12-03-22 Edition of The Heights Leader

Man missing from area bar found dead

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A man who was last seen alive in the Heights more than two weeks ago has been found dead.

Earlier this week, Houston police said a body, later con firmed to be 26-year-old Delano Burkes, was found in the Port of Houston on Friday morning.

According to the Houston Police Department, Burkes was last seen walking away from a

bar in the Heights just after 1 a.m. on Nov. 13.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the cause and way in which Burkes died had not yet been determined, Harris County In stitute of Forensic Sciences spokesperson Michele Arnold said.

According to multiple reports, Burkes was found in the Port of Houston and had last been seen over two weeks ago. He had last been seen wearing a black/gray

Getting in the spirit

plaid button up shirt and blue pants, according to HPD.

Burkes’ mother Karen Jeff ley said during a press confer ence last week that the fam ily suspected there was more to Burkes’ disappearance than simply consuming too much al cohol, and that the last video he was seen on made it appear as though he was hurt.

Jeffley said during the press

Annual Heights markets return for Christmas shoppers

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Residents of the Heights and sur rounding communities who want to get an early start on their Christmas shop ping can do just that at a couple of local holiday markets this weekend.

This Saturday will be the 18th annual Heights Holiday Market, which will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Boulevard Realty, on the second floor of the build ing at 927 Studewood St. in the Heights. And on Dec. 10, the Heights Iron Works Holiday Market will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 201 W. 15th St.

Organizer Dorie Kerr said the Heights Holiday Market is in its 18th year, and was one of the first markets in the area.

City lifts boil water notice

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Houstonians are now able to use and drink water provided by the city again.

As of early Tuesday morning, the city of Houston announced that it had lifted the boil water notice that was issued Sunday night after the Texas Commis sion on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) confirmed that tap water meets all regulatory standards and is safe to drink.

“Houston Water has taken the necessary corrective actions to restore the quality of the water distributed by this public water system used for drinking water or human consumption purposes and has provided TCEQ with lab oratory test results that indicate that the water no longer requires boiling prior to use,” the city said in a news release Tuesday.

Houston ISD had already can celed classes and on-campus ac tivities for Tuesday, but released a statement saying all schools and facilities would resume nor mal operations on Wednesday. The district said maintenance and nutrition services person nel had begun flushing, cleaning, and sanitizing water fountains, pipes, faucets, and equipment with waterline connections along with replacing water filters at water bottle filling stations district wide as of Tuesday after noon in preparation for Wednes day’s return.

“The health and safety of our students remains our top prior ity and we look forward to re suming in person instruction,” the district said. “The district does not anticipate the need to make up the prior two days as it

Heights Holiday Home Tour returns this weekend

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

An annual effort aimed at educating community members on and display ing the history of the historic Houston Heights neighborhood is slated to be back this weekend.

This Friday and Satur day Dec. 2-3, the Hous ton Heights Association will host its 18th annual Holiday Home and Hops

Guided Walking Tour. The annual event, which just last year added a beer tasting from Eureke Heights Brewing Co. at each stop on the tour, is aimed at putting the his tory of the Heights on display for all Housto nians.

This year’s event will begin and end at Dono van Park, 700 Heights Blvd. Attendees will be able to take photos with

Santa for $20 each, with proceeds going to the HHA. There will also be complementary face painting provided by Norhill Realty, treats from Common Bond, hot choc olate provided by New Heights Coffee Roasters, and more.

“I enjoy bringing our community together through events like

Contributed photo

Community members stop for a photo during a previous Heights Holiday Market. This year’s event will be held at Boulevard Realty on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Photo from Houston Heights Association website

Pictured is one of the homes that will be featured during the Heights Holiday Home and Hops Tour this Friday and Saturday.

Delano Burkes

Men charged Two have been charged with capital murder in connection to a hotel shooting in February.

Flying high The St. Thomas Eagles and other local hoops teams shined at holiday tournaments

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

One man has been ar rested and another is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a man outside a local hotel in February, according to the Houston Police Depart ment.

Bernard Aaron Robert son, 21, has been arrested and charged with capital murder in the death of 42-year-old Johnathan Oghensboro, according to Harris County court re cords. He remained in jail as of Tuesday, according to court records, with his bond set at $1 million.

A second man, 21-yearold Isaac Oliver Elmore Jr., has also been charged with capital murder according

to court records. He is cur rently on the run, accord ing to HPD.

Officers responded to the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn Houston-Brookhollow hotel at 12929 Northwest Fwy. just after 6 p.m. Feb. 21, HPD said, to find the victim lying on the ground. Eyewitnesses told investi

gators they heard gunshots ring out before seeing a white U-Haul van with the Arizona license plate AL34831 flee the scene.

