VOL. 2, NO. 7 /JULY 1, 2010
ALSO: Remembering D-Day: A Special Journey The Fallen Heroes Motorcycle Club • Every Woman is a Queen at Rhinestone Runway
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JULY 1, 2010
Volume 2 • Issue 7
GENERAL 715 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com PUBLISHER Phil de Albuquerque
contents
On Cover: Dr. John and Cenda Noble. Photo by Nick Derouen
July 1, 2010 • Volume 2 • Issue 7
COVER STORY 22
VOWG: Join the Club
publisher@thejambalayanews.com
NEWS MANAGING EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com
EDITOR Lisa Yates lisa@thejambalayanews.com
CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Berman George Cline James Doyle Dan Ellender Dr. Carl Fastabend Maria Alcantara Faul Mike McHugh Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANT Patricia Prudhomme SALES ASSOCIATES Jody Barrilleaux Katy Corbello Faye Drake Karla Tullos GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck ART/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Michelle LaVoie
REGULARS 6 8 9 11 12 28
The Boiling Pot The Dang Yankee Tip’s Tips Doyle’s Place Greener World Sports Report
FEATURES 5 15 18 20
Family & Youth’s eGala Lifting Up the Fallen Remembering D-Day: A Special Journey Bayou Biz: Rhinestone Runway
ENTERTAINMENT 30 33 34 35 37 41 44 46
Red Hot Books Killin’ Time Crossword Funbolaya Family Night at the Movies Society Spice Jambalaya Jam The Local Jam Eclectic Company
22 41 12
BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews MARKETING INTERN Morgan Murray 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, 826 Ford Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 436-7800. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The Jambalaya News cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Copyright 2010 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. Volume 2 • Issue 7
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We are now accepting credit cards! JULY 1, 2010
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A Note From Lauren When Life was a Picnic Summer has always been my favorite time of the year. And when I was a child, July was always my favorite month. We didn’t go back to school until after Labor Day (whatever happened to that tradition?), so it was sheer heaven to know that even after July was over, I still had another full month of freedom and sunshine before the dreaded school year began. Our family and friends were really into picnics. And we had a favorite place: Bradley Palmer State Park, which was located in Topsfield, a beautiful historic town about 45 minutes north of Boston. You can imagine how I felt—a little girl from a three-decker house in a gritty Italian-American city neighborhood—to be transported to this idyllic setting, if only for a day. The former estate of an attorney (in case you’re wondering, Bradley Palmer was the lawyer who represented Sinclair Oil in the Teapot Dome Scandal and President Wilson at the Versailles Peace Conference after the First World War), the park sits on over 700 acres of rolling meadows, pineneedled hiking paths and bridle trails. There’s a wading pool for children, barbecue pits and picnic tables. All in all, it’s a perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. And I’m speaking about it in the present tense because even though I haven’t been there in years, it’s still there. My mother would rally the troops a few days before the picnic. Phone lines would be buzzing over who would be bringing what. It was always a feast: baked chicken, eggplant parmiagiana, submarine sandwiches stuffed with Italian cold cuts (we called them “spuckies”), clam dip and Fritos, fruit and macaroni salads, too many desserts, and of course, whatever you wanted to throw on the barbecue pit. I think my Uncle Ricky was in charge of that. On picnic day, the cars would be loaded with lawn chairs and coolers full of food and off we’d go. Whoever arrived first would be in charge of staking out our spot (we had our favorite area, so the earlier you got there, the better—lest some interlopers claim it). Once we had the spot, we had to negotiate the fine art of Heavy Wooden
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Picnic Table Moving. Obviously, one picnic table would not be sufficient for such a large crowd. So the men would get together and start “borrowing” tables, which they would remove from other locations in the park. Keep in mind that our favorite spot was in the woods, on the side of a hill that was slippery with pine needles. It’s a wonder someone didn’t get a table dropped on his foot. I do remember us getting reprimanded one time by a park ranger because we had taken so many tables that other picnickers complained! The first thing us kids would do was run to the pool while the adults were getting the food ready. It was located off the parking lot, so we could see whenever anyone in our group arrived and direct them to our spot. Then we were called to eat. There’s something about eating outdoors, under the cool trees on a hot summer day, that is so special. “Why does food taste so much better outside?” my mother used to laugh. “We could eat the same meal at home and it just wouldn’t be the same!” Probably because when we’re eating outside, we’re using all of our senses. We enjoyed our picnic food surrounded by tall pines and birch trees. We’d hear the birds call and the wind rustle the leaves, feel the sun on our tanned arms, inhale that dark, woodsy fragrance that I’ve only found in Northern forests. All of this could only enhance our eating experience. And it’s the stuff of memories. It would be wonderful to go back in time for just a moment, and be a 10-year-old skinny kid again, my hair in pigtails, running around with my cousins at Bradley Palmer Park while my mother and her friends sing old songs, and the dads roast marshmallows, and there are weeks and weeks of glorious summer ahead of me. I’m there.
– Lauren de Albuquerque TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 7
Auction item. Football signed by Tracy Porter of the New Orleans Saints.
The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana announces the Family Foundation eGala. Family Foundation eGala is an online auction featuring unique items and experiences. Patrons can leave their ball gowns and tuxedos in the closet, and support Family Foundation from the comfort of their homes. View, bid and buy unique items and good times. All proceeds will assist families through Family & Youth Counseling Agency (Family & Youth) for generations to come. The Web site opened for browsing on June 28. Bidding starts on July 11 and closes on Aug. 1. Log on to www.egalafamilyfoundation.com. There is something for everyone on eGala — art, jewelry, wine, electronics, and more. Sports fans will want to bid on dugout level tickets for a Houston Astros game, Houston Texan Monday night football tickets, a football signed by New Orleans Saints player Tracy Porter or a signed Drew Brees print. Fans of LSU will not be left out with a chance to own a unique LSU area rug and LSU Oreck vacuum cleaner. Bid on a lunch package with the president of Pinnacle Entertainment in Las Vegas, including two nights at Caesar’s Palace. Enjoy power lunches with Senator Willie Mount, Sheriff Tony Mancuso, Parish Administrator Bryan Beam, Alliance SWLA President George Swift, Lake Charles Marshal Joey Alcede, or Mayor Randy Roach. Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is the philanthropic arm of Family & Youth. The Foundation’s goal is to develop an endowment to perpetuate the programs and services of Family & Youth by connecting donors to priorities that will enhance the quality of family and community life for generations to come. Activities important to the Foundation include promoting excellence in the nonprofit sector and promoting philanthropy at all levels. Nonprofit organizations play a key role in improving and maintaining the quality of life in communities. They provide important services, such as meeting critical needs of families in distress, responding in times of need, providing job
training, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and displaced and much more. The Foundation supports leadership development in the nonprofit sector. Developing excellence in nonprofit organizations promotes honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility and accountability. In 2009, 267 nonprofit staff and volunteers have benefited from the training and networking opportunities hosted by Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana in partnership with Entergy, 21st Century Foundation and Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation. More than 60 organizations took advantage of consultation and coaching. Each year, the Foundation hosts the Philanthropy Celebration and Awards Presentation to honor individual and corporate philanthropists. Philip Earhart, John Stelly and L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort were honored for giving their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of Southwest Louisiana, during the Philanthropy Celebration and Awards reception held in February at L’Auberge Du Lac Casino Resort. Family & Youth’s goal is to support family life and build a stronger community. Family & Youth serves thousands of individuals and families in Southwest Louisiana through its eight programs and several initiatives. The programs include Autism Support Alliance, The Counseling Center, The Leadership Center for Youth, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), Performance Employee Assistance and Business Services, Children and Families Action Network (CFAN), and Human Services Resources Institute (HSRI). The Foundation believes that investing in families secures the future of our communities. Through the power of giving, family and community dreams are positively affected. For more information about Family Foundation or Family & Youth visit www.fyca.org or call (337) 436-9533.
EGala auction item. One of the many pieces of jewelry.
One of several wine packages being auctioned.
TJN EGala auction item. Original art by Ronnie Collins.
Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
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The
Boiling
P l
Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com
WCH ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Women & Children’s Hospital (WCH) announced that Bryan Bateman has been appointed chief executive officer. Bateman has been serving as the interim CEO since March 26, 2010. Bateman has previously held executive positions at Laredo Medical Center in Laredo and was the associate CEO at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell, N.M. from 2004 to 2007. Most recently, Bateman served as chief operating officer at Abilene Regional Medical Center, a full-service, 231 bed hospital located in Abilene. Bateman was born and raised in Texas. He Bryan Bateman received his MBA from Canyon College and also holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Lisa, have two sons.
NEW DIRECTOR OF NURSING NAMED AT HOME HEALTH AGENCY OF WCCH Sharon King, RN, CWON, has joined the Home Health Agency at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital as its new director of nursing. King will be responsible for overseeing the agency’s nursing staff, supervising patient care activities, and monitoring the performance of staff to ensure compliance with current standards of accepted nursing and medical practice. King Sharon King holds a degree in nursing from McNeese State University and is a certified wound/ostomy nurse. Prior to joining the Home Health Agency of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, King served as a clinical case manager at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. A Sulphur resident, King is a member of the Wound Ostomy Continence Nurses’ Society and is an active participant in American Diabetes Association events. KERRY ANDERSEN AWARDED EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE Kerry Andersen, the director of community and public relations for L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, was recently awarded an Executive Leadership Certificate from Cornell University. The Executive Leadership program at Cornell University is a series of courses designed to develop new skills relevant to today’s business climate and impact the bottom line. The challenging, accelerated program is conducted via online training modules and can be completed in 2-3 months. PAGE 6
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Kerry Andersen
WCCH OPENS NEW RADIOLOGY AND INTENSIVE CARE UNITS West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital officially opened its new admissions area as well as a new radiology department, respiratory therapy department, ambulatory preadmissions treatment center and a 12-bed intensive care unit. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held with local dignitaries and elected officials to celebrate the near 50,000 square feet addition. This is the first phase in a three-phase expansion project. With this addition, the hospital’s new main entrance is now off of Stelly Lane. WELCH NAMED NEW CHIEF NURSE OFFICER AT ST. PATRICK HOSPITAL Shelly Welch has been named Chief Nurse Officer at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. Welch has been with CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital since 1992 and has served as a nursing director in multiple roles and as Divisional Director of Nursing Operations. She most recently served in the role of Assistant Administrator for Human Resources, Oncology Services, Organizational Development and Training and various other areas. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from McNeese State University, she began her nursing career in oncology services, and later earned an MBA from Regis University. CITY SAVINGS BANK RANKED NO. 15 AMONG TOP 400 COMMUNITY BANKS City Savings Bank was recently ranked No. 15 in a listing of the top 400 U.S. community banks for return on assets by the financial publication Independent Banker. In addition to the high rating, City Savings Bank is also referenced in an upcoming feature article in the publication on the top-performing community banks of 2009. Since 1928, City Savings Bank has served its local community by providing financial strength, stability and the highest customer service. The bank has locations in DeRidder, DeQuincy, Moss Bluff, Leesville, Sulphur and Lake Charles. For more information on City Savings Bank contact Matthew Bowles at (337) 4638661, ext. 235 or mbowles@citysavingsbank.com. GENO IAFRATE NAMED TO BOARD OF THE CHAMBER SWLA L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort announces the appointment of senior vice president and general manager Geno Iafrate to the board of directors for the Chamber Southwest Louisiana. Iafrate’s term, effective immediately, extends through December 2011. Iafrate directs all operations at L’Auberge, which includes a 26-story hotel complex with approximately 1,000 rooms and suites, a champi-
Geno Iafrate Volume 2 • Issue 7
onship golf course, full service spa, extensive meeting space and a casino featuring 63 table games and 1,600 slot machines. CMN RAISES OVER $311,000 IN ANNUAL TELECAST The Children’s Miracle Network of Southwest Louisiana raised $311,554.39 during their annual telecast broadcast live on KPLC this year. The 8.5-hour broadcast brought in phone pledges from around the community and featured local children’s “miracle” stories. The money raised by the telecast and other annual Children’s Miracle Network fundraisers is used locally to help improve pediatric medical care services and health education opportunities in the Southwest Louisiana Region. GAP Broadcasting received the Children’s Miracle Network Community Champion Award for their extraordinary efforts for CMN in 2010. GAP Broadcasting stations include Gator 99.5, KISS FM 92.1, 107 JAMZ, 92.9 The Lake and Cajun Radio 1470 and 1290 AM. WCH’S CHIEF NURSING OFFICER RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Charlene Warren, Chief Nursing Officer of Women & Children’s Hospital, has been honored with an Outstanding Achievement Award from Community Health Systems. The organization includes Women & Children’s Hospital and over 120 other hospitals in 29 states. The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes hospital leaders who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to quality health care and operational excellence. Warren was named CNO in 2005, providing clinical leadership as the hospital has expanded surgical services, adding a total joint replacement center and incision-less surgical procedure to treat individuals with chronic acid reflux. The hospital was recently received a Louisiana Gold Quality Award.
