Field of Dreams

It felt like a football game.The Central Medical Magnet High School band was playing. There were cheerleaders from Central, Ozen High School,and West Brook High School and lots of team spirit. But the hundreds that gathered in a field off of Interstate 10 and Brooks Road this morning were there for a different reason. It was to celebrate the start of construction of the Beaumont Independent School District's new Multi-purpose Center. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by students, staff, and administrators as well as community and business leaders.
"This is a very, very, historic day," said Dr. Carrol Thomas, BISD Superintendent. "It's a day you'll remember 20 years from now."
The new $42 million center is a state-of-the-art, 10,400-seat stadium, fieldhouse, and natatorium that will be used districtwide for football games, soccer games, band competitions,and other events. It is scheduled to be completed in the fall of next year. The facility is being built by Turner Construction. Those attending included Howard Trahan, Rodney Saveat, Bo Alfred, Get Williams, George Key, Carl Collins, Gwen Ambres, Judge Paul Brown, Dr. Shirley Bonton, Woodrow Reece, Jessie Haynes, Jim Rich, Bill Daniels, James Broussard, and Patricia Lambert.

Empowering Minority Business Owners

The National Urban League Gulf Coast Economic Empowerment Tour came to Beaumont with lots of good information for minority business owners. The half-day event was held at the MCM Elegante. The program which is sponsored by BP teaches small business owners how to access the more than $10 million worth of contracting opportunities that are available in our region. The program was started after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to enhance minority participation in the rebuilding process. Participants learn about small business certification programs, marketing, bidding and estimating, managing risks and challenges, and negotiating contracts. "It's about hustling," says Dana Henry of Henry Consulting which administers the program. "There's no secret to it." Free consulting services are offered to help participants along the way. Those attending included Terry Clark, Troy Carter, Troy Henry, Dana Henry, Larry Thomas, Dwayne Diamond, Sondra Louis, Rhonda Spears Bell, Jim Rich, Gene Price, Stephen Saldana, and Geraldine Dipmore. For more information, call (504) 529-9890 or go to www.nul.org

Domestic Violence Walk

Family Services of Southeast Texas invites you to
stamp out violence in our community by supporting the

• WALK AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE •

 Saturday, June 13, 2009
 8:30am to Noon
 Crockett Street - Downtown Beaumont

Join us in this non-competitive walk against the devastating effects of domestic violence in our community.
Everyone can take steps to end violence! Bring your whole family to participate!
There will be free t-shirts, drinks, snacks, bracelets and face painting. For more information on the event and volunteering, please call Corell at 833-2668 ext. 104.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, in the time it takes you to read this flyer, a victim of domestic violence will be abused. Thank you for supporting Family Services in our efforts to break the cycle of domestic violence in Southeast Texas!www.familyservicessetx.org

Changing of the Guard

The Southeast Texas Association of Black Journalists (SETXABJ) elected new officers on Friday for the first time in its five-year history. I founded the organization along with Gordon Williams in September of 2004 and I have served as president ever since so it was definitely time for a change. But it's a bittersweet moment for me because I truly enjoyed leading this organization. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished in the past five years. We've raised thousands of dollars for scholarships for Lamar University students and developed a mentoring program. Thanks to the board members and officers who served with me--Camille Briggs, Natalie Roberts, Jackie Simien, Gordon Williams, Sheldra Brigham, Nicole Murray, and Tracie Payne. Congrats to the new board--Sheldra Brigham, president; Nicole Murray, vp/broadcast; Kristyn Hunt, secretary; Tracie Payne, treasurer, and Marquel Sennet, parliamentarian. I know you'll do great things!Thanks also to all of the members. We couldn't have done it without you!

Black College Alumni Mixer

Calling all HBCU and SWAC Graduates. The Black College Alumni Networking Mixer will be held on Friday, June 5th from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Tradewinds Tavern at the MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont. The event is free! Come out and chat with old classmates and meet new friends. Door prizes including football tickets will be given away. Wear your school colors! To RSVP, go to www.gtjags@yahoo.com or call (409) 892-2383.

