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Saturday, May 23, 2020 • Vol. 65 • No. 21

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Two drown at home of ex-MLB star

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com A woman and young boy drowned last weekend in the backyard pool of an area home owned by former professional baseball player Carl Crawford.

Houston Police Department spokesperson Jodi Silva said deputies responded to a home in the 1400 block of Mansfield Street in North Houston around 2:40 p.m. Saturday, May 16. According to multiple news reports, the residence is owned by Crawford, a former MLB star and

graduate of H o u s t o n ’s Jef ferson Davis High School.

According to Silva, witnesses told police that 5-year-old Kasen Hersi Crawford started to drown while swimming in the backyard pool, and 24-year-old Bethany Lartigue at-

tempted to dive in and save him. Silva said both were found unresponsive and transported to Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.

As of press time, it was unclear whether Crawford was present at the time of the incident. Also unclear was his relationship with the victims.

Crawford, 38, retired in 2016 after a 15-year MLB career with the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a four-time All-Star.

Music to their ears

Support The Leader See how on Page 3A

Bars, bowling alleys among businesses reopening

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

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INSIDE. Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Residents of Village of the Heights, an assisted-living and memory care facility at 1407 Studewood St., sit outside and enjoy a musical performance by John Curry on the morning of May 14.

Greenwood King concert serenades area seniors Back to school? Houston ISD is weighing its options for the 2020-21 school year.

Page 4A

if you build it ... Houston nonprofit Avenue CDC is preparing to open a multiuse center.

Page 1B

Time for Thai. Kin Dee Thai Cuisine plans to open in the Heights in June.

Residents at an assisted-living and memory care facility in the Heights walked out the front door last Thursday morning and were greeted not by apprehension but the tuneful strumming of a guitar.

Greenwood King Properties’ Heights office put together an outdoor concert May 14 for the residents of Village of the Heights, 1407 Studewood St., to give them a breath of fresh air and chance for social interaction during a time when many senior living facilities have restricted visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It made them so happy to be in a group with their friends and be outdoors and get to hear the music,” said Laurie Gagne, the life enrichment director at Village of the Heights. “It made their day.”

According to data from Harris County Public Health, more than 3,000 of the county’s 9,000-plus COVID-19 cases have been adults at least 50 years old, while about 1,800 have been those at least 60 years old. Seniors also are at high risk for serious complications and death from COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused by the

Opening back up not necessarily beneficial for area businesses

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Houston musician John Curry plays for residents of Village of the Heights on May 14.

Local legion post celebrating Memorial Day virtually

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com

Page 6B

THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 5A Classifieds.............................................. 6B Coupons................................................... 6A Food/Drink/Art................................... 3B Obituaries............................................... 5A Opinion..................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A

See Reopening P. 5A

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com

See Concert P. 4A

Contributed photo Richard Voorhies of American Legion Post 560 in Garden Oaks speaks during a Memorial Day tribute video.

A game of Bingo on Thursday night, a trip to the bowling alley on Friday, a Little League game on Saturday and a family outing to the zoo on Sunday.

Such a schedule will soon be possible for people in Houston and beyond.

So will after-work drinks at local watering holes, overnight summer camps and Abbott maybe even live baseball games on TV. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continued to press on with his plan to reopen the state Monday, even as the numbers of COVID-19 cases and related deaths conTurner tinue to mount. He outlined Phase 2 of his plan to boost a Texas economy that has plummeted during the pandemic, saying bars, bingo halls, bowling alleys, skating rinks and

Memorial Day is typically a busy day at American Legion Post 560 in Garden Oaks. Local veterans gather for a flag ceremony, to recognize the soldiers who died during the previous year and to have a barbecue cookout that’s open to all members of the community.

On Monday, though, the building at 3720 Alba Rd. likely will be empty. Post 560 has been closed since March be-

cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its annual Memorial Day celebration has been scrapped as a safety precaution.

“When you’re not able to reach out and be around the people that understand you most, it takes a toll,” said Naro Mak, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who serves as 3rd Vice Commander for Post 560.

“It takes a toll, because this is the one day we get to celebrate together, and we don’t get that.

See Memorial Day P. 5A

Mike Bell said he’s already several thousand dollars in the hole on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him to close his Heights-area bar more than two months ago. The Shady Acres Saloon owner said he needs to reopen soon or he’ll risk going out of business.

Bell had the opportunity to do that on Friday, when bars all over Texas were allowed to open their doors and welcome back customers, but he said beforehand that he planned to pass. He said limiting his saloon to 25 percent building occupancy, a requirement for reopening according to Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order, would not make financial sense considering the overhead costs associated with operating.

“It’s probably not worth it,” Bell said.

Helping businesses make money at a time when the economy is crumbling See Business P. 5A

Contributed photo Del Mar Lanes planned to reopen Friday.

THE PUBLIC. The Leader • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • Page 2A

City begins virtual council meetings

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com The Houston City Council has transitioned to virtual meetings until further notice after at-large council member Letitia Plummer tested positive for COVID-19, the upperrespiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.

The city said in a May 15 news release that council meetings, beginning with Tuesday’s meeting, would be held virtually using Microsoft Teams in an attempt to reduce the chances of COVID-19 transmission. The city said it is legally permitted to hold virtual council meetings because Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has suspended various provisions of the Open Meetings Act during the pandemic.

There are several proce-

Contributed photo The Houston City Council, which usually meets at City Hall, is now holding virtual meetings.

dures for residents to follow if they would like to make public comments during virtual council meetings, which will be broadcast on HTV, Houston’s municipal channel, as well as the city’s website and Facebook page.

Public comments will be

allowed via teleconference for each meeting. In order to speak, the city said residents must register in advance – by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting – by calling the city secretary’s office at 832-393-1100.

Once they are registered, public speakers will need to call 936-755-1521 prior to the meeting and input the appropriate meeting ID. All speakers will wait with their line muted until Mayor Sylvester Turner recognizes them. When their name is called, they will need to press *6 to unmute and mute themselves after their comments are heard. As with in-person meetings, each speaker will have 1-3 minutes for comment. Speakers may be muted or dismissed from the meeting if they speak out of turn, according to the city.

Harris County appoints interim clerk From Staff Reports The Harris County Commissioners Court on Tuesday appointed Christopher Hollins as interim Harris County Clerk. He will take office on June 1 and replace Diane Trautman, who said she is re-

signing at the end of May due to health issues.

Trautman had served in the position since January 2019.

The role of the county clerk, which is an elected position, is to maintain court records, vital documents and administer local elections.

Hollins will serve in the position until a new clerk is chosen by voters in the Nov. 3 election. He is a Houstonbased personal injury lawyer who has a background working in both the public and private sector.

