Sounds Good

Tour the new gem/gym at the Groves Activity Building
I’ve seen it, and I was impressed.
The city of Groves Parks and Recreation Department will host an open house so everyone else can tour the newly-renovated Groves Activity Building.
See the new flooring, leather couches and party rooms from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6150 39th Street.
Refreshments will be served.

Frantz to sign books
Christian book writer Melissa Frantz will sign her children’s book, “The Mighty Chihuahuas, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at The Living Word, 3316 FM 365 in Nederland.
Frantz said she incorporates writes character building lessons of honesty, integrity, loyalty, courage, friendship and love through “intriguing situations and delightful characterizations.”
"The Mighty Chihuahuas are such small little creatures, although they are mighty in so many ways, just as children. Children are small, but mighty, in the eyes of our heavenly Father,” Frantz said.
Her book tells of four not-so ordinary Chihuahuas who run a farm in Chihuahua, Mexico. Their adventure begins when they receive a letter from Precious, their cousin, asking to be rescued from evil "dognapper," El Magnifico, in New York City.
Frantz has also written "Blessed From a Boxcar,” about a rescued child.

Alter’s Gem Jewelry makes Red Cross donation
Alter’s Gem Jewelry made its first donation of $2,500 to the American Red Cross with the proceeds from sales of the “Gems to Enjoy” cookbook.
“We are so thrilled that we have been able to contribute to our community which has suffered from not only Rita, but Hurricane Ike as well,” Brain Alter, managing owner, said.
Cookbook contributors include Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Mario Batali, Kate Bosworth, Jeff Foxworthy and Rob Reiner.
The second edition’s contributors include James Earl Jones, Rene Auberjonois, and more than 30 American governors. For details, call 861-3005 or visit 3155 Dowlen Road in Beaumont.

Southeast Texas Reads ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’
Southeast Texas Reads is encouraging everyone in Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana to read Harper Lee’s ”To Kill a Mockingbird” and discuss it with your friends, neighbors and family in March.
The Lutcher Theater in Orange announces a kick-off reception from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, with readings. Get a copy of the book for $5 and “I’m Reading To Kill A Mockingbird” buttons.
At noon on Wednesday, March 4, the Stark Museum of Art hosts “Spotlight on the Mockingbird in Art,” featuring a reading and a gallery talk on “The First Pictures of the Mockingbird.” Mark Catesby’s hand-colored engraving of the bird in his book “The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands, 1731” and the engravings of the mockingbird by Alexander Wilson and John James Audubon will be on display. Bring brown bag lunches for the free program.
Through out the day on Thursday, March 5, an interview with Gregory Peck about the movie will be shown onscreen at the Lamar State College Orange Library; At 6 p.m., the LSC-O library will have a reading of the book on the lawn. Bring lawn chairs or quilts and an appetite for ice cream and lemonade while listening to the readings. Call 745-5535 for information on several more events.
ddoiron@panews.com