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Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, April 27, 2019 • Vol. 64 • No. 17
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Council approves firefighter layoffs By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com While the city and local unions for firefighters and police officers participate in court-ordered mediation regarding an implementation plan for Proposition B, the Houston City Council voted Wednesday to lay off 220 firefighters as it moves forward with immediate implementation and attempts to balance a bloated budget. After lengthy debate about the layoffs, the item passed by a vote of 10-6. Shortly after, Mayor Sylvester Turner said he hoped the job cuts could be avoided before they go into effect.
“This administration is committed to doing everything we can to work this out,” he said. Teams of attorneys for the city as well as the police officers and firefighters unions entered a Harris County courtroom April 18 hoping to receive clarity on the legality of Proposition B, the voter-approved referendum that grants Houston’s firefighters equal compensation to police officers of similar rank and experience. Instead they got a clear directive from a state district court judge, who told them to work it out amongst themselves. Judge Tanya Garrison of the 157th
Civil District Court issued an order of mediation in the case, a months-long legal battle over the legality of Prop B. The parties held two mediation sessions earlier this week without coming to an agreement and plan to resume negotiations next week. Turner’s office and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association had been attempting to negotiate a phased-in implementation of Prop B, which came without a funding source. According to the city, it would cost upwards of $100 million if implemented immediately. See Prop B P. 2A
Taking aim
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, after the city council voted to approve 220 firefighter layoffs Wednesday, said he hoped they could ultimately be avoided.
Yousafzai mural defaced
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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
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INSIDE.
Photo by Betsy Denson Debbi Benavides is the team captain of Rule #1, a pool team based at the Inwood Bayou Pub. Rule #1 is one of a number of teams that play in the Lonestar BCA, a women’s league in Northwest Houston.
Pool league brings women together By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Hey good cooking. Zarah Parker offers her review of The Union Kitchen.
Page 7A
Riding for a good cause. A local cycling shop has a team competing in the BP MS 150.
Page 6B
Whoever said pool is a man’s game hasn’t spent time with the Lonestar BCA, a women’s league in Northwest Houston sanctioned by the Billiards Congress of America. The women – among them a pharmacist, teacher and cancer survivor who now runs other pool leagues – gathered on a recent Sunday afternoon at Bar Sports on Hempstead Highway. They have been playing together in the Lone Star league for about 10 years, some even longer. What brings them together is simple. “We play for the love of the game,” Debbi Benavides said. Benavides, an Inwood Forest resident who has been playing pool for about 20 years, is the team captain for Rule #1. “We established the name as a reminder to our team that the first rule of pool is to make our shot,” Benavides said. Rule #1 recently competed at a statewide tournament in Temple, placing fifth out of 27 teams. Next
up is a national tournament in Las Vegas this July. The team’s home base is the Inwood Bayou Pub. Owner Johnny Calzada is its sponsor. “Deb has managed our Sunday women’s league since it was first started,” Calzada said. “We feel very fortunate to have Deb and her team Rule #1 playing and representing Inwood Bayou Pub. These girls have chemistry, camaraderie and a close friendship. We hope to have them continue to play for many more years as a Sunday league.” Other teams in the league include the Brats, GAL’s, H-Town Girls, Diamond Cutters, Defense Divas and Different Strokes. Many of the league’s members started playing in the American Poolplayers Association (APA) and over the years moved to the BCA. “The reason we play BCA is because it is like a chess match, as in play smart and safe,” Benavides said. There is player movement between the league’s teams over time, but everyone remains on friendly terms. Jen Melvin was 18 when she start-
See Pool P. 6A
See Mural P. 6A
Photo by Adam Zuvanich A mural of Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai was recently vandalized. Artist Jessica Padilla began restoring it Tuesday.
Overflowed toilet leaves OF man in messy situation By Adam Zuvanich
THE INDEX. Church/Calendar. ............................. 5A Classifieds.............................................. 4B Coupons. ................................................. 6A Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 5A Opinion. ................................................... 4A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 4A
ed playing pool on her mom’s team. Now 31, she’s a member of Rule #1. “I was on my mom’s team, but I play against her now,” Melvin said. Defense Divas team member Stacy Ambros owns a costume shop down the road from Bar Sports and said she was working in a pool hall when a team saw her playing and recruited her. Like Melvin, she’s been playing since she was 18. The competitive outlet the game delivers is matched by the camaraderie it provides. Patty Phillips, a former executive who plays with the Defense Divas, said she treasures being with “the girls.” “We’ve been playing with or against each other for 10-plus years,” Phillips said. “I’m honored I to get to play with them.” One of the most experienced league members is K.C. Mink, a 20year pool player who has achieved master status in the BCA. Some years ago, a diagnosis of lymphoma — and its treatment — left her with neuropathy and extreme fatigue
Residents of Timbergrove and beyond expressed shock about the Sunday night defacement of a mini mural featuring Nobel Prize recipient Malala Yousafzai at T.C. Jester Boulevard and Ella Boulevard. The mural, painted by artist Jessica Padilla and funded by Houston Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, was just completed in February. An advocate for female education in her native Pakistan, Yousafzai survived an assassination attempt when she was 15 years old and went on to promote and support the right to education. “(I) saw that (Monday) morning,” Mitzi Longoria wrote on the Timbergrove Manor Facebook page. “So sad. I work across the street and the girl artist worked all day for weeks painting the mural.” Padilla, who learned of the graffiti when contacted by The Leader on Monday, started restoring the mural by painting over the vandalism on Tuesday morning. She also reached out to UP Art Studio, a group that partners with community sponsors to paint mini murals on utility boxes around Houston. “I’m not surprised this happened,” Padilla said. “Just disappointed.” Once she finishes restoring the mural, Padilla said it will soon get a clear
azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Photo Adam Zuvanich Oak Forest resident Antonio Helm discusses repairs done to his home on West 43rd Street, where a toilet backed up Feb. 23.
