The Jambalaya News - Vol. 3 No. 6

VOL. 3, NO. 6 / JUNE 16, 2011

Foster Parents in SWLA • Chill Out at Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill A Conversation with Local Author Curt Ihles

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JUNE 16, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 6

GENERAL 715 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com PUBLISHER Phil de Albuquerque publisher@thejambalayanews.com

NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Addison Leslie Berman George Cline Jeffrey Conrad James Doyle Dan Ellender Mike McHugh Candice Pauley Sherry Perkins Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos ADVERTISING sales@thejambalayanews.com

SALES ASSOCIATES Katy Corbello Faye Drake Lindy George Karla Tullos GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck

contents

On Cover: (L-R) Eric Mire, Pam Whiteard, Jeff Lee, Liz Katchur and Rusty Guidroz.

Photo by Michelle LaVoie.

June 16, 2011 • Volume 3 • Issue 6

COVER STORY 19 First Federal Bank of Louisiana Puts Customers First

REGULARS 6 11 12 13 14 24

The Boiling Pot Doyle’s Place The Dang Yankee Tips from Tip What’s Cookin’ Sports Report

FEATURES 5

Foster Parents: Giving a Chance to a Child in Need 17 A Conversation with Curt Ihles 22 Recommended Screenings for Men 23 Expect the Best From Your Credit Union or Bank

19 5

ENTERTAINMENT 26 28 29 30 33 36 38 39

Red Hot Books Funbolaya Family Night at the Movies Society Spice Jambalaya Jam Local Jam Eclectic Company Killin’ Time Crossword

23

ART/PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Michelle LaVoie BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews

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22 17

Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by The Jambalaya News columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff.

The Jambalaya News is solely owned, published by The Jambalaya News, LLC, 715 Kirby Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 436-7800. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The Jambalaya News cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Copyright 2011 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

We are now accepting credit cards!

JUNE 16, 2011

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A Note From Phil the students all laughed when I showed them my notebook. I was just My father was my hero for almost copying the pictures my dad drew on 40 years. I stood by his side and he the chalk board. He was my hero! stood by mine. I was the eldest son, I never got in trouble. I was a good and he was proud of all of my accomplishments. We were a team. Until the son. I set a good example for my younger siblings. I was a member of most important day of life. the National Honor Society, First Dad was the youngest son of six Chair in Choir, Second Chair in Band, children. He and his family grew up and took all the advanced classes in in Goa, India in a huge house that is school. I graduated in the top 10 pernow a school. He would tell me stocent of my class and received some ries about how the hallway was so scholarship money when I was long that he would run at night to get accepted to Michigan State’s School of to his bedroom, afraid a ghost might Engineering. Dad was so proud of me. pop out of a door on the way! His He always helped me with my classes father was a traveling doctor who and would visit whenever he could. spent most of his time in Africa. He My friends always looked forward to would send money home so his wife his visits because he would take us all could take care of the family. Dad out for pizza and hear what each pernever really got to know his father. son was doing. My father was always When he was 21, he was chosen to the life of the party! be the first in the family to go to that wonderful country of opportunity called America. He was sent to the University of Michigan where he studied mechanical engineering. (Years later, his eldest son would study engineering at “the other school” – Michigan State University!)

Dad washed dishes at a local restaurant to help put himself through school. There he met my uncle, who in 1984.

Me and Dad introduced him to his Even when I decidsister. Dad fell in love ed to make a drastic change to and asked my grandfamy career plans by going to ther for his permission to marry his Ringling Brothers Barnum & daughter. He said no, because Dad Bailey Circus’ Clown College after was too dark (to this day, he puts powder on his face to lighten his com- graduating from Michigan State, he was there for me and even came to plexion). On the third try, my grandSarasota for my commencement perfather finally gave in. Dad taught me formance. And he was the first to throughout my life that you must go know when I was selected to become for what you really want and be pera member of the circus. sistent and confident! Mom and Dad Then one day, after years of lookfound a wonderful home in Mt. Clemens and had six children in eight ing, I found the love of my life. I remember calling Dad and telling years (what were they thinking?)! him I found the one! He was so Being Dad’s eldest son, I would excited for me. I told him how we often get up in the mornings with met on my tour when I was a tour him before he went to work. As he sipped his tea, I would tell him what I guide, how I proposed to her on a moonlit night on a covered bridge, learned in school the day before and how we were planning the wedding how I wanted to be just like him: a together! Life was good. Until… project engineer at General Motors!

Dad found out we weren’t getting Dad also taught heating and refrigeration at some of the local universities. I married in the church of his choice.

He spoke to his priest, who told him remember going to one of his classes we were committing a mortal sin. when I was little and “taking notes.”

Dad said he would come to the wed“That’s my son,” Dad told the class. ding, but that it would be the unhap“Philip de Albuquerque.” After class,

My Father Was My Hero

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JUNE 16, 2011

you know who I am?” I would ask, and he would just sit there. If I told him it was cold, he’d say, “Cold,” but it was clear he was just repeating words.

I flew back and forth, seeing him five times in three months. I even had a Christmas party for him and his two sisters! I put a Santa hat on him just as he would have wanted. He loved Christmas.

The last time I was there, we took a walk down the hall as always.

“Does this hallway remind you of your home in India?” I asked. No response. “Dad, I need to tell you something before I go. I had to sue Edward to find out where you were.”

Dad stopped walking. He kept his head down so I couldn’t see his eyes, but I felt he was hearing me.

“The judge made him tell me where you were so I could see you. I love you, Dad,” I said. He slowly resumed walking and got to his room, lying down on his bed as he always did.

I looked over at the pictures on the wall. My siblings had put up family photos when they’d moved him in, making sure that none included me.

So one of the first things I did when I visited him was to bring photos of all of us. My favorite was a wonderful picture of dad laughing and carrying on at one of his parties with all of us around him!

Dad closed his eyes.

Christma “I don’t know why s with D ad 2011 you made the choic11 years. When I . walked into the nursing home, es you did, Dad, but I he was sitting at a table building still love you,” I said. blocks, one on top of the other. My “I need to go now. I need to catch a tears were uncontrollable. I wanted plane early tomorrow. I live in to shake him and ask him why he Louisiana now, Dad, and Lauren and never called me. Why he never asked I are so very, very happy. You about me. Why he let religion come remember Lauren; right, Dad? between us. I took a deep breath and Good night, Dad. I love you.” I starthugged him. He got up and walked ed leaving the room and stopped. I away. didn’t know when I’d see him again.

“Don’t take it personally,” his nurse I went over and held his hand. said. “He walks away from everyI had to ask him one more time. one.” I walked down the hall with “Dad, do you know who I am?” him, not knowing if he knew me. He He opened his eyes and smiled. stared at the handrail as he slid his “Philip de Albuquerque,” he whishand on it as he walked. “Michigan’s pered, and closed his eyes. football team is doing good this Happy Father’s Day, Dad. TJN year,” Dad!” I said, trying to get a response. Nothing.

“Hello!” I would say. “Hello!” he would answer, but nothing more. “Do piest day of his life. I told him not to come, and he didn’t. The rest of the family, except for one brother, sided with Dad. That was in 2000. We never spoke again.

I kept in touch with my brother Chuck and always asked how dad was doing. When he told me Dad was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and was going into assisted living, I flew to Michigan to try to meet with him, but my youngest brother (who was his caregiver) put a stop to that, indicating that I was not allowed to see him. As his condition worsened, he put my father in another facility and wouldn’t tell me where he was, and the rest of the family supported that. I had to take my brother to court to be able to see my father. The judge was outraged at my brother’s actions, and ordered him to disclose his whereabouts immediately.

That same day, I was able to see Dad for the first time in

– Phil de Albuquerque Volume 3 • Issue 6

Luke

, lizabeth E ia r o t Lynn, Vic Victoria y and Moll

By Candice Pauley

In the Lake Charles region (made up of Beauregard, Jefferson Davis, Allen, Calcasieu and Cameron parishes), there are more than 400 children in the care of the Department of Social Services (DSS) and placed in foster homes. In the Calcasieu/Cameron area alone, there are still more than 20 children in need of placement.

Karla Weir, a foster parent for ten years, said that becoming a foster parent “just made sense.” After her two children became adults, there were two available bedrooms. “I experienced the so-called ‘empty nest syndrome’ and truly missed having children around the house,” Weir said.

“I can’t speak for every foster parent, but for me, it was about giving a child a chance in life,” Weir said.

“These children have been hurt or damaged by the mistakes of adults who they trusted and who were supposed to be there for them with unconditional love. To watch a child learn to trust and love again is quite a blessing.”

“Our agency’s primary goal is reunification with the family,” said Samona Lastrapes, foster/adoptive home recruiter. Foster homes provide a stable environment for the children while their birth parents go through the necessary steps to make their homes and lives ready for reunification with their children.

Lastrapes said that DSS does more than place children in homes, and they do not drop a foster child because they age out of the system. “We offer proVolume 3 • Issue 6

grams that help transition them into an adult lifestyle,” she said. These programs help them find employment, provide a stipend to help them with necessary expenses while they are in school, and teach them the skills they need to be productive and well-adjusted adults.

Straightforward Process Becoming a foster parent is a straightforward process. Interested parents start by attending an orientation meeting and seven pre-service training classes. All members of the household must pass a background check and participate in the home study process. Five references must be provided to DSS for consideration.

Once the process is complete, certification is accomplished. Anyone can be a foster parent as long as he/she is at least 21 years old, has income enough to support their own family, can pass a background and health check, and has adequate room in their homes to house foster children. There is no restriction on marital status. One can be married, single, divorced or widowed.

Support Provided Support is provided to foster families in several ways. Eligible families receive intensive based in-home services up to 20 hours a week to help create a stable and healthy environment for everyone in the household.

Counseling services are also available for children who need it. Through a network of other foster parents, respite days are scheduled in which parents are given a “day off ” while their foster children visit other homes.

The Calcasieu/Cameron Foster/Adoptive Parent Association (FAPA) provides another level of support to assist foster parents in the dayto-day realities of providing a home to children in need of stability. Lynn Burton, foster parent for seven years and president of FAPA, has firsthand knowledge about what it means to be a foster parent.

Making a Difference “It can be difficult, but the difference you make to [the foster children] in whatever time you have them is amazing to see,” Burton said. “In a day, a month, a year, you are showing them a ‘normal’ family. They take that back to their [birth] families.”

Burton and her husband have adopted three of their seven foster children. She is passionate about fostering, and believes that FAPA provides a much-needed “venting” session for foster parents. Fostering children has its own unique challenges, and FAPA provides a support group where parents can share their experiences and find the help they need from the experiences of other parents.

Monthly meetings provide continued training that count toward the 15 hours of training a year required to be a foster parent. The association also organizes events for the children around holidays so that they can meet one another and see that they are not alone. Interacting with other foster children creates a sense of community and stability.

“Make sure you are in a totally selfless place,” Burton advises. “The goal is reunification, so they may not stay with you forever.” She encourages

foster parents to “depend on faith, whatever your religion, because it can be difficult, but ultimately very rewarding.”

The myth that becoming a foster parent is an enterprise is very detrimental to the health and well being of the child. “There is no money to be made as a foster parent,” Burton said.

There is a stipend provided to foster parents to help allay the cost of an additional child, but it is only enough to provide necessities. Families must be financially stable before being allowed to welcome a child into their care.

Children of all ages, sex and race are represented in the population of children in care. Ultimately, the goal is reunification with family members. Of children in foster care in 2008, 36 percent were reunited with their birth parents, 35 percent found a home with other family members, and 22 percent were adopted.

