The 06-24-23 Edition of The Heights Leader

Heights Great American Pie Contest returns July 10

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

In just a few weeks, dozens of community members will be back inside the Heights Fire Station tasting as much pie as they can possibly imagine, as a popular community event returns to area.

On July 10, the Houston Heights Association will bring back the annual Great American Pie Contest for the first time since 2019. The event began in 2016 but had not been held for the last three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects.

But the time is now for it to return, and organizers are anticipating a big return for the event that has become so popular in the Heights.

“It’s about building community, building bridges, having fun, and creating a path for people to connect,” said Angela DeWree, who is helping organize the event. “Because who doesn’t like pie?”

During the event, community members of all ages can submit their pies for tasting by other community member as well as a panel of judges that will include Chef Levi Rollins of Urban Eats on Washington Avenue as well as Alli Jarrett of Harold’s Tap Room and Restaurant on 19th Street, local Heights foodie John Frels, and Cleverly Stone among others.

The event is free and open for all community members to attend and enter, according to the event page. There will be prizes and winners awarded to entrants in three categories - Sweet, Savory, and Artisanal Design – after all the pies have been tasted, and the public will have a chance to taste the pies themselves after winners have been announced.

And what’s more, DeWree and fellow organizer Dewayne Ross believe that the community gathering event is just another way of contributing to the close-knit fabric that the Heights community is regarded for – especially after the pandemic.

Local charter making final pitch to state board

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

In the coming weeks, a proposed local charter school could find out whether they have been approved to start their operations in the area.

On Wednesday, administrators with Heritage Classical Academy were set to go before the Texas State Board of Education and make their final pitch in efforts to get approval for the school. It is the fourth straight year that the school will go before the SBOE in hopes for approval.

Heritage would be a tuitionfree public charter school that would be somewhere in the 77092 zip code area of Houston if it is approved, according to boar member Kathryn Van der Pol, though an exact location has not been released pending approval from the state. The school would begin with students in kindergarten and first grade classes and would grow each year until it is a full kindergarten through eighth grade school that uses a classical model for learning, according to the school’s website.

Heritage has been controversial among state board members because it planned to use a curriculum developed by Hillsdale College, a conservative college in Michigan, according to a 2022 story from the Texas Tribune. However, Van der Pol claimed the previous rejections were largely because a swath of board members were opposed to the concept of charter schools.

Charter schools in Texas receive all their funding from the state, which has raised some opposition to the concept. But overall, there are now nearly 200 such options around the state. Van der Pol said the school fell one vote short of approval from the 14-member board last year and did not fall

HISD board to vote on budget Thursday

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

As part of the new regime change continuing, the new Houston ISD board of managers was slated to vote Thursday on a new budget for the 2023-2024 school year. The roughly $2.2 million budget that board members will be voting on implementing for the upcoming school year is just the latest step in the new board taking over operations for the district in wake of the state takeover.

According to meeting PowerPoints, the 2023-2024 budget

proposed to the previous elected board of trustees prior to the state takeover – which went into effect on June 1 – is about $2.2 billion in the general fund. And as the new board has come into the process so late – it must be approved by the end of the month – Superintendent Mike Miles said last week that the new board is not making many changes of note to the previouslypresented one.

“We are taking the budget that was presented to the last board with some changes,” Miles said last week. “We are largely not touching the budget that was presented to the prior board.”

Several challenges do present themselves as far as the budget is concerned, however, which Miles and other board members touched on during last Thursday’s meeting. The district is facing an expected budget shortfall of a little over $168 million for the upcoming school year, according to last week’s presentation, though the presentation also noted that about $70 million is expected in unspent funds to help eat into the shortfall a little bit. Current projected expenditures are about $2.4 billion according to the presentation.

See Heritage P. 6

Contributed photo

An emcee oversees a previous Heights Great American Pie event. The event is making a comeback this year on July 10 after not being held since 2019.

Contributed photo

Organizers say that at least 50 pies are submitted for entry each year by those of all ages.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

For much of the year, the Greater Inwood and Acres Homes area (77091) has been the only local market to see monthly year-overyear gains in homes sales. But last month, they were joined by one more local market according to the latest data from the Houston Association of Realtors.

