For The Heights, Oak Forest, Garden Oaks and neighboring communities, the weather events of the last two years have increased the dependence on and demand for 3-11 to serve as the primary source in navigating a multitude of city departments. This division is the most frequently utilized, but also the most
misunderstood. The 3-1-1 telephone number provides a central hub for local residents to access a variety of city services, ask questions or lodge complaints. It is intended to address routine inquiries and non-urgent concerns and divert non-emergency issues and requests away from 9-11. In a city the size of Houston, with a current population of over 2.3 million, an effective 3-1-1 program is essential to being able to efficiently
integrate citizen needs with a wealth of city services. As is the case with most municipal intermediaries, its success is contingent on the public’s understanding of how it works and what its goals are. Houston’s Administration of Regulatory Affairs (ARA) has many divisions within its scope, including 3-1-1, water customer service, BARC, parking, permitting, and
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
The foster care system in Harris County is often described as broken— a system overflowing with need and lacking the coordination required to help children and families thrive. But from her home base in Oak Forest, Amber Knowles is helping rewrite that story through The Riverside Project, a nonprofit that has become one of Houston’s most innovative support networks for foster care.
Founded in 2018 by Knowles, a pediatric nurse practitioner and mother of four, two of whom were adopted through foster care, The Riverside Project emerged from a very personal journey. “I never set out to start a non-
profit,” Knowles said. “But after adopting our first child and seeing firsthand how isolated and overwhelmed families could feel, I knew something had to change.”
She and her husband, a pastor, began asking how they could rally their church and the broader community around these families.
“Everyone talks about how the foster care system is broken,” Knowles said. “But no one talks about how we can make it better. We wanted to be part of the solution.”
The Riverside Project started with one clear goal: connect the dots between children and families in need with the resources that can help them thrive.
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
Questions surrounding the future of a long-standing Oak Forest retail center on W TC Jester have been answered after months of uncertainty.
The shopping center is located in the 2700 block of W. TC Jester @ Dacoma, just north of Loop 610. It has been a fixture for decades and is home to a few neighborhood restaurant icons, including Mexican favorite Juanita’s, anchoring the east end of the center. The west segment
of the center is home to Supreme Sandwiches, which has been there since 1967 when it began as a neighborhood meat market, and a host of other retail establishments, including a convenience food store.
The center was reported to have been sold back in 2021 to Braun Enterprises for possible redevelopment. With the news of potential new ownership, several smaller retailers had preemptively initiated relocation. However, an executive with Braun Enterprises subsequently revealed that, although they had
originally been under contract to purchase the center, the acquisition never occurred.
The current property manager, Brad Miller, representing Demar Properties LLC, recently agreed to speak with The Leader to resolve the mystery surrounding the shopping center. When asked about the condition of the center, Miller said that it was over 40 years old, but that its original owner, now deceased, had been very good at making
By LISA MORALES The Leader News Contributor
Imagine a world where your laundry is picked up at your front door and returned just a few hours later—washed, dried, folded to perfection, and ready to put away. No sorting, no matching socks, no piles of clothes haunting your weekends. Sound too good to be true?
Noscrubs.com is a new on-demand laundry service that officially launched in Houston this month. Behind it is co-founder and CEO Matt O’Connor, a former early employee of Instacart who knows a thing or two about turning time-consuming chores into techenabled convenience.
O’Connor comments on his experience launching Instacart in Houston by saying, “That was a really formative experience learning about consumer preferences and the logistics to empower them, which included the partnerships on the supply side.” In the case of Instacart, those partnerships were with grocery stores and ultimately created what’s now a household convenience service.
After a disappointing personal experience with a national laundry service that took four days and $50 for a single load of laundry, O’Connor recognized a gap in the market. “I thought, what if this could be done faster, better, and more affordably?”
O’Connor and NoScrubs co-founder and CTO Sudhanshu Gautam began to build a model that worked smarter, not harder.
“The idea with NoScrubs is that we partner with the best local vetted facilities so that the customer’s order is
Photo
maintenance repairs as needed over the years; fixing roofs, upgrading lighting and ensuring it remained up to code.
The parking lot had become riddled with potholes, and they have since been repaired. The parking lot was re-striped.
When asked about current occupancy levels Miller said, “Not taking the ‘club’ space into account, we are at about 95 percent. There is currently about 1100 sq. ft in negotiation and then we will be at full occupancy.”
The center comprises two sections; one elongated strip center of retail tenants and a
many others. In response to significant public misinformation and miscommunication surrounding 3-1-1, ARA Chief of Staff, Billy Rudolph arranged a meeting with Deputy Director Charles Jackson to discuss impending changes being implemented in response. Jackson oversees ARA Operations, which includes 3-1-1, water customer service and asset disposition. Given the current climate of customer frustration, the conversation was timely and informative.
Understanding how it all works
When asked about the public’s understanding of 3-1-1 and its limitations, Jackson responded, “I think there are significant misconceptions about Houston 3-1-1 and our role in the service request process. That role is to manage initial customer contact with the public. Houstonians have access to multiple channels to communicate with 3-1-1. The majority of our service requests, about 72percent, come via phone. People still prefer to call and live agents are available 24/7. About 21 percent are from our online portal and/or our 3-1-1 mobile app. Another 5-6 percent prefer email. Currently, agents take the calls and if service is required, requests are created. Then, they are electronically routed to the correct department. We don’t send them there or choose where they go. All of that is predetermined based on the service type requested. The receiving department, from
standalone structure housing Juanita’s Mexican Food and what has been home to multiple gentlemen’s clubs. The most recent occupant was operating as the strip club ‘The Library’, and ‘Solid Platinum Gentlemen’s Club’ before that.
‘The Library’ was raided by law enforcement earlier this year and forced to shut down. When asked why ‘The Library’s former club space had not been re-leased yet Miller said, “Given they’ve been hit with all those fines, they will likely end up getting out. And, we’ll have to go through the legally required eviction process prior to releasing the space. We’re giving
them a notice to vacate, and if they don’t come up with their past due rent or get all their permits, then we will re-lease it.”
Miller said the space will likely become another gentlemen’s club. Although not gen-
that point, owns the request.”
