today, or even those of the 1700s. By the Civil War, newspapers had tiny type and no photographs, just drawings. Editors placed stories as they arrived, with the first at the top of the page, and so on. Down at the very bottom was the last story to come in: “Lincoln Shot!” Today’s papers are evolving, just as everything else is – cars, clothes and the way we get our news.

Most of us, especially younger people, get their information via emails, on-lines, iPads, hashtags and tom-toms, but not newspapers.

Two points here. The newspaper industry is getting into these news media. And it’s working. Today The New York Times has more readers than it has ever had, and more than half of these readers are not holding papers. Indeed, newspapers may have to start calling themselves a “newsbox: or “newscreen.” On the other hand, you still “dial” a phone number and “roll down” your car window. The other point is that, while you may think you don’t read newspapers, you’re right. They are being read to you. Notice how often you read your local newspaper and then see that same story on the local evening TV news. Same thing for national TV newscasts. The line about “NBC has learned” is correct.

They learned it from reading that morning’s Washington Post. I once heard a reporter say, “I’d feel a lot better about what they say and write if I ever covered a speech, convention or rally and saw a reporter from the Huffington Post, the Drudge Report or Brightbart. There aren’t any.”

The worst in parasite journalism are the radio, TV and pundit panels whose main,

to be found. He didn’t make the team. Two years later, he accepted a scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina – the biggest basketball powerhouse in the land.

As I watched the inauguration last week, and as I watched people burn cars (and in one case, a person), shatter windows and stand in front of microphones threatening to bomb the White House in revolt against our new president, somehow, I thought about Jordan.

The greatest basketball player to ever step foot on a court was told by a high school coach that he wasn’t good enough, strong enough or tall enough to be on the team, leaving Jordan with one of two very distinct options. He could have thrown his arms the air, cursed the coach, scorned his classmates who did make the team and started shattering all the locker room windows in a show of protest.

Obviously, that’s not what he did.

Here’s how Jordan’s reaction was described in a Newsweek article: “‘It was embarrassing not making the team,’ Jordan later said. He went home, locked himself in his room and cried. Then he picked himself up and turned the cut into motivation.

‘Whenever I was working out and got tired and figured I ought to stop, I’d close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it,’ Jordan would explain. ‘That usually got me going again.’”

ment of Ceramic Engineering.

No one ever writes hate letters to pottery makers.

A final point: You ink-stained wretches and TV good-hairs should know this pursuit can be dangerous. Before the Normandy invasion on the sixth of June, 1944, D-Day, 58 war correspondents were selected to accompany Allied troops ashore in the first wave. Before leaving, they were all ordered to write their own obituaries.

Some were published. Nothing’s changed. The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that in 2016 at least 48 journalists were killed worldwide doing their jobs (Journalists Without Borders puts the deaths at 74.) while 28 deaths are still being investigated.

Another 268 were jailed. Gives a whole new; meaning to the term “deadlines.” OK, students, get out there and lie.

Ashby slants at ashby2@comcast.net

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Legality vs. C.A.D.

Dear Editor: I would like to report on the ordeals which I and others have suffered, at the hands of the all powerful conglomeration that is called the Houston Texas Central Appraisal District (C.A.D.). They have taken our time and monies, and in return given us staged moot mocks.

Texas Law has established that no more than 10% is allowed perannum, for raising property taxes which most taxpayers consider too high, especially in these fluctuating times of uncertainty.

C.A.D. however, has devised a new way to ignore this rule of law, for example if a property is valued at $100,000, C.A.D. revalues it at - $200,000, thereby creating a double taxation, without representation. Sound familiar?

Ignoring state laws seems to be a growing tendency, from towing laws to tax laws, and all the betweens - a danger to us all - no rule of law is no law.

In the past year, there have been two chief appraisers (Stan Stiefer and Rowland Attinger) that we the people know about.

For several years, Americans have been shortchanged, mostly due to evil and some bad polititions who under oath swear they will uphold and enforce the laws of our country, but instead work at dividing America, with their planned distractions and their brands of hocus.

Most of them have become very wealthy at being

public servants, then they leave office with perks and pensions for life, for us to pay.

