Free Army Field Band concert

Free Army Field Band Concert

What’s not to like about that headline. Thank your Port Arthur News, because they’re the sponsors. The free concert of The Volunteers, The United States Army Field Band, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center Drive.

Let’s pack the house and hear them perform. Here’s the scoop:

Since 1981, The Volunteers has been bringing the Army story to life through rock, pop, country and patriotic music. The U.S. Army Field Band is the Army’s official touring musical organization featuring: the Concert Band, the Soldiers’ Chorus, the Jazz Ambassadors and The Volunteers. Each component tours annually throughout the United States and travels abroad as directed by the Secretary of the Army. The Army Field Band’s components tour a combined total of more than 400 days each year, appearing before live audiences of over 2 million people and broadcast to more than 2 billion.

Women are survivors

Beaumont gets a mention in “Women and the Texas Revolution,” a University of North Texas Press book that Mary L. Scheer edited. In a section called “Up Buck! Up Ball! Do Your Duty!” there’s writing of caravans crossing rivers by fashioning very large pine tree bridges. Here’s one recollection: “The road from Nacogdoches to the Sabine is one unbroken line of women and children, on foot, with nothing but their clothes on their back.”

It seems children would fall from wagons and the next wagon would pick them up.

“Mothers in this manner have been separated from their children for days, and some for weeks, as the wagons would often take a different course; all seemed to look out for themselves alone, the fountain of benevolence seemed dried up,” is a quote.

William Fairfax passed through Beaumont and came upon a family that had found a small, unattended infant. He was able to carry it a distance.

Karma Gifts

Would Karma give you a washed jute bag that’s traffic-stopping cool with a secret message on the inside? Karma so would. This company has a give back program so you feel good about bohemian styles of everyting from headbands to scarves that reflect the colors, textures and spirit of global creativity. I’m talking hippie stuff. Protect yourself from wintry blasts with Karma scarves. This bag I’m talking about is in a relaxing teal with what looks to me like a Victorian-style bird in a cage. It puts my husband in the mind of Edgar Allen Poe and The Raven. To each his/her own. I’ll go ahead and tell you the secret message on the inner lining: “Be Free.” That’s the spiritual message. The actual bag will cost you a little, but not too terribly much. www.karmagifts.com

Earthly cares

Earth’s Care Dry & Cracked Skin Balm will carry you through our Southeast Texas winter and into sandal season of 2015. Shea butter, amica and cajeput oil  go deep to nourish hands, elbows and feet. It’s creamy and has a natural aroma of healing and moving on. Allergy tested and paraben free, this product fits in with Earth’s Care’s mission of good stuff for your body from good stuff of the earth.

Other pretty  things or things for being pretty

If you haven’t heard of Bio-Oil from Cape Town South Africa, then you probably will, soon. If you’re the kind of pregnant woman who wears clothes to highlight your baby bump, then you may be thinking about stretch marks and scars. People are loving how Purcellin Oil is what’s making vitamins A & E and plant extracts of calendula, chamomile, lavender and rosemary absorb to treat dehydrated skin of any age. I love the smell and the feel of this oil that also helps with sunburn and dry lips, cracked heels, cuticles, scratchy scalp and a more even skin tone.

Did you ever think some oil would be nice on your legs but you’re thinking ahead to how oily you might feel? This is a different kind of rub down. I love it.

ddoiron@panews.com

Swants  & Sweggings make list of fall finds

This hint of cool air had me  in Kosby Swants from Festified Holiday Clothing. Swants are lounge pants made of sweater material and Sweggings are a bit more form fitting, as in sweater leggings. My Swants match other old school lined patterns in the line, like a hat that covers your ears. Though spelled with a K, I can’t help but link the spirit to Bill Cosby’s famed patterned sweaters of the ‘80s. Should your entire family or office long to be outfitted in leg lamp attire, menorah hats, garments that light up or more fun, dare I say knowingly tacky, and very funny gear, hit this site.

Don’t stop there. Fill your 2015 calendar  with festive looks for St. Patrick’s Day, etc. You will definitely be the talk of the party with your NFL sweater, sweater dress or looks for you dogs and children. www.festified.com.






Vintage Marquee Lights

Sometimes vanity is fine. I love the letter D. No surprise with my name being Darragh. It’s impossible to find coffee mugs or key chains with my name on it in stores with racks of souvenir goodies. But, I can have my D, or my whole name in lights thanks to Vintage Marquee Lights.

Initials, a fleur de lis, a heart…  your heart’s desire comes to your door though this company. Please note the caution message in packing: “Sharp rusty edges. Handle with care.” Then you screw in all the little  light bulbs and you have yourself a work of art. This look is classic and fits in with so many decors. It’s a literal statement piece when you spell out your message. Have fun at www.vintagemarqueelights.com.





