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Saturday, November 28, 2015 • Vol. 60 • No. 56

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

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Stevens Elementary celebrates with ‘SPARK’ Stevens Elementary hosted the dedication for their SPARK Park on Thursday, November 19. Kathleen Ownby, executive director for the SPARK Park Program, said it was one of seven SPARK events planned at Houston area schools throughout the week. Certificates, which were personalized with student drawings, were handed out to all who have helped the park become a reality. Look for an official opening in January.

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Businesses along North Shepherd to bolster local group

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INSIDE.

By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com (Clockwise from top left) Among some of the recent developments in the Heights medical landscape include the rebranded Memorial Hermann Greater Heights and its planned entryway redesign, urgent care centers like SignatureCare and MedSpring, the UT Phyisicians at the Heights which opened earlier this year, the planned Heights Central medical facility and the soon-tobe-opened Methodist Primary Care Group physician center on Studewood.

Heights area sees substantial growth in medical industry Time to change for a clock tower What happens when it’s time to renovate an enormous clock tower into a multi-use building? Cynthia Lescalleet looks into the preservation and repurposing of Clock Tower Studios at 611 22nd St, just east of North Shepherd.

Find it on 1B

events

ART MARKET @ Houston Vineyard Cafe Several local artists will be featured in an Art Market at the Houston Vineyard Cafe, 1035 E. 11th St. COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE The Foster YMCA and Heights Rotary Club are teaming up to help strengthen the community by doing a community blood drive at the Foster YMCA

Find more events on 7A

The INDEX. Church

Photos by Betsy Denson

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Face painting, games and plenty of food and refreshDr. awaited local famiMemorial ments lies at Saturday’s Fall Family Fun Day at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. Check out plenty of fun photos from the event in this week’s edition.

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Family Fun 610 at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights festival

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Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

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Opinion

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By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Between the expansion and re-branding of Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, a new facility with Heights Central, numerous urgent care clinics and now a new family practice opening courtesy of Houston Methodist, the healthcare industry in the Heights is taking on a new shape. Chris Dray, part owner of the Heights Central development, a proposed 15,000-square-foot medical office building, said new facilities like these have been a long time coming. Dray has lived in the Heights area since the early 2000s and has raised two boys here. Over that time, there has been plenty of change in the area but primarily in the form of restaurants and bars. “We’ve been driving to the West U area for pediatric care and physicals for the kids and my wife also goes to the OBGYN there,” Dray said. “If you live in the Heights you have to drive to West U, the Medical Center or other parts of Houston to get a lot of different kinds of specialty care.” Dray pointed to the lack of healthcare specialists and centers in the community as being a prime opportunity for facilities like Heights Central to fill in a healthcare gap.

While the area has its share of urgent care and hospital options, Dray says finding family care has been a challenge. “These days you also have to think of driving across town to find those kinds of services,” Dray said. “It used to not be so bad [but] with all of the traffic the way it is, you’re talking 45 minutes to an hour each way. It really clicked a light bulb for us that those services need to come to the Heights in a better capacity than in the past.” Crowded horizon Dray isn’t the only one who believes there is a gap in family healthcare options in the Heights area. Sharon Rice, marketing manager for Houston Methodist Primary Care Group, said their new family practice physician moving in at 1001 Studewood above the Black & White Mediterranean Restaurant is a perfect fit for the community. The medical group has a strong footprint throughout other parts of Houston but saw a lack of physician care in the Heights area. “It’s a very residential neighborhood and very heavy with restaurants and other establishments but there’s reSee Healthcare P. 5A

As a longtime business owner along North Shepherd, Kathryn van der Pol knows there is a long list of challenges towards revitalizing and solving many of the issues facing other businesses along the corridor. While it might not have been as active as before, van der Pol is seeking to reinvigorate the North Shepherd Area Business Association as the area heads into the new year. The group recently secured a sponsorship from Nundini Chef’s Table at 500 N. Shepherd Dr., and the group See Shepherd P. 8A

Photo by Jonathan Garris Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce president Jacob Millwee speaks during a North Shepherd Area Business Association meeting last week.

Fighting hunger with help from Kids’ Meals By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com The statistics are sobering – almost 90,000 children under five years old in Houston don’t know where their next meal is coming from. For more than 2,000 of them, the answer is Kids’ Meals, working out of their location at 330 Garden Oaks Blvd. Executive Director Christina Vetrano said that Monday through Friday, between 20 and 40 volunteers make lunches from 9 a.m. to noon that are then delivered directly to pre-school age students who are at home with parents or caregivers and don’t have access to free lunch programs. “For about a third of them, it’s the only meal they’ll get all day,” said Vetrano.

During the summer, kids 18 years and younger get lunches too and Vetrano said that about six times a year, like at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, they provide additional food to families. Who makes the meals? You do, if you’re willing. “We get a lot of stay at home parents, school groups, and retirees,” said Vetrano. “It’s very family friendly.” There is no age requirement for volunteers. If kids can’t reach the table to make lunch, they can decorate lunch sacks. The fact that children could volunteer was what drew Candlelight Estates resident See Meals P. 5A

Photo by Betsy Denson Girl Scout Troop #28014 makes meals on a recent Saturday. All age volunteers are welcome according to the organization’s director.

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Theft 3:38 PM 4900-4999 LILLIAN Theft 2:15 PM 5900-5999 WASHINGTON Theft 3:02 PM 1000-1099 PINEMONT Theft 4:17 AM 4800-4899 W 34TH Theft 1:02 PM 4800-4899 W 34TH Theft 7:41 PM 2100-2199 YALE Burglary 9:58 PM 700-799 W 19TH Burglary 7:56 PM 400-499 W CROSSTIMBERS Theft 5 PM 4200-4299 DELHI Theft 4 AM 4200-4299 SCHULER Theft 11 AM 1500-1599 N LOOP W Theft 2 PM 2100-2199 TANNEHILL

NOV. 14

Theft 2:30 PM 5300-5399 WASHINGTON Theft 4:48 PM 6000-6099 WASHINGTON Theft 8 PM 4000-4099 W 34TH Theft 5:21 AM 4000-4099 WATONGA Burglary 12:30 PM 200-299 W 26TH Robbery 8:10 PM 2500-2599 HOUSTON Robbery 4:20 PM 300-399 E CROSSTIMBERS Theft 10:10 AM 1100-1199 PRINCE

NOV. 16

Theft 2 PM 100-199 W CAVALCADE Theft 9:30 AM 1300-1399 CROSSTIMBERS Theft 3:30 PM 0-99 WASHINGTON/SHEPHERD Assault 7:20 PM 2500-2599 N LOOP W Assault 11:27 AM 3700-3799 SHERWOOD Assault 2:02 PM 3300-3399 W 34TH Assault 7:55 PM 4300-4399 LIDO

NOV. 15

Theft 6:32 PM 2800-2899 WHITE OAK Burglary 2:35 AM 900-999 N DURHAM Theft 2:09 PM 3300-3399 WHITE OAK

Precinct One: Pedestrians robbed at gunpoint iPhones. The victims, who were not physically harmed, said they were unable to get the license plate number of the vehicle as it drove off. No further information was available about the robbers. Deputies took a report and referred the case to HPD for investigation.

