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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston

So long, 2015 Saturday, December 26, 2015 • Vol. 60 • No. 60

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

Crunching the Numbers

AREA SPECIALIST

Parks and Recreation $1,058,615 in improve-

ments begun at Wright Bembry Park

by Houston Parks and Recreation Department following groundbreaking on Nov. 20.

Ê , < 832.419.9969

More than $500,000 worth of improvements completed or initiated in parks in the greater Heights area, including projects in W 11th St Park, Stude Park and Jaycee Park.

INSIDE.

.8 miles of new White Oak Bayou Greenway trails between Antoine Dr and Alabonson Rd opened by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and Houston Parks Board in July.

1.85 miles of decomposed granite trail refurbished on the Paul Carr Jogging trail by the Houston Heights Association.

The Anti-Scrooge Every year for the past 25 years, Johnnie Gonzales, along with wife Mary, has turned the couple’s yard on the corner of 43rd and Alba in Garden Oaks into a Christmas showplace for young and old alike. “Come in, and know him better man!”

Find it on 1B

INSIDE.

396 average users per day who crossed the new hike and (Clockwise from top left) Residents voiced their opposition to officials with Texas Central Railway after controversy erupted over the proposed high-speed railway from Houston to Dallas that would have gone directly through the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest area into downtown Houston. Residents were quick to mobilize when a Houston Housing Authority complex had been proposed to be built on the vacant Pinemont Park & Ride site - a plan that was later abandoned by METRO in favor of selling the property to Harris County. Many in Northwest Houston had to contend with flooding roads and homes during the record-breaking Memorial Day flooding in late May.

Bidding farewell with the top 10 stories that defined the year

Victorian Tea The Houston Heights Woman’s Club hosted its annual Victorian Tea event and the mainstay was once again sold out this week. Read about the importance of this long-running event to the HHWC and about this year’s guest speaker.

Find it on 4B

Correction In last week’s story about Heights Underground, two artists names were spelled incorrectly. The proper names are Ack! and Anna V.

FIND IT. THE PURPLE CAT RESALE AND GARAGE SALE: Friday & Saturday. 2126 W. 34th St. Benefiting Animal Rescue.

Turn to the Classifieds 7B

Call me an optimist, but I feel 2016 is going to be a good year.

I know that sounds beyond cliche for most people. I’m sure some of you were saying the exact same thing about 2015 and, well, it certainly had its ups and downs. We had record-setting floods, numerous controversies and continuing problems with infrastructure, traffic and some measure of crime.

In spite of all of that, I’m still looking forward to another year serving this community, particularly because of the people that have done such a wonderful job making the Heights and the surrounding neighborhoods such a wonderful

5B

Classifieds

7B

Coupons

4B

Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

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Opinion

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Public Information Puzzles

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been boring. This has been by far one of the most interesting times to be a journalist so far Jonathan in my career, and that is Garris reflected in our choices Editor for our top 10 stories of the year. This wasn’t an easy list to come up with, but the stories reflect just how fast our theater project that will community is changing make losing Fitzgerald’s a and how vital the Heights bit easier and other stories and its surrounding com- that have come to define munities is becoming to 2015 and how much our Houston at large. community has changed.

We’ve seen record-setWith this issue, we sating floods, a high-speed lute 2015 for all of its ills train that continues to have and wonders and anything many worried, a Houston else that might await us in Housing Authority project 2016. that (for better or worse) I’ve got my money on ended up getting the boot good things.

by METRO officials, a new

The countdown starts on 2A

Leader of the Year Justin Gordon In this issue, we also honor a local business man, volunteer and homebuilder for his dedication and service to the community.

Find it on 5A

The INDEX. Church

place to live.

Take our pick for this year’s Leader of the Year as an example. Justin Gordon is a name that I’m sure some of you are familiar with. It seems more often than not when I cover local events or charity fundraisers I either see his name or his face not too far behind.

Besides, who doesn’t like someone who is willing to dress up as a Batman for a good cause like a local charity? I doubt we would have had the same opinion of him had he dressed up like Superman. (Only halfjoking here. Full disclosure: I don’t like Superman.)

If there’s one thing 2015 had going for it, it’s that this year certainly hasn’t

3A

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bike bridge (the new “MKT Bridge”) between T.C. Jester and N Shepherd Dr. between Aug. 28 and Sept. 15, 2015. (Source: H-GAC report, attached)

2 miles of new White Oak Bayou Greenway trails under construction in the I-10 corridor at a project cost of $4 million.

Public Works & Engineering Over 2,600 reports for service submitted to PWE Streets and Drainage Division.

7.43 miles of right of way

mowed by SDD.

Over 142 potholes

filled by SDD

Over 560 asphalt/ skin patch repairs completed.

Maintained over 44,700 feet of Roadside Ditches Performed street sweeps across

182 miles.

Cleaned over 5,900 feet of Storm Sewers

Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce

94 new members welcomed.

55 ribbon cuttings conducted.

Two new Gold Patrons One new Silver Patron One

new Diamond Partner-

ship

$13,500 in scholarships given to students and $3,000 given to teachers at annual Education Luncheon.

The public.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 • Page 2A

Police Reports • Dec. 1 - Dec. 6 DEC. 1

Theft 6:10 AM 200-299 W 20TH

DEC. 10

Theft 6 PM 400-499 CROSSTIMBERS Theft 6:25 AM 3700-3799 DACOMA Burglary 5 AM 1100-1199 HERKIMER Theft 1:44 AM 1000-1099 W 20TH Burglary 1:16 AM 600-699 E 9TH Theft 6:35 AM 400-499 W COTTAGE Theft 10:55 PM 1200-1299 CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 11:56 PM 1200-1299 W 43RD Burglary 6:39 PM 5000-5099 SHADY NOOK CT

W Burglary 5:30 AM 2300-2399 REINERMAN Theft 3 PM 600-699 HIGHLAND Theft 9 PM 1100-1199 SEAMIST Theft 8:01 AM 1300-1399 W 43RD

DEC. 12

Burglary 8 PM 1100-1199 7TH Theft 12:04 PM 4200-4299 W T C JESTER Burglary 4 AM 400-499 W 25TH Burglary 5:49 PM 1300-1399 YALE Theft 7:01 PM 1000-1099 NADINE Theft 1 PM 3200-3299 WHITE OAK Theft 6:12 AM 3100-3199 WHITE OAK Theft 7:01 PM 900-999 E 14TH

DEC. 13

DEC. 11

Theft 7 AM 1100-1199 HERKIMER Burglary 6:07 AM 5300-5399 PETTY Theft 2:59 AM 5500-5599 CORNISH Theft 7:47 AM 900-999 N LOOP

Theft 10:45 AM 4300-4399 WASHINGTON Theft 10 AM 500-599 NORTHWEST MALL Theft 10:32 AM 4000-4099 N SHEPHERD Theft 2:49 AM 3200-3299

WHITE OAK Theft 8 AM 2900-2999 WHITE OAK Theft 11:30 AM 2800-2899 WHITE OAK Theft 6:23 AM 500-599 CROSSTIMBERS

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Counting down the top 10 Leader stories of the year #10 Montessori Makeover HISD makes history with public high school Montessori

Waltrip High School will be joining forces with both Garden Oaks Elementary and Wilson Elementary in the next year as HISD looks to become one of the few school districts in the entire region offering a public Montessori option for high schoolers.

