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Still Your Neighborhood Attorney
Acres Homes family may be fighting losing battle Ready Mix’s batch plant application meets the requirements of applicable law. Before granting an operating permit, however, the TCEQ must consider all requests for reconsideration and contested case hearings. Among the opponents is Donna Williams, who said at first she and her husband didn’t think much of the vacant lot next to their home. But after the lot at 3411 De Soto St. was sold in 2015 to Armando Soto – owner of Soto Ready Mix – problems began to crop up. “That’s when we started noticing a Photo by Landan Kuhlmann travel trailer and a cement truck coming in,” she said. “That was it for a pe- Donna and David Williams look into the concrete batch plant site neighboring their
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com When David and Donna Williams made the choice to live on De Soto Street in 2002, they thought they had found their forever home. Now they’re not sure how much longer they can stay, because they appear to be stuck with a problem that may never be fixed. The Williams live in a home immediately neighboring a proposed concrete batch plant in Acres Homes, which is undergoing a review process by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. According to a letter from the TCEQ mailed to Acres Homes residents May 15, executive director Toby Baker ruled that Soto
home on De Soto Street. The impending approval of Soto Ready Mix’s operating permit has Acres Homes residents wondering if their voices are being heard.
See De Soto P. 8A
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INSIDE.
Calling it a career. State Rep. Jessica Farrar, who has served area residents for 25 years, is retiring from the Texas House.
Page 2A
Who wants dessert? We review Red Dessert Dive, which offers scrumptious treats and more.
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THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 4A Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A
Photo by Adam Zuvanich Houston ISD interim superintendent Grenita Lathan speaks Aug. 15 at Kashmere High School. At right is HISD trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, who represents area schools and is not seeking re-election in November.
Board’s likely demise amounts to win for Lathan By Adam Zuvanich
TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY RATINGS
azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Grenita Lathan said she was “excited.” The enthusiasm with which she spoke indicated as much, and so did the smile she wore. Aug. 15 was her birthday, and the interim superintendent for Houston ISD See related also celebratcolumn by Editor ed an uprising Adam Zuvanich at one of the Page 3A district’s longstruggling campuses. Kashmere High School in the city’s Third Ward met state academic standards for the first time in several years, prompting a community-wide rally that featured prominent members of HISD as well as local, state and national politicians. Lathan might also have come one day closer to parting ways with a school board that temporarily ousted her last fall.
Houston ISD (88)
AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
AREA MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Browning (77) Crockett (90) Durham (72) Field (95) Garden Oaks Montessori (73) Harvard (93) Helms (84) Highland Heights (64) Kate Smith (59) Love (74) Oak Forest (92) Sinclair (81) Stevens (61) Travis (94) Wainwright (62)
Black (83) Clifton (67) Hamilton (84) Hogg (82) MC Williams (58)
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AREA HIGH SCHOOLS Heights (84) Scarborough (71) Waltrip (79) Washington (70)
Numerical and letter grades represent the Texas Education Agency’s state accountability ratings for the 2018-19 academic year. Source: Texas Education Agency
A week after HISD received the preliminary findings of a Texas Education Agency investigation into its nine-member board – which cited instances of misconduct and misman-
agement and recommended the publicly elected trustees be replaced by a state-appointed board of managers – a state takeover became even more See Lathan P. 8A
Life gets better with age. So does the Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo. The Leader’s annual event geared toward area seniors, now in its seventh year, is scheduled for Sept. 18. It will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at SPJST Lodge 88, located at 1435 Beall St. in the Heights. The expo will give the community’s seniors a chance to connect with local businesses that cater to their needs, such as those in health care, real estate, financial planning and savings, estate planning, travel and the legal profession. It’s also a great opportunity for businesses to learn about the needs of people in the area they serve. Expert speakers are lined up who will offer advice about living a fulfilling life at retirement age and how to cope with the challenges that may arise. The event also will provide information and resources to those who care for seniors or are close to being seniors themselves. More than 500 are expected to attend, and citizens of all ages are welcome. So the expo will offer the opportunity to socialize as well. Best of all? The event is free, and breakfast, lunch and drinks will be provided. Those planning to attend must register by calling 713-686-8494 or visiting theleadernews.com. Vendor packages, which start at $375 and include a booth and advertisement in The Senior Living Guide, are still available by calling 713-686-8494. The Senior Living Guide will be distributed to every senior in attendance and in all 30,000 copies of the Sept. 14 edition of The Leader. So don’t wait to make sure you can participate in one of our most popular events of the year.
Longtime Heights resident celebrates century mark By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
The room was teeming with friends and family of the queen, who sat upon a pink throne in the midst of it all. The queen was Naomi Cotton, and it was her 100th birthday. Cotton, who lived on 24th Street in the Heights for more than 60 years, wanted to be queen for the day on her birthday. A tiara sat on Cotton’s head, a royal robe was placed behind
her throne, and she had a bouquet of flowers. They mostly were long-stemmed cotton, a nod to her last name. Hundreds of people came in and out of the four-hour birthday party Aug. 16, and the line to greet the birthday girl never ceased. Having so many friends isn’t the norm for someone breaking into a triple-digit age. Many partygoers said Cotton’s love of people has given her the unique ability to touch hearts and hold
onto them. “We had such a good time with all those people through the years who I’d made friends with and am still friends with,” Cotton said. “And that’s unusual to stay friends so long.” Her daughter, Delsie Walters, said her mother has gone out of her way to keep in contact with people over the years and that she’s good at not letting them go. Many of the friends gathSee Cotton P. 8A
Photo by Zarah Parker Former Heights resident Naomi Cotton celebrated her 100th birthday in grand style last week.
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THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 2A
State rep Farrar retiring at end of September By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com Residents throughout much of the area will soon have a new state representative for the first time this century. State Rep. Jessica Farrar, a Democrat who has held the District 148 seat since 1994, when she was 27 years old, announced last week she is retiring from the Texas House of Representatives effective Sept. 30. She said in a statement that she and her husband, Marco Sanchez, want to dedicate more time to themselves and caring for their aging mothers. “My time in public service has provided me the opportunity to serve my state and community in ways for which I will forever be grateful,” Farrar said. “I have learned so much from and been profoundly inspired by the many that I have had the chance to meet, from presidents of the United States to residents of federal housing programs and everyone in between.” Farrar’s district includes much of the Heights as well as
State Rep. Jessica Farrar
portions of Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and Mangum Manor, among other area neighborhoods. The Texas Tribune reported Monday that Gov. Greg Abbott has granted Farrar’s request to call a special election for her seat on Nov. 5, the same day as Houston’s municipal elections, which Farrar said would “afford the most robust voter turnout at the least taxpayer expense.” Among those interested in succeeding Farrar is a Houston ISD trustee who represents schools in the area. Elizabeth Santos, a former teacher who was elected to the HISD board in December 2017, announced
Monday that she is exploring a bid for Farrar’s seat. Farrar, who serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence and chairs the Texas House Women’s Health Caucus, has built a reputation as an advocate for women’s health issues. In her statement, she also touted her work on LGBTQ rights issues, craft beer legislation and her attempt to abolish the death penalty. She received attention in 2017 for filing a bill that would have penalized men $100 for masturbating. Farrar said in her statement that the Men’s Right to Know Act, as the proposed bill was called, was a satirical bill that would have “required men to have to undergo invasive and intrusive procedures not medically necessary to highlight policies that have been enacted against women seeking reproductive health care.” “I am encouraged in my decision to retire by the enthusiasm and intelligence of emerging progressive leaders who will ensure that the momentum of
Man murdered in Independence Heights From Staff Reports Police are searching for suspects responsible for a shooting death in Independence Heights last weekend. The Houston Police Department said in a news release that the victim, a 24-year-old male, was pro-
nounced dead at the scene in the 800 block of East 32nd Street at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday. His identity had not been released by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences as of press time Wednesday. Police say they found two citizens attempting CPR on
the victim, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. There are no known suspects in the case, according to HPD. Anyone with information about it is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
Cyclist killed in collision with truck From Staff Reports A Southwest Houston man riding a bicycle in the Heights last week was killed in a collision with a pickup truck, according to the Houston Police Department. HPD said the man, identified Monday as 70-year-old Alvaro Reyes Meza by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Services, was riding west on East 23rd Street when he ran
a stop sign and was struck by a blue Nissan Frontier pickup traveling north on North Main Street. A spokesperson for the institute of forensic services said Meza was not wearing a helmet. According to HPD, the driver of the truck remained at the scene and was questioned and released. HPD said no charges have been filed in the incident, which is pending further investigation.