This past May, the Central Northwest and Langwood area (77092) as well as the Greater Inwood and Acres Homes neighborhoods both showed marked year-overyear May sales growth according to the data. Each of them saw sales improve by at least 17 percent last month, while each of the other four area markets experienced at least a 5 percent year-overyear drop.

Despite last month’s increase, however, the 77092 zip code along with four of the other five local neighborhoods still remains lagging behind its 2022 pace. Only the 77091 zip code has seen an increased sales volume year-to-date.

On a pricing front, yearover-year largely rose or stayed stagnant, while homeowners have paid more for a home year-to-date than at the same point in 2022 according to HAR’s data.

77018

In the zip code encompassing Garden Oaks/Oak

Forest and a small portion of Central Northwest, there was a small but noticeable year-over-year drop in May homes sales. There were 64 sales in this area last month, down 5.9 percent from 68 sales during May 2022. On a year-to-date basis, the area is 26.6 percent behind last year’s mark, with 256 sales so far this year compared to 349 coming off the market during the same period last year. Pricing-wise, the average buyer spent 11.6 percent more ($690,918) for a home here than the previous May, while year-overyear median price dipped ever so slightly (0.1 percent) to $507,000. Homeowners are paying 13.6 percent more for a house in this area ($670,906) through the end of May compared to 2022, while median price has gone up 9.9 percent to $516,625 year-to-date.

77091

Just to the north, the zip code including much of Greater Inwood, Acres Homes, and Independence Heights was a year-overyear riser for a fifth consecutive month. This area saw 39 homes come off the market last month, a 62.5 percent year-over-year increase from the 24 sold in May 2022. It also remains the only local zip code which is ahead of its 2022 pace, with 153 sales so far this year compared 130 at the same point last

year. On a pricing front, the year-over-year average May home price was up 15 percent – the largest local jump – to $359,185, while yearover-year median home price jumped 12.5 percent to $359,990 last month. The average buyer has spent 12.4 percent more ($344,244) compared to the same point in 2022, while median home price year-to-date is up 10.9 percent to $354,900 at month’s end.

77092

The Central Northwest and Langwood areas saw a brief departure from its 2023 norms last month, with

the 20 homes coming off the market representing a 17.6 percent increase compared to the previous May. Year-to-date, however, there has been a 45.6 percent dip in sales, with 77 so far this year as opposed to 141 sales through the same point in 2022.

Average buyers spent $337,885 for a home here last month – down 8.5 percent compared to the same month last year – while the year-over-year May median home price saw a 2.1 percent increase up to $359,500 at the end of the month. On a year-to-date basis, average buyers are paying 3.6 per-

cent more ($347,805) while median home price has shot up 14.1 percent to $365,000 so far this year.

77008 Down in the Greater Heights, was another yearover year decline, though the 100 total homes sold here last month – a 14.5 percent decrease from the 117 sold last May – still represented the most homes sold among any local zip code last month. On a year-to-date basis, there have been 256 sales in the area this year –26.6 percent fewer than the 349 sales at the same point in 2022.

Pricing-wise, average May home price dropped 4.1 percent year-over-year to $707,508, while median home price experienced a 5.2 percent jump up to $646,850. Year-to-date, the average price for a house here is up 2.1 percent to $685,178 while median price has gone up 7.9 percent to $620,500.

77009

On the eastern edge of the Heights and into the Northside/Northline area, this zip code saw the largest percentage drop after 42 homes came off the market last month – a 32.3 percent drop compared to the 62 sales that happened in May 2022. The area is also lagging behind its 2022 pace so far, with 160 home sales as opposed 267 during the same time frame in 2022.

Homeowners paid an average of $679,415 for a home in this zip code in May, yearover-year monthly rise of 10.2 percent, while median May home price dipped 3.2 percent down to $584,950. The average price for a house in the area is up 12.8 percent to $631,322 year-todate, while year-to-date median price has jumped 13.8 percent to $535,000.