Citing eyewitness re ports and evidence found at the scene, police said the victim initially pulled into the hotel parking lot in his own car alongside the

white van that was carrying the two suspected shoot ers. HPD said one suspect got into a struggle with the victim while holding him at gunpoint, while the second reached into the victim’s car and grabbed a back pack that he then threw into the van.

One of the suspects, al leged to be Robertson, is accused of shooting the victim during a struggle before fleeing the scene in the U-Haul van, according to HPD.

Anyone with informa tion about Isaac Elmore, Jr.’s potential whereabouts is asked to contact HPD’s Homicide division at 713308-3600 or speak anony mously with Houston Crime Stoppers at 713222-8477.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Houston police are searching for suspects in a shooting that killed one man and put two others in the hospital in the Heights last week end, according to the Houston Police Depart ment.

The identity of the victim – a 17-year-old boy – is pending an au topsy from the county’s medical examiner, ac cording to the depart ment, while the other two men were taken to a hospital and expected to survive.

Police just after 8 p.m. on Nov. 26 responded to an apartment com plex in the 600 block of

East 11 1/2th Street in the Heights to find the 17-year-old unrespon sive and shot multiple times, according to the department. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said, while the other two men were also found with gunshot wounds.

It is not known what led to the shooting, the department said, and there are currently no known suspects accord ing to police.

Anyone with informa tion about the shoot ing is asked to contact HPD’s Homicide Divi sion at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-2228477.

A man was killed as the result of multi-car crash in the local area last week, ac cording to the Houston Po lice Department.

The man’s identity is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical exam iner, according to the de partment.

A black Jeep Renegade was heading east on West 34th Street near 11194 Northwest Fwy. near the Highway 290 service road just after 3 p.m. on Nov. 23, police said, when it collided with a white Ford Explorer heading north on the ser vice road. The Jeep then hit a light pole, police said, causing debris to go flying and hit a gold Fort F-150 pickup truck.

The victim, who was a

passenger in the Jeep ac cording to police, was pro nounced dead at the scene according to the depart ment. The drivers of the Explorer and pickup truck as well as a passenger in the Explorer were taken to local hospitals, according to HPD. No charges have yet been filed in the ongoing investi gation, according to the de partment.

ReadeRs’ ChoiCe 2022 ReadeRs’ ChoiCe 2022

ANIMALS & PET SERVICES

Animal Hospital

Oak Forest Veterinary Hospital * PetCare Express

Veterinarian

Dr. Beverly Crocker, DVM * Dr. Hallie Moore

Pet Emergency VERGI 24/7 * Gulf Coast

Day Care/Boarding Paws Pet Resort * Tongue & Tail Pet Ser vices

Pet Sitter Service

Oak Forest Veterinary Hospital * Pupotropolis Dog & Pet Sitting Inc.

Pet Store Kriser’s * Molly’s Mutt House

Grooming Paws Pet Resort * Molly’s Mutt House

Pet Waste Removal Scoop Le Poop * Tongue & Tail Pet Ser vices

Pet Treats and Food The Doggie Express* Molly’s Mutt House

AUTO SERVICE

Auto Repair Heights Mobil * NLine Automotive

Auto Dealer Ella Motors * Tommie Vaughn Ford Oil Change Heights Mobil * Kar Hospital

BEAUTY

Hair Salon

Valor Barbershop * Revive Salon and Spa

Stylist Brock Conrad * Melodie Wilson - Revive Day Spa

Revive Salon and Spa * LV Nails Spa

Tanning Salon

Glo Girl Spray Tanning * Tanoholicsanonymous

Manicure/Pedicure

The Elysian Boutique * LV Nails Spa

Esthetician

Abbie Starr Skin Bar* Purr Beauty

COMMUNITY

Church Garden Oaks Baptist Church * St Rose Lima Catholic

Community

Minister Pastor Will Cover *

Pastor Jon Purvis

Non-Profit

Animal Justice League * Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Al liance (MANNA)

Local Politician John Whitmire * Jack Cagle

DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT

Smoothies

Clean Juice * Juiceland

Frozen Treat Sweet Frog * Preslee’s

Brewery Greater Heights Brewery * Eureka Heights Brewery

Bar

Wakefield Crowbar * William Price Distill ing

Coffee Shop Slow Pokes * Uncle Bean’s Coffee

Happy Hour We Olive & Wine Bar * Sassafras

Wine Bar We Olive & Wine Bar * Plonk! Beer & Wine Bistro

Sports Bar

Christian’s Tailgate Bar & Grill *

Wakefield Crowbar Cocktail Bar Eight Row Flint * Johnny’s Gold Brick

Dive Bar The Upside Pub * West Alabama Ice House

EDUCATION

Nursery/Day Care Johnson Memorial School * Garden Oaks Baptist (the garden kids)

