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Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Vol. 60 • No. 54

Santa stops in at some local businesses for some early holiday ideas.

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See what our readers had to say about Sheila Jackson Lee’s reelection. (P. 4A)

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Flying Saucer oﬀers slices of heaven for the holidays With the holiday season kicking into gear, the staﬀ over at The Flying Saucer Pie Company will be hard at work, crafting their pies which have people lining up around the corner outside of the shop every year. Check out this week’s Food & Drink section to see what’s in store this season.

See P. 1B

THE INDEX. Church

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Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

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Opinion

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Mayor says money may hold back Shady Acres By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com

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LAMINATING AND REFURBISHING antique furniture and kitchen cabinets. 832-7854247.

Photo by Jonathan Garris Houston Mayor Annise Parker addressed numerous concerns of Shady Acres Civic Club members during the group’s monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Photo by Betsy Denson While the architecture program at Scarborough High School may have been ended by HISD, the district is looking to enhance students’ education in other ways by diverting funds to other vocational programs and initaitives. HISD’s PowerUp will provide every Scarborough student with a laptop.

Despite losing architecture program, Scarborough to oﬀer new options

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com When Scarborough High School, under the direction of the Houston Independent School District, put an ofﬁcial end to its Architecture program two weeks ago, there were only three students in the school’s Principles of Architecture class. “It was here when I started,” said Scarborough High School’s Principal Dr. Diego Linares, who came on board in the summer of 2014. “There were not enough kids. Our population was not interested.” He said there was no loss of staff with the change. The elimination of the program, along with the science, technology, engineering and math magnet at Ross Elementary in northeast Houston and the Vanguard program at Long Academy on Bellaire Boulevard are part of HISD’s effort to direct funding and resources to those programs which

Photo by Betsy Denson Dr. Diego Linares has been the principal of Scarborough High School since July 2014.

most beneﬁt students. While elimination in some cases might be due to a school not meeting academic standards, in Scarborough’s case it was that the program both failed to appeal to zoned students and also was unsuccessful drawing students in from outside the area. That’s a sharp contrast to Futures Academy Program which accounts for about 130 out of Scarborough’s 700 students, and a sizable

portion of the 20 percent of Scarborough students who come from outside the neighborhood. Scarborough’s Futures Academy allows participants to earn an associates degree in Network and Computer Administration. The program is a partnership with Houston Community College and allows 9-12 grade students at eight campuses to earn college credits and save money on college tuition. Students do have to maintain GPA and attendance standards to participate. “The students take classes in the summer to get it all in,” said Linares. “By the time you graduate, you have a degree in computer networking,” said Linares. “It’s a $20,000 to $25,000 value.” Scarborough student Yessenia Leija is participating in the program despite the fact she wants to be a nurse. “It’s free and I’ll be halfway done.”

New initiatives at Scarborough In the coming school year, Scarborough also plans to provide certifications in the construction industry, which Linares said will allow students to get a job after high school if they wish. Students who pursue these certifications will also get all their core curriculum instruction. Linares said the school plans to start with an HVAC certification, then welding and carpentry. Since Houston is in the middle of a construction boom, there will be no shortage of teachers. “Those industry professionals will be coming to the school.” Another program on the horizon will leverage a partnership with Walmart to offer an e-tail/retail program, giving students business training and business management experience. Lastly, the school will be See Scarborough P. 3A

Concerned residents of Shady Acres had a chance to voice some of their concerns and hear directly from Houston Mayor Annise Parker Tuesday night at the Shady Acres Civic Club’s monthly meeting. The group invited Parker out regarding specific concerns of local residents, including the condition of Little Thicket Park on West 23rd Street, the need for a local dog park, traffic concerns and other issues. In particular, many residents pointed out what they called the poor condition of Little Thicket Park and problems regarding the homeless and drugs in the area. Mayor Parker spoke about some of the challenges with monitoring and revamping the park. Currently the Parks and Recreation Dedication Fund has allocated $200,000 toward the park’s improvements, however for the kind of changes the Civic Club is hoping to see, like new play equipment, additional signage, better lighting and improved walking trails, may not be so easy. Such a project may potentially cost millions more. “There is a desire to have a Master Plan for the park but that would not be covered by that $200,000,” Parker said. Parker also said the city is aware the area is fit for a dog park. In an official response from the city, based on population in the area, which is over 50,000 and the city’s dog run and park standard, which is a ratio of 1 per 100,000 residents, the area shows a need for such a park in the future. The civic club recommended that a property at 1925 East T.C. Jester be considered for acquisition but, again, cost concerns might stymie this idea. “According to HCAD, that land was appraised at about $2.5 million,” Parker said. She explained that the owner would likely ask more than that sum for compensation should the city pursue acquisition and the city simply does not have sufficient funds to do so. Parker also gave an update regarding the Wright Bembry Park renovation, See Parker P. 2A

HPD: Area cat mutilations likely work of coyotes By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader An ofﬁcial visit by investigators with the Houston Police Department did little to calm residents at a Timbergrove Manor Civic Club meeting who continue to be concerned about cat mutilations in the area. Ofﬁcials told members that the recent cat mutilations are likely the work of animal predation. “Of the 25 reported cat mutilation cases, we have documented photographic evidence of seven,” stated Sargent Gary Bender of HPD to the crowd. “Of these, we have recovered

the remains of two. One of the cats was sent to Texas A&M, and the other sent to Texas Parks and Wildlife, both for a forensic necropsy and analysis. “Of these two, we have the results in on one, and we are still waiting on the second. The one that has come back concluded that the cat was killed by a large dog or, more likely, a coyote. We have also shared photos with a number of experts and they all concur that the deaths are the result of animal predation, likely coyotes.” “I just don’t buy it,” Robert Delgado, concerned citizen and resident of Timbergrove Manor, said.

“I’ve lived here since 1998 and the cat mutilations just started. Why only in the last four years? Why now?” Delgado is referring to the 25 cat mutilations reported to the Houston Police Department by residents of Timbergrove Manor, Lazybrook and the Heights areas. The speakers on this night included three Houston Police Ofﬁcers from the Animal Cruelty Squad. “The coyotes are living in the area’s green spaces,” Bender said. “We need the public to report anything, and we need you to treat any future killings as a crime scene. Do not touch See Mutilations P. 3A

Photo by Kim Hogstrom Jennifer Estinopal has been one of the Timbergrove Manor-area residents spearheading eﬀorts to help solve the string of cat mutilations in her community. Despite a visit from HPD investigators who said the deaths were likely the result of animal predation, some still have their concerns.

THE PUBLIC. Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Page 2A

Police nab Oak Forest burglary suspect following short chase

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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com A good neighbor is a nosy neighbor according to Ella Lee Forest’s Gilbert Froehlich, whose home was broken into Nov. 7 – setting off a car chase on Ella and after the car crashed, a hunt on foot and in the air for the suspects. Froehlich was at Kroger when his neighbor called him, after already calling police, because he saw an unfamiliar car backed in to Froehlich’s driveway. The front door had been kicked in according to the neighbor. Police arrived in time to catch the suspects leaving by car and followed them on Ella before the suspects’ car crashed at Candlelight and Ella streets. “I heard the noise and that’s what brought me outside,” said Brooke Jackson, who saw two young African-American males run from the car and through her backyard. “They broke through my fence.” The search for the suspects

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Photo by Betsy Denson Police investigate where several home burglary suspects crashed their vehicle in Oak Forest after being caught in the act by a neighbor.

blew up on social media as Oak Forest residents asked questions and shared information. Many had heard the police helicopters and wanted more information about what was going on. One suspect was apprehended on Richelieu according to an eyewitness.

Another area resident, Betty Cooper, had her house broken into this summer during the small window of time she left her house to go grocery shopping at Kroger each week. Cooper’s daughter wondered then if someone had been watching her mother from the

street or maybe at the Kroger where many seniors go on Wednesday because of the discounts they offer. The story, in this most recent case, had a happy ending for Froehlich. “I got all my stuff back,” Froehlich said.

