VOL. 2, NO. 9 /JULY 29, 2010
PLUS: World Cup Fever in St. Maarten • Big Daddy’s Sports Bar and Grill • Black Dog Syndrome
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
GENERAL 715 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com PUBLISHER Phil de Albuquerque publisher@thejambalayanews.com
NEWS MANAGING EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com
EDITOR Lisa Yates
contents COVER STORY 16
Shop Sulphur
REGULARS 7
The Boiling Pot
10
The Dang Yankee
11
Tip’s Tips
13
Doyle’s Place
lisa@thejambalayanews.com
14
What’s Cookin’
CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Berman George Cline James Doyle Dan Ellender Sheila Gilley Mike McHugh Sherry Perkins Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos
31
House Call
34
Sports Report
ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANT Patricia Prudhomme
ENTERTAINMENT
SALES ASSOCIATES Jody Barrilleaux Katy Corbello Faye Drake Karla Tullos GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck ART/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Michelle LaVoie BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews MARKETING INTERN Morgan Murray
July 29, 2010 • Volume 2 • Issue 9
FEATURES 5
Black Dog Syndrome
30
Custodial Moments
46
World Cup Fever in St. Maarten
32
Red Hot Books
37
Funbolaya
38
Killin’ Time Crossword
39
Family Night at the Movies
40
Society Spice
47
Jambalaya Jam
51
Local Jam
53
Eclectic Company
16 30
46 12 5
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 9
14 We are now accepting credit cards! JULY 29, 2010
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A Note From Lauren Remembering a Life My Aunt Jeannette passed away recently. My mother’s older sister, she was 98 years old, and as you can imagine, had been in failing health for a very long time. She spent her final years at an assisted living facility near Boston, but prior to that, she had lived on the same street in East Boston for most of her entire life. I have a lot of mixed emotions. Let’s just say she was not my favorite relative when I was growing up, and we clashed often. She was set in her ways, and expected everyone to do what she wanted them to do. She was not easy to live with. But she did mellow with age, so my relationship with her vastly improved over the years. At almost 100 years old, she came from a very different world. She was the oldest girl in a family of five and she was the one “in charge.” She never married, and was a spinster in every sense of the word. I don’t like to use that term, because there are so many women who don’t marry and have children by choice, and I respect that choice. But in her case, I don’t think she had one. Or perhaps she made herself believe that she didn’t. My aunt never dated, never had anything to do with men, even though she was a very pretty woman. Her entire life was devoted to the family. From an early age, she took care of the younger children and helped my grandmother in the kitchen. As she grew older and assumed even more household responsibilities, my grandparents treated her as an equal. My aunt Gloria remembers that only Jeannette was allowed to speak at the dinner table, while the other children were told to remain quiet— even my Uncle Frank, who was older than she was. On Saturday nights, while Gloria and my mother were out dancing at nightclubs with their dates and Frank was at Suffolk Downs Race Track and Uncle Albert was playing poker with his buddies, Jeannette was at home with my grandparents, after spending the day cleaning the house from top to bottom. Eventually, all of her siblings married. She remained at home with her parents until they died, which, as you can imagine, was a devastating blow for her—as she had lived her life so closely entwined with theirs. Unable to live by herself, she asked my Uncle Frank and his wife to move in with her. They all lived together for the rest of their lives. This was the situation that I was born into: Jeannette and Frank and Frances on the second floor of the three-decker house that was left to her when my grandfather died, my parents and I on the top floor, and my aunt Gloria and her husband and two children on the first floor. Kind of a recipe for disaster, in my opinion.
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The house was hers, and we paid rent to her, so Jeannette remained in charge. She complained about me and my cousins running up and down the stairs, scratching the woodwork with our shoes, smudging the wallpaper. My bedroom, unfortunately, was directly above hers, and there were constant complaints about how much noise I made while she was trying to rest with a terrible headache, and how could I do this to her? Hmmm…does the fact that I was only seven years old have something to do with it? I loved animals but was never allowed to have a pet because Jeannette claimed to be allergic. I finally got a parakeet, and she complained about his chirping and said she was allergic to him, too. When he died, she told me how much she had suffered because of him, and didn’t I feel bad about that? I told her that I didn’t, and that set off some fireworks. My mother was the youngest in the family and always put Jeannette on a pedestal, and it drove her crazy when I would be disrespectful. (My father, fed up with Jeannette himself, would actually stick up for me occasionally.) Meanwhile, my aunt Gloria was down on the first floor, still suffering from “middle-child complex” and nursing her own grudges against Jeannette, which increased as time went by. So there was all this resentment in this Italian household, simmering just below the surface like a marinara sauce about to boil over. But my aunt had her good points. She was very generous to all of us. If you asked her for any kind of help, she’d be there for you in a second, because you were family. I remember one night I got very ill when my parents were out (I was probably around 12) and I called Jeannette. She was there immediately and stayed with me until my parents came home. She liked the finer things in life, and she would take us kids into Boston for lunch at a fine restaurant, or to a play or movie. She would give us money for a good report card, and little gifts for no reason at all. I remember one year, she made May baskets for me to give all of my friends, and we had a Maypole in the backyard. It’s the good things that I want to remember now, because the past is the past. My cousin Sandy, who along with her husband Al, had been Jeannette’s caretaker in her final years, said that one day, Jeannette asked her if she had had a happy life. “Yes, of course I have,” Sandy answered. “What about you?” She said Jeannette sighed and closed her eyes. “I don’t know,” she said softly. “I don’t know if I was ever happy.” Hers was a half-lived life. A sense of duty and a lot of inner fears and anxiety prevented her from truly experiencing joy. I hope that, at last, she’s found it.
TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 9
By Sheila Gilley “Black Dog Syndrome” is a phenomenon that is well known to shelter workers and rescue organizations across the nation. Can you believe that black dogs are often the last chosen for adoption, and sadly, among the first to be put to sleep in shelters? 4 Paws Society, a local dog rescue, currently has over 20 black or primarily black dogs, many of who are black lab mixes. Black Labs are especially vulnerable to Black Dog Syndrome, and Calcasieu Parish and its animal shelter are chronically over-populated with them. Isn’t it ironic that Labs are the top breed in the country, but in the south, our shelters are overrun with unwanted Labs and their litters. So sad…but so very preventable with spay/neuter. To those outside the animal rescue world, the idea seems so Volume 2 • Issue 9
strange — doggie discrimination? Many people don’t believe or understand why black dogs are so much harder to place than dogs of other colors. Is it because black is the genetically dominant color for many breeds? That only explains why there are more black dogs in shelters, but doesn’t explain why people often choose lighter colored dogs to adopt. All of our local rescue volunteers and shelter workers can tell you a million stories about the fabulous black dogs we have rescued, fostered, etc., who are just as wonderful as their lighter counterparts. The “Black Dog Rescue Project” suggests reasons why black dogs are overlooked by adopters: The features of black dogs do not show as well in photographs, so it is much more difficult to get a
good photo of a black dog than a dog of lighter color. In Hollywood, white has always depicted the hero in the story, and black denotes the villain. Black dogs that appear in the media are portrayed as aggressive and dangerous. Because they are more difficult to photograph, they are not used in commercials and advertising campaigns. These factors all combine to leave the public with the false stereotype that black dogs are more intimidating than dogs of other colors. Human Perception: When you place a black dog next to a lighter colored dog, your eye immediately focuses on the lighter dog first. When people are looking for a dog to adopt, it is often a very emotional decision, and they are looking for a face to
fall in love with. So they choose the lighter dog or the one with unusual markings without noticing the black dog next to it. Shelters often have poor artificial lighting. The kennels are dark with lots of shadows. If a black dog is standing in the back of a kennel, potential adopters may not even realize he is there. The common superstition about black cats has a huge impact on the ability of a black cat to get adopted. We are not certain how much of this superstition impacts black dogs. If you want to help, consider this: Right now, there is a black dog sitting in a cage or kennel, hoping for a second chance and someone to love. Maybe you can open your heart and your home to one of these dogs. Help us fight the enormous dog overpop-
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ulation problem right here in Calcasieu Parish. Consider adoption when looking for a new pet. And especially look at the black dogs available at local shelters and rescue groups like 4 Paws Society. Black dogs are just as playful and loving and fun as dogs of other colors. When adopting your next best friend, please be aware that Black Dog Syndrome is real. See adoptable dogs at 4 Paws Society by visiting our Web site at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com, and please look at the black dogs first. All dogs shown in photos available for adoption at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com. Tell your friends about the millions of dogs waiting for homes. And please… spay and neuter your pets! There are several low-cost spay/neuter options in the area. Call Calcasieu Animal Services if you are on any type of public assistance at (337) 721-3730. If not, call Animal Angel’s Spay/Neuter Alliance Project at (337) 477-7290. Sheila Gilley is a dedicated volunteer at 4 Paws Society. Because of her efforts, hundreds of canine lives have been saved. The Jambalaya News commends and supports the great work she and her fellow volunteers at 4 Paws Society have done, and applaud the efforts of all the animal rescue groups in SWLA. All of you have made a difference. TJN
Sounder, Angus and Quincy
Morgan, For Adoption
Gus, For Adoption
FOX29 Hosts TOP DOG Contest, Partners With Local Shelters Meet Braxton Howdy! My name is Braxton and I am a “country boy” at heart. I love to run and play and enjoy life. I have a bushel of energy, so I need my own human family to play with. I love to ride in the car and would jog with you if you want, and I will make you laugh. One more thing, which is pretty important—I really like treats! I just thought I would throw that in—tee hee! I have been waiting too long for someone to love me. Could that be you? I sure hope so. I don’t want to be the “Last Doggie” standing. I don’t have my own phone, but you can call (337) 477-0741 and ask about me. I live at 4 Paws on the Bayou Pet Hotel. You can also PAGE 6
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e-mail fourpawssociety@aol.com to request an adoption application. Hurry up, ‘cause I’m waiting for you! Love, Braxton TJN
FOX29 and The Lake Charles CW are hosting the TOP DOG contest. Viewers log on to www.watchfox29.com and upload a photo of their dog for a chance to make their pet a TV Star! Candidates are chosen, and then contacted to bring their dog to the FOX29 studio to audition for a chance to be TOP DOG. During the commercial taping, the dogs are encouraged to do tricks, bark and play on camera. The dog is selected as TOP DOG will be paired with a show on FOX29 or The Lake Charles CW that best matches the dog’s personality as the TOP DOG’s favorite show. In an effort to help save local abandoned or stray pets from shelters, FOX29 and The Lake Charles CW are partnering
with 4 Paws Society and Hobo Hotel to make the community aware of their need for good homes. 4 Paws Society is a shelter located in Carlyss that houses abandoned or stray dogs and cats awaiting adoption or foster homes. The motto at 4 Paws Society is, “When you adopt a shelter pet, you help to save two lives: the one you bring home, and the one who takes its place.” Hobo Hotel is a no-kill shelter for cats only that focuses on the cats’ needs. Rather than keeping the cats in cages, they are housed in rooms with couches and tables for the cats to lounge on. This may seem out of the ordinary, but is extraordinary for the cats! TJN Volume 2 • Issue 9
The
Boiling
P l
Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com
Robert Kingham
L’Auberge du Lac Five Star Employees (from left to right): Benny LeJeune, Josh LeJeune, Joyce Hayes, Michael Richard and Danny Lemons L’AUBERGE DU LAC NAMES JUNE FIVE STAR EMPLOYEES L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort recently announced its June Five Star Employees. Additionally, the property named its Leaders of the Quarter. The Five Stars are: Joyce Hayes, a security officer; Michael Richard, a lead cook; Josh LeJeune, a valet attendant; Danny Lemons, an engineer; and Benny LeJeune, an engineer. Michael Richard is also designated as the Employee of the Month and is now eligible to receive the coveted Employee of the Year award. The Leaders of the Quarter are Tyler Shannon, a restaurant supervisor; Carlauna Tolbert, a hotel front office supervisor; Todd Bronander, a table games floor supervisor; and Vynessie Wilburn, an accounting manager.
L’Auberge du Lac Leaders of the Quarter (from left to right): Todd Bronander, Vynessie Wilburn, Tyler Shannon and Carlauna Tolbert
Volume 2 • Issue 9
Karen Lambert
Becky Stein
THREE WCCH EMPLOYEES RECEIVE MASTER’S DEGREES Three West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital employees recently received master’s degrees from McNeese State University. Robert Kingham, wellness director at Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers, obtained a master’s degree in health promotion. An employee of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for five years, Kingham served as a wellness coordinator at McNeese State University prior to joining the hospital. Karen Lambert, marketing manager, is the recent recipient of a master’s of business administration degree. Lambert has been with the hospital for two years. Prior to that, Lambert served as director of marketing for Allen Parish Hospital in Kinder. Becky Stein, director of the hospital’s intensive care unit, recently received a master’s of nursing degree. With this degree, Stein is now an adult nurse practitioner. Originally from Illinois, she has been with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for three years. CHRISTUS ADDS NEW PHYSICIAN FOR DAVINCI ASSISTED HYSTERECTOMY James M. Brown III, M.D. is now performing the daVinci robotic assisted hysterectomy procedure at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. This is a minimally invasive procedure that offers many potential benefits over a traditional abdominal hysterectomy. Dr. Brown joins Johnny Biddle, M.D., Lee J. Monlezun, M.D. and Donald Parker, M.D. in performing the daVinci assisted hysterectomy at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. Visit www.christusstpatrick.org for more information on daVinci assisted procedures at St. Patrick Hospital, or call (337) 430-3400 to schedule a consultation. LC TOASTMASTER CLUB HOLDS ANNUAL ELECTION Lake Charles Toastmasters Club 1225 held its election of officers for 20102011 year recently. Steve Maurer, Competent Communicator and Advance Communicator Bronze was elected president. Others officers elected were Cristina Broussard, vice president, education; Ankita Choudhary, vice president, membership; Alfred Doucette, Jr., Competent Communicator and Competent Leader, vice president, public relations; David Simmons, secretary; Susan Assunto, assistant secretary and Martha Whelan, Competent Communicator and Competent Leader, treasurer. The Lake Charles Toastmasters club provides its JULY 29, 2010
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members a communication and leadership development program and is one of more than 11,700 Toastmasters clubs around the world. The club meets each Monday at 6 p.m. at Capital One Tower in Lake Charles and is open to the public. MOSS REGIONAL ANNOUNCES SERVICE AUXILIARY OFFICERS FOR 2010-2011 W. O. Moss Regional Medical Center’s Service Auxiliary recently installed their newly elected officers for the 2010-2011 term. The Service Auxiliary operates the gift shop, answers telephones, and calls patients with appointment reminders. It also offers financial support to many special projects of the facility and assists with patient needs. The newly elected officers are: President – Wilma Miles, Vice President – Melba Duhon, Treasurer – Darsie Derouen, Secretary – Betty Duhon, Correspondence Secretary – Beckie Scott-Fuzee, Social Services – Denise Newman, Gift Shop – Pat Johnson, and Recorder for RSVP – Della Williams.
