A 25-year-old man accused of burglarizing multiple homes in the Heights and surrounding neighborhoods has been arrested following a monthslong investigation by Harris County Constable Pct. 1, Constable Alan Rosen announced this week.
Jose Daniel Espinosa Espinosa faces three felony charges — two counts of burglary and one count of possession of methamphetamine — stemming
from incidents dating back to May. According to court records, investigators believe he may be connected to numerous other residential break-ins throughout the summer.
The charges include a burglary in May in the 1500 block of Tulane Street in the Heights and another in August in the 900 block of Lehman Street in Shepherd Park. In one case, video surveillance captured Espinosa Espinosa entering a townhouse garage and rolling away with a $2,500 Specializedbrand mountain bike.
In another incident, an alarm alerted a Heights homeowner when the sliding glass door was opened. Surveillance footage later showed the suspect leaving with a luxury bag containing a computer and other personal belongings — including an AirTag that helped investigators track the stolen items. While Espinosa Espinosa attempted to evade detection, investigators said his bright orange Dodge Charger and a large skull tattoo on his left
By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor
For 25 years, Spaghetti Western has been more than just a neighborhood Italian eatery — it’s been a local institution where great food, familiar faces, and community spirit meet.
Tucked at 1608 Shepherd, just south of I-10, the locally owned restaurant has weathered industry challenges, economic shifts, and even a pandemic, all while staying true to its mission: serving quality Italian comfort food in a relaxed, welcoming setting. In a city where fewer than 20 percent of restaurants make it past the 15-year mark, Spaghetti Western’s silver anniversary is a rare milestone — one built on consistency, heart, and a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more.
By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com
Houston cake artist Rebecca “Becca” Pham has expanded her footprint in Garden Oaks with the opening of Little Sister Cake Shop & Café, a larger, two-part concept at 1207 W. 34th St. in The Stomping Grounds. The new venue doubles the size of Pham’s former Becca Cakes bakery and introduces a daily café alongside a flexible “Sister Suite” for classes, pop-ups, and custom cake consultations.
The Café opens daily at 8 a.m. with a rotating lineup of fresh-baked pastries—think butter croissants, fig & prosciutto brioche buns, coffee cake mini loaves, cinnamon rolls, and lemon meringue rolls—available until sold out. All-day treats include ornate cakes by the slice, cupcakes, macarons, cookies, brownies, blondies, and whole cakes to-go for birthdays or last-minute celebrations. The drinks menu spans traditional coffee, matcha, and tea made with house-crafted syrups, plus signatures like Passion Fruit Matcha, a Caramelized Banana Latte, and kidfriendly flavored milks. Guests will also find candles, cake toppers, party favors, and greeting cards for one-stop celebration shopping.
STAFF REPORTS
Editor’s note: In its “Economy at a Glance” report for August, the Greater Houston Partnership – the regional chamber of commerce – looks at the Partnership’s Houston Facts ’25 publication, providing high-level information on the region’s geography, demographics, economy, and key industries, among other aspects of life in the region. This article was first published in
The Leader’s sister paper, the Fort Bend Star On Aug. 6, the Greater Houston Partnership released its “Houston Facts ‘25” report. Highlights from the report are found below:
Geography
Metro Houston (known formally as the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands Metropolitan Statistical Area by the U.S. Census Bureau) consists of 10 counties: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery,
Brazoria, Galveston, Chambers, Liberty, San Jacinto, Waller, and Austin.
The region spans 8,838 square miles of land, making it larger than the U.S. states of Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, and New Jersey. It includes 125 separate cities and 37 census-designated places.
Demographics
The region’s population is even more impressive than its land mass. As of July ’24, it is home to approximately
7.8 million people, making it the fifthlargest U.S. metro behind New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas/Fort Worth. If it were an independent state, it would be the 14th largest in the country, with a population slightly smaller than Washington but larger than Arizona, Tennessee, or Massachusetts.
The population has been growing rapidly, adding 645,949 new residents since the start of the decade (April ’20
How it Started
The restaurant was the brainchild of two couples. Jennifer (Jen) Figueroa and her husband Greg met and worked together in the restaurant industry. Jen was in management and Greg was a chef. While working for one of the larger food chains, they Met Tyler Peck and his previous wife.
“Tyler and I had both graduated UofH’s Hotel and Restaurant Program, though at different times,” Jen said.
“We’d all been in the industry for years. In the late 90s, we decided it was time to go out on our own. We were prepared for the volatility, but you’re never really prepared for how challenging it’s actually going to be. It’s a 24/7 commitment.”
