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Saturday, October 14, 2017 • Vol. 62 • No. 42

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Vote to repeal Heights booze laws nears

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Last November’s general election partially repealed the Heights’ Dry Laws. On Nov. 7, voters can remove the “partial” label.

Last year, voters elected to remove a law that said businesses could not sell alchol for off-premise consumption.

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sically eliminate all alcohol restrictions in the Heights.

Currently, businesses serving alcohol in the Heights “dry zone” are required to operate as private clubs, meaning they must create a non-profit arm, charge membership fees, and patrons must join that “private club” if they wish to drink at local watering holes. Back in June, however, a group of citizens formed the Houston Heights Restaurant Coalition and called for an election to support “hospitality businesses” in the Heights and overturn

that section of the Heights remaining dry ordinance.

The group hired Texas Petition Strategies – who local residents are familiar with following H-E-B’s push to repeal an initial portion of the dry laws last year and build in the Heights — to circulate the petition, which eventually gained enough steam to be placed on the ballot. According to documents from the city, the Houston Heights Restaurant Coalition (with assistance from Texas Petition Strategies) collected 1,765 signatures verified by the city secretary

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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com As outgoing Trustee Anna Eastman’s seat has become available, there are three candidates battling to represent our local schools in District 1 – Gretchen Himsl, Monica Flores-Richart and Elizabeth Santos. From bringing district-wide equity to taking aim at standardized testing culture and more, all three candidates Himsl are bringing a wide variety of perceived issues to the forefront.

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Gretchen Himsl Himsl stressed a push for equity across the district as Flores-Richart front and center to her campaign.

“Some schools just a couple miles apart can be completely different in both the resources and outcomes and environments they have,” she said. “I Santos want to look at those inequities and see what we can do to make sure every school is a good school.”

To get the ball rolling, Himsl says she would push to see the magnet system evalu-

The Art of Clay: Artist Doni Langlois will be showcasing her clay art at the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown this Sunday, Oct. 15 at 901 Bagby St.

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The INDEX. Church....................................................... 8A Classifieds.............................................. 7B Coupons. ................................................. 6B Food/Drink/Art............................... 10A Obituaries.............................................. 8A Opinion. ................................................... 7A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 7A Sports. ....................................................... 5B

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as being courtesy of registered voters within the dry zone, far exceeding the minimum of 1,511 required for placement.

Per the Texas Restaurant Association, operating as a private club can cost restaurants anywhere from $3,000 to more than $20,000 per year in administrative costs, higher insurance premiums and more scrutiny from alcohol regulators. The PAC wishes to overturn the remaining portion of

Dr. Shahid Rahman, 38, is an interventional cardiologist at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. He, along with 29 others have been named to The Leader’s Inaugural 30 Under 40 list. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)

See HISD P. 2A

Preschool unveils tribute to former director

By Betsy Denson For The Leader Nearly two years ago, the community at St. Matthew’s Child Development Center lost one of their most beloved members. Last Sunday, they dedicated a tribute to her at the school — a special archway, affectionately named “Miss Mary Lane.”

Mary Bordelon passed away in November of 2015. For the preceding 25 years she had been the director of St. Matthew’s, growing it from a two day a week Mother’s Day Out program to a five day a week certified preschool program.

“She not only served as Director of the CDC, she was also truly dedicated to the church and all of its ministries for young children,” said former curriculum director Laurie Pitzer. “I worked with her for almost eight years, and she rarely took a day off. She greeted families every single morning at the front gate, and she never missed saying ‘good-bye’ each afternoon. I can recall

A special archway was unveiled last Sunday to honor the former director of St. Matthew’s Child Development center who passed away in 2015. (Contributed Photos)

her cutting off afternoon meetings with me, just to make sure she was by the gate ten minutes before dismissal. It wasn’t in her job title, but she was like a mother to so many of us, staff and parents.”

Bordelon had announced her retirement at St. Matthew’s back-to-school breakfast in August of 2015. Initially, staff had intended on making squares for a quilt to present her at the May 2016 End-of-Year Open House.

“The past few years, children painted quilt squares that our teachers and a few parents sewed for the end-of-year silent auction,” said Pitzer. “Since the quilts were always so beautiful, and our teachers were so incredibly creative, I thought we could each make one square and have one quilt sewn as a retirement gift for her. However, her unexpected passing changed everything.”

As the community brainstormed a suitable memorial, an idea to transition the quilt squares to tiles began to take shape. In the meantime, new Director Annette Garza and the staff planted a lemon tree in memory of Bordelon outside the office.

Church trustees, with input from the Children’s Weekday Ministries Board members, decided the front archway would be the perfect spot for a lasting memorial. Tiles were made by past and present students, staff, church members, and families.

See Mary P. 2A

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HISD from P. 1A ated to ensure equality in funding, opportunity and access.

“Not all students across the district know about these programs, and because they don’t know about them their parents might not know the steps you need to go through. That puts them at a disadvantage.

I’d like to improve our education to the families about the opportunities,” she said. “If you map it out, there’s a large crescent of the district without magnets, and that’s also where the minority and low-income populations are—they already don’t have access to those schools, so I’d talk to the communities to see if they’d like those programs and opportunities.”

Another major talking point would be a focus on “improving outcomes” for students across the district, and putting a larger focus on education at critical points in a students’ development, such as 3rd and 8th grade.

“I want more kids to be reading on level by third grade. They say that is the age where you stop learning to read and begin reading to learn, so it’s critical for so many of our kids to be reading on level,” said Himsl, who has two daughters in HISD herself. “[Eighth grade] is also when students begin deciding which pathway they want to choose – is it going to be for college or for career? If they’re not excited for college is it because they didn’t have the support or opportunities, or is it because they really do just want to get work? I want to back it up a little bit, look at those inflection points of success and what we can do there.”

Himsl would also like to see HISD implement something along the lines of a three or five-year forward looking plan in Harvey’s aftermath should voters elect her.

For more information on Himsl’s campaign, visit gretchenforhisd.com/.

Monica Flores-Richart Similar to Himsl, one major talking point for Flores-Richart if elected would be a focus on bringing district-wide equity in multiple facets. She said seeing the real barriers to entry for the district’s low-income communities to high-quality magnet programs is what spurred her to run in the first place.

“It’s just about basic accessibility of the application. If the only way you can accept an application is online –and we know a good percentage of our low-income student don’t have home internet access — that becomes a barrier,” she said. “That [idea] is what really opened me up to realizing there are also barriers with regards to qualifications and geography.”

She also believes there should be less of a focus on standardized testing, and that high stakes testing has been damaging to HISD students.

“Even though testing doesn’t begin until 3rd grade, we begin seeing the influence of high-stakes testing in our schools earlier and how detrimental it can be for our kids,” she said.

Part of the problem, she said, lies within its culture.

“We still have standardized tests that make up a large portion of our principle standard evaluations,” she said. “That is where the culture of the school comes from, and I think there is where you have the potential to really change the highstakes teaching culture for our kids.”

Although standardized testing is part of principle evaluations, teacher evaluations are not, nor are parent evaluations for that principle, and those are two important data points overlooked in favor of standardized testing according to Flores-Richart.

“We want to make sure our kids get what they need and every school gets the same quality of education. In my experience, standardized testing has very poor metrics of actual quality of testing,” she said.

All of that, she said, leads into her final mission if elected -- having students prepared for the real world, however they choose to enter ir.

“We are failing our kids right now in terms of making them college ready. We have such a large proportion of students graduating and needing remedial classes, which adds not only time but money to their time and efforts in getting college degrees,” she said. [Standardized testing] has created these groups of students who know a lot about what’s on the test, but are unable to have the rich learning environment and problem-solving skills required to be competitive in college.”

“We need to do everything we can to make sure our kids who decided on vocational decisions have a smooth transition into that workforce,” she added, noting the importance of active partnerships in doing so.

To find out more about Flore-Richart’s campaign, visit monicaforhisd.com/.

Elizabeth Santos Santos, a homegrown District 1 grad and decade-longtenured teacher, also plans to take aim at reducing the culture of high stakes standardized testing if elected. Last year, she said HISD often had one smaller test to prepare for a big one -- snapshots. And that was a problem in her eyes.

“Every four days we were

taking tests. We didn’t get to plan or make our own assessments to gauge what we were actually teaching — it was coming from an external resource that they pulled that did not follow the scope or best meet the needs of our children,” she said. “We’re not dissecting frogs in biology, we’re not writing research papers in history — everything is dedicated to test prep, and we’re not educating our children as a whole, we’re creating little test takers. And that hurts.”

“How can we expect to thrive as a society and community if we don’t educate our children? We’re either going to educate our children or incarcerate our children,” she added.

Helping shape that vision, she said, is the continuity of educators teaching the district’s children, leading to her second major focus of keeping and retaining educators.

