Leader of the Year The Leader • Saturday, December 30, 2017 • Page 1B
A driving force on 19th street By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Alli Jarrett’s giving spirit was forged in small-town roots dating to her youth in South Carolina; it has never left her even as she’s ventured about 1,000 miles from where they began. Heights residents know Jarrett as the owner of Harold’s Tap Room and Restaurant, and a giver of everything from her time to her restaurant. Whether during her time with the United States Golf Association, involvement at St. Andrews Episcopal Church or renovating former clothing store “Harold’s in the Heights” into the southern cuisine restaurant residents love, a piece of her soul has always resided with her community. Forever the giving spirit, Jarrett has subsequently been selected as The Leader’s 2017 Leader of The Year. Coming from a family wholesale business, in Kingstree, SC, that her grandparents owned and operated for over 50 years, Jarrett already understood the implicit meaning a spot’s history can have before moving to Houston 20 years ago, and immediately attempted to pour back into the Heights in keeping the Harold’s name alive when she bought and renovated the spot overlooking 19th Street in 2012-2013. “We kept the name because of the importance of preserving history in the neighborhood. The Heights is a small town in a big city,” she said. “The whole reason for creating this business was that I wanted to live where I work, and work where I live.” In her spare time, Jarrett is an avid golfer; she previously worked for the USGA for 15 years – even becoming the first woman in the organization’s
Photo by Christina Martinez Alli Jarrett stands in front of Harold’s Restaurant and Tap Room overlooking 19th Street. While she may be best known for the southern cuisine, it’s her devotion to the Heights and Houston community that earned her the distinction as our 2017 Leader of the Year.
history to chair a men’s championship – before breaking away to run her own business. And even though she broke away to become a small business owner, an unusual chain of events over the last year brought her full circle – combining her passion for golf and her heart for others. The U.S. Women’s MidAmateur was scheduled to be
in Naples, Fl. this past October. However, Hurricane Irma wiped out the golf club slated to host the tournament. Subsequently, Robin and Jack Burke of Champions Golf Club in Houston offered to host it instead – pulling Jarrett out of retirement, so to speak, to help run the event. She never batted an eye, and the club pulled off in 40 days what most clubs
Averting a Cat-tastrophe By Kim Hogstrom For The Leader Two weeks ago, the Timbergrove Manor Facebook page exploded with concern. Neighborhood stray cats were dissapearing, then reappearing, missing the tips of their left ears. Mysterious, indeed, unless one knows the signs. The Timbergrove stray cats were trapped, their ears’ clipped during spay or neuter surgery, then they were vaccinated for rabies and returned to the area where originally captured. Called T-N-R (Trap, Neuter, Release), veterinarians clip the tip of the left ear during neuter surgery to let the public know the cat is no longer reproducing. Why? Because neutering a stray cats is critical. A single pair of fertile felines and their kittens can produce 420,000 more cats in seven years. The Leader’s area is considered a desirable one, but that fact does not spare it from Houston’s massive pet overpopulation problem. There are numerous feral cat colonies here. About 200 local men and women have taken up the cause of the community’s homeless pets – both cats and dogs - and formed the Animal Justice League. The all-volunteer army
launched three years ago. In that time, the nonprofit group has re-homed more than 150 stray dogs and 75 stray cats. Remarkably, they’ve also neutered and vaccinated 603 feral cats from the immediate area: Oak Forest, the Heights, Garden Oaks and more. Why return the cats, some ask? “People are confused about cat colonies. A colony usually exists for a reason. For example, sometimes its due to an abundance of rodents,” explained Belinda Xrect, lead organizer for the Animal Justice League’s TNR effort. “The colonies can be very helpful in controlling rodent infestations.” Unlike dogs, which have been domestic for many thousands of years, cats were first domesticated by Egyptians only about 4,000 years ago. When the ancients started storing grain for food, they discovered that cats kept rats out of inventories. Soon, cats were revered in the culture. Modern cats still harbor feral instincts due to their recent domestication. A kitten with no human contact can easily return to its wild roots. It often takes one generation, which explains the many feral cats here. Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC)
has an ordinance to address the issue, while promoting TNR for the management of feral cat colonies. Any citizen feeding ferals must work to get all the cats spayed or neutered (TNR), must be feeding in a manner that does not attract other wild animals, and must have the permission of the property owner if the colony is not on either their own property, or on city property. As long as citizens meet these requirements, they are encouraged to continue. Residents are required to submit an application to become a colony manager at the city of Houston website. Sharron Sims is a volunteer with AJL and TNR’d 20 cats and five colonies in early December. The cats included the now-famous Timbergrove strays, and two colonies in Forest West. “People are often at a loss regarding what to do with feral cats; they don’t know that they can contact AJL for help,” Sims explained. “As a group, we know where the resources are. We have the traps, the vets, and the contacts. All locals need to do is ask,” Sims concluded with a smile. To donate, adopt or volunteer to help, go to www.animaljusticeleague.org. All will be greatly appreciated.