A wealth of blood and sweat contributed to their success. Years ago, patrons recall Jen, as owner and manager, waiting tables while very pregnant with their second child. Still the case, any day will find them hard at work in the kitchen, waiting tables or bartending. But their collective experience, knowledge and dedication have paid off handsomely for the community.
Greg was drawn to the idea of Italian dishes, having spent years as an executive chef with Macaroni Grill. The couples agreed on the concept of a casual Italian theme and location, but struggled with the name.
“Tyler actually came up with the idea for the name. We wanted something to
CAFÉ, from P. 1
reflect western, more specifically southwestern, influence on Italian cuisine,” Jen said.
The spaghetti western film genre originated in Italy and was popularized by the famous Italian-born Sergio Leone. From Italy, he directed many American Westerns, using his Italian influence. Among many others, he directed Clint Eastwood in movies like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More.
These and many other spaghetti western era films and actors are displayed in movie posters adorning the walls, paying homage to the genre. Some titles have even been incorporated into the names of menu items. The location has a beautiful full bar, a primary dining area, and a separate room for special events.
Next door, the Sister Suite functions as a creative hub for custom cake consultations, order prep, decorating classes, and seasonal pop-up events—an extension of the brand’s community-minded focus.
Pham launched her baking journey in 2016 as a creative hobby while working as a corporate recruiter. With help from her “little sister” Hannah—who washed dishes, ran errands, and helped start batters—the home kitchen operation quickly grew via word-of-mouth and social media. By late 2019, Pham signed her first brick-and-mortar lease and opened during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with her sweets becoming a source of joy for Houstonians. Five years on, a larger team and menu made expansion the natural next step;
Delicious Diversity
Many restaurants have finite menus, assuming fewer offering means doing it better. Spaghetti Western defies that theory. Not only is the menu diverse, but it is extensive, and there is something for every taste and every price point. Every dish, Jen said, is prepared with the same consistent quality.
“It’s about our staff’s longevity -- a rarity in this industry. Our kitchen staff started with two brothers that Greg worked with at Macaroni Grill,” she explained. “He hired them to be dishwashers and then started training them to cook. Eventually, we hired their uncle and then two more of their brothers. All of them are still here.” The menu offers traditional fare like pizza, calzones, spaghetti and lasagna. But it also offers unique signa-
the Little Sister name nods to Hannah’s early role and the allfemale team that helped the business thrive.
“I wanted to grow my business into a brand that’s bigger than one name or face, but still has personal meaning to me,” said Pham. “Little Sister is something my whole team can be proud of every day. One day, I would love to open another location—we will see.”
Little Sister Cake Shop & Café celebrated its Grand Opening on Aug. 23.
Hours & Info
Hours: Mon–Sat, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Address: 1207 W. 34th St., Houston (The Stomping Grounds)
Web & Social: www.littlesistercakeshop.com | @littlesisterhouston (Instagram & Facebook)
ture Italian seafood dishes that include shrimp, mussels, crab cakes or crawfish. For beef and pork lovers, they prepare hearty meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes, and grilled pork chop dishes.
The food quality is not the only thing that’s remained consistent. In 25 years, menu prices have only increased a few times and by inconsequential amounts.
“Right now we’re charging $22 for our grilled salmon with artichoke and capers,” Jen said. “When I returned to a table I served, the first comment was something like, ‘My God, if you were at Pappa’s, this dish would be at least $38.’” Even under normal circumstances, locally-owned restaurants struggle to keep pace with inflation. When you factor in pandemics, supply chain disruptions and now impending tariff implications, it’s
becoming bleak. She concedes that they will have to increase pricing in the near future, but hoping it will be nominal.
Off-menu, they offer a daily lunch special five days a week and a ribeye steak night on Thursdays at very attractive prices.
Casual socializing
Spaghetti Western offers a full bar, with a happy-hour weekdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m. that features discounted beverages and appetizers. The restaurant also has daily drink specials Monday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to close; a wine day, a whiskey day, a Tito’s day and a Deep Eddy day. The bar is reminiscent of Cheers with some there for drinks and appetizers, some having a full meal, and all enjoying good conversation. The environment at Spaghetti Western is comfortable, casual and welcoming.
“Many conversations have led to new friendships and/or relationships,” Jen said. “It’s nice to see people that met in
our bar, back dining together at a later date!”
Brenda and Dean, Spaghetti Western regulars, concurred with the Cheers analogy, adding, “They know you by name and make you feel like family.” Around 2012, expansion discussions began.
“The location on 1951 W TC Jester became available. It was a great location and was previously a restaurant; rendering the build-out so much simpler,” Jen said. “For nearly six months I ran the Shepherd location by myself, while Greg and Tyler got the Lazybrook/ Timbergrove location running. Greg and I continue to manage Shepherd and Tyler manages our second location, moving between the two, as needed.”