“The vision is to have a competitive salary for educators and more professional development to retain the ones we do have. We don’t have the social and emotional support we need for our students and teachers to retain quality HISD educators,” she said.

Santos said HISD has 50 percent of its teachers with less than five years of teaching experience, and believes shortcomings of current professional development has (in part) contributed to the high turnover.

“It costs money to hire and train a new teacher all over again, and as a trustee I would try to give it a helping hand and an injection of what we need to have successful educators. The two largest investments are our students and our teachers. There are ways to redirect that money and contracts,” she said. “Every year we have some new ‘fix-a-flat’ type of training that is supposedly the solution to education, but it’s not. You have people who think they know what’s best for public education, but have never served to know what does and does not work.

If you’re doing this without having served in a classroom to see it, you’re becoming a detriment.”

Finally, Santos believes the personal investment in each school and building of relationships is crucial in appropriately addressing individual needs. As such, she vowed to emphasize input from people entrenched in the community – a process in line with superintendent Richard Carranza’s Listen and Learn tour last year.

“The school becomes the heartbeat of a community, and we bring in resources based on the school, because every

In MeMorIaM

Virginia Davila

Booze from P. 1A the Heights remaining dry ordinance to make such sales more efficient.

“Last year, the voters overwhelmingly said they wanted to modernize alcohol sales rules in the Heights in order to bring in a new grocery store like H-E-B,” said Scot Luther, head of the Heights Restaurant PAC. “Changing this law will support our current hospitality businesses in the Heights and help eliminate burdensome fees and red tape.”

Some, such as Heights lifer

Anne Sloane, however, say the two efforts have no correlation whatsoever.

“Inviting bars to come into our neighborhood is quite different from allowing supermarkets to sell liquor to be consumed off-premises,” she said in August. “There are wine bars, sports bars, etc. We currently have a bourbon bar that has remained fairly tame as bars go, but do we really want to promote our neighborhood as a haven for bars?”

Mary from P. 1A Janet Galyean, the Children’s Weekday Ministries chairperson, said that there were numerous volunteers to thank.

“Board member and school parent Katherine Hughes took on the project when it was just an idea and made it happen, chasing down a source for the tiles and finding out what we would need to do,” said Galyean. “Also, Dave and Linda Renner were instrumental in the design of the project once the tiles were all completed.

Longtime church members and friends of Mary, the name ‘Miss Mary Lane’ was Dave’s

idea and he designed and painted the tiles that serve as the sign. Dave and Linda laid out each of the 95 tiles prior to installation.”

Other integral volunteers were Kendra Alves, Annette Garza, Sarah Cruise, Lee Messina, and Alexis Pilato.

Reverend Virginia Wall supported the project and honored Bordelon during the October unveiling after the church service which was attended by friends and Bordelon’s family.

“She really was a godly person,” said Pitzer. “I’d like to think she’s a guardian angel to us all now.”

school is very rich and diverse in its own culture. So, you’re going to bring in resources that specifically meet the needs of the community,” she said.

“I’m not a politician or someone who has kept their head down in the classroom for 10 years to advocate for students at that level. But when you see certain policies in play and have a former superintendent who hurt our schools, I could no longer teach [that way],” she finished. “We need a trustee who puts children and education first and is not going to worry about which contract to give their friends. That’s the only way we’re going to have a school board dedicated to bettering our children’s educational future.”

For more information on Santos’ campaign, visit santos4hisd.com.

V

irginia Davila, beloved sister and aunt passed away peacefully into God’s arms on October 2, 2017. She was born on September 21, 1956. Virginia had a kind, generous, and loving spirit, and will be missed by all who knew her. Left to cherish her memory are two brothers, Carlos Davila and Mike Davila; nephews Richard and Michael; and niece Evette. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Joe. Virginia was active in the accounting field, and loved being a CPA. She was an active member of St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. Interment will be at Woodlawn Garden of Memories, with services at a later date.

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Page 4A • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • The Leader

Through nominations from readers over the past three months, we present 30 of the up-and-coming leaders of our community in the pages that follow. These are moms and dads, doctors and lawyers, engineers and entrepreneurs. They are not ranked in a first-to-last manner, simply by their names. And they are all 40 years old or younger.

Alexandria Wallace, 27 Alexandria Wallace is a Fine Artist living and working in Houston, Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Fine Arts she relocated to Houston for an opportunity to work with Teach for America. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that art can and does transform lives as it provides an outlet for expression and experience. Her pieces and studio practice explore the intersection of structured and organic forms. Mainly sourced from travel-they are abstracted interpretations of various places. They range from the alien forms of Arches National Park, to the Rockies, to the concrete jungle of Houston. In each location, she aims to isolate color and shape to then be repurposed into a piece that is linked to the source but also establishes itself as a new interpretation of that specific moment and place.

Amber Oliver, 28 Amber Oliver is an inspiring entrepreneur living in Shepherd Forest. As I read the article on July 8th calling for nominations for special young people, Amber seemed to fit the description perfectly. Amber and her husband moved to Shepherd Forest in May of 2015 and have enjoyed watching the neighborhood flourish. Amber is an active member in the Junior League of Houston, which she loves because it gives her a sense of connection to Houston while volunteering and serving to improve the city. In November of 2016 Amber left her day job to pursue a full-time career of blogging and freelance website consulting.

Amber is not alone in her career move. In fact, Houston has a vibrant blogging community, with many people blogging full time about fashion, food, travel and other aspects of life and style. Amber is a local reflection of a citywide, and worldwide, ever-growing movement.

Amber’s specialty is blogging about Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects that give her readers a since of empowerment and ownership in their homes. Her favorite part of blogging is encouraging her readers (and viewers of her videos) that they do not need to be intimidated by power tools, or home improvement projects. Also, DIYing can be a great way to save money! Her Facebook live video tutorials are shared and seen by people all over the world.

Amber has an astounding career, and continually gives of her time to help others in the communities she is a part of.

Ambur Jones, 25 Ambur Jones is a young woman like no other. She is a graduate of Sam Houston University with a passion for track and field in which she had participated in since she was six years old. When other young adults are engaging in their weekend activity, she is thinking of a way to help and assist our upcoming youth in becoming better leaders, teammate and Champions.

Ambur is one of the Assistant Coaches for the Northside Striders an AAU TRACK AND FIELD ORGANIZATION. She’s at practice three evenings a week and on Saturday she committed to being at the track meet all day. She instilled into kids their accomplishment will come with hard work and no excuses. She also spent time with them during summer and off season of track. She also mentored kids who have participated in the Junior Olympics, winning medals and breaking a national record. Ambur is the only daughter to Tony and Tangela Jones and the family are members of The Greenhouse International Church.

Antonio Zamarripa, 35

Casey E. McCain, 35

Tony has been a resident of Oak Forest since early 2016, but he has been an emerging leader in his company and his industry for several years. After finding success as BBVA Compass Bank’s Senior Vice President of International Commercial Lending, Tony will continue growing and learning as he transitions to his new role. As Director of Subsidiaries, Tony leads a team working in global investment banking. Always eager to learn and tackle new challenges, he will be starting a graduate degree program in global business at Oxford University in England this spring. Outside the office and classroom, Tony is a die-hard UH Cougar alum/fan, and marathon runner, although these days he prefers the trails.

Whether it be at work, school or on the trails, he is always determined to work hard, because, as he tells his nephews, hard work and education will always pay off in the end.

McCain is a M.D who recently opened her own clinic - Trinity Health and Family Practice - on Lake Houston Parkway. The building contractor told her the clinic would be ready on April 19.

She scheduled 18 patients who had been waiting for opening day. They needed an exam before they could get the refills they needed. When the contractor told her new office would not be ready, she called each of those patients and made plans to come to their home at a time that was best for them. One said patient said she could wait. My doctor daughter told me the other 18 were surprised she would come to them.

They probably didn’t know an M.D. does not get paid for home visits. One patient was a school teacher who lived in the Heights. He might have been the most grateful. She was amazed that all of them believed she would go out of her way to take care of them. She never considered she had another choice.

McCain moved here when she went to Travis Elementary, and she has never lost her devotion to this neighborhood.

Autumn Rosemond, 32 Rosemond is cognizant children of today are our future leaders, and all children are observing what we are doing and how we behave.

Watching them walk in a shy three-year-old and not only become better dancers over time, but watching them develop into thoughtful, socially responsible, and respectful young adults gives her a great sense of pride and is simply awe-inspiring.

Autumn is proud to be considered a role model within our community. She makes an effort to support the local elementary and middle schools many of our students attend through sponsorship of events, inviting dancers to perform, or speaking to a group of students at the schools, not to mention any student dancing with us his or her senior year is awarded a scholarship for use in higher education. Autumn is excited to help pave the way for the next generation to lead and believes the future of Houston only gets brighter.