In an exclusive story, Waltrip principal Dale Mitchell told The Leader that the new “school-within-a-school pro-

gram” will be a win-win for both Waltrip and parents looking for continuing education within the Montessori method.

The high school Montessori program will also be a first for the state according to the American Montessori Society, and officials currently expect to welcome 40 to 50 students in its first year with two teachers and a single director for the program.

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Friends of Montessori, a volunteer group made up of parents and other community members, know that there will be plenty of competition for those open student spots but also believe it’s a major step in the right direction for the district and its future Montessori programs.

See Top 10 P. 4A

File Photo by Jonathan Garris

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Theft 7:22 PM 2500-2599 N LOOP W Theft 8:50 AM 2800-2899 W T C JESTER Robbery 9:35 PM 4000-4099 WASHINGTON Burglary 6:59 PM 1100-1199 PINEMONT

DEC. 14

Theft 6:10 AM 1000-1099 YALE Burglary 11:08 PM 2600-2699 WHITE OAK Theft 8 AM 600-699 WESTCROSS Theft 4 PM 2700-2799 W 18TH Theft 12:15 PM 3500-3599 W T C JESTER Burglary 8:30 AM 700-799 CORTLANDT Robbery 10:13 AM 700-799 T C JESTER Theft 2 PM 4400-4499 N SHEPHERD Theft 12:47 PM 1500-1599 N LOOP W Theft 12:30 PM 6200-6299 WASHINGTON Theft 11:26 AM 1600-1699 COLORADO Assault 8:36 AM 2300-2399

BROOKMERE Burglary 4 AM 500-599 E 40TH Theft 7:23 PM 3500-3599 WHITE OAK Theft 7:24 PM 3500-3599 WHITE OAK Theft 12:35 PM 2500-2599 SHEARN Theft 2:25 PM 1500-1599 BIRDSALL Theft 1 PM 2700-2799 W 18TH

DEC. 15

Robbery 10:17 AM 2700-2799 N SHEPHERD Theft 12:45 PM 3000-3099 WHITE OAK Theft 8:39 AM 100-199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 1:16 PM 100-199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 9:50 AM 2100-2199 TANNEHILL Theft 7:50 AM 1800-1899 SUMMER Theft 7:40 AM 1800-1899 MILLWOOD Theft 1:25 PM 4600-4699 ELLA Theft 12:02 PM 1800-1899 ASHLAND Theft 7:30 AM 600-699 W 19TH

Theft 9:00 PM 1500-1599 NASHUA Theft 4:34 PM 1000-1099 N SHEPHERD Assault 2:40 AM 900-999 W 8TH Theft 6:22 AM 4300-4399 N SHEPHERD Theft 3:26 AM 100-199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 6:35 AM 100-199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 2:56 PM 400-499 S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 4:00 PM 1800-1899 HICKORY Theft 3:25 PM 3800-3899 BROOKWOODS Theft 6:59 AM 3800-3899 SHERWOOD

DEC. 16

Theft 6:15 AM 4100-4199 N SHEPHERD Burglary 2:47 PM 4600-4699 INKER Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

Protecting your holiday packages Holiday shoppers spend billions of dollars during the holiday rush. Although the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day make up a season marked by giving and sharing joy with others, criminals are well aware that the holiday season can be a prime time to rip off consumers. Shoppers need to remain extra diligent to safeguard against theft and other notso-jolly crimes.

At the store Be aware of your surroundings at all times while at the mall or other stores.

Packages, wallets or purses should never be left unattended. Take notice if anyone is standing too close to you, asking them to respect your personal space if necessary.

Try to reduce distractions while you do your holiday shopping. This may mean leaving the kids at home so you can focus better on the task at hand or letting incoming calls go to voicemail while you shop.

Make frequent trips to the car so that you can free yourself of cumbersome packages. Being laden down with bags or boxes can make you an easy target for a thief.

In the parking lot Parking lots are notoriously crowded during the holiday season, so you may not be able to get an ideal spot. However, make every attempt to park near the entrance of the store or at least in a well-lit area of the lot.

It gets dark early during the holiday season, and you want to feel safe bringing packages to your car.

Store all items out of view, such as in the trunk. If you have an SUV, invest in a cargo bed cover that covers packages.

If ever you do not feel comfortable walking to your

vehicle alone, shop with a friend or ask a security guard to accompany you to your vehicle.

Purchasing power Paying cash for purchases can alleviate debt come the new year, but credit cards also have their advantages.

Credit card companies do not hold cardholders accountable for unauthorized purchases made with a stolen card. This peace of mind can make it safer for shoppers to use credit cards over cash or debit cards when making their holiday purchases.

If shopping takes you online, restrict buying to wellestablished businesses whose reputations can be verified.

Make sure that purchases are made through a secure website or server to reduce your risk of falling victim to hackers.

Buddy system Packages left outside of empty homes can be ripe for the picking by thieves.

Establish an agreement with neighbors that you will take in each other’s packages so they aren’t left unattended on front porches or in doorways.

The holiday season should be a joyous time, but shoppers should still exercise a certain level of caution when buying gifts for their loved ones.

The Right Agent Whether you are buying, selling or building choose the agent that’s right for you.

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The Topics.

Saturday, December 26, 2015 • Page 3A

In our home, Christmas is Thanksgiving Y ou’re going to think I have my holidays confused, but as you nestle around your fireplace (or swimming pool, depending on what El Nino brings this week), I’d like to share my favorite Christmas story.

Some of you may know this story, but with 50,000 new readers this year, it seems worthy of repetition.

Just before my fifth birthday, my biological father lost a two-decade long battle with cancer – that tended to happen frequently to cancer patients in the 1970s. And if you injected me with truth serum, I still couldn’t tell you one thing about Christmas that year, which fell a few months after his death.

