Everything Nac

Film tells story of China’s most famous artist, outspoken critic

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

The inside story of “a dissident for the digital age who inspires global audiences and blurs the boundaries of art and politics” is the topic of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art’s presentation of the film “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Part of the First Friday Film Series, which is presented by the SFA Art Galleries, the Friends of the Visual Arts and the Nacogdoches Junior Forum, the film tells the story of Ai Weiwei, described as “China’s most famous international artist and its most outspoken domestic critic,” according to information at http://aiweiweineversorry.com/

“This film conveys the challenges faced by artists in China who insist on making public the political constraints on everyday freedoms taken for granted in the West, including imprisonment and censorship,” said Richard Orton, chairman of the First Friday Film committee.

As a result of expressing himself through art and social media, Chinese authorities have “shut down Ai’s blog, beat him up, bulldozed his newly built studio and held him in secret detention,” the website says.

This film contains graphic language and is not suitable for children.

For more information about the free screening of “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry,” call (936) 468-1131. The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House is located at 329 E. Main St.

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Forestry professor to offer SFA Regents Lecture

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

The upcoming Stephen F. Austin State University Regents Lecture by Dr. Brian P. Oswald, the Joe E. Denman Distinguished Professor of Forestry in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, will focus on the growing wildfire problem in The Netherlands.

Oswald, who holds the Regents Professor designation from SFA in 2012-13, will deliver this year’s address at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, in Regents Suites A and B of the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus. Refreshments will be served, and there is no admission charge.

Oswald said the lecture will address how SFA is helping fire agencies in The Netherlands with wildland fire management.

“The Netherlands and most of Northwest Europe are experiencing increases in the number and size of wildland fires,” Oswald said. “This is occurring without the historical and social connection to wildland fire that exists in North America, and with almost no national expertise in wildland fire behavior prediction, fire weather and fuel assessment.”

Oswald has been at SFA since 1995 and currently teaches forest ecology, fire management, range management, fire use, regional silviculture, research methods, fire ecology, and forest and range ecological concepts. His research focuses on fire ecology, silviculture and agroforestry.

Oswald, professor of forestry, joined the SFA faculty after teaching at Alabama A&M University. He was named the Hunt Distinguished Professor of Forestry in 2007.

Oswald has served for nine years on the Board of Directors for the Association for Fire Ecology and is currently president of that organization. In 2002 he was awarded the Carl A. Schenck Award for Outstanding Forestry Education by the Society of American Foresters.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in Forestry from Northern Arizona University and a Ph.D. in Forestry, Wildlife and Range Sciences from University of Idaho. The College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho presented him with the Mid-Career Alumni Achievement Award in 2004, and the School of Forestry at NAU recognized him as the Distinguished Alumnus in 2009.

This is the eighth in a series of lectures delivered by SFA Regents Professors. The series is sponsored by the SFA Office of the Provost and the University Lecture Series Committee.

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Group ready for State Capitol visit

Posted on February 19, 2013 by admin

The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs committee members, community leaders and SFA groups are prepared for Nacogdoches-SFA Days in Austin presented by Norbord Texas, LP. The event is Feb. 20 and 21, and all from the East Texas area are invited to join.

Pictured are some of the members of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs committee. Standing from left are Bruce Partain, chamber president/CEO; committee Chair Scarlett Sloane, CFP®, Smith & Partners Financial Services/Raymond James; and social media team member Daniel Alders, Charles Pool Real Estate. Sitting from left are Katelynn Wiggins and Jerri Jones, Rep. Travis Clardy’s office; Donna Finley, Casa Tomas and Sports Shack Bar & Grill; and Dr. Adam Peck, SFA dean of Student Affairs.

“We encourage our group to attend all the briefings at the Capitol on Wednesday and Thursday,” said committee Chair Scarlett Sloane, CFP®, Smith & Partners Financial Services/Raymond James. “We have planned an enjoyable networking event for Nacogdoches and Austin guests – an evening reception co-hosted by Sen. Robert Nichols and Rep. Travis Clardy that will be held on Wednesday from 5:30 to7:30 p.m.” The reception will be at the Omni Hotel, 700 San Jacinto and 8th St.

