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Deed restriction bill leaves residents wanting more By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com According to the original language in her deed restrictions, State Rep. Penny Morales Shaw should not be allowed to own property or even reside in Garden Oaks. That privilege was reserved only for members of the “Caucasian race,” and Morales Shaw is Hispanic. In a few months, though, she might be able to fill out some legal documents, file them in a Harris
County court and have the racist, unenforceable restriction removed from her deed – without having to pay a filing fee or other administrative court costs. Morales Shaw, the District 148 representative who serves part of Garden Oaks, was among the 177 state legislators who voted to pass Senate Bill 30 during the biennial Texas Legislature session that concluded earlier this week in Austin. She was a sponsor of the bill along See Legislation, P. 5A
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New park opens in Heights area By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com The Houston Parks Board announced Friday that Bayou Greenways Park has opened to the public at the intersection of White Oak Bayou Greenway and the Heights Hike and Bike Trail. Part of the Bayou Greenways 2020 Project aimed at transforming underutilized land along Houston’s major waterways into linear parks, the parks board said in a news release that the new park will “provide an oasis for the highly used trails along White Oak Bayou.” The 1.47-acre space is framed by woodland on the southwest and a line of sycamore trees along the northeast, and includes a broad grass knoll that offers views of the Downtown Houston skyline. “I congratulate the Houston Parks Board on another important park addition to the Bayou Greenways network,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in the news release. “The new park provides another opportunity for Houstonians to enjoy the outdoors.” The Bayou Greenways Park will feature trail connections to the White Oak Bayou Greenway and Heights Hike and Bike Trail as well as views of White Oak Bayou from an overlook and shaded boardwalk area. There will also be a trailhead and parking lot located at 1648 Studemont St. in the Heights. Additional attractions of the park include eating areas with custom benches and brick-clad seating walls, bike racks and plantings of native trees, wildflowers and bioswale. “The opening of the beautiful new Bayou Greenways Park is another example of the united effort to make Houston one of the nation’s most park accessible cities,” Houston Parks and Recreation Department interim director Kenneth Allen said.
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Keep composting. A weekly composting event in the Heights has been extended.
Page 4A
Summer nights. The First Saturday Arts Market is shifting to evenings for the summer.
Photo from gofundme.com Longtime Travis Elementary crossing guard John Davis, right, takes a break to have a photo taken with a young student.
Travis community rallies around crossing guard
Page 7A
By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadernews.com
Wolf of 20th Street. Wolf Capital Partners has big plans for the property at 742 E. 20th St.
Page 1B
In need of a home. Pet columnist Dear Tabby writes about Addison’s disease.
Heather Easterly’s daughter has walked to and from Travis Elementary for the last six years, developing a twiceper-day routine involving the school’s longtime crossing guard. In the morning and again in the afternoon while school was in session, John Davis would greet Easterly’s daughter with a hello, a friendly smile and sometimes a high five. They would engage in conversation, too, with Davis taking an interest in the Heights-area fifth grader and brightening her mood with words of encouragement and “great energy,” according to Easterly. Her daughter is so fond of Davis that she once made him a birthday card to tell him how much she appreciated him. “He really is the heart of the school,” Easterly said. Generations of Travis students and their families have had a heavy heart for the last two weeks, and current students such as Easterly’s daughter have missed seeing Davis at the intersection of Omar Street and Florence Street. According to a GoFundMe page set up May 20 by Andrea
French, the president of the Travis PTA, Davis suffered a medical emergency and is fighting to recover. As of Wednesday morning, more than 380 people had donated more than $32,500 to the online GoFundMe account (www.gofundme.com/f/we-love-mr-davis) to help Davis and his family cover medical expenses. Nearly two dozen donors also wrote heartfelt messages about Davis and their interactions with him, with some saying they love him. “Our community is known for pulling together when someone is in need,” French said. The Houston ISD press office did not grant requests to interview Travis principal Tom Day or a member of Davis’ family. The office also did not answer emailed questions about Davis and his employment with the district. A spokesperson for the Houston Fire Department said it was dispatched to a call regarding an unconscious man on the ground near Travis, located at 3311 Beauchamp St. in Woodland Heights, at about 7 a.m. May 18. HFD’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived to find a bystander See Davis, P. 5A
Timbergrove honors late Heights Mobil employee By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
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THE INDEX. Church....................................................... 4A Classifieds.............................................. 5A Coupons. ................................................. 3B Food/Drink/Art................................... 7A Obituaries.............................................. 4B Opinion. ................................................... 3A Public Information......................... 2A Puzzles...................................................... 3A
Photo from Houston Parks Board Bayou Greenways Park recently opened near Studewood Street (road at left) and White Oak Bayou in the Heights.
Photo by Betsy Denson Lisa Mills’ sister, Cheryl Hicks, stands in front of a memorial bench dedicated to Mills on the Sinclair Elementary campus Tuesday as Timbergrove residents Courtnie Hays, right, and Adrienne Thorp look on.
Lisa Mills was beloved in the community where she worked. The former clerk and right-hand woman to Heights Mobil Car Care owner Heather Mouzourakis, Mills died last fall due to complications from lupus. But she is still remembered every day by those who loved her – and a new memorial at Sinclair Elementary will be a more tangible reminder of her sphere of influence. A buddy bench bearing Mills’ name was recently installed at the school with an outdoor library soon to follow. The tribute is a result of $300 in donations from the Timbergrove community, spearheaded by resident and Mobil customer
Courtnie Hays. That money was matched by the Sinclair PTO. A dedication of the bench and a celebration of Mills’ life took place Tuesday and was attended by her family and co-workers as well as Hays and PTO members, including PTO president Adrienne Thorp. Mills’ sister, Cheryl Hicks, said that although Mills did not have children, she served as a mother to everyone. “She was that aunt,” Hicks said. “Whatever anybody needed, she would get it, school supplies and clothes.” Hays remembered Mills’ sense of humor and the way she was invested in the lives of the customers who soon became her friends. See Mills, P. 5A
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The Leader • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • Page 2A
City launches police transparency hub By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com On Monday, the city of Houston launched an initiative officials say is aimed at increasing transparency in its law enforcement. A news release from the city said the Police Transparency Hub will make it easier for public citizens to file a complaint against
an officer or search for information about the Houston Police Department’s encounters and demographics. The initiative is part of the city’s efforts to implement suggestions from the Mayor’s Task Force on Policing Reform, according to the city. “Today’s launch is another significant step toward increasing transparency and
accountability while building trust between the public and the police department,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said. Visitors to the hub will be able to see five dashboards where they can access information about HPD data, policies and other information related to cite and release, use of force, traffic stops, disciplinary actions, and employee diver-
sity that will be updated every month. Community members can post complaints by uploading photos and videos and include other information about the encounter with a police officer. Complaints can be submitted anonymously, and forms are available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Arabic and Spanish. The newly-created Office of
Man accused of shooting girlfriend One killed, two hospitalized at Oak Forest apartment complex in De Soto apartment shooting By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Houston police say they have arrested a man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend at an Oak Forest apartment complex last month. The Houston Police Department said Isac Marrugo, 28, has been charged with murder in the shooting death of 28-year-old Yajaira Alvarez on May 22. HPD said officers responded to The Grove at 43rd apartment complex around 7:40 p.m. May 22 to find Alvarez dead on the floor of her apartment with apparent head injuries. An autopsy by the county’s medical examiner later
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Marrugo
determined she had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, according to HPD. Police said subsequent investigation identified Marrugo as a suspect, and he was arrested May 25.
Police say they have arrested a man suspected of shooting and killing a woman while injuring two other people at a local apartment complex last week. The Houston Police Department said 40-year-old Tayo Brown has been charged with one count of murder and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the incident. One victim, 41-year-old Lashanda Pace, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two victims were taken to an area hospital in unknown conditions, according to HPD.
Policing Reform and Accountability will oversee the investigation of online complaints along with complaints from the Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB), according to the city. “Houston is leading the nation on policing reform,” Turner said. “And we are just getting started.”
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Crash kills woman, Man dies in food injures two young boys store shooting By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Houston police say they are looking into a car crash in the area that left the driver dead and left two young boys with minor injuries last week. The victim, 26-year-old Kimberly Titus, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said the two boys, ages 3 and 5, were
taken to Texas Children’s Hospital with minor cuts. HPD, citing witnesses, said the victim was driving her vehicle northbound at 5369 Antoine Dr. around 8:15 p.m. May 28, when the vehicle struck a curb, left the roadway and crashed into a business along with a parked car. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, according to police.
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Police say they are looking into the fatal shooting of a man near the Northside Village area last week. The victim, 55-year-old Patrick Wright, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Houston Police Department. HPD said Wright and his wife were leaving the Vailankanni Food Store at 1412 W.
