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COVID-19 taking toll on healthcare workers By Adam Zuvanich

azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Dr. Heather Hamilton said her job, and that of her fellow physicians in the Memorial Hermann Health System, is to stay calm, levelheaded and focused on providing quality medical care to members of the Houston community. Hamilton, a primary care physician at Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Greater Heights, said she and her col-

leagues have done that well during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s getting increasingly difficult. During the last several weeks, the Houston region has seen a steady spike in COVID-19 cases as well as hospitalizations and deaths related to the contagious disease caused by the new coronavirus. Hamilton said the increase has been felt throughout the hospital system, including at her office at 1431 Studemont St. and at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital at 1635

N Loop W. “The emotional toll that it takes on my patients and their families is something that I take on,” she said. “Talking to the hospital teams, they are emotionally invested in the care they give their patients. It is hard to see all ages getting really sick and having to go to the ICU and a lot of deaths – more deaths than they see on a regular basis.” As of Wednesday, Houston See Hospitals P. 8A

Center Stage

Contributed photo A nurse in the Memorial Hermann Health System adjusts a face shield used to protect her from COVID-19.

Community mourns death of progressive pastor

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INSIDE. Photo by Trae Patton, NBC Kameron Ross, who grew up in Oak Forest and graduated from Waltrip High School, is a contestant on the reality TV show “America’s Got Talent.” The NBC show airs on Tuesday nights through Aug. 11.

Oak Forest product chasing country music dream Back in play. The housing tax credit application for the Dian Street Villas was reinstated.

Page 1B

Laid-back Tex-Mex. We review Studewood Cantine, which offers a relaxed patio experience.

Page 7A

Mask up for art. Many art studios in the area and around Houston are open for business.

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com When he was 8 years old and living in Oak Forest, Kameron Ross and his family got some free concert tickets from one of their neighbors. So they went to the Astrodome to see country music star Shania Twain, who put on a rousing performance at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. “He was like, ‘Mom, how do we get on that stage?’” recalled Ross’ mother, Bridgette KalinowskyMartinez. “I didn’t know what he meant at the time. He wanted to sing.” More than 20 years later, Ross is still chasing the dream that materialized on that night in 1999. And at 30 years old, he’s closer than ever to realizing it. Ross, a product of Oak Forest Elementary, Clifton Middle

Photo from Facebook Kameron Ross performs at a music festival in Oklahoma in 2013. Now 30 years old, he spent his younger years playing a variety of gigs.

School and Waltrip High School, is a contestant on the NBC reality show “America’s Got Talent.” His

See Ross P. 8A

See Gibbs P. 8A

New website helps residents make mural tours By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Page 7A

THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 4A Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A

twangy vocals, upbeat personality and humble attitude made a good impression on the celebrity judges during an audition that aired July 14, which earned Ross more appearances on the show and some praise from others in the entertainment business. “America’s Got Talent,” which features comedians, dancers, magicians, musicians and other entertainers, airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 11. The winner of the weeks-long competition receives $1 million and, in Ross’ case, possibly a record deal. “It’s been amazing,” Ross said. “I’m extremely blessed to have this opportunity. A lot of times I’m left speechless, to see it unfold in front of you. I’ve been at it for so long and trying for so long.” Beginning at age 16, Ross said

Rev. Vickey Gibbs was 18 years old when she joined Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church, which at the time included only one other Black member. Nearly 40 years later, the Christian church in Timbergrove Manor is known as progressive and includes a diverse mix of p a r i s h i o n e r s. They come from different Gibbs ethnic backgrounds and different countries, speak different languages and have different sexual orientations. Rev. Troy Treash, the senior pastor at the church, said that is part of Gibbs’ legacy. She died July 10 from COVID-19, according to Treash, leaving behind a wife, two daughters, a grandson and a congregation full of people who loved her and looked up to her. “She told me in the last few years that this is what she hoped for, that we would become a church that represented where we live in Houston,” Treash said. “She was very pleased that we are as diverse as we are.” Gibbs, who was 57, lived in Pearland and commuted to the church at 2025 W. 11th St. Treash said she was known for her activism, having supported the Black Lives Matter movement and been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Her widow, Cassandra White, asked church members and others to support causes championed by Gibbs in a message posted to the church’s website, resurrectionmcc.org. Among those causes are the Children’s Ministry and Justice Ministry at the church, along with Black Lives Matter and Color of Change. “Donate money, donate time, in Vickey’s honor,” White wrote. “Keep fighting. Don’t accept anything less

Contributed photo A new online map makes looking for mini-murals such as the one above easy for Houston residents.

A number of people may have used their ample free time in the last few months to bike or drive on a tour of the area’s murals and mini-murals. Thanks to a new digital map, www.houstonmuralmap.com, finding them is now that much easier. According to a news release, the Houston Mural Map includes more than 500 murals and 250 mini-murals, the latter of which are painted on utility boxes near

street intersections. The map also includes other significant public and street art installations in Houston. UP Art Studio spearheaded the website, which shows the locations of murals sourced by the firm, along with its network of artists, community partners and volunteer mural hunters. UP Art Studio founders Noah and Elia Quiles started the mini-mural project to turn traffic signal control cabinets in Houston into art. The murals included on the map are a snapshot as of this month. Elia Quiles said the site

allows people to search by artist or by community. When visitors click a pin on the map, they will see photos of the murals and learn about both the mural and the artist, if known. Website visitors are encouraged to post their photos to social media with #HoustonMuralMap. To create a do-it-yourself tour, visitors can cut and paste the sites of specific murals, from the Houston Mural Map, into a new map they create using My Maps. A saved set of directions from See Murals P. 8A

THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, July 25, 2020 • Page 2A

HFD: Oak Forest fire Acres Homes house fire under investigation started in kitchen By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

The Houston Fire Department said a cooking fire appears to have been the cause of a house fire in Oak Forest last week that caused about $45,000 worth of damage. Crews responded to a call at in the 1400 block of Chamboard Lane just after 6:30 p.m. July 12 to find

smoke coming from the roof of the home, where the owner and her dog escaped unharmed, according to HFD. The fire department said in a news release that the fire, which was ruled accidental, appeared to have started in the kitchen behind a microwave with a vent that fed into the attic while the resident was cooking.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Arson investigators are looking into a house fire in Acres Homes last week that injured one person. The Houston Fire Department said in a news release that crews responded to a home in the 6100 block of Morrow Street just after 8 a.m. July 12 to find officers from the Houston Police Department had helped to res-

cue the occupants of a burning home by forcing open the front door. Heavy fire was coming from the rear of the home with two nearby exposures, according to HFD. HFD said one occupant was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident, which caused an estimated $42,000 in damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to HFD.

Police Reports • July 13-20 JULY 13

Theft 2 PM 400 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Theft 6 AM 1000 BLOCK TABOR Theft 11 AM 400 BLOCK OXFORD Vandalism 7 PM 2000 BLOCK ARLINGTON Theft 1 PM 400 BLOCK W 28TH Theft 3 PM 1000 BLOCK W 20TH Burglary 4 PM 1500 BLOCK W 23RD Assault 3 PM 400 BLOCK THORNTON Vandalism 5 AM 4400 BLOCK AIRLINE Robbery 8 PM 1300 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS

JULY 14

Theft 4 PM 300 BLOCK W 19TH Burglary 1 AM 600 BLOCK W 19TH Theft 6 PM 1500 BLOCK W 23RD Other 8 PM 200 BLOCK W 19TH Assault 10 AM 400 BLOCK W 28TH Assault 11 PM 200 BLOCK ORIOLE

JULY 15

Theft 11 AM 800 BLOCK W 25TH Burglary 6 PM 500 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 3 PM 300 BLOCK E 37TH Assault 10 PM 1100 BLOCK NICHOLSON Burglary 2 AM 3600 BLOCK YALE Arrest 1 AM 300 BLOCK NEYLAND

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JULY 16

Arrest 6 PM 1000 BLOCK E 40TH Robbery 6 PM 2000 BLOCK DURHAM Theft 8 PM 2800 BLOCK AIRLINE Burglary 6 AM 200 BLOCK E 44TH Theft 12 PM 2400 BLOCK JUDIWAY Vandalism 12 PM 2400 BLOCK JUDIWAY Theft 3 PM 800 BLOCK W 24TH Burglary 9 PM 300 BLOCK E 33RD Theft 8 AM 1100 BLOCK LAWRENCE

JULY 17

Burglary 5 AM 500 BLOCK YALE Theft 6 PM 700 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 11 PM 1700 BLOCK AIRLINE Burglary 5 AM 300 BLOCK W 30TH Assault 6 PM 400 BLOCK E 41ST Assault 3 PM 500 BLOCK NEYLAND Other 5 PM 4400 BLOCK CASTOR Theft 1 PM 200 BLOCK HEIGHTS BLVD

JULY 18

Assault 7 PM 500 BLOCK LINK Arrest 5 AM 600 BLOCK W 24TH Arrest 3 PM 3600 BLOCK YALE Burglary 8 AM 4200 BLOCK YALE Theft 6 AM 700 BLOCK T C JESTER Arrest 3 AM 3500 BLOCK E CROSSTIMBERS

Robbery 5 AM 700 BLOCK CROSSTIMBERS Burglary 3 AM 200 BLOCK HEIGHTS BLVD

JULY 19

Arrest 4 AM 600 BLOCK W 34TH Assault 9 AM 500 BLOCK E 42ND Theft 12 PM 1100 BLOCK W 34TH Theft 5 PM 400 BLOCK S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 8 PM 400 BLOCK ENID Assault 6 PM 6700 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Other 12 AM 1900 BLOCK N SHEPHERD

JULY 20

Burglary 1 AM 1900 BLOCK N SHEPHERD Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

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Rachel Hernandez Champion SEPTEMBER 14, 1930 – JULY 14, 2020

achel Hernandez Champion, 89, of Houston, passed away July 14. She was born in Brownsville, Texas on Sept. 14, 1930. Rachel received a Master’s Degree from Texas A&I Kingsville, Texas. She was married to Anthony T. Champion for 62 years. Rachel had a career in education. She had a passion for music and painting. She was survived by children Norma Champion Ludwig, Elisa Champion Mathews; grandchildren Christopher C. Ludwig, Jennifer C. Taylor, and Matthew Kurzac; great-grandchildren Carter Ludwig, Chase Ludwig, Charlotte Ludwig, Dylan Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Derek Taylor, and Caleb Kurzac; sisters Irma Campesi and Mary Longoria.