Garden Oaks Crime Alert Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, two people walking eastbound in the 1400 block of W. 34th 1/2 Street were robbed at Golf Drive by who they described as eight black males with guns who had driven behind them in a silver Toyota truck. They got away with the victims’

Assault 2:02 PM 4700-4799 W 34TH Theft 2:30 PM 4600-4699 ELI Burglary 3 AM 900-999 THORNTON Theft 3 PM 2800-2899 W TC JESTER Theft 1 PM 1900-1999 W 15TH Burglary 5:37 AM 1800-1899 ANGELINE

NOV. 17

Theft 6:59 AM 800-899 N SHEPHERD Burglary 2 AM 3500-3599 DELHI Burglary 3:12 AM 4700-4799 EIGEL Theft 4:25 PM 4700-4799 MAXIE Burglary 9:35 AM 1100-1199 MALONE Theft 6:30 AM 1000-1099 WASHINGTON Theft 4:24 AM 200-299 NORTHWEST MALL Theft 3 PM 700-799 W 11TH Burglary 8:50 PM 100-199 E CROSSTIMBERS Theft 1 PM 5400-5499 WERNER Burglary 12:49 PM 1300-1399 RUTLAND Burglary 11:45 PM 1300-1399 YALE Burglary 5 AM 500-599 E 25TH Theft 2:45 AM 400-499 W 13TH Theft 6 PM 2300-2399 N SHEPHERD Theft 5 PM 2900-2999 W 12TH Theft 5:44 AM 100-199 CROSSTIMBERS Theft 4:53 PM 3200-3299 MANGUM

Theft 11 AM 1900-1999 WHITE OAK Theft 7:40 AM 2500-2599 SHEARN Theft 3:05 PM 200-299 S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 11:17 AM 2000-2099 E CROSSTIMBERS

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NOV. 19

Theft 7:04 AM 600-699 N LOOP W Theft 8 AM 1400-1499 N LOOP W Theft 1 PM 900-999 WAKEFIELD Theft 2:35 PM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD Theft 6 AM 1800-1899 W 26TH Theft 8:18 AM 2500-2599 SHEARN Burglary 2:49 AM 1000-1099 MARTIN Theft 3 AM 4600-4699 SHERWOOD Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

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Saturday, November 28, 2015 • Page 3A

Barbecue, fun times for families at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Fall Family Fun Day celebration

ATTENTION

REAGAN: SAVE THE NAME ORGANIZATIONAL RALLY

Photos by Jonathan Garris Youngsters and their parents came out for a day of barbecue, music, games and other activities Nov. 21 at the Fall Family Fun Day hosted at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. (From top to bottom) Kids had a chance to sit in the LifeFlight helicopter and talk with the pilots who work with the chopper everyday. Children could also enjoy the talents of balloon artists, who crafted everything from movie characters to animals for kids all ages. Games, like this Turkey Day Putt Putt aso kept some of the younger kids and adults entertained throughout the morning and early afternoon. Entertainment, like this dancing scarecrow, offered up some excitement while older ateendees could meet with Memorial Hermann representatives, enjoy food and drinks from vendors like Gatlin’s Barbecue and get educated on services provided by the Greater Heights hospital.

When: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 Time: 3 - 7 PM Where: SPJST LODGE, 1435 Beall St., Houston , Texas, 77008 Purpose: Protest of proposed bureaucratic action The Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board is currently in the process of establishing a committee structure for the purpose naming/renaming HISD facilities. According to some reports, removing the name of John H. Reagan from the traditionally assigned high school seems to be high on the Board’s agenda. No alternative name has thus far been published. An ad hoc committee has assembled to oppose this school renaming proposal. This committee has registered with the Harris County Clerk’s Office as “REAGAN: SAVE THE NAME”. To demonstrate the depth and strength of our opposition to this HISD Board proposal, a rally has been scheduled at the SPJST Lodge in the Heights on December 8th from 3 to 7 p.m.. Knowledgeable speakers will be there to inform us. Barbeque will be served for as long as it lasts and beverages are available for purchase. You are invited to wear your colors and letter sweaters (if they haven’t shrunk too much). Media has been notified and presence is assumed. To assist our attendance estimates, please RSVP your plans to attend to one of the following addresses: Jessie Hamlin: jessie_hamlin@netzero.net Sonia Price: SPrice9010@aol.com

We need volunteers to help the night of the rally. If you can help call Howard Moon. 713-686-7778 Remember, FREEDOM ISN’T FREE. Please mail your freewill donations in support of this effort to the following address. REAGAN: SAVE THE NAME P.O. Box 800149 Houston, Texas 77280

Howard Moon, President Allen Marcontell, Treasurer

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The Topics. Saturday, November 28, 2015 • Page 4A

Still telling important stories, even in print

former boss of mine, now retired from the newspaper business, called last week to check in on me. He knows where I work, what I do, and the struggles our industry has faced over the past number of years. Why do you think he’s retired? During our monthly conversations, this former publisher always seems to take pride hearing about our successes, but he’s also quick to offer warnings about this newspapering business. “The money is going everywhere else,” he said just last week. This old boss of mine is never negative; he’s a realist and his wisdom is priceless. When our monthly conversations end, I always hang up with the same two thoughts. First, I wonder if this is the last week we’ll ever publish a newspaper. Will the advertising disappear, which means our business would crumble a week later? Will our readers, in unison, walk away from a paper filled with local news? Second, I wonder if our community would even notice if we closed in the dead of night. Would people care if The Leader didn’t exist? And that’s where I find some comfort in this line of work. I do think people would care, and here’s why: As I prepared to write this week’s column, I asked our editor to skim

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

through the editions of 2015 and tell me if our newspaper had an impact on our community. In the stories we wrote, did we do absolutely anything to make this part of Houston better? If you’ll allow, let me brag on some of the people who work for The Leader, and let me tell you what I think our paper has accomplished this year – seems fitting for Thanksgiving week. Beginning last year, as homeowners in the Heights struggled with a city ordinance that greatly hampered their ability to renovate and remodel homes in the historic district, The Leader began a long series of stories highlighting the problems with Houston’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. No other media in the city would touch the story, and that was after pleading with one local TV station to help us investigate. The Leader was left to report on

our own, and at the end of 2015, based solely on our pressure to make changes, Mayor Annise Parker (likely not a big fan of our paper) appointed a commission to make very important changes to the ordinance. In August of this year, those changes became official, and it all started with our little weekly newspaper. In March and April, residents living near the Pinemont Park & Ride were told that Metro had made a decision to sell that land to the Houston Housing Authority, which would then build affordable, public housing on the property. HHA chair Lance Gilliam left diplomacy at the door when he told residents in and around Forest West, “Once we gain site control – and we will gain site control – we have a robust community engagement process that is required of us.” Almost immediately, residents of that area contacted The Leader and we began reporting on this story when no other news organization in the city would touch it. Long story short (even though we wrote a lot of long stories and opinion pieces on the issue), Gilliam was forced to eat those non-prophetic words. Our little weekly paper drummed up such a mess over the issue that residents all over the place got involved. Metro, in late April, announced they would instead sell the