Cavalcade St. around 10:30 p.m. May 27 when an unknown person walked up and shot Wright multiple times before fleeing the scene on foot. The suspect is described only as a Black male who was wearing a camouflage jacket, police said. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact HPD’s Homicide division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
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THE TOPICS. The Leader • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • Page 3A
There’s no place like this newspaper H
ome is where the heart is, right? Then I hope you’ll forgive me for the fact my house, where I sleep every night, is not in the heart of the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest or any of the other North Houston neighborhoods served by The Leader. I live about a 30-minute drive away, on the outskirts of northwest Harris County, almost in the country. But before you judge me for being an outsider, let me tell you that deep down inside, I’m firmly planted in Leader Country, which is what our venerable community newspaper used to call the part of Houston it has covered so well over the years. And I’ve come to realize that Leader Country might be as much a state of mind as it is the best locale in the region. I plugged myself into the neighborhood and embraced it as soon as I was hired as editor of The Leader in 2018, and I’ve become only more fond of it and more ingrained in it in the weeks and months and years since. I know the streets of Shady Acres and Shepherd Park Plaza better than the roads surrounding my own subdivision, and I talk to neighbors in Oak Forest and the Heights more often than the people who live a block away from me.
Adam
Zuvanich Editor
If I see a report on the local TV news about a fundraiser in Timbergrove or a new restaurant on Washington Avenue, I’ll say, “That’s in our area,” as if I’m 20 blocks away and not 20 miles. Working at The Leader and chronicling the communities we serve – their accomplishments, their struggles, their evolution and their impact on the rest of the city – is a labor of love. It’s the best job I’ve had in journalism, because I get to connect with compelling residents and businesses, share their stories and have a tangible effect on their lives and livelihoods. Some of the stories I’m most proud to have told led to changes for the better, such as the Texas Department of Transportation partially closing two neighborhood streets along the U.S. 290 access road, after longtime Oak Forest
residents Don Davis and Chris Rich alerted me to an increase in through traffic on their historically quiet streets. I also wrote about disabled area man Antonio Helm, who claimed he was taken advantage of by a national plumbing company, and his debt was forgiven shortly after the story was published. And then there’s Don Jose Mexican Restaurant, which decided to close until I wrote about it, and then the community staple kept its doors open after realizing it was so cherished by the families who frequented the place over the years. Local residents regularly reach out about issues they want addressed or problems they hope
can be solved, because they know we’ll listen to them and advocate for them when no one else will. Such overtures might be the best compliments a newspaper editor can receive, because they let me know we’re making a difference. They also tell me my love for The Leader is reciprocated by those who read it every week, which is a great feeling. Everyone likes to be appreciated and supported, and we hope you’ll continue to appreciate and support the papers we print along with the stories and photos we post to our website, theleadernews.com. In this week’s edition, you’ll find inserts about our annual Voluntary Pay Program, in which we ask readers to make financial contri-
A quota of quotes about Texas THE WALL – Here is a framed page from Harper’s Weekly, the March 30, 1861, edition. Just why would such an old page be of any note? Because it may be one of the first put-downs of our beloved home. “When a man was so infamous and hopeless that he could not ship on board a whaler, he went to Texas.” Looking around here today, nothing’s changed. So it is time once again to check out who was and is saying what about us. “Other states teach their own histories, but not many take it as seriously as Texas does.” -H. W. Brands, UT professor, The New York Times Book Review, May 9, 2021. This was written in a review of a new book, “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed, a proud Black Texan. (Her 2008 “The Hemingses of Monticello” won a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award.) In her latest book, Gordon-Reed takes note of her feelings that Juneteenth, a Texas celebration, is now a national event. “My twinge of possessiveness grew out of the habit of seeing my home state, and the people who reside there, as special. The things that happened there couldn’t have happened in other places.” She goes on: “It’s really a very Texas move to say that something that happened in our state was of enough consequence to the entire nation that it should be celebrated nationwide.” “Galveston is destroyed beyond its ability to recover.” -- Army Quartermaster report to the War Department after the flood of 1900. “Bond reflected that good Americans were fine people and that most of them seemed to come from Texas.” -- Ian Fleming – “Casino Royale.” “We in Russia have known that Texas is the most important state in the United States. We in Russia somehow tend to know about Texas rather better than about the rest of the United States, except for maybe Alaska, which we sold to you.” – Russian President Vladimir Putin, visiting President George W. Bush at his ranch, Nov. 16, 2001. Before we get too cocky: What do you get when you move 32 Texans into the same room? A full set of teeth. Hahaha. A Texan is driving through rural Vermont and stops to chat with a farmer, who brags, “I’ve got 40 acres here.” The Texan, feeling boastful, says, “Back home in Texas, I can get in my truck at sunup and drive a straight shot until sundown without reaching the edge of my property.” The farmer nods sympathetically and replies, “Yeah. I had a car like that once.” Unfortunately, we have Texans who are jokes, and
Lynn Ashby Columnist
we elected them. During an interview with Metroplex talk show host Mark Davis on May 18, Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton praised protestors who included rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, saying “I was there. They were just amazing people.” After the February freeze that killed 200 Texans and caused millions of dollars of damage and untold misery, former Texas governor Rick Perry claimed in a blog post, “Texans would be without electricity for longer than three days to keep the federal government out of their business.” It reminds one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s observation that older folks should be willing to die to keep the Texas economy running for younger citizens. Patrick, 70, didn’t volunteer to lead by example. It is reported by several sources that Sam Houston’s last words were, “Texas, Margaret, Texas.” Others dispute this, claiming Sam said: “I sure hope Texas is never ruled by a bunch of idiots.” Comedian Jeff Foxworthy said you may live in Texas: “If someone in a Lowe’s store offers you assistance and they don’t work there. If you’ve worn shorts and a parka at the same time. If you’ve had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number. If you measure distance in hours. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once. If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you’re going 80 and everybody’s passing you. If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas friends, you definitely live in Texas.” We may wonder why anyone else cares a flip about the Lone Star State and its residents, so we look to Oscar Wilde, who wrote in “The Portrait of Dorian Gray,” “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” Here’s a quote worth noting: Jose Antonio Navarro, a landed gentry from San Antonio, was captured in 1842 by an old school chum, Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. As Navarro had been a father of Texas independence, Santa Anna was overjoyed with
his catch. Navarro was tried for treason, found guilty, and was ordered executed. However, his life would be spared and he would get a prominent government job if he renounced Texas. A tempting offer, but Navarro, replied, “As I fought, so shall I be willing to die. I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son.” It’s a good yarn, but apparently Navarro never said it. A Texas historian told me the quote was made up by a high school coach for a book he was writing. Supposedly it is carved into the side of a state office building in Austin, but would cost too much
to remove. Speaking of debunking, we’ve all heard this one: “Texas can secede from the Union.” Even a bill has been introduced in this session of the Legislature “... that will allow a referendum to give Texans a vote for the State of Texas to reassert its status as an independent nation.” Sorry, legislators, but we tried that once. Didn’t work. Can you spell “Appomattox?” Oscar Wilde was right. Still, even if Navarro never said that, he should have. Ashby is quoted at ashby2@comcast.net
butions to the work we so enjoy doing. It’s work we plan to keep doing for many years to come, because we’re rather fond of this slice of Houston and the role we play in it. That’s especially true for me, personally. I was invited to pursue another job a little while back, which would have paid me more money, but it also would have taken me out of the journalism profession and out of the community. I did not end up applying, because I love The Leader too much. It’s home, even if I don’t live around here. azuvanich@theleadernews.com
THE READER.
Email us your letters: news@theleadernews.com
Heights grad headed to West Point
Dear Editor: Hearty congratulations to Heights High grad Brianna Correa, who is going to the U.S. Military Academy. It is immensely inspiring in these times to see young Americans willing to step up and protect our nation, to purposefully choose rigor over ease after high school -- to eschew being a wimpy frat rat or air-headed cookie pusher at some ordinary comfortable college with safe spaces and coffee bars. Her coming challenges will be more than worth the academic labor and mental/physical stress. (I’ve always been puzzled, though, with A&M and the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets just 100 minutes up Highway 6 from here, why there is invariably some number of Houston high school graduates who inexplicably settle for West Point.) J. Reynolds
HISD trustees name House as lone finalist for superintendent
Dear Editor: Advertising that HISD has only one finalist for a job is right out of the Advanced Course of Stupid 101. Any novice knows that multiple finalist are needed before making the final selection. This is necessary for HISD to keep their best negotiating position throughout the selection process. That whole school board must be fired, and IQ test given to all succeeding board members. The days of ignorant board members needs to be over. Rob Webb
the leader Puzzlers. Answers found in this week’s Classified section
SUDOKU
aCrOss 1. UN Sec-Gen Hammarskjold 4. Sum up 7. Shame & disgrace 12. Favorite Dr. Seuss 15. About earth 16. Lockjaw 18. 14th Greek letter 19. Durham school 20. Sodium 21. Ancient Olympic Site 24. Used to be United __ 27. Audio sound network 30. Girls actress Dunham 31. 1000 calories 33. Mekong people 34. Floor covering 35. Moroccan capital 37. Curtsy 39. Cheer 41. Database mgmt. system 42. Enough (archaic) 44. Release for a price 47. Similar 48. Not frequently experienced 49. Doctor 50. __ King Cole,
musician 52. Lady Spencer 53. Nauseated 56. More 61. Stevenson classic 63. Uncontrolled 64. Homesick 65. Law
dOwn 1. A continuous tube 2. Wet nurse 3. Rural France vacation retreat 4. Greek capital 5. Synthetic hormone 6. Qatar capital 7. Of she 8. Maya __ of Vietnam Veterans Memorial 9. Not out 10. Tip of Aleutian Islands 11. __ Ling, Chinese mountain range 12. NW Netherlands resort island 13. One who acclaims 14. Adjust for functioning 17. U.S. Revolutionary Adams 22. Bury
23. Adventure stories 24. Swedish krona 25. Several carangid fishes 26. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation 28. Cavalry-sword 29. Mahogany family genus 32. In a way, goes away 36. Thyrotropin 38. Axe killer Lizzie 40. Solomon Islands capital 43. Eerie 44. Root mean square (abbr.) 45. A nearly horizontal entrance to a mine 46. Assembled 51. Racketeer 54. Grand __, vintage 55. Cognizances 56. Hair product 57. Iranian monetary unit 58. This (Spanish) 59. JeopardyÕs Trebek 60. Small amount 62. Atomic #44
WORD SCRAMBLE
Page 4A • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • The Leader
Area healthcare options expanding with new Kelsey-Seybold clinic By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Kelsey-Seybold, a multispecialty group practice with more than 500 physicians and allied health professionals practicing at 26 locations in the Greater Houston area, has announced plans to build a new 22,000-square foot clinic on North Loop 610 near its intersection with U.S. 290. The Kelsey-Seybold-Greater Heights clinic, opening this November, will occupy the fourth floor of the Physician Specialty Center at 1900 N. Loop W. It will be KelseySeybold’s sixth new location to open in 2021, according to a news release. The Greater Heights clinic has room for up to 10 providers offering comprehensive primary care for adults. Patients will have access to an on-site pharmacy, laboratory, X-ray and other diagnostic testing services.
