The Leader • Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 • Page 1B
Transformation continues at Houston Farmers Market By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Three-and-a-half years ago, revamping the Houston Farmers Market was an idea. Last year, the transformation started to take shape. Now the vision of Fred Baca, Jeff Lindenberger and Todd Mason – who comprise MLB Capital Partners and purchased the 18-acre property in May 2017 – is coming to life. Mason recently provided a tour of the under-construction farmers market, which has operated since 1942 at 2025 Airline Dr. on the northeast side of the Heights, and said the bulk of the work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Interior buildouts for a group of new tenants will follow, with the new-and-improved market slated to be fully operational in 2021. “It’s nice to be able to go out there and be able to actually see it,” Mason said. “I guess in our minds, we’ve always been able to see it, but it was hard to get everybody else to see what it was going to be. To actually see structures in the air is exciting.” The ongoing project, which Mason said figures to cost in excess of $35 million, will add parking spaces, sidewalks, landscaping and a dedicated green space to the longtime community gathering place. There also
Contributed photo MLB Capital Partners’ Todd Mason, background, leads a recent tour of the under-construction Houston Farmers Market at 2025 Airline Dr.
will be about 10 restaurants, including two concepts from Underbelly Hospitality and James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, who has served as a consultant for the market transformation.
One Underbelly restaurant will be full-service and the other fast-casual. Also recently announced is the addition of R-C Ranch Texas Craft Meats, a Brazoria County-based butcher shop that will feature glass walls
so market visitors can see meat being cut. Mason said a series of counter-service, street foodtype vendors will operate under a 40-foot tall, open-air pavilion that will feature fans and serve as the centerpiece
of the market. “That’s going to be a really cool space,” he said. Mason said another one of his favorite features of the new-look market will be its multiple access points, which gives the impression
that there is not a front or back of the property. The side facing Airline Drive to the west could be considered the front, like it always has, but the largest parking area will be in the southeast corner of the market near the green space, which is accessible from Service Street. Other entry points will be from Angeline Street to the east and Sylvester Road to the north. A building with refrigeration that houses wholesale vendors, which runs along the north side of the property, is among a few buildings that are remaining intact during construction. Mason said some of those wholesalers have continued to operate, as have many of the produce vendors and retailers that have become synonymous with the market over the years. Mason said there are 3035 existing vendors at the market, and the goal is to have a total of 60-65. Their products and services will run the gamut in terms of quality and affordability, so higher-end and lower-end vendors will operate at the same market. “That’s been the goal and the challenge from Day 1 is to make sure we make this a place for all of Houston – culturally and economically,” Mason said. Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich
Business Briefs: ‘Calm Crusaders’ helps kids with anxiety By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Catalyst Counseling’s owner and practitioner, Barbie Atkinson, said the anxiety prevention and anxiety management program for children offered by her and her clinicians is now being offered online. The six-week program named Calm Crusaders is for children ages 8-12, no more than eight at a time, to meet with counselors for a group session. The sessions are part Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and part hands-on, fun activities. “This work was born out of my work with adults and working with their inner children,” Atkinson said. “I created this group to work with children in order to demystify and normalize anxiety and arm them with tools. Most importantly, teaching that emotions are not to be avoided and can be worked through.” Catalyst previously offered the program after school at public and private schools. After COVID-19 prevented meeting in person, Catalyst counselor Sandra Wilson helped conceptualize delivery of the program through
Zoom. “We have delineated the week’s themes and (Wilson) mails out supplies to the children that will be participating,” Atkinson said. “Being able to continue to serve and tend to our children’s social emotional learning (SEL) has been paramount, specifically since this has been a rough patch for children and their caregivers. We have even excitedly been in all time zones due to the ease of virtual setups.” Garden Oaks resident Dr. Valerie Morgan of University of Houston-Clear Lake has partnered with Catalyst to study the effectiveness of the program and its utility as a school-based mental health intervention for kids. Catalyst has also piloted a “Teen Calm” group for ages 13-16. For more information, visit www.catalyst-counseling. com. GeekLife closes brickand-mortar location Angel Smith, the owner of GeekLife at 728 W. 20th St., announced on social media the business would not be renewing its lease. Standing pre-orders were honored and a pickup will be coordinated