Sunday School, 9:30am Worship, 11am You are WELCOME here!
Business is
Booming! mi
From left to right: Rebekah Green, Brittany Martinez, Dewi Moriarty, Tami Granger and Margo Hoppes
L’AUBERGE ANNOUNCES MAY FIVE STAR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH. L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort recently announced its May Five Star Employees and Employee of the Month. The May Five Stars are: Margo Hoppes, a credit clerk; Rebekah Green, a massage therapist; Dewi Moriarty, a table games dealer; Tami Granger, an administrative assistant; and Brittany Martinez, a cook in Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill. Hoppes was also designated as the May Employee of the Month and is now eligible to receive the coveted Employee of the Year award. Margo, a proud mother and grandmother, has been with L’Auberge since November of 2005. She is a graduate of Delta School of Business & Technology and has worked in the gaming industry for more than 10 years. TJN
And we need to increase our sales staff! Do you have prior sales experience? Are you looking for full-time work with people who love what they do?
E-mail resume to publisher@thejambalayanews.com or call (337) 436-7800 ext. 106 Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
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Dang Yankee The
By Mike McHugh
Cat Wars
Never in my life, until now, have I lived in the middle of a war zone. I’m sure many of you haven’t, either. Believe me, it makes living in postKatrina New Orleans seem like a day at the beach. It all started when we got the new cat. It was not my idea. My wife always wanted ours to be a two-cat household, presumably so they could keep each other company. I, for one, never saw the logic in this, but I don’t get a vote. A few months ago, the older of our two cats finally kicked the bucket. In
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cat years, she was older than all of the Rolling Stones members added together. It was definitely her time. This left our younger cat, Angel, the sole feline. She was very happy about her new situation, what with having exclusive dominion over the entire house. The house is not ours, mind you. We are merely Angel’s slaves; put there to feed her and clean the litter box. Still, all was right and at peace in our little world. But, my wife has never been one to leave well enough alone. She insist-
ed that we had to get another cat to replace the one who had passed. I warned her that bringing another cat into our house would upset the balance of power, something akin to having a Hatfield move in with the McCoys. She would not listen. “Don’t worry,” she insisted, “we’ve got a big enough house. They’ll each stake out their own territory and establish a peaceful co-existence, just like it was before.” This was true, I have to admit. Angel did let our older cat have the pantry where her food bowl was (at least when it wasn’t feeding time), and she got the rest of the house. Then along came my editor, Lauren, who is the ultimate enabler to the cat-addicted. Lauren totally sold my wife on a cat named Bertha. This was not a difficult task, mind you. It was kind of like selling flood insurance during a hurricane warning. “Lauren told me the cat is very intelligent,” my wife said. “She listens to Beethoven and can meow in Latin.” I was not impressed. “Ask her if she has one that listens to Willie Nelson and talks football,” I answered. Still, my opinion on the matter was not important.
Angel, to put it mildly, was even less enthusiastic. The moment Bertha came through the door, she gave me a look that I could only interpret as saying, “Please tell me you brought her here so you can bury her in the yard up to her neck and then run over her with the lawnmower for kicks.” My wife interpreted it by saying, “Look, she’s curious.” “Oh,” I replied, “is that what it means when her tail gets puffed up to the size of a chimney brush?” When the post office processed Bertha’s change of address and the first issue of Feline of Fortune appeared in our mailbox, I knew there was going to be trouble. Bertha would never be content with only the pantry. No, she had designs so grand that it made Napoleon’s ambitions seem like a property line dispute with the nextdoor neighbor. And Angel, whose main ambition in life is to emulate a sack of potatoes, was seen as no threat at all. Now, the tables are turned. Angel’s territory is currently reduced to the small space under the china cabinet in the dining room, beneath which she can barely squeeze her Jabba-The Hutt-like girth. (This is a testament to the amazing things a cat can do in a desperate situation.) Meanwhile, Bertha proudly assumes position on Angel’s former throne: the arm of my recliner in the den. Tufts of cat fur litter the dining room floor, evidence of Angel’s futile attempts to regain ground. Now, I can’t even approach my recliner without rousing Bertha’s ire, probably because I have tried to take Angel’s side in the conflict. I felt I owed it to her for all those times she loyally sat at my feet while I played guitar, something no human has ever dared to attempt. I have often rushed to her defense with the ultimate ballistic anti-cat weapon: the spray bottle. It may contain only water, but to a cat this is worse than any chemical weapon ever conceived of by Saddam Hussein. But, I cannot be there for her at all times, and so such victories are short-lived. The only thing this has got me is to be viewed by Bertha as an enemy combatant. I see no chance of making peace with her now, particularly since I can’t play any Beethoven, and I can barely manage even a few words of Pig Latin. So, now I’m an efugee-ray in my own ouse-hay. TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 7
By George “Tip” Cline
In the same vein, I have started pineapple plants from the tops of fresh pineapples. I have even had fruit come from a plant that I started, and when I planted the top of that pineapple—it eventually produced another pineapple! The original plant was from a pineapple given to us from friends who took a trip to Hawaii. The pineapples that I grew were quite small and not particularly tasty, but I felt quite rewarded having a Louisiana native-grown pineapple.
I just cut the top off a fresh pineapple, place it in a shallow bowl of water and set it on the back porch in the shade. I keep adding water to the bowl as it goes down, and eventually, roots come out the bottom. Place the rooted top in some potting soil, keep it moist and you will see long, narrow leaves develop from the center core. Try it yourself. You’ve already paid for the start of it, and I’m sure you have an old bowl around to use. TJN
Sacrificing Our Liberties? It is hard to believe that we are living in the same country that I grew up in. I know that progress and change must come, but I doubt that what is occurring in the good ole USA is really progress— although it certainly is change. At one time, we were noted for having called for the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our precious rights seem to be falling by the wayside due to political correctness, judicial activism and wholesale disregard of our beloved Constitution. Yes, we do live in an age of technology that does allow the evildoers unheardof-possibilities, but are we better off for sacrificing our liberties for a false sense of security? Just provoking a thought or two from you, my readers. The trend of the day seems to be that everything is geared towards “educating the public.” Any deviation from what authorities deem proper conduct is met with a program to make us see the error of our ways and to promote the approved method of behavior. I remember when the phrase, “Teach them a lesson,” was what that was called. Don’t you just love political correctness? FREE FLASHLIGHT! Harbor Freight has been putting out coupons for a free LED flashlight. There are no tricks or gimmicks involved, just present the coupon at the counter and get your flashlight. If you haven’t been to Harbor Freight, it is like a Toys-RUs for grown up guys, so allow some time to wander among the Volume 2 • Issue 7
goodies. Their coupons have been in several different publications and are easy to find. You can sign up for their mailing list and have them sent to your home. I have gotten mine and find it a decent device, not a 3-cell Maglite, but it is a nice little flashlight. I appreciate it when a business gives out a usable promotional item with no strings attached. AVOCADOS AND PINEAPPLES After the hard freezes of last winter that caused the loss of many of our yard plants, it was refreshing to find that my avocado tree is coming back. I sure thought that I had lost that one. Just goes to show that patience can be rewarded. It’s already over three feet tall and is trying hard to please. I know that they are not a recommended species for this area, but I wanted to try one in the backyard anyway. You can start one from an avocado seed yourself. Next time you have one, save the pit and with the fat end down, stick three toothpicks to hold it up in water about half way up the seed. Set it on the windowsill and change the water every several days. After a few weeks, you’ll see roots coming out the bottom, and after a while, a shoot will start growing up. The shoot will need to be cut back halfway after it gets to be about six feet tall. When the new shoot leaves out, you can plant it in a potting mixture. Just keep it moist and you will have your tree. Not all seeds germinate, so if yours doesn’t do anything in six to eight weeks, you have a dud and will have to try again.
www.alamoinsectcontrol.com
$10 Haircuts & $10 Style with Knowledge Poker Run Registration 8am (Lake Charles Harley Davidson) There will be live music, a water slide, rock wall and refreshments! All proceeds will benefit local charities.
LIVE PERFORMANCES Noon 1:15pm 2:30pm 3:45pm 5:00pm 6:00pm
The The The The The The
Journey’s End Band Sinners Kreepers Down Hearted Von Dukes Loaded 44rz
JULY 1, 2010
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Many kids participate in school sports programs each year. Along with the benefits of teamwork and physical fitness, however, comes the risk of injury, warns Dr. Lynn Foret, Orthopedic Surgeon at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. Younger kids tend to be a bit safer from certain injuries because they are smaller and not as strong. Older children may have more injuries as they grow stronger and faster and play more aggressively. “Injuries don’t just happen to kids who play football and soccer,” said Dr. Foret. “Even no-contact sports such as cheerleading and cross-country running can cause injuries.” Dr. Foret offers these guidelines for parents and coaches to help keep young athletes safe from injury: • Make sure there is a trained coach leading the sport program. • Make sure practices include warmup and cool-down times, rest peri ods and water breaks to help pre vent dehydration and overheating. • Enforce game rules and discourage dangerous or risky playing tactics. • Don’t push kids too hard. Make sure they can handle the physical and emotional pressures of the sport. • Check that facilities are main tained and that protective equip ment is in good shape, is used properly and fits well.
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• Make sure each child has a
pre-season physical. • Help children get in shape before
the season begins. This helps prevent fatigue and injuries. • Watch for signs of pain or problems during games. CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital will be holding youth athletic screenings on July 31, which will include a physical, cholesterol and glucose tests, orthopedic analysis for children with previous injuries, EKG and more. Appointments are required. Call 491-7577 to reserve your time.
TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 7
oyle By Jim D
It is the nature of things that such important stuff exists only in the safety deposit box of our minds, to be brought out on those occasions when a little comfort helps, and remembering yourself as a child, completely taken care of by someone else, can provide that comfort. Summers are different now. Our worries here go from oil slicks to nascent hurricanes, evacuation routes and self-contained generators. I don’t know if it’s better or worse. Worse, probably. I’ve known several people who
developed memory problems in their old age. Even though I saw them the day before, they would struggle to remember who I was and why I was there. But without fail, they remember their childhood. Locked away in the safety deposit box. Comforting. Safe. So, get plenty of air conditioning and get the pool ready. It’s gonna be a hot one. See you folks on the flip. TJN
The Comfort of Memories I was kind of a weird kid. This will come as no surprise to many of you. Summer passes here without even a nod, starting with hot weather sometime in May while school is still in session. But in the mid-South of my youth, it became a palpable thing about June in those days before daylight savings time. Most mornings I’d wake up with the sun, somewhere around 4:30 a.m., and rush out to get my breakfast from the tomato vines in the corner of our yard. My Dad raised lots of tomatoes, but my favorite was a yellow-orange hybrid I could smell from my window. I will always be able to smell that plant, feel the warm juice flowing down my chin as I ate it like an apple. We also raised other things: grapes, eggplants, corn. There was a huge apple tree in the corner of the lot that trapped me once when I was about 10. Got up there but couldn’t get down. My cousin Carl talked me down, but I could have used a parachute. It seemed 100 feet tall; probably more like 20. Afternoons were reserved for the community swimming pool. For a quarter you could swim all day, including the price of a wire basket for your clothes, which remained on a shelf in the dressing room. I learned to swim about this time. My teacher was a guy named Marion Creekmore, who went on to Vanderbilt, then became a career State Department employee and eventually the United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka (Ceylon). In one of those weird coincidences in life, years later, I became great friends with an Englishman named Simon Laingridge, who grew up in Sri Lanka and whose dad was the British ambassador. Not surprisingly, they knew each other. Our pool was pretty big for a small town. One of our rights of passage was making it off the high dive. Once Volume 2 • Issue 7
again, memory enlarges things. It was probably all of 10 feet off the water, but seemed as high as the gun bridge over I-10. To many catcalls and embarrassing moments climbing down the stairs rather than up, most of us eventually made it. Next door to the pool was a tennis court, which was kind of a weird, outof-place thing in a town dominated by baseball and football. I had some of my first dates there. It was the only sport where it was acceptable in those days to be seen playing against girls, and I can still today hear the laughter of Susie McCoy and some of my other regular partners as we learned to bat the ball around in our own private Wimbledon. As is the way of the world, all of this is gone now. After my Dad died, my mother plowed over his garden and, for reasons I never quite understood, cut down the apple tree. The folks who bought our old house razed the careful landscaping my family had put in, including a 100-foot tall Loblolly pine planted in 1959. The swimming pool was filled in and paved over about the time our town received the order to allow ALL the community’s children to swim there, not just the white kids. The tennis court was broken up and became another corner of the football practice field. Up the road about 30 miles was Jackson, TN, which had a little park with an artesian well yellowed by the overwhelming ingredient of sulfur in the water. We still drank the water. It was supposed to be good for you. On one edge of the park was Johnny’s Popcorn Stand, selling snow cones, popcorn, and parched peanuts, which my Dad always called “Goober Peas.” That park now houses a railroad museum with one fairly complete passenger train. Johnny’s exists only in memory.
• • •
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JULY 1, 2010
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A Greener
W
It’s Blueberry Season in Louisiana
Enjoying fresh Louisiana berries is a treat many people look forward to each year. Blueberries provide important nutrients that make them a healthful choice to enjoy at meals or as snacks, said LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames.
Health Benefits A 2009 study by researchers at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center found that rats that ate a diet rich in blueberries gained health benefits that may lower their risk for heart disease and diabetes. These included lowered cholesterol levels, improved glucose control and decreased abdominal fat. Lowering cholesterol reduces risk of heart disease while glucose control – the body’s ability to convert sugar to energy – is related to diabetes risk. And increased abdominal fat is linked to increased risk for both heart disease and diabetes. But more research is needed to
confirm these results in humans. Blueberries also are being studied to determine if they can slow aging and improve brain function. “The deep blue color of blueberries is from pigments, called anthocyanins, that act as antioxidants,” Reames said. “Antioxidants are compounds that protect cells against damage by free radicals that form in the body.” Uncontrolled free radical formation can cause cell damage that may lead to cancer, heart disease, inflammation and other health problems. Blueberries also are a good source of vitamin C and fiber. One-half cup of blueberries has only 42 calories.
Storage and preparation Reames noted that when selecting blueberries, you should look for berries that are plump and firm with a dark blue color and a frosty bloom. “Blueberries do not ripen after harvest, so as soon as
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JULY 1, 2010
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you buy them, you can eat them,” she says. “Sweetness varies by variety.” One pint of berries will provide four to five servings of fresh, uncooked fruit. Her tips for storage and preparation include handling the fruit gently to avoid bruising, which shortens the life of fruit, and sorting them carefully to remove berries that are too soft or decayed. You can store berries loosely in a shallow container to allow air circulation and to prevent the berries on top from crushing those underneath. But don’t wash berries before refrigerating them because they’ll get mushy. “Store blueberries in covered containers in a cool, moist area of the refrigerator, such the crisper, to help extend the usable life of the fruit,” Reames said. The recommended storage time is three to five days, but unwashed berries may keep up to two weeks when stored properly. Before eating berries or using them in your favorite recipe, remove the stems, then wash them gently in
cool running water and drain. You can freeze blueberries without washing them, Reames said. When they’re washed before freezing, blueberry skins become tough. To freeze, remove the stems and trash, package them tightly in freezer bags, containers or glass jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Seal them airtight and freeze. When you remove them from the freezer, rinse the berries in cold water and use them immediately. “You can use frozen berries directly from the freezer,” Reames said. “There’s no need to thaw them if you use them in baked products, except for pancakes. Pancakes may not cook thoroughly in the center if the berries are frozen. Microwave the amount you need for a few seconds to thaw them.” Loose-pack frozen blueberries are available year-round, and you can use them in any recipe that calls for fresh blueberries, she added. Because they are washed, they can be used right from the package.
Blueberry Lemonade
Here’s a recipe for a cold, refreshing drink that’s perfect for those hot summer nights.
Ingredients • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 small lemons) • 2 cups water • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed • ½ cup sugar or other sweetener • Lemon slices to garnish Preparation Process the first four ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Serve over ice, and garnish with lemon slices. TJN
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1602 W. McNeese St., Lake Charles Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
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Volume 2 • Issue 7
By Maria Alcantara Faul
When someone mentions that they belong to a motorcycle group, the image that statement conjures up is not usually pleasant. Violence has unfortunately been linked to a lot of motorcycle clubs, and being involved in one can imply that you’re bad news. But Southwest Louisiana’s Fallen Heroes Riding Group does not fit that stereotype. Its members wear two patches compared to the three that most groups wear, but this particular group separates itself from the typical bike club on a level much higher than just patches. Fallen Heroes is comprised of men and women who enjoy motorcycles, love their country, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. “The group’s goal is to honor all of our fallen heroes,” Lee Perkins, the group’s president, said. Sergeant at Arms Bobby Hill added that the group honors everyone who Volume 2 • Issue 7
has that put their lives on the line for our country, state, and community. “ It does not just pertain to people that died in combat,” he said. “We also honor police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, who all work to protect people.” The group was informally organized in 2006, the year 19-yearold Marine PFC Chase Edwards was killed while conducting combat operations in Iraq. Herman Leger had several connections to the young Marine. Edwards graduated from Barbe High School, the same school that Leger’s children
attended, and Leger’s three sons were also Marines. With three children in the service, Leger and his wife ran an informal support group for other military parents. One day, the Legers received an e-mail informing them that Edwards had been killed in Iraq. Leger contacted Perkins, a former Marine and the then-Commandant of the Marine Corp League, and they quickly mobilized to provide support for Edwards’ family. As the group waited for the funeral plans to be finalized, there were rumblings about a fanatical preacher from up North
who had threatened to come to Lake Charles to protest the funeral. Leger and Perkins, both motorcycle aficionados, wanted to make sure that Edwards’ funeral was not disturbed. So they called on their biker friends to provide an escort for the processional. On the day of the funeral, approximately seven rows of bikes escorted Edwards to his final resting place. Additional bikers met the processional at the Texas line. “I could see motorcycles all across the 210 bridge,” said Bobby Hill, who was driving a truck with a trailer at the end of the procession in case someone broke down. “Riders probably occupied 2 ½ miles of the highway during the procession,” added Perkins. Drew Edwards, the fallen Marine’s father, was so moved by the riders that he bought a bike for himself, turning it into a commemorative motorcycle in honor of his son. In 2007, three months before the oneyear anniversary of his son’s death, he JULY 1, 2010
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approached Leger and Perkins about having a memorial ride. They agreed, and on the first anniversary of Chase Edwards’ passing, bikers came out from near and far for the run. That year’s ride was in “fallen hero” formation, starting from the Cowboy’s Harley Shop in Beaumont and ending with a prayer service at Edwards’ gravesite.
In June of 2007, Army Sgt. 1st Class John Hennen of Vinton was killed in Afghanistan at the age of 21. The only son of Susan and Paul Moreno, he was a sniper with the Special Forces embedded with the Marines in the Middle East. Like any mother, Susan Moreno “pitched a fit,” as she described it, when her son informed her that he wanted to join the military. She felt however, that it was her son’s destiny. After boot camp, John went to sniper school, quickly becoming one of the top snipers in the country. “John was quite sneaky, so he was the perfect sniper, “she said. The loss of their only child devastated the Morenos. “He told me, at three years of age, that he wanted to be buried in the old Civil War Cemetery in Nibletts Bluff, and that’s where he now rests,” Moreno said. About a year after their son’s
death, Lee Perkins invited them to join the upcoming Chase Edwards’s Memorial Bike Run. The Morenos participated in that year’s ride, finding another vehicle for John’s legacy to perpetuate. Over 110 bikers participated in the 2008 Chase Edwards Memorial Ride. That year, the group raised a good amount of money, and were able to donate $5,000 to the Fisher House, a facility that provides free housing for families of servicemen and women, so that they can be close to their loved one during hospitalization for an unexpected illness or injury. In 2009, the Chase Edwards Memorial Bike run was renamed the “Fallen Heroes Bike Run,” to honor all fallen heroes. The event was another success, and the group was able to make a donation to the War Veterans Home in Jennings. The same year, the Fallen Heroes Riding Group was officially organized. Lee Perkins serves as president; Herman Leger, vice president; Bobby Hill, sergeant at arms; Jason Hiem, scribe; and Mike Guidry, paymaster. The ride now also raises funds to benefit all American heroes, along with fallen heroes and their families. Proceeds from the 2010 ride will
1616 West McNeese, Lake Charles Dr. Harry Castle • 337-478-3232 www.oakparkdental.com PAGE 16
JULY 1, 2010
Volume 2 • Issue 7
be used to purchase bricks at the Veterans’ Park in Lake Charles. Each brick will contain the name of a fallen hero from the area to honor his, or her, sacrifice for our country. Funds are also used to help with hospitality for families of fallen heroes in any way possible. “Taking care of the families of our fallen soldiers is another way we honor our fallen heroes,” states Leger. “The families share in the sacrifice of our heroes. It is our responsibility to assist them in any way possible.” The Fallen Heroes Riding Group currently has over 25 members. Membership is open to everyone. Although most members ride Harleys, the group is comprised of a mixture of riders and non-riders. That’s right, this motorcycle group does not require its members to own or ride a bike. “The only requirement we have is that members share in the respect and passion of honoring all fallen heroes,” Perkins said. As Susan Moreno aptly states, “You may not support the war, but always support the warrior.” A tightly knit group, the members’ lives revolve around making sure the legacy of our fallen military stays ingrained in people’s hearts and minds. The group meets regularly at Mike McVey’s Mary’s Lounge on Broad Street for drinks and to discuss their programs and projects. Afterwards, they often go next door to Mac’s, which boasts some of the best crawfish in the area, to continue their evening. “This is my life. My son made my life for me,” Moreno said.
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The Fallen Heroes Riding Group will always draw attention whenever they ride out. This attention is used to highlight a higher purpose: the purpose of lifting up the fallen—those who gave their lives so that we may continue to enjoy the freedom that we currently have. The members give so selflessly of their time that it seems to me that those they honor aren’t the only heroes. For more information about The Fallen Heroes Riding Group, check out www.swlafallenheroes.com.
