Clearwater Living buys The Watermark at Houston Heights
The upscale senior living community rebrands as Clearwater at The Heights
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Clearwater Living®, a real estate and property management company dedicated to the ownership, operation and development of senior living communities, announced today the acquisition of The Watermark at Houston Heights, a 220-unit, luxury assisted living and memory support community in Houston. Clearwater Living has rebranded the community as Clearwater at The Heights.
"We are very pleased to add Clearwater at The Heights to our portfolio of Class A senior living communities," said Danielle Morgan, Clearwater Living's president and COO. "Each of our communities epitomizes our steadfast commitment to offering residents the essential emotional, physical and social experiences that
The community also boasts
a variety of amenities that Clearwater's five-star, resortstyle living is known for, including 24-hour concierge service; housekeeping; four different restaurant experiences featuring chef-driven cuisine and fresh ingredients; an outdoor heated pool that can be used for aerobics classes and therapy; a salon with an on-site spa; a golf simulator; an art room; and fitness rooms with yoga and other wellness classes. Located in the nation's fourth largest city, the Houston Heights area is recognized for its rich architectural heritage and close-knit community ambiance. As an integral part of Houston, this neighborhood benefits from its vibrant cultural landscape, world-renowned culinary scene, and a variety of living options making it an ideal location for seniors seeking to participate in an active, culturally immersive experience embodying the essence of Southern hospitality. Clearwater is dedicated to fostering healthy living and
empowering lifestyles within the community. Residents of Clearwater communities regularly enjoy access to a licensed nurse onsite, round-the-clock compassionate care partners, medication coordination, and regular monitoring, among other comprehensive care services. Through a collaboration with local care providers, Clearwater also offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services. These offerings epitomize Clearwater's philosophy of Empowered Living, where individuals experience enriching emotional, physical, and social interactions in a stimulating, yet comfortable setting.
Clearwater Living actively acquires, develops and operates a full range of senior housing communities throughout the western United States. Clearwater at The Heights is the company's first Texas location. Clearwater currently features eleven communities across California, Nevada and Arizona, with more properties currently under development.
Page 2 • Saturday, April 13, 2024 • The Leader THE PEOPLE. NEVER MISS A STORY THELEADERNEWS.COM PUBLISHER & OWNER BRIAN CALLE SALES/MARKETING INEZ RIVERA Sales Manager irivera@txstreetmedia.com DESIGN LAURA WHITE Production Manager/Senior Designer lwhite@txstreetmedia.com EDITORIAL STEFANIE THOMAS Managing Editor editor@theleadernews.com WEBSITE: www.theleadernews.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/fromtheleader EMAILS: editor@theleadernews.com MAIL: 2400 CENTRAL PKWY STE I HOUSTON, TX 77092-7712 PHONE: 713.371.3600 TX STREET MEDIA A division of THE HEIGHTS LEADER WELCOMES OPINION ARTICLES ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. PUBLICATION IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE EDITOR. DONATIONS Looking to hire good local people? Leader classifieds get great response and cost less than the daily paper. Don’t Be A Victim! Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer Black Gold Guns & ammo Concealed Handgun Classes New LoCatioN Buy SeLL trade we Buy aLL GuNS 2001 Karbach Suite F 713-694-4867 Houston, TX 77092 Gift Certificates ourrealtordebbie@aol.com DEBBIE EllIott 713-906-5481 Realty Associates Experience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination COMMUNITY REPORTS Clear your weekend calendars for the 7th Annual Run the Grove 5K & Kids Fun Run, taking place this Saturday, April 13. Planned and hosted by Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association volunteers, this event runs through the beautiful treelined streets of the community and gathers neighbors and friends, with more than 500 registered so far, for exercise and festivities. The event will feature live music, food trucks, free beer from presenting sponsor Eureka Heights, lots of kids activities and local businesses who support the race setup booths. Proceeds benefit a few different initiatives outlined on the Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association website at https://tmnaonline.org/run-the-grove/ This Saturday: 7th Annual Run the Grove 5K & Kids Fun Run, April 13 Submitted photo The 7th Annual Run the Grove 5K & Kids Fun Run, hosted by the Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association, will be held April 13. New chapter ahead as the renowned 5-year-old bakery plans for outpost COMMUNITY REPORTS Magnol French Baking announced that it will open in Houston Heights at 1115 East 11th Street, the former location
Photo by Carla Gomez Magnol French Baking will open a location in the Heights later this year.
LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor The real estate market in Houston Heights continues to exhibit robust activity,
a significant
on
By
marked by
number of properties currently
multi-family
13 mid/hi-rise condos listed for sale in Houston Heights. This diverse range
varying
needs
allow them to thrive. We are
Located
Street between ETC Jester Boulevard and Durham Drive, the seven-story property consists of 201 independent or as-
living residences
19 memory care apartments with sophisticated and contemporary finishes. Floor plans include private studios and oneand two-bedroom layouts.
excited to expand into Texas and bring Clearwater's passion for empowering seniors to Houston Heights, a historic neighborhood known for maintaining its sense of community in the heart of one of the country's largest cities."
at 1245 W. 18th
sisted
and
File photo; by Adam Zuvanich
The Watermark at Houston Heights, an upscale senior living community at 1245 W. 18th St., opened in April 2022 and has recently been bought by Clearwater Living. It is the tallest building in Shady Acres at seven stories.
Pelvic Floor Health: Non-Surgical Solutions for Women
Some health issues are easier to discuss than others, especially when it comes to pelvic health. Problems like incontinence and dropped pelvic organs are more common than you think, and the changes that occur during postpartum and menopause can impact the health of the pelvic floor muscles. According to Dr. Rachel A. High, a urogynecologist at Houston Methodist, one in three women will experience pelvic dysfunction in her lifetime.
While pelvic dysfunction isn’t life-threatening, it can significantly impact quality of life. Understanding some of the symptoms and treatment options available, ranging from bladder training and pelvic floor muscle exercises, will help you feel more comfortable having a conversation with your physician, which can be the first step to improved pelvic health.
WHAT ARE PELVIC FLOOR DISORDERS?