Lynn Ashby Columnist

and pull him real close while whispering the pitch. Worked in Austin, worked in Washington. Those were the glory days, when Rayburn ran the House and Johnson ran the Senate. What Texas wanted, Texas got. Can you spell NASA, aka JSC? Not to mention dams, roads and military bases. Later came Jim Wright, from Fort Worth, who served in the House 34 years and became Speaker, but left under a cloud. Committee chairs usually were decided by seniority, and Texas’ longterm (always Democrats) reps landed most of them. Even now, seven chairmanships are held by Texans. You can see why members of Congress are getting tired of Texans in high places, but our numbers will grow. We currently have 34 representatives, second to California’s 53. After the 2020 Census, we shall pick up at least two more Congressional seats, maybe even three or four, depending if the other members let us count our illegal immigrants and convicts. This will also give Texas more votes in the Electoral College. I suspect George W. will win again. Down the street, the White House tends to speak with a Texan twang: Dwight Eisenhower, LBJ, Bush and Bush. Between Ike’s first term and George W’s last year, there was a Texan living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 26 of the 44 years. We have had only two native-born Texans in the White House, Ike and LBJ, but the current, and constant, Presidential campaigns may give us one more. Rick Perry is gone -- his campaign was a total embarrassment, but we could have had an inside track for Son of NASA. However, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (Canada, Houston) is still in the fight, as is Sen. Rand Paul (Lake Jackson, Baylor). Carly Fiorina was born in Austin, her father was a law prof at UT. Donald Trump visited the U.S.-Mexican border one afternoon. Does that count? Elsewhere in Washington, you will find a bunch of Texans in high places, like the Pentagon. John Steinbeck, in “Travels With Charley,” wrote: “Among other tendencies to be noted, Texas is a military nation. The armed forces of the United States are loaded with Texans and often dominated by Texans.” (Not to get sidetracked, but speaking of fatigue, there was a Bush or a Clinton in the White House or cabinet for 32 years

lights them every week. No one covers our local restaurants like Christina Martinez on our Food & Drink page. No one cares more about our schools than our Betsy Denson, who is a treasure not only to us but her children’s PTA. And no one covers the business and real estate development along Ella and 19th Street and 43rd and 18th Street like our little weekly newspaper. The first week of December, I write a letter that is inserted in our newspaper, and nearly all of our readers will get that letter next week, telling you about an annual program called “Voluntary Pay.” We are a free newspaper, which means we don’t charge for subscriptions. But we know there are people out there who don’t mind supporting The Leader (we also know there are people who would just as soon have us disappear.) For those who want to support us, next week is the one time of year we offer an opportunity, so please be on the lookout for that letter. Meanwhile, I can’t wait to get to the office and keep working with the wonderful people who still produce a valuable product to our community. Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

The reader.

Others weary of Texans influence in Washington I blame John Nance Garner for our problem. Yes, Cactus Jack from that incubator of national leaders, Uvalde, Texas, is making it harder and harder for Texans in Washington to succeed in climbing the power ladder. Congress is especially getting tired of Texans’ dominance, and I see their point. According to an article I recently read, the latest nearvictim, I suppose you could call him, is Rep. Kevin Brady, a long-time Republican from The Woodlands, who wanted to succeed Rep. Paul Ryan as chairman of the House of Representatives’ powerful Ways and Means Committee. Ryan, kicking and screaming, was promoted to the one job in the House even more powerful than chairman of that committee: Speaker of the House. How powerful? Former Rep. Bill Archer of Houston once told me that he wouldn’t run for the U.S. Senate because, as ranking minority leader in the Ways and Means Committee, if the Republicans ever took control of the House, he would be committee chairman, a post he would rather have than Senator. Why was Rep. Brady having trouble being elected chairman by the Republican Steering Committee in a closed-door vote? It’s called Texas fatigue, and it all started with Cactus Jack. Garner, a state legislator, was elected to Congress from the Uvalde district, which back then was rural and unimportant. Actually, it still is. Nevertheless, he served 30 years in the House, becoming Speaker. Then he was vice president and ran for President. Incidentally, if you are wondering how Garner was nicknamed Cactus Jack, when he was elected to the Texas House in 1898, the legislature selected a state flower for Texas. Garner fervently supported the prickly pear cactus for the honor and thus earned the nickname “Cactus Jack.” If Garner had won the Presidency, the Rose Garden would be known as the Cactus Terrace. In 1913, a young man from that other hotbed of leadership, Bonham, Texas, was elected to Congress. Sam Rayburn served 48 years in the House, 17 years as Speaker, a record not to be broken anytime soon. It is not well known, but before Rayburn became Speaker of the U.S. House, he had served as Speaker of the Texas House, where he first honed his leadership talents. In 1937 yet another hayseed arrived in Congress: Lyndon Johnson, from – again – yet another cauldron of leadership, Johnson City, Texas. LBJ had learned how to wheel and deal by watching his father, Texas State Rep. Sam Ealy Johnson, work the House: come up to a colleague, quietly grab his – the other pol’s – coat lapels

land to Harris County, which will construct a multi-service center, rather than more apartments in the area. While there are dozens of other major stories we’ve covered this year, I’ve only got so much space, so let me re-introduce you to Paul Nelson. Nelson is the Metro driver who saw a building on fire on 19th Street, stopped the bus he was driving, and helped free two men who were battling the blaze. Meanwhile, Nelson has a wife fighting two medical battles and just weeks after his heroic efforts, he received an eviction notice from his landlord. This little weekly newspaper told the story of Nelson being down on his luck, and a GoFundMe site that only had $320 to help Nelson magically jumped to $6,440 in three days after readers learned of his plight. The story isn’t over there. Now, we’ve learned that the person who opened the fundraising site for Nelson is allegedly withholding some of the money, and we’ll continue helping Nelson until his rent is paid and he can return to work. There are so many other reasons I am proud of what our community newspaper does for the people who live in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and the neighborhoods of north Houston. No one tells the stories of local artists better than our own Mitch Cohen, who spot-

straight. And Texans have seen a Bush on one ballot or another at least, by my count, nine times. This includes the one we just put in office, Land Commissioner George P. Bush, who apparently is not actually in his office very often as he is campaigning for his daddy, Jeb!) As we can see, Texans have long been a powerful influence in Washington, and others are getting weary of it. Gail Collins, a columnist for The New York Times, has a book out, “As Texas Goes -- How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda.” The title is self-explanatory: we are the lead dog in the dog team or the tail that wags the dog. Either way, Texas is setting the pace for the rest of the nation. Collins is not real happy with the situation, but acknowledges it is a fact. She wrote: “Personally, I prefer to think that all Americans are in the same boat. And Texas has a lot to do with where we’re heading.” Others may be fatigued, but as for us, keep on rowing. Ashby is electable at ashby2@ comcast.net.

