June 6 Section A

Inside Today: Details about our Voluntary Pay Program • Page 3A

New

e MerchanDdais ily Arriving

We Have Masks and Hand Sanitizer Shop Our Store or Curbside Pick Up Available

Flower & Gift Shop

MICHAEL SILVA

michael@happenhouston.com

713-725-8748 cell

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

10570 NW Frwy ❖ 713-680-2350

Saturday, June 6, 2020 • Vol. 65 • No. 23

ABOUT US 2020 North Loop West Suite 220 (713) 686-8494

Aggressive owl causing havoc

news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/FromTheLeader

40 YEARS INSULATING! Attics • Walls • Floors Noise Reduction • Removal

FREE ESTIMATES

713.868.1021

paylessinsulation.com

At least one Eastern Screech Owl has been combative with area residents.

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Candlelight Estates resident Kelly Hansen, who lives on the 1800 block of Bethlehem Street, first became aware of some puzzling activity about a week ago, when her brother and his family, who live across the street, came over for a night swim. “My nephew thought that maybe a pigeon hit him in the head,” Hansen said. “It happened again on his way home. He got scratched.”

Last Ride

A day or so later, neighbor Wayne Gabrysch asked Hansen what would have been an odd question any other time: “Has anything hit you in the head lately?” It turns out that both Gabrysch and his wife had been hit in the head after dark by something. “It felt like somebody slapped the back of my head and kept walking,” Gabrysch said. Determined to discover the culprit, he and his daughter went outside with a spotlight after an incident and saw an owl,

maybe about 8 or 9 inches tall, he estimates, sitting in a tree. It was all innocuous until Patrick Hansen, Kelly’s brother, got hit when he took out his recycling on the night of Memorial Day. He said he thought he was being vigilant. “I was scanning left to right and (one time) when I scanned right, I got a blind side to the left,” he said. “I reached up to grab my eye and felt blood.” A talon had scratched the corner of his eye. See Owls P. 8A

Feds close to finalizing guidelines for bullet train By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

There are lots of moving parts in the plan to move Texans between the state’s two largest cities, by train, at a rate of approximately 200 mph. Texas Central needs enough money to construct a 240-mile, highspeed railway between Houston and Dallas, and it needs to acquire all of the land along its proposed route. The Dallas-based company Aguilar also needs approval from the federal government, which would be charged with regulating the operation and ensuring it is safe, before proceeding to its final destination. The contentious bullet train project is on the verge of checking off one of those boxes after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued its final environmental impact assessment for the planned high-speed railway last Friday, May 29. Two months earSee Railway P. 4A

Jason Knebel (713)232-9712

jasonk@greenwoodking.com GREENWOOD KING

PROPERTIES

INSIDE.

Fresh fish. We review Flying Fish, which serves up fresh fried seafood in the Heights.

Page 7A Photo by Zarah Parker A Heights High School senior hangs out the window of an SUV while recording community members with phone last Friday, May 29. The school’s recent graduates took part in a parade in lieu of a commencement ceremony.

High schools celebrate seniors with parades Outdoor art. The First Saturday Arts Market is back after a pandemic-induced hiatus.

Page 7A

Sign of the times. A local couple has found a creative way to honor parent teachers.

Page 1B

On the mend. Constable Alan Rosen is back at work after a bout with COVID-19.

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadenews.com The cars that lined East 13th Street were decorated with posters congratulating the outgoing Heights High School class of 2020. The sidewalk was lined with the seniors’ family and friends who were standing or waiting in chairs to cheer on the graduates as they paraded by in their vehicles. Heights’ parade, organized by the school, the PTO and the seniors’ parents, took place last Friday, May 29 and was put together to recognize the graduates who didn’t get to walk across a stage in their caps and gowns. Houston ISD replaced traditional commencement ceremonies with virtual ones because of safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a good way for the students to come together in a safe way,” said Ryan Petit, whose youngest daughter graduated from the school. The parade began in front of the

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

Area residents among those calling for social change Contributed photo Graduating seniors from Heights High School participate in a parade near campus last Friday, May 29.

high school’s campus and weaved west on 13th Street before turning south on Arlington Street, west on East 12th Street, north on Harvard Street and east on East 14th Street before ending near the school’s practice football field. “The energy inside that parking lot was electrifying. I can say without a doubt that this event was the

highlight of many kids’ and parents’ quarantine,” graduate Connor O’Guynn said. “All I saw were smiles on the other seniors’ faces, and all I heard was that chatter of everyone catching up and laughing like they hadn’t laughed in a very long time. Also judging by the sheer

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com Katy Fenton and Morgan Shields do not know what it’s like to be discriminated against because of the color of their skin. They do not sense that others might feel threatened by their presence, and they do not fear for their safety during encounters with law enforcement officers. But both area residents, who are white, realize that everyday life might be different for their friends who are black. “We don’t necessarily understand what it’s like to have their plight in life or bear that bur-

See Parade, P. 8A

See Protest P. 4A

‘Adopted’ local graduates enjoy special support By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Page 4A

Contributed photo A protester holds up a sign during a Black Lives Matter demonstration downtown last weekend.

Walking across a stage at his high school graduation was a longtime dream for Michael Medina, who at one point could not walk at all. His mother said Medina was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 11 and, after surgery to remove his tumor, it took him about two years to regain his ability to walk, talk and see. Mary Medina said her son still has physical and cognitive disabilities, but he also remains determined to overcome them, so

he earned a diploma from Scarborough High School and was prepared to receive it during a commencement ceremony with his classmates. That did not happen, though, because the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the last two months of in-person classes this year as well as traditional graduation ceremonies, with Houston ISD holding them virtually instead. “It kind of sucks,” Michael Medina said. Fortunately for Medina, the generosity of his community helped make graduation a spe-

cial occasion nonetheless. The Pine Forest resident is one of 23 area seniors to benefit from an “Adopt-A-Senior” initiative started by Kylie Carrasco, whose son, Alfred, is a recent Waltrip High School graduate who also was part of the program. The seniors were given gifts and congratulations by individuals or businesses that decided to “adopt” them based on student biographies that were shared by their families in a Facebook group. Medina was sponsored by CookieBossHTX and recentSee Adopted, P. 8A

Contributed Photo Recent Scarborough High School graduate Michael Medina, left, receives a gift basket from CookieBossHTX co-owner Cass Gaytan, who sponsored him as part of an Adopt-A-Senior program.

Personalized attention. 2222 North Durham | 281.517.8760 AllegianceBank.com

By ensuring consistent access, quick answers and tailored solutions, we don’t just get to know your business, we get to know you. %iscover how our taking your success personally can make all the difference.

Page 2A • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • The Leader

Virtual and in-person

DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS We’re still here for you Even during these challenging times, Houston Methodist doctor offices are open and seeing patients who need our care. Though your appointment may not look like a typical appointment, our providers may see you via video visit, telephone or in person, when needed. Rest assured, we are taking every precaution to ensure we can safely see you and meet all your health care needs.

houstonmethodist.org/hereforyou 713.790.3333

THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • Page 3A

Community support leads to great news coverage

L

et me start with a confession. When I looked into working for The Leader, my first inclination was to look down on it. All my previous jobs in journalism had been for daily newspapers, which operated at a fast pace I liked and seemed to carry more cachet both within the profession and among the news-consuming public. A weekly is a sleepy place to be, I thought, and transitioning to one seemed like a step down. But like any decent journalist would do, I suspended my preconceived notions and gave The Leader a closer look. I talked to publisher Jonathan McElvy about the paper and the community it serves, I studied the stories that were being told and I researched the area both online and in person. Jonathan eventually offered me the job as editor, and I took it. A year-and-a-half later, I sure am glad I did. Leading the small editorial staff at The Leader has been the most rewarding part of my career, which has taken me all over Texas, to the Midwest and now back home to Houston. I’ve been fortunate to win some awards along the way, all while working as a sportswriter,

Adam Zuvanich Editor

but the work I’ve done since becoming a news reporter, photographer and editor for your weekly local news source has been the most impactful. That’s largely because The Leader has a unique and special connection with the community we have served for 65 years and counting. That was evident almost immediately after I started engaging with residents of the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and the other neighborhoods of north and northwest Houston. In my previous role, covering high school sports for the San Antonio Express-News, I often identified myself as being from the newspaper. The response I often got was, “Which newspaper?” even though the Alamo City has had only one daily paper for more than

two decades. Here, on the other hand, The Leader needs no sort of introduction or explainer. More often than not, when I tell folks I’m with The Leader, their eyes light up and they tell me how much they love our product and that they grew up reading it and maybe they even delivered papers when they were kids. Those reactions have inspired me to keep the compelling stories flowing and to keep a finger on the pulse of the community as best as I can. They’ve also taught me that my previous prejudices against weekly newspapers were dead wrong. The pace is plenty fast, for starters, and that has been especially true during the last few months. In the midst of a pandemic that has affected the health and livelihood of many of our community members, we have treated our website (theleadernews.com) like a daily news outlet and strived to give you important information and uplifting stories as quickly and as frequently as possible. We also do our best to refrain from sensationalizing the stories we cover, and we don’t seek out