The pelvic floor includes muscles, ligaments and connective tissue that support a woman’s pelvic organs, including the uterus, bladder and rectum. After the pelvic floor muscles and tissue become weak due to age, nerve injuries, or childbirth, that weakness can cause bladder and bowel control problems. Pelvic floor disorder refers to a range of conditions that affect the proper functioning of pelvic organs and can manifest in a multitude of ways. The three most common pelvic floor disorders are:
Urinary incontinence –leaking urine with physical activities or with strong desire to urinate
• Fecal incontinence –may range from accidental bow-
el leakage, gas or complete loss of bowel control
• Vaginal prolapse – loss of support of the vagina and uterus, bladder or rectum which can drop or bulging into the vagina often related to weak pelvic floor muscles
While these issues are common and treatable, they often go unaddressed due to embarrassment or a lack of awareness that non-surgical treatments are available.
Non-surgical treatments
The good news is that nonsurgical remedies are highly effective in addressing pelvic floor disorders. Options that may improve your symptoms include:
Pelvic floor physical therapy restores muscle function and skeletal misalignment, which contributes
to loss of bladder and bowel control, sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain. A physical therapist who has specialized training in pelvic floor health can tailor a treatment plan based on your needs. Physical therapy consists of education, exercise and biofeedback, or using sensors and electrodes to determine muscle activity. Patients are given exercises to do at home so they can continue to improve symptoms. Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, can be help strengthen muscles after childbirth and beyond. These exercises involve contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles to improve their strength and tone.
It’s important to note that Kegels must be done correctly to be effective, said High. It’s best to consult with your doctor about the proper form or what other treatment options will best help your condition.
“Pelvic health issues are quite common, but many women write off these conditions as normal parts of aging or think symptoms like urinary incontinence are an unavoidable side effect of childbirth,” said High. “After treatment, many women see remarkable improvement that positively impacts their quality of life. In some cases, minimally invasive surgical treatments with short recovery periods may be recommended.” WHEN
While pelvic floor dysfunction is familiar to many women, it’s an often underestimated issue limiting women physically and socially. If you have persistent symptoms like pain, incontinence or discomfort, a trained specialist in treating pelvic floor disorders can recommend a personalized treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
Don’t let shame or embarrassment keep you from getting relief. To schedule an appointment, visit http:// www.houstonmethodist.org/ pelvic-restoration or call 713.441.9229.
The Leader • Saturday, April 13, 2024 • Page 3 Dr. Fulton is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her practice consists of obstetrics, gynecology, and cosmetic procedures such as laser hair removal. She is a graduate of the University of Texas and completed residency at St. Vincent’s Medical Center where she was a Chief Resident. Dr. Fulton volunteers as part of the health team ministry of her church. 1740 W. 27 St. Suite 301 • Houston, TX 77008 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com Dr. Stephanie Fulton Board Certified Internal Medicine Dr. Jaclyn Harrison, a board certified internal medicine physician, has opened a new primary care/internal medicine practice, White Oak Medical Associates in the Heights. She believes patients deserve their doctor’s focused attention, personalized care, and is devoted to compassionate, effective treatment for her patients. 1900 North Loop W, Suite 580 • Houston, TX 77018 713-714-5376 Whiteoakmedicalassociates.com Dr. Jaclyn Harrison, M.D. Board Certified physician, Dr. Lindsey Fogle, has joined primary care/internal medicine practice White Oak Medical Associates in the Heights. She really likes connecting with people, to be someone who’s trusted for patients and their families during an illness. A primary care doctor is really important for anyone to have. 1900 North Loop W, Suite 580 • Houston, TX 77018 713-714-5376 Whiteoakmedicalassociates.com Dr. Lindsey Fogle, M.D.
Directory of Local Female Health Service Professionals Women’s Health Directory
TO SEEK CARE FROM A DOCTOR
You can help prevent CHILD ABUSE If you see or suspect ANY abusive behavior of a minor, call the Texas Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 Be the voice for those who can’t speak up for themselves.
THE TV – It’s the weekend and time to watch my foot ball games. The Longhorns, the Aggies, Coogs, Owls and Texans. Even the Cowboys. But try as I might all I can get are lacrosse, gymnastics and cross-country skateboard racing. That means football season is over until next fall. I am going through withdrawal.
Maybe tapes of last year’s Avocados From Mexico Cure Bowl in Orlando. Wait. We have football in the spring and we can cheer for the Houston Roughnecks, our own home town spring professional football team. It gets a bit complicated, but last year there were two spring pro football leagues, the United States Football League, or USFL, and the XFL, which was called the XFL. Houston had a team in both leagues, the Roughnecks in the XFL and the Houston Gamblers in the USFL. Both leagues had rocky seasons, so this year they combined with four teams from each former league and called it the UFL. We got the Roughnecks. This new league also has teams called the Birmingham Stallions, Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers, Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas and tempt a one, two or three-point conversion from the 2, 5 or 10-yard line. The Roughnecks are owned-and-operated by several people and groups including Dwayne Johnson (also known as the Rock), and play their games at Rice Stadium. Not to get sidetracked, but last year’s Roughnecks played in UH’s TDECU stadium. Does anyone know what TDECU means? It is named for the Texas Dow Employees Credit Union. Why a credit union would pay for naming rights to a college football stadium eludes me.
in the All American Football League. The season was to begin on Feb. 9, 2019, six days after Super Bowl. But the All American Football League never even kicked off. In 2020 when Houston got its first Roughnecks in the XFL it joined teams with such family friendly names as the Outlaws, Enforcers and Hitmen, but is best remembered for the player who had “He Hate Me” on the back of his jersey.