Jackson elaborated on the infamous ‘case closure’ issue, a major source of public contention and misunderstanding. In the past, when a case was referred to the appropriate city department, and an automatic closure notice was generated by the system. All that meant was that 3-1-1’s piece of the process was complete. However, the wording confusingly, and mistakenly, led residents to assume the case had been closed or resolved. When it clearly wasn’t, customers became infuriated. “We are working to change the messaging to more accurately reflect the process channel,” Jackson said. “Now, when a case is created, it will clearly state the department that will be servicing the request. This is important, so that customers know 3-1-1 is not the entity servicing it. We don’t pick up trash. We don’t fill potholes. We don’t fix water leaks. Yet, people
say, ‘Wait a minute. I saw the service truck and it has a 3-11 sticker on it.’ Every city vehicle has a 3-1-1 logo, because we want to remind everyone to call 3-1-1 to initiate all city service requests. My agents work in contact centers, providing information and facilitating solutions. That’s what we do.”
Jackson continued, “My agents create the service requests. We’re never the ones closing them, although present auto-generated closing communications lead customers to think we are.”
He said his team also has the ability to ‘escalate’ cases that are not being addressed in a timely manner or that have been addressed, but not to the customer’s satisfaction.
“It’s important for the community to understand this. We are here to facilitate the transfer of customer concerns to the appropriate servicing department; we cannot compel them to act,” Jackson said. “That’s why we’ve always encouraged customers to continue to report. If it becomes apparent that a case is not being addressed, management can communicate with department heads to expedite solutions.”
What 3-1-1 does and the people behind it
“A lot of people think of 3-1-1 as the complaint center for the city, but I think of it as the solution center,” Jackson
erally appealing to neighbors, from a profitability standpoint gentlemen’s clubs, when managed properly and legally, are considered to be high and consistent profit generators. They are also stable sources
of business cash flow and tend to be more reliable when it comes to managing debt, according to George Blackburn II of Blackburn and Sons, a commercial lending databank. After the death of its previous owner, the center remains in the family and its tenant addresses are registered in the Harris County Appraisal District under WTCJ LLC out of California. When discussing the questions surrounding concern for the future of the center, given the prior sale plans in 2021 and the likely recent loss of an anchoring tenant, Miller provided some assurances, insisting the new owner fully intends to main-
said. “A proficient staff is imperative. 3-1-1 handles over 200 service request types, being channeled to departments, all using very different systems. So, there is extensive training involved.”
Jackson explained that 3-1-1 agents undergo extensive multi-system training— up to 10 weeks total—so callers get “one-and-done” solutions. While District C generates the city’s highest volume of requests, Jackson praised District C City Council Member Abbie Kamin for her hands-on support.
“Abbie Kamin has been incredibly supportive, year in and year out,” Jackson said. “Few people realize that she is actually the only council member who has attended 3-1-1 training; at least during my tenure. She showed up with her staff and participated. Really amazing!”
While discussing his team Jackson smiled and asked, “Can I brag for just a second? I think this is important because I don’t know that the public realizes this about 3-11. We’re a 24/7 shop. Even during Hurricane Beryl, I had six people stationed at this contact center and they were available throughout that entire storm. I had people positioned at their homes and other areas, but when the
power went down, this building stayed running; we have a backup generator. Agents were available to handle those calls, even in the middle of a hurricane. During freezes, like Winter Storm Yuri, all power was lost. That was a nightmare for the City of Houston and a very stressful time for all of us. I had agents who had no power in their own homes, but they sat in their cars to charge their laptops. They were using hotspots to take calls, just so that they could help other people. That’s the level of compassion these agents have; they are certainly not in it for the money. They are doing it out of a genuine love for helping people. That love involves 1.1 million incoming calls per year.”
More positive changes coming soon
Shifting from people back to progress he said, “It was obvious that the existing system was in need of updating to make reporting more effective and effortless.” He provided an example that far too many Houstonians have experienced.
“Under the existing process, when you submit a pothole service request, you receive a confirmation. This triggers a referral to City Works to engage Public Works to inspect
tain and retain the property.
“Supreme Sandwiches has been there longer than the center, that’s a long-term tenant; and Juanita’s Mexican Food has been there for 30 years. So, the center’s not going anywhere, and the tenants are happy with the center,” Miller said. “The food store has been there forever, and it’s a nice little center. We just want to be a good neighbor to everybody.”
Center occupants declined to comment for this story. Demar Properties LLC manages 14 other properties in Houston, including one nearby on Pinemont.
it and assign a crew,” he explained. “But, when they get to the site, they might determine it’s not just a pothole, but a larger street repair. So it’s sent back to City Works and reclassified. Meanwhile, this triggers the original case to close and another to be opened with another case number to keep track of. And let’s say the street repair guys go out there, start digging and realize there’s water underneath that’s causing the problem and now we need pipe or water leak repair. Now they have to put the original issue on hold and create yet another case. Meanwhile, you received a ‘case closed’ early on and aren’t able to keep track of all those details and new case numbers, and now you’re furious. This is something important we are changing; the customer will only get one master service request in the future, which means only one case number to track.” Jackson likens the new reporting process to a parentchild relationship where all changes and communications will fall under the parent case.
“No matter how many times it gets reclassified or how many related cases it generates, they will all be ‘children’ of the parent case,” he said. “This way, related cases will be worked before closing out the parent. All the while, you’ll be getting updates about changes. Once all the child cases are worked and closed, we will close the parent case.”
The change is one of many intended to improve customer interface and is expected in the very near future; with training already underway. There are other ongoing positive developments.
3-1-1 already has a substantial informational database but is also hoping to add an online AI Chatbot for Houstonians preferring to get their information online, rather than communicating via email or phone. This has an anticipated launch date of 2026. One last notable, recent addition is the department’s mascot, ‘31-1 Agent’, who brings smiles to the community at local events and charities, with the intention of providing both awareness and enjoyment to Houston families.
Photo by Stephanie Shirley (L to R) Deputy Director Charles Jackson and ARA’s Chief of Staff/PIO, Billy Rudolph outside the 3-1-1 and Water Customer Service contact center located in downtown Houston. Together, they are working to improve service communication between the city and its residents.
