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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, January 29, 2022 • Vol. 67 • No. 05
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Search for thief continues after Cadillac recovered By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
The Cadillac stolen from an auto repair shop in the Heights earlier this month was recovered by police. But the search for the man responsible for swiping the car in broad daylight – and using it to run over the technician who owns the shop – remains ongoing. The robbery division for the Houston Police Deparment on Tuesday posted surveillance video of the suspected car thief -
taken from a nearby convenience store on the morning of the aggravated robbery at Fixers Tire & Automotive - to its Facebook page. The man in the footage is bald with a dark complexion and a tattoo on the back side of his right leg, just below the knee, and was wearing a light gray T-shirt, dark gray cargo shorts and black shoes at the time. “I hope somebody recognizes him and he gets caught,” said Crina Micu, whose 65-year-old husband, Tarfin, owns the auto shop at 147 E. 11th St. and is
View surveillance video at TheLeaderNews.com
recovering from multiple injuries sustained during the Jan. 14 robbery. Three people were inside the stolen candy apple red Cadillac when HPD officers tracked it down the night of Jan. 21 and forced the driver to veer into a ditch at the intersection of Woodvine Drive and Jalna Street in the Spring Branch area, according to
HPD spokesperson John Cannon, who said officers believed the vehicle had been tied to a series of robberies in the northwest part of town. Cannon said all three people were questioned and released at the scene, however. “That pisses me off so badly,” Crina Micu said. “Obviously, somebody knew what’s going on in that car.” Still, Micu and the owner of the 2012 Cadillac CTS, Fixers Photo from Facebook customer and First Ward resident The man in this surveillance Michael McKiernan, said police footage is suspected of being See Fixers P. 5A
Trees, please
involved in a Jan. 14 robbery.
Man accused of stabbing K-9 arrested again three days later By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
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Preview party. Memorial Park’s new Land Bridge will be unveiled to the city on Feb. 5.
Page 4A
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann A community member plants a tree Saturday during an Arbor Day event hosted by the City of Houston at Montie Beach Park. Volunteers helped to plant 1,000 trees at Montie Beach Park last Saturday as part of an effort to further beautify the park.
City celebrates Arbor Day with local tree-planting event By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Art and aviation. Eva Konopka is an avid aviator whose artwork is inspired by her flights.
Page 7A
Soccer shootout. St. Thomas and St. Pius X recently renewed their rivalry on the pitch.
Eddie and Jennifer Gatica make numerous weekly trips to Montie Beach Park with their young son and have experienced its serenity and beauty. So when they heard about a recent project meant to add to the park’s amenities for future generations, it made too much sense to take part in it. “We use the park so much, and see so many people investing in it. Especially with the pandemic, this has become like our backyard,” Jennifer Gatica said. “It’s been really exciting to see people want to improve upon it, because it’s just invaluable.” The Gaticas were among hundreds of volunteers who came out to Montie Beach Park, 915 Northwood St., last Saturday to celebrate Arbor Day with the planting of 1,000 trees in existing open green space. Partners from the City of Houston, Texas A&M Forest Service and more joined with community volunteers from around the city as part of Houston’s 36th annual Arbor Day celebration.
See Stabbing P. 5A
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Evan Compean, a member of the Montie Beach Civic Club, speaks during an Arbor Day tree-planting event held last Saturday.
See Trees P. 5A
Photo from Twitter HPD police dog Nate, pictured above, was stabbed in pursuit of a suspect in the Heights last week.
Realtor Hartman remembered as fun-loving family man
Page 4B
By Adam Zuvanich
azuvanich@theleadernews.com
THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons................................................... 4B Food/Drink............................................. 7A Opinion..................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A Sports......................................................... 4B
A man accused of stabbing a police dog in the Heights area last weekend also is a person of interest in the subsequent death of his father, according to Kevin Deese of the Houston Police Department. Ryan Mitchell Smith, 26, was arrested early Jan. 22 and charged with interfering with a police service animal as well as robbery with bodily injury, both felonies, for his suspected role Smith in the incident, according to Harris County court records, which show he also was charged with misdemeanor evading arrest. Smith was released from jail Jan. 23 on a bond paid by his family, according to Deese, who said Smith’s father was found dead Tuesday at the West Houston residence where Smith was suspected of having gone after his release from jail. Deese said officers allegedly spotted Smith in his father’s vehicle and parked near the residence in the 14700 block of Carolcrest Drive,
Bill Hartman
Bill Hartman made a memorable impression on many of the people who met him, at least partly because of his affable nature and fun-loving personality. He was quick to tell a joke or give a friend a hard time, usually while wearing an easy smile. The longtime local resident, who died Jan. 19 at age 90, also made a serious impact on his family and the community he called home. Hartman owned a successful real estate business for 25 years, paving the way for two of his children and one of his grandchildren to enter the
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profession, was a deacon at church and served local kids by coaching youth baseball and softball. He was especially beloved and cherished by his family, which includes four children, nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. “I want him to be remembered as a good man who loved the Lord and was a great father,” said Hartman’s wife of 66 years, Ailene. “I’m going to add, he was a great husband,” said one of his daughters, Janet Schmidt. Bill and Ailene Hartman met at church
when the latter was a high school student in the Heights, got married in 1955 and then spent only a few nights away from each other while building a real estate career together and raising a family in the Heights, Shepherd Forest, Timbergrove and Shepherd Park Plaza, where Bill lived the last 22 years of his life. He owned a Century 21 real estate brokerage from 1974-99 – with he and Ailene both working for the business – and kept his real estate license active until just a few years ago. Among Hartman’s clients was former See Hartman P. 5A
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Man accused of murdering teen outside local Whataburger By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Police have arrested a man suspected of shooting and killing a teenager outside a local fast-food restaurant last week, according to the Houston Police Department. Darius Sims, 27, has been charged with murder in connection to the shooting, according to police. HPD said the victim, 19-year-old Daniel Thompson, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Sims and
Sims
Thompson got into an argument outside the Whataburger at 13270 Northwest Fwy., at some point during which Sims allegedly pulled out a gun and fatally shot Thompson. Sims then allegedly fired shots toward one of Thompson’s family members, who returned fire and hit Sims in the leg, according to HPD. Sims then allegedly fled the scene and was found a short time later being treated at a local hospital, according to police.
HFD extinguishes warehouse fire containing radioactive material By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
An Oak Forest-area warehouse where radioative material is located caught fire the morning of Jan. 12, prompting the Houston Fire Department to request its Hazardous Materials Unit, but the department said it extinguished the blaze before it spread to that part of the building. Arson investigators determined the fire started in the back of a pickup truck used as a mobile X-ray unit, which
Two arrested in Heights on gun possession charges By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Two people, including a man facing multiple felony charges, were arrested on gun charges in the Heights after a Jan. 18 traffic stop, according to the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. Joe Williams, 42, has been charged with felon in possession of a weapon, and 33-year-old Amanda Winkleman faces a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully carrying a weapon, according to Harris County court records. Williams remained jailed as of Wednesday morning on a
Williams
Winkleman
$200,000 bond, according to court records, which also show he is accused of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver as well as evading arrest in 2018, felon in possession of a firearm in 2020 and aggravated
robbery with a deadly weapon in 2021. Williams also faces a misdemeanor theft charge from 2019, court documents show. He was convicted of aggravated robbery in 1997 and evading arrest in both
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2007 and 2011, according to court records. Winkleman faces a related felony charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon from 2021, according to court records, which show she is out of jail on a $5,000 bond. The constable’s office said Williams and Winkleman were in a Dodge truck that deputies stopped near the intersection of Durham Drive and Loop 610 just after 12:30 a.m. Jan. 18. Both were arrested after a loaded gun was allegedly discovered inside the truck, according to the constable’s office.
damaged the nearby warehouse at 10810 Northwest Fwy. HFD said nobody was reported injured in the fire, which caused an estimated $70,000 in damage to the warehouse. Crews responded to the warehouse just after 6 a.m. Jan. 12 to find heavy smoke coming from the building, according to HFD, which said its firefighters made a quick stop of the fire and ventilated the building. HFD said the cause of the fire was attributed to a failure of equipment or heat source.
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Tow truck driver killed Man found shot to death at in local hit-and-run Acres Homes apartment By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A tow truck driver was struck and killed by a car while trying to load a disabled vehicle along U.S. 290 last weekend, according to the Houston Police Department. HPD said he identity of the victim, a 33-year-old man, was pending verification by Harris County medical examiner. Police said the tow truck driver was in the process of loading a disabled car on the eastbound shoulder of 290 around 2 a.m. last Saturday,
Jan. 22 when he was hit by a passing car of unknown make and model. The driver of the car fled the scene without stopping, according to HPD, and the tow truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they did not have a description of the driver of the car that struck the tow truck driver. Anyone with information in this case or about the identity of the wanted driver is asked to contact HPD’s Hit-and-Run unit at 713-247-4072 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A man died after being shot multiple times outside an Acres Homes apartment complex over the weekend, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said the victim, a 32-year-old man whose identity was pending verification by Harris County medical examiner, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers responded to the Lincoln Park apartment complex at 790 W. Little York Rd.
just after 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23 to find the victim unresponsive outside a car in the complex’s parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. According to police, there was a fight that broke out between the victim and multiple people that led to him being shot. The suspected shooter or shooters then fled the scene, according to HPD. Anyone with information in the incident is urged to contact HPD’s Homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • Page 3A
Fight domestic violence by supporting local initiative By Dennis Woodward woodward_dennis@yahoo.com
Editor’s note: The author of this guest column is a resident of Shepherd Park Plaza. There really are a lot of wonderful people in this world. Dolores Garza, my former neighbor, was one of them. She always had a kind word and would help those in need. I lived in an apartment complex below Dolores. Early in 1989, our mutual neighbor, Carla, was beaten by her husband. I was not aware that Carla had been beaten. Dolores helped Carla escape the violent relationship. Dolores was a newlywed in 1989. She was 39. She was pregnant with her first child. Neighbors were happy for her and threw a baby shower for her on a Saturday. The abuser had searched far and wide for many months for Carla, the woman that Dolores helped escape his abuse. He returned to confront Dolores months after she had
Dennis Woodward
helped Carla escape the relationship. Dolores, due that week to have her first child, was stabbed nine times and shot three times. I could not save her. I did assist in the apprehension of the man who murdered her on Sept. 6, 1989. He has been incarcerated since that day. However, closure is a myth. I will never be OK with my neighbor killing my other neighbor. For six years I was the only male volunteer in the Houston Area Women’s
Center shelter for battered and abused women. I have done my best to advocate for women and mothers since that day. The Vanessa Garza Domestic Violence Reduction Effort, a project I have started, is a continuation of that effort and aims to reduce the harm to families and women that live with the impact of domestic violence every day. You can join the effort by spreading information about it. I had plywood silhouettes made to represent those impacted by domestic violence. There are about a dozen silhouettes and it is the intent that these will be displayed standing in a group in a prominent public location. It is my hope that they will be moved to several locations and be displayed for a week or two in each location. The front of the silhouettes will have phrases on them that can be read from 20 feet away. The reverse side will have an 8.5-inch by 11-inch laminated sheet that tells
some of the story of the person or persons celebrated or memorialized.
