Leader 0413B

Page 1B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • www.theleadernews.com

For Wanda Comeaux, having The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research’s Neurological Outpatient Center at Memorial Hermann North-west made a world of difference.

“When I found out it was there, it made it more convenient for me,” said Comeaux, a 63-year-old Shep-herd Park Terrace resident.

Comeaux discovered that she had a tumor last December, and her pri-mary doctor referred her to MD An-derson Cancer Center.

“I knew something wasn’t right with me,” Comeaux said. “I was los-ing my balance and falling. I couldn’t walk and had to start using a cane.”

The tumor, which turned out to be benign, was removed during a surgery in late January, but Comeaux needed to re-adjust to every day life.

“I couldn’t drive at fi rst -- someone was taking me there,” Comeaux said. “As I gained my strength, I was able to drive on my own.”

Adrianna Laprea, the senior physi-cal therapist in the program, said Co-meaux was “determined and reached her goals.”

Laprea handled Comeaux’s physi-cal therapy, and Emilia Dewi was the Occupational Therapist who worked with Comeaux.

The outpatient facility was opened last November and is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Prior to that, patients would have had to travel to the main TIRR facility at Kirby & South Braeswood, near the Texas Medical Center.

Over the past two months, Co-meaux has gone through Occupa-tional Therapy and Physical Therapy programs “to get strength back on the left side” of her body. She went twice per week and fi nished the program at the end of March.

The OT focused on hands, eyes, and typing (or daily functions, like cooking) and the PT emphasized bal-ance, walking without a cane, walk-ing up and down the stairs and walk-ing on the treadmill.

“They are things you do every day but you take them for granted,” Comeaux said. “My progress was so great. I pushed myself. I was so deter-mined to be where I was before to do the things I wanted to do, like travel and go out with my friends.”

Comeaux will have more time to enjoy those things, since she’s retir-

ing from Chevron after 22 years this month.

“I feel a whole lot better,” she said. “There’s a big difference in my reac-tions, my movements. I feel much, much better.”

According to its website, TIRR’s Outpatient Rehabilitation-North-

west, “offers the highest level of treat-ment in northwest Houston for physi-cal therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy...these facilities have the latest equipment and technology and are designed with the patient in mind.”

In addition to Laprea and Dewi,

the staff includes Bethany Costa (PT), Tamara Traber and Nora Byrd (OTs), Speech Language Pathologists Tiffany Harrington and Nichole Diez, Rehab Technician Jenna Scarcella, Clinic Manager Jessica De La Rosa and Clinic Business Director Sandra Loyd.

It’s better to get better closer to home – and that’s getting easier for patients in the Greater Heights.

Hospitals and healthcare providers serving Leader neighborhoods have add-ed new facilities, extended the range of services and brought in physicians and other specialists to handle the types of illness, injury and long-term treatments that resonate with their communities.

Matter of convenienceNationally, so-called convenience in

care is both “a growth strategy” for the healthcare industry and a conscious shift toward getting patients in the door “be-fore the acute episode,” said Rivka Fried-man, a senior consultant at The Advisory Board Co., based in Washington, D.C.

In the event of such an episode, such as a stroke, convenience also means a more holistic, coordinated continuum of care. “Providers are more connected now,” she said, in managing a patient from diagno-

sis to treatment to follow-up care.Healthcare providers are also looking at

various segments of their patient popula-tion to serve better, she said.

Suburban now urbanPart of community-based care comes

from knowing the community in the fi rst place, said administrators at Memo-rial Hermann Northwest Hospital. The giant has been serving the area since 1966. It opened as Memorial Northwest – back when the location really was the

city’s northwest boundary, observed busi-ness development administrator Jeremy Brynes, leafi ng through a thick tome of hospital history. The original hospital was an early satellite campus of downtown’s Memorial Baptist Hospital System. The merger with Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center came in 1999.

Memorial Hermann Northwest’s much-expanded campus today encompasses a 260-bed facility, an emergency depart-ment fi elding an estimated 50,000 visits annually and more than 600 affi liated

physicians. Specialty departments include heart and vascular, orthopedics, cancer treatment, sleep labs, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, women’s care and wound care.

“We optimize services across campus-es,” said CEO Gary Kerr. However, some emerging needs in the community have been addressed recently with new facili-ties: a family practice clinic started serv-ing patients last fall on 19th Street in the

You’re in pretty good

HANDSConvenience and quality combine in community-centered care

by Cynthia LescalleetFor The Leader

TIRR helps restore normal lifeby Michael Sudhalter

[email protected]

Shepherd Park Terrace resident Wanda Comeaux cooks a meal in her home on April 8. Before going through rehab at TIRR, simple tasks like cooking and walking were diffi cult for Comeaux. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Why a Health section in The Leader?Today marks the third in a four-part strategy in

The Leader to highlight some of the most important topics of our community.

Last year, we introduced a monthly section called “Leader Listings,” aimed at coverage of the real es-tate market in the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest and North Houston. Earlier this year, we launched “Business Leaders,” a section designed to bring more positive news about our local businesses. And today, we introduce the third of those sections, appropri-ately titled “Our Health.” Beginning in May, we’ll also introduce “Family Time,” a monthly section devoted to the things parents and families can do with their children.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. “Our Health” gets all the attention today.

Our area of Houston has changed rapidly over the past fi ve years. We have a segment of readers who look more and more to healthcare in our community as a necessity. We have an older, extremely important generation of readers who want to know about the health programs in our area, and someone needs to provide coverage of our local doctors and institu-tions. We believe we can provide that news.

We also have a younger generation of readers who may have just moved into the area. For them, we’d like to use this section to inform them about all the wonderful doctors and facilities in our community.

If you have thoughts or ideas about “Our Health,” please feel free to email our editor: [email protected].

Residents of Houston and the surrounding area have an opportunity to participate in a study begin-ning May 11 that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations, according to the American Cancer Society.

Men and women between the ages of 30 and 65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer, are urged to participate in the American Cancer Soci-ety’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). CPS-3 wants to enroll 1,400 residents of the Greater Hous-ton area and 300,000 people across the United States and Puerto Rico.

The opportunity for local residents to enroll in CPS-3 is being made possible in partnership with 7 Greater Houston community organizations, which will provide 19 enrollment locations throughout the area starting May 11 through June 2. The YMCA of Greater Houston is providing a majority of those sites with 13 YMCA locations hosting a CPS-3 en-rollment, ensuring local residents have a convenient place to sign up for the study. Those interested in participating are asked to confi rm their eligibility and schedule their appointment at CancerStudyGH.org or call 888-604-5888.

Major cancer studylooks to Houston for participation

see Hands • Page 4B

see Study • Page 3B

Historic Community.Legendary Care.

1917 Ashland Street | Houston, TX 77008 | 713.969.5400 | Physician Referral 713.757.7575

For the past 125 yearsSt. Joseph Medical Center has lovingly cared for the Houston community with dedication and excellent service. We continue to add new healthcare services to improve the lives of our patients and our community.

We are proud to haverecently opened the doors to St. Joseph Medical Center in The Heights, which includes the following amenities:

Emergency Department� 7 beds� Imaging� Lab� Pharmacy

Inpatient Care� 48 beds� 4 Operating Rooms� 1 Endoscopy Suite

Outpatient Care� Diagnostic Radiology � Outpatient Surgery� Special Procedure Room

All 800+ board certified physicians at St. JosephMedical Center will beavailable to patients in the Heights. To find the right physician to care for you and your family, please call 713.757.7575.

Page 3B • The Leader • April 13, 2013 • @heightsleader

*As part of the Memorial Hermann Health System: Northwest, Southeast, Southwest and The Woodlands Hospitals.

Legaciesare earned

For more than 45 years, we’ve delivered innovative care to The Heights community.At Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital, we’ve established a local reputation for world-class healthcare.

From leading services that are exclusive to the area, to the numerous accolades we’ve received, to a recent

$10 million expansion of our Emergency Center, our steadfast commitment to The Heights continues.

• Ranked one of America’s Best Hospitals by HealthGrades® for three consecutive years

• Recipient of Texas Health Care Quality Improvement Gold Award* from

TMF Health Quality Institute

• The area’s only accredited Level III Trauma Center

• A nationally accredited Chest Pain Center

• Supported by 500 physicians locally and 4,000 physicians throughout

the Memorial Hermann network

• Part of the Memorial Hermann system, with ready access to Life Flight®

• A full-service hospital with 260 licensed beds, 38+ ER beds,

22 medical ICU beds and eight cardiac ICU beds

For a physician referral, call 713.222.CARE or visit us at memorialhermann.org

PUB(S):Leader NewspaperINSERTION DAY : 01-03-13DUE DAY : 12-20-12, Thursday

LATITUDE JOB NUMBER: MHH-12-5000 CLIENT: Memorial Hermann HospitalJOB NAME: NW Community Hospital AdLIVE : n/a TRIM: 6.625" x 10.5"BLEED: NONELS/COLOR(S): 4cp;85 ls; SNAP MaxD240 FORMAT: Press Ready PDFX TRG LINK to Pub.QUESTIONS CALL: Pat Hartman @ 214-696-7913

MHH125000_CommAd_LEAD_03COMP.indd 1 12/20/12 4:33 PM

Ad # D

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

3515 Ella Blvd., 713-682-4406.

A laser is a device that focuses a beam of intense light that can reshape or remove tissue. Lasers have been used in

the practice of dentistry for over 20 years, and can provide exceptional results for many dental procedures. The use of a laser has a number of benefits compared to traditional dental therapies. Procedures can be performed with incredible preci-sion, oftentimes using minimal local anesthesia and having hastened healing times. Types of dental treatments lasers can be used in include: periodontal treatments to destroy disease causing bacteria, treatment of infections during root canal procedures, biopsies of suspicious areas for cancer screenings, alleviation of discomfort associated with canker sores or cold sores, and recontouring of the gingiva for esthetics in patients with a “gummy smile.” Your dentist can determine if a laser treatment may benefit you to provide the best results for your smile.

