VOL. 1, NO. 15 / OCTOBER 22, 2009
ALSO: • Father Nathan and Huey Long • Butcher Roy is Back on the Block • Halloween Safety Tips • Doyle on a Nation Divided
Our Lady Queen of Heaven School’s 2nd Annual Celebrity/Amateur Chef
Featuring Celebrity Chef and Emcee John Folse Chef Folse will debut his newest book “Hooks, Lies & Alibi’s” He will be available to personally autograph your purchase!
Event Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 OLQH Family Life Center Gym Doors open at 6:30pm. Tickets $30 / $40 at the Door. Tickets available at OLQH School Office, 3908 Creole St. Lake Charles, LA. 477-7349
CALLING ALL CHEFS! COME SHARE YOUR CULINARY SPECIALTIES! Chef registration fee is $250. Register at OLQH School Office 3908 Creole St. Lake Charles, or contact Lisa Jakel or Diane Jackson at (337) 477-7349 or email: ljakel@olqhs.org
Attendees to fundraiser can purchase “Baron Bucs” the night of the event to vote for their favorite dish or chef! Last year’s winning Chef was Msgr. James Gaddy. All donations are tax deductible.
CASH AND PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE PAGE 2
OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
GENERAL 715 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 PUBLISHER Phil de Albuquerque
contents
lauren@thejambalayanews.com
EDITOR Lisa Yates lisa@thejambalayanews.com
CONTRIBUTORS Kay Andrews Leslie Berman Sara Blackwell George Cline James Doyle Dan Ellender T.C. Elliott Mike McHugh Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANT Patricia Prudhomme SALES ASSOCIATES Faye Drake Karla Tullos Lazette Procter Katy Corbello GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck ART/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Michelle LaVoie BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews
October 22, 2009 • Volume 1 • Issue 15
COVER STORY 19
publisher@thejambalayanews.com
NEWS MANAGING EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque
On Cover (left to right): Will Moreno, Sarah Gossett, John Pruitt, Anna Guidry, and Gunnar Goodwin, represent members of the Culinary Club at O.L.Q.H. School. Photo by Michelle LaVoie
Our Lady Queen of Heaven School Presents Taste-N-Tell
REGULARS 6 11 12 13 14 16 27
The Boiling Pot Tip’s Tips The Dang Yankee What’s Cookin’ The Zestful Life Doyle’s Place Sports Report
FEATURES 5 18 23 25
Halloween Safety Tips Bayou Biz: Butcher is Back on the Block Heavenly Highlights from OLQH School A Long Time Coming
5 25 19
ENTERTAINMENT 30 32 33 35 36 39 43 45
Red Hot Books Funbolaya Killin’ Time Crossword Family Night at the Movies Society Spice Jambalaya Jam The Local Jam Eclectic Company
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MARKETING INTERN Leslie Davis
The Jambalaya News is solely owned, published by The Jambalaya News, LLC, 826 Ford Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 436-7800. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The Jambalaya News cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Copyright 2009 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. Volume 1 • Issue 15
27 OCTOBER 22, 2009
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A Note From Lauren Dodging the Bullet Dare I say it? No one has wanted to talk about it all summer. And even with the arrival of a rainy autumn, everyone’s lips are sealed. So I’m going to say something I haven’t said since we’ve been down here: “We didn’t have any hurricanes this year.” There. It’s out. Even though, technically, we still have another month before Hurricane Season 2009 is officially over, I think it’s safe to say that we dodged a bullet. This is something that I’m not used to. When we arrived in Lake Charles in November of 2003, we inquired about the possibility of hurricanes. Everyone was pretty casual about it. The last serious one, they said, was in 1957. Generally, they just veer off course and go out to sea or up the East Coast, we were told. It appeared to be No Big Deal. The summer of 2004 was pretty quiet weather-wise, as I recall. At the end of August, we spent some time in Dauphin Island, Alabama, at a beach house that we purchased that year as vacation rental property. My cousins from Arizona and a dear friend from Boston came to visit. It was perfect.
Sept. 16 was my birthday. It was also the day Hurricane Ivan hit the Gulf Coast, and the beach house was destroyed. Some birthday present. That was just the start of it. Every year since then, until 2009, hurricanes have hit somewhere in our vicinity, and homes we own have been destroyed—the most recent being one on the Bolivar Peninsula that was swept out to sea by Ike last September. Many of our friends blame us for this upturn in hurricane activity, pointing out that since we came down from the North, weather hell has basically broken loose. We were beginning to believe them—until this year. It appears that El Niño has re-appeared to keep the monsters at bay, although, of course, forecasters are still warning us that it isn’t over until it’s over. Despite their dire predictions, as far as I’m concerned, we’re in the clear. And if you hear the sound of a grown man crying, that’s just Jim Cantore, sobbing into his lonely beer, longing for the good old days.
– Lauren de Albuquerque TJN
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
It will be trick-or-treat time soon— and the stores are jam-packed with costumes, decorations and ghoulish props. Here are a few safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that can protect your children and keep their holiday safe and fun. TREATS: Warn your children not to eat any treats until you’ve carefully examined them for evidence of tampering. It’s a good idea to feed them a filling meal before going out so they won’t be tempted. FLAME RESISTANT COSTUMES: When purchasing costumes, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label “Flame Resistant.” Although this label does not mean these items won’t catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles, etc., try to avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts. COSTUME DESIGNS: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists. • For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car’s headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light-colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores. • To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights. • Costumes should be short enough to prevent tripping and falling. • Trick or treaters should wear wellfitting, sturdy shoes. Mom’s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking. • Hats and scarves should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over your child’s eyes. Volume 1 • Issue 15
• Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have your child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision. • Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. Children should WALK, not run from house to house, and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. They must never run out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers. CHOOSING SAFE HOUSES: Make sure your children go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome. • Children should never enter homes or apartments unless an adult accompanies them. • People expecting trick-ortreaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o’-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jacko’-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited. GENERAL SAFETY: If your children are old enough to go out on their own, make sure they have a cell phone in case of an emergency. For further information on product safety, consumers may call the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s toll-free hotline on (800) 638-2772. Hearing impaired consumers may use TTY (301) 595-7054.
TJN OCTOBER 22, 2009
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The
Boiling
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Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com
has been the Head Teaching Professional at the Baton Rouge Country Club. Tracey says that he intends to introduce a new standard of member service and golf operations management at Gray Plantation. Tracey is already working with management to recruit a top notch teaching professional, as well as a new assistant professional.
Doug Gehrig, owner of Calcasieu Parish McDonald's and Ralph Wright, executive director of American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s Raises Funds for American Red Cross Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s recently donated $5,000 from their summer fundraiser to the American Red Cross of SWLA. McDonald’s held their 4th of July weekend fundraiser at all parish restaurants. A portion of every purchase was contributed to the fund for the American Red Cross of SWLA, which will assist the agency in its mission of helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters. For more information on Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s fundraising efforts for the American Red Cross of Southwest Louisiana, contact Jen Breen at (337) 478-7396 or jbreen@ocarroll.com. OBG-1 Expands Midwifery Service OBG-1 now offers its patients the services of two certified nurse midwives. Allison Hansen, C.N.M., has completed the necessary requirements and joins Bonnie Leger, C.N.M., in providing midwifery services with the cooperation and full resources of the physician team of OBG-1. Hansen has 19 years of nursing experience; the past three years have been with OBG-1. She graduated from the L.S.U. School of Nursing and received her master of science in nursing from the Allison Hansen University of Cincinnati, receiving clinical training in the last two years. OBG-1 provides health care for women, with offices in Lake Charles and Sulphur. For more information, call 312-1000 or visit www.obg-1.com. Gray Plantation Announces New Director of Golf The Gray Plantation Golf Club is excited to announce the hiring of Kevin Tracey as their new Director of Golf. Tracey previously worked in Austin at both The Hills Country Club and The Austin Country Club. Most recently, he PAGE 6
OCTOBER 22, 2009
The 2009 McNeese State University Homecoming Kings and Queens are from left: Darnell Pledger of Houma, Morgan Verrette of Lake Charles, Kaitlynn Ackoury of Moss Bluff, and Travis Lavergne of Grand Lake. MSU Picks 2009 Homecoming Kings and Queens McNeese Cowboy fans saw double at the 2009 Homecoming Court halftime presentation during the McNeese vs. Northwestern State football game on Oct. 17 in Cowboy Stadium. There are two queens and two kings—a first for MSU—thanks to the Student Government Association’s homecoming election rules for a tie vote. Kaitlynn Ackoury, a history senior from Moss Bluff, and Morgan Verrette, a chemical engineering senior from Lake Charles, will reign as McNeese’s 2009 Homecoming Queens, while Travis Lavergne, a criminal justice senior from Grand Lake, and Darnell Pledger, a graduate student in instructional technology from Houma, have both been named McNeese’s Homecoming Kings.
Kerry Onxley
Kerry Onxley Named 2009 Citizen of the Arts Kerry A. Onxley, founder and artistic director of The Children’s Theatre Company (CTC), was named the 2009 Citizen of the Arts at the annual Mayor’s Arts Award at the Central School Arts and Humanities Center Theatre in Lake Charles. The annual program honors the contributions of those individuals and groups who make a difference through arts and cultural activities. Onxley has directed productions at CTC for 25 seasons. He has served as a leadership coach for The Volume 1 • Issue 15
Educational Theatre Association and as state director for the Louisiana Thespians Association for 12 years. He helped form the Louisiana Theatre Festival, and is a state evaluator for Louisiana’s Talented Arts Program. Additionally, he is the general manager of Central School Theatre, a municipal theatre in Lake Charles. He is also the director of theatre at Westlake High School, teaching beginning, advanced and technical theatre.
SWLA Economic Development Alliance and Ken Broussard (right), Chamber & Foundation Chair of the Board of Directors and President/CEO of The Broussard Group. This donation is their 2009 pledge to the SWLA Alliance Foundation’s “SWLA on the Move” 5-year campaign. The Chamber and the SWLA Alliance Foundation are part of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance.
LyondellBasell Celebrates Lake Charles Polyolefins Site’s 50th Anniversary In 1954, two European scientists changed the world of chemistry with their scientific discovery of polymerizing propylene, a method now used in the development of consumer and industrial products. The research earned a Nobel Prize in 1963. Hercules Powder Company decided to build one of the world’s first polypropylene plants in Lake Charles, in 1959. Today, the Lake Charles plant produces polypropylene for LyondellBasell’s Polyolefins business. The site’s employees and contract workers celebrated its 50th anniversary on Oct. 14 at its facility on Hwy. 108 in Westlake with a special gathering of old friends and invited guests. From left to right: Jeanette Hansen (CCOA Member), Debbie Duhon (CCOA Program Manager), Gerald Hansen (CCOA Member), Shireen Santhanasamy (Marketing Coordinator), Frances Mills (CCOA, Sulphur Senior Center Coordinator) and Alexis Berthold (Marketing Assistant) Cameron Communications Gives $1,000 to CCOA Cameron Communications presented a check for $1,000 to Calcasieu Council on Aging (CCOA). The donation will be used for the Annual Halloween Bash and Health Fair on Friday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the SPAR Aquatic Center.
Above: CSB Donates $20,000 to the SWLA on the Move Campaign Bobby Broussard, Senior Vice President of Cameron State Bank, presented a check in the amount of $20,000 to George Swift (left), President/CEO of the
Volume 1 • Issue 15
“Logapalooza” a Huge Success “Logapalooza”—organized by the group Friends of Logan—raised over $44,000 at the softball tournament and benefit banquet recently for injured Sheriff ’s Deputy Logan Armistead. Over 200 donors and 50 volunteers, along with general support, helped make the event a success. Friends of Logan would
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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like to thank everyone for their continued support in his recovery. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office raffled off a Playstation 3, raising over $10,000. Donations to the Logan Armistead Benefit Account are still being accepted at any Cameron State Bank.
LAKE CHARLES TAX FORUM WED., OCT. 28, 2009 6-7 PM • POLICE JURY ROOM Participants: John DeRosier, Cal. Parish DA; Tony Mancuso, Cal. Parish Sheriff; Hal McMillin, Cal. Parish Police Jury and Mark McMurray, Cal. Parish Police Jury.
EARLY VOTING: 10/31 – 11/7/2009 • ELECTION: 11/14/2009 Contact Kay Andrews, President for additional information or to ask about becoming a member. Email info@lwv-lc.org or call 474-1864.
WCCH's Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center receives donation Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center of WCCH Receives Donation Krewe de Karoline held a benefit Poker Run in memory of Carol Breaux for the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. The event, which consisted of a poker run, barbeque and live auction, raised $8,700 for the center. A check in this amount was recently presented to Debby Nabours, Director of the WCCH Foundation and Paula Koonce, Director of the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center from representatives of the Krewe. The Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center provides outpatient occupational therapy services to the developmentally disabled in a non-traditional health care setting by utilizing hippotherapy. For more information, call (337) 625-3972. King Earns Top Certification In Wound Care Specialization Sharon King, R.N., Clinical Nurse Manager at the Wound Healing Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, has attained her wound board re-certification, a formal recognition of a master’s level knowledge and specialty practice in wound management. The certification is granted by the Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Certification Board, a national interdisciplinary certifying board for healthcare professionals involved in wound care. King, a resident of Sulphur, will attend yearly conSharon King, R.N. tinuing education courses to gain knowledge regarding the latest, most effective treatments as well as reimbursement laws. King will also draw on a vast resource network to confer with fellow healthcare providers holding the certification.
