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ABOUT TOWN
12:00 AM CST on Friday, January 12, 2007
Marcos Noriega wore a serious expression.
He was carrying the casket of a deceased president. Along with his fellow servicemen, he marched in front of current and former presidents and many dignitaries.
The solemn occasion was the funeral of former President Gerald Ford, who died Dec. 26 at age 93.
As a member of the Navy Honor Guard, Seaman Noriega of Irving served as a pallbearer for services in Palm Springs, Calif., and Grand Rapids, Mich.
"It was my first state funeral," he said. "I usually do funerals at Arlington National Cemetery."
He made the television news and newspapers nationwide during coverage of the funeral. And friends recognized him.
"I've received lots of calls from people who saw me," he admitted.
He said he enjoys being in the military, although it can be challenging. A 2003 graduate of Nimitz High School, Seaman Noriega joined the Navy in May 2005. He's based at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.
He's home on a two-week leave but returns to Washington on Monday.
The 22-year-old has four more years to serve. He said he really likes the nation's capital, and his base is just a few miles from the White House.
The Muslim American Society Irving has been busy.
At the end of December, several high school students participated in the Eid Toys Drive Project in Dallas. They donated more than 20 gift packages to patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
The chapter also participated in the national meat drive. Funds were raised to purchase and process cattle. Irving members will give the meat to Irving Cares this weekend.
Last Saturday, the society held its first leadership workshop. Mohammad Abbassi was the speaker. Raed Omar Sbeit, the Irving society's president, said the workshop exceeded expectations and more workshops are planned.
This weekend, the society's DFW chapter will offer workshops on "Life Challenges, Wellness and Health." The speaker will be Majd Kamalmaz. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. Saturday at the Islamic Center of Irving, 2555 Esters Road, and at the same time Sunday at the MAS office at 811 Plano Parkway in Plano. The cost is $20 for students, $40 per person and $60 per couple. Call Mr. Sbeit at 214-864-9201 or visit www.masirving.org.
Beverly Harden created a colorful arrangement with sunflowers.
Diann Contestabile dusted poinsettias with glitter.
Joan Pasek's festive arrangement contained violet flowers in a vase filled with silver and gold pinecones.
The Main Gallery at the Irving Arts Center is filled with Ikebana floral arrangements and watercolor paintings in "The Four Seasons in Paintings and Flowers."
The Association of Oriental Arts presents the annual exhibit to showcase the artwork of its 40-plus members. About 24 artists have paintings in the exhibit, including Sheila Durante, Brandy Thomas, Mary Jane Sledge, Susan Wilson and Lucille Patterson, who all helped organize the show.
Founded about 30 years ago by Iweeta McIntosh of Irving, the association helps preserve traditional Chinese brush painting and educate the public on the ancient art.
Members of the Dallas Chapter of Sogetsu and the Fort Worth and Dallas chapters of Ikebana International created the floral displays.
Ms. Durante said there was a good turnout at the opening reception Sunday.
The exhibit runs through Jan. 28. The Arts Center is at 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. Call 972-252-7558.
Start painting.
The deadline is approaching for the annual Texas and Neighbors Show.
For 22 years, the Irving Art Association has given artists 18 and older from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma the chance to display their talents in the show.
Nationally known watercolorist Naomi Brotherton will serve as judge. More than $5,000 in prizes will be awarded.
The deadline to submit slides is Jan. 27. The exhibit will run from April 22 to May 12 at the Irving Arts Center.
In other news, association president Nina Hardison said the group lost "a good friend, a great artist and a joyful person" with the recent death of Margaret Jacobs. "Tuesday Painters will miss her," said Ms. Hardison.
The association holds monthly exhibits at the Jaycee Park Center for the Arts. This month, artwork by Marie and T. Ray Maines is on display in the East Gallery with a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. In the West Gallery, mother and daughter artists Eileen and Beverly Fuqua present "For the Love of Art." A reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 21.
Lifecast artist Terry McGuirt will conduct a lifecasting demonstration at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at Jaycee Park, 2000 W. Airport Freeway.
For more news, visit www.irvingart.org.
E-mail dfleck@dallasnews.com.
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