existing location on Highway 249. It will replace Signature Smiles, which closed abruptly in January after practice founder Dr. Terry Lee filed for bankruptcy in December 2019. Heights Retail Center leasing on Shepherd Streetwise Retail Investors
Fitness with a
Home entertainment sparks area business By Betsy Denson When COVID-19 closed schools and museums in the spring, Oak Forest’s Erin Clayton had a 3-year-old at home to educate and entertain. Her solution for keeping her son engaged has turned into a growing business called PEACE Play Kits. “We were working on the pre-school (curriculum) but home is his ‘play zone’ so I knew I had to get creative,” Clayton said. “I was struggling to find activities and games to keep my child engaged, which is why I decided to create a better sensory bin, one that was engaging but also educational.” When the first bin kept Parker’s attention for over an hour Clayton knew she was on to something. Because she had bought materials in bulk, Clayton asked if anyone on the Oak Forest Parents Facebook page wanted the extras. “That night I had 30 messages,” she said. “I knew I had to keep this going.” When Clayton was trying to decide what to call the kits, she started writing down words that described what they had to offer.
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future. This is not the end of GeekLife. It is merely the beginning of a metamorphosis.” Everything left in the store is on sale. All items are first come, first served. Smile Squad to replace Signature Smiles on Shepherd Smile Squad, a full-service, family owned dental office, will open at 3800 N. Shepherd Dr. The business also has an
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Contributed photo Sandra Wilson, center in background, poses with a group of students from Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet.
with anyone who purchased products arriving after Nov. 30. “While we plan to be able to honor gift cards when we are on the other side of this, we cannot guarantee when that will be, so be sure to use your gift cards in person or online before Nov. 30,” Smith said. “I am reevaluating our business model and hope to make some exciting announcements in the near
released marketing information for a new construction building they call Heights Retail Center fronting 2222 N. Shepherd Dr., adjacent to the H-E-B. The 6,137 square foot building is marketed to retail and medical clients. For information and leasing rates, contact Ed Page at epage@streetwiseretail.com.
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Contributed photo Oak Forest resident Erin Clayton launched a business called PEACE Play Kits, which provide education and entertainment to children.
“I landed on the name PEACE Play Kits, which stands for Pretend. Explore. Achieve. Create. Engage,” she said. “My kits are sensory-based but always include educational elements that tie into the theme of the kit.” Clayton has several options for sale, including a Fall Play Kit Collection, a Birthday Play Kit Collection and Sensory Bases and Fillers. She is pre-
miering her Christmas box at a pop-up event with the children’s boutique Threadfare on Nov. 14. Threadfare also sells PEACE Play Kits. Kits include a sensory bin container and a sensory base, which varies depending on the kit but could include colored rice, colored chickpeas and moon sand. There are also See PEACE Play, P. 4B
Page 2B • Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 • The Leader
Common Bond uses novel investment approach By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
When Common Bond’s CEO George Joseph started planning for his newest drive-through concept at 3210 N. Shepherd Dr., his landlord, Revive Development, shared information about a unique funding model. Houston-based NextSeed, a micro investment platform, started five years ago when a change in the law allowed a crowdfunding model for capital investment. Investors can invest – either with an individual account, an investment entity or a new selfdirected IRA – as little as $200 and as much as $107,000 to a curated selection of pre-vetted businesses. The NextSeed website states that just 3 percent of applicants are approved to launch an offering on the platform. “Common Bond is a perfect fit for NextSeed, and for Garden Oaks,” Revive’s Monica Danna said. “A known, local business choosing to expand into our neighborhood is a great opportunity for residents to take part in the growth of our community.” Although for his five previous restaurants Joseph used more traditional methods of financing, he said he was sold on the idea of using NextSeed for a portion of the funding on the Garden Oaks project to garner awareness and support in the neighborhood. In a video on his NextSeed offerings page, Joseph said investors who contribute to the $100,000 goal would fund the renovation of the former Kim’s Service Station into the second on-the-go concept for Common Bond. The first is at 601 Heights Blvd. There is also a Common Bond Bistro & Bakery in the Waterworks development at 449 W. 19th St., Ste #B-100. One of the garage bays will be the drive-through with pickup around back. Joseph said in the video that the inside of the auto repair shop will be converted into “a great café bistro feeling with a large patio.” The interest rate is 14 per-
Contributed artist’s rendering The above image depicts an outdoor patio at the Common Bond location planned for 3210 N. Shepherd Dr.