“The goal is to recruit 15 families a month,” said Lastrapes, “but families are dropping out at the same time that we recruit new ones.” The process is ongoing, and they welcome loving families into their network for however long they are willing to provide a home to a child in need of stability.

To learn more about becoming a foster parent, visit www.dss.state.la.us or call (337) 475-3030 for more information. Foster parent orientations will be held this summer on June 27 and July 16 and 25, 2011. TJN

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The

Boiling

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Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com

offer membership to individuals who live, work, worship or attend school in, and businesses and other legal entities within Calcasieu Parish. Access of Louisiana Federal Credit Union is a full service, member-owned, not-forprofit financial institution with locations in Westlake, Lake Charles and Sulphur. More information is available online at www.access.coop.

Left to right: Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan, Lindsey Janies, Jeanne Owens, George Swift and Joe Bowen.

SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA REGION SHOWCASED IN PRINT The Chamber SWLA commissioned Southwest Louisiana: A Treasure Revealed to showcase the beauty, bountiful resources, and wonderful people of our region. The community was invited to see the book for the very first time at a book signing party on recently at the Willis Noland Resource Center at 120 West Pujo Street in Lake Charles. Southwest Louisiana: A Treasure Revealed brings the reader into our region through the arresting imagery of Lindsey Janies and spellbinding prose of Jeanne Owens. Books can be purchased at the Chamber SWLA or online at www.allianceswla.

JUNIOR LEAGUE PRESENTS AWARDS The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. announced the following 2011 recipients of its outstanding voluntarism awards: Monte Hurley received the Della Krause Thielen Voluntarism award, which recognizes an individual or organization’s remarkable community service. Marilyn Strait Dunn, who has a long history of improving Southwest Louisiana in the areas of children, music and caring for the needy, was selected as Sustainer of the Year.

Amanda McElveen received the Active of the Year award, which recognizes those members who went “above and beyond” to further the Junior League of Lake Charles’ vision and mission. For more information about The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc.’s continued efforts to improve the lives of families in SWLA, please visit www.jllc.net.

ACCESS OF LOUISIANA GRANTED CHARTER Access of Louisiana Federal Credit Union has been granted a Community Charter for Calcasieu Parish. Approved by the National Credit Union Administration, the Community Charter allows the credit union to PAGE 6

JUNE 16, 2011

Left to right: Anna Mason, WCCH Auxiliary immediate past president, Sondra Moss, WCCH Foundation president, Bill Hankins, WCCH CEO, and Debby Nabours, WCCH Foundation executive director.

WCCH AUXILIARY DONATES $66,000 TO HOSPITAL’S FOUNDATION The WCCH Foundation recently received a donation in the amount of $66,000 from the WCCH Auxiliary. The donation, made possible by proceeds from sales in the Auxiliary’s Gift Shoppe, was made to assist the WCCH Foundation achieve its core mission of assisting WCCH in providing advanced, quality health care to the community. For more information about the Auxiliary of WCCH, call 527-4144. Volunteers are required to serve at least 100 hours per year.

ST. LOUIS HS PROMOTES GENEVA BREAUX Geneva Breaux was recently promoted to director of alumni advancement and admissions at Saint Louis Catholic High School. In this new position, she will be using her creativity to manage and implement a comprehensive alumni affairs program for Saint Louis Catholic as well as oversee all aspects of admissions.

Breaux brings nine years of experience in education and Catholic school development to the school community. Raised in Lake Charles, she is an honors grad-

Geneva Breaux Volume 3 • Issue 6

uate of Saint Louis Catholic High School where she received the prestigious St. Louis Award. Breaux received a bachelor’s degree in Art Education and a master’s in Educational Technology from McNeese State University.

RICHARDSON AND YOUNG ELECTED TO LPA BOARD Mary Richardson and Matt Young, both of Lake Charles, were recently elected to the board of the Louisiana Partnership for the Arts.

Young, Executive Director of the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA, was elected Mary Richardson Matt Young as vice chairman. Mary Richardson, executive director of the McNeese Banners Series, will serve as member at large and liaison to Louisiana Presenters’ Network. The Louisiana Partnership for the Arts is the only statewide organization for arts advocacy, and consists of more than 250 arts and cultural organizations and numerous artists from Louisiana.

Julio Galan, president/CEO of Family Foundation of SWLA with Christine, Cassi and Brennan Perry.

FAMILY FOUNDATION OF FFSWLA RECEIVES DONATION Christine Perry and her children recently made a $10,000 endowment to the Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana (FFSWLA). The foundation connects donors to the priorities that enhance the quality of family and community life for generations to come. It aims to provide long-term support of Family & Youth’s programs.

MSU’S REID RE-APPOINTED TO LAMP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard H. Reid, vice president for development and public affairs at McNeese State University and executive vice president of the McNeese Foundation, has been re-appointed to the President’s Advisory Board of Directors for the Louisiana Asset Management Pool. LAMP operates under the Louisiana law as a cooperative endeavor to assist local state governmental entities in investment and is administered by a state non-profit corporation, LAMP, Inc.

Richard Reid

KNIGHT MEDIA ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS AND NEW HIRE Chuck Ehlers, president of Knight Media Printing, is pleased to announce the promotions of Chris Ehlers to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Allen Jarvis to Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He also welcomes Betsy Granger as Knight Media’s newest account representative. Chris Ehlers has worked in the printing industry for 21 years. He currently manages the company’s estimating, job planning and maintenance and production supervision.

Chris Ehlers

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Allen Jarvis manages the company’s financial activities. He holds a Series 7 General Securities License and a Louisiana life and health insurance license. Betsy Granger has a variety of experience in sales and marketing and was previously sales and convention manager for the Holiday Inn in Sulphur and director of Allen Jarvis Betsy Granger sales and marketing for the Wingate by Wyndham in Sulphur. For more information on Knight Media, go to www.kmimedia.com or call 478-8350.

Left to right: Karen Lambert, WCCH director of marketing; Bill Hankins, WCCH CEO; and Sue Broussard, CareHelp executive director.

WCCH CANNED GOOD DRIVE BENEFITS CARE HELP OF SULPHUR Employees at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recently collected over 340 canned goods to donate to Care Help of Sulphur, Inc., a local organization providing help to area residents in need of temporary, emergency assistance. The donation was part of the hospital’s recent activities during National Hospital Week. “Our employees’ efforts are typically focused on caring for the healthcare needs of those in our community,” said Bill Hankins, WCCH CEO. “By making a canned good drive part of this year’s hospital week activities, we’ve taken that commitment one step further by focusing on those who are in need of the basic essentials.”

ATTORNEY ELECTED TO STATE BAR BOARD At the 2010 LSU Family Law Seminar held in Baton Rouge, Randy Fuerst delivered a continuing legal education program entitled The Discovery Process Concerning the Self-Employed and Small Businesses. Randy has guest lectured at LSU and other law schools in the past. At annual meeting of The Louisiana State Bar Association Family Law Section, Fuerst was elected Secretary of the Louisiana State Bar Association Family Law Section for 2011. He has previously served as a Chair of the Family Law Section. TJN

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Animal Services Adoption Fee for Cats Reduced for ‘Adopt-a-Cat’ Month The Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and Adoption Center has reduced the cost of their cat adoptions from $80 to $30 throughout the remainder of June in honor of “Adopt-A-Cat Month.” Each spring, countless numbers of newborn kittens join millions of cats in shelters across the country due to neglect. The $30 adoption fee also includes a spay/neuter procedure, shots and a microchip.

In addition to this fee reduction, Animal Services is also announcing upcoming Adoption Bus visits at Petco and Petsmart.

The Adoption Bus is an “adoption center on wheels,” and can house many cats and dogs that are waiting to be sent home to a loving family.

JUNE 17 PETCO (CATS) 545 West Prien Lake Road 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

JUNE 24 PETSMART (CATS) JUNE 25 (DOGS) 3130 Prien Lake Road 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Animal Services staff is ready to assist you in adopting the perfect cat for you and your family! For more information, contact Animal Services at (337) 721-3730. TJN

City of LC Water Customers Asked to Conserve The City of Lake Charles is asking its customers to voluntarily conserve water wherever possible.

Due to the extended drought conditions, water usage has increased substantially: two to three million gallons per day over the normal average daily usage for this time of year.

Customers are asked to water lawns sparingly and only in the early morning and late evening hours. Watering between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. should be curtailed as this is the hottest part of the day when evaporation is greatest. Allowing the lawn to grow longer will also protect it during drought conditions.

Everyone should practice water conservation inside their homes.

Check faucets and toilets to ensure there are no noticeable leaks. Reduced usage can result in customer savings, such as lower water bills, wastewater costs, and even lower energy bills.

The City of Lake Charles Water Division indicated that the increased demand on the water supply and distribution system is causing intermittent periods of discolored water. The increased water usage causes iron particulates, which are normally stable, to move around within the system, resulting in discolored water.

In extreme cases, City personnel can flush the water main to help alleviate the problem, but in most cases, the water should clear up within a few hours. TJN

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June Pet Events NEW LEASH ON LIFE Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30-7:30 p.m., A New Leash on Life works with the kids and their dogs that are housed at the Juvenile Detention Center.

The dogs are rescued by the parish animal shelter and are now living with the kids at the JDC. The kids are taught how to rehabilitate and train their dogs, and the group works to help them adopt those dogs out to loving families. If you’re interested in being a part of this miraculous program, please contact certified professional pet dog trainer Britney Blanchette at britneydogtrainr@yahoo.com.

BOW MEOW WOW! JUNE 18 Music and pet adoption event at Prien Lake Park, June 18 from 3-8 p.m. Bands, tables for rescue groups, fun, games, and adoptions. Please join us and contact Kayla Griffin (cajunredhead1977@aol.com),

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Susan Stanford (Ssdogwood@yahoo.com), or Beth Zilbert (bethemma@yahoo.com) if you would like to participate, volunteer, etc.

EAT, DRINK, AND BELLY DANCE FOR HOPE JUNE 20 A fundraising event to support The People’s Advocate and the New Leash on Life project. Come and eat and drink at Cedars Middle Eastern restaurant (3906 Ryan Street) anytime between 5-9 p.m. on June 20, and 20 percent of your bill will be donated to The People’s Advocate to support the community service projects, in particular the New Leash on Life project at the Juvenile Detention Center, aimed at rehabilitating at-risk kids and helping local non-profits reach their goals. There will be a belly dancer, and if your table’s bill is $100 or more, you will get a free belly dancing scarf! TJN

Meet Braxton!

“I want to tell you all about myself. I am a country boy at heart. I love to run and play and just love life. I have quite a bit of energy, so would love my own human family to play with. I love to ride in the car and would jog with you if you want. I can be so funny and love to make people laugh. One more thing that is pretty important: I really like treats too. I just thought I would throw that in (hint). I have been waiting awhile for someone to love me. Could that be you? I sure hope so. I don’t have my own phone, but you can call (337) 558-5184 and ask about me some more. I live at 4 Paws on the Bayou Pet Hotel at 465 Hardy Road, Sulphur, LA 70665. You can also email fourpawssociety@aol.com. So you see, you can get in touch with me several ways. Hurry up, ‘cause I’m waiting for you!”

Love, Braxton

An application can found online at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com and faxed to (337) 558-6331 or e-mailed to fourpawssociety@aol.com. A vet reference and home visit is included with each adoption process. If you live outside the general area, a “virtual” home visit can be done.

