Jonas Brothers make surprise visit in Corsicana

The Jonas Brothers, international heart-throbs and teen cuties, were in downtown Corsicana Tuesday filming a video, but they took a few minutes out to sing their fans a song, or two.

“Their manager called and asked if they could do a photo shoot, but he didn’t tell me who it was, and I didn’t ask, and they just showed up. I had no idea, I had no idea,” said Jourdan Hollingsworth, co-owner of Caleb’s Diner.

Full Story

Corsicana Texas Local Beat

March 31

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana YMCA rear addition. This free tax assistance is generally for those with incomes below $42,000 and senior citizens needing help. For more information, call on-site VITA coordinator George Burrell at (903) 879-2091.

Healthy Woman, a Navarro Regional Hospital resource, will have a free event at 6 p.m. at Martin Hall of First United Methodist Church, 320 N. 15th St. The topic will be “Address Your Stress — Methods for managing a busy life.” The guest speaker will be Dr. Philip Taft, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Corsicana since 2002. He will teach how to manage stress in your life. Please RSVP by March 25 by calling (903) 654-6948 or e-mail to Danielle.Boulware@navarrohospital.com or register online at www.navarrohospital.com.

Frost Elementary School will have its pre-kindergarten and kindergarten round-up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frost High School auditorium foyer. Please bring the following: child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, and immunization record; and parent’s income statements and driver’s license. For an appointment, call (903) 682-2711.

Through April 1

Clifford Foundation Scholarship applications for the 2008-2009 academic year are due by 4 p.m. through April 1 in the Clifford Foundation office, 319 W. Seventh Ave., Corsicana. For more information, call (903) 874-4725. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Click Here For Full List of Events

Navarro County poised for growth

More buildings for Ellis County

During a recession and tough economic times many people decide to further their education and that trend is true for Navarro College campuses in Midlothian and Waxahachie.

The Navarro College board of trustees met in Midlothian on Thursday night and heard a report from Dr. Harold Nolte, dean of Navarro College Waxahachie, on the explosive growth the schools in Ellis County are experiencing.

“The population data I am presenting to you predicts Ellis County could have half a million residents by 2020,” Nolte said. “We are seeing dramatic enrollment in our schools on the (U.S.) Highway 287 corridor, specifically Midlothian and Waxahachie.”

Full Story

February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent

March 23, 2009
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON – Sales of previously occupied homes jumped unexpectedly in February by the largest amount in nearly six years as first-time buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures and other distressed properties.

Economists said sales, while still at levels not seen since 1997, may finally be coming back to life after declining sharply following the stock market plunge last autumn.

Read Full Story

Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales

By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK – Wall Street is getting the good news it wants on the economy's biggest problems: banks and housing.

Investors reignited a two-week rally Monday after hearing the government's plan to help banks remove as much as $1 trillion in bad assets from their books and home sales showed a surprise increase. Major stock indexes jumped as much as 4 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which rose nearly 300 points.

The Treasury Department said its plan would rely on the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as well as private investors.

Full Story March 23, 2009

Corsicana's Martin’s Music Hall reopens Saturday

By Janet Jacobs

Martin’s Music Hall, for years an entertainment staple downtown, is reopening Saturday after months of being dark with the Big C Jamboree.

The band has been playing in this area of Texas for about six years, and has done numerous shows in Corsicana, including two of the Patsy Cline shows with Zanada Tally, who is a regular in the band. For the last two years, the Jamboree has been playing at the Ennis Opry on Lake Bardwell, but is ready to make the move to Corsicana, said Ron Sikes, bandmember.

“A lot of people around here know us and hopefully we can get it going in this area,” he said. “We’ve had lots of interest so far.”

The Jamboree plays country and western with a dash of gospel thrown in for good measure.

The show starts at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Music Hall, 201 S. Beaton. Admission is $10 per person.

