The Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve is a surprise to drivers along West 11th Street. It really shouldn’t be there—tucked among townhomes, traffic, and light poles—yet there’s a surprising oasis of trees and nature. When you venture inside the trees, you enter a whole
new world. Some have even said it’s like East Texas in the middle of the city.
“We’ve really loved that woods since we moved to Timbergrove Manor in 2007.
It was a lifesaver for us when we came here,” says Nancy Zey, who fell in love with Timbergrove from the start.
“We’ve really gotten attached to the Lorraine Cherry Nature
Preserve. We enjoy walking the trails, and even though there have been several hurricanes, droughts, and the Derecho of 2024, it’s a very special place to go outside in nature.”
That’s the story for generations who know the park now, and through its years as the West 11th Street Park—and before that, as property of HISD for decades. Tractors
once mowed where rabbits and turtles now roam, sheltered by tall pines. Houstonians, and especially Timbergrove neighbors, have always stepped up to care for this 21-acre refuge, guiding it through drought and flood—not to mention the heroic efforts to keep development at bay.
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
There is a 38-acre parcel of land being developed just north of Oak Forest’s established Section 16 neighborhood that is causing great concern for residents. It is being developed as a large industrial park. Previous occupants of the property include the original ACME Brick Company and, most recently, the 5050 Acorn Golf driving range. Neither of these businesses caused great angst for residents. The property’s previous use, however—and the current development underway— have certainly raised serious concerns. At one time, a portion of the parcel was operated as a construction landfill. Given the timing and the lack of regulation during that period, residents are voicing numerous environmental and public safety concerns, especially considering the aggressive excavation currently in progress. But concerns are not limited to environmental implications. The Oak Forest neighborhood and nearby Mangum Manor have long been
known for their quiet, tree-lined streets and well-maintained homes. Residents are now increasingly worried about the potential impacts of increased traffic, noise, and flooding. When the driving range property
was sold, nearby residents held their collective breaths, wondering what would come next. Neighbors individually reached out to the media, including The Leader, but early information was scarce. It eventually became clear that an industrial park was planned, but few other public disclosures were available about the developer, potential tenants, or environmental precautions taken.
Bryan Treadway, recently elected president of the Oak Forest HOA, said, “Because everyone was in the dark, residents feared the worst.” Initially leading the charge on gathering details about the project, he attempted to contact the city, the District C council office, and others for information—but found it challenging to obtain.
Speculation swirled, including rumors that the site would become an Amazon distribution center—claims the developer, Urban Logistics Realty (ULR), vehemently denies.
Except for the entrance and one remote area on the property, the site is completely surrounded by standard
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Garden Oaks resident Mary H. Beck has been named the new executive director of the Houston Humane Society, bringing more than two decades of nonprofit leadership to one of the region’s largest and most impactful animal welfare organizations. Her appointment became effective July 16. “We’re thrilled to welcome
Mary to our team,” said Brett Eckert, chair of the Houston Humane Society Board of Directors. “She’s a passionate animal advocate and proven nonprofit leader whose experience aligns perfectly with our mission. Her guidance will be critical as we expand access to affordable veterinary care, grow our safety net programs for pet owners in need, and launch a new strategic plan for our wildlife services, among other key initiatives.”
Beck steps into the role during a time of transformational growth for the organization, which in 2024 provided veterinary services to more than 28,000 animals, distributed over 800,000 pet meals, and helped nearly 2,500 animals find their forever homes.
“Animal welfare is a deep personal passion of mine and being able to do this work fulltime is truly a dream come true,” said Beck. “Houston Humane Society has been a
By BETSY DENSON The Leader News Contributor
Heights resident Brit Vora first found out about Gals Who Give when she and her husband lived in Denver. The group, with a handful of chapters across the country, unites women to make a visible impact in their communities by pooling donations in support of local charities each quarter.
When Vora returned to Texas, she wanted to bring that “mix of community, purpose, and real impact” back with her.
Vora called her friend Jordan Chismar, also in the Heights, with a question: What if we started a chapter here?
The first meeting of the Harris County chapter of Gals Who Give was held in February 2020, just weeks before the world shut down due to COVID-19. But even a pandemic couldn’t stop their momentum. For nearly two years, they hosted virtual events, and through it all, the group continued to grow. What started as $1,200 raised at that initial gathering has now nearly multiplied tenfold this year.
“Honestly, I was scared when we started - I worried Jordan and I would be the only ones who showed up,” Vora says. “But what I’ve learned is that people are hungry to give back. They just need a door to walk through - and it turns out, we could be that door.”
A Simple, Impactful Model
Gals Who Give operates on a quarterly, member-led model that makes philanthropy feel both accessible and powerful. The idea is simple: gather once a quarter for one hour, each member or team gives $100, and the group collectively chooses a local nonprofit to support.
“A lot of people want to give back but don’t know where to start or don’t have the time to commit to regular volunteer work,” Vora says. “What makes Gals Who Give so special is that it removes those barriers. It gives women a direct, tangible way to make an impact. We’re pooling our donations and turning what might be a small gesture into something truly transformative for a local nonprofit.”
What might feel like a fairly modest
trusted leader in this area for more than 60 years with a proven track record of lifesaving work with animals, helping homeless pets find new families, keeping animals in their homes and preventing cruelty. I’m excited to build on that storied history and help strengthen that impact while looking ahead to a future that’s innovative, sustainable and positioned for growth.” Beck most recently served
construction fencing with canvas covering. The only signage visible identifies Harvey Cleary as the construction contractor. As excavation began, equipment started forming a perimeter berm with the dirt being unearthed—filled with debris and old refuse that has raised serious concerns for neighbors.
Health Concerns
The fencing, the sheer height of the berm, and the lack of visible signage from the developer have fueled residents’ worries about secrecy and transparency.
Cole Munger, an Oak Forest HOA member monitoring the situation, said, “I’ve been doing commercial real estate for the last 15 years—specifically industrial development for about 12 years -- and did retail development for two years. So, I’ve got a history of working with these types of facilities, the tenants, and how they operate.”
Munger, who lives just five blocks from the site, added, “When we purchased our house 11 years ago, we were always told that the site could never be ‘developed’ because it used to be a landfill. That’s why the brick company never expanded. That’s also the reason the golf range bought it— there was no need to excavate for development.”
Traffic and Noise Concerns
that service local communities—electricians, plumbers, tile companies—businesses with a small storefront and back-end distribution.”
