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Exploring Baton Rouge craft cocktails, beer and wine

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Eat Leauxcal.

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B r u n c h . . . Your flight is

boarding!

Saturday and S from 9 till 3unday

Mimosa Flights

ude With Gratit hanks, and T

S𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁𝗁&

Mike

CONTENTS //

Features 19 Which new center is

addressing Louisiana’s mental health needs

22 How Southern University’s outgoing leader is reflecting on his tenure

24 Who is now leading the

A spread of Vietnamese and Japanese dishes at Drunken Fish

charge at Three Roll Estate

48 How the crowd expressed itself at a local fashion show And much more…

Departments 14 19 24 26 45 51 63 68

What’s Up Our City I am 225 Cover story Style Taste Culture Calendar

ON THE COVER

Drink up!

COLLIN RICHIE

OLIVE OR TWIST strikes again. Though we’ve featured the bar on 225’s covers before (most recently for last year’s Best of 225 issue, when it won the award for Best Craft Cocktail Menu), its Spring Affair cocktail was too stunning to NOT grace our cover this month. The gin-based drink is garnished with a dandelion—and don’t worry, it’s edible. Staff photographer Collin Richie captured all the fun drinks featured in our exploration of the local craft beverage industry. Turn to page 26 for a taste.

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

We know you’re ready to carry on and see the world. Fly BTR, and you’ll see it a lot sooner. It’s closer, more convenient, with easy parking and check-in. Plus, nonstops and short hops to anywhere you want to go.

Tales of a cocktail A MAN—OR WOMAN—walks into a bar … That sentence is the beginning of so many great stories, isn’t it? It’s also the spirit behind this month’s cover story. If you’ve spent about three seconds watching a good bartender, you know the magic of the work they do. I love the sound of ice rattling around inside a cocktail shaker, and I am always fascinated to watch a bartender squint as they precisely measure each ingredient. At the best bars, crafting a cocktail feels akin to a science experiment. It’s the same story when it comes to brewing craft beer, making wine or distilling spirits. I think we’re pretty lucky to have a front-row seat to it all here in the Capital Region. Our area is now home to 10 breweries and distilleries, and most of them offer tasting and tour experiences. And because the lines separating “restaurant” and “bar” are now more blurred than ever, deciding your drink order at dinner has become as much of a culinary adventure as the meal itself. Starting on page 26, we’re dissecting some of these adventures. By the time you’re done reading, I think you’ll be pretty proud of the creativity unfolding every day at Baton Rouge bars and restaurants. Issue 2022 Adend proof But ofDate: course,May the story doesn’t with #1 what you’re sip• Please respond e-mail or fax withthe yourbar—are approval oronly minor revisions. ping on. The by cocktail—and the beginning. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

My favorite moment of a night out is often when I find myself sitting alone—when a friend has gone up to order a drink or to use the restroom—and I can take a moment to people watch, to absorb the energy around me. In one corner, there might be a group of friends laughing and telling jokes. In another, I might spy a couple speaking in hushed tones, divulging their deepest fears and dreams. And behind the counter, I’ll see a bartender shaking up the next drink, chatting away conspiratorially with a guest. Memories are unfolding all around me. I think back to some of my own favorite bar memories, like the time my husband and I took my mother-in-law to Tin Roof Brewing Co. when she was visiting us, or sitting in Hayride Scandal for hours getting to know a new friend. I think about the day I got to brew my own beer with LA Homebrew, and a wonderful cocktail-making class I took at Magpie Cafe. And it’s always amazing to tour a whole fascinating world of wine at the annual Fete Rouge event. But, of course, my personal favorite bar memory will always be the night I met my husband at a dive bar in our hometown. I almost didn’t go out that night, but I’ll be forever grateful that I did. What’s your favorite bar memory? I’d love to hear your stories, whether they happened near or far. Shoot me a note at jennifer@225batonrouge.com. And most importantly—next time you go to a bar, make sure you have a plan to get home safely. You’ll want it to be a night to remember, but for all the right reasons. Cheers,

Jennifer Tormo Alvarez 225 Editor

Diving in While this issue focuses on the art of craft beer, wine and cocktails (such as the Solera drink pictured above), there are so many more great places to get drinks in town that we didn’t have room to include. So, we’ve rounded up a few local dive bars and watering holes on our website. We also have stories on new outdoor dining (and imbibing) options, as well as a roundup of petfriendly patios. Head to 225batonrouge.com/fooddrink (or subscribe to our 225 Daily newsletter!) to read it all.

PA R T N E R E V E N T

Summer Restaurant Celebration “Eight great restaurants. Eight great offers!” That’s the official motto for 225’s Summer Restaurant Celebration event, and it is kicking off May 1. Throughout the month, you can grab a 225 Best Eats voucher supporting local partner restaurants. Participating restaurants include Burgersmith, City Slice Pizza & Pints, FinBomb Sushi Burritos & Poke Bowls, Cou-Yon’s BBQ, Dempsey’s, Light House Coffee, Pizza Byronz and Frank’s Restaurant. You can buy one—or buy them all—at 225besteats.com.

LET’S

TACO - BOUT REAL ESTATE

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CALL FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS. BUYING • SELLING • PROFESSIONAL ADVICE 225.218.0888 • DELRIOREALESTATEBR.COM

COLLIN RICHIE

EDITOR'S NOTE //

WE CAN CARE FOR YOU. BUT ONLY YOU CAN TELL US WHO YOU CARE FOR.

Half of your healthcare is in the stories you share with us. Because before you’re a patient, you’re a person – and what you’re thinking, feeling, and hoping for can help us to personalize your recovery and improve your outcome. ololrmc.com/WeListenWeHeal

UPCOMING SHOWS GEORGIA ON MY MIND

MAY 13 • 7:30 PM This show celebrates the music of Ray Charles with an all-star cast of Emmy, Grammy, and NAACP Image award winning performers.

Publisher: Julio Melara

EDITORIAL

Editorial Director: Penny Font Editor: Jennifer Tormo Alvarez Managing Editor: Laura Furr Mericas Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson Digital Content Editor: Dillon Lowe Staff Photographer: Collin Richie Contributing Writers: Cynthea Corfah, Olivia Deffes, Tracey Koch, Domenic Purdy, Zane Piontek, Meg Ryan, Poet Wolfe Contributing Photographers: Ariana Allison, Amy Shutt

ADVERTISING

Sales Director: Erin Pou Account Executives: Manny Fajardo, André Hellickson Savoie, Jamie Hernandez, Kaitlyn Maranto, Audrey Taunton Advertising Coordinators: Devyn MacDonald, Brittany Nieto

ACE FREHLEY

STUDIO E

MAY 20 • 7:30 PM

Director: Taylor Gast Editor: Lisa Tramontana Content Strategist: Allyson Guay Multimedia Strategy Manager: Tim Coles Account Executive: Judith LaDousa

Ace Frehley is the original lead guitarist and co-founding member of the rock band KISS.

MARKETING

Marketing & Events Assistant: Taylor Falgout Events: Abby Hamilton

ADMINISTR ATION

LONG SUMMER NIGHTS AT MANSHIP THEATRE

Business Manager: Tiffany Durocher Business Associate: Kirsten Milano Office Coordinator: Sara Hodge Receptionist: Cathy Varnado Brown

PRODUCTION/DESIGN

Production Manager: Jo Glenny Art Director: Hoa Vu Senior Graphic Designer: Melinda Gonzalez Graphic Designers: Emily Witt, Ashlee Digel

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Audience Development Director and Digital Manager: James Hume Audience Development Coordinator: Ivana Oubre

BLACK JOE LEWIS MAY 6 • 7:30 PM

TOMMY PRINE MAY 14 • 7:30 PM

Black Joe Lewis is an American blues, funk and soul artist from Austin, TX influenced by Howlin' Wolf and James Brown.

Tommy Prine is known for his unique finger-picking style and is the son of the late legendary multi Grammy award-winning artist, John Prine.

