MICHAEL
Inside Today: Paying a tribute to the Bundt cake originator • Page 1B
S I LV A
Darlene’s & D Boutique! See our ad page 8C 10570 NW Frwy 713-680-2350
MICHAEL SILVA
713.725.8748
michaels@johndaugherty.com
Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, March 31, 2018 • Vol. 63 • No. 11
About Us 3500 East T.C. Jester Blvd Suite A (713) 686-8494 news@theleadernews.com www.theleadernews.com Facebook/THE LEADER.
50
It’s been a long, wet, cold six months. Today’s special edition of The Leader captures the stories of Spring!
OFF
$
* Pest • Pest • Mosquito
*• Rodent Rodent • Termite
281.407.8517
*Promo Code: FAMILY. Call for details
Picture Perfect
Insulating Since 1979 $
By Jonathan McElvy jonathan@theleadernews.com
get 50 OFF
your purchase of $750 or more
“This is my pet peeve here,” said Maltbie. “Kneel on something or maybe sit, but watch your posing! It’s not very flattering to squat amongst bluebonnets. There is even a website dedicated to it: poopingonbluebonnets.tumblr. com.” Leader readers said they had plenty of experience with Maltbie’s second suggestion. Stella Stevens said her niece swelled up after Stevens accidentally sat her in a patch of bluebonnets that had bull nettle. The picture is now family lore but a painful memory for certain. “It’s a plant that makes a burn like a jellyfish,” said Stevens.
A lawsuit that challenged the validity of the Garden Oaks Maintenance Organization has ended with a dull thud. Questions about what happens next are as loud as ever. In November 2017, the 14th District Court of Appeals confirmed that GOMO could not enforce its deed restrictions against Peter and Katherine Chang, homeowners who challenged GOMO’s legal standing. After being denied a rehearing before that same court, GOMO has now hired a law firm to handle bankruptFor perspective on cy proceedings where Garden Oaks that would allow can go next, see the homeowners’ Publisher Jonathan association to efMcElvy’s take fectively reorganize. At the same time, they have Page 4A nearly $600,000 sitting in a bank account and questions remain about where that money goes now. In 2012, GOMO filed suit against the Changs, seeking to stop an additional two-car garage they built. Not only did GOMO seek a permanent injunction, they also sought damages for every day the extra garage door was still standing. In the suit, GOMO claimed the deed restrictions did not allow more than a single two-car garage. A trial court disagreed, but not because of verbiage in the Garden Oaks deed restrictions. Instead, the trial court ruled that the Changs didn’t have to abide by those restrictions because GOMO was an “invalid” organization. Specifically, the court said the Changs proved that GOMO was not formed legally. Things got complex when the trial court’s
See Picture P. 3A
See Suit P. 5A
Attics • Walls • Floors Noise Reduction • Removal
713-868-1021
www.paylessinsulation.com
Homeowners Insurance Call Today For A Quick Quote
If I can not beat your price I will give you a giftcard. Call Adam
281.481.2008
Allen Frieze
Realtor®
832-419-9969 Your Neighborhood Expert
inside.
A Place to Worship - Look to our Guide of local churches to celebrate this easter.
Page 11B
Find it. HOW SWEEP IT IS: House Cleaning Service. Clean is only a phone call away! Call today, 713-550-3024.
Page 7B
The INDEX. Church....................................................... 7A Classifieds.............................................. 7B Coupons. ................................................. 5A Food/Drink/Art................................... 9A Obituaries.............................................. 7A Opinion. ................................................... 4A Public Information......................... 3A Puzzles...................................................... 4A Sports. ....................................................... 5B
GO suit ends with bankruptcy, questions
Photo by Bianca Williams Professional photographer Bianca Williams took this bluebonnet picture of her daughter in low light. Read on for tips about how to improve your own photos.
Bluebonnet pictures need planning By Betsy Denson For The Leader They’re blue, they’re blooming and people are attracted to them like a bee to honey. It is bluebonnet season and Houston’s bayous are peppered with people trying to take the perfect photo of the bluebonnets with their children, their dogs, or themselves. Professional photographer Jayne Maltbie has a few suggestions to get your best shot. Number one, mind the light— “Getting the best images are all about making the most of your lighting conditions,” said Maltbie. “If you can avoid photographing at high noon in full sun, please do!
Full sun results in harsh shadows, and often uneven exposures if not using any additional light sources. Wait until the sun is low, at sunset, or work on an overcast day to get a better photo. Otherwise, get under some shade if you can, or better yet, use a flash to fill in the dark shadows.” Number two, watch out for nature—“Bluebonnets are a great place for snakes and fire ants to hang out,” she said. “Pay attention to what is in the flowers before you settle down into them. Bring something to scare away the snakes in the area you plan on hunkering down in. Wear some protective foot covering, like boots, if you can.” Number three, don’t squat!—
Durham takes spring learning outside By Betsy Denson For The Leader After years of fundraising and planning, Durham Elementary will soon unveil an outdoor learning classroom, complete with electricity, whiteboards, tables and chairs. Principal Amy Poerschke said that when she arrived three years ago, plans were well underway for the classroom. A garden was added during her tenure, as well as a hand washing station. The outdoor classroom is the last component. “We’re in the home stretch,” she said. “All of the teachers are very excited.” First year Outdoor Garden PTA Chair Matt Baumgarten has been helping see the shelter through construction and says he’s been very impressed with the generosity and dedication of the Durham community in making the project happen. “When first started I was given a three
ring binder detailing the history of the shelter and garden,” said Baumgarten. “I quickly realized how hard the garden committee had worked to make this a reality and how many individuals donated time and personal resources over the last few years. We have also been fortunate to work with a quality local contractor, CTC, whose professionalism has been a great asset.” Similar to Durham’s physical education pavilion, the outdoor classroom will be covered. It is situated near the school’s gardens. Durham’s Spring Fling is on April 7, and the goal is to have the classroom as complete as it can be by then so parents and community members can view and appreciate it. PTA President Carrie Jaeger said that each Durham student has had the opportunity to attend an Urban Harvest class See Durham P. 11A
Contributed photo Work is underway on Durham’s outdoor classroom. It will be unveiled in early April.
912 Westheimer @ Montrose 713-942-2321
New LocatioN @ 34th & eLLa
coMiNG SooN!