Beaumont – The Better Business Bureau that serves the eight-counties of southeast Texas and the Bolivar Peninsula has announced ten members of its Board of Directors who were recently elected by BBB Accredited Businesses. Each will serve a three-year term from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2013. In addition, Board officers for 2010 have also been designated.
Individuals elected to serve include Tim Baker, Owner of Baker Auto Repair; Robert Bertrand, Owner of Cotton Cargo; Barry Bryant, Sales Consultant with Bill Clark Pest Control; Ann Scoggin, Owner of Coldwell Banker Southern Homes; and Jerry Sonnier, Owner of Coastal Roofing Specialists.
Five other regional business leaders elected to serve include Tim Sudela, President of American Valve & Hydrant; Anthony Toups, General Sales Manager of Classic Southeast Texas; Bo Weinbaum, Owner of PRIMCO; Ron Wheeler, General Manager of Southern Lawn & Landscapes; and R.O. Williams, Jr., Owner of Republic Payment Plans.
Officers providing Board leadership in 2010 include: Chairman George Crawford, General Manager of Lamar Advertising; Vice-Chair Shawn Hanley, VP of Marketing for Howell Furniture Galleries; Secretary Slate Babineaux, Vice-President of Air Comfort, Inc.; Treasurer Dan Bell, VP Business Lending with MCT Credit Union; and, Chair-Elect 2011 Barry Bryant with Bill Clark Pest Control.
Also continuing to serve on the Board is Alfred Anderson, President of Anderson Ford-Mercury; Larry Beaulieu, General Manager of KFDM –TV; Vesta Brandt, General Manager of Clear Channel Radio; Jim Broussard, Co-CEO of Broussard’s Mortuary; Corrine Creason, Owner of Manning’s School Supply; Jed Dollinger, Senior Partner-Retired with Wathen, DeShong & Juncker; Robert Edgar, Shareholder/CPA with Edgar, Kiker & Cross; Mike Hebert, President/Owner of Texas Marine & Brokerage, Inc.; and Bill Hecht, Chief Financial Officer of CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas Region.
Others that currently are on the Board include: Gisela Houseman, Owner of Tony Houseman Homes; Steve McGrade, Owner of Able Fastener, Inc.; Mark Russo, Customer Service Manager of Entergy Texas; E.J. Sherlock, Co-Owner of J.S Edwards & Sherlock Insurance; Gail Shook, Owner of Airport Travel Agency; and Paul Skinner, President of Star Graphics, Inc.
“We are very pleased to have these high caliber business leaders at the helm of our Better Business Bureau, which is regionally governed and funded,” said Michael Clayton, BBB President/CEO. “Each are sensitive and committed to our mission to ‘be the leader in advancing marketplace trust’ and to make southeast Texas a better place in which to live, work and do business through encouraging honesty, integrity and proper business ethics in our growing marketplace.”
Beaumont, Texas – United in the fight against breast cancer, students at West Brook High School, Hamshire-Fannett High School, Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School and Clifton J. Ozen Magnet High School took leadership roles in organizing separate grassroots fundraisers during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, increasing community awareness about the importance of early detection.
Groups from each school made contributions to the “Gift of Life” Program in support of its mission to provide extensive educational outreach and free mammograms for medically underserved women throughout Southeast Texas.
“We are ecstatic these young people recognize the value of our program and that they are aware and supportive of our efforts,” said “Gift of Life” Board President Nell McCallum Morris. “We are equally pleased about their commitment to community service and the knowledge they have about annual screenings and early detection.”
Each school’s participating students took unique approaches to fundraising, but all had the similar goal of engendering breast cancer awareness and educating their fellow classmates about the disease.
For the past six years, the West Brook High School STARS Drill Team has been hosting a “Pink Out” football game during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but this year, the team wanted to do more. Under the leadership of the STARS’ faculty sponsor, Tisha Smith, the girls sold pink cookies at October football games and over 700 “Pink Out” t-shirts, in addition to passing the pink boot at the “Pink Out” and releasing 800 balloons to recognize the strength and courage of breast cancer survivors and remember those lost to the disease.
“We chose the ‘Gift of Life’ as our philanthropy because breast cancer is an issue the girls can relate to and learn from,” Smith said. “Most people have been affected by this disease in some way, with a family member or friend having been diagnosed, and we know how important awareness is even at a young age.”
At a West Brook faculty meeting on November 11, team members presented a $6,500 contribution to the “Gift of Life,” more than doubling last year’s gift.
