VOL. 3, NO. 14 / OCTOBER 6, 2011
• Breast Cancer Survivor Making Strides • PDI of the South: Independence for Your Loves Ones • Get Ready for Blazin’ Fest!
Enjoy an unforgettable and magical evening featuring five community celebrity couples dancing for your entertainment and vying for the “Dancing With The Stars” first place trophy. Live entertainment by Gervis Guidry and band with vocals by Jacqueline Ellis.
DRAWING FOR DOOR PRIZES AND TWO ROUND TRIP TICKETS TO LAS VEGAS, NEVADA! Be mesmerized by the “Champion of the Dance” performed by previous Dancing with the Stars competitors. Share in all the fun and vote for your favorite dance couple in the “You be the Judge” contest.
HONOREES Etta Pete Executive Director, Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia, Inc.
Clarice Raichel Executive Director, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill for SWLA Inc. PAGE 2
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Proceeds will benefit hospice companion care, diabetes community education, educational assistance, nursing scholarships and other charitable requests.
Individual Tickets: $100 Visit platinumandpearlsgala.com Call (337) 562-1140 for Sponsorship Information. Volume 3 • Issue 14
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 James Doyle Dan Ellender Mike McHugh Maria Alcantara Faul 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 BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews
contents
On Cover: Brenda Shelton & Patrick Schaad. Photo by www.monsoursphotography.com
October 6, 2011 • Volume 3 • Issue 14
COVER STORY 25 Healthcare 2000’s Sixth Annual Platinum and Pearls Gala
REGULARS 7 10 12 13 14 30
The Boiling Pot Adoption Corner Tips from Tip Doyle’s Place The Dang Yankee Sports Report
FEATURES 5 Blazin’ Fest 11 Big Brothers Big Sisters: Perfect Match 18 Bayou Biz: PDI of the South 21 Robinson’s Dental: Willie’s New Smile 22 Breast Cancer Survivor Making Strides
ENTERTAINMENT 32 34 35 37 40 44 46 47
Red Hot Books Funbolaya Family Night at the Movies Society Spice Jambalaya Jam Local Jam Eclectic Company Killin’ Time Crossword
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35 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 14
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We are now accepting credit cards! OCTOBER 6, 2011
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A Note From Lauren There’ll Be a Change in the Weather
After a long, hot Southern summer (which I love but I know most of you can’t tolerate), autumn is now here, bringing with it cooler temperatures, the annual puzzling football hysteria that I guess I will never get, and the smell of gumbo wafting on the fall breezes. I’ll admit the cool air is refreshing, although last night, the temperature dropped to 48 degrees, tying the record for an all-time low that was set in 1984. This does not bode well for the winter months to come. I’m tired of replacing palm trees every spring. But the cooler it gets, the less the chance of a late-season hurricane hitting the Gulf. And we can all be thankful for that. Still, it doesn’t feel much like autumn here, at least, not compared to New England. There, autumn has an essence all its own, probably because it’s the last glorious gasp of beauty before the dreaded dark season of winter sets in. A New England autumn smells like rich damp earth and apples and the smoke from bonfires. And I
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always associate it with the smell of new shoes, because they were one of the few apparel items we could purchase for going back to school. As parochial school students, we wore uniforms, so we didn’t have the luxury of buying clothes for school, other than shoes and coats. So they were extra special to us. In sophomore biology class, one of our first assignments was to make a leaf scrapbook. We were instructed to find various leaves, press them, place them artfully in a scrapbook and write a detailed description of each leaf, including the Latin name, in fountain pen. Not just any fountain pen would do; it had to be a specific pen with specific ink, and nothing else would suffice. Our biology teacher, Mr. Cucchiara, was eccentric, to say the least, and everything had to be done in a certain way or it would be the end of the world. He would take off his glasses, blink very, very slowly as he stared at you with his large bug eyes, and then, in a voice trembling with anger and personal outrage, ask why you didn’t do what you were supposed to do. Occasionally, some of the bolder students would deliber-
ately do something to mess him up, just so we could all sit back and watch him lose it. One time, he burst into tears when he overheard someone call him “Cooch,” which was our name for him behind his back. Ah, school days. At any rate, this leaf assignment took place in the fall, so there were plenty of leaves lying around, even in the city. But every October, usually over Columbus Day weekend, my family would go up to Newfound Lake, New Hampshire, where my cousins had a delightful lakefront cottage. My father would help George prepare the house for the winter while my mother and Gilda made delicious meals in that adorable country kitchen paneled in knotty pine, starting with huge breakfasts. This particular year, I hiked around the lake and found all sorts of wonderful leaves that I couldn’t identify without help from a handbook. I ended up getting an A for my efforts from the persnickety Cooch, who was duly impressed by my efforts to actually go out of state to complete my assignment. I will never forget those autumn
weekends. My cousin Amy and I would sneak through the woods at night and meet up with the locals for some country adventures, which mostly involved beer and cigarettes and other teenage shenanigans. To this day, when I think of fall, I remember the smell of pine trees at night, the sound of gentle water lapping on the shores of a mountain lake, the crunch of leaves underfoot and the warm glow of the porch lights from the cottages on the shore. Happy autumn, dear readers.
– Lauren de Albuquerque TJN
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By Maria Alcantara Faul Calling all truck buffs, and everyone who just wants to pass a good time! BlazinFest3 Truck Show and Jambalaya Cook-Off is set to take place Sat., Nov. 5 from 2– 5 p.m. Organized by Blazin Truck Parts & Accessories LLC, the event started off as a customer appreciation event of sorts for Blazin Truck. “We invited friends and vendors to our grand opening party in 2009,” said Sabrina McCoy, owner of Blazin Truck Parts & Accessories and organizer of the BlazinFest. “We had lots of food, music, and fun.” The event was so successful that after the grand opening, customers encouraged them to do a truck show. In 2010, the first BlazinFest Truck Show took place. Approximately 30 big rigs and trucks from throughout the area came to that year’s event to show off their vehicles. “These guys put a lot
of work and money in their trucks,” said McCoy. “The show was the perfect venue for them to do this. The event also gave the truckers a chance to spend some time and visit with their fellow drivers.” Trucks participating in the show are judged in six different categories. Trophies await the winners for this year’s Best Truck & Trailer Combo; Custom Paint & Graphics; Best of Show 1990 plus; Best of Show Pre 1990; and People’s Choice awards. Participating trucks will be moving in Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon. Participants are encouraged to coming early so they can get a good spot. Everything will be staged by 1 p.m. and judging starts promptly at 2 p.m.
