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GREATER HEIGHTS
GREATER HEIGHTS
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Shawn Manderscheid Team Your Heights Listing Experts!
Shawn & Paula(281) [email protected]
RealEstateHou.comFacebook.com/RealEstateHouston
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Husband & Wife Team Performingin Top 2% Houston Realtors.CB United Top 3% Worldwide
With four generations of family history here...I know the Heights! I’ve been
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Top 2% of Houston agents and theTop 3% of Coldwell Banker United agents worldwide, I’m committed to
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1505 Heights Blvd., Houston
Shawn Manderscheid Team Your Heights Listing Experts!
Shawn & Paula(281) [email protected]
RealEstateHou.comFacebook.com/RealEstateHouston
Keep up with Neighborhood Home Values at HeightsHomeValues.com
Husband & Wife Team Performingin Top 2% Houston Realtors.CB United Top 3% Worldwide
With four generations of family history here...I know the Heights! I’ve been
providing my clients with 5-Star Service for over 15 years and continue to carry on
the family business with my wife, Paula, who is my Marketing and Transaction
Coordinator. As an award winningREALTOR® currently ranked in the
Top 2% of Houston agents and theTop 3% of Coldwell Banker United agents worldwide, I’m committed to
earning your valued business throughcommitment, trust, service and
innovation. So give me a call today andI look forward to serving you!
1505 Heights Blvd., Houston
OurBlok.com has made all reasonable efforts to verify the accuracy of articles and information within. Responsibilities for accuracy of claims and information of our advertisers lie
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2 OurBlok Fall
EDITOR’S NOTE
Less and More
Happy New Year! I hope that you were all able to enjoy the Holidays with friends and family and you are well on your way to keeping at least one of the many New Year’s resolutionsyou made! I gave up on New Year’sresolutions years ago. I read it is estimated that over 97% of resolutions are broken by the 15th of January! So I decided to reduce the stress right at the
start by not worrying about breaking my resolutions before the calendar has even flipped to February.
This year I am hoping for “more” of some things and “less” of others. How about these for starters: Less:• Pet videos on Facebook• Traffic in the Heights• People who constantly toot their own horn on Facebook• Trees being cut down in the name of progress• Polarizing posts on Facebook that divide our country• Gridlock in Government• Less Facebook
More:• Time with family and friends• Healthy eating (with an occasional Shipley’s donut from the Ella Location)• Reduction in our national debt• Time spent enjoying local businesses in The Heights• Paying it forward
So here’s to less of what bugs you and more of what you want in 2015!
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DEPARTMENTS
30 Whats New In The Heights
42 HeightsBusinessProfile 46 Restaurant Review 47 Events in the Heights
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6 OurBlok Spring
Get Schooled in the Heights
4 OurBlok Winter
Identity Theft
FEATURES 7 From The Heart 10 Beat The Houston Heat
16 What’s New In the Heights
18 Getting Schooled
34 Tax Preperation
18
this issueLocal Swimming Hole? 10
FEATURES 7 From The Heart 10 Beat The Houston Heat
16 What’s New In the Heights
18 Getting Schooled
34 Tax Preperation
Greater Heights Realtors
Michael SilvaJohn Daughtery Realty
713.626.3930
Tiffanie Purvis TX Real Estate & Co.
713.337.1410
Austin Ozten, MBA The Reyna Group
713.962.0355
Shawn & Paula MandersheidColdwell Banker
281.773.0195
Rebekah Mayfield Berkshire Hathaway
832.439.7219
Allen FriezeKeller Williams Realty
Metropolitan713.621.8001
To f i n d o u t m o r e a b o u t t h e s e G r e a t e r H e i g h t s Re a l t o r s , s c a n t h e Q R c o d e o r
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Julie Greenwood Greenwood King
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Gerarda Sanchez Walzel Properties
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Holly Grajales Walzel Properties
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Linda King Greenwood King
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Sandy Steitz The Reyna Group
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Billy Hartman Hartman & Associates
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OurBlok Winter 5
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With Houston’s Housing market hotter than a firecracker and the Heights area leading the way, Janice Murphy, like most other Houston Realtors finds her days booked solid. It is part of the process when one holds the status of a top performer for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty. Despite her full schedule, however, Janice still finds time to come up with creative ways to fund the non-profit she is passionate about The HeartGift Foundation.
HeartGift is a worldwide 501c3 (non-profit) organization committed to proving surgery to children in need. Most of these children
l ive in places where the treatment and technology for specialized heart procedures do not exist. Janice and her son Frost Murphy, Chair of HeartGift ’s Houston Chapter, were kicking around ideas to help fund surgeries for these children around the world. The goal became to raise $25,000 to pay for a child’s surgery. As fate would have it, Jan Larsen, a fellow HeartGift Houston board member, were ready to put their home on the market in the beautiful Crestwood/Glen Cove sub division. So, Janice committed to sell Jan and husband Brent ’s home and donate 100% of the commission she would earn to fund the $25,000 goal.
