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SATURDAY | December 14, 2013 | Vol. 60 | No. 7 | www.theleadernews.com | @heightsleader Inside Today: A list of great Christmas shopping ideas, from A-to-Z • Page 4A 7A 6A THE INDEX. Public Safety 2A Hipstrict 3A Topics 5A Obituaries Coupons Puzzles 5A Sports 8B Classifieds 6B �� ����� �� �� � � � ���� 10570 NW Frwy 713-680-2350 Don’t Forget To Do Your Christmas Shopping at THE BRIEF. sponsored by ������������� ���������������������� ������������������������� ��������������� ��� ��������������� ���������������� � ���������� ������������ ������������ 832.419.9969 www.allenSOLDit.com ��������������� What YOU Can Find Inside Traffic conditions aren’t the only problem in the Loop 610 construction area. Members of the Lazybrook Civic Club were displeased with the Texas Department of Transportation removing its welcome sign and about 50 small trees from a median near the intersection of the Loop and W. T.C. Jester last month. “We didn’t have any notice,” Lazybrook pres- ident Richard Akin said. TXDOT responded to the Lazybrook Civic Club by saying the trees will be re-planted and the sign restored when the construction is completed in late 2014 or early 2015. Still, members of the civic club were irked that they were not notified beforehand. “We could have moved the trees, and they could have survived,” said Carolyn Lehnert, the civic club’s Beautification chair. In an e-mail to Lazybrook vice president Marc Cougle, TXDOT wrote: “The contractor is moving at a fast pace to complete the North Loop reconstruction be- tween W. T.C. Jester and Ella and began work on the traffic control implementation before we were able to communicate with the neigh- borhood association. Any future work that will impact your neighborhood will be relayed to your civic club representative.” Lehnert said all of the money raised for beautification efforts came from donations. She said planting the trees cost approximately $3,000 and the sign another $1,500. Cougle hopes the trees and sign will be re- stored, but he’ll believe it when it happens. “Based on previous experiences, they never live up to their promises,” Cougle said. Lazybrook resident Bob Barnard, however, said he’s confident that everything will be re- stored as promised, especially with the area’s representation of city councilmember Ellen Cohen and State Rep. Sarah Davis. Lazybrook Civic Club beautification chair Carolyn Lehnert stands at the intersection of W. T.C. Jester and Loop 610 where 50 small trees and a neighborhood sign were taken down. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter) TXDOT’s razing irks Lazybrook by Michael Sudhalter [email protected] POPPING THE CORK What Andy Adams thought was just going to be a quick trip to Cedar Creek to grab a cup of coffee turned into something much bigger. Stuck in traffic, he saw a lease sign at West 20th Street and knew the realtor. While most people might not be able to look past the washateria and the shuttered (as well as in- famous) La Bola Loca nightclub that were currently there, Adams saw opportunity. In 2011, he opened The Corkscrew in that loca- tion and has been enjoying big business ever since. Leader readers recently voted The Cork- screw the best live music bar, and the Hous- ton Press editorial team voted it best Wine Bar 2013. “The development in the area blows me out of the water,” he said. “There’s a lot of room for growth.” Not that there weren’t some roadblocks along the way. When he applied for his liquor license Adams had to wait because there was an open murder investigation at the address from the former nightclub. And the building wasn’t exactly move in ready. “My brother and I spent the night and scraped off the asbestos glue by hand,” he said. “I’d been through this before, so unfor- tunately, we knew what we had to do.” It’s Adams’ previous experience that makes him so successful now and though he says he’s “too old to do anything else”, it is clear he loves his current gig. It’s in his blood. His family immigrated to Houston from Sicily in 1903 and settled on Houston Ave- nue, one block north of Washington Avenue, before eventually moving to the Heights and then again to the Lazybrook/Timbergrove area. His great-grandfather Anthony Piazza had a place on Houston Avenue that was a coffee shop in front and a bar in the back to serve the men working on the nearby trains. Adams opened the first Corkscrew in a former brothel and boarding house on Washington in 2006 prior to it becoming the nightlife mecca it is now. “Before the condos went up, you could see my family’s old house from the Corkscrew.” He also opened The Washington Avenue Drinkery in 2009. Now, the 20th Street Corkscrew is his only nightlife endeavor. Unlike the previous Washington Avenue bars, the demographic of the current Cork- screw is mostly 30 and up and according to Adams, “a little more laid back.” The Cork- screw obviously serves wine but also cock- tails as well as craft beers and Texas whiskey. They serve food too but as Adams said, “I Andy Adams, who has operated other bars in the area, is now settled at the Corkscrew on W. 20th Street where the crowd imitates much of the com- munity – over 30 and laid back. (Photo by Betsy Denson) Adams finds a niché serving up drinks, music to expanding area by Betsy Denson [email protected] see Corkscrew • Page 10A How cool is this? Two local businessmen, exact same name They both grew up in The Leader area. They both went to private school. They currently live in Timbergrove. And they share the same first, middle and last name. Surprisingly, the two Andrew Al- lan Adams weren’t aware of each other until they started using the same dry cleaner – with its ensuing mix-ups – and they’ve only run into each other a few times since. The other Andy Adams likes to say that he hasn’t gone very far in life. He was born in Heights Hospital, a stones’ throw from Adams In- surance, which his grandfather founded in 1947. Adams’ father came on board in 1964 and Adams himself started with the com- pany in 2002. He attended Our Savior Lutheran and by Betsy Denson [email protected] see Adams • Page 10A Yes. Andy Adams Funny we should see you here again. Last week, if you happened to catch your late-ar- riving copy of The Leader, you probably real- ized we had a bit of a glitch with your paper. So here’s what happened: We promoted (in this same space) our annual program called “Voluntary Contributions.” We told you an envelope would be inside, and that if you wanted to take part, you could open your paper and find a letter from me. It’s no fun to promote something that doesn’t happen, and there’s actually a reason. Those letters got stuck on a truck in Tenbuck- two – or somewhere like that. We did what any reasonable newspaper would do: We waited. And then we waited a little more. Finally, with no delivery of the 30,000 letters, we began throwing your newspapers on Friday. While a few of you received the letters, 28,000 of you didn’t. So please accept my apologies for publish- ing something that didn’t happen. I can promise the letter is there today, because I’m holding one. And if it’s a program that interests you, and you want to save on the stamp, feel free to stop over at our website, www.theleadernews.com, where we have a button at the top right that says “Support The Leader.” Jonathan McElvy Publisher Let’s try this again Oak Forest considers starting a Chamber by Michael Sudhalter [email protected] The need for security raised the is- sue, but other factors are involved in Oak Forest business owners discuss- ing the possibility of a Chamber of Commerce. Insurance agent David Lorms is leading the effort among Oak Forest business owners. “Some studies indicate that if a business belongs to a local Cham- ber of Commerce, it communi- cates that the business is using good business practices and is looked upon more favorably,” Lorms said. “And, as a member of a Chamber, local businesses have a united voice in regard to local government issues as well. It’s a great avenue to acquire business referrals too.” Some Oak Forest businesses are members of the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce. Greater Heights chamber president Terry Burge declined to comment on the possibility of an Oak Forest chamber. But Oak Forest Homeowners Association board member Lucy Fisher-Cain said the discussion may ultimately produce something like a business association, rather than see Chamber • Page 10A Shepherd Forest Civic Club president John Weber said the City’s Water Line Replacement in his neighborhood is going smoothly. “Some residents are hardly affected, and some are very affected,” Weber said. “But after the work, everything is replaced to its original (setting). (The work) is a mess in the beginning, but it’s called progress.” Weber said Shepherd Forest hasn’t received any complaints about the $2.9 million project, which is set to be completed in May 2014. He noted that the civic club moni- tors and addresses complaints that are brought to their attention. McKinney Construction Inc. is the contractor for the project, which began last summer. Shepherd Forest taking improvements in stride EXPERIENCED BILINGUAL CARE- GIVER to care for your loved one. Full-time, part-time or occasional. 281-787-2388. ALTERATIONS: Reasonable. Pick up and delivery. Charlotte, 713-694- 0003. HANDYMAN SAVES YOU MONEY: Plumbing, electrical, carpentry. 281- 660-0350. I CLEAN HOUSES: Good references. Free estimates. 832-964-4892. GET READY LEADER LOVEABLES We’re about to start the search for the cutest pets in the area. Details soon.

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Page 1: Leader1214a

SATURDAY | December 14, 2013 | Vol. 60 | No. 7 | www.theleadernews.com | @heightsleader

Inside Today: A list of great Christmas shopping ideas, from A-to-Z • Page 4A

7A6A

THE INDEX.Public Safety 2AHipstrict 3ATopics 5AObituariesCouponsPuzzles 5ASports 8BClassifieds 6B

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Traffic conditions aren’t the only problem in the Loop 610 construction area.

Members of the Lazybrook Civic Club were displeased with the Texas Department of Transportation removing its welcome sign and about 50 small trees from a median near the intersection of the Loop and W. T.C. Jester last month.

“We didn’t have any notice,” Lazybrook pres-ident Richard Akin said.

TXDOT responded to the Lazybrook Civic Club by saying the trees will be re-planted

and the sign restored when the construction is completed in late 2014 or early 2015.

Still, members of the civic club were irked that they were not notified beforehand.

“We could have moved the trees, and they could have survived,” said Carolyn Lehnert, the civic club’s Beautification chair.

In an e-mail to Lazybrook vice president Marc Cougle, TXDOT wrote:

“The contractor is moving at a fast pace to complete the North Loop reconstruction be-tween W. T.C. Jester and Ella and began work on the traffic control implementation before we were able to communicate with the neigh-borhood association. Any future work that will

impact your neighborhood will be relayed to your civic club representative.”

Lehnert said all of the money raised for beautification efforts came from donations. She said planting the trees cost approximately $3,000 and the sign another $1,500.

Cougle hopes the trees and sign will be re-stored, but he’ll believe it when it happens.

“Based on previous experiences, they never live up to their promises,” Cougle said.

Lazybrook resident Bob Barnard, however, said he’s confident that everything will be re-stored as promised, especially with the area’s representation of city councilmember Ellen Cohen and State Rep. Sarah Davis.

Lazybrook Civic Club beautification chair Carolyn Lehnert stands at the intersection of W. T.C. Jester and Loop 610 where 50 small trees and a neighborhood sign were taken down. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

TXDOT’s razing irks Lazybrookby Michael Sudhalter

[email protected]

POPPING THE CORK

What Andy Adams thought was just going to be a quick trip to Cedar Creek to grab a cup of coffee turned into something much bigger.

Stuck in traffic, he saw a lease sign at West 20th Street and knew the realtor. While most people might not be able to look past the washateria and the shuttered (as well as in-famous) La Bola Loca nightclub that were currently there, Adams saw opportunity. In 2011, he opened The Corkscrew in that loca-tion and has been enjoying big business ever since.

Leader readers recently voted The Cork-screw the best live music bar, and the Hous-ton Press editorial team voted it best Wine Bar 2013.

“The development in the area blows me out of the water,” he said. “There’s a lot of room for growth.”