What’s interesting is I don’t remember anything about Christmas the next year, or the next year, either. It’s not that our family spent three years mourning the death of a wonderful man, and it’s certainly not because our fervor for the Reason for Christmas disappeared. It’s just that I have absolutely no recollection of those years.

Maybe it’s because our family just didn’t have a lot. After all, life insur-

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

ance companies weren’t handing out lucrative policies to people with inoperable cancer. Meanwhile, my Mom worked every job she could find just to provide cheap clothes and healthy food. I’d imagine the Christmas gifts were as sparse as my recollection.

But maybe there’s another reason I don’t remember those three Christmases. Shortly after my eighth birthday, my Mom was engaged to remarry a man named Douglas McElvy and in 1982, he was part of our family Christmas for the first time.

I remember the smell of the room when I awoke Christmas morning and found an electric guitar, an amplifier and a microphone (we were raised in a very musical family). It

smelled of fresh plastic, cardboard and Scotch tape.

I remember the beady eyes of my older brother when he walked behind his new drum set. And we weren’t talking about kiddie drums here – these were the real deal with glittery cases, loud cymbals and heavy sticks.

I remember the joy in my younger sister’s open mouth when she stood beside a doll house that was bigger than she was. This thing was hand-crafted and new-Dad painted, and there were enough clothes and fake women to make the Kardashians jealous.

I remember seeing my Mom standing at the side of the room, seeing her children as happy as they had been in years. I don’t know if my Mom shed any tears; I bet she did.

There were other presents. There were full stockings. And for almost 30 minutes after we children came down from our highs, our family sat in a room and read the Christmas Story from the Book of Luke.

My memories of Christmas 1982 have nothing to do with the electric guitar, which long ago was

Goodbye, good riddance to the entirety of 2015 What a year it was. 2015 lasted 365 days, but it seems longer. Like eons. So now is a good time to look back at the days of whine and losses – the year when Texans shadowed the U.S. Army and just barely prevented a military takeover of Fort Hood. We had leaders and events which were so intelligent and sophisticated that Texas became a punchline for late night comedians. Makes you proud. Here we go, before Texas Monthly steals all our ideas for its annual Bum Steer Awards.

Friday Night Frights: In a football game between John Jay High School of San Antonio and Marble Falls High School, two Jay players intentionally blindsided a referee for allegedly making racial comments. The players were suspended and an assistant coach resigned for his possible role in the incident, which has been viewed more than 8 million times on YouTube.

Houston voters turned down an equal rights ordinance, HERO, by two-to-one, following opponents’ claims that the law would allow men to legally enter women’s public bathrooms – which is against the law, has been, will be. Houston has a lot of stupid voters.

The KTRU saga gets stranger and stranger. The 44-yearold Rice University radio station was quietly sold to UH for $9.5 million. Then UH changed things around, shut down the station – the city’s only classical music outlet – and put it up for sale. The whole episode stinks. A student at MacArthur High School in Irving, who liked to invent things, thought he had a winner when he brought a self-made machine to school. His teacher called the principal who called the police who slapped the 14year-old in handcuffs. Ahmed Mohamed could have made a bomb instead of a clock. The lad came out ahead. He was given a full high school and college scholarship by Qatar, then he sued the school for $15 million.

A Toledo, Ohio, man ignored warning signs that there was a dangerous alligator in Burkhart’s Marine by Adams Bayou in Orange – jumped in anyway and was promptly killed by the gator. Driving Tip of the Year: Make sure you use your turn signals in Waller County. Worst Culinary Idea of the Year: (Pray for Whirled Peas Div.) A New York Times food critic recommended freshly shelled peas mashed into an avocado to make guacamole. Even President Barack Obama Twittered his dislike for the idea. And the Jan. 11 issue of the Times Travel Section listed San Antonio as one of the 52 best places to visit in the world in 2015, citing all the city’s attractions – the River Walk, museums, performing arts center, etc. It didn’t mention the Alamo.

Miss You: Dr. Red Duke, Guy V. Lewis.

Jade Helm 15: Gov. Greg Abbott is the official state panderer. Texas has a lot of stupid voters.

Lynn Ashby Columnist

Austin is always chock full of funnies. For example, Austin-based American Phoenix Foundation secretly taped Texas legislators, lobbyists and journalists during the legislative session to catch them in everything from bribes to adultery, claiming they opened up the legislature to “transparency.” The foundation refused to say who was bankrolling the project. State Rep. Molly White pasted on her Facebook page that her staff would require visitors to her office to swear allegiance to the United States and renounce Islamic extremism.

Blackboard Bungle: Then we have our think tank of the 14th Century, the State Board of Education. After much work, hearings and debates the SBOE adopted new textbooks, one of which, the 2016 edition World Geography textbook, said the Atlantic slave trade “brought millions of workers from Africa to the southern United States to work on agricultural plantations.” Workers?

The publisher, McGraw-Hill, said it would send the schools stickers to paste over the offending lines.

Hooked By the Horns: Turns out fired UT-Austin President Bill Powers intervened in negative admissions decisions for children of big donors and those with political stroke. To look into this scandal, a committee was appointed made up of, uh, former UT presidents and chancellors.

“Could You Make That 39 Acres?” Powers’ replacement, Greg Fenves, was offered a base salary of $1 million a year but asked it be reduced to $750,000. Said Fenves, the cool million would have a negative effect “on the ability of the president to work with the Texas Legislature on matters important to the university.”

UT athletic director Steve Patterson was fired after only 22 months on the job. The good news (for him) is that he still had four years to go on his contract, so he got a multi-million dollar golden parachute.

The Howls of Ivy: Prof. Irwin Horwitz, 53, who teaches ethics and business management courses at Texas A&M University-Galveston, citing threats, student-spread rumors damaging his reputation, insults made to his face, rampant cheating and incompetence, gave failing grades to his entire class and quit the course.

Finally in academics, sort of, Matthew McConaughey was asked to be the commencement speaker at a UH graduation. To get from a movie shoot in New Orleans, the actor had UH shell out $9,500 for a private jet, plus another $5,000 for a “groomer.” On top of all that, after much foot-dragging,

UH revealed McConaughey was paid $135,000. He said he would donate that portion to charity.

In sports, Texan Lance Armstrong apparently had a few too many and sideswiped two parked cars in Aspen, Colo.

Armstrong convinced his girlfriend, Anna Hansen, to take the blame, but the story fell apart. Another Texas playboy jock, Johnny Manziel, checked himself into rehab. When he got out, Manziel was caught partying in Austin, and the Cleveland Browns demoted him to third-string quarterback.

But our big winner is Blue Bell Ice Cream. Some of its products were found to contain listeriosis contamination.