77007

In the southernmost part of the area, the zip code including Rice Military and Washington Avenue saw 70 homes sold last month, a 20.5 percent decrease from the 88 sales that happened in May 2022. Year-to-date, its 245 home sales so far this year represents a 42.8 percent decrease from the 428 sales through the same period last year. On a pricing front, the average May home price was 26.6 percent more ($825,494) compared to May 2022, while May median price spiked 16.1 percent to $615,000. On a year-to-date basis, the average homebuyer has paid $730,861 – 16.2 percent more year-over-year – so far in 2023, while median price is up 12.4 percent to $579,900.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A Tex-Mex Montrose staple is expanding operations in the Houston area, and its second location will be in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest area later this year. La Mexicana Tex-Mex will be bringing its sister concept, La Mex, to the Stomping Grounds development along West 34th Street later this year, with owner/ operator Zulema Gonzales saying that the hope is to be open by September.

Gonzales said that plans have been in place for a move to the area for several years dating back to 20182019, and that the restaurant worked with Revive Development in one of their spaces. However, she said the COVID-19 pandemic put those plans on hold initially. Since then, she said she and owner Bryan Danna always “left the door open” for future chances to set down roots in one of Revive’s developments.

“I have had my sights set on the neighborhood, but the timing was always off,”

Gonzales said, noting also that the pandemic and its economic aftereffects put a hamper on the potential move as the primary focus was on keeping La Mexicana running.

But now, she said, the time is right.

“Upon meeting with Bryan (Danna) several times, touring Stomping Grounds and the willingness to work together to establish something really great that the neighborhood would love to see, it all came together really well,” she said.

La Mex is fully built out; therefore she said minimal kitchen adjustments and cosmetic changes are needed. As for the menu, she said due to a smaller kitchen the concentration will be on the Tex-Mex items that everyone knows and loves and have become their best sellers. And just like the original, there will be breakfast all day as well as a margarita machine.

When it opens, La Mex will open at 7 a.m. daily.

“The project itself is so unique and every time I visited on my own, seeing

everyone out on the lawn with their kids and enjoying the safety of the space, just made me feel more confident that this was a good decision,” Gonzales said. “I can certainly appreciate the thought and care Revive has

taken to curate such a special haven for the neighborhood.”

B.B. Lemon launches self-serve tap wall

A local eatery and bar is now giving its customers the power to serve their own beer when they come

inside.

B.B. Lemon, 1809 Washington Ave., launched its new self-serve beer tap wall inside the restaurant and bar earlier this month, according to a Facebook post from the bar. Customers can now serve themselves and choose from a selection of

seasonal beers, wines, and cocktails.

For more information on

B.B. Lemon’s new self-serve beer wall and

Man killed in collision between car, dirt bike

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

A man was killed after being knocked from his dirt bike in a collision with a truck in the Northside/Northline area last week, according to the Houston Police Department.

The man’s identity is pending an autopsy from

the county’s medical examiner, according to the department.

Officers responded to the scene of a crash in the 9100 block of Sweetwater Lane in the Northside/Northline area just after 4 p.m. last Saturday, June 10 according to the department.

Police the driver of the dirt bike was heading

Possible medical episode leads to fatal area crash

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

Authorities are saying the driver in a fatal single-car crash in the Northside area earlier this week, according to the Houston Police Department.

The identity of the driver, a man according to the department, is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner according to HPD. Police said the man

was driving north at 3200 Fulton St. in the Northside area just before 3 p.m. Tuesday when he allegedly leftthe roadway, went over a curb and stopped at a fence. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the department.

The department said the driver is believed to have suffered a medical episode prior to the crash, though the investigation is ongoing.

south towards the intersection of Sweetwater Lane and Saddle Rock Drive just as a pickup heading north on Sweetwater Lane pulled into the intersection to make a turn. As they both entered the intersection, police said the bike collided with the passenger side of the truck and the man was thrown from the

bike. The bike’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the department. Police said the truck driver was questioned and determined to not be impaired, so he was released to the hospital with minor injuries. An investigation is ongoing into the crash, according to HPD.

Bicyclist killed in Northside area crash

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews. com

A bicyclist has died after colliding with a car in the Northside/Northline area earlier this week, according to the Houston Police Department.

The identity of the man is pending an autopsy from the county’s medical examiner, according to the department.

Police said the bicyclist was coming out of a parking lot at 7000 Airline Dr.

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Artists love deadlines, I should know I hear from many local artists just as a market deadline looms close. Artists take note, a deadline approaches for an incredible opportunity that comes but once a year.

