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23 23 Contributed Photos Recent changes to two METRO bus routes servicing The Leader area are causing headaches for those making their daily commutes into W 20TH 66 downtown Houston. (Above) 40 D 7 The #40 Pecore/Telephone W 19TH 26 been rerouted via route has 27 W 14TH Bagby, to Dallas, Smith, Clay and La Branch eastbound and via Bell, to Louisiana, Lamar and Bagby westbound.PECORE (Left) 40 The #50 Harrisburg/Heights AYLAND BAYLAND B route has been rerouted via Bagby to Texas eastbound and via Capitol westbound. 34 Offficals say both changes are due to the closure of DalE las Streets for construction, 8 36being much of which done85 WASH WA Sis HING NGTO TON to help prepare the city’s infrastructure for the Super Bowl in 2017.MEMORIAL Residents now fear they may be unable to use the METRO service, meaning more hours in traffic and more congestion for those who don’t. NAVI LE YALE
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As the public comment period for the Federal Railway AdminisPoint schedule. wn on environmental schedule. Time points Po int where time is shown shotration’s impact study for the proposed Texas Central S IGG references to estimate whenthis themonth, bus erences bus numerous public officials have can be used as ref Railway came to a close GR arrive will arr ive at your your stop. stop. stepped forward with one unifying message from their constituents – the proposed high-speed rail route is not welcome. Puntos marcados en el horario. horario. Con estos puntos se Houston City Council Member Ellen Cohen submitted a letter a directly hora de llegada autobús a Administration earlier this month, puede calcular la hor to thedel Federal Railroad parada. su par ada. HOBBY AIRPOR AIRPORT T proposed voicing her direct opposition to the routes for the TCR. She cited both the feelings Northbrook rthbrook Shopping Center A No of her constituents in regards to issues like 4 property values and other challenges that face B Oak Forest Station Post Office PAR those living closest to the BNSF railway. Northwest rthwest Community “Since learning of this project over the past 16 C No Health Centerphoto Contributed few months, my constituents in these neighJane Kelly may have traded in her lawn mower after years of mowing, butSelect the localSpecialty 95-year- Hospital borhoods have shared with me their over– D old Heights resident hasn’t let age slow her down at all. BELL Houston Heights whelming opposition to theParking currently proposed Cents citing concerns over the potential for Center E West End Multi-Serviceroutes, decreased property values, blighted neighborF Minute Maid Park Cohen hood aesthetics, noise, vibrations, safety15and G Eastwood Park others,” Cohen states in the letter. Cohen goes on to emphasize that she supports high-speed rail as H Magnolia Multi-Service Center AIR “an important mass transit option” which will help addressing growWhile she admits many things have By Kim Hogstrom I Community Family Center ing population, traffic, pollution and other long term problems. changed since her birth, one thing remains For The Leader Connecting Routes / HOBBY “However, I oppose the currently proposed routes for this project the same: Mrs. Kelly still loves Houston’s HOBBY TRAN Connec Conexión Rutas de Cone xión due to their close proximity to deed-restricted residential neighborAt 95 years old, age hasn’t slowed Jane Heights. hoods,” Cohen states. “Oh,yes, I do love the Heights, but it has Kelly down one bit and, if anything, the Cohen’s letter joins a growing number of elected officials who long-time Heights resident is finding more changed,” Kelly said with a laugh. “It has stand in opposition to the proposed TCR routes into downtown simply outgrown itself. That’s all there is to and more to love about her neighborhood. Houston. Charles Schwertner, Senate District 5, Brian Birdwall, SenKelly has lived through countless bits of it.” ate Distrct 22 and Lois Kolkhorst, Senate District 18, also submitted Kelly was born in 1920 in Skidmore, TX, Houston history throughout the years, and a joint letter to the FRA in opposition earlier this month. by the name of Jane Quinn. Shortly after her she pre-dates the first air-conditioned space The letter states bluntly that the TCR “would only serve as a detriin Houston – the Rice Hotel cafeteria – by birth, Kelly’s family moved to the Heights ment to the affected counties” the officials represent. While they actwo years, the first Houston Livestock Show where she has lived ever since, raising three knowledge the high-speed rail would provide a small amount of jobs by 12 years and and the construction of sons and operating a business with her husduring the construction phase, Schwertner, Birdwall and Kolkhorst Houston’s City Hall by 17 years. During the band, James R. Quinn’s Lumber Company, state that any long-term costs far outweigh the temporary benefit. same decade, George Hermann donated a for many years prior to his death in 1993. “This project holds real consequences for our constituents, their The couple also wisely purchased rental parcel of land that would became Hermann property and their livelihoods,” the letter states. “Private property properties in the Heights, many of which rePark, the Houston Library System was interests wll be taken through eminent domain as TCR attempts to launched, and the Houston Zoo opened its main in Kelly’s possession today. construct a rail line that will permanently cut through our counties. “We never paid more than $7,000 for any gates. Houston Junior College was founded in 1927, destined to become University of one of them,” Kelly said. “A few years ago, See Rail, P. 8A Houston, and in 1929, Houston’s very first See Heights, P. 4A Sears sold its very first tool.
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Mary Trujillo has faithfully boarded a Metro bus every work morning and afternoon for more than a decade. She appreciates the consistency of the buses and their drivers. Or, at least, that used to be the case. “The No. 40 bus and No. 50 buses are usually reliable, especially if a dependable driver is on your route,” said Trujillo, who lives in the Heights. “I have a wonderful driver in the mornings on the 50 route at 6:55 a.m., but the mornings without a regular bus driver can be very unreliable. And now that more construction is starting downtown, the buses have become more unreliable.” Mayank Malik, a Chevron employee and Heights resident, has noticed the same thing on Metro’s No. 40 and No. 50 routes. “Personally, I have to walk a long way to make it to my stop now which is especially troublesome in bad weather,” Malik said, pointing out the string of cold, rainy weather the area saw for weeks. “Route 50 is already inconvenient for folks like myself and this is a problem faced by several people I know as well.”
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Man charged in 1984 killing in The Heights For The Leader Channel 11 KHOU According to a report by The Leader news partner KHOU, it took thirty years of police work to uncover the mystery behind the murders of Yleen and Lilly Kennedy. Now, Edmond Beauregard Degan, 57, is behind bars for the brutal murder which remained a cold case for 30 years. In March of 1984, the sisters were found dead at their home in the 600 block of East 12th Street in the Heights. According to the report, Lillie died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Police found that Yleen, however, had been stabbed, shot, struck and sexually assaulted. Degan has been charged in Harris County’s Probable Cause Court with capital murder, and prosecutors told a judge that a witness came forward claiming that the 57-
year-old man had come home on the day of the deaths and asked for a hammer. “He then began to beat a revolver into pieces and then ditch it behind the house,” Prosecutors said in the report. “He then lit a fire and burned numerous items in a fire pit, including a lady’s wallet and small papers.” According to KHOU’s report, prosecutors also said a sexual assault kit was performed on Yleen in 2009, but there was never a match until that witness came forward and Degan was tested. “A high-probability match was recorded,” Attorneys said. Degan’s family did not comment on the charges, according to the report. The new evidence may hold a key to one of the murder’s most mysterious twists. Near the time of the sisters’ deaths, a neighbor confronted a man
Contributed photo Edmond Degan has been arrested and charged with capital murder as part of a major break in a 30-year-old cold case in the Heights.
with a duffel bag leaving their house. He was never seen again. The motive behind the murders remains a mystery.
