VOL. 5, NO. 6 / JUNE 13, 2013
We are pleased to present to you the Annual Water Quality Report for the reporting/monitoring period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. This report is designed to inform you about the quality of your water and the services we deliver to you every day. Our constant goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. We want you to understand the efforts we make to continually improve the water treatment process and protect our water resources. We are committed to ensuring the quality of your drinking water and its’ compliance with government standards. In this report you will find information such as 1) the quality of the local drinking water; 2) whether the tap water meets EPA’s safety standards; 3) likely sources of drinking water contamination; and 4) information about your local services. You can learn more about the Water Division and its’ facilities and services by visiting the City web site at www.cityoflakecharles.com. Go to the Public Works department listing, then click on the water tab. If you have any questions about this report, or simply want to learn more about your drinking water, please contact Russell Buckels at 337-491-1479. *All information in this report has been collected and reported to you in accordance with water quality standards established by the USEPA. We are pleased to report our drinking water meets all Federal and State regulatory requirements.
City of Lake Charles Water Sources
The City of Lake Charles obtains water from wells that are drilled in the 500-foot and 700-foot sands of the Chicot Aquifer. Groundwater or well water is found in saturated zones beneath the land’s surface. It fills the pores and fractures in underground material such as sand, gravel, or other rock. If the water can be removed from this material in useful amounts, these areas are called aquifers. At the present time the City of Lake Charles has 17 wells that provide a clean, sufficient supply for all of our customers. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Office of Public Health, routinely monitors for constituents in your drinking water. Results of sampling by the State and contracted laboratories are shown in the tables below. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Our water system is required to test a minimum of 80 bacteriological samples per month in accordance with the Total Coliform Rule. Coliforms are bacteria that are naturally present in the environment and are used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. During the monitoring period covered by this report, we had no noted violations of drinking water regulations. In addition, the State of Louisiana also performs routine chemical analysis for regulated contaminants. Chemical sampling for regulated contaminants may not be required on an annual basis. The results furnished for testing are from the most recent sampling of our source water performed in Jan/Feb of 2013. Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation. Some people who drink water containing beta particle and photon radioactivity in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV / AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA / CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The City Water Division seeks to provide high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov.safewater/lead.
Health Information
The City of Lake Charles Water Division P.O. Box 1727, Lake Charles, LA 70602 337-491-1307 Questions or problems with your water service: Billing/New Service • 491-1307 Meter Problems • 491-1522 Main Breaks • 491-1487 Rusty Water/Odor • 491-1554 Distribution Department • 491-1494 Production/Plant Info • 491-1479 24 Hour Number • 491-1483 For Plant Tours • 491-1487
The sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, and in some cases radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Contaminants that may be present in untreated source water include: •Microbial Contaminants - such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. •Inorganic Contaminants - such as salts and metals, which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming. •Pesticides and Herbicides – may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses. •Organic Chemical Contaminants – Including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems. •Radioactive Contaminants – can be naturally-occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. We ask all our customers to help us protect and conserve our water sources, which are the heart of our community, our way of life, and our children’s future.
Test Results In the tables below are shown results of sampling on our source and treated water. The last chemical sampling of our source water was performed in Jan/Feb of 2013. This sampling was performed by a private laboratory certified by the State of Louisiana. Chemical sampling may not be required on an annual basis, therefore, information provided refers back to the most recent chemical sampling results. You will note that all of these contaminants were not detected or were well below the MCL. Terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with are furnished with the following definitions: Not-Detected (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present. Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCL’s are set at very stringent levels. Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) - The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety Action Level - The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. Treatment Technique (TT) - A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water. (ppm) = parts per million (ppb) = parts per billion (ppt) or (nanograms/l) = parts per trillion (ppq) or (picograms/l) =parts per quadrillion Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) – measure of radioactivity in water In the table below, we have shown the deficiencies that were identified during our latest survey done by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. These are deficiencies we are currently working to resolve.
The following contaminants were sampled for, and were not detected in our wells or finished water.
Below, are listed the regulated contaminants that were detected during sampling. While these contaminants were detected you will note that all were BELOW their maximum contaminant level. All samples except for Lead and Copper, were collected at the raw water source and represent water before any treatment, blending or distribution. As such, the consumer tap levels could be less.
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JUNE 13, 2013
Volume 5 • Issue 6
June 13, 2013 • Volume 5 • Issue 6 GENERAL 715 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com PUBLISHER Phil de Albuquerque publisher@thejambalayanews.com
NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com
GENERAL MANAGER Monica Hebert CONTRIBUTORS Nicole Arabie Rhonda Babin George Cline Drew Drummond Dan Ellender Julie Fay Monica Hebert Mike Louviere Mike McHugh Roger Miller Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos ADVERTISING
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On Cover: 1st Row (Left to Right): Kay Fox, Beauregard Electric Co-op; Celia Case, SW Call Center of LA; Ann Barilleaux, Alliance; Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach; De Ridder Mayor Ron Roberts; Glen Bertrand, City Savings Bank.
COVER STORY 17 The SWLA Economic Development Alliance
2nd Row (Left to Right): George Swift, Alliance; Mike Hayes, Sasol North America; Bryan Beam, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury; Carol Collins, Phillips 66 3rd Row (Left to Right): Bart Yakupzack, Gray Law Firm; John Cardonne, City of Lake Charles; Jim Giffin, SWLA Credit Union; Kirk Eidson, Fusion Five and Suddenlink. 4th Row (Left to Right): Bill Rase, LC Harbor & Terminal District; Ronnie Petree, St. Martin Bank & Trust; Ashli Waldrep, Fusion Five & Lake Charles Office Supply; Ben Bourgeois, Turner Industries (the Chamber’s 2013 Board Chair); Danielle Trahan, Alliance.
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REGULARS 7 Soul Matters 7 Adoption Corner 8 The Dang Yankee 9 Tips from Tip 20 Sports Report FEATURES 5 Singer Slingers Mud Team: Family Fun in the Mud 10 Port Arthur’s Pompeian Villa 13 Catching Up with the Lochness Mobsters
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sales@thejambalayanews.com
SALES ASSOCIATES Michele Clack Faye Drake Allen Garber Mitsi Brown GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Burn Rourk ART ASSISTANT Sarah Bercier CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Danley Romero
ENTERTAINMENT 12 Fish Tales 22 Red Hot Books 24 Acting Up! 25 Family Night at the Movies 27 Society Spice 30 Jambalaya Jam 32 Local Jam 34 Funbolaya
BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by The Jambalaya News columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff. The Jambalaya News is solely owned, published by The Jambalaya News, LLC, 715 Kirby 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 2013 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. Volume 5 • Issue 6
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A Note From Lauren If These Walls Could Talk I love the smell of an old house in the summertime-without air conditioning, of course. The scent of whatever is in those walls is more pungent, more alive without cold canned air. And it reminds me of my childhood, because we didn’t have any air-conditioning back then. The Jam operates out of a turn-of-the-century home. Yes, we have central air, but there’s a pantry off the kitchen (which has a porcelain-covered metal sink that probably dates back to the 1950s) that the central air does not quite reach. When I open the door to that pantry on a warm day, the aroma is so palpable I can practically
touch it. I smell the past. The old door to the pantry is ventilated on the top and bottom, but when you think of all that Louisiana heat in the pre-air conditioning days, I can’t see the vents doing all that much good. I have a thing about the heat anyway. I adore it. As a cold-blooded Northerner by birth, I feel that I’m now living in the promised land. I just wish it stayed this hot all year long. There’s nothing I like better than leaving the house and being enveloped in humidity. It makes me so happy. Very few people can relate to this. Most people think I’m crazy, including my husband. But I digress. The beadboard walls and ceiling and painted cabinets in that pantry conjure up all kinds of thoughts as to what
was stored in there down through years. Canned jams and jellies? Tools? Gardening items? Cookware? It’s not wired for electricity, either, which means that later owners realized the impracticality of its location and just let it be. I love that it, and the kitchen, were never modernized. There isn’t even a garbage disposal in the old sink. Phil had big ideas about granite counters and putting a hole in the kitchen wall to open into the parlor when we first bought the home—but I very nicely told him to forget about it. Not in This Old House. I love the warped wooden cabinets that look handmade and the bumpy plaster walls. They have character. The windows in my office are wavy glass—which
means they are quite possibly over 100 years old. Old houses harbor secrets and stories. Who lived here, died here, was born here? The one major renovation we had to do was to create a concrete drive in front of the house for parking—there was no way around it. But in doing so, we discovered more of the house’s past. Shards of china, glass and tile and children’s marbles were revealed as the earth was churned up. Of course, I still have them. I’m looking at them right now, turning the pieces over in my hand, imagining who held them last. I’ve never lived in a home less than 100 years old. And I never will. I just wish these walls could talk.
