The 05-18-24 Edition of The Heights Leader

By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com

In a series of disturbing allegations, Spectrum News 1 Austin has reportedly uncovered a concerning trend of Texas public school funds being funneled out of state, with Houston public school superintendent Mike Miles at the center of the controversy. Despite facing budget deficits and significant cutbacks in Texas schools,

millions of dollars have allegedly been diverted to Miles’ struggling charter schools in Colorado, exacerbating budget shortfalls and leaving Texas schools, especially at Houston ISD, in a dire financial situation.

As panicked parents voice their frustrations and educators lament the state of public education, questions loom about the legality and accountability of such financial maneuvers, prompting calls for a formal investi-

By CHRIS DAIGLE The Leader News Contributor

Kent Edwards has been a fan of

British motorcars all his life. In 1972, he turned his youthful passion into a business and called it Motorcars Ltd., a service and repair shop catering to Jaguars, Land Rovers, MGs, and European sports cars from all over.

Ironically, the very roadway used to drive these cars to his shop is threatening to ruin his business.

Motorcars Ltd. is located at 8101

Hempstead Road, right at the railroad underpass that ends Washington Avenue and begins Hempstead Road.

The address should be 1 Hempstead Rd, but the addresses continue from Washington Avenue to Hempstead Road and proceed outward.

Edwards takes the same route to come to Motorcars Ltd. every morn-

By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com

Ideally, the food you buy goes into your mouth. But, in reality, businesses, restaurants, and private households throw away nearly 40 percent of food, creating a massive food waste problem around the world, and particularly in the U.S. On a local level, Chris Wood, cofounder of Moonshot Compost, is on a mission to transform how communities handle their organic trash. Nowadays, you may see little green

ing, as did all of his customers: Come south on Hempstead under the railroad tracks and make a right, into the driveway. Very simple.

That is, until early 2018.

From 2015 to 2018, TXDOT decided that this stretch of road must be improved and widened to get to Old Katy Road or Washington. The project, said TXDOT in 2015, will take two years to complete with a “minor detour.”

That “minor detour” turned into a looping, confusing bundle of twists and turns that is reducing Edwards’ business by half.

“People can’t get to us and they give up trying,” he said. Now drivers have to go south on Hempstead, under the railroad tracks, go east on old Katy Road, make a dangerous U turn, go west on Old Katy road, hopefully find the right temporary exit, and cut north through the parking lot of a

TXDOT maintenance shop to come to his shop.

“Just to get here to open up every day I have to drive this same ridiculous route that’s ruining my business,”

Edwards said. “It’s hard to see, it’s hard to navigate, and there’s no answer from TXDOT on when this will change, I’m livid seeing this every day and it’s not safe.”

The traffic reduction to his shop is threatening Edwards’ livelihood. The damage caused by the construction mess is immeasurable, he said, to the point of being forced to lay off an employee.

“We tried giving a discount to customers just for finding us, but that didn’t work,” he said, adding that the fruitless back-and-forth with TxDOT is taking a personal toll. “This is affecting my retirement. I’m watching

buckets outside your neighbor’s front door that hold leftover food ready to be transformed into compost.

How it started Wood said that in a world where Google and Amazon know pretty much everything about him, right down to his television habits and the temperature set on his thermostat, no one really knew anything about his trash. That moment of realization sparked a business idea and an epiphany about the untapped value of food waste, which ultimately

served as the catalyst for Moonshot Compost.

“Food waste is hugely valuable, in several ways, and it’s all going to the landfill,” Wood said. “When you divert food waste from a landfill and turn it into compost, on the other hand, you capture its value and create something good from it.”

Moonshot Compost, launched in February 2020, faced an unexpected hurdle when the global pandemic struck just a month after the fledg-

gation from state lawmakers, education experts, as well as Houston area parent and teacher organizations. But while many cry foul over the alleged diversion of funds, others feel it’s too soon to jump to conclusions. Heights resident Rob Talley commented on the investigative report by Spectrum News noting a distinction between a “deficit in net assets” the

By LISA MORALES

The Leader News Contributor

Houston’s iconic Sawyer Yards is poised for a new chapter as Gulf Coast Distillers, also known as Giant Texas Distillers, prepares to take the reins of the space formerly occupied by the Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company. Permits filed with the city of Houston reveal that Gulf Coast Distillers has secured occupancy for the site located at 2101 Summer St. The permits signal the company’s imminent move into the Sawyer Yards venue. The company released two-fold news in recent weeks announcing both the widespread relaunch of the “Tejas Beer” brand and that it has entered into a long-term lease of the brewery and tasting room venue in the Sawyer Yards development. Tejas Beer will be available in over 500 locations, including Houston-area H-E-B grocery stores. The “Clara” and “Negra’’ versions will be distributed initially, with other flavors and styles to follow. Tejas Beer will continue to be available at Gulf Coast Distiller’s Giant Texas tasting room at their eastside distillery and brewery on Clinton Drive, as well as at the new Tejas venue at the revitalized 2101 Summer Street brewery location. “We are proud to be a part of helping bring this Texasstyle brand to Texans,” said Bo Huggins, CEO of Houston Distributing Company. “Tejas Beer will be a prominent part of HD’s distribution portfolio. Look for it everywhere soon!”

Heights Bulldog Softball makes history yet again

By Will Maddux Special to The Leader

A common adage holds that repeating is the hardest thing to do in sports. But for the Houston Heights High School Varsity Softball team, not only did they go undefeated in district play again, winning backto-back District 18-6A championships in 2023 and 2024, but they surpassed their historic trip to the third round of the playoffs in 2023 by making even more history: Last week, the Heights Bulldogs defeated Memorial High School in the regional quarterfinals to move into the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time ever.