Police Reports • Jan. 10 - Jan. 17 JAN. 10 Theft 5 PM 4900-4999 NOLDA Theft 4:03 PM 2100-2199 ELLA Theft 6:42 AM 2500-2599 BEVIS Theft 7:38 PM 2600-2699 NORHILL Theft 6 PM 1600-1699 SHEPHERD Theft 2:38 PM 1400-1499 ELLA Burglary 11:56 PM 1040010499 HEMPSTEAD Theft 6:06 AM 400-499 W 16TH JAN. 11 Theft 9:30 AM 100-199 YALE Theft 10:26 AM 1100-1199 W 7TH Burglary 10:15 PM 4600-4699 WERNER Theft 12 PM 4300-4399 SHERWOOD Theft 4:23 AM 600-699 W 12TH Theft 3:52 AM 1200-1299 ARLINGTON Theft 5:26 AM 1100-1199 ASHLAND Theft 8:50 AM 2100-2199 TANNEHILL Burglary 2:05 AM 4000-4099 BROOKWOODS Theft 5:21 AM 1600-1699 SHEPHERD Theft 5 PM 300-399 DELZ Theft 11:57 AM 9900-9999 HEMPSTEAD JAN. 12 Burglary 8:25 AM 1500-1599 CORTLANDT Theft 11:14 AM 2800-2899 ELLA Burglary 8:54 AM 100-199 HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 11:17 AM 100-199 YALE Burglary 4:52 PM 3400-3499 W 12TH Burglary 8:27 AM 900-999 PIZER Burglary 4:51 AM 4000-4099 YALE Theft 4:02 PM 900-999 STUDEWOOD Burglary 1:06 PM 5200-5299 LILLIAN Theft 7 AM 2800-2899 T C JESTER Burglary 1:11 AM 9000-9099 HEMPSTEAD RD Theft 11:30 AM 600-699 W 26TH Theft 5:41 AM 4600-4699 WERNER Burglary 7:01 PM 5100-5199 YALE JAN. 13 Theft 2:44 AM 1800-1899 N SHEPHERD Theft 6:37 AM 5700-5799 WASHINGTON Robbery 1:43 PM 3300-3399 E
T C JESTER Theft 6:34 AM 9500-9599 HEMPSTEAD RD Theft 3 AM 200-299 NORTHWEST Burglary 7:08 AM 1500-1599 BEALL Burglar 5 PM 1900-1999 W T C JESTER Theft 12:30 AM 400-499 S HEIGHTS BLVD Theft 7 AM 6100-6199 MAXIE Burglary 8 PM 9500-9599 HEMPSTEAD
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Precinct 1 Deputies recover stolen packages during traffic stop The Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office recovered an unusual set of items during a traffic stop in the Heights on the morning of Jan. 16, in which multiple stolen U.S. Postal Service packages were recovered. Just before 10:30 a.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a beige 1996 Chevrolet Suburban, with costume chrome wheels, in the 300 block of East 22nd Street. While speaking to the driver the deputy observed a male passenger with gang affiliated tattoos “Tango Blast” on his person and the female passenger acting more nervous than the norm. Further investigation revealed that a UPS package
containing several organic dishwashing liquids, two new unopened muffin pans with cooking dough and one sealed book set identified as “Ducks, Geese, and, Swans of North America” were located inside the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle told the deputy he and his friend drove around the Heights area and stole the packages last week “Wednesday or Thursday” between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the area of Aurora and E. 26th at North Main. The suspect was taken back to the area where he took the items but could not recall the exact dwelling they took them from. The Constable’s Office is asking for residents who may be missing these packages to contact the dispatch center at 713-755-7618 and report the theft so the suspects can be charged in these cases.
Heights HOA A deputy conducted a park check at Halber Park, located in the 2300 block of Harvard, just before 1 p.m. Jan. 15. The deputy observed a suspicious vehicle with the front passenger door open and a male sitting inside. The Deputy made contact with the subject who was discovered to be smoking marijuana. A narcotic investigation was conducted and determined that the male was also in possession of PCP. The male, identified as a Heights area resident, was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance. The suspect was transported to the Harris County Jail and booked without further incident. Please report any suspicious activity to local Law Enforcement.
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The Topics. Saturday, January 24, 2015 • Page 3A
Why can’t we just park our cars to get donuts? L ess than a year after I moved to Houston, a local doctor diagnosed me with a fairly common medical condition called raging blood pressure. Not a big deal, she said. Just take this tiny pill each day and watch your eyelids collapse on your cheeks. A few months after beginning my prescription regimen, the good doctor suggested I have a check-up. Like any sane person scared of a stroke, I didn’t need a check-up to know the pills worked. I purchased a monitor and checked my blood numbers more often than my checking account. I knew the medicine worked. But doctors have their orders, and how dare I be the one to challenge the medical establishment. On the day of my check-up, I had a work appointment north of the city. Once I finished that meeting, I began the 40-minute drive through the highways and byways of Houston to hear a doctor confirm what I already knew. A kindly nurse came in the room, took my numbers, and then grunted like she had discovered I was growing a third ear. My doctor arrived a few minutes later and said she had some concerns that I may need stronger medicine. “Why?” I asked her. “I’ve taken the medicine every day, and my monitor at home says 120-over-80 almost every time.” The doctor seemed confused. She wondered if my monitor was broken. She asked if I had taken narcotics that day. Not on purpose. Then she asked a question that should resonate in the hearts and blood of every person who lives in this city. “How far did you have to drive to get to my office?” the wise doctor asked. “Well, I was in The Woodlands this morning at a meeting.” No further questions were asked, because the doctor explained that driving in Houston could easily spike a person’s blood pressure. A few years ago, the folks at MIT released a study that suggested driving causes more stress than skydiving. In other words, we would rather jump from an airplane 8,000 feet above ground and hope the parachute opens than start our cars and drive to the nearest pharmacy to buy blood pressure medicine.
Jonathan McElvy Publisher
Regardless, readers of this newspaper ask me a lot of questions, and one of the hottest topics always centers around the inane driving tactics of people who insist on finding the slowest, most dangerous routes between Point A and Point B. You want examples? A long-time reader asked if I’d please explain why it is legal for drivers to block an entire lane of traffic on Ella Boulevard in order to fulfill their morning donut fix. Let me explain that question: Shipley’s Do-Nuts is an institution in our community. A friend said she remembers waiting in that line back in the 1950s, so it’s not like this is a new phenomenon in our market. And besides, there’s a reason so many people wait in line to get a donut from Shipley’s – those things are fantastic. This is not the fault of Shipley’s, by any means. Heck, I wish we had cars parked along T.C. Jester waiting to get our newspaper every morning. However, it does seem fair to question why it is legal for folks to cause traffic hazards, when those same people could easily – and I mean easily – get out of their cars, walk into Shipley’s, and purchase the deliciousness inside. The same question could be asked about the McDonald’s at the intersection of Yale and 20th Street in the Heights. While some folks want to head north on Yale to begin a morning commute, they get stuck behind a lane of traffic waiting for a cup of Joe and a deep-fried potato. Legally, this is a tough question to answer. The Houston Police Department couldn’t give me an immediate answer on legally blocking a lane of traffic while waiting for the drivethru to clear. The Texas Transportation Code seems to have a fairly straight-forward answer: “An operator may not stop, park or leave standing an attended or unattended vehicle on the main