Archway Gallery will present its Fifteenth Annual Juried Exhibition July 8 and the artist deadline to submit an application is Monday, June 26. This is a great way for area artists and nonmembers of the gallery to participate in an exhibition of works in Houston’s finest artist-owned space.

This year’s juror is Swissborn John Bernhard, an artist, photographer, designer, and writer who traveled extensively before settling in Houston in 1980. Bernhard is the man behind ArtHouston, the only magazine devoted exclusively to the arts in Houston. He has served as publisher and editor-in-chief for the past 9 years. Bernhard has exhibited

his work in more than 30 solo shows, three museum exhibitions, and numerous group exhibitions. In January 2018, Bernhard was named Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Houston.

At the discretion of Bernhard, prizes are awarded that include cash for first, second, and third place winners. The first-place winner will also receive a month’s guest artist privileges at Archway Gallery.

Joe Haden, who we met here in Art Valet just 2 weeks ago, credits this exhibition for changing his art career.

Sales from the exhibition support a nonprofit organization chosen by the gallery members.

Archway’s community partner this year is Be the Peace - Be the Hope, an organization serving elementary, middle, and high school students and their teachers. Programs provide social and emotional learning strategies, allowing the development of competencies to improve well-being and academic performance.

Since its inception in 2015, Be the Peace - Be the Hope has worked with students throughout Houston and across the world to address negative social, emotional, and environmental factors that have contributed to

around 7:40 p.m. Thursday when a collision happened with a black Mercedes Benz S500 traveling southbound. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to HPD. No charges have been filed in the ongoing investigation of the crash, according to HPD, and the driver was questioned and released from the scene after showing no signs of intoxication.

713-686-8494

children’s trauma, disengagement, delinquency, and academic failure.

Artists may enter one or two works for the entry fee of $25. Interested artists can get entry information and forms on the gallery’s website, https://www.archwaygallery.com/archway15th-annual-juried-exhibition-2023.html

Archway Gallery, is located at 2305 Dunlavy and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. For more information, visit ArchwayGallery.com or call 713-522-2409.

The Fifteenth Annual Juried Exhibition will be on view July 8 – August 3,

2023, with an opening reception Saturday, July 8, 2023, 5 – 8 p.m. Mr. Bernhard will give remarks and awards at 6:30 p.m. Complimentary valet parking & light refreshments music by Heights Fools on Stools.

Closing reception is Saturday, July 29, 6 – 8 p.m.

Archway Gallery, is located at 2305 Dunlavy and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. For more information, visit ArchwayGallery.com or call 713-522-2409.

This Sunday, featured artist Annette Palmer, who’s exhibit “North Sea Gulf Coast” is currently on view, will give an informal guided tour, 3-5 p.m. Hear the stories and inspirations behind the paintings of her current exhibition “North Sea Gulf Coast.” Complimentary refreshments will be available.

Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and The Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at https://ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

IndyQuest Properties’

Jessica Burton knows that today’s current housing market conditions could be different than the ones that prevail even more weeks or months later. But no matter the market, she said she remains dedicated to providing the best service possible for her clients no matter the market situation.

Whether it is preparing her sellers to put their home on the market or working with buyers to find the perfect fit for them and their dreams, she said the same effort goes into it all. Burton started at IndyQuest in 2017, and has not looked back as she strives to help buyer and sellers with every step of a crucial life step.

“I just really love being able to help the people through it,” she said. “It’s really rewarding for me.”

Born and raised in west Houston and now living in Shepherd Park Plaza, Burton has seen the Houston region undergo plenty of transitions over the last couple of decades. And it is exactly the same with her target areas, which include the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Timbergrove, Spring Branch, and more.

Most prominently, she said, her areas have been seeing low inventory amidst a strong spring and summer market, so it has become a critical time for potential sellers to be on their toes for how to best market their home.

“There are some homes that are still trying to get COVID prices and listing their homes for a premium, and they’re sitting for longer, so we’re seeing a price reduction from that,” Burton said. “I’m having

to coach my sellers on how to really prepare their listings in different ways.”

The ways sellers can do that, she said, vary based on each home’s situation. And both buyers and sellers have been impacted by the current market conditions, according to Burton.

“I’ve noticed a lot of sellers have been waiting because they don’t want to enter the market because inventory is low and interest rates have been higher. So affordability has changed so much over the last year,” she said.