TJN
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By Dr. Carl Fastabend
As a military history buff, I have always been captivated by the amazing event of the D-Day invasion. While our families were on a beach vacation together last summer, my brother David and I concocted the idea of a visit to the site of the greatest achievement of the “Greatest Generation,” the attack on Hitler’s “Fortress Europe.” I had a special motive. I know the veterans of the invasion are dying out daily, and there aren’t many left. I really wanted my 15year-old son, William, to be able to tell his grandchildren one day that he saw some of these heroes of American history. He will now be able to do so. My brother, David, lives in Arlington, Virginia, where he works for ITT after recently retiring from the Army. He is a graduate of the United Stated Military Academy, reached the rank of general, and served as Gen. Petraeus’ Operations Officer in Iraq prior to his retirement. Somehow, despite all his travels, my brother had never been to Normandy. He was really motivated
to make the most of it, and enlisted the help of an Army comrade who formulated a reading list of books to prepare us. He also suggested we watch Saving Private Ryan. So, we spent a lot of time studying for and anticipating the experience. I ordered a detailed map of the Normandy campaign from Amazon, and we were ready to go! So in early June, the three Fastabend men set off on an adventure. On June 6, the D-Day anniversary, we arose early, and went to Omaha Beach. We quietly walked up the beach at the very place and at the very time that the first fateful wave of our troops landed and suffered unimaginable horror 66 years earlier. This was very profound. It was easy to see how we suffered such loss of life, with the surrounding high points commandeered by the Germans with their machine guns, mortars, and artillery. I will never understand how these courageous men could do this. As we contemplated this, a group of young Frenchmen in totally accurate WWII American
uniforms marched across the beach and lined up in single file facing the beach. They knelt and said a brief prayer, and one of them laid a bouquet of flowers in the ocean. They then waded into the water to waist level, turned, and charged the beach. My son was clicking the camera and David and I just watched in astonishment. This seemed to be a random event, put together by this small group, and we just happened upon their very private remembrance. Later on that day, we went to the American Cemetery, which is now owned by the U.S. after France ceded it to us. It is meticulously maintained and is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We met three active soldiers of the 101st Airborne who were there for a commemoration for some of their fallen comrades from the Normandy campaign. The cemetery overlooks a part of Omaha Beach, and these young soldiers, two of whom have served multiple tours in Iraq, had earlier that day run down the cliffs into the ocean in full uniform and charged back
up the hills on their own to show respect. Visiting with these fine men was a high point, especially for my retired general brother. He opined that it’s troops like these that he misses the most from his years in our service. There were so many poignant moments that we will carry with us always, such as a veteran in a wheelchair crying inconsolably at a gravesite at the American Cemetery and a pair of old U.S. Rangers at Pointe du Hoc where our soldiers had scaled the cliffs in the face of enemy fire. That night, while having dinner outside at a little café in Port en Bessin, a small group of withered British commandos in beautiful uniforms complete with full metal jackets of medals walked by. All the patrons stopped talking and eating, and solemnly and respectfully, began to clap. We did our best to see as much as we could of Normandy. We visited the beautiful village of St. Mere Eglise, where our paratroopers landed early on D-Day, only to be chopped up by the Germans as
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David and Dr. Carl Fastabend
they came in, and watched 300 paratroopers jump from authentic vintage planes. We toured Utah Beach, the British beaches, and studied the strange anomaly of the hedgerows, which caused our troops such grief during the whole Battle of Normandy. We enjoyed the museum in the town of Bayeaux, and even visited the German Cemetery, where 21,000 German soldiers are interred. After leaving Normandy, we drove across France to Belgium and went to the fabulous Museum of the Battle of the Bulge and its attached memorial, built by the people of Belgium in honor of the American soldiers who fought there. David really enjoyed the top of the Memorial, where he could point out troop placements and the site of the important battle where we finally stopped the bold German advance, at great cost. It was amazing to see how close the German Army came to breaking through at Bastogne and possibly winning the Western Campaign right there. This was a special trip for us Fastabend boys, a once in a lifetime deal, and we still haven’t got-
ten our arms around the whole experience. We went with a mission, and I can truly say, “Mission accomplished.” This was a profound experience for my son. I think he learned a lot, grew a little, and enjoyed his time with the old guys who take these things so seriously. And I think he appreciates being an American a bit more, too. Of course, he enjoyed the camaraderie of being on this adventure with us, while discovering a part of our history. I can tell you that none of us three will look at WWII, or any other war, in the same light after this trip. We are left with a profound feeling of gratitude for the immense sacrifice our soldiers made, and we still ask ourselves how in the world they did what they did. Thank God for them! One of the great questions left unanswered for all three of us is this: Could our generation do the same if called upon? We do know that the young men of the 101st Airborne we met at that cemetery on June 6 are doing so as we sit here in our safe and comfortable homes. To them, God speed and God bless. TJN
The American Cemetery Volume 2 • Issue 7
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By Lauren de Albuquerque
Charlene Bruce, Victoria Huber and Paula Richardson
Every Woman is a Queen at Rhinestone Runway Ladies, if you’ve never been to Rhinestone Runway, you’re missing out on a treat. The first time I visited this fabulous shop that’s simply overflowing with the most divine formals and party dresses, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I’ve never seen such a dazzling array of colors, sequins and shine in one place. I literally wanted to try everything on! Victoria Piraro Huber, 38, has owned Rhinestone Runway for six years. The first Lake Charles location was on Common St., but the shop moved to Ryan St. in 2004. She also has a second location in Kenner. Huber’s involvement in beauty pageants and her desire to help
others got her into the business. “And, as the mother of three boys, I finally got to dress girls!” she laughed. The concept of her business is specializing in making every woman feel confident in her gown, and to make sure the gown fits. “I love to see the glow in a young girl’s eyes when she finds the “perfect” dress—whether she’s a size 0 or a size 22,” Huber said. “She feels beautiful, and that’s all that matters.” Huber credits her team of great employees as a key to her success. She has ten employees in Lake Charles and five in Kenner. “Their expertise is in people skills, and my manager,
From Left to Right: Victoria Huber, Toni Bowls (designer) and Charlene Bruce. PAGE 20
JULY 1, 2010
Paula Richardson, is an expert in sewing,” she said. “Working together, we have over 50 years of pageant experience in all pageant systems.” I can attest to the people skills of Huber’s staff. I visited Rhinestone Runway last fall to look for a dress to wear for my performance in Healthcare 2000’s Dancing With the Stars. I went on my lunch hour which, of course, is everyone else’s lunch hour. The place was buzzing, yet within seconds an attentive salesperson was at my side. Once she knew what I was looking for, she made suggestions, pulled dresses off the racks, and set me up with a dressing room. In less than an hour I had found the perfect dress. It can’t get more painless than that! Huber has dressed numerous
pageant winners, including Mrs. Louisiana America and Miss Louisiana USA, as well as various teen, festival and fair queens. The Jambalaya’s summer intern, Morgan Murray, has won many local pageants. She recently purchased a gorgeous creation at Huber’s shop to wear for a pageant that she’ll be entering in the fall. At Rhinestone Runway, it seems that once you’re a customer, you’re always a customer. Huber says that repeat clients are the backbone of her business. “I feel that most of my customers would recommend my store,” she said. “We’ve had a tremendous amount of feedback from return customers, as well as clients who send in their friends and families.” Her customers come from across Louisiana and Texas. “They’re
From Left to Right:Victoria Huber, a Model and Johnathan Kayne (designer). Volume 2 • Issue 7
young girls going to homecoming and prom; they’re women attending Mardi Gras balls; they’re brides, bridesmaid and mothers of the bride and groom,” Huber said. The store offers lay-away, too, a convenience which certainly helps if you’re on a budget. Huber can outfit you from head to toe, as she carries shoes, gloves, jewelry, hats and other accessories to fit your every need. There’s nothing like one-stop shopping! Speaking of hats, Huber is a member of Value-Oriented Wine Group VOWG, the topic of this issue’s cover story. Rhinestone Runway was a sponsor of the 2010 Kentucky Derby event held at Graywood Plantation. “Women came in to buy hats, and we had so much fun decorating those hats and meeting so many women!” she laughed. “One of my employees, Whitney Moss, surprised me by decorating a hat for me—and it took first prize in the hat contest!” Huber enjoys the club, which she says is full of warm people. “They’re very welcoming and know how to have a good time,” she said. What’s ahead for Rhinestone Runway?
The store is always involved in big projects, recently becoming official sponsors of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana USA pageants, and the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen of Queens Pageant. With the economy in the condition that it is today, and the oil spill affecting Louisiana, Huber plans on continuing to serve her clientele to the best of her ability by offering them the largest selection of gowns in Louisiana, and to dress them so they will feel beautiful, confident and comfortable. “Lots of people dream of having their own businesses,” she said.” I would tell every one of them to plan, work hard, and do your homework to make your dream a reality. It’s never easy, especially today with so many businesses closing their doors. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I have strong faith. With God’s hand in my life and in my business, I will continue to follow my dream.” Rhinestone Runway is located at 3040 Ryan St., Lake Charles and 819 West Esplanade, Suite J in Kenner. For more information, call 433-9494 or 513-8424. TJN
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Photo by Nick Derouen
Dr. John Noble, Jr. with his wife Cenda.
By Lisa Yates
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JULY 1, 2010
Membership in a wine club has its privileges – especially when it’s the Value-Oriented Wine Group. Dr. John Noble, Jr., an orthopedic surgeon at Center for Orthopedics – a division of Imperial Calcasieu Medical Group, is a wine enthusiast who founded the club. He said if you’re someone who enjoys tasting new wine, chatting with like-minded enthusiasts and educating yourself on new wines that have come on the market, then Value-Oriented Wine Group (VOWG – pronounced Vogue) just might be for you. “The only rule we have is show up, have a good time and not be pretentious about it. Sample every wine we have and try it with the food,” he said. He said each wine tasting event features a speaker and heavy hors-d’oeuvres that match the wines. Ann Bruner and her husband Keith have been members for a few years now. She said they were very excited to find a group in Lake Charles that shared their passion for wine. “We have enjoyed the education aspect of it, but meeting new people and making new friends has been a bonus,” she said. “We especially enjoy the special events that are hosted now and then, like the Kentucky Derby party that was held for the first time this year and promises to be bigger and better next year. “We have moved to the Gonzales area recently, but are still members and always will be because we love being part of VOWG!
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I have recently become one of the board members and I look forward to being involved in this capacity, as well.” Sharon Bayard said in addition to meeting and making new friends, she enjoys the knowledge she’s gained at VOWG. “Being a member, as well as being on the board, allows you to have a fantastic time learning and experiencing a variety of different types of wines from different areas of the world, without having to travel,” she said. Not only do club members learn about food and wine pairings from wine regions around the world, Bayard said they also get to taste it! “From France to Napa, you’re able to experience the taste and culture of the area,” she said. “Wow! What an experience.” Bayard said members can also purchase the wines they’ve tasted “at a very affordable price.” “This allows you to bring home the experience and knowledge you’ve just tasted,” she said. “It’s evident that not all of us look at wine in the same vein – some like red, white, sweet or dry – but whatever it is, this Value-Oriented Wine Group gets to experience it one glass at a time.”
FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE Finding the right people for the club wasn’t a challenge, according to the founder. “It’s all been word-of-mouth,” he said. “It started with a core group of friends, and then it expanded via mutual friends. That’s how it all got going.” Dr. Noble, 45, said his interest in wine began about 15 years ago. “One partner with an interest in wine for the past 20 years introduced me to many different wines,” he said. He said no matter how much you know about wine, there’s always more you can learn; and, that’s one of the most interesting things about wine. He added reference books like The Wine Bible by Karen Mac Neil or anything written by Robert Parker – the well-known wine writer – is useful for putting together background information about wines to be evaluated. Although a Lake Area native, Dr. Noble’s career took him to Rockhill, South Carolina, where he began attending wine-tasting events and hosting these events for friends and colleagues. Upon returning to Lake Charles, he continued hosting winetasting events to reconnect with friends and meet his new neighbors at Graywood.
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“It wasn’t so much about wine as it was about building a community,” he said. “Wine and food bring people together.”