Retired Major Sam Cochran with the CIT International executive board, left, presents the Coordinator of the Year Award to Lt. David Anders of the Lake Charles Police Department. LT. ANDERS RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL AWARD Lt. David Anders of the Lake Charles Police Department received the CIT International Award for International CIT Coordinator of the Year. Anders, a 26year veteran of the police department and graduate of the FBI National Academy, is currently assigned as the Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator for the Lake Charles Police Department and the Hostage/Crisis Negotiation Team Commander. He was assigned by Chief Don Dixon to develop the Crisis Intervention Team in February 2005. Lt. Anders and Sgt. Ardoin of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff ’s Office partnered in coordinating the implementation of Southwest Louisiana’s CIT Program with NAMI-Southwest Louisiana, the LA Region V Office of Mental Health, and McNeese State University’s (MSU) Psychology Department to establish the 40-hour training curriculum and the CIT program.
Joe Andrepont presenting a donation to Sue Broussard for Care Help of Sulphur’s Back to School program. WESTLAKE CHEMICAL CORPORATION DONATES TO CARE HELP Westlake Chemical Corporation, represented by Joe Andrepont, made a contribution of $1,500 to Sue Broussard for Care Help of Sulphur’s Back to School program. This annual assistance program provides school supplies to Sulphur students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Care Help is seeking PAGE 8
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
support from the local community in the form of monetary donations, school supplies, and used school uniforms. For more information, contact Sandy Friesner at 528-2273 or e-mail her at vccarehelp@xspedius.net. MEMORIAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENTS GRADUATE State Senator Willie Landry Mount was the keynote speaker when nine physicians graduated from the Memorial/LSUHSC Family Medicine Residency Program recently. Members of the 10th graduating class, Jason Baesler, M.D., Megha Chandoke, M.D., Andres Guillermo, M.D., Ameer Khan, M.D., Aaron Marquardt, M.D., Johnny Segura, M.D., Slade Smith, M.D., Danielle Walz, M.D., and Benjamin Williams, M.D., received diplomas for having completed the three-year residency program. Drs. Segura and Williams were Chief Residents. The Family Medicine Residency Program began in January 1995.
HAROLD ROWLAND PROMOTED TO VP OF RESORT OPERATIONS AT L’AUBERGE L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort recently announced the promotion of Harold Rowland to vice president of resort operations. Rowland will oversee all non-gaming operations for the property. Rowland joined L’Auberge in May 2006 as senior director of hotel operations. In 2008, he oversaw a major property expansion at the property. The $67 million project included a 9-story hotel tower with 250 rooms, suites and luxury garden suites in addition to The Shops at L’Auberge. The expansion also increased luxury amenities available to guests including a new VIP lounge and private pool area with upscale cabanas. Rowland lives in Lake Charles with his wife and two children. TJN
Harold Rowland
From left to right: Mary Wilson, outgoing president LWVUS, Elisabeth MacNamara, incoming president LWVUS, Kay Andrews, president, Lake Charles LWV. KAY ANDREWS ATTENDS LWVUS NATIONAL CONVENTION Kay Andrews, president of the Lake Charles League of Women Voters, recently attended the League of Women Voters of the United States 49th National Convention in Atlanta. Andrews was a delegate representing Lake Charles LWV and the state of Louisiana. She attended workshops, caucuses and other sponsored meetings, and took part in elections for 2010-2012 officers, directors and nominating committee.
www.alamoinsectcontrol.com
LBA Chief Operating Officer Ginger Laurent (second from right) presents Bob Jones (second from left), director with First Federal Bank of Louisiana, with a LBA Service Award. Also pictured are (far left) Charles Timpa, president and chief executive officer of First Federal Bank, and Andy Pierson, chairman of First Federal Bank. FIRST FEDERAL BANK BOARD OF DIRECTOR RECEIVES AWARD Bob Jones, a director with First Federal Bank, recently received a Service Award from the Louisiana Banking Association. CAMERON COMMUNICATIONS DONATES TO MARSHLAND FESTIVAL This year’s Marshland Festival is sponsored in part by Cameron Communications. Trina Johnson, public relations coordinator for Cameron Communications recently presented a check for $6,500 to Kevin Moreau, Meagan Johnson and Madison Shore of the Marshland Festival. For a complete list of entertainers or more information, visit the Web site at www.marshlandfestival.com or call (337) 658-8139. Volume 2 • Issue 9
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Dang Yankee The
By Mike McHugh
Nuptials Louisiana-Style I’d like to announce that, if you are planning a wedding anywhere in Louisiana, I’m available for a spot on your guest list. Yes, I love Louisiana weddings. I’ve been to several here, and I must say they are very different than Yankee weddings. A prime example of this is the attire of the guests. Out of habit, I wear a necktie to every wedding I go to. It’s the only chance I have anymore to make use of all those ties I brought down from
Yankee Land. I do this despite the fact that, more often than not, I’d fit in better had I worn an LSU jersey. On a recent occasion, the daughter of a couple we know got married. At first, we were not planning to attend the wedding. This is because we had not received a formal invitation in the mail as per traditional Yankee custom. Normally, these come out well in advance of the event, often while the bride is still in grade school.
Our plans changed when my wife got to chatting online just a few nights prior with the bride’s stepmother, who casually inquired whether we were coming to the wedding. It turned out that they did not, in fact, send out formal invitations, probably so that there would be more in the budget for alcohol. This marked the first time for us to get a wedding invitation via Facebook. It was lucky. Our friend narrowly avoided having to bear the lifelong guilt of blood on her hands as a result of the suicide my wife was contemplating for apparently having been left off the guest list. Both of our friends had been married once or twice before, and I wasn’t ready for the ramifications of this at the wedding. The names of all of the birth parents and stepparents and related grandparents in the program read like the New Orleans Saints’ roster. If only they’d all worn numbers on their backs, I’d have been able to figure out who was who. At the reception, I noticed some aspects that reminded me of what I was used to in Yankee Land. Not only were there other guests besides me wearing a necktie, but, what’s more,
609 Ryan Street • Lake Charles, LA • 494-7227 Mon - Thurs: 10:30am - 9pm • Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 10pm So Easy To Get To! From I-10 West: Take Ryan St. Exit Go South 3 Blocks From I-10 East: Take Downtown Exit Turn Left By Best Suites, Right On Ryan PAGE 10
JULY 29, 2010
the DJ actually played a few tunes that didn’t feature an accordion in the arrangement. And that was not all. I saw the wedding party arrive at the hall in, of all things, a limo! I’ve gotten used to seeing them all ride over in the bed of a pickup truck. During one of the non-accordion songs, my wife dragged me onto the floor for my one obligatory dance. I dare not do any more, as I have all the moves of a banana slug. (So why did that photographer have to take my picture while I was out there? Surely it’ll be showing up on a Web site near you.) Don’t get me wrong, though. There was still plenty about the affair to remind me that this was a good old Louisiana wedding. One where you’re more apt to see Jell-O shots than champagne. Take, for instance, the tray of boudin balls at the buffet. That would never fly at a Yankee wedding. That’s because, up there, food at such affairs is all about appearance. You could easily get away with serving meadow muffins, as long as they were neatly displayed on a lettuce leaf. I’ve found the true sign of a Louisiana wedding is the length of the line at the bar—and this one was true to form. The wait for a drink was longer than it was for one of those new i-Phones. There were actually two lines on this occasion, and, as usual, I always seemed to end up in the slowest one. You know, the one where everyone is ordering drinks that are so complicated it takes a Ph.D. chemist to mix them. Meanwhile, in the other line, everybody is just getting draft beer. I knew it was bad when I saw one guest who’d just been served cycle right back into the end of the line, knowing full well that he’d be empty by the time he got back up front. Eventually, the night reaches a point when my wife tells me that she’s okay to go whenever I’m ready. All of you married men understand the secret wife code-speak here. I’ll translate for the single readers. What she really means is that she wants to leave, but to avoid an argument, she won’t just come out and say it. Instead, she’s hoping you will figure this out on your own and agree that it’s time. In my case, the statement sometimes has a slightly different meaning, something to the effect of, “Another drink will probably put you over the legal limit, so we better go now, because I’m certainly in no shape to drive.”
TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 9
By George “Tip” Cline
Blue Tooth Devices a Good Idea Louisiana has now passed a law that prohibits texting while driving—a super-hazardous practice. But I firmly believe that using a handheld phone while going down the road is pretty hazardous in itself. So, I picked up a $20 Blue Tooth device at Wal-Mart that clips to my sun visor and serves as a hands-free speakerphone. Now, we’re not talking about a high end Bose audio item—just one that lets me converse without holding the thing to my ear. And, it conveniently uses the same charge as my cell phone. It serves the same function as my On Star, which came with my vehicle, but costs after the initial free period. COMMON SENSE DOWN THE DRAIN Our friends in Washington have now decided to regulate showerheads. Yes, the showerhead that you use every day. They’re upset about the luxury fixtures that use more water than what they think we should use. Really. Isn’t it nice that the Department of Energy has decided to regulate the bathing habits of America? It isn’t bad enough that our old toilets that worked just fine are being replaced with new water-saving toilets that need to be flushed multiple times to do the job of the old ones? Now they’re coming into our shower stalls. The only thing I haven’t heard is that they’re doing this in the interest of public safety, which is their usual excuse for meddling in our private lives. Next, they’ll probably figure out some regulation to limit how long we should shower. I can’t wait to see the next bit of guidance the government has in store for us. GROW YOUR OWN MANGO One of our faithful readers contacted us regarding the recent column on pineapple and avocado plants with Volume 2 • Issue 9
while experiencing a more than worthwhile event. The Banners Committee is made up of many of the movers and shakers of our area and offers a huge variety of culturally enriching and entertaining events. From the illusionist Jason White to musical performances, lecture presentations, dance and more, the Banners Series adds so much to our area. I highly recommend you attend Rouge et Blanc—it is the real deal and worth your time and support. But hurry, tickets are going fast!
GOOD DEAL AT RITE-AID A friend told me that Rite-Aid Pharmacy’s reward card, with a coupon from their flyer, allows 50 4 X 6 digital prints for $4.99. That’s quite a nice savings. We discussed these program reward cards in an earlier column and this is a one example of getting a good deal. Of course, they expect that you will pick up other items in the store when you’re there, but a wary shopper can come out ahead sometimes. Don’t mind giving a plug to a place that has something good happening for their customers. TJN
a tip of her own. She takes mango seeds and starts her own plants from them. After enjoying the meat of the fruit, she splits the pit to remove the seed inside. (There is a seam on the side of the pit where you can pry it open to get the seed.) Clean hands are a must, as bacterial contamination can occur from dirt touching the seed, which will result in plant failure. Rinse the seed and place it on a moistened, folded-up piece of paper towel. Insert it into a Ziploc bag and leave it on the windowsill. She reports that the seed sprouts in about a week or so, with the root coming out one side and the sprout coming out the other. The seedling can be placed in good potting soil and allowed to grow. Keep it moist, but not over-watered. I haven’t had the opportunity to try this out, but I plan to give it a shot the next time I have mangos. ROUGE ET BLANC TICKETS ON SALE NOW Rouge et Blanc tickets are now on sale for this fall event sponsored by the McNeese Banners Series. The tickets are $75 per person and are much in demand, as they have sold out every year with many disappointed folks left without a ducat. This event has always been a huge hit in the community with a nice selection of excellent wines and top-flight food offerings included in the deal. Many of our upscale restaurants provide a chance to sample their wares in a single setting along with some other merchants with a gastronomic emphasis. The wine offerings expose the attendees to sample and purchase many selections that are not easily available locally—and at a reduced price (you know how I like bargains!). This is a chance to support the arts here in Southwest Louisiana JULY 29, 2010
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When medication and non-invasive procedures are unable to relieve symptoms, hysterectomy surgery remains the accepted and most effective treatment for a range of gynecologic conditions such as cervical and uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, menorrhagia (excessive menstrual flow), dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and metrorrhagia (abnormal bleeding between cycles). If you are considering or your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy, you are not alone - one in three women in the U.S. will have a hysterectomy before turning 60, according to www.womenshealth.gov. Traditional open gynecologic surgery, using a large incision for access to the uterus and surrounding anatomy, has for many years been the standard approach to many gynecologic procedures. Yet, with open surgery can come signif-
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icant pain, trauma, a long recovery process and threat to surrounding organs and nerves. For women facing gynecologic surgery, the period of pain, discomfort and extended time away from normal daily activities that usually follows traditional surgery can understandably cause significant anxiety. Fortunately, less invasive options are available, according to Lee J. Monlezun M.D., Gynecological Surgeon at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital. “Some gynecologic procedures enable surgeons to access the target anatomy using a vaginal approach, which may not require an external incision,” Dr. Monlezun said. “But for complex hysterectomies and other gynecologic procedures, robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may be the most effective, least invasive treatment option.” The da Vinci Surgical System provides surgeons with enhanced
visualization – including high-definition 3D vision and a magnified view of the surgical site – increased precision, and better control. “While sitting at the console, the surgeon controls the system, which translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the patient’s body,” Dr. Monlezun said. CHRISTUS St. Patrick is currently the only facility to perform the da Vinci robotassisted hysterectomy. With this robotic technology, surgeons can perform complex operations through small incisions no larger than a dime, using instruments that have seven degrees of movement, mimicking the dexterity of the human wrist. For qualified candidates, this robot-assisted procedure offers numerous potential benefits over the traditional open hysterectomy, including:
• Significantly less pain • Shorter hospital stay • Faster recovery time • Less blood loss • Fewer complications • Less scarring “The robotic assisted procedure means less time recovering for the patient, getting her back to her normal routine much quicker than with a traditional hysterectomy method,” Dr. Monlezun says. For more information on da Vinci robot-assisted procedures at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, visit www.christusstpatrick.org or call (337) 430-3400 to schedule a consultation. Other participating physicians for da Vinci hysterectomy are: Johnny Biddle, M.D., James Brown, M.D., and Donald Parker, M.D. You can also visit Dr. Monlezun’s Web site at www.monlezun.com for more information on gynecology.
TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 9
oyle By Jim D
Another Unforgettable Character I just got back from my high school class’ collective 60th birthday party in Tennessee, attended Music on the Square on a great night with katydids and lightning bugs in my hometown, and enjoyed a leisurely drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway. But those are subjects for another day. Right now, I want to tell you about my friend Ron Carl, also known as “Chance.” We met in Singapore in 1985 at his deposition when, at 32, he was the youngest captain in McDermott’s fleet of derrick barges at a time when that company was the world’s largest offshore contractor. He came across as American through and through, although he had lived most of his life in Asia, including time spent in Vietnam during the war as a teenage civilian contractor working for his dad. His connection with me (and with Lake Charles) was two local residents who had been injured while working on board one of his ships, both of whom filed suit in U.S. District Judge Earl Veron’s court. By happenstance, both came up for trial during the same summer, and Chance spent about two months here, most nights eating dinner at my house. While working, he presided over a colorful international cast of characters, including Australians, Brits, Filipinos, assorted citizens of countries as diverse as Poles and Czechs, and the occasional Cajun or Mississippi redneck. In those days of the worldwide boom in oil production, practically the only qualification needed to earn upwards of $100,000 annually, free of American income tax, was the ability to speak English. Most of the supervisors and a good number of the field Volume 2 • Issue 9
engineers, in the Middle East in particular, were British, so communication was a plus. One of the Lake Charles guys had been just such a field supervisor whose main job was to be the English voice on the radio at the other end of the pipeline being built. He was injured, very seriously, when he climbed to the top level of a tripod platform (not something you want to do if you’re afraid of heights) to check a leaking bolt during a hydrostatic test, when 6,000 pounds of pressure was being pushed through the pipeline from the other end. Seems he told one of his crewmembers, an Indian (from near Calcutta) to get “a hammer and a spanner” and try to tighten it up. When he touched it, it blew. Sent a three-eighths inch bolt through the center of his baseball cap. While he was unconscious, they called Chance over from the mother ship and, with one other worker, he carried him down on a stretcher. When the case came up for trial, I needed the Indian witness and paid a considerable sum from the McDermott treasury for a lawyer in Bombay to find him and get him to New York. Chance played the role of translator. They both spoke English, but the worker was hesitant to talk to me. Chance had time on his hands because he was injured, too. While on his off time at the McDermott compound in Dubai, he had stepped in a hole during a little horseplay around the swimming pool and broken his leg below the knee. It didn’t heal right, and by the time these events took place he had been off work nearly three years. While he was here in town, he took advantage
of our medical facilities, consulting with world-renowned orthopedic surgeon David Drez. Chance never really healed, but by and by he got well enough to think about going back to work. This presented a problem, because he had an unresolved claim against the company and they wouldn’t hire him until some plan was made to settle it. I was the only lawyer he knew, so it was natural he’d call me, but of course I couldn’t help him. I did call the company and got permission to find him a lawyer, eventually referred him to now-Judge Eldon Fallon of New Orleans. Eldon called me after he met with Chance and said he still wanted to talk to me. Through the two trials and lots of nights in deep conversation about his very adventurous life, we had become close friends, so that was natural. Chance once was riding his motorcycle in Saigon in the midst of the war and wound up behind the lines in a scrape with some Viet Cong partisans. He knew Bangkok like the back of his hand. His wife Noid was Thai. The only American place he lived growing up was Hawaii, and during the time of the two Lake Charles trials, his home base was Las Vegas, which is surprisingly easy to reach from anywhere in the world. He worked a schedule which brought him home 30 days every three months or so. When he was working, he flew first class all over the world. He loved to eat, and drink, and was the best guy I ever knew in a big group. In every sense of the word, a man’s man. One night, over multiple beers, he said to me: “Jim, you really want to do what I’m doing, don’t you?” It was the ultimate expression of self-
satisfaction. And it was true. So it was an honor for him to ask my advice about what to do. He had a firm offer of a job as a supervisor on an Indonesian job and had to decide. “Chance,” I told him, “You love your life. You’ve worked overseas since you were 17. Because of your injury, this is the only company that will ever hire you. Your choice is work or retirement.” He picked work. He left the next week. About a month later I was in London visiting clients at Lloyd’s and having an afternoon beer in the Three Tuns, my favorite pub (“tuns” are barrels). I was on their pay phone to the office and was told I had an emergency call from one of my McDermott contacts. Chance was dead. Not used to being back on his boat, he walked the wrong way behind a crane and was crushed by the counterweight. I still can’t believe it. As you might expect, his family called me to help them put together a settlement of his estate’s claim arising from his death, and as you can probably guess, I found a way to do that. Didn’t charge anybody a fee. One of the hardest things I ever did, but at least Chance’s wife and two kids were well provided for when it was over. As I get older, it seems my most unforgettable characters have passed through this veil of tears, but as I look around my life, I know that isn’t true. Lake Charles is full of ‘em. I hope all of you will remember knowing Chance through this exercise, and have a beer with your most unforgettable character. I’ll see you guys on the flip.
TJN
JULY 29, 2010
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What’s Cookin’ Hang With the Locals at
Big Daddy’s Sports Grill Want to get a bite to eat at a place where everyone knows your name and everyone’s glad you came? No, you don’t have to go all the way to Boston to visit the “Cheers” bar. Big Daddy’s Sports Grill in Lake Charles is the place to go for good food, beverages, and a warm family atmosphere. Although there are sports memorabilia and photos plastered all over the walls and wide-screen TVs in the back room, this is not your average sports grill. Big Daddy’s offers one of the best overall “neighborhood restaurant” experiences in town. The place is full of locals who all know one another— well. The staff is friendly and eager to please, and you’re more than likely to run into someone you know enjoying a meal or kicking back around the TVs, drinking a few cold ones and getting ready for a little sports action. The man behind the grill is Jerry LeBlanc. Born and raised in Lake Charles, he attended St. Louis High School and is a McNeese graduate with over 27 years of experience in the food industry. He’s a member of the Cowboy Club and the Lake Charles Tourist Bureau, and has been giving back to his community for years. LeBlanc and his wife Tammy have been the proud owners of Big Daddy’s for seven years.
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Big Daddy’s specializes in what LeBlanc calls “Cajun Comfort Food.” From a hearty breakfast to dinner, there’s something on the menu for everyone: Juicy steaks and burgers, Pawpaw’s Gumbo, catfish and shrimp platters and even freshly battered fried pickles. Weekly 2 for 1 catfish dinners, plate lunch and hamburger specials are a big hit. For those keeping it light, there are fruit smoothies and specialty salads. Family is very important to the LeBlancs, and they say they’re blessed to have the love and support from their wonderful daughters Lyndsey and Erin, their parents, and Jerry’s sister Judy—all loyal regulars. “I’m a humble man,” Leblanc said. “But since my customers, friends and family say so, I gotta say so myself: a Big Daddy’s hamburger is slap your momma, daddy, sister, cousin—second to none. You gotta try it!” Big Daddy’s Sports Grill is located at 1737 W. Sale Rd. Lake Charles, LA 70605. (337) 477-9033. Open Mon –Thurs. 6 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Fr. 6 a.m.-10 p.m., and Sat 7 a.m.2:30 p.m. Closed Sundays. “If we can’t make it in six days, seven won’t save us,” said LeBlanc. “Sunday I set aside for church, family and rest. I encourage my employees to do the same.”
Volume 2 • Issue 9
The following recipe is a favorite of the regulars, and is so easy to make!
Big Daddy’s Chicken Fajita Salad INGREDIENTS • taco salad shell • lettuce (your choice) • 1-8 oz. chicken breast, cut in strips • 1-Tbls. olive oil • ¼ Bell pepper • ¼ white onion • 1-small diced tomato • ½ oz. shredded cheese • sour cream • ½ cup -picante sauce • fajita seasoning • Bayou Dust (sold at Big Daddy’s) or a spiced seasoning of your choice • Skillet or indoor grill PREPARATION Line salad shell with bed of lettuce. Heat olive oil in skillet or grill on medium heat. Add strips of chicken, and season with fajita and spicy seasoning while cooking. Add onions, bell pepper and tomato. Sauté with chicken until chicken is cooked well. Drain away grease. Place chicken mixture on top of lettuce, sprinkle with shredded cheese, add a dollop of sour cream and top with picante sauce. Dig in, it’s delicious! Enjoy!
TJN
Volume 2 • Issue 9
My father is scheduled for a total knee replacement surgery next month. He is supposed to be in the hospital overnight and get discharged on the next day. His orthopedic surgeon says that after the surgery, he will need a physical therapist to go out to his home and provide in-home physical therapy for him. Can Home Health Care 2000 provide physical therapy in the patient’s home?
Yes. Usually after a total knee replacement, a home health care physical therapist provides in-home therapy for about 12 weeks. The sooner the therapy starts, the better the patient’s outcome and prognosis. The treatment regimen usually includes range-of-motion exercises, strengthening and gait training, assessment for swelling and signs of infection at the surgical wound site, along with an extensive home exercise program. To arrange for an in-home comprehensive clinical consultation and evaluation by a licensed home health care professional, please call 1-800-HOME-CARE (1-800-466-3227).
JULY 29, 2010
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Photo by Ellen Stephens Photography
By Lisa Yates
When you ask visitors what they love about Sulphur, one thing inevitably comes up: “the people.” The friendly, laid-back demeanor of the people put you at ease right away. Friendly people, great service and unique products combined make Sulphur a great place to shop. Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan invites you to cross the bridge, visit local businesses and see for yourself. “Our businesses provide personalized service to their customers…a benefit of living in a close-knit community,” he said. “We have a wide variety from large chain stores to family owned and operated. Each of PAGE 16
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them works diligently to ensure their customers are satisfied.” The mayor said by shopping locally, you simultaneously create jobs, fund more city services through sales tax, invest in neighborhood improvement and promote community development. “We encourage our citizens to ‘shop Sulphur first,’” he said. “This not only supports our local business owners, but also supports the city in regard to sales tax. Without the revenue generated from sales tax, the city would not be able to improve the services it provides to its citizens.” To promote entrepreneurship, the City
of Sulphur presents a “Business of the Month” plaque, which is given to local business owners recognizing their contribution to the community. This issue of The Jambalaya News called “Shop Sulphur” is all about promoting and supporting locally-owned, independent businesses. It’s about making your hard-earned money go further, fueling the local economy and helping to preserve the unique character of Southwest Louisiana. Shop local. Make a difference. Here are 10 reasons to cross the bridge into Sulphur: Volume 2 • Issue 9
• At-home SPA: Relaxation for you and your friends. • Work SPA: Let me pamper your employees during their lunch break. • Need an extra $200? or $1000? per week or month? Like to be your own boss? Get paid for having fun girl-time!!
Jeff, Grandmother Corita and Courtney Benoit.
B & O Kitchen & Grocery is the go-to place for cracklins and boudin, which are made fresh daily. Owners Jeff and Becky Benoit say they use nothing but the best quality meats available and their recipes are always consistent. “We make our own boudin, cracklins, beef jerky, Cajun Slim Jims, boudin balls, Cajun egg rolls, pistolettes, smoked sausage, pork tasso, hog head cheese, specialty meats, stuffed chickens, turduckens, fried turkeys and deer processing,” Jeff said. “We also have our own lunch menu with such items as our Famous Cajun Burger. We offer several sandwiches and Po-boys, as well.” He said bring in this article anytime between July 29 and Aug. 12, and receive a FREE sample of boudin! The business, located at 3011 E. Burton St. in Sulphur, is featured on the cover of the current edition of the SWLA Boudin Trail pamphlet. Jeff said you can find the pamphlets at all tourist information bureaus, hotel/motel Volume 2 • Issue 9
lobbies in the area, and even at some local businesses. “Inside the brochure, there is a map of our location,” he said. “We are No. 4 on the map. I was honored to have been chosen to be on the front cover.” B & O is a family-owned and operated business, established in 1983 by Jeff ’s grandparents. “Many of the Benoit family members have been involved in this business from one time or another,” he said. “It all started with my grandparents, Joseph and Corita Benoit, then my parents, Dale and Peaches Benoit. I have also had many aunts, uncles, and cousins work here through the years. I currently run the business with my wife, Becky, and my two kids, Courtney and Michael. I may own the business now, but my Grandmother Corita, the original owner who still works here today, is still ‘the boss.’” Jeff said good customer service, consistent products and a family-friendly atmosphere is the reason for the success of the business. “Sulphur is a small town,” he said. “When you do business in a small town like ours, your customers aren’t just your customers, they’re your friends. I enjoy getting to know my customers on a first name basis.”