M A N S H I P T H E AT R E . O R G • 2 2 5 - 3 4 4 - 0 3 3 4 Supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a Federal agency. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, funded by the East Baton Rouge

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC Chairman: Julio Melara Executive Assistant: Brooke Motto Vice President: Penny Font Chief Operating Officer: Guy Barone Chairman Emeritus: Rolfe H. McCollister Jr. Circulation/Reprints 225.928.1700 email: circulation@225batonrouge.com 9029 Jefferson Highway, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-214-5225 • FAX 225-926-1329 225batonrouge.com ©Copyright 2022 by Melara Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved by LBI. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Business address: 9029 Jefferson Highway, Ste. 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Telephone (225) 214-5225. 225 Magazine cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material—manuscripts or photographs—with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.

• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

EXPERIENCE I N N O VA T I O N EXPERIENCE QUALITY PAT I E N T C A R E EXPERIENCE CYPRESS

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42570 S AIRPORT RD • HAMMOND, LA 985-510-6200 CYPRESSPOINTESURGICAL.COM

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F E E D B AC K / / W H AT ’ S O N L I N E / /

TOP STORIES

Hot takes

1. First Look: Mid City’s new arcade bar, BR.cade, opens March 5

COLLIN RICHIE

Mid City Gras

comments on Facebook

3. First Look: Lotus Lounge brings tropical flair and intimate vibe to Government Street

Why doesn’t Baton Rouge have a Fat Tuesday parade? “Over the past 15 years, multiple groups and individuals have attempted to create new krewes and parades for Sunday after Spanish Town. Most of them couldn’t garner enough potential members to make it happen. There should definitely be a Sunday parade and ball. Monday and Tuesday would NEVER happen because the negative impact to the local economy from shutting down would be too heavy.” —Ned Fasullo, via Facebook

“I think the fact that Mardi Gras ends in Baton Rouge after Spanish Town is outdated. Plenty of people would enjoy the festivities if they carried on here through Tuesday. Baton Rouge parades have gotten so much better.” —Kristina Michelle Bush, via Facebook “Being that BR is the capital, I expect more. That’s like saying it’s pointless for Metairie to participate on Mardi Gras Day because New Orleans has the best show in town. People still attend. Baton Rouge needs to get on board.” —Angela Pichon, via Facebook

Local cycling groups are expanding across town and promoting a bikeable Baton Rouge: “It is of concern to me that many of the riders photographed were not wearing helmets. These are adult role models. Even one minor spill has the potential for causing an irreversible brain injury. There are so many people texting and not paying attention while driving in general, lack of wide bike lanes, etc.” —Debbie Kranske, via email

Analytics and comments are from March 1-31, 2022. Comments have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

CONNECT WITH US facebook.com/225magazine

COLLIN RICHIE

likes on Instagram

2. A side of vitamin D, please: New restaurants in Baton Rouge with great outdoor patios and seating areas

Rock Paper Taco’s patio

The Zulu parade in New Orleans in 2020

STOCK PHOTO

ARIANA ALLISON

741

What readers had to say about some of the stories we published in March:

COLLIN RICHIE

ARIANA ALLISON

The articles 225 readers clicked the most in March:

A Capital Heights Social Ride biker’s helmet

twitter.com/225batonrouge

instagram.com/225batonrouge

pinterest.com/225batonrouge

Dream without boundaries

youtube.com/225magazine

Knowing you’ve got the strength of the cross, the protection of the shield and thousands of top doctors to lift you when you need it. The Right Card. The Right Care.

01MK7615 09/21

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

Diagnose, Assess & Conquer your One of the most common symptoms I hear in clinic is regarding dry eyes. And when I tell my patients “Your eyes are watering because you have dry eyes”, I get the ‘deer caught in headlights’ look! Unfortunately, this is only one of many symptoms of dry eye disease. My approach to the treatment of dry eye is simple and effective but it all starts from exploring different methods of healing this disease from the inside out while following a specific treatment plan. After all, your eyes are a part of your body. Scan here to learn how it all starts with YOU!

7673 Perkins Rd #B-3 Baton Rouge, LA 70810 225-757-0505 • trioeyecare.com

Dr. Reshma Amin

225batonrouge.com | [225] May 2022

May

Soul’d! Baton Rouge Soul Food Fest returns with two days of live music and food

FILE PHOTO

Musician Henry Turner Jr. is the founder of the Baton Rouge Soul Food Fest.

Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival

COLLIN RICHIE

Saturday, May 14, and Sunday, May 15 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free; Riverfront Plaza Pre-party: Thursday, May 12 $25; Henry Turner Jr. Listening Room

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

“I BELIEVE THIS will be a banner year,” says musician and recording artist Henry Turner Jr., founder of the Baton Rouge Soul Food Fest. It holds its fifth annual celebration this month downtown on River Road. “We’re gonna fire with both barrels.” Held May 14–15 along the Riverfront Plaza, the event features a weekend of live soul, blues, gospel, R&B and spoken-word performances from the likes of Lisa Harris (performing a Tina Turner tribute), blues and rock performer Owen Scott, soul musician Kasey Ball, Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and others. Popular bluesman and Grammy nominee Kenny Neal is Sunday’s headliner. A variety of authentic soul food dishes— chitterlings, stewed and braised meats, greens, yams and fruit cobblers prepared by local restaurants, home cooks and caterers—will be available for sampling. A ticketed pre-party takes place on Thursday, May 12, at the Henry Turner Jr. Listening Room on North Street with a menu that features wings and greens. Turner founded the festival to bring awareness to the cultural importance of soul food and its continued presence in America’s culinary tableau. “Soul food and the culture around it have spread,” he says. “You can’t go to a gas station without seeing soul food on the menu, and even in high-end restaurants, there are usually dishes that have their roots in soul food. We think it’s important to educate the community about that.” Unlike festivals that broker with well-known restaurants and event caterers, the Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival holds a five-category cooking contest to ferret out grassroots soul food practitioners. Cooks compete for top honors in meats, vegetables and sides, bread and desserts, appetizers and soups, beverages and ices. They’re judged not just on taste and presentation, but also on the history or story behind each entry. The festival also honors an annual Soul Food Pioneer. This year’s recipient is Deborah Dickerson, owner of D’s Southern Soul Café in Plaquemine, a popular spot known for chitterlings, smothered liver and peppergrass, a wild edible green. Last year, Dickerson brought 150 pounds of chitterlings to the festival, Turner says. “She overwhelmed us with her abilities,” he says. “Her food is off the chain.” The festival is free and family friendly. To purchase tickets to the pre-party and for more info, visit brsoulfoodfest.com.

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

W H AT ’ S U P / /

How to make a mint julep THE KENTUCKY DERBY’S essential accompaniment is, of course, the mint julep. Churchill Downs reports serving about 120,000 mint juleps over the two-day derby weekend, which officially includes the Kentucky Oaks horse race on Friday and the celebrated Kentucky Derby itself on Saturday. Traditionally served in sterling silver juleps, the drink is a refreshing, easy-to-prepare amalgam of bourbon, simple syrup, mint and crushed ice. Think of it as a den-of-vice snowball. Around town you can find many renditions at local bars and restaurants, like classic cocktailery Hayride Scandal; Houmas House & Gardens, which makes a rum version; and the Lost Cove, known for its deep bench of brown liquors. If you’re planning to host a Derby Day party, here’s the official Churchill Downs recipe. Note the instructions to “slap” mint, a common practice among bartenders to gently press herb leaves before garnishing a glass in order to release their aromatics.

MAY 7 Date of this year’s Kentucky Derby

The Old Forester Mint Julep Recipe 3 ounces Old Forester Mint Julep ¾ ounce simple syrup 8-10 mint leaves 3 mint sprigs for garnish

ISTOCK

DIGITS

6.5 billion The number of greeting cards Americans purchase annually, according to the Greeting Card Association, the industry’s trade association. Cards cost anywhere from 50 cents to $10 each, and Mother’s Day is one of the biggest occasions to pick one up. It’s estimated 72% of Mother’s Day gift givers buy a greeting card for mom, according to the National Retail Federation.

