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Inside Today: Update on Garden Oaks Elementary rebuild • Page 1B

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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, October 24, 2015 • Vol. 60 • No. 51

How HISD’s language programs educate, engage By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

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

AREA SPECIALIST

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On Monday, a group of Helms Elementary first graders sat on the rug in Vasti Marcelo’s classroom close to a world map. At the door, their teacher pointed to a row of sashes, each with the name of a Spanish speaking country. One of the sashes was blank. “Which one did Ms. Marcelo forget to make the sash for?” their teacher asked. After a perusal and comparison of the flags along the top of the wall with the sashes, the answer was discovered pretty quickly – Equatorial Guinea on the western coast of Africa. For the rest of the class, the students learned about Equatorial Guinea, including information from the Human Development Index. Marcelo delivered the lesson in a way her students could understand. Next to Long Life, there were nine figures, one of which was crossed out. Ability to Attend School had three out of ten marked with an X. By the time they got to Access

to Clean Water, the students understood that five out of ten wasn’t good. Food was worse, with six figured crossed out. After focusing on the problems, the class brainstormed solutions to the country’s food and water shortage and wrote about them in their journal. The exercise was just the kind of thing that Helms Principal John Baker envisioned when he added the Hispanic Culture & Art class with additional Magnet funding from the district. “I wanted a class where the kids could study about all the countries that speak Spanish,” he said. Marcelo, who was a kindergarten teacher at Helms before she moved into the ancillary role, was also in charge of the school’s recent Hispanic Art and Culture night which included a wax museum, a parade of nations and poetry readings. “It was a great community building experience,” said Baker, who estimates there were 350 in attendance. Helms, a dual language school since the See Language, P. 8A

Photo by Betsy Denson A first grade class at Helms Elementary is learning about each Spanish speaking country.

The Final Stretch

INSIDE.

Down Syndrome Academy aims at growth, fundraising By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com

Ghoulish good times in the Heights Oddities, gifts, taxidermy and decor await Heights residents looking for a scary good time at the Wilde Collection located on Yale Street. With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore the collection for a take home treasure.

Find it on 3B

INSIDE.

Photo by Jonathan Garris (From left to right) Marty McVey, Stephen Costello, Sylvester Turner and Bill King were all in attendance last week at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA in Garden Oaks to talk public safety and quality of life as election day rapidly approaches.

Mayoral candidates talk safety, education as election day nears

The Do-Over In this month’s edition of the Do-Over, Cynthia Lescalleet focuses on one of six homes that will be featured in the Spring 2016 Woodland Heights Home Tour, themed “Reinventing for Today.” Find out what went into Laura and Dan Lensgraf ’s home in this month’s Leader Listings.

Find it on 1B

District H Race Read about Abel Davila’s aspirations for District H in this week’s candidate profile.

Find it on 3B

The INDEX. Church

6A

Classifieds

5B

Coupons

4B

Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

7A 5A

Opinion

4A

Public Information Puzzles Sports

2A 4A 7B

In one of the most recent polls for the Houston mayoral race, conducted by SurveyUSA for KPRC, Turner leads the pack with 20 percent - however in that same poll 22 percent were listed as undecided.

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com “Time is running out for candidates vying for the Houston mayor’s office to make an impression on voters before residents make their way to the polls in the coming weeks. With Nov. 3 right around the corner, several candidates opted to make yet another appearance at a Leader-area forum, this time at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA on West 34th Street. A recent poll conducted by SurveyUSA for KPRC has Sylvester Turner leading by 20 percent, followed by Bill King at 14 percent, Adrian Garcia with 13 percent, Chris Bell with 12 percent, Stephen Costello at 11 percent, Ben Hall at 4 percent and Marty McVey at one percent. The poll, first posted Oct. 16, lists 22 percent as undecided leaving plenty of voters for candidates to work with. Another poll earlier this month, conducted by the Survey Research Center, University for Public Policy & Rice University, for KUHF and KHOU polled Houston area citizens from Sept. 25 to Oct. 6, and had Turner leading at 19 percent, with Garcia and King tied at 9 percent, Bell at 6 percent, Costello at 5 percent, Hall at 4 percent, McVey at 1 percent and a large 42 percent that were undecided. Candidates are undoubtedly turning their attention to courting these undecided voters before election day and last week’s forum offered a chance to do just that. Participating candidates included McVey, Costello, Turner and King. Each candidate was given a chance to answer two questions – What did they feel were the two most important unsolved challenges to public safety facing the city and what role will the quality of life and education of area youth play in their administration should they be elected. Turner said aging officers and firefighters are a huge liability for the city going forward. He said, in terms of staffing, about 1,900 officers of the city’s 5,300 are eligi-

Sylvester Turner 20%

Bill King 14%

It may not seem like a big move for the Down Syndrome Academy to relocate across the street from its former home, but the move is far from a symbolic one. In just over a year at its facility at Mitchelldale, the academy has gone from having only a handful of students to having a waiting list for prospective pupils President Rosa Rocha said the academy, part of Friends of Down Syndrome, simply outgrew the space. In just over a week at their new home directly across the street from their old home, Rocha said she and other volunteers hope to continue their work and grow, providing continuing education for adults with down syndrome. Part of her inspiration for setting up the academy, which has about 40 students from as far as Angleton, Tomball and Missouri City, was her own 26-year-old son who also has down syndrome. “When my son graduated from high school, he said he wanted to go to work,” Rocha said. “All of the sudden, he said he was forgetting how to read.” After time had passed, Rocha said her son had begun to regress. Those with down syndrome who aren’t challenged might very well lose the knowledge they’ve learned. “There’s the saying that if you don’t use it you lose it and that’s true for them,” Rocha said. Rocha said they began searching for continuing education services through a variety of avenues, including programs available through Houston Community College. Howevever, Rocha said she couldn’t find See Academy, P. 2A

Adrian Garcia 13%

Chris Bell 12%

Stephen Costello 11%

Ben Hall 4%

? Marty McVey 1%

Unknown 22%

See Election P. 5A

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Contributed Photo J.J. Moore, a student from the Down Syndrome Academy in Houston, dances with volunteer Samantha Garza. The academy recently moved into a new facility across the street from its original home.

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The public. Saturday, October 24, 2015 • Page 2A

Precinct One: Suspicious vehicle report leads to drug bust vehicle in the 200 block of West 30th Street, according to officials. The resident did not recognize the vehicle and was believed to belong to someone who did not reside a the location. A patrol unit arrived on scene to find a man standing outside of the vehicle with a passenger inside. A nearby K-9

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com The search of a suspicious vehicle parked outside of a Garden Oaks home led to a sizeable drug bust by a Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office deputy Oct. 16. A resident first alerted authorities about a suspicious

unit also arrived on the scene as a backup unit and officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle. The deputy deployed his K-9 unit at the exterior of the vehicle and alerted officers to drugs within the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed numerous drugs inside the vehicle including mari-

juana, methamphetamine, ecstasy, Xanax and hydrocodone including drug paraphernalia such as a smoking pipe, plastic baggies and scales. Officers arrested and charged the passenger of the vehicle with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

HPD arrests three following robbery at Ella McDonald’s By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Police arrested one man for robbery, along with another man and a juvenile male for possession of marijuana, following the armed robbery of a customer outside of the McDonald’s restaurant located at 3205 Ella Blvd. earlier last week At around 3:30 p.m. Oct.