Antonio Helm said he was told he could lose his home if he did not remediate water damage caused by an overflowing toilet. Then, because of overflowing costs related to fixing the problem, the disabled Oak Forest resident was threatened to have his home taken
away. A toilet in Helm’s onestory house on West 43rd Street backed up Feb. 23 and covered a bathroom floor in a thin layer of unsanitary water, which he said he cleaned with towels and Clorox before calling Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. By the end of the next day, the company had dug into his backyard to replace a faulty
drainage pipe, gutted his bathroom and part of the adjacent kitchen and left large fans running to dry out the two rooms. Helm amassed charges totaling more than $6,000, which he thought his homeowners’ insurance policy would cover, based on assurances he said he was given by at least one Roto-Rooter employee. But his claim was denied. He now has
an outstanding balance of about $3,500 with Roto-Rooter, a national company that last week mailed Helm a letter saying it would put a lien on his 65-year-old home if he did not immediately pay in full. “If something happens to this,” Helm said of his home, “I’m living under the bridge. Literally.” See Damage P. 8A
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THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • Page 2A
Police Reports • April 12 - April 17 April 12
Robbery 7:45 PM 500-599 E 25TH Theft 9:22 AM 1100-1199 YALE Robbery 3:27 PM 2900-2999 AIRLINE Theft 6:01 PM 800-899 BEVERLY Theft 6:47 AM 700-799 COLUMBIA Theft 5:30 AM 900-999 E 37TH Burglary 1 PM 8500-8599 N MAIN Assault 11:40 AM 3500-3599 HOUSTON
April 13
Other 10:34 PM 4800-4899 ELLA
April 14
Theft 4:15 PM 3200-3299 WHITE OAK
April 15
Theft 9:17 AM 200-299 W 20TH
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JESTER Theft 1 PM 1700-1799 E T C JESTER
April 16
Theft 4 PM 1400-1499 ASHLAND Theft 7 PM 700-799 E 29TH Theft 6 PM 1000-1099 W 22ND Theft 7 PM 4000-4099 NORHILL Theft 9 PM 900-999 N SHEPHERD Theft 4:40 PM 1200-1299 W 20TH Theft 4:05 PM 1300-1399 N LOOP Theft 1:15 PM 4300-4399 AIRLINE Burglary 11 PM 4600-4699 WASHINGTON Burglary 7:30 AM 4500-4599 WASHINGTON Theft 2:15 PM 7200-7299 FULTON Other 12 AM 700-799 E 14TH Theft 1:42 AM 100-199 E 44TH
Prop B, from P. 1A “One of you is going to win and one of you is going to lose,” Garrison said in court. “And while this is probably the most important case on my docket right now, it’s no different than a rear-end, auto-collision case in that the same premise applies that a resolution by the parties is better than any decision by this court, because you would have taken your own fate back into your hands.” Time is of the essence for the litigants to settle their differences. If they cannot do so through a mediator, the matter will return to Garrison, who said ruling on the legality of Prop B would continue to be a lengthy process. Turner has said the city, which must balance its annual budget by the end of June, is in the process of immediately implementing 29 percent pay raises to firefighters. As a result, it already had issued 60day layoff notices to 67 fire cadets and 47 municipal workers. Turner and Marty Lancton, president of the firefighters union, met twice during last two weeks to negotiate a plan for a phased-in implementation but did not come to an agreement. Turner had said no layoffs would be needed with a four- or five-year implementation. His latest offer for a threeand-a-half-year phase-in would come with a limited number of
layoffs. Lancton, in an April 15 letter to Turner, said the firefighters union is willing to consider the latter time frame but only if it does not come with any layoffs, is ratified by a collective bargaining agreement and the union has “complete access” to the city’s financial information. The city gave the union a 34page document regarding Prop B implementation before the court hearing, but Lancton said it did not include the information the union has requested, such as detailed breakdowns of base and incentive pay for firefighters and police officers as well as criteria for specific incentives. “The information that was sent ... was the absolute same regurgitation of the same information we have gotten previously, that answers none of the questions we have asked,” Lancton said. “In fact, we had our team stay up all night hoping that maybe there was movement, and unfortunately there was not.” If mediation does not result in an agreement, Garrison will decide whether the city must implement Prop B. The question of its legality was the focal point of the lawsuit filed in November by the police officers’ union. Attorneys for the police officers’ union and city argued at
the April 18 hearing that Prop B is preempted by the Fire and Police Employee Relations Act, which is part of Texas’ Local Government Code. A provision of the act ties their compensation to comparable jobs in the private sector. Attorneys for the firefighters union argued the act does not prevent their pay from being tied to each other’s jobs, saying the ballot measure approved by nearly 300,000 Houston voters Nov. 6 gives Prop B the presumption of legality. Garrison’s predecessor, Judge Randy Wilson, sided with the firefighters while denying a temporary injunction and dissolving a temporary restraining order that initially blocked the implementation of Prop B. Garrison started the hearing by saying her ruling would not necessarily be the same as Wilson’s. Multiple times throughout the proceeding, she said there is legal precedent that supports and goes against the legality of Prop B. “I’m still very much struggling with this,” she said. “I’ve gone back and forth several times.” With the will of voters in mind and the fate of families at stake, Garrison ended the hearing by asking the parties to come to an agreement and take the matter out of her hands. “Let’s get it done,” she said.
April 17
Theft 1:20 AM 1500-1599 NASHUA Theft 8:45 AM 100-199 CAVALCADE Reports are provided by SpotCrime.com based on data from the Houston Police Department.
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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • Page 4A
Some stories are necessary even if they’re unliked
T
he two most-viewed stories on our website last week were about a stray dog named Bob and unrest at Waltrip High School, where a few students and parents spoke out against the administration on campus and at Houston ISD headquarters. Despite your obvious interest in the stories, some of you didn’t like that they were written. The students’ claims were unfounded and shouldn’t have been reported, some of you said on Facebook, and others were disappointed in the story about Bob because I was asked not to write it by the Garden Oaks woman who has looked after him for the last few years and was worried such a story could bring harm to the black Labrador mix with no permanent home but plenty of local notoriety. Linda Sparks might very well have been right, which is something I grappled with for the better part of a week. I’m the owner of a rescue dog, and the thought that a story I wrote could lead to the death of another beloved animal was more than a little unsettling.
Adam
Zuvanich Editor
Journalism is not for the faint of heart, though, and I knew Bob’s story needed to be told because of his well-established connection to the community, the potential safety concerns raised by neighborhood families and the longstanding issue of stray animals in the area. His story and photos of him had been shared countless times on Facebook during the last four years, so he already was more of a celebrity than a secret. It is my sincere hope that Sparks’ suspicions prove unfounded, that instead of bringing out the worst in people and causing more turmoil, my story will bring
out the best in people and prompt them to find an agreeable solution for themselves as well as the poor pooch. Call me naïve or sappy or maybe even delusional, but the prospect of promoting positive change is the impetus for a lot of stories I write. Inspiring the public and bettering society should be a goal of every journalist, whose job is to do more than inform and entertain. Another role of a community advocate such as The Leader is to facilitate important conversations and bring potential problems to light, because how else are those conversations going to get started and those problems going to get solved? This applies to Waltrip story as well. It’s not my job to promote a public school or sweep its problems under the entrance mat. My job is to report what happens at taxpayer-funded institutions charged with educating the community’s children, especially when said happenings are potentially adverse to said children. When those children (young
Read the fine print Poor Judge Bill McLeod is out of a job because he didn’t know the Texas Constitution. He had just been elected a Harris County court-of-law judge in the last election, and immediately planned to run for the state Supreme Court. He hired a campaign finance director, announced his candidacy online and was listed in the Harris County Democratic literature as a candidate. Unfortunately, there is an obscure part of the Texas Constitution that states, if anyone holding a judicial post seeks another judgeship, that person is automatically tossed from the current job. “This is the Texas constitution,” he said, pleading his case before the Harris County Commissioners Court. “It’s got 496 amendments. It’s over 87,000 words. It’s the second-largest state constitution in our Union, and I’m sorry I didn’t have it down.” McLeod’s plea didn’t work, but he has a point. Today we operate under the seventh version of our constitution. It does contain 87,000 words. The average state document has 26,701 words. One sentence in the Texas constitution rambles on for 756 words, and several are almost 300 words in length. We might contrast this with Massachusetts, which is still using its original constitution approved in 1790, with only 116 changes. Alabama’s goes on for 174,000 words. As of 2015 (the 84th Legislature), the Texas Legislature has proposed a total of 673 amendments. Of these, 491 have been adopted, the rest have been defeated by Texas voters. But we don’t have the second longest constitution. That honor belongs to California. Still, ours is one of the oldest still in effect (1876), which puts us far behind Massachusetts. In the Republic of Texas’ constitution, presidential terms were established at three years and they could not succeed themselves. The constitution also protected the right to own slaves and prohibited “Indians” and “Africans” from living freely in the country and from becoming Texan citizens. The head of a family was entitled to one league and labor of land. Every man who was at least 17 was entitled to one third of a league of land. Many Texans believe that the Lone Star State has a constitutional right to secede from the U.S. whenever it feels like it. This is a myth. However, if you want to hold public office in Texas, you have to believe in God. No matter if you’re the governor or the town dog catcher -- if you were elected, in the words of the constitution, you must “acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.” Another little-known fact: In Texas, credit card companies cannot garnish your wages to collect on a bad debt. We discussed this back in 2003, but it’s worth mentioning again, particularly for those newcomers who