cent, paid back within 48 months. Joseph said he thinks of the generous return as part of his marketing budget. Investors also get a T-shirt, name recognition in the restaurant and an invitation to the grand opening party. And as Joseph tells investors, they “become a member of the Common Bond family.” Abe Chu, co-founder of NextSeed, said when it got started it worked mostly with brick-and-mortar businesses, and in 2019 when the company obtained a broker-dealer license it began to branch out to other categories like tech startups, consumer-packaged goods and commercial real estate projects. Still, the tangible nature of the “main street” type businesses is a big driver of local engagement in local businesses. “We’ve worked with a number of businesses in hospitality, and people love to invest in places they can visit and enjoy,” Chu said. NextSeed became acquainted with Revive through their successful applicants who were also adding value to Revive’s developments. “(Revive) is a great example of a creative and engaged developer that really understands the neighborhood they’re working in,” Chu said. Joseph has been working on the offering with NextSeed for a
It’s Here!
few months and said the company has been very involved from the beginning. Chu said NextSeed handles everything from legal filings to campaign drafts to creative review without getting paid. That only comes when the applicant meets their goal. There are about five to 10 campaigns going at a time, which allows the company to spend the requisite time to help manage it. To date, more than 90 percent of campaigns launched on NextSeed have met their fundraising goals. “The platform is built around helping communities invest in themselves,” Chu said. “They can be a part of the growth.” A local resident who has been happy with her NextSeed experience is Citizen Pilates owner Jess Hughes. She said she raised $100,000 in 2016 from 75 investors through NextSeed’s regulated crowdfunding for her second location. This week Hughes paid them back in full. “My experience with NextSeed’s team was exceptional,” she said. “I appreciated their due diligence process to vet business owners but was even more impressed with the turnkey product they provided. They handled all marketing aspects of my campaign, communication with investors, reg-
Contributed artist’s rendering Common Bond, which has two locations in the Heights, is using Houston-based NextSeed to raise money for an upcoming location at the Revive Development property at 3210 N. Shepherd Dr.
ulatory paperwork and payouts over the past four years.” Joseph said he is excited to open early next year. “I used to drive by this building and think that something really cool could happen with
it,” he said. Danna said if investors are secured through the operator, using its link, the operator gets a discount from NextSeed on its fee versus NextSeed procuring the investors.
“We want to incentivize companies to get their supporters and communities engaged,” Chu said. Visit http://nextseed.com/ commonbond for more information.
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Mistakes to avoid in probate For The Leader
Probate is the court process that is required to pass a person’s assets when they are no longer around (or unable to) provide their own signature. When a loved one passes away with assets owned in their own name, and they had not taken measures to avoid the probate process, his or her family likely has a court date in their future. Not everyone’s probate experience is the same, but some certainly have less than pleasant tales to tell. Below are some tips to help ensure that the probate process runs as smooth as possible for your family: 1. Don’t delay Texas law imposes a four-year deadline to probate a will. If a family attempts to probate a will after this four-year period, the court may treat the deceased’s estate as if there was no will at all. To make matters worse, the time required to move through the probate process varies, and is dependent upon the court’s schedule. Since March, the court has been very shortstaffed because of Covid-19 and the probate process is taking longer than usual. Getting started as soon as possible ensures the process gets moving. 2. Open probate even if you are a surviving spouse Even if a husband and wife owned real property together, probate is likely required to pass title to the other. When spouses fail to open probate, at best they risk their loved ones having to open two probates once they both pass, and at worst, they risk having the first spouse’s estate pass to unintended beneficiaries. 3. Pick the right lawyer Choosing the right probate lawyer can make a big difference in ensuring your family gets through the probate process in a timely fashion. Unlike typical court cases, probate cases don’t have filing deadlines, so lawyers who handle many types of cases often prioritize those with deadlines. Be sure the lawyer you contact focuses in this area of the law and will make a point to be proactive with your case. Confirm that they will stay in regular communication with you and are easy to contact too. 4. Communicate openly with all heirs Sometimes you may be required to split an inheritance with a person (or people) who you don’t like or trust. If this is the case, be certain to make sure that everyone is informed and aware of updates. Use group email to send documents and “reply all” with any questions so that everyone can benefit from the answers and is on the same page. 5. Place estate funds in an estate account Once a person has died, it may be tempting to continue using their existing bank account
Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713-588-5744.