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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, July 25, 2020 • Page 3A

My hero is the Green Ninja If your book club hasn’t let you in on this secret, the worldwide literature industry (never one to miss an opportunity) has kicked its presses into overdrive. They’re pumping out children’s books pitting frecklefaced heroes against the villainous – though totally relatable – nemesis named COVID-19. There’s good reason for this, according to a website called Conversation.com. “Children’s literature has a long history of exploring difficult topics, with original fairy tales often including gruesome imagery to teach children how to behave,” the article says. “’Little Red Riding Hood’ was eaten by the wolf in a warning to young ladies to be careful of men. Cinderella’s stepsisters had their eyes pecked out by birds as punishment for wickedness.” Oh happy day. These children’s books are hardly creative. “Coronavirus: A Book for Children,” spent hours in the research lab formulating a catchy title. There’s “My Hero is You! How kids can fight COVID-19,” written by Helen Patuck. In that bedtime story, children are taught to imagine a safe place if they feel threatened by the virus. Because if we’ve proven anything in this Battle of the Pandemic, it’s that our imaginations have clearly led our wartime strategy. What we’re missing in all these new children’s books is some household reality, which is why I’ve spent the past two weeks tapping the unfiltered workshop of two young boys

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

being forced to grow up together while simultaneously knocking the ever living bacteria off each other’s faces. Hank, 6, and his younger brother, Cal, 3, have mutated into quarantined ogres. Case in point: Meghan and I often let our children lock themselves in our bedroom. We do this because there’s little chance of losing our children there, and we also have about 73 pillows on our bed, which means there’s adequate protection from mortal injury. Normally, our sons throw the pillows on the floor and attempt harmless triple somersaults off the bed. Recently (and I blame COVID), they’ve begun taking action figures in the room with them, probably because they have very few human friends with whom they can interact. Piercing plastic obviously makes for the best replacement. Mom and I may be sitting on the couch, but you might as well put a dozen eggs under us. At any point, we’re expecting the room to collapse or the windows to shatter or, even

worse, silence, which we all know means our children are dismantling the hot water heater. Instead, within a few short minutes of plastic figure combat, the almost calming cries of our oldest son reverberate through the house. “CAL!!!” Hank cries in a halfinjured, half-annoyed yelp. We parents dutifully lift ourselves off the egg crate and immediately look for blood. Next we look for bones protruding through skin. We’re winners on both accounts, which means Hank’s misery will be temporary. “What happened?” we ask. “Cal threw CatBoy at me and broke my finger,” Hank responds, a bit of Hollywood ever present. “Let me see,” just to make sure I didn’t miss a protruding phalanges. Before I can finish the examination, Cal puts his arm on Hank’s shoulder and bluntly ends the hysteria. “It’s OK brother. You’re a tough boy.” And that’s what we’re learning about our children during this wretched mess of a year. They’re tearing each other apart and then talking themselves back to health. What could Hank say except to belch out in stomach-shaking laughter? A few nights later, after seeing a previously undiscovered animated series about ninjas, both our sons viciously twisted around the house, air-chopping couches, refrigerators, mirrors and baby sister.

Most of the time, the brothers get along. Except when they’re hurling wooden spoons.

I found safety in the kitchen, stirring potatoes and nuking nuggets, when Cal darted past me, opened a drawer and pulled out two wooden spoons. “Where are you going with…” Too late. The kid was gone, back to the pillow padded fight room, where I can barely make out the conversation. Hank: Hey Cal, do you know how ninjas throw spoons? Hank: I bet you don’t. Bedroom: Silent Hank: CAL!!! Me: What happened? Blood? Check. Protruding bones? Check. Hank: Cal hit me with a spoon. Cal: Daddy, I’m a green ninja. Look, I understand if your percep-

tion of our home is one of violence. We’ve tried reading, puzzles, water color painting and movie night. I asked Cal what movie he’d like to watch recently, and I promise I’m not making this up: “Let’s eat some biscuits,” he said. At some point, we just have to let our boys learn on their own, and that point, apparently, is now. It gave me great pride to see my sons sitting on the couch together last week having an earnest conversation. Cal: Hank, if you keep kicking me, I’ll punch you in the face. Hank: You said it opposite. Cal: No I didn’t. Hank: You’re supposed to say, “If you keep kicking me, I’ll… Wait.” Hank: You’re supposed to say, “If you don’t stop kicking me, I’ll punch you in the face.” Cal: OK. Me: Good talk, boys. If the New York publishing houses want a real COVID children’s book, they should give me a call. Enough of the mini-heroes flying around on dragons in search of hand sanitizer and safe spaces. What we need is a one-on-one with my middle son, Cal, who will teach children how to talk themselves out of getting the ever living bacteria knocked out of them by big brother. The title of the book seems readymade: “My Hero is the Green Ninja! How to fight COVID with wooden spoons.” Email jonathan@mcelvymedia.com

Suffering from poor circulation

THE READER.

You are, right this minute, taking part in a shrinking pursuit: reading a newspaper. This also means you are intelligent, curious and well-educated. Now, everyone knows that newspapers are in trouble. We know that because we read it in the newspapers. But how bad is it? Penelope Muse Abernathy, a North Carolina U. journalism professor, recently released a report called “The Expanding News Desert,” a look at the industry’s decline from 2004 through 2019. The report does not cover the coronavirus economic disaster, which has led to 50 newspapers across the country shutting down. Also lost: a chain of 14 community newspapers around Chicago, according to the Poynter Institute think tank. Among Abernathy’s findings: • The number of newspapers in the United States declined from 8,891 in 2004 to 6,736 at the beginning of this year. Most are in small communities. • Total newspaper circulation sank from 122 million in 2004 to 68 million – a 44 percent drop -- at the end of last year, and that includes digital readership. • 198 of the more than 3,000 counties in the United States — 108 of them in the South — have no newspaper. • The 71,640 reporters and editors working at newspapers in 2008 were cut by more than half in 10 years. The bulk of those cuts came in larger regional newspapers, some now called “ghosts” because of their diminished presence. In one encouraging sign, the report said 83 digital news operations began operating in 2019. Yet an equal number of such sites shut down. Digital outlets also have limitations, since many people in poor and rural areas can’t afford or can’t receive high-speed Internet. There is also the matter of what gets covered. During two months last year, researchers found that nearly half of the stories the Facebook news feeds around North Carolina were about crime or human interest. It meant that there was comparatively little news on education, health, minority groups, the economy, the environment and politics, the report said. This study concentrates on the smaller papers in smaller towns that are folding, and thus are called the News Desert. No newspaper means no reporter is covering city hall, the water district, high school football, Miss Boll Weevil or the sneaky dealings with the school district budget. So, after 130 years, the weekly Merkel Mail is no more. (Merkel is out in west central Texas.) But large newspapers are having prob-

Morales Shaw beats incumbent Eastman in primary runoff

Lynn Ashby Columnist

lems, not so much because of journalism, rather, due to clueless business people who think, because they made a lot of money, they can run a newspaper. Take Chicago real estate tycoon Sam Zell. He bought the Chicago Tribune which, in turn, owned the Los Angeles Times, for $8.2 billion. There’s one small problem. Zell didn’t have $8.2 billion. The company filed for bankruptcy. The Tribune may be bought by Alden Global Capital, noted for hallowing out the staff, cutting every possible corner and increasing profits. News of Alden’s possible purchase and its seedy reputation led to an outcry from Tribune reporters. Meanwhile, journalists at The Denver Post blasted Alden in a special opinion section. “If Alden isn’t willing to do good journalism here, it should sell The Post to owners who will.” Wall Street hedge funds have gotten interested in newspapers, for some reason, with one fund buying a string of papers only to sell to another. It’s all boring, but means journalism is being treated like widget stocks, with little concern for quality. Of course, press bashers will say that papers are losing readers because no one trusts the press any more. Over the last 15 years, Americans’ trust in the press has dropped by 15 percent. Now only 40 percent have confidence in the media. But you, Mr. or Ms. Newspaper Reader, are making more money than those knuckledraggers who don’t read papers. The average newspaper reaches about seven in 10 households with incomes of more than $60,000 annually, compared with about four in 10 for viewers of CNN and Fox News. Why should all of this matter to us? Because our large, metropolitan daily newspapers are the feed stock, the basis, for much of our news. Read the Houston Chronicle and you don’t need to watch that evening’s local TV news. Read The New York Times in the morning and watch someone read it to you on that evening’s networks, including Fox. “It’s infuriating. If it wasn’t for The New York Times, network news would have to shut down.” Who said that? Some newspaper groupie? No, it was the late Andy Rooney, who was with CBS for 47 years. There could have been a solution to this problem, and

it has worked for such operations as Planned Parenthood, the Archdiocese of New York, Deja Vu Showgirls in Las Vegas and PaperMoon Springfield, a strip club in Northern Virginia. At least four members of Congress have received funds, including a husband who is casino developer. The solution is the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, that $669-billion federal bailout designed to help the mom-andpop businesses devastated by the pandemic. (It’s handled by the Small Business Administration.) The loans can be forgiven as long as the organizations meet requirements for keeping their employees on the payroll, and thus would really be grants. Somehow this feel-good program for struggling barber shops and muffler repair firms included