“Elixir”

If you’d been a genius kid on “Jeopardy” you might get tired of having every third person talk about remembering watching you and trying to stump you with questions. You might want to acquire a new identiy, too. Maybe you wouldn’t mind using your prize winnings to live overseas as a renegade graffiti artist. But what if you fell in love, and your smart self could save your girlfriend’s life?

“Elixer” is called a high-octane action thriller by new writer Ted Galdi. It’s such a timely topic that I don’t even want to mention the deadly virus that makes up the plot of the book. I read this book a few weeks  ago and it’s even more timely today. I was hooked.

There’s a corrupt pharmaceutical  company, romance and government danger. What more could you want? ted@elixerthebook.com



Which boots today?

Kind of like Cinderella’s glass slipper, there’s a clear rain boot with cheetah, floral and other colorful inserts that will keep stylish women dry this season. Change up the look with inserts that slip in and keep you in a perky mood on a cloudy day. I’m hard to fit, and the ones I tried fit well. I know. You won’t want to get your new boots dirty, but that’s what they’re for, ladies. Here’s the scoop: Interchangeable Boots, Totes+Wristlets- TwoAlity Waterproof Gear- Look for new waterproof totes and wristlets from TwoAlity as featured in Bobbie’s Buzz on The TODAY Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. They were created by a set of twin sisters when they were just 19.

ddoiron@panews.com

For 40 years the Texas Renaissance Festival has been a rowdy, muddy, musical, creative adventure for me and mine. I can’t get enough of it and you can get your fun in weekends through Nov. 30.
I’ve loved this festival since before the French High photo club headed out there in the ‘80s. But I’ve skipped a few. This time around I enjoyed the Magic Garden area, a quiet, dark path lined with bamboo and with cul-de-sacs featuring oversized mosaic-tiled benches and bromeliads in orange, purple and gold that look like a disco garden in an Alice in Wonderland type of fantasy.


Does Gratitude take practice?
Some blessings are obvious. Take time to be appreciative of that cup of coffee; breathe; and know anything is possible. “Sunrise Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe & Gratitude” is a little book offering Kim Weiss’ photos of, sunrises and sunsets, of course. It also has some nuggets of thought from several contributors who remind us of what makes a glorious day. I love M.J. Rose’s practice of imagining which painter may have painted the sky that day. Monet? VanGogh? Magritte? A big old “thank you” goes to Kim Weiss for this book from Health Communications Inc.
Other kinds of beauty:
·         Warming Honey Cleanser from Cleanse is the name that sounds like it says it all, but that's just the starting point. Papaya enzymes and green tea extracts. Warm up on your face and you just won't want to stop cleaning. That warm feeling gives way later to an appreciation of pore minimalizing, protection of your ceramide barrier, etc.
·         Weleda gives you your oats. Why do you want them in your hair? You do. The company has been developing anthroposophic medicines and natural cosmetic products since 1921 and now they’re bringing us the scent of mimosa flowers and tonka beans while organic oat extract and jojoba seed oil gets to work restoring, protecting and smoothing the hair’s surface. I’m enjoying the shampoo and the replenishing treatment with sea buckthorn and coconut oil. If you do an internet search for all the ingredients and philosophies of this product, you’ll be occupied with interesting information until it’s time for your next shampoo.
·         Environ Intensive Hydrating Oil Capsules are teeny packages of vitamins, soy protein oil, green tea, etc. that go deep to nourish stressed, aged and sun-damaged skin. It’s very, very nice to smell, feels great going on and, since I’m the tester, I have to add that I look pretty good.

Surf Sweets
Know how they say to get Halloween candy you don’t like so you’ll stay out of it? Surf Sweets has ruined that for me. Spooky Spiders, Sour Worms, Organic Fruity Bears and such are made with organic fruit juice so guess what, they don’t taste all artificial and yucky. It’s a healthy alternative to a lot of the scary stuff that’s out there. Treat yourself.
ddoiron@panews.com

Swants, sweggings and your name in lights

 

Swants  & Sweggings make list of fall finds

This hint of cool air had me  in Kosby Swants from Festified Holiday Clothing. Swants are lounge pants made of sweater material and Sweggings are a bit more form fitting, as in sweater leggings. My Swants match other old school lined patterns in the line, like a hat that covers your ears. Though spelled with a K, I can’t help but link the spirit to Bill Cosby’s famed patterned sweaters of the ‘80s. Should your entire family or office long to be outfitted in leg lamp attire, menorah hats, garments that light up or more fun, dare I say knowingly tacky, and very funny gear, hit this site.