Learning Center Johnson Memorial School * Children’s Lighthouse

Private/Parochial School St. Pius X * St. Ambrose Catholic School

Public School Waltrip High School * Hogg Middle School

Community College Houston Community College * Lone Star College

After School Program St. Ambrose Catholic School * Children’s Lighthouse Tutor Susan Sessions * Jane Cardwell

ENTERTAINMENT

Family Entertainment Center

Lovebug’s Playground * DelMar Lanes

Community Theater Theatre Suburbia * The Heights Theater

Live Music Venue

Last Concert Café * The Heights Theater

Local Museum

The Houston Toy Mu seum * Art Car Museum

Art Gallery

The Whimsy Artisan Boutique * The Silos at Sawyer Yards

Local Artist Oralia * Arlene Delagarza

Food & Restaurants Ella Blvd * Pappas Son Donuts

Asian Sichuan Pepper * Saigon Hustle

BBQ Gatlin’s BBQ * Pinkerton’s Barbecue

Hamburger MytiBurger * Miller’s Cafe

Hot Wings Dream Wings * T-Bones Sports Pub

Hot Dogs Good Dog * Dawg Haus

Ice Cream Fat Cat Creamery* Sweet Frog

Italian Cavatore * Collina’s

Mediterranean Aladdin * Niko Nikos

Mexican Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage * Nanas Tacos

.

.

Tacos 1st - Valencia’s Tex Mex Garage 2nd - Nanas Tacos

Pizzeria Star Pizza * Daddyo’s

Sandwich Shop Ploughman’s Deli & Café * Ike’s Love & Sand wiches

Seafood Millie’s Kitchen and Cocktails * Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage

Specialty Food Store Asch Building * 99 Ranch Market

Steak House Pappas Brothers Steak house * Brenner’s on the Bayou

Sushi Jellyfish * The Blue Fish

Breakfast Jackie’s Kitchen * Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage

Brunch Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage * Wakefield Crowbar

Lunch Millie’s Kitchen and Cocktails * Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage

Date Place Rainbow Lodge * We Olive & Wine Bar

Caterer Underhill Urban Farm Co * Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage

Service Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage * We Olive & Wine Bar

Takeout Valencia’s Tex-Mex Garage * MytiBurger

Place to Host a Party William Price Distilling * Wakefield Crowbar

Patio

William Price Distilling * Harold’s

GENERAL SHOPPING

Bookstore Bliss on 19th * Kaboom Books

Children’s Clothing Store

Threadfare Children’s Boutique * Itsy Bitsy

Antique Store Heights Antiques on Yale * Lovejoy’s Antiques & Collectibles

Local Furniture Store Alabama Furniture * Gallery Furniture

Gift Shop Bliss on 19th * Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop

Grocery Store HEB Heights * Trader Joe’s

Jewelry Store Erika Delgado Jewelry * JVP Jewelry

Liquor Store Lim Liquor * Total Wine

Men’s Clothing Store Manready Mercantile * VJW Clothiers

Resale Shop / Consignment Alabama Furniture * Houston Junior Forum Resale shop

Toy Store Big Blue Whale * Super Happy Incredible Toys

Women’s Clothing Store Lucy’s Boutique and Gifts * Emerson Rose

Shoe/Boot Shop Moo-chila * Jubilee

Home Goods Bliss on 19th * Eclectic Homes

Music/Record Store Vinyl Edge * Sig’s Lagoon Record Shop

Best Bike Shop I Cycle Bike Shop * Blue Line Bike Lab

HEALTH

Hospital Memorial Hermann Greater Heights * Texas Women’s Hospital Physician Dr. Shahid Rahman * Jenny Le

Assisted Living Home Best Personal Care *

Chiropractor Dr. Greg Green - Green Chiropractic * Dr. Nataly Perez- Hous ton Heights Sports Chiropractor + Acu puncturist

Dentist Bayou City Smiles * Greater Houston Den tal Arts

Dermatologist Dr. Alpesh DesaiHeights Dermatology * Dr. Tejas DesaiHeights Dermatology

Eye Care Provider Eye to Eye * Mann Eye Institute

Massage Therapist Authenticity MassagePenny Mickel * Triger Massage Therapy

Women’s Health Provider

Dr. Jenny Le * Dr. Nataly Perez

Pediatrician Dr. Diana Eisner * Dr. Rachel Baker

Urgent Care Memorial Hermann Go Health Urgent Care * Next Level Urgent Care

Wellness Center Heights Wellspace * Houston Chiropractic & Therapy

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Architect Aaron Lytal * Covington Signature Homes

Custom Home Builder Covington Signature Homes * Max Construction, LLC.