Police Reports • Nov. 2 - Nov. 8 NOV. 2 Theft 6 AM 1600-1699 W 43RD ST Theft 4 PM 1700-1799 ASHLAND Assault 3:57 PM 100-199 E 27TH Theft 4:30 PM 1500-1599 THOMPSON Theft 10 AM 1000-1099 SAWYER NOV. 3 Theft 7:50 AM 4000-4099 N SHEPHERD DR Theft 8:43 AM 5300-5399 SHEPHERD DR Robbery 8:55 AM 5200-5299 W 34TH ST Theft 7:23 AM 4500-4599 MAIN Robbery 7:40 PM 1800-1899 ELLA BLVD Theft 4:37 PM 500-599 THORNTON Theft 11 PM 900-999 DURHAM Theft 3:48 AM 1000-1099 N SHEPHERD Burglary 1:26 AM 1700-1799 W 23RD Robbery 3:51 PM 3300-3399 MANGUM NOV. 4 Theft 6:55 PM 4400-4499 YALE Theft 2 PM 400-499 HEIGHTS BLVD Assault 6:49 PM 300-399 W DONOVAN Theft 7:30 AM 1000-1099 N SHEPHERD Burglary 1:45 AM 700-799 W 31ST Theft 2:30 PM 4000-4099 N SHEPHERD Theft 3:43 AM 800-899 E WHITNEY Theft 8:32 AM 4900-4999 WASHINGTON Theft 4:29 AM 4100-4199 W 34TH ST Theft 12:30 PM 10800-10899 NORTHWEST FWY Burglary 11 AM 6600-6699 N MAIN Theft 1:15 PM 400-499 S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 3 PM 1300-1399 CANDLELIGHT LN NOV. 5

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Theft 12:50 PM 3800-3899 WASHINGTON Theft 3 PM 6000-6099 6014 MAXIE Theft 1:48 PM 1000-1099 W 20TH Theft 2:20 PM 1000-1099 W 20TH Theft 3:08 PM 1000-1099 W 20TH Theft 3:08 PM 2000-2099 MAIN ST Theft 2 PM 1700-1799 SUMMER Theft 4 AM 3600-3699 BRINKMAN ST Robbery 8:18 AM 4800-4899 NETT Burglary 7:44 AM 100-199

NOV. 7 Theft 2:30 AM 2100-2199 TANNEHILL DR Theft 8:45 AM 1200-1299 W 43RD ST Burglary 8:32 AM 1500-1599 THORNTON Burglary 9:38 AM 300-399 W OBION Robbery 10:41 AM 4800-4899 W 34TH ST Theft 11:44 AM 1100-1199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 12:15 PM 1100-1199 SHEPHERD DR Theft 12:35 PM 4000-4099 N SHEPHERD DR

Assault 5:08 PM 4500-4599 OXFORD ST Robbery 11:03 PM 200-299 E CROSSTIMBERS NOV. 8 Theft 8 AM 1400-1499 DOROTHY ST Theft 9:35 AM 3400-3499 ELLA BLVD Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

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Parker, from P. 1A and the official statement from the city states the project will be advertised to contractors in Februrary or March and be awarded by the end of the fiscal year in June 2015. Construction is expected to be complete at the end of 2015 or early 2016. Regarding concerns from residents over the homeless population in Little Thicket Park, Parker emphasized that scheduled and regular activity can help deter the homeless population and drug users from setting up in the area. SACC President Nancy Wilcox said the meeting reiterated the need for support and involvement from active civic club participants. However, some still had concerns over the response from 311 services, and Parker acknowledged the need for improvement in response times for the Greater Heights area in general. Wilcox also emphasized the meeting with Parker was not a “gotcha” style meeting for Parker, but rather one to foster relationships with the city and its officials. She thanked the mayor for support and involvement with the area. “There is no animosity here,” Wilcox said. “This is all about working with the city to make the city better.”

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Mutilations, from P. 1A it. Call HPD dispatch, and an ofﬁcer come out, then the ofﬁcer will call us. We will recover the remains, and send it off for examination.” When an audience member asked how they would know the difference between a large dog and a coyote, Bender said that dogs don’t consume an animal. “They attack, kill and leave,” Bender said. “They don’t mutilate. These cat deaths are the result of coyotes.” Timbergrove resident Jennifer Estopinal has been collecting evidence on the cat killings since 2008. The concerned resident launched a Facebook page called “Justice for Murdered Cats in the Heights,” to keep citizens informed. “I was afraid that we had a human predator, not an animal,” Estopinal said. “Our fear is that there is someone very sick in our community, but the fact is, we also have coyotes. I myself have seen three. My husband I even chased one right outside Sinclair, this very elementary school. “I would like to believe that

it is all a coyote problem,” Estopinal said. “Yet I am still trying to get my head around some of the odd things we have discovered; things such as beheaded cats, cats cut in half, cats with paws sawed off, and some cats found at the back doors of some homes. I think HPD is writing all 25 cats off to coyotes.” Estopinal also alleges that two of the victim’s bodies were taken to the Oaks Forest Veterinarians Clinic where the professionals conﬁrmed that the cats were killed by humans. “I am grateful that so many in the community are interested and it is very nice that the police department is taking it seriously,” Jennifer Vickers, volunteer for the Timbergrove Manor Civic Club, said. “I just hope that they will continue to come out and investigate these type of scenes, so that we can be absolutely sure we know what is happening. To speak with a police ofﬁcer in the Animal Cruelty Squad, call 713-308-3100

Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Page 3A

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Jordan Jackson (seated) celebrates with his friends at St Pius X High School Nov. 12 after signing his National Letter of Intent for Texas Tech. The St. Pius X senior guard will follow in the footsteps of his mother, Sheryl Swoopes. Swoopes is currently the head coach of the Loyola University of Chicago’s women’s basketball team and was the ﬁrst player to be signed in the WNBA when it was created. After signing his NLI, Jacson said he was ecstatic to be attending Texas Tech. “I’ve put in so much work over the years, along with my coaches and my parents,” Jackson said. “I’ve said it a million times before, but it’s all truly a blessing.

that, he served as the Assistant Principal at Hastings High School in Alief for four years and taught elementary school in Alief ISD for six years. He says he was recruited for his current position and because of his engineering background, knows what the requirements are in that industry. “I think the educational system needs people who understand the needs of both the students and the marketplace,” he said. Linares also wants his students to have deﬁned, and high, goals for themselves. “I want our students in ninth grade to have a clear idea of where they are going.” Thanks to HISD’s PowerUp program, all Scarborough students will be getting a laptop to use during the school year. “In three years, we will be technology driven,” said Linares. Higher education still the goal Just because some of Scarborough’s programs equip its

students for professions which do not require a college degree doesn’t mean that’s not the goal. Linares, sees the construction certiﬁcation as the way for students to get a well-paying job that they can use to further their academic pursuits. “When these programs are implemented well, kids pursue higher education,” said Anna Eastman, HISD District I Trustee. “With the Linked Learning, kids really do get a higher level of instruction. You’re not locked into one thing. But with the career and technical programs, kids get marketable skills.” Marketable skills are a plus for a campus where more than 80% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Eastman thinks that as a society we’ve made assumptions about the goals that socioeconomically disadvantaged students have for themselves and oftentimes we’re wrong. “These kids want to ﬁnish what they started and earn a degree.”

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Scarborough, from P. 1A a Linked Learning campus. Linked Learning pathways, according to the HISD website, “center on increased student proﬁciency in vital areas such as critical thinking, problem solving, media and information literacy, and collaboration—essential skills in the workplace.” Linares describes the program as one where the same group of teachers work with groups of 30 to 40 kids, teaching them core subjects like math, science, social studies and English. Teachers collaborate across these disciplines to give students a cross-curricular experience. He hopes that implementing these programs, or education pathways as Linares likes to call them, and communicating their beneﬁts, will raise his enrollment which is currently at 705. The school could accommodate 1,200 to 1,300 students. Linares, a mechanical engineer who came to Houston from Columbia in 2000, most recently was the Principal at Stafford Elementary. Before

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THE TOPICS. Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Page 4A