Pictured from left to right: Tommy McClelland, McNeese athletic director, Ronnie Walters, Sports Club at Graywood director, Magali Rosileo, McNeese women’s tennis coach, Kyle Clawson, Graywood assistant general manager, and Holly Stewart, Graywood special events coordinator. Graywood Announces Results of MSU Women’s Tennis Team Fundraiser Gray Stream, President of Graywood – a master planned community in South Lake Charles, announced today the results of the Textbook Rentals McNeese Women’s Tennis Team Fundraiser presented by the Sports Club at Graywood. A full slate of tennis players participated in the doubles tournament and the community came out to enjoy the wine tasting and silent auction the weekend of September 25-27. The total amount of the donation to the McNeese Women’s Tennis Team was $12,129.61. TJN PAGE 8
OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
Lake Area Classes, Seminars, Workshops “Up The Beaded Path” Beading Group with Charlotte Metcalf Meets Mondays 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Charleston Hotel and Gallery. All levels of expertise welcomed. Make new friends and become part of a networking group. Bring beads for a project and a lunch for break time. Register for more details at www.upthebeadedpath.com. Small Business Seminar at MSU Oct. 27 A seminar titled “Starting and Financing a Small Business” will be offered from 5-7:30 p.m., Oct. 27, at Epps Library, 1320 N. Simmons St., in Lake Charles, by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center at McNeese State University. This seminar is recommended for individuals interested in starting their own business. Information on financing a startup business, learning how to write a business plan and the expectations of lenders will be available. Cost is $10 and pre-registration is requested. For more information, contact the LSBDC at McNeese at (337) 475-5529 or go to LSBDC.MSU@lsbdc.org
League of WoMen Voters Forum Oct. 28 The League of WoMen Voters will conduct a forum on the three parishwide property tax proposals that will be on the Nov. 14 ballot, from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28, at the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Room, located at 1015 Pithon Street in Lake Charles. Speaking in support of these proposed taxes will be District Attorney John DeRosier, Police Jury President Hal McMillin, Police Jury Administrator Mark McMurry and Sheriff Tony Mancuso. Following the presentations, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions. The League of WoMen Voters is making this forum free to the public and encourages the community to attend and get informed on this very important tax issue. For additional information, please contact Lollion Elmer at 439-3896. Special Needs Workshop at MSU Nov. 4 A workshop titled “Ensuring Success for Your Child with Special Needs: How to Advocate for Your Child in School” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Nov. 4, in
Parra Ballroom of the Student Union Annex at McNeese State University. The workshop is sponsored by the McNeese psychology department, Louisiana Association for Behavior Analysis and Louisiana Advocacy Center. Registration is $25 per person; $5 for McNeese students with valid IDs. Seating is limited, so pre-registration is requested. Guest speaker is Melissa Losch, managing attorney for the special education legal group for the Louisiana Advocacy Center. For more information, or to register, contact Tiffani Carlin at (337) 562-4262. Health and Wellness Resource Fair Nov. 7 SWLA Center for Health Services will hold its annual Health and Wellness Resource Fair Sat., Nov. 7. The Fitness Center is hosting the Healthy Neighborhood Walk, which will begin at 7:30 a.m. There will be vendors representing businesses of all types. SWLA Center for Health Services will also be giving free blood pressure screenings, PSAs, sickle cell testing, glucose screenings, and more, along with free dental screenings for the first 60 children at the CITGO
Healthy Resource Center located in SWLA Center for Health Services. Seminars will be held throughout the morning on such topics as nutrition, diabetes, dental health, foot care, mental health, and substance abuse. Free food, food fun jumps, face painting, and more. Vendor’s booths are free. The deadline to register for a booth is Oct. 22. Please call Dianna Ross at 493-5123 for more information. WCCH Hosts Seminar on Managing Diabetes Nov. 10 A free seminar on diabetes management sponsored by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital will be held at 10 a.m., Tues., Nov. 10 at Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur. Featured speakers and topics for the seminar include Kelly Fuqua, M.D., “Complications of Diabetes,” and Tyson Green, D.P.M., “Put Your Feet First.” A cooking demonstration will also be provided by Leslie Petross, registered dietitian. A variety of vendors will be on hand to provide information. The seminar is free; however, seating is limited. To reserve a seat, please call (337) 527-5459. Refreshments will be served. TJN
SWLA Residents Raise $53,000 at Making Strides The American Cancer Society recently announced that more than $53,000 was raised at its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® event on Oct. 3 at Heritage Square in Sulphur. More than 850 dedicated community members participated in this inspirational five-mile walk to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate people about the disease and raise funds and awareness to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. The money raised through Making Strides helps the American Cancer Society to save lives by helping people stay well by: • taking steps to prevent cancer or find it early; • helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; • finding cures through investment in groundbreaking research; • fighting back by encouraging lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer; and • rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. Volume 1 • Issue 15
Sponsors of this year’s Southwest Louisiana Making Strides event included KPLC and First Federal Bank of Louisiana. For more information about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and other American Cancer Society breast cancer programs, call (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org/stridesonline. TJN
Left to right: Glenda Andrepont, breast cancer survivor, Sulphur Mayor Ron Leleux, and Renee Leleux, breast cancer survivor. OCTOBER 22, 2009
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Lake Charles Mayor’s Commission on Disability Seeking Nominations for 2009 Employer Recognition Awards The Employment Committee of the Lake Charles Mayor’s Commission on Disability invites citizens to submit nominations for the 2009 Lake Charles Employer Recognition Awards. The awards are presented to people and organizations whose contributions have advanced the opportunities for individuals with disabilities for full participation in life by providing employment opportunities. Employer Recognition Awards are presented annually, and are given to five employers in the following categories: Three awards in the for-profit businesses category and two awards in the non-profit businesses category. All other nominees receive honorary recognition. Considerations for nominating an employer are to include the following: • Hires individuals with disabilities as regular practice, • Accommodates employees with disabilities in the workplace, and
• Encourages policies and/or practices that demonstrate equitable treatment of employees, i.e., wages, promotions, benefits, etc. Nominations should include five copies of the nomination form, which are available at Community Services on the fifth floor of City Hall; a letter of nomination describing how the nominee has met the above criteria; and any supporting documents. Questions regarding the nomination may be directed to Esther Vincent, Mayor’s Liaison to the Commission, at 491-1440 or e-mail evincent@cityoflc.us. Nominations and supporting evidence are to be submitted to the Lake Charles Mayor’s Commission on Disability, Employment Committee, P.O. Box 900, Lake Charles, LA 706020900, Attn: Esther Vincent. Deadline for submission is October 30, 2009. TJN
Special Collection of Recipes from the Hunter Family and Friends to Benefit The Whistle Stop
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1602 W. McNeese St.
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Nic Hunter, owner of the Harlequin’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant, has assembled a collection of fine recipes in a special edition cookbook titled Nic & Friends, which he will sign and number. The cost is $25, and pre-orders are being taken now. All proceeds are to benefit the Whistle Stop. Orders should be mailed to the Whistle Stop, 1518 18th St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 or faxed to (337) 562-2144. The books will be available for pick up at the Harlequin’s book signing party on Nov. 8, between 5-7 p.m. Orders can also be picked up at the Whistle Stop after Nov. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or can be mailed for an additional $4 shipping charge. Those who purchase six copies receive the next copy free. The collection includes recipes from Joel Dondis, Donald Link, and Justin Sells. Selections include Crawfish Pasta Supreme, Crab Remick, Shrimp Creole, and Mrs. Hunter’s Banana Bread. For those with a sweet tooth, the collection contains desserts such as decadent Harlequin’s Baked Fudge and Bread
Pudding, Willie Mount’s Rum Cake and Kay Barnett’s Carrot Cake. Nic also shows you how to select the perfect cut of beef for any occasion. And for those who need a little extra advice on planning the perfect dinner party or holiday feast, the menus are all included, along with a recommended wine for each course. For more information contact the Whistle Stop at (337) 562-2344. TJN
Volume 1 • Issue 15
By George “Tip” Cline
Library Cards, Speed Traps, and Other Things Another little “Gotcha!” has just popped up in my life. Since I’ve been writing this column, one of my main concerns has been sharing awareness of ways that you are separated from your money. We purchased a new GM vehicle last year that included the onboard OnStar system that has phone service, directional service, emergency features and more. Well, the thing comes with 30 free minutes and a year of other free services. They offer you an additional 100 minutes for talking on the phone for a bargain price at your first contact with them—well, that’s the only way they can get your credit card number. When your free year is up, they can then automatically bill you for another month at not-so-great prices. My service was scheduled to terminate on Sept. 26. I called them on Sept. 24, informing them that I no longer needed or desired their service. I was informed that my credit card had already been processed on Sept. 23 for $27.46 for my next month’s service. I could not for the life of me see paying $329.52 a year for a service that I didn’t ask for, want or need. After regaining my composure, I was informed that blah, blah, blah (great sorrow for losing my patronage) and that my credit card would be credited back for $27.46. That was weeks ago. So I again called the good folks at OnStar and they connected me to their billing department, which said that they would credit my card within 3 to 5 days. What have they been doing in the interim? You can bet your bippy that I will be watching for that refund to reach my account! Use that library card! One of the best deals you will ever get is a library card. You have already paid for it in your taxes, so why don’t Volume 1 • Issue 15
you go get your money’s worth? Just show up at the library desk, give them a little personal information and they will hand you your card. How easy is that? They have literally thousands of titles to choose from: current best sellers and classics, reference and comedy— your choice. If there is a particular book you want, let them know and they will get it for you from another library if they don’t have it on their shelves. You can even access the library on-line to search for the books you want, check out your account, renew a checked-out book, and more. Audio books make driving more pleasant I get tired of listening to the car radio with the same old songs and the same old talk. So, I’ve been using my travel time to “read a book” on the radio. Most vehicles now have the capability to play CDs and MP3s and/or have inputs for other devices. Believe me, getting involved in a good book while driving can make the trip seem more pleasant and time will pass more quickly. It’s hands-free once you put the disk in and push play. Well, the good ole library is once again your friend. They carry and can get virtually any book that has been recorded, and there are more of them than you may want to imagine. I have “read” on CD some of the latest best sellers already, at no cost, just by picking them up at my local branch, playing them while I drive or, on a portable player when I want to multi-task at home. The library also has a large selection of DVDs and music CDs, for kids as well as adults (they even have Harry Potter recordings). So, you might want to take advantage of something you’ve already paid for. As always, it is up to you to get your money’s worth.
Big Brother redux Don’t you just love how so many new government programs are promoted for public safety? It seems every time a governmental entity wants to do something, it is almost always promoted for the safety of our citizens, making opposition look like folks are against needed safety issues. We talked about the camera issue in Sulphur (that was knocked down) where civil fines were going to be used for traffic violations caught on film. Now we are hearing that school bus cameras will be used to generate “civil” fines for violators. Of course, the company that provides the cameras receives 75 percent of the revenue, so the fines will be severe enough to enable enough worthwhile money will be left over for the governmental coffers. Now, you and I certainly want our children to be safe and secure while riding to and from school; who could be against that? I have stated before that I have the highest personal regard for Sheriff Mancuso and Chief Dixon, but I don’t believe that we need “Big Brother” to insure our public safety. All in all, our police and sheriff departments do a fantastic job protecting us, but there has to be limits on the ways laws are enforced and the ways that public monies are obtained. Those annoying speed traps Staying in the same vein, I have noticed of late that there seems to be an inordinately large number of “speed traps” being set up in the Lake Charles area. Now, we know that the economy is not as robust as it once was and that there are calls for new, as well as the renewal of, tax levies. Government does require funding to function. It just seems to me that the number of speed traps looks more like a money grab than anything else. Setting them up on Sunday when church lets out seems to be an attempt
to fleece a new and different flock than the Saturday night or Friday after-work crowd. No, I have not been caught in one so I am not grinding an axe on this point. I just believe that law enforcement should be about protecting and serving rather than emulating Woodworth and Provencal as models of good government. I am thankful that our Legislature has begun to curtail some of those abuses of power. Hopefully, they will do more. We all have to learn to live within our means. As our revenue stream becomes affected by changes in the economy, we adapt. We need to let our elected officials know we understand what they are doing when they try to ignore the plight of the populace. They can cut back as well as we can. Budget cutting is not fun, but it’s necessary when the cash flow lessens. Hold their feet to the fire and make them eliminate expenditures and programs just like we have to do in our family finances. Eyes on the register Have you noticed that a lot of cash register tapes are hard to read? Think they are just running low on ink by mistake? Sure they save a little money on stretching the ink supply, but if you don’t watch what is being charged, you could be getting a real bad deal. Keep a sharp eye on the screen that shows what you are being charged while they are checking your items out. If you have to go to Customer No-Service to have the right price charged, pack a lunch. Make sure that the price you are charged at the register is the price you are supposed to be paying. If you find this column of interest, let The Jambalaya News know. Comments, suggestions, ideas, info, etc. are welcome. Send to lauren@thejambalayanews.com. TJN
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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Dang Yankee The
By Mike McHugh
Louisiana Halloween One thing that isn’t much different down here than it was back in Yankee Land is the way we celebrate Halloween. In both places, our children engage in the ritual of trick or treat, with the most ambitious ones gathering enough sweets to fill the holds of a Spanish galleon. This is much to the dismay of the parents, who must then spend until Thanksgiving inspecting the booty to ensure the safety of each and every item. All the while the children become more impatient than holiday travelers waiting through airport security.