Photo by Stephanie Shirley
Residents posted on social media with questions about the future of the Oak Forest retail center located in the 2700-block of W. TC Jester, amid rumors of a prior sale and the recent raid on one of the center’s anchors.
Photo courtesy of 3-1-1
The division’s mascot, ‘Agent 3-1-1’ is intended to bring both smiles and awareness to the community.
fulfilled nearby. By using this model, the customer experience is ten times faster and the overall price is dramatically lower” O’Connor said.
The technical aspect of NoScrubs is what sets the service apart from the competition. Each order is tracked through 20 different quality control checkpoints. Scrubbers (NoScrubs’ name for their laundry pros) scan, catalog, fold, and photograph every step of the process.
“We have video logs of the items coming in and photos of the finished product,” he said. “If there’s ever an issue, our 24/7 support team makes it right. We stand by our quality guarantee.”
NoScrubs launched in Austin in May 2024. Just one year later, Houston is already outpacing the capital city in growth. With a dozen vetted laundromat partners, including service in the Heights and Midtown, the company has made Houston a key focus of its expansion strategy. According to industry data,
RIVERSIDE,
from P. 1
“There were plenty of people doing good work,” Knowles said. “But they weren’t doing it together.”
That desire for connection led to the organization’s collaborative approach—building a network of churches, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals all working toward a common goal: seeing every child in a loving, stable home.
Since its founding, the organization has grown steadily. Today, The Riverside Project mobilizes 130+ churches and has certified nearly 1,000 foster care babysitters—an often overlooked but essential need for families navigating the demanding foster care system.
Their most impactful program, The Response Network, is a lifeline for vulnerable families. CPS caseworkers bring real-time needs—beds for kinship placements, diapers for struggling parents, exterminators for unsafe housing—and The Riverside Project matches them with willing partners. Over the past two and a half
in Houston alone, households spend 158 hours a year on laundry. The time adds up fast—and for many, it’s time they’d rather spend doing anything else. NoScrubs is banking on the idea that people are ready to buy some of those hours back.
“We’re seeing great response across the board,” said O’Connor. “Whether it’s busy parents, professionals, or people who just don’t want to spend their weekend folding laundry, the value is clear.”
NoScrubs offers three main pricing tiers, from onetime pickups at $45, to a standard $59/month plan, all the way up to a family-sized plan at $198/month. Custom plans are also available.
NoScrubs laundry service is as easy as ordering lunch. Customers download the NoScrubs app or visit noscrubs.com, schedule a pickup, and leave their laundry in a safe spot if they won’t be home. The service runs 7 days a week and returns most loads in as little as two to three hours.
The results are hard to beat.
“We hear all the time that our orders come back looking
years, the network has met over 1,400 needs for more than 800 families.
But Knowles is quick to emphasize that it’s not just about things, it’s about people.
“There’s a mantra we live by,” she explained. “Trauma that happens in relationship has to be healed in relationship.” Whether a child is placed in a foster home for a weekend or a lifetime, that disconnection brings grief.
“There’s joy too,” Knowles added, “but it always starts with a loss. Our job is to walk with these families through it.”
That philosophy is at the heart of the organization’s trauma-informed babysitter certification program, created to make it easier for families to get help. In Texas, foster families can’t leave their children with just anyone. Babysitters must be certified through a complex, time-consuming process.
“If you’re a foster parent, you can’t have your mom come and babysit unless they go through a training process,” said Knowles. The Riverside Project streamlines that with multi-agency certifi-
like a shelf of retail T-shirts,” O’Connor said. “It’s that polished.” NoScrubs customers can request laundry settings such as wash on cold or dry on medium. The company confirms all requests to make the process foolproof and in adherence with what the customer requests.
Houston has responded with glowing reviews on the NoScrubs website, with one customer writing, “I have three kids, loads and loads of laundry, and NoScrubs has been a lifesaver! It’s clean, perfectly folded, and ready to go in just a few hours. No
more forgetting to put the washed laundry into the dryer. No more tedious folding. No more matching socks! Now I just have to get the kids to put their clothes away. Seriously, this is the best way to get your laundry done in the Houston area.”
NoScrubs also wants to flip the script on gig work. Compared to services like Uber or DoorDash, scrub-
cation, making sure support is available and safe.
In Harris County, where over 2,900 children are in foster care and 40 percent are separated from their siblings, the need is urgent.
“People think these kids are being saved, but they don’t always see the trauma,” Knowles said. “It’s
not a lack of resources that leads to the worst outcomes. It’s a lack of relationships. Outside looking in, when we see youth age out of the system and face adulthood, we might think, ‘Why are these young adults not able to find a job? Why are they going into the homeless population? Why are they being traf-
bers travel shorter distances, don’t need to drive 100 percent of the time, and never have to transport strangers.
“Some of our scrubbers even find laundry therapeutic,” O’Connor said. “It’s calm, safe, and rewarding.”
NoScrubs has a 4.9-star Google rating - no small feat in the service industry. As part of the Houston launch, readers of The Leader can get 50 percent off their first three months by using code LEADER at checkout — no expiration date. Whether you’re a busy parent drowning in T-shirts, a professional with better things to do, or just someone tired of the sock-matching grind, NoScrubs might be your new favorite button to press. Visit noscrubs.com to learn more.
ficked? Why are they becoming incarcerated?’ It’s because they don’t have relationships.”
That’s why, this May, National Foster Care Awareness Month, the Riverside Project is launching its “As One” campaign, a call for Houstonians to come together to support children in crisis. With a goal of raising $175,000 and hosting pop-ups, fundraisers, and connection events across the city, The Riverside Project is inviting everyone to “find your place along the river.”
“Not everyone can foster or adopt,” Knowles said. “But everyone can do something. Maybe it’s volunteering. Maybe it’s mentoring. Maybe it’s just coming to an ice cream social and learning how to get involved.”
The organization doesn’t accept federal or state funding, intentionally choosing private support from individuals, churches, businesses, and foundations to maintain flexibility and mission integrity. With only seven staff members, The Riverside Project depends heavily on community involvement.
