Leonard “Kinky” Campbell, a career criminal with decades of burglaries behind him, is back behind bars—this time caught redhanded after a string of breakins in Houston’s Heights and Montrose neighborhoods. Campbell, whose criminal record dates back to 1977, has already racked up 267 years in
prison sentences for burglaries in Harris County. Precinct 1 Constable’s Office officials say that, fresh out on parole, he wasted little time before returning to his old ways—this time targeting homes for valuables like high-end bicycles, collectible coins, and heirloom jewelry.
On July 21, deputies with Harris County Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen’s Office arrested Campbell at a north
Houston motel, ending a new crime spree. Detectives had been tracking him and earlier asked the public for tips on his location. A lead paid off.
As Campbell was booked on a felony burglary charge, deputies were already working to reunite victims with stolen property. Among the recovered items were rings of deep sentimental
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
With Central Texas weighing heavily on the hearts and minds of Texas residents, it is time to plan and prepare for the next flooding event here at home. Some say that, because of climate change, it is no longer a matter of if, but when, flooding will occur.
The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) has had mechanisms in place since the 1980s to gather valuable information about rising water and flood warnings in the area, and they are using those resources to protect the community. Many individuals subscribe to weather alerts to stay abreast of current weather-related situations like hurricanes and tornadoes, but most are not aware of the district’s Flood Control Warning System (FWS).
The recent unanticipated rise of water and the subsequent loss of life in
Kerr County is changing that dynamic. There was a concerning breakdown in communication between national and local entities. Subscription to an alert system may have potentially altered the impact.
In recent years, only a small percentage of Harris County residents have taken advantage of the FWS. But with ever-worsening weather patterns, that is changing. Residents now want to be notified with the same information and data supplied to local authorities—and they want it in real time.
There are multiple causes for flooding. In Texas, moving bodies of water flow south toward the ocean, and the southern portions of the state are a last repository before water enters the Gulf of Mexico. Additionally, massive growth and development in Harris County have replaced draining land
By BETSY DENSON The Leader News Contributor
You might think that a book club hosted by a bar wouldn’t talk much about the book, but you would be wrong.
On a recent Wednesday, more than a dozen people settled in at Benny Thunders, 605 Columbia St., in the Heights to delve into the club’s summer classic read - and toxic love study - Wuthering Heights. Over beer and wine from the self-pour taproom, the group hashed out the same questions you might have had if you were ever assigned it in high school English. Was Catherine truly in love with Heathcliff, or was she a psychopath? Was Heathcliff a hero, or the devil? Why is every character in this novel so messed up?
The answers to these queries didn’t matter nearly as much as the camaraderie.
Kristin Smits is actually an English teacher who drives in from Richmond, TX every month to talk books, and she likes that the setting is decidedly nonclassroom.
“I love hearing from people who don’t necessarily have an academic background,” she said. “It’s fun to hear everybody’s unique perspective.”
Anna Clearman lives in the Med Center and has been coming since the book club started in 2023, when she heard about it from a sorority sister who lived in the Heights. The group reads a wide variety of books, from memoirs and romances to sci-fi and horror. Clearman’s favorite so far was Matthew Perry’s heartbreaking Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir. Not surprising for someone with dogs named Monica, Chandler, and Gunther.
Boarding school friends Deborah Kearney and Cathy Krznar opened Benny Thunders in 2022, after Kearney moved back to Houston from Singapore to care for her brother Ben, who passed away from brain cancer in 2020. His guitars line the walls, so it’s probably not a surprise that other artistic pursuits are celebrated here.
‘We both love to read,” said Kearney,
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
In a city known for its diverse arts scene, La Speranza stands out as a Houston-based chamber ensemble with a mission: to bring hope and beauty through historically-informed performances of 18th- and 19th-century music—some familiar, some long overlooked. The group, now entering its third year as ensemble-in-residence at St. Andrew’s
Episcopal Church in the Heights, is gearing up to launch its 2025–2026 season, “Contrary to Popular Belief.”
Using historical instruments and rich, nuanced interpretation, La Speranza challenges long-held assumptions about classical chamber music. Their upcoming season offers a fresh look at works from the time of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, with a twist—this year’s concert series is built around de-
bunking common myths and misattributions in music history.
“We want to connect audiences to the emotional world these composers lived in—through the instruments they wrote for and the stories that history may have gotten wrong,” said founder and director Yvonne Smith, a Heights resident and visionary behind the ensemble.
Founded in 2016, La Speranza—
Photo by Carlo Ruano
La Speranza performs at Archway Gallery
Photo by
Photo
value—one passed down from a victim’s grandmother, another from a father-in-law.
“This feels like a dream come true to me,” one woman said moments after deputies arrived at her home and handed her the rings back.
Campbell’s undoing began when a Precinct One deputy spotted a high-end Italian bicycle in a Durham-area pawn shop. Detectives traced the bike to a break-in on Welch Street, where home surveillance footage had captured a man later identified as Campbell scaling a privacy fence and rolling the $5,000
bike out the door.