Hitting the mail on the head To: Gov. Greg Abbott From: Agent Slime Ball Re: Operation Dodging the Ballot As per your orders I have launched a program to deter voter fraud in Texas, which you have rightly labeled is “rampant,” even though between 2005 and 2018 there were only 73 prosecutions in Texas out of 64 million votes cast.” (How many of these traitors were actually found guilty is a secret.) The current problem is to allow voting by mail in light of the coronavirus – some wimps don’t want to line up with sneezing and coughing fellow voters to cast their ballot. Texas’ election code allows for mail voting for people over the age of 65, disabled, out of the county on Election Day and during early voting by personal appearance or be in jail. Their clearly weak argument is that Texas voters will either have to stand 6 feet apart, which could mean lines a mile long and hang around for hours with people who may be Typhoid Mary. (Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs suggested that voters “may want to consider” voting curbside if they have symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or sore throat, when they arrive at a polling place.) These weasels ask: Do they have to risk death in order to vote? To counter this argument, I have stolen a slogan from Fox News: “Fair & Ballots” -- a program with bumper stickers like “Patrick Henry Was Right” and “Vote Versus Virus.” For sports fans I have “COVIT 19 – Trump 2020.” Your opponents trot out the Wisconsin debacle in April when a Republican-controlled court refused to let the election be pushed back to a safer, warmer and healthier time. Every other state with an election scheduled for April postponed their contest or shifted it to by-mail voting only. But in Wisconsin voters -- with 2,511 reported cases of coronavirus and 85 dead -- waited in long lines, and not always 6 feet apart. In Milwaukee, fear of catching the virus caused many poll workers to stay home, so only five of 150 polling places opened, and at last count 67 poll workers and voters contacted the coronavirus, although some dispute this figure. But we’re Texans! We can take unnecessary danger. Gov, I have another plan. We get volunteer GOPers to stand in the voting line, without masks, and suddenly start coughing and wheezing. That should clear out the cues immediately. This fight over mailing in ballots is due to the conventional wisdom that a big turnout helps the Dems while a light turnout favors the Republicans. Wrong! Survey after survey shows voting by mail gives no advantage to either party. There is also the gen-

Lynn Ashby Columnist

eral feeling that our efforts to suppress voting by mail is a transparent attempt to keep Dems from voting. My answer is: What’s your point? President Trump is a strong ally in our efforts. He has called mailing in votes “corrupt,” and – more honestly -- recently observed that expansion of voting by mail “doesn’t work out well for Republicans.” When it was pointed out that the president himself, along with the first lady, Melania Trump, voted by mail in Florida’s presidential primary in March, he replied with a killer retort: “What about Hillary orchestrating the raid in Benghazi?” I have another plan: Just get Trump to call off the elections. Hey, we’re in a war with COVIT-19 and this is no time to be distracted by something so minor as a pandemic sweeping the nation and killing thousands. If anyone knows distractions, it’s our boy in the White House. You are quoted as predicting the legal battle on voting by mail will work its way to the U.S. Supreme Court “pretty quickly.” No, no, no. Thus far the fight has gone through the lower courts, then it was appealed to a higher court which overturned the ruling and a judge ordered the latest decision to be thrown out or reconsidered or something. A three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is notoriously pro-Republican, overturned the overturn. We must keep the pot boiling, because if we drag our feet enough the elections will be over. You said the state had already taken steps to make voting safer and pointed to your delaying the May 26 runoff election for state offices to July 14 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Good work, but Texas needs time to print and mail out millions of ballots, so there have to be bids and contracts for the job, reviewing what’s the best deal for the state’s taxpayers, who and where will the ballots be counted by hand, and so on. Months will go by and then it will be too late for all these changes, if you get my drift. Hehehe. We must counter the argument that five states -Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington State – have been using vote-bymail for years. They count their ballots relatively fast and conduct elections that are accurate, accessible, safe and secure. Even the conservative Heritage Foundation’s voter-fraud database contains only 13 instances of absentee voter fraud -- indeed,

only 44 instances of any kind of voter fraud -- across those five states. We reply Texas is an independent state that will go its own way. We’re Number 1, especially when it comes to executions and children without health coverage. We have one last arrow in our quiver. If Texans vote by mail, they’ll think their vote will be tallied, but will they? President Trump said, “The Postal Service is a joke.” There’s a good chance that the post office won’t get those millions of ballots to the proper destinations. I have also put up “U.S. Postal Service” signs on dumpsters throughout the state. Finally, I have a message for you encouraging you to show that you’re a real man: take a cruise and get as close to strangers as you can. Don’t wear a mask. The message is from Dan Patrick. That masked man is at ashby2@comcast.net

controversial, politicized stories just to stoke fires, sell papers and get more clicks on our website. We’re a free paper, and it’s also free to access our website and our social media channels. So we try to strike a balance between responsible reporting on relevant issues and giving you the hyperlocal, feel-good community news that only we can deliver. For example, on our front page today are localized stories about the recent nationwide protests calling for social justice and Texas’ first high-speed project, coupled with features about area high school graduates and an owl – yes, an owl – that is terrorizing some neighborhood residents. Where else can you find such a mix of news? Not from a major daily, and even those from major dailies understand the importance of community journalism. Here’s what Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan had to say on Twitter earlier this week: “I note this, the excellence of local, because they’re often treated in journalistic and corporate circles as the kids of journalism, not the first tier. But in their reporting skills, professionalism,

reluctance to emote, they are often the adults.” Speaking of adulting, here’s where we get really serious. While The Leader is free, and we love that about our product, the cost of putting it together every week is not. We have bills to pay and a staff to support. And like just about every news outlet across the country, the shift toward digital advertising and the pandemic – which has caused many of the businesses that advertise in newspapers to tighten their belts – has impacted us economically. So we’re asking those of you who support The Leader to help support us financially. In this week’s edition you’ll find an insert about our Voluntary Pay Program, in which we request donations to help fund the work we do. Any amount, whether it’s $25 or $2,500, will be much appreciated and put to good use. As this reformed daily newspaper man can attest, an investment in your weekly local news source is more valuable than you might imagine. azuvanich@theleadernews.com

THE READER. Taxpayer money better used toward county improvements

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Dear Editor: So, Hidalgo is going to give the Harris County taxpayer’s money away. She, with her many years of experience, decided on her own the money from the taxes we pay should be given away and not used for county improvements. I wish she would use some of that money to fill up the hole behind my fence left after a drainage pipe was repaired. This hole collects water and attracts mosquitoes. There are numerous food give-aways being conducted. There are protections for not being able to pay mortgage or rent. People have received enough of my tax dollars. It appears she wants to be reelected and hopes this will help her. I know I will vote against her. I decided to do my part to help save the city with the high cost of maintaining recycle bins. The cost to oil the hinges, change the tires when they wear out, or repair the damage when a recycle driver pile drives the bin into your yard. I emailed the mayor and Councilwoman Amy Peck and asked them to have my recycle bin picked up. Within three hours the bin was picked up. I have never had such a quick response from the city. I know I will sleep better knowing the city of Houston will not go bankrupt over the cost of already paid-for bins. Olton Decuire

Upcoming trail could help area cyclists ride west

Dear Editor: The statement “there’s no way to get out to the Energy Corridor [by bike]” is not strictly true. From 2009 – 2016 I would commute, usually twice a

week, from Woodland Heights to the BP campus at about Eldridge and I-10. That’s a 20 mile one-way run, but often I’d beat my time spent in a car on the return home! Now, to be fair, the ride is not for the faint of heart or those not used to taking their lane in city traffic. The route would normally traverse 11th, 14th (or later, when it was complete, the WOB) until 11th St park, at which point we’d head up Ella, take 12th across Hempstead and the RR tracks, then under 610. A jog up to Westview and you can take it all the way to Britmore. The Westview section is probably the most dangerous in the afternoons — there are one lane portions that cars will try to pass you without much space. But, when Westview dead ends into Britmore, about a mile north there’s a neighborhood you can wind through and access the Addicks Dam trail. Then it is an easy run to the Energy Corridor and Terry Hersey park/ Turkey Creek trails. Kirk D. Carver

Food industry adapting for the better

Dear Editor: Zarah, how old are you? If this is your first pandemic are you under ten years old? There was a pandemic of H1N1 influenza in 2009. I’ve seen AIDS referred to as a pandemic also, but sometimes it is called a worldwide epidemic, too. Experts seem to think that the number of frequency of pandemics will only increase, due to many factors. These include increased worldwide travel, increasing human population, increasing human consumption of meat (especially with more animals kept in crowded factory farms and wet markets), a growing urban population, and climate change. Jason Hochman

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

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. ‘ER’ actress Leslie 5. Hebrew name for Babylon 10. Newts 14. Leaf angle 15. Dravidian language 16. Ridge on nematodes 17. Monetary unit 18. Determined the tare 19. Unfreeze 20. Merits 22. World’s oldest broadcasting organization 23. Vacation spot 24. December 25 27. Ottoman military command 30. Resin-like substance secreted by insects 31. A.C. Comics female supervillain 32. Insect linked to honey 35. Opinion 37. In the middle of 38. Basketballer Yao 39. Remove lid 40. Pressure wound therapy 41. Fabric 42. Witnessed 43. Defunct European economic organization 44. ‘Hotel California’ rockers

45. When you expect to arrive 46. ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ actress Ryan 47. Danish airline 48. Insecticide 49. Scientific instrument 52. Type of seal 55. Israeli city __ Aviv 56. Cavalry sword 60. Ottoman title 61. Gurus 63. Cold wind 64. Predatory reptile (abbr.) 65. New Jersey is one 66. Divulge a secret 67. Finely chopped mixture 68. Actress Zellweger 69. Romanian city

dOwn 1. ‘Dark Knight’ actor 2. S. African plants 3. Castle in County Offaly, Ireland 4. White (French) 5. Morsel 6. Semitic language 7. Areas outside cities 8. Crackling 9. Cub 10. Landmark house in Los Angeles 11. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist 12. Mineral

13. Late night host Myers 21. Pull along 23. Not good 25. British Air Aces 26. Upset 27. Maltreatment 28. Nocturnal, cat-like animal 29. Hollyhocks 32. Shelter 33. Finished 34. Discharge 36. ‘X-Men’ actor McKellen 37. Beloved dish __ and cheese 38. Holds coffee 40. Languish 41. Quenches 43. Electric fish 44. Consume 46. Type of school 47. Erase 49. Educate 50. ‘Transformers’ actress Fox 51. Spiritual leader 52. Every one 53. Site of the Taj Mahal 54. Welsh village 57. Weapon 58. Geological times 59. S. Asian crops 61. Soviet Socialist Republic 62. Witness

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • The Leader

Area students get bear hugs for graduation By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Passersby on Azalea Street in Garden Oaks surely have noticed that two local residents are sporting a whole new look for graduation. Shellye Arnold and Tina Sabuco have had their topiary bears for many years. “We have celebrated many things through the bears since 2001,� Arnold said. “Weddings, birthdays, first days of school, even the construc-

tion on Alba Street. The bears were dressed like construction workers.� It was the idea of Arnold’s wife, Sabuco, to set them up as a photo op for graduates. Sabuco designed the sign with neighborhood business Best Blue Print. It reads “Big Bear Hugs to the Class of 2020.� “Merry and Marry Bear wish to congratulate all grads everywhere and invite them to come visit and take photos with them,� Sabuco wrote on the Garden Oaks Facebook

page. “We wanted people to be able to celebrate their graduation in many ways,� Arnold added. “It seemed especially fitting this year to invite people to participate with us and with the bears.� They put out the bears early this week and got some celebrants the next day. Pam Huwar and Ana Braun brought their daughters Abby and Sophia, respectively, to get some photos with the bears to commemorate their fifth-grade

graduation from Oak Forest Elementary School. “It was a cute way to commemorate these lifelong friends completing elementary school together,� Pam Huwar said. “I’m grateful that many others have gone above and beyond to make this time special for all graduates.� Arnold said that others are welcome to come by and take pictures or have a small celebration with the bears, such as a small picnic.

