The Leader • Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 • Page 1B
Teahouse to open at Ella Oaks by December By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Sean Shi and wife Kasey Chen have been franchise owners of the Teahouse, Tapioca & Tea in Bellaire for almost three years. Now they have signed a lease to open their second location at the Ella Oaks Center at Ella Boulevard and West 34th Street, in the space recently occupied by Branché Boutique. According to the corporate website, the United States’ first Teahouse location opened inside Houston’s Hong Kong City Mall in April 2000. It was the first traditional Taiwanese cream teahouse in the Houston area. Now there are almost 20 in Houston and the surrounding area, including one in the Heights on Yale Street. Shi said the couple had been looking for a location in the Oak Forest/Garden Oaks area
for more a year. Their needs were specific. At the Bellaire location, they get a lot of afterschool foot traffic from Bellaire High School and Shi is hoping for the same student business from Waltrip High School. “There’s a line of students (after Bellaire gets out),” Shi said, noting the free Wi-Fi attracts kids with their laptops to do homework or meet with a study group. The Teahouse menu runs the gamut, with tea, coffee, smoothies and slushies as well as finger foods like sweet potato fries, popcorn chicken and fried egg rolls. Chen said their younger customers like the smoothies. The Mangonada, a spicy Mango slushy, is a current favorite. Shi said they use their own tea manufacturer from Taiwan and use a tea press to blend and prepare the tea.
Contributed photo Sean Shi, left, and wife Kasey Chen plan to open the Teahouse in the Ella Oaks shopping center by December.
Customers can customize their drinks with several different sugar options, or none. They can also choose a “sinker” to be added to a beverage for extra flavor. Sinkers range from aloe vera to ice cream. Shi and Chen said their ingredients are natural and all fresh. While the Bellaire location is 1,000 square feet, the new location is a little bit smaller at 1,000 square feet. Shi said they aim to open by December but need to build a kitchen first. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bellaire location is only open for takeout and delivery, for the safety of guests and employees. Shi said their grand opening in Oak Forest will have a number of specials and promotions. There is a Teahouse loyalty program for frequent customers. The couple commutes from Sugar Land, and another rea-
son for selecting their new location was that it would be easy to get to from Bellaire. Shi is from China and Chen is Taiwanese. They met in the U.S. and married 20 years ago. According to Shi, they complement each other in their business. “She is the heart, (and) I am the soul,” he said, explaining that Chen is in charge of everything inside of the store while he does maintenance, bookkeeping and other administrative duties. “We have been talking to the Teahouse for years about having a presence on the corner of Ella and 34th,” said Monica Danna of Revive, the developer that owns and operates the shopping center. “Once an opportunity opened up they were the first operator we called. We feel they will be a great mix to the Ella Oaks center.”
Business Briefs: Covington joins The Craig Group By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Of all the decisions to be made when planning your estate, there are two big mistakes to avoid — failing to plan and failing to update your plan. For those who have previously planned, the good news is that you haven’t needed your plan yet. That said, you can’t completely set it and forget it. There are certain events that should prompt a review of the decisions previously made. 1. Law Changes Whenever there is a change in the law, whether it relates to taxes, powers of attorney, or medical directives, it’s worth ensuring that the change will not affect your current situation. 2. Life Circumstance Changes As life goes on, the objects of your affection may also grow and change. Perhaps you’ve had additional children or grandchildren. Maybe you have new in-laws, or have recently experienced a divorce or the death of a loved one. It’s also possible that you’ve become more charitably inclined. Whatever the change, it’s important to make sure your choices reflect exactly who you want included, and excluded, as appropriate. 3. Moving to Another State The laws governing estates are state-specific, not federal, so it’s important to ensure that the plan you have remains valid, and has been updated if necessary. 4. Asset or Liability Changes Have you have acquired a new asset, such as a home or business, or sold something since last executing an estate plan? If so, it’s important to consider how any new holdings or liabilities may affect who you want to receive your estate and how they will receive it. 5. Beneficiary Designations Become Outdated A common misconception is that your will or living trust will direct where your entire estate goes, but such is not the case. Contractual-based assets such as retirement accounts, life insurance policies and annuities pass according to the person listed on your beneficiary designation forms. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that those designations are current. Moreover, if you’ve included any minors as primary or contingent beneficiaries, make sure your plan is set up so that they will receive their inheritance in the appropriate manner since minors cannot legally own any assets. 6. Executors or Trustees Become Inappropriate Even when you’ve previously carefully
Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713-588-5744.
