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GEORGIA ON MY MIND CELEBRATES A LEGEND!

By
Joshua Blackwell
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LUFKIN, TX. The Angelina Arts Alliance is proud to present Georgia On My Mind: A Celebration of the Music of the legendary Ray Charles featuring an all-star lineup of award winning musicians! The performance will take place Thursday, November 21 at the Temple Theater beginning at 7:30 pm.

Ray Charles, a Georgia native son was an American treasure who won every major honor from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame to the Hollywood Walk of Fame… from the Kennedy Honors to a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He transcended racism and cultural upheavals, and spread his music based on Gospel, Blues, Jazz and Country around the world…he was a genius!

Boasting iconic tunes from the catalogue of the genius himself, the artists make each song a winning part of the tapestry that is Ray Charles’ music. Join us as we celebrate Ray’s music with an all-star cast of award winning performers, featuring:

Take 6 – These Gospel Music Hall of Famers have won 10 Grammy Awards. Take 6 showcases six voices united in crystal clear harmony, placed against a backdrop of syncopated rhythms, innovative arrangements, and funky grooves that bubble into an intoxicating brew of gospel, jazz, R&B and pop. Members Claude McKnight, Mark Kibble (who just won his 11th Grammy Award, this one as Arranger), Joel Kibble, Dave Thomas, Alvin Chea and Khristian Dentley have been heralded by Quincy Jones as “the baddest vocal cats on the planet.” Take 6 has come a long way from their days at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Ala., where McKnight formed the group as The Gentleman’s Estate Quartet in the 1980s. When tenor Mark Kibble heard the group rehearsing in a dorm bathroom, he joined in the harmonies and performed on stage that night. Their self-titled debut CD scored two 1988 Grammy Awards, and landed in the Top Ten Billboard Contemporary Jazz and Contemporary Christian Charts. Take 6 has recently released an album of exquisite arrangements of contemporary favorites, ICONIC. In the 30 years since their start, the group has set the standard for a cappella groups, and has never slowed down. Learn more about Take 6 here https://take6.com/.

Nnenna Freelon – Six-time Grammy Award nominee Nnenna Freelon has earned a welldeserved reputation as a compelling and captivating live performer. In 2014, Nnenna starred in the critically acclaimed show “Georgia on My Mind: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles” at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. Nnenna is no stranger to the music of the master singer – she toured with Ray Charles, as well as many other greatest jazz artists including Ellis Marsalis, Al Jarreau, George Benson, and others. Learn more about Nnenna Freelon here http://nnenna.com/.

Clint Holmes – Emmy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician, Clint Holmes is a Las Vegas based vocal star, has been selling out concert halls around the world… his exciting soulful stylings will bring magic to this enchanted evening. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Holmes

Tom Scott – Tom Scott is a renowned composer, arranger, producer, musical director, saxophonist and educator. His 33 solo recordings have earned him 14 Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy Awards. In 2013, he produced a CD for ukulele master Brittni Paiva which won a Hawaiian Grammy for Ukulele Album of the Year, and received his first Emmy Award nomination in 2017 for Musical Direction of the Tony Bennett 90th Birthday TV Special on NBC. https://www.tomscottmusic.com/ “We are proud to present this all-star lineup of musical talent to celebrate the iconic and legendary musician Ray Charles. This performance is sure to be thrilling! There are tickets still available, so don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event,” said Jennifer Allen, Executive Director of the Angelina Arts Alliance.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Temple Theater Box Office on the Angelina College Lufkin campus, Monday through Friday 11 am – 5 pm or call (936) 633-5454, or go online at www.angelinaarts.org . Details and video clips for this performance and the entire new season are on the Arts Alliance website. Follow Angelina Arts Alliance on Facebook for late-breaking news, photos, videos and ticket giveaways.