“But I think more buyers are coming around to the fact that this is the reality of it right now. I love the

saying of ‘date the rate, marry the house.’ It gives people a peace of mind that they can refinance at some point.”

To help prepare her sellers to put their homes on the market, Burton said she has not only kept services that she has always brought to the table – she has encouraged them to be utilized even more in the current market. Whether it is decluttering the home so that potential buyers can more easily picture themselves living there, or arranging furniture a different way – or anything in between – Burton said she works with her sellers to put them in the best pos-

sible position to sell their home quickly. She brings her own landscaper, stager, and more, she said, and tries to get into the home as early as possible to help sellers give their home the best look.

“Buyers walk in and they dream about the possibilities, and that’s what we want to do (for them). There are a lot of different things that sellers can incorporate to help their house stand out. The earlier I can get in, the better,” she said. “Those are all things that are going to align with the condition and really justify the price point, so it’s really important for us to highlight it.

These are the services I’ve always offered, I just enhanced them.”

Ultimately, she wants them to get the best deal as quickly as possible.

“People don’t want to have their homes sit on the market for very long anymore. They want to make sure they’re getting a great return on their property from top to bottom, and they don’t want to open their house up for weeks,” she said. “…. So anything we can do up front on the sellers’ side to eliminate (more buyer projects), is helpful.”

On the flip side – as about 60 percent of her clients are potential buyers – she said the market conditions have necessitated paying closer attention to appraisal value. A third party lender will often come in to appraise the home, she said, so upon inspecting a home’s condition she said she is looking to see what the condition is like overall, and look at the market data.

“We just to try align it as close to what we think the appraisal will come back with. We’re trying to get as close to what we think

that third party appraiser is going to come in at,” she said. “Buyers are getting a little more say in that. I’m trying to protect my buyers in that sense, but that also goes to the sellers side too because I want to make sure they understand they’ll be faced with that component of the transaction.”

But at the end of the day, she said, the reward comes in seeing people follow through the transaction to the end and get what is best for them at their respective stage of life.

“There are so many dreams that go beyond the walls of the home. Just being able to follow up with them after they’ve moved in is amazing. I don’t stop once the transaction is over,” she said. “I’m there to help with resources afterward and make sure they’re happy. It’s very rewarding.”

This story is paid content for The Leader

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Pie, from P. 1

“We’re here to orchestrate what we believe Heights residents want – a fun activity, fellowship with fellow neighbors, and a cool, safe way to celebrate the Fourth of July,” Ross said.

DeWree said that there are typically about 50 pies entered to be judged each year and at least 100 community members are expected inside the Heights Fire Station each year – and of course, she said smell the aroma of the pies and can’t help but drop on in. And she said she has had those in the neighborhood have been eager for the event’s return.

“Everyone has asked about the ‘next’ pie contest each and every day,” DeWree said on Tuesday.

At the end of the day, both DeWree and Ross said the Heights is all about supporting one another and supporting the neighborhood while taking part in activities that strengthen the community bonds between neighbors.

As a result they say events such as the Great American Pie Contest help create a tight-knit community, and they expect a big turnout in its return to the neighborhood.

“We believe (it) brings back a sense of normalcy to the neighborhood that residents in the Heights have been yearning for. The HHA is all about providing opportunities for community and fellowship,” Ross said. “…. The upbeat energy in the room will definitely be a highlight of the summer in the Heights.”

HISD, from P. 1

One of the more notable changes upcoming is that Miles said he has set aside about $106.7 million for plans to address areas that are in highest need in the district, money for which will be set aside by cutting from vendor contracts and decreasing central office spending, among other ways to cut funds.

Heritage, from P. 1

strictly along party lines.

It has been a long process in hopes of getting approval for Heritage.

For the fourth time in four years, leaders from Heritage Classical Academy held a “capacity interview” with the TEA last month. In order to secure the capacity interview, Van der Pol said Heritage submitted an application on which the proposed school scored a 97 out of 100. From there, she said the capacity interview is simply an attempt by the

And though there has been much turmoil amidst the takeover of the district – the push for which began in 2019 and went through four years of legal battlesboard members have continually said that their singular goal is to leave HISD better than they found it, whether it be through the upcoming budget or other

TEA to assess whether administrators have the resources to operate a school and knowledge of the state’s educational provisions.