Learn. Connect. Give. That’s the model.
“We never hear from anyone that they don’t care about foster children,” said Knowles. “They just don’t always know how to help. We want to make that path clear.” Because no child should have to navigate the river alone.
May sponsor nights, pop-ups, and partner events:
May 29: Jeni’s Ice Cream Montrose from 3-6 p.m. (1719 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77098)
May 30: “Find Your Place” event at Red Dessert Dive Heights from 7-8:30 p.m. (2214 West 34th St.) May 31: Kendra Scott from 1-3 p.m. (714 Yale St Suite 1D, Houston, TX 77007)
To learn more or donate to The Riverside Project’s May fundraiser “As One”, visit www.riversideproject.org/ may, listen to The Riverside Project Podcast, or follow them on Instagram at @ the.riverside.project and on Facebook, You Tube and LinkedIn @The Riverside Project.
Submitted photo
Amber Knowles, her husband, and their four children, two of which were adopted out of foster care.
Submitted photo
Gain back hours spent on laundry with the NoScrubs on demand laundry service.
Submitted photo NoScrubs co-founder Matt O’Connor.
THE TOPICS. Making the grad
Good morning, graduating class of 2025. Today my com mencement address will be short, unlike those addresses on other campuses where graduates and their families sit in the summer heat for three hours while they are given wise words of advice – on ward and upward, that sort of thing. Well, if you don’t know the direction by now, it’s too late. So those commencement speeches are like being hand ed a GPS after you’ve arrived at your destination. Now to the point: You finally finished your studies at this institution after four or maybe five or six years, depending on how long your parents wanted to pay your bar bills.
During your time here, you studied, read, and got AI to write your papers. Back when I was a student here, we didn’t have AI so I had to write my essays and other papers the old-fashioned way: I simply plagiarized. Some of you are on the dean’s list, some are magna cum laude, and some of you protested the war in Gaza and now your record is at the local police, DPS and the Department of Homeland Security. This brings up a question many taxpayers are
Lynn Ashby Columnist
In Houston’s deregulated electricity market, choice is a good thing—but it can also be overwhelming. With dozens of retail providers and hundreds of plans available, the power to choose can sometimes feel more like a trap than a benefit. Many Texans have learned the hard way that the cheapest advertised rate isn’t always the best deal once the bill comes.
Gimmicky electricity plans: what to watch out for Some electricity plans are designed more for marketing than for your wallet. These plans often include:
• Free nights and weekends: Sounds great—until you realize the “free” hours are offset by extremely high rates during the rest of the day. You would have
every other taxpayer in Texas money.
I notice several – actually, many – empty seats. Those were supposed to be filled by your fellow students, but they unfortunately were from places like China, Honduras and Oklahoma. Those students were selected and sent here for an education because their governments and parents knew America had the world’s best institutions of higher education. In the past many foreign students liked it here and stayed, which enriched our society. Others went home but always loved America with our freedom, our football games, and our pizza. Some of
SAM LUNA Director of Product at BKV Energy
to shift a majority of your electricity usage overnight (or to the weekend), which is incredibly difficult when you rely on your air conditioning to keep your home cool and comfortable all day during the summer.
Bill credits: You only receive the discount if you hit a specific usage target. Miss the mark and you’re
our most brilliant professors from elsewhere are now back in China nursing their life-long grudge against the ICE of Texas. The good news is that some of them were allowed to stay since they are considered Americans. They come from Canada and Greenland.
Many of you are looking for jobs, and there are a lot of openings. I’m thinking of air traffic controllers who can shout prayers to colliding passengers, can build 40-foot walls along the Rio and can teach in charter schools without those nagging rules about a teaching degree, background checks and silly state rules on experience and sobriety. And you can put litter boxes in the school hallways all you want. There are openings for librarians who like to burn books that mention sex, incest, bloody wars and murdering helpless children. Obviously, that includes the Bible. If you like to fire scientists who are trying to cure cancer, warn us of approaching hurricanes, and explain the Infield Fly Rule, there are openings at DOGE. Speaking of that, you can apply to be adopted by Elon Musk –13 is not enough. Jobs are particularly scarce
for all of you who majored in philosophy, medieval history or journalism. But money is no problem for you athletes. Your NIL – that stands for name, image and likeness for you poetry majors – has already landed you so much cash that some of you athletes are staying in college instead of going pro because you’re making more money in college. At UT, as of this past January, Arch Manning’s NIL Deal valuation stood at $6.6 million. Manning refused to be drafted by the NFL because he couldn’t afford the pay cut. So it is that the rest of you may have a student debt. Actually, most of you have a big, fat IOU. Fifty-five percent of students from public fouryear institutions have student loans. One in four U.S. adults – 42 percent -- under 40 have student loan debt. The total debt is $1.77 trillion, and the average federal student loan debt is now $39,075. Those are national figures. Here in Texas, we are doing slightly better. We have 893,000 students in debt for $33.1 billion, an average of $37,054. Why should I care what you owe? Because 16 percent of Americans with student loans are behind on
their payments, and federal student loans make up 92 percent of all outstanding student loans. “Federal?” That’s me. By the way, don’t try to weasel out of your IOU by going to court and pleading poverty. In Texas, most federal student loans cannot be discharged through bankruptcy.
You almost dodged a debt collector. President Joe Biden waived up to $168.5 billion in student loans for about 4.76 million Americans. It was to be erased by the Department of Education. Two problems: President Donald Trump wants those loans paid off, and there is no more Department of Education. I mentioned earlier that there were some empty seats here today. Around your campus you may have noticed some empty offices. They were once the digs of DEI, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which sounds like a law firm. Trump’s lap dog, Gov. Greg Abbott, has banned all DEI offices from Texas public campuses. And the Trump administration is threatening to cancel all federal grants to schools which don’t abolish their DEI programs. This school had two choices:
Bend its knee to Trump like Columbia University and keep all those billions in federal grants or refuse to cave in as did Harvard University, soon to be known as the Cambridge Condos. In his commencement address at UT-Austin, Admiral Bill McRaven said, “Make your bed.” That speech went over so well that he parlayed the slogan to being made chancellor of the University of Texas System. Considering your future today, my advice to you is: “Stay in bed.” Finally, assuming you do find work, next year another graduating class will be sitting in these very chairs, all thinking the same thing: “When I graduate, how can I take his job?” You have a one-year head start. Get busy. Ashby commences at ashby2@@comcast.net
Editor’s note: This column and its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of The Leader News, its staff, or its publisher. The Leader News welcomes opinion articles on matters of interest to Greater Heights residents at editor@theleadernews. com. Publication is at the discretion of the editor.
stuck with an inflated bill because the Energy Charge on these plans is typically much higher than a simple fixed-rate plan without a bill credit.