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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 3A
Court of public opinion says trustees’ time is up
K
evin O’Hanlon and his fellow attorneys make some convincing arguments on behalf of Houston ISD. In a Tuesday phone interview as well as a 49-page amended complaint filed last week in federal court – where Austin law firm O’Hanlon, Demerath & Castillo is representing HISD in its lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and the conservator he appointed to oversee the district – O’Hanlon described HISD as healthy, functional and mostly successful. He pointed to the high B the district recently received in the TEA’s state accountability ratings, its solid financial standing and the fact many of its 280 campuses are performing well academically. He also claimed the preliminary findings of a TEA investigation into HISD’s board of trustees are flawed, and that Morath has no legal grounds to replace them with a state-appointed board of managers as recommended by the TEA investigator. O’Hanlon said such a move would be disenfranchising and racially discriminatory to the Houston voters who elected the trustees, who are alleged to have
Adam
Zuvanich Editor
violated open meetings laws, overstepped their authority and mishandled business dealings. Now, I’m no legal expert, so I can’t say whether O’Hanlon’s points will hold up in court. But I know he works for HISD, and he confirmed the district is paying him with taxpayer money. The latter fact is the latest example of dysfunction by the HISD board, which should be spending less time and money on lawsuits and more on educating the children of Houston. Because no matter how many of its campuses are doing well, the failures of one likely will be the undoing of the much-maligned board. On Aug. 15, a day before the court filing, HISD’s Wheatley High School received a failing grade of 59 in the TEA’s
accountability ratings. It was the seventh year in a row that Wheatley did not meet state academic standards, which likely will trigger a 2015 state law that amounts to an ultimatum for Morath. If a campus fails to meet state academic standards for five consecutive years – Wheatley received a waiver last year because of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 – the commissioner of education must either close the campus or replace its district’s trustees with a board of managers. O’Hanlon said it’s not clear whether the law applies in Wheatley’s case, partly because last year’s waiver could have broken the string of consecutive poor reviews. The TEA did not respond to questions seeking clarification before press time Wednesday. But at this point, do technicalities like that even matter? There is mounting evidence and growing public sentiment that the HISD board is not adequately serving its constituents and needs to be removed – even among the board members themselves. Trustee Jolanda Jones, during last week’s celebration of a passing grade received by
A Re-volting development THE FILLING STATION – Old timers used to call these places “service stations,” a place where they drove up and some guy would fill up the gas tank, wipe off the windshield and inquire if the driver needed oil, water, the ashtray emptied or the latest news, then the attendant would take the money (25 cents a gallon). Today we drive up to the pumps and do everything ourselves including using our credit card to pay for the gas ($3.95 a gallon). But soon even that will change, and for advice we turn to that noted sage, philosopher and futurist, Jay Leno, who owns approximately 286 vehicles (169 cars and 117 motorbikes). On CNBC he said, “Electric is the future.” Leno went on to explain why, ending with: “So there’s almost no reason to have a gas car unless, you know, you’re doing long-haul duty.” The number of electric cars worldwide has risen to 3.2 million, as of the beginning of 2018. Some 1.2 million are on the roads in China, followed by 750,000 in the U.S. Among the states, California leads with the most registered electric vehicles, and the state is home to nearly half of the country’s plug-in cars. The State of Washington holds second place with more than 3 per 1,000 vehicles registered being electric. Still, those cars only make up just 1.5 percent of all U.S. auto sales. There are now around 5,000 electric cars registered in Texas, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 100,000 by 2023. This may be terrible news for the oil-and-gas industry in Texas and especially Houston. But every exhaust cloud has a golden lining, because it seems the Lone Star State has figured how to turn a buck on this major threat to its economy. According to a Houston company, Navigant Research, which maintains an eye on such data to help the power and utilities industry keep up with changing times, the main reason more electric cars are being bought in Texas is due to a comprehensive network of public charging stations in urban areas. So the more charging stations are built, the more Texans will feel they won’t be stuck at midnight on the West Loop with a dead battery. And who is putting in all these stations? Utility companies. Texas allows utilities to operate their own public electric-car charging stations. NRG (as in the stadium) operates the eVgo charging network, which as 17 stations in Houston and 23 in the DallasFort Worth areas. Nissan, which makes the electronic Leaf, is subsidizing the eVgo network in the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas, allowing Leaf owners to charge for free and avoid the flat monthly fee other eVgo users pay. In San Antonio, CPS
Lynn Ashby Columnist
Energy has entered the field because it believes electric cars will offset air pollution in the area. In our environmental-friendly capital city, Austin Energy has gone a step further. It is the only one of the utilities to rely exclusively on renewable energy sources -- specifically wind and solar -- for its charging stations. Texas views itself as the land of no-regulations and a free market, but, due to the car dealers’ lobby, Tesla Motors is forbidden from making direct-sales to customers, so Tesla has five fast-charging stations in the state, with plans for more. OK, that’s fine for the utility companies, but what about the Texas oil and gas industry and its overseer, the Texas Railroad Commission? In fiscal year 2018, the oil and natural gas industry supported more than 348,000 direct jobs in Texas and paid a bit over $14 billion in state and local taxes for schools, roads and first responders. Our vast petrochemical industry will still need oil to turn out stuff we use from sunglasses to flip flops, running shoes, umbrellas, panty hose, shoe polish, bulletproof Kevlar vests and those awful plastic bags that litter the countryside. Indeed, all those utility companies that are betting on electric cars will still need fuel to power their generators. Texas leads the nation in both the production and use of energy. But wind and solar panels only provide less than a third of Texas energy, so we must not feel too sorry for the awl bidness, as we wildcatters say. As for the Railroad Commission of Texas, it was established in 1891, making it the oldest regulatory agency in the state and one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. The Legislature passed: “An Act to Provide for the Inspection of Refined Oils Which Are the Product of Petroleum, and Which May Be Used for Illuminating Purposes Within This State, and to Regulate the Sale and Use Thereof, and to Provide Penalties for the Violation of Same.” Today the commission has virtually nothing to do with railroads or anything used for illumination purposes, and just rides herd on the oil and gas industry. (It recently announced it has assessed $864,689 in fines against violating operators and businesses. Hehehe.) Still, what about all those mom-and-pop convenience stores that get much of their business selling gas along with Texas-shaped ashtrays and stale candy? They can
start selling electricity – and fresher candy. An old idea: We turn filling stations back into service stations. Bring back our petroleum history. We rename the Houston Texans the Houston Oilers. (While we’re at it, bring back Jay Leno.) We put wind-driven propellers on the derricks and watch the money flow in. Gives a whole new meaning to the term, “Spindletop.” There is still work for the Texas Railroad Commission. There used to be a law requiring all trains running through Texas to fly the Lone Star flag. See if that’s still the law and, if so, start enforcing it – and open a flag shop. Once Houston’s slogan was, “Where 23 Railroads Meet The Sea.” That event must have made a huge splash. Today we only have one passenger train. Commissioners, find out what ever happened to the other 22. Ashby fills up at ashby2@comcast.net
Kashmere High School, acknowledged “nonsense on the board” has contributed to struggling campuses and said trustees need to “get out of the way” of interim superintendent Grenita Lathan. Trustee Sue Deigaard echoed the sentiment in a recent editorial she wrote in the Houston Chronicle, saying, “We must focus less of our attention on our own well-being as adults and more on our students’ wellbeing.” It’s also clear that at least some of the trustees are resigned to the fact their days on the board are numbered. Neither Jones nor Rhonda SkillernJones, who represents some of the schools in our area, filed to run again in November’s election. Elizabeth Santos, the other trustee who represents area schools, and who is alleged to have violated open meetings laws when she voted to replace Lathan last October, announced this week she is exploring a bid for a soon-to-be-vacated seat in the Texas House of Representatives. And Santos isn’t even halfway through her four-year term on the school board. The writing is on a big chalkboard at HISD headquarters, and
it’s in big, block letters. HISD’s trustees have had their chance at governance and need to be replaced by board members who can improve the district’s image, transparency, functionality and, most of all, performance. And it doesn’t matter much whether Morath replaces them because of Wheatley’s failing grade, because they didn’t award contracts properly or because they circumvented the rules in an attempt to swap out superintendents. What matters is preventing the HISD board from spending any more taxpayer money on lawsuits against state agencies. Morath and the TEA are not problems for the largest school district in Texas, which has created many of its own issues and has plenty of other pressing matters at hand. Among them is the start of a new school year on Monday. HISD’s priority should be providing the best possible education to each of its students on each of its campuses. The city it serves is counting on that, no matter who serves on the board. Email azuvanich@theleadernews.com
THE READER.
Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com
Street shepherds: Community advocates work to clean up area thoroughfare
Dear Editor: Kudos to all those who cleaned up Shepherd recently (especially in this heat)! When I moved to the area 5 years ago, I was stunned by the amount of trash in the area. I was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Mayor’s 2016 Proud Partners program for getting BNSF, TxDoT and the City of Houston to do some work, and, with supplies from Keep Houston Beautiful, arranging several cleanups along Ella and 610. I quickly realized this was a much larger effort than I could manage alone and I could not find others to help keep it going. I often avoid Ella, even though it is the most direct route to my home, since it is so unattractive and depressing. Keeping the trash picked up and the weeds down would be a major improvement. Niko Niko’s on Montrose not only keeps its property beautiful, it has also landscaped the boulevard and maintains it. What a fine example of a business giving back to the community which supports it! Imagine how nice Ella could look with its boulevard. I wish the businesses on Ella would work with the community to keep it clean as the North Shepherd Community Alliance has started doing on Shepherd. Beryl Kaminsky
Mayoral candidates make pitches to area business leaders
Dear Editor: Bill King is able to pinpoint the problems in Houston, and propose solutions that are simple. He isn’t going about raising a giant war chest, or talking about how great he is. He even says that it may be necessary to increase taxes but more importantly,
that the drainage money go to drainage projects to prevent flooding. He describes how years of neglect have led to the current inadequacies. Buzbee is perhaps more energetic and engaging, but I believe that King has more of a vision. I agree with Buzbee that the police chief needs to be replace. The chief is so blinded with his political ambitions, and his scandal with the Harding Street episode. The chief has also come up with the idea that most everything is a “civil matter.” In my experience, the officers at several patrol stations have used that terminology, which indicates that it came from higher up. Their message is “we don’t got the time to bother with you, so don’t call us.” I don’t see the need to for a new fire chief. HFD is a professional fire department and generally does a great job, if you have ever seen them at work. Houston has an inordinate number of structure fires, as well as arson, which is under reported to NFIRS. The Heights is one big fire trap, with all of the new stick construction with high vertical spaces and closely placed structures. The new building materials burn with a smoke that is more toxic, and more prone to flash over due to chemicals and incomplete combustion. The toxic fumes are more dangerous for trapped occupants and for firefighters entering the structure. HFD generally takes an internal attack on structure fires. The fire department also responds to the myriad of crashes and other traffic related emergencies, and carries out flood water rescues. So those folks deserve a fair pay increase, and really I don’t see why the chief can’t stay. I have to agree with the consensus from this event: either of these two are better than the current administration. Jason Hochman
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
aCrOss 1. Impudence 5. Female garment 11. Not twice 12. Mention one by one 16. Cowbarn (British) 17. Promotional material 18. Argentinian artist Zeta 19 South Park guys’ musical 24. Letter of the Greek alphabet 25. Comes into 26. VVV 27. Weaken 28. Costly 29. Weight 30. Financial obligation 31. A way to expel 33. Anoint 34. Stems 38. Belittled 39. Refrain from harming 40. Relating to odors 43. Helps animals metabolize 44. Make neat 45. Ancient Greek sophist 49. A quantity of no importance 50. Used to have (Scottish)
51. Straighten 53. Early multimedia 54. Recommending 56. Greek sorceress 58. Michigan 59. Off-Broadway theater award 60. Watered 63. Small Eurasian deer that lack visible tails 64. Basic amino acid 65. A way to pick
dOwn 1. Wept 2. All persons 3. Pouches of skin 4. Locates missile targets 5. Furrow 6. Michael Chiklis grew up here 7. Ruthenium 8. Sacred Hindu syllable 9. Roman biographer 10. A way to smile 13. Atomic number 13 14. Can be domesticated 15. Exploded 20. An alternative 21. Foreign Service 22. Robbed by force 23. Made the acquaintance of
27. Bishops’ seats of authority 29. ‘Tiny Bubbles’ singer 30. Deoxyribonucleic acid 31. Plural present of be 32. College degree 33. Basics 34. High sea wave 35. Go against flow 36. Tree native to India 37. A major division of geological time 38. Yakut God of Light __ Toyon 40. Utah city 41. Supporting musicians 42. Magnesium 44. Scottish cap (slang) 45. Performing artists 46. Slang for mistake 47. More well ventilated 48. Most guileful 50. Grinder 51. University of Dayton 52. Sodium 54. Fashion designer Chapman 55. Brood of pheasant 57. Doolittle was one 61. Equally 62. ‘Bring Em Out’ rapper
WORD SCRAMBLE
Page 4A • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • The Leader
THINGS TO DO. The Arts
The Houston Heights Woman’s Club welcomes all our Greater Heights Area neighbors to an informal Open House to visit their historic clubhouse, learn about their neighborhood community service activities, social events and 119-year-old Literary Club.
craft merchandisers, and artists.
The Paul Thorn Band Friday, Aug. 23 7 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. The Paul Thorn Band is performing at The Heights Theater with Rob Baird. Bruce Robinson & Kelly Willis Saturday, Aug. 24 7 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Bruce Robinson & Kelly Willis are performing at The Heights Theater. Avi Kaplan Sunday, Aug. 25 7 p.m. The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Avi Kaplan is performing at The Heights Theater. Tunes in the Tap Room Tuesday, Aug. 27 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room – 350 W. 19th St. Enjoy live music in Harold’s Tap Room every Tuesday night. Shakey Graves Friday, Aug. 23 6:30 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Shakey Graves is performing at White Oak Music Hall with Dr. Dog and Caroline Rose. Boris Sunday, Aug. 25 7 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Boris is performing at White Oak Music Hall. Tessa Violet Tuesday, Aug. 27 7 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Tessa Violet is performing at White Oak Music Hall with UPSAHL. Nebula Thursday, Aug. 29 5 p.m. White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Nebula is performing at White Oak Music Hall with Sasquatch.
The Markets Eleanora’s Market Saturday, Aug. 24 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Cavatore – 2120 Ella Blvd. There will be local growers, makers, designers, artisans and food producers. Little White Oak Night Market Saturday, Aug. 24 4 – 8 p.m. Sideout Volleybar – 2623 Keene St. The Little White Oak Night Market brings together local farmers,
The Farm Stand at Petrol Station Saturday, Aug. 24 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 948 Wakefield Dr. The Farm Stand at Petrol Station features goods from local vendors. Heights Morning Market Sunday, Aug. 25 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.
The Pews Family Carnival Saturday, Aug. 24 4 – 6 p.m. Arise Baptist Church – 803 Curtin St. On Saturday, Arise Baptist Church will have a free family carnival and invite the community to participate in this event. Women’s Bible Study Group Monday, Aug. 26 5:30 p.m. YMCA –1234 W. 34th St. The Women’s Bible Study meets every Monday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA. Guests and new members are welcome to attend this non-denominational Bible study. Email scripturesharing@ earthlink.net for information. Men’s Scripture Sharing Group Thursday, Aug. 29 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. Medicare 101 and More Tuesday, Aug. 27 10:30 a.m. First Church Heights - 201 E. 9th St. The community is welcome to attend this informative event. Call 713-861-3102 for information. Counseling Group Thursday, Aug. 29 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. St. Stephen’s UMC – 2003 W. 43rd St. “Building Your Inner Resiliency�, a counseling group for adults, meets Thursdays at St. Stephen’s. The counseling is provided free of charge through a grant from the Red Cross to help communities affected by Harvey recover. For more information, please email Dorothy Leahy at dorothywleahy@gmail.com or Kandece Money at kandecemoney@gmail.com.
The Paul Thorn Band, with special guest Rob Baird, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th St.
Kelly Willis and Bruce Robinson’s Beautiful Lie Tour will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at Heights Theater.
Lazybrook Baptist Church Events June 2 – Aug. 25 6:30 p.m. Lazybrook Baptist Church 1822 W. 18th St. Lazybrook Baptist Church is sponsoring the Young Adult Summer Book Club Fellowship, “Welcome to Adulting- Navigating Faith, Friendship, Finances, and the Future� by Jonathan “JP� Pokluda, which will be at the home of Sean and Vonda Bonte. They will start with a meal and then have discussion from the book. Vacation Bible School at Lazybrook Baptist Church will be July 8 – 12, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for kids who have completed Kindergarten - 5th grades. Theme: In the Wild, Amazing Encounters With Jesus. VBS is free. Call 713-864-1470 to register or for information about the events.
Spanish with Me Aug. 26, 27, 29, 30 Conmigo Spanish - 1548 Heights Blvd. Conmigo Spanish welcomes the community to a week-long schedule of complimentary classes. Starting Monday, Aug. 26, parents and caregivers can sign up for one complimentary Spanish With Me class. Complimentary classes will be held Aug. 26, Aug. 27, Aug. 29 and Aug. 30. Time slots vary and have limited availability. Email conmigospanish@gmail. com for reservations. Enrollment is limited to eight students per class for ages 15 months to 3+ years. Weekly morning classes are 45 minutes. Houston’s 183rd Birthday Saturday, Aug. 31 4 – 8 p.m. Conally Plaza - 1100 Bagby The Heritage Society and Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston are throwing a party for Houston’s 183rd birthday. Guests will enjoy complimentary food and drinks. There will be free tours of the homes at The Heritage Society and also free educational bus tours of historic downtown. Bus tour times are 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. For reservations or information, visit www.heritagesociety.org.