Winners do not receive any cash prizes, but there are major bragging rights involved. Aside from the Truck Show, this year’s event will feature live music by the Bernie Allen Band, mouth-watering food and activities for children, as well as several trucking industry vendors who will have information on the latest design trends in truck parts and accessories. “Spectators can check out the latest and greatest in trucking accessories,” McCoy said. New this year is the event’s Jambalaya Cook-Off. “Our
area is known for it great food, and we wanted this to be a part of the celebration,” she said. Celebrity judges will be choosing the first and second place winners, and spectators will be selecting the recipient of the People’s Choice award for the cook-off. The fun-filled event also aims to raise awareness on a very important issue— Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the central nervous system. It occurs when certain nerve cells (neurons) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra die or become impaired. Normally, these cells produce a vital chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine allows smooth, coordinated function of the body’s muscles and movement. When approximately 80 percent of the
Short on time? We can help! Phone in Your Order for Take Out — CALL 337-474-4700. Volume 3 • Issue 14
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Sabrina McCoy dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson disease appear. Parkinson affects an estimated 1.5 million people in North America, affecting both men and women in equal numbers. After Alzheimer’s, Parkinson is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Most common symptoms include tremor, slowness of movement, rigidity and difficulty with balance. Other symptoms may also include cramped handwriting; stiff facial expression, shuffling walk, muffled speech and depression. It shows no social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries. In the United States, it is estimated that 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, joining the 1.5 million Americans who currently have Parkinson disease. While the condition usually develops after the age of 65, 15 percent of those diagnosed are under 50. McCoy’s mother, Danita LeBleu, has been suffering from Parkinson’s disease for over 10 years. “There is just not enough awareness about Parkinson’s in the area,” McCoy said. “We hope to be able to raise the level of awareness through this event.” Proceeds from the event will benefit the Parkinson Association of the South, a 501(c) 3 organization that seeks to educate and encourage those affected by Parkinson, their caregivers, and the general public. Located in downtown Lake Charles, this foundation is dedicated to promoting awareness for Parkinson disease and improving the quality of life of those affected. It aims to aid in the fight to find a cure by raising funds for research and support and educating the general public of the syndrome and its effects. All of the fun, entertainment, and education will be held at Blazin Truck Parts and Accessories lot at 5925 Wright Road in Lake Charles. So come out, join the fun, and support a worthy cause! To register, or for more information about the event, call (337) 310-7278 or send an e-mail to sales@blazintruck.com. For more information about the Parkinson Association of the South, e-mail info@eljayfd.org. TJN PAGE 6
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Volume 3 • Issue 14
The
Boiling
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Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com
SGT. HARRELL GRADUATES FROM FBI ACADEMY The Lake Charles Police Department is proud to recognize Sergeant Richard Harrell as a graduate of the 246th Session of the FBI National Academy Program in Quantico, Virginia. Sergeant Harrell has been a member of the LCPD for 17 years, serving as a patrol officer and patrol supervisor, and is currently assigned to the Violent Crimes Division as a criminal investigator. Detective Harrell was a charter member of the Lake Charles Police Department’s Special Response Team, and currently serves as the president of the Lake Charles Police Officer’s Association and VP of the Louisiana Union of Police Association. Sgt. Harrell resides in Sulphur with his wife Geraldine and son Jack.
Sgt. Richard Harrell
CFO WELCOMES NEW HAND AND WRIST SPECIALIST Andrew Foret, MD, hand surgeon, has joined the medical staff of Center for Orthopaedics. Dr. Foret is from Lake Charles and earned his undergraduate degree from LSU in Baton Rouge, and his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. Andrew Foret He completed a residency in general surgery at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon, and a fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. During his residency, he was named Resident of the Year. Dr. Foret specializes in hand and wrist surgery and treatment. He will be seeing patients in the Lake Charles, Sulphur and DeRidder offices of Center for Orthopaedics. Call 721-7236 to schedule an appointment. MSU AND CHRISTUS ST. PATRICK PARTNERING FOR EMPLOYEE WELLNESS Kelly Darbonne, RCEP, of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital has been named the health educator for McNeese State University. Her role will focus on improving the health and well-being of McNeese employees and their families. Darbonne joined CHRISTUS St. Patrick in 2001 as an exercise specialist in cardiac rehab. She earned her bachelor’s and Kelly Darbonne master’s degrees from McNeese State University and also earned her certification as a registered clinical exercise physiologist through the American college of sports medicine. This partnership with CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital is part of a comprehensive benefits package designed to help McNeese employees make educated, healthy choices. Volume 3 • Issue 14
From left, Dr. Ray Miles, dean of the college of liberal arts, Dr. Scott Goins, professor of classics, Dr. Cash, McNeese President Dr. Philip Williams, and provost and VP for academic and student affairs Dr. Jeanne Daboval. McNeese Photo
DR. JOE CASH HONORED WITH PROFESSOR EMERITUS STATUS Dr. Joe Cash, retired chair of the Department of English and Foreign Languages at McNeese State University, was recently honored by the university with Professor Emeritus status. A native of Knox City, Texas, Cash received his bachelor of arts degree in English from Abilene Christian University and both his master of arts and doctorate degrees in English from Texas Tech University. In 1972, Cash joined the faculty of McNeese where he provided 38 years of outstanding service to the university as a faculty member and department chair (23 years) until his retirement in July 2010. He taught English and comparative literature, with a specialization in 19th and 20th century British literature. He and his wife, Lydia, recently established the Joe and Lydia Cash Endowed Lecture in Literature and Culture series with a $10,000 gift through the McNeese Foundation to fund an annual lecture series on literature. ERIKA SIMON NAMED CHILD FORENSIC INTERVIEWER Erika Simon, senior coordinator and forensic interviewer of Family & Youth’s Children’s Advocacy Center, was recently named a Diplomate Child Forensic Interviewer by The National Association of Certified Child Forensic Interviewers, the second person certified in Louisiana. The NACCFI was established in 2006 on the principle that conducting child forensic interviews should only be performed by
Erika Simon