“Days like this make it all worth it,” said one deputy, after delivering recovered items to grateful homeowners.
who came up with the idea for the book club with Krznar during COVID.
“We had no idea it was going to work out,” added Krznar.
Plot twist. It has. One of the most welcome aspects of the group is its intergenerational nature. Julie Peters, a Heights resident, is one of the younger regulars. She recalls another member telling her that Julie would get along well with her daughter.
“Now we’re best friends,” Peters said. While the majority of participants are women, men do sometimes join the discussion. Other times, they opt to hang out at a table nearby and socialize while their partner participates.
Most of the time, Kearney or Krznar leads the discussion, but occasionally they pass the baton to Rebekah Westrup, the women’s former proctor at St. Stephen’s Episcopal High School in Austin. Westrup has led past discussions on Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow as well as Tess of the d’Urbervilles. She also delivered the quote of the evening: “If only I had fitness goals the way Heathcliff had revenge goals.”
The club meets on the third Wednesday of each
Campbell, who allegedly uses several aliases—Steven, Keith, and Leonard among them—now faces additional charges as detectives continue to connect him to other unsolved burglaries across the area.
“We’re grateful to help people get back some peace and hope in their lives,” said Constable Rosen. “Hopefully this serial burglar will be off our streets for many years.”
Authorities are asking anyone who may have encountered Campbell—or believes they were a victim—to contact Detective Joseph Bowden at Joseph.Bowden@cn1.hctx. net.
month from 6:30-8 p.m., with the book discussion kicking off at 7 p.m. and lasting an hour. Upcoming reads are listed on the Benny Thunders website at bennythunders. com/book-club. Krznar says plans are in the works for a book swap and social event. The bar has also hosted gath-
erings for Silent Book Club Houston.
Oak Forest resident Paige Hicks, who was at the book club for the second time, said she will be back.
“It encourages me to read more,” she said. “And I like supporting neighborhood establishments.”
conduits with concrete runoff. And last but not least— whether one subscribes to the theory or not—scientists say climate change has played a big role in the change of weather patterns across the United States. Flooding is an act of nature and can’t be prevented, but early, real-time warning can help residents prepare and protect their families.
Meet Emily Woodell: Public Educator and Advocate
Emily Woodell is the Chief External Affairs Officer for the HCFCD. Her role is to oversee communications and government affairs for the district. She has been with the department for a year, but this will be her first hurricane season. It promises to be an interesting indoctrination.
“The landscape is very flat here in Harris County, so we don’t have that same velocity as you might see in the rest of the country,” Woodell said. “I think we’ve taken away a couple of things from the recent flood disaster. It is so important to observe and analyze events over time and focus on the individual trends and patterns of each. Equally important is the need for the public to be adequately informed.”
In the early days, there were only 10 flood gauges at different sites across Harris County. The gauges were used more as technical tools for research and to validate models.
“Back then, we didn’t have all the advanced understandings of water and how water moves that we do now,” Woodell said. “It’s evolved significantly. Now we have over 370 gauges across the region.”
Two hundred of those are proprietary to HCFCD, and over 170 are operated in partnership with other agencies like the San Jacinto River Authority and Brazoria County—key points of entry into Harris County. Those partnerships span the entire region.
“Those gages put valuable, real-time data and information at our fingertips,” Woodell said. “But it’s not just the district that can benefit—the public can as well.”
In 2010, HCFCD launched its external flood warning system website.
“We had a team work on the website and the interface for about 10 years, just to make certain that the data was displayed in a way people could use it and receive alerts,” Woodell said. “That was a big step forward for us and for the region. Our intention is to mitigate risk through information, especially when we are being faced with significant risk to our community.”
Equal Access to LifeSaving Data
The FWS interactive map is a substantial resource, but the alert subscriptions are invaluable.
“Like you, I live in The Heights, surrounded by bayous that exceed their banks far too often for comfort,” Woodell said. “I subscribe to alerts for the watershed gages that are closest to my home and office, but also closest to my in-laws in Meyerland, so that my husband and I can kind of keep track of how things are and be able to plan for the area close to us and our family. It’s been a game-changer for us.”
When signing up for alerts, Woodell recommends checking what’s happening immediately upstream as well, since that’s where the water is coming from.
While alerts are essential for situational preparedness, the district’s interactive map provides a vast amount of real-time and historical data to evaluate trends and frequencies.
“We also recommend that people do as much as they can on a blue-sky day to prepare for those instances, including visiting ReadyHarris. org,” Woodell recommended. “There’s so much context and so many layers contributing to why this type of outreach and education are so important.”
Benefiting from these resources begins with creating an account. The registration
process at https://fwsalerts. org/ takes only moments. Residents can choose to register using an email address or social media account.
