Leader1220a

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Michael Silva 713.725.8748

Inside Today: Waltrip boys basketball hosts Australian team • 8B

Houston Business Journal Top 25 Residential Real Estate Professional

Established 1967

michaels@johndaugherty.com johndaugherty.com

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

Flower & Gift Shop 10570 NW Frwy 713-680-2350

Saturday, December 20, 2014 • Vol. 60 • No. 7

InsIde Today’s Leader Ella seeing its biggest boom yet About Us 3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd Suite A (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.

AREA SPECIALIST

ĂŠ , < 832.419.9969

Youngsters have wish lists ready

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Christmas Stays Green

“We Make Real Estate Simple.� Give Us A Call Today! Janet & Cecil Schmidt

713. 419.7918

Advertising guru’s legacy a staple across Texas roads

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By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader

Home ServiceS Premier ProPertieS 713-686-5454

INSIDE.

Leader residents give back Leader-area residents Jila Bakker and Bill Mallin are making the most of their holidays by giving back to the community. In this week’s edition, we highlight how their contributions have helped children in need and how even just a small token of charity can change their lives.

Find it on 5A

FIND IT. AUTOMOTIVE WAREHOUSE HIRING parts stockers/order pullers. Heavy lifting, background checks. Apply in person. 3810 Dacoma. 8-5, M-F. FAIRBANKS N. HOUSTON: Brick 2-1-1. New paint, new carpet, walk-in closet. New range and dishwasher. Other appliances available. Central air. Very nice. Credit check. $875/month. 713862-6802.

The INDEX. Church

7A

Classifieds

6B

Coupons

5A

Food/Drink/Art Obituaries

1B 7A

Opinion

4A

Public Information Puzzles Sports

2A 8A 9B

Photo by Kim Hogstrom Shoppers wait in line to purchase items for the holiday inside of Ross on W. 43rd Street. The store is seeing an increase in sales of five percent from last year, and similar businesses throughout The Leader area are seeing strong sales for this year’s holiday season.

Area businesses meeting strong demand as holiday shopping season marches on By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader Local businesses are feeling a bit of Christmas cheer of their own this year as many Leader-area establishments report enthusiastic shopping and spending across the board. The National Retail Federation is the country’s leading authority on retail, (excluding autos, gasoline, and restaurants) and predicts that sales in November and December, 2014, will increase 4.1 percent over 2013, placing about $617 billion into circulation. Certainly, with Houston’s current healthy economy, we should be seeing a good year, correct? We took an informal poll of area businesses including retail, food, beverage, and services, to see how the

numbers are holding up in our community through the holidays. Read on. Rhea Robinson, owner of The Yoga Collective at N. Shepherd Drive and Garden Oaks Boulvard is pleased with the flow this season. “Business has been very steady,� Robinson said. “At this time of year, we focus on classes that help people relax. The holiday season can really take a toll on people in terms of stress. Our biggest time of year is January. After the New Year people are concerned about holiday weight gain, so they want to sweat.� Carter & Cooley Company Delicatessen located on 19th St. in the Heights has been a favorite casual dinning stop for 26 years. Renowned for its sandwiches, owner Neil Sackheim is happy with his business this holiday.

“We are mostly a lunch spot, and there are a lot of holiday parties that have an impact on us,� Sackheim said. “But overall, we are doing great.� Sackheim said he felt “blessed� to have had his business in the community for so long and felt confident in remaining here for many years. “As long as I can afford to keep paying the taxes,� Sackheim said with a laugh. Located next door to Carter & Cooley’s is a retail operation like no other: it’s Replay on 19th Street, and a mustsee for anyone who loves all things vintage, one-of-a-kind, retro or kitschy. When The Leader stopped by, the store was packed with shoppers.

If you are traveling any distance by car this holiday season, chances are there’s a Buc-ee’s in your future. The monotony of miles of Texas highway is often relieved at this, the Disneyland of rest stops. At Buc-ee’s, food, flavors and Texas kitsch abound. If you’re lucky, you’ll visit the 68,000-square-foot unit on I-35 in New Braunfels. Here travelers will find 60 gas pumps and 83 of “the cleanest restrooms in America,� Bucee’s proudly claims. Notably, a brilliant billboard campaign along the highway helps to build travelers’ anticipation. “Buc-ee’s: Your throne awaits. 13 miles,� one states. Who in the world is the author of this advertising? The answer is long-time Heights resident and highly regarded ad man, Lou Congelio. Congelio has been operating an ad agency, now called ACME Fish, in the Heights for 28 years. The name ACME Fish is a little, well, different from the more common “Blah & Blah Ad Agency,� that might represent Congelio’s competitors. See Ad Man P. 8A

Contributed Photo Ad man Lou Congelio’s work is instantly recognizable throughout Texas highways, and it turns out he has been calling the Heights his home for almost thirty years. He also runs his own ad agency.

See Shopping P. 8A

Officials urging caution as criminals look for opportunities By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com Law enforcement officials are warning residents that a string of recent burglaries and other crimes – including an attempted robbery in the Heights area – means that criminals are out in full force this holiday season. Among some of the alerts distributed by the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office includes an incident on Dec. 12 in which deputies responded to two burglary of motor vehicle calls in the 800 block of W. 42nd Street. One complainant told deputies that between the hours of 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday, thieves

had ransacked their vehicle and took miscellaneous loose change. The vehicle was unlocked at the time of the theft, according to the report. The second complainant said she saw no signs of forced entry and reported three large boxes and an assortment of clothing missing from the vehicle. During that same night, deputies also responded to a burglary of a motor vehicle call in the 4400 block of Apollo. The complainant in this incident told investigators that between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., a person ransacked the trunk of their vehicle and inside passenger areas. Nothing of value appeared to have been taken, according to the report,

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and the trunk and doors were left open. The report again states that the vehicle had been left unlocked. In a separate incident, deputies also arrested several people who had broken into a home in the 700 block of Heights Boulevard Dec. 13. A person called police after seeing people inside of her neighbor’s home, who had knowledge that the homeowner was away in Galveston. Upon arrival, the deputy found five people inside of the home – two of whom attempted to escape and hide, according to the report. All five were taken into custody and further investigation revealed that two of the suspects were friends of the homeowner

and knew the man was in Galveston. Two of the suspects were charged with burglary of a habitation, a third with possession of a controlled substance and a fourth suspect had two open felony warrants, according to the report. The fifth suspect was found to be clear and was released at the scene. The situation did not end so easily for one woman who was the victim of an attempted robbery while walking in the 700 block of Heights Boulevard Dec. 13. The woman told deputies she was walking northbound on Heights Boulevard at 8th Street when she saw See Thefts P. 8A

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Saturday, December 20, 2014 • Page 2A

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Houston police nab Family Dollar robbery suspect By Jonathan Garris jgarris@theleadernews.com The Houston Police Department arrested a man who allegedly robbed from an Oak Forest-area Family Dollar Monday evening. At about 7 p.m., a 49-yearold man walked inside of the Family Dollar located at 1804 W. 43rd St., according to HPD officials. The man allegedly selected some items off of the shelves and took them to the register. As the employee was ringing up the man’s order, he allegedly pulled out a knife and took money out of the register. The man then fled the location. Officials said investigators received information from others in the area about the poten-

tial whereabouts of the man and located him on a bicycle in the 4800 block of Pinemont Street. Officers found the man had changed his clothing and investigators did recover the money that was stolen from the register. As of press time, officials say the man faces a pending charge of aggravated robbery and are currently unable to share his identity. While officials would not share exactly how officers were able to track down the suspect, residents on the Oak Forest Homeowners Association said a local SEAL officer helped track the man down. Anna Bonnette posted that a SEAL officer was the first on the scene and claimed that the same officer gifted the bike

belonging to the suspect to a local neighbor. Some posters also claimed the employee had her hand cut but also that she was otherwise alright. Many in the community took the time to thank SEAL for its efforts in the comments section of a photo of the incident posted by Bonnette. “Who knows, if SEALS weren’t involved this guy might have gotten away,” Adam Bucko stated. “More proof to promote and keep the SEAL program going. Merry Christmas to all, minus the thug!” “Once again, Alan Makki from SEALS was first on the scene and looking for the bad guy,” Shawn Salyers stated. “This guy is awesome!”

Emergency units respond to a robbery at a local Family Dollar Monday evening.