traveled part of a highway outside a business or residence,” says Sec. 545.301 of the Code. The next section sounds redundant: “An operator may not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge a passenger, stand or park an occupied or unoccupied vehicle… in front of a public or private driveway.” HPD says they want to do a little more research. I say this is only one of numerous driving challenges our community faces. For instance, what will it take for people to press the gas pedal when a light turns green? The first answer is for people to get off their blasted phones and pay attention. And yes, there are more: Drivers need not slow to zero miles per hour when making a right turn. When you are at an intersection, trying to take a left, it is perfectly legal to pull out into the intersection in order to make a quick turn when oncoming traffic clears. When you see tow trucks on the opposite side of the road, drivers are not required to come to a complete stop in order to catch a glimpse of possible carnage. So how are we supposed to manage the stress of driving, especially if blood pressure medicine doesn’t even work? I found some wonderful (OK, hilarious) tips from the DMV. “If you are angry or otherwise annoyed, whether due to something unrelated to driving or because of a driving incident, pull over or off of the road. Take a few minutes to close your eyes, take a few breaths and relax,” the DMV says. Can you imagine what 610 would look like if everyone took this advice? We’d have 1,200 cars in the shoulder. Another website, called Driver’s Side, had even better advice. They suggest people get cranky on the road because drivers often get hungry. What? “Being stuck in a car with an empty belly creates the perfect storm for irritable and stressful behavior. Instead of suffering through stomach grumbles, keep non-perishable or long-shelf-life snacks… in the car for emergency situations.” If that doesn’t work, just pull up to Shipley’s and wait in the middle of Ella Boulevard like everyone else. Email jonathan@theleadernews. com
It takes smart people to understand satire THE OFFICE -- Look to the left of that tree. It’s another tree, or so I’m supposed to think. That bush was not there last night. Here comes the postman. What do you think he really has in that bag? By the way, do I know you? No, I am not paranoid. I am a journalist who once engaged in satire. That means there is a big target on my back. Tomorrow morning when I go out to get the newspaper, cover me. I should be perfectly safe here in my home-office in Running Rats Acres where the only crime against mankind is that flock of pink, plastic flamingoes on the Gutwalks’ front yard. But a group of cartoonists, writers and editors should have been safe at a Wednesday morning meeting on the second-floor of an office building in downtown Paris. Suddenly the door was flung open by two angry readers. When that letter to the editor was finished, 12 people were dead, more were wounded, three critically, plus a policeman was killed coming to their rescue. Collateral damage included freedom of writership, readership and, most important, my own safety. By now the civilized world even unto Oklahoma knows the story of how gunmen mowed down much of the staff and Stephane Charbonnier, editor-in-chief of the French satirical journal Charlie Hebdo, (Charlie Weekly), which I had never heard of before. The journalists’ crime was lampooning the Muslim religion, along with every other faith, politician, the media itself and a lot of French society. Poking fun at some people means they poke back, with NRA-approved AK47 semi-automatics. Let’s discuss this situation in a civilized and intelligent manner, so put down that epithet. First, for the press these are dangerous days (that’s why we call them “deadlines”) and the situation is getting worse. More than 700 journalists have been killed worldwide since 2005. Last year alone, 119 journalists were kidnapped, 178 were imprisoned and 66 were killed, according to the nonprofit group Reporters Without Borders. Incidentally, this is the only civilian organization that keeps tabs on how many of its members meet violent deaths each year pursu-
Lynn Ashby Columnist
ing their profession – the only group that does so, or needs to. Don’t you love the couch commandos who harrumph about the American press while James Foley and Steven Sotloff were having their heads cut off ? Missed those beheadings? No problem, they were videotaped. ISIS has instant re-play. In the past I have urged, on your next trip to Washington to visit your money, you make a brief tour of the Newseum, a sobering yet sometimes lighthearted museum dedicated to the Fourth Estate. One exhibit I like contains the eyeglasses, pencil and notebook of Mark Kellogg. He was an AP reporter assigned to cover Custer at Littlebig Horn, and, no, he didn’t side with the Indians. There is also a wall containing a growing list of the names of American journalists killed in the line of duty. But the name of William Cowper Brann isn’t there. He was a Texas newspaper editor. In 1898 he was gunned down on a Waco street corner by an irate reader. A journalist’s life has its drawbacks. So does his death. After Brann was buried, someone fired a bullet into his tombstone. As we reporters say, update my obit. Working in the field of occasional satire and lampooning, I have found over and over that hard-right wingers have no sense of humor which, of course, makes them a much easier target. To laugh at yourself requires self-confidence. The only funny comedian on the right is Dennis Miller. He worked “Monday Night Football” one season and it didn’t fly, but he’s still funny. Hard-left wingers can laugh at themselves, except for Stalin and Castro, and today write most of the comedies on television and the movies. Compare the shrillness of Pat
Buchanan to the sophisticated wit of Jon Stewart. My own beginning in this endeavor was while a student at The University of Texas when I took an English course on satire, since I was one of maybe three students in the entire UT enrollment writing satire for a student humor magazine, the Texas Ranger. In the midst of the course, in the midst of a class, I was thrown out by the professor. “Get out!” he said, satirically. The man had no sense of humor. For a time I thought of going into more dangerous work, such as a fact checker for “Morning Joe” or becoming Al Sharpton’s food taster. Maybe work for Obamacare, seeing if I could keep my own doctor. “Satire is what closes on Saturday night,” said George S. Kaufman, after his play, “Strike Up the Band,” closed in Philadelphia before it could even make it to Broadway. For satire is a delicate art form, and appeals only to smart people like you, who understand the basis before you understand the twists, ridicule and balloons being popped. In America we have yet to experience blood-letting of the Paris persuasion, but do not fool yourself for a moment. The constant drum beat of us-versus-them, the anger of KTRH hate radio and others, are sowing evil thoughts in sick minds. Just wait. Journalists like to trot out the French writer, philosopher and deep thinker Voltaire who is often quoted as writing: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” As usual, the press got it wrong. The quote was written in 1906 by Evelyn Beatrice Hall, who simply wrote those words to reflect Voltaire’s attitude. No matter, Voltaire wasn’t even his real name. It was François-Marie Arouet, but he changed his name after everyone disapproved of what he said. Still, we need to update that quote: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend your right to death.” Come look out this window. Notice those three garbage cans on my curb? I only have two. Update my obit. Ashby is hiding at ashby2@comcast. net.
The reader.
You go straight in the trash
Dear Editor: Imagine how surprised I was to see [Jonathan McElvy] rant about the USPS budget issue while extolling the virtues of FedEx and UPS. You forgot to mention that private carriers are not mandated to deliver anything. They have the luxury of being able to pick and choose routes so that profits keep growing. USPS has no such option. You also dedicated 5 paragraphs to slamming the USPS and pimping private carriers while only giving the real reason for the budget issue one paragraph. Nice slight of hand Mr. Publisher. Your attempt to butter it with kind words about USPS employees was as transparent as your right wing ideology. I can almost hear “Hate the sin. Love the sinner.” I guess it’s hard to look into the eyes of the folks that keep your enterprise afloat by dutifully delivering your vital mail and push your misinformation agenda at the same time. Of course you would link your misinformation to some bizarre government study about monkeys and gambling without telling the whole story about the study in context. I don’t know the story nor do I care about it. What I care about is that you have transformed a nice neighborhood source of news into a platform to tell half stories to further an agenda worthy of FOX NEWS level journalism. Where I used to enjoy reading The Leader I now see it as recycling fodder cluttering my lawn. Thomas Britt (Editor’s Note: Thank you for reading before you recycled the paper last week. Only point of clarification would be that the USPS does not deliver The Leader. We hire a private group of carriers who handle that work for us. We would love to use the post office, but they are much too expensive.)