If all these Houston pro football teams coming and going with different names are confusing, don’t feel alone. We briefly had a team
Today’s Roughnecks are only the latest in a long list of Houston’s pro football teams named the Terror, Thunderbears, Outlaws, Marshals, Wild Riders, Texas Cyclones, Lightning and Stallions. The name for our NFL Houston Texans almost wasn’t. While the new franchise was being put together, a handful of team names (actually 17) were trademarked for possible use, including Apollos, Bobcats, Challengers, Colt 45’s, Energy, Hurricanes, Roughnecks, Roughriders, Roustabouts, Stallions, Stormcats, Texans, Texians, Toros, Wildcats, Wildcatters and Wranglers. The Houston Energies? Well, Houston’s NFL team does play in NRG Stadium, which is close. (Incidentally, the current Kansas City Chiefs began
life in Dallas as the Texans.) Texians was the original name for residents of this land. Everyone up north would think it was a misspelling. “Those illiterate Texans can’t even spell their own name.” After almost a year of speculation, the team was officially christened the Houston Texans. Owner Bob McNair declared that he wanted to name the team the Stallions, but changed his mind since horses were overused in the league what with the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts. McNair said Texans was picked to be “something unique to Houston and the NFL” as well as representative of the bravery of early Texans. For you newcomers, before the Texans we had the Houston Oilers. For many years they were mostly dreadful but loved. We had the “Luv Ya Blue” phenomenon (the team’s main color was light blue). There was Coach Bum Phillips, Earl Campbell, Dan Pastorini, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson and a host of memorable players. One year when the Oilers lost to the Pittsburg Steelers in a playoff, the team was welcomed back to the Astrodome with a packed and cheering crowd. You don’t see that sort of response to losers
very often. The owner was Bud Adams, the official pet rock of Texas. When the Oilers moved to Nashville, Adams kept the name “Oilers.” This infuriated the new fans as there is not much oil in Nashville. Adams eventually had to change the name to Titans, that state being awash in Titans.
Speaking of team names that really don’t fit the host town, we have the NBA’s Salt Lake City Jazz. The team started in New Orleans, so the name made sense, the Crescent City having all that jazz. But when the team moved to the Mormon capital of the world, the name “Jazz” moved with it. If there is any city in America which is not jazzy it is Salt Lake City. Same when the basketball Minneapolis Lakers -- a good name for a franchise in the Land of 1,000 Lakes -- moved to that well-known city on the lake, Los Angeles, so we have the Los Angeles Lakers. The Green Bay Packers took their name after Curly Lambeau, a shipping clerk at the Indian Packing Company, got $500 for jerseys and use of the company’s athletic field.
Moving on, several years ago the NFL tried to expand into Europe, which was a bust. But if the NFL wanted to try
Europe, what names? There could be the London Bridges and Moscow Mules (that’s a drink). The Paris Hiltons would be X-rated. I like the Nice Guys, but they would finish last. The Berlin Walls is as outdated as the New England Patriots. How about going worldwide with the Perth Snatchers or the Bermuda Triangles? The Peking Ducks won’t do since no one orders Beijing Duck. The Panama Hats, the Argentine Don’t Cry for Me’s, the Roman Coliseums (the Lions would be tasteless) or the Hamburg Helpers. Perhaps the Buda Pests. Anyway, we now have the Houston Roughnecks, so let the games begin. Where’s my remote?
Ashby cheers on at ashby2@ compact.net Editor’s
Live music concert by 10,000 Maniacs Cost: $38-$544
Info: prekindle.com/events/ theheights
SPRING FLING – BRUNCH & BUBBLES
Who: All ages When: Saturday, April 13, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Where: Primrose School - 919 Judiway St. What: Brunch Bus, The Gym Station, petting zoo, and more Cost: Free Info: facebook.com
TARGET HUNGER –VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY BY HOUSTON HEIGHTS WOMEN’S CLUB
Who: All ages
When: Saturday, April 13, 8:45 a.m.–noon
Where: Goffney Community Garden – 4604 Cavalcade
What: Gardening task to benefit those in need of food
assistance
Cost: Free Info: houstonheightswomansclub.com
THE HOUSTON PANCAKE & BOOZE ART SHOW
Who: Adults
When: Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m.-midnight
Where: Bad Astronaut Brewing Co. – 1519 Fulton St. What: Pop-up art exhibition
Cost: $15 early bird - $20 day of event
Info: pancakesandbooze.com/ houston
FABULOUS FLOW PAINTING
Who: Adults
When: Sunday, April 14, 7 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.
Where: Shot of Art Houston –1917 Silver St.
What: Painting class Cost: $105
Info: classpop.com/paintingclasses/16486/fabulous-flowpainting
JANIVA MAGNESS LIVE
Who: Adults
When: Sunday, April 14, 8 p.m.
Where: Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar – 1031 E 24th
What: Grammy Nominated
Janiva Magness performs live Costs: $15
Info: visithoustontexas.com/ event/janiva-magness-live-atdan-electros/103591
JB BARNETT AT THE WALKING STICK
Who: All ages
When: Sunday, April 14, 3 p.m.
note: This column and its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of The Leader News, its staff, or its publisher. The Leader News welcomes opinion articles on matters of interest to Greater Heights residents at editor@theleadernews. com. Publication is at the discretion of the editor.
The Leader News Contributor SPRING
13, and Sunday, April 14, nppn-6 p.m. Where: Shuttle pick-up at All Saints Church – 215 E.10th St. What: Tour of six Heights homes and gardens Cost: $35 Info: houstonheights.org/2024spring-home-garden-tour RAISING BACKYARD CHICKENS Who: Adults When: Saturday, April 13, 10:30 a.m.-noon Where: Wabash Feed and Garden – 4537 North Shepherd Dr. What: Learn the basics of raising poultry Cost: $10 Info: wabashfeed.com/events SECOND SATURDAY OPEN STUDIOS & ARTS MARKET Who: Adults & families When: Saturday, April 13, 11 p.m.–5 p.m. Where: Sawyer Yards - 2101 Winter St. What: Open studios & outdoor art market Cost: Free Info: sawyeryards.com/ events/second-saturday 10,000 MANIACS WITH GIULIA MILLANTA Who: Adults When: Saturday, April 13, 8 p.m. Where: The Heights Theater –339 W. 19th St. What:
THE WEEKEND. Thrills around town for the weekend of April 13-14 Teaming with titles Lynn Ashby Columnist THE TOPICS.
