Nichols and McReynolds file bill to keep prison labor from costing Texans jobs

On Thursday state Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and state Rep. Jim McReynolds (D-Lufkin) filed companion bills to reform Texas' prison labor program. Nichols and McReynolds first started investigating the program when workers in East Texas lost jobs to prison labor. (Senate Bill 1169 and House Bill 1914)

"Rep. McReynolds and worked for almost two years to eliminate the threat this program poses to the jobs of hardworking Texans," said Nichols. "I believe this bill will finally settle the issue."

Read full story at DailySentinel.com.

Did you over indulge on Tuesday?

If Fat Tuesday is bogging you down, stock up on fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday.

Join us this Saturday at the Nacogdoches Farmer’s Market. The Market features a variety of fresh, locally made and produced items right at your fingertips. Remember to Shop Nac First on Saturday mornings at the Market.

The Market will feature - fresh produce, handmade items, fresh cut flowers, topiaries, blueberry plants, orchids, mustard & collard greens, onions, broccoli, potatoes, preserves, pinto beans, black eyed peas, lima beans, fresh free range cage free eggs, handmade soaps, salts & scrubs, honey, jelly & jams, pies, purple hull, brow crowder peas, cabbage, cauliflower, rasishes, sweet potatoes, ribbon cane syrup, a variety of fresh baked bread, poundcakes, home made jewelry, fresh goat cheese and Alpaca yarn.

Musical entertainment will be provided by BuffaloGrass, featuring Glenn Burt, Morgan Boyd, and John Boyd. Buffalo Grass will be playing a variety of songs including irish ballads, bluegrass, old country, and pop.

If you would like to sign up for the weekly Farmers’ Market email update, please send an email to mainstreet@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us You are also more than welcome to visit www.farmermktnac.blogspot.com for the weekly update.

Locals to polish green thumbs at azalea symposium

Whether your prized and pampered azaleas are the talk of the town or you have the blackest thumb in the neighborhood, the upcoming Azalea Trail Symposium is the place to be March 21st.

Titled “Azaleas and More- Companion Planting,” the symposium will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21st, in the Ag Building at Stephen F. Austin State University. Registration is $50 per person, $20 for students and includes lunch, workshop, grafting knife, plant and a guided tour of the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden – the largest azalea garden in Texas. Barbara Stump, the Mize garden’s primary designer, said the symposium will provide information on colorful companions for azalea gardens such as Japanese maples and perennials. The program should be helpful to master gardeners and novices alike. The only prerequisite for attendance is being an admirer of these beautiful flowering shrubs.

The speaker list is great this year. Ashleigh Endicott, meeting & event coordinator for the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau says “We are so lucky to have so many experienced and renowned speakers in Nacogdoches this year.” Elizabeth Mundy, owner of Acer Acres, Inc. in Beaverdam, Virginia will speak on “Japanese Maples in the Landscape.” Her firm grafts 400 different varieties. Nacogdoches’ own Dawn Stover will present “Perennials for Shade”-Based on her 10-plus years of experience with plant evaluations at that SFA Mast Arboretum. Barbara Stump’s guided tour will let you in on design secrets of SFA's own Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden.
The Azalea Symposium is part of the tenth annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail, which will be held March 14 through March 31st. The annual event will also feature a floral-design exhibit, a plant sale, and little princess garden party and more than 22 miles of self-guided driving tours.

For more information or to register for the Azalea Symposium, contact the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-888-OLDEST-TOWN or visit www.nacogdochesazaleas.com.

Murder on Main Street mystery theater

Texas After Dark: Texas Forest Trail Regional Conference March 5-6, 2009

*Join us for "Murder on Main Street" mystery dinner theater, ghost tours, a hay ride, and outstanding speakers from across the state! Learn more and find registration information at the conference web site.

Thursday dinner theater and reception: $25, Friday conference: $45

If you have any questions, contact:
Sarah E. O'Brien
Main Street Manager
City of Nacogdoches
P.O. Box 635030
Nacogdoches, TX 75963-5030
(936) 559-2573 Fax (936) 559-2910
www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us
obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us
"Downtown the Original Shopping Center"
www.shopdowntownnacogdoches.org

Ribbon Cutting for Lone Star Scooters

Lone Star Scooters and ATVs, 4909 North St, #203, in Marketplace II, (936) 560-2228.Owners Greg James, Bill Parsons and John White.

Ribbon Cutting for CASA of Deep East Texas

CASA of Deep East Texas and Rebecca Carlton welcomed guests, sponsors and Chamber members to the ribbon cutting of their new office. An open house tour of the new office was given as well as refreshments.

CASA of Deep East Texas
936-560-4711
Rebecca Carlton

Photos by Jennifer Holl

Regents Academy Ribbon Cutting

Administrator Maryann Bentley welcomed sponsors, Chamber members and guests to the ribbon cutting for the completion of the Regents Academy secondary school addition.