–Lauren de Albuquerque TJN
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Volume 5 • Issue 6
By Rhonda Babin Good fathers do lots of things. They guide their children, work every day to earn a living, are supportive of Mom, and enjoy leisure time with the whole family. Some families may go to the circus to see ‘The Greatest Show on Earth.” But Shawn P. Goodeaux’s family’s idea of a playtime event is what many consider to be ‘The Greatest Show IN Earth!” Goodeaux and his family are the Singer Slingers—a family mud team that races custom-made trucks in the mud. “We basically do three types of events,” Shawn P. explained. “With our race trucks, we do straight-line mud bog drags on what is usually a 200-foot track. It’s a timed event. We race our tractor tire/V-tread trucks the same way. And, these trucks are used in what’s called Free Style Bog. That’s when we just get out in a big mud hole and show off the best we can and see what the trucks can do.” Shawn P. said the third event is the latest craze in mud entertainment. “It’s the Hill-NHole/Obstacle Course. Sue [his wife] is currently competing in this event.” He said there’s very little money involved
Volume 5 • Issue 6
in any of the events they compete in. “You might win a trophy, but you do it mostly for the sense of pride and to have bragging rights,” he said. Sue Goodeaux, or “Mamma Sue” as she’s referred to by her family and friends, said they’ve been mud-riding for about 30 years. Originally from Lake Charles, the couple has two daughters, Brittany Savant, 22 and Aimee Goodeaux, 20. Sue and Shawn P. currently live in Singer, while Brittany and husband Chris live in Westlake, and Aimee makes her home in Lake Charles. “When the girls were babies, Shawn P. and I took a break from mud-riding,” Sue said. “But when the youngest was six, the whole family returned to playing in the mud on 3- and 4- wheelers.” Asked what the ‘P’ stands for when she refers to her husband, she laughs and says, “I’m glad you asked me. Shawn would say it’s
Warrior with driver Shawn P. for ‘phenomenal.’ But it stands for Paul. We have two Shawns in the family, so he started being called Shawn P. Simple as that!” Once you see pictures of Shawn P.’s mud and racing actions, you just might believe that “P” does stand for phenomenal. “It’s hard to explain the feeling of being behind the wheel and driving through that much mud,” Shawn said. “I really like hearing the sound of high horsepower motors and when you almost get stuck, but don’t, and the crowd is on the sidelines cheering you on. It’s exhilarating.” He said that all trucks get stuck sooner or later. “Even that’s triple exhilarating because you’ve done what you can to get through the mud,” he enthused. “The friendliness of your fellow riders and drivers is what it’s really all about.” Looking at the size of the engines, tires,
and frames of these custom vehicles, one would think getting stuck wouldn’t happen often. One of the first vehicles Goodeaux drove was a RZR side-by-side. “I owned an unbelievably good bucking bull named the Singer Slinger,” he said. “I had a custom painting of him done on the hood of my truck. After that, anytime we went four-wheeling or mudriding, we referred to ourselves as the Singer Slingers Mud Team.” The family’s vehicles are varied. They include a 1995 Chevrolet short wheel base low-profile truck named Son of a Slinger, which Shawn P. drives. This truck is made to race in the mud. “It only runs on 44-inch tires on the rear and 33-inch tires on the front, with a go-fast 540 Chevy motor built by Shane LeJeune Race Engines in Eunice,” he said. “I also
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ing it 1,500 horse power. It has a custom sub-frame attached and built under the factory frame. It also has a 4-link suspension, coil-over Singer Slinger shocks, and 14.9-28R2 special service tires and is powered by a #11 Georgia boot. drive the Warrior. It has a Ford “That’s my big foot!” he laughed. body, Chevy powered 2 ½ on Daughter Brittney drives a cusRockwell running gear under it. tomized 1975 Chevrolet Blazer. The specifics on it are a custom tube chassis, ground up build, 4link suspension, sitting on coil springs, and 16.9-28R2 Rice & Canes tires.” You can almost hear the engines roaring while Shawn P. talks about his namesake truck, The Singer Slinger. “The Singer Slinger is a 1985 Chevy SWB stepFemme Fatale side,” he explained. “It was pieced “It’s slight customization,” together from a wrecked mud Goodeaux explained. “It is the old truck I used to own,” Ironically, school way of jacking a truck up. the wrecked truck that was used It sits on 2 ½ ton Rockwells but for pieces was named Wreck-IT! still has leaf-springs which gives it The vehicle has a 540 blown alcohol injected motor in it, mak- a really rough ride. It’s powered by
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a 505 custom built motor. It makes 850 Horse power, 680 foot pounds of torque and Brittney has done an awesome job driving it. She’s not scared!” Son of a Slinger The other woman driver in the family is Mamma Sue. plays together in the mud, stays “She started driving a year ago together in the mud. “We’ve met after holding a flashlight for me some unbelievable people and for 30 years while I was building trucks,” Shawn P. made lifelong friends,” he said. “It’s a great way to have family time laughs. “Her truck is called the camping, running the trucks, and sitting around at the end of the Femme Fatale. It day talking about what happened. basically means “People should come to these dangerous events because it’s the most dirty, woman and she clean fun you’ll have in your life! is a little dangerWho knows? You may even get a ous behind the wild hair and build your own mud wheel. She runs truck!” a 400 horsepower small block June 29 will be their annual Chevy side wheel base step-side. party for friends, family and fans. We recently put a 406 custombuilt engine in. Look out when she For information on the Singer Slingers and for event listings, visit runs that!” their Facebook page. It’s clear that the family that
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essence of our loved one’s soul that surrounds us, supports us, cares for us, and LOVES us. Physical contact and touching, like hugging, symbolizes a non-verbal form of communication. We by Nicole Shuff Arabie often say that we have been touched deeply by something we heard or felt—even though nothing Hugs from Heaven physically touched us. Everyone likes to be hugged. Hugging represents the soul of one perWe can care for one another on so many son trying to confirm a deep connection and levels, demonstrated by a hug, a deep conversation, or a simple, heartwarming smile. I sharing with another soul. On an even deeper level, it’s almost as if it purifies the human am so thankful to have people in my life to heart. This takes place when one individual exchange hugs with--both spiritually and cares for the spiritual evolution and salvation physically! of another. A recent session with a client, and the spiritual hug he received from his mother, Consider how your soul inspired me to write this article. I feel very has been hugged recently! blessed to be part of these beautiful, loving The gifts that I have been given help othexperiences. The pure gift of love goes deepto see beyond single vision eyes. They ers er than any words can describe. It is the
begin to see a change of heart in terms of grace, the breath of the Spirit who blows where He wills. Only the spirit of God is an acceptable explanation for the renewal of a man’s heart; only He knows man’s deepest needs and how to treat them. We begin to emerge and find our own way once we begin to really feel life within us. Not to know more, but to know more deeply. Love is letting go of fear. Heal the memories, emotional abuse and anything else that triggers those emotions. Begin to follow the threads from the past that have now become experiences in the present. Forgive yourself from those experiences. Focus on being loved! Move onto compassion and love in your life. This will open your heart. Choose to live, really live your life with an open loving heart. Our loved one’s hugs help us to heal. We are here to love and send our loving energy to others around us. Sending you all HUGS of LOVE… Nicole To book a Soul Matters session with Nicole Shuff Arabie, call (337) 540-6573. You can also go to her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DeclutteringYour Soul TJN
Featuring
LAPAW Rescue
Found with a "friend dog" roaming city streets, the volunteers from LAPAW (Lake Area Partnerships for Animal Welfare) just couldn't leave this handsome beagle mix on death row after no one claimed him. In spite of his name, Houston is a handsome Louisiana boy to the core! He weighs about 45 pounds, but still has a lot of puppy in him. He is very friendly with other dogs as well as people and seems unaffected by cats (in other words, they can pass in the hall without a problem). He has not been tested with children, but has a gentle nature, so he should be good with kids over the age of five. Houston loves toys, especially a ball Volume 5 • Issue 6
and a game of catch with his human friends. Eager to please and very smart; he should be a quick study for some obedience training! He will need a large fenced yard to enjoy his playtime with his new family and doggie friends. Houston is hoping to spend the rest of his life with a great family and spend a lot of time chasing a ball with his new best friends. If you would like to meet Houston or any of the animals in the care of LAPAW Rescue, please visit us on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m. at PetSmart in Lake Charles. A complete listing of the cats and dogs in our care can be found at www.petfinder.com. If you would like to meet Houston, please let us know in advance by emailing us at lapaw@bellsouth.net or by calling (337) 478 -7294. To learn more about LAPAW Rescue, please visit our website at www.lapaw.org. Please hurry, Houston is waiting! We are searching for additional foster homes so that we can help save more pets. Crates, food and bedding are provided-- you provide the TLC!