HOME & GARDEN TOUR Who: All ages When: Saturday, April
Where:
What:
Cost:
SUDOKU WORD SCRAMBLE the leader Puzzlers. aCrOss 1. Glasgow inhabitant 5. Dangerous tidal bore 10. Prevents harm to creatures 14. Upper class 15. Caused an open infection 16. Styptic 17. Am. Nat’l. Standards Inst. 18. Muse of lyric poetry and mime 19. He fiddled 20. Afrikaans 22. Don’t know when yet 23. Mottled cat 24. 1803 USA purchase 27. Engine additive 30. Reciprocal of a sine 31. __ King Cole, musician 32. Time in the central U.S. 35. Insect pupa sheaths 37. Prefix denoting “in a” 38. Okinawa port city 39. Capital of Pais-deCalais 40. Small amount 41. Fictional elephant 42. Grave 43. 12th month (abbr.) 44. Knights’ garment 45. One point S of due E 46. Lender Sallie ___ 47. Express pleasure 48. Grassland, meadow 49. Vikings state 52. Deck for divination 55. Mountain 56. Cavalry sword 60. Largest known toad species 61. Once more 63. Cavity 64. Paper this tin plate 65. Slang for backward 66. James __, American steam engineer 67. Sea eagles 68. Wooded 69. Expression of annoyance dOwn 1. Spawn of an oyster 2. Town near Venice 3. Bone (pl.) 4. Pair of harness shafts 5. Midway between E and SE 6. Of a main artery 7. Catches 8. Maintained possession 9. Old Tokyo 10. Yemen capital 11. Commoner 12. Street border 13. Old Xiamen 21. Soul and calypso songs 23. Explosive 25. Put into service 26. Swiss river 27. Territorial division 28. Pulse 29. Hair curling treatments 32. Small group of intriguers 33. Portion 34. Slightly late 36. Taxi 37. Political action committee 38. Grab 40. Between 13 & 19 41. Tai currency 43. Newsman Rather 44. Great school in Mass. 46. Technology school 47. Have a great ambition 49. Groans 50. Fill with high spirits 51. Expressed pleasure 52. Modern London gallery 53. A gelling agent in foods 54. Dilapidation 57. Swine 58. Footwear museum city 59. Respite 61. Creative activity 62. Slight head motion Answers found in this week’s Classified section Page 4 • Saturday, April 13, 2024 • The Leader Dr. Stephanie Fulton, MD Thank you for voting me a favorite Board Certified by American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1740 W. 27th St., Suite 301 713-880-2727 www.fultonobgyn.com Women’s Health Care Provider NEVER MISS A STORY THELEADERNEWS.COM SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Off-duty officer fatally strikes pedestrian running across I-610 freeway COMMUNITY REPORTS Houston police are investigating a fatal crash at 300 West Interstate Highway 610 North about 2:25 a.m., April 4. The identity of the deceased male is pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. HPD Vehicular Crimes Division officials said an offduty HPD lieutenant was traveling in his city vehicle, an unmarked black Chevrolet Impala, northbound at the above address when a male pedestrian, ran across the freeway main lanes and was struck. A gray Dodge Denali pickup truck, also traveling on the West Loop North, then struck the rear of the Impala. Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced the male pedestrian deceased. Neither the off-duty lieutenant nor the two males in the Dodge were injured. The lieutenant was reportedly placed on administrative leave for the duration of the investigation.
956 Judiway
Live music
Free Info: walkingstickbrewing.com
HISD from P. 1
about what’s really happening in schools”
“Takeover policies are directly harming our students”
• “Students and teachers are being treated like robots-no stories, no questions, no hoodies, no heat, no bathroom, no celebrations, no community, and the list goes on”
“Miles has been terminating teachers so recklessly that our students’ needs are left unmet”
• “Teachers have been recommended for termination for dimming the lights, for speaking out about the harmful learning conditions, and for using their available sick time”
“Teachers have had FMLA denied and then have been terminated for taking time to care for terminally ill relatives”
And here is the full list of demands, as noted in the media statement:
Fire Mike Miles and restore the elected Houston ISD Board of Trustees.
• Students should be supported with wraparound, counselors, nurses, and librarians/library specialists
with the current location’s renovation in 2014, but Blasini tells the Leader the EQ Heights story and the inspiration that would become the namesake began long before the doors to EQ Heights were opened.
“It starts with my desire to start my own food-related business back as a teenager and follows me through a professional career spanning nearly 25 years in corporate HR and legal positions in engineering and oil and gas companies,” Blasini said, “[Hurricane] Katrina brought my family and I to Houston and began a transition from global corporate roles to fulfilling my desire to open a community-based business. My previous business roles provided tremendous opportunities to travel and learn from many different cultures and ways of living. Equilibrium was an aspiration, finding the right balance between work and family but also a way of daily living for me and so it became the inspiration for EQ.”
The café, which opened its doors in early 2015, quickly became a beloved gathering place for locals seeking connection over coffee, conversation, and community events.
Reflecting on the café’s inception, Blasini shared the serendipitous journey that led him to the space at 1030 Heights Blvd. Finding the perfect location in
on every campus. Teachers should be certified and have college degrees. Teachers should be respected with their input valued.
• Stop targeting black and brown schools with harmful, unproven interventions.
• Learning should be meaningful and engaging. Curriculum, teacher evaluation and leadership decisions should be based on peer-reviewed and research-based best practices. The Leader reached out to HISD, asking for a response to the sickout as well as, specifically, the allegations and demands outlined above.
We received a single sentence in return. Here is the brief statement, released by the HISD administration, purportedly addressing our inquiry, in its entirety: “The district conducted a brief examination and identified no significant variation in teacher absences affecting instruction for April 4, 2024.”
A teacher from a Heights/ GOOF area who participated in the sickout said he thought the parking lot at his school looked decidedly more empty that day. Under the condition of anonymity, he echoed the sentiments presented by the protester group in the media
statement, saying for the first time in his career, his profession has become a living nightmare.
“I’ve worked at many more challenging schools than where I teach now, and it has never been this bad,” he said. “The kids are unmotivated, exhausted, even, and every day it saddens me to hear more and more colleagues saying they didn’t want to come to school this morning.”