HPD investigating shooting on West Little York

By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Houston police are investigating an area shooting that left a man hospitalized last weekend.

The Houston Police Department said deputies responded to a shooting call at a small shopping center at 801 W. Little York Rd. just before 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 16. The victim,

a 29-year-old male, was found with multiple gunshot wounds and transported to a hospital, according to police.

Police say the victim was in the parking lot of a convenience store in the strip center when two unknown suspects wearing masks pulled up in a white and green pickup truck.

The suspects shot the victim multiple times before driving off, according to HPD.

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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • Page 3A

The Leader needs its readers’ support

A

bout a month ago, in a national publication called The Atlantic, an opinion piece started with this wonderful paragraph: “Among the important steps you should take during this crisis: Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. And buy a subscription to your local newspaper.”

If we charged for subscriptions at The Leader, that would be a near perfect way for me to start this week’s column. Instead, I’ve got some explaining to do.

As many of our readers know, we started a program back in 2012 called our Voluntary Pay Program.

Each year, usually in December, I’d write a fancy, gut-wrenching column like this one, explaining that in a couple of weeks, you’re going to get a letter in the paper asking if you’d consider supporting local journalism.

Last year, we decided to put off the Voluntary Pay Program because many readers said asking for donations right around the holidays was just terrible timing.

This year, we planned on sending you this message the first week of March. Ha, now wouldn’t that have been something? Dear readers, while you’re all cooped up in your houses, wondering if you’ll have a job tomorrow, would you please throw a bacteria-stained stamp on an envelope and consider supporting your local newspaper?

Jonathan McElvy Publisher

If I’m honest, our original plan was to hold off on this program until the fall, or maybe even wait until next year, but at a time when we need strong, local, vetted and trusted news, put us in the long line of businesses that have had a really tough time through this pandemic.

I read a story earlier this week about a company in California that had to close all of its community newspapers. The owner of the newspapers had a line worth repeating, if only summarized.

“Look,” he said, “I’m a really good salesperson. But it’s hard to sell advertising to businesses that aren’t open.”

If you don’t know the specifics of how The Leader operates, we’re a newspaper completely funded by local businesses. From our hospitals to our Realtors to our restaurants, banks and boutiques, our business model is simple, if not a bit outdated. We work really hard to create a news product worth

reading each week. And if we do a good job attracting readers, local businesses want to be associated with that content.

Study after study shows the best advertising results come around strong editorial content, and for decades, The Leader has produced excellent content.

But today, as I’ve done in years’ past, it’s time I ask you to consider supporting The Leader, the people who work for us, and the overall mission we have of producing trusted, relevant content to the homes and businesses in our slice of north and northwest Houston.

In The Leader’s June 6 edition, you’re going to find a letter from me, along with an addressed envelope asking you to consider supporting our work. (Oh, and we’re putting the letters and envelopes through a machine to insert in the paper, in case you’re worried about the spread of germs.)

As we’ve done in the past, we’ll offer suggestions for donation amounts. Maybe you can afford 50 cents a week ($26), or maybe you can handle $1 a week ($52), or maybe you have more that you can share. For that matter, think about us as a restaurant – maybe we’re worth one good meal a year for your family, except you keep getting fed each week with new and fresh information about this area of Houston.

More home work, please THE OFFICE – There is no boss hovering over me, asking me why my project – find Mike Pence’s spine -- was not finished on time, no co-worker dropping by to discuss the Astros’ chances of making bail before the truncated season starts and no one trying to sell me their daughter’s Girl Scout cookies. Also, no one objects to my spittoon. Then there is the commuting. I commute quite a ways, from the bedroom, through the solarium and the stables, over the river and through the woods to my office. With light traffic, I can make it in 15 to 20 minutes. There are drawbacks.

You know the old saying, “For better or worse, but not for lunch?” I can now make my own peanut butter sandwich.

Due to the new coronavirus, today millions of Americans are at home, spending all day on their computer or Zooming or talking to Perth while still in their pajamas, house shoes and unshaven, not even using a deodorant. There are advantages and disadvantages, which we shall now explore, along with the burning question out front: when this pandemic is over, or until Gov. Greg Abbott says the death toll is acceptable (1,000 a day), will our work habits go back to normal or will we continue to go unshaven?

Not to get bogged down in stats, a survey of 1,000 fulltime employed men and women in the past month found that 69 percent of Americans enjoy working from home more than they thought they would, while 54 percent say they are more productive at home. Approximately half of working adults are sleeping later because they don’t have to commute, 37 percent admit to wearing pajamas during the day, and 17 percent work with a pet or child on their lap. What do people dislike about working from home? Forty-four percent say they miss their coworkers and 21 percent miss outside lunch breaks. Moreover, approximately a quarter of working adults miss having specific working hours.

The number of stay-athomers had been increasing long before the pandemic. According to the U.S. Census, in 2000, 3.3 percent of workers in the U.S. worked full time at home. Sixteen years later, in 2016, it was 5 percent, and increased to 5.2 percent in 2017, about 8 million people.

Here’s a statistic I find to be suspicious, but it could be true: Research shows that, apparently due to the pandemic, 66 percent of Americans are currently working from home, 44 percent are working remotely – that is, at the funeral home or pig rendering factory -- five days or more a week. A lot of Americans would really like to get out of the house: 39 percent would prefer to work some place other than home.

As for those who stay home, the usual suspects: the suits,

Lynn Ashby Columnist

the numbers crunchers freed from their cubicles. The latest Bureau of Labor and Statistics data reports this covers management, business and financial industries. Those who still awake to the alarm clock and hit the freeways are store clerks, prison guards, rat catchers and postal carriers.

Americans whose workplaces haven’t changed include lighthouse keepers, authors, submariners and President Trump. Shepherds and cowboys fall into their own category. None of this includes the tens of millions of Americans who aren’t working, period.

The worst thing about the pandemic – well, not counting all the suffering, deaths and world-wide disruptions – is trying to turn the pages in newspapers, magazines and books. My fingers are too dry.

Before the pandemic, I would simply lick my fingers and magically flip the page. Now we are not even supposed to touch our face, much less stick any finger in our mouth. Also, it’s hard to lick your fingers while wearing a mask. Maybe I should put a dish of water by my chair and dip my fingers in it every two pages. In addition, the pandemic has changed my own self-importance, because now with so many others working at home, I can’t feel superior. Ah, the good old days when, about 5:30 I could wander to the bar, pour a vodka and think, “Those poor suckers are stuck on the freeway and won’t be home for hours.”