Florida’s Democratic Party, the Women’s National Republican Club of New York and Washington lobbyists. Hundreds of news organizations also participated. They ranged from local papers such as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to The Washington Times, which must not have read its own editorials blasting government handouts. But the PPP was too late for many newspapers. Thomas Jefferson wrote: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” Stand by, Tom. We may be in for a lot more of the former and a lot less of the latter. Ashby is read at ashby2@comcast.net

Dear Editor: Sad to see Anna Eastman lose to Shaw. Shaw ran a Trump like campaign with many lies about Eastman. She also used students to send postcards to registered voters that seemed to be well rehearsed. As if written by Shaw and then copied by students. Anna Eastman is a wonderful person and she will be sorely missed. Chris Moore

Financial stress ruined national media

Dear Editor: Don’t you think the elimination of the FCC fairness doctrine in 1987 has led to the current split views in America? At least before they were required to present more than one side of an issue. Now it’s 24/7 either

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com one way or the other. It’s exhausting and not informative or helpful at all. Theresa

We don’t choose the news, we just report it

Dear Editor: You report, we decide. Fair and Balanced. Eddie R. Murrow

Extended power outage impacts Shepherd Park Plaza, another planned for July 22

Dear Editor: Please consider there are many elderly residents that do not have access or knowledge of obtaining Online notification to outages. Posting to Facebook by residents only helps those with ability to get on Facebook. Belinda Medina

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

SUDOKU

aCrOss 1. William the Conquerer’s birth city 5. Expired 9. Muslim greeting 11. Hangs cloth in loose folds 13. -__, denotes past 14. Jog 16. Ocean shore 17. Promotion of a product 18. The Constitution State 20. Russian space station 22. Paper mulberry bark cloth 23. Fiddler crabs 24. Drunkards 27. Domestic hog 28. Before 29. Papua New Guinea monetary unit 31. Existentialist philosopher JeanPaul 33. V.P. Quayle 34. Expression of surprise 35. Declares untrue 38. Corn dough 40. Ocean

41. Supply with men 42. Spring tides 44. Spooky month 45. To tie in Spanish 47. Possessed 49. Br. Architect Wren 54. Prosecutor for a district 55. Tribal chieftains 56. Fulfill a command 58. Location of White House 59. Happy facial gestures 60. Cheap showy jewelry or ornament 62. Over again 63. Inhabitants of ancient Media

dOwn 1. Coarse woolen braid 2. Gangster Capone 3. Ingest 4. Drug enforcement officer (slang) 5. Expression of annoyance 6. Romanian capital until 1861 7. A person who enjoys good food and drink 8. A way to reason

9. Sewing junction 10. Sound of bovines 11. Metric weight unit 12. Stalk of a moss capsule 15. Explosive 16. Reddish brown 19. Short sleeps 21. Decay 25. Crepe fern genus 26. Actor Connery 28. Wipe out recorded information 30. Imparts motion to 32. Compared to 35. Alight from train 36. N.H. 03832 37. 2 piece clothing fastener 39. Express pleasure 40. A plan, outline or model 43. Give a spanking to 44. NY Times publisher Adolph Simon 46. 17th Greek letter 48. Small, stout cyprinid fish 50. Lazy 51. Merganser 52. Fall back from 53. Enlarge hole 57. Hong Kong dialect 61. Initials of “10” actress

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A â€˘ Saturday, July 25, 2020 â€˘ The Leader

THE OBITUARIES. HISD to start school in September with six weeks of online-only learning Gloria â€œJeanâ€? Furkovich,

her children Anthony Mock, Larry Mock and Geralyn Madden, 14 grandchildren, and several greatgrandchildren.

89, born Dec. 27, 1930, died July 14. Furkovich was employed at Haroldâ€™s in the mid-seventies. She is survived by her daughters Dayne Lass, Donna Collins and Debbie Lopez, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

By Betsy Denson

â€œThings will vary from camRose Marie Reilly, 68, pus to campus,â€? Lathan said, born Dec. 16, 1951, died July 16. noting that in some elementary Houston ISD will start the Brigitte Rosemarie Saclassrooms with a ratio of 22 upcoming school year Sept. 8 doux, 84, born March 17, 1936, students to one teacher, only and utilize online-only learndied July 13. Allen Clark Geiser, 74, nine students will fit with the ing during the first six weeks, born Sept. 24, 1945, died July appropriate distancing. interim superintendent Grenita Dolores Schmidt, 86, born On Aug. 24, the district will 17. Sept. 15, 1933, died July 14. She Lathan announced last week. call parents to ask if they want is survived by her daughter, Anna Joe Hernandez, 84, born She said HISD plans to begin the in-person option in October. May 6, 1936, died July 19. Moreno, four grandchildren, on-campus instruction Oct. 19, Parents will be ableThe to confirm 13 great-grandchildren, and 10 Leader â€˘ Saturday, November 23, 2019 â€˘ Page 5A although that date is subject to great-great grandchildren. Leo Albert Hollas, 76, Photo by Adam Zuvanich their choice a few weeks before change based on COVID-19 Houston ISD plans to start the 2020-21 school year on Sept. 8 and school starts. Parents can also born Sept. 14, 1943, died July conditions in the region. Nicolas William Wendt, decide to do the whole year 19. Lathan said HISD got the go- utilize online-only instruction for the first six weeks. 81, born April 28, 1939 in Yoalead by online. David Davis. Price: $12 The ahead from the Arts Texas Education to safeguard the health and safe- Womenâ€™s flexibility soStudy students ill for Bible Groupwho aredonation The Farm Stand at Petrol Frances Mock, BradleyRosemary Ross Herdejurgen, 59, born kum, April Texas, 4, dieddied July 18. Wendt Atthe theconcert. end of July, there will Monday, Nov. 25pressured to come Station wasHe employed Agency, The which previously said ty of students, family and staff. 85, born June 24, 1935 in Dobwill not feel on Nov. 12. He was a loving Dad and Grandpa. loved for several years Flatlanders be a class for parents to take 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at Wilson Industries. He served bin, Texas, died July 17. Mock schools Friday, in the Nov. state22had to offer SheSaturday, also said it was important to school. his granddaughters, and he would do anything for them Funso&they Games understand how online was a self-employed childcare YMCA â€“1234 W. 34th St. 9 a.m. â€“ 1 p.m. in the U.S. Army and ran several 7 p.m.in-person instrucon-campus, from playing softball to having tea parties, swimming with to her staff feel said Study in-person in- learning will work. TheLathan Womenâ€™s Bible meets 948that Wakefield Dr. comfortable marathons. He is survived by his The Heights Theaterof â€“ 339 professional. She was a member Open Mic Night them and trying their food creations. His hobbies included tion within three weeks be-W. coming every Monday at the Harriet The to Farm Stand at Petrol Stawork. struction will happen in Tuesday, a Because of the later showing start ofdogs, 19th St. son Rony Rodriguez, brothers Joe Nov. 26 St. Rose of Lima Catholic specifically Great Danes, listening to his and Joe Foster YMCA. The study tion features goods from local ginning online learning,is performing to start at Of the 7,300 teachers who â€œphased-in approach.â€? Students The Flatlanders 9 p.m. date, the 2020-21 school Rock and Wayne Wendt. year andChurch is called The Faithful, which whereentertaining she served on vendors. Roll Music, histhe daughterWendt and grandthe 2020-21 academic year with The Heights Theater. responded to a district survey, explores and staff will be screened daily Heightswill Vinylend â€“ 3301 Cline 11. St. Ten daughters, crucial moments in June min- Altar is survived he Society. loved toShe travel and try by new restaurants. He a free flowing, â€œtap in,â€? an extended period of remote onlyLittle 14 percent said they would theforlives of five Old Testament White Oak Night Market COVID-19 and will be re-This isutes is preceded in Death by his father Allen Ross Herdejurgen. will also be added to each Harley Poe share the mic event where everyfigures--Queen Esther, Gideon, Saturday, Nov. 23 coursework. HISD board presifeel comfortable returning to quired to wear masks. Some He is survived by his mother Donna Marie Herdejurgen, Friday, Nov. 22 school day. School day times one is welcome. Hosea, Malachi, and Nehemiah. 4 â€“ 8 p.m. dent Sue7 Deigaard joined other campuses former wife Marilyn Herdejurgen, Daughter Courtney on the original staff and may required p.m. newbe members are to also Sideout Volleybar â€“ 2623 start Guests may change as well to accomExperience and Marie Cullever andLocal husband Stacy Cullever, GrandaughOak Music â€“ 2915 N.dateKeene trustees White in a letter sentHall to Gov. Bar Takeover of Aug. wear gloves. to attend this nonSt. 24, according to welcome modate studentsters andTorey Nicole Knowledge... Main St. Wednesday, Nov.in-person 27 Cullever and Harlie Alexa Cullever, his business denominational Bible study. The Little White Oak Night MarGreg Abbott asking for greater Lathan. â€œEverything will be promaintain distancing protocol, Harley Poe with The Homeless 6 â€“ 9 p.m. Atwo Powerful brother Scott Herdejurgen and wife Mildred, and of Email scripturesharing@earthlink. ket brings together local farmers, is our flexibilityGospel for school districts. Online learning will be asynvided,â€? Lathan said, later statis performing at White La Lucha â€“ 1801said. N. Shepherd Lathan net for information. craft merchandisers, and artists. his favorite dogs Bolt and Roxie. He will be greatly missed Combination The TEA granted business. Oak Music Hall. that flexchronous, which Lathan said ing that she hoped the district Dr. by many who knew and loved him. To allow for spacing students 713-906-5481 ibility two days after HISDâ€™s means Scripture Sharing Groupat 100La Lucha is hosting a guest barHeights Market thatMorning students will be able Menâ€™s would be reimbursed Send your story of interest appropriately on buses, they will Realty Associates Coco Montoya tender series benefiting charity. DEBBIE 28 Sunday, announcement, saying to work atNov. their24own pace, and Thursday, percentNov. for expenses. Sandra C. Gresham, 73, born Nov. 2, died on Nov. news@theleadernews.com ourrealtordebbie@aol.com Saturday, Nov. 23 public On Nov.initially 27, Alphonso ELLIOTT onlyQuinones transport homeless 6:30 â€“ 7:30 a.m. 10 a.m. â€“ 2 p.m. 18. Sheis survived by her husband, Thomas Michael schools 8inp.m. Texas could utilize get 3106 live support and instruction During the question-andfrom Capt. Foxheartâ€™s Bad News YMCA â€“1234 W. 34th St. White Oak Dr. students and those with special Gresham; daughter, Tara (Gresham) Anderson; and daughThe Heights 339 W. from Heights Lodge will be at La online learning forTheater up to â€“eight their teachers. There will answer of a July Bar 15 & Spirit The Menâ€™s session Scripture Sharing Morning Market needs. 19th St. ter, Suzanne (Gresham) Tyrell. Lucha. The charity of his choice is Group meets every Thursday at gathers teachers, local talented artisans, weeks after the start of school. be some who Lathan news conference, Lathan said Extracurricular activities will Coco Montoya is performing at Child Advocates. the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA. farmers, and entrepreneurs to Lathan HISDâ€™s decision called â€œacademic angels,â€? work- that while details are still being not start until in-person school Thesaid Heights Theater. Carlos Application Eduardo Sampaio, 56, bornmade Oct. 7, died There will be music, Bible study bring you closer to the goods you has been with the Texas was a result of discussions and ing need. Turkey Burn Rev Ride fromStophome for and thestayyear, ironed out, itGuests is likely that teachand fellowship. and new by to shop to Oct. 29. He is survived by his daughters Clara and Celia, does. Los Walters Thursday, Nov. 28 planning with stakeholders. are welcome to attend in bebrunch, drinkschool mimosas,oranddistrict listen members either at the ers will move classrooms his sister Christina, brother Luiz and ex-wife Michelle. He Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Nov. 23 9 â€“ 10 a.m.â€œIf we need to play football this non-denominational Bible to live music at Onion Creek. â€œIt wasSaturday, due to (me), No. 1, be- level. was employed by NASA. A celebration gathering will be tween lessons, not students. 8 p.m. DEFINE Heights â€“ 714 Yale St. in January, weâ€™ll do it,â€? Lathan study. Email scripturesharing@ held from 3-5 p.m. Nov. 23, Beer at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 by Roast ing a citizen a wife, mother, Whiteâ€Ś Oak MusicaHall â€“ 2915 N. â€œGrades will count,â€? she said. earthlink.net Lathanforsaid that 18 model Ste. 200said. Wine and Retailerâ€™s Permit information. Heights Blvd. Mainthe St. leader of 28,000 kicking off a day of The Pews a friend and â€œAttendance and participation is campuses will have classroomsDEFINE isMore information about Los Walters is performing at feasting with a Thanksgiving Holiday Market can get faemployees,â€? she said. and Brew, to be located on a must.â€? set upArtisan so teachers White Oak Music Hall. HISDâ€™s reopening plans can Day Turkey Burn Class across Pre-Thanksgiving Worship Saturday, Nov. 30 Lathan said the goal was to Later she clarified that the at- 9 miliar with how things will look all Houston-area locations. The Service be found at houstonisd.org/rea.m. â€“ 4 p.m. 931 W 19th Street, Houston, Harris Carlleducation and provide Hayes a quality Turkey Burn is a 60 minute rev Sunday,policy Nov. 24will have some St.when tendance theyUMC return. Stephenâ€™s â€“ 2003 W. opening. Local Sunday, Nov. 24 ride (indoor cycling) to give you 10:17 a.m. betsy@theleadernews.com