Regents Academy at 200 N. E. Stallings Dr.
(936) 559-7343
www.regentsacademy.com
Read full story by Michele Marcotte, The Daily Sentinel

Nacogdoches - SFA Day in Austin

More than 150 Nacogdoches business and higher education leaders gathered in Austin this past week for Nacogdoches-SFA Days, organized by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce.

Read full story: Click for The Daily Sentinel
Click for KTRE video clip

Click to view photos from Nacogdoches - SFA Day in Austin, Feb. 18-19.

Enjoy a Day of Beauty and Pampering!

Fredonia Hotel will be hosting a Regional Makeup Convention open to all of Nacogdoches! The event will be held February 24 and 25, 2009.

There will be a 5-6pm class and a 6-7pm class on February 24, space is limited to the first 50 people, so call and reserve your spot today!

On the 25th, there will be appointments available from 10am-4pm with a $50 reservation fee.

*National Makeup Artist Robert Cook, will be featured at the event! For Robert Cook, makeup was born out of his passion for artistic expression. After graduating from art school, Robert's artwork was displayed on the wall of the Tucson Museum of Art. Now, you can see it on the faces of the hundreds of women he works with every year at Lancome counters in the South Central United States.
For 20 years, Robert has enjoyed great success as a leading makeup artist and today, as a Lancome National Makeup Artist, he has found his true calling. "I genuinely enjoy the positive reactions I get from my clients," states Robert. "There's nothing more powerful than having a client look in the mirror and say to you, Wow I'm beautiful!."
Robert has appeared on E!Fashion Emergency and other television programs. Has has also lent his incredible talents to New York Fashion Week and The Sundance Film Festival, and is the makeup artist of choice for such famous faces as Rose McGowen and Rosanna Arquette.
His makeup technique focuses on revealing a woman's natural beauty and incorporating touches of fun, but he also has an outstanding knowledge of skincare. Robert's goal is to give each woman the look of a beautiful, glowing complexion and to teach her how to better take care of it. "Great skin is every woman's ultimate backdrop," he explains. "It allows her to put her best face forward."

The event will include a goody bag from Belk, hand massage, chair massage, free consultation from Laser Aesthetic Center, door prizes, and so much more!

If you are interested in joining Lancome for any of these great events, please give them a call (936)715-9390 ext 269.
Ask for Heather or Laura!

Gold Recognition: Heart and Stroke Healthy City

Photo: Tim Hayward announced the Healthy Nacogdoches Coalition had brought back the gold award from the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, and presented Kinnie Parker, the chair of HNC, with an award for her work with the coalition. Photo by Keith Lansdale.


Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital presented the Healthy Nacogdoches Coalition with good news – or rather “gold news” today, with the announcement that Nacogdoches had achieved Heart and Stroke Healthy City Gold Recognition.

The designation is awarded by the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke, in conjunction with the Texas Department of State Health Services. Though the city will receive the official recognition plaque next month, officials at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital wanted to share the gold news immediately with the committee that was instrumental in garnering the recognition.

“The gold medal level means that we had a score of 40 out of 40 with ALL Indicators met,” explained Tim Hayward, Memorial Hospital administrator. “The Healthy Nacogdoches Coalition members have worked so hard to secure this award for Nacogdoches. They’ve improved awareness and safety on our walking trails and generated more intense interest in some of the physical activities that are available in Nacogdoches, like the Walk Across Texas campaign. The nutrition committee has been working on a printed and on-line version of a food guide for our local restaurants to better tout their healthy food choices. They’ve also helped raise awareness of what a great local farmers’ market we have here in Nacogdoches. Probably the biggest impact on winning the gold though, was when we asked our city leaders to champion a no-smoking ordinance here in the city and they did. That more than anything gave us the gold.”

Read full story by Keith Lansdale, The Daily Sentinel.

Veiw video of announcement at KTRE.com.

More SAA Movies

The Sudents Activities Association puts on Movies every weekend. Here are the movies they are showing until April. To see what other events SAA puts on visit their website at http://www.saa.sfasu.edu/

Fe. 26th, 27th and March 1st
7pm Boldt
9pm Twilight

March 5th,6th and 8th
7pm Marley and Me
9:30pm Slum Dog Millionaire

April 25th Springfest/Mud Bugs and Mud Balls

Time is running out to register for FEMA aid

Five months after Hurricane Ike’s landfall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to deliver disaster assistance to households suffering damage. To date, more than $380 million in housing assistance and more than $103 million in assistance for other needs has been disbursed.

Some disaster victims may not be registering in the belief that they will not qualify.

“Every case is different, so making assumptions based on the experience of others could cut potentially eligible applicants out of needed disaster assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Brad Harris. “But time is running out.”

Registration ends Feb. 20 for those who suffered damage from Hurricane Ike. You must live in one of the 34 counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance--Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington counties--to register.

Homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofit organizations can register online anytime at www.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), (TTY 1-800-462-7585). The toll-free number is available from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

SAA Movies

The Sudents Activities Association puts on Movies every weekend. Here are the movies we are showing for the month of February. To see what other events SAA puts on visit their website at http://www.saa.sfasu.edu/

Feb. 12th, 13th and 15th

7pm Quantum of Solace

9:15pm Australia



Feb. 19th, 20th and 22nd

7pm Role Models

9pm Cadillac Records

2009 Great Expectations

During February, eighth grade students can look forward to a helpful and educational presentation by Great Expectations.

Great Expectations, which is a Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce program, relays to eighth grade students in Nacogdoches ISD and all county school districts the importance of taking honors and high-level courses while in high school.

Chamber volunteers present a 60 minute PowerPoint titled "Survivor" and stress the importance of taking more challenging classes to prepare themselves for life after high school graduation and possibly a continuing education.

“Great Expectations outlines real life facts such as what it costs to own a home and car and other things we all want as adults,” said Catherine Harris, program co-chairman. “Then the Chamber volunteers that present the program explain what students can do now with their education choices to afford that quality of life.”

Great Expectations is a program of the Nacogdoches County Chamber’s Community Development Division currently chaired by Shirley Luna. Other programs in this division are Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) crew and Nacogdoches Opportunity for a Better Learning Experience (N.O.B.L.E.).

Purple Out!

Image by sfajacks.com

Stephen F. Austin State University will play Lamar University February 7, 2009 at 6p.m. in the Johnson Coliseum. Come out and show your Lumberjack spirit! There will be free Purple shirts if you are there early enough.

Watch Out!

The Better Business Bureau today launched an educational online video series on credit and debt. “Current economic challenges underscore just how important it is for consumers to understand financial basics,” said Larry Lightfoot, President of the BBB “These videos offer tips to help them prepare financially. The Clear-Point-sponsored videos are the first in a series of consumer education-focused online video content that BBB is developing in 2009.
“These videos are designed to help many people who just don’t know where to begin. We hope that these videos will serve as a primer, and we encourage people to talk to a credit counselor if they feel they need more information about how to budget or manage their debt load.”

Kid Fish 2009 Pictures

The Coastal Conservation Association served over 400 hot dogs with french fries for the Kid Fish 2009 event.
The CCA also donated custom made American Rodsmith fishing combos.
Over 215 youths registered. Each youth received a free t-shirt till they lasted.






Reilley Brown (5 years old)
Proud of her Rainbow Trout


















Jonathon and Lauren Naas
Nacogdoches Kid Fish 2009
Lakeside Park










A special thanks to Billy Cox with the CCA and all associates that participated!

(above photos were taken by Doug James)

Love Inc. Benefit Fajita Dinner

LOVE in the Name of Christ - BENEFIT DINNER

Love in the Name of Christ and the Nacogdoches Homelessness Prevention Coalition are sponsoring a fundraiser dinner to help people who are homeless or on the brink of being homeless within Nacogdoches County. A Fajita Dinner will be served:
Tuesday, February 3 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Family Life Center First United Methodist Church

Tickets are available in advance or at the door for $10. Everyone is invited to "dine in" or "carry out."
For table sponsorships, please contact Mary Anne Oglesby at Love in the Name of Christ - 559-1234. All proceeds will be used to give direct assistance to families needing housing or about to lose present housing. Please consider how you can help with this timely and worthwhile program. See you there!

Nacogdoches Kid Fish a Success

Pictured is Doug James at Lakeside Park Pond.





The 5th Annual Nacogdoches Kid Fish was a success this year, drawing in nearly 250 children between the ages of 1 - 16.

The NKF, which is held annually around this time of year, is hosted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Lakeside Park Pond in Nacogdoches is stocked with 700 Rainbow Trout to promote fishing in general and give children the opportunity to participate in a friendly, fun-filled competition.

Winners of this year’s competition in each age category are:
Ages 1-8: Smallest Trout - .08lbs. – Tyler Burris
Largest Trout - .68lbs. – Matt Thompson
Largest String – 1.98lbs. – Buddy Worsham

Ages 9-16: Smallest Trout - .16lbs. – Rayshon Ross
Largest Trout - .57lbs. – Jeffery Brister
Largest String – 1.95lbs. – Tanner Albritton

Individuals wishing to try their luck at catching Trout at Lakeside Park Pond are encouraged to do so ASAP.

Special thanks to individuals assisting with NKF for the day include: City of Nacogdoches Parks and Recreation Department, Coastal Conservation Association, Nacogdoches Bass Club, Lowe's Home Improvement, Wal-Mart, Suddenlink, Etech, Nacogdoches Marine, Mike Perry Motor Co., Brookshire Bros., General Mills, Academy Outdoor Sports and McDonalds.

For more information about future Nacogdoches Kid Fish events, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (936) 559-2960.

Click for "Fun by the bucketful at Kid Fish 2009" by Matthew Stoff, The Daily Sentinel and a Kid Fish slideshow.