Leader April 9

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Waltrip artists brighten neighborhood with mural

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Lauren Power knew her art students were capable. Otherwise she would not have accepted the assignment.

But the Waltrip High School art director said her expectations were exceeded when she saw the mural recently created by students Grace Rangel, Guillermina Rojas and Tyanna Jade Zamora Allen. It looked not like the work of high school kids, Power said, but that of profes-

sional artists.

“I was super impressed,” she said. “I thought it would require a lot of me doing touch-ups and stuff like that, but they really did beautiful work. It just turned out really lovely.”

The board of directors for the Oak Forest Homeowners Association (OFHA), which enlisted the Waltrip art program to paint the new community mural for the neighborhood’s 75th anniversary, were wowed as well.

The three students painted the mural over the span of three

days last week on the northfacing wall of T&T Washateria, 1859 W. 43rd St. The mural consists of the words “Oak Forest” in big block letters, with a small 75th anniversary emblem underneath.

Inside the letters are colorful images of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush flowers blooming in a field of green grass, with a light blue sky creating a horizon in the upper portion of the “Oak Forest” letters.

See Mural P. 3A

Contributed photo Waltrip High School students, from left, Grace Rangel, Guillermina Rojas and Tyanna Jade Zamora Allen stand in front of the Oak Forest-themed mural they painted last week at T&T Washateria, 1859 W. 43rd St.

City seeks public input on council redistricting plan

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

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Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Members of St. Pius X High School’s rugby team play with Buster, a stray dog the team rescued last month, on Tuesday afternoon at Kubiak Stadium. Team members say they have formed a fast bond with the former stray pup.

SPX rugby team forms bond with rescued stray

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

All the feels. Tori Christensen creates art that can be enjoyed by people who can’t see.

Page 7A

Some might say that Buster, a stray dog who was rescued and taken in by the St. Pius X High School rugby team, is lucky they found him.

But for the players on the team, there’s a little more to the story. The former stray now has a new lease on life as the Panthers’ mascot, and has become just as much a part of the team as any player.

“I say Buster was lucky that we found him, but we’re also lucky that we found him,” rugby player Grant Stringfellow said. “He’s really brought us together as a team and bonded us. He’s our good luck charm.”

About a month ago, the team encountered Buster in a Photo by Landan Kuhlmann park during practice as he strolled up and instantly endeared himself to the squad with his playful nature. And af- Buster trots across St. Pius X High School’s turf field at Kubiak Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.

See Buster P. 5A

Dog’s loyalty to boy helps divert disaster Labor of love. The City of Houston is considering offering paid parental leave to employees.

Page 1B

THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds ............................................. 5A Coupons .................................................. 3B Food/Drink ............................................ 7A Opinion .................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles ..................................................... 3A Sports ........................................................ 3B

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Houston Police Department Sgt. Ricardo Salas is the owner of an 8-yearold German Shepherd, so he knows intelligence is one of the breed’s common traits.

He did not understand the depth of the dogs’ loyalty until last weekend.

Salas said he and a few other HPD officers responded to a call in the Northside area last Saturday, April 2, when a 5-year-old boy with Down syndrome was seen walking along the railroad tracks near the 2400 block

of Cavalcade Street. Jose was accompanied by a 1-year-old German Shepherd named Alejandro, whose attention did not divert from the young boy throughout the hour or so that Salas was with them.

When Salas put Jose in his patrol vehicle, to let the youngster cool off in the air conditioning while waiting for his family to come get him, Alejandro hopped right in as well.

And when Salas offered the dog water and something to eat – Chicken Alfredo, to be exact – Alejandro continued to show See Dog P. 5A

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Contributed photo by Ricardo Salas, Houston Police Department Houston Police Department officer Cindi Dailey comforts a 5-year-old boy named Jose last Saturday, April 2, while Jose’s dog, a 1-year-old German Shepherd named Alejandro, sits close by.

Houston residents will have multiple chances to provide input on city council redistricting during a series of town hall meetings scheduled during April and May. Community members even can submit their own redistricting plans for consideration.

The Houston City Council adopted redistricting criteria in late March, starting a two-year process in which the city will redraw its council district boundaries based Cisneros on 2020 Census data. New district maps will be approved by the city council ahead of the next municipal election in November 2023 and will take effect in January 2024, according to information Peck posted by the city at letstalkhouston.org/redistricting.

“As Houston continues to grow, we must ensure fair and equitable representation for all Houstonians,” Kamin Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a news release from the city’s Planning & Development Department.

The series of upcoming town hall meetings - at least one for each of the 11 council districts - will be held in person and are open to the members of the public, regardless of the council district where they reside. Each will start at 6 p.m. and be followed by a district-specific meeting about Capital Improvement Projects.

The town hall for District H, which is represented by Karla Cisneros and includes the Northside area as well as Sawyer Yards and part of the Heights area, is scheduled for Monday, April 25, at Moody Park Community Center, 3725 Fulton St. The meeting for District A, which is represented by Amy Peck and includes the western part of the Oak Forest area, will be held Tuesday, April 26 at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt Rd. As of Tuesday, a venue had not been determined for the District C meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 3.

District C is represented by Abbie Kamin and includes the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and Washington Avenue areas.

After the town hall meetings, the city plans to complete a redistricting draft See Redistricting P. 5A

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THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Page 2A

Catalytic converters stolen outside Heights business

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Authorities are searching for people involved in the theft of catalytic converters from a Heights-area business last weekend, according to the Harris County Precinct 1

Constable’s Office.

Precinct 1 said deputies responded to an in-progress burglary at a business in the 1500 block of North Durham Drive in the Heights just after 2:30 a.m. last Saturday, April 2. According to the constable’s office, a caller

Electrical fire damages Inwood apartment

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

An electrical malfunction was the cause of a small fire that damaged a Greater Inwood apartment last weekend, according to the Houston Fire Department.

Nobody was injured in the incident, HFD said.

HFD said crews responded to a unit in the Oakwood Gardens Apartments at 5625

Antoine Dr. at 6 p.m. last Saturday, April 2, to find a small fire coming from an exterior wall of the apartment. Crews then removed the wall’s exterior sheathing and the sheetrock, the department said, in order to control the fire.

Investigators determined that an unintentional electrical fire sparked the small blaze, according to HFD, which caused an estimated $10,000 in damage.

Police Reports • April 1 - 6 APRIL 1

Vandalism 5 PM 600 BLOCK OF YALE Theft 9 PM 900 BLOCK OF 31ST ST W

APRIL 2

Vandalism 7 PM 700 BLOCK OF 30TH ST W Theft 11 AM 1100 BLOCK OF HARVARD Theft 6 AM 300 BLOCK OF 34TH ST E Arrest 5 PM 4700 BLOCK OF MICHAUX Assault 10 AM 2400 BLOCK OF AIRLINE Arrest 4 AM 2900 BLOCK OF AIRLINE

APRIL 3

Arrest 11 PM 2700 BLOCK OF WHITE OAK Theft 12 PM 1100 BLOCK OF 34TH ST W Theft 7 AM 3900 BLOCK OF SHEPHERD DR N Theft 3 PM 1000 BLOCK OF JUDIWAY Assault 5 AM 600 BLOCK OF THORNTON Theft 8 AM 5400 BLOCK OF FULTON

APRIL 4

Burglary 4 PM 100 BLOCK OF 33RD ST E Theft 4 PM 1000 BLOCK OF SUE BARNETT Theft 10 PM 100 BLOCK OF AURORA Other 6 PM 400 BLOCK OF 31ST ST E Theft 12 PM 1800 BLOCK OF AIRLINE Theft 1 AM 700 BLOCK OF 40TH ST E

APRIL 5

Theft 1 PM 100 BLOCK OF 20TH ST W Theft 12 PM 100 BLOCK OF 20TH ST W Assault 10 PM 400 BLOCK OF CROSSTIMBERS Theft 10 PM 200 BLOCK OF CROSSTIMBERS ST E

APRIL 6

Theft 12 AM 100 BLOCK OF 20TH ST W Theft 1 AM 600 BLOCK OF 37TH ST E Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

had reported hearing loud noises from what sounded like power tools coming from the building’s parking lot.

Those responsible were gone by the time police arrived on scene, according to Precinct 1, and had sto-

len the catalytic converters off of two cars sitting in the parking lot of the business.

