Washington-on-the-Brazos, TX—Star of the Republic Museum announces the launch of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1500 museums across America to offer free admission to museums across the country for active duty military personnel (with military ID) and up to five immediate family members. The initiative will begin on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 and extend through Labor Day, September 3, 2012. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention Common Access Card (CAC), a DD Form 1173, or a DD Form 1173-1, which includes active duty military of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserve.

“Through Blue Star Museums, the arts community is extending a special invitation to military families to enjoy over 1,500 museums this summer,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “This is both an opportunity to thank military families for their service and sacrifice, as well as a chance to create connections between museums and these families that will continue throughout the year. Especially for families with limited time together, those on a limited budget, and ones that have to relocate frequently, Blue Star Museums offers an opportunity to enjoy one another and become more fully integrated into a community.”

Daily museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The Star of the Republic Museum, administered by Blinn College, is located in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, off Highway 105 on F. M. 1155 between Brenham and Navasota. For more information, call (936) 878-2461 or go to the website: www.starmuseum.org. The complete list of participating Blue Star Museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

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The Giddings Stone Mansion makes for picture-perfect memories.

When it’s time to throw a party in Washington County, residents recognize the Giddings Stone Mansion as one of the most convenient and beautiful venues in the area. Located in the heart of Brenham, the Mansion boasts a stately view from one of the highest hilltops in the region.

Located in the heart of Brenham, Texas, it is an easily accessible location for your guests.

 The Giddings Stone Mansion is the perfect venue for weddings, receptions, parties, events, and meetings.

The interior can accommodate 200 people for a stand-up buffet style event  and 150 for a seated dinner.  Many couples take advantage of the spacious porches for additional seating.

In addition to the stunning interior space, the grounds are perfect for outdoor parties and can accommodate a 1,000-person tent. Triple hung windows throughout the house allow easy passage between the inside of the house and the gated porches. This arrangement is perfect for allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and spectacular views.

The grounds can accommodate a tent that will hold up to 1,000 guests.

 Beautiful architectural details are the perfect backdrop for your special event.

Most hosts use the cozy kitchen area to hold and serve food prepared by off-site caterers. Downstairs you will find the gentlemen’s parlor, the ladies’ parlor, a dining room, and a large meeting space.  The beautifully carved cantilevered mahogany staircase leads to the second story, where you will find six rooms, including the office and original furniture of JD Giddings. Rooms can be closed off to serve groups of 10 up to 200. There are two restrooms downstairs and three restrooms upstairs for your guests’ convenience.

The Giddings Stone Mansion is a property of the Heritage Society of Washington County, formed in 1976 for the purpose of preserving both the Giddings Stone Mansion and the Giddings Wilkins House, built in 1843 by JD Giddings. The Giddings family chose the site of the mansion because it was the highest known point in the area, an advantage for avoiding mosquitoes, which carried malaria during the 1800s. The Mansion claims to be the first home west of the Mississippi to have central heat and electricity. The porches were built using imported brick from St. Louis. The Doric columns were added in 1896.

Little Known Fact: Mr. JD Giddings and his brother, DC Giddings, came to this area from Pennsylvania when their younger brother was killed in the battle of San Jacinto. As part of his war settlement, the youngest brother was entitled to land in this area of Texas. The older brothers were attorneys and bankers and came to claim the land here in Texas. They are known for several entrepreneurial endeavors in the area, the most well-known accomplishment being the railroad they built between Brenham and the town of Giddings.

Contact the Heritage Society of Washington County and learn more about this beautiful venue.  Details and information can also be found on their website.

Call: 979-836-1690

 Email: mansionbrenham@gmail.com

 Mail: P.O. Box 1123, Brenham, TX 77834

Visit!: 2203 Century Circle, Brenham, Texas 77833

Tours

The Heritage Society of Washington County loves to share the two beautiful Giddings properties! Their docents will be happy to meet you and show you through these grand old homes.  Group tours of 10 or more are given Monday-Friday for $10 per person with a minimum charge of $50.00 for small groups of 2-4.  If you plan a weekend in Brenham, they can frequently accomodate a private tour with sufficient notice.  If you are interested in touring one or both houses, complete the information below, contact them by phone, or email for dates and availability.

Directions to the Giddings Stone Mansion

From Houston: Take Hwy 290 West from Houston to Business 290 Brenham. Turn left on Stone Street, and an immediate left on Heritage Drive. Follow the road up to the Giddings Stone Mansion.

