10-08-22 Edition of The Leader

Citgo 6 executives released from Venezuela

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Families of five oil executives, including two family members of a local resident, have been reunited after the being imprisoned abroad for nearly five years.

Last Saturday, President Joe Biden announced that five Citgo executives, including the father and uncle of a Heights resident, and two other men were on their way home after being jailed in Venezuela since shortly before Thanksgiving 2017.

Heights resident Alexandra Forseth’s father, Alirio Zambrano,

and her uncle, Jose Luis Zambra no, were among those released.

Jorge Toledo, Tomeu Vadell, and Jose Pereira were the other Citgo executives who are coming home, while former U.S. Marine Corporal Matthew Heath and a Florida man named Osman Khan were also re leased.

One member of the “Citgo 6,” as the executives came to be known, Gustavo Cardenas, was the first one released earlier this year.

“Today, after years of being wrongfully detained in Venezuela, we are bringing home Jorge To ledo, Tomeu Vadell, Alirio Zam brano, Jose Luis Zambrano, Jose

National Night Out

Pereira, Matthew Heath, and Os man Khan. These individuals will soon be reunited with their families and back in the arms of their loved ones where they belong,” Biden said in a statement last Saturday.

Forseth did not respond to two Tuesday text messages requesting comment.

According to an article from CNN, the executives were released in exchange for the release of two Venezuelans imprisoned in the US for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the country, both of whom are relatives of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores.

Man wanted in connection to fatal apartment shooting

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Houston police are searching for a man accused of shooting and killing a man and hospitalizing two women late last month at a Northside Vil lage apartment complex, according to the Houston Police Department.

Reginald Torres, 20, is charged with murder in connection to the shooting, according to Harris Coun ty court records. He is still at large, according to the department.

The man has been identified as Brayan Cuevas, 22, while the two women – ages 18 and 22 – were treated at nearby hospitals and re leased, according to the department.

Officers on Sept. 24 responded to a report of a shooting in the 4000 block of Irvington Boulevard and found a man and two women with several gunshot wounds, according to the department.

Cuevas was unresponsive and transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the department. The women were treated and re leased, according to police.

Anyone with information on Tor res’ whereabouts is urged to contact the department’s homicide division at 713-308-3600 or speak anony mously with Houston Crime Stop pers at 713-222-8477.

Local neighborhood association hosting annual home tour

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

An annual event aimed at showcasing some of the Heights’ unique neighborhood home styles is set for next weekend.

Next Saturday and Sunday, the Norhill Neighborhood As sociation will host its 2022 Bungalow Home Tour on Oct. 15-16 from noon-4 p.m. each day. During the event, six homes will be featured that the association says will bring attention to the unique style of bungalow homes in the

Heights-area neighborhood.

The Norhill neighborhood was first developed more than 90 years ago by William and Michael Hogg, and the Stude family led by Henry Stude, ac cording to the organization. And organizers say the annual tour is the perfect way in which to celebrate the neighbor hood’s unique style “Norhill has benefited from green parks and esplanades, conveniently located schools and churches, and more than 90 years of protective deed restrictions,” the association said. “The result is a rare and well-preserved collection of

bungalow style homes not found elsewhere.”

Homes to be featured will be 1127 Fugate St., 1129 E. 16th St., 1038 E. 16th St., 4610 Oak Ridge St., 830 W. Temple St., and 1115 Walling St. Tickets can be purchased online at norhill.org or at Heights-area retail spots for $25 through Oct. 14, or for $30 at several homes the days of the event.

For more information on the tour or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.norhill.org/ events/2022-bungalow-hometour/.

Houston

Contributed photo

An officer with the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office helps with face paining during the Near Northwest Management District’s National Night Out event. It was one of several around the area on Tuesday.

Contributed photo

Aldine ISD students performed at the NNMD’s Nation al Night Out for nearly 3,000 attendees.

Contributed photo Festivities included face painting, rock climbing, fun games, chances to try on fire hats, and more.

Photo by Gia Guidry

Pictured is one of the homes to be featured during the Norhill Neighborhood Association Home Tour Oct. 15-16.

Staff file photo

Heights resident Alexandra Forseth’s (front) father and uncle are among Citgo 6 executives recently released from Venezuela.