Video evidence was inconclusive, Precinct 1 said, and the case has been referred to the Houston Police Department for a follow-up investigation.

Cause of Acres Homes house fire under investigation

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The Houston Fire Department said it is working to determine the cause of a house fire in the Acres Homes area last week.

There were no injuries reported in the fire, which HFD said caused more than $34,000 worth of damage.

Firefighters arrived to a

one-story home in the 900 block of Marjorie Lane in Acres Homes just after 10:30 p.m. March 31, according to HFD, to find it on fire. The department said crews were able to extinguish the fire in about 4 minutes.

Arson investigators are still working to determine what caused the fire, according to the department.

By Landan Kuhlmann Investigators are still working to determine the cause of a trailer fire that necessitated a rescue in Acres Homes last week, according to the Houston Fire Department.

HFD said one person was rescued from the trailer amidst the fire and treated on-scene by EMS paramedics.

According to HFD, crews responded to a report of a trailer on fire in

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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Page 3A

Get rich on social media as paid Pied Piper “New York is well-known for top influencers, bloggers, and celebrities who call the city their home.”

BBC News: “The chain says rising costs will mean higher prices, but social media influencers have boosted its sales.”

“The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has announced that social media influencers will need a license to give financial advice or face jail time.”

“There’s a new way to hire influencers for your brand. Just set up your campaign. Then watch influencers send in their messages.”

“Easy to hire the right influencers.”

OK, we get the idea. Hire an influencer to help push your product or cause -- social media is a major avenue. And the industry is growing: There has been a 465 percent increase in searches for the phrase “influencer marketing” on Google alone since 2016. Obviously, an influencer is a Pied Piper with the power to persuade. It’s a word that has been around for centuries (the first known use of influencer to mean a persuader was in 1662), but has become a buzz word to the point of annoyance, like super model and any scandal that has – gate as a suffix. See how often you come across influencer.

The first type of influencer marketing was celebrity endorsements. Remember when Ronald

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

Reagan hyped Chesterfield cigarettes? Tobacco companies also paid stars like Al Jolson, Bob Hope and Clark Gable to promote smoking. In 1930, Lucky Strikes ran an ad claiming “20,679 Physicians say ‘LUCKIES are less irritating’” to the throat. Most doctors don’t do that anymore, or they’re dead from throat cancer. Today athletes are hot as influencers. Take, for example, Eldrick Tont Woods, better known as “Tiger.” He was the highest-paid celebrity influencer for many years. Then the scandals hit and Gatorade, AT&T, Accenture and Gillette, among others, dropped him. Still, every year Tiger earns between $50-$65 million from his endorsements alone.

Just between June 2019 and June 2020 he received $63 million from his various activities. Since turning pro, Woods has earned $1.5 billion.

Serena Williams makes around $25 million a year from endorsement deals. Her net worth is $180 mil-

lion.

Tom Brady makes a whopping salary but also is an influencer for Under Armour, Molecule Mattresses, Upper Deck and IWC watches, which brings his total net worth in 2022 at $250 million. Not bad for a quarterback who wasn’t drafted until the sixth round (200th overall) in 2000 by the New England Patriots. Joe Namath is still influencing, 44 years after retiring. Did Colin Kaepernick ever get a gig as an influencer? Next time you are in Cleveland, see if former Texans QB Deshaun Watson is endorsing anything. Probably lawyers. Michael Jordan earned $90 million in salary during his career and another $1.4 billion from corporate partners. He has had sponsorship deals with Nike, Hanes, Gatorade and Upper Deck. The odd part is, Jordan retired in 1998, but his brand just keeps on selling and Nike keeps paying.

Indeed, fame and fortune may last more than 15 minutes if you’ve got a good image. Houstonian George Foreman influenced us through infomercials marketing the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine, and made $150 million, both from payouts and shares from the company. Foreman also spent over a decade promoting Meineke Car Care Centers for more millions. He hadn’t boxed since 1997. Nolan Ryan is on TV

constantly influencing us to get our cracked foundations fixed. Ryan retired in 1993 and last played in Houston in 1988. An interesting point: Ryan’s father, Lynn Nolan Ryan, Sr., operated a newspaper delivery service for The Houston Post so he had to rise in the early morning to prepare 1,500 newspapers for delivery over a 55-mile route. The children helped. Father Ryan: “Nolan, throw the papers on the porch, not through the door!”

Why do companies pay so much to influencers? Dior did a careful study with focus groups and surveys and found that if Dior paid Charlize Theron $75 million – which they did -- they would make even more money. So it’s clear for athletes and other celebrities the real money is not in their multi-million-dollar salaries, but by cashing in on their fame.

Do any of these people influence you? Did you ever click on the TV and see Serena Williams smashing a tennis ball and think, “Hey, if I buy whatever she is pushing maybe someday I, too, will be worth $180 million.” Influencers are no doubt proud of their title. It means strength, believability – and money. Of course, we are all influenced by others, but who admits to being an influencee, an easily-led sheep?

To be honest, my wife influenced my wardrobe after I appeared at a block party wearing a leisure suit.

If it was good enough for Winston Churchill, it’s good enough for my neighbors in Golden Years Glen.

The name “flu” is shorthand for “influenza.” Is influencer related to the flu? According to my ace research staff, (Mirriam-Webster), the word influenza and influencer have the same origin: the Medieval Latin word “influential,” meaning “visitation” or “influence” because it was believed that epidemics such as the flu were caused by visits from the planets. So, yes, Nolan Ryan could give you the flu.

No doubt the greatest influencer of our times is Donald Trump, who influenced 74,225,845 voters in the 2020 presidential elections, 11,241,017 more than he had influenced in the 2016 election. Now we are getting ready for campaigns and candidates who are running in the fall elections. Notice how many Republicans are crowing that they are endorsed by Donald Trump.

We shall see if Trump’s backing has any effect on the outcomes.

Oh, about NYC “being wellknown for top influencers,” the New York City Police Department is being sued for $30 million after erroneously using the face of Belonika, a “model and influencer,” on a wanted poster on social media about an escort service worker.

Ashby is influenced at ashby2@comcast.net

Hogg temporarily locked down in response to bomb threat

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

A bomb threat made last week against Hogg Middle School prompted a temporary lockdown of the Heights campus while Houston ISD police investigated, according to a spokesperson for the school district.

Students, staff and campus visitors were forced to shelter in place on the afternoon of March 31, according to HISD spokesperson Dennis Spellman. The threat did not prove credible, and Spellman said in an email at about 4:30 p.m. that day that the lockdown had been lifted and students were released at the regular time.

“We assure you that we take all threats very seriously as the safety of our students and staff is always our top priority,” Hogg Principal Vanessa Saldana wrote in an email to parents during the lockdown, which was obtained by The Leader.

A bomb threat also was made March 31 against HISD’s Pershing Middle

THE READER.

Photo by Facebook A bomb threat made against Hogg Middle School prompted a temporarily lockdown of the Heights campus on March 31, according to a spokesperson for Houston ISD.

School in Southwest Houston, according to Spellman, who said a lockdown on that campus was lifted about an hour before the lockdown ended at Hogg.

There were no detonations or injuries on either campus, according to Spellman.

2400 Augusta Dr. Suite 212 Houston, TX 77057

THE LEADER PUZZLERS. Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Stop sign traffic tickets

Dear Editor: Good to see a police officer issuing citations for drivers failing to stop at a posted 4-way stop at the Oak Forest Drive and Chantilly Lane intersection.

So many drivers just blow right through this intersection especially while traveling along Oak Forest Drive.

Hope HPD will enforce this at other stop sign intersections with the same problem of non-stopping drivers in our area.

CBonChantilly

Mural from P. 1A “We were very pleased, very excited,” OFHA treasurer Lucy Fisher Cain said. “We really appreciate it.”

Power said the students did the work in exchange for free lunches from MytiBurger, the longtime neighborhood staple at 2211 W. 43rd St. The Waltrip art program also received a $250 donation from the OFHA, which covered the cost of supplies as well.

Cain said the idea for the mural came from longtime OFHA board member Martha Mears, and new board member Gabriel Perez suggested that local students from Waltrip might be interested in creating the mural.

Cain said she picked the location with the blessing of T&T Washateria owner Ahn Bui, who told her, “Use my building however you want.”