What will our society be after the pandemic? A Gallup poll found a majority of American adults working from home would prefer to continue doing so “as much as possible” after the pandemic. Working at home means less driving, less gas, fewer fill-ups. The lifeline for Houston and Texas is oil and gas, and with oil already at historic lows, what happens to the Texas economy? The state government will suffer a harsh cut in gasoline and diesel taxes (20 cents a gallon). The Permanent University Fund, largely financed with royalties from the oil biz which is channeled to the UT and A&M systems, will be hurt, too. How will those schools pay for their halfbacks? The public schools in Texas also depend on state funds. School teachers from Dalhart to Harlingen will have to turn in their MercedesMaybach. On the other hand, less driving means less air pollution. Already satellite shots show that cities around the world have less air pollution.

There are spin-offs that will suffer when workers tell their boss, “I did great during

the pandemic self-quarantine.

Why can’t I just work from home?” If this happens in significant numbers, what happens to the delis and fast-food shops – that didn’t go bankrupt -- that serve lunches to the wage slaves Monday through Friday? Haberdashers will find their customers no longer need business attire, although there will be a run on pajamas. Ladies, who needs cosmetics? Kids might find home schooling beats the 30-minute ride on the school bus and no more of that foul-tempered Miss Grinch. There will be less work for the police since home burglaries will drop – all the houses will be occupied. Forget a home alarm system.

Well, it’s back to work for me. Maybe I can google “spine – veep.”

Ashby works at ashby2@comcast.net

Across the world, there has been a trend over the past few years for newspapers to move toward a more subscriber-based business model.

Instead of relying on advertisers, who have flocked to Google and Facebook, places like the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and even the Houston Chronicle have relied more and more on readers footing the bill.

Consider the cost of the Houston Chronicle, which will deliver the Sunday edition and give you unlimited digital access for $255 per year. Sure, they’ve got all those fancy sports stories, but for one paper a week (same as The Leader), they ask for much more than we’d ever ask.

Look, I’ve never once compared The Leader to the Chronicle, much less the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. We don’t have the staff or the experience or the depth of reporting that those esteemed publishers have at their disposal.

But for what we have, I do believe we’re the Times or the Journal or the Chronicle of our small area of Houston. In fact, pound for pound, I believe our staff is one of the best in the country.

In just the past year, we’ve helped spotlight businesses like Signature Smiles that apparently took advantage of their customers. After our reporting, complaints were filed and lawsuits are in the works. We

held their owners accountable.

We’ve supported local businesses, even ones that have been taken advantage of by criminals. Some of our reporting led to Houston’s police chief calling a meeting with area businesses and seeking ways to better protect those businesses.

We covered the Acres Homes concrete plant mess from proposed start to, eventually, seeing that company take their plant elsewhere and away from residential homes.

And we even helped a disabled Oak Forest senior citizen recover $3,500 from a national company that tried to take advantage of one of our neighbors.

At The Leader, we’ve done everything in our power to run a fair, relevant news product, and we’ve always sought to operate our business efficiently and effectively, saving expenses in every manner possible.

Right now, this year, we do need your help, and I’m forever indebted to the readers who have supported The Leader for the eight years I’ve tried to steer this ship.

Be on the lookout for that letter or our social media postings in the next couple of weeks. Or if you’d like to go ahead and help, visit the donations page on our website, www.theleadernews.com/donations.

Email jonathan@mcelvymedia.com

THE READER. City’s proposed trash bin fee stinks

Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com

Dear Editor: Really enjoyed Jonathan McElvy’s article on bin fees. He is correct; the city will start charging for any item they believe they can get past the taxpayers. The best way for taxpayers to obtain relief is to replace the mayor and most of the council members. Especially the one that compared the fee to a cup of coffee. Allow me to decide where to waste my money. As per the ordinance that prohibits homeowners from purchasing trash bins, just change the ordinance. I have had the same bins since they were first delivered. If they had been provided on a lease to own basis, they would be mine. If the city council decides to go through with the insane idea, please pick up my recycle bin and at least I will not be charged for that one.

Also, Amy peck wrote a great response to Turner’s request. If she does a PS, she could add not paying for dog parks and painting the control boxes around Houston. Drivers are distracted enough. The plain control boxes blended into the background, now drivers look at them as they drive past instead of keeping their eyes on the road.

A comment in the letters to the Reader regarding not being charged for trash collection needs to get the facts straight. The city DOES charge for collecting trash. It is in the TAXES we pay. The trash is not picked up “FREE.” We have all paid for the bins we have, now we must rent them. I wonder if we can apply for assistance due to the pandemic. If we don’t pay the fee will our trash be evicted?

The sunset review should take place every week until the council removes this stupid fee.

Olton Decuire

Speed Racers: Revving engines on North Loop a nuisance for nearby residents

Dear Editor: They not only race down 610 but down Shepherd and Durham and cut through the short residential streets between the two main roads. There are children and pets and they have no regard for the neighborhood. We reported it last week as we saw them all meeting in the parking lot of KA Sushi at 18th and Shepard. Why don’t the police stake out this area to do more arrests?

Ann Dear Editor: I have it on good authority that the motorcycles wait until about 3AM when HPD is taking a break, and then they race around the entire 610 loop with timers reaching speeds of 180 MPH. Anyone with the money to afford a race machine should be able to afford the cost to race on a track.

If not, they shouldn’t be racing.

The city and the county don’t care about this, any kinds of complaints about traffic go unheeded.

In Harris County you are more likely to be killed by a vehicle than by a virus, but the elected officials can’t be bothered to do anything about it.

Jason Hochman

the leader Puzzlers.

Answers found in this week’s Classified section

SUDOKU

aCrOss

1. Package 7. Wear away 13. Joins a leaf to a stem 14. Worsen 16. Promotes international cooperation (abbr.)

17. Your folks 19. Publicity 20. Moves up 22. Dept. of Labor 23. Physicist Enrico 25. Whitney and Manning are two 26. Human foot (pl.)