Who was the beneficiary of Janice’s great generosity? A three year old boy from Mongolia named Bayangali. Bayangali was suffering from Tetralogy of Fallot, a fatal disease if left untreated. Their rural, four-room home has no plumbing or heating and certainly funds for a surgery of this magnitude was out of the question. On October 22, Bayangali and his mother traveled to Houston with their translator to have the procedure.
Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.Shown left to right are Brent and Jan Larsen; Rachel Wright; Janice Murphy, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty Realtor; and Frost Murphy with a donation check for Heart-Gift Houston. Bayangali pictured right.
From The Heart
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Janice’s unselfish donation went 100% to HeartGift ’s patient services. One area where HeartGift really shines is the organizations ability to bootstrap their endeavors. Most board meetings are held in the public places. Their only employee works from home so overhead is extremely low. HeartGift utilizes volunteers to accommodate housing and transportation for their beneficiaries for up to six weeks. The doctors and staff donate their expertise which typically exceeds $200,000.00 and HeartGift makes up the difference.
“In this country, even children in economically challenging circumstances can gain access to diagnosis and surgery,” said Janice. “ The children HeartGift helps have no access to care and will die without modern medical treatment. We have had an amazing couple of years in the Houston real estate market. I challenge my fellow Realtors to consider joining me and paying it forward by pledging the cost of a child’s surgery to HeartGiftHouston.”
Just one more reason we think the Greater Heights, the people, the organizations and the work being accomplished make this the greatest area of the city to live in! To learn more about HeartGift or to donate visit www.heartgift.org.
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If there was ever a case of “build it and they will come” this certainly fits the bill. When you think of the early pioneers in Houston who dreamed of digging a ditch 50 miles long to make us a thriving port city. Maybe this idea is not so far-fetched. There are a number of players behind a non-profit project to bring a massive, naturally filtered, chemical free swimming hole to our city, think of it as our version of Barton Springs.
Monte Large, Jeff Kaplan, and Evan O’Neil envisioned this and are the driving forces behind it. For their part they are not looking for credit but a place to swim on Houston’s hot days. Though Monte has a background in urban design and real estate development, at heart they are all social entrepreneurs committed to making a positive impact on the city. “We’ve worked together for several years and are partners in projects such as New Living, Beaver’s, and, most recently, Houston’s first Parklet. We couldn’t be more excited to be here in Houston at this moment. Houston is a city founded on big ideas and innovation, where bold visions become reality. The city is redefining itself before our eyes, and its current wave of profound growth proves that Houston is ready for such a noteworthy project with lasting urban impact. Houston’s natural swimming hole is one of those big ideas that will help us love Houston even more.”
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See a David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant for details. Prices, plans, dimensions, features, specifications, materials, and availability of homes or communities are subject to change without notice or obligation. Illustrations are artist’s depictions only and may differ from completed improvements. Copyright © 2014 David Weekley Homes - All Rights Reserved. Houston, TX (HOUA61619)
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After reading about the venture on Kickstarter we decided to sit down and explore the crazy notion and the possibilities for success.
Q. What led you to decide that Houston needed a swimming hole? Have you been in Houston in August?!! Growing up in Houston without a pool made accessing water in this city a luxury. We couldn’t often go to Galveston or Austin, so the water hose became our escape from the summer heat. Houston is so close to water - bayous run throughout the city - but swimming in the water isn’t necessarily appealing. Being 45 minutes from Galveston and 3 hours from the springs in the Hill Country is kind of a cruel tease.
The incredible transformation of the bayous over the last couple of years inspired us to view the water that crisscrosses’ this city in an entirely new way. Witnessing how beautiful Buffalo Bayou can be led us to believe that Houston could go a step further and actually access the water that’s already here.
Q. How big of a pool do you envision? We believe the swimmable area of the Swimming Hole needs to be at least 3 acres in size, approximately the size of Barton Springs in Austin, though 4-6 acres would be ideal. Additional space would be needed for a ‘beach’, concessions, parking, dressing rooms and other amenities. The ideal total site size would be approximately 10-12 acres. Q. Have you visited other outdoor swimming holes to draw inspiration from?
We are inspired greatly by a number of the swimming holes that used to exist in Houston. Just about every week we hear of another that people remember swimming in when they were kids. Barton Springs in Austin is such a close example and the impact that it has on the quality of life in Austin is profound. Barton Springs is one of our favorite get-aways in the country. Though Austin in the
summer is just as hot as or hotter than Houston, visiting Austin in the summer is delightful because of Barton Springs. Just knowing it’s there makes the city more bearable on the warmest of days.