Don’t stop there. Fill your 2015 calendar  with festive looks for St. Patrick’s Day, etc. You will definitely be the talk of the party with your NFL sweater, sweater dress or looks for you dogs and children. www.festified.com. 


Vintage Marquee Lights

Sometimes vanity is fine. I love the letter D. No surprise with my name being Darragh. It’s impossible to find coffee mugs or key chains with my name on it in stores with racks of souvenir goodies. But, I can have my D, or my whole name in lights thanks to Vintage Marquee Lights.

Initials, a fleur de lis, a heart…  your heart’s desire comes to your door though this company. Please note the caution message in packing: “Sharp rusty edges. Handle with care.” Then you screw in all the little  light bulbs and you have yourself a work of art. This look is classic and fits in with so many decors. It’s a literal statement piece when you spell out your message. Have fun at www.vintagemarqueelights.com.

“Elixer”

If you’d been a genius kid on “Jeopardy” you might get tired of having every third person talk about remembering watching you and trying to stump you with questions. You might want to acquire a new identiy, too. Maybe you wouldn’t mind using your prize winnings to live overseas as a renegade graffiti artist. But what if you fell in love, and your smart self could save your girlfriend’s life?

“Elixer” is called a high-octane action thriller by new writer Ted Galdi. It’s such a timely topic that I don’t even want to mention the deadly virus that makes up the plot of the book. I read this book a few weeks  ago and it’s even more timely today. I was hooked.

There’s a corrupt pharmaceutical  company, romance and government danger. What more could you want? ted@elixerthebook.com

Which boots today?

Kind of like Cinderella’s glass slipper, there’s a clear rain boot with cheetah, floral and other colorful inserts that will keep stylish women dry this season. Change up the look with inserts that slip in and keep you in a perky mood on a cloudy day. I’m hard to fit, and the ones I tried fit well. I know. You won’t want to get your new boots dirty, but that’s what they’re for, ladies. Here’s the scoop: Interchangeable Boots, Totes+Wristlets- TwoAlity Waterproof Gear- Look for new waterproof totes and wristlets from TwoAlity as featured in Bobbie’s Buzz on The TODAY Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. They were created by a set of twin sisters when they were just 19.

ddoiron@panews.com

Pink out this October

 

Pink out this October

Here are some product lines that are going pink to support October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’m touching on the product; look them up and read labels to learn more about initiatives and special projects:

Pink Out Loud is a Paul Mitchell line at Professional Salons covered with pink lipstick kisses. You’ll add your own after trying the sculpting brush for that is kind for detangling my recalcitrant curls. There’s also a paddle brush; Fast Form, with reduces drying time while taming and soothing with avocado, shea butter and avocados. Those avoiding frizz can go with Super Skinny serum. The kisses are definitely uplifting and you’ll also love that Paul Mitchell’s limited edition has teamed up with Bright Pink to share the importance of self-exams and early detection. Visit PaulMitchell.com/Pink for locations.

Sparkling ICE

This fizzy, zero calorie mountain spring water is sporting a pink ribbon on pink grapefruit flavor and maker support cure funding. This is a light, tasty way to stretch our calorie budget. I’m adding this flavor into the rotation of ICE flavors.

suki^® ultra-protect™ body balm: 100% of proceeds from October sales of this product will benefit Breast Cancer Action (www.bcaction.org), an organization whose mission is to achieve health justice for all women at risk of and living with breast cancer.

This balm is about the softest stuff I’ve tried and it hydrates after daily exfoliation. Directions say to warm a small amount between palms and smooth into skin. This extra step makes it a salon experience. Good for: dry stretch marks, sore, chafed, cracked & damaged skin, eczema patches, mom's bellies & baby bottoms. sukiskincare.com.

    jane iredale Smell the Roses Hydration Spray: jane iredale celebrates seven years of partnership with Living Beyond Breast Cancer® with this launch. One hundred percent of profits from the sale of Smell the Roses Hydration Spray will be donated to Living Beyond Breast Cancer® in support of women affected by breast cancer.

So, this is what they mean about smelling the roses. They’re wonderful, and you can put this bottle in your bag and smell them again, all day long. Rose Damascena Flower Water in a spritz is a skin tonic and cleanses the skin, calms inflammation and reduces redness without disturbing its natural protective shield. Have you been worried about your shield?

This rose scent will calm you down while nourishing, cleansing, and, apparently, increasing blood circulation. Another perk; it can be used to wet makeup brushes to create precise lines. Oh, yeah. janeiredale.com)

ddoiron@panews.com