New sign at "Birdwell Corner"

The new sign at the corner of North Street and East College is just the first in a series of improvements that will be made to the area of the Stephen F. Austin State University that is commonly referred to as "Birdwell Corner."

Dr. Craig Morton, SFA agricultural mechanics professor, will lead the upcoming SFA Mast Arboretum seminar "Garden Tool Maintenance for the Mechanically Challenged."

The SFA Mast Arboretum will host a garden seminar titled "Garden Tool Maintenance for the Mechanically Challenged" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Agricultural Mechanics Shop on College Street, next to the Military Science Building.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present a student-directed production of Aurin Squire's "Defacing Michael Jackson" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, in the Downstage Theatre of the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band in a joint concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Cole Concert Hall, 2210 Alumni Dr., on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Registrations are still being accepted for the two children's choirs offered through the Stephen F. Austin State University Music Preparatory Division. The Live Wire Choir is open to children in kindergarten through second grade, and the Lyric Choir is open to those in third grade and above.

Valerie Ertz

The three new members of the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents appointed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry are very familiar with the campus.

Valerie E. Ertz of Dallas was reappointed to serve on the board for her second six-year term. The owner and president of VEE Services, Ertz has been a member of the board since 2003 and served as chair of the board in 2008.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Tracy Ward, adjunct music instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a faculty lecture recital on the music of Fred Rogers at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Ward, who has done extensive research on Rogers and his music, explained that even though Rogers is best known for his famed 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood,' he viewed himself first and foremost as a songwriter.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Ornaments decorated by Ster Dubberly, Liz Akamatsu and Sherry Ward were the top money-makers in the silent auction portion of the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts' recent fund-raiser, "Hooked on Art." During the four-week event, 24 ornaments bearing original works of art by local artists were on display at downtown business locations and at The Cole Art Center.

"The event was a great success," said Marty Prince, the group's president. "We exceeded our initial expectations by raising over $2,000 for the SFA art scholarship fund."

Dr. Gary Wurtz

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Gary Wurtz, SFA associate professor of trumpet, will present a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.