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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properly trained and credentialed professionals. Simon joined the joined Family & Youth in 2006. As senior coordinator of the Children’s Advocacy Center and Forensic Interviewer, she coordinates day-to-day operations of the Children’s Advocacy Center, serves the children and families, and performs forensic interviewing of children. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. She is married to Marcus Simon and they have two sons. CALCASIEU PARISH WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Loree L. Smith, Family Involvement coordinator and all the Title I Family Involvement Teams won a 2011 Partnership District Award from the National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) at Johns Hopkins University. This is Calcasieu’s second annual Partnership District Award— evidence of a strong commitment to improving school, family, and community partnerships. Calcasieu Parish had six schools that received awards for Promising Partnership Practices for 2011: Dolby Elementary, Gillis Elementary, Henry Heights Elementary, A.A. Nelson Elementary, T.H. Watkins Elementary, and Westwood Elementary. FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN DERIDDER RECEIVES HIGHEST RATING First National Bank in DeRidder received the superior five-star rating from Bauer Financial, Inc., the nation’s leading bank rating and research firm. FNB in DeRidder has earned this rating for the last 91 consecutive quarters, earning a place in the Sustained Superiority Banks category, according to Bauer Financial. Only three percent of the nation’s banks have this distinction. First National Bank in DeRidder was established in 1934; it has four locations in DeRidder and recently opened a mortgage lending office in Lake Charles. ASHLEY CAGLE RECEIVES MANUAL THERAPY CERTIFICATION Ashley Cagle, PT, DPT, MTC, a physical therapist with Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, recently received certification in manual therapy from the prestigious Paris Institute at the University of St. Augustine. With this certification, Cagle is able to assist the patient through rehabilitation through the use of techniques such as muscle and joint manipulaAshley Cagle tion and mobilization, soft tissue massage and stretching. Cagle is the first physical therapist in Southwest Louisiana to receive this certification. Cagle joined the Memorial staff in 2010. She received her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana College, and her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine. For more information on manual therapy, call Memorial Outpatient Therapy at (337) 494-2556. DEQUINCY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WELCOMES STATE SENATOR WILLIE MOUNT Senator Willie L. Mount made several visits throughout the city of DeQuincy recently. The staff of DeQuincy Memorial Hospital, JCE Healthcare Board Members, Mayor Lawrence Henagan and members of the community joined her for a Meet & Greet Reception in the dining room of the local hospital. Senator Willie Mount is seeking the office of Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor in the upcoming election held in October this year. She is a native of Lake Charles and served for over six years as Lake Charles’ first female mayor before being elected to serve in the State Capitol. She is currently serving her third and final term in the State Senate until 2012. ARTS AND HUMANITIES BOARD SELECTED FOR 2011-2012 The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana is proud to announce that Paula Mosca Gillard of Lake Charles was appointed as its board president for 2011 to 2012 during its annual meeting recently. Gillard manages the City of Lake Charles Print Shop. A new Arts Council Executive Committee was also inducted with Jason Martinez (Iberia Bank) as First Vice President, Mindy Schwarzauer (The O’Carroll Group) as Second Vice President, Amanda White (SWLA Economic Chamber Alliance) as Treasurer, and Sally Cappel (artist) as Secretary. The board of PAGE 8
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directors also approved the initiation of twelve new members: James Babin (ASI Office Systems), Jason Barnes (Calcasieu Parish Police Jury), John Boykin (self), Jessilyn Burge (L’Auberge du Lac), Mary Donaldson (artist), Katie Harrington (Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana), Jordan LeLeux (Bolton Ford), Shonda Manuel (Healthy Image Marketing Agency), Chantelle Richardson (City of Lake Charles, Americorp), Tom Shea (The Sanchez Law Firm), Sharon Steinman (former Symphony president), and Mia Vick (McFatter Insurance). PICKETT JOINS WCCH’S RURAL HEALTH CLINIC TEAM West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital announces the addition of Pike Pickett, APRN, adult nurse practitioner, to its team of medical practitioners at the Vinton Medical Clinic and Hackberry Rural Health Clinic. Pickett will see patients in the Vinton clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of each week. He will see patients in Hackberry on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. – noon. A native of Vinton, Pickett recently received a master’s degree in nursing from McNeese State University. He will join Julie Pike Pickett Galley, CFNP, and Lance Waldemeir, CFNP, in caring for the residents of the Vinton and Hackberry communities. Pickett is a resident of Sulphur and is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners. ENTERGY GIVES BACK Entergy recently donated $30,000 as part of it’s ongoing support to the SWLA Alliance Foundation’s SWLA on the Move five-year campaign. The current plan of work under the campaign is to address the critical issues facing our region: workforce development, business recruitment, business retention and expansion, regional marketing, and building a single voice for a true regional partnership. The Chamber and the SWLA Alliance Foundation are part of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. BRAD W. LEBERT, MD, OPENS SWLA EAR, NOSE AND THROAT Lake Charles Memorial Hospital welcomes otolaryngologist Brad W. LeBert, MD, and his practice, Southwest Louisiana Ear, Nose and Throat, located at 1890 W. Gauthier Road, Suite 205. A Lake Charles native, Dr. LeBert graduated magna cum laude from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge with a degree in zoology, and a minor in psychology. He then went on to earn his medical degree from LSU Dr. Brad W. LeBert School of Medicine in New Orleans. Dr. LeBert provides comprehensive care in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of ear, nose and throat conditions. These include, but are not limited to sinus disease, tinnitus, ear infections, tonsilar conditions, as well as facial reconstruction. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call Southwest Louisiana Ear, Nose and Throat at (337) 480-5595. BRANCH OUT AND GROW GRANTS The Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. is proud to offer Branch Out and Grow Grants to educators and other non-profit organizations. The purpose of these educational grants is to support excellence in teaching by awarding grants for innovative projects that otherwise would not be provided for in school budgets. Grant applications are also available for local projects where Junior League volunteers are not placed. Specifically, requests that serve the community by strengthening and enriching families are considered first. Please visit www.jllc.net for more information and to download an application. The deadline for submission is November 11, 2011. TJN
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Animal Services Cuts Adoption Costs in Honor of Adopt-a-Dog Month
Meet Breeze This month, Calcasieu Parish Animal Services will reduce their adoption fees for all dogs to $50 to celebrate the American Humane Association’s “Adopt-a-Dog Month.” The fee includes spaying/neutering, worming, Heartworm Occult test (if dog is six months or older), DHLPP/Bordetella & Rabies Vaccination, license tag and microchipping. Calcasieu Parish Animal Services encourages citizens to consider rescuing a shelter dog when thinking of adding a pet to their family. Often known as “man’s best
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friend,” dogs can be great exercise buddies, companions for senior citizens, helpful in therapy or simply a furry face to welcome you home after a hard day at work. Calcasieu Parish Animal Services & Adoption Center is located at 5500 A Swift Plant Road in Lake Charles, open between noon 5:30 p.m., Mon. – Fri. Visitors are invited to meet the many amazing dogs now available for adoption. More information about Calcasieu Parish Animal Services is available at www.cppj.net or by calling their main number at 721-3730. TJN
“HELLO! I‘m ready to go to my new home. I think that new home might be with you. All you have to do is come meet me and let me give you a big sloppy kiss!” Breeze is a gorgeous blue-eyed Catahoula. She is a playful, healthy, well-behaved girl who loves other dogs, but prefers female human companionship. She’s a bit shy around the guys, but warms up when she gets to know you. Breeze has perfect house manners, as she has always lived inside, but played outdoors. She also loves car rides and is such a easy rider. This is a well-trained, sociable dog. You can reach Breeze’s foster Martha at (337) 228-7675, or you can call Wanda at (337) 661-9132 for more information.