Angelina College offers FREE RUSH tickets to every AC student (with a valid student ID) for all Performing Arts Series performances this season. Students may obtain their free tickets by arriving at the box office no earlier than one hour before show time. All AC Faculty and Staff receive a 15% discount on all Performing Arts Series performances.

The Angelina Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to present a wide array of diverse, quality performing arts, along with educational and family performances which collectively enrich, engage and educate the community.

Steady Climb: AC Men’s Soccer Team Reaches First Post-Season Roadrunners Travel to Blinn on Tuesday for Opening Round

By
Gary Stallard
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Ulises Mercado: Angelina College’s Ulises Mercado leads the Roadrunners into Tuesday’s Region XIV men’s quarterfinals against Blinn College in Brenham. It’s the first-ever postseason appearance for AC’s fourth-year program. (Gary Stallard photo)

Since their inaugural season in 2016, the Angelina College Roadrunner men’s soccer team has experienced a steady climb in improvement, from the program’s 1-12-2 finish in ’16 to this year’s 7-10-1 regular-season record. Along the way, the teams have proven themselves tough outs to even some of the more established teams in Region XIV.

This year, the Roadrunners reached a coveted milestone: After going 6-8 in conference play – including an upset of nationally ranked Tyler Junior College on Oct. 5 – AC’s men have qualified for the conference tournament for the very first time.

The accomplishment caps a season filled with plenty of adversity and uncertainty, with numerous close losses combined with some convincing wins. Despite those ups and downs, the team seems to be hitting its collective stride at exactly the right moment.

The ‘Runners capped the regular season with a 3-1 win over Blinn College Saturday in Brenham. Ulises Mercado, who leads the team with nine goals this season, scored a pair of goals – including a spectacular overhead kick to the nets – and Taurayi Tugwete added another to give AC its sixth win in conference play.

On Tuesday, the Roadrunners will open the postseason against those same Bucs on the same pitch in Brenham.

Coach Matt Hubert said the team’s mindset is composed of both confidence and determination.

“We’re all excited, especially after what happened Saturday night in getting such a big win,” Hubert said. “The past couple of weeks we’ve been right there as a ball club, and some unfortunate things have happened during matches that kept us from experiencing success. But it looks like we’ve gotten over that hump, and things are clicking right now.

“There’s a lot of confidence among the guys right now. There’s not a guy in the locker room who doesn’t feel we can have some success in the playoffs.”

The Roadrunners and Bucs will kick off at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Hohlt Park in Brenham.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Thanksgiving Tree at the Texas Forestry Museum

By
Joshua Blackwell
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The Texas Forestry Museum invites you and your family to spread holiday cheer by choosing an “act of kindness” leaf from the Thanskgiving Tree. The Thanksgiving Tree will have many different fun ways to show someone you care and can become your next family tradition! It will be available November 1st to November 30th during museum hours.

The Texas Forestry Museum, a private non-profit organization, is located at 1905 Atkinson Dr. in Lufkin. We are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except major holidays. For more information on the Texas Forestry Museum and its scheduled events, please call 936-632-9535 or visit our website at www.treetexas.com

MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO STAY ALERT FOR DEER

By
Rhonda Oaks
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As deer season begins, motorists are urged to stay alert in pre-dawn hours and after dark. Deer are on the move through the nine-county Lufkin District and several crashes involving deer hits have been reported. TxDOT wants to remind drivers of the dangers of deer on the roadways and how quickly they will run across the roadway.

Motorists are urged to be attentive, especially just after sunset and the hours just before sunrise. These times are when the most deer versus vehicle collisions occur. Pay attention to road signs that indicate a heavy wildlife population in the area and reduce speed where deer have been known to cross.

“We usually see more deer hits in rural areas, but so far this year, there have been several on state and US highways, like the crash that occurred Tuesday on US 69 North in Angelina County,” said Rhonda Oaks, spokesperson for the Lufkin District. “Because deer are so much more active this time of year, we urge motorists to stay alert, especially during the dusk and pre-dawn hours when deer are known to move around more.”