The effort figures to gain more strength as people celebrate their escape or memorialize someone lost to domestic violence. If you or someone you know has escaped a violent relationship or situation, then perhaps you want to celebrate that by writing a phrase on one of the silhouettes. If someone you love was killed by an abuser, then perhaps you want to memorialize them. You could put your words, or the words of a person that lost their life on the front of one of these silhouettes. You could then write a little about the person to let us know who is no longer here. It is my hope that people will see this display and either escape an abuser; or, leave a relationship if they are the abuser. It is clear and obvious to me that men suffer abuse as well. This effort may someday include them. However, this first group of silhouettes will not include them. If you would like to memorialize someone lost to do-
mestic violence with one of these silhouettes, please contact me at woodward_dennis@yahoo.com or through Facebook at the Vanessa Garza Domestic Violence Reduction Effort. Please contact me if you would like to participate by celebrating your escape from a violent act or relationship by putting words on one of these silhouettes. At this point you might be wondering who Vanessa Garza is. Vanessa is Dolores’ baby that was delivered via emergency cesarean section on the day her mother died. Vanessa lived 24 hours and is buried with her mother at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. The silhouette to memorialize Dolores will have these words written on the front: “Her baby shower was Saturday. He killed her Wednesday. Her baby lived for 24 hours.” I also will write a little bit about Dolores on an 8.5-by-11 sheet of paper and laminate it to put on the back of the silhouette.
Endangered Species: The Paper Tigers Let’s check the headlines: “Murderer Says Detective Ruined His Reputation.” -- Henderson, Nevada Times News. “Man Kills Himself and Runs Away.” – Daily Mail. “Forecasters call for weather on Monday” – Pittsburgh PostGazette. “Amphibious pitcher makes debut” – Associated Press. Also from the AP: “Miracle cure kills fifth patient.” Finally, “Man accused of killing lawyer gets new attorney.” – Albuquerque Sun Lawyers call their mistakes “inmates.” Doctors refer to theirs as “corpses” while diplomats refer to their botchups as “wars.” Journalists show their mistakes before everyone, and make corrections a part of their daily (or weekly) humiliations. But it’s getting a bit dicey for the ink-stained wretches, which brings us to a Mexican journalist, López Arévalo. According to the New Yorker, on the evening of last October 28th, as Arevalo was unloading a case of avocados from the trunk of his car, an assassin walked up behind him, shot him at the base of his skull, and sped off on a motorbike. On that same day, another Mexican journalist, Alfredo Cardoso, was pulled from his home in Acapulco and shot five times. Cardoso’s death raised the number of Mexican media workers killed in 2021 to at least nine and affirmed the country’s standing as one of the most dangerous places in the world to practice journalism. In the past 30 years, fewer than 10 percent of Mexico’s murder cases involving members of the press have resulted in prosecutions. “Barbershop singers bring joy to school for deaf.” A total of 45 journalists were killed worldwide in 2021, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has just reported. That is one less than the 46 killings of journalists given earlier by another media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, which noted that figure is its lowest-ever since starting its tallies in 1995. The toll included nine in Afghanistan, the highest number in a single country. Elsewhere, nine died in Mexico, four in India and three in Pakistan. UNESCO said that 55 journalists and media workers were killed around the world in 2021. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported a mere 24 journalists were killed last year, while another 18 died under mysterious circumstances as of last December 1. Kind of gives new meaning to journalists’ “deadline.” Since 1991, the IFJ recorded 2,721 murders of journalists around the world. This includes targeted
Lynn Ashby Columnist
killings, crossfire fatalities as well as bomb attacks. Then there was Jamal Kasogi, a Washington Post columnist, who reported on the shady side of the Saudi royal family. On Oct. 2, 2018, Kasogi was tortured, murdered and cut up with a chainsaw at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by agents of the Saudi government. “Parents keep kids home to protest school closure” Do any other professions keep track of the number of their colleagues who were murdered while pursuing their line of work? Is there a Committee to Protect Architects? The UN is considering adopting a new United Nations Convention for the Protection of Journalists. What about pediatricians, paralegals and plumbers? Incidentally, women journalists continue to be particularly at risk as they are subjected to “a shocking prevalence of harassment online,” UNESCO reported, citing data that showed that nearly threequarters of female media professionals surveyed had experienced violence linked to their work. There are also the jailings. A new CPJ report says the number of journalists who were behind bars worldwide reached a high last year: 293 reporters were imprisoned, an increase from 2020 when the number was 274. “Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons” We tend to think that these killings and jailings only take place in far-off, violent countries. In recent times, a bomb was sent to CNN (among others). Four reporters for The Capital in Annapolis, Maryland, were killed in a mass murder at the newspaper’s office. During the Capitol raid on January 6 of last year, Trump fans grabbed TV cameras and other journalists’ paraphernalia, probably including flasks of vodka – it was cold – and trashed them. Back in 2018 I wrote: Wouldn’t an angry letter to the editor do? No, not these days. I’ve been a journalist since 1962 and I have never seen such hated aimed – sometimes literally – at the Fourth Estate. Well, we deserve it. We continue to lie, distort and attempt to end America as we know it today. Nothing’s changed since then. “Diana was still alive hours before she died” Continuing my diatribe:
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The generator of this hatred can easily be traced to one person: President Donald Trump. He has seized this animosity, exploited it and pandered to people’s frustration about the economy, jobs, and his demagoguery is working wonderfully well -- the public’s opinion of the media is the lowest it’s ever been. Any facts contrary to his stated views are dismissed as “fake news.” Reporters and their news organizations are “pathetic,” “very dishonest,” “failing” and “a pile of garbage.” Journalists are slandered as “enemies of the people.” In those four years, it’s gotten worse. OK, why all the whining? Journalists taking the job knew that the pay would be lousy. But not many professions are receiving more and more insults and threats for simply doing their job, nor does the application form have a box: “Next of kin.” Right before D-Day in Europe,
correspondents were told to write their obituaries. Some were printed. In Washington, D.C. there was the Newseum, an exhibition given over to journalism. It just closed and is looking for a new location. It was a fun place filled with the Fourth Estates’ mistakes, stupid stories and erroneous headlines: “Dewey Defeats Truman.” Then there are the eyeglasses, pencil and notebook of Mark Kellogg. He was an AP reporter assigned to cover Custer at Little Bighorn, and, no, he wasn’t biased towards the Indians. There was a wall at the Newseum filled with the names of American journalists who were killed in the line of duty .The wall has room for more names. Stand by. “Study Shows Frequent Sex Enhances Pregnancy Chances” – The Winchester Star
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the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
aCrOss 1. Captain Ahab sailed this 4. Rugged rock or cliff 8. Statistical test 10. Wall angle 11. Irish river 12. Winged nut 13. Japanese animation 15. More flexible 16. Military slang 17. Strangle 18. ‘Taxi Driver’ star 21. Go quickly 22. Part of a play 23. European Economic Community 24. Woman (French) 25. Thai river 26. Golfers start here 27. Disgruntled 33. In an implied way 34. Actors appear in them 36. Hide
37. Small Italian village 38. Tropical grasshopper 39. Ladd is one 40. Clumsy 41. Scottish tax 42. Footballers wear them 43. Pigpen
dOwn 1. Curse 2. Brings home the bacon 3. Iron alloys 4. Conduct oneself 5. Commercial center of Venice 6. Share an opinion 7. Growl 9. British soldiers’ post-WWII clothes 10. Impulse 12. Last names 14. Midway between northeast and east
15. Car mechanics group 17. Ethiopian airport 19. Electrical instrument 20. Twitch 23. Not the hardest 24. Chinese dinosaur genus 25. Reflexes 26. Thick target yield 27. Cut a rug 28. Complete 29. Feet per second 30. Intestinal 31. Don Henley’s band 32. A hereditary ruler 33. Member of the mahogany family 35. Attractive and healthy (Scot.) 36. Holds necktie in place
WORD SCRAMBLE
Page 4A • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • The Leader
Water gushes onto 43rd after car crashes into fire hydrant By Adam Zuvanich
City Council member Abbie Kamin, who serves the area as part of District C. Jones said shortly after 10 a.m. Friday that she did not know if the gushing water caused any damage to nearby property. Nearby homes and business maintained water service but may have experienced lower-than-usual water pressure, according to Jones,
azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Houston police say a woman crashed a sports car into a fire hydrant late Thursday in Oak Forest, causing water to gush onto West 43rd Street near its intersection with Watonga Boulevard for several hours. The 20-year-old driver told police she hit a wet spot on the road in the residential area, lost control of her blue Dodge Charger and hit the hydrant in the 43rd Street median, according to Houston Police Department spokesperson Jodi Silva, who said the crash occurred at 11:50 p.m. Thursday in the 4300 block of 43rd. Silva said there were no injuries caused by the crash and the driver was not arrested, although the car had to be towed from the site. Silva said she did not know if any traffic citations had been
Photo from Twitter account of Courtney Fischer, ABC13 A vehicle collision with a fire hydrant late Thursday caused water to gush onto West 43rd Street near its intersection with Watonga Boulevard for several hours.
issued to the woman, deferring to Houston Municipal Court. “If alcohol or drugs had been a factor, she would have been arrested,” Silva said. “Apparently, she hit a wet spot on the road.”