Developer Covington Signature Homes * Echo Custom Homes

Appliance Store Lowes * U.S. Appliance Electrician Deuce Electrical * Bakenhus Electric

Flooring Store Colony Flooring * Forsyth flooring

Garden/Landscaping Company Outside Interests Inc * Set Roots

General Contractor Covington Signature Homes - Andrew Ad ams* Max Construction, LLC

Plumber Cooper Plumbing * Joe Petrovich

Heating & Air Conditioning Service Heights A/C and Heat ing * Pinnacle A/C & Heating

Home Decorating Store SK Designs * Jubilee

Interior Design / Decorator SK Designs * Kendra Benson Interi ors

Hardware Store C&D Hardware * Turner Hardware Store

Pest Control Company Kilgore * Cherokee

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Attorney Law Office of Phyllis A. Oeser * Amanda Pierson - The Heights Law Group

Bank/Credit Union Allegiance Bank * Members Trust Credit Union

Dry Cleaners

Bells My Own * Wolfe’s Cleaners on Studewood

Insurance Agent Aitu Taube State Farm * Kayla Warren

Cleaning Service

Detail Cleaning Services * Emma Arzate

Florist Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop * Frankie & Flora

Funeral Home Pat Foley Dignity * Woodlawn

Photographer Christina Martinez * Lisa Jane Eden Studio

Financial Advisor Sarah Cuddy with Baird * Jonathan Kolmetz

Computer Service Computer Hospital * Experimax

Travel Agent Planet One Travel * Marina Dal Security Sean Collins ADT * Vivint

Energy Broker Pratt Power Partners * Spartan Energy

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Mortgage Company Santiago FavelaRegions Heights * Shane Davis- First United Mortgage Group

Real Estate Agent Joanne Vest - Texas Residential Specialists * Ginny Ledwell

Real Estate Company IndyQuest Properties * Ledwell Realty

SPORTS & FITNESS

Dance Studio

Houston Dance Works * Claire’s School of Dance

Park Shepherd Park * TC Jester Park

Sporting Goods Store Academy Golf Course Cypresswood * Acorn 50/50

Workout Facility/Gym Planet Fitness * HTX FightCamp

Group Fitness/Aerobics Body Rock Pilates * HTX FightCamp

Local boys’ hoops squads strong at holiday tournaments

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

While many were off enjoying the Thanksgiving tournament, several of the area’s high school boys’ basket ball teams were putting in solid work at holiday tournaments around the region and country.

On the private school side, the St. Thomas Eagles went 3-0 at the OTR Thanksgiving Classic last week, tak ing down Pasadena Memorial 68-42 on Nov. 23 and Houston Heights 4537 on Nov. 25 before dropping Dal las Spruce 60-44 on Saturday. Ja’Mar Franklin had 21 points for the Eagles (6-0) against Spruce, while Jake Pike had a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds against Pasadena Memorial.

St. Thomas was set to be back in

action Tuesday night against Grace Christian Academy at 7 p.m.

Fresh off an appearance in the TAPPS Class 3A state title game last year, the Lutheran North Acad emy Lions are off to a strong start once again, going 3-1 in tournament play. The Lions (7-2) dropped a 7065 to Fort Worth Christian on Nov. 21 before defeating San Juan Diego Catholic (59-50) later that day and sweeping two games against Lake Country Christian (65-57) and St. Joseph Academy (65-57) on Nov. 22.

The Lions also lost 74-40 against Fort Bend Austin on Nov. 25.

Elsewhere in the private school ranks, the St. Pius X Panthers dropped all three games at the OTR Thanksgiving Class last week, losing 60-51 to Houston Westfield on Nov. 22 before dropping a 51-41 decision to Nimitz and losing 62-55 against St.

Thomas Episcopal on Saturday.

Jordan Johnson had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Panthers (1-8) against Nimitz, then added 18 points and seven rebounds against St. Thomas Episcopal. Grant Shupak also had a strong game against St. Thomas Episcopal, scoring 18 points and grabbing 14 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Kevin Range had 16 points against West field on Nov. 22.

On the public school circuit, the Booker T. Washington Eagles split a pair of games at the Kevin Brown Tournament of Champions on Nov. 23-24. The Eagles (2-2) beat Illinois Yorkville Christian 94-54 on Nov. 23 before losing 110-81 against Florida Winter Haven. Star forward Kenneth Lewis, who has verbally committed to Prairie View A&M, had one of the tournament’s standout performances

with a tournament-record 51 points in the win over Yorkville Christian on Nov. 23 – breaking the previous record of 50 points from Zion Wil liamson, according to tournament officials.

The Waltrip Rams dropped a pair of games last week, losing 58-38 against College Station on Nov. 21 and 71-29 against South Houston on Nov. 22 to drop to 1-5 on the season.

Scarborough dropped to 0-4 on the early season following a 78-29 loss to Milby ahead of Monday’s District 21-4A opener against Worthing on Monday.