TJN
JUNE 13, 2013
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Dang Yankee The
By Mike McHugh
Of Tunes and Toothpaste On our first day at this year’s Kerrville Folk Festival, I realized that I forgot my tube of toothpaste. It was then that I knew this trip was going to be a challenge. It meant that I was going to have to share my wife’s toothpaste. She tends to leave the cap off the tube, leaving globules of paste that have hardened to the consistency of Portland cement. I know it may seem trivial, but according to the worldrenowned Cajun think tank,
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Boudreaux and Thibodeaux Research Associates, LLC, toothpaste is among the leading causes for marital discord. The only way that my wife and I have been able to survive 28 years of marriage was to have separate tubes of toothpaste. Now, it looked like we might not make it to the end of the festival. That would be 18 days—a marathon in the arena of toothpaste sharing. This year, for the first time, we were able to come
to Kerrville, Texas, for the entire festival. We brought our camper out here to the ranch where they stage the event. Most people here camp in tents, and they are constantly chiding us RV’ers that what we’re doing is not, in reality, camping. I would be the first to concede them that point, if it were not for the condition of some of these so-called “camps.” Sure, they have tents and canopies, but if there is a pool table under the canopy, does that any more qualify as real camping as to what we RV’ers do? And don’t let me get started on their state-of-the-art ice chests, some of which are equipped with ten megapixel cameras. I bet that each one of them even has his own personal tube of toothpaste. I’ll tell you this—when they start taking pool tables along on mountain-climbing expeditions, then I’ll call that camping. Friends always ask me what it is about the Kerrville Folk Festival that keeps us coming back year after year. Quite sim-
ply, it’s the music. Why else come here in the summertime for a folk festival, where the attendees collectively generate enough sweat to create a Texas version of the Dead Sea? Here, I’ve found a place where I can play my guitar and sing in the camps to an appreciative audience. I know that, in my case, it’s a characteristic of people who’ve had a little too much sun. Here, I could stick a wicker cane in a fan and get polite applause for it. But that doesn’t matter to me. What does matter is that, at any time of the day or night, I can easily find a circle of other musicians to join with in making music. On any given morning, all I need to do is set out a pitcher of Bloody Marys, and the musicians will pop up, seemingly out of nowhere. It’s like setting out feed corn for the deer. Camps here on the ranch go by interesting names. The one that I like to play in most is called Tequila Mockingbird. It’s a camp that lives up to its name, insomuch as I have spotted a mockingbird or two there. But what’s more, I find that adding a bit of tequila to the mix makes for an especially receptive crowd, at least among the ones who happen to retain consciousness. Even my original material goes over well there. Take this lyric, for example: “Well, my baby she left me (da-dah-da-da-dum!) And the day that I got the news (da-dah-da-da-dum!) I put mace in her hair spray (da-dah-da-da-dum!) Now she’s the one cryin’ the blues” Yes, I realize that it’s not a candidate for the New Folk Songwriters’ Contest that they have here every year, but it’s soaring up the charts at Kamp Tequila Mockingbird. I’m thinking it’ll hit number one once I add the new verse about the toothpaste. Can’t get enough of “The Dang Yankee?” You can catch more of Mike’s wit at thedangyankee.com TJN Volume 5 • Issue 6
DISNEY HIKE The economy must be improving, since I hear Disney World was very comfortable raising the admission prices for their facilities this month. Yes, Disney greeted this summer season by increasing the parking fee by a dollar and their annual pass by $35-in addition to other price hikes. Some dear friends of ours just returned from a one-week venture there and reported a wonderful vacation experience. They were fortunate to beat that price increase by visiting in May. Disney has orchestrated their properties to make sure that vacation dollars spent in their area go to them and are not spread over to other venues. Just plain smart marketing on their part. They want their visitors to stay on the Disney properties and offer discounts and other deals that are available only to guests of their facilities. COMMUNITY BAND SUMMER SERIES Our Lake Charles Civic Center Arcade Amphitheater is the site of the Community Band Summer Concert Series that began on June 3 and will continue on each Monday evening this month at 6 p.m. The Red, White, Blue and You Concert on July 4 will also be held there at 7 p.m. that evening. My readers know my preference for this venue and I am so pleased to see this site being used as it should. Come with your family and friends and enjoy this open-air musical treat that is free to the public. STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER Friday, June 14, is another chance to publicly display your love of country. Flag Day was originally created to inspire all to the symbolism of Old Glory. The Second Continental Congress determined the flag’s design on June 14, 1777, which is considered the flag’s birthday. Take the opportunity to show your pride in our country and put out your own Stars and Stripes. It is quite breathtaking to drive down a street where every house has a flag fluttering in the breeze. Volume 5 • Issue 6
SUPERMARKET ROUNDUP My name is George and I’m a foodie. I even have the girth to prove it. Living in South Louisiana is Mecca to folks like me. In addition to being in the midst of all the tasty items we make here, Food TV is one of my favorite channels and chefs are real stars in my eyes. I fondly remember Julia Child, the “French Chef,” who made food preparation an event to revel in while you sat in the living room spellbound by her voice and masterful techniques. She was the start of a long line of television chefs that have become household heroes of the kitchen. Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen, Alton Brown, Rachael Ray and many more have given the kitchen arts a real boost. My inspiration for the shopping survey this time is from a salad I saw being prepared on one of these shows: a grapefruit and avocado mix with a raspberry vinaigrette dressing. The idea intrigued me so I had to try it for myself. Basically, you slice an avocado, coat the slices with the vinaigrette to keep them from darkening, skin and pare a grapefruit (get rid of all the bitter pith). Mix the grapefruit sections with the avocado slices in the raspberry vinaigrette and place upon lettuce leaves. It’s simple and tasty—you must try it for yourself. To make our salad, grapefruit, avocado, raspberry vinaigrette and iceberg lettuce prices were gathered on Wednesday, June 5. The prices reported here were posted on the shelf where the product was placed for sale. Stores for this survey are Albertsons, Country Club Road; Market Basket, Lake Street; Kroger, McNeese Street and Walmart, Nelson Road. Iceberg Lettuce, per head each: Albertsons, $1.49; Market Basket, $1.49; Kroger, $1.48; Walmart, $1.28. Avocado, medium, per each: Albertsons, $.99; Market Basket, $.49; Kroger, $1.25 (only had large); Walmart, $.50. Grapefruit, red, per each: Albertsons, $.99; Market Basket, $.99; Kroger, $.69; Walmart, $.50. Kens Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette, Lite, 16-ounce bottle: Albertsons, $3.79; Market Basket, $2.89; Kroger, $3.69; Walmart, $1.98. TJN JUNE 13, 2013
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By Mike Louviere Did you know that a Midwestern railroad tycoon founded Port Arthur, Texas? Arthur Stilwell built the Kansas City, Pittsburgh and Gulf Railroad Company, later to become the Kansas Southern Railroad. In the process, he founded several towns including Mena, Arkansas; Stilwell, Oklahoma and Port Arthur, which was at the southern end of the line. Stilwell founded Port Arthur in 1895 and decided to promote it as a seaside resort for millionaires, running special excursion trains from Kansas City to Port Arthur. He promoted the mild climate as the attraction for winter homes. Several wealthy Midwestern men built homes there, but strangely, Stilwell was not one of them, despite his unflagging promotion of Port Arthur.
In 1872, Midwesterner Isaac Ellwood was introduced to a wire fence that had a projecting wooden strip with wire points that impeded livestock from forcing their way through the fence. Along with two partners, he improved the concept and got his own patent in 1874. Later, he bought one half interest in the company Joseph Glidden had started. Together they formed the I.L. Ellwood Manufacturing Company. The company proved highly successful and eventually expanded, reorganized and merged into the Superior Barbed Wire Company. Ellwood became known as the “Barbed Wire King.” Ellwood became one of the millionaires who decided to make Port Arthur his winter residence, constructing one of the most unusual homes ever built in the area: a faithful replica of an Italian villa of the type found in Pompeii in 79 A.D. He employed Chicago architects George C. Nimmons and William K. Fellows to do the design and oversee the construc-
Ellwood and Harriet Isaac PAGE 10
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tion. When completed in 1900, the cost was $50,000. The home stood out from the others that had mostly been built in Victorian styles. The villa is a ten-room, U-shaped cottage built around a “peristyle.” A peristyle is similar to a patio that the house wraps around. Each of the ten rooms has three doors, faithful to the Italian design. There are no hallways. One room opens into another; one door enters the room, the other exits, and one door opens out to the peristyle. The bedrooms are on the east side, along with a small parlor. Across the front of the house is a large foyer with a formal room on the left. Along the west side is the dining room, kitchen, and servant’s quarters. To summon the servants, the home had a tube call system, similar to those found on ships to communicate between the bridge and engine rooms. The rooms were elegantly furnished with fine furniture and large chandeliers. The exterior stucco sur-
Peristile as seen from the kitchen
Detached wash house Volume 5 • Issue 6
place for her. Hopkins leased the home for nearly two years to various officials of the newly formed Guffey Petroleum Company (Guffey eventually became Gulf Oil). In 1903, Hopkins traded the home to Port Arthur entrepreneur Dining room with a chandelier donated by Gulf Oil George M. Craig for 10 percent of stock in the Texas Company, worth about $10,000. Craig later said about the trade, “Oil companies were a dime a dozen, how did I know the Texas Company would survive?” That stock would be valued at over $657 million Bed belonging to George Craig today. face is pink. Interior colors are The Craig family lived in the authentic peach, apricot, cerulean home until Craig’s death in 1950. blue, ivory, grey, almond green, It was then sold to Captain Arne and bright red. Everything is Pederson, who occupied it for the faithful to the style of the original next 19 years, making the only villas in Pompeii. modernizations in the home. Mrs. Ellwood spent an enormous Pederson installed the most modsum on the home and was very ern kitchen appliances available at proud of his completed project. the time. There is a Thermador There was one big problem: his double wall oven, and Thermador wife refused to live in Port Arthur. six-burner cooktop, a bun warmer Harriet Ellwood preferred the built into the cabinets, and a dishestablished Florida resorts with washer. Evidently, the laundry was clean beaches and lack of mosqui- still done in the detached wash toes to Sabine Lake, muddy house located behind the main streets, and the infestations of house. insects she encountered in Port After the Pedersons’ deaths, the Arthur. As a result, the Ellwoods home stood vacant for five years. only stayed in Texas Their niece eventually for one season, sellput it on the market ing the home to for $60,000, but the James Hopkins, the price was eventually president of the lowered to $30,000. Diamond Match The condition of the Company. Hopkins home was so bad that bought the home as demolition was cona surprise for his sidered. wife. And history Sydalise repeated itself. Fredeman, the presiWhen he drove his dent of the Port wife to the home, Arthur Historical she refused to even Society decided that get out of the carthe home should be riage, let alone go saved and began to inside. Like solicit support. She Ellwood’s wife, and her husband “untamed” Port donated $1,000 and Historical markers persuaded 24 of her Arthur was not the Volume 5 • Issue 6
friends to do likewise. She then approached the broker with $25,000 cash in hand and the deal was closed. The Pompeian Villa was now the property of the Historical Society. Close attention was paid to restore the home to as close to the original construction as possible. The furnishings and decorations, though not original, are of the period. The result? There is a beautifully restored Italian villa on 1953 Lakeshore Drive in Port Arthur--
the most impressive structure in the area. Remarkably, the roof tiles are the originals from the 1900 construction, and the foundation and walls have withstood storms of every kind. As a result of the careful restoration, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and also bears a Texas State Medallion and Marker. The villa is open for tours Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Admission is $2; group tours may be scheduled. For more information, call (409) 983-5977. TJN
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Mucho Hombre Calcasieu Parish’s then Sheriff McElveen invited me, Judge-tobe John Hood, Mike Bono, Sr. and Jr. and Rick Bono to accompany him on his annual sailfish safari to Mazatlan, Mexico. The hotel was marvelous, the Pacific Ocean placidly turquoise, the bay enchanting. I was all set to be the Hemingway of sail fish-
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ermen. John and I and Mike Junior strolled down the dock to the Bill Hemphill Fleet and went aboard the only twin diesel propped boat. There it was in all its glory, a true sail fishing rig replete with landing chairs, rod holders, and pilot tower. We had arrived in style but so had a squall, so we ducked into
the cabin. Our captain, who spoke tourist American, informed us it was just a passing storm and headed up to his tower. Stranded below deck, we chatted as we left the dock and headed out of the channel into 6to-8 foot swells. I checked to make sure John had his seasick patch behind his ear as a seasick John with his inner hear problems is a whole new shade of nauseous green. John and I were enthralled with Mike Junior’s tales from previous trips and we began to discuss how the sailfishing would be after the squall. Mike didn’t know, but assured us that the skipper would know, as he was the best skipper in Mazatlan. “You go talk to him. You’re a big-time guide. See what he says,” John said, mocking me as usual. I’d known John since I was
six months old, so this had become an ongoing heckling match between the two of us. So, I headed out onto the deck, ascended the ladder, and stood behind the captain. He looked like the Spanish version of the Ancient Mariner with his yellow hat, slicker and black rubber boots. With the rain dripping from the brim of his hat, he turned his ageless face to me. “The fish. They will bite. After the storm?” I asked in perfectly good pidgin tourist English. He just smiled and seemed to chuckle and answered with a Gallic shrug. “Senor, the fish, they are crazy,“ he said, and turned back to the wheel. Soon the storm abated and we ventured out of hiding. I was amazed. The ocean was only gently rolling. Sailfish were leaping out of the water. One, two, three, four, five, six sailfish, some of them nine feet plus, dancing on their tails out of our wake. John and I leapt to our chairs as
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the bronzed deck hand set out the lures on the rods and handed them to us. We quickly proved inept at hooking them. The deckhand took over and deftly hooked a fish and handed the rod to me. If you have never been on the end of a 9-foot, 4-inch, 132-pound fish that leaps, tail dancing across the water, you have missed the sheer experience of awesome strength as he battles against you and the rod. Meanwhile, John was playing Oliver Stone with his camera. “Hit him and make him jump,” he shouted again and again as he maneuvered into the perfect shooting angle. “Hit him, hell,” I shouted back, eyes glued to the rod tip and the acrobatic sailfish. “This fish is killing me,“ I added, nearly exhausted from the fight. John turned to the deckhand, truly impressed with me and the sailfish. “Mucho Hombre! Mucho Hombre!” John shouted to the carefully watching deckhand.