Three deaths and 10 hospitalizations were linked to the ice cream, while some contend Blue Bell initially hid the problem. We must hope the little creamery in Brenham has a big lawyer in Houston.

Ashby wins at ashby2@ comcast.net

incinerated in some dumpster. My brother traded out those drums for something bigger and better a few years later. And I’m pretty sure a hatchet was taken to the doll house that entertained my sister for the next five years.

What mattered about that Christmas was what my brother, sister and I learned about gratitude. It didn’t matter that Thanksgiving Day was a month earlier. What mattered was that we couldn’t believe what our new Dad had done for us.

And what made the gratitude more poignant were the three years prior, when we didn’t remember a single thing about Christmas.

Most of us don’t think about Christmas that way. We think about the exchange of gifts, the days away from work, the family sitting close by and the nauseating amount of food we’ll ingest.

What I think about are the reasons I have to be grateful. We may not all share the same beliefs, but in our home, I’m grateful for a Savior who came to earth. It doesn’t bother me that the Bible doesn’t mention evergreens or Christmas ornaments.

We choose to celebrate the birth of

Christ, and I’m unabashedly grateful in that celebration.

I’m also grateful for those three “missing” Christmases when I was a child. They gave me a perspective that only heightens this time of the year.

And last, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share stories like this with you, our readers.

A few weeks ago, our newspaper sent out a letter about a program we do once a year called Voluntary Pay. We received all sorts of notes from readers, thanking us for what we bring each week. We even had one lady who took the time to buy a stamp, just to send us a note that said she couldn’t afford a donation but to thank us anyway. So to all those readers who contributed, please accept my sincere gratitude for the encouragement you have given our staff.

The season of Christmas gets lost in all sorts of meanings these days.

Maybe we all find something that lends the opportunity to say “Thank you.”

Merry Christmas.

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

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

© Copyright 2015 McElvy Media LLC

Jonathan McElvy

Publisher & President jonathan@theleadernews.com

Jane Broyles

Frank Vasquez

Business Manager biz@theleadernews.com

Associate Publisher frank@theleadernews.com

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

Jonathan Garris

Editor jgarris@theleadernews.com

Carolyn Moore

News Deadline: Noon on Mondays Classified Word Ad Deadline: 5 p.m. Tuesday Retail Ad Deadline: Noon on Mondays

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Outside Sales Executive

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Inside Sales Executive

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Graphics Manager ads@theleadernews.com

Phil Stewart

Outside Sales Executive

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Inside Sales Executive

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Sales Coordinator lucy@theleadernews.com

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

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Leg shank 5. Small amount 8. Roman emperor 10. Having ears 12. Innocent young woman 14. No wrinkles 16. Small coin (French) 17. 19 hundred hours 19. A way to inform 21. A seal or signet 22. Tobacco smoke residue 23. Tai language branch 25. Set afire 26. Partridge FamilyÕs actress Susan 27. Canadian flyers 29. Faculties of perception 32. A light two-wheel carriage 34. Was ___ (looked at) 35. Appear with 37. Natives of Thailand 39. Hill (Celtic) 40. Runs PCs 42. Visualizes 44. Mistake

45. Riding horses 47. Point of purchase 49. Armless Aphrodite 53. Having negative qualities 54. Protective visual folds 55. Crystallized calcium carbonate mineral 57. Beach grains 58. One who presents a bond for payment 59. Car mechanics group 60. & & &

dOwn

1. Small paddle boats 2. Usual 3. Economic consumption 4. Without (French) 5. Powder mineral 6. Fleshy seed covering 7. Indicates 8. Stone lined grave 9. Feels remorse 10. Chemical structure 11. Decomposition 13. Morally base 14. Joins

15. Danish krone 18. Breastplate 20. Lesson reader in church 24. 1921 Turkish/ Armenian Treaty 26. In a way, refutes 28. Zoftig 30. Fish, hair or inter 31. Mains 33. Fathers 35. Transparent eye membranes 36. Stray 38. Seafowl 39. 3 pip cards 41. Invests in little enterprises 43. Placards 44. 1st woman 45. Finds a sum 46. Thick piece of something 48. River in Hesse, Germany 50. Inner forearm bone 51. 1 of 2 contesting groups 52. Olive tree genus 56. Metal container

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, December 26, 2015

Top 10 from P. 2A

#9 Heights Theater reborn

Leader of the Year

Local landmark to get new life from Dallas-area owner getting a big boost from a Dallas-area owner and might end up being one of the city’s premiere concert and event venues. Edward Cabaniss, owner of the Kessler Theater in Dallas, announced in August that he plans on bringing his vision to The Leader area and expressed his desire to replicate the success he had with his current venue.

The Kessler Theater has received considerable praise

by numerous media outlets since first opening in 2010 and has hosted a diverse set of programming and performances, including book readings for children, wedding recitals, rock concerts, film exhibitions and even political debates. The landmark designation also works in Cabaniss’ favor as he also desires to preserve the natural look of the Heights Theater.

#8 New Health ‘Heights’

Memorial Hermann rebrands, healthcare industry expands refurbished patient rooms, a multi-million dollar upgrade to its emergency room and a brand new urgent care center at the corner of Fowler and Washington Avenue.

However, Memorial Hermann hasn’t been the only name making moves in the Heights. The UT Physicians at the Heights, the planned Heights Central medical facility and a Methodist Primary Care Group physician center – along with numerous urgent care centers – have all either opened or were announced in

2015.

When speaking about his company’s move into the Heights area, Chris Dray said Heights Central represents facilities that provide services that have been a long time coming in a community whose demographics have shifted dramatically in the past ten years. Officials with these facilities are hoping to rein in families and older residents who might be more inclined to drive to the Medical Center – or outside of the loop – for their primary care needs.

#7 2015 Election Season

New faces arrive, old ones return in local election season Sylvester Turner and Bill King entered into a runoff for the mayor’s seat with Turner coming out on top. In the District H race, Karla Cisneros defeated Jason Cisneroz in a runoff and District C incumbent Ellen Cohen soundly defeated Carl Jarvis and Michael McDonald.

Perhaps most evident this year was the growing voting power of residents living in the Heights area, as The Leader hosted a mayoral candidate forum alongside the Garden Oaks Civic Club and Super Neighborhood 12, concentrating on central issues

like crime, pensions and other topics gathered from reader input.

See Top 10 P. 7A

Congratulations to Justin Gordon 2015 Leader of the Year

When he isn’t building custom homes, Justin Gordon is building community in Leader-area neighborhoods.