Back around 1967 or so, when I roamed the streets on Halloween, we kids were duly warned to beware the dreaded apple with the hidden razor blade. We all had heard the stories about the second cousin of a classmate’s friend who’d suffered a terrible fate from this infamous piece of fruit. As far as I know, none of the stories were ever actually substantiated, and I wonder if this apple was as much legend as the one that the wicked queen gave to Sleeping Beauty. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not out to belittle the risks that our children face in these precarious times, not the
least of which are health hazards associated with the consumption of such volume of sugary sweets. The media constantly reminds us of this, so it’s got to be true. Back in the day, we were all blissfully ignorant of such matters, and it makes me wonder how our generation ever survived to adulthood. Yes, it seems that child molesters lurking behind those front doors are the least of our worries. After all, with all of the restrictions now in place on where convicted sex-offenders can live, most of them have been forced to take up residence on the moon. Back in Yankee Land, we had so few trick-or-treaters come to our door that I wondered sometimes if there was some kind of ugly rumor going around the neighborhood about us. Each year, we would fill the back of our SUV with crates of candy from Sam’s Club- -you always have to prepare for an onslaught—and then maybe three children would show up at the door all evening. Over the ensuing weeks, my wife and I would be forced risk our very lives and consume the undistributed treats ourselves. Here in Louisiana, the difference is like night and day. They come in an
endless stream; we never even bother to leave the doorway. I think that some kids come from Ohio just to trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. Maybe the residents up there have heeded the health warnings and started giving out granola bars that taste like pine bark, driving the hordes with their poly-steel reinforced sacks south to seek sweeter fortunes. It’s not the children’s behavior that most amazes me about Halloween; rather, it’s what we adults do. Think about it: We all dress up in costumes, often at great expense, to pretend we’re somebody that we’re not, and go to parties. What’s worse, some of us even like to act out the characters we portray. This often tends to put somewhat of a damper on the festivities. I’ll tell you one thing- this year, If I go to a party and some drunk comes in wielding a chainsaw like some character from a cheap horror movie, I’m going to make a quick, but credible excuse to the host. Maybe I’ll tell him that I forgot to defragment my computer hard drive, and then I’ll make a hasty exit. There seem to be a lot more Halloween parties here in Louisiana than I was used to in Yankee Land. The trouble with that is, you don’t dare wear the same costume to different parties, even in different years. This rule is often enforced by the hosts in the setting of party themes with very specific costume guidelines. For instance, one might be instructed to “Dress as Your Favorite Winnie the Pooh Character.” And then, you are challenged to come up with something original that no one else would be wearing. This takes very careful deliberation on the part of the guest. You usually need to start thinking about it in July. As a result of this, half of my walk-in closet is taken up by Halloween costumes from parties going back to about 1980. After all, having worn each only once, I can’t justify getting rid of them. This year, I’m invited to a party where the theme is “Dress as Your Favorite Character from a Cop Show.” I got this one figured out—I’m going as a plainclothes detective. Mike McHugh is an engineer at Sasol North America, Inc. He and his wife Susan hail from the border state of Maryland and thoroughly love living in Southwest Louisiana. He is also the author of "Road Kill Gumbo," a newly created blog containing satire about news and life in Louisiana. You can find it on the Internet at www.roadkillgumbo.com.
TJN
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
If you have a recipe and story you would like to share, e-mail us at lauren@thejambalayanews.com
What’s Cookin’
Creole For the Soul To commemorate the golden anniversary of Our Lady Queen of Heaven School, a treasure trove of heavenly recipes from family and friends was compiled into a delightful cookbook, illustrated by local artist Felix Falgoust. Creole for the Soul can be purchased at the school for $24.95. It would make it a great Christmas gift for the cook in your life. TJN
Spicy Grits with Shrimp INGREDIENTS • 3 cups water • 1 cup whipping cream • ¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter • Salt to taste • 1 cup quick-cooking grits • 1 pound fresh shrimp, cooked, peeled and deveined • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or Pepper Jack cheese • Garlic powder to taste • Butter to taste • Louisiana hot pepper sauce to taste • Finely chopped green onions (optional) • Shredded Pepper Jack cheese (optional)
Volume 1 • Issue 15
PREPARATION Bring the water, cream, butter and salt to a medium boil in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the grits. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes or until the mixture is smooth, stirring constantly. Stir in shrimp, cheese and garlic powder; then stir in butter to taste and hot pepper sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with Pepper Jack cheese and green onions. Serves 4
Ryan St. Red Beans and Rice INGREDIENTS • 2 pounds dried red kidney beans • 4 to 5 quarts water • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 2 onions, finely chopped • 1 bay leaf • Creole seasoning to taste • ¼ cup packed brown sugar • 1 (10-ounce) can of tomatoes with green chili peppers • 2 pounds smoked sausage, sliced • 10 cups cooked rice • Louisiana hot pepper sauce to taste
green chili peppers and sausage. Simmer for 1 hour, skimming the surface as needed and mashing a small portion of the beans after 40 minutes to thicken the gravy, if desired. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Serve over rice with hot pepper sauce. Serves 10 Enjoy!
PREPARATION Sort and rinse beans. Place beans in 7-quart Dutch oven. Add water, garlic, onions, bay leaf and Creole seasoning. Simmer for two hours or until beans are soft, adding additional water as needed. Add brown sugar, tomatoes with
OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 13
2 DAYS ONLY NOV. 6-7
Jewelry Trunk Show 10am to 6:30 pm
Large selection of beautiful Victorian and Antique Style Jewelry. Rolexes and other Fine Watches. Gemologist on staff.
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Meeting Other Mothers in SWLA By Sara Blackwell Are you looking to connect with other moms of young children for advice, support and camaraderie? Instead of stalking mothers at the park or waiting in the toy aisle in hopes of a chance “mother meeting,” try one of several well-organized parent meet-up groups in the Southwest Louisiana area. True fellowship can be found at Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS), Stroller Strides, Mothers Day Out (MDO), or your local health club.
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
MOPS is a group specifically created for mothers of children from birth through preschool. The meetings are intended to celebrate the joy of motherhood and encourage each member in the most important responsibility of their life—-raising their children. In the United States alone, there are over 3,900 MOPS groups and the numbers continue are growing. Currently, MOPS has expanded to over 35 countries around the world. First Baptist Church of DeRidder offers the MOPS program, with meetings held on the first and third Friday of each month from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The group includes approximately 1520 women, with attendance growing each month. Here, childcare is provided while mothers participate in devotions, crafts, and discussion groups. Of course, there’s always a large array of food and snacks. “We talk about raising children and, we encourage each mother, letting them know they are not alone,” said Heidi Lea, one of the leaders of the DeRidder group. The cost is $5 per class, with a fee of $23.95 each year.
Volume 1 • Issue 15
Like First Baptist of DeRidder, Trinity Baptist Church on the corner of Country Club and Nelson Road in Lake Charles offers MOPS the same days and hours. Over 50 attendees enjoy the different events that are planned at each meeting, such as guest speakers who discuss a variety of topics (financial planning, women’s issues, and more); arts and crafts classes, and discussion groups where women share personal aspects of their lives. The cost is merely $3 per class, with a yearly fee of $23.95. If MOPS is not the meet-up group for you, there are several other groups available. Stroller Strides is a great way to meet other mothers and get a great workout at the same time. The workout includes a 60-minute power walk combined with exercises based around the stroller and on the use of exercise tubing. The exercise can be modified for any physical fitness level. During the workout, you can sing and talk to your child to keep him/her entertained. Here are Stroller Strides times and locations:
It’s great to join meet-up groups, but it is also enjoyable for mothers to have some much-needed time without their offspring. Many local churches offer Mothers Day Out (MDO) several mornings each week. MDO is a four-to five-hour daycare service offered on specific days depending on the location. It is typically costefficient, and the atmosphere provided is loving and safe. Placing children in this program permits moms to do anything they want for
several hours, which is an exceptional treat for most stay-at-homers. A similar stay-at-home mom treat is joining a local health club. Find one that has childcare services, so you can leave your little one in good hands while you get fit. Most stay-at-home mothers that are active members of local gyms take aerobic and toning classes between 8 a.m. to noon. This is an excellent way to meet other mothers, keep in shape, and give your child time to play with other children and hone their social skills.
For more information on MOPS, contact Trinity Baptist Church, (337) 480-1555 or First Baptist Church of DeRidder, (337) 463-9047. For more information on Stroller Strides, contact Courtney LeBlanc at (337) 263-5708 or Jenni Trowell at (337) 375-5529.
TJN
• Monday: 8:30 a.m. at Prien Lake Park • Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Drew Park • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. at Prien Lake Park • Thursday: 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Prien Lake Park • Friday: 8:30 a.m. at Prien Lake Park Saturday classes are available at 8:30 a.m. with the location varying each week. If the weather does not permit the class to take place outside, it is held at Prien Lake Mall at 8:30 a.m. only. Babies must be at least six weeks old to attend the class, and the first few classes are free. After the free trial, classes are $10 for a single class, $250 for a six-month membership, and there are other great pricing options. There is a one-time registration fee of $50, which provides a Stroller Strides shirt, discount card for the online store, welcome packet and other fun items. The leaders of Stroller Strides are beginning new classes called Luna Mom’s Playgroups and Mom’s Night Out. These groups allow kids to play together while mothers enjoy fellowship with one another.
Volume 1 • Issue 15
OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 15
Doyle By Jim
A Country More Divided
According to a 2001 study of intentional animal abuse published by the Humane Society of the United States, 13 percent of these cases involved incidents of domestic violence, 7 percent coincided with child abuse and 1 percent with elder abuse.
Sponsored by
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
As far as political matters are concerned, as many of you already know, I am in a distinct minority both in my community and in my family. The most frequent comment my brother Thomas makes to me is: “How in the world did you turn out like this? Our Daddy would turn over in his grave if he heard you.” Most of my children feel the same way. But they get most of their news from FOX and the Drudge Report, so I guess they really can’t help themselves. And therein lies the tale. I am a proud graduate of the journalism school of the University of Southern Mississippi. No snide remarks, please; they certainly do know how to read and write in that state. Or at least, they did when I was there. Through a string of improbable circumstances, I was lucky enough to get a paying job at age 21 with a major daily newspaper, The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate. That gave me a ringside seat as a practicing journalist to the shenanigans taking place in the Watergate scandal and the wind-up of the Vietnam War. You might say my brethren in the media in those days developed a healthy skepticism about whether or not government was telling them the truth. Even in that superheated world, when George McGovern ran his doomed race against President Nixon on a platform of unilateral withdrawal from Vietnam, you never heard anyone call him a communist. You certainly never heard anyone shout out insults to him during a news conference, not even when he picked a bona fide former psychiatric patient as his vice president. Then, as now, there are two sides, and more, to every argument. The only difference I can see, really, is
that today we have lots of folks with media platforms screaming from either side of the spectrum to their respective choirs. There is that old saw—you’ve probably heard it—that sometimes the preacher is only talking to the already-convinced, leading to a chorus of amen’s from the choristers. That’s what I see happening today. My beloved right-winged sons and my brother listen to FOX News because they can find any number of “DAMN RIGHT!” moments in any given newscast. When I could get it, I watched MSNBC for the same reason. So far, so good. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop with words anymore. Folks, I don’t mean this to be just another grumbling session. I really believe this is something to worry about. As our country becomes more divided, these issues become more critical. And I don’t believe it’s just me. I have seen these things on the public airways, and they ought to give us all cause for concern: • A representative from South Carolina shouting at the president during his address to a joint session of Congress. It doesn’t matter what he said. It was the moral equivalent of throwing a shoe at President Bush. And that guy got arrested. • A talking head that has a network platform granted him by the former media manager for the Republican Party calling our mixedrace president a “racist” who “hates white people” and who has “a deepseated hatred for white people or the white culture.” • The glee expressed by a disturbingly large minority that the United States lost the 2016 Olympics after President Obama intervened. Volume 1 • Issue 15
• The same bunch shouting in unison about President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize award. • People wearing guns, for God’s sake, in the crowd at a presidential town hall meeting. Our current environment is, I’m afraid, something new. It is led by people who have an agenda, and that agenda is to destroy the trust and confidence a functioning society must have in its government, led, in our case, by a president elected with 53 percent of the popular vote and 365 electoral votes. Rush Limbaugh has become the poster boy for the Democrats’ “pushback” against “right wing media.” I was, in the not-so-distant past, a regular Rush listener. But I think he’s changed, and not for the better. He used to make me laugh. He used to “expose absurdity by being absurd.” Now he’s just another monstershouter trying to scare the bejesus out of people with rants about death panels and communists. The only encouraging thing is, so far as he and Glenn Beck are concerned, their statements are no longer cost-free. Limbaugh, a one-time public relations guy for the Kansas City Royals
and sports broadcaster, has long wanted to be a big-time sports owner. But his effort to buy a share of the St. Louis Rams fell by the wayside when African-American athletes rose up in unison to object, based on Rush’s comments about black athletes, notably Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb. Beck’s outrageous statements about President Obama led directly to the loss of at least 33 advertisers for his show. There is something in the wind here that bothers me. Not just the hint of violence, although that is certainly part of it. I just don’t feel the same unity and sense of community in this country I felt in my youth. Politics has become way too important and far too loud. “Reasonable people can disagree,” has moved out of the common lexicon, replaced by name-calling and outrageous attacks, led too often by hired guns representing commercial interests with a stake in the outcome. We have been in a state of upheaval since the waning days of the Bush presidency, pushed into a lack of confidence in everything from our financial system to our food supply. In such a state, the loudest voices
often command the most attention, not because they’re right or even because they have a solution to our problems. They don’t. It’s because they’re exceptionally good at rousing the populace through fear and bogeymen. We’ve been here before. During the Depression, you could hear the same loud voices. One was Father Charles Coughlin, whose broadcasts ultimately turned to anti-Semitic rants and support for the policies of Hitler and Mussolini. His show was enormously popular, drawing 80,000 letters a week from his audience. He was removed from the airwaves one month after the German invasion of Poland when the Code Committee of the National Association of Broadcasters adopted new rules placing “rigid limitations on the sale of radio time to spokesmen of controversial public issues.” After the war, in 1949, the Federal Communications Commission instituted the Fairness Doctrine, which it removed after Regan appointees gained a majority. Some favor reimposition of that doctrine today. I would have less of a problem with the FOX and MSNBC’s of the
world if they were honest about who they are. But when they’re not, then they run the risk of becoming nothing more than rabble-rousers for a certain point of view. Anyway, as Dennis Miller used to say, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong. Let me take a short break from this stentorian analysis to welcome Stratton’s girlfriend Jo Burns to the United States. It’s her first trip. She had her 25th birthday while visiting, and, as far as I can tell, she and Stratton aren’t tired of each other yet. Young love does wonders to convince even an old cynic like me that anything is possible. For them, anyway. If you happen to see Stratton and his beautiful girl anywhere on the highways and byways, please give them a tip of the hat and say hello. In the meantime, I’m going to crawl back into my corner and try to find a TV station I agree with. See you guys on the flip. TJN
Hope Therapy Center Hope Therapy Center is a comprehensive outpatient clinic located on East Prien Lake Road here in Lake Charles. We provide physical, occupational and speech therapy services for patients of all ages. We love what we do and are excited for the opportunity to provide services for you or your family member. If you wish to know more about our programs, check out our website at www.hopetherapycenter.net From left to right: Jill Willis,PTA; Sonya M. Brooks, Owner, MA, CCC-SLP; Kim B. Anderson, Owner, PT, DPT; Mika Doucet, LOTR, MOT; and seated Emily D. Pelican, MS, CF-SLP.