The clientele and culture may be slightly different, but the quality, consistency and value remain the same. For more information on this exceptional locally-owned eatery, please visit spaghettiwesterntx.com.
forearm made him stand out.
Authorities also noted he used his own passport to pawn stolen property, including electronics, tying him directly to the crimes.
Interestingly, his arrest came not from vehicle surveillance but from a traffic stop while riding a bicycle. Deputies spotted him rolling
through a stop sign in the 6400 block of Werner, on the edge of Acres Homes. Inside his pink backpack, deputies discovered methamphetamine.
“It appears he’s a drug addict who stole over and over again to feed his habit,” Rosen said. “Unfortunately, he preyed on people’s homes, the places where they are supposed to feel most safe.”
Rosen added that investiga-
tors believe Espinosa Espinosa is responsible for additional burglaries across the Heights and surrounding communities. “We want to keep him off our streets for as long as possible,” Rosen said. “If you know anything about his criminal activity, give us a call.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Joseph Bowden at joseph. bowden@cn1.hctx.net.
BURGLAR, from P. 1
Photos released by Pct. 1 Constable’s Office
LEFT: Espinosa Espinosa inside the pawn shop. RIGHT: Espinosa Espinosa with his orange Dodge Charger at the pawn shop
Photos courtesy of Little Sister Cake Shop & Café
Little Sister Cake Shop & Café at The Stomping Grounds.
Photos by Stephanie Shirley LEFT: Jen and their bartender of 25 years, Lupe Garza, understand the importance of making every patron feel like family. RIGHT: The walls are covered with famous movie posters reflecting the spaghetti western genre.
GUEST COLUMN
THE DOCTOR IS IN: Don’t Leave Your Health to
Chance: How a Stay Well
As a physician at Village Medical in Houston, one of the most important conversations I have with my senior patients is that good health isn’t something we leave to chance. It’s something we can actively preserve and even enhance with the right approach. That’s why I’m proud to share our Stay Well Care Plan, a personalized, proactive roadmap for staying healthy, living independently and catching potential problems early.
When we create a Stay Well Care Plan, it’s not a generic checklist. It’s a plan we build together. I sit down with each patient, and we discuss their health history, current needs and personal health goals. Then we out-
Care Plan can help
line how often they should visit me, which screenings are most important for them and the steps they can take every day to feel their best. This makes the plan personal, realistic and achievable.
Many of my patients are managing chronic conditions like diabetes, pulmonary disease (COPD) or heart failure.
For them, the Stay Well Care Plan provides added tools and resources to help improve their health outcomes. With consistent monitoring and timely action if things change, we can often prevent disease progression and complications that might otherwise require a trip to the emergency room or hospitalization.
One of the things I value most about practicing here is the team that supports each patient. In addition to your primary care provider, you have access to medical assistants, clinical pharmacists, social workers, and care managers in the clinic, virtually, and at home if needed.
This collaborative and connected care model allows us
in your golden years
to address not only medical needs but also the social factors that affect health.
As a doctor, I can’t stress enough the value of early detection and prevention. Annual wellness visits and screening tests like mammograms, colonoscopies, cholesterol, and blood sugar give us the best chance to find and treat health issues before they become serious. To put it in perspective, breast cancer caught early has a 99% five-year survival rate. And routine vaccinations such as for influenza (flu), pneumonia, and shingles can help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations and even be lifesaving. That’s the power of prevention.
For many of my patients,
independence is just as important as physical health. The Stay Well Care Plan is designed to help you stay active, capable and confident in daily life. Whether that means supporting mobility, managing medications, advanced care planning, or staying connected with resources, our goal is to keep you in control of your health and your life.
Scheduling your wellness visit is the first step. You can book online, by phone or in person. And if getting to the clinic is a challenge, many of us offer virtual visits so you can connect from the comfort of home. The sooner we begin, the sooner we can put a plan in place that keeps you well.
Let’s build your Stay Well Care Plan together.
Dr. Viresh Patel is the Practice Medical Director at Village Medical Houston Heights North, specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics. He earned his neurobiology degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his medical degree from St. George’s University, completing his residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, where he was named top resident. A member of the ACP,
UH Law Center graduates rated 'market-ready' amid industrywide skills gap concerns
COMMUNITY REPORTS
While a recent national report warns of a “practiceskills gap” among new lawyers, University of Houston Law Center graduates are earning strong praise from employers for their preparedness to enter the profession.