Many of the area’s schools, service organizations, esplanades and cross-promotion fundraising events carry his creative-but-caring stamp. His efforts – and results – make him the 2015 Leader of the Year.

Gordon, 34, is both affable and shy. He’s known to observe, then to jump in where there’s perceived need. Here’s his secret: “People talk to me,” he says.

Community work appears to be Gordon’s hobby, particularly, he says, if there’s physical labor involved. “I need the workout and it’s good for me,” he says, meaning the service and the exertion.

“Justin really puts himself out there to raise money or awareness,” says David Lorms of Lorms Insurance Services and president/founder of The Oaks Business Association.

Gordon has a lot of ideas,

but he also takes action -often before needs are even expressed, Lorms says. “He is the go-to person regarding the need to help people.”

And, he really enjoys helping people, Lorms says. “He has a huge heart.”

Spotting opportunities Gordon also has a large work truck, which was a handy rescue tool during the Memorial Day floods; he fished out a dozen stranded travelers from area streets and also towed the fire department’s equipment to higher ground.

Other examples of his actions include the new digital signage at Stevens Elementary School and student field trips to one of his construction sites, where participants received special measuring tapes to remember their outing. Meanwhile, in adopting esplanades, Gordon and his company’s efforts have planted city-approved trees on segments of Ella and T.C. Jester boulevards and 43rd Street, and doubled the trees in Oak Forest Park.

“He exemplifies the mean-

ing of volunteering and giving back to the community,” says Patricia Dornak, executive director of MANNA (Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance).

A MANNA board member, Gordon is also a regular contributor to the organization’s food pantry operations. Every week, he loads and unloads inventory from the service truck, which he has been driving ad hoc recently since the organization seeks a permanent one.

Dornak describes Gordon as a sincere, supportive and innovative MANNA member. And, he’s a bit of a Pied Piper around the community because others want to help when he asks. “We’ve stepped up our game a lot because of him,” she says.

An example is MANNA’s inaugural Thanksgiving Turkey Tailgate, which fried up and distributed 150 turkeys. The collaborative event with the Foster YMCA (he’s a board member there, too), benefitSee Leader P. 5A

Congratulations to 2015 Leader of the Year - Justin Gordon for your contributions to the community

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Heights Blvd.

Voter turnout in Houston hasn’t exactly been stellar and this year was particularly damning (not helped by a mayor’s race that didn’t particularly excite), but sparks did fly over the proposed equal rights ordinance.

While the ordinance was soundly defeated by opposition campaigns that tied the ordinance’s language to an perceived threat of sexual deviants entering bathrooms of the opposite sex – as implied in the “No men in woman’s bathrooms” campaign – other key elections were far closer.

Area businessman builds goodwill alongside community, residents

Yale St.

Despite the closing of the Heights Select Specialty Hospital, healthcare reached new heights (pun fully intended) in The Leader area this year with a slew of announcements.

Perhaps the largest of these announcements was Memorial Hermann Northwest rebranding itself as Memorial Hermann Greater Heights to better reflect both its market and its place in the community. In an exclusive story, CEO Susan Jadlowski spoke about the new name, the construction of a brand new entrance,

Photo by Cynthia Lescalleet Helping out at the Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance and other community organizations appears to be one of Justin Gordon’s hobbies. The local homebuilder has been named the 2015 Leader of the Year for his dedication to the local community and those in need.

Nicholson

2015 was a big year for the Heights Theater. The city of Houston named the Heights Theater a protected landmark, offering stringent protections for the iconic building and its future redevelopment, joining the Heights Central Fire Station, Houston Heights Woman’s Club and the Heights Library as three other landmarks.

The Leader also broke the news that the theater will be

Saturday, December 26, 2015 • Page 5A

Leader from P. 4A ted families served by each organization.

However, it is Gordon’s role as father to Anna, 6, that most impresses Dornak.

“He’s a parent who is instilling in her life the importance of giving back to the community.”

Father and daughter have a standing weekly date in the Oak Forest Elementary School cafeteria once a week, Gordon says.

Overlapping organizations The man has a lot of energy -- and he knows how to use it, say his fellow board members at MANNA, the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA and The Oaks Business Association.

Billy Hartman of Hartman & Associates Real Estate is one of them. “Justin truly has a ‘servant’s heart’,” he says.

“He loves to give. He wants to be part of a community and he wants to know that he has helped. He truly wants to make a difference.”

Even if his efforts sometimes draw criticism, Gordon keeps going, learning from the experience, Hartman says. The esplanades, for example, which were Gordon’s initial forays into community boosting, drew opposing opinions on their plantings.

Gordon says he has learned to accept the responsibilities that come from deeds when they encounter challenges. It doesn’t stop him from trying.

Meanwhile, Gordon’s ideas tend to ramp up the fun factor, Hartman says.

For a soft-spoken man, Gordon’s actions ring loud.

National Night Out, for example, included camel rides, and the proceeds benefitted MANNA. A Winter Wonderland, also held at his home’s block in Oak Forest, featured 25,000 pounds of snow.

And then there was “Superhero Chauffeur,” when he appeared in a Batman suit and provided the highend luxury car at an auction benefitting MANNA. The high bid brought a student a mighty sweet ride to school.

(He plans to offer the same arrangement at the Oak Forest Elementary School spring gala.)

C&D Hardware decks the halls with open house

Just being around Gordon can make you want to get involved in one of his community projects, Hartman says.

“His service is contagious.”

Each year, C&D Hardware & Gifts hosts a Christmas Open House on the first Saturday of December. The business offers pictures of Santa for kids of all ages and Pat Gavin and the Buckaroo Band played cowboy music on a patio. Customers could also enjoy refreshments and

At the core Gordon attributes his community involvement to core values like “be helpful” and “be respectful to others” learned in his LaPorte childhood and traditional education at St. Thomas Episcopal School.

Previously a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Gordon currently helps out the YMCA’s satellite operations.

“Kids need structure, support or somewhere to go,” he says of that mission.

Gordon believes that in being approachable and observant, he has been able to plug into needs.

He’s quick to share the limelight, however, and says he appreciates the help that comes forward to support so many causes in the community, from collaborating ideas to making them happen.

“I’m never at a loss for help from others. I truly wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”

Since earning a marketing degree from University of Pittsburgh (he attended there to experience the cold and snow, as he recalls), Gordon has sampled career paths, from advertising to teaching fourth grade.

Previously a Timbergrove Manor resident, he came to Oak Forest as a builder in 2009 but quickly determined it was a community he could call home. “There’s an excitement in the neighborhood,” he says.

As a resident, however, he began to notice things, and started to take action. Even at work, where about 23 tons of reusable building materials have been diverted to ReUse Houston.