Girls It was a quiet week for many of the area’s local girls’ basketball teams. The Booker T. Washington Lady Ea gles dropped to 1-7 on the season fol lowing a 58-12 loss against Sweeny on Nov. 21, and were set to be back

in action Tuesday night against St. Pius X.

The Waltrip Lady Rams were off last week, but sit at 4-0 overall and 2-0 in District 9-5A entering Monday night’s clash with Wisdom.

Heights’ Lady Bulldogs were also idle last week, and were looking to extend a four-game winning streak in Tuesday night’s scheduled matchup.

In the private school ranks, the Lu theran North Academy Lady Lions had their two-game winning streak snapped with an 85-34 loss to Brook shire Royal on Saturday. The Lady Li ons (3-5), were set to clash with The Village School Tuesday night.

St. Pius X, meanwhile, was 1-7 en tering Tuesday’s game against Book er T. Washington.

DOES A LIVING TRUST TRUMP A POWER OF ATTORNEY?

No. A Living Trust does not replace a Power of Attorney, and ideally, you should have both. When many people think about estate planning, they think of Living Trusts as tools to avoid probate and Powers of Attorney to plan for incapacity. In reality, though, the Living Trust is an even better tool for incapacity planning than a Power of Attorney.

A Power of Attorney is a document that grants another trusted person whether it be a spouse, adult child, sibling, or friend, the ability to transact business on another’s behalf while alive. (Side note: a Power of Attorney becomes ineffective the moment the person who executed it dies). And while even the most well-drafted Powers of Attorney can clearly grant the right person the power to do what is necessary to keep their financial life moving, at its most basic level, a Power of Attorney is merely an invitation for another person (or institution) to accept that a designated agent has the right to sign for the principal. Like any invitation, this can be rejected for no good reason. Perhaps the institution fears liability for accepting the Power of Attorney because it is too old or “stale,” or maybe the title company or brokerage firm would have preferred their own institutional power of attorney form. Regardless of the reasons, rejection of a Power of Attorney means your well-drafted plan isn’t working when it needs to do so. New laws are beginning to pop up to penalize financial institutions who wrongly refuse a Power of Attorney, but it can sometimes be costly and time-consuming to bring them to Court to enforce it.

By contrast, if a person places their assets, such as a home or brokerage account, into the name of a Living Trust, they can designate a Successor Trustee to transact on behalf of that Trust. Notably, that Successor Trustee can act if the primary Trustee is unable to do so because they are incapacitated or because they have passed away. For example, if a person has a stroke and can’t sign to sell their house, a title company would automatically allow the Successor Trustee to sign if the Trust owned the house. No invitation necessary.

Whether dining with friends at one of our five-star restaurants, enjoying a massage at our spa, or relaxing by the pool, a world of opportunity awaits at Houston’s newest and most innovative senior living community.

Set in an enclave downtown, yet surrounded by some of Houston’s most prestigious neighborhoods, the community features luxury residences for Senior Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Here, we prioritize wellness and educational offerings promoting growth, connection, and well-being.

Even with a Living Trust, however, any complete estate plan should still contain a Power of Attorney. In case something was not transferred to the Trust, the Power of Attorney could prove helpful for managing that asset.

Photo from Twitter

St. Thomas forward Jake Pike (21) dribbles the ball during a game last season. Pike and the Eagles swept through holiday tournament play last week to stay undefeated on the early season.

Jennifer Solak, Attorney

By Pastor Will Cover

Arise

Baptist Church

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

As we come to another Christmas season, the calendars fill up, the decorations are put up, and the children’s eyes get a little brighter as they think about what might be under the tree in a few weeks. Christmas means hope for fun times with family. Christmas means hope for bonuses at work. Christmas means hope for gifts given and received.

There is a problem with these kinds of hopes. They do not come with a guarantee. You may not get what you hope for and you may be in a situation where you don’t even dare to hope. There is a hope that is guaranteed. That hope is only found in Jesus. It isn’t found in tradition, commercialism, in a political party, or even in a church. The hope is in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. This hope comes with a guarantee because not only did Jesus die for your sin, He also rose again. He didn’t stay dead. I Corinthians 15:19-20 say, “ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.” The hope of Christmas is that in the birth of Christ God was fulfilling His plan to bring salvation to all who will trust in Jesus. This Christmas you can have hope!

If you would like to discuss this further or have questions, Pastor Will Cover can be reached at Arise Baptist Church at 803 Curtin St., or www.arisebaptistchurch.org, or 713659-9697.

It has typically been held in someone’s home to create a more close-knit environ ment, according to Kerr, though a shift was made this year.

“We’ve always had it in someone’s home because we wanted to create a more intimate (and) familiar shop ping environment,” Kerr said.