After a pause and a glance at my valiant struggle he grinned and said. “No Senor, say Mucho_____.” With a delighted guffaw, John shouted to get my attention. “Hey Roger, the deckhand called you a _______!” he said, delighted with the deckhand’s description. Then the fish took off again in yet another tail-dancing, head- and bill-shaking leap and I let out a whoop. Not phased by the insult that truly fit, I boated him. But to me, that magnificent sailfish won. I offered the captain $100 to throw him back, but the skipper refused. I have his bill and another’s on the wall with a picture of John, Mike and I and our five sailfish. It always makes me smile. And a little sad. Now they catch and release and with that, I am truly content. But the Mucho Hombre was the Judge. His fish weighed three pounds more than mine and that makes me nod my head and chuckle. Again. “Mucho Hombre.” TJN
A Day for Dad The idea of Father's Day was conceived slightly more than a century ago by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father's Day celebration – June 17, 1910 – proclaimed by Spokane's mayor because it was the month of Smart's birth. The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father's Day. Father's Day has been celebrated annually since 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent. This year, Father’s Day is June 16. Do something special with your Dad, and remember all that he has done for you. William Smart Happy Father’s Day from all of The inspiration behind us at The Jambalaya News! TJN Father’s Day Volume 5 • Issue 6
JUNE 13, 2013
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3210 Power Centre Parkway Lake Charles
(337) 990-0112
BASKETBALL CAMPS Ward 3 Girls basketball camp Date June 24-26 at Power Centre Complex. Ages 5-10 years old. Conducted by MSU women's coaching staff. $25.00, 1pm-3pm. TENNIS CAMPS Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Tennis Camp, June 17-20 at University Park. Ages 8-13. $25.00. 8am-10am. SOCCER CAMP SOUTH Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Soccer Camps. Location at St. John Elementary. Date: July 29-31. Ages 5-10 years old. $25.00. 8am-10am. SOCCER CAMP NORTH Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Soccer Camps. Location at Zion Tabernacle. Date: July 1-3. Ages 5-10 years old. $25.00. 8am-10am. GOLF SUMMER CAMP Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Golf Camp. Location at New Moon Drive-In Range. Date: July 8-10. Ages 5-10 years old. $25.00. 8am-11:30am. SUMMER DAY CAMP Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Summer Day camp. Full day option 7:30am-5:30pm. $70 per wk. Half-day option 7:30am-12 noon, $50 per wk. June 3-July 27. Ages 5-10. Location at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex, 7903 Lake St. 337-502-5214.
OTHER CAMPS & EVENTS
FREE Fishing & Casting Camp Located at Riverside Park. Ages 5-16. 8am-noon, June 22
FREE Big Baby Davi s Basketball Camp Located at the Power Centre. August 9. Time TBA. FREE Nate Livings Football Camp Located at the Power Centre. July 13. PAGE 14
JUNE 13, 2013
Coushatta Casino Resort Holds Grand Opening at Lucky Paws Dog Park Coushatta Tribal Chairman Kevin Sickey was joined by guests––both human and canine––as he cut the ribbon to officially open the casino’s newest venue: “Lucky Paws” Dog Park, located south of the chalets in Red Shoes RV Park. The new park is open daily sunrise to sunset with leash-free fun, shade and benches for humans, and water, agility equipment, and plenty of running room for dogs. In addition, ten chalets and ten rooms at Coushatta Inn have been designated “dog-friendly” for overnight accommodations. For reservations, phone (888) 774-7263 or reserve online at www.coushattacasinoresort.com. Coushatta Casino Resort is located in Kinder, Louisiana on US Highway 165 (I-10 exit 44) and features over 2800 slots and more than 70 table games including live poker, plus live bingo and off-track betting. visit the website at www.coushattacasinoresort.com. TJN
Letter to the Editor
I had to comment on something George Cline said in his Tip’s Tip column in the May 30 issue of The Jambalaya News regarding Downtown at Sundown. "Obviously, the concert series would not be so pleasantly received in the heat from June to September..." It gets just as hot in Lafayette and New Orleans from May through November and that doesn't stop those cities from having outdoor events/concerts/festivals, etc. Are the residents of SWLA so delicate they can't handle summer fun? I moved here from Cincinnati, Ohio where summer is brutal. Hot, humid, no lake breezes...but plenty of stuff to do outside. Just my opinion, but the weather is a poor excuse for a lack of fun and entertaining events that would benefit Lake Charles artists, residents, and musicians. Cheers and thanks for your publication. Kate Smith TJN
Time TBA. FREE Midnight Basketball Located at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center on Albert St., June 7-July 26, 8pm to midnight. Ages 8-16. FREE Midnight Indoor Soccer Located at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex on Lake St., June 7-July 26, 8pm-2am. Ages 8-16; 17 and up. MSU Women’s Team Tourney Located at the Power Center. June 1315. Time TBA. Volume 5 • Issue 6
Don Gay, 8-time World Champion Bull Rider, teams up with Frontier Rodeo Company and United Bucking Bull, Inc. to bring a complete bull riding experience to Lake Charles, Louisiana on June 21 and 22. The very first Don Gay Championship Bull Riding Tour is bucking into Burton Coliseum for a weekend of rank bulls, high scores and big wrecks. Beginning nightly at 7:30 p.m., the event showcases some of today’s most promising bull riders as they face off against the most famous animals in the business. Presented by the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles and cosponsored by Lake Charles Area Chevy Dealers, the Don Gay Championship Bull Riding Tour is produced by Frontier Rodeo, one of the nation’s largest and best-known rodeo producers. Owned and operated by Jerry Nelson, Frontier is the current recipient of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association‘s Bareback Horse of the Year and the Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year awards. Nelson is the only stock contractor in the history of the PRCA to receive awards for two bucking horses in the same year. Fan-favorite Gay, who is also a renowned
Don Gay 8-time World Champion Bull Rider
television commentator, will join riders from the night’s performance for autograph sessions at the Frontier Rodeo merchandise booth. The public is invited to a free autograph party with Gay and other professional bull riders, including Championship Bull Riding (CBR) World Champion Josh Barentine, on Thurs., June 20, at the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel. (Time TBD) General admission tickets start at $12 for adults and $7 for children. Various reserved seating options are also available, including VIP seats on the arena floor for an action-packed evening coupled with dinner catered by BBQ West, Jag’s Bistro, Rabideaux’s and Seafood Palace. A $3 discount is available for online purchases and through a coupon distributed to area schools throughout Southwest Louisiana. The online promo code is BULL. Tickets are also available at Baskins Western & Work Wear, 2990 E. Prien Lake Rd.; Cotten’s Boots & Clothes, 2601 Ryan St.; and Patton’s Western Wear, 3620 Ryan St. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.frontierrodeo.com. Click on Home and Schedule for the Lake Charles event page. For additional ticket information, call (254) 592-3662 or (337) 515-8501.