Left to right: Cindy Istre, Office Manager and Cyndy Lirette, Administrative Assistant.
Volume 1 • Issue 15
OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 17
By Lisa Yates
Maddie Bell, manager/cook, and Terry Johnson of Roy’s Meat Market
Iowa Butcher is Back on the Block If you’re hungry for cracklin, boudin, a Po-boy or a plate lunch, you now have a new option in Roy’s Meat Market. Louis Roy Jr., owns the café located at 401 S. Thompson St., in Iowa. He retired, selling the business to his son, but he’s back – out of retirement - running the business again. Good home-cooked plate lunches are the specialty of the market, priced at $5.99 and served 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. Hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; and, 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The store is managed by Maddie Bell, who is also the store’s cook. She said Roy’s is familiar to Southwest Louisiana fans of Cajun cuisine.
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
“Mr. Roy started in the business as a kid working for his daddy,” she said. “He had a business in Moss Bluff, then Welsh, and then Iowa.” Bell said 65-year-old Roy divided his time between the Iowa store and a new store they opened this September in Lake Charles. “I worked for him for three years in Moss Bluff,” Bell said. “He called and said he wanted to open another store. We started in July getting the (Lake Charles) store ready to open.” However, Roy decided to close the Lake Charles location in October to focus on the Iowa store. He said his employees have joined him at the Iowa location. ‘Oven-ready’ meats In addition to plate lunches, the Iowa store offers partially prepared foods called “oven-ready meats.” This means essentially that the chicken breasts might already be boned and marinated; the beef cut up and slipped onto skewers. “All of our meat in the case is stuffed, seasoned and ready to cook,” Bell said. “Smoked, stuffed meats are already cooked. All you have to do is heat and they are ready to go.” The store offers a superb selection of semi-prepared, oven-ready meats, including:
• Stuffed, seasoned rib eyes • Smoked pork ribs • Stuffed pork chops and chicken breasts • Beef tongue • Stuffed quail • Stuffed pork or beef roasts • Boneless stuffed chickens • Stuffed Cornish game hens • Pork Tasso • Stuffed and smoked Ponce • Pork, mixed, green onion, and jalapeno sausages The Iowa shop also stocks hardto-find rabbit, venison and game sausages – including alligator! You can also find rabbit in the meat counter at Roy’s Meat Market. “We have filets and whole rabbits in the back,” Bell said. She said all of the meat in the store is seasoned with Roy’s Meat Market own seasoning. Bell said the seasoning flavors all of the prepared meats at the store. Bell added it’s all you need to add flavor to any dish. “Cover your meat with it – you don’t need to add any other seasoning,” she said. You can also find an assortment of Targil and Southern Spice brands of steak and barbeque sauces; roux; injectable seasonings; along with a variety of rubs, bastes and sprays. “We have everything you need to season a pig for a Cochon de Lait – pig roast,” Bell said.
bring in a turkey or ham and we’ll smoke it for you, for Thanksgiving. Call ahead, first.” She said this service is popular with business owners, who provide smoked turkeys and hams for their customers and employees during the holiday season. Bell said the store has a large following of loyal customers. “A lot of people come from the Cajun Music Association,” Bell said. “Mr. Roy was a past president of the Cajun Music Association; he has a lot of friends; and, his friends come here.” For more information, call (337) 582-2220, or visit at 401 S. Thompson St. in Iowa. Store hours are from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 8 a.m.-noon, Sat.; 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. plate lunches served.
TJN
Smoked turkeys and hams Bell said the store will smoke turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving in its hardwood smoker. “We have a smoker out back,” she said. “You can
Volume 1 • Issue 15
Photo by Michelle LaVoie
Will Moreno, 13, left; Sarah Gossett, 12; John Pruitt, 13; Anna Guidry, 12; and, Gunnar Goodwin, 12, represent members of the Culinary Club at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School.
By Lisa Yates
Creole for the Soul, is a collection of recipes from parents, teachers and the O.L.Q.H. community, with an introduction written by Chef Folse. Volume 1 • Issue 15
Normally it’s not polite for guests to critique their host’s cooking, but Our Lady Queen of Heaven School encourages it. At least it will during the “Taste-NTell” Showcase – a fundraising event for O.L.Q.H. School - emceed by Celebrity Chef John Folse! Chef Folse also will debut his newest book, Hooks, Lies, & Alibis, with a book signing at the event. The tasting begins at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 9, at O.L.Q.H.’s Family Life Community Center, 3939 Msgr. DeBlanc Place, in Lake Charles. Tickets for the event are priced at $30, in advance, $40 at the door. Lisa Jakel, O.L.Q.H. School Director of Public Relations, said amateur and professional celebrity chefs will prepare dishes in three categories – appetizers, main entrées and desserts. She said audience members will taste all, and then choose a winner from each category. “The winners will be decided by the chef ’s ‘Baron Bucket’ of tips,” she said. “Our mascot is the Baron, so we
sell ‘Baron Bucks’ at the door for you to place in the buckets of your favorite dishes.” She said winners from each category will receive an autographed copy of Hooks, Lies, & Alibis, and be named “Chefs of the Year” at Our Lady Queen of Heaven. “Last year, Monsignor Gaddy won by a landslide,” she said. “He made his awardwinning Pecan Trout.” Jakel said the school is asking the area’s top amateur and professional chefs to prepare their signature dishes at the fundraising event. The chef registration fee is a $250, which is tax-deductible. Chefs interested in participating should contact her at (337) 477-7349, or ljakel@olqhs.org. “We are expecting 25 to 30 guest amateur/celebrity chefs to participate,” she said. “The most special treat of all is that our friend, Chef John Folse, will be our emcee and actually do his own taste test of all dishes entered. Best of all, he unveils his brand new book Hooks, Lies, & Alibis on this very special night. It will be available for purchase, and he will also do a book signing for all.” OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 19
Chef John Folse autographs aprons for OLQH students at White Oak Plantation.
Chef John Folse PAGE 20
OCTOBER 22, 2009
ABOUT HOOKS, LIES, & ALIBIS Chef Folse said the title Hooks, Lies, & Alibis pays tribute to Louisiana’s time-honored fish and seafood tradition and cuisine. “Louisiana is blessed with bountiful waters,” he said, in a released statement. “I think we forget as Louisianans that these delicacies of fresh fish, shrimp, crab, oysters, crawfish, turtles, frogs and alligators are not commonplace on the tables of most of the world. For centuries, Louisiana cooks and chefs have created culinary masterpieces with these raw ingredients. We decided it was time to record some of our new creations while preserving, once and for all in one volume, Louisiana’s signature fish and seafood dishes.” He said recipes are our heritage; and, he hopes this book helps preserve our Louisiana way of life through the foods we eat. Hooks, Lies, & Alibis is approximately 850 pages, with more than 600 fish, seafood and related recipes. It retails for a price of $59.95, and makes its worldwide debut at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School during “Taste-N-Tell,” where Chef Folse will autograph it for you. Chef Folse told The Jambalaya News he is happy to donate his time to O.L.Q.H. School. “I have traveled throughout the state, the nation and around the world,” he said. “I have been in many classrooms and visited with many students and teachers. I have never experienced a more dedicated staff of educators anywhere than at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School in Lake Charles. “I am always impressed at how they take an event, a thought, a book, and develop age appropriate lessons that involve the entire school. At Our Lady Queen of Heaven, every moment is a teachable moment. I hope parents know how enriched and blessed their
children are who attend Our Lady Queen of Heaven.” Chef Folse also launched two previous books at the school: The Encyclopedia of Cajun and Creole Cuisine; and, After the Hunt. He said he is looking forward to launching Hooks, Lies, & Alibis at the school, during this year’s fundraiser. “My experience at Our Lady Queen of Heaven is always so much more than a book signing,” he said. “The pre-publicity is, well, extreme. I feel like the entire city of Lake Charles is awaiting my arrival, like Santa Claus was coming to town. The children sing songs about the book; they have art contests among the classes to see which student can best draw the cover; they have lessons associated with the book content. Book signings at Our Lady Queen of Heaven are always, excuse the pun, divine!” HOW IT ALL BEGAN The annual event is easily O.L.Q.H. School’s most popular event, with the students and the entire staff looking forward to the arrival of Chef Folse. Jakel said “Taste-N-Tell” evolved from an annual luncheon and demonstration Chef Folse did for the school. “Chef Folse came to Our Lady Queen of Heaven in 2001, to dedicate our new cafeteria,” she said. “It was love at first sight! He was amazed at the level of dedication of both the staff and the parents, and the unique talent and energy of our students. He has said many times that we, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, have the whole package – which includes the everlasting support of the church and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish.” Jakel said this is the second year of “TasteN-Tell.” “This event is our second year to introduce this fundraiser, actually,” she said. “We did it
Chef John Folse visits with Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach at Taste-N-Tell. Volume 1 • Issue 15
in conjunction with our 50th Birthday Gala last year, and it was a huge success! It is a unique fundraiser because it invites the culinary talents of parishioners and area residents of Southwest Louisiana.” Jakel explained her personal connection to Chef Folse. “My connection to John Folse first began when I taught school for Calcasieu Parish, got my master’s degree in administration, and was hired by John to be his very first administrative assistant. That was in the year 1987, and the journey working alongside with him was incredible!” After working for Chef Folse for three years, Jakel returned to education and started raising a family. She said she has remained close to the celebrity chef throughout the years. “It is amazing what he gives of himself to others,” she said. “He has ALWAYS been that way – an Ambassador for Louisiana, so to speak.” O.L.Q.H. SCHOOL CULINARY CLUB Chef Folse also serves as the inspiration behind the school’s culinary club. There’s even a caricature of him on the back of the club’s T-shirts and aprons. Jakel was told the club was the first of its kind in the nation! “Four years ago, a student here, David Chehotsky, was inspired by all of the travels and culinary experiences of Chef John Folse and asked if we could start a culinary club,” she said. “I said ‘sure,’ thinking we may have about 13 members. Low and behold, we had 85 our first year!” That first year, Chef Folse inducted the entire club into the Culinary Hall of Fame, she added.
Members of the culinary club will be on hand to assist Chef Folse and the other chefs at the “Taste-N-Tell” event, including 13-year-old Will Moreno, 12-year-old Sarah Gossett, 13-year-old John Pruitt, 12-year-old Anna Guidry and 12year-old Gunnar Goodwin. Seventh-grade students, Anna Guidry, Sarah Gossett and Gunnar Goodwin, have been members of the club for two years. “I like learning to cook and do things in the kitchen,” Anna said, explaining her reason for participating in the club. Sarah also enjoys cooking and participating in club field trips. “I like learning new recipes and meeting the cooks,” she said. “I helped cook jambalaya at White Oak.” Gunnar sees the club as a way to learn a practical skill he can use for the rest of his life. “I like learning to cook, so when my parents are out I can cook something for myself,” he said. Will Moreno and John Pruitt are both eighth-graders and thirdyear culinary club members. “I like learning to cook,” Will said. “And, I like cooking.” John said he also enjoys cooking and participating in club activities. “I like learning to cook – and eating!” he said.
Jakel said every month club members visit a restaurant or have a chef come to the school to work with the students on culinary techniques. “All experiences are hands-on,” she said. “We always go to Sowela first. Chef Joe Heacock and his students are amazing! We will go to L’Auberge again this year, visiting Snake River Grille, seeing all the expertise that goes on there. It’s amazing and the kids love it!” Jakel said there’s a tradition where one of the student’s grandparents demonstrates and cooks a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. “Grandmother Gloria Hebert shows them firsthand how to really clean and bake Tom Turkey himself,” she said. “We’ve also prepared sushi and lots of desserts, including contributing sweets to the annual O.L.Q.H. annual church picnic.
Monsignor James Gaddy demonstrates his culinary skills at Taste-N-Tell.
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 21
Anytime we can cook and contribute to others, we do it. We also helped immensely last year in the sale of O.L.Q.H.’s new cookbook: Creole for the Soul. The dedication was written by John Folse, and the recipes are collaboration from parents, teachers and our O.L.Q.H. community.” Lisa Jakel, Dawn Witherwax and Pam Goodwin are sponsors of the culinary club. Goodwin is a parent with three children participating in the club. She said each year the club has averaged about 80 members. This year, there are 94 members of the culinary club. “I love seeing their excitement about everything,” she said. Jakel said their favorite activities include visiting Chef John Folse at White Oak Plantation and visiting L.S.U. in Baton Rouge to learn how to feed a hungry Tiger! “We go to L.S.U. Alumni Center, where they feed the entire L.S.U. Football Team on game day,” she said. “We even sample the good luck cookies that Coach Miles feeds his team right before they head to the stadium!”
Patrons; $500, for Bienville Patrons; $250, for Remoulade Patrons; and, $100, for Creole Patrons. For details on sponsorships and contribution levels, call Lisa Jakel or Diane Jackson at Our Lady Queen of Heaven School at (337) 477-7349, or e-mail to ljalel@olqh.org. All sponsoring patrons will be listed on a beautiful banner at the event; and, also their names will appear on the programs handed out to those in attendance. “Taste-N-Tell” is organized by an all-volunteer committee with Lisa Jakel, director of development, publicity and chefs; Diane Jackson, ticket sales; Tricia Guidry, Kandy Moreno and Susan Pruitt, decorating committee; Lillian Lundy, volunteers; Margaret Wright and Tracy Kadlabar, arrangement committee; and, Susan Vincent and Hope Snider, recruitment of chefs. Anyone who has attended “Taste-N-Tell” knows the event draws an interesting, eclectic crowd. Business men and women just off work downtown, still sporting suits and ties, mix with
folks from the community in casual attire, creating no resemblance to the kind of stuffy image the phrase “fundraising event” conjures up. It is certainly not a black-tie affair. Jakel said people come because it’s a fun, exciting event with delicious food. “Last year at Graywood, there were so many people it was standing-room only,” she said. “Everybody wanted to be in the same area as the chefs.” To purchase tickets in advance, visit Our Lady Queen of Heaven School, at 3908 Creole Street in Lake Charles. All proceeds are tax-deductible. TJN Kandy Moreno, left, Trisha Guidry, Lisa Jakel and Susan Pruitt at Le Soiree.