“I think it is great we can get involved with an organization like the ‘Gift of Life,’” said Courtney Tew, a 17-year-old West Brook senior and STARS team member. “It feels good to know we are helping others and making a difference.”
The Hamshire-Fannett Volleyball Team, which was inspired by the leadership of assistant principal, Monica Katner, and the heartwarming story of breast cancer survivor and retired teacher, Dixie Ferguson, realized the importance of early cancer detection and the impact they could have on increasing awareness and generated over $2,100 through contributions and the sale of gumbo at an October playoff match.
“The ‘Gift of Life’ does an incredible [Sidney “Chief” Dauphin] Educational Outreach Program for our high school seniors each year, and we wanted to give back to their organization because of what they do for our school,” said Head Volleyball Coach, Debbie Peltier.
Determined to do their part in fight against breast cancer, Ozen faculty member, Patrice Rabalais, organized a campus bake sale. Ozen’s Life-skills students baked an assortment of treats, with the Ozen cheerleaders selling all of the items to supportive classmates and raising $250 that was generously donated to the “Gift of Life.”
The Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School Key Club and volleyball team also displayed tremendous support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the mission of the “Gift of Life.” The Key Club organized a successful bake sale, and the volleyball team “put on the pink” by selling pink items during home matches in October.
“We are proud students throughout the region are committed to helping our program save lives and hope they know the value they bring to raising awareness,” Morris said.
Since inception, the “Gift of Life” has made available over 15,000 free mammograms and helped extend the lives of more than 100 Southeast Texas women, who were provided access to treatment following the detection of breast cancer at “Gift of Life” screenings.
For more information about the “Gift of Life,” please call (409) 833-3663 or visit giftoflifebmt.org.
Lamar University’s Opera Workshop class will present scenes from world-renowned operas at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the University Reception Center on the eighth floor of the Mary and John Gray Library. Kerry Jennings, assistant professor of voice, will direct Lamar students though an array of beloved opera pieces, including selections from “Carmen,” “Die Fledermaus,” “Faust,” “The Magic Flute,” “The Marriage of Figaro,” “The Mikado” and others. Roger Keele, Lamar voice instructor, will accompany the selections. Admission is free. For more information, visit lamar.edu/music or call (409) 880-8144.
The “Stop, Drop and Roll” fire safety slogan doubles as the Southeast Texas girlfriends’ mantra for the Junior League
of Beaumont’s Main Street Market, three days of Holiday shopping, food, entertainment and kids activities.
STOP by the Beaumont Civic Center Thursday, Dec. 3,from 4-8 p.m. for Girls’ Night Out (GNO, another renowned
girlfriend catchphrase), Christmas tree lighting, entertainment, holiday shopping and a chance to win a diamond necklace. On Friday, Dec. 4, shop and be entertained from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and then on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. bring the kids for photos with Santa and for a children’s workshop until 2 p.m.
DROP some cash. More than 91 vendors will offer everything on your Christmas listfrom chocolates to home décor, handbags to beef jerky, jewelry, kids’ clothes and sterlingsilver place settings. You’ll make merry down every aisle as you mark items off your
Christmas list. Drop cash at D&K Hairware where you can find unique hair clips for your long-haired loved ones. Or treat yourself to a massage pillow from Stafford Enterprises and pick up some jams and jellies for teacher and neighbor gifts at MeMe’s Jams N Jelli. New
this year is Lagniappe Bakery, a Junior League booth that showcases six holiday bread and cookie selections from Junior League cookbooks. Taste Sand Tarts, Best Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cranberry Bread, Lagniappe Glitter Cookies, German Gingerbread and Homer’s Favorite Pumpkin Bread.
Ready to ROLL?! If you STOP by the Market, and you DROP some cash, you could ROLL away in a brand new BMW! Replace visions of sugarplums dancing in your head with images of coasting Calder in classic coupe style. Now that’s worth springing from a
long winter’s nap!
The League is selling only 500 tickets for one chance to win this beautiful 2010 BMW. I’m pretty sure I have the winning ticket, but you can try for one at www.juniorleaguebeaumont.org/msm/bmw-blitz.htm.
Tickets to Stop and Drop are $5! Tickets for a chance to Roll are $100! Main Street Market is the Junior Leagues largest fundraising event and all monies raised go to community projects!
Lamar University’s Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, in the University Theatre. Under the direction of Scott Deppe, Lamar’s director of bands, and graduate assistant Michelle Melancon, the bands will perform selections by Aaron Copland, Clifton Williams and Frank Ticheli. Guest conductor Brenda Legendre, director of bands at Lumberton Middle School, will lead the wind ensemble in Kenneth J. Alford’s “The Voice of the Guns.” Admission is free. For more information, visit lamar.edu/music or call (409) 880-8144.
