PA boasts history, lotus and all that jazz

PA boasts history, lotus and all that jazz

Yvonne Sutherlin is rightfully proud of her byline in “A Texas State of Mind.” The thick coffee-table book has great shots of vintage and present-day Lamar State College-Port Arthur and tells the story of “The Texas State University System Story Still Going Strong After 100 Years.”

I love the photo of an old dorm room, with a metal framed bed, a mirrored bureau in the corner, woven rug and small desk with two wire-backed chairs. It looks like the most quaint bed and breakfast room for rent today. Back around 1920, the two-student room went for $4.25 a week with room, board, light and heat. Our Lamar is still something Port Arthur residents are proud to support.

Buu Mon Lotus and Bamboo Festival

It could be that Zummo’s links were the last thing you were expecting at Buu Mon Buddhist Temple’s annual lotus and bamboo festival, but the Rev. K assures they will be there.

He says the spring rolls are delicious, and also advises visitors to bring their cameras for shots of those colorful blooms.

The Rev. Kassapa Bhikkhu says Buu Mon Buddhist Temple & Lotus Gardens will host its 14^th annual Lotus and Bamboo Festival, and Buddha’s Birthday Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3 of 2012. There is no admission charge for guests to take in colorful blooms and towering stalks from four gardens. Look for more than 30 varieties of lotus flowers, 20 varieties of hardy and tropical water lilies and 30 types of bamboo.

The festival includes views of the koi pond, rose garden and bonsai display. Vendors will offer arts and crafts, books and Vietnamese foods, vegetarian stir fry dishes and links.

Tours will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tea ceremonies, including a telling of the history of tea, area scheduled for each afternoon. Buddha’s Birthday, called Vesak Celebration, will be observed from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The temple are gardens are at 2701 Procter Street,

Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival to hit Port Arthur

Yard signs and T-shirts are all over town promoting the 5^th annual Zachary Breaux Jazz Festival, June 8-9 in downtown Port Arthur.

Doris Hayes, organizer, said the musician was ahead of his time and played with the best. European musicians closely follow the festival, because so many of them played with Breaux, she said.

Local and regional acts will fill the Procter Street Pavilion. Advance tickets are $12 for Friday and $18 for Saturday; Gate prices are $15 for Friday and $20 for Saturday. Bring lawn chairs and visit vendors for food, drink and more.

The schedule is:

Friday, June 8

· 6 p.m. – Houston Jazz Caravan

· 6:45 p.m. – JAWAD

· 7:30 p.m. – George Hill & Friends

· 8:30 p.m. – Theresa Grayson

· 9:45 p.m. Lil Wayne Singleton, Zydeco artist

· 11 p.m. – Brian Best

Saturday, June 9

· 1:30 p.m. – Charles Bilal & Solar System Band

· 2:30 p.m. – Ron Rocio & The Flava Band

· 3:30 p.m. – Act to be announced

· 4:30 p.m. – Joe Carmouche

· 5:45 p.m. – Althea Rene

· 7 p.m. – Texas Brass Band

· 8 p.m. – Kyle Turner

· 9:15 p.m. – Michael Ward

· 10:30 p.m. – Dean James

· 11:30 p.m. – Lora Sims

For information, call Doris Hays, (409) 982-8394 or (409) 985-9977 or visit zacharybreauxjazz festival.com.

ddoiron@panews.com