Hayride Scandal’s mint julep

Pack mint julep cup with crushed ice. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, syrup and mint leaves. Lightly bruise mint leaves with a muddler. Strain contents into julep cup. Garnish with three generous sprigs of mint. Make sure to slap mint, and insert straw into ice near mint. RECIPE SOURCE: KENTUCKYDERBY.COM FILE PHOTO BY ARIANA ALLISON

Try a Cubano 5 places to order a Cuban sandwich in Baton Rouge Caribbean Joe’s

Inga’s Subs and Salads

Shaking things up with the addition of capicola for ham (gasp!), Inga’s Cuban includes pulled pork, provolone, ballpark mustard and pickles. It’s pressed between white or wheat French bread and served with a bag of Zapp’s. Find it on Facebook

K Street Grill

The Perkins Road underpass restaurant gets fancy with a fullflavored lunchtime Cubano made with chipotle braised pork, smoked ham, Dijon mustard and pickles on a Cuban roll. It’s joined by fresh cut fries. kalurahstreetgrill.com

TE IA OC

—Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, said in late March after both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature soundly invalidated Gov. John Bel Edwards’ veto of the state’s new congressional map. The legislature approved the map in a special session in February, which Edwards vetoed in early March. The map maintains just C RI one majority Black N LLI CO congressional district, while Louisiana’s population is about onethird Black. “We tried last year and failed,” Seabaugh continued. “This time we broke down the door. He better be careful.”

Chef Russell Davis’ po-boy rendition of a Cuban includes slow-roasted pork, sliced ham, pickles, Creole mustard spread and Swiss cheese on Leidenheimer bread. Order with fries seasoned with Davis’ signature Cajun dusting. jedslocal.com

S AS

JED’s Local

No surprise, porcine hub City Pork features a Cubano at both its Jefferson Highway and Highland and Perkins locations. Pulled pork, City Pork cured ham, house pickles and spicy citrusy mojo sauce meet between pressed Cuban bread. It’s served with house-made chips. citypork.com

City Pork

PHOTOS COURTESY THE RESTAURANTS

This Sherwood Forest area sandwich shop’s pressed Cubano includes marinated, slow-roasted pork with Caribbean flavors, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. It’s served with smashed fried plantains. Owner Jake Boriel says it’s the restaurant’s top seller and has been on the menu since it opened in 2016. Find it on Facebook

“It’s probably just the first veto override.”

225batonrouge.com | [225] May 2022

Issue Date: May 2022 Ad proof #2 • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

W H AT ’ S U P / /

W H AT ’ S N E W

ONE FOR ME Buzz feed

By Poet Wolfe

! m o M

COURTESY RED STICK SOCIAL

& one for

Ever-expanding Red Stick Social is renovating its interior and outdoor space, slated to be completed by the summer. Here’s what’s on the list of new features. redsticksocial.com • Permanent outdoor stage and artificial grass space • Beer garden • Container bar with VIP rooftop deck • New indoor stage and a speakeasy-style bar replacing the fifth-floor bowling alley • Green room, bridal suite and bar on the fourth floor • Additional bar alongside the third-floor bowling alleys • Coffee shop serving City Roots drinks and a breakfast menu on the first floor

SCREEN TIME

AT O N

UG E

GA LLE RY

Where to catch an outdoor flick:

U CO

Baton Rouge Gallery hosts Movies & Music on the Lawn at BREC’s City Park. Enjoy free, bottomless popcorn while watching iconic silent films projected on an inflatable outdoor screen while local bands perform live, new scores during the movie. Dates had not been announced at press time, but the lineup is slated to include Sherlock Jr., La Boheme, Sidewalk Stories, Shaun the Sheep and Nosferatu. batonrougegallery.org

Corporate Blvd at Jefferson • 225.925.2344 townecenteratcedarlodge.com • 16

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

BR PL

East Baton Rouge Parish Library hosts Friday Night Movies on the Plaza every Friday in June at 7 p.m. The event will take place on the plaza of the Main Library at Goodwood. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and relax while watching free familyfriendly films. ebrpl.com

U CO

Issue Date: October 2021 Ad proof #1 W H AT ’ S U P / /

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Space safety

STO

LSU medical physics graduate student Megan Chesal and LSU SpaRTAN lab student Nousha Afshari are collaborating on research that will help predict medical outcomes without experimenting on living beings. They’ll make custom-tailored “phantoms” or “avatars” for any person with the aim to help fight cancer and protect astronauts and their equipment from space radiation. lsu.edu

PHO TO

TAKE A ’CUE The famous Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, which has been featured everywhere from Thrillist and Southern Living to the Food Network, will be opening in the former home of The Oasis on Burbank Drive. Oasis owner Luke Forstmann and Brad Orrison (who owns the original Shed location in Ocean Springs, Mississippi) are partnering to bring the popular family-friendly beach joint to the Capital City. theshedbbq.com

LMP 5430

COURTESY THE SHED

225-925-8710

WWW.ROTOBR.COM

Summer is for snoballs Cool down with one of the Capital Region’s many snoball stands. Have you tried these three?

NEWCOM

MER NEWCO021

Est. 2020

LIS AL NA ARIA

SNOJUICE

Snojuice uses organic ingredients to create a healthy alternative to the traditional snoball. The menu offers herbal and fruit snoballs, with certain flavors including antioxidants that have been shown to fight cancer. The snoball stand sets up shop around the city. snojuice.com

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IT’S TIME TO GO

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THE SNO HOUSE

If you’re driving through Jones Creek Road, you can’t miss the fun, colorful exterior of The Sno House. The stand uses organic cane sugar to sweeten its fruitflavored snoballs and monk fruit for its sugarfree alternatives. The Sno House also uses products from other local businesses, such as Gambino’s Bakery and the New Orleans Ice Cream Company, for its signature flavors and stuffed snoballs. thesnohouse.com

FILE

O OT

SNOMAN SNOBALLS

SnoMan Snoballs offers fruit-flavored classics like nectar, tutti frutti and cherry flavors—as well as cream flavors and sugar-free alternatives. Condensed and evaporated milk, sour spray and fruit are just a few of the toppings the stand serves up, too. SnoMan Snoballs can be found at two locations, on Burbank Drive and Tiger Bend Road. Find it on Facebook

Choose from 150+ restaurants, 45 miles of trails and an array of shopping in this vibrant small town with big city vibes.

225batonrouge.com | [225] May 2022

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Cox Homelife is available to residential customers in select Cox service areas. A high-speed Internet connection is required. Cox Homelife Security service plan required for professional monitoring services for intrusion, smoke/fire and related system components. Applicable monthly service charges, installation, additional equipment, taxes, trip charges and other fees may apply. Subject to credit approval. Other restrictions may apply. Local ordinances may require an alarm user permit or external lock box. Cox Homelife Service provided by Cox Advanced Services: Arizona, LLC – Alarm Lic. #18141–0 & ROC Lic. #310876; Arkansas, LLC – Lic. #E 2014 0026 & #CMPY.0002278; California, LLC – Alarm Lic. #7196 & Contractor’s Lic. #992992; Connecticut, LLC – N/A; Florida, LLC – Lic. #EF20001232; Georgia, LLC – License: Bryan David Melancon #LVU406595; Idaho, LLC – Lic. #024933; Iowa, LLC – Lic. #C121646 & #AC268; Louisiana, LLC – Lic. #F 2006; Nebraska, LLC – Lic. #26512; Nevada, LLC dba Cox Homelife – Lic. #78331; Ohio, LLC – Lic. #5318–1671; Oklahoma, LLC – Lic. #2002; Rhode Island, LLC – Lic. #9314; Kansas, LLC – Topeka Lic. #109 & Wichita Lic. #2015–36492; Virginia, LLC – DCJS Lic. #11–7776 & DPOR Lic. # 2705164725 ©2022 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. MAG107433–0118

I N S I D E : Southern president Ray L. Belton reflects on his tenure

A glimmer of

hope

Louisiana’s only mental health receiving center marks first anniversary

IT’S BEEN A little over a year since the opening of Baton Rouge’s pioneering Bridge Center for Hope, intended as a temporary safe haven for those suffering from a mental health crisis. Located across from the Baton Rouge General’s Mid City campus, the center is currently the only adult crisis receiving facility in Louisiana. The project was a long time coming, says executive director Charlotte Claiborne. In 2013 and 2014, five people suffering from

mental illness died in East Baton Rouge Parish prison, demonstrating an urgent need to find an alternative method of supporting those experiencing mental health crises. Already crowded parish prisons were clearly not the place, nor were congested emergency rooms. One of the men who died in parish prison was a 39-year-old artist with schizophrenia named David O’Quin. After his death in 2013, his father, Bill O’Quin, began advocating for reforming how law enforcement handles such incidents.