Billy Leivon, 27 Billy is originally from India and after graduating from college with a degree in Music moved here in May to help us start Arise Baptist Church. Billy teaches in our children’s ministry and is a part of our worship team. After Harvey, Billy has worked to oversee distribution of supplies from our church to flood victims as well as working out in hard hit neighborhoods around the city to help people clean up their homes and begin getting their lives back to normal. For a young man of his age to be willing to come and work in a church startup for almost no pay and tirelessly serve in our community is amazing!

Carter Stern, 31 Stern is Houston born, a graduate of the University of Houston Law School and worked several years in law.

Stern now runs the Houston Bike Share Program, which has grown it incredibly. He serves as a volunteer for Houston Parks Board, The Immunization Partnership, Holocaust Museum (Nextgen Leadership Com), and is a member of Sylvester Turner’s Transition Team - Traffic & Transportation.

Amy Ritter, 34 Amy has been a valued member of the Heights Community for almost a decade. She is a Vice President at Allegiance Bank, advancing from an entry level position when the bank opened back in 2007. She takes care of a portfolio of customers, many from this community that consider her a trusted partner in their business operation. She has also been on the Board of Directors for the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce and now serves as Treasurer for the Chamber, but her commitment to the Chamber does not stop there. She has served them tirelessly for her entire tenure in the area. She has held volunteer positions with the Business Expo, their annual Gala and Idol of the Heights. She has diligently served on the Crawfish Festival Committee, helping grow that event to what it is today. When called upon, she answers the call with servant leadership. She also inspires others to serve.

This community could use more dedicated volunteers like Amy Ritter.

Dallas Lusk, 37 Mr. Lusk has been a leader in the education community here in the Leader area going on five years. As principal at St. Mark Lutheran, he has helped the school grow from 280 students to 380 students in the last few years. He successfully led the church and school through a capital campaign that raised of $4.2 million dollars the last 18 months. The school is building a brand new school building this year that will be ready for the 2018/19 school year. His vision is to grow the school to 500 students by 2020. The students of St. Mark continue to be successful at local schools like St. Pius X, Lutheran High North, St. Thomas, and public schools as well.

Mr. Lusk also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Trinity Charter Schools which services 10 campuses across the state of Texas including Residential Treatment Centers.

Erica Davis-Stribling, 31 Growing up in Acres Homes, Erica attended Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart throughout her years of early childhood. She attended The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, after which she became a graduate of the University of Houston, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications with a minor in Spanish in 2009. She began her efforts to reach the community as an intern excelling on general assignments, which would later lead her to become the Senior Media Relations Specialist, where she handled all communications for the African-American News&Issues Publication. She later served as Interim Director for the Acres Homes Chamber for Business and Economic development. There, she created programs to help raise public awareness through outlets that brought the community together and made them stronger as a whole and as individuals. Teaching Spanish on a high school level at Mount Carmel Academy gave Davis-Stribling the direct opportunity to provide a surpassing foundation for the community, and this is where she became a candidate to be a Board Member of the charter school, Mount Carmel Academy. Today, Davis-Stribling serves as the Community Outreach Director for the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office of Alan Rosen, focusing on Building Bridges between law enforcement & the Community. Recently, she has also been selected for the Board and Board Affairs Committee for the Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, Inc. She is currently seeking a Masters Degree in International Business from Houston Baptist University.

6 Weeks - 8th Grade 1515 Hillendahl 713 255 3617 gostmark.org St. Mark Lutheran School has integrated Christian principles and values with a demanding academic curriculum since 1949. Students benefit from high academic standards, competitive athletics, computer assisted learning including a 1:1 iPad program for 6-8th grades, and diverse fine arts opportunities.

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The Leader • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • Page 5A

Mark C. Austin, 40

Cassandra (Cassie) Lopez, 28 Lopez is a dynamic, engaged, well-educated and successful professional woman holding an environmental leadership role in a complex technical environment within a major Oil and Gas multinational. She serves as President of the Downtown Houston Toastmasters Club (club #2972), and received her undergraduate and Masters degree in Environmental Sciences and Analysis from Rice University. Currently a Health, Safety and Environment (HES) Specialist for Chevron Corporation Deepwater Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Lopez was recently featured guest speaker at the Federation of Houston Professional Women. She is associated with Rice University’s Professional Science Masters Program as advisor and mentor. She is active member of St. Teresa Catholic Church participating in various mission trips to South Texas and ACTS women’s retreats. Lopez is married and expecting her first child.

Joanna Laufer, 32 Joanna is an active member of her community. She is always able to connect with people wherever they come from and originate from. She has a heart for helping others and wanting them to strive to their potential and the communities’ potential. She sees the good in others and wants for that good to be shared and spread through their environment. She is a hard worker, loving mother and supportive activist. She is very caring and passionate about going out of her way and I mean doing whatever it takes, to better another person’s life. She is the true definition of a leader, always looking for ways she can help spread more unity & support amongst our society. Joanna is also a very powerful person, she has so many connections with diverse businesses & people to helping youths & people with big dreams make their visions into reality. If the world had more people like Joanna around, it would be a much happier place. So that’s why I would like to nominate Joanna Laufer.

Laufer is an independent, smart, street savvy, effective, real estate professional who gets things done.Joanna is a young woman that has so many talents she worked hard in the community to make a difference in helping young people and seniors she helped feed seniors she helps getting school supplies for the children she has a heart of gold anytime that you need something or somebody needs something she’s always there to give a helping hand we need more young people in the world that can do these things. What a wonderful young woman and I think she needs to be recognized for all the positive things that she’s doing out here in our community.

For the past few years, Ms. Laufer has contributed her time, talents, passion, and resources to Houston residents, business owners, organizations and an array of individuals throughout the City.

Ms. Laufer participates in several community endeavors including an event earlier this year feeding homeless families and children in North Houston, wherein over 100 families received free produce and groceries within a 2-hour period on the day of the event. She is always willing to volunteer her time and efforts without any hesitation. Ms. Laufer works as project manager and urban planning consultant for the White Oak Bayou Village retail shopping center located at Antoine and W. Little York. She has brought tremendous positive change to the center and as a result changed the attitudes and perceptions of the surrounding neighborhoods: Oak Forest, Greater Inwood, and Acres Homes. Joanna has played a key role in turning around the center while working to revitalize and empower all of the surrounding neighborhoods. She works towards aligning the center’s plans and efforts with area issues and needs. She strives to see the Acres Homes community benefit from, and be a part of the fabric of the commercial real estate changes happening in this area.

Justin Engle, 33

In the recent devastation that hit Houston that was Harvey, Mark did not sleep for what seemed to be a month. As water creeped close to Mark’s house, he left his personal belonging worries behind and went to work to help others. He started by helping pull neighbors out of high water. He used his social media as a powerful tool to let people know help was needed, where help was needed and how others could help. He eventually started filling his band van – he manages Houston bands like such as The Suffers, The Tontons, Matthew Logan Vasquez, Say Girl Say, Wrestlers, -Us., Kay Weathers and Romina Von Mohr – with donations and hauling them to wherever donations were needed. The countless hours of time, effort and probably blood, sweat and tears didn’t stop days after Harvey. The efforts continued well passed the tragedy and even to today.

Austin is the owner of The Convoy Group, an artist management and promotions company.

Beyond his work, Marc is a proponent of everything local and everything Houston. I don’t think there is a better person that represents Houston and the city’s hustle.

Madyson Christine Chavez, 29 Madyson is an extraordinary citizen. She is an outstanding young leader who utilizes her free time to give back to the community and promote the greater good. She generously gives her time, energy, enthusiasm and knowledge to various causes in a truly humble manner, with no expectation of reciprocity or recognition. Madyson is a proud and productive Houstonian who provides a positive impact with her peers and her community. She works full time as a Business Development Representative at BMC Software. In addition, here are her extracurricular activities she is passionate about and is an active participant in and co-founder of the Latino Texas PAC and serves on the Board of Directors. She is a member of the Duchesne Academy Alumnae Association Board of Directors, Greater Houston Partnership HYPE Leadership Team and the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader Institute. Chavez is also a part of Leadership Houston - Class XXXV, United Way of Greater Houston Project Blueprint - Class XXXII, the inaugural class of Center for Houston’s Future Leadership NEXT. Additional community roles include serving as the Volunteer coordinator for various environmental and local organizations and on the Citizens Environmental Coalition Board of Directors.