From Austin: Take Hwy 290 East from Austin to Brenham. Turn right on Market Street, right on Stone Street, and an immediate left on Heritage Drive. Follow the road up to the Giddings Stone Mansion.

From San Antonio: Take I10 to Flatonia, pick up FM 609 to La Grange, then travel Hwy 71 to Hwy 290 East to Brenham. Turn right on Market Street, right on Stone Street, and an immediate left on Heritage Drive. Follow the road up to the Giddings Stone Mansion.

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The ranch is currently home to sixty-five alpacas. The Binders have bred their females with nationally known, award-winning herd sires from Ohio, Colorado, Oregon, Louisiana, and Texas. The ranch is a common meeting place for local breeders, particularly once a year in the spring for the sheering season. The ranch recently hosted clients, local alpaca owners, and a professional sheering company for a day of preparing the alpacas for the hot summer season and collecting pounds of new fiber. Alpacas produce one of the world’s finest natural materials. The fibers are used to create beautiful yarns perfect for fiber artists and enthusiasts.

Before

After

Before

After

Bluebonnet Hills is the proud producer of numerous successful yarn products. Their 100% alpaca and alpaca-blend yarn can be found at WC Mercantile in downtown Navasota, including their newest multicolored line, Kaleidoscope. Their Texas Two Step line is professionally dyed by White Bear Fibers and is available at Guage in Austin, Texas. Today and Yesterday in downtown Brenham also displays many of the ranch’s gorgeous products, including soft alpaca sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, capes, yarn, and more. The ranch will be participating in the Yellow Rose Fiber Producers Fiesta on April 20-22 in Seguin, Texas. The community is invited to a fun-filled weekend of fiber yarn rovings, classes, demonstrations, artisans, and more. Visit here for show hours and more information about the festival.

Built on integrity, Bluebonnet Hills has thrived as a successful breeding company and has been an excellent source of information for new and experienced breeders. The ranch is located at the Binder’s home and is open by appointment for interested breeders and prospective clients. Great savings on alpacas are now going on at the ranch, making it the perfect time to join the alpaca industry. Whether you are interested in breeding or showing alpacas, have questions about alpaca care, fibers, or facility needs, or are interested in having a unique and friendly new pet, Bluebonnet Hills Alpaca Ranch is ready to help you every step of the way. Visit their website for more information about the ranch, their list of available alpacas, and for upcoming events.

Bluebonnet Hills Alpaca Ranch

32540 Courtney Road, Navasota, Texas 77868

www.bbhalpacas.com

979-826-9931

info@bbhalpacas.com

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To celebrate the immense diversity of Texas, The Texas Center for Regional Studies will be hosting the “Texas Legacy Celebration” on Saturday, May 5, 2012. The event will take place at August Horst Park in Navasota, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The day will feature cultural festivities of free historic fun for all ages and the honoring of three pillars of Navasota history, including Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger and Navasota City Marshal most notable for his killing of the criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde, Mance Lipscomb, Navasota-born guitarist and songster, and Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, French explorer significantly responsible in part for the eventual establishment of Texas. The highlight of this exciting celebration will be the rededication of an existing La Salle statue originally presented to Navasota by France in 1976. Patrice Vanoni, Cultural Attache of France, will be present at the event, as well as a special guest who was only nine years old during the dedication ceremony of another La Salle statue to Navasota from the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1930. Charles Stewart, First Secretary of State and designer of the Lone Star Flag of the Texas Republic, will also be honored.

La Salle statue in Navasota, Texas

Texas Ranger Frank Hamer

Mance Lipscomb

The celebration of Texas’ diversity and multiculturalism continues as it will take place on the 150^th Anniversary of Cinco de Mayo.  Talented and inspiring entertainment will be presented by Aztec Dancers, including a BalletFolklorico, a mariachi band, African-American gospel performers, Buffalo Soldiers, actors representing Jane Long, the “Mother of Texas,” and her young ward, Kian Long, Navasota High School Drama Department and their performance of La Salle and his impact on Texas History, the Sons of the Republic as well as representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Republic of Texas and their demonstration of live canons, and more.  The non-stop entertainment will be accompanied with food and fun-filled education with the presence of the famous VFW Tank and the new Six Flags Complex.