Fall Semester Registration Thursday, Aug. 29 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. All Saints Third Age Learning Center - 215 E. 10th St. All Saints Third Age Learning Center will hold its 2019 Fall Semester Registration in the church parish hall. The Fall Semester will begin on Monday, Sept. 9 and conclude on Friday, Nov. 15. Late registration will take place the first week of the semester, Sept. 9 through Sept. 13. TALC offers a variety of classes and activities for senior adults in the community and a hot lunch is available during the semester for $2.00. For registration information or lunch reservations, call 713-248-1277.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Advent Lutheran Church – 5820 Pinemont Dr. The Greater Inwood Partnership (GIP) invites you to Meet the Candidates running for Council Districts A & C. The candidates will present their short opening remarks, followed by a question and answer session, and wrapping up with their brief closing remarks. You may submit your questions in advance by sending an email message to candidatequestions@greaterinwoodpartnership.org Houston Heights Woman’s Club’s Open House Saturday, Sept. 7 10 a.m. – Noon HHWC Clubhouse – 1846 Harvard St.
AIKIDO & AIKIJUTSU TRADITIONAL WEAPONS
Academy for Elite Samurai Arts Classes Enrolling Now Age 14 & Up
713-826-5877
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born Oct. 2, died on Aug. 8. He will be remembered by his wife Dianna, his step- children, Dee Szkody husband Gene and Den Moore and wife Kimberly. He will also be fondly remembered by his 4 grandchildren Garrett, Ryan, Morgan and Katelin, his
great grandchildren Karsyn, Brooklyn and Ryder. He will also be missed by his brothers Edward Szkody wife Sharman, Bruce Szkody wife Roxanne and Gene Szkody and wife Dee.Â
She is survived by her husband Charlie Watts; her daughter, Tammy Bearden, granddaughter, Savannah, son-in-love, Mark, her sister, Mary Womack and her brother-in-law, John.
Georgia Lee Smith, 72, born March 12, died on Aug. 12.
34, born Jan. 7, died on Aug. 15.
1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470
New Well Puppy & N Kitten Exam
40
Years
of quality care for your family pets
$
Sunday
> [O ŕ Ž
1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, Tx 77018 • 713-686-1577
Weekly Sunday SundayServices Services •r #JCMF 4UVEZ B N Bible Study: 9:15 a.m. •r .PSOJOH B N Morning:10:30 a.m. •r &WFOJOH Q N Evening: 4:15 p.m.
1700 West 43 rdSEat Rosslyn 8FTU BU 3PTTMZO 713-682-4942
Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.
2003 W. 43rd St. X 713-686-8241 X s t s u m c . o r g
Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am
•Wednesday Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am -Children 11:00am Bible Studies For Youth, • Learning Hour ........... 11:00am - 12:00pm and Adults ............................ 6:15pm • Worship (Spanish) .... 12:30 pm - 1:30pm
Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m.
Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor
5315 Antoine@ Pinemont
I
We invite worship us! Sunday you Schoolto & Bible Classes with 10:30 am
Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor Sunday School for Children, Youth and 2003 W. 43rd St. â—† 713-686-8241 â—† s t s u mAdults c . o r g9:40
Routine Male Cat Neuters
49
713-688-9625
OVER IT!
By Pastor Will Cover Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St.I’llHouston TX 77018 t goes without saying, but say it anyway: “we have all • www.arisebaptistchurch.org made 713-659-9697 mistakes.â€? As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To
We invite you to•worship with us! 4040 Watonga 713-688-5227
Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40
FREE
LIFE IS HARD BUT GET GOD IS GOOD
4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227 Pastor Jerry McNamara
Weekly www.gethsemanelutheran.org Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 a.m. Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org
* With Wellness Exam
Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon
St. James Lutheran Church, Morning Worship ...............ELCA 10:45am
Gethsemane Luthern Lutheran Church Gethsemane Church
75 *
Annette Katherine Tom,
79, born Sept. 28, died on Aug. 10.
DIRECTORY
MANNA Sponsor
DEBBIE ourrealtordebbie@aol.com ELLIOTT
He is survived by his parents, Charles and Susan Vehslage, a brother, Richard, and numerous family members.
CHURCH Sunday Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am t 8PSTIJQ &OHMJTI BN BN Morning Worship ............... 10:45am t -FBSOJOH )PVS BN QN MANNA Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children t 8PSTIJQ 4QBOJTI QN QN 4QPOTPS and Adults............................ 6:15pm 8FTU SE 4U t )PVTUPO 5Y t
713-906-5481 Realty Associates
Call About Cat Vaccines
Meet The Candidates For Council Wednesday, Aug. 28
James Lyon Vehslage,
St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA
Experience and Knowledge... A Powerful Combination
8
THE OBITUARIES. Albert Ellis Szkody, 71,
Waltrip High School Class of 1979 Saturday, Oct. 5 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. The Whitehall Hotel – 1700 Smith St. The Waltrip High School Class of 1979 40th Reunion is this October. Please make your check payable to Waltrip Class of 79 for $60 per person before September 15 is you plan to attend. Mail your check to: Lisa Trigg Mendel, PO Box 16611, Houston, TX 77222. If your name has changed since high school, please include your high school name with your payment.
$
Thursday Night Bingo Thursday, Aug. 29 5:15 p.m. SPJST Lodge 88 - 1435 Beall St. Bingo at SPJST Lodge 88 is held every Thursday night. Bingo pads are $10 each. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m.
CalleOnze Anniversary Saturday, Aug. 24 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. CalleOnze – 222 W. 11th St. Join CalleOzne to celebrate its 1-year anniversary with live music by Shekere Latin & Variety Band. Special food and drink specials will be available all night.
Special Events
Dog Rabies Vaccination
Open Mic Night Tuesday, Aug. 27 9 p.m. Heights Vinyl – 3301 Cline St. This is a free flowing, “tap in,� share the mic event where everyone is welcome.
Fun & Games
Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 7 7 – 11 p.m. Visionary Heights – 1331 Nicholson St. Visionary Heights is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a gala and fundraiser. Everyone is welcome. The $60 ticket includes a lineup of music, a buffet, a 50/50 raffle, and silent art auction. Auction items include tickets to Broadway Across America performances, original works of art, and other unique items. Free valet parking is included in the ticket purchase. Tickets can be purchased at Visionary Heights, on our website at Visionaryheights.com, or on its Facebook Event page.
Pastor Richard Walters Pastor– –Dr. Dr. Richard Walters
Ad # 32285
Candlelight Church of Christ First Church Join us for Services in English or Spanish
Sunday Worship 10am & 5pm Sunday Bible Classes 9am Wednesday Bible Study 7pm
err is human, to forgive, divine.� We should remember this the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we Do you ever feel like you can’t get ahead? My boss must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue at work used to say, “Sometimes, it feels like no good to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While deed goes unpunished.� Bad things sometimes come it can hardafter enough to forgive others you for their oneberight another and when thinkmistakes, it can’t itget canany sometimes feel almost impossible to forgive ourselves. worse, it often does. I am currently preaching Wethrough sometimes ourselves forgive mornings somethingat the cannot book ofbring Nehemiah ontoSunday we’ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves our church. The first three chapters are overall very enfor couraging. years, or even decades, over very youthful In While there were hardindiscretions. things they were addition, may notthings be able to forget sins ofthe facing,some God of wasusputting together to the provide ourpeople, past. And althoughand thatprotection may prevent from repeating provision, thatus Nehemiah needed them, we must be charitable and forgive In ourselves, to build the wall around Jerusalem. chapter just fourasthe westory shouldchanges forgive others. So, after we should a real effort in and wave wave make of opposition comes theagainst comingNehemiah days and weeks to forgive theof offenses others and the children Israel. ofThey are ridiculed, names, andit their threatened. as well as ourcalled own. Sometimes, helpslives to justare forget about As each stage of to opposition Nehemiah responds them; that is, to try put themcomes, out of our mind and stop by focusing on God’s character, to God,we anduse enrepeatedly mulling over them. One praying of the reasons people toforget� remember their God. thecouraging phrase “forgive and is because sometimes that is I think of the hardest things to do facedand with the only wayone to forgive, i.e., by forgetting. Butwhen far better, opposition, struggle, pain, or attack is toremembering focus on anymore divine, is to be able to forgive even while otherSo, than problem at hand. While the people thething offense. wethe should let go of those unforgiving, of Israel faced this tremendous opposition, vindictive, shameful feelings about the past, and Nehemiah get over reminded the survived importance of focusing God. it! Corrie ten them Boom,ofwho incarceration in on a Nazi This is not simply mind over matter, even though it does prison camp said, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and help to focus on something other than our problems. to realize that the prisoner was you.�
The reality is that Nehemiah was challenging the peo-
Sunday School ........9:15 am Sunday Worship......10:30am Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service 6:00pm
4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 FC Heights Family and Staff
Houston, TX 201 77092 E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102
www.fbcheights.org
ple tonot, haveand faithyou in God protect them andcondemn provide for Judge willtonot be judged; them. God provides in the good times and the bad times. not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, We would rather not will go through the bad times, but God, and you be forgiven... in his power and his goodness, can take us through the hardest of timesR.S.V. and use it for His glory and for our Luke 6:37 good. While the struggle is real, and life is often very hard we must remember that God is good. His grace is sufficient, and He is more powerful than any opposition you or I may face!