Braxton has been neutered, is up-to-date with routine shots, and prefers a home without cats. TJN

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Volume 3 • Issue 6

oyle

By Jim D

garten in an antebellum mansion; attended church in a Methodist congregation organized in 1840; and my geometry and Latin teacher had also taught my mother and both my brothers. Learned lessons worth remembering, as I have this weekend.

I’m sure she’ll forgive the exuberance of one of my high school girlfriends, who was happy to see me.

Well, I hope she will. After all, it was long ago in a galaxy far, far away.

Take the time this week to show someone—your kids, your wife, a new companion—a bit of your innocent, childlike self. You may even find a reason to leave a little piece of yourself in that world.

Thanks to Roy, Ken, Danny, Amanda, the two Debbies, Vicki, Blake, Bubbie and Beth for a wonderful experience.

I’ll see you guys on the flip. TJN

Reunion Everybody has a hometown. For most of you, this is it. But as many of you know, I was reared in the Old South and I’m finishing up an improbable weekend in a time machine that produced innumerable rewards, miles of smiles and compliments from lifelong friends and more than one old girlfriend.

Which, considering the company, was a little embarrassing from moment to moment.

As I write this I’m in a Southwest Airlines airplane enroute back home from a reunion of the “Mean Green” Marching and Jazz Bands from Central High School in Bolivar, Tennessee, my dear ole alma mater. And I had a blast.

My high school director Joe Sills was there. Joe took over the reins of our rowdy group when he was 22 years old and a recent graduate of Memphis State University. Hardly more than a senior himself, Joe did a remarkable job of handling over 100 kids who had been in band most of their lives. He taught us how to be on time, how to be proud, and how to love one another. Joe had more influence on my life by far than any teacher I’ve ever had, from first grade through law school.

And I’m not the only one. Our reunion boasted one accomplished Broadway star, two long-time band directors, a college chorus director and a college president: Dr. Bill Troutt of Rhodes College, Memphis. Because he is an educator, Bill has often told the story of how Joe influenced his life for the better. We all have the same story.

But for this weekend, it was enough for this 60-year-old man to pull out the tenor sax I’ve owned Volume 3 • Issue 6

since 1962, left a little problematic by my son Stratton leaving me without an operative mouthpiece, and play “Misty” with my old buddy John Bishop, now of Charlotte, N.C. The last time John and I played that song together was in 1967, when we did the same number on regional television from a studio in the basement of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. What a rush! Then our reconstituted stage band played several songs, including “Proud Mary” and “All Shook Up.” The audience went wild.

Probably out of respect for our wind supply.

Wouldn’t all of us like just one more day in high school? Okay, I guess some of us really wouldn’t.

But the point of this unique experience was different for me. Who among you has someone in your life you wish you had known before the innocence faded, before the daunting problems of living turned you hard and even bitter? I know I do. And I was lucky enough for her to be with me in this time machine.

So for two days, she heard people I’ve known all my life, parents of friends and even classmates, tell her that they loved me. Not for being a lawyer, not even for having handled cases at all levels. Just for being that kid (with hair) who once upon a time made neighbors smile with music. My minister friend Blake even let me play “Amazing Grace,” my father’s favorite hymn, in his church this morning.

Along the way, she saw my hometown, not as the confining place I had felt as a teenager, but for the beautiful, Southern village it has always been, in temperament as well as decor. I attended kinderJUNE 16, 2011

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Dang Yankee The

By Mike McHugh

I Will Scrub for Ice Well, I’m here again with Papa Agave and the gang from Kamp Tequila Mockingbird, on location at the 2011 Kerrville Folk Festival, named after the nearby town of Folk, Texas, in the beautiful Hill Country.

Since Southwest Louisiana does not really have any “hills” to speak of, I am sure a description of the terrain here is in order. You are, of course, familiar with fire ant mounds. Well, imagine an ant mound, only hundreds of feet tall, and that’s precisely what they have here in the Texas Hill Country — tremendously huge ant

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mounds, as far as the eye can see, all made by large prehistoric ants who became extinct millions of years ago.

Nobody in Texas believes this, of course. No, they like to think that the giant ants were run off by Texas Rangers back around 1870.

But enough about Texas geological history, and on to my coverage of the 2011 Kerrville Folk Festival. After all, that’s why my editor gave me a huge travel budget to come to this here festival. What’s more, I have already spent the entire budget, plus $20, on a case of beer. Thus, I am

now obligated to produce this report.

In order to get a better feel for the inner workings of the Kerrville Folk Festival, I decided this year to become a member of the volunteer staff. The festival is run almost entirely by a large staff of people who graciously donate their time and talents. Or, in my case, where the talent piece is mostly lacking, I get to scrub the potties.

Hey, don’t laugh, because, as a festival staff member, I am greatly rewarded for this hard work. It’s even more lucrative than travelling on assignment for a prestigious publication such as this one. This is because, after a hard day of scrubbing the potties, I report to Staff Central. There I wait in line for an eternity, because the computers they have for checking in staff, which date from the Han Dynasty (the computers, that is, and, well, maybe also a few of the staff), have broken down yet again. This is all well worth it, however, because in doing this I am rewarded with four ice tickets, which is the Legal Tender of the Kerrville Folk Festival.

You see, the entire economy here at the festival is based on the ice standard. It kind of makes sense when

you think about it. Here in the hot Texas sun, ice is a tangible commodity of great value, unlike, say, the full faith and credit of some government.

Each of these tickets is fully backed by five pounds of ice that are on deposit in a heavily guarded, refrigerated vault called Fort Kerr-Knox.

This economic system actually functions quite well most of the time, the only exception being when the refrigeration unit for the vault breaks down. But, what can I say? The festival has no Nobel Prize-winning economists to advise them on how to go about setting up a monetary system, so they had to wing it. I must admit, though, things here seem to be going along much better than in Greece or Portugal these days. I mean, none of my colleagues on the Potty Patrol has threatened to go on strike over pension benefits. (Thank God!) Folks ask me if I see many hippies here at the Kerrville Folk Festival. I can understand their curiosity, as hippies almost became extinct after the end of the 1960s. This was caused by the fact that their main sources of food—hummus and organic vegetables—became so trendy that the prices went through the roof, and the hippies could no longer afford them.

Many perished; others got jobs.

That’s when the U.S. Government stepped in and put hippies on the endangered species list, and so now they are making a comeback.

The folk festival actually attracts enough hippies that it’s now legal here to fish for them. They are seen quite often strolling in the vicinity of Kamp Tequila Mockingbird, attracted no doubt to the contents of the Kamp’s bar. It acts kind of like a hippie chum.

The great thing is, though, you don’t have to waste good tequila trying to catch hippies. It turns out they will hit on a wide assortment of bait: anything from Lone Star Beer to cheap cigarettes to love beads. What’s more, you don’t need a big, expensive boat for this.

Now, I’ve probably given too much away about that. The last thing Papa Agave needs is a bunch of folks from Louisiana hanging outside his camp with fishing poles. I’m warning you guys—no ice tickets for you! And bring your own dang tequila!

Coming Next: On location from Key West, Florida. And, hey, I got the same travel budget! Thanks, TJN! TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 6

By George “Tip” Cline

A GOOD EXCHANGE One of my grandchildren has just returned from an exchange program with LSU and Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.

He and another student friend spent this past spring semester in a totally different environment from what they are accustomed to.

They also took advantage of really inexpensive European travel while completing their course of studies at the university in the city of Brno. The Europeans make much more use of train and bus transportation than we do. And flight are cheap: my grandson was able to take a plane flight while there for the grand total of $13, which wouldn’t even cover a baggage fee here. Of course, European travel has considerably less distances involved than in America.

And hostels are very common.

Their affordability makes them attractive to young travelers on a limited budget.

The pair was able to spend Easter in Rome, and visit Krakow, Budapest, Venice, Prague and many more places—a wonderful opportunity for them to experience different cultures and view centuries-old buildings and art masterpieces. They’ll now have to get used to not having beer with lunch and wine with dinner, complying with our more stringent approach to young adult imbibing.

They reported that each town, no matter how small, had its own brewery, and that the different beers were unforgettable.

Both students did exceptionally well in their studies, getting the Volume 3 • Issue 6

highest grades in their courses.

This exchange program seems to be an exceptionally worthwhile opportunity for motivated students and I recommend looking into this at your (or your child’s) college.

SUPERMARKET ROUNDUP The response to our last column was amazing, so I’m going to continue reporting some supermarket price comparisons for you in each column. The stores are going to stay the same for now, and are Walmart on Nelson Road, Market Basket on Nelson Road, Kroger on McNeese Street and Albertsons on Country Club Road.

These prices were all taken on June 7, 2011 and they reflect the prices posted where the products were placed on the shelves in each store: Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup: Albertsons, $.79; Kroger, $.85; Market Basket, $.89; Walmart, $.79.

Fresh Green Beans: Albertsons, $.99 (per pound): Kroger, out of stock, Market Basket, $1.69; Walmart, $1.28.

Four-lb. bag of sugar (lowest price brand): Albertsons. $2.69; Kroger, $2.29; Market Basket, $1.89; Walmart, $2.25.

Pork Spareribs: Albertsons, $2.79 (per pound); Kroger, $1.99; Market Basket, $3.19; Walmart, $2.07.

children’s author Cathy Lowry reading her recently published work How the Crawfish Got its Shell to any and all assembled children. This is a fine opportunity for parents, grandparents and others to bring their young charges to meet one of our community’s authors. The book is a delightful crawfish fantasy that the young audience will enjoy. While you’re there, let the kids take advantage of the museum and its wonderful exhibits.

THE CHINA SYNDROME The other day, some friends were talking about the “China Syndrome.” No, not the one referring to a nuclear meltdown that goes all the way to China, but the problem I had addressed in my column a few years back referring to the “good” china that’s hidden away. You know, the plates that are too valuable to be used and wind up getting chipped and broken just by getting shifted around while you’re looking for things that you do want to use.

This subject always comes up when talking about holidays and other important meals, as well as when discussing who will get what when someone passes on. There is really no excuse not to use the china for regular meals. It might add an air of importance to sitting down together and dining, rather than just wolfing your food down on some everyday plate and getting on to other things in your busy life.

Dishes have to be washed anyway. Maybe you want to handwash your good china if you’re concerned about the dishwasher doing some kind of damage, but what other purpose can you find for these plates? They will eventually wind up broken someday, so why not enjoy them now?

Makes sense to me. There are replacement china dealers available for some discontinued patterns online, such as Replacements.com, and there’s always eBay. TJN

Medical Laser Therapy, LLC, announces its ONYKOLAZE ™ Light therapy program to treat toe and fingernail infections.

• No dangerous drugs • No invasive procedures • Local Physicians in our service area diagnose and supervise the therapy • Economical payment plans available

LOCAL AUTHOR AT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM On June 30 at 11 a.m., the Children’s Museum of Lake Charles, located downtown at 327 Broad Street, will feature local JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 13

What’s Cookin’ Chill Out at L’Auberge du Lac’s

This Summer

Summertime! The living is easy and everyone’s in the mood to chill out with friends over good food and some ice-cold beverages, while enjoying sports and more sports. It’s time to head over to L’Auberge du Lac’s Jack Daniel’s® Bar & Grill.

Stop by for lunch or make it your after-work or weekend destination. It opens at 11 a.m. daily (both indoor seating and outdoor patio) and closes once all the guests leave for the night—how cool is that?

A massive roll-up door was recently installed in the back. Wait until you see it: The back wall of the restaurant literally rolls up and opens the restaurant up onto the patio area overlooking the pool. Perfect for summertime eating and socializing!