Source: Facebook

Police Reports • Dec. 5 - Dec. 12

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Theft 1 PM 100-199 S HEIGHTS BLVD DEC. 9 Theft 1:14 PM 200-299 20TH Robbery 12:42 PM 900-999 W 11TH Theft 3 PM 4600-4699 WASHINGTON AVE Theft 4:14 PM 1000-1099 SHEPHERD Theft 9 PM 800-899 WAVERLY Theft 3 PM 2900-2999 MICHAUX Theft 8 PM 1700-1799 W T C JESTER BLVD Theft 5 PM 2100-2199 ROY Theft 5:03 AM 100-199 YALE Theft 10 AM 4800-4899 NETT Robbery 6:33 AM 200-299 W 20TH Burglary 5:25 AM 200-299 E 26TH

DEC. 12 Theft 1:45 AM 5200-5299 PETTY Theft 2:19 AM 4400-4499 N SHEPHERD Theft 2:20 AM 6700-6799 GROVEWOOD Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

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DEC. 11 Theft 12 AM 400-499 W 21ST ST Burglary 3:43 PM 1000-1099 E 32ND ST Theft 3 AM 5400-5499 KANSAS Theft 2:15 PM 6600-6699 HASKELL Theft 8 AM 1400-1499 N LOOP Theft 2:16 PM 4400-4499 N SHEPHERD Theft 11:18 AM 900-999 CROSSTIMBERS Theft 10:45 AM 600-699 JANISCH RD Theft 5:15 PM 1800-1899 WATERCREST Theft 11:48 AM 7300-7399 WASHINGTON Theft 2:30 PM 1800-1899 TATTENHALL Theft 3:15 AM 5700-5799 N SHEPHERD Theft 6:45 AM 1400-1499 N LOOP Robbery 1:47 AM 3000-3099 ELLA Theft 6:26 AM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD DR Theft 6 AM 1900-1999 TAYLOR

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DEC. 8 Robbery 3:04 PM 1100-1199 HERKIMER Theft 3:33 AM 400-499 W 38TH Theft 6:15 AM 1400-1499 W 20TH Theft 6 AM 1500-1599 STUDE-

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DEC. 10 Theft 8:26 PM 900-999 STUDEWOOD Theft 1:30 PM 700-799 BAYLAND Burglary 10 AM 200-299 T C JESTER BLVD Theft 7:37 AM 8700-8799 HEMPSTEAD Theft 2:30 PM 1100-1199 25TH Burglary 1:22 AM 400-499 W 38TH Theft 8:45 AM 1100-1199 GROVEWOOD Theft 11:30 AM 900-999 N LOOP Theft 6 AM 1600-1699 CHANTILLY

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DEC. 7 Theft 10:48 PM 4900-4999 N SHEPHERD Theft 6:46 AM 900-999 E 37TH Theft 10:13 AM 100-199 E CROSSTIMBERS Assault 10:38 AM 300-399 HEIDRICH Theft 2:15 AM 4900-4999 YALE Theft 9:30 AM 600-699 JANISCH Burglary 7:45 PM 1900-1999 MANGUM Burglary 9 PM 10600-10699 NORTHWEST FWY Theft 2:15 AM 4900-4999 YALE

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DEC. 6 Theft 6:45 AM 700-799 W 20TH Theft 6:35 AM 1300-1399 CROSSTIMBERS ST Theft 5 PM 1000-1099 DURHAM Theft 7:04 AM 1000-1099 STUDEMONT Theft 8:16 AM 400-499 S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 8:10 PM 5700-5799 YALE Theft 6:26 AM 900-999 W 42ND Burglary 6:19 AM 1500-1599 DETERING Theft 8 PM 4700-4799 NETT Theft 1:38 PM 1000-1099 USENER Theft 2:15 AM 700-799 E CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 2 AM 100-199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 11:09 AM 4900-4999 WASHINGTON AVE

MONT Burglary 7:47 AM 2100-2199 SUMMER Theft 8:14 AM 3000-3099 N LOOP Theft 8 AM 1200-1299 OXFORD Theft 8:31 AM 600-699 COLUMBIA Burglary 12:51 PM 2400-2499 E T C JESTER Theft 11:28 AM 100-199 E CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 7:47 AM 2100-2199 SUMMER Burglary 11:03 AM 6500-6599 COUCH Theft 1:40 AM 2100-2199 BRIMBERRY Theft 1 PM 2300-2399 W 18TH Theft 12 PM 6400-6499 ARNOT Theft 4:37 AM 1100-1199 ASHLAND Burglary 2:48 PM 2400-2499 E T C JESTER

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DEC. 5 Theft 11:30 AM 3600-3699 WASHINGTON Theft 4:20 PM 1400-1499 STUDEMONT Theft 6:50 PM 4300-4399 OXFORD Theft 7:15 PM 400-499 W 8TH Assault 10:13 AM 1000-1099 WYNNWOOD Theft 7 AM 1400-1499 N SHEPHERD Theft 5 PM 5000-5099 WASHINGTON AVE

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The Topics. Saturday, December 20, 2014 • Page 4A

Another humble thank you for supporting The Leader

E

very year, it feels like I write the same column. And every year, the column is equally humbling to write. As many of you know (and many of you do based on your response), The Leader has a program called “Voluntary Pay.” Once a year – and only once – I write a letter to our readers asking if they will consider supporting the local newspaper. We don’t charge for subscriptions, but we’ve found there are many people in our neighborhoods who actually enjoy their newspaper and would like a way to support it. I won’t go through the boring details of the program, but I will take a minute to wholeheartedly thank the people who, once again, have chosen to support The Leader through a financial contribution. Obviously, the dollars make a huge difference. We are not a Fortune 500 company – I’m not even sure we’d make the ranks of a Fortune 5 Million company. We are just a small business that has been privileged to make enough money to pay our employees and print 34,000 copies of a newspaper every week. So, yes, the dollars make a huge difference to our operation, and we can’t thank you enough for contributing to the work we try to do in this community. But what makes a bigger difference than even the dollars are

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

the notes our readers send every year. One person had a simple phrase that resonates in our office. “Don’t give up. We love your paper.” I’m not sure if that letter had $5 or $50 in the envelope, but those seven words carry such weight with folks like us who hear negative news about our business every day. And then there were letters I’d describe as eloquent: “Please accept this small token of appreciation for this local jewel. This newspaper plays no small part in creating a vibrant community…,” said the writer. “P.S. I must admit that I learn more from your paper than I do reading the Chronicle.” Just for the record, we think the Chronicle also plays an important role in our community, and we actually don’t consider ourselves a competitor with them. We provide a completely different service than our

friends downtown. One more piece of beautiful writing: “Thanks so very much for all the hard work you do putting out a wonderful newspaper for our area. I truly feel that The Leader helps create the strong sense of neighborhood that we enjoy in our area. I look forward to its arrival every week.” The one that captures everything we could hope from a reader came from an Oak Forest resident: “The Leader is something I now look forward to each week to find out the news for our community… The news is relevant to us, and I feel like I am living in a small town, knowing about all of the wonderful events and activities happening just in our area… Hopefully [The Leader] will remain a vital and needed amenity to living in our area of town.” If you’re wondering why I’d share these letters with our readers – besides our open policy of running nearly every letter we receive – the answer is pretty simple. Over the past five years, our industry has relentlessly been called “dead,” “obsolete,” “buggy whip manufacturers,” and even some we can’t publish. There is a national website called “Newspaper Death Watch,” which proudly counted off the number of newspapers that have closed and journalists who have