The day that I arrived at C.A.D. for my formal tax hearing, large numbers of uniformed police were mixed with a crowd waiting for their informal tax hearings. To me, the C.A.D. group handling the informal hearings looked very inexperienced in finance and general savvy.

I also noticed what seemed to me happily employed lawyers, running hither and yon with briefcases. Someone told me that they had been hired by taxpayers to argue the points for higher taxes - in place of themselves doing so.

C.A.D. tried to switch me to the informal hearings. I told them that I had a formal (scheduled) hearing. I was then ushered into a room where three ladies sat at a table. They looked to me as if they were in real estate sales. C.A.D. hires outside help to sit in on formal hearings - whoever they might be, and are paid ($125 to $175 day?) for their judgements on C.A.D.’s appraisals. What?!

There was a large and very expensive computer to my left, where a large overweight white man was concealed (I looked!) he was identified as my tax assessor. I asked him if he had investigated, in person, the properties that I had rendered. He answered “No, that all appraisals were made by computers.” What?! I was then asked to sign a small

See Reader P. 5A

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Captain Ahab sailed this 4. Rugged rock or cliff 8. Statistical test 10. Wall angle 11. Irish river 12. Winged nut 13. Japanese animation 15. More flexible 16. Military slang 17. Strangle 18. ‘Taxi Driver’ star 21. Go quickly 22. Part of a play 23. European Economic Community 24. Woman (French) 25. Thai river 26. Golfers start here 27. Disgruntled 33. In an implied way 34. Actors appear in them 36. Hide

37. Small Italian village 38. Tropical grasshopper 39. Ladd is one 40. Clumsy 41. Scottish tax 42. Footballers wear them 43. Pigpen

dOwn

1. Curse 2. Brings home the bacon 3. Iron alloys 4. Conduct oneself 5. Commercial center of Venice 6. Share an opinion 7. Growl 9. British soldiers’ post-WWII clothes 10. Impulse 12. Last names 14. Midway between northeast and east

15. Car mechanics group 17. Ethiopian airport 19. Electrical instrument 20. Twitch 23. Not the hardest 24. Chinese dinosaur genus 25. Reflexes 26. Thick target yield 27. Cut a rug 28. Complete 29. Feet per second 30. Intestinal 31. Don Henley’s band 32. A hereditary ruler 33. Member of the mahogany family 35. Attractive and healthy (Scot.)

36. Holds necktie in place

WORD SCRAMBLE

Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Page 5A

Neighbors: Oaks Dads Club and Troop 40 Boy Scouts to hold fundraising barbecues

Reader from P. 4A black computer plaque, that was only to confirm me being there. I was not given a copy of it.

I had been told to bring four copies of facts on each property rendered, to my hearing. They cost me time and money to prepare, and were not excessive clumps of trash, but vital and bonified facts. They refused to even look at them, however they kept my pictures. I was then told to just talk - talk only.

I believe that not only was my supposed tax hearing contrived to confuse and rattle me, but was extremely unbalanced - each ran less than 15 minutes.

At the end of my tax hearing I was asked, along with the only smile I had received throughout my duration what I thought about it. My reply was - it stunk.

When I got back to the C.A.D.

lobby, I asked at the front desk about making an appointment with Mr. Attinger - head appraiser.

I was told that they couldn’t tell me what floor his office was on, and with a very blunt and brusque manner, along with clear emphasis on “No one can see the head appraiser. No one, he is not available to the public at anytime.”

How does his honor rank that above the mayor or city council (who you can see)?

To put it in Texas lingo, we need to watch our hen houses, and look under them also for certain malignant scum fungus - S.O.S. Breaking the backs of the ratio who are paying the taxes, with more taxation is like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com Quite a few of our neighbors ran in the 2017 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Jan. 15.

One of those amazing people is Jackie Madden, a Shepherd Park Plaza resident, who ran her third marathon and this time, she ran alone. Madden’s brother and sister in law, Joe and Sara Madden, also ran in the marathon. Madden’s finishing time of 3:18 was not what she had in mind as she had hoped to keep it under three hours. As she began the race, Madden noticed a runner already down on the side of the road and covered in a blanket and prayed the person was OK. Madden reports the volunteers and spectators made a huge difference for her; she remembers stopping quickly at a water station and the person there kept repeating “only two and a half miles to go!” A while later, a random dude along the side of the street shouted her name (runners’ names were on the race bibs) along with encouraging things. Madden exclaims, “It does help!” She felt she performed much better with times and endurance in training, but race officials sent an email the Friday prior to the marathon instructing runners to adjust their pace because the weather would not be ideal.