Lynn Ashby Columnist
are demanding their league of land. Today’s document deals with such matters as where the governor shall live (in whatever town the Legislature is then meeting) and gives him or her use of the Governor’s Mansion, fixtures and furniture. Among the guv’s powers listed is the authority to call out the militia to repel invasions. Alas, in 1999 the governor lost a key command that goes with the job: ordering out the militia to suppress Indian raids. That’s right, 1999. Then there are the mineral rights under land granted to “John McCormick on or about July 24, 1824.” Our constitution officially states that “The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas… is hereby made, and constituted a Branch of the University of Texas.” Hook ‘Em. In 1993 the Legislature took up the constitutional question of topless bars. The matter was part of a plan to prohibit youngsters from working in a sexually oriented business if said business is harmful to youths. In the original version of the bill, the minimum age was set at 17. But wait, somehow that upset the state penal code, which uses 18, not 17, as the minimum age. So, for the bill to be effective, the constitution had to be changed. The Texas Constitution sets limits, and if our state government wants to change those limits it has to change the constitution. And the only way that can be done is by a vote -- an approving vote -- of the people. So on many an election day we are voting on minute items we really don’t care about. But consider the alternative. The next time you hear someone, usually a lawmaker, grandly state that the entire Texas Constitution needs to be junked and replaced with “a general outline,” watch out. Under that “general outline,” pretty soon the legislators will meet annually, move to Austin, raise their salaries and become full-time, professional lawmakers so they can write more laws. Granted, creating a hospital district in Precinct 4 of Comanche County may well be micro-management, but it’s not bad -- not so long as Texas is the micro and we’re the management. In 1974 a full-fledged constitutional convention was held at the capitol with the House and Senate meeting as one body. It was chaired by the House Speaker, Price Daniel, Jr., a young reformer whose arch enemy was the dean of the Senate, Sen. Bill Moore from Bryan, known as the Bull of the Brazos. The two men tangled at every turn with
Moore never trying to hide his disgust for reforms and reformers. Each day after arguing on the House floor, several adversaries would get together in one senator’s office to have a drink and discuss the day’s events. I was sitting there late one afternoon when Moore came thundering in, plunked himself down in a chair, and declared, “I keep telling these youngsters that honesty is no substitute for experience!” I always thought that expression should be carved in the capitol rotunda. Years later Moore was defeated by a young reformer and the old senator died peacefully. Price Daniel, Jr. was fatally shot by his wife. She beat the rap. As for the effort to write a new constitution, it died, too. Ashby is amended at ashby2@comcast.net
adults in this case) go out of their way to speak in a public forum such as a school board meeting, expressing concerns about their own education, it’s a newsworthy story 10 times out of 10. Now, to be fair, relaying those concerns does not mean they are valid. So like any fair and balanced reporter would do, I solicited responses from principal Michael Niggli and the main office for HISD. It should be noted that, a week after the story was published, I still haven’t heard back from Niggli and a series of written questions submitted to the HISD press office have continued to go unanswered. What I said about facilitating important conversations rings especially true in this case. As of Wednesday, the Waltrip story had been shared nearly 30 times and prompted more than 50 comments on Facebook. If there are related conversations being held on the Waltrip campus, or at HISD headquarters, then maybe those talks will result in a better understanding between students, teachers and administra-
tors and a better learning environment for them all. If The Leader plays even a small role in that happening, well, that’s what we’re here for. Because while everyone wants good news that makes them feel good about themselves and their community – a staple of The Leader since it first was thrown to neighborhood curbs in 1954 – an informed and enlightened citizenry also needs a dose of harsh reality every now and again. We’ll continue bringing you both, and we’ll keep being forthcoming about our methods and motives, even when you don’t agree with them and even if it causes us personal angst. Along those lines, if you see a skittish black dog with a bobbedoff tail, please don’t be a jerk and bring him any harm. Let him go on his way and live to walk another day, because there are good people like Sparks who care about him and are trying to make his bad situation better. Email azuvanich@theleadernews.com
THE READER. Waltrip students criticize school leadership
Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com
Dear Editor: I appreciate The Leader’s recent coverage of what’s happening at Waltrip High School (“Waltrip students criticize school leadership,” April 17, The Leader Online). I want to add context to be sure the concerns that have surfaced are understood by the community. The Leader quoted remarks made by several students and parents at the April 11 Houston ISD school board meeting, and the article characterized the concerns expressed as primarily focused on the school’s award-winning band. It’s true that those who spoke were all connected to the band. But, as parents have made the administration aware, the concerns transcend the band hall. Chief among the issues addressed at the school board meeting was student safety and the perception among many students and parents that the campus administration is ambivalent about this critical issue. Fights are a regular occurrence, and consequences for the aggressors seem inconsistently applied. Relatedly, a single lunch hour for so many students – Waltrip now has a population of nearly 1,900 students – leads to overcrowding and an hourlong free-for-all that, at best, is a challenge to effectively oversee. Why doesn’t the school have more than one lunch period? Band students and parents also want a safe place for students to study during the lunch hour. This is not chiefly a band concern, but it’s noteworthy that many of the school’s top students are in the band. This year alone, the top 5 students in the 2019 senior class are among the band’s leadership. Correspondingly, after students lost lunch-hour access to the hallways immediately adjacent to the
band hall, finding safe spaces to study became a concern. Safe spaces to study should be a schoolwide issue. We have other concerns, of which we have made Principal Michael Niggli aware. We are trying to open up the lines of communication in a transparent and constructive way. Our students and parents went to the school board out of frustration because we felt we weren’t being heard. Like other involved parents at the school, we want Waltrip to thrive and meet its full potential. But we first must have a solid foundation built on trust between the parents and administration. We’re not there yet. Silvia Sibouyeh Waltrip Band Booster Club President Dear Editor: When the students show their leadership skills and are not afraid to voice their opinions they should be heard. This should speak volumes when the seniors are speaking and they are leaving. I hope HISD board stop putting leaders at schools who come in to change everything and will listen to teachers, parents, and the students. P
What about Bob? Community grapples with fate of popular stray dog
Dear Editor: Pinemont has always been a dumping ground for stray dogs. I had a chow mix who came from Pinemont, and who was afraid of people. It took many visits to be able to get her home, but she became a great dog. Her ashes are still with me. I guess they will go where ever I go. Jason Hochman
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
aCrOss
1. Sold at a higher price 8. Instill fear 13. Can be domesticated 14. Oohed and ___ 15. Make too simple 19. Plutonium 20. Necessary for breathing 21. Make happy 22. Mythological bird 23. A baglike structure in a plant or animal 24. Put on __ 25. Type of dough 26. Blushed 30. Celestial object 31. Point __ National Seashore 32. Purplish red 33. Towards the mouth or oral region 34 Portuguese musical genre 35. Steals 38. Acts insincerely 39. City in Belarus 40. Anticipates 43. Paris airport 44. Deal with 45. No (Scottish) 47. Opens lock 48. Central parts
49. Sheep disease 50. Indicates position 51. Doing many things at once 55. Khoikhoin peoples 57. Informal alliance between countries 58. Long poems 59. The state of being poorly illuminated
dOwn 1. Portico 2. Delicacy 3. Punish with an arbitrary penalty 4. Household god (Roman) 5. Public television station 6. __ Lilly, drug company 7. Degraded 8. Free from danger 9. Low bank or reef of coral 10. Exclamation of surprise 11. Lies down in rest 12. Give an education to 16. Provides 17. Fat from a pig 18. Belonging to a
thing 22. Branches of a bone 25. Having a cheerless aspect or disposition 27. Edema (archaic) 28. Bo __, ‘10’ 29. Unfledged or nestling hawk 30. Surrenders 32. Type of dessert 34. Planted with trees 35. Washington town 36. Listen in 37. Inwardly 38. Chinese province 40. Garrison 41. Converts thermal energy to mechanical work 42. Holy people 44. Lowest point between two peaks 46. Boundaries 48. Utter obscenities 51. ___ and cheese 52. Member of the cuckoo family 53. Type of microscope 54. ___ and Barbie 56. Michigan
WORD SCRAMBLE
The Leader • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • Page 5A
THE OBITUARIES.