Bullet Train
Dear Editor Here is my take on the train. It is going to be a waste of time and money because it’s supposed to take 90 minutes to get from Dallas to Houston on the train. It only takes an hour by plane. People have said well, you have park the car, go through security, etc. at the airport so that makes up for the difference in time. No it doesn’t because one has to park the car, go through security, etc. at the depot. That leaves the price of the ticket. Do you remember when Amtrak created the train from a depot at TC Jester and I-10 to Galveston about 10 or so years ago. It lasted less than a year. why? Price and duration. It took 3 hours to get there and was $88. What genius put that price point on the
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table when one could drive there in 45 minutes for $10 worth of gas. The point is unless the bullet train ticket price is considerably less than a plane ticket, it will be a bullet straight to the history books! Revis Bell Dear Editor: I find all this talk about a high speed train from Houston to Dallas to be interesting. For one, I don’t think it’ll ever go further than the ‘planning’ stage. This is 21st century Texas after all… we love our personal cars too much. But more than that, I don’t believe there is enough demand for regular service (by which I mean multiple routes every day, 7 days a week) to justify rail service. There can’t be that many people traveling between the metroplex and Houston to justify the expense and expect it to be profitable within 3-5 years. Passenger rail service just doesn’t make financial sense anymore in most of this country. If it did, then the federal government wouldn’t have had to create Amtrak, which only has a few profitable lines in the northeast and northwest. For all their comparisons to rail in other developed countries and across Europe, flying is still less expensive and more convenient than rail for the distances we’re talking about. And if a route becomes less profitable, airlines have the ability to move to more profitable routes without having the expense of laying down costly tracks. I love the romance of rail. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in a dining car, eating a fine meal, and watching the scenery go by. And there are lots of great rail journeys I would encourage people to take. But that’s not what the TCR is proposing. They’re trying to compete against Southwest, Spirit, etc… Even with all the hassles of modern airports, TSA I’m talking to you here, flying is still the most economical and quickest way to travel. Douglas Burns Dear Editor: I continue to enjoy [Jonathan McElvy’s] articles and look forward to all of them this next year. This one was very interesting. It seems as if the city has been talking mass transit for half my life and we still seem to have a mess. I guess a bullet train from Houston to Dallas would be a good thing but it would be so nice to have had a better system here already. As for the government, we are lucky it was only $171,000 and not millions on the monkey. Betty
METRO bus route woes a testament to long-term transportation issues If there’s one thing moving to closer to Houston has taught me it’s that people in this city have a lovehate relationship with public transportation. In this week’s front page story, a group of vocal Heights residents are making their voices heard regarding some of the METRO bus route changes taking place this month. While each of them may be frustrated with the change in stops and service that make it tougher on their commute to and from work, each of them were adament about one thing – they truly appreciate using public transportation. Who can blame them? Maintaining a healthy and efficient public transportation system has a long list of benefits even for those not using its services. People can enjoy reduced traffic congestion, greater mobility for broader demographics with access to job opportunities and it helps reduce gas emissions. Being from the Northeastern part of the country, I’ve been familiar with what it means to have decent public transportation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 39 percent of all workers who usually travel to work using public transportation live in the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island Metro Area. For those who don’t know, Houston has less than 3 percent of its population using public transportation - disappointing compared to the 5 percent or so average and likely a horrendous disparity with our friends across the Atlantic who actually believe in investing in public transportation. I understand better than most the benefits of having higher population density in developing practical public transportation, but I find it hard to believe that a better solution doesn’t exist for the Houston area. I understand shifting routes like those of #40 and #50 are a solution to the construction happening downtown, however I can’t help but be concerned for this city’s long-term growth as an estimated 3.5 million people may be living here by 2030. Houston does itself no favors by having such massive urban sprawl, and it does even less favors having leadership that doesn’t appear to acknowledge that public transportation here is inexcusably awful at this point. I personally covered a Shady Acres Civic Club meeting some months ago, when Mayor Annise Parker spoke about some of the challenges the community may face. While I understand the posi-
Jonathan Garris Editor
tion Parker is in (she’s not exactly going to start completely badmouthing one of the city’s most crucial organizations), I felt she spent more time praising the bus system while dodging the criticism that perhaps the public transportation in Houston simply doesn’t reach enough people. It’s one thing to be proud of the city you live in – it’s another thing to be deaf to the very real and now growing concerns among thousands of people that establishing clearer plans for public transportation over the next thirty years is long overdue. I’m sure it’s an issue that’s on the radar of many public officials and I have the mental image of some pulling their hair in frustration when it comes to fixing this problem. Yet the problem is still here and it’s not going away any time soon. It’s also holding this city back from achieving true greatness. After all, poor transportation was reportedly one of the big reasons this city would be unlikely to host something as big as the Olympics. Perhaps one of the biggest hurdles for revisiting public transportation at large in this city, and perhaps the nation, is the idea that we are not somehow all in this together. One of my biggest pet peeves is running into people justifying their lack of support for services like better public transportation by saying, “Well, I don’t use it.” That’s simply no excuse. Even if you don’t use it, everyone benefits from better public transportation, whether it’s taking cars off the road, cleaner air, a better economy from providing job opportunities to people who may not have had access to them, less wear and tear on existing roads or perhaps safer roads. These things absolutely take time, I know, but I can’t help but feel it’s going to take a far more concerted effort to solve public transportation issues than simply shifting around bus routes.
Page 4A • Saturday, January 24, 2015
Heights from P. 1A my sister’s house a few streets over, sold for $400,000. There are three $1 million homes across the street now. We are not altogether unhappy about the changes in the Heights.� Carol Turpeau, a long-time neighbor of the Kelly’s now living in Atlanta, said Kelly is “remarkable.� “She and her husband were always so kind, always greeted us with a warm ‘hello,� Turpeau said. “Mrs. Kelly has the most infectious laugh. It’s so gracious, but make no mistake, she is honest. She is authentic, and will say what she thinks.� For many years, Kelly’s claim to local fame was her lawn work all over the neighborhood. More specfically, Kelly would mow lawns all over the neighborhood, including her aging neighbor’s yard for 18 years for free, Turpeau said. “It’s true, I mowed many lawns in the Heights after I retired from 32 years at the Southern Pacific Railroad,� Kelly said. “I mowed anything that needed it; the alley, empty lots, and all our rental properties. I even mowed the boulevard, if it got shaggy. I went through many riding lawn mowers over the years. Kelly recalls her eldest son taking the mower away when
she finally turned 80. “I guess that was OK,� Kelly said. “That mower was too slow anyway.� When asked if her good temperament and humor were the secret to her longevity, Kelly attributed it to her positive attitude. “I have known so many people who became ornery when they got old,� Kelly said. “I just did not want to be that way. I think the fact that I’ve always worked hard has helped.� These days, Kelly has traded her lawn mower for crochet hooks and balance sheets, still keeping the books for the family business. With the hooks, she creates beautiful items – baby caps, booties, Christmas ornaments – then she gives them all away. As for the honesty mentioned by her neighbor? When asked if she had any trouble hearing or needed to bring in help getting around, she said “not really,� and shared a bit of her infectious laugh. “I don’t need hearing aids, and I considered getting help, but I really don’t need that either – and all of my teeth are my own.�
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Hogg Middle School to host Latin Jazz concert to benefit music program For The Leader
Supporters of Hogg Middle School are inviting local residents and music lovers out for a night of Latin Jazz featuring the Grammynominated JosÊ-Miguel Yamal Latin Jazz Quintet to benefit the school’s music program. The event, titled Latin Jazz for Hogg Middle School, will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday Feb. 8 inside of the Reagan High School auditorium, located at 413 East 13th St. Admission for students 18 years old and under is available for $5 an general admission costs $20.
Two sponsor levels are also available for the event including a single ticket at $75 with the attendee’s name in the program, and a two ticket offering for $50 with reserved seating and both names in the program. All proceeds raised from the event will go toward the purchase of new instruments for the Hogg Middle School Razorback Band and the event is also sponsored by Learn Local, a local nonprofit. To purchase tickets in advance, visit the event’s Brown Paper Tickets page online at jazzhogg.bpt.me.
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The calendar. ECONOMIC FORECAST LUNCHEON Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Join the Heights Chamber of Commerce at the Annual Economic Forecast Luncheon to hear Dr. Bill Gilmer, Director at the Institute for Regional Forecasting, C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston, discuss the future of Houston business, employment, interest rates, energy and real estate. The event will be from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 22, at Sheraton Houston Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. Information: 713861-6735, www.heightschamber. com. CASINO NIGHT AND DINNER Waltrip Imperial Guard Alumnae A Casino Night and Dinner benefiting the scholarship fund for Waltrip students will be held Jan. 23 at the S.P.J.S.T. Hall, 1435 Beall St. A great live and silent auction will be featured. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., and live auction at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and include an Italian dinner from the Adriatic Cafe and $1,000 in casino money. For information call Cindy Reibenstein at 713-725-1826 or email rcreibenstein@aol.com.
LA CLEMENZA DI TITO Opera in the Heights Opera in the Heights, 1703 Heights Blvd., presents Mozart’s Roman tale about a woman scorned, an evil assassination plot, and shocking forgiveness. The performance will run from Jan. 30 through Feb. 8. Call or visit the website for show times and to purchase tickets. Information: www.operaintheheights.org, 713-861-5303.
events are held as follows: Country, Feb. 6 at Gabby’s BBQ, 3101 N. Shepherd; Rhythm & Blues and Ballads, Feb. 13 at Corkscrew, 1308 W. 20th St.; Rock of Ages, Feb. 20 at Little J’s Bar, 5306 Washington. The cost is $30 preregistration and $40 at the door. Information: heightschamber. com/idol.
transformation and authentic involvement for individuals and organizations. The breakfast will be from 6:45-8:30 a.m. Feb. 12, at Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West. The cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Information: heightschamber.com, 713-8616735.