Q. What about other working examples?
Streets Beach in Brisbane, Australia also inspired the idea. The proximity of that man-made waterway to the downtown area and to the brackish Brisbane River helped us form our ideas of how a similar swimming beach in Houston might look and feel.
Q. Are you surprised by the positive response you have received about the idea?
We are truly blown away!
Q. What is the next step after the Kickstarter funding goal is met? The next step is developing the plan-- from engineering and site analysis, to its actual design, to financing, to site selection, to creating a revenue model that allow of it to be self-sustaining to the City. The critical next step the feasibility study will be conducted by Sherwood Design Engineers and they are anxious to get started. Once the feasibility report is complete and the right sites are determined, we will pursue
a location. Once the ideal location is secured, a capital campaign to raise funds for the construction will be launched.
We are looking to our community for help in laying the foundation and groundwork for this plan, so we can all invest in making it happen. Q. How much funding do you see being needed to complete the project?
The feasibility study will give us a much better idea of the total cost of the project. So much is determined by the site, what other amenities might be nearby such as parking, concessions, and park space and the technology employed to filter and clean the water. Our hope is that the Swimming Hole can be located
in or very near another park, so that it may bolster the park and, possibly, become an anchor attraction. Although a total number has not been determined and we will not know until we have a specific site-- our best guess is approximately $20M.
Q. How long do you project this taking to complete? We want to be swimming within 3 years.
Q. Are you planning any type of event in the near future promoting the project?
We want the entire process to be a collaborative-- we’re planning a series of events next year for the community to come and explore, and “buy-in” to future potential sites. Maybe a Luau to kick it off!
Q. What are the biggest impediments to the success of the project?
Building a centrally-located, accessible, and noteworthy swimming hole presents a host of possible risks and challenges. Many of these will be addressed in the feasibility study. They include possible regulatory framework challenges in Houston, site engineering challenges, water source issues, long-term sustainability challenges, and safety concerns. We must also build community support in order to fund the final project. It looks as though we will hit our original goal of $30,000 to Kick start the effort. Additional private funds will need to be raised in order to undertake the full feasibility analysis, cover organizational costs, and pay our team and consultants. There is a mountain of regulatory, insurance, and financial hurdles, but our team
loves challenges, and always dives right in to find solutions. Sherwood Design Engineers brings years of credibility to the [project having overcome similar hurdles in projects around the world. We have no doubt that we can successfully work through any challenges.
Q. What will be natural and sustainable about the swimming hole?
Check out “natural swimming pools:” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_pool “A natural swimming pool is a system consisting of a constructed body of water...in which no chemicals or devices that disinfect or sterilize water are used, and all clarifying and purifying of the water is achieved through biological filters and plants rooted hydroponically in the system.” Many natural swimming pools have large “regeneration areas” where algae and other water plants help create a sustainable micro-ecosystem while cleaning the water. Plus, one or two of the sites we are studying are currently parking lots; a natural pool would return many native plants to the area and promote biodiversity. Our main goal is to create a swimming area that is clean, refreshing, and that is also sensitive to and might actually help promote a more sustainable environment.
Q What size are we talking about here? The feasibility study will address these questions. The cost of entry will be determined by many factors, but we hope to keep it as low as possible. The size and capacity will be determined by the location and funding, but we would like it to be at least as large as Barton Spring in Austin, which is about 3 acres in size. Depending on the location, whether it’s inside or adjacent to a park and surrounding amenities, there will likely need to be an additional 3-7 acres or so for dressing rooms, concessions, café, recreational area, and a regeneration/filtration zone.
Q What is the estimated costs?
The final price tag with depend on the location, size, filtration technology, and other amenities. As soon as we determine each specific detail, we will announce it so stay tuned!
Q. How will ongoing expenses be handled? As with Discovery Green, we intend the swimming hole to be partially maintained by third-party event and, possibly restaurant and licensing revenue. The exact model will rely heavily on where the swimming hole is located, what amenities might be appropriate for the exact location. what partners are involved, and how well it is funded. These are questions that are currently being studied and that will be addressed in the feasibility study. A couple of projects we are also looking at are the High Line and the + Pool in New York City. Their models might not exactly translate to Houston, but the High Line, built in 2009 after a 10-year effort by “a ‘self-taught artist,’ and freelance writer,” was funded entirely by private money and then donated to the City of NY for ongoing maintenance, security, and insurance. Although the High Line is now property of the City of NY and under the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Parks & Rec, “the Friends of the High Line is the 501(c)(3) non-profit, private partner that funds virtually all the High Line’s operations by raising contributions, and works with the City to make sure it is maintained as a great public place for all.”