ESTABLISHED IN 2006 Dr. Noble said VOWG was established in the fall of 2006, as an alternative to in-home wine gatherings. “Prior to 2006, we had in-home wine-tastings for friends,” he said. “There were six or seven couples in the beginning; and, we would rotate homes once every quarter.” He said the inhome wine gatherings were fun, but a lot of work for the hosts. So the group organized a club and started collecting dues to pay for an alternative venue. One of the first things they did was put together a board of directors, including: Dr. John Noble, Jr., founder; Charles Karam, treasurer; Daniel Forrest, Web master;
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and, board members: Tim and Tammy Andreas, Ann Bruner, Sharon Bayard, Nancy Coffey, and Stephanie Zimmer. The group still meets quarterly, but now it meets in the Evergreen Room at Gray Plantation. Meetings typically begin at 7 p.m. on Saturdays, with the next meeting scheduled for August. The date will be announced soon on the club’s Web site: www.vowgtoday.com. Dr. Noble said anyone who is interested in wine may join the group.
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“We’re open for now, but we have size limitations and we are near capacity,” he said. “We have probably 100 couples on our mailing list, but participation varies depending on the schedule. People move with their jobs and some travel on vacation. Of the four events a year, some of our members may be able only to show up for two.” You don’t have to be an expert to join VOWG. In fact, the club welcomes everyone from novices to connoisseurs. “We want novices to come and feel comfortable,” Dr. Noble said. “We learn and have fun. In American culture, we didn’t grow up with wine as in the European culture. For us, most of it is learning;
and, there’s always something new and different to learn.”
COSTS OF THE WINE CLUB Wine – as we all know – can be expensive. So what does it cost to join VOWG? Dr. Noble said there’s an annual membership fee: $50 for a single person, $100 per couple. He said there’s also an event fee which helps to pay for the food and wine, roughly $25 per person. “Donated wine for tasting is always appreciated,” he said, noting sometimes a distributor or store will donate wine. VOWG tries to keep the number of wines evaluated at one event to between 8 and 12 wines. “Nine is about perfect,” Dr. Noble said. “Generally, we have more wines that are candidates than we can actually do for a tasting.” He said generally, the club doesn’t order expensive bottles of wine. The average price is about $20 a bottle – after all, most people don’t join a wine club to sample cheap wine that costs six bucks a bottle. Dr. Noble said the price range of the wines is set at approximately $15 to $40 a bottle. “Our philosophy is anybody can spend a lot of money on a bottle of
wine,” he said. “What we’ve strived to do is look for value – that’s why our club is the Value-Oriented Wine Group.”
HOW THE CLUB WORKS With more than 100,000 different wines on the worldwide market, gathering to discuss wine is one of the best ways to learn about wine. Dr. Noble said joining others with a common interest in wine greatly enhances the understanding and enjoyment of it. Plus, you get to try a far greater range of wines than if you go it alone. He said VOWG takes a systematic approach. “Each event has a theme,” he said. “Generally, we explore the different wine-producing countries of the world and taste wines that best represent the general characteristics of a country or region. And, we rotate around the globe.” One of the members usually gives a brief lecture on the wines presented. Occasionally, there’s a guest speaker like the specialist from the Russian River Valley who spoke about California wines from that region. Dr. Noble said talks only last about 10 minutes, so members have time to socialize after the discussion and tasting of the bottles of wine.
Volume 2 • Issue 7
ifer Leger, t: Keith and Jenn Tim Andreas. From left to righ an y mm d Lognion with Ta s ri Ch d an a di Clau David er at Graywood; ag an m ge ra ve a Noble. Food and Be Dr. John and Cend ith Michael Parker, w d; oo w ay e Chef at Gr Phillips, Executiv
“Distributors and some of the local wine stores have stepped up to the plate, but we’d love to have more volunteers speak,” he said. While most members of the club are not experts or restaurant sommeliers, Dr. Noble said there are some local connoisseurs he turns to for advice. “One person is Dr. Jim Perry,” he said. “He’s a huge wine enthusiast. He’s tried many different wines and he usually recommends the best.” Another expert Dr. Noble relies upon is restaurant sommelier Michael Parker, the food and beverage manager at Gray Plantation. “If we want to do a region like Bordeaux in France, for example, Michael suggests some of the best values in Bordeaux wines,” he said. He said both Parker and David Miller, the executive chef at Gray
Katie and Gray Stre am.
Plantation, have created some memorable wine and food paring events for VOWG. Recent tastings have featured wine and food pairings from France, Italy, California, Australia and New Zealand. Dr. Noble said one of his favorites has been the Australia and New Zealand-themed event featuring wines and an unusual species of fish flown in special from Australia. He said the French and Italianthemed parties were also favorite events. “In Europe, wine is made to be consumed with food; whereas, in America, wine is made to be consumed with or without food,” he said. “Italy makes more wine than anyone else in the world – even more than France. Unless you are eating food with it, you may not like some Italian wines.”
THE KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY One of the most exciting parties of the year was the club’s Kentucky Derby-themed event. Dr. Noble said it was a special fundraising event for the Medical Society Foundation, to benefit the Calcasieu Community Clinic. “Our Kentucky Derby party was one of our most memorable events,” he said. “Everyone dressed in Kentucky Derby attire, sipped mint juleps while the race played on large-screened TVs throughout the Gray Plantation Clubhouse. The sights and sounds of the Kentucky Derby were everywhere that day.” He said the event featured all types of Kentucky Derby food, also door prizes and a hat contest for the ladies.
“The best part is we also raised $600 for charity,” he said. Dr. Noble said the idea for the Kentucky Derby party was not his own. “I shamelessly stole the idea from Carey Sole,” he said, crediting his friend - a member of the Charleston Club. He said the Kentucky Derby was such a huge success that the club plans on doing it again next year. “We’re also looking at doing large charitable events related to wine,” he said.
‘PARKER POINTS’ If you are a wine enthusiast, you are probably familiar with the Robert Parker’s rating system, which employs a 50 to 100 point quality scale called “Parker Points.” The numerical ratings go something like this:
Photos by Nick Derouen
The Kentucky Derby event was a huge success. Volume 2 • Issue 7
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• 90-100 is equivalent to an A and is only given to an extraordinary wine displaying all the attributes of a classic wine of its variety. Experts say wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume. • 80-89 is equivalent to a B in school – above average – and very good. Wines in the 85-89 range are especially great values. • 70-79 represents a C, or average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made. • Below 70 is a D or F, depending on where you went to school. For wine, it is a sign of noticeable deficien-
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cies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin. While scores are important, Dr. Noble said there can never be any substitute for your own palate, nor any better education than tasting the wine yourself. “Robert Parker may rate a wine at a 94, but this rating may not reflect what our group likes,” he said. “A lay person doesn’t rate a wine the way a master will. We either like it, or we don’t like it.” He said in the beginning, club members were given score sheets to rate the wines at the tastings. “Very few of us followed through
with it,” he said. “It got in the way of our drinking and visiting.” Dr. Noble said instead of ratings, VOWG relies on informal feedback from its members. “Graywood does sell wine at the events, so we can tell what our members like by what they bought,” he said. If you don’t know a lot about wine, but you want to learn more – Dr. Noble suggested joining VOWG. He said the trick to enjoying wine is to stay open-minded. “If you only drink red wines and you think that’s the only kind of wine you will drink, I bet I can find a white
wine you would like,” he said. “There are multiple varietals of red. The wine world is too diverse, not to like white wines.” Two of his favorites are Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer white wines.
FUTURE PLANS In past years, VOWG has had several sit-down wine dinners. Dr. Noble said they’ve been a hit. “Our wine pairing dinners have been phenomenal,” he said. “We look forward to doing it again in the future. Graywood has done a great job with that.” He said future plans also include wine-tasting trips. “We went to Napa two years ago,” he said. “We’re going to Italy this fall. Plans have not been finalized yet, but it will probably be in October or November.” One thing the club hasn’t tried is blind tastings, but Dr. Noble said the board of directors is considering the format as part of its future plans. “We’d love to do a blind tasting,” he said. “We’ve talked about it and it’s one of the things we will do. We’d also like to experiment with aeration and different types of wine glasses. In blind tastings, bottles are uncorked and wrapped in plain paper bags so you cannot see the labels. You have to judge the wines strictly by color, bouquet and taste. A “total blind” format is where you’re not told what is being drunk; otherwise, you’re given a list of each wine to be tasted. You taste each wine and try to get the most correct hits. Aeration involves decanting a wine and exposing it to oxygen. Exposure to oxygen helps the wine to “open up” revealing more of itself, unfolding its legs and starting to strut its stuff. While not all wines will respond in this way, a great many will. Some say that the types of wine glasses used affect the flavors and aromas of the wine, while others say it doesn’t matter. Wine expert Robert Parker said that the effect of Riedel glasses “… is profound.” That’s the thing about wine – it inherently lends itself to in-depth analysis, introspection and lively conversation – a great reason to join VOWG. For more information about VOWG, contact Daniel Forrest by e-mail at info@vowgtoday.com, or visit the club’s Web site at www.vowgtoday.com. TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 7
photo by www.monsoursphotography.com Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
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ker n Shouma o d n a r B y B
The Crazy Days of Summer There I was, minding my own business. I was on vacation in Memphis, relaxing after having written my Tour de France column and spending some quality time with my wife, friends and family when, out of nowhere, it
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seemed the whole sports world went spinning off its axis. The entire landscape of college football heaved and cracked open like a Magnitude-9 earthquake had struck. The NCAA laid a beating on the University of Southern California athletics program, the most arrogant, snotty department in the country. And I can’t forget the World Cup and the Americans’ brilliant draw with favored England, which we watched from Silky O’Sullivan’s on Beale Street, a “Louisiana-friendly” pub (Silky was an LSU graduate) with great beer and good people.
So much for a nice, quiet summer of baseball and tennis and golf. An aside: I ate the best food I ever had in Memphis. While I love Ball’s Fried Chicken, it is hard to top Gus’ Famous Fried Chicken, and the Cozy Corner Restaurant, for all intents and purposes, ruined me on barbeque from anywhere else. Best barbeque there is. You need it in your life at least once. Period. But, back on subject. Can I ask just what in the blue hell happened to college football this month? That’s a rhetorical question, but, for those of you who may not know, here’s a short recap of the madness
that took place in early June: Nebraska, a key member of the Big 12 football conference as it has many rivalries with league teams, accepted an invitation to join the Big 10 conference. According to some sources, this move meant that the entire Big 12 conference would dissolve, leading Colorado to jump ship to the Pacific10 Conference. The University of Texas, along with most of the rest of the Big 12, was rumored to be headed to the Pac-10 as well. Texas A&M and Oklahoma reportedly received offers to join the Southeastern Conference. Baylor and Iowa State—well, who really wants Baylor or Iowa State?
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Finally, UT, considered the lynchpin of the remaining Big 12 schools, restated its commitment to the Big 12, thus saving the conference’s bacon and dissolving any hopes the Pac-10 had of becoming a 16-team superconference. The Pac-10 did pick up an added team in Utah while, in a move that 7/8 of the country could care less about, Boise State picked up its blue turf and left the Western Athletic Conference for the Mountain West Conference. Dogs lived with cats. Rivers flowed backwards. Frogs rained from the skies. You get the picture. So, what does all this mean? Well, to me, the most important consequence of all this moving and shaking is what do we now call all of these conferences? The Pac-10 will probably become the Pac-12. The Big-10, which already had 11 teams (thanks to Penn State, added in 1990) before all of this kerfuffle, added another team. Don’t count on them coming up with a new name, either, because they can’t be the Big-12 (the actual Big-12, down to 10 teams now, refuses for reasons unknown to rational humankind, to change its name and, even if they did, taking over the Big-12 name would be too darn confusing). As Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott said, “There’s a few conferences out there that have some math problems right now.” He ain’t kidding. Another group of folks struggling with numbers is the USC athletics department. Citing a “lack of institutional control” in a case that “strikes at the heart of the principles of amateurism,” the NCAA dropped the entire house on the Wicked Witches of the West. The football, men’s basketball and, most shockingly, the women’s tennis (!!) teams were affected. The major news is this: The USC football team is banned from the postseason for 2010 and 11, will lose 30 scholarships over the course of 2011, 12 and 13 and must vacate all of its wins beginning in 2004 and through the 2005 BCS national championship game. In addition, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, who was the star of those ’04 and ’05 teams, will have all of his statistics erased from existence and must disassociate with the program entirely thanks to 18 separate violations committed by Bush or on his behalf. Head coach Pete Carroll, who absolutely had no idea any of these things were going on in his program he’ll have you know, am-scrayed Los Angeles for the NFL’s Seattle
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Seahawks precisely five months before the NCAA gave the Trojans the proverbial five across the eyes. Lane Kiffin, a coach as loyal and understated as he is successful, is left to pick up the pieces. As for the men’s basketball program, thanks to violations by/for/on behalf of superstar O.J. Mayo, it is banned from the postseason for one year, Mayo’s stats are erased, the team will be docked recruiting days, and Mayo is banned from associating with the program.