Torres

St. Thomas soars to remain undefeated

By Landan Kuhlmann

The St. Thomas Eagles are a perennial TAPPS contender for a decade, despite not raising a state championship trophy for nearly two decades.

But this year’s squad looks to have visions of changing that trend, and continued to roll last weekend. St. Thomas took down Houston Kinkaid 35-14 last Friday, moving their record to 5-0 as the season reaches its midway point.

Donte Lewis completed 15 of 20 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns for the Eagles, while Johann Carde nas amassed 178 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries – Cardenas’ third straight game rushing for at least 100 yards.

Luke Edgecomb paced the Eagles’ receiving corps with four catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Zach Rocha and Jackson Ward each had 11 tackles to spearhead St. Thomas’ defen sive effort, while Aron Valen

tine had an interception and fumble recovery. Caleb Davis also had eight tackles to go along with an interception.

Elsewhere in private school action, Lutheran High North dropped to 0-5 on the sea son with a 33-15 loss to New Braunfels Christian Academy.

St. Pius X (2-3) was idle last week, and will be back in ac tion Friday night against Con cordia Lutheran.

Public schools

The Heights Bulldogs got back on track last week, snap ping a three-game skid with a 56-0 win over Bellaire. Allen Rainey threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns without an interception for Heights (33, 1-1 district), also adding 67 yards rushing and a score. Nick Brown (6 catches, 77 yards) paced a receiving corps that saw four different players haul in scoring tosses.

Booker T. Washington con tinued its historic start, mov ing to 5-0 for the first time in more than two decades with

a 63-14 victory over Wheat ley last Thursday. Freshman Nicholas Tramble tied a sea son high with 174 yards rush ing and three touchdowns for the Eagles (5-0, 2-0), while Kamryn Jackson threw three touchdowns.

Andre Walker II (70 yards, touchdown) and Bro drick Malone (69 yards, touch down) paced the receiving corps, while Anthony Brown rushed for two scores.

Waltrip also continued its strong play, beating Wisdom 64-7 last Friday to move to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in District 9-5A. Tramayne Black had 100 yards and three touch downs rushing for the Rams, while Beto Ramirez threw two touchdowns. Jaylen Middle ton also had two punt returns for touchdowns, while Shaun Crawford Jr. returned a kickoff for a score.

Scarborough dropped to 1-4 on the season and 0-2 in dis trict play with a 58-0 loss to Yates last weekend.

Man accused of shooting family member in Heights

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A man has been arrested and accused of fatally shoot ing a family member after an argument outside their home in the Heights late last month, according to the Houston Po lice Department.

David Acosta, 22, has been charged with murder in con nection to the shooting, ac cording to Harris County court records. He remained in jail as of Tuesday, accord ing to court records, with his

bond set at $85,000.

He is accused of shooting and killing Arthur Acosta, 24. Acosta and the victim at about 8:30 a.m. Sept. 25 were allegedly arguing at a home in the 1400 block of Oxford Street, during which Acosta allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the man, according to the police.

Acosta allegedly fled the scene following the shooting, according to police, but was taken into custody a short time later.

Man shot, killed in Acres Homes

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Police are searching for the suspect(s) who fatally shot a man at an Acres Homes apart ment complex Monday after noon, according to the Hous ton Police Department.

The victim’s identity is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department.

Officers responded to a shooting call at an apartment

complex in the 9600 block of West Montgomery Road just before 12:30 p.m. Monday, police said, to find the man between apartment buildings with a single gunshot wound.

He was later pronounced dead at HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, according to HPD.

There are currently no known motives or witnesses to the shooting, according to the department.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call HPD’s

Man killed in Candlelight Plaza car crash

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A man has died after a car crash in Candlelight Plaza late last week, according to the Houston Police Department.

The victim’s identity is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department.

The man was driving a green Kawasaki Ninja ZX mo torcycle east at 1200 Pinemont Dr. around midnight on Sept. 30, police said, when he alleg edly ran a stoplight and col lided with a white Dodge Ram pickup truck heading north on Ella Boulevard.

Paramedics pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene, according to HPD.

The man driving the pickup was questioned at the scene and released, police said, and there have been no charges filed as of Tuesday.

