Novrozsky's moving to new location; opening new restaurant

Novrozsky's Hamburgers Etc. is moving from its current location on Dowlen to another location just down the street. The new site is right next to Starbucks near the corner of Dowlen and Folsom across from the post office. I was getting my usual grande cafe mocha from Starbucks' drive thru when I noticed the sign. Management tells FRONT ROW they're moving because it's a newer, bigger location and it has a pickup window. The restaurant is expected to open in September. Additionally, the owners of Novrozsky's also own Geo Burrito, formerly N-Fuego's Serious Burrito. The first Geo Burrito is located at the old Novrozsky's location on Calder and Lucas. It'll remain open. A new Geo Burrito will open at the current Novrosky's location when it moves to its new location. Certainly, this is good news for the economy and for the city of Beaumont.

Fox 26 in Houston Coming to Beaumont

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Mike Smith leaving Port of Beaumont

Mike Smith (left) is leaving his job as manager of public relations at the Port of Beaumont and returning to his former employer, the Beaumont Enterprise. In his new position, Smith will serve as a workforce reporter and assist with investigative pieces. He says he missed being a journalist. Once a journalist, it's hard to go to a "normal" job. Congrats and good luck with your new position!

Councilman Jamie Smith announces his run for Precinct 4

Beaumont City Councilman Jamie Smith officially announced that he is running for Jefferson County Commissioner Precinct 4. The announcement was made at the county courthouse this morning in front of about 100 family members and friends. Smith will be running against incumbent Commissioner Everette Bo Alfred.
Smith says that residents have been asking him to run for the office since he was elected to city council in 2007. He says he's running because he wants to continue to serve the people, but he acknowledges it won't be easy. "It's going to be tough. He's an incumbent," Smith says. Smith beat an incumbent, Councilwoman Bobbie Patterson, to get on the council. If he doesn't win, he still gets to keep his city council seat. The primary election will be held in March.

Boston's Kendrick Perkins ties the knot

Love is in the air. First Stephen Jackson and now Kendrick Perkins ties the knot. In fact they were in each other's weddings (see Jackson's wedding below). Boston Celtics and Beaumont Native Kendrick Perkins married his fiancee' Vanity Alpough on Saturday, July 25 at the Woodlands Country Club at six o'clock in the evening. The wedding party included more than 20 bridesmaids and groomsmen on each side and more than 250 guests. Some of the groomsmen included fellow NBA Players Stephen Jackson, Patrick O'Bryant, and Rajon Rondo. The wedding was held outdoors under a tent. It was officiated by Rev. John Adolph. Some highlights: the bride, her father, and flower girls were escorted to the tent by a horse and carriage; Perkins grabbed the microphone at the reception and started freestyling, and the bride's brother did a Michael Jackson impersonation to the song "Billie Jean." (You got to have some MJ at the reception) and doves were released during the ceremony. My source says the reception lasted until nearly 1 o'clock in the morning. I've followed Kendrick throughout his career. I covered his draft party. I interviewed his grandparents when he bought them a new home and I've interviewed Kendrick several times. It's good to see such a humble young man following his dreams. We're really proud of him. After the honeymoon in the Bahamas, the couple who has a two-year-old son will reside in the Woodlands. Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick Perkins.

Stephen Jackson's wedding

NBA Player and Port Arthur Native Stephen Jackson married his fiancée Renata White on July 11 at the Westminister United Methodist Church in Houston. I spoke with his mother Ms. Judyette Jackson and she tells FRONT ROW “It was beautiful.” The reception followed at Hotel ZaZa where 225 guests partied. The highlights included: Jackson and his new bride making an entrance from a stage that ascended from the floor and the singer Avant performed at the wedding and reception. Groomsmen included Bun B., Scoop Jackson, Snap Jackson, Roderick McNeal and fellow NBA Players Mike Bibby, Marquis Daniels, Kendrick Perkins, Stephan Malbury, Monte' Ellis, Al Harrington and Corey Maguette'. The couple honeymooned in Hawaii and they will reside in Atlanta. Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Jackson.