These types of plans can work for very specific lifestyles and homes—like if you own a second home at the beach and only visit on the weekends, or if you have solar panels and battery storage to power your home during the day—but most Houston households end up paying more in the long run.
What makes a good plan?
A solid electricity plan should be:
• Straightforward: No tricks, traps, or unclear terms.
• Fixed-rate: A fixed rate that doesn’t fluctuate with
your usage.
• Flexible: The option to adjust when better rates become available.
• Rewarding: Incentives that are real and achievable, not buried in the fine print.
That’s why we created the Bluebonnet plan at BKV Energy. The Bluebonnet electricity plan was built for Texans who are tired of the gimmicks. It’s a fixed-rate plan with no usage-based pricing tiers, no base charges, no bill credit tricks, and no fake “free” electricity. What you see is what you get—plain and simple.
We also believe loyalty should pay off. That’s why we created BKV Energy Plus—a rewards program that gives back to our customers. If
you’re on the Bluebonnet plan, you’re automatically enrolled at no cost. You’ll get a cash payout each year through ElectroShare, and the longer you stay with BKV Energy, the more you earn.
And if electricity prices drop during your contract, you don’t have to miss out. With Reduce Your Rate a benefit of the Bluebonnet plan, eligible customers can switch to a lower rate midcontract without paying a cancellation fee.
Final thoughts
Don’t fall for flashy offers or misleading rate claims. Take a few minutes to read the fine print—or choose a plan that doesn’t require a magnifying glass to understand.
If you're looking for a fair, no-nonsense electricity
provider right here in Texas, BKV Energy is proud to serve Houston households with transparency, stability, and real rewards.
Learn more at BKVEnergy. com. Sam Luna is a third generation Houstonian with a deep-rooted connection to The Leader area. His grandparents lived in the Heights where they facilitated educational workshops for seniors at All Saints Catholic Church. He continues his family's commitment to serving the greater good as Director of Product Marketing for BKV Energy - a Texas retail energy provider that strives to educate consumers by operating transparently and without gimmicks. Learn more about Sam Luna at bkvenergy.com/team/samuelluna.
Council Member Abbie Kamin honored with Ambassador of Advocacy Award by Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse
COMMUNITY REPORTS
AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) recently honored Houston City Council
Member Abbie Kamin with the Ambassador of Advocacy Award for her steadfast commitment to raising awareness of domestic violence and advocating for survivors of abuse.
AVDA’s New Beginnings Luncheon, where the award was presented, celebrates the lifechanging impact AVDA has on survivors of domestic violence and serves as a tribute to the
strength of survivors and a call to action to end abuse and empower new beginnings. Kamin, who has led City efforts to tackle domestic abuse and increase awareness said, “AVDA’s critical work was introduced to me when I was a teenager by some of my role models who were trailblazers, themselves, advocating for women and families. I am deeply honored to receive this award from an organization protecting Houstonians for decades through legal advocacy.” Kamin added, “The staff, volunteers, and survivors are all he-
roes. I will continue to amplify their work and ensure no one is left to fend for themselves when it comes to domestic violence.”
“It is an honor to recognize Abbie Kamin as AVDA’s Ambassador of Advocacy. As a steadfast supporter, Council Member Kamin exemplifies what it means to stand with survivors. She understands that true justice requires more than compassion— it demands action.” said Maisha Colter, CEO of AVDA. “Her unwavering commitment to AVDA’s mission, including support for free legal representation and battering
intervention programs, reminds us all that love should never hurt, and every family—in and out of her district—deserves to live free from violence.”
AVDA’s New Beginnings Luncheon brings together community leaders, survivors, and advocates to highlight the organization’s critical services—from legal advocacy and counseling to community prevention and battering intervention programs—serving over 30,000 clients each year. For more information on AVDA and resources for domestic abuse survivors please visit AVDA.org.
The Heritage Society invites to “A Prelude to Juneteenth” May 16
COMMUNITY REPORTS
The Heritage Society Unveils an Unforgettable Juneteenth Celebration on May 16 Featuring Keynote Speaker Sam Collins HOUSTON, Texas (May 12, 2025) – In a powerful tribute to freedom, heritage, and community resilience, The Heritage Society will kick off Juneteenth activities earlier than usual. Central to this celebration is an exclusive keynote address by the renowned speaker and community advocate, Sam Collins, on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., at 1100 Bagby Street. In his keynote address, Collins will delve into the importance of historical preservation within the African American community, offering insights drawn
from both personal experience and decades of dedicated activism in the topic
“Our Juneteenth Journey: How a Texas holiday became a nationwide celebration”. The evening includes a wine and cheese reception complemented by a unique pop-up exhibit produced by the Houston Suffragists Project.
“Our board members had the pleasure of touring Galveston, the birthplace of Juneteenth, and went to Collins’ Nia Cultural Center on The Strand,” says Alison Bell, executive director of The Heritage Society. “We’re grateful that he is bringing us the birthplace of Juneteenth to us here where Jack Yates,’ the trailblazer of Juneteenth, house was relocated.” In collaboration with Sue Johnson of the Nia
Cultural Center in Galveston, Sam Collins and community partners established the Juneteenth Legacy Project. This initiative is designed to honor the stories and contributions of African American communities and to foster a legacy of remembrance and progress. His involvement in Juneteenth Celebrations in Galveston, Hitchcock, and broader historic preservation efforts in Galveston County underscores his commitment to nurturing and preserving African American heritage.