These words – a Prayer of Thanksgiving – were brought to the New World by Dutch settlers in the early 1600’s. The music was based on a popular folk hymn in the Netherlands and in 1894, Theodore Baker translated the words to the English with which it is still sung today. A favorite in colonial times, it has become perhaps the best-known Thanksgiving hymn.
This hymn will open our Sixth Annual Downtown Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 6:00 pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Our service is sponsored by the Beaumont Interfaith Clergy Association, which is made up of the Religious Leaders from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, First United Methodist Church, Saint Anthony Basilica, Temple Emanuel, Calder Baptist Church, Buu Mon Buddhist Temple and the Presbyterian Church USA.
This service is truly interfaith and respectful of all traditions. We followed outlines for similar services where there was both a Jewish and a Christian presence. Although the service is at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Rabbi Joshua S. Taub of Temple Emanuel will give the powerful Thanksgiving message and other religious leaders will participate in parts of the liturgy.
The service will reflect the hope and spirit of freedom and thanksgiving that we Americans and believers in God hold among our highest values and will last approximately one hour. A reception in the Cloister will follow the service.
All are asked to bring canned goods, which will be donated to the South East Texas Food Bank. A monetary collection will also be taken for Some Other Place as all our houses of worship are dedicated to the work of these two wonderful institutions.
For those who like to sing, there is an opportunity to participate in a combined choir for the service. Ms. Renee Kloes, music director of First United Methodist Church will have a choir practice at 5:00 PM immediately before the service for all who wish to participate in The Thanksgiving Interfaith Choir. This is truly an opportunity to raise one voice to the Lord in joyful thanksgiving. Questions may be directed to Ginger Clark at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 832-3405.
The Madonna as Muse: The Paintings of René Alvarado — Oct. 10, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010
This exhibition on loan from the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts will present 14 contemporary and iconic paintings that use the mystical image of the Madonna to express the artist’s inner life, as well as extol many of the influential women in the artist’s life – his mother, grandmothers, sisters and his San Angelo patron Eva Tucker.
Ojos Para Volar / Eyes to Fly With: Photographs byGraciela Iturbide — Oct. 10, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010
From The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University – San Marcos, Eyes to Fly With features photographs by Graciela Iturbide, who is hailed as one of Mexico’s greatest photographers. The exhibition features photographs that further illuminate Iturbide’s creative evolution through her portraits and self-portraits, the pivotal image from her series, Death in the Cemetery, and a selection of her most famous photographs. Iturbide’s work has been the subject of numerous books, and is collected by major museums throughout the world. The Wittliff Gallery’s growing archive of Iturbide’s photographs is the largest in the U.S. with almost 200 prints.
Tropical Delights: Flora and Fauna by Shyamala Rao in Café Arts – Nov. 5, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010
Hans Molzberger: RETURN / RÜCKKEHR– Jan. 23 through April 11, 2010
Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
RETURN / RÜCKKEHR will feature several of German artist Hans Molzberger’s large-scale, ceramic sculpture installations inspired by the environment, political and social themes. Molzberger is a self-taught sculptor whose family has lived for generations working in the industrial ceramic factories in Germany. He currently divides his time between Germany and Houston, where he teaches art classes at Houston Baptist University.
African-American Art: Highlights from the Dr. Hervy Hiner Collection – Jan. 23 through April 11, 2010
Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
Focusing specifically on the extraordinary art collection of local nephrologist and entrepreneur, Dr. Hervy Hiner, this exhibition will comprise works in a variety of mediums by some of the great African-American artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. As a collector, Dr. Hiner has been amassing the high quality works that grace the walls of his home and popular local restaurant, Suga’s Deep South Cuisine. Among the artists featured in this exhibition are: Edward Bannister, Romare Bearden, John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Robert Duncanson, Joshua Johnston, Jacob Lawrence, Edmonia Lewis, Norman Lewis, Hughie Lee-Smith, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.
Artwork by Anne Nelson Sweat in Café Arts – Feb. 4 through May 2, 2010
“Set Your Sails for AMSET!” Family Arts Day – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010
This Family Arts Day will revolve around Hans Molzberger’s site specific sculpture exhibit featuring a boat. Guests can make boat-related art activities including making small workable boats, decorating sails and drawing boats. Admission is free and open to the public.