FEBRUARY EVENTS AT THE LIBRARY Heights Neighborhood Library Come by and participate in these free programs offered to the community by Heights Neighborhood Library, 1302 Heights Blvd. The Bluebonnet Readers Club, a book club for grades 3-6 is at 10 a.m. Feb. 7; the Heights Library Readers Group meets at 6:15 p.m. Feb. 2; Roaring 20s/30s Book Club is a young adult book discussion held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4; and the Houston Writers Guild is at 6 p.m. Feb. 9. Information: 832-393-1810, www.houstonlibrary.org.
LATIN JAZZ CONCERT FOR HOGG Reagan High School Auditorium The JosÊ-Miguel Yamal Latin Jazz Quintet will be performing at 4 p.m. Feb. 8, in the Reagan High School Auditorium, 413 E. 13th St. JosÊ-Miguel Yamal is a Grammy nominated pianist and longtime Houston resident who has played all over the world. He attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and earned his Ph.D. from Rice University. Proceeds of this concert go toward the purchase of new instruments for the Hogg Middle School Razorback Band. Visit the website to purchase tickets. Information: jazzhogg. bpt.me.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT JOB FAIR Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA The job fair, hosted by the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA, 1234 W. 34th St. and is open to local high school students from 1-5 p.m. Feb. 25. Community businesses and organizations are partnering up to offer job opportunities. Information: 713861-6735.
IDOL OF THE HEIGHTS PRELIMS Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Calling all vocalists and music lovers, enter to win cash prizes and to perform at the annual Crawfish Festival March 7. Prelim
BREAKFAST CONNECTION Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Come hear author Larry Payne talk about leadership in Houston. He explores ways to create sustainable leadership, personal
Garden Club of St. Matthew’s meets The Garden Club of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 4300 N. Shepherd, will meet at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 22, in Rooms 104 and 105. The program will be Hydrangias. All members of the church as well as the community are welcome to attend. For information, call 713697-0671. New Bible study at First Church Heights First Church Heights, 201 E. 9th St., will hold a new Bible study series on Thursdays from 6:30-7:45 p.m. beginning Jan. 22. The series is a survey of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The emphasis will be on the Biblical message of God to man in a non-biased, historical, literal and grammatical manner. The study will be taught by Pastor C. David Harrison, B.S., MACE, Ed.D. Pastor Harrison is an adjunct professor at the College of Biblical StudiesHouston. For information, call 713861-3102. All Saints Third Age Learning Center to hold registration All Saints Third Age Learning Center (TALC) senior program, open to seniors 50-plus in the community, will hold its 2015 Spring semester registration from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Jan. 29, in the parish hall. Classes begin Feb. 9, and registration will continue the first two weeks of the semester, Feb. 9-13. The semester will conclude on May 8. TALC offers a variety of classes, day trips, seminars, birthday celebrations and
special parties. A full course hot lunch is available at noon Monday through Friday during the semester for $2. All Saints Catholic Community is located at 215 E. 10th St. For TALC program information or lunch reservations, call 713-248-1277. Three nights of ministry with John Michael Talbot at St. Rose St. Rose of Lima Catholic Community, 3600 Brinkman, welcomes John Michael Talbot, Christian music legend, best-selling author and host of The Church Channel’s hit TV program “All Things Are Possible.� Come experience three special nights of ministry at 7 p.m. Feb. 2, 3 and 4. Tickets are not required, but a love offering will be collected each evening to support this ministry. The suggested donation is $15 per person/per night, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Call 713-692-9123 for information. St. Rose Altar Guild host chocoholic feast and games The St. Rose of Lima Altar Guild will be hosting a Chocoholic Feast and Games party at 7 p.m. Feb. 6, at St. Rose of Lima West Hall, 3600 Brinkman. The evening of fun supports the ministry of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. For information call 713692-9123 or email Giovanna Colonnetta at gcolonnetta@ sbcglobal.net. The Gathering Place ministry at St. Stephen’s St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is featuring “The Gathering Place,� an ecumeni-
(Disciples of Christ)
1216 Bethlehem at Ella Blvd. (713) 688-7761
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Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the office of: Chase Baker, D.D.S., 3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.
Guide FirstChurch Church First
Heights Sunday School ........9:15 am Sunday Worship......10:30am Wed. Prayer Service 6:30pm Thurs. “Recharge� Bible Study 6:30pm
Pastor Larry Young • Pastor C. David Harrison
713-861-3102
201 E. 9th St. • www.fbcheights.org
Oaks Presbyterian Church
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Weekly Sunday Services • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. • Morning:10:30 a.m. • Evening: 4:15 p.m.
1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942
Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters
Sunday - Bible Study For All Ages .. 9:30am Morning Worship............ 10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pm Wed. Prayer Meeting & Missions Organization .....................6:15pm Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor
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Ministering to the Oak Forest Community since 1948 Reverend Noelie Day
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GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH Reverend John Cain, Pastor Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided) Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m.
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MESSAGE OF THE WEEK
Conquering evil With good
W
ise men and women of various faiths have told us that we should never return evil for evil, but should conquer evil with acts of kindness and goodness. The Dhammapada puts it this way: “Hatreds never cease through hatred in this world; through love alone they cease. This is an eternal law.� Saint Paul advises us in the twelfth chapter of Romans to “Never repay injury with injury� and then quotes the Proverb “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.� (Proverbs 25:21-22) Saint Paul concludes his kindly advice by saying “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.� (Romans 12:21) The curious part of the quoted proverb is the notion that in being kind to someone who has harmed you, you will be “heaping burning coals on his head,� which sounds plainly vindictive. Without knowing what the exact meaning and implication of this phrase is, and scholars have suggested everything from inciting anger in your enemy to giving them coals to carry home for their own hearth, perhaps the best interpretation is that in doing so you will be remonstrating against your enemies - evil and causing them to have remorse. They will indeed carry these hot coals home with them, but these coals will be their own conscience, reminding them they will always be burned by vengeance.
Leviticus 19:18
Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. Member of MANNA
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Rev. Herschel Moore, Pastor
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Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227
4U 4UFQIFO T A House of Hope and Prayer in the Heart of Houston
(1 mile North of HWY 290)
D
oes thumb-sucking or pacifier use lead to crooked teeth? If the habit is prolonged past the age of two, this can lead to alterations in oral development which cause misshapen mouths and displaced teeth. Thumb sucking past the eruption of the first permanent teeth can cause an anterior open bite, where there is flaring of the anterior teeth. In this case the back teeth close together, while the front teeth show an open gap from the thumb obstruction. The effect on the bony support of the teeth is one of the largest concerns, as well as abnormal, deforming muscle activity. The habit can alter the child’s swallowing pattern furthering the protrusion of the upper front teeth, a narrowing of the upper dental arch, and an obvious malocclusion of the teeth. As long as there are infants, there will be thumb suckers and pacifiers. However, if the habit continues longer than usual, it’s best to have the child checked by a dentist before it causes any problems.
1624 W 34th • 713-686-7689
1822 W. 18
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Chase Baker, D.D.S.
Sunday 10:30 am Worship and The Word Children’s Church Wednesday 7:30 pm Life Equip classes for all ages
th
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1820-1 W. 43rd. St. • (713) 290-1905
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Sunday School 9:30 AM Morning Worship10:45 AM
Pastor Don Joseph Member of MANNA Visit us on FaceBook www.oakscchouston.org
(Between Ella & T.C. Jester)
We accept Medicare, Medicaid & Insurance, Workers Comp.