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JUNE 16, 2011

Jack Daniel’s has 40+ televisions, so you can watch TV from wherever you sit in the restaurant and catch every major sporting event that is televised. The local sports show “Sound Off Live” is taped here every week.

With 25 beer varieties on tap, this is a great place to bring Dad on Father’s Day. Most brews are local and national favorites, but they do have a few imported varieties such as Guinness, Dos Equis Lager and Stella Artois.

Local and national favorites include Bud Light, Budweiser, Miller Light, Coors Light, Woodchuck Amber, NOLA Blonde, NOLA Brown, NOLA Hopitoulas, NOLA Hurricane Saison, NOLA 7th St. Wheat, Abita Amber, Abita Turbo Dog, Abita Andygator, Alien Amber, Blue Moon, Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan, Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat, LA 31 Biere Pale, Shiner Bock, Shiner Blonde, St. Arnold Fancy Lawnmower and St. Arnold Elissa IPA. Imagine your preferred brew in a frosty mug on a hot summer night!

Chef Lyle Broussard

Volume 3 • Issue 6

The most popular menu items include the JD’s Ribs, Gator Bites and their legendary burgers, all served by the Ladies and Gents of L’Auberge.

Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill was voted “Best Hamburgers” in 2006. Since opening in 2005, the establishment has also gained titles such as “Best Beer Variety,” “Best Bar Overall,” “Best Bar,” “Best Live Music” and more.

Food challenge fans will certainly be tested when they take on the “Big Ass Burger!” This hefty hamburger consists of seven patties, seven cheeses, seven sauces and much more, along with a pile of French fries and onion rings. Conquer the burger and win a T-shirt, mug and your photo on the Burger Wall of Fame. So far, the wall sits empty. The burger is currently 6-0—no one has beaten it yet! Can you?

Jack After Dark is held every Thursday (10 p.m. until close), and Friday and Saturday (11 p.m. until close). Jack After Dark gives guests an opportunity to relax and listen to music played live by either a band or disc jockey. DJ CaGe, Soul Vacation, Krossroadz and Chris LeBlanc are set to perform during the month of June. The stage is an actual jackknifed 18-wheeler truck! Go to www.ldlcasino.com/entertainment for a full list of entertainment dates In the mood to chill? Check out Jazz Sundays, held each Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. This is a great way to relax and listen to the smooth sounds of the iconic genre of music that was born in Louisiana.

Always check www.ldlcasino.com as well as L’Auberge’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/laubergedulac for exclusive specials for FB fans.

TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 15

2011 Summer Starz Series

JACK DANIEL’S BAR & GRILL’S FAMOUS FIREWATER BURGER Chef de Cuisine Lyle Broussard’s Father’s Day Special is the mouthwatering Firewater Burger with one liter of beer (your choice) for $15; it’s a meal to remember!

INGREDIENTS • 1-8 oz. beef patty • 2 oz. habanera ketchup • 4 oz. habanera and sweet pepper relish • 1 sourdough bun • 1 leaf Boston Bibb lettuce • 2 slices tomato • 2 slices pickles • 1 slice pepper jack cheese • 3 oz. onion straws (thin battered, fried onion strips) PREPERATION Make habanera ketchup in advance (recipe below). Cook beef patty to temperature of your choice; toast bun while burger is cooking. Add 1 oz. habanera ketchup and onion straws to bottom bun. Add burger patty and cheese. On top of cheese, add habanera relish (make in advance; recipe below). Pile on the lettuce, tomato and pickles. Add the remaining habanera ketchup to the top bun and assemble burger.

HABANERA KETCHUP • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 medium chopped onion • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1 small habanera pepper • 1 large red bell pepper, seeded & chopped PAGE 16

JUNE 16, 2011

Artistic Director Kerry A. Onxley and The Children’s Theatre Company are proud to present its annual Summer Starz Series. These summer theatre workshops are designed to introduce newcomers to the world of theatre and challenge young veterans to perfect advanced theatrical concepts and production techniques. All workshops culminate in performance demonstrations. The three workshop sessions offered this season are as follows: • 4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped • 1 bay leaf • ½ teaspoon allspice • ½ teaspoon cinnamon • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves • ¾ cup cider vinegar • ½ cup packed brown sugar PREPARATION Heat oil in heavy bottom saucepan over a medium heat; sauté onion and garlic until onion is soft. Add peppers and tomatoes; sauté until tender. Add bay leaf, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, sugar and vinegar; simmer until peppers are very soft. Remove bay leaf and puree; return to saucepan and simmer 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

HABANERA RELISH • 4 whole jalapeno, sliced • 3 whole habanera chilies, sliced • 1 medium onion, diced • 1 whole red bell pepper, diced • 1 clove garlic, diced • 1 cup siracha sauce • ½ cup vinegar • ½ cup sugar PREPARATION Place a large skillet on medium heat, with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Add in peppers, garlic, and onions.

Sauté ingredients until they are soft. Sprinkle sugar and let caramelize. Deglaze the pan with vinegar and siracha sauce, and let it simmer until most of the liquid is gone. Remove and let cool, or serve immediately

WILD THINGS! July 7-9 10-11:15 a.m.

Ages 5-8 $65 (includes T-shirt) Introduces children to theatre through the use of creative drama, theatre games, creative movement, stage makeup and musical theatre. A demonstration follows the last day of the workshop. A wonderful introduction to theatre!

ACTING FOR THE CAMERA! July 7-9 Noon-1:30 p.m.

Ages 8-18 $85 (includes T-shirt) Covers auditioning for commercials, reading commercial scripts, exploring different commercial techniques, and beginning improvisational skills.

Information and samples are shared on doing resumes, head shots and finding the best agent or manager. Students participate with hands-on camera experience!

MIDSUMMER FUN! July 18-22 Ages 5-18 10-11:15 a.m.

Ages 9-18 10-noon $85 (includes T-shirt) Learn the language, ideas and adventures of William Shakespeare. Students perform excerpts from some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays while experiencing the technical aspects of lighting, set designs and creating costumes.

The workshop concludes with a free public performance starring all of the students.

KIDZ IN SHOWBIZ! August 1-5 Ages 5-8 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

Ages 9-18 10 a.m.-noon $85 (includes T-shirt) Students will learn musical theatre techniques by acting, singing and dancing to songs from Broadway shows. The final class features the students in a performance demonstration highlighting musical theatre skills learned.

No experience necessary to attend. All workshops have limited enrollment and are held at Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street).

For registration information, call (337) 433-7323 or visit the Web site at www.childrenstheatre.cc. TJN

Makes one serving. Serve with French fries.

Enjoy! TJN Volume 3 • Issue 6

Although I’ve known local author Curt Iles most of my life, when he asked if I would be interested in an interview to coincide with his latest book Deep Roots, I was overwhelmed.

You see, he is a professional author and I am an emerging writer. As the title suggests, it was not an interview. Instead, it was a plain ol’ country conversation. If you’ve ever wondered what a country writer thinks, perhaps some of Curt’s insight and generosity will shine through in this conversation.

Q: When did you start writing, or has it always been a part of you?

A: “I got my first journal for Christmas in 1973 from my Uncle Bill. He is a renowned painter. I’m about to start journal number 52 next week. He always encouraged me to write. For the next 25 years, I wrote for pure joy and therapy. My first book came out 10 years ago.”

Q: As someone who enjoys using others’ quotes/advice in your books, on your Web site, and on other Internet sites, what is the best advice you’ve been given about writing?

Volume 3 • Issue 6

A: “Write about what you know. I don’t write about Houston or California, I write about our part of life here in the piney woods of Louisiana. Write about what you love, your passion.”

Q: What advice would you offer novice writers?

A: “Become part of a writing group, or especially a critique group. Go to conferences, because a lot of writing is networking, which means meeting people. Read books or blogs about the craft of writing.”

Q: Writers are creative artists because we express ourselves through written words. Do you feel it is important to be a reader as well?

A: “Yes! Good writers are always readers.”

Q: Who are your favorite authors?

A: “Shelby Foote, who has a series about the Civil War, John Grisham, and my absolute favorite is Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird.

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 17

Q: What is your favorite genre?

A: “Well-written history, wellwritten non-fiction, and any books on the craft of writing.”

SAVE THE DATE! League of Women Voters presents Legislative Wrap Up 2011 June 28 • 11:30 a.m.

JOIN UP AND JOIN IN! P.O. Box 180 Lake Charles, LA 70602 www.lwv-lc.org or call (337)474-1864

PAGE 18

JUNE 16, 2011

Q: Although you were reared and still reside in the small community of Dry Creek, your books are sold internationally. How do you feel knowing your words touch people in other countries?

A: “To know that the influence of my writing is impacting others’ lives is very fulfilling.”

Q: As the reader finishes the last page of Deep Roots, what do you hope resonates with them long after they close the book?

A: “I hope they feel it was a satisfying read.”

Q: As a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a friend to many, how do you separate Curt the family man and friend from Curt the writer, storyteller, and author? Or, are these two facets of your life one in the same?

A: “They are definitely one in the same. Here in Dry Creek, peo-

ple keep you humble. I’m a whatyou-see-is-what-you-get kind of guy.”

Q: Since your stories are about people you know, do you brief them beforehand when you include them in your books, or do you keep it to yourself and surprise them?

A: “Only if it’s a very personal story, I’ll share it with the family first and ask their permission to include it. Other than that, I usually keep it to myself and surprise them.”

Q: Since you earn a living by writing, you are a professional.

However, in the beginning, what was the most outrageous advice other professionals gave you which you proved to be inaccurate?

A: “That you cannot make a living as a self-published writer. I think a fear of failure makes people quit, but you have to be resilient.”

Q: How important is emotional support from your family and friends?

A: “It amazes me how supportive DeDe [his wife] is! She has been

with me through the good times and the bad times. All my friends encourage me. I’ve come to realize that most people will enjoy my books, but not all will. And that’s okay, too.”

Q: How important is it to network?

A: “Relationships, friendships, and knowing other people are the keys to anything we do. Several years ago, it would have been impossible for a writer from Dry Creek to market himself and get his books out. I’ve learned to embrace technology because it is vital.”

During our visit, Iles said, “A part of Southern culture is storytelling.” Well, Mr. Iles, no one does it quite like you. To experience Curt’s passionate storytelling, visit his Web site at www.creekbank.net.

Sherry has published over 40 articles. She is currently the president of the Bayou Writers’ Group in Lake Charles. Visit her blog at www.sherryperkins.blogspot.com

TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 6

Story By Lisa Addison Photos by Michelle LaVoie

126 years of combined banking experience. (L-R) Eric Mire, asst. VP/relationship manager; Pam Whiteard, VP/relationship manager; Jeff Lee, VP/relationship manager; Liz Katchur, asst. VP/cash management specialist; Rusty Guidroz, Sr. VP/business banking manager Customers who enjoy doing their banking face to face instead of dealing with a disembodied voice on the phone can head straight to First Federal Bank of Louisiana. You might say it’s the bank where everybody knows your name. Well, maybe not everybody, but if you want that type of friendly but professional banking relationship, this is where you can find it. Think of it as your community bank.

“An advantage we have is that a customer has local people to discuss their business with versus them having to talk to a regional or national office,” said Liz Katchur, assistant vice president and cash management specialist at FFBLA. Katchur, who has worked in the banking industry for 25 years, said customers typically like to be able to “put a face with a name” when conducting business, especially when that business involves their money.

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JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 19

Sr. VP Rusty Guidroz with administrative assistant Amy Richard.