Houston Public Works spokesperson Erin Jones said in a text message that the city dispatched workers to the crash site shortly after 8:30 a.m. to “stop the flow of water, make repairs and replace
the fire hydrant.” Jones said at about 11:25 a.m. that the gushing water had been shut off. The hydrant had been replaced and was operational by early Friday afternoon, according to a tweet by Houston
Memorial Park Land Bridge preview party set for Feb. 5 By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A major project at Memorial Park is nearing completion, and Houstonians can get a sneak peek at it next weekend. The Memorial Park Conservancy and partners from around the city will unveil Memorial Park’s new Land Bridge and Prairie Project during a preview party scheduled for 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 5 at 7575 Picnic Ln. The land bridge, consisting of two 35-foot-tall hills crossing over Memorial Drive, will serve as a major connector for Memorial Park users and wildlife between the north and south sides of the park. Attendees will get a chance to walk through and explore one of the project’s four tunnels before they open to vehicular traffic in the coming months. There will be two tunnels below each of the hills, one for each direction of travel, according to a news release from a representative of the Memorial Park Conservancy. The eastbound tunnels will
Courtesy of Nelson Byrd Woltz Residents will have a chance to tour part of the Memorial Land Bridge and Prairie project during a preview party event at Memorial Park this Saturday.
open in March, according to the news release, and all tunnels should be open to traffic by April. The land bridges above the tunnels will offering new gathering spaces for park users. “Together, the Land Bridge and Prairie comprise green infrastructure that will introduce a new 100-acre area for Houstonians to explore and enjoy, provide a safe crossing for park users, reconnect wild-
life corridors and help manage stormwater for the benefit of the city,” the release said. The Feb. 5 event will also have a live DJ, food trucks, giveaways and more. Free parking will be available in the Land Bridge & Tunnel parking lot, Cullen Running Trails Center parking lot, and on West Memorial Loop Drive. There will also be $1 parking for three-hour increments in the Clay Family Eastern
Glades parking lot and sports complex parking lot. In case of inclement weather Feb. 5, the event will be held at the same time Feb. 6. To find more information on the preview party, community members can visit the event page at memorialparkconservancy.org/visit/memorialpark-events/land-bridge-tunnel-preview-party/.
Man shot, killed outside Independence Heights apartment complex By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A man was shot multiple times and killed in the parking lot of an Independence Heights-area apartment complex last week, according to the Houston Police Depart-
ment. The victim’s identity was pending verification by the Harris County medical examiner. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. HPD said the victim pulled into a parking spot at the Ven-
tana Gardens Apartments, 5135 North Freeway, around 9:45 p.m. Jan. 19, where he was immediately shot multiple times through the window with a rifle by an unknown person. Police said the suspected shooter then fled the scene in
Woman killed in Langwood multi-car crash By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A woman died last weekend as the result of a multi-car crash in the Langwood area, according to the Houston Police Department. The identity of the 31-year-old woman was pending verification by the Harris County medical examiner, HPD said. Nobody else was reported seriously injured in the crash, according to police. Citing eyewitness reports, police said the woman was driving a silver Nissan Altima east on Hempstead Road when she ran a red light
at the intersection with Bingle Road and was struck by a burgundy Acura TL traveling north on Bingle. The collision caused the Acura to hit a green Toyota Highlander that was also heading north, HPD said, while the Nissan struck a green Ford F-150 pickup truck waiting for the light at the intersection of Bingle and Hempstead. The woman was later pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, according to HPD. HPD said an investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
What is Next? By Pastor Will Cover
Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org
A
re you prepared for the next big thing? Time is moving quickly and tensions around the world are continually on the rise. How can you be prepared for what is coming and how can you live each day with purpose? Should you just ignore the crazy and hope it all goes away, or should you respond to it in some way? I Thessalonians 5:3-10 says, “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore, let us
not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” What does this passage teach us? There is a lot here to learn from but the big idea is clear. Children of God should not be afraid because God is in control. God has given us work to do as we live by faith and show the love of Christ to those around us. Each day may bring new challenges, but God is in charge of it all. You may not understand what He is doing, but you can trust His character and know that if you are in Christ, you will ive together with Him someday!
a black Chrysler or Impala sedan in an unknown direction. Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact HPD’s Homicide division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
Local business is our business. Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com
who said a boil water notice was not issued for the area. Jones also said HPD was on hand Friday morning to control traffic as city crews worked at the site. HPD also asked nearby fire stations to prepare to have water on hand while the hydrant was out of order, in case there had been a need to fight fires in the area, she said.
This filing is required for consumer protection in order to enable customers to be able to identify the true owner of a business. Ikechukwu, Chioma Ngozi, Odili, Chioma, Ngozi, living at 12103 Fondren Bend Drive, Houston, Texas is the General Executrix/Ultimate Beneficial Owner Name PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 12103 FONDREN BEND DRIVE, HOUSTON, TX 77071, in the following Certificate of Assumed Name Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 333 to wit; CHIOMA NGOZI IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288327500022; CHIOMA NGOZI IKECHUKWU ESTATE filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288316900026; CHIOMA IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288331000029; CHIOMA N. IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288333400029; CHIOMA N IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288332100022; CHIOMA NGOZI ODILI filed on 01/18/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1289858800029; CHIOMA NGOZI ODILI ESTATE filed on 01/18/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1289858100025; CHIOMA ODILI filed on 01/18/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1289860400026; CHIOMA N. ODILI filed on 01/18/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1289860700022; CHIOMA N ODILI filed on 01/18/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1289860100020; ABIGAIL ONYINYE IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288352200020; ABIGAIL ONYINYE IKECHUKWU ESTATE filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288350800020; ABIGAIL IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288352900024; ABIGAIL O. IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288343300020; ABIGAIL O IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288340800027; CHELSEA CHINENYE IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288324700023; CHELSEA CHINENYE IKECHUKWU ESTATE filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good CHELSEA Standing 1288323300024; IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288349000020; CHELSEA C. IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288343500024; CHELSEA C IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288327300028; ANNABELLE CHINWE IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288311900021; ANNABELLE CHINWE IKECHUKWU ESTATE filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288300800025; ANNABELLE IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288314200020; ANNABELLE C. IKECHUKWU File 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288318000020; ANNABELLE C IKECHUKWU filed on 01/11/2022 Original File Number/Active and in Good Standing 1288317000029; NAMEHOLDER(S): Ikechukwu, Chioma Ngozi, Odili, Chioma Ngozi, Ikechukwu, Abigail Onyinye, Ikechukwu, Chelsea Chinenye, Ikechukwu, Annabelle Chinwe living at 12103 Fondren Bend Drive, Houston, Texas Republic, without the United States [77071-9998], united States of America and the nature of the said business is commerce.
CHURCH D I R E CTO RY Sunday
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St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA
Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, please check with each •church below..... for Morning Worship ............... 10:45am Worship (English) 10:00 updated am - 11:00am Bible Studies For Youth, Children • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm MANNA are information Wednesday about services and events. In-person services temporarily restricted. • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm and Adults............................ 6:15pm Sponsor 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470
1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577
Gethsemane Lutheran Church
St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA We invite you to worship with us!
Weekly Sunday Services
4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227
Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am
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Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.
MANNA 4QPOTPS
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Say a Prayer Today! 1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters
Candlelight Church of Christ
8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t Join us for Services Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40
Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Littleat: Children Please visit our website Sund Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor
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4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 2003 W. 43rdwww.lazybrookbaptistchurch.org St. ◆ 713-686-8241 ◆ s t s u m c . o r g for the following: Houston, TX 77092
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Wed Sunday Services: In-person @ 11 AM (Live stream during service) Bible Studies: From Homepage, click on • 713-864-1470 Connect/Small Groups
Gethsemane Lutheran Church Pastor Jerry McNamara 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227
We invite you to worship with us! Weekly Worship Services 9:00a.m. Online services can be reached through the website below at 9:00 am. www.gethsemanelutheran.org
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t goes with made mist err is hum this the next must learn fr to repeat them it can be hard can sometim We sometime we’ve done, for years, or addition, som our past. And them, we mu we should for the coming d as well as our them; that is, repeatedly m the phrase “fo the only way more divine, i the offense. vindictive, sh it! Corrie ten prison camp to realize that
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The Leader • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • Page 5A
Fixers, from P. 1A
Trees, from P. 1A
appear to be zeroing in on the car thief, who Micu previously described as a light-skinned, young Black man who was clean-cut and well-dressed. Micu said her husband identified the man in the surveillance footage as the one he had a conversation and subsequent altercation with during the robbery, which left Tarfin Micu with a shattered left foot and ankle as well as a broken right hip, broken rib and cracked vertebrae. “They think it’s a very good picture,” McKiernan said, citing police. “They said they were going to make a concerted effort through local media and Crime Stoppers to get this guy’s face out there.” HPD spokesperson Kese Smith said last week that police were describing the car thief only as a male, because of conflicting descriptive information they received from witnesses. Cannon said this week that the stolen vehicle was suspected of being used in a string of robberies, which prompted HPD officers to initiate a surveillance operation on the car once it was located. After the three people got into the car and starting driving it in the Spring Branch area, Cannon said, the officers maneuvered it off the road and detained the people inside. “They were detained, questioned and released,” Cannon said. “That doesn’t mean we won’t go back and talk to them (again) eventually. The case remains an ongoing investigation.” McKiernan said Tuesday that his Cadillac remains at an HPD impound lot and was “completely gutted,” and he expects his insurance company to declare it a total loss. He called the theft and corresponding assault of Tarfin Micu a “depraved indifference for human life,” adding that he initially was in disbelief when contacted by police. “The car’s insured. I’ll be fine,” McKiernan said. “It’s really this man and his family that I’m concerned about. … Tarfin and Crina are such lovely people.” The Micus, who are Romanian immigrants, opened the auto repair shop in 1993 and have a 14-year-old daughter. Tarfin is the sole mechanic at Fixers and the family’s primary breadwinner, according to Crina. She said her husband underwent surgery on his left ankle and foot on Jan. 15, the day after the robbery, and got out of the hospital Jan. 21, the same day the Cadillac – which Tarfin tried to stop from being stolen – was recovered. He was admitted to a rehabilitation facility the next day, Crina said. A GoFundMe account set up for the Micu family had raised more than $70,500 as of Wednesday morning. Donations can be made at https://www. gofundme.com/f/help-tarfin-and-ourbusiness-after-violent-crime. “If you have already shared your support with a donation or a prayer, we are eternally grateful,” Crina wrote in a Jan. 20 update on the page. “We continue to look forward to thanking each of you in the future.” Community members are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Houston if they have any information related to case. Information leading to the charging or arrest of any felony suspects may result in a cash payment up to $5,000. Tipsters must contact Crime Stoppers directly to remain anonymous and to be considered for a cash payment by calling 713-222-8477, submitting an online tip at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.