Homicide division at 713-3083600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713222-8477.

The

before Thanksgiving in 2017, when they were arrested by the government of Nicolas Maduro.

And so began a saga that would last for nearly five long years as the families have been separat ed. But that is no more. The men are home, and their families are overjoyed.

“The Zambrano family is thrilled that my dad, uncle, and the other innocent Americans are free,” the Zambrano family said in a statement accord ing to a report from Houston TV station ABC13.

Citgo is a subsidiary of PDVSA, an oil-and-gas company run by the Venezuelan government, and the men were arrested, accused of trying to make a deal that would financially inhibit PDVSA and

convicted in November 2020 by a Venezuelan judge. Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the convictions “wrongful” and described the judicial proceeding as a “kangaroo court.”

Rallies were held at Candlelight Park locally, and in Washington, D.C., over the last several years as families urged federal government inter vention to bring the men home.

Now, the families can now begin the process of putting the entire ordeal behind them

“After almost five years, my dad and uncle are now able to get the much needed medical care they need in the United States and be reunited with us,” the Zambrano family said according to ABC13.

Heel of fortune

THE RESTAURANT -Business is slow. Actually, the place is empty. This is my latest get-rich-quick at tempt since my Enron Re union Party was called off. Several former employees wanted to come but their probation officers said no.

My Harvey Anniversary Gala was cancelled because FEMA never showed up with the tents and food. New restaurants were opening in Houston, so I tried my luck in a former downtown park ing lot turned into a food court: Asphalt Appetites. My place catered to office workers who just wanted a quick lunch before returning to their cubicles. I called it Get the Runs Café. No one came and only then did I discover downtown Houston had no more office work ers. They were working and eating lunch at home. I opened a home delivery food service, Club Curb. In order that deliveries could be made quicker, the drivers would simply slow down and toss the meals out the car window. I was arrested for littering.

My ideas were going no where, so I sought advice from my financial consul tant. His temporary office was under a bridge at the Southwest Freeway and the West Loop. I knocked on his tent. There was a voice from inside. “If you’re from the feds, I really did have five thousand employees to qual ify for pandemic relief. They were all members of the Texas National Guard and were sent to the border to round up illegal nine-yearolds. So don’t pester me for a refund.”

He finally came out, sat down and bummed a ciga rette off a passing Salvation Army tambourine player. “What’s your problem? Did you make a fortune with your Ted Cruz Cancun Travel Agency? How about that Planned Parenthood franchise in the Vatican?” I repressed a sob. “I lost my savings on those. And you are the one who told me to bet on Texas A and M over Appalachian State.” He nod ded. “That reminds me. So you don’t have to pay a scalper, get your Houston Texan Super Bowl tickets now.” He went on to predict that the Rockets would have a mathematical chance of finishing this season. “What you need to do is try again to open a restaurant. But you have to be original. Of fer Houstonians something different. Say, do you know where I can find a Randall’s shopping cart?”

I tried again, noting how many Ukrainian refugees have come to Houston, I

Lynn Ashby Columnist

er back at his office watching the concrete trucks dumping their loads at the overpass.

“Maybe national politics are not your thing,” he said as he cut off his ankle monitor.

pretty sight. I noticed peo ple were geared up for the November elections. Crime and public safety were hot topics, and due to charges of police brutality, there was a movement to defund the police. I needed to cater to that group, so I opened a soul food shop, Black & Blue Lives Matter. It bombed. Then I tried a police-friendly cafe, Take a Truncheon to Luncheon. The cops didn’t see the humor in the name, and when I refused to be handcuffed I was cited for “resisting a wrist.”

I again sought advice from my financial consul tant. “I can’t find any suc cess in business.” I wailed. “What should I do, oh wise one?” He picked up the phone on the other side of the glass. “Your idea of turn ing a buck on the upcoming elections was a good one. I mean, those pols are throw ing money around like Joe Biden at a student loan of fice. To get your deserved share, stop playing Mister Nice Guy. Do as Karl Rove and Steve Bannon do. Get down and dirty. You need to worm your way into poli tics. Oops. Gotta go. Visiting hours are over.” I started a campaign slogan firm, “Votes For Sale,” and print ed bumper stickers: “Honk If You Hate” and “Biden

Sleeps With a Nightlight.” I sold out.