Not that there weren’t some roadblocks along the way. When he applied for his liquor license Adams had to wait because there was an open murder investigation at the address from the former nightclub. And the building wasn’t exactly move in ready.

“My brother and I spent the night and scraped off the asbestos glue by hand,” he said. “I’d been through this before, so unfor-

tunately, we knew what we had to do.”It’s Adams’ previous experience that makes

him so successful now and though he says he’s “too old to do anything else”, it is clear he loves his current gig. It’s in his blood.

His family immigrated to Houston from Sicily in 1903 and settled on Houston Ave-nue, one block north of Washington Avenue, before eventually moving to the Heights and then again to the Lazybrook/Timbergrove area. His great-grandfather Anthony Piazza had a place on Houston Avenue that was a coffee shop in front and a bar in the back to serve the men working on the nearby trains.

Adams opened the first Corkscrew in a former brothel and boarding house on Washington in 2006 prior to it becoming the nightlife mecca it is now. “Before the condos went up, you could see my family’s old house from the Corkscrew.” He also opened The Washington Avenue Drinkery in 2009. Now, the 20th Street Corkscrew is his only nightlife endeavor.

Unlike the previous Washington Avenue bars, the demographic of the current Cork-screw is mostly 30 and up and according to Adams, “a little more laid back.” The Cork-screw obviously serves wine but also cock-tails as well as craft beers and Texas whiskey. They serve food too but as Adams said, “I

Andy Adams, who has operated other bars in the area, is now settled at the Corkscrew on W. 20th Street where the crowd imitates much of the com-munity – over 30 and laid back. (Photo by Betsy Denson)

Adams finds a niché serving up drinks, music to expanding area

by Betsy [email protected]

see Corkscrew • Page 10A

How cool is this?Two local businessmen,

exact same name

They both grew up in The Leader area. They both went to private school. They currently live in Timbergrove. And they share the same first, middle and last name. Surprisingly, the two Andrew Al-lan Adams weren’t aware of each other until they started using the same dry cleaner – with its ensuing mix-ups – and they’ve only run into each other a few times since.

The other Andy Adams likes to say that he hasn’t gone very far in life. He was born in Heights Hospital, a stones’ throw from Adams In-surance, which his grandfather founded in 1947. Adams’ father came on board in 1964 and Adams himself started with the com-pany in 2002.

He attended Our Savior Lutheran and

by Betsy [email protected]

see Adams • Page 10A

Yes. Andy Adams

Funny we should see you here again. Last week, if you happened to catch your late-ar-riving copy of The Leader, you probably real-ized we had a bit of a glitch with your paper.

So here’s what happened: We promoted (in this same space) our annual program called “Voluntary Contributions.” We told you an envelope would be inside, and that if you wanted to take part, you could open your paper and find a letter from me.

It’s no fun to promote something that doesn’t happen, and there’s actually a reason. Those letters got stuck on a truck in Tenbuck-two – or somewhere like that.

We did what any reasonable newspaper would do: We waited. And then we waited a little more. Finally, with no delivery of the 30,000 letters, we began throwing your newspapers on Friday. While a few of you received the letters, 28,000 of you didn’t.

So please accept my apologies for publish-ing something that didn’t happen. I can promise the letter is there today, because I’m holding one. And if it’s a program that interests you, and you want to save on the stamp, feel free to stop over at our website, www.theleadernews.com, where we have a button at the top right that says “Support The Leader.”

Jonathan McElvyPublisher

Let’s try this again

Oak Forestconsidersstarting aChamber

by Michael [email protected]

The need for security raised the is-sue, but other factors are involved in Oak Forest business owners discuss-ing the possibility of a Chamber of Commerce.

Insurance agent David Lorms is leading the effort among Oak Forest business owners.

“Some studies indicate that if a business belongs to a local Cham-ber of Commerce, it communi-cates that the business is using good business practices and is looked upon more favorably,” Lorms said. “And, as a member of a Chamber, local businesses have a united voice in regard to local government issues as well. It’s a great avenue to acquire business referrals too.”

Some Oak Forest businesses are members of the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce.

Greater Heights chamber president Terry Burge declined to comment on the possibility of an Oak Forest chamber.

But Oak Forest Homeowners Association board member Lucy Fisher-Cain said the discussion may ultimately produce something like a business association, rather than

see Chamber • Page 10A

Shepherd Forest Civic Club president John Weber said the City’s Water Line Replacement in his neighborhood is going smoothly.

“Some residents are hardly affected, and some are very affected,” Weber said. “But after the work, everything is replaced to its original (setting). (The work) is a mess in the beginning, but it’s called progress.”

Weber said Shepherd Forest hasn’t received any complaints about the $2.9 million project, which is set to be completed in May 2014.

He noted that the civic club moni-tors and addresses complaints that are brought to their attention.

McKinney Construction Inc. is the contractor for the project, which began last summer.

Shepherd Forest taking improvements in stride

EXPERIENCED BILINGUAL CARE-GIVER to care for your loved one. Full-time, part-time or occasional. 281-787-2388.

ALTERATIONS: Reasonable. Pick up and delivery. Charlotte, 713-694-0003.

HANDYMAN SAVES YOU MONEY: Plumbing, electrical, carpentry. 281-660-0350.

I CLEAN HOUSES: Good references. Free estimates. 832-964-4892.

GET READY

LEADERLOVEABLES

We’re about to start the search for the cutest pets in the area. Details soon.

Page 2: Leader1214a

Page 2A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • @heightsleader

NOV. 25Theft 5:30 PM 1800-1899 CHESHIRE LN

NOV. 26Theft 2 PM 2900-2999 SHEPHERD DRTheft 6:30 PM 600-699 38TH STTheft 7:30 PM 700-799 SHEPHERD DRTheft 7:55 AM 7600-7699 WASHINGTON Theft 8:27 PM 3500-3599 T C JESTER Burglary 7:15 PM 1500-1599 DONOVANTheft 10:40 AM 10700-10799 NORTH-

WEST FWYRobbery 7:23 PM 1400-1499 NICHOL-

SONBurglary 10:20 PM 800-899 41ST STTheft 4:27 AM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD DRTheft 7 PM 900-999 DURHAM DR

NOV. 27Robbery 4:42 PM 1200-1299 43RD STBurglary 12 PM 1700-1799 WAKEFIELD Theft 9 PM 1500-1599 PRINCEBurglary 2:30 PM 4100-4199 BLUE-

GRASS

NOV. 28Assault 2 AM 1900-1999 WASHINGTON Burglary 3 PM 1900-1999 HEIGHTS

BLVDTheft 1:45 AM 4900-4999 WASHINGTON Theft 12:03 PM 4200-4299 34TH STTheft 1:40 AM 9700-9799 HEMPSTEAD

HWY

NOV. 29Theft 9 AM 1100-1199 YALETheft 8 PM 900-999 DURHAM DRTheft 11 PM 1700-1799 SEASPRAY CTTheft 10 PM 400-499 ASBURY STTheft 7 PM 1300-1399 DART STTheft 10 PM 3600-3699 T C JESTER BLVDRobbery 10:45 PM 2900-2999 MANGUMRobbery 7:19 PM 200-299 23RD STTheft 7 PM 800-899 DURHAM DRTheft 8 PM 4500-4599 WASHINGTON Theft 9 PM 4500-4599 WASHINGTON Theft 6 PM 5700-5799 CORNISH STTheft 6 PM 1500-1599 HEWITTTheft 2: AM 9800-9899 HEMPSTEAD

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NOV. 30Theft 6:03 PM 900-999 33RD STTheft 10:30 PM 1200-1299 25TH STBurglary 2 AM 1900-1999 18TH STBurglary 2 AM 4800-4899 SHEPHERD DRTheft 9 AM 2600-2699 BEAUCHAMP ST

Theft 12 AM 1900-1999 CENTER STRobbery 5:20 PM 2800-2899 T C JESTER Theft 6:30 AM 6000-6099 SHEPHERD DRBurglary 1 AM 9500-9599 HEMPSTEAD

HWYTheft 3 PM 4800-4899 LAMONTE LNTheft 6:15 PM 200-299 NORTH LPTheft 1 PM 1200-1299 ASHLAND STTheft 8 PM 2100-2199 TANNEHILL DRTheft 7:25 AM 700-799 CROSSTIMBERSBurglary 10 AM 4000-4099 34TH STTheft 9:06 PM 100-199 CROSSTIMBERSTheft 7:30 AM 700-799 CROSSTIMBERSTheft 1 PM 4700-4799 34TH STTheft 1 PM 4200-4299 MAIN ST

DEC. 1Assault 2:55 AM 2700-2799 WHITE

OAK DRAssault 7 AM 2400-2499 HACKETT DRTheft 2 AM 4600-4699 SHERWOOD LNTheft 2 AM 1000-1099 HEIGHTS BLVDTheft 6:30 PM 3000-3099 WHITE OAK Theft 11:50 PM 0-99 CROSSTIMBERSTheft 10:30 PM 2700-2799 CENTER STTheft 10:30 PM 4700-4799 CARLEENBurglary 6:15 AM 1700-1799 DURHAM Theft 10 PM 1700-1799 DART STBurglary 7 PM 1600-1699 DESOTO STTheft 7 PM 4900-4999 LAMONTE LNAssault 9:20 PM 1700-1799 CROCKETT Theft 3:30 AM 1700-1799 DART ST

DEC. 2Theft 12 AM 4000-4099 NORHILL BLVDAssault 8:25 PM 1700-1799 T C JESTER Theft 4:40 PM 4200-4299 MAIN STTheft 1:30 PM 2600-2699 SHEPHERD DRBurglary 9 AM 700-799 29TH STTheft 4:30 PM 1800-1899 26TH STAssault 2:55 PM 1300-1399 43RD STTheft 3:15 PM 500-599 NORTHWEST

MALLBurglary 8:10 AM 1800-1899 NINA LEE Theft 2:20 PM 2800-2899 DURHAM DR

Theft 2:48 PM 700-799 CROSSTIMBERSTheft 2 PM 100-199 HARVARD STTheft 7 AM 1700-1799 SEAMIST DR

DEC. 3Theft 5:53 PM 1100-1199 STUDEWOODBurglary 2:56 AM 600-699 HEIGHTS

BLVDTheft 8 AM 400-499 34TH STBurglary 10 PM 2700-2799 MANGUMTheft 6:40 PM 900-999 DURHAM DRTheft 7:20 PM 6600-6699 HASKELL

DEC. 4Theft 8:50 AM 3600-3699 MAINTheft 7:58 AM 400-499 HEIGHTS BLVDTheft 2:45 PM 1200-1299 HERKIMERBurglary 4:30 PM 700-799 11TH STBurglary 8 AM 1000-1099 WYNNWOOD Assault 9 PM 4400-4499 OXFORD STTheft 5:30 PM 700-799 DURHAM DRRobbery 8:23 PM 5400-5499 SHEPHERD Theft 11 PM 800-899 26TH STTheft 9:30 PM 1800-1899 18TH STTheft 11 PM 4400-4499 SPENCERTheft 1:50 PM 900-999 YALETheft 3 PM 1400-1499 SHEPHERD DR

DEC. 5Theft 10 AM 300-399 19TH STTheft 7:02 PM 4000-4099 SHEPHERD DRTheft 7:15 PM 3300-3399 WHITE OAK Burglary 8:15 AM 1600-1699 T C JESTER Theft 7 PM 2600-2699 WHITE OAK DRTheft 2:30 PM 4500-4599 WERNER STTheft 1 PM 100-199 YALERobbery 10:15 PM 2100-2199 NORTH

LP W SERTheft 10 PM 900-999 LEHMANBurglary 2 AM 500-599 WAINWRIGHTTheft 12:13 PM 1400-1499 WAKEFIELD Theft 12 PM 2400-2499 JUDIWAY

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A juvenile suspect is in custody after allegedly set-ting fi re to a closet room in the Northwest Mall’s Palais Royal clothing store, 9800 Hempstead Road, on Tuesday afternoon.