ChurCh Oaks Christian ChurCh
Intestinal Parasite Control for Pets
Aztec Storages West 34th St.
cal ministry in partnership with Interfaith CarePartners, which will host monthly meetings for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory loss, from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 9. The meetings offer fun activities that stimulate the mind, and offer caregivers a break. For information and to register (required), contact Monica Baumgarten at 713682-5995. St. Stephen’s UMC is located at 2003 W. 43rd St. For information, call 713-686-8241, or visit www.stsumc.org.
businesses. There will also be an instrument “petting zoo� where kids can get an up-close look at several instruments. Information: hkdmhtown@gmail.com, www. heightskidsdayofmusic.com.
Intestinal parasites are very common in pets. They cause nausea, camps, pain and you may see vomiting, diarrhea or weight loss. They can lead to anemia, starvation and death in your pet. They sometimes affect people if proper hygiene is not followed. You will sometimes see tapeworms or roundworms from your pet but will never see the others. Your veterinarian must do laboratory testing to detect most parasites. The most common worms we ďŹ nd are hook, round, whip & tapeworms. We also may detect giardia, coccidia, toxoplasma and other disorders. Your pet can acquire these parasites from its mother, the ground, eating raw meat, garbage, rodents or eas, drinking ground water, feces from other animals and even your shoes. There is no one medication that will treat or prevent all parasites your pet has. With routine testing the proper prescription can kill the parasites your pet has. Then the proper preventative medication is safe, easy and inexpensive compared to the alternative of not preventing. Only your veterinarian can detect, treat, prevent and consult with you on the most advanced parasite control program for your individual pet. Come by or call for free brochures on parasites and how to prevent them
HEIGHTS KIDS’ DAY OF MUSIC Love Park   The Heights Kids’ Day of Music is all about bringing local music to the Heights community Ad # 36774
From the Pews.
families. This free event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 18, at Love Park, 1000 W. 12th St. There will be a main stage with performances every 40 minutes. A secondary stage will showcase local and non-profit
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4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092
Page 6A • Saturday, January 24, 2015
Leader Live
The Suffers set to shake up E.P. release party Saturday Jan. 24 at Fitzgerald’s The Suffers | E.P title Make Some Room | featured
music | Available at Vinal Edge Records | Fitz @ 9
By Christina Martinez christina@theleadernews.com Energetic, romantic, tender, intense and sexy. These are words that a few members of The Suffers used to describe their E.P. release Make Some Room. The ten act band will be taking the stage at 9 p.m. Saturday Jan. 24 at Fitzgerald’s to introduce their latest tracks that will have you dancing until the party stops or the venue turns the lights out, whichever comes first. I was first introduced to The Suffers at a popup show at 8th Wonder Brewery. A friend called saying Devin The Dude was playing a show for $35 and your ticket came with a mug and three beer tickets - I was sold. What I didn’t know is that $35 would get me a ticket to a fantastic show where Bun B and The Suffers shut the place down, with the crowd pleading for more. “That was actually one of the funniest shows I’ve ever played in my life,� Lead Vocalist Kam Franklin said. “We couldn’t tell people we were playing with Bun. It was a big secret and to actually see people’s ‘oh my god face’ was great. It was a really amazing show.� So how exactly do 10 people come together to make something that’s worth listening to? Trombone player Michael Razo says it started with the idea of a rock-reggae cover band. “Our base player Adam got together with our friend Pat, who plays keys and drums as well,� Razo said. They wanted to play nothing but covers and just have fun. “They started recruiting for the band and it was almost like an all-star band. One day someone came up with an original idea and next thing you know we wrote one song and then someone else had an idea. We started adding originals to our sets and eventually went from a cover band to an actual band.� With 10 people, come 10 ideas and ten different creative minds. You might think with that many different ideas there might not be cohesion, but Trumpet player John Durbin thinks otherwise. He accredits this, with saying each band member has established themselves as a musician in Houston. “When we started this band everyone had been doing this for awhile,� Durbin said. “We’ve all been in a band before this so when we came together it wasn’t hard for us to come together musically. I guess we are lucky in that aspect.� Durbin, Franklin, Razo and Guitar player Kevin Bernier all agree that everyone’s creative touch and taste is on the E.P.
Contributed photo The ten band act, The Suffers, have released their E.P. titled Make Some Room. The E.P. will be shared at 9 p.m. on Jan. 24 at Fitzgerald’s located at 2706 White Oak Blvd. 77008.
release Make Some Room. Franklin says certain songs might come from individuals, but the songs that you will hear are after all ten members have put their hands on it. “The overall majority of our songs started out with just an idea that bubbled up in our brain,� Bernier said. “We might go to practice and say ‘okay guys I have this’ and it would be up to the rest to make it work.� Many can argue that the band does indeed “make it work�, however they have been scrutinized for the number of band members on stage. Words like “not logistically pleasing� and “won’t make it in the long hall� are just a few words The Suffers have been told. “People say we aren’t capable of succeeding in the long term because they think we aren’t logistically pleasing, but we love proving people wrong,� Franklin said. “We love that. It’s going to keep happening with the more people listening and the more shows we play. They might be uncomfortable seeing it, but it’s our job to just shatter their pre-assumptions and succeed.� A few things that add to their success is each member’s self
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AFFECT, seeking funds to build traveling interactive art piece Last weeks story about Houston MakerSpace included a very colorful photo of what looked like a collapsing wall of multicolored large tile pieces. That was “Ripple� a project by Praxis Creative LLC., built inside Houston MakerSpace last year. Praxis Creative LLC., is a group of installation artists that focus on large scale, interactive and creative projects for corporate and private groups. Nick Moser, the owner/designer started the company in just 2013 and has brought Mitch Cohen together a team of talented professionals whose skills range from architecture, Arts Columnist structural engineering, hardware and software design, robotics to event production. If you were a fan of tree houses in your youth, these were the guys that had a dumbwaiter and platform for launching rockets built into theirs. Moser said that their current project is called AFFECT and has been accepted into the TED Active in Vancouver, among others. A Kickstarter campaign will be launched later this month to fund the project. The goal behind the Kickstarter campaign is to build an interactive art piece that travels to various conferences, schools and festivals next year. The installation, promotes the idea that we are all active participants and therefore able to affect and improve the world around us. In the philosophy that we create our own experiences, AFFECT allows people to become the art through their participation. AFFECT encourages increasing levels of interaction using depth cameras to capture motion; touch sensors on the installation to promote communication, and RFID unique identifiers and smart environmental sensors to further enhance the audience’s connection to the installation. Keep an eye on their projects through their website, http:// www.praxiscreatives.com/
Art Calendar I’ve got a few events for you this weekend. Friday night at JoMar Visions, 7-10 p.m., is where one of my favorite artists, Kimberley S. Schwarzkopf, will have her first solo show. Schwarzkopf paints in a style between surrealism and fantasy, currently with an aquatic theme. For example, her showpiece (show stopper) is a large octopus on the right that has gotten hold of paint, a palette and brushes and has painted a portrait of the artist. Looking close, you can see that the octopus has just finished adding a pencil mustache to Schwarzkopf. Similarly, all of her work has more going on than what you first see. Be sure to ask if you don’t catch it. JoMar Visions is located within Hardy & Nance Street Studios, just minutes from the Heights at 1707 Nance St. Houston, TX 77020. Take the McKee/Hardy exit into downtown from I-10 east. While you’re there, stop in to Last Concert Cafe at 1403 Nance St. This charming historic Mexican Restaurant still requires you to knock on the big red door before allowing entrance. In the mas-
sustainability. Bernier and Durbin both added that a few of the members are in tune with sound technology, so they aren’t just a bunch of dudes standing around asking where to plug in. Bernier also added that he’s working on simplifying his setup to be more quick and efficient. So what can we see from this dynamic group this year? The answer is they are jumping head first into touring for 2015. “The biggest change is that we will be on the road for majority of the year,� Durbin said. “Which is pretty hardcore considering we all have adult jobs and responsibilities. We’re all going with our passions versus what we need to do to survive; hoping to merge the two.� Several of the members are having to leave careers behind to pursue their upcoming tour. Franklin finds reassurance in the bands’ full force and head on perspective. All ten members are ready to take this jump together and Franklin says she thinks if they stay focused on the goal, everything will fall into place. Next month The Suffers will venture to the west coast for their first tour and then travel across the country to the east coast in April. For the summer, they are booked on the festival circuit and on into early fall. Members are hopeful for another E.P. release by the end of the year or even a full length album. Stay tuned. On Saturday night at Fitz you’ll hear big songs that tell a story and you’ll hear songs that were intended to just get you to dance. Regardless, you won’t hear just one sound. This band is just as Contributed art diverse as Hous- Released E.P. album cover Make Some ton and an act you Room by The Suffers. should definitely Make Some Room for.