Our model might mirror or be somewhat of a hybrid between the High Line, Discovery Green, and Barton Springs all largely funded through private and institutional money and ongoing support through a 501(c)(3) arm that is eventually owned and maintained by the City of Houston or a parks organization through a structured partnership.
In a city with visionaries like the Allen Brothers and Roy Hofheinz and George Mitchell who brought so much to the city I wouldn’t doubt this plan or these players.
For more info on thid project:
houstonneedsaswimminghole.com
facebook.com/houstonneedsaswimminghole
twitter.com/houswimminghole
OurBlok Winter 15
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Getting
Schooled
By Angela Pennington
The Greater Heights is no stranger to little treasures. From the Posh Petal flower shop to Houston Panini and Provisions to Bayou City Crossfit, residents can eat, shop, exercise and more without having to leave the neighborhood. And when it comes to educating our little residents, there are nearly as many options. The community has home school programs, private schools, neighborhood and vanguard schools, and tucked in the corner of Wakefield and Sue Barnett, Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, a school that is turning heads and raising children up in a unique way. Started as a “school within a school,” the Montessori program now encompasses the entire school, boasting 31 classrooms, 82 teachers and over 500 students. “There are many things you can do to enhance children’s outcomes, and Montessori is one of them,” says Principal Dr. Lindsey Pollock, who is known for her accessibility and meets with parents once a month for breakfast and brainstorming.
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Crop Top Activity
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as the school has expanded into middle school. “We have a work plan, and if we do all of our works, we get to go to recess.”
Isabella is pictured here completing a lesson on rocks. “Third graders sort the rocks as sedimentary, metamorphic or igneous, and then we make a chart.” The well spoken student rattles off these scientific terms like they were everyday vocabulary.
Another difference between Montessori and the traditional classroom is the practice of having multi-age classrooms, usually in a three year age span, which lends itself to a sense of community, offers a variety of curriculum levels to encompass all learning levels, and encourages working together. This is
great practice for adult life experiences, where people of all ages and education work together. “Older kids mentor younger kids, which leads to a sense of social responsibility and awareness,” says parent Julia Camp. “We are helping kids become more open and self confident.”
Created over 100 hundred years ago, Montessori is based on the theory that small children have an innate path of
psychological development and that education is best served interacting with the environment as opposed to facts being thrust upon the child. Children who are allowed to choose activities within a guided set of “works” will naturally prefer those that lead to optimal development. These “works” are purposeful activities produced by teachers to teach and enhance understanding of concepts, and the number of works strived for by each student is determined in the classroom. Large blocks of learning time are set aside, giving students the option to choose which activities they want to do that day, as opposed to teacher-led lessons as a group. “Works help us learn, and the more we do, the more lessons we get,” says third grader Isabella Olivares-Reed, who has attended Garden Oaks since she was three years old and has the option of continuing through 8th grade,
OurBlok Winter 21
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As successful as the Montessori program is, Dr. Pollock goes above and beyond to involve the community in the task of educating her students. “We create a collaborative, connected environment with parents, teachers, neighbors and even local businesses,” says Dr. Pollock. Their S.P.A.R.K. park, for example, doesn’t only belong to the school but is shared with the neighborhood along with the responsibility of keeping it maintained. Members Trust Credit Union volunteers its time on campus to teach kids about financial responsibility, and the school is also looking for businesses to partner with as part of an internship program for 50 middle school students. Real Men
Read encourages dads, father figures and male community members to read to students for 45 minutes each month, and parent involvement includes both a PTO as well as Friends of Montessori.
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Perhaps one of the best features of Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet is that it is a public school, tuition-free ages 5 and up (3 and 4 years olds are charged tuition) as part of the Houston Independent School District. Additional funding is provided by Friends of Montessori as well as by community partners such as Memorial Hermann Hospital Northwest, Shell Oil, and the Houston Endowment. The campus will also receive $26 million from school bonds in the next 3 years for improvements.
If anyone can handle all eyes on her school, it is Dr. Pollock. She has impressed her faculty, parents and the community with her visibility, openness and attention to detail. “Dr. Pollock keeps the school organized and keeps us all safe,” says Isabella. “And I don’t have to sit in a desk all day doing worksheets. If I want to sit at a desk I can, but if I want to get up and move to do other activities, I can.”