In addition to the Big C Jamboree regulars, who are Chuck Wiginton, Joe Honea, Zanada Tally, Jody Thomas, Ron Sikes and Bobby Fluker as emcee, this Saturday’s show will also include special guests Billy Roy Mitcham, Russell Bailey, Stan Lawhon, Fred Hayes, and B.G. Williams.

Full Story

The Fabulous Fator

By Deanna Brown

Locals take a trip to Las Vegas

Everything’s coming up roses these days for Terry Fator.

Three Corsicana residents made a quick trip to Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day at Fator’s invitation to see the grand opening of his new show at The Mirage.

Fator, who won “America’s Got Talent” in its second season with his impersonating ventriloquist act, proved that ventriloquism is not yet a dying art. He has stayed busy since winning the competition performing at the Las Vegas Hilton, and around the country.

“I met Terry as a young man, when he was a member of the Children’s Company at the Warehouse Living Arts Theatre,” Sandra Huffman said. “My daughter Julie was 11, and Terry was about 14. We went to England, where they performed ‘Tom Sawyer.’ He played the Artful Dodger in ‘Oliver,’ which Julie and I were in, and he was also in ‘Sound of Music.’”

Fator’s musical group from the ‘80s, Texas the Band, was generous in contributing to fund-raisers, Huffman said, and she has known him many years. When she saw him at a wake for a mutual friend several years ago, Fator said he had auditioned for the talent show, but had not been contacted yet.

Full Story

Corsicana Local Beat

March 2

City of Blooming Grove will holds its monthly city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Blooming Grove City Hall, 200 S. Fordyce St.

Corsicana Art League will meet at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center, 919 W. Park Ave. Cecy Turner from Dallas will present the program. Turner is a watercolorist and oil painter and will present a landscape oil demonstration. Everyone is invited to attend.

Corsicana Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are invited.

March 3

Corsicana Chapter No. 118, Order of Eastern Star, will hold a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Corsicana Masonic Lodge. A potluck supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. All OES members are invited. For more information, contact Bonnie Mathison at (903) 874-0226.

Blooming Grove Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall of Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. The program will be presented by Linda Jordan Tribble who will speak about the Jordan family. All interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 695-2724 or (903) 673-2635.

Eureka Crime Watch will hold its regular monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Eureka United Methodist Church. Special guest will be Craig Tekell, who will give an update on the progress of an ongoing project. The public is invited to this informative meeting, and refreshments will be served.

Central Texas Quarter Horse Association will hold a ride night for members only beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Navarro County Exposition Center. For more information or how to become a member, contact Steve Orbison at (903) 872-6267.

Oak Valley Crime Watch will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Valley Community Center. The crime report will be given by the deputies and a general discussion will follow. Please bring a covered dish and join in for food and fellowship.

March 4

Navarro County Branch NAACP will present the showing of “Freedom’s Song: 100 years of African-American struggle and triumph” at 6 p.m. at Lifeline Fellowship Family Church, 5301 W. State Highway 31. For more information, call E. Burrell at (903) 874-2821.

March 5

American Red Cross monthly blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Navarro Shriner’s Building, 323 N. Commerce St. During March and April, everyone coming in to donate at a Red Cross center or blood drive will receive an American Red Cross life-saving team baseball hat. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have a photo ID. For more information, call (800) 448-3543 or visit the Web site at bloodisneeded.org.

Blooming Grove Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at the Blooming Grove Fire Station. Speakers will be Alva Lynn Smith, Blooming Grove mayor; and T.C. Lawhon, Blooming Grove police chief. Light refreshments will be served.

Navarro County Branch NAACP will present the showing of “Freedom’s Song: 100 years of African-American struggle and triumph” at 5:15 p.m. at Boys and Girls Club of Navarro County, 1000 G.W. Jackson Ave. For more information, call E. Burrell at (903) 874-2821.

Navarro County Democratic Women will meet at 5:30 p.m. at Navarro County Democratic Headquarters, 416 W. Third Ave. Guest speaker will be Corsicana Daily Sun reporter Janet Jacobs, who will be speaking on her coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. All Democratic women are invited. For more information, call Carla Testa at (903) 641-0183.