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Lynn Ashby misguided? Dear Editor: Columnist Lynn Ashby exposed himself as misguided on two fronts in his recent article. He laments about the record campaign spending for the 2016 presidential race, but completely ignores the connection between money and the influence and weight of government in our daily lives. When we have a government so woven into routine business decisions made by companies, what exactly does Ashby think happens to campaign contributions? Boeing could not even build a plant in South Carolina, rather than in Seattle, without major legal hurdles from the the feds and the National Labor Relations Board. Major insurance companies, drug companies and hospitals are inextricably tied to the success or failure of Obamacare. Our 74,000-page tax code favors major companies like General Electric, which pays nearly no taxes. GE received about $2 billion in taxpayer funds from Obama to research green energy. Seriously? A company worth around $70 billion gets federal funds for research and Ashby moans about the size of campaign war chests? Does Ashby even know that GE’s CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, headed Obama’s Economic Advisory Council? I could cite dozens of other cases like this. Solyndra comes to mind too. But Ashby thinks the problem lies with everyone except our government. Second, Ashby refers to Fox News as “Faux News.” How pathetic. He doesn’t even watch Fox News and is entirely ignorant of why John Stossel, Geraldo Rivera, Lou Dobbs and Sharyl Attkisson are among many who left their previous networks for Fox News. Ashby is fine when every major newspaper leans left. He’s fine with k-12 schools and academic institutions which are infested with liberal instructors and administrators. He was good when only 3 networks dominated TV news before cable and delivered the same stories. What he despises is competition. He likes free speech so long as it agrees with him. Yes, Ashby’s column says a lot about him as a journalist. Mike Crowe

Getting it off my chest

Dear Editor: I have remained silent (publicly) long enough! The HISD school board seems to have forgotten why they were elected: h-e-l-l-o, furthering excellence in educating students is the right answer. Like – why can’t Johnny? Juanita? Latrishia? Read…? How can they hold high school diplomas that are rather worthless in today’s workforce? Answer: They were “groomed” to the answers for specific IQ tests. How incredibly STUPID. The Lamar grads are upset at the mascot name change – as are Hamilton Junior High grads…(I applaud the Washington Redskins owner for defying a name change – by who?! Politicians.) John H. Reagan was a General: Postmaster General for the Confederacy…never fired a shot. (Jefferson Davis likely never fired a shot either). Ask yourself - what’s the motivation behind these “changes?” I hope it isn’t a case of three or more board members owning companies that will profit by the millions as a result. I noticed in the Nov. 21 Leader article a million dollar “donation” permits renaming of a “specific area or portion of the facility.” Blah, blah, blah. 7.5 million donation by Sheila Jackson Lee and Craig Washington renames J.H. Reagan to “Washington and Lee” High School ( or Screwy Louie High School). And sure – all that goes exclusively to that school. Yeah. Right. Speaking of names sorely in need of change, I dislike Grier, Ellis, Skillern-Jones in particular. This can happen at the polls during the next school board elections. Oh wait! Grier plans to ‘tap dance’ away next year (after a truly unremarkable tenure). Closing out this lengthy epistle – no I don’t want it changed to Ronald Reagan HS. If it must change, let’s go back to “Heights High.” Disgustedly, R. Lee Young Class of 1959

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

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Domestic cat 6. Picasso’s mistress Dora 10. Bounces over water 14. Calculators 15. Jeopardized 17. Voice of Dory 19. Guided 20. Ribonucleic acid (abbr.) 21. Evenings prior to 22. French river into Ghent 23. Inspires wonder 24. Sacred bull of Egypt 26. Am. sable 29. Liquid body substances 31. Singer Nat King 32. Expression of disgust 34. Oil cartel 35. Mentums 37. City of Danao island 38. Place of refuge 39. Fancy ottoman 40. 20th Hebrew letter 41. Alleviating 43. Tangles 45. London gallery 46. Pouchlike structure 47. Citizen of Copenhagen 48. Swiss river

49. Denotes three 52. Treatment for addicts 56. Inheritable by rules 57. Stalin’s predecessor 58. N. Mexico artist colony 59. Initials of 1st American woman in space 60. Afrikaans

dOwn

1. Far east weight unit 2. Competent 3. Bare or unadorned 4. Bridge building degree 5. Other side of yang (Chinese) 6. Personal manners 7. Am. Mountain Guide Assoc. 8. Imitate 9. Acts of reclamation 10. Most critical 11. Brews 12. Foot (Latin) 13. South Dakota 16. Hero-worship 18. Removes moisture 22. NY Hamptons location (initials) 23. Egyptian god of life

24. Sporting venue 25. Campaign funding group 27. Plural of 30 down 28. Captures 29. Turf 30. Fencing sword 31. Cost, insurance and freight (abbr.) 33. Expression of bafflement 35. Frames of reference 36. Very large 37. Old TV screen tube 39. Keyboard instruments 42. Governments 43. Fashion designer Jacobs 44. Carrier’s invention 46. Cruise 47. Art ____ style of design 48. From a distance 49. Rock singer Turner 50. Churn 51. Hotels 52. Genetic info carrier 53. Irritate 54. Also on the option key 55. Steeped beverage 56. Indicates position

WORD SCRAMBLE

Business Spotlight: Hip, vintage antiques for all demographics at Blind Girl Productions By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Keith and Sondra Hardy say “love and family” were the two biggest reasons they set out to open their own vintage and resale shop – Blind Girl Productions – in the Spring Branch area. “This is a career change and this is also our retirement,” Keith said. He is a former vessel captain with over 30 years of experience and he and his wife found the idea of opening the store a good fit. This was not only because of his experience with restoring radios, jukeboxes, furniture and other merchandise, but also his wife is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa. Blind Girl Productions, located at 2317 Bingle Rd., boasts a wide variety of vintage items, collectibles, furniture pieces and clothing. Keith

Hardy said most of the items come from estate sales and occasional auctions. Prices range anywhere from below a dollar to over $1,000, such as a large Rexall sign from Chicago for $1,600 and a Route 66 sign that is $1,200. “This stuff comes from all over,” Keith Hardy said. “The majority of the items are still under $20 and we try to appeal to people of all demographics and economic backgrounds.” Buying out estates needs a lot of combing through, and both Keith and Sondra Hardy focus on items made between the 1950s and 1980s including apparel, china, glassware and any other items. They also ensure that things that are broken or unable to be reused won’t be in the store. “We like the styles that came about at that time, but that doesn’t mean we will reject anything from outside that time

Saturday, November 28, 2015 • Page 5A

Christmas Worship

Photo by Jonathan Garris Keith and Sondra Hardy offer plenty of vintage antiques from estate sales and auctions in any price range.

period,” Keith Hardy said. Things that are usable but might not be a good fit for the store are subsequently donated to similar stores and organizations for the community, Keith Hardy said. The Hardys hope that getting the word out will help

Christmas Eve - 6:30 pm

bring people into the store and get people interested in donating items. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday to Monday and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit www. blindgirlproductions.com or call 713-518-3030.

Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion Sunday Services 8:15am & 10:30am Wednesday Service 6:30pm

211 Byrne • www.holytrinityrec.org

Allegiance Bank officials react to ringing NASDAQ closing bell By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Employees at Allegiance Bank on North Durham only got a short glimpse of their coworkers and supervisors ringing the NASDAQ closing bell Nov. 6, but it was still an exciting time for everyone involved. Scott Lester, president of the Allegiance Bank Heights office at 2222 North Durham Dr. for the last 8 years, said being there was a “wonderful experience.” The company rang the closing bell as part of its celebration of its recent listing as a publiclytraded company. Allegiance Bancsares, Inc., announced in early October the initial public offering of 2.6 million shares of common stock at $21.00 per

share for gross proceeds of approximately $54.6 million. A coalition of numerous officials from Allegiance Bank, including Lester and others from the Heights bank, traveled to the New York City for the event and a bit of a largerthan-life experience in the Big Apple. After the bell had been rung and photos had been taken, Lester and others were surprised to see their faces and the Allegiance Bank logo broadcast outside of the Nasdaq MarketSite at 43rd and Broadway on the screen hanging from the building. “We didn’t know that beforehand so that was a nice surprise,” Lester said. “It was only up there for a few seconds.” Three of the original mem-