28. Coral is an example 29. Extended error correction 30. Small amount 31. Dash 33. The greatest of all time 34. Middle Eastern country 36. Ravine 38. Cup-like cavity 40. Chemical substances 41. Extremely stupid behavior 43. He built Arantea 44. Beverage beloved

by Brits 45. Cereal plant 47. Signal 48. A bar bill

51. Comedienne Faris 53. Preface to a book 55. Stores grain 56. In a way, medicated 58. Small island (British) 59. An Indiana-based hoopster 60. Measures width of printed matter 61. Riders use this to transport goods 64. Once more 65. Thin layers 67. Says again 69. Cleans thoroughly 70. Warnings

dOwn 1. Relating to male organ 2. Indicates position 3. Covers with frost 4. Makes a soft murmuring sound 5. Wood 6. Type of fuel 7. Confused 8. Where you go at night 9. Canadian flyers 10. Type of birch tree 11. Beloved Welsh princess 12. Coated 13. Smooth substance of crushed fruit 15. Improves intellectually

18. A sign of assent 21. Island-based Italians 24. Pragmatic 26. Peter’s last name 27. A bag-like structure in a plant or animal 30. Mexican city 32. Sir Samuel __, Brit. statesman 35. Summer Olympics were just here 37. Fiddler crabs 38. Southern military academy 39. Tumors 42. Speaks incessantly 43. Sacred sound in Indian religions 46. Transactions 47. Et-__ 49. Reminders 50. Doesn’t interest 52. Norse gods 54. Canola is one type 55. Beloved sportscaster Craig 57. Irish mother goddess 59. Daddy 62. Press against lightly 63. Sound unit 66. Master of Ceremonies 68. Morning

WORD SCRAMBLE

Page 4A • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • The Leader

Opinions about HISD options abound

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com For Oak Forest Elementary fifth grader Valentina Guerra, not having to get dressed in the morning isn’t an adequate tradeoff for all she is missing.

“I miss going to school,” Guerra said. “I like the routine.”

She is not alone. As Houston ISD continues to weigh its options for the 2020-21 school year – ranging from online classes to A and B days limiting in-person student attendance to a year-round calendar as suggested by the Texas Education Agency – parents, students and teachers are making their wishes known.

“Every parent (and) community member I’ve spoken with misses their teacher because teachers are the number one factor in learning,” said District I HISD trustee Elizabeth Santos, who represents several area schools. “Our kids need to see a certified teacher in front of them. They need to do so in a safe, small class size.”

Added Kelli McSpadden, the parent of an HISD elementary school student: “They can have (classes) in July as long as they go back. My kids have the worst home school teacher – me.”

At a news conference last week, HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said a decision was at least four weeks out and that the district was prepared to continue with online learning through any part of the upcoming school year. She also said distance learning platforms and procedures would need to be more standardized.

For Hogg Middle School sixth grader Misha Marmo, remote learning was a “mixed

bag.” He said the course work varied greatly, depending on the teacher. Heights High School freshman Mattea Rodgers concurred.

“In some classes my workload has increased, but in others they don’t expect us to do a whole lot,” she said.

While the difficulty level of most classes this spring has been manageable, according to Rodgers, she worries about any increased rigor – and the need for more help – with the continuation of online classes in the fall.

“There’s only so much you can do over a Zoom call,” she said.

And for Micah Atkins, who is about to graduate Lanier Middle School and attend Westbury High School, online school was “more stressful” than in-person class. It was also hard for her not to see friends who will be scattering to different high schools next year.

“I just miss my friends the most,” she said.

Marmo said once he got used to the online schedule, things got easier.

“At the beginning I was forgetting about class, (and then) stressed out about getting on,” he said.

Students also said they valued certain aspects of the experience. Marmo could get his morning run in earlier and still have downtime before the start of class. Rodgers liked having morning classes with the opportunity to work out or relax in the afternoon.

And for Alex Kelley, who just finished his sixth grade year at Frank Black Middle School, doing more online school wouldn’t be so bad.

“I kind of want to go back to see my friends but I kind of don’t,” he said. “I had a lot

more free time.”

District VIII trustee Judith Cruz, who represents a small number of schools in the Heights, said flexibility will be the key to the 2020-21 school year. The answer may not be a one-size-fits-all model and a hybrid approach might be needed. Cruz said Lathan is in frequent communication with Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath and the other Region 4 superintendents. “(They) are trying to figure out how to make it work for kids,” Cruz said. “It depends on a lot of factors, but things are changing daily.”

One of the most problematic considerations is transportation, especially as it pertains to an A and B day schedule in a district where school choice is the norm.

“We transport kids from all across the district to all across the district,” Cruz said. “I wish it was more straightforward.”

Santos said that while safety is the primary consideration, the utmost effort should be spent on finding a way to make the year-round option work. Although she says she is not a fan of virtual learning, a blended model of online school and in-person instruction is a valid alternative.

Guerra said she is aware of the dangers posed by COVID-19, but it does not change her mind about going to Frank Black Middle School, in person, in the fall.

“I would be cautious, but I would not be scared,” she said.

Less agreement on DOI While there seems to be a fair amount of consensus on the positives of the TEA year-round designation, which would require approval from the HISD school board, there is less on the board’s recent

decision to pursue a District of Innovation (DOI) status. The board vote, by a margin of 7-2, sets in motion a multi-month process to evaluate and vote on HISD’s DOI designation.

The District of Innovation concept, passed in 2017, gives traditional independent school districts most of the flexibility available to Texas’ open-enrollment charter schools.

One of the no votes was Santos, a former HISD teacher.

“A district of innovation is anything but innovative,” she said.

The Texas Association of School Boards explains that a DOI designation gives districts local control to customize a plan for either a level of school, grade level or a single campus. They can implement practices similar to charter schools, including exemptions from rules governing a school start date, the 90 percent attendance rule, class-size ratios and teacher appraisal requirements, among others.

The particulars of a custom plan do not have to be approved by the TEA, but a district is accountable to the details of its plan. “(The DOI) allows districts to de-professionalize the teaching profession by allowing uncertified teachers to teach students,” Santos said.

“Its exemptions make room for larger class sizes. It lengthens the school year to open up the opportunity for more STAAR test preparation.”

Cruz, who also taught in HISD for 10 years, said the designation is something the board has considered in the past. She said the COVID-19 pandemic was not the driving force for pursuing the designation, but instead a reminder of its importance. According to Cruz, 90 percent of districts in

McCoy, Drinkard take top spots at St. Thomas

By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com St. Thomas High School valedictorian Grant McCoy is a Katy resident who has attended the private school since his freshman year.

He found out he was valedictorian on April 24 when Father James Murphy, the high school’s president, showed up at his door with a yard sign.

“I was very surprised,” McCoy said. “It was actually my dad’s birthday that day and my sister had told me there was a surprise coming for him. But when I opened the door it was actually Father Murphy coming to surprise me. It was really cool, too, because Father Murphy had set it all up with my sister so even my parents were surprised.”

McCoy said some of his favorite classes have been his Advanced Placement Spanish and

Grant McCoy

History classes.

“I’ve had a lot of really good teachers over my four years, so it’s hard to pick a few, but one that stands out is Mr. (Daniel) Hernandez, my Spanish teacher for Spanish 2 and 3,” he said.

“He was actually my confirmation sponsor as well. He wrote one of my letters of recommendation and has become as close as family.”

McCoy also played basket-

ball up until the start of his junior year and played golf all four years.