Safety tips that could help motorists avoid a deer versus vehicle crash include:

  • Reduce speed if you see a deer near the edge of the roadway. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others could be nearby.
  • When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of the deer, but be careful not to use high beams in fog.
  • Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer.
  • Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid hitting a deer.
  • Always wear your seatbelt.
  • If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. Move your car off the road, if possible, and call 911. If possible, remain in your vehicle. It is the safest place. Many secondary crashes occur due to pedestrians in the roadway.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

Roadrunner Basketball Hosting Tipoff Bonanza AC Offering Family Fun on Season Opener

By
Gary Stallard
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“Basketball Tipoff Bonanza”

The 2019-2020 Angelina College Roadrunner men’s basketball team would like to introduce itself to the community, and to do so, the players and coaches are inviting the public to the “Basketball Tipoff Bonanza” as part of the ‘Runners’ season opener on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Shands Gymnasium.

The Roadrunners, picked in pre-season polls to finish first in the conference’s South Zone, will host McLennan College in the regular-season opener for both teams. Along with what promises to be an exciting game, the Bonanza will begin at 5:30 p.m. and offer free food and drinks to fans while supplies last. In addition, there will be bounce houses and other activities outside AC’s Activity Center, with food trucks such as Holy Smoke BBQ, among others.

At half time, the college will honor long-time supporter and sponsor Brookshire Brothers.

The Roadrunners and Highlanders will tip off at 7 p.m. The game will be live streamed at angelinaathletics.com.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

DETCOG Accepting Applications for Solid Waste Grants

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) is now taking applications for funding of Solid Waste Projects for FY 2020. DETCOG anticipates awarding grants totaling $65,000.00 in FY 2020.

Applications for projects in the following categories will be accepted: Local

Enforcement, Litter and Illegal Dumping Cleanup and Community Collection Events, Source Reduction and Recycling, Local Solid Waste Management, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Management, Technical Studies, Educational and Training Projects, and other projects not included in these categories which meet TCEQ criteria.

Expected to be consideration during the funding will be up to five (5)

Individual grants, not to exceed $13,000.00. Each application will be judged by

the DETCOG Regional Solid Waste Advisory Committee (RSWAC) in accordance with the RSWAC Project Review and Scoring Guidelines and DETCOG’s Regional Solid Waste Management Plan.

The grants are available to Cities, Counties, Public Schools, School Districts, River Authorities as well as General and Special Law Districts with the authority and responsibility for water quality protection or municipal solid waste management. The applicants must be located within Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler counties to be eligible to apply. Funding for the DETCOG Solid Waste Grants comes from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

Applications are available on DETCOG’s website at www.detcog.gov. They are due back to DETCOG by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, January 6, 2020. For more information, or to request an application packet, please contact Regional Services Specialist Carolyn Stephenson by email at CStephenson@detcog.org or by phone at (409) 384-5704 ext. 5353

Chairman James White and Nurse-Family Partnership to Host Town Hall Meeting on Women’s Health in Southeast Texas

By
Rep. James White
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State Representative James White and Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) are hosting a town hall meeting in Livingston, TX, to address the needs of women’s health in Southeast Texas. NFP is an evidence-based community health program with over 40 years of experience showing significant improvements in the health and lives of first-time moms and their children. Rep. White is actively engage with this organization to expand their services into our Southeast Texas communities.

Women’s health is a priority for all Texans and it is time that we ensure that the funding the State Legislature has appropriated is sent down to those who need services immediately. The town hall will provide NFP with the opportunity to discuss their plans to work with our local health care providers and how we will ensure the quality of healthcare that our Texas mothers and their children deserve.