We can’t keep passing along racial excuses

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aybe it’s because I’ve done this for too long. Or maybe human reactions have become so calculated that they are now stale and clichéd. Whatever the reason, there’s a conversation in our society that can’t go away fast enough. Last week, I used this space to write what – I thought – was a semi-educated look at the reason JONATHAN why people in the 18th Congressional district MCELVY continue to elect Sheila Publisher Jackson Lee. I spelled out some of her missteps (or offered evidence as to why some would consider that a logical question), and then spent the better half of a column explaining why she has been elected 11 times. I wrote that SJL has impacted the lives of a number of constituents, thus making her power of incumbency hard (if not impossible) to beat. I wrote that she is completely representative of her district – my exact words were, “Personally, I like a democracy where that happens.” And I concluded with this sentence: “There are a lot of people who complain about her staying power, but I haven’t seen anybody do anything about it.” Long before I finished writing last week’s column, I had a pretty good idea how people would respond. (Here’s a secret: Columnists want and encourage responses. Columns, indeed, are designed to begin conversations.) I knew there would be some who agreed with the overall opinion that Sheila Jackson Lee has done a number of things to embarrass her constituents – and I didn’t even get to the scathing reports of her abuse of employees or her camera hawking, as one person put it. I also knew there would be many who took up for the Congresswoman – and rightly so. Of more than 105,000 votes cast in the 18th Congressional district, nearly 76,000 people voted for SJL. When you have that big of a majority supporting a candidate, you expect some of those people to stand up for said candidate. What I hoped to happen would be a constructive conversation about the merits of the politician. What I knew would happen is exactly what did happen. A whole lot of people wrote “Right on!” while attacking the voters who elected her (see the word “Morons” in one response). And then there were the folks who were “appalled” and “offended,” calling me such things as “pompous” and “arrogant” and, yes, a racist. In a few months, I will mark my 20th year of being a journalist. For about 15 of those years, I have written some sort of opinion piece, and I can assure you there isn’t a name in the proper or slang versions of the dictionary that I haven’t been called. My skin, for some reason, has grown fairly thick, and having people call me out is part of the job. Believe it or not, I actually appreciate those who respond. But there are times when the response goes from engaging to lazy and worn. “Do I detect a hint of racism?” asked one of our readers. That question, unfortunately, takes over conversations like this, and at some point in the future of our great nation, the laziness of that retort must go away with the people who use it as an excuse for two people who disagree. For those who do not know, I spent more than five years as an editor in Selma, Ala. And for those who need a quick history reminder, Selma is considered the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s where Martin Luther King Jr. began a march to the steps of the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala. It’s where State Troopers unleashed angry dogs and piercing fire hoses on demonstrators demanding voting rights. During my time in Selma, I walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge five years in a row, taking pictures of and talking to folks like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bill Clinton, an attorney named J.L. Chestnut, who was a trusted confidant of King’s. Guess who else was there every year to walk across that bridge? Yes, Sheila Jackson Lee. Me walking across a bridge doesn’t preclude me from being a racist. Neither does my relationship with the aforementioned J.L. Chestnut, a black attorney who fought as hard as any man I have ever met for the rights of African Americans. Chestnut wrote a book called “Black in Selma,” and during my time as editor, he and I had countless heated, though always respectful, public battles about some of the issues facing our city. Yes, in Selma nearly every issue involved race in some form or fashion. But what I loved most about J.L. – and there were a number of things – was that he only mentioned race when he mentored me on its importance in specific conversations. At the end of my tenure in Selma, J.L. asked me to come to his office before I left town. He handed me a copy of his book and wrote one of the most treasured pieces of memorabilia I have in my professional collection. “Jonathan… We disagreed often, but I always viewed you as a fine young man and a valuable friend,” he wrote to me. Again, that doesn’t preclude me from being a racist, if that’s what some choose to believe. In fact, there’s nothing I can or will say that will eliminate the lasting impact whites’ treatment of blacks had on our country. What we all must consider, though, are the ramifications of words we sometimes throw around with absolutely no thought to their real meaning. Through my relationship with J.L. Chestnut, and so many other wonderful African Americans in Selma, I had the chance to learn what real struggle meant to some of our black neighbors. I learned that very few whites will ever understand the plight of our African American forefathers. What I also learned, from J.L., is that you stand up for what you believe, and you approach conversations with wisdom and facts. About two months ago, I wrote a fairly scathing piece about Ed Emmett, our white, Republican probate judge, and his missteps on the Astrodome. More recently, I’ve written about Mayor Annise Parker, our white, Democratic mayor. When we send someone to public office to represent our interests, it’s fair – and important – that we hold them accountable – all of them. And when we have that conversation, let’s be leaders to the young folks who weren’t born with the racist clouds some of the older generations continue to pass along. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

THE READER.

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Responses vary to Lee’s re-election

Dear Editor: I’m appalled at your op-ed piece smearing my Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee. Contrary to your comments, she is an intelligent woman. As a graduate of the University of Virginia Law School, she is quite familiar with the U.S. Constitution and knows that it was not written 400 years ago. Evidently she was quoted incorrectly or misspoke . . . you know, like George W. Bush or Joe Biden. It’s not surprising that some politicians misspeak given the frequency of their appearances before the public and the fact that not all of them are scripted. Jackson Lee knows the difference between the moon and Mars, the difference between Vietnam and Afghanistan, and what happened to South Vietnam. Moreover, receiving political financial contributions from constituents she has assisted is perfectly normal, in spite of your insinuations. Why does she keep winning? Because she assists her constituents, is time and again voted the hardest working member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and votes the way I want my representative to vote in the House. For the record, I am not a minority and I do not vote a straight-ticket. She is supported by many liberal Democrats who are not minorities. Do I detect a hint of racism in your comments? Unfortunately there are those who believe that eligible Texas voters all support candidates with an R next to their name. But only a third of eligible voters voted, and of those only 60% voted for GOP candidates. Given the election results most of those voted a straight ticket. That’s how we find the most powerful politician in the state a person who has twice been committed to a psychiatric facility, once after a suicide attempt, has gone bankrupt, has very right wing religious views, etc. It would appear that voters outside the 18th District prefer that to an intelligent, hardworking, family oriented woman. Perhaps you should get to know Jackson Lee better instead of relying on the views of her detractors. J. Mitchell Dear Editor: Nonsense. She is re-elected due to gerrymandering, as are plenty of Republicans. Neutral districting would mean moderates and conservatives would have a chance, provided they didn’t run clowns. C. Carlsson Dear Editor: I am completely embarrassed by her behavior and antics. Unfortunately, I would venture a guess that a majority of residents in her district are completely unaware that they are — in fact — in her district. I talk to friends and neighbors who live around me — some I’d even accuse of being pretty smart — and they had no idea she is their congresswoman. How is that even possible? Ignorance is bliss I suppose! Jennifer W. Dear Editor: Great article on SJL and so much truth you brought out. I always wondered how she ever got elected in the first place. She hasn’t ever done a thing for the people she represents. Have you ever noticed she always has her face in front of a camera and kisses Obama’s butt? Every year she makes a showing at the Veterans cemetery along with her buddy Al Green only because she knows TV cameras will be there. She is the biggest “Duffus” in DC. Too bad she didn’t go when the voters cleaned house this week. Keep up the good work Jonathan. David Pavlesic Dear Editor: Sheila Jackson Lee cut her teeth in politics trying to get elected to a criminal court judgeship in Harris County back in the early to mid 1980’s. I was president of the

That’s how we’re perceived. They cannot grasp the concept that “anyone” would vote for her, no matter what party affiliation. It’s like voting for Daffy Duck. It’s absolutely disgraceful. Can you believe The Houston Comical endorses her every two years? That one mind numbing fact alone eliminates the Comical board as a serious legitimate thinking body. They have jettisoned their credibility. Oh yes, if you look up “gerrymander” in the dictionary, you will find a diagram of the 18th Congressional District. A. Cox

Houston Police Patrolmens’ Union at the time. We endorsed her and supported her candidacy. I know SJL all to well. I agree that her personal flaws are glaring and maddening. That said, if you ever want to be taken seriously, highlight how the chairman of the House Science Committee, Lamar Smith, just announced that the well regarded report by the United Nations on global warming was flawed and biased. He admitted he hadn’t read the report but still declared it faulty. Or Congressman Joe Barton’s embarrassing attempt to discredit a renowned scientist on tectonic plate movement in an effort to prove some crazy right wing theory. Or perhaps the always entertaining and two cards shy of a full deck John Culbertson’s constant war on reasonable mass transit. Or spend some time talking about the destructive politics of Senator Ted Cruz. You won’t ever do that. I know why you won’t and you know why you won’t. Subsequently ... You cannot be taken seriously. Sgt. Thomas Britt, Ret. Houston Police Dept. Dear Editor: Remember, it was Republicans who drew the current districts, and district boundaries strongly favor conservatives. This is why Republicans have a lock on the state legislature, and why most US Representatives from Texas are Republican. While I agree that more diverse districts would attract more moderate candidates, I disagree that more conservatives would have a chance. We could hardly elect more conservatives under any other districting system. The current system is geared very well for conservatives. Texas will eventually go purple, if not entirely blue, because of changing demographics. Gerrymandering is simply a way for Republicans to delay the inevitable. Bruce H. Dear Editor: Thank you ... as a citizen who feels that I don’t have representation in Congress, I do appreciate your candor in the Nov. 8 issue. Also, I do remember a “Michael Jackson’s death” presentation of a Congressional Proclamation on the west coast; Did congress vote on this? Is it a forged federal document? Isn’t that a felony? Bob Williamson Dear Editor: Great article Jonathan! I affectionately renamed her “Shejackal” many years ago and that is how she is known now by all the people I know. It is accurately descriptive. I can’t get away from her. I work 17 miles from my house, completely on the other side of the loop, and our company is in her district. SHEEESH!! The unfortunate answer to your headline question is, sadly, the vast majority of her constituents are MORONS!! I travel the country quite a bit and whereever I go, the 18th Congressional district is considered the laughingstock of the nation.