“The more the public is utilizing the FWS, the more positive feedback we receive, and that is so rewarding,” Woodell said. “The last thing people should know is the data that’s displayed on the flood warning system is the exact same data that our elected officials and leaders are using to make the tough decisions—where to send resources, whether to evacuate, and more. With this system, we can all make responsible and educated choices for ourselves, our family, and our community.”
Fleet Expansion Brings New Muscle to Flood Protection
In addition to providing real-time data and public-facing alerts, the Harris County Flood Control District is also bolstering its on-the-ground response capabilities. In July, the district unveiled a major $17 million expansion of its maintenance fleet—an investment made possible through voter-approved funding increases.
The newly acquired equipment includes excavators, skid steers, amphibious vehicles, and boats, all designed to preserve and strengthen the county’s growing flood control infrastructure. These powerful tools will enable field crews to respond more quickly and effectively, even under extreme conditions, helping reduce flood risk for communities across the region.
BOOKS, from P. 1
Photos released by Harris County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office Arrested & charged: Leonard “Kinky” Campbell
LEFT: The bicycle that set the wheels in motion: When a Pct. 1 Constable’s deputy noticed it in a pawn shop, investigators followed the trail back to Campbell, who allegedly took the bike from a home on Welch in Montrose. RIGHT: Deputies with the Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen’s Office returned heirloom rings to one of the victims.
Cathy Krznar (center) leads the book club at Benny Thunders on the third Wednesday of each month. For the August meeting, the featured book is The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab.
Photos by Betsy Denson
Benny Thunders hosts a monthly book club that centers on camaraderie as much as it does on great reads.
THE TOPICS. Texas history...and an unsolved mystery
The Texas Hill Country has been in the spotlight lately. The network news programs have led with reports from there. The New York Times has run page after page about Kerrville, Hunt and surround ing areas, and all for a tragic reason: the deadly floods. There is another Hill Country tale that is worth telling again, which newcomers may not know. (I love missionary work.) It’s actually not only history but an unsolved mys tery: What may have been the last Indian raid in Texas, or were they really Indians?
Let me set the stage: On Oct. 1, 1878, Jim and Susan Dowdy moved to the Hill Country from Goliad, arriving with some sheep and horses and eight children. At the time Houston had public schools, Dallas had a baseball team, and Texas had A&M, but the Hill Country was still the frontier. On the morning of the fourth day after their arrival, four of the children were sent to a bluff a half mile away to watch over a flock of sheep. There was a son, James, 11, with brown hair, large ears and a slightly sad expression;
early lunch and then relieve the children so they could go back and eat.
The two men finished lunch about 11 a.m. and went out to find the children, but discovered them missing and sheep scattered. They raced back to the house to report. Their mother, Susan, hurried to the hills and there found the bodies of her four children. Two of girls’ bodies were lying together. The third was 200 yards away, and James was some distance from her. All the bodies had been horribly mutilated with bullet, tomahawk and arrow wounds, but they were
not scalped. A wagon took the bodies to the house of a neighbor, Mrs. “Wash” Floyd, who helped prepare the bodies. Her daughter recalled much later, “I remember Mama telling me Mrs. Dowdy said to her, ‘I can’t bear to see you pull out those arrows because I know it will hurt.’ The children were buried with the arrows still in their bodies.” Many other arrows were found along a hillside as though the children had been running along there, dodging a hail of arrows. The Indians had with them a herd of horses and had made their escape. A posse was formed, but that took a day or so to form, and no Indians were spotted.
End of a sad story. Almost. Yes, the first suspects were Indians. October was the time of the year when the dreaded Comanches came up from Mexico and from the Indian territories to the north. But they generally raided only during the light of the full Comanche Moon. There were those aforementioned arrows at the scene and tomahawk marks. But nothing was taken. One family member told me
there were some horses stolen. And you can’t very well rustle a flock of sheep and make any kind of getaway. There were no reports that the girls had been raped. What was the reason for the raid? Word began surfacing that the raid was not the work of Indians at all, but of U.S. renegades or Mexican bandits. “They just used those arrows and tomahawks to make the posse go looking for Indians,” an old-timer told me. But now we have a new development, a newspaper clipping, misspellings and all: Dallas Weekly Herald, May 19, 1881 – dateline San Antonio May 13. “A letter from Kerville says last Sunday, as Deputy Sheriff Clemens, of Kervill County was returning from San Antonio with two prisoners, John Potter and William Dunman, he was waylaid by a party of unknown men near Kerrville and both prisoners taken from him. The men stopped in the middle of the road with drawn revolvers. The deputy could do nothing but comply. Shortly afterwards Potter was shot down in the road. The deputy reported
GUEST COLUMN
facts in town and an inquest was held on the body of Potter. Nothing is known as to who the parties were on the object of the killing. Potter had been arrested and was on his way to be tried for horse stealing.”
