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Serving hospitality on a platter Restaurant manager Naro Mak of Hartz Crispy Chicken on Pinemont has a simple philosophy -- do what’s within your capacity. The motto has served him well in taking care of our neighbors, and for that, he has been selected as our 2018 Leader of the Year.

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INSIDE.

2018

Year in Review: Bookmarked by progress, controversy

Passion in poetry.

One local poetry group has taken the art to a new level.

Page 2B

More to come - Mitch Cohen looks back at his 2018 columns and previews what’s to come

Page 7A

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Texas Central CEO Carlos Aguilar and Mayor Sylvester Turner announce the old Northwest Mall site as the Houston station for the high-speed rail project in February New and improved. The Omni Houston Hotel recently revealed a $30 million renovation

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Team Work Troop 24987 gets together for a greater good.

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THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 8A Puzzles...................................................... 3A

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Houston ISD Trustee Diana Davila addresses the media during an October press conference.

Compiled by Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com This past year brought plenty of new community issues to the forefront, and seemingly consisted of much community controversy, or seemed that way with a quick scan of 2018 Leader headlines – but the year also brought plenty of positive developments on many fronts.

Our top stories of the year compiled by our staff, though highlighted by plenty of hot button topics that caused quite a stir within the community, also brought news of a constantly evolving development landscape and continued Harvey recovery efforts. From GOMO’s bankruptcy battle, the Houston-to-Dallas high-speed rail, and HISD controversy to several Heights staples calling it quits, a continued development boom, progress on flood mitigation and more, 2018 showcased a wide array of stories that didn’t discriminate in defining this past year.

The stories chosen were not placed below in any particular order, but we did our best to place the most relevant near the top.

See 2018 Review P. 8A

Photo supplied Whole Foods 365 made its entry into the Heights, becoming the first in a revolution of grocers either here now or soon to make their way to local neighborhoods.

Memorial Park golf course to close Jan. 7

By Jonathan McElvy jonathan@mcelvymedia.com The city of Houston has notified local golfers – specifically those who live in the Inner Loop area – that Memorial Park will close in less than two weeks.

The closure is part of the city’s plan to bring the PGA Tour’s Houston Open back into the city limits. For nearly 40 years, the event has been held in either Missouri City, The Woodlands or Humble.

In an email sent to area golfers on Wednesday, the Memorial Park Conservancy and the Astros Golf Foundation will attend a Jan. 2 meeting of the Houston City Council and request final approval for a $13.5 million renovation of Memorial Park Golf Course. If, and when, the request is granted, the last day of golf will be Jan. 6 and renovations will begin the next day.

The Astros Golf Foundation will tell City Council members that they have, or will raise, the $13.5 million from private funds for the renovation, including a new driving range and new maintenance facility at the course.

By all accounts, the Jan. 2 Houston City Council meeting is just a formality. World-renowned course architect Tom Doak, who has designed courses such as Pacific Dunes in Oregon and Ballyneal in Colorado, has already been hired to renovate the course.

In its email to golfers, the city’s Parks Department answered a number of other questions about the impact of this renovation.

If weather allows the renovation to stay on schedule, the grand opening of the renovated Memorial Park would be held in October 2019. That means the course will be closed for 10 months. One year later, the course will hold its first Houston Open, which is now sponsored by the Astros Golf Foundation.

Many golfers who have enjoyed the relatively low cost (around $40 for 18 holes) of playing at Memorial Park have questioned how steep the green-fee increases will be for playing a Tour-quality course. According to the city, though, the only rate increases will come from a previously decided increase at all city of Houston courses. The city’s indication is that the increase will not be steep.

See Golf P. 4A

MANNA opening food pantry on Little York

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com Ministry Assistance of the Near Northwest Alliance (MANNA) has been a key resource for Carolyn Galloway, a 58-year-old area resident who relies on the nonprofit to help feed her family.

Galloway said she has a fixed income consisting of social security and disability benefits, which makes it difficult to help provide for her seven grandchildren. She has gotten groceries from MANNA’s food pantry for more than two years, but that service has been unavailable for the last three months.

At the end of September MANNA was forced to close its pantry at Tem-

Photo by Adam Zuvanich A MANNA volunteer takes a break from stocking shelves at the organization’s food pantry.

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ple Oaks Baptist Church, where it operated for 13 years, because the building at 34th Street and Oak Forest Drive was sold and vacated. That left a void for people such as Galloway, one of about 10,000 Houstonians served by MANNA’s food pantry in 2017.

But MANNA will soon get back to feeding families in need. It plans to open a new pantry Jan. 7 at 5706 W Little York Rd., where the 1,850 squarefoot space already is stocked with more than 10,000 pounds of food.

“I’m so happy,” Galloway said. “I’ve been missing them. It’s very important.

They’ve really helped out.”

Opening a new food pantry is equally exciting for MANNA, which was founded in 1989 and has withstood

arguably its most difficult stretch. Executive director Nia Amuzie said the organization’s primary revenue stream was its resale store at 1806 W 43rd St., which was destroyed by arson in August 2017.

MANNA also has a new thrift shop in the works. Amuzie said it signed a five-year contract in May at the building at 3425 Couch St., which is being renovated with a targeted opening date of late January or February.

Amuzie said MANNA is seeking donations to help cover the estimated renovation costs of $83,000. It has raised about $15,000 to date.

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Page 2A • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • The Leader

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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • Page 3A

Old newshound learning new tricks

T

wenty years in the newspaper business provides plenty of noteworthy experiences, along with lots of hastily scribbled, barely legible notes. I’ve got more of both than I care to count.