Sam Collins, whose work as a storyteller and activist has long inspired communities across the country, will guide the audience through a reflective exploration of American history and the continuing struggle for civil rights. His keynote address promises to bridge
the historical significance of Juneteenth with the contemporary challenges and triumphs of community building, ensuring a rich, transformative experience for all attendees.
“Juneteenth is not simply a one-day historical milestone at our museum—it is an opportunity to honor Houston’s collective past through our Black history and “From Plantation to Emancipation” tours yearround,” says Alison Bell, executive director of The Heritage Society. “This Friday is our educational kickoff event for all the tour activities we have planned in June.”
Tickets for the event are priced at $10 per person, visit www.heritagesociety.org/juneteenth or contact info@heritagesociety.org. Free parking is located at 212 Dallas Street.
COMMUNITY REPORTS
To prevent impaired driving crashes during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with Responsibility.org and Lyft to offer free ride credits to residents in need of a sober ride home.
Beginning Friday, May 23, at 7 p.m., community members can use promo code “HCSOMEMORIALDAY” to receive $15 off a Lyft ride. The code is valid through Monday, May 26, at 11:59 p.m. The ride must start and end within Harris County and is limited to one use per rider while supplies last.
“Memorial Day weekend should be a time to honor and reflect, not one marked by tragedy,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. “This partnership allows us to provide residents with a real, safe alternative to driving impaired. Plan ahead, use the code, and let’s all get home safely.”
The initiative is part of a broader effort to reduce impaired driving fatalities in Harris County, which continues to lead the nation in drunk and drugged driving deaths. In addition to promoting sober ride options, HCSO deputies will be out in full force conducting high-visibility enforcement across the county.
“This is about providing solutions and saving lives,” said Leslie Kimball, Executive Director of Responsibility.org. “We know that prevention works best when communities come together — that’s exactly what we’re doing here in Harris County.”
Officials are urging the public to make responsible choices by planning a sober ride, whether it’s with a designated driver, rideshare, public transit, or calling a friend or family member.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers that field sobriety tests, no-refusal blood draws, and swift prosecution will be in effect throughout the holiday weekend.
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Photo courtesy of The Heritage Society
“A Prelude to Juneteenth” features keynote speaker Sam Collins, of Galveston, on May 16.
CenterPoint continues preparations to get ready for 2025 storm season
COMMUNITY REPORTS
CenterPoint Energy reminds customers and the public about the series of actions the company has taken to strengthen grid resiliency, improve local emergency coordination and help communities and customers better prepare for the 2025 hurricane season.
CenterPoint will be holding a joint emergency response exercise later in the month as part of a coordinated effort with public officials, emergency response managers and community partners to improve local cooperation and response efforts. In addition, the company is continuing to work with communities to donate
and install 21 backup generators for critical facilities and other key locations across its 12-county service area.
CenterPoint is also hosting a series of community and customer outreach events across the Greater Houston area to share important safety information and preparation updates before the official start of hurricane season on June 1.
“As we prepare, the CenterPoint is fully engaged in completing a series of historic resiliency improvements and preparedness activities to enhance how we prepare for and respond to hurricanes and other severe weather events. From now and throughout the hurricane season, we'll con -
tinue working every day to be better prepared for extreme weather and achieve our ultimate goal of building the most resilient coastal grid in the country,” said Tony Gardner, CenterPoint senior vice president and chief customer officer.
Getting Ready for Extreme Weather
CenterPoint has been conducting and helping coordinate a series of important preparedness activities over the last several months, including:
• Completing grid improvements: As part of its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), completing a series of critical resiliency actions before June 1, including installing 25,000
stronger, more storm-resilient poles; installing 4,850 automated devices; clearing high-risk vegetation from 4,000 miles of power lines; undergrounding 400 miles of power lines; and installing 100 weather stations to provide real-time weather monitoring.
Working with emergency partners to get ready: Coordinating with local officials, emergency management offices and community partners to prepare for extreme weather events, including through joint emergency response exercises.
• Donating and installing emergency generators to key locations: Working with local communities to provide backup generators
to critical facilities and community centers that provide medical care, food and water, cooling and other essential services in emergencies.
Hosting customer and community hurricane preparedness events:
Holding a series of community preparedness events and webinars to provide updates about CenterPoint's preparations for hurricane season, important safety tips and key resources for customers.
Enhancing critical storm response tools:
Implemented sophisticated damage modeling to help expedite critical decision making before and during an event, as well as adopted a new storm manage-
ment software program to more efficiently onboard and deploy mutual assistance crews in support of CenterPoint's emergency response efforts.
• Upgrading CenterPoint's Outage Tracker: Launched a new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker to provide real-time updates on outages and restoration efforts, available in English and Spanish.
CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its progress toward completing its critical resiliency actions and other GHRI commitments before June 1. More information is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/ TakingAction.
Houston Children’s Chorus holding auditions for new singers for the 2025-2026 season
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Houston’s premiere auditioned chorus for children will hold auditions this summer for new members. Students entering grades 2-8 are encouraged to sign up for a chance to join this unique group of talented youth. There is no audition for children in grades 2 and 3 for participation in the Preparatory Choir. The Concert Choir involves boys and girls in grades 4-8 and requires an
audition. Interested families should visit the Chorus’ website www.houstonchildren. org for audition information. The Houston Children’s Chorus exists to musically enrich the lives of the children, families and community it serves. Its mission is to teach children to achieve multi-cultural understanding through choral singing and performance. An equally important goal is the nurturing and growth of discipline, responsibility, teamwork, self-confidence, self-control
and character building – all qualities that help children succeed in life.
Houston’s small ambassadors to the world, this year the Chorus will celebrate its 36th season. More than 7,200 children have participated in Chorus activities since its founding in 1989. This incredible group represents every ethnic and socio-economic demographic in the Greater Houston area.
The Chorus is regularly featured in civic and cultural ceremonies for the City of
Houston and the State of Texas and has performed for the President of the United States on 33 occasions. The children have represented Houston all over the world on many international concert tours.