Turn to Mead Automotive for your Car Care Services, Undercar Services, Heating and Cooling Services, Electrical Services, Transmission Services, Internal Engine Services, Heavy-Duty Services, Towing, and Miscellaneous Services.
Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5pm JULY 29, 2010
PAGE 17
Call 337-478-3232 Monday - Friday for your appointment. New Patients Welcome ACCEPTING MOST INSURANCES
www.oakparkdental.com
Katy Peveto, owner of Below the Mantle
1616 West McNeese Cosmetic Denistry • Dentures • Partials Fillings • Extractions • Orthodontics
4710 Common St., Suite A • (337) 564-5769 www.theporchcoffeehouse.com
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Everyone is raving about the fire and ice fireplace at Below the Mantle. “Come in and see Fire on Ice®,” said Katy Peveto, who coowns the store with her husband Randy. “Instead of having the traditional gas logs, you can now have colored crystals with the fire coming up through the center of the crystals.” It’s a big trend now. You see it in celebrity homes. The contrast of fire and ice is what makes the look so stunning. The glow of the fire coming from the shiny pieces of crystal is strikingly different from the look of real wood logs or even gas logs. The advantage is you get to create the look you want. If you have a room with a blue décor, you can use blue crystals, or whatever color you want. The “ice” comes in a variety of colors including, clear, gray, bronze, green, blue and black, to name a few. Of course it isn’t ice, but Fire on Ice ® - a trademark accessory product that uses tempered glass in place of logs. It’s safe because there’s no more popping cinders, no soot
and it burns cleaner. Also, it’s surprisingly affordable and lasts a lifetime. See Fire on Ice ® and more at Below the Mantle, located at 1375 N. Beglis Parkway in Sulphur. During the month of August, the store is having a 25 percent off sale on fireplace accessories. Tell them you heard about it in The Jambalaya News! When you visit, Katy said to be sure and check out a new pellet stove called the Mount Vernon AE. “It is a beautiful stove that burns small wood pellets,” she said. “It comes in a free-standing, or an insert, and is very efficient.” She said the new stove is technically advanced to operate automatically, and has comfort-quiet blowers so you won’t even know it is providing some of the most efficient heat available. Since opening its doors in 1991, Below the Mantle has been an industry leader carrying a full line of wood burning and gas fireplaces, inserts, pellet stoves, gas logs, mantles and accessories. Katy added, “We are the only full line fireplace shop in Sulphur with working display models.”
Volume 2 • Issue 9
Island Sunsations Tanning Salon
UV Free Custom Spray Tans Student Discounts 5 Beds & 1 Stand Up 914 Beglis Parkway, Sulphur
(337) 533-8141 island_sunsations@yahoo.com www.IslandSunsations.com
Clint, Elise and Buckie LeBoeuf.
Owners Buckie and Elise LeBoeuf opened Buckie’s Mini Trucks four years ago, at 2613 Maplewood Dr. in Sulphur. This is Elise telling their story, in her own words: “We sell mini trucks,” she said. “These vehicles are called mini trucks because that’s just what they are – mini. They are small, light weight and easy to handle. “Mini trucks come fully equipped with air conditioning, heat, stereo, 2-wheel drive and 4wheel drive. “Fuel consumption, rental and retail costs are considerably less than that of standard pick ups. They are the most affordable sub-compact vehicle on the market. “They are the future for industrial, commercial and private transportation. “In 2006, we came across a product called an off road mini truck. After researching them at length, we knew we had a marketable product. “After much prayer and consideration, we decided to go into business for ourselves. We opened Buckie’s Mini Trucks. “In the beginning, we were mainly selling to hunters, crawfish farmers and ranchers. With the rising cost of fuel, there came a demand for these vehicles in the Volume 2 • Issue 9
industrial market place. More and more industries are finding these vehicles to be very durable and cost effective. “We are very pleased to announce that the mini trucks will soon be available for street use. “We consider doing business in Sulphur to be very special. Sulphur is full of honest, hard-working people. “In looking at the over all picture of our business, we have to say that our business has been successful. Success hasn’t come over night; and, it still has a long way to go. “We believe there are several reasons for our business’ success. One reason is that we try to put God first. Another is that it is a family-operated business. “Our son Clint works with us full-time and our other five children, Chuck, Corey, Charlie, Maegen and Madeline, help out as needed. “We work hard and long hours. We get there at 8 in the morning and it’s not uncommon for us to be there till 7:30 – 8 at night. “Our business philosophy is simple and straight forward: We treat our customers with fairness and honesty. We want repeat customers. We’re here to stay. “We invite everyone to come out and see this new product.”
• FALL CLASSES Registration for fall classes going on now at both locations. Sign up now! • COMING SOON! Adult GYMFIT Cross-training Classes: A unique workout incorporating gymnastics and fitness. Call for more information. • BIRTHDAY PARTIES!
605 Petro Point Dr. Lake Charles, LA (337) 494-3547
3615 Maplewood Dr. Sulphur, LA (337) 625-FLIP (3547) JULY 29, 2010
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Carl Vincent, owner of Carl Vincent State Farm Insurance
Insurance isn’t something you usually think about, until you need it. When you need it, Carl Vincent – State Farm Insurance is there. In fact, there has been a Vincent State farm office in Sulphur for 53 years! “My parents opened the first State Farm agency in West Calcasieu on April 1, 1957,” Carl said. “I relocated my office from Vinton and combined offices in Sulphur, April 1, 1991.” In 1993, the business moved to its current location, 815 S. Huntington St., Sulphur. Carl Vincent – State Farm Insurance has been serving the needs of the community for 25 years. Carl said State Farm’s mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life. “We are here to serve people, whether they are our actual customers or not; we are here to help,” he said. He said products include commercial, home, auto, life and health insurance. Expanded services include financial services such as banking and mutual funds. While State Farm offers com-
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petitive rates on your insurance, Carl said his company offers more than just saving you money. “We have never sold our office on price, but service,” he said. “People want to be able to sit down with us and not just another 800 number. We proved back in 2005 with Hurricane Rita why we are the No. 1 company; and, we strive to be the No. 1 agency.” Carl’s business philosophy is straightforward. “We try our very best to treat people the way they want to be treated,” he said. “We do not always tell them what they want to hear, but they know we are here to try to help.” Carl and his wife Carla, the office manager, are actively involved in the community. “We pride ourselves in our community involvement, especially through the Partners in Education program,” he said. “We have been partners since 1993, making us one of the oldest partners in the parish. Carla and I have always lived by the quote: ‘Man can make no greater investment than the education and the encouragement of our youth.’”
Volume 2 • Issue 9
Greg Jordan and Garland White, owners of Double G Barn.
This is a great idea! At Double G Beverage Barn Convenience Store, you never have to leave your car to get what you need. The owners, Greg Jordan and Garland White, said they decided to open the Double G Barn because there was no other business like it in the area; and, they knew people would love the convenience. “Our business is unique in that we are completely drivethru – the only drive-thru convenience store in the area,” Garland said. “Our wait staff will take your order while you sit in your vehicle; and, hand you the merchandise without you ever getting out. We even put your ice in your ice chest for you.” Garland said they stock all convenience store items, plus a little more. “We have the typical fountain drinks: Icees, coffee, breakfast items and much more – for example: milk, bread, eggs, rice and many other items which people need but hate to go to a large grocery store late at night to pick up,” he said. “We even have New Orleans’ SnoBall Snowcones!”
Volume 2 • Issue 9
What’s not to love? Visit the store July 29 through Aug. 12, and receive one free bag of ice with a 12pack purchase of any kind. Tell them The Jambalaya News sent you! Located at 3920 Highway 27 South in Sulphur, the store also features a walk-up window for ordering. Garland said the owners love doing business in Sulphur. “Doing business in Sulphur is a pleasure,” he said. “People are so very nice and supportive. The sense of community in Sulphur is overwhelming.” Since opening on Oct. 13, 2007, he said the business has been a big success – even in the recent economic downturn. “Our business philosophy is to provide friendly, convenient service and to make our customers feel welcome and want to come back,” he said. “We appreciate our customers and believe the customer is always right!” As a family-owned and operated business, you’ll not only see Greg and Garland in the store often, but also their wives, Paula Jordan and Jennifer White. Garland said even the children help out occasionally. “They especially like to make the snow cones,” he said.
Stacey St. Amant, Becky Boggan and Gisela Ryland.
For 17 years, Gisela Ryland and her son, Todd St. Amant, have been providing the Lake Area with stylish flooring as coowners of Flooring and Design, Inc. “We are a flooring and design company, selling flooring from wood, laminate, vinyl tile, vinyl plank, carpet, ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and solid surface countertops in granite,” she said. “We also custom-design showers and kitchen backsplashes. With the purchase of your flooring, we will do all the color-coordinating for free. This entails everything from the flooring color to paint and/or stain colors.” To see some of the most upto-date designs in the flooring industry, visit Flooring and Design, Inc.’s beautiful showroom, located at 1401 Cypress St. in Sulphur. Save money July 29 through Aug. 12, during the store’s huge rug sale. Gisela said you’ll find the sales staff courteous and knowledgeable. She said some have been in this line of work for 35 years. “In comparison to the ‘big box’ stores, we are most definitely more knowledgeable, personable and courteous,” she said. “Aside from that, we know our product, we can provide you with custom designs, with products that are
applicable to your situation and we are flexible on pricing!” Gisela started the business to be closer to her grandchildren in Sulphur. Prior to opening Flooring and Design, Inc., she owned and operated a design company in Alexandria. Currently, Gisela is in the process of retiring and turning the company over to her son Todd, the store’s co-owner, and his wife Stacey. Todd has worked on the installation end of the business for the past 15 years, while his wife Stacey has worked in sales. Gisela’s grandchildren, Ashley St. Amant and Wade Mulkey, also work at the store. Ashley manages day-to-day business answering the phones, doing secretarial work and helping out in the warehouse, while Wade installs flooring. This is truly a family-owned and operated business! Gisela said Becky Boggan has recently joined the company as the flooring/sales coordinator. “Becky has been in the flooring industry for 30 years - in the selling end - and we are so very lucky and proud that she is part of our organization. Being a family owned business, we decided to adopt her!” she laughed. They welcome your business.
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Fox’s Pizza Den features a new 30-inch pizza called “The Big One,” which is cut into 52 slices. “The Big One” is great for parties, ball teams, or any large gathering. Because it’s special, orders must be placed in advance and prepaid. To place your order, call (337) 533-1181, or visit the restaurant at 2590 Maplewood Dr. in Sulphur. You may dine in, carry out, or call ahead to pick-up your order at the pick-up window. Menu items consist of gourmet pizzas, wedgies, hoagies, stromboli, spaghetti, wings, salads and desserts. Fox’s Pizza Den is franchise based in Pennsylvania, but privately owned and operated by Sulphur residents Dewey and Kelly Freeman. “Some people think that we are Mr. and Mrs. Fox until they learn the business is a franchise,” Kelly said. She said area residents have been very receptive to the new
business, which opened two years ago in May. Kelly said what’s behind the restaurant’s success is simple. “We have good food, affordable prices and we try our best to have good service,” she said. The owners believe in a hands-on approach to running their business, according to Kelly. “As owners, we feel the need to be hands-on in running the business on a daily basis,” she said. In addition, their daughter Katie works as head cashier/point of sales person at Fox’s Pizza Den while she attends an area college. Why choose to eat at Fox’s Pizza Den verses a competitor? “The customer had a choice of where to eat,” Kelly said. “We hope that we have something that makes them want to choose us such as the quality of the food, menu choices, prices, a clean and peaceful environment, and good service.” Get your pizza fix at the Fox!
Dewey, Kelly and Katie Freeman, owners of Fox’s Pizza Den.
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
Michelle Strahan, owner/stylist at Michelle’s Salon.
If you’re ready for a little pampering, visit Michelle’s Hair Salon, located at 208 Pine St. in Sulphur. As an Aveda Concept Salon, Michelle’s Hair Salon carries a full line of Aveda products and services, including make-up, hair color and there’s even massage therapy! The staff includes Michelle Strahan, owner/stylist; Darla Fontenot, stylist; Kerri Kelly, stylist; Jenny Gayles, stylist; Andi Hunter LaVergne, stylist; and, DeeDee Daigle Thibodeaux, massage therapist. On July 11, Michelle’s Hair Salon celebrated its 15th year in business. To show customer appreciation, Michelle is holding a drawing for an Aveda basket and salon services. She said the drawing will be extended for three months to give everyone a chance to win prizes. “I feel the reason for my success is a genuine love for my career,” she said. “Word-of-mouth has also been a huge part of my success as well.” Michelle defines success differently than most. “I don’t define my success in an overwhelming amount of rev-
Volume 2 • Issue 9
enue,” she said. “I define it on providing great jobs for working mothers and a great atmosphere to be enjoyed by all of our customers.” She said her business philosophy is the same as she has for life: “Treat others how you would have them treat you.” “All of our customers are extremely important to us all; and, we want them looking and feeling their best when they walk out of our shop,” she added. Michelle started the business at its former location, 99 Vine St. in Sulphur. “After working in Lake Charles for about five months, I really wanted to come back to my hometown of Sulphur,” she said. “In trying to make a decision as to what to do, I ran into Mrs. Sally Schrumpf, who then offered me her building for rent and the rest is history. I owe a ton of thanks to her for that wonderful opportunity.” She said doing business in her hometown has made all the difference. “I have a ton of family and friends that have carried me through the past 15 years with their love and support,” she added. “I really don’t think I would have been as successful or as comfortable anywhere else.”