Photo by Betsy Denson Sophia Braun and Abby Huwar posed with two topiary bears to mark their graduation from Oak Forest Elementary.

Star-studded cast participating in citywide graduation event By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

An astronaut, an Olympic gold medalist and several other athletes and entertainers with ties to Houston were slated to participate in the citywide high school graduation celebration scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 5. The event, coordinated by the City of Houston and Hous-

ton First Corporation, aimed to honor the 2020 graduates who could not have traditional commencement ceremonies because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students from high schools across the city, including those in Houston ISD, were invited to gather on their campuses and watch a video tribute including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and more than 20 celebrities.

According to information posted on visithoustontexas. com, among those lined up for the tribute were astronaut Chris Cassidy, Olympian Simone Biles, rappers 50 Cent and Slim Thug as well as Houston sports stars Carlos Correa of the Astros, James Harden of the Rockets and J.J. Watt of the Texans. Multiple soccer players from the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash also

were lined up. “The 2020 high school senior class has achieved a major milestone during what is certainly one of the nation’s most challenging times in recent history,� Turner said in a statement on visithoustontexas.com. “They have sacrificed and endured, and I am so proud of every one of them.� Turner previously said participating schools would work

By Adam Zuvanich Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen returned to his office Wednesday after a bout with COVID-19, according to his spokesperson. Kevin Quinn, the spokesperson, said in a text message last week that Rosen had been working from home and under self-quarantine since experiencing a “slight fever� on May 18. Rosen got tested that day and on May 23 received a positive result for COVID-19, the contagious disease caused by the new coronavirus. “I appreciate everybody being so thoughtful and kind in sending well wishes,� Rosen said in a statement. “We will get past this. It is more important than ever to continue to wear a mask,

Rosen

wash your hands and socially distance.� Rosen, a Democrat, was first elected as constable in 2012 and serves an area that includes the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and other neighborhoods of north and northwest Houston. The Houston Heights Association and Garden Oaks Civic

den,� said Shields, a fitness instructor who lives in Garden Oaks. “But we want them to know that we’re here supporting them.� Shields and her friend Fenton, who lives in Oak Forest, are among the area residents who have participated in near-daily protests during the last week in response to the May 25 death of 46-year-old black man George Floyd. The incident was the latest example of a person of color dying in police custody and has prompted large demonstrations in cities across the United States, including Houston. They were downtown protests throughout last weekend and again on Tuesday, when an estimated 60,000 marched from Discovery Green to City Hall to honor Floyd’s memory and denounce the manner in which he died. “It lifted the scab off of something that was already there,� said Tanya Debose, who grew up in Independence Heights, a historically black Northwest Houston neighborhood. “Our voices kind of have been drowned.� Some of the protests nationally have turned violent, and been accompanied by looting and rioting, and some of that has gone on in Houston. Local officials said several hundred people associated with the demonstrations have been arrested. Debose said that is to be expected to a certain degree, because those who are compelled to challenge injustice likely feel they have been ignored by those with the pow-

Club, along with the Candlelight Park, Shepherd Park Plaza and Woodland Heights neighborhoods, also have contracts with Rosen’s office for increased patrols. Quinn said Rosen experienced no other symptoms beyond his initial fever. He also said everyone Rosen believed he had close contact with, including employees who were potentially exposed, were told to get tested and self-quarantine until they are proven to be negative for COVID-19. Quinn said Tuesday that Rosen was cleared to return to the office on Wednesday and “looks forward to it.� As of Tuesday, local health officials had reported a total of 12,664 cases of COVID-19 in Houston and Harris County, with 235 people having died from the disease and 4,979 having recovered.

Railway, from P. 1A lier, the FRA published a notice of proposed minimal safety standards for Texas Central, which plans to import Japanese technology and has been waiting for the FRA to finalize both sets of guidelines for the domestic railway. FRA spokesperson Warren Flatau said earlier this week that the agency continues to evaluate public comments regarding the environmental impact and proposed rules for Texas Central’s project and expects to issue a final decision this summer. That next step figures to be a formality, according to Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar, who said the company has invested more than $65 million toward receiving the go-ahead from the FRA, which published its initial environment impact statement in December 2017. “It is absolutely huge,� Aguilar said of last week’s development. “It’s done. It’s good.� Proponents of the project got more good news earlier this month, when a Texas appellate court ruled that Texas Central is a railroad company and has the authority to exercise eminent domain to secure the land it needs to construct the railway. That overturned a previous ruling by a judge in rural Leon County who said the company was not a railroad company, because it had yet to operate as one, and could not utilize eminent domain. Texans Against HighSpeed Rail, which represents land owners along the planned route, announced May 8 that it intended to take the case to the Texas Supreme Court. Aguilar said Texas Central hopes to avoid using eminent domain, instead working out deals with the individual property owners, but at this point he said the company has purchased only 25 per-

cent of the land it needs and has an additional 15 percent under contract. Among the property Texas Central has secured, Aguilar said, are the planned stations in Houston and Dallas as a well as a midpoint station in Grimes County. The former Northwest Mall site at the intersection of U.S. 290 and Loop 610 is earmarked for the Houston station. An even bigger hurdle for the project, estimated to cost in excess of $15 billion, could be Texas Central’s ability to secure adequate funding. The company is privately funded and in March laid off 28 employees – roughly half of its staff – because of the economic downtown associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “The condition of the financial markets is one that we can’t predict, but we’re working through it,� Aguilar said. “I think it’s a difficult time for everyone.� Aguilar said Texas Central, which has international project partners based in countries such as Italy and Spain, could benefit from low oil prices and low interest rates as it seeks out investors and other funding sources. He said the company may try to utilize public funding, although it has not to this point. Despite some remaining roadblocks, Texas Central’s vision has continued to gain ground. Flatau called the issuance of the Final Environmental Impact Statement a “milestone,� partly because it came after the FRA considered more than 25,000 public comments about the project. Earlier this month, Flatau said the FRA also held three telephonic public hearings regarding the proposed rules for the railway and received 13 hours’ worth of comments. For or against the project,

on a series of media websites. More information, including a complete list of participating celebrities, can be found at visithoustontexas.com/houston2020-seniors/.

Experience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination

713-906-5481 Realty Associates

DEBBIE ourrealtordebbie@aol.com ELLIOTT

Protest, from P. 1A

Constable Rosen tests positive for COVID-19 azuvanich@theleadernews.com

out details for their personalized campus celebrations while ensuring social distancing. HISD, which includes area high schools Heights, Scarborough, Waltrip and Booker T. Washington, said the students participating would be required to wear masks as a precaution. The video tribute was set to be broadcast on four local television stations and as well as

which aims to take passengers between Houston and Dallas in a matter of about 90 minutes, Aguilar said it remains on course for construction to start later this year and for the train to be operational by 2026. “That’s still the goal,� he said.

ST. MATTHEW’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ★★★★★★★★★★★★

Come See Us Pancake Breakfast Saturday, June 6 - 8:30-10:00am Drive by and pick-up across from Mister Car Wash

Photo from Twitter U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, foreground, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, behind her, participated in a march downtown Tuesday.

er to enact change. Expressions of anger and rage are means of getting the attention of those elected officials and policymakers, she said. “As a business owner, if it was my business that had been vandalized, so what?� Fenton said. “Throw some paint on. Fix the windows. This is a long game.� With the exception of the night of Friday, May 29, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the protests in Houston have mostly been peaceful. He participated in Tuesday’s march, which was organized by Houston rappers Bun B and Trae tha Truth and included members of Floyd’s family. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, who both represent area residents, were among the other elected officials who marched. “I could not be more proud of Houston,� Turner said on Twitter after Tuesday’s protest. “As mayor of this city I want to thank again our police officers for their restraint,

Congratulations to Wyatt Everts Most Outstanding Student in his Class! Graduating from 1st Grade to 2nd Grade at Love Elementary.

GO WYATT!

★★★★★★★★★★★★

4300 North Shepherd Drive, Houston, 77018

713-697-0671

professionalism and service.� Fenton said she supports police officers as well as the ethnic minorities who have been victims of police brutality, adding that the two causes can coexist. Shields said she hopes the momentum of the recent protests continues and leads to substantive societal change. In Independence Heights, which in the last few years has been gentrifying and seeing an influx of white residents, Debose said people from other neighborhoods and of differing ethnicities have been asking to get more involved and volunteer. She said there has been an uptick in those overtures since Floyd’s death. “This is one of those situations where, no matter what race, what political party, this has touched everyone. Because nobody can get a pass,� Debose said. “Everyone has to work and move forward in a positive manner. Otherwise, it’ll be like a rubber band and bounce back to where we were. And that’s not good for the next generation.�

He said this was the best day ever.