And if that doesn’t make me sound old, let me tell you about the time I filed a story by taking the phone jack out of an ATM machine and plugging it into my laptop. That was back in the days of dial-up internet, well before WiFi, but at least I was using a computer and not a typewriter.

Fast forward to Dec. 18, the second day of my sixth week as editor of The Leader, and I received a call on my new iPhone. Boy, have I come a long way.

Anyway, I soon felt a little like a giddy little boy and a lot like a cub reporter all over again. I had been tipped off about a fire at Houston Heights Towers and, within a few minutes, bolted out of the office building less than a few miles away.

Now, just to be clear, there is no reason to be happy about a fire in a senior-citizen community in the heart of a major city. Such situations typically end in tragedy.

Thankfully, in this case, only property was lost and not any lives.

With that said, covering a fire is akin to a rite of passage for journalists. And this was my first, which made me feel like I had

Adam

Zuvanich Editor

officially graduated from being a sportswriter and now was a bona fide news man.

My first two months as a news reporter have been filled with firsts, starting with my first election story on my second day on the job. There also was my first time using a real camera (I haven’t broken it yet), my first call to the Houston Police Department (they haven’t stopped answering yet), my first interview with Santa Claus (he hadn’t delivered any toys yet) and my first member meeting at a fraternal lodge (they haven’t built a pool yet).

Perhaps nothing was more exhilarating than writing my first beer column, although it wasn’t exactly hard news. I’m just glad Zuvie’s Brews hasn’t been squashed yet.

The point of all this is I’ve thoroughly enjoyed leading The Leader, and I hope you all have continued to enjoy reading it.

Community news is our bread and butter, and we’re not going to stray from that, but I’ve implemented a

few changes that I believe will take the area’s leading news source to new heights.

We’ve modified our calendar,

for one, so you can find more events of more types and all in one place. We’ve also made a push to improve our product online

Lynn Ashby Columnist

El Tiempo Mexican restaurant endured protests and calls for a boycott after owner Roland Laurenzo posted a photo on social media with him and then-Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, with a caption saying it was an “honor” to serve him.

No Sweat: Honeywell Fans released its annual list of America’s Sweatiest Cities.

Austin is No. 8 and Dallas is No. 4. Orlando was No. 1.

Houston didn’t even make the list.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Lupe Valdez’s Beretta 9mm was reported missing. The pistol was issued to her back when she was Dallas County sheriff. It was later found in the sheriff ’s department property room, and the interim sheriff apologized.

An Enron Around the Sentence: Jeff Skilling was given a 24-year prison term and fined $45 million, but he should be released in February from a halfway house.

Lynn Redden, the superintendent of the Onalaska ISD, about 100 miles north of Houston, said he wished he never posted a comment on the Facebook page, saying “you can’t count on a black quarterback.” Redden later resigned.

In his obituary, Troy Caldwell will be identified as “the Astros’ fan who may have cost the team the 2018 World Series championship.”

In the fourth game of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park, Jose Altuve hit a ball that appeared to be a tworun homer, but Mookie Betts and Caldwell, sitting in the first row of right field, both went for the ball, or so the umpires ruled. Fan interference. Altuve was out, and the Astros lost 8-6.

SNL’s Pete Davidson said then-Houston Congressional candidate (and later winner) Dan Crenshaw “looked like a hit man in a porno movie” because Crenshaw wore a black patch over one eye. Davidson didn’t know the patch was the result of a roadside explosion Crenshaw, a Navy SEAL, suffered in Afghanistan. The next week SNL had Crenshaw on the program so that Davidson could personally apologize.

Blessed are the peacemakers: “It’s no longer a party.

It’s some kind of religion that is basically godless.” – A view of the Democratic Party

by Dr. Ed Young, senior pastor of Houston’s Second Baptist Church.

Cross Coburn, who served as an openly gay councilman in Groves, was ousted in a recall election nine months after he was told that City Hall had received an anonymous package of nude photos that Coburn had sent in private messages on a dating app. Those photos were later sent to the local news media, after which supporters of a petition to remove him questioned whether he fit the “moral standards” of the city.

Wish You Were Still Here: Texan owner Bob McNair and George H. W. Bush.

Curb Your Enthusiasm (Party Pooper Dept.) – The underdog Texas A&M football team defeated the LSU Tigers 74-72 at College Station after seven overtimes.

Email azuvanich@theleadernews. com

THE READER.

News You Can Lose The Year of Our Lord 2018 has come to an end, thank the Lord. It was a year that gave the nation a monstrous hurricane, mass shootings, turmoil in the White House and an election that handed the U.S. House over to the Democrats to clean up the mess, which is like being made commander of Pearl Harbor on December 8th. So let’s try to clean up the mess around the state before Texas Monthly beats us to it with their Bum Steer Awards.

Topic of Cancer: The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was shared by Dr. James P. Allison of The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, which made a huge deal out of the honor. He did the work recognized by the Nobel committee while working the University of California at Berkeley and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, not at M.D. Anderson, but we’ll take the credit anyway.

For the third straight year, the Dallas Cowboys are ranked Number 1 in the value of sports franchises worldwide at $4.8 billion, according to Forbes. That’s a 14 percent increase from 2017.

The Texans are ranked 19th at $2.8 billion, the Rockets are 40th at $2.2 billion. The Astros didn’t make the cut among the top 50 franchises, but they still did well.

Check, please: Some idiots made such a commotion that Sen. Ted Cruz and his wife had to leave a Washington, D.C. restaurant. The demonstrators were upset over Cruz’s stance on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Cruz later returned.