AdVEnT SEASon AT THE VinEyArd Photo by Jonathan Garris Employees at Allegiance Bank on North Durham react to seeing their coworkers ringing the closing bell at the Nasdaq Marketsite Nov. 6.

bers who helped start the Heights location back in 2007, including Lester, Margarat Vandever and Mary Ward were all invited to the milestone. “We were so proud and so overwhelmed to be there after starting from nothing and

growing into this great company,” Vandever said. Ward called the public listing a stepping stone, and Lester said it allows the company to continue the growth it has experienced over the last eight years.

three who lives just north of Garden Oaks, said it would be nice to not have to drive across town for pediatric care but admitted he has his own hesitation. “I’ve been seeing the same group of doctors now for about seven or eight years,” Martinez said. “To see all these up-and-coming places is great

but as much as I hate the drive sometimes and taking off work for a few hours here and there, [those doctors] are the ones I trust most. For someone in a different position I’m sure they’d use it more, but it might take a lot to establish that level of trust, especially when it’s the health of my kids.”

Healthcare from P. 1A ally a dearth of medical care options,” Rice said. “So many people are driving around town and taking young children or aging parents to doctors and the nice thing about this facility is that it will treat the entire family inside that one space.” A full range of comprehensive services for everything from acute and chronic illnesses, to diabetes management, immunizations and men’s and women’s health will be offered at the center, Rice said. The Heights location is currently planned to be open Dec. 1. “We’re really aiming to treat the entire Heights community,” Rice said. “There are a lot of empty nesters in the Heights and other residents and we want to be able to help them with their healthcare goals.” Heights Central and Houston Methodist aren’t the only ones making big moves in the area. The Leader reported in October about the facelift at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, formerly Northwest, that was more than simply about changing the name. CEO Susan Jadlowski said that demographics have changed “wildly” in the last nine years. “When I came here, we all but closed the pediatric floor back then,” Jadlowski said. “We didn’t grow pediatrics at all.” Jadlowski admitted that the organization also knows they lose patients to the Medical Center, something they hope to tackle with a multi-million dollar upgrade of the emer-

gency room, refurbished patient rooms and a completely redesigned entrance to the facility. The area has also seen new urgent care centers with MedSpring at 102 W. 11th St. and the Signature Care Emergency Center soon to open at the corner of E T.C. Jester Boulevard and W. 18th Center. Bandaging the gap Dray said one of the biggest challenges moving forward will be communicating the benefits of new healthcare services to those in the Heights and also attracting more health professionals into the area. Dray also said it’s a benefit for communities like Garden Oaks and Oak Forest which he argues has even less options when it comes to complete family healthcare options. “Traditionally, we seem to attract a lot of workers who go to the Medical Center,” Dray said. “A lot of people are still unfamiliar with just how much the Heights has changed and how the demographics have evolved.” Rice said part of fitting into the Heights neighborhood also won’t be just education, but also maintaining a welcoming atmosphere. “The design of our facility makes it feel less like going to an institution or a cold place that a lot of people expect of healthcare centers these days,” Rice said. “We’re definitely filling a gap here in the neighborhood.” Raul Martinez, a father of

Meals from P. 1A Amy McCormick to the organization four years ago after hearing a PSA on the radio. “It’s hard to find a volunteer opportunity for little kids,” said McCormick, who brings her two sons to Kids’ Meals a couple of times a year to make lunches. “It’s a great way to give back to community. I want them to see that other people need help, and they are lucky to have what they do. Starting them young will hopefully make community service a habit.” Vetrano used to work at the Red Cross in Washington, DC and has been at Kids’ Meals for two years. A mother of three kids herself, she finds the mission very satisfying. “It’s a great organization,” she said. Kids’ Meals is celebrating their 10 year anniversary, although Vetrano said that the organization has been around in concept for 25 years. Formerly on Crosstimbers, they moved into their new space about a year and a half ago. “We wanted to stay in the

neighborhood,” she said. For more information about Kids’ Meals including how to volunteer, visit www. kidsmealshouston.org. Help MANNA help others Another opportunity to help that is holiday-specific is coming up at MANNA, who is providing 150 families with Thanksgiving dinner. MANNA’s Patricia Dornak said that they are in good shape. “Thanks to this generous community, we have secured all the food items needed, all the grocery bags have been decorated, more than 15 families will be volunteering to pack the decorated grocery bags, lots of volunteers will be helping us the day of the event and more than 15 cook teams will be frying our turkeys,” she said. If anyone wants to help, cash or Kroger gift cards are still being accepted to help defray the cost of the turkeys, pies, rolls and peanut oil. Email pdornak@gmail.com for more information.

Vineyard Church of Houston 1035 East 11th Street, Houston, TX 77009 Sundays 10 & 11:30am houstonvineyard.org

TAKING YOUR HEALTH TO

GREATER HEIGHTS. Introducing Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Formerly Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, our newly replaced facility is a direct 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 our area and want to help it thrive. From our Cancer and Joint Centers to our Heart & Vascular program and recently expanded Level III Trauma Center, we’re committed to Advancing Health. Welcome to Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital.

To learn more about our recent improvements or for a full list of offerings, visit memorialhermann.org/heights.

Located at Loop 610 and Ella Boulevard

Greater Heights

Page 6A • Saturday, November 28, 2015

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Saturday, November 28, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ Page 7A

The calendar. THANKSGIVING DINNER American Legion Post 560 Thanksgiving dinner will be free to veterans and their families and will be served at noon Nov. 26. The American Legion Post 560 is located at 3720 Alba Rd. Information: 832-725-1003, richard@ richardvoorhies.com. NOVEMBER EVENTS Heights Neighborhood Library To highlight National Novel Writing Month, write a novel in 30 days. Join like-minded writers at â&#x20AC;&#x153;Write Insâ&#x20AC;? in the WiFi equipped space at 6 p.m. Monday Nov. 30; Needlework and Conversation Society meets at 2 p.m., Nov. 28. Heights Neighborhood Library is located at 1302 Heights Blvd. The Library will be closed on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, in observance of Thanksgiving. Information: 832-393-1810, www. houstonlibrary.org. PICTURES WITH SANTA Alliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizzaria Come take a picture with Santa for the Holidays at Alliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pizzaria, 350 W. 19th St. The cost is $25 and includes two 4x6 prints, four wallet size and a digital copy via email. Picture taking will be from 11 a.m.-9 p.m., beginning Nov. 27, and will be Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20; then Monday Dec. 21, Tuesday Dec. 22 and Wednesday Dec. 23. Information: 713-360-6204.