THINGS TO DO. The Arts The Church Friday, April 26 7 – 11 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. The Church is performing at The Heights Theater. Liz Phair Saturday, April 27 7 – 11 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Liz Phair is performing at The Heights Theater. Jamestown Revival Sunday, April 28 7 – 11 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Jamestown Revival is performing at The Heights Theater. Joseph with Haley Johnsen Thursday, May 2 7 – 11 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Joseph with Haley Johnsen is performing at The Heights Theater. Tunes in the Tap Room Tuesday, April 30 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Harold’s Retaurant & Tap Room – 350 W. 19th St. Enjoy live music in Harold’s Tap Room every Tuesday night. CHVRCHES Friday, April 26 6 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. CHVRCHES is performing at White Oak Music Hall with Cherry Glazerr. KOLARS Friday, April 26 8 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. KOLARS is performing at White Oak Music Hall. Phosphorescent Monday, April 29 8 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Phosphorescent is performing at White Oak Music Hall with Jo Schornikow. Buke & Gase Tuesday , April 30 8 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Buke & Gase are performing at White Oak Music Hall Fusilier. Deerhunter Wednesday, May 1 7 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Deerhunter is performing at White Oak Music Hall with TIMKOH.. Lolo Zouai Thursday, May 2 8 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Lolo Zouai is performing at White Oak Music Hall. Madama Butterfly Friday, April 26 7:30 p.m. Opera in the Heights – 1703 Heights Blvd. Madama Butterfly is about a U.S. naval officer and the Japa-
nese geisha. But wait: how could either of them possibly have understood a word of what the other was saying? In a co-production with Pacific Opera Project (Los Angeles), Oh! will dare to tell the story with a new bilingual (Japanese and English) libretto in this presentation.
Pizza. Two local authors will be signing their books, Dawn Adams Cole, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., will be signing Drops of Cerulean, and David Du Plessis, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., will be signing Pinotage at 3am. Open Mic Night Tuesday, April 30 9 p.m. Heights Vinyl – 3301 Cline St. This is a free flowing, “tap in,� share the mic event where everyone is welcome.
The Markets Little White Oak Night Market Saturday, April 27 4 – 8 p.m. Sideout Volleybar – 2623 Keene St. The Little White Oak Night Market brings together local farmers, craft merchandisers, and artists.
Thursday Night Bingo Thursday, May 2 7 p.m. SPJST Lodge 88 - 1435 Beall St. Bingo at SPJST Lodge 88 is held every Thursday night. Bingo pads are $5 each. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Early bird special starts at 7 p.m. with regular bingo games beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Eleanora’s Market Saturday, April 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cavatore – 2120 Ella Blvd. There will be local growers, makers, designers, artisans and food producers. Heights Morning Market Sunday, April 28 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3106 White Oak Dr. Heights Morning Market gathers local talented artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs to bring you closer to the goods you need. Stop by to shop and stay to brunch, drink mimosas, and listen to live music at Onion Creek. Spring Market Saturday, April 27 Noon – 8 p.m. Serenity Studios – 1331 Yale St. Art, vendors, snacks, and more at this outdoor market.
The Pews Women’s Bible Study Group Monday, April 29 5:30 p.m. YMCA –1234 W. 34th St. The Women’s Bible Study meets every Monday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA. The study is called The Faithful, which explores crucial moments in the lives of five Old Testament figures--Queen Esther, Gideon, Hosea, Malachi, and Nehemiah. Guests and new members are welcome to attend this nondenominational Bible study. Email scripturesharing@earthlink. net for information. Men’s Scripture Sharing Group Thursday, May 2 7 a.m. YMCA –1234 W. 34th St. The Men’s Scripture Sharing Group meets every Thursday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA. There will be music, Bible study and fellowship. Guests and new members are welcome to attend this non-denominational Bible study. Email scripturesharing@ earthlink.net for information. St. Stephen’s Bible Study Sunday, April 28 5 p.m. Great Heights Brewing Co. – 938 Wakefield Dr. All are welcome to attend Bible study and sermon conversation. The study invites participants to dig deeper into the Sunday sermon texts in a casual setting. Feast!, a monthly family-friendly gathering, will be held Sunday, May 5, following the 11 a.m. worship service at Mellow Mushroom, 1919 N Shepherd Dr. St. Stephen’s UMC is located at 2003 West 43rd St, between T. C. Jester Blvd and Donna Bell. For
Food Truck Festival Saturday, April 27 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 9500 Hempstead Hwy Mark your calendars for the third annual Food Truck Festival in the Heights.  There will be covered seating and plenty of food. Buy tickets online $5 through April 26 at 6 p.m. or pay $10 at the door. Free admission for kids 12 and under. Annual Czech SpringFest Sunday, April 28 11 a.m. SPJST Lodge 88 - 1435 Beall St. The Czech Heritage Society of Texas is preparing for its Annual Czech SpringFest. The usual Country Store and Sausage Booth will be available. This year they will have a Czech Market selling decorative accessories, books and other Czech items. A small silent auction of boutique items will be adjacent to the Czech Market. Craft Artist Vladimir Klimis from the Czech Republic will be there to demonstrate his skill of wood carving. A traditional Czech Sunday dinner will be served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Music will be provided by the Kovanda Czech Band from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m .and The Texas legacy Czech Band will play from 3 p.m. – 6:30 pm.
Liz Phair performs this Saturday at Heights Theater. more information, call the office at 713-686-8241, or visit www. stsumc.org and the church’s Facebook page. St. Matthew’s Fundraiser Saturday, April 27 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. St. Matthew’s Methodist Church – 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. The Methodist Men will host a fundraiser this Saturday. The menu will consist of hamburgers, hot dogs, and sliders. The meal is $10 per plate. Proceeds will go toward scholarships to graduating high school seniors planning to attend college. Visit the church’s Facebook page or web site at www.stmatthewsmethodist.com. All Saints TALC Event Friday, April 26 9:45 a.m. TALC Building – 215 E. 10th St. TALC will feature film, “Green Book.� The film depicts the burgeoning friendship between a black classical pianist and his Italian-American driver as they travel the 1960’s segregated South on a concert tour. The movie is rate PG-13 for strong language and racial epithets. The movie will be shown free of charge. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to make your reservation as space is limited. TALC will provide popcorn and lemonade free of charge. A hotdog lunch is available at noon in the Parish Hall for $2.00. Reservations for the movie and/or lunch can be made by calling TALC at 713-248-1277.