The concerns about Miles and his administration, according to this teacher, are manifold and troubling, ranging from an atmosphere rife with fear and apprehension among teachers and uncertain enrollment numbers going forward, to unjust teacher terminations and worries about privatization possibly underpinned by political motives.
The greatest concern, however, is the impact recent new policies have on students, he said.
“I hear the kids talk among themselves, asking their friends if they’ll be back next year. And what I’m hearing indicates that many of them are looking at finding another district or enrolling in private schools,” he said.
Once schools break for summer, he said he fears the long-term consequences for
student enrollment and retention will become obvious and irreversible, with many students joining dissatisfied teachers in leaving HISD. A teacher shortage will lead to program cuts, he said, while a student shortage may lead to school closures.
“It’s unbelievably disappointing,” he said. “We created new programs and worked hard with these kids for so many years, only to see it all go up in smoke.”
What some parents of Heights/GOOF area students may not realize, he said, is that the programs that this year gave their kids an advantage may not exist next year. The current HISD administration, he said, is driving out the most qualified teachers. “Sure, your student is in dual credit classes and that’s awesome,” he said. “But what happens when the teacher who was certified to teach those classes is no longer there next year? There aren’t that many teachers around who have master’s degrees, who are willing to go through the application process, the background check, the fingerprinting, and everything that’s required to teach dual credit. And the ones that do, they’ll go to a great district where they
the community where he lived was a top priority. “Creating the right offerings and atmosphere were my central focus and finding the right spot for this was a very difficult task. Happenstance and good fortune brought me to find that spot at 1030 Heights after I had returned from intensive educational and practical training in the coffee and tea world in Portland and Seattle,” he recalled. “I had never worked or been exposed to the food business outside of stints in high school and college and I started working as a part time barista to confirm my desire to open a coffee and tea house. It so happened that I started at Boulevard Coffee which was housed in the very same location that EQ
would later open.”
Despite facing numerous hurdles, including natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey, Blasini remained steadfast in his commitment to EQ Heights and its community.
“It has been a labor of love since the beginning and I’m so grateful to Gary Drabek, the owner of the property, our EQ employees- past and presentand the community for believing in, welcoming us, and accepting us with open arms,” he said. “I would be lying if I would not admit that it has been some of the most challenging work I have done in my lifetime. Navigating through the challenges of opening a small business on my own with no partners, no franchisor guidance or playbook was no
small feat but thanks to the great fortune of having some really great employees, we confronted real exigencies like the freezes, the pandemic, the global trade and labor shortages, and finally the aggressive inflation postpandemic that challenged me to the core and put to use all the things my education and experience taught me.... stay the course, believe in your business, your customers, vendors and your employees and persevere.” Although hesitant to go into detail about the whens and whys of a potential property sale, the very possibility brings mixed emotions for Blasini. He dreads the prospect of having to bid farewell to the café’s current location, yet holds on to hope for future opportunities.
have a week off in October, a week off in November, a week off in February, a week off in March.”
As for himself, the teacher said his family is discussing the possibility of leaving on a daily basis. The thought of starting over elsewhere with two of his own children in the district and leaving the Heights/GOOF area behind is a serious life change he doesn’t take lightly. The need for meaningful dialogue and constructive action has never been more urgent, the teacher said, but it’s unfortunate that actions like teacher sickouts are necessary to draw attention to the issues. Only time will tell whether these concerns will be addressed and whether the promise of equitable, high-quality education for all students can be realized under the current administration, the current climate.
Although the legalities of the teacher sickout are under debate, local resident Constance Charles, for one, is pleased to hear about it, she said. She has two grandchildren who attend Houston ISD, and friends who are teachers in the district.
“They are terrified. How
His dedication to preserving EQ Heights’ legacy and continuing its mission of community connection remains unwavering.
“Being honest, I am sad to potentially see our time come to a close at 1030 Heights, but there is still hope that my efforts to purchase the property or to find a new location to carry on our journey will succeed or to begin a new journey to bring new experiences,” he said. Throughout its nearly decadelong tenure, EQ Heights has served as more than just a café; it has been
can they teach our kids and love what they do and have done for years as their profession?” she said. “[Miles] is a dictator. I am so proud of them for walking out. He’s got to go. I will sign any petition.” The teacher protester groups says signing petitions is a great way to support local educators. The petition hosted by CVPE to oppose the state takeover remains active.
In addition, parents can:
• Show support by writing letters to their teachers or calling them to let them know that they are supported or ask how they can help
• Attend school board meetings Sign up to speak at Board workshops and Board of Managers meetings. Parents can sign up between Monday and Wednesday at noon the week of each meeting.
• Call elected officials to let them know that the takeover is harming kids and the district is losing teachers. State senate, state representatives, congressmen and city council members need to know what parents want. Opt out of STAAR testing
• Organize a protest in front of your school
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The Leader • Saturday, April 13, 2024 • Page 5
a beacon of resilience, weathering storms both literally and figuratively alongside its loyal patrons. The café’s impact extends far beyond its walls, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie within the Houston Heights community. As the future of EQ Heights hangs in the balance, supporters and patrons alike rally behind Blasini and his team, hopeful for a positive outcome. Whether EQ Heights continues its journey at its current location or embarks on a new chapter elsewhere, its legacy as a beloved neighborhood institution will undoubtedly endure. For now, Blasini said, the EQ Heights family remains united in gratitude for the memories shared, the connections forged, and the unwavering support of the community that has been its cornerstone. EQ HEIGHTS from P. 1 www.drnaftis.com State-of-the art procedures, instruments & techniques Mathew Naftis, D.D.S. $80 COSMETIC DENTISTRY Exam, X-Ray & Cleaning 1214 W 43rd Ste 300 713-682-7939 “One of Houston’s Top Dentists” — HTexas Magazine 2004-2018 Regularly $1 0 CARE CREDIT NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Photo courtesy of EQ Heights A homey vibe is the trademark of EQ Heights, inside and out. Photo courtesy of EQ Heights The patio at EQ Heights has long been a favorite spot for locals to relax or people-watch.