THINGS TO DO.

7 p.m. The Heights Theater â€“ 339 W. 19th St. Hayes Carll is performing at The Heights Theater.

St. Matthewâ€™s UMC â€“ 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. St. Matthewâ€™s United Methodist Church cordially invites the community to attend the Pre-Thanksgiving Worship service.

THE OBITUARIES.

43rd St. The Holiday Artisan Market, benefitting the Animal Justice League, will be held in the west sanctuary parking lot, featuring a variety of vendors and food trucks. Contact Kim Antley at redlipdesigns@gmail.com regarding vendor participation.

the energy to feel your best and kickstart your metabolism.Â

HISD restarts free summer meals program with two locations in area Tunes in the Tap Room Tuesday, Nov. 26 6:30 â€“ 9:30 p.m. Haroldâ€™s Restaurant & Tap â€“ 350 W. 19th St. ByRoom Adam Zuvanich Enjoy live music in Haroldâ€™s Tap azuvanich@theleadernews.com Room every Tuesday night.

Thanks & Giving Banquet Sunday, Nov. 24 5 p.m. Garden Oaks Baptist Church â€“ 3206 N. Shepherd Dr. Garden Oaks Baptist Church will be celebrating Thanksgiving with a Thanks & Giving Banquet on Sunday evening. The church will be providing turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce and rolls.Â Members will be furnishing additional dishes.Â Visitors are welcome to come enjoy good food, Christian fellowship and to give thanks for the blessings of the past year.Â For additional details, please call (713) 864-4447.Â Â

Oâ€™Holy Heights Christmas ExtravaganzaÂ Saturday, Dec. 7 6 p.m. Heights Presbyterian ChurchÂ â€“ 240 W. 18th St. Heights Presbyterian ChurchÂ is hosting the Oâ€™Holy Heights Christmas Extravaganza, where there will be a Santa in the Gazebo for pictures, hot cocoa, coffee, wassail, cookies, other desserts and a silent auction. There will also be a Christmas concert with the Heights worship team and more

Experience County,Texas 77008.and Officers of the said business Knowledge... A Powerful is our entity: Stavros Giannakopoulos, Owner. Combination business.

The Houston Genealogical Forum Presents: In Search Send your story of interest of William â€œThe Immigrantâ€? Cloude news@theleadernews.com Saturday, Dec. 7 9 a.m.-noon Bayland Community Center 6400 Bissonnet - Revere Middle School, When presenter Janine Briar Forest Dr., noonCloudâ€™s10502 direct paternal line paper trail dead-ends in 1838 3 p.m. Georgia, she to Y-DNA - turned Kashmere High School, testing to attempt to prove a 6900 Wileyvale connection between her brickSt., noon-3 p.m. and William â€œThe wall ancestor Immigrantâ€?- Chavez Cloud, who settled High School, 8501 in Pennsylvania Colony in about Howard Dr., noon-3 p.m. 1682. Come enjoy Janineâ€™s - Milby High 1601 presentation and learn how School, to apply these DNA principles Broadway St., 10toa.m.-1 p.m. your own family research.

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Free food for schoolchildren The Markets and their families is being distributedEleanoraâ€™s every Market Monday and Thursday through at Saturday, Nov. August 23 a.m.Washington â€“ 1 p.m. Booker 9T. High â€“ 2120 Ella Blvd. School Cavatore and Clifton There will be local Middle growers, School, makers, which are artisans amongand designers, producers. - Booker T. Washington the 12 food campus sites that beHigh School, 4204 Yale St., gan operating Monday when Coyote, from P. 1A noon-3 p.m. Houston ISD relaunched its Photo enough from Twitter discharge of ameals firearm,proit was a â€œTheyâ€™re not valued â€œThe key is that as long as Lawson Middle reviewed,- radio-collar studies School, curbside summer Houston curbside summer programFox restarted at proven to monitor,â€? said. Monday have food, ISDâ€™s shelter and water are meals most St., relo-10 a.m.-1 14000 that Stancliff gram. police matter. including area. is a state where coy- cated wild News ofthe theprogram coyoteâ€™s de-12 campus available,sites, another coyotetwo willin theTexas p.m. animals die within HISD started mise elicited a strong response soon replace the one that otes are undefended and clas- two weeks after being released at 42 sites on June families to pick up â€œAnd sev- sified from residents such1 asbut Meganlows species. are died,â€? Bradshaw said. in unfamiliar areas.â€? and asitsa non-game other partners Additional HISD closed Paschall, all but who five said of the those coyoteeralif daysâ€™ Wildlife biologist it was an alpha of female, her TPWD worth student operating several foodDi-distri-The incident along the baylocationswasJuly 3, citing guida regular traveler by hermeals Foss of the Texas Parks & deathand will packages trigger the other fe- ana ou last week warrantedSites a poof probution locations in the area. Distribution house.public health of- duce, Wildlife Department said it is ance from males in the surrounding area lice visit because it is illegal to School, - Clifton Middle along with other food They can be found at https:// of quality care for have just as many to have larger litters in the illegal to kill a coyote for com- discharge a firearm inside the Dr., 10 ficials andâ€œWe a rising number ofstrayitems 6001 Golden Forest when they are available. your family www.houstonfoodbank.org. animals that arenâ€™t small coymercial purposes on publicly spring.â€? corporated limits of a munici* With COVID-19 cases throughout a.m.-noon pets Clifton, located at 6001 A complete list of HISDâ€™s otes,â€? Paschall said. â€œItâ€™s awful. owned land in Texas. Bradshaw also said the norpality having a population of Wellness Exam the city.Wildlife HISD issaid in a July Golden Wisdom High School, Forest weight Dr., isof among food distribution nice to have.â€? â€œHowever, it is legalsites, to (kill)which mal, healthy a coy100,000 or- more. Call About 16 news release that it is now 6529 Beverly Hill Ln., 10 a.m.Others said they wouldnâ€™tthe ote coyote on private property in Texas is five only 25 pounds. additional sites that a will operate every Mondayâ€œItâ€™s dangerous,â€? Cannon streamlining program noon have tothe worry so muchtonoware providing reason,â€?through Foss said. â€œPeople in urban com- for said. â€œNo matter what you are meals.areas Another andany Thursday Aug. 31, Cat Vaccines â€œmaximize in areas aboutresources their outdoor dogs andis Marshall personAddresses taking the coyote School, 500 pare coyotes to their often-at â€œThe shooting -at, Furr itâ€™s stillHigh an illegal Middle School is below. and hours Many saidand the recoyote overweight dogs,â€? she said. have a current hunting li- discharge of firearms.â€? with thecats. most need Mercury Dr., noon-2 p.m. 1115 ANoble St., which will be must of operation included: looked too thin No permitare from TPWD person who is passionate cense. Cannon- North said anyone duce staff needed onand sitewas as per-replaced Forest with High School, by Northside High hapscases dying continue slowly fromtostar- about coyotes is Camilla H. is needed.â€? information about theDr., incident COVID-19 10726 Mesa 10 a.m.-noon Quitman St. af- Houston vation. Some believed thatSchool Foss also ISD/Houston said a newly should call HPD. Fox, at the1101 founder and execurise across the city.â€? - *Marshall the director latter campus has been passed shooting a coyote was betterter tive House Bill 4544, of Project Coyote Fox said the irony is Middle that if School, Foodlaw, Bank Produce Seventhan of the thealternatives. 12 locations, deep-cleaned 1115 Noble St., noon-2 certain cities, such as - a national and nonprofit orga- allows humans left coyotes alone to p.m. sanitized 5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625 Distribution Sites including â€œPersonally, WashingtonI at 4204 *-will be replaced byof quality care for think shoot-following Houston, to manage coyotes nizationa based in Mill Valley, self-regulate, they would do case of COVID-19, Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon Sam Houston Math Scithemoperating is far moreinhumane Yale St.,ingare a according California, promotes com- by capturing, relocating or so. Northside High School, 1101 your family * With to that HISD. ence and Technology Center, pets than with setting (conibear) passionate conservation and euthanizing a coyote located Project Coyoteâ€™s Coyoteit is deeppartnership theout Houston Wellness Exam Quitman St., after In addition to the HISD 9400 Irvington Blvd., 10 a.m.traps,â€?HISD LeeAnn between people within the city limits or the Friendly Communities proFood Bank. saidHickman that al-said. coexistence cleaned and sanitized Call About Houston FoodeducaBank cityâ€™s â€œBut catch and release is notsites, andthewildlife through 1 p.m.extraterritorial juris- gram aims to give both urban