DEEP ROOTS IN LAKE CHARLES FFBLA has deep roots in Lake Charles, dating to July 20, 1949 when the institution was chartered as First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Lake Charles. The founders were Sam M. Richard, president of Gulf National Bank of Lake Charles, and Sam H. Jones, former governor of Louisiana, along with several prominent business and community leaders. First Federal opened its doors on Nov. 1, 1949 in an office located on the second floor of the Gulf National Bank in downtown Lake Charles. A need for more space prompted a move in 1953 to 322 Pujo Street, next to the Pioneer Building (now Lake Charles City Hall).

The bank continued to grow and, in 1958, purchased the property at the corner of Kirby and Moss streets. After several additions to that building, First Federal was growing again and needed space to expand. This time, the institution moved to its current seven-story structure on Lakeshore Drive, which opened its doors in November, 1981. In July of 1998, the bank expanded its services to include the business segment with a full line of business banking products.

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JUNE 16, 2011

BUSINESS BANKING TEAM The business banking team currently consists of the following: Rusty Guidroz, senior vice president/business banking manager; Jeff Lee, vice president/relationship manager; Pam Whiteard, vice president/relationship manager; Eric Mire, assistant vice president/relationship manager; and Liz Katchur, assistant vice president/cash management specialist. This core group of people has 126 combined years of banking experience.

Administrative assistants for the business banking team include Amy Richard; Daphne LeBlanc; Karen Sonnier; and Tammy Murchison.

Cash management assistant is Kim Dubard. Credit analysts include Courtney White and David Breland.

SERVICES AND PRODUCTS What are some of the services and products that FFBLA has available for businesses? Pretty much anything a business owner could conceive of that would make his or her daily work life more manageable and efficient. Features include loans; checking; cash management; small business IRAs; debit/credit cards; ebanking, including online

banking, estatements, and mobile banking.

“First Federal provides custom financing tailored to meet specific business needs. Our loan decisions are made locally, by people you know and trust, which allows for quick decisions and personal consideration,” Rusty Guidroz said.

Business loans include: Real estate loans; • 1-4 family rentals (single unit, duplexes, triplexes); • multi-family (apartment complexes); • owner-occupied facilities (office/warehouses for business owners); investment properties; • development properties (residential/commercial subdivisions);

and specific purpose facilities (churches, restaurants, etc.).

Term loans for non-real estate fixed asset purchases • Financing for replacement or expansion related to furniture, fixtures and equipment.

Lines of credit • Revolving and non-revolving lines designed to assist short-term working capital needs.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

owner navigate through the process of setting up cash management services, answering questions for a customer, or preparing a customized loan package, First Federal’s Business Banking team has you covered.

Asst. VP Liz Katchur and Cash Management Asst./CSR, Kim Dubard.

SBA loans • First Federal is a participating lender with the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) and 504 programs.

First Federal Bank of Louisiana has undergone many changes over the years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is its commitment to its customers and its desire to continue to offer a wide range of ever-improving services to those customers. “I believe that FFBLA has its niche in cash management services. We are not a big bank but a local community bank that offers a suite of cash management services for the small to large client at affordable pricing,” Katchur said. “FFBLA has made many efforts in recent years to implement new and innovative products and services geared towards business and public sectors.”

CASH MANAGEMENT SERVICES For people who may not be familiar with the terminology, what exactly are “cash management services?” The term refers to services that automate manual processes to help a business manage their cash more efficiently. Fees for these services can be offset by balances through account analysis.

Some types of cash management services include: • ACH Origination – Direct Deposit of Payroll, EFTPS Tax Payments, Direct Drafts, bank to bank transfers (tithes, rent, insurance payments.) Utilizing this service could potentially save an employee time driving to the bank to make a deposit; eliminate signing checks and purchasing check stock; and reconciliation is easier.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

• Cash Management Online Banking – Many functions such as supervisor approval and specific user access can be specified by client, such as ACH or wire transfers. If a supervisor needs to approve transfers before they go out, or one user needs to view information only and another send wire transfers in addition to making transfers between different businesses, this can all be customized per client.

• Remote Deposit – Client scans checks to be deposited from a scanner in their office. Utilizing this service can help the customer in the following ways: Potentially saving an employee time driving to the bank to make a deposit; allows funds to be deposited more frequently to increase interest earnings or pay down loans; and checks are scanned and available via a Web site, which means there’s no need to make copies of checks.

• Merchant Services – Sets up merchants to accept credit cards and debit cards.

CONTINUED PROGRESS In today’s fast-paced world of the Internet and information overload, FFBLA has become a leader in providing secure, cutting-edge technology and support for its customers.

In addition to the full line of banking services already provided, FFBLA has investment and insurance opportunities available to individuals and businesses.

Recognized as one of the strongest banks in the country by BauerFinancial, Inc., First Federal plays a major role in the local economy by investing money in the communities it serves. This is the premise on which First Federal was founded and it is the same principle that guides the leadership of Charles V. Timpa, president and CEO and the board of directors under the chairmanship of M.A. Pierson, III.

According to Timpa, FFBLA’s work continues today with one main goal in mind: “Meet the banking needs of our communities.” Timpa believes this forward-thinking growth stands firmly rooted in the bank’s continued strength and stability.

First Federal Bank of Louisiana has 15 locations and various standalone ATMs across Louisiana including Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Moss Bluff, DeRidder, Oberlin, Oakdale, Natchitoches, Alexandria and Pineville.

FFBLA: A local bank for more than 60 years – your community bank. So, why not give the helpful folks at First Federal Bank of Louisiana a call today, or stop by and discuss your banking needs in person. They will be waiting for you.

Lisa Addison has been a writer for more than 30 years. She writes for local, regional and national publications. TJN

WORKING TOGETHER TO SERVE THE CUSTOMERS Of course, not everyone wants all of the bells and whistles of modern technology. Some customers just want the reassurance that their business affairs are being handled properly and that their funds are in the right hands. “In addition to offering cash management services we also cater to our business clients by working closely with them at all times,” Katchur said. “Multiple areas at the bank work as a team to ensure that the client talks to an actual person when they call.”

So, whether it’s helping a business

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 21

hile statistics say the top health threats for men include heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, common screenings can give clues on their risk for development.

“For men who have been in good health, the ages 35 and 40 are usually the years to start basic screenings and continue them every three years,” said Dang Nguyen, MD, family medicine physician with Maplewood Family Medicine Clinic and member of the medical staff at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

“These screenings can give baseline information. Even if that individual doesn’t have a health concern at that time, it can help identify what their ‘normal’ reading is so that in the future, we can compare readings and track any development that may be occurring.”

Screenings are also useful for determining lifestyle changes to slow the advancement of a health problem. If results indicate high cholesterol, or blood pressure, a change in diet can

W

help bring the readings into a normal range.

“Medication may be needed and it may help avoid a full-blown heart attack,” Dr. Nguyen explained. “Information from screenings can help us develop a plan to avoid bigger problems later.”

CHOLESTEROL A cholesterol screening can help estimate the risk of developing heart disease, the number one killer of men. High cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can lead to stroke, so knowing individual levels will help determine if any lifestyle changes are needed.

A normal blood cholesterol level is under 200.

A reading between 200 and 239 is borderline high, and anything 240 or above is high.

BLOOD PRESSURE When blood pressure is high, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, this can also develop into heart disease resulting in a heart attack or stroke. It’s often called the silent killer because there are no symptoms of elevated blood pressure.

A blood pressure check can be done in the doctor’s office, at a health fair, or even at home using a home monitoring device. Blood pressure levels vary depending on activity levels and even time of day. Checking it while at rest and relaxed gives the most accurate reading.

“Because there are no symptoms of high blood pressure, it’s a good idea to check it regularly,” Dr. Nguyen said. “It’s especially important for those who are overweight, have diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease.”

A reading of 120/80 is considered ideal.

120 – 139/80 – 89 indicates pre-hypertension, 140 – 159/90 – 99 is stage 1 hypertension and 160 or more/100 or more is stage 2 hypertension.

PROSTATE CANCER As the most common cancer in American men, other than skin cancer, prostate screening can

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JUNE 16, 2011

play an important role in the treatment of it.

The American Foundation for Urologic Disease recommends a prostate exam for men over age 50. African-American men or men with a family history of prostate troubles should begin regular exams at age 45.

“Many prostate cancers are slow-growing, while others are aggressive,” said Dr Nguyen.

“The screening finds the cancer, but determining its rate of growth is another issue. The best advice is to talk with your doctor and understand the risks and benefits based on your particular situation.”

DIABETES Boys born in 2000 have a one-in-three chance of developing diabetes in their lifetimes, according to WebMD. Diabetes can creep up, with virtually no symptoms in the beginning.

Frequent urination and thirst are often the first things noticed. Excess glucose in the body affects blood vessels and nerves, and in worst cases, can cause heart attacks, stroke and kidney failure for thousands of men.

A blood sugar glucose screening is recommended beginning at age 45, but some experts are calling for that to be lowered to age 30, saying it would prevent a significant number of heart attacks, deaths and diabetes-related health complications.

“Again, talk with your doctor. He or she is familiar with your history and current health condition,” Dr. Nguyen advised.

A reading of 70 – 99 mg/dL after fasting is considered normal. Two hours after eating, the normal range is 70 – 145 mg/dL, and an average reading from a random test without fasting is 70 – 125 mg/dL. Health screenings are important for early detection of diseases or other possible health problems. They’ve played an important role in preventive care for a wide range of common health concerns. A key factor is for individuals to follow up with their doctors after a health screening in order to get the individualized treatment needed.

TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 6

By Jeffrey K. Conrad

Everyone needs a safe place to put their hard-earned money. However, many consumers choose between a credit union and a bank without knowing the difference. We should all be informed and choose the option that best suits our personal preference and financial needs.

Credit unions and banks are similar in that they accept deposits and withdrawals. They both provide loans and offer a wide range of financial services and a variety of checking and savings options to meet your needs.

Credit unions and banks are heavily regulated in order to protect you.

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the key regulator of credit unions, while the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is the key regulator for banks.

In addition to these regulators, both financial institutions are subject to various other regulatory agencies such as the Comptroller of Currency, the Federal Reserve Board and the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. The NCUA insures credit unions and the FDIC insures banks through regulated insurance funds backed by the U.S. Government to guarantee the safety of your deposits up to $250,000.

Despite these similarities, credit unions and banks differ in the way they operate and carry out operations. Credit unions are memberowned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives.

Banks are stockholderowned, for-profit financial corporations.

As a cooperative institution, credit unions are owned and operated by their members. All mem-

bers have equal ownership and voting power. A member-elected, volunteer board of directors oversees the credit union with the members’ benefit as their main concern.

As a financial corporation, banks exist to earn profits. Stockholders own the bank, and their decisionmaking power depends on the amount of stock owned. Banks operate under a paid board of directors for the benefit of their stockholders.

Credit unions and banks distribute their earnings differently. Credit unions return their earnings to all members, which are account holders.

Remember, account holders of credit unions are member-owners. Banks divide earnings among their stockholders, which are owners, not all account holders.

Congress granted credit unions a tax exemption because of their member-owned structure and commitment to financially serving those of modest means. The member-owners, which are all account holders, pay taxes on their interest earned. Banks do not receive a tax exemption because they are a for-profit business, intended to provide earnings to their individual stockholders, which are owners.

When choosing a financial institution, remember that anyone in any city or state can open an account with a bank. Credit unions were created to provide financial products and services to a group of people that share a common bond. This common bond can be living in a certain community, working for a particular company or associating with a specific group.