A sign on the wall of a Houston ISD middle school was removed after it landed the state’s largest school district in the middle of controversy a week before the new school year even began. The sign, which read, “The more you act like a lady, the more he’ll act like a gentleman,” previously was displayed above a bank of lockers inside a girls’ locker room at Gregory Lincoln, a K-8 school. Some thought it was sexist.

Quoth the McRaven: “Suck rocks, you draft dodger:” Bill McRaven, the former UT Systems chancellor who grew up in San Antonio and engineered the raid on Osama bin Laden, told President Trump via the Washington Post this about his decision to strip the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan: “I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.”

Nacho Average Customer:

at theleadernews.com, providing more stories more often and more immediately, so you don’t have to wait a whole week to find out what’s happening and why.

Look for more new features after the first of the year, including some in-depth projects we have in the works. Along those lines, I’m in the process of making my first hire, another news reporter who will provide more ideas and more compelling stories that impact the community.

It’s a community I’ve already embraced, and it’s welcomed me as well. I love seeing people’s faces light up when I tell them I’m from The Leader, which has happened much more often than not.

Of course, not everyone has been glad to see me or willing to talk to me. That’s OK and also understandable. Sometimes reporters show up unannounced and uninvited, with a camera and a notebook and asking questions that do not want to be answered.

It’s all part of the newspaper experience, and I could go for another 20 years’ worth.

I’ve just got to make sure the wireless signal works and the notebooks don’t pile too high. And the fewer fires, the better.

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Starving the Watchdog

Thinking they had won, LSU players dumped Gatorade on their coach. When the game was finally over, joyous Aggies swarmed the field, so the SEC fined the Aggies $50,000, or about the price of a good linebacker.

We’re Number One! Texas led the nation in children without health insurance as the number of its youngest uninsured jumped last year. An estimated 835,000 Texas children went without health insurance in 2017, an increase of about 80,000, or more than 10 percent, from 2016.

At least we didn’t get another Harvey, but FEMA assures us help is on the way.

Ashby is odd news at ashby2@comcast.net

Dear Editor: I made my voluntary Leader contribution before I heard the NPR program “Hidden Brain” episode entitled “Starving the Watchdog: Who Foots the Bill When Newspapers Disappear?” It makes some very interesting points about the relationship of a newspaper presence and the behavior of politicians and others trusted with our welfare as well as municipal bond rates.

Newspapers on every level, whether a major city daily or a community weekly like The Leader, serve as watchdogs. Just like The Chronicle reports on the goings on at the city, state and national level, The Leader reports on the behaviors of our local elected and appointed officials as well as the state of our neighborhood.

Newspapers have a crucial role in the knowledge level of the residents of our city and country. Many times, TV newscasters make reference to a report in a newspaper as a basis for their stories. Newspaper reporters have the time and space for well-researched and complete coverage of an issue, TV news has a 30 minute total time slot.

For those who “don’t have time to read”, you are missing out on a vital piece of our culture that stands in real danger of being eliminated.

I will continue to support The Leader for as long as I can.

Ellen Watkins

SJL - Round 2

Dear Editor: You may recall my previous letter to the editor noting that Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee’s staff informed me that she rarely reads her emails. Therefore, when the stop gap budget bill was being considered by the House of Representatives on 12/20/18, I phoned her D.C. office to express my opinion. A woman answer the phone and said

See Readers P. 4A

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Powder mineral 5. Ten million (in India) 10. Culture medium and a gelling agent 14. Cain and __ 15. Bullfighting maneuvers 16. Baseball’s Ruth 17. Venice beach 18. Infirm due to old age 19. Attentiveness 20. Mortify 22. Whale (Norwegian) 23. Family Bufonidae 24. “A Passage to India” author 27. Ocean 30. Dad’s partner 31. Owned 32. Swiss river 35. Female golf star Gibson 37. Base 38. A way to summons 39. Acquit 40. Male parent 41. Brendan Francis __, author 42. Rattan 43. Aromatic hot beverage 44. Inflorescence 45. Former CIA 46. Make lace 47. Airborne (abbr.)

48. Thieving bird 49. H. Potter’s creator

52. Frequency 55. Nothing 56. More lucid 60. Riding mount 61. Deducted container weight 63. Molten rock 64. In this place 65. Ancient upright stone slab bearing markings 66. Rumanian Mures River city 67. Mentioned before 68. An heir (civil law) 69. Without (French)

dOwn 1. W. Samoan monetary unit 2. Baby’s feeding apparel 3. Queen of Sparta 4. Shut 5. Certified public accountant 6. Payment for release 7. Red twig dogwood 8. Basked in 9. Midway between E and SE 10. A way to detest 11. Mother of Cronus 12. In bed 13. Bolsheviks 21. Farro wheat 23. CNN’s Turner

25. Farmers of America 26. Small amount 27. __ and Venzetti 28. Hers in Spanish 29. Belongs to sun god 32. Expressed pleasure 33. Small terrestrial lizard 34. Regenerate 36. Own (Scottish) 37. The cry made by sheep 38. Chest muscle (slang) 40. Explode 41. Notice 43. Pitch 44. Run due to the batter 46. Fight referee declares 47. Alternate forms of a gene 49. Shifted in sailing 50. One who cables 51. Elaborate celebrations 52. Expresses pleasure 53. Carbamide 54. Persian in Afghanistan 57. 1st capital of Japan 58. Welsh for John 59. Radioactivity units 61. Tanzanian shilling 62. Hyrax

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • The Leader

THINGS TO DO. The Arts

Josh Abbott Band. Tickets $25.

The Tontons Friday, Dec. 28 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. The Tontons and Black Pumas are performing at The Heights Theater.

