Sounds Good

Gawad Kalinga
Singer Stephanie Reese has an impressive resume, but you’ve got to see her in person to fall in love with her. An enthusiastic local crowd wanting to help Typhoon Ondoy victims did that Sunday at the Julie Rogers Theatre. As a writer, I don’t usually speak for others, but yeah, I could tell, everyone was in love with this skilled, personable singer who shared her life in song.
Dr. Erlinda and Philip Punsalan were among dozens of people supporting the concert to help those recovering from the Septemer typhoon that destroyed so many homes in The Philippines.
Answering the Call of the Poor Foundation USA, supports the Gawad Kalinga (to give care) program. The local group plans to name the village in honor of the Rev. Dan Malain, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.
Aside from the great concert, it was amazing to feel the love of so many people who are making the world a better place. For information, call Shirley Agustin at 722-6748.

TJ grads, football lovers on tap for post Thanksgiving reunion
Jule Joffrion, Johnny Elton, Barry Robbins and the TJ Class of 1975 are once again hosting TJ Reunion Fest. Joffrion says this celebration began two years ago when members of the ‘75 football team reunited one Thanksgiving.
“Old TJ football films had been digitized from the 1975 football season, and we had a great time watching our team. Films from 1973 and 1974 fall football season will be shown,” Joffrion said about the upcoming fest. The gang is looking for more football films.
The group will meet at 8 p.m. Nov. 27, at Cash’s, 8484 Central Mall Drive. Mid-Life Crisis will play. Joffrion says alumni from all classes, and their guests, are welcome.


Cajuns on the radio
The Cajun Express show with Dana Melancon and Gloria Roy is now on is on the air at KAYD-FM 101.7 or via internet at KAYD.com. Listen at 7 a.m. Sundays.

YMCA news
In November, the Port Arthur YMCA is celebrating 107 years in Port Arthur. The YMCA was charted in Port Arthur in 1902, with its first building on built on Lakeshore Drive in 1937 it was destroyed by fire in 1959. Then the Y presented programs in rented space. The YMCA dedicated the 7th Street site in 1956 at a cost of $35,000. A deed for land was acquired for the 9th Avenue branch in 1961 and it was dedicated in 1966.
In 1983 a capital campaign was initiated for a new YMCA on 6760 9th Ave. and the dedication came in 1986. Now, in 2009, it’s getting a $1.4 million renovation.

Gizzard Wizards
Chicken Express has been ruffling feathers for a few weeks at its new Nall Street restaurant in Port Neches. The Port Neches Chamber of Commerce helped management cut the ribbon on Tuesday.
Gary L. McCarty told guests the building should always look as clean as it does in all its newness and the stainless steel should be just as shiny and customers should always see a “sea of red shirts” on the numerous employees.
McCarty said that gizzards just about sold out in the days after a feature on the new business ran in Port Arthur News. A diner who calls herself a gizzard fanatic said they were good at Chicken Express, and apparently everyone else wanted to try them for themselves.
ddoiron@panews.com