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Cat Vaccines considered an option because tion, science and advocacy. diction or by requesting as- and rural audiences the tools youâ€™ll just be relocating a nuiFox calls the coyote a â€œma- sistance from Texas Wildlife to foster coexistence. In sance lightanimal of the outbreak, with each church belowâ€œWe forneed updated fromCOVID-19 one place ligned carnivoreâ€?please and saidcheck it is Services. to teach information coyotes to another.â€? Relocating a coyote, acestimated that 500,000 coy(about) the behavior we donâ€™t about Bonnie services and events. In-person services are temporarily restricted. Bradshaw with 911 otes are killed each year by cording to Bradshaw, also support,â€? Fox said. Wildlife, a wildlife removal humans, partly because they likely means death. 5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625 and relocation company with are unprotected by law in 42 â€œContrary to public opinion, offices in Houston, said the states. relocated animals donâ€™t have a Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon There are no definitive wonderful new life out in the good-riddance attitude regarding coyotes is typical in neigh- population counts for coyotes country where they belong,â€? By Pastor Will Cover either. borhoods throughout the U.S. Bradshaw said. â€œMultiple peer-

CHURCH DIRECTORY CHURCH Sunday

MANNA 4QPOTPS

Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am

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

St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t 1822 W. 18th â€˘ 713-864-1470 Sunday 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 MANNA Gethsemane Lutheran Church t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN 4QPOTPS and Adults ............................ 6:15pm 4040 Watonga â€˘ 713-688-5227

Gethsemane Lutheran Church We invite you to worship with us! 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t

1822 W.Jerry 18th â€˘ 713-864-1470 Pastor McNamara Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am 4040 Watonga â€˘ 713-688-5227 Preschool Program â€˘ Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.

Gethsemane Lutheran Church We invite you to Lutheran worship with us! Gethsemane Church www.gethsemanelutheran.org

Pastor Jerry McNamara WeeklyWe Worship 9:00a.m invite you Services to â€˘worship with us! . 4040 Watonga 713-688-5227 4040 Watonga â€˘ 713-688-5227

Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Online services can be reached We invite you to worship withamus! Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 through the website below at 9:00 am. Preschool Program â€˘ Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org www.gethsemanelutheran.org

Sunday School & Bible Classes a.m. Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and10:30 11:00 Program â€˘ Mon.and - Fri.Adults 9-2 p.m.9:40 Sunday SchoolPreschool for Children, Youth

www.gethsemanelutheran.org Ministries for All Ages First Church Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor

â—† 713-686-8241 â—† s8:30 t s uand m c11:00 .org 2003 W. 43rd St. Sunday Morning Worship Sunday School ........9:15 am Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Sunday Worship......10:30am Ministries for All Ages Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Wednesday Bible Studyfor Home of Johnson Memorial School Little Children Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40 & Prayer Service 6:00pm Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor Ministries for All Ages

FC Heights Family and Staff â—† s t s u m c . o r g 2003 W. 43rd St. â—† 713-686-8241 Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children

201 E. 9th St. â€˘ 713-861-3102 Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor www.fbcheights.org 2003 W. 43rd St. X 713-686-8241 X s t s u m c . o r g

GET WHAT Iâ€™M toIT! OVER Donâ€™t Forget THANKFUL IW Say Thank FOR You

Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 â€˘ www.arisebaptistchurch.org

t goes without saying, but Iâ€™ll say it anyway: â€œwe have all made mistakes.â€? Asyou Alexander Pope so aptly it: â€œTo hat did do first thing this put morning? err is human, to forgive, We should remember What were divine.â€? you thinking about as this the next you time we make we gotCover out aofmistake. bed? Most Werecertainly, you upset, By Pastor Will must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue depressed, frustrated, or stressed? Did you have Baptist Church By Arise Pastor Will to repeat them, but weCover should also forgive ourselves. While 803 Curtin St. Houston TXcouldnâ€™t 77018 questions thatChurch you answer ormistakes, problems Arise Baptist it can be hard enough to forgive others for their it 713-659-9697 â€˘ www.arisebaptistchurch.org without In Psalm to 92forgive the Bible says, 803 Curtin St.solutions? Houston, TX 77018 can sometimes feel almost impossible ourselves. Sunday Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA 713-659-9697 Weâ€œIt sometimes cannot bring to forgive is â€˘a www.arisebaptistchurch.org good thing to ourselves give thanks untosomething the Lord, Have youweâ€™ve ever felt frustrated at Thanksgiving? I Morning Worship ............... 10:45am done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves and to sing praises unto thy name, O most â€˘ Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am rememberforasyears, a boy or wishing we couldover be done withindiscretions. In Wednesday Bible ........... Studies11:00am For Youth,- Children even youthful e are entering aI time ofdecades, holidays andencourage celebrations â€˘ Learning Hour 12:00pm High.â€? would like to you to praise MANNA the family tradition of saying what thankful some maywe notwere be able to is forget the sins of foraddition, many people in of ouruscountry. Thanksgiving and Adults.... ............................ 6:15pm â€˘ Worship (Spanish) 12:30 pm - 1:30pm God and to give Him thanks because He is the Sponsor for before we ate. I wanted to get to the food as a holiday thatAnd we although as Americans our past. that have may enjoyed preventfor us from repeating Highest. God is in charge of everything, he quickly as possible! The turkey, ham, mashed 1602 West 43rd St. â€˘ Houston, Tx 77018 â€˘ 713-686-1577 generations. Many people are looking forward to time spent Sunday Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am them, we must be charitable and forgive ourselves, just as St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA > [O ŕ Ž potatoes and gravy, greenaothers. beans, corn, cranberry with family,we time off from work, big feast, watching football, knows everything, and has everything under should forgive So, wehe should make a real effort in Morning Worship ............... 10:45am â€˘ Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am catching the biggest sales of the years, and many sauce, homemade dinner rolls, etc. were piledthe high the coming days and weeks to probably forgive of others a His control. He never moves oroffenses acts without WednesdayWeekly Bible For Youth, Children during this Thanksgiving weekend. There will be HourStudies ...........Sunday 11:00am - 12:00pm Services others on mythings plate. The aromas wafting up from my loaded MANNA â€˘ Learning as well as our or own. Sometimes, it helps to just forget about purpose plan and He never does anything and Adults ............................ 6:15pm some who will struggle during the thiswater time ofand holiday â€˘ Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 9:15 1:30pma.m. â€˘ Bible Study: platepeople werethem; enough to make my mouth my Sponsor that to try tothey puthave themlost, out our mind and stop as they remember lovedis,ones who orofclose against His character. We can always find â€˘ Morning:10:30 a.m. stomach ache with anticipation. Why didOne we have to reasons we use mulling over them. ofof the 1602 West 43rd St. â€˘ > [O ŕ Ž Houston, Tx 77018 â€˘ 713-686-1577 companionsrepeatedly that are unable to be together because the â€˘ Evening: 4:15 p.m. answers from Him and we can always find rest take time to talk about thanksgiving before we ate? â€œforgive and forgetâ€? is because that is thephrase logistics. Either way, Thanksgiving will be sometimes a 1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn schedule orthe with Him. He gives peace and comfort even Could we not just do that while we were eating? As 713-682-4942 time when the people areway either or sad only to thinking forgive,happy i.e., bythoughts forgetting. But far better, andin Weekly Sunday Services an adult, I look back at myof self and realize Pastor â€“ Dr. Richard the middle the storms of life. about something. more divine, is to bechildish able worst to forgive even while remembering Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 andWalters 11:00 thoughts Whenthis I wastradition a boy, I remember my mother saying, forget why and still isbegin important. While â€˘for Bible Study: Youth 9:15 a.m. the So, we should let â€œDonâ€™t go of those unforgiving, offense. Ifwas you will your day by finding Ad # 32285 Sunday School r #JCMF 4UVEZ B N Children, and Adults 9:40 r .PSOJOH B N to say thank you.â€? Shethanks was reminding me to beabout thankful to past, my and get over â€˘ Morning:10:30 a.m. the time of giving isto not the important issue, vindictive, shameful feelings the something thank God for, even if it is the Ministries for All Ages r &WFOJOH Q N grandmother for the wonderful Thanksgiving meal, or to my â€˘ Evening: 4:15 p.m. the priority giving does matter. As incarceration a child, it! of Corrie tenthanks Boom, who survived in a Nazi SE 8FTU breath just took, Home of Johnson Memorial School for Children family member that gave you me a special gift, orand mytake friendtime who to praise God 1700 West 43 rd BU 3PTTMZO at Little Rosslyn I wasnâ€™t as thankful assaid, I should havetobeen because prison camp â€œForgiveness is to set a prisoner and 713-682-4942 invited me to their party. in Most people wantyou to teach Rev. Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor forabirthday His work your life, will findfree, a peace Join us forNathan Services children have natural sense of entitlement. The Pastor Walters to to realize that the prisoner was you.â€? Pastor â€“â€“ Dr. Dr. Richard Richard Walters their children be thankful. I think most people would agree X 713-686-8241 Xs t s u m c . o r g 2003 W. 43rd St. that that is truth more in English or Spanish longer liveand theiscontentment more I understand ofpowerful than that beingI thankful important, it is also truethe it is not Ad # 32285 not, be judged; condemn yourdepending struggles andwill fears. When you look at what Godâ€™s to Word when it saysand â€œIn everything give thanks, always beJudge thankful onyou what we arenot going through. Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm not, and you will not be always condemned; forgive, for this the of can God in Christ Jesus concerning The Bibleis says inwill Ephesians 5:20 â€œGiving all is you often bethanks afraid orforunsure. But when Sunday Bible Classes 9am and you will forgiven... things and the Father the name ofbe our Lord Jesus you.â€? unto I canGod give thanks in allinthings because Godis isyour in Wednesday Bible Study 7pm you focus on who God truly perspective Christ.â€? would no matter feel during controlI of myencourage life. I amyou, thankful forhow ouryou city and for Join 4215 us for Watonga Services Blvd. â€˘ 713-681-9365 willtoquickly change. While we donâ€™t always this holiday season remember that you can be thankful to R.S.V. Luke 6:37 to the individuals and organizations that responded in English or Spanish Houston, TX 77092 God. He gave up His only Son to die a cruel on the cross have everything we death want, God always gives us Hurricane Harvey in such an admirable way. I am so that anyone exactly who trusts him can we be forgiven their sins andbe dreaming of Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm what need.of You may thankful have started church have eternaltolife. Donâ€™t forget atonew say thank you!this past year Sunday Bible Classes 9am what could be butcommunity realize that God has allowed that able tototake partthis in further the efforts If youwas would like discuss or have questions, Wednesday Bible Study 7pm to help people after am thankful for exactly what wants and willmy Pastor Will Cover can beHarvey. reachedHe atI Arise Baptist Church attherefore fulfill 803 Curtin St., or www.arisebaptistchurch.org, 713-659-9697. wife, my children, my parents, andand my or friends. I am 4215 Watonga Blvd. â€˘ 713-681-9365 His plans in you through you if you will Houston, TX 77092 thankful for walk my country freedoms with that Himgives and me notthe against Him. to live, think, and write as I wish. There is so much for which to give thanks. What are you thankful for?

