Features

Social D outlasts tragedy with triumph

It’s been seven long years since punk legends Social Distortion have put out a new record, and according to sales and popularity, the SoCal veterans remain strong as ever.The new album Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes on Epitaph Records was released in January and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard charts, which gave the group their first-ever Top 10 album.

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Dealing with unjust critics properly 04/21

In last week’s column, we began a discussion about unjust criticism and how it affects those on the receiving end of the matter. We listed six good points out of the dozen originally written on the subject. Today, we are going to cover the last half a dozen, trusting that they will help many who are facing this type of situation on a daily basis either in a relationship within the home, at school, at work, or in relationships with friends.

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History remembered at Fort Travis on Easter

The vibrant celebration of Easter is a highlight of the church year, and for Christians the world over, this day is special on so many levels. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus after being crucified on a wooden cross for the sins of believers is significant and the key tenant to which their faith is tied. Almost every church celebrates in some fashion, and folks the world over gather to share this victorious day together.

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The Arc to host annual dinner, style show

So fashionable … The Arc of Greater Beaumont will host the 2011 Stars of the Arc Celebrity Style Show and Annual Dinner on Friday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of six prestigious awards by emcees Kelli and Bob Phillips. Co-chairing this designer event will be Toye Babb and Sandy Drake. Beaumont Mayor Becky Ames will be honored with the Arc Excellence in Community Collaboration Award.

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Rosie, some things are best forgotten

It doesn’t say much for a movie when the leading man is upstaged by a pachyderm named Rosie. This is no Disney filmed-in-the-wild adventure; this is the highly anticipated film adaptation of Sara Gruen’s phenomenal bestseller, which I think everyone read but me.

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Golden Triangle Rose Society

You like to be involved in “firsts”? Well, the Golden Triangle Rose Society will be hosting the “first” rose show in the garden center at Tyrrell Park on Saturday, April 30. You are invited!

The show is open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. in the Beaumont Botanical Garden at Tyrell Park. There is no admission fee for visitors. The Golden Triangle Rose Society members will have cut roses as well as arrangements of roses for sale.

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Sabine Pass Walter Umphrey State Park fishing pier reopens

I’ve got good news and bad news from Sabine Pass. The good news is that the Walter Umphrey State Park pier has finally been rebuilt since it was completely destroyed when Hurricane Rita made landfall between Sabine Pass and Johnson Bayou on Sept. 23, 2005. But the bad news is that the wind has been blowing so much lately that fishing off the pier, and just about anywhere else on Sabine Lake, has been about as bad as it gets.

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Striped, hybrid striped bass both make good eatin’

Several of the lakes in our state of Texas have been introduced to both striped and hybrid striped bass. These fish do grow to large sizes and offer some really good action for anglers. Lake Livingston and Toledo Bend are great places for taking both species. Sam Rayburn has some hybrids remaining, but none have been introduced since a malfunction at the hatchery. Hybrids are not usually able to reproduce and are available through put-and-take efforts. According to Ronald G. Habron of Southern Region Aquaculture Center, striper can actually spawn.

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Well, I de-clare!

An afternoon drive down to the Beau Rêve house in Port Arthur is reminiscent of the days of Southern belles and their gentlemanly escorts; settled elegantly on four acres of land, the majestic white home on Atlantic Avenue (Sarah Jane Road, to nearby residents) now houses a real Southern belle who enjoys serving Cajun French cuisine of the Deep South.

And yes, you can eat in the big house. All you have to do is ask.

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Some of the also-rans worth second look

Each year during Oscar season, a lot of movies and actors bubble up for consideration, but only a few are actually nominated. It’s not that these “almost nominees” weren’t worthy; it’s just that something else was a little bit better. Many of these films are just now out on DVD and are worth noting since none of them played in the Beaumont area. Judge for yourself if any of these performances and/or films should have received nominations.

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