It’s a remarkable story for a team that won its first district championship in 2023 – the first since Heights moved to the University Interscholastic League’s 6A big-school designation in 2015. The Bulldogs have been powered all season by their star pitcher and reigning district MVP, Haylie Jaime. In the regular season, Jaime made 22 starts and threw 109.2 innings to the tune of a team-best 2.94 ERA. She has been a four-year starter, and stands just three strikeouts away from 500 strikeouts in her high school career. The other two starting seniors on the team – shortstop Kennedy Hill and center fielder Laila Robins – make up the trio of current team captains with Jaime. That trio ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th on the team in on-base plus slugging percentage, each with an OPS surpassing 1.170 during the regular season. Hill led the team with 9 home runs. Junior left fielder Helen Maddux led Heights with a 1.295 OPS. The other two juniors on the team who are returning starters are third baseman Flora Moreno and first baseman/pitcher

Sara Paniagua. In the regular season, Moreno and Maddux tied for the second-most home runs on the team with 5 each, while Paniagua and Maddux tied for the second most hits behind Robins.

Round One

Heading into the playoffs, Heights had a tough task ahead of them, trying to replicate their success of 2023. But in the one-game first round playoff against Cypress Creek High School, Hill powered the offense with 2 hits and 4 RBI, including a soaring home run over the tall fence in center field. Jaime and Moreno also each belted a home run, and Jaime, Maddux, and Paniagua all recorded multiple hits. The Bulldogs, powered by their strong offensive effort and Jaime’s performance in the circle, where she threw a complete game, giving up just one run with 10 strikeouts, plowed through Cypress Creek in a convincing 7-1 victory to advance to round two.

Round Two

Round two of the playoffs featured a date with the Katy Taylor Mustangs in another one-game playoff. Jaime and Taylor’s Ari Hughes dueled it out for the first 6 innings, holding each offense to no runs. Strong defense, especially by junior second baseman Kendall David, backed up Jaime’s strong pitching. In the top of the seventh, with two outs, Heights Head Coach Lamont Robins pinchhit junior Leila Ramirez, who smacked the first pitch the other way for a single. Maddux followed with a 7-pitch walk and Laila Robins hit the dagger, a 2-run double off the wall in center to push the Bulldogs past Taylor 2-0 and send them

to the third round for the second year in a row.

Round Three Heights had replicated what they accomplished in 2023 by reaching the third round of the playoffs, but could they surpass all expectations and make history again? They would have their work cut out for them with a Houston inner-city matchup against the Memorial Mustangs. Coming into the 3-game series, Memorial was on a 26-game winning streak. In Game One, Heights quickly established their dominance. After Jaime gave up a solo home run in the top of the first, Moreno immediately answered by blasting a 2-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom half to put the Bulldogs ahead, and they never looked back. Hill,

Maddux, and junior Victoria Carreon also recorded RBIs, and Paniagua notched four hits. Led by the strong offense and a 2-run, 8-strikeout complete game performance by Jaime, the Bulldogs took Game One 8-2 in front of a packed crowd at their home Delmar Stadium on Thursday. The teams met at Memorial High School on Friday to finish the series. Moreno drove in leadoff hitter Maddux in the top of the first to get the scoring started for Heights in Game Two, and that would be all they would need. Paniagua, who saw little time in the circle during the regular season due to Jaime’s dominance, was ready to step up. Paniagua hurled a complete-game shutout – the first shutout against Memorial all season – with 7 strikeouts and just one walk.

The Bulldogs again played stellar defense, including a relay to the plate from right fielder Bella Parks to second baseman Kendall David to catcher Aaliyah Arredondo to throw out a runner in the bottom of the 6th and keep the lead. Heights won 1-0 to send them to the regional semifinals for the first time in program history.

Round Four

The Bulldogs’ trip to the fourth round of the 6A playoffs is historic on many levels. Not only is this the first time Heights softball has reached the fourth round of the playoffs since the program’s inception in 1997, but this team is now one of the most successful Heights/Reagan sports teams in school history. They have won 29 straight games in District 18-6A dating back to 2022, and they now rank in the top 16 of over two

6A softball teams in Texas. Heights has their work cut out for them with a matchup against Kingwood High School, who like Heights hasn’t lost in the playoffs so far. Looming in their region as well is Katy High School, ranked No.1 in the nation. However, this Heights team seems poised to continue breaking records, so don’t write them off just yet. Come out and support them this week against Kingwood as

Photo by Mateo Aguirre, @fotosbymateo

Helen Maddux (left) and Laila Robins (right) before game two against memorial.

Response from HISD Superintendent Mike Miles

Miles provided this emailed statement in response to allegations of directing HISD funds to private schools in Colorado early May 15, 2024: Friends, Partners, and Board Members: I had initially planned not to respond to an article circulating that badly misunderstands, or worse, intentionally misrepresents the financial practices of Third Future Schools. While I have not worked at the Third Future Schools network for more than a year, I find the piece irresponsibly inaccurate, and I cannot let this kind of misinformation go uncorrected.

I have an obligation to make very clear that during my tenure Third Future Schools was always a responsible steward of every public dollar received, all financial agreements and obligations were approved by local boards of directors, authorizers, and in our Texas schools, the school district with which TFS partnered. Eight different districts in three states

have trusted Third Future Schools with the education of their most underserved students and have overseen TFS’s overall financial health and propriety. Third Future Schools has a consistent track record of clean audits year over year, and I have no reason to believe that is any different now. These baseless claims cheapen the hard work and dedication of thousands of staff and students. The budgets of all Third Future Schools in Texas are attached to the management agreement with the local school district and are part of the approval process. Administrative fees are applied to all schools in all states in order for the central office to oversee and monitor the schools as well as provide network-wide supports (such as finance and human resources) from people and departments in the central office, which is located in Colorado. This is common practice for charters and other independent partnership schools and is not only

allowed, but anticipated by Texas’ education law. Spectrum News either intentionally or, through gross incompetence, mischaracterized these common place financial arrangements between charter schools and the charter management organizations that support them.