“Now that we have the mural out there, the owner has cleaned up the area and turned the lights on at night,” Power said. “So it looks really nice.”

The project was completed in the span of about three weeks after the OFHA reached out to Waltrip, Power said. Her students created multiple mural designs they presented to the OFHA, which posted them on Facebook to let community

members vote on which one they liked best.

Power said the students – Rojas and Zamora Allen are seniors, while Rangel is a sophomore – then created the mural mostly by freehand. While they were working on it, which provided short field trips during three consecutive school days, Power said passing motorists and pedestrians regularly expressed approval and gratitude for the artwork.

Power said it was the first time since 2019 that her art students could complete a mural, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. And it gave them a real-world, community-minded art experience they can use on a resume, college application or perhaps in pursuing a career in art.

“What I really liked was that the kids were involved in the design,” Power said. “They said their parents and even grandparents were super proud of them for leaving a legacy in the neighborhood.”

Indeed, the mural could remain on display until the students are parents or even grandparents. Cain said Bui, the washateria owner, expressed an interest in keeping it there.

“You never know,” Cain said.

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DOWN 1. Bother 2. Sounds caused by reflections 3. Abstains from 4. Article 5. Intuition 6. Ideas of right and wrong 7. Group of chemicals 8. Elected official

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WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • The Leader

Village Heights Church Family fun day planned for hosting Easter egg hunt park in Acres Homes area

By Landan Kuhlmann

By Adam Zuvanich

landan@theleadernews.com

azuvanich@theleadernews.com

The Heights Egg Hunt, a free community event hosted

by Village Heights Church, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-noon next Saturday, April 16 at Marmion Park.

Balloons and cotton candy will be distributed to the children in attendance, who also can have photos taken with the Easter Bunny. Families will be provided designated areas for private egg hunts in the park, located at the northeast corner of Heights Boulevard and East 18th Street.

For more information, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ events/701227497977332/.

Contributed photo Village Heights Church is hosting the Heights Egg Hunt from 10:30 a.m.-noon next Saturday, April 16, at Marmion Park.

New senior living community holding Saturday block party

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A new senior living community in Shady Acres is hosting an open house and block party this weekend.

Residents and guests of The Watermark at Houston Heights, 1245 W. 18th St., will have a chance to experience its amenities from 2-6 p.m.

Saturday during a grand opening neighborhood block party

called “Sites of the Heights.”

The free event, which is open to the community, will feature more than 30 vendors from around the Heights.

Among them will be Eureka Heights Brew Co., I Cycle Bike Shop, William Price Distilling Company, Alzheimer’s Association Houston Chapter and The Heights Hospital, according to a news release from Watermark.

Saturday’s event will also

feature complimentary refreshments, food trucks, live entertainment, a photo booth and more. Guided tours will be offered throughout the ”Sites of the Heights” event for prospective residents as well, according to the release.

For more information on Watermark, visit the senior living community’s website at watermarkhoustonheights. com.

Families looking for outings this weekend can make their way out to a local park in Acres Homes.

Sylvester Turner Park, 2800 W. Little York Rd., will host a family fun day at the park from 2-6 p.m. Saturday.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature live entertainment from groups such as J. Paul Jr. and the Zydeco Nubreeds, Carver High School Performing Arts students, Tiger Rock Martial Arts and Operation Get Fit. There will be inflatable games, a rock wall, train rides, and facepainting for the kids. Also part of the festivities will be a senior tent for older adults as well as a “Zoomobile” that will bring some animals to meet.

The Major League Baseball/Houston Astros Urban Youth Academy will also hold youth baseball games

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Sylvester Turner Park in Acres Homes will host a family fun day this Saturday.

School (2100 S. Victory St.) and Lone Star College’s Victory campus (4141 Victory Dr.), while free parking will be available at Living Word Fellowship Church, 7350 T.C. Jester Blvd.

on three of the park’s fields beginning at noon.

Among the food options to be available will be turkey legs, hot dogs, sausage on a stick, corn on the cob, nachos, popcorn and snow cones.

METRO will provide shuttles from Carver High

Follow us on social media @FromTheLeader

Biannual barter fair coming soon in Heights

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

The Earth Day Quaker Barter Fair, a biannual event in which community members trade goods and services without using common currency, will be held later this month in the Heights.

The fair is scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 23 at Live Oak Friends Meeting, 1318 W. 26th St. The familyfriendly outdoor event is free to attend and will feature live music along with activities such as crafts, games and a plant-and-seed swap, according to a news release about the Barter Fair.

Attendees are invited to bring food to share as well as a table, shelf, rug or blanket to display their goods or a sign that describes their service or services. Trades can be negotiated among attendees, with no money to be exchanged.

Those who wish to donate items can place them in a designated “free” area where they can be picked up by visitors, who then can use those items to barter and trade for other goods and services. At the end of the event, anything left on the free table will be donated to a local charity, according to the news release.

“The Barter Fair offers the community an opportunity

Contributed photo Those who attend the Earth Day Quaker Barter Fair, scheduled for April 23 at Live Oak Friends Meeting, 1318 W. 26th St., can shop for goods and services without using money.

to share in the practice of the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, stewardship and earth care,” the release said.

“It creates a space to practice thinking together in a new way about how we place

value on objects and services within our community.”

For more information, visit www.quakercloud.org/ cloud/live-oak-friends-meeting-houston/events/earthday-quaker-barter-fair.

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I Need Proof

By Pastor Will Cover

Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org

A

re any of you geometry lovers? I remember in my tenth-grade geometry class when we began to study proofs.

At first it seemed pointless to have to give the reason for why each of my calculations were correct. The answer is right, why should I have to explain it to the teacher in the form of a proof? After a while I realized that being able to prove why a calculation is correct is very important because the higher levels of math require being able to prove each step so you can make sure your final answer is correct. I will say, there was something very satisfying about being able to solve a problem and write down a proof for each step to give credibility to your

answer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21 the Bible says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” To prove something is to test it out and make sure that it is right.

When you find something that is right or good you should hold on tight to the truth.

In math it takes lots of time and many calculations to establish a proof. It takes a lot of work to prove something universally to be true. In life many people take their own experience or what they have been told as the means of proving something to be true. This may help us some of the time but it doesn’t give us a solid foundation to stand on.

We need a truth that is universal and solid. God’s Word gives us the foundation of truth. It is completely true from beginning to end. If we test things according to the Bible we can know if it is truly good or not. What is your standard of truth? How do you decide what is good?

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t goes w made m err is h this the n must learn to repeat t it can be h can some We somet we’ve don for years, addition, s our past. A them, we we should the comin as well as them; that repeatedly the phrase the only w more divin the offens vindictive it! Corrie prison cam to realize

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The Leader • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Page 5A

Buster, from P. 1A ter playing with him for a few minutes, players said Buster then wandered off into a nearby yard that had no fence to try and make friends with a couple of dogs leashed on a zipline in the backyard.

“He was a sweet, happy-golucky puppy who just wanted to make friends,” player Jose Rivera said.

But things quickly took a turn as the two dogs proceeded to attack Buster, according to the team.

“He was just trying to be friendly with (the other dogs), and it didn’t turn out the way it should have,” Tristan Acuna said. “We thought they were just playing and being dogs.

But it got really bad, so all of us went over there to check it out. … It was overall pretty bad, but he was able to get out of there.”

Following a moment of shock, players said they raced off to see what they could do, though there wasn’t much they could do but watch.

Buster eventually escaped with just a huge gash on his right shoulder, according to Stringfellow, after which sev-

eral players rushed him to an emergency veterinarian.

Teammate Burke Battenfield’s sister works for the Animal Justice League, according to St. Pius X, and the AJL went about trying to find Buster a foster home. And since that fateful day, Buster has become as much a Panther as any player or coach.

He has also been able to stay close to his newfound home as Stringfellow’s family has been fostering him since he was rescued.

“We just lost our dog in November, so having another dog in the house has really brought back those feelings,” Stringfellow said. “He’s really opened up to us compared to when we first got him. He used to just sit around and sleep - now he barks, runs around and plays, and you get to know his whole personality. I’m glad we kept him so that he’s still able to be a part of the team and be our mascot.”