THE CLASSIFIEDS.
The Leader • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 5A
Wanting to run a classified ad? CALL 713-686-8494 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards.
GARAGE/ESTATE SALE Estate Sale
SELL US YOUR ANTIQUES
Now Hiring
Aug. 22, 23 & 24
FREE ESTATE SALE CONSULTATION
KAM
1515 Rutland St. Houston, TX 8am - 1pm
ENDEAVORS, LLC
Antique furniture & lamps, chairs, dishes, crystal, vases, lots of glassware and kitchen items, 2 antique sewing machines, toys, tools, books, small gas stove, dishwasher (never used), pictures, musical instruments, (NIB) ceiling fan, and home decor.
Buy * Sell * Trade Contact Kevin 713-416-5872
BLUE MOON ANTIQUES Antiques and Collectibles Providing Estate Sales Services 3311 Ella • 832-286-7882
ESTATE SALE
OUTDOOR LIGHTING COMPANY
Call 713-849-3903 Organist/ Music Director
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY 9AM - 4PM
Messiah Lutheran Church
CASH ONLY PLEASE!!!
Play for Worship Service, Lead Choir/Handbells. Marsha Froehlich
Needed
816 Roy
1003 W. 34th St. Suite A
Large Collection of Jewelry, Antiques, Linens, Display Items from a Store, Lamps, French Paintings Galore, Mirrors.
ALL MUST GO!
ESTATE SALE
THURSDAY EVENING AUGUST 22ND 5:00PM - 7:00PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY AUGUST 23RD & 24TH 8:00AM - 4:00PM 7700 Renwick, Houston 77081 ESTATE OF JANIS L. SMITH
Junk Remover
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Licensed-Insured
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HAULS TRASH: Cleans Garages, Trims Trees.
$ !PPLIANCE ,• 2EPAIR Refrigerators
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THE FOAM STORE
Custom Cut Memory Foam Chair Pads Couch Cushions Mattress Foam 2217 W. 34th, Ste. A.
713-686-6622
Johnny & Rhea Danna, Owners RETAIL CENTER www.thefoamstore.com WHOLESALE PRICES
Find those bargains from your Leader neighbors...
Or advertise your sale by calling 713-686-8494
Work Wanted
HANDYMAN
SAVES YOU MONEY Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry
281-660-0350
COMPUTERS
PEST CONTROL
Home, Small Of ce Computer Repair
PEST CONTROL
Cherokee
• Termites • Roaches • Ants • Silver sh • Rodents
All Makes & Models “We Make House Calls�
I Buy cracked Flat Panel TV’s 1622 W. 23rd
Sales & Service Washer • Dryers Ranges & Stoves Refrigerators Freezers
713-697-0335 (open 6 Days)
9235 N. Houston Rosslyn 77088
Specifically, we need contractors on a per-job basis. Our company will provide the insurance coverage for the work, the jobs, and set up the job times. You provide the tools, work and dependability. All jobs on paid on a per-job basis with repeat work for the best contractors. Full-time work is a possibility
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If this sounds like a fit for you and if you have experience in any of these areas or other home services, call us at
Free Termite Inspection
713-682-6801
.0 , * #,
Among others, services include:
832-914-7249 or 832-439-9971
832-818-4970
AW Appliance
A new Home Services company is opening in the area and we’re looking for quality home repair professionals who are dependable and reliable.
Experienced Caregiver
Upgrades, Installation, Con guration (Virus-Removal) Home - NetWorking
David’s
are you looking for additional work?
WORK WANTED
looking for work....
832-526-8531
Contractors and Handymen,
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Available: Days/Nights/Weekends Good References & Background
KINARD’S Appliance Service
• AT T E N T I O N •
Mail resumes: Vaco Houston LLC, 3200 Southwest Freeway Suite 1450, Houston, TX 77027, Attn: Jerrad Hall
FOR SALE
Native Houstonian - 46 Yrs.
Washers - Dryers Dishwashers - Ranges 281-350-6255 713-857-2050
• Ovens • Washers • Dryers
Provide Subject Matter expertise in the areas of Financial Controls and Automation. Participate on project teams whose purpose is related to the implementation and optimization of Blackline Systems’ enhanced financial controls and automation platform. Assess overall financial operations and make best-practice recommendations to management. Reqs: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting; 48 months experience in SAP; 36 months experience in Blackline; 12 months experience in each of the following Skills: (1) Open Text and (2) BPC; Travel and/or relocation to various unanticipated locations throughout the U.S. is required; 60 months experience in Accounting is required.
Penny Millican - Owner
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832-890-5453
FOR VACO HOUSTON LLC IN HOUSTON, TX
Town & Country Estate Sales
s
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Since 1975 Low Rates
MASTER #178565
Needs to have QuickBooks, Excel and Word experience. Pay range is between $13.00/hour and $16.00/hour based on experience.
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D&E Electric 5
Oak Forest Resident/Office • Residential • Commercial • Service Licensed - Insured - 26 Yrs. Exp. “Aâ€? ON ANGIE’S LIST
EUGENE
PROJECT MANAGER
“He who has something to sell and whispers it into a well, is not as apt to get the dollars as he who stands up tall and hollers.� Advertise!
John Kuenstle Electric,LLC
713-235-0560
Local Area Accounting Firm Seeking a Full-Time Accounting Clerk
Gorgeous Antique 13’X16’ OUSHAK Rug French Desk, Italian Wooden Candelabra Cowhide Arm Chair, Gold Leaf Mirrors Santa Fe Style Pine Dining Table & 6 Chairs Handsome Pine Coffee Table Loads of Waterford Crystal, 6 Sets of China TOWLE “Georgian� Sterling Flatware Linens, Books, Housewares, Electronics Autographed Sports Memorabilia: DUKE U, Bulls, JAZZ & Rockets Astros Signed Balls, Baseball & Basketball Cards Collections Real & Costume Jewelry
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All types of new wiring and repairs
#1 Cheapest Trash Hauling / Demolition Co. in TX!
Looking to hire good local people? Leader classifieds get great response and cost less than the daily paper.
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t Home t Yard t Garage t Storage t 4IFE 3FNPWBM
WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE
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Hiring Install/Service Technician Candidates must have electrical experience dealing with low voltage lighting, a valid Texas driver’s license and clean driving record required. Steady work and competitive pay based on experience.
When you want results, advertise in The Leader.
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JUNK HAULING
EMPLOYMENT
ÂŽ
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LAWN & GARDEN GUIDE Trimming • Planting Removal “Train up your trees in the way they should grow.â€? • A+ Rated • Free Estimates • Insured “Making Thousands of Houston Trees Healthy & Beautiful for over 33 yearsâ€? 713-690-TREE (8733) Call or Text
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Page 6A • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • The Leader
HEAT/AIR CONDITIONING
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WOOD FLOORS Installation Repair Sanding Finishing
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CUSTOM PAINTING
Call Rudy 713-882-3530
Including Flooded Homes • Exterior/Interior • Pressure Washing • Sheetrock Repair • References • Insured 713-201-5569 832-372-5577
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Jose `
Cell (281) 221-0637
HOME SPECIALISTS
Houston
Kitchens & Baths
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“The Residential Roofing Specialists�
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3308 Ella Blvd • (713) 680-3530
Houston Heights
ROOFERS
Roofing, Siding, Painting, etc. Keep it local and call the pros.
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Sheetrock Repair Match any texture
Roofing Work Carpentry Handyman Services Power Washing Maid Service Good References
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IT’S NOT JUST A FENCE IT’S AN INVESTMENT
RIO GRANDE FENCE CO.