Chase Baker, D.D.S.

LASER GUM TREATMENTS

713-802-91711919 North Loop West, Suite 490

(Between T.C. Jester & Ella)

Can help you with:

e-mail: [email protected] or www.praterlaw.com

WENDY L. PRATERATTORNEY AT LAW

NEED HELP WITH YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH

DOCUMENTS?

��

��

CPS-3 will help researchers bet-ter understand the lifestyle, en-vironmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer.

“We have an amazing oppor-tunity here in Houston to enroll thousands of men and women of all backgrounds in this landmark CPS-3 study,” says Betti Guzman, the American Cancer Society’s vice president for the Gulf Coast Re-gion. “CPS-3 is our gift to the next generation, a life-saving gift to our friends and families, our children and grandchildren. The findings of CPS-3 will change the face of cancer for generations to come and provide fresh insight into cancer risks, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. I urge everyone in Houston and the surround-ing communities to get involved in this study and to help move us closer to the day that cancer is a thing of the past.”

Paul McEntire, chief operating officer of the YMCA of Greater Houston, added, “The YMCA of Greater Houston is committed to large-scale, community health and is a leader in promoting healthy living and preventive healthcare. It is a natural extension of our evidence-based programs and ser-vices to work with the American Cancer Society on this study.”

To enroll in the study, individu-als will be asked to read and sign an informed consent form; complete a comprehensive survey packet that asks for information on life-style, behavioral, and other factors related to their health; have their waist circumference measured; and give a small blood sample.

Upon completion of this process, the Society will send periodic fol-low-up surveys to update their in-formation and annual newsletters with study updates and results. The in-person enrollment process takes approximately half an hour to complete. Periodic follow-up surveys of various lengths are ex-pected to be sent every few years to individuals enrolled in the study.

“Many people diagnosed with cancer struggle to answer the ques-tion, ‘What caused my cancer?’ In many cases, we don’t know the answer,” says Alpa V. Patel, Ph.D., principal investigator of CPS-3. “CPS-3 will help us better under-stand what factors cause cancer, and once we know that, we can be better equipped to prevent it.” Dr. Patel adds, “Our previous cancer prevention studies have been in-strumental in helping us identify some of the major factors that can affect cancer risk. CPS-3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks, and we can only do this if members of our community are willing to become involved.”

For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3 in Houston, visit www.can-cerstudyGH.org or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.

Study • from Page 1B

As Houston Independent School District’s head athletic trainer, Gary Nicol supervises a staff of five and has managerial re-sponsibilities.

Still, his greatest joy is working directly with student-athletes.

“I work with their injury and give them the necessary treat-ments and rehab,” Nichol said. “I get them back in shape the way they were before they were hurt.”

Nicol’s professional journey be-gan in the fall of 1976 when he was a sophomore at Waltrip High.

The Oak Forest native played some football at Black Middle School and the YMCA, but he knew he’d be a little too small to play serious minutes for the Rams.

Waltrip coaches encouraged him to work as a student athletic trainer. He learned all about the discipline, and it paid off big time.

After graduating from Wal-trip in 1979, Nicol earned a full scholarship to the University of Houston where he worked with the Cougars’ football team as an athletic trainer.

Upon graduation from UH in 1984, Nicol worked part-time with HISD during football season and later did some groundskeeping and maintenance work.

A job opening came up at Bar-nett Stadium on the south side of town. Nicol worked there for more than a decade, before longtime trainer Logan Wood retired.

That gave Nicol an opportunity to return to Delmar-Tusa Stadium, just a few miles from the Oak For-est neighborhood where he grew up.

“It’s a nice, peaceful neighbor-hood,” Nicol said. “I still think it’s a real nice neighborhood.”

There are two trainers per com-plex, and unlike other districts, the trainers are stadium employees,

rather than employees of the indi-vidual school.

As head athletic trainer, Nicol’s responsibilities range from sched-uling trainers for games, finding doctors for the sidelines of foot-ball games, working with medical

supply vendors and a considerable amount of paperwork.

He encourages athletes to keep their mind on safety.

“They should eat a well-bal-anced meal, keep hydrated and exercise,” he said.

Waltrip alum impacting health of athletesby Michael Sudhalter

[email protected]

Houston ISD head athletic trainer Gary Nicol works on a Fort Bend ISD soc-cer player during a playoff game last week. He is a 1979 graduate of Waltrip High and has worked in HISD for 25 years. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter)

Excel Hospice is committed to providing the high-est quality comprehensive care for patients and their families. We strive to promote comfort and quality of life by minimizing pain and suffering while serving with compassion and respect.

Brazoria County • Fort Bend County • Harris County • Montgomery CountyWharton County • Waller County • San Antonio • Austin

More than just a health agency

www.Alphahhs.com713-691-67772200 North Loop West, Suite 300Houston, TX 77018

Working with your physician, our team addresses your individual needs to provide the most patient-focused home health care available.

Skilled Nurses

Home Health Aides

Social Workers

Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists

Compassionate care with Dignity and Respect

ExcelEXperience Compassion Empathy Love

www.ExcelHospice.com713-290-9554

2220 North Loop West, Suite 100

Houston, TX 77018

Proudly Serving

Alpha Home Health Services Excel Hospice Care

Tailored Personal Care Services• Light Housekeeping

• Medication Reminders• Sitters/Companions

4-24 HoursEssential Caregivers

281-661-7686www.essentialcaregivers.com

Heights, and a general rehabilita-tion clinic with TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation Network opened at the hospital in March.

Quality care and patient safety have always been hallmarks of the hospital, Kerr said, citing several national awards. Because of this, he welcomes healthcare reforms making providers more transpar-ent and accountable for their pa-tient care outcomes and satisfac-tion, and he supports components that stress wellness, prevention and proper follow-through on fol-low-up care to reduce patient re-admission.

Kerr said community-based care means fi nding and maintaining the right level of care and balance of care to serve the shifting needs. As an example, he mentioned how the more active lifestyle of newer residents in some neighborhoods has hospital offi cials looking into upping the sports medicine side of its orthopedic surgery services, which have been more focused on joint replacements, which are more common to an older client base.

However, the hospital’s market area encompasses not only new families discovering the close-in neighborhoods and older resi-dents, he said, but the indigent

and patients delivered by a very busy emergency department.

That Level 1 trauma center is the midst of a multi-phased $10 million renovation.

“We’ve been a community hos-pital all along,” Kerr said, refl ect-ing on care closer to patients. “The core services have not changed. What has changed is the trans-parency and drive to community-based care.”

For more information, visit www.memorialhermann.org/lo-cations/northwest/.

Neighborhood careNew to the neighborhoods but

not to full-service healthcare, St. Joseph Medical Center in the Heights brought full healthcare services back into that community last November.

The satellite facility occupies 2 1/2 fl oors of Select Specialty Hos-pital, located in the former Heights Hospital.

Since Heights Hospital closed decades ago, however, the role, reach and ability of a community-based hospital has changed from “stabilize-and-transport” to full-service and acute care, said SJMC’s Derek Curtis, associate chief nurs-ing offi cer.

SJMC’s new facility opened with

a 48-bed unit for patient care and four operating rooms. Services in-clude diagnostics and treatment, surgery and emergency services.

“We have just entered month six of operations here in the Heights and continue to make changes to accommodate the needs of this community,” said Jeff Bielik, ad-ministrative director.

An example is the new six-bed Cardio/Pulmonary/Neurology Unit prompted by the complexity of cases physicians are bringing to the facility, he said. Also, the facil-ity is scheduling more outpatient procedures because of the conve-nience for physicians, patients and their families.

“As the confi dence of ambu-

lance services, including HFD (the Houston Fire Department) has grown, we are fi nding a good balance between those who are di-rected here by their physicians and those who arrive via ambulance,” he said.

The seven-bed emergency de-partment is building its volume and seeks initial ranking as a Level 4 trauma center, Curtis said.

Meanwhile, the emergency room recently introduced a new feature called “InQuicker” that allows patients to schedule mi-nor emergency visits online, he said. The fast-track access is fi rst for SJMC and is only available in the Heights location (www.sjm-cheights.com).

Hands • from Page 1B


Ad # 34651

(713) 880-40001714 W. 18th Street (At Ella Blvd)

Houston, TX 77008Se Habla Espanol

www.CompleteMedicalSupply.net

Bring this coupon for:

All Medical SuppliesNot Valid On Rentals, Uniforms, or Special Orders

Bring this coupon for:Bring this coupon for:Bring this coupon for:

All Medical SuppliesNot Valid On Rentals, Uniforms, or Special OrdersNot Valid On Rentals, Uniforms, or Special Orders

��

Monday - Friday (9am-6pm) Saturday (10am-5pm)

• Wheelchairs • Walkers • Canes • Ostomy • Wound Care• Diapers/Underpads • Pillows • Braces • Bath Safety

• Nebulizers • Support Socks • Scrub Sets $9.99

Bath/shower chairs

10% OFF

Starting atBIOFREEZE

All sizes in stock and 10% offwith the coupon below

��Without back.