The team has united around the chant “For Buster!” before its games, and players have also declared him their

official team mascot. He’s present on the sidelines for every game, they said, wagging his tail happily.

“He’s really been an inspiration to all of us,” Acuna said.

“We see it as the fact that he fought for his life, and it’s like us fighting for this season.”

Rivera echoed the sentiment.

“Seeing that kind of endurance is genuinely inspiring, because a lot of dogs aren’t going to make it through all that,” he said. “But (Buster) is a fighter for sure.”

What’s more, Buster appears to have become something of an instant favorite around the SPX campus and around Houston at the team’s games. On Tuesday afternoon, multiple people entering Kubiak Stadium looked around or called out for the rescued pup.

He’s living his best life, the players said. And what’s more, Stringfellow said the ordeal has not changed Buster’s personality one bit from the moment he first wandered up to them.

“He survived two dogs at-

Redistricting, from P. 1A

Dog, from P. 1A

that will be presented to the city council in June or July. Three public hearings in front of the council are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. July 13 and 9 a.m. July 20.

According to the city, the redrawn districts will aim to: • Maintain relatively equal population numbers • Be composed of whole county voting precincts • Have easily identifiable geographic boundaries • Retain integrity of neighborhoods or communities of interest • Be compact and contiguous • Avoid packing or cracking • Preserve incumbent-constituency relations The city said residents are encouraged to submit their own redistricting plans and propose that certain voting precincts, neighborhoods or locations be included in a specific district. Submissions must be made by July 20 to the Planning & Development Department, which said it will set up a computer with redistricting software that residents can use at 611 Walker St., on the sixth floor.

The city said plans submitted for consideration must: • Be in writing • Be based on 2020 Census data • Redistrict the entire city so the council can assess its impact on protected minority groups • Conform to redistricting criteria in Section 3 of the city’s redistricting resolution.

For more information about city council redistricting, including details about the redistricting resolution and a complete schedule of town hall meetings, visit letstalkhouston.org/redistricting.

no interest in anything but Jose.

“Seeing the loyalty that the dog has toward the child was incredible to me,” Salas said.

“Everywhere I walked with the child, the dog followed.”

Salas said Jose, who had wandered almost a half-mile away from his home before his mother noticed and called 911 to report him missing, was returned safely to his family while sustaining only a minor knee scrape during his Saturday morning excursion through tall brush and rocky terrain near the railroad tracks. Salas also said he suspects there could have been a much different outcome had Alejandro not gone with his young master and looked out for him.

There was some concern at the scene about the dog becoming aggressive, Salas said, but he perceived Alejandro to be a protector of the boy as opposed to an agitator.

“I felt like the dog knew the child has Down syndrome,” Salas said. “He knew, ‘Hey, I need to go with him.’ ” Salas said no criminal charges will be filed in relation

Contributed photo Buster the dog has become the mascot for St. Pius X High School’s rugby team and is being fostered by one of the player’s families.

tacking him, and he’s still the same. He’s still friendly, he loves people and treats,” Stringfellow said. “He went from being a street dog to where he’s a celebrity – everybody knows who he is.”

Buster’s fight has bonded

to the incident, although the case was referred to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, he said.

Good Samaritans saw Jose and Alejandro walking along the railroad tracks, called police and then waved them down as they approached the location, according to Salas, who said such a situation calls for “policing with your heart.”

He said he immediately suspected the boy’s family would be looking for him, so he and his fellow officers stayed at the scene with the boy and his dog, then learned of the 911 call from Jose’s mother about 30 minutes later.

Before Jose’s family arrived, Salas said the Houston Fire Department was called to examine the boy and check for any injuries. And Salas noticed that Alejandro would not leave Jose’s side.

During his nine years with HPD, Salas said he’s arrived at scenes where a young child had wandered off, fell into a pool or other body of water and drowned.

If Jose had put himself in a similarly dangerous predicament – which he might have

the team, according to the players. Now, they can’t help but play in his honor. And they wouldn’t want it any other way for the four-legged mascot who has become the team’s best friend and rallying cry.

between the time he left home and was spotted by good Samaritans – Salas said he thinks Alejandro would have intervened.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that if that child was

“If he can fight for his life, then we can fight for him with no problem,” Rivera said.

Follow on social media @FromTheLeader

on the train tracks and a train would have been coming, that dog would have grabbed Jose and pulled him away from danger,” he said. “No doubt in my mind that that dog would have done that.”

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The Leader • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Christensen’s works a touching tribute to blind MITCH COHEN Art Columnist

Art is not always meant to be seen. Sometimes it’s meant to be felt.

Tori Christensen, aka Urban Gardens, creates her art with the intent to be felt, inspired by her brother, who is blind, so he could “see” what art looked like.

Christensen creates “tactile fiber art” and joined The Market at Sawyer Yards last month. She returns this Saturday with all new work -- because she almost completely sold out at the March event.

The market is from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and located at 1502 Sawyer St. Christensen’s story is fascinating, so I’ll let her tell you all about it.

Art Valet: Explain your tactile fiber art.

Christensen: “Urban Gardens is art that can be seen and felt. I combine wool, yarn and fabric by needle felting, punch needling, latch hooking, crocheting, weaving, and basically whatever else I can

make work, to make a ‘garden’ that can be hung on the wall.”

AV: Do you have a background in textiles?

TC: “I took sewing classes throughout my undergrad and grew to really love sewing and textiles. I never worked in the field but still love to sew in my spare time, and of course, love to use textiles in my artwork.”

AV: What’s the story behind creating art for your brother?

TC: “I’ve always been interested in art and arts integration. Paul was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 7 when I was 11. A Child Life Specialist would come help my brother understand his new surroundings, in a language that he could understand – play. Child Life Specialists, to me, at the time, were like the occupational therapist for your creativity (now I realize, though, they are much more than that).

They taught us how to interact with our brother and how to play in a way he could manage, as a tired, sick, bedridden, newly blind little boy.

“I always loved art growing up and it was a big part of what Paul and I did together,” Christensen continued.” At

Contributed photo A blind woman named Amanda, a friend of Houston artist Tori Christensen, touches one of Christensen’s tactile fiber art pieces.

the time, he was paralyzed on one side of his body and he was too weak to hold a pencil so art together was kind of out the window. That’s when I started scheming and dreaming of ways to do art with my little brother again.

I learned braille and started tutoring Paul and eventually some of his friends he made

through support groups.”

In high school, Christensen was awarded an art scholarship and decided to pursue that instead of the Child Life Specialist professional she always thought she’d become.

Her first art project was of course inspired by her brother.

“I assigned a music note

to every color and painted pictures in different ‘keys,’ ” Christensen said. “When Paul came out to see it, however, I realized he couldn’t experience it the way I wanted. It was based around him but I didn’t provide a recording of the music the paintings were meant to represent. Conceptually it worked, but practically it didn’t.”

Christensen took a break from school to do charity work and returned and changed her major to social services.

While volunteering in her local hospital’s pediatric unit with Child Life Specialists, Christensen had her “aha” moment.

“Art was my go-to,” Christensen said. “The kids loved it! Eventually, I found myself directing an afterschool program in Houston for children who were transitioning out of homelessness. There, I implemented an arts integration program and partnered with Young Audiences of Houston to provide art lessons to the children. As is Young Audiences of Houston’s mission, these lessons taught core subjects with art as the teaching tool. It was so cool! Then it all sort of came together.”

AV: How did the “aha”

moment happen?

TC: “I got a job as a braille transcriber at Pearson Learning’s braille division. (All those years of tutoring paid off, haha). After a time, I was moved into the tactile graphic art department for braille services. Here I design test material in a way that can be felt and understood. I had more free time and was sewing more, but my drive to include the visually impaired in my art reach was doubled down because of my job. I finally took the plunge and combined my love for Paul, my love of fabric and textiles, and my love of art, and threw it all together. What came out was Urban Gardens.”

AV: What’s next for you with your art?

TC: “Long-term, I would love to own an art gallery one day. One where all the art can be touched. One where blind artists can show their work and blind patrons can enjoy the work.”

Visit Christensen’s website, https://torichristensen.com, for more information.

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

Review: Enjoy taste of Belgium at Café Brussels

By Dan Greer

news@theleadernews.com

So what comes to mind when you think of Belgium?