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1980: The HHA intervened to prevent the demolition of Heights Library by the City of Houston, resulting in the neighborhood’s designation as a Historic Multiple Resource Center by the National Park Service Documentation efforts by HHA volunteers resulted in the listing of over 100 structures in the National Register
1991: The HHA leased City of Houston Fire Station #14, remodeled it with $100,000, and eventually purchased the property, investing further in its renovation In the same year, HHA raised funds to restore the White Oak Bayou bridges with replicas of the original
structures Additional HHA projects include the Paul Carr Jogging/Walking Trail, the Victorian Rose Garden, the Worthington Memorial, the award-winning Gazebo at Marmion Park, the Melvalene and Carl Cohen Plaza with Lombard Lamp, the gazebos on the Boulevard, the red brick monument sign at the south entrance, and the Trees on Yale, leading to Houston Heights being designated as a City of Houston Green Space Guyre said that, to this day,
Donovan Park and Marmion Park, along with the revitalized fire station, serve as important community spaces for various events and gatherings.
“The Houston Heights Association focuses on celebrating its history while modernizing the community, with initiatives like the True North sculpture project spotlighting Texas artists,” Guyre said, “The True North sculpture project on Heights Boulevard rotates Texas artists’ work annually, contributing to the neighborhood’s uniqueness and fostering community con-
nections.”
The HHA, Sloan said, created the Houston Heights as it is today -- a neighborhood with a median home price of $650,000.
Preserving Heritage and Embracing Progress
Guyre highlights the HHA’s role in preserving the neighborhood’s heritage while embracing modernization. The Houston Heights is celebrated for its charm, with murals, small shops, and local businesses attracting visitors and residents alike. Despite being in the heart of a big city, she said, the Houston Heights maintains its old-town charm and offers a walkable, bikefriendly environment with diverse local shops and restaurants.
“We want the neighborhood to continue to be unique, and we want neighbors to know one another,” she asserts, reflecting on the association’s efforts over the past 50 years. The delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the future underscores the HHA’s commitment to maintaining the essence of
the Heights amidst changing times.
Sloan highlighted the challenges of modern changes, expressing concerns about the encroachment of commercial interests and large-scale developments that threaten the neighborhood’s identity. Her observations shed light on the complexities of urban development and the ongoing struggle to preserve the character of historic neighborhoods in the face of rapid transformation. The lifting of the liquor ban in 2017, for example, signaled both progress and potential pitfalls, with new locales opening at a rapid pace and boosting the area’s economy, but also leading to rows of drinking establishments saturating the neighborhood.
“Balancing progress with maintaining the neighborhood’s character is a priority, exemplified by efforts such as the changes on 11th Street, which aimed to slow down the pace of life while preserving the area’s charm,” Guyre said.
Meanwhile, the community’s urban forestry group ensures the presence of beautiful trees and green spaces, contributing
to the neighborhood’s appeal and providing a sense of tranquility amidst the city’s hustle and bustle.
“We can shop here, we can dine here. We can get out and ride our bikes on the trails,” Guyre said. “We have connectivity.”
As the Houston Heights Association marks its 50th anniversary, both Guyre and Sloan envision a future where the essence of the Heights is preserved amidst evolving landscapes. While Guyre emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between progress and tradition, Sloan remains optimistic about the enduring legacy of the Heights Association in shaping its identity and preserving its storied past. Their shared vision for the future reflects a deep-seated commitment to ensuring that the Houston Heights remains a vibrant and inclusive community for generations to come.
For more information about the Houston Heights Association’s 50th anniversary celebration, or to get involved, please visit houstonheights. org.
Revitalizing Neighborhoods, Building Bonds: The past impact and future outlook of Houston Heights Association
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Longtime Houston Heights resident and author Anne Sloan, who also serves on the Houston Heights Association (HHA) board, talked to The Leader about the history of the Heights, the inception of the HHA, and its importance to the community then and now.
Sloan offered insights into the neighborhood’s early years, emphasizing the tight-knit community and unique characters that defined the Heights. Her recollections transport listeners to an era characterized by neighborly bonds and a shared sense of belonging, setting the stage for understanding the community’s enduring spirit.
With a chuckle in her voice, she recalled classmates coming to school barefoot and on horseback. She also remembered the days when membership in the HHA was a mark of community spirit and buying local was a sign of decency.
“There was this family that was new to the neighborhood, and I wanted to have a play date with the daughter. We had hit it off immediately, in grade school,” Sloan reminisced. “But her mom said, honey, we don’t know those people. But mom, she said, they buy their clothes at Kaplan’s…and that was that.”
Historical Evolution and Foundation
Houston Heights, spanning 1796 acres, was founded in 1891 by out-of-state investors as a streetcar suburb, Sloan explained. It operated independently until annexation by the City of Houston in 1918. However, by the 1950s, the community faced a decline as residents upgraded to newer, bigger homes in neighboring areas. This shift led to a perception of the Heights as impoverished and unsafe. “The community fell into decline in the 1950s, when the large Victorian homes and 1200-sf bungalows in the Heights were abandoned for ‘modern’ tract homes built in Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, and Timber Grove,” Sloan, a passionate Heights historian, said. “Nice sidewalks, aluminum windows, 8-ft ceilings, and smooth sidewalks were selling points. By 1970 only 50 percent
of houses in the Heights were owner occupied.” According to Sloan, Houston newspapers described the neighborhood at poverty level. A local murderer who preyed on young boys in the Heights even made national news. The Heights was now branded as dangerous, unsavory and undesirable, as well as poor.
Inception of the Houston Heights Association
In response to the neighborhood’s challenges, a group of 100 merchants and residents established the Houston Heights Association (HHA) in 1974. Their goal was to enhance the community and combat negative perceptions.
“The merchants and residents, led by Marcella Perry, Harold Wiesenthal, Martin Kaplan, Clayton Lee, and Carl and Melvalene Cohen gathered at Heights Savings and Loan and created an association to ‘encourage and promote the enhancement of the community,’” Sloan said. Incorporated in 1974, and as a 401C3 in 1977, the [HHA] worked for the betterment of Houston Heights.”