The fi re sent one person to the hospital for smoke inhalation and forced the evacuation and closure of the mall. HFD set up fans throughout the mall to clear out the smoke.

Houston Arson Bureau investigators were able to determine a person moving about the clothing at

the time of the incident and leaving just as the fi re and smoke progressed.

Investigators had a description of the arsonist’s general build, clothing and approximate age when they were dispatched to a second incident at the Os-tioneria Michoacan restaurant, 1817 Wirt Road, in Spring Branch.

Authorities learned that a suspect confessed to starting the fi res at the Northwest Mall, the restau-rant and a nearby convenient store.

The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force needs the public’s help in identifying the suspect known as the “Badly Beaten Bank Bandit,” who robbed the Prosperity Bank at 2310 Yale Street.

At about 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 2, the armed robber entered the bank and handed the teller a threatening note, then pulled out a pistol and verbally demanded cash.

Tellers took note of the bank robber’s in-juries which included a split and swollen lip, and a badly bruised left eye that was nearly swollen shut.

The tellers gave the “Badly Beaten Bank Bandit” some cash. He was last seen leaving the area on foot. No one was physically hurt during the robbery.

The armed bank robber was described as a white male, 19-25 years old, 5’10’’ tall, and 155 pounds with a slim build. He

wore a baggy green T-shirt with the words “HERO Lifesaver” on the front. He had dirty blonde hair and slight facial hair.

As tellers observed, he appeared to have been recently beaten up with visible bruises to his lips and left eye. His lip was split and swollen and the left eye was nearly swollen shut. He was armed with a pistol.

Crime Stoppers is off ering up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the charging and arrest of this robber. If you have information about this case, please call the Crime Stoppers tip line at 713-222-TIPS (8477), or the Houston offi ce of the FBI at 713-693-5000.

Jack in the Box robberyThe Houston Police Department ar-

rested Rodney Craig Helm and charged him with robbery by threat at 8:25 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Offi cers were called to a robbery in progress at the Jack in the Box, 5400 North Shepherd.

They were able to arrive on time and ar-rest Helm, 44, and take him into custody.

Vehicle Vandalism in Woodland Heights

Twenty-three vehicles in the Heights had their windows and other parts dam-aged between 9 p.m. and midnight last Sunday, according to the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Offi ce.

A witness stated that he was outside ready to leave when he observed an older white Dodge Dakota pickup with a black camper shooting his vehicle windows with what appeared to be a BB or Pellet gun. The witness was unable to identify the driver or passenger.

Deputies canvased the area but were unable to locate the suspect vehicle. Contact the Constables Offi ce should you see the suspect vehicle.

There were no injuries.

Females robbed in similar incidents, minutes apart

The Houston Police Department responded to similar apartment complex robberies, 20 minutes and 0.2 miles apart, but said it’s too early to know if the two are connected.

The fi rst one occurred at 9 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the 3700 block of Watonga with a 20-year-old female victim, who was moving out of an apartment that she had recently vacated.

Two male suspects walked up to her, took her eye glasses, pushed her to the ground and threatened her with a gun. They took her cell phone and purse. Because she didn’t have her glasses, she couldn’t come up with a description.

At 9:20 p.m. in the 4800 block of Lamonte Lane, a 38-year-old female victim said two male suspects came up to her with a pistol and took her purse and cell phone. She didn’t have a description of the suspects.

Authorities arrest alleged arsonist

FBI looks for information on Yale Street bank robber

‘Badly Beaten Bank Bandit’

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Page 3: Leader1214a

Page 3A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • @heightsleader

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Did you make it out this past weekend to any of the shows? Clearly, weather is not a deterrent for the hard-core art pa-tron because the two doz-en artists that braved the cold and damp at First Sat-urday Arts Market did quite well. If you missed us, not to worry, I’ve found dozens of places to get your art on this weekend.

This Saturday evening is the an-nual Lights in the Heights event sponsored by the Woodland Heights Association. Unless you plan to attend, you might steer clear of roadways around the area well before and after. The scaled back event still draws thousands to the area. Hands down my favorite event of the year.

Art markets seem to be popping up more frequently lately. The ones I’ve included this weekend all have familiar faces or artists that live in The Leader area. Once this holiday season is behind us, I’ll re-sume my series of interviews with local artisans. Have fun, and stay dry this weekend!

Friday, Dec. 13• 20 Square Feet – An Exhibi-

tion of Large Artworks, 4-8 p.m. 1600 Smith St., Concourse Level. On view through Jan. 31, 2014. This is a group exhibit of large artworks; each piece is at least 20 square feet in size. Curated by Matt Adams, an independent cu-rator and President of the Visual Arts Alliance VAA. Work includes painting and photography and subjects range from abstract to realism.

Saturday, Dec. 14• Open Artist Studios at Win-

ter and Spring Street Studios, 2101 Winter St. and 1824 Spring St. http://winterstreetstudios.info/

• Aurora Street Open Artist Studios, 2-8 p.m. 129 Aurora St. http://hasg.blog.com

• Craftacular 2nd Saturday “the one to rule them all!” Noon-4 p.m. 1025 Studewood in the Heights at Hello-Lucky.

• 2ND Saturday Montrose

Art Market, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hol-lywood Vietnamese and Chinese Restaurant parking lot, 2409 Mon-trose Blvd.

• The Lone Star Bazaar, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 300 Westheimer at Numbers Nightclub

• Yelp’s Nifty Under 50 Holi-day Pop-Up Market, Noon-5 p.m. Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring St. Every price tag is $50 or less. Enjoy complimentary cock-tails, teas, coffee, sweets and baked goodies, a photo booth, holiday music and FREE gift wrapping. Admission is free!

• Second Saturday Farm to Art Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Herb Cafe & Market, 5828 FM 517 E., Dickinson.

• The “VI” Photo Show, Noon-4 p.m. MECA, 1900 Kane St. And yet another photo show. This time

by photographers you thought only existed in the whispers of drunk sailors in a bar somewhere in the Mediterranean at 2 a.m., lo-cal time. Brace yourselves. Photos by Jenna Frenzel, Dennis Dotson, Lindy Pollard, Esmeralda Tobias, RC McKee and Pin Lim.

• Art League Houston’s 2nd Holiday Mini-mART and Party, 4:30- 9 p.m., Art League Houston, 1953 Montrose Blvd. Featuring holiday inspired drinks and food, a fantastic live DJ, as well as an ex-citing collection of uniquely made small works by some of Houston’s most signifi cant and innova-tive artists all costing under $100 each!

• “My First Gallery Show,” 6:30-10:30 p.m. Heights Art Studios & Gallery, 214 E. 27th St. Featuring Bethony Nichole, photography.

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You’d have thought they were giving away free Christmas trees. The parking lot at Pluckers, the newest wings, beer and sports joint to the grace the neighborhood’s Shepherd/Durham restaurant cor-ridor, was at capacity, the shoulder of cramped Eli Street was collecting a queue of cars and the entrance to the restaurant was standing room only. And it wasn’t even noon yet, the fi rst time Leader Eater stopped by. Although this place has the advantage of being an Austin im-port, which seems to come with a culinary Midas touch in this town, Leader Eater soon found out why this place isn’t just a retread of Buf-falo Wild Wings.

It was a resettled Houstonite hav-ing put in a stint in the state capital city who guided Leader Eater and a small group to this fried bird bar for lunch. He certainly didn’t an-ticipate the hordes clamoring for wings, but we skirted the line up by shoehorning ourselves into a hand-ful of bar stools (with the help of some good-natured patrons who cleared the extra room for us). The bar is the epicenter of Pluckers’ sports-on-TV-fi lled dining room and was bustling with this lunch crowd who couldn’t take advan-tage of the patio outside because of the frigid temperatures. After some humming and hawing over their Buffalo Chicken Sandwich,

Review: Pluckers serves up excellence in its wings

Pluckers1400 Shepherd Dr.www.pluckers.com

the Gut Grenade Burger and even a glance in earnest at their fried chicken-topped salads, our crew was all in on an all-wing diet.

My yard bird Sherpa from Austin was unequivocal when we were batting around which of the 19 different sauces we should coat our lunch in: go with the Spicy Ranch. Now, Leader Eater isn’t a huge fan of the fl avor of Ranch, and I’m only really used to it being on the side of my wings, not fried into them. But being a Pluckers newbie, I deferred to the expert and the Spicy Ranch made up the majority of the 50-wing platter that came out of the back

Art a la Carte: It’s the weekend of the art market

Mitch CohenArts Columnist

and graced us in a giant silver tray that made it look like an over-sized chicken wing pizza had been dropped down in front of us. We got to work on the cornucopia of fowl after getting down on some fried pickles, which were made the right way: long and thin quartered slices modestly battered. The wing platter featured a half dozen or so hot wings and the same amount doused in Pluckers’ medium fl a-voring and were nice, solid chicken wings. The Spicy Ranch, though, is the type of fried drumstick that sits in its own class. I have a strong preference for dry rub on meats. A good barbecue sauce will always add to a rib or a chicken breast, but a properly prepared medley of spices baked, cooked or fried into a light crust on the exterior of a piece of meat always trumps the sauce. And this is how the Spicy Ranch wings are prepared – no paper towel-killing sauce dripping off the piece of chicken wing, just a dry coated duo intertwining the subtle Ranch fl avor with a bite of barbecue. Putting hyperbole aside, the Spicy Ranch wings are some of the best fried fowl I’ve ever had, which smoothed over Pluckers’ penny pinching for extra celery and the sass we got from our wait-ress when we needed to split the bill. And I’m sure it was the Spicy Ranch that had the parking lot jammed and Pluckers packed only two weeks after its opening.

Wings: $5.75-$89.99Sandwiches and Burgers: $6.50-$15.99

Salads: $9.99Kid Friendly: The sports bar aspect of this

place might not make it conducive for the kidsLE’s Favorite: Spicy Ranch Wings

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Page 4: Leader1214a

For the fi rst time, The Leader will publish Letters to Santa from children

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Look for it in our December 21st Publication

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Page 5: Leader1214a

Page 5A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • @heightsleader

PROUD NEWSPARTNER WITH

Anybody else put off by the mud in your mailbox?Trips to the mailbox used to elicit

all kinds of excitement. Maybe a letter from an old girlfriend? Ed

McMahon’s smiling face offering me a billion bucks. Grandma sending a $50 check, which was spent on absolutely nothing good. Political candidates send-ing us mail, calling challengers Commies.

