November 28 Section A

Inside Today: See what’s new in the world of real estate • Page 1B

Flower & Gift Shop

MICHAEL SILVA

michael@happenhouston.com

713-725-8748 cell

Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 • Vol. 65 • No. 47

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Trail being repaved in part of T.C. Jester Park

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Here’s to heroes. Artist Toria Hill is working on a series of paintings dedicated to heroes.

Page 7A

Photo by Adam Zuvanich The City of Houston owns the alley that runs from Nicholson to Ashland streets between West 21st and West 22nd streets, according to the Harris County Appraisal District. The city does not claim ownership of most of the alleys in the Heights.

Ownership of Heights alleys may rest with heirs of neighborhood’s founder

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Editor’s note: This is Part II of a series about Heights alleys. Read Part I at theleadernews.com.

The City of Houston does not claim ownership of most of the alleys in the Heights and has told residents it is not responsible for maintaining them. That chore is left to abutting property owners, they’ve been told, but they don’t own the alleyways, either.

So if Heights homeowners and businesses do not own the alleys behind their properties, and neither does the city in which they reside and pay taxes, then who does?

The path to answering that question winds well beyond the city limits and even outside the state of Texas. Rightful ownership might rest with a mother and son in Pennsylvania and her two other sons in Michigan and Nevada, Photo courtesy of Randy Pace because they are descen- O.M. Carter co-founded the Photo by Adam Zuvanich dants of the man who Heights in the early 1800s, CityStreet Residential Partners’ Domain Heights development helped create the Heights and his heirs might have an at 2519 Rutland St. includes property that was granted to the ownership stake in the neighcompany by four heirs of Heights co-founder O.M. Carter. nearly 130 years ago.

Anne Good of Wyn- borhood’s streets and alleys. dmoor, Pennsylvania, is liam – are the great-grandsons of the Heights founder. the granddaughter-in-law of the late O.M. Carter, who Harris County real property records show that all four co-founded the Heights in 1892 and wrote in his original heirs have signed quitclaim deeds within the last few years plat that ownership of the neighborhood’s streets and al- to grant their rights, titles and interests in some of the leys were to forever remain with him, his Omaha & South Heights alleyways – if they have any – to three different Texas Land Company and their “successors, heirs and assigns.” Good’s three adult sons – Carter, John and WilSee Alleys, P. 5A

A 1-mile stretch of trail at T.C. Jester Park is being upgraded with new asphalt, according to the Houston Parks Board (HPB).

Construction work on the running, walking and cycling trail along White Oak Bayou began last week, according to the parks board, although the trail was accessible and in use last Saturday, Nov. 21. The work was expected to be completed by the early part of next week, HPB president and CEO Beth White said in an email.

While the trail is being resurfaced, park users can utilize an alternate route on the crushed granite trail a little to the east of the asphalt trail, according to an online announcement

by Super Neighborhood Council 12.

The stretch of trail being repaved runs from just south of the intersection of East T.C. Jester Boulevard and Du Barry Lane to just south of West 43rd St. White said the work is having no other impacts on the park or other parts of the trail.

“The old asphalt trail surface had many cracks and uneven spots, which created hazards for cyclists and pedestrians,” White said. “HPD and the (Houston Parks and Recreation Department) agreed that the trail deficiencies needed to be addressed now.”

White said the cost of the project is $97,500 and is being covered by the parks board. She also said there is a long-term plan to replace the asphalt trail with concrete, but a date “isn’t set at this time.”

Asphalt trails typically last about 8-10 years before they begin to deteriorate, White said.

Photo by Adam Zuvanich A cyclist rides down the asphalt trail last Saturday, Nov. 21 at T.C. Jester Park, where the trail path contains several cracks.

Running group teaches life skills, camaraderie

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Assisted cycling. Houston BCycle recently put its first fleet of electric bikes into circulation.

Page 4B

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

Contributed photo Oak Forest Elementary teacher Vanessa Woodfin, background, is a coach for the Girls on the Run program. Running in the foreground is Oak Forest Elementary student Julia Braun, and behind her is Travis Elementary student Eloise Bishop.

Oak Forest resident Colleen Cockrum is a mother to two boys, but it was an all-girl program that caught her attention a decade ago.

Now she is on the board of the Greater Houston chapter of Girls on the Run (GOTR), a program for 8- to 13-yearold girls that promotes girl empowerment by teaching life skills through lessons and running.

“My sister asked me to be a running buddy for her elementary school team,” Cockrum said. “I cried as my buddy

-- a fourth-grade girl who had never run anything before joining the program -- crossed the finish line. I saw the confidence and joy on her face, and it was readily apparent how close she and the others on that team became through the program.”

Last year, Cockrum recommended the program to the administration at Oak Forest Elementary. This weekend, the OFE Fall GOTR team will complete its 5K. One of its coaches is fifth-grade teacher Vanessa Woodfin, who has been a runner for the past 20 years.

“At first, I could barely make it down the block without tak-

ing a break,” Woodfin said.

“The first time I did a ‘long run’ was because I got lost in the neighborhood. I ended up running for 30 minutes.”

Then she started participating in fun runs to help keep her motivated.

“After watching several septuagenarians crossing the finish line at the Houston Half Marathon, I thought, ‘Why not me?’” she said. “Now I keep running in the half so that I can have some time to myself.”

In normal years, Woodfin said each GOTR team is limSee Run P. 5A

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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 • Page 3A

Thanks to you, 2020 isn’t that bad

L

et’s face it, 2020 has been a stinker of a year.

We’ve been mired in a pandemic since March, with COVID-19 having claimed the lives of far too many people and infected so many others that even looking at the case numbers can make one sick. Even for those who have been able to steer clear of the coronavirus, it has upended lives in ways large and small.

The economic downturn associated with the pandemic has cost some folks their jobs and forced many of us to tighten the belts that are our budgets. And if you’re lucky to still be making as much money as you were at the start of the year, it’s become more difficult and dicey to spend it on things such as house parties, cruises, date nights at the movies and trips to the ballpark.

We’ve become more acquainted with our homes and our video conferences than we might like, and the same goes for masks. Can you believe that wearing one is now just as common as putting on a shirt or a pair of shoes?

The state of politics and race relations might be just as bad as COVID-19. We can’t agree on election results, let alone facts, and the fact people are still judging others by the color of their skin and not the content of their character is a downright shame in this day and age.

Adam

Zuvanich Editor

But you know what? As bad as it all might seem, there is still plenty of good in this world. There even are some silver linings in the year that is 2020 because, well, it’s close to being over.

I have plenty for which to be grateful during this Thanksgiving week.

And if you’re alive and well enough to be reading this column, you should, too.

Here’s a rundown of some of the things I cherish about the community we serve, and the people who comprise it, in no particular order.

- The esplanade on Heights Boulevard: The centerpiece street in Houston’s original suburb is a great place to go for a leisurely drive or walk, especially at this time of year when the weather is not too hot and rarely cold. The tall trees provide plenty of shade and the art installations are nice to look at, along with the historic homes that line the street.

It makes for great people-watching, too, and sometimes an Art Car parade breaks out.