Praised for its versatility, the Chorus performs many different genres of music, from Bach to Motown. The contagious energy and charm exuded by the children has endeared them to audiences at home in Houston and beyond. Notably, the children
will be performing at New York’s Carnegie Hall on June 22, 2025. Some notable Chorus memories include singing with the Houston Symphony on many occasions, recording a Blue Bell Ice Cream commercial, performing with Josh Groban in the opening ceremonies of Super Bowl XXXVIII, performing with Celine Dion at the Compaq Center, performing for the 1990 World Economic Summit, performing with Maureen McGovern
and Tommy Tune for the gala opening of the Hobby Center, Christmas caroling with Astros World Series MVP George Springer, singing on Thanksgiving Day Parade floats, helping Santa light Christmas trees at City Hall, and singing the National Anthem at the Houston Rodeo and for the Texans, Rockets and Astros. Every year brings something new! For more information about the Chorus, please visit www.houstonchildren.org.
GHP examines region's international trade outlook
STAFF REPORTS
Editor's note: In its “Economy at a Glance” report for May, the Greater Houston Partnership – the regional chamber of commerce – examines Houston's central role in the global economy, with a focus on its trade volumes in 2024. This article first appeared in The Leader's sister paper, the Fort Bend Star. On May 1, the Greater Houston Partnership released its “Global Houston ‘25” report. A summary of the document follows.
The global economy is expected to continue growing in 2025. But recent changes to U.S. trade policy are likely to temper that growth, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) revising its global growth forecast for 2025 down to 2.8 percent in April from 3.3 percent in January. Parts of Houston’s economy may be vulnerable to slowing global growth or increased trade tensions. But its relationships with other countries are deep and multi-faceted:
• Houston consistently exports more goods and commodities than any other U.S. metro.
The Houston/Galveston Customs District routinely handles more foreign tonnage than any other U.S. customs district.
Almost 1,000 foreignowned firms operate over 1,800 offices, factories, warehouses, and service centers in Houston.
Almost 150 Houston-based firms operate over 3,200 business establishments across 111 foreign countries.
Over 1.8 million Houston residents, nearly one in every four, were born outside the U.S.
• Eighteen foreign banks, 41 foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations, and 11 trade and commercial offices promote trade and investment in the region.
Eighty-six foreign governments have consulates or honorary consuls in
Houston. These ties have benefited the region’s economy in years past and will continue to be important to its success in 2025.
Metro Houston Exports
Houston led the nation in exports in 2024, shipping $180.9 billion in goods and commodities abroad. This is more than the combined value for New York and Los Angeles, the second and third highest exporting metros. Houston has ranked as the nation’s top exporting metro in 12 out of the past 13 years. The exception was in ’16, when OPEC flooded the market with crude and oil traded under $50 per barrel most of the year. Those conditions limited exports of oil and oil field equipment from Houston.
Houston’s export value has increased by 3.1 percent since ’23 and now totals $51.3 billion – 39.6 percent higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The metro data above
comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s origin of movement (OM) series, which tracks goods based on the metro from which they began their export journey. For example, a medical device may be manufactured in Houston, then flown to New York where it’s transferred via airplane to Europe. Though the export leaves the U.S. via New York, it began its journey in Houston. Census considers that as a Houston export.
The International Trade Administration (ITA) estimates that Texas exports supported over 1.2 million jobs in 2022 (the latest year for which data is available). Since Houston accounted for around 40 percent of the state’s exports, a back-of-theenvelope calculation suggests that roughly 480,000 Houston jobs – more than one in seven – were tied to exports. But this simple calculation probably understates the full economic impact of Houston’s foreignfacing businesses, as it does not account for capital investment or services provided for
foreign clients.
Customs District Traffic
The Houston/Galveston Customs District set a tonnage record in 2024. The eight ports that comprise the district handled over 432.6 million metric tons of goods and commodities, a 6.6 percent increase from 2023. Those shipments were valued at $376.3 billion, up 2.9 percent over 2023. This value is still down 4.0 percent from the record high of $391.9 billion set in 2022.
Customs district data differs from the origin of movement (OM) data in that district data reflects what passes through a region, which doesn’t necessarily correspond with where an item was produced or consumed. However, for Houston, customs district exports align with the region’s industrial base.
In 2024, the Houston/ Galveston district exported $1.0 billion or more of the following products: crude oil and refined petroleum products, industrial equipment and computers, organic chemi-
cals, electrical machinery and parts, plastics and plastic products, automobiles and automobile parts, articles of iron and steel, alcoholic beverages and vinegars, instruments and measuring devices, iron and steel, aircraft parts, home furnishings, pharmaceuticals, rubber and rubber products, inorganic chemicals, rare earths and precious metals, industrial components, toys and games, and cereal grains, aluminum and aluminum products, copper and copper products, essential oils and cosmetics, meats, wood and wood products, fruits and nuts, mineral ores, stone and plaster products, and linens. Exports via the Houston/ Galveston district consistently exceed imports. They accounted for 66.7 percent of all cargo value handled by the district in 2024. By comparison, exports accounted for 20.4 percent of the Los Angeles district’s exports, 30.5 percent of New York’s, and 37.5 percent of Laredo’s. Find the full report at houston.org.
Tick Talk: How to prevent and treat bites this season
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Springtime is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy warmer weather. Unfortunately, ticks feel the same.
While ticks can be present in some regions year-round, their prevalence tends to peak in the warmer spring months and last through early fall. Human encounters with ticks have been on the rise for several years as warmer winters have led to larger tick populations and a broader reach for the insects.
There are an average of 85 confirmed and probable human cases of Lyme Disease in Texas each year, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS).
Outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of how to prevent, spot, and treat tick bites, as they can spread diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
“Tick bites are annoying at best and dangerous at worst,” said Dr. Phillip Lamptey, medical director for Memorial Hermann-GoHealth Urgent Care. “They can transmit numerous harmful diseases. But a few preventative steps can
reduce risk. Knowing what to do if you have been bitten can lead to better outcomes.”
A few suggestions:
LEARN Before you go, learn about the types of ticks in the area and the diseases they carry. In Houston, the Lone Star Tick is common; its irritating bites are linked to a variety of illnesses, including Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat that can be life-threatening. The BlackLegged Deer Tick can transmit Lyme disease, while the American Dog Tick is known to spread tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The Brown Dog Tick can also transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Ticks can be tiny and hard to see before they bite. Unfed nymphs are about the size of a poppy seed and unfed adults are the size of a sesame or apple seed.