pull off in about two and a half years to cement the experience for golfers who came from around the world and raved about the final product. On the surface, it was a massive undertaking. But for Jarrett, her motivation remains simple, and extends to her Heights home: she’s passionate about providing the southern hospitality she learned all
those years ago. “It’s about people helping people, and that’s what we’re all about here. We’re trying to be all about our guests and the experience they have here,” she said. Walk the walk It’s not often you’ll find a business owner more invested in the community than the
almighty dollar – but Jarrett’s impact on the Heights extends far beyond Harold’s delectable tastes in food and wine or helping push the recent vote to fully repeal the private club portion of the former Heights dry laws. She was one of the first members of the Heights Community that The Summerhouse Founder and Executive Director Donna Fruge sat down with in 2014 to discuss the possibility of employing one of its members so they could learn the ropes of the working world at Harold’s. And despite knowing very little about The Summerhouse prior to the meeting, Fruge remembers Jarrett couldn’t jump high enough or utter the ‘Yes!’ fast enough. “She was just so open and more than willing to see if this was going to be a real workable partnership for us,” Fruge said. “It’s sometimes hard to understand especially when they don’t have anyone in their family with a disability and have never experienced that particular life. But [Alli] was more than willing to listen and educate herself and decide if this was possible for both the young lady working there and for her. It wasn’t just about the job performance, it was about education and diversity in her workplace.” And one needs to look no further for the impact Jarrett had on another’s life than that. The young woman has now worked at Harold’s for more than a year, and will be increasing her hours at the beginning of the new year according to Fruge. She credits Jarrett’s willingness to take a chance as a simple gesture which changed the girl’s life. But that’s just who Jarrett See Jarrett P. 2b
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Page 2B • Saturday, December 30, 2017 • The Leader
Jarrett from P. 1B
Restaurant | Bar | Terrace 350 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008 | 713.360.6204 | Haroldsheights.com
The Countdown to 2018 on 19th Street You and yours are invited Photo by Christina Martinez Jarrett talks to Leader Senior Reporter Landan Kuhlmann during a break in her busy schedule at Harold’s.
When: Sunday, Dec. 31 Where: Harold’s - 350 W.
is. Summerhouse has even immortalized her with their annual Impact Award for her efforts in helping the program grow. “Alli is the one who really opened the door to have that dialogue and education in her workplace; she values all types of people. She doesn’t let stereotypes direct her opinions or willingness to give someone a chance,” Fruge said. “She values every person for their talents and what they can give to society. She walks the walk. Alli knows everyone has a set of gifts, and doesn’t take someone just at face value. She digs deep and looks at what their true gifts are.” Similar tags sprang up whoever you spoke to, including those at St. Andrews’ Episcopal Church, where Jarrett is a member of the congregation, was recently elected to serve on the Vestry and reads scripture during the church’s services. “She has such a large, gra-
Dinner Reservations until 9:30PM and the Tap Room will be open for the count down until 2AM!
cious and humble heart,” said St. Andrews Rector Rev. Jimmy Grace, who has known Jarrett for four years. “She’s always asking to be involved in a number of various ministries here, which is a gift.” And on it goes. Jarrett is always quick to lend a hand to as many fundraisers as she can dole out, whether it be for a local school, business or the like. Harold’s has also supported organizations such as Women of Wine Charities, The Beacon, Rebuilding Together Houston (which fostered a project in Independence Heights last February) and March of Dimes. Amid Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts in the Heights, Jarrett and her staff even worked double time to feed first responders. “That’s how I was raised. We need to help our neighbors,” she said. And help, she has. From that small town in South Carolina to this small town within the big city, her passion and heart for people
has never wavered, and it was evident just that morning as The Leader spoke with her when she joyfully greeted one of the restaurant’s farmers. It’s just who she is. “[Alli] really has a servant’s heart. As talented, accomplished and successful as she is, she’s such a humble person, and I have never heard her be condescending to another person. It just doesn’t seem to be who she is,” Grace said. “She’s just an extremely warm, open and gracious woman who is so kind and loving. Truly a wonderful woman.” She won’t trumpet it, but that spirit of a servant will be Jarrett’s legacy – at least as far as the Heights is concerned – that will never be forgotten. Fruge summed up Jarrett’s contributions to the Heights perfectly. “She’s a giver; a giver of herself, her time, and her talents – it’s truly for the Heights community.”