TJN
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Alliance Receives National Recognition – Again The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has once again been ranked as one of the top economic development groups in the nation. This is the second time in three years* that the Alliance has been recognized for its economic development efforts on a national scale by Site Selection Magazine and Southern Business & Development Magazine. “The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance is honored by this recognition,” said Ben Bourgeois, 2013 Chair of the Chamber Southwest Louisiana and its Alliance Foundation. “Since its inception in 2006, the Alliance has benefitted from the full support of our investors in the SWLA on the Move Campaign (110+ and growing), our elected officials, and business community. This acknowledgment must be shared equally with Ben Bourgeois our regional partners and investors.” In 2011, the Alliance forged the Super Region of Southwest Louisiana with our Acadiana neighbors and has long worked with Southeast Texas on the issues facing our bordering communities. “We understand that outside investors look not just at one city, one town, or one parish, but at the whole region and its neighboring areas,” Bourgeois continued. “We have to work together to make progress happen, and this recognition shows that is exactly what has been happening over the past five years.” “The award is a validation of the regional cooperation and team work of our allies and economic development partners and the results of a super capable staff dedicated to the improvement of our region,” said President/CEO George Swift. “We are thankful to be listed among these other great communities and will continue to work towards our development goals for Southwest Louisiana: better jobs, a highly educated workforce, and a higher quality of life for everyone.” George Swift “This year’s Best to Invest Top Groups in the U.S. all demonstrated a resiliency to bounce back from previous economic setbacks,” said Ron Starner, general manager and executive vice president of Conway Data, Inc. and Site Selection Magazine, who authorized the Top Groups report. “In addition, they continued a long track record of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in their communities. These organizations did not get ahead by following the herd.” Local economic development groups were first ranked according to four objective categories: new jobs, new jobs per 10,000 residents, new investment amount and new investment per 10,000 residents. They were then scrutinized for more subjective attributes, among them innovation, leadership and customer service. *The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance was recognized before in 2010. This current recognition is for economic development efforts and projects that took place in 2012.
Furthering the Interests of SWLA Southwest Louisiana is a wonderful place to live. We’re growing and thriving. And the Alliance/Chamber SWLA is doing PAGE 16
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their part in by creating economic opportunity in our area and demanding responsible government and quality education. Serving the parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis, its objective is to expand the service area to coincide with economic growth, the availability of organization resources and the interest of other adjacent areascreate economic growth for everyone in our region.. The Chamber has over 1,100 members representing a wide range of small and large businesses and professions. And membership keeps growing.
A Force in the Community, For the Community “The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance is made up of the Chamber Southwest, the Alliance Foundation and the Southwest Louisiana Partnership for Economic Development,” said George Swift. “But, these are just organi- Business After Hours event for Healthy Image zational names. What really drives these efforts is the amazing staff of the Alliance/Chamber. While some work exclusively on Alliance projects and some are solely focused on Chamber issues, everyone works together.” Over the course of a year, the Alliance puts on over 100 events, hosts over 300 meetings, coordinates the efforts of over 200 volunteers, and provides dozens of programs and services for the business community of Southwest Louisiana. The Chamber offers a tremendous source of networking opportunities with other business leaders throughout the region, and hosts the Business Expo, where businesses can share what they do with potential vendors and customers. The Chamber also provides niche marketing opportunities through the Women’s Business Network and its young professionals’ organization, Fusion Five. “Fusion Five has not only found a home with The Chamber Southwest, it found a partnership of ideals and goals,” said Kirk Eidson, 2013 Fusion Five Chair. “Fusion Five strives to engage young professionals in the region and support our business community. We work well with the Alliance staff and have grown immensely due to its support.” The Chamber also hosts the Business Expo, where businesses can share what they do with hundreds of potential vendors and customers. Want to learn something new? Through the Kirk Eidson many forums, lectures and workshops sponsored by the Chamber and the Foundation, the business community can maintain their market share by keeping up-to-date with information and resources. An exciting aspect of living in a growing community is watching new Volume 5 • Issue 6
requests for proposals (RPFs) from LED and businesses popping up. requests for demographics and other businessWhat a vote of confidence related statistics from regional companies and for our area! The Chamber organizations. SWLA is on hand to help Each RFP has the potential to turn into a you coordinate and promajor development. The Economic mote the milestones of Development Team provided assistance and your company and will a information necessary to bring about the multipartner with you to share billion dollar Sasol Expansion Project. And, the your celebrations, such as Housing Study commissioned by the team served groundbreakings and ribas the starting point of the Go Groups Housing bon cuttings. Committee. The Alliance will continue to oversee The Chamber is also a the long-term housing plan for our five-parish voice for the issues facing region. the business community of “Promoting the region Southwest Louisiana. and its resources is a group With the help of Marie effort,” said Bill Rase, Port Centanni, Vice President Director of the Lake of Government Affairs, the Charles Harbor & Terminal Chamber leads many deleDistrict. gations to Washington, Ribbon cutting at the Sowela Phillips 66 Center “The Port has a strong D.C. and Baton Rouge to share the needs of our area with our delegates and those from other regions. working relationship with the Alliance, often collaborating on-site visits with investors and Louisiana Economic The Economic Development Team Bill Rase Development’s Requests for Proposal. The Economic Development Team, headed by David Conner, is a clearinghouse of information on our region and a venue for businesses to acquire The Alliance facilitates meetings with Site Selection Agents, acting as hosts for our region.” site information when they are looking to expand. The team includes Adrian Wallace, SEED Center Incubator executive director, Daphne Richard, Research; Wendy Primeaux, Project Planning & and Ann Barilleaux, Alliance Foundation development director, work closely with the Economic Development and Workforce Teams on their entrepreneurial programs and funding resources respectively. Wallace helps entrepreneurs start their businesses and will oversee the business incubator at the soon-to-be-open Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development (SEED) Center. Barilleaux oversees the Alliance’s SWLA on the Move Campaign, which addresses the critical issues facing our region: workforce development, business recruitment, business retention and expansion, regional marketing and enhancing the regional partnership. R.B. Smith, Vice President of Workforce Development, works with regional schools and The Economic Development Team industry to target what jobs will be needed over left to right: Daphne Richard, David Conner, George Swift, Adrian Wallace, and R.B. Smith the next five to ten years and to develop our next generation of workers. Development; and Brittany Hebert, Grant Programs. Ann Barilleaux also oversees the Alliance’s efforts to bring The The team oversees the Alliance’s International Trade Program, which Leader In Me to every elementary schools in the region. The promotes exporting for small or medium-sized businesses. They also Leader In Me integrates Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly administer the Innovative Technical Assistance Grant, which provides Effective People” into every aspect of learning at the elementary Kaufman FastTrac training for entrepreneurs, economic gardening and school level, prompting higher test scores, lower disciplinary business counseling, and export training --which will eventually become issues and more parental involvement. Currently, The Export University. Leader In Me is in 10 schools over Calcasieu and For example, the Beauregard parishes. Economic Development Sasol “Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, but by team manages the sites the seeds you plant. I believe that and buildings database on by partnering with the Southwest Louisiana Site Selection Louisiana Economic Development and assists with developAlliance and The Leader In Me, ment of Louisiana we are planting thousands of Economic Development seeds, and, together, we can har(LED) Certified Sites. vest a brighter economic future for They provide information our region by empowering the to businesses looking to next generation to be leaders withexpand or relocate, and in themselves,” said John Stelly of fields requests for inforJohn Stelly Paramount Automotive Group. mation (RFIs) and Volume 5 • Issue 6
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Strong Support System The efforts of the Chamber SWLA are overseen by Vice President Paula Ramsey, Director of Member & Investor Services Avon Knowlton, and Customer Service Representative Betty Hebert. Ramsey, Knowlton and Hebert make sure that all Chamber members are attended to, informed, and involved. They direct the annual Business EXPO, golf tournament, the monthly Business After Hours, and dozens of other events and programs. All of the information going out to membership through the weekly e-newsletter, monthly American Press page, and quarterly newsletters is gathered and organized by Communications Director VP Amanda White, who also oversees Fusion Five, The Chamber’s Young Professionals’ Organization, and the Women’s Business Network, and the Alliance’s Next Generation Effort.. The administrative team – Liz Deville, Lynette Clark and Linda Robertson – makes sure that every event, every program, and every service of the Alliance has what it needs to succeed. Event Coordinator Lynette Clark handles every aspect of each event from registration to signage to catering decisions. Deville and Robertson handle all back-office functions of the Chamber and Alliance Foundation including human resources and accounts receivable and payable. The Alliance is also the home to the regional representatives for SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) and PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center).
SWLA Chamber-Economic Development Alliance 1011 Lakeshore Dr #7 Lake Charles, LA 70601 (337) 433-3632 www.allianceswla.org
Business After Hours Business After Hours is held the third Thursday of every month in an area business from 5:30 to 7 p.m. where you can mix and mingle with your peers and make lasting contacts. The next one will be held at Lake Charles’ newest event center, Chateau du Calcasieu at 932 Enterprise Blvd., on Thurs., June 20. Admission is $1 and a business card for members; $5 for non-members. There will be good food, door prizes and lots of surprises! TJN PAGE 18
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Dead for Now
Way back in 2011, I said the Louisiana Swashbucklers “are a consistent force in indoor football and that, as the professional sports face of Southwest Louisiana, they are in it for the long haul.” And, boy was I wrong. Almost exactly two years after I wrote those words, the Bucs franchise imploded, seemingly overnight, leaving Southwest Louisiana with exactly zero professional sports teams to call its own.