Charlie Sexton Saturday, Dec. 29 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Charlie Sexton with special guest Kelly Doyle will be performing with Bonnie Montgomery at The Heights Theater.

Los Skarnales Sunday, Dec. 23 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

The Heights Theater – 339 W. 19th St. Los Skarnales with special guests The Modern Juans will be preforming at The Heights Theater.

Koe Wetzel Friday, Dec. 28 8 p.m.

White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Koe Wetzel headlines, with support from Kody West.

Advanced ticket: $15, day of show: $20.

Toadies Saturday, Dec. 29 7 p.m.

White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Toadies headlines with support from In The Whale.

Advanced ticket: $27.50, day of show: $30.

Washed Out Sunday, Dec. 30 7 p.m.

White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Washed Out headlines with support from MACK and Miers.

Josh Abbott Band Monday, Dec. 31 7 p.m.

White Oak Music Hall – 2915 N. Main St. Celebrate the New Year with

Bifurcation Show Through Jan. 31 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

HCC West Loop Art Gallery 5601 W. Loop South Oak Forest resident, Sculptor James Ciosek’s new series of paintings, “Bifurcation,” will be displayed at HCC West Loop Art Gallery, 5601 West Loop South, through Jan. 31.

The Markets Little White Oak Night Market Saturday, Dec. 29 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Sideout Volleybar – 2623 Keene St. The Little White Oak Night Market brings together local farmers, craft merchandisers, and artists.

Eleanora’s Market Saturday, Dec. 29 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cavatore – 2120 Ella Blvd.

There will be local growers, makers, designers, artisans and food producers.

Heights Morning Market Sunday, Dec. 30 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 Lessons and carols service at St. Stephen’s Sunday, Dec. 30 10:30 a.m.

St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church - 2003 W. 43rd St. St. Stephen’s will have a special “Lessons and Carols” service, a retelling of the Christmas story through songs, Scripture readings and special music by the choir and musicians. All are welcome

Golf from P. 1A St. Matthew’s Blood Drive Sunday, Dec. 30 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church - 4300 N. Shepherd St. Matthew’s will host a blood drive. This event is in honor of Heath Turner, who is undergoing cancer treatments. Blood donors are welcome to worship, and stay for a baked potato luncheon afterward. The community is invited to attend the 10:30 a.m.

Christmas Eve morning worship service. The community is welcome to attend the 7 p.m.

Candlelight Service.

Sound of the Chakras New Year’s Eve event Monday, Dec. 31 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Kindred Church Sanctuary 2515 Waugh Dr. Spend this New Year’s Eve celebrating with a powerful and profound experience while balancing and harmonizing our chakras through visualization, meditation and sound vibration.

Please bring yoga mat or blanket and anything else needed for an extended deep relaxation session. The cost is $40 preregistered or $50 at the door.

Women’s Bible Study Group Monday, Dec. 31 6:30 p.m.

YMCA –1234 W. 34th St. The Women’s Bible Study meets every Monday at the Harriet and Joe Foster YMCA. The new Bible study will be the Parables of Jesus, six in depth studies connecting the Bible to life. 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, Jan. 3 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.

Fun & Games Discs and Donuts Saturday, Dec. 29 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Eureka Heights Brew Co – 941 West 18th St. Bring your own vinyl to this party featuring DJ party boy, donuts by Hugs & Donuts, and retro cartoons.

New Year’s Day PJ Party Tuesday, Jan. 1 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Bungalow Heights – 1919 Beall St. Come to Bungalow Heights for brunch on New Year’s Day in your PJs. Harry Potter Trivia Wednesday, Jan. 2 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

King’s BierHaus – 2044 E. T.C. Jester King’s BierHaus is throwing a Harry Potter Inspired Trivia Night. They’ll be releasing an entire Harry Potter inspired food and beverage menu for one night only. Trivia begins at 7pm with an 8 per team max. Prizes will also be fully themed for Harry Potter.

Thursday Night Bingo Thursday, Jan. 4 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.

Community Dance Saturday, Dec. 31 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

SPJST Lodge 88 - 1435 Beall St. The SPJST Lodge 88 will host a New Year’s Eve dance. The country western band Wade Andrew Smith and Driftwood will be featured. The cost is $45.

Happy hour Friday, Dec. 28 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Noted – 1901 Lawrence Come sip and shop every Friday at Noted. They’ll pop a bottle of something as you shop or just get to know the owners.

Readers from P. 3A “hello” without identifying herself, then immediately transferred me to a guy. I told him that I would like to see SJL vote to give Trump the $5 billion for the border wall.

His comment was “Yeah, that ain’t gonna happen.” and he hung up on me.

SJL’s office staff are unprofessional, and the Congresswoman represents Houston poorly. She refuses to seal the border with a wall, while exposing Houstonians to crime and an influx of unskilled, unneeded labor from Central America. She keeps wages low for hard working day laborers in her district by allowing illegal immigration. Those that don’t get jobs, then go on welfare. Moreover, I suspect that many of the hit-and-run traffic crimes in Houston are caused by uninsured illegal aliens fearing deportation if caught.

Although Democrats have supported funding border security in the past, their sheer hatred for Trump is putting us at risk.

Democrats are also trying to set Trump up for a defeat in 2020 by creating a Bush-like reversal of a promise - remember “read my lips, no new taxes”? They call the border wall “immoral” because they prefer to use drones and other electronic surveillance which do not prevent entry into the USA. Once the illegal immigrants are here, it is difficult or impossible to deport them, thus Democrats can claim they support border security when none actually exists.

SJL needs to be replaced in the 2020 election. She is not good for Houston or America.