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A WONDERFUL LIFE Houston Family Arts Center This enduring story of love, life, friendship and hope opens on the Garza Main Stage, at the Houston Family Arts Center, 10760 Grant Rd., Nov. 27â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Dec. 20. Directed by Rachel Landon, this stage adaptation of the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, and Jo Swerling is a faithful, fast-moving stage adaptation of the classic film. Visit the website for showtimes and ticket information. Information: www. houstonfac.com, 281-587-6100. L.I.F.E. PROGRAMS Lone Star College-CyFair The Learning, Inspiration, Fellowship, and Enrichment (L.I.F.E.) programs are free and held Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. in the library (Room 131 unless otherwise noted) at 9191 Barker Cypress. Classes are as follows: Dec. 2 - Cake Decorating with Angelic Confections; and Dec. 9 Holiday Melodies. Festive holiday singing. Meet in ARTS Recital Hall 102. Information: 281-290-3214, lonestar.edu. ART MARKET Houston Vineyard Cafe Several local artists will be featured in an Art Market at the Houston Vineyard Cafe, 1035 E. 11th St. The event will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. On display will be paintings, photography, art notecards,

mixed media artwork, and hand crafted soaps. Each of the artists will be contributing part of their proceeds towards various charitable organizations. Information: 713-471-3621, www.penny4histhots.com. 2016 AUDITIONS Houston Family Arts Center Houston Family Arts Center, 10760 Grant Rd., will be holding open auditions for the final three shows in their 2015-2016 season including The Foreigner, Damn Yankees, and Amadeus. Auditions are Dec. 5, with callbacks, if necessary, on Dec. 6, by invitation only. Auditions are open to the community and all parts may be cast with actors of any ethnicity. All ages and types of actors and singer/actors are needed. Information: http://bit.ly/HFACauditions. AARP MONTHLY MEETING AARP Chapter 1265 The monthly meeting will be held at 10 a.m., Dec. 7, in the community room at 1520 Candlelight Dr. A X-mas party will be held, along with holiday wishes from President Richard Rabe. The meeting is open to anyone 50 or older, and will be preceded by a meet-and-greet at 9:30 a.m. Information: 713-681-1133.

In protest of the proposed bureaucratic action of renaming John H. Reagan High School, a rally has been scheduled at the SPJST Lodge, 1435 Beall St., from 3-7 p.m. Dec. 8. There will be knowledgeable speakers and barbecue served. To mail a freewill donation, send to: Reagan: Save the Name, P.O. Box 800149, Houston 77280. Please RSVP plans to attend this rally to: jessie_hamlin@netzero.net, SPrice9010@aol.com. To volunteer, call 713-686-7778. MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR Heights Young Professionals Organization Meet, network, socialize and make direct connections with other professionals. This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event will be from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10, and is hosted at Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring St. There will be complimentary drinks, appetizers and live music. Decemberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holiday event will include a tackiest sweater competition. Bring a toy for the YMCA of Greater Houston annual toy drive. Information: 713-861-6735, www.heightschamber.com.

SAVE THE NAME ORGANIZATIONAL RALLY Reagan High School Alumni

COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE Foster YMCA and Heights Rotary Club The Foster YMCA and Heights Rotary Club are teaming up to help strengthen the community by doing a community blood drive at the Foster YMCA, 1234

Catholic Community bookstore after Mass every Sunday to get special gifts for loved ones this holiday season. Choose from rosaries, medallions, DVDs, cookbooks and more. Buy a candle in memory of a loved one. Large candles are $10, and $8 for small. All Saints Catholic Community is located at 215 E. 10th St. Call 713-864-2653 or visit allsaintsheights.com for information.

based community garden in need of volunteers. Work days are Mondays and Saturdays and in return volunteers get paid with vegetables from the garden. Also featured are free gardening classes the first Saturday of every month. Volunteers are needed to teach the gardening class. Call 832-910-8261 or visit beautysgarden1@gmail.com for information.

From the Pews. St. Matthewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is busy for the holidays St. Matthewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has some busy weeks ahead for the holidays. A five week Advent Bible Study titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmasâ&#x20AC;? will be at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 29. The free monthly pancake breakfast will be held Dec. 5, 8:3010 a.m., in the fellowship hall. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, fruit and breakfast drinks will be served. On Dec. 13, a Birthday Party for Jesus, will be 3 p.m., in the fellowship hall. All in the community are welcome to come and enjoy food, arts and crafts, singing and a special birthday cake to celebrate the birth of Jesus. If anyone is looking for a new place to worship, come and see what the excitement is all about. If one cannot make the Sunday morning 9:30 a.m. service, a Prayer and Praise service is available at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings. St. Matthewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. For information, visit the website at www. stmatthewsmethodist.org. Family Movie Night at St. Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St. Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Methodist Church welcomes all in the community to Sunday for worship at 8:30 a.m. (contemporary) and 11 a.m. (traditional), and check out the newly

renovated sanctuary with all areas more easily accessible to all. All are welcome to attend Family Movie Night, Friday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m., in the fellowship hall. Admission is free. The church will provide popcorn and lemonade. Bring pillows and blankets. St. Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UMC is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org and the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook page. Christmas in the Woods presented by Kingdom Blue Productions Kingdom Blue Productions presents Christmas in the Woods, written, produced and directed by Mary Gray-Gossett. Voice talent host is Sean Cahee and stage comedian is Leon Brooks III. The presentation is at 3 p.m. Dec. 5, at Acres Home Multi Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery 77091, 832-393-4145; Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. at the 5th Ward Multi Service Center, 4014 Market St. 77020, 832-393-3800. Tickets are $15, children ages 1-12, $5. Tickets are also available at the door. Call 857957-1885, 832-814-0230 or email kingdombluedm@yahoo.com for information. Shop at All Saints Parish bookstore Come stop by the All Saints

The Vineyardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A 2nd Cup now open The Vineyard Church of Houston is pleased to announce the official launch of A 2nd Cup, a coffee shop dedicated to raising awareness about the issue of human trafficking in Houston. The profits will go to educate the community about this issue, fund after care solutions for victims, and partner with other agencies in taking action. A 2nd Cup is located at 1111 11th St., in The Storehouse, a 5,000 sq. ft. building owned by the Vineyard Church of Houston. A 2nd Cup is open daily from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. For information, visit a2ndcup.com. Faith-based community garden in need of volunteers Beautyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Garden, 3201 Airline, is a faith

ChurCh Oaks Presbyterian Church New Beginnings Happen Here

Sunday Worship - 10:30am

Bible Study: 1st & 3rd Wednesday Noon - 1:30pm Bible Study: 2nd & 4th Tuesday 7:00 - 8:30pm Senior Adult Game Days: 2nd & 4th Tues 9:30-1:00pm includes lunch Reverend Noelie Day

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Pastor Don Joseph Member of MANNA Visit us on FaceBook www.oakscchouston.org

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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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W. 34th St., from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Visit the website to sign up for a time. Information: 713-869-3378, www.commitforlife.org. FREE GARDENING CLASSES Beautyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Garden Beautyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Garden, 3201 Airline, holds free gardening classes the first Saturday of every month. Call to reserve a space. Volunteers are also needed to

teach gardening classes. Information: 832-910-8261, Beautysgarden1@gmail.com.