Over the past 50 years, the organization has played a pivotal role in maintaining and revitalizing the Heights through various initiatives and events.
“The first event was the G.W. Hawkins Day festival held on Sunday, Sep. 21, 1975. A crowd
of 35,000 Houstonians came to what would be the annual Houston Heights Festival, to be held for the next 29 years,” Sloan said. “HHA’s goal was to show Houston that the Heights was a ‘fun place to live.’ The financial success of this event became the seed money of HHA’s investment accounts.”
In 1978, the HHA initiated home tours, marking the beginning of a successful public relations event that has continued to this day, for 46 years. These tours have been highly lucrative, Sloan said, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for the association. Subsequent events such as the Fun Run in 1985 and the Bike Rally in 2005 have further contributed to the association’s financial success.
For 50 years, the HHA has played a crucial role in shaping the identity and preserving the heritage of the Houston Heights community through numerous initiatives and projects. Importantly, Sloan said, all these events are organized and staffed by volunteers without monetary compensation, through financial support from local businesses.
There is no debate that for half a century, the HHA’s commitment to community engagement, preservation, and enhancement has been instrumental in maintaining the unique character and desir-
BULLDOG, from P. 1
of Reagan pride coupled with servant leadership, to pay it forward to some of the most deserving students from Heights High School,” he stated.
Dr. Rodriguez echoed Dr. Trevino’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of continuing the legacy of support for students. “The impact of the tournament extends beyond financial assistance. It provides a sense of belonging and a network of support for students as they navigate their academic journey,” she said.
ability of the Houston Heights neighborhood.
Looking Forward: Sustaining the Community Legacy
As Houston Heights continues to evolve, the HHA remains committed to preserving its unique character and fostering a sense of belonging among residents. Through continued collaboration and grassroots efforts, the association seeks to ensure that the neighborhood thrives for future generations. The spirit of volunteerism and community pride that defined the HHA’s early years serves as a guiding force in navigating the challenges of the present and shaping the future of the community.
Yet despite its achievements, the HHA faces challenges such as declining membership and local sponsorships. Through new ini-
tiatives and a call to action, Sloan hopes to reignite excitement and backing for the HHA among residents and local businesses. She underscored the significance of community engagement in shaping the future of the Heights, calling for increased involvement from both longtime residents and newcomers, and emphasizing the collective responsibility in preserving the neighborhood’s rich history and cultural heritage.
“HHA needs to generate the kind of enthusiasm and support for its organization and its events that were present 50 years ago,” she said. “Is it possible to do so in a community that is so different from the 1970s?”
Help keep the HHA, and your community, strong! For more information about volunteering, event sponsorships, donations, and more, visit houstonheights. org today.
The new leadership team is already hard at work, preparing for the upcoming Bulldog Classic, scheduled for Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Wildcat Golf Club. The tournament promises to be a celebration of community and scholarship, embodying the spirit of the Reagan Alumni Association.
Looking ahead, the focus remains on expanding opportunities for future generations of Reagan High School graduates. By continuing to support the tournament, individuals and businesses can play a vital role in shaping the educational landscape of the community. For more information on how to support the John H. Reagan Golf Tournament for Scholarships, to get involved, or to register for the Bulldog Classic visit www.reagangolf4scholarships.com.
The Leader • Saturday, April 13, 2024 • Page 7 Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am Gethsemane Lutheran Church • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m. 1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Weekly Sunday Services Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters Ad # 32285 Join us for Services in English or Spanish Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday Bible Classes 9am Wednesday Bible Study 7pm 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092 Candlelight Church of Christ • Worship (English) 10:00 am - 11:00am • Learning Hour 11:00am - 12:00pm • Worship (Spanish) 12:30 pm - 1:30pm St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA 1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577 MANNA Sponsor GET OVER IT! It 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.” We invite you to worship with us! DIRECTORY CHURCH Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor 2003 W. 43rd St. 713-686-8241 stsumc.org Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40 Bible Studies For All Ages 9:30am Morning Worship 10:45am Bible Studies For Youth, Children 6:15pm 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven... R.S.V. Luke 6:37 Say a Prayer Today! preserved the neighborhood’s heritage but also enhanced its appeal as a desirable place to live. 1979: A Houston endowment grant facilitated the acquisition of land at 1802 Heights Boulevard and 7th Street, leading to the
creation of Marmion and Donovan Parks
Photo courtesy of HHA The community picnic at Marmion Park will feature live live music and entertainment for the whole family.
Photo courtesy of University of Houston Digital Library via Wikimedia Commons Group photo of Station 14 firefighters on fire engine. This photograph was taken at Station 14, locate at 12th and Heights, in the 1920s.
File photo Anne Sloan is a longtime Heights resident, author, historian, and repeat HHA board member.
ANNIVERSARY, from P. 1
Submitted photo Bulldog Classic board members (left to right) Ivonne Martinez Aguirre, Connie Berger, and Dr. Melanie Rodriguez.
Submitted photo Bulldog Classic board member Dr Rudy Treviño
If you’ve passed any vehicles that look like giant chickens, dogs, cats or zebrastriped, then you know what time of year it is. Art Car time!
The 37th Annual Houston Art Car Parade, put on by the Orange Show Foundation, rolls officially Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m., along Allen Parkway at Taft. Activities begin Thursday evening at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. For an Art Car Sneak Peek event. Get all the details at the official website https://www.thehoustonartcarparade.com/.
April is the Arts District Houston’s 10-year anniversary. The state-appointed Arts and Cultural District, powered by the arts nonprofit Fresh Arts, marked the milestone by entering an art car in the Art Car Parade. Sponsored by the Texas Commission on the Arts’ Cultural District Program, the art car was designed by Kearin Cook in collaboration with the talented Rickey Polidore. Kearin is a Houston native and muralist with a lengthy resume.
Following the Art Car Parade, the art car will be utilized as a “mobile welcome center” to promote and bring more awareness to the arts and cultural opportunities within Arts District Houston.