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The Leader â€˘ Saturday, July 25, 2020 â€˘ Page 5A

COVID-19 testing options increase in area By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

As the number of COVID-19 cases increase in the area, so has the number of testing options for members of the community who suspect they have been infected with the contagious disease caused by the new coronavirus. Sinclair Elementary in Timbergrove Manor served as a free, drivethrough testing site earlier this week. It was among the rotating sites operated by the Houston Health Department and Texas Division of Emergency Management in a partnership with United Memorial Medical Center. A free testing site offering rapid results opened last Friday at the Ibn Sina North Shepherd Community Clinic, located at 5012 N. Shepherd Dr., according to a news release from the Ibn Sina Foundation.

A spokesperson for the Houstonbased public health foundation, which is partnering with CVS Health to run the testing operation, said self-swab tests are being administered by appointment between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Results will be available on-site within approximately 30 minutes, according to the spokesperson. To be eligible for the free tests at North Shepherd Community Clinic, patients must be at least 18 years old and meet certain criteria, including having symptoms of COVID-19 or having had contact with someone who has or is suspected of having the disease. Those who wish to be tested must register in advance by calling 832-426-3760 to schedule a time slot for testing. A personal vehicle is not required. â€œUnfortunately, people in Houston and Harris County are contracting COVID-19 at an alarming rate,

especially in communities of color,â€? U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee said in the news release. â€œâ€Ś This is a crucial time and there is no doubt more COVID-19 testing is needed. That is why I am so proud of the efforts displayed by the Ibn Sina Foundation and CVS Health.â€? As of Tuesday, local health officials had reported a total of 58,480 COVID-19 cases in Houston and Harris County, with the disease having caused at least 560 deaths and 19,129 patients having recovered. In the six zip codes served by The Leader â€” 77007, 77008, 77009, 77018, 77091 and 77092 â€” there have been a total of 3,120 cases of COVID-19 with 22 deaths and 477 recoveries. According to data compiled by the SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council, there were 1,768 COVID-19 patients in Harris County hospitals and 720 in intensive care.

Photo by Adam Zuvanich A worker collects a sample Tuesday at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Sinclair Elementary in Timbergrove Manor.

Other free testing sites in the area include Houston ISDâ€™s Delmar Stadium at 2020 Mangum Rd., where the Houston Health Department is ad-

ministering up to 650 tests per day Monday through Saturday in a drivethrough format. The site is open to anyone, regardless of symptoms, and an access code can be obtained by calling 832-393-4220 between 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Free drive-through testing also is available at the United Memorial Medical Center location at 510 W. Tidwell Rd. between 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekdays. More information is available at 1-866-333-COVID or at ummcscreening.com. The Avenue 360 Health and Wellness testing location at 2150 W. 18th St. is a Federally Qualified Health Center where patients pay what they can afford, based on income and family size, and are not denied services due to lack of insurance or an inability to pay. Call 713-426-0027 for more information. Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich

UIL announces modified schedule for extracurricular activities By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Even though a renowned area marching band wonâ€™t be working together for at least several more months due to COVID-19, its leader still sees an opportunity for growth while theyâ€™re away and believes the time still isnâ€™t quite right to return. â€œWeâ€™re really going to miss that (togetherness) until something changes, but weâ€™re brainstorming ideas for our music students to spend more time on things that we normally would not have the opportunity to work on,â€? Waltrip High School band director Jesse Espinosa said. The continued stoppage comes in the wake of the University Interscholastic Leagueâ€™s Tuesday morning announcement of significant scheduling modifications for sports and extracurricular activities that will impact multiple area schools. The organization also released amended COVID-19 mitigation guidelines that will take effect Aug. 1. One major modification is that the beginning of marching band activi-

ties and curriculum would be pushed back until Sept. 7 per the UIL guidelines â€“ already a major delay for the Ramsâ€™ marching band, which has won dozens of awards and competitions under Espinosaâ€™s direction. And in line with guidelines recently set out by interim superintendent Grenita Lathan that Houston ISD will not hold in-person classes until at least Oct. 19, Espinosa said he is not bolting full speed ahead Sept. 7. He will continue the virtual instruction as has done for the last few months until at least Oct. 19, and even said the virtual work has allowed his students to work on their small chamber groups as well as solo music â€“ which ordinarily might fall by the wayside during marching season. â€œWeâ€™re definitely going to continue to encourage the students and (try to) be a positive light for them to continue to shine on their music and their instruments,â€? he said. â€œThey have great talent that can still be developed and worked on without marching band taking place for the time being.â€? According to the UIL, start dates for the 2020 football and volleyball

seasons have also been pushed back at least a month â€“ volleyball to Sept. 14 and football to the week of Sept. 24 â€“ for schools that compete in Class 6A and 5A. Scarborough High School, which competes in Class 4A, will tentatively be able to begin its fall seasons on time on Aug. 10 for volleyball and Aug. 27 for football. Cross Country and tennis can host meets beginning Aug. 17 for all classifications. However, the new dates will delay the start of the seasons for Waltrip as well as Heights High School. They also push the Ramsâ€™ marching bandâ€™s potential state competition back until at least December. But Espinosa said even though it â€œhurts his heartâ€? that his students cannot be together performing, he knows there is more at stake than a musical or athletic competition as COVID-19 cases continues to surge across the Houston region. â€œI just donâ€™t think anybodyâ€™s health or life is disposable, especially for the sake of having a marching band season or football season,â€? he said. â€œI put more value on seeing my students again. I do miss them, but I know the

right decision was made to keep everyone a safe distance away for now until we can get better control.â€? Schools must require staff to selfscreen and screen visitors for COVID-19 symptoms before they take part in any UIL activities such as band or athletics, or enter areas where UIL activities are being conducted under the new guidelines. Parents must also hold students out of activities if they show any symptoms of the coronavirus, according to the UIL. Schools must also make hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, soap and water, or similar disinfectant readily available inside band halls, locker rooms or any other shared space, and thoroughly sanitize those areas and any shared equipment after each use. The UIL said all employees, parents, visitors and students 10 years of age or older must wear face coverings or face shields upon entry to an area where UIL activities are being conducted if they are not practicing or playing. The UIL also said groups such as marching bands, cheerleaders, drill teams, and other groups approved by the school district may

attend and perform at games or contests, but schools should consider limiting participants to those essential to the performance. â€œOur goal in releasing this plan is to provide a path forward for Texas students and schools,â€? UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said in a news release. â€œWhile understanding situations change and there will likely be interruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we are hopeful this plan allows students to participate in the education-based activities they love in a way that prioritizes safety and mitigates risk of COVID-19 spread.â€? The full updated UIL COVID-19 guidelines can be viewed at uiltexas. org/policy/covid-19/2020-2021-uilcovid-19-risk-mitigation-guidelines. More information such as modified athletics schedules can be found at uiltexas.org/policy/covid-19. â€œI have confidence that weâ€™ll still have a great start to our school year and remain safe,â€? Espinosa said. â€œSo that when we get back together, weâ€™re all back and ready to roar again.â€?