This limits who is eligible to open an

account at a credit union.

For instance, Pelican State Credit Union was formerly known as the Department of Hospitals Credit Union. All Department of Health and Hospitals employees share the common bond of their workplace and are eligible for membership with Pelican.

Pelican membership is also available to employees of more than 150 private companies across Louisiana who have partnered with the credit union including Amedisys, ABL

Management and Community Coffee.

The key to financial success is to always make informed decisions when it comes to your money.

Remember to research products, rates and locations before choosing your credit union or bank. You should only expect the best from your financial institution. TJN

Jeffrey K. Conrad is the CEO/president of Pelican State Credit Union.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 23

Sponsored by

ker n Shouma

By Brando

The Up-and-Coming Boys of Summer What is your ideal summer vacation like?

A relaxing week in a beachfront condo? A Caribbean cruise? A trip to Disney World?

I think mine would probably be drinking margaritas on a Tybee Island condo balcony overlooking

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JUNE 16, 2011

the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t get me near the water, though. I’m more of a reading and relaxing kind of guy.

Whatever the case may be, your dream summer vacation does not likely include working as a seafood hauler in Orleans, Mass. or a clerk in Victoria, Texas. But, for hundreds of college baseball players looking to impress pro scouts, this is the tradeoff for a summer of playing baseball in the country’s most competitive collegiate wood-bat leagues.

Over 30 leagues, with teams stretching from Azusa, Calif. to

Yarmouth, Mass., invite freshman and sophomore college baseball players to join these summer teams and improve their skills and show them off to roving major league scouts looking for talent.

The players are not compensated in any form, allowing them to keep their amateur status (however the NCAA is defining the word “amateur” this week). This means players board with host families in the community and typically work odd jobs to make pocket money.

The teams themselves are usually funded by sponsors and through 50-

50 raffles, merchandise sales and donations. And, unlike even the college fields most of the players are used to, most summer baseball teams play in, shall we say, more austere facilities.

For example, in the prestigious Cape Cod League, the most famous of the summer baseball leagues, the Orleans (Mass.) Firebirds play at beautiful Eldredge Park on the campus of Nauset Regional Middle School. The Haymarket (Va.) Senators of the Valley Baseball League play at a local high school.

A far cry from the cathedrals of Alex Box Stadium and Disch-Falk, to be sure.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

A lucky few, however, get invited to play in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2006, the CCBL had over 1,000 alumni playing in the Major League Baseball system, with 198 alums playing in the bigs. If that weren’t enough to excite a young baseball prospect, there’s the 68degree June weather on the Cape compared to the roughly 325 degrees (what is that baking smell?) of Southwest Louisiana this past month and the cache of the Freddie Prinze, Jr. movie Summer Catch.

This year, one of those invited to the Cape was former Sulphur High star J.T. Chargois. Chargois, a sophomore at Rice, is playing his summer ball with the Brewster Whitecaps, joining the likes of current Major Leaguers Troy Tulowitski, Ryan Braun and Chase Utley.

Chargois, an all-state selection in high school, hit .308 for the Owls in the regular season this year while contributing as both a first baseman and relief pitcher.

For most players, however, spending your summer playing baseball on the Massachusetts coast is a rare privilege. Most everyone else spends their summer hacking at curveballs and laying down squeeze bunts in towns no bigger than Sulphur.

Not that that’s a bad thing. The less-famous but equally prestigious Jayhawk Collegiate League fields teams from dusty cowtowns all over Kansas. Folks in towns like Hays (Albert Pujols), Hutchinson (Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens) and Liberal (Ron Guidry) can say they were there when some of the biggest stars of the past 40 years were still wetbehind-the-ears kids trying to better their craft. Heck, guys like Pujols and Clemens are more famous now than Old West icons Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, guys whose legends were made in these towns, ever were.

But, while prestige is nice, excellence on the summer league field is the easiest way to get the scouts’ attention. Just ask former McNeese State star Lee Orr. Orr has spent the past two summers with the East Texas Pump Jacks of the Texas Collegiate League, where he has dominated a wood-bat league that also features teams from Alexandria and Lafayette. Orr was the TCL Player of the Year in 2010, hitting .284 with five home runs while stealing 24 bases and throwing out three baserunners from his spot in the outfield.

All of Orr’s hard work under the hot Kilgore, Texas sun paid off this Volume 3 • Issue 6

past week when he was drafted in the 13th round by the San Diego Padres.

This season, including Orr, the TCL features a bumper crop of local baseball talent looking to make a name for themselves with the scouts.

Orr is joined in Kilgore by fellow McNeese State teammates Seth Granger of Iowa and Jaden Dillon.

The Lafayette representative, the Acadiana Cane Cutters, will feature former Barbe grad Juan Rosado (a 34th round draft pick by Pittsburgh this year) and former DeQuincy star

Caleb Kellogg, a pitcher at Louisiana-Lafayette.

Time will tell whether the hard work these guys will be putting in this summer will translate into a selection (or higher selection in the case of Rosado) in next year’s draft.

But, just as I would rather be on the coast with my margarita and book, I’m sure these guys are happy to be out there working to make themselves better, more attractive to the big-league scouts.

Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than seven years for various publications. Coaches Brandon Shoumaker or parents with story tips may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).

TJN

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 25

By Mary Louise Ruehr

Get Dad a Father’s Day Book That You’ll Enjoy, Too If Dad’s a reader, why not wrap up one of these nonfiction wonders for his Father’s Day? (And when he’s not looking, you can read it yourself!)

With the Navy SEALs in the news, the timing couldn’t be better for SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper by Howard E. Wasdin and Stephen Templin. This true-life adventure is filled with tales of danger — in the jungle, ocean, desert, ice caves, Somalia, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Grenada, Iraq and more.

What is SEAL Team Six? “When the U.S. Navy sends their elite, they send the SEALs. When the SEALs send their elite, they send SEAL Team Six, the navy’s equivalent to the army’s Delta Force — tasked with counterterrorism and counterinsurgency,” Wasdin explains.

These are “unconventional warriors … that could operate from sea, air, and land” — hence, the name: SEa, Air and Land.

Wasdin takes us through his training — search and rescue, air crew,

antisubmarine warfare, parachutejumping, sniper craft, hydrographic reconnaissance, skills such as swimming 50 meters under water without breaking the surface and how to “disappear and remain invisible,” and finally, SEAL Team Six training, which includes close quarter combat with live ammunition.

He also writes about his childhood, giving us insight into what led him to the career he chose. And he talks about his personal life before, during and after being a SEAL. This prophetic remark came from his instructor: “If we’d wanted you to have a wife, we would’ve issued you one.” Oops. His marriage was pretty much doomed: “I was married to the Team way more than I was married to her.”

I’m not a person who craves macho action stories, but this book was hard to put down! The missions he describes are edge-of-your-seat stuff, mixed with Wasdin’s earthy sense of humor. You’ll be glad he includes a glossary of terms, because of the military jargon. Adult language.

Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff is a true account of survival in the jungles of New Guinea near PAGE 26

JUNE 16, 2011

the end of World War II. In 1944, an American pilot flying over the island discovered a large, flat, uncharted area in the emerald rain forest, inhabited only by indigenous people living in Stone Age huts. The idea of a heretofore unknown Garden of Eden caught the interest of the world, and two war reporters christened it “Shangri-La” after the valley in James Hilton’s novel, Lost Horizon. People started flying over it, just to get a look, even though it did not offer a good place to land because of the mountains — and oh, yeah, the natives were believed to be cannibals.

On a day in May 1945, two dozen American military personnel, including members of the Women’s Army Corps, boarded a plane to fly over the hidden valley. But the inexperienced pilot crashed the ship into the mountains. The few survivors were injured, had no way to communicate with the outside world, and had few tools to get through the jungle.

Lt. John McCollom recalls, “We were in what was thought to be Volume 3 • Issue 6

headhunter territory, we had no medical supplies, no shelter. We were in the middle of nowhere.” As the survivors watched natives approaching them, McCollom told his companions, “Smile as you’ve never smiled before, and pray to God it works.” What the Americans couldn’t know was that the natives thought the visitors were spirits whose coming was foretold. Was this a good thing, or a bad thing?

Philip Connors penned Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout about the years he spent as a lookout for the Forest Service in New Mexico, in the mountains just north of the Rio Grande. Every year he would stay there five months, with occasional time off to mix with other human beings. His job: Watch.

If there’s smoke, triangulate the location and report it, then let the Forest Service decide whether to put the fire out or to let it burn. Connors writes about different kinds of fires, how to fight a fire, the history of fire-fighting, and fellow lookouts of the past. It is both practical and romantic.

The lookout’s narrative is interspersed with vignettes from the rest of his life — including a funny story

Volume 3 • Issue 6

of courting his wife — and musings about nature and spirituality. He writes, “The life of a lookout, then, is a blend of monotony, geometry, and poetry, with healthy dollops of frivolity and sloth. It’s a life that encourages thrift and self-sufficiency, intimacy with weather and wild creatures. We are paid to master the art of solitude, and we are about as free as working folk can be. To be solitary in such a place and such a way is not to be alone. Instead one

feels a certain kind of dignity.”

I immediately thought of this as a modern-day On Walden Pond.

Connors certainly can be poetic. It’s a slow, pensive read with lovely, honest writing, at once lyrical and spiritual. My kind of book.

Fans of endurance sports will appreciate Hell on Two Wheels by Amy Snyder. The annual Race Across America is a grueling 12-day, 3,000-mile race from Oceanside, Calif., to Annapolis, Md. Snyder’s

book chronicles the day-by-day efforts of the ultradistance cyclists who took the challenge in 2009. Of the 28 solo racers, both men and women, ages 31 to 60, about half would not finish.

The athletes faced torturous conditions, such as these: “Her voice was raspy and hoarse after enduring a raging dust storm in Utah, and her feet and legs were distended with the unmistakable signs of peripheral edema. Her saddle had rubbed her raw over three days ago.” “His barking tendons … screamed with every turn of the pedals.” “Sleep deprivation was also playing with his emotions.” “He was suffering wave upon wave of powerful, almost psychotic hallucinations.”

But then there were moments like this: “At night, the riding seems easier. The still of the night offers a calming, soothing respite. The air is cool and sweet. The roads seem better; rough spots that bother racers in the daytime are passed over unnoticed.”

Copyright © 2011 by Mary Louise Ruehr. TJN

JUNE 16, 2011

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U A B A F N OLY

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Volume 3 • Issue 6

der useum n e l l n E dren's M a D By e Chil f th o r o ct Dire

X- Men: First Class

(20th Century, Marvel) The first X-Men movie started with two characters in their youth, Charles Xavier (Professor X) and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto). X-Men: First Class takes us back to those moments, especially when Erik was separated from his parents in a Nazi concentration camp. His story continues through a horrible interrogation by the Nazis at the hands of none

Volume 3 • Issue 6

other than —- Kevin Bacon! At any rate, as the evil Sebastian Shaw, Mr. Bacon tortures Erik into a bitter soul whose one goal in his adult life is revenge on Kevin Bacon, er, Sebastian Shaw.

Meanwhile, Charles Xavier is enjoying the high life in America with his mind-reading abilities. He meets a shape-changing mutant named Raven (Mystique) in childhood and they develop a platonic brother-sister relationship. (At least, as platonic as it can be between a scaly blue-skinned redhead and a boy who can read her mind.)

Eventually, Charles and Erik meet and learn they are both mutants. First Class, like the earlier episodes in the franchise, deals with mutants and their difference from the rest of

humanity. In this movie, however, the interaction between the bitter Erik and the optimistic, sheltered Charles is the central conflict in the story.