With back (as pictured) $39.99

Also available bath benches with arms, transfer benches,

commodes and MUCH more!

11510 Northwest Fwy. • 713-686-0828w w w . d r j u n k i n . c o m

George G. Junkin, D.C.

NORTHWEST CHIROPRACTIC CENTERD.A.C.B.N. Nutritionist

• A Health History • An Orthopedic & Neurological Exam

• X-rays (if necessary)• Plus A Private Consultation to discuss test results

Must mention this ad when setting appointment, to receive this offer.

All for only $30 (Regularly $250)

OFFER GOOD TIL 4-30-13

Not valid with State or Federal Health Care Plans

THE PATH TO PAIN RELIEF

All Fitness & Skill Levels Welcome

Great for beginners! Great for Both Women & Men!

10,000 square ft. facility! Large Variety of Equipment!

New Morning Classes!Monday/Wednesday/Friday 6AM-7AM Thai Kickboxing

7AM-8AM MMA Fitness

You Don’t Have To Be A Boxer To Train Like One

1215 W. 20th St. Houston TX 77008

(713) 360-9577Matthew Schmidt - Personal Trainer

WWW.SLAVABOXING.COM

Ad # 33365

Certifi ed ByAmerican Board of Internal Medicine

427 West 20th St. • Suite 212(across from Heights Hospital)

713-864-2621 Fax: 713-864-2622

Serving the Heights for over 25 years

Chi C. MAO, M.D. Ph.D.

1820-1 W. 43rd. St. (713) 290-1905We Accept Medicare, Medicaid & Insurance, WORKERS COMP.HUDSON CHIROPRACTIC

Se Habla Español

• Headache • Arthritis • Loss of Sleep • Scoliosis • Leg & Arm Pain & Numbness • Backache • Tension •Whiplash

EXAM & X-RAYS Must present ad at

time of appointment. Expires April 30, 2013.

$2995CONDITIONS THAT ARE DANGER SIGNALS

Reg.$140.00

I’M IN PAIN...CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP ME?

InQuicker™ is intended for use by individuals who have non-life and non-limb threatening medical conditions. Those with life- or limb-threatening medical conditions should dial 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

Fifty years ago, nearly half of school age youngsters walked or rode their bike to school. Now that fi gure is less than 15 percent.

With these statistics in mind, Baylor College of Medicine has teamed up with four HISD el-ementary schools – including Shepherd Park Plaza’s Durham Elementary – for what they call a Walking School Bus program. In the WSB program, students walk to and from school with adult supervision.

WSB program coordinator Jessica McLeod said that Durham was suggested by HISD be-cause its physical education teacher Natalie Zeringue is very passionate about the fi tness, education and safety of her students. “The neighborhoods that surround Durham also have accessible sidewalks, which make it safer for students to walk,” she said.

Children in grades 3-5 were invited to par-ticipate at the start of the school year. Those who signed up for the program received a small monetary incentive. For accommodating the study, Durham received $1,000.

Some of the 20 children who signed up for the WSB program had already been walking to school. Others were new walkers. There are two separate groups who each cover about a mile each way every day.

For the fi rst week of the program, all partici-pants wore activity monitors.

McLeod says that the activity monitors, called accelerometers, measure the students every movement during the day and can addi-tionally distinguish the intensity of their move-ment.

“For instance, we can tell how many min-utes were spent sitting, slowly walking, briskly walking, or doing a more vigorous task such as jumping rope or running,” she said.

Students will also wear the accelerometers for a week in April toward the tail end of the pro-gram. “Our primary goal is to see a signifi cant increase in the amount of moderate to vigor-ous physical activity the participating students achieve each day,” said McLeod.

Third-grader Teresa Fierros feels better after her morning walk and likes “that we get more exercise.” Fourth-grader Cameron Glover says it is good he’s in the program because he wants to be an athlete one day.

In addition to the physical activity, the kids benefi t from the WSB program in other ways. Safety rules, like stopping fully at a curb or continuing to look for oncoming traffi c, are a part of their daily training. Children learn to be aware of their surroundings in general and to be on the lookout for loose animals, strangers, and other dangers.

The camaraderie is also something a lot of the children enjoy. “I like getting to talk to my friends,” said third grader Kori Bowie.

At the end of the year, BCM will no longer oversee the program at Durham. However, re-searchers hope that parents and/or staff will

continue the program when they see the ben-efi ts.

“The CDC suggests that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily to help improve overall health,” said McLeod. “Previous studies we have con-ducted show that actively commuting to school

is a good way to increase the minutes children move each day to reach this goal.”

BCM will present the preliminary fi ndings of their study next year at medical and scien-tifi c conferences in the effort to inspire more research institutions to implement similar pro-grams in school systems near them.

Good Habits EarlyAt Durham, fi tness starts with walk to school

Sitting down together as a fam-ily to eat is an important factor in making healthy food choices, and one that is confi rmed by research studies, says a local nutrition ex-pert.

“Having a family meal can be good for the body and the soul,” said Kristi King, registered dieti-

tian at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital (www.texaschildrens.com).

King says that research has shown other benefi ts including:

•Children being less likely to consume alcohol, smoke ciga-rettes and try illegal or prescrip-

tion drugs•Children having better grades

in school•Parents being more likely to

hear about any serious prob-lems that might be occurring in a child’s life

King recommends several steps to starting family meals:

•Set a goal – start with twice-a-week family meals

•Have everyone help out – chil-dren can set the table, help plan the meal and help cook the meal

•Make the meal conversation enjoyable and ask questions

•Make a rule that no phones are allowed at the table.

Baylor Study: It’s healthy to make time for family meals

by Betsy [email protected]

At top, Abbi Richardson gets ready to walk home from school. At left, Durham students wear bright safety vests as they walk to and from school.

(Photos by Betsy Denson)

M. REAGAN MCKEWEN, DDS

��

WE’VE BEEN PUTTING SMILES ON OUR PATIENTS

6915 Antoine - Suite C • (713) 682-6307

Since 1974��

��

Ad # 36378

Adult & Childrens’ Foot & Ankle Disorders• Nail Laser Treatment • Sports Injuries• Ingrown Toenails • Corns • Calluses• Warts • Bunions • Heel & Arch Pain

• Hammertoes • Orthotics • Diabetic Foot Care

713-680-1979www.barryweinsteindpm.com

www.NailLaserCenterHouston.com

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

4234 Ella Boulevard • Houston, Texas 77018


��

��

��We accept Care-Credit

Ad # BL-February

��7038 Antoine Drive

Houston, Texas 77088(e-mail) [email protected]

��

��

��

��

��

www.markelawtondds.com

��

��

��

� ��

��

Ad # 37199

In The Heights

Aurea I. Rivera, OD Therapeutic Optometrist, and her staff welcome you to come by their new, beautiful location.

550-B Heights Blvd.At the corner of White Oak (6th St.) and Heights Blvd. next to Revival Market

713.862.3149 [email protected]

Right In The Neighborhood

Caring for The Eyes of Texas

Since 1936

Call or email to schedule your appointment today!

4950 FM 1960 West Suite A-6www.champions-urgentcare.com

��

281-444-1711New Diet Pill Now Available

Call or stop by

$89Weight LossSPECIAL

A WALK-IN CLINIC $65

$179STD TEST

Medicaid/Medicare Accepted

��

� ��

��

1337-B W. 43rd (@ Ella Blvd.) 713-686-3221

Deborah A. Thomas, O.D. - Therapeutic Optometrist

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��I��

Across the street from Kroger.

��

��

SMART PHONESCAN HERE

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Specializing in home medical equipment

Complete Medical Supply is located at 1714 West 18th, on the corner of 18th Street and Ella in the Lazybrook Shopping Com-plex.

With more than four years at the current location, Complete Medical Supply offers a wide range of medical supplies and equip-ment directly to the consumer at some of the lowest prices in the city. Specializing in home medical equipment, the priority at Com-plete Medical is to provide each and every customer with the time, knowledge and customer service required in order to make an in-formed and confident purchase.

Whether it’s locating a hard-to-find item, or getting items de-livered the same day, they will do everything in their power to make sure each customer is satisfied with the product they get, as well as the customer service.

Some of the services provided by Complete Medical include: free delivery, next-day ordering for items not in stock, competitor price match, and longer hours for your convenience (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday). Medicare and Medicaid are accepted on a variety of items, which result in zero out-of-pocket expense.

For more information, email [email protected], call 713-880-4000 or visit them at www.CompleteMedicalSupply.net.

TSO Heights serving thecommunity’s optical needs

Dr. Aurea I. Rivera has been in practice at the TSO Heights loca-tion for more than 29 years. She has been affiliated with Texas State Optical since 1974. She is a native from Puerto Rico, USA.

A licensed Therapeutic Op-tometrist, Rivera performs com-prehensive eye examinations and contact lens fittings in both Eng-lish and Spanish. She has a dedi-

cated bilingual and experienced staff that has been with her for more than 20 years.