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832-731-3866
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Complete Pavers • Patios • Decks • Driveways • Brick Columns
713-703-8488 Jim
Martinez Concrete Works • Driveways • Patios • Sidewalks • Foundations • Stamp Concrete Bonded and Insured • Free Estimates
713-408-0137
martinezconcreteworks@gmail.com
ROOFING by SERNA BROS. FREE estimates
PRIME ROOFING 713-681-5001
www.primeroofing.com
Damian’s Remodeling • Exterior/Interior Painting • Flooring • Drywall • Patios • Fencing and more
Free Estimates
832-949-1379 English 832-689-9741 Spanish lucyz.braun@gmail.com
Cell: 832-584-0725
BEST VALUE
CONSTRUCTION
HOME REPAIRS Handyman Services, Carpentry, Painting-Int/Ext, Cabinets, Doors, Trim, Insured Eddie Lunsford
281-352-7304
ROOFING REPAIRS AND INSTALLATION 713-582-5500
Royalty Pet Center Since 1976
• Grooming • Boarding • Pet Supplies 9900 N. Houston Rosslyn
713-849-9000
www.royaltypetcenter.com
M M&M Pet Sitting S
Commercial • Residential New Roof • Re-Roof
Power Wash
Free Estimates
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The Leader • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • Page 7A
Neighbors: Sunshiners Band brightens community’s days with music By Elizabeth Villarreal elizasgarden@outlook.com The Sunshiners Band is a brilliant volunteer band comprised of seven musicians, including some of your community neighbors. Until recently, the band had 10 members: Doug Cherry, Ed Copeland, Jane Copeland, John Fowler, Nancy Hill, Pam Leighton, Audrey Mytchak, John O’Fiel, Jan Vandenburgand and Lucy Worrell. All are integral parts of this remarkable band of senior citizens (well, almost all are seniors!). Members either sing, play an instrument or both. From Heights to Forest Pines and from Candlelight to Shady Acres, these neighbors gather each Monday like clockwork to practice at the Heights Baptist Church and prepare for their next gig. They offer a 45-minute to onehour show of rollicking good humor and nostalgia, which appeals to seniors and “baby boomer� audiences.
REVIEW:
The Sunshiners Band works for “love offerings� to cover the expenses of the band, which enables it to go forward with its mission. The band has played for 19 years at a variety of organizations and functions, including retirement homes, assisted-living facilities, churches, community centers, hospitals, lodges, senior clubs and private parties. Some ol’ timey and not-so-ol’ timey tunes are featured along with show numbers and classic country western such as Autumn Leaves, My Irish Rose, Papa Loves Mambo, Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover, Oh Happy Day, Yellow Submarine and many others – the Sunshiners’ list of songs is enormous and varied. The band proudly claims that any song you can name, it can play and sing. The audiences thoroughly enjoy the music and many times sing along. And it’s hard not to sing along. Folks have been known to be so thoroughly energized by the rollicking tunes they get up and dance! The band shares beautiful stories
sic, is what keeps the Sunshiners eager to greet new audiences and motivated to share their joy with others. Several of the Sunshiners picked up their instruments after a long hiatus and a completely different career outside of music. Nancy Hill resumed playing her ukulele after putting it away over 40 years ago. Hill said, “I have so much fun doing this. I was one of the shiest people you would have ever met and once I got up and started singing I have found Contributed photo a place where I’m not shy.� The Sunshiners Band practices each Monday at Heights Baptist Church to prepare Fowler is an accomplished musifor area gigs. cian who has made music his livelihood. After cutting his teeth on the saxophone and writing arrangeof its experience seeing audience the Sunshiners’ songs, began tapping ments prior to and during seventh members respond to certain songs, a foot. Then he began moving his grade, he continued to write, oreven after they can no longer com- hand. And finally, he sat up straight chestrate, direct and play a variety municate or recognize loved ones and held out his hands to be assisted of music including stage bands, due to illness. in standing, and then actually began jazz, barbershop quartets and choThe Sunshiners believe in the dancing to the delight and amaze- ral music, yet spent his career as a healing qualities of music. Once ment of his friends and caregivers. mechanical engineer with a degree an audience member had been Many happy tears were shed and the confined to a wheelchair for many powerful message in that story, the See Neighbors P. 8A months, but after hearing several of ability to reach people through mu-
Heights dessert dive satisfies sweet tooth Zarah Parker Managing Editor
The variety of desserts behind the counter glass made choosing one a difficult decision. What I quickly learned by stopping by Red Dessert Dive is that I could have tried anything and probably would have liked it. While dessert is in the name and on prominent display in the store, Red Dessert Dive didn’t feel like a typical dessert shop. It felt much more like a coffee shop with its relaxed atmosphere that made me want to hang out for hours drinking coffee and snacking on an array of goodies. The dive had a rustic touch, with wooden features mixed with metals. A long bench took up one side of the shop that had small tables accompanying it. A few decorative throw pillows were on the bench that made it homey. I have a big sweet tooth, so I couldn’t wait to bite down on one of the cupcakes or cookies I spied behind the glass. However, looking at the menu, I realized there also were sandwich selections. I decided to grab a lunch box, which came with a sandwich, chips, a pickle
and a cookie. I chose the peanut butterand-pear preserve sandwich and a chocolate chunk cookie. For all the sandwiches, there’s the option to have it on wheat bread or a croissant. I went with wheat bread, because eating a PB&J on a croissant sounded weird. Coffee never sounds like a bad idea, so with some direction from the cashier I ordered an iced hazelnut latte. The cashier also helped me pick which desserts to try. She mentioned that all the cupcakes are popular with customers, but her favorite was the blueberry lemon with cream cheese frosting. I trusted her judgement and got one, along with a decorated sugar cookie since the cashier also mentioned they didn’t always have them in stock. And finally I chose a cup of banana pudding, which I was told often sells out. It was a particularly hot day, and I was soon glad for the iced hazelnut latte. There wasn’t an abundance of ice in the latte, yet the drink was still cold. The latte was smooth and the hazelnut was a great addition to the drink. Since my chocolate chunk cookie was handed to me before my sandwich, I didn’t feel too guilty about eating sweets before a meal. The cookie was golden brown, loaded
Photo by Zarah Parker Pear preserves add a unique flavor that meshes well in Red Dessert Dive’s version of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Photo by Zarah Parker Red Dessert Dive, 1045 Studewood St., has some sweets that can’t be beat. The star of the show is the banana pudding.
with chocolate and salted on top. It looked like it would be a crunchy cookie, but it was chewier and even with a lot of chocolate, didn’t taste too sweet. I thought there was a tad too many chocolate chunks. On the sandwich, Red Dessert Dive wasn’t stingy with the peanut butter and pear preserves. As someone who loves a good PB&J sandwich, I was intrigued by the choice to use pear preserves. I wasn’t disappointed. The consistency of the pear preserves reminded me of the filling in apple pie, because the
pieces of pear were soft. The pear and peanut butter flavors meshed well. I was most excited to dip into the banana pudding. The wafers were perfectly soft and the pudding was light and airy as if they mixed the pudding with whipped cream. Whether this is how they actually made it or not, I’m not sure, but this pudding had a creaminess I haven’t seen in other banana puddings. It tasted homemade and not as if it came out of a box. The iced sugar cookie, which was shaped like Texas, was decorated with the Astros’
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Freshii, 4720 Washington Ave., is turning 1 year old and celebrating by offering half off all smoothies through Sept. 30. The restaurant offers a healthy fast-food alternative, including wraps, bowls, salads, burritos, smoothies and juices. Vegan, gluten-free and dairyfree options are available. Stop by Freshii and ask for
the “anniversary smoothie.â€? Revival Market now selling alcohol Revival Market, the Heights craft butcher shop and cafĂŠ that serves breakfast and lunch at 550 Heights Blvd., is now serving a selection of wine, beer and cocktails. According to CultureMap, every bottle of wine will be priced under $60 for dine-in guests and a retail discount
Awesome Bites Co. now open The allergy-friendly bakery and ice cream shop, Awesome Bites Co., opened Aug. 17 at 2313 Edwards St.
Awesome Bites serves up treats without processed ingredients, with options for any dietary restrictions. From its Super Muffins, which are made with no sugar added and a full serving of fruits and vegetables, to its vegan ice cream and gluten-free vegan waffle cones, Awesome Bites provides an array of healthconscious treats.
From Staff Reports Party like it’s 1836, but with modern amenities and lots of free stuff. The Heritage Society and Mister McKinney’s Historic Houston are throwing a birthday bash to celebrate Houston’s turning 183 years old. The free party is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 in Connally Plaza at 1100 Bagby St., with free parking available in The Heritage Society parking lot between Allen Parkway and Dallas Street. There will be live music, complimentary food from Bollo Woodfired Pizza and beer donated by Saint Arnold Brewing Company as well as free soft drinks, water and a large birthday cake from Three
Contributed photo Mister McKinney’s Houston History Bus will be providing free tours during an Aug. 31 celebration of Houston’s 183rd birthday.
