LIT Celebrates Black History

Lamar Institute of Technology Celebrated Black History Month in a very moving cermony on Wednesday. The program included praise dancers, the Ozen High School Choir which was amazing, guest speaker Tracie Payne of Cush Magazine and recognition of outstanding LIT graduates. It ended with a moving display of unity as attendees joined hands around the room and sang to the new "We are the World" as the video played on the screen. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a great spread that included gumbo and etoufee. Congrats to Yolanda Avery. She did a wonderful job!

"Lesson Before Dying" Getting Ready for Big Debut

FRONT ROW Correspondent Amanda Brooks visited the cast of "A Lesson Before Dying" Thursday night during its rehearsal at Jefferson Theatre. The play will debut Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Go check it out. The cast has been working hard for several months to get ready and you're in for great show! This play was adapted from the novel by Ernest J. Gaines. The novel won the 1993 National Book Critics Award; it was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize; and Oprah Winfrey chose it to be part of her Oprah’s Book Club in 1997. Common Ground has chosen this play for presentation during February because of its portrayal of the African-American experience.

“A Lesson Before Dying” centers on a young African-American man wrongly sentenced to death in a deeply prejudiced 1940s. Through a reluctant school teacher, he is taught how to live and die with grace and dignity. “A Lesson Before Dying” is about the ways in which people insist on declaring the value of their lives, and it addresses the basic predicament of what it is to be a human being striving for dignity in a world that often denies it.

Directed by Jo Ethel Larkins, this production features local talent from the Golden Triangle.
Other performances will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2 pm and 7 pm and Sunday, Feb. 28 at 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster Box Office by calling 800-745-3000, online at ticketmaster.com, or the Beaumont Civic Center Box Office by calling 409-838-3435 or online at bmtciviccenter@ci.beaumont.tx.us. Ticket prices are $10 students/seniors; or $15/adults.

For more information, contact Melody Chappell at 409-838-2644 or mchappell@wellspeyton.com; Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more at Civic Center Box Office.

La Soiree Committee Celebrates Successful Gala

Members of the La Soiree Committee came together Wednesday to celebrate another successful gala. An appreciation luncheon was held at the home of Chairs Joyce and Darrel Jacob. La Soiree, a fashion show and dinner gala, which was held at the Beaumont Civic Center in January raised more than $170,000. The money will help fund Baptist Hospital's Dauphine Cancer Screening and Prevention Center.
It was great serving on the committee which is really a well-oiled machine! The luncheon was wonderful. The food was delicious and the hosts were great. Congrats on an excellent event!

GET Motivated in Beaumont

The Get Motivated Business Seminar is coming to Beaumont On March 25 at the Civic Center from 8 to 4:45. The daylong seminar features Author Zig Ziglar, Dr. Robert Schuller, Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Terry Bradshaw among others live and in person. It's only $4.95 or pay $19 and you can get an unlimited number of tickets for your whole office. Talk about a bargain! For more information, call 1-800-880-7058 or go to getmotivated.com.

LIT Hosts Black History Program, Feb. 24

Lamar Institute of Technology presents "the History of Black Economic Empowerment”
Black History Month Program featuring Tracie Payne, owner of CUSH Magazine, Clifton J. Ozen High School Choir, Tropical Disturbance Steel Drum Band, Common Ground Performing
Arts Ensemble and LIT Dancers with Purpose. It will be held at 9 a.m. on Feb. 24 at the Multi-Purpose Center.

Top Ladies of Distinction Banquet

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE STATUS OF WOMEN RECOGNITION BANQUET ON MARCH 13TH AT 6 PM AT JOE WARE PLAZA In ORANGE, TEXAS
GUEST SPEAKER PORT ARTHUR MAYOR BOBBIE PRINCE

THIS BANQUET WILL RECOGNIZE DYNAMIC AND COMMITTED LEADERS IN THE AREAS OF EDUCATION, MEDICINE, BUSINESS, RELIGION AND CIVIC AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. THE BANQUET IS SPONSORED BY THE TOP LADIES OF DISTINCTION INC.

Ms. Willie Champine is the chairperson of the committee and Dorothy Brandon is the President of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. They can be reached at 883-3209 (Champine) and 886-2031 (Brandon).

Tickets are $20.00. Music to be provided by Robin E. Lee.

Kimbro Encourages NAACP to 'Dream Big'

By Amanda Brooks, FRONT ROW Correspondent
The Beaumont NAACP hosted its annual scholarship banquet Friday evening at the Beaumont Civic Center. Hundreds gathered to hear the guest speaker Author Dr. Dennis Kimbro and honor educators during an awards ceremony. NAACP members also came to enjoy the company of fellow members and eat the delicious food and desserts.
Kimbro who is best known for his book “Think and Grow Rich: A Black Choice," currently teaches at Clark Atlanta University’s School of Business Administration. He delivered an empowering speech that encouraged the audience to make a difference, dream big, and be confident. “I can is the key message for tonight,” Kimbro says.
The event was also attended by members of the Port Arthur and Orange chapters.
Meanwhile, Beaumont President Judge Paul A. Brown couldn't let the audience go without encouraging everyone to pay or renew their membership to make the local chapter even stronger.