Former head coach Tim Floyd, who practically paid one of Mayo’s handlers to have Mayo sign with USC, was punished for his sins long ago, and banished to coach college ball in the verdant green fields of El Paso, Texas. In light of all of this bad news for USC and, on behalf of all of Louisiana, I’d like to take this opportunity to tell Trojans fans, “Ha ha ha!” But seriously, how crazy will this summer get? I don’t know, but I’ll tell you thi…hey, is that a locust?
Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than seven years for various publications. Coaches Brandon Shoumaker or parents with story tips may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).
TJN
JULY 1, 2010
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By Mary Louise Ruehr
Rainy Day Books for Children Now that summer’s here, it’s a good time to stock up on some books to keep the kids busy on a rainy day. Start them early with a board book that supports their self-image. On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman has a smiling moon, dancing polar bears, flying geese, musical notes in the trees, all celebrating the birth of the child, “because there had never been anyone like you … ever in the world … the one and only ever you.” The illustrations are bright and
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colorful, and the calming words of comfort are perfect for a parent — birth or adoptive — to read aloud. Ages infant to preschool. Children can have imaginary fun At the Supermarket in a book by Anne Rockwell. A young boy accompanies his mother to the market, where they buy practical, identifiable items. They also buy ingredients for a cake for his birthday party. Then they go home, put the food away and start cooking. The simple, primitive illustrations are in primary colors
and the print is large and bold. The author and her late husband, Harlow Rockwell, originally created the book 30 years ago; this edition was updated by the author and her granddaughter, Julianna Brion. Preschool to early readers. A mother and her daughter play a game of “What are you doing?” in Feeding the Sheep by Leda Schubert with pictures by Andrea U’Ren. Mom feeds the sheep, shears them for their fleece (“Soft and deep, sheepy heap”), then washes and cards the wool, spins and dyes the yarn, and knits a sweater. In the end, the little girl understands that everything takes time and care, and then it’s her turn to feed the sheep. Ages 4 to 8. Enjoy a vicarious trip to the library in the pages of Dewey: There’s a Cat in the Library by Vicki Myron and Bret Witter, based on their best-selling Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. The kitten, abandoned in the library’s book return box, is lovingly cleaned up by librarian Vicki and proceeds to make the library his home. Appropriately named Dewey Readmore Books, the kitten proves to be an outgoing, helpful little guy. The illustrations by Steve James are soft, making the orange kitten look ever so cute and huggable. Ages 4 to 8. Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes brings back the silly pig Mercy Watson, who loves buttered toast. When the Watsons decide to take her to the drive-in movie, Mercy discovers the marvelous scent of buttered popcorn in the air. And she discovers another thing: She loves buttered Volume 2 • Issue 7
understandable terms and it suggests ways children can help preserve their world. Ages 4 to 8. Crow Call by Lois Lowry has almost-photographic illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline. The true story
popcorn — especially bottomless buckets of buttered popcorn. Chris Van Dusen again provides the hilarious, brightly colored illustrations. Ages 4 to 8, and just for fun. The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen, is the 131st title the pair has worked on. The peculiar Ms. Frizzle teaches her class by taking the familiar flying school bus up into the skies above the Arctic Circle to show the children what glaciers and icebergs are and how the ocean is affected by a global change in temperature. The book does not present a “doom and gloom” scenario and is not political. It does present the situation in
recounts the author’s memories of her father, buying her a special gift when she was very young, and then taking her with him to hunt crows. She’s afraid of her father’s gun, but, happily, he doesn’t shoot the gun that day. It’s a lovely moment between father and daughter. Ages 9 to 12. Carmen Agra Deedy has written a children’s book based on a true inci-
dent in the life of Wilson Kimeli Naiyomah. In 14 Cows for America, with illustrations by Thomas Gonzalez, Naiyomah returns to his Maasai village in Kenya to tell his loving friends and family about his travels in the United States. When he conveys the tragedy of 9/11, the villagers are deeply moved and want to extend comfort to the people of America. They offer the best they have: their beloved cows, given symbolically as a gesture of compassion.
series by Walter Wick. This is good for any age, as adults can ask little non-readers to help them find an item in the picture, and older children can read the list themselves. Once again, the photographs are very cleverly created, hiding items such as “a whale’s tail,” “a feather, a frog, a cat with spots” and much more. It’s an activity an adult and child — or two or three children — can do together, then put away for the next rainy day and do all over again. Copyright © 2010 by Mary Louise Ruehr. TJN
“There is no nation so powerful it cannot be wounded, nor a people so small they cannot offer mighty comfort.” Age 6 and up. Finally, Can You See What I See? Treasure Ship is the latest in the
Photo by www.monsoursphotography.com
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Volume 2 • Issue 7
Killin’ Time Crossword
Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission.
Kevin Davis hosts the Big O Trading Post on Super Talk 1400. This show invites listeners to call in and sell their items on the air. It has been a huge success and we are proud to now have the show on KAOK Super Talk 1400 AM on Saturday mornings from 9am-12noon. Volume 2 • Issue 7
Host, Kevin Davis JULY 1, 2010
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FOURTH OF JULY - WORD SEARCH U O T N O R T A Y G F O M M L S A E N E N J E S A R P S B A A D N
I W D
N E N M O D E E R F R U F A C Y J R D R M L F H N D T
I H D E C A L A O
R U P F M A N W C D C F R D S U P A S J D N O A F H F P U E E F E J U O P E D D P T A B N G
I A T R C C A E F A R
I P A D T R N N E C P E O S N
O P E N E
I R E B E C Y R T T H F F
R E
I C A D A W O M H L T U R
I D R
P M T S O N R N D C G O C A A R O P P P G T O B E D S N
I E C S R K S U S L
I C E P F B W C F C H K O O G S
A C M C E
I D L E O C F
I A S F O J
T O U D G N D U A R Y A Y O O R D Y R E N N A B D E L G N A P S R A T S A
I R B A N A N M R L E B K G H O S
H L O T S N W F N O D C
Barbecue
Freedom
Patriotic
Concert
Hot Dogs
Picnic
Fireworks
Independence Day
Red White And Blue
Flag
John Hancock
Star Spangled Banner
Fourth of July
Parade
Summer
I N D C H D
The Dot Game Players take turns connecting two dots. When you make a square, put your initials in the
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box and take another turn. When all dots are connected, the player with the most boxes wins.
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Volume 2 • Issue 7
der useum n e l l n E dren's M a D By e Chil of th r o t c Dire
The Karate Kid (Sony/Columbia Pictures, 2010) There’s a certain kind of story that we like to hear over and over. Usually, it’s about someone defeating the odds. We know this doesn’t happen often in real life, but we want it to. The Karate Kid is like that. We’ve seen it before, but maybe we’ll get something out of seeing it again, updated for another generation. In this version of the Ralph Maccio classic, Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith) plays the new kid on the block, a 12-year old named Dre. This time around, the block just happens to be in Beijing, China. Dre and his mom move there from Detroit because of her job. We get to go along with them, and what a ride it is. This movie is worth seeing because of the wonderful on-location scenes of contemporary China.
Me, I don’t get around much, and haven’t been to China yet. The Karate Kid is the next best thing to being there. Dre is thrust into a section of Beijing that could be in just about any big city, except everything is different. In the park, the old men play ping-pong, and his new home looks like something out of the 1950s. As Dre says, everything is old, except for Olympic Village and technology, which is newer than new. He doesn’t care much for being there until he meets a sweet girl, a violin player who is in his class and speaks English. As the story moves along, Dre runs befoul of a group of bullies, who are well trained in Kung Fu. If you’ve never seen Jaden Smith, he’s a really little 12 year old. I was impressed by the way he played the frightened but searching child who wants to fit in, but faces huge challenges. Jackie Chan flawlessly plays his role as Mr. Han, the Kung Fu-teaching handyman. While Chan is well known for his comedy, the laughs in this movie are pretty subtle. The funniest line in
the movie, believe it or not, is “Pick up the coat.” Trust me, you will laugh. As you can imagine, the bullying Dre faces is intense. We come to find the bullies are being encouraged by the villain of the movie, their Kung Fu teacher at a huge martial arts academy in the city. This guy reminded me of a few over-the-top little league coaches I’ve seen in my time, wanting his students to show no mercy in tournaments. At first mesmerized by the discipline and grandeur of the academy, Dre eventually sees through it all and wants no part of it. Mr. Han then becomes his Kung Fu teacher. You know how these movies work. They play on your emotions and get your adrenaline going. But where we’ve grown accustomed to seeing special effects and computer animation, The Karate Kid
moves us with an excellent script and surprisingly good acting. Jaden Smith manages to carry the whole movie, an astounding performance from beginning to end. But to me, the star of the movie is the city of Beijing. It’s apparent that the people living there are proud of their city and country, in a way that reminded me of what we used to call American patriotism. In the end, the challenges facing Dre and Mr. Han are the same as the ones we face every day: Making sense of a world that sometimes makes no sense. Your older children and you should enjoy this movie. Some of the Kung Fu sequences are violent, and the movie starts a little slow. But The Karate Kid is definitely one of the better movies of the summer.
TJN
715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Office 337-436-7800 Fax 337-990-0262
If you’re an elementary student, send us a copy of your last report card and contact information. Winners will be chosen each issue for perfect attendance, outstanding grades, and in a drawing for all submissions!
Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
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Meet Sebastian Don’t let Sebastian slip by you just because he is black. Did you know that black dogs in shelters and rescue groups are often the last to be adopted? How can this be when a sweet boy like Sebastian is just waiting with a heart full of love to give his forever family?
Sebastian is an 8-month-old Border Collie mix. He gets along great with other dogs and children and is housetrained. He has had all his shots and is neutered (no more unwanted litters!). You may contact his foster mom Amanda for information on his personality at (337) 626-2557, or call the 4 Paws Society at (337) 558-5184 to get info on his adoption. E-mail us at fourpawssociety@aol.com for his adoption application and then fax the completed application to (337) 5586331. A vet reference and home visit is included in the adoption process to ensure a good fit for both the dog and the family. TJN
art g at He n u o Y The ual an ann n is o p x o E ocusing event f e, education, ies, ar s, activit r healthc d useful e k a e ard an s st sp leisure ion for senior l also be gue ll geared tow il al sa at inform ivers. There w presentation he free medic g t d e f r o and ca ment and fo advantage o . ch e in enterta lifestyles. Tak y our free lun 1 g jo 7-755 3 4 changin s and also en ) 7 g (33 th. screenin o PLC at
a bo ct K Conta to reserve Sponsored by
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Volume 2 • Issue 7
UNITED WAY SWLA HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME BANQUET And the inductees of the SWLA High School Sports Hall of Fame are... Garin Cecchini and Quiana Griffin of Barbe, Shelby Willis and Ross Rowland of South Cameron and Jenna Diakos of South Beauregard High School. These select students distinguished themselves in the field of athletics either by virtue of their accomplishments on athletic teams or by meritorious effort on behalf of athletics while maintaining a GPA above 2.5. Pro scout for the New Orleans Saints Terry Fontenot was the guest speaker at this banquet held in their honor at Reeves Uptown Catering. Family and friends came out to show their support for these high achievers. Keep up the good work!