- The food: The Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest areas are home to some of the city’s best eateries, even if many of them have had to reduce their dining room capacities and pivot to takeout and delivery. Among my favorite haunts are Aladdin Mediterranean Grill, Cavatore Italian Restaurant, Gatlin’s BBQ, Hughie’s Tavern and Vietnamese Grill, Miller’s Café and Mi Sombrero. Now I’m hungry.

- The drinks: If you couldn’t tell by my recurring Zuvie’s Brews column, I’m a big fan of craft beer and have rarely met a can, bottle or glass of suds I didn’t like. And how lucky am I that some of Houston’s best breweries are right in our backyard?

Eureka Heights Brew Co. stands out because of its colorful cans, clever names and variety of great-tasting beers. So does Holler Brewing Co. in Sawyer Yards and Great Heights Brewing Company in Garden Oaks.

Now I’m thirsty.

- The enterprising spirit: Barely a week goes by when we aren’t writing about a new business started by an area resident, a community service project they initiated or a local school or church where they decided to volunteer. By and large, the people here are bright, resourceful and

From the jaws of victory “I am not a member of any organized political party — I am a Democrat.” Will Rogers’s famous quote should be the slogan of the Texas Dems, for rarely have we seen victory snatched from defeat more clearly than in the Lone Star State’s recent Democratic Party debacle. They had the money, they had Big Mo and were on a roll. Their opponents had the albatross of a Republican president who turned off many sane voters.

The Blue Tide was rolling in – except it didn’t. What happened to a political party that controlled the Texas government longer than the Communists ran the Soviet Union, longer than the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, controlled Mexico? Don’t you know that Sam Rayburn and LBJ are turning over on their cloud?

Pundits have already begun the autopsy, and they all agree that the polls were wrong, as I was telling President Hillary Clinton. Here in Texas, we were told the presidential race was up for grabs. “Texas is turning blue!”

But Donald Trump beat Joe Biden by 6 percentage points, less than Trump beat Hillary, but any pol will tell you that a 6-point margin is a healthy victory. We heard that MJ Hegar was running neck-andneck with incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Big John won by 10 percentage points, taking 230 of Texas’ 254 counties. Let’s pause and see how not to run a campaign. Hegar was a UT grad, Air Force vet, and in 2017 ran for Congress in the 31st District in Central Texas. She lost. Otherwise, nobody in most of Texas had ever heard of her until, belatedly, she ran TV commercials showing her sitting on a rock in the desert talking about getting shot down in Afghanistan. Then we saw her -- I guess it was her – riding a motorcycle down the streets and into her garage. These ads did not tell us much about her stand on consuming issues of the day. MJ, next time get another PR company to handle your campaign.

We heard about “changing demographics in Texas,” code term for the growing Hispanic population. Biden overwhelmingly won the Tejano vote in Texas’ urban areas, and carried the vote in the Rio Grande Valley, but got fewer votes than Hillary in 2016. Incidentally, in the rest of the nation the term Latino or Hispanic is used to cover everyone south of the Rio and Puerto Rico. But Texas – and only Texas – is home to Tejanos. I’ve always liked that title. Why the poor showing? Maybe because the Dems took our Tejano vote for granted, and spent very little time and money wooing them. In the midst of the campaigns, Beto O’Rourke urged the Democratic Party to pay more attention to Texas. Kamala Harris made a one-day, three-stop visit, practically as an afterthought.

Lynn Ashby Columnist

Dem national leaders simply do not understand Texas’ politics. Former Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro, who was state director for Hillary Clinton’s campaign in 2008, told The New York Times, “It’s like running a national campaign. There are no similarities between Amarillo and Brownsville and Beaumont and Texarkana and El Paso and Austin and Houston and Dallas.

These are very separate demographic groups with very diverse interests.” The Texas Legislature was up for grabs, we were told. The Dems only needed to flip nine seats in the House to take over that chamber. This election was most important because next fall our Leg will meet to draw up state legislative and Congressional districts. If you thought we were already gerrymandered, stand by. Texas is one of the most politically drawn states in the 50. Liberal Travis County (Austin) is divided into five Congressional districts. One runs from Austin to Houston. Two go to the Mexican border.

In past campaigns, the Lone Star State has been the ATM for both parties. The heavyweights came here, held fundraisers, then left.

Out–of-state donors are going to be very wary of writing a check in the future to Texas candidates. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg donated $15 million for an advertising campaign for Biden in Texas and Ohio in the final week before the election, including $2.6 million to the Democratic nominee for Texas railroad commissioner, Chrysta Castañeda. She lost by almost 10 points to a guy who paid a $181,519 fine for violating state environmental rules. I don’t think Mike will be donating to any Texas Dem candidates anytime soon.

Every poll shows a pattern of who voted for whom in the presidential race in Texas.

Voters with a high school education who lived in rural areas voted for Trump. Those with a college degree who lived in urban areas voted for Biden. So which candidate you voted for tells the rest of us a lot about you. As we sift through the debris of this past election, the clearest point is that Dems, particularly Texas Dems, haven’t a clue as to how to win a race, even with everything going for them.

So we shall offer some suggestions. Next time, Dems, don’t say, “Defund the cops” and “End fracking.” Chose a candidate who insults women and minorities. A man who lies so of often that the Wash-

ington Post has a staff just to count them (22,510 false or misleading claims as of Sept.

3 and growing an average of 27 claims a day). Make sure he cheats on his wife, his taxes and his business associates. That is the type of person most Texans prefer. The race for governor comes up in two years. The Donkeys need a candidate who changes orders on COVID-19 according to which pressure group gets to him last, and goes for over a month without holding a press conference to explain his orders. For lite guv, Texans prefer a demagogue who appeals to our worst instincts.

Another Will Rogers quote: “I joked about every prominent man in my lifetime, but I never met one I didn’t like.” Will, I’ve got some you should meet.

Ashby is liked at ashby2@comcst.net

thoughtful, which is refreshing on a regular basis.

- The engaged citizens: Homeowners associations can get a bad rap, but the people who lead them often care more about their neighborhoods and are more involved than most. The same goes for civic clubs and their officers, and there is no shortage of dedicated local residents who volunteer their time and energy for the betterment of their communities. So hats off to all the Super Neighborhood Councils that serve the area, along with the Houston Heights Association, the Garden Oaks Civic Club, the Oak Forest Homeowners Association and everyone else who serves their subdivisions and tries to make them better for all.

- The old-timers: Most everything moves at the speed of sound and light these days, including the news. Every media outlet has a website and social media channels, and more and more citizens get their information through those platforms.

But there still are folks who like to walk out to their front yard, pick up their newspaper and read it while they drink their coffee or eat their breakfast. There also are people who still like to write letters to the editor, pick up the phone and call their local paper or stop by to say hello and offer a news tip. Those people tend to be older and wiser, and we love you and

hope you live forever.

- The newcomers: More and more young professionals and budding families have moved into the area in recent years, and your influence is more appreciated than you might realize. You’re building new homes and opening new businesses to help drive the local real estate market and economy, and your kids are filling up schools, sidewalks and playgrounds while making us all feel young at heart and encouraged about the future.

Most of all, I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had at The Leader and for all of you, the people who read it every. We try to put out a paper that is informative, entertaining and an accurate reflection of the community we have covered for 66 years.

