New Health Club in Beaumont

Exygon Health and Fitness Club (the fusion of exercise and oxygen) held its open house on Sunday. The new health club is located in what was formerly Ashley's Furniture at Dowlen and Phelan Blvd in the Westmont Shopping Center in Beaumont. It is scheduled to open in January. The 36,000 square foot facility will include a children's area with a gaming system and theater, more than 70 pieces of state-of-the art fitness equipment, two big group fitness rooms, a women's-only workout area, and a 40-yard track. The owners, Mike and Eldon Albanese (Eldon is shown in top photo)who also own the Westmont Shopping Center have operated Exgyon in Nederland for more than 16 years. This will be their second location.
"Our goal is to bring this part of the West end alive and it's happening as we speak," General Manager Tyler Briggs (in fourth photo) tells FRONT ROW. Briggs says since the health club moved into the location in August, it has spurred economic development in the area. In anticipation of the club's opening, the shopping center is now 100 percent leased out.
The addition of another healthclub is good news for residents. It means more competition and that always means good deals for consumers so take advantage of them. I visited the facility this weekend and from what I see it's going to be very nice.

HBCU Alumni Mixer Attendees Show School Spirit

Dozens of alumni from various schools attended the HBCU Alumni Mixer on Friday at the MCM Elegante's Tradewinds Tavern in Beaumont.Schools represented included Southern, Texas Southern, Huston-Tillotson, Prairie View, Grambling, and Alabama State, just to name a few. The members wearing their school colors chatted, and shared stories over food and drink. The purpose of the mixer is to help increase membership in the various alumni organizations and provide more support to the schools. Thanks to the Elegante for helping to sponsor the event. If you attended or graduated from a Black College and would like to participate, call (409) 892-2383 or send an email to gtjags@yahoo.com

High School Football Kicks Off

This weekend kicked off week zero of high school football. You know how crazy Texans are about their football. I attended the West Brook and Ozen game Saturday at the Babe Zaharias Stadium with friends Connie and Stephany. Stephany's son, Nick Bryant #24, is a safety on the West Brook team. He had a great game! West Brook won 33 to zero. I went to a magnet high school so we didn't have a football team. Attending Friday night games was not part of my experience, but I've always enjoyed going to the games. I think I'll go to a few more this year. Good luck to all of the high school teams this season!

Meet and Greet for Date Auction

Many gathered for a meet and greet reception to kick off the first annual Date Auction that will be held at Madison's restaurant on Sept. 9th at 6 p.m. You can bid on bachelors and bachelorettes including Channel 6's Nicole Murray and Ashley Gaston and a number of date packages including getaway vacations, a backyard barbeque, and a crawfish boil. The event benefits Ubi Caritas Children's Health Ministries which provides healthcare for those who are underserved.

Community Townhall Meeting gets mixed reviews

More than 60 people attended a Community Townhall Meeting to discuss racial profiling and other concerns last night at the Jefferson County Courthouse. The meeting was organized by Rev. Mark Smith, pastor of the Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Silsbee after Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested in his home and accused Massachusetts police of racial profiling. It also comes after two Beaumont police officers were indicted for allegedly using too much force during an arrest. Some of the panelists include Beaumont Police Chief Frank Coffin; John Flanagan, Beaumont police's recruiting officer, Lt. Tyler who oversees Beaumont police's internal affairs department, Judge Lupe Flores and Judge John Stevens. The questions centered around racial profiling and how complaints are handled within the police department. One person asked the panel to explain their thoughts on why the attendees were majority African American when the meeting was open to the public in general. No one answered that question. The meeting received mixed reviews from attendees. Some thought it was effective, while others said it didn't accomplish much.

100 Black Women help Students Get Ready

More than 1,000 children went back to school equipped with their supplies thanks to the generosity of the 100 Plus Black Women Coalition of Beaumont. The group held its annual school supply drive on Aug. 15 at the L.L. Melton YMCA. Hundreds turned out for the event.

Antioch hosts Women's Conference Sept. 2-4

Antioch Baptist Church is holding its annual women's conference, "Daughter's of Destiny." The conference will be held Sept. 2 through Sept. 4. at 7 p.m. Registration is free and open to the public.

HBCU Alumni Mixer Aug. 28

The HBCU Alumni Mixer will be held on Friday, Aug. 28 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the MCM Elegante Hotel. Alumni from Southern, Grambling, Prairie View, Texas Southern, Howard, and others will be in attendance. Come see old friends and meet new ones. And wear your school colors. Refreshments will be served. Donation $5. For more information, send an email to gtjags@yahoo.com or call (409)892-2383.
Click on flyer to enlarge.