The referral network of Kelsey-Seybold specialists with offices at neighboring clinics includes River Oaks, Tanglewood, Memorial City and the newly announced 125,000-square foot Memorial Villages, which will open in 2022. “Providing convenient services in more established residential neighborhoods is a priority for our growth strategy,” Nicholas Ro, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic’s chief legal and strategic planning officer, said in the release. “Our new Greater Heights clinic, conveniently located near the intersection of two major thoroughfares, will close the gap for nearly 150,000 potential patients who previously had to travel outside their community to access a Kelsey-Seybold location.” John Lyle, senior vice president of operations for KelseySeybold Clinic, said more accessibility is key to providing
their model of care to more people. “A few months from now, we’ll be looking forward to greeting new and current patients at our Greater Heights clinic,” Lyle said. The upcoming Greater Heights location was designed by architects at Powers Brown Architecture. Gamma Construction is the general contractor. According to LoopNet. com, there is 9,882 square feet of space still available in the building on the first, third and fifth floors. Originally built in 1980, the six-story Heights Health Tower, as it is referred to on LoopNet, was renovated in 2014. There are 64 surface parking spaces and 339 covered parking spaces. Other tenants include Blue Fish Pediatrics Greater Heights and Solis Mammography Greater Heights.
Photo from LoopNet.com Kelsey-Seybold recently announced it will open a Greater Heights clinic on the fourth floor of the Physician Specialty Center at 1900 N. Loop W.
Community composting events to continue through July By Adam Zuvanich azuvanich@theleadnews.com
A weekly composting event in the Heights has become so popular, the community organization involved with the effort is not ready to cast it aside. Every Wednesday evening since mid-April, Heights-area residents have been able to drop off food waste and other compostable material at the historic Heights Fire Station at 107 W. 12th St. The free weekly events have been a collaboration between the Houston Heights Association (HHA), Zero Waste Houston
and Monica Orozco, a St. Agnes Academy student who initiated the effort as part of her Gold Award project for the Girls Scouts of the USA. HHA executive director Emily Guyre said the drivethrough community composting events, which originally were scheduled to end June 2, will continue for another eight weeks through July 28. Zero Waste Houston founder Leo Brito said 12 neighborhood residents participated in the first event on April 14 and 49 took advantage last week, with the participation number having grown each week. “There’s always been more
and more people every week,” Brito said. “It’s been great.” The composting events will continue to be held from 5-8 p.m. every Wednesday at the Heights Fire Station, with the exception of July 7. Because of a scheduling conflict, Guyre said that day’s food waste drop-off will be held at Marmion Park, 1800 Heights Blvd. Participating community members are asked to bring unpackaged, unwrapped food waste and other compostable material in a reusable container. Zero Waste Houston will compost the material at no charge.
Contributed photo A few young Heights residents hold up signs to invite community members to take advantage of a free weekly composting event at the Heights Fire Station, 107 W. 12th St., from 5-8 p.m. every Wednesday.
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t goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: “we have all made mistakes.” As Alexander Pope so aptly put it: “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” We should remember this the next time we make a mistake. Most certainly, we must learn from our mistakes, and hopefully not continue to repeat them, but we should also forgive ourselves. While it can be hard enough to forgive others for their mistakes, it can sometimes feel almost impossible to forgive ourselves. We sometimes cannot bring ourselves to forgive something we’ve done, and we may punish and harangue ourselves for years, or even decades, over youthful indiscretions. In addition, some of us may not be able to forget the sins of our past. And although that may prevent us from repeating them, we must be charitable and forgive ourselves, just as we should forgive others. So, we should make a real effort in the coming days and weeks to forgive the offenses of others as well as our own. Sometimes, it helps to just forget about them; that is, to try to put them out of our mind and stop repeatedly mulling over them. One of the reasons we use the phrase “forgive and forget” is because sometimes that is the only way to forgive, i.e., by forgetting. But far better, and more divine, is to be able to forgive even while remembering the offense. So, we should let go of those unforgiving, vindictive, shameful feelings about the past, and get over it! Corrie ten Boom, who survived incarceration in a Nazi prison camp said, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize that the prisoner was you.”
By Pastor Will Cover
In light of theSunday COVID-19 outbreak, please check with church below for updated St.each James Lutheran Church, ELCA Bible Studies For All Ages ... 9:30am Morning Worship ............... 10:45am In-person services are • Worship (English) ..... 10:00 am - 11:00am information about services and events. temporarily restricted. Wednesday Bible Studies For Youth, Children and Adults............................ 6:15pm
1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470
MANNA Sponsor
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Please website at: Sunday Bible Classes 9am Sund visit Ministries forour All Ages Wednesday Bible Study 7pm Home of Johnson Memorial School for Little Children www.lazybrookbaptistchurch.org for the following: Rev. Nathan Lonsdale Bledsoe, Pastor 4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 ◆ 713-686-8241 ◆ s t s u m cIn-person 2003 W. 43rd St. Wed .org Houston, TX 77092 Sunday Services: @ 9 AM and 11 AM (Live stream during 11 AM service) Bible Studies: From Homepage, click on 1822 W. 18th • 713-864-1470 Connect/Small Groups
Gethsemane Lutheran Church Pastor Jerry McNamara 4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227
We invite you to worship with us! Weekly Worship Services 9:00a.m. Online services can be reached through the website below at 9:00 am. www.gethsemanelutheran.org
Arise Baptist Church 803 Curtin St. Houston TX 77018 713-659-9697 • www.arisebaptistchurch.org
T
he last fifteen months with all of its challenges have presented some wonderful opportunities for reflection on truth. Each person has had to work through different Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, challenges depending on and you will be forgiven... theirR.S.V.particular situation. Luke 6:37 Everyone has had to endure through the constantly changing political, social, and economic landscape. Most have lived in a constant state of uncertainty. These issues have encouraged me to spend more time reading and meditating on God’s Word. In Philippians the Bible says, “But my God shall supply all your need,
according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” In the context Paul is talking about knowing how to live whether he was in prison or a free man. He knew how to live when he had a lot or when he had nothing. How could he be content in all of these situations? His hope was not in his financial or physical freedom. His hope was in God. He realized that no matter his situation, God was in control. As God’s child, you can rest in His plan. If you have confidence of eternal life in heaven, you can have peace no matter the circumstances of this life. I have spent much time over the last year walking our church through these and other truths about our great God. He truly does take care of His children.
The Leader • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • Page 5A
Davis, from P. 1A
Mills from P. 1A
administering CPR, according to the spokesperson, who said, “HFD crews took over EMS life-saving efforts and transported the patient to a nearby hospital.” Travis has since held a “spirit day” in honor of Davis, according to French, who said students made get-well cards. One donor to the GoFundMe account said her child is new to Travis but was made to feel like a longtime part of the school family because of Da-
vis’ friendliness while working as a crossing guard. Another donor said her daughter, another Travis student, contributed money from her savings. Another called interactions with Davis “the highlight of our morning.” “We absolutely love Mr. Davis,” wrote yet another donor. “He made every crossing a gentle little positive affirmation and no matter what your day was like, he made it better.”
Several Mobil employees also spoke about how integral Mills was to the success of the business, which was recently a Leader Readers’ Choice award winner. Niko Mouzourakis, Heather’s son, told the gathering he was just a boy when Milla started at Mobil and that she helped shape the person he is today. At the end of the celebration, the family organized a balloon release. Mills’ brother-in-law, Kenny Spencer, said a prayer and the group watched the balloons – blue, Mills’ favorite color – ascend in the evening sky. Hicks said the family was touched by the outpouring of love for her sister. “It’s a beautiful thing that other people cared for her like we did,” she said.