Sometimes the news we report is bad or sad, and perhaps there’s been more of that this year than we all would like. But we strive to balance that out by shining a spotlight on the people and places that make you smile, laugh and feel good about yourself and the community where you live.

There is a lot of good to go around, even in a year as bad as this one.

Don’t ever forget that, and we’ll try not to let you.

In the meantime, stay safe, be well and, from all of us at The Leader, Happy Thanksgiving.

THE READER.

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Heights neighborhood grapples with city over alleys

Avoid toxic table talk this Thanksgiving

Dear Editor: Interesting that the CoH expects those who build adjacent to alleys to improve the drainage down to the end if the alley. When someone builds on a Houston street, they are only required to improve the sidewalk immediately in front of their property.

Many blocks in areas such as Acres Homes have sidewalk ONLY in front of recently-built homes.

One would think that there would be a privatepublic partnership.

Simple solution: declare the alleys to be bike paths, and MayorTurner will go get some Federal dollars!

Bob Choate Dear Editor: When I first moved in there were cars in the alleyway and machinery behind my home and other neighbors all because of one neighbor thought that it was his alley. And storage units. It took not only the city but utility companies to get it cleared.

Jane Mostowitz Dear Editor: Drainage issues of adjacent properties need to be addressed before city grants permits alley access.

This has been left to homeowners to fight it out with developers as new construction is built on raised lots flooding older homes.

Steven Heiney

Dear Editor: I avoid discussing politics with many in my family because their feelings won’t change my thinking, and my thinking won’t change their feelings. Actually, my thinking, formed on reality and reason, invariably hurts their feelings. We are of the Heights.

You can guess which party they blindly support, the one they feel best about.

Heights Houstonian

City launches computer access program

Dear Editor: How can I get a computer for my daughter? I have tried to get help. Won’t nobody help me. I had a stroke six years ago. Mayor, I haven’t had any luck. These programs will not call me back. I tried to get on a list. Nothing, covid relief fund, nothing.

Please help.

Bobbie Luckey Dear Editor: I need a computer desperately for both professional and educational usage. I am not yet 65 years of age. I would ask that the age requirements be listed when this very important piece of news is given. At the moment this seems to be my last chance. I am presently on Disability Social Security.

This however, does not interfere with me doing some things professionally as well as educationally. If anything should transpire resulting in someone such as myself becoming eligible, please contact me. Happy holidays.

Michelle Y. Kiper

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss 1. Domestic cat 6. Picasso’s mistress Dora 10. Bounces over water 14. Calculators 15. Jeopardized 17. Voice of Dory 19. Guided 20. Ribonucleic acid (abbr.)

21. Evenings prior to 22. French river into Ghent 23. Inspires wonder 24. Sacred bull of Egypt 26. Am. sable 29. Liquid body substances 31. Singer Nat King 32. Expression of disgust 34. Oil cartel 35. Mentums 37. City of Danao island 38. Place of refuge 39. Fancy ottoman 40. 20th Hebrew letter 41. Alleviating 43. Tangles 45. London gallery 46. Pouchlike structure 47. Citizen of Copenhagen 48. Swiss river

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

dOwn

1. Far east weight unit 2. Competent 3. Bare or unadorned 4. Bridge building degree 5. Other side of yang (Chinese) 6. Personal manners 7. Am. Mountain Guide Assoc.

8. Imitate 9. Acts of reclamation 10. Most critical 11. Brews 12. Foot (Latin) 13. South Dakota 16. Hero-worship 18. Removes moisture 22. NY Hamptons location (initials) 23. Egyptian god of life

24. Sporting venue 25. Campaign funding group 27. Plural of 30 down 28. Captures 29. Turf 30. Fencing sword 31. Cost, insurance and freight (abbr.)

33. Expression of bafflement 35. Frames of reference 36. Very large 37. Old TV screen tube 39. Keyboard instruments 42. Governments 43. Fashion designer Jacobs 44. Carrier’s invention 46. Cruise 47. Art ____ style of design 48. From a distance 49. Rock singer Turner 50. Churn 51. Hotels 52. Genetic info carrier 53. Irritate 54. Also on the option key 55. Steeped beverage 56. Indicates position

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 • The Leader

Avoid toxic table talk this Thanksgiving

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

The El Arroyo sign last week said it all – “Pro Tip: Bring Up Politics This Thanksgiving To Save $$ On Xmas Gifts.�

A recent poll from the Pew Research Center shows that nearly 80 percent of Americans report having just a few or no friends who supported a presidential candidate other than the one they did – but family members are not chosen, and because adult experiences differ, political views can also be divergent.

So, if the pandemic has not put a wrench in your plans, you might break bread with family members who do not share your opinions about the recent election. Fear not, The Leader talked to three area therapists for tips on how to make the holidays a little less stressful. “I think the best way to deal with Thanksgiving and differences in political stances is both really easy and really difficult,� said Barbie Atkinson, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Catalyst Counseling. “Just don’t do it. Win or lose, you were likely invested in the outcome.

Thanksgiving and politics is not a recipe - pun intended for meals to be enjoyed and relationships to be cherished.�

Added Elizabeth Cobb, a licensed counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist whose practice can be found online at elizabethcobbtherapy.com: “It’s a completely legitimate request to go into the holiday with an agreement to stick to conversations in which there is alignment of values and opinions. Focus instead on friendship, food and folly.�

Houston Family Counseling’s Elizabeth Arredondo, another licensed professional counselor, has written a blog about the subject at https:// houstonfamilycounseling.org/ blog/. She said if you’ve made a commitment to steer clear of political topics during holiday visits, preparation is key. “Think about safe topics and activities before you get together with family,� she said. “Shared positive experiences foster a sense of connection, and it’s easy to find things to enjoy together, no matter your political perspective. For example, family members can cook together whether they are in the same kitchen or connected virtually in separate kitchens. Sharing old family recipes is especially powerful, because it calls family members to reminisce about holidays past, creating a sentimental sense of shared culture.�

If you decide to wade into

Arredondo

Atkinson

the waters of politics, Cobb said to remember the acronym GIVE. G is for “gentle� as in using appropriate language, avoiding a harsh tone, being courteous and maintaining a non-judgmental stance.

I is for “interested� as in when another person is talking, pay attention and be curious about why they think the way they do. If you really want to win points, be sure to look for the understandable parts and acknowledge it. Let the other person know when they have made a “good point� or when you have not thought of something from that perspective.

V is for “validate.� Cobb makes the point that validation is not the same thing as agreement, but rather the demonstration of understand-

Cobb

ing a person’s point of view, which can be offered verbally or non-verbally.

Finally, E is for “easy manner.� Smile, be friendly and employ humor, not sarcasm. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to — your dad, your

sister, your brother-in-law, your neighbor,� Cobb said. “They’re not faceless, nameless individuals.�

Cobb said you should also give up the idea that you are going to change anyone’s mind or help them see the light. “Focus instead on having a healthy, high-functioning conversation with your people, whom hopefully you enjoy even if you don’t agree with their politics,� she said. “Be thoughtful about your kids, who might be onlookers or even participants in these conversations. You’re modeling how to engage in respectful discourse.�

If you need to pull your children aside afterward to clarify your family’s values and how they differ from what they might have heard, you can do that.