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The Leader • Saturday, July 25, 2020 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Mask up and get down with galleries Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

Are you going crazy to get out of the house and do something? Good news. I am, too, and I found some places and things to do, even now. Let’s be honest. It is the middle of summer and, ordinarily, this is the slow season in the art world. There is nothing normal these days anyway - so let’s have a look at what’s open so you get your art on. Keep in mind, before leaving for adventures in the art world, many places are adopting staggered entries, which means you may need a reservation to get in. Starting at the center of the universe, the Heights, all of your favorite retail shops are open. I don’t think they’ll turn anyone away. Most of the galleries that I checked in on are open, too. Redbud Fine Arts, 303 E. 11th St., has new gallery hours:

noon-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday or by appointment. The gallery is divided into two spaces, East and West. Both exhibits have been extended through Aug. 2. Ryan Baptiste’s exhibition “The Light Beyond The Blight” in the East Gallery and Dixie Friend Gay’s exhibition “Waltz With Water” is in the West Gallery. The gallery’s phone number is 713-854-4246. G Spot Contemporary Art Space, 310 E. 9th St., is open from noon-5 p.m. on Saturdays. The number to call is 713-869-4770. Jack Rabbit Gallery, 228 E 27th St., has resumed its regular hours of 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The number there is 832-991-8113. When social distancing necessitates that only four customers are allowed at a time, count yourself lucky, you’re in the Whimsy Artisan Boutique at 1802 Yale St. Suite E. Arguably the smallest art space in Houston, owners Jessica and Luis Carlos have more than 125 artists’ work in the 250 square foot space! No worries, Misfit Toys, next door will keep you occupied if there’s a line at

Contributed photo Pictured is Johnny Van Slyke Summers’ “Blue Martini With a Twist.”

Whimsy, which can be reached at 281-773-1295. Many galleries have online art now available, too. Visit the Houston Art Gallery Association website, https://www.artgallerieshouston.com, to start your gallery search. Venturing outside our circle of utopia, check out the Bisong Art Gallery, 1305 Sterrett St., in the old warehouse district north of downtown. This

contemporary fine art gallery is open from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Artist Lauren Luna will have a solo exhibit here Sept. 19. Get that on your calendar! The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St., is open! I believe all its properties are open, but check the website, mfah.org, to be sure. I do know that you should buy your ticket in advance for this

one. Walk-ups are welcome, but you may have to wait. If you like museums (and all the cool people do), have a look at this website by the Houston Museum District Association, http://houmuse.org. A little uncertain about being around people? I understand. A drive-by exhibit may be more suitable. Summer Window Series: Ganzeer Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts has a window series with original works by Texas-based artists up through this Saturday. The Moody’s west wall of windows facing College Way, just off Entrance 8 at Stockton Drive, has original works by Ganzeer. Ganzeer’s large-scale project for the Moody, titled “It Takes a Village,” embraces the architecture of the building while explicitly responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The motif of the large-scale hands, in bright colors and different shapes, serves as a metaphor for people coming together during this time of social isolation, anger and despair, and encourages viewers to find new ways of connecting and supporting each other.

Perimeter Art Gallery and framing, at 2365 Rice Blvd. Suite E, is open TuesdaySaturday. Winter Street Studio artist Stacy Nekula Gresell is currently showing. Call 713521-5928 for more information. I got word that Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy St., is by appointment only while Harris County’s COVID-19 threat level is red. The gallery will reopen on Saturdays and Sundays when things go back to code orange. Hardy & Nance Studios, 902 Hardy St., is scheduled to open at the end of August. New hours are three hours per day on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, with those specific hours to be announced. Masks will be required and there will be a limit of 30 people in the 17,000 square foot building. All studios are available for escorted tours or sale assistance. Gallery openings will hang for two weeks, with no big openings. 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: Studewood spot offers laid-back Tex-Mex Zarah Parker Managing Editor

I haven’t eaten on a patio in weeks due to Houston weather. But after arriving at Studewood Cantine recently, I noticed fans on the patio. The fans, plus the breeze that indicated a coming storm, made sitting outside in the middle of the summer bearable. Even though my small group was the only one on the patio, we were never forgotten. We quickly got menus, drinks and chips and salsa. The chips were thin and presalted and since a server continuously brought out a fresh basket every time one would get low, I ate far too many. The red salsa was a little chunky with a hint of sweetness, which probably exuded from the tomatoes and peppers.

My table mates ordered the Original Cantine Queso, which was a blend of four cheeses, asado, molcajete sauce and pico de gallo. They reported that the queso met their satisfaction. The street tacos I ordered came in three different variations: brisket, pulled pork and chicken. The restaurant allows you to mix the tacos instead of just choosing one kind. So since the dish came with three tacos, I asked for one of each. Our food took longer than expected to come out of the kitchen, maybe 30 minutes after we ordered. Still, our server was at our table often, refilling our drinks (and chips). Since we had some food in front of us, most of the group didn’t even notice the wait time. All of our dinner arrived in to-go containers, which along with checking temperatures at the door and paper menus, signified to me that the restaurant took safety precautions during

this pandemic seriously. The rice and refried beans were in the side holders of the container and the tacos were individually wrapped in foil. The beans were mostly smooth with pieces of beans mixed in. The rice was similar to Mexican rice I’ve had that was made from scratch, so I thought it tasted authentic. The tacos all came with cilantro, onion and lime wrapped in a homemade flour tortilla. My first bite was of the pulled pork taco. The meat was thick and reminded me of roast beef, which confused me and made me think I was eating the wrong taco, but when I compared the pulled pork to the brisket, I knew I had been eating the pork. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the taco. I tried the brisket next. The beef was fatty, but instead of it elevating the flavor, I thought it made the meat tough. I quickly moved on to the chicken. The chunks of chicken had

a seared flavor that reminded me of when I cook on a cast iron skillet. It’s a deep flavor that comes from the way it’s cooked rather than what’s put on it. The only qualm I had about the tortillas, which were fresh and warm, was that they began to break open at the bottom while I was holding a taco in my hand. From others in my group, I got positive feedback about the chicken fajitas, chicken quesadillas and tortilla soup. Studewood Cantine Address: 1111 Studewood St. Ste. A Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. Friday - Saturday Pricing: $8 - $35 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: No Star of the show: Chicken taco

Heights coffee concept focuses on education By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Jacob Ibarra wants community members to look beyond their coffee cup and care about where the coffee beans came from and how they were brought into the United States. “If people only think about coffee as that thing, as just their latte, then they’ll never actually really dive any deeper than that,” Ibarra said. “If I can get people thinking about it as a craft, or with some kind of curiosity, then I think we can not only elevate coffee, but have people eventually thinking through the supply chain.” To help cultivate more awareness about coffee and its producers, Ibarra, along with partners Euseng Teo and Donovan McLagan, opened Tenfold Coffee Company at 101 Aurora St. in the Heights, a three-fold concept that debuted last month. Tenfold is a wholesale roaster, café and educational center all in one. Ibarra’s career has revolved around coffee. After graduating from Texas A&M he moved to Costa Rica, which is where he first fell in love with coffee as it’s a producing country and many of the people he lived with had fathers who worked on farms, which gave him the opportunity to occasionally help harvest the beans. He then worked in Seattle at a big independent coffee company where his main role was roasting before moving to Australia to work for a different coffee company where he learned the procuring side of the business. So when he moved back to Houston in 2018 to start Tenfold, Ibarra already had a passion for securing an ethically

Photo by Vincent Mercer of Focused Bloom Photography Tenfold Coffee Company is open at 101 Aurora St. in the Heights.

produced supply chain for coffee beans. “We’re conscious of what’s happening with all the partners in the supply chain because there are three or four hands the coffee changes over,” Ibarra said. “Because of my background I am choosing countries and supply chains that I can follow so I can be sure that no one is taking advantage of the farmers.” Tenfold sources beans from Guatemala, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Burundi and Brazil. Most of the coffees are from farms Ibarra has personally been on or are from producers that Ibarra is familiar with. The highlighting of the supply chain, as well as other coffee education, takes place in the shop’s “lab.” “(The lab) is kind of multifaceted, which I think is unique to this city,” Ibarra said. Ibarra and his team are developing classes for restaurants and wholesale accounts that will broaden their understanding of coffee to a more advanced level. Those classes are under development, but Ibarra is presently teaching free Saturday classes for the public. “I’m rotating between two

different classes. One is ‘Coffees from Around the World,’ and it showcases what is out there,” he said. “I think people assume coffee should taste a certain way, but there’s actually quite a bit happening. On the other end of that is to show how a buyer goes into a country and breaks down a coffee and why they choose one coffee over another.” Ibarra said the class is intended for people to see coffee in a more objective way rather than subjective. The second class Ibarra teaches is “Café Quality at Home,” where he shows people how to make better coffee in their own homes. Ibarra’s big hope is to be able to educate the broader public and elevate the appreciation of coffee. “At the core of it, I don’t want Tenfold to be known as just a café or a cool venue,” Ibarra said. “We’re coffee professionals and I want to demonstrate that. The easiest way to do that is to showcase some of the intentionality and the craft behind the drink.” If the public wants to be educated on a coffee subject, Ibarra wants to know. For example, he’s already had cus-

tomers asking for a class on cold brew coffee. “That’s what I want. I want to be a resource,” Ibarra said. Tenfold is a launching pad to create a brand of concepts. Ibarra’s travel experience has allowed him to see different perspectives concerning coffee, and he wants to bring those perspectives to Houston. Ibarra already has three concept ideas, all different than Tenfold, that he wants to bring into the city. But for now, those are under wraps.

