Texarkana Gazette

Features

Women embrace #challengeaccepted, but some ask: To what end? "Challenge accepted," they wrote — female Instagram users across the United States, flooding the photo-sharing app with black-and-white images. Together they formed a grid of millions of magazine-style captures of celebrities, spur-of-the-moment selfies and filtered snaps from weddings or other special occasions. The official goal: a show of support for other women. by By Kathleen Foody/The Associated Press Published Aug. 8 2020 @ 2:07am

Upcoming move spurs best friend to reveal true feelings Dear Abby: I have been in love with my best friend for two years. We met at a summer camp where we were both working, and we hated each other in the beginning. During the process of working together, we somehow became best friends, and I fell desperately in love with him. Published Aug. 7 2020 @ 9:37pm

Guilt remains 40 years after job reference was withheld Dear Abby: About 40 years ago, I did someone an injustice, and I have felt guilty ever since. I worked for a consulting firm that fired an accounting clerk who was in my small office. I didn't know why she was fired, and I never heard a cross word exchanged between her and her supervisor. She seemed to be capable and friendly. Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 7:38pm

A kitty cat conundrum Dear Heloise: I have a problem with cats getting in my insulation under my trailer and tearing it up. They make a lot of noise. Animal Control won't help trap them. What can I do? — Jerry B., Hammond, La. Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 7:37pm

A breakthrough in treating PTSD Monica Seles, Mick Jagger and Ariana Grande all have been diagnosed with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 7:36pm

Team pursues the dream, one cook-off at a time With a love for barbecue and a low-and-slow style of cooking, Texarkana native Aaron O' Rand has pursued his culinary dream with a business venture, C&A Pit and Grill, that's still cooking even in quarantine. by Aaron Brand Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 7:35pm

New this week: Luke Bryan, Jeff Foxworthy and 2 Seth Rogens Here's a collection curated by The Associated Press' entertainment journalists of what's arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. by Associated Press Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 6:31pm

Low-key 'Secret Garden' still blooms For more than a century, Frances Hodgson Burnett's "The Secret Garden," first published in 1911, has endured. It remains one of the great classics of children's literature, a book that deftly combines the dreams and nightmares of childhood. Its balance of dark and light, death and rebirth is still powerfully moving in its rare harmony. by Associated Press Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 5:57pm

WATCH | For Liam Neeson and co-star, 'Made in Italy' was family affair When Liam Neeson sits down with a script, he usually knows within five pages whether he wants to do it. He calls it his "cup of tea" test. If he finds himself eager to get one, it's not a good sign. by Associated Press Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 5:55pm

'Umbrella Academy' | Family dysfunction's more fun than saving the world The "Umbrella Academy's" superhero troop possesses the ability to sprout octopus arms in battle, travel through time, commune with the dead and blow their enemies' minds - literally - with the power of suggestion. Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 5:52pm

Wacky 'An American Pickle' pits a deft Seth Rogen against himself The new Seth Rogen vehicle, "An American Pickle," is a lot like the foodstuff for which it's named: a quick, tart, satisfying bite, and of course, kosher. The film heralds a return of sorts, or at least a nod to, classic American Jewish cinema (there's a nod to "Yentl"), the likes of which hasn't been seen, it seems, in some time. Published Aug. 6 2020 @ 5:49pm

Pandemic changes the college drop-off Maureen Rayhill of Seattle sounds like a public health official as she describes the current process for coronavirus testing, rattling off research she's done on in-person testing centers versus mail-order companies and how their turnaround times for results compare. But she's not. She's a mother, just trying to get her oldest child to college. by NYTimes News Service Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 6:39pm

Eating omega-3-rich fish protects your brain As Lewis Carroll, author of "Alice in Wonderland," once said, "No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise." And, it turns out, no wise person would porpoisely avoid a fish. According to a new study published in the journal Neurology, which tracked more than 1,300 women with an average age of 70, eating baked or broiled, omega-3-rich fish once or twice a week helps protect your brain from shrinkage caused by exposure to air pollution. (Yup, air pollution does that too!) Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 6:29pm

Virtual school | Teachers want to improve but training varies After a rocky transition to distance learning last spring, Georgia teacher Aimee Rodriguez Webb is determined to do better this fall. She bought a dry-erase board and a special camera to display worksheets, and she set up her dining room to broadcast school lessons. by Associated Press Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 6:28pm

Natural solution gets toilet clean Dear Heloise: I know you're a big fan of vinegar, but is it safe to clean my toilet? I have a septic system. — Glenna in Indiana Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 6:27pm

Favorite son's jabs at brother's wife causes family friction Dear Abby: I married "Darius" two years ago. I have had problems with my brother-in-law ever since Darius and I first began dating five years ago. Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 6:25pm

Discovery Place event has Harry Potter theme TEXARKANA, Texas — August again welcomes Harry Potter fans to the Texarkana Museums System, and it's time to be spellbound. by Aaron Brand Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 2:37pm

Best Bets (Deadline is 10 a.m. Tuesday. Entries should be emailed to [email protected]) Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 2:12pm

Bougie uses downtime to write a requiem TEXARKANA — If you composed a requiem mass during your pandemic-inspired downtime, you are likely in a rare group, but Marc-André Bougie has done so. by Aaron Brand Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 2:10pm

TRAHC starts all-important membership drive TEXARKANA, Texas — Although the Perot Theatre may be silent now, the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council has plenty going on and just kicked off its membership drive. by Aaron Brand Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 2:09pm

Calamity Janes at Fat Jack's Live music at Fat Jack's Oyster and Sports Bar in Texarkana continues with an acoustic gig Saturday night, courtesy of three sisters who make up the Waxahachie, Texas-based Calamity Janes. by Aaron Brand Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 2:05pm

DOUG DAVIS | Hit song helped writer finally break into Nashville market This week in 1983: The U.S. sued General Motors for selling X cars despite knowledge of brake defects; Rita Lavelle was indicted in Washington for lying about actions with EPA; President Ronald Reagan approved of selling heavy water to Argentina for use in an atomic plant; and a singer from Fountain Head, Tennessee, had his 20th hit record and his second No. 1. Published Aug. 5 2020 @ 2:00pm

Chorizo, poblanos put the fun in queso fundido Don't you just love queso fundido? I know I do. Published Aug. 4 2020 @ 4:45pm