Flooding: Stull said retention ponds will be constructed in green space adjacent to the buildings to mitigate runoff. When asked why the green space was not positioned between the site and the neighborhood, he explained that elevation and drainage dictated placement near the park and busy thoroughfare instead. “Putting those retention ponds at the lower elevation would have been a certain catalyst for flooding,” he said.
Despite Stull’s reassurances, residents remain skeptical that three retention ponds will be enough to manage runoff during a major storm event.
(TCEQ). Joseph Robledo of the EPA stated, “The Resource and Conservation Recovery Act Subtitle D program for landfills is delegated to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). We recommend contacting TCEQ.”
TCEQ spokesperson Victoria Cann replied: “An assessment of soil and groundwater at the 5050 Acorn Street property was completed under the TCEQ’s Corrective Action Program (IHW T3755). In January 2024, TCEQ approved the assessment of the site and determined no further action was necessary.”
Beyond anticipated postdevelopment traffic and noise, residents are already complaining that construction is ongoing outside of acceptable hours. According to the Houston Noise Ordinance (Chapter 30), construction activity such as building erection, excavation, demolition, alteration, or repair work must take place between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Residents have provided multiple time-stamped videos showing dump trucks and excavation equipment operating outside those hours.
Flooding Concerns
Munger noted that their neighborhood was spared during Hurricane Harvey, the worst flooding event in the last century. Treadway added that Mangum Manor, however, was not as fortunate during the storm. Harris County and the City of Houston developed a buyout program for more than 200 county residents, includ-
Munger continued, “Additionally, the city and the developer haven’t really brought anything to the table that’s going to stop the increased traffic issues in our neighborhood. Even today, without the development, our neighborhood is used as a pass-through to avoid Antoine, 43rd, and Pinemont. As you may know, they’re going to be redoing Antoine. That’s just going to make the traffic issue even worse.”
as CEO of The Council on Recovery, a Houston-based nonprofit focused on substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. There, she oversaw more than $8 million in operations, helped secure over $4 million in grants and contracts, and led over a dozen major initiatives reaching more than 70,000 individuals across 13 counties.
Before that, Beck led the Center for Research and Organizational Effectiveness (CORE), where she provided consulting and development services to nonprofits throughout Houston. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston. Houston Humane Society’s headquarters, shelter, and public veterinary clinic are located at 14700 Almeda Rd. For more information on its programs and services, visit www.houstonhumane.org.
ing homes in Mangum Manor that were devastated by flooding.
“The city and the developer haven’t been forthcoming about their drainage plans, other than suggesting they’ll drain toward Antoine,” Munger said. “Unfortunately, that’s where our neighborhood drains, too. It’s not going to drain east or over the railroad tracks—it physically can’t. This is not a solution.”
He also raised concerns about water currently being pumped from the excavation site into neighboring drainage ditches.
Developer Response
The Leader reached out to ULR and was directed to Zach Stull, the project manager, who agreed to an interview.
Stull expressed surprise at the perception of secrecy. “It’s never been our intention to hide nor avoid these conversations,” he said. “This is probably the fifth or sixth different lengthy conversation I’ve had with a neighbor or constituent in this area. We’ve talked
to residents over the phone; please know that we are 100% accessible.” He expressed that no community meetings have been held to date, but that ULR is open to the possibility. “We haven’t ignored anyone that has reached out and we’ve done our best to listen.”
Stull has committed to meeting with the Oak Forest HOA upon his return from vacation.
In the interim, he addressed three key concerns:
Traffic: “We’ve intentionally designed the property so that our main driveway and front entrance are on the northwest corner. So, it’ll connect directly from April back to Pinemont, which is one of the more major thoroughfares. That was by design.”
He also clarified that the development would feature three smaller buildings, rather than one large one. “You mentioned an Amazon Distribution Center in our conversation, but that rumor is blatantly unfounded,” he said. “We are planning bay-type buildings. These are the types of tenants
Environmental Concerns: Stull confirmed that the site was tested for harmful substances and, so far, no hazardous materials like lead or asbestos have been identified. He also said a remediation plan is in place should that change. When asked to provide documentation or the names of those who performed the testing, he did not give a direct response.
He added, “The necessary steps to ensure environmental compliance have been taken. Again, we’re not trying to run from anyone—we’re trying to run towards people. If they want to talk, we’re here to talk. We’re just a seven-person company, ma’am. These projects are deeply personal to us.”
Governmental Response
In follow-up, The Leader contacted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) multiple times without initial response. When the response did arrive, the EPA deferred to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
What’s Next The Oak Forest HOA and ULR plan to meet upon Stull’s return. On Aug. 1, a meeting was facilitated by Council Member Abbie Kamin’s office between stakeholders and Houston Public Works (HPW). According to attendees, HPW was not prepared to address many of the questions from residents, citing that it was still early in the process. However, the HOA will now compile and submit a list of specific questions for HPW to answer in writing.
Meanwhile, as current issues or site violations arise, District C has committed to help escalate 3-1-1 resident complaints.
The property is of special interest to Council Member Kamin, who previously expressed drainage concerns when a prior municipal utility district application for a different development at the site came before City Council. Her intervention was instrumental in having that application withdrawn.
Although this project is likely to remain a source of community debate, it now has increased visibility among stakeholders and the city.
YES Prep celebrates ribbon cutting of White Oak Elementary campus
STAFF REPORTS
YES Prep Public Schools marked a major milestone with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its newest campus, YES Prep White Oak Elementary, on Aug. 1. The new campus, located at 6343 Deihl Rd, Houston, TX 77092, is currently serving students in Pre-K through 2nd grade, with plans to ex-
pand through 5th grade in the coming years. With 350 students already enrolled out of a maximum 370, the school is quickly approaching full capacity. Limited spots remain open in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade.
A standout feature of the new campus is its robust bilingual education program. Currently, 50 percent of students are enrolled in the immersive bilingual track. YES
Prep is the only public charter school in Houston offering a fully immersive bilingual program from Pre-K through 5th grade. The ribbon-cutting event celebrated both the school’s opening and YES Prep’s continued growth as it reaches 20,000 students across its network. For more information or to apply for remaining spots, visit yesprep.org.
Photo by Stephanie Shirley A view beyond the site entrance reveals a closer look at the
waste berm lining the site’s interior perimeter. Residents have questions regarding the debris’ environmental and safety impact.