However, she said the chosen spot is still a hub of community activity and will provide the same environ ment she said the hundreds of attendees who attend each year will still enjoy. There will be 25 vendors at this year’s events, Kerr said, offering art, jewelry, cloth ing, food, coffee, ceramics, decor, and leather goods to shoppers.

And the opportunity to get an early start on Christmas shopping while supporting local businesses, she said, is exactly what makes the Heights and its community so unique.

“Our guests love the op portunity to shop local, small, and for something handmade vs. mass-pro duced,” she said. “We have a great group of artists who are invested in the Heights and bring that energy to the market.

For more information on the Heights Holiday Market, follow them on social media at facebook.com/houston heightsholidaymarket/.

these,” said Laura Rup pert, chairperson for the HHA’s 2022 Holiday Home Tour Committee. “We have had folks not just from the Heights at tend the tour but also many people come from all over the city and sub urbs.”

The Heights Holiday Home Tour originated in 2003 touring inside the

homes, according to Rup pert, though they were briefly halted in 2020 dur ing the COVID-19 pan demic. Coming out of the pandemic last year, Rup pert said the committee came up with the concept of a guided walking tour – which can be taken on either Friday or Saturday for as little as a $5 dona tion to the HHA – for the

first time and Added Eu reka Heights for a beer tasting at each of the homes along the guided tour.

Ruppert said the com mittee has partnered with Heights historians Mark and Kathleen Williamson for the history of each of the seven homes that will be presented during the tour. The guided tour

will start at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and will last about an hour, according to the HHA. It will include fea tured homes at 625 Har vard St., 627 Harvard St., 703 Harvard St., 725 Harvard St., 744 Harvard St., 746 Cortlandt St., and 801 Cortlandt St.

“It’s important to know the history of the vari ous Heights homes and

neighborhood because it is what makes the Heights such a sought after com munity and great place to live,” Ruppert said. For more information on the event and to pur chase their tickets, com munity members can go to the event page at hous tonheights.org/2022-hol iday-home-tour-hops/.

THE CASINO – I sup

pose they are all there.

Lucky Lady, the Port Ar thur Kid with his reversed baseball cap, Duc Phat, the inscrutable Asian hiding behind his dark glasses and smoke from his cigarette in a long holder and Cowboy, no need to explain his out fit. What do they all have in common? They are all from Texas, gambling in Louisiana. I am not there, but someday maybe I won’t have to travel to lose my children’s inheritance because our newly elected governor, Greg Abbott, has finally indicated he will “consider” allowing casi nos in Texas. (In 2015, Ab bott said he “wholeheart edly” supported the state’s laws against expanding gaming.) This change of heart could be due to – one guess – money.

If you want to be picky about it, Texas already has all sorts of gambling. We have the state-run Lotto and scratch-offs, pari-mu tuel wagers on greyhound and horse racing. Raffles and charitable bingo are also legal in Texas. We have three Indian (excuse me, three victims of the Round Eyes oppression) casinos. And, of course, the biggest gamble of all, driving on the West Loop during a rain storm. Time after legislative session, bills have been introduced to allow casinos in Texas, to no avail. Now our Guv is hinting he might “con

has banked instructional minutes built into the academic calendar every year.”

The city initially issued the notice on Sunday evening following a drop in PSI during a power outage at the East Water Purification Plant at 2342 Federal Rd. There was a transformer at the water plant which failed, as did the backup transformer, according to a report from ABC-13.

The plant has been in the midst of a $23 mil lion improvement project

conference that her son was a former high school and college football play er who kept physically active and in shape. He also had his own real es tate business.

He was last seen leav ing McIntyres in the Heights at 1230 W. 20th St. after going out with friends on Nov. 12, and

Lynn Ashby Columnist

than 300 lobbyists are now registered in Texas to push for casino gambling, led by Las Vegas Sands, which added another and now has 72 — the most lobby ists in Texas for any single group or business.

According to the Chron, the pro-casino group, the Texas Sands Political Ac tion Committee, has donat ed $200,000 to Abbott. The late Las Vegas gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson and his wife combined to give Abbott an additional $1.5 million since 2020 for his re-election victory over Beto O’Rourke. An other staunch opponent to casino gambling has been our also-newly elected Lite. Guv. Dan Patrick. Yet he has Texans for Dan Pat rick, which has received $225,000 from the group, including a $75,000 dona tion at the end of Septem ber. You can’t buy a Texas lawmaker, but you can sure rent one for the session.

since June, according to the report.

“The notice was issued out of an abundance of caution and the City in formed customers, indi viduals, and employees that the water from this public water system was required to be boiled pri or to use for drinking wa ter or human consump tion purposes,” the city said.

If they haven’t already, the city said citizens were encouraged to take mea sures such as cleaning automatic ice makers by

HPD said he was seen leaving the bar on foot in an unknown direction.