Contributed photo Lisa Mills, who died last fall, was a well-known and well-liked clerk at Heights Mobil Car Care at 1622 W. 18th St.
Legislation from P. 1A with the area’s two other elected Texas lawmakers, State Rep. Jarvis Johnson of District 139 and State Sen. John Whitmire of District 15. If signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, the measure would allow property owners in Texas to remove long-voided, discriminatory provisions from their deed restrictions, starting Sept. 1. “I think it’s a big step in the right direction,” Morales Shaw said. “Up until now, you couldn’t have it removed. You were subjected to that language and that deed format and can still see it. It has an impact and still affects people.” Making it easier to remove the outdated, unsightly language from deed restrictions was a pre-session goal of Johnson, Morales Shaw and Whitmire. The deed restrictions for Oak Forest have the same discriminatory provision, as do other neighborhoods in the Houston area and across the state. But Garden Oaks and Oak Forest residents who have been pushing for an easier, simpler way to remove the remnants of their neighborhoods’ past, along with Johnson and Whitmire, said they hoped more could have been done toward that end. Community members had asked the state lawmakers for a workaround to amending and restating their deed restrictions, which is an exhaustive process that requires the support of a supermajority of property owners within a subdivision or subdivision section. Whitmire said near the beginning of the 140-day
legislative session that it was a priority of his to pass a law that would allow one property owner, or a property owners association, to have the discriminatory language removed on behalf of the entire neighborhood. But the bill pushed through the senate and house by his legislative colleagues limits homeowners to having the language removed only for themselves. “It just doesn’t make sense,” Oak Forest resident Ashley Cavazos said. “You’ve got something that’s already unenforceable. I don’t know why we have to make it so challenging to get it removed this way.” When asked during a Zoom call why the bill wasn’t written to allow for broader changes, a seemingly frustrated Johnson threw his hands up in the air as if to say he didn’t know or understand why. Citing a conversation he had with State Sen. Royce West of Dallas – whom the bill was named after – Johnson said he was told the final version of the bill was “the only way we could get it done without it triggering lawsuits.” Johnson pledged to work on a more encompassing bill during the next legislative session in 2023, with the goal of having racist provisions removed from all deed restrictions in the state. So did Whitmire, the longesttenured member of the Texas Senate. “Unfortunately, the legislative process is a slow process, as you can see,” Whitmire said. “And so sometimes it takes a couple of sessions
to get the final version you want.” What’s next? Cavazos, the founder of a volunteer initiative called Oak Forest Deed for Change, which has undertaken the process of having the deed restrictions amended to remove the discriminatory language, said the group has obtained more than 50 percent of the needed signatures to have restrictions updated for Section 4. She said the push will continue until the 67 percent threshold is crossed, which would allow the section to amend its deed restrictions through the Texas Property Code, but the overall initiative will then be suspended while Oak Forest Deed for Change studies the impending new law and how it can help the effort. The hope, Cavazos said, is that one person or a group of people can collect the required legal documentation and file it on behalf of multiple property owners at one time. Senate Bill 30 includes sample forms that property owners can fill out and submit to a district court within their county of residence, which sets the process in motion for having the discriminatory language removed. Tonya Knauth, the president of the Garden Oaks Civic Club, said her neighborhood also is taking a wait-and-see approach with regard to the impending law and how it will apply to the community and its deed restrictions. She said she also had hoped the legislature would pass a law that would
allow for more of a sweeping change. “I don’t think baby steps is what we need at this juncture,” Johnson said. “We need to take gigantic leaps to eradicate these racist undertones that we have seen.” Pam Parks, a longtime Garden Oaks homeowner who is familiar with the process of amending deed restrictions, said she thinks future state legislatures should focus more on lowering the threshold for making changes than on individual restrictions. At least 67 percent of section property owners must vote to support an amendment in Garden Oaks, for example, whereas the section-by-section threshold in Oak Forest is 75 percent. She said the idea of encouraging thousands of individual property owners to file court documents, in order to make one change on
one deed, is “just nuts.” “All kinds of weird distortions come out of the fact that we can’t change things here at the local level. We have to get the state legislature to fix it for us,” Parks said. “To me that’s all wrong. We need to be able to amend our own restrictions.” Not everyone in the Garden Oaks and Oak Forest neighborhoods wants the discriminatory provisions to be removed. Garden Oaks resident Breanne Thomas, who is African American, said she wants it to remain so that part of the community’s history will not be erased and eventually forgotten. Instead, Thomas said she would prefer an addition to the deed restrictions that acknowledges the discriminatory provision and its invalidity, along with apologizing for it and expressly stating that people of all types are
welcome. “Something that shows, ‘We do not agree with this anymore, but it’s there and it shouldn’t go away,’ ” Thomas said. It’s not going away, at least not on a neighborhood-wide level, and at least not for another two years. But for Garden Oaks and Oak Forest residents who want the language removed from their deeds, such as Morales Shaw, they will have that ability if Abbott signs the bill into law. Johnson and Whitmire acknowledged that Senate Bill 30 is a measure of progress, albeit a small one. “For the folks that want to change it, they can,” Whitmire said. “It’s not going to go away until we have a broad bill that can sweep it off the books. But we’re not there yet.” Follow Adam Zuvanich on Twitter @AZuvanich
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Page 6A • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • The Leader GENERAL HOME IMPROVEMENTS
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The Leader • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • Page 7A
Art Valet: See what’s new at night at monthly market Mitch Cohen Art Columnist
First Saturday Arts Market, also known as First Saturday, has been held during the evenings in the summer since 2006, when the market moved to its current location at 530 W. 19th St. Just like the past 15 years, the market will be open from 6-10 p.m. this Saturday, June 5. The two dozen exhibitors attending this Saturday night are brave in my book. Setting up for an event that starts at 6 p.m. means braving Houston’s heat for a couple of hours. By the time everyone has settled down and cooled off (around 7) is usually when the crowds turn out. Several new artists are joining the market this Saturday with very different art me-
diums than what is so often found at art shows. Michael Muhlherr’s handcarved birds and fish will cause many to do a “double take” on first glance. Each piece is carved from driftwood. Muhlherr uses a technique that many artists refer to as intuitive, letting the wood “speak” to him as he sculpts. “I love working with wood,” Muhlherr said in a statement. “Driftwood and weathered wood have so much character, and when the interior is exposed, unexpected things happen. I often don’t have any idea what the finished piece will look like until it’s done. And for me, that’s why I do it.” Austin transplant Jenn Bianco has discovered an escape in her very vibrant and textural abstract paintings. “My creative process does not always begin with a vision, but instead an experience in mind,” Bianco said. “My profession is highly technical and I am a mother of young twin
Contributed photo Kevin O’Reilly’s “Houston” mosaic is made with 4,600 LEGO pieces in 23 different colors. It measures 15 by 33 inches.
boys, so my art allows me to escape a sometimes regimented and stressful life to expose my multi-faceted self – sophistication with a hint of chaos and a pop of vibrancy.” Jeffrey R. Farmer takes fine art photography to a new level. Have you ever snapped a photo of a tropical fish at an aquarium, only to realize you
didn’t capture any of the magic in its elegant movements or vibrant colors? Farmer captures all that and more. Included in his collection of prints will be a landscape series. Jeweler Lilli Lehtonen said she tells stories in her creations from anything she might have seen, from a paint-
ing, birds, the sea or flowers in a garden. Amazed, that’s what I found when I visited her Facebook page -- owl pendants, sailboats, flowers in a garden and even a pair of birds gazing at a star-filled sky. The big storyteller of the night I suspect will be Kevin O’Reilly, whether he likes it or not - people will be asking lots of questions. O’Reilly is a mosaic artist which in itself is not unusual, but O’Reilly’s choice of medium is ... LEGO bricks. You read that right, the little bricks that we all probably created with during our youth. O’Reilly’s work is never painted. He creates his work one LEGO brick at a time using original colors. The process is much more complicated than just assembly. With a background in 3D architectural renderings, O’Reilly begins by altering his images on a computer before beginning to create. “They are all authentic LEGO colors,” O’Reilly said. “Each unique piece I create,
I always learn more and more how the pieces I use are just like painting. It takes a mixture of the right colors and balance to produce some incredible results.” O’Reilly goes to great lengths to make certain his work lasts a long time and is easy to install. His time-lapse videos showing the process on YouTube are fascinating to watch, but I know I’ll have questions when I meet him Saturday night at First Saturday. These five artists and the rest of the two dozen joining the market have profiles with links to their sites on the website, 1stSatArtMarket. com. First Saturday Arts Market will be open evenings on first Saturdays of the month through August. Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market and the Market at Sawyer Yards. Find him at ArtValet.com for additional highlights and artist’s stories.