Rivera was located in the Mer-chants Park complex on Shepherd and 11th Street for 26 years, but relocated to 550-B Heights Blvd., at the corner of White Oak (6th Street) in the heart of The Heights. This is proving to be a great loca-tion because of the beautiful area, growing neighborhood and conve-nience for the patients. TSO has a large designer frame inventory that allows you a frame to fit your life. There are professionally trained opticians and frame stylists to as-sist you. TSO accepts most all of the vision insurance plans.

Call and make your appoint-ment today. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Dr. Mark Lawton providespersonal dental care

With more than 30 years of com-bined staff experience, Dr. Mark Lawton, DDS, PA, and his dental staff of professionals offer the fin-est gentle dentistry and oral health

services in the Houston area. Providing personal service and

detailed dental care, the friendly staff uses a very conservative, up-to-date approach for the problem solving and treatment planning.

“Whether one needs general dentistry, a root canal, crowns, implants, dentures, tooth whiten-ing or oral health guidance, we are here to assist,” said Dr. Lawton.

Patients are seen by appoint-ment and emergencies are always addressed in a prompt and efficient manner. The dental staff welcomes all patients in a professional, warm family atmosphere. Come experi-ence the difference!

Call 281-447-2186 for informa-tion or to make an appointment, or visit www.markelawtondds.com.

Dr. Mark Lawton, DDS, PA, is located at 7038 Antoine, along the new bike trail.

If you’d like to be included in this section, contact a Leader sale rep-resentative at (713) 686-8494.Ad # ?????

5740 W. Little York ß 281-447-7648 Fax: 281-447-7740

WHY WAIT IN LINE?

Notary/Faxes/CopiesAsk for Maria

Postal ServiceAsk for Mary Lu

Let Us Deliver Your Medicine Directly To Your Door!

Pharmacy ServiceAsk for Gidgette or Sherita

April’s Featured Medical Businesses

Heights resident Dr. John Boon said he saw “God perform mira-cles” through the Faith in Practice staff during a medical mission to Guatemala last month.

“One lady showed up from 12 hours away to (the hospital), and she had a CT Scan in her hand,” Boon said. “She had a tumor larg-er than 10 centimeters in her right kidney. We took her to the oper-ating room, made a huge incision and took it out. She was going to die if she didn’t have it removed...God put us all together to get this woman taken care of.”

Faith in Practice was original-ly founded by the Presbyterian Church in Houston. The group of physicians said they needed a urol-ogist, and Boon said he’d be happy to make the trip about 1,550 miles to the south.

The trip to Guatemala was Boon’s third mission trip and first to Guatemala.

The 35-year-old urologist had previously traveled to Haiti with his wife, Camille, a Heights na-tive and ObGyn, after that nation’s devastating earthquake.

“God called me on all of (the missions),” Boon said. “The earth-quake happened. My wife had been doing missions in Haiti before. We

said, ‘Well, we’ve got to go down there to help out. We went through Airline Ambassadors, which meets non-government organizations on the ground, and they get you where you need to go.”

Boon said the medical mission in Haiti was an eye-opening expe-rience.

“It was unbelievable -- it was such a blessing to go, and it really changes your perspective on life,” Boon said. “There was just rubble everywhere. From a medical stand-point, it was pretty devastating.”

Boon, who specializes in uro-logic surgery with robotics at his practice in Sugar Land, said there’s less medical technology on mis-sion trips, but it’s very rewarding.

“The four stages of being a mis-

sionary are (1) the good feeling you get, (2) the feeling that chang-es your life when you get home, (3) witnessing God’s work and miracles in action and (4) watch-ing God perform miracles through you,” Boon said.

The Boons are members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in the Heights, and they traveled to Haiti with the church to help rebuild a church near Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.

Boon, who grew up in Ennis, Texas and met his wife while they were both studying at Baylor Col-lege of Medicine, sings in the choir at St. Mark’s.

“I’m the worst singer in the choir, but I sit next to the best singer, so it works out,” he said.

Heights resident, Boon, changing lives in mission fields around world

by Michael [email protected]

Dr. John Boon, second from right, a urologist who lives in the Heights, trav-eled to Guatemala for a medical mission trip. (Submitted photo)

❖��❖��

��❖��❖��❖ ��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��


Houston Police Department Offi-cer Steve Duffy had consistently heard about the Houston Police Bicycle Re-lay Team that’s dedicated to funding research to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

Duffy, a 23-year HPD veteran who’s stationed at the Department’s Heights Storefront, decided to get involved for the first time because he’d lost several relatives to cancer.

“Scientists have said if we can cure leukemia and lymphoma, we can cure all other cancers,” Duffy said. “I’ve de-cided to step up to the plate, (and help) to stop (cancer) from happening.”

In 31 years, the Relay Team has raised more than $5 million for leukemia, lym-phoma and other blood cancers. All of the money from the Relay goes to re-searching those cancers.

Every year, the Relay Team plans a route, and this year, it’s Portland, Maine – approximately 2,100 miles away. The team will leave Houston on June 18 and arrive in Portland exactly a week later.

Thirty-five officers will be divided on to five different relay teams, so there will be a team of officers riding somewhere between Texas and Maine, 24-7, during that week.

Officers take their own vacation time

and pay their own meal and travel ex-penses on the trip, said Lt. Randall Up-ton, who leads the team. Along the way, the riders visit with cancer patients and survivors.

Duffy, who rides a mountain bicycle as part of his HPD duties, purchased a long distance bicycle for the trip.

He’s not a regular rider but said that compared to what the cancer patients are going through, riding a bicycle long distance isn’t much of a challenge.

Each officer rides in honor of some-one currently battling leukemia or lym-phoma or someone who has lost their battle.

“It helps you remember why you’re out there,” Upton said.

Duffy said being part of the Relay Team has been a special experience so far.

“This has opened my eyes a lot,” Duffy said. “It’s a life lesson for myself and my two boys (ages 12 and 6). It’s not about us - it’s about someone else.”

Each officer is responsible for raising $5,000 on their own, and Duffy still has to raise about $1,000.

Donations can be made at www.hp-drelay.com or Houston Police Bicycle Relay Team c/o Officer Steve Duffy, P.O. Box 3224, Houston, TX 77253.

To help Duffy raise money for the Re-lay, he can be reached at the Storefront at 713-803-1151.

Having grown up in the Oak Forest area, I have had the rare opportunity of experiencing this wonderful community as both a child and an adult. Yet, much of the change I have noticed since I have moved back has not been because I am older or wiser (I’m 24), but because the neighborhood has drastically changed over the past decade.

After leaving Oak Forest from 2007-’12 – attending college and marrying – I was thoroughly proud to see that my child-hood neighborhood was finally getting the attention it always deserved but rarely seemed to attract.

One of the positive new changes: the Oak Forest Running Club which has defi-nitely “taken off.”

If you show up at the Oak Forest Chill located on Oak Forest Drive around 6 p.m. Tuesdays you can expect to find people stretching, conversing and signing in. Shortly thereafter different running groups head out based upon distance and their preferred pace, and once every-one has run or walked to their preferred exhaustion the group reconvenes at Oak Forest Chill for conversation, a beer and some great, free pasta, generously do-nated by Brother’s Pizzeria on Shepherd Drive.

The vibe is pleasant, and the atmo-sphere is motivating. You are surrounded by others who value running and living a healthy lifestyle.

After returning to the community, my wife and I were anxious to meet people in our area. This group has become a main-stay for us. People want to live in a safe community where they can enjoy their family and build friendships with other people in their area. Yet between a job, family and hobbies, it can be hard to find time – not to mention energy – to meet other people. And yet therein lies the beauty of a local neighborhood running club. You can exercise, spend time with your family, meet new people and partici-pate in a hobby all in one activity.

If you can barely make it down the block, don’t worry, there are groups that

simply walk together, but if you are a top-notch runner, there are former collegiate runners for you to pace with.

The diversity in age is another unique characteristic of this new club. Partici-pants range from their early 20s to late 60s, newcomers and lifelong residents. Some enjoy a beer after while some sim-ply replenish with water.

With so many things riding on our health, it is good to know there is a local community organization that can pro-vide accountability and support in living a healthy lifestyle.

The first week I attended I could not even make it a mile and a half before hav-ing to stop. Yet, six weeks later I ran four miles for the first time in my life at a pace

much faster than I ever had. While the health benefits are great, the

social benefits are just as important. The idea that you can connect with 20-30 peo-ple in your community on a weekly basis in about 90 minutes has its appeal. “My favorite part is the camaraderie and get-ting to know your neighbors,” said mem-ber Eddie Gonzales. Nelson Sosa, believes that simply getting people from Oak For-est to interact allows for an opportunity for “ideas to get exchanged.” Local service project ideas have already been tossed around within the group.

Friendship, involvement, exercise and accomplishment are offered in a single group that meets for an hour or so a week.

Maj. General Roberta Vilven Mills was a trailblazer in American military history as the first general in the U.S. Air National Guard.

“My cousin was an Army Nurse in World War II and was my role model, and I wanted to do that as well,” said Mills, a 1956 Reagan High graduate who now lives in Memphis, Tenn.

Mills, who celebrated her 75th birth-day on March 18, has had a decorated military career and has received many honors as a nurse and hospital admin-istrator in Memphis.

But becoming the 28th member of the Reagan High Hall of Fame ranks right up there with those awards, she said.

“It’s a beautiful, wonderful thing,”

Mills said. “I’m very honored and very surprised. Being at Reagan High School were some of the better years of my life. I enjoyed all of my relationships there and tried to stay in touch with people over the years.

