Irish leave legacies: St. Patrick’s Day, superstitions

One of the sterotypical traits of the Irish is their adherence to superstition. Superstition is not just an Irish thing though — and the persistence of these beliefs outlasts their usefulness. Here are a few common superstitions and the background on their origin. Of course, several of these old wives’ tales have more than one explanation — either because their true meaning was lost long ago, or obscured by erroneous interpretations.

How long has it been since you’ve visited a good, old-fashioned flea market? Do you long for rows of tables piled high with second-hand wares? Does the idea of finding that special antique whatzit fuel your shopping passion?

Ready for a live show? Check out these upcoming concerts and comedic performances:

America’s native-born musical genre, jazz, is playing in Alexandria on the Red River.

The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet presents “The Wizard of Oz,” April 18 at 3 p.m. at Shreveport’s Riverview Theater.

Within the scope of a gala, one might expect diamonds, but rarely would this be combined with denim. Such is the case, however, with the Rhinestone Roundup March 20 at 7 p.m. in the Beauregard Parish Fair Exhibit Hall in DeRidder. The Fourth Annual Rhinestone Roundup will be a night of toe-tapping, thigh-slapping fun. Chow will include a chuck wagon dinner.

Fort Polk is arranging a motorcycle convoy March 20 at 7 a.m. beginning in the Army and Air Force Exchange Service parking lot, and ending in the historic downtown district of Jasper, Texas for the Azalea Festival’s “Cruise-in.” Fort Polk will provide escort and have a trailer for breakdown coverage.

Every year, the town of Libuse holds a heritage celebration unlike any other in Louisiana. Whereas many festivals celebrate the Cajun culture of the state, the town of Libuse celebrates the influence of Czech immigration in central Louisiana.

The days lengthen and the nights shorten. When they are even with each other, it will be spring. Whether night or day there are fun things to do at Hodges Gardens State Park in Florien:

Fort Polk’s Arts and Crafts Center has announced its March class schedule.

The Southern Senior Golf Tour is coming to Fort Polk’s Warrior Hills Golf Course.

Fort Polk’s Showboat Theatre’s “Love by the Numbers” is a great way to have fun.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers invites hockey fans to join them at a game.

Spare Time Lounge as it hosts a dominoes tournament today at 6 p.m.

Fort Polk’s Spare Time Lounge hosts a Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament championship Saturday.

“Up in the Air”
Comedy/ drama, R
Starring George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Danny McBride, Sam Elliott, Melanie Lynskey and Amy Morton.

Ambrosia
“The Biggest Part of Me — Greatest Hits”
Rock

Final Fantasy XIII
PS3
Release date: Tuesday
This game is the first installment in the best-selling series of roleplaying games to appear on PS3.

Corey Haim died Wednesday at age 38. I grew up with this guy and his movies. “The Lost Boys” is the best vampire movie of my generation. I’ll take Keifer Sutherland’s David over Edward or whatever other goofball prissy teens pass for nocturnal hunters these days. But I digress.

Sometimes the most intriguing books are those not easily categorized. While Boston-area writer Dawn Paul’s new book is fiction, it straddles a cognitive divide between memoir and invention, between what we feel is real and what we believe is imagination.