“I like the fabric of everything here,” he says. That includes how the civic groups and business owners share ideas on achieving common goals.

“If there’s a good cause, I want to get behind it,” Gordon says. “I’m trying to have a positive impact.”

He also builds homes.

samples of Texas treats while shopping. The business also named two Heights residents as $500 Shopping Spree winners – Michelle Hale and Robert Crampos. In the spring, C&D will give away two more spress to a local winner. To register, visit the business at 314 E. 11th St.

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The Obituaries.

Patrick Francis Callahan, 59, born May 13, 1956 in Abilene, Kan., died Dec. 14. Callahan is survived by his lifelong partner of 18 years, Tom Chisholm, mother Ella Jo Callahan, and sister Theresa Callahan. Memorial contributions may be made to Avondale House at www.avondalehouse. org.

Dorothy Keel Etheridge,

86, born Nov. 19, 1929, died Dec. 6.

Thomas Ray Kendziora, 62, born June 10, 1953 in Houston, died Dec. 15. Kendziora graduated from Sam Houston High School and served as a master plumber and president of Kendziora Plumbing Company.

He served as a volunteer of the St. Ambrose Men’s Club and had a passion for spending time with his family and friends and raising cattle at the family farm.

Kendziora is survived by his wife of 43 years, Carolyn Roznovsky Kendziora, daughter Michelle Chapa, son Chris Kendziora, mother Natalie Kendziora, brothers Louis Kendziora Jr., Randy Kendziora and Ronnie Kendziora, and six grandchildren.

Helen L. Leslie, 75, born July 26, 1940 in New Orleans, La., died Dec. 14. She graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Upon graduation, Leslie taught French and English in the public school system in New Orleans.

She later attended Vanderbilt University and received her Doctorate in Education. Leslie returned to public education becoming a Counselor and Principal serving the Orleans public school district for over 30 years. During Hurricane Katrina, she and son, Terrance relocated to Texas and settled in northwest Houston.

She joined St. Ambrose Catholic Church where she became a much beloved leader of the parish and served first as a member and then Chair of the Parish Council from 2009-2014.

John Patrick Lout, 38, born Aug. 14, 1977, died Dec. 6. Lout

was a graduate of Waltrip High School and Motorcycle Mechanics Institute. He is survived by his wife Lisa Lout, son Kaiden Lout, brother Travis Lout, mother Sharon Wood Lout, and grandmother Bettye Jo O’Bryan Wood Adair.

Charles Mackenzie, 80, born June 29, 1935, died Dec. 1.

Eileen Stewart McDonald, 89, born Nov. 21, 1926 in

Houston, died Dec. 5. McDonald is survived by her daughter, Karen McDonald Petry, two grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Alban’s Church.

Eleanor Concordia Olson, 82, born Jan. 4, 1933 in Walbug, Texas, died Dec. 7. Olson attended Texas Lutheran College and received training in becoming a Medical Technologist. She enjoyed being involved in various church ministries, such as Ladies Circle, Braille Workers, Altar Guild, Choir, and Good Samaritan Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband, Andrew Herert Olson Jr., daughters Gwendolyn Ayres, Ruth Olson, Paula Godinich, sisters Dorthea Jacob, Gloria Boriack and five grandchildren.

Ruby Elaine Scott, 85, born

March 18, 1930, died Dec. 7.

Margaret Lois Simpson, 80, born June 9, 1935, died Dec. 11.

Thelma M. Vincent, 89, born March 19, 1926, died Dec. 15. She is preceded in death by her husband Bill Vincent. She is survived by her son, BJ Vincent, sisters Faye Miller, Bobbie Harville and Marie Byrne, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

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.

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

# 713-686-7778

Local business is our business.

Located at Loop 610 and Ella Boulevard

Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com

In This Season of Gratitude We count our blessings and give thanks for our great clients.

We value your patronage and appreciate your continued support.

We are especially grateful for your kindness and confidence As we continue our mission to provide the finest automotive service By uniting the best technology, talent and leadership To create a Relationship of Trust that benefits Our Clients, Team Members and Our Community.

Wishing You and Yours a Joyous Season And All The Best In The Coming New Year.

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Greater Heights

Saturday, December 26, 2015 • Page 7A

Honor roll Celebrating the beginnings and growth of Leader area businesses.

92 Years

83 Years

73 Year

816 East Whitney dr. • Houston, TX 77022 713-692-0198 ESTabliSHEd 1923

801 Service St. • Houston, TX 77009 713-862-2530 ESTabliSHEd 1932

1504 Yale St. • Houston, TX 77008 713-869-4641 ESTabliSHEd 1942

70 Years

Adolf Hoepfl & Sons Garage

69 Years

Bell’s Own Dry Cleaners

65 Years

4610 North Shepherd • Houston, TX 77018 713-489-8476 ESTabliSHEd 1946

1362 W. 43rd & 2908 Fulton • Houston, TX 77018 713-680-8404 ESTabliSHEd 1946

4216 Ella blvd • Houston, TX 77018 713-686-5993 ESTabliSHEd 1950

55 Years

50 Years

46 Years

Sacred Heart Society (Hall)

Parsley Studio

CityWide Wholesale

Merle Norman

Advanced Healing Solutions

Buffaloe Floor Covering, Inc.