COURTESY BRIDGE CENTER FOR HOPE

B Y MAG G IE H E YN R ICH A R DSO N

OUR CITY //

5,000

COURTESY BRIDGE CENTER FOR HOPE

Estimated number of patients the Bridge Center for Hope expects to admit per year.

For the next several years, O’Quin and other advocates, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and City-Parish and local law enforcement officials worked on the project that would become the Bridge Center for Hope. Law enforcement saw the facility as a better way to handle a complex, high-risk population, and as a way to reduce the number of people in parish prison. Advocates of mental health saw it as a key stop gap in stabilizing those in crisis, buying time to get them the services they need. In 2018, voters overwhelmingly approved a 10-year mental health property tax, which funded the center’s creation. This came just two years after the same tax was defeated at the polls. The change in public sentiment mirrored a national shift, with Americans increasingly “becoming more open about mental health,” according to a 2018 Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association. The Bridge Center finally opened in February 2021. It arrives at a time when it’s perhaps more needed than ever, as a 2020 Gallup poll reported Americans’ assessment of their own mental health sinking to the lowest levels seen over the last two decades. The multi-faceted facility is organized to help two distinct, but sometimes overlapping, populations: those suffering from mental health disorders and those with substanceuse issues. The center is run by the global mental health provider RI International.

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From February to December 2021, the Bridge Center admitted 2,286 individuals, a number that’s probably far lower than what the center will see over the same period this year, Claiborne says. “The 2021 numbers are not indicative of what the community actually needs,” Claiborne says. “We opened in the middle of the pandemic, so we knew that a lot of people were not going to come out. We didn’t have a COVID unit. This year, we’ll have something to compare it to.” Claiborne estimates closer to 5,000 patients will be admitted annually. The mental health impact of the pandemic is still being felt, Claiborne says. Tracking the number of mental health cases at local hospitals, she found that number increased from 9,000 in 2019 to 12,000 in 2021. “I think a lot of people who would never have exhibited any type of mental health issue before the pandemic are now having their first episodes,” Claiborne says. “They’re having depression or having grief because it affected so many people in so many different ways.” Currently, about 40% of those who arrive at the Bridge Center are brought by law enforcement, and 60% come on their own or with help from friends or family members, Claiborne says.

When they arrive, patients are immediately checked into the Crisis Observation Unit, which has 16 recliners set up for stabilizing, assessing and observing individuals to determine what they need next. They remain in this part of the Bridge Center for 23 hours or less, says Claiborne, after which they’ll go to the

DIGIT

Percent of those who arrive at the Bridge Center brought by law enforcement. (The other 60% come on their own or with help from friends or family members.) Law enforcement officials, who helped launch the facility, saw it as a better way to handle a high-risk population while also reducing the number of people in parish prison.

COURTESY BRIDGE CENTER FOR HOPE

DIGIT

Bridge Center’s short-term psychiatric unit for three to five days, or the medical detox unit for three to seven days. A care management team starts working on each client’s discharge plan as soon as they walk into the facility to ensure they have the right resources in place when they leave, Claiborne says. The team books the patient for both physical health and behavioral health appointments following their discharge, and they help find additional community resources. There’s no limit to the number of times a person can use the Bridge Center, Claiborne says. While the Bridge Center is answering a vital need in Baton Rouge, there’s still a lot of work to be done to expand the Capital Region’s mental health services, Claiborne adds. For example, those who need a longer term mental health facility find only state-run options with waiting lists or very few private facilities, she says. Moreover, there are no equivalent resources like the Bridge Center for young people. “If you’re under 18 years of age and you’re in a crisis situation, there is nowhere for you to go other than the hospital,” Claiborne says. “Our Lady of the Lake has a ward that will take adolescents, but that’s pretty much it. The next largest one is in Shreveport. I’m hoping we can get to a point where we could duplicate something for that population. But it’s going to take some time.” For more information about the Bridge Center for Hope, visit brbridge. org.

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OUR CITY //

Exit interview

By Maggie Heyn Richardson

Retiring this fall, Southern University president-chancellor Ray Belton talks the school’s past, present and future WHEN HE THINKS about what Southern University has meant to him personally, retiring president-chancellor Ray Belton responds with quiet candor. “Southern,” he says, pausing, and taking in a breath. “Southern has meant everything to me.” Belton’s palpable affinity for the institution goes back a long way. While a strong student in high school, the Shreveport native didn’t consider going to college, choosing instead to enlist in the United States Army like his father. In his late 20s, after completing his military commitment and working full time for local industry, Belton figured he’d use GI Bill benefits to take a few classes at Southern University Shreveport, then a two-year institution. Right away, his professors saw potential, and made a point of encouraging him. “The faculty really reached out to me,” Belton says. “They saw something in me.” Belton transferred to Southern’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge

to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and began a career as a licensed mental health counselor, working in Louisiana and in Boston. He later earned a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. While working in Nebraska, Belton’s father died, leading him to return to Shreveport to take care of his mother. There, he was asked to teach classes in psychology at Southern’s Shreveport campus. Belton showed natural skills as a teacher and campus leader, and faculty mentors encouraged him to shift his focus to higher education administration. They suggested he apply to the University of Texas at Austin’s competitive doctoral program in educational administration. He was accepted, and after completing his PhD, Belton returned to Southern University Shreveport. There, he served in several administrative roles before becoming chancellor in 2003. Over the course of Belton’s 12-year tenure, the campus saw $34 million in capital improvements

and a 156% increase in enrollment. In 2015, Southern University named Belton chancellor of its Baton Rouge campus and president of the Southern University System. Belton became the first person to serve in this dual role. The Southern University System is the only HBCU system in the U.S. and includes the Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans campuses, the Southern University Law Center and the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Calm, thoughtful and driven to see students flourish, Belton has been a steady hand at Southern, guiding the university out of unprecedented challenges, including dips in enrollment, budget shortfalls and probation for 12 of its athletics programs, and onto solid, exciting ground. He’ll be succeeded by incoming president-chancellor Dennis Shields this fall. We checked in with Belton about some of his best memories as leader of the Jaguar Nation, and what he sees for the system’s future. subr.edu

“Southern has meant everything to me.” —Southern University president-chancellor Ray Belton

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As you look back on your tenure as presidentchancellor of Southern, what are you proudest of? A number of things. When I first arrived (in 2015), it was on the heels of a period of significant disinvestment in higher education, and Southern University Baton Rouge was tremendously challenged from a fiscal standpoint. I’m really pleased we were able to bring fiscal stability to the campus. Also, the university had never had a strategic plan, and we did that. It’s provided us guidance and direction, and brought every department together toward a common goal. Also, this year, we are enjoying the largest enrollment at Southern University Baton Rouge we’ve seen since 2010 (7,404 students). And our enrollment projections for next year are 30% higher than this year.

COLLIN RICHIE

Your undergraduate major was in psychology, and you worked for many years as a mental health counselor before becoming a tenured psychology professor. Why did you gravitate toward this field? I’ve always been inquisitive about people, and the importance of understanding others and understanding yourself. My professors really imposed upon me to think about my worldview. For most of my life, I’ve had a yearning to understand human behavior, which is why I became a counselor and worked in clinical settings. Once I got into the classroom and into administration, it was clear there were a lot of similarities. It’s so rewarding to see students come in at one level and leave at another. I really enjoy watching them progress in their development. I think that’s something Southern does very well, caring about each student’s growth. Under your leadership, the university has experienced many infrastructure improvements and created a master plan for the future. Tell us about this. This year, we’re celebrating our 142nd anniversary, which is great, but it also means we have some aging

facilities. It was important to us to identify our needs, and ensure we’re able to welcome new generations of students in the future. We asked ourselves: ‘What kind of infrastructure do we need to ensure that, going forward, we can attract 20,000 students?’ We’ve worked with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and the Center for Planning Excellence to create a plan for the future that will position us to be able to do this. It allows us to grow our signature programs, like our College of Nursing, build a new student union and honors dorms. We’re well on our way to constructing a new STEM facility, a new College of Business and other amenities that will create a great student experience. It sounds like the plan has energized alumni already. Isn’t fundraising at an all-time high? Yes. We’re launching a capital campaign next year for the first time in the history of the university, and already we’ve been able to attract donations in the millions. Alums are really responding. Under your leadership, Southern became one of just two institutions in Louisiana to be awarded a license to grow medical marijuana. What has that meant for the university? It has really taken off. We have about 16 to18 different products now, and demand for these products is higher than ever. We’re engaging in research and trying to learn as much as we can about their therapeutic value. It’s been both a revenue generator for the university, and a way to ensure affordable products get into the hands of people who need them. What are you most looking forward to in retirement? I’m really excited about being able to spend more time with my wife, Norma, and our children and grandchildren. And I’m also excited about having time to pursue some other opportunities, like consulting. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