Van der Pol said previously that approval and their plans are dependent “all on God’s timing” as they push ahead with their pitch in hopes of opening next year. And she previously said that the school was hopeful as it mounts its latest effort for approval.

means. The district has set up a series of community meetings and listening sessions for the coming weeks.

“As we enter the next school year, we will communicate with you every step of the way so you know exactly what to expect and who to talk to when you have concerns,” he said in a statement

upon taking over earlier this month. “It is my great privilege to lead HISD in this work to make it one of the best school districts in this country. I hope you will join me as we work to provide every HISD student with the education and experiences they need to live, work, and thrive in Houston and the world.

THE TOPICS.

It’s time to name that school

Stephen F. Austin is still with us. No, not “The Father of Texas” but the university in Nacogdoches up in the East Texas piney woods that is named for him. The reason we mention this is because of what did and didn’t happen. Stephen F. Austin State University (can we call it just SFA?) has become yet another school of The University of Texas System which already has nine academic institutions and five health –science centers. Why after an even 100 years is SFA changing its position? Money of course. Four of Texas’ major university systems sought to acquirethe East Texas school, and the UT System won out. As the school’s regents noted, by coming under the Burnt Orange Blanket SFA has access to the Permanent University Fund, or PUF. That’s the state fund that collects royalties from oil and gas leases on 2.1 million acres of land in West Texas that goes to the UT and Texas A&M Universities Systems. PUF is worth $48.3 billion (but it grows by $5 million a day), giving those systems an endowment that is the largest of any public schools in the nation. SFA will immediately receive $1 million more for annual scholarships and $5.5 million for faculty salaries. Tenured faculty will still remain tenured and tenure-track faculty will remain on the tenure track. Students (12,969 of them) will also maintain their enrollment. That’s what happened. This is what didn’t happen: The school will retain its mascot (Lumberjacks), colors (purple and white) and – a roll of the Lumberjack band’s drums – its name. In the past schools that joined the UT System had to add “at (wherever”) to differentiate them from UT at Arlington, Commerce, Tyler, Permian Basin, Dallas, San Antonio and on and on. (And, no, we don’t have a UT at Trump.) SFA will not become The University of Texas at Nacogdoches. What did they do with Texas Western? What about the Texas State University for Negroes?

The latter is now Texas Southern University. And where, oh where, is the CIA – College for Industrial Arts? Texas State University began as Southwest Texas State Teachers College, then they dropped the “teachers,” eventually changed “college” to “university” and became Southwest Texas State University. Then it became Texas State University. But the university retains its school motto:

“The Only School in Texas That Produced a U.S. President.” My father said he always wanted to be a

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

after temples in Bhutan. You don’t often see that in West Texas. We also have one university named after the president of another university, which is odd. Sul Ross was president of Texas A&M. Now we have Sul Ross State University, which plays lousy football but has one great rodeo

game would be over. Texas A&M-Commerce started out as East Texas State Teachers College. One of its students, who made money sweeping out classrooms and ringing the campus bell every 45 minutes was Sam Rayburn.

UT-Arlington got its name because of fearful Aggies. The school began as Arlington College in 1895 as a private school for 1st through 10th grades. It then became Arlington Military Academy and in 1923 changed to the North Texas Agricultural College. In 1949 the school became Arlington State College and joined the Texas A&M System. A&M President Earl Rudder resisted developing ASC into a university with graduate programs. Rudder and the Texas A&M Board of Regent saw ASC as a threat to the College Station campus, so it withheld construction funding and blocked degree development. The school switched to the UT System and changed its name once again, this time to The University of Texas-Arlington.

This renaming schools is practically a cottage (or college) industry. We started early. The very first venture by the state into higher education was not, as many think, The University of Texas, but the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, which eventually became the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College – they put the “Texas” part up front. Today it is called Texas A&M University. But do you know what the actual, official name is? Texas A&M University. No periods after either the A or the M because they no longer stand for words. Same for Texas Tech. It began life as West Texas A&M and was supposed to be in Abilene, but became Texas Technological College in Lubbock. Today it is Texas Tech University. There is no period after Tech.