An adoption application can be found online at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com and faxed to (337) 558-6331 or emailed to fourpawssociety@aol.com. Hurry! Breeze is waiting! TJN
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA: Big Sister Stephanie Dubard/Little Sister Chloey Big Sister Stephanie Dubard looks back and wonders where the time has gone. “When I was first matched with my Little Sister Chloey, I thought seeing her twice a month would be easy,” she said. “Then you realize every other weekend comes sooner than you expected. Then you grow to the next step, where spending time with your Little comes naturally. The agency asks you to commit for one year, then that year becomes two and the days continue to pass and our relationship continues to grow.” Dubard considers herself lucky to have had a nice childhood with both of her parents, and was motivated to join Big Brothers Big Sisters, knowing that if nothing else, she could be a friend to someone. “I didn’t know this or her at the time, but Chloey was my motivation—God knows what he’s doing,” she said. Over the last two and a half years, the two have enjoyed getting to know each other through various activities. They enjoy going to the movies, the Sulphur water park, Putt Putt, bowling, Movies Under the Stars, walking the mall and riding in the Children’s Mardi Gras parade with the Krewe
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Du Lac. Chloey also loves looking at the pets at local pet stores. “We like to try different restaurants, but our favorite is the soup, salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden, you know, ‘when you’re here you’re family,’” laughed Dubard. “But what I enjoy most is just hanging out with Chloey.” Dubard has two special memories of her Little Sister. “The first time we met, we got ice cream and went to Pinederosa Park,” she said. ‘We’ve since gone back for picnics. Second, we went fishing and Chloey caught her first fish.” They also recently attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters “Back To School Bash: Wii Tournament” where the kids received school supplies compliments of Pepsi. “The Big Brothers Big Sisters activity was a great event and we both enjoyed hanging out with other ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles,’” Dubard said. “We plan to attend more in the years to come.” What’s really wonderful is that both families get along great. “We eat at each other’s homes for the holidays and special occasions,” Dubard said. “Chloey also enjoys playing video games with my husband Danny. We always try to include each other in different activities between work and
family functions, such as a crawfish boil with my husband’s job or bowling in Bowl For Kids’ Sake with my employer Jeff Davis Bank, to Thanksgiving dinner.” Dubard and her husband are expecting their first baby, a girl, Jolene. Dubard and Chloey have had a great time getting ready for the arrival and Chloey is looking forward to being an aunt. As the due date nears, they’re both getting anxious and excited. “Being a Big Sister has definitely changed my life,” Dubard said. “I honestly thought a special satisfaction would be felt and it was, but my relationship with Chloey has grown so much, that she truly is the little sister I never had. I know how much I have gotten and continue to get from being a Big Sister. I just hope she is getting the same, if not more. I love Chloey!” For more information on how you can start something big, please call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, a United Way agency, in Lake Charles, 478-5437; DeRidder, 460-5437; or Jennings, 824-4847. Think of the possibilities—what will you start? TJN
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Rouge et Blanc Needs Volunteers The Rouge et Blanc Food and Wine Event is looking for volunteers. The event takes place on Sat., Oct. 15, on the grounds of the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse and the 1911 Historic Arts. Volunteers are needed for various shifts between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The event is the only fundraiser for the Banners Cultural Series at McNeese State University. Money raised from this event helps bring arts and humanities events into the area, and also helps support a K-12 arts outreach program that reaches 60 schools. Sign up by calling the Banners Series office at 337-475-5123 or going online at www.rougeetblanc.us. Assignments include both pre-event and during-event tasks. Prior to the event, help is needed to put up tables, put on tablecloths, hang signs and generally prepare for the event. Volunteers during the event will have duties such as pouring wine, keeping the restaurants supplied and recycling. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt and will be fed in a “green room” and cannot participate in the event. For more information, go to the website at www.rougeetblanc.us. TJN
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
By George “Tip” Cline
WE’RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT On a brief out-of-town stay recently, we encountered three couples from England. They were on holiday (their term for it) touring Louisiana. This group of friends has been coming to the United States for over ten years, and selected Louisiana as the chosen location for the last few visits, as they found Louisianans more warm and friendly than people of other areas. Unhappy with the “rude treatment” (their words) they received in other parts of our country, they enjoy our joie de vivre, our sense of laissez les bon temps rouler, our warm way of just being. They take great interest in touring our historic sites, sampling our gastronomic delights (turtle soup was mentioned as a favorite) and partaking of our laid-back way of life. We must be doing something right if overseas tourists are making Louisiana their repeated destination of choice. We should strive to preserve what we have and cherish our lifestyle, as it is apparent that we have something very special here. GIVE US A BREAK Don’t you find it interesting that as oil prices rise, the price you pay at the gas pump jumps up almost immediately, while declining oil prices are painstakingly slow in showing the change to reduce your cost? There is little interest in giving us consumers the break we deserve.
Make a mental note of the merchants that act in our favor and the ones who make little effort to be fair. All businesses need to make a profit to survive, but those that never give their customer due consideration and continually takes maximum advantage of them can only be punished if you take your business elsewhere. PASSION Passion. You must have a passion for something in your life and if you haven’t found it yet, start looking. Passion is what makes the journey worthwhile. Passion is the focus of your inner self, your reason to be. Your passion may change as you pass through the different stages of your life, but the need for your passion will always be a part of you. It may be a hobby, it may be volunteer work, and some may selfishly focus on their own personal greed as their passion. It makes no difference which direction it takes; as long as it’s there, it will be your driven self—like a child possessed with a favorite blanket, a youth with his Playstation, the need for a passion will always exist in the fulfillment of your life. There is no price comparison for this issue as I was out of pocket when I usually make my rounds, but stay tuned—I will have some data for the next issue. TJN
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oyle By Jim D
Rugby Remembered We’re all familiar with the undeniable fact that we and our British cousins are divided by a common language. A heavy sports weekend has, for me, sharpened our cultural distinctions. Here, we’re in the middle of college and NFL football, the playoffs and World Series in baseball, and the upcoming start of practice in college basketball. But the rest of the English-speaking world, and, increasingly, European countries like Italy and France, are in the middle of the Rugby World Cup. I took a timeout from the Saints’ fairly easy road game over the weekend to watch the beginning of a World Cup match between New Zealand and Canada, and remembered fondly my attachment for the sport, formed in multiple trips to England, many beers discussing the relative merits of, say, Fiji and Swaziland, club rugby involving one of my best friends, Nick Brown, and the inevitable team drinking party after the match, which, shall we say, requires more all-American skill than the sport itself. I once had occasion to toast Brown, at his wedding in fact, and thanked him for introducing me to the sport. However, in watching Brown play, I had the idea the object of the game was to run away from the ball and avoid contact with other players at all costs. Brown took umbrage to this description, of course, but I happened to have photographic proof: a picture of a soaking wet Brown dragging his far-too-old body off the rugby pitch after a particularly Volume 3 • Issue 14
chastening exercise on a muddy field in Kent. Throughout the English-speaking world, the sport truly has an international following. So it’s not unusual to see the traditional “Haka,” a pre-game ritual based on a Maori war chant performed by the New Zealand national team, the All-Blacks, on a pub wall in the City of London financial district. And my English friends on Facebook commented this week on Ireland’s win over Italy (they don’t like Italians much) and, of course, they always love to see the French lose. For a recent demonstration of rugby fanaticism, see the wonderful movie Invictus which covered the South African Springboks and their win of the Cup in 1997 in Johannesburg. Then there’s the post-game show. I once attended an 8 a.m. game in Canterbury to see Brown sort of play rugby with his club, which was called the Stoats. A stoat is a fairly evil little creature that hangs out in the hedgerows throughout the Kentish countryside surrounding the cathedral town. It was cold, wet, and nasty, the flip side to Thomas Hobbes’ 17th-century description of the average English life as nasty, brutish, and short. Brown had promised me breakfast, which I eagerly awaited on this particular day, and found out when I got there that his idea of a morning repast was my own personal flask of bourbon. I don’t drink bourbon. However, hunger and the coming cold combined (conspired?) to encourage me to choke it down. Things went south from there.