The 2019 Houston Book Show Saturday, May 4 – Sunday, May 5 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Winter Street Studios – 2101 Winter St. The Texas Booksellers Association and The Printing Museum present The 2019 Houston Book Show. Featuring Rare, Antiquarian and Collectible Books, Ephemera, Prints, Photographs, Postcards & Maps, Art & Architecture, Travel & Exploration, Cook Books, Western Americana, Texana, County Histories, Sports, Pulp, Mystery, Autographs, Post Cards, Photographs, Prints & Maps. Proceeds benefit The Printing Museum. Admission $8.00. Free Parking.
Fun & Games Pottery Show & Sale Saturday, April 27 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Third Coast Clay – 1001 Louise St. Third Coast Clay and V Chin’s clay classes announce their first ever Student Art Show & Sale. Join them to meet some new makers, tour the studio, have a snack, and maybe even buy a pot.
1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470
Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am and Adults............................ 6:15pm • Learning Hour........... 11:00am - 12:00pm
• Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm > [O ŕ Ž
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We We invite you us! invite youtotoworship worship with with us! Weekly Worship Services Weekly Worship Services9:00 9:00 a.m. a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes10:30 10:30 a.m. am Sunday School & Bible Classes Preschool Program• Mon. • Mon. -- Fri. Fri. 9-2 9-2 p.m. Preschool Program p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org ESL Classes Tuesday - Thursday www.gethsemanelutheran.org
Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am
1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577
Pastor Jerry McNamara Gethsemane Lutheran Church
rd Pastor – Dr.43 Richard Walters 1700 West at Rosslyn 713-682-4942
Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters
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Candlelight Church of Christ Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Sunday Morning WorshipYouth 8:30 and and Adults 11:00 9:40
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Bert Allen Martens, 74, born Nov. 13, died April 21 in Hous-
ton, Texas.
Kermit Braden Foster, 80, born Jan. 11, died April 13 in
Houston, Texas.
Dora Q. Loredo, 87, born Mar. 12, died April 18. She is survived by her children, Veronica Holmes, Carmen Gentry & husband Jeff, Laura Loredo, and Jose Loredo & wife Joanna; sisters, Margarita Saenz, and Guadalupe Flores & Margarito Flores; grandchildren, Melissa Lowder, Jamie Shelly, James W. Holmes, Jr., Dana Holmes Caproni, Jennifer Loredo, Gabriela Goeddeke, Matthew Goeddeke, Erica Gentry, Sofia Loredo, and Elaina Loredo. Claudia J. Ryan, 91, born Mar. 5, died April 18. She is survived by her daughter, Cindy and husband Ron Held; and her granddaughters, Layne and husband Marco Santoro, and their daughter, Mia, granddaughter Kylie and husband Andrew Mitchell, and their daughter Joanna, and granddaughter Quinn and husband Derek Moy. Ray Dowling Woodard, 82, born March 17, 1937 in Mobile,
Ala., died April 12.
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Leonard “Budâ€? Eugene Tedford, 86, born June 24, died April 15. He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Krieg Tedford; daughters, Debbie Callan and Erich, Dianna Siguaw DiNorscia and Tom, Doreen Susor and Scott; his adopted son Brandon Tedford; extended family Jerry and Leianna Krieg; grandchildren, Edward Callan II, Garry Templeton Jr., Stephanie Callan, Brandi Templeton, Stephen Templeton, Bradley Templeton, Canaan Tedford; great-grandchildren, Payton and Perry Templeton, Lily Templeton, Rylynn and Noland Krieg.Â
DO GOOD GETWORK AND SERVE OVER IT! THE LORD
Morning Worship ...............ELCA 10:45am St. James Lutheran Church, MANNA Sponsor
Delma Lavinia Thomas, 94, born Nov. 28, died April 19. Â She is survived by daughters, Peggy Ann Thomas of Houston and caregiver for many years, her eldest daughter Bobbie Richardson, of Little Elm Texas, and her grandchildren, Amy Jade Reeves, her husband Kyle, Haley McKee and Matthew Mckee and wife Crissy, great-grandchildren, Parker, Kyla, Ainsley and cousins, Sally McSpadden, husband Tom, Monty Lyne and wife Mary Kaye, Buddy Givens and wife Peggi.
Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon
DIRECTORY
t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI For BN BN Sunday Bible Studies All Ages ... 9:30am t -FBSOJOH )PVS BN QN Morning Worship ............... 10:45am t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t and Adults............................ 6:15pm
Marie R. Klitsch, 100, born Sept. 2, 1918 in Hallettsville, Texas, died April 15. She is survived by her son Franklin Klitsch, daughters Helen Hooper and Shirley Weirch, six grandchildren, 11 great -grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. A gathering will be held Thursday, April 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd.
5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625
CHURCH MANNA 4QPOTPS
Kenneth Glenn Harris, 60, born Aug. 9, 1958, died April 11.
Monthly Wine Tasting Wednesday, May 8 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Rainbow Lodge - 2011 Ella Blvd. In May, we’re California Dreamin’ with wines from all over this iconic wine producing state. Tickets are $35 through May 7 and $40 the day of the event. Admission. includes a taste of each of the four wines and food, plus tax and service.
Independent Bookstore Day Saturday, April 27 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Lift – 365 W. 19th St. Join the celebration of The Lift and their customers on the 5th Anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day. They will be serving Lonestar Beer and Local
St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA
Kermit Braden Foster, 80, born on Jan. 11, 1939 in Guion,
Texas, died April 13.
Join us for Services in English or Spanish Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday Bible Classes 9am Wednesday Bible Study 7pm
4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092
t goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: “we have all made mistakes.â€? As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To It is fairly common, and almost a clichĂŠ, to note that err is human, to forgive, divine.â€? We should remember the Protestant work ethic fueled capitalism, giving capithis the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we talism such guiding virtues as hard work, frugality and must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue efficiency. While honest labor and thriftiness may still be to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While virtues held in high regard, it is tempting to feel that capiit can be hard enough to forgive others for their mistakes, it talism has somehow lost impossible its soul. Instead of producing can sometimes feel almost to forgive ourselves. high-minded, hardworking Christians who value work, it We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something has produced dispirited automatons who dread work and we’ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves mindlessly consume whatever the market has to offer. for years, or even decades, over youthful indiscretions. In Even Adam capitalism’s first to andforget foremost theoaddition, someSmith, of us may not be able the sins of rist, warned in “The Wealth of Nationsâ€? that specialized our past. And although that may prevent us from repeating laborwe would to make work alienatejust labor them, musttend be charitable and boring forgiveand ourselves, as from its product. So, is there a way to keep work from we should forgive others. So, we should make a real effort in being so stultifying? Of to course, depends the coming days and weeks forgiveitthe offensessomewhat of others theaswork in question, but any labortothat interesting asonwell our own. Sometimes, it helps justisforget about is redemptive, whether it is figuring out what wrong them; that is, to try to put them out of our mind isand stop repeatedly mullingcar over the reasons we use with someone’s thatthem. won’tOne start,ofplanting a garden, or the phrase house. “forgiveAnother and forgetâ€? cleaning wayistobecause redeemsometimes work is tothat do is it the way to forgive, i.e., by forgetting. But far better, and in only a craftsmanlike way. There is something inherently more divine, isintodoing be able to forgivewell, evenespecially while remembering pleasurable something if there is the offense. So,towe should let goatofthethose some product behold or savor end ofunforgiving, our work. vindictive, feelings about and getonover Consider shameful how God Himself beheldthe Hispast, handiwork the it!seventh Corrie ten who survived incarceration a Nazi day,Boom, and declared that it was good. So,inperhaps prison camp said, is to set genuine a prisoner free, and we should figure“Forgiveness out a way to take interest in toour realize prisoner was you.â€? workthat andthe devote ourselves to doing it well, however
humble it may be. Do good work; God is watching. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, So I sawand that there is nothing better than that a man you will be forgiven... should enjoy his work, for that is his lot... R.S.V. Luke 6:37 R.S.V. Ecclesiastes 3:22
Page 6A • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • The Leader
Pool, from P. 1A
Do cats get acne? Getting a handle on kitty zits One way to help your cat get a hold of her acne problem is to help her clean the affected area. Home treatments include gentle washing of the chin once or twice daily with a mild soap, benzoyl peroxide, chlorhexidine or other cleansers recommended by your veterinarian. And, whatever you do, do not use human acne treatments on your cat as these can be very dangerous to your kitty!