BECK, from P. 1
Photo courtesy of Houston Humane Society Mary H. Beck, of Garden Oaks, was named the new executive director of the Houston Humane Society in July.
Photos Courtesy of YES Prep Public Schools, Angelica Flores
The YES Prep White Oak Elementary campus celebrated the start of the school year with a ribbon cutting.
What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breast Tissue?
If your mammogram indicates you have dense breasts, you’re likely wondering what it means for you.
“Every mammogram report indicates breast tissue density, of which there are four categories — ranging from almost entirely fatty to extremely dense,” says Dr. Luz Venta, Medical Director of Breast Imaging at Houston Methodist. “Depending on the population of women between a third to a half of women eligible for mammograms have dense breast tissue.” Where your breasts fall on the density spectrum may affect how your doctor approaches your future breast cancer screenings.
What is Dense Breast Tissue?
There are three types of tissue in our breasts — fatty, glandular and fibrous.
Glandular tissue is made up of milk-producing glands and ducts. Fibrous tissue helps hold these structures in place.
“Both glandular and fibrous tissue are more dense than fatty tissue, and together they’re called the fibroglandular tissue,” says Dr. Venta. “In women with dense breast tissue, there’s more fibroglandular tissue than fatty tissue. And this difference can be seen on a mammogram.”
What Influences Having Dense Breast Tissue?
• Younger age
• Lower body fat
• Natural hormones
• Hormone replacement therapy after menopause
• Genetics
Does Having Dense Breasts
Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
“Yes, medical studies have confirmed that having dense breast tissue increases the risk of developing breast cancer.” explains Dr. Venta. Other risk factors for breast cancer include:
• A family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer
• The incidence of breast cancer increases as we age
• Certain gene mutations, such as changes to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (although these are not the only ones)
Is an Ultrasound Always Needed if You Have Dense Breast Tissue?
The two reasons it’s important to know a person’s breast density: Dense breast tissue can obscure cancers, making them harder to see in the mammogram and dense breast tissue increased the risk of developing breast cancer.
“If you have dense breast tissue, your doctor will probably recommend supplemental screening to your mammogram with ultrasound or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) depending on your age and other risk factors,” says Dr. Venta. “These tests together with mammography increase the sensitivity for breast cancer detection. Advances in mammography with 3D technology also help detection of cancers in dense breast tissue.”
She adds that the recommendation for all women — even those with dense breasts — is still to get a screening mammogram every year starting at age 40.
“Mammograms are proven to be beneficial and are considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening,” explains Dr. Venta. “Current data shows that women with dense breast tissue benefit from a supplemental ultrasound or MRI. These combined technologies help find more cancers in women with dense breasts.”
Your physician will work with you to determine whether a supplemen-
tal ultrasound makes sense for your specific level of breast density, as well as how frequently one should accompany your annual screening mammogram.
Can Breast Density Change?
Breast tissue is dynamic and responds to increases and decreases in weight and hormones. With weight gain and a decrease in hormones, the breast density decreases, whereas a decrease in weight and increased hormones increases breast density. Thus, you can have a different density from one mammogram to the next. Talk to your doctor about the best type of breast screening for you.
What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breast Tissue?
“Around half of women eligible for mammograms have dense breast tissue,” says Dr. Luz Venta, a breast radiologist at Houston Methodist. Mammogram reports indicate breast tissue density, which impacts breast cancer screening and is influenced by:
• Age Body fat
• Natural hormones
• Hormone replacement therapy after menopause
Genetics Does Dense Breast Tissue Increase Cancer Risk?
“Yes, medical studies have confirmed that having dense breast tis-
sue increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Dense breast tissue can also obscure cancers, making them harder to see in mammograms,” explains Dr. Venta.
Other risk factors include:
Age (increased cancer incidence over time)
• Family history (of breast or ovarian cancer)
• Certain gene mutations (including, but not limited to, BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes)
Is an Ultrasound Always Needed?
Mammograms are proven to be beneficial and are still considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening. Current data shows that women with dense breast tissue benefit from a supplemental ultrasound or MRI. These combined technologies help find more cancers in women with dense breasts. Your physician will help determine whether a supplemental ultrasound makes sense for your specific level of breast density, as well as how frequently one should accompany your annual screening mammogram.
Can Breast Density Change?
Breast tissue is dynamic and responds to increases and decreases in weight and hormones. Thus, you can have a different density from one mammogram to the next. Talk to your doctor about the best type of breast screening for you.
THE TOPICS.
Gerrymandering through Texas
“Houston - The streets were unpaved and the mud bottom less. I found justification in the fact that everybody, even the elegantly dressed gentle men, stuffed their trouser legs into their boots.” -- Texas by Ferdinand von Roemer was published in German in 1849 but was not translated into English for nearly a century.
Yes, this sleepy, muddy fishing village on the bayou still has paving problems, mud, and we still wear boots. Otherwise our population has increased somewhat --1850: 2,396; to day: 2.31 million. Of the top 10 largest metropolitan areas in the country, the Houston three-county population has grown more than all but Dallas-Fort Worth since 2010, increasing in population by 25 percent or more than 1.5 million people.
A lot of newcomers have moved to the suburbs. Montgomery County had 620,443 residents in 2020. Today the estimated population is more than 750,000. Fort Bend County had a population of 829,036 in the 2020 census. Today it’s estimated at 958,434. This huge influx of people has created changes of all sorts. There is another change which links our mas-
Lynn Ashby Columnist
us, we may well have a total stranger representing us in Washington. So let’s see if our new polls truly reflect our values. For starters, we turn to the Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2025 Results, an excellent study of us. The survey was administered in JanuaryFebruary 2025 to nearly 10,000 individuals in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. What do we like the most about living in the Houston area? About 80 percent in all three counties said the Houston area was a better place to live compared to other major metro areas around the country. Despite all the newbies, more than half of residents were either born in the area or moved here as
children. More than half have lived here for around two decades or more. For those who moved here as adults, jobs and family were the main factors drawing them to the area.
OK, so much for the roses. How about the thorns? Our biggest problems are not the Houston Texans’ offensive line but crime and safety, the economy, and the cost of housing. More than 6 in 10 rated local infrastructure as either poor or fair, with 23 percent of Fort Bend County residents, 30 percent of Harris County residents, and 28 percent of Montgomery County residents rating it as poor. We are concerned about both water and air pollution. What with Hurricane Harvey and Beryl and derechos, not to mention mosquitoes and the West Loop, it’s not surprising that nearly 40 percent said they were thinking about leaving Houston in the next few years, with about 1 in 6 saying it was very or extremely likely they would leave.