JULY 29, 2010
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Nancy Miller, owner of Nancy’s Gifts and Children’s Wear.
Nancy’s Gift and Children’s Wear is a boutique, at 2237 Maplewood Dr. in Sulphur, specializing in children’s clothing, accessories and gifts. Owners Nancy and Donnie Miller have been in business for 24 years. Nancy said they also own two other businesses in Sulphur: The Laundromat, and Second Chance Consignment Store. “I opened this store because I love children’s clothing and it’s a fun business,” she said. She said the store carries gifts for everyone from baby to young adult. Currently, Nancy’s is having a sale. You can save 30 to 50 percent on apparel. Nancy said what makes her store unique is its merchandise. “We always try and find the new and upcoming merchandise and gifts,” she said. “Right now we carry the silly bands – shaped rubber bands, a new style of the bottle cap necklaces, and the new rubber boots for children and adults.” She said one of her best-selling items is Pillow Pets. Pillow Pets are cute, huggable pets that pop open into full size pillows. These adorable pillows are soft and cuddly, which kids love. They are perfect for birthdays, holidays, and any other special occasion. It’s a pet and also a pillow. PAGE 24
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You simply undo the Velcro strap and the Pillow Pet pops open into a full size pillow. Just fold it up, reattach the Velcro, and it is a cuddly animal again. Pillow Pets are great for play time, sleep time, any time! Kids of all ages love their Pillow Pets. There are over 28 different animals to choose from. There’s a panda bear, a ladybug, a frog, a dog, a unicorn, a dolphin, a bumble bee, a turtle, and much more. Nancy said she gets a lot of positive feedback from customers. “Our customers always say our merchandise is unique and different from what everyone else has,” she said. “We are definitely worth the drive over the bridge.” According to Nancy, another popular item is hair bows. “We have a large selection of hair bows that are handmade by my daughter Lori,” she said. “If we don’t have what you want, she will gladly make it for you.” As a successful business owner, Nancy said she tries to make everyone feel special. “I believe we should always treat our customers the way we would like to be treated,” she said. “I guess the best reason to shop with us is our prices are good; we are friendly; and, we provide that extra touch – free gift-wrapping.” Volume 2 • Issue 9
Cecil Spicer, owner of Winkydoo’s Malt Shop.
Who doesn’t love ice cream? If you want to experience an oldfashioned malt shop, visit Winkydoo’s Malt Shop, located at 2701 S. Ruth St. in Sulphur. Winkydoo’s features Bluebell ice cream, malts, shakes, sundaes, and a lot more. “We sell Bluebell,” he said. “It’s hard to improve on perfection – Bluebell - that is.” Owner Cecil Spicer said Winkydoo’s is the area’s premier destination to have a banana split, old-fashioned shake or malt. “We make REAL malts and the biggest banana splits,” he said. He said the reason for his success is products, service and a nice atmosphere. Cecil said his business philosophy is “customers are to be treated as the reason we have business.” You see it in action when you visit the store. Cecil and his staff at Winkydoo’s are among the best and friendliest in town. “I’m a people-person,” he said. “I love to make people smile and
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pleased with what we do. I want them to tell others that they had a good experience at Winkydoo’s. The owner genuinely loves his business. “I was working for the previous owners and loved it so much, I bought it,” he said. That was 13 years ago, and the business is still going strong. Cecil said people of all age groups love the nostalgia of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. “We look forward to the tourists and ball teams every summer,” he said. “I’m trying to come up with something to make us as popular in the fall and winter. Cecil said he loves doing business in Sulphur. “The people of Sulphur are as devoted to its home-owned businesses as they are to Sulphur High football!” Winkydoo’s is the perfect place to bring the whole family for a special treat. And even better, they’re open seven days a week!
TJN
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B & O KITCHEN & GROCERY Location: 3011 E Burton St., Sulphur Hours: 6 a.m.- 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Contact: (337) 625-4637 “We encourage our customers to join our Facebook Page.”
CARL VINCENT - STATE FARM INSURANCE Location: 815 S. Huntington St., Sulphur Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri.; after-hours: 24-hour service Contact: (337) 527-5211, e-mail: carl.vincent.b281@statefarm.com
BELOW THE MANTLE Location: 1375 N. Beglis Parkway, Sulphur Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Contact: (337) 527-3555, fax (337) 527-3556, e-mail: katyp@bellsouth.net, online: www.belowthemantle.com
DOUBLE G BEVERAGE BARN CONVENIENCE STORE Location: 3920 Highway 27 South, Sulphur Hours: 5 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun.-Wed.; 5 a.m.-11 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. Contact: 3920 Highway 27 South “We can also be found on Facebook as the Double G Barn.”
BUCKIE’S MINI TRUCKS Location: 2613 Maplewood Dr., Sulphur Hours: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sat. Contact: (337) 533-9797, fax (337) 533-9796, e-mail: lbuckie@yahoo.com, online: www.Buckiesautoplaza.com
FLOORING AND DESIGN, INC. Location: 1401 Cypress St., Sulphur Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; after-hours, weekends by appointment Contact: (337) 528-1077, e-mail: flooringndesign@bellsouth.net
FOX’S PIZZA DEN Location: 2590 Maplewood Dr., Sulphur Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon.-Thurs., and Sat.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. Contact: (337) 533-1181, online: www.foxspizzadensulphur.com MICHELLE’S HAIR SALON Location: 208 Pine St. in Sulphur Hours: 10 a.m.-till, Tues.-Fri.; appointment only, Sat. Contact: (337) 528-1484 NANCY’S GIFT & CHILDREN’S WEAR Location: 2237 Maplewood Dr., Sulphur Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Sat. Contact: (337) 625-4760, e-mail: nangandc@aol.com WINKYDOOS’S MALT SHOP Location: 2701 S. Ruth St., Sulphur Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun.-Thurs.; 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri.; noon-11 p.m., Sat. Contact: (337) 527-9189, or (337) 794-7310 e-mail: spicercecil@yahoo.com
TJN
SEASON TICKETS: • $90.00 per ticket • $180.00 for a family plan of four (2 adult, 2 child). SEASON TICKET HOLDER BENEFITS INCLUDE: • Same great seat for each game • First opportunity to reserve playoff tickets and special events • Great opportunity to entertain clients, family and friends.
Please contact the special services and equality office at least 72 hours before any home event to request accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This includes the need for materials in an alternative format such as large print or Braille, sign language interpreters, accessible seating, and accessible parking information. Ph: (337) 475-5428.
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
Jody Barrilleaux & Sarah Hodnett
Dickies School Uniforms Sizes: Toddlers - 4 XLarge & Jrs. Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoes
DATE
OPPONENT
SITE
08-20 08-27 09-03 09-10 09-17 09-24 10-01 10-08 10-15 10-21 10-29 11-05
Washington-Marion -Scrimmage Sam Houston -Jamboree St. Thomas Moore Evangel Leesville Ruston Abbeville- Homecoming Scotlandville *Lagrange *Acadiana (Thursday) *Lafayette (Senior Night) *Barbe
Home McNeese Home Home Away Away Home Home Away Home Home Away
*Denotes District Game
Come by and see our collection of Pandora Jewelry! Braclets • Necklaces • Glass Beads Wood Beads • Sterling Silver Beads Gold Beads • Birthstone Beads Volume 2 • Issue 9
JULY 29, 2010
PAGE 27
…women entrepreneurs w
Our m
is to bring you unique, quality-driven products and you’ve given us. So…THANK YOU! Please con owned businesses. We love what we do… an
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ith a passion for business.
mission
d services, and we greatly appreciate the support tinue to shop locally and to support our women nd we love serving our wonderful community!
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By Sherry Perkins When most people think of being a janitor, lots of undesirable duties come to mind: cleaning toilets, taking out the trash, or even cleaning up after a child’s accident. What you may not realize is that there are joyous occasions that present themselves on a daily basis, which go unnoticed by most. When I worked as an elementary school custodian, I was constantly amazed at the innocence, creativity, and thoughtfulness of the students. We all know that children say and do just about anything to embarrass us in the most awkward situations. Yet, they also have an innocent compassion mixed with a way of looking at the world that far surpasses adults at times. Being around those children every day helped form a bond between them and me.
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The elementary school consisted of Pre-K through fifth grade. The custodians’ areas of responsibility were divided throughout the school. The majority of my duties involved the Pre-K and first-grade areas. When the first-graders left their rooms for about an hour each day, that was my cue to clean. I removed the trash, and swept and mopped before each of the four classes returned. Some rooms took longer than others, while it seemed that other rooms didn’t even require my services. If any of the students came back in for something they’d forgotten, I’d make a game of it. I’d say, “You’re coming to help? All right! I could use some help!” These comments got their attention and produced grins. Eventually, I began leaving notes on the classroom boards, such as, “The best first-grade class ever,” “SuperDuper Helpers,” “Way to go!” or even short poems to show my gratitude if
their rooms were “straightened up” before I started cleaning. Eventually, some students actually wanted to miss recess, library, or computer time, to “be helpers.” The teachers and I joked numerous times about so-and-so wanting to sweep, mop, or get the trash for me. Just goes to show how the slightest encouragement goes a long way with children. One very windy day, I had just come in from taking the trash to the dumpster. A few children walked past me. But one stopped, and with an earnest look asked, “You feel okay?” This surprised me. “Well, sure I feel okay. Why?” With a child’s wondering, she said, “You look like you feel bad, ‘cause your hair’s all messed up!” “No, it’s just windy outside,” I said. But the biggest smile came across my face because something as little as disheveled hair caught her attention. When she was satisfied that I was “fine,” she continued down the hall with a purpose. Support Appreciation Week is held at the school in September. The first-graders decorated my closet with hearts and a doll, which resembled me—glasses and all. For Halloween, a tub of candy suddenly appeared in my closet from an “unknown” source. When the students found out that I was pregnant, they bombarded me with questions. “Can you bring your baby to school?” “Is it a boy or girl?” On Valentine’s Day, I received three homemade cards, which I proudly taped to the outside of my janitor’s closet. Yes, being a janitor was something that not a lot of people respected. But I received so much love, affection, and attention from the little students. To this day, whenever I see any of them in town, they always run up to me with hugs and smiles. The children always made it special for me. And that’s worth more than all the money in the world. TJN
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a single outing on a very bright day. Golf? Fishing? Tennis? Baseball? Soccer? Football? Running? Anyone? • Intense, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light reflected off sand, snow or pavement could damage the eye’s surface. Eye surface burns usually disappear within a couple of days, but may lead to further complications later in life.
By Steve Springer M.D.
3. How much UV exposure did I get on the 4th of July this year?
UV and Me It’s that time of year again…summer! And yes… it’s time for the fair-skinned, redheaded doctor to take his place high atop the medical soapbox and join the chorus of medical professionals preaching UV protection. There are really three things to worry about in terms of UV rays and sun damage: premature aging, eye damage, and skin cancer. I have listed some tips in this article to help prevent the damage, but I want to explore some other interesting questions first. For example: What is the UV index exactly? • The UV Index is a forecast of the amount of ultraviolet expected to reach the Earth’s surface when the sun is highest in the sky. • The higher the index, the faster UV radiation causes damage to the skin and eyes. • The index depends on the elevation of the sun in the sky, the cloud cover, and amount of ozone. • The index predicts UV levels on a 0-10+ scale and is usually pub lished in daily newspapers with the weather, or is a part of television weather reports. UV INDEX EXPOSURE Number
Level
0-2
Minimal
3-4
Low
5-6
Moderate
7 -9
High
10+
Very High
1. What’s the difference between UVA and UVB? • Ultraviolet light consists of UVA and UVB rays. • UVA rays are considered the “tanning” rays or even better correlated “UVA=Aging” rays. • UVA can penetrate deeply into the skin resulting in damage. • While UVB is considered the “burn” index and is most associated with sunburns, both UVA and UVB cause suntan, sunburn, and sun damage. • There is no “safe” UV light, and no such thing as a safe tan. Newer broad-spectrum sunscreens contain products to block both UVA and UVB.
So, what do we do to protect against the rays? • To ensure your eyes are protected, wear UV-blocking sunglasses and a broad-rimmed hat. Children who will not wear sunglasses should wear a hat with a wide brim. • When selecting sunglasses, make sure they block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. • Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens or the price tag. • Pay attention to the UV Index reports. • Minimize sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and tanning parlors. • Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or higher and a UVA Blocker. Reapply every 1-2 hours. • Wear protective, tightly woven clothing. • Protect your children by keeping them indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and by applying sunscreen to children older than 6 months. Children under the age of 6 months should be kept out of the sun. I hope the info above will you keep covered…literally. Knowledge goes a long way in the fight against preventable diseases and conditions.
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2. What about UV eye damage? • Long-term exposure to ultraviolet radiation may contribute to the development of various eye disorders, such as: age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of vision loss among older Americans) and cataracts (a major cause of visual impairment and blindness). • It’s important to protect your eyes from acute damage caused by even Volume 2 • Issue 9
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By Mary Louise Ruehr
The Lives of Authors, Real and Imagined A pair of recent novels focuses on the imagined lives of well-known authors. But sometimes, the truth makes just as good a story. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees is a novel about the author of Little Women set in 1855 in Walpole, N.H. The out-of-money Alcotts are offered a place to stay for the summer, so they take it. When family friend Ralph Waldo Emerson brings Louisa’s father a copy of Walt Whitman’s new book of poetry,
you will feel right at home with the four sisters and “Marmee” and their warm love. Pearl of China by Anchee Min is a novel about Pearl S. Buck, who grew up in China. Min has invented a lifelong best friend for her, through whose eyes the story is told. Willow is a young Chinese girl born in 1890 who grows up with Pearl, who is the daughter of American Christian missionary Absalom Sydenstricker, whom many of the Chinese people think of as “a harmless fool.”