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I AM 225 //

Olivia Stewart FOR OLIVIA STEWART, all things sugar and sweet have a family tie. Two centuries after the birth of her ancestors’ Capital Region sugarcane farm and mill, her family caught on to the craft spirits craze, launching Louisiana’s first single estate distillery, sourced from the farm’s crops. But it wasn’t until 2020, when what was supposed to be a two-week visit turned into a two-year-plus stay, that the passion became personal. After studying art history at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, Stewart had been living in New York and working in art galleries. But when the COVID-19 pandemic began, Stewart and her fiancédecided to escape the city’s wintry spring, lonely isolation and a job furlough. They embarked on a road trip down to her hometown in Louisiana. At the time, Stewart’s family was running local distillery Three Roll Estate. The brand was struggling, as tastings and field sales significantly declined during the pandemic. Stewart decided to lend a helping hand, assisting by making hand sanitizer for the business. From there, she took on the role of tasting room manager and running Three Roll’s social media. Eventually, out of “a sense of familial duty,” she took on the role of chief operating officer. Three Roll opened as Cane Land, a distillery and tasting room on St. Phillip Street on the edge of downtown, in 2017 and later rebranded as Three Roll. Stewart learned much about the industry from watching her father run the family business, and she decided to further her education by taking classes on the sugar industry and researching ways to continue rebranding and evolving. She put to use her experience in the art world to transform the Three Roll Estate building downtown. Redecorating the tasting room, upgrading the infrastructure of the building, enhancing the quality of the distillery’s tour experience and launching new regular events were all part of Stewart’s reimagination. “My sense of space and design were definitely informed by my art career,” Stewart says. “And thinking about the customer experience from a visual perspective definitely informed my decisions as we were making these changes.” With a fresh rebrand—and a community that was reinvigorated by the vaccine release—there was an increase in the company’s visitors and sales. It began to leave behind the hardships of COVID-19. Today, Stewart ensures each part of the distillery, from the bar to the tasting room, runs smoothly. Her job involves producing creative ideas for the company’s future, to compete with bigger distilleries—and keep the family legacy alive. threeroll.com

—POET WOLFE

COLLIN RICHIE

“I’ve really appreciated the larger impact I feel like I can make in a smaller city like Baton Rouge, versus in New York, where you have activists (and creators) from floor to ceiling and every which direction.”

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C OV E R S T ORY

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Exploring Baton Rouge’s ction growing colle ries of bars, brewe s and distillerie

C OV E R S T ORY

Yes, that is the State Capitol in the background! The latest addition to Baton Rouge’s rooftop bar scene includes The Main Lobby, where you can see above the trees and downtown buildings while sipping on drinks like the refreshing Blue Elevator.

BREAKOUT Point with arrow at the capitol: Yes, that is the State Capitol in the background! The latest addition to Baton Rouge’s rooftop bar scene includes The Main Lobby, where you can see above the trees and downtown buildings. DIGIT

CULINARILY SPEAKING, THE last several years 900 have been exciting ones for Baton Rouge. And like our expanding dining options, our Approximate adult beverage number of members in The landscape has become deliciously wide and varied. Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge, which After being pummeled during the COVID-19 was founded in 2015 to cultivate a commushutdown, bars are back in a big way in the Capital nity offor bourbon aficionados and fans. Region, satisfying our unquenchable thirst the many ways to enjoy a good restorative. And it’s not just bars. If you like a nice cocktail, a glass of interesting wine or a local craft beer, restaurants across town are increasingly focusing on their beverage programs, with several launching independent bar concepts this year. Sneak off to the Brakes Bar—the posh Mid City speakeasy behind newly opened Spoke & Hub—for a quirky craft cocktail prepared with offbeat ingredients. Stroll a few doors down for classic and reinvented tiki cocktails at the Lotus Lounge, the bar within Soji Modern Asian. Slip behind a sliding wall to sip your highball in Juban’s new, sultry Tigre Room. Try a growing number of high-end tequila and mezcal flights at spots like Blue Corn, Modesto and Rock Paper Taco. Steel your liquid courage to try the bartenders’ latest creations at craft cocktail destinations like Hayride Scandal, The Lost Cove, Olive or Twist or The Radio Bar. Hobnob with a sommelier to find the perfect wine and cheese pairing. Explore wine lists in chef-driven restaurants devoted to small, Old World producers. Hire a mobile cocktail cart for your next party. Slurp a craft beer on a rooftop bar. Visit a rum distillery with selections made from sugar cane harvested less than an hour away. Head for classic, cozy dive bars with loads of personality. The experiences are many—more than we’d ever have room for in these pages—so get out and explore. Cheers, Baton Rouge.

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C OV E R S T ORY

WHAT A VIEW

Eight scenic rooftop and patio bars to soak up the sun and surroundings in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE IS on the up and up (literally). Slowly but surely, the city is gaining more lavish rooftop and patio bars. When you live in a sunny state like Louisiana, why drink in an enclosed space indoors when you can imbibe outdoors surrounded by greenery, fresh air and views of the city? Local open-air bars feature thriving plants, wall art, outdoor games, elegant seating and sights you can only see in the Capital City.

KEY TERMS

Learn the

LINGO

—CYNTHEA CORFAH

BACK

The Chimes on Highland The Chimes rooftop bar is a spacious getaway where you can watch games on the big screens, drink your favorite beer on tap, eat American and Cajun dishes and look over Highland Road with LSU’s campus right next door. The rooftop has comfy booth seating, a full-service bar and games like Jenga Giant. thechimes.com

The Main Lobby Say hello to the newest rooftop bar in the city. Open since February, this decorative downtown two-story spot pulled out all of the stops. The rustic-chic outdoor bar on the second floor has stylish rattan chairs, rows of snake plants, a floral mural, flamingo decor and patio heaters for chilly days. themainlobbybr.com

Tsunami Sushi This sushi spot has been the downtown rooftop staple since 2005, and for good reason. Admire the Mississippi River from the elegant space enjoying sushi and sake. At night, the city lights brighten the sky, creating a romantic setting. batonrouge. servingsushi.com

Drinks on the patio BLDG 5 It doesn’t get much better than handcrafted cocktails on a patio bursting with vibrant greenery. This one-of-a-kind restaurant and bar under the Perkins

Road overpass has homey backyard vibes with a sophisticated twist (and retractable floor-to-ceiling glass doors). Enjoy a charcuterie board with a refreshing drink under string lights. bldg5.com

Mid City Beer Garden This Government Street favorite is the embodiment of the term “open-air.” Inside, locals can breathe easily surrounded by tropical plants and fresh air flowing from the ceilingless building. Pair local beers on tap with the restaurant’s tasty bar bites like grilled cheese and cheese fries. midcitybeergarden.com

SHAKEN OR STIRRED?

The classic 007 query refers to drinkers’ preferences for how their martinis are mixed: shaken in a cocktail shaker or stirred in the glass with a bar spoon. And, though the cannon preference of fictional icon James Bond is to take his martinis “shaken, not stirred,” liquor aficionados will tell you gin should never be shaken, as the delicate spirit will become “bruised.”

SoLou This stylish south Louisianainspired restaurant and bar is just as tasty as it is photogenic. The Perkins Road spot has a plant wall, neon signage, string lights, twinkle globes dangling overhead and cozy blue couches to relax with a craft cocktail. eatsolou.com

Talluah Crafted Food and Wine Bar Looking for an upscale outdoor experience? Stop by this restaurant and wine bar in the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel. The moody patio has blue lighting and fire displays during the evening. tallulahrestaurant. com

RINSE

Coating a cocktail glass with the subtle flavors of liqueurs or bitters. A Sazerac is often served in an absinthe-rinsed glass.