Maybe Belgian waffles, or the headquarters for NATO and the European Union. Or perhaps Smurfs. Yep, they’re Belgian, too.

Well, Madame and Monsieur, there is something else that needs to be added to your Belgian repertoire, and it’s right here near the neighborhood. It’s tucked away just a few blocks south of Woodland Heights at 1718 Houston Ave. You may have driven past Café Brussels many times and thought, “What a charming-looking little place.”

Next time, let the thoughts of crepes and French music draw you inside.

With as many fine dining establishments that we have in our fair city, few can be described as truly unique.

Café Brussels is one of them, for reasons I will describe and others that just need to be experienced.

Upon entering, you will instantly get the feel of a European café or pub. It’s the kind of place you meet friends for a fun-yet-relaxed meal and beverage. You can actually have a conversation here without having to

shout. It’s also a great place to come for a date night or brunch/lunch.

We were lucky enough to be greeted and assisted by the owner who is originally from Belgium. You can tell that she has put her whole heart into this little place and she brings the delights of her native country’s cuisine with her.

It should be noted that almost everything here is made in-house. We started off with their signature dish, the mussels, which are flown in daily from the west coast and are never frozen. Café Brussels has many different varieties of the delectable little mollusks which are available in a pot or on a plate.

We shared the plate of Mussels in Garlic Butter Sauce, because it sounded like mussel-heaven. It was.

They were neatly arranged on a serving plate covered in yes, a buttery, garlic sauce, and they came with Belgian fries.

And a word about these innocent-looking fries. They are hand-cut, double fried, and you will not want to share them.

Each of us also ordered the Onion Soup au Gratin. It was among the best I’ve ever had. It was perfectly pre-

pared with a savory broth.

We chose both the Flemish Beef Stew and the German Sausage, Potato and Vegetable Mash for entrees.

The beef is beer-braised and has a thick, mouthwatering roux and fresh carrots. Delicious and perfect for a chilly evening.

The German sausage dish was also superb with the mashed potatoes (and loads of bacon!) serving as the piece de resistance.

You might say that any normal human would be comfortably full at this point.

We absolutely were, so for dessert we ordered La Crepe Mikado - a crepe with warm Belgian chocolate with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. All three of us pretended to be shocked at each other’s cumulative food intake as we fought for the remaining chocolate.

The term “hidden gem” is overused. But you have one right around the corner in Café Brussels. They also have one of the largest selections of Belgian beer in the city, some brewed by monks since the Middle Ages.

Don’t be in a hurry here.

Enjoy Belgium without the airfare.

Café Brussels Address: 1718 Houston

Photo by Dan Greer Mussels in Garlic Butter Sauce are served with Belgian fries at Cafe Brussels, 1718 Houston Ave.

Ave. Dining options: Dine-in, takeout Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:309:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday,; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 5:30-10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 5:30-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Entrée prices: $10.50-$32 Kid-Friendly: Yes Senior Discount: No Alcohol: Yes Healthy Options: Salads, vegetables, some entrees Stars of the show: Mussels in Garlic Butter Sauce Rating: 4.5 out of 5 bites

Photo by Dan Greer The Flemish Beef Stew at Cafe Brussels, 1718 Houston Ave., is beerbraised and served in a roux along with fresh carrots.

Nibbles & Sips: New neighborhood bar coming to North Shepherd

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The Garden Oaks and Oak Forest area is getting a neighborhood-centric bar that has tentative plans to open this summer.

The Upside Pub is planning to open later this year at 3402 N. Shepherd Dr. in the spot formerly occupied by Tres Amigos Café y Cantina, according to a news release from the bar. The Upside Pub will be operated by husbandand-wife team Andy and Paige Lujan, who moved to Houston last year and founded the bar earlier this year.

The Upside Pub will offer food for lunch, dinner and late night in its 1,500-square foot spot that also has 300 square feet of patio space.

Among their offerings will be house-made queso and chicken wings, spiced boiled peanuts, a Texas version of Jersey diner fries, Northeast shrimp rolls and California burritos. There will also be 15 different types of beer as well as wine and liquor, the release said.

Board games and large format games will be among the entertainment options, while

Photo by Dylan McEwan Husband and wife team Andy and Paige Lujan are the owners and co-founders of The Upside Pub.

The Upside Pub will also show live sporting events.

“Every neighborhood deserves a neighborhood pub, and The Upside Pub is excited to welcome the residents of the GOOF greater neighborhood through our doors,” Paige Lujan said. “What sets a pub apart is its ability to encourage a sense of ownership from the community.

We want Upside Pub to serve a purpose for our neighborhood.”

For more information and to stay up-to-date on the

future opening, follow the bar on Instagram @theupsidepub or visit its website at upsidepub.com Chi’Lantro offers delivery ahead of Heights opening Chi’Lantro BBQ, a Korean-inspired barbecue food truck, is set to offer delivery to Houston-area neighborhoods beginning this week ahead of the opening of its first brick-and-mortar restaurant this summer at 1324 N. Shepherd Dr. in the Heights.

The food truck will be offering delivery to Midtown as well as the Heights and other Houston-area neighborhoods beginning Monday, April 11, according to a news release from the restaurant.

Customers can place their order online at chilantrobbq. com.

The restaurant’s menu will feature customizable rice bowls, salads and Ssäms (Korean for wrap), their signature Original Kimchi Fries, Korean fried chicken wings and Aguas Frescas, among other options, according to the restaurant.

“To me, Houston being one of the most creative and diverse cities in America

makes it the perfect setting for serving Korean BBQ cuisine approachable and fast,” owner Jae Kim said in the release. “As we get ready to open our first location in The Heights, I couldn’t wait to reintroduce ourselves to Houston, so we decided to start with offering delivery of our food ahead of our opening.

We are excited to be back in Houston and serving our beloved customers.”

Follow @LandanKuhlmann on Twitter

Photo courtesy Chi’Lantro BBQ Chi’Lantro BBQ will begin offering delivery to the Heights and other Houston neighborhoods next Monday ahead of its opening this summer at 1324 N. Shepherd Dr.

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$25 per Ticket

Tickets can be purchased from your favorite Houston Storm Player Each ticket includes: 2lbs of crawfish, potatoes, corn, sausage and drink BYOB your favorite drink and a chair

Page 8A • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • The Leader

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The Leader • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Page 1B

City considers paid leave for new parents

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Women who work for the City of Houston can take up to 12 weeks off after giving birth. But if they want to be paid during that period, they must use accrued personal days, sick days or vacation days.

And if they encounter complications during pregnancy and need to take time off before their child is born, they might need to dip into the aforementioned 12 weeks they are granted under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

That would leave those women with less time to spend bonding with their newborns, and after the 12 weeks of FMLA is up, they would be forced to again use accrued PTO if they needed to take a sick baby to the doctor or get their own treatment for conditions such as postpartum depression.

“Going through pregnancy and going through a very tough delivery, and then struggling with postpartum depression afterward, really opened my eyes to what so many other women experience,” said Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, a Heights-area resident who gave birth to her son, Slade, a little more than a year ago. “… This is very personal for so many of us.”

Kamin helped push for the creation of the Houston Women’s Commission last summer, and the group’s first set of recommendations called for the city to overhaul its policies for employees who are either pregnant or new parents – to give them more benefits and help with employee recruitment and retention. A proposed ordinance for paid parental leave along with paid leaves for both prenatal and infant wellness was created by Kamin, members of the commission and staffers in the city’s finance and human resources departments, and Mayor Sylvester Turner announced recently that he will place the item on the agenda at an upcoming city council meeting.

If the policy is adopted by the council, it will take effect May 14.

At that point, full-time city employees with at least six months’ tenure will be eligible for eight weeks of paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child, with that benefit increasing to 12 weeks on Sept. 1, 2023. Those employees also could take up to 160 hours of paid prenatal leave, for healthcare related to pregnancy, as well as 40 hours of paid infant wellness leave during the child’s first year.

The proposed benefits would be available to both men and women who become parents and would not come with an additional cost to the city, according to a Frequently

DIRECTORY Chiropractic Care

NORTHWEST CHIROPRACTIC George G. Junkin, D.C. D.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist 11500 NW Frwy - Suite 201 Houston, Texas 77092 Tel: 713-686-0828 www.drjunkin.com Internal Medicine

Dr. Jaclyn Harrison Heights Health Tower 1900 North Loop West Suite 580 713-714-5376 www.whiteoakmedicalassociates.com Obstetrics / Gynecology

DR. STEPHANIE FULTON Stephanie Fulton, M.D. 1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com

Contributed photo Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin embraces her son, Slade, after he was born in March of last year.

