Prairie View Fire Fighters Red Hot Summer Ball

The St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church-Prairie View will host the Houston FoodBank Mobile unit and food distribution today, August 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the church, 204 Dooley Street. More than 10K lbs of fresh fruits, vegetables and other products will be available. PLEASE bring your bags, boxes or containers for the items. Additionally, interested persons can sign-up to receive SNAP, Children’s Medicaid/CHIP and TANF programs. We need volunteers to assist with the sign-in and distribution. Please send information to smtfrancispv@sbcglobal.net or call the FoodBank at 832-369-9390.

The men of St. Francis will host its Men’s Prayer Breakfast on August 20 at 8:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall of the church on

204 Dooley Street. The speaker is Vedron Bordeaux, Assistant Fire Chief for the Prairie View Volunteer Firefighter Association.

Bordeaux is native of New York and began his firefighter/paramedic career with Bellaire Fire Department in Texas. He later joined the Pearland fire department, where he retired after 7 years. He came out of retirement and served as fire instructor with Houston Community College where he currently train students to become certified firefighters in the state of Texas.

Bordeaux holds degrees in Fire Technology/Paramedics from San Jacinto Community College, Northwood University and the master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He joined the Prairie View Fire Department in 2014 where he is also the training coordinator and fire inspector. The men of the community are invited to the Free Breakfast and should confirm attendance at 936-857-3272 or email: stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net.

On August 3, the Waller ISD School Board of Trustees and Superintendent, Danny Twardowski, welcomed members of the community for the historic groundbreaking for the new J. T. Jones Elementary School, located on 35753 Owens Road in Prairie View. Community members on hand for the event included clergy, school educators and concerned citizens. Following the ceremonial turning of the dirt, Twardowski invited the members to take beautiful jars of dirt, the mementos to mark the occasion. Construction is expected to begin soon with a completion in time for the 2017-18 school opening in August. For updates and information write to mkosik@wallerisd.net or call (936)931-0309.

The countdown is on for the “Red Hot Summer’s Night’ commemorating the 10th Annual Red & White Ball and the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Prairie View Volunteer Fire Fighting Association, Inc. on August 27. The event is open to the public with a reception at 6:30 p.m. in the student center foyer followed by the banquet at 7:00 p.m. in the Willie Tempton Memorial Student Ballroom at Prairie View A&M University.

The honorees for “The Waller County Outstanding Women Volunteer Award” include Chandra Adams, Joan Boson, Gwendolyn Carter, Rosa Deloeral, Diana Duncan, Margo Gillium, Samantha Glover, Kim Mathis-Goodrum, Nora Hodge, Irene Mattox, Angela Jones, Kimberlee Parmer, Grady Paris, Lori Perkins, Te'Anna Reed, Veronica Hargest-Sharp, Merry Sewell, Gloria Thompson, Cathy Watson and Onita Williams. For more information, contact: Belinda Lewis at lewisbelinda@hotmail.com.

Summer time is a good time for all fish lovers and those interested cooling down. Patrons are invited to enjoy great fried fish plates, snow cones, sodas, Gatorade and cold bottled-water on Mondays, 12-6:00 p.m. and Tuesdays, 12-7:00 p.m. Call Stephanie Prince at 832-457-2904 for information and pick up.

Congratulations to Jonathan D. Meekins on his election as National Public Relations Chairperson for the National Society of Black Engineers. Jonathan is a junior Civil Engineering student at Prairie View A&M University. Jonathan is also the Assistant District Director for the Texas Council of Alpha Chapters and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Eta Gamma Chapter.

Congratulations and Happy 4th Anniversary to Reverend Cephas Riggins on his installation as pastor of New Faith Ministries Missionary Baptist Church of Hempstead. Riggins was installed by his father Reverend Thomas T. Riggins and Reverend Lee Jones on August 5, 2012.

GoodNews Food comes to Prairie View to provide members of the community a way to stretch their food dollars. Patrons can purchase food boxes of groceries at 50% less than store prices. For more information, visit www.goodnewsfood.net or call 281-210-3295 or email unitancommunications@yahoo.com.

Our deepest condolences to Victor Tisdell, Sharon Stafford Tisdell and Family of William Tisdell who passed away on August 4. Funeral services for Mr. Tisdell is on Saturday, August 13 at 1:00 p.m. at the Johnson Phillip All Faith Chapel at Prairie View A&M University. Expressions may be sent to the William Tisdell Family, c/o Singleton & Sons Funeral Home, 627 New Orleans St., Hempstead, TX 77445, 979-826-2425.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ada Beal, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Vanessa Jackson, Evelyn Jones, David Kirkpatrick, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, Arie Walker, Sandra Watson and Douglas Woolfolk. May God’s peace be with you!

HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAY TO: Lauretta Burke (10), Blessing Ezeoka (10), Gwendolyn Jeffrey (10), Jonathan Randle (11), Arthrayia Love Tompkins (12), Lolita Jackson (12), Stephon Nathaniel Martin, Jr. (13), LaKethia Harrison (15), Janelle Siaffa (16), Christopher Ryan Starks (17), Raymond Anderson (27), Jimmie Lee Poindexter (30) and Sharon Stafford Tisdell (31). HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO: Don & Beatrice Sowell (18) and David & Lorraine Kirkpatrick (26)

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Tonight, August 11, 2016, the Office of Special Programs at Prairie View A&M University, along with the Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association and the Student Government Association will conduct the Summer Alumni Induction at 6:30 p.m. in the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium, Willie A. Tempton Sr., Student Center. The event marks the bridging of graduating candidates into Alumni status. Highlights of the evening include remarks from an alumnus and candidates receive their official alumni lapel pin. The ceremony also concludes with a reception. For information contact Yolanda R. Gross 936-261-3566. Mr. Carl Young is the PVAMU National President.

August 13, 2016 will be a great time in the lives of more than 400 students as they receive their respective degrees at the Summer Commencement of Prairie View A&M University at 9:00 a.m. in the William Billy Nicks Center, The speaker is Dr. Corey S. Bradford, Sr., Senior Vice President (SVP) for Business Affairs at the university. Bradford is responsible for the fiscal stewardship over hundreds of millions of dollars annually. He advises the University President and other senior officers on important financial matters affecting the university.

On August 14, 1876, the Texas Legislature established the “Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas for Colored Youths” (present day Prairie View A&M University) and placed responsibility for its management with the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas at Bryan (present day Texas A&M University), linking the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant Universities. Officials at Prairie View A&M University and the National Alumni Association are calling on alumni around the world to take time out on August 14 to celebrate and remember the university and its impact and contributions to higher education.

Until next week, be mindful that the road to success is paved with challenges, opportunities and service. Be careful in choosing your battle because the essence of business is risk. Keep the spirit of PVAMU alive. Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@yahoo.com or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: "Until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter." — African Proverbs

THINK: How does this apply to my life and career? ACT: Do something. Put this thought to work to create your life and career success. SUCCEED: Helping someone helps you on your journey to success.