'Texas Festive' Style Rules at NPC Fourth Estate Dinner Oct. 15

The suggested attire for the Oct. 15 Fourth Estate Award dinner honoring Bob Schieffer, who has never lost his Texas twang, is Texas Festive. But what's that?

Festive, in general, is considered semi-formal. For women, it means a bit of sparkle, such as a cocktail dress or beaded top with satin palazzo pants. Men would look Texas Festive-ish in a suit or dress pants, dress shirt and sport coat. Texas Festive means a bolo instead of a tie, and cowboy boots instead of dress shoes.

Schieffer, the anchor of "Face the Nation" on CBS, will be roasted and toasted by the bipartisan team of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, a Democrat.

Balcony tickets are still available. Member ticket prices are $125; non-member tickets are $175 each. Every member can buy one guest ticket at the member price. Members can reserve at [email protected] or (202) 662-7501. The dinner is a fundraiser for the Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library, the Club's 501 (c) (3) organization, which puts together its journalism training programs. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.

-- Pat McMurray, [email protected]