Asked Questions document provided by Turner’s office, which said the paid leaves would come out of already-budgeted personnel costs.

Kamin said she would not be eligible, because council members are considered part-time employees of the city.

“This is for all the city employees that have spoken with me, spoken with colleagues or their supervisors and who have spoken out about how important this is for them and what this means for them,” Kamin said. “And my hope is that our private sector partners will look at this as an opportunity to match or go even further beyond what the City of Houston is doing.”

Women’s commission chairperson Beth Matusoff Merfish, a Woodland Heights resident and mother of two, echoed that sentiment in saying many Houston businesses do not offer 12 weeks of paid parental leave. She also said the proposed benefits for prenatal and infant wellness would make the city a leader among its peers in terms of progressive and equitable leave policies for new mothers and fathers.

The proposed benefits would put the city in line with the state of Texas and Harris County in terms of its paid parental leave, according to Merfish, who said the state adopted such a policy last Sep-

Second COVID booster shots available throughout area

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The Houston Health Department and Harris County Public Health recently announced that those eligible for a second COVID-19 booster shot can receive one at any of their free vaccination clinics.

People over the age of 50 and certain immunocompromised individuals who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago are eligible for another booster shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, based on updated U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorization and guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to news releases from the city and county.

“Data show that protection from COVID-19 vaccination is waning over time for older and immunocompromised people,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the city. “It’s vital for these groups, who are at increased risk of getting seriously ill, to stay up to date with vaccination, and that now means a second booster.”

Both city and county sites have adopted the following COVID-19 guidelines: Residents 50 years of age and older may receive a Pfizer or Moderna second booster dose A second booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine may be administered to certain immunocompromised individuals 12

Preferred Health

tember. The county offered eight weeks of paid parental leave as of last year, increased that benefit to 10 weeks this year and will bump it up to 12 weeks next year, Merfish said.

“By offering paid parental leave, the City of Houston will be able to attract and retain top talent while supporting families and children,” Turner said in a news release about the proposed ordinance. “I am pleased with the recommended policy and am grateful to the Houston Women’s Commission for their work.”

Merfish said the commission’s

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Photo from Facebook Eligibility recently expanded for second COVID-19 booster shot, which are being administered by the city and county.

years of age and older at least four months after receipt of a first booster dose A second booster dose of the Moderna vaccine may be administered to certain immunocompromised individuals 18 years of age and older at least four months after the first booster dose Additionally, the county said adults 18-49 years of age who received a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 primary dose and booster dose at least four months ago may now receive a second booster dose using mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).

There were nearly 14,000 COVID active cases in Houston and Harris County as of Tuesday afternoon, according to county data, with 782 of them coming from the six zip codes covered by The Leader

– 77007, 77008, 77009, 77018, 77091 and 77092. The 77009 zip code – which includes Woodland Heights, Sunset Heights and Northside – had the most active cases in the area with 264 as of Tuesday, while the Greater Heights (77008) had the second-most active cases with 142.

Vaccinations are free at all city and county-sponsored sites. City vaccination sites can be found at HoustonHealth.org or by calling 832393-4220. Residents can register for their COVID-19 vaccine or booster doses at Harris County sites by calling 832-927-8787 or visiting Harris County Public Health’s vaccine registration page at publichealth.harriscountytx. gov/Resources/2019-NovelCoronavirus/Register-for-COVID-19-Vaccine.

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Page 2B • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • The Leader

Pre- and probiotics can benefit health

By Shana Tatum RD, LD, IFMCP www.shanatatumrd.com

Did you know there are close to 100 trillion microorganisms living within us?

Can you even begin to understand how many that is?

100,000,000,000,000.

That is a lot! Scientists say we are more bacterial DNA than we are human.

So, it stands to reason, if we have this many microorganisms living inside, most must confer some health benefits, right?

What are probiotics?

The definition of a probiotic is a viable microorganism that can alter the host environment.

Usually, we think of probiotics as yogurts or some fermented or cultured food.

Perhaps you are reminded of sauerkraut or kimchi or even beer, bread, wine and cheese.

Cultures around the globe have offered some type of fermented or cultured food as mainstay ingredients. Most of these provide beneficial microorganisms that we ingest and that present health

Tatum

benefits.

Bacteria and yeast can help us digest our food, provide support for our immune system by attacking diseasecausing cells, affect brain function and even produce vitamins such as Vitamin K necessary for adequate blood clotting.

How were they discovered?

They were first observed by a few different scientists.

Over 100 years ago, Russian Elie Metchnikoff suggested the idea that the bacteria in the gut can be altered with

beneficial strains replacing the opportunistic ones. His work focused on the colon and how these toxic factors could increase the aging process. He promoted the idea of drinking sour milk and named it Bulgarian Bacillus that today we know as Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Henry Tissier of the Pasteur Institute studied how the microbiome of breastfed infants harbored more Bifidobacteria compared to formula-fed infants that suffered from diarrhea.

Probiotics have become so popular that one review from the 2012 NHIS showed that 4 million adults in the United States were taking a probiotic supplement. Its use has quadrupled from 2007-12. It is reported to be a $6 billion business. For good reason, more and more studies are looking at certain strains that successfully treat specific conditions.

What do they do?

Two strains that show up consistently in the research are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

They have been shown to

prevent antibiotic-resistant diarrhea, including the hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile, and they can prevent sepsis in infants, treat periodontal disease and help ulcerative colitis patients prevent flares. Treating allergic rhinitis and urinary tract infections are other areas where specific probiotic species and strains can be helpful. They have even been shown to upregulate genes.

It is proposed that they do this by strengthening the function of the intestinal barrier. The integrity of the lining of the intestinal tract is what protects it from the outside world. It must be permeable enough to absorb nutrients but not too leaky to allow pathogens to migrate to the blood stream.

Are they safe?

Just like other supplements, most probiotics are not regulated and do not require the FDA to approve.

Some supplements are available in the form of capsules or powders. They also may be in creams, lotions or suppositories. Those who may be high risk due to compromised

immune systems should always check with their healthcare provider.

What to consider?

A combination of different strains in the species Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have appeared the most in the research: Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lactobacillus casei Lactobacillus plantarum Bifidobacterium bifidum Bifidobacterium longum Bifidobacterium lactis Bifidobacterium breve Beneficial yeast is particularly helpful with antibioticresistant diarrhea or when recovering from food poisoning that leads to diarrhea symptoms: Saccharomyces boullardi With less research but becoming more popular are spore-based probiotics: Bacillus indicus Bacillus subtilis Bacillus coagulans Bacillus licheniformis Bacillus clausii How to support?

Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that confer health benefits by se-

lectively inducing the growth of probiotic species. This is fiber in our diet. A diet rich on fiber is likely home to a balanced ecology of beneficial bacteria and yeast. Fiber can be found in many delicious foods: beans, legumes, oats, berries, garlic, bananas and artichokes, to name a few favorites.

Other sources of fiber in the diet: 1 large pear with skin (7 grams) 1 cup fresh raspberries (8 grams) ½ medium avocado (5 grams) 1 ounce almonds (3.5 grams) ½ cup cooked black beans (7.5 grams) 3 cups air-popped popcorn (3.6 grams) 1 cup cooked pearled barley (6 grams) Always consult your healthcare professional before beginning a probiotic.

Keeping a diet high in fiber and enjoying fermented and cultured foods will be good assurance for a more robust microbiome.

Explore ways to expose kids to gardening Amy Williams

G

arden uru

Dear Garden Guru, My youngest child has shown interest in planting flowers. We are new to gardening and are looking for something that is easy, attractive and won’t break the bank. Any suggestions?

Sincerely, Flower Child

Dear Flower Child, Two of my favorite things in a garden are flowers and children. Watching them bloom together always brings happiness.

Sunflowers are my go-to flower for kids to plant in the garden. The seeds are quite large, making it easy for little fingers to grasp, and any that are dropped are easy to spot.