12, a complainant reported he had been robbed while leaving the restaurant. The complainant said he had just walked out of the store when Christopher Melton, 26, allegedly approached him and asked to use his cell phone. Melton then allegedly brandished a gun and robbed the victim of his cell phone before fleeing the scene with another person in a Honda

Accord. An officer later found a vehicle matching the description the victim had given in the driveway of a home at 808 Fisher Dr., according to officials. The officer pulled behind the vehicle as it started backing out of the driveway and three people, including Melton, were detained at the scene. Melton was arrested and

mainly of retired special education teachers from Cy-Fair ISD. “Everyone is here because they choose to be,� Rocha said. Currently, the academy is in “desperate need� for job coaching and other nursing opportunities. The donation of a van would also help transportation needs, as a few students travel over an hour to get to class throughout the week. Ultimately, Rocha hopes to be able to have enough

funds to purchase their own building. Rocha encourages everyone in the community to visit the academy and shake hands with her students. “Come and take a tour,� Rocha says. “See how much our students are learning.� The Down Syndrome Academy is located at 5200 Mitchelldale, Suite D4, and can be reached by phone at 281-9890345. For more information, visit www.friendsofdownsyndrome.org.

charged with robbery by threat while Adrian Salazar was also arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. A 16-yearold juvenile male also at the scene was taken into custody for possession of marijuana and was referred to Harris County Juvenile Probation Authorities.

Academy from P. 1A one where her son fit in. “We decided to open the academy here,� Rocha said. More than capable First established in January 2014, the academy offers post-high school education across a wide spectrum of adults with down syndrome. The youngest student turned 20 and Rocha says the oldest student is 47. “They tell their friends they’re going to college,� Rocha said. “They’re learning like their brothers and sisters are. That’s the experience we’re offering that no one else can offer them.� Curriculum at the academy varies from group to group. Students are evaluated for a number of skills, including reading, writing and social skills, and are grouped into classrooms from level one to level four. Level one students learn to master basic skills like identifying the alphabet while level four students tackle more complex subjects like science and astronomy. The academy also has an emphasis on healthy living, with plenty of fruit-infused water and physical education classes throughout the week as those with down syndrome suffer from low metabolism and balance issues, Rocha said. There is also a focus placed on hands-on learning and volunteer opportunities, like the recent Fiesta Luncheon. “The luncheon was also a fundraiser and everyone got to serve,� Rocha said. “No one lost a plate. Everyone got fed and it was amazing.� The academy also developed relationships with others in the community, such as Immanuel Lutheran Church on West 15th Street in the Heights. Each student at the academy has a chance to volunteer once a month through a rotating period on Tuesdays, and work at the church can include everything from cleaning and sterilizing toys for preschoolers to weeding the butterfly garden. “It just depends on what their needs are,� Rocha said. There is still room to grow at the academy’s new facility with a potential 2,000 square foot space still remaining should the all-volunteer staff decide to grow more, Rocha said. For now, the group is continuing its fundraising efforts, bolstered by a particularly successful Cinderella Ball held in March. “Our goal was $25,000 and we ended up raising over $58,000,� Rocha said. “That was about 230 percent of our original goal.� Rocha stresses that the only people paid at the academy are the teachers, comprised

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Police Reports • Oct. 11 - Oct. 17 OCT. 15

Burglary 5:25 PM 400-499 W 26TH Theft 6 PM 1500-1599 STUDEMONT Theft 3:56 PM 6400-6499 ARNOT Theft 11:04 AM 700-799 E CROSSTIMBERS Assault 9:02 PM 4300-4399 SHERWOOD Theft 2:50 PM 100-199 E CROSSTIMBERS

OCT. 16

Theft 1:34 PM 2200-2299 OXFORD Theft 11:58 AM 900-999 N LOOP W Theft 3:26 AM 100-199 7TH Theft 6:54 AM 1100-1199 N LOOP W Robbery 4:12 AM 700-799 W 43RD Theft 6:07 PM 400-499 S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 8:26 AM 6600-6699 ARNOT Theft 6:53 AM 1800-1899 W 43RD Theft 1:30 PM 10800-10899 NORTHWEST FWY Theft 12:30 PM 10800-10899 NORTHWEST FWY Theft 1:56 PM 200-299 E 44TH Theft 7:30 PM 700-799 BARKLEY Theft 3:55 AM 1100-1199 ROY Theft 1 PM 3300-3399 W 11TH

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Dear Mama - It has been 3 years since you went to be with Daddy and all the rest of your sisters and brothers. We miss you so very much and not a day goes by that we don’t think of you. Please look over us and pray for us. Our Love Always, Leon, Margaret and Jason.

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GREATER HEIGHTS . GREATER HEIGHTS Introducing Memorial Hermann Introducing Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Greater Heights Hospital Formerly Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, our newly replaced facility is a direct

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reflection of the exciting changes we’ve seen in our community over the past several years.

reflection of the exciting changes we’ve seen in our community over the past several years.

But it’s more than just a name change. It’s a pledge. It’s a declaration that we’re invested in

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The Topics. Saturday, October 24, 2015 • Page 4A

Painful tragedies can sometimes mean painful victim blaming Last week I had to don my breaking news reporter cap again to report on a piece of news I could absolutely go for the rest of my life without having to write again. The death of Eryc’Charles Shelby, the 16year-old Waltrip High School student, whose life was tragically cut short in a fatal train accident within a stone’s throw of our own office, is the kind of tragedy that gets everyone talking and asking questions. What was he doing there? How did this happen? Why would anyone cross railroad tracks? There are plenty of conflicting reports about what actually happened that day and I’d rather avoid using this space for speculating on the death of a local teenager, but I have to say that some of the comments I’ve seen posted online about this story come close to outright blaming Shelby for the unfortunate accident. There are few things that make my eye twitch or my skin crawl like people falling back on “Darwinism,” or the idea that by

Jonathan Garris Editor

somehow losing a life, it will ultimately make the gene pool stronger. There’s a whole list of words I would be content in using to describe the kinds of people that would somehow celebrate the death of a teenager but for the sake of those averse to adult language (and to avoid causing my publisher to have a heart attack) I’ll avoid printing them here. However, as someone who once used to travel across train tracks plenty of times when I was younger, whether it was going to a good fishing

spot or riding a bike, I had to wonder just how prevelant pedestrian involved railway fatalities are these days. According to the Federal Railway Administration, there were 117 “railroad trespasser deaths” in Texas from 2010 through 2013. The number of deaths nationwide increased in 2013 to 488 deaths, up from 429 in 2012. The only other state in 2013 with more railroad trespasser deaths during that time period was California with 259. (Keep in mind these numbers also include motorists who die when a train crashes into them and their vehicle.) According to the non-profit Operation Lifesaver Inc., an organization which also launched the “See Tracks? Think Train” public service announcement campaign, 95 percent of all railrelated deaths involve drivers trying to beat a train or people trespassing on railroad tracks. A typical freight train can take more than a mile to stop even with emergency brakes applied

The reader. People who live in glass boxes MONTICELLO – We have come to this beautiful countryside of Virginia to look into little-known aspects of our history, and this is our first stop, Monticello. A picture of it is probably in your pocket, it’s the other side of the Thomas Jefferson nickel. This house and plantation apparently can be pronounced either mon-tuh-CHELLO or mon-tuh-SELLO. I would ask the man who built it, but Thomas Jefferson lies dead these many years right here. He was not religious, a unique stance for those Godfearing times, but was a Deist. Today that wouldn’t fly for a presidential candidate. Because of his non-beliefs, he distinctly designed his tombstone, no cross or crescent, and wrote out his epitaph: “...on the faces of the Obelisk the following inscription, & not a word more: Here was buried Thomas Jefferson. Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia.” Note there is no mention that he was our first Secretary of State, governor of Virginia or even that he was third president of the United States. Don’t you think these positions would have warranted some mention? How about “Inventor of the first Xerox?” To visit Tom’s house, make reservations. They run this place – in a kind and efficient way – like the Normandy invasion. Don’t ask the guide silly questions, such as: What was his middle name? Back then America was a very poor country and even the aristocracy couldn’t afford middle names for every child. So only two of his nine siblings had middle names (Peter Field and Anna Scott). Monticello was a going farm, producing most of what the residents needed. Tom was a tinkerer, architect and inventor. He built a small dumbwaiter into the side of the dining room fireplace so that bottles of wine could be brought up quietly. He wrote a huge number of letters, essays, and at least one Declaration of Independence, but it was tiring to make copies of everything, so here at his desk you see a pen attached to a framework attached to a second pen next to the first. Every time Tom wrote a line, the second pen copied it. Thus beware of purchasing “Thomas Jefferson letters.” They could be written by his evil twin. A museum displays the Jefferson family tree and, yes, Sally Hemmings is listed, along with their six children. Her father was apparently Thomas Jefferson’s father-inlaw, John Wayles. But Tom was a lousy businessman and