WEBINAR DETAILS: Title: Wine & Wills Cost - Free Date - Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 Time - 4:30 p.m. Can’t make it? - All registrants receive a replay To Register - Email Jennifer@ solaklegal.com considered who will serve in these important positions, it’s time to reflect on whether those choices still make sense. Have children grown up and are now capable to serve in these more critical roles in your estate plan? Perhaps the people you chose have since aged, moved, or passed away and can no longer assume the role they once could. Determine who in your life is the best choice for these positions today. To learn more about how estate planning may help your family, please join Solak Legal’s next FREE online event, Wine & Wills, on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 4:30 p.m. A replay will be provided to all registered participants. Email Jennifer@solaklegal.com to register. The information in this column, which was sponsored by Solak Legal as part of The Leader Expert Series, is intended to provide a general understanding of the law and not legal advice. Readers with legal questions should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713-588-5744.
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Local coffee business gives back The Patriot Knife project started with veteran Chris McLean working out of his garage building presentation knives that he donated, first to veteran and first-responder organizations for fundraising and later other causes, to auction for fundraisers. Now McLean has started a coffee business, which he hopes will also help those in need. “Right now many organizations have had to cancel their gatherings and fundraisers due to the pandemic and they’re hurting,” McLean said. “It doesn’t matter how many presentation knives I build, because they aren’t having auctions to sell them.” Last October, the idea started as a way to honor McLean’s
t o
Houston Restaurant Week extended through September Houston Restaurant Weeks announced Monday that the event has been extended through the end of September.
It was originally scheduled to end this upcoming Monday, Sept. 7. “I am humbled and in awe of what has happened for restaurants here in Houston this past month,” organizer Katie Stone said in a news release. “HRW came this year at a time that could not have been more
p l a c e
at KPMG and Fulbright & Jaworski.
1423 Tulane, $1.8 Mil. Amanda Anhorn, 713.256.5123
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middle-market private equity fund, and at an industry-leading investment bank. Her background includes leading the marketing function at Doggett Industries, The CapStreet Group, and Simmons & Company. Earlier in her career, Covington held marketing management roles
Contributed photo Local resident Chris McLean is selling different coffee blends to support different organizations.
P R O P E R T I E S
Contributed photo Libby Covington recently joined The Craig Group as a partner.
GREENWOOD KING
Shepherd Park Plaza’s Libby Covington recently joined The Craig Group as a partner. The Craig Group is a digital marketing agency with a focus on return on investment and revenue generation from paid media. The firm offers executive insight to companies and agencies by serving as the outsourced media strategy and execution solution, shaping innovative and accountable marketing plans. Covington has more than 25 years of experience in strategic marketing and business development. She has spent most of her career in building and implementing strategies to drive revenue growth in businesses. She led the formation and development of the marketing function in a $1.5 billion dealership group, at a
crucial, and I am so inspired and so grateful to be able to continue my mother’s cause of feeding families in Houston.” Stone’s late mother, Cleverley Stone, founded Houston Restaurant Weeks 17 years ago. According to the release, the decision came in response to the “positive economic impact” the fundraising event has had on restaurants hard hit by COVID-19. The motto for this year is “Take Out and Do Good” instead of “Dine Out and Do Good.” Each meal purchased will result in $1 being donated to the Houston Food Bank. This amount is smaller than in previous years, but Houston Restaurants Works said it gives more restaurants the opportunity to participate and gives much-needed support to them, too.
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See Business Briefs, P. 2B
Page 2B • Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 • The Leader
HYLA wins state, national awards By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
The Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA) was recently recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division and Texas Young Lawyers Association with nine state and national awards for programming events held during the 2019-20 league year. “Everything was kind of delayed with COVID, so we just kind of forgot about it and knew it would come up at some point,” HYLA president Samantha Torres said. “I got
the results for the ABA, and since I was in a deposition I really couldn’t fully break into celebration yet. “Then as I was talking to (Executive Director Lucy Fisher-Cain, an Oak Forest resident), the Texas Young Lawyers award came through. It was just pure joy and satisfaction to show that all of our hard work paid off.” The organization received awards for programs such as “Passport to Fitness,” “First Generation Attorneys,” “Business Etiquette Happy Hour,” “Night at the Alley,” and its inaugural “Uncorked” wine tasting. The organization, which
includes about 100 or so members from Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and the Heights, hosted 80 in-person events on which it was judged before many events went virtual due to COVID-19. “Our goal is always to leave the organization in a better place than we found it,” Torres said. “This was just the cherry on top of everything that we did.” The complete listing of awards is below: American Bar Association YLD – Local Division B * 1st Place: Comprehensive * 1st Place: Service to the