However, the Houston Police Department does not yet say any foul play appears to have been in volved, though Burkes’ death is still being inves tigated by its Homicide unit.

As with many of our concerns, what Texans want and what we get from our state leaders are of ten far apart. A new poll by the Dallas Morning News and The University of Texas at Tyler reveals that 57 percent of Texans support allowing casino gambling in the Lone Star State. Only 29 percent of respondents are opposed, with 13 percent saying it doesn’t matter. Here’s an interesting stat: 52 percent of white evangelicals, a group that routinely blocks the expansion of gambling, are in favor of allowing ca sinos in Texas. This survey is in line with another. As of January 2021, a Uni versity of Houston Hobby School poll found that 58 percent of Texans favor allowing full casino gam bling in Texas. Another 18 percent support a limited expansion of gambling on the state’s three Indian res ervations and at existing horse and dog tracks.

Back at the casino table, the Texans are losing and the Cajuns are winning. There are 14,061 Louisiana residents employed in the gaming industry. A report shows that annually Loui siana’s 25 commercial and tribal casinos have a $6.1 billion economic impact on the state, generating $1.5 billion in state and local taxes. They also support $1.7 billion in wages along with nearly 41,000 other jobs. This report comes

making and discarding several batches of ice, and running water soft eners through a regenera tion cycle.

to us from the American Gaming Association, which somehow omits other stats. Data compiled by the Of fice of Behavioral Health shows gambling addiction spans all ages, genders and races in Louisiana. An esti mated 5.4 percent of Loui siana’s adult population is at risk for addiction. About 2.9 percent of Louisiana adults are pathological gamblers. We also have a group called The Recov ery Village which reports that as many as 10 mil lion Americans live with a gambling addiction. This organization deals in gam bling addiction so, like the American Gaming Asso ciation, we must consider the source. One last point on this matter. Gambling among college students is on the rise. According to a combination of national studies, one in 20 college students meet the criteria for compulsive gambling. That is more than dou ble the rate of the overall adult population.

If Gov. Abbott can “con sider” gambling in casi nos, can former Gov. Rick (Oops) Perry be left out of the fun? You bet your chips. He has announced that he is now all for sports gambling. Why this sudden change? Money, what else? Perry says that he will be the spokesperson of the Texas Sports Betting Alli ance, an organization that wants the Texas legisla ture to legalize sports bet

ting. But in Texas sports betting is illegal except for those three Indian casinos. Supporters say illegal bets and illegal sites in Texas generate revenue of $8.7 billion. If this business was legalized it could generate $556 million in taxes per biennium. Be careful of these predictions. Online sports betting started in Michigan in January 2021, and the American Gaming Association predicted that Michigan could expect to see more than $40 million a year in tax revenues. It collected $21 million.

You may bet on the Fi nal Four in the office pool or place a wager with a friend on the Super Bowl, but sports betting is a huge business all over the world. It began booming legally in the U.S. in 2018 when the U.S. Supreme Court cleared

Public Notice of Change of Name

the way for states to legal ize wagers on live games. Today, 31 states and Wash ington, D.C., permit sports gambling either online or in person, and five more states have passed laws that will allow such betting in the future. At least $161 billion in wagers have been placed since sports betting was broadly legalized in the U.S.

How do you feel about gambling casinos in Texas? As we can see, it really doesn’t matter.

Ashby bets at ashby2@comcast.net

Texas Property Code § 13.002 (1)(2) and § 12.001

Public notice is given that by order of the Harris County District Court entered on the 7th day of November 2022, in Civil Action 2022 73303, the name of LIVINA JAZELLE LUXTON was changed from LIVINA JAZELLE LUXTON to Livina Jazelle Luxton. As of the date of this public notice all disabilities of minority have been removed and no longer attach upon the person or property of Livina Jazelle Luxton. Those that have a claim against the estate of Livina Jazelle Luxton step forward and make your claim known in the Harris County District Court within 30 days of this publication or the 7th day of December 2022, whichever comes first. Dated this 7th day of November 2022

Affirmed by: /s/ Livina Jazelle Luxton, affiant Affirmed to and subscribed before this 7th day of November 2022 Notarized by: /s/ Carlos Lafee, notary public

Nibbles and Sips: Heights restaurant ownership group undergoing changes

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The ownership group for two Heights steakhouses has made some changes to its executive team.

The Papaian Group, which owns Savoir and Patton’s Steakhouse in the Heights, has chosen Chef Eric Johnson as the culinary director, Toby Schwebel as the new general manager, and Lexey Davis Johnson as the director of operations, the management group an nounced earlier this month.

Johnson has led culinary concepts for the opening of both Savoir and Pat ton’s steakhouse since they opened at 1344 Yale St. in 2019 and this year, respec tively, introducing more than 100 new items accord ing to a news release.