IEA's Luncheon is a huge success

Hundreds of people attended IEA's (Inspire, Encourage, Achieve) Camp Bright Star Closing Ceremony luncheon which was held at the MCM Elegante. The luncheon included performances by the 50 campers who participated in the program. An award was presented to Marion Colbert, the mother of 22 children (20 are still living), who are now successful nurses, doctors, pastors and other professionals. The guest speaker was Kemba Smith, (shown here in the gray jacket)the only child of middle-class parents who became the poster child for mandatory drug sentencing laws. While attending Hampton University, Smith got involved with a drug dealer. As a result, she was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking and conspiracy even though the prosecutor admitted she never handled or sold drugs. She spent nearly seven years in prison before she was pardoned by former President Bill Clinton and released. Her parents and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund had successfully lobbied on her behalf. Now, the 37-year-old mother and wife (she recently married a man who graduated from Lamar University) travels around the country warning young people to stay in school and make healthy choices.

Democrat John Sharp campaigns in Beaumont

Former Texas Comptroller John Sharp was in town last week campaigning for the U.S. Senate seat that is slated to be vacated by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison who is getting ready to run for governor. A reception hosted by State Representatives Joe Deshotel and Allan Ritter was held at the Beaumont Club on Thursday. Earlier that day, Sharp spoke at the Press Club of Southeast Texas' monthly luncheon at Suga's Deep South Cuisine and Jazz Bar. Senator Hutchison is expected to resign next month. If that happens, a special election could be held in October. Attendees included Sheriff Mitch Woods, Commissioner Bo Alfred, Paul and Alberta Jones, Former Beaumont Mayor David Moore, Davilyn and Kent Walston, Joe Deshotel Jr., Jason Apodaca, and Georgine Guillory.

Raquel Duncan's Baby Shower

Friends, family, and colleagues gathered at Cheddar's restaurant for a baby shower for Channel 4's Raquel Duncan. Raquel and her significant other Al Boutte are expecting a baby boy in September. Guests played games and shared motherhood stories. Attendees included Marquel Sennet, Sheldra Brigham, Camille Briggs, Erika English, Brandon Jones, Dee Dixon, Anne Bradley, Tamika Humphrey, and Natalie Roberts. Congratulations to the parents-to-be!

New Sports Anchor

Brooke Bentley is the new sports anchor at KBTV Fox 4. She made her debut last week. Bentley was formerly the on-air talent for the Houston Texans. She replaces Nick Canizales who is leaving the business to take a job in insurance. I sat next to Bentley at the IEA luncheon and she seemed very sweet. Welcome to Southeast Texas.We wish you much success!

Finally a Chris Brown Apology

Booth, Sponsorships for Upcoming 'Doctor' Day

Jefferson County Precinct 4 is now taking booth registrations and sponsorships for its upcoming "Take Yourself and a Loved One to the Doctor Day" in September. For more information, call (409) 835-8443.

The T.O. Show Debuts Tonight, Will you Watch?

Finally, somebody has figured out T.O.

Two people, actually. Now they want the rest of us to discover the real Terrell Owens.
Bills WR Terrell Owens looks at a waterfront condominium with real estate agent Maureen Flavin as he is filmed.
Bills WR Terrell Owens looks at a waterfront condominium with real estate agent Maureen Flavin as he is filmed.

After working with the wide receiver for most of the past decade, Monique Jackson and Kita Williams—a pair of trendily-dressed Los Angeles-based publicists—know him well ... well enough not only to have a name for his oft-publicized outbursts ("T.O.T.s"—short for "T.O. tantrums") but also to admonish him when he has one.

"I have the maternal instinct," Jackson said. "When he has a T.O.T., I can reprimand him."

A handful of NFL coaches and quarterbacks could have used Jackson over the years, but a cable network got her and Williams (who Jackson said is "more like a big sister") instead.

The stylish duo co-stars in The T.O. Show, which debuts on VH1 tonight at 10 ET. Jackson and Williams are closer to Owens than publicists are with clients. They advise Owens, 35,in personal matters (love, fatherhood, post-football plans), convinced him to move to Los Angeles this offseason after getting dumped by the Dallas Cowboys and will have a room to stay in his Buffalo-area home when they visit him this season.

Impact United Methodist Church Musical

Houston Reporter Carjacked, forced to drive to Beaumont

A television reporter said he became a kidnap and robbery victim early this morning while he was on his way to work.

Police said KTRK-TV (Channel 13) Eric James told investigators that a man with a semiautomatic handgun forced his way into his car and abducted him about 3 a.m. in the 2500 block of West Creek Lane near Westheimer.

James said he was released about four hours later, when the man got out of the car in the 800 block of Cavalcade near Irvington. He stole about $40 in cash.

James was not injured.

Channel 13 reported that the man forced James to drive to Beaumont, where he wanted to see his child. In Beaumont, the man called the child's mother, but her father answered the phone and told him not to come to their house.