By the time we made it to The Old Locomotive, the pub on a corner downtown directly across from the train station (which will be relevant later), I had consumed all the bourbon, a few odd beers, and a bag of crisps (potato chips). We had been promised food at the pub, but all the team members got to it first and I was left wanting like a character in a Dickens orphanage. The last clear thing I remember from that adventure was an episode crowning the Man of the Match, who was celebrated not for his prowess on the field, but for spending the night before with a less than attractive female partner. He was hoisted up on a tabletop, stripped naked, covered in beer and tossed out the back door. This was winter, very cold outside, and the only way he could get back to what was left of his clothes (most had burned when thrown on top of a candle) was to circle the block and bang on the locked front door. While he did this, a trainload of tourists unloaded up the street. Then there are, of course, the rugby songs, which include such
hits as “I Don’t Want to Join the Army,” “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” and other unmentionable titles with equally unmentionable lyrics. My musician son Stratton picked up on a couple of these when he was in middle school, leading a whole subgroup of American youngsters in celebrating the finer points of the game. As for this weekend’s games, the All-Blacks crushed Canada, and the United States Eagles, while playing very well in a competitive sport, were eliminated. Oh well, we can’t be outstanding at everything. And judging by the pickup game I once saw in Hyde Park on a Sunday afternoon, the Brits won’t catch up with us in REAL football for the next century or so. Among us and our cousins, spectator sports provide an outlet and a social opportunity. Casey at the Bat is just a rugby team with a bad run. I hope your team won this weekend and put a smile on your face. See you on the flip. TJN
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
Tequila Sunset I discovered many new and wonderful things during my recent trip to Mexico, not least of which were the native animals. There, I encountered such creatures as spider monkeys, iguanas, and flamingos; the latter of whom I had previously believed were indigenous only to trailer parks. One of the most fascinating of said critters are the coatimundis, and the grounds of our resort teemed with them. I was told they are related to the raccoon, and judging from their anteater-like snouts and slender tails, I’d guess that they evolved from a group of normal raccoons that were used in a tug of war between two rival logging camps. They are not shy animals, and we were warned not to feed them or to open our patio doors if we heard scratching late at night, for fear that they would try to sell us Amway products. But enough about Mexican wildlife. I really want to cover the wild adventures of our swashbuckling band during our foray South of the Border. Our first order of monkey business was a dinner cruise aboard a replica pirate ship. Along for the voyage was my editor, Lauren. On solid ground, she proves herself to be stalwart lass, routinely having writers drawn and quartered for minor grammatical errors. At sea, however, I found that she tends to exhibit a little less of that same character. As the sea voyage progressed, her face turned as green as the seaweed clinging to the side of the ship. The vessel was manned with a crew of good-natured buccaneers, whose primary aim, it seemed, was to get the passengers good and loaded. They proved themselves to be quite efficient at this, bringing us trays stacked upon trays of unidentifiable adult beverages. The drinks may have contained squid spit for all we knew, but we didn’t really care. Among the passengers were two certain ladies who apparently con-
sumed more than their share of squid spit, and the main deck quickly cleared of other revelers when they started to get down. These particular gals, both anatomically blessed, gave me a bit of a scare, fearing that the good ship might capsize in the event of a coordinated turn to starboard. Fortunately, due to the crew’s competency at their task, these girls found themselves in no position to pull off such a move, and all hands survived the ordeal. Now, a wise pirate would never tempt fate so soon after such an experience, but then, nobody ever accused us of being wise. So, the very next day, we were all off for a bit of zip-lining through the Yucatan jungle. This is an activity where you climb to the top of tall towers, only to jump off them while dangling from a cable, which, for all I know, is constructed, of the same material as a cheap pair of fishnet stockings. This is not a pursuit for the weakstomached, so I exercised unusual self-control, refusing the champagne cocktails that the friendly resort staff continually attempted to foist upon us during breakfast. It was either that or risk leaving vital internal organs on the jungle floor at the end of my ride. This, I figured, is how the coatimundis get their sustenance, in addition to the Amway commissions. All was well with our merry group of zip-liners until we zipped to a tower that was a little bit different than the others. The only way to get from this tower to the next was to go down a 200-foot waterslide. Instead of zipping, we would be whooshing down a torturous slide, twisting and turning until we were jettisoned into the ice-cold waters of an underground cavern created during prehistoric times when Andy Rooney was cutting his first teeth. Unfortunately, Lauren was with us, and as I’ve inferred, Lauren doesn’t do Volume 3 • Issue 14
water. But there was no way she could get to the next tower unless she went down that slide. Perhaps she should have had those champagne cocktails for breakfast. At any rate, down she went, and that was the last we saw of her on the zip-lining trail. Once she finished coughing up several gallons of prehistoric water, commandos in jeeps were called in to remove her from the jungle and transport her to the relative safety of the gift shop, where she proceeded to perform daring and dangerous exploits on her credit card.
As our illustrious tour guide, Phil arranged for us to play the role of pirates in our resort’s production of Peter Pan. So, we all showed up in costume about an hour before the show for the rehearsal, which pretty much consisted of us drinking, as if we needed the practice. Still, we were intent on getting things right, and so we practiced intently until the curtain rose. That’s when reality set in, and it became clear that Phil’s plan was not going to happen. After the first few minutes, the reason became equally clear. Compared to the perfectly
sculpted dancers bounding about in their breathtaking costumes, we would have looked like a bunch of sea cows trying to jump through fiery hoops at a dolphin show. Thus left ashore when the ship sailed, we proceeded to the lounge to rain booty upon the patrons. This booty included tattoos, which our men applied to the female clientele with such gusto as to make one proud. My wife, aided no doubt by her discovery of something called Tequila Boom-Booms, was equally enthusiastic in distributing her inventory of
eye-patches to all the children she could find. I didn’t actually witness the incident that earned the two of us a private escort back to our room by the security staff. All I saw was the aftermath: a young mother flailing about with a patch covering each eye, and a toddler proudly displaying a pirate tattoo on his cheek and screaming “Aaargh!” at frightened resort guests. So much for trying to improve our country’s diplomatic relations with Mexico. TJN
– Wendy Curphy Aguillard, CLA Calcasieu Parish Assessor • Currently serving as Assessor • Certified LA Assessor with 15 years experience • Implemented new financial/ administrative policies • Launched new assessor website
Volume 3 • Issue 14
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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By Lauren de Albuquerque Mayor Randy Roach, Anne Monlezun and Phil at MG Museum reception.
There’s lots of construction and disruption going on in downtown Lake Charles while that area is going through its long-awaited improvements. As in any construction project, there’s bound to be some inconveniences. In this case, many downtown businesses have indicated that their clients are finding it difficult to park. They’re afraid their customers may take their business elsewhere, which is a valid concern.
There are some parking lots downtown that are never full. It would be nice if some sort of arrangement could be made with the owners so that these businesses won’t lose their clients during this process. If the lots aren’t full to begin with, why should it be such a big deal? MARDI GRAS MADNESS If you haven’t been to the Mardi Gras Museum located in the historic
Central School in downtown Lake Charles, now is the perfect time. Along with the largest display of Mardi Gras costumes in the world, there’s a brand new exhibit featuring memorabilia from the Washington, DC Mardi Gras celebrations, which have a rich history all their own and a big connection to SWLA. The fee is $3 for adults and $2 for children/seniors. Group rates available. Call 430-0043 for more information. Remember, Mardi Gras 2012 is right around the corner! This means that it’s time for krewes to start gathering their information together to get ready for The Jam’s third annual Mardi Gras issue. It will be gorgeous, so don’t miss out. Make sure you email mardigras@thejambalayanews.com for more information!
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM FUNDRAISER A HIT! It was back to the 50s for the Children’s Museum’s annual fundraiser, held at the end of the summer. Congrats to Jason Barnes for his first-place win in the celebrity karaoke contest. That boy can hold a tune! Thanks to all who made it a smashing success, from the hardworking board to the wonderful volunteers to the area restaurants who donated delicious food and dessert— not to mention the live and silent auction donors and winners! The museum raised $68,000 in muchneeded funds to keep this wonderful institution going. TJN
Gary and Susan Shannon channeling the 50s!