The Spectrum News reporter also worked to undermine the progress we made in Dallas ISD. It appears he is resurrecting old tactics that are not worth more time and attention. I do not intend to comment further on these spurious assertions. I am committed to staying focused on the tremendous challenge of improving Texas’ largest district.

We have an obligation to finish the year strong for our students and staff, and that is where I will direct my time and attention. I thank you for your partnership and ask that you do the same as we look ahead to the 24-25 school year and beyond. We’ve accomplished a great deal and there is even more left to do.

“We had to decide, are we going forward with it or not?” Wood recalled. “But we didn’t let the pandemic stop us. Instead of launching on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in April of 2020, like we planned, we ended up launching around July 4th.”

To understand the magnitude of the food waste problem, we can look at national data that paints a pretty grim picture. Americans waste about 60 million tons of food every year, equating to nearly 40 percent of the entire US food supply. (USDA)

This amounts to approximately 120 billion pounds of wasted food annually, or 325 pounds per person.

(Natural Resources Defense Council)

Food waste in the US is valued at nearly $218 billion, equivalent to 130 billion meals. (USDA)

• Food is the single largest component occupying space in US landfills, making up 22 percent of municipal solid waste. (EPA)

• More than 80 percent of Americans discard perfectly good food due to misunderstandings about expiration labels such as “sell by”, “use by”, or “best before”. (Food Marketing Institute) Food spoilage, whether real or perceived, is a major reason for throwing out food.

(Johns Hopkins University)

• Compared to other parts of the world, food in the United States is abundant and less expensive, leading

DISTILLER, from P. 1 ling business came into existence.

The transition comes after Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company’s tenure at the threestory location ended abruptly earlier this year. The brewery’s CEO, posting on Instagram in January, expressed intentions to return to the venue “in the very near future,” following a notice posted on the door citing delinquent rent payments. However, since then, no updates have been provided by Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company.

Giant Texas Distillers, boasting the title of “the largest distillery west of the Mississippi,” already operates a distillery and tasting room in Houston’s East End. The company traces its roots back to 1920 when Carlos de Aldecoa Bueno’s grandfather, Carlos de Aldecoa Fernandez, founded a coffee business in Madrid, Spain. Fleeing the Spanish Civil War, the family relocated their enterprise to Veracruz, Mexico and later to Texas where they grew into one of the largest privately held coffee companies in the United States.

to a lack of appreciation for its value. (World Economic Forum)

• Impulsive food purchases and unrealistic assessments of food needs contribute to excess buying and waste. (WRI)

• The culture of take-out and underutilization of leftovers also contributes to food waste. (Food Waste Reduction Alliance)

The lack of incorporation of composting into daily routines further exacerbates the issue by filling up landfills unnecessarily. (EPA)

How it works Wood explained the op-

After moving operations to Houston in the 1980’s, de Aldecoa embarked on expanding the family’s beverage empire into the realm of spirits, ultimately establishing Gulf Coast Distillers as a powerhouse in the industry. De Aldecoa, a University of Houston alum with a BS in Industrial Engineering, oversees the operations of the distillery, prioritizing quality ingredients and Texas-grown grains in the production of their award-winning spirits. De Aldecoa states, “We are excited to bring the Tejas Beer brand and this beautiful Houston brewery under our family of companies. Our group’s 100-year history in beverages, plus our business operations expertise, financial stability, and strategic business alliances with great organizations such as Faust Distributing Company and Houston Distributing Company will bring the Tejas brand into a market leading position.” De Aldecoa is also President and CEO of Cadeco Industries and Eximius Coffee. In 1995, Cadeco Industries undertook

erational model of Moonshot Compost, which offers both pickup and drop-off services for customers across Houston.

“We have about 65 zip codes in Houston that we cover,” he revealed. “Density is important in our business. The larger the kitchen, the larger the waste stream, and that’s where we focus our attention.”

Highlighting the environmental impact of diverting food waste from landfills, Wood stressed, “Food waste, when it goes to the landfill, produces methane and other harmful greenhouse gasses. By composting, we’re avoiding those emissions and extending the life of landfills.”

Wood explained that by turning the anaerobic decomposition (without air) of food waste buried in landfills into aerobic decomposition (with air) in an oxygenated compost heap, Moonshot Compost helps decrease one of the largest contributors to methane pollution and, subsequently, ozone layer deterioration and climate change.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency: “Due to its quick decay rate, food waste in landfills is contributing to more methane emissions than any other landfilled materials. An estimated 58 percent of the fugitive methane emissions

(i.e., those released to the atmosphere) from municipal solid waste landfills are from landfilled food waste.”

When customers collect their food waste for pickup, Moonshot Compost delivers it to a local composting facility where smelly leftovers are turned into rich, nutritious soil that can be used to plant flowers and vegetables. If giving the environment a hand isn’t enough of a reward, as a bonus, Moonshot Compost customers receive compost soil twice a year for use in their own garden.

Several commercial and residential service plans are available with customizable numbers of containers and pickup days per week. Customers receive a convenient counter caddy to collect their food waste in the kitchen in addition to 4-gallon buckets to set to the curb.

An option to drop off food waste at one of several area locations instead of curbside pickup is also available. Drop-off locations include St. Mark’s Church in the Heights, Bhakti Urban Farms in Garden Oaks, and Central City Co-Op for members.

How it’s going Moonshot Compost’s efforts have made a tangible impact, diverting over 6.5 million pounds of food waste since its inception. “We want people to see they’re part of something bigger,” Wood emphasized. “All of us together, working together, are making a big impact.”