What’s the connection and who cares? William Dunman was related to the Dowdy family. Potter supposedly boasted of his part in the massacre to Dunman while they were in jail in San Antonio, not knowing of the relationship. Dunman got word to the Dowdy family as to when Potter was to be taken by stage to Junction for trial. But we also have this version: When the stage got past Mountain Home, to the north, and reached the top of a hill, Dick Dowdy and another brother, Tom, stopped the stage, took Potter to a nearby tree and hanged him. Potter was buried there, but his body was later moved to make way for a highway, and today no one knows where it is. “He didn’t have anything to do with it,” a Dowdy once told me. “He was just bragging.”
In any event, Tom and Dick were tried for murder but were acquitted. An entire generation
of Dowdys would not speak publicly of the tragedy. “That was so bad, so very, very bad, you can see why,” a resident finally told me. “One sister lived here the rest of her life, too frightened to leave her home. She became a total recluse. Even when the river would rise, neighbors would have trouble getting her to leave. And during the Comanche Moon….” At Mountain Home there is Sunset Cemetery, with small shell-covered graves for Susan, Allice (the gravestone had two ls) James and Martha. All four have the same date of death, Oct. 5, 1878. Beneath each name is the word, “Murdered.” But who did it, and why?
Ashby is mystified 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 discre-
Constable Rosen warns Texans to prepare for hurricanes now
One thing you don’t need to tell a storm-tested Texan is that there is immeasurable value in being ready for the worst, especially during our annual hurricane season.
Here in Harris County we know the importance of being ready and, if we forget, it seems there is always a reminder churning in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
First, know hurricane terms.
Listen for National Weather Service (NWS) alerts on TV or radio or check online. According to federal officials, a “hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour [mph] or higher) are possible in a stated area.”
Authorities declare hurricane watches at least 48 hours before they expect sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph.
Hurricane warnings are more serious. They predict hurricane-force winds and are issued before tropical-storm-force winds are expected.
Below are some tips from federal, state and local sources to serve as reminders to you and yours from our family at the Harris County Precinct
One Constable’s Office:
• Have your reactions planned out. Whether you are told to evacuate or shelter-in-place, know what
you’re going to do. Locate the nearest shelter or escape route, know where you will go and what you will need to pack.
• Make sure your vehicle or vehicles are fueled up and ready to go. Do not wait until the last second to act. There is usually plenty of time in advance of a hurricane.
Use that time to get ready and to listen to the proper authorities.
• Have an emergency supply kit. Be prepared in advance with any medication you take, food, plenty of water, toiletries, batteries, flashlights, and other critical supplies. Have a plan for your pets. Make provisions for important
documents and get your home ready.
• Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and neighbors who might live with disabilities.
• Sign up for emergency alerts from local government agencies and first responders. Don’t rely on social media.
• If you have a generator, learn how to use it safely. Have a list of emergency numbers handy.
• Make sure your plans include action for every stage of storm from
response to recovery.
• Remember, if you must evacuate, grab your supply kit and only take what’s really needed – mobile phones, chargers, identification documents and papers, medications, cash and credit cards.
If leaving, unplug appliances. Follow road rules and do not drive into deep water. “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Even if it looks calm outside, stay inside until the storm is officially declared over and as having moved past your location.
Stay away from windows or any place where flying debris might hit you.
Know there are lots of great sources of information, like the Red Cross, local emergency management websites and resources like the AARP, the Center for Disease Control and others.
Stay informed, educate yourself in advance, and be safe!
Constable Alan Rosen was first elected in 2012. He won a fourth term in 2024.
Ashby Columnist
Tickets now on sale for 2025 Chefs For Farmers Houston
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Food & Wine Festival Returns with Exclusive Chef Dinner, Weekend Passes, and More
Tickets are now available for the 2025 Chefs For Farmers (CFF) Houston event, a two-day culinary celebration spotlighting Texas’ top chefs, farmers, and artisans. This year’s festival’s main event will take place Sept. 27–28, 2025 at Autry Park at Shepherd and Allen Parkway, and promises more delicious experiences than ever before with a lineup of new events, expanded programming, and the debut of weekend passes.
Chefs For Farmers is known for honoring the culinary talent and agricultural roots that make Texas cuisine so distinct. For the first time, Houston will host an acclaimed dinner presented by BMW featuring an exclusive, chef-curated dining experience hosted by Chef Aaron Bludorn of Navy Blue with visiting chefs Alberto Marcolongo of Benoit NYC Alain Ducasse in New York and Lamar Moore of ETC in Chicago on Thursday, Sept. 25. During this one-nightonly experience highlighting a Surf & Turf theme, guests will be presented a multi-course tasting menu, with dishes showcasing locally sourced ingredients from Texas farmers, ranchers, and fisheries.