“What differentiates (Arbor Day) from other holidays is that many of them focus on the past. Arbor Day is all about the future,” said Houston city council member Karla Cisneros, whose District H includes Montie Beach. Jennifer Gatica, who teaches and leads the cheerleading squad at Waltrip High School, said she took part in a similar event in 2020 at T.C. Jester Park. So when she and her husband heard about the beautifying effort in their own backyard, it was one they couldn’t pass up. “It was really nice to see that and how the trees they planted have grown and matured, and it’s nice to see it happening at my home park and seeing a lot of the neighborhood out here,” she said. In 2021, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, with partners’ assistance, planted 21,726 trees on public property, according to the city. The city partnered with Apache Corporation, Texas A&M Forest Service and the Compean Group to bring the Saturday event to Montie Beach Park. Evan Compean, a member of the Montie Beach Civic Club who pushed hard for the event to come to the area, praised the efforts of the civic club as well as the city and its partners to help improve the beloved local park. “My family lives here. I have two little girls that just absolutely love being outside and having a beautiful park with all these new trees coming up. It’s something great that I’m proud of,” he said. “It’s great to be part of a community that’s changing where neighbors are coming together and communicating with each other.”
Photo by L andan Kuhlmann Hundreds of volunteers from around the city came out to Montie Beach Park last Saturday to help plant the new trees.
Mickey Merrett with Texas A&M Forest Service said the organization estimates there are more than 40 million trees within Houston’s city limits – about 20 trees per person. With those trees, he said, comes the ability to mitigate 270 million cubic feet per year of stormwater runoff and about 2,600 tons of pollution annually. It’s a significant resource for the city, he said, and multiple city officials have echoed the sentiment in light of the city’s annual Arbor Day events. “When we add more trees to the city’s landscape, we improve the
quality of life for all of us,” Parks and Recreation director Kenneth Allen said in a news release. “It is critically important that trees and the health benefits that go along with them be experienced by as many communities as possible in our city. We believe in tree equity in Houston, and the Arbor Day celebration is one way we lead the effort to make it a reality.” It certainly appears to have improved the quality of life for the Gaticas. Eddie said they make 3-4 trips to the park per week with their son. And as the neighborhood continues to evolve and grow with
more young families moving into the area, he said efforts such as Saturday’s are vital to the future of the community. “Constantly seeing the changes and improvements that have taken place over the years is cool,” he said. “And it’s cool being a part of this so that when we come and take a walk, we can say, ‘Hey, those are the trees we planted.’ … It’s great not just for the neighborhood around here, but for the surrounding area of Montie Beach Park.”
the Rotary Club of Houston Heights in addition to being a deacon at one of the local Baptist churches he attended, and coached his two sons in baseball and his two daughters in softball. He made the sports fun and also made sure everyone on the team got to play, Schmidt said. And Bill made sure they played by the rules, even if other parents did not agree with the officials enforcing the rules. The Hartman kids looked up to their father and respected his opinions, which they often sought, according Photo by Landan Kuhlmann to Billy. He said he and Schmidt, their Bill (right) and Ailene Hartman watch a brother, Tom Hartman, and sister, Dana
Crawford, regularly went to their Pappy for advice – about life, business or how to tell a good joke. The community counted on Bill Hartman as well. “I think one thing my dad was always known for was giving back to the community,” Billy said. “Because he believed that what you give, you’ll get back one day. “He didn’t do it to get it,” Billy added. “He did it because he wanted to give it.” A memorial service for Bill Hartman is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at Houston’s First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Fwy.
Hartman, from P. 1A Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire. His son, Billy Hartman, who also is a real estate broker, said his father was known for being fair and honest, once buying a lot and giving it away to satisfy a client who had been under the impression that his purchase would include two lots instead of one. Schmidt said her father received numerous awards from Century 21 while working in both residential and commercial real estate. “His agents were family,” Schmidt said. “They weren’t family, but they were like family. He treated all of his agents like they were his family.” Bill was born and raised in Sealy, a small town west of Houston, and served in the U.S. Army before marrying Ailene. He spent 25 years working in the engineering field before discovering he liked to sell real estate and transitioning into that industry, according to Ailene. The Hartmans worked together and liked to make road trips together. Bill was fond of barbecue and local sports teams and was known as a funny man to many who encountered him. Billy said his dad, called Pappy by his children and Paw Paw by his grandchildren, liked to mess with his kids’ friends, both when they were younger and later in life. When his grandkids came over, Bill might tell them if they ate a certain food or drank Dr Pepper like their Paw Paw, they would become “pretty like me,” according to Schmidt. And when Schmidt and her three siblings were
parade of friends and family who drove by their Shepherd Park Plaza to celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in 2020.
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still living at home and dating, Billy said their significant others got an immediate introduction to their father’s sense of humor. “We’d bring a new guy in or girl in, and he’d say, ‘Is that the same girl you were with last time?’” Billy said. “He didn’t mean anything by it. He was a character.” Schmidt said her father also could be a disciplinarian who taught his children the value of a dollar and to keep their word. If they asked to borrow money, for example, they were expected to pay it back. But Bill gave freely when asked, Schmidt said, and also donated time to those in the community. He served with
he was stabbed during the pursuit of Smith last weekend in the Heights area, according to HPD. The department said its officers responded to an attempted carjacking call early Jan. 22 at 800 Memorial Heights Dr., where Smith allegedly struck another man with his hand, according to court documents. Smith was later located nearby in an apartment parking garage at 1600 Bass St., according to HPD, which said he allegedly attempted to evade officers. Nate, who has two years of service with HPD’s Tactical Operations Division,
caught up to Smith behind a building at the location, where the dog was stabbed, according to HPD. Nate was transported to Vergi 24/7 Emergency & Critical Care Hospital, where he underwent surgery to treat his injuries, HPD said in a news release. “Nate is out of surgery and resting well,” HPD wrote later Jan. 22 on Twitter. “Our thanks to everyone who has said prayers for his recovery today. And our deepest appreciation for the amazing staff at VERGI Animal Hospital.”
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Stabbing, from P. 1A while police were investigating at the home, and an ensuing car chase ended at Memorial Park, where Deese said Smith crashed and allegedly fled on foot. HPD wrote Tuesday afternoon on Twitter that Smith was subsequently located and arrested while walking along a highway in Austin County. Deese said Smith was arrested Tuesday on another evading arrest charge, pending an autopsy of the body found in a garage at the Carolcrest home. The aforementioned HPD police dog, a Belgian Malinois named Nate, is recovering at home after
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The Leader • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • Page 7A
Art Valet: Konopka incorporates aviation into artwork Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
Imagine being so terrified of something you just take it on. About eight years ago, artist Eva Konopka decided to face her fear of flying by taking flying lessons. Konopka told me prior to her first flying lesson a friend offered her a chance to skydive and she found the smaller plane they took for the jump didn’t intimidate her like the commercial airliners. Not long after the skydiving trip, she found a discounted flying lesson and, eight years later, she’s in love with flying and calls herself an avid aviator. As an artist, Konopka is known for her very colorful and unique abstracted images of spheres, mandalas, surreal characters and mysterious landscapes all done with softcore colored pencils. I noticed last year that Konopka had started adding aviation charts to her intricate designs and had to know more. A self-taught artist and native of Kraków, Poland, Ko-
nopka moved to Houston 20 years ago to be with her husband and they have a mathematical genius for a 14-yearold son. Her background is in English literature and teaching English as a second language. She received an MBA from Jones School of Business at Rice University. Like flying, art was never on her radar until it was. Art Valet: When did you start drawing? Konopka: “It was an overnight thing, literally. Art was never my thing. Music was,” Konopka said. “I started drawing on the evening of Dec. 31, 2016, at a (New Year’s Eve) party where a friend brought white paper and colored pencils and asked all the guests to draw something on one big page - I took over, started drawing and never stopped.” AV: Where do you get your ideas for drawing? Konopka: “Mostly straight out of my crazy brain. Sometimes I use a more familiar landscape which I draw my own way, sometimes patterns and silhouette sketches from real life to put them in my drawing world (cats, birds, planes, people, floral motives - all placed within the world of vivid colors); it is really all the colorful chaos of the mixture of reality and imagination rushing out of my confused
Contributed Photo Eva Konopka finds flying to be inspiring to her artwork.