FUNDRAISING GOAL To keep meaningful educational programs like these operational, the school relies on fundraising events such as “Taste-N-Tell.” Jakel said the fundraising goal is $40,000, this year. “We aim high,” she said. “It’s easy to do here. We have the most wonderful community that supports all of our endeavors!” Sponsorships for “Taste-N-Tell” are available at $2,500, for Caviar Patrons; $1,000, for Rockerfeller
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
Our Lady Queen of Heaven School recently announced its “Heavenly Highlights” fundraising events for the 2009-2010 school year. Lisa Jakel, the school’s director of public relations, spoke with The Jambalaya News to tell us about some of the events; and, share this year’s mission: “Learning and Living the Good News: The Legacy Continues.” She said OLQH School celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and is
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continuing, planning for the future of the spiritual and academic education for all of its students. “Our Lady Queen of Heaven School is hopeful that the next 50 years are as successful as the first 50 years have been,” she said. If you want to help continue the legacy, here’s your chance. Participate in any, or all, of the school’s “Heavenly Highlights,” including the following:
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Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 “Heavenly Run for Others” O.L.Q.H. School Race begins at 8 a.m. Registration is from 6:30-7:30 a.m.; cost is $20 for individuals, with $70 for families. All proceeds from this event benefit the special education department at O.L.Q.H. Special trophies and awards will be given to the first and second place finishers in the 5K for overall male and female winners and groups ages 0-14; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 5059; 60-69; and 70-plus. Also, all 1K participants will receive an award. New this year is the Best Costume & Most Creative Costume contest. There’s an individual and group award in this category. For more information about this event, contact the school at (337) 4777349, e-mail to olqhs@olqhs.org, or online at www.olqhs.org. Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009 Chef Folse “Taste-N-Tell” Showcase O.L.Q.H. FLCC Gym Tasting begins at 6:30 p.m. The “Taste-N-Tell” Showcase – a fundraising event for O.L.Q.H. School - emceed by Celebrity Chef John Folse!
Chef Folse also will debut his newest book, Hooks, Lies, & Alibis, with a book signing at the event. Tickets for the event are priced at $30, in advance, $40 at the door. For more information, see our cover story on page 19. Feb. 1-5, 2010 Catholic Schools Week “Catholic Schools-Dividends for Life” Catholic schools from across the country celebrate the “Good News” about Catholic education this week. Jakel said that each day of the week focuses on an aspect of the school community. “At O.L.Q.H. School, we will honor all those members of our community for whom we are grateful,” she said. “Prior to this week, the eighthgraders from across the Diocese of Lake Charles will gather with Bishop Glen Provost in a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to kick-off the week-long celebration that occurs in February.” On Feb. 1, the lunch room and custodial staff will be honored for keeping the school a safe, healthy place for children.
Unique Gifts and Accessories
3204 RYAN ST. • 337-433-6200 PAGE 24
OCTOBER 22, 2009
At 6 p.m., Feb. 2, the school will host an open house for the public and to honor parents, who graciously give of their time and talent to the school. On Feb. 3, the school honors its students. That’s also the date of the annual faculty and eighth-grade class volleyball game. At 8:30 a.m., Feb. 4, Msgr. James Gaddy will preside at the school liturgy, honoring the school’s secretarial staff. Finally, on Feb. 5, the teaching and support staff is honored for giving of themselves every day to ensure students develop to their potentials. For more information about these events, contact Pam Fontenot, director of religious education, at (337) 477-7349. Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 “Le Soiree Excursion at White Oak Plantation” Baton Rouge, La. Dinner and Dancing 7:30 p.m. This is one of O.L.Q.H. School’s signature fundraising events. Tickets for the event are priced at $150 per person and only a limited number are available by calling the school at (337) 477-7349, and asking for Lisa Jakel, or Diane Jackson. Accommodations at L.S.U.’s Lod Cook Hotel are available, for an additional cost. Jakel said this is the seventh year of this event, which features a sitdown dinner with Chef John Folse. “This is a fabulous evening with Chef John Folse at his famous plantation in Baton Rouge, with many culinary delights prepared by the chef himself,” she said. Friday, March 12, 2010 Mike Halay 8th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament Lake Charles Country Club This annual event is one of the school’s most important fundraisers benefiting the O.L.Q.H. School Trust. “It has contributed in excess of $100,000 to the school’s trust,” Jackel said. “It’s put on by Mike Halay’s three daughters, whose children all attend Our Lady Queen of Heaven School. There are 11 of them.” She said the committee is led by Haley’s daughters and their husbands: Susan and Bryan Vincent; Vesta and Mark Johnson; and, Cathy and Mike Heinen. “This year we have food donated and prepared by A.J. Vincent and Msgr. James Gaddy,” Jakel said.
Sunday, April 25, 2010 “Heavenly Spring Carnival” O.L.Q.H. School 10 a.m until 4 p.m. Bring the whole family and enjoy delicious barbequed chicken, yummy funnel cakes, pony rides and a fabulous Spring Market! “Kids will love our dunking booth this year, and the petting zoo,” Jakel said. “All of the community is invited to enjoy the day.” Call the school for more information at (337) 477-7349, and ask for Debbie Bellard. Thursday, April 29-Friday, April 30, 2010 O.L.Q.H.’s production of “The Music Man” L.C.H.S. Boston Academy Auditorium 7 p.m. Get ready to be entertained – but get your tickets early! O.L.Q.H. Fine Arts Department is presenting its popular school musical this year “The Music Man.” “Often, our performances reach sold out capacity,” Jackel said. “There will be lots of singing, dancing and acting from the best of our school – our seventh- and eighth-graders, with a chorus of sixth-graders, as supporting choral voices.” For ticket information and prices, call the school’s office at(337) 4777349. Saturday, May 15, 2010 Third Annual Heavenly Fish Festival Calcasieu Point Weigh-in and awards begin at 11 a.m. Chef John Folse features this event in his new book: Hooks, Lies & Alibis! “He sent his photographer here for the whole event; and, he shot hundreds of pictures of O.L.Q.H. families,” Jakel said. Entry fees are $25 for individuals, $60 for families. Jackel said hearty lunches and refreshments will be provided by Port Aggregates. “No fishing license is needed, unless you are in a boat,” she said. “You can fish to win in the categories of trout, redfish, flounder and other.” Monetary and tackle packages will be given, she added. Will Drost and Monsignor James Gaddy are the co-chairs of this event. Contact the school at (337) 4777349, for more information about this, or any of the 2009-2010 Heavenly Highlight events. TJN Volume 1 • Issue 15
By T.C. Elliott
Father Nathan Long
Volume 1 • Issue 15
I
“It’s either to be: Lords and Peasants or ‘Every Man a King.’” — Huey Pierce Long
never thought that I would hear the confession of a Catholic priest. But on the day of the Ascension, I had descended back into Lake Charles from Lafayette, returning to the familiar pews of the church of my religious upbringing: Our Lady Queen of Heaven. It was here that I would marry my wife, baptize my daughter and hear the confession of Father Nathan Long. I was seated among former OLQH classmates and the families of friends both living and dead. I had heard so much about this new priest, Father Long, and feigned interest among my massattending friends. Upon first glance, I thought surely someone had made a mistake. Certainly, the real priest couldn’t make it that day and some lucky altar boy had been selected to fill in his place. This couldn’t be the great Father Long I had heard so much about. It was hard to imagine a priest younger than myself. Already, I was impressed. The true test of any Catholic priest, in my humble opinion, is in the homily or sermon. Would his post-gospel sermon edify the congregation on this day? Would he speak to us in plain language? In my opinion, the rookie priest hit a home run the first time I ever saw him at bat. With his home plate the altar, his Louisville Slugger faith wielding, he stands against the fastballs and curve balls that life can pitch to the hopeful and hopeless alike.
Father Long is OLQH’s newest MVP. I was moved by his homily, and not just because he wrote it down ahead of time. He didn’t improvise. He didn’t meander from topic to topic. He was concise in his delivery— a professional. And in his appearance and presence, he was like a B-12 shot in the arm of the iGod generation. I have never been compelled to approach a priest post-mass. But this day I was moved to speak with Father Long to find out more about him. A graduate of Iowa High School, he spent most of his life in Le Bleu Settlement. After two years at LSU studying political science and law, he decided to take steps to become Father Long, attending St. Joseph’s Seminary College in Covington, La. He was ordained a little over year ago. We were having a pleasant conversation. So asked him about his last name. I think I said something like, “So, are you by any chance related to Huey P. Long?” There was a moment of silence, a bowing of his head and then, finally, the confession: “Yes,” he replied, as if knowing that although some people hold certain reverences, others have a disdain for the political family that is Long. Of course, being related to Governor and U.S. Senator Huey Pierce Long means that
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Father Long is also related to Governor Earl K. Long, not to mention Huey’s son and U.S. Senator Russell Long. And on any given day in Anytown, Louisiana, one can ask about Huey and Earl and get a myriad of responses. Whether it’s mythology or fact, I’ve found that people will share their favorite anecdotes peppered with words like “corruption,” “Kingfish” and “good ole boys.” Some say that the colorful brothers were the most corrupt politicians in American history. To them, Huey and
Huey Pierce Long
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Earl are to blame for all of the state’s modern political woes. Others hold the Long family in the same high regard that someone from Massachusetts might hold the Kennedy name. Initially, it seems that the apple didn’t fall that far from the tree. “I had aspirations once to become involved with law and politics. My grandfather nicknamed me “Governor” at a young age – you might say I had some big ambitions,” Father Long laughed. His grandfather encouraged him to get involved with student government. “Actually, I became the president of the student body in high school and thought that was going to be my career path,” he said. “What I have come to learn over the years, however, is that God gave me my gifts to be His advocate, His ‘representative.’ It fits much better than it would have as an elected statesman.” Father Long’s great grandfather was Huey Long’s first cousin. And Huey (whatever he was–the honorable statesman or honest villain) talked about his faith on the campaign trail. When he was campaigning in North Louisiana, he would tell of his Protestant grandparents and how he
would help them with their horse and buggy on the way to church every Sunday. But when he was in South Louisiana, Huey would spin yarns of how he helped his “Catholic” grandparents in the same manner. “The Long family is highly Protestant, of course, being from North Louisiana,” Father Long said. “My grandfather married a Catholic from Ville Platte and converted. And since then, that part of the family has stuck out like a sore thumb in the Long family.” As Huey and Earl may have “preached” from their respective pulpits, so does Father Long—but he’s waging a different campaign. He doesn’t spend his time trying to win the hearts and minds of a voting public; rather, he teaches eighth grade religion at OLQH School and spends time researching and preparing for next Sunday’s mass. He comes across as conservative in his public speaking, without the wild hand-waving and theatrics of his famous relatives. But he is effective nonetheless. “Most of our societal ills – whether internationally, nationally, or statewide – come down to a question of the institution of the family,” he said. “Aristotle
taught that the family is the basic unit of society. If our homes are not strengthened, neither is our society.” Reflecting on the legacy of his family, he said, “Once upon a time, I thought I could solve many of the problems in the world by entering politics and fixing it from above. The more I was led into conversion, however, I began to see that the real transformation has to come on the most local and familial level.” Since he began his priestly ministry just over a year ago, he decided to make education and youth involvement a priority. “I want to do my part in showing them the way that leads to their fulfillment and true happiness. OLQH has plenty to offer and it is easy to get overwhelmed with pastoral needs – but to be faithful to my call as a young priest, I feel I need to reach out to those most wounded among us.”
TJN
Volume 1 • Issue 15
r Shoumake n o d n a r B By
Who’s In, Who’s Out— From a Week 6 Perspective A couple of weeks back, I decided I wanted to write a column on high school football power ratings. The Louisiana High School Athletic Association releases its football power ratings at various points in the season (Week 3, Week 6 and, the only ones that really count, after Week 10).