Quality of life and perceptions of Houston depends on your income. Those earning below $25,000 are three times as likely as those earning $100,000 to rate their quality of life as poor or fair. One of
the highest approval ratings of all the questions were for government action to reduce economic inequality between the rich and poor (81 percent agree) and to ensure everyone who wants to work can find a job (88 percent agree). In addition, 84 percent agree the government should ensure all Americans have a basic standard of living.
Unlike our government, we like immigrants. Houston-area residents feel that immigrants contribute more to the economy than they take. Seventyone percent have a favorable opinion about all immigrants, and 61 percent agree when it comes to undocumented immigrants. This is interesting: People across all three counties share a civic identity as “Houstonians” and take pride in the area’s diversity and opportunities. About 1 in 4 residents cited diversity as the best thing, and nearly 9 in 10 believe our diversity culture is good, very good or excellent. One more: 67 percent of respondents said the region’s higher education institutions are good, very good, or excellent. This is what we like, don’t like, what we want to change and, if we’re going to have a
different voice in Congress, we may want to change that, too. It’s all about one phone call. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott had a conversation with President Donald Trump. Trump desperately needs to pad his slim Republican majority in the U.S. House. Where to find more GOP reps? Where are the easy pickings? Texas, of course. Thus the phone call. Abbott the Lapdog said, “Whatever you want, Your Highness.” So when the Guv called lawmakers back for a special session, their first priority was not to deal with rampaging floods, poor medical care or transgender high school athletes, or even the Texans’ offensive line. It was about redistricting. Think priorities. Trump flatly said he thinks he can get five more Republican Texans in Congress if the new district lines are gerrymandered. The Texas GOP now has redistricting maps which look like a Rorschach test, with boundaries going every which way. (My district depends whether I’m in the living room or the den.)
To get input, after the fact, some lawmakers held public meetings in places like Houston, Arlington, and
Austin. The auditoriums were so packed that hundreds had to wait outside. Almost no one was in favor of redistricting. I’m sure the protests did absolutely no good. (After the 2020 census, which gave Texas two more representatives, the districts were redrawn and guess which party got those two new seats? It wasn’t the Greens or the Whigs.) Now we face two separate but joined situations. In the Houston area we have a lot of new resident-voters. The Kinder survey shows what we like and don’t like. We may be represented by different members of Congress. Wonder if they will truly represent us? Until then, keep your trouser legs stuck into your boots – it’s getting deep around here, and it’s not mud.
Ashby is redistricted 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.
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital expands facility dog program
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital has introduced two new furry employees to the team: Stephan and Boris, a golden retriever and lab-golden cross, who are now ready to take to the floor and provide care to pediatric patients as facility dogs. The facility dog program at Memorial Hermann was founded in 2019. Through their partnership with Canine Companions, the program has now expanded from three to five dogs, increasing access across pediatric units to the medical and emotional support services the dogs and
their handlers provide. As puppies, the two spent time with their respective caretakers to develop their skills and temperament. After undergoing extensive training for six months and learning over 40 different commands, they were selected as pediatric facility dogs for Memorial Hermann.
Their handlers, Katie Rehm and Rachel Graves, are Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) and were specifically matched to Boris and Stephan based on their personalities and proven success in their respective treatment areas. Boris and Rachel will service the pediatric oncology
and outpatient clinics, while Stephan and Katie will oversee the pediatric heart center.
"Stephan and Boris will perform a multitude of tasks to educate and comfort patients," Rehm said. "This will include mimicking practices such as laying in the CT scanner to demonstrate to patients that procedures are not as scary as they seem."
The pairs work side-by-side, providing individualized support to their patients. These highly skilled companions take commands from their CCLS handler to help normalize an unfamiliar environment, making them an invaluable addition to the pediatric medical
care setting. Their patient, calming demeanors help to foster relationships between patients and care teams and bring positivity to a patient's day during what can often be a frightening or uncomfortable time.
"With their training and their temperaments, they're able to connect with patients in ways people can't always do," explains Graves. "The impact the dogs are making on our patients has been incredible."
The Children's Memorial Hermann team hosted a graduation ceremony for the dogs to honor their impact and officially welcome them to the facility dog team.
Submitted photo Stephan (left) with handler Katie Rehm, and Boris (right) with handler Rachel Graves.
Keep kids safe by driving kind and courteous
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Safety Tips for Driving in School Zones and Around Buses
As children across the state gather school supplies, say goodbye to summer and prepare for a new year of classes, Texas drivers are also getting ready for school traffic to return. School zones can be hectic places with students hopping on and off buses or darting between cars to cross the street, and drivers may become distracted or impatient. Tragically, crashes can and do happen. Just last year, there were 781 traffic crashes in school zones and 2,480 collisions involving school buses in Texas. Most of these crashes involved driver inattention or speeding, and some were deadly. Two people were killed
SCOUTS,
Scouts Step In to Help
Restore a Beloved Neighborhood Park
Zey says her daughter, Mary Brush, began with Scouting America in 2021 at age 12 and was always interested in a community project to encourage leadership. Troop 88 is relatively new, and the family is involved—Zey as Scoutmaster and Brush as a member of the troop. They began thinking about conservation-focused projects for Brush’s Eagle Scout badge. “That’s when we met Laura Bradham,” she said. Bradham is no stranger to the wooded life. She’s been president of Friends of the Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve, and since 2022— when the name was changed from West 11th Street Park— she immediately connected her bird walks at Houston Audubon, where she had long volunteered, to bird walks at this park. Since then, she has overseen many improvements to benefit the preserve. When Troop 88 approached Bradham to ask if there were any conservation projects they could participate in, she responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes, of course!” The first big project was called “Hut Busting,” where the scouts dismantled unauthorized huts and camps. While the huts were built with dead limbs and tree trunks, they were damaging the bushes and trees they leaned on. People weren’t camping there—just building odd structures. The “Hut
from P. 1
individual gift can become a $10,000+ check in the hands of a local nonprofit.
“The member-led part is my favorite,” says Vora. “It means that any woman in the room can be the spark that changes the course of a nonprofit’s journey.”
The quarterly events are intentionally low-key and welcoming. Women arrive around 6:30 p.m. to visit over drinks and snacks. The official event kicks off at 7 p.m.