And indeed it wasn’t! Madden ran through a light rain shower that lasted about five minutes at one point which she said wasn’t so bad. Madden said, “And lo and behold, when I crossed the finish line, a few minutes later was a downpour! Jesus loves me.

I’m just glad I finished it.”

The Oaks Dads Club 2017 BBQ Cookoff is this weekend, Friday Jan. 27 and Saturday Jan. 28. The barbecue cook-off is an annual tradition at ODC. It’s a barbecue competition, charity plate sale and big party all in one! All proceeds go to the young athletes who compete at ODC. Friday night will be a Cook’s Party that will run late into the night with music from Darwin Macon from 8-10 p.m., and Saturday will be plate sales and a family friendly atmosphere with a bouncy house and face painting. This fundraiser helps

M.D. Nelson Z. Zamora

Guidelines from P. 1A the Houston Heights Association, Norhill Neighborhood Association, and Woodland Heights Civic Association, and homeowners in the Freeland Historic District.

In 2010, Houston City Council introduced the Historic Preservation Ordinance to answer the needs and requests of many citizens. The ordinance was written in a broad, sweeping stroke, so it would apply to all 22 of the city’s historic districts. At the time the ordinance was adopted, it required that Houston’s Planning and Development

Department create design guidelines for each of the 22 historic districts. This project is the first of those required guidelines.

The surveys are only open to property owners in each district. If you are a homeowner and never received your survey, there are district-specific surveys online.

For more information, email Steph McDougal, at steph. mcdougal@houstontx.gov.

To take to a survey online, go to houstontx.gov/planning/ HistoricPres/Design-Guidelines-Heights.html.

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Sara, Joe and Jackie Madden ran in the 2017 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon on Jan. 15.

keep registration fees as low as possible for families and also goes to cover overhead costs such as electricity, water and the expense of maintaining the playing fields, as well as capital improvements to the facilities. On Saturday, $10 barbecue plates will include Gatlin’s brisket, sausage (smoked

by ODC), potatoes, green beans, and all the fixings. Plate sales will be from 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. You can buy tickets in advance or just stop by. All money raised from the event will go back into the club to benefit the youth athletes of ODC. A new addition to the event, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., is the official beer sponsor and will provide free beer tasting from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday. During that time, Houston Sports and Social Club will be hosting a Cornhole Tournament, too, and there is still time to enter the Cornhole Tournament! $50/team, $30/individual player – 3 games guaranteed. Start time is noon on Saturday, Jan. 28. Cornhole Tournament registration closes on Friday, Jan. 27. There will be live music by Honeyboy Nelson to enjoy from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., face painting and games for the kids. $10 barbecue plates; $3 admission (admission free with purchase of barbecue plate). For presale tickets, contact Shawn Salyers at 713-444-4454 or Sean Jez at 713-3054481. See more info at odcsports.com.

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Troop 40’s Annual Boy Scout BBQ will be held Feb. 4 and 5, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church at 3600 Brinkman at Wakefield. The Boy Scouts, their families, alumni and supporters will have their own “super” event! 2017 marks the 18th anniversary of Troop 40’s annual barbecue fundraiser at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Each $10 dinner plate comes with brisket or chicken plus sausage, buttered potatoes, green beans, bread, and condiments and is available for dine-in or takeout. You can also order a whole brisket a la carte for $60 or a party pack which includes a whole brisket with bulk sides, bread and condiments for $100 - just heat, slice and serve to your family and friends. There will be drinks and scrumptious homemade desserts for $1. Proceeds from the barbecue go towards the high adventure camps the scouts attend every two years. For advance tickets or to place an order, contact Jaime Waller at 713-628-2426 or jamanawg@ gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome and appreciated, too! The young men of Troop 40 thank you for your support.