Review: Good-for-you, good-for-Earth cuisine served at Bellagreen By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
Green is more than just part of Bellagreen’s name. The restaurant is dedicated to reducing its ecological footprint at every one of its locations, including the one in the Heights. Bellagreen claims to do this by water conservation, alternative power, chemical and pollution reduction, sustainable furnishings and building materials and sustainable food practices. The American bistro uses fresh ingredients and makes everything from scratch. The menu is full of options like soup, salad, pasta, entrees and more, plus it features dishes that are gluten-free and vegetarian. During a recent visit, I started my meal with a cup of the roasted poblano and corn bisque, which is both
gluten-free and vegetarian. The bisque, which is usually a popular seafood soup, featured corn and oaxacan poblano peppers that were fire-roasted. It was simmered with garlic and shallots and then creamed smooth for texture. Red and yellow bell peppers and cilantro were served as garnishes. The soup was thick and creamy. The poblano gave it a little spice while the bell pepper added a sweetness. The temperature of the soup teetered between warm and room temperature. I would have preferred it warmer. For my main entrée I went with Bellagreen’s signature dish, the brick chicken. It’s boneless chicken marinated overnight with herbs, garlic and olive oil, then sautéed in a skillet. The garnish included lemon slices and a sprig of rosemary. Chipotle mashed sweet po-
tatoes and roasted vegetables came on the side. The seasonal vegetables were cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. Sautéing the chicken in the skillet gave it a nice crust on the edges of the chicken. The meat was tender and the herbs had seeped into the chicken. The skin tended to slide off on the middle pieces of the chicken when I cut into it, but even without the skin, it was savory. The chipotle in the mashed sweet potatoes made it interesting. It put a little bit of spice to contrast the sweet potato. The roasted vegetable was good, crunchy and seasoned. My favorite was the carrots. They tended to have a better balance of soft and crunchy. The latter side caused me to crave the carrot cake for dessert, which is the only gluten-free dessert on the menu. When I first saw the plate that came to my table with a slice
of cake on it, my initial reaction was: “That seems like they’re over-doing it.” The cake was first plated with lines of strawberry and peach sauce, then the cake was placed on top. A piece of dark chocolate was placed over the cake and on the side was a strawberry and small scoop of ice cream. After a few bites I started thinking maybe more isn’t so bad in this case. The sauce added interesting flavoring, and the chocolate might not have been eaten with the cake, but it was still good to have on the side. The vanilla ice cream was thick and reminded me of Haagen-Dazs ice cream. The carrot cake itself was a solid spice cake. The frosting wasn’t overly sweet and balanced well with the cake. While the cake was a little dry, the frosting and sauces made up for it.
Photo by Zarah Parker Pictured is Bellagreen’s signature dish, the brick chicken. It’s boneless chicken marinated overnight with herbs, garlic and olive oil, then sautéed in a skillet. The sides include roasted cauliflower, broccoli and carrots.
Bellagreen
Address: 748 E. 11th St. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Pricing: $5.99-$17.99 Kid-friendly: Yes Alcohol: Yes Healthy options: Yes Star of the show: Brick chicken
Make fun, easy iced coffee at home Zarah Parker Managing Editor
There are no local businesses I like to support more than coffee shops. It’s not just the higher quality of coffee I keep coming back for but the home-away-from-home atmosphere. However, I can’t afford a $6-$7 specialty coffee five times a week. This summer I’m still going to be visiting my favorite shops, just with a budget. With that in mind, I’ve learned how to make a variety of coffee drinks from home that are simple, cheap, fun and surprisingly easy. If you have no time in the morning, like me when I push the snooze too many times, the easiest way to get your coffee fix is to buy cold-brewed black coffee and the creamer of your choice. Fill a cup with ice, pour in the amount of coffee you want and then add some milk (or not) and sweeten it with creamer. I currently have on
hand a sweet cream creamer. It was a little weird-tasting at first, but now I’m kind of obsessed. It’s not fancy, but it’s quick, cheap and so easy. This next recipe I found while scrolling through Instagram. It can be found at coffeebaecoffeeworld. com, along with lots of other fun coffee recipes. For this one you combine 2 tablespoons of honey with two shots (about ¼ cup) of hot espresso. Fill a cup with ice, pour in the espresso mix plus 2/3 cup of your choice of milk and 2 tablespoons of chocolate milk. Mix it and try not to chug it. The honey is very subtle, but the chocolate milk adds that chocolatey taste I never knew I needed in my coffee until I tried it. Another one I can’t stop making, which can be found on the same website as the last, is a frothy concoction. Put 4 ounces of milk in a cup and use a milk frother until it looks like foam, which takes about 30 seconds, throw in some ice and 2 ounces of
Photo by Zarah Parker Iced coffee made with honey, espresso, milk and chocolate milk, pre-mixed.
espresso and you’ve got yourself a fancy-looking drink that’s super easy. If I want it sweeter, I’ll add sweetener to the milk before frothing it, but most of the time I like the bitterness of the espresso subdued only a little by the milk. My friend tells me my next summer coffee favorite is old news, but I’d never heard of lemonade iced coffee until recently. This one is perfect for sitting out on the patio
of a beach house looking out at the ocean, which I’m hoping will be me sometime this summer. First make some simple syrup, or as I like to call it, sugar water. Boil one part water and mix in one part sugar until it dissolves. You’ll need at least 2 tablespoons for the drink. Pick a glass and fill it a third of the way with cold brew, squeeze fresh lemons into the glass until you get the amount of drink you want, add the syrup and mix. Top it off with ice. It’s kind of like a coffee lover’s Arnold Palmer. Another new favorite is called overnight New Orleans iced coffee and I found it on Hummingbirdhigh. com. Pour ¾ cup of cold brew into a mason jar, add a tablespoon of chicory (which can usually be found where the instant coffee is at the grocery store) and one cinnamon stick. Put the lid on and shake the jar a good few times. Put it in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to have some in the morning, strain the cinnamon
stick and chicory pieces out of the mix. The jar is enough for two glasses of coffee, so split the mix into two 3-ounce glasses. If you’re only going to make one, add 6 tablespoons of milk and half a tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk to one of the glasses and mix. Throw in some ice and enjoy. I like this one because half the effort is done the night before, and it’s a solid coffee. It has a nice balance of sweet and bitter. When I first started making coffee at home, I didn’t think it tasted as good as the stuff I bought at coffee shops and sometimes just didn’t have the time. But I’ve learned to overcome both of those. By buying beans from those shops I can still support them, but get multiple cups of coffee at a cheaper price, while maintaining high-quality taste. And when I don’t have time, I shortcut the coffee-making by using cold brew. The hotter it gets, I’m sure the more ice (and sweetener) I’ll use in my cup.
Cost of goods impacting local coffee outposts By Zarah Parker zarah@theleadernews.com
The changes to every industry in the last year have been substantial due to COVID-19. While there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the end of the pandemic, the impact is not only still being felt, it’s still changing businesses and will continue to in ways that have yet to be seen. In the hospitality industry, some coffee shops are beginning to feel the effect of the disruption of the flow of trade. “Many importers stopped buying and receiving coffee into the United States because the market was so unstable,” said Jacob Ibarra of Tenfold Coffee, 101 Aurora St. “This disrupted the flow
of trade and in particular shipping containers, which there still seem to be a shortage of because many have not been unloaded and thus put back into the system.” While this hasn’t impacted Tenfold, Ibarra mentioned conversations he’s had with other operators and how the instability of the year — fewer people in the door, less seating for people — with fixed rent staying the same is causing huge implications for their business. Namely, they have to begin considering increasing the price on their menus. “We talk to our farmers, exporters and importers frequently, which allows us to navigate times like this with an element of openness,” Ibarra said. “Our coffee costs have not risen over the last 18 months.”
For EQ Heights, 1030 Heights Blvd., this hasn’t caused an increase in their cost of coffee beans, but its owner, Kevin Blasini, said the type of beans they usually use are hard to find, meaning they’ve had to look for new suppliers. Originally, the shop used microlot, coffee beans grown in limited quantities and known for being high quality, from Panama. The shop had to search for a new source and found a microlot coffee from Costa Rica. “I think production was impacted,” Blasini said. “Coffee has to be ordered well in advance. So you’re putting orders in significantly ahead of the revenue. For right now, ordering for beans had to go in around the time COVID-19 started.” The pandemic doesn’t af-
Contributed photo Pictured is the roastery at Tenfold Coffee, 101 Aurora St. Tenfold maintains direct communication with its farmers, exporters and importers, which has helped keep the shop stable over the last year.
fect the bean in the ground, but it can challenge other areas of production, like sourcing the labor to get the beans from the ground and on its way to America. But the real problem isn’t getting coffee beans for EQ
Heights, it’s the increase of price in everything else that makes a cup of coffee possible. “The customer doesn’t always understand all the components that go in a $6 cup of coffee,” Blasini said. “The
price of something as innocuous as a paper cup has gone up significantly.” Blasini said these increases have to do with the pandemic and import tax. EQ Heights has not increased its prices, but Blasini said they have to consider it. Micheal Migl, co-owner of Amsterdam Co., 807 W. 19th St., said the coffee shop is also experiencing an increase of the cost of milk and paper goods. “We’ve got to weigh out the options,” Migl said. “Increase the price or discontinue the item.” So while coffee itself doesn’t seem to be the main issue for local coffee shops, everything else that goes into making it with its inflation of price, may be causing some coffee shops to increase their prices or consider doing so.