Thai Kitchen Thai food and booze? Yes, please. This restaurant and bar’s large patio boasts cabana seating, a grand waterfall, string lights, umbrellas and a stage for live music. thaikitchenla.com

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NEAT

This one’s simple: no ice. ARIANA ALLISON

Raise the roof(top)

A shot of nonalcoholic drink taken as a chaser following a shot of straight liquor or a stiff cocktail. A “pickle back”—a shot of pickle juice—is one of the most common and effective: the sharp, briney flavor does wonders to neutralize the burn of liquor.

The Main Lobby opened downtown in February.

ON THE ROCKS

This one’s also easy: with ice.

225batonrouge.com | [225] May 2022

C OV E R S T ORY

It’s NATURAL

Percent of Rocco's bottle list that consists of natural wines.

Explore the world of natural wines at Rocca Pizzeria

ORDER A GLASS of wine at Rocca Pizzeria in Mid City, and there’s a 90% chance that it’s considered “natural.” Thanks to wine manager Sean Courtney, the popular Mid City restaurant’s wine list is stacked with so-called natural wines, or wines produced from organically grown grapes farmed with non-mechanized methods and finished without any additives. Courtney made the decision to shift the wine list in this direction about a year ago. “It’s a very different experience for our customers, but one I thought was important to offer,” Courtney says. “We got a few salty looks at first, but people have really responded to it.” A generalized term that varies among winemaking regions, natural wines came onto the scene about 20 years ago, and they’ve slowly been gaining traction in

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

the wine world. A number of Rocca’s natural wines are Italian, and they’re made by small, boutique vintners with small production runs. Rocca’s wine list, therefore, frequently changes. But there’s always plenty to choose from. Of the restaurant’s 22 wines by the glass, 18 are natural, as are 90 of its 100 bottles. Many of the natural wines are approachable, but a few feature slight funkiness, resulting from natural yeast and no synthetic alteration. If you’re unsure—and many of us fall into this category—ask for help. Rocca’s servers and bartenders have been trained to answer questions and provide samples. For many wine aficionados, this is wine at its most authentic. roccapizzeria.com

—MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON

KEY TERM

Natural wine Organically grown grapes are farmed with nonmechanized methods and finished without any additives.

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C OV E R S T ORY

BOURBON COUNTRY The Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge is creating community and giving back through a shared love of whiskey

THOUGH WE MAY be a ways away from Kentucky, Baton Rouge is inarguably a home to bourbon—and bourbon lovers. The Bourbon Society of Baton Rouge, founded in 2015, is an almost 900 member-strong network of both amateur and adept aficionados of the sweet brown spirit. Members enjoy access to specialty bourbon releases and events like tastings, distillery tours and lots more. One favorite tasting event among members is the “sample share,” where the society purchases specialty whiskeys straight from distilleries and portions them into 1-ounce sample bottles, which members purchase for a modest price and drink together in a virtual gathering where they share their takes on the selected spirit. As for the “more,” this past month the Bourbon Society hosted a crawfish boil, complete with mint julep and bourbon lemonade refreshments, and a “Pre-Derby Ladies Night,” where female members were invited out to Painting and Pinot on Perkins Road to sip complimentary cocktails, learn about

partnered with numerous charities like Toys for the bourbon-infused tradition of the Kentucky Tots and, more recently, Alzheimer’s Services of Derby and design and assemble their own derbythe Capital Area, which was the sole recipient style fascinator hats. of proceeds from last fall’s Louisiana Bourbon And while the society’s vast membership first Festival—and will be again for the 2022 event. coalesced around such events and the simple “There are a lot of drinking clubs out there,” desire to “hang out and talk about whiskey”—in the says vice president Dorothy Kemp, “but I think words of founder David Steele—its purpose quickly you’d be hard pressed to find one evolved. that’s so focused on giving back to “I wanted to try to do the community and having a great something more than just time.” drinking bourbon,” Steele says. Collectively, the society’s “And, doing these clubs, these charitable endeavors have yielded events, I recognized that everyone Amount The Bourbon Society of Baton about $250,000. Much of that else felt the same way.” Rouge has raised for comes from its specialty bourbon In May 2019, what started charity since 2015. raffles, in which members enter as a casual drinking club was for the chance to win such coveted incorporated into a 501(c)(7) whiskeys as the Pappy Van Winkle organization, and the Bourbon 15-year and 10-year Bourbons and Society of Baton Rouge took up Willett purple-top bourbons, many of which are the mission that has since become its primary “truly impossible to find unless you win (them) directive: giving back. at a raffle,” Steele says. The charities get money, Since its incorporation, the society has

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meal will help your body break down the food you eat more easily. This helps you digest food more effectively and get the most nutrients out of your meals. You can get some fluids through the foods that you eat—especially foods high in water content, such as fruits and vegetables.

3. GET MORE SHUT-EYE

FORGET THE FADS:

4 SMALL STEPS TO GET FIT AND STAY THAT WAY

armer days are here, and as we shed our winter clothes for shorts and swimsuits, many of us would like to shed a few pounds, too. But slimming down for summer doesn’t mean we have to jump on board with the latest fad diets and spend all our free time at the gym. Real change comes from taking small steps—slight shifts in your perspective and behaviors. How do we do that? We went straight to the world-renowned researchers for this: Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Here are their workable tips for making positive changes and creating lasting habits for a fit and healthy life. First, give yourself grace. The last couple of years have been difficult, and most people have developed unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms. While it’s entirely understandable, it’s important to start making better choices and get your body back on track. But suddenly outlawing all sweets, demanding long workouts and enforcing restrictions to achieve better health is a strategy that will only backfire and set you up for failure. Start with the simplest changes — ones that you can adopt and feel good about. Here, Pennington Biomedical shares 4 small shifts we can all make to get fit, look great, and live better.

1. FOOD IS FUEL

Shift your perspective and start a new relationship with food. It’s important to see food not as a reward, but as necessary as gas in the car. Adding fruits and vegetables to your diet is one of the best changes you can make in your diet to not only boost your heath, but also help manage your weight. They supply tons of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber with very few calories. Start by adding one new veggie to your weekly grocery list, and eventually add a vegetable to your dinner five to seven days per week. Studies show that people with produce-rich diets are at lower risk of health problems like dementia, depression, digestive problems, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.

2. STAY HYDRATED

Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Changing to water can cut down on calories as you drink less of other beverages. Giving up that morning mocha latte or sweet tea isn’t always easy, so Pennington Biomedical recommends replacing just one beverage per day with water, then expanding to water comprising half of your daily drinks and eventually most of them. Research has shown that drinking water before, during, and after a

Like eating and drinking, sleep is an essential function that your body needs to survive and function properly. This is why not getting enough sleep can be damaging to both your mental and physical health. Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of appetite hormones that make you feel hungry and full. Not getting enough of it is likely to make you feel hungrier and eat more throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can also increase cravings for less healthy foods, further making weight management more challenging. How do you get there? Pennington Biomedical recommends creating a bedtime routine for yourself and turning off your devices to eliminate the distraction.

4. MOVE MORE

It’s more than just tracking steps. Taking regular walks can improve your physical and mental health. Routines are easy to stick to when you have support. A walk with family or friends will get everyone away from the screens and allow some bonding time. Walking regularly can also help decrease the risk of developing conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, colon cancer and obesity. Pennington Biomedical recommends beginning with 20 minutes per day and gradually increasing it to 60 minutes per day. Participate in a study! Pennington Biomedical can help to establish healthy, easy-to-maintain routines for you and your family. With research studies available for participants of all ages, you can get the tools and support you need to make meaningful changes and keep them for life. Visit pbrc.edu to stay informed on the latest health and nutrition findings from the researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center. 225batonrouge.com | [225] May 2022

TA ST E / /

Wedding Cookies Serve with Chocolate Whipped Cream and Berries

Wedding cookies, sometimes known as Mexican wedding cookies or Italian wedding cookies, are simply delightful. They are one of the first cookies I learned how to bake and are made with just a few ingredients. The traditional recipes call for finely ground almonds or, sometimes, pecans. Personally, I like to combine pistachios along with the almonds. This combination gives these cookies a delicious nutty, buttery flavor, and I find it even makes the texture a little more moist. These wedding cookies are the perfect little pick-up sweet to finish off this light meal.

