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Saturday, July 13, 2019 • Vol. 64 • No. 28
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Harvey recovery funds to facilitate local developments
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By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com The City of Houston’s June announcement that it is investing more than $52 million in federal Hurricane Harvey Recovery Program funds toward developing 624 affordable rental homes has implications for the area as two pending developments will benefit. Avenue CDC, a nonprofit that had previously announced plans for its Avenue on 34th development where Doyle’s Restaurant now stands, was awarded $7.4 million for its 70-unit project. The city’s Housing and Community Development Department said the Avenue project is part of an area “experiencing high rental costs that cause displacement of low- or moder-
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Worth the wait. La Lucha on North Shepherd provides a good mix of food and service.
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Verdict reached. Archway Gallery recently hosted its 11th Annual Juried Art Show benefiting New Hope Housing.
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See Avenue P. 7A
34th at the site of Doyle’s Restaurant at 2136 W. 34th St., was recently awarded $7.4 million for the project as part of the Hurricane Harvey Recovery Program.
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ate-income households.” A 114-unit project by Magellen Housing TX and Royal American Development will be located at 900 Winston St. off of West Cavalcade Street. The award amount for 900 Winston is $9.25 million. The HCDD said the development would be in an “area of low poverty concentration.” Ray Miller, public facilities assistant director for the HCDD, said 11 developers were selected for awards among 59 applicants. “Avenue on 34th stood out due to Avenue’s successful history developing affordable housing in the Near Northwest neighborhood,” Miller said. “Avenue’s Contributed artist’s rendering application to develop in the area was Avenue CDC, which plans to build an affordable housing complex called Avenue on
Baseball team capitalizes on assistance while giving back By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Charitable contributions are key for the Houston Crush select baseball organization, which relies on them to compete in more than 10 tournaments per season. Manager Rob Rollans said many of the players on the 12-and-under team come from underprivileged families that cannot afford to shell out $1,000 or more per year, which is typical in travel ball. The Crushers, as they call themselves, are grateful for the opportunities they are given and try to take advantage with their performance on the field. And they don’t take the help for granted, instead providing plenty themselves. Since forming four years ago, Rollans said players for the nonprofit youth baseball organization have volunteered with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston every Thanksgiving and Christmas. Along with serving food to the hungry and delivering toys to kids in need, Rollans said the Crushers also helped Houstonians in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by collecting shoes and coloring books for children in shelters in the Humble area. “It feels really good to give back to the community,” pitcher and catcher Tristan Garcia said. “It’s definitely important to me and the Crushers.” So is winning baseball games. And the team of 11 youngsters, some of whom live in the Garden Oaks, Oak Forest, Heights and
Barrientez
Stevens Elementary seeking new principal Independence Heights areas, do a lot of that. The Crushers take a 4020 record into their last tournament of the summer season, the USSSA DFW World Series scheduled for Thursday-Tuesday in Mansfield. They are one of 15 teams entered in the 12U major division, which includes squads from all over Texas as well as Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Rollans said the Crushers have reached the finals in nine of their 13 tournaments this year, winning four of them. They hope to add another title next week. “We have a good connection,” pitcher Julian Benitez said, “because we’ve all been playing for a long time together.” The Crushers displayed their pitching prowess and
Along with talent, the Crushers benefit from the guidance and fundamental instruction provided by coaches Jesus Encinia and Chico Espinoza. Rollans said some of the players also train with the Houston
Jennifer Barrientez announced earlier this month that she was stepping down from her position as principal of Stevens Elementary, where she had worked since 2014. On Monday, there were staff and community input meetings regarding the selection of Stevens’ new principal. Houston ISD School Support Officer Angela McConico sought feedback on the qualities, skills or characteristics the community wanted to see in a new leader as well as their thoughts on the most important issues or concerns facing the school. After obtaining undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Sam Houston State University, Barrientez began her educational career as a classroom teacher in ColdspringOakhurst CISD near Livingston, where she was the testing coordinator in addition to her classroom duties. Barrientez also worked as the elementary mathematics curriculum director at Harmony Public Schools, where she guided the curriculum of 40
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Photo by Adam Zuvanich Ethan Nunez celebrates a grand slam Tuesday.
offensive explosiveness during an exhibition game Tuesday against Houston Beastball. Behind home runs by Fidel Espinoza and Ethan Nunez, who blasted a grand slam, they jumped out to a double-digit lead in the third inning and cruised to a win.
La Vista 101 closes up shop on 18th Street By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
THE INDEX. Calendar/Church. ............................. 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 3B Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Photo by Adam Zuvanich The Houston Crushers’ Caleb Hernandez delivers a pitch Tuesday during an exhibition game against Houston Beastball at Independence Heights Park.
Photo from Facebook La Vista 101, the restaurant located at 1805 W. 18th St., has closed.
Five minutes after a group of men left La Vista 101, locking the doors behind them, a group of three women arrived for lunch Monday. After discovering the restaurant was closed, the women were sorely disappointed. “I loved that place,” one
of them said. “That’s such a bummer.” Owner Greg Gordon announced on his personal Facebook page that he has closed the restaurant at 1805 W. 18th St. “Trying to survive for a year I can no longer keep doors open,” he wrote. It’s a sad end for a spot that many were excited about. Gordon told The Leader before his May
opening that he spent $1.1 million on the renovation of the former Pizza Hut, including $30,000 in structural changes. The restaurant was called La Vista 101 because Gordon signed a 20year ground lease for the spot April 11, which was the 101st day of the year. His former location in BriSee La Vista 101 P. 7A
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