Expertly paired drinks and an atmosphere inspired by both land and sea will round out the unforgettable evening. Tickets for the CFF x BMW Present: The Surf & Turf Supper are available now for $125 per person. The weekend’s main events will take place on Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28 from 1-5 p.m. featuring different lineups of local chefs and culinary personalities, who will serve curated, locally sourced dishes, sup-
porting family farms across Texas. Attendees can sample various bites and beverages from a lineup of chefs and beverage brands, with entertainment and experiences like The Rosé Ranch, an area dedicated to rosé selections and photo opportunities. Guests can also participate in games in the Tailgate Experience, featuring beer pairings, and a Rodeo themed area inspired by regional flavors and BBQ traditions, reflected in décor, chef lineups, and more.
Jump Free for A Year: Urban Air Houston Heights announces grand opening date
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Urban Air Adventure Park has announced the upcoming official grand opening of the new Houston Heights location off of W Loop N Freeway and Minimax St, located at 2737 Minimax St #200, Houston, TX 77008, right above the Goldfish Swim School. The grand opening will be held this coming Saturday, July 26, starting at 10 a.m.
The first 200 guests in line on grand opening day to purchase a Platinum or Ultimate day pass will jump free with Deluxe Access to the park for one entire year. Entertainment for guests of all ages includes a balloon artist, face painter, DJ, donuts, and more special surprises. Some of our key attractions include Go Karts, Sky Rider, Spin Zone Bumper Cars, Climbing Walls, and Ropes Course.
Even seasoned Urban Air enthusiasts will discover a groundbreaking experience at the new Houston Heights location. This park introduces a oneof-a-kind layout, making it the only Urban Air in the country located entirely on the second story of a building. The main attraction is a massive, two-level Go-Kart track that fills 80
1
Italian for “hope”—is made up of four dynamic musicians united by a passion for expressive, historically-informed performance. They play on period instruments or faithful replicas, including gut-stringed violins and violas, which produce a more intimate, organic sound compared to modern counterparts.
In addition to its annual concert series, the group appears frequently at local art galleries and community venues. They’ve performed at the Houston Early Music Festival, completed a three-concert California tour, and recently recorded their first album, Mozart’s Contemporaries, to be released in December 2025.
Meet the Musicians
Yvonne Smith – Founder, Viola Drawn to the viola’s rich, mellow tone from a young age, Yvonne Smith chose the instrument over the violin while growing up in upstate New York—citing an early aversion to high notes. That early passion blossomed into a career steeped in both modern and historical performance. A graduate of Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Smith has performed with ensembles including American Bach Soloists and Lyra Baroque, she maintains an active teaching studio. She founded La Speranza in 2016 and now balances her roles as performer, director, and educator. Her baroque viola, modeled after a 1676 Andrea
Participating chefs are from top local concepts, including:
Quy Hoang & Robin Wong (Blood Bros BBQ)
• Aaron Bludorn (Bludorn)
• Michael Hoffman (Brasserie 19)
Drake Leonards (Eunice)
• Travis Lenig (Field & Tides)
• Adam Vero (Guard and Grace)
Marcos Juarez (Hidden Omakase)
• Evelyn Garcia & Henry Lu (Jun)
Marco Leal (Loro Asian
Smokehouse & Bar)
• Travis McShane & Ray Melendi (Ostia) Gabriel Guzman (Azumi)
Each day, gates will open at 1 p.m. for
ers and
percent of the park, giving visitors the perfect place to challenge friends and family to a race.
“We’re excited to celebrate our long-awaited upcoming grand opening of Urban Air Adventure Park with the Houston Heights community," owner Tommy Philips said. "We have worked hard to bring a safe, fun and super exciting family entertainment center with incredible attractions for the entire family. We make memories where families can disconnect from a busy outside world and cherish the joy of laughter and giggles through play. Get ready, Houston Heights! We can’t wait to see adventurers of all ages who need a venue to celebrate every day.”
WHEN: Saturday, July 26, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: Urban Air Adventure Park, 2737 Minimax St #200, Houston, TX
77008
MORE: Urban Air is a destination for family fun featuring a variety of attractions for all ages, and a venue for kids' birthday parties, church events, or corporate gatherings. For more information on the company and franchising opportunities please visit www. UrbanAirParks.com
Guarneri instrument, was crafted by Timothy Johnson in 2017.
Joanna Becker – Violin
Violinist Joanna Becker brings versatility and warmth to every performance, bridging genres from historical to contemporary. A founding member of La Speranza, she is also a core player in the Texas New Music Ensemble and frequently collaborates with Mercury and Ars Lyrica. Becker studied musicology at Yale and violin performance at Rice University. Whether performing ambient collaborations or coaching private students in her Houston studio, she is driven by a love for connection through music. She lives in Houston with her husband and their two sons.
Fran Koiner – Cello A Pennsylvania native, cellist Fran Koiner combines technical mastery with deep experience in historical performance. She holds degrees from Ithaca College and Rice University and has studied with renowned teachers including Desmond Hoebig and Norman Fischer. Her Baroque training includes intensive work at the American Bach Soloists Academy in San Francisco. In Houston, Koiner has performed with Mercury, Ars Lyrica, Bach Society Houston, TUTS, and more. She also maintains a private teaching studio at her home, where she lives with her husband and two teenagers.