Chris and Linda Greene
Danny and Natalie Lueck
Christine and Maggie Cooke
Lilly and Cassondra Guilbeau
Deborah Kennerson and Jacquetta Fontenot
Rose and Fred Cooke
Nila Baccigalopi and Catherine Thomas
SUMMER BAYOU PLAYERS STAGE A LESSON BEFORE DYING “Reborn” on death row! The McNeese Theatre Summer Bayou Players under student directors Gabriel Brown and Levi Arens staged A Lesson Before Dying in Ralph Squires Recital Hall. Based on the book by author Ernest C. Gaines, Jefferson is a poor, uneducated, young black man convicted and condemned to death for a murder he didn’t commit. His godmother asks a schoolteacher to convince him of his self worth as a man before he dies. Remarkable to watch unfold; not a dry eye in the house. The audience was reminded of the devastation of segregation in the 1940s and how “not” to judge a book by its cover. Bravo! Freida Joyce and Karen Parker Volume 2 • Issue 7
Louana Brown and Mary Washington JULY 1, 2010
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Stacy Woods and Geron Brown
Tony James and Andrea Thomas
Levi Arens, Gabriel Brown and Rena Sterling
ACTS PRESENTS THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS
“Texas has a whorehouse in it?” “Yes, well, not anymore…” Under the executive direction of Marc Pettaway, the Artists Civic Theatre was the setting for this talented cast of characters to capture the audience with their lively musical performance. Based on a story by Larry King and Peter Masterson, Mona Stangley, proprietor of Miss Mona’s Chicken Ranch, finds herself in a sticky situation when TV preacher Melvin Thorpe targets her as running the devil’s playhouse. Mayhem ensues after the illegal activity is exposed. Fabulous performances by all! Paul and Melissa Bender
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Becky Elliott and Amanda Byrum
Pam Hood and Bonnie Coleman
Marie Hawkins, Dot Robinson and Janis Winey
Julie Zebley and Julie Fay
Sadie Quinn, Meg Pharr and Damien Thibodeaux
Cammie Olney and Susan Montgomery
David and Susan Ieyoub
JULY 1, 2010
Volume 2 • Issue 7
SPLASH DANCE WITH WATERCOLOR: KIDS COLLEGE Big and little kids had a splish, splash, swirling good time at the Splash Dance with Watercolor College for Kids. Art instructor Nancy Melton had a packed classroom at McNeese State University of busy little bees. With paintbrushes in one hand, watercolors in the other and the freedom to slap it, splash it and swirl it on a clean slate—they all created beautiful works of art to show family and friends as the camp came to an end. This was one summer school that’s really cool! TJN Lindsay and Alyssa Dicristo
Rachel Judson and Blane Edwards
Dylan and Austin Duplechain
Morgan Miller, Madison Mathews and Marie Louise
Nancy Melton, Edith Beam and Gerry Blalock
As we enter Hurricane Season, we are dedicated to informing you of any weather threatening Southwest Louisiana. Part of our dedication to keeping you informed and up to date is our KYKZ 96 Hurricane Tracking Chart sponsored by Cameron State Bank and Dale Bernard State Farm Insurance. The KYKZ 96 Hurricane Tracking Chart will be available June 1 at our sponsor locations or at the KYKZ 96 station. More information at www.kykz.com.
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JULY 1, 2010
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TROUT WARFARE TOURNEY EVERY FRIDAY There will be a weekly Inland Tournament every Friday this summer sponsored by the SWLA Fishing Club. Entry fee is $20 a person with a 60 percent pay out on tournament for a 3-trout stringer weighed in. Optional $5 entry fee on big speck pot; 75 percent pay out. Optional $5 entry fee on big red pot (must be under 27’’); 75 percent pay out. Optional $5 entry fee on big flounder pot; 75 percent pay out. Registration will be held at the Southwest Louisiana Fishing Clubhouse from 4- 8 p.m. on the day of each tournament. For more info, call Stephen Brown at 302-6745 or Jayson Dautriel at 526-9787. FREE JIMMY BUFFETT CONCERT FOR GULF COAST JULY 1 Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band will be joined by Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Allen Toussaint, Sonny Landreth, Jesse
Jimmy Buffett
Winchester and special guests for a free concert in Gulf Shores, Ala. on July 1 called “CMT Presents Jimmy Buffet & Friends Live from the Gulf Coast.” The concert is being organized to demonstrate support for and solidarity with residents, businesses and the culture of the Gulf Coast. A portion of the show will air live on Country Music Television (CMT) at 7 p.m. Performances will be simulcast live on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio and streamed live on www.CMT.com. CMT filmed along the Creole Nature Trail AllAmerican Road in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes recently with the Lake Charles/SWLA Film Commission. SWLA should be featured as the concert encores on CMT July 2 at 6 p.m., July 3 at 8:30 a.m., July 4 at 1 p.m. and July 5 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact the SWLA Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588 or visit www.visitlakecharles.org. JEFF FOXWORTHY AT COUSHATTA JULY 2 Coushatta Casino Resort is proud to present one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country, Jeff Foxworthy, who will performing his unique brand of humor Fri., July 2 in The Pavilion at Coushatta. Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and best selling author of 11 books. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, and the Coushatta box office. A $10 discount per ticket is available for the casino’s Advantage Club members when headliner tickets are purchased at the casino’s box office. Call (800) 584-7263 for more information, or visit www.coushattacasinoresort.com.
Jeff Foxworthy Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
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BLUE RIBBON APPLE PIE CONTEST JULY 3 All bakers are invited to participate in the fourth annual Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest, held in conjunction with the Red White Blue & You Fourth of July Festival in downtown Lake Charles. Bring your baked pie to the Lake Charles/SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Welcome Center located at 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles on Sat., July 3 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Judging will take place later that afternoon. Winners will be notified by phone. Pies must include at least 60 percent apples in the filling. Entries that need refrigeration will not be accepted due to food safety reasons. A recipe must be submitted with the entry form. First place will receive a blue ribbon and $100, second place will be awarded a red ribbon and $75, and the third place winner will receive a white ribbon and $50. There is no entry fee. Call (337) 436-9588 for an entry form, or download it at www.visitlakecharles.org/applepie. RED WHITE BLUE & YOU JULY 4 STREET PARADE - 6 P.M. Come celebrate your patriotic spirit at the annual Red White Blue & You street parade! The parade will begin at the intersection of Mill & Ryan Streets, travel South on Ryan, and conclude at the intersection of Ryan & Sallier (12th) Streets. The parade begins at 6 p.m. CONCERT CELEBRATION- 7 P.M. Following the parade, the celebration continues at the Lake Charles Civic Center Arcade Pavilion. At 7 p.m., the Westlake High School Jazz Band will kick off the evening’s events. The mayor will announce the winners of the Red White & Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest. The Lake Charles Community Band will perform a salute to
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the U.S. Armed Forces. The evening will end with a fireworks extravaganza over the lake beginning at 9:15 p.m. Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved inside the Civic Center. CHILI’S IS GOING TO THE DOGS JULY 5 Join 4 Paws Society Inc. and Chili’s in Sulphur on July 5 for a night of good food and great drinks. Stop by anytime between 4-11 p.m. and when you order/pay for your meal, say you are there for 4 Paws Society’s fundraiser. Tell your friends and bring as many people as you can. Chili’s is donating 10 percent of their profits from the night to 4 Paws Society in an effort to help out our rescued doggies. For more info, call (337) 477-0741, or check out our Web site at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com. FIRST MONDAY IN THE ATRIUM AT LAKE CHARLES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL JULY 6 The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital is pleased to present “In that Old Barbershop Style,” featuring the vocal harmonies of The Voice of Vermillion Chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, and the Tag Team Quartet at the next “First Monday in the Atrium.” The performance will be held on Tues., July 6 due to the
Volume 2 • Issue 7
Left to Right: Tabitha Rider, Lauren Orazi, and April Nixon Davis Independence Day holiday. “First Monday in the Atrium,” a musical interlude held each month from 11am until 1pm in the atrium at Memorial Hospital on Oak Park Boulevard, is free and open to the public. For more information, call (337) 494-3226. SUMMER POPS JULY 10 Summer Pops will feature Cirque de la Symphonie with performances from Cirque de Soliel, who will perform acrobatic feats to the music of the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra. Riser tickets for the concert begin at $15 and can be purchased at local music stores, the Lake Charles Civic Center and the Symphony office. Tables of eight, or individual table seats for $30 are on sale at the Lake Charles Symphony office. You can also call (337) 433-1611 or go to the Web site at www.lcsymphony.org. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. MEXICAN FOOD AND WINE EXPERIENCE JULY 13 The Wine Store and Casa Manana are hosting “A Mexican Food and Wine Experience” on Tues., July 13 at 7 p.m. This event is by reservation only. Space will be limited to the first 40 to reserve and confirm with credit card. Admission is $30 per person and there will be a 15 percent gratuity on all checks. To reserve your space, e-mail casapasacatering@yahoo.com and leave your call back information. CAJUN MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL JULY 18-19 Burton Coliseum will be jumping with lively Cajun sounds Sat. and Sun., July 17-18, for the 23rd Annual Cajun Music and Food Festival, presented by the Lake Charles Chapter of the Cajun French Music Association. Savory Cajun specialties like jambalaya, gumbo, cracklins and more will be in the gumbo pot. Other festival highlights include raffles, arts and crafts booths and games for kids. Raffle prizes include everything from an accordion to a live hog! The event will take place at Burton Coliseum, 7001 Gulf Hwy. Sat., 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sun., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is $7 per person, and free for children 12 and younger. No ice chests are allowed. For more information, call Janet Piraro at 337-2170880, or visit www.cfmalakecharles.org. SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE AT O’CHARLEY’S JULY 20 On Tues., July 20, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union is teaming up with O’Charleys and GAP Broadcasting for a School Supply Drive! GAP radio will be on site at O’Charleys from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to promote the event. O’Charleys has graciously agreed to give 10 percent of the proceeds made between those times to the School Supply Drive. Southwest Louisiana Credit Union will match up to $500 of the proceeds given by O’Charleys. For more information, call 477-9190 “I WANT CANDY” AND “DETOUR ART” AT 1911 CITY HALL THROUGH AUG. 21 The City of Lake Charles will open two new exhibitions entitled “I Want Candy-The Sweet Stuff in America,” and “Detour Art—Outsider, Folk Art, and Visionary Environments Coast to Coast.” The first exhibit gathers 50-55 works from 40 contemporary artists that explore our nation’s love affair with sweets and reflect some of the most important artistic trajectories of recent American art. The second exhibit highlights art and images by visionaries, untrained artists, and folk creators found along the back roads of America. The exhibit will hang through Aug. 21. Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center is open Mon. through Fri., 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, please call 491-9147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com. TJN
The Team at The Odyssey Salon is once again hosting “Haircuts on the Beach” to honor the memory of Dewayne (Bear) Crochet, who always had a passion for life and the beach Join The Odyssey Salon for food, live music, motorcycles, haircuts and lots of fun—all for a good cause—on Sat., July 10 on I-10 Beach from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. All proceeds from this day of family fun and haircuts will benefit local charities that Bear Crochet believed in, such as Abrahams Tent, Women’s Shelter, SWLA Autism Chapter, etc. The day starts off with a Poker Run. Registration is at 8 a.m. at Harley Davidson of Lake Charles located at 2120 Broad St. The cost is $20 for the rider and $10 for the passenger. Proceeds from the Poker Run will benefit C.J. Ardoin of Sulphur, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this year. So get those motorcycles revved up and ready to go!