Ending with a hilarious note from an anonymous neighbor who will admit to living in Shepherd Forest: “Who the hell is J. Reynolds? You know I love The Leader. I read almost every article (your column is always first). Lynn Ashby is too predictable. I swear sometimes you guys are rerunning his column from The Post 20 years ago. But for sheer entertainment value, you just can’t beat Letters to the Editor. Each week I wonder what “J. Reynolds” will spin off about. Amazing how “he” can cover so many topics, often in the very same sentence. And you guys run him EVERY damn week! Is this a real person? Has anyone ever investigated who it really is? And why does he get ink every week?

He sounds like someone’s drunk uncle or addled grandfather.” Thanks for the laughter, neighbor! Life is too short to be serious all the time. Do what makes you happy, be with those who make you smile, and laugh as much as you breathe.

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Page 6A • Saturday, January 28, 2017

The calendar.

ECONOMIC FORECAST LUNCHEON Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Reserve a table and invite clients to hear from one of the nation’s leading economists about the economic outlook for Houston and beyond. Dr. Bill Gilmer, a professor of Economics at the University of Houston, will discuss business, employment, interest rates, energy and real estate. The event will be from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Jan. 26, at the Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West.

Information: 713-861-6735, heightschamber.org.

MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR Heights Young Professionals Meet, network, socialize and make direct connections with area professionals. This month’s event will be hosted by Texas American Title, 2233 Yale, from 5-8 p.m. Jan. 26. Complimentary beer provided by Silver Eagle Distributors. The cost is $20 for non-members at the door. Register online. Information: info@ heightschamber.com, heights-

chamber.org, 713-861-6735.

OPERATION VALENTINES American Legion Post 560 The American Legion Post 560 is asking the community to create hand-made Valentine cards to honor veterans and active duty military. The deadline is Jan. 27, to ensure timely sorting and distribution. The post will be open from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 20 and Jan. 27, to receive Valentines.

Look for the giant mailbox inside the post, located at 3720 Alba Rd. Information: 281-507-6321, txlegion560.org.

BARBECUE COOKOFF Oaks Dads’ Club The event will take place at the baseball/softball facility at 3410 E. TC Jester Blvd., Jan. 27 and Jan. 28. The gates will open for the cook teams to start setting up on Friday afternoon and families are invited out to the grounds at 7 p.m. to enjoy company, taste testing, music, drinks and more.

Saturday, Jan. 28, is the big plate sale and event. Tickets are $10 each. A grounds only ticket can be purchased for $3 each. There

will be a bounce house, activities for the kids, local booth vendors, celebrity judging for cook-teams, a team corn hole tournament at noon, and free beer booth 12-3 p.m., sponsored by Saint Arnold.

Information: odcsports.com.

CLASSIC CAR SHOW Adolf Hoepfl Garage Car enthusiasts across greater Houston are gearing up for the seventh annual Adolf Hoepfl Garage Car Show to be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 28. Check-in will begin at 9 a.m. with trophies being awarded after 2:30 p.m. All car enthusiasts are encouraged to register. Early registration is $20 and includes an event T-shirt and a goody bag. Interested individuals may also register on event day for $25. This year, participants will take a cruise down to Heights Boulevard before the show. Adolf Hoepfl and Son Garage is located at 4610 N. Shepherd Dr. Information: 713-695-5071, www. adolfhoepfl.com.

DWAYNE BOHAC TO SPEAK Heritage Republican Women State Representative Dwayne

Bohac will speak on the top seven issues facing the Texas Legislature, with an emphasis on education. The meeting will be held at Candlelight Church of Christ, 4215 Watonga, at 7 p.m.

Feb. 2. Light refreshments will be served. Men are also welcome to attend. Information: 713-6883256, 713-682-0496.

AARP MONTHLY MEETING AARP Chapter 1265 The monthly meeting will be held at 10 a.m., Feb. 6, in the community room at 1520 Candlelight Ln. This month’s guest speaker will be Charlsie Prevost with Rachelle Lanier of Senior Healthcare Solutions, and will discuss the vital nature components for cellular health. The meeting is open to anyone 50 or older, and will be preceded by a meet-andgreet at 9:30 a.m. President is Georgia Lewis, vice president is Terrell Holiday. Information: 713682-4022.