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I knew I what I wanted to write about, but I couldn’t wait for the LHSAA to get themselves in gear and publish the ratings, so I sat down on Monday and set out to calculate them all myself. Thirty minutes later I had a splitting headache and a total disdain for numbers. It must be what it feels like to try to make sense of the BCS. Then again, I was never all that great at math to begin with, so, maybe I should have known better. What is a power rating and how is it defined? I’ll refer you to the source, the LHSAA handbook (a floppy, spi-
ral-bound tome that reads like stereo instructions), for the answers to that question. Ahem. Section 15.15.2 states “A team’s power rating shall be the result of the contest plus any additional points for playing a larger classification plus opponent’s wins divided by the opponent’s games played multiplied by 10 to get the total power points of games which is divided by the number of total games played during the regular season.” Gripping stuff, no? Teams get 10 points for a win, zero for losses, (i.e. “the result of the contest”) and two bonus points win or lose (i.e. the “additional points”) for
playing a team in a larger classification. Class 5A is the largest class and Class 1A is the smallest class. To get the power rating, you compute your team’s points and games played together in a cesspool of numbers with your opponents’ wins and games played. The formula for a win looks like this: 10+0+((1/9*10)=11.11. Lather, rinse, and repeat until you’ve done this for every game played. Add up the answers and divide by games played. There’s your power rating. Yuck. I’m sure it’s not very hard math, but, hey, I majored in journalism so I wouldn’t have to do any math. The next step is to sort the ratings by class. In the playoffs, the top 32 teams in each class earn a bracket spot. And, really, that’s the whole goal here;
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to find out where your team stands in the race for the postseason. Fortunately, thanks to the math whizzes over at the LHSAA, I can bring to you the ins and outs of which local teams are in or out of the playoffs through Week 6 of the season. CLASS 5A Who’s in: Everyone. Barbe, LaGrange and Sulphur. If the playoffs started today: No. 12 Barbe vs. No. 21 Westgate; No. 24 LaGrange at No. 9 Dutchtown; No. 30 Sulphur at No. 3 Acadiana. Breakdown: With a 5-1 record, Barbe is safe for the playoffs. The Bucs have a solid power rating and strength of schedule (total opponent wins divided by total opponent games played) and, barring any further injuries, will be the favorite to win their final three games. LaGrange is in, but the Gators need to win at least one district game and its season finale at Booker T. Washington of Shreveport to guarantee a playoff spot. A home game against Lafayette on Oct. 22 is the Gators’ best shot at a district win. On the bubble: Sulphur. Even though the Tors are in the playoffs at
this point, they need to start stringing together some wins. They will have opened district play against LaGrange by the time you’re reading this and that game is a pretty good indication of how the rest of the season will go. Following LaGrange will be a very tough road game against Acadiana followed by Lafayette. Sulphur needs to at least beat two of its final four opponents to stay in. CLASS 4A Who’s in: Jennings, St. Louis, Sam Houston, DeRidder. If the playoffs started today: No. 9 Jennings vs. No. 24 Haughton; No. 11 St. Louis vs. No. 22 DeRidder; No. 15 Sam Houston vs. No. 18 Huntington. Breakdown: While Jennings, St. Louis and Sam Houston are pretty much a lock for the playoffs, one of these three teams will have to travel in the first round. Which team that will be is up in the air, though St. Louis and Sam Houston are already one game ahead of Jennings in the district standings. Sam Houston also holds an edge over Jennings and St. Louis in strength of schedule. Sam Houston’s game with St. Louis on Oct. 30 in Moss Bluff will go a long way in settling which teams will host a first-
round playoff game and which will be chartering buses. On the bubble: DeRidder. Yes, the Dragons are in first place in the overall district standings. Yes, the Dragons are No. 22 in the power ratings. But the Dragons need to keep winning to stay in the playoff hunt thanks to a low strength of schedule. Vanderbilt Catholic, the No. 21 team in the ratings, is 2-4 this season but has a significantly stronger schedule than DeRidder. Wins over Peabody and Washington-Marion should keep the Dragons in and the teams with middling records bolstered by tougher schedules out. CLASS 3A Who’s in: Iowa and Westlake. If the playoffs started today: No. 22 Iowa at No. 11 West Feliciana; No. 30 Westlake at No. 3 E.D. White. Breakdown: The good news for Iowa is that its strength of schedule should be good enough to keep the Jackets in playoff position. The bad news is Iowa faces significant challenges coming up starting in Week 7 against district favorite Eunice. The final three weeks are going to be critical for the Jackets. Iowa needs to beat Church Point on the road on Oct. 23 to solidify a playoff spot. Iowa should
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
beat Northwest at home the following week to set up another big road game against rival Westlake in Week 10. On the bubble: Westlake. The Rams sit at No. 30 in the power ratings and face serious threats from teams like Bunkie and Caldwell Parish, which, though currently out of the playoffs now, have similar records and power ratings and could make a run in the final weeks of the season. How does Westlake hang on? Win, of course. Despite a long trip, the Rams should beat Northwest on the road in Week 7. That sets up a critical season-ending three-game stint. The Rams get Crowley at home on Oct. 23, followed by a road game at Church Point and a rivalry game against Iowa at home to end the season. Two wins out of those final three games should keep the Rams in the postseason.
CLASS 1A Who’s in: South Cameron, Oberlin, Merryville, Basile. If the playoffs started today: No. 11 South Cameron vs. No. 22 St. Frederick; No. 19 Oberlin at No. 14 Westminster; No. 20 Merryville at No. 13 St. Martin; No. 32 Basile at No. 1 St. John-Plaquemine. Breakdown: South Cameron and Oberlin are locked in for the playoffs. A Merryville win over Hamilton Christian in Week 7 would probably be enough to lock the Panthers into a postseason slot but, if not, a home
game against Elton on Oct. 30 may provide a clinching win. Basile is a victim of its extremely low SOS (2.83, by comparison, Neville has the highest SOS in the state at 8.80). The loss to White Castle hurt the Bearcats, but they should be able to recover. After a huge game with Oberlin in Week 7, the Bearcats host Merryville, travel to South Cameron and host Elton. A win in two of those last three games should be enough to keep Basile in the picture.
Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than seven years for various publications. Coaches Brandon Shoumaker or parents with story tips may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).
TJN
CLASS 2A Who’s in: South Beauregard, Welsh, DeQuincy, Rosepine, Iota. If the playoffs started today: No. 5 South Beauregard vs. No. 28 Episcopal; No. 13 Welsh vs. No. 20 Clinton; No. 17 DeQuincy at No. 16 Jeanerette; No. 25 Rosepine at No. 8 Menard; No. 26 Iota at No. 7 Ferriday. Breakdown: South Beauregard, Welsh and DeQuincy are perfectly safe. Rosepine’s power rating is deceptively low. Why? Strength of schedule. The Eagles are 5-1 while the two teams ahead of them in the ratings, Springfield and Sterlington, are each 3-3. But Rosepine’s SOS is 3.67, more than two points worse than Sterlington and almost three points lower than Springfield. The Eagles are in the playoffs, but, if they want to play at home in the first round, they will need to win the district championship outright to do so. On the bubble: Lake Arthur, Kinder. The LAHS Tigers are another team suffering from a low strength of schedule, which, despite their 4-2 record, has them at No. 39 in the ratings and out of the playoffs. Kinder is 40th at 3-3 but has a higher SOS than Lake Arthur, not to mention owning a win over the Tigers. Lake Arthur needs wins at Iota on Oct. 16 and at Mamou on Oct. 30 and a little help to get in the postseason. Kinder will probably need to win three of its last four games to reach the postseason.
Volume 1 • Issue 15
OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 29
By Mary Louise Ruehr
Great Picture Books for the Younger Set
MSU UPCOMING EVENTS
It won’t be long before the holidays are upon us, so start making your shopping list now by adding some beautiful picture books for children up to about age eight. Just in time for Halloween comes the comical There Was an Old Monster! by Rebecca, Adrian and Ed Emberley. The text is based on the traditional song “There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly.” Similar to that story-song, the old monster ends up swallowing a bear to catch the jackal he swallowed to catch the bat…
Oct. 24 Oct. 24 Oct. 25 Oct. 30 Oct. 31 Nov. 7
etc. The fun and spooky primitive images are in bright colors on a black background. Download the free song online at www.scholastic.com/old monster, and you and your child can sing along together. The familiar and friendly Clifford the Big Red Dog is back, with his owner, Emily Elizabeth, in Clifford the Champion by Norman Bridwell. This time, Clifford’s in a contest, vying for a trophy against a dog named Champ, who seems to do everything better than Clifford does. But Emily
Striker Club Golf Tournament benefiting McNeese Soccer Football vs. Southeastern Louisiana 6 p.m. (Breast Cancer Awareness Night) Soccer vs. Lamar 2 p.m. (Breast Cancer Awareness Game) Volleyball vs. UT-Arlington (Dig Pink) 7 p.m. Volleyball vs. Texas State 3 p.m. Football vs. Sam Houston State 7 p.m.
Elizabeth still loves Clifford the best, and Clifford finds there are more important things than being the winner. In Max Spaniel: Dinosaur Hunt by David Catrow, Max the hound dog is an intrepid dinosaur hunter. Using his imagination, he finds dinosaur “parts” around the backyard of the house: A green hose is the creature’s tail, a rake is its teeth, a spade is a dinosaur toenail, and so on. The illustrations by the author are in vivid color, and Max is silly and lovable. The book is intended to be part of a series. There are more prehistoric creatures in How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? by Jane Yolen, illustrated by
Mark Teague. This is the ninth book in the popular series. In easy rhymes, different kinds of colorful dinosaurs interact with people in their homes and neighborhoods. Even when the huge animals misbehave, their human “parents” remind them that they love them, and the dinosaurs return their affection with hugs, kisses, and loving behavior. The Marshmallow Incident by Judi Barrett is illustrated by Ron Barrett. This is the team who created the popular Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. The fairy-tale type story takes us to the days of knights and castles, where two towns are separated by
Please contact the special services and equity office at least 72 hours before any home event to request accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This includes the need for materials in an alternative format such as large print or Braille, sign language interpreters, accessible seating, and accessible parking information. Ph: (337) 475-5428.
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
a yellow line no one can cross over, until an “incident” changes the townspeople’s lives forever. The funny, active pictures are in pastel colors. Willoughby and the Lion by Greg Foley is illustrated in colors of black
Volume 1 • Issue 15
and white and gold. One day, young Willoughby discovers a golden lion in his backyard. The lion grants the boy’s wishes — whatever Willoughby desires. But what would be “the most wonderful thing of all” to wish for? This is the first of a proposed series about the magical lion and offers a starting point for a discussion of what the child would wish for. Oh, and there’s a surprise at the end. (Don’t tell, but it’s a gold “coin” embedded in the back cover.) Birds by Kevin Henkes has beautiful, simple, colorful drawings of birds and nature by Laura Dronzek. The pretty book describes the different sizes, numbers, colors and behaviors of birds. I’d love to frame a couple of these gorgeous pages. And the text is just lovely: “Sometimes, in winter, a bird in a tree looks like one red leaf left over.” The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen features illustrations by Irene Luxbacher in bold colors. Theodora and her grandfather decide to create a beautiful “garden” by painting on a giant canvas on the balcony of his apartment. They start with a low wall and a sky, add a bird, then spring flowers, and then more and more. The relationship between the little girl and her grandfather is as magical as the pretend flowers.
I have always loved the I Spy books, in which the reader must find objects hidden in the clever, brightly colored photographs. I Spy A to Z with riddles by Jean Morzollo and photographs by Walter Wick continues the tradition. The book works on several levels and for all ages. With the help of an adult, preschoolers can find matching pictures, words, letters and colors, some obvious and others relatively difficult to find; older children can learn about rhyme and begin to read for themselves; still older children (like me!) can read and find the objects for themselves. Then, put the book away for a few weeks, bring it back out, and find the images all over again! Copyright (c) 2009 Mary Louise Ruehr. Mary Louise Ruehr is the Books Editor for the Record-Courier in Ravenna, Ohio. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Kent State University. Mary Louise is interested in all subjects and has many favorite authors, including Pearl S. Buck, James Michener, and P.G. Wodehouse, as well as mystery writers Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich. She blogs at http://blogs.dixcdn.com/shine_a_light/ and you can write to her at Books@recordpub.com. TJN
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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HALLOWEEN - WORD SEARCH R C K R C W H R T A K S S T N D A G T A E R T R O K C N T L H N
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Help the witch find her grumpy black cat. Draw the path to the cat starting at 1 and counting by 1s up to 100.
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Volume 1 • Issue 15
Killin’ Time Crossword
STEVEN’S AUTOMOTIVE
Big or
Small
WE DO IT ALL! FREE ESTIMATES Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission. Volume 1 • Issue 15
990-1893 1825 Kirkman
OCTOBER 22, 2009
PAGE 33
Around Town With The Jam We Don’t Just Report It, We Support It!
At Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Art for the Soul reception, Lauren and Phil enjoy the beautiful exhibits on display with Mari Wilson of KPLC-TV.
Proceeds benefit Whistle Stop Supervised Visitation & Exchange Center and Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Poker run supports Special Olympics
Lauren and Phil sample unique vodka and spirits poured by Trent Clark and Shadi Abrusley of Regalia at the Boudin and Blue Jeans reception at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum.
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www.artonwheelsla.com CONTACT INFO: Ph: (337) 480-4180 • Fax (337) 480-4181 PAGE 34
OCTOBER 22, 2009
The first-ever Boudin and Blue Jeans fundraiser at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum brought out the best boudin-makers in the Lake Area! Lauren and Phil ate way too much, and came home with special spice from Brown’s Market. Volume 1 • Issue 15
The whimsy doesn’t stop, but the movie gets a little sappy as Molly deals with Mr. Magorium’s upcoming “last day” and Eric shyly makes friends with the Accounting Mu-tant. And I personally had a problem with the way the movie portrayed death. Similar to the stork bringing babies into the world, Magorium is painlessly and quietly dematerialized out of the world. (Think Star Trek, as in “beam me up.” Or Mr. Rogers changing back into his shoes and stepping out, only it’s the last episode.)
der useum n e l l n E dren's M a D By e Chil of th r o t c Dire
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007 Walden Media, DVD) Meet Eric, a seven-year old boy who is smarter than you. He also prefers talking to squirrels rather than people, always wears a hat, and helps out at a downtown toy store, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. Of course, it’s not just any unique toy store. It’s a magic toy store, which no one but us out in the movie audience seems to notice. Forget about the toys coming to life at night. In this movie, the toys are alive all day, which is a nice reminder that children see the world differently from grown-ups. Many kid’s movies use this as their theme, but Magorium stands apart from others because of the plot. You see, Mr. Magorium dies in this wonderful, magical, upbeat children’s movie.
Volume 1 • Issue 15
It’s not a tragic death. Edward Magorium is 243 years old. He has it all planned, even to hiring an accountant (Accounting Mutant, Mutant for short) who will close his financial books (including pages and pages of doodles, and a note from Thomas Edison). Yes, Mr. Magorium, a strapping, wild-haired vibrant old man, is going to die and leave his store to his assistant, young Molly Mahoney (Natalie Portman). There is a great deal to like and even admire about this movie. Not since Willy Wonka have I seen such a truly whimsical character, as fascinating as Mary Poppins or the Wizard of Oz. Dustin Hoffman is perfect for the role. So are all the other characters. As for the villain… surprise, there is no villain! Which again makes this a unique children’s film. You’ll find it lots of fun to watch kids going wild in the store and to share their enthusiasm when they open up the room of bouncing balls (think Flubber), make things out of Lincoln Logs, or play with animated dinosaur skeletons (think Night at the Museum).