Dear Editor: I take exception to your article concerning my Congress Woman Sheila Jackson Lee. Not everyone shares your personal value system. Not everyone shares your mores or folkways. I know you are a white male and therefore your ways are as God himself intended the Universe to work. But those of us who send her to Washington do so as we like what she does there. We are not ignorant. I hold a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and vote for her time and again. I see the world with a different frame of reference than you. I have different priorities and values. And as she shares a preponderance of them she earns my vote. Posing the questions you do is arrogant. She earns the same salary of everyone in congress. Why a special focus? When earned by someone you consider unworthy does it then become an issue? She and her husband are attorneys with ivy league degrees whose wealth from a lifetime of work is less than a single bonus from folks you consider worthy for just a good quarter? You need to reflect on your pompous, arrogant attitude and understand she wins as this is the will of the electorate and how a democracy works. You use words like freedom and democracy but as the founders intended prior to the 13th amendment. Robert Arredondo Dear Editor: First of all, I love what [Jonathan McElvy] has done with The Leader. I read it cover to cover every week. Thank you. I really enjoy your editorials and agree with most of them. However, I want to chime in on this week’s section on Sheila Jackson Lee. I agree with you that she is just embarrassing. I have met her at several events. She is overbearing, you kind of wonder if she has a brain, and sometimes she is downright rude. Yet, I continue to vote for her and here is why. Every Sunday the Chronicle lists the issues that were brought up in the Senate and the House and how each of our representatives voted. Granted, the issues are synopsized into sound bites but every week I count up how I would vote on those sound bite issues. And every week, I am sorely disappointed by Cornyn and Cruz (and Hutchinson before him) and every week, Ms. Lee votes pretty much the same way I would. I vote for the candidate that will represent me in the way they vote on issues - Cornyn, Cruz, (and Hutchinson) have not. Sheila Jackson Lee has, so I continue to vote for her. It’s just that simple. Keep up the good work. Mary Henderson PS — If you read between the lines, obviously I am out of sync with the majority of Texas voters on our state senators. I understand that and accept it. Dear Editor: Dare you to put to the folks the truth of the only reason SJL’s queenship continues is “GERRYMANDERING”!! If you are not already aware of the proof of that or desire to see the proof please reply so I can have some guys that have kept up with it over the years. Charles Cupp

Readers weigh in on one bin Dear Editor: It was inspiring to see the Leader’s support of city-wide recycling in the “One Bin for All” front page feature of 11/08/2014. This is an issue I’ve been following closely through organizations like Texas Campaign for the Environment that share Mayor Parker’s concern about Houston’s diminishing land-fill space. City officials and Laura Spanjian, Sustainability Director, cite a “one-bin” endeavor in Montgomery, AL as succeeding in “divert(ing) 60% of waste from local landfills since opening”. What is not mentioned is that the company which runs the plant in Montgomery, and is bidding on the proposal in Houston, plans to implement an “engineered fuel” power plant there. “Engineered fuel” refers to incinerating trash through mass burn incineration or through converting it to gas and burning it through catalytic conversion, pyrolysis or gasification. According to the EPA, gasification of municipal solid waste, catalytic conversion, pyrolysis or other “waste-to-energy” methods all qualify as incineration. All can and do result in emission of toxic chemicals into the air. Houstonians do not need any more density of pollutants in the air we breathe. Incineration may divert waste from landfills, but it is not recycling. Ash disposal from “refuse derived fuel” processes end up in landfills, as well; further augmenting concentrated toxins. More than one purchaser of paper from “source-separated” recycling systems, have refused to purchase soiled paper from mixed waste recycling system like “one bin”. Because it is so easy for us to throw food waste and dirty diapers into one bin with last week’s newspaper and empty glass bottles, such a system would discourage habits of real recycling that produces products marketable to companies that manufacture from recycled materials. Trash-to-fuel operations are extremely expensive, with history of operator failure to finance in other states, most recently in Lancaster, CA in 2013. It would be tragic and embarrassing for the City of Houston to undertake such an expensive project only to have it fail. Finally, and very importantly for many of us, “One Bin for All” would not be primarily a way to recycle, to give new use to old material, but it would be a system to divert primarily through incineration and delivery of more toxins to our surroundings. Mary Schultz

Dear Editor: I read [Jonathan Garris’s] A Green Evolution. I didn’t see any financial analysis. Is this supposed to save the city money, or is their primary goal to divert recyclables regardless of cost with the secondary benefit of ‘improving’ the city’s image? I did some analysis based on the limited data the city would provide me and I estimate that the city wastes about $16 million on their recycling program per year, and that’s not taking into account pension costs and equipment depreciation. You can see my analysis in the following email string. A couple other points worth noting: 1. Recycling programs are extremely expensive and not very cost effective considering how little of what’s put in the green bin is actually recycled. Apart from aluminum, there’s not much economic value in recyclables, which means most get dumped in a landfill even after separation. 2. The $1 million Bloomberg grant is a drop in the bucket compared to the millions wasted each year running three separate fleets of Houston garbage trucks. This doesn’t taking into account the household cost of recycling. One city was suggesting running recyclables through the dishwasher. I’m not kidding. 3. Technology can help to separate trash, but unless the city moves to a single stream collection process, I don’t see how there’s any economic benefit. Any idea what these technologically advanced warehouses cost? What’s the return on investment, break-even point, net present value calculation for the program, etc? This should be the city’s focus. 4. Has the city considered privatizing the program? And, if not, why not? Why not at least go out to bid?

5. As a proud Houstonian, and a tax payer, Ms. Spanjian’s concerns with the city’s ‘image’ are not important to me. She should be more focused on not wasting my money than of what people who don’t live here think of Houston. 6. We’re not Europe, this is Texas. We’re not ‘land constrained’. Not sure why city employees are taking trips to Europe, but I’m sure they had a blast. 7. It’s fascinating to me that Ms. Spanjian cites less air pollution and traﬃc as the primary beneﬁts of reducing the number of trucks to collect garbage. It’s as if money is no concern at all. I would look at the reduced fuel and labor costs and wear and tear on neighborhood streets by fewer trucks, but that doesn’t seem to big as important as reaching a recycling goal. As I taxpayer, I would like the city to be a bit more concerned about how they spend precious tax dollars. Please contact me with any questions, requests, or concerns, Phil Williams Dear Editor: Thank you for the article in the recent issue of The Leader on this topic. Reduction in trash/increase in recycling will only happen if fellow Houstonians realize that endless consumerism/waste of resources is not a god given right but comes with a responsibility for the environment and for future generations. To that end the best way to raise awareness is to separate out the family’s recyclables without having them contaminated with the rest of the garbage. The green wheelie bins are working a treat in the Heights. Christian

Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Page 5A

It’s the job seekers who will get you GALVESTON – Splice the drumstick, marinate the trampoline, and look lively about it! For we are at this beach resort to re-tell another great Texas yarn of blood, betrayal and heavy drama – hey, this is Texas. Now, everyone knows the Republic of Texas had an army at the Alamo, San Jacinto and lately along the Rio disguised as the Texas Militia. But we also had a Texas Navy and Marine Corps. At one point Texas rented out its entire navy – ships and men -- for $8,000 a month to Mexican rebels ﬁghting Santa Anna. President Sam Houston, an army man, hated the navy and refused to pay its costs. He once declared the entire Texas Navy to be pirates and called on other nations to arrest the lot. By the time Houston left the presidency for the ﬁrst time, the Texas Navy was down to one unsailable ship, two lieutenants, two midshipmen, a doctor, two pursers, and two seamen. The two seamen were both deserters from the U.S. Navy, and the ranking lieutenant was cashiered “in consequence of a repeated inebriety.” That kind of navy. Our story begins in 1978.