The main plot centers on Sebastian Shaw, who is himself a mutant, trying to start World War III. This sounds like old hat, but you have to realize that Marvel Comics was forever doing stories like this long before the movies got hold of it. In that vein, the movie is all comic book, and works well on that level. Marvel legend Stan Lee was one of the producers of this movie and it shows. Most of First Class takes place in the 60s, and geezers like me will be struck by the persistent accuracy with which the movie portrays the culture of the times. Every scene has the feel of a 60s comic.

And what about the acting? It’s OK. All the actors are young and relatively new, creating a fresh look for the X-Men franchise. The best of them is Magneto/Erik, played by Michael Fassbender. With his chiseled features, he could someday be another Laurence Olivier. On the flip side, Kevin Bacon is not the best choice for Sebastian Shaw. He seems more like a Leisure Suit Larry in a funky helmet.

But the star of this movie has to be the music. Composer Henry Jackman, who has worked with Hans

Zimmer, has taken the feel of musical drama to another level. Remember the dramatic scenes of Inception with the chords that just kept going up and up? Well, imagine a whole movie score like that and you have X-Men: First Class. OK, I’m exaggerating, but basically every dramatic special effect scene in the movie is scored this way.

At times, it seems a little overdone, but remember, this is a comic book story.

Speaking of which, there are more super characters in this Marvel movie than ever before. The film takes some liberties with their comic book back stories, but since when has consistency stopped Stan Lee? By the time the movie ends, we know how Professor X lost the use of his legs, we know why Raven became Mystique, and how the mind-reading machine, Cerebro, was created. Yet it feels like we’ve just scratched the surface of all the interactions and subplots that await.

To those of you who never followed the comics: You have no idea.

Rated PG-13 for one four-letter word, two knives through the hands with screaming, and sexy or sexist costumes, depending on your point of view. TJN

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 29

HEROES FOR HOLDEN ALL-START BENEFIT CONCERT Wow! Holden Gothia received a tremendous outpouring of love and support as friends, family and community members came out to the Burton Coliseum to enjoy live performances from Wayne Toups, Jerry Jeff Walker, Tracy Byrd and others to benefit Holden’s on-going medical expenses. Savory barbeque lunches were served up along with a silent and live auction led by Tommy Carson. One lucky dog drove away in a Ford F-150 from a $100 raffle ticket drawing! Over 600 riders from the rising group OBOTS held a Poker Run as well. This event was the start of something big for victims of child abuse! Way to go, guys!

Blake and Megan Breaski

Jade and Judy Still

Mary Ann Romero with Tommy Coyne and Becky Myers

Brian Bedingfield with daughter

Corporal Smith and Officer Tim Melburn

Kitty Hendon with Teri and Nelson Mire

Charlotte Anderson, Cindy Vallet and Gale Osborne

DOWNTOWN AT SUNDOWN A big party was going on at the downtown merchant’s parking lot on the corner of Broad and Ryan Street Friday evening! Crowds gathered to enjoy the delicious food, shop the showcased local art and jewelry, and shake a leg to the cranking music of City Heat! The City of Lake Charles and the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana are in their 13th season of presenting the Downtown at Sundown event to celebrate the diverse culture and local businesses of downtown Lake Charles. See you next time!

Julianna Ryder and Grace Owen PAGE 30

JUNE 16, 2011

Ginny and Gilbert Fontenot Volume 3 • Issue 6

Sandy Theriot, Linda Shores and Michelle Theriot

Angie Briggs and Katlyn Krob

Cliff Bailey with Bridget Boudreaux

THE BAAK BENEFIT & POKER RUN Over a hundred bike-riding supporters of the 3rd Annual Battered and Abused Kids Benefit and Poker Run revved up their engines on a sunny Saturday morning. The bikers met at Micci’s Lounge, riding on to Mary’s Lounge, Sam’s Cove, and Iron Horse.

Then it was back at 3:30 for delicious food, door prizes, live music, a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Bob Redmon, Katy Corbello from The Jambalaya News, Julie Babineaux and Amy Dunn are just some of the committee members who worked diligently to make the 60-mile ride run smoothly. The Harbour House Shelter for Children is the proud beneficiary of this slamming success of an event. Great job!

John Fontenot and Kathy Honeycutt

Julie and Mike Umberger

Ricky Bergeron with Candace Tate

Lenie Doucet, Rachel Rodriguez and Jessica Singer

Nicole Bellamo and Amy Dunn

Bonita and Winston Mader

Kerri Courmier and Ashley Gatian

Tony Gary and Joel Aguillard

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JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 31

L’AUBERGE’S PARTY BY THE POOL/LIQUID SOCIETY The pool was definitely the place to be this evening at L’Auberge du Lac! Crowds of hip music-lovers were out for some sizzling summer party fun, adult beverages and tasty food as they rocked out to Sick Puppies. DJ Johnny CaGe was in the house, cranking up some entertainment before and after the show, along with the smooth Ladies of L’Auberge. So, in case you didn’t know, from now until mid-August, Thursday nights will really be heating up. You don’t want to miss this wet and wild event! TJN Jonte` DePhillips and Jessica Patanella

Nicole Sullivan, Brent Chattman and Jennifer Towne

Jenett Bearby, Rebecca Lund and Precious Ceasar

Kim Perkins and Gracelyn Miller

Courtney Wood and Christine Hamilton

Big Brothers Big Sisters Seeking Volunteers Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking volunteers to mentor children between the ages of five and 12. Its mission is to help children reach their full potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with caring adult volunteers.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the country’s oldest, largest and most effective volunteer-supported mentoring network that has positively impacted the lives of children. The local agency has served the children, families and communities of Southwest Louisiana for over 30 years, with offices in Lake Charles, DeRidder and Jennings.

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JUNE 16, 2011

The agency offers several mentoring opportunities through community and site-based programs, including: • Community-based, traditional one-to-one; • High school mentoring; • Lunch Buddy; • Faith-based; and • Foster Grandparent For more information on how you can be involved and help a child reach their full potential, please call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, a United Way agency, in Lake Charles (337) 478-5437; DeRidder (337) 460-5437; Jennings (337) 824-4847; or visit www.bbbs-swla.net. TJN Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 30 AMAZING THURSDAY • Story Time Local author Cathy Lowry will read her delightful book How the Crawfish Got Its Shell at 11 a.m. She is a retired elementary school teacher who mixes humor and a moral into this Louisiana tale. The Children’s Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Admission is $7.25 for children and adults. Call (337) 4339420 or visit www.swlakids.org for a complete list of admission fees, memberships and birthday party information.

CATCH A CONCERT EVERY MONDAY IN JUNE The Lake Charles Community Band presents the Catch-A-Concert series every Monday in June. The concerts begin at 7 p.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Arcade Pavilion, with rainy weather plans for the second floor Civic Center Mezzanine. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and a picnic dinner for a relaxing concert at sunset on the lakefront. Conductors Rod Lauderdale and Leo Murray will have traditional dance tunes from around the world, and popular marches and more will be making their way to the stage—so bring your dancing shoes! Each week, there will be a new theme with new songs, so you won’t want to miss a minute! For more information, call 368-6817 or visit facebook.com/LakeCharlesCommunityBand.

JUNE EVENTS AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM School’s out for summer and the Children’s Museum is the coolest place in town! Crafty Tuesdays and Amazing Thursdays are back! We have the following activities planned: JUNE 16 AMAZING THURSDAY • Tae Kwon Do Master Carla Prejean and her Black Belt Academy, Karate for Kids, will give a tae kwon do demonstration at 1 p.m.

JUNE 21 CRAFTY TUESDAY • Painting Snakes Join us to paint wiggly wooden snakes! Classes begin at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 15 children. There is a $1 charge for non-members.

JUNE 23 AMAZING THURSDAY • Water Sports Safety Learn all about water sports safety with Cher Walker, founder of True Blue Watersports! 11 a.m.

JUNE 28 CRAFTY TUESDAY • Patriotic Lanterns Create a patriotic lantern with construction paper and decorate them with stars! Classes begin at 11 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to 15 children.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

NATIONAL JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW JUNE 15-19 The American Junior Red Brangus Association will be hosting their National Junior Livestock Show on June 15-19 at the Burton Coliseum.

More than 100 juniors and their families will converge on the area to exhibit their cattle and participate in numerous leadership and personal enhancement competitions. Many events scheduled for the week include a crawfish harvesting tour, airboat rides, salesmanship contest, showmanship contest, livestock show, costume contest, Quiz Bowl, Ag Olympics, cattle sale, live and silent auctions and a crawfish boil. All of the livestock competitions and sales will be held at the Burton Coliseum while the business meetings and awards banquet will take place at the Isle of Capri Casino. For more information, contact the bureau at (337) 436-9588 or log onto www.visitlakecharles.org.

JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION JUNE 17 Lake Charles’ 16th Annual Juneteenth Celebration will begin at noon on Fri., June 17 at the Civic Center. The event commemorates the day in 1865 when black people in Texas learned about the Emancipation Proclamation.

Live music, hip-hop, and R&B performers will be on the schedule. For more information, call the KZWA-FM office at 491-9955 ext. 17.

FUNDRAISER FOR KEVIN HODGE JUNE 17 Krewe of Illusions and costume designer Kevin Hodge recently had his foot amputated. To raise funds to defray medical expenses incurred by surgery and rehab, there will be fundraiser on June 17. For $6, you can purchase a spaghetti dinner from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. or 5- 7 p.m. at University United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. Dine in or pick up; there will be free delivery for 10 or more orders. Desserts, drinks, and bake sale items will also be available for purchase. For further details, call (337)540-7438 or visit www.swla-fok.com.

CALCASIEU HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY MEETING JUNE 18 “Discover Historic DeQuincy” will be the topic of the June Quarterly Meeting of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society (CHPS) on Sat., June 18 at 10:30 a.m. The meeting will be hosted by the DeQuincy Railroad Museum at the Kansas City Southern Depot. CHPS is Southwest Louisiana’s oldest and largest preservation organization and has pro-

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 33

duced the popular “Palm Sunday Tour of Homes” in Lake Charles for 37 years. The Society manages the “Landmarks Registry,” which recognizes and marks historic structures, sites and features throughout Calcasieu Parish, and promotes historic preservation throughout Southwest Louisiana. The historic Lyons-Mazilly House and Grace /All Saints Chapel will be open for tour as part of the quarterly meeting.

Lake Area residents will have an opportunity to caravan/carpool by meeting at Central School in Lake Charles at 9 a.m. that morning. The meeting is also open to the general public seeking information about historic Calcasieu Parish.

WENDELL SONNIER BENEFIT JUNE 18 Wendell Sonnier, 39, married and the father of three, just lost his courageous battle with lymphoma. There will be a special benefit on Sat., June 18 to raise money to help his family with his medical costs.

The fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. at the Cajun French Music Building at 3481 E. Prien Lake Rd. There will be food, music, live and silent auctions, fun jumps, a water slide for kids and so much more.

For more information, go to Wendell’s Warriors on Facebook.

KISS ME KATE AT ACTS THEATRE THROUGH JUNE 17-19 Tickets are on sale for ACTS Theatre’s last production of the current season, Cole Porter’s Kiss Me Kate. Performances are June 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and June 19 at 3 p.m. Reserved seats tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students ages 18 and under with picture ID. Tickets are on sale at the Civic Center Box Office, Lakeshore Pharmacy on Enterprise Blvd., Expressions on Ryan St. and Moss Bluff Florist. For more information, call 433-2287 or 439-2788, or visit actstheatre.com. Tickets are also available at the theatre box office before each performance.