A July 27 report by the Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR), authored by state chief justices and court administrators, called for systemic reforms to better prepare attorneys, citing widespread weaknesses in client communication and oral advocacy. The findings were based in part on surveys of more than 4,000 judges nationwide. By contrast, a recent independent survey of legal employers found more than
85% were “very likely” or “likely” to continue hiring UH Law Center J.D. graduates, citing strengths in is-
sue spotting, legal writing, and legal research, as well as their readiness for Houston's competitive legal market.
mous responses from legal professionals with hiring authority. Respondents represented a cross-section of employers: 60% from Houston-area law firms, 30% from firms across Texas, and 10% from the state's top firms. The response rate was 65%.
When rating specific skills, 84% of respondents described UH Law graduates' issue spotting as “exceptional” or “strong,” 83% said the same for legal writing, and 94% for legal research. Relationship management also drew high marks, with 77% rating it “exceptional” or “strong.”
Employers praised graduates' “resilience and adaptability” and noted the school's “great exposure to Houston's legal market,” which they said makes stu-
dents “market ready.” Others lauded their skill in handling clients and producing highquality legal work. UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes said the feedback reflects the school's emphasis on both theoretical and practical skills.
“Our graduates' strong performance in this independent survey reflects the University of Houston Law Center's commitment to preparing attorneys who are ready to meet the demands of law firms, and specifically Houston, one of the largest legal markets in the U.S.,” Baynes said. “We're proud that employers recognize what we all know and that is our students have resilience, practical skills and a clientcentered approach, all essential qualities for succeeding in today's legal profession.”
The survey conducted through the unaffiliated technology platform Qualtrics gathered anony -
THE TV – “... and the leg islator is sleeping in her chair in the Texas House.” Good grief, we are making national news every night, and in an embarrassing way. Yes, all of America is guffawing at the antics of our state govern ment, and us, because of the cowardly, craven behavior of people we elect, empower and -- don’t forget – pay to solve our problems. It’s al most enough to change to Oklahoma license plates.
I am not referring to our smog, child health insurance (we place 50 out of 50) or Jimbo Fisher’s $74 million pension, but rather to the circus that is going on in Austin, where a transparent power grab is realigning our congressional districts. This is one for the history books, if they aren’t banned and burned.
THE TOPICS. They messed with Texas
Lynn Ashby Columnist
We all know the sordid story. Gov. Greg Abbot, who heretofore showed no particular interest in the matter, got a call from President Donald Trump. He said that by redistricting our congressional lines he could pick up maybe five more votes to pad his thin U.S. House majority. What state’s leaders would bow to his demands
to July ’24). International migration accounts for the majority (51.1 percent) of these new residents, while domestic migration and natural population change (i.e. the number of babies born minus the number of people who die) account for 20.6 and 28.4 percent, respectively.
Nearly 1.9 million Houstonians (or roughly onein-four) were born outside the U.S. Since Houston is so close to Latin America, it should be no surprise that the majority (62.1 percent) were born in that region. But significant swaths were also born in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.
Metro Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse places in the United States, with no single ethnic group representing a majority. The largest ethnic groups are Hispanics or Latinos of any race, White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, and Asian non-Hispanic.
Economy
Houston’s economy remains one of the largest and most diverse in the nation. The value of all goods and services produced in metro Houston was valued at $697 billion in ’23. That is more than the value produced by most countries across the globe. In fact, if the region were an independent country, it would have the 22nd most valuable economy in the world, behind Switzerland and Poland, but ahead of countries like Argentina, Belgium, Sweden, and Ireland.
Per-capita personal income in the region was $72,453 in ’23, approximately $2,643 higher than the national average. This suggests that the average Houstonian earns more than the average American – but that only tells part of the story. Among the 20 most populous U.S. metros, Houston is the 2nd most affordable according to the ’24
100 times I heard it. Upon command, Gov. Abbott, who had called a special session of the Legislature to deal with the tragedies caused by the Kerr County floods, suddenly put that small matter aside and pushed his minions in the Legislature to redistrict our congressional boundaries. What’s more important? Investigating and trying to prevent future deaths of little girls or stacking the U.S. House? It’s all a matter of priorities. Have they no shame? Obviously not. You live elsewhere and witness TV news showing the meltdown of the Lone Star State or just watch the
C2ER Cost of Living Index, with an overall cost of living that is 5.8 percent below the U.S. urban average. The region’s housing, utility, and transportation costs are also significantly lower than those found elsewhere in the country. This means that not only do Houstonians earn more, but their dollars go further.
Since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in April ’20, the region has added 645,000 jobs. Employment growth has been supported by national economic momentum, strong global trade ties, rising corporate investment, and sustained population growth. As of June ’25, total employment was just under 3.5 million jobs while the unemployment rate stood at 4.3 percent, consistent with a strong labor market.