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

While putting together a display of artifacts of the Texas Navy and Marine Corps at the state archives in Austin, an archivist named Carol Jean Carefoot came upon a letter of four pages, written in dark, brown ink on both sides of the paper, by one Richard Pearse of Galveston to “His Excellency Sam Houston, President Rep. Texas Houston.” The postage was marked “Free.” Pearse, using loose spelling, tells the apparently unknown story of the Big Galveston Mutiny. Here at midnight on April 23, 1838, 13 bad guys including former sailors who had been tossed out of the navy, some deserters and few waterfront riff-raff, sneak up to the Texas naval yard. Due to thin ranks and illness, the yard is guarded by only one sentry with an ofﬁcer on duty back in

an office. Asleep in his quarters is the commander of the Texas Navy, Capt. Thomas Thompson, known as “Mexico” Thompson because he was English-born, served in the U.S. Navy then joined the Mexican Navy to fight against us. He was captured by Texas sailors twice. The second time he saw the light and joined the Texas Navy and eventually became its commander. He was recovering from a wound. His wife, who was ill, was also asleep nearby. These bad characters are led by Giles who was once a pirate with Jean Lafitte, and “has been tried for murder,” currently he is “late of the navy.” Hews is also a deserter who was once charged with the murder of his own wife. Lewis “was discharged from the navy for disorderly conduct, was a chief instigator” and hated Thompson. It seems a lot of sailors felt that way. Quickly the mutineers act. One of them approaches the sentry at the gate, feigning intoxication. As the pretend-drunk is talking to the sentry, Giles creeps up behind him, knocks him down and grabs his musket. The officer back in his office is over-

THE OBITUARIES. Dora Castillo, 89, born Dec. 29, 1924 in Houston, died Nov. 4. She married Rudy Castillo Feb. 16, 1946, and together raised a family of four, enjoying 56 years of marriage. Castillo was a longtime member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and served as a foster parent for Catholic Charities. She also worked in daycare, shipping clerk for Southern Microﬁlm and in her proudest role as caregiver to her husband, and mother to her children. She is survived by her sons Rudy and Kenneth; daughters Debra and Laura, eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and ﬁve great-great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made in Castillo’s name to the charity of one’s choice. James Joseph Donnellan, 94, born June 6, 1920 in Somerville, Mass., died Nov. 4. He is survived by his daughter Peggy Coleman and one granddaughter. Memorial contributions may be made to Northeastern University, 118 Cushing Hall, Boston, MA 02115; please include: In Memory Of James Donnellan. Antonio Garza Sr., 83, born May 10, 1931 in Laredo, died Nov.

3. Garza retired after 30-plus years of service with AMFAC Electric and loved ﬁshing. He survived by his loving wife, Phyllis Garza; daughter Melinda Del Rio; sons Antonio Garza, Jr., Thomas Garza and Joseph Garza; brothers Luis and Raul Garza; six grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren.

Natalie (Kubeczka) Kendziora, 86, born Sept. 29, 1928 in Chappell Hill, died Nov. 2. She is survived by brother Eugene Kubeczka; daughters Shirley Taylor, Barbara Moody and Linda Knott; eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. John Manuel Ortiz, 74, born April 27, 1940, died Oct. 27. Ortiz was an avid sports fan. He loved the game of softball and played men’s fast pitch softball well into his sixties. A Master electrician, Manuel joined his craft in his early twenties and was well respected in the electrical community. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; children, Gabe Ortiz, Felecia Ortiz, and Andrew Ortiz; stepsons Anthony Martinez and John Martinez; sisters Yolanda Hall, Linda Medina, and Diane Williams; ﬁve grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Arcadio Sanchez, 84, born Nov. 14, 1929, died Nov. 8. He was a

veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and retired at the age of 75 from a rewarding career in chemical logistics with Oxyde Chemicals. Sanchez is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dolores, son Richard, daughters Dolores and Raquel, sisters Olga Nunez and Minerva Guerra, and six grandchildren.

Freddie Joe Stanford, 59, born Oct. 5, 1955, died Nov. 1. He is survived by his daughters Tamberly King, Breanna Sulal, Jessy Reller and Lyndsey Reller; sons Timothy Stanford and Jeremiah Reller; mother Katherine Stanford; sister Kathy Tippit; and eight grandchildren. Suzanne Renee Wilganowski, 45, born July 11, 1969, died

Nov. 11.

James D. “Jim” Williams, 93, born Sept. 19, 1921, died Oct. 31. He served in the Army Air Corp as First Lieutenant in WWII. He was retired from the Harris County Clerk’s Oﬃce. Williams is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen; daughters Judy Williford, Jeanie Gates, Mary Lou Shelton, and Joan Gillin; and son John Williams; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society, Diabetes Association or a charity of one’s choice. Robert Daphney Wilson, 87, born Nov. 15, 1926 in Wilmar, Ark., died Nov. 6. He was married to Elizabeth Sparks Wilson for 66 years. Wilson graduated from Drew Central High School in Monticello, Ark. in 1945. He met Elizabeth, the love of his life, while working as a timber surveyor in Alabama. They married on Sept. 9, 1948, in Atlanta, Ga. where Wilson was working as a forrester. He also ran a gas station and worked as a mechanic in Monticello, Ark. Wilson owned a mechanic shop called “Bob’s Auto Repair at the corner of Yale and 16th St. for more than 50 years, retiring in 1995. He and Elizabeth raised their family in Oak Forest where they lived for 54 years. They were longtime members of Lazybrook Baptist Church. He is survived by his daughters Barbara Wilson and Rebecca Turner, sister Dovie Kelley, and four grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

powered by Hews. The gang makes its way to the Thompsons’ quarters. Giles, who hates Thompson with a fury, and two others, enter the Thompsons’ house and approach the captain’s bedside. All three men “thrust their swords thro’ the mosquito bar, before he or his wife awoke.” Mrs. Thompson sits up, and almost impales herself on a sword. Thompson is repeatedly hit by Giles, who keeps telling the captain to give no alarm. Giles then tells Thompson about the takeover, and orders him to come along. Mrs. Thompson has an idea of what is about to happen to her husband, so she falls on her knees in the bedroom and “implored the miscreants to spare his – Thompson’s – life.” Thompson tries to comfort his wife, and the whole scene is so tear-jerking that the mutineers grow soft. Mrs. Thompson wrings a promise from the gang that they will not kill her husband, and this allows the captain to make a speech: “Giles, you know, I fear not death. I have found it too often, and too many shapes, to tremble at it now. It is for my wife and chil-

dren I feel. You have pledged yourself for the safety of my life. I claim the redemption of your pledge.” Pearse writes to Houston: “They were taken by surprise, and attacked by an enemy, of whom, they had not even dreamed. Their own consciences.” The mutineers take Thompson outside and they immediately fall into an argument among themselves. Shoot him? Hang him? No, they promised his wife. One thing leads to another and the gang almost gets in a ﬁght with one another. Capt. Thompson is no dummy. He steps into the arguments and demands to know their grievances with him. “All quailed before his scrutinizing interrogations, and ultimately agreed that if Thompson would promise them impunity from the guard, they would conduct him back to his house. Thus ended this disgraceful transaction. No blood was spilled, and no other injury done, than the loss of some of the arms which the miscreants carried off with them.” And that’s it. No blood, no swinging from the yardarm, no 30 lashes, either. The 13 just

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melt into history. But Pearse is not through with Capt. Thompson. The last third of the report ends with: “He is coarse, it is true, and so must every man be, who plays his part, on the theater assigned to Thompson.” And: “Mexico lost an officer she could not appreciate, and Texas, has gained a prise….” Like I said, Pearse had trouble spelling. But who is Pearse? We don’t know. Why did he write President Houston such a detailed and glowing report? He ends with: “I have been here, with my family since the first of this month, and shall fix my reside here, if I find sufficient encouragement, if there are any to be disposed of.” It’s not mutineers you have to watch out for; it’s the job-seekers. Ashby job-hunts at ashby2@comcast.net

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Page 6A • Saturday, November 15, 2014

Concluding which cuisine will leave your kitty content digest carbs.” Dr. Becker further explains that, dry food is also directly tied to chronic dehydration. By nature, cats get nearly all of their liquid needs from their food. Kibble contains approximately 12% moisture. Compare that to real food, canned food and natural prey, which contain around 75 – 80% moisture (including nutrientrich blood and plasma). Dehydration is one of the primary enemies of a cat’s body. A dry food diet is often a major contributor to obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome/disease, constipation, kidney disease, liver disease, joint problems, including arthritis, skin issues, including dry or ﬂaky skin, hot spots, and itchy skin and more. Canned food is a better option, but not all canned food is created equally. Look for canned food that is “grain free” and, even better, with human grade meat, no ingre-

daily schedule: are you able to feed your cat two meals a day, or are you hoping to allow your cat to free-feed? Lastly, your cat’s unique needs: is your cat a growing, active kitten or a sedentary adult? Now that you’ve thought a little about you and your cat’s needs, it’s time to start researching what food is best for your purry gal. More and more, veterinarians are steering cat owners away from feeding their cats exclusively dry food. Nearly all dry foods are high in carbohydrates, something cats have a minimal need for. Even grain-free dry foods are loaded with starch (that’s what holds the kibble together) and contain too many plant-based ingredients (carbohydrates). “Cats’ bodies aren’t equipped to digest carbohydrates efﬁciently,” says holistic veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker, “they lack the salivary, intestinal and pancreatic enzyme activity necessary to break down and