Any member can nominate a local nonprofit to receive funds. Past recipients include Oak Forest Foster Closet, Cure JM Foundation, and GiGi’s Playhouse Houston. After the group hears a brief update from the previous quarter’s recipient, they randomly select three of the new nominations to be presented to the group.
“Presenters have five minutes or less to share from the heart,” Vora says. “No slides, no handouts, just real stories about why the nonprofit means something to them.”
After hearing presentations, members vote and donate $100 each to the chosen nonprofit. Online giving stays open before and after the event to include all members.
“Once all donations are collected, we host a check presentation where members are invited to hand-deliver the funds and celebrate the recipient,” Vora said. “That big check moment never gets old!”
One of the defining features of the group is its local focus - every nonprofit supported must be based in Harris County.
“When we support local nonprofits, we’re not just making a donation - we’re investing in our neighbors, our schools, and our community’s
in Texas school zone crashes last year and another 11 were killed in crashes involving school buses.
To prevent these tragedies, TxDOT is launching its “Be Safe. Drive Smart” Back to School safety campaign to urge drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and follow all traffic laws. As school starts again, it’s also a great time for parents and guardians to share school zone safety tips with
Busting” event was a success and gave Troop 88 their first hands-on lesson in conservation.
Disaster Sparks a New Project—and a New Opportunity
Bradham knew exactly what the preserve needed next. Even in early 2024, the Friends of the Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve were working toward building two more information kiosks around the park to complement the one on Shelterwood. The kiosk is the park’s information hub, sharing updates about upcoming meetings and park rules. It had stood since interest in preserving the space began in 2007.
Tornado warnings were issued the afternoon of May 16 last year. The wind came so suddenly, people thought the warning was for somewhere else. “It was awful,” Zey said. “Trees were whipping around like no one had ever seen.”
One tree flattened the existing kiosk, and the park lost several trees. Later, Brush said, “It looks like we have an Eagle Scout project now.” Bradham saw the storm damage as an opportunity to not just replace, but improve the kiosk—a perfect case of need meeting solution.
A Lesson in Leadership and Legacy
The weeks and months that followed were a learning experience for Troop 88 in planning and executing a project.
“Even something as seemingly simple as an information
young children.
Tips for driving in school zones
Look for flashing school zone lights in the morning and afternoon. Be aware that traffic patterns around schools may have changed since last year. Stay alert and put your phone away. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.
• Stop and yield the right of way to pedestrians, cyclists or other vulnerable road users in a crosswalk. The Lisa Torry Smith Act of 2021 enhanced the penalties for failing to follow the law and protect people in crosswalks. Seriously injuring someone who is lawfully in a crosswalk is now a state jail felony. Obey school zone speed limits. Traffic fines increase in school zones.
• Know where to go. Drop off and pick up your kids in your school’s designated areas, not in the middle of the street. Be on the lookout for children gathered at bus stops.
• Watch out for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.
Tips for drivers sharing the road with school buses
• Follow school buses at a safe distance. Remember they make frequent stops. Stop for school buses. Do not pass a school bus if you see flashing red lights or an extended stop sign, regardless of which direction you’re headed, unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway. Continue once the bus has moved, the lights stop flashing or the bus driver signals it’s okay to pass.
• Look out for children around buses and remember that they may not always look for vehicles before crossing the street.
• Violations can result in a fine of up to $1,250 for a first offense.
booth takes planning and careful study,” Zey said. “We found out soon how to research all this, draw out the project, take measurements, and raise the money,” Brush added. “It was really an involved project. We went to study other kiosks and how they were built around town.”
The city sent a Scout Project Request form to Brush to complete and submit along with her construction plans for approval. “We tried several times to get the plans for the last kiosk from the city but got no answer,” she said. That’s when she contacted Ed Witt, former set designer for the Houston Ballet. Witt mentored Brush and Troop 88 through the planning process, even accompanying the teens
to Memorial Park to design a new kiosk based on existing models. Brush submitted her plans and was approved. Brush and Bradham worked closely throughout the planning process. “We managed to get tax-exempt status at three different hardware stores so she could get wood and supplies without tax since this was for a tax-exempt group,” Bradham said. “We paid a lot of attention to things like the grade and type of wood to use, which is important for use out in the environment.”
With tools in hand, and under the watchful eye of Witt, construction began in March 2025. “Holes were dug, and lumber was cut,” Zey said. “This was a whole new thing for these kids—working power
future,” Vora says. Earlier this year, Helms Elementary PTO asked for help renovating their Structured Learning Classroom for special needs students. The Harris County chapter of Gals Who Give responded with a $10,500 check, but the support didn’t stop there.
Member Hannah White, who also serves as a pastor at Village Heights, helped rally volunteers and coordinate additional resources. Village Heights stretched the original donation by combining it with an amount set aside by the Helms PTA and contributing nearly $10,000 of their own funds for materials, supplies, and labor.
“With our combined fundraising efforts and a lot of willing hands, we made a huge impact,” White said.
Stephanie Pretorius, Helms PTA Vice President of Fundraising and parent of a 3rd and 4th grader at the school, called the transformation “a dream realized” for their campus.
“The community of Gals Who Give and Village Heights
Church coming together to fund and implement our beloved SLC teacher Mrs. Weathers’ vision for a safe, inclusive learning space meant the world to Helms,” she said.
“These kids are in this space every day from the time they start at Helms until they graduate from 5th grade. As a Title I school, we don’t have the same donor base that some other schools do, which can make it hard to direct PTA funds to a small percentage of students. But these children now have a state-of-the-art environment where they can learn and decompress. It’s finally a space worthy of their awesomeness.”
Building Community and Lasting Connections
Donations are important but so are the connections between members.
“People find new volunteer opportunities, connect their nonprofits with new supporters, or link up with professionals who can help take their mission further,” Vora says. “In many ways, it’s also a unique kind of networkingone rooted in generosity and
shared purpose.”
The chapter is part of The Giving Family network, which includes Gals Who Give and Guys Who Give across the U.S. and Canada. Together, they’ve raised more than $2.5 million across 27 chapters.
As for the vision in Harris County?
“We want every woman in Harris County to know about Gals Who Give,” says Vora. “We want to be known not just for giving - but for sparking change, building bridges, and helping everyday women become changemakers.”
The Harris County chapter of Gals Who Give will hold its next meeting on Aug. 12, 2025. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting running from 7-8 p.m. The event will take place at Steel Door Realty, located at 249 W 19th Street, Suite C, Houston.