A total of 175,520 business establishments operate in the region. The largest sectors in terms of the number of establishments are professional, scientific, and technical services; health care and social assistance; retail trade; accommodations and food services; and construction. Together, these five sectors represent the majority of business establishments in the region.
Twenty-six companies on the Fortune 500 are headquartered in the Houston area. This makes Houston the third-highest ranking metro for Fortune 500 companies behind New York City (with 62) and Chicago (with 30). Fortune also designated Houston as the fourth best place to work in the country. The region is home to over 60 companies that earned $1 billion or more in revenue in ’23, including 12 companies earning $25 billion. Find the full “Economy at a Glance” report at houston.org/ houston-data/economy-at-aglance-august-2025 Find the full “Houston Facts ‘25” report at https://wpb.houston.org/app/ uploads/2025/08/HoustonFacts-2025-Publication.pdf.
pundits and pols go on endlessly about Texas slowly twisting in the wind. So the Texas Dems fled to Chicago, mostly, to avoid the House having a quorum to do business. The Dems have tried this before. It didn’t work then and the exodus didn’t work this time either. The end of the delay was a foregone conclusion and it was a grandstand, attention move, but it did just that: informed the rest of America about the blatant power grab. I guess the only other choice was to impotently sit at their desk and pout when the redistricting vote was announced, although I did like their leader, Rep. Gene Wu.
Once back in Austin, it got heavy-handed. The runaways had to sign a permission slip to leave the chamber. What is this? From the school hall monitor? One Dem. Rep. Nicole Collier, refused to sign and slept in her chair in the House. All the other 49 states had a good laugh. The Gov had state troopers follow the others 24 hours a day to make sure the wayward Dems didn’t bolt back to the Windy City. Now that’s a good use of our law officers. Incidentally, it’s the
same in Washington where our FBI, ATF and probably CIA agents are directing traffic in front of the railroad station. Attention drug cartels, terrorists and Mafia lords, the coast is clear.
The odd thing around this entire end-run is that the congressional map the GOPers trashed was drawn up by – one guess. After the 2020 Census the ruling elephants gerrymandered the state to favor their congressional candidates. A good way to check on the political choices of Texans is to see how we voted in the 2024 presidential elections when Texas went for Kamala Harris with 42 percent of the vote. Currently, our 37 U.S. House members are 25 GOPers and 12 Dems. (One seat is vacant after the death of Sylvester Turner.) Twelve is not 42 percent of 37. Our legislature is also lopsided: 220 Republicans to 213 Dems with three seats vacant.
“Fight fire with fire,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said, as he moved to counter the Texas debacle with one of his own: redistrict the Golden State to give its U.S. House delegation five
more Dem seats. Of course, California is as bad. In the 2024 presidential elections, 42 percent of them voted for Trump, but the GOP has only 17 percent of its House members. Now Illinois is thinking of doing the same reshuffle to favor the donkeys while Florida may gerrymander to favor Trump. Gad, where will it stop?
The villains in this farce are many, starting with our Felon in Chief. But he is powerless to dictate which Texans vote for whom. Gov. Abbott is such a toady, bending his knee (pardon the cliché) to a ridiculous and farfetched command. Ya think he wants to run for something higher? But here again, our state legislators are free to vote any way they wish. Not a single Republican lawmaker had the guts to say no to this scam. Hey, you bunch of wussies, don’t dare call yourself Texans. LBJ and Sam Rayburn would toss you to a well-deserved obscurity. When John F. Kennedy was asked to support a particularly odious fellow Dem, he said, “Sometimes party loyalty asks too much.”
Speaking of JFK, in 1956 he wrote “Profiles in Courage”
which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography. One of his heroes in the book was Sam Houston. He was against Secession, but twice refused President Lincoln’s offer to send federal troops to Texas to keep it in the Union. As governor, Gen’l Sam refused to take the oath of loyalty to the newlyformed Confederate States of America, so he was kicked out of office. Our GOP pols messed with Texas and history will not be kind to them. There was a song many years ago that went: “Don’t ever ask a man if he’s from Texas, ‘cause if he is he’ll tell you right away. Don’t ever ask a man if he’s from Texas, ‘cause if he ain’t he’ll be ashamed to say.” Don’t ask. Ashby votes 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.
TxDOT: End summer with friends, not cellmates
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Whether it’s coming home from the pool or a BBQ, summer fun can end quickly with just one bad decision. Every 23 minutes there’s a crash in Texas involving a driver under the influence of alcohol. That’s more than 60 crashes a day in our state and adds up to a lifetime of pain for families who lost loved ones.