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, please check with each church below for updated information about services and events. In-person services are temporarily restricted.

CHURCH

Don Say

D I R E CTO RY

St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA

Sunday

1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t

MANNA Sponsor

1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577

> [O ŕ Ž Weekly Sunday Services

Gethsemane Lutheran Church

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

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

We invite you to worship with us! Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am

Gethsemane1700 Lutheran Church West 43 at Rosslyn rd

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

Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 Children and 11:00 Rev.Sunday Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

X stsumc.org Ministries for All Ages 2003 W. 43rd St. X 713-686-8241

Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children

Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am Morning Worship ............... 10:45am • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am Wednesday Bible Studies For -Youth, Children • Learning Hour ........... 11:00am 12:00pm • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm 6:15pm and Adults ............................

St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA

Sunday

MANNA 4QPOTPS

Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI BN BN Morning Worship ............... 10:45am t -FBSOJOH )PVS BN QN Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children and Adults............................ 6:15pm t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN

8 713-65

Ad # 32285

713-682-4942 Pastor Jerry McNamara Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

We invite you to worship with us!

Candlelight Church Christ Weekly Worship of Services 9:00a.m. Join us for Services in English or Spanish Online services can be reached

Sunday Worship 10amthrough & 5pm the website below at 9:00 am. Sunday Bible Classes 9am www.gethsemanelutheran.org Wednesday Bible Study 7pm

W

e are for m a hol generations. with family, ti catching the others things some people w as they remem companions t schedule or th time when pe thoughts abou When I was a to say thank y grandmother family membe invited me to their children that being tha always to be th The Bible say things unto Go Christ.� I wou this holiday s God. He gave so that anyone have eternal li If you would Pastor Will Co

The Leader • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • Page 5A

City outlines procedures for reopened golf courses By Adam Zuvanich

of COVID-19, the contagious disease caused by the new coronavirus. Because there is a limit of one golf cart per player to encourage social distancing, the city said the courses could temporarily run out of carts by 10:30 a.m. Tee times also are being spaced out more than before, with 10 minutes in between them. There are no water stations on the courses, so players are encouraged to bring their own, although beverage carts are operating. The city also has amended its weekend booking policy for the popular Memorial Park Golf Course, which was closed for renovations for much of 2019 and is slated to host the PGA Tour’s Houston Open

azuvanich@theleadernews.com

When the recently renovated Memorial Park Golf Course reopened for play Monday, golfers were not be allowed to share carts and also were asked to leave the flagsticks in the holes while they play. There is a BYOW policy, too, as in bring your own water. The City of Houston outlined a series of reopening guidelines, both for playing and for booking tee times, on its municipal golf website, houstonmunigolf.com. The new rules apply to the course at Memorial Park and Sharpstown Golf Course, which also reopened Monday, and are aimed at mitigating the spread

later this year. Tee times for Friday, Saturday and Sunday must be booked online ahead of time — starting at 6 a.m. three days beforehand — and golfers must prepay to make those reservations. Memorial Park golfers also can book tee times between four and 30 days ahead of time by paying an additional fee of $15. Not including the advance tee time fee, the weekend rates for Memorial Park Golf Course are $38 for walkers or $49 for riders until 2:50 p.m. From 3 p.m. until close, it is $28 for walking and $36 for riding. Some of the COVID-19 safety guidelines being implemented are as follows: - Maintain at least 6 feet of

space between playing partners and golf course staff at all times. - Maximum 4 players in a group. - Bulk scorecards/pencils removed from counters (scorecards issued upon request, supply your own pencil) - Single player/rider per cart, unless residing in the same household. - Extra effort is being taken to sanitize riding and push carts, but please supplement sanitizing with your own disinfectants. - Also, for the safety of staff, please remove all trash from electric carts and push carts, after use. - While on the course, please leave the flagstick in, do not share clubs, and aban-

Photo by Adam Zuvanich Memorial Park Golf Course reopened Monday with new guidelines and safety restrictions.

don the traditional post-round handshake. - No refunds or returns on pro shop merchandise. - Please observe social distancing at the driving range

and practice greens. For a complete list of safety protocols as well as more information on booking tee times, visit houstonmunigolf. com.

Heights resident recognized for volunteerism Memorial Hermann allowing limited visitors By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The United Way of Greater Houston recently recognized Heights resident Stephen Fraga as the recipient of its 2020 Volunteer of the Year award. The honor is given each year “in recognition of extraordinary leadership and commitment to community service.� Fraga, the president of Heights-based Tejas Office Products, has been on the United Way’s board of trustees since 2013. During that time, he has served on the organization’s executive committee, executive compensation committee,

Fraga

strategic thinking executive committee and chairman of the community impact committee. “As a true champion for

By Adam Zuvanich

the work of United Way and an advocate for those who struggle, Stephen has helped guide and steward our investments in services that reach people at the most critical moments of their lives,� United Way president and CEO Amanda McMillian, another Heights resident, said in a news release. Fraga also serves as chairman of the board of the Houston Sports Foundation and is a member of the audit committee at Memorial Hermann Health System. He earned a bachelor of business administration in finance from Texas A&M and lives in the Heights with his wife and three sons.

azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Memorial Hermann Health System is now allowing one adult visitor per patient at all of its hospitals, including the one that serves the Heights area. The new policy went into effect Monday as restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be eased locally and beyond. Among the applicable locations is Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital at 1635 N. Loop W. During the daily visiting hours of 9 a.m.-8 p.m., the hospital said one visitor who is at least 18 years old is allowed per patient. The age restriction does not apply to visitors who

accompany a patient to the emergency room as minors are allowed to remain with those patients. Memorial Hermann said visitors will be required to clear a health screening and will be provided a mask to wear throughout their visit. No overnight visitors will be allowed, and none will be permitted for patients who are in isolation. Memorial Hermann said it still has a no-visitor policy with “very limited� exceptions at most of its outpatient facilities, including the Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Greater Heights (1431 Studewood St.), Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation-Greater Heights (300 North Loop

#300), Memorial Hermann Urgent Care Washington Avenue (4500 Washington Ave., Suite 100) and Memorial Hermann Medical Group Urology Greater Heights (1631 N. Loop W., Suite 500). “Very limited compassionate exceptions to the modified visitor policy will be made for areas including palliative care, supportive care, hospice, NICU, pediatrics and labor and delivery, and will be managed by each facility,� the hospital system said in a news release. “Memorial Hermann continues to encourage the use of video chat programs on your personal device to visit with loved ones who cannot visit in person.�

THE CLASSIFIEDS. Wanting to run a classified ad? CALL 713-686-8494 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards.

FOR SALE THE FOAM STORE

BLUE MOON ANTIQUES AND ESTATE SALES

Custom Cut Memory Foam Chair Pads Couch Cushions Mattress Foam 2217 W. 34th, Ste. A.

Antiques and Collectibles Providing Estate Sales Services 3311 Ella • 832-286-7882

713-686-6622

Johnny & Rhea Danna, Owners RETAIL CENTER www.thefoamstore.com WHOLESALE PRICES

WANT TO BUY

WE BUY GUNS!

CONSIGNMENTS TOP CASH PAID FORWELCOME YOUR GUNS!

BLACK GOLD GUNS & AMMO 2001 Karbach Suite F Houston, TX 77092

713-694-4867

Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

GARAGE/ESTATE SALE

NOW HIRING

any condition No amount too big or small

713-909-0066

Lawn Service • Landscape Drivers • Mechanics Helpers • Irrigation Tech Apply 6:30 AM 5608 Hoover

Looking to hire good local people? Leader classifieds get great response and cost less than the daily paper.

Oak Forest Resident/Office • Residential • Commercial • Service Licensed - Insured - 26 Yrs. Exp. “Aâ€? ON ANGIE’S LIST

THURSDAY, FRIDAY. SATURDAY June 4th, 5th and 6th

MASTER #178565

ELECTRICIAN All types of new wiring and repairs

D&E Electric 5 Since 1975 Low Rates

HAR

Advertise your garage sale here.

713-686-8494

HAULS TRASH:

BINGER

electric

BRAVENEC ELECTRIC Since 1953 - TECL 19210 Res./Comm. Wiring

281-808-5686

Penny Millican - Owner

cc accepted

bravenecelectric@gmail.com

ESTATE SALE Forest West - 6230 Rena St. Daily 11:00am - 7:30pm Cash & Carry

Fine Furnishings, Men’s Stetson Hat, Peugeot Men’s 10 Sp. Bike Lady’s Bike, Sewing Machine, King Sized Bedding, Ferragamo Shoes 7 1/2, Fishing Gear and More!

CRyptO fun

WORD SCRAMBLE StoreD

A. freezer B. frost C. cold D. flavor

***Masks, please***

Cleans Garages, Trims Trees.

832-890-5453

Licensed-Insured TEL. 713-721-5490 17823

www.houstonestatesales.com 713-666-0970 Town & Country Estate Sales

LEADER PUZZLER SOLUTIONS

EUGENE

Lights-Plugs-Breakers Cover all electric needs

***Face Masks will be Required No Children under 15 years Old Will NOT be Admitted Access Will be Limited

Market Square section.

JUNK HAULING

s

281-448-8615

Antique Furniture, Oriental Rugs China, Loads of Sterling & Silverplate Old Books, Oil Paintings Asian Screens, Camera Equipment Furs, Hermes Scarves, Hats Real & Costume Jewelry Coin Collection

It’s Looking for a Garage Garage Sale Sale or Yard Sale? Season! Find them in our new

Native Houstonian - 46 Yrs.