In addition to residen-

a significant endeavor by renovating and updating the renowned Uncle Ben’s processing facility on Clinton Drive. This transformation resulted in the creation of the largest and most diverse independent bulk coffee processing facility across North America. Today,

Cadeco handles an impressive volume, receiving and processing over one million pounds of coffee from global sources daily. Gulf Coast Distillers now owns more than 12 alcoholic beverage

tial customers, Moonshot Compost collaborates with businesses across Houston to maximize their environmental contribution.

“Our business subscribers have on average 750 to 1000 pounds of food waste a week,” Wood revealed, underscoring the scale of their impact.

Wood also highlighted Moonshot Compost’s community partnerships, such as with Saint Mark’s Methodist Church and Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry. “It’s a local, beautiful example of closing the loop with food waste,” he said, emphasizing the importance of community involvement.

HIM Food Pantry Executive Director Cheryl Engler said they’ve used Moonshot Compost for years. The nonprofit ensures that, through composting, expired fresh produce, meat, and other perishables keep on giving.

“I’m a big advocate for zero waste, and Moonshot certainly helps us toward that goal,” she said. “I feel like kids should be taught from a young age how to recycle and compost and upcycle. If we don’t start taking care of the planet, it may soon no longer be able to take care of us.”

As Moonshot Compost continues to expand its reach and influence, Wood remains steadfast in his commitment to empowering communities to combat food waste.

“We’re leading a culture change around food waste,” he said. “And we’re just getting started.” For more information about Moonshot Compost, visit moonshotcompost.com.

Photo courtesy of

The Gulf Coast Distillers tasting room at the Houston East End location.

Graph courtesy of Moonshot Compost

Moonshot Compost customers receive access to a personal portal where they can view their own

as that of the community.

Photo courtesy of Moonshot Compost Moonshot Compost transports food waste to local composting sites where organic trash can decompose in an aerobic environment, preventing methane and other environmentally harmful gasses.

THE TOPICS.

THE CAMPUS – Good morning, graduating class of 2024. This occasion is a little different. It’s the first time I’ve made a commence ment speech while wearing a flak jacket. I see you made it through the barbed wire, SWAT troops and pepper spray, all 25 of you. Your fel low graduates can view these proceedings through Zoom. At least you will be able to celebrate your college gradu ation ceremonies, unlike your high school ceremonies which were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You slipped in here before the 2025 commencements, which will be called off because of the COVID-20 pandemic.

Yes, you are survivors at a dark and gloomy time. The stock market is at an all-time high, the unemployment rate hasn’t been this low since Eisenhower was president, there is no military draft, our troops are not at war, and your student loans are forgiven. Polls show 65 percent of Americans say they personally are doing well financially, yet 65 percent also feel the national economic situation is terrible. They are despondent and believe the nation is headed for hell and we are being led by an incompetent,

THE WEEKEND. Thrills around town for May 18-19 Making the grad

Chef Karuna Diedericks’ hands-on cooking class. Learn how to integrate Ayurveda into your lifestyle through food practices that focus on your health goals. Cost: $85 Info: eventbrite.com

Lynn Ashby Columnist

suits such as engineering, math, computer science and crowd control open many opportunities for a career.

Those who majored in poetry, philosophy or English also have a future: Walmart needs more greeters. You pre-med majors have a great future. In medical school you will be taught how to say, “I can see you in three months”; “If you have a problem pregnancy, book a Greyhound to California” and, “No, I don’t take patients on Medicare.”

Let’s talk about money. College costs including tuition, fees, and living costs in the various states place Vermont with the highest tuition and fees of $44,512, and Delaware has the low-

est tuition and fees of $12,862. Here in Texas, as in most states, it’s cheaper to attend a public university than a private one. The 2023-2024 tuition at UTAustin is $11,678 for Texas residents, and $42,778 for out-of-state students. For the academic year 2021-2022, 70 percent received grants or scholarships, and the average received aid amount is $10,302. Rice’s 2024 tuition and fees are $58,128, but 63 percent of undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $48,958. As every parent knows, tuition, room and board are only part of your cost at college. You also need money for laundry, beer, meth, and to cover your cable so you can watch re-runs of “Seinfeld” and the Playboy Channel.

If you didn’t get a full scholarship, you may have racked up quite a student debt. Just how big is the student debt? It’s $1.6 trillion, roughly equal to the size of the economy of Brazil or Australia. Forty-two million people, or one in six American adults, owes on average $37,037.04. Not to worry, graduates. President Joe Biden is erasing your

IOUs. Who said there is no free lunch? Don’t bother to tip the waiter. As for you parents who have already paid off your own student debt over the last 20 years, tough. Hit your kid up for a loan, then ask President Biden to erase it.

A word of caution: When you graduate you will immediately receive requests for a donation. I mean emails, texts and letters. The UTAustin students sing, “The eyes of Texas are upon you, you cannot get away. Do not think you can escape them.” They are unknowingly singing about the UT Alumni Giving Program. The Aggies call their appeal for donations the Jimbo Fisher Retirement Fund. Now we must come to the major conflict on American campuses today: the demonstrations, cops and state troopers, barricades and arrests. Then there are the Congressional hearings and the usual suspects: politicians seeing how much time they can get on TV. In the past, students have demonstrated and even rioted over civil rights, apartheid and the Vietnam War. Today’s rightful anger puts two well-meaning but totally opposite groups

against each other: paper versus plastic. I speak for most Americans in that, while I respect your right to proclaim your cause and totally support the First Amendment’s protection of free speech and the right to partition for your grievances, I draw the line at blocking other students’ way to their class on Peruvian pottery 101. Demonstrate, but don’t make me late. Your parents paid for you to live in a dorm, not in a tent. Some demonstrations have even led to property damage with broken windows, smashed doors and trampled classrooms. The costs to repair those damages will be deducted from your student loan forgiveness.