Haircuts start at noon. Paul Mitchell professionals will be on hand for your haircut experience, and Stage One students will be assisting with your summer style. Just look for the Paul Mitchell banners on the beach! Haircuts are $10; Styles With Knowledge are $10. D’Ryan’s Music and Kinder Rental will provide sound. Cool off with a fun jump waterslide and climb one of the largest rock walls in SWLA, donated by Kinder Rental. Proceeds from the sale of burgers, hot dogs and icecold sodas will go to local charities. Domino’s Pizza will also be available. So, join the team at The Odyssey Salon and the friends of Bear Crochet to celebrate the life of a great man—and help local charities at the same time. For more information, contact April Nixon Davis at The Odyssey Salon, 317 Alamo St., Lake Charles at 437-3997.
THE BAND SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS: Noon – The Journey’s End Band 1:15 – The Sinners 2:30 – The Kreepers
3:45 – Down Hearted 5:00 – The Von Dukes 6:00 – The Loaded 44rz
317 Alamo St., Lake Charles • 337.437.3997 Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
PAGE 43
To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com
The
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Chris Shearman @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • DJ Dispo @ My Place Bar, 9 p.m. THURSDAY, JULY 1 • Don Fontenot & Les Cajuns des la Prairie @ DI’s • • • • • •
Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. Cowboy Mouth @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 7 p.m. Brad Brinkley @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. Peter Lawson/Lobelia @ The Porch, 9 p.m. When the Word Was Sound @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. Crossroads Band @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. Video Stars @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
FRIDAY, JULY 2 • Errol Jenkins & Louisiana Tradition @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • Jeff Foxworthy @ Coushatta Casino Pavillion, Kinder, 8 p.m. • Blues Tonic @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Zydecane @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m.
• Some Assembly
Required @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Bernie Alan @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Kadillacs @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. SATURDAY, JULY 3 • Mack Manuel & The Lake Charles Ramblers @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • The Commodores @ Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 7 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • Zydecane @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Forever Falls/Certain Satellites @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • Some Assembly Required @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Bernie Alan @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Kadillacs @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. • Club 921 @ AJ’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. SUNDAY, JULY 4 • Swamp Jam @ Delta Event Center, Delta Downs,
Vinton, 3 p.m. • Giles Sonnier & The Bayou Idols @ Gator Lounge,
Delta Downs, Vinton, 3 p.m.
• Krossroadz @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge
du Lac, 10 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Legends in Concert @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino,
Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Radar vs. Wolf @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 8 • Travis Benoit & Allons Dancer @ DI’s Cajun Food
& Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Andrew David @ The Porch, 7 p.m. • Chee Weez @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du
Lac Casino, 7 p.m. • Chris Miller & Bayou Roots @ Mikko, Coushatta
Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • The Prime Time Band @ Gator Lounge,
Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Hipbootjoe @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge
du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, JULY 9 • Howard Noel & Cajun Boogie @ DI’s Cajun Food
& Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino,
Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • The Prime Time Band @ Gator Lounge,
Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Hipbootjoe @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. SATURDAY, JULY 10 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns
@ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.
PAGE 44
JULY 1, 2010
Volume 2 • Issue 7
• TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant,
Hayes, 7 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • The Prime Time Band @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. SUNDAY, JULY 11 • Legends in Concert @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, JULY 14 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Legends in Concert @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY, JULY 15 • T-Joe Romero @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Paul Gonsoulin/Keith Moody @ The Porch, 7 p.m. • Trigger Proof @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 7 p.m. • Willie T/Warren Storm/Cypress @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.
Volume 2 • Issue 7
• DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill,
L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, JULY 16 • Felton LeJeune & The Cajun
• • • •
• •
•
Cowboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. Lonely Horse @ The Porch, 8 p.m. Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. Tommy G & Stormy Weather @ Hawg Wild, Sulphur, 9 p.m. Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, JULY 17 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns/Ron Miller & The Louisiana Ramblers/Donny Broussard & The Louisiana Stars/Kira Viator & Bayou Beat/Geno Delafosse @ CFMA Cajun Food & Music Festival @ Burton Coliseum, 8 a.m. • Jamie Berzas @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.
• TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant,
Hayes, 7 p.m. • ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino,
Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Step Rideau & The Zydeco Outlaws
@ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • The Flatland Travelers @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. SUNDAY, JULY 18 • Ellis Vanicor & The Lacassine
Playboys/Don Fontenot & The Friends of Louisiana/High Performance @ CFMA Cajun Food & Music Festival @ Burton Coliseum, 8 a.m. WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Legends in Concert @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Mike Zito @ The Porch, 8 p.m. • Radar vs. Wolf @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m.
TJN
MONDAY NIGHTS: Abita Beer Night
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Mondo Martini Night
THURSDAY NIGHTS: Be Well Night
We’re locally owned and the best place in town for live entertainment, food, and drinks. Wed. Jul. 7 @ 9:00 RADAR VS. WOLF Sat. Jul 17 @ 9:00 FLATLAND TRAVELERS
JULY 1, 2010
PAGE 45
Leslie B e four dec rman’s career in ades, an music folksing er, mus d includes stin spans ic teach ts as a booker, e c tival dir oncert promote r, coffeehouse r e notes w ctor, music jou , publicist, fesr r nalist, a it e r , a organiz ation p rtist manager lbum r , trade e ment a ttorney, sident, e n t ertaina nd pres Music id M Louisian useum of ent of the S musicall a. She prefers outhwest y eclectic a GRAM , and v ll things M Recordin Ys as a mem otes on the g Aca ber o reached at leslie@ demy. 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His na est of the ar ics less pr their own o esting, not or acknow n p e o u r p e o o g r r B y rial b marin as the playin or of my m to see the usic and ly d, about tions, sugg take or bu . s and mile territo ate radio w rogramb n ea d m r c b h o s a h a u e u g k t h i d p d r h y e e t r o o d k n m e r l r w h p al nd ar io p ree , pi rough e shou f said y mot rs or as I w ly fou the th h coastline id BBC rad ritons to he that w e quality o eekend, m ll and shep ing and s, I sudden running th drews Siste my s a B i t l s r h e w w Eng swer to ay fo work er’s Tune” an old An rics by Sam edge t l, this past nities to kv ldren, follo sse only w the clock. ertise on m ’s an ly l e m i e l u o e E o t h h “ p : p r h r t c f e Wel f o T e s r l o d p e o ed er g. nd an y adv er wh s of op cipa- remember er recordin ding this v out on the ve of h ming, nd roll arou nly way to is owned b free, l dozen from all fi otion to h lison’s parti u o l l h i g c c o h a r l y n c M a i e a t i i k e m y s l roc as also th BBC, wh ommerc Glenn are choice, lady of eigh eander in s en, nacha meless pro my sister A w put on b c radio k It w ause the p a a c m o o i . s l f h l r h e s h k o s a e r k c ntirely ed to use a to r t e d a e o G e a r c n Y s a h m e m a n a o b i g t e w s , w a e n t en r fi ,N “Wh hy does a ts the kick r’s tune.” radio ernment, f you wan annual fee and th an outdoo ong Beach ewer trans- s v u i e W p / m t l a i L the go r by taxes ( ad to pay an se). loose? ose? / Wha / It’s just E mething. tion in m’s town, Puzzleart v as always, s. o en h f o ? u d o s i l o e u o g pa t, y like a car lic ed off their k h g our m bstract and e wonderfu us assured nd, of a agic in Jun be June, or u o e r o you b ernment, Brits back e an all roc the m ical. Must Alli’s a works we of lookie l of the week v s I g , d Ma the go ntually, the C1 becam e radio DJ Friday forme ndly crowd enjoyment (and a $100 uch e B t n e a B u v r J , i r E e t , p e r c er ho on ou Today the fri ping off ou rize ribbon category (m was of the k stan Radio ck on anoth Lisa Rozas ork o-roc and many he station. atellite e e r n t e Top the first p aintings a h r t i a Y d s ft n, nown lic p ny of P Kicking b m Spees an -in-New hree on statio ired to staf e.co.uk and roadcast ’m Alli w in the acry she hadn’t k show). Ma ial t I a , P h n b k n i e e h l e o t e r h o i t c ) e w pew e ar we check surprise, as ached to th r citizen so ven went w g Fridays- r date (this Jackson radioc ine continu t their com . s y w a w e e t o n w r i i t e l w arol k, bu governto he or prizes a m her sen ing – and f stand food dinn bs up for th tuffed as a nd f ed roc adio C o ld ndian ocal thum er dinner, s ic shrimp a we R um-orient , including d dozens o a jury m’s pals fro rtment bui g number livI v t t o s b n n i n f a s f l i e a o u a o p s m a v A i t i w l a q s 1 r . r g n e e o r ) r r n e fa rs rp ou ea sn is le BBC and h orks. u eights Dine rma and a omising ou ut we ly, a su n 50 y tition ponsored trial station ritain. b o r center nexpected more tha e Alli’s artw ch ( H k p s s s B r e n e t e v r e d V n en T u u m aft e sel ter ick more ntances fro me by to s or raising s o on ch h dish, and tuffing our front of the nut m mmercial asting arou he pseua f i t a t s c o c a c e d c e s n a n u m p i – a c a o n q o o n r an y ea ac nd re, spi the ar ey praised m her the ch enthusigo eas settled dow hocolate a gally b while the rate Radio oll e n d l i l u g o c e n r i w and r gs of ns t for a o), we Philip rse, th ore ary Pi ch gav ing he ever d lthy heapin cream and nd Rhys Ifa d. Bu document plain, rock way – Of cou r child, whi s. Overhear the blush m n a e e ea e oa do- y makes every a clev out all of u was put to to the stag ir with h chocolate ic , Bill Nighy tant downl d ppil gressive in wbreakers b I y e n s a a n , a r a h n h s a i t e g , w t a m t a m n n r f m s u u l f o i b b la an ed adio tting o the fi drifted am ur Ho ncom was tr ing making . N astic e nce, and so ans were pu I was charmrm- Seymo in Pirate R lent about ook, but P e s d r TJ u e l a c i b g o th v en than o local music ich is where Club, perf starrin was ambi ff to read a d antics of ons, in t of its list a u a i h e e o o Lis wher t show. W Harmonic crowd. went the imagin e radio stat e r ually own a Long Island nthusiastic known har event aughed at ritish pirat along to th e l fB ang I have monicists by the ing to an and I stars o and s
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JULY 1, 2010
Volume 2 • Issue 7
Cajun French Music Association, Lake Charles Chapter
23rd Cajun Music and Food Festival
July 17th & 18th, 2010 • Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles, LA SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2010 8 A.M. Doors Open 9 A.M. Arts & Crafts Open 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. Children's Jam Hour 10 A.M. to Noon Briggs Brown & Bayou Cajuns Noon to 1 P.M. Opening Ceremonies Introduction of Queens Professional Accordion Contest 1 to 3 P.M. Ron Miller & Midnight Ramblers 1 to 1:30 P.M. Dance Contests 3 to 5 P.M. Donny Broussard & Louisiana Stars 5 to 7 P.M. Kira Viator & Bayou Beat 7 to 10 P.M. Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie
SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 8 A.M. French Mass with French Choir 9 A.M. Arts & Crafts Open 9 to 11 A.M. Ellis Vanicor & Lacassine Playboys 11 A.M. to Noon Introduction of Queens Amateur Accordion Contest Noon to 2 P.M. Don Fontenot & Friends of Louisiana 2 P.M. Silent Auction Concluded 2 to 4 P.M. High Performance
For more information visit: www.cfmalakecharles.org or contact Janet Piraro at (337) 217-0880
PLEASE NO ICE CHESTS
n AdmissPeio rson
$7.00 Per Under Free & 2 1 n re d il h C
Queens ’ Pagean Saturda t y, July
1 Contac t Charm 0, 2010 aine La ndry 337-43 6-1760
PLATINUM SPONSORS • Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana • Louisiana Decentralized Arts Funding Program
DIAMOND SPONSOR • Wright Plumbing Services, Inc.
COME AND ENJOY! Jambalaya, Gumbo, Cracklins, Boudin, Etoufee, Funnel Cakes, Burgers & Fries, Red Beans & Rice, Beer & Cold Drinks Volume 2 • Issue 7
JULY 1, 2010
PAGE 47