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Team owner Chris Meaux blamed the Bucs’ collapse on several factors, from attendance to a less-than-ideal schedule. The fact of the matter is that this couldn’t come at a worse time for Southwest Louisiana in general and Lake Charles in particular. Our area is on the cusp of a historic economic windfall; it seems that industries are falling all over themselves to build in Calcasieu Parish, bringing jobs
and, as a consequence, disposable income to the area. One of the major selling points of our area, a point of pride really, was a successful professional (disregarding its “minor league” status) sports franchise. When Lafayette, embarrassingly, had to fold its team in 2011 because it couldn’t get workers comp insurance, Lake Charles could point out that its franchise was still going strong after 10 years. Now we’re just like the rest. When one of the newcomers asks, “What’s there to do for fun around here” you can scratch off professional sports. Will pro sports come back to our area? I’d like to say yes, that Southwest Louisiana is too big a market not to have some kind of pro sports team representing it somewhere. In my gut, though, I don’t know if it will happen. The problem is that, short of
some deep-pocketed entrepreneur coming in and starting a brandnew sports franchise from scratch, it looks like Southwest Louisiana will be without professional sports for a long while. Meaux says he wants to start up a professional baseball team in Lake Charles, but I’m going to go ahead and tell him to save his money. Professional baseball in Lake Charles died in 1957 and it ain’t coming back. All you have to do is look at the pitiful crowds at McNeese Cowboys baseball games (and this town rightfully LOVES its McNeese sports) to know that this is no longer a baseball town. The only way I could see a pro baseball team surviving in Lake Charles is if it were affiliated with a major league ballclub. Not happening. Lake Charles, besides being geographically isolated from most of the affiliated minor leagues, doesn’t have the
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facilities to host any sort of meaningful pro baseball, nor should it go splashing its cash to upgrade said facilities. The Lake Charles Ice Pirates hockey team did well while it was in town (and hadn’t had all of its money stolen yet) and is still looked upon with nostalgia by those who went to games (myself included). But it’s an expensive sport to put on (you try keeping 17,000 square feet of ice frozen in South Louisiana) and most of the old Western Professional Hockey League franchises have folded, leaving Lake Charles with some complicated travel considerations. Lake Charles allegedly has a professional basketball franchise in the American Basketball Association that has been threatening to play real-life games, under one guise or another, for just shy of a decade, though it hasn’t managed to do so yet. Sadly, Moses Malone isn’t involved in this latest iteration of Lake Charles’ ABA franchise, so don’t get your hopes up. No, the only way pro sports come back to Lake Charles is on the football field. This is still a football town and, regardless of what Chris Meaux or anyone else says, there is still a deep, abiding interest in a professional football franchise in this town. This town loved its Swashbucklers almost as much as it loves its McNeese Cowboys football team. In fact, a huge reason the Bucs got as much support as they did was because many of its players were local talent; they either grew up in the area or they played for McNeese. Guys like Jermaine Martin and John Paul
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Jones, stars at McNeese who didn’t reach the pros outdoors, came home and were superstars in the Lake Charles Civic Center. Guys like Freddie Harrison and Alvin Bartie, local guys who played elsewhere or not at all after high school, became team leaders for the Bucs. But, in 2013, the dynamics of the Bucs roster shifted, becoming less locally focused. There were just four former Cowboys on the 2013 roster and just a few veterans (Sammy Knight, Kendrick Perry, and Damien Huren, for example) fans could recognize. Combine the unfamiliarity of the players to fans with an early-season losing streak and an unfavorable schedule and you have a combination for low attendance. And it killed pro sports in Lake Charles at the worst possible time. At least, pro sports are dead for now. Hopefully, with the expected influx of money and people to our area, someone will step up and create a new sports franchise for Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana to be proud of. Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than a decade for various publications. Brandon Shoumaker Coaches or parents with story tips or comments may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).
TJN
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It’s All About Dad It's that wonderful time of year when we get to focus on some great book gifts Dad would like for Father's Day. If you think he'd like a good laugh, and some not-at-all-bad advice, check out Big Daddy's Rules: Raising Daughters Is Tougher Than I Look by Steve Schirripa. The author, one of the stars of TV's Sopranos and the father of two daughters, shares his "rules," or principles of parenting. His super-sized personality comes through as he shares his personal experiences as a dad and talks about other celebrity (and noncelebrity) parents he knows -- all done with candor, humor and an abundance of adult language. Among his rules: Just be there. Let the kids know who's in charge: "You're not there to be a friend to your kid." Let kids make mistakes sometimes. And be easy on your-
self as a parent: "Everybody's gonna make mistakes. Kids don't come with an instruction manual. So if you're gonna make mistakes, at least make them your own way." He admits he's overprotective, and he likes the old rules of parenting, like saying no. Oh, sure, he indulges his girls' wishes, but, he writes, "If I ever get to the point where I can't say no to my kids, slap me a few times." Schirripa discusses the differences in bringing up boys vs. girls and the differences in parenting between moms and dads. But he always backs up his wife in front of the kids. "You gotta treat your wife with respect… Nothing I ever said to them is as important as just letting them see how I treat my wife." I really like that. He admits he's outspoken. "When it comes to being a dad, I think staying calm is overrated. I
got no patience for a lot of what I see going on around me, with the kids, with other kids, and especially with other parents. And I'm not shy about saying so. Sometimes, very loudly." I'm right there with him on most of his rules. But, he writes, a parent needs to understand that "Kids have to rebel. It's their nature. It's their job. Your job is to give them something to rebel against." His advice includes how to deal with bullies and how to cope when the kids are learning to drive or starting to date, and his
list of pet peeves includes reality TV, parents who need to be slapped, and vampire teenagers. He concludes, "The secret is this. There is no such thing as quality time. There is only quantity time. Raising kids is not a
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sprint. It's a marathon. "And ultimately, "Once you're a Big Daddy, you're a Big Daddy for life." In what turns out to be a kind of memoir, author Dave Bry writes letters of apology to people in his life in Public Apology: In Which a Man Grapples with a Lifetime of Regret, One Incident at a Time. At the age of 40, he looks back on the thoughtless or hurtful things he did — not just things he did wrong, but opportunities he missed. The letters start with incidents he's felt bad about since junior high school. He's sorry about lying to his friends and showing off. He regrets singing in a girl's ear at the school dance. He apologizes for things that happened at camp and for letting the kids he babysat for watch The Amityville Horror, sending them into weeks of nightmares. He apologizes to his parents, his principal, his friends, as well as President Clinton and various musical performers. Meanwhile, he tells us anecdotes about his first kiss, stealing beer, romantic encounters, and his dad's illness. To a camp counselor, he writes, "Sorry to have let you down the way that I did. There were things I didn't yet understand about friendship, and about trust and gratitude and respect. Things that I should have appreciated but did not." Regarding his rude behavior, he explains, "Obviously, I was very confused about a lot of things." But he doesn't excuse himself: "Plenty of people have Volume 5 • Issue 6
bad things happen in their lives. Not everyone acts like a schmuck." By sharing so many details, he personalizes his life story, but the book also acts as a kind of mirror of the stupid things we all did when we were younger. His stories go from funny to touching to heartbreaking. The book is enjoyable -and it isn't just for dads. Adult situations and language. If Dad's a basketball fan, he'll like Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court by Jay Bilas. ESPN broadcaster Bilas was a fouryear starter at Duke and played professional basketball in Europe before working as an assistant coach at Duke. He's written a book of advice on bringing back responsibility and maturity to one's game and to one's life. "Toughness is a skill, and it is a skill that can be developed and improved." It grows out of discipline, team focus, and selfconfidence. With chapters on topics such as trust, preparation, courage, communication, persistence, commitment, acceptance, resilience, self-evaluation and hope, the book includes simple, straightforward advice such as: Take charge. Be alert. Take and give criticism the right way. Take responsibility for your actions. Look your coaches and teammates in the eye. Be hard to play against and easy to play with. Make every game important. Make getting better every day your goal. Much of the book is written in sports metaphors, but the advice is universal. Copyright © 2013 by Mary Louise Ruehr TJN
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JUNE 13, 2013
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1940s, the next great classic will be The Best Years of Our Lives featuring a real war veteran in the film. Director William Wyler was said to be furious when he found out Samuel Goldwyn sent the veteran playing Homer Parrish for acting lessons. He cast Harold Russell because he liked his natural, untrained style and didn’t want it changed in any way. You may notice the sets on the film were built smaller than life-size. That’s because Wyler wanted everything to seem plain and drab with a focus on the actors and not on the sets. But it’s not all about the visuals. Music fans might be amused when a character asks a man named “Butch” if he remembers how to play “Lazy River.” The actor who played Butch was Hoagy Carmichael, the man who composed “Lazy River” in real life. The ‘50s bring us to the ultimate traveling film, Around the World in 80 Days. To this day, it’s still one of the most ambitious films ever shot on location, including wardrobe storehouses in London, Japan, Hong Kong and Spain. No CGI here. They shot in 13 countries! If that doesn’t impress you, then consider the film used 3,800 sheep, 2,448 buffalo, 950 donkeys, 800 horses, 512 monkeys, 17 bulls, 15 elephants, six skunks, four ostriches and 90 animal handlers. That’s a heck of a lot of fur and feathers to keep track of! Still not impressed? How about Mexican actor, Cantinflas, refusing the use of a stunt double in a bullfighting scene? Turns out he had bullfighting experience, so everything you see in the ring is real. Just to be safe though, it was one of the first scenes they shot in the movie in case they needed a replacement! If you have a good ear, you may notice Shirley MacLaine sounds a little different in this film. She didn’t have a cold--they just didn’t think she sounded right for her character and had her voice replaced. Speaking of MacLaine, the ‘60s film slated for the McNeese Leisure Learning course is The Apartment
starring MacLaine and Jack Lemmon. One of the more unusual rumors about this film involves a winter scene in Central Park. It’s said that director Billy Wilder sprayed Lemmon with anti-freeze to keep him from freezing outside! And that’s not all Jack Lemmon was subjected to. His character uses nasal spray frequently but it didn’t show up well on camera. So, the spray was replaced with milk, which was much more visible. The final film that will represent the ‘70s will be voted on by the students. The ‘70s is often referred to
by many fans as film’s “Golden Era” and was known for ambiguous, ironic endings instead of the typical happy endings so popular in modern times. Intrigued? There are several ways you can sign up to join the fun. See them all at www.mcneese.edu/leisure. The classes are held at the Burton Business Center on the McNeese campus from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on June 25 and July 2, 9, 16 and 23. The cost of the entire course is $29. Until next month, save me some popcorn! TJN