Marc Eichenbaum, 35 Marc constantly strives to better not only his local community, but also the entire city of Houston. In his role as Special Assistant to the Mayor for Homeless Initiatives, he and his team have reduced Houston’s chronically homeless population by over 60 percent over the last four years. Even more, Marc led Houston to becoming one of the only major cities in the United States to effectively end veteran homelessness. He always looks for ways to help and has a knack for seeing and understanding the situation from all perspectives - from the neighboring residents’ views, to understanding the needs of those who find themselves without a place to call home. Marc also serves his community by engaging in numerous organizations throughout the city. He has served on the board of Urban Green (the Hermann Park young professionals’ organization), the steering committee of Scene (the Alley Theatre yp group), the board of advisors for the Holocaust Museum Houston, chair of the Young Adults Division of the Houston Jewish Federation, as well as many more. Marc is also a proud alumni of South Texas College of Law, and he remains active in continuing to support the school. And, on top of all of these things, Marc is an avid Heights enthusiast! From hosting White Linen Night parties, to supporting the local restaurants and businesses (and encouraging his friends to do the same!), he loves this community and the people and places in it! Overall, Marc is extremely dedicated to making the world a better place; though he’s already done so much, he is truly committed to doing even more to make this already amazing city even better!

Justin is the owner of Town In City Brewing Co. and Houston Cider Co., both located in the Heights. He’s a relentless hard worker who cares about making the highest quality product he can for the Houston Craft beverage market. As a Heights resident of eight years, he also cares a great deal about the local Heights and Houston community and through countless donations and fund raisers he helps support Heights’ staples, such as the Opera In The Heights and the First Saturday Arts Market. The Heights is his home, and you’ll never meet a person more deeply passionate about the well-being and the goings on in his community.

Juvie Cruz, 38

Kendra Penry-Clutter, 35 Penry-Clutter yoga instructor at the Harriet Foster YMCA on 34th Street. Not only is she an excellent yoga teacher but she is most reliable, dedicated to her job and often substitutes for other teachers. Kendra teaches various levels of yoga to all ages of adults as well as a children’s class She is a volunteer coach for “kids triathlon” and is scheduled to coach “Girls on the Run” this fall for an inner city middle school. Kendra also volunteers her time teaching yoga to veterans’ families at Fisher House. Her husband is enlisted in the armed forces and she has a real connection with veterans and their families.

Kendra’s works at Heifer International as a community engagement coordinator. Heifer International is works with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. She is responsible for the states of Texas to Florida; whereby, she educates and engages with the community to support this non-profit organization. Her passions in life and her dedication of time to help so many in a multitude of ways is an inspiration to others. Kendra is an incredible top young leader in our community.

Juvie Cruz Cardenas, an Associate at the law firm of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith, APLC, has represented small and large clients including Fortune 500 companies. She understands the importance of evaluating a case early as well as identifying a client’s concerns and goals in preparing a cost-effective strategy to achieve an optimal outcome. She believes that the keystones to effective and efficient case management are maintaining an astute knowledge of the facts and law; working closely and communicating timely with the client; and being prepared.

As a result, Juvie has frequently achieved favorable outcomes for her clients.

Juvie has extensive experience litigating first and thirdparty insurance and self-insured disputes. Her practice areas include premises liability; personal injury; wind/hail property damage (residential and commercial); insurance defense; Jones Act and general maritime law; commercial litigation; construction disputes; and general civil litigation matters.

Outside of law, Juvie enjoys volunteering with local and international non-profit organizations. She has a specific interest in organizations that empower those living in poverty or provide mentorship, education and career opportunities to youth and women. Under her two-year tenure as President of the Filipino Young Professionals of Houston (“FYP”), she led a team of professionals and community leaders towards accomplishing many goals such as raising funds for academic scholarships for students, to provide international natural disaster relief, and to build homes for families living in poverty. FYP received approval of its 501(c)3 non-profit status and was recognized on numerous occasions by the U.S. Congress and the Texas Senate during her administration.

Her outstanding performance and character have been commemorated with several awards and nominations. Moreover, she has earned a reputation of being a loyal and avid supporter of her mentors, mentees, friends and colleagues.

Juvie is fluent in conversational Tagalog (a Filipino dialect).

®

Congratulations Amy Ritter on Your 30 Under 40 Nomination with The Leader Newspaper!

Amy Ritter Vice President 2222 North Durham | Houston, TX 77008

16 Houston and Surrounding Area Ofȧces | AllegianceBank.com

281-517-8760

Page 6A • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • The Leader

Terry Williams, 31

Kristi M. Grizzle, 39 Structural engineer Kristi M. Grizzle, P.E., LEED AP is a principal and project manager at Walter P Moore, an international, multi-discipline engineering firm headquartered in Houston, Texas. Having spent her entire 13+-year career with the firm, Kristi was promoted to stockholder and firm principal in 2014, making her the fifth female principal ever in the firm’s 83-year history. With both project-level and leadership/ management responsibilities, Kristi is the firm’s first regional market sector leader for higher education pursuits in Texas and serves as a key member of Walter P Moore’s senior management team. From her efforts, the firm’s higher education revenue has more than doubled in the past five years.

On top of a demanding job and professional life, Kristi has dedicated time to giving back to her alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, by serving on the Civil Engineering Department’s External Advisory Committee. With Engineering Ministries International, Kristi has collectively taken weeks of vacation time to design structures for nonprofit organizations in countries such as Cambodia and Egypt.

Grizzle has served as an officer for the Shepherd Forest Civic Club, holding positions such as Vice President and Treasurer and serving on the Beautification Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Houston’s Class XXXII where her fellow classmates honored her with the Speed of Trust Award, which is based on Stephen Covey’s leadership tenet that reveres Trust as a primary indicator of organizational success. She serves on a committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and plays Team Host to visiting teams for the Texas Bowl college football game. She has served on the Rice Design Alliance board for five years and is the current 2017-2018 President. The Rice Design Alliance (RDA) is a premier organization for architects, engineers, and contractors advocating for the built environment in Houston. Grizzle will become only the second engineer to hold the position of president, a position traditionally held by architects. She is also a longtime volunteer at St. Anne’s Catholic Church.

Kristi is a former Big Sister, volunteering 10 years with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Her current, and perhaps most fulfilling endeavor, is being a Child Advocate for children of at-risk families in the foster system. As a court appointed representative, she serves as the judge’s eyes and ears while the children are in custody, ensuring their unique needs are met until they can safely return home or are permanently placed with a loving relative or adoptive family.

Martha Rac, 36 Dr. Rac is an obstetrician-gynecologist who specializes in maternal fetal medicine at the Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women where she has developed a Zika-specific obstetrics clinic. The Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women Clinic is the first Zika clinic in the state of Texas. Additionally, Dr. Rac serves as co-director of the High-Risk Obstetrics Infectious Disease Clinic at Ben Taub.

Roxanne Werner, 30 Roxanne is passionate about making the world a better place for women and has worked with different organizations and causes to do what she can to make that happen. In between working in Marketing at Reliant Energy and being a mom to our 3-year-old son, she’s always looking for ways to affect change - like organizing a panel on the history of racism, or actively trying to help those in need - like organizing a clothing drive for Dress For Success or a school supply drive for Houston Area Women’s Center. She was one of the League of Women Voter’s Rising Stars in 2014 for her grassroots work on empowering people to get involved with state and local politics, something she still enthusiastically supports.

Vanessa Teste’ (Mala), 34 Vanessa has probably one of the greatest jobs in the neighborhood selling vintage finds through her online shop, Height of Vintage – that is where I came to know her. Whether it be a great vintage dress, graphic t-shirt, blazer or jewelry, Vanessa gets her hands on the greatest finds.

Along with Height of Vintage, Vanessa is a certified Piyo and Insanity instructor and runs her fitness studio, Height of Fitness, out of her home and different venues. Vanessa is also a mother, wife and active in volunteering for the dog/animal community. I recently adopted the newest member to my family, Kit Kat, from Vanessa as she rescued my puppy and three others, plus the Mom and found all pups a home.

Vanessa and her husband through an annual Halloween party, Malo’ween, and each year donate the ticket sales to a non-profit – this year’s donation goes to Day of the Dogs. This is their sixth party.

Shawn Sidoti, 37 Shawn is an active leader in our area, very charitable, and is home grown in the Leader area. He grew up in Ella Lee Forest, was voted Most Likely to Succeed at Waltrip HS in 1998 and currently is the leader of a custom home business (Alleanza Custom Homes), which mainly builds in Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and the Heights. This year represents Alleanza’s 10th year of business and they are currently starting their 50th home, which happens to be in Garden Oaks. Shawn and his team have made an impact on our community by not only building outstanding homes, but by bringing people and families together. For every home Alleanza builds, he hosts an open house as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to neighbors for dealing with construction and also allows the former, current and future clients to mingle and create new friendships. Shawn has made a significant impact on our family and our community.

Tamara Harris, 34 Tamara Harris is a beautiful soul. We got to know each other through her local business, Plucked and More. I’ve been a customer of Tamara’s for two and a half years now and she’s become more than just my “wax lady” to me. Tamara is the type of business owner that gets to know her clientele and builds a lasting and meaningful relationship – she certainly has with me.