Leaves of Grass, Louisa reads it furtively, finding it fascinating and compelling. So does Joseph Singer, a young store clerk, who takes a shine to 22-year-old Louisa. But she has no wish to settle down. Her desire is to be independent or, as she puts it, “to secure for myself in the city of Boston a place apart and a room in which I might write my stories and sell them to the highest bidder.” Her conviction is that, “Seen with a cold, practical eye, the state of marriage was nothing more than inden-
tured servitude, legal dependence, a claiming of property.” And she adds, “Why would God give a woman talent if he meant her to be confined to the kitchen and washtub?” She loves him, but can she have love as well as the freedom her soul demands? The book has a good sense of place and natural dialogue. And the writing makes this just a lovely read: “Anna practiced compassion like an art form. She knew how to apply it with a delicate hand.” It’s very nicely done on several levels, as McNees brings to life a young woman trying to punch out a place for herself in the world. She expresses Louisa’s sense of urgency to be at the task of writing, to get on with it. McNees captures the flavor of the era in quiet moments, and it seems to me that fans of Jane Austen will like this book for the subject matter and pacing. And, of course, if you loved Little Women, PAGE 32
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Pearl’s mother wants desperately to go back to America. She “lives with a broken heart. As far as she is concerned, her life is as an exile.” When the adult Pearl is caught in an unhappy marriage, says Willow, “As a way to escape her troubles, Pearl began to write. She found comfort in writing. She told me that her imagiVolume 2 • Issue 9
nation was the only place where she could be herself and be free.” Then Min imagines a love affair between Pearl and a famous poet. (In reality, Buck knew the young man, but it is questionable that this actually happened.) The book reflects Buck’s desire to express her love for China through her writing. But during the Cultural Revolution, Madame Mao “saw Pearl Buck as a personal threat and was determined to punish anyone with a connection to her.” Willow’s husband warns her: “Your friendship with Pearl Buck is seen as a threat to national security. Pearl’s status in America and her public criticism of Mao and the Communist Party have categorized her as an enemy of China.” Willow is arrested, and Madame Mao wants her to denounce Pearl and her writings. (As a girl in Maoist China, Min was ordered to denounce Pearl Buck. When she read Buck’s work as an adult, she was moved by Buck’s true love for the people of China and was led to write this book.) I enjoyed it and recommend it. If you want to read about Buck, you may as well go for her real life story, which is filled with its own drama. Pearl Buck in China: Journey to ‘The Good Earth’ by Hilary
Spurling is a biography that is just as exciting as a fictional tale. Spurling breathes life into the images of Pearl’s mother — caught in an unhappy marriage, having lost three children to disease, having to live “in a country she already feared and was beginning to hate” — and Pearl’s father, driven by God but emotionally absent. Spurling writes, “The landscape of her childhood shone in her memory. … She loved even the hot rainy season … and the rice harvest in September when low autumn light made everything hazy and soft.” Although her parents were brought up to believe non-white people were not quite human, Pearl thought of herself as one with the people of China. She had a Chinese tutor who “gave her a solid grounding in Confucian ethics and their contemporary implications,
pausing often to fill in the historical context of whatever book they were reading and to explain … the relationship of China’s past to its present and its future.” People in America had accepted a demeaning stereotype of the Chinese people, but Buck’s The Good Earth was a game-changer: “Pearl’s book eroded the foundations of that wall of ignorance and prejudice,” writes Spurling. In 1932, The Good Earth won Buck the Pulitzer Prize, and in 1938 Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature. But she made enemies of church missions in America by questioning the role of missionaries and decrying the treatment of non-white people in the United States. I really like how the author wove
in references and quotes from Buck’s books to show how a plot point or character was based on something in her real life. Writes the author: “Buck is virtually forgotten today. She has no place in feminist mythology, and her novels have been effectively eliminated from the American literary map.” But this author is no sycophant; at times, she is bluntly critical of Buck’s work. You may know by now that Buck is one of my favorite authors. I always recommend The Good Earth, my favorite novel of all time, but another on the top of my list is Buck’s The Exile, which is about her mother. Another that has stayed on my list is Imperial Woman. Buck offers unique insight into the world of pre-Communist China, the roles of women, racism and much more. She was an intellectual, but her style in The Good Earth is the simple, unembellished prose of the peasants. It’s utter genius, and I’m disappointed that the modern world seems to have left her behind. I’m hoping that these two recent books about her will entice readers — and book clubs — to give her work a closer look. Copyright © 2010 by Mary Louise Ruehr.
TJN
Hope Therapy Center We are a comprehensive outpatient clinic providing physical, occupational and speech therapy services for patients of all ages. We love what we do and are excited for the opportunity to provide services for you or your family member. Check out our website at www.hopetherapycenter.net. • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy • Speech Therapy BOTTOM ROW, Left to Right: Kelly Abate, MA, CF-SLP; Emily Pelican, MS, CCCSLP; Kristin Mathis, PT, DPT. TOP ROW, Left to Right: Sonya Brooks, Owner, MA, CCC-SLP; Kim Anderson, Owner, PT, DPT; Mika Doucet, LOTR, MOT
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ker n Shouma o d n a r B y B
The Real Teams of the SEC I’ve been to New Jersey. Well, I guess the Newark airport halfway counts; though I’ve never been to Paterson or Cherry Hill or any real town in Jersey, so I don’t know if I can really say I’ve been there. But the airport was very nice, I suppose, and I couldn’t even really
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smell all the garbage and chemical plants, so that’s something. I have, however, seen a lot of Jersey on television. Or, should I say, heard a lot of Jersey while doing other things. Because there apparently exists this TV show called “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.” Basically, this show is the epitome of Italian stereotyping with a little rich entitlement added for good measure. There’s a lot of talk about “bubbies,” surgically enhanced or otherwise, a lot of veiled references to the Mafia (one character is related to some mobsters), and a lot of drama. It’s an
hour-long train wreck. A train wreck that just about every female I know loves. I hear about these people like I’m related to them. I sit by and listen, not really paying much attention or maybe playing trivia while having a beer. One side effect, of course, is I have learned quite a lot about this show simply by osmosis. And, it’s through this osmosis that made me think of the Southeastern Conference, particularly football. How in the heck does “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” make you think of SEC football, you might ask? Here are a few comparisons I
threw together to help illustrate the point. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS/ DANIELLE STAUB: Danielle is the definition of train wreck. She’s been arrested by the FBI for kidnapping and a few other felonies, she’s been a cocaine-addicted stripper who may or may not have worked as a “paid escort.” She’s a mess. Just like Tennessee’s football program. The Volunteers fired longtime coach Phillip Fullmer and brought in NCAA infraction-collector Lane Kiffin, who began his SEC career by accusing Florida of cheating and
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poaching recruits from just about every league team while literally insulting other recruits. Two freshman stars were kicked off the team for “jokingly” trying to rob someone with a pellet gun, and then Kiffin jumps ship for a job at USC. FLORIDA GATORS/ THERESA GIUDICE: Theresa loves the finer things. She’s got all the flash, all the cosmetic procedures, the big house, fancy car. She’s got it all and she knows it. But she’s also got a raging temper that can result in expletive-laced, table-flipping tirades, especially where Danielle is involved. The Florida Gators have all of the finer things, too. Fancy stadium, fivestar recruits, heck, even Tim Tebow, the second coming of Jesus Christ himself, played quarterback for them. They also have a long-standing tradition of going table-flipping crazy when it comes to Tennessee. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE/ CAROLINE MANZO: Caroline is the mama bear. She’s a no-nonsense gal who doesn’t take any guff from anyone. She’s also fiercely loyal to her family (that’s pronounced fam-uh-lee, be sure to hit on all three syllables, please) and will defend them to the death. Much like Alabama head coach Nick Saban, a no-nonsense guy who doesn’t take any guff from anyone, and who spent the bulk of SEC Media Days talking about the terrible scourge of sports agents and marketers threatening the fabric of the SEC family rather than his heavily favored Crimson Tide football team. SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS/ JACQUELINE LAURITA: Jacqueline is the new girl in town, so to speak. She married into the Manzo family, so she’s still getting used to all of the political maneuvering. In other words, she’s still learning what it means to be a Real Housewife of New Jersey. South Carolina is relatively new to the SEC, joining in 1991, and is still learning what it means to be an SEC power. They hired head coach Steve Spurrier, a veteran of SEC politics, to help guide them along, but it’s still been tough going for the Gamecocks. GEORGIA BULLDOGS/ KIM “KIM G.” GRANATELL: Kim G. is the ultimate gameswoman. She’s currently playing both sides of the Danielle/Jacqueline
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feud, cutting down Danielle to Jacqueline’s face while telling Danielle to have Jacqueline’s daughter, Ashley, arrested for assault and harassment. Georgia celebrated a 2007 touchdown against Florida by sending the whole team into the end zone to celebrate. Gamesmanship. Meanwhile, Georgia’s rivalry with Tennessee is a border battle (literally) that is heating up a little more since Lane Kiffin scooped up a couple UGA commitments. Plus, the two states themselves are fighting over where the Tennessee border starts and the Georgia border
ends. Georgia wants to move the border northward by more than a mile. Gamesmanship. ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS/ JOE GUIDICE: Joe is a big-spender, lavishing his wife Teresa with the good life. Unfortunately, all that spending came with a price: bankruptcy. Arkansas spent big, bringing in superstar quarterback Mitch Mustain and his high school coach, Gus Malzahn. The Razorbacks transformed their entire offense to please Mustain and
Malzahn, only for Mustain to transfer after one season and Malzahn to move on to rival Auburn. Head coach Houston Nutt paid the price, resigning his position before ending up with the… OLE MISS REBELS/ ALBERT MANZO, SR.: Albert is the patriarch of the Manzo clan. He is the son of “Tiny” Manzo, a low-level mobster who was found dead in the trunk of a car in 1983, apparently executed for skimming from the mob. Albert is a
respectable citizen, owning an event and catering facility while helping raise three kids with his wife, Caroline. Ole Miss is sort of the patriarch of the SEC. They are all about tradition. But, like some oldtimers, they have a problem forgetting the past, which, in Ole Miss’ case, means the school is still dealing with lingering symbols of the Confederacy that paint the school as backward and racist. KENTUCKY WILDCATS/ DINA MANZO: Dina used to be on the show, having a rivalry with Danielle before quitting because of all the drama. Kentucky used to be in the SEC, having a rivalry with Tennessee before…what’s that you say? Kentucky’s still in the SEC? Could have fooled me. Oh! And finally, we come to LSU. LSU TIGERS/ ALBERT “ALBIE” MANZO, JR.: Don’t pity poor Albie. Caroline’s son may have been given the boot from law school, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to give up his dreams. Like LSU head coach Les Miles, whose rambling, incoherent response to a question from radio host Clay Travis about the BP oil spill (“It affects the ocean,” Miles said insightfully) makes me wonder whether he suffered a closed-head injury recently, Albie may or may not be learning disabled. But that’s not going to stop him from becoming a lawyer. He’s going to work hard, like the LSU Tigers, and is determined to come out on top. Just don’t ask him about the oil spill. What about some the rest of the SEC? What about Mississippi State and Vanderbilt? Hey, fuggetaboutit!
Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than seven years for variBrandon Shoumaker ous publications. Coaches or parents with story tips may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).
TJN
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
Finish
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Killin’ Time Crossword
Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission. PAGE 38
JULY 29, 2010
Volume 2 • Issue 9
der useum n e l l n E dren's M a D By e Chil of th r o t c Dire
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Disney, 2010) Disney has a long pedigree of sorcery movies. From Snow White to Sword in the Stone to Narnia, Walt and company have pretty much mastered the genre. So, when I heard that Jerry Bruckheimer was teaming up with Director Jon Turteltaub and Nicolas Cage, I thought, yes! We would get the ultimate sorcery film. Move over, Harry Potter. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice begins with a detailed history of Merlin and his three students, way back in
medieval times. One of them (Horvath) turns rogue and threatens to take over the world. The other two (Balthazar and Veronica) fight to save it, but total victory will only come when Merlin’s worthy replacement is found. Fast forward a thousand years or so to modern Manhattan. Balthazar (Nicolas Cage) the good sorcerer is still around, and thinks he has found “the one,” a nerd-in-the making named Dave (Jay Baruchel). Problem is, Dave doesn’t want to have anything to do with sorcery. He’s too absorbed in other things, like creating a giant Tesla coil in an abandoned underground subway terminal. Yes, a Tesla coil, and yes, in a subway terminal. I guess those City College teachers have lots of pull with
Mayor Bloomberg. Anyway, bad sorcerer Horvath is on his way to destroy Dave and take over the world. Balthazar wants Dave to become his apprentice. Dave mainly wants to get a girlfriend. Now, you would think that most normal guys would see that learning sorcery would be a great way to get a girlfriend. You’d also think that Balthazar would clue Dave in on this perk. Think again. Hey, this is a serious movie. Actually a lot of Dave’s time is spent trying to meet up with his childhood sweetheart, Becky (played by Kristen Stewart look-a-like, Teresa Palmer). Mostly Balthazar and all his sorcery training just get in the way, or worse. (Dave: “Can’t I just use a spell to clean up the lab and order pizza?” Balthazar, waving away the mops and brooms: “No way!”) With all the nerd angst, you might think this a slow movie. Think again. We’ve got half a dozen sorcerers and apprentices slinging plasma balls and waving magic rings. We’ve got real Chinese dragons in Chinatown, and everyone riding around in vintage automobiles that can morph into sports cars. The chief bad guy, Horvath, is played by Alfred Molina, who I’m convinced now can act any part, sort of like a male Meryl Streep.