If you don’t have a new fridge, you’ll need one soon THE KITCHEN – Here it is, strong and white, a huge testimony to modern technology and lots of cold cash, so to speak. My new refrigerator. You probably have such an appliance in your home, most people do. Perhaps also one in your office and car, maybe on board your 110-foot-long yacht, in your plane or dog sled. No, you probably don’t need one in your sled. My new appliance reminds me, as it does you, of the holdup at Baxter’s Curve. If you are in the market for a new refrigerator, and if you are not in the market you will be eventually, let me give you a few tips of the iceberg. Cut this column out and stick on – where else – the front of your refrigerators (or “fridge” as we Freon engineers call it). Do you want a French door model? Those have doors that open from the center outwards and are good for holding wine, cheese, foie gras and a cold shoulder for Americans. Maybe a top-refrigerator/bottom-freezer style. How about a top freezer, bottom freezer with a middle cooler? Decisions are difficult. Let’s look inside. Most fridges have shelves which can easily be adjusted at the factory. After that, those suckers can’t be pried out of their sockets with the Jaws of Life. I just tried to move a shelf. I had to virtually empty the entire fridge to get in there, then I jerked and wiggled the shelf until I got frostbite. Different models have varying interior designs. Some can hold 13 pounds of kale. Others have slots for cold drinks. One holds a keg. Another holds those four fruitcakes you received in past Christmases. A transparent box for cheese and butter is nice. That way you can tell when the mold is ready for serving. And here is the mullion. Down below, or up above or on the side, are drawers for vegetables, fruits and all those other healthy stuff we’re supposed to eat. I use the drawers to hold red meat and leftover lasagna. Do you want shelves in your doors so that when you open them to go for the box of wine everything in the doors falls on the floor, and it’s 3 a.m.? My model has door racks for pickles, olives, teriyaki sauce and chocolate mousse, but maybe I should put the mousse in a container. Here’s the freezer. Again, there are models that have the freezer at any spot -in the garage if you wish. This baby sports a slide-out drawer, two bins, a shelf and apparently a place for a toaster. The freezer is big which means it’s deep. Each time I lean down to get a frozen margarita I need a forklift to stand up straight again. “Grand Dad, what’s an ice tray?” This brings us to the icemaker, an invention so wonderful for mankind (and womankind) that it ranks right up there with the automatic garage door opener, ChapStick and the Texas Aggie Band. Icemakers are outside the inside, thus allowing you to fill your glass with ice without opening the fridge. Of course, then you have to open the door to get whatever it is that you want to drink. But it’s still a nice thought. This gizmo is so much better than ice trays. Remember them, and how every year you had to pour hot water on the freezer shelf to defrost the tray holder? This fridge also has dials and knobs in abundance to set the temperatures. The owner’s manual says I should keep the cooler at 37 degrees and the freezer at zero. That seems awfully cold to me, so I set them at room temperature. Oddly enough, our state has played a major role in fridges, aka, the ice of Texas. Up until the War Between the States, Texans got their ice from up north, but Fort Sumter ended that. So desperate were those Texans that an ice machine was shipped through the Union blockade into Mexico and eventually to Texas, where it was in operation in San Antonio and later in Austin and San Saba. Something called the ammonia-compression refrigeration was invented in Jefferson, Texas, where David Boyle, in 1873,

Lynn Ashby Columnist

been terminated. There’s another site called “Newspaper Layoffs,” which obviously tried to keep tally of all the people who have lost jobs in our industry. If you search for “newspaper death” on Wikipedia, there’s an entire page on the reckless decline of our industry. And if you walk into a bar and look around every table top, you’re going to find 100 smart phones and tablets to every one print edition of a newspaper. But a funny thing has happened over the past two years, and it started with a guy named Warren Buffett, who prior to 2012, owned one newspaper in Buffalo, N.Y. In the past few years, Berkshire Hathaway has bought 77 newspapers. From a personal perspective, I have now been in the market for almost a year, looking to buy newspapers in the area. There is nothing substantial for sale. And you know those websites I mentioned? Newspaper Death Watch and Newspaper Layoffs? Both of those sites have gone blank – they haven’t been updated since 2012. If you can empathize with us for just a moment, the past five years have been difficult for the people I work with – both here at The Leader and at newspapers across the country. But when Buffett starts buying handfuls of papers, and no

Ashby is cold at ashby2@comcast.net

Email jonathan@theleadernews.com

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

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

© Copyright 2014 McElvy Media LLC

Jonathan McElvy

Publisher & President jonathan@theleadernews.com

Frank Vasquez

Associate Publisher frank@theleadernews.com

Jonathan Garris

Editor jgarris@theleadernews.com

Carolyn Moore

established his first ammonia-compression plant in a lean-to off a lumber mill. And refrigeration created an interesting bit of our history. It ended the Texas cattle drives. Once refrigerated rail cars came along, the cattle could be slaughtered in Texas and the meat sent north. No more driving the cows 1,200 miles up to Abilene as they walked off half their weight. Two of the first big commercial ice machines were bought by the Capitol Ice Company of Austin and by Richard King, who wanted to experiment with meat refrigeration on the King Ranch. By 1900 there were 766 ice plants in the U.S., and Texas, with 77, had more than any other state. In 1950 close to 90 percent of Texas families had some type of refrigeration. Two questions are bothering you. First, what’s a mullion? “A mullion is a vertical or horizontal element that forms a division between units of a window, door, or screen.” In my case it’s a long, thin vertical, plastic slat attached to one door to link up with the other when they are closed. Second, what does any of this have to do with a holdup? The last train robbery in Texas was in 1912 -- the holdup at Baxter’s Curve out near Sanderson. The theft was thwarted (try saying that three times quickly) when David A. Trousdale, an express messenger for Wells, Fargo & Co., who was being held at gunpoint, noticed an ice maul, a heavy hammer used for cracking blocks of ice, sitting on the top of a barrel of oysters. Whack! End of robbery. The main point being that in far West Texas in 1912 you could get fresh oysters because they had blocks of ice. Wonder if they had an oyster drawer?

other newspaper in the area is for sale, maybe that says something about the resiliency of newspapers after all. I’ve written this before, and I’ll say it one last time: Newspapers were supposed to be dead when radio came along. We were supposed to be dead when TV came along. And we were definitely dead when Facebook began trolling our daily lives. The reason I believe we’re still alive is because of the wonderful letters we’ve received in the past week. Our only job is to remain relevant to your lives. To those who have written to say as much, we can’t thank you enough. To those who have ideas for ways we could be more relevant to yours, please send me a direct email. And if you just want to have a little fun, feel free to send a letter like the one I got from a friend named Howard Moon (who many of you know): “Jonathan, you are doing a great job, but I do not agree with you every time – which means you are not right 100% of the time, but close!” Or, you could have even more fun in a personalized note to the paper: “Howdy! For $1.00/week, I should get to have lunch with Sheila Jackson Lee!”

News Deadline: Noon on Mondays

Outside Sales Executive

Classified Word Ad Deadline: 5 p.m. Tuesday

Inside Sales Executive

Retail Ad Deadline: Noon on Mondays

Graphics Manager ads@theleadernews.com

Jeanette Black Jake Dukate

Jane Broyles

Business Manager biz@theleadernews.com

Christina Martinez

Managing Editor/Outside Sales christina@theleadernews.com

Phil Stewart

Outside Sales Executive

Myra Schelling

Inside Sales Executive

Lucy Dukate

Sales Coordinator lucy@theleadernews.com

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

The reader.

Harris County Tax Assessor gives some timely advice Dear Editor: As a longtime advocate for the taxpayer, I want to remind property owners of two important upcoming deadlines. Both will either save or cost you money! Property tax bills are due by Jan. 31. Beginning in February, penalties and interest begin accruing. For those of you wanting to take a 2014 income tax deduction, be sure to pay your property tax bill by Dec. 31. However, always consult a tax advisor for specific recommendations. If I can be of any assistance, or if you have any questions, please contact my office by phone or email. My office number is 713-274-8000, and email Is tax. office@hctx.net. As the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, it is my goal to provide you the very best customer service experience possible. Mike Sullivan Tax Assessor-Collector

Dear Editor: What a pleasure to contribute to our very own regional newspaper! It is much more pleasant to have a choice of whether or not to financially contribute to The Leader. My only personal experience with The Leader was to have a one year Memorial published to honor my Mom – Delia Azeos. The staff was so sympathetic and helpful. I truly felt embraced (corny? Yes, but true) by the warmth in the office (it was late June) emotionally; something I really needed at the time. My Mom’s birthday is July 2, 1919, and because it was so close to her birthday – the July issue, which was out on July 3, her memoriam was on page 3, photo and all. It really hit the right spot in my heart! Thank you Leader … our Bespoke Newspaper. Sincerely, Linda Peterson

Saturday, December 20, 2014 • Page 5A

Leader residents unite in the spirit of the holidays By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com It was Charles Dickens who said – through the character of Doctor Marigold – that “no one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.� And while there are many in the area who give back in innumerable ways, The Leader is spotlighting two residents who have truly lifted the spirits of area youth this holiday season. For Oak Forest’s Bill Mallin doing for others is something that comes naturally for him. Although hard pressed to talk about his efforts – “It’s just nice to do, I don’t think much about it� is about all you’ll get out of him – social media bears witness to the carpentry and repair projects he does for people around the neighborhood. “I’ve done construction since I was 10 years old,� said Mallin, who grew up in North Carolina and served in the Air Force in Oklahoma. He attended graduate school at the University of Houston which brought him to Texas. He might help someone baby proof their house or repair something, like the rocking chair he overhauled recently for a grandmother who had fond memories of rocking both her children and grandchildren in it. People might also recognize his work on Kinley Street where the Little Free Library red house stands where he built it. For his efforts, he only charges if people insist on paying, and even then it’s no more than $10. Mallin works a day job as Director of Digital Communications for Baker Hughes, an oil field services

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Contributed Photo Students at Katherine Smith Elementary were all smiles when they found out they would be getting a new bike. Oak Forest resident Bill Mallin made Snowman Advent Calendars and sold them to area residents. The proceeds bought more than 10 bicycles for area youth.