Davis Johnson has been in hospitality for over 20 years, the management group said, and has previ ously served as the Wine Director at restaurants in cluding Doris Metropoli tan, Berg Hospitality and B&B Butchers. Schwebel, meanwhile, joined Savoir in January to lead the launch of Patton’s speakeasy steak house behind Savoir’s wine cellar in March.

“The most exciting change for us will be a much more enhanced customer experience. With Chef Eric Johnson, who has been

will please our customers’ palates,” said Haig Papaian, co-owner of The Papaian Group. “And with the dy namic duo of Lexey Davis Johnson as Director of Op erations and Toby Schwebel as General Manager, we’re truly excited for visitors to experience an elevated cus tomer service.”

Kin Dee offering World Cup specials

A Heights area restaurant is offering a special beer dis

Top photo by Alex Montoya, bottom photo from Facebook Kin Dee is offering half-price beer specials on lagers such as Singha, pictured above, during the entirety of the World Cup. Elsewhere, the ownership group of Savoir and Patton’s Steakhouse in the Heights has undergone recent executive staffing changes.

is offering half off Thai beer when customers are seated at the bar during any and all World Cup games.

Two pale lagers, Singha

December is here! Ev eryone loves the Heights in December, and here’s a rundown on some of my favorites to get you started.

Friday, Dec. 2 is Holi day on 19th Street, 6-10 p.m., where you’ll find all the shops and busi nesses hosting their an nual Holiday Party. Liter ally every shop hosts a party. Find special gifts, live music, libation and lots of Heights neighbors.

The MoJo Sisters will be performing in front of AG Antiques on 19th, 313 W. 19th St., Friday evening.

The MoJo Sisters (in name) are Joanna Jetton and Martha White, per forming fun, upbeat clas sic covers and some of the best originals I’ve heard written by White.

The duo will be back Saturday, December 3, to perform at First Saturday Arts Market at noon. The market, at 540 W. 19th St., and hosted by yours truly, is Houston’s original monthly outdoor art mar ket. Seriously, Houston was a ghost town for markets when I started this in 2004.

Nearly 50 artists from all over Houston and even 3 from Austin will be in at tendance. We’ll be there 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. https:// www.instagram. com/1stsatartmarket/

If Jetton’s name rings a bell, she cohosts the KPFT Bluegrass Depot, Satur days 7-10 p.m., with Dalton Harris. Tune to 90.1.

There are a dizzying number of outdoor mar

kets during the Holidays in Houston, and even the Heights has no less than 5 Saturday. There is one I use to always sneak off to visit and that is Craftidote at Antidote Coffee at 729 Studewood. They are open 12-5 p.m. https://www.in stagram.com/craftidote/ Best Heights news all year begins Saturday evening at Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. As reported here in The Leader, Opera in the Heights (OH!) will remain in their original home. OH! will present a full season of offerings that begins with Donizetti’s Elixir of Love running De cember 3-11. The season will also include a holiday digital film series co-pro duced by the Decameron Opera Coalition, Verdi’s classic masterpiece Rigo letto, and their 25th An niversary Concert featur ing OH!’s orchestra and singers. www.operainthe heights.org.

The two-block prop erty was purchased by two of OH’s generous

1st

patrons and The Hous ton Saengerbund, (one of Houston’s oldest music organizations) formed the Houston Center For Mu sical Arts. The Houston Saengerbund inaugural performance with Weih nachtskonzert, a Christmas Concert is Tuesday De cember 6, 7:30 p.m. Perfor mance details are posted on Facebook, https:// www.facebook.com/ HoustonSaengerbund Dec. 10, is the 2022 Lights in The Heights hosted by the Woodland Heights Civic Association. If you are unfamiliar, it is hands down the best holi day event in Houston. Plan ahead for this one because there is walking involved. Lots of walking. The entire neighborhood (seemingly) dresses up their homes with holiday themed lights, displays and decorations. It’s not unusual to find a Santa surfing across a roof in his best Hawaiian gear. Front porch music performances are sched uled throughout the event

woodland-heights.org/lith Page 10 • Saturday, December 3, 2022 • The Leader A artfe thank you to everyone who voted! ,, ,, I am filled with gratitude for being voted Best Real Estate Agent in my community. It has been an absolute pleasure to assist my clients with their real estate needs and I am excited to continue to earn their trust for years to come! TEXAS RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS hello@joannevest.com 832-752-8808

Check my website for more events, meanwhile, have a fun and safe Holiday in Best Real Estate Agent JOANNE VEST

The Heights this year! Cohen is

artist

ArtValet.com

Saturday

The MoJo Sisters perform Friday evening and

Contributed photo

Shoppers browse during a previous First Saturday Arts Market.

Contributed photo

The new Houston Center For Musical Arts opens Saturday night.