Dear Tabby, Do cats get acne? My cat has these blackhead pimple-like things on her chin and around her mouth. What are they? Acne Anxiety in Acres Homes Dear Acne Anxiety, Many cats develop this skin condition around their mouths and chin and, yes, it’s commonly referred to as “cat acne.” Your vet can rule out other skin conditions, such as mites, a fungal or bacterial infection or fleas, but likely you’ll need to adopt a new routine to manage your kitty’s acne -- because it’s not something that can really be cured. But, worry not! Most likely, it doesn’t cause your cat any discomfort and will stay in control with a few new habits. If left untreated, however, this skin condition can get worse, resulting in inflamed and itchy blackheads. Ew.
Another way to help is to make sure that her food bowls are cleaned every day and, if you’re feeding her from plastic bowls, consider switching to glass or stainless steel. Plastic tends to harbor this acne-causing bacteria. Considering that, and if your kitty is like most in that she’s happiest when her face is in her food bowl, this can lead to bacteria transfer from the bowl to her chin. If your at-home remedies don’t seem to help make the
among other issues. Now she is an operator for two pool leagues, does pool cue repair and plays on team Rule #1 as well as on some coed teams. “It’s a family, my family,” Mink said. Former project manager Kim Reiner, who joined Diamond Cutters, said it’s the strategy aspect that keeps her engaged. “I still have things to master,” she said. “It satisfies my ADD.” The pool-playing year with BCA is divided into two sessions. Members pay weekly dues into a common fund. Some sponsors, like Inwood Bayou Pub, pay a portion of their team’s dues. As members play, they accrue points and then at the end of a session the pot of around $5,000 or $6,000 gets divided among all the teams. The money for some goes to fund further pool-playing, like trip expenses for the national tournament. “We have end-of-season parties where we all gather,”
acne better or the acne appears to get worse, it’s probably time to high-tail it back to the vet. The vet can prescribe an antibiotic or even steroid injections to help the situation. Also, a prescriptionstrength pet shampoo might be in order and your vet can advise you on that as well. Do you have a question for Tabby? If so, email her at dear tabbyquestions@gmail.com.
Pet of the Week
Benavides said. “The bar provides the main course and teams bring sides. Winners are announced and there’s a pool tournament with all the women who are there.” The banter the women engage in during their Sunday games is punctuated by moments of quiet intensity while they focus on making their shot. Pharmacist and Diamond Cutters member Sara Bork plays as often as she can and said pool is a challenge every day. “You’ll never be perfect,” Bork said. “It’s just like golf.” Defense Divas team captain Christy Jue concurs. “It’s more than a competition,” Jue said. “It’s just pleasing yourself.” For more information or to get involved, visit “Hlonestar Bca Pool League” on Facebook. In addition to the women-only teams, there are also some mixed teams. “We always welcome new faces and players,” Benavides said.
Mural, from P. 1A
What causes cat acne? No one knows for sure, but there are a few contributing factors to this condition. Vets believe that stress plays a role in it as well as poor grooming (as cats age), dirty food bowls and even a suppressed immune system. Hair follicles on your cat’s chin might also produce too much oil, causing these breakouts.
coating. Clear coating will make the surface easier to clean in the event of future graffiti. “I got lots of positive feedback,” Padilla said. “I wasn’t able to finish because it wouldn’t stop sprinkling and the paint was starting to run, but I’ll be back to finish sometime this week.” Ellen Cohen, the Houston City Council member for District C, funded the Yousafzai mural and 19 others throughout District C with her 2018 Council District Service Fund. “It’s so discouraging when something like this happens,” Cohen said. “We’re trying to do the faces of women around District C.” The focus is in response to the underrepresentation of women in public art nationwide, which is around 8 percent, according to Cohen. Cohen said Yousafzai joins Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan and Eleanor Tinsley on Houston’s mini murals. Murals featuring Barbara Bush, Lady Bird Johnson, Kathy Whitmire, Annise Parker and female Supreme Court justices also are planned. Cohen said she hopes the mural will be appreciated for its spirit of peace and equality. “We are a city of diversity and respect,” Cohen said.
Meet Louie If you’re looking for a quiet kitty to add to your quiet home, then Louie is probably NOT the kitty for you. You see, this adorable, almost 6-month-old boy is a walking white noise machine. He purrs so loudly that you can easily hear him from across the room (not that he’ll likely ever be that far away from his beloved owner). To learn more about this adoring kitty, visit www.saveacatrescue.org.
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The Leader • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • Page 7A
Art Valet: Lose yourself, but don’t get lost, at Sawyer Yards Biannual Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
On Saturday evening, the 350 artists of Sawyer Yards will open their studios to the public from 5-9 p.m. for the unique opportunity to tour private artist studios, connect with the artists and purchase their original work. The Sawyer Yards Spring Biannual Art Show and Sale is organized and hosted by one of the nation’s largest working creative communities. The Biannual gives Houstonians the chance to shop directly from artists who work in nearly every art medium, including painting, sculpture, ceramic, glass, mosaic, photography, mixed media and jewelry. Five of Sawyer Yards’ studio buildings, including Silver Street Studios (2000 Edwards St.), The Silos at Sawyer Yards (1502 Sawyer St.), Winter Street Studios (2101 Winter St.), Spring Street Studios (1824 Spring St.) and Sabine Street Studios (1907 Sabine St.), will be open to the public. Participating artists will be donating a portion of sales to
the Glassell School of Art for a student scholarship to support the continued development of a Houston artist. I asked some friends who have studios what tips they have for exploring this vast campus. Good advice here. MĂłnica Melgar has some practical advice. Find her and her work, which she calls “pointillism with a twist,â€? in Winter Street Studio #A4.5. “Because there’s so much to see, take note of who you’d like to come back and see and spend more time with,â€? Melgar said. “Pick a building you’ve never seen before and start there.â€? Karen Lindeman shares Studio 217 in the silos, first floor, with Viv Mora and Fatima Donaldson. Lindeman, like many others, suggests wearing comfortable footwear. I can personally attest to that! “Come early to beat the crowds and get the best parking, best selection of art,â€? Lindeman said. “Some studios may have doors open a little before 5 while they are setting up. If you are looking for a special piece they are usually happy to let you look. Almost all of the artists accept credit cards and you can take your new art home that night!â€? Taylor Clendennen, in
Left, Laura Tyagi’s Earthwalk is on view in the Silver Street Crossing Borders Exhibit.