company, but his nights and weekends are filled with volunteer projects because the word has gotten out about him on the Oak Forest Homeowners Association web page and elsewhere. “They seem to find me,� he said. Although he does volunteer work year round, and says he alternates his bigger projects between those that help animals and those that help humans, Mallin always likes to undertake a Christmas project. Last year, he worked with others to raise money for a resident who was in danger of losing her house. This year he made Snowman Advent Calendars which Oak Forest’s Leah Salinas painted to sell in order to raise money to buy bikes for area children,

who wouldn’t receive one otherwise. Mallin said that local residents Pat Williamson and Jon Harvey were instrumental in identifying recipients. Mallin said he thought that they would sell 70 calendars but they sold more than 120 which enabled him to buy 11 bicycles and helmets. Last week, he helped distribute them at Katherine Smith Elementary. Additional children from Stevens Elementary will also get bikes this week. The proof of the success of the project was evident in the faces of Smith students who got brand new bikes. “The children were excited and shocked as the parents nor school staff had mentioned to them they would be receiving a bike,� said Katherine Smith social worker Olga

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gan High School, who was asking for people to participate in a Reagan Gift Drive for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Bakker donated 10 gift bags that year and told Smith how much she enjoyed doing it. That’s how she became the coordinator for the program five years ago. Although the program started off with fairly generic gift bags at first, this is the second year that there has been a wish list made by student recipients. “Every student who participated filled one out,� said Bakker. “You get a sense of their personalities.� She said that some students had a hard time filling out the wish list because they’d never had anybody ask them what

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Chavez. “The children were entered in a school wide drawing per recommendation of their teachers based on their academics, attendance and overall conduct. It is amazing to know there are generous community members willing to go that extra mile to motivate our children.� Reagan Gift drive brings Heights together For Heights resident, and Senior Patent Agent at Fletcher Yoder, Jila Bakker, a call on the Heights Kids listserv was the catalyst for a longtime service project that brings as much joy to her as it does the recipients. Some years back she answered the call of Jessica Smith, then the Communities in Schools coordinator at Rea-

they wanted for Christmas. “We asked them about their favorite stocking stuffer, but they had never gotten a stocking so they didn’t know what it was,� Bakker said. In the end, 100 kids were matched with 100 people who volunteered off the Heights Kids listserv. They even had a waiting list this year for people wanting to give and Bakker was able to place those people with a deserving student at Hogg Middle School. Bakker said that the gift givers went all out to make the gift drive really special for the students. One of the questions for the students was where they wanted to go to college. Every one of the students who wanted to go to Rice University got an item from the campus book store. Students got bikes and running shoes, scarves and concert tickets. One student saw a big box with her name on it and knew from the shape it was a longboard that she had wanted. “She pretty much openly wept with happiness for the next 20 minutes,� Bakker stated. Students made video messages to share their joy. One student said, “It’s nice to know that there are people who care about us.� Another said, “You literally have made my Christmas.� Bakker wants to continue in her role as coordinator of the project next year. “I love to do it,� Bakker said. “I really enjoy living in this area and I see these kids at the bus stop, or skateboarding. The thought that they weren’t going to get anything for Christmas really broke my heart.�

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Neighbors: Rojas and Lyttle celebrate wedding over the weekend elizasgarden@outlook.com

It’s official! Johnny Rojas and Cynthia Lyttle were married over the weekend on Dec. 13. “It was a small wedding under an aged pecan tree by the lake in Sugar Land, Texas, with dear friends Sara Rosas, who performed the ceremony, and Kevin Bailey as photographer. We would have loved for everyone to be there, but we also wanted this to be an intimate time for us. This location has special meaning, going back to the time we first started dating 20 years ago. Please don’t feel left out, we’ll celebrate soon.� Mr. and Mrs. Rojas

1 and French 3 students to the Museum of Fine Arts to explore the masterpieces owned by the Museum and see the Monet and the Seine: Impressions of a River exhibit. The students were very impressed with the different effect Monet obtained by painting the same scene with different color palettes and subtle style changes. They also were surprised to learn that when Monet was painting the Morning on the Seine series, he would get up before dawn, go to his studio-boat, and work on 18 paintings concurrently to catch the different light on a different canvas as the day went on. Waltrip PTSA and Alumni hosted a Holiday Luncheon for Waltrip faculty and staff recently to show their

gratitude for all the hours and enormous effort Waltrip’s team is putting in to create a 21st learning environment for their students. The Waltrip community sincerely thanks Hartman and Associates, Cyclone Anaya’s Mexican Kitchen, Ella Blvd Motors, Dr. Bill Boyd, DDS, and Jus’ Mac who made the event possible with their generous donations and delicious food. And many thanks to Kathy Bowers and Kevin Dunn for planning the event, as well as Principal Andria Schur, Dr. Jon Enloe, David Lorms, Stephanie Witherspoon, Katherine Bush, and the students – Jacob Hoffart, Sofie Staerfelt, Ruhl Bowers, Zach Dunn and Wei Zhe – who helped with set up, serving and clean-up.

It’s never too late to have a well-behaved dog

Dear Tabby, My old dog needs to brush on up her manners. I’d like to start the new year with a well-behaved dog. How do I even begin? Craving canine obedience in Mangum Manor Dear Craving Obedience, You’re in luck. The old adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks� just doesn’t hold water with most dogs. In fact, there are even some basic commands that you can teach your dog at home that will greatly help her to interact more favorably at home and out and about. “The first few commands are usually basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, walking on leash, and most importantly, to come when called,� said Elizabeth Bachle, a technician at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences pharmacy and an agility instructor at Puppy Love training. “These are a great foundation to training more complex behaviors and can keep your pet out of harm’s way.� “Training your dog not only rewards good behaviors, but can also prevent unwanted behaviors before they begin,� said Bachle. “I would highly encourage new puppy owners to attend a group class to socialize and create a strong foundation of learning, but

dogs of all ages benefit from a new challenge.� During training, it is important to use positive reinforcements when they’re showing progress. Rather than punishing your old gal for all the things you don’t want her to do, concentrate on teaching her what you do want her to do. When your dog does something good, convince her to do it again by rewarding her with a treat or a nice, long tummy scratch. “One of the most important decisions you can make for your dog is the training method you decide to use at home or in group classes. There are many methods out there but I highly encourage the use of positive reinforcement techniques, such as clicker training, and discourage the use of punishment when training any dog,� said Bachle.“Punishment can have a lot of negative effects, including fear, aggression, or distrust, while reinforcement is effective, builds confidence, and makes training fun for you and your dog!� If you’ve tried training your dog one-on-one at home but seem to be getting nowhere, training classes can be a great alternative. Providing her with the opportunity to interact with other dogs and their owners in group classes can be a great way to socialize and expose your dog to new situations and distractions in a safe environment. Most importantly, remember to be patient. Like children, dogs have short attention spans and learn at all different paces. If done with patience and persistence, training your pooch can be an enjoyable bonding experience for you both. Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at deartabbyquestions@gmail.com.

Pet of the Week Meet Trickster. This 6 month old Sheltie/Spaniel mix is one smart cookie! Trickster would love a human companion who acts as pack leader and shows him what’s expected of him. Eager to please, playful and sweet, Trickster would love a home for the holidays. Could he come entertain you and your friends this year? If so, contact Citizens for Animal Protection at: www.cap4pets.org for more info.

Geraldine McClosky, Greg Cain, Rosemary Cruz, Lucia Valdez and Karie Klimple. Christy & Kelly’s Cupcake Bar was a big hit as they provided tiny cupcakes for guests to decorate with sweet treats in an elegant tea party setting. Among the many parents, grandparents and children visiting Santa were Ryan and Evan Weltin with their father, Tim.