Maria Lin – Violin
A native of Rockland County, New York, violinist Maria Lin brings decades of experience and artistic depth to La Speranza. Trained at the
ticket
p.m. for General Admission with tasting events and entertainment lasting
This year’s charity beneficiary will be the Houston Food Bank, supporting their efforts.
New to this year, guests can now purchase a weekend pass to
Garden Oaks photographer shares portraits in remembrance of David Adickes
STAFF REPORTS
Famous artist and sculptor David Adickes died this month at the age of 98. Garden Oaks resident John "Gusty" Gustafson took this portrait of Adickes nearly a quarter of a century ago, in 2002.
"I built a portable photography studio and assembled it on location at Sawyer Street in Houston to do this portrait in natural sunlight only," Gustafson said. "We collaborated for a bit, and we then created the second portrait in front of his Abe Lincoln."
Known for his larger-than-life public works, Adickes was the creative force behind some of the city's most iconic landmarks— including the 67-foot Sam Houston statue in Huntsville, the downtown "Virtuoso" cello sculpture, and the “We Love Houston” signs that welcome
travelers at both city airports. A native of Huntsville, Adickes studied under modernist Fernand Léger in France and began his career as a painter before transitioning to sculpture
in the 1980s. His massive presidential busts, whimsical Beatles statues, and colorful public art helped define Houston’s cultural landscape.
New England Conservatory and Eastman School of Music under the guidance of James Buswell and Zvi Zeitlin, Lin has performed as a soloist with ensembles such as the Rockland Symphony and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Her career has taken her to renowned music festivals including Tanglewood, Grand Teton, and Prussia Cove, and she made her solo debut at Carnegie’s Weill Hall under the auspices of the Asian American Foundation for the Arts. Since relocating to Houston, she has been a vibrant part of the city’s classical music scene, performing with leading ensembles such as Mercury, Ars Lyrica, and the Houston Grand Opera.
She performs on a 1770 violin crafted by
2025–2026 Season: “Contrary to Popular Belief” Each concert this season offers listeners an opportunity to rediscover chamber music with new ears. • September 13, 2025 – A RosebyAnyOtherName Audiences will hear a string quartet once misattributed to Haydn, written by Benedictine monk Roman Hoffstetter. The program also includes Haydn’s own String Quartet in G major and a lesser-known gem by Spanish composer Juan Cristóstomo de Arriaga. November 15, 2025 –
Creative Combinations Mozart’s boldly unusual quintet for horn and strings joins the lineup alongside his “Hunt” quartet and a lesser-known quartet by Antonio Rosetti. February 7, 2026 –A Time and Place This program spotlights chamber music written outside the traditional AustrianGerman sphere, including works by George Onslow (France) and John Frederick Peter (colonial America), and honors American musical heritage during the nation’s semiquincentennial. • April 25, 2026 –Finely Aged Firsts The season finale features the “first” string quartets of Beethoven and Mendelssohn—cataloged
Giovanni Battista Gabrielli.
LA SPERANZA, from P.
Photo by Tara Flannery
La Speranza, May 2025
Photos by Brian Kennedy
LEFT: Tickets for the 2025 Chefs For Farmers event are now for sale. RIGHT: Travis McShane from Ostia and Aaron Bludorn at Chefs For Farmers 2024
David Adickes was a renowned artist and sculptor who helped define Houston's cultural landscape.
Photos by John “Gusty” Gustafson David Adickes in front of his Abe Lincoln sculpture in Houston.
Limited-Time August Deal: Save on Vehicle Transport with Nexus
Summer has arrived, which means that road trips, college move-ins, family moves, and vacations are fast approaching. If you’re relocating for work, sending your recently graduated kid off to their first year of school, or just looking to get your car from Point A to Point B in one piece, you know how difficult it can be. The good news is that there’s a smarter way to do it. This August, you can even save while you’re at it!
Why Summer Means More Vehicle Moves
While you might think people are winding down and relaxing during the summer, it’s actually peak moving season in the United States. The most popular time to move is between late spring and summer. It’s when families typically move, college students return home or head to school, and military families may receive deployment orders. However, one of the most important services people often overlook is auto transport.
Common Challenges of Long-Distance Vehicle Moves
If you’re traveling to Texas across multiple states, long-distance vehicle moving can be a genuine hurdle that most people don’t have time for. Not everyone can take time off work for more than a few days at a time, book expensive hotels, pay for the gas, and even deal
with the vehicle wear and repairs later. If you’re driving a leased vehicle or have one under warranty, driving extended trips to move is not ideal.
Then, when you add in the risk of car breakdowns, roadside emergencies, or even understanding interstate transport laws, it becomes even more difficult. If you have more than one car, it’s even worse! That’s why people often turn to auto transport instead.