Contributed Photo Eva Konopka incorporates aviation charts in her art.
mind.” AV: When did you start incorporating aviation charts, and why? Konopka: “I started incorporating the charts, plane silhouettes, aviation magazine cut-outs over two years ago. Looking at the old aviation charts, which expire frequently, it seemed such a pity to throw them away when they are out of date. The round airspace markings around the airfields reminded me about the mandalas I like to draw, so I cut them out and used in a collage - thought it would be a one-off, but no, I like creating
... the gulf, lakes, marshes, the pastures and the fish farms look like makeup palettes from up there. In short, I could say I fly for the love of it. It is not my job - airline pilots do it, too - tail wheels and small planes are just different.” AV: What’s next for your art and art career? Konopka: “Colored pencils will always be my No. 1 medium and I will hopefully always have new ideas. I am trying out acrylics on canvas to be able to create bigger formats, while maintaining my style, but this will never replace my beloved pencils. I dream about
them!” AV: Has flying influenced your art? Konopka: “Everything about flying is fascinating (unless on airliners, they tell me). Small aviation is beautiful and fascinating, it’s a passion, a religion, the world from up there is so very different and beautiful. Of course I sometimes try to draw what I see - the colors, the ambience in different weather conditions, the altitude, touching the clouds when you fly in an open cockpit, you fly the plane with your body stick and the rudder - flying ... as if ‘by hand.’ Then the views
having an even modest but real studio some day, where I can work, exhibit, and host events, this would be magnificent and heavenly!” Follow Konopka on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/miinneeaa. Konopka regularly attends First Saturday Arts Market and will be there Feb. 5 at 540 W. 19th St. 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: Hungry Like The Wolf a delicious tribute to ‘80s Stefan Modrich
As a child of the late 1990s and early 2000s, I’ve always felt like my peers could more reasonably stake their claim as more representative of the millennial generation than my cousins who were born in the 1980s. Whether anyone wants that label is another question, but that’s not why you called. We ‘90s kids, however, had an interesting relationship with the cultural zeitgeist and the enduring resonance of the people, places, events and things that shaped the decade that is perhaps still the most romanticized period in American history — bringing us Star Wars, Ray Parker Jr.’s “Who You Gonna Call?”, parachute pants and poofy hair. I grew up seeing performances of 7th Heaven, a band formed by members of Styx
and Bon Jovi, that trafficked heavily in ‘80s nostalgia. To this day, I am a devoted listener of The Smiths, Tears for Fears and rappers Eric B and Rakim. The 1982 Duran Duran song “Hungry Like The Wolf” is one of the most persistent earworms in modern music history. I couldn’t finish typing that sentence without hearing the song play in my head. And that’s why it was the perfect name for a diner that is a living tribute to the time that many of you might have felt was a golden age. Hungry Like The Wolf, which opened in March, has purple vinyl booths wallpapered with Tetris blocks and pictures of cassette tapes, graffitied lockers perfect for Instagram influencers to pose in front of and TVs playing some of the era’s most iconic music videos, like Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” There are large portraits of Phoebe Cates (a star of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”) from the film’s most fa-
mous scene. The menu is filled with odes to actors and characters from iconic ‘80s films and song titles, like the Stallone spaghetti and meatballs ($17.99). As everyone knows, millennials can’t afford to buy houses because they eat too much avocado toast. (LINK: https://www.marketplace. org/2020/08/14/now-thatmillennials-arent-buying-avocado-toast-and-lattes-canthey-afford-a-home/) So I, naturally, ordered Hungry Like The Wolf’s version ($10.99) topped with lime crema, an avocado relish, red onions, tomatoes, fried egg and cotilla cheese. This Tex-Mex inspired twist was one of the most creative formats I’ve ever seen for this ubiquitous dish, and it is so rich and hearty that calling it an appetizer is probably a misnomer. The White Snake waffle sliders ($11.99) from Hungry Like The Wolf feature a halfpound of beef, a fried egg, American cheese and bacon on waffle buns. It looked both
alluring and absurd, and ultimately I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. If you (understandably) aren’t a big fan of syrup on a burger (I went pretty light on it myself) you might want to think of it as a supersized breakfast sausage. When I asked, the server explained to me the origin of how this dish came to be — evolving into a menu item after a customer asked for a burger served between waffles, resolving the dilemma many face when they can’t decide between breakfast and lunch. I have Hungry Like The Wolf to thank for helping me discover that while I may not be a child of the ‘80s, I am an old soul and a generational nomad at heart. Hungry Like The Wolf Address: 920 Studemont St. Ste. 900 Dining Options: Dine-in, takeout Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-
Photo by Stefan Modrich The White Snake waffle sliders from Hungry Like The Wolf feature a half-pound of beef, a fried egg, American cheese and bacon on waffle buns.
Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Entree prices: $8.99-$19.99 Kid-friendly: Yes Senior discount: No Alcohol: Yes
Healthy options: Greek Salad ($10.99) Star of the show: White Snake waffle sliders Rating: 4 out of 5 bites
Nibbles & Sips: Tin Drum to open in Washington Avenue area By Stefan Modrich
Leaguer Brewery. Tickets to the event cost $25, and the proceeds from the event will benefit Summerhouse Houston, a local nonprofit that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For tickets or more information, visit cedarcreekcafe. com.
smodrich@mcelvypartners.com
An Atlanta-based Asian restaurant chain plans to open its first Texas location this year in the Washington Avenue area. Tin Drum, 1111 Shepherd Dr. Ste. #100, will set up shop at The Vic at the Interpose, a luxury apartment complex, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Renovations on the 2,000-square foot space are set to begin Feb. 7 and end Feb. 28 at an estimated cost of $150,000, according to a TDLR filing. The restaurant is a “hip Pan-Asian cafe inspired by the hustle and bustle of the streets of Asia,” according to its website, and serves a variety of ramen bowls, woktossed noodle bowls, stir frys and more. The Leader sent an email to the restaurant’s corporate headquarters and a text message and phone call to co-owner Faizan Momin on Tuesday requesting additional information about the plans for the new location. Those messages were not immediately returned. For more information, visit tindrumasiankitchen.com. Cedar Creek Bar & Grill to host Gumbo Cook Off Fans of gumbo, craft beer and live music will be in for a treat this weekend. Cedar Creek Cafe Bar &
Tamale Joint coming to Oak Forest A new restaurant specializing in hand-wrapped tamales, to-go margaritas and Mexican street food is headed to Oak Forest. The Original Tamale Joint, 3352 E. T.C. Jester Blvd., will be open for dine-in this sum-
mer, according to its website. The restaurant posted on its Instagram story Tuesday photos of its sign being installed outside its new space. The restaurant’s hours of operation will be 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. For more information, visit thetamalejoint.com.
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Photo from Facebook Chef David Branch of Karbach Brewing Co. holds up a cup of gumbo during last year’s Cedar Creek Cafe Bar & Grill’s Gumbo Cook Off. Cedar Creek will hold its fourth annual rendition of the event from 1-6 p.m. Saturday.
Grill, 1034 W. 20th St., will hold its fourth annual Gumbo Cook Off from 1-6 p.m. Saturday. Guests can enjoy gumbo, drinks, games and music from Heights Funk Collective and DJ Dayta, and also have the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Winner.” The judge panel for the event includes Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a Heights native, and KPRC 2 Meteorologist Justin Stapleton, according to a news release from Sara Jackson.
The contestants will be judged via a blind tasting and evaluated based on taste, texture, ingredients, roux (the base for the gumbo) and creativity. The grand prize winner will be awarded $500. Several local breweries and distilleries are slated to participate in the cook-off, including Martin House Brewery, Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co., Eureka Heights Brew Co., Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Karbach Brewing Co., Austin Eastciders, Illegal Mezcal, Boulevard Brewery and Texas
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Page 8A • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • The Leader
Start seedlings now, indoors, to prepare for spring Amy Williams
G
arden uru
Hello fellow gardeners! A few weeks ago, we discussed waiting until the end of January to start seeds for spring gardens. It’s the last week of January, and seedplanting time has finally arrived! At this time, you will want to start seeds indoors rather than directly sowing seeds into the soil since there is yet still an
opportunity for unexpected freezes. Some plants will die or won’t germinate on time if a fluke freeze blows through the area, so by starting seedlings indoors you cover all the bases. Note that most seeds will need a soil temperature of at least 68 degrees to germinate, so you’ll want to ensure that condition is met by measuring the daytime temperature of wherever your seeds are started and then doing a little math. Soil temperature is generally 10 degrees cooler than daytime temperatures in the vicinity, meaning a daytime temperature of 78 degrees would mean a soil temperature of 68 degrees. If starting seeds inside, the temperature of your indoor space is your
Contributed photo Squash and zucchini seedlings begin to sprout inside a growing tray.
daytime measurement. Now is the time for indoor starts like bell peppers, tomatoes, peas, squash, zucchini,
eggplant and herbs such as rosemary, oregano, sage, thyme and cilantro. You may even start spring flower seed-
lings indoors at this time to get a jumpstart on your pollinators garden. In the next two weeks you can also start watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers and sweet potatoes indoors. I recommend getting a growing kit from your local gardening supply store. These kits should include the growing tray, peat soil pellets and a clear cover making it easy to create an indoor greenhouse. Another great option is biodegradable Jiffy strips and peat pots. These make transplanting easy as they can be planted directly in your garden during spring time. Containers such as cups or recycled materials like egg cartons and milk jugs work well, too, if sufficient drainage is provided. Just use the peat
pellets in these containers or purchase a seed starting soil mix. It’s important to look for a mix that provides loose, organic soil to allow for proper germination, water retention and aeration. For strong transplants, be sure not to overcrowd your seedlings and provide adequate water and warmth over the course of their growing period. They will be ready for transplant the beginning of March for the spring garden. 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.