Brothers Bakery. Houston City Councilman Robert Gallegos will serve as honorary chairperson, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will be on
hand to cut the cake at about 5 p.m. The Heritage Society, funded in part by a city grant through the Houston Arts Al-
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Heritage Society to celebrate Houston’s 183rd birthday by hosting free party liance, will provide free tours of its homes and its museum will be open with no admission charge. Mister McKinney’s Houston History Bus, an open-air school bus, also will be on hand to offer free educational tours of downtown. Bus tours are scheduled for 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be available on a first come, first served basis. “Houston is a can-do city with challenges we continue to overcome, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to honor the legacy of those who made it possible,� McKinney said in a news release. Those planning to attend Houston’s birthday party are asked to RSVP at www.heritagesociety.org
Red Dessert Dive Address: 1045 Studewood St. Hours: 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday Pricing: $1-$11.50 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: No Star of the show: Banana pudding
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will be available for those taking a bottle home. The wine list aims to be accessible to diners during any time of day, whether they want a mimosa for breakfast or a glass of wine for lunch.
noticed it after I remembered it was supposed to be a flavor in the cupcake. While everything I tried was enjoyable to some degree, I’m still craving more banana pudding.
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Freshii celebrates one year By Zarah Parker
colors and had “Houston� written on it. The sugariness of the cookie didn’t come as a surprise, but it seemed like the icing had more than your typical sugar cookie. It was easy to eat and the cookie part was soft. But overall it didn’t stand apart from other sugar cookies. Three blueberries sat atop the cream cheese frosting of the blueberry lemon cupcake. The cupcake itself was dense with a few blueberries thrown in, and the frosting complemented that density with its creaminess. The blueberries tasted so fresh I would have believed they had just been picked. As for the lemon, I only
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Page 8A • Saturday, August 24, 2019 • The Leader
De Soto, from P. 1A riod of time, and suddenly there was a fleet. That’s really been within about the last four years. “We didn’t know what was going on. We had to deal with it, but we didn’t really know if we had a leg to stand on to fight it. As time passed, frustrations grew. … I know there are other communities in Houston where this would not happen or wouldn’t even be a conversation.” Soto did not respond to text messages seeking comment, and his business did not respond to an email seeking comment. The Williams are not alone in opposing Soto Ready Mix’s application to operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week. State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, who serves the neighborhood, continues to try to prevent the batch plant from doing business there. “We’re still fighting it,” Johnson said. With approval of Soto Ready Mix’s operating permit appearing imminent, the Williams family isn’t sure what to do. They’re bracing for the possibility that they might have to live next to a concrete batch plant. “It’s the only house our grandkids have ever known, but we don’t enjoy it like we used to at all,” Donna Williams said. “We can’t enjoy the yard. We can’t even enjoy it in the house. “I drive around Houston and see other plants like this with nothing around them. For them to set up shop directly in the middle of a neighborhood is disrespectful.” Little help available Environmental nonprofit organization Air Alliance Houston has been a driving force in public opposition to the plant. Air Alliance’s Corey Williams, who is not related to David and Donna Williams, said emissions from such plants can spray everything from visible dust to micron-level particulates into the air, having
Donna Williams said has kept her family up late at night and awoken them as early as 4 a.m. According to Soto’s permit, production capacity is 180 cubic yards per hour. Corey Williams said the average capacity of a truck is 8 cubic yards, meaning 23 truckloads coming and going per hour. “All of these things are not appreciated by the neighbors,” he said.
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann The view of a proposed concrete batch plant site on De Soto Street from the home of Acres Homes residents David and Donna Williams.
an impact on quality of life. “The idea you would have a facility like that so close to a property line is offensive,” Corey Williams said. The first air emissions permit Soto applied for in December 2017 was denied because the plant wasn’t far enough away from the property line. A subsequent application, submitted in October 2018, is the one now being considered. With no zoning laws in Houston, city officials have declared their hands tied. Baker, in his official Response to Comments (RTC) regarding the De Soto site, said that given the TCEQ’s limited authority – it addresses concerns on a case-by-case basis – all it can do is ensure a company works within the permit’s parameters, which includes limiting particulate matter emissions. The problem there, according to Corey Williams, is the plants can be difficult to maintain. He said a Houston Health Department study in 2016, involving the unannounced inspection of 39 batch plants in the city, revealed 44 violations. “For whatever reason, they’re not staying within the parameters of their permit, and it leads us to believe that’s an industry
standard,” he said. “There are consequences for that, especially when these facilities are located so close to residences and parks and other sensitive areas.” It’s already presented an issue for the Williams family. Donna Williams said one of her grandkids has asthma that’s induced by allergies that have been aggravated by airborne dust, and that she’s experienced respiratory issues within the last year she believes was the result of fumes and toxins from the plant that have permeated the air. TCEQ spokesperson Martha Otero said Soto Ready Mix can begin site clearance and site preparation prior to the permit being issued. However, construction and operation of facilities that require the air permit may not begin before issuance. The Williams family already has been impacted. “There’s been fly ash and fumes,” Donna Williams said. “From the soot and smoke that settled on our roof and plants and cars, it’s ridiculous. … If there was something where the entire community didn’t want me there, I wouldn’t want to be there.” Additionally, there’s the nuisance of noise from jackhammers and truck traffic, which
What to do? One recourse residents such as the Williams’ have had, after pleading with city council members and state representatives, is submitting a request for a contested case hearing in order to spell out why the plant would be harmful to the neighborhood. According to Corey Williams, there are 94 requests the TCEQ is now considering -- out of roughly 130 occupied parcels of land within the buffer zone of the site. However, no such hearings have been scheduled. To have standing for a contested case hearing, a person must live within a quarter mile of any proposed site. “This is a pilot program for us, to test the bounds of the public participation process and see if it’s theatre or if the participation can actually have an influence on the outcome,” Corey Williams said. “The public is engaged to a degree I’ve never seen, and I haven’t met a person yet who wants this in the neighborhood.” In Donna Williams’ eyes, they’re fighting for the life of their neighborhood. Hundreds of Acres Homes residents have battled for two years and don’t plan to stop now. “There’s no beginning or end here,” she said. “It’s brought a lot of frustration, disappointment and disbelief that something like this is even an issue.”
Lathan, from P. 1A
Cotton, from P. 1A
likely. Another of the district’s chronically underperforming schools received yet another failing grade from the TEA, which likely will trigger a 2015 state law that leaves Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath with two options if a school fails to meet state academic standards for five consecutive years. He can close Wheatley High School, a consistently underperforming campus that received an F grade of 59 this year, or replace the board that oversees the largest school district in Texas. Even one of the HISD board members, Jolanda Jones, suggested the latter option might be beneficial for the district, which the TEA gave an overall B grade of 88 for the 2018-19 academic year. Jones praised Lathan’s work and apologized to her on behalf of the board, which allegedly violated state open meetings laws when it voted her out in October 2018 (Lathan was reinstated shortly thereafter). “I never thought I would ever say that an elected board needed to be replaced, but the alternative is worse,” Jones said. “Imagine if Dr. Lathan had had the freedom to do what she knows to do, we wouldn’t have any schools in (improvement required status). I’m not a betting person, but I’m willing to bet you money – a penny – that when we get out of her way, we’re not going to have these struggling schools, because she is an expert at what she does.” On Aug. 16, a day after Jones made those comments at Kashmere, HISD filed an amended complaint in its federal lawsuit against the TEA, Morath and Doris Delaney, whom the commissioner appointed as a state conservator for HISD. The 49-page complaint seeks an injunction against the TEA and challenges the preliminary findings of its investigation, including that open meetings laws were violated, and asserts that Morath and the TEA initiated the investigation with a predetermined goal of replacing the HISD trustees with a board of managers. The complaint also alleges that Morath had no authority to appoint a conservator to oversee the entire district, the conservator had no authority to suspend the district’s search for a permanent superintendent earlier this year and that replacing the elected trustees would be discriminatory because voters in the district are predominantly people of color. The complaint also questioned the predicament involving Wheatley, which failed to meet state academic standards for the seventh consecutive year. HISD can appeal the TEA’s rating for Wheatley, which received a failing grade by a margin of one point, but Lathan said that won’t necessarily happen. Barring a successful appeal, Morath will make the final determination whether to close the Fifth Ward campus or replace the HISD board as outlined in House Bill 1842, which the Texas Legislature enacted in 2015. Morath spoke about the accountability ratings Aug. 15 at Aldine ISD’s Stephens Elementary, but did not discuss HISD and did not take questions from reporters. However, two state legislators on hand indicated a state takeover is a near certainty. “There has to be some intervention. At least that’s what I believe the commissioner believes,” State Rep. Dan Huberty said. “… We want what’s best for all those kids … and shutting a campus down is not
ered around the party tables were the children of Cotton’s friends, but because she had been such an integral part of their lives, they felt a kinship to her as well. “Naomi was the first person to ever hold me,” Judy Blankenburg said. “She and my mother were first-grade (friends) and remained friends until my mother died in 2010.” Blankenburg said Cotton is more like family to her than most of her actual family. Mike and Sandra McBee called Cotton an angel. “Think about your very best friend, and let’s say you can think of 14 characteristics about them and there’s probably 11 that are good, but three that kind of bug you,” Mike said. “I don’t have any with Naomi that bug me. She’s just that sweet of a person.” Sandra has known Cotton since she was born, while Mike said he was “adopted” into the family by Cotton after he and Sandra got together. The McBees, who have been married 53 years, credit Cotton with helping their wedding day go smoothly. Cotton was the one who convinced Sandra’s mom, who wasn’t a fan of Mike at the time, to attend the wedding. Kay Sellers has known Cotton her whole life and said she seems to care about everybody. Many describe her as loving and hospitable. “Always serving with a smile,” Mike Sellers said. He explained how Cotton and her late husband, LeRoy, were always quick to lend a hand to help those in need. Attendees of the party weren’t just family and old friends, but past nurses. “She just had such a positive attitude and was very optimistic,” said Andrea McMillian, who served as Cotton’s speech therapist in May. The love Cotton exudes toward others, and in turn the love people show her, is the reason Shirley McLeroy believes Cotton has a thriving spirit as she enters her 100th year. “(The Cottons) were the perfect example of the loving Christian family, of what God meant for it to be to be a Christian and serve God,” McLeroy said. “(Cotton is) a wonderful, godly, Christian woman. She’s been a good example for me in my life and she’s been a special part of all my life.” From horse and buggy to airplanes Cotton was born in 1919 and ever since has tried to make the best out of every
Photo by Adam Zuvanich Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath could replace Houston ISD’s trustees with a state-appointed board of managers.