Lynn Ashby Columnist

was so desperate for cash he sold his beloved book collection to Congress, which eventually expanded it to become the Library of Congress, the largest on earth. He died broke. If only he’d saved all those nickels. Remember JFK’s famous remark to a White House dinner of Nobel laureates? “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” Last stop: Quantico. At most museums you are greeted by a kindly, elderly guide wearing a blazer with a nametag. This museum greets you with five large young men who could – and may – spend their Sundays playing linebacker for the Redskins. They all obviously have the same barber and haberdasher, for they are wearing shaved heads, starched fatigues and pack heavy heat on their hips, but couldn’t be nicer or more accommodating. Akmed, next time you want to shoot up a military establishment, don’t come here to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. You may not have heard of this place -- Marines are notoriously humble and selfeffacing – because it only opened in 2006, and is about a 36-mile march south of the capital near Quantico Marine Base. The building itself is a huge soaring structure evoking the iconic Marine monument of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. (That flag is here.) Inside, passed the armed honor guard -- there is no admission fee -- is a gigantic rotunda. Standing in neat lines and starched attention, are about 150 Leathernecks. That is nice of them to greet me, considering it took me six year just to make lance corporal. Oh, it seems there is some kind of ceremony going on. Maybe next time. Probably these young men and women are here to learn about those in the Corps who preceded them, and a most interesting trip it is. Covering everything from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli (you may quote me), there are displays, artifacts, push a button and get a quick rundown on what you are seeing. Here is a display of Marines storming a beach in

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send us an email news@theleadernews.com

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Comments continue in response to voting on Proposition 1

are forever etched in history

Korea. No, not in 1951, but in 1871. That part of the hymn, “We have fought in every clime and place” is not poetic license. There is a lot more than just glass boxes with old uniform -- a lot of bells and whistles, lively stuff. It is really worth the trip. Marines like sayings about their Corps, and some are carved into the walls. This from Sgt. Dan Daly, leading an assault on German trenches in WW I: “Come on, you sons of etc. Do you want to live forever?” I can’t find my favorite quote, but I’ll bet it’s here: “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem.” -President Ronald Reagan. A final story: One August afternoon several years ago I met a young man I had known for some time. Only he looked different from last I had seen him, a few months earlier. He now had short hair, crisp uniform, bars on his collar, stood erect. He was an officer of Marines. And the march goes on. November 10th is the 239th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. So happy birthday and Semper Fi, my son. Ashby’s glass box is at ashby2@comcast.net

Dear Editor: I am a woman – and EVERY woman I know do not want boys or men in girls restrooms. I vote No! That is my opinion and my right. Not everyone has to agree – that is why we live here in the USA. If you want to vote yes – then do so – but do NOT condemn my right to say no! Kay Sullivan Dear Editor: I have no problem using a restroom with other people who identify as women so long as they don’t mess with me. By “boys” and “men” do you mean people with penises? What about someone who identifies as and appears to be a woman, but was born with a penis? Should that person have to use the men’s restroom? What about post-op transgendered folks? Should they use the restroom that corresponds with their genes or the one that corresponds with their bodies and appearance? Who is going to police the genitalia of people using a particular restroom? Should a woman have to demonstrate that she does not

Built by Lee Burge, Publisher from 1957-1969 Terry Burge, Publisher from 1969-2012

3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd, Suite A P.O. Box 924487 Houston, TX 77292-4487 Phone: (713) 686-8494 Fax (713) 686-0970

– roughly the distance of 18 football fields. It’s difficult to know what exactly happened that day along the railroad tracks with Shelby and his friend, but it would appear that his is yet another unfortunate opportunity for youngsters around the area to learn from a tragedy and to keep aware when setting foot anywhere near our local railways. Some have been quick to deem any of these people who have been victims of unfortunate accidents as part of some process by which the gene pool is improved, but I have to wonder how many of us set foot on tracks growing up and thinking we were invincible. I can’t say Shelby had the typical “invincible” type of thinking that many his age have, but I do remember what it was like to be 16. I also remember what it meant to be scared, confused and unable to think straight during those frightful moments. Perhaps we should all take a moment to remember that before pinning the blame or vitriol on anyone.

have penis before using a women’s restroom? Should a man have to demonstrate that he does have a penis before using the men’s? I regularly take my 4-year-old son into the women’s restroom with me – does that bother you? Should there be an exception for children under a certain age? What age should that be? Do you see what a slippery slope this is? Jenny Espeseth

Red Stag at Waltrip – where did he come from?

Dear Editor: The bigger picture was that the stag was removed and no one was hurt. People should never lose sight of that. Everyone wants to save the animals we work with but ultimately in these situations, it is a health and safety issue. We did the very best we could to save an animal that was wore out, stressed out, over heated and dehydrated. No one got hurt and no property was damaged. We accomplished our goal! Paul Miller

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Managing Editor/Outside Sales christina@theleadernews.com

Any erroneous statement which may appear in The Leader will be corrected when brought to the attention of the publisher. In the event of errors or ommissions in The Leader advertisements, the publisher does not hold himself liable for damages further than the amount received by him for such advertisements. The Leader’s distribution is independently audited by the Circulation Verification Council.

the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Malay sailboats 6. Beach material 10. Heroic tale 14. Peers 15. Unseen 17. Plucking implement 19. Radioactivity unit 20. Stamping device 21. Quake 22. Foot (Latin) 23. Living body covering 24. Turfs 26. Gate swinging devices 29. Nail 31. Sharp bodily pain 32. Status equality 34. Horse height measure 35. Political Asylum Research & Documentation Service 37. 20’s - 30’s art design 38. Payment (abbr.) 39. Food grain 40. Indefinitely long period of time 41. Rear 43. Without (French) 45. Wood sorrels 46. Express pleasure 47. Recurring artistic pattern 49. Deaf language

50. Runs PCs 53. Minimal punishment 57. Repeat 58. Give extreme unction to 59. Inflammatory skin disease 60. Large Aussie flightless bird 61. Polish Air Show city

dOwn

1. Anjou or comice 2. __ Nui, Easter Island 3. Towards the mouth or oral region 4. 4th Caliph of Islam 5. Soviet Socialist Republics 6. Moslem mystics 7. Game stake 8. Point midway between N and NW 9. Female deer pelts 10. Glaze used to stiffen fabrics 11. Unhittable serves 12. Pathogen 13. Promotional materials 16. Setting up a golf drive 18. Lyric poems 22. Atomic #46 23. Genus Alosa 24. __ Claus