For more information, visit galswhogive.org/chapters/harris-county-tx.html, or follow Gals Who Give on Facebook and @galswhogive_harriscounty on Instagram.
Tips for children walking or biking to school Use sidewalks. If there’s not one, it’s best to walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.
• Cross the street only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Look left, right and left again before crossing.
• Pay close attention to crossing guards and obey their instructions.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
• Look both ways for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked vehicles. Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter.
• Stay alert. Phones or other electronic devices are distractions and can take your eyes and ears off the
The project was also a chance to make improvements over the previous kiosk. “We now put a shingle roof on top, where there was a metal roof on the previous one,” Brush said. “It looks a whole lot better.”
On May 31, the project was completed—well ahead of the summer heat, which would have stalled progress. In appreciation for the long hours and hard work from Brush, now 15, and Troop 88, the Friends of the Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve commissioned a plaque to commemorate their achievement. It was presented by Bradham on August 3.
“The project has been a perfect example of why this preserve is here—generations working together for a better place to enjoy nature.”
tools for the first time.” It was real teamwork moving the 4-inch thick timbers into place.
“The cost of the project was about $650, raised by Brush and the troop over the months,” Zey said. “We also had to keep close records of volunteer hours, who was working when, and materials—all to submit to Scouting America for the Eagle badge. These kids are asked to do a lot, but it builds organization and leadership, so it’s time well spent.”
If anyone would like to donate to help cover Brush’s costs and receive a tax deduction, they can give through the Friends group at https:// friends-of-tlcnp.square.site/, being sure to earmark the funds for the Kiosk Project.
Now that the project is finished, what lies ahead for Brush and Troop 88? “The project went really well,” she said. “We had a lot of people help, from both the troop and from other units. My goal was to make the kiosk stronger and more interactive than the previous one, and I think we accomplished that. Now that my project is complete, I have a few more merit badges to finish before I can go to an Eagle Board of Review. That will be the final step before Eagle rank.”
To keep up with the many activities, bird walks, and workdays at the preserve, please email tlcnpinfo@gmail. com for further information, or visit htlcnp.org.
GWG,
from P. 1
Photo by Nancy Zey
Ed Witt, Evan Adamson, Claire Throckmorton, Mary Brush, and Carolyn Thorne cut the first support beams to begin building the kiosk. In a short time they created a well made structure.
Submitted photo
The local chapter of Gals Who Give, a group of everyday women seeking to make a difference in their community, made a $10,500 donation to Helms Elementary earlier this year for classroom updates.
Shipley Do-Nuts changes ownership after record growth
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
After close to a century of serving hot, hand-cut glazed donuts to generations of loyal fans, Shipley Do-Nuts is entering a new chapter. On July 28, an affiliate of Austin-based private equity firm Peak Rock Capital announced the sale of the iconic Houston-born brand to Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP).
The transaction marks the end of a highly successful era for Shipley under Peak Rock’s ownership. Since acquiring the company from the founding family, Peak Rock has overseen a period of rapid growth, doubling systemwide sales, achieving 18 consecutive quarters of same-store sales increases, and expanding the franchise to over 375 stores across 14 states.
“We are proud of the success Shipley has achieved during our ownership and honored to have contributed to the evolution of this iconic brand,” said Robert Strauss, Senior Managing Director of Peak Rock. “Our investments in people, processes and technology have propelled Shipley to achieve transformational growth.”
But long before Shipley was a national franchise, it was a humble bakery on Crockett Street in Houston (and later headquartered in the Heights for many years). In 1936, in the waning days of the Great Depression, Lawrence Shipley Sr. developed a gourmet donut recipe that would come to define the company. His wife Lillie and their young son, Lawrence Jr., would make the donuts by hand, selling them wholesale for just five cents a dozen. The popularity of the hot, fresh product quickly grew.
“People would come from miles around to sample the nectar of the sumptuous hot
glazed Do-Nuts,” the company recounts on its website. Serving them hot was essential. As Lawrence Shipley Sr. once said, “When they bite into that hot donut, it will bring them back every time.”
That same spirit of quality and warmth helped build a customer base that spans generations. Lawrence Shipley Jr. later took over the business and expanded it throughout the South, with a strong concentration in Texas. Under the leadership of his son, Lawrence W. Shipley III, the brand continued to grow while staying true to its roots, offering 63 varieties of donuts and kolaches made fresh daily.
“We have benefited greatly from our partnership with Peak Rock, and their approach has been key to unlocking Shipley’s impressive growth,” said Shipley CEO Flynn Dekker. “We are committed to supporting our franchisees’ businesses and serving our customers the world’s greatest donut as we continue to introduce our iconic brand to more and more communities across the nation.”
The acquisition by LLCP will provide new resources to support that mission. Peak Rock executives say the sale is part of a broader strategy of partnering with family and founder-owned businesses to scale operations without compromising tradition.
“The Shipley transaction is another great example of Peak Rock’s track record of successfully partnering with family and founder-owned businesses to achieve transformational growth,” said Anthony DiSimone, CEO of Peak Rock. “Shipley also highlights Peak Rock’s deep expertise supporting franchisors in achieving their growth ambitions.”
For more information about Shipley Do-Nuts, visit shipleydonuts.com.
Free Haircuts, Hot Dogs, and Happy Kids: Area hotspots celebrate Back-to-School on Aug. 9
Houston families have three exciting reasons to celebrate the end of summer this year. On Saturday, August 9, 2025, three of the city’s most popular restaurants and bars, Social Junkie, The Savoy, and Doves Restaurant, are each hosting their own fun-filled, Free Backto-School events designed to give back to the community and send kids into the new school year with smiles, supplies, and full stomachs!
Each event offers something uniquely festive, but all are united by one goal: helping Houston kids kick off the school year with confidence, fun, and support.
Social Junkie Sports Bar + Kitchen | 2412 Washington Ave. Saturday August 9 | 11
a.m.–4 p.m.
Social Junkie, the Washington Avenue favorite, is back and making a big statement with a Back-toSchool Bash in its parking lot. Families are invited to join the celebration for:
Free Haircuts for Kids from a mobile barber
• Free Hot Dogs and Hamburgers for the first 100 children
• School Supply Giveaways all day (first come, first served) While kids get prepped, parents can enjoy Social Junkie’s
delicious new brunch menu inside or outside on one of its two lux patios. Once a cultural hub from 2013–2017, Social Junkie has returned under new management, blending its legendary energy with modern style for special events, sports, watch parties, live entertainment, and more, with an elevated menu and expansive cocktail program. For more information, visit https://www. socialjunkiehtx.com.