Briefing topics and speakers include “Education Update” with Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams, “State Budget Update” with John Opperman, fiscal policy advisor to the Lt. Governor, “Transportation” with Commissioner Jeff Austin and discussions with Sen. Nichols and Rep. Clardy.

A new aspect in information sharing for this event is using social media for communicating with the public. A social media team, organized by David Madrid, Vice President/Compliance Officer with Citizens 1st Bank, will post and tweet and inform the days’ activities.

“Our primary objective is to help the Chamber get good social media exposure and keep chamber supporters who are making the trip to Austin or staying in Nacogdoches up to date with all of the different groups represented,” said Madrid. “The diverse team members are social media savvy and ready to begin posting status updates and tweets to keep everyone informed with #NacSFADays.”

The full agenda, registration form, a listing of event sponsors and links to the chamber’s Facebook and Twitter accounts may be found in Hot News at nacogdoches.org. There is no charge to attend the evening reception and briefings, but the chamber is requesting registration so information may be shared before and during the event.

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HELP NEEDED IN IDENTIFYING A SUSPECT IN A STOLEN CREDIT CARD CASE

Posted on February 18, 2013 by admin

The Nacogdoches Police Department is investigating a recent credit card abuse. The suspect shown in this photograph used a victim’s credit card at a local business in Nacogdoches on 1-28-13. The card was also used at a business in Forney, TX the following day along with several other locations in the Dallas area. The suspect depicted in the photographs is a white male wearing a white shirt and dark pants. He was last seen driving a blue Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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If you know the identity of the man in this photograph or have any information on this crime, call Nacogdoches Crime Stoppers at 560-INFO (4636), or send us a tip on the web at www.ncstips.com . All information is confidential and you never have to give your name. Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000.00 that leads to the arrest or grand jury indictment of the person responsible for this crime.

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Obituary: Hollie Nicole Rainwater

Posted on February 18, 2013 by admin

Hollie Nicole Rainwater, 40, passed away on February 17, 2013 at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. She was born to parents Edward Lee Rainwater and Nicki Ann Mayfield Rainwater in Geneva, Illinois on December 4, 1972.
A memorial service to celebrate Hollie’s life will be conducted by Monsignor Young at 10:00 am on Friday, February 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church am. A private interment will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery at later date.
Hollie is preceded in death by her grandparents and father, Ed Rainwater.
She is survived by her mother, Nicki Rainwater; love of her life, Brian DeValcourt; sons , Tristan Mason Rainwater-McBride, Erik DeValcourt; sisters, Penny Rainwater; Kelley Rainwater and special friend, Melvin Moorman; nephew, Trenton Rainwater-Shinn; niece, Tyler Rainwater-Shinn.
Hollie Nicole was dearly loved by everyone who knew her especially her family. She enjoyed studying the seasons of flowers and writing about them in her flower journal. She loved watching movies with her boys, sharing her faith with her sister Penny and the special companionship of her feline friend, “MooMoo”.
Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction and care of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors.

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Obituary: Fern Marie Davis

Posted on February 18, 2013 by admin

Fern Marie Davis, age 62, of Cushing, Texas, passed away Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013.

Marie was born Sept. 28, 1950 in Mount Enterprise to parents Clemmie (Lunsford) Wisener and Phil Wisener and had been a lifelong resident of the area. Her family was important to her and she enjoyed raising her children and grandchildren.

Survivors: her husband Johnny Ray Davis of Cushing; son, Billy Ray Davis and wife Ashley of Central Heights; daughters, Misty Davis of Cushing and Mary Davis and husband Scott of Mount Enterprise; a brother, R.L. Wisener and wife Lisa of Woden; sister-in-law, Wilma Wisener of Cushing; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Brian Keith Davis; sister, Sue Ann Martinson; and a brother, J.L. Wisener.

Services have been set for 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel, Nacogdoches, with Bro. Regan Sewell and Bro. David Coleman officiating. Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, Feb. 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Brian Stewart, Robert Allen, Michael Ray, Michael Eddings, Jody Morgan, and Lee Knight.

Services are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, located at 5400 North Street in Nacogdoches. Online memories and condolences may be offered at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.

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