Plucked and More and Tamara celebrated their three year anniversary in the Heights this past February and it’s a small monument for some, but a monument Tamara should be very proud of. Along with being a business owner, Tamara is a single mother of two girls. Keeping up with the girls and all of their involvements with school, activities and volunteer time has been a full time job, and Tamara handles all of the challenges that life gives her with grace.

Williams is the owner of The League Elite Training Facility right here in Oak Forest. He’s a fitness guru who has trained players from the Texans, Rockets, college football and more pro athletes. When you walk into The League, Terry and his crew treat you like a celebrity. Beyond being a wonderful business owner and neighbor to the community, Terry and his wife, Ashley, are members of the Lakewood Church and are actively involved in the Lakewood Young Adult community. Whether you are a spiritual person or not, Terry delivers daily inspirational messages to his community, friends and family of leading a positive and impactful life.

In everything Terry does, he leads by example and puts his best 100% forward.

Shahid Rahman, 38 Fellowship-trained in Interventional Cardiology, Shahid Rahman, M.D., is a Houston-area native who is excited to be providing exceptional medical care in his hometown. Named Physician of the Year in 2016 at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, Dr. Rahman is considered a leader amongst his colleagues. He believes medicine is a “team sport” that requires coordination among physicians, nurses, and other caregivers to make sure patients receive the best medical care possible.

Dr. Rahman completed the full breadth of his medical training at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, including fellowships in both General Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology. Board certified in Cardiovascular Diseases, he treats a variety of conditions including coronary and peripheral artery disease, valvular heart disease including advanced aortic stenosis, heart failure, and basic arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. His research has been published in a variety of well-respected medical journals including the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

In his spare time, Dr. Rahman enjoys golfing, reading, cooking and traveling with his family.

Wesley Tidwell, 34 A graduate of Texas A&M University, Wesley “Wes” Tidwell received his MBA and MHA from University of Houston – Clear Lake. In 2014, he was named Chief Operating Officer of Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, after joining Memorial Hermann Health System in 2006 and working at both Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center and TIRR Memorial Hermann.

In his current role, Tidwell is responsible for the oversight of operations for inpatient and outpatient services for Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, a 260-bed, acute care, Level III Trauma Center. Under his innovative leadership, Memorial Hermann Greater Heights was recognized by American Hospital Association as the 2016 Quest for Quality Award Recipient and

by American Nurses Credentialing Center for the 2017 Magnet Recognition Award.

Active in his community, Tidwell serves on the board of the Foster Family YMCA as well as the Houston Young Professionals Endeavor (HYPE), a program of the Greater Houston Partnership. In 2014, he co-chaired the United Way Campaign for Memorial Hermann Health System, raising more than $1.3M for United Way of Greater Houston.

In his spare time, Tidwell enjoys spending time with his family and watching Aggie football.

William Pieratt Demond, 39 William is a true student of the world; after studying law in China and Egypt, working for the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and assisting an attorney representing Darfurian genocide victims at the International Criminal Court, he returned to his native Texas, committed himself to protecting the People’s clearly established constitutional rights, and created a home (and several businesses) in the Heights. He has also been designated as an “expert” in the International Legal Resource Center’s analysis of Cambodia’s proposed cybercrime law, has served on the Boards of Directors for both the Harris County Democratic Lawyer’s Association and Houston Young Lawyers Association, and remains conversant in Mandarin Chinese.

William presently serves as the Executive Director of the Heights-based Constitutional Rights Center of Texas, a non-profit that enables him to teach local law students how to identify, analyze, and litigate constitutional rights cases by assisting inmates who are unreasonably being denied access to medical care. He has also been invited to speak to local, state, and national bar associations, law students, and high school students on issues including cyber-defamation, constitutional rights, grand juries, privacy, and cyberbullying.

William’s passion for his community is unparalleled; he has opened his Heights property’s unique space to numerous non-profit organizations looking for a meeting place or space for events because he is committed to helping others help others. He is the zealous advocate every client wishes to have on their side and every opposing counsel wishes they did not have to face. His ability to find arguments and case law in support of his clients’ interest awes even the most experienced attorneys in our community; throughout his career, he has endeavored to pass these abilities on to numerous law clerks and his space in the Heights has only expanded his capacity. William truly cares about people and wants to make the world a better place, starting with a small piece of Rutland Street.

He is kind, thoughtful, compassionate, empathetic, caring, logical, objective, loyal, welltraveled, adaptable, fearsomely intense, and brilliant beyond all measure. He has had an innate ability to draw people into his orbit and to make their lives immeasurably better for having known him. He is driven by his faith and unwavering belief in justice to be fair and generous to all who cross his path, even when they have not shown him the same courtesy. William’s life work is to make the world a better place than he found it and he has already succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations

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The Leader • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • Page 7A

Young leaders are an impressive generation

A

note of caution here: Don’t be fooled by today’s edition of The Leader. Don’t send us nice letters telling us we’ve published something truly amazing and unique.

Of course, if this is the only thing you’ve read so far, you’ll wonder if I flushed my meds.

Along with our annual section devoted to telling stories of breast cancer survivors in this community, today’s newspaper also includes something new to our area – something The Leader has never done; something we hope to do for a long time going forward.

Today’s edition has reserved a few pages to offer you what I believe is a wonderful compilation of biographies of young people who live and work in our community. We’ve called it “The Leader’s 30 Under 40,” and as the name would suggest, we’re spotlighting 30 people who live or work in our neighborhoods who happen to be under the age of 40.

We announced this edition more than three months ago and, originally, it was scheduled to publish the second week of September. A storm and an empty office later, and we’re finally able to compile all of these outstanding men and women into one place and share them with you.

As I mentioned, don’t send us

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

any congratulations for this idea.

Publications all over the country have done “Some Number Under Some Number” editions like this before. Locally, the Houston Business Journal does a masterful job of selecting the city’s top 40 Under 40.

But here’s what I realized, and here’s why we pulled this edition together for our readers: Whether it’s the HBJ or the Chronicle or whatever other publication does something similar to this, those companies pick their winners from a population of about 6 million people. They span from Conroe to Clear Lake, from Baytown to Brookshire. Meanwhile, in the weekly pages of The Leader, you usually read about folks who have lived here a while, owned businesses here for a couple of decades, sent their grandchildren to the same schools they attended.

While I believe The Leader does a good job of telling you about

the news of our community, and while I think we do a decent job of spotlighting the people who make this area tick, we’ve never done a great job of telling the stories of the up-and-comers, the people who will one day run our companies.

We haven’t told you about the men and women who will become CEOs of our hospitals or officials in our government.

This, I believe, is a way to change that. If you’ll take the time to read this compilation – submitted completely by people like you – you’ll learn about doctors and lawyers, promoters and artists, educators and entrepreneurs. The people who were nominated by you and, ultimately, selected by us are the change-makers in our community. They are the ones who have invested themselves here. They are the ones who, in a decade from now, will be leaders of the next generation.

But let me tell you one other reason this edition is special to me, and it has nothing to do with any of the 30 men and women you’ll find on our pages today.

One afternoon, while sitting in my office planning new and special things we could do in The Leader, I found myself thinking about my wife. Maybe it’s the picture she strategically placed in my office, letting me know she’s always watching

(kidding, of course). Actually, it’s because of what I see my wife do day-in and day-out that made me want to publish this edition.

My wife is an attorney at a wonderful law firm in Houston, and she deserves every bit of success she has obtained so far. Besides being smart and beautiful, she is the hardest working person I have ever known. She rises long before the sun and reads discovery in the wee hours of the morning, yet she insists on going to get our youngest out of his crib the moment the baby monitor moves.

She stays at work until the last possible moment, but she almost always makes it home in time to play with our young boys and put them to bed.

Meghan and I both have highstakes careers. She’s tasked with representing businesses that depend on her expertise. I am tasked with running four businesses.

Together, you’d think we pass by each other in the wind.

But my wife is nothing short of spectacular when it comes to having a home that is full of love, full of trials and always full of solutions. She is a better wife than she is an attorney, and she cares a thousand times more about her children than she does her clients.

Meghan happens to be under the age of 40, and as I thought about

Guest work without reservations The reader.

Pet Peeves

THE HOTEL – The nice part about staying in a hotel is that someone else empties your wastebaskets, picks up your soggy towels and puts new little bottles of shampoo and bars of soap in your bathroom each day when you steal the ones put out the day before. My wife and I have been living in hotels since Hurricane Harvey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, flooded my house. So I have become somewhat of an expert in the business.

For example, room rates.