An added bonus to sunflowers is the wide varieties of colors and sizes in which they come. Mammoth Sunflowers can grow 12feet tall, producing a head 10-12 inches wide, which provides edible seeds that may be harvested or left for the squirrels and birds as a snack.

Autumn Beauty mix is

a good choice for kids to plant as well. This variety produces blooms in a beautiful range of autumn hues in as little as 60 days. If you are working with a smaller space, dwarf varieties, such as Sunspot, do well in containers and provide edible flower petals.

Zinnias are another great, colorful choice. I recommend planting a few different types such as State Fair Mix, Peppermint Stick, Candy Cane or a giant double variety. With their bright colors, Zinnias are showstoppers in the garden and provide much-needed food for beneficial pollinators.

Zinnias will drop seeds in the garden providing new plants year after year, which is always a fun surprise in

years, according to Merfish, who said robust leave policies related to pregnancy and childbirth also help combat the rising cost of delivering a baby.

Kamin and Merfish both said financial factors might cause pregnant women to report to work even if they are not feeling well and, after a child is born, might force them to go back to work sooner than they would like.

Once the paid parental leave policy was drafted, and it became clear that it

could eliminate the need for parents to make hard decisions like that, Merfish said it was a “very moving, tearyeyed moment” for the mothers who were involved in the process.

“No one should have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of yourself or your family,” Kamin said.

“It’s important that the very people that have dedicated their lives to public service and serving the City of Houston know that they matter.”

Leave, fro m P. 1B initial charge from Turner was to address gender disparities that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the proposed policy does just that. She said maternal mortality rates increased by about 40 percent nationwide from 2019 to 2020, in part because pregnant women were less likely to receive regular prenatal care after the onset of the pandemic.

Women account for about 70 percent of job losses in the U.S. during the last two

the spring. The flower petals are edible and commonly used in teas or as a colorful addition to salads.

A pollinators’ garden is always a fun project for kids.

You can find premixed seed packets with various flower and herb seeds that will grow rather quickly. The blooms attract butterflies and bees, along with herbs, such as dill, that play host to the swallowtail caterpillars.

My company, Underhill Urban Farm Co., has a Wildflower Kit available at Tanoholics Anonymous right here in Oak Forest at 2107 W. 43rd St. It has everything you need to start a beautiful flower garden, including the above-mentioned seeds and more. It’s great for big and small spaces, and a resource

Contributed photo A Wildflower Kit from Underhill Urban Farm Co. can be purchased at Tanoholics Anonymous, 2107 W. 43rd St.

for beginner gardeners.

See you in the garden!

Do you have questions for the Garden Guru? Email Amy at underhillurbanfarmco@

gmail.com. Also visit underhillurbanfarmco.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @UnderhillUrbanFarmCo.

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She is a graduate of the University of Texas and completed residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center where she was a Chief Resident.

Dr. Fulton volunteers as part of the health team ministry of her church.

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Dr. Jaclyn Harrison, M.D. Board Certified Internal Medicine Dr. Jaclyn Harrison, a board certified internal medicine physician, has opened a new primary care/internal medicine practice, White Oak Medical Associates in the Heights.

She believes patients deserve their doctor’s focused attention, personalized care, and is devoted to compassionate, effective treatment for her patients.

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The Leader • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • Page 3B

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL ROUNDUP

St. Thomas snaps losing streak in convincing fashion

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The St. Thomas High School baseball team has fallen on hard times in recent weeks, but the Eagles are hoping recent performances can help turn the tide as they enter the second half of district play.

St. Thomas swept two games from Katy St. John XXIII last week, snapping a four-game losing streak. They defeated the Lions 10-3 on Saturday before winning a 13-6 decision on Tuesday.

Jacob Cueva, Caleb Davis and Sam Mahlberg each had two hits for St. Thomas (10-131, 2-4 district) as part of a 12hit attack on Saturday. Adam

Equale had three RBIs, while Davis and Gavin Ernst drove in two runs apiece.

Jaden Deshautelle, Jack Hanks, and Matt Stevens all drove in two runs apiece for the Eagles on Tuesday Other baseball action Booker T. Washington has won four straight games after sweeping a pair of district games from Wheatley last week, moving to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in District 23-4A. Jordan Vidal was the star of the game in a 16-7 win on March 30, pounding out three hits and reaching base five times while driving in five runs. Erick McCoy also had two RBIs in that game, while Vidal and Fabian Castillo had two hits apiece in

a 7-6 win on Saturday.

The Heights Bulldogs have won six straight games to open District 18-6A competition following a pair of wins over Houston Math, Science, and Tech last week. They defeated the Tigers 13-4 on March 29, then won 7-1 on April 1. They also defeated Humble by a score of 15-4 in a non-district game on Monday. R.J. Robinson had two hits for Heights (12-5-1, 6-0) in the March 29 contest against Houston Math, Science, and Tech, while Charlie Maddux and Paul Smith had two hits apiece on April 1.

Scarborough is 3-7 on the season and 3-4 in District 234A following a split with North Forest last week. The Spartans

lost 8-3 on March 30 before bouncing back with a 9-4 victory on Saturday to snap a threegame losing streak.

Cason Evans hit a three-run home run for St. Pius X against Kinkaid on March 29, but it wasn’t enough as the Panthers lost 7-6. The Panthers also lost 4-1 to Beaumont Kelly Catholic on Saturday despite Evans’ 11 strikeouts in 5.1 innings and an RBI double from Kyle Winkler.

Ethan McMinn also had two hits in the loss to Kinkaid.

SPX (9-8-1, 2-3) was scheduled to play Beaumont Kelly again on Tuesday night.

Softball In public school action, Booker T. Washington split two games last week, beating Kash-

mere 23-1 on March 29 before losing 10-0 to Wheatley on Saturday. The Lady Eagles are 7-3 on the season and are scheduled to play Furr on Friday.

Heights’ Lady Bulldogs split a pair of games, beating Westside 17-3 on March 29 before dropping a 4-3 decision to Atascocita in a nondistrict contest on Saturday.

Sophomore Haylie Jaime was the standout against Westside, homering twice and driving in three runs as part of the Lady Bulldogs’ 14-hit attack. Ariel Garza and Rubi Benavides had two RBIs for Heights (18-10, 5-3) against Westside, while pitcher Sarah Salas had six strikeouts in three innings of work in the circle.

On the private school side, the Lutheran High North Lady Lions got some standout performances in spite of a 17-10 loss to Legacy Christian Academy on March 29. Sarah Mattern led the way for LHN with three hits and three RBIs, and Lauren Vela had three hits and drove in two runs. Jade Jao and Sydney Siptak each had two hits, while Audrey Stanberry had two RBIs of her own and Jao stole three bases.

St. Pius X’s Lady Panthers dropped a 9-5 decision to St. Agnes Academy on March 29, but bounced back with a 16-0 win over Concordia Lutheran on Tuesday to improve to 8-12 on the season

Scarborough soccer season ends with shootout loss

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Scarborough High School boys soccer coach Brandon Williams said he never doubted his team would put up a fight Friday against Stafford.

However, Scarborough’s efforts were not enough to keep its season alive. Its playoff run came to an end Friday night at Delmar Stadium, where Scarborough lost to Stafford 3-2 in penalty kicks (8-7) in their Region III-4A quarterfinal matchup.

Scarborough finished the 2022 campaign with a 19-2-2 overall record and was denied the program’s first regional semifinal berth.

“We’ve been in this same scenario before, and we’ve come back to win,” Williams said after the game. “I knew we were going to be in it the whole time, and they had the belief the whole way. Unfortunately, we just weren’t able to score enough goals.”

After trailing 2-1 entering the halftime break, Scarborough got a goal from senior striker Anthony Lemus to draw even in the 54th minute, and had the momentum for much of the second half with constant pressure in Stafford’s defensive end.

However, Scarborough was unable to get the tiebreaking tally during regulation and two, 10-minute overtime peri-

ods. It eventually succumbed to Stafford – a traditional Class 4A contender making its fourth regional semifinal appearance in six seasons – after two rounds of penalty kicks.

“I’m super proud of how they fought back the entire team, and didn’t give up,” Williams said. “They were really tired, but they kept fighting.”

Lemus scored both goals for Scarborough, while Daniel Torres and Jonathan Rincones scored in regulation for Stafford.