Protégé High School Art Competition and Exhibition —
Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony – 6-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010
Protégé exhibition on view at AMSET – Feb. 26 through March 28, 2010
Protégé is a 23-year-old program organized annually to promote and inspire 12th-grade artists in our region. AMSET believes it is important that young artists have an early opportunity to enter art competitions and to learn museum exhibition practices. After the opening exhibit at AMSET, the works of art will tour regional schools from March 30 through May 27, 2010.
15th Annual Go for the Gold Party and Reverse Drawing – 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18, 2010
Each year AMSET invites community members to “Go for the Gold” at this most popular and entertaining event. For the ticket cost of $100, participants receive admission, dinner and cocktails for two along with one entry into the most exciting drawing in town. Three lucky ticket-holders get a chance to win unbelievable prizes in gold, magically turning $100 into $10,000 for the first place winner in a reverse drawing where the winner is the last ticket drawn. Proceeds from Go for the Gold benefit the museum’s exhibitions and education programming. Call (409) 832-3432 for tickets.
Virgil Grotfeldt 274296 – April 24 through July 11, 2010
Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, April 23
This exhibition is the final body of work of one of Houston’s leading artists, Virgil Grotfeldt, who lost his 16-year battle with cancer in February 2009. The number 274296 was Grotfeldt’s patient number at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. The exhibition is comprised of 24 oil paintings on MRI scans of Grotfeldt’s brain from the center. It is organized by Houston Baptist University, where he was an assistant professor of art and artist in residence.
Rusty Scruby: Playing in the Sand – April 24 through July 11, 2010
Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, April 23
Rusty Scruby defines his work as sculpture, but he exchanges ideas between math, music and art to create a common language to unite the three. He uses a series of repetitious photographs (or drawings or sheets of plastic) that he cuts, folds and weaves to create highly textured wall sculpture. He employs his engineering techniques to render surfaces that represent waves, ripples or bodies of water. Color, pattern and images are used to express musical harmonies, melodies and themes. This exhibit will feature his latest development; totally three-dimensional sculpture that will be suspended from the gallery ceilings.
“Playing in the Sand” Family Arts Day – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 1, 2010
Get ready for the beach with activities including sand art, designing beach balls and paper folding activities related to Rusty Scruby’s exhibition Playing in the Sand. Admission is free and open to the public.
Treasure Auction – Thursday, May 6, 2010
Don’t miss this bi-annual, exciting live auction event giving you the opportunity to bid on and purchase fine interior decorative art items created by local artists. Past auction items have included clocks, serving trays, carts, chairs, birdhouses and birdbaths. Call (409) 832-3432 for more information.
Artwork by Amy Tolbert in Café Arts – May 6 through August 1, 2010
George Wentz: A Retrospective – July 24 through September 26, 2010 Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 23
This retrospective exhibition features the colorful and joyful paintings and collages of Beaumont artist and life-long resident George Wentz. He began drawing and painting at age five and continued developing his artistic interests and talents in high school while studying under the highly popular Beaumont artist Herman Hugg. Wentz’s artistic style is defined as gestural and abstract expressionist with colors and vivacity reminiscent of the French post-impressionists. In addition to the hopefulness and joy that emerges in Wentz’s paintings, is the personality of the artist himself that is described by many as jovial and child-like.
Women Artists: Selections from the Permanent Collection – July 24 through September 26, 2010; Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 23
AMSET dedicates its summer exhibition show to groupings from the permanent collection. This summer visitors can view a range of styles of artwork by women artists.
Artwork by Jackie Stubblefield in Café Arts – Aug. 5 through Nov. 7, 2010
“Flower Power” Summer Family Arts Day – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, August 14, 2010
In celebration of summer flowers, families will make flower paintings with thick luscious paints in vibrant hues, create tissue flowers and decorate flower pots to take home. This Family Arts Day will help children and their families further explore artist George Wentz’s artwork. Admission is free and open to the public.
Gala 2010— 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
AMSET’s annual anniversary gala is always a spectacular and memorable evening. In 2010, the museum will celebrate its 23rd anniversary with fine dining, entertainment, surprises and much more. Call (409) 832-3432 for reservations.
Art of Beer — 6-10 p.m., Thursday, September 30, 2010
Making its much anticipated return as an annual fall fund-raising event, is AMSET’s Art of Beer. This foam-filled and adventurous event gives Southeast Texans the opportunity to sample a few new brews and learn things about beer they might have never known. Also, always included is a delicious dinner and lively entertainment. Call (409) 832-3432 for tickets.