Arredondo adds that the addition of face masks and social distancing make expressions hard to read, which may cause any conversation to veer off course.

If things get out of hand, Atkinson recommends diaphragmatic breaths. “When you take a deep breath, your body is sending a message to your nervous system to relax and calm down,� she said. “There are many techniques out there for breathing and I would encour-

age finding someone on YouTube that can teach you how to do it (to) practice before encountering the anxiety and conversation.�

Arredondo notes that conversations become unproductive when the participants’ tensions run too high as measured by a heart rate over 100 beats per minute. The experience is called “flooding.� “Flooding leads to erratic conversation, which can lead to emotional disengagement and, eventually, dissolution of relationships,� she said. “When you feel your heart racing and breath coming quickly, know that you need to practice some quick self-soothing or even call a timeout and step away for the sake of the relationship.�

The good news is that this moment is temporary. “The kinds of tension that all Americans are holding on to this year are unprecedented, and so not likely to be repeated,� Arredondo said. “It’s probable that next year, and even next month will bring some greater ease and peace.

With that calm will come renewed social and emotional reserves that might allow for important political conversations that can build bridges in families and eventually foster healing in communities and even in our nation.�

Get comfortable in the kitchen for the holidays

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com

Oak Forest resident Amber Ambrose started Ambrose McDowell Communications, a social media management and copywriting company, with business partner Lauren McDowell in 2017.

Ambrose said for them, COVID-19 did not create the need to pivot as much as consider what their team of five could add to their current services.

Thus, they launched their sister brand, AM Classes, to focus on educating people on “all the stuff you never learned in school but wish you had.�

Some of the initial offerings will come in handy over the holidays. “Lauren has a master’s in food studies from (New York University) and is an avid home cook,� Ambrose said. “We realized one of the big things people were struggling with during COVID was how to cook for themselves and

orient themselves in a space they weren’t entirely comfortable or familiar with — their own kitchens.�

To that end, there is a free Holiday Cooking Pep Talk that has been recorded for viewing at any time. Downloadable PDFs also help with planning.

There are a number of tips in the talk, but the overriding idea is that developing a game plan for the holidays can make things go more smoothly for you and any guests. McDowell advises people to decide what their must-haves are and prioritize from there. “Grace is everything,� Ambrose said. “Expectations are fine but lower them.�

Then, as she noted, you can only be pleasantly surprised.

There are plenty of practical tips, too – from using biodegradable bamboo plates to sub for paper because nobody wants to do dishes, to using butcher paper as a table covering. After dinner, it could be used in the firepit.

would be helpful to college students leaving the nest or anyone intimidated by cooking. “That’s exactly why we started — to break things down, make it feel less overwhelming, to feel prepared and excited to cook,� she said. “It just takes a small win to fuel the next step in anything, (and) cooking is no exception.�

While the idea for the first class came about organically, in the future Ambrose said they plan to have a slate of classes that span a variety of life skills.

People can sign up using Contributed photo Business partners Lauren McDowell, left, and Amber Ambrose are teaching home cooking classes as part of a venture called AM Classes.

“It’s 2020,� McDowell said. “You can do whatever you want.�

AM Classes offers a free Organizing Your Fridge class as well. There is also a Master Your Kitchen in 10 Days class, regularly $149.99, but offered

at 50 percent off through Dec. 1. “Our thought is that for the price of a meal out per day, you can teach yourself how to cook,� Ambrose said. “Fifteen dollars a day for 10 days.�

Ambrose said the class

She is survived by her son, Joseph Otillar, a grandson, three great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

husband, Dr. Norman Kirk Speck, sister Pamela Stone, and daughters Hannah and Sarah Speck.

Local business is our business.

Send your story of interest news@theleadernews.com

THE OBITUARIES. Linda Sue Farris, 72, born July 8, 1948, died Nov. 14.

Florence Ethel Frisbee, 86, born July 18, 1934 in Blairmore, Alberta, Canada, died Nov. 7. She is survived by her daughters Charis Cox and Shauna Frisbee, and four grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m. at the Heights Funeral Home Chapel.

Estella Gloyna, 95, born July 17, 1925 in Paige, Texas, died Nov. 19. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Ann Gloyna and son Steve Gloyna.

William Frank Harlin Jr., 86, born Feb. 26, 1934, died Nov. 14.

Angelin Otillar, 95, born Feb. 3, 1925 in Clarkson, Nebraska, died Nov. 20. Otillar was a retired schoolteacher.

Albert Rudolph Westfall, 76, born Jan. 28, 1944, died Nov. 19. Visitation will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 30, at Pat H. Foley & Company, 1200 West 34th St. Graveside Service will be held at 1 p.m.

Dec. 1, at Historic Hollywood Cemetery, 3506 N. Main St.

Paula Jean Hansen Speck, 61, born July 22, 1959, died Nov. 16. Speck graduated from Northbrook High School in 1977 and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Houston. She is survived by her

CHURCH D I R E CTO RY

I

the Teachable platform, which is online, self-guided and can be re-accessed after purchase at any time. Visit AMClasses.

Teachable.com. “We ultimately want people to feel comfortable and confident in their kitchens,�

Ambrose said. “We know that not everyone loves to cook or wants to spend all their time in the kitchen, so this isn’t meant to transform everyone into the next Rachael Ray. The goal is to understand what your needs and priorities are and make the space as inviting and easy to navigate as possible.�

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Notice of Public Sale Of property to satisfy a landlord’s lien. Sale to be held at Storagetreasures.com. Facility is located at 2213 W. 34th St. Houston, TX 77018. Bidding will open December 14th at 10:00 AM and conclude December 21st at 10:00 AM. Clean up deposit is required. Seller reserves the right to withdraw the property at any time before the sale. Unit items sold as is to highest bidder. Property includes the contents of spaces of the following tenants: Ruben Rivera P-20 household items, Jose Mendez R-40 household items, Frank Jones B-13 household items.

GET A IT! Promise Kept OVER

t goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: “we have all made mistakes.� As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To err is human, to forgive, divine.� We should remember this the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While it can be hard enough to forgive others for their mistakes, it can sometimes feel almost impossible to forgive ourselves.

We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something we’ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves for years, or even decades, over youthful indiscretions. In addition, some of us may not be able to forget the sins of our past. And although that may prevent us from repeating them, we must be charitable and forgive ourselves, just as we should forgive others. So, we should make a real effort in the coming days and weeks to forgive the offenses of others as well as our own. Sometimes, it helps to just forget about them; that is, to try to put them out of our mind and stop repeatedly mulling over them. One of the reasons we use the phrase “forgive and forget� is because sometimes that is the only way to forgive, i.e., by forgetting. But far better, and more divine, is to be able to forgive even while remembering the offense. So, we should let go of those unforgiving, vindictive, shameful feelings about the past, and get over it! Corrie ten Boom, who survived incarceration in a Nazi prison camp said, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize that the prisoner was you.�

of of a virgin. Several thousand years passed between the initial Arise Baptist Church promise to Adam and Eve and 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 the birth of Christ. During this 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org In light of theSunday COVID-19 outbreak, please check with church below for updated St.each James Lutheran Church, ELCA Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am time of waiting, the struggle and Morning Worship ............... 10:45am • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am information Wednesday about services and are temporarily restricted.