Despite the loss, it was arguably one of the best seasons in program history for Scarborough, which won a second consecutive District 23-4A championship. The regional

quarterfinal berth matched the school’s deepest playoff run, with its last regional quarterfinal appearance coming in 2015.

And even though the season ended sooner than they wanted, Williams said there is still plenty to celebrate for his players – especially the seven seniors who are set to graduate.

“I just hope that when they reflect back on these times when they’re older, they look back with fondness,” he said.

“Yeah, this memory hurts right now – but hopefully they can reflect on their whole four years and understand what great accomplishments they had.”

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Diego Argueta attempts to control the ball for Scarborough during last Friday’s regional quarterfinal match against Stafford at Delmar Stadium. Scarborough lost in penalty kicks.

SPX’s Page shines at TAPPS state tennis tournament

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

St. Pius X High School can say it has one of the best private-school tennis players in Texas.

Senior Jefferson Page shined during the TAPPS 6A boys singles tournament Monday and Tuesday at the Waco Regional Tennis Center, finishing as a state semifinalist. He defeated Joshua Saland of Dallas Parish Episcopal (7-5, 6-0) and Marcos Gonzalez of El Paso Cathedral High School (6-0, 6-0) in straight sets to reach the semifinals before falling to eventual state runner-up Jake Vo of Plano John Paul II in straight sets (7-5, 6-4).

It was the culmination of a stellar high school career for Page, who

will be playing in college at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. The senior qualified for the state tournament all four years at SPX and was a two-time all-state selection.

Page went 5-0 during the 2022 regular season, his third straight undefeated regular season, with his only loss prior to the state tournament coming in a tiebreaker during the district tournament final. He also has a 4.2 GPA, the school said, and was an academic all-state selection. “(Jefferson) is a grinder on the court, a hard worker who dominates from the baseline but also has a great serve and can rush the net when he needs to,” head coach James Cowan IV said. “He … exhibits great sportsmanship, having become a leader on and off the court.”

Contributed photos St. Pius X High School senior Jefferson Page, at left and at right with coach James Cowan IV, ended his high school career by placing as a state semifinalist in the TAPPS 6A boys singles state tournament earlier this week in Waco.

To shave or not to shave

Dear Tabby, With the warm weather approaching, we’ve been thinking about getting our dog shaved to make him more comfortable in the summer and also to reduce the shedding. Is this the best thing to do for our dog?

Should We Shave in Shepherd Park Plaza Dear Should We Shave, For humans, the last thing you want in the heat of sum-

mer is to have a bunch of extra hair sticking to your sweaty skin and making you feel hotter and itchier than ever, but for dogs, the same isn’t necessarily true. Many people feel as though shaving their dogs down during the summer will make them feel better. For some types of dogs this might be true, but for many others, it’s ill advised.

Fur coats provide protection Even though it might seem counterintuitive, a dog’s fur coat can often help to keep him cooler in the warmer months. When you shave the coat of your dog, you’re not only eliminating the coat that helps him to regulate his body temperature, but you’re also making him vulnerable to sunburn.

A little grooming is good This is not to say that you shouldn’t groom your dog at all--absolutely, consider trimming your dog’s fur to help keep him tidy. For instance, if you have a very fluffy dog, you might have noticed hair growing between his toes. A dog has sweat glands on its toes and when this sweat evaporates, it helps to cool down your pooch. Experts recommend keeping your fluffy dog’s feet trimmed so that he can stay cooler in the summer. Also, with less fur on their feet, your dog is less likely to get matted feet, which can pose a health hazard and make walking uncomfortable for your dog.

Whether you decide to trim your dog’s fur or not, with a little extra care this summer, you can ensure that your dog

is healthy and comfortable as the temperatures soar and that will help you both to have a much cooler summer.

Did you know?

CAP (Citizens and Animal Protection) is hosting an adoption event through Sunday with 50 percent off adoption fees! This event is sponsored

by West Houston Subaru and is held in conjunction with North Shore Animal League.

Head down to CAP and see if your new best friend is there waiting for you. The adoption fee includes full vetting as well as spay/neuter, so you can drive home with a completely “turn-key” new pet! Now, that’s a great way to start your springtime!

Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabbyquestions@gmail.com.

Pet of the Week Meet Barney Barney is a 1-year-old Boxer mix who was found as a stray but has quickly adjusted to the good life in rescue. Barney enjoys car rides, walks well on a leash and is housebroken. With a little time and patience, Barney will become the best addition to your family. To learn more about Barney, as well as the 50 percent off Tour for Life 2022 adoption event being held this week, contact CAP at www.cap4pets.org.

FAMILY OWNED

LONG STANDING MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN FOREST WEST SHOPPING CENTER Take Outs Available!

So Order Your Lunch or Dinner and Leave the Rest To Us! Come In or Call To Order!

Mexican Restaurant

5305 Antoine @ Pinemontt 53 713-682-3853

OPEN 111:00 AM - 8:00 PM Everyday But Tuesdays Every

Page 4B • Saturday, April 9, 2022 • The Leader

4th Wall bringing back show from 2020

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A theater company in the area is bringing back a show whose run was previously cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

4th Wall Theatre Company, 1824 Spring St. Studio 101, will be performing “Between Riverside and Crazy,” written

by Stephen Adly Guirgis, beginning May 13. The company was the first to debut the show in Houston in March 2020, but was forced to stop production due to the local onset of

the pandemic, according to a news release from the theater.

“This new American classic follows a retired NYC cop fighting down forces much larger than himself from within a collapsing, rent-controlled apartment,” the release said.

“Swirling around him are a host of larger-than-life characters sure to captivate audiences.”

The show, which is approximately two hours in length, will run through June 4. Evening performances will be at 7:30 p.m., while Sunday matinees will start at 3 p.m.

Tickets for the show start at $17 and are available to purchase online at www.4thwalltheatreco.com or by calling 832-767-4991.

Masks are encouraged, the theater says, but not required for attendance.

For more information about 4th Wall Theatre Company and to purchase subscriptions or single tickets, community members can visit the its website at 4thwalltheatreco.com or follow @4thWallHouston on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Theatre Suburbia debuting new show April 15

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A local volunteer playhouse will debut its newest show later this month.

Theatre Suburbia will showcase “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody” at the theater, 5201 Mitchelldale St. Suite A-3, beginning April 15. It will run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through May 14, with two Sunday showings at 2 p.m. May 1 and May 8.

“This six-character comedy is a spoof of and love letter to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and to stage mysteries in general,” the theater said in a news release.

Tickets for the show begin at $18 for adults and $16 for students and seniors, while all Sunday matinee tickets are $16. Reservations are encouraged, the theater said, and can be made online at www.theatresuburbia.org or by calling 713-

Contributed photo Theatre Suburbia is presenting the debut of its newest production, “A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody,” beginning next Friday.

682-3525. Masks are optional but encouraged.

For more information on the show and on Theatre

Suburbia, visit its website at theatresuburbia.org.

Follow us on social media @FromTheLeader

Easter Saturday Family Event Photo by Gabriella Nissen “Between Riverside and Crazy” will return May 13 at 4th Wall Theatre Company, 1824 Spring St. Studio 101. The show originally began running in March 2020, but its production had been on hold until recently due to the coronavirus pandemic.

You are invited to celebrate HOLY WEEK with us @ St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church PALM SUNDAY worship @ 10:17 a.m.  Wave a palm branch as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem  April 10 MAUNDY THURSDAY event @ 7:00 p.m. commemorating the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples  April 14 GOOD FRIDAY worship @ 7:00 p.m.  Observe the day Jesus was crucified on the cross  April 15 EASTER SUNDAY, CHRIST IS RISEN!  SonRise worship @ 7:30 a.m. in the courtyard  Worship in the Sanctuary @ 10:17 a.m.  April 17

Saturday, April 16 10:30 to 12:30

Come Bloom With Us Bring your kids to our Easter egg hunt

ecorate the Cross with owers Share refreshments on the lawn Meet your neighbors in the community

He is Risen!

He is Risen Indeed! Hallelujah!

Gethsemane Lutheran Church 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

We invite you to worship with us!

4300 N. Shepherd Drive  713-697-0671 Email  office@stmatthewsmethodist.org

In-person & Facebook worship  facebook.com/StMatthewsUnitedMethodistChurch

Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org