For more information about Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet, or to become involved as a community member, please visit: www.houstonisd.org/gardenoaks
OurBlok Winter 25
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OurBlokWinter 25
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4 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 546 W 24TH
3 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1209 E 27TH
4 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 2110 HOLMAN
5 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 107 & 109 NAGLE
2 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1115 E 27TH
7 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1601 & 1603 W 22ND
3 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 818 W 22ND
4 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1720 W 24TH
5 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 2405 BASTROP
HAVEN'T SEEN THE PERFECT HOME FOR SALE ON THE MARKET?
CALL TIFFANIE PURVIS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS COMING SOON!!
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Starting in the low $400’s
Beautiful 3 Story home under construction in centrally located Cottage Grove with custom finishes. Desirable corner lot, no HOA. Impressive Living/Dining area with French Doors that open to a balcony. The kitchen has a center island, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, custom cabinets and large pantry.
6627 LETEIN A, B & C
Starting at $375,000
Intelligently designed floor plan boasts high ceilings and custom finishes. The 1st floor has an impressive foyer, bedroom and full bath. The living areas on the 2nd floor are the perfect gathering space for family and friends with site lines throughout the space. The kitchen has a center island, granite counter tops, stainless appliances and custom cabinets.
(Advertisement Section)
24 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1231 W 18TH
3 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1145 LAWRENCE
8 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1918 RUTH
4 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 546 W 24TH
3 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1209 E 27TH
4 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 2110 HOLMAN
5 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 107 & 109 NAGLE
2 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1115 E 27TH
7 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1601 & 1603 W 22ND
3 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 818 W 22ND
4 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 1720 W 24TH
5 FUTURE HOMES LOCATED AT 2405 BASTROP
HAVEN'T SEEN THE PERFECT HOME FOR SALE ON THE MARKET?
CALL TIFFANIE PURVIS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS COMING SOON!!
NEW CONSTRUCTION 2015
2605, 2607, & 2609 DETERING
Starting in the low $400’s
Beautiful 3 Story home under construction in centrally located Cottage Grove with custom finishes. Desirable corner lot, no HOA. Impressive Living/Dining area with French Doors that open to a balcony. The kitchen has a center island, granite counter tops, stainless appliances, custom cabinets and large pantry.
6627 LETEIN A, B & C
Starting at $375,000
Intelligently designed floor plan boasts high ceilings and custom finishes. The 1st floor has an impressive foyer, bedroom and full bath. The living areas on the 2nd floor are the perfect gathering space for family and friends with site lines throughout the space. The kitchen has a center island, granite counter tops, stainless appliances and custom cabinets.
Urban Eats | Washington Ave.
Berryhill Baja Grill | Ella Blvd.
Lee’s Chicken| Heights Blvd.
...be on the lookout!Whats New In the Heights!
30 OurBlok Winter
Crosstimbers
...be on the lookout!Whats New In the Heights!
North Durham Animal Hospital N. Durham
Boil House| 11th St.Stay Tuned for Opening
Dates for the 2015 Season!
In TownTown In City Brewing Co. Cavalcade St.
Crosstimbers
38 OurBlok Fall
OurBlok Winter 33
THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING?YOUR LUXURY HOME AND NEW CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST!
Austin Oztan, MBA REALTOR & INVESTORMulti-Mllion Dollar [email protected] www.har.com/austin
713-962-0355
$825,0001719 Cheshire Oak Forest I $899,000
1219 Curtin | Oak Forest$899,000
5925 Almeda Rd #12505 Medical Center | $415,000
7504 Flowerdale Spring Branch | $849,000
NEW CONSTRUCTION SOLD
FOR SALE
Featured on FM 100.7
SOLD
34 OurBlok Winter
What Method of Tax Preparation Will
You Choose?
There are many methods to choose from when i t comes to preparing individual tax returns. You can st i l l elect to do your own taxes by using Free Fi le through the IRS or a brand-name tax preparation software package. Or, you can turn the job over to someone else – either a storefront tax processor service or a highly-quali f ied professional accountant. I f you have a basic tax return, a software package could be the answer. Just keep in mind the software is only as good as the processor. Math miscalculat ions, f i l ing status errors and computation errors are the most common
mistakes made every tax year.
Addit ional examples of misreported i tems found in returns prepared via tax preparation software include misf i led state tax returns, property taxes and health savings account deductions not correctly taken, misclassif icat ion of business activi ty, and suspended losses not properly compiled. One error in entering the information could end up costing you a larger tax bi l l or smaller refund.
For the majori ty of Americans who don’t want to spend hours completing al l the f i l ings required, using a storefront tax processor
By Gary Cooper CPA
service or professional accountant is the way to go. Both tax processors and accountants wil l typical ly handle IRS compliance issues effect ively. Taxpayers with relat ively basic returns who aren’t very tech savvy and prefer face-to-face assistance wil l receive adequate assistance from a tax processor.