Stephanie DeLeonardis, Jason Abillama-Villegas and more. Sidewalk style show starts at 7:15. Congratulations on 7 years! Discovery Green Flea is back after getting ousted by the Houston Marathon last weekend. Open 11 am - 5 p.m. This recycled/ up-cycled, eco-friendly art market features The Allen Oldies Band from 2-4 p.m. Discovery Green 1500 McKinney, 77010 Cohen is the founder and manager of First Saturday Arts Market. Contact him at ArtValet@ gmail.com or visit him on the web at ArtValet.com.
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Contributed photo Kimberly S. Schwarzkopf will have her first solo art exhibition
sive outdoor music area out back, Wendy Elizabeth Jones will be celebrating her birthday with her band The Atomic Nightingales, and her boyfriends band, The Jimmy Lee Deen Band. Awesome talents all, you will have a good time. Saturday is a special day in the Heights, Hello-Lucky turns seven. You’ve seen this tiny “house� on the corner of Studewood and 10 1/2 Streets with their handmade open/closed sign that hangs in the window and their signature lawn chair out front. This is the best local artists boutique in the Heights, you need to check it out. Their 7th Anniversary Party is open to the public from 6-9 p.m. at 1025 Studewood St., 77008. DJ Nick DiFonzo will be spinning tunes, Bronwyn Lauder and proprietor Teresa O’Connor will host a sidewalk fashion show, including looks by Hunter Gatherer,
L O C AT E D AT 61 0 A N D E L L A B LV D
Food & drink Saturday, January 24, 2015 • Page 7A
It’s 5’oclock somewhere
Flavor Mojo Where Flavor Thrives
Some of Thirsty Explorer’s favorite Happy Hours Thi
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Berryhill 702 E 11th St. 77008 & 1201 West 43rd at Ella Blvd. 77018 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 2 – 7 p.m. Bubba’s Sports Bar 6225 Washington Ave. 77007 Mon. – Fri. 2 – 7 p.m. & 11 – 2 a.m.& Sun. ALL DAY Cavatore 2120 Ella Blvd. 77008 Happy Hour: at the Bar and Patio Mon. – Thurs. 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Christian’s Tailgate 2820 White Oak 77007 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 2 – 7 p.m. Creeks Onion Creek at 3106 White Oak Blvd. 77007 Cedar Creek at 1034 W.
Catering for Weddings, 15’s, Large and Small events.
The other day someone told me the best happy hours were down town. Sure, Main street has some great cocktails, but why drive 20 minutes when we have happy hour in our neighborhood? Great happy hours to be exact! I’ve put together a list of area bars that have great drink specials, stop in and see what they have going on. Have a tip for Thirsty Explorer? Email christina@theleadernews.com and follow on Twitter @ThirstyExplorer. 20th St. 77008 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 4 – 7 p.m. Crisp 2220 Bevis 77008 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 3 – 7 p.m. Don Jose 5305 Antoine Dr. 77091 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. & Sat. 3 – 6 p.m. & Sun. ALL DAY *See 4A for coupon D&T 1307 Enid St. 77007 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 3 – 7 p.m. (with occasional all day happy hours) Julep 1919 Washington Ave. 77007 Happy Hour: Everyday 4 – 6:30 p.m.
Lillo & Ella 2307 Ella Blvd. 77008 Happy Hour: Tues. – Fri. 5 – 7 p.m. Petrol Station 985 Wakefield Dr. 77018 Happy Hour: Monday at 5 p.m. $3 pints Piatto 1111 Studewood Happy Hour: Daily 2–6 p.m. Rainbow Lodge 2011 Ella Blvd. 77008 Happy Hour: Tues.–Sun. starts at 4 p.m. Sassafras 5022 Pinemont Dr. 77091 Happy Hour: Stop in! Shepherd Park 3402 N Shepherd Dr. 77018 Happy Hour: Texas Tuesdays ALL DAY and more, stop in!
Leader Nibbles
Berryhill opening date set back, again
Next month, the Equilibrium Social House will open its doors providing coffee, assorted high-end teas and baked goods and desserts, according to a press release released Jan. 20. The coffee shop concept’s new home will be at 1030 Heights Blvd, formerly the residence of Waldo’s & Boulevard Coffee. Located directly on Heights Blvd., EQ Height’s states that their mission is to become a daily necessity, offering “Quality Product, Customer Service, Interactive environment and an exceptional coffee experience� to its customers. Those that frequented the previous Heights coffee spot will be invited by new building updates and additions including a completely new counter and serving area, new furniture, some
Contributed photo Equilibrium Social House set to open next month at 1030 Heights Blvd.
of which was hand-crafted by local Heights area artisans, and the option for private meeting rooms. The patio will remain dog friendly for you and your barista pup. Kevin Blasini, the owner of EQ Social House, brings over 25 years of experience in customer service and legal expertise, which he is using to develop the idea of EQ, according to the press release. The official opening date is yet to be announced. Updates on the Social House’s progress can be found on Facebook and Instagram, and the new website at www.eqheights.com will launch soon.
Demo and Dine at Harold’s at the Heights General Store
Harold’s and Chef Antoine Ware and Chef Sawka will share cooking tips with their diners while preparing and serving up an intimate meal. Dinner includes an appetizer, entrÊe, dessert and a glass of wine or beer. What’s on the menu? For starters, a crab bisque will be served. Followed by roasted gulf fish with eggplant caponata and fresh lump crab meat. Finally, Meyer lemon bars with homemade vanilla ice cream will be served for dessert. This Demo and Dine can be reserved for $50 with a credit card; call 713-360-6204. Harold’s is located at 350 W 19th St. upstairs.
14 Annual Trinity Jazz Festival
Spaghetti Western 1951 W TC Jester & 1608 Shepherd Dr. Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 4 – 7 p.m.
featuring award-winning jazz groups
Spanish Flower 4701 N Main 77009 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
New York Voices & Triosence
Tia Maria’s 4618 Dacoma St. 77092 Happy Hour: Mon. – Thurs. 4–8 p.m. *See 4A for coupon
This festival features world class jazz in an intimate setting, drawing enthusiastic crowds throughout its fourteen year history.
Wakefield Crowbar 954 Wakefield Dr. 77018 Happy Hour: Mon. – Fri. 4 – 8 p.m.
January 23-24-25
Trinity Church 1015 Holman
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Warehouse Bar and Chill 3333 W 11th St. 77008 Happy Hour: Tues. – Fri. 3 – 7 p.m.