25. Not even 27. Fencing swords 28. Conway, N.H. river 29. Brake horsepower 30. Wild leek 31. Prefix for before 33. “Splash” director Howard 35. Sleeveless apronlike dress 36. Book of the Apostles mission 37. V.P. Quayle 39. Dish directions 42. Revolve 43. Particular instance of selling 44. Exclamation of surprise 46. Wimbledon champion Arthur 47. Millisecond 48. Ammo & chemical corp. 49. Tip of Aleutian Islands 50. Expired 51. Norway’s capital 52. Plant stalk 53. Macaws 54. Indochina battleground (slang) 55. Armed conflict 56. Ribonucleic acid

WORD SCRAMBLE

Saturday, October 24, 2015 • Page 5A

Neighbors: Girls Scout Troop 122003 bridge from Daisies to Brownies By Elizabeth Villareal

of individuals who have been informal and formal mentors throughout my career. I think one of the best ways to thank someone for being a mentor is to become one yourself. That’s what I did. I find giving the gift of mentorship many times more rewarding than I ever imagined.”

elizasgarden@outlook.com

Happy Birthday to Charlie Stephens, the legendary and beloved band director who put Waltrip High School’s band program on the map. From the entire Band, members past and present, “We owe a great debt to the time and effort Mr. Stephens has given towards his students and the Waltrip community. Thank you for everything, Mr. Stephens, and may you have the very best birthday ever!” Congratulations to Girl Scout Brownie Troop 122003! The girls bridged from Daisies to Brownies in a bridging ceremony at the Girl Scout Cottage. The girls are Aleida Klimko, Jenna McMahon, Debra Salyers, Lydia Lejia, Elizabeth Long, Elayne Degeyter and Kaitie Youngreen (not present due to illness). Adult volunteers making the Troop’s activities possible are Isabel Klimko – Troop Leader/Fall Product Manager, Jane McMahon – Treasurer, and Laura Lejia – Cookie Mom. This young Troop is off to a grand start in Girl Scouting. They recently painted the Community’s bridge in September in preparation for their bridging ceremony and for future bridging Troops, participated in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk and donated “Making Change” baggies filled with loose change found around their homes, and they met with new Daisy Troop 122267, telling them about the joys of Girl Scouts and all of the fun they themselves had as Daisies. In preparation to bridging the

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 122003 celebrate their bridging ceremony at the Girl Scout Cottage.

girls were told “The Brownie Story.” The Ceremony began with the girls singing the old and dear Make New Friends song while they made their way to the “pond” and eventually the bridge. At the end of the ceremony, each Brownie is reminded of the Girl Scout Slogan “Do a Good Turn Daily.” They then celebrated with pizza, fruit, veggies, punch, rainbow cupcakes, and of course, brownies. Daisy Troop 122267 and Brownie Troop 122003 will be putting together “Birthday in a Box” care packages for donation. The boxes will have all the necessary supplies for a birthday party. These boxes will then be given to Heights Interfaith Ministries to be donated to underprivileged families. Lastly, the Brownies will soon be attending their first overnight camp. They are looking forward to making crafts, learning new

songs, exploring the great outdoors, and S’MORES! Thank you, adult volunteers and girls! You are making a difference. The Society of Women Engineers recognized Leader community neighbor Shawn Emerson Simmons, an environmental and permitting manager with ExxonMobil, for her impact on the Society as well as the engineering community with the Spark Award. Shawn Emerson Simmons will accept the award at SWE’s annual conference, WE15, in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 23 during the formal awards banquet. The Spark Award recognizes Simmons for her contribution to the advancement of women through mentoring. Simmons said, “I am humbled to receive the award. It is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the countless number

“GO SING” singers from Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School performed for Belmont Village Senior Living Center resident Walter Peine in honor of his 100th birthday. Mr. Peine received proclamations from Governor Greg Abbott, Mayor Annise Parker and President and Mrs. Obama. The students presented their program “America Sings!” to the delight of the residents and family of Mr. Peine. Our neighbors and GOMM student performers Skyla Spearman, Miguel Godoy, Samantha Ojeda, Katherine Fowler, Addison Russell, Rona Williams, Amelia Bonilla, Jonathan Ruiz, Viviana Abrego, Margaret Melendez, Lizbeth Nunez, Esmeralda Ruiz, Rosyalan Camacho, Isabel Acosta, Kimberly Flores, Hannah Hicks, Mark Mendoza, Olivia Modad, Zachary Villarreal and Elena Nail spread out and visited with the residents, discussing historical facts from the last century with each resident individually. It was a very special afternoon. The 25 member choral group has performed at HISD’s Fine Arts Festival, Heights Annual Crawfish Festival, Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce “Teacher of the Year” Banquet and will perform for the State Board of Education of Texas in Austin

Slime in the water bowl!

Dear Tabby, What is the slimy stuff that accumulates in my pet’s water bowls? Is it something I should be concerned about? And how often should I wash the water bowls? Wondering about water slime in Woodland Heights

Dear Wondering, The slimy stuff that coats the side of your pet’s water bowls (and sometimes even floats around on top) is called “biofilm” which is a gluey substance that forms when bacteria attaches to water. Other places that you might’ve seen biofilm are on your shower curtain and even in your own mouth! Since biofilm can develop on a surface in just hours, wash your pet’s food bowl after every meal and his water bowl twice a day. If your pet spends time outside, you should have a water bowl in your yard. You might need to clean that dish even more frequently, especially in

hot weather, which provides a perfect environment for algae and bacteria to grow When biofilm is introduced into your pet’s system, it can cause urinary tract, bladder and ear infections, so it’s something to consider, when thinking about the health and safety of your pets. The good news is that with proper cleanliness, you can reduce the chance of biofilm in your pet’s system, keeping your pet happily-hydrated and biofilm-free.

Costello offered some “depressing” statistics, saying that less than 20 percent of officers live within the city of Houston. He said the number one issue would have to do with community policing and addressing the mistrust between public safety officials in the community and the lack of success in solving crimes. The police force is also aging faster than officers can be replaced, Costello said. “We need to encourage and incentivize police officers to live in their neighborhoods,” Costello said. “Right now we’re looking at and exploring a housing incentive, but we’re earmarking it to high crime zip codes. We need to get them into the city and then we can focus on where to move them.” McVey said more police officers were needed – at least 1,000 – and pointed to a growing population and a need to also modernize police services, utilizing body cameras and two men per patrol car to help cut down on officer-related shootings and provide better safety. “As a son of a former police

officer, I know that policing is a science and 20 years ago it was very different from what is today and 20 years from now it will be very different from today as well,” McVey said. “The growth of our police services and our fire services needs to mirror what our current challenges are and represent the people.” Regarding the second question focusing on youth education and well-being, King said the city has a fairly limited role in education but said it would be important to support the district in any way possible and said quality of life comes back to financial issues. “The problem we have is the mismanagement of our finances is squeezing out every quality of life initiative that we have going on down at the city, from parks to anything else you want to talk about,” King said. Turner said parks are critically important for maintaining the quality of life, saying the city requires “complete neighborhoods” rather than certain areas of town with major gaps in quality. Providing parks and green space is

Speaking of film… Plan to join your Oak Forest neighbors for Movie in the Park, benefitting Oak Forest

Animal Advocates, on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Oak Forest Park. Children are encouraged to come dressed in costume. In addition to delightful food offerings from some local food trucks, bring a blanket, sit back and enjoy “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” under the stars, beginning at 7pm. When that’s over, if you’re still in the mood to mix and mingle, stick around for a special showing of the movie, “Bolt” at 7:30. Learn more at www.oakforestanimals.org. Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at deartabbyquestions@gmail.com.

at their November meeting. Musical Director, Kenneth Clayborne states that the students are more than excited to represent their school, neighborhood and city through the Fine Arts. Mark your calendars for Fall Festivals! Oct. 23 – St. Rose of Lima Halloween Festival – 5-9 p.m. at 3600 Brinkman. Enjoy Gatlin’s BBQ dinner, music, trick or treating, a scary haunted house and more. Oct. 24 – Oaks Business Association’s Second Annual Fall Festival -- is set for 3-7 p.m. this coming Saturday at Candlelight Park. Neighbors are invited to join in the fun and enjoy Hartman’s Famous Pumpkin Patch, Justin Gordon Homes Famous Hay Ride, pictures with a live scare crow, food vendors, face painting, music, attractions such as bouncy house, dunking booth, rock wall, mechanical bull, local vendors, and trick or treating for kids (wear costumes!) and more. Also, Resource One will have a paper shredder for free use from 2-6 p.m., so bring your old documents. Please bring five canned goods or $5 to benefit MANNA and cash for food/drink/ donations. Please share this event and invite your local friends. Oct. 30 – Waltrip High School’s ghostly Trunk-or-Treat and terrifying Tunnel of Terror will be held from 610 p.m. Trunk or treaters can decorate their trunks and hand out candy or just trick or treat in the rear parking lot off of Ella Blvd. The tunnels beneath Waltrip High School will also be open and full of scary things – so check it out, if you dare!