Traveling Through Time While the title of this month’s column might suggest I’m going to be talking about today’s most popular time traveler, the infamous Dr. Who, what I’m really going to tackle is a McNeese Leisure Learning film program. This summer, they will be stepping back in time viewing and discussing some of the most influential films of the 1930s through the 1970s. It’s time to set aside the Video on Demand, YouTube’s “Cats on Pianos” and instant streaming services to enjoy some carefully selected classics as they were originally meant to be enjoyed--in a group! While each one of these alternatives to today’s current blockbusters will be discussed at length during the course, I thought I’d offer some tidbits to look out for while watching these films, whether you take the class or rent them in your own home. First up is a film from the ‘30s called You Can’t Take it With You. It may not be a surprise to discover it’s a Frank Capra/James Stewart collaboration, but not many know it was the first film they shot together. For you youngsters out there, Capra and Stewart are the team behind possibly one of the most beloved Christmas films of the ‘40s, It’s a Wonderful Life. But I’ve veered off the timeline and must adjust our coordinates back to 1938. Curious about the crutches used in the movie but not in the play it is based upon? Not to be daunted by unexpected conditions, director Frank Capra made the best of every situation. When one of his actors, Lionel Barrymore, lost the use of his legs due to a hip injury and crippling arthritis, he just had the script altered so Barrymore’s character used crutches due to a sprained ankle. Turning our time machine to the PAGE 24
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Volume 5 • Issue 6
Now You See Me
(Lionsgate, Summit Entertainment 2013) Welcome to summer! In what I would call the first true summer movie, Now You See Me is being billed as a “caper” film. The plot is simple: Four average magicians are brought together as a Vegas act, the Four Horsemen. Together they do the unthinkable, robbing a bank during their stage performance, and distributing the money into the audience. An FBI agent is assigned to the case and the farce of trying to bring the Four Horsemen to justice begins. In the non-stop action that follows, we, along with the agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo, The Avengers) struggle to keep up. We
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are told along the way that we, and Rhodes, are being deliberately distracted and set up. The whole premise of the movie is that it’s one big trick. Does Now You See Me deliver on its promise? It certainly delivers laughs, with Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney, a mentalist con artist. He puts people to sleep and reads their minds, then blackmails them. Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) plays Daniel Atlas, a smart-mouthed street magician who bills himself as “the smartest person in the room.” Henley Reeves (Isla Fisher) and Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) round out
the group as it pursues a mysterious agenda. Where did they come from and where are they going? You won’t have any lack of theories to hang onto, as professional magic debunker Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman) seems to know all about the Four Horsemen. Then there’s agent Rhodes’ partner from Interpol, Alma Vargas (Melanie Laurent) who has theories of her own. And, just to complicate things further, the magicians’ act is being funded by millionaire Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine). With such a big cast and an above-average script, Now You See Me has the potential to be another Oceans 11. There are plot holes and more than a few smarmy moments (“Just believe in the magic!”) but that’s what summer movies are all about. Overall, the movie is engaging, full of twists,
and surprisingly original. To add to the fun, one of the segments is filmed in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. The Four Horsemen, it seems, get around. A lot of computer-generated imagery went into this movie, but it really doesn’t spoil things, as almost every astounding trick has a logical explanation. We even get the treat of seeing how the magic works. A rabbit disappears into a box thanks to a mirror. Trap doors and misdirection abound. Like all good magic tricks, when the smoke clears and the trick is revealed, you can’t help but be a little angry for being fooled. But wait, what really happened at the end? Don’t you realize you’re being set up for a sequel? Now You See Me is rated PG-13 for mildly suggestive themes and language. (Generally, the cops tend to curse when they’re foiled.) TJN
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By Drew Drummond In the past few years, the city of Lake Charles has become somewhat of a haven for music lovers. Be it the popular Downtown at Sundown program which brings local music to residents in a block-party-like setting, L’Auberge’s robust concert offerings, or the opening of venues such as Stellar Beans Coffee House, Luna Live and Dharma; there seems to be plenty of opportunities in town for everyone to enjoy some tunes. The availability of venues does not alone make a thriving local music scene, however; that must be pushed forward by the guitarists, drummers and vocalists that call this city home. Although audiences for these types of artists are thriving, it would be easy to say that finding continued success in this local industry is not an easy task. So what does it take for a band to be considered a big fish in such a little pond? If you’ve followed local music at all, you’ve likely heard of the Lochness Mobsters, whose blend of crunchy lo-fi pop and sunny surfer rock is a sound for sore ears among the area’s countless cover bands and accordion players. The band, which began in 2008, has played venues throughout the area for the past several years before taking their show on the road and ultimately moving to a city with far larger audiences than Lake Charles can provide. The group began when brothers Brooks and Taylor Lumpkin began playing cover songs. Eventually, they wrote an original tune that was a parody of a friend, musician Mike Chavez. After hearing the song, Chavez quickly joined the group, making the duo a trio that has been together ever since. After practicing together for a year, the group finally began playing local venues. Brooks Lumpkin said the group’s earliest shows put the struggling band’s growing pains in the spotlight. “When we first started, we consistently acted like idiots on stage. We started getting better at our instruments and somehow we molded into something worth watching and listening to,” he said. Eventually, the group found itself with a fan base, solidifying them as one of the area’s premiere acts. Rather than resting on their laurels, they began touring venues in Alabama and Texas, spreading their music PAGE 26
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throughout the South. Although the band was happy with the success they had found at that point in their careers, it was only natural for them to begin considering the low ceiling that a city the size of Lake Charles provides. Lumpkin said that eventually, no matter the amount of success the group had found in town, they knew they’d have to try their fortunes in a city with larger audiences. “We worked hard on our product, we maintained consistency and we showed audiences some sort of progression over the years,” he said. “We have a great fan base in Lake Charles and we were able to survive off ticket sales and tour merchandise for five years without going broke. We were happy with the band, but we knew eventually we’d have to move.” They used the funds raised from three shows they had done in Lake Charles to relocate to Austin. “We aren’t as popular as Black Flag or the Kinks yet, but we’re trying to push for something like that; we are still pursuing the American dream,” he said. Since their move, Lumpkin said the group still performs regularly in the area, and is thankful that audiences have fostered a swelling community of local acts. “We have strong musical relationships in Lake Charles,” he said. “The community is small and it moves in waves, but we’ve been playing with the same musicians beside us the entire way through. Like us, a lot of the kids that played in punk bands in the area ten years ago have moved on to other cities.” Bujie and the Highrise are in New Orleans, Ashes of Babylon has moved to Austin, and Mothership, which broke up a few years ago, has three great local bands: Large Marge, Marvelous Wonderfuls and Thee Andys. “You’ve got John Guidroz, Paul Gonsoulin, Andrew Davis and Kevin Lambert, who all work the singer-songwriter side of things in the area,” Lumpkin continued. “The bands and artists come and go, but the community is always coming up with something great to entertain its audiences.” The Lochness Mobsters recently recording an album, “Zedonk,” that is available on iTunes. Lumpkin said the group hopes to find success in Texas. We haven’t quite reached our peak in Lake Charles yet, but we are really trying to branch out in Austin right now,” he said. “We’re attempting to build a new fan base and begin touring as much as possible.” TJN Volume 5 • Issue 6
DOWNTOWN AT SUNDOWN Lake Charles continues to celebrate music, fun and food in the 600 block of Ryan Street at the 15th annual Downtown at Sundown Concert Series. Tonight, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble took to the main stage before a large crowd after the Jennings High School Drum Line and Young Band Nation. Folks enjoyed good food, drinks, browsing the local vendors, face-painting for the kids and so much more. Wish this lasted all summer!
Laurie Moffett with Cricket, Gayle and Jam columnist Tip Cline, and Lauren and Phil
Latoya and Denise Gradney
Maxine Cousins and Michael-Wayne Clinton
Kailey Richard, Caden Leger, Lana Nelson, Lacy Leger, Cara Clement and Caleb Leger
Paige Spencer, Amy Wilson and Mary Jackson
Sharlene and Bailey Williams with Myah and Mika Collins
Stephanie Landry, Brandie Thibodeaux and LeDawn Trahan
John Hay, Drue Lannin, Laura Midgett, Desi Bruchaus and Denise Derouen
SUMMER READING KICK-OFF The Calcasieu Public Library started its Summer Reading Program with a kick-off celebration at the Harbor’s Edge Pavilion at Prien Lake Park. There were plenty of indoor and outdoor activities and fun for young and old alike, including clowns, balloons, a cookie-decorating station and a magical, imaginative performance by the Calliope Puppets from New Orleans. Lots of kids signed up for the program— so start reading, boys and girls! Dot Akins, Marj Gustine, Charline Wyche, Donna Little and Brenda Credeur Volume 5 • Issue 6
Kristen Eccles and Alanna Garza
Elizabeth Martin and Trey Duhon JUNE 13, 2013
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Gwen and Kyndall Trahan with Kirby Fontenot
Holly D’Leon, Eiline Hebert and Krista Broussard
Kay Dering, Hayley Aguillard and Lisa Chachere
JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL RODEO FINALS Southwest Louisiana has roped ‘em back in! More than 300 rodeo contestants from all over the state gathered at Lake Charles’ Burton Coliseum for a week full of competitions to become the proud title holders of the Junior High and High School Rodeo! Supporters came out to cheer on their favorites and enjoy the special events, including a Western wear fashion show, Mardi Gras night and a crawfish boil. See y’all next year! Harkiran Kaur, Shan Thind and Harleen Kaur
Kelsey Brasher and Morgan Talbot
Jay Williamson and Shelby Richard PAGE 28
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Mark Neilands, Alicia Marcantel and Karen Neilands
Sue Bourque with McKenzie and Meagan Phillips
K.K., Tucker and Robert Patton
Hannah Johnson and Erin Roach
Katie and Dahse Vincent with Jessica Marcantel
Layson Young and Rhett Goodman Volume 5 • Issue 6
AKC DOG SHOW Who let the dogs out? All shapes, sizes and breeds of canines-- and the humans who love them-traveled from all over the nation to show their stuff at the Civic Center Coliseum. Hundreds of dogs representing 130 breeds competed for specific titles. It was so much fun to watch them being groomed before they hit the spotlight. Two paws up for a great event! Steve Calhoun, Sallie Shepherd and Darrell Cormier
Darlena and Kirsten Thibodeaux
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Diana and Jane Burrow
Taylor Chaffin and Jennifer Havis
Cole Webster and Eden Simmons with named “Champion” Token
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JEN KOBER AT JACK DANIELS WEDNESDAYS--ALL SUMMER! Local comedian Jen Kober is bringing her funny antics to L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, where she will perform every Wednesday night in June, July and August Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Dubbed “Jen Kober’s Homegrown Comedy Show,” this hometown girl promises a fresh new act each week with an array of guest entertainers and hilarious audience participation. The shows at Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill cost just $10 and begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com, the L’Auberge Business Center or Legends at L’Auberge. Tickets will be available at the door the night of each show; cash only please. Must be 21 to attend. SWLA ALLIANCE BIG FUN ON THE BAYOU JUNE 13 Come to the Isle of Capri on June 13 for great food, live music, 22 door prizes, a big cash drawing and a chance to bid on amazing items. Have a great time while benefitting economic development in SWLA! Reception and dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the program starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 and admit two people for a chance to win a great prize. For more information, go to www.allianceswla.org. L’AUBERGE’S PARTY BY THE POOL JUNE 13, 20, 27 The Robert Randolph Band will be performing on June 13 at L’Auberge’s Liquid Society’s Party by the Pool. On June 20 it’s Tate Stevens, and on June 27, it’s DJ Pauly D! Tickets for Liquid Society are $10-$20 depending on the show, and are available at www.ticketmaster.com, (800) 745-3000; at L'Auberge through the Business Center or Legends at L'Auberge. Tickets may also be purchased the night of the show at Legends. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show starts at 8:30 p.m. Must be 21 years old to enter. For details, visit www.ldlcasino.com.