“I had outstanding teachers that have been role models in my life. They’ve meant a lot to me throughout my life.”

The Reagan HOF was started in 1988 by then-principal Joel Sturdivant. It in-cludes many well-known alums such as oilfield firefighter Paul “Red” Adair, celebrated criminal attorney Richard “Racehorse” Haynes, and HISD coach-ing legend Joe Tusa.

Mills, who was nominated by long-time friend, Virgil Barfield (RHS Class of ’54), joins Gina Wray Wright, a for-mer Houston ISD trustee, and the late Marcella D. Perry, a prominent Hous-

ton banker and chairman of the board of Texas Women’s University, as the only female members of the Reagan HOF. Perry, a longtime benefactor of the school, was the most recent inductee.

“She has served our country well and at retirement, was the assistant to the di-rector of the Air National Guard, Wash-ington D.C.,” Reagan principal Connie Berger said. “She has received many great honors in her tenure (in the) nurs-ing profession. Mills earned a bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Sacred Heart Dominican College and a Master’s in Nursing from St. Louis University. She enjoyed a career in Nursing and Hospi-tal Administration that spanned from the 1960s until her retirement in 2003.

Since then, Mills has volunteered with her church and the local chapter of the Literacy Council.

Her military career began in 1962, and she received her first star as a Gen-eral during a Pentagon ceremony on April 27, 1992. Upon retirement from the military, she worked as the assistant to the director of the National Guard.

During her three-decade military career, Mills’ honors included the Le-gion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Med-al, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon and several honors from the Tennessee Air National Guard.

Mills was the president of the Visiting Nurses Association of Memphis, and she was the assistant dean at the Univer-sity of Tennessee Bowld Hospital.

She and her husband, Dr. Dan C. Mills, have been married for 43 years.

Maj. General Mills set for Reagan HoF inductionby Michael Sudhalter

[email protected]

Maj. General Roberta Vilven Mills

Officer joins teamto arrest leukemia


HPD Officer Steve Duffy, a Storefront Officer in the Heights, has joined the Houston Bicycle Relay Team, which will ride to Portland, Maine in June to raise money for Leuke-mia and Lymphoma research. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Oak Forest club fosters neighborliness, fitnessUp & Running

by John WethingtonFor The Leader

Members of the running club gather at the Oak Forest Chill neighborhood ice house after their runs of different length and speeds. (Submitted photo)

Adrenaline is as much a part of the costume process as inspired design and skilled execution.

Actors and audiences ultimately enjoy the products of that design-on-deadline. Costumers, however, choose the angst-driven artistry of bringing characters to life by what they wear.

Artist and veteran costumer Janette Arsement is one of the latter. Creative to the core and a self-described queen of the glue gun, she’s currently juggling the springtime onslaught of quick-turn the-ater projects. That and the seasonal and event-related rentals she has managed at Party Boy, 1515 Studemont, for a dozen years.

Scholastic theater competition this time of year bumps up demand for theatrical-quality threads, the Corpus Christi native explains. Teams from high school and col-lege productions need their casts outfitted for judged performances that advance from local- to regional- and state-level competition. Since about January she has been fielding and filling orders from across the state for a variety of plays and musicals, both familiar and lesser known.

Armed with actors’ measurement sheets and directors’ notes on various plays, time periods and turnarounds, Arsement et al check what’s on the racks to use as-is and what needs to be built, whether by trans-forming an existing garment or making something from scratch. Either option has its tools, tricks and twinkle dust.

A painter of abstracts and landscapes, Arsement sees similarities between her art and costume work, such as the use of light and dark in a cohesive composition. In-

stead of paint, however, costumes use tex-tiles. And instead of a canvas, there’s the stage to fill with 3-D design enlivened by actor movement and changing light. (Cu-riously, she chooses not to paint portraits, though she has previously used plenty of faces as canvases for elaborate masks at Mardi Gras and at the Texas Renaissance Festival.)

Design on deadlineIf costuming is a vision thing, however,

it is also a mechanics thing. Arsement is quick to credit her seamstress colleague Stephanie Hill. “I make the promises, but she makes it work,” Arsement says.

Watching the talented pair conferring on a character or newly arrived job order list is like seeing interlocked gears turning inside a watch.

Pins, trims, overlays and seemingly random flourishes, for example, can transform the same basic piece from a Puritan frock into a 1760s day gown or

1990s-length dress into a turn-of-century hobble-skirt. A snip here and there, and full-length trousers for a more modern gentleman become suitable breeches of yesteryear.

Thus, a stage director’s request for a futuristic production of Moliere’s “Tar-tuffe” time travels into a space age setting. Another, more period-correct production of the same show opts for a frosty pastel palette.

While history, art and fashion’s ever-

changing silhouettes and detailing play into a day’s work, so does some basic chemistry, she says, since dyes and adhe-sives interact with fabric content.

However, “You have to be creative,” she says of her type of work. “You can learn a time period.”

Meanwhile, there’s art to pulling and building costumes so a show has a cohe-sive look, Arsement explains: “When ac-tors are on stage, they need to blend (visu-ally). One can’t stand out – unless it’s on purpose.”

Racks designated for each produc-tion hold costumes being considered and tweaked. On her check list: Do they look well together? Do they convey their char-acter? Do they fit?

As challenges go, it’s rarely the design concept that triggers frustration, she says. Rather, it’s that actors come in all shapes and sizes. Costumes do as well, but getting actor, character, color and size in align-ment is a rare match off the rack.

Gussets and hidden panels help the fit, but even those tricks can’t make a dead-on-perfect-for-the-part slim-waisted 1840s gown fit an ample gal of the mod-ern age.

Nor do they easily alter a suit to fit an actor with a 32-inch chest who’s more than 7-feet tall. (Well, not easily. That’s where Hill plies her start-over-from scratch skills.)

And then there are those inevitable, last-minute changes, Arsement says, such as when a 6-foot-4 brawny lead actor is replaced by his 5-foot 7-inch understudy.

Not all rentals are theatrical, however. The shop is a resource for the creatively impaired who need a costume, she says. “The others stay home and make their own.”

Dressing the Part: Local costumer works off energy, visionby Cynthia Lescalleet

For The Leader

Janette Arsement, who works in the Heights area, is an artist whose range of media includes costuming. (Photo by Cynthia Lescalleet)

Oak Forest Baptist to conduct a Women’s Bible StudyJames: Mercy Triumphs is an eight-week Beth Moore Bible Study with

flexible participation to be held Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon starting April 11 through May 30.

James, the brother of Jesus was a skeptic, an unbeliever, who later became a disciple. Small group study will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a video presentation from 11 a.m. to noon. Homework is optional. One can participate in both activities or attend either the small group study or the video.

For information, call the church office at 713-682-4942. The church is located at 1700 W. 43rd.

Cruisin’ for Christ Car Show at St. Stephen’s St. Stephen’s 2nd Annual “Cruisin’ for Christ” Car Show will be held

from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13 (rain date April 20). All types of vehicles are welcome. The cost to pre-register is $10 per vehicle ($20 the day of the show). To register, contact [email protected] or call the church office. Admission to the show is free. Special activities are planned for children and Boy Scouts Troop 604 will sell barbeque lunches for $5 each. Proceeds from the show will benefit Church World Services.

The GriefShare support group meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 101. Each session includes a video seminar featuring biblical teaching on grief and recovery topics and small group discussion time. Participants may begin at any time during the 13-week program. For information, contact Jeanne Peters at [email protected].

Join Pastor Kevin Otto for a five-week, video-based class titled “What Does It Mean to Be a United Methodist,” Sundays beginning April 21, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Room 101. Learn about the sacraments, the-ology and organizational structure of the Methodist Church.

St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church is located at 2003 W. 43rd St., between T. C. Jester Boulevard and Donna Bell. Rev. Kevin Otto is the pastor. For information, call the office at 713-686-8241 or visit www.stsumc.org.

All Saints Catholic features Women’s Chorus FestivalThe Heights Women’s Chorus Festival will perform at 4:30 p.m. April

14. Featured will be the Moores School Women’s Chorus, Friendswood High School Varsity Women’s Chorus and Houston Girls Chorus.

All Saints Catholic Church is located at 215 E. 10th. Call 832-641-6319 for information or e-mail inquiries to [email protected].

St. Andrew’s UMC celebrates 85th anniversarySt. Andrews United Methodist Church, located at 6235 Maybell St.,

is celebrating it’s 85th Church Anniversary, Sunday April 14. Dr. Don Waddleton, Director of Congregational Excellence, will deliver the 11 a.m. anniversary worship sermon. The anniversary theme is “On Fire and in Step with God in 2013.”

For information about anniversary events, contact the church at 832-671-5232 or visit the website at standrewshouston.org.

Songs About Heaven at First Baptist HeightsFirst Baptist Church Heights is hosting its first “9th Street Hall Con-

cert: Songs About Heaven,” at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Premier local musicians will perform original compositions and new arrangements of faith-based Rock, R&B, Blues and Country music. The 9th Street Band features Doug Fuller, noted guitarists Big Al Bettis and Michael Heyman, and special guests Lance Aldrich and Dustin Bass. Admission is free.

First Baptist Church Heights is located at 201 E. 9th St. at Harvard. For information and free reserved seating tickets, call or text 713-548-7921 or e-mail [email protected] or see www.9thstreet.org, also facebook.com/9thstreet.

