I’ve recently added a new rank to my list of accomplishments.

After competing in the Texas Artists Museum’s national photography competition in years past, I find myself unable to enter this year because I’m presently serving as the contest’s chairman. Some people I’ve told this ask me, “Why? Didn’t you want to enter?”

Well of course I wanted to enter, but furthermore I also want the competition to go on. It’s good for the local arts and great for the museum. Whatever I can do to help out the photography world I will do.

And speaking of the facilities there on Cultural Center Drive, I’m still saddened at the state of the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center. So many events I’ve attended there in so little time, including the Gulf Coast Jam.

To be honest, my first summer working for The News as a stringer, the Gulf Coast Jam was one of my first assignments. I also remember the Jam being held on Pleasure Island. Of the performers I remember that day was Jivin’ Gene Bourgeois, and boy did he take hold of that crowd.

That was my first front page photo in The News, back in the summer of 2002.

And where will I be this Saturday? Taking pictures at the Gulf Coast Jam, and watching the Boogie Kings’ Farewell Concert. The venue for the jam has changed again (it will be held at the Lamar State College-Port Arthur Carl Parker Center), but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a great show. Especially after you’ve spent the day at the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple’s Lotus Garden Tour.

Doesn’t that sound like a great way to spend a Saturday?



PIE IN THE MOUTH

Have you ever heard of sticking your foot in your mouth?

Boy have I got one to top that. So the other day, The News’ reporter Marilyn Tennessen and I were at Ford Park covering Gov. Rick Perry’s visit during the hurricane conference. His speech followed lunch, so while it was going on we could smell the food (and it did smell good), but we had to work. After his speech, the media were herded up into a much smaller room where Perry held a press conference.

Once that was done, Marilyn and I headed back to the dining hall in our search to find John Cascio for an updated picture. And that’s where we came upon a table, still set with lunch plates and dessert.

In my logic of thinking, I assumed that the table was set for lunch, but nobody had eaten it. At this point, all the other tables were in the process of being cleared.

Not wanting to just “waste” any food, I picked up one of the dessets and just helped myself. How could I resist...it was apple pie! I’ve never met an apple pie I didn’t like and this one was just as good.

As I stood there, enjoying my pie, Marilyn and I hear this very alerted voice from behind us clammer, “Who took the Governor’s Pie?”

As the waitress ran off to fetch another pie plate, I quickly finished my piece of ‘Governor’s Pie’ (not to be confused with General’s Chicken) and just walked away.

The moral of this story; if you happen to see a random piece of pie sitting around, don’t eat it. Who knows...it could belong to Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Mike Tobias is a writer and photographer for The Port Arthur News. Contact this reporter at: mtobias@panews.com