TECL#43460

LOTS OF FUN! ... GREAT SELECTION!

antiqueclothesforme@gmail.com

TECL #25670

832-425-2152 - Free Estimates

8:00am - 4:00pm 7700 Renwick Houston, 77081

I buy Antique Clothing and Jewelry

SICOLA’S

713-686-6470

ESTATE SALE

Like us on www.facebook.com/ bluemoonantiques-houstontx

EMPLOYMENT

John Kuenstle Electric,LLC

Manny

Junk Remover

281.414.8698

• Home • Yard • Garage • Storage • Shed Removal

PETS Royalty Pet Center Since 1976

• Grooming • Boarding • Pet Supplies 9900 N. Houston Rosslyn

713-849-9000

www.royaltypetcenter.com

M M&M Pet Sitting S

COMPUTERS

Afford Affordable Pet Care In Your Home Will Treat Your Loved Ones As My Own Bonded Mitzi 713-444-8517

Home, Small Of ce Computer Repair

Sell it fast with an inexpensive Leader classified.

832-818-4970

Upgrades, Installation, Con guration (Virus-Removal) Home - NetWorking

LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE

#ALL TODAY BEAUTIFUL HOME TOMORROW

• Landscape Installation • Weather Damage Replacement • Tree Trim & Removal • Lawn & Bed Maintenance • Landscape Lighting • Organic Soil Amendments

www.richtersservicesinc.com • Landscape Design & Installation • Maintenance • Irrigation • Drainage • Lighting • Hardscape (pavers, flagstone, concrete)

20## #6.#021 ',!

Dennis Clooney - Manager 25+ Years Experience • Tree Trimming/Removal • Stump Grinding • Fertilization • Construction Preparation • Residential/Commercial Insured Liability and Workman’s Comp

713-683-TREE (713-683-8733) FREE ESTIMATES

We accept all major Credit Cards

Trimming • Planting Removal “Train up your trees in the way they should grow.â€? • A+ Rated • Free Estimates • Insured “Making Thousands of Houston Trees Healthy & Beautiful for over 33 yearsâ€? 713-690-TREE (8733) Call or Text

Lawn Maintenance Landscape & Design Sprinklers/Drainage Systems Free Estimates 20 yrs. exp.

713-688-4244 David Bartula

012*$/&+!&+$

Residential/Commercial FREE ESTIMATES/Credit Cards

1/""

office@mashues.com

RANGER

LUXURY LAWNS

Gilbert’s Landscape Lawn Care

Mowing • Edging • Blowing Flower Bedding • Fertilizing

TREE CUTTING & TRIMMING

FREE ESTIMATES – 17 Yrs. Exp.

(281) 948-4879

SALAZAR TREES

• Tree Removal • Trimming • Topping • Stump Grinding • Pruning • Dangerous Tree Removal • 23 yrs experience Free Est.

832-434-7101

RAMIREZ TREE SERVICE

Trimming • Removal Pruning • Topping Stump Grinding Free Insured & Bonded Estimates Residential & Commercial

713-480-9450

Verdeco

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

• Lawn Maintenance • Fertilize • Mulch, Tree Trimming • Flowerbed Cleanup • Grass Installation

713-703-6406

OUTSIDE

INTERESTS, INC. Lawn Maintenance Experts BOB PENICK

281-914-7747

Page 6A • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • The Leader

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENT

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Complete Pavers

QUALITY CONCRETE WORK

• Patios • Decks • Driveways • Brick Columns

Gilbert 281-948-4879

At Reasonable prices

•Patios •Driveways •Room Additions •Expedient Work American Made “God Bless Americaâ€?

713-703-8488 Jim

FENCE SALE WOOD FENCING • Chain Link • Wood • Wrought Iron • Operators 45 yrs. Exp. - FREE EST. Tony 281-787-5942 Eric 832-858-9353 tonymunozjr@comcast.net

ALL HOME REPAIR • Termite/Water Repair

• Sheetrock • Painting • Texturing • Roofing Repair/Replace • Shower/Bath Redo • Tile • Flooring/Carpet • Ceramic Tile • Fence Repair

35 Yrs. Exp. & Leader Advertiser

Call Sam 713-582-5500 713-686-2285

FENCES & DECKS Repair & Installation All Type Fences • Chain link • Wood • Ornamental Iron Small jobs welcome Call 7 Days

Jose `

Repair & Install Pressure Washing Painting • Siding

Gilbert 281-948-4879

petesqualitypainting300@gmail.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Residential & Commercial • Wood Fences & Corral Fences • Full Power Wash FREE • Rotten Wood INSPECTION • Paint • Siding & ESTIMATE • Doors

Text or call Anthony

713-398-7328 www.a6hi.com • email: ineed@a6hi.com

✔ Painting ✔ Drywall ✔ Hardi Plank Siding ✔ Any Type of Carpentry Work ✔ Complete Remodels

281-272-6900 CELL713-569-4199

Installation, Repairs & Sales

Starting At • Spring Replace $95 • Repair Labor $75 • 8x7 Installed $299 • 16x7 Installed $479 6 Mo, Labor Warranty

American Door Company 832.310.9920

Memory Foam Mattresses the

FOAM store

Call Rudy 713-882-3530

FREE estimates

713-688-3277

Painting Interior/Exterior

Sheetrock Repair

Installation Repair Sanding Finishing

Roofing Work Carpentry Handyman Services Power Washing Maid Service Good References

832-515-4214

Match any texture

(713) 962-3474

REPAIRS

Free Estimates / Work Guaranteed

Insured for your protection • EST 1974 email: Wells5517@sbcglobal.net

www.camposroofing.com

Commercial • Residential New Roof • Re-Roof

713-681-5001

$20 OFF with this ad

American Standard Authorized Dealer

25 Years Experience!

713-460-COLD(2653)

REFERENCES AVAILABLE INSURED

www.acmanhouston.com

832.867.6835

SOUTHWEST PAINTERS & REMODELERS 25 Years Experience - Specializing in Interior/Exterior Painting

James Hardi Plank Siding • Interior/Exterior • Remodeling/ Repairs • Pressure Washing • Ceramic Tile (Also Carpet Installation) • Fencing • Shower Enclosures • Patio Covers • RooďŹ ng • Granite Countertops

OFFERING FREE Estimates

TACL B27781E

A/C

AND

HEATING

SALES, SERVICE & MAINTENANCE TACL A020360E

713-869-8876

“Honesty is our best discount�

City Wide Mechanical

A/C & Heating

We service ALL Brands Installation, Repairs, & Service

Re-roofs • Repairs

YOUR AD CAN RUN HERE

PEST CONTROL

Call 713-686-8494

PEST CONTROL Free Termite Inspection

RIO GRANDE FENCE CO.

APPLIANCE & TV REPAIR

713-862-7320

KINARD’S Appliance Service

Hardi Siding • Gutters • Painting • Windows

All Work Guaranteed Free Estimates

3308 Ella Blvd • (713) 680-3530

IT’S NOT JUST A FENCE IT’S AN INVESTMENT

Thank you for your continued business Free Estimates on Fencing Compare us.

ROOFING REPAIRS AND INSTALLATION Flat roofs also. FENCING installation and repairs. Call Sam

Power Wash

Cooling & Heating Res. - Com.

FREE ESTIMATE WITH REPAIR

281-590-4826

Over 25 Years Exp. TACL B102846E

“The Residential Roofing Specialists�

www.primeroofing.com

Free Estimates

ROOFING

Roof Replacement & Insurance Claim Specialist

! # -AN

CAMPOS Roofing

• Interior/Exterior • Sheetrock Repairs • Door Re nishing • Wood Repairs • Pressure Washing

PRIME ROOFING

WEATHER TIGHT

HEAT/AIR CONDITIONING

832.867.6835 References On Request Bonded & Insured

House Painting

713.206.5965

WOOD FLOORS

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

713-582-5500

Charlie's

ROOFING

+ Quality Work + Low Prices + + Hand Nailed + Hardi-Siding + Oak Forest Area Resident 40+ years Free Estimates

713-688-6463 Looking to hire good local people? Leader classifieds get great response and cost less than the daily paper.

30+ Yrs. Exp.

You simply can’t find a better advertising value than The Leader.

BEST VALUE

CONSTRUCTION

HOME REPAIRS Handyman Services, Carpentry, Painting-Int/Ext, Cabinets, Doors, Trim, Insured Eddie Lunsford

281-352-7304

HOME REMODELING

• Painting • Sheetrock • Tile Work • Roo ng • Carpentry • Carpet • Concrete • Power Wash • Burglar Bars • Brick • Trees FREE ESTIMATES - Hector

281-827-4447

Washers - Dryers Dishwashers - Ranges 281-350-6255 713-857-2050

David’s

.0 , * #, All Makes & Models “We Make House Calls�

I Buy cracked Flat Panel TV’s 1622 W. 23rd

Cherokee

• Termites • Roaches • Ants • Silver sh • Rodents

713-682-6801

ÂŽ

Looking to hire good local people? Leader classifieds get great response and cost less than the daily paper.

PLUMBING Aaron’s

Since 1974

PLUMBING Drain & Sewer Cleaning #17773 - 7 Days a week

825 Curtin 77018

713-695-2222

AW Appliance

Cooper Plumbing & Drain Experts

Sales & Service Washer • Dryers Ranges & Stoves Refrigerators Freezers

713-697-0335 (open 6 Days)

9235 N. Houston Rosslyn 77088

FREE ESTIMATES SENIOR 10% DISCOUNT

832-441-9683

MLP#37942

www.hous tonhe i ght sr oof er s. com

Adam’s

832-731-3866

Call Today

Ramiro Garcia

Cell: 832-584-0725

713-385-1576

Frank Montes

Gutters • Siding • Painting • Roof Leaks

Serving NW Houston Since 1973

martinezconcreteworks@gmail.com

ROOFERS

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

by SERNA BROS.

Interior/Exterior

Roofing, Siding, Painting, etc. Keep it local and call the pros.