Bible Studies For Youth,events.

Children In-person services • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm MANNA ave you ever made plans desire for a Savior only increased • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm and Adults............................ 6:15pm Sponsor 1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 but because of a change of as the nation of Israel and the First Church St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA Weekly Sunday Services circumstance were unable world at large plunged deeper Gethsemane Lutheran Church • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. to complete them? Have you into the bondage of sin. t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI

BN BN • Morning:10:30 a.m.

We invite you to worship with us! • Evening: 4:15 p.m.

In Galatians 4:4-5, the Bible ever had someone promise you 1700 West 43School at Rosslyn Sunday ........9:15 am MANNA t -FBSOJOH )PVS BN QN 713-682-4942 says, “But when the fulness something and then not follow t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters Sunday Worship......10:30am 4QPOTPS Ad # 32285 of the time was come, God through? The God of the Bible Wednesday Bible Study 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t sent forth his Son, made of a & Prayer 6:00pm Candlelight Church ofService Christ always keeps His promises, but Join us for Services FC Heights Family and Staff woman, made under the law, To because He is eternal, His plans in English or Spanish Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 201 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn redeem them that were under Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday School for Children, Youth Adults at: 9:40 and promises are not always ourand website Sund Please visit not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, Sunday Bible Classes 9am www.fbcheights.org Ministries for All Ages and you will be forgiven... the law, that we might receive Wednesday Bible Study 7pm completed in a time or manner www.lazybrookbaptistchurch.org Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 the adoption of sons.â€?

God kept 6:37 Wed for the following: that R.S.V. we Luke would expect. The first 2003 W. 43rd St. 713-686-8241 stsumc.org Houston, TX 77092 His promise.

The Savior came in Sunday Services: Live Stream at 11:00am promise that God made in the Bible Studies: From Homepage, click on God’s perfect timing to redeem

Bible was a promise made to 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 Connect/Small Groups us from our sins.

His death, burial Adam and Eve after they sinned. and resurrection as the sinless God promised a Savior who would deliver them. This promise was Savior sent from God, provides Gethsemane Lutheran Church further explained throughout the means of Salvation from Pastor Jerry McNamara the story of the Old Testament sin to all who put their trust in 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 as God revealed the family and Him. God keeps His promises. I We invite you to worship with us! location of the Savior’s birth. am thankful for this promise that As a further sign of the Savior’s we remember and celebrate each Weekly Worship Services 9:00a.m. arrival, the book of Isaiah tells Christmas.

Online services can be reached us that the Savior would be born through the website below at 9:00 am.

H

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.

rd

www.gethsemanelutheran.org

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www.gethsemanelutheran.org

By Pastor Will Cover

Say a Prayer Today

The Leader • Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 • Page 5A

Alleys, from P. 1A corporations as well as to the city.

The Goods’ Houston attorney, Randall Luckey, said he does not know which alleys his clients may own or partially own. “If they have some rights, which they may, we’re certainly not going to do anything to give up those rights,� Luckey said.

Luckey said his clients did not know about their potential ownership stakes in the Heights alleys until they were contacted by the city in either 2015 or 2016. He also said he and the Goods have since “taken all our cues� from the city and have not independently investigated the merits of their ownership or if there are other heirs to Carter and his company.

Luckey said it is unclear if the city has ever accepted a dedication of the Heights alleys or subsequently abandoned them. He said the city, which annexed the Heights in 1919, has had a “shifting legal position over the years� as it applies to the neighborhood’s alleys.

The Houston Press reported in 1998 that Don Cheatham, the senior assistant city attorney at the time, wrote an interoffice memo in 1997 that said the Heights alleys were not public and therefore not under the purview of the city. But a year later, the publication reported, thenCity Attorney Anthony Hall reversed Cheatham’s decision and declared the alleys to be public.

The Office of the City Engineer presently accepts only three Heights alleyways as public-use alleys it is responsible for maintaining – in the 300 blocks of West 19th and West 20th streets between Rutland and Ashland streets as well as in the 600 block of West 20th between Lawrence Street and North Shepherd Drive. The rest of the Heights alleys are considered private by the city, which since Jan. 1, 2017 has owned the alley that runs between Lawrence and Nicholson Street as well as between West 21st and West 22nd streets, according to the Harris County Appraisal District. “It’s a legal morass, I‘ll tell you that,� Luckey said. “It would take a

lot to figure out exactly what’s going on. It’s changed so many times. I don’t have any clue.�

Dealing with the city City Engineer HoJin Lim described Heights alleyways as “very tricky,� saying the underlying fee is owned by the Carter family. When asked to expand on the ownership issue, he deferred to the city’s legal department, saying, “They have more of a history on the alleys in the Heights.�

Requests to interview a city attorney familiar with the Heights alleys were not granted by the city. Emailed questions about ownership of the Heights alleyways, the city’s position on the issue and its real estate transactions in the neighborhood – sent to three city attorneys as well as the public information officers for Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Public Works and the city’s real estate division – were not answered by press time.

The city’s apparent stance on Heights alleys seems to have shaped its current policies regarding their use and had an impact on real estate development in the neighborhood.

County real property records show the Goods quitclaimed alleyway property to the city in October 2017, and the city subsequently sold that property as part of a larger plot to Alliance Residential Company. Alliance in turn sold the land to Braun Enterprises, which then developed it into what is now the Heights Waterworks – which includes restaurants and a barber shop – at 449 W. 19th St. Real property records show the Goods also quitclaimed Heights alleyway properties to JPMorgan Chase Bank in September 2017, to CSRP, Inc. in March 2019 and to Slate Heights LP in April 2019. The latter two companies are using those tracts of lands as part of multi-family residential developments that are under construction, with CityStreet Residential Partners (CSRP) developing the Domain Heights at 2519 Rutland St. and Slate Heights developing the

matter between property owners, meaning the city would not get involved, unless any public utilities are impacted.� “The city can’t have it both ways,� said a Houston real estate attorney who asked to remain anonymous. “Either the alley is public and the responsibility for the alley lies with our public government, or it is just private land to be used by private property owners.�

Photo by Adam Zuvanich The City of Houston once owned the property that is now the Heights Waterworks at 449 W. 19th St. The heirs of O.M. Carter might have owned part of it as well.

would send the city an email with his construction plans and a photo of the alley to be used, and the permit was often approved within a matter of a few days.

But starting in the summer of 2019, he said the city began requesting that the alleys’ drainage infrastructure and entryways be upgraded to meet city code, at the cost of the applicant, before those permits would be approved. The policy change was implemented by thenCity Engineer Joe Myers, who wrote in an Aug. 16, 2019 memo that, “The Office of the City Engineer has been working with the City Attorney’s Office to determine the best course of action.�

Lim, who took over as city engineer in January, said his department has developed a temporary, caseby-case review process for granting construction permits for buildings that require alleyway access. He said the city’s authority over the Heights alleys stems from its responsibility to enforce ordinances related to stormwater drainage and to ensure alley approaches from streets are safe.

But Houston City Council member Abbie Kamin, who represents the Heights as part of District C, said the Office of the City Engineer has determined that encroachment issues in Heights alleyways are a “private

Durham Heights apartments on the east side of Durham Drive between West 25th and West 26th streets.