Dear Tabby, I just got my ﬁrst cat and I’m really enjoying her, but I’m not sure what I should be feeding her to keep her happy and healthy. Help! Proud feline parent in The Heights

Dear Proud Parent, When choosing appropriate foods for your kitty, there are several things to take into consideration. For instance, your budget: how much can you afford to spend on your cat’s food? Also, your lifestyle and

dients from China and BPAfree cans. Raw food diets are gaining momentum in the pet food industry. Many pet owners make their own raw food for their pets, but it’s often tricky to get the appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals included in a homemade raw diet. There are several manufactured raw foods on the market that take the guesswork out of making your pet’s food. Whatever direction you’re leaning, your vet should be able to help you make an appropriate decision and guide you in the proper feeding of your new kitty. The good news is that, by feeding your cat a nutritious diet, that is biologically appropriate, you can lessen the likelihood of your cat suffering from many avoidable diseases down the road. Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at deartabbyquestions@gmail.

Pet of the Week Meet Jacob. This sweet boy is the product of a divorce that sent him packing back to the shelter, after getting a taste of the sweet life with a family. This 5 year old catahoula mix is ready to be back in a home that would commit to him for the long-haul. Could your home be the one? If so, contact info@scoutshonor.org for more info.

Neighbors: Johnson celebrates 16th birthday with family in Galveston By Elizabeth Villareal

(a steakhouse). Sounds like great fun.

elizasgarden@outlook.com

Candlelight Plaza had its ﬁrst Chili Cook Off and Silent Auction to beneﬁt the neighborhood’s Constable Patrol Program. Amazing organizer Kara D’Agostino said, “It was a great event! Here are our winners (chili cook off): Non Traditional - Megan Lapari Rasmussen; Butt Burner Michael and Susan Harryman; No Beans - Curtis Hazel; Beans - Alex Elam; and People’s Choice - Steven Skiff. Hope to see you all out there next year!”

Happy 16th birthday to Emma Johnson! Emma celebrated her birthday with family and friends on a weekend getaway in Galveston. Emma’s parents, Helle and Robert, brothers Ben and Jacob, and the family’s exchange student, Josephine Søncksen, had a blast on the beach. Emma was the youngest member of Waltrip’s Lady Rams Varsity Volleyball Team this season, is a member of the National Honor Society, is a 2nd Dan black belt, and enjoys babysitting. You go, girl! Kerri Moon and her fiance Robert Osburn rocked their first hunting trip together at his family farm in Atlanta, Texas. Osburn spent the last two years prepping Moon for hunting and last month he built a deer stand made for two. (Awwww!) They had no luck Saturday or Sunday, but Monday morning Kerri felled her first deer with one shot. That’s the way to do it! Kerri was very excited and looks forward to plenty of deer roasts in the future. When the couple goes to Atlanta, they sleep in a late 1970’s model Airstream travel trailer with just barely enough room for the two of them. Evenings are spent watch-

Josephine Søncksen and Emma Johnson

ing movies and Kerri crochets sometimes. While they aren’t yet equipped to cook on the property, they enjoy driving into downtown Atlanta and eating at one of the local restaurants like the Wagon Wheel (a greasy spoon) or the Silver Spur Texas Grill

Thanks to the autumn time change, it’s dark early in the evening now and homeward bound commuters are encountering plenty of neighbors pushing strollers, walking dogs, jogging and bicycling along our Leader community streets. Remember – don’t walk or push a stroller with your back to traffic – especially while talking on the phone; instead, face traffic on your side of the street, wear bright colors and reflectors, and think about carrying a light. Safety first! Thank you to Loretta Bigelow for mentioning this. Shawn Salyers sends a shout out announcing Oaks Dads Club’s new soccer league starts playoffs next

week. The ﬁrst season has been a blast! Sincere thanks to the coaches of the soccer teams who have made the season possible. For U9 -- Gabby Zarnegar – Junior Dynamo; Jesus Gonzalez – Soccar Maniacs; Devin Lisko – Aggies; and Rob Duerr – Avengers. For U6 -- Brittney Leggett – Archers; Kim Alderete – Sharks; Jesus Gonzales – Soccer Rascals; Will Otto – Red Dragons; Josh Ecroyd – Eagles; and Rick Kasischke – Steam Rollers. Are you an animal lover? Friends For Life, a Heights area no-kill shelter and foster program, rescues, medically treats, and places animals into loving homes. They feel very lucky to be able to house animals in the cozy comfort of a well-insulated, climatecontrolled shelter in winter, not to mention warm, caring foster homes. Not all shelters are as lucky. With winter just around the corner, FFL is collecting cozy blankets and large bath towels for a shelter in need to help keep their animals warm. Please consider donating blankets, large towels and cat litter. FFL’s goal is to ﬁll the back of a truck with these items to transport to a shelter in need. Donations can be dropped off at Friends For Life, 107 E. 22nd Street, Houston, TX 77008.

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Mark your calendar … Saturday, Nov. 15 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Oak Forest Elementary’s Renaissance Fall Festival. Activities, rides, crafts, rock wall, bouncy house, games and a festival feast including turkey legs! For more information, see www.oakforestpta.com/ fundraising-events/fall-festival/. Monday, Nov. 24 – 5:30–8 p.m. — Community Dinner and Service of Thanksgiving with Zion Lutheran Church located at 3606 Beauchamp. A simple pot luck soup supper begins at 5:30 p.m. — bring soup, salad, bread or dessert to share. The service follows at 7 p.m. with Pastor Tracey Brashears-Schultz presiding. St. Andrew’s clergy and choir will also participate in the service. This is a beautiful opportunity to break bread and worship with our neighbors who walk various paths and give thanks to our common One God. Attendees are asked to bring non-perishable food items which, along with the service offering, will be given to area food pantries at All Saints Catholic Church, Grace United Methodist Church and Heights Interfaith Ministries. For more information, see www. saecheights.org/whats-happening/ celebrate-thanksgiving-together11.

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Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Page 7A

THE CALENDAR. CHILI COOK-OFF Sons of the American Legion The SAL is holding its 23rd Annual Chili Cook-off at noon, Nov. 15. Proceeds benefit the DeBakey VA Medical Center Breast Cancer Program. It will start with Taster Cups, a Raffle with cash prizes and a Wheel O’ Prizes. There will also be a free post Thanksgiving dinner from noon-5 p.m. Nov. 27. The Amercan Legion Post 560 is located at 3720 Alba Rd. Information: www.americanlegionpost560.org, 713-682-9287.

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purchased at www.oakforestpta. com. TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION FOR SENIORS AARP TEK When it comes to smart phones, tablets and other technology, people 50 years and older have a real desire for plain-language explanations of how best to use these devices. The AARP TEK education seminars will be oﬀered for free at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 15, at Houston Community College, 5610 West Loop South. Information: 713718-7930, reservations 1-877926-8300.

OAK FOREST HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET Oak Forest Homeowners Association Come by to the Oak Forest holiday artisan market from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 15. There will be homemade goods and food trucks. The event will be held at the Family Bingo Center parking lot. The ﬁrst 50 shoppers at the event will receive a reusable shopping bag ﬁlled with vendor coupons and freebies sponsored by Family Bingo. Information: www.ofha.org.

NOVEMBER LIBRARY EVENTS Heights Neighborhood Library The Heights Neighborhood Library, 1302 Heights Blvd., is hosting various activities in the month of November. The Literary and Classics Book Club book discussion meets at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17; Heights Poetry Open Mic will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 19. The library will be closed Nov. 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Information: 832-393-1810, www.houstonlibrary.org.

RENAISSANCE FALL FESTIVAL Oak Forest Elementary Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Oak Forest Elementary, 1401 W. 43rd St., will have a Renaissance themed Fall Festival which will be held 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Nov. 15. The community is welcome to attend this fun family event. Attractions will be include a rock wall, Cinderella carriage rides, viking boat bounce house, catapult game, viking boat races, juggler show, sword and shield making, fairy wreaths craft and Renaissance food (turkey legs, sausage on a stick, and roasted corn. Wristbands are $20 presale and $25 the day of the festival. Wristbands can be

JOHN ATLAS EXHIBITION Art Car Museum The Art Car Museum, 140 Heights Blvd., wishes to announce its upcoming exhibition, John Atlas: A Survey of Work 1969-2014. John Atlas has been making art in Houston, both painting and sculpture, for more than four decades. The opening reception will be from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 22. Refreshments and live music will be provided. Information: 713-861-5526, www. artcarmuseum.com.