VALENTINE’S DAY SHOW Houston City Dance Back by popular demand - Houston City Dance will present

an adults-only Valentine’s show Feb. 11. Come and enjoy tap, jazz, and contemporary works ranging from tongue-in-cheek to steamy in an intimate dinner theater setting with live music by the award winning jazz band Free Radicals.

The 5:30 p.m. show will include drinks and lite bites. The 9:30 p.m. show will include drinks and dessert. This is a show for lovers that ignites all the senses. The cost is $50 for couples and $30 for singles. Houston City Dance is located at 1307 Clay St. Information: houstoncitydance.com, 713-529-6100.

CRAWFISH FESTIVAL Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce This year’s Crawfish Festival is Saturday, March 4. Exhibitor booths start at $100 and sponsorships start at $250. For details on participation in the parade, selling goods or to sponsor this year’s Crawfish Festival, contact Jill Johnston at the Chamber office. Information: 713-861-6735, events@heightschamber.org.

From the Pews.

St. Matthew’s Garden Club meets The St. Matthew’s Garden Club will meet Jan. 26, at 9:30 a.m. in rooms 104 and 105, under the new leadership of President Virginia Haley. The devotional will be read by Wilma Stacener. The program theme will be “Fairy Gardening by Teresa.� Members will learn all about Fairy Gardening, how to assemble and care for the garden. Fair Garden kits will be available for purchase. Hostesses for the January meeting will Florrie Gaddis and Majorie Heaton.

Refreshments will be served.

Anyone interested in gardening, flower arranging, plants and other useful information is welcome to come and enjoy the programs and socialize with friends and neighbors.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. For information visit the website at www. stmatthewsmethodist.org or call 713-697-0671.

All Saints TALC holds Spring Registration All Saints Third Age Learning Center (TALC), will hold its 2017 Spring Registration for classes and activities Jan. 26, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the church parish hall located at 215 E. 10th St. The 2017 semester of classes begins Feb. 6 and concludes May 5. Late registration will take place the first week of the semester, Feb. 6-10.

TALC is celebrating its 30th

anniversary of offering seniors in the community a variety of classes and activities. Some of the classes offered this semester will include Spanish, woodworking, stain glass, water color, computer, scrapbooking, Mah Jong, exercise and much more. Seminars, birthday celebrations and special parties are held and all are welcome to attend the Valentine’s Day party on Feb. 14, with music

by Big Ed and The Happy Band.

A full course hot lunch is available Monday through Friday at noon during the semester for a nominal fee of $2.

Call 713-248-1277 for information.

5th Sunday Singing at Oak Forest Baptist Come join us at Oak Forest Baptist, for our 5th Sunday Singing Jan. 29. The singing will begin at 4:15 p.m. There will be congregation singing and special music by the church soloists. A chili supper will be served following the singing.

Oak Forest Baptist Church is located at 1700 W. 43rd.

For information, call 713-6824942.

Anointing service at Worship Tabernacle Join Pastor Roy Chapman for the Annual Anointing Service for Favor, Victory, and Miracles, at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29.

Worship Tabernacle is located at 3006 E. Richey Road in Humble 77338. Call 281-443-

2357 or visit www.worshiptabernacle.tv for information.

Senior Time Event at First Church Heights Senior Time Event meets the last Tuesday of every month at First Church Heights, 201 E. 9th St., in the fellowship hall, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

This month’s meeting will be Jan. 31, and will feature guest speaker Attorney Caroline Kuipers of Hayes and Wilson, PLL, who will discuss wills, probate and estate planning for seniors and a light breakfast.

Call 713-447-1251 for information.

Senior Activities Day at St. Stephen’s Adults age 50+ are welcome to attend Senior Activities Day Feb. 1, in the fellowship hall.

Domino games begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a soup and sandwich lunch at 11:45 a.m.

Love offerings are encouraged to help cover the cost of lunch.

The annual Dessert Extravaganza will be held Feb. 11, beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for six sample-size dessert tastings, with additional “tastes� for $1 each. Bid on a favorite in the silent auction.