Buffalo Soldiers

Other special guests include Dr. Terry Colley, Deputy Executive Director of the Texas Historical Commission, Dr. Donny Hamilton, Head of the Texas A&M La Salle Excavation, Dr. Caroline Crimm of Sam Houston State University, Maria Jordan, Director of the Texas Latino Leadership Roundtable, Alejandra Tapia of Chikawa Conroe, and Amanda Danning, renowned forensic sculptor and artist.  Danning has an advanced degree in art education as well as over twenty years of professional experience, particularly within the museum industry at the Museum of Health in Houston, where she serves as Director of Exhibits.  Over one-hundred of her personal art pieces have been featured within over thirty museums nationwide.  She has also gained national recognition for her work as a forensic sculptor, most notably for her work with the Smithsonian Institute and the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  Her sculptural reconstructions of the discovered skulls of Buffalo Soldiers, Mexican soldiers forced to fight under Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto, and of “C. Barange,” a sailor found aboard La Salle’s ship “La Belle,” will be featured as they provide unique and special insight to the celebration.

Amanda Danning

Amanda Danning's reconstruction of the "C. Barange" skull.

This special event will be sponsored by The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, The Daughters of the American Revolution, The Sons of the Republic of Texas, The Lone Star Volunteers, Pan-American Roundtable, Texas Latino Leadership Roundtable, and The Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.  Join the Texas Center for Regional Studies as they celebrate the cultural diversity and rich history of Texas during this grand event!

For more information about the event, contact Dr. Robin Montgomery at 936-851-2839 or Jose Maldenado at 936-870-2660, or email them at texascenterforregionalstudies@gmail.com.   Information may also be found at www.texascenterforregionalstudies.com.  Be sure to also join the Texas Center for Regional Studies at their two upcoming ribbon cutting ceremonies.  The first will take place Tuesday, April 17, at 2:30 p.m. at the Brenham Heritage Museum.   The second will take place Wednesday, May 2, at 4:30 p.m. at the Conroe Chamber of Commerce.  Join them as they celebrate their next step in promoting Texas history and cultural togetherness.

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Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)

This hardy, drought-tolerant plant deserves a place in any Texas landscape. It’s an evergreen shrub/small tree, so it provides privacy even in the winter months. If the beauty of the lavender blooms aren’t enough, their grape Kool-ade scent will take you back to your childhood. Native to the limestone soils in central, south, and west Texas, this beautiful plant can handle the extremes that the Lone Star State weather dishes out.

A mature specimen of Texas Mountain Laurel blooms at Antique Rose Emporium in Independence, Texas. Three-gallon specimens are offered at $19.95.

Cindy Jaeger Designs

Downtown Tomball

210 West Main Street, Tomball, Texas 77375

www.cindyjaegerdesigns.blogspot.com

218-255-4554   218-255-4554

cindyjaegerdesigns@hotmail.com

]]> http://texaslivenetwork.com/cindy-jaeger-egg-stravaganza/feed/ 0 http://texaslivenetwork.com/longview-dance-big-band-extravaganza/ http://texaslivenetwork.com/longview-dance-big-band-extravaganza/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:39:06 +0000 Elizabeth Thacker http://texaslivenetwork.com/?p=3153

The new-year started off with a bang at the Maude Cobb Convention & Activity Center in Longview, Texas this past Saturday evening. With the sweet sounds of live big band music, young and young at heart from all over East Texas gathered together to celebrate the art of dance. The very talented Longview Dance Youth Ballroom Dance Teams showcased various styles of dance including coastal swing, lindy hop, clogging & the jive. Gravity defying dance moves left the audience in awe of the talented performers.

Pat & Carolyn Anders, Melissa & Steve Fruscella

 

Billy Martin, Simone Kibbe, Rosemary & J. Bagwell

 

 

Kristina Schultz

 

Cassie MacBride, Tiffany Hill, Harold & Ellen Lane, Larry & Pam Williams, John Hargrave, Clay McBride, Gay Duncan

 

Longview Dance

 

 

Cloggers "Happy New-year"

 

Cloggers

 

 

Longview Dance offers classes for swing, waltz, ballroom and tango, along with free monthly dance classes.

Times and dates can be found HERE.

www.longviewdance.com

To get in touch with Longview Dance:
1809 West Loop 281, Suite #100-165
Longview, Texas 75604
(903) 806-8282

Have a happy 2012!

At your next holiday gathering, serve a cocktail using some of these Texas spirits.