UGLY SWEATER PARTY Karbach Brewery Support Playworks Texas from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10. Come by for a night of ugly sweaters, beer, snacks, games and fun. Get to know what Playworks does for more than 16,000 elementary school children in the community. Make sure to wear the most hideous, ugly, holiday sweater. Prizes will be awarded. Buy a ticket and tour the Karbach facility. Information: 281-661-8367, eblevins@playworks.org.

Holiday Events FOOD, TOY DONATIONS NEEDED Northwest Assistance Ministries Residents of northwest Houston are welcome to help make the holidays brighter for families in need, by contributing food, toys, or volunteer service to NAM. Donations of non-perishable food and new, unwrapped toys (for ages 12 and under) may be brought to NAM’s main oﬃce at 15555 Kuykendahl Road. Donations may be dropped oﬀ from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday beginning Nov. 3, or from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays. Financial gifts may be made by visiting www.namonline.org and selecting “Give Online.” Information: 281-885-4555, ext. 3914; holiday@namonline.org. HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE All TDECU branches The community is invited to help feed families in need by participating in TDECU’s annual Holiday Food Drive. The food drive is taking place at all TDECU branches through Nov. 15. A specially marked donation box

will be available in all TDECU branch lobbies. The food will be gathered and donated to the food bank or food pantry serving the area where the food is collected. The food will then be distributed to local families in time for the holidays. Information: www. tdecu.org. HOLIDAY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop Experience the magic of the holidays while browsing the fun and creative gifts at Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop, 10570 Northwest Frwy. Network with local business managers and owners while enjoying great food and drinks. An annual crowd pleaser. The event will be from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 20. Information: 713-8616735, www.heightschamber.com.

Stewardship emphasis at St. Stephen’s The annual stewardship emphasis continues this Sunday, Nov. 16. Consecration Sunday, with the dedication of ﬁnancial commitments for 2015, will be during the 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. A celebration luncheon will follow the 11 a.m. service. St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org. Women’s Club serving breakfast tacos at St. Theresa Come join the Women’s Club for breakfast after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Masses Nov. 22, in the fellowship hall. Breakfast tacos will be $1 each. Dine in or to-go. Support the Women’s Club by joining or renewing mem-

bership. Dues are $15 annually and meetings are the second Thursday of each month. All women of the parish are welcome. St. Theresa Catholic Church is located at 6622 Haskell. Information: 713-8693783, www.sttheresa.cc. Thanksgiving service and potluck supper at Zion Lutheran The Heights Community Thanksgiving service will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 24, at Zion Lutheran Church, 3606 Beauchamp St. A potluck supper begins at 5:30 p.m. Bring soup, salad or sandwiches to share. All offerings of nonperishable foods and monetary donations will be collected and beneﬁt area food pantries. Call 713-869-1493 or visit www.zionhouston.org. Take a picture with Santa at All Saints Santa is coming to All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E. 10th St., Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. Have a picture taken with Santa and get Christmas cards early. Photos are by appointment only. Call 713-880-1847 or visit www.allsaintsheights.com for information. Vineyard announces 2014 Advent Conspiracy The Vineyard Church of Houston, located at 1035 E. 11th St., has announced their 2014 Advent Conspiracy charities. Advent Conspiracy is a

global movement of people and churches resisting the cultural Christmas narrative of consumption by choosing a revolutionary Christmas by worshipping fully, spending less, giving more and loving all. People are encouraged to receive one less present and donate the money to charity. This year’s recipients are Heights Interfaith Ministry Food Pantry, Living Water International and Kids In Need of Defense. In the past, charitable organizations have received $15,000 to $35,000 each. Call 713-869-9070 or visit www.houstonvineyard.org for information. MANNA needs volunteers Make a difference in your community. Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance (MANNA), a coalition of churches and community partners, provides social services in near Northwest Houston, is seeking volunteers for the Assistance Program, Food

Pantry, and Resale Store. Students at least 16 years of age are welcomed. Volunteers must attend a training and orientation session. MANNA is also available to pick up your gently used donations. Call the Resale Store at 713-686-6440 to schedule a pick up. For information, contact Patricia Dornak at 713504-5486 or email her at pdornak@gmail.com. Visitors welcome at Heights Christian Church Heights Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 1706 Heights Blvd., is a friendly, small congregation. If one is looking for a church home, it is recommended to come visit on the second Sunday of each month, which is fellowship Sunday. A meal is served in the fellowship hall, and is a good way to become acquainted. For information, call 713861-0016, or visit www.hcchouston.org.

instruments & techniques

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Mathew Naftis, D.D.S. w w w. d r n a f t i s . c o m

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

GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

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A

fter years of wear and tear, teeth are likely to show loss of their structure in several ways. This wear reveals as attrition, abrasion, and erosion - or any combination of these three. Attrition - Continual chewing or grinding over many years eventually wears down the biting surfaces of the teeth. Sometimes the enamel is completely worn away, exposing the inner dentin, a process that is often sped up by grinding the teeth. In severe instances, the face may lose some vertical height, decreasing facial dimension. Abrasion - This occurs below the enamel of the tooth crown in the softer cementum that covers the roots. The principal cause is poor brushing technique, particularly if the gums are receding, and can also be related to clenching or grinding. Erosion - Acids in the mouth may etch away parts of the tooth surfaces. Erosion is likely to be found in mouths breathers where the tissues are dry and in people who regularly eat acidic foods, such as citrus or juices. Your dentist can advise you if any of these conditions requires treatment. Regular dental care can keep this wear and tear from permanently damaging your teeth. Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the ofﬁce of: Chase Baker, D.D.S., 3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.

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e are told in a variety of ways to seize the day: Carpe Diem; eat, drink and be merry; and in short, enjoy life while you can, for tomorrow we may die. But, more likely we will not die tomorrow and so there is something to be said for delaying gratiﬁcation and planning for the future. All of this talk of seizing the day, when taken even half seriously, is often just a way to rationalize not planning and preparing for the future. This doesn’t mean we have to be overly anxious about the future, but it does mean that we should plan prudently for a long and healthy life. Two good ways to do this are education and saving. Aristotle claimed that education is the best provision for old age, presumably because it cultivates the mind and allows one to reﬂect on the most important things, i.e., the divine things and how to live a virtuous life. And of course we should be saving for that proverbial rainy day, for assuredly, for most of us at least, tomorrow will come, and the day after tomorrow as well. He who does not plan for the future is ensuring that it will be a meager one.

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The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

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SANTA PAWS Houston Humane Society Santa Paws is coming to the Houston Humane Society. HHS is oﬀering free photos with Santa for kids and pets from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6. Visitors are encouraged to bring a Kong toy or dry pet food donation. Be sure to check out the Pawliday Shopping Market to ﬁnd the perfect gift. The shelter is located at 14700 Almeda Rd. Information: 713433-6421, www.houstonhumane. org.

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HOLIDAY POT LUCK DINNER Houston Police DepartmentNorth Division Bring a favorite dish or dessert and come have dinner with the North Division Community Oﬃcers. Dinner will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 18, at the HPD North Command Station, 9455 W. Montgomery. Information: 281-405-5341, 281405-5425.

FROM THE PEWS. Health Fair at Hope Episcopal Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd St., will hold a Health Fair from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Nov. 15. There will be free vouchers for ﬂu shots for the uninsured, free ﬂu shots for those insured on Medicare, free vision screening and diabetes screening, along with snacks, door prizes and face painting for the children. Call 713-681-6422 for information.

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

Page 8A • Saturday, November 15, 2014

Flags of our Fathers

Contributed Photos

St. Rose of Lima School students celebrate Veteran’s Day On November 11, 2014, St. Rose of Lima School celebrated the heroes who served our country from all branches of the services that included Army, Air Force, Coast Guard,

Navy and Marines. Students sung tunes that represented each branch of service followed by a parade and reception. Woodmen of the World Life

Insurance partners became a community sponsor for this year’s event by providing ﬂags, pins and a “Flag Folding” class for the students.