Someone familiar with one of those developments, who asked to remain anonymous, said the city required that quitclaim deeds be obtained from the Carter heirs, which represented a change in stance on the part of the city. The person said developers could previously abandon Heights alleyways through the city’s Joint Referral Committee, and without quitclaim deeds from the Carter heirs, for “decades.�

The person said the relatively new process required by the city “created confusion and additional time and more expense,� including compensation for the Carter heirs in the sixfigure range. The person said the city also required payment as part of the transaction. “Like so many other things, you’re at their mercy,� the person said of the city. “If they want to change the rules, they change the rules. You’ve just got to go along with it.�

Harvard Heights Construction owner Mike Shelton, who has built garage apartments in the Heights since 1998, said the city had a simple, longstanding process for approving construction permits for buildings that required access from a Heights alleyway. Shelton said he

Legal questions linger The 1892 plat of the Heights says its streets and alleys are “dedicated to the use of the owners of the property� in the neighborhood. It also says Carter, his company and their successors or assigns have the exclusive right to construct, operate and maintain all the utilities in the Heights’ streets and alleyways.

Sara Bronin, a Houston native and the chair in real property law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, said a Texas court of civil appeals nullified the utility restriction in 1907. A state court of civil appeals and a state district court also weighed in on Heights alleyway issues in 1930 and 1998.

Based on the three court cases and the original plat, Bronin said, “Except and to the extent the successors and assigns of Carter and the (Omaha & South Texas Land Company) have transferred the alleys to other owners, it seems that they still own them and have the responsibility to maintain and improve them.�

Kellen Zale, an associate professor of law at the University of Houston Law Center, reviewed the same cases and said it “appears unclear/ dependent on further evidence as to whether the city or successors to the original developer own the alleys.�

Luckey said his clients, the Carter heirs, are “making no formal claims� to the alleys. He added that the “city is telling us that we have these rights.�

So is the city right in its determination? “That might be a question for the courts to determine,� Luckey said.

Run, from P. 1A ited to 15 girls. If more than 15 girls sign up, then the 15 are chosen through a lottery system. Girls on the Run is offered for both fall and spring. “This year, teams have been reduced and we currently have nine girls enrolled in the program,� Woodfin said.

The group has been meeting at Candlelight Park. “Many people think that running is our main focus, but running is just one component,� Woodfin said. “We are not a group that is training to

become the best runners.�

Instead, she said each lesson focuses on a different theme that is related to the girls’ mental, social or emotional well-being. “We talk about how to deal with our emotions, how to make good choices, how to have healthy interactions with friends, and how to make and reach goals,� she said. “I feel like every lesson we have had this year has helped me put things in perspective during this era of (coronavirus).

No matter how tired I am when we start a lesson, I am in a much better place after.�

Cockrum said she believes in the program because she has seen firsthand how it helps third-, fourth- and fifthgrade girls become more confident through exercise. “The program gives these girls the skills, tools and confidence they need for middle school and beyond in a format that is interactive and fun, so they don’t even realize how much exercise they are

doing,� she said. “I wish there had been something like it when I was younger.�

Fourth-grade student Julia Braun said she likes participating in Girls on the Run because the coaches are nice. “You learn about working with others and you meet new friends,� Braun said.

Fifth-grader Carolyn D’Souza enjoys the friendship aspect, too, as well as getting to set her own pace. “We learn about standing up for yourself and a lot more

fun things,� she said.

Woodfin said she has loved the conversations that happen during lessons. “Personally, it has brought me a lot of joy to be a part of this group,� she said. “As much as teaching is a part of who I am, it has been difficult this last year for both students and teachers.�

At the beginning of the season, Woodfin said the girls were uncertain about what to expect. Now it is something they look forward to before

each practice. “I also love the sense of empowerment that we are sharing during each session,�

Woodfin added. “One of their favorite awards to share with each other at the end of the day is, ‘You’re awesome, you’re awesome ... more awesome than a possum!’ or ‘Super, Super Girl Power!’�

For more information, visit https://www.gotrgreaterhouston.org/.

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The Leader • Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Be thankful for heroes in art and otherwise Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

Blessings and a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to you my friends and readers of this column. Thank you for reading, sharing and sending me great information. I truly am thankful to you and The Leader.

Last month I introduced you to Artists Sunday. Held Nov. 29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, it is dedicated to encouraging consumers to shop with artists and give something special, unique and hand-crafted this holiday season. An amazingly well-done

website, artistssunday.com has a complete and searchable listing of all artists and events nationwide.

There are dozens of Houstonarea artists participating in this nationwide effort, including Toria Hill, a Willis resident who also works out of her Sawyer Yards Winter Street Studio #A 4.5, 2101 Winter St. She’ll be there from noon-5 p.m. Sunday. The entire creative “campus” that houses the most artists in Houston will take part. Details are available at SawyerYards.com.

Hill has been creating a series of paintings she calls the “Hero Series” that focuses on our first responders. The series started when Hill painted her daughterin-law, a nurse, who suddenly found herself in unfamiliar territory at the beginning of the pandemic.

The paintings, often up to 3-4 feet, depict a colorful semi-transparent portrait of the person over a collage of clipped headlines that express the subject’s feelings.

Hill said she asks her subjects to clip out the headlines or send her the text. The combination makes for a powerful image.

“My idea was to capture the duality of her situation,” Hill said of her first Heroes painting. “On the one hand loving her job and wanting to help her MANY patients through this scary and isolating situation, but on the other hand not having the equipment needed to protect herself or her small family. She talked to me of the struggles of not having N95 masks and being issued one gown per day. She talked about the stress and the worry. I painted this painting at the very start of the epidemic. Her face tells it all.

“It’s not about being heroes, but how hard it is to be a hero this year,” she added about people in situations like her daughter-inlaw.

Hill has been inundated with commissions.

“This series is showing how hard it is to be on the frontlines right now, not just that they are heroes,” Hill said. “I am currently working on a police officer, a teacher, a childcare provider, a grocery worker and I still need a paramedic and firefighter.”

Hill will also be in attendance at the First Saturday Arts Market on Dec. 5. Find her at toriahill.art.

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.

Contributed photo Pictured is “Hero in Uniform” by Toria Hill.

REVIEW:

Slowpokes coffee shop an all-around good place to go

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Maybe it’s the constant flow of tunes playing over the speakers. Maybe it’s the friendly faces that greet you over the register. Or maybe it’s the deep smell of coffee that weaves into your clothes and stays with you even after leaving that makes Slowpokes such a perfect place to hang out and grab a drink and food.

Slowpokes first hooked me with its coffee offerings, then I was reeled in by its small bites. Now I hang off the line, happily, for a majority of what the shop has to offer. While I can’t say I’ve tried everything, or that I’m in love with everything I’ve tried, most of what I’ve sipped or chewed at Slowpokes I’ve liked enough to order more than once.

And because Slowpokes happens to be where I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of years, I can add that it’s a great place to settle in and study, read or meet with a friend.

When I drink plain coffee, I like it black. I usually go for

the Americano if I want something strong and easy. It has just the right amount of bitterness and caffeine that I love about coffee. If I want something with more depth and a wider flavor palate, I’ll go for a pour-over. Slowpokes has both house blends and guest blends that come from Ethiopia, Guatemala, South America and more. Personally, I lean toward Guatemalan blends because they usually have more hints of chocolate.