They vary more than airline fares. Book through one of those agencies that guarantees the lowest rates and you are using a “third party.” This can cause all kinds of trouble if you want to change anything from arrival dates to the sheets. Some hotels book a lot of weekend and holiday business, thus their rates are higher then. Others cater to business people who arrive on Sunday nights and leave on Friday mornings, so they offer good weekend rates.

One place where I stayed was so empty on weekends that they closed the bar. Speaking of bars, there are those lodgings which offer a free happy hour each afternoon. Don’t go. They pour the absolutely worst booze on the market.

The free breakfasts are just fine, however, if you want to get up at dawn.

This is the perfect segue into what to do when you first enter your new room. Check the alarm clock because the previous guest set that alarm on his last night for 4 a.m. so he could catch the 7 o’clock flight to Goose Bay, Labrador, for his annual baby seal hunt. Time after time I have been awakened in the middle of my first night by the alarm, then spend 15 minutes trying to turn it off. Bring a clothespin. There must be a law that hotel rooms’ curtains must never meet, so that as the dawn breaks – about noon for me – light from the crack between the drapes hits you right in your face. A simple clothespin clamps the two drapes together and lets you sleep. The room temperature: for the last week I have wearing a sweater when it is 94 degrees outside because I can’t shut off the a/c, can’t open the window, and can’t get management to do anything about it. Maybe if I call the front desk and say, “How do I start a fire in the bathtub?” they’ll take action.

Also, you don’t have to be Howard Hughes tromping around the room with your feet in Kleenex boxes, but take certain health precautions. The dirtiest thing in your room, travel experts say, is the TV remote. Give it a good bath under the faucet.

Then check out the channels.

I am against any more federal rules and regulations, but

Lynn Ashby Columnist

there should be one ordering all TV remotes and channel numbers to be the same in each town. While traveling, have you ever plopped down to watch your favorite program and it’s halfway over before you find which channel it’s on? Oh, I had a funny situation happen to me a few days ago. I was walking through the hotel room and the local news came on.

It was KPRC, Houston, and then it hit me: I was in Houston. I had never stayed in a hotel in my own town.

Conrad Hilton bought his very first hotel, the Mobley, in Cisco, Texas. He then moved on to other West Texas towns. Hilton later observed, “At Lubbock I found that Texas had no use for an imported French chef.” This brings us to hotel food which usually tastes like hotel food.

The chef was fired when he couldn’t cut it at Wendy’s.

There is the convenience of taking the elevator to dinner, particularly if you are in a strange town and don’t know where to eat and don’t want to be walking the streets at 10. And I can’t make blanket condemnations. I recently had one of the best shrimp cocktails ever at a restaurant at an Embassy Suites.

Hotels used to have ice in a bin in a little room at the end of the hall. The state passed a law authorizing only ice machines that dispensed ice from a chute, after hearings in which all kinds of horror stories were told -- one guest reported opening the bin door to find a dead cat.

The problem is that they give you these plastic bags to line the ice bucket. The very first cubes to drop in collapse the plastic liner which renders it useless. Another helpful hint.

If you are staying at a hotel which doesn’t have a bellboy, porter or Boy Scout in need of another merit badge, and you have to handle the bags yourself, and use one of those wheeled racks or dollies or whatever, pull it, don’t push it. Now you know.

Tips for checking out. Do it beforehand, like the night before, or you’ll be in a long line in the lobby behind every other frantic guest trying to catch a plane. Also, gather up all the notepads, pens and Kleenex boxes in the room. Hotels used to put out matches, but now you can’t even light up a cigar unless you are across the street from the loading dock.

My daughter used to work

for Marriott and told me that maids usually change rooms, floors and workdays, so don’t wait till the last day to leave a tip. Leave a couple of bucks or more on the bed when you head out each day.

I once read that John Kerry, as a campaigning presidential candidate, would leave a twenty-dollar bill at each hotel room, but he’s married to the widow of the Heinz fortune, so you probably can get by with less.

This is all you need to know about staying in a hotel, especially in your own town.

Ashby checks in at ashby2@ comcast.net

her one afternoon, it made me realize that there are a lot of people just like her in our community.

There are husbands and wives who both work, but who both raise wonderful children and still find time to be invested in the neighborhoods where they live.

These young people – the ones in their 30s – are different from any generation our nation has known, at least in my opinion. We don’t have many stay-at-home moms or dads anymore. We’re all out there making a living, trying to pay bills, trying to afford healthcare, and trying to provide for our children and families the best way we know how.

As generations pass, we tend to think the last one was a little harder working, a little more responsible, than the one that follows. But I’m not so sure about that.

It’s an honor to be able to spotlight the young men and women who have willfully embraced positions of leadership in our community. For me, you can bet it’s an honor to see a woman like my wife who never lets the enormous responsibility of her career impede on the growth and love of her family.

People like Meghan are everywhere. I hope you enjoy reading about 30 of them.

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Dear Editor: I know, everyone has pet peeves and I am no different. The reason I bring them to the front is they are important to me and most determine how and where I spend my money. I found years ago I have money in my pocket and if your business or employees are offensive to me, then I will spend my money where I choose.

Today I speak about Coffee Shops. First I do not want any WAC (Weak Ass Coffee), when I put my money down I want what is called a bold cup of coffee. I understand this is not for everyone, but again it is my money I am spending. Many places when you ask for a bold cup of coffee look at you as if you are speaking a language they have never heard of. I usually thank them and walk out. If you say it is a strong cup of coffee, they just want to pour you a regular dark roast cup of coffee, sorry, not the same or they will tell you they can put a couple of shots of espresso in a regular cup of coffee and charge you $2 per shot, well that is $3 for a small cup and two shots are another $4, so $6 for a small cup of regular coffee. Sorry, but not buying it. Get out of the business.

The other thing that I look at is comfort, you ask what that has to do with a coffee shop, well it makes the difference between me patronizing a place or not. I do not go into a coffee shop just to purchase a cup of coffee and then gulp it down on the run. I usually meet someone else there and we are there to sit down and visit, you know catch up on what has been going on as of late. My big pet peeve is to not have a comfortable padded chair or couch to sit on to visit and I do not want to be force fed loud obscene noise coming from an audio system. You can call it what you like, but I have a very inept range of music and it highly offends me to be force fed loud noise that is not of taste. Besides I am there to visit with the person with me and some times I cannot hear what they are saying to me.

Play something pleasant but not loud, I am the customer, you know, the guy with the money. If you want your employees to be able to listen to their music, then provide them with head phones and they can play what ever they want, of course they cannot hear a customers request, but they will be happy.

Maybe something to think about.

Fred Find

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. ‘ER’ actress Leslie 5. Hebrew name for Babylon 10. Newts 14. Leaf angle 15. Dravidian language 16. Ridge on nematodes 17. Monetary unit 18. Determined the tare 19. Unfreeze 20. Merits 22. World’s oldest broadcasting organization 23. Vacation spot 24. December 25 27. Ottoman military command 30. Resin-like substance secreted by insects 31. A.C. Comics female supervillain 32. Insect linked to honey 35. Opinion 37. In the middle of 38. Basketballer Yao 39. Remove lid 40. Pressure wound therapy 41. Fabric 42. Witnessed 43. Defunct European economic organization 44. ‘Hotel California’ rockers

45. When you expect to arrive 46. ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ actress Ryan 47. Danish airline 48. Insecticide 49. Scientific instrument 52. Type of seal 55. Israeli city __ Aviv 56. Cavalry sword 60. Ottoman title 61. Gurus 63. Cold wind 64. Predatory reptile (abbr.)

65. New Jersey is one 66. Divulge a secret 67. Finely chopped mixture 68. Actress Zellweger 69. Romanian city

dOwn

1. ‘Dark Knight’ actor 2. S. African plants 3. Castle in County Offaly, Ireland 4. White (French) 5. Morsel 6. Semitic language 7. Areas outside cities 8. Crackling 9. Cub 10. Landmark house in Los Angeles 11. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist 12. Mineral

13. Late night host Myers 21. Pull along 23. Not good 25. British Air Aces 26. Upset 27. Maltreatment 28. Nocturnal, cat-like animal 29. Hollyhocks 32. Shelter 33. Finished 34. Discharge 36. ‘X-Men’ actor McKellen 37. Beloved dish __ and cheese 38. Holds coffee 40. Languish 41. Quenches 43. Electric fish 44. Consume 46. Type of school 47. Erase 49. Educate 50. ‘Transformers’ actress Fox 51. Spiritual leader 52. Every one 53. Site of the Taj Mahal 54. Welsh village 57. Weapon 58. Geological times 59. S. Asian crops 61. Soviet Socialist Republic 62. Witness

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 8A • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • The Leader

The calendar.

HISPANIC GENEALOGY Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, 5300 Caroline, presents guest speaker Moises Garza. Specializing in South Texas and Northeastern Mexico research, Garza is the author of several genealogy books.