Then there is UT-El Paso, now known as UTEP. It began as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy and for the first decade awarded one single degree: engineer of mining. For years it was called Texas Western University. The school has a certain appeal because its buildings were modeled

Our schools’ names can get very confusing. We have the University of Houston (with four campuses and four different names) and Sam Houston State University. If you say, “My money and my kid go to Houston,” which one? Then there is Austin College which is in Sherman and Stephen F. Austin State University. Students say they attend “Georgetown,” which is in Washington, D.C., but some people think the student means Southwestern University, which is in Georgetown, Texas.

One name we can never get right is Texas Woman’s University in Denton. The school was opened in 1903 as the Girls Industrial College, then changed two years later to College of Industrial Arts or CIA. In 1934 it became the Texas State College for Women. In 1957 the name was changed to its present Texas Woman’s University, singular possessive, and no one ever gets it right.

As for Stephen F. Austin State University, it’s the only school I know of that has an initial in its name. (The F is for Fuller.) And “The Father of Texas” never married and was not a father.

Ashby is named at ashby2@comcast.net

THE LEADER PUZZLERS.

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LOCAL LEADERS

Local Leaders: A grateful acknowledgment of volunteers

Our vibrant community has once again proven its exceptional commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others. In today’s edition of The Leader, we take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude as we extend our sincerest thanks to each and every individual who took the time to submit nominations for our esteemed volunteers.

It is with great pleasure that we bear witness to the exceptional community spirit that prevails in our midst. In response to our call for nominations, an outpouring of heartfelt stories and recommendations flooded in.

This response serves as a testament to the kindness and empathy that reside within our community, demonstrating the immense value placed on volunteerism and its transformative power. The diverse range of nominations we received showcases the myriad ways in which our fellow community members have dedicated their time, skills, and unwavering enthusiasm to uplift and

support those in need.

Through acts of service, our volunteers have selflessly contributed to building a stronger, more compassionate community, fostering connections and bridging gaps that might otherwise be insurmountable. Their tireless efforts have improved the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible impact that resonates far beyond the immediate beneficiaries.

Thanks to each person who took the time to nominate these exceptional individuals who have stepped forward as beacons of hope in their own ways. We are reminded that our community thrives on the collective spirit of generosity and empathy.

So, let us join together in this moment of heartfelt appreciation, recognizing and applauding the collective strength and goodwill that binds us as a community.

Alzheimer’s Association Houston & Southeast Texas Chapter

Michelle

Michelle has been an invaluable volunteer for our chapter. She serves as co-chair to my committee forThe Longest Day fundraiser, and is set to take over as head chair in September. I like to call Michelle my “secret weapon” as she has single-handedly recruited and engaged new volunteer fundraisers, and has actively helped me market The Longest Day (TLD) to ourcommunity. The ultimate networker, my predecessor first met Michelle at a weekly networking breakfast for small business owners. I am told that the connection was immediate and she committed to helping our organization through The Longest Day on the spot. Since her involvement, Michelle has thoughtfully and passionately given her free time to a cause that affects millions of Americans, but that has also affected her family. She alone has raised $10,000 for us in the past year holding her own fundraising events. Her first TLD event last May was a crafting party at a local craft business, Pinspiration. She worked closely with the owner, who generously donated her space and wine to attendees. Guests enjoyed lite bites donated by a local caterer and created their own works of art. Michelle also arranged a silent auction at the event with items donated from local businesses. The most amazing portion of her fundraiser was raising money specifically for craft kits to be donated to the residents at The Village of the Heights Senior LivingCommunity. She was able to donate 110 craft kits, allowing every resident the opportunity to create something. The crafting event raised $2,560. Soon after this successful event, Michelle jumped right in to begin planning her fall TLD event, “Wine Meets Whiskey”. With the help of a well-curated event planning committee made up of local business owners, the Wine Meets Whiskey team met once per month for six months to thoughtfully plan this speakeasy-themed