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Lucy Fisher Cain reports that Oak Forest Homeowners’ Association’s Breakfast With Santa at the Candlelight Community Center on Dec. 6 was a merry success. In addition to thanking the Jolly Old Elf himself, Lucy would like to thank the Breakfast with Santa volunteers Justin Gordon, Jane Johnston, Ginny Ledwell, Cathy Veniegas, Lela Cantu, Abby Villarreal, Christy McClosky, Kelly McClosky,

4

The Student Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve

Bank of Dallas, Houston branch, has kicked off for the 2014-15 school year with Waltrip seniors Julia Pena (who recently accepted an offer of admission at Brown University) and Decory Edwards. The Board is made up of two representatives from each of many area high schools, and these students learn about the US economy and how it operates, hear guest speakers, go on field trips, and have discussions on economic events. Our neighbor in Lindale, Barbara Falcon, AP Micro/Macroeconomics teacher at Waltrip, is their Economics teacher and sponsor. On Dec. 5, Eleonore Orgish, our neighbor in Woodland Heights and a French teacher at Reagan High School, took her French

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The calendar. HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE Heights Young Professionals Organization HYPO volunteers are needed to help with the Holiday Toy Drive on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 12:30 p.m. at Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St.; and Friday, Dec. 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Walgreens, 3403 Mangum Rd. The Heights Young Professionals Organization and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with Walgreens, Memorial Hermann Northwest and The Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA to bring the joy of the holidays to underprivileged children in the community. Information: ivee.sauls@memorialhermann.org. TOY DRIVE Haute Houston Realty Haute Houston Realty together with CARisma Wash are hosting a toy drive through Dec. 19. Bring a new unopened toy and receive a free carwash. CARisma is located at 505 North Loop

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West. JENNIFER MAY REILAND SOLO EXHIBITION Redbud Gallery Brooklyn-based Houstonian, Jennifer May Reiland, announces her first U.S. solo show at Redbud Gallery, 303 E. 11th St. Titled “Veronicas,� the show runs Jan. 10 though Feb. 3, featuring watercolor paintings and drawings that reflect the overlap of fantasy and reality in the digital age. Information: 713-862-2532, www.redbudgallery.com. COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETING Central NW Super Neighborhood (SN12) Central NW Super Neighborhood (SN12), which encompasses Oak Forest, has scheduled a community meeting/town hall regarding the high-speed rail so residents can voice any concerns about the project. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 5, at Lutheran High North, 1130

From the Pews. Christmas pageant at St. Mark’s St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, will have a Christmas Pageant featuring a live representation of the Christmas story with music, live animals, angels and shepherds. The event will be 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 11 a.m. Dec. 21, outside on the church lawn, weather permitting for the Saturday Service; and inside the sanctuary for Sunday morning. Complimentary hot drinks and cookies will be served. Christmas Eve celebrations will have candlelight, carols and Communion. The choir, harp and cello music will perform at both the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. services. A nursery is available. The 4 p.m. service is a family Christmas Eve service with songs, stories, and child friendly activities. Traditional Candlelight service is at 7 p.m. Call 713-861-3104 or visit www.smumc.org for information. Christmas Caroling at Heights Christian Heights Christian Church, 1703 Heights Blvd., is welcoming the community to the Annual Christmas Caroling at the Ark Park. Caroling will be from 6-7 p.m., followed by a Live Nativity at 7 p.m. Dec. 20. The evening will conclude with prayer by Pastor Herschel Moore. There will be free wassail and cookies. Free admission. Call 713-861-0016 or visit www.hcchouston.org for information.

Posada celebration at All Saints The Living Nativity is seeking children of all ages to play angels, animals, shepherds, kings, readers, etc. The Live Nativity will be after 5:30 Mass and be part of the Posada celebration Dec. 20. Contact Lorena Orantes at 832724-7540. All Saints Catholic Church is located 215. E. 10th St. Call 713-864-2653 or visit www.allsaintsheights.com for information. Holiday arts and crafts sale at St. Ambrose Come and do some last minute Christmas shopping at the Holiday Arts and Crafts sale before and after all Masses, in the narthex, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21. There will be gifts, Christmas trees, wreaths, quilts, centerpieces, pillows, angels and more. St. Ambrose Catholic Church is located at 4213 Mangum Rd. For information, call 713-858-1613. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services at St. Stephen’s St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 2003 W. 43rd St., will hold Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 24. The nursery is available for children age 4 and under during both services. Ring in the New Year on Dec. 31 beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The evening will include games, snacks and a devotional service.

W. 34th St. Elected leaders and other speakers have been invited to attend this meeting. Information: www.ofha.org. BREAKFAST CONNECTION Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Start out the New Year right and get involved in the Chamber. Come meet some new people, learn about their business, and tell them about yours. Enjoy breakfast and find out about upcoming events. The event will be at the Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 N. Loop West, from 6:45-8:30 a.m. Jan. 8. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Register online. Information: www.heightschamber.com, 713861-6735. ECONOMIC FORECAST LUNCHEON Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Join the Heights Chamber of Commerce at the Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon

Call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org for information. Heights Presbyterian to hold Christmas Eve services Heights Presbyterian Church, 240 W. 18th St., will hold Christmas Eve services at 6 p.m. Dec. 24. The community is welcome. For information, call 713861-1907 or visit www.heightspc.org. Celebration Kwanzaa at Mt. Ararat Baptist Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, 5801 West Montgomery Road, 77091, presents Celebration Kwanzaa, at 7 p.m. Dec. 30. This event is sponsored by The One Heritage Society Ministry of the church. There will be drummers, vendors, a storyteller (griot), food, fun and fellowship. For information, call 713535-9901. A Chance to Feast in 2015 at New Mount Calvary Baptist The community is welcome to attend A Chance to Feast in 2015 and Watch Night services from 7-8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 31. The theme is “Another Year, Another Chance.� Breakfast served immediately following service. The Rev. Christopher Moore is Senior Pastor. New Mount Calvary Baptist Church is located at 4711 Kelley St., 77026. Call 713-6351955 or visit www.nmcbc.org for information.

to hear Dr. Bill Gilmer, Director at the Institute for Regional Forecasting, C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, discuss the future of Houston business, employment, interest rates, energy and real estate. The event will be from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 22, at Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. Information: 713-861-6735, www.heightschamber.com. RENOVATION TOURS Pat H. Foley & Company Stop by for a special guided tour as renovations begin and meet the staff. There will be refreshments. Tours will be at 3 p.m. every Friday. Pat H. Foley & Company is located at 1200 W. 34th St. Information: 713-8696261, www.pathfoleyfuneraldirectors.com. SENIOR GAME DAY Candlelight Park There will be two senior game days on Wednesday and

MANNA needs volunteers Make a difference in your community. Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance (MANNA), a coalition of churches and community partners, provides social services in near Northwest Houston, is seeking volunteers for the Assistance Program, Food Pantry, and Resale Store. Students at least 16 years of age are welcomed. Volunteers must attend a training and orientation session. MANNA is also available to pick up your gently used donations. Call the Resale Store at 713-686-6440 to schedule a pick up. For information, contact Patricia Dornak at 713-504-5486 or email her at pdornak@ gmail.com. Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers at St. Stephen’s Interface-Samaritan Counseling Centers is pleased to announce the opening of its newest location on the campus of St. Stephens United Methodist Church, 2003 W. 43rd St. A 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, Interface treats the whole person and offers faith-sensitive behavioral health services to adults, adolescents, and children, regardless of their ability to pay. Some of the issues that Interface treats include, but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, family issues, relationship conflict, substance abuse, and grief issues. Call 713-626-7990 or visit www.interface-samaritan.org

The Obituaries. Mary Esther Akins, 76, born Dec. 2, 1938 in Hammond, La., died Dec. 9. She is survived by her daughter, Laura Kohut; sons, Tommy Akins Jr. and Thad Akins; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Janie Hernandez Brown,

57, born Aug. 24, 1957 in Corpus, died Dec. 14, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was a selfless, giving, and loving woman who was cherished by all. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Major Brown, son Joseph, daughter Jessica, siblings Manuela Nieto, Robert Hernandez Jr.,

Olivia Camacho, Raul Hernandez, Delia Jones, Gracie Sosa, Ruben Hernandez, Ida Hernandez, Rebecca Garcia, Norma Reyes, Raymond Hernandez, John Hernandez, Guadalupe Hernandez, and Carmen Camacho, and one grandson.

Kevin Earl Lane, 55, born April 23, 1959 in Brenham, died Dec. 2. He is survived by his parents, Marion Arthur “Art� Lane Sr. and Earline Smith Lane, and brother Art Lane. Mary Evelyn Larson, 87, born Jan. 30, 1927, died Dec.

11. She graduated from Reagan High School and grew up in the Heights. She married Evan Allen Lowery, Sr. in April 1946. They started Allen Office Supply and Printing, Inc. in 1962. In 1991, she married George N. Larson, Jr. and moved to Spicewood, Texas. Together they owned and ran Camp Pedernales. Due to illness they moved back to the Houston area in 2012. Larson is survived by her children Debbie Ratz, Gwen Patterson, Evan Allen Lowery, Jr. and Wendy Bruney; husband George and his children and grandchildren; three grandsons and two great-grand-

ChurCh First Church

Oaks Presbyterian Church

Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m. Nursery Provided Ministering to the Oak Forest Community since 1948 Reverend Noelie Day

(713) 682-2556

1576 Chantilly @ Piney Woods

Heights Sunday School 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30am Wed. Bible Study 6:30pm Pastor, Larry Young Pastor C. David Harrison

Peggy Ann Steffen, 81, born Jan. 14, 1933, died Dec. 6 in Houston. She was a lifelong active member of West End Baptist Church. She graduated from Reagan High School in 1951 and began working for Mosher Steel Co./Trinity Industries, retiring after 48 years. She is survived by sister Nancy Williams.