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giving thankS to your tEEth Chase Baker, D.D.S.

s Thanksgiving approaches, what better opportunity to be thankful for your teeth?! Our teeth provide so much to make our lives better that a little thanks is well deserved. Teeth are extremely important in assisting in our speech production. Many letters require our teeth in order to be formed. V, F, S, Tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for example use all teeth to allow for proper pronunciation. This will certainly come in handy while saying your Thanksgiving prayers before your meal and cheering on your favorite football team. Our teeth allow us to enjoy that Thanksgiving turkey and delicious sides by being the first line of digestion. Chewing our food helps to break it down and make it easier for our bodies to obtain the nutrition provided by our foods. Without our teeth, we may only be able to enjoy the mashed potatoes! Of course, our teeth provide us with our smiles! This will come in handy after having a great day spent with our families. So while weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re being thankful for the good things in life, be sure to include your teeth and good dental health. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re an important part of your health and happiness. 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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OuR DiviDeD LiveS

uman beings have one foot in heaven and one planted firmly on earth. Our daily need for food and water along with our bodily functions keep us firmly embedded in the earthly realm. But, the awareness of eternity transports our minds and spirits beyond the earthly realm. We see that our bodies are finite, but we can easily imagine the infinite in both space and time. We are also divided morally. Our human or animal selves naturally return evil for evil, seeking revenge when someone has harmed us and feeling satisfied when wrongdoers suffer, but we all know that there is a higher realm of justice where mercy and compassion override our natural tendency for revenge, and where even wrongdoers might be reconciled to God. There is no way to escape either aspect of our divided self. So long as we have bodies we are chained to their animal functions, but so long as we have a soul we are cognizant of the voice of God, continually reminding us that there is another realm, a higher realm and our true cosmic home. We should take care of the body, it is a gift from God, and we should listen to our conscience, it is the voice of God within us.

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Page 8A • Saturday, November 28, 2015

Shepherd from P. 1A held its November meeting there just last week. Crime, infrastructure and other community issues were all topics among the proprietors who joined that night. Jacob Millwee, president of the Heights Chamber of Commerce, also attended. The group has faced challenges over the year with mobilizing the area and also navigating the complex boundaries between state and local entities and fixing everything from street lamps to drainage issues, van der Pol said. “We started about five years ago and in the past we have done community cleanups throughout the area,” van der Pol said. However, in the last two years, the organization the group worked with to supply basic items like trash bags would only work with neighborhood groups with homeowners associations rather than business organizations. “We didn’t stop from doing our own cleanup but having that extra help made it so easy,” Van der Pol said. Van der Pol also said she became preoccupied with the needs of her business, Adolf

Hoepfl & Sons Garage, and dealing with the divide between the Texas Department of Transportation and Houston could be discouraging at times. “We recently had a problem with lighting being out between Pinemont and Loop 610,” Van der Pol said. “One of the issues was that the city of Houston owns one side of the area and TxDOT owns the other.” She pointed to the ongoing issue with the Grindhouse coffee shop on North Shepherd and the troubles the ownership had with receiving a variance from local officials for their signage. Conflicts like these, and the need to organize for bigger civic events, is where a stronger NSABA comes in. “We would love to see more landscaping done and to fix the railroad bridge closer to West 34th Street,” Van der Pol said. “But it can be very hard for a single individual to sort all of it out and you get discouraged.” Another benefit is strengthening relationships with organizations like the Greater Heights Chamber of Com-

merce. While speaking at the meeting, Millwee emphasized that even relatively smaller gatherings like the November meeting can make a huge difference in their community and abroad, and he encouraged them to continue growing the group. “North Shepherd is a main corridor of traffic into our area and to have a group that is going to watch over it and connect people who have an interest in making sure it is well maintained is so important, not just to the Heights, but to most of Northwest Houston,” Millwee said. “The more we have a small group

like this that is going to take a stand, form a communal bond and take action, the better it is for everyone. There is definitely strength in numbers.” Van der Pol concurred, saying the partnership with the Heights organization was complementary rather than competitive to the area’s businesses. “When you bring more people to live, work and shop in this area they’ll shop everywhere and support small businesses,” Van der Pol said. The NSABA will meet again Jan. 20th at Nundini Chef ’s Table. For more information, go online to nsaba.info.

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ART

Saturday, November 28, 2015 • Page 9A

Art Valet

By Mitch Cohen

Arts Columnist

Thirsty Explorer

By Christina Martinez Managing Editor

A thankful greeting for Thanksgiving

Where to take the family while in town

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving marks my favorite time of year, especially in the Heights. It is not any one thing, but a combination of events and I love gatherings with food. While we’re on the subject of thanks, I’d like to mirror the comments of my publisher here at The Leader, thank you, Jonathan McElvy, for this amazing opportunity to write about one subject I truly love, art. Then to you, readers, I know you’re out there, you tell me whenever we meet, thank you! While I’m at it, I encourage you to turn these pages to our publisher’s column, and read it. While I’m more than grateful

This year for Thanksgiving, I’m breaking all of the rules and not heading home to see the family, but heading off to Costa Rica with my best friends for our first annual ‘Friendsgiving’. We started the tradition last year with Christmas, ‘Friendsmas’, realizing that our friendships yearned to be nurtured during these special holidays. So, we’re jet setting this coming week, off for a little R&R. Whether you’re venturing out of town or the family is in town for the holidays, make time for a little R&R and fun. Take the family down to Miller Theatre, Hermann Park or jump on a brewery tour. There is so much to see and do in the city, so make time to get out and explore some of it. Here’s a few spots to take the family.

Artists from First Saturday Arts Market at holiday party. From left, Charlie Hardwick, Greg Henkel, Brandi Untz, Brian Heckman and Jennifer Wilde

for the opportunity to write about my arts community, this entire paper is focused on the neighborhoods I’ve made my home for 21 years, and like many of you that live in the area, we’re almost fanatical about being residents here, and so is The Leader. The invitation a few years ago to be a guest columnist at The Leader was not because of my amazing writing skills (maybe my sense of humor?), rather my connection to the community through my business, First Saturday Arts Market. The art market has seemingly taken on a life of its own from my perspective. Hearing, reading and seeing it in the news media, without my own marketing push amazes me. More than my own efforts and work, there are many more people now that have a stake in Phil Brayton, nicknamed “The Tan Man” by market artists, with the success of the market, Gen’s Antiques owner Greg Nolte. and that is why I am very thankful. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m about to thank a whole bunch of people. I don’t think you’ll need any tissues, though. I’ll start with the obvious, Greg Nolte and his business partner Gret McKenzie, co-owners of Gen’s Antiques, our hosts of the art market. I’m very thankful they welcome us back each month. Having forty plus people every month completely take over your business parking lot, with a couple thousand added to that and you’ve got a seriously busy day on your hands. Greg and Gret not only put up with us graciously, they “own it!” By that I mean their door is always open, literally, on first Saturdays. Greg is always just inside greeting every customer hello and his signature, “Thank you, have a good day!” to those leaving. What many are surprised to see, is the modern art on the

Rare photo of Greg Nolte and Mitch Cohen together.

Parks The weather is looking pretty decent for Thanksgiving in Houston, so get outside and enjoy some of it. If you have family in town, this is a great opportunity to show parts of the city that have come a long way to make Houston a little greener. 1. Hermann Park - 6001 Fannin St. 2. Miller Outdoor Theatre - 6000 Hermann Park Dr. 3. Discovery Green - 1500 McKinney St. 4. Memorial Park - 6501 Memorial Dr. 5. Buffalo Bayou Park - 1800 Allen Pkwy. Breweries As if I needed an excuse to talk about beer, here’s a few of our local breweries to check out this holiday. Brash Brewing Co. Located on the north side, near sister icehouse, Petrol Station, Brash is located at 510 W Crosstimbers Rd. 77018. The brewery just celebrated their grand opening of their tasting room, entitled “Brashland” and will now be open starting at 7 p.m. Taproom hours will be 7 p.m. - midnight, Thursday - Saturday. Brash will not be giving tours, but the taproom is filled with old school arcade games, so be sure to bring your quarters!