For those of you who were arrested and booked, remember that your name went into the police computer and then to the DPS. So when you apply for a job, well, you may not get it. As for drumming up public support for your cause, due to the chaos and costs, the tide has turned. Now many Americans are rooting for the cops. It has been discovered that some demonstrators are not really students but professional outsiders who specialize in stirring up trouble. They

can easily be spotted with their gray hair, walkers and carrying signs reading “LBJ Must Go!” and “No Taxation Without Representation!” Also if they ask for a light so they can burn their draft card. If you feel so strongly about your cause, join it. Sign up, put on a uniform and go to the fray. Don’t just stand on the sidelines getting your 15 minutes of fame while leaving the fighting to some kids who couldn’t afford college and have to sleep in a foxhole.

Finally, assuming you do find work, next year another graduating class will be sitting in these very chairs, all thinking the same thing: “When I graduate, how can I take his job?” You have a one-year head start. Get busy.

Ashby commences at ashby2@comcast.net

Editor’s 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.

HENRIETTA ROBINSON IN CONCERT AT HOUSTON PIANO COMPANY Who: Adults When: Saturday, May 18, 7-8:30 p.m. Where: 1600 W. 13th St. What: One of Houston’s best-kept jazz secrets in concert Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door Info: eventbrite.com

TOY DESIGNER STEFANIE ESKANDER AT HOUSTON TOY MUSEUM

Who: Adults and children 8+ When: Saturday, May 18, 3-5 p.m. Where: 321 W. 19th St. What: Lecture of toy designs

from concept to creation and discussion of her four decades as a toy designer.

Cost: Adults - $14, Children pay their age Info: eventbrite.com; houstontoymuseum.com/events

PARKING LOT PILATES AT HAPPY HOUR PILATES

Who: Adults

When: Saturday, May 18, 9-10:30 a.m.

Where: 420 East 20th St.

What: Outdoor pilates class to work core strength, flexibility, and overall well-being.

Cost: $11 donation Info: eventbrite.com SILVER STREET THIRD SATURDAY OPEN ART STUDIOS

Who: Adults & families

When: Saturday, May 18, noon-5 p.m.

Where: 2000 Edwards St. What: Open art studios of 60+ artists working in painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, etc.

Cost: Free Info: facebook.com; sawyeryards.com/do/silver-streetthird-saturday

HOLLER HOT FEST AT HOLLER BREWING COMPANY

Who: Adults When: Saturday, May 18, at noon Where: 2206 Edwards St., Suite A

theheightstheater.com/ events/pony-bradshaw-withspecial-guest-ryan-culwell

KING LAZY EYE WITH SOMETHING ELSE AT WHITE OAK MUSIC HALL

Who: All ages When: Sunday May 19, 7 p.m.

Where: 2915 N. Main St. What: Live music performance Costs: $15 Info: ticketmaster.com; whiteoakmusichall.com/ shows/tm-event/king-lazyeye

HOUSTON WRITERS WRITING HOUR AT THE ASCH BUILDING

Who: Adults When: Sunday, May 19, noon-5 p.m.

Where: 825 Studewood St. What: Meet, greet, and write with like-minded individuals. For seasoned writers and those just starting Cost: $5 Info: eventbrite.com

Info: prekindle.com;

OPINION: Letter to the Editor

Please note: Letters to the editor are published at the editor's discretion, with minimal editing for clarity and length, as needed. They are not fact-checked and solely the opinion of the author. They may or may not appear in The Leader's printed edition, as space allows, with priority given to local issues and reactions. Submissions must be signed and will be published with the name of the author. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Please send your letter to editor@ theleadernews.com.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my deep concern as a parent of a student within the HISD community. Last week, to our shock and dismay, Dr. Vale, the esteemed principal of Crockett Elementary, was abruptly terminated without any discernible justification. This decision directly contradicts assurances made by the district, causing considerable distress among parents, students, and faculty alike. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Vale, Crockett Elementary has flourished into a nurturing environment where my kindergartener has thrived. However, the recent announcement that Crockett will be absorbed into Mike Miles's NES school network is alarming. It is evident that this shift in leadership is part of a broader agenda, one that jeopardizes the very essence of what makes our school exceptional. Moreover, the removal of our esteemed librarian, who was rightfully honored as Librarian of the Year, is a disheartening blow to our school community. Additionally, there are growing concerns that the cherished performance arts magnet program, which has garnered statewide recognition for Crockett, may be at risk.

As parents, we refuse to remain silent witnesses to the erosion of our public education system. We demand transparency, accountability, and most importantly, a commitment to placing the needs of our children first. The unilateral decisions made by unelected officials, such as Mike Miles and the current board of managers, undermine the principles of democracy and parental involvement.

I implore your publication to shed light on these troubling developments and to amplify the voices of concerned parents within our community. It is imperative that our collective concerns are heard, and action is taken to preserve the integrity of our public schools.

Haley Robinson Concerned Parent, Crockett Elementary

investigative report refers to for Third Future SchoolsTexas, and operating expenses, suggesting that the former may not necessarily reflect mismanagement. As for unspecified administrative costs found in Third Future Schools’ balance sheets, Talley compared them to typical balance sheet practices in churches and corporations, insinuating they may be entirely innocuous.

“My personal opinion is that it sounds like sensationalist reporting,” Talley said in an email to The Leader. “There are lots of people and organizations who are really upset over their power and money being cut off. Mike Miles is the Grinch that stole Christmas!”