Lately, I’ve enjoyed the flat white. It’s what I choose when I want something that tastes like coffee, but there’s a tiny sweetness that takes the edge off.

If I just want something sweet, I’ll order the caramel macchiato. I’ve had this one both hot and iced and I can’t choose which I prefer.

I’ve had lots of latte flavors, but when it comes to the quality of the lattes, I have found it depends on the barista. I’ve never had a straight-up bad latte at Slowpokes, but I have had really amazing ones if certain baristas are working.

My favorite latte flavor is lavender with honey. It has a

Preslee’s helping cause through cosmo sales

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

No restaurant was exempt from the trials and tribulations COVID-19 put them through.

That is why Aya Lessor, beverage director for Preslee’s, 1430 W. 19th St., said she didn’t even hesitate when a representative for Cointreau approached her to participate in a holiday cosmopolitan program.

The program, “Cosmos for a Cause,” is a joint effort between Cointreau, which sells an orange-flavored triple sec liqueur produced in Saint-barthelemy-d’Anjou, France, and the Independent Restaurant Coalition, which is a group formed by independent restaurateurs and chefs during COVID-19 to help lobby support for independent restaurants.

“We decided to participate in the program because the cause is so personal,” Lessor said.

How it works is Cointreau will donate to the Independent Restaurant Coalition up to $100,000 for orders of Cosmopolitan cocktails at participating restaurants or Instagram posts tagging #CosmosForACause and @Cointreau_us.

When the program ends Dec. 31, Preslee’s will report to Cointreau how many cosmos were sold, and Cointreau will donate the dollar equivalent of that number to the Independent Restaurant Coalition to help bars and restaurants in need.

To participate, Preslee’s had to make a cosmopolitan using Cointreau. Lessor created the “Dixie Cosmo” specifically for Cosmos for a Cause. It costs $10.

“I decided on a more outof-pocket approach and went

Photo by Zarah Parker Pictured are the PB&J, a peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwich on sourdough, and the flat white from Slowpokes.

nice, florally sweet taste that isn’t too sweet. If I’m feeling plain, I’ll get vanilla. It’s just a good simple choice if you’re not sure what you want. I also enjoy the hazelnut and mocha flavors. These are also great to get iced during the summer.

Slowpokes’ tea comes from Tea Sip in the Heights. Depending on the weather outside, I like getting hot or iced tea. I lean toward the fruity flavors because I don’t add sweetener to my tea. So the

with High West double rye whiskey and added strawberry to play on our southern theme as well as make it more appealing and different in comparison to a straightforward, vodka-based cosmopolitan,” Lessor said.

Lessor described the drink as delicious, refreshing and sure to please even non-whiskey drinkers.

As a newer restaurant that hadn’t been open for more than six months before pandemic-related shutdowns occurred in March, Lessor is glad to say that Preslee’s has made it through this difficult time.

“We continue to open our doors and patio to the neighborhood every day thanks to the generosity and support from our guests as well as our hard-working employees that stuck with us through the uncertainty COVID brought,” Lessor said. “Participating in this program is the least we can do to help other bars and restaurants in need. Who isn’t down to drink for a good cause?”

sisting of mixed greens, carrots, blueberries, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, apples and almonds, is perfect if you want something light and fresh. The Chicken Mozzarella Salad, with mixed greens, grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes and cucumbers, is perfect if you want more protein.

If I just want a snack, a Slow Dough Pretzel is my go-to. It’s a large soft pretzel that comes with a side of dipping sauces.

The sauces rotate.

Slowpokes also keeps an array of treats brought in my local bakeries, like croissants, muffins, cookies and more.

Grabbing a muffin is never a bad idea.

Slowpokes Address: 1203 W. 34th St. Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. MondayFriday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. SaturdaySunday Pricing: Coffee, $3-$5; food, $6.50-$14 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: Yes Stars of the show: Lavender latte with honey, PB&J

It’s time to make holiday drinks Zarah Parker Managing Editor

Contributed photo Preslee’s sales of cosmopolitan cocktails will benefit the Independent Restaurant Coalition.

fruity teas already have a natural sweetness.

The shop also carries local craft beer from Eureka Heights Brew Co., Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Karbach Brewing Co. and more. They always have local offerings and they often rotate. There’s also a selection of wine available.

From the kitchen I have a few favorites, too. The breakfast taco comes in a corn tortilla and is filled with scrambled eggs and your choice of top-

pings. I love adding avocado.

I’m not big on eating breakfast, but these simple tacos were always welcome when I’d drop by the shop before work.

The Avocado Mash is a slice of sourdough with avocado, arugula, grape tomatoes, lemon, oil and salt. Out of everything I’ve had, this is probably my least favorite. The bread was a little tough, making it hard to eat.

The Chicken Pesto Panino is in the running to be my favorite sandwich from Slowpokes.

It comes on a pretzel baguette and stuffed with chicken, fresh mozzarella, arugula, avocado, pesto and aioli.

My favorite sandwich is the PB&J. It’s not the most complex item on the menu, but it’s the sandwich I order most often when I settle into the shop to do some work. It’s peanut butter and strawberry jam on sourdough. The bread is toasted and, in my experience, has a different thickness every time I order it. Sometimes the bread is thin and really toasted. Other times it’s a little thicker and only lightly toasted. I like it either way.

The Slowpokes Salad, con-

I can’t imagine snuggling in a blanket in front of a fireplace during the cold months in Houston. Maybe that’s because I’ve never lived in a house that had a fireplace, or maybe it’s because Houston doesn’t have cold months as much as it has occasional cold days.

But what I can and do imagine when the weather is chilled enough for a jacket is making classic holiday drinks that warm from the inside out.

Although some of these drinks aren’t served warm, just the taste of them can put you in a festive holiday mood. And with the kind of year we’re having, we need to start making these drinks sooner to lift our spirts.

The one that first comes to mind is Wassail. This can be an alcoholic beverage or not.

I’ve only had it without alcohol.

Wassail is like the cool older sister of hot apple cider. It combines the apples, orange, cinnamon and spices together.

This recipe, completelydelicious.com/boozy-hot-wassail/, uses hard cider, sweet madeira wine and brandy to elevate it for adults.

On the other hand, this recipe, tastesbetterfromscratch. com/hot-wassail/, simply uses cloves, apples, cinnamon, lemon, orange, ginger and nutmeg to make it kid-friendly.

You could also make the traditional wassail, with alcohol, for adults and just regular hot apple cider for the kiddos.

By mixing apple cider, maple syrup, cinnamon, cloves, allspice berries, an orange peel and a lemon peel, you can get a similar drink without a fuss.

Then there’s the creamy, holiday favorite, eggnog. I think eggnog is one of those hit-or-miss drinks for most people. The store-bought kind has never appealed to me. But this one, tastesbetterfrom-

scratch.com/homemade-eggnog/, I tried last year and plan to do this year as well.

It utilizes egg yolks, sugar, whipping cream, milk, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt and ground cinnamon for topping. It’s thick and creamy and worth the time to make.

Of course you can also make eggnog alcoholic with brandy, cognac, bourbon, whiskey, sherry or rum.