To learn more about Fresh Arts, Arts District Houston and events, please visit https://fresharts.org/.
Just a few miles from all the art car activities on Saturday, April 13th from 12 - 5 p.m., hundreds of artists and patrons will be celebrating World Art Day at Sawyer Yards creative campus.
I didn’t know about World Art Day, it wasn’t in my “You’re an artist now” handbook! I found this official statement from The International
Association of Art’s website. “World Art Day - An International Celebration of Art Created by The International Association of Art and UNESCO to recognize the profound importance of art to inspire and enrich our lives.”
To commemorate World Art Day, organizers at Sawyer Yards have put together three interactive art experiences. At Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street, visitors can screen print a World Art Day tote bag in partnership with Black Swan Screen printing. Silver Street Studios, 2000 Edwards St., offers a hands-on FotoFest photography workshop where visitors can create cyanotypes, maps, polaroids, or zines at stations that connect themes such as self, home, community, and dreams to the FotoFest exhibition artworks on view. Meanwhile, at The Silos at Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer St., families can engage in family-friendly art activities led by the building’s artists. Wrap up your World Art Day celebration at the Sawyer Yards Brewery Crawl on from 5-9pm with Platypus Brewing, 1902 Washington Avenue, Urban South, City Orchard, 1201 Oliver Street, and Holler Brewing Co. 2206 Edwards Street. Between the Silos at Sawyer Yards and Holler Brewing Co., you’ll find The Market at
Sawyer Yards along Art Alley. I mentioned last month that this eight year old arts and craft market is closing after the May market. It’s got to be one of the most iconic markets in Houston situated under towering grain silos on one side and 2 story tall murals on the other. Discover about 2 dozen artisans, food and me Saturday between 11 and 5 p.m. Maps, activities and events can be found on the website: https://www.sawyeryards.
com/events/upcomingevents . North Houstonians do not despair, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival, now in its 19th year, is all weekend April 12-14, Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. This is a really beautiful festival on the banks of The Woodlands Waterway and in Town Green Park. There are nearly 200 juried artists from across the country, with the
usual festival “fixins” and activities. The Woodlands Arts Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is behind this award winning festival. Get details, tickets and parking info at https:// www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/p/festival. In January I revealed that I would one of 2 jurors for Ardest Gallery’s “Upcycled” exhibition. The art has been selected and a reception will be held this Saturday, April 13th from 5-8 p.m., with a juror presentation at 6:30 p.m. Sadly, without me. The art show highlights works by Texas artists that highlight
or incorporate recycled and upcycled materials into their composition. The theme focus is on Earth Day, coming up April 22.
Participating artists in the exhibition comprise Allan Ginsburg, Annette Palmer, Cristina White, Cynthia Clerc, Erin Stroud, Ginette Mailloux, Heidi Lowell, Jodi Walsh, Julianne Mahler, Kaydence Eastman, Larry Akers, Mary Orcutt, Monia Melgar, Rachel Klein, Riley Saxton,
Page 8 • Saturday, April 13, 2024 • The Leader
Mitch cohen Art Columnist artvalet@gmail.com Photo by Viva La Marx Photography Kearin Cook at Fresh Arts Art Car Preview Party. Photo by Viva La Marx Photography Arts District Houston art car hood. Art Valet:
Photo courtesy of St. Rose of Lima (LEFT PHOTO) The students at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School are visibly excited as a break in the cloud cover finally allows a glimpse of the solar eclipse April 8, 2024. ots Help us tell the fun, interesting, exciting, quirky, cool, unique, beautiful stories of our community in pictures! Send your photos from around the Heights/ GOOF area to editor@theleadernews. com. Please include a brief description and the name of the person who should be given photo credit. Current, high-resolution, unaltered photos only, please (except for cropping and brightness). No professional or studio photos. Deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Monday for that week’s print edition of The Leader. Photo by Stacey Venamon Spotted: New crosswalk paint on Watonga! Photo by John “Gusty” Gustafson What?! Apples already in the heat of Houston (also with a little pear in the snapshot from this morning) at The Orchard of Garden Oaks. Photo courtesy of Sinclair Elementary PTO Be sure to check out the newest silhouette installations next time you’re on campus at Sinclair Elementary! Photo courtesy of the team at Like Minds Communications (TOP PHOTO) The Great American Eclipse as seen through a safety filter near I-610 at I-10 on April 8, 2024. Community Reports Looking for a family friendly Earth Day event with live music, activities, education on making your yard more welcoming to nature plus a plant and seed swap and an opportunity to barter something you no longer need for something more appealing? Then come to Live Oak Friends Meeting, 1318 West 26th Street, Houston, TX 77008 between 1 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 for their biannual Quaker Barter Fair. The Barter Fair offers the community an opportunity to share in the practice of the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, stewardship and earth care. It creates a space to practice thinking together in a new way about how we place value on objects and services within our community. To get involved, just come. Bring a table, shelf, rug or blanket to display your goods or a sign that describes your service(s). Bring some food to share, if you wish. Children are welcome! Children are often the best models of how this can work. They have the ability to add value to an item by describing potential uses, and the creativity to negotiate three-way trades. There will be a designated area for “free” items that you are willing to give to whoever wants them. Visitors may then use such items to barter and trade with if they wish. At the end of the day, whatever is left on the free table will be donated to a local charity No money will be exchanged for services or goods. The purpose of this event is to challenge us to care for the earth by practicing community sharing rather than focusing on individual acquisitions. For more information, visit friendshouston.org/events/ quaker-barter-fair-to-celebrate-earth-day. Live Oak Friends Meeting hosts Earth Day Barter Fair April 27 Submitted photo Kids are welcome at the Earth Day Barter Fair April 27.
Sandhi Schimmel
Gold,
Sarah Padilla, Silvia Felizia, Steve Alpert, Tiffany Nesbit, Valerie Gudell, and Winnie Wells. Ardest Gallery
is located at 25200 Grogans Park Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380. Learn more about the gallery on their website, https://www. ardestgallery.com Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. Visit his website at ArtValet.com
Art Car Parade leads weekend art activities
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