As the Labor Day holiday approaches, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is asking Texans not to drink and drive and to always choose a sober ride. Law enforcement will be watching for Texas drivers who make the wrong choice and drive drunk instead of calling a ride, taking public transit, or designating a sober driver. Texans know that it’s never just about following the law — it’s about saving lives.
“As Texans, we care about our neighbors and families, and that doesn’t stop when we get behind the wheel,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Even when you are celebrating Labor Day, it’s important to do so responsibly and choose a sober ride so we can all get home safely.”
Drunk driving has far-reaching risks
and consequences, but you can always find a sober ride. That’s the message TxDOT hopes to spread with its “Drive Sober. No Regrets” Labor Day campaign and partnership with Texas law enforcement agencies.
Avoid end of summer regrets In Texas in 2024:
During the summer, 273 people were killed and 596 were seriously injured in DUI-alcohol related crashes. (June 1 - Aug. 31, 2024)
Over Labor Day weekend alone, there were 327 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities and 36 serious injuries. (Friday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m. to Monday, Sept. 2, 11:59 p.m.)
24% of the total traffic deaths during the Labor Day time period in Texas were DUI-alcohol related.
Increased law enforcement
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting a national increased enforcement period now through Sept. 1 to stop drunk drivers. Local Texas law enforcement will mirror the same enforcement period and boost efforts to identify motorists suspected of driving while intoxicated.
Heights mini mural restored after vandalism
STAFF REPORTS
The Heights community is celebrating the restoration of the mini mural honoring female U.S. Supreme Court Justices, located in front of Hamilton Middle School.
District C Council Member Abbie Kamin discovered the mural had been defaced while driving through the district and took action to ensure it was repaired.
Original artist Jessica Padilla returned to repaint the tribute, with help from some of the district’s young-
est residents. The mural once again highlights the important contributions of trailblazing women who have shaped the nation’s history.
District C officials say this project is part of an ongoing effort to celebrate public art and honor influential figures through community-driven initiatives.
Have an idea for a mini mural in your neighborhood?
District C encourages residents to share their suggestions to help bring more public art to local spaces.
Memorial Hermann to offer home infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions
COMMUNITY REPORTS
Memorial Hermann Health System, a nonprofit health system committed to creating healthier Houston communities, has established a services agreement with KabaFusion to provide home infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions and for those who need intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Home infusion therapy allows a patient to receive intravenous medication in the convenience of their home instead of having
to travel to the hospital. Memorial Hermann currently provides short-term home infusion therapy services. KabaFusion will help Memorial Hermann Home Infusion Pharmacy expand their services and continuity of care to patients with chronic conditions in need of treatments over a longer period.
“We are always looking for new ways to advance the patient experience and improve health care for our patients,” said Binita Patel, PharmD, MS, CPEL, vice president
of pharmacy services for Memorial Hermann. “This is the first time we have worked with a home infusion platform, and we believe working with KabaFusion will allow patients to receive personalized, compassionate care without having to leave the comfort of their homes.”
KabaFusion, founded in 2010, offers specialty infusion pharmacy services as well as home nursing support for a wide range of infusion therapies prescribed by physicians specializing in neurology, immunology, oncology, pain
management, infectious disease, cardiology, dermatology and nutrition.
“We are excited to partner with Memorial Hermann in providing high quality, inhome care to the patients that need it most,” said Dr. Sohail Masood, Founder and CEO of KabaFusion. “Every step KabaFusion takes in providing patient-focused care to new markets and greater segments of the population is a step towards an increased number of positive clinical and patient outcomes.”
Community
CALENDAR
up-to-date
30 AUG
Laura Martin Author Popup (77008)
Author chat: “Blame the Dogs” | No RSVP required Good on Paper 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
31 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 PM
02 SEP
ArtWorks Circle (77009)
Twice-monthly informal meeting of artists of all stripes | Motivational | FREE Houston Vineyard 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
05 SEP - 07 SEP
Solar Flare Music Festival (77004) Music Festival featuring 45 different Houston Bands | $25-$35 pp at the door
Axelrad Beer Garden
Sep 5th 5:00 PM - 7th Sep 2:00 AM
07 SEP
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 PM
Photos courtesy of Council Member Abbie Kamin’s Office
...during ...and after.
Did we miss it? Please email info about incoming and outgoing businesses to editor@theleadernews.com.
NOW OPEN
Ciao Bella Nail Spa – Now Open
Ciao Bella Nail Spa has opened in Houston, offering an extensive menu of manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Customers can choose from multiple treatment options, including express services, detox treatments, and luxurious goldinfused spa experiences. The salon also offers dipping powder, polish application, and nail removal services.
Duckstache Hospitality has opened a third Handies Douzo location, bringing its chef-driven hand rolls, sashimi, and crudos to Spring Branch. The concept continues its mission of offering high-quality sushi in a casual yet elevated setting.