Meet the Press

The Press Club of Southeast Texas held its monthly meeting on Thursday at Sugas. The guest speaker was Sam Savage of Parsons who is overseeing the construction of the Beaumont Independent School District Multi-purpose stadium. Savage showed a slide presentation of what the new 10,400-capacity stadium will look like. It will host football games, soccer games, and band competitions for all the schools in BISD. It will also include a fieldhouse and natatorium or swimming pool. The stadium is located near Ford Park. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on May 28. The stadium is scheduled for completion in the fall of next year. Those attending included Randy Stevens, Deedra Wilson, Paul Bergen, Jennifer Walsh, Angel San Juan, Debbie Bridgeman, Claudine Starita, Sarah Parker, Uliana Trylowsky, Dean Conwell, Jessie Haynes, Sheldra Brigham, Shirley Blanks, Johnny Beatty, Jennifer Smith, Kathy Catalano, Shelly Vitanza, Emily Guevara, and Candace Jones.

Smart Competition

Port Arthur Independent School District held its annual Academic Bowl at the Ninth Grade Campus Thursday. Teams from each school compete in all subjects including math, science, english, and fine arts. I emceed the event. It was a great event. The students are very knowledgeable. Those attending included Carolyn Brown,Dr. Edna Edward, Marjorie Cole, Germaine Eddy, Terry Bellanger, Dr. Morcease Beasley, Josh Magnuson, and Rita Leger.

Rotary Club

It's the weekly Beaumont Rotary Club meeting. Dr. Carrol Thomas, superintendent of Beaumont Independent School district, served as the guest speaker. He gave an overview of the school district and its $388 million dollar bond construction program. Those attending included Van Greer, Robert Turner, Dr. Shirley Bonton, Jim Rich, Kevin Roy, Jessie Haynes, Larry Beaulieu, Slate Babineaux, Deedra Wilson, and Dr. David Harris.

Building Today for Tomorrow's Future

Calling it a beautiful day, Beaumont Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Carrol Thomas along with board members, administrators, parents, students, staff, and community leaders dug their shovels into the dirt to officially signal the start of construction of the new Lucas/Martin Elementary School. The new school is part of the district's $388 million dollar bond construction program which includes nine new elementary schools, a middle school, a multi-purpose center and other renovations. "I'm excited for all of you who worked so hard to make this happen," said BISD Board member Rev. Ollis Whitaker. Those attending included Howard Trahan, Terry Williams, Bo Alfred, Judge Paul Brown, Ms. Willie Drake, Dr. Shirley Bonton, Gloria Cobb, Woodrow Reece, Martha Fowler, Gwen Ambres, Ted Stuberfield, and Channin Taylor.
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Mother/Daughter Tea

It was ladies night at Central High School on Tuesday for the Second Annual Mother and Daughter Tea themed Gems and Pearls Just us Girls. More than 500 hundred young ladies and women attended. The event is the brainchild of Principal Patricia Lambert. Its purpose is to strengthen the bonds between mothers and daughters as well as women in general. Minister Arlicia Albert from Antioch Baptist Church gave a rousing keynote speech. "We are fearfully and wonderfully made," Albert said. I emceed the program. It was a wonderful event! Thanks to everyone for their support!

Boys Haven's Fundraiser

Boys Haven held a media reception at Madisons to kickoff their annual Food and Music Festival that will be held this weekend, Saturday, May 23 at Ford Park. The home for at-risk boys is in dire need of financial assistance to continue its efforts. The festival is the organization's major fundraiser. So go out and support the event. Enjoy crawfish and other festival food and lots of good music!

Smelling the Roses

Sonny Perkins may be small in stature, but he has a great big heart. Friends say he's always helping others whether it's bringing food to the sick, mowing someone's yard, or working to get out the vote. More than 250 family members and friends gathered to honor Perkins for his contributions to the community and celebrate his 80th birthday. "Beaumont is a better place because of Sonny Perkins," said longtime friend and former Councilman Calvin Williams.
The party which featured the sounds of the Jazz Innovators was held at the IBEW in Beaumont. Longtime friends roasted Perkins calling him the "energizer bunny." The party was hosted by Joe and Linda Domino, Judge Lupe and Nancy Flores, Gilbert 'Buddy' Low, Lynda Kay and James Makin, and Judge Bob and Karen Wortham. Those attending included Commissioner Bo Alfred, County Clerk Carolyn Guidry, Judge John Stevens, Carl Griffith, Pat Avery, Thomas Sigee, J.D. Roberts, Judge Duce Jones, Councilman Jamie Smith, Councilwoman Get Williams, Mayor Becky Ames, Vernon and Johnnie Durden, Shelia Perkins, Alberta and Paul Jones, Regina Rogers, Sheriff Mitch Woods, Tony Renfro, Naomi Lawrence Lee, and Jessie Haynes.

Sonny Perkins Party