While the costl iest option, a professional tax consultant wi l l provide strategic tax advice which can save you more money in the long term. This is part icularly true of cert i f ied publ ic accountants, who represent the most reputable and highly-trusted accounting professionals. Small business owners and individuals with complex returns wil l appreciate the expert ise of a CPA. Highly qual i f ied, they have a stronger knowledge of the tax code to maximize deductions and a better understanding of an individual ’s tax return history. A CPA wil l also encourage tax planning in the fourth quarter of each year to take advantage of i tems such as harvesting unreal ized losses and bringing a taxpayer current with tax loss including non-cash deductions, ut i l iz ing bonuses appreciat ion in code section 179 and accelerat ing the appreciat ion methods. While there are many options and support services avai lable, ult imately i t is up to the individual to be responsible for tax compliance in a complex system.
Based in Houston, Texas and with more than 35 years of
account ing exper ience, Gary N. Cooper, CPA, president/CEO of Cooper CPA Group,
PC, establ ished his fu l l -service account ing and consul t ing f i rm in 2004 and serves indiv iduals and mid-market companies in
a broad range of industr ies including medical , retai l ,
commercial , hospi ta l i ty and manufactur ing. For more
informat ion v is i t :
www.CooperCPAGroup.com
1703 W 12th St. Houston, Texas 77008
(713) 243-8590 in [email protected]
OurBlok Winter 35
Join The Greater Heights Only Professional Networking Organization
Call for availability
713.868.2002 www.networkinaction.com
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Jimmy Herrera Auto Collision
38 OurBlok Winter
713-412-8412
Call For Details!
• Save time & money with a first mortgage loan that combines home and renovation costs into one loan with one closing,
• Get a loan based on the home’s market value after imporivements are made.
• Improve your home at significantly lower first mortgage interest rates than can be had with personal loans or credit cards.
Your Dream Home Is Closer Than You Think
Holly Grajales, Realtor
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6010 Washington Avenue, Suite D
Heights Businesses
Home Loan Division of Benchmark Bank
KATHRYN HODGE Mortgage Advisor
Phone: 281-755-6335 [email protected] NMLS: 718160 www.affiliatedmortgage.com
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40 OurBlok Winter
Heights Businesses
Your Ad Here!
Call 713-868-2002
to advertise
your business!
1909 Taylor Street, Suite #AHouston, TX 77007
(713) 862-6611*Courtesy placement due to print error in previous issue-
OurBlok Greater Heights.
Buy one hamburger, fry and drink, get
another hamburger for
FREE!*Limit 1 coupon per customer
Expires: Nov 30, 2012Expires Mar 31, 2015
OurBlok Winter 41
42 OurBlok Winter
heights business
NEIL F MCGLONE LegalShield
Independent Associate(832) 547-7040
You do your best to keep your personal data safe. Despite your best efforts, fraudsters still manage to discover creative ways to find and exploit your personal and financial information.
We took a moment to speak with Neil McGlone to discuss the threat of identity theft and how LegalShield is the solution that provides peace of mind in a world where our data is so vulnerable. As he explained, most people aren’t aware of the dangers of identity theft, and the ones who are familiar with the concept are only aware of the financial side that threatens us.
“That’s only one form of identity theft.” He explains, “There is driver’s license identity theft, social security identity theft, character and criminal identity theft… and the fastest growing threat is medical identity theft, which can be a life-threatening situation. For example, if someone changes your blood type (on record) and you are in a serious accident and in need of blood, all of the sudden you are getting a transfusion with another person’s type of blood.”
The more Neil spoke, it became clear that our personal data is not just sensitive, it’s sacred.“Our Identity Theft service is done in
partnership with Kroll, the largest fraud solutions company in the world. They are experts at detecting and correcting fraud, which includes all five forms of identity theft. Working with Kroll, we totally restore our members to pre-breach status. So you have a good name coming in and a good name going out.”
When you register at LegalShield’s secure website, you give them a limited power of attorney to monitor your personal data. If a “red flag” is raised, the member is then notified and sent to a different secure site where they can see the action that triggered the alert. If there’s a problem you have access to Kroll’s investigators, who totally restore your identity.“The main benefit of LegalShield’s identity theft protection is restoration as opposed to resolution. With resolution, you are guided through a process of what to do and how to do it, but that can take literally hundreds of hours. With restoration, EXPERTS do the job for you.”Neil drove his is point home with this: “Identity theft is so bad, everyone should have some form of protection. But if you choose to protect yourself and your family, get the solution that provides TOTAL RESTORATION.”
If you are interested in learning more about LegalShield and Identity Theft, visit www.legalshieldassociate.com/neilmcglone and click “Learn More” under Identity Theft Plan.