R. Johnson

1700 West 43 rd at Rosslyn 713-682-4942 Pastor – Dr. Richard Walters

Gethsemane Lutheran Church 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

We invite you to worship with us!

Weekly Worship Services 9:00 a.m.

Sunday School & Bible Classes 10:30 am Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m. www.gethsemanelutheran.org

Sunday Morning Worship 8:30 and 11:00 Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults 9:40

Ministries for All Ages Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor

2003 W. 43rd St. ◆ 713-686-8241 ◆ s t s u m c . o r g

Manna from P. 1A up from the ashes again,” Amuzie said.

Despite being cashstrapped and homeless, Amuzie said MANNA has continued to carry out its mission by tapping into its savings. The nonprofit’s financial assistance program, which helps beneficiaries cover costs such as rent and utilities, provided about $2,000 this year.

Amuzie said MANNA provided Kroger gift cards to about 200 families before Thanksgiving. Using goods collected from the Houston Food Bank, it also participated in the annual “Share Your Christmas” drive on Dec. 20.

Margaret Brewer, who called herself a “full-time volunteer” director of MANNA’s food pantry, said it typically fed about 1,000 people per month when it was located at Temple Oaks Baptist Church.

She said individuals must earn less than $18,000 per year to qualify to use the food pantry, which does not turn away any first-time visitors.

“You never know who’s coming through that door,” Brewer said. “But you help people, they appreciate you. I see a lot of our clients now in the grocery stores. They come up and hug me and say, ‘How are you?’ and everything. It’s just like family.”

Brewer expects the new pantry, located just west of Acres Homes, to better serve its surrounding community.

Residents near West Little York Road and Antoine Drive typically have lower incomes than those in Oak Forest, where MANNA’s pantry was stationed for more than a decade.

Amuzie said MANNA plans to reach out to nearby schools, such as Smith Elementary across the street, to promote its services.

“More people (in need) can get to them now,” Galloway said. “A lot of people don’t have transportation and count on a bus line. They can walk to them now.”

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Incomplete The GiftInformation, of Joy Complete Obedience

By Pastor Will Cover Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org

By Pastor Will Cover Arise Baptist Church Joy to the World! Rejoice!, The Joy of Christmas! We 803 Curtin St. Houston, 77018 see the word joy and hear it spoken ofTXquite a bit at Christ713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org mas time.

Why is this idea so prominent when it seems like other than the kids getting lots of presents there is he Christmas is full of fascinating characters.

Of course, anything but joy story that we experience around us? The angel we know that theshepherds main character ishillside the Christ-child, but who appeared to the on the the night JeFirst Church studying the other people surrounding him can give us some sus was born said that he brought good tidings of great joy. interesting insight and help for our own lives. Learning about how Heights Thisinteracted got me towith thinking, whatand does it mean that the angel they each other how they responded in the midst of ajoyful very good uniquenews? situation can was help itusabout as wethe think about brought What birth of Sunday School ........9:15 am our lives and the situations we face. Mary and Joseph faced some Jesus that brought joy?

The rest of the angel’s message Sunday School 9:30am difficult choices when it came to the birth of the baby Jesus.

Sunday Worship......10:30am betterwere helps us to understand of joy.” engaged to be marriedthis and“gift in their day, to break an Sunday Worship 10:30am They Wednesday Bible Study engagement was on the level as born divorce.

For city a young woman The angel said thatsame Jesus was in the of David.

Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service 6:00pm to be found with child because and not beitmarried would be athe great scandal.

This is important demonstrates fact that 6:30pm The culture of the day did not make it easy for a single woman Pastor C. David Harrison God always keepsmother His Word.

In the Old Testament, more th St 201201 E. 9 713-861-3102 much less a single to provide for herself.

Joseph would E. 9th St. • 713-861-3102 specifically the book of Micah, God promised thatMary Jesus have not had it easy either.

God commanded him to take to www.fbcheights.org be his wife, to in do Bethlehem, this would mean Jesus as his We son even Pastor Larry D. Young would be but born thetaking city of David. can though it wasn’t his biological child. God asked Mary and Joseph Pastor C. David Harrison have joy because always Hisnopromises.

The how anto do something veryGod difficult and keeps they had way of knowing www.fbcheights.org gel situation also saidwould that Jesus wasInthe Savior.

It isspeaking, throughitChrist the work out. fact, humanly would seem had to givethose birth inwho a manger, theyneed lived Jesusquite thatdifficult. we areMary saved.

Only are lost in a different fromthat family and then hadto to Sunday Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am saving.

Thetown Bibleaway teaches alland arefriends, lost without Christ move to Egypt to flee for Jesus’ life. Later on, Mary would watch Morning Worship ............... 10:45am forgive them.

We can have joy because God sent a Savior. her son be crucified on a cross. From Mary’s perspective this was Theanangel that God Jesus is Christ is the not easy said task that asked her tothe do. Lord.

DuringJesus her life she Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children most likelyhas suffered accept God’sone, plan one who been because chosen of as her the choice Christ,tothe anointed and Adults............................ 6:15pm for life. We don’t much about Joseph, butLord, we know thather would come to know die inasour place.

Jesus is the the life changed dramatically for him as well. How could they obey God ofknowing all creation who has all The power We 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 without all of the answers? onlyand way authority. they could obey completely havingof complete information to trust God can have without joy because who Jesus is andwas what He can and plan. your We are finite do. His I hope heart is creatures full of joywith thisincomplete Christmasknowledge season. of the world we live in and no way to see the future. We serve of the giftsthat under the tree, orthat the has loved aJoy, Godnot thatbecause knows everything, is everywhere, all St. James Lutheran Church, ELCA ones who may or may with you. and family power, and is always good.notWebecan trust HimGifts just as Mary and Joseph trusted Him. Inbut thisthey Christmas season my True prayerjoy is can that can bring happiness, can fade away.