Auction and tastings end at 3:30 p.m. Profits will benefit St. Stephen’s youth ministry.

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.

St. Rose Altar Guild to hold chocoholic games party The St. Rose of Lima Altar Guild is hosting its annual Chocoholic Feast and Games night Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. in the West Hall.

Tickets are $10 each and include a light dinner, door prize drawings, fun, games and desserts.

St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community is located at 3600 Brinkman. For information email louise.bratton@yahoo. com or call 713-692-9123. ‘Alpha’ series at The Vineyard For those interested in exploring the meaning of life, The Vineyard Church of Houston is hosting a series of 12 sessions titled “Alpha.� Alpha is a chance to find out more about the basics of Christian faith in a fun, relaxed setting.

Food is provided, and there is no charge, no pressure and no follow-up. The series runs weekly from 7-9 p.m. through April 4. Three class times are available at two locations including the Heights and Medical Center areas. To register, visit www.houstonvineyard. org/alpha.

The Vineyard Church of Houston is located at 1035 E. 11th St., and is a multi-cultural Christian congregation. For information, visit www.houstonvineyard.org.

The Obituaries.

Jerry Lynn Breed, 54, born Sept. 23, 1962, died Jan. 14. He thrived on celebration, get-togethers, dinners, parties, and any holiday spent with friends and family. It is where his spirit and soul food were always at their prime and most memorable.

Memorial contributions may be made to Scare For A Cure, a haunted house charity, in his memory. www.scareforacure.org Betty Jean Murphy Maddox, 80, born June 20, 1936 in San Augustine County, Texas,

died Jan. 15. She is a descendent of Alexander Horton, who was the Aid-de-Camp of General Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. Maddox attended the Southwestern Business University in downtown Houston where she mastered Gregg Shorthand and was employed as an executive secretary for Jack Roach Ford.

She was a faithful member of the Northwest Church of Christ. She is survived by her son Bradley Wread Maddox.

Marcia Kamstra Norris,

79, born April 10, 1937, died

Jan. 17.

Jesus Rodriguez, 78, born March 3, 1938 in Robstown, Texas, died Jan. 17. He earned an Associates degree from Del Mar Tech in Corpus Christi. He was employed at Union Carbide in Louisiana, Texas Instruments, Houston Chronicle and St.Luke’s Hospital. Rodriguez was honorably discharged from the National Guard. He was an active member of The Knights of Columbus in Robstown and Fayetteville. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Alma, sons Eddie and Philip,

daughter Deborah Campos, brother Jose Rodriguez and four grandchildren.

Doris Faye Smith, 84, born May 6, 1932, died Jan. 19.

Martha Alderete Wills,

86, born Nov. 12, 1930, died Jan. 14. She is survived by brothers Bernadino and Pedro, five daughters, 18 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne De Beaupre Church (http://www.archgh.org/default. asp?id=202&;pid=62).

Men’s Scripture Sharing Group meets at the YMCA The Men’s Scripture Sharing Group meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. There will be music, Bible study and fellowship.

Guests and new members are welcome to attend this nondenominational Bible study.

Email scripturesharing@ earthlink.net for information.

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oes thumb-sucking or pacifier use lead to crooked teeth? If the habit is prolonged past the age of two, this can lead to alterations in oral development which cause misshapen mouths and displaced teeth. Thumb sucking past the eruption of the first permanent teeth can cause an anterior open bite, where there is flaring of the anterior teeth. In this case the back teeth close together, while the front teeth show an open gap from the thumb obstruction.

The effect on the bony support of the teeth is one of the largest concerns, as well as abnormal, deforming muscle activity. The habit can alter the child’s swallowing pattern furthering the protrusion of the upper front teeth, a narrowing of the upper dental arch, and an obvious malocclusion of the teeth.

As long as there are infants, there will be thumb suckers and pacifiers. However, if the habit continues longer than usual, it’s best to have the child checked by a dentist before it causes any problems.