Officials keep eye on metal thefts as growth continues By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com With all of the commercial and residential development The Leader area has continued to enjoy, law enforcement officials, construction companies and scrap yards are all doing their part in ensuring that metal thefts are kept to a minimum. Several separate, and unrelated, reports were issued by the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office regarding thefts of construction materials from sites around the area, and officials like Assistant Chief J.C. Mosier say they are keeping an eye on it – as they always have. “Copper wire in particular has been a problem for a while now,” Mosier said. “It’s been a problem city-wide for a long time now and it’s going to be more of a problem because of the tremendous growth this area is seeing.” Thieves who focus on stealing from construction sites primarily turn their attention to items like copper, air conditioning units, lumber, tools and other items. “Basically, it’s anything they can put in a pickup truck and get# 21607 out fast with,” Mosier said. Ad

Houston Police Department North Division Captain Larry Baimbridge said the area has seen metal thefts rise and fall, but fortunately there hasn’t been significant activity – a good sign for development companies, contractors and residents alike. Regarding the number of thefts reported at construction or renovated sites, Baimbridge said there were 12 such incidents in August, 5 in September and about 9 in October. “A lot of times it ebbs and flows,” Baimbridge said. “Occasionally we’ll have a situation where some thieves will come up and grab a few AC units from a site just for the copper and there will be thousands of dollars in damages, but we’ve been fortunate we haven’t seen an increase.” Builders across the city have taken note of the potential that exists for such thefts to increase at their sites, and many continue to take steps to prevent tools or materials from being left out, including scheduling drop-offs during specific time periods and locking away other tools when not in use. New ordinances and increases in penalties for metal thefts have also helped control the amount of thefts at construction sites, Baimbridge said.

The Northwest Pet Lodge

The Northwest Pet Lodge is designed to make your pet’s stay like a relaxing vacation. Years of experience in veterinary medicine and animal boarding have come together to provide an environment that is comfortable, safe and clean with plenty of human contact for pampering and recreational fun. At NWPL, owners have a choice of our luxury garden suites, our spacious cage-less rooms, or our economy kennels. We offer several lodging options, large play areas and bathing facilities. Veterinary care is available for wellness exams and vaccinations, along with prompt medical attention if necessary. Here are some of the advantages of the NWPL: • Daily veterinarian walk through • Relaxing (no loud barkers or aggressive pets allowed) with separate oors for dog and cats • Safe, super clean and hygienic (vaccines & parasite prevention required) • Trained and caring staff members plus overnight on premise personnel • Mild veterinary prescribed sedatives, with your approval, for overly anxious pets (at no extra cost) • Hydro-Surge spa baths and veterinarian recommended ea products available • Day Care provided: Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 7:00 pm Our standard canine lodging package includes the overnight stay, morning and evening meals and an afternoon snack. Walks for stretching legs and releasing energy are done twice daily with our friendly caregivers. Also available are extended playtime (more running, jumping and fetching), extreme pampering (lots of one-on-one TLC), Kong toys (to keep your pet busy), a sleeping cot, a hydro-surge bath and other comforts to keep your pet happy and busy. For our feline friends we offer condo-like accommodations with plenty of room to sleep ad stretch out. Your furry friend will be able to see the outdoors through nearby windows and listen to the sounds of nature while relaxing on a soft warm bed. Meal and petting times are done mornings and evenings and snacks are handed out every afternoon. Litter boxes are changed at least twice daily and water is always available. We also offer the Kitty Jungle (a large room lled with cat toys, climbing/scratching posts and tunnels). Extra play and pampering times can be arranged. The Northwest Pet Lodge is dedicated to the safety, welfare and comfort of your special family member. So relax and enjoy your trip or stop by and give us a visit, we would love to show you around.

8627 Bart Lane, Houston, Texas 77040 Lobby Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - Noon and 2:30 pm - 7:00pm Saturday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm • Closed Sunday and Holidays

Dennis Laviage, owner of C&D Scrap Metal in the See Metal P. 9A

�� Answers found in this week’s Classiﬁed section

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1. Leaf attachment 5. Gaiters 10. Nearly all 14. Carbonated soft drink 15. Dogma 16. Plural of ascus 17. Highly excited 18. Annuity 19. 750 mi. So. African river 20. “Blue Bloods” Danny 23. Away from wind 24. Ardor 25. Senior ofﬁcer 28. Consumed 29. Radioactivity unit 30. Make lacework 33. Courtesy titles for women 35. Of she 36. Wolf (Spanish) 37. Jordanian seaport 38. Father 39. Clear wrap 40. Gastric fold 41. __ student, learns healing 42. Placate 43. Neckwear 44. More (Spanish) 45. Post-ofﬁce box 46. Belonging to a thing 47. Antique Roadshow twins

48. Bark 50. Retiring Late Show host 56. AKA Matakam 57. Seamlike union 58. River in Florence 59. Arab outer garments 60. Distinctive spirit of a people 61. Up to the time of 62. Disﬁguring marks 63. Slants from vertical 64. A branch of the Tai languages

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1. Any of several carangid ﬁshes 2. African nation 3. University in North Carolina 4. __ Carta, British Constitution 5. Thoroughfares 6. Herman character 7. Tolstoy’s Karenina 8. Attached by a rope 9. Like a star 10. Expert 11. Narrow ridges (Swedish) 12. Street name for heroin 13. ‘__ death do us part

21. Annona diversifolia 22. Not good 25. Intelligent 26. Chilean superfruit 27. Saying 30. Shinto temple gateway 31. Toward the stern 32. Broadway awards 34. Fabric for 59 across 35. Possessed 36. Varnish ingredient 38. Abandoned 39. Expensive fur 41. Lathe spindle 42. A woman poet 44. Japanese apricot 45. Large Old World boas 47. Russian barley brew 49. Swift Malayan sailboat 50. Biu-Mandara 51. From a distance 52. Cubage unit 53. Messenger ribonucleic acid 54. Gaming stake 55. A small alcove 56. One’s mother (Brit.)

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Saturday, November 15, 2014 • Page 9A

Harvard students kick off read-a-thon to beneﬁt Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Students at Harvard Elementary had a chance to learn about the challenges facing children their age around the world in getting an education during an assembly Tuesday morning, welcoming author Elizabeth Suneby and Razia Jan. Jan, a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2012, founded the Zubuli Education Center in Afghanistan which provides a free education to about 350 Afghan girls. Jan also heads up the Ray of Hope Foundation, a non-proﬁt which aims to improve the lives of women and children throughout Afghanistan by fostering education opportunities. Suneby, who authored the award-winning children’s book Razia’s Ray of Hope – One Girl’s Dream of an Education, spoke with Harvard students about how their everyday lives compare to those in Afghanistan. Along with a presentation, which invited comments from children in attendance, Suneby also showed several videos about the school and some of the challenges it faces. Both Suneby and Jan have traveled across the country, using Suneby’s book as a way to raise awareness regarding education challenges for the girls at Jan’s school. “It wasn’t until I went to a program where I heard Razia speak and saw videos similar to the ones I showed today and I understood, at a very deep level, the injustice that was happening,” Suneby said. “If I could get more kids at an

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Photo by Jonathan Garris Harvard Elementary Principal Kevin Beringer (right) presents small gifts to Razia Jan (left) and Elizabeth Suneby (center) following their presentation at the school Tuesday morning. Suneby is the award winning author of Razia’s Ray of Hope, inspired by Jan’s work in Afghanistan promoting education for young girls at the Zubuli Education Center.

early age to understand that not everyone gets the same rights to an education and get them to speak up, perhaps the next generation would prevent that from happening.” The school also kicked off a “read-a-thon” event in which students can have a parent, guardian, or another adult sponsor them, offering to pay a small amount of money for each book they read which will then be donated to Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation. Jan said it was heartwarming to see so many children willing to step forward and

help her cause. “They really care in their own way,” Jan said. “I have always told the children I meet that if you can’t help anybody, don’t hurt anybody.” Some of the ﬁfth graders who read Jan’s book called it inspiring. “It’s really inspiring to know that one person can make such a huge difference in the world,” George Psaras, a ﬁfth grader at Harvard Elementary, said. For more information, visit www.raziasrayofhope.org.

ing to the seller, along with the make, model and color. They also take a photo of the person, a photo of the person signing the receipt and ensure identiﬁcation checks out. “I’m not a police ofﬁcer and I’m not going to act like one when they sell me scrap,” Laviage said. “But if it looks like something that is stolen, we’re simply not going to buy it.”

Like other ofﬁcials, Laviage has said that despite all of the growth the area has seen and its construction activity, he hasn’t seen too much trouble in the way of questionable sellers or scrap metals. “That kind of thing is never going to end, but we’re not seeing anything more than usual,” Laviage said.

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Metal, from P. 8A Heights, is more than familiar with the exhaustive measures in place to control the selling of scrap metal. He’s been in the business for 42 years and his own business will be celebrating its 35th anniversary next month. During the process of purchasing metals, Laviage said they take note of the license plate of the vehicle belong-

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