I suppose this is what you are left with when political correctness has outlawed religious views and almost every other view on big issues like death, birth, love, and marriage. While this may be gentle for a child moviegoer who has lost a grandparent, it rings rather hollow for the rest of us, especially those of us who are accustomed to movie murders, car crashes, and drug overdoses. Come to think of it, this makes Mr. Magorium one of the most original Hollywood movies ever made. I would say it’s unique. Still, I’m left wondering if the death scene isn’t a sneaky allusion to a kinder, gentler universal health plan. Mr. Magorium is perfectly healthy; he’s just decided to check out. All of us would like to die with our boots on, after all. (Of course, in Magorium’s case, he’s on his last pair of Italian shoes.) At any rate, the movie makes up for all shortcomings in its closing scenes, reminding us, as only movies can, that life goes on, and imagination is priceless no matter how old you are. Mr. Magorium is very appropriately rated G. It will be thought-provoking and entertaining for most of us, without insulting our intelligence. (Or lack of it, for those of us who aren’t as smart as a seven-year old.) TJN
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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ST. MARGARET CHURCH CALCA CHEW FOOD FESTIVAL French Mass with music by Les Amies Louisianaises opened the 25th St. Margaret Church Calca Chew Food Festival. Celebrating Southwest Louisiana's French heritage, there was something for all ages: A silent auction, food and more food, children's games, raffle drawings and more were the order of the day for all the festival goers. Food items such as boudin, shrimp etouffee, fried catfish, and red beans and rice were just a few of the mouth-watering choices. Always an annual event you don't want to miss.
Kari Elliott, Lindsey Woods, Naomi Bertrand and Michelle Klein
Dustin Harris and Chris Sanders
Ida Aucoin and Margaret Dudley
Mable and Destinie Dellafosse and Briona Allison
Sophie Bertrand, Maggie Mae Reeves and Kaylee
Brittany Joseph, Karli Hebert and Deziree Lewis
Ray Fontenot, Lauryn Martin, Mary Martin, Ellen Grafton and Lacey Richey
MAYOR'S ART AWARDS/BLACK HERITAGE GALLERY/ART ASSOCIATES GALLERY It was back to back to back as the Mayor's Arts Awards, Black Heritage Gallery and Art Associates Gallery presented their annual programs at Central School. The Lake Charles Mayor's office and the Arts and Humanities Council honored the 2009 Art Awards recipients at this annual event. The Black Heritage Gallery presented works by Salonga Lee entitled "From There to Here, To There: An Artist's Journey,� while the Art Associates Gallery held a varied selection of art for their yearly Juried Art Show. Art Associates Gallery took this opportunity to recognize and thank Joe Cash for 10 years of chairing the gallery and its events. Hereafter, this annual show will be called the Joe and Lydia Cash Juried Art Show. Mia Louise, Carrie and Leo Kudla PAGE 36
OCTOBER 22, 2009
Gussie and Richard Taylor Volume 1 • Issue 15
Vickie Lanier and Christine Cormier
Chris Ebersole, Mary Thompson and Jordan Kolde
Lydia and Joe Cash
SISTERS SURVIVING It all started with two breast cancer survivors, Dr. Rose Duhon and Sharon W. Mallet, and now, over 100 members come together monthly to share experiences and be supportive. Friends of Sisters Surviving, Inc., hosted the Pink Ribbon Gala 2009 with Dr. Kimberly Pounds, Adjunct Professor in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at Texas Southern University. "Dispelling the Myths" was the topic as Dr. Pounds encouraged each of us to envision what brings us happiness and to make deliberate lifestyle choices for a better life. Sisters Surviving Cancer Support Group continues to be a source in the community for information and support while battling cancer. Mikki Boutte, Katie and Juanita Winfrey
Della B. Vincent, Lora Rigmaiden and Edolia Olivier
Adia Keys and Wanda Goldston Volume 1 • Issue 15
Sandra Walker, Sheila Barrett, Hesterine August and Rita Etienne
Lana Holland and Mallany Ryan
Eileen and Greg Cormie
Devin Anderson, Anthony Syon and Javon Neville
Maaliygh Papillion, Young Miss Hope of Louisiana; Veronica Guillory OCTOBER 22, 2009
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KICK-OFF YMCA TAILGATE PARTY The spotlight was on the LSU Tigers at the first YMCA Tailgate Party on a recent Saturday. Chris Shearman, the Von Dukes, Blues Tonic, Eleisha Eagle and The Kadillacs performed as children and adults came out to cheer the Tigers and support the YMCA. A Jumbotron screen TV, food and drinks, fun jumps, face painting, and a special VIP area at the Calcasieu Marine National Bank are only a few of the attractions that made it a fun day for all. TJN Marvin and Carolyn Ettinger
Tim and Kanon Broussard
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Susan Blevins and Sue Shearman
Ali Rentrop, Kim Johnson and D.J. Leveque
Todd Folse and Christi and Cailey Miller
Volume 1 • Issue 15
ART ON WHEELS OCT 24-25 Dago’s Custom Cycle Shop and the Arts and Humanities Council are sponsoring Art on Wheels, Oct. 24 and 25, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. View one-of-a-kind exhibits of art and motorcycles, hot rods, canvases, metal and wood. There will be live music, a tattoo show and Pin-Up Girl contest. Proceeds benefit The Whistle Stop and Bikers Against Child Abuse. Open 9 a.m. to midnight, Oct. 24; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct 25. Admission is $5; free for children under 12. For more info, see www.artsonwheels.com ELVIS FOR AUTISM CONCERT OCT. 25 A benefit concert for Autism Services of Southwest Louisiana (ASSL) will be held at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Event Center on Sun., Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. John Ieyoub, internationally acclaimed Elvis tribute artist, will be the featured performer, along with an all-star cast headed by Chris Flowers and the Louisiana Express. Tax-deductible tickets are $100 each and may be purchased at any First Federal Branch or by calling ASSL at 436-5001. Corporate sponsors will be seated at tables for eight; all other attendees will be in general admission stadium seating. DYNAMIC WOMEN NETWORKING OCT. 28 Stonecroft Women presents Dynamic Women Networking from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 28. Connect with women, grow your business and serve your community. Enjoy shopping with our vendors, which include Beauti-Control, Benchworks, Roxie’s Treasures, Pampered Chef and many more. Doors open at 11 a.m. for shopping ; lunch will be served at noon. Guest speaker is Drucy Hardesty. Cost is $17 per person, inclusive. The event will be held at Treasures of Marilyn at 3510 5th Avenue, Lake Charles. For reservations call Delores Day 474-4664 or e-mail: daday1944@suddenlink.net. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries (www.stonecroft.org.)
Volume 1 • Issue 15
JAM
TENTH AVENUE NORTH AT CHRISTIAN WORLD OCT. 30 Tenth Avenue North, an up and coming contemporary Christian music group, will be appearing in Lake Charles on Oct. 30, at Christian World, from 7 to 11 p.m. Tenth Avenue North will be joined by John Waller, Rusty and Jessica, Crave and The Power Team. The “Light The Night Concert” will be part of Tenth Avenue North’s first headlining tour. For tickets, call (866) 973-9610, or go to www.rightwaytickets.com. SHAW CONSTRUCTION FIGHTS HEART DISEASE WITH GOLF TOURNAMENT OCT. 30 Shaw Construction is calling all golfers to participate in a golf tournament, Oct. 30, to help fight heart disease. The event will be held at Bayou Oaks Country Club in Carlyss with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $50 per golfer and includes 18 holes of golf, cart fees, lunch, door prizes and an awards ceremony. Teams consist of four players (four man scramble play). Mulligans can be purchased for $5 (limit one per player). Awards include first place, second place, longest putt, longest drive and closest to the pin. Proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association. For more information, call Dax McCall, 626-7429, ext. 230, or Monique Durio at 626-7429, ext. 220. BLACK BAYOU BASH OCT. 30 Get ready for the inaugural Black Bayou Music Bash poolside at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort at 7 p.m., Fri., Oct. 30. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy The Toadies, Fastball and local favorite Magnolia Sons. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com Tickets are also available at the L’Auberge Business Center. All major credit cards are accepted. Guests must be 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID. For more information, log on to www.ldlcasino.com/entertainment or call 395-7777.
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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PLATINUM AND PEARLS GALA NOV. 1 The 2000 Health Foundation is hosting its Annual Platinum & Pearls benefit on Nov. 1. Proceeds will benefit hospice care, diabetes care, educational assistance, nursing scholarships, and other charitable requests. Back by popular demand are the Mistress & Master of Ceremonies Stephanie Morris and Gray Stream. All levels of corporate and personal sponsorships are available. For tickets or sponsorship forms, contact Stephanie Morris, Executive Director of the 2000 Health Foundation, at 802-7122, or Lisa Walker, Founder/Chairman of the Board of the 2000 Health Foundation, at 540-8925. VIP Tickets are $100 and include the PreGala VIP Party, dinner, and Scott Gertner. The Show Only tickets are $50.
MURDER MOST FOUL AT LCCC AMPHITHEATRE WEEKENDS NOV 7-22 A Lakeside Theatre presents Murder Most Foul as part of its Shakespeare in the Park Series at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheatre. In Murder Most Foul, one of Shakespeare’s most evil characters, Iago, tries to evade judgment by placing judgment on others. This tale explores Shakespeare’s plays and their murders, plots, villains, and not-so-likely villains. The dates and times are Sat., Nov. 7; Sat., Nov. 14; Sat., Nov. 21; and Sun., Nov. 22; all at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for Students/Seniors/Children (age 10 and younger). This show may not be suitable for young children. To order tickets, visit www.lakecharlestheatre.com or call 540-6916.
AFFAIRE D’ ART NOV. 5 This community event showcases the talents of our local artists here in SWLA. Proceeds from Affaire d’ Art will be used to help provide scholarships for art students attending McNeese State University, as well as subsidizing art workshops from visiting artists and to help promote art awareness in Louisiana. It will be held Thurs., Nov. 5, from 6-9 p.m. at Prien Lake Park-Harbor’s Edge Pavilion. Tickets are $125 (admits two people). They will not be sold at the door. Each ticket entitles holder to one piece of art (one piece per ticket). There will be food, entertainment and bar. Contact Tabitha Bateman at 263-1555, for tickets.
MCNEESE THEATRE PRESENTS THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME NOV. 11-15. McNeese Theatre Bayou Players will present The Long Christmas Ride Home at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 11-14, with a 2 p.m. matinee Sun., Nov. 15. Performances are in Ralph Squires Hall, Shearman Fine Arts Center on the McNeese campus. Staged as a “puppet play with actors,” the action provides a moving and memorable study of an American family careening near the edge of oblivion. For mature audiences. Ticket prices are $15 for adults; $10 for senior citizens, McNeese faculty/staff, and students (K-12). McNeese students are admitted free with a current ID. Box office is open 10 days prior to production opening date, on weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m.-noon. For reservations, call 475-5043.
MCDONALD’S/MCNEESE PANCAKE BREAKFAST NOV. 7 Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s and the McNeese Athletic Foundation will host a pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m., Sat., Nov. 7, in the Cowboy Club Room at Cowboy Stadium, to benefit the Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s Athletic Scholarship. Fans will enjoy pancakes, sausage, milk, coffee and orange juice as they hang out with current and former McNeese athletes, cheerleaders, Cowgirl Kickers and Rowdy. Ticket holders will get a chance to have their faces painted for the game, as well as the opportunity to win fabulous raffle prizes. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the McNeese ticket office in the Doland Field House. All proceeds benefit the Calcasieu Parish McDonald’s Athletic Scholarship. For more information on the McDonald’s/McNeese Pancake Breakfast, contact Jen Breen at (337) 478-7396 or jbreen@ocarroll.com
WESTLAKE HIGH PRESENTS DRACULA NOV. 12 Dracula will be presented by Westlake High School’s Theatre department and Kerry A. Onxley, Director of Theatre. Good and evil battle for the possession of a young woman’s soul in this startling new adaptation of the Bram Stoker classic. Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula,” remains the gold standard for vampire stories and features as its primary antagonist the vampire Count Dracula. The production will open on Thurs., Nov. 12, at a 10 a.m. performance open to all schools, and a 7 p.m. performance for the public. The play will be held at the Westlake High Theatre located on 1000 Garden Drive in Westlake. Tickets are $7 per person. For ticket information or school bookings, contact Onxley at 433-6866; Ext. 10 or kerry.onxley@cpsb.org.
LOUISIANA THEATRE FESTIVAL NOV. 7 The Louisiana Theatre Festival (LTF) will be held on Sat., Nov. 7, from 9 a.m.-4 p. m. at the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street) in Lake Charles. The LTF is a one-day festival created to provide young people with acting and technical theatre training, performance opportunities, and college audition skills. Workshops include acting, musical theatre, jazz dance, improvisation, voice, costuming, lighting, playwriting and makeup design. Students, grades 6-12, from Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes are invited to participate. Registration for is $30 per student and includes lunch. Students registering before Oct. 31 receive a free T-shirt. No experience is necessary. For registration information, contact Onxley at 309-6332 or visit the festival Web site at www.LTF.cc.