What to Know About Professional Auto Transport Services
Many people assume it’s unaffordable, but in reality, auto transport services provide numerous benefits and immense value. Professional
auto transport companies are ready to help you simplify logistics with easy pickup and delivery, customizable shipping insurance, and clear delivery timeframes that fit your needs. More importantly, they also offer open carriers for those seeking a budgetfriendly option, as well as enclosed auto transport for those with high-value cars. All you have to do is request a quote or an estimate, and be sure to find a reliable car transport with verified reviews and strong communication.
How
to
Save Money
on Auto Transport This August with Nexus
If you’re ready to work with an auto transport com-
Community CALENDAR
Stay up-to-date and submit your own events online at www.theleadernews.com/site/community_calendar.html
Alex’s Autism Alliance (77019) Customized plans for young adults with autism | Life skills | FREE resource Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at W Gray 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
02 AUG
event | Meet and greet with shelter animals Friends For Life Animal Shelter (Backyard) 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
29 JUL Alex’s Autism Alliance (77019) Customized plans for young adults with autism | Life skills | FREE resource Metropolitan Multi-Service Center at W Gray 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
30 JUL
PRIDE@5 (77020) Social mixer | Immersive art experience | LGBTQ+ & sup-
Southwest Houston Origami & Arts Festival (77036) Origami dragon record attempt | Workshops & demonstrations | Family-friendly 7500 Bellaire Boulevard, Houston, TX 77036
02 AUG
The Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest & Health Fair (77010) Giveaways | School supplies | Health screenings | Immunizations | Reg. requ. George R. Brown Convention Center 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
02 AUG
Mattel’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour 100+ unique vehicles | Family fun areas | Hot Wheels displays | FREE adm.
pany that’s reliable and affordable, look no further than Nexus. Texans looking for auto transport services this month have a chance to save! Nexus is a trusted name in auto logistics, currently offering a limitedtime August discount for all new bookings made through local partner outlets. Just use the discount code NEXUSAUGUST2025 when you inquire to lock in your savings. Backed by a vast network of professional drivers and strong customer reviews, working with a transport company like Nexus ensures you enjoy a seamless move from start to finish. Get in touch today to schedule your next auto transport.
Walmart parking lot (26270 Northwest Fwy, Cypress, TX 77429) 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
02 AUG Frost Bank Family Fun Day (77012) School supplies | Treats | Food | Music | Kid-friendly | FREE event 1001 Broadway St., Houston, TX 77012 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
02 AUG Houston’s Spiciest Showdown: COMIN’ IN HOT! (77051) Hot sauce competition | Tastings | Free beer | Games | $10 pp Hope Farms 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
02 AUG Off the Street - A White Linen Night Art Event (77008) Independent Outdoor Art Market | Music | White Linen flair 540 W 19th St Houston TX 77008 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
03 AUG Friends For Life Doggie Playgroup (77008) Weekly FREE event | Meet and greet with shelter animals Friends For Life Animal Shelter (Backyard) 2:30 PM - 3:30
Oak Forest resident charged in two unrelated murders
STAFF REPORTS
Charges have been filed against a suspect arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at 5175 West 34th Street about 12:05 a.m. on July 16. The victim is identified as William Hall, 65. The suspect, Isaac Biais, 21, who shows an Oak Forest address in court records, is charged with murder in the 184th State District Court.
HPD Homicide Division officials said that HPD patrol officers responded to a shooting call at the above address and found a man, later identified as Mr. Hall, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Paramedics pronounced him deceased.
Preliminary investigation revealed the man was approached on the street by two suspects and a possible argument ensued before the shooting. The suspects then ran to an unknown black sedan before leaving the scene and driving eastbound on West 34th Street.
Further investigation identified Biais as a suspect in this incident. Officers arrested him the following day, July 17, on unrelated charges.
"The defendant shot and killed [Mr. Hall] on 7/16/25. The defendant has also been identified and will be charged
Photo by Samuel Sng, Unsplash
Photo released by HPD Arrested & charged: Isaac Biais
Art Valet: Xandra Homes’ bold colors light up Off The Street
Mitch cohen Art Columnist
artvalet@gmail.com
It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly a wrap here in Houston. Not the heat, of course—I think we’re still warming up for the hottest night of the year, White Linen Night in the Heights.
That’s right, the iconic event that both thrills and sparks emotions in a neighborhood that shows no signs of slowing down as a cultural influencer in Houston is back.
After a 5-year hiatus, First Saturday Arts Market artists twisted my arm into hosting on our parking lot. Because the market artists were in the spotlight for so long at a different location, I renamed our event “Off The Street.”
Find the market artists, along with a few friends from our sister market, The Folk Market, in our usual spot next to 540 W. 19th St. We’ll be open Aug. 2, 6-10 p.m. More details below.
While preparing for next week’s event, I got nostalgic revisiting artist Xandra Homes’ biography. She first joined us for White Linen Night in 2012, and we’ve stayed in touch over the years about various opportunities. Her vibrant work feels like a perfect fit for this year’s return, so let’s dive in!