Next I came up with “MAGA – Make America Greedy Again.” Boffo! Work ing the other side, I sold “Deport Immigrants – Like Mrs. Trump III.” I created a children’s game with little connecting plastic blocks, Mar-a-Lego, but I was raided by the FBI. Finally, I was de classified by Donald Trump. It occurred to me that Trump needed more security, which is why I approached Rupert Murdoch to help protect the former president in his Manhattan digs. I called my project Fox Guards the Pent house. No luck. I tried to hire the Muppets to spearhead a huge misinformation cam paign headed by Kermit. I called it Voter Frog. They wouldn’t go along. I found my financial advis

“Aim at some low-hanging fruit. Work where there is massive corruption, mini mal IQs and political lead ers who should be in jail.” I immediately went to Austin and became an advisor to top state leaders. Gov. Greg Abbott wanted a slogan for his non-campaign for presi dent. He rejected: “It’s Not My Fault.” After the Uvalde school tragedy, he said, “It could have been worse.” An other rejection.

In September of 2021 Gov. Abbott proclaimed: “Texas will work tirelessly to make sure that we eliminate all rapists from the streets.” Put it to music as a TV ad. Since then a sexual assault hot line in Houston received a record amount of calls re porting rapes. Gov. Abbott shrugged. “No.” I suggested the governor, in case of another deadly freeze, bus all utility workers to Wash ington, but he said he had already signed a bill outlaw ing all freezes. Lite Gov. Dan Patrick turned down my sug gestion of a campaign booth at the UT faculty club. When I approached Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton’s house, he ran out the back door. I once again sought out my financial ad viser. “Start here with my neighbors under the bridge. They are broke, dispirited, have no future.” “Who are they?” I asked. “Democratic candidates.”

Ashby gets rich at ashby2@comcast.net

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

Pastor Jerry McNamara

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

We invite you to worship with us!

Weekly Worship Services 9:00a.m

9:00 am.

The Master of the Storm

By Pastor Will Cover Arise Baptist Church

Ihave been watching the news about Hurricane Ian. It seems like every year there is a big storm somewhere around the Gulf that causes major damage. In the Bible, Luke records the story of a time where Jesus and his disciples went through a storm. In fact, the Bible says that they were in danger because of the power of the storm. While the disciples were afraid, Jesus slept peacefully in the boat. When they woke him up he asked them a simple question, “Where is your faith?”

Storms can teach us very important lessons. The disciples learned that while storms have great power, God’s power is much greater. They learned that

while God has power to calm storms that does not mean he will not allow storms to take place. God uses powerful storms to teach us about our own weakness and to prove our faith. The disciples did not have faith in Jesus’ ability to calm the storm. He cared for them even in spite of their lack of faith. He demonstrated His power by calming the wind and waves with just a simple verbal command. I don’t know what your storm may be that you are facing. It may be an actual hurricane or it may feel even worse than a hurricane. God’s power is greater than any storm you face. He will teach you something very important about himself and about yourself if you will pay attention. He will care for you through the storm if you will look to him!

Dr. Bao-Tran Nguyen

Dr. Stephanie Fulton

Dr. Jaclyn Harrison,

Art Valet:HoustonArtFestivalcelebrates50Years

The Houston fall art extravaganzas continue this weekend with exhib its, opening receptions, festivals and of course, one cool little art market. Read on.

The activities at Saw yer Yards seem to be growing daily. The ongo ing open studios at Sec ond Saturdays at Sawyer Yards are open Saturday noon - 5 p.m., the sprawl ing campus of art cre atives is always bustling with activities, new art in the artist’s studios and mini galleries.

Adorning many of the walls on the studio hallways are exhibits by FotoFest Biennial 2022, not to be missed. Just outside The Silos at Saw yer Yards on the former rail line where freight trains lined up to receive their loads of rice, is The Market at Sawyer Yards. The market has live mu sic, food and a couple dozen arts and craft ex hibitors. Details on ev erything Sawyer Yards can be found online at https://www.sawyer yards.com.

Visitors to the open studios may find a few doors closed this Satur day because many of the fine artists are attending the 50th Anniversary of

Bayou City Art Festival.