Hadley's Furniture Gives Hurricane Victims an Early Christmas Present

Rosa and Olan Wilson couldn't contain their excitement as the Hadley's Furniture delivery men brought in piece after piece. They delivered a sofa, two chairs, two end tables and a coffee table in the living room. They brought two beds, dressers, and twin beds for the master bedroom and guests bedrooms. They sat a round wooden table with four chairs and two bars tools in the kitchen nook.
The new furniture which would have cost thousands of dollars was all donated by Hadleys to the couple who had lost everything in Hurricane Ike.
"God is real," Mrs. Wilson says.
"Within five minutes (of hearing their story), I knew we wanted to do something for them," said Hadley Cohen, owner of Hadley's.

Hadley along with his wife Melinda and his salesperson Cindy Ogden were on hand to witness the excitement. The Wilson's family and friends were also there. "This is nice," said many of people who were commenting on the beautiful furniture.

I have assisted the Wilsons who are friends of mine in getting help ever since I learned of their story. Their home took on four feet of water during Hurricane Ike and they had lost everything. So I talked to contacts that I had in the community and suggested Mrs. Wilson call a few people who I thought might assist her and her family in rebuilding their lives. I suggested that she call Hadley's and they responded in a big way. I thank God that I could be a blessing to the Wilsons and that Hadley's could be a blessing to all of us. It was truly a beautiful day!

Giants Plaxico Burress Speaks Out

Former New York Giants Receiver Plaxico Burress explained his fall from grace in an exclusive interview on ESPN Tuesday. The former football star accidentally shot himself in the leg in a nightclub in New York in November. He was later charged with attempted weapons possession and entered a plea agreement to serve two years in prison.
Burress says he took the gun to the nightclub because he feared for his safety after a fellow player and other athletes had been robbed at gunpoint. He says before he went into the club, he questioned whether he should take the gun along, but he ignored his first mind. He also said he has a son and his baby girl is due in November. He cried when he was asked how he feels about missing her birth.
This is the same man who in 2008 helped the Giants win the Super Bowl. What a difference a year can make! This is an excellent example of how the decisions we make can really change our lives. We're hoping Burress has learned his lesson and we wish him the best in his future endeavors. NFL officials have said they will reinstate him when he is released from prison.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4420733

Brandon Jones leaving Channel 4

Reporter Brandon Jones (shown here with his colleague Raquel Duncan) has put in his two-week notice at KBTV Fox Channel 4. He is resigning to pursue other opportunities. Brandon has worked in Southeast Texas for about two years. He's originally from the motor city. We wish him the best!

Lamar University Registration deadline extended

Students interested in attending fall classes at Lamar University still have time to register. The late registration deadline has been extended through the close of business Friday, August 28.

“Particularly for returning students and students who might have changed their educational plans at the last minute, we believe this is an important service to provide an opportunity to take advantage of a quality education,” said Jim Rush, director of academic services.

Students must apply and be admitted to Lamar University before registering for classes. For admissions information, call (409) 880-8888 or visit lamar.edu/admissions.

Those who have been admitted as students may register online at lamar.edu using their student identification number and personal identification number (PIN).

Fall classes began Monday, August 24.

Lamar University offers many online courses and more than 100 degree programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. For more information on online programs, visit lamar.edu/cde.

Community Block Party a Huge Success

Everyone enjoyed the Community Block Party at the L.L. Melton YMCA on Saturday. The event was hosted by Councilman Jamie Smith and Cheryl Guidry. The purpose was to bring the community together and give the kids a good back-to-school sendoff. There was music (the Jazz Innovators performed), lots of food from fried fish to links, games for the kids and swimming and various vendors booths with good information on nutrition and health. Those attending included County Clerk Carolyn Guidry, Judge Paul Brown, Judge Duce Jones, Councilman Audwin Samuel, Yolanda Avery, Tamika Humprey, Calvin Rice, Charles Maul, and Joe Stevens. Congrats to Jamie and Cheryl for a wonderful event!

Beaumont Enterprise Going Green

The Beaumont Enterprise announced in its Sunday paper that it is publishing a new electronic edition or eEdition of the paper. The Enterprise's Sheila Friedeck tells FRONT ROW "it is completely different than the webpage. It's a replica of the print edition. You can click on the individual ads and stories."