WEBINAR DETAILS: Title: Tips & Tricks to Avoid Probate Cost - Free Date - Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020 Time - 4:30 p.m. Can’t make it? - All registrants receive a replay To Register - Email Jennifer@ solaklegal.com if someone else has signing privileges on it, but doing so is risky. Commingling funds opens up the estate to claims that the money is not being divided equally, and if the person with joint privileges passes before the estate is settled, there is a question of who owns the money. The best course is to apply for an employer identification number and open an account in the name of the estate, so that the estate account can properly receive and disburse all funds as required. To learn more about how it may be possible to avoid probate or simplify the process, please join Solak Legal’s next FREE online event, “Tips & Tricks to Avoid Probate,” on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 4:30. 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.
Veterans Day is November 11 “Our Veterans” is a book about the local stories of those who served in our Armed Forces. Copies available for $29. Visit: TheLeaderNews.com to order online and have this handsome, hardcover, book of over 120 pages shipped right to your home.
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By phone: Visit The Leader office: 2020 North Loop West, Suite 220
The Leader • Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 • Page 3B
How to warm up a Memorial Hermann opens c-c-c-old inside dog Heights-area resource center
Dear Tabby, When the weather got chilly here recently, our little Chihuahua got so cold! Even though she stays in the house most of the time, it seemed like she just couldn’t warm up. Any tips for helping her stay warm as the weather changes?
Dear Cold Chihuahua, Despite the fact that most dogs wear a fur coat yearround, many can get very cold when the temperatures plunge. Smaller breeds (like Chihuahuas) seem to be especially sensitive to the cold, so it’s important to do a few things around the house to help keep her comfy this winter.
Heat source You’ll want to be careful about leaving your dog unattended next to a heat source, such as a space heater, but there are other ways to make a warm spot for your dog that will work well and keep her safe. A heating pad with an automatic shut-off, placed under her bed or a favorite blanket is a good place to start. You can also fill an old sock with uncooked rice and microwave it for 2 minutes. This will provide heat for about 30 minutes and is the safest way to create a warm spot for her, without having to worry about fire hazards or electric cords.
How to know if your dog is cold Dogs show that they’re cold in different ways. The most universal way to tell if a dog is cold is if it’s shivering. Excitement or nervousness can all cause a dog to shiver, but if the temperature is cold, you can be sure that shivering is an indication that your pup needs a little warmth. Experts seem to concur that when the weather gets to 30 degrees and below, it is defi-
Dog clothes Some dog clothing is rather ridiculous and offers nothing in the way of protection for the cold, but some dog sweaters and jackets do a decent job of trapping in the heat and taking the chill away. Additionally, you don’t have to run to your nearest pet store to buy a new sweater for your dog. A baby “onesie” or pajamas might work just as well--and will likely cost way less money (shop your local thrift stores
Cold Chihuahua in Woodland Heights
for a bargain). Just make sure the clothing isn’t too loose (a tripping hazard) or too tight. Cut holes where needed and think outside the box to make it work for your dog.
nitely too cold for a pet to be outside for extended periods of time. Just like humans, dogs can experience hypothermia if left outdoors in below-freezing weather. However, it doesn’t sound like your pampered pooch is typically outside in weather that is that cold, so let’s focus instead on ways to keep her more comfortable in the home during cold weather.