Below, Toria Hill’s A Little Bling (Winter Street Studios A4).
Winter Street Studios #B5 suggests you use Uber or Lyft to avoid parking hassle. A shuttle is available to the north campus where Sabine and Spring St. Studios are located. The shuttle will have a 20-minute return rate. Use the Silos
address (1502 Sawyer St.) for Uber and Lyft. Artists Toria Hill (Winter Street A-4) and Doni Langlois (Winter Street B5) both remind you to go upstairs and down those mysterious hallways.
Review: The Union Kitchen boasts one-of-a-kind options By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
Classy but comfortable is the ambience The Union Kitchen has been able to capture with its black-and-white designs that have touches of red. My first thought was that it must be a popular date-night spot and, although I visited on a weekday during lunch, I didn’t feel out of place because of it. I was seated in a booth, which had a throw pillow. I can only assume it’s for when you’re stuffed after a meal and you need a light nap before you leave. At least that’s what I’d have used it for. The menu had options aplenty, so I was glad for the guide of my server. Once he found out it was my first time there he immediately suggested the Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. A nice “no thanks� was on the tip of my tongue, but once he told me that a man drove all the way from Beaumont once a week for these Brussels sprouts, I had to try them for myself. For my main course I chose to get the featured dish of the day, which is something the chef creates new each morning and won’t be found on the menu. The featured dish was pan-seared chicken with pepper and aboli sausage on top and a side of mashed potatoes and green beans. The Brussels sprouts came out soon after we ordered. I was a little wary because Brus-
you are interested in.� Richard S. Hall, an artist, illustrator, author and lecturer in studio No. 227 in The Silos, recommends making multiple visits. “Come back on the following Second Saturday Open Studios to revisit your favorite artists, or move on to two more buildings that you missed the first visit,� he said. “Whatever you do, take time to see the artwork on the hallway walls as well as the art in the studios and get to know the artists, especially those that are your favorites. Don’t be afraid to open up a discussion with the artists. Many are like me and love to talk about their art and careers and love to see repeat visitors and collectors.� The bottom line: Wear comfortable shoes, use a car service, do your homework first, take notes, explore and don’t get lost! I would point out, too, that it’s polite to ask an artist before snapping photos of their artwork. Downloadable maps and more info is available at SawyerYards.com. Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com.
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Photos by Zarah Parker The Brussels sprouts appetizer, left, and pan-seared chicken with pepper and aboli sausage at The Union Kitchen, located at 3452 Ella Blvd.
sels sprouts can have kind of a funny taste, but from first bite of these I was hooked. The outside layer was lightly crispy and reminded me of kale chips I’ve made at home. Only a bit of the Brussels sprout taste was mixed with a sauce that was tangy and slightly sweet. In asking the server how they got them to taste so good, he mentioned that they were flash-fried. This is what gives the sprouts a crispy layer and takes the strong Brussels sprout flavor out. I never thought I’d say I can’t wait to eat Brussels sprouts again, but I am saying it. As soon as I was done with the appetizer my main dish came out like clockwork. The chicken and sausage were covered in a brown mushroom gravy with slices of bell pepper and grilled onions. The sauce complemented
the sausage, but the flavor of the Italian sausage itself was great. The chicken was delicious as well, and the sauce on the chicken made it even better. I hardly ever eat a full portion of chicken at any restaurant, but ate it all at The Union Kitchen. The mashed potatoes and the lightly salted green beans were good as well. I liked the simplicity of the sides next to more flavorful proteins. Throughout my meal the server stopped by often to check in and see how the food was and if I needed anything. But my favorite part of the already great service was when the server told me I get a free dessert since it was my first time there. I chose the beignets because dough fried and covered in powdered sugar always sounds like a good idea. It came with blackberries, blueberries and slices of strawber-
Big Star Bar set to close
ries on top. Still warm, they tasted kind of like a doughnut. It came with five beignets and even after eating most of the food on my plate, I managed to eat half of them. I look forward to my next visit and my next helping of Brussels sprouts. The Union Kitchen Address: 3452 Ella Blvd. Hours: 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 11 a.m.– 11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday Pricing: $6–$32.95 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: Yes Star of the show: Brussels sprouts
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By Zarah Parker
STORE CLOSING
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Big Star Bar, 1005 W. 19th St., a popular Heights dive bar known for its nonchalant atmosphere, picnic tables and cheap beer is closing its doors — eventually. The property owner is selling the land and, according to Houston Food Finder, bar owner Brad Moore doesn’t begrudge the decision. The bar’s lease is up in May, but it will remain open on a month-to-month basis until the property sells. In a Facebook post, Moore said there will be a 10-year anniversary party and a final bash to go out with a bang. The anniversary party is likely to be a two-day event May 2526.
“Don’t be afraid to go upstairs. Artists have taken over every inch of every building and feel free to explore, ask questions, make comments and don’t rush through, you never know what you will find hidden in the corner of an artist studio,� Hill said. “Also, if you see food and beverages that is the artist’s invitation to come in, sit down, eat and drink and enjoy.� Added Langlois: “Strike up conversations with the artists of the art you like. We have many motivations for what we do. Browse the websites beforehand to find artists that you may like to make sure you see. Tell your friends and bring your friends.� Holly Nowak is a painter in one of those often overlooked upstairs studios. She shares her studio with Olga Tarasova, a feltmaker, fiber artist and textile designer in Winter St. Studios 17B. Danyelle Lakin of #204 in Silver Street Studios has some great shopping advice. “If you have a space in mind where you need art to go, take measurements beforehand so you’ll know if the artwork will fit before you purchase,� she said. “Some artists are open to commissions and don’t mind discussing potential projects
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Photo by Zarah Parker Heights staple Big Star Bar announced it will be closing.
“To say we had ‘a good run’ would be a stupid, trite, shameful under-exaggeration,� Moore said in the Facebook post. “That place changed my life. We hope that it somehow enhances yours.�
While Big Star Bar was the first bar Moore opened, he’s now known for helping start many Houston bars that have the same easygoing attitude as Big Star, such as Sassafras at 5022 Pinemont Dr.