Nurse-Family Partnership Town Hall Meeting October 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Livingston Municipal Library 707 N. Tyler Ave. Livingston, TX 77351

“I am proud to work with NFP to bring these much needed services to Polk, Jasper, Newton, Hardin, and Tyler counties. Women in my district are in peril due to the lack of proper services and it is imperative that we draw down these funds that have been allocated,” said Rep. White. “I have consistently voted for pro-life and pro-women’s health measures on the House Floor. I will continue to work with NFP and our Texas Health & Human Services Commission to ensure that we have solutions to solve these problems. I urge Southeast Texans to attend this very important town hall meeting.”

Please do not hesitate to contact Saul Mendoza, Chief of Staff, with questions regarding this release at 512-463-0490 or 409-283-3700.

CAR FIT EVENT SET FOR SENIOR DRIVERS

By
Rhonda Oaks
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The TxDOT Lufkin District will conduct a Car Fit event Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 9-11 am at Morgan Insurance, 3708 S. Medford Drive, Lufkin, to make sure all senior drivers are aware of the proper safety “fit” within their vehicles. The event is open and free to everyone.

TxDOT has determined that drivers, age 65 and older, can discover enhanced safety, mobility and comfort as they drive. The purpose of this safety program is to help determine whether settings on each vehicle are correct and enhanced for a better driving experience.

Car Fit is an interactive and educational program designed to improve driver safety. This event is not a driving test or mechanical inspection and participation is voluntary. It is designed to be an educational check-up for driver enhanced safety. A TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist will check each vehicle using a 12-point list to determine any needed corrections for driving safety.

“We hope seniors and anyone else who would like to will go by and make sure they are making safety a personal priority within their own vehicle,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “It is very important especially for mature drivers to make it their priority. As we age, there are things we can do when we drive to help relieve the stress associated with today’s driving challenges.”

This event is brought to you by the TxDOT Lufkin District and the Mature Driver Program, a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation and Baylor Scott & White Healthcare, and Morgan Insurance Agency in Lufkin, who is helping sponsor the event.

For more information or to reserve a time for your Car Fit check-up, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call Melissa McKnight, TxDOT traffic safety specialist, at 936-633-4303.

Lawn Care in the Fall

By
Cary Sims
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I’m hoping that I only have to mow my yard just one more time this year. Cooler weather and shorter days are bringing an end to the lawns growth.

But even as you do your last lawn mowing, below are practices that will ensure a good transition of your lawn into winter months and a stronger lawn come next spring.

Don’t fertilize anymore. One common action we love to take is applying a “winter-izer fertilizer”. It is a very beneficial practice but don’t do it now because it is too late. Generally, research recommends the absolute latest fall fertilizer application should be made at least six weeks before the location’s historic first-frost date.

Given that our historic first frost is mid-November, that last application of fertilizer would have been done by the first of October. Fertilizing this late in the fall would be like someone preparing you supper just before bedtime! Your lawn is preparing for winter dormancy and a late feeding could be more disruptive than helpful.

One exception to this is if you have a Bermuda lawn. You can give bermuda 2-3 lbs. of 0-0-60 per 1,000 sq. ft. Potash fertilizer applied in the fall is a secret of top-notch hay growers. Bermudagrass roots are built up with potash (another name for potassium) and it won’t stimulate vegetative growth or fungal problems.

Do add lime… if you need it. If you need to add lime to reduce acidic soils, add lime now to your lawns. Lime helps to neutralize the pH in our commonly low pH soils. Lime isn’t really a fertilizer although it does contain Calcium, a secondary nutrient for plants. Lime’s purpose is to provide a better environment for the plants to grow. One of its better attributes is that it allows nutrients to be more available.

So, who does need to lime? I don’t have a clue. But with $13 spent on a soil test, anyone and everyone can find out exactly how much lime they’ll need to apply. Look up “SFA soil lab” on your computer’s search engine and print off the first PDF form you’ll find. If you just want to pick one up, our office (located next the Angelina County Farmers Market) and some feed stores have soil testing forms.