He’s baaaaad (he has a magic cane, everyone else just has a magic ring.) Dave the hero is sort of a whining teenage Woody Allen. These two characters are mainly what hold the movie together. Nicolas Cage as Balthazar was what made me want to see the movie. Unfortunately, his acting seemed wooden, a complaint others have had about him before. Maybe he didn’t get paid enough. At any rate, he never seems to take Balthazar’s role as his own, which is a shame. To some, this won’t matter, as there are enough special effects and extra characters to keep the action fast paced. But to me, the movie just went on and on, with more and more effects, more and more wizards, until I was ready for it to end. Pacing could have been better, too. There are scene changes so abrupt and awkward you would swear you heard someone say “action” and then saw the characters start moving. Again, this may not matter. The movie is fine for elementary kids through adults, although Horvath can be really cruel sometimes. It’s just a shame that Disney wasted their chance to use some “magic” on yet another formula movie. Don’t move over yet, Harry Potter. TJN
715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Office 337-436-7800 Fax 337-990-0262
If you’re an elementary student, send The Jambalaya News 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!
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JULY 29, 2010
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CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE What an amazing magical evening as the artists of Cirque de la Symphonie performed live in front of the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra in the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. What an incredible fusion of these two great art forms! The audience was astonished by the beauty and grace of some of the most accomplished veteran aerial flyers, contortionists, jugglers, balancers, and dancers performing with the choreographed music arrangement provided by the maestro. This exciting new production designed to bring the magic of cirque to the music hall exceeded all expectations. Unbelievable!
Meredith Morgan and Melissa Bachmeyer
Sara Judson, Anna Catherine Viator and Leslie O’Byrne
Mark Judson, Dennis Verrette and Al O’Byrne
Leslie Musso and Eric Eskew
Sandy and De Morrissey with Gary and Susan Shannon
Caroline Martel, Ella Diedrich, Isabelle Martel and Cora Diedrich
Chris and Kendra Diedrich
‘MY VIEW IN PARIS’ The city of romance, fine wine, art and “Bonjour!” This evening, we took a trip to Paris as the Art Associates and Arts and Humanities Council presented the opening reception to “My View in Paris,” a photographic exhibition by the local photographer Jacques FontenotHollier. On exhibit are photos she had taken on a trip to Paris last year. These stunning black and white images are of the lesser known Paris, each capturing the simplicity of the lifestyle, along with the bold and beautiful architecture. These pictures are worth a thousand words!!! Jacques and Billy Hollier PAGE 40
JULY 29, 2010
Byron Woods, Jr. and Sidney Woods Volume 2 • Issue 9
Cynthia and Alyssa Burris
Brandon, Chloe and Briana Duplichan
Barbara and Matt Duplechain with Erica Mears
ERIC GENIUS: THE TIME IS NOW Eric Genius composes music with deep, meaningful, intelligent purpose. The audience at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral was enthralled by the performances of the virtuoso violinists and cellists, who performed with great zeal and agility, exciting us in one piece; moving us to tears with a haunting melody in the next. The vocalist’s range and versatility intertwined with Genius’ passionate piano music. His musical masterpieces pleased the minds, hearts and senses of all. Music can bring hope to a wounded world! Kaitlyn Manuel, Marina Grove, and Tyler Fontenot
Sophia, Britney and Jim Sonnier
Brandon and Anna Lirette
Krista Santilli and Eric Genius
Whitney Chaumont and Noel Grove
Cathy Brimmage and Sally Foret
Eva and Frank Thompson
Denise and Emme Manuel
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CAJUN FRENCH MUSIC AND FOOD FESTIVAL Crowds of people had a two-stepping good time as they shuffled their feet to the sounds of accordions, guitars and Cajun French lyrics during the 23rd annual Cajun French Music and Food Festival at the Burton Coliseum. There was no chance to go hungry as the aroma of spicy jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee and other Cajun specialties filled the air luring us in, bite after bite. No excuses not to have burned off those calories with a quick jitterbug or by strolling around to enjoy all the arts and crafts booths. Fun for all! “Them Cajuns” sure know how to let the good times roll! Kelsie Stark and Courtney Priola
Max, Jamison and Rhondalon Smith
Daulton Huber and Tyler Hebert
McKenzie Bond with Ally and Austin Trahan
SAVE THE DATE! League of Women Voters presents Katja von Garnier's "Iron Jawed Angels"
Barbara Gunter and Shirley Jackson
15% Senior Discount All Doctors’ Prescriptions Accepted Experienced Professional Staff • Most Insurance Accepted
August 26, 2010 • 6:30 PM Imperial Calcasieu Museum, PO Box 180 www.lwv-lc.org • info@lwv-lc.org • 337-474-1864 PAGE 42
JULY 29, 2010
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L’AUBERGE PARTY BY THE POOL AND BIKINI BOMBSHELL CONTEST Well, things got heated up at the Third Annual “Bikini Bombshell” contest held at L’Auberge du Lac. The sun set over the pool area crowded with folks out to enjoy the fun, drinks, live music….and a view of the welltoned beauties strutting their stuff in front of a select panel of judges. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it--and who better to MC this event than our very own Phil de Albuquerque! It’s all been happening at Party by the Pool since July 15, and will culminate with the finals on Aug. 5. One lucky lady will win $10,000. Some like it hot!
TJN
Tiffany Ashley and Fallon Bourque
Kathy Kite, Regan Metoyer and Anna Gonzalez
Meredith and Melanie Mansour
Elizabeth Daley amd Mark Reed
TJN intern Morgan Murray, Katelyn Watson and Joe Raymond
Hurricane Season is in full swing and we are dedicated to keeping you informed and up to date on any weather threatening Southwest Louisiana. Our KYKZ 96 Hurricane Tracking Chart sponsored by Cameron State Bank and Dale Bernard State Farm Insurance is now available at our sponsor locations or at the KYKZ studios, 425 Broad St. More information at www.kykz.com.
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Story and photos by Lauren de Albuquerque
What are the chances of us being in a Dutch country the day of the World Cup finals between the Netherlands and Spain? When we planned our trip to St. Maarten this summer, we never expected we’d get the bonus of cheering on the team with crowds of locals in a bar in Philipsburg on July 18. Just about everyone was decked out in vibrant orange, the official team color. Coincidentally, I had packed an orange T-shirt for Phil, so he blended right in. Of course, many of the colorful islanders
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kicked it up a notch with orange feathers, boas, crazy hats, leis, and face painting (the red, white and blue Dutch flag was popular). One young man sauntered around in an orange prison jumpsuit with the name of the prison stenciled on the back. Hey, it was orange! The Holland House is a lovely hotel right on the beach. The lobby and indoor and outdoor bars were set up with wide-screen TVs and dozens of chairs to accommodate the crowds. Large amounts of Heineken were consumed, along with delicious local island delicacies. Right before the game, four women bedecked in dazzling tangerine feathers performed a good luck dance and tossed small soccer balls into the revved-up crowd. Let the game begin! I’m not much of a sports fan, but I’ve always enjoyed soccer—it’s fast and exciting and not interrupted by referees and whistles nearly as much as football. So I actually had fun drinking my Heineken and cheering the team on. It was an awesome game—too bad Netherlands ultimately lost. No matter. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and added a little extra spice to an already sizzling vacation! TJN
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MARSHLAND FESTIVAL JULY 30-31 Once a year, Hackberry comes to the Lake Charles Civic Center and puts on the Marshland Festival, which supports the community, especially children, through non-profit organizations. There will be live bands, including Geno Delafose, Chubby Carrier, Barry Badon and Travis Matte, a business expo, arts and crafts for sale, activities for the kids and much more, including great food! The event begins on Fri. evening, July 30 and continues all day on Sat. For more information, visit www.marshlandfestival.com. ‘VIETNAM FORTY YEARS LATER’ AUG. 6 The Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA is proud to announce the upcoming photography exhibit “Vietnam Forty Years Later” by Louisiana native Reggie Keogh. The opening reception will be held at the Art Associates Gallery in Central School, Arts and Humanities, located at 809 Kirby Street, on Fri., August 6. The show will bring together a selection of Keogh’s photographs on the Vietnam culture and people which have been previously published in Vietnam Revisited: Then and Now, 1970/1 and 2009. “Vietnam Forty Years Later” is an exuberant and celebratory exhibit of Keogh’s photographs and serves as a stark contrast with Keogh’s memories of a ravaged country in the middle of what the modern Vietnamese now call “the American War.” In 1971 the country was, as Keogh writes in his book, “like an armed camp.” But the Vietnam of the early 21st century, through Keogh’s photographs, flourishes in its rich cultural history, For more information, contact the Arts and Humanities Council at (337) 439-2787 or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. ARTS & CRABS EXPERIENCE AUG. 7 Southwest Louisiana is getting crabby! The first Arts & Crabs Experience will be held Sat., Aug. 7 from 3–8 p.m. Lake Charles’ Prien Lake Park will be the hot and spicy spot for all things crab. Kids of all ages will enjoy the many free activities including “Arts & Crabs,” crab derbies, and pirogue carving demon-
Volume 2 • Issue 9
strations, to name a few. The Gold Key Quest drawings will be held at 4:30 p.m. for all individuals who pre-purchased tickets. Fabulous prizes such as $10,000, roundtrip airfare and LSU Skybox tickets are just a few of the wonderful prizes up for grabs. From 5–7 p.m., locals can enjoy delicious crab delicacies such as crab po-boys and crab cakes, all for $15. Pizza, ice cream and funnel cakes will also be on hand as well. As the sun begins to set, get down to the groovin’ beats of Zydecane and City Heat and enjoy the original works of local artists in an Art Walk along the lakefront. $15 Pre-sale tickets for the crab tasting and $50 Gold Key Quest Drawing tickets are available at the Arts & Humanities Council located in Old Central School, Ste. 202 in Lake Charles. WHISTLE STOP’S MAD HOT BALLROOM GALA AUG. 7 Come to Whistle Stop’s Mad Hot Ballroom Gala at L’Auberge du Lac on Sat., Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for a thrilling evening of music, dancing, costumes and great dining; all for a great cause: the funding of Dancing Classrooms in our area schools. Local celebrities will be paired with a dance instructor or performing dancer to compete for the Mad Hot Ballroom Challenge Trophy. Come cheer and vote for your favorite dance couple while enjoying first class food and beverages. And before the evening is over, show us your own moves on the dance floor or let one of our experts show you how. This is a black tie event, and includes a sit-down dinner. Tickets are $125 per person. For more information, go to celebritydancingswla.com. MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE AUG. 13 All Over But The Shooting will be on stage Fri., Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Parra Ballroom, McNeese Campus. This is a hilarious audience participation show about a group of actors at an audition for The Death of a Disco Dancer—-an audition to die for! Suddenly, one of the actors disappears and is found dead outside the theatre. WHODUNNIT? Come to the show and help solve the murder! Tickets include catered dinner and show. Prepaid tickets are: $30-individual; $50-couple; $150-table of 6. For reservations, send a check made payable to Alpha Psi Omega to Alpha Psi Omega, McNeese Theatre, Box 90420 MSU, Lake Charles, LA 70609. The reservation deadline is Mon., Aug. 9—prepaid only. Your check is your reservation confirmation. For information, call 4755043. The production is a fundraiser to underwrite travel expenses for students to attend the Louisiana and Regional Festivals sponsored by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. MATTHEW WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT THROUGH AUG. 13 Matthew White’s traveling photography exhibition featuring 22 images from his Cameron Parish col-
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lection is showing at the Sulphur Regional Library at 1160 Cypress Street in Sulphur now through Aug. 13. At 2 p.m. on Aug. 13, White will give a lecture and slide presentation at the Sulphur Regional Library. Since 2005, White has documented this unique coastal region in Southwest Louisiana that very few “outsiders” have seen. His images are a moving testimony to the beauty and resilience of a locale that (in spite of being twice storm ravaged in the past five years) remains still untouched by the 21st century. For more information about the exhibit, see Matthew White’s Web site at www.matthewwhitestudio.com. ROD MCDONALD HOUSE CONCERT AUG. 13 AlterEgo Productions presents Rod MacDonald live in concert at Big Lake, Aug.13, at 7:30 p.m. Singer-songwriter Rod MacDonald, stalwart of the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 1970s, author of “A Sailors Prayer” and other beloved songs, will give an intimate concert at Woosleys’ Big Lake Camp in the Old Settlement. Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Call Leslie Berman at (337) 515-6479 for reservations and ticket info. POKER RUN FOR WCCH GENESIS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER AUG. 14 Get ready for the second annual Krewe de Karoline Poker Run benefitting WCCH Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center. The ride begins at 10 a.m. from Bab’s Pub on Maplewood Drive in Sulphur and ends at Handlebars Lounge on Hwy 90. There will be live music, an auction, BBQ and more. For more information, call Pappy at (337) 842-0010. ANNUAL LAKE CHARLES MESSABOUT AUG. 14 The 9th Annual Lake Charles Messabout and Small Boat Gathering
will be held at the Lake Charles Yacht Club, 1305 N Lakeshore Dr. in Lake Charles on Sat. Aug. 14, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For information on how to get to the club, go to www.lakecharlesyachtclub.com. The club welcomes all boats including sail, row, paddle and small powerboats. Activities will include informal social boating during the day and hot dogs and drinks for lunch. If you are coming by boat, there are several slips available; there is also a launch ramp and beach area for small boats. There is no schedule or scheduled activities—just come and enjoy the day on Lake Charles! For more information, contact Ship to Shore at 474-0730. HALLELUJAH HAYRIDE AUG. 14 The Historic Strand Theater in Jennings is the place to be on Sat., Aug. 14 for a night of good gospel music and fun with the Arenos and Tommy Moseley. Reserved seats are $15; general admission is $10. For tickets, call 515-8966 or go to www. Hleworldwide.com. For more information, call 246-3224. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE GALA AUG. 14 The American Cancer Society announces the Inaugural Celebration of Life Gala on Sat., August 14 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum beginning at 7 p.m. The theme is “Celebrating Life,” which encompasses the American Cancer Society’s campaign as the Official Sponsor of Birthdays, celebrating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Three cancer survivors will be highlighted and share their stories during this Celebration of Life event. Guests will be entertained by Improv Comedy Club Comedian, James Stephans III courtesy of Presenting