Bar – Passport to Fitness * 1st Place: Diversity – First Generation Attorneys * 1st Place: HYLA Newsletter * Overall prize for Outstanding Service to the Bar for “Passport to Fitness” Texas Young Lawyers Association – Large City Division * 1st Place: Comprehensive * 1st Place: Service to the Bar – Passport to Fitness * 1st Place: Diversity – First Generation Attorneys * 2nd Place: HYLA Newsletter
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Business Briefs, from P. 1B late sister, Donna, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She did not want McLean to host a fundraiser for her but asked him to do something for children or an animal organization. McLean decided he wanted his coffee business to have different blends that would benefit different organizations, starting with Texas Children’s Hospital’s neonatal ICU, where one of Donna’s sons needed care as a premature baby. “The blend of coffee I’m using - Donna’s Delight Millionaire Blend - reminds me of the millionaire candy my sister made us for Christmas every year,” he said. “The coffee has notes of roasted pecans, caramel and vanilla.” There are other brands, too, as well as other organizations McClean wants to support. “I’m using my presentation knife’s name as the name of my coffee since many know of it,” he said. For more information, visit www.patriotknifecoffee.com. M-K-T signs two boutiques M-K-T has announced two new tenants at its development in the Heights, Common Assembly and June & Co. Common Assembly is a Houston-based online women’s clothing retailer that will open its first brick-and-mortar store. The clothing and accessories company touts its ethical manufacturing principles and eco-conscious approach to clothing on its website. The company uses a planet icon for products featuring sustainable fabrics. June & Co. has a location already in Rice Village at 2470 Times Blvd. and was originally known as Graceanna’s Boutique. A former Graceanna employee, Annie Patten, purchased the boutique with the help of her grandmother, June. Patten said she has been in retail for 17 years and customer service has always been important to her. “My customers are some of my best friends,” she said. “They come because I’m honest and always help them find what they need. And I only hire and train my staff to do the same.” Patten said the new location is ideal because it is easily accessible. “The variety of businesses that will be there (makes it) a great place for everyone,” she said. “We knew we wanted to be in the Heights and this turned out to be the perfect spot. We hope to open by Oct. 15.” FLYE After School Jessi Heiner, who owns FLYE After School, said the program will look different this year, but it is committed to offering parents affordable support. “With (Houston ISD) starting school all virtual, we are unable host FLYE After School at Wainwright Elementary, so we have moved enrichment classes online,” Heiner said.
Feel like your business is being held back?
“All classes start the week of Sept. 8 and run for six weeks.” Heiner said they are offering three classes to start Step, Deal with the Feels and Mindful Movements. If there is more demand, they will add more. Step is a form of percussive dance in which the participant’s entire body is used as an instrument to produce rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, chants, and hand claps. Deal with the Feels is designed to help children identify and respond to feelings through art, writing and discussion. All supplies will be delivered prior to the start of class. Mindful Movements will teach children and families different ways to connect and calm their body with their mind through breathing exercises, stretches, body poses and social interaction with friends. Sponsor a Child gives community members the opportunity to sponsor the class fee for a child in need. FLYE works closely with local elementary schools to identify families that could benefit from a scholarship for virtual enrichment. “We know this will be a difficult school year, and we want to help parents any way we can,” Heiner said. “We know budgets are tight right now, so we are happy to accommodate payment schedules as well as do everything we can to afford scholarships to families in need.” More information can be found at flyeafterschool.com/ virtual or on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @flyeafterschool.
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The Leader • Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 • Page 3B
Why does your dog Memorial Hermann loosens hump other dogs? restrictions on patient visitors
Dear Do the Humpty Hump, No need to worry. What your dog is doing is normal and probably isn’t any indication of a botched spay or other issue. In fact, neutered males and spayed females often hump other dogs for a variety of reasons. Sure, it can be really embarrassing when your parents come over and your dogs engage in a little “humpty hump” in the middle of the living room, but what’s going on is normal and usually harmless.
humping maneuver to communicate. Oftentimes, dogs hump one another to determine their place in a pack. A dog might mount another just to gauge the dog’s reaction. If the other dog allows the behavior, then the “mounter” can assume that he or she is dominant over the “mountee.” However, if the “mountee” growls or shows aggression toward the “mounter,” this can be a sign of who’s boss in the relationship. Playtime: Many dogs hump each other when feeling playful. Unlike many humans, dogs don’t feel any embarrassment about sexual behaviors. They often engage in humping during playtime, just as they might play tug of war with another dog or wrestle. Excitement: You might have noticed that your dog humps other dogs when she is excited. Oftentimes, the arrival of a new person into the home, mealtime or a trip to the park will cause a dog to go into a humping behavior.