Extra blankets Add an extra blanket to your dog’s bed and see if she’ll let you “tuck her in” at bedtime. The extra blanket will trap in her body heat and help her to stay warm--especially in a drafty house. Speaking of drafts, check your house for drafty doors and windows that might be at your dog’s level and see about fixing them. This will not only make your dog more comfortable, but might save you money on your energy bill. Raised dog bed If your dog sleeps on a dog bed, consider getting her one that is lifted off the ground. The floor can get really cold in winter and a bed that has legs allows the air to circulate underneath, helping to keep her warm. Cold weather can be a great time to bundle up and enjoy a nice walk and then come home and snuggle with your favorite dog. Remember that senior pets might be more sensitive to the cold as well as very young puppies. Employing a few extra cold-weather indulgences might make a difference in your dog’s happiness as we approach the colder months of the year. Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com.
Pet of the Week
By Landan Kuhlmann
tem. The center is designed to help uninsured or underinsured community members get access to primary and preventive care from private health centers, qualified clinics and the Harris Health System. The Houston Food Bank also is on-site to help those who need access to fresh food, and the center is partnering with Houston Volunteer Lawyers to help residents navigate legal issues, including housing concerns.
landan@theleadernews.com
Memorial Hermann Health System opened the Greater Heights Community Resource Center last month at 1740 W. 27th St. Located near Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, the new facility aims to help patients and community members get access to crucial medical care and resources, according to a news release from the hospital sys-
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Page 4B • Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 • The Leader
Houston Open tees off at remodeled Memorial Park course By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Some of the world’s best golfers are competing this week at Memorial Park, which is hosting the Houston Open for the first time since 1963. The field for the annual PGA Tour event includes more than 15 major champions and six of the top 25 players in the latest world golf rankings, including No. 1 Dustin Johnson and No. 12 Brooks Koepka, who served as a player consultant for the recent Memorial Park Golf Course redesign that
enabled the tournament to move from the Golf Club of Houston inside city limits. Among the other golfing stars competing in the tournament, which started Thursday and concludes Sunday, are Jason Day, Tony Finau, Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth. “I consider the international spotlight on Houston a hole-in-one,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a news release. Along with top-notch golf, the tournament also will bring traffic impacts to the park and surrounding areas. Visitors to the park who are not watch-
ing the tournament are encouraged to use the Seymour Lieberman Trail and visit the Clay Family Eastern Glades between 7-11 p.m. Among other suggestions for park patrons are: - Park north of Memorial Drive between 7-11 p.m., but not overnight or between 4-7 a.m. - Access the Memorial Park loop between 7-11 p.m. - Use the Memorial Park loop to exit the park after 11 p.m. only - Park south of Memorial Drive during normal park hours
Photo from City of Houston Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, at podium, speaks about the Houston Open golf tournament being held this week at Memorial Park Golf Course.
St. Thomas rolls to third straight district title By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
The St. Thomas Eagles’ recent run under head coach Rich McGuire has left little doubt that they’re a force to be reckoned with come playoff time. They haven’t slowed down this season and have mowed down most opponents in their path en route to another district title. Last Friday night, Oct. 30, the Eagles won their fifth consecutive game in defeating area rival St. Pius X 49-21 on senior night. The win clinched St. Thomas’ third straight TAPPS Division I District 2 championship and gave the Eagles (5-2, 5-0 district) a firstround bye in the playoffs for the seventh time in nine years. Senior John Fontenot was prolific once again, with 181 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. The Eagles also got another strong performance from Maddox Kopp (347 passing yards, three touchdowns) as they scored 42 unanswered points between the second and third quarters to put the game away. Cameron Price had 142 yards receiving and a touch-
LAST WEEK’S SCORES Heights 40, Westside 7 St. Thomas 49, St. Pius X 21 Lutheran High North 40, Bay Area Christian 14 Sterling 46, Waltrip 14 Worthing 30, Washington 0 Kashmere def. Scarborough, by forfeit
THIS WEEK’S GAMES Thursday
Washington vs. Yates, 7 p.m. (Barnett Stadium) Scarborough vs. Furr, 7 p.m. (Barnett Jr. Stadium)
Friday
Lutheran High North at Prince of Peace Lutheran, 6 p.m. St. Pius X vs. San Antonio Christian, 7 p.m. St. Thomas at Beaumont Kelly, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Waltrip at Madison, 6 p.m. (Cowart Stadium)
Photo by Wayne Donnelly St. Thomas’ John Fontenot cuts through tacklers during an Oct. 30 game against St. Pius X. The Eagles beat the Panthers 49-21 to clinch their third consecutive district title.