5. Use a small cookie scoop or teaspoon to form the dough into balls. Place them on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 to 17 minutes. Make sure the cookies are baked through but not browned.

Yields 3 dozen

Chocolate Whipped Cream and Berries

1 cup finely ground almonds 1 cup finely ground toasted pistachios 1 ½ cups softened butter 2 cups powdered sugar 3 cups sifted flour 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract ½ teaspoon salt

7. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

I always like to serve fresh berries and whipped cream along with any pick-up dessert. The addition of a little chocolate to the fresh whipped cream is a fun extra surprise. Servings: 6 to 8

1. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Heat

the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Place the almonds and pistachios into a food processor. Pulse until they are finely ground and resemble sand.

Fresh strawberries (or berry of your choice) 1 pint heavy whipping cream 1/3 cup chocolate milk powder (Nesquik)

1. Pour the heavy whipping cream into a chilled bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter until light and fluffy. Carefully add in the powdered sugar, and continue mixing until well combined. 4. Gradually add in the ground nuts, flour, vanilla and almond extract until all is incorporated.

6. Remove the cookies from the oven, allowing them to cool slightly. Roll the warm cookies in the remaining cup of powdered sugar. Place them on a cooling rack to cool completely.

2. Use an electric mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks begin to form.

3. Pour in the chocolate milk powder and continue mixing until stiff peaks form.

4. Keep the chocolate whipped cream chilled until you are ready to serve. This can be made a couple of hours ahead of time.

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CULTURE I N S I D E : BRSO does Beethoven at the River Center / Arts + Music Best Bets

Laughter heals Silly Rabbit Comedy Club makes history as the first Black-owned comedy club in Baton Rouge B Y CYN THE A CO R FA H // P H OTOS B Y CO L L I N R I C H I E

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C U LT U R E / /

Former comedian Shedrick “Seddy Sed” Marshall opened Silly Rabbit Comedy Club earlier this year.

BATON ROUGE ENTREPRENEUR and retired comedian Shedrick “Seddy Sed” Marshall has always wanted to open his own comedy club. When he first started his stand-up career in 2001, he remembers writing down this goal on a vision board. That vision came to life this past January when Marshall opened Silly Rabbit Comedy Club, a Baton Rouge comedy and entertainment venue on Airline Highway. “This is a place for people to forget what’s going on in their lives and laugh the pain away,” Marshall says. “I want to heal the world with laughter.” Silly Rabbit Comedy Club is Baton Rouge’s first Black-owned comedy club. It includes an intimate stage, seating for more than 140 people and a stylish bar with drink specials. It hosts comedy shows, poetry readings, open mic nights, crawfish nights and various types of entertainment by local and national performers. Previous comedy show headliners have already included Ashima Franklin from Def Comedy Jam, Mario Tory from Comedy Central and Shaun Jones from BET’s ComicView. The club plans to organize at least

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

two comedy shows a month and weekly open mic events. The space can also be rented for private parties. Marshall sees the club as the up-and-coming go-to entertainment venue for fledgling performers and nationally recognized comedians alike. It’s the type of space he wanted to perform in during his own stand-up career. Marshall has worked in comedy for more than two decades. He started his journey as a stand-up comic, performing at shows all over Louisiana and out-of-state. He’s performed locally everywhere from Club Raggs to Belle of Baton Rouge and alongside notable comedians like Katt Williams and Mike Epps. But the Baton Rouge native knew early on that he really wanted to work behind-the-scenes of comedy shows. His business, Silly Rabbit Productions, started hosting comedy shows at the Belle of Baton Rouge in 2015. He brought the laughs with shows like Was it Something I Sed, featuring local comedians Howard Hall, Spencer Neal and MB. He also

SEE A SHOW Silly Rabbit Comedy Club is at 9945 Airline Highway, Suite C. It regularly hosts comedy shows, poetry readings, open mic nights and entertainment. Find the latest lineup at sillyrabbitcomedyclub.com.

hosted the comedy series We Acting Funny, starring comedian and actor Jerimiah ‘JJ’ Williamson, Mario Tory and comedian and actor K-Dubb at Allure Night Club. After years of headlining and hosting sold-out shows, he was ready to retire his microphone. But he wanted to stay connected to the comedy scene through his own comedy club. “I bleed and dream comedy,” Marshall says. Now that Silly Rabbit Comedy Club

is up and running, Marshall has been able to devote his time to off-stage duties, like filling the calendar with top-notch comedy lineups, renting the space for special events and giving local talent a stage to share their gifts. Most importantly, he wants to leave the audience happier than they were when they entered the building. “I consider myself to be a doctor of comedy,” Marshall says. “You’d be surprised at how many people’s lives you save by making them laugh. Laughter is the best medicine.”

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C U LT U R E / /

ARTS BEST BETS

MAY 5-7 Broadmoor Senior High photography students present “No Body Wants to Be Here” at Yes We Cannibal. A collection of black-and-white film photos is a commentary on the students’ experience at their school. yeswecannibal.org

A RT S

Overjoyed FILE P HOTO BY COLLIN RICHIE

MAY 1 Join the LSU Museum of Art as it joins forces with East Baton Rouge Parish Schools for the Art, Jazz and Pizazz! Art Walk featuring artwork created by local students. Since it’s the first Sunday of May, you’ll receive free admission. lsumoa.org

MAY 6-15 Join Theatre Baton Rouge as it performs Crumbs from the Table of Joy. This play follows a recently widowed father and his daughters as they move from Florida to Brooklyn for a new life. theatrebr.org MAY 20 Conductor Timothy Muffitt leads the Baton Rouge Symphony Chorus in Beethoven’s Ninth at the River Center Performing Arts Theatre. Note: The theater is a clear-bag facility. brso.org

Don't wait,

Maestro Timothy Muffitt returns to play Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in renovated River Center Theatre By Maggie Heyn Richardson

THINK OF IT: Beethoven’s big, booming, uplifting “Ode to Joy” sung by a chorus of 120, flanked by 80 hard-working musicians led one last time by Baton Rouge’s poster boy of classical music. And it’s taking place— finally—in the newly spruced concert hall that went dark for renovations way back in 2018. An ode to joy, indeed. “It’s a big night for us,” says Eric Marshall, executive director of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra. “It’s going to be amazing to return to the Raising Cane’s River Center Theatre and for Timothy Muffitt to be back.”

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Held on May 20, the final concert of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra’s 75th season features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 conducted by maestro Timothy Muffitt, the orchestra’s longtime music director. Muffitt stepped down as conductor in 2019 and has served as the symphony’s music director laureate since then. He will return to lead one last concert as the symphony closes out its season. Two previously planned farewell concerts for Muffitt were interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. Musicians are looking forward to a last chance to play with Muffitt,

who became BRSO’s music director in 1999. “The mark that Tim has left on our organization is incredible,” Marshall says. “He’s a complete pro. He’s known for being easy to work with, and musicians love his collaborative style. I’ve never met anybody who doesn’t adore him.” A series of guest conductors have led the symphony orchestra since Muffitt’s departure. Marshall anticipates a new conductor will be named sometime this summer. While it’s Muffitt’s last concert in Baton Rouge, the silver lining is that it’s also his first chance to play in the freshly renovated theater, the symphony’s home stage. The concert hall underwent an $18 million, threeyear glow-up, finally reopening in March after multiple delays. After performing there this spring, the symphony has been able to revel in the new amenities. “The visitor experience is really incredible,” Marshall says. “All the things that make your evening enjoyable are there.” The biggest changes to the space,

C U LT U R E / /

MUSIC BEST BETS MAY 6 Treat yourself to a country concert this month when Jimmie Allen takes the stage at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Allen will play all the hits from his discography, like “Best Shot” and “Freedom Was A Highway.” raisingcanesrivercenter.com MAY 13 You may not be able to see The Beatles perform, but you can catch the tribute band The Fab Four as they play all the classics at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel. These four look-a-likes will have you fooled as they take you back to the days of Beatlemania. lbatonrouge.com