WILD WEDNESDAYS AT SHANGRI LA JUNE 22 AND 29 Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas is offering hands-on activities and the opportunity to explore the natural world through informative natural history lessons from Shangri La educators. The Summer Series continues to mid-August with a new program topic each Wednesday. Program participants will meet at the Admissions Window at the scheduled event time, 9:30 a.m., with sessions lasting about an hour. All programs are free of charge, but an RSVP is required as space is limited. Call (409) 670-9799 to make a reservation.

15% Senior Discount All Doctors’ Prescriptions Accepted Experienced Professional Staff • Most Insurance Accepted

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JUNE 16, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 22 • Butterfly Gardening Visitors will learn about choosing the right types of nectar and food plants to turn a garden into a buffet for butterflies and caterpillars. This adult-oriented program will begin with a 15-minute presentation in the Discovery Theater and end with quality time in the Children’s Garden.

JUNE 29 • Animal Adventures on the Bayou Take a special Outpost Tour in search of the unique wildlife that surrounds Shangri La. This is a fun adventure for children of all ages.

STELLAR BEANS POETRY BASH JUNE 23 The Stellar Bean Poetry Bash is a unique poetry event that occurs monthly at the Stellar Beans Coffeehouse in downtown Lake Charles.

Each month, a Slam competition is held, with the poems running the gamut from haiku to song lyrics to sonnet to hip hop. For the June 23 show, they need an audience, judges, and performers. Select three of your favorite poems by various poets, and come read them with heart at Stellar Beans. The show begins at 7 p.m., and is free and open to all ages. For more information, check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Stellar-Bean-PoetryBash/172274879463134 or call 564-9682.

IMPRESSIONS OF LAKE CHARLES THROUGH AUG. 1 Artist Tony Forrest was looking for new ideas for his paintings. Then, “Eureka!” A stash of very old photographs inspired a new series of paintings depicting a bygone Lake Charles.

The photographs are from the David H. Levingston collection, a photojournalist who meticulously covered life and times of south Louisiana and east Texas in the early 1900s. The original negatives were stored by granddaughter Charlotte Levingston Metcalf and are now archived and exhibited

by Jeanne Levingston Owens. Tony Forrest realized the historic value and sentimental appeal of the vintage photos and metamorphosed them into brilliant color impressionist scenes of sweeter, simpler, yet harder times. “Impressions of Lake Charles: the Early Years” series is presented by Associated Louisiana Artists (ALA) at the newly renovated Gallery by the Lake at 106 Pryce Street. The show runs through Aug. 1. For more information, call 436-1008 or go to ALA’s Facebook page. TJN

PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS JUNE 24-25 The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) are bucking into Lake Charles on June 24 and 25 for a weekend filled with rank bulls, high scores and big wrecks. The Mike White Invitational PBR Touring Pro Division will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Burton Coliseum on June 24 and 25. The Mike White Invitational PBR Touring Pro Division will showcase some of the most promising rising stars of the PBR, riding alongside fan favorites and veterans, as all the competitors’ face-off against the most famous animal athletes in the business. Fan favorites Mike White and Chris Shivers will also be on hand signing autographs. For information on both, go to www.pbrnow.com. Tickets to this event can be purchased at Meaux’s, Cotten’s and Patton’s or by going to www.mikewhitepbr.com. They range in price from $10, $20, $30 and $50, and coupons are available at the Lake Charles Chevy Dealers. For more information, e-mail debra@mikewhitepbr.com.

MEN’S CITY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 24-26 Mallard Cove Golf Course will host the 34th Annual Lake Charles Men’s City Golf Championship sponsored by IBERIABANK June 24-26.

The entry fee $125, and entry forms can be picked up at all IBERIABANK branch locations in Calcasieu Parish and at Mallard Cove Golf Course. The entry deadline is June 17, or after the first 160 paid entries have been received. The long drive competition takes place on Fri. evening, June 24, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Only players entered into the tournament are allowed to participate. This year, the contest will be held from #1 Tee to allow for the clubhouse patio to be utilized for the gallery. Spectators are welcome. Mallard Cove Golf Course is located at 4300 Mallard Cove Drive at the Chennault International Airport.

For more information, contact Derek Smith, 491-1204.

FIFTH ANNUAL PATRIOT’S BALL JUNE 25 The fifth annual Patriot’s Ball will be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center Contraband Room on June 25. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m., dancing to a live band, and the presentation of Patriots of the Year and Miss Armed Forces. Tickets are $50 per person/$40 for military (active duty, reserve, and National Guard) May be purchased at American Patriot, 604 North Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles (Located at the site of the USS Orleck Naval Museum, Inc.) or online at www.lcpatriot.com. Sponsorships are available. Call (337) 433-4083 for more information.

Add some spice to your life!

The Jambalaya News is looking for a Media Sales Representative.

Full-time position, prior sales experience required.

E-mail resume to lauren@thejambalayanews.com or call (337) 436-7800 ext. 106 for more information.

715 Kirby Street, Lake Charles, 70601 Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 35

To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com

The

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

• Cooley & The Gang @ The Porch, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16 • Pete Bergeron & The Bayou Boys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Frank Comeaux @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• John Cessac @ Cecil’s Cajun Kitchen, DeRidder, 7:30 p.m.

• Jam Sandwich @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.

• O.A.R. @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 8:30 p.m.

• Certain Satellites @ The Porch, 9 p.m.

• DJ CaGe @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 • Lucy In Disguise @ The Porch, 5 p.m.

• Felton LeJeune & The Cajun Cowboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Louisiana FIYA @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m.

• Chasing Scarlett @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Reed Planchard @ Cecil’s Cajun Kitchen, DeRidder, 7:30 p.m.

• Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m.

• Jeff Tyson @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m.

• The Lakeside Gamblers @ The Porch, 9 p.m.

• The Loaded 44erz @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m.

• Krossroadz @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18 • Breakfast with Kris Harper @ The Porch, 10 a.m.

• Al Roger & Louisiana Pride @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Dustin Sonnier & 6-Pack @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m.

• Chasing Scarlett @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Cecil’s Band @ Cecil’s Cajun Kitchen, DeRidder, 7:30 p.m.

• Mel Waiters/Sir Charles Jones @ Delta Event Center, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.

• Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m.

• Jeff Tyson @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m.

• Grayson Capps @ The Porch, 9 p.m.

• Slide Effect @ Bob & Pete’s, Sulphur, 9 p.m.

• Drywater @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m.

• Grunge Factory @ Luna Bar & Grill, 10 p.m.

• Krossroadz @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 19 • Warren Storm/Willie Tee & Cypress @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m.

PAGE 36

JUNE 16, 2011

MONDAY, JUNE 20 • Paul Gonsoulin @ Micci’s, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

• Cooley & The Gang @ The Porch, 8 p.m.

• Paul Gonsoulin @ Luna Bar & Grill, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23 • Ellis Vanicor @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Don Fontenot et les Amis de la Louisiane @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Marty Monte’s Magazine @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.

• Molly Ringwalds @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 8:30 p.m.

• DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24 • Lucy In Disguise @ The Porch, 5 p.m.

• Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Geno Delafosse & French Rockin Boogie @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m.

• ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Pauly Katie @ Huddle Up Sports Bar, 8 p.m.

• Vince Gill @ L’Auberge Event Center, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 8:30 p.m.

• 80 Proof @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m.

• Cold Sweat @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8:30 p.m.

• Bobcat @ The Porch, 9 p.m.

• Chris LeBlanc @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 • Breakfast with Kris Harper @ The Porch, 10 a.m.

• Scotty Pousson & The Pointe aux Loups Playboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Damon Troy & Final Five @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m.

• ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• 80 Proof @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m.

• Charles Mann @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8:30 p.m.

• The Kris Harper Band @ The Porch, 9 p.m.

• Signature @ Bob & Pete’s, Sulphur, 9 p.m.

• Chris LeBlanc @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26 • Foret Tradition @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 27 • Paul Gonsoulin @ Micci’s, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

• Cooley & The Gang @ The Porch, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30 • TBA @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Dustin Ray @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Meagan Tubb & Shady People @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m.

• Brad Brinkley & Comfort Zone @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.

• Puddle of Mudd @ Party by the Pool, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 8:30 p.m.

• DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 1 • TBA @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Lesa Cormier & The Sundown Playboys @ Aucoin’s Cajun Restaurant, Hayes, 7 p.m.

• Travis Matte & The Kingpins @ Yesterday’s, 7 p.m.

• TBA @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• LA Express @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8:30 p.m.

• TBA @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8:30 p.m.

• Rumor Mill @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.

Buford Jordan Will Speak at SWLA HS Sports Hall of Fame Banquet Buford Jordan will serve as the guest speaker for the 2011 SWLA High School Sports Hall of Fame Banquet. Jordan is a former running back for McNeese State University and is a former professional football running back for the New Orleans Saints. Born in Iota, Jordan was a four-time AllSouthland Conference Selection who left McNeese in 1983 as the all-time leading rusher in Louisiana history. He joined the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and was the leading rusher in 1984 with 1276 yards and 8 TDs on the ground.

The 2011 SWLA High School Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will honor six area students.

The selected candidates for this year are Jenna Lee of South Beauregard High School, Brittany Maddox of Fairview

High School, Cameron Meyer of Barbe High School, Evan Powell of Sam Houston High School, Carlee Reeves of East Beauregard High School and Zachary Stone of Barbe High School. The banquet honoring the inductees will be held on Thurs., June 16 at 6:30 pm at Reeves Uptown Catering.

Tickets for the event are $10 each.

A program of United Way of Southwest Louisiana, the SWLA High School Sports Hall of Fame was formed to recognize Southwest Louisiana high school seniors who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics either by virtue of their accomplishments on athletic teams or by meritorious effort on behalf of athletics. For more information, call (337) 433-1088. TJN

MONDAY NIGHTS: Abita Beer Night

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: Mondo Martini Night

THURSDAY NIGHTS: Be Well Night

NEW KITCHEN HOURS: Mon. - Tues. 11 am - 10 pm Wed. - Sat.11 am - 11 pm Closed Sunday

LUNA GOODS ON SALE: Luna Classic Tee $15 Luna Guitar Tee $15 Luna Ball Cap $15 Luna Dressings $6 (16oz.)

Citrus Vinaigrette Balsamic Vinaigrette Raspberry Vinaigrette Cosmic

Wed., June 15 @ 9 pm JOHN GUIDROZ (acoustic) Fri., June 17 @ 9 pm GRAHAM WILKINSON Fri., May 13 @ 9 pm MOONLIGHT TOWERS Sat., June 18 @ 9 pm LINGUS Wed., June 22 @ 9 pm PAUL GONSOULIN (acoustic)

TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 37

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JUNE 16, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 6

whose work she persisted in calling “straight edge” and some other terms I’ve long forgotten, meaning, admirably individual, without benefit of drugs. She’d borrowed the terms from musician-speak, and after a while, the young artist got annoyed because the terms were just plain wrong.

Were, in fact, the kind of thing someone too far outside the group to understand the insider’s lingo would use trying to sound like an insider. Which is the

same reason why I think the term “indie” should not be applied to the youthful members of the Carpe Diem String Quartet. They are in many ways like other chamber music groups.

They just know when it’s time to jump the repertoire track.

Independent? Sure. Indie?

Never. TJN

Killin’ Time Crossword

Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com).

Used with permission.

Volume 3 • Issue 6

JUNE 16, 2011

PAGE 39