• Worship (English) .10:00 am - 11:00am you willbe learn to trust theTrue God of the universe who sent by HisGod only never taken away. joy can only be given • Learning Hour.......11:00am - 12:00pm Son to this earth to die so that your sins would be paid in full!

MANNA changes, whothis always keeps Hisquestions, promises,Pastor and Ifwho you never would like to discuss further or have • Worship (Spanish) 12:30 pm - 1:30pm Sponsor Will reached Arise whoCover camecan asbethe Savioratfor ourBaptist sins Church at 803 Curtin St., or www.arisebaptistchurch.org, or 713-659-9697.

1602 West 43rd St. • Houston, TX 77018 • 713-686-1577

DIRECTORY • Bible Study: 9:15 a.m.

• Morning:10:30 a.m.

• Evening: 4:15 p.m.

of-the-art irrigation system to capture storm water for course irrigation reuse.”

Don Placek, a senior associate for Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design company, said Doak has never designed a course used for a regular PGA Tour event. Doak has enlisted Brooks Koepka, the top-ranked player in the world, as a design consultant.

“You can imagine we’re really excited about the fact it’s going to happen,” Placek said.

Memorial Park would become only the second municipal course in the country to host an annual PGA Tour event, with the other being Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

“It’s a huge benefit to the city,” said Giles Kibbe, senior vice president and general counsel for the Astros. “And we’ll have a public golf course that’s hopefully one of the best in the country.”

New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam

CHURCH Weekly Sunday Services

For comparison, the price to play the Golf Club of Houston, where the Houston Open has been played for since 2003, is more than $150 during peak months.

While Memorial Park will not host public golfers until at least October 2019, the city said all other public courses, including Hermann Park, Sharpstown Park, newly renovated Gus Wortham Park and Melrose Park will all remain open.

As for the Memorial renovation, the city’s email said this will ultimately be a treasure for local golfers.

“Golfers [will] benefit by being able to play on a newly renovated golf course designed by a world-renowned golf course architect,” the email said. “The renovated course [will] offer premier turf conditions using new turf grass varieties, new bunker liners, improved course aesthetics and playability and a state-

First Church

T

THE CLASSIFIEDS.

The Leader • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • Page 5A

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Page 6A • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • The Leader

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The Leader • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • Page 7A

Art Valet: Reminiscing and looking forward Mitch Cohen Art Columnist

The end of a year always has me reflective and as 2018 is all but over now I’ve been reviewing my Art Valet column and have to say I came close to a promise I made you in the first week of this year.

That was to bring you more interviews and fun adventures.

Regrettably, I missed the mark on adventuring, but got quite a few interviews in, then slacked off a bit with more events than interviews.

With some encouragement from our new editor, Adam Zuvanich, I got back on track with interviewing and introduced you to artists Denise Greenwood Loveless, Monique Weston, John Delafield, Teresa Staley and Cheri Salinas over the past four weeks.

Suddenly, the opportunity for more interviews is popping up everywhere. Just yesterday (that’s last week on Thursday to you) a man overheard me talking about art and showed me what his upcoming plans are. He and a group of creatives are launching a new concept for showcasing both visual artists and musicians via social media and video, the twist on this is interesting and I’ll bring that to you before

Outside Cavatore’s Italian Restaurant

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713-869-6622 info@eleanorasmarket.com

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Shown here and below are shots of work by Houston photographer Jennifer Wilde from her collection “Road from Houston.� She is just one of many artists profiled in this year’s Art Valet columns, and there is more to come in 2019.

their launch date of Jan. 15.

In January of this year, I introduced you to Rhonda Lanclos, a portrait artist at Winter Street Studios. Lanclos hosts a podcast called Artists of Houston, and interviews artists from Sawyer Yards and elsewhere. We’re planning a duel interview me on air, her in print, details soon. Listen in to 2018 inter-

views online at artistsofhouston.com. Lenora Palacios also has her studio at Winter Street and partners with comedians to host comedy nights in her studio. I plan to get to the bottom of this one before the next event on Jan. 19. Visit Palacios in Studio #6 upstairs February 9 or any Second Saturday and get on her email list for the in-

vite.

You still want “adventures� though, don’t you? So do I and what really intrigues me are what some of my creative friends are doing in small towns like Moulton and Columbus. Why move there? I’m looking forward to 2019, I have a big imagination and love “seasons,� new beginnings and all the hooey stuff.

However on that note, let me pragmatically wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Cheers!

Cohen is an artist and founder of First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards, find him at ArtValet.com

Cavatore’s 2017

THE LEADER

READERS’ CHOICE

2018

THE LEADER

READERS’ CHOICE

Make your reservations at the Leader Readers’ voted

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THE LEADER

Where to ring in the New Year

By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com The year is coming to a close and you may not know what you’re going to do next year, but you know what you’re going to do on the very last day of 2018: c-e-l-e-b-r-at-e.

Thankfully, no one has to go across town to celebrate (unless they just really want to) because there’s plenty of local hubs ringing in the new year.

But before you get your party shoes on, grab a special New Year’s Eve brunch at The Union Kitchen, 3452 Ella Blvd, available from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Get ready for the night with $1 Mimosas and $3 Bloody Marys.

For dinner stop by Harold’s Restaurant & Tap Room, 350 W. 19th St., for a Swanky Southern Supper, a threecourse meal or off-menu options curated by executive chef Kathy Elkins. Upon arrive you’ll be treated to champagne and bread.