Pet of the week

Meet Cruiser. You simply won’t find a more loving, cuddly cat in the world. Cruiser is about 9 years old--still has a lot of living to do--and only wants one thing: a human to love on. He’s in a foster home now, but isn’t receiving as much attention as he needs. Could your lap be the place for Cruiser to land? If so, find out more at www.saveacatrescue.org or visit the shelter located at: 2618 Newman Street 77098.

Election from P. 1A ble to retire. Internally, Turner said the budget has almost doubled to $900 million but is administratively top heavy. Addressing trust within the community was also a concern and he said the pension issue would have to be handled delicately with so many already eligible to retire. “You can’t have community policing without having more police officers and I put forth my plan, which is online, to add 540 police officers over a five year period costing approximately $85 million,” Turner said. King said there was a “serious management issue” at HPD and pointed out that last year investigators only solved 15 percent of robberies and 24 percent of rapes, which he said were way below national averages. King took issue with what he felt was throwing money at a situation without setting up metrics and establishing accountability and again voiced his desire to consolidate crime lab operations with Harris County. “We have a management structure that handicaps officers,” King said.

The Obituaries. James Joe Doyle Sr., 97, born Sept. 15, 1918 in Houston, died Oct. 18. Doyle was married to his lifelong sweetheart Lucy Love Doyle, to whom he was married almost 61 years until her death. He graduated from Sam Houston High School and then from Texas A&M College as a chemical engineer and Army 2nd Lt. He served his country on active duty from 1941-46 achieving the rank of major, then in the ready reserve until retirement at the rank of colonel. He worked as an engineer at Baroid in Houston for 45 years, retiring as vice president. He belonged to Baptist Temple Church for more than 70 years. Doyle is survived by his sister, Mary Vivian Doyle Keese, children James Joe Doyle, Jr., Dr. Eileen Doyle Brewer, Terry Doyle, and Dr. Timothy Doyle, five grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren. Herbert Lynwood Hall,

88, born Dec. 17, 1926 in Tampa, Fla., died Oct. 10. Hall earned

his Pilot’s license at the age of 16 and served two years as a Navy Aerial Gunner. He graduated in 1950 from the University of Florida with a degree in Building Construction. He then moved to Houston Texas in 1954 and worked 17 years for United States Gypsum as an Arch Service Rep. He started his own company, Dry Plank System in 1971 and served as a Construction Consultant. He was married for 67 years to his childhood best friend; Mary Jo Farrior Hall, who survives him, along with his sons Dr. Thomas F. Hall, William Wallace Hall, daughter Jo Ellen Richey, three grandchildren, and one greatgrandson.

Robert Leonard Marshall, 80, born Dec. 24, 1934 in

Greenville, Tenn., died Oct. 15. He served his country honorably as an Army Veteran. Following his service in the Army he became a skilled craftsman in many trades but most of his working career was in the field of Air

conditioning and Refrigeration. Marshall is survived by his loving wife Barbara J. Marshall, sons Phillip Allen Marshall, Glenn Paul Marshall, three step-daughters Teresa Gonzalez, Sherry Bergeron, Linda Dugal, three grandchildren, many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Esther W. Preuss, 87, born May 17, 1928, died Oct. 19. Virgil DuWayne Stone, 90, born April 29, 1925 in Henrietta, Texas, died Oct. 18. Stone is a veteran of the United States Navy and proudly served his country for two years and six months. He returned to school, obtaining a degree from The University of Oklahoma in Petroleum Engineering. He then went to work for Gulf Oil Corporation in the New Orleans area in 1949. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stone, children Michael Stone and Janet Downie seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

a critical component of the city’s future, Turner said, and he also said education is important with crime prevention. “After-school programs are critically important and having sidewalks and making sure we have safe schools are all important,” Turner said. “You can have a growing and dynamic city filled with businesses but if your education system is still going in a different direction you’re going to have a problem.” Costello said the city’s role in education is more geared toward workforce development and said there are cur-

rently limited resources in after-school programs. He also called himself a “green” person, pointing to his time spent on the Memorial Park Conservancy Board since 1996 and his support of the Bayou 2020 program. “That is an east-west program and what we need to do now is have a north-south program so that if anyone else is within less than a quarter of a mile within a trail, they can travel through to another trail,” Costello said. McVey said it is no longer acceptable for officials to avoid taking a proactive role in supporting and help-

ing guide HISD. As a business leader, McVey said the city can no longer last without a clear plan for maintaining its quality of life for people of all ages. “The city of Houston is the largest business you will ever invest in that does not have a business plan and we need one,” McVey said. “We need to work on our economic development to bring jobs here, work on increasing our police services and our fire services. We can no longer just ignore the things we need to grow.”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OF THE NEAR NORTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO CONSIDER THE ADVISABILITY OF AMENDING/SUPPLEMENTING THE DISTRICT’S ASSESSMENT ROLL, CHANGING THE ASSESSMENT RATE, AND LEVYING ASSESSMENTS ON PROPERTY WITHIN THE DISTRICT TIME: November 30, 2015, 8:00 a.m. PLACE: 7603 Antoine, Houston, Texas 77088 GENERAL NATURE OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AND SERVICES: The Near Northwest Management District (the “District”) was created to provide services and improvements in the near northwest area of the City of Houston, Texas (the “City”), as authorized by Chapter 3811, Vernon’s Texas Special District Local Laws Code, and by Chapter 375, Vernon’s Texas Local Government Code. The District proposes to add to its assessment roll all new development, redevelopment, or new construction or property annexed into the District since the District’s last public hearing on December 1, 2014, and any nonexempt real property in the District that was omitted from the District’s assessment roll at the last certified value set by the Harris County Appraisal District (“HCAD”). The District will further amend/supplement and correct its assessment roll related to certain properties that were previously omitted for assessment years 2013 and 2014. The District, in accordance with the service, improvement and assessment plan approved by its Board of Directors in 2009 (the “Service Plan”), has provided and will to continue to provide services and improvements in the near northwest area of the City as authorized by the statutes listed above. Such services include: (a) security and public safety; (b) marketing and perception enhancement; (c) planning and urban design; and (d) administration of the District. ESTIMATED COST OF THE PROPOSED SERVICES AND IMPROVEMENTS: The cost of the services to be provided is estimated to be $1,587,815 annually over the remaining ten years of the fifteen-year life of the Service Plan. PROPOSED METHOD OF ASSESSMENT: The District proposes to levy the assessment on properties added to the District’s assessment roll in the amount of $0.132 per $100 of assessed valuation as shown in the appraisal rolls of HCAD for the year 2015 to finance the cost of services and improvements. The District further proposes that certain specific properties be added to the District’s assessment roll and assessment levied in the amount levied against properties as approved by the District’s Board of Directors for 2013 and 2014. All property owners within the District and all other interested persons are hereby invited to appear in person, or by their attorney, and contend for or contest the amendment/supplement and/or correction to the District’s assessment roll, each proposed assessment and the change in the assessment rate and to offer testimony pertinent to any issue presented on the amount, purpose and special benefits of the assessments and the penalties and interest on delinquent assessments. Oral or written support of or objections to the District’s amendment/supplement to its assessment roll, change in the assessment rate and the levy of assessments as to any parcel in the District contained on the amended/supplemented District assessment roll will be considered at the hearing. For information, please call or write the Near Northwest Management District, 7603 Antoine, Houston, Texas 77088, phone: (713)895-8021. For information on the amount of your assessment, please call the District’s Assessment Consultant, Interstate Tax Management Services, Ltd., at (281)873-7313 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday).