The two day event is Saturday and Sunday, October 8-9, located in Sam Houston Park and along Allen Parkway, Bayou City Art Festival will celebrate 50 years of providing unique art ex periences and education for the greater Houston area, while supporting local organizations and promoting the impact that art has on the Hous ton community.

The festival moved off the streets surrounding City Hall last year due to construction. This loca

tion is easy to walk, there is more shade and the layout is more akin to the Spring festival at Memo rial Park.

Visitors will find art work from 19 art disci plines including paint ings, prints, jewelry, sculptures, and more. The festival features live music, a food truck park, and beverage stations throughout the festival along with two enter tainment stages and art installations. Reviewing the list of musicians and food trucks, I noticed many familiar names.

The festival has a wine garden, craft beer garden, and Art Bar, of course. In the Active Imagination Zone, the festival’s non profit partners will host hands-on art activities for all ages.

If you’re a huge fan like me, VIP is the way to go. Bayou City Art Festival offers a limited availability VIP ticket ex perience, which includes light bites, complimenta ry beer, wine, and other beverages. The relaxing setting under a canopy of trees also features roaming musicians, artis

tic décor, a phone charg ing station, and more. VIPs will receive all-day access to the VIP area, along with VIP parking.

There’s a lot of new events happening within the festival including a new Chef’s Table to cel ebrate the culinary arts. Houstonians do love to eat! Each chef will dem onstrate a signature reci pe and pass out samples for attendees after each demonstration.

The festival is known for its emerging artist section where aspiring artists are given the op

portunity to present their work to the public. This year the Art Colony As sociation, the nonprofit behind Bayou City Art Festival, has launched the Collegiate Art Col lective, a new and unique exhibition featuring oneof-a-kind artwork from Houston area college art students.

Bayou City Art Festival invited Houston area col lege and university visual art students to apply for the opportunity to repre sent their school, and to showcase and sell their art. Only six students were selected to partici pate. The students will have the opportunity to represent their school’s art program as one of the top college student art ists, meet with potential art collectors and buyers, and participate in one of the top juried art festivals in the country.

Online tickets are available at www.bayou cityartfestival.com for $18 for adults, $5 for chil dren 6-12, and children under five are free. VIP tickets are $70. Online pre-purchased tickets are required to enter the fes tival. Tickets will not be sold at the gate and can only be purchased online.

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

Nibbles and Sips: Gourmet dog bakery open in Garden Oaks

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Area residents want ing to spoil their pooches with treats now have a new options available in the local neighborhood.

Last Saturday, The Doggie Express held a grand opening in Garden Oaks at 1234 W. 34th St. in Garden Oaks, accord ing to a news release from the bakery.

The Doggie Express menu features organic, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and hand-dec orated treats, the release said, from hand-deco rated cookies and Bones Day cakes to “woof ins,” “pup cakes,” meaty chews and ice cream.

“We didn’t just want healthy treats,” founder

and owner Kelly Long said in the releases. “The treats also needed to taste delicious and be whimsical, and I think we got it right.”

The shop will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon day through Friday, ac cording to its website.

In addition to the retail shop, the shop also has a dog park with space for parties and rescue adop tion events.

For more information on The Doggie Express, visit its website at the doggieexpress.com.

King’s Bierhaus hosting Oktoberfest Oct. 14-16

Next weekend, local residents can get into the spirit of Oktoberfest with a three-day celebration

at a local brewhouse.

According to its Face book page, King’s Bier haus, 2044 E. T.C. Jester Blvd., will put on its 10th annual three-day Okto berfest celebration from Oct. 14-16. The celebra tion will include live Ger man music, massive Ok toberfest tents, exclusive German beers, authentic Oktoberfest food, Okto berfest competitions, and more such as giveaways.

The celebration will run from 3 p.m.-midnight on Friday, noon-midnight on Saturday, and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information on the Oktoberfest cel ebration, visit the event page at kingsoktoberfest. com.

Mitch cohen

Photo by Katya Horner

The 50th Annual Bayou City Art Festival Downtown is Saturday and Sunday

Photo from Facebook

The Doggie Express, which has a various selection of treats for pooches, held their grand opening last Saturday at 1234 W. 34th St. in Garden Oaks.

Photo

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