Guide Oaks Christian ChurCh (Disciples of Christ)

Gospel Truth Church Sunday 10:30 am Worship and The Word Children’s Church Wednesday 7:30 pm Life Equip classes for all ages

1624 W 34th • 713-686-7689 www.gospeltruthchurch.org

713-861-3102 201 E. 9th St. • www.fbcheights.org

1216 Bethlehem at Ella Blvd. (713) 688-7761

Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship10:45 AM Pastor Don Joseph Member of MANNA Visit us on FaceBook www.oakscchouston.org

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GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Reverend John Cain, Pastor Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m. Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org

children. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew’s, the American Cancer Society or the National Alzheimer’s Association.

Member of MANNA

1822 W. 18th

Sunday - Bible Study For All Ages .. 9:30am Morning Worship............ 10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed. Prayer Meeting & Missions Organization .....................6:15pm Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor

713-864-1470

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Thursday each week beginning at 9 a.m. at Candlelight Park, 1520 Candlelight Dr. Call 281-989-4589 or 713-6823587 for information. OAKS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING St. James Lutheran Church The Oaks Business Association meets every third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at St. James Lutheran Church, 1602 W. 43rd St. The executive committee meets every second Tuesday of the month. David Lorms is president. Information: david.2490@ aol.com.

West 34th St.

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POPPING NOISES Chase Baker, D.D.S.

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f you sometimes hear a popping noise when you move your jaw joints and have noticed a dull aching in your face or head, this may be caused by myofascial pain dysfunction. This is a common affliction of women under 40 years of age. It is characterized by pain in the temporomandibular or jaw joint and may also lead to headaches, toothaches, and painful limitation of the mouth opening. The condition should be examined promptly by your dentist so it can be corrected before the pain becomes more intense and affects other areas of your head. In extreme cases it may cause blurring of vision and hearing loss. Pain in the jaw joints or temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) can have many causes, such as improperly aligned teeth or the habit of teeth grinding or clenching. The goal of your dentist’s treatment will be to correct any dental problems that are causing TMJ, returning the jaw to its normal function and eliminating spontaneous muscle spasms in the jaw joint area. Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the office of: Chase Baker, D.D.S., 3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.

MESSAGE OF THE WEEK

Our DiviDeD Lives

H

uman beings have one foot in heaven and one planted firmly on earth. Our daily need for food and water along with our bodily functions keep us firmly embedded in the earthly realm. But, the awareness of eternity transports our minds and spirits beyond the earthly realm. We see that our bodies are finite, but we can easily imagine the infinite in both space and time. We are also divided morally. Our human or animal selves naturally return evil for evil, seeking revenge when someone has harmed us and feeling satisfied when wrongdoers suffer, but we all know that there is a higher realm of justice where mercy and compassion override our natural tendency for revenge, and where even wrongdoers might be reconciled to God. There is no way to escape either aspect of our divided self. So long as we have bodies we are chained to their animal functions, but so long as we have a soul we are cognizant of the voice of God, continually reminding us that there is another realm, a higher realm and our true cosmic home. We should take care of the body, it is a gift from God, and we should listen to our conscience, it is the voice of God within us.

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A House of Hope and Prayer in the Heart of Houston Rev. Herschel Moore, Pastor

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Weekly Sunday Services • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.

1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters

Page 8A • Saturday, December 20, 2014

Shopping, from P. 1A “We’re slammed,” Hildebrand said as he helped customers. One particular customer was buying gifts: a vintage Christmas sweater, a Bakelite broach, and a 1940s Betty Boop lunchbox. Ross, located on 43rd St. in Oak Forest, is a favorite shopping destination for clothing, accessories, housewares and shoes for the budget-minded. The Leader stopped in last weekend and spoke with Store Manager Cynthia Molina. “Yes, we are doing very well this year – maybe too well,” Molina said with a laugh. “We are up more than five percent over last

year.” The Big Blue Whale on 19th St. in the Heights is a new-comer to the area’s retail landscape. This charming store specializes in toys and curiosities and “stocks goods for curious kids and the people who love them,” as stated in their marketing material. How is this new and unusual retailer holding up? “We are so very busy,” Owner Vanessa Wodehouse said. “The first year has been fantastic. We opened in the summer and are seeing a lot of repeat business. Now the holiday season has been really great.”

Photo by Kim Hogstrom Smaller stores like The Big Blue Whale say this holiday season has been a partiuclarly healthy one, which is good news for shoppers looking for the best deals in town.

Thefts, from P. 1A a black male walk out from behind a brick wall. The man then asked the woman for her money and struck the woman when she said she had none. The woman started to scream and the robber threatened her and then fled east on 8th Street. The man was described as wearing a navy blue T-Shirt, pants and a light colored plastic bag, according to the report. Several other residents reported several thefts from their own vehicles in the 500 block of W. 33rd Street Dec. 16. The complainants told deputies that between 10 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday, thieves had stolen the tires and wheels off of their vehicles while parked in front of their homes, and the vehicles were left on blocks. In one case, the thieves attempted to steal the tires and wheels but were unable to get away with them, according to the report. These incidents come on the heels of last week’s reports in The Leader regarding the thefts of Christmas decorations and holiday packages.

Officials with the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office are asking residents in Shepherd Park Plaza and other communities to secure their personal belongings and lock their vehicle doors and explore other methods of shipping and receiving packages during the holidays. Assistant Chief J.C. Mosier said it’s common for many criminals to ramp up their activity during the holidays, when many citizens are most vulnerable for crimes of opportunity. “Unfortunately, many of the thefts we’re seeing are occurring because people are not locking up their valuables and their vehicles,” Mosier said. “It mystifies me how, year after year, we see cars unlocked in driveways with iPads and other expensive items just sitting inside of vehicles.” Homeowners need to keep their belongings under lock and key even when away from home, Mosier said. Residents should pay close attention to stowing holiday purchases in the trunk of their vehicles and ensure they stay locked. Those who are expecting

packages should also speak with fellow neighbors about potentially having their packages delivered to other homes where someone might be available to sign for them, or perhaps requesting packages be held at distribution centers for pickup or deliver them to a place of employment. “Most of the time, these criminals simply get lucky,” Mosier said. “It may seem like they know when we’re not on duty or not in the area, but it’s that time of the year when crime is going to go up.” An attitude adjustment might also be needed for many residents who might have a feeling of insulation from the recent crimes in the area. “It’s human nature to think it isn’t going to happen to you,” Mosier said. “And when it does, people are surprised it has happened.” To report suspicious activity, call the Precinct 1 Constable’s Office at 713-755-5200 or contact the Houston Police Department at 713-884-3131 or fill out a Patrol Alert Slip online at www.houstontx. gov/police/alert_slip/.

ACME Fish.” While the reputation of the advertising business is dog-eat-dog, nothing could be further from true with this professional. Congelio helped launch “Only in Houston,” a non-profit initiative representing about 900 members of Houston’s creative community; people who work in advertising, marketing, public relations, graphic design, video production, the arts, music, dance, and all segments of the creative economy. “Lou is one of those amazing Houstonians who truly believes rising tides raise all ships,” Christine Stevens, Director of Development for the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, said. “He has labored tirelessly to fund, grow, and sustain ‘Only in Houston,’ an organization whose sole purpose is to strengthen our city’s creative economy. He is always building, growing, and supporting the success of those around him. We are lucky to have him in Houston.” Congelio will not be leaving anytime soon – he very much enjoys the area in which he lives and works. “I am proud of Houston, but I love everything about the

Heights,” Congelio said. “The area offers a concentration of artists, filmmakers, photographers, studios and creatives of all sorts. I think being around all these creative people helps make me more creative. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.” For more information about “Only in Houston,” go to www. onlyinhouston.org.