Handam BBQ has expanded to the Heights with its second Houston location, offering all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue and sushi in a modern dining environment. Guests can choose from two dining options with a wide variety of premium meats, appetizers, and house specialties.
Address: 2805 White Oak Drive, Ste. 100, Houston Website: www.handamheights.com
Main Bird Hot Chicken – Now Open
Main Bird has opened a new Washington Avenue location, serving Nashville-style hot chicken plates, sandwiches, wraps,
and loaded fry dishes. Guests can choose from six spice levels and enjoy milkshakes and classic sides.
Formerly known as Becca Cakes, Little Sister Cake Shop & Café offers custom cakes, pastries, and specialty coffee drinks in its newly expanded space at The Stomping Grounds. The shop features an all-day café menu and custom cake consultations.
Address: 1207 W. 34th Street, Ste. 200, Houston Website: www.littlesistercakeshop.com
Pickle Mania – Downtown’s First Indoor Pickleball Destination
Pickle Mania has opened in Downtown Houston at Lyric Market, offering seven climate-controlled courts, leagues, clinics, and a vibrant social scene with access to food and drinks. A grand opening event is planned for September 3 with live music, giveaways, and exclusive membership specials.
Address: 411 Smith Street, Ste. 411B, Houston Website: www.picklemanias.com
NEW LOCATION
Honey Art Café – Closing Montrose Location
Honey Art Café will close its Montrose location on August 24 after eight years, with plans to reopen in The Heights later this year. Known for its whimsical character macarons and creative art classes, the café continues to be a unique space for hands-on projects and themed events.
Address: 3516 S. Shepherd Drive, Houston Website: www.honeyartcafe.square.site
COMING SOON
Bread Zeppelin – New Memorial City Location Bread
Houston Chamber Choir presents season opener, Mozart Requiem, with members of the Houston Symphony
COMMUNITY REPORTS
WHAT: The Grammy® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir presents Mozart Requiem (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) for the 2025-26 season opener, conducted by new Artistic Director Dr. Betsy Cook Weber. Additionally, the Choir will perform Franz Joseph Haydn’s Te Deum, and an excerpt from Johann Michael Haydn’s Applausus. Joining the Choir on Saturday, Sept. 6, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, will be members of the Houston Symphony, bringing together two of Houston’s most outstanding performing arts organizations. Rivals, competitors, friends, and neighbors, the Mozart and Haydn families were closely connected. Mozart Requiem, the
centerpiece of this program, is surrounded by intrigue and mystery. Mozart died before finishing the piece, and former students completed it at his widow’s request. The first performance, a benefit concert to help Mozart’s family, was held in the small Jahn-Sall, a room attached to a restaurant in Vienna. The first liturgical performance took place in a similarly modest space. This concert, with a small choir and orchestra, will reflect those early performances.
WHO: The Houston Chamber Choir consists of 24 professional musicians of diverse backgrounds who hail from some of the finest music programs in the country. (There will be 28 singers for this concert only.) Members of the
Choir have performed professionally across the United States and internationally, singing in festivals, operas, concerts, church choirs and in musical theater.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Rd., Houston, TX 77027
COST: $10 - $50 for single tickets. Go to www.houstonchamberchoir.org/20252026-season/mozart-requiem.
MORE: There is ample free parking in the church lot.
Learn more at HoustonChamberChoir.org.
Fleet Week is coming to Houston: How to navigate the experience
COMMUNITY REPORTS
As momentum builds for the first-ever Fleet Week Houston, the local steering committee has unveiled a dynamic new logo and launched a userfriendly website to engage the community in this landmark celebration of military service. The website, fleetweekhouston.com, serves as a central hub for exploring the event schedule — from an expo and local festivities to tours of sea vessels — and provides ways for Houstonians to demonstrate support for active-duty personnel through volunteering, sponsorships and more. The new digital resource highlights sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities, volunteer sign-ups, and detailed event navigation, empowering residents to join in supporting this storied U.S. Navy custom. The City of Houston, Houston First Corporation, Port of Houston, Harris County Precinct 2 and other local partners are enthusiastic about showcasing the region's hospitality to service members and visitors.
"This will be the first time that Fleet Week is held in the city of Houston, and as mayor, I am proud to partner with the U.S. Navy and other representatives to host a fantastic week
of events," Houston Mayor John Whitmire said. "From the parade of ships to live music, a Houston Texans fan zone, the East End block party and the city of Houston's Veterans Day Parade, we will honor the tradition of Fleet Week while putting a special Houston twist on the activities. I encourage people to take a look at the new logo and website to get ready."