Photo by Zarah Parker Pictured are the pulled pork, brisket and chicken street tacos with Mexican rice and refried beans from Studewood Cantine.

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Food Briefs: Twisted Grilled Cheese to open brick-and-mortar By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

The food truck known for putting a twist on grilled cheese sandwiches will open its first brick-and-mortar outpost at 5555 Washington Ave. From a five-cheese sandwich to a smoked brisket sandwich, Twisted Grilled Cheese has an abundance of cheesy options along with a vegan sandwich. According to a Facebook post made by Twisted on July 6, the restaurant is expected to open in the fall of this year. The food truck will continue operations. All-day café to open at M-K-T Heights development Homestead Kitchen & Bar, an allday café that focuses on brunch and lunch options, is currently under con-

Oak Dr. According to Community Impact Newspaper, the bar will be bourbonfocused, with a broad selection of American whiskeys, cocktails and wines.

struction at its home within the MK-T Heights development at 600 N. Shepherd Dr. Ste. 440. Homestead’s menu will reflect Houston’s diverse culture with TexMex dishes, Louisiana flavors and Southern influences. Patrons will be able to grab a coffee in the morning and margarita in the evening, or stop by for brunch and order a Bloody Mary or Irish Coffee. Coffee shop with fitness focus to open in the Heights Active Passion will combine health and wellness and a traditional coffee shop at its upcoming Heights location at 802 Usener St. The shop will have the setting of a traditional coffee house, but also feature health-focused foods and drinks. New whiskey bar coming to

Facebook Photo Twisted Grilled Cheese’s Halal Philly Cheesesteak, 5 Cheese Classic and Smokehouse Brisket Grilled Cheese.

White Oak Drive Permission Whiskey & Service is under construction at 2920 White

than transformation. Change the things you cannot accept.” On July 12, two days after Gibbs’ death, Treash said about 450 people participated in an online grief session through a Zoom call. He said the church also is hosting a virtual “homegoing service” for Gibbs at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. Treash said the congregation is “still in shock” about Gibbs, whose loss has been felt well beyond her church, the surrounding area and even Houston. Gibbs’ death has been reported by news outlets such as CNN, MSNBC and The New York Times. Among those who have posted in a public Facebook group set up in Gibbs’ honor – called “Remembering Our Beloved Rev. Vickey Gibbs” – is a woman from the Boston area

who said she was touched by Gibbs’ story. “Vickey showed us how to live, she taught us how to give and she guided us with the light of love,” another supporter wrote in the Facebook group. “She truly was an angel among us.” Treash described Gibbs as a quiet introvert by nature, but said her words at the pulpit were powerful and commanded attention. She also was known for welcoming people who had dealt with hardships or been marginalized and helping them grow spiritually. “She let people know that she could meet them where they were, but she planned to walk with them forward,” Treash said. “She would grab you by the hand, even if you fell down, and stay with you and help you keep moving forward. She was full of grace.”

Hospitals, from P. 1A were 97.6 percent full as of Tuesday, with nearly half of those patients being confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, according to data compiled by the SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council. There were a total of 1,768 COVID-19 patients in Harris County hospitals and 720 in intensive care. There were more than 800 COVID-19 patients at Memorial Hermann facilities on Tuesday, according to a health system spokesperson. Hamilton said the Greater Heights hospital is among the locations “getting hit particularly hard,” which has forced the hospital to bring in extra staff and extra beds to meet the demand. “We are in the peak of the surge,” Hamilton said. Hamilton said she and her colleagues are finding

that the source of many new COVID-19 infections are small gatherings among family members or friends who are not practicing adequate social distancing or wearing masks when grouped together. She said those kinds of environments are just as risky as traveling or social settings. While realizing that Houstonians may be “getting fatigued” in terms of distancing themselves from others and taking safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Hamilton said it’s important for the community to remain vigilant. “We really want to stress that it’s too soon to stop,” Hamilton said. “It’s too soon to stop social distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands. This virus is very prevalent.”

and @houstonmuralspot, and management districts including Greater East End Management District, Midtown Management District, Arts District Houston, and Greater Northside Management District. Local artists who helped are the Hue Mural Festival, Amy Malkan, Anat Ronen, Armando Castelan, Donkeeboy, Sylvia Roman (Donkeemom), Jesse De Leon, Jessica Rice, Nicky Davis, Reginald Adams, Sebastien “MrD1987” Boileau and Shelbi Nicole. The map is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, with a Let Creativity Happen Digital Grant, 2020.

The fiscal sponsor is Fresh Arts. Mini-mural artist Jessica Padilla, the creator of several murals in the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest area, is a big fan of the virtual map. “Having photos and locations of murals compiled into one website makes it so much easier for me to share my work with family and friends that I don’t live near enough to take myself,” she said. “Especially right now during the pandemic, taking the kids out for a drive to discover new, local art would be a fun activity.”

Murals, from P. 1A the map will set people out to view them by vehicle, bike or on foot. The site also includes a form to submit additional murals and artist information for the map. “These murals are the creative face of Houston – and they make our city streets so much more lively, colorful, human and uplifting,” Elia Quiles said. Added Noah Quiles: “We’re excited to give the community this map, so that everyone can share our passion about murals.” To create the online map, UP Art Studio worked with website developer Alex Barber, mural hunters El Muralcho, @colors_on_hou

Ume to open at Barnaby’s former place A new sushi concept is gearing up to open in the former Barnaby’s space at 2802 White Oak Dr. According to Eater Houston, the restaurant will have a reservationonly dining room that seats 60, along with a bar area and dining area that seats 30 reserved for walk-ins.

Ross, from P. 1A

Gibbs, from P. 1A

and Harris County health officials had reported a total of 58,480 COVID-19 cases among residents, with the disease having caused at least 560 deaths and 19,129 patients having recovered. In the six zip codes served by The Leader – 77007, 77008, 77009, 77018, 77091 and 77092 — there have been a total of 3,120 cases of COVID-19 with 22 deaths and 477 recoveries. The numbers of cases and deaths in the area have nearly doubled during the last three weeks. “We need to stay ahead of this,” said Dr. David Persse of the Houston Health Department. “You may not know anybody who’s sick. You may not know anybody who’s died … yet.” Intensive care units in Harris County hospitals

Houston Restaurant Weeks line-up for 2020 Houston Restaurant Weeks (HRW) is a month-long fundraiser, from Aug. 1-Sept. 2, benefiting the Houston Food Bank that includes specially priced lunches, brunches and dinners from restaurants all over the Greater Houston area. According to the Houston Restaurant Weeks website, participating restaurants make donations directly to the Houston Food Bank depending on how many brunches, lunches and dinners they sell during the event. The restaurants included in the first draft of the HRW list, which will

continue to be updated until August, are BB’s Tex-Orleans, 2701 White Oak Dr.; Cadillac Bar, 1802 Shepherd Dr.; Common Bond Bistro, 449 W. 19th St.; Cyclone Anaya’s, 1710 Durham Dr.; Down House, 1801 Yale St.; Harold’s Restaurant & Taproom, 350 W. 19th St.; Kin Dee Thai Cuisine, 1533 N. Shepherd Dr.; Mastrantos, 927 Studewood St.; Max’s Wine Dive, 4720 Washington Ave.; Rainbow Lodge, 2011 Ella Blvd.; and Urban Eats, 3414 Washington Ave.

he had tried at least 10 times to get on “America’s Got Talent” and similar reality shows for prospective entertainers, including “American Idol,” “Nashville Star,” “The Voice” and “X Factor.” But he never made it to the point where he had the chance to sing in front of a show’s celebrity judges. Ross said he learned from each of those previous experiences, taking note of some of the feedback he received while fine-tuning his vocals, delivery and song selection. He also remained confident in himself and his singing ability, which he had been honing since shortly after attending that Shania Twain concert as a kid. “I never gave up on it in that sense,” he said. “I didn’t take it personally if it didn’t work out that time. I knew that if it was meant to work out, it would eventually.” Ross got a taste of being a performer while growing up in Oak Forest, playing events around Houston and in small East Texas towns when he was in middle school and high school. Among those gigs was singing outside of the former Grace Hart & Co. antique store, which is now AG Antiques, on 19th Street

in the Heights. Ross made a record as a 17-year-old, an achievement that was highlighted in The Leader. “I was the bus driver through it all. We had some fun, that’s for sure,” Kalinowsky-Martinez said. “We’d load up the car on a Saturday morning, early, hit a gig Saturday night and drive back that night. He has an older sister and a younger sister, and the younger sister would make sure he had hits boots and his hat.” Ross’ blossoming career hit a standstill, though, and he said he took a hiatus from music for a few years in his early 20s after attending college at Texas A&M. He said he took that time to “figure out who I was as a person,” including being openly gay. His sexual orientation led to some roadblocks in the country music scene, Ross said during the July 14 episode of “America’s Got Talent,” which also contributed to his break from playing gigs. His mother said Ross moved to Oklahoma and then Dallas, where he resides now, working in the hotel industry and also coaching youth volleyball teams.

Ross started to pursue his country music dream again a few years ago, and now becoming a big-time performer is a realistic possibility. He said he hopes to inspire others to chase their goals, overcome their obstacles and remain true to themselves. He said he looks up to Ty Herndon, a country musician who came out as gay in 2014, as well as Kacey Musgraves, Keith Whitley and Chris Young. Another one of Ross’ idols is country music icon George Strait, who made his first studio recording in the Heights. Ross also was inspired by Twain, who he saw as a young boy thanks to some generous neighbors in Oak Forest. “I would absolutely love to be that kind of (role model) for someone out there like me or in the same situation, to make sure they don’t give up on dreams like this,” Ross said. “I would hope that after people see my story that they can be encouraged to go for whatever they’d like to do and not let themselves or anything slow them down.” Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich

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