Have you had the best lately?
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4AM-12 AM713-682-4343
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Present this ad and Receive 1 dozen glazed donuts FREE!
OurBlok Winter 43
Oak Forest Businesses
heights businessHappy Hour
M-F 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Full Bar Featuring Great Margaritas, Frozen Bellinis and a Fantastic Selection of Beers.
It’s Not Just About Spaghetti!It’s a Feast For Your Taste Buds.
Want dinner on your couch? We Deliver!
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713-861-1313www.spagwesthouston.com
COMING SOON!
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NEW LOCATION!
HOUSTON, TX
NOW OPEN!
For More Information Gerarda Sanchez, Realtor 832.969.7682
facundohomebuilders.com
Call For Details
Washington Corridor Businesses
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First Time Visits Receive $25 OFF
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Join Us for Lunch & Dinner Mon - Sat 11:30 am - 10:00pm
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44 OurBlok Winter
OurBlok Winter 45
When I was growing up, eating out was a rare treat. A family of 10 did not just jump in the car at a moment’s notice to get their fill of food. When we did go it was inevitably to either El Patio on Cullen Blvd. or Youngblood’s Fried Chicken on Griggs.Eating at Youngblood’s chicken from an early age and savoring my father’s double dipped buttermilk battered fried bird would make anyone an authority of southern fried chicken. Its seems that in 2014 chicken became famous with the opening of a number of new fried chicken places and a chicken even gracing the cover of the Heights Pages! Believe me when I say the recent renaissance of fried chicken options in the Heights has been well
received by this southern boy. In late December on one of the rare sunny days the family set out to
enjoy a late lunch together. The dilemma for me is always, do you try one of the old tried and true establishments in the Heights or do you opt for one of the latest places that has been “Yelped” up or smothered with love by Culture Map. In a rare form of dictatorship, I convinced the little ones that yes there is fried chicken beyond Spaghetti Westerns fantastic chicken strips! I had eaten at H-Town Streat’s Food Truck and enjoyed the experience. So it made sense to me that Chef Jason Hillard and Matt Opaleski could transition to the restaurant scene without a hiccup so we headed over to the “The Bird House” on 11th St.
The story you are about to read is real and without exaggeration. If I had not personally experienced it I to would not believe it. Upon entering the establishment that is known as the “Boil House” during the crawfish season I observed a number of tables all occupied outdoors with people waiting. It was strange but maybe a coincidence that no-one was actually eating. As I approached the chalkboard menu I was starting to salivate at the thought of great southern fried chicken paired with their self-proclaimed “bad-ass sides.” My family of 6 made its way to the only open table inside the building. As I proceeded to order I noticed that there were no child’s menu. I requested the chicken fingers only to be told abruptly and somewhat rudely that “you can only order those if you order the family platter”. At that moment I felt a tinge of regret that we had not decided to stay with the old tried and true. But by now all six of us are out of the car and feeling adventurous so no reason to give up so easily. I re-focused on the menu and completed my order totaling just over $59.00. The kids would have to do without their chicken strips and learn to eat real chicken the way Youngblood’s served it. Before leaving the counter I asked for water and was told that “I would have to purchase
Foul Fowl
46 OurBlok Winter
bottled water, as they did not have water to give us”. Am I the only one that thinks at a minimum that every food establishment should be required to provide water? It seems completely illogical that a place that is serving food does not have drinking water! If not having water makes a place trendy, then consider me old school.Before I could turn my attention back to the anticipation of the fried chicken yet to come, the lady behind the counter declared “and your family cannot sit at that table”. It seems their city permit did not allow for indoor dining, which obviously begs the question, why put a table in a bird house?
At this point, I have been told I could not order an item that is clearly on the menu, could not get water and could not sit inside to eat. I was less excited than ever and began to think how appropriately they had named the establishment. “ The Birdhouse.” Seemed to be a perfect fit for birds but not fit for human consumption. Normally I would have bolted any joint after these three strikes but moving a hungry clan of six is not so easy. And after all I kept thinking, at some point we were going to be served delicious, mouth-watering southern fried chicken. Then the damn broke. The same lady that obviously had never had an introduction to customer service asked “if the car out back was mine”? She seemed to enjoy raining on our parade. I am not sure but I think that I went into shock mode at that time. When I reply with a polite yes, I was told the car had to be moved even though it was clearly not blocking any other traffic.