Kathyrn Matte PAGE 40
OCTOBER 22, 2009
Brianne Guidry
RALLY TO RESCUE NOV. 22 Sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, this event is bringing together all area animal rescue groups. Come out for a fun-filled afternoon to learn what the animal groups are doing to help with overpopulation. Ten to 15 groups will be in attendance, along with Heckhaven, our local wildlife rescuer. Visit the booths, get to know the rescuers, and learn about fostering and adoption. Cats and dogs will be available on-site for adoption. There will be raffles, food, music and demonstrations, including pet training basics, wildlife do’s and don’ts, agility training, and more. It will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Lake Charles Civic Center near the tennis courts. For more information, call 287-1711. TJN
Maegan McBroom Volume 1 • Issue 15
TJN’s First Wine Tasting a Big Success! In recognition of Breast Cancer Month, The Jambalaya News team held a special wine tasting event at our new office. The building was Jam-packed as guests (many in pink) snacked on fruits, cheese, and Lauren’s special onion dip while they sampled outrageous wines selected by Mike and Martha Holleman from The Wine Store. Featured wines included Bitch, Royal Bitch, Sweet Bitch, Diva, Tryst, Fat Bastard, Superstition and Liquid Love, to name but a
few! The selections hit a home run as Martha and her staff spent most of the evening writing up orders. Ten percent of the wine sale proceeds went to Making Strides, and the cost of admission went to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Care Fund. Everyone had a fantastic time, and it appears this is going to be an annual event! Special thanks to The Wine Store, along with Nathanial Allured of Republic National Wine Distributors and his team, for a wonderful evening to benefit a great cause. TJN
Barbara Forsythe and Debra Lastrapes
Marty Charlson and Rhonda Young
Danna Biven, Dixette Williams, April Sanders and Renee Fontenot
Ranee Fontenot, Amy Peck, Rhonda Foy and Angela McManemin
Elizabeth Primeaux and Holley Fontenot
Dana Dupin, Katie McCarty and Cora Broussard
Volume 1 • Issue 15
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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John and Jodi Fontenot and Betsy Granger
Cindy Qualls, Tonja Black and Karen Clifton
Carol Cox and Matt Young
Lynette and Johnathan Stoute
Earline and Randy Cline
Phil and Lauren de Albuquerque
OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com
The
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21 • Travis Benoit & Allons Dance @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Scotty Doland @ Luna Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Alvin Touchet @ Blue Duck Cafe, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 • Felton LeJeune & The Cajun Cowboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Neal Smith @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 7 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Twangsters Union @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri Casino, 8 p.m. • Blues Tonic @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Brian Best @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Gabby Johnson @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 11 p.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 • The Lacassine Playboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Michael Bryant @ Frey’s Restaurant, Jennings, 7 p.m. • Brian Best @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • City Heat @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 p.m. • Crooks Carnival/We Were Wolves @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • The Von Dukes/The 94s @ My Place, 9 p.m. • Jo-El Sonnier @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri Casino, 9 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Briant Lloyd Smith & Hot Gritz @ Blue Duck Cafe, 9 p.m.
Volume 1 • Issue 15
• Tyler Read/Colorcast Veteran/The Silent Planet @ Toucan’s, 9:30 p.m. • When the Word Was Sound/Kid MIDI/AS Naysayers @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. • Do Not Destroy/Matthew Moss @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. • James Otto @ Texas Longhorn Club, Vinton, 10 p.m. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 • Choke/Crooks Carnival/Butt Roxx/The Von Dukes/TBA @ Art on Wheels Bike Show, 5 p.m. • Tommy Withrow & Lanny Lamb @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 5 p.m. • Howard Noel & Cajun Boogie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Lochness Mobsters/Fresh Nectar/Greenlight Caravan @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Brian Best @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Bernie Alan @ Wayne & Layne’s, Sulphur, 9 p.m. • Jo-El Sonnier @ Caribbean Cove Lounge, Isle of Capri Casino, 9 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Last Draw @ Toucan’s, 9:30 p.m. • Handsome Harry/Achachay @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10:30 p.m. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 • Tommy Withrow & Lanny Lamb @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 5 p.m. • Al Roger & Louisiana Pride @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Blues Tonic @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 • Hubert Maitre @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.
• Alvin Touchet @ Blue Duck Cafe, 7:30 p.m. • All Get Out/The Working Title/Favorite Gentlemen @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Kris Harper @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 8:30 p.m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 • Tommy Withrow & Lanny Lamb @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 5 p.m. • Briggs Brown & Bayou Cajun @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Blues Tonic @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Neal Smith @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 p.m. • Lil’ Brian & The Travelers @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Brandon Foret @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 11 p.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 • Joe Simon & Louisiana Cajun @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Glenn Fontenot @ Frey’s Restaurant, Jennings, 7 p.m. • Fastball/Toadies/Magnolia Sons @ L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 8 p.m. • Survive The Musical/2nd Party Program/Wildfires @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Static @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m. • Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Southbound @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 p.m. • Laurel @ My Place, 9 p.m. • Nivero/Villain For A Moment/Norcio @ Toucan’s, 9 p.m. • ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Butt Roxx @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m.
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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MONDAY NIGHTS: Abita Beer Night
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Mondo Martini Night
THURSDAY NIGHTS: Be Well Night
Thurs. Oct. 22 @ 9:00 BLUES TONIC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 • Howard Noel & Cajun Boogie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Handsome Harry Band @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Blues Tonic @ VFW Post 4759, Starks, 8 p.m. • Crooks Carnival @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • My Unfaithful One @ Halloween Fest ‘09, DeRidder, 8 p.m. • Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Sugarhouse @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 p.m. • Idle Minds @ My Place, 9 p.m. • Choke/2nd Party Program/ThingFish @ Toucan’s, 9 p.m. • Do Not Destroy @ Sam’s Cove, Westlake, 9 p.m. • ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Magnolia Sons/Paper Plains/Colorcast Veteran @ Luna Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. • Ashes of Babylon/Red Letter Reverb @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. • Devil & The Details @ Wood ‘N Penny, 10 p.m. • Flashback @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 10 p.m. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 • Don Fontenot @ Les Cajuns de la Prairie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 • Errol Jenkins & Louisiana Tradition @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 • The Hotel Cazin Band @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • ThingFish @ Molly’s Lamplighter, 7 p.m. • Vincent Thomas @ Delta Downs, 8:30 p.m. • Cornerstone @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 • Al Roger & Louisiana Pride @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Michael Bryant @ Frey’s Restaurant, Jennings, 7 p.m. • Vincent Thomas @ Delta Downs, 8:30 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Loser’s Reunion/Squint @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. • Big Sam’s Funky Nation @ Luna Bar & Grill, 10 p.m.
• Plump @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • Kinfolk Party @ Toucan’s, 9 p.m. • Twangster’s Union @ Sloppy Jeaux’s, Sulphur, 9 p.m. • Ashes of Babylon @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • Bernie Alan @ V’s Longbranch, Elton, 9 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 • Scotty Pousson & The Pointe aux Loups Playboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 • Homer Lejeune @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Brad Broussard @ Caribbean Hut, 9 p.m.
TJN
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 • Mack Manuel & The Lake Charles Ramblers @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Chris Miller & Bayou Roots @ VFW Post 2130, 7:30 p.m. • Justin Pierce/Cold Sweat @ Isle of Capri Casino, 8 p.m. • Vincent Thomas @ Delta Downs, 8:30 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 23 @ 10:00 WE WERE WOLVES & CROOKS CARNIVAL Sat. Oct. 24 @ 10:00 FRESH NECTAR, GREENLIGHT CARAVAN & LOCHNESS MOBSTERS Mon. Oct. 26 @ 7:00 MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Mon. Oct. 26 @ 10:00 OPEN MIC NIGHT: SINGER / SONGWRITER Wed. Oct. 28 @ 9:00 ALL GET OUT & THE 94’S Thurs. Oct. 29 @ 9:00 BLUES TONIC Fri. Oct. 30 @ 10:00 SURVIVE THE MUSICAL, 2ND PARTY PROGRAM & WILDFIRES Sat. Oct. 31 @ 8:00 HANDSOME HARRY BAND EARLY SET! Sat. Oct. 31 @ 10:00 HALLOWEEN BASH! w/ MAGNOLIA SONS, COLORCAST VETERANS & PAPER PLAINS PAGE 44
OCTOBER 22, 2009
Volume 1 • Issue 15
Ireland Is One Long Open Mic Night By Leslie Berman I’m out of the country on vacation in Ireland with two girlfriends who haven’t been here before. What I like best about this extraordinarily green island (and there’s a lot to like here, whether or not you’ve got Irish roots), is the sound of Irish voices singing in the sweet sad shushing sounds of the Irish Gaelic language. And musical instruments, like the fiddle, piano key or button accordion, wooden flute and tin whistle, uilleann pipes (bagpipes without a mouthpiece), mandola or mandocello (large mandolins), banjo and bodhran (handheld drum that looks like a large tambourine), playing the “auld” songs. Right now, having driven all around the prehistoric sites in The Burren, taken in the natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, and driven over the majestic Connor Pass, while playing Irish music as a soundtrack for the drive on the rental car’s CD player, I’m sitting in an Internet café in the little tourist town of Dingle. I’m listening to 32 artists
performing 32 songs on “Eistigi: The Essential Traditional Irish Music Collection,” a double CD set featuring some of the best musicians of the last 40 years, many of whom I’ve been lucky enough to hear live over the years, in concert halls and clubs, and most often, at open-air summer festivals, both here in Co. Clare, and back in the States. In addition to world-renowned bands like The Chieftains, The Dubliners, De Dannan, and Clannad, featuring their sister Enya, you can hear the sounds of Irish step dancers tapping along to the Kilfenora Ceili Band (like an unrehearsed version of Riverdance), current hot favorite Kila, throwing in a musical nod to Pachelbel’s Canon, and numerous traditional songs sung in both English and in Gaelic. There are dozens of compilations to choose from, and you can buy them at most Irish gift shops at tourist sites, as well as at record stores in the bigger towns, but not all are of such luminescent quality. This particular set has me jumping up and down in the Internet café, it’s so lively. It’s available on Dara Records from www.irelandcd.com If what you want are non-stop musical jam sessions, Ireland is the best place for you, whether you’re in Dublin or Dingle, and pretty much all points in between. Most nights, you can stop into a local public house after 9 p.m. and find homegrown and visiting musicians having a “seisiun,” playing and singing traditional and modern reels, jigs, hornpipes and the like, lubricated with almost overflowing pints of black Guinness stout.
These aren’t public performances in the way that setting up microphones and marking off a boundary between musicians and audiences makes performers out of even the loosest jam band. Rather, these are shared musical experiences, combining the feeling of an open mic night and a folk club song session, in which everyone asks for or leads a song in turn. The music is heavily instrumental, with all who can joining in, but sometimes, there will be a soloist and the audience will be asked to “give a bit of hush” so the singer or quiet instrumentalist can be heard. Here in Dingle, we stopped into one pub where we ran into some New Yorkers looking for a seisiun, and I found them again today in the Internet cafe. We’ve already made plans to hit some open mic clubs in New York when we all return, and I’m looking forward to hearing some of their original music which they gave me just as they were leaving for Cork and more “craic.” Lake Charles has a few Celtic connections of its own, foremost of which is the annual Celtic Nations Festival held around St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, that features transplanted-to-Louisiana musician Danny O’Flaherty, who hails originally from Ardmore on the coast, Co. Waterford, in the Gaeltacht or Gaelic-speaking part of Ireland. While I’m over here, a few hours drive from his birthplace, O’Flaherty is in Lake Charles, and recently performed at Sylvia’s Bistro (Oct. 17), but if you’ve missed him, you’ll have other opportunities in and around the area. You can find his
Antoni O'Breschi at O'Donoghue's Seisiun Dublin Ireland. Volume 1 • Issue 15
OCTOBER 22, 2009
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schedule, as well as his music, on www.dannyoflaherty.com A few years back, the Festival celebrated the life of Irish superstar Tommy Makem, featuring his family members, who came over for a special memorial event. Makem was well known as the banjo-playing singer in The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. On our Irish trek, my girlfriends and I have listened to double CDs of the Clancys with Makem, and by last surviving Clancy brother, actor and musician Liam Clancy. They were the group most responsible for popularizing Irish music in America, and for the pipeline of Irish musicians who followed thereafter. When I first traveled into New York from my home in the Rockaways, a seaside resort and resident community at the foot of the outer borough of Queens along the Atlantic Ocean (especially popular with Irish immigrants because it reminds them of home) I’d head for Greenwich Village, where the Clancy’s were part owners of The Lion’s Head bar. Around its large back table, they would gather a squadron of folk music inclined friends to eat, drink, and share the “craic” (pronounced crack) or fun, into the wee hours of the night.
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OCTOBER 22, 2009
Those were the first official “seisiuns” I attended, and I got my taste for egalitarian singarounds peopled by fantastic musicians on those magical nights. The Clancys and their friends were superstars, appearing on major concert stages, on film soundtracks, and on television, around the world, but they’d expect everyone at the table, professional or not, to sing or play along. They were most respectful of talent and ability, and not at all set up in their own importance. Astonishing to think of it now in these days when even unknown performers travel around with an entourage of their own security staff. You can get “The Very Best of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem” from www.allmediaentertainment.co.uk, and Liam Clancy’s “Yes…Those Were The Days” from www.irelandcd.com. In those days, Tommy Makem owned a tonier club in midtown Manhattan called The Irish Pavillion, where he’d play when in town, and where he’d hire other Irish musicians to play every weekend. An old boyfriend of mine played guitar to back up one of those singers, the beautiful, but sharp-singing Mary O’Dowd, and I’d go in to watch one of their sets.
When I told him I was going to be in Dublin, the OB asked if I’d stop in and see if his photo was still hanging on the back wall of O’Donoghue’s, a pub that was the center of the traditional music seisiuns in 1960’s swinging Dublin. The girls and I did, and had a great night, listening to an understated but particularly great bodhran player, and some very nice mandolas and a bouzouki, played by the luthier who’d made all the instruments. The standouts of the night were a couple of a capella songs from Antoni O’Breschi, better known as a jazz pianist, whose lovely voice stilled the loud room almost instantly. He performed on Fiona Ritchie’s NPR radio show “The Thistle and Shamrock” a few years back, which you can find, no doubt, archived on the Web. The girls and I drank a few too many pints, retold the old joke, “How can you tell one Irish tune from another?” “By their titles!” and took plenty of photos of the OB’s publicity shot, still in pride of place, well-lit by a wall sconce. We’ve got four more days to make the most of the music, so off we go on another adventure. As they say in Ireland, Slainte! And may the road rise up to meet you. TJN
Volume 1 • Issue 15
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Volume 1 • Issue 15
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