Artwork by Sedrick Huckaby – Oct. 16, 2010 through Jan. 9, 2011
Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 15
Artist Sedrick Huckaby is most inspired by his family, his faith and his African-American heritage. He creates “quilt paintings” as a way to celebrate both his grandmother’s craft as well as the artistic legacy of the African-American quilting tradition. Huckaby reproduces in thick, impasto paint the actual quilts produced by his grandmothers as backdrops for many of his portrait paintings of family and friends. Among many other awards and achievements, Huckaby was the recipient of the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 2008.
“Eat a Bug!” Family Arts Day – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010
“Eat a Bug!” Family Arts Day is one of AMSET’s most popular events, where children and their families are tempted to try the creepy, crawly delicacy of fried crickets. Hands-on art activities focus on the many cultures of our region and the main gallery exhibition. Visitors will learn about Day of the Dead and make Latin American crafts such as sugar skulls, cut paper designs and tissue flowers. Entertainment includes Latin American music and dancing. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. The event is free and open to the public.
Artwork by Kathleen Boudreaux in Café Arts – Nov. 11, 2010 through Feb. 6, 2011
BEAUMONT, TX November 16, 2009 –This Thursday, the SE Texas Mavericks kick off the official start of the 2009/2010 season during the ABA Tip-Off Classic. The tournament begins at 6pm on Thursday and also Saturday and consists of two games each day. The Mavericks will be hosting the top teams in the ABA at the Tip-Off Classic. Defending ABA Champions the Kentucky Bisons will be joining the Mavericks at the Classic along with ABA newcomer the Bluegrass Stallions and another top ranked ABA team the Music City Stars.
The opening games will have Bluegrass and Music City facing off at 6:00 PM on Thursday night, November 19 and the 8:30 PM nightcap game will have the SETX Mavericks (ranked # 2 in the Pre-Season ABA Power Rankings) hosting the ABA Champion Kentucky Bisons (ranked # 1). Tip-off for the second game will be at 8:30 PM.
Fans who bring 3 cans of food to either game will receive a voucher good for one free ticket to a future game. All food will be contributed to the SE Texas Food Bank.
“We are excited for the opportunity to contribute to this essential community organization during our first big weekend of the Mavericks schedule,” said Candace Griffin, owner of the SE Texas Mavericks. “The Southeast Texas Food Bank serves eight counties and distributes food to approximately 130 nonprofit agencies which provide this food to more than 16,000 people per month. In addition to food, the SE Texas Food Bank provides programs for school children including School Tools, the Backpack Program, and Nutrition Education Classes for kids during gym class.”
The tournament begins at 6pm on Thursday and Saturday with two games each night. Tickets start at just $8 for kids age 2-12 and $13 for adults. Courtside and VIP tables are also available. Each fan who brings three cans of food to the tournament on Thursday or Saturday will receive a free Mavericks ticket voucher. The vouchers for free tickets can be used for any home game December 3-March 6.
Tickets are on sale now at the Ford Arena Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. All seats are reserved. For more information about the SE Texas Mavericks or the Food Bank, visit www.setxmavs.com or www.setxfoodbank.org
For more information on the SETX Mavericks go to: www.setxmavs.com or call 409-951-5500.
The Lamarissimo! Concert Series will usher in the holiday season with performances by the Lamar University Grand Chorus and A Cappella Choir at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, in the historic Jefferson Theatre in downtown Beaumont. Under the direction of James Han, Lamar’s new director of choral activities, the choirs will perform sacred works, best-loved carols and other seasonal selections. JK Chevrolet-Subaru is the concert sponsor. Now celebrating its 20th Anniversary Season, Lamarissimo! provides an off-campus showcase for Lamar student and faculty talents. The concert is open to holders of Lamarissimo! season tickets, which include admission to all five concerts in 2009-2010. Individual tickets – as well as Lamarissimo! gift certificates – will be on sale at the Jefferson Theatre box office beginning at 2:15 p.m. the afternoon of the holiday concert. The individual tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for students. Admission is free to students of Lamar University in Beaumont with valid LU identification. Lamarissimo! will continue in spring 2010 with Jazz Bands, March 2, and Cardinal Singers and Lamar Dance Company, April 29, both starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Julie Rogers Theatre. Additional information is available in the Lamar Department of Music, (409) 880-8144.
Contacts:
Dr. James Han, Director of Choral Activities, (409) 880-7189
Dr. Robert Culbertson, Interim Chair, Department of Music, (409) 880-8144
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Opening Reception: 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 23