Like St. Pius X, St Thomas is also going to have graduation at the drive-in theater in Hockley. St. Thomas’ ceremony is scheduled for Sunday.

“I think it’s a really cool idea to be able to get everyone there as well as select family and friends,” McCoy said. “I do have a few points that I want to hit (in my speech) and memories that I want to relive with my class.”

In the fall, McCoy will attend Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He will be a Dean’s Fellow in the Heider College of Business.

Salutatorian Grayson Drinkard is also from the greater Katy area and has been at St. Thomas for four years.

His favorite teachers were Claire Conboy and Judy Granberry, who teach chemistry and

Brad Kubin Craig, 52, born June 30, 1967, died May 4.

He graduated from Dulles High School in Stafford, and received his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M, Suma Cum Laude, as well as his PHD in Economics in 2001. He is survived by his wife Brandy Bresenhan Craig, and mother Carolyn Kubin Craig, and sister Alison Blom.

Josephine Federico, 89,

born Oct. 25, 1930, died May 8.

Josephine Alice Hosea,

88, born Sept. 18, 1931, died May 9. She is survived by her her son Thomas W. Hosea, daughter Linda Kelly, three grandchildren,

Marion L. James, 92, born March 28, 1928 in Rosehill, Texas, died May 8. She is survived by her daughters Wyvone Heath, Janet Stoppelberg and Georgetta C. James, and five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a great-great granddaugter.

Ralph S. Marek, 95, died April 25. Marek was a true self-made businessman, whose partnership with his brothers covering 82 years built a great legacy for others to follow. He fostered a long term commitment to always do the right thing that extended beyond his family

and his friends – it included his employees, clients, and suppliers.

A man of strong faith, Ralph was always ready with a kind word, an open heart, and a willingness to help.

Thomas Eugene Smith Jr., 82, born June 1, 1937 in

Columbia, Miss., died May 15. He was a member of The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for more than 20 years, Garden Oaks Lodge #1306, J. W Chandler Daylight Lodge #1452, Billy Wayne Tinsley Lodge #1458 and Cowboy Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Smith, son Thomas Leroy Smith, and two grandchildren.

HISD to start summer meals program

By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com Houston ISD will provide free boxed meals for children twice per week at 68 different schools as part of its summer meals program, which begins June 1.

HISD announced Tuesday that the summer meals initiative, which is mandated by the state of Texas, will replace its community food distribution events that have been held since its campuses closed in mid-March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The district said in a news release that those weekday events, along with recurring Saturday distributions at NRG Stadium, have provided more than 5.2 million pounds of food to community members in need.

Among the 68 schools that will serve as host sites for the summer meals program are Browning Elementary at 607 Northwood St. in the Heights, where boxes of food will be distributed every Monday and Thursday between 10 a.m.noon. Another site is Burrus Elementary at 701 E. 33rd St. in Independence Heights, where

especially since he said there were only four CTE positions that HISD couldn’t fill.

“We know of multiple ways for people to offer industry experience (and) meet state certification,” Capo said.

He said that while HISD has said the waiver would only be for CTE teachers, he hopes it would not later be extended to other teachers.

As for the 90 percent attendance for class credit exemption, Capo said the argument that kids should not have to spend time in a class where they already know the material doesn’t hold water when there are so many options for advanced students, like honors and Advanced Placement classes.

“Teachers are already under pressure to pass on kids who they believe aren’t ready, (and) this will escalate that pressure,” he said.

The process to become a DOI starts with a public hearing – to be held within 30 days of the board vote – and then goes to a committee of superintendent and trustee appointees by mid-June for more evaluation. It has to be passed by a two-thirds vote by both the District Advisory Committee and the board of trustees.

Cruz said she will seek other ways to gather community input, too, perhaps through a survey.

“We will be listening to the community,” she said.

Santos said she will also continue to engage and educate the community.

“We received so much pushback (from) teachers,” Santos said. “There is no evidence that a DOI helps kids.”

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County commissioner donates masks to Heights chamber From Staff Reports The office of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jack Cagle recently donated 3,000 masks to the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, which is giving them to local schools so they can be distributed to members of the community.

The chamber said the masks were delivered last Friday by Precinct 4 representatives Patti Parks and Peggy Peyton. According to the chamber, it was recognized by Cagle’s office because of its community outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is because of your hard work and dedication to those we mutually serve that our community will persevere,” Elizabeth Stinsman, director

of the community assistance department for Precinct 4, said in a statement released by the chamber of commerce. “The commissioner’s office is pleased to play a small part in your important role of providing and serving, not only the constituents of Precinct 4, but also the residents of Harris County.

The chamber said it is providing the masks to the following area schools: Frank Black Middle School, Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, Helms Elementary, Katherine Smith Elementary, Heights High School, Northside High School, Waltrip High School and Booker T. Washington High Schools. The schools will then distribute them in the community based on need.

Concert, from P. 1A

THE OBITUARIES.

and three great-grandchildren.

English, respectively.

“They were (favorites) because I developed a personal connection with them,” Drinkard said.

During his time at St. Thomas, Drinkard was a member of student council and was an “Eagle Ambassador” who gave school tours to prospective students. As a senior leader, Drinkard guided freshman in assimilating to high school.

He participated in a variety of academic competitions organized by the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).

“I have done spelling, literary criticism, and I was supposed to do number sense and advanced math this year,” he said.

Drinkard ran track and played basketball, rugby and soccer during high school.

He will attend the University of Texas at Austin and wants to become an electrical engineer.

Texas already have the designation, mostly because of the start date flexibility.

“This crisis has exacerbated the inequities among student groups,” Cruz said. “For too long the way we do school hasn’t worked. The business of the board is to have longterm vision and long-term goals.”

Zeph Capo, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, said he wished the time being spent on a formal assessment of a DOI would instead be spent with stakeholders on the year-round option, or what he likes to call the 11-month option. “(With) not just the focus on starting earlier but the shift to three- or four-week blocks,” Capo said, stating the flexibility would help with any closures mandated by COVID-19.

Capo said he is “a bit skeptical” about the DOI and the ability it gives the district to circumvent state law and policy.

“With these exemptions through DOI there will be less public oversight on a district that needs as many eyes on its budget and policies as ever,” Santos said, noting recent investigations into HISD by the TEA and FBI. Cruz said she sees the benefit in HISD exploring all avenues and likes the customization that a DIO plan would allow. Exemptions to the district’s start date, the 90 percent attendance requirement, and the certification for Career and Technical Education teachers are the ones the board said it would like to assess. Things like waivers for larger class sizes would not be in the plan.