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ometimes we are our own worst enemies because of the words we speak. Words are often self-fulfilling prophesies precisely because they are repeated so often that we eventually come to believe them and subsequently act on them. We should therefore, attend carefully to our words. Constantly telling ourselves that we are stupid or inept will undoubtedly make us feel stupid and inept. We should also consider what we say to our families and friends, especially those who are young and impressionable. Children are literally molded by the labels we place on them. Children who have been told repeatedly that they are “bad� will have a hard time convincing themselves otherwise. So, we should make sure that our words are setting high standards for ourselves and others. If we tell others that we expect them to be good and competent, they will probably live up to our expectations, whereas if we tell them we expect only the worst of them, they will almost certainly live down to those low expectations. Therefore, we should attend to our words and make sure that they are truly positive affirmations which raise the bar. We should say and believe what is in our best interest to believe, and say positive things to our family, friends and colleagues as a way to make them better people.

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Saturday, January 28, 2017 • Page 7A

Entertainment

Calendar

Eureka Heights Brew Co. - 109th Beer Dinner 7 - 10 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 26 2010 Waugh Dr.

Rudyard’s is kicking off the new year with Eureka Heights Brew Co. as the featured brewery this month.

Ticket purchase includes five courses curated from Chef Joe, and five beers from Eureka Heights.

You can grab tickets on the beer dinner page at www. rudyardspub.com or call 713.521.0521 and get the bartender to add you to the list.

New favorites added to Heights bistro menu Celebrating the completion of two years, and getting started on a third year of business, the Heights bistro, Urban Eats, is adding a few new menu items to kick off the new year.

Sticking to this month’s health conscious trend, this week’s spotlighted menu item is the Char-grilled Zucchini.

The dish is portioned out well, and is a great addition to add to your lunch rotation - a different take to add some vegetables in your diet that is not a leafy salad.

“I love zucchini,” culinary director and owner Levi Rollins said. “The salted capers give a bit of tanginess and

Christina Martinez Managing Editor

ductions include an Asian Chopped Salad with Hoisin beef or grilled chicken. The salad is inspired by a grocery market salad that Rollins said he dearly loved, but can’t find anymore. So he decided to make his own.

When you’re craving something non-green, order the Reuben & Rebecca.

Handcrafted food isn’t all Rollins is enthused about. He has a passion for art, and hosts various local artists within the

Above, the Char-grilled Zucchini, with salted capers, feta and sliced almonds. Below, the Asian Chopped Salad (photos by Ellie Sharp).

the almonds give a second crunch. I love this dish.”

Other new healthy intro-

Chef Joe Apa, chef at Rudyard’s British Pub, at Eureka Heights January’s featured brewery dinner (photo by Christina Martinez).

Dale Watson & Ray Benson 6 - 11 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28 339 W. 19th St.

Dale Watson and Ray Benson were meant to sing together. Both hailing from, in and around Bedsore, TX, Dale and Ray have both individually worked their way through the local honky tonks and beer joints, entertaining the crowds with their own Classic Country and Western styles.

Get ready to see and hear country music’s newest duo from Texas!

scratches the surface. If you have a project that needs a little something extra, you’ll find it here and more.

I asked owner Ramona Brady to tell what’s so unique about her store.

“You never know what you will find,” Brady said. “The inventory is all donated by folks who believe in creative reuse, and our customers make that belief into reality.”

In fact, Brady created a dedicated gallery space for art shows and, this Saturday night, she hosts the Second Annual Tiny Show, featuring tiny art. I’m certain many

Notes on Blindness 7 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 28 800 Aurora St. 14pews.org

Making its world premiere at Sundance and based on an Emmy Award-winning short film of the same name, Notes on Blindness is a thought-provoking documentary exploring the loss of sight, brilliantly framed within the personal story of theologian and writer John Hull.

Melding classic documentary elements with cinematic reenactments, Notes on Blindness uses a naturalistic, expressive tone and immersive imagery to bring Hull’s philosophical introspection to life.

Home of Shugg and Johnny Cash. The later are the shop cats.

Artists of all persuasions frequent Texas Art Asylum, at 1719 Live Oak. I’ve found scary looking green goggles for a Halloween outfit, my childhood toys, old records, stamps, doll parts, costume jewelry, family photos, guitar pics, bottle caps and paint by number paintings. There’s a long two-column list on the website that just barely

It can be agreed upon that traditions are what make up the deep roots of any culture, while also being the main medium that keeps cultural values alive. This fact is no less important in Chinese culture. The Chinese follow the lunar calendar every year to celebrate the seasons. The days, months, and years are determined by the cycle of the moon. Therefore, Chinese New Year (CNY) usually falls around the end of January and mid-February in the Gregorian calendar.