Candidate Forums Help Voters Make a Decision

Voters in Jefferson County are getting a chance to know their candidates better. Two candidate forums were held last week at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.
The candidates including those for Justice of the Peace, Commissioner, Treasurer, District Attorney and County Clerk told the audience why they are running and what their qualifications are for the job.
“The Senior Citizen Ministry, sponsors events such as this one to inform the general public on what’s going on and to get people registered to vote,” says Organizer Paul Jones.
The Ebenezer forum was hosted by 12 News Anchor Jackie Simien.
Remember early voting runs through Friday. The election will be held on March 2.

BMT Crime Stoppers Fundraising Campaign Underway

Beaumont Crime Stoppers was established on November 1, 1981. Since its inception, the program has received over 14,000 tips resulting in over 3,000 arrests, nearly 6,000 cases cleared and over 7 million dollars in property recoveries and drug seizures. The Beaumont Crime Stoppers is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that is funded by private donations and fund raising. NO TAX DOLLARS are involved. Help us continue to make our community a safer place to live and work by making a donation to our program right now. Your participation in our Annual Sponsorship Program plays a critical role in funding our advertising, promotional items, and operational expenses. We offer several sponsorship packages including a $250 Bronze Package, $500 Silver package, $1000 Gold package and $2000 Platinum package.
Other ways to donate including: On the web at www.BeaumontCrimeStoppers.com (click the “Support Us” button) or mail a check to Beaumont Crime Stoppers, Inc, P.O. Box 12982, Beaumont, Texas 77726 or Call 409-880-3825 if you have any questions or email Officer Randy Stevens rstevens@ci.beaumont.tx.us

Beaumont NAACP Hosts Annual Banquet This Friday

NAACP 27th Annual
Freedom Fund & Award Banquet
Friday * February 19
Beaumont Civic Center
Presented By: Beaumont Branch NAACP
Motivational Speaker and Author Dr. Dennis Kimbro is the guest speaker. The banquet is the Branch's primary fundraiser and proceeds benefit their scholarship fund. The banquet also provides an opportunity to recognize individuals, businesses and organizations that have made invaluable contributions to the community.
For additional information contact (409) 842-0294

FRONT ROW Gets First Intern

Amanda Brooks, a recent Sam Houston State communications graduate and Beaumont native,recently became my first intern and she's already hard at work. Brooks assisted in the recent media training that was done last week doing everything from signing in participants to helping coordinate the mock interviews. She impressed everyone (including me) with her great attitude and work ethic. I'm excited about working with her. Please help me welcome Amanda!

Weekend Anchor Gets Promotion

KFDM Channel 6 Weekend Anchor Nicole Murray has a new gig. She was recently promoted to anchor the noon show, Monday through Friday. Murray has been with the station since March 2007. Now she'll be able to enjoy her weekends off. Meanwhile, Ashley Gaston and Ashley Rodrigue will share weekend anchor duties. Congrats!

Hospital Fundraiser Showcases Models, Puppy

Hundreds of people attended the Second Annual La Soiree event Saturday night. The event which was held at the Beaumont Civic Center raises funds for Baptist Hospital's Charline and Sidney "Chief" Dauphin Cancer Screening and Prevention Center. The evening included a fashion show with models from Paige Parks in Houston, a delicious dinner, and a great silent and live auction that included a puppy and a Cayman Island vacation at a private residence. And a wonderful band!
Congrats to the gala committee (I'm proud to say I was on the committee)for all of their hard work and making this year's event a success! Those attending included Former Mayor Evelyn Lord, Regina Rogers, Pat Avery, Gala Chairs Darrell and Joyce Jacob and Cochairs Chuck and Becky Mason, Kevin and Jill Roy, Morris and Theresa Carter, Councilman W.L. Pate, State Rep. Mike Hamilton, Mayor Becky Ames, Angie McClelland, Kristie Young, Christy Hardt, and Mary Poole.

More La Soiree

Queen J Headlines Poetry Night at Arthur's Place

"Poetry Night with Queen J! " on Thursday, February 4 at 6:00pm.

Event: Poetry Night with Queen J!
"Every 1st & 3rd Thursdays"
What: Performance
Start Time: Thursday, February 4 at 6:00pm
End Time: Thursday, February 4 at 10:00pm
Where: Arthur's Restaurant, 3801 Highway 73 Inside the Ramada Hotel

It's all about Love in VIP Magazine

Love is in the air as the February Issue of VIP magazine takes a look at the dating scene in Southeast Texas, some great Valentine's Day gifts for your honey, and five great dates. I'm also featured in the magazine as a guest columnist on page 50. So pick up a copy or go to www.vipmag.com