The Savoy| 4402 Emancipation Ave. Saturday, August 9 | 10
a.m.–1 p.m.
The Savoy, the iconic neighborhood bar and restaurant in the heart of Third Ward, is pulling out all the stops with a Back-to-School Party for the kids that feels more like a summer festival! Expect jampacked outdoor family fun, freebies, and food including:
FREE Activities for Kids & Families
• Pony Rides
Petting Zoo
• Face Painting Bounce House
• Water Slide
• Rock Climbing
Game Truck
• Snow Cone Truck
• Live Performers
Music
FREE Kid-Friendly Food
• Hot Dogs
• Corn Dogs
Sliders
• Fries
Grilled Cheese
Fruit Cups
• Water and Juice Boxes
A neighborhood legend since 1940, The Savoy knows how to bring the community together. The Savoy offers an unmatched vibe in the community with modern amenities that honor its historic roots. Adult guests enjoy handcrafted signature cocktails, Mega Drink
Towers, brunch, and a vast menu with acclaimed signature dishes like Lamb Sliders and Grilled Lobster Mac & Cheese. The bar has become a Houston go-to for happy hours, watch parties, and weekend gatherings, keeping its legacy alive in the heart of Third Ward. For more information, visit thesavoyhtx.com
Doves Restaurant | 3101 Main Street
Saturday, August 9 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Doves Restaurant, Midtown’s upscale boutique dining gem, is throwing a special Carnival-Themed Celebration with something for everyone, including:
• Free Face Painting and Table Games for the kids Kid-friendly Menu full of tasty bites crafted just for the occasion
$7 Apple Martinis for teachers Guests can also indulge in Doves’ signature brunch, featuring extraordinary Southern-inspired dishes with contemporary global influences, all set against a backdrop of elegant décor and culinary creativity. For more information, visit https://doveshouston.com.
These exciting Back-toSchool events are open to the public, offering one-of-akind ways for families across Houston to celebrate, connect, and prepare for the school year ahead!
Community CALENDAR
Harris County Constable's Office Precinct 1 mourns death of K9 Boni
COMMUNITY REPORTS
The Harris County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office is mourning the death of Boni, an agile and athletic police dog, who helped deputies keep the community safe after being trained in Europe, Constable Alan Rosen announced Aug. 5.
“He was tough, brave and serious,” Rosen said. “We are grateful for all he did to protect the people of Harris County and are reminded of the crucial role such highly trained dogs have in public safety.”
Boni died after surgery to repair a twisted spleen. He was one of eight K9s at Constable Precinct One and the second to be lost while still on active duty. The 8-year-old Belgian Malinois was trained in Hungary. His name came from a Hungarian word for good or kind. He obeyed commands in Hungarian, English and hand signals. He could walk backwards on command.
He was given basic training in Europe and additional specialized training in Texas.
Boni’s first capture of a suspect came shortly after he joined Pct. 1 in 2019. A suspect crashed his car into a telephone pole in northeast Harris County while fleeing deputies who were working in coordination with the U.S. Marshal Service. The man ran from his vehicle and was tracked down by Boni, who found him hiding under a wheel barrel in a backyard.
“You could not ask for a more perfect dog. I never had to tell him to do anything more than once,” his handler, Deputy JP Hernandez, said. “He was very serious about
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his work. He did his job.” Hernandez and Boni, who was trained to apprehend suspects and sniff out illegal drugs, made hundreds of arrests and seizures. Hernandez recalled how, in one case, a well-dressed couple in a sedan had been pulled over for lacking a front license plate. They looked like the perfect pair of law-abiding citizens, but had an array of illegal drugs hidden in a fake can of Pringles and a fake can of Sprite. If not for Boni, the drugs would likely have never been found, Hernandez said. Boni lived with Hernandez, who will keep the dog’s cremated remains.
“It is kind of hard; you lose your best friend – a big part of me is gone,” Hernandez said. “I was blessed to have him.” Constable Pct. 1’s K9 Elmo died in 2021 due to a heart defect.
For
Submitted photos
Pct. 1 Constable's Office K9 Boni and his handler, Deputy JP Hernandez. Pct. 1 Constable's Office K9 Boni died following surgery after hundreds of arrests.
File photo, 2021
The Shipley Do-Nuts at 3932 N. Main St. in the Heights.
Houston Restaurant Weeks is back!
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Time to Dine Out & Do
Good™ at Restaurants
Across Houston
Houston Restaurant Weeks™ is officially underway and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 1, with around 350 restaurants participating this year! For 32 days, diners will enjoy specially priced, multicourse prix-fixe menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Houston Restaurant Weeks is the largest annual fundraiser for America’s largest food bank, the Houston Food Bank.
Participating restaurants will make donations based on their HRW sales. The 2025 meal prices and donation amounts are as follows:
Patron purchases dinner for
$55 → restaurant makes $5
donation → Houston Food Bank generates 15 meals
• Patron purchases dinner for $39 → restaurant makes $3
donation → Houston Food Bank generates 9 meals
Patron purchases brunch for $25 → restaurant makes $1
donation → Houston Food Bank generates 3 meals Patron purchases lrunch for $25 → restaurant makes $1
donation → Houston Food
Bank generates 3 meals
“August 1st is the start of the most exciting time of the year for me and all those who support Houston Restaurant Weeks,” said Katie Stone, daughter of founder Cleverly Stone. “This is what we work toward all year long, and the enthusiasm we are feeling from the restaurants is thrilling! Thank you, Houston, for Dining Out & Doing Good.”
Diners can visit the Houston Restaurant Weeks website to view the list of participants, their menus, and start making reservations!
This year’s participants include long-time favorites from the Heights, Garden Oaks, and Oak Forest neighborhoods, such as: Coltivare, Maison Pucha, Rainbow Lodge, and Gatlin’s Fins & Feathers.
