Chad Cooper's archive

No longer freshmen: The Verve Pipe returns to Houston on Sept. 13

The Verve Pipe needs no introduction. Led by singer/songwriter Brian Vander Ark, the Michigan band took the music world by storm in 1996 with their first major release Villains on RCA Records, which contained monster singles “Photograph,” “Hero,” “Never Let You Down,” “Cup of Tea” (one of our personal favorites) and the No. 1 single — “The Freshman.”

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WWE Smackdown returns to Ford Arena

Carmella vs. Charlotte Flair (Courtesy of WWE)

The WWE Superstars of Smackdown Live return to Beaumont to battle it out between the ropes at Ford Arena on Monday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear are WWE champion AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, United States champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton, Smackdown Women’s champion Charlotte Flair, Carmella, Asuka and many more.

Carmella has made big moves in a small period of time since joining the WWE. Born in Massachusetts, Carmella is a former NFL cheerleader for the New England Patriots and was a Laker Girl with the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers during the 2010-11 season.

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11th annual "Showdown on the Sabine" approaches

It will be a weekend of revving up on the river during the 11th annual “Showdown on the Sabine” featuring more than 60 tunnel boat racers from the Southern Professional Outboard Racing Tour on Sept. 14-16 at the City of Orange Boat Ramp (1000 Simmons Dr.).

“This particular event is one that I honestly look forward to each and every year,” said Brandy Judice, Orange Convention & Visitors Bureau coordinator. “It’s action packed and fun all weekend long.”

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Celebrating hope

Celebrate hope and survivorship with your “Survivor Sidekick” at the eighth annual Julie Richardson Procter 5K Ribbon Run Color Rush Carnaval in downtown Beaumont on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to noon. 

Generously supported by presenting sponsors Provost Umphrey and Quality Mat and Title Sponsors H-E-B and Jason’s Deli, the largest color rush in Southeast Texas will feature added family-friendly activities, including calypso steel drum bands, samba dancers, a Wellness Beach Village, troupes of food trucks and a Flamingo Family Fun Zone.

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Lamar to open football season with Kickoff Celebration

The football season will unofficially open for the Lamar University football team Sunday, Aug. 26 with their annual Football Kickoff Celebration. This year’s keynote speaker is football legend “Little” Joe Washington. 

The event will begin at 5 p.m. in the Montagne Center with a VIP reception featuring Washington, LU head football coach Mike Schultz and Director of Athletics Marco Born. That will be followed by general admission to the event at 6 p.m. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the Cardinal football team.

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