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The Leader • Saturday, December 30, 2017 • Page 3B
Local athletes ink letters of intent By Mike Tenney For The Leader Last Wednesday, there was no school for just about all the districts in Harris County. But it was still a busy day for a lot of local senior football players headed to the next level. That’s because for the first time ever last spring, the NCAA decided to have an early signing day for incoming college athletes and a few players at both St. Pius X and Heights High School took full advantage. The NCAA did this so players could finish the recruiting process in December instead of waiting until the usual first Wednesday in February and enjoy the last few months of high school without any questions about where they were going and/or who they would be playing for hanging over their head. The Heights had two players -- Jalen Green and Jacoby Hopkins -- sign their national letters-of-intent while St. Pius X seniors Jacob Jefferson and Tyler Vrabel did the same along with St. Thomas senior offensive lineman Max Banes. Despite an injury that wiped out the last half of his senior season, Heights’ wide receiver/return man/defensive back/best athlete Jalen Green has signed with the University of Texas. Green and the Bulldogs were undefeated after five games this year when Green went down. From that point on, the team lost three of
Photo courtesy of Jalen Green (Twitter) Heights High School defensive back Jalen Green with Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman at his unofficial visit in March. Green and other local athletes signed their letters of intent Dec. 20.
their last six games and were eliminated in the first round of the Region III-6A, Division II playoffs. He has played all over the field during his time with the Bulldogs, but is slated to play defensive back for head coach Tom Herman and the Longhorns. Hopkins, who was an electrifying playmaker and lead the Heights in receptions last year, is going to Texas State after signing with the Bobcats. At St. Pius X, wide receiver Jacob Jefferson and offensive tackle Tyler Vrabel both kept their verbal commitments by signing with the school they said they were headed too last summer. Jefferson, who also missed a few games down the stretch with an injury, signed with
Northwestern to join the Wildcats and play in the Big 10. Vrabel, who is the son of current Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator, has signed with Boston College and will play in the ACC. Vrabel, who is extremely quick for a 6-foot6, 310-pounder, spent time in Massachusetts when his father played and coached for the Patriots before Mike Vrabel joined the Texans’ coaching staff. Banes will follow his father’s footsteps by joining the University of Houston after his father Joey Banes, was a letter winner for the Cougars before he was a draft choice by the former Houston Oilers. In other recruiting news from St. Pius X, quarterback Grant Gunnell, who despite
not being a senior has been nominated for the Mr. Texas Football Award, appears to be weighing his options after originally committing to Texas A & M. Gunnell, who will be one of the top high school quarterbacks next year when he signs, has spoken with new Arkansas head coach Chad Morris and Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm and has received an offer from each of them. The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder who threw nearly 60 touchdown passes this year for the Panthers was recruited by former Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin and has since been replaced by Jimbo Fisher. Fisher wasn’t the coach at A & M for a full week before he came to Houston to make sure Gunnell was still on board as there was a picture on head coach Stephen Hill’s Twitter account of Hill and Fisher together just outside Hill’s office. Senior defensive back Ricky Lester has received another scholarship offer, this one from Liberty University in Virginia and junior wide receiver Jalen Curry, who had verbally committed to play at Florida State for Coach Fisher but now may be considering all his choices, has received another offer, this one from TCU. Senior linebacker Colby Joe Bonds and defensive back Brice Vooletich have each received an offer to play at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
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TAPPS All-District volleyball picks By Mike Tenney For The Leader A number of girls from local high school volleyball teams were recently named TAPPS All-District. St. Pius X had a pair of playersw named to the District 3-6A first and second teams with one girl named on each. And the girls were at each end of the grade spectrum with one playing her final year of high school volleyball while the other was a newcomer to
varsity volleyball and the only freshman named to either the first or second team in District 3-6A. Senior setter Karli Stewart was the senior named to the first team and St. Pius X freshman outside Hitter Sydney Shupak was voted onto the second team. In all, a dozen young ladies were selected to the first team in the 3-6A. St. Agnes also had four players on the second team and Concordia Lutheran had two. St. Pius X finished with a
13-19-2 record overall, but went 5-3 in district to make the playoffs. The Panthers, led by second-year head coach Justyna Brewcyzk, were a young team last fall with just four seniors on the 12-person roster. They also had three freshmen, a sophomore, and four juniors so they are a group that should only keep getting better over the next couple of years. In District 5-4A, Lutheran North had a trio of girls who received All-District accolades.
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And all three of the ladies were underclassmen, meaning all three should be back next year to lead the Lady Lions. Junior middle blocker/right side specialist Savannah Rebeau was the North’s first-team representative as a dozen girsl were voted onto the 5-4A elite roster. Sophomore libero Skylar Robbins and freshman setter Vidctoria Noack were both named honorable mention AllDistrict for the Lions.
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