Darlene’s Flowers & Gifts

5740 W. little York • Houston, TX 77091 281-447-7648 ESTabliSHEd 1960

3831 Pinemont • Houston, TX 77018 713-686-3589 ESTabliSHEd 1965

10570 NW Freeway • Houston, TX 77092 713-680-2350 EsTablisHEd 1969

39 Years

Hoity Toity Doggie Day Care

39 Years Janet & Cecil Schmidt

36 Years

Berkshire Hathaway Premier Properties

Payless Insulation

701 West 11th • Houston, TX 77008 713-505-1404 ESTabliSHEd 1977

1803 West 43rd St. • Houston, TX 77018 713-419-7918 ESTabliSHEd 1976

1331 Seamist dr. • Houston, TX 77008 713-868-1021 ESTabliSHEd 1979

32 Years

32 Years

30 Years

6942 Cotton dr. • Houston, TX 77092 713-545-9611 - 713-545-9610 ESTabliSHEd 1983

2310 Yale Street • Houston, TX 77008 713-861-1125 ESTabliSHEd 1983

5800 North Rosslyn Rd • Houston, TX 77091 713-682-1158 ESTabliSHEd 1985

29 Years

28 Years Harting Automotive

28 Years

Mildred Holeman Realty

2150 W. 18th Ste 206 • Houston, TX 77008 713-862-5419 ESTabliSHEd 1986

4934 acorn • Houston, TX 77092 713-688-0967 ESTabliSHEd 1988

4001 N. Shepherd dr. Ste 112 • Houston, TX 77018 713-691-6434 ESTabliSHEd 1987

28PatYears Walker

28 Years

Keller Williams Realty Metropolitian

T-Shirt Works

27 Years

Mashue’s Landscape & Design

5050 Westheimer, Ste 200 • Houston, TX 77056 713-412-6682 ESTabliSHEd 1987

1751 W. 34th St. • Houston, TX 77092 713-681-3288 ESTabliSHEd 1987

6121 Pinemont • Houston, TX 77092 713-680-0658 ESTabliSHEd 1988

26 Years

25 Years

22 Years

Floor Revue

Prosperity Bank

JVP Jewelry

Canine Coiffure

Northwest Education Center

Wendy Prater Attorney

Auntie Changs Dumpling House

2910 antoine dr #107 • Houston, TX 77092 713-680-2929 ESTabliSHEd 1989

1919 N. loop West • Houston, TX 77008 713-802-9171 ESTabliSHEd 1990

2621 South Shepherd • Houston, TX 77098 713-524-8410 ESTabliSHEd 1993

20 Years

20 Years Phyllis A. Oeser,

16 Years

Attorney at Law

The Foam Store

3030 Ella blvd • Houston, TX 77018 713-862-5544 ESTabliSHEd 1995

4001 N. Shepherd #121 - Houston, TX 77018 713-692-0300 ESTabliSHEd 1995

2217 W. 34th St - Houston, TX 77018 713-686-6622 ESTabliSHEd 1999

16 Years

15 Years

12 Years

730 North Post Oak dr. • Houston, TX 77024 713-807-8264 ESTabliSHEd 1999

13732 NW Freeway • Houston, TX 77040 713-996-8600 ESTabliSHEd 2000

1241 Gardenia • Houston, TX 77018 832-623-6655 ESTabliSHEd 2003

NLine Automotive

Rachael’s Hallmark

The May Group LLC

Deuce Electrical

8 Years

8 Years

14173 N. 10 Freeway • Houston, TX 77040 713-460-COld(2653) ESTabliSHEd 2007

2305 Yale St. • Houston, TX 77008 713-862-6630 ESTabliSHEd 2007

A/C Man

Master Car Care

Page 8A â&#x20AC;˘ Saturday, December 26, 2015

Top 10 from P. 4A

#6 New zones for schools

#5 Historic Preservation

Long-awaited rezoning of schools approved by HISD

Parents of students at schools like Highland Heights, Smith, Stevens and Wainwright were understandably worried when word came down about new attendance boundaries for a number of area schools.

However, when the revised boundaries were approved in November, many were happy with the changes, including Katherine Smith Elementary principal Gloria Salazar.

Salazar told The Leader she was â&#x20AC;&#x153;delightedâ&#x20AC;? with the boundaries as it would help address the schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three-year long battle with overcrowding.

Perhaps those most happy with the changes were the residents living in Candlelight

Estates, as a portion of the neighborhood west of Rosslyn Road is split between Stevens and Katherine Smith, and residents like Jennie Sciba reiterated having the entire neighborhood rezoned for Stevens.

Revised historic preservation ordinance gets approval

The new zoning would also address overflow issues as the district is struggling to meet the state mandated 22 to 1 ratio of student to teacher.

In a fight led by The Leader, the confusion and frustration around the Historic Preservation Ordinance and its language was finally amended by the Planning & Development Department late this year.

After extensive coverage

by The Leader and public outcry led to the creation of an amended ordinance, city officials approved the revised version which clarifies terminology, provides new definitions for terms related to the construction, destruction and alteration of buildings in the Heights historic districts and also clarified the criteria for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness. One of the most

welcome changes was also the creation of an appeals board to handle contested applications and rulings by homeowners and builders.

The new ordinance also requires that design guidelines also be adopted for historic districts within 16 months, and the officials held the first of

what will be many meetings in Heights to collect public input for these guidelines. Officials currently say they plan to have the adopted ordinance ready to go and completed around the end of 2016.

See Top 10 P. 10A

nEW BUSInESS

Honor roll

Celebrating the beginnings and growth of NEW Leader area businesses.

2½ Years LX Hair Salon

1509 W. 18th â&#x20AC;˘ Houston, TX 77008 713-426-2441 EsTablisHEd 2013

1½ Years Big Blue Whale

1½ Years

237 W. 19th â&#x20AC;˘ Houston, TX 77008 832-623-6990 EsTablisHEd 2014

6521 N. Main st â&#x20AC;˘ Houston, TX 77009 832-649-5835 EsTablisHEd 2014

Toys & Curiosities

1 Year

Haute Dimensions

1 Year

Mamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Snoballs

US Health Advisors

1040 West Cavalcade â&#x20AC;˘ Houston, TX 77009 713-868-4545 EsTablisHEd 2014

1704 White Oak drive â&#x20AC;˘ Houston, TX 77009 806-239-1068 EsTablisHEd 2015

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Food, drink

ART

Saturday, December 26, 2015 • Page 9A

Art Valet

Year in Review

By Mitch Cohen

Arts Columnist

The best of Art Valet 2015 How about a bit of nostalgia as the end of 2015 approaches? This year I focused more on interviews than events, and it has been both a challenge and a great time. Here are my top five. To review any interview I may mention, look them up on The Leader website here: http://theleadernews.com/ category/lifestyle/artvalet/ I’m far from being a professional writer or reporter. I can ask questions though and for my interviews I’ve conducted them over the phone, coffee, lunch and email. By far, my favorite lunch interview was my first this year, with four women who make up the Meraki artists; Betsy Fraser, Joey Barnes, Paula Kennedy, and Milli Jewell published with the title “Creating art with love, soul and a bit of clay,” on Feb. 7.

The four create jewelry of their own designs with polymer clay, and as a team are amazing and very funny. Sitting down to lunch with the four was an experience for sure!

We joked and cut up for much longer than I thought and their stories probably could have filled several columns.

They got me started on asking the question; “What one crazy thing have you done or experienced that would surprise everyone about yourself ?” Especially with answers like being raised on a Navajo reservation, White House intern under President Ford, hot air balloon crewman and Texas Women’s Wind Surfing Champion!