Well, we all know those days are long gone. I don’t get letters from girlfriends I met as a teenager at summer camp, and if I did, my wife would make fun of me. Publishers Clearing Joke never amounted to early retirement. And obviously, all grandparental checks have a cut-off date.

But if you live in our area of town, you know one of those pleasures of the U.S. Postal Service hasn’t died just yet. That’s right, we’ve spent the last few weeks walking to our mailboxes, anxiously awaiting the latest political propaganda about the real and present danger of Communism, Joe McCarthy style.

If you have no clue what I’m talk-ing about, that means you don’t live in District 1 of the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. Either that, or you curse every piece of junk mail shoved through your door, tossing it aside like you might a free newspaper.

Here are the details, in case you’ve missed it. Yolanda Navarro-Flores is the incumbent candidate for HCC District

1 trustee. Though she was the leading vote-getter in the general election back in November, she was forced into a runoff with Zeph Capo, someone whose résumé boasts of a whole bunch of education projects, which would indicate he has a few credentials for this job.

Based on my understanding of the American political system, both of these candidates are probably qualified because they both have walked into a school at some point, and neither appears to be a citizen of Switzerland.

So if they’re both somewhat quali-fied for the job, what’s left? You guessed it. Pick up the nastiest handful of slimy mud and see who can drill (or mail, in this case) the biggest chunk square in the face of the opponent.

I used to love covering politics as a journalist for two reasons. First, I

thought what these elected officials did really mattered in our lives. Today, I’m not so sure, unless you lost your health plan. Second, I found the thrill of a campaign intoxicating. And as all good intoxications go, you look back and see the stupidity of it all.

In the challenger’s corner, Capo has kept his punches above the belt, for the most part. His mailers have taken on the ethical dilemma Navarro-Flores faced in her previous terms on the HCC Board. In big, red letters, one political piece said, “PUBLIC CENSURE.” It then went on to tell voters that “Ms. Flores is hereby PUBLICLY CENSURED for her conduct. Said censureship is the highest level of sanction available under Texas law.”

Here’s the translation: Navarro-Flores was censured after an independent investigator for the HCC Board found that she had slipped some work to family members.

I talked to noted political scientist Dr. Robert Stein about this campaign, and apparently, what Navarro-Flores did wasn’t illegal. Seems it was part and par-cel of what has happened on that board over the years.

In fact, Navarro-Flores responded to Capo’s mailer with a report that the District Attorney investigated all allega-tions against her and found “NO” wrong

doing.The reality is both are right. She passed

along some contracts, paid the public-ity price, and now Capo has painted a Scarlet E (ethics) across the incumbent’s campaign. And Navarro-Flores is right, because she actually didn’t break any laws. She just did what was acceptable on the Board at the time, as if that’s OK.

Now this is where things get really nasty, and we’ll all want to wash our eyes with soap after reading. As any candidate interested in winning might do, Navarro-Flores has fought back, guns and Com-mies blazing.

One of her mailers spotlighted that Capo had been “Arrested, Charged and Convicted” for blocking a road during a Houston Communist Party and Occupy Houston rally. She even gave us the case number, in case we don’t believe her. Just to complete the Communist imagery for us, her graphics team pulled a campaign picture of Capo and slapped him on a height measurement background, like you’d find at a police lineup.

That’s rich, but not as rich or odd as what one of her supporters and fellow HCC Trustee-Elect Dave Wilson did. Apparently Wilson’s campaign cof-fers funded a letter to potential voters echoing that Capo was working with the Houston Communist Party. Then things

got nasty, as the letter described Capo as a “homosexual Democrat that wants to make marriage between a man and a man legal in Texas.”

I understand sexual preference and the marriage issue are important to a lot of people. Actually, that’s an important issue to me. But really? Has the HCC Board of Trustees all the sudden been granted au-thority over civil rights laws in the United States? Are they going to take a vote of the community college board to legalize same-sex marriage?

The question, of course, is whether this nasty campaign will work. Off-season runoff elections boast horrible turnout rates, and apparently, going dirty is the best way to motivate potential voters.

“People don’t do it unless it works...,” Stein said. “They’re playing to a concern that voters might have.”

Stein is right, obviously. He under-stands Houston politics better than anyone around.

But I’ve got to tell you, I’m not inclined to vote for either one of these candidates. Their ideas got lost in their fistfulls of mud. And if we’re elect-ing someone to help run an important institution in our community, do either of these candidates get you excited about education?

Email [email protected]

JONATHAN

MCELVY

Publisher

Historic MessDear Editor:Presumably the architectural guidelines

used by HAHC were generated to maintain the character of the Heights and prevent McMansions from being built. However, the result has been the creation of humped back whale houses that are both homely and destroy the large trees that typi-cally exist in the backyards. The issue is compounded when HAHC refuses to allow homes to be moved forward on the prop-erty for ill conceived preservation reasons. I would prefer a McMansion that has a well thought out, integrated architectural style than the bolt-on design approach espoused by HAHC.

The City should establish minimum stan-dards that are a “thou shalt” requirement rather than using subjective wishy washy guidelines. However, using arbitrary rules such as 50 percent set-backs should be avoided. What makes 50 percent a magical preservation number? Finally, HAHC meets monthly, so if your renovation request is denied, it is my understanding that you must wait another month and pay another month’s mortgage on an often unoccupied piece of property. Few young investors can afford to take that risk.

Randy Johnson

Dear Editor:Thank you for bringing light to the

historic district issues with your article. I am a builder/renovator in the Heights and I have worked on several (15+) projects in the historic districts and I can tell you that almost every single one of our clients have had some serious issues not only getting their plans approved but throughout construction. The way the city and the HAHC have treated the clients would really be eye opening to the general public. We have had some clients go to HAHC as many as 5 times before their project was approved! I had a potential client in here the other day that was going for their 5th time with their 2nd architect and they still were uncertain if it would be passed. The process is completely biased and unfair for the people applying and it adds time and costs to every one of these projects. Most of the people want to comply but the rules change so much and the city’s historic office is so non-committal that it’s nearly impossible for a homeowner to know what will pass the HAHC. The planning commission appeals process has changed as noted but it’s to the point where nothing is getting overturned anymore.

Although I specialize in the restoration of historic homes, I have stopped buying in historic districts. I simply cannot take the risk of spending $350k+ on something that is unlivable and falling over, without knowing that I will be able to restore it. The Ordinance (aka The Law) has not changed since 2010, but what owners are able to do has drastically changed. It has unfortu-nately gotten to the point that I cannot take the risk anymore.

Heights Builder

Dear Editor:I also agree a great deal more than 1

percent are denied permits from the the Heights Historical Commission. How many months do homeowners have to resubmit their plans over and over again or abandon buying in the Heights Historical District al-together? The current trend for this “Com-misson” is to keep the Heights bungalows to their original size without expansion. The properties are so small and expensive and if you want a family, you’d have to move to the suburbs. Try to replace a 1920 window pane, (wavy glass). No current double pane insulated glass will do. No No No. Only single pane wavy uninsulated glass will be approved. Good luck finding it. The Historical Commission has misled

the Mayor of Houston and his counsel that there are no problems with the way they are currently running their commission. The current members are not there to help the homeowners of the Heights Historical District. They appear to be on a ridiculous ego trip to deny, deny, deny.

Jana VanKeuren Dear Editor:I really appreciate your article on the

HAHC. I submit more items each month to the HAHC than anyone else. It is the most frustrating process.

I would love to share some of the outra-geous stories with you.

Sam Gianukos Dear Editor:At last some attention is being brought

to bear on the problems with historic commissions. When I was originally asked to sign the petition for the Heights East Historic District, I declined for the reasons mentioned above. These types of com-missions are notoriously arbitrary and capricious. They cause undue hardships and expense for their owners who actually love and want to preserve their historic home. I am a DIY preservationist who does things like soak paint off the door hinges so I can preserve as much original materials as possible. It’s a labor of love. But when you own an old home, you also realize the not everything can (or should) be saved. Save what makes sense. Save the character. Save the things that are worth saving, which does not include every scrap.

When the City proposed changes to the ordinance, we formed a group to inform the public of things we thought were potential problems with strengthening the ordinance. We also wanted to ensure that a majority of our community really wanted to be more heavily regulated and understood what that meant. We had seen the HAHC in action and it wasn’t pretty. Strengthening the ordinance, we feared, would only make an already difficult process, a nightmare. And our worst fears came true.

One of the things we were told was that property owners would be able to replace old exterior features with visually similar modern ones. The Heights bungalows are virtually all constructed of wood, not a material that holds up particularly well in a hot, wet climate. The windows are single-paned and are not insulated and neither is the home itself.

As I sit here tonight writing this, ready to face another night near freezing tempera-tures, my living room and dining room is a chilly 62 degrees while my central heat set at 72 with an oscillating space heater between the two rooms. Without the space heater, those rooms would be less than 60 degrees and the temperature will drop another 8 degrees tonight. To save these homes, we have to be able to make them attractive to young families. 62 degrees with central heat and a space heater isn’t the type of thing to attract them. Keeping my 18 month old grandson away from the space heater is a problem for me when he visits. I’m certain it is for a young mom with a couple of kids.

These homes need the ability to be increased in size and done in a way that makes the addition look seamless, not like it was a bad afterthought. They need new energy efficient windows, and as much as I am passionate about the old wavy glass, they are like having cellophane over them. They need the ability to have visu-ally similar siding replace the stuff that is susceptible to wood rot and termites (and the squirrels who chew on the planks over my porch).

One of the most bizarre and unreason-able original materials that this commis-sion is requiring renovators to retain is

shiplap. For those who don’t know what shiplap is, it is the wood planks on the interior of the home between the siding and the studs. It is completely covered by siding and sheetrock. It is not a visible feature yet this crazy bunch of preserva-tionists insist that homeowners save it. The proponents of the ordinance changes at the City told everyone we would have no problems changing out visually similar and compatible materials but those requests have been repeatedly denied. One other bit of hypocrisy is that when the City renovates an historic structure, they replace the windows with energy efficient ones. Check out the permitting building on Washington Ave. Why can the City replace old windows, and not a homeowner?

The City is now considering changes to the rules for speaking at appeals to the Planning Commission when homeowners are trying to right the wrongs of the HAHC. (See the front page article) What I find particularly outrageous is that these rules apply to ONLY those in Historic Districts. Anyone else appearing before the Planning Commission for any reason is not limited to 5 minutes total speaking time for their project. Why are those with historic homes? What happened to equal protection under the law? The irony of historic preservation overseen by these commissions is that they tend to punish those who are trying to engage in historic preservation. It’s bizarre.

This is an issue that is simple and at the same time, terribly complicated. I used to watch the eyes glaze over of the news reporters who interviewed us when I would try to explain the nuance. It was an impossible issue to cover in a 2 minute spot on the 5:00 news especially to someone who really didn’t understand what all the fuss was about.