Luau dinner and show at St. Matthew’s The “King” will be the highlight of a Luau dinner and show at 6 p.m.

May 4, featuring Elvis Tribute Artist, Ray Covey. Tickets are $10. For reservations, call the church office. A Hawaiian style menu of baked chicken breast over rice pilaf, green beans and a dessert will be served. Don your Hawaiian shirts, leis and skirts.

The Methodist Men will host a spaghetti dinner immediately after 11 a.m. Sunday School April 21. Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $4 for children. Profits from the dinner will go toward restoration of the carillons.

Sunday morning worship and a special Children’s Church begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages. A Wednes-day evening 6:30 p.m. prayer and praise service is available, along with Holy Communion.

The Youth meet at 6 p.m. Sunday evening. A Knitting and Crochet group also meets at 6 p.m. Sundays. Visitors are welcome.

For information, visit the web site at www.stmatthewsmethodist.org or call 713-697-0671. St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church is located at 4300 N. Shepherd Dr. at Crosstimbers.

Annual parish bazaar at St. AmbroseSt. Ambrose Catholic Church will have their annual parish bazaar

from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28. This year’s theme is “One World, One Faith, One Community.”

There will be plenty of food, shopping and games. Entertainment will be provided by the Telstars.

St. Ambrose is located at 4213 Mangum Road. Call 713-686-3497 or visit the website at www.stambrosehouston.org for information.


CALLING OUT EVIL

The philosopher who composed Ecclesiastes advises us “Do not be over righteous, neither be over wise, why destroy yourself?” (Ecclesiastes 7:16) Accusing others of

wrongdoing, especially when there is any chance that we might be mistaken, is almost always folly, and we are likely to have the lens of criticism focused on us as a result. But, there are times when it is appropriate to be assertive in calling someone out. When someone is mistreating us our “moral alarm bells” are usually loud and clear and we should speak up about it. It may take courage to do so, but it usually prevents a lot of future mistreatment. It’s even more important to stand up to bullies and haters when they are picking on someone who is weaker or too timid to stand up for him or herself. Students at Ohio State University and the University of Nebraska recently created web sites intended to “call out” people who posted racist, sexist, or otherwise hateful comments on Twitter and other social media web sites. Courage is central to the moral life because it requires courage to speak up for what is right. But, we should remember also to be circumspect about our criticism. It is often easier to see the speck of dust in your neighbor’s eye than the log in your own.

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”

~ John 7:24 ~

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

��

��

��

��

713-864-4447 � Website www.gobc.orgInterim Pastor Dr. Bob Overton

Sunday Worship Servicesat 8:30am & 11:00am

3206 N. Shepherd

Pastor Jim Daniel

Bible Study 9:30 am

Sunday Worship Service 10:45 am

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

KING CASKET & MONUMENTS

713-222-8522 • 2817 W. TC. Jester Blvd.

CASKET OVERSTOCK SALE

Senior & Veteran Discounts • Accepted by all funeral homes

UP TO 75% OFF

OBITUARIES NEWS FROM YOUR PEWSAndrea Stubblefield Baker, 65, died recently. She was born Nov. 23, 1947 in

Columbia, Missouri. Survivors include her mother, Lorraine Hovey Fields; husband, Nash Baker; son, Carson Nash Baker; sisters Cheryl LaBarba, Lana Salinas, Diana Lucas, Deborah Fields and Teri Irons; and brothers, Jerry Stubblefield and Steve Fields.

Quentin Dee “Boss” Barrington, 92, died April 3. Quentin was born April 29, 1920 in West Texas, to Sam William Barrington and Mary Etta Benson. Survivors include his wife, Mozelle; daughters, Susan Barrington Sanchez and Vicki Jo Barrington; and brother Reuben Allen “Buddy” Barrington.

Dorothy Verna Andryan Bielamowicz, 90, died March 31. Dorothy was born Jan. 1, 1923, in Houston to Adam and Mary M. Nowak Andryan. Survivors include three sons, Philip Bielamowicz, Patrick Bielamowicz and Paul Bielamowicz; sisters, Sudie Novak, Theresa Smith and Rose M. Galla; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Oswald Julius “OJ” Bischoff, 88, died April 4. OJ was born in the Heights on June 8, 1924. Survivors include his three children, Richard Lee Bischoff, Dee Linda Jackson and Michael Lynn Bischoff Sr.; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Shirley Susan Brazda, 71, died March 31. Shirley was born Jan. 21, 1942 in Berwyn, Illinois, to Stanley and Clementine Bezdek. Survivors include her brother, Roger Bezdek; sister, Charlotte Grove; sons, Brian Brazda and Brooks Brazda; and two grandchildren.

John Shields Brukner, 85, died March 29. Survivors include his children John Ken-neth Brukner, William Powell Brukner, and Sonja Elise Brukner.

Nancy Henna Chalmers, 91, died March 30. She was born Dec. 9, 1921, in Bloom-ington, Illinois, to Louis James Henna and Meeva Armbruster Henna. Survivors include her daughters Susan Edwards, Jo Ellen Weisner; and son, John E. Chalmers, Jr.; sister, Virginia Hueseman; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Maria “Tere” Gonzalez, 79, died April 6. She was born Sept. 23, 1933 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Henry Peter Hoelscher, 84, died March 30. He was born on May 25, 1928, in El-linger, Texas, to Henry William and Sophie Gully Hoelscher. Henry is survived by his sister, Nora Schobel; daughters Patricia McKirahan and Debbie Jennings; and sons, Charles Hoelscher, Derek Hoelscher and Mark Hoelscher.

Cheryl Cooper Johnson, 60, died March 11. Cheryl was born on Jan. 19, 1953 in Groves, Texas. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Bruce Johnson; sons, Ben Nowlin and Nathan Nowlin; brother, Don Cooper; sister, Janet Cooper; and three grand-children.

Helen Belk Ledbetter, 90, died April 2. Helen was born Nov. 21, 1922, in Houston. Survivors include her daughter, Carol Wilson; son, Craig Ledbetter; and four grandchil-dren.

Joe K. McLeroy, 70, died April 4. Joe was born April 3, 1943. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Shirley; sons, Shannon, Robert and Travis; father, W.T. Martin; brothers, Thomas and Ted; and three grandchildren.

Richard Blakely Richardson Sr., 81, died March 26. He was born March 25, 1932. Survivors include his sons Dan William Richardson and Richard Blakely Richardson Jr.

Frank Spitzenberger III, died March 29. Survivors include his wife, Mary Gene Spitzenberger; sister, Rosalie Grant; brother, Paul Spitzenberger; and sons Rick and Steve Spitzenberger. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to MD Anderson Hospital.

H. Brooke Thompson, 87, died March 29. He was born on May 6, 1925 to Harold and Mildred Thompson in Memphis, Tennessee. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Ha-zel Thompson; two sons, Spencer Thompson and Hal Thompson; two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

Lucille Grace Urban, 89, died March 29. She was born Nov. 12, 1923, in Pittsburgh, Pa. to Wesley and Mildred Rossier. She is survived by sons, Thomas and Richard; four grandchil-dren and one great-grandchild.

Carol B. Van Fleet, 77, died March 29. She was born Sept. 26, 1935 to Henry and Mary Striebeck in Houston. She is survived by her son, Scott C. Van Fleet.

7151 Fairbanks N. Houston(1 mile North of HWY 290)

Always call your Vet if you have any concerns or questions

(713)-937-7274W W W . F A I R B A N K S . V E T S U I T E . C O M

��

The Most Toxic Plants To Your PetPets consuming toxic or non-edible plants can become ill with

vomiting, diarrhea or life threatening obstructions. Some common house and yard plants produce toxins to protect themselves and these can kill your pet.

Take care and precautions if your pet chews on1. Lilies - GI signs and Kidney Failure2. Castor Bean Plants - GI and Liver Damage3. Cycad (Sago) Palms - GI and Liver Failure4. Azalea, Rhododendron, Laurel - GI and Neurological

Disorders 5. Yews - GI, Neurological and Cardiac Disorders6. Foxglove - GI and Cardiac Failure7. Oleanders - GI and Cardiac Failure8. Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow - Neurotoxin and Seizures9. Lantana - GI damage

A fl orist or nurseryman can help identify these plants so you can be aware of their presence.

Pica (eating non-foods) in pets is caused by a variety of physiologi-cal parasitic, and psychological conditions. Examining, testing and consulting by your vet can help prevent Pica.

Ad # 37491

Are you earning enoughon your savings?

www.edwardjones.comMember SIPC

Danyel T Ramelow - Financial Advisor3818 N Shepherd • Houston, TX [email protected]

To place an ad on the most popular page in the Leader, give us a call at (713) 686-8494 and ask for one of our professional sales executivesTo place an ad on the most popular page in the Leader, give us a call at (713) 686-8494 and ask for one of our professional sales executives

THE COUPONS.