RE-ROOFS

ROOFING

• Driveways • Patios • Sidewalks • Foundation Additions • Stamp Concrete Bonded and Insured • Free Estimates

Houston Heights

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

WELLS ROOFING

RETIRED CARPENTER

Martinez Concrete Works 713-408-0137

SLEEP BETTER

713.686.6622

Carpentry, Drywall & Tile

For Your Home Repair Needs:

Affordable Garage Doors

FREE ESTIMATES DAVID OJEMAN 713-682-8033

20 Yrs. Exp. - 30 Yr. Resident

WATER DAMAGE REPAIRS

Including Flooded Homes • Exterior/Interior • Pressure Washing • Sheetrock Repair • References • Insured 713-201-5569 832-372-5577

J&D HANDYMAN SERVICE TEL

• Carpentry - Cabinets to Patios & Decks • Painting, Interior/Exterior • Sheet Rock Repair & Installation

LOOKING FOR SMALL JOBS

CUSTOM PAINTING

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

HOWDY'S HANDYWORK

Pete’s Quality

Cell (281) 221-0637 When you want results, advertise in The Leader.

GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Regional Ads

Call this number to place your ad in millions of homes 324-6299 1 (800)

 ˆ � �­ � � ��

¨ ‰ ˆ Â?ž ‚ ‰ † ‡ •  Â? Â? € Â?Â? † ¤ „ „ € Â? Â?€ ­ ­ Â?ƒ Â’ “ „ €Â? ƒ Â… Â? ­  Â? ­ Â?¼ „ Š‚ ‡ › ÂŤ Â’ Â? Â?Â? „Â?‚ Â? €Â? ‚ Â… „ Â&#x;ƒ   • ÂŽ • ¥ •  Â?Â? „ƒÂ?Â? Â? Â? Â?Â? ‚ Â? ƒ Â? „ –— ƒ ÂĄ „ ÂŽÂœÂŠÂˆÂŚ ÂŻ Â? Â? ƒ Â?‚  • •  Â? Â?Â? € Â? Â? Â? Â?ƒÂ? •ƒ Â?  Â? Â?   Â?ƒ Â? ÂŹÂƒÂ?Â?  Â? Â˘ÂƒÂ Â?€ Â? • Â? Â… Â?Â? ‚ ‡Š‰ Â? ƒ Â? Â? ‚ ƒÂ? ‚ €Â? Â?Â?  „ Â?

 Â? € Â? Â? Â? ÂŁ Â? ‡ˆ‰  § “   Â?  Â? Â’  „ Â?‚ Â? • ÂĽÂ Â? Â? ƒ Â? Â? ‚ ÂŽ °Â? Â’  Â?†¯   Â? Â? Â? Â? Â? Â?   Â? ’† Â? ƒ • Â?  ƒÂ? Â?Â?  Â?  Â?‚ ¤¤¤ Â? ƒ Â?Â?‚   ‡ ššš ™–˜ š›—™ Â? ÂŽ š›› ™Š— –›™— ­ Â? Â?Â? Â? ­   Â? Â? ‚ •‚ “ € Â? ” Â? Â’Â Â?   Â? ‡ šˆˆ Â? Â? € Â? Â?Â? Â? Â? ‚ šœ— š—› Â?  ­ Â? • ­Â?Š Â?   Â?† ‡ š›› ›™— ›‡—š ‡ €Â? –ˆ Â? ƒ Â?ƒ­  Â? Â? „ Â?  Â?ƒ Â? Â? Â? €Â?  Â?‚ Â? Â… ‚  Â? Â… Â? Â? ÂŁ ÂŹ ­Â? ’’’‚ Â?  ŠˆÂ? ƒÂ?‚Â? €‘ Â? Â? Â? Â? Â?  Â?  Â? Â? „ € Â˘Âƒ Â? Â’Â Â?  € ƒÂ? Â?‚ Â… Â?Â? Â? ­ƒÂ? Â?Â?‚   Â?  Â? ƒÂ? ¹›–Šš ƒ Â? Â? Â? Â? Â? Â…Â Â? „ Â? … „Â? ‹———‘ † Â? Â? Â?Â? • ƒ Â? ‚ • Â?Â? Â? Â? ƒÂ? Â?Â? Â… Â? Â?  Â? Â? Â?Â? Â?Â?   šŠŠ ™™œ ˆŠ‡—†

“ • • Â? Â?ÂĽ ƒÂ?‚ “ ÂĄ Â? ÂĄ ˜—™‡  … ­ Â? “ š € šÂ?€ Â?   „ ƒ­  Â? Â? Â?Â? Â? Â? ‚ ƒÂ?Â? ‚ Â? Â? Â? “  Â? † Â?  €  Â? Â? Â?Â? Â?Â? Â? ÂĄ Â? Â? Â? € ­   Â? Â’Â Â? Â? ƒ Š ‹ŒŽ‘™™ • Â?Â?  „ ­ †   ‡ š—— ™š– § € Â?  € Â?„ „ Â? Â? €Â? Â?Â? Â? „  „ ‡™ˆ  Â?†  „ –œ™– € Â?Â? Â?  „ Â? ƒ   …   Â?Â? „ ­ Â?Â? „ Â? Â? Â? ‚ •  € Â? ¼ Â?† ‹‡™‚™Š‘€ Â? ‚   Â? ˆ –­  €„ Â… ­Â? Â? € ‚ Â? ’ Â? € Â?ƒ ƒÂ? Â? …  Â? †   šŠŠ ˜–˜ ™›–š ‹‡ˆˆ  Â? † Â?Â?  ƒ § „ ‡ ƒ­  Â? Â? Â? Â?  Â?   Â? †   ššš ˜ˆ— ˆ˜š–    „ Â… ‡ˆˆ‰ ‚ Â?  „ ‚ • Â?Â?    Šˆˆ‹ Â? Â?‚ ŒƒÂ?Â?  Â? Â? Â?  Â?  Â? ­€ € Â? ‚   ‡ šŠŠ šœ˜ ™‡—› € ÂŹ Â? Â?ƒ § Â?Â? Â?  Â?  Â?Â? ­ ÂĽÂ?Â? Â?‚ ƒ € Â˘Âƒ   Â?Â?Â?Ž‘‘’’’‚“ Â?Â?  „  Â? ‡ˆˆ €„ ­ ƒ Â?   Â? Â? € Â?Â?  Â?Â? Â? Â?Â?  Â? –ˆ €„   ’ Â?   Â?‚  Â?Â? •  Â? ƒ­  Â?  „ Â?ƒ­Â?Â? Â?  Â? Â? Â’ ‚ ‚Â? Â? —Š Â? ƒÂ? Š ‹™™ ÂŚ ‘ ‚ Â’ ‹“”Š ƒ • ƒÂ? Â?ƒ­€ Â?Â? ­  „ Â?  Â?¼† ƒ Â? Â? Â?Â?  Â?Â? “ ¨ Š ¤ ž… Â? Â… €    Â?‚ Â? Â? Â?Â? ‚   šŠŠ œ™š ‡š˜š Â? Â? Â’ „ § ­ ÂĽ  … Â? ÂĽÂ Â?‚ ‡ š˜˜ —š— —ˆ–Š   Â? § ƒ  Â?Â? ƒ ÂŁÂ Â? ÂĄ ƒÂ?  Â? ƒ††   –—‘˜ šŠŠ Â?ƒ Â? Â?    Â?Â?ƒ Â? § ­Â?„ €  Â? Â? œœ‡ —››ˆ ” Â? Â…Â Â? ‚ ƒ Â?„ Â?Â… Â?  … Â? ÂĄ ­Â? • ‚   šŠŠ Â? ‚ —Œˆ –€ €  Â?Â? Â? ‹—™‚™™‘€ † Â? “ Â? Â’ •  „ Â? Â? “ † ‡ ‹œ™‚™™‘€ Â? ‚  Â?Â? š–š ˆ›‡˜ –—‘˜   Â? ƒ Â?ÂĽ „ ‚ ‡ŠŠ Â? • ÂĽ Â? ‚ • ‡ ¤ ­ƒ ‡™‚ € Â…Â Â? Â? Â?  Â?‚ ‡ˆˆˆÂ? Â’Â?‘ ‘ ƒÂ? Â’  Â?Â? Â?‚ ¤ • ­ƒ  Â?   Â? Â?† Œƒ ÂĽ  „ Â? Â?Â? ‚ ‹—ˆ •• Â’Â Â? Â? ƒÂ? “ Â…Â Â? € ‚ • Â? Â?† ¤ Â?Â? Â?   ª  Â?  † • Â? Â?Â?   Â?  ²  Â? Â? °Â? € Â?Â? † Â? š›—ˆ˜† Â?Â?  Â?Â? Â? Â?Â? ‚  Â?„ ‚ ­ Â?  „‚ ­ ­ Â? Â?  Â? Â?  Â? Â?ƒÂ?Â? € Â?†  € Â? ’ „ Â? € € ƒ€ € Â…Â Â?  Â? • ÂŤ  „ § Â? Â? Â? Â’ Â?‚ š—— œ‡Š šˆŠ— Âœ € Â?†   ‡ š˜˜ ›››    € Â?  Â?  €   ‡ šŠŠ ™—– Â? Â? † ¤ “ Â? † œ–Š›   ‡ š›› Šˆš šœ›–‚ –š–‡ Â?ƒ Â? Â? Ž š˜˜ ››‡ ›Šš˜

The Leader • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Sweet Saturday in store as monthly market back in action Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

The First Saturday Arts Market will reopen for business this Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at 530 W. 19th St. As the artists get ready and I prepare to reopen the market, reminiscing comes easily, especially with challenges like COVID-19 and opening during the day instead of our usual “summer” nights. I think the last summer day market for June was in 2005. The market and artists have had our share of challenges. Moving, tropical storms, oppressive heat, snow, iced streets, hurricanes and a recession were challenging. A global pandemic that basically shut down our economy was more than enough to make everyone’s

lives a “character building” experience. Sometimes before we look ahead, it’s good to look back. Especially with 16 years behind us! Cammie Cain owns Cammie’s Handmade Soaps, and with her husband has been making and selling soap for many years. The Cains joined the market when it was still a mix of craft and art. They are popular regulars now that keep many neighbors in the Heights, myself included, smelling good and coming back for more. “I have had the privilege and good fortune to be a First Saturday Arts Market ‘artist’ for 14 years,” Cammie Cain said. “It has been interesting to watch the market grow and change over the years. The market has an excellent blend of painters, jewelry artists, ceramics, photographers, creative multimedia artists, beautiful handmade wood furniture and on and on. Every month now I meet

Contributed photo Abstract artist Magda Knop created quarantine art from delivery boxes.

new artists there, but there is a core group of artists who are always there, too. It truly is a wonderful art market. The number of artists has increased, the quality of art has gone up tremendously, and now I meet artists from far away who have traveled to be part of our market.”