For the first course choose between Shrimp & Okra Gumbo, a Winter Salad, or Whitehurst Heritage Farms Confit Chicken & Rosemary Cornbread. For the second course choose between Black Hill Meats Beef Short Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, and Oyster

Mushrooms; Beef Demi-Glace Harissa Brick Chicken, Fragrant Basmati Rice; Blistered Shishitos Seared Scallops, Capellini, and Lemon Gremolata; and Parmigiano Reggiano Sweet Potato Hash, Fried Egg, Cilantro and Sesame Seed Pesto.

Finish the meal off with Champagne Mousse, Flaming Crème Brulee, or Chocolate Heath Trifle.

The price will be $65 plus tax and gratuity, and with a wine pairing it will be $85 plus tax and gratuity.

Another dinner option is at BCK: Kitchen and Cocktail Adventures, 933 Studewood St. BCK is celebrating with a throwback theme and a four course meal at $45 a person.

Come in retro gear to drink retro cocktails. Stay until midnight for a champagne toast.

If you’re looking for more of a party, you can head to Johnny’s Gold Brick, 2518 Yale St, starting at 8 p.m. They’ll have DJ Bang Fasa all night, as well as drink specials and a midnight champagne toast.

The best part is the Whataburger buffet they’ll have set up at midnight. No cover or RSVP. Swing by Lei Low Bar, 6412 N. Main St. Ste. C, at 8 p.m. onNew Year’s Eve to experience Cuba’s finest drinks. Lei Low

Bar will be featuring Crossroads of the World, giving party goers the opportunity to eat from a menu of Cuban classics that pay homage to Cuba’s great bars and bartenders. No cover and no reservations.

Spend the holiday shrouded in mystery at Heights Bier Garten’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at 1433 N. Shepherd Dr.  Ladies will receive a complimentary mask upon arrival, and they’ll be offering $5 glasses of bubbles, as well as a complimentary glass for a midnight toast. Live music will be provided by If You Have to Ask and DJ Angiesliste. No cover, but you may want to reserve a table. Begins at 8 p.m.

For a jazzy night spend the eve of the new year at The Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th St., with the Boomtown Brass Band. Boomtown Brass Band evolved into a performing ensemble steeped in the traditions of authentic 1920s hot jazz. Ticket purchase will include a self-serve dessert buffet and a champagne toast at midnight.

Other parties happening in the ‘hood: Bungalow Heights, 1919 Beall St; Poitin Bar & Kitchen, 2313 Edwards St.; Eight Row Flint, 1039 Yale St.; and Bobcat Teddy’s Ice House, 2803 White Oak Dr.

Best Steak House 1st Place Best Patio 1st Place Best Brunch 3rd Place

THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, December 29, 2018 • Page8A

Police Reports • Dec. 13 - Dec. 18

Don’t Be A Victim!

DEC. 13

Theft 5 AM 1900-1999 HEIGHTS Theft 5:05 PM 200-299 W 34TH Theft 1 PM 7500-7599 N MAIN

Concealed Handgun Classes

we Buy aLL GuNS

DEC. 14

Theft 5 PM 400-499 PECORE

New LoCatioN

DEC. 15

Theft 2:30 PM 1000-1099 W 20TH Burglary 11:22 PM 1900-1999 STUDEWOOD Burglary 3:25 PM 1700-1799 BEALL Theft 3 PM 1300-1399 W 26TH Assault 5 PM 1400-1499 E 35TH Assault 1:30 PM 200-299 W CAV-

2001 Karbach Suite F Houston, TX 77092

713-694-4867

Buy SeLL trade

Gift Certificates

Black Gold Guns & ammo Licensed FFL/Class III Dealer

ALCADE Robbery 12 PM 400-499 OXFORD Robbery 8:30 AM 3200-3299 NORTH Burglary 10:50 PM 200-299 FRAWLEY

DALE Theft 6:20 AM 1500-1599 N LOOP W Theft 3 PM 2500-2599 SHEARN Theft 5 AM 1100-1199 W GARDNER Theft 2:45 AM 1000-1099 STUDE

DEC. 16

DEC. 17

Burglary 10 AM 500-599 W 20TH Assault 7:26 PM 000-099 N LOOP/ YALE ST Burglary 4:30 PM 2500-2599 OXFORD Theft 4 PM 1100-1199 HARVARD Robbery 6:46 AM 2800-2899 N SHEPHERD Theft 12 PM 1000-1099 GARDEN-

DEC. 18

Theft 5:22 PM 2500-2599 YALE Robbery 2 :38 PM 2700-2799 YALE Robbery 9:26 AM 800-899 AURORA Theft 6:15 AM 1100-1199 CORTLANDT Theft 2:30 AM 4600-4699 OAKRIDGE Theft 7:25 AM 900-999 N SHEPHERD Theft 5:30 AM 900-999 N LOOP W

Robbery 10:52 PM 100-199 W 20TH Theft 3:20 AM 1900-1999 HEIGHTS Theft 1:45 PM 500-599 W 19TH Theft 10:30 AM 1600-1699 W 13TH Theft 10:00 AM 1200-1299 PRINCE Theft 1:30 PM 1900-1999 BEALL Theft 2:15 PM 2000-2099 BEALL Theft 6:15 AM 400-499 W 33RD

Reports are provided by SpotCrime. com based on data from the Houston Police Department.