Set for Nov. 5-12, Fleet Week Houston will mark the first time the U.S. Navy has brought this tradition to Texas, featuring three naval vessels and more than 1,000 sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. The weeklong lineup includes ship tours, family-oriented activities, educational outreach, community service projects, business forums and lively celebrations. Houston will also host the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th birthday on Nov. 10 and celebrate
the Navy's yearlong commemoration of its own 250th anniversary.
"As a Houstonian, I'm thrilled that my city will have the opportunity to experience this time-honored tradition with the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard," said steering committee co-chair Reda Hicks, "And as a military spouse, I'm thrilled that we will have the opportunity to showcase what an incredible, military-friendly place
Houston is to live, work, play, and serve together."
Visitors and vendors shouldn't miss the Fleet Week EXPO on Nov. 8 and 9 at Post Houston, packed with interactive displays, entertainment, expert talks, demonstrations, and a taste of Houston's local culture, cuisine and businesses. Post Houston will serve as the departure point for shuttle buses to ship tours at the port. Sponsorship and EXPO
opportunities are available, and information about each can be found on the website.
"We are thrilled to bring Fleet Week to Houston for the very first time – Houstonians will get to know our Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, hear their real stories, and see exactly what the sea services do every day to keep America safe and strong," said Rear Adm. John W. Hewitt, Commander, Navy Region Southeast.
"Houston has incredible energy as a dynamic city, and we're excited to strengthen our military and community ties. As the Navy and
Photo by Andrew Hemingway Pickle Mania – Downtown’s First Indoor Pickleball Destination
Photo by Studio Rivera
Photo by Visual Influence Bread Zeppelin
Art Valet: Tiny Treasures: A ceramic artist’s miniature magic
Maybe it was the toy racing cars or action figures I loved as a young boy, but miniatures have always fascinated me. They just hadn’t been part of my adult life, particularly in the art world, until I discovered Gong Yi, a ceramic artist who specializes in miniature art. Her tiny teacups are charming, but her ceramic cats are my favorite. I found myself wanting every piece she shared. Fortunately, Gong Yi’s prolific output means there’s enough for everyone if I ever get a windfall of cash. I asked her to share a bit about herself.
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
I grew up in a big family in a small town near the south of China, a place known for its beautiful river hills, delicious seafood, and enchanting local opera performances. My mother used to carry me on her back as she followed opera troupes from village to village. Those vivid, magical childhood memories planted the seeds of creativity in me early on. Later, after completing my education in fashion and fine art, I realized how deeply those experiences had shaped
me. Everything began to connect—my past, my surroundings, my studies—and all became inspiration for my work.
How did your artistic journey begin?
My journey started with mischievous little drawings during elementary school— honestly, I drew during every class! Everyday life, the small details, the rhythms, the textures, trained my eyes to find beauty everywhere. From local opera scenes to family pets, from garden fields to rainy village roads, all of it formed my creative foundation. My parents were my first mentors, though they probably didn’t realize it. Their attitude toward daily life and the way they raised us, kind, playful, and full of joy, taught me to see the world with curiosity and wonder.
What are you working on in your art right now?
Right now, I’m exploring new glaze techniques in my ceramic work, experimenting with texture, layering, and form. I’m also hand-sewing dolls and combining different materials like clay and wood. This mix of soft and hard, delicate and solid, helps me explore storytelling in a new way.
Do you have big plans or goals for your artistic future?
Absolutely! My biggest goal is to create every day for the rest of my life, with freedom, joy, and curiosity. That’s my long-term happiness: staying connected to creativity in a natural, flowing way, no matter where life takes me.
Where can people find or experience your art?
Currently, you can find my work at various local art markets, including the Bellaire Art & Craft Show, Makers Market, and private school holiday markets. I also work with private art collectors in China. I love connecting with people directly in these more person-
al settings, it makes the art feel alive in a different way.
Bonus Question: A surprising non-artrelated experience?
One thing people might not expect: I love the outdoors, cycling and hiking are a big part of my life. Riding in the MS150 cycling event was one of the most unforgettable and empowering experiences I’ve had. It taught me endurance, connection, and the joy of movement, lessons that carry over into my creative life as well.
Gong Yi will join the First Saturday Arts Market, 540
W. 19th St. on September 6, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Follow her on Instagram at instagram. com/dotdot_studio_ but be sure to stop by and meet her at First Saturday. Details about the market are on the
website, at firstsaturdayartsmarket.com.
Cohen is an artist and founder of the First Saturday Arts Market. Visit his website at ArtValet.com.
Submitted photos
Gong Yi’s miniature ceramic cats depict whimsical scenes with teacups and saucers.