down, while Peter Corbett had his first interception of the season to help the Eagles’ defensive effort. Lutheran High North is also riding high this week after its fourth consecutive win, a 40-14 victory over Bay Area Christian last week that ran the Lions’ record to 4-2 on the season.
Zach Menefee was the star of the game offensively for LHN with 187 yards rushing and a career-high four touchdowns, while Xavier Neal had 90 receiving yards and a score as the Lions pulled away with a 21-point fourth quarter. In public school action, the Heights Bulldogs were the lone area team to emerge vic-
torious last week with a 40-7 win over Westside. It’s the second straight win for Heights (3-1, 3-0 district), which now sits atop District 18-6A along with Lamar. Despite lacking offensive punch as much of the season, the Bulldogs blew out the Wolves with a strong defensive effort and oppor-
tunistic offense. Jalen Morrison accounted for 143 total yards and four scores, while Keyondrick Douglas had 138 all-purpose yards, including a 78-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. David Nico had eight tackles to the lead the Bulldogs, while Darius Cleveland disrupted the Wolves’ offense with a career-high four sacks.
Waltrip and Scarborough each fell to 0-5 with losses last week. The Rams lost 46-14 against Sterling, while Scarborough forfeited its game against Kashmere. Booker T. Washington dropped to 1-4 on the season with a 30-0 loss against Worthing. A rundown of last week’s scores and this week’s games involving area teams is above.
PEACE Play, from P.1B themed small toys, scoopers, cups and containers as well as other various items for sensory play. Two to four laminated educational activities and instructions are also included. “For example, my birthday kit includes confetti letters, (which are) letters printed in fun color circles, confetti sight words, (which are) sight words printed in colored circles, a birthday cake counting animation, and a printed-out birthday cake without candles,” she said. “The child uses their included candles to count their age.” Clayton said the recommended age for the kits is 3 and up as some of the parts
can be small and a potential choking hazard. “I have had clients purchase for their 4-, 5-, even 6-year-olds and they absolutely loved their kits,” she said. “Sensory play is designed to stimulate and help develop children’s senses. There are so many benefits of sensory play but to name a few, sensory play is extremely beneficial for language development, strengthening motor skills and problem solving.” Large kits are $32, and the mini kits are $25 with tax and shipping also available. Clayton offers free pickup to locals. In a few months of marketing the kits,
Clayton has expanded from local pickup to shipping to cities all over Texas and other states. “Local moms have loved these kits so much that I wanted to figure out how I could expand my local options,” she said. “I am continuing to hit the ground running with this business and I cannot wait to see where it goes.” Find PEACE Play Kits online at https:// peaceplaykits.com/ or visit https:// www.instagram.com/peaceplaykits/ or https://www.facebook.com/PEACEplaykits.
Contributed photo The Fall Play Kit Collection is among the offerings of PEACE Play Kits, a business started by Oak Forest resident Erin Clayton.
Working at Home? Need Copies/Printing? We can get it done and to you fast. Email what you need printed/copied to: orders@texasprinters.com
Full Color Copies 75¢ each Black and white copies 10¢ each Pick up at our office or we deliver to 77018 and 77008 for $20 We also offer a full range of printing services like dm more. flyers, brochures, booklets, business cards and
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