MAY 14-15 The 2022 BRtistic Festival will rock Beauvoir Park with two days of music, live art and food. Just like the bands on stage, artists will also be performing and making art in real time. Find it on Facebook

PHOTOS BY ARIANA

• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

COURTESY L’AUBERGE CASINO & HOTEL

MAY 13 The Iceman Special is returning to Chelsea’s Live for the 2022 Fest Tour. This funky New Orleans quartet brings the whimsical and the weird for an unforgettable psychedelic show. chelseaslive.com

ALLISON

familiar pieces of classical music around (cue the built in the ’70s, include new seating and major 1988 movie Die Hard). Beethoven wrote the final improvements to both restrooms and concessions. movement to German playwright Friedrich Schiller’s Gone are long rows of continuous continental seating poem, “Ode to Joy,” whose themes include the unity that have made getting up an inconvenience. In its of mankind. The movement was named the national place is American-style seating, which features seats anthem of the European Union in 1985. divided by two long side aisles. “It’s one of the greatest works out there,” Marshall In some areas of the theater, like the front row of says. “It’s a fitting way to end the season.” the balcony, premium seats with cup holders have The last of the theater project’s milestones, a been added. The total number of seats is about 1,800, renovated front plaza, is underway now, but Marshall slightly less than the previous number, but they’re all anticipates it will be finished in time for the final designed to be much more comfortable and conveconcert. A party for Muffitt nient, Marshall says. will be held there after the “And there’s a great show. brso.org view no matter where you are,” he adds. The Raising Cane’s River Concessions have Center Theatre underwent been expanded to a three-year, $18 million include 12 different renovation, finally reopening in March. stations serving alcoholic beverages, sodas and food. All transactions are cashless. Additional new restrooms make it easier for patrons to return to their seats without delays caused by long lines. And who would want to be late for Beethoven’s rousing ninth, the famed conductor’s last symphony? Issue Date: May Adbe proof #2 Lasting just over an 2022 hour, it will the only • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. work played that night, Marshall says. Its final • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hours movement, “OdeA shorter to Joy,” is onewill ofapply the for most from receipt ofthe this proof. timeframe tight deadlines.

MAY 20 Come see Ace Frehley as he rocks out the Manship Theatre. This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and KISS co-founder will play the classics along with some new tracks from the album Origins, Vol. 2. manshiptheatre.org

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• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless revision requests are received within 24 hours. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2021. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

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ONE MUSICAL, PLEASE! Follow pie baker Jenna as she tries to break free from the mundane routine of working in a small-town diner in the musical Waitress. With an original score from Grammy-nominated singer Sara Bareilles, you’ll be singing along with Jenna as she finds her way. Don’t miss out on this sweet musical at the Raising Cane’s River Center. raisingcanesrivercenter.com

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5-8

ONE COOL SHOW Bring the whole family to see iconic Disney princesses, princes and other characters sing and dance during Disney On Ice at the Raising Cane’s River Center. Watch all your old and new Disney friends skate their way through classic songs. Sing along with them and watch as they perform dazzling tricks on the glossy ice. disneyonice.com

ON THE ROAD NEW ORLEANS

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NOW TO MAY 3: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, nojazzfest.com MAY 1: Gavin DeGraw at the House of Blues, houseofblues.com/neworleans MAY 20-22: Bayou Boogaloo, thebayouboogaloo.com MAY 27-29: Greek Festival, gfno.com

[225] May 2022 | 225batonrouge.com

CALENDAR //

ALSO THIS MONTH

STO

ALL MONTH Join the West Baton Rouge Library for Spring Storytimes every Tuesday. All ages are welcome at these events. Listen along to books about the springtime while meeting new friends and checking out the library. wbrpl.com

COOKOFF FOR A CAUSE The Crawfish King Cookoff is returning to downtown Baton Rouge. Eat delicious crawfish or sign up to boil in the eighth annual competition. This cookoff raises money to increase youth mentoring activities in local school and after-school programs. crawfishkingcookoff.com

LILY LAGRANGE

MAY 1 Join the Baton Rouge Garden Club for a Spring Tea at the Baton Rouge Garden Center. Sip tea and snack on light bites as you enjoy the scenes that come with the season. Take in all the beautiful sights and flowers as you chat with friends over a freshly steeped cup. facebook. com/batonrougegardenclub/

14 + 15

A SOUL FOOD SHOWDOWN Don’t miss out on the fifth annual Baton Rouge Soul Food Festival with live music, a cooking competition and local vendors. Feast on the finest soul food as you dance and sing to soul, gospel and R&B music. hitcitydigital.wixsite.com/ brsoulfoodfest

MAY 21 Did you know there were over 300 species of birds spotted at Burden? Grab your binoculars and bird books, and get ready to go Birding at Burden. Spot local bird species and search for rare migrating ones while learning all about our winged friends. lsu.edu/botanic-gardens

RAEGAN LABAT

MUSIC AND ART COMBO Enjoy local art, music and food at the annual Hot Art, Cool Nights Art Hop. This special festival is hosted by Mid City Artisans and Mid City Merchants. Eat at some of the best restaurants in town and browse the work of local artists as you listen to live music at the indoor-outdoor event along Government Street. mid-cityartisans.com

MAY 13 Laugh out loud when comedian Heather McMahan comes to the Raising Cane’s River Center. A self-described “highfunctioning hot mess,” McMahan shares jokes and stories that will make you smile. Although this is her first tour, McMahan jokes it could be her last, so come see her while you can. raisingcanesrivercenter.com

MAY 29 Head out to Red Stick Social this Memorial Day weekend for a festival full of local bands during Groovin’ on the Grass Fest. Jam out with Bag of Donuts, Peyton Falgoust Band and The Michael Foster Project. While the live music plays, enjoy a buffet and unlimited beverages as you celebrate the holiday. redsticksocial.com MORE EVENTS Subscribe to our newsletter 225 Daily for our twiceweekly roundups of events. 225batonrouge.com/225daily

LAFAYETTE

MAY 11-15: Frog Festival in Rayne, raynefrogfestival.com MAY 14: Wing Wars of Acadiana, wingwarsofacadiana.com MAY 14: LVVRS at the Grouse Room, thegrouseroom.com

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THE EXPERT Q. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HYPERTENSION? A. Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can be defined as consistently elevated blood flow through your blood vessels. Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” due to the lack of visible symptoms in most people. Some people may develop symptoms if their blood pressure is dangerously high, such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, chest pain, or shortness of breath. If left untreated, it could lead to the development of strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, blindness or heart failure.

IF YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS... BLOOD < 120 NORMAL 130-139 ELEVATED > 140 HIGH PRESSURE < 80 80 > 90 Follow up with your physician annually.

Follow up with your physician every 6 months.

Follow up with your physician.

It is recommended that you have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.

Q. HOW CAN I PREVENT OR REDUCE MY RISK OF HYPERTENSION? A. The first step of any treatment program should be a lifestyle modification. This includes dietary changes such as, reducing salt intake and/or the introduction of the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), limiting alcohol use, eliminating tobacco use, weight loss, and regular exercise, if approved by your physician. If your blood pressure remains uncontrolled, despite taking the appropriate measures, your physician may prescribe blood pressure lowering medication.

For more information on Hypertension, please go to: www.batonrougeclinic.com/hypertension To schedule an appointment with one of our internist please call (225) 246-9240

MAIN CLINIC: 7373 PERKINS ROAD BATON ROUGE, LA 70808 l (225) 769-4044 BATONROUGECLINIC.COM 225batonrouge.com | [225] May 2022

FRAMED //

In every issue of 225, you’ll find a free print on this page. FRAMED celebrates life and art in Baton Rouge, each one featuring a local photographer, place or graphic designer. Cut it out to hang in your cubicle, or frame it for your home gallery wall. Show us where you hang them by tagging them on social media with #225prints.

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PHOTO BY COLLIN RICHIE / collinrichiephoto.com/ GET FEATURED We love collaborating with local photographers, artists and designers for this page! Shoot us an email at editor@225batonrouge.com to chat about being featured.