Mayor Bob Lanier sent an email to one of our members calling what was happening “arbitrary and capricious.” I use that term regularly when speaking on the subject. What homeowners in historic districts need is a lot less arbitrary and capricious and a lot more common sense and predictability. Until the later is more common than the former, the positive benefits of historic preservation will always be out shadowed by the negative experience that the historic homeowner experiences at the hands of a run amok commission like the HAHC.

Kathleen Powell

Earn Thou KeepDear Editor:I see people on their way to work or

coming from work stop and hand cash money to the cardboard sign carriers that occupy our street corners. Usually their sign says “God Bless” and then their plight. Most are always shabbily dressed, some state they are veterans, some are in wheel chairs, some are on crutches and most walk with a limp but the end result is they want money. Do not misunderstand me, I support our veterans and feel they deserve whatever we can do for them and then some. I have heard that some of these people are mentally impaired, they have nowhere to live and are not able to make a living.

WELL, let’s talk about the truth. Only about one tenth of a percent of the street pan handlers are truly mentally impaired and may not be able to hold a job. The God Bless on the sign leads you to believe it is your religious duty to help them. I have seen pan handlers walk away from a location and not have to use their crutches or without the previous limp. Close to 99 percent of them receive some kind of public assistance, which you and I are paying out. As for a place to live, get fed and a warm place to sleep, there are thousands of places in most all cities that provide these services for them, usually at our generosity and funds, again we pay. Star of Hope

for men and women, most churches and religious organizations, charities, and the Food Bank to name a few. Blankets are given to these people each year along with jackets and clothes. To answer a couple of questions, most choose to live where they do and how they do. Why are they there, because you will give them tax free money to support their habits (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes), and style of living. If you throw bird feed out, birds will keep coming back until you stop feeding them.

Notice their signs do not say they will work for food and more, that is because people offered them jobs and they refused. I am one of those people that offered a job and was turned down. The other day I stopped at 290 and Antoine on the north corner. I noticed a very large amount of paper cups, cans, paper plates, and discarded food cartons in the bushes where the pan handler was walking with his sign.

I told him if he would pick up all the trash and throw it away, I would come back and give him $5. He said, “That is the city’s job” and kept walking.

I encourage you to keep your money and if you feel the need to do something good with it, do something direct for someone. Buy a book for a young person (something they would enjoy reading), donate to a Boy Scout Troop (they really do teach a good program), if you have a neighbor that is struggling to repair a vehicle, purchase him a repair manual or pay $19.95 for an oil change, there are a lot of ways you can encourage and reward those that are willing to work and contribute to society. Adopt the “Earn Thou Keep.”

Unsigned

Pay it forward!Dear Editor,While checking out at a major chain gro-

cery store, I noticed that the small Hispanic gentleman in front of me was buying a dozen red roses. When he checked out, he had this wonderful, big smile on his face. I realized the gentleman in front of him had paid for his roses, and he was thanking that man. Then when I checked out, I was told my bill had also been paid! Tears came to my eyes. The checker and packers were so thoughtful, making sure I was OK. I told them it was “cry for happy!” I too thanked the generous gentleman, and vowed I needed to also “pay it forward!”

A grateful shopper, R. Holcomb

Heights water towerFrom facebook.comI miss that water tower, but land is land.

(As long as there isn’t a high rise going up.)Tena M Clark

THE READER: Residents want their say about historic obstacles in home building

SUDOKU

CLUES ACROSS

The Puzzles.Solutions in this issue’s classsi ed section.

1. Has two wheels 2. “A Death in the Family” novelist 3. Fabric stuf ng 4. Mix in a pot 5. Move up a mountain 6. Replenishment 7. Weight of a ship’s cargo 8. Flightless birds with at breastbones 9. Scholarship bequester Cecil 10. Consumer advocate Ralph 11. Overgarments 13. Terminator 17. Derive 24. Angry 25. Imprudent 26. Rural Free Delivery (abbr.) 27. __ Lilly, drug company 28. Chest muscle (slang) 29. Lease 35. Point midway between E and SE 36. Cool domicile 37. First woman 38. Radioactivity unit 40. Revolves 41. Incongruities 42. ___-Magnon: early European 43. Inde nitely long periods 44. Saturated 45. Mannerly 47. Abu __, United Arab Emirates capital 48. Move rhythmically to music 49. Cheerless 52. 4 highest cards 53. Criterion 54. Person from U.K. (abbr.) 55. Af rmative! (slang)

23. Food lifter 26. Copy 30. De Mille (dancer) 31. Overcharged 32. Conducted 33. Pronouncements 34. Flemish names of Ypres 39. Denotes three 42. Root source of tapioca 44. Animal track 46. Backed away from 47. Neighborhood canvas

1. Horse drawn carriages 5. Cathode-ray tube 8. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid 12. Marbles playing stone 14. Zodiacal lion 15. Whale ship captain 16. Hit the sack 18. Hostelry 19. People of southern India 20. Four 21. Male workforce 22. March 15

CLUES DOWN

49. Pigeon-pea plant 50. Nursing group 51. Within reach 56. Turkish brandy 57. Metal food storage container 58. Batten down 59. Assist in wrongdoing 60. Old world, new 61. Rust fungus spore cases 62. A way to wait 63. Point midway between S and SE 64. Adam and Eve’s third son

ACROSS Cont...

Lynn Ashby’s column can be found on Page 6A in today’s edition.

Page 6: Leader1214a

Page 6A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • @heightsleader

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THE LIVING ROOM – Notice this beautiful place, with a long dining table, eight straight-backed chairs, good lighting, drawers for the silver. What’s that? It doesn’t look any living room you’ve seen? Oh, you are so 1950s. Do you still like Ike, Cadillac fi ns and 45 RPMs? I can see you need an up-date: For the fi rst millennia people lived in houses with bedrooms, kitchens, dens, living rooms and, in more recent times, bathrooms. If that particular room didn’t actu-ally contain a bath, it was called a “half bath” where one could only bathe half way down or up.

The fl oor plan of the average American home changed with the arrival of the television set in the early 1950s. By 1954 some 55.7 percent of U.S. homes had televi-sion (or “TV” as we cutting-edge types call it), and the box soon took over their lives. Plans were made and abandoned when “Your Show of Shows” scheduled Elvis. Quiz programs stopped traffi c as those who didn’t have a12-inch Admi-ral paused before store windows to gape. People would watch a test pattern for up to an hour. Soon families discovered the wonder of TV trays to put around the room at show time so children didn’t have to talk to their parents. Social scientists cite the invention of the

TV tray as the fi rst step towards the disintegration of the American family, an escalating divorce rate and teenage adolescence.

Technology kept changing how we watched “Gunsmoke” and “I Love Lucy.” First we had rabbit ears, stylishly yet awkwardly pointing to the water stains on the ceiling. Next came a gizmo on the rooftop called an antenna. Then a major scientifi c break-through arrived with the invention of the cable. With ugly black wires streaming through neighborhoods and into our homes, no wind nor rain nor nuclear blast could keep us from “Third Rock From the Sun.” A few years ago someone came along with an instrument on the rooftop called a dish which could easily be mistaken for an antenna except that dishes fail to deliver in wind, rain and nuclear blasts. Next, no doubt, will come the newest trend:

rabbit ears.But it was our indoors that saw

the greatest changes. That fi rst TV arrived with a question: where to put it? Only one set per household was allowed by the FCC. No one had a special TV room. No bed-room could do the job, because the entire family wanted to sit be-hind their trays eating frozen TV dinners -- three-month-old fried chicken with some unrecognizable veggies -- at the same time. So the TV set was put in the living room, accompanied either by those rab-bit ears, or later, black wires run-ning across the fl oor. True, the big stand-alone box with its fake wooden sides and that fl icker-ing black-and-white screen didn’t add much to the decor. Actually, it looked awful, but every American family had one.

Eventually the box was moved to the den which was more infor-mal. Over the years the TV screens became bigger but thinner, book shelves were removed, (books? who needs books, we’ve got TV!) and replaced by the Sony -- sorry Admiral. Invention of the remote control allowed us to completely do away with any remaining exer-cise. Today in all American homes worth their underwater mortgages the den is where the action is. In my case the den is where I’ve got

the fi replace, couch, wet bar, dry bar, damp bar, 120-inch TV with surround sound, DVR, DVD, CD, am-fm radio and, of course, my 45 RPMs. The den is where I plunk down in the morning to watch the news, where I listen to music later that day and where, from 5:30 p.m. till 1:30 a.m., I get my exercise -- sometimes changing the programs requires pushing several buttons. All I need now is a remote with a cup holder.

Ah, but what about the living room, that unneeded appendix in my happy house? It remained the same with an occasional new up-holstering, paint job, dusting. But it was never used by anyone in the family. Even friends who would drop by would walk in the front door, through the hallway and into the den, never even casting a glance at the living room. I could keep an exaltation of larks or a chine of polecats in there and no one would notice.

After a few years of the room’s non-use if not abandonment, the Texas Workforce Commission decided that if I was to continue receiving unemployment checks I needed an offi ce. But where? Of-fi ces cost money, rent, a secretary and an hour-long commute. Each way. The solution: In came the Salvation Army, out went the liv-

ing room furniture. That newly emptied space became our dining room and the former dining room became -- ta-da! -- my offi ce. It has all worked out splendidly: I can commute to work in a mat-ter of minutes, the fridge with its beer and cheese is exactly fi ve steps away, and the rent is reasonable.

Do you have a living room? Why? Do you ever do any living in it? I thought not. Get rid of it. Ladies, wouldn’t you like your own walk-in closet to hold every piece of clothing you ever wore which you refuse to part with because poodle skirts may come back in style? Men, are your kids annoyed when you bowl down the hallway? Does your wife complain, “Do you have to do your taxidermy in the kitchen?”? Turn that unused liv-ing room into a Man Cave. Put in a wet bar, seven giant TV sets, decorate with old football helmets, team banners and have a humidor to hold your dollar cigars, then in-vite over 15 buddies for the game. (This is not the same as convert-ing your garage into a Man Cave and parking all your cars in front of your neighbor’s house.) On the other hand, if you do that, your next bedroom may be at the local Y.

Ashby is living at [email protected]

Remember when we had living rooms and used them?

get involvedIf you want to send us a letter,

we might edit it a little, and we won’t let you personally attack

your pesky neighbor. Send letters to [email protected].

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Happy anniversary to Forest West residents Warren and Lola Schulin who celebrated their 61st wedding an-niversary on Dec. 5. The Schulins, who thoroughly enjoyed an anniversary trip through Louisiana and visited a few casinos, eloped right before Warren shipped out with the U.S. Navy for Ja-pan during the Korean War in 1952.

Eventually, both Warren and Lola went into the newspaper business and Warren retired from Universal Print-ing, and Lola retired from The Houston Post where during her 30 year career she was the fi rst female foreman in the company. Enjoying their retirement to-gether, the couple is an inspiration to family and friends. The Schulins have three children, six grandchildren and a great-grandson. Son Donald, his wife Doris, their sons Chad and Casey; son Larry, his wife Cynthia, their sons Ty-ler and Cody, and Cody’s son, fi rst great grandchild Bentley, and daughter Deb-ra Schulin Buttram, her husband, Larry Buttram, and their children Travis Aus-tin Buttram and Allison Paige Buttram, wish to express their love and sincere admiration for their parents. Those who hold love in their hearts are forever young. Happy Anniversary!!