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
Volume 3 • Issue 14
Entries are now being accepted for the Scarecrow Festival at Shangri-La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 2111 Park Ave. Businesses, churches, organizations and schools groups are all invited to enter. The Scarecrow Festival will begin Oct. 18 and run through Nov. 12. More than 100 scarecrows are expected, and visitors will be able to vote for their favorite. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Scarecrows should be created from recycled materials whenever possible to help represent Shangri-La’s “green” theme. Entries will be places along Shangri-La’s pathways and must be able to withstand being outdoors for the remainder of the festival. The deadline to submit an offi-
Volume 3 • Issue 14
cial entry form is 5 p.m. Oct. 7; space is limited. Installation will be Oct. 15-17 and entrants will need to check with the Shangri-La admissions window for scarecrow placement location. Entry form, rules and other information are online at www.shangrilagardens.com. Shangri-La’s regular hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tues. – Sat. and noon5 p.m. Sun. For more information, call (409) 670-9113. TJN
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Caregiver Virginia Tutson and patient Dennis Duhon.
Mother Anna L. Williams, Caregiver Vivian Brantley, Program Development Director Peggy Kelley and patient Walton Joseph.
Bayou By Lauren de Albuquerque
Biz
There comes a time in all of our lives when someone we love can no longer care for themselves as they should. The idea of sending a spouse or parent to a nursing home, no matter how wonderful the facility, is usually an option of last resort. We want to keep our loved ones with us as long as possible. For the families of Southwest Louisiana and the surrounding areas, there is a compassionate, caring, and professional alternative for providing assistance for those in need. That is why PDI of the South’s purpose and name stands for “providing daily independence.” PDI is a health care management service that provides personalized assistance and specialized care to clients in the comfort of their own homes. With over 150 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and personal care PAGE 18
OCTOBER 6, 2011
attendants (PCAs), PDI services clients with various mental and physical needs throughout the eight surrounding parishes. Their patients, ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics, are coping with mental illness, physical and developmental disabilities, terminal illness, and accident recovery. Margaret McCloskey, president and CEO of PDI of the South, said her parents, who started Evangeline Home Health, originally opened PDI in 1987 to fill the need of skilled nursing care for the patients they were serving. “They weren’t getting the full level of care that they needed,” McCloskey explained. The new business offered skilled nursing care to not just the elderly and disabled, but to those with terminal illnesses and pediatric service needs. In 1993, PDI became licensed under the Louisiana Medicaid program to provide specialized services to clients who need more care than just an occasional visit by a nurse.
Caregiver Janelle Guillory and patient Mable McVickers.
Providing Daily Independence for Your Loved Ones That additional licensing allowed them to increase their services, so that skilled nursing care was no longer their only focus. PDI offers a variety of companion care and supervision that assists families with the everyday needs of their loved ones, which gives them peace of mind knowing that there is someone there to fill their shoes. If the clients do not have immediate family to see to their needs, PDI will be there for them. The company’s amazing staff are a credit to the company. McCloskey knows that they go above and beyond the call of duty. She also points out that PDI does not have minimums like other agencies. Some require a minimum of four hours for service to be provided, but if someone only needs one hour, PDI will find someone to fill that need. Volume 3 • Issue 14
Dennis Duhon and Virginia Tutson Virginia Tutson has been with PDI for 13 years and has been caring for Dennis Duhon of Moss Bluff for almost three years. Duhon is impaired from a head injury, but Tutson’s presence allows his wife to go off to work every morning knowing that her husband is in good hands. “I spend nine to ten hours a day with him, five days a week,” Tutson said. She helps him out of bed, assists him in bathing and dressing, and cooks his meals. Duhon lives on 13 acres of land. “I still cut my own grass—I have a tractor,” he said. “He enjoys doing that,” Tutson added. “We also go out for walks, and I take him to town to shop and do other things.” With a full-time job, Duhon’s wife would have had to place him in a facility since she isn’t around during the day. But with PDI, Duhon can remain on his land and enjoy the comforts of home and family. His sons visit often, and his wife comes home to him every night. Dedicated to her job, Tutson says she loves what she does, and even sees other patients on weekends. “I’ve been with other companies, but PDI is really good.” Mable McVicker and Jenelle Guillory Iowa resident Mable McVicker is elderly and lives by herself. But she’s never alone, thanks to PDI. Her longtime personal care attendant has been DeWanna Guidry, but occasionally Jenelle Guillory steps in “She’s very nice,” McVicker said of Guilory. “She comes every morning and stays until 5 p.m. She does chores around the house, the wash and so on. And she cooks for me.” Guillory helps McVicker bathe and dress, and gives her breakfast. Often, they’ll go on an outing or do some grocery shopping together. McVicker had her hair done today. “We go to the beauty shop and she takes me to my doctor’s appointments,” she said. Guillory, who’s been with PDI for three years, said that McVicker is “a very sweet lady.” And her work is her passion. “I love elderly and disabled people. I love helping them. I tell everyone, if you’re in this for the money, then just get out. That’s not what this is about. You have to be Christ-like. It’s all about helping the weak and the sick.” Walton Joseph and Vivian Brantley Fifty-nine years ago, when Walton Joseph was three months old, he contracted spinal meningitis. With no medicine available, be became proVolume 3 • Issue 14
foundly handicapped. Joseph’s family has used the services of PDI for 14 years. His first caregiver was with him for 12 years. “And she’s still like family,” said Joseph’s mother, Anna Williams. “She still visits us.” For the past nine months, Vivian Brantley has been caring for Joseph. He is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak, but he’s a happy soul who loves games shows and buzzing around on his scooter. And he’s able to communicate in his own way. “I do everything for him,” Brantley said. “First thing, I bathe him, put on his diaper, dress him and get him in his scooter. Then I get him his coffee. He loves his coffee.” He then goes into the living room for his breakfast. His mother cooks all the meals, and Brantley feeds him. Joseph has a motorized wheelchair, and Brantley gave him a radio so he can listen to music when he’s scooting around outside. She had just brought him in right before we spoke; he’d heard an airplane and indicated that he wanted to go outside to see it. Brantley is with Joseph five days a week, 12 hours a day. On weekends, Williams’ daughter takes over the responsibilities. “I am very, very satisfied with PDI,” Williams said. “They’re such a good company and I love the employees. They have really helped me out. The staff, the caseworkers, everyone.” Brantley said her work is her calling. “It’s such a blessing to help Walton,” she said. “He has a good sense of humor and he’s always in good spirits. He has a good family. They’re very close and very religious.” The family holds prayer meetings in their home every Thursday. “PDI is a wonderful company to work for,” Brantley said. “They were there for me when I lost my granddaughter. I will never forget that.”
PDI is located at 710 West Prien Lake Road, Suite 100, Lake Charles, LA 70601. There is also an office in Eunice at 221 North Second Street. To speak with a PDI representative or receive a personal consultation, PDI can be reached directly at (337) 4790048 in Lake Charles, and (337) 5460692 in Eunice, or by calling their tollfree number at (877) 479-0048. TJN
Rosewood Nursing & Rehab Center Invites the public to join us for our
4th Annual Chili Cook-Off, Health Fair & Open House.
October 21st, 2011, from 10am-2pm Chili judging begins at 11:30. Chili will be served after judging.
FIRST 25 GUEST RECEIVE A FREE GIFT!