/s/ Wayne Norden __________________________ Wayne Norden, President Near Northwest Management District

Page 6A • Saturday, October 24, 2015

The calendar.

MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR Heights Young Professionals Meet, network, socialize and make direct connections with other professionals. This event will be hosted at Town in City Brewing from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 22, and will include complimentary appetizers from Tied House Kitchen. DJ Luke Lucas provide the music. Admission is free for members, $20 for non-members at the door. Town in City Brewing is located at 1125 W. Cavalcade. Information: info@heightschamber.com, 713-861-6735.

FALL FESTIVAL M.D. Anderson Family YMCA Bring the whole family and enjoy Halloween festivities at the M.D. Anderson Family YMCA, 705 Calvalcade, from 6-8:30 p.m. Oct. 23. There will be a costume contest. Call to register. Information: 713-697-0648. COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Hogg Middle School Come shop and help Hogg M.S. with their Community Garage Sale benefitting their summer field trip in June to Washington D.C. and New York City. The garage sale is from 7 a.m.-noon Oct. 24,

at the Hogg football field. Hogg Middle School is located at 1100 Merrill St. Information: cmark@ houstonisd.org, facebook.com/ LearnLocalatHogg. MOVIE IN THE PARK Oak Forest Animal Advocates Bring the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes to the Movie in the Park, at Oak Forest Park, Oct. 24. Food trucks: Coreanos, Koagie Hots and Golden Grill will be selling food at 6 p.m.; “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is at 7 p.m.; followed at 7:30 p.m. by “Bolt,� a movie about a special dog who’s trained to believe he’s actually a crime-fighting dog with superpowers, rather than a canine actor. OFAA will be selling glow necklaces, bracelets and “movie cars.� RSVP on the Facebook page. Information: www. oakforestanimals.org. OCTOBER 2015 VOLKSMARCH Houston Happy Hikers Houston Happy Hikers will hold a 11km/5km on Oct. 24. Start point is Carter & Cooley Company, 375 W. 19th St. Start anytime between 9 a.m.-noon, finish by 3 p.m. Event is noncompetitive. Walk, jog or run at one’s own

pace. Trail is on a crushed gravel jogging trail, city streets, sidewalks, and a paved walking trail. Registration fee is $3. Information: www.houstonhappyhikers. com, 832-646-4319. FALL FAMILY FUN DAY Memorial Hermann Northwest Memorial Hermann Northwest, 1635 N. Loop W., will be hosting Fall Family Fun Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24. Attendees can visit with Life Flight crew members, take part in tailgate games and giveaways, and play in the pumpkin patch and hay maze. There will be free parking. Information: 713-222-CARE. FALL FESTIVAL/PUMPKIN PATCH Sinclair Elementary PTA Sinclair Elementary’s PTA announces their Fall Festival and Silent Auction to be held from 3:15-7 p.m. Oct. 23, on Sinclair’s campus located at 6410 Grovewood. The Pumpkin Patch will be open Monday-Friday from 3:30-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from noon-4 p.m. through Oct. 31. Wristbands for the festival that include unlimited access are $20. Information: sinclair.pta.events@ gmail.com.

ULTIMATE LOUISIANA PARTY Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar Two days of fun-filled, family entertainment features Louisiana musicians, local and regional bands. Show times are 2 p.m.-1 a.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 2-12. The venue is located at 1031 E. 24th St. Information: 225-802-9681, www.ulparty.com. GOLF TOURNAMENT Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Take advantage of a great networking opportunity with clients, prospects or co-workers at the 2015 Annual Golf Tournament at Northgate Country Club, 17110 Northgate Forest Dr. Shotgun Start is at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Golfers get breakfast and lunch. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Greater Heights Community Fund. Information: 713-861-6735, events@heightschamber.com.

Heights Library Readers Group book discussion is at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 2; NaNoWriMo – For National Novel Writing Month, write a novel in 30 days. Join like-minded writers at “Write Ins� in the WiFi equipped space at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 4; Roaring 20s/30s Book Club – Young Adult book discussion group meets at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4. Heights Neighborhood Library is located at 1302 Heights Blvd. The Library will be closed on Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. Information: 832-393-1810, www.houstonlibrary.org.

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ACTIVITIES FOR NOVEMBER Heights Neighborhood Library Teen program, Paper Crafting with Amie is at 4 p.m. Nov. 5; Teen Craft: “Give Thanks� beaded charm bracelets is 4 p.m. Nov. 16;

David Barron Concert at Bethel UCC David James Barron is an actor, singer, songwriter, director, producer and DJ. He will be performing at 3 p.m. Oct. 25, at Bethel Church UCC, 1107 Shepherd Dr. Call 713-861-6670 or visit www.bethelhouston.org for information. Great Pumpkin Singing at Oak Forest Baptist Everyone is invited to at-

Icon and Historical Tour at All Saints To celebrate All Saints Day, come for a tour of All Saints parish sanctuary and learn about the icons and history of All Saints parish. All Saints Catholic Church is located at 215 E. 10th St. Call 713-864-2653 or visit allsaintsheights.com/icons for information. All Saints TALC to hold Veterans’ Day celebration All Saints Third Age Learning Center (TALC), 215 E. 10th St., will hold its annual Veterans’ Day Celebration at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 6, in the All Saints Parish Hall located at 215 E. 10th St. Lunch following the festivities is $2. TALC will celebrate its fall semester closing at 10 a.m. Nov. 13. Featured are student performances, refreshments and door prizes. A lunch will be served with TALC providing the turkey and dressing and the TALC members bringing their favorite dishes for a Happy Thanksgiving meal. Call 713-248-1277 for information. Women’s Conference at St. Monica Women of God: Embracing Our Legacy with Divine Purpose Women’s Conference will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church, from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 7. The program is

a gathering in sisterhood to learn of the marvelous contributions of women in Biblical history. The cost is $10 pre-registration and $15 at the door and covers conference materials, breakfast and lunch. Registration forms are available online at www.stmonicahouston.com. Checks can be made payable to: St. Monica Catholic Church and mailed to Elizabeth Gonzales, c/o St. Monica Catholic Church, 8421 W. Montgomery Rd., Houston 77088. Participants can bring a canned good as an offertory gift during the Mass. Donations benefit the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. Turkey dinner at Advent Lutheran Advent Lutheran Church, 5820 Pinemont, is having its annual Turkey Dinner, from 57 p.m. Nov. 11. Advance tickets only, adults $10, children 10 and under $6. Tickets can be purchased at the church of-

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ChurCh Guide

Oaks Christian ChurCh (Disciples of Christ)

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

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

201 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 www.fbcheights.org Ad # 22283

Weekly Sunday Services • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.

1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters

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

it is the norhill Church of Christ.