Don’t keep watering. I’ve had a number of folks ask if they should water during the winter months. It’s true that your lawn and shrubs and other perennials need moisture year-round, but our climate typically provides enough moisture in our winter not to water. In the coming weeks (and certainly after our first frost) you can completely turn off your sprinkler system.

When to turn the irrigation system back on? April is naturally a good time. The grass will likely have started growing at that time and warm, drier weather would be starting.

Do treat for weeds. You can (and should) treat for weeds each fall. Problematic warm season perennial weeds such as Spurge and Virginia Buttonweed can be killed now before they go dormant. Annual spring weeds such as Lawn Burweed and Henbit can be best controlled with preemergent herbicides as they are just trying to germinate.

Products may not be clearly marked as “preemergent” but may instead have language on them such as “weed preventer.” So, being familiar with some of the active ingredients can be helpful.

Common active ingredients used for preemergence control include prodiamine, dithiopyr, pendimethalin, isoxaben and others.

I have long recommended Atrazine. There are lots of products on the shelves at lots of stores that contain this active ingredient. It is very safe to use on our most common turf grass, St. Augustine.

Do these last practices and your lawn will be one of the best in the neighborhood next spring.

Roadrunner Men Picked First in Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll Lady Roadrunners Picked Fourth

By
Gary Stallard
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The 2019-2020 Angelina College Roadrunner men’s basketball team, shown here during last week’s Media Day, has been picked to finish first in the Region XIV South Zone according to Tuesday’s coaches’ poll. The Roadrunner women were picked fourth in the poll. (Gary Stallard photo)

Clearly, Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Nick Wade has made an impression, and not just with his team’s fan base.

In his very first season at the helm, Wade and assistant coach Zac Kircher guided the 2018-2019 Roadrunners to an 18-14 record, including a second-place finish in the Region XIV South Zone and a two-deep run in the conference tournament. The team accomplished those feats despite Wade’s having inherited just two returning starters.

At Tuesday’s Region XIV Media Day in Tyler, fellow coaches recognized Wade’s efforts – and progress – by picking the Roadrunners to finish first in the zone in the pre-season coaches’ poll. Blinn was picked second, Lamar State College-Port Arthur third, Jacksonville College fourth, Lee College fifth, Coastal Bend College sixth and Victoria College seventh.

Tyler Junior College was picked first in the conference’s East Zone.

Byron Coleman’s Lady Roadrunners, coming off a 2018-2019 conference tournament win and an appearance in the national tournament, were picked fourth in the conference poll behind Trinity Valley, Tyler and Kilgore. The Lady ‘Runners return just two starters from last year.

Following the ’18-’19 run, Coleman earned the NJCAA District L Coach of the Year award, while assistant coach Randy McKelvey was named the WBCA’s Assistant Coach of the Year.

In a pre-season interview held earlier this week, Wade spoke of last season’s successes and how tough it would be to carry them over into the new year.

“Last year was a good first step in this process,” Wade said. “I think the biggest thing I took from it all was the entire process, and how important every single detail of the process is. Wins and losses will come and go, but there was a lot to be excited about. Those guys gave a tremendous amount of effort and heart, and they gave us a great first step in our building process here.”

For his second season, Wade will have the benefit of several returning players, and those men are expected to help the new faces transition into the staff’s expectations.

“They (the sophomores) know the foundational piece has been set, and I’ve got to give them credit,” Wade said. “Those returners have done a great job in keeping up with what we started last year and building on that. Guys are where they’re supposed to be, they’re working really hard and they’re representing the college with class. As long as they do that, we’ll continue the trend of doing things the right way.”

The Roadrunners host Up Tempo Academy at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 in the final scrimmage of the year. AC then will host McLennan College in the regular-season opener at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The Roadrunner women open the regular season as participants in the McLennan Classic in Waco (Nov. 1 and 2) and in the Tyler Classic in Tyler (Nov. 8 and 9) before hosting their first home game on Tuesday, Nov. 12 against Southern Shreveport.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu

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