Other holiday drinks that are more well-known tend to have alcohol. I wonder what that really says about the holiday season.

A Tom and Jerry, sans cat and mouse, is a traditional punch. It’s similar to eggnog, but served warm and made in the mug it’s served in. It’s made with eggs, butter, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and more. The alcoholic splash in this one is rum. Here’s a recipe to try at home: thespruceeats. com/tom-and-jerry-cocktailrecipe-760573.

Mulled wine, which is served hot and has many dif-

ferent names, is made with any wine of your choosing and then “mulled,” which is to heat it with spices like whole cloves, star anise and cardamom pods. You can also add additional liqueur, like sangria.

Here’s a recipe: gimmesomeoven.com/mulled-winerecipe/.

For non-alcoholic beverages that still have the holiday flavors, you can make punch.

This cranberry-apple cider punch, sayyes.com/2014/11/ fizzy-drinks-for-the-holidays, brings apple cider and cranberry together for a fruity punch.

This punch, dessertnowdinnerlater.com/crimson-christmas-punch/, is full of fruit juices, like cranberry and pineapple. But the addition of the raspberry sherbet gives it a creaminess that fits the holidays.

Whatever you decide to make, with or without alcohol, just make sure you take the time to sit down and let yourself sip it to really relish in all the spices.

FOOD BRIEFS: Make last-minute Thanksgiving stop at Common Bond

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

The on-the-go concept of Common Bond in the Heights at 601 Heights Blvd., will be open for a short time on Thanksgiving Day to help anyone who needs to grab some last-minute treats.

From 7-11 a.m., customers can purchase coffee, croissants or holiday pies. The pie selection includes Maple Pecan, Dutch Apple and Bourbon Pecan. There are a limited number, so they are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Orders can be placed by phone before pick-up by calling 713-880-3550.

Membership program at Local Foods Local Foods, 714 Yale St., planned to launch what it’s calling a first-of-its-kind monthly membership program on Friday, Nov. 27.

The program will include a sandwich with side or entrée salad, or a special of the day every day of the month for $120 per month. The first 100 people to sign up will get the membership for $99 per

month.

The Local Foods Membership Card can be purchased online at https://localfoodstexas.com/ or at any of the four locations in the Houston area.

Members will receive a unique QR code found on a smartphone that can be scanned at the register when ordering.

Bottled cocktails to-go Better Luck Tomorrow, 544 Yale St., is letting customers drink its “Cold Fashioned” from the comfort of their own

homes. The gastropub now offers bottled cocktails to-go for curbside pick-up.

You can order a bottle online at betterlucktomorrowhou.com.

Last call for vegan kolaches Kolache Shoppe, 1031 Heights Blvd., has its first vegan kolache flavor available on Friday and Saturday of this week.

The kolache combines potatoes and vegan chorizo wrapped in vegan dough.

Page 8A • Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 • The Leader

Check out these Heights businesses for holiday shopping Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

The phrases shop local and shop small have never meant more than they do right now, this year and especially this weekend. The empty storefronts and for-lease signs make it painfully obvious.

In the Heights, especially, we all know how small businesses have shaped these neighborhoods. Commit to helping them stay afloat, especially this weekend.

There are three local retail businesses I’d like to highlight for the traditional busiest shopping weekend of the year

that I have a personal connection to.

Wandering Star Adventure Emporium, 1504 Yale St., specializes in casual outdoor clothing and cool outdoor accessories like day packs and knives. Wandering Star is the brainchild of Fred Zapalac, coowner of Blue Line Bike Lab (next door) and Kevin Chenevert, owner of Green Swallow Creations, a screen-printing business.

This weekend marks the first anniversary for the specialty store and as such, big celebrations are planned for Friday, Nov. 27.

“Well, we made it through our first year, and what a year it’s been!” Chenevert wrote on his invitation. “I’m pretty sure that Fred and I did not anticipate everything that played out in 2020, yet here

Contributed photo Fred Zapalac, left, and Kevin Chenevert, co-owners of Wandering Star Adventure Emporium at 1504 Yale St., are celebrating their first anniversary this weekend.

we stand!”

These two guys alone are both forces to be reckoned with. Together, I have no doubt Wandering Star Adventure Emporium will be around for quite some time.

Wandering Star Adventure Emporium Black Friday activities include “free stuff,” product giveaways and live music. For every $100 that you spend, you’ll also get a $15 gift card to use for later purchases and also online at shopwanderingstar.com.

The Whimsy Artisan Boutique, 1802 Yale St, Ste E., expanded recently to an astonishing 250 square feet.

Owners Jessica and Luis Carlos run this incredibly tiny shop that represents about 125 artists. For Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28, there will be a sidewalk sale and some

giveaways. I’m fairly certain that Whimsy Artisan has more First Saturday Arts Market artists’ art than I do on market days. Visit thewhimsyartisan. com.

Erica DelGardo is a fine jewelry artisan, and she and her husband, Chris, were regulars at my art market in the first few years of opening. They were always very complimentary of my efforts, which seriously boosted my confidence because they traveled the state at the time attending other outdoor events.

The DelGardo’s opened their first store, Erica DelGardo Jewelry Designs, 13 years ago and have an amazing shop at 329 W. 19th St. Check out the store online at ericadelgardo. com.

Follow Mitch Cohen on Twitter @ArtValet

Darlene’s offering deal for Small Business Saturday

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

A local shop is bringing out a deal for shoppers during Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.

Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop, 10570 Northwest Fwy., is offering 20 percent off purchases during Small Business Saturday and the entire month of December.

Darlene’s is a boutique that carries various items from purses to jewelry to floral arrangements and more.

The shop will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Contributed photo Pictured are Darlene’s Flower & Gift Shop owners Susan Tate, left, and Judy Bankhead.

Contributed photo Villages Heights Church is holding a “Pictures with Santa” event on Sunday, Dec. 6 at Marmion Park in the Heights. Social distancing protocols will be implemented.

Take pictures with Santa at Marmion Park

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com

Village Heights Church is hosting a “Pictures with Santa” event to help bring a sense of normalcy back into children’s lives.

“Getting to see Santa is a quintessential part of the traditions many families enjoy,” said Hannah White, lead pastor of Village Heights. “Just because things have been difficult and the holidays won’t be ‘the same’ doesn’t mean that we should just throw in the towel. If we’re willing to be creative and jump outside of the box, there will always be ways to love our community and celebrate together.”

The event will take place at Marmion Park, 1802 Heights Blvd., from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Pictures will be taken with visitors’ own devices. Volunteers will also be there to help take photos if needed.

To help ensure a safe distance

while taking photos, Santa with stand in a holiday-clad gazebo and the people posing with him are invited to stand nearby on the ground or steps of the gazebo.

“That way ‘The Heights Santa’ will be able to interact and create fun poses from a distance,” White said.

White also said the event has been a team effort. When the church reached out to “The Heights Santa” and the Houston Heights Association, for the approval of using the park, White said both were happy to help.

Unless posing with Santa, visitors are asked to wear masks and take advantage of the hand sanitizer that will be available on site.

“From a mom’s perspective, my kids have done such an incredible job of pivoting time and time again this year,” White said. “So, creating an opportunity to bring a little extra joy to their Christmas season warms my heart.”

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