Ad # 36862

OPEN Monday - Saturday 8am - 10pm & Sunday 8 am - 4pm

FREE DinnerAuthentic Mej icano Cuisine

Mexican Restaurant

Buy 1 Dinner and 2 Drinks, Get 1 Dinner Free (up to $10.00)

2615 Ella Blvd. @ 27th ��713-868-5232

� DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS� BAR FACILITIES

� TAKE-OUT ORDERS AVAILABLE

One coupon per tableDine In Only After 3:00 pm • Expires 4-27-13

��

��

��

��

��

Ad # 36863

IWO AMIGOS14121 N.W. FREEWAY 713-462-4321

Highway 290 @ Fairbanks North Houston in Kroger Center

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

$5 OFF• Dine-in-only • 1 Coupon per table, please • Present coupon when ordering

• Offer good Monday thru Friday 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM only Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM • Expires 4-27-13 • Full bar and open air patio

Buy One Dinner And Receive $5 Off Second Dinner of Equal or Lesser Value. (Includes Fajitas for 2 Special)

Ad # 37783

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

www.papamosdeli.com

Ad # 37586

www.littlebittyburgerbarn.com5503 Pinemont��713-683-6700

M-F 10 AM-9 PM • SAT 11 AM-9 PM • SUN 11 AM-5 PM

$999Includes 2 Quarter Pound

Basic Burger Baskets & 2 Drinks

Voted Best Burger Joint by Michael Berry Show

The

Original‘TWO CAN DINE’

Kids Eat Free On Wednesdays!5:00 - 8:00 pm

Now honoring Spoton Frequent Dinner Program

Ad # 37755

Buy One Dinner And Re ceive $5 Off Second Din ner Of Equal Or Less er Value.WITH THIS COUPON

DINE IN ONLY.VALID MON.-FRI. 3 PM TIL CLOSING

AND ALL DAY SAT. AND SUN.NOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS.OFFER EXPIRES 4-19-13

FAJITASFOR TWO

5305 Antoine @ Pinemont713-682-3853

Mexican Restaurant

MexicanRestaurant

$1395

DINE IN ONLY. THIS COUPON GOOD MON. THRU FRI. 3PM TIL CLOSING. THIS COUPON ALSO GOOD SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11:00 UNTIL CLOSING.

EXCLUDES ALCHOLIC BEVERAGESNOT VALID WITH OTHER OFFERS. OFFER EXPIRES 4-19-13

$5 OFF DINNER

Full Service Bar - 13 oz. Regular Margaritas $2Weekdays & Saturdays 3:00-6:00 pm. Sunday - All Day

Party Room Available

• LIMIT THREE COUPONS PER TABLE •

Ad # 37756

OFF SECOND ENTREE

Coupon good at all 3 locations. Open Mon.-Sat. 11-10, Sun. 11-9

2728 West T.C. Jester @ 610 • 713-680-8011

Buy 1 dinner and get $5 Off second dinner of equal or lesser value.

11550 Louetta • 281-251-0206

Juanita’sMexican Res taurant & Cantina

$5ENJOY OUR

HAPPY HOURMonday - Friday 11am - 7pmSaturday & Sunday - All DayFrozen Jumbo Margaritas $5.95

or 10 oz. $2.95 - regular or avored -

• Dine-In Only • This coupon good Mon.-Fri. 3 p.m.-10 p.m.• This coupon also good all day Sat. & Sun. • One coupon per party • Excludes alcoholic beverages • Not valid with other

specials, special dinner menu or half orders • Expires 4-19-13

Ad # 37758

• Not available on Senior Citizens or Kids Menu • One coupon per table / one coupon per familyORIGINAL COUPON ONLY! No copies accepted• Must be presented before ordering • Expires 4-19-13.

FREE DIN NERBuy 1 Dinner Get 1 Dinner FREE

4618 Dacoma(Between Hwy. 290 and Mangum)

(713) 680-0825

* Lunch Specials Daily* Take Out Orders Available* Complete Bar Fa cilities

* Party Room Available

Dine-In Only. No Takeout Orders. Good 3-10 p.m. only.

(Seats 85)Happy Hours: Mon-Thur 4-8

��Coupon value up to $4.95 �

Ad # 37759

COUPON CODE: 7946

COOLSPECIAL

$7997316 W. Tidwell

@ Hollister(713) 895-7434

�

www.wetzonecarwash.com

• Vacuum Interior • Windows Cleaned• Wipe Dash & Door Panels

• Clean Cup Holder • Towel Dry

Reg. $12.99

FULL SERVICE WASH

EXPIRES 4-19-13

WASH CAR

Ad # 37771

Same Day Service Up Til NoonOne Day Service On Alterations

3 ITEMS OR MORE. Must be presented with order. No coats, suede, leather, formals or household Items.

Most Gar ments Drycleaned & Pressed

30PlusTax

$2FullLaundryService

$AVE ON YOUR DRY CLEANING!

3319 Ella 713-681-5301Mon-Fri 5:30 am-7 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm

*

HEIGHT’S

CLEANERS

& LAUNDRY

$AVE ON YOUR DRY CLEANING!

Ad # 37757

FREE DONUTS 2 KOLACHESFREE

Good at this location only. One coupon per visit. Tax not included. Not valid in conjunction with other coupons.

With purchase of one dozen glazed donuts.

Get 1/2 dozen glazed donuts FREE with purchase of one

dozen donutsor more.

FREE DONUTSBuy 6 Glazed Donuts Get 6 Glazed Donuts

FREE!

3410 Ella Blvd. at 34th St. (713) 682-4343

EXPIRES 4-19-13. EXPIRES 4-19-13.EXPIRES 4-19-13.



Brandon Escamilla wasn’t yet born when the memorable sports film, “Major League,” hit the big screen in 1989.

But the soft-spoken Reagan High junior let out a chuckle when Bulldogs head coach David Petty be-gan calling him, “Wild Thing.”

“It’s funny,” Escamilla said. “I hear it over the loud-speaker, and I’ll get a little giggle out of it.”

Escamilla, 16, was bestowed with the ironic nick-name of wild pitcher Rick Vaughn, played by Char-lie Sheen, because he’s just the opposite, “he throws strike after strike,” said Petty.

On March 19, Escamilla accomplished the highly improbable when he threw 10 shutout innings in a 1-0, 11 inning loss to Waltrip.

“I love pitching -- it’s the best part,” Escamilla said. “I love doing my job throwing strikes and letting my defense work.”

Professional pitchers rarely throw for 10 innings -- shutout or not, but what was amazing about Esca-milla’s feat was that he did it in 105 pitches.

“You get over 100 and you start to look at getting them out of there,” Petty said. “A lot of times, they do that in six or or seven innings. For him to do that in 10 was incredible.”

In his first 18 innings of pitching in district games, Escamilla has allowed just one run. He has a 70-30 strike to ball ratio.

“If you keep up that pitching and enthusiasm, we’re going to win a lot of games,” Petty said.

Last season, Escamilla was a backup second base-man on the Bulldogs’ Class 4A-District 21 Cham-pionship Team. Nine seniors graduated, and Petty

needed players to step up.One of them was Escamilla, who said he counts his

curveball as his favorite pitch.“I like the way it moves, and I’m able to throw lots

of strikes with it,” he said.He worked hard during the offseason to excel on

the mound and to play second base when he’s not pitching, competing in the summer and in the Al-dine Fall League.

The Bulldogs (5-3 in district) will face Waltrip in a rematch of the March 19 loss at 7 p.m. Friday at Ashmore Field.

Escamilla hopes to play college baseball and study to become a coach or trainer. He credits his expe-rience at Timbergrove Sports Association and Oaks Dads Club with helping him develop into the player he’s become.

“My dad coached and taught me everything -- I (learned) the fundamentals of the game and made a lot of friends in Little League,” he said.

‘Wild Thing’ makes Bulldogs’ hearts sing

Reagan High junior pitcher Brandon Escamilla threw 10 shutout innings in a 1-0, 11 inning loss to Waltrip last month. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Reagan junior pitcher maintains control of the moundby Michael Sudhalter

[email protected]

There were just five minutes remaining in the game, and Scar-borough trailed by two goals.

But you wouldn’t have known it by the way the Spartans were constantly pursuing the ball and attacking toward the goal.

The atmosphere a few yards away in the Orange-and-Black-clad home stands at Delmar-Tusa Stadium was every bit as spirited as the representatives on the field.

Fans hollered and the vuvuzue-las? Wow. They could probably be heard by people on the other side of U.S. Hwy. 290.

So, why did the Scarborough High boys soccer team and its le-gion of fans stay determined until that final buzzer sounded?

Well, if you truly want that an-swer, you need to take a trip back about five years to Clifton Middle

School.“We decided (back then),” Spar-

tans senior co-captain Dwight Hernandez said. “to play as a fam-ily.”

That commitment carried through as the current group of seniors established themselves as freshman in the spring 2010.

They knew eventually they’d make history and put Scarbor-ough on the map. Was the 3-1 loss to Ridge Point disappointing? Ab-solutely.

But nothing can change what the Spartans accomplished. We’re talking about an a program that hadn’t won a postseason game in 12 years, then went on to win two 1-0 games (Richmond Foster and Stafford) in a single week.

With the talent in place, Scar-borough made a great choice on its new head coach -- Sergio Her-nandez Jr., who arrived with a plan to take the team to the next level.

No Scarborough team had en-joyed the postseason success that this group of soccer players had seen, but this group changed all

of that.SHS Athletic Coordinator Jay-

Spartans’ playoff run a memorable one

New coach, same dominant golf programs.Waltrip first-year golf coach Daniel Davidson has enjoyed the

sport since he was a child but had never coached it before. This spring, he took over for longtime Waltrip athletic coor-

dinator Anthony Zuccarini, who coached golf and football for the past three decades. Zuccarini retired last year after winning most of the district titles during his tenure at 34th and Ella.

The Rams retained their top form during the Class 4A-Dis-trict 21 Championship on Monday and Tuesday at Sharpstown Golf Course.