Over a period of a couple of months, octogenarian and lifelong artist Carolyn Bertrand inspired me to write her story in a series after long weekly phone conversations. Miss Carolyn, as I like to call her, really represents what it is to live

By Christina Martinez Managing Editor

My favorite dishes and drinks from 2015 These past few weeks have been centered around the holidays, and something that is usually the center of our holidays is food and drink. Both are intimate and personal; a sense of comfort. As we gather in these next few days to celebrate the holidays, I’d like to share with you some of my favorite dishes and drinks from this past year. Enjoy.

FOOD

Mitch visiting with artist Carolyn Bertrand earlier this year.

your life through your passion.

I retold how she traveled the world, studying and creating her works, many times changing her medium and always at the forefront of current artistic trends. I wrapped the series a week after her solo art show, (re)read them all in March 14, 21 and April 25 and May 2. Miss Carolyn has more art plans for the future, of course.

What about you? We have something in common, some of my favorites were yours too.

Examining art in the Heights, July 18 generated more email than any other column I wrote.

The controversy was about several art venue closings and who was to blame, where was the art going etc. I disagreed and extolled my take on the matter. Gus Kopriva wrote in when I inquired to the arts community and hinted at what was to come soon. Suddenly I was feeling like a journalist.

“Artist Splits Time Between Rocket Science And Glass Art,” Oct. 24, was the most mentioned and one of my favorite interviews. When I casually inquired of glass artist Nicole Bolinger what she did for a living outside of art,

working on the space station at NASA was not what I expected. For many artists, like Bolinger, art is therapy as much as it is a passion. She may have put it best when she said of her glass art creations, “It calms me, lets the stress of the ‘day’ job disappear. When I retire from NASA, I know I’ll create glass art full time.”

Coming in at number five was my summer vacation. I traveled to Portland and Eugene Oregon, then to Seattle and Vancouver on a mission to see the art, visit artists and the countries longest running Saturday market in Eugene, the Eugene Saturday Market.

My last column was written on my phone on a train, plane and hotel bar as I was stranded in Portland having missed my flight. There were no setbacks though, just part of the adventure weaved into my column.

I’m hooked, I love interviewing now and finding out what makes artists tick, their inspirations and drive. I’m looking forward to introducing you to many more in 2016.

Merry Christmas, and may you all have a healthy, prosperous new year in 2016.

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Mike McElroy’s Pork Terrine.

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Page 10A • Saturday, December 26, 2015

Top 10 from P. 8A

#4 Memorial Day Storms Record-breaking storms, flooding hits entire city

When most people think of Memorial Day weekend, they’d like to think of barbecues, solidarity with members of the armed forces and some time to spend with families.

This year, however, many living in the Heights area ended up dealing with record-setting rainfall and flooding that left drivers stranded, homes damaged and roads closed.

Harris County Flood Control District reported recordsetting levels of rainfall at numerous locations around The Leader area and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared Harris County a disaster area. The heavy storms that swept across the city were later blamed for the deaths of five people and two waves of downpours late May 25 and early May 26 caused chaos for first responders as the

Cars sit submerged under water on the highway following Memorial Day flooding.

Houston Fire Department answered over 500 calls for water rescues. Schools canceled classes, businesses closed and many people simply abandoned their vehicles

along roads and sidewalks, creating an eerie atmosphere throughout communities in Northwest Houston.

#3 What’s in a name?

HISD mulls new name change at Reagan High School

This was a story that got attention from readers far beyond the Heights. There were plenty of passionate responses to the news that HISD was considering a name change at local schools that carried the names of figures from the Confederacy – including the Heights very own John H. Reagan High School.

Named for the former postmaster general of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War, HISD officials began discussing name changes for the school and others in the wake of an allegedly racially charged mass shooting at a church in Charleston, SC. According to reports, the perpetrator has posed with, and also owned, the Confederate flag extensively, leading to a national debate on the place of Confederate symbols in the 21st century and how the nation could better move on from one of the biggest blights upon its history.

That controversy would

A band plays during December’s rally to save the name of Reagan High School, which attracted alumni of the Heights-area school from across the region.

eventually reach Houston in the form of discussions about educational institutions named after Confederate figures.

Responses were swift and passionate from both supporters and detractors of the proposal, with an early December rally attracting hundreds dedi-

cated to preserving the name of Reagan High School. The story saw enormous exposure on social media and alumni from across the nation wrote in to The Leader to voice their support of the Reagan name.

#2 The ‘Housing’ Crisis

Pinemont Park & Ride controversy ignites local furor

While some living around the vacant Pinemont Park & Ride site had long hoped for some sort of commercial development, officials with the Houston Housing Authority had a different idea – one that ignited a furor that lasted for the rest of the year.

After previously reporting that the Park & Ride site had been listed as a “surplus property,” The Leader extensively covered the HHA’s proposal to purchase the land to build a low-income housing complex from its owners at METRO. Area residents and officials with homeowners associations were quick to decry the talks between both organizations as a “backroom deal,” and insisted that their concerns were about traffic, drainage, and school overcrowding rather than safety.

Meetings regarding a potential Houston Housing Authority complex at the former Pinemont Park & Ride were heavily attended.

HHA chair Lance Gilliam said fears about the development may have grounded in the stereotypes surrounding his organization and its communities and spoke candidly to The Leader about HHA’s determination to build a new fa-

cility in the area and give families access to better schools and jobs. However, METRO recanted and announced that Harris County has since purchased the property and will be constructing a new office facility for county services,

#1 Off the Rails

Neighborhoods unite in opposition to high-speed railway

It has been a story that has kept Leader readers on edge and still reignites controversy from time to time. The news of a potential high speed rail line, traveling from Houston to Dallas, running directly through The Leader area was a proposition that seemed to excite no one and inflamed everyone. Fortunately, residents were able to air their doubts and questions at a meeting in January held by Texas Central Railway that attracted a standing-room only crowd.

Most people took aim at one of the rail line’s potential pathways which would have followed the existing BNSF Railway line through Oak Forest and Garden Oaks and would eventually end in downtown. Property owners, particularly those with homes directly near the railway, cited everything from safety concerns, to noise and property values in their staunch opposition to the proposal.

Texas Central Railway President Robert Eckels (left) address as resident at a town hall meeting in early January.

Despite TCR’s outreach efforts and assurances of a completely grade-separated and elevated track, many had felt the threat of eminent domain was too great to support the initiative. The Federal Railroad Administration also dealt a setback of its own after ruling that the route would not go directly into downtown as originally envisioned, and said it be too expensive and would have too great of an

environmental impact.

Now, however, the potential station for the high speed rail would still end in The Leader area at around the Northwest Mall. The ultimate fate of the mall, which has since been listed for sale, is currently unknown, and neighborhood groups like Super Neighborhood 12 still remain opposed to the route coming through their communities.

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