Hear The Gospel - Mark 16:15; Roman 10: 14-17 Believe The Gospel - John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6 Repent - Luke 17:3-5; Acts 17:30 Confess - Mathew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10 Be Baptized - Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col 2:11-13 Live Faithfully Till Death - John 8:31; Revelation 2:10; Hebrew 10:23 The Norhill Church of Christ is a non-denominational church located in the near north side of Houston in the inner loop 77009 area. It has operated as a church of Christ since 1927, it is located at 634 West Cottage on the corner of West Cottage and Reagan streets. The Norhill Church of Christ teaches only the Bible, without reference to any man-originated creed. Bible study services for all ages are held at 9:30am Sunday mornings. Sunday morning Worship begins at 10:15am. Sunday evening worship is at 6:00pm Wednesday evening worship and Bible study is held at 7:30pm. Norhill welcomes everyone to attend worship or Bible study to learn more about the truth of the Bible.

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1822 W. 18th

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Sunday - Bible Study For All Ages .. 9:30am Morning Worship............ 10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed. Prayer Meeting & Missions Organization .....................6:15pm Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor

713-864-1470

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Spooktacular at St. Stephen’s Children and their parents are welcome to attend Spooktacular, a fun, non-scary Halloween event, from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 25, in the fellowship hall. The free event will include games, crafts, a treasure hunt and hot dog dinner. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for St. Stephen’s Christmas Basket program. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org.

tend, and share in this special singing at 4:15 p.m. Nov. 1. There will be a fellowship following the event with sandwiches, chips and deserts. Oak Forest Baptist Church is located at 1700 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-6824942.

FREE

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From the Pews. Upcoming events at Hope Episcopal Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd St., has a variety of upcoming events including Songfest, 7 p.m. Oct. 23. The cost is $11 per ticket. Blessing of the Animals will be 10 a.m. Oct. 24. All in the community are welcome. The Health and Wellness Fair is from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 14, in the parish hall. The free event will feature snack, face painting, flu shots, glucose exam and more. Call 713-681-6422 or visit www.hope-episcopal.org for information.

FALL FESTIVAL Oak Forest PTA This year’s Oak Forest Fall Festival themed “Once Upon a Time� will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 7. Attractions include a Rock Wall, Swing Ride, Game Truck, Laser Tag, Petting Zoo, Games, Cinderella Carriage Rides, Airbrush Tattoos, Juggler and food. Tickets are required for the activities. They can be pre-ordered online at www.oakforestpta.com from Oct. 21 to Oct 30, and will also be available at the festival at an increased price.

Chase Baker, D.D.S.

W

ith Halloween this week, the candy treats abound. It seems everywhere over the last several days has someone that is trying to force some sugar on me (which I admit, I’m not the best at turning down). Kids aren’t the only ones partaking of the sweets this time of year. We’re all under attack from the sugar bugs. With that in mind, if you decide to indulge, here are a few helpful tips to help keep you and your little monsters out of the dentist’s chair. SUGAR-FREE: The best candy to choose are sugar-free or those containing Xylitol as a sweetener. Xylitol has been shown to help strengthen your enamel and fight cavity forming bacteria. CHOCOLATE: Chocolate is better than most, because it melts quickly in the mouth so the sugars are left in the mouth for a shorter period of time. AVOID STICKY/HARD CANDY: Hard candies tend to be left in the mouth for extended periods of time allowing the sugars to coat the teeth. If chewed, they can also lead to tooth fracture. Sticky candies can be difficult to get cleaned off which keeps the sugar in contact with the teeth. DRINK MORE WATER: Water helps to wash off sugars from your teeth, keeping them from settling in and starting decay. BRUSH AND FLOSS: Brushing, flossing and regular check ups from your dentist will help to keep you and your kid’s teeth from looking like your Jack O’ Lantern.

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

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

Irreplaceable are our Days We should live each day as if it is going to be our last. Tomorrow is promised to no one, and so we really donot know when our last day might be. How would we live today differently if we knew it was going to be our last? What are we putting off that we would regret not saying or doing if we were to die this very day? In the United States, over 7000 people die every day. How many of them missed opportunities to live and love each day fully? Each and every day is special and irreplaceable, and comes with unique opportunities. All of the major religions of the world counsel us to contemplate our deaths, and this isn’t because there is a universal tendency toward morbidity, but rather because it is only against the backdrop of our mortality that the true value and meaning of our lives become apparent. None of us will live forever, but those of us who recognize the brevity of life will savor its joys and even its sorrows more than those who do not. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. R.S.V. Psalm 90:12

New Beginnings Happen Here

Sunday Worship - 10:30am Bible Study: Wednesday Noon - 1:30pm Bible Study: 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7:00 - 8:30pm Reverend Noelie Day

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Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m. Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org

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Food, drink Saturday, October 24, 2015 • Page 7A

Art Valet

By Mitch Cohen

Arts Columnist

ART

Thirsty Explorer

By Christina Martinez Managing Editor

Artist splits time between rocket science and glass art

Pegstar show takeover at Rudyard’s pub, featuring Matt Pond PA

Sometimes artists I work with really surprise me -- like when I asked League City glass artist Nicole Bolinger if she was a full time artist, her response: “I work at NASA on the space station program.” Heck yeah - interview time!

Live music is heading center stage at Rudyard’s this week, with Matt Ponds PA headlining and Laura Stevenson opening on their The State of Gold Tour. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. General admission tickets online are $13, day of are $15 and at the door $15. Check them out online and buy tickets at www.stubwire. com/event/mattpondpa/rudyards/houston/10910/

You work at NASA full-time, are you a rocket scientist? I’m not a rocket scientist in the true sense of the word, but I do work at NASA full time. I am part of the Flight Operations Directorate; it is a group at the Johnson Space Center that deals with operations related to the Space Station and any vehicles that dock with the Space Station. The flight controllers (i.e. Houston, we have a problem) and astronauts are part of the same group. My main task is to manage software that is used by the astronauts and flight controllers around the world to read their procedures.

Art by featured artist Nicole Bolinger

How did you get into your art form? I was traveling often for work, I was setting up my software system at the different Mission Control Centers around the globe. In every city I would search for a glass artist and buy a piece of art. One day I stood back, looking at all this beautiful glass and wondered if I could learn how to create it. I knew that glass blowing might not be possible, but glass fusing might be something that would be more feasible. I then found a local glass artist (Gene Hester) in 2006 who was teaching classes at the Glassell School of Art. He was an amazing instructor; he taught the fundamentals of glass and made us calculate firing schedules so we knew what was happening at each hour. It was amazing! I learned there was a science to go along with the art side, it couldn’t be more perfect for me! Glass is all about time versus temperature; you mess with one, and different things are going to happen in the kiln—it could be a good thing, or ruin a piece, it all depends on what you are trying to achieve. Shortly after the class was over I bought a small kiln, played with glass on my own, made tons of mistakes and learned even more. I was building a house at the time, so I decided to finish out the room above my garage and make it my studio. Rocket Girl Glass was soon created and I began selling my work to support my glass habit. Participating in art festivals is completely opposite from my day job and I enjoy sharing my love of glass and being in the company of other artists. Do you like doing both art and NASA? Yes. Since early high school I knew I