Page 8A • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • The Leader
LEADER.com
luv Why do you ‘LUV’ your local paper? our community. your story
LET US COUNT THE WAYS 520,000
The number of words written in The Leader each year.
947
The number of stories we write about local events every 12 months.
6,864
The number of local names we publish each year in this newspaper.
18.9 million The number of pages printed this year, on paper that all can be recycled.
72,803
The number of our newspapers used to line your pet’s cages in the past year.
* OK, this is a guess, based on 4% of our papers being used for your pets.
6
The number of novels we could publish with those 520,000 words.
376
The number of local businesses that used us to market this year.
1.35 million
The number of times our paper was thrown by a real person in the past year.
524,359
The number of times people saw our stories on Facebook over the past 12 months.
94.641
The number of newspapers used to protect your beloved possessions when you put them in a box. (And you can’t recycle bubble wrap!) * OK, this is another guess, but it’s probably a good one.
This month, we’re asking readers to help support this work. Please consider a contribution at:
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The Leader • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • Page 1B
Renovation staying close to its roots
Wolf of 20th Street
By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
The acquisition of 742 E. 20th St. is the second project for Zach Wolf of Wolf Capital Partners since he started the business in early 2020. Both the structure and the location were a draw for Wolf. “The building has good bones,” Wolf said. “It just needs to be freshened up a little bit.” For the renovation Wolf said he wanted to preserve some of the original materials of the building while updating it with some modern materials and colors. One thing the building also has going for it is longtime tenant Rudy Gonzales, who has operated Studewood’s Barber Shop at the location for 21 years. GonzaZach Wolf les has signed a long-term lease to continue operations there. “I grew up in the neighborhood,” Gonzales said. “I’ve been here since I was 10 years old and still get to see some friends. It feels like home.” Wolf said he is happy the barbershop is staying. “Studewood’s Barber Shop has been in the community for two decades,” Wolf said. “Rudy has a strong customer base and is the type of local community-based tenants that we love to have in our developments.” Wolf said that while the other existing tenants have elected to stay month-to-month for now, he has signed two new tenants. One of those, Kaitlyn Chapman, lives across the street. Chapman’s shop, Kalos Eidos Wild Blooms, will sell dried and preserved florals. She has had a home studio since March 2020 but is excited to launch her floral business full-time in a brick-and-mortar location. Chapman said she signed a two-year lease to start. “I think the redevelopment (of 742 E. 20th St.) will be great for this area,” she said. Other new tenants are Hugh and Vivian Scott, who own School of Rock in West University and are opening another franchise location in the Heights. “We opened (West U) in December 2019,”
Wolf Capital Partners plans to renovate the property at 742 E. 20th St., where Studewood’s Barber Shop has been a longtime staple.
Hugh said. “The only reason that we hadn’t opened in the Heights sooner is that we weren’t able to find the right property.” Hugh said they love the visibility the 20th Street location has for traffic driving along Main Street, Cavalcade Street, 20th Street and Studewood Street. “We found that having a high-visibility location worked really well for our business in West U, and we were keen to find something similar,” he said. “Additionally, we loved how the building has some real history behind it.
We are working with our architect to see if there is some way that we can reflect its previous purpose as a pharmacy into the design of the School of Rock there when we open it.” The couple said they also loved Wolf ’s vision of a School of Rock-themed mural along the wall on 20th Street. “We are working with a local artist to design and draw one for us, that we hope will become another Heights landmark,” Hugh said.
Plan for long-term care For The Leader Although nobody wants to think they will need nursing home care, the truth is that according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services someone turning 65 today has a 56% percent chance of developing a disability serious enough to require long-term care and services. To add insult to injury, long-term care often comes with a hefty price tag. If you don’t qualify for Medicaid benefits from the start, you will potentially deplete your life savings until you qualify, ultimately leaving your family with nothing to show for your years of work. When talking about Medicaid, below are three important terms to keep in mind: 1) Medicaid Resource Limit: When you apply for long-term care Medicaid, you must meet certain eligibility conditions, and one of those conditions is that your assets (or resources) be lower than a specific amount, which varies based upon whether you’re married or single and who requires care. 2) Look-Back Period: To prevent applicants from giving away their assets in order to meet the income eligibility requirement, Medicaid reviews all asset transfers during the last 60 months, or five years, from the date of application. If any assets were transferred or given away during that timeframe, they are still counted as part of your assets for Medicaid to consider. 3) Estate Recovery: After a Medicaid recipient dies, the state goes after the
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Medicaid Resource Limit.
Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713-588-5744.
recipient’s estate to recover all payments made for longterm care. If timed right, proactive planning can be critical in helping to qualify for Medicaid benefits and to preserve your legacy. The important step, however, is that you beginning planning before you need it. By doing so, it is more likely that you will pass the 60 months test and ensure that your assets are protected for your loved ones. Below are three ways that you can prepare to apply for long-term care through Medicaid: 1. Irrevocable Trust: An irrevocable trust can be established to hold title to your assets. The trust can be structured so that you receive income from the assets while you are living, but the principal cannot be used to benefit you or your spouse. When these trusts are created and funded more than five years before applying for Medicaid, the assets are not included as part of your
2. Life Estate: A life estate is a special type of joint ownership. It allows the person with the life estate to own and use a property for the rest of his or her life, but at the death of the life estate holder, the other joint owner automatically takes possession and the property is not included in the life tenant’s estate. 3. Annuities: Annuities can also be used by married couples to help with longterm care costs. Annuities are essentially insurance contracts which require a certain sum to be paid upfront in exchange for payments to be received for the remainder of the policyholder’s life. For Medicaid purposes, when the income is in the name of the spouse who does not require longterm care, it won’t count as a resource for Medicaid. When considering your specific circumstances and how Medicaid may fit into the picture, an individualized discussion of your assets and needs are important. To learn more about considerations when planning your estate, please view our helpful video series at TinyURL. com/SolakLegal or join Solak Legal’s next FREE online event, “Estate Planning
Wolf said work has begun on the development and should finish in a few months. Kalos Eidos Wild Blooms will open in four to five weeks and School of Rock later in the fall. “We are offering customers in the Heights the opportunity to sign up at our West U location and then transfer their membership for free once we open up,” Hugh said. “We want to be part of the community and will be looking for opportunities to play at markets or any other events where live music is needed.”
For over 80 years, we’ve cared enough to think about the very worst. Through tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and more, Farmers has been on the scene helping people start rebuilding since 1928. No one wants to think about all the things that can go wrong. But at Farmers, that’s what we’ve been doing for the last 80 years.
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Photo by Betsy Denson
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101,” on Wednesday, June 23rd at 4:30. A replay will be provided to all registered participants. Email ClientServices@solaklegal.com to register. The information in this column, which was sponsored by Solak Legal as part of The Leader Expert Series, is intended to provide a general understanding of the law and not legal advice. Readers with legal questions should consult attorneys for advice on their particular circumstances. Jennifer Solak provides legal advice for families and businesses and may be contacted at jennifer@solaklegal.com or 713588-5744.
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Page 2B • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • The Leader
Family legacy continues at Harting Automotive By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Jack Moore knows how blessed he is that Harting Automotive repair shop has grown steadily since opening its doors in 1982. He also knows why it has been able to do so, and his commitment to the mission has not changed, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of times the auto repair business has a bad reputation, like a used car salesman,” he said. “We’ve been lucky that people trust us and like us enough to refer us to their friends and families because they feel we’re being fair and honest with them.” When Jack bought the business from founder Bob Harting in 1999, he said he wanted to continue Harting’s commitment to his customers beyond a simple car repair. So whether it’s tackling a bad transmission or giving customers a chance to relax with some water or coffee in their comfortable waiting room, each trouble is tackled like the shop has done for nearly four decades – with dignity and respect for each individual. “Of course you have to fix
cars properly and do a good job there, but you also have to do a good job in the office by treating your customers fairly,” Jack said. “So I’ve always had that mix of good repairs out in the shop and good customer service in the office. That’s what has helped this business do as well as it’s done.” And though Jack is coming up on retirement soon, the business won’t falter – in fact, it will go into the hands of his son Greg, who shares his father’s philosophy of business. “When you take pride in what you do, it always shows through,” Greg said. “And there’s nothing I would have more pride in than taking over my father’s business...I think God has put me where he wants me to be,” he said. “I believe in honoring my parents, so that’s what I’m doing.” Whenever the transition might occur, one thing the two remain focused on is developing and maintaining a trustworthy relationship with the members of our community. “Over the years I have been dealing with people one on one, getting to know them better and helping them solve their problems,” Jack said. “This business affords me the
opportunity to do that on a daily basis.” As a result of that dedication to its customers, Harting has won numerous Better Business Bureau Awards for Excellence in customer service in the auto repair category. The company won the BBB’s Pinnacle Award for Excellence in 2013 which honored Harting as the Best in the city of Houston. It’s been a core principle for more than four decades, and doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon no matter who’s in charge. There is great satisfaction in taking care of our customers, from the initial customer concern to the successful repair of their vehicle. “Good mechanics are the meat and potatoes of the job, and we have good mechanics, but what keeps people coming
Photo by Landan Kuhlmann Jack Moore, left, and his son Greg stand in front of Harting Automotive Repair Shop at 4934 Acorn St. Jack will pass the business off to Greg when he retires in the coming years.
back is treating them with respect and building trust with them. Ultimately it’s about solving problems and helping people.”