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
Volume 3 • Issue 14
Robinson Dental Group, a Lake Charles dental office, has recently been swamped with “Swamp People” mania after giving one of the reality television show’s stars, Willie Edwards, the gift of a brand-new smile. “Sometimes I can’t believe the kind of attention we are getting,” said Tim Robinson, DDS. “I never thought this would happen.” A fan favorite, 29-year-old Willie is recognizable for his signature missing front tooth. He recalls the childhood accident that created the gap in his smile: “I was about eight or nine,” he remembered. “Me and my sister were playing in the house one night. We put towels around our heads—we were playing blindfold—and I ran
into the icebox and broke the back (of the tooth) off, and after so many years it just rotted out and died.” He never received dental treatment for the injured tooth. “I always thought I was going to live my life without my front tooth,” Willie said. Now, 20 years later, Robinson Dental Group has given him the opportunity to regain his full smile. “Restoring missing or damaged teeth can have a tremendously positive effect on every area of person’s life,” said Dr. Robinson, a dentist at Robinson Dental Group. “Not only can a missing tooth affect a person’s speech and what they can eat, but it also affects how they approach the world. We see it with our patients every day: restoring a person’s smile
builds their confidence. They just feel better about themselves. We wanted to give this gift to Willie.” Willie has just completed the first stage of the dental implant process, which involved implanting an anchoring root into his jawbone. “Dental implants are a three-stage process,” said Daniel Domingue, DDS, a dentist at Robinson Dental Group. “We did stage one, then gave Willie a removable piece to replace his tooth temporarily until we can complete the process. It has the appearance of a real tooth and will give him greater comfort while eating and speaking.” Willie is planning to return to Robinson Dental Group in a few months to complete the final steps of
the implant process and receive a new, permanent tooth. In the meantime, he’ll film the new season of “Swamp People” with his familiar “missing tooth” look. “All of us at Robinson Dental Group have really enjoyed giving Willie the special gift of a new smile,” said Dr. Robinson. “So much that it has inspired us to give another gift to someone locally.” Do you dream of a new smile? Robinson Dental Group will be kicking off a contest this later this month to give one lucky winner the gift of a brand-new smile. Visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/ RobinsonDentalGroup and watch for details on the upcoming smile contest.
TJN
Before Volume 3 • Issue 14
After OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Jimmy and Linda Gill
By Melissa Calloway Community Promotions Chair (Making Strides Against Breast Cancer) American Cancer Society “I never expected to have breast cancer,” said local Lake Charles resident, Linda Gill. “It was discovered because I had diagnostic tests for an unrelated health issue.” Gill’s breast cancer experience began with a relentless cough in 2005. After a visit with her doctor, she was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). She then had a biopsy, which revealed a tumor in her abdomen which was removed immediately. Gill’s physician found it crucial to complete more extensive tests to make sure there were no other cancerous tumors in her body and referred Gill to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. “After three days of tests and consultations, I was told that no carcinoids were found in my body,” Gill said. However, her CT scan revealed a spot on her left PAGE 22
OCTOBER 6, 2011
breast. “In January 2006, I returned for tests that confirmed that I was in the early stages of breast cancer,” she said. Throughout 2006, Gill was in surgery, taking chemotherapy or completing radiation. “My husband retired a year earlier than planned to care for me full-time after chemo fatigue made me too weak to drive or to work,” she said. The following year, the breast cancer survivor began her recovery phase. “I wasn’t scared,” she revealed. “I knew women who had breast cancer more than 30 years ago and are still alive. For some reason, which I can only attribute to my faith in Christ, I never suffered the reactions of anger, denial or depression. In the deepest pain and weakness of chemo fatigue, I believed that I was going to live, and hoped that if I didn’t, I would Volume 3 • Issue 14
be acceptable to God. I was drawn to tears only because of the kindness and generosity of my family, friends, and my library coworkers whom I consider as family and friends.” After a tough five years, Gill regained her strength and is now a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness. “In 2010, when I learned that the American Cancer Society was having a walk in Sulphur, I decided it was time for me to become a volunteer and a team leader,” she said. “I was again pleased at the support of my family and friends for ‘Team Linda Gill Family and Friends,’ and am looking forward to continuing my involvement with the American Cancer Society.” If you are a cancer patient, survivor, or caregiver and need assistance, you may call the American Cancer Society at any time at (800) 227-2345 or visit your local American Cancer Society office at One Lakeshore Drive Suite #1510 in Lake Charles, LA. TJN
Volume 3 • Issue 14
West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is offering 20 percent off digital screening mammograms during October, the month recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (337) 527-4256. Appointments are available Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Thurs. from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The discount is applied to hospital charges and does not include radiologists’ fees, which are billed separately. With the month of October dedicated to creating awareness about breast cancer, health professionals at WCCH state that it is the perfect time for women to focus on their breast health. “Women are the family caretakers, but most of us put off our own health checkups because we’re busy caring for everyone else. This month, we’re encouraging women to make time
for themselves and get screened,” said Betty Adams, BSRT (R) (M), mammography coordinator with WCCH. According to the ACS, current evidence strongly supports mammography even more so than in the past. “It can detect lumps that are missed through self breast exams and even clinical exams, up to one or two years before the lumps can be felt by hand. That means you could have a head start on treatment two years before you would if you hadn’t had a mammogram,” Adams explained. “Research shows us that if women 50 and older would get regular mammograms, the mortality rate could decrease by 30 percent. That’s thousands of lives that could be saved with just a simple, 20minute screening.”
TJN
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Let Our Home Be Yours! Retirement brings the freedom to follow your heart and pursue new interests. Let us bring the peace of security, contentment and happiness to you.
Come For A To ur!
Celebrating 17 Years of Excellence Villa Maria Retirement Center 3905 Kingston Place • Lake Charles 337-478-4780 • www.villamaria-web.org
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
McDonald’s of Southwest Louisiana is joining in the fight against breast cancer by sponsoring “Anything Pink,” a fundraiser to help support and promote the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer 3K. Stop by any McDonald’s in Calcasieu Parish to try “Anything Pink,” including their strawberry banana smoothie, strawberry frozen lemonade and strawberry shake, from Fri., Oct. 14 to Sun., Oct. 16 and $.50 of your purchase will be donated to the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer 3K. The “Anything Pink” fundraiser will coincide with the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer 3K, which will be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Sat., Oct. 15. Since 2004, the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer 3K has raised funds for local breast cancer survivors in Calcasieu and Cameron
Parishes through an annual walk. Founded by local breast cancer survivor, Ethel Precht, the nonprofit organization has been able to assist more than 250 local survivors with monetary gifts. For more information on the walk and to find out how can you participate, visit www.ethelbreastcancerwalk.org. Sign up sheets for walk are also available at every McDonald’s in Calcasieu Parish. McDonald’s of Southwest Louisiana (11 restaurants throughout Calcasieu Parish), owned and operated by Doug Gehrig, are dedicated to serving and assisting the Southwest Louisiana community. For more information on McDonald’s of Southwest Louisiana’s fundraising efforts for the Ethel Precht Hope Breast Cancer 3K, contact Jen Breen at 478-7396 or jbreen@ocarroll.com.