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‘ELVIS: GRACE AND GRIT’ AND MARTY BEE’S ‘THE DOPAMINE CHRONICLES’ OPEN AT HISTORIC CITY HALL JUNE 14 The City of Lake Charles will host “Elvis: Grace and Grit” and “The Dopamine Chronicles” at Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center. The opening reception will take place on Fri., June 14 from 5:30-8 p.m. Both exhibitions will hang through Sept. 7. ‘Elvis: Grace and Grit’ looks at the early years of superstardom through his many CBS appearances. Also this evening, join artist and McNeese State University Professor Marty Bee for a meet-and-greet in the first floor gallery as he introduces his exhibition, “The Dopamine Chronicles.” “I got WHAT?” was Marty Bee’s reaction when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011. His offbeat and dark humor lightens the hearts of those coping with Parkinson’s disease. Historic City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are gladly accepted. For more information, call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com. JUNETEENTH 2013 JUNE 15 It’s music and fun for the entire family in a day-long celebration celebrating the anniversary of the emancipation of the Southern slaves. The event will be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center. There will be live music on the Center Stage with the best sounds of Zydeco, R&B and Southern Soul. Enjoy the Hat Parade, Mother/Daughter and Father/Son Look-a-Like contests, Domino Championships and the Celebrity Bar-B-Q Cook-Off! Adults $10, kids 12 and under get in free. Call (337) 491-9955 for more details. LAKE CHARLES COMMUNITY BAND CONCERTS JUNE 17 AND 24 Make plans to bring your picnic lunch and join the Lake Charles Community Band for a free concert every Monday in June at 7 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center amphitheater. In case of inclement weather, it will be held inside the Lake Charles Civic Center on the second floor mezzanine. The theme of this concert series is “Music Through the Decades.” The musicians in the Community Band are all volunteers from throughout Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Follow them on Facebook! SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 18 AND 25 Good Shepherd’s Summer Music Festival will hold its third concert, “Love is Like the Lion’s Tooth,” on Tues., June 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the church at 715 Kirkman Street. Join soprano Annamarie Zmolek and flutist Wendy Isaac Bergin of Volume 5 • Issue 6
Prairie View A&M University, hornist Rod Lauderdale, McNeese faculty, and virtuoso pianist Richard Masters, from UT-Austin, for an evening of vocal fireworks on the subject of love’s perilous pitfalls. On June 25, the final concert will have you on your feet and dancing in the aisles. The Rogues are a Scottish Celtic band complete with reels, jigs, strathspeys, and kilts! Founded in Houston in 1994, The Rogues deliver a commanding performance of traditional Scottish music with modern drive and flair. Come and see why after nine CDs and two DVDS, they are listed in the official GRAMMY book for several nominations! The concerts will be held in the church at 715 Kirkman Street and begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door; children under 12 are admitted free. A reception will follow to meet the artists. THE ADDAMS FAMILY JUNE 19-20 A smash-hit musical comedy for the entire family, The Lutcher Theater in Orange, Texas presents The Addams Family, bringing the darkly delirious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch to spooky and spectacular life. The play visits Southeast Texas just three weeks before touring Singapore and China for the summer. Tickets are on sale now from $35-$65 at www.lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Box Office at (409) 8865535. Student and group specials are available. LAFITTE’S LADIES ROLLER DERBY JUNE 22 Head to the Grindhouse at 932 Enterprise Blvd. in downtown Lake Charles on June 22 for the Gulf Coast Mash-Up—Pirates vs. Ninjas. Doors open at 6 p.m.; bout begins at 7. BYOB and bring your own chair! Tickets available at the door. For more information, go to their Facebook page!
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RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS JUNE 27-30 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents the Fully ChargedSM, Gold Edition Circus! It will be in Lafayette Thurs., June 27 through Sun., June 30 at the Cajundome. You’ll enjoy real facetime with performers starting at the All Access Pre-show Power-Up Party, which takes place on the arena floor one hour before the show and is FREE TO ALL TICKET HOLDERS. Don’t miss this opportunity to get closer than ever to The Greatest Show On Earth! Kid’s tickets and Opening Night tickets are $10. All other performance tickets are $15 and $25 with a limited number of $35 VIP Gold, and $45 VIP Floor seats available. All seats are reserved, and tickets are available at Ticketmaster, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Cajundome Box Office and by phone at 800-7453000. For group rates and information, call Feld Direct at (866) 345-8740 ext. 109. Get your tickets today! SWLA PATRIOT’S BALL JUNE 29 The City of Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission will host the Seventh Annual Southwest Louisiana Patriot’s Ball on Sat., June 29, at the Lake Charles Civic Center Contraband Room, 900 Lakeshore Dr. A social half-hour will kick off the event at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. During the evening, three individuals and one corporation will be honored with the annual Patriot of the Year Award in recognition of patriotic service to the community. There will be music provided by a DJ and dancing. You can purchase tickets at the Lake Charles Civic Center (491-1256), or at the USS Orleck Museum, 604 N. Enterprise Blvd. (214-7447). TJN
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Sponsored by
To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com
The
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 • Joe Ecker @ Cigar Club, 8 p.m. • The Posse @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Nothing More/Thelastplaceyoulook @ My Place American Pub, 9 p.m. • Jen Kober @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 9 p.m. THURSDAY, JUNE 13 • Leroy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Hillbilly Deville@ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Robert Randolph & The Family Band @ Liquid Society, L’Auberge Casino, 8:30 p.m. • Article @ Luna Live, 10 p.m. • TBA @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 14 • Hillbilly Deville@ Otis & Henry’s, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 6 p.m.
• Belly dancers at Zeus Café, 7 p.m. • Street Side Jazz Band @ Luna Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Karma @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Mad Conductor/Bujie & The Highrise @ Dharma, 8 p.m. • Zydecane @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • John Guidroz @ Micci’s Piano Bar, 9 p.m. • RKW Acoustic Show @ Cigar Club, 9 p.m. • Cypress City @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m. • Todd O’Neill Band @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m. • John Evans @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m. SATURDAY, JUNE 15 • Acoustic guitarist Jay Kacherski @ Zeus Café, 6 p.m. • SOS Band @ Delta Event Center, Delta Downs, Vinton, 7 p.m. • Karma @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.
• When the Word Was Sound/England in 1819 @ Dharma, 8 p.m. • Dead Earth Politics @ Luna Live, 8 p.m. • The Kadillacs @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Mark Reeves & Twisted X @ Wayne & Layne’s, Sulphur, 9 p.m. • Alter Ego @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m. • Wayne Dylan @ Micci’s Piano Bar, 10 p.m. • Leroy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m. SUNDAY, JUNE 16 • Ken Marvel Band/Jivin’ Gene @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m. MONDAY, JUNE 17 • David Verrett @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 • David Joel @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Jen Kober @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 9 p.m.
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Volume 5 • Issue 6
THURSDAY, JUNE 20 • Joe Harmon & The Harmonics @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Gary Helms @ Isle Event Center, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Keith McCoy & CEO @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Tate Stevens @ Liquid Society, L’Auberge Casino, 8:30 p.m. • DJ KC @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m. FRIDAY, JUNE 21 • Street Side Jazz Band @ Luna Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Belly dancers at Zeus Café, 7 p.m. • Foxy & The Highhats @ Dharma, 8 p.m. • City Heat @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.
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• Louisiana Express @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m. • Twangsters Union @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m. • Mayeaux & Broussard @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m. SATURDAY, JUNE 22 • Acoustic guitarist Jay Kacherski @ Zeus Café, 6 p.m. • ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Jenny & The Reincarnations/Thee Andys @ Dharma, 8 p.m. • Large Marge/The Floating Popes @ Luna Live, 8 p.m. • JD Newbury & Southwind @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Louisiana Express @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m. • Buggaboo @ My Place American
Pub, 10 p.m. • Geno Delafosse & French Rockin Boogie @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m. • DJ KC @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m. SUNDAY, JUNE 22 • Brad Sapia & Bayou Soul @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m. MONDAY, JUNE 24 • David Verrett @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 27 • Muzic Unlimited @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Brandon Ledet & Creole Touch @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • DJ Pauly-D @ Liquid Society, L’Auberge Casino, 8:30 p.m. • DJ San-D @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.TJN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 • 3 of a Kind @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Jen Kober @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 9 p.m.
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word search Father’s Day! Dad Discipline Father Grandpa Hero
Honor June Sixteen Love Memories Paw Paw
Role Model Security Special Day Strength Wisdom
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Players take turns connecting two dots. When you make a square, put your initials in the box and take another turn. When all dots are connected, the player with the most boxes wins.
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Volume 5 • Issue 6
Volume 5 • Issue 6
JUNE 13, 2013
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