American Legion Post 586
East River Band Friday Night, Jan. 30th 6:30-10:00 • $7.00
Valentine’s Day Dance
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J.E.M. Dandy Legends Saturday, Feb. 14th 2:00-6:00 • $7.00 708 E. Parker Rd. 713-691-7741
Photo by Christina Martinez Berryhill was set to open Jan. 21, but that opening date has been pushed back, yet again. Mark G. Hanna, representing Berry Hill, confirmed in an email that the opening date has been delayed until next week because of a delayed city permit. An exact date was not given, however the sign outside the restaurant reads “Opening Monday.�
Heights coffee shop gets facelift and new name
Call for quote@ 832-714-7215
Seafood Kitchen 11011 Northwest FRWY 832-409-5222 Same center as Academy and Conn’s @ 34 / 290
Blue Line Chili Bowl at Ladybird’s Bar
The third annual Blue Line Chili Bowl benefiting the Blue Line Bike Lab MS 150 Team is set for Saturday, Feb. 7, starting at noon at Ladybird’s Bar. Ladybird’s is located at 5519 Allen St. at TC Jester near Washington Ave. Chili teams are invited to sign up for this festive event that attracted over 20 teams and 300 attendees in 2014, raising just over $5,000. The BP MS 150 is the top fundraising ride for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Nationwide, there are 100 Bike MS rides. Team Blue Line has set their highest goal in their five-year history of riding in the MS 150. The team is made up of riders that have friends and family who suffer from Multiple Sclerosis. With funds generated by the Chili Bowl, the goal of raising $75,000 is more attainable. Fundraising organizer Kevin Chenevert says, “events like this give us an opportunity as a team to raise money above and beyond the $400 minimum required by the MS Society.� This will be the third year teaming up with Charles Bishop and his establishments. In addition to $10 tasting bowls, attendees can purchase raffle tickets for a shot at a large and varied selection of items from many local area businesses. There will also be a silent auc-
2 Pcs Fish $4.99
30 Shrimps $11.95
$ 6.99 6 Shrimps & 2 pcs Fish Lunch . Dinner
7 Days MON-SUN 11AM-9:30
Also Grilled GrilledPlatters, Platters.Poboys, Poboys Also Etouffee Gumboand andmore more Etouffee,. Gumbo
FR& SAT Open Til 10 PM
Visit our website: www.tyseafoodkitchen.com
Contributed photo Ladybirds bar is located at 5519 Allen St. at TC Jester near Washington Ave.
tion featuring pieces from local artists and other desirable items, along with musical entertainment. The BP MS 150 starts in Houston on Saturday, April 18, and finishes in front of the Bob Bullock Museum near the State Capitol in Austin on Sunday, April 19, following an overnight celebration in La Grange. For additional details and to sign up your chili team, contact Ladybird’s at (713) 393-7647, by email at charles@ladybirdsbar.com or visit the website ladybirdsbar.com Have a tip for Nibbles? Email christina@theleadernews.com
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Page 8A • Saturday, January 24, 2015
A grisly discovery
Photo by Betsy Denson Investigators with the Houston Police Department continue their investigation into a body found along the White Oak Trail Bayou at E. T..C. Jester Boulevard and Ella Jan. 19.
Walkers discover dead body along White Oak Bayou trail By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com Walkers along the White Oak Bayou trail at TC Jester East and Ella made a gruesome discovery around noon Jan. 19 – a man’s dead body approximately 30 feet off of the trail. Officer Charles Allen
said that while the investigation is still underway, it is a suspected suicide. The victim had a gunshot wound to the head and a gun was recovered by the body. The body was in a state of decomposition, suggesting that the victim had been in the brush for an extended
period of time. Officer Allen speculated that the bad weather in the past week was a factor in the body not being discovered earlier. It was an odor that led the walkers to discover the body. Autopsy results are pending from the Medical Examiner.
Rail from P. 1A Farm and ranchland, often held by families for generations, will be divided, creating a loss in access and a loss in revenue for those who rely on farming and ranching to make a living.� The letter states the rail will result in “substantial, widespread and detrimental effects� to the counties affected by the route and they also expressed concerns regarding ridership and cost estimates, calling them low and unrealistic. The letter states this will result in a need for supplemental funds from taxpayers. “We are adamantly opposed to the use of public funds to subsidize this private venture and will fight to ensure that state dollars are not appropriated for this purpose,� the letter states. Elected officials aren’t the only ones continuing to worry about the cost estimates and the long-term viability of the project. Residents have made it abundantly clear they do not want the rail crossing through
The Leader area, particularly at the latest public meeting at Lutheran North High School in early January. Citizens have also taken the discussion into social media. “The only concern I have over money is what they intend to do with the infrastructure if they go bankrupt,� Mel Hamous stated on the Oak Forest Homeowner’s Association Facebook page. “If that means we have to live with an abandoned elevated double track cutting through our neighborhood in perpetuity or until it falls down by itself (read: way after we’re all dead), that is indescribably unacceptable.� Charlie Newton agreed. “At some point, high speed rail will become an antiquated technology and will likely leave the tracks as an ancient relic,� Newton stated. “Knowing Houston, we’ll likely leave them in place to decay. That said, some better transportation alternatives have to be considered and implement-
ed.� Darla Smith stated that TCR and perhaps other residents might be overestimating the ability of the current light rail system to provide connectivity for potential high-speed rail passengers and its potentially adverse effect on traffic flows in existing neighborhoods. “The bottom line is that routes should not be taken if it will not improve the connectivity of the city,� Smith stated. “If TCR is looking at a route, they should take into account the route’s effect on the connectivity of traffic and people in the city. By wanting to take the train into downtown, it has not. Its goals could be met by stopping the train and constructing a train station which could be connected to the city’s business districts at a later date outside the loop or stopping it farther out to provide easier access for the Energy Corridor and the Woodlands.�
Metro from P. 1A The situation is bad enough that Malik is reconsidering using the buses at all. Metro began implementing a series of bus route and schedule modifications throughout the start of 2015, including changes to the No. 40 and No. 50 routes. Effective Jan. 12, the No. 40 Pecore/Telephone route has been rerouted via Bagby, through Dallas, Smith, Clay and La Branch eastbound and via Bell, through Louisiana, Lamar and Bagby westbound. The No. 50 Harrisburg/Heights route has also been rerouted via Bagby to Texas eastbound and via Capitol westbound. So what’s causing all the changes to Metro routes from the Heights, Timbergrove and Oak Forest areas? Officials said the shifting routes are not only designed to minimize overcrowding and improve performance for the bus system, but it’s also in response to the closure of Dallas Street. But what’s causing havoc for commuters downtown specifically? How about the Super Bowl in 2017, set to be held at NRG Stadium, which the city has been rapidly preparing for. Margaret O’Brien-Molina said the route modifications had to be made to accommodate the current roadwork and construction currently being carried out by the Downtown Management District. “We’ve been simply trying to get our bus stops out of the construction zones and to a safer area for our riders,� O’Brien-Molina said.
According to the Downtown Management District’s website, the Super Bowl will have a drastic impact on the downtown area, with eight new hotels slated for the area that will bring the area’s total room count to more than 7,700 in 24 hotels by late 2016, just in time for the big game. The George R. Brown Convention Center will also undergo major renovations, and now with the biggest sporting event of the season just two years away, the pressure is on to bring the city’s infrastructure and transportation up to speed. O’Brien-Molina said the preparations and construction for some of the roads and areas of downtown Houston was slated to begin this month, however a representative with the Downtown Management District could not be reached before press time. Residents living in The Leader area aren’t exactly thrilled with the delays and changes. Roger Barnaby, another Metro user living in the area, stated that the new route simply isn’t practical for many frequent commuters. “The new route adds 10 blocks to walk from the downtown bus stop to work and back,� Barnaby stated. “The only alternative to arrive at south downtown is the No. 40 bus, but it is long walk for many Heights residents to get to the bus stops along 11th and Pecore. Moreover, the No. 40 only runs every 30 minutes, instead of every 15 minutes as the No. 50. The
new schedule represents a lower level of Metro service to Heights residents.� Despite Metro’s position on improving overcrowding issues, riders like Malik say the changing routes have had the opposite effect. “What’s happening is that the No. 40 is becoming a lot more full and the No. 50 is being used less,� Malik said. “At least on the way back to the Heights and Oak Forest areas, the No. 50 is not getting as much ridership as it used to.� Malik said he hopes Metro could work with local residents to revisit the changes and perhaps revise them to better suit the needs of its ridership or compromise. As a strong supporter of public transportation, Malik said he would rather not resort to driving to work when the previous route did wonders for his commute. “The additional walking and waiting time has been frustrating,� Malik said. “At this rate, I will have to switch over to driving rather than taking public transport, which is what I’m sure others are feeling, and that has the potential to make traffic in the area worse for everyone.� Riders like Barnaby are also hoping Metro reexamines the changes and tries to adjust the routes to better serve commuters in the area. “I urge Houston Metro to return to the former #50 route, which was convenient and enjoyed high ridership,� Barnaby said.
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