Traditionally, there are festivities, rituals, and gatherings that are celebrated starting from a week before New Year’s Day all the way until the 15th day of the first calendar month. The festivities originated in welcoming a new beginning by warding off evil with loud noises and bright vibrant colors. In a related manner, the formalities are mainly focused on honoring deities in hopes of being blessed with a prosperous new year.

Ginger and Fork owner, Mary Li, remembers practicing unique customs passed on by her mother and family around the time of CNY every year and is bringing a few of those to her restaurant this year.

Lion and dragon dances are a popular sight at CNY celebrations and will be a highlight

at Ginger and Fork, located at 4705 Inker St., at 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. As with all other efforts, the goal is to scare off bad spirits with loud drums and cymbals paired with the face of a lion or dragon, which are auspicious animals in Chinese culture.

Nearly all the food eaten for good luck on CNY is due to the phonetic association of their name to positive values that are prayed for during the new year. The most important meal is New Year’s Eve dinner, where traditional dishes are served for good luck and family gather to welcome the new year together. There are certainly more foods and decors that are used, but listed are some of Mary’s favorite celebratory foods.

Sweet and Candies: the word ‘sweet’ is a homonym for ‘getting more’ as in the ability to have more food; this tradition was created at a time when food was scanty and having more than enough food was considered prosperous.

Fish: The character for fish is a homonym of ‘extra’ or ‘surplus’ and is eaten for good luck for the same reason as

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

7th Annual At the top, art by Eric Ruiz.

Above, art by Keddy Ann Outlaw, entitled The King Comes Calling.

Celebrating Chinese New Year traditions For The Leader

Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction

Mitch Cohen

pieces will have elements found on the store’s shelves with one caveat; no art will exceed four inches.

“It’s a big showcase of tiny work in a wide variety of mediums,” Brady said. “Work in any unusual scale is difficult.

Smaller works require meticulous attention to the tiniest details.”

With more than twenty artists participating, the art would have to be tiny, I don’t recall the gallery space being huge.

Twenty percent of show sales benefit The Center for Recycled Art, an arts organization serving Houston public schools and nonprofits.

Teachers, you must check them out, they host a special shopping day for you. Visit recycledarthouston.org.

Texas Art Asylum hosts the Second Annual Tiny Show, Saturday, January 28, 5-9 p.m., and Sunday, January 29 from 1-5 p.m. www.texasartasylum.com

sweets. Preserved oysters: the two characters that make up preserved oysters also sounds like “good things”. Tangerines and pears: homonym for luck and opportunity; also, because there is a popular blessing that wishes “big luck and big opportunity” to others. Whole pig, chicken, or fish are important that the whole animal is served, including the head all the way to the tail, to symbolize ‘completeness’. Flowers, particularly plum blossoms and orchids blooming flowers symbolizes growth.

Email christina@theleadernews.com

23rd Annual

Art Valet: Asylum Takes in Tiny Art

If not for the murals on both sides of this corner building, one might keep driving past this plain white, brick and stucco one-story warehouse just east of downtown. Texas Art Asylum is part craft, thrift, salvage, antique and well, just about anything you can think of, that almost made it the recycling bin or trash.

The exterior, regardless of decor, will always be misleading because once inside, it may take hours to find your way back out. A sign inside the door reads: Welcome to The GREATEST Place on Earth, Texas Art Asylum, The

restaurant and bar.

Happening this weekend, Rollins and staff will host an artist reception for Soraya Bodorff.

“I’ve wanted her work in our space for a long time, and I’m thrilled she is finally doing a solo show here,” Rollins said. “We invite all art lovers to join us at our reception for Soraya on Saturday.”

The show will be from 3 - 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 and will be serving complimentary beer, wine, champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Soraya Bodorff’s showing will run from January 4 through March 31.

Oldie & Goodie Classic Car Show

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Music • Good Food • Great Family Time Cruise down Heights Blvd.

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