Lauren Luna is a painter and has been attending First Saturday Arts Market for about eight years. She has some advice for artists. “When I moved to Houston from Ohio, First Saturday Arts Market was one of my first markets,” Luna said. “Not only has participating helped

me grow professionally, it’s also allowed numerous opportunities unrelated to the market. Once you’re plugged into the market, you’re plugged into the pulse of the Houston art scene.” When you meet artists for the first time, it’s good to leave your preconceived ideas at the door. Heights artist Steve Sellers is a good example. He stands over 6 feet tall, and with a full white beard, long hair and a robust physique, he can easily pass for a biker or Santa Claus. He is the Heights Santa, actually. Sellers also designs and makes women’s jewelry and rings from 100-year-old coins. “Things always change over time,” Sellers said. “First Saturday Arts Market is no exception. In 16 years it’s changed, had at times incredible growing pains, even relocated. Despite every possible challenge, one thing has remained unchanged. The constant heartbeat of love and creative spirit that is poured

into every piece of work on display in each exhibitor’s booth. Whether it’s 20 booths or 50 booths this energy is palpable, and it’s what keeps people coming back for more.” What I love most about the market are the people. Both our community of customers and the community of artists that have evolved from not just our common love for art, but our love of community, too. Find your people. Love on them. If you need some company, we’d love to visit with you. The market and artists will be following CDC guidelines related to COVID-19, plus we have a huge parking lot. More on that, and the complete artist roster is at 1stSatArtMarket.com. Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

Review: Flying Fish serves up fresh catfish By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Flying Fish is exactly the kind of place you would go after a long day of fishing out on a lake. Everything about it screams “fisherman’s paradise.” The restaurant known for its catfish, shrimp and oysters has a laidback diner feel with walls covered in fishing photos and fishing memorabilia along with a section dedicated to the “adopted” Big Mouth Billy Bass, the animatronic singing largemouth bass. The décor transports you right out of the Heights and onto the lakeside. More importantly, it was comfortable and clean. I ordered fried catfish, which came with fries and hushpuppies. It didn’t take long for my order to be ready.

Photo by Zarah Parker Pictured are the fried catfish with hushpuppies and the fried pickles from Flying Fish in the Heights.

Liking catfish is relatively new for me, and the more catfish I eat and enjoy, I wonder why I ever disliked it. There’s good catfish and then there’s bad catfish, and anything in the middle qualifies as bad —

for me, at least. The first few times I had catfish, it tasted almost muddy. People told me it was only a little different than chicken, but I thought they were insane. For me, good catfish tastes

fresh and not like I’m tasting part of the water it had been swimming in. Flying Fish delivers on this. Its catfish filet was thinner than I expected, but it didn’t take away from the flavor. The breading was light and the fish moist. The mild sweet taste of the fish went especially well with tartar sauce. The fries were typical. I enjoyed the fried cornbread balls, or hushpuppies, more than ones I’ve had elsewhere. The fried pickles I ordered on the side were different. The pickles were thin and, after being battered and fried, were more like fried pickle chips. The Cajun seasoning covering the pickles made up for the only mild pickle taste. My lunch mate ordered the seafood gumbo and gave it a thumps up. He mentioned liking the okra that was added to

Working from home changes eating habits Zarah Parker Managing Editor

As a teenager, my friends called my house the “Snack House.” They could always depend on there being Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups or various brands of chips in the pantry. The older I’ve gotten, the less I’ve snacked, but during quarantine I realized that it isn’t because I’m older. It’s because I hadn’t been home as often. I don’t really snack at work. If anything, I forget to eat half the time. While working at home, it’s a whole different story. At the beginning of the stay-at-home order, I had the intention to eat foods that are better for my body and cook more meals. Instead I turned into a snacking monster and ate more to-go food than ever before. I’ll defend the latter because it was mostly to support small, local restaurants. Needless to say, all the Pilates I had been doing before COVID-19 hit went pretty much down the drain. My eating habits didn’t

change for the better through the last few months. The change I mostly noticed is that time of day didn’t much matter anymore for when I ate a meal. My normal dinner time is 6 p.m., which fluctuated just in the last week from between 5-10:30 p.m. Full disclosure: If my household eats later than 8:30 p.m. it’s definitely because we’ve been spending hours deciding what we should eat. I live with a bunch of people who hate making decisions, myself included. I thought a lot of people would have experienced the same food downfall, but after I put a question about food habits on a local Facebook group, the response was split. A few fell into my category of worse eating or cooking habits, and a few had taken the time at home to hone better eating habits. “I ate a lot of takeout food since we were avoiding grocery stores and wanted to support our restaurants,” Oak Forest resident Rene Braud said. “Good food but bad on the waistline.” Another local resident said that while many people took the opportunity at home to cook more interesting and complex dishes, she went

the opposite direction, making less of a variety than she normally would have. Her one positive cooking change was her 11-year-old becoming responsible for dinner one night a week. Oak Forest resident Brian Carl said his family had two pillars to live by during the last few months: eating in and eating less. “Aside from our designated ‘support local restaurants’ night once a week, we have transitioned to two small meals during the day, usually consisting of a piece of toast and then a turkey sandwich with an apple, with a fuller homecooked meal for dinner,” Carl said. “For essentially the first time in our five years of marriage, we plan our meals in advance, buy groceries based on that plan, instead of impulse, and nibble on the leftovers for lunches and snacks.” While I realized the change of daytime environment made me reach for random snacks more, Carl realized that he’d been relying too much on restaurants for daily nutrition. The result of his environment change was eating less, eating healthier and losing 15 pounds. After trying to switch to a vegetarian diet for months

before the pandemic, area resident Susan Adkins said the lack of meat and junk food at grocery stores made the transition easier since there was always plenty of fresh vegetables to buy. “My husband and I both lost weight and his blood pressure meds have been cut in half,” Adkins said. For Amy Horne, being at home gave her energy to cook more. Now that she’s been back at work for a little over a week, she hasn’t cooked at all. “Gotta find the energy,” Horne said, “and some easier meals to make.” While I didn’t end up living out my intentions, it’s made me aware of what I need to change most about my eating habits. It’s not the eating, but the buying. I’ve got to give up my snacks. And that recognition alone is some good that can come out of an awful situation. Or as Carl put it: “I seldom view anything as all bad or all good and this is a good example of that. Is the coronavirus a scourge upon humanity? Well, yeah. But it’s also forced a reevaluation for us that will have benefits. Some good, some bad. Feels like progresses regardless of our perception and desires.”

Bernie’s Burger Bus closes up shop By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Bernie’s Burger Bus, the school-themed concept that started out as a school bus food truck almost a decade ago and eventually turned into four brick-and-mortar locations, closed last week to the financial downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. All locations, including the Heights shop at 2200 Yale St. that already had been temporarily closed, have shuttered. Fans of the burger bus had the

chance to grab one last taste at the restaurant’s flagship location in Bellaire, at 5407 Bellaire Blvd., before it closed last Sunday. “It is with a heavy heart that I have to communicate this, but with accumulating debt, decreased sales, and the rising cost of doing business, we were starting to move into the danger zone,” owner Justin Tuner said in a news release. “I was not going to be able to afford the remaining 10 of 114 staff I had left, and paying my team was more important to

Photo by Facebook Bernie’s Burger Bus has closed all its locations, including the one in the Heights.

me than anything else.” Turner said the choice to use working capital to fund the construction of Bernie’s recent Missouri City location proved to be fatal. He also said he plans to make a comeback to the Houston food scene at some point. “Bernie’s has been a labor of love,” Turner said. “I’ve learned a lot the hard way but am grateful for the opportunity to learn from my mistakes and am a better businessperson because of it.”

the bowl. I also tried Flying Fish’s chicken tenders. The tender had thick breading, which reminded me of Whataburger’s, both in look and taste. Flying Fish is the perfect outpost for laidback seafood. But being there may also cause you to suddenly want to go fishing.

Flying Fish Address: 1815 N. Durham Dr. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily Pricing: $6.95-$22 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: No Star of the show: Fried catfish

FREDRICK’S AUTO REPAIR PA If You Have a Good Honest Mechanic... ic...

KEEP HIM!!

If Not, Call Me Now Offering Mobile Service

832-884-4169

LAGOS

Daiquiri Bar & Grill New Daiquiri Bar and Grill Coming Soon - June 12th 2020 Menu consists of seafood and soul food as well as vegan options.

Lagos Daiquiri Bar & Grill 4808 Martin Luther King Blvd. Houston, Texas, 770021 info@horushtx.com

(713) 504-4511

Fitness with a

Kick

Join us for some fun, fitness & strength at our neighborhood school. Learn proven techniques taught by highly trained instructors.