The WHS girls defeated Davis, 413-486, to win the district championship on Monday. The top two teams will advance to the Class 4A Region III Tournament on Monday and Tuesday at Raven’s Nest in Huntsville.

“It was really big,” Davidson said. “Every single one of them played their best golf, all at once. I’m really proud of what they did.”

“I was really excited for her. She did a great job. A great kid, and she worked really hard. She was one of the consistent (golf-ers) in practice, and it definitely paid off.”

The WHS boys led Davis, 385-433, on Tuesday. Final results were not available at press time, but Davis said the Rams held “too big of a lead” not to win the tournament on Wednesday morning.

“I think (we) can get better for sure -- I’m happy with it, for a windy day,” Davidson said.

Waltrip’s Sabrina Lopez, one of three sophomores on the team, won the tournament’s individual title with a 92.

“I was really excited for her,” Davidson said. “She did a great job. She’s a great kid, and she worked really hard. She was one of the consistent (golfers) in practice, and it definitely paid off.”

Waltrip High junior Hayden Guidry shot a 95 for the Rams during the first day of the Class 4A-District 21 Tournament on Tuesday at Sharpstown Golf Course. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

Waltrip advances to Class 4A

Golf regionals

see Golf • Page 10B

Scarborough senior soccer captain Dwight Hernandez, left, competes in the Spartans’ 3-1 regional quarterfinal loss on April 5. . (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

see Soccer • Page 10B

A new way to read the news

Every month, The Leader publishes 4 sectionsdevoted to specific topics in our community.

Week 1: Business LeadersWeek 2: Our HealthWeek 4: Leader Listings

And coming in MayWeek 3: Family Time

Call us at (713) 686-8494 for more information

MICHAEL

SUDHALTER


Scarborough had a strong showing of fans to support the soccer team dur-ing its playoff run. (Photos by Michael Sudhalter)


Ad # 31448

Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm, Sat 8 am - 3 pm

1765 W. 34th • 713-682-8785

Alterations & Dry Cleaning

Chris’ Since 1978

Ad # 34138

Forest West Animal Clin ic

Hours: M-F 7am-6:00pm Sat. 8am-12 Noon5315 Antoine@ Pinemont 713-688-9625

New Well Puppy & Kitten Exam

Call About Cat Vaccines

* With Wellness Exam

Dog Rabies Vaccination$875

FREERoutine Male Cat Neuters$49

*

28Years

of quality care for your family

pets

��

��

FREE WATCH BATTERYwith in this ad

Golf • from Page 9B

Reagan High senior Malik McLemore was the Bulldogs’ lone representative at the Class 4A-District 21 Tournament on Tuesday at Sharpstown Golf Course. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

UIL Class 4A, Region III Tournament Raven’s Nest Golf Course, HuntsvilleGirls: Monday, TuesdayBoys: Wednesday, Thursday

Sports SchedulesAPRIL 13

BASEBALLScarborough at Worthing, 10 a.m. (Butler)Sharpstown at Reagan, 10 a.m. (Delmar-Tusa)Brazoswood at St. Thomas, 2 p.m.

APRIL 15TENNISSt. Pius X, St. Thomas at District Tour-nament at St. Pius X, 8 a.m.SOFTBALLEmery-Weiner at Lutheran North, 5 p.m.

APRIL 16BASEBALLNorth Forest at Waltrip, 7 p.m. (Del-mar-Tusa)St. Pius X at Concordia Lutheran, 7 p.m.Northland Christian at Lutheran North, 7 p.m.Beaumont Kelly at St. Thomas, 7 p.m.SOFTBALLScarborough at Furr, 4:30 p.m. (Barnett)Incarnate Word at St. Pius X, 6 p.m.North Forest at Waltrip, 6:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)

APRIL 17BASEBALLJones at Scarborough, 4:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)Wheatley at Reagan, 7 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)SOFTBALLReagan at Wheatley, 4:30 p.m. (Barnett)

APRIL 17TRACK & FIELDSt. Pius X, St. Thomas at District Tournament at St. Thomas, TBA

APRIL 18BASEBALLLutheran North at Emery-Weiner, 4:30 p.m.St. Thomas at St. Pius X, 7 p.m.SOFTBALLFort Bend Christian at Lutheran North, 4 p.m.St. Pius X at St. Agnes, 6 p.m.TRACK & FIELDSt. Pius X, St. Thomas at District Tournament at St. Thomas, TBALutheran North at Fort Bend Christian Meet, 4 p.m.

APRIL 19BASEBALLWashington at Scarborough, 4:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)Second Baptist at Lutheran North, 6 p.m.Waltrip at Reagan, 7 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)SOFTBALLWaltrip at Reagan, 4:30 p.m. (Delmar-Tusa)

APRIL 20BASEBALLDeer Park at St. Pius X, 1 p.m.SOFTBALLYates at Scarborough, Noon (Delmar-Tusa)

Sophomore Victoria Gonzalez recorded a 99, and senior Mi-randa Loveless finished with a 107. Sophomore Christina Ini-guez and senior Michelle Soria shot 115 and 121, respectively.

Reagan senior Sarah Alcardo was an individual medalist, with a 105, and will advance to Huntsville next week.

On the boys side, Waltrip junior Anthony Hernandez led through the first 18 holes with a score of 92.

“It’s the second tournament in a row that he’s got the best score for our team -- he really picked it up with his short game,” Davidson said.

Waltrip juniors Hayden Guidry (95), Alfaro Zavala (99) and Zachary Whiting (99) each finished the day under 100.

son Merren is working hard on building a competitive athletic program. He’s putting the right coaches in the right positions.

Many athletes of other Spartan Teams were in the crowd on Friday night, and they got to see the end result of four years of hard work and dedication.

In the near future, it’s very possible that it’ll be them on the field, with the rest of the school in the stands.

“The Spartans are alive,” Dwight Hernandez said. “and we can go to play-offs in every sport.”

Have you ever been to a regular season high school soccer game? There’s only a handful of fans. Some of that has to do with the start times, the fact that games are played off-campus and that other athletics and activities over-lap.

But it was startling -- in a good way -- to see a band and pep squad to sup-port the Spartans at their regional quarterfinal game.

“We brought fans that probably never came out (before), to tonight’s games),” Coach Hernandez said.

It was heartwarming to see the SHS boys soccer team inspire school spirit throughout the campus.

Your thoughts on the season? E-mail [email protected]: @HouSportsLeader

Soccer • from Page 9B

The Spartans advanced to the regional quarterfinals for the first time in the school’s 45-year history. (Photo by Michael Sudhalter)

St. Pius X softball set to make a state title run

St. Pius X head softball coach Nel-lie Kelly may want to remember to bring a box of tissue before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. regular season home finale against Incarnate Word Academy.

It marks the final regular season home game for seniors Jordan Al-varez (catcher), Cara Nunez (third base) and Briana Santiago (right fielder).

“I already know that I’ll choke up and cry because they’re such good kids,” said Kelly, the Lady Panthers’ third-year head coach. “They’ve stepped up as such great leaders. I know they have a bright future, and it’s been such a joy to coach them.”

The Lady Panthers (15-3) are un-defeated in district and set to repeat as district champions. Last season, SPX won district for the first time in 12 years.

Beyond that, they have a chance to win the program’s first TAPPS State Championship since 1991.

All of their 2013 losses were out-side of TAPPS -- University Inter-scholastic League programs San Marcos and Willis, respectively, in tournaments, and Kinkaid of the Southwest Preparatory Conference.

Last season, SPX lost to San Anto-nio Antonian in the TAPPS 5A State Championship Game, and Kelly said they’ve improved since the title game loss.

Nunez and Alvarez are four-year varsity players for the Lady Panthers, while Santiago joined the program this season.

“Cara is a big action leader,” Kelly said. “Jordan is a big verbal leader. Briana just has a spirit about her that you can’t help but like.”

Nunez will continue her softball career next season at San Jacinto College. She’s been a consistent lead-er for SPX.

“I like encouraging everyone to do

their job,” Nunez said. “I pick them up if they’re down. I’ll make them feel like it’s OK if they make a mis-take, to just (focus on) making the next play.”

In addition to the three senior leaders, SPX has a strong nucleus of juniors, including pitchers Rocki Tello (10-2, and two no hitters) and Brittany Rodriguez (3-1).

“One isn’t the main pitcher over the other -- they (each) offer differ-ent abilities,” Kelly said. “If we have a team that we know they can hit faster pitching, Rocky puts a lot of spin on the ball.

Rodriguez recovered from elbow surgery last summer to return to the lineup and having both pitchers available could pay dividends in the postseason.

Junior first baseman Samantha Grosch leads the team in hitting (.522 batting average) and home runs (four). Nunez and Tello are hit-ting .511 and .500, respectively.

Junior Victoria Ozuna (left field-er) and Rachel McClellan (second base) have played key roles for the Lady Panthers.

Junior outfielder Iliana Barron missed last season with a torn ACL, but she’s now an important contrib-utor to the team, while sophomore shortstop Dana Salvato, a key mem-ber of last season’s team, continues her success.

She is second in singles (20), to Tello’s 26. Alvarez and Grosch are tied for third with 13 apiece.

by Michael [email protected] “I already know that I’ll

choke up and crybecause they’re such

good kids.

• Nellie Kelly

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� � � � � � � � � � � � � ��

��

��

Documents

Leader 0413B