Platypus Brewing celebrates Australia Day By Stefan Modrich smodrich@mcelvypartners.com
At the corner of Washington Avenue and Silver Street is the closest to down under some Australia natives living in Texas have been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The opposite was true for Dave Bryant, a Rice Village resident and president of the Houston Lonestars Australianrules football team. He said he came to Houston 12 years ago for a job opportunity in the energy sector. Bryant and his wife were in Australia when COVID broke out in 2020, and the couple was stuck in a lockdown there for 10 months. He said one of the things he’s appreciated most about Houston is its diversity. “I come from Melbourne, which is quite similar in that regard,” Bryant said. “One of the things we’ve missed the most is the beach. We’ve got Galveston down the road, but it’s not the same.” The opportunity to celebrate Australia Day last Saturday - the official holiday was Wednesday - at Platypus Brewing was nonetheless a special one for the dozens of people who came out for an afternoon
GOOFy GETTING
in the
Stefan Modrich
GREATER HEIGHTS See related video at
theleadernews.com of live music from Houston band The Wonderfolk, “thong throwing” (more on that in a bit) and a meat pie-eating contest. The holiday marks the first landing of British ships at Sydney Cove on Jan. 26, 1788, and the subsequent British settlement of the land that became the nation of Australia. Oak Forest resident Rachna Hanrahan, her husband, Sean, and their business partner Morgan Hughes are co-owners of Platypus Brewing, 1902 Washington Ave., Suite E. Rachna, a Sugar Land natiive, spent a decade living in Brisbane with her husband, an Australia native, and said she’s glad her business has been a source of comfort for Australian expats who have
found going back home difficult due to their homeland’s COVID-19 restrictions. The entrance to the brewpub was decorated with miniature Australian flags. A large mural with a platypus, the Texas and Australia flags and an outline of the Houston skyline serves as a backdrop to the outdoor patio. “It’s the equivalent of July 4 here,” Rachna Hanrahan said of the Australia Day festivities. “Obviously, it would be great for everyone to be able to get home as well. But I think it’s given a small piece of home, if you will, over here.” Australians call flip-flops “thongs” and participate in a contest to throw sandals at a wooden board painted like a dartboard. I stood to the side with Rachna, a Bobby Dazzler Australian blonde ale in hand, as we watched the final rounds of the competition, which was surprisingly intense. The meat pie-eating contest
Photo by Stefan Modrich Morgan Hughes, co-founder of Platypus Brewing, poses with Dan Motill, winner of a sandal-throwing contest, as the two hold a plaque awarded to the winner Saturday during the brewpub’s Australia Day celebration.
was also a hit as contestants tried to cram as many of the thick, round pastries as they could into their mouths in 90 seconds. According to the menu, it’s a “sin” to eat one with a knife and fork, and so when I had the opportunity to eat my Angus-beef and gravyfilled pie shell, I did so with my hands. It was delicious. The lamington, another Australia Day special, is a white cake dipped in chocolate and then rolled in coconut with a garnish of fresh mint, and it was delightful. It was easy to see why peo-
ple like myself who haven’t had much exposure to Australian culture could find something to appreciate about a place like Platypus. But for Rachna, who plays an active role in the Houston-based AustralianAmerican Chamber of Commerce (about 185 members), she’s been able to cultivate a network of people who are invested in seeing both their adopted home and their native country thrive. The Australia and New Zealand Society of Texas (about 100 members) is also based in Houston. According to the Australian
Embassy’s website, Australian companies employ over 18,000 people in Texas, the most of any state in the U.S. Among them is Hughes, who has a day job in the oil-and-gas industry. Like Sean, Hughes is a native of Queensland, Australia. The two met in Houston at a local rugby club and cofounded Platypus in 2016. Rugby remains such an important part of Sean’s life that he was competing in a club match early Saturday afternoon, Rachna said. Rachna and Hughes both noted there are many cultural similarities between Texans and Australians, including an appreciation for barbecue and good beer, and a love of the great outdoors. “We try to make this place laid back,” Hughes said. “Frankly, it’s pretty easy in Texas.” Rachna said she’s grateful for her experience living in Australia and the way she’s been able to blend two cultures back home in Houston. “Queensland is so close to Texas in terms of the people and the approach to life,” Rachna said. “It’s been fun to draw upon both places as we introduce different ingredients and concepts.”
SIGNS OF POSSIBLE SEX TRAFFICKING • Not free to come and go • Isolation from family or friends • Changing residences frequently • Hiding bruises, scars, marks or injuries • Working excessively long or unusual hours • Lacking access to basic needs or medical care • Not in possession of money, ID or documentation
If you suspect human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888
The Leader • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • Page 1B
Whitmire vs. Cook highlights primary races with local ties By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
State Sen. John Whitmire said he plans to run for mayor of Houston in 2023, after the next biennial session of the Texas Legislature. His opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary is trying to use that plan against him, with the hopes she will instead be representing the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest areas and other parts of Houston when the state’s legislative body reconvenes in Austin early next year. Molly Cook, a 30-year-old emergency room nurse, activist and first-time political candidate, said she does not think the 72-year-old Whitmire, the longesttenured member of the state senate, will be focused enough on the legislative session with a mayoral run on the horizon. “He’s going go to be distracted, he wants to leave halfway through the (four-year) term, and it’s going to force a special election,” Cook said of Whitmire’s mayoral plans. “All of that seems very disrespectful to me as a constituent. That’s when I decided to go for gold and do it now.” Whitmire, a Waltrip High School graduate and former Shepherd Park Plaza resident with deep ties to the area, said the idea for the mayoral run came from people he has long represented in Senate District 15. He also said his more immediate focus will remain on the next legislative session, which is scheduled to end a few months before Houston’s municipal election in November 2023. Whitmire is the chair of the legislature’s criminal justice committee, and he also is a member of the finance as well as the business and commerce committees. Among his priorities for the legislative session in 2023 is bail bond reform, he said, and sponsoring a bill that would allow neighborhoods to more easily remove the racist language in some longstanding deed restrictions – such as those in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest – that have been illegal to enforce for decades. A law passed during the 2021 session that allows individual property owners to have the language removed from their deeds, but not neighborhoods as a whole. “I’m not running for mayor right now. I’m running for the senate,” said Whitmire, who first was elected to the state senate in 1982 after serving for 10 years in the Texas House. “All I’m focused on is continuing my representation of Northwest Houston in Austin.
John Whitmire
Molly Cook
I’m running on my record and accomplishments and commitment to use my seniority and experience on behalf of the citizens.” The race between Whitmire and Cook, an environmental and public health advocate who is the lead organizer of the Stop TxDOT I-45 group that has opposed the Interstate 45 expansion plan, is among the more intriguing local races in the upcoming primary election. The last day to register to vote is Jan. 31, with early voting scheduled to start Feb. 14 and Election Day slated for March 1. Most of the federal-, state- and county-level incumbents that represent the Greater Heights are unopposed in their party primaries. That group includes U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, Sylvia Garcia and Lizzie Fletcher, all Democrats, with Fletcher’s District 7 now including the western part of the Heights as well as Timbergrove and Lazybrook,
which were part of Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw’s District 2 before statewide redistricting last year. District 38 is a newly created congressional district covering a geographic area that includes Memorial Park and locales immediately to the east and south. There are three Democrats and 10 Republicans competing in primaries for that seat, including Jerry Ford, who ran against Jackson Lee in the Democratic primary in 2020 and is now a Republican. Also unopposed in the upcoming primary are State Sen. Carol Alvarado of District 6 and local State Reps. Ann Johnson, Jarvis Johnson, Christina Morales and Penny Morales Shaw. The District 147 seat is being vacated by the retiring Garnet Coleman, and there are seven Democrats and two Republicans vying for that seat, which now serves the southern part of the Heights as well as the Washington Avenue and Sawyer Yards areas. Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, a Democrat, is facing primary challenges from Gary Harrison and George Risner, while there are five Republicans vying for a place on the ballot for the November general election. Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle is unopposed in the Republican primary, while seven Democrats are competing for the right to face him in November. Of countywide interest, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is facing five challengers in the Democratic primary – her first primary race since being elected in 2018 – while the Republican primary for county judge features 10 candidates. On a statewide level, Gov. Greg Abbott is facing seven challengers in the Republican primary, including a candidate with the same name as former Gov. Rick Perry. Former U.S. Senate and presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke is among the five Democrats running in the primary for governor. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is facing five opponents in the Republican primary, and there are three candidates in the Democratic primary. Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing challenges from Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert and former Texas Supreme Court justice Eva Guzman in the Republican primary. There are five candidates in the Democratic primary. A complete list of candidates in races with local interest is included on Page 1B.