Friedeck says there's no plans to reduce or eliminate the print edition. This is just another alternative for people who want to read the paper online and those who want to go green.

Georgine Guillory running for Jefferson County Treasurer

It is with great respect for the citizens of Jefferson County that I announce my candidacy for County Treasurer in the 2010 March Primary. The office of County Treasurer is a public service. My plans are to be an advocate for the taxpayer.

Since 2003, I have been fortunate to serve as Commissioner of the Port of Beaumont. Words can not describe the depth of my gratitude to the citizens of my ward, giving me that opportunity.

My campaign will consists of grass roots values, personally reaching out to the people of Jefferson County. I look forward to a clean and meaningful campaign and I humbly ask the citizens for their support and vote. I can only hope the will of the people in Jefferson County is to elect me the next Jefferson County Treasurer.

I’m responsible, efficient and accountable!

Hadley’s donates House Full of Furniture to Hurricane Ike Victims

ORANGE (Aug. 21, 2009)--Rosa and Olan Wilson have been renovating their home in Orange for the past year ever since Hurricane Ike poured four feet of water into it. They’ve had to replace almost everything, but thanks to Hadley’s Furniture they won’t have to worry about furnishings.
Hadley Cohen, the owner of Hadley’s, is donating a house-full of furniture to the elderly couple including pieces for the living room, dining room, master bedroom, and two guest rooms.
The furniture will be delivered to the home on 508 W. Cherry Ave. in Orange on Tuesday, Aug. 25th at 11 O’clock . The couple as well as Mr. Hadley will be available for an interview.
Call Michelle McCalope at (832) 428-3461 for more information or to setup an interview.

Enrollment Open for Turner Construction School

Beaumont Independent School District Department of Continuing Education and Turner Construction Company, in association with Hallmark Group, are sponsoring a nine-week comprehensive training series entitled, “Turner School of Construction Management: Management Training for Emerging Minority and Woman-owned Businesses.” This program, beginning September 10 through November 5, consists of courses that teach small, minority and women contractors how to run their own construction businesses. The program includes topics on management, contracts, accounting, insurance, bonding, estimating, and bidding, among others. It is open to those with construction or construction-related businesses.

The Turner Construction Company will conduct most of the sessions for the series. The training program will be held at the Taylor Career Center at 2330 North Street, in Beaumont, Texas, 77702. The sessions are scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tthe final session will be a graduation and networking event. The program is free and open to the public.

“Turner is offering this second series because of the overwhelming reception we received when we presented the program last fall,” said George Key of Turner, general contractor for the BISDs bond projects. “We are pleased to collaborate with our construction partner, Hallmark Group, Parsons -- the project Construction-Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) -- and BISD on this program. The curriculum is designed to enhance the technical and managerial skills of small contractors and entrepreneurs in the Golden Triangle-area construction industry.”

Individuals who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion at graduation. To register, interested persons may e-mail their registration request by sending their name, the name their company, address, telephone number, and the name of the training series to bwooten@beaumont.k12.tx.us. If you prefer, call Penny Wooten at 409-617-5208 with the same registration information.

"It's a Family Affair" Community Block Party

Date:
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time:
11:00am - 2:00pm
Location:
L.L. Melton YMCA, 3455 Sarah St., Beaumont, TX
Hosted by Councilman Jamie Smith

Beaulieu Announces Run for JP

Beaumont City Councilwoman Nancy Beaulieu has put her hat in the ring for Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2. Beaulieu has served on city council for six years. She is the second candidate to formally announce her candidacy following Beaumont Attorney Anne Bradley on Monday.
On Tuesday, Justice of the Peace Vi McGinnis who has held the seat for more than 20 years announced she will not seek re-election. The primary election will be held in March.

Walmart and Kohl's officials regrouping after Tornado

A security guard stands in front of a barricade in the Walmart parking lot that has a poster attached saying "store closed." Not something you expect to see, but the store was forced to close after being damaged by a tornado that hit Beaumont Tuesday afternoon. A portion of Walmart's roof was peeled away and water filled some of the store. On Wednesday, employees and castastrophe teams were cleaning up the mess left behind. Officials say the store is expected to re-open Thursday. It was the same story at Kohl's department store. There the tornado lifted the roof and then it collapsed trapping a few customers and the glass was shattered at the store's entrance. The day after the storm the parking lot was filled with disaster recovery trucks. The Salvation Army was on hand to distribute food to the workers. The storm also overturned cars and broke windows. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured which was a miracle in itself. It'll definitely be a day we'll all remember!