The presentation will be 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 14. Reservations required. Adults/Teens. Information: 832-393-2600.

STEPHEN KING INSPIRED ART SHOW Rockstar Art Gallery Party like a rockstar and support RockStar Gallery at the Friday the 13th - A Stephen King Inspired Art Show, from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 13. Snacks and drinks provided. Voting for your favorite themed piece gets you entered to win a door prize. If you RSVP on Eventbrite, you get a second chance at the door prize, just print the ticket, and bring it with you. Rockstar Gallery is located at 5700 Northwest Central Dr. Information: eventbrite.com/e/astephen-king-inspired-art-showtickets-38260685741.

their garden. The front garden is shaded by several Camphor trees which made for a poor lawn.

Ravenscourt Landscaping and Design helped the Dotys’ overcome this problem by designing a garden that was low maintenance and attractive. Information: heightsgardenclub.com.

MANNA DENIM AND DIAMONDS FUNDRAISER Dust off your boots, and ride on over to MANNA’s 4th Annual BBQ and auction. The event will be from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 14, at the Anheuser Busch Brewery, located at 775 Gellhorn 77029. Gatlin’s BBQ will be serving up their award winning barbeque again this year for one fun-filled evening of dinner, dancing, and a silent auction.

Information: https://manna-4thannual-bbq.eventbrite.com.

2ND ANNUAL HOPE RUN Dan’s House of Hope Run Come out for the 2nd Annual Hope Run 5K fun run/walk in support of Young Adult Cancer fighters Sunday, Oct. 15 at T.C. Jester Park. Medals to top finishing women and men. Registration is from 7-8 a.m. Runners start at 8 a.m. with walkers to follow.

Information: http://danshouseofhope.org.

OCTOBER GARDEN TOUR Heights Garden Club Heights Garden Club October Tour will be held at 10 a.m., Oct. 14, at 414 W. 13th St. Sarah and Rich Doty are a long time Heights couple who recently updated

COMEDIAN PABLO FRANCISCO The Improv Pablo Francisco will rock the house with screams of laughter

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKERS SERIES Houston Assembly of Delphians Houston Assembly of Delphians’ fourth season of Distinguished Speakers features former Chief Meterologist at KHOU-TV, Dr. Neil Frank, speaking on Climate Change and the Global Warming Controversy. This event, which is the second in a series, will be held from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 28, at the West University Community Center, 6104 Auden St. Information: 713-773-4380.

at the Improv, 7620 Katy Frwy., Oct. 12-15. Pablo is one of the most popular touring comedians worldwide and has earned a reputation for his unique talent to weave together his one of a kind arsenal of off the wall characters and spot-on impressions. The cost of tickets is $22. Visit the website for show times. Information: www.improvhouston.com, 713-333-8800.

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: TOOLS FOR A HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP Most people do not know how to ‘do’ relationships. When asked about couples we admire because of their strong relationship, many of us are at a loss to identify the characteristics or practices we should use. Angela Soper, LCSW, will lead this seminar and teach concrete tools for becoming ‘that couple.’ The seminar will be from 10 a.m.-noon, Oct. 21, at 1548 Heights Blvd. There is no charge for the seminar, but a $10 donation to the Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry is suggested.

Register at Bit.ly/soperseminar.

Information: 832-653-3335.

ASK A GERMAN ASTRONAUT Houston Liederkranz Hall Come to the Houston Liederkranz, 5100 Ella Blvd., for an entertaining and educational afternoon with astronaut Hans Schegel. Physicist Schlegal is a two time European Space Agency and NASA pioneer (spacewalk 2008). He also acts as a mentor of Alexander Gerst ‘Astro Alex’, who will take command of the ISS in May 2018. Accordion music will be provided by Gene Hackemack. The event will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. RSVP to info@houstonliederkranz.club or call 281-356-3260.

PUMPKIN PATCH Sinclair Elementary School Come out to the Sinclair Elementary Pumpkin Patch, open daily from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. through Oct. 27. Sinclair Elementary is located at 6410 Grovewood Ln.

PET COSTUME CONTEST Urban Animal Veterinary Hospital Urban Animal, 1327 Yale St., welcomes the community and their pets to their Halloween Party and Pet Costume Contest.

From the Pews.

Blessing of the Animals at Advent Lutheran Bring a pet (or picture of a pet) for a Blessing of the Animals at Advent Lutheran Church, 5820 Pinemont Dr., in the fellowship hall (indoors) at 11 a.m. Oct. 14. A blessing and a medallion will be given. The entrance is at the Life Center door. Please keep all pets restrained and close to owner during the service.

Call 713-686-8201 or visit www.adventhouston.org for information.

St. Monica to hold annual Fall Bazaar Save the date. St. Monica Catholic Church, 8421 W. Montgomery Rd., will hold their annual 2017 Fall Bazaar Oct. 14-15. Be a part of the festivities. Vendor booths available. Call Craig Adams at 713-818-2048 or Charles Cade at 713-851-1658.

For information visit www. stmonicahouston.com.

Open house at Arise Baptist Arise Baptist Church, 803 Curtain, will hold an open house at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 15. A light breakfast of homemade tamales and other tasty items will be served, followed by worship service and a lunch for all who come.

Call 713-659-9697 for information.

Senior Activity Day at St. Stephen’s The Bill Hardwick Memorial Golf Classic will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, at 8 a.m., at Jersey Meadow Golf Course, 8502 Rio Grande Dr., in Jersey Village. The entry fee is $125 per golfer ($75 for age 72+).

For information, contact Dixie Hardwick at ddixon0126@ aol.com or Ken Aldredge at k.paldredge@sbcglobal.net.

Entry forms are also available through the church office.

Get a headstart on Christmas Shopping at the Holiday

Artisan Market to be held in St. Stephen’s west sanctuary parking lot from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 21.

Children are welcome to come with parents to Trunk or Treat, from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 22.

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.

Barbecue and Silent Auction will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 21.

Come and join in on all the fun, food and fellowship.

A beautiful handmade quilt, crafted by St. Matthew’s quilters, will be available to bid on in the Silent Auction, along with other miscellaneous items.

Kids can enjoy a variety of games. Delicious barbecued chicken will top the menu.

Pick out a special pumpkin in the pumpkin patch.

St. Matthew’s UMC is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. Visit the Facebook page, website at www.stmatthewsmethodist.org or call 713-6970671 for information.

Barbecue at Zion Lutheran Zion Lutheran Church’s Men in Mission will be hosting their annual barbecue dinner from noon-1:30 p.m. Oct. 22, in Zion’s Great Room. All “free will” offerings will go toward the Men in Mission’s Seminary Scholarships.

Zion Lutheran Church is located at 3606 Beauchamp. Call 713-869-1493 for information.

65, born Feb. 3, 1952, died Oct. 5. Chelette was a veteran, having served in the United States Army.

He is survived by his sister, Lauree K. Powell.

Virginia Davila, 61, born Sept. 21, 1956, died Oct. 2. Davila was employed as a CPA. She was an active member of St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church. She is survived by her brothers, Carlos Davila and Mike Davila.

George Thomas Diehl, 88, born Nov. 30, 1928, died Oct. 3.

Diehl served his country in the United States Army during the

Korean War. He was a lifelong Mason at Euthah Lodge in Kosse, Texas. Diehl attended First Baptist Church. He retired from Southwestern Bell after 40 years of service. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Maggie Diehl, sons Mark Diehl, Matthew Stephen Diehl, and Michael Wayman Diehl, six grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Memorial contributions may be made to Texas Lone Star Chapter Korean War Veterans, P.O. Box 802541, Houston, Texas 77280-2541. Web site kwvahouston.com.

Joyce Lucille Nagle, 93, born Sept. 6, 1923, died Oct. 3.

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Effective Veterinary Care Taking Action to plan ahead, be prepared, and prevent problems is the basis for cost effective healthcare. This Proactive Healthcare is far more beneficial, convenient and affordable than Reactive Care (waiting until an ill pet requires crisis medical management).

Healthcare is also more cost effective if it is not fragmented (ie., services broken up and performed at various facilities). It takes far more Doctor’s time to correctly gather data, analyze and diagnose a patient’s current condition if healthcare (exams, tests, vaccines, vet only prescriptions) comes from various facilities.

Mistakes, miscommunications, and unnecessary repeat of tests are less likely if we Avoid Fragmented Healthcare.

Establishing a current and complete Doctor/Patient relationship with a trusted primary care veterinarian and facility is vital to your pet’s Best Care. Best choices of care can be offered there or referrals properly made to other trusted facilities that serve the best interests of the pet and client.

Always call your Vet if you have any concerns or questions

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On West 34th St.

born Sept. 10, 1961, died Oct. 7.