Exciting Stevens Elementary newsThe Leader recently ran an article re-

garding Oak Forest neighbor and area builder Justin Gordon’s kindnesses to

his neighbors and his very quiet, yet ex-traordinary investments in the Oak For-est community. Exciting news has just come through the Leader’s information pipeline that Mr. Gordon is donating a signifi cant portion of the funds for a marquee to Stevens Elementary School. At press time, the marquee is pending HISD school board approval which should come through on Thursday, and then the wheels will be set in motion to purchase and erect the marquee which will be quite an asset to the school and the surrounding community. Thank you, Mr. Gordon!

Leadership on display at Black Middle SchoolCongratulations to Frank Black

Middle School’s Leadership Develop-ment Citizenship Corps (LCDC) drill team for winning fi rst place in Exhibi-tion and third place in Inspections at a recent military skills meet. The event was held at Plummer Middle School and approximately 30 middle schools participated. FBMS drill team members are Benjamin Arguijo, Jessi Morrison, Mar’quishia Sam, Kimberly Vazquez, Cecilia Marenco, Alejandro Gonzalez, Ryan Ellison, and Michael May, and the team was led by Inspection Command-er Chelsea Roncancio and Drill Team Commander Alyssa Sifuentes. Instruc-tor Sergeant First Class Arthur Collier said, “In the last six to seven years, when the Frank Black Middle School LCDC drill team has competed, they have won fi rst place in the exhibition phase and have placed second or third in the in-spection phase each year.” FBMS is one of only a handful of middle schools in HISD to feature LCDC as part of its curriculum. The class emphasizes the importance of discipline, leadership, good citizenship and a positive attitude. In addition to themes of responsibility and public service, the course includes marching, performance-oriented mili-tary skills training and several compo-nents similar to a junior ROTC pro-gram. FBMS has an active color guard through LCDC which is available to make presentations at area functions. For more information, contact SFC Collier at [email protected].

OBITUARIESRodney “Rod” Anderson, 58, born April 8,

1955 in Belle Fourche, S.D., died Dec. 5, after a two year battle with brain cancer. Anderson worked for the city of Houston until his retirement in 2012. He was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving as congregational president. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; children Carrie, Chris and Claire Anderson; fa-ther Darrell Anderson; sisters Darla Carlson and Janelle Jerry; and brothers Stuart and Curtis Anderson.

Clay Garrett Chappell, 23, born July 19, 1990 in Houston, died Dec. 1. Chappell graduated from Cy-Fair High School in 2008 and with honors from Texas State Technical College with an associate’s degree in Diesel Equipment Technology. He was employed with Mustang-Caterpillar since May 2007. He is survived by his mother Deb Bigler and her husband Tim, father Larry Chappell and wife Canny, brother Chase Chap-pell, paternal grandmother Nell Chappell, maternal grandparents Betty and Bob Poehl, and stepgrandfa-ther Ed Bigler. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Houston Labrador Retriever Rescue.

Elaine Kleihege Gast, 77, born Jan. 29, 1936, died Dec. 4. She is survived by her brother Arnold Kleihege, daughter Susan Wick, sons Jimmie Jr., Darrell and Kenneth Gast, and one granddaughter.

Betty Joyce Francis Hatcher, 81, born Aug. 9, 1932, died Nov. 29. Hatcher and her husband, David E. Hatcher owned and successfully operated Spectra Biologicals followed by Gamma Biologicals; both com-panies were pioneers in the blood banking industry as reagent manufacturing companies. She is survived by her daughters Milinda Davis and Patricia Page, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Monique Louise Rolland Kirkpatrick, 89, born Feb. 23, 1924, in Saint-Germaine-En-Laye, France, died Dec. 5. Kirkpatrick was a faithful and longtime member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. She was employed as a salesperson at Sakowitz

department store on Post Oak where she worked for more than 15 years until retirement. She was also a longtime and active member of the L’Alliance Francaise de Houston. Survivors include her children Martine Vogler, Marianne Levine and Phillip Kirkpatrick, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Louise Marie Knapik, 89, born March 30, 1924 in Bremond, Texas, died Dec. 8. Knapik worked her entire career as an assistant credit manager for Sears department stores. She was a member of the Altar Society of All Saints Catholic Church, and a faith-ful volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. She is survived by brother Rex Knapik, and sister Leona Hanus.

Mary Lou Rabun, born Sept. 19, 1919 in Shawnee, Okla., died Dec. 3. Rabun attended Baylor University, and after completing her degree, taught at Kirby High School in Woodville, Texas. She was a longtime member of Baptist Temple since 1946, where she was a Sunday school teacher. Rabun taught elementary school in HISD for 23 years. She taught at Field Elementary School from 1957-1972 and at Durham Elementary School from 1972-1980. She is survived by her daughter Susan Williams, sisters Fredona Baker and Virginia Haley, special friend James Doyle, and one grandson. Memorial contributions may be made to Baylor University (General Scholarship Fund) Gift Processing, One Bear Place #97050, Waco, TX 76798 or to The Navigators (Donald Caulkins Ministry), P.O. Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 80934.

Florence Mitschke Scruggs, 65, born June 3, 1948 in Houston, died Dec. 6. She was born in Heights Hospital and graduated from Reagan High School in 1971. Scruggs attended Houston Community College. She was employed as a bookkeeper and retired in 2010. She was a longtime member of Our Savior Lutheran Church for 27 years. Survivors include her daughter Christen Scruggs, brothers Clarence, Harvey, Kenneth and Leonard Mitschke, and sister Caroline Hengst. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church.

Neighbors – Schulins celebrated 61 years of marriage Dec. 5

The Schulins on their wedding day in 1952 when they were 16 and 17 years old.

Recent photo - l to r: Larry Schulin, Debra Schulin Buttram, Warren Schulin, Lola Schulin, and Don Schulin.

by Elizabeth [email protected]

Page 8: Leader1214a

Ad # D

Prepared as a public service to promote better dental health. From the office of: Chase Baker, D.D.S.,

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head, this may be caused by myofascial pain dysfunction. This is a common affliction of women under 40 years of age. It is characterized by pain in the temporomandibular or jaw joint and may also lead to headaches, toothaches, and painful limitation of the mouth opening.

The condition should be examined promptly by your dentist so it can be corrected before the pain becomes more intense and affects other areas of your head. In extreme cases it may cause blurring of vision and hearing loss.

Pain in the jaw joints or temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) can have many causes, such as improperly aligned teeth or the habit of teeth grinding or clenching. The goal of your dentist’s treatment will be to correct any dental problems that are causing TMJ, returning the jaw to its normal function and eliminating spontaneous muscle spasms in the jaw joint area.

Chase Baker, D.D.S.

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TOTAL FOOT CAREBarry P. Weinstein, DPMNail Laser Center Of Houston

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Church GuideMESSAGE OF THE WEEK

“The Heart of the Heights”1245 Heights Blvd.

Sunday School . . . . . . . 9:30 AMSunday Worship . . . . . 10:45 AM

Nursery ProvidedReverend Hill Johnson, Pastor

Grace UnitedMethodist Church

713 862-8883Food Pantry, Thurs. 2-4:30 PM

www.graceintheheights.org

Preschool Program • Mon. - Fri. 9-2 p.m.www.gethsemanelutheran.org

4040 Watonga • 713-688-5227

Member of MANNA

Worship Services 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. (Nursery Provided)

Sunday School & Bible Classes 9:15 a.m.

GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Reverend John Cain, Pastor

Sunday School - 9:30 a.m.Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m.

Nursery ProvidedMinistering to the Oak Forest

Community since 1948

(713) 682-25561576 Chantilly @ Piney Woods

OaksPresbyterian

Church

Reverend Noelie Day

Gospel Truth Church

1624 W 34th • 713-686-7689www.gospeltruthchurch.org

Sunday 10:30 amWorship and The Word

Children’s ChurchWednesday 7:30 pm

Life Equip classes for all ages

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Join us for Services in English or Spanish

Sunday Worship 10am & 5pmSunday Bible Classes 9am

Wednesday Bible Study 7pm

4215 Watonga Blvd. • 713-681-9365 Houston, TX 77092

Candlelight Church of Christ

Sunday - Bible Study For All Ages .. 9:30am Morning Worship ............ 10:45am Age Graded Zones ...........6:15pmWed. - Prayer Meeting & Missions Organization .....................6:15pm

Dr. John W. Neesley - Senior Pastor

713-864-14701822 W. 18th

Member of MANNA

1216 Bethlehemat Ella Blvd.

(713) 688-7761Sunday School 9:30 AM

Morning Worship10:45 AM

��������������������(Disciples of Christ)

Pastor Don Joseph

www.oakscchouston.orgVisit us on FaceBook

Rev. Herschel Moore, PastorA House of Hope and Prayer in the Heart of Houston

First Baptist Church

Sunday Worship 10:30am Wednesday 6:00pm

Friday Youth 6:00pmSunday School 9:30 am

201 E. 9th St. • Houston TX 77007Spirit Led Worship 713-861-3102

Nursery Provided

Heights

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GRAVITY, OCCULT FORCES, AND THE

MYSTERY OF SPIRIT

The idea that Newton discovered gravity after being struck by a falling apple is doubtful. Newton had a lifelong interest in alchemy, magic, and occult forces, and his theory of gravity

may have been inspired by the idea of occult forces, i.e., the idea that objects can have an effect on other objects without touching them. Gravity is essentially action at a distance. The earth doesn’t have to touch the moon in order to exert a gravitational pull on it. This may seem obvious to us now, but there is still something deeply mysterious about how objects affect other objects without actually touching them. How does gravity or magnetism work, unless the space between objects is a kind of uid (or ether) in which they are actually connected? Or, is space itself a kind of uid rather than an empty vacuum? Minds are equally mysterious. Minds seem to be in contact with other minds, for instance when we sense what someone is going to say or how they feel. Perhaps the universe is, at bottom, more spirit than matter. And perhaps some are more in tune with the cosmic uid, the spiritual ocean, as it were, in which all of us are swimming, whether we know it or not.

THE CALENDAR.

NEWS FROM YOUR PEWS

Page 8A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • @heightsleader

HOLIDAY CONCERTScarborough Chorus and Band

The Scarborough High School Chorus and Band are presenting a Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. Dec 12, in the school auditorium, 4141 Costa Rica Rd. A suggested donation is $5 a person. Also the chorus will present a multicultural choral concert with a spe-cial invitation to area senior citizens from 10-11 a.m. in the auditorium. Admission is free. Information: 713-613-2200.

OFHA’S BREAKFAST WITH SANTACandlelight Park Community Center

The Oak Forest Homeowners Associa-tion will be hosting its second annual Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m., Dec. 14, at 1520 Candlelight Lane. Breakfast tacos will be provided by Frida’s, along with a holiday movie and a craft table for the children. Bring a camera (sorry, pets are not allowed in the community center for pictures). A $5 donation is appreciated. Information: www.ofha.org.