2018 Review from P. 1A High Speed Rail likely coming to NW Mall site Texas Central and Mayor Sylvester Turner announced in February that the old Northwest Mall site at the corner of Highway 290 and Interstate 610 had been chosen as the preferred site for the Houston-to-Dallas bullet train, which could begin construction next year.

Unrest and trepidation greeted the announcement and persisted throughout the year regarding the Houston station and project at large, with residents concerned about increased congestion around the Houston station as well as how the route would impact landowners.

The Federal Railroad Administration is currently in the process of conducting its final Environment Impact Statement (EIS), with a target date of late 2019 of release for public review, and March of 2020 for a final decision on the project.

GOMO bankruptcy stretching to 2019 GOMO officially declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 11, kicking off what has been at times a contentious battle between the organization and the Creditor’s Committee.

Bankruptcy court judge David Jones initially instructed GOMO to present a restructuring plan Dec. 14, ahead of a hearing scheduled for Dec. 20; but that hearing has been rescheduled for Jan. 8. Jones ordered GOMO to stop collecting transfer fees in a previous August ruling.

Heights Design Guidelines make the cut Following years of public meetings and countless hours of discussion, a new set of design Guidelines for the historic Heights District passed its final test. The city’s planning department presented the HAHC recommended Design Guidelines to the Quality of Life Committee June 28, and city council later passed the

Photo by Jean Dukate In response to increasing congestion, a reconstruction project aiming to enhance travel on Shepherd and Durham has been applied for.

final draft. The New Houston Heights Historic Guidelines went into effect Nov. 13, according to the city’s website.

Flood recovery/prevention bonds pass In late August, voters approved the Harris County Flood Control District’s $2.5 billion bond aimed at more than 200 potential flood risk reduction projects throughout the county. More than 40 of the proposed projects are within Garden Oaks. Oak Forest, the Heights, and other local neighborhoods.

Just two months later, voters overwhelmingly approved the City of Houston’s Prop A, which kept in place a “lock box” that allows revenue from a city drainage fee to be spent solely on street and drainage improvements to mitigate flooding effects.

Development landscape continues evolution Meanwhile, Braun Enterprises continued their expansion into the Heights and Garden Oaks/Oak Forest in 2018, announcing several new developments and endeavors.

In April, the company announced leasing of a roughly 12,500-sqaure-foot development on 2522 Yale St. near the Whole Foods 365 now open on Yale Street. A few months later, Braun bought long-time Heights staple Hickory Hollow, which is now being marketed for lease as a restaurant

space.

Finally, in November, Braun announced the purchase of a shopping center off North Shepherd Drive, which is being branded as Shepherd Row in the Heights. The existing center is approximately 18,506 square feet, and renovations are expected to be complete by mid-2019.

Additionally, Capital Retail Properties has another project in its pipeline – this one at 802 W. 18th Street. According to Capital, the 10,000 square foot lot will feature a 3,000-squarefoot retail project, dubbed 18th Street Bungalows.

Concrete batch plant meets strong resistance Soto Ready Mix first applied for a permit at 3411 Desoto St., just off TC Jester Boulevard, back in March, but the permit was voided in April. Six months later, Soto re-applied, and it was again met with severe unrest from residents of nearby Acres Homes – though Soto representatives insist they have taken all precautions to mitigate environmental effects. Following a public meeting Oct. 22, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is currently reviewing requests for contested hearings.

HISD upheaval The March news that former superintendent Richard Carranza was departing for New York barely 18 months

into his tenure with HISD was just the tip of the iceberg for the district in 2018, which endured its share of ups and downs and rocky situations.

In August, a potential teacher pay freeze – which would’ve kept teachers’ salaries at the 2017-2018 level for next year – was narrowly shot down by a 5-4 vote amidst controversy on the board. Trustees then walked back an initial October vote to replace interim superintendent Grenita Lathan with former superintendent Abe Saavedra.

Grocery revolution makes initial footprint Initially, it was thought that the Heights H-E-B on Shepherd would become the first major grocer in the area since the old Fiesta, but permitting issues and a host of other setbacks paved the way for Whole Foods 365 to claim that honor. The store opened Aug. 22 as the first in a potential trio of grocers soon to be making their way into the area Business Cards along2.5 with H-E-B x 2.5” and ALDI. Meanwhile, construction crews finished up work on the Garden Oaks Shopping Center storefront off North Shepherd.

Work was related to sprucing up the storefront in conjunction with multiple new tenants in addition to German grocery giant ALDI – which Hartman Management announced will open in 2019. An H-E-B spokesperson told The Leader that H-E-B’s opening has been pushed back to an early 2019 timeline.

Photo supplied Braun Enterprises extended their reach into the rea with the acquisition of a strip center in the 1000 block of North Shepherd Drive.

is closing its doors at the end of December. The venue’s final show will be a New Year’s Eve bash featuring Austin act Skyrocket! the Band.

Reconstruction project looks to expand Shepherd/Durham Back in October, The Memorial Heights Reinvestment Zone (MHRZ)/TIRZ 5 put in an application for federal

Historic venues closing their doors Long-time comfort food staple Hickory Hollow will be consolidated to a location outside the local neighborhood in early 2019. CultureMap reported in August that owner Tony Riedel has sold the property in the Heights to Braun, but that the Fallbrook location will remain open. Along with it, this week will be the last hurrah for Fitzgerald’s, which has rocked the Heights for more than 40 years. The venue

funds that would support a road reconstruction project along both Durham and North Shepherd Drive. The proposed project would purportedly run from north of the bridge over White Oak Bayou (around 6th Street, though that location is not yet fixed) to the 610 Loop.

It would essentially aim to enhance pedestrian and vehicle travel along two of the Heights’ main thoroughfares.

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