Florence Stella Zaborowski, 75, born July 9,

1942 in Chappell Hill, died Oct. 6. She retired from Walgreens in 1999, and was employed at Nabisco for several years. She is survived by her sister Patricia Lepler, brother Louis Krolczyk, children John Wayne Bienski, Michael Bienski, Danny Bienski, and Cindy Sumbera, seven grandchildren, and stepdaughters Denise, Jackie, Meghan, Brenda, Gwen, and Brooke.

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The Obituaries.

Stanley Grandel Chelette,

The festivities will be from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31. There will be food, drinks, music and trick or treating. The pet costume contest will be from 6-7 p.m. with winners announced soon after. RSVP to info@urbananimalveterinary.com or 713-863-0088. Get a complimentary ticket at http://ow.ly/ lqrF30fLRsa.

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Weekly Sunday Services • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m.

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St. Stephen’s United. Methodist. Church.

A Caring, Sharing, Faith Family.

Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Scouting groups for all ages.

Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children

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

We concluded our study in Esther at our church this past Sunday. There are three takeaways from this book that I challenged the church with during the message. The first is trust in God. No matter the situation we find ourselves In, whether that be a health trouble, financial trouble, flood trouble, family trouble, we can trust in God. For many people, they need to trust in God for eternal life.

This life is short and will come to an end. We must trust in God for eternal life. For those who trust in God with their eternal hope, they can also trust God to meet their needs each day. Trust is required, because we cannot see or know everything in the present much less the things in the future.

The second takeaway from the book of Esther is to obey God. Esther was willing to do the right thing even if that meant losing her own life. God wants our obedience.

Obedience of God’s commands shows trust in God’s plan.

True obedience is impossible without trust. I can obey God’s Word because I trust that God’s plan is perfect and even though I will face trials along the way, I can trust that God is good.

The third idea that I was challenged with from the book of Esther is repentance. After Haman was put to death for his wicked plan to kill the Jews, his sons, rather than repent and change their ways, also tried to kill God’s people. They received the same punishment as their father. How sad it is when people know what they should do and yet insist on doing wrong. The Bible says it this way in James 4:17, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” I know that I have times in my life when I make the wrong choice and do the wrong thing. I am thankful that even though we all sin, God gives us the opportunity to repent. Haman’s sons had the opportunity to repent. They refused to change and faced punishment for it. I hope that each person that reads this article will ask God to forgive them for their sin and trust in God for eternal life and for help each day. Obey God’s Word and you will experience the peace of God and the blessing of God in your life.

The Leader • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • Page 9A

The Leader • Saturday, October 14, 2017 • Page 10A

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR Edisons 1st Birthday Bash 9 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14 4203 Edison St.

Art Valet: 46th year for Bayou City Art Festival Downtown

Join Edison Houston as they celebrate their 1 year anniversary! “It has been an incredible year and we want to say a huge thank you to all of you that have supported us and made us who we are, by throwing a big party! A portion of the nights proceeds will be donated to help displaced local animals from Hurricane Harvey, and we will have sounds by booth pimps, drink specials, and good times all night!� Edison Houston staff.

THE LEADER

Make your reservations at the Leader Readers’ voted

Best Italian Restaurant!

The Rocketboys at Rockefellers

2120 Ella Boulevard • (713) 869-6622

7 - 10 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14 Sawyer Yards - 2101 Winter St.

Enjoy the musical talent from The Rocketboys and Cast Off Pattern. Doors open at 8 p.m. The show is $10; ages 21+.

Jortstoberfest

12 - 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14 Eureka Heights - 941 W. 18th St.

Join for the most denim mid-October German beer related festival within blocks.

Along with celebrating all clothing that chafes, Eureka Heights Brewing will be releasing their tap room only festbier, Von Wolfhausen. The festbier differs a little bit from the more traditional Oktoberfest style, it’s a little less sweet and more sessionable allowing you to fill up on sausage on a stick instead of beer.

Find custom Eureka Heights tankards, German food, plus a very reasonable amount of polka music. It’s an all day affair, so you can bring your great Gam Gam by while the sun is still up, then come back for the super fun activities at 6 p.m.

6 p.m: Best dressed competition (Men’s and Women’s division) 7 p.m: Grain sack throwing competition 8 p.m: Stein holding contest Admission is FREE. 2017 Strut Your Mutt - Houston

8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14 Stude Park - 1031 Stude St.

Want to help save the lives of animals in your community and have a blast doing it? Register for the Strut Your Mutt in Houston!

Last year, nearly 1,000 people participated in the fundraising walk and festival in Houston and raised nearly $300,000 for homeless pets!

Join us this year for the dogfriendly festival that’s sure to make your tail wag. Let’s strut to Save Them All! Find info at bestfriends. org/ Vintique Flea: Fall Market 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14 Sunday, Oct. 15 2000 Edwards St.

Looking for antiques, eclectic finds, industrial treasures, and fabulous fabrics to complete your new design plan?

Join in at Silver Street Studios on October 14-15 and get everything you need!

As always, you’ll always find food trucks, beer and wine, and puppies for adoption at the market!

General admission is just $5!

Kids 16 years and under are free. Well-behaved, leashed four legged furry friends are welcome!

Cavatore’s

www.Cavatores.com Contributed photos Artist Doni Langlois will be showcasing her clay art at the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown this Sunday, Oct. 15 at 901 Bagby St.

B

ayou City Art Festival Downtown marks its 46th year this Saturday and Sunday and will be open 10 a.m. 6 p.m., both days. The center of it all is around City Hall at 901 Bagby St., and continues on surrounding streets.

Not long after Hurricane Harvey put Houston in the national news spotlight, the phone calls and emails from distressed artists around the country began to flood the Art Colony Association offices, the nonprofit that puts on the Bayou City Art Festival.

The majority wanted to know if the show was still on and a few flat out cancelled.

Good news for the waitlisted artists, most live in or near Houston.

Clay artist Doni Langlois was notified with many other Houston area artists that space had opened up at the festival. Great news! Competition for a show like Bayou City Art Festival is fierce.

Langlois, a lifelong resident of Houston, is only among ten artists in the clay category and just one of two from Texas.

I met Langlois a little over a year ago, and I’m sure like most of her customers, fell in love with her wide assortment of lightly distressed clay hearts immediately. These hearts, her signature piece, are actually rattles, encouraging everyone to cautiously shake the artwork.

Much of Langlois’ work is functional from whimsical bottles, vases, cruets and what I’ve labeled “shot� glasses. Langlois incorporates

her skills honed as a decorative finisher into her work, using glazes and other finishes to give her work a naturally aged look.

I visited Langlois at her studio this week.

Is clay your full-time work now? “Yes full-time - with a littlemixed media thrown in and the occasional house staging job, � Langlois said. “I’ve

Artist Doni Langlois.

been doing ceramic art for about 25 years as a hobby.

Two years ago I decided to make a go at being a studio artist finally honing in on mostly clay.�

Whats your favorite part about creating with clay over your other artistic endeavors? “I’m a little part engineer - so I love figuring out how to make a design that I want, which is why I like to hand build as opposed to throwing on the wheel,� Langlois said. “Painting always seemed tedious to me - I never knew when I was done - but I don’t get that way with clay. I also LOVE the way it smells.... muddy and earthy; and fire.�

Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

Find Langlois in booth #518 and online at www. artfullifeclay.com. Get details about the festival, including where to purchase discounted tickets, at BayouCityArtFestival.com.

Saturday, I’ll be at my Market at Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer St., where I first became a huge fan of Langlois.

I’ll be in front of Langlois’ booth bright and early Sunday morning, hopefully buying my favorite pieces!

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

We Mean Business

St. Joseph - St. Stephen Catholic Parish

FeSTivaL

SaT. ocT. 14TH, 2017 • 10aM - 10pM

Live MuSic

Food • Children’s Area Live & Silent Auctions Vendors plus Arts & Crafts

Yelba’s Latin Fire • Grupo Aliados Magallie Montiel • The Hometown Boys www.facebook.com/StJosephStStephenFestival 1505 Kane St. • Houston, TX 77007 (713)222-6193

We have NeW hours!

Sunday & Monday we will be closed for private events for small & large groups.

Join us for Dim Sum lunch Tuesday - Saturday!

Quick & Easy Business Lunch

3 Courses $15 Tuesday -Friday

Independence Heights Block Party & Resource Fest 2 - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14 603 E. 33rd St.

Come and enjoy an evening of fun in historic Independence Heights, hosted by North Forest Alliance of Hope.

There will be live music, a free burger bar, kids zone, disaster resource center and give aways.

The event is FREE.

CoMe Dine wiTh uS TueS. - ThurS. 11:00 - 10:00 p.M. FriDay - SaTurDay 11:00 - 11:00 p.M.

Outstanding Gulf Seafood and Wild Game

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