While Capo said the earlier start date is not as problematic, the teacher certification exemption of a DIO plan is,

food will be handed out every Monday and Thursday between noon-2 p.m.

At each of the 68 sites, HISD said boxes of food may be picked up by students, parents or other adult family members. Each box will contain breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack, with families receiving three boxes per child on Mondays and four boxes per child on Thursdays.

HISD said boxes will be provided for all children ages 1-18 who are in a vehicle at the drivethrough sites. Children are not required to be present, but drivers must show birth certificates or proofs of enrollment in any school district, such as report cards or student IDs, to receive boxes for those children.

“The school year may be wrapping up, but the need it still there for our families,” HISD interim superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “By modifying our traditional summer meals program, we can continue to feed our students in a safe way.”

For more information, including a complete list of distribution sites and times, visit houstonisd.org/summermeals.

new coronavirus.

Theresa Hill, Greenwood King Heights’ vice president of sales, said the concert idea was a collaboration between team members over the course of a couple of weeks as they brainstormed how to make an impact in the community amidst the pandemic.

“This gives them a chance to get outside,” she said. “We

just kind of wanted to do something to give back to the community.”

Performing live for Village of the Heights residents was Montrose resident John Curry, who played both original songs as well as country classics such as Garth Brooks’ “Rodeo” as the seniors clapped, cheered and danced.

For just an hour, residents

weren’t stuck inside their rooms or stranded by the coronavirus. They were front row at their own private concert.

“We’re all going crazy during quarantines, but it must be worse for them since they can’t really receive any visitors,” Hill said. “We felt like this would certainly be a bright spot in their day.”

The Leader • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • Page 5A

Reopening, from P. 1A zoos are among the businesses that could reopen Friday while taking measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, the upper-respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. “Today, tomorrow and every day going forward is one day closer to a medical discovery that will help treat and protect people from becoming infected with COVID-19,�

Abbott said. “Until that day comes, our focus is to keep you safe while also restoring your ability to get back to work, to open your business, to pay your bills, to get food on your tables.

“But let’s be clear. COVID-19 still exists in Texas. Our goal is to find ways to coexist with COVID-19 as safely as possible. That includes continuing the safe practices you’ve already adopted — maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask and keeping your hands clean.�

Abbott said restaurant dining rooms, which have been allowed to operate at 25 percent building occupancy since May 1, could expand to 50 percent capacity on Friday.

The reopening of bars also applies to wine tasting rooms, taprooms at craft breweries and similar businesses.

Childcare centers and youth clubs such as the YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs were permitted to open Monday, according to Abbott’s executive order, as were businesses that offer personal care and beauty services such as massage and tattoo parlors and piercing studios. Abbott previously said exercise gyms as well as non-essential manufacturers and office-based businesses could resume operations Monday.

Abbott said his plan is to allow youth day camps and overnight camps, along with youth sports leagues, to reopen May 31. Professional

sports such as auto racing, baseball, basketball, football, golf, softball and tennis also can hold events in Texas beginning May 31, although with no spectators in attendance.

Texas schools, which Abbott ordered to close for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year, can hold inperson summer classes beginning June 1.

Each of the reopening allowances come with a series of safety and social distancing protocols. All the details are outlined at gov.texas.gov/ opentexas.

Despite all the precaution-

ary measures outlined by Abbott, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner opened his daily news conference later Monday by describing the state’s reopening plan as aggressive.

The city reported 115 new COVID-19 cases and one death Monday. As of press time Wednesday, there were a total of 9,859 cases in Houston and Harris County along with 207 deaths caused by the disease.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, a total of 49,912 cases and 1,369 deaths had been reported on a statewide level. “I hope and pray that

Memorial Day, from P. 1A “It’s kind of like the virus stole that day from veterans.�

But the legionnaires at Post 560 have found a creative way to take the holiday back and honor the soldiers who have fallen while fighting for their country.

They created a video that’s nearly 5 minutes long and has been posted to Facebook and YouTube, where veterans in the area and beyond can participate in Memorial Day from the safety of their own homes.

Mak is one of 13 legion officers and members who appears in the video, in which they take turns discussing the significance of Memorial Day, the history behind the holiday and some of its traditions, including observing one minute of silence at 3 p.m. Also included is a tribute to former legion board member Robert Lawrence “Bob� Weggemann Sr., a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War and died in December.

The video was filmed over the span of two days last weekend and edited by Will Spencer, a U.S. Army veteran who serves as adjutant for Post 560. “For it being the first attempt, I thought

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quilts. Mondy-Boyce said VA hospitals all over the country are not accepting visitors or care packages because of the pandemic. “We’re doing what we can do, but we can’t do what we normally do,� she said.

Mondy-Boyce said Post 560 members continue to conduct “buddy checks� in which they make monthly calls to fellow veterans to check on their wellbeing.

Mak, the owner of Hartz Krispy Chicken Buffet at 1215 Pinemont Dr., helped financially by recently donating $300 to Post 560. He said he has been collecting online donations and using most of that money to feed first responders and families in need while setting aside a small percentage for the local legion post.

Cutting a check was another way for Mak to check on his buddies at Post 560, which is serving veterans virtually this Memorial Day. “For us, it’s huge,� Mak said. “This is the day we take time to reflect on everybody, not just the people in our specific branches, but every man and woman that served and gave the ultimate sacrifice.�

room still closed but the upstairs dining room and patio open, Jarrett said she’s had up to about 30 customers at any one time. That’s about as much as she can seat while keeping tables at least 6 feet apart, a social distancing requirement included in Abbott’s order, so Jarrett said she would not be able to safely expand her customer capacity from 25 to 50 percent even though she was allowed to do so on Friday. “This current model with the current space is not profitable,� she said. “We are continually trying to change our business model to find ways that will work. We’re going to keep trying to find those ways and hopefully come out on the other side.�

Robert Torres, the owner of Del Mar Lanes on Mangum Road, said earlier this week that it was “questionable� whether it would be viable to reopen his bowling alley at 25 percent occupancy. But Torres said the business would reopen nonetheless at 9 a.m. Friday, with half of his 24 lanes closed in order to promote social distancing.

Torres said the bowling alley took a financial hit as a result of its extended closure, with some employees having

to be laid off, but he also used the down time to renovate Del Mar Lanes. He said there are new lights and a new sound system, new murals, new tile flooring and an expanded game room for kids.

Local seniors who compete in bowling leagues are most excited about the reopening, according to Torres, who said some of his most loyal customers previously went to Del Mar Lanes multiple times per week and sometimes when they were not even bowling. “They’re devoted, dedicated to their sport. They love it,� Torres said. “For a lot of people it’s exercise. It’s a social gathering for them.�

Co-owner Sean Bednarz said Great Heights Brewing Company, a local craft brewer on Wakefield Drive in Garden Oaks, is grateful for the support of the neighborhood. A steady stream of to-go sales has enabled the business to pay all its bills, Bednarz said, so Great Heights is not in a rush to reopen its small taproom.