I finally discerned it was time to call foul on the fowl! When I requested a refund to go eat at a place where we could park, order off the menu, be given a glass of water, sit at a table, feel appreciated, and eat, Miss Happy did not have a clue how to process a refund off of her trendy iPhone square! I was then offered cash, no problem but to add insult to injury I quickly noticed I was shorted $10 of the total amount due. Really grateful there are other options so nearby in the Heights. I love all the new establishments opening
and look forward to visiting each and every one of them. However, the next time I look at fried chicken I think I will have to go back to the tried and true. If you aren’t sure, check out the places below. I can guarantee you great fried chicken and a friendly reception!
Barbecue Inn
Food & Wine called it some of the best fried chicken in America this year. Who would think fried chicken at a place called The Barbecue Inn? Since opening in 1946 they have been serving fried chicken the same way and that is always “cooked to order.” All meals are served with a house salad and a baked potato. On my most recent visit the potato came with the coolest contraption set on the table complete with all the butter, cheese, sour cream and scallions one could want. This chicken is in my opinion the best in town and still comes in second on the menu to the friend shrimp! Liberty Kitchen
At the forefront of the Fried Chicken renaissance were the guys at Liberty Kitchen. Currently only offered on Wednesdays but that is about to change. Owner Lee Ellis declared “ In early 2015 you will no longer have have to worry about getting to Liberty Kitchen early for our famous Fried Chicken before we sell out.” Look for Lee’s Fried Chicken and Do-Nuts at the current location of Churches on Heights Blvd. The chicken is brined for three days in their secret sauce and the new location will be open everyday. Zelko Bistro
Zelko Bistro has as good of chicken as any where, plump and juicy beyond compare. Moist flesh with a crispy, barely sweet crust made with of all things Captain Crunch cereal! I mean who thinks of these combos? Max’s Wine Dive When Max’s Wine Dive first opened in Houston they offered fried chicken paired with champagne. The chicken gets its signature kick from a jalapeño-buttermilk marinade and is still fried to order at Max’s Wine Dives on Washington Ave. Have to admit it goes great with Champagne.
Greater Heights Events
Cause 4 Paws at Crossfit Revoke Sat December 13, 2014
Frozen Benefit for Juvenile Diabetes Saturday November 11, 2014
Have event photos? Send them to [email protected] to be included in the next issue!
OurBlok Winter 47
Greater Heights Events
Lights In The Heights Saturday December 13, 2014
48 OurBlok Winter
Pet Fest @ Bethel Saturday Aug 30, 2014
Lights In The Heights Saturday December 13, 20143201 KIRBY 713.524.0888 • 1616 S. VOSS, SUITE 900 713.784.0888 • 1801 HEIGHTS 713.864.0888 • www.greenwoodking.com
GREENWOOD KING
1432 DorothyHouston Heights3/2½$484,000Caroline Schlemmer 713.446.2716
2005 ColumbiaHouston Heights4-5/3½$649,000Nancy Jane McMillan 713.906.1979
417 E. 14th St.Houston Heights3/2$575,000Brigette Larson 713.829.1539
1210 OmarHouston Heights3-4/4$1,050,000Amanda Anhorn 713.265.5125
5313 LillianRice Military3/3½$525,000Nancy Jane McMillan 713.906.1979
4027 NorhillNorhill3/2$420,000Cathy Steward 713.524.0888
1605 ColumbiaHouston Heights3-4/3$825,000Emily Brandenberger 713.864.0888
314 MossHouston Heights3/3$499,900Caroline Schlemmer 713.446.2716
917 AshlandHouston Heights4-5/3½$925,000Amanda Anhorn 713.256.5123
1725 EdwardsSawyer Heights3/3½$343,900Jeremy Fain 713-677-4337
1011 HighlandWoodland Heights3-4/2½$875,000Amanda Anhorn 713.265.5125
1313 ArlingtonHouston Heights3/2½$764,000Beverly Berry 713.302.6999
GREEN -GREENWOOD KING a place to find your home
New C
onstructio
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Sold
Sold
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Pool
Pending
Texas Real Estate & Co.2420 Washington AveHouston, TX 77007
Tiffanie Purvis - Broker/[email protected]
www.txreco.com • 713-337-1410
Specializing in Residential, Commercial, Development and Investment Properties
TonyRodriguez
Realtor
AlexEuresteRealtor
JasonSufentesRealtor
Rogelio“Ro” Olivetti
Realtor
2609 DETERING$430,000
1115 E 27thComing Soon!
1101 A SUMMERStarting at $399,900
720 W 10th St - $899,900Craftsman style home with modern design elements
8307 Crescent Knolls Dr - $489,0002 story 5 bedroom home with a 3 car garage
1415 Holly - $375,000Modern luxury home with energy efficient features!
908 20th St - $414,900908 20th St - $414,900New Construction - Six homes available
3438 Center St - $550,000Furnished with roof deck
ALSO AVAILABLE
