National Black Book Festival in Houston

I recently attended the National Black Book Festival in Houston. It was a wonderful event featuring self-published authors as well as other authors who have been published by major companies. It also featured an exhibit hall where authors could talk about and showcase their books and seminars on marketing your book and bringing out the book in you. The event was held in Houston at the Crown Plaza downtown. Authors in attendance included Reshonda Tate Billingsley, Brenda Jackson, Tracy Brown, and Carl Weber. I also ran into my friend Author DeMonica Gladney of "Willing to Wait." I would certainly check it out again!

Two Longtime County Employees Vying for Tax Assessor Collector

Thomas Sigee, a county employee and retired U.S. Army Sargeant, and Susie James, the interim Tax Assessor Collector, are running for the position of Jefferson County Tax Assessor Collector. Former Longtime Tax Assessor Collector Miriam Johnson retired in March, leaving an unexpired two-year term. The two longtime county employees spoke at the Press Club of Southeast Texas luncheon recently along with Jefferson County Democratic Chairman Gilbert Adams who explained the special election that will be held to fill the position permanently. On June 3, the Democratic Party Executive Committee which is made up of precinct chairs will choose the candidate whose name will be placed on the ballot for the democratic nomination. James has worked in the tax office for 29 years. She's served as deputy chief since 2006. She was appointed to the interim position by Jefferson County Commissioners. Sigee who works in the auditing office has been a county employee for 18 years. He previously worked in probation department.

Valero's Morris Carter Retiring

Valero Refinery recently announced that "after over thirty seven years of dedicated service to the Port Arthur Valero Refinery, Morris Carter has elected to retire effective July 30. Morris has been an integral part of the Refinery Leadership Team providing guidance and direction in Safety, Environmental and Public Affairs. Morris’s successes are numerous in championing both change and improvements here at Port Arthur, including permitting numerous refinery expansions. He is also a respected and valuable leader in the local community, serving on several boards and other leadership positions. He was recently recognized for his contributions by having a city street named after him. Morris will be transitioning his environmental and public affairs responsibilities over the next three months prior to his retirement." Morris(shown here with his wife)is a great guy! We wish him the best!

Pink Shopping Card Kickoff

Dozens of volunteers gathered to help kickoff the annual Gift of Life Pink Shopping Card Campaign. Special guests included Marie and Donny Osmond. Each year, the campaign raises thousands of dollars for mammograms for those in need. Last year, the program provided 1600 free mammograms. The pink shopping card sells for $50, but offers 20 percent discount at more than 600 area merchants. The shopping card can be used from Oct. 21 thought November 7. As part of the annual fundraiser, there is also an evening set aside to celebrate breast cancer survivors and a program featuring a special guest.This year's guest is Marie Osmond who will be in Beaumont on Oct. 18. I'm proud to be a member of the committee. As always, more volunteers are needed so if you're interested call the office number below. For more information, call (409) 833-3663 or go to giftoflifebmt.org.

Former Essence Editor Will Speak in Port Arthur

PORT ARTHUR(May 20, 2010)—Former Essence Magazine Editor Susan L. Taylor will be the keynote speaker at a youth mentoring workshop and luncheon on Tuesday June 1 from noon until 2 p.m. The workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn Park Central, 2929 Jimmy Johnson Blvd. in Port Arthur.
Currently, Taylor is the founder of the National Cares Mentoring Movement which is billed as the largest mentoring-recruitment effort in the nation.
Taylor served as the editor of Essence Magazine for 19 years and author of the popular column “In the Spirit” for 27 years. The best-selling author’s latest book is “All About Love: Favorite Selections from In the Spirit on Living Fearlessly.”
Parents, youth, and community leaders are invited to attend to learn more about the value of mentoring. Afterwards, interested mentors will be asked to sign up to work with a child. Taylor will also sign copies of her book.
The event is sponsored by the city of Port Arthur’s legal department to empower at-risk youth. The cost of the workshop is $10 for adults and children are free. The public is invited to attend. For tickets, call (409) 983-8127.

Farmer's Market in Downtown Beaumont

This weekend, Beaumont Farmer's Market opens downtown. I'm so excited. I love going to farmer's markets for fresh fruit and vegetables. It reminds me of home when I'd go with my mom. There's nothing like it. The farmer's market will be located at College and Main near the library. It will be open every Saturday starting May 22 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. until Oct. 30 so go out and support our local farmers!