Bednarz said his business likely would wait at least another week before doing so, even though that figures to be more profitable. He said he is concerned about the safety of

his employees and customers and wants to make sure the brewpub is thorough in putting precautionary measures in place. “We could open the taproom at 25 percent capacity and not really have any more costs,� Bednarz said. “For us, it’s more of a safety issue.�

Another local staple that could have reopened Monday also is holding off, at least temporarily. The YMCA of Greater Houston is opening in phases beginning June 1, with the Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA on West 34 Street planning to initially offer camps, lap swimming and outdoor group exercise classes.

Bell said he is targeting next weekend, the final weekend in May, or the start of June for a reopening of the Shady Acres Saloon. And when the bar reopens, he said only the outside patio will be open to customers. “I’m most likely not going to open up until the first of June,� Bell said. “Hopefully the restrictions will be a lot less and so forth. But I’m going to have to open up by June 1 no matter what, otherwise I’m going to go under.�

Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich

Mary Hendrix passed away Friday April 17, 2020 at home surrounded by her loving family. Born December 30, 1933 in Corsicana, TX to parents William T. and Marie Moore. Mary was preceded in death by her parents as well as her siblings Jimmy Moore and Betty Bush (Moore). Also preceding her was her daughter Debra Laine Hendrix (Debbie).

Mary’s family moved to Dallas when she began to attend school, and where she would eventually become a proud Alumnus of WH Adamson High School class of 1950.

Mary leaves behind her husband of 69 years, Don Hendrix to honor her life. Also left to honor her legacy are son Don (Bun) Hendrix Jr., and wife Jackie (Brazier), grandson Dillon Don Hendrix and wife Kathryn (Martin) and their son and her Great grandson Harrison Thomas Hendrix.

Along with her parents Frank Degola and Ron Adams, these three started All Seasons Insulation, Inc. in 1982. After a very successful period of seventeen years servicing the custom home building market

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the corporation was sold and Mom began her retirement.

Durin gthis transition she and Don enjoyed spending time at their beloved Inwood Forest Country Club where they had been Charter Members since 1967.

Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff of Memorial Hermann Hospice. Special thanks go out to Hospice Nurse Gayle Galasso and Visiting Angel Ms. Tracey Branch.

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MARY HENDRIX it was great,� Spencer said. “We can kind of use this as a learning opportunity to make it better.�

Spencer said the video was the brainchild of Peggy Mondy, who served in the Marines during the Korean War, and her daughter, Catherine Mondy-Boyce, an auxiliary member of Post 560 who promotes the legion and helps organize events. Mondy-Boyce said it was something special the post could do during a time when it has not been able to do much.

Post 560 has a bar where local veterans usually congregate and socialize, but bars in the Houston area were required to close March 17 and could not reopen until Friday. Monthly bingo games and steak nights, which serve as regular fundraisers for Post 560, have not been held since February. Mondy-Boyce said the legion’s Easter festivities could not be held either.

Post 560 has been unable to conduct its regular outreach to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, where it regularly visits hospitalized veterans and donates clothes, toiletries, pillows and

Business, from P. 1A is the chief objective behind Abbott’s plan for a phased reopening of the state as it continues to cope with COVID-19, the highly contagious disease caused by the new coronavirus. The governor permitted the reopening of restaurant dining rooms, retail stores, movie theaters, hair salons, exercise gyms and childcare centers earlier this month, while bars, bowling alleys, skating rinks and zoos are among the businesses that could reopen Friday.

But a common refrain among local business owners is that reopening with a series of social distancing restrictions and sanitation protocols, and at a time when many employees and potential customers remain reluctant to venture out and expose themselves, is not viable.

Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace on West 19th Street, which like most other area restaurants had been operating as a delivery and to-go business since mid-March, reopened part of its dining room earlier this month. Owner Alli Jarrett said the greatest challenge has been enticing her servers and bartenders to return to work.

With the downstairs tap-

things go well and that in a month from now, we won’t be second-guessing anybody,�

Turner said. “Whether me or the governor or anybody says things are open, I think people are going to exercise their common sense and do things to help protect themselves and their family members.�

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Colossians 3:17 says, “And 803 Curtin St. Houston, TX 77018 whatsoever ye do in word 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.orgor deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving ethanks are entering a timeand of holidays and celebrations to God the Father by him.â€? One for many people in our country. Thanksgiving is of the struggles many people have their a holiday that we as Americans have enjoyed with for generations.

Many people are looking forward to time spentwant to relationship with God is that they with family, time off from work, a big feast, watching football, some sales things God’s and some catching do the biggest of the years, way, and probably many things others things during thisway.

Thanksgiving weekend.

There will be and he their own If God truly is God some people who will struggle during the this time of holiday really knows what has the best as they remember loved ones who is theybest have and lost, or close companions that are unable to be togethertobecause of theand his plans, then submitting his will schedule or the logistics. Either way, Thanksgiving will be a way is truly the best happy thingthoughts any person time when people are either thinking or sad could thoughts do. about something.

Trying to take an approach that goes When I was a boy, I remember my mother saying, “Don’t forget partway with God and tries to tomydo some to say thank you.� She was reminding me then to be thankful grandmother for the Thanksgiving meal, or to my bring things inwonderful your own strength will never family member that gave me a special gift, or to my friend who success or happiness.

Godwant created invited me to their birthday party. Most If people to teachyou and their children thankful. think most hastoabeplan for Iyour lifepeople thenwould you agree must trust that being thankful is important, it is also true that it is not completely. hewe didn’t create always toHim be thankful depending onIf what are going through.you and The Bibledoesn’t says in Ephesians 5:20 “Giving always for all care about youthanks or doesn’t have the things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus to beyou, in nocontrol ofyouallfeelthings, then Christ.� Ipower would encourage matter how during this holiday season to remember thatto yoube cantrusted be thankful to served.

God is not worthy or God. He gave up His only Son to die a cruel death on the cross It ultimately comes downoftotheir whether so that anyone who trusts him can be forgiven sins and or not have eternal life.trust Don’t forget toat sayHis thankWord you! you God or not. God’s If you would like to discuss this further or have questions, Word when it Baptist says “do Pastor Will Cover is canplain be reached at Arise Churchall at in the 803 Curtin St., or www.arisebaptistchurch.org, or 713-659-9697. name of the Lord Jesus.� There is no wiggle room here or opportunity to insert your own opinions or ideas that would be contrary to God’s ways. I believe God wants all of you.