Houston Federation of Teachers calls for federal investigation following report of Texas public education funds being diverted to private schools in Colorado

Jackie Anderson, President of The Houston Federation of Teachers issued the following statement in response to the allegations that Mike Miles is diverting taxpayer dollars from Texas to his private charter school company in Colorado on May 14:

“Just days after learning that Mike Miles is laying off hundreds of custodians, librarians and removing popular principals from our schools, we are now learning that he’s treating our public school system as his own personal piggy bank,” said Anderson. “The diversion of Texas public funds to shore up his private charter school company in Colorado is an outrageous betrayal of trust and requires a federal crimi-

nal investigation. The corruption of this deal stretches beyond just Mike Miles - the board of managers is also complicit in this shadowy scheme by failing to provide oversight and transparency. Greg Abbott’s takeover of our schools has failed. Teachers, students and their families deserve better and in response we are demanding the immediate resignation of Mike Miles and the immediate exit of the TEA from HISD.”

“I’m shocked”: Commissioner Ellis issues statement

Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis also issued a statement May 14 on the Spectrum News report that HISD Superintendent Mike Miles allegedly funneled taxpayer dollars to his Colorado charter schools:

“I’m shocked by what I saw in one news report regarding allegations concerning state-imposed HISD Superintendent Mike Miles. This also calls into question every dollar he has spent as superintendent. While teacher benefits are being slashed, libraries are being closed, and support staff are being let go, HISD parents and taxpayers deserve a robust and timely investigation to ensure that tax dollars are being used appropriately and ethically. This is especially true at a time when the district is under the direct control of the State and not accountable to a locally elected board.”

“We all need to call this what it is: fraud”: Statement from New Houston Chair Hany Khalil Hany Khalil, chair of New Economy for Working Houston, said the following in a media release:

“The diversion of Texas public funds to shore up private charter schools in Colorado is outrageous and appalling,” said Khalil, a former award-winning HISD social studies teacher. “What appears to be a textbook case of private profiteering off public institutions is exactly the kind of risk Governor Abbott created when he decided to takeover HISD and end democratic control of the district by Houston residents.

“We all need to call this what it is: fraud,” he said. “This egregious misuse of taxpayer money undermines the very foundation of our state’s public education system and jeopardizes the future of millions of HISD students. A federal investigation must be launched immediately to uncover the full scope of how our taxpayer dollars are being allocated and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. When it comes to public education, our community deserves transparency, integrity, and justice and we will not rest until the full extent of this wrongdoing is brought to light and measures are taken to prevent such abuse of power in the future.”

Coalition of parents, teachers, and students calls for reversal of HISD takeover, community action

Community Voices for Education (CVPE) called for a federal criminal investigation into allegations that Mike Miles siphoned millions of taxpayer dollars from Texans to his private charter school company based in Colorado. CVPE also called for Miles’ resignation and the reversal of TEA’s HISD takeover.

“The results of this bombshell investigation should serve as a wakeup call for

parents, students, and teach-

ers who aren’t already outraged about Greg Abbott’s takeover of our school system,” said Ruth Kravetz, a former HISD chemistry teacher and co-founder of the Community for Voices of Public Education.

“Greg Abbott opened the door to this type of fraud by installing an unelected board of managers and putting Mike Miles in charge of our schools. We’ve warned for years that laundering taxpayer dollars and giving it to private schools was part of their plan, and now we have the receipts to prove it. This scheme goes beyond bad policy or governance, it’s corruption and we’re calling for a federal investigation into this scheme along with the immediate resignation of Miles. Houston deserves a public education system run by competent, democratically elected representatives who share our values and are in it for the right reasons. We won’t stop fighting until that happens,” she said.

CVPE is also calling on the community to contact their elected representatives and ask them to call for a federal investigation into how Texas public education funds are being used. Additionally, CVPE is encouraging community members to speak at the next HISD Board of Managers meeting on Thursday, May 16, and make their voices heard.

Read the original Spectrum News report at spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/austin/ news/2024/05/14/disappearing-dollars--texas-public-schools-missing-millions.

my business of 53 years possibly going down the tubes. I’m 77 years old and I’m getting no help from anybody right now.”

The property is enclosed by the railroad to the west, and no other access other than the road construction, which has come to a standstill. Edwards has had no luck talking to a supervisor on scene or anyone about this mess.

“They are a giant bureaucracy with no accountability to anybody and don’t really care if a business gets ruined by what they do, no matter

how long it takes. I’ve made a lot of waves with these people, and they are all subcontractors and tell me they’re just doing their job, and that’s someone else’s problem.”

One might ask, why not sell the place and go somewhere else? Edwards said it’s not that easy given the current situation.

“I’ve been trying for three years now to relocate, and people start being interested, just when a potential buyer finds out about this road situation, they say thanks but no thanks,” he said. “If I can get this place located somewhere else, I plan to retire, but I can’t right now.”

Edwards has been involved with sports cars all his life. They’re just in his blood, he said.

“When I was younger I worked as a mechanic, and after some time in the corporate world I bought a shop called Motorcars much later,” he recalled. “I’ve done this all these years because I enjoy what I do, and that means it has never been like work all these years. My goal is to make customers happy and keep doing it, and that’s success, and I’m not going to let some bureaucrats in Austin run me out of here with their incompetence.”

Edwards’ only resource at

Protesters rally against principal termination at Crockett Elementary

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Students, parents, and faculty of Crockett Elementary, Magnet School for Performing and Visual Arts, organized a large-scale protest against the recent termination of their principal, Dr. Alexis Clark Vale, and the proposed enforcement of the New Education System (NES) they say threatens to dissolve all magnet school programs.

The protest took place at 7 a.m., May 13, and aimed to demand the rescinding of the termination of Principal Dr. Vale and the preservation of essential fine arts educational programs.

The abrupt dismissal of Dr. Vale, who only last year earned the distinction as a Houston ISD Principal of the Year, reportedly came without disclosed reasons, stirring unrest among the school community. Simultaneously, the Houston Independent School District’s decision to implement the NES system, which could eliminate specialized magnet programs like the one at Crockett Elementary, compounded concerns, prompting urgent calls for action.