Why do dogs hump? Sexual reasons aside, both males and females use the
Humping humans While you might be able to tolerate your dog humping
Dear Tabby, Our spayed female dog sometimes humps our other dog. We were curious to know why she does this and if we should be concerned? Do the Humpty Hump in The Heights
another dog, things get pretty weird when your dog begins to hump you or another human. Typically, your dog is practicing the same communication methods with you when she tries to hump you. Either she’s attempting to work out the pecking order or she’s feeling playful. Either way, this behavior shouldn’t be encouraged. Putting the kibosh on humping While your dog’s humping likely isn’t causing any problems, it can be embarrassing to deal with. Consider doing some training with your dog to help break the humping habit. If she begins humping, redirect her with a toy and engage her in a game of fetch or tug of war. It’s also important to make sure that your dog is getting good exercise. Too much pent-up energy can lead to excessive humping behaviors, so try to get her active and see if that doesn’t help the humping situation.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Despite the continued presence of COVID-19 in the Greater Houston region, Memorial Hermann Health System is allowing a slightly increased number of patient visitors. Beginning Monday, Memorial Hermann began allowing one visitor per patient per day at its hospitals, including Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital at 1635 N. Loop W. Memorial Hermann’s daily visiting hours are from 9 a.m.8 p.m., which also applies to
TIRR Memorial Hermann Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Clinic and Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Hospital-Katy. Children’s Memorial Hermann will allow two visitors (18 and over) per patient per day. Additional stipulations from the new policy include: - No overnight visitors allowed. - No visitors will be allowed for any patient in isolation. - Visitors may utilize hospital cafeterias and cafés. As of Monday afternoon, there were 106,595 cases of COVID-19 in Houston and Harris County, according to
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health officials. At least 1,335 people have died from the disease, while 89,229 patients have recovered. “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,” Memorial Hermann 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.”
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Page 4B • Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 • The Leader
HHA presents volunteer awards, improvement awards by Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernws.com
When Kevin Chenevert bought a house in 2003, the Heights was the neighborhood where he knew he wanted to live. It was only natural that he would begin volunteering with the Houston Heights Association (HHA) as a way to give back to the community. “I felt it was time to step up to the plate,” Chenevert said. He started volunteering six years ago at events, then two years later he started to serve on the board of directors. In 2019, Chenervert served as president and is now about to start another three-year term on the board of the association. Though Chenervert said the role of president calls for a lot of selfless work, he never expected to be presented with the Citizen of the Year award as part of the HHA’s 2019 Volunteer Appreciation Awards. “It was pretty weird. I just thought I was doing my job. It was a real honor. I wasn’t’ expecting it at all,” Chenervert said. “It’s nice to be recognized.” Chenevert said the Heights is special in the way it allows you to really give back and get involved with your community. “I’m just a person who wanted to make my neighborhood a little better,” Chenevert said. Usually the volunteer appreciation awards are given at a dinner, earlier in the year, but due to the pandemic it was cancelled. Instead the association recently announced the 10 volunteer honorees and 2019 Community Improvement Awards via newsletter and social media. Sharon Dearman with the HHA said they chose to honor these volunteers because almost everything the association does is done by volunteers. “We count on our neighbors to put on events to bring our neighbors together,” Dearman said. “We really are a small town in a big city.” In addition to the Citizen
of the Year awards, nine other volunteer awards were handed out. Corporate Citizen of the Year went to Eureka Heights Brew Co. Evan Camp was specifically recognized for ensuring Eureka Heights’ beers were at every event HHA held last year. The Marcela Perry Award, given to a Heights’ resident who is considered to be a key volunteer and contributor to events and activities, was presented to Rich Anhorn. The President’s Award, presented by Chenevert, went to Keith Crane, who was the VP of finance. Melvalene Cohen, a charter member of the HHA, was presented with the Pioneer Award. The Rising Star award was given to JoAnn Alanis and Jason Starr. Donna Bennett was presented with the Legacy Award, which is a new award that was created as a way to recognize someone who has already received existing awards but continue to give their time to the neighborhood. The Tireless Champion Award was present to Linda Eyles and the Spirit of the Heights went to Andrea Hellyer. The HHA improvement awards are given to recognize recent constructions and renovation, done in the years 2017-19, that improved the community. The Residential New Construction Award was presented to Jim and Veronica Harrison for their home on Arlington Street because it aligns with the street’s existing historic bungalows. The Residential Renovation Award was presented to Brandon and Keleigh Krueger for their home on Cortlandt Street for renovating their 100-year-old house back to its former glory. The Commercial New Construction Award was given to Braun Enterprises for the Heights Waterworks development and the Commercial Renovation Award went to Radom Capitol for the Lowell Street Market development. Follow us on social media @ FromTheLeader
Contributed photo Kevin Chenervert was given the Houston Heights Association’s Citizen of the Year award.
Contributed photo HHA Vice President of Finance Keith Crane poses with his plaque after receiving the President’s Award.
Contributed photo Melvalene Cohen, right, poses with former Leader publisher Terry Burge after being presented with the HHA’s Pioneer Award.
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