To find out more, stop by the shop at 4934 Acorn St. or give them a call at 713-6880967.
This article is part of The Leader Experts series, where companies pay for editorial content on topics important to the community. If you’d like to be a Leader Expert, contact us at 713-686-8494.
Business Briefs: Senior living community to open on 18th Street By Betsy Denson betsy@theleadernews.com
Last June, The Leader reported plans for a new senior living community at 1245 W. 18th St. A recent news release provided more details about the partnership between Hines and Tucson-based Watermark Retirement Communities. Watermark Heights Senior Living will be a seven-story, 169,360-square foot senior living community that is projected to open in the fourth quarter of this year. The development will include 198 independent living, assisted living and memory care residences with floor plans ranging from studio to two-bedroom. Designed by Muñoz + Albin, the community will feature common-area amenities
including fitness rooms, an art studio, theater, library, swimming pool, activities lawn, a salon and golf simulator. A wellness center will offer movement and exercise classes. A café, bar and formal dining room provide dining options. The facility will also offer Watermark University, with classes in a variety of subjects. Massage franchise to replace Retropolis on 19th Retropolis, a vintage store with clothing for men and women as well as household items at 373 W. 19th St., announced on its Facebook page that it will be closing. “After 20 years in the Heights, we’ve decided to close our doors for the time being and consider future
plans,” read the post. “We’ve loved being a part of this community and your support over the years has been nothing short of amazing! While several factors played a role in this decision, ultimately the continued impact that Covid has had on us and our neighbors was too much to bear.” Retropolis’ last day will be June 13. The NOW Massage Therapy will open at the location later this month June. The website for The NOW Massage Therapy, a Los Angeles-based franchise, says its aesthetic “incorporates raw elements and natural materials to create a chic minimalist oasis.” Massages include three Swedish-inspired services: The NOW, its signature massage; The STRETCH, for the
athlete; and The HEALER, a mind and body balancing service. Other services include deep tissue, scalp renewal and herbal heat therapy. For more information, visit www.thenowmassage.com. New build at 3309 Ella Todd Moseley with Moseley Commercial Real Estate said his company is the broker for the property at 3309 Ella Blvd. The site is currently home to Antiques & More, a consignment shop and a warehouse. Moseley said the site will most likely be rebuilt as a freestanding retail center. The Harris County Appraisal District shows the owner for Tax Year 2021 as New Frontier Partners LTD, which owned the property for a number of years prior. HCAD appraised
Contributed artist’s rendering Watermark Heights Senior Living is a seven-story, 169,360-square foot community planned for 1245 W. 18th St.
the property at $948,780 in 2021 with $692,375 of that value in land and $256,405 in improvements. For more information on
the pad site for Lease, call 713522-4646. Have something for Business Briefs? Email betsy@theleadernews.com.
With millions of kids at home this summer, we must make sure firearms are stored securely.
The Leader • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • Page 3B
Beware of Addison’s Food Briefs: Food truck to open disease in your pets brick and mortar in Garden Oaks lead a happy, healthy life.
Dear Tabby, Our dog was recently diagnosed with Addison’s disease. She is on medication and the disease is under control but we’re wondering if we could have avoided this illness or if we (inadvertently) caused it. Worried About Diagnosis in Woodland Heights Dear Worried About Diagnosis, Addison’s disease is a disease of the adrenal glands that causes animals to insufficiently produce the steroids needed to regulate many of their functions. Addison’s disease can affect both dogs and cats and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Thankfully, though, with treatment, your dog is likely to have a normal lifespan and
Causes of Addison’s disease The cause of Addison’s disease is largely unknown and the disease can impact dogs of all breeds (as well as mixed breeds), but there are a few breeds that seem more at risk of developing the disease, such as Standard Poodles, West Highland White Terriers and Great Danes. Some vets feel as though Addison’s might be an autoimmune disorder. Additionally, the abrupt discontinuation of some medications (such as Prednisone) can sometimes cause Addison’s disease in animals. Symptoms of Addison’s disease Addison’s disease is tricky to diagnose because the symptoms for the disease vary greatly and include some rather innocuous issues. Among the most common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, weight
loss, lethargy and hair loss. Often, a dog isn’t diagnosed with Addison’s until he or she has become quite ill. Treatment of Addison’s disease The good news is that Addison’s disease is treated with medication and dogs with this disease can often lead normal lives with average lifespans. Your dog will also need regular blood work at your vet’s office to be sure the medication is working properly. I’m so happy your dog is on the mend and you have her Addison’s disease under control. While Addison’s can be a scary disease to diagnose and monitor, it is highly treatable and definitely not a death sentence. Thank you for taking such loving care of your pet and for seeking good medical care for her!
Do you have a question for Tabby? Email her at deartabby questions@gmail.com.
Pet of the Week
Meet Sierra After being hit by a car, Sierra was rescued and taken to the emergency vet. It was there, while being treated for her painful injuries, that vets discovered this sweet girl also has Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is easily managed with medication and Sierra will be able to live a normal, healthy life in her new home. Just look at those sad eyes...do you have room in your heart (and home) for her? Go to www.scoutshonor.org to learn more.
By Zarah Parker
truck will be in service after the location opens in late June is uncertain. The truck may or may not be used for catering.
zparker@theleadernews.com
Pho-jita is a food truck known for its fusion of Thai and Mexican cuisines. It recently announced on social media that it will have an upcoming brick-and-mortar location in Garden Oaks at 5013 N. Shepherd Dr. The brick-and-mortar will have a new name, Sao Lao, and mainly be Thai and Laosian food, while still featuring some favorites from its food truck menu. Whether the Pho-jita food
Latte art competition A part of what makes lattes unique is the art baristas will often “draw” with milk or dairy-free milk on top of the froth. To showcase this particular art, Amsterdam Co., 807 W. 19th St., is hosting a Latte Art Throwdown at 7 p.m. June 16. While 16 people will be competing for first, second and third place, the public is invit-
By Landan Kuhlmann
those interested in attending virtually can do so from the campuses of Heights as well as Austin, Sharpstown and North Houston Early College high schools.
landan@theleadernews.com
Heights High School at 413 E. 13th St. will serve as one of the virtual host sites for Houston ISD’s inaugural Men’s Leadership Summit on Saturday, when young men will be encouraged to pursue careers in education. A Tuesday news release from the district said men are less likely than women to become teachers and stay in the profession long term, and that the event will attempt to inspire men to become educators and get teenagers interested in pursuing education. Educational consultant and principal Buruti Kafele will be the keynote speaker for the event, which will span from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. “Having male and female teachers enriches a child’s social-emotional development and provides a wellrounded educational experience for students,” HISD interim superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “We hope this conference energizes men who are currently teachers and administrators and encourages others to become part of a noble profession.” There will be a live event at Westbury High School, but
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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.
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!
To register for the inperson event, where attendance will be limited, visit mensleadershipsummit2021. sched.com/.
Routine Male Cat Neuters
713.695.5071
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Pre-Fourth of July spectacular at Karbach On July 3, Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St., is bring back live music to the biergarten by hosting a spectacular with music from Ghostland Observatory and Ishi. The event, which takes place from 5-10 p.m., will also feature DJ Mohawk and a finale of fireworks. Tickets are limited and on sale for $25 at https://www.karbachbrewing. com/community/event/july3rd-spectacular/.
Heights HS picked as virtual host for leadership summit
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ed to watch the event.
(713) 682-4343
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Page 4B • Saturday, June 5, 2021 • The Leader
NeuMed modernizing urgent care in Heights By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
It’s not every day that you meet someone who shares the exact same burning desire and vision to reimagine the urgent care space. But that’s exactly what happened to nurse practitioner Victoria and her physician husband Akash. “We both knew, from firsthand experience, that the urgent care space was one of the biggest frontiers in healthcare that hadn’t yet been disrupted or modernized,” said Victoria, who spent years working in internal medicine and cardiology. “The environment and patient experience was severely lacking.” After years of research and preparation, they proudly founded NeuMed Modern Urgent Care and IV Therapy right here in the Heights at 2401 N. Shepherd Dr. Across from HEB. The clinic helped its first patients in October 2020. From the get go, the long-time Houstonians had the Heights at the very top of their short list of neighborhoods to plant the roots of their flagship location. “The Heights is the place to be. There’s just something so special about the community and it’s history. It’s avant-garde and progressive culture also embraces start-up companies like ours,” said Akash, who has
a background in emergency medicine. “We truly do love this area and are committed to doing our part as members of this incredible community.” And not only does NeuMed serve as the community’s top pick for both high-quality medical treatment and wellness and preventative care, but Victoria said the Height’s brand even extends into every single interaction as well. Whether it’s the nurse practitioner conducting a test or the receptionist greeting patients with a smile, with the NeuMed experience, wellness begins from the moment a patient walks in. “Everyone has a horror story of a typical urgent care center trip where they may have had to wait for hours in a small and uninviting waiting room. Then on top of that, maybe they were treated with not-so great customer service” Victoria said. “Our goal is to completely transform people’s expectations of what an urgent care experience should be as well as share the amazing benefits of IV Infusion Therapy.”