Ticks can be found in numerous places outdoors – from backyards to deep woods. In general, they prefer shaded, grassy or bushy areas with lots of leaf litter. They attach to people or pets as they brush against vegetation. Once on the body, the tick will climb
and look for a dark place to burrow. Common burrowing spots include on the scalp, at the waistband, under the arms or between the legs.
PREVENT
Choose light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot dark colored ticks before they bite. Wear long sleeves and pants and consider tucking pants into socks and shirts into pants to make it harder for ticks to reach your skin.
Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin or buy pre-treated clothing. Consider using an insect repellent containing DEET on your skin. Stay on trails and avoid
tall grasses or other areas where ticks may be.
CHECK
When outdoors, do tick checks regularly by scanning arms and legs for climbing ticks. After spending time outside, shower and change into clean clothes as soon as possible after returning home. Check for ticks that might have found their way to armpits, the groin, behind ears and other common burrow areas. Inspect gear and clothing for ticks when putting things away. Washing clothes in hot water or tumbling them in a hot dryer will kill ticks. Don’t forget to check your pets! They can carry ticks and
are susceptible to some tickborne diseases, too. Check pets daily if they spend time outdoors. If you often hike or camp with your dog, ask your veterinarian about preventive medications.
REMOVE
If you do find a tick, remove it immediately. This goes for pets, too. The longer a tick is embedded, the greater the chance it can transmit disease.
“It's important to remove it quickly,” said Dr. Lamptey. “Avoid remedies like coating it with petroleum jelly, painting it with nail polish, or using heat or flame to get the tick out. These are not as effective as a good pair of tweezers and a steady hand, and they may cause more harm.”
Using clean tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out using firm pressure. While there are tick removal tools, tweezers will do. Take care not to twist the tick during removal or crush it, as that may leave the burrowed head behind. If possible, place the tick in a sealed container or take a photo for identification in case of infection. Clean the affected area with
rubbing alcohol to remove bacteria and cover with a bandage. Wash your hands.
MONITOR
In many cases, tick bites are harmless, and no medical treatment is necessary. However, after a tick bite, watch for signs and symptoms of tick-borne diseases, such as fever, rashes, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, or swelling. Keep an eye out for a red bull’s eye rash around the bite, red dots on the ankles and wrists, or any flu-like symptoms as these may be signs of Lyme disease. Seek medical help if you are not able to fully remove the tick or if the bite shows signs of infection, such as oozing, swelling or discoloration. If you live in an area where Lyme disease is common, talk to your healthcare provider. In certain circumstances, they will give you a single dose of antibiotics following a tick bite to lower your risk of ticktransmitted bacterial infection, including Lyme disease.
While ticks can be worrisome, knowledgeable health providers can help. Contact your healthcare provider with concerns.
Grand Opening: Artistry Design District apartments debut on W. 12th St
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Houston-based McGrath Real Estate Partners announces Artistry Design District, their latest multifamily development, official grand opening. Conveniently located just inside Loop 610 in Houston’s Design District, the four-story, 400-unit community offers a perfect blend of modern sophistication and artistic flair inspired by the area’s creative community. The Artistry is currently 57 percent leased and at 42 percent occupancy.
and
Designed to reflect the neighborhood’s unique culture, Artistry Design District offers a range of thoughtfully curated amenities to meet the needs of today’s urban professionals seeking a modern and community-centric lifestyle.
“We’ve seen an overwhelming response to leasing at Artistry Design District, with residents already moving in and strong ongoing demand,” said Michael S. McGrath, President and CEO at McGrath Real Estate Partners. “This momentum reinforces our vision of creating a community that reflects the area’s distinctive character. With an exceptional location just minutes from the Heights, Galleria, Downtown, and the Energy Corridor, Artistry offers direct access to Houston’s most vibrant neighborhoods and business districts, along with a lifestyle experience that’s both elevated and community-focused.”
The Clubhouse serves as the community's central hub, offering residents access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, stylish resident lounges, a gourmet kitchen, flexible coworking spaces, wi-fi lounge and private office space. A Pet Park and Paw Spa is available for the fourlegged residents, as well. These amenities are designed to meet the needs of today’s urban professionals seeking a modern and convenient lifestyle. At “center stage” is the event venue area featuring an expansive stage for live music and entertainment. Additionally, residents will enjoy exclusive amenities such as a resort-style
Harmony Electric marks 40 years of service
STAFF REPORTS
Harmony Electric reached a significant milestone this year, celebrating 40 years of continuous operation in the Houston Heights, greater Houston area, and surrounding communities. Company leadership credited customers and neighbors for sustaining the family-owned firm since its founding in 1985.
“Forty years in business—oh my! We owe a great deal of thanks to you, our customers and neighbors, for calling on us to continue to serve the Houston Heights that we love so much, the great City of Houston and surrounding communities,” owners Dennis and
Laura Virgadamo said in a statement.
The anniversary follows a challenging year for the region’s electrical infrastructure. Company representatives noted that the 2024 storm season produced the most extensive surge-related damage they have witnessed in four decades, resulting in record demand for panel replacements, generator hookups, and EV-charger installations.
“Never in 40 years have we seen the electrical damage that our city and community suffered in 2024,” the owners said.
Harmony Electric’s Heights headquarters and several staff homes sustained storm damage, but technicians returned to the
field quickly to assist residential and commercial clients. Management extended appreciation to both customers—whose patience eased scheduling pressures—and the company’s technicians for their rapid response.
“We look forward to many more years. Call if we can be of service and we will do our best to take care of your electrical needs,” the Virgadamos said.
The company, located at 811 Yale St., continues to provide full-service electrical work, including repairs, upgrades, and new installations. Homeowners and businesses can request service by visiting harmonyelectric.com or calling 713-863-8428.
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Entrance to Artistry Design District. Submitted photos
Resort-style pool at Artistry Design District.
Bird's-eye view of Artistry Design District apartments.
Submitted photo
Harmony Electric owners Dennis and Laura Virgadamo at the former W 28th St location, ca. 1985.