Art by featured artist Nicole Bolinger

wanted to work for NASA, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I get to see humans fly in space every day and get to work with some of the most intelligent people on this planet, it’s wonderful. However, I can’t imagine my life without glass art either. It calms me, lets the stress of the ‘day’ job disappear. When I retire from NASA, I know I’ll create glass art full time. There must be big differences in the art world and the NASA world, what’s the most profound? I would say the biggest difference is that art is subjective and space flight isn’t. Space flight is precise numbers, there is no room for ‘free thinking’ when you are trying to dock a space craft to the Space Station. Art is what you want to express. Art can be liked by people or not liked by people, it can be controversial, it can be emotional. Space flight is structured, hard, controlled. I find it difficult to let go sometimes and just create with abandon, if you look at my work, it is very structured and linear in form, my technical background flows into my art. However, think of the flip side, once you’ve done the calculations to get up to the Space Station and the crew points the camera towards Earth you see nothing but art. You see amazing colors mixing with each other, wind and water patterns that go this way and that way, and there are no boundaries between

Art by featured artist Nicole Bolinger

Houston Halloween Fest & Brews N Boos The Houston Halloween Fest is back this weekend, from 2 - 9 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 24. This year the venue is moving to the entertainment complex at Hughes Hangar. Back lot, front lot, both Hughes and DeGaul will be packed with Halloween revelers, kids carnival, Horrorcon vendors, Zombie Laser Tag from Battlefield Houston, fair type food, a Zombie Walk for charity and of course plenty of $5 pints all around. The theme for the Fest will be going back to the 80’s and there are two bands lined up for the event, with more to be added - Strangelove, Thunderpants and Hughes’ best house DJs. The party continues from 5 9 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 25, with For The Love of Trucks Festival putting on their Brew ‘N Boo event at Hughes Hanger. The festival is set up for guests to try some of the hottest new beers in the market. Each guest will receive a punch card upon entry which will allow the guest to taste up to eight different varietals of brews and a token for them to redeem a full meal from one of three local food trucks. Local live entertainment will play inside on the stage. First 50 guests will receive a complimentary beer mug and a take home swag bag. Last of the line barrel tickets are $30. Check out Hughes Hangar on Facebook for more details and ticket purchase options. Hughes Hangar is located at 2811 Washington Ave. 77007

countries, it’s all very beautiful to see when you are looking at it from a distance - it’s living art. Meet Nicole Bolinger at the November and December First Saturday Arts Markets and online firstsaturdayartsmarket.com/nicolebolinger Cohen is the founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him at ArtValet@ gmail.com or visit him on the web at ArtValet. com.

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Lunch 11:00 - 2:00 Dinner 5:30- 10:30 Sun. Brunch 11:00- 3:00

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first tenant to move in, with a coffee shop and trendy boutique just on the horizon.

Northline Mall

Crosstimber

Have a tip for Nibbles? Email christina@theleadernews.com

Airline Dr

Just a couple of months ago, we broke the news that Alabama Furniture would be closing their 2200 Yale Street doors after losing their lease to new developers moving in. A new tenant has been announced, one that food lovers will be happy to hear – Bernie’s Burger Bus. Just over a week ago now, owner and chef Justin Turner announced on his Instagram that Bernie’s Burger Bus would be rolling into the Heights. “Love it when a plan comes together,” the Instagram post reads. “Absolutely excited for this amazing undertaking that is about to happen. Katy [location] few weeks out, 22nd and Yale Street in the Heights deal is signed for store number three coming late summer next year!” The burger bus has a strong following with Heights neighbors, claiming fame while parked in front of Little Woodrow’s Heights off of White Oak Drive. Now just down the street from Little Woodrow’s, Bernie’s Burger Bus will have a home front to call their own. The previous furniture store will be torn down and resurrected as a brand new facility, with room for one more development – a restaurant.

Say hello to Foreign Correspondents On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Treadsack announced their newest fall restaurant opening – Foreign Correspondents. Former fishmonger, PJ Stoops, returns to his cooking roots as executive chef to bring Thai fare to the Heights. “I’m basically getting to be the chef I always wanted to sell to as a fishmonger,” Stoops said. Guests are encouraged to share at the restaurant with a family-style dinner menu. For daytime diners, an à la carte menu structure is aimed at getting busy professionals

Belgian Beers

BeLgian BiStro

Spaghetti Thursday

The wheels on the bus are coming to the Heights By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com

Houston’s Best Selection of

North Houston’s 50 Year Tradition

I-4

Leader Nibbles

Facebook photo

A shot from The Houston Zombie Walk 2014.

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Drive Thru Available Free wine while it lasts. July 2 & July 9 only!

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Contributed photo The Tam Phonlamay (Fruit and Shrimp Salad with Magenta Rice).

back to work during weekday lunch service, while guests are invited to linger and try a bevy of dishes during weekend brunch. Located in The Heights Place, a revitalized strip mall at 4721 N Main Dr. 77009, Foreign Correspondents is the

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Page 8A • Saturday, October 24, 2015

Language from P. 1A

Photo by Betsy Denson More than half of Helms students are native English speakers.

mid-1990s, is also a magnet school, meaning that it is intended to draw students from inside and outside the school zone. Baker said that of its 500 students, 420 are in the magnet program. There are only four classes which are not dual language and in a few years, there will be none. While the new dual language schools in the Leader area – Love Elementary, Durham Elementary and Wainwright Elementary – are 50/50 with their Spanish/English instruction, Helms is 80/20 for students starting out. “Students are truly immersed in Spanish language,” said Baker, who notes that two-thirds of the third and fourth grade students took the STARR test in Spanish last year. He adds that the pendulum shifts back to English as the students develop. By fifth grade, it’s about 60/40. “We want them to have English proficiency before middle school,” he said. He said that the percentage of Helms students whose first language is something other than English is about 43 percent and almost 100 percent of those students are Hispanic. Eighty-five percent of the students at Helms are Hispanic, so half of Hispanic students have English as their primary language. Baker notes that the school draws interest not only from parents who think that learning another language will benefit their child in a global marketplace, but also from Hispanic parents who want their children to learn Spanish to be able to communicate with grandparents. As for native Spanish speakers, the interaction they get with their English speaking peers, instead of being grouped in an ESL class, helps their mastery of English. “It is in these social exchanges on the playground, during work stations, during recess, lunch, and other interactions that provides additional exposure to English in a context that students in a regular bilingual program do not get,” he said. “That social communication can be at times more meaningful to students than formal English language instruction.” While Helms has been dual language for almost 20 years, Durham Elementary has been at it for two months. “It’s absolutely a process,” said Durham Principal Amy Poerschke. Poerschke said that the silent period, which is defined as the time between the child’s introduction to the language and their comfort in speaking it, was “unsettling at the beginning” but that in weeks three through seven, the students have become “little sponges.” English speakers and Spanish speakers in PreK though first grade are grouped together as language buddies. The idea is that they provide the “scaffold” for their buddy in the non-native language. Durham parent, and native English speaker, Lisa Gutierrez said that her kindergarten son has come a long way in a month and a half, answering her simple Spanish questions in kind. “He has always loved languages and this is a way for him to soak it in,” she said. Poerschke said that an unintended effect of the program is on parents who are mixing as they might not have before. There’s a monthly dual language parent night where parents get tools to communicate with each other. “The divides disappear,” said Poerschke.

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Lutheran High North will be having a drawing for ONE lucky student to win a 4-year voucher.* That’s right— tuition-free for 4 years! * Voucher does not include yearly student fees

Students have the opportunity to be entered into the drawing up to four times!! Earn an entry each time you attend one of the following: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS October 23rd, 5:30-8:30pm LION PREVIEW NIGHT (students who attend this event will be entered TWICE in the drawing) Nov 4th, 5:30-8:00pm SLAM JAM WINTER SPORT PREVIEW Jan 19th, 5:30-8:00pm To be eligible to win STUDENT MUST:

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Be enrolled in the 8th grade for the 2015/2016 School Year

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Have a completed

3 admission application & be accepted for the 2016/2017 School Year

DRAWING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 31, 2016. For more information and details of the drawing, visit: LHNFreeRide.org

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