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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

Drink When family is in town, the main question is usually - what are we drinking or where are we going? Hopefully two questions your family also asks and here’s a few answers to that solution. I have two liquor store recommendations. One is in the neighborhood and one outside. The one in the neighborhood is Premier Fine Wine and Spirits at 174 Yale St., Ste 800. The store is family run and has a great wine selection. The second is the mothership - Spec’s Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods at 2410 Smith St. This Spec’s is the largest in town and is definitely an experience worth having, not to mention their selection in spirits, wine and beer is one of the best in town. I also have a beer pickup recommendation at Premium Draught over in the Heights at 733 Studewood St. You can get a growler of beer to take home or create a mixed six pack with what you find in the fridges. Last, but certainly not least, are our local bars. Here’s a top five list that I’d recommend for drinks. 1. Petrol Station - 985 Wakefield Dr. Petrol is a craft beer ice house in Garden Oaks that has odds and ends, classic standbys and down-right strange beers. You’ll find a great menu and patio in the back that is family friendly. 2. Johnny’s Gold Brick - 2518 Yale St. Johnny’s is a great neighborhood bar. You can get a wellmade cocktail, margarita with a big red shot or a range of beers. Come as you are at Johnny’s and get a Boiler Maker. 3. Beaver’s - 2310 Decatur St. Beaver’s is another family friendly joint over in the Washington Avenue corridor. You can get a wellmade cocktail, order a house wine or see what’s on draught. Beaver’s also has a great menu to order appetizers or entrees from. 4. Liberty Kitchen - 1050 Studewood St. Liberty Kitchen is a great stand by and also my favorite place to get a martini and a piece of cake. So maybe after hitting the shops on 19th Street, stop for martini and light bite. See what spirit is being infused at the moment and order that straight up or with a light mixer. 5. Rainbow Lodge - 2011 Ella Blvd. The restaurant is under new beverage direction and definitely a place to stop for a glass of wine or cocktail during happy hour on the patio. After a look at the menu, and a couple of drinks, you may even consider dining in and you won’t regret it.

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walls, all by participating artists from the market that Greg and Gret sell for the artists. My favorite is a rather large, square painting prominently displayed on the left just past the entrance. It depicts the art market like a board game, with cryptic messages about artists and others, covering the ten years the artist has been in the show. That would be Tim Snider, he goes by T.D. Snider. I commissioned that one, have a look. Our newest neighbors, YogaOne Studios, in the bright orange building and RIDE Indoor Cycling are due some past due thanks. Never a complaint out of them, with the exception of the occasional student that can’t find the YogaOne door through all of our tent setup chaos; understandable. YogaOne hosts art shows now in their studio by their own students. That is cool. It’s the artists I am most grateful for and whom are deserving of thanks. They stuck with me through the tough years of getting an audience to the market. When we had the market during the day in Houston’s hot summers, and crowds were thin, the artists came. When the temperatures were below freezing, the artists Christina Martinez, Mitch Cohen and Vena Ashley at a First Saturshowed up. They would tell me, day Arts Market event hosted by “We got your back, Mitch.” the market artists. You know I started to name these artists - but I can’t, there are literally hundreds. I can call them all friend, though, and that is something to be seriously thankful for, and I am. I will thank Kevin Chenevert, who selflessly has volunteered his time to help me and the artists setup and breakdown every month for I don’t know how many years. But he’ll tell me. Final thank you, to both my readers and patrons of the art market. You truly rock my world! Happy Thanksgiving.

Shopping One of my favorite parts of the Heights is our great shops on 19th Street and also a place where I can get in a whole lot of trouble with the pocketbook. This Saturday, Nov. 28, the Shops on 19th will be having their Support Small Business Photo courtesy of Yelp Shop Small Saturday. If you The Boomtown Taco at Boomtown need direction on where to Coffee. even start, here’s how my turkey trot on 19th would look like. First, I’d get an earlyish start and have a taco and coffee at Boomtown. Get the Boomtown Taco - fried egg taco, avocado, black bean, cheese. Pair it with a coffee and it’s the perfect start for some holiday shopping. After fueling up, walk down to Chippendale Eastlake Antiques and mosey through what’s new and neat. Cross the street and make pit stops at Big Blue Whale for the kids in the family and Casa Ramerez FOLKART gallery for unique ideas and gifts. Cross over and spend some time in AG Antiques. There are so many great things in here, I could spend a couple of hours in the shop just looking. You can’t not stop in at Jubilee, even if it’s just to see their great holiday decorations and mosey through the sale rack. Eventually make your way down to see Erica DelGardo and her great jewelry line. This past year, two of the best friends going on the trip got their birthday presents from Erica and they were in love at first sight. Be sure to stop at Eclectic Home and Coda. On the last of your leg, finish at Harold’s on the terrace for drinks and dinner.

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Page 10A • Saturday, November 28, 2015

Uncovering names behind local schools By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com With all the discussion about a potential name change for Reagan High School, The Leader decided to look at the names of some other area schools to see who they are named for. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, it seems. Some are named after Texas figures of note, some for esteemed HISD employees and some for Victorian poets. With the recent approval of school board policies, you might be able to see your name on an HISD school – for $7.5 million. Browning Elementary School 607 Northwood Robert Browning Elementary School was built in 1927 and is named for Victorian poet Robert Browning who lived from 1812 to 1889. Known for his marriage and letters with Elizabeth Barrett, more popular than him in his day, Browning is famous for lines like: “Grow old along with me!” (Rabbi Ben Ezra), “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp” and “Less is more” (Andrea Del Sarto), and “God’s in His heaven—All’s right with the world!” (Pippa Passes). Crockett Elementary School 2112 Crockett It’s Tennessee-born Davy Crockett who gets the nod at Crockett which was constructed in 1912 and replaced with a new building in 1980. The American folk hero and “King of the Wild Frontier” served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Battle of the Alamo. Wikipedia tells us that while serving in the United States House of Representatives, Crockett became a Freemason. He entrusted his masonic apron to the Weakly Lodge in Tennessee before leaving for Texas, and it still survives today. Durham Elementary School 4803 Brinkman A Houston Heights physician was honored with his named school - Mylie E. Dur-

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ham Elementary which was dedicated in 1968 six years after his death. A resident of Houston since 1914, Durham founded Durham Clinic, 411 W. 20th, and was a past president of the Harris County Medical Society. He was a member of the American, Southern, and Texas Medical Associations and Southwestern Surgical Congress. Field Elementary School 703 East 17th An American poet and writer has his name on the “pink school on Studewood” which opened in February 1929. Eugene Field lived from 1850 to 1895, and was called the “The Children’s Poet.” Among his creations are “Little Boy Blue” and Wynken, Blynken, and Nod—some of whom are depicted in a mural in the front hall of the school. Interestingly, Field’s father, attorney Roswell Martin Field, was famous for his representation of Dred Scott, the slave who sued for his freedom. Dred Scott v. Sandford is sometimes referred to as “the lawsuit that started the Civil War.” Love Elementary School 1120 West 13th An attorney and first mayor of the Heights, William Graston Love had a distinguished career as a jurist and served on the Board of Regents of the Texas University System. Love Elementary School was named for him after it moved from its original location on North Shepherd to the West 13th location in 1923. Look for more on how schools came by their names

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