“The lack of transparency surrounding Dr. Vale’s dismissal has raised questions about the governance of our school,” said Liz Silva, incoming Crockett Elementary PTO president. She added that concerns also centered on the NES system’s potential threats, as it aimed at standardizing education but risked diluting the unique offerings that magnet programs provide. This, she wrote in a media statement, could potentially stifle student creativity and opportunities in arts education, contrary to the critical-thinking development that HISD advocated.

“We are standing up not just for Dr. Vale but for the future of our education,” Silva said. “Removing dedicated leaders without cause and stripping away programs that foster our kid’s talents and passions is unacceptable.”

hand is a recently filed lawsuit against TXDOT, something he said he doesn’t really want to do, but he felt it was the only recourse he had left.

Edwards looks out on a landscape that, for the time being, looks like a David And Goliath scene nobody could suspect 53 years ago. Meanwhile he and Motorcars Ltd. simply plan to prove a famous saying: “Difficult is a challenge. The impossible just takes more time.”

The Leader repeatedly reached out to TxDOT for comment. There was no response.

Submitted photo

Students, parents, and staff assembled at Crockett Elementary on Monday, May 13, to protest the dismissal of Principal Dr. Alexis Clark Vale.

Solid Waste Management Department announces changes to yard waste curbside

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Houstonians have new options to make yard waste disposal easier and more convenient. Houston Mayor John Whitmire and City Council approved the Solid Waste Management Department’s (SWM) plan to improve the flexibility and convenience for participating residents of the curbside yard waste collection program. Effective immediately, approved changes to the City’s Code of Ordinances, Articles I and Articles IV, made provisions to expand the set-out options for participating households of the curbside yard waste collection program. City-approved biodegradable bags bearing the City seal are no longer required. Residents now have the options

COMMUNITY REPORTS

Proposing no new taxes or fees, Houston Mayor John Whitmire outlined his FY '25 City of Houston budget May 14, highlighting operational efficiencies and addressing years of the city's financial deficits inherited by his administration.

During a news conference attended by several city council members and city department directors, the mayor said his proposal builds toward a sustainable FY '26 and beyond, along with implementing city-wide efficiencies and cost savings review. It also strengthens collaboration with other levels of government and addresses public safety staffing needs with five cadet classes for the Houston Fire and Houston Police departments.

READ THE FY2025 PROPOSED BUDGET AT HOUSTONTX.GOV/ BUDGET/25BUDPROP/ INDEX.HTML

to use any 100% biodegradable bag (or compostable bag) meeting the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6400 or EN 13432 specifications.

“These programmatic enhancements are a direct reflection of recommendations received from a variety of residents and civic groups who support the continued growth of our operations,” said Department Director Mark Wilfalk. Residents may also place curbside yard waste contents in personal reusable refuse containers (excluding city issued 95-gallon refuse carts); or tie and bundle small logs in to 4-foot lengths. Contents in personal reusable containers and bundles of yard waste must not exceed 50 lbs.

How To Participate

The City provides weekly curbside yard waste collection services on the same days as scheduled garbage collection days; (periodic service delays may occur.) Eligible households can participate in the yard waste curbside collection program by placing their materials at least 3-feet away from their regular trash bins or other obstructions on their designated collection days.

As a reminder, service personnel will not collect curbside yard waste mixed with trash, paper, plastic, or any other types of waste. In addition, professional landscaping contractors hired to provide residential services are responsible for properly disposing of any debris resulting from work performed.

The proposed budget for all funds totals $6.73 billion, an increase of $442 million, or 7 percent, compared to the current FY2024 budget of $6.29 billion.

The FY2025 Proposed General Fund budget of $3.03

"I have only been mayor for five months, and I inherited a mess, which at the time was a projected budget gap of $160 million heading into FY '25," said Whitmire. "The Fiscal Year 2025 Proposed Budget is my first budget, and a large financial challenge is ahead. While we were able to close the budgetary gap using a combination of recurring expenditure reductions and a draw on fund balance, we know there is much more work to do ahead of us."

By DAN GREER

The Leader Food Critic

If you are a traveler in The Heights, you will no doubt be aware of the infamous 5-way intersection where Main Street, Studewood, Cavalcade and 20th converge. When an unsuspecting motorist arrives from any of the aforementioned thoroughfares, and tentatively ventures into the heart of the intersection (no-man's land), pandemonium often ensues. At the confluence of this intersection lies one of the hottest new restaurants in town.

Ema opened just a few weeks ago and is already creating a buzz. It is small and unassuming and is easily missed. The line out the door will assist in locating it.

Ema isn’t just another exciting new restaurant in The Heights. Stephanie Velasquez was a 2024 James Beard award semi-finalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category, which is, of course, a phenomenal accomplishment. She, Nicolas Vera and Marlen Mendoza bring a triple threat, and unique blend of expertise to Ema. There are really three components to Ema…the two chefs creating

billion reflects an increase in spending of $62.3 million or 2.1 percent from the FY2024 Current Budget of $2.97 billion. This increase is primarily attributable to pay increases of 3.5 percent for police and increases associated with the draft Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for fire.

The mayor's proposed budget takes a business-like ap-

proach to prioritizing critical services for Houstonians while making bold choices to confront the City of Houston's needs, resources, and challenges.