DAVID LORMS BOOK SIGNINGPlonk! Beer and Wine Bistro

David Lorms will be holding a book signing event from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 16, at

Plonk! Bistro, 1214 W. 43rd St. The event is to promote his best-selling book “Change Agents.” There will be copies available for $20. Proceeds go to charity. Information: 713-688-8669.

CHRISTMAS EVE BIG FEASTCity Wide Club

The 35th Annual Big Super Feast will be held Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. A freshly prepared holiday dinner complete with dessert and refreshments will be served. There will also be toys for the children. Come enjoy live entertainment while assisting those in need. Information: 713-752-2582, www.citywideclub.com.

FREE LEGAL ADVICEHouston Bar Association

The Houston Bar Association offers free legal advice over the phone through LegalLine. The next session in English will be from 5-9 p.m. Dec. 28. Information: 713-759-1133, www.hba.org.

OAK FOREST WOMEN’S GROUP Frida’s Mexican Kitchen

The Group’s next meeting will be held

at Frida’s Mexican Kitchen, 3452 Ella Blvd., at 7 p.m. Jan. 20. Information: [email protected].

OPEN HOUSESt. Jerome’s Catholic School

St. Jerome’s, 8825 Kempwood, will host open houses on Sunday, Jan. 26 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, log on to www.stjeromecs.org or call 713-468-7946.

Every week

OAK FOREST RUNNING CLUBOak Forest Chill

This free social running club, part of the Oak Forest Homeowners Association, meets at 3542 Oak Forest Drive at 6 p.m. each Tuesday. Brother’s Pizzeria provides post-run food. Information: 281-685-9929.

JOB CORPS MEETING1919 North Loop West

U.S. Labor Department-funded training in more than 20 trades plus courses to earn a GED or high school diploma and

degree are available for ages 16-24. Meet-ings are held 4-7 p.m. on Mondays in Suite 477. Information: 713-880-2454.

LAUGHTER YOGAHeights Library

Laughter Yoga utilizes breathing and play-based exercises for health and wellness by people of all professions/ages/abilities. Meet from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday at 1302 Heights Blvd. Informa-tion: www.houstonlaughteryoga.com.

CHAIR YOGAMemorial Hermann Northwest Hospital

Free Chair Yoga for cancer survivors and caregivers 2-3 p.m. Mondays at 1635 North Loop West, South Tower, Classroom F. Registration: 713-222-CARE (2273).

PACHYDERM CLUB BREAKFAST7232 Wynnwood

The Pachyderm Club of Northwest Houston holds a breakfast meeting at 7:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month. Information: 713-386-1133.

All Saints TALC to host Christmas party

All Saints Third Age Learning Center will host a Christmas party for seniors from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 13, in the church parish hall located at 215 E. 10th.

Seniors are welcome to come celebrate the Christmas season with refreshments, songs of the season, door prizes and a visit from Santa. All attending the fes-tivities are also encouraged to do-nate non-perishable food items for the church food pantry.

Visit www.allsaints.us.com for information.

SongFest ‘Heaven Rejoices’ at Hope Episcopal

Hope Episcopal Church, 1613 W. 43rd, welcomes the commu-nity to their annual Christmas SongFest “Heaven Rejoices” at 7 p.m Saturday Dec. 14. The Esprit d’Cor Horn Assembly along with soloists Mary Peterson, Marsh Hudson, Dwight Ward and the choirs of St. Francis d’Assisi Epis-copal Church-Prairie View, and the Voices of HOPE will perform. Refreshments will be served after the performance.

Call 713-681-6422 or visit www.hope-episcopal.org for information.

Prime Timers luncheon at Pathways Presbyterian

Prime Timers of Pathways Pres-byterian Church, located at 5900 Pinemont Dr., will meet at noon Dec. 14, in the fellowship hall. The Sunshiners will provide the enter-tainment. Ham will be provided. Bring a side dish to share for the pot-luck luncheon. All in the com-munity 50 years and older are wel-come.

The Pathways Food Pantry needs donations, especially during the holiday season. Items needed are #1 packages of beans and rice, peanut butter, cereal, muffin mixes, canned beans and soup. The food pantry is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to noon.

Call 832-529-2809 or visit www.pathwayshouston.org for infor-mation.

St. James hosts Children’s Christmas Festival

St. James Lutheran Church, 1602 W. 43rd St., are hosting the sixth annual Children’s Christ-mas Festival, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 9:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 15. Saturday day camp activities include arts and crafts, music, cookie decorating and more. Sun-day will include participation in worship with music, followed by an awards ceremony and recep-tion. The camp is open to children from 4 to 12 years old. Lunch will be provided.

For registration or informa-tion, call 713-686-1577 or email [email protected].

‘Dickens on the Boulevard’ presented by Heights Christian Church

Heights Christian Church, 1703 Heights Blvd., will present “Dick-ens on the Boulevard,” from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 14.

Costumed actors from Upstage Theatre will perform vignettes from Dickens’ Christmas Carol in front of Lambert Hall. Everyone is welcome to join in the Christ-mas caroling in front of ARK Park. Refreshment will be provided. The free event will conclude with a prayer by the Rev. Herschel

Moore. Call 713-861-0016 for informa-

tion.

Christmas musical at Oak Forest Baptist

The Oak Forest Baptist Church Choir will present the Christmas musical “Hope Has Hands,” at 4:15 p.m. Dec. 15, at Oak Forest Baptist Church, 1700 W. 43rd. The musical was created by Sue C. Smith, Phil Cross and Russell Mauldin with words and music by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. Fellowship will follow.

Call 713-682-4942 for informa-tion.

Joy of Christmas Music performance at Grace UMC

Grace United Methodist Church, 1245 Heights Blvd., will be performing “Joy of Christmas Music,” at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Spe-cial music and sing-a-long carols will be featured. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served in the fellowship hall after the program.

Call 713-862-8883 for informa-tion.

Church-wide study of ‘The Story’ at St. Stephen’s

St. Stephen’s United Method-ist Church, 2003 W. 43rd St., will be holding a church-wide study of “The Story,” written by Randy Frazee and Max Lucado, at 9:40 a.m. Sundays, 9:30 a.m. Thurs-days, and 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

All in the community are wel-come to attend.

The church is still accepting donations of non-perishable food through Dec. 15, for the Christ-mas basket ministry.

Call 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org for information.

Christmas pageant at St. Mark’s UMC

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 600 Pecore, will be hold-ing an indoor Christmas pageant and worship at 11 a.m. Dec. 15. An outdoor Christmas pageant (weather permitting) will be 6 p.m. and will feature a live repre-sentation of the Christmas story with music celebrating the season and live animals, angels and shep-herds.

Call 713-861-3104 or visit www.smumc.org for information.

Advent activities at St. Matthew’s UMC

Plans have been made for les-sons and carols Dec. 15, at St. Mat-thew’s United Methodist Church, 4300 N. Shepherd. A special blue Christmas service will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 22, for those who have lost loved ones. Two Christmas Eve services will be available at 5 p.m. for families with young children and 7 p.m. for the traditional ser-vice. The community is welcome.

Sunday morning worship and Children’s Church starts at 9:30 a.m., with Sunday School immedi-ately following for all age groups.

For information call 713-697-0671 or visit www.stmattews-methodist.org.

Arts and crafts sale at St. Ambrose

Come and do last minute Christ-mas shopping at the arts and crafts sale being held after each Mass Dec. 21-22, in the narthex at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum.

Call 713-858-1613 for informa-tion.

Page 9: Leader1214a

Page 9A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

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Thirsty Explorer

Thirsty Explorer

D & T Drive Inn will be hosting Holiday Beers & Cheers from 2 to 6 p.m. on Satur-day Dec. 14.

Anyone who donates a minimum of $5 to Workshop Houston will receive a free Buffalo Bayou beer. There will also be gift wrapping available from D&T Drive Inn’s little helpers, with a minimum of dona-tion of $3 per item. There will be special Christmas beer flights, or bring your own rum, brandy, or cordials and indulge in the eggnog set up.

All proceeds from gift wrapping and do-nations will be donated to Workshop Hous-ton. Workshop Houston is a local non-profit that strives to provide the youth in our city with creative, technical and educational resources. It’s a youth-driven community center where young people learn that education is the means to change their lives. They provide educational programs for middle school and high school students and a summer leadership program.

For more information on Workshop Houston, visit www.workshophouston.com. D&T Drive Inn is located at 1307 Enid St. For more information on D&T Drive Inn, visit www.dandtdriveinn.com.

Drink For a Cause at Kung Fu

On Thursday, Dec. 19, Kung Fu Saloon will be donating 15 percent of all drink sales to Bay Area - Houston Habitat for Humanity. Kung Fu Saloon is a local area watering hole offering food and a relaxed atmosphere on Washington Ave, with a full bar, 24 beers on tap, and a specialty Sake bomb menu.. It is the perfect spot to come grab happy hour during the week, or come out and be seen on a Friday or Saturday night.

Entertainment includes 17 vintage arcade games, such as Ms. Pacman, NBA Show Time, Street Fighter II, Galaga, Gold-en Tee, Big Buck Hunter, Double Dragon and more. The games are always free, and the fun continues with Shuffleboard, foosball, three original Skee Ball machines, Giant Jenga, Giant Connect Four, and board games including Boggle, Dominoes, & Giant Checkers. There are also two private karaoke rooms available upon request.

For more information, visit http://kungfusaloon.com/houston/. Bay Area - Houston Habitat for Humanity is the only non-profit home builder in the Galveston, Southeast Harris and Northern Brazoria County area partnering with families to build quality, safe, affordable and energy efficient homes with zero percent interest

Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts

Good news for donut lovers: both Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts have announced a full-fledged return to the Houston area. Krispy Kreme, a former Houston favorite, has not been in the city since the franchise’s departure in 2006, but is planning 10 franchises in Houston. Perhaps in response, Dunkin Donuts is planning an even larger extension of their own. The Dunkin Donuts chain has five locations within the Houston area, including one inside Hobby airport, but plans to increase that number to 40. Specifics on the locations of either donut delectables are not known yet, but with the mass amount of store openings, one can only hope that a few will fall within Leader readers’ neighborhoods.

Bar Lei LowHouston is getting a Tiki bar, and it’s

setting up the umbrella at 6412 N. Main Street. Elizabeth and Russell Theode of Down House teamed up with Grand Prize owners Brad Moore and Ryan Rouse to create this themed cocktail bar, which is mid construction right now. Elizabeth Theode told Eater Houston they were hoping for an end of the year opening, but no date has yet to be set. While certainly channeling the Tiki Bars of the 60’s, Russell Theode told Eater Houston he is adding a Texas twist for the Houston audience. “There’s a specific palate in Houston when it comes to cocktails, and we wanted to adapt our offerings to a Southeast Texas taste,” he told Eater Houston. By this, he means a greater focus on fresh fruit rather than syrupy concoctions. “We want to be a cocktail bar first, but we’re definitely a Tiki bar.” The decor will certainly help the image, as Elizabeth emphasized “a ton of bamboo,” and Polynesian architecture. The couple is enthusiastic about their project, and an undoubtedly equal attention to detail will apply to their drink menu. To follow their progress, check them out on twitter @leilowhtx.