Katie Crowell, Heights Church

Katie is a multi-talented and multi-able person who gives more of her time and effort to our church than anyone else. Every Sunday morning, she arrives early to help open up the building, help to make coffee and prepare for the fellowship hour (including preparing refreshments and even special snacks for kids,) and she is always the first to meet and greet everyone who comes in the door. She greets everyone with a genuine smile, a welcome hand, and she quickly introduces new guests to everyone in the room. She finds each church staff member and asks them if there is anything she can do for them. Katie always attends Bible study, taking attendance and being sure newcomers have a seat. When needed, she volunteers in the nursery. That’s an easy one for her, since her profession is early childhood education. She always attends worship. She sits on the front pew, sings the hymns, reads the scriptures, and gives her offering each week. But it doesn’t end there. After worship, Katie helps tidy the sanctuary, helps clean-up the coffee, and is ready to do anything at all that is needed. She is the first to pick up trash, the first to start fixing a problem we didn’t even know we had, and the first to do all of it with a smile. All of this and more she does without pay, and without recognition.

event. With event space donated by a localdistillery, Michelle was able to secure sponsors to help cover all costs so that 100% of the funds raised could go to the Alzheimer’s Association. From ticket sales and a silent auction, Michelle and her team raised over $7,000, and they plan to make this an annual event with even bigger fundraising goals in mind! As she looks ahead to Wine Meets Whiskey 2023, she is already planning on a party preview wine tasting at a local wine shop. This event will take place on June 21, which is the Summer Solstice aka The Longest Day. In February, our CEO Richard Elbein invited Michelle to serve as a delegate at our annual CommunityLeaders Summit in San Diego. There, she met with volunteers and Alzheimer’s Association staff from other chapters and attended speaking and networking events as well as workshops. Her enthusiasm for The Longest Day is always palpable, and the energy and knowledge that she brought back to me and our committee was truly incredible. Last week, Michelle was invited to speak about her fundraising success in our nationally streamed TLD Rally. During this time, she eloquently shared her “WHY”, a heartfelt and personal story about how Alzheimer’s and dementia has affected her family. She is an incredibleleader, and already has big plans as chair for the TLD committee starting in September. Michelle has a special way of engaging people and connecting them to the cause, whether they have a personal connection or not. She values the opinions of others and understands the importance of being part of something bigger than herself. A selfless human being, Michelle continues to set the bar high as a professional and as a volunteer.

Kelley Sommer and Emily Weingeis, Memorial Assistance Ministries

Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) expanded into the Greater Heights in October 2022 to offer programs and services to our neighbors in need as well as operating a small, boutique Resale Store to generate revenues to make services possible. This expansion was only made possible with extraordinary commitment of long-time MAM volunteers Kelley Sommer and Emily Weingeist. These two powerhouses worked tirelessly for over a year to help with renovations, permitting, logistics, creative elements, and everything needed to open a space for members of the Greater Heights community to engage with MAM’s life-changing programs and services. Even since opening MAM in the Heights, Kelley and Emily have remained highly engaged in recruiting additional volunteers, advertising MAM’s programs and services, and merchandising the store. Because of their dedication, MAM is accessible to thousands more members of our community seeking a better life for their families. Their selflessness, generosity, talent, and motivation are invaluable assets and MAM is beyond grateful for their countless hours of volunteer service to ourcommunity.

Briggs,

Emily Weingeis and Kelley Sommer

Michelle Briggs

Katie Crowell

LOCAL LEADERS

Cindy Rubenstein, Chamber Education Committee Chair

The Heights Chamber nominated Education Committee Chair

Cindy Reibenstein for consideration. It is because of Cindy’s leadership and guidance that, this past April, our Chamber was able to provide Scholarships for 34 of our community’s high school seniors to attend college and 31 of these Scholarships in April 2022. Other activities that Cindy spearheaded

benefited the students in our community include formal recognition for our high school seniors that have enrolled to serve in our Nation’s military, water fountains for Marshall Middle School, formal clothing for Marshall Middle School’s Prom, bus passes for students at K. Smith Elementary to receive safe rides home, and the sponsorship of a revamped garden at Love Elementary.

Kirsten Hanks, Hilcorp Energy Company

Kristen Hanks of Hilcorp Energy Company is a volunteer and Board President of The Texas Liver Foundation. She has been a liver organization volunteer for over a decade and has brought in donors and hundreds of

hours of volunteer time through her family and connections from Hilcorp. She is a leader and dedicated community ambassador for those living with liver disease, young and old. She has been a great friend and mentor.

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Kristen Hanks