Ad man, from P. 1A “Yes, the name ACME Fish is a little different, and my tagline is too,” Congelio said with a laugh. “It’s ‘Words is my business’.” Congelio said he has always had a fascination with the word ‘ACME,’ and thinks it might have something to do with the TV shows he watched when he was younger. I think it’s from watching all those Roadrunner cartoons in my troubled youth,” Congelio said. “Maybe it’s because ACME means ‘the pinnacle of achievement.’ The name is unexpected, creative, yet relevant; relevant in that it says, ‘I’m different.’” Congelio knows a thing or two about branding – he may even be the Godfather of ad work in Houston. For many years, he operated one of the city’s largest and most successful agencies, “Stan and Lou.” In fact, it was too large according Congelio. “Running a big agency means stealing time from creative work,” Congelio said. “I found I was no longer a creative. I wound up becoming more of an administrator, and I missed the creative stuff. Then the universe sort of pointed me in the direction of

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the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Domestic cat 6. Picasso’s mistress Dora 10. Bounces over water 14. Calculators 15. Jeopardized 17. Voice of Dory 19. Guided 20. Ribonucleic acid (abbr.) 21. Evenings prior to 22. French river into Ghent 23. Inspires wonder 24. Sacred bull of Egypt 26. Am. sable 29. Liquid body substances 31. Singer Nat King 32. Expression of disgust 34. Oil cartel 35. Mentums 37. City of Danao island 38. Place of refuge 39. Fancy ottoman 40. 20th Hebrew letter 41. Alleviating 43. Tangles 45. London gallery 46. Pouchlike structure 47. Citizen of Copenhagen 48. Swiss river

49. Denotes three 52. Treatment for addicts 56. Inheritable by rules 57. Stalin’s predecessor 58. N. Mexico artist colony 59. Initials of 1st American woman in space 60. Afrikaans

dOwn

1. Far east weight unit 2. Competent 3. Bare or unadorned 4. Bridge building degree 5. Other side of yang (Chinese) 6. Personal manners 7. Am. Mountain Guide Assoc. 8. Imitate 9. Acts of reclamation 10. Most critical 11. Brews 12. Foot (Latin) 13. South Dakota 16. Hero-worship 18. Removes moisture 22. NY Hamptons location (initials) 23. Egyptian god of life

24. Sporting venue 25. Campaign funding group 27. Plural of 30 down 28. Captures 29. Turf 30. Fencing sword 31. Cost, insurance and freight (abbr.) 33. Expression of bafflement 35. Frames of reference 36. Very large 37. Old TV screen tube 39. Keyboard instruments 42. Governments 43. Fashion designer Jacobs 44. Carrier’s invention 46. Cruise 47. Art ____ style of design 48. From a distance 49. Rock singer Turner 50. Churn 51. Hotels 52. Genetic info carrier 53. Irritate 54. Also on the option key 55. Steeped beverage 56. Indicates position

WORD SCRAMBLE

Saturday, December 20, 2014 • Page 9A

Christmas Worship Guide Prepare the Way by Pastor Tracey B. Schultz, Zion Lutheran Church “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord…’” - Isaiah 40:3 “John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…” - Mark 1:4 I was on Interstate-45 on a Saturday recently, among holiday shoppers and gun show traffic, and a police officer on a motorcycle sounded his siren and moved in front of the huge petroleum truck I was following. He turned on his flashing lights and motioned with his palm for the truck to stop, so I stopped, too, as did all those following behind me. The officer, I soon realized, was running tag team with another policeman, as they were escorts for a funeral procession. As I sat there waiting for the procession to pass, I heard again, “Prepare the way of the Lord,” and I realized how I had been on my way in one particular instant and how my way

had been slowed and changed because the officer jumped in front of traffic and showed us a different way. Essentially, this is how and why John the Baptist shows up this time of year, every year, right on time. He comes to show the way, and his word, “Repent,” is meant to act like that police officer’s siren and flashing lights. I imagine him now with his palm upright, motioning us all to slow down or to stop and to take notice of the direction we have been going. In Greek, the word for repent is metanoia, and it means turn around, go the other way. With John the Baptist on the scene, we’re meant to find ourselves asking the questions he begs us consider. What way have we been headed? Is that way the right way? Walmart has a holiday commercial out right now advertising a number of sale items, and at the close of the ad, they promise they will have more cashiers working and more aisles open for our shopping convenience. Referring to this easy check-out process, their tag line is: “Walmart. More ways to Christmas joy.” The implication is such joy can be

bought, or found on shelves, or manufactured and packaged. If our way to Christmas leads us to more stuff, and if we are under the illusion joy is in a retails store, then we need John the Baptist to stop us in our tracks, to turn on the sirens and signal us to turn around. Certainly we have lost sight of the way. When people ask if he is the Messiah, John the Baptist is quick to say he is not, and not only that, he humbly says he is unworthy to untie the sandals of the one for whom he is forerunner. The baptizer-prophet comes with sirens and traffic cop hand to slow us, bidding us reflect on the way of self. Do we seek God for answers, or do we look to ourselves first? Do we seek to serve our neighbors, or do we seek after our own needs first? Do we point to the one who is to come, or to ourselves? I used to hear Isaiah’s cry in the wilderness. “Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill shall be made low,” as something I had to do. I imagined my selfish ways or my consumer ways as mountains

and valleys in God’s way. I imagined I needed to clean up my mess so God could find the way to me instead of tripping over my stuff and my arrogance; but, we understand the cry wrong if this is what we hear. The way is in the verbs. Every valley shall be lifted up. Every mountain and hill shall be made low. This making right of the way will come from outside ourselves; it will be done for us, to us. We need only repent, heed the John the Baptizer, and find that we are not in the way but have always been on the way. We know this to be true because it has been promised by the One who once called himself the Way and the Truth and the Life.

Sunday December 7, 14, 21

Church-wide Breakfast 9:00 am Church-wide Sunday School 9:45 am Worship 11:00am

Saturday December 20 Cookies & Cocoa with Santa 9am to noon

Join us for Christmas Eve Worship @5pmm Candlelight, Communion, Carols

1245 Heights Blvd.

713-862-8883

www.GraceinTheHeights.org

Join Us in Celebration Christmas Eve Worship

Children’s Christmas Program

December 24 @ 4:00 pm

December 21 @ 11:00 am

Birthday Letters to Jesus

Submitted by First Baptist Academy Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that my dogs will have a good time in heven with you. And my dads dad will be safe in heven with you lord. I hope my family will not get sick. Love Chloe Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is I hope Honduras will one day be a happy place. Please help Jacks dad and grandmother get well soon. Help my aunt not have a bad leg. Jesus I hope you a good birthday. Jesus help the world to have a great Christmas. Love Logan Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is Dear God I hope my mom feels deter. Dear God I hope my PoPey Dosent have to take pils Love Jacob Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is. I hope my dad’s eye to feel better. I also hope that I stell have good grades. Love Marina Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that the people in Sudan be’s helthy and that that Jesus has a good Christmas and that it is a good Christmas for everyone this year we have a good year at school and that my family has a good cristmas. Love, Harper Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer, this year is I hope you help Trace and me not to fight. And make this the best Christmas. Love Taylor Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! Prayer this year is not going to be a hard Chris-tmas because my Grandpa just past away 5 moths ago so I want you to holed me in your arms. Love Cydney Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that you will help my sister in math and my Present for your is love Jesus your cool and amazing Jesus i Love you. Love Ece Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My christmas prayer this year is . My brother was in a game and a pler hit his bak and I hopy you tuch him and he will get beter. I hopy you will help Jordan for his virus and tuch him. I hopy Eamma will do well on her vore vore vore hard tabt and she will do good. I hopy you will help my Dad wrist and you will tuch him vare beter. Love Joseph

Christmas Eve - 6:30 pm Lessons and Carols with Holy Communion Sunday Services 8:30am & 10:30am Wednesday Service 6:30pm

Zion Lutheran Church 3606 Beauchamp Houston, TX 77009

713-869-1493 www.zlchouston.org

211 Byrne • www.holytrinityrec.org

Our Savior Lutheran Church

Join us

in celebrating Christ’s birth in a glorious sanctuary that was built for Christmas

Wednesday Advent Service Dec. 10 and 17th - 7:00pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Dec. 24th - 6:00pm

Christmas Day Service Dec. 25th 9:30am

New Year’s Eve Remembrance Service Dec. 31st 9:30am

5000 W. Tidwell

(Between Antoine and T.C. Jester) 713-290-8277 • www.oslschool.org

800 Houston Ave. • Houston TX 77007 www.trinitydt.org

Join Us In Celebration Carols and Bells December 21, 2014 8:15 and 11:00 a.m. Bring your friends and your bells—small bells, large bells, dinner bells, boat bells—and join us as we sing and ring the wonderful carols of the Christmas season. You’ll hear the Christmas Story and have an opportunity to ring along with our Festival Choir, Trinity Bells, Organ and Brass. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, wassail and coffee after the worship services.

Christmas Eve Worship Services December 24, 2014 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Featuring Pageant, Festival Choir and Orchestra

Christmas Day Worship Service December 25, 2014 9:30 a.m. Featuring Festival Choir and Brass

New Year’s Eve Service December 31, 2014 6:30 p.m. New Year’s Day Service January 1, 2015 9:30 a.m.