County elections office offers tips for mail-in ballot applications By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
The Harris County Elections Office is offering tips to voters applying for absentee ballots because it says a larger-than-usual number of mail-in ballot applications have been flagged for rejection by the office as a result of new requirements outlined in Senate Bill 1, the elections law passed by the Texas Legislature last year. Under the new law, voters are required to provide their Texas driver’s license or identification number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number, and a failure to provide an exact match on the application compared to what is on the existing voter record could result in a rejection of the application, according to the county elections office. The office said impacted voters need to return a corrected absentee ballot application before the deadline, which for the March 1 primary is Feb. 18, in order to receive a mail-in ballot. “The new mail ballot requirements have led to an increased number of mail ballot applications flagged for rejection,” the elections office said in a Tuesday news release. A spokesperson for the county elections office said 767 mail-in ballot applications had been rejected as of Monday because of issues related to the new voting law, out of 8,886 applications submitted overall. That represents a rejection rate of about 8.6 percent. A total of 2,280 absentee ballot applications had been rejected overall, or 25.7 percent. Leah Shah of the elections office said those other rejections are the result of applicants failing to sign the document or not picking between the Democrat or Republican parties, among other reasons. In the last primary election in 2018,
Harris County Elections Administrator Isabel Longoria
Shah said 4,878 of the 78,745 absentee ballot applications were rejected, equating to a rejection rate of 6.2 percent. So the number of application rejections related to the new law this year is outpacing the overall rejection rate from 2018. Harris County Elections has posted an instructional video for filling out mail-in ballot applications, which can
be viewed online at https://vimeo. com/668372330, and also offered the following tips for voters who are submitting absentee ballot applications: • Call Harris County Elections at 713-755-6965. The voter services team will walk voters through the process of filling out applications. There are operators who are fluent in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese. • Provide both forms of identification. Even though the form only asks for one, the best way to ensure an application isn’t rejected is to provide both a Texas ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number. • Provide a contact email or phone number on your application so the elections office can immediately reach out and address any issues with the application to minimize potential delays. The elections office said mail-in ballot applications can be dropped off in person at any of its branch locations, including the one at 7300 N. Shepherd Dr. Senate Bill 1 requires voters to request a ballot-by-mail applications every year they wish to use one. Voters can visit harrisvotes.com to find downloadable versions of the Harris County application. If voters select “Annual Application: Send me a ballot for all elections in this voting year,” and want to vote in the March primary, they must select “March 1st Democratic Primary and Runoff ” or “March 1st Republican Primary and Runoff ” in the options to the right of the application. For more information, including sample ballots and polling locations, visit harrisvotes.com, call the elections office at 713-755-6965 and follow @HarrisVotes on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
LOCAL PRIMARY RACES FEDERAL U.S. REP., DISTRICT 7 DEMOCRAT Lizzie Fletcher (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Tim Stroud Lance Stewart Tina Blum Cohen Rudy A. Atencio Laique Rehman Johnny Teague Benson Gitau U.S. REP., DISTRICT 18 DEMOCRAT Sheila Jackson Lee (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Carmen Maria Montiel U.S. REP., DISTRICT 29 DEMOCRAT Sylvia Garcia (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Robert Schafranek Lulite Ejigu Jaimy Blanco Julio Garza U.S. REP., DISTRICT 38 DEMOCRAT Ducan F. Klussmann Centrell Reed Diana Martinez Alexander REPUBLICAN David Hogan Damien Matthew Peter Mockus Jerry Ford Richard Welch Wesley Hunt Brett Guillory Mark Ramsey Roland Lopez Phil Covarrubias Alex Cross STATE GOVERNOR DEMOCRAT Rich Wakeland Beto O’Rourke Joy Diaz Inocencio (Inno) Barrientez Michael Cooper REPUBLICAN Paul Belew Danny Harrison Rick Perry Allen B. West Greg Abbott (incumbent) Don Huffines Kandy Kaye Horn Chad Prather LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DEMOCRAT Michelle Beckley Carla Brailey Mike Collier REPUBLICAN Todd M. Bullis Dan Patrick (incumbent) Daniel Miller Zach Vance Aaron Sorrells Trayce Bradford ATTORNEY GENERAL DEMOCRAT S. “Tbone” Raynor Lee Merritt Mike Fields Joe Jaworski Rochelle Mercedes Garza REPUBLICAN Ken Paxton (incumbent) Louie Gohmert George P. Bush Eva Guzman STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 6 DEMOCRAT Carol Alvarado (incumbent) REPUBLICAN None STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 15 DEMOCRAT Molly Cook John Whitmire (incumbent) REPUBLICAN George Brian Vachris STATE REP., DISTRICT 134 DEMOCRAT Ann Johnson (incumbent) REPUBLICAN A.A. Dominguez Ryan McConnico STATE REP., DISTRICT 139 DEMOCRAT Jarvis Johnson (incumbent) REPUBLICAN None STATE REP., DISTRICT 145 DEMOCRAT
Christina Morales (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Michael Mabry STATE REP., DISTRICT 147 DEMOCRAT Aurelia Wagner Akwete Hines Somtoochukwu Ik-Ejiofor Reagan Denise Flowers Danielle Keys Bess Jolanda Jones Namrata “Nam” Subramanian REPUBLICAN Damien Thaddeus Jones Rashard Baylor STATE REP., DISTRICT 148 DEMOCRAT Penny Morales Shaw (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Kay Smith STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 4 DEMOCRAT Coretta Mallet-Fontenot Theldon Branch Marvin Johnson Larry McKinzie Staci Childs REPUBLICAN None DISTRICT 6 DEMOCRAT Michelle Palmer REPUBLICAN Will Hickman (incumbent) Mike Wolfe HARRIS COUNTY COUNTY JUDGE DEMOCRAT Georgia D. Provost Erica Davis Maria Garcia Ahmad R. “RobBeto” Hassan Lina Hidalgo (incumbent) Kevin Howard REPUBLICAN H.Q. Bolanos George Harry Zoes Alexandra del Moral Mealer Vidal Martinez Robert Dorris Randy Kubosh Martina Lemond Dixon Oscar Gonzales Warren A. Howell COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 2 DEMOCRAT George Risner Gary Harrison Adrian Garcia (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Jack Morman Richard Vega Daniel N. Jason Jerry Mouton John Manlove COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 4 DEMOCRAT Clarence Miller Gina Calanni Ann Williams Lesley Briones Sandra Pelmore Jeff Stauber Benjamin “Ben” Chou REPUBLICAN R. Jack Cagle (incumbent) DISTRICT CLERK DEMOCRAT Marilyn Burgess (incumbent) Desiree Broadnax REPUBLICAN Chris Daniel COUNTY CLERK DEMOCRAT Teneshia Hudspeth (incumbent) REPUBLICAN Stan Stanart COUNTY TREASURER DEMOCRAT Carla L. Wyatt Dylan Osborne REPUBLICAN Eric Dick Kyle Scott COUNTY TREASURER DEMOCRAT Carla L. Wyatt Dylan Osborne REPUBLICAN Eric Dick Kyle Scott
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Page 2B • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • The Leader
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Health Health H e a l t h Essentials Essentials Making It Safer to Get Health Essentials The Leader • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • Page 3B
On August 29th Care in the New Normal The Leader will publish Memorial Hermann Health System For The Leader
Amid a global pandemic, signs of a “new normal” are everywhere: face masks, hand sanitizer stations, 6-foot markers, acrylic partitions—sights that would have looked totally out of place 6 months ago in any grocery store, shopping mall or restaurant. Even hospitals and medical facilities, where rigorous antiseptic procedures have always been part of the daily routine, are taking heightened precautions to avert the spread of COVID-19. To meet this unprecedented challenge, Memorial Hermann Health System has initiated dozens of changes and innovations to protect patients, staff, and the community.
a special section on Local Healthcare. We will print the local doctors, dentists, nurses and health professionals that are open and spotlight essential healthcare.
This is your opportunity to let our readers know about your business and how it is operating during these times.
On August 29th The Leader will publish a special section on Local OnHealthcare. August 29th We The will Leader print thewill local publish doctors, dentists, nurses a special section on andLocal healthHealthcare. We will print professionals thatthe arelocal doctors, dentists, nurses open and spotlight and health essential healthcare. professionals that are andopportunity spotlight Thisopen is your essential healthcare. to let our readers know about your business and your opportunity howThis it isisoperating It’sduring Safe & Convenient to to let our readers know these times. Schedule Your about yourMammogram business and how it is operating Fullthese Page - we $1500 At Memorial Hermann, make during times.
it convenient andPage safe for- $800 you to Half get back on track with your annual Helping to Stop the 1/4 Full Page -$450 $1500 Spread of mammogram. WithPage online -schedulFull Page $1500 COVID-19 ing, 3-D mammography all loSafe Wait™ is the protocol Half - $800 3 xPage 5 at- $275 Half Page - $800 used throughout the Memocations and SafeWait™ enhanced rial Hermann system that re1/4 - $450 3 xPage 3 -here $150 inforces social distancing in safety measures, we are for 1/4 Page $450 waiting areas and other safety Contributed photo Ad Deadline -those $275 you so you can be2 there Safe Wait also mini- Memorial Hermann Health system is initiating changes and innovations to protect the community. x34xfor -5$110 adlinemeasures. 3 x 5 - $275 mizes the time patients wait who matter most. for individual exam rooms 3 x 3- -$60 $150 Control (CDC) practice stan- urinalysis. Sometimes, virtual cians, access health records, Business Card Size and staggers appointment 3 $150 We make it possible for you to dards. All patients and 3 visi-x care can be used for followview lab and imaging results, August 25th 5:00 PM times. And anyone who enters tors—in addition to employup appointments, including send and receive secure mes2 x 4 $110 25thaandmedical - provided 5:00 facilityPM is screened continue to care for your health by ees, employee contractors, follow-ups. With sages with your healthcare 2 x post-surgery 4 - $110 with a surgical vendors, and physician part- virtual care, healthcare provid- team and more—all via comoffering: mask. Business Card Size - $60 you via video puter, tablet, ners—are required to clear ers can examine or smartphone. Publishes August 29th At Memorial Hermann Business Card Size $60 a health screening and wear on your computer, tablet, or hes August 29th • SafeWait™ at all our locations, Emergency Centers, clear the surgical mask provided smartphone. Doing YourOaks, Part Stop Covering the Heights, Garden Oakto Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston plastic sneeze guards at triWith Memorial Hermann COVID-19 upon entry while in the facilincluding protective masks and soage stations separate medical ity. All patients, physicians and 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care, you For now, the emphasis repersonnel from incoming pacial distancing to make your apwith advertise a healthcare mains on staff members wear masks can speak overcoming the To call tients. The hospital system has when they are within 6 feet provider via video about your threat of COVID-19 through also adopted a modified visisafe as possible Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the pointment neighborhoods of Northas Houston of each other. Physicians and current symptoms. You’ll recareful attention to public policy adult ng the Heights,tor Garden Oaks,that Oak limits Forest & one the neighborhoods of North Houston staff wear N95 masks and face ceive a diagnosis, treatment health measures, including • Locations near your home and visitor per patient, with a few shields during any procedure plan and medically necessary maintaining social distancing, exemptions, to help reduce To advertise call with a high risk of airborne prescriptions within 30 min- wearing masks, performing work disease transmission. ertise call utes. transmission. frequent handwashing, sanitizVirus protection has even • Easy-to-make appointments onMemorial Hermann Medi- ing high-touch items, and dotaken to the air. To safeguard cal Group patients can con- ing other infection-conscious Expanding Care Delivery trauma patients and staff, line or by phone nect with a healthcare provid- behaviors. a Memorial Hermann Life Options For patients, the pandemic er from the comfort of home As the pandemic continues, • Wide variety of accepted insurFlight® helicopter designated has brought with it a shift to with a Virtual Office Visit for one of the biggest lessons befor COVID-19 transport has minor illnesses, medication reances been specially outfitted with new models of healthcare fills, chronic disease manage- ing learned is that making an delivery, including expanded effort to stay healthy is one of the same high-level disinfec• 3-D mammography at all locament and wellness checkups the most important things you tant process used in operating telehealth or virtual care ap- during regular clinic hours. pointments and other innovacan do for yourself and your rooms to avoid contamination. tions Both 24/7 Virtual Urgent The system combines sanitiz- tions that were unimaginable Care and Virtual Office Visits family. At Memorial Hermann, we are committed to ensuring • Advanced treatment options and ing spray with UV light tech- just a few years ago. are available via your Every- the safety of the community Virtual care or telemedicine nology to render viruses incaemotional support if needed is ideal when you need to see day Well account. If you don’t we serve, as well as those on pable of reproducing.