Rev. Al Sharpton Coming to Beaumont

Registration is underway for Antioch's Baptist Church Family Summit in Beaumont. The summit features dynamic preachers, great seminars, and award-winning gospel artists. I hear that Rev. Al Sharpton is on the schedule this year. I had a chance to meet him several years ago when he came to Beaumont as part of the Vidor race discussion that was held at the Jefferson Theatre. I'm looking forward to seeing him again. To register for the conference, go to www.antiochbmt.org

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

I recently served as the guest speaker at Central High School's Third Annual Mother Daughter Tea. The purpose of the event is to empower young ladies, and celebrate womanhood and the special bond between mothers and daughters. The theme was sugar and spice and everything nice. As part of my speech, I encouraged the crowd which included more than 200 people to move forward despite the fear, be persistent and don't take no for an answer, and set goals and pursue them. The tea is a really wonderful event. I always enjoy it. KBTV Fox 4's Marquel Sennet served as the emcee and the Central girls treated us to a dynamic fashion show! Kudos to Ms. Lambert, Ms. Hendrix and Ms. Rideau as well as the rest of the staff for having the vision for this event and for all of their hard work!

Melton Y Needs Your Help

The L.L. Melton Family Life Center is opening just in time for summer!!!
You are invited to help us celebrate by participating in our community shower on Saturday, May 15th from 1pm-4pm, 3455 Sarah Street.
Supplies and equipment will be collected to benefit the children of the L.L. Melton Center.
L.L. Melton’s Wish List
Sports Equipment
Basketballs, bats (for T-ball and baseball), softballs, soccer balls, jump ropes

Classroom Equipment
Tables, chairs, arts and craft supplies, toys & educational games for children ages 4-12

Office Equipment
Desks, chairs, bookcase, filing cabinets, utility carts

Janitorial Supplies
Paper towels, cloth towels, toilet paper, cleaning products

Equipment
Refrigerator, washer, dryer, microwave, computers, printers, computer stations, telephones

Gift Cards
Academy, Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Home Depot, Lowes, Manning’s, Hobby Lobby, Toys R Us

Financial Donations:
Make checks or money orders payable to L.L. Melton Family Life Center


What’s a better investment than in our families?
Support the L.L. Melton Family Life Center!!!!!


For more information, contact us at:
409-434-0000, meltonflc@yahoo.com, www.jjvcdc.org

Live Your Best Life

I attended Oprah's Live Your Best Life weekend in New York last week. It was a celebration of O magazine's 10th year anniversary. The weekend was fabulous. Some 6,000 women attended from all over the world including Hong Kong and Australia. There was a reception on Friday to pick up our packets. Oprah's BFF Gayle King welcomed us then walked through the crowd taking pictures. The next day, Oprah opened up the conference at the Jacob Javitz convention center. Then we heard from various speakers including Author Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, and Love ("Our lives are a journey no one can take for us," Gilbert said); Financial Guru Suze Orman ("Debt is bondage. You have to get out of credit card debt"); Decorator Nate Berkus ("Your house should tell the story of who you are") and Life Coach Martha Beck ("Do something everyday that scares you and takes you toward your heart's desire"). Later that night, Oprah talked about her journey during an hour and half long presentation at Radio Music City Hall which is one of the most beautiful theaters I've ever seen. "Real courage is having what it takes to not give up on your dreams," Oprah said. The next morning we all participated in a 2.5 mile walkathon which ended in Times Square. Besides O, Jennifer Hudson and Mary J. Blige also participated in the walk. It was really an experience of a lifetime being in the presence of Oprah! In fact, I saw her and Gayle on Friday night too when I went to see Denzel Washington on Broadway in the play Fences. I also ran into the Actress Debbie Allen. What a treat! The purpose of the conference was to empower women (and a few men) to find their path in life and be the best they can be! It's a message worth repeating again and again. P.S. I have a very special connection to O magazine. I wrote a story that appeared in the magazine. It's one of the highlights of my career!It was about a sketch artist for the Houston Police Department who was helping rape victims identify their perpetrators.

Former GMA Anchor Inspires, Motivates

"You're never too old and it's never too late to start something new," said Former Good Morning America Anchor Joan Lunden at the Christus St. Elizabeth's Live Well Conference at Ford Park. She should know. Lunden who is turning 60 this year is the mother of seven children including two sets of twins, 5 and 7 years old. She's also starting her own line of home goods. She gave the 1,000 attendees several tips for living their best life. Among them; remember to count your blessings, expect that life will change and be ready to reinvent yourself, and to discover your passion you have to be open to opportunities and be willing to take risks. The conference also included a host of workshops on everything from feng shui to career development to decluttering your life.