Leadership Team Senior Pastor Pastor Michael P. Dorn 713.229.2940 Director of Caring Ministries Pastor David A. Leeland 713.229.2916 Visitation Pastor Pastor Donald G. Black 713.229.2917 Dir. of Admin. & Human Resources Trinity Garrett 713.229.2937 CFO Ron Lacy 713.229.2970 Interim Director of Music and Worship Mary Voigt 713.229.2922 Director of Accounting Roseann Gamez 713.229.2962 Manager of Facilities John Valdez 713.229.2905 Communications Coordinator Pam Schroeder 713.229.2944

Page 10A • Saturday, December 20, 2014

Jesus is the Light of the World

Birthday Letters to Jesus continued Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My christmas prayer this year is my grandma has a good christmas. And My teacher Miss Pierce has a good christmas. Love William Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas Prayer this year is. I hope the kids that don’t hit toys.Git a lot of toys for christmas. And I hope they have a good Christmas. I hope that my family has a good Christmas too. Love Kathryn Dear Jesus, Happy Birth day! My Chrristmas prayer this year is That my grandma gets beter. I also hope my dad gets beter. Love Jackson

Rev. Deanna M. Young Fairbanks United Methodist Church Everyone seems to understand a bit about light. We know that light warms, reveals truth, and encourages growth. We plan our days around the rising and setting of the sun. When Jesus came into the world, the world was in desperate need of light-someone to guide people into truth and goodness; someone to help humankind overcome the darkness. The moment the virgin Mary became pregnant with Jesus, that salvation became possible. I wonder if Mary knew that she was carrying The Light of the World within her? Her young arms cradled The One who would cradle the world with His love, light, hope, and joy. The strange thing is that not everyone wants to be cradled by Jesus. Many reject The Light of Jesus and don’t believe the Christmas Story. I am sad for them and for our God who gave Himself for love and does not always receive love in return. That was the risk He was willing to take to save you and to save me. He loves us that much. Today’s world needs Jesus just as much as it did when He came to us the first time over 2,000 years ago. Without His light, love, and grace, we have no hope of peace in this broken world. His light reveals our brokenness but also shines through us when He heals us and forgives our sins. Jesus was, is, and will always be the Light of the World! You are invited to come to Fairbanks United Methodist Church on December 24 at 6:00 p.m. and experience The Light of the World as we celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth and wait expectantly for His return. May The Light of Jesus within you light the way for others to find the true meaning of Christmas.

Come Join Us For the Very Best Family Christmas Eve Service Ever! Family Festival ~ December 14 Light Dinner - 5:00 pm Ornament Making - 6:00 pm Live Nativity - 7:00 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24 ~ 6:30 pm

Oaks Christian ChurCh (Disciples of Christ)

1216 Bethlehem at Ella Blvd. (713) 688-7761 Pastor Don Joseph

Member of MANNA

FAirbAnkS

United Methodist Church Wednesday 6:00 pm

Reverend Deanna M. Young

Dear Jesus, Happy birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that I need you to heal my daddy’s aunt. Her back hurts so bad but the problem is that she lives in Peru. Pleas heal my dog Ziggy. His hip is dislocated. Please heal my granny’s dog Bart. He is very old and can’t run or jump. Please let the people in Africa get food, clothes, and shelter. Love, Olivia Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas wish this year is that everyone would come to know you. I hope that you will protect my neighbors. I also hope that the world would have a good Christmas. Love, Oren Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that my baby brother Gentry would be healthy and that people would get to know you. Thank you for loving us. Love, Addyson Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that you have a wonderful Birthday. I hope that all people have faith. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas. Thank

you for my family. Love Makayla Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that my papa’s back feels better. I hope his surgery helps him. I also hope my nana’s eyes get better. Please heal both of them God. Thank you, God Love, Cooper Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that everyone gets to know Jesus and become Christians so they can go to heaven. I hope the poor people get food and water. Thank you for this world! Sincerely, Nathan Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is every Christians will be protected. I hope poor people will be healthy. I hope kids that don’t have anything will get presents. Love, Keegan Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is for my grandparents to have good health. I wish Christmas will help people know you. Thank you for dying on the cross. Love,Zoe Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that the poor kids get stuff they need. Please help the people that have surgery get better. Please help the people in South Sudan. Love, Johnny Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that my family and friends have a great Christmas. I hope the world will get to know you. Last, I want to care about you. Love, Jake

O Come, All Ye Faithful

14210 Aston Street 713-462-3206

Christmas Candlelight Communion Service Sunday, December 21 - 4:15pm

First Church Heights

St. Joseph Catholic Church (in the Historic Heights Sixth Ward)

Celebrate Christmas With Us December 25

1505 Kane Street • Houston TX 77007 www.stjoseph6thward.org

GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Rev. John Cain, Pastor

Christmas Eve Service

December 25th 9:30am Worship

www.gethsemanelutheran.org

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is food and I wont you to have Moms and Dads for South Louisina. Love, Karen Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that you have a good Christmas at heaven. You are so nice and Love. Love, Lara Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that every one stayes safe and that you can help every one who is sick or hurt and I hope that you have a good birthday and that my teacher misses Pirce has a good Christmas. Love, Alayode Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is help people in South Sudan to know about Jesus and help my family to have a great time during Christmas. Love

Candlelight Communion Service

Dec. 24th - 4:30 pm & 7pm (Nursery provided)

2003 W. 43rd St. 713-686-8241

w w w. s t s u m c . o r g

St. James/Santiago Apostol Lutheran Church Christmas Eve Worship Services 5pm en Español | 7pm in English

LCMS

St. James/Santiago Apostol is led by the Ministry team of Reverend Arthur Murphy, and Vicar Aura Suarez. Worship Services are held each Sunday at 10:00 am in English, and 12:00 pm in Spanish with a Bilingual Adult and Children’s learning hour at 11:00am

1602 West 43rd St. Houston, TX 77018 for more info 713-686-1577 www.stjames.ch Facebook:StJamesChurchELCA

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON! (Disciples of Christ)

A House of Hope and Prayer in the Heart of Houston

- for over 100 years -

Open COmmuniOn

Open Candlelight Communion

Pastor Larry D. Young Pastor C. David Harrison

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that my family in Nigeria will have a good time during Christmas. I pray that they grow and live a long life and that they will be safe. Love, Ayotade

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is for all the poor homeless people to find shelter and get a job So they can buy food. And that my cousin won’t have diabetes anymore. Love, Jake

December 24

4:00pm Vigil Mass with Children 10:00 am Mass 11:15pm Carols 12:00 pm Español 12:00 am Midnight Mass

December 24 @ 6:00pm

Follow Us On

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is to give to the poor. I pray for the people of South Sudan to learn about Jesus. Thank you for everything. Love Audrey

1576 Chantilly Lane • 713-682-2556

th

201 E. 9th St 713-861-3102 www.fbcheights.org

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is to help the people in the world know you. Please help Meemaw and Pawpaw live a long life. Thank you for my family. Love, Hannah Pullin

Oaks Presbyterian Church

“A Place Where YOU Belong”

Sunday School @ 9:15am Sunday Service @ 10:30am

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that people in South Sudan will come to know you. I also pray that my grandparents have good health. Thank you for my family. Love, Hope Smith.

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that I hope people that are sick get beder. The people how are sad feel happier. I hope you have a good birthday. Jesus the people who are in heven are happy. Amen. From Joey

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day Service Pastor - Dr. Richard Walters

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is for my cousins Chinua. I hope she has a good birthday on Christmas Eve. I hope the person in Iran is safe. Thank you for dying on the cross for us. Love,Babade

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is will you stay safe and Jayton and one more Jack. Love, Cameron

Methodist St. Stephen’s United Church

December 24th 7pm Worship w/communion

1700 W. 43rd @ Rosslyn • 713-682-4942

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that PaPaw will live a long life. I also hope that no wars break out. I hope we give a lot of money at offerings and give money to the poor. Thank you for caring for us. Love, Hailey

Sunday Worship 10:30am Christmas Eve Service 7:00pm

December 24

www.fairbanksumc.org | Follow us on Facebook

Dear Jesus, Happy Birthday! My Christmas prayer this year is that you would please help my family to be safe. Please Help my family to constantly pray to you. Thank you. Love, Brandon

HOLY EUCHARIST

Sundays at 8:30 AM & 10:30 AM

December 21 - Sunday Worship 10:45 am December 24 - Wednesday 6:00 pm

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and Communion

CHRISTMAS EVE

Everyone is invited to come & join us in celebrating the birth of Jesus

CHRISTMAS DAY

Reverend Herschel Moore, Pastor

December 24 at 5:30 PM & 10:30 PM

December 25 at 10:00 AM ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 1819 HEIGHTS BOULEVARD | SAECHEIGHTS.ORG

1703 Heights Blvd. at 18th Street www.hcchouston.org

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