Trigo’s Mexican RestaurantOther than a name and location, there’s

not much known about this upcom-ing Mexican restaurant. Trigo’s Mexican Restaurant will be located at 5902 Fulton Street, and according to B4Ueat.com, is “coming soon.” However, it’s your interpre-tation on how “soon” that is.

Leader Nibbles

Holiday Beers & Cheers at D & T Drive Innmortgages. For more information, visit http://www.bahfh.org/.

Hot Rod Toy RallyThe Mustang Club of the Heights will be

hosting a Hot Rod Toy Rally to benefit Toys For Tots from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21 at Hickory Hollow. Attendees are asked to bring unwrapped toys to Hickory Hollow at 101 Heights Blvd. The Team of K & J Promo will pass out the donations at Texas Children’s Hospital on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Lights in the Heights Special at Sonoma

From 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, when you buy one bottle of Sparkling Wine or Champagne, get the second half off. They will have a Sonoma Sangria Stand out front, featuring the Fall Apple and Berries Red Wine Sangria for $5, while supplies last. The Sangria Stand will open at 5:30

p.m. For more information, visit http://www.sonomahouston.com/. For more information about Lights in the Heights, visit http://www.lightsintheheights.org.

2013 Winter Beer SocialThe folks at Houston Beer Fest will be

celebrating the holidays with tasty beer and new friends at Hans Bier Haus from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, Dec, 14.

The Winter Beer Social will feature over 20 different seasonal beers to taste and sip and the taps will be open all night.

The first 40 people to arrive at the event will get a free ticket to the 2014 Houston Beer Fest. There will also be door prizes and ticket giveaways all night.

There is a $30 cash cover/donation at the door. Hans Bier Haus is located at 2523 Quenby. Find more information about the 2013 Winter Beer Social on Facebook.

Follow Ivee Sauls on Twitter @Thirsty-Explorer. To submit an event, email [email protected].

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Page 10A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • @heightsleader

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don’t want to be a restaurant. I want people to eat while they are drinking, not drink while they are eating.”

Something Adams wants everyone to do is come hear their in-house musician Nick Greer whom he describes as “lightening in a bottle.”

Adams first saw him at a burlesque show playing between the featured performers and was blown away by his talent. He bought a pia-no and refurbished the adjacent room for Greer who plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

“This guy is one of those guys,” said Adams, “I think it’s the best live music show in the city and it’s free.”

Other Corkscrew highlights are the spring Winapalooza and Beerapalooza, the Speed Date-O-Rama – which Adams said has pro-

duced two weddings – the Anti-Valentines dance, the no-cover New Year’s Eve party, along with Steak Night and the Trivia Night which is about to be reborn as Spelling Bee night.

“No one knows how to spell anymore,” said Adams. “We’re not going to let people use their phones.”

A born extrovert, Adams is a prolific writer too as evidenced by many of his original quotes about drinking that cover the walls. “It was a habit we got into at the last Corkscrew,” he said. He also puts out a newsletter.

The St. Pius X graduate currently lives in Timbergrove in a house he purchased from his great-aunt. It’s not at all uncommon for him to give his neighbors a discount on their food. “I do a lot of stuff for people in my zip,” he said.

As for his next venture? “I’m going to expand in the immediate area, I’m not looking to go elsewhere,” he said. “Everyone’s coming here in droves.”

Corkscrew • from Page 1A

Lutheran High North before graduating from college at the University of St. Thomas and then making a break from Houston – briefly – for University of Texas Law School.

He returned to Houston and practiced employment law for what is now Bracewell & Giuliani,

but when his wife Amy had their first child, he joined the family business.

The family now lives in Timber-grove, near his childhood home.

“My favorite thing about the area is we’re close to everything,” he said. And although his full-service insurance company works

with individuals and businesses all over the state, he said that the growth in the immediate area has provided additional opportuni-ties.

“You didn’t used to have peo-ple in the Heights with $500,000 houses they needed insurance on,” he said.

Favorite spots for the family include the Berryhill on 11th and Menchie’s, although he and his wife do get out to Cottonwood ev-ery once in a while.

Adams said he needs to visit the Corkscrew to have a drink with his doppelganger. “Maybe we were separated at birth.”

Adams • from Page 1A

a full-fledged Chamber of Com-merce.

“Perhaps something like the chamber in some ways but not to that extent,” Fisher-Cain said.

Fisher-Cain worked with S.E.A.L., the private security firm that’s patrolling Oak Forest, in hosting a meeting regarding pri-vate security for businesses last month, and they’ll have another meeting on Jan. 15.

Real estate agent Courtney Patel favors a Chamber in Oak Forest due to the community’s growth.

“It would be a forum for busi-ness owners, to have events and

benefit the community,” Patel said. “Oak Forest is growing and get-ting larger. It’s something that we need.”

Dr. Greg Green, a chiropractor in Oak Forest, said he’s confident Lorms will lead the business com-munity in the right direction.

“Oak Forest is one of the fast-est growing, yet under represent-ed neighborhoods in Houston,” Green said. “Getting all the busi-nesses together to form a united front would be great for the com-munity on many levels. It would also help all the business owners get to know each other better.”

Chamber • from Page 1A

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Nick Greer plays Thursday-Saturday at Corkscrew.

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CrimeBriefsFoodarama robbery

The Foodarama grocery store, 1805 Ella, was robbed at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 6. Two black male suspects entered the store with weapons. The suspects were described as both being 6 feet tall and wearing all black. One was 170 pounds and the other, 200 pounds.

There were no injuries.

Two sexual assaults reported A 29-year-old female was walking her

dog at 4 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the 2000 block of Elmen when a 5-foot-10 black male suspect forced her into an abandoned building and sexually assaulted her.

A 31-year-old female reported a sexual assault at 2:30 a.m. Dec. 6 in the 600 block of Martin. The suspect is described as a 5-foot-10, 180-pound black male between the ages of 25 and 30. He was wearing a gray shirt. The case is currently under investigation.

HPD said it won’t speculate on whether the two crimes, which occurred 6.6 miles apart, are related.

Assault on W. T.C. JesterA 36-year-old female got into an argu-

ment with a male suspect, who struck her in the face and threatened her with a knife at 8:20 p.m. on Dec. 2 in the 1700 block of W. T.C. Jester. No arrests have been made yet.

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Page 11A • The Leader • December 14, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

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Karbach Brewing Co. Announces Major Expansion Karbach Brewing decided that

continuing to grow in its current location, 2032 Karbach St., made the most sense.

“We’re very happy that we are able to grow without relocating entirely,” Karbach brewmaster Eric Warner said. “From an op-erations standpoint, this allows us to insure quality and consis-tency during the expansion, and it also allows us to be fully com-mitted to development in the city of Houston.”

After the acquisition of two neighboring properties, the

brewery will remain on Karbach Street and new $15 million con-struction will increase capacity to 60,000 barrels annually with a 19,000 square foot facility on the property.

“We doubled the amount of land and tripled the brewing ca-pacity,” Karbach spokesman Da-vid Graham said. “We’re growing at a pretty accelerated rate.”

Graham said Karbach current-ly distributes in Greater Hous-ton, extending as far as Beau-mont, College Station, Galveston as well as San Antonio, but the

new facility will open up distri-bution to new markets such as Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, hopefully by 2015.

He said Karbach will also add a tap room with a small kitchen, so visitors “can have a nice expe-rience when they’re here at the brewery.”

Karbach drew national atten-tion earlier this year when The New Yorker cited it as the second fastest-growing brewery in the nation.

The Karbach Brewing Company will expand to a 19,000 square foot facility with increased capac-ity to 60,000 barrels per year. The brewery recently acquired new land and will soon begin develop-ing its $15 million construction project. (Submitted photo)

Woodland Heights to add second deputy

The Woodland Heights Civic Associa-tion will soon be adding a second Harris County Precinct One contract deputy, ac-cording to Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen.

The constable contract is a program where a civic club or homeowner’s as-sociation pays 80 percent of the cost and the constable’s office picks up the other 20 percent.

The deputy is then contracted to stay on patrol in the neighborhood for 100 per-cent of the time that they’re contracted to do so.

The deputies in the Woodland Heights work closely with deputies in adjacent neighborhoods, said Rosen.

Casey Ballard, the security chair for Woodland Heights, said adding a second deputy was important. The neighborhood has had a deputy patrolling it for the past three years.

“We’d love to have more coverage and reduce our relatively low crime rate even further,” Ballard said. “We haven’t really experienced a growth in crime over the past three years. The first deputy reduced crime rates though. The program mem-bers have always wanted more coverage, but it’s taken time to get enough support in the neighborhood to fund it.”

City council, HCC runoff elections set for Saturday

Three at-large Houston city council hopefuls answered questions during a candidate forum on Dec. 5 at the West End Multi-Service Center, 170 Heights Blvd., which was sponsored by Super Neighbor-hood 22.

Early voting for the run-off election concluded, and Saturday is election day. Ac-cording to the Harris County Clerk’s office, some precincts are combined for the runoff election. To see if your local polling place is open, log on to harrisvotes.com.

David W. Robinson, an architect and former Super Neighborhood Alliance presi-dent, is running against in-cumbent Andrew C. Burks Jr. for At-Large position 2.

Burks did not attend the candidate forum.

Robinson won 41 percent to Burks’ 37 percent last month. Unless one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, there is a runoff.

Michael Kubosh, a bail bonds business owner and one of the people who put the Red Light referendum on the bal-lot, and Roy Morales, a former Mayoral candidate who’s re-tired from the U.S. Air Force, both attended Thursday’s event. They’re competing for At-large Position 3.

Kubosh finished with 28 percent to Morales’ 18 percent last month.

For Houston Community College, District I trustee, Zeph Capo and Yolanda Na-

varro Flores will face each oth-er in a runoff election.

Navarro Flores got approxi-mately 48 percent of the vote in November, and Capo quali-fied for the runoff by defeating third-place Kevin Hoffman.

Since then, the runoff be-tween Capo and Navarro Flores has become heated, to put it kindly.

In political direct mail ad-vertisements, Capo has ac-cused Navarro Flores of “ethi-cal wrongdoing” in “using her influence to steer work to her son’s construction company.”

Navarro Flores sent out di-rect mail fliers with a mock mug shot of Capo and a refer-ence to his arrest in participa-tion with an Occupy Houston event.

City fixing OF sewage problemsSome Oak Forest resi-

dents have suffered through backed up raw sewage in their homes, and on to the adjacent streets, according to a report from KTRK-ABC Channel 13 Houston.

Alvin Wright, the public in-formation officer for the City of Houston’s Public Works & Engineering Department, told The Leader a work crew was sent out on Tuesday to repair

the wastewater line that had broken.

Oak Forest resident Marcia Carter told Channel 13 that the raw sewage overflowed the toilet, but not the bathtub.

The City of Houston plans on repairing its sewer pipes, but if residents call “311” to complain about the prob-lem, the City will consider it a higher priority, according to the station’s report.

One of the reasons appears to be that they’re old homes that were built in the 1940s.

Wright said preserving the current infrastructure is an option as well.

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