Then the man demanded that James drive him back to Houston, where he got out of the car and fled.

More changes at KBMT Channel 12

KBMT Channel 12 General Manager Mike Elrod (shown here at Ribs & Champagne in May) is the first casualty after the sale of the station to the London Broadcasting Company, a Dallas-based media firm. Sources tell FRONT ROW, representatives of the new company along with the former owner, McKinnon Broadcasting, met with employees recently to talk about the future of the company and introduce new management. For right now, the rest of the staff remains intact. We'll have to wait and see what other changes are coming up. Best wishes to Mr. Elrod.

NBA Star Leaves Fiancee' at the alter

Did you see this story? NBA Player Richard Jefferson who is now with the San Antonio Spurs reportedly left his fiancee' at the altar. Some published reports say he called off the wedding two hours before it was to start and then left his credit card with his best man so his boys could have a good time. However, Jefferson denies those reports. He told Howard Stern that he called the wedding off on July 5 because he and his fiancee had been fighting alot and had broken up and gotten back together several times. "I was just trying to do the right thing," he says. The wedding reportedly cost $2 million which is something else that Jefferson denies. He says he's giving her a six-figure sum to help her move on with her life. What do you think? Is he a villian here or did he do the right thing (albeit bad timing)?

Former Beaumont Reporter wants to be the next millionaire

Katrina Webber went to New York on Monday to try to become the next "Who wants to be a millionaire" contestant. Webber who formerly worked as a reporter for KBTV 4 (she worked in Shreveport and now she's in San Antonio) along with 200 other potential contestants was given a test with 30 questions. They had 10 minutes to complete it. Webber tells Front Row the test included everything from "where do chitlins come from" to sports trivia. Unfortunately, she didn't pass it. Only five people did, but she enjoyed the experience. "I've been to other game shows and this process wasn't bad. They didn't keep you there all day. We were in and out. It was very easy." Too bad you didn't win it this time, but you can always try again!

Mitch Woods vying for U.S. Marshall

Jefferson County Sheriff Mitch Woods' days may be numbered. He's tossed his hat in the ring for U.S. Marshall Eastern District of Texas. The U.S. Marshall Services is a federal law enforcement agency that protects the federal courts and its personnel. It is the oldest law enforcement agency in the United States. Woods has been sheriff since 1996. He tells Front Row he was encouraged to apply for the position. "I thought if I don't do it, I'll probably regret it later." The 57-year Southeast Texas native says while he's happy to continue his job as sheriff, his father always told him to "always strive for a higher goal." And since retirement isn't that far away, he has to think about the next chapter in his life. The position is appointed by the President of the United States. There are 94 U.S. Marshalls, one in each federal judicial district. If Woods gets the job, he'll remain in Beaumont. The office is housed at the federal court building. We wish him the best of luck!

Spindletop Rotary Club

I was invited to attend the Spindletop Rotary Club today by my friend Raj Ataya. It's one of the smaller rotary clubs in town. They made me feel very welcome. Jefferson County Sheriff Mitch Woods was the guest speaker. He talked about his department's efforts to help fight against prescription drug abuse in our area. He along with other local law enforcement departments and medical officials have been instrumental in passing legislature to license and monitor these so called "pill mill" clinics. Attendees included Barry Bryant, Johneen Ardoin, Betsy Henslee, Pierce Harrington, Pat Coldewey, Jed Dollinger, and William Prince.

SU Alumni hosts Happy Hour

You are invited to the Golden Triangle Southern University Alumni chapter's Happy Hour Mixer on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. at Bistro LeMonde Restaurant, 3199 Dowlen Road. Come and see old friends and meet new members. The event is free! For more information, call (832) 428-3461 or send an email to gtjags@yahoo.com

Pioneering Women's Media Party

Pioneering Women presents 2009 Women of Vision "Reaching greater heights in heels!" Media Party, Thursday July 30, at 5 p.m. Suga's Deep South Restaurant, Bowie Street @Park in Downtown Beaumont.
Pioneering Women honors women for their achievements and contributions to the community by celebrating the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The women are honored at an annual luncheon. This year's luncheon will be held Aug. 13 at the Holiday Inn on Walden. The public is invited too!
Honorees include Tisha Armstead, Virginia Bean, Anne Huff, Ivory Harrison, Nell McCallum, Kathleen Jackson, and Sallye Keith. I am a past honoree (2007) and the pictures you see are of me and other honorees that year. I'm grateful to Georgine Guillory for having the vision for this group. For tickets, call Georgine at 409) 842-1577.