NeuMed offers care for all minor medical emergencies such as cuts and lacerations, broken bones, cold and flu, headaches and much more with no appointment needed. They also offer advanced services such as X-Ray, EKG, lab screenings, physicals and even pediatric care to keep you close to home. They’re also one of the first clinics in the area to offer IV Infusion Therapy or “IV Drips”, which are vitamin infusions designed to get your body what it needs and more, fast. From curing the common hangover to helping expecting mothers reduce symptoms and elite athletes perform better, everyone can experience the benefits of IV drip therapy, even if it’s just done once. And if you don’t have the 40 minutes to set aside for the IV infusion, simply stop by for a quick shot of their most popular Vitamin D. Additionally, NeuMed is now in-network with healthcare providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare and Aetna, and is
Contributed photo Akash (left) and Victoria Bhagat are the co-founders of NeuMed Modern Urgent Care and IV Therapy at 2401 N. Shepherd Dr.
in the process of adding Cigna and Humana to that list. And even if someone’s insurance does not cover care, such as with high deductible or catastrophe type policies, patients will never pay more than the clinic’s posted selfpay amount. All out-of-pocket pricing is transparent, eliminating any surprise bills afterwards. “We never want to be a financial burden on anyone – we’re here to help,” Akash said. Beyond that, NeuMed wants to kick-start wellness from the moment patients
walk in the door and turn their expectations on their head. Once inside, you’re welcomed by a beautiful, fresh and positive space, a far cry from the typical waiting rooms most people are used to. “We incorporated a smart, mobile friendly, paperless registration and discharge to improve communication and decrease errors. We also removed the use of single use plastics and have incorporated repurposing and recycling to minimize our footprint and do our part,” Victoria said. It’s not just pretty either. The space is thoughtfully de-
signed with the patient experience in mind, even boasting an extra waiting room for those patients that are really not feeling well. The main waiting room features soaring ceilings, floor to ceiling windows overlooking N. Shepherd and complimentary fruit infused water. The attention to detail is apparent from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Even going as far as testing air fresheners to determine which ones give the best feeling of comfort and relaxation, Akash said, while televisions in the lobby cycle through serene nature scenes from around the world. It’s all about making the patient feel welcomed and athome from the beginning of care to the end. The clinic offers same-day, walk-in service to anyone, Victoria said, but to avoid any wait you should book an appointment online. NeuMed Urgent Care and IV Therapy is everyday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information and what NeuMed has to offer the Heights, stop by the clinic at 2401 N. Shepherd Dr., give them a call at 832-879-2450 or visit their website at neumed. com.
This article is part of The Leader Experts series, where companies pay for editorial content on topics important to the community. If you’d like to be a Leader Expert, contact us at 713-686-8494.
Heights High School students win regional planning competition By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
A team of Heights High School juniors and seniors recently took top honors in a regional urban planning competition that included teams from Boys & Girls Clubs around the Houston area. The team from the Houston Texans Teen Club, consisting of Heights students Isabel A., Alvin Q., Mario R., Vianca R. and Julian V. was named the winner of the Urban Land Institute’s Building Industry Leaders (BIL)
Urban Plan competition, according to Tuesday news release from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston. The competition, funded by Reliant Energy, aimed to be a “realistic, project-based learning program” that provides members with experience in real estate development through a community redevelopment case study. Students learned about urban land development, including commercial real estate, architecture, civil engineering and budgeting/ finance, according to the news release.
Each Heights student on the team received a $1,000 scholarship toward their future education. “We congratulate the team from Houston Texans Teen Club who presented their winning case study in a virtual presentation, along with teens from three other clubs,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston president and CEO Kevin Hattery said. To learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, visit bgcgh.org.
Contributed photo. Pictured are the five members of Texans Teens Club from Heights High School who recently won an urban planning competition that included teams from Boys and Girls Clubs around the Houston area.
IN MEMORIAM
Paul Maresh Spivey,
February 9, 9,1933 31,2021 20121 February 1933 -- May 31,
Contributed photo A local family takes a break during last weekend’s Houston Heights Association Bike Rally and Scavenger Hunt, which drew nearly 250 registered participants.
HHA bike rally, scavenger hunt a hit By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
The Houston Heights Association’s annual bike rally and scavenger hunt did not disappoint as numerous community members once again flocked to the popular event over Memorial Day weekend. Nearly 250 registered riders took part in the event, which featured both a 5-mile and 15-mile course for riders competing for prizes from Blue Line Bike Lab, Wandering Star Adventure Empo-
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rium, Chick’NCone and Bellagreen. Taking home first place in the 15-mile ride was Kathryn Shephard, who won a $200 gift certificate to Blue Line as well as a $50 gift card to Chick’NCone. Brian Speck was the second-place finisher, receiving $100 to Blue Line and $35 to Bellagreen. John Ridgeway finished third in the 15-mile course, winning $50 to Blue Line and $25 to Chick’NCone. On the 5-mile course, Gail Garcia took home the first
prize and won $50 to Blue Line as well as $50 to Wandering Star Adventure Emporium. The second-place winner was Milena Hoyle, who was awarded $35 to Wandering Star and $25 to Chick’NCone. Rounding out the winners on the course was third-place finisher Fred Linden, who was given $25 to Wandering Star and $15 to Bellagreen. For more information on the Houston Heights Association and information on future events, visit its website at houstonheights.org.
Houston Storm Baseball
Houston Storm is looking for 9u-12u players to complete rosters for select teams in the Oak Forest/ Heights area. For more info email:
Get Your Business Up and Running
Coachron1118@gmail.com
713.686.8494
Ron Smith
281-639-4475
Paul Maresh Spivey, age 88, of Houston, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 31, 2021. He was born on February 9th, 1933, in Houston, Texas, to Thomas William Spivey, Sr. and Anna Marie (Kupfernagle) Spivey. As a native Houstonian of 88 years, he graduated from Aldine High School in 1950. Paul was a proud and devoted Bear, having received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1954 from Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He remained a dedicated Bear alumnus and avid sports fan of his alma mater. Paul had a long career as an examination agent, finishing a successful 35-year career with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Examination Division in Houston, Texas, until his retirement in 1994. Paul and his family were long-time residents of Oak Forest for over 50+ years, located in the northwest sector of Houston, Texas. Paul made a difference in the peoples lives he touched as a mentor to many and a friend to more. Anyone who knew Paul knew he was a avid sports fan if there ever was one! Baseball, Football, and Basketball were his three passions, though he liked all sports and not to mention a history buff too! He made great memories with his sons, coaching them at Oaks Dads Club, attending their High School/ College games, and enjoying an Astros, Oilers, Texans, and Rockets game, just to name a few…those being some of his happiest times. He gave his life to Christ at an early age, attending Memorial Baptist Church with his family and siblings. After marrying in 1955, he and his family became members of Garden Oaks Baptist Church from 1955-until his passing. For many years Paul served as an Administrator, Deacon, Teacher, and working with other committees within the church. Paul was known for many things, but what he will be known for most was his love for the Lord. Over the years, God used Paul to reach the hearts of many through his lessons, service, prayers, and just conversation, to lead people to the Lord and to discover for themselves the joy in finding that personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He was most proud of his eldest son Steven and his accomplishments - graduating from his alma mater Baylor University- receiving his PhD in Theology – becoming a preacher and teacher of God’s word. Paul was a storyteller, but boy, did he love a good joke! It did not matter how many times he showed you or told the same story or joke, he would always tell it with excitement and newness like it was the first time. Paul was a giver. He gave his time, money, love, and encouragement to others whenever he could, to show the love of God. Paul was a good and faithful servant. He has left a lasting impression on the lives he touched and will be greatly missed by all. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas William and Anna Marie (Kupfernagle) Spivey Sr.; brother, Thomas William Spivey, Jr.; sisters, Doris Virginia Spivey Connor, Annette Thomas Spivey Connor, Betty Sue Spivey, and Barbara Ellen Spivey Grant; daughter, Angela Kay Spivey Culver, former wife of 28 years and mother to his children, Jo Ann Faircloth Spivey. He is survived by his three sons, Steven Wayne Spivey (wife Lynette), David ”Craig” Spivey, (wife Diana), and Mark Charles Spivey, (wife Karen); Grandchildren; Kathryn Spivey Gabhart- (husband Jason), John “Scott” Spivey, (wife Brandie), Erica Spivey Cirio- (husband Casey), Christopher Everts (wife Kristle), and Clinton Everts (wife Danielle); Great-grandchildren; William, Sadie, Audrey, and soon to be Alexander James Steven to carry on the Spivey name, Brecken, Eden, George, Cora, Olivia, Arianna, Elle, Jack, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends. A viewing will be held at 9:00 AM and the graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, June, 4, 2021, Forest Park - Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale St, Houston, TX 77023. Please join us in celebrating Paul’s life. In lieu of flowers or customary remembrances, the family kindly requests donations made to Garden Oaks Baptist Church, 3206 N. Shepherd Dr, Houston, Tx 77018.