Dr. Matthew S. Stanford is January Men's Breakfast Speaker

As we toss out the old and ring in the New Year, you can make 2017 a year of achievement for you and your loved ones with a positive attitude and great enthusiasm for life. 2016 is gone and 2017 is here and what a year it has been? It has been quite interesting and we thank God for bringing us through. As this is my first column for 2017, Happy New Year!

While you may want to reflect on your hits and misses, failures and successes, it is time to move on to a new YOU! Never mind the rest, focus on what you can achieve this year and in the future. Sometime we don't always get what we want, when we want it and sometimes we do when least expected. If there is any solace, take heart in the words of Garth Brooks: "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers," and move on. Make 2017 the year of achievement for you, your family and community. Set new goals, some you will achieve and others you can carry them on as works in progress. Never mind what was not achieved. Instead, focus on what you can achieve.

The men of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church will host its Men’s Prayer Breakfast on January 21 at 8:30 a.m. at the Church on 204 Dooley Street. The speaker is Dr. Matthew S. Stanford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Center of Houston, and adjunct professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences in the Baylor College of Medicine and the department of psychology at the University of Houston.

Dr. Stanford will address the issue of mental health and living a healthy lifestyle. All men of the community are invited to the free breakfast and fellowship. Please call 936-857-3272 or email stfrancispv@sbcglobal.net, to confirm attendance. Members of the public are also invited to the Christian Education and Bible Study at the church every Sunday from 9:30-10:30 a.m., followed by Morning Worship at 11:00 a.m. Come learn the word and share in the fellowship.

Congratulations to boys of Troop 1906 on the completion of Merit Badges at the Boy Scouts Winter Camp hosted by the Sam Houston Area Council at Camp Bovay in Navasota. Scouts completing the program were Chiek Jackson, Alonzo Porter, Darren and Tyrese Skein. The Troop attended classes in Indian Lore, First Aid, Citizenship in the Nation and Community and Rifle Range. The merit badges will count toward the needed ones for Eagle Scout designation and will be presented at the Court of Honor later in January. Adult leaders accompanying the boys were Barry Taylor, Frederick Roberts, Bobby Ray Williams, Jason Bullen and Cameron Estwick. The troop meets first and third Wednesdays at Prairie View City Hall.

The members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Tau Lambda Chapter is conducting its annual Golden Raffle with prizes to include 51” Samsung HDTV, iPad, Vacation Travel and Weekend Massage and Spa. Purchase a chance to win The Golden Ticket Raffle! Enrich someone's life by supporting our efforts to make change! Proceeds from the event supports the chapter’s scholarship fund, Boy Scouts, Miss Black and Gold and other program operations. Lynn Smith is the chair. Tickets can be purchased from members.

Congratulations to Commissioner Jeron Bennett and Constable Herschel Smith on their 2nd term of service for Waller County and Precinct 3.

Congratulations to the members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity on its 103rd Anniversary. The fraternity was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914. Happy Anniversary also to members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity founded on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. founded on Jan. 13, 1913; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority founded Jan. 15, 1908 and the members of Zeta Phi Beta founded on Jan. 16, 1920, all at Howard University.

Congratulations to Mama Goose (nee Mary Ann Palmer Springs) on the release of her first book Reading and Rhyming with Mama Goose, a collection of stories that will take you and your child on a magical journey nursery rhymes that are sure to inspire any child to fall in love with books. Mama Goose grew up in the United States of America and wanted to share with the world traditions, values, and concepts that are germane to the U.S.A. Mama Goose is not a fictitious character; she is as real as the air we breathe. She’s a potpourri of Mary Poppins, Mother Teresa, and Willie Wonka all rolled into one. Mama Goose has signed on with Chick-Fil-A stores of East Houston for a series of Book Concerts in January and February. The first performance will be at the store on Beltway 8 and Wallaceville Road (5910 E Sam Houston) on January 24 and at the store on I-10 and Uvalde (13720 East Fwy) on January 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The series continues alternately through February 2, 9, 16 and 23. For information, call 281-459-9553 or 713-455-3760.

Your prayers and encouragement are welcomed for Ada Beal, Dwayne Charleston, Irene Davis, B. J. Freeman, Evelyn Jones, David & Loraine Kirkpatrick, Pearl Martin, Willie Smith, Mary Ann Stubblefield, March Tramble, Otelia Watson, Sandra Watson and Douglas Woolfolk. May God’s peace be with you!

Sunday, January 15 is the birthdate of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would have turned 87 on this day. Dr. King, a renowned civil rights leader, was born in 1929 and was assassinated April 4, 1968. Dr. King’s birthday is a national holiday which will be commemorated on January 16 and the members of the local community will host a parade, programs and cultural activities, etc. Take time to pay homage to Dr. King by reflecting on his life’s work and service. Make this holiday a celebration of life and service in honor of the preacher from Atlanta! The members of St. Peters Baptist Church Hempstead and other organizations will host its Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on January 16 at 10:00 am in Hempstead. Members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Eta Gamma Chapter will host a memorial march and program at the university on January 16.

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO: Felecia Bell (1), Willie J. Bell, III (1), Helen Boyer (2), Doris Thomas (2), Alice Goode (3), Donald Sowell (6), Gloria Richardson (7), Eddie Jessie (9), James Kromah (14), Gloria Holloway (14), Arie Yell (14), Eugene Armstrong (15), Gib Dungey (15), Mary Curtis (16), Madolyn Reed (17), Joanne Tompkins (17), Hosie Anderson (19) and Anna James (22).

A VIEW FROM THE HILL: Prairie View A&M University is set to open its spring semester with new student on January 8, followed by regular registration for returning students on January 12-14. Classes begin on January 17, 2017.

Get ready for the 59th Annual Ministers' Conference set for February 7-8th, 2017 at Prairie View A&M University. The conference theme: “Practical Teaching within a Millennium Culture” is the blueprint for the two-day event. Some of the featured speakers are: Dr. Michael W. Waters, Pastor, Joy Tabernacle & Agape, African Methodist Episcopal Church-Dallas; Dr. Delvin Atchison, I, Director, Great Commission Team, Texas Baptist -Waco; Dr. Tellis J. Chapman, Pastor, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church-Detroit, Michigan; Dr. George V. Clark, Pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church-Austin and Bishop Ted G. Thomas, Sr., General Board Member, Church of God In Christ, Inc. -Virginia Beach, Virginia. The conference is sponsored by the Johnson-Phillip All Faiths Chapel and the Ministers Executive Committee, with Dr. Max A. Miller and Dr. Lester J. Gillespie Sr. and Conference co-chairs and Reverend Charles H. Lewter, IV is the coordinator. For information email to: allfaiths@pvamu.edu or call 936-261-3590

The Staff of Career Services are preparing for its 2017 Spring Career Fair set for February 8 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM in the Student Recreational Center at Prairie View A&M University. More than 80 companies, governmental and educational entities are expected to participate in this year’s event. The department will host a series of pre-career fair events to include resume reviews, dressing and interviewing techniques. Members of the Collegiate 100 and Epsilon Gamma Iota are set to assist with the pre-career fair events. For information visit: www.pvamu.edu/careers or call 936-261-3570. The department will also host its 2017 Career Services Leadership Institute on February 23-25 at the Crowne Plaza Brookhollow Hotel.

Until next week, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Keep the news and achievements coming to prairieviewtoday@iwon.com or P. O. Box 2906, Prairie View, TX 77446.