Get Your Vote In Early

Early voting continues this week until Friday, Oct. 29. Go out and take advantage of early voting. It's so easy. You can go to any location. I voted last week. Anything can come up on election day so don't wait! By the way, election day is Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Orange Church Celebrates 139th Anniversary

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Orange celebrated its 139th Anniversary on Thursday with a banquet at Joe Ware Plaza. The event was chaired by my friend Ms. Rosa Wilson who has invited me to the banquet ever since I was the guest speaker a few years back. I always enjoy spending time with Ms. Wilson, Pastor C.W. Crawford, and the members.They always make me feel like I'm at home. Congrats on another anniversary.It was a great event!

Marie Osmond Shines in "Putting on the Pink"

Singer Marie Osmond put on a quite a show at the "Putting on the Pink" event in Beaumont Monday at the Julie Rogers Theatre. The event raises money for breast cancer screenings and education awareness. Marie looked fabulous! She's so skinny. She sang various songs and talked about the ups and downs of her 48-year career.
It was a wonderful event that included a survivors dinner at the Beaumont Civic Center and later the party moved to the Julie Rogers where we enjoyed Marie and a guest appearance by Steve Ford, son of Former President Gerald Ford. Steve talked about his mother and First Lady Betty Ford's fight with breast cancer. Afterwards, there was a reception and I got a chance to meet and take a picture with Marie who was very gracious. Kudos to the Gift of Life staff and committee members. You did a great job!

More "Putting on the Pink"

Lamar's Homecoming Week

Lamar kicked off homecoming festivities with it's "Red, White, and You" event last week at Bistro Lemonde in Beaumont. Lamar President Dr. Jimmy Simmons, staff, alumni and supporters gathered to celebrate the first homecoming in 21 years since the return of football this fall. It was a wonderful celebration!

SU Homecoming 2010

I felt like a college student all over again this weekend. I attended my college homecoming at Southern University in Baton Rouge. I enjoyed the parties and seeing old friends, but the highlight of the weekend was speaking to students in the public relations practices class on Friday. Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about helping aspiring journalists and public relations practitioners (that's me with the students in the third photo) so it was a real treat to share my expertise with the students. One of the students in the class sent me an email that said "I would definitely like to thank you for rendering your insight and wisdom on the industry. Everything you shared was informative and you certainly were encouraging." This is what makes it all worth it! I also had a chance to meet our new president, Dr. Ronald Mason,(second photo) and some of the national alumni officers(fifth photo from left Dennis Brown, national alumni president). It was a great weekend!

Community Celebrates Local Pastors

For eight years, Pastors Kennedy and Deanna Andrews of Harvest for Lost Souls Outreach Ministry (fourth photo, Pastor Kennedy, fourth from left and his wife Deanna and two kids are standing in front of him) have been working hard to make our community a better place. Their efforts and their subsequent impact have not gone unnoticed.
Recently, members of the church as well as community leaders came together to recognize their work. An appreciation banquet was held at the MCM Elegante Hotel. Former Dallas Cowboy Bill Bates (first photo) was the featured speaker. As part of the event, a football signed by Bates and other players was presented to the family of Reggie Garrett, the West Orange Stark football player who died recently after collapsing on the sidelines. Garrett's mother, father, aunts, and stepfather (second photo, Garrett's dad in middle and aunt, and fifth photo from left Garrett's aunt, mom, and stepfather) were on hand to accept the football during a very emotional moment. Garrett wanted to attend the University of Texas and play for the Dallas Cowboys. I emceed the event along with KFDM's Nicole Murray (third photo). Congratulations to Pastor Kennedy and Deanna. Keep up the good work!

"BRA-vo" Art Display

Intimate apparel was on display for a good cause. As part of the BRA-vo art exhibit opening recently at Lamar University, bras were decorated using various themes. The mission was to raise awareness of breast cancer during October which is breast cancer month. The bras were decorated by women in the Golden Triangle.

PAISD Goes Back to School

It was like a huge pep rally. The Port Arthur Independent School District "Goes Back to School Education Expo" included parents, students, and staff showcasing what the district has to offer. Cheerleaders and dancers performed while the standing-room only crowd watched or visited the various booths. The expo was held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center.