“Kicking Corona Virus” “We are Face Masked and Sanitized”

• Learn Self Defense • Gain Self Confidence • Discipline & Respect • Physical Fitness • Meet New Friends • Skills for Life

TAEKWONDO

Master Mark Giambi 9th Dan

1355 Judiway | Houston, TX 77018

713.290.1911 www.apextaekwondo.net

Page 8A • Saturday, June 6, 2020 • The Leader

Parade, from P. 1A

Adopted, from P. 1A ly received a gift basket that was delivered to his home by co-owner Cass Gaytan, who gave Medina a plaque, a bath bomb kit, snacks, candy, gift cards to his favorite restaurants and, of course, cookies. “He was very excited and happy that someone even acknowledged the fact that he was graduating.” Twelve seniors from Waltrip, eight from Heights High School and two from St. Pius X also were adopted as part of the initiative started by Carrasco, whose Facebook group first targeted area families but grew organically to include students from all over the Houston area. A total of 57 seniors were adopted, some by Carrasco and her family. She encourages others to make similar shows of support for graduating seniors, saying many of their spirits have been broken by the absence of typical rites of passage such as commencement ceremonies, proms and athletic banquets. “I really wanted just to give these seniors an opportunity to feel special,” Carrasco said. “They missed out on so much.” Two seniors from Heights and one from Waltrip were adopted by Naro Mak and his business, Hartz Krispy Chicken Buffet on Pinemont Drive, as well as by American Legion Post 560 in Garden Oaks. Mak is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who

serves as the 3rd Vice Commander for the local legion post. One of the Waltrip students adopted by Mak and the legion post, Noah Gonzales, was in the Junior ROTC program and plans to enlist in the military instead of going to college. He also received food and gift cards along with a towel, water bottle, flash drives, a notebook and pens, some of which could come in handy on a base. Gonzales said the gift-giving program felt like gaining a family member. “It’s amazing,” he said. “It felt really great to know that people cared about what I want to do.” Adopted Seniors The following area high school graduates received gifts and congratulations from individuals or businesses as part of an Adopt-ASenior initiative started by Waltrip High School parent Kylie Carrasco. Each senior’s sponsor is listed in parentheses: WALTRIP Cierra Benavides (Lucy Koen) Alfred Angel Carrasco (Adriana Castorena-Narvaez) Mathew Ceron (Maritza Gutierrez) Paul Robert Cruz (Leanne Carrasco) Anastacia Garcia (Jessica Rocha)

Noah Gonzales (Naro Mak, Hartz Krispy Chicken Buffet & American Legion Post 560) Jasmine Luna (Melyssa Freeman) Seema Sibouyeh (Johnny & Rocio Esparza) Cody Shumate (Nora Marquez) Sarahi Silva (Arasely Diaz) Jonathan A. Tamez (Randy Chabolla) Christopher Williams (Naro Mak, Hartz Krispy Chicken Buffet & American Legion Post 560) HEIGHTS Xanthe Garcia (Freddy Carrasco) Lukas Gomez (Lucy Hernandez) Biance Gonzalez (Corina Mendoza) Beyonce Herrera (Naro Mak, Hartz Krispy Chicken Buffet & American Legion Post 560) Beatrice Loredo (Kylie Carrasco) Anthony Moore (Tilly AlukoAlade) Mia Ramirez (Norma Rocha) Martha Sandoval (Yovana Velasquez) SCARBOROUGH Michael Medina (CookieBossHTX) ST. PIUS X Anthony Acuna (Dora Castro) Damon Ayarzagoitia (DeShanna King)

amount of effort I saw put into some car decorations, I can tell that everyone was just as excited and happy to be there as I was.” The seniors at Waltrip High School, 1900 W. 34th St., participated in a similar parade through Oak Forest two days earlier. Families of the seniors drove the cars, with the graduates in the passenger seats, as the school’s staff and the community cheered them on. “The excitement was overwhelming. As the students entered the school grounds emotions were felt throughout the campus route,” said Doris Aguilar, the parent engagement representative for the school. “Students and staff were very emotional, we celebrated and cried in unison for the successful achievement our students were not able to celebrate on a stage.” The streets in front of Hogg Middle School, 1100 Merrill St., also were filled with people celebrating eighth-grade graduates in a parade last Friday. One of those graduates, Candlelight Estates resident Serena Leal, said the parade warmed her heart and she hopes the school continues to do it. Sandra O’Guynn, Connor’s mother and the senior liaison for the Heights PTO, said their parade was a small gesture in comparison to an actual graduation. But during a pandemic, you work with what you have. “Our students, as well as all class of 2020 seniors around the world, were denied what we call a rite of passage to

have a prom, powder puff football game, decision day celebration, graduation and other senior events marking this milestone,” she said. Heights’ senior class included 524 students, and more than 200 participated in the parade. The cars full of seniors who drove in the parade were decorated as well, ranging from writing on the windows to balloons, signs, banners and photos of the graduates. While a few parents said the parade didn’t make up for missing out on a graduation ceremony, Roselinda Loredo, who was at the parade to celebrate two of her granddaughters, said it still recognized the work the students did from kindergarten to graduation. Loredo even sees parades becoming a tradition in the future as an addition to graduation ceremonies. None of the high school seniors thought the day before spring break would be the last day they congregated on campus. The parades have served as a bridge to reconnect the seniors as they gear up for the next step in their lives. “Personally, I feel like the parade helped provide closure to our high school experience. Us seniors missed a lot of the best times that we’ve been working towards for the last 12 years in school, so this definitely helped make up for that,” Connor O’Guynn said. “Of course graduation will provide more closure, but this was a fun and heartwarming event that I think reignited the spirit of our senior class.”

Owls, from P. 1A “I didn’t see him coming or going,” Patrick said. “It was dead silent.” Heights High school student AC David, while visiting a friend on the street the next week, also got swiped. As she was looking down at her cell phone, an owl just nicked the top of her head. “It felt like a soccer ball,” she said. While Patrick Hansen expects to make a full recovery, the cumulative incidents have led neighbors to try and learn more about what’s happening – and when it will stop. Some wonder if there is more than one active owl with the number of recent reports from neighbors. “In all the years of living here we’ve never seen this happen,” Kelly Hansen said. It was local owl enthusiast Mark Lear who identified the owl on a birding social media page as an Eastern Screech Owl. In recent years, Lear has delighted residents with Facebook posts about his own backyard owls,

for whom he put in an owl house. “The original poster said it was small and silent and the encounter happened at (night),” Lear said. “That said screech owl to me. Barred owls and great horned owls are much bigger.” Owl 101 Wildlife Biologist Diana Foss, with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, concurred based on the description. “It’s most likely an Eastern Screech Owl,” Foss said. “They can be very protective of young owlets, especially when the youngster is just learning to fly, fresh out of the nest and starting to venture around. After that, the adults calm down a bit.” Brooke Yahney of the Wildlife Center of Texas said the phenomenon is fairly common. “We get calls about many types of birds protecting their nests in this way throughout the nesting sea-

son,” Yahney said. “Hawks and owls are always the main concern because they can cause more injury than a Blue Jay, for example.” The protective mechanism kicks in when the chicks in the nest have reached “fledgling” stage where they are ready to begin venturing out on branches and on the ground. “They are new to flying and can land in some unexpected spots,” Foss said. “The parent birds are keeping an eye out for predators that could injure the fledgling, so they are hyper-vigilant.” Common owl species in Houston are the Eastern Screech Owl as well as the Barred Owl, the Barn Owl and the Great Horned Owl. Barred Owls and Screech Owls usually breed between February and June. Yahney said the time until the babies leave the nest depends on the species. “The smaller the bird, the shorter the time,” she said.

“Screech Owls may take 6-8 weeks, whereas Great Horned Owls may take 12 or more weeks.” Foss said it sounds like the nest and eggs on Bethlehem were hatched earlier, and the young are fledgling – or developing the feathers necessary for flight – right now. “So once the fledglings can fly and control flight, the whole family will start moving around and not be so dependent on the original nest site,” she said. In other words, the dive bombings should stop soon. “In my experience, this behavior only lasts for about a week after the babies fledge,” Lear said. In the meantime, residents are wearing helmets and putting tennis rackets in front of their face when they have to be outside at night. “I always recommend an umbrella when walking in an area known for fly-bys until the babies have left the nest,” Yahney said. Added Foss: “It’s usually

near a specific tree (nest location) and won’t be for very long.” Screech Owls can nest in old woodpecker holes, tree cavities, squirrel holes, and bird nest boxes if the opening is large enough, according to Foss. Neighbors suspect their owls are nesting in a hollow tree but have not been able to confirm it. “We’re keeping our wits about us,” Patrick Hansen said, noting that his two young daughters are opting to stay inside for now. After dark he is driving to his sister’s – across the street. It is welcome news to all that the swooping should stop soon. “Owls are hugely valuable in our area – eat a huge variety of prey animals, from insects like cicadas and big roaches to snakes and more,” Foss said. “They are all protected under state and federal laws.” Lear said he hopes people can still appreciate the parenting that is happening now

Texas District 18

VOTE

and said it is crucial to the survival of the owlets. After many years of hosting owls in his own backyard, the parents were lost this year, presumably taken by Cooper’s hawks that have been hanging around all spring. Mom Owlivia went missing first, right as the babies were fledgling. “Her mate Owlapeño did the best he could as a single dad of four owlets,” he said. “The runt baby fell out of the nest box a couple of days after Owlivia went missing, and I took it to the Wildlife Center of Texas. A few days after that, Owlapeño disappeared, leaving three starving orphans not able to care for themselves. Two had already fledged and were not reachable by me. I climbed the ladder to get the one left in the nest box and took him to the Wildlife Center of Texas. So hopefully two of the four babies made it. It’s a rough life.”

“from Welfare to West Point”

in the Republican Runoff Election on July 14 Early Voting is June 29 - July 10

It’s TIME for a CHANGE in DISTRICT 18 • • • • • • • •

West Point Graduate Army Captain Law Enforcement Attorney Community Organizer Businessman Youth Minister Husband and Father Let’s help Sheila Jackson Lee RETIRE this year! To learn more, volunteer, get a yard sign, or donate:

champion2020.com

Paid for by Champion for Congress