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Changes at Your Doctor’s Office Memorial Hermann-affiliated medical practices also have implemented a set of Centers for Disease Prevention and
a healthcare provider for nonemergency care and minor illnesses. Virtual care is also good when you have a minor injury, cannot get in to see your primary care physician or don’t need blood work or
already have an Everyday Well account, your provider can give you step-by-step directions on how to sign up, or you can visit everydaywell.com/ signup. Through the Everyday Well app, you also can find physi-
Greater Heights hospital earns maternity care honor By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital was recently recognized for its efforts in maternity care, according to a Monday news release from the hospital system. The release said the Greater Heights hospital at 1635 North Loop West was one of two Memorial Hermann campuses recognized as “High Performing in Maternity Care – Uncomplicated Pregnancy” by the U.S. News & World Report. In order to earn the honor, the release said hospitals had
to excel on multiple quality metrics that matter to expectant families. Those include complication rates, C-sections, whether births were scheduled too early in pregnancy and how successfully each hospital supported breastfeeding. One-third of the hospitals evaluated by U.S. News & World Report for maternity care earned a “High Performing” rating, according to the release, including the Heightsarea campus and Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. “We are extremely honored to have multiple Memorial Hermann campuses recog-
nized in this inaugural list,” said Dr. Victoria Regan, Memorial Hermann Health System Women’s and Children’s Care vice president. “Our employees and affiliated physicians always focus on patient outcomes and quality of care, so this recognition reinforces the work that is put in on a daily basis.” For more information on Memorial Hermann Greater Heights or to schedule an appointment, go to memorialhermann.org/locations/ greater-heights.
File photo Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, 1635 North Loop West, recently earned an honor for maternity care.
the front lines of health care.
To learn more about safe care, testing and vaccines for you and your family, visit memorialhermann.org/coronavirus.
Schedule Your Mammogram. Call 877.40.MAMMO or visit memorialhermann.org/mammo
Page 4B • Saturday, January 29, 2022 • The Leader
St. Thomas boys dominate first leg of Shepherd Shootout By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
About 6 miles separate St. Thomas and St. Pius X high schools along North Shepherd Drive, and the two schools came together to renew their annual boys soccer rivalry last week to open TAPPS district play. And like many of the recent matches before them, the Eagles emerged victorious. Benjamin Garcia and Mambo Tello each scored twice for the Eagles in a 6-0 win over the Panthers on Jan. 18, while Bruno Castilla and Santiago Labarthe also found the back of the net. The programs have met 11 times over the last four seasons, including postseason play, with St. Thomas winning every match since a 2017 re-
gional playoff defeat. The Eagles then followed up the opening win with a 7-2 victory over Tomball Concordia Lutheran on Jan. 21 and a 3-2 win over The Village School Tuesday night. Six different players tallied goals for St. Thomas (16-3-3, 3-0 district) against Concordia Lutheran, with Tello – a freshman – once again netting two scores. The Panthers, meanwhile, bounced back with a 2-1 victory against Katy St. John XXIII on Tuesday. They had matches scheduled for Wednesday against Beaumont Kelly and Saturday against Concordia Lutheran. Lutheran High North went 2-0 last week, beating St. Joseph 3-1 on Jan. 17 before
taking down Katy Faith West 8-0 on Jan. 20 to improve to 5-2 overall and 5-0 in TAPPS district play. Cole Jao, Austin Mattern and Caleb Wenz each scored against St. Joseph, while Trent Stuenkel and Stephen Eifert each found the back of the net twice against Faith West. LHN was set to play Brazos Christian on Tuesday night. On the public school side, the Scarborough Spartans were idle last week after going 2-0-1 at the Stafford tournament on Jan. 14-15. The Spartans then dominated North Forest by a score of 13-2 in their District 23-4A opener on Tuesday. Jesus Gamez was one of the stars for Scarborough (4-0-1) in scoring four goals. Christopher Meza had a had trick of
College Prep on Tuesday night.
Photo from Twitter Mambo Tello (9) and the St. Thomas Eagles went 3-0 last week, including a 6-0 victory over Shepherd rival St. Pius X.
his own, while Diego Argueta added two goals. Argueta now has a team-leading eight goals this season. Waltrip is still looking for its first win of the season after a 2-2 tie with Lamar Consolidat-
ed moved its record to 0-5-1. The Heights Bulldogs were 1-3 on the season heading into Wednesday night’s district tilt against Bellaire. Booker T. Washington was slated to face Mickey Leland
Girls Waltrip’s Lady Rams are on a two-match winning streak following a 2-0 win over Needville last Saturday, which has moved them to 3-2-2 overall this year. The Heights Lady Bulldogs were 2-2-1 following a 1-0 win over Pasadena Memorial on Jan. 19 and were slated to face Bellaire on Wednesday. Scarborough was idle last week and was 0-3 entering play this week. On the private school side, the St. Pius X Lady Panthers defeated Beaumont Kelly 5-1 Tuesday night. The Lutheran High North Lady Lions were set to take on Logos Prep on Tuesday night.
Lady Lions hoops starting to find rhythm By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
It’s been a rocky road this basketball season for the Lutheran High North Lady Lions on the heels of last year’s TAPPS 3A state championship, but they have been on a roll of late and look to be finding their groove down the season’s home stretch. The Lady Lions have won six of their last seven games following three victories last week. LHN (13-8, 5-2 district) beat Brazos Christian 87-45 on Jan. 18, then defeated Alpha Omega 84-19 last Friday before taking down Legacy Christian 67-33 on Tuesday. Dalanna Carter poured in a season-high 44 points to go along with nine rebounds and six steals against Brazos Christian, while Jade Miller added 26 points. Miller fol-
lowed up that performance with a season-high 31 points against Alpha Omega, and Kiara Williams had a doubledouble with 14 points and 11 rebounds. LHN, which still holds the top spot in the latest TAPPS 3A rankings compiled by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, plays Tomball Rosehill Christian on Friday. Other girls action In other private school play, the St. Pius X Lady Panthers have won three consecutive games after a pair of big victories last week. The Lady Panthers (17-8, 4-2), ninth in the TAPPS 6A rankings by the TABC, defeated Incarnate Word Academy 76-59 on Jan. 19 before beating Katy St. John XXIII 77-21 on Friday. Zachara Perkins had 36
points and 27 rebounds against Incarnate Word Academy, then followed it up with 24 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots against St. John XXIII. Farren DonaldWright had 17 points and six steals against St. John XXIII, while Breelyn Sanborn added 15 points. On the public school side, Janaiya Johnson powered the Heights Lady Bulldogs to a 52-45 win over Westside on Friday that moved them to 4-3 in District 18-6A. She had 22 points and seven rebounds, while Tatianna Brown had her third double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Jazmyne Gilbert added 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Booker T. Washington’s Lady Eagles are winners of six straight games after get-
ting credit for four wins last week. They won via forfeit against Yates on Jan. 20 and Scarborough on Saturday, sandwiched around a 72-7 win over Furr on Friday and followed by a 95-18 win over Kashmere on Monday. Dakiyah Yates paced the Lady Eagles (12-12, 9-1) with 25 points and eight steals against Furr, while Kemya Reece had 20 points. Scarborough is 0-8 with the forfeit, while the Waltrip Lady Rams are 4-10 following losses to Northside, Madison and Sterling last week. Boys The St. Thomas Eagles are 7-9 following a 76-42 win over the Village School on Jan. 18. Shaffer Henderson had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Ea-
gles, while Jake Pike had 20 points to go along with nine rebounds and three steals. Lutheran High North is 18-3 overall and 5-1 in TAPPS district play following a pair of big wins last week. The Lions beat Brazos Christian 6432 on Jan. 18, then defeated Alpa Omega Academy 90-59 last Friday to win their fourth consecutive game. Zion Harper had 21 points and 16 rebounds for LHN against Alpha Omega, his 17th doubledouble of the season. St. Pius X is 5-9 overall following a 59-48 loss to the Village School on Friday. On the public school side, the Booker T. Washington Eagles went 3-0 last week, running their record to 20-4 overall and 11-0 in District 23-4A. Five players scored in double figures in a 74-55 win
over Furr on Monday, led by Kenneth Lewis (22 points) and Chris McDermott (16 points, 23 rebounds). Lewis also poured in a career-high 52 points to pace the Eagles in their 108-39 win over Kashmere on Friday, while McDermott posted his second tripledouble of the season with 15 points, 25 rebounds and 13 assists.Lewis also scored 26 points in a 102-17 victory over Scarborough on Jan. 20, and freshman Broderick Malone had 25 points. Scarborough is 0-13 after the loss to Washington, while the Heights Bulldogs fell to 11-12 overall and 2-2 in District 18-6A following a 42-33 loss to Westbury last Thursday. Waltrip dropped to 5-12 on the season and 2-4 in District 23-5A with a loss to 61-51
You’ve been exposed to COVID. How safe are your pets?
Dear Tabby, My family has been exposed to COVID. As we wait and see if we get the virus too, I’m concerned about spreading it to our dog and cats. Can animals get the Omicron variant and is there any way to protect them from it? Concerned about COVID in Garden Oaks
Dear Concerned about COVID, What a nerve-wracking time that we live in! That feeling when you’ve been exposed to the virus and then feel like a “sitting duck” as you await the arrival of potential symptoms…I do hope that you and yours stay healthy! This begs an important question: if you get the Omicron variant of COVID, can you infect your pets? Can pets get COVID? Drs. Sarah Hamer and Lori Teller, both associate professors at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have been studying the impacts on animals that the COVID virus has and they offer some guid-
ance. “In our study here at Texas A&M University, we have sampled more than 580 household pets that all live where at least one person was infected with COVID-19, and we confirmed infections in about 100 animals,” Hamer said. “As far as we know, pet infections result from spillover from humans; infected people who share space with their pets can infect their pets, just as humans can infect other people.” Symptoms tend to be mild Thankfully, when a pet contracts the virus, their symptoms tend to be very mild to non-existent. You might notice your pet having a few more respiratory issues than normal
and that’s about it. Dr. Teller advises that if your pet is experiencing mild respiratory symptoms of COVID, supportive care is the best course of action. This includes keeping them well hydrated, encouraging rest and the occasional anti-inflammatory medication to help with any discomfort. Don’t socially distance from your pets
If you’re inclined to seclude yourself entirely from your pet because you’re afraid of infecting them, rethink that decision. Pets are an enormous comfort to humans and, especially since the virus has fewer impacts on pets than on humans, it’s important to keep your beloved pets close to you as you weather this storm. When humans are sick, often our pets are just as comfort-
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