"While we are looking for efficiencies and cost savings, we cannot discount the fact that we are under strict limitations on our revenues," said Whitmire. "I recognize and highlight three revenue con-

the pastries (pan dulce) and entrees, and an outstanding coffee roaster. The line moved along at a nice pace. I love a concise menu and theirs is just that. The kitchen is spotless and bustling with activity. The ordering process takes place at the cash register, where a very pleasant and knowledgeable young man cheerfully answered our onslaught of questions. Pastries are neatly and cleverly arranged so that you can be tempted while ordering. And we fell like dominos to that temptation. We took a seat by the win-

dow where we had a nice view of the thunderstorm as it came rolling through. The first items we received were the pastries. My dining partner opted for the Vanilla Concha. It was so delicate with the slightest hint of sweetness, and beautifully decorated. My choice was the soft, fresh and creamy Horchata Berlinesa. Sort of like a Mexican cream puff or brioche…the bread was incredibly soft and fresh and the horchata cream was next-level delicious. My hot café de olla, their signature beverage and a traditional Mexican drink, was

near perfection. It was creamy and light, combining smoothly roasted coffee with cinnamon and possibly star anise and other spices. It was beautifully designed and was as much a work of art as a great coffee. Our first of two entrees was the Pipian Rojo Cauliflower. Could something this good be healthy? I don’t know and I don’t particularly care. The cauliflower was roasted perfectly, came with caramelized onions and was seasoned with basil and lime juice. The cauliflower framed a lively red pumpkin seed salsa. Perfect for dipping.

straints Houston confronts that do not exist in other large cities in Texas: 1.) a locally imposed revenue cap on top of the state cap, 2.) no dedicated revenues to support solid waste operations, and 3.) no support from a city-owned utility."

Despite the financial challenges confronting the City of Houston in FY '25, Mayor Whitmire said he remains

a

We will

to partner in new ways with other levels of government, adjust how we deliver services and the costs required to do so, and discuss reasonable potential modifications to our revenue model," he said.

I could spend an entire page describing Ema’s commitment to a sacred process of the preparation of maize (maiz). Suffice to say that many steps are taken here to bring us

Photos by Dan Greer

Suadero Chilaquiles

Pipian Rojo Cauliflower

Artistry in Pixels: Kevin Dunn’s mosaic photos capture the essence of school spirit

By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com

Kevin Dunn, Heights resident and owner of PortraitEFX Photo Memories, has been making waves with his innovative mosaic photo creations.

Recently, Dunn’s work gained attention on social media after he crafted an elaborate mosaic photo for Sinclair Elementary.

The idea originated from Dunn himself, who was inspired by the concept and decided to present each school he collaborated with for yearbook photos with a unique mosaic photo.

Dunn’s mosaic photos are not only visually striking but also speak to his commitment to giving back to the community. Through his company, PortraitEFX Photo Memories, Dunn contracts with schools, sports leagues, and various organizations to provide volume photography services, including league photos, yearbook photos, and school portraits.

The process of creating these mosaic photos involves planning and digital manipulation. Dunn starts by obtaining a photo of the school’s exterior and, in this case, capturing individual portraits of every student and teacher. Using specialized software, he then

COMMUNITY REPORTS

arranges these photos into a mosaic pattern, ensuring that each image is strategically placed to create a cohesive final product. The result is a unique piece of art composed of thousands of tiny photographs, each contributing to the larger picture.

“I had the photos of about 650 people at Sinclair Elementary, students and staff. Each picture was repeated several times to create a total of about 10,000 photo tiles,” Dunn explained. “The really cool part is that you can change the background color of the individual photo tiles to mimic the colors of the overall picture.”

Sinclair Elementary School Principal Lee Mashburn said his students love the mosaic photo, which is now displayed in the school’s lobby.

“In the morning, students stand around the picture and try to find the photos of themselves,” Mashburn said with a laugh, pointing out exactly where his own pictures are located in the mosaic photo.

“Everyone does it, everyone, even the staff.”

Mashburn said the project even sparked an algebra discussion with students.

“They’d wonder why their picture is in the mosaic several

Onion

For the past 3 years, chicken wing enthusiasts and local breweries have battled it out for the title of Grand Wing Champion! This year’s event is scheduled for May 18, from 1-6 p.m.

Tasting tickets are available for $25, allowing you to taste all the wings from each team’s offerings and vote for the best one! There will be live music from The Pack of Strays band, over 12 wing cooking teams, face painting, games for the kids, and fun for the whole family. Food and drink deals will be available throughout the day. There will be special guest

judges, and appearances from 94.5 the Buzz adding to the excitement of this event. The winner will receive $1,000, the runner-up $500, and third place $350. There will also be a People’s Choice Award of $500 and a prize of $100 for the best-decorated tent.

Who: All ages – kid and dog-friendly

When: Saturday, May 18, 1-6 p.m.

Where: Onion Creek Cafe, 3106 White Oak Dr. What: Teams compete for the best wings and cash prizes. People’s Choice award, vendor’s market and breweries.

Cost: $25 Tasting Ticket Info: eventbrite.com; onioncreekcafe.com/events

times,” Mashburn said. “Well, if you have 10,000 tiles and about 700 people – that’s a math lesson.“

For Dunn, the joy lies in seeing the positive impact of his work. The mosaic photos serve as a symbol of unity and collaboration, bringing

together the faces of students, teachers, and staff in a special display of school spirit. He also gifted a mosaic photo to St. Pius X High School and all his education clients.

“I just thought it would be a nice way to say thank you for a great year,” Dunn said.

readies

Photo courtesy of Kevin Dunn

Kevin Dunn, owner of PortraitEFX Photo Memories in the Heights, used the pictures of about 650 people to create this 10,000-tile mosaic photo for Sinclair Elementary School.

Photo by Stefanie Thomas Sinclair Elementary Principal Lee Mashburn, left, said the mosaic photo created by Kevin Dunn, right, was a fun surprise for students, teachers, and staff.

Photo courtesy of Kevin Dunn

Professional photographer Kevin Dunn also created a mosaic photo for St. Pius X High School.

Photos courtesy of Onion Creek Cafe