Other participating res-
taurants include beloved Houston institutions like a’Bouzy, Amrina, Annabelle Brasserie, Bari Ristorante, B.B. Italia, B&B Butcher’s, Bludorn, Brennan’s of Houston, BCN Taste & Tradition, Brasserie du Parc, Carrabba’s – The Originals, Coppa Osteria, Del Frisco’s, Eddie V’s, Enoteca Rossa, Étoile Cuisine et Bar, Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine, Federal American Grill, Georgia James, Guard and Grace, Hamsa, Hugo’s, Late August, Le Jardinier, Le Colonial, MAD Houston,
Marmo, Masraff’s, Mastro’s, Mutiny Wine Room, Navy Blue, Oporto Foodinghouse & Wine, Ostia, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, Prime 131, Relish Restaurant & Bar – River Oaks, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Seasons 52, State Fare, Tavola, The Annie Café & Bar, Thai Cottage, The Capital Grille, The Chef’s Table at Vintage Park, The Lymbar, Toro Toro at the Four Seasons, Traveler’s Table, Trattoria Sofia, The Palm, The Blind Goat, The Oceanaire, Zanti Cucina Italiana, Vic & Anthony’s, and URBE. Katie Stone also welcomed many new restaurants to the Houston Restaurant
Weeks family, including: Ale & Ivy, Anthonie's Market Grill, Azumi, Bar Bludorn, Barbacana, Chalong Thai Eatery, Champion's Club Texas, Chardon, Chocho Hot Pot, Citizen's Grill, City Cellars HTX, Derby, Doko, Dough Zone Dumpling House, Fielding's - River Oaks, Fielding's Wood Grill, Foundation Room Houston at The House of Blues, Granger's Restaurant & Bar, Gulf & Prairie at The Hyatt Regency, Haiii Keii, Ichijiku Sushi, King Steak, Kitchen Rumors, Kokoro Handroll Bar, KUU Restaurant, La Mex at Stomping Grounds, Maven Coffee & Cocktails, Montrose
Country Club, Nobu, Nona's Italian Grill - Montgomery, Noon Mirch, Nori Nori, Okto, Osha Thai Kitchen, Perseid at Hotel Saint Augustine, Pie Tap Pizza + Rotisserie + Bar, Pizzana, Relish Restaurant & Bar - Town & Country, Sal e Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, Silk Road, Solarium, Soto's Cantina #1, Soto's Cantina #2, Succulent Fine Dining, The Allegory at The Moran Hotel, The Red Lion, Traveler's Cart, and Winsome Prime. Find a participating restaurant near you at houstonrestaurantweeks.com.
Help shape large-scale flood risk reduction strategies in Harris County
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Join upcoming public meetings for the SAFER Study and be part of transformational solutions
The Harris County Flood Control District invites you to participate in a series of public meetings (public scoping meetings) this summer for a major effort called the Solutions for Advancing Floodplain Evaluation and Resilience Study (SAFER Study). This landmark effort, conducted in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), aims to identify large-scale ways to reduce flood risk in our region.
Your Voice Matters
Flood risk affects all of us, and your input is essential to shaping effective, communityfocused solutions. Whether you’ve experienced flooding firsthand or just care about the future of our community, this is your opportunity to attend a meeting, submit a comment, or visit our website to take part in this process. This series of public meetings is a chance to learn about the SAFER Study, ask questions, and share your
concerns and ideas. Your feedback will help shape the focus of the study and guide our work moving forward.
Public Meeting Schedule
Public meetings for the SAFER Study will be held from July to August 2025. Public meeting details, including dates, times, locations, and access information for virtual
meetings, are included below and will be posted on the SAFER Study website at theSAFERstudy.org.
In-Person Meetings
Each in-person meeting will be formatted as an open house, meaning you can drop by any time during open hours. You’ll be able to view exhibits, speak one-on-one with SAFER Study team members, and provide input that will guide the study
effort. To accommodate our diverse community, meeting materials and interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.
In-Person Meeting
Schedule:
Tuesday, August 12, 2025, from 5 – 7 p.m. Telge Exhibit Center, 11206 Telge Rd., Cypress, TX 77429
• Thursday, August 14,
2025, from 5 – 7 p.m.
Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center, 10918 Bentley St., Houston, TX 77093
Virtual Meetings
Offer your input from home!
The live virtual meetings will include a presentation and an opportunity to submit written comments or questions. Please visit theSAFERstudy. org to register and access the live virtual meetings.
Virtual Meeting Schedule
• Tuesday, August 19, 2025 | 6 – 7 p.m. via Zoom
• Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |12 – 1 p.m. via Zoom
Unable to Attend?
The SAFER Study team welcomes written comments at any time. To ensure input is considered during the scoping phase, please visit theSAFERstudy.org for the comment deadline and submission details.
About the SAFER Study
The SAFER Study will evaluate, identify, and recommend solutions to reduce flood risk, with a focus on protecting communities and increasing resilience. The multi-year initiative will explore a wide range of flood mitigation op-
tions and deliver data-driven, long-term strategies to protect communities across Harris County, and help lay the groundwork for securing partnership funding and implementing large-scale flood risk reduction projects in the future.
The study area includes the Brays Bayou, Buffalo Bayou, Clear Creek, Cypress Creek, Greens Bayou, Halls Bayou, Hunting Bayou, Little Cypress Creek, Sims Bayou, Vince Bayou, and White Oak Bayou watersheds.
The goal of the SAFER Study is to deliver transformational, community-driven flood risk reduction solutions, in concert with other ongoing efforts, to position Harris County, its communities, and its nationally significant resources to be more resilient to future flood events.
As the lead federal agency for the SAFER Study Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), all comments should be submitted to the USACE at:
• Mr. Danny Allen, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2000 Fort Point Road, Galveston, Texas, 77550 Email: comments@theSAFERstudy.org
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Houston Endowment has awarded Houston Public Library (HPL) a $400,000 grant to support the continuation and expansion of HPL’s Journey to Citizenship classes. These classes prepare students for the naturalization process with comprehensive instruction for the reading, writing, and civics components of the citizenship test. The classes, available at multiple HPL locations, are essential for individuals learning the
privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, expanding their knowledge, and building community connections. The program is designed to equip participants with the confidence and knowledge needed to successfully become U.S. citizens.
HPL has offered this type of citizenship classes to the public since 2023 and has been able to expand the program to its current reach due to financial support from Houston Endowment in previous years. Thanks to this grant, HPL will be able to expand this already
robust program of classes by hiring more instructors, providing training and continuing education for instructors, and expanding the format of classes to online and hybrid online/ in-person offerings.
"I am thrilled that our organization will have the chance to expand this crucial program and continue to improve the quality of life for the customers we serve," said Library Director Sandy Gaw. Search for an upcoming citizenship class at an HPL branch by visiting tinyurl. com/HPLcitizenshipclasses.