what’s best for those kids.” Added State Sen. Paul Bettencourt: “The bottom line is that the performance of the board of HISD, the board of trustees, has been abhorrent and needs to be fixed. I believe it’s past time for the state to do something about it, because the board’s done nothing to fix their own problems. I believe that having a board of governors is the right answer.” State Rep. Jarvis Johnson, who attended the celebration at Kashmere, echoed those sentiments. He said many of his family members are Wheatley graduates and closing the school would “destroy the fabric of that neighborhood,” so he doesn’t see that as a viable option. “The board should be on the way out,” he said. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who spoke at the Kashmere event along with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, backed the board by saying there should be no state takeover. She also said no individual schools should be closed. HISD trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, who along with Elizabeth Santos represents the schools in the area, also attended the Kashmere celebration and said she hopes Wheatley enjoys a similar improvement between now and next year. That would mean the campus stays open, which could mean she no longer would be a board member. “My priority is not this seat that I sit in. The TEA can take my seat,” SkillernJones said. “I don’t want them to stop the work that happens. That’s where my priorities are.” Lathan didn’t speculate about the future of the HISD board. She said her concern is preparing the district, which serves more than 200,000 students, for the first day of classes on Monday. She got a vote of confidence from Jones, who said Lathan should be named superintendent on a permanent basis. The state lawmakers Bettencourt and Huberty, while stopping short of endorsing Lathan, said her performance is not hindering the performance of HISD and its schools. “I’ve never had a criticism for the interim superintendent and I will not, because she’s not the problem,” Bettencourt said. “The problem’s the board of trustees, and everybody out there knows it. And that’s what needs to be replaced.” Are you on Twitter? If so, follow editor Adam Zuvanich @AZuvanich Follow The Leader on Twitter and Instagram @FromTheLeader
Neighbors, from P. 7A from Rice University. He and his wife, Jane, led the “Sounds of Celebration” choir for nearly 20 years at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Houston. O’Fiel has been a Sunshiner for more than a decade and plays the ukulele. Leighton is an accomplished musician who plays piano, mandolin, guitar, flute, bassoon, andsings, and she is also a busy mother of five who now adds “grandmother” to her list of titles. Ed Copeland started playing professionally in a club when he was 16, and his dad had to go with him because he was a minor. He traveled the Midwest with the Tiny Hill Band and other dance acts, including The Army Band and Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. He played in dinner clubs, Holiday on Ice, Ice Capades, Barnes & Carruthers Show Company, a group from NASA now called JSC Jazz Band, and he plays every week with Over The Hill Gang (now known as the Lafayette Jazz Band), a Dixieland band. Ed still writes music and scores for shows at times. Ed started playing piano at age 5, the clarinet at age 8, and also plays the saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin and viola. Ed joined the band in 2014 and has played horns and bass guitar. Jane couldn’t help wanting to join in the fun, so she joined the Sunshiners as a percussionist in 2017. The group was 10 members strong until recently when the Copelands, married 63 years, retired from the group and Mytchak, the remaining founding member, has gone on sabbatical. The three musicians and friends will be missed. The band has had many changes and lost some dear friends over the last four years, but it’s welcomed new members Vandenburg on the ukulele, Worrell, who plays ukulele, guitar and piano, and Cherry, who plays a mean bass. The group is lovingly supportive of one another and takes daily life with a dollop of humor. They seem to have more fun than a barrel of monkeys – and the group is open to new members, but generally anyone interested should play an instrument and if they sing, that’s a bonus. You are invited to join in the fun and come show your stuff at one of their practice sessions – even if you haven’t touched an instrument in years. Each member is unique and stands out in some singular way – it’s quite a group making a beautiful sound. If you would like to learn more about the Sunshiners, visit their website at www.sunshinersband.com or contact 713364-2425.
Photo by Zarah Parker Naomi Cotton, left, greets a well-wisher at her 100th birthday party.
situation life has handed her. “I’ll tell you what, you just have to learn day by day how to take care of the changes,” Cotton said. “Just like I was raised without running water in the house, and without electricity and we had to make do.” Born and raised in Austin during the Great Depression, Cotton’s family never had a lot of money. As a young girl her family’s first bathtub floated to them, literally. A storm had caused flooding in Austin. Commodes and bathtubs still in crates, which were supposed to go into a new hotel, were lifted away by the flood waters and carried down river. Cotton’s father fished a bathtub out of the water and brought it home. “They put it on the back porch at our house,” Cotton said. “We didn’t have water in the house. We had to carry water from the well in a bucket. Mother put nails in the ceiling of the porch and took two sheets and hung it. We took a bath on the back porch.” Cotton’s first job was picking cotton for her uncle. After picking 18 pounds of cotton she made 25 cents. Her next money-making venture was selling baby rats to kids at school for a penny. Walters said that is probably what inspired her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit. At 18, she eloped with LeRoy Cotton. The couple was two months’ shy of their 80th anniversary when he died. The Cottons moved into a small house on 24th Street. They welcomed people into their home, especially those who had nowhere else to go, including during the holidays. “She was the oldest of four girls,” said Altha Garrett, Cotton’s sister. “I was the youngest, and literally she was like a mother to me. She was always there. She was always willing to help. When I got out of school I could come and stay with her until I got a job.”
The Cottons were married 23 years before they had their one and only daughter, Delsie. Barbara Darilek said when she moved in next door to Cotton, she must have brought her luck as she was pregnant herself. The pair would go on to be lasting friends. Cotton took to sewing as an adult. She could create just about anything and everything with or without a pattern. Cotton even made wedding dresses within one week’s time. “Growing up, we were probably really poor, but I didn’t know it,” Walters said. “She could sew anything I wanted or make anything I wanted. So it was very enjoyable. I had a wonderful childhood.” But soon Cotton was known as the cake maker. Almost everyone at her 100th birthday party said they had at one time in their life a cake made by Cotton. First, she’d make cakes for family members, but word spread and soon she had a dining room table full of cakes ready to be picked up every weekend. Most notably, she made a cake for a young Joel Osteen. With her cakes, Walters said her mother was ahead of her time. She would take food coloring and water and paint with a paint brush or draw anything on the cakes that the person wanted. “I’ve always been fascinated by cakes,” Cotton said. “When I got to where I couldn’t do what I wanted with the icing tubes, I’d draw it. Then later I’d carve the cake out and make it threedimensional.” Walters said hospitality is her mother’s gift. Cotton loves to entertain and loves a good party with a theme. And if Cotton was throwing the party, the theme was carried out in all aspects of the party. And while on her 100th birthday Cotton was a queen for a day, her loved ones always think of her as a queen.