To do anything less is to say that God is not truly who He claims to be.

W

Page 6A • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • The Leader

Help new puppies adjust before going back to work Dear Tabby, We adopted a puppy during the early days of the stay at home orders. We have so enjoyed our time with her but now we’re both about to start going back to work and we’re nervous about how she’ll cope. She’s been used to us being at home with her all day, everyday, and now we’ll be gone all day. How can we start now to help her prepare for our absence?

Quarantine Puppy Blues in Garden Oaks Dear Quarantine Puppy Blues, What a wonderful use of your time at home and what a lucky puppy to have owners who are so thoughtful about how she might handle this new adjustment! While I know that you’re concerned about how your dog will cope when you go back to work, the good news is that with a little preparation now, you can have her adjusted to the “new normal” very soon.

Here are a few things to do now to help prepare your dog for going back to work:

put soft blankets in the crate with her and make it a positive experience. You can also work up to having her sleep in her crate at night, to reinforce the idea that her crate is her “room.” Then, once you go back to work, she’ll be used to the crate and will find comfort in being in there.

Start a new routine If you’ve been sleeping in lately in the morning, now is the time to start waking up early and getting your dog used to an early morning, before-work routine. Establish a morning routine that includes plenty of potty time, breakfast and a little play time, too. Keep things low key during the day, and then plan for more play-

time, a nice walk and dinnertime at a time of day when you’ll be home from work when your schedule resumes.

This will help your puppy adjust to a new routine when you return to work. Also start leaving her at home for short periods of time now, so that she’s used to you not always being there.

Make midday plans Start planning now for coming home during your work day to let your dog go outside to potty -- or start the search for a pet sitter or neighbor who can help. You don’t want to leave your puppy crated too long during the day, so you’ll want to make sure she gets a break in the middle of the day

to run around and potty.

I’m not going to sugar-coat it: It might be hard to leave your sweet puppy at home that first day back at work, but rest assured that you’re doing a wonderful job taking care of her and preparing her for her new routine. Besides, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and you’ll undoubtedly be greeted with many kisses, tail wags and excited barks when you return home after that first day back at work!

Contributed photo Members of the Heights Rotary Club prepare to deliver food to Hamilton Middle School families.

Heights Rotary distributes food to Hamilton families

Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com

By Ken Stallman The Rotary Club of Houston Heights recently completed its first delivery of food to eight families whose children attend Hamilton Middle School and participate in the Rotary Interact Club.

“Many of our Interact students are from low-income families who have been hit hard by the closing of Hamilton and other (Houston ISD) schools,” Interact leader Erica Alderete said.

One of 10,700 Interact Clubs in 109 countries, the Hamilton club focuses on helping children 12-18 years old develop leadership skills, an appreciation for community service and sound personal values.

To bring practical experience to the curriculum, the students undertake at least two community service projects each year.

Pet of the Week Meet Sangria Just like her namesake, this girl is super sweet and a beautiful shade of red. Sangria is about 4 years old and is a Vizsla/Beagle mix who is simply the best dog on the planet!

Sangria loves playing with toys, is 100 percent house trained, loves other dogs (in fact, would love a home with another dog), and loves to cuddle! Sangria would make every hour “happy hour,” for just the right family!

To learn more, go to www. k9angelsrescue.org.

Crate train If she’s not already crate trained, now would be the time to do it. Begin by leaving her in her crate for short periods of time while you’re at home with her. Play soothing music,

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Mexican Restaurant

A/C Check Special

Note: Price does not include adding refrigerant. Evacuating and recharging the A/C system will be additional cost.

TheLibertyGarage.com

Like us on Facebook/AdolfsGarage Expire 6-5-2020. Must present Coupon at time of service. Cannot combine with any other offer. Limited time offer.

FREE HOME VALUE CONSULTATION! What’s your home “Really” worth?

Call 713-443-5911 Today!

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Team Regan Realty wants to be your Real Estate advisor.

Real Estate Broker Jim Regan is a local homeowner and investor with over 20 years experience helping your neighbors.

www.TeamReganRealty.com

OPEN 11:00 1 AM - 8:00 PM Everyday But Tuesdays Every

www.zillow.com/profile/TeamRegan

Ad # 29544

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

ESTABLISHED 1936

FREE DONUTS FREE KOLACHE Buy a dozen glazed donuts, get 6 glazed free.

34

95

Our Technician will measure that vent temperatures meet manufacturer standards, pressure test the a/c system, check for visible leaks and give you a written assessment of your vehicle’s A/C system.

Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sat 8:00 am - 4:00pm

We can help you in the Houston area and wherever else you move.

5305 Antoine @ Pinemontt 53 713-682-3853

713.695.50711

Complimentary maintenance inspection including:

Did you know that by doing regular maintenance you can extend the life of your car by 1000s of miles? Most models need special maintenance at 30K, 60K, 90K, 120K. Let us educate you!

Take Outs Available!

So Order Your Lunch or Dinner and Leave the Rest To Us! Come In or Call To Order!

$

Keep your ride

Many To Choose From

1/2 Price

“Helping families through crises like COVID-19 is what Rotary is all about,” Club Community Service Director Stephen Monsen said.

Within a day, Monsen had carved $2,600 from the Club donation’s budget and rounded up a dozen Rotarians to handle everything from the purchase of food staples to delivering bags of vegetables, fruit and canned goods.

“With this budget, we can supplement each family’s food needs for the next three months,” Monsen said.

The next delivery will occur the first week in June.

The Rotary Club of Houston Heights was founded in 1939 and has 45 members.

Virtual meetings are held Wednesdays at noon and include a timely and interesting program and speaker.

For more information, contact Monsen at 713-7033429.

For The Leader

Buy a dozen donuts, get a kolache free.

WHEN IT COMES TO

ADNORESULTS ONE ELSE STACKS UP The Leader reaches more houses with more readers so you get more response!

Good at this location only. One coupon per visit. Tax not included. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons.

3410 Ella Blvd. at 34th St.

(713) 682-4343

Put Us To Work For You:

Tia Maria has 32 oz. Margaritas to go for $15 with a food order.

Frozen or rocks.

If you are hungry, let us cook for you!

4618 Dacoma

(Between Hwy. 290 and Mangum)

(713) 680-0825

713-686-8494

5675 W. Tidwell 713.686.5677 Your Complete Car Care Center

49

$

.95

+ TAX

ALIGNMENT

CASTROL FULL SYNTHETIC OIL SERVICE up to 5 qts

$

45.95

+ TAX

The Leader • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • Page 7A

Page 8A • Saturday, May 23, 2020 • The Leader