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Page 8A • Saturday, April 27, 2019 • The Leader
Neighbors: FMBS seventh grader continues inspiring community By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com
On Saturday, April 27, please consider joining Garrett Holcombe along with his family and friends as well as Easter Seals Greater Houston for the Walk With Me Houston 2019 (or the shorter Family Fun Walk). Walk With Me is different from any other walk, and you will be too by the end of it. Not only will you walk side by side with the Easter Seals clients you are helping, but you’ll be doing it through the Houston Zoo! So “come take a walk on the wild side� and make a huge difference in the life of a child with a disability. Following the walk, there will be an after-party at the Masihara Pavilion inside the Zoo with children’s activities, live music, food, drinks and more until 10:30 a.m. After the event, participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the Houston Zoo for the remainder of the day. Garrett, a 7th grader at Frank Black Middle School, was born with spastic cerebral palsy. For the 11th year in a row “Team Garrett� is raising funds for Easter Seals Greater Houston and Garrett, along with mom and dad Jason and Shelley Holcombe, is determined to help children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Team Garrett is focused on sending kiddos to Easter Seals’ week-long
summer camp called Camp Smiles. Garrett attended Camp Smiles for the first time several years ago and fell in love. His first words at the camp’s closing ceremonies were, “I wish we could live here ‌ forever!â€? Camp Smiles made such a positive impact on Garrett and his family, they decided to give back themselves and work to send more children to camp through Team Garrett’s participation in Walk With Me Houston. Garrett was the Houston area ambassador for Easter Seals in 2015. Garrett loves baseball and plays multiple positions on the Cardinals, one of ODC’s Pony teams. He also enjoys watching Houston Astros and Houston Rockets games, hanging out with the Youth Group at St. Stephen’s UMC and spending time in the country hunting and fishing. Join Garrett’s team and walk alongside him in raising funds for his favorite charity. If you cannot make the Walk, Garrett’s dad Jason shared, “Dive Right Inn, a neighborhood icehouse, has put out a tip jar to collect towards Garrett’s goal – if you can’t walk with us, please consider donating.â€? For more information, please see walkwithmehouston.donordrive.com/index. cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive. team&teamID=5803&fbclid= IwAR0HmOQOqF3lsTELcg qOow8_ab5Rhx6BnZPmi4DfjG9QD6nmPFJb_QtZM0w Holy handlebars, Bat-
Contributed photo Oak Forest neighbors Shelley, Garrett and Jason Holcombe invite you to join them at Walk With Me Houston 2019.
man! Mark your calendars for June 8, and check the air in your bicycle tires because Le Tour de Oak Forest is in the works, neighbors! Oak Forest Homeowners Association civic club’s Tour de Oak Forest Committee enjoyed a planning meeting in Martha and Ken Mears’ lovely home for the much anticipated annual bicycle ride through Oak Forest this week. Committee members Mears, Linda Trombatore, Pam Henry, Jennifer Massey and yours truly discussed all the juicy details. Stay tuned for registration information!
It was so good to run into sweet Amanda Wells and her brother Tristan Wells of Oak Forest as well as Ed and Brenda De Alba of Garden Oaks at Tamashi Ramen Sushi during the new restaurant’s first week open in the Shops at Oak Forest between Plonk and Sweet Frog. My daughter Abby talked my mother, Bette Weirich, into going to lunch with us and she loved the Tonkatsu (pork ramen soup) at her first ever visit to a ramen restaurant. We will be headed back soon for more delicious Tiger and Rockets Rolls, ramen, seaweed salad and dumplings.
I also ran into the unstoppable and gorgeous Karen Carr (I believe you will find her name in the dictionary under “creative genius�) and her amazing mother, Barbara Fisher, in Kroger last week. Both of these ladies are longtime neighbors in Candlelight Plaza. Carr reminded me about St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church’s Spring Festival coming right up on May 5 and starting at 11:00 a.m. Easily one of the largest and most organized festivals in the Leader Community, fun for all will be had with the Children’s Midway, dancing to the Telstars, the Country Store, great food and more. The Spring Festival at St. Rose has grown bigger and better each year with so much to see and do for the entire family, it takes a full day to experience all that is offered. Who doesn’t love to dance to the music of the Telstars? How long has it been since you enjoyed a snow cone or went on a Cake Walk?
Helm, 57, a former banker and insurance company employee now on a fixed disability income, said he sustained central cerebral cortex damage while being shot multiple times during a 1986 robbery. He is partially paralyzed on his left side, cannot use his left hand and walks with a limp. He admittedly allowed Roto-Rooter to perform the work it recommended and signed the corresponding contracts it presented to him. But he claims he signed the documents under duress and was misled by RotoRooter, saying its employees convinced him to agree to water remediation that he later considered unnecessary. Roto-Rooter’s Houston general manager, Jim Michael, disputed Helm’s claim and said the multiple employees who worked on the home followed industry protocols, did not guarantee the work would be covered by insurance and “did everything by the book.� Nonetheless, in response to Helm’s complaint last month to the Better Business Bureau affiliate in Cincinnati, where Roto-Rooter is headquartered, Michael said Tuesday the company is willing to discount Helm’s outstanding balance by half
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and offer him a payment plan for the remainder. “I’m in the business of making customers happy,� Michael said. “I’m willing to help the guy.� Along with enlisting the help of the Better Business Bureau, Helm reached out to an area lawyer and a public claims adjuster, neither of whom was retained. Matthew Morgan of Morgan Elite Specialist Services, which negotiates with insurance companies for more favorable claim results on behalf of its clients, said he did not pursue Helm’s case because the potential payoff for his company was not significant enough. Still, Morgan said he believes Wellington Insurance Group, which denied Helm’s claim, should pay him up to $5,000 as part of his coverage for foundation water damage. In a March 12 letter to Helm denying his claim, Wellington said Helm’s policy does not cover damage caused by water that “backs up through sewers or drains.� “My reading of the policy appears to show that (Helm) was owed up to $5,000 for the loss,� Morgan said. The adjuster on Helm’s claim, Wellington’s Eric Coffman, as well as Scott Poston, general counsel for the Fort
Worth-based company, both declined comment. Helm’s insurance agent, Kim Dugey of Goosehead Insurance, said she believes Wellington made the appropriate determination based on her client’s policy. She also said she told Helm to wait for the determination of a claims adjuster before allowing Roto-Rooter to begin its work, although that had already happened when Helm reached out to her Feb. 24. Dugey said she didn’t understand how an overflowed toilet could warrant water remediation, which in Helm’s case included the removal of the wall between his kitchen and bathroom and cabinets near both walls. “I’m like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait. Water backup? Why are you doing this?’ None of it made sense to me,� Dugey said. “I couldn’t even begin to wrap my head around that. You don’t do that to somebody.� Roto-Rooter’s Damien Euell, who oversaw the pipe replacement in Helm’s home, said Helm agreed to that work and paid for it upon completion. Euell said he did not discuss insurance and was not involved in the water remediation. Michael Leija, manager of Roto-Rooter’s water reme-
diation department in Houston, echoed Jim Michael in saying that Helm was not misled about that part of the company’s service or the severity of the situation. “It is an emergency,� Leija said. “Standing water in the house is going to be causing more damage. The longer you have water standing there, it causes secondary damage. That’s why we provide a service to the homeowner. If they want to proceed, we proceed. We can’t force nobody.� Helm said he’s glad RotoRooter is willing to work with him on his outstanding balance, although he still contends at least some of the work the company performed was unnecessary. He said the contractor he subsequently hired to put his bathroom and kitchen back together, for $1,600, told him as much. But Helm accepts some of the blame for his financial predicament, saying he should have read Roto-Rooter’s paperwork before signing it and should have found out beforehand whether his insurance would cover the work. “Why was I stupid enough to allow it?� he asked. “I don’t know.�
Festival tickets and wristbands for the kiddos to play and enjoy the Children’s Midway available at https:// events.r20.constantcontact. com/register/eventReg?oeidk =a07eg5ssp9hd8524a65&ose q=&c=&ch=. This year’s festival theme is “St. Roseopoly� and there is a new, exciting twist for Friday night: a Casino Night and Live Auction will be held Friday evening, May 3, and it will be a night to remember. Between the games, food and drink, and a chance to bid on impressive live auction items (including auction vacation packages at Crested Butte, Cayman Islands and more), how could you ask for a better night to spend with your friends? 6:30 p.m. - cocktail hour; 7:30 p.m. - dinner and games; 9 p.m. live auction. Tickets include $2,000 in St. Roseopoly play money. Dress code: Las Vegas Casual. Tickets and tables available online or in the parish office: conta.cc/2Iei0p0
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