Growing up in suburban Houston, my own artistic influences were more about comics and crafty projects like popsicle-stick creations than direct mentorship. Calling myself an artist felt bold, but I leaned into it, eventually painting billboards—a craft that, like murals, demanded a unique approach to scale and detail.
That’s why I was thrilled to learn that Xandra Homes, who recently rejoined First Saturday Arts Market, honed her skills under her muralist grandfather. Murals, much like billboards, play with perspective, using techniques to create sharp edges or details that shift with distance. I see those
COMMUNITY REPORTS
One Garden Oaks-based nonprofit got a special delivery of 1,300 juice boxes and $20,000. Bank of Texas just completed the juice box challenge with Kids’ Meals, an organization dedicated to ending childhood hunger in Houston.
“It’s amazing to be able to have a say in where our local community donations go," said J.W. Parnell, commercial relationship manager at Bank of Texas. "The freedom to direct our generosity is a privilege that brings satisfaction and hope to the children supported by Kids' Meals.” Parnell is the employee who nominated Kids' meals for the Guide the Giving program, where employees nominate and vote on a winner every year.
When dropping off the donated juice boxes, Bank of Texas volunteers were able to present a $20,000 check as part of their employee-guided giving program.
“We are so grateful for the chance to support a nonprofit that’s truly woven into the fabric of our community. What makes this even more meaningful is that our employees led the way. It’s a powerful reminder that when we listen to our people, we make a bigger impact together,” said Randy Walker, Houston market CEO for Bank of Texas.
Bank of Texas employees in Houston have volunteered over 400 hours in the past five years, with more than $50,000 in donations awarded in the same timeframe.
clever tricks in Homes’ vibrant paintings, which is why they resonate so deeply with me. Homes captures scenes from Houston to Paris, coun-
tryside vistas from crosscountry drives, and the buzz of city nightlife and portraits. In addition to her grandfather, Homes credits other mentors for shaping her skills as a commissioned artist. As an instructor at a local paintand-sip studio, Homes says she learned by teaching others and collaborating with artists. She earned a degree in Communications and Art History from the University of Houston.
Her high-contrast, whimsi-
cal style, with vibrant colors evoking city lights and sunsets, gives her paintings a “glow-inthe-dark” feel, perfect for the Off The Street summer night market.
Follow Xandra Homes on Instagram at instagram.com/ xandra.homes and see the entire Off The Street roster at firstsaturdayartsmarket.com.
Off The Street – A White Linen Night Art Event Aug. 2, 6-10 p.m. First Saturday Arts Market hosts Off The Street, an outdoor
art market at 540 W. 19th St., Houston, featuring nearly 40 local artists and artisans from The Folk Market, with paintings, sculptures, photography, and jewelry. Enjoy craft brews from Houston Cider Co. (@ houstoncider), specialty drinks from Vivre Coffee (@vivrecoffeecollective), and music by @_djev_.
Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market. Visit his website at ArtValet.com.
COMMUNITY REPORTS
After 35 years of dedicat-
across Texas, providing criti-
cal education, training, and one-on-one guidance on navigating complex systems such as special education, Medicaid waivers, Social Security, and the transition to adulthood.
“We are incredibly proud of our legacy of empowering families of children with disabilities,” said Bryan Smith, board chair of Family to Family Network. “This decision was difficult but necessary. The organization’s impact across the Greater
Houston area and Texas has been extraordinary, but despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure the long-term funding needed to sustain our work. It has been an honor to support an organization that made such a meaningful difference in the lives of families,” said Smith. “Family to Family Network gave parents the tools and confidence to advocate for their children and build better futures. While we are saddened by this closure, we
remain deeply grateful to the staff, supporters, and families who made this mission possible.”
In the past year alone, Family to Family Network responded to over 600 calls and emails from families in crisis and trained more than 1,000 individuals through its annual conference, Autism 101 Academy, and local & statewide community workshops. The majority of families served by the organization have children with significant
disabilities and live at or below the poverty line. Many are single parents or caregivers who don’t have access to paid advocates, lawyers, or private services. Family to Family Network was often the only place they could turn for help, hope, and answers.
“While it’s with a heavy heart that we close our doors, I’m proud of what we accomplished together,” said Mary Jane Williams, Executive Director of Family to Family Network. “For many families,
we were the only place they could turn. We helped them feel seen, heard, and empowered — and that impact doesn’t disappear with our closure. I hope our work inspires others to keep fighting for families who need support the most.” Families are encouraged to visit www.f2fn.org for resources or www.texasprojectfirst.org for accurate and consistent bilingual information on the special education process.
Houston-based Bank of Texas employees nominated Kids' Meals in Garden Oaks as their annual charity recipient. RIGHT: Bank of Texas employees in Houston delivered hundreds of juice boxes to Kids’ Meals to help end childhood hunger.
Submitted photos Heights Theater by Xandra Homes
TOP and BOTTOM: River Oaks Theater by Xandra Homes