Photo by Natalie Lacy Lange

Austin’s Own Martini

1 oz. Paula’s Texas Orange
2 oz. Texas-made vodka, such as Tito’s Vodka or Dripping Springs Vodka

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a fresh jalapeno, olive, or fruit.

Photo courtsey Dripping Springs Vodka

San Luis Punch

2 liters Dripping Springs Vodka
16 ounces Pomegranate Cherry Juice
32 ounces Limeade
24 ounces Pineapple Juice
24 ounces Orange Juice
1 tablespoon Peychaud Bitters

Mix all ingredients in a large punch bowl with a block of ice. Float orchids on top. Makes 40 servings.

Photo courtesy Tito's Vodka

Tito’s Stocking Stuffer

1.5 oz. Spiced* Tito’s Vodka
1 oz. Fresh Tangerine Juice
.75 oz. Light Creme de Cocao
.25 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.25 Maraska Marischino Liquer
Shake and strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with tangerine wheels.

*For spiced Tito’s infuse into one bottle: 20 whole allspice, 16 cloves, 4 cinnamon sticks, and 4 star anise and let sit over night (15 hours give or take)

 

 

Photo courtesy Balcones Distillery

 Holiday Eggnog

2 quarts eggnog, chilled
3 cups cold coffee
2 cups Balcones Baby Blue whiskey (optional)
2 cups chilled heavy cream
2 pints coffee ice cream
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, for garnish

Whisk together eggnog, coffee, and whiskey in a punch bowl until well blended. Whip the cream in a large mixing bowl until it forms soft peaks. Lightly fold the whipped cream into the eggnog mixture. Float scoops of coffee ice cream in the eggnog. Sprinkle with nutmeg to serve.

Photo provided by The Tremont House

Come celebrate  their 28^th Annual Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Viewing Party on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. saluting “The Golden Era of Motown.”  During the evening, guests can enjoy a special appearance by The Legacy of The Temptations presented by Legends in Concert.

Photo provided by The Tremont House

For $200 per person, this premier Mardi Gras event includes an open bar, an extensive buffet, and live music performed by three bands including New Orleans’ Dr. Michael White Jazz Quartet. Party-goers will enjoy prime viewing of the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade as floats and marching bands pass in front of the hotel. After the parade, the night’s festivities continue into the morning in the hotel’s ballroom which will be converted to a classic lounge from the 1960s. The Legacy of The Temptations presented by Legends in Concert will set the tone for the evening followed by Houston’s Eclipse Band and Orchestra as they perform the unforgettable songs of Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, and other Motown greats. Breakfast will be served in the ballroom beginning at 11:00 p.m. Dress for the event is black tie or Motown glamour-themed costume.

Photo provided by The Tremont House. City of Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski and wife Rebecca celebrating Mardi Gras at The Tremont House Ball.

A portion of the proceeds from the ball will benefit Galveston Sustainable Communities Alliance (GSCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to creating sustainable and holistic neighborhood revitalization through education, mixed-income housing, and community development that provides increased opportunities for Galveston residents.

Photo provided by The Tremont House. Guest rooms at The Tremont House feature soaring ceilings and hard wood floors.

In celebration of Mardi Gras, The Tremont House is offering a two-night package that includes accommodations for two, valet parking and two tickets to the ball and breakfast. The package, available Feb. 17 – 19, starts at $899 for double occupancy. The weekend begins with an intimate Friday night preview performance by the Dr. Michael White Jazz Quartet in the hotel lobby from 7 to 10 p.m., culminating with Mardi Gras ball on Saturday.

Tickets for the ball will be available for purchase online at http://www.galveston.com/mardigrasball/. The annual event, hosted by the George Mitchell family, originated in 1985 with the grand opening of The Tremont House and the revival of Galveston Island’s city-wide Mardi Gras celebrations.

2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row

Galveston, Texas 77550

800-WYNDHAM

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It spreads easily by roots and by seeds. The seeds can be carried by the wind or by birds, so this invasive tree can show up pretty much anywhere.

I try to pull these weeds when they’re young, but it seems like there’s one or two that I miss each year. My reward for tolerating them all year is their brilliant fall color, which is hard to come by in our part of Texas. Once their leaves drop, I wait until we get a little rain, and then I dig it up and dispose of it. By the time the tree is three years old, it can start flowering and reproducing, and I definitely don’t want to deal with that. The roots are invasive as it is.

But right now, I’m enjoying the color!

For more information about Chinese Tallow and managing this nonnative plant visit this site.