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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Sponsor, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana. The event will also include a magnificent dinner with live and silent auctions. Tickets are $100 per person. Reserved tables of 8 can be purchased for $1,000, which includes sponsorship recognition. Sponsorship opportunities and ticket information are available by calling (337) 433-5817. The dress for the evening is cocktail attire. BEAUREGARD ARC’S LABOR OF LOVE BENEFIT CONCERT AUG. 20 Beauregard Arc, Beauregard Parish’s local organization serving developmentally disabled adults, is sponsoring its third annual Labor of Love Benefit Concert. The featured performers are Johnny Lee and His Urban Cowboy Band. It will be held on Fri., Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Exhibit Hall at the Beauregard Parish Fairground. Tickets are $30 per person and include a meal. The local group, Grabow Riot, will also perform, and there will be dancing and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Beauregard Arc Building Renovation Fund. Call (337) 462-2513 for more information. ‘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 4919147 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com. TICKETS ON SALE FOR JENNIE FINCH’S FINAL GAMES AUG. 25-29 Tickets are now on sale for the much-anticipated National Pro Fastpitch Championship Series that will take place at Sulphur’s McMurry Park, Aug. 25-29. The series will kick off with a free Fan Fest on Wed., Aug. 25, at McMurry Park. At 6 p.m., a Friends of Pro’s Game will be held, and the professional athletes will play a special match against autistic children. At 7:15 p.m., a Battle of the Bats Homerun Derby contest will take place. The semifinals round, which is a best of three series, will kick off with game one at 6 p.m. and game two at 8:30 p.m. on Thurs., Aug. 26. On Fri., Aug. 27, round two of the semi-finals will begin at 6 p.m. with game one, followed by game two at 8:30 p.m. If necessary, round three of the semifinals will take place on Sat., Aug. 28, with game one at 11 a.m. and game two at 1:30 p.m. The first game of the Championship Series is at 7 p.m. on Sat. evening. This best of three series will continue on through Sunday, Aug. 29 with games being played at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. if necessary. For tickets, log on to www.profastpitch.ticketleap.com. TJN
Jennie Finch Volume 2 • Issue 9
Business is
Booming! mi 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 JULY 29, 2010
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Whistle Stop’s Mad Hot Ballroom Gala The Whistle Stop’s Mad Hot Ballroom Gala will take place Sat., Aug. 7 starting at 6:30 p.m. at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort. The event benefits the Dancing Classrooms program in area 5th grade classes. The evening will be filled with music, dancing, costumes and first class dining all wrapped up in a mad hot competition! Before the evening concludes, a general dance
will be held for the audience members with experts available for complimentary lessons. Reservations are being made now for table sponsors and individual tickets, which are both on sale to the public. Celebrity Performers and Dance Professionals • Monsignor Harry Greig with dancer Colleen Benoit – Jitterbug
• CITGO’s Dana Keel with dancer Daniel Gonzalez – Salsa • Attorney Mike Dees with dancer Angie Peck – Rumba • Dr. Harold Bienvenu with dancer Denise Nix – Cha Cha • Jambalaya News’ Phil de Albuquerque with dancer Amy Grimes – Disco • YMCA Youth Director and Musician Chris Shearman with
dancer DaLanne Babineaux – Swing • Gene Thibodeaux with dancer April Lafargue – Hip Hop • Realtor Wendi Hebert with dancer Rody Broussard – Variation • LA Weight Loss’ Karla Whiteman with dancer Robert Miller – Tango “The dancers have been working on their routines for months now, all in an effort to continue the Dancing Classrooms program in Southwest Louisiana,” said Nancy Vallee, The Whistle Stop’s executive director. “We are grateful for the talented dance instructors, the effort and time from the celebrities, our sponsors and the volunteers who have committed to making this event become a reality. With your support, we will fund many more classrooms and provide children with the opportunity to not just learn ballroom dancing, but more importantly, improve their self esteem, learn respect and develop physical and mental endurance.” Hosted by Bruce Hamilton and Katsie Fanelli, the celebrity dancers will perform choreographed routines judged by a seven-panel mix of official dance judges and personalities from the political, business and art world. Backstage interviews will be conducted by Megan Monsour Hartman for the audience. The celebrities and their professional dance partners have chosen their costumes, choice of song and choreography to compete for the coveted first place Mad Hot Ballroom Trophy. Awards will also be given for second place, third place and best costume. A People’s Choice Trophy will be awarded to the couple with the most cash/check votes from the audience. The gala is a formal event with black tie attire preferred. Tables of eight are being reserved now for $1,200. Individual tickets for general seating are also on sale for $125. Call The Whistle Stop at (337) 562-2344 to purchase tickets or log on to www.celebritydancingswla.com for more information.
TJN
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To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com
The
WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 • John Guidroz/Mike Zito @ The Porch, 6:30 p.m. • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Legends in Concert @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Jacob Ecker @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • DJ Dispo @ My Place Bar, 9 p.m. THURSDAY, JULY 29 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Mojeaux @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 7 p.m. • Bernie Alan @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Paul Gonsoulin @ The Porch, 8 p.m. • Brian Bounds @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Centerfire @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Brother Dege @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, JULY 30 • Al Roger & Louisiana Pride @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Chee-Weez @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m.
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• No Idea @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Lakeside Gamblers @ The Porch, 8 p.m. • Brian Bounds @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Judd Bares & The Six-String Rodeo/Mike Dean @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • City Heat @ Sylvia’s Bistro, 9 p.m. • Soul Vacation @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • Gabby Johnson @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. • Furr @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 10:30 p.m. SATURDAY, JULY 31 • Joe Simon & Louisiana Cajun @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • In Business @ The Porch, 7 p.m. • The Foret Tradition @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • No Idea @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Brian Bounds @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Motherlode @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m. • Michelle Marshall Band @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • Gabby Johnson @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 1 • T.K. Hulin & Smoke @ Yesterday’s, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, AUGUST 5 • Pete Bergeron & The Bayou Boys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • HipBootJoe @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 7 p.m. • Da Classics @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Musician’s Night @ The Porch, 8 p.m. • Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 • Howard Noel & Cajun Boogie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • Odyssey @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Seven Hours to Southland @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Brett Randell @ The Porch, 9 p.m. • Don Fontenot et Les Amis de la Louisiane @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Wayne Mouile @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 9:30 p.m.
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• DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. SATURDAY, AUGUST 7 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • Odyssey @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • Don Fontenot et Les Amis de la Louisiane @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m. • Do Not Destroy @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 10 p.m. • DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
MONDAY NIGHTS: Abita Beer Night
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Mondo Martini Night
THURSDAY NIGHTS: Be Well Night
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Kenny Spears @ The Porch, 8 p.m. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12 • Don Fontenot & Les Cajuns de la Prairie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.
• J-Town Jam @ Frey’s Crawfish House, Jennings, 6:30 p.m. • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • Sister Hazel @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 7 p.m. • Shimmur @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7:30 p.m. • Boomerang @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • HipBootJoe @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, AUGUST 13 • Travis Benoit & Allons Dancer @ 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. • We Were Wolves @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m. • Boomerang @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • HipBootJoe @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14 • Joe Simon & Louisiana Cajun @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Paul Gonsoulin/Andrew Sloman @ The Porch, 7 p.m. • TBA @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m. • .38 Special @ Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 7 p.m. • Travis Tritt @ L’Auberge du Lac Event Center, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 8:30 p.m. • Boomerang @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m. • HipBootJoe @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
TJN
Thurs. July 29 @ 9pm Brother Dege (Acoustic) Fri. July 30 @ 9pm Judd Bares & 6 String Rodeo w/ special guest Mike Dean (Country) Sat. July 31, TBA Wed. Aug. 4 @ 9pm Brice Perrin (acoustic) Fri. Aug. 6 @ 9pm The 94’s w/ Seven Hours to Southland (Alternative Country) Sat. Aug. 7 @ 9pm Pearl Street Riot w/ Adam Dale (Americana Indie, Rock) Wed. Aug. 11 @ 9pm Kory Fontenot (acoustic) Fri. Aug. 13 @ 9pm We Were Wolves w/ Mobley (Rock, Indie) Sat. Aug. 14 @ 9pm Stage Coach Bandits w/ Fresh Nectar (Jam, Rock, Groove) Wed. Aug. 18 @ 9pm Brice Perrin (acoustic)
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
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. She c f the an leslieber man.co be m. th the usic, o b n dow nd the m service d l od a l dis ike. o ry y d m orget fo ing a signa usician al ther count n, I n a , d f a m o o n e d n a d n c l a a o n s c I a in an er ho ng o s n n o g s w i o ( a L o d c r s n s n c f o r i t a o o a a v er n cafe hristine La e her Bann itarist any ye from here in a jewel itional r e M t s a c s u r E C trad mile musi d ue pal e befo lling g 5,000 incredible by English en-husban l colleg itting circl rtime stro xican resta er d h ca d e e i t e n r h g n r a n k M t a n e e a h her was a di t ow or and h ooked m usic ttan olled in n a a h r n u d a l resta June Tab . Taylor c corded m ne. cert?) est Side M sionally str what wou ni r i k a t W c n n i c a o h singer avid Taylo selected re ood and w t I o t c n i ere I udder to us if we’d e oes f a r g h D h e o t f c w h b i e t a t s T n u h on ch , and y enhanced collaborati e handme m And that ra itation. 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Mana hear actors gress, and om their p kid’s s e’s social h since then, urant when o r l get to orks in pr critiques f Temp r the years rom a resta re dessert d w e e o iters v r e f t f i i v c t e e n O th truc ygoers. he wr om ge b een attra rive t s a d t n h s o t n i e c e b h e with ndom pla oozing w he walk fr w ally b and took t ore often f its meale m t s b m s o a s e d r i u g s ’v and ra at with sch ards, and outside a f I e a lo ut eb blu b h , t d w y h f r l d n f n o e e r a t e i W o ri af he arriv staurant t. Gospel e (House sping b layers with t and p Place, stop reet clubs o lure in li to a re usic forma rites of min g Café, t t l S a n Can Bourbon lung ope rock and plus-m es are favo ns; Blue Do ist – the f h WA w a c t Z e n l l K a r u of the windows live roots late for c r O n b ew ur lo Diva D o ood h o N t c i , t n s a w e e ning s h Fr Blu tte), and sten to like u e were run s. ass a g fry, s p i r e l s e ( y y n a a h f e t ,w l, dark ish hen lw nc La bands rants’ kitc in the coo o bru you can a the blues f c z e z d a j y – , Z o own zz restau tails) d picnic rtial t most finally sat d ayfield’s Ja ta Hotel, for de ’m also pa d chicken houses, an in s M I e We Irvin l Sone time. -timey frie s and coffe oss-legged or of t the Roya nu. i d r r r e l c e r a o t o b d n e e i a m he in th ith house d the bar m ded not w ngers tarists perc e dozen or ers on i y s a l k l P , o e f i h d w s d t s , e l o u s t f r e r u a n o t e C s on ho d acce r t and p izers only. ppy touris . even l nt window s rubbing s and Secon a e t d p e o o t t r p s h o n f r t p five-p y a i i the , A cals, but w t suit our m er and een F estaur on music m harm n dian r Street betw an. lo d n I e n drum n did no io tt OZ a h which gh veteran nated WW al ast 6t s in Manha eak ill of c rica offers rendit me E e u e sa sp o io f gin Avenu ll not even urant in Am auspices o ol- Alth ously opin ed the Ori , of “Be you o,” I wi ery resta -decreed chdogs, f vigor b French l so rightly Much actly ev ent wat calculats h ’ c n s x i r o e h DJ Bo o Jazz Band f the band’s s, e c w the d publish ionably g r know an. h n i g r i u Tuxed ng spirits o tasty playe ars thro uthors’ an of a quest ugh the pa I me i f k o o h what million ye t s a t o v r i n in the en t h yme sic w 0 yea me ta ing pa fee. Not ev an pop mu Thai and ear-10 Abou s a lunchti itw n o l l , i As s wa /wa ean nua ago, I g guitarist dle ed an zak worthy anese, Kor food dumb n d i p i u e l a l s J stro ess in a M of M hinese, ame C r Vietn
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that night the music was not magic. After a song or two, before the wait staff noticed us, we were antsy and up on our feet, stepping smartly down Bourbon Street in search of a real meal. We almost passed up Arnaud’s, which has an old New Orleans ambiance that in an earlier decade would have meant formal attire required, but their kitchen was open for another 20 minutes, they accepted our casual wear, and we were soon seated in an almost empty dining room buzzing with waiters, waiting for our drinks, appetizers and salads, and Cornish game hens glazed with something fruity and served over wild rice. Suddenly, and entirely unexpectedly, a trio of trad jazz musicians opened fire in the opposite corner of the room. They played “When You’re Smiling,” singing the chorus but not the verse, and totally charmed us with alternating banjo, clarinet and bass solos. Their vocals were pleasant and not much to write home about, but their instrumental passes, including some “stolen measures” (and what a nice term for musical quotes), elicited our applause over and over again. Our meals were served to a dining-tempo backdrop as The Gumbo Trio paced through a perfect set of well-worn and beloved New Orleans standards, including “St. James Infirmary,” “Basin Street Blues,” and “Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans,” which often brings tears to my eyes, especially since Hurricane Katrina, and even more so when I hear it played outside of Louisiana. You can grab versions of the New Orleans musical canon performed by the famous and infamous from many different sources, but there’s nothing like listening to it while dining on turtle soup, succulent duckling and bread pudding. Why would you settle for anything less?
TJN
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Volume 2 • Issue 9
photo by www.monsoursphotography.com Volume 2 • Issue 9
JULY 29, 2010
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