TJN
Volume 3 • Issue 14
2010 Champions: Brenda Shelton & Patrick Schaad
By Lisa Addison Photos by www.monsoursphotography.com
Who needs Hollywood when the Lake Charles area has its own sizzling stars? That’s right; it’s time once again for an elegant, action-packed, star-studded extravaganza that is not to be missed! The 2000 Health Foundation’s 6th Annual Platinum and Pearls Gala Fundraiser, featuring the “Dancing with the Stars” competition and a “Champion of the Dance” segment, gets under way at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, in the Grand Ball Room of the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort. A cocktail hour with live entertainment by Gervis Guidry kicks off the evening followed by dinner, a live auction and the much anticipated dance show. Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the exciting evening are Dr. Alan Hinton and Bridget Hinton, past Dancing With the Stars champions who also won the tango challenge in 2010. Volume 3 • Issue 14
Dr. Adrienne Breaux & Joel
Five local celebrity couples have their dance shoes ready and their routines polished as they prepare to vie for the title of 2011 “Dancing with the Stars” Champions. Some of the dances will be the merengue, salsa, and the cha cha. And four returning celeb couples, in an exciting competition, will compete to claim the title of “Champion of the Dance.” This year’s featured dance for the Champion of the Dance segment is the “swing,” which means those in attendance at the Platinum and Pearls gala can enjoy watching dancers do the swing as they make the floor vibrate with the rhythm of their feet. But the evening isn’t just about entertainment; it’s also about a very worthy cause: The 2000 Health Foundation and all of the many things it does to help others and benefit the community. OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Dr. Alan & Bridget Hinton
Alex & Carrie Chaumont SIGNATURE FUNDRAISING EVENT The Platinum and Pearls Gala, an evening of sophisticated dance moves, beautiful gowns, smart tuxedos, and toe-tapping music, is the signature fundraiser of The 2000 Health Foundation. It’s a wonderful, unforgettable event comprised of dinner, dancing, a live auction and donations for the ongoing funding of diabetes awareness and community education. According to Stephanie Morris, executive director of the Foundation and 2011 Gala chairperson, the Foundation also provides hospice companion care grants; is a partner in education for the Sacred Heart Saint Katherine Drexel Catholic School; and, provides nursing scholarship assistance to help address the area nursing shortage. Morris said it’s important to focus on the fact that the funds donated allow the Foundation to sponsor health care seminars throughout the year, promote wellness, put a spot-
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Todd Martin
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light on self-management of diabetes and other associated diseases and offer diabetic supplies and equipment for the underserved and at-risk groups in our population. The Foundation also provides 10 graduating high school seniors with nursing scholarships to any four-year college or university. The educational assistance is provided through a Partner in Education program that enhances the success of the students attending Sacred Heart St. Katharine Drexel Catholic School. WHY WHAT THEY DO IS NEEDED Nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. are living with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes is considered a silent epidemic in this country since many people who have it don’t even know it. Undiagnosed, this deadly disease can lead to devastating complications including blindness, amputation, heart attack, and stroke.
Backing up those statistics is the last Louisiana Health Report Card issued by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, which reports that Louisiana has the second highest death rate due to diabetes and terminal illnesses of all U.S. states. Louisiana also ranked low when it compares to elementary education, and it shares the nation’s nursing shortage. In a large part because of those findings, the 2000 Health Foundation implemented various interventions with the primary goal of providing assistance and meeting those needs. THE DANCERS The featured dancers – community leaders and dignitaries – spend anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks in training, rehearsing for the “Dancing with the Stars” competition. Professional dance instructors Jay and Maria Cotto work with them to hone their dance moves, spending plenty of time per-
Stephanie Morris, Lisa Walker, Million-Air Sponsor
sonally with each couple in preparation for their public performances. This year, five local celebrity couples have their dance shoes ready and their routines polished as they prepare to vie for the title of 2011 “Dancing with the Stars” Champion. They will show off their skills and personalities while performing various dance styles that include the swing, cha cha, merengue, and salsa. Dancers will be judged by a panel of judges and one outstanding couple will be named the champion. The couples vying for that title include: Patricia and Jake Philmon; Lisa and Dennis Verrette; Marty Briggs and Paula Doucett; Vanessa and Clifton Lewis; and Andrea Coleman and Joel Rosario. First-time performer Vanessa Lewis said performing was a big draw for her and her husband because of the work that the 2000 Health Foundation is known for, but said they are excited about the dancing as well. She works in the admitting
Mistress of Ceremonies Marizabel Martin
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Craig & Jackie Guillory
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department at Christus St. Patrick Hospital and her husband is an operator at Firestone Polymers. “We’re doing the cha cha, and as we’ve been practicing, I have learned what a workout these dances are and that’s great,” she said. “I’m a little nervous about our performance but excited, too. It should be quite an experience and something that we’ll always remember.” Marty Briggs, who has plenty of experience in front of people through his previous jobs of sports director and news anchor for KPLC-TV, participation in community events, and as a successful realtor for Century 21, said none of those things prepared him for what it would be like to dance in front of a large audience. “People might be surprised by this, but I was petrified,” Briggs recalled of his first stint with the local “Dancing with the Stars” competition a few years ago. “But I got through it all right, even though those three or four minutes on the dance floor felt like an eternity.” He’s excited about his return to the competition because he gets to dance with his girlfriend, Paula Doucett, this year. “We’re going to do the salsa and it’s just a bonus to be able to dance with my girlfriend. It’s a great event, a wonderful evening, and I’m happy to support it.”
Doucett, a Lady of L’Auberge at the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, concurs, saying, “I might even improvise a little bit when I’m out there on the dance floor and really get into it. Sometimes that happens when you’re doing the salsa. I’ve attended the Platinum and Pearls Gala before and it’s such an enjoyable evening and a really great cause. I’m very excited that we are performing this year, and I think it’s going to be wonderful. I’m happy to be a part of it.” Another couple, Patricia Philmon, a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, and her husband Jake Philmon, sales manager at Wilkerson Waste and Transportation, are new to the “Dancing with the Stars” competition. “We’re doing a Latin combination for our dance and we will be incorporating the merengue, salsa, and the cha cha,” said Patricia. “I had knee surgery and my husband had a heart attack last year, and I thought that participating in this would be something positive and fun for us to be involved with.” She had another reason for wanting to be involved and said it’s the main reason the couple chose to participate. “Diabetes runs in my family so this is a very important cause for us,” she said. “My mother has diabetes and I told her recently to reserve the
Laura Leach & Mr. Bob Pastor
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date and have an evening gown ready because we want her there for the performance. I know that she will be cheering us on.” Although this year’s dancers have the spotlight on them, The Platinum and Pearls Gala featuring “Dancing with the Stars” has a wonderful cast of past winners. In the inaugural year of 2006, the first champions were Scot and Bea Hebert. In 2007, Julio and Elisabeth Galan won, with Dr. Alan and Bridget Hinton dancing away as winners in 2008. Laura Leach and her dance partner Bob Pastor took the honors in 2009. And in 2010, Patrick Schaad and Brenda Shelton wowed the judges with their dance moves to take first place.
Melinda Lemke & Roger Porter
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CHAMPIONS OF THE DANCE Four returning celebrity couples are vying to become Champion of the Dance. A panel of judges will select the winner of this competition, which features dancers who have participated in the event over the past five years. They include Lauren and Phil de Albuquerque; Dr. Adrienne Breaux and Lamar Mayo; Roger Porter and Melinda Lemke; and Judith Washington and Edgar Rodriguez. Instructors Steve LeBlanc and Debbie Weeks are helping them hone their dance moves.
Phil and Lauren de Albuquerque, publishers of The Jambalaya News, participated in Dancing With the Stars in 2009, doing the bachata. Last year, Phil competed in the Champion of the Dance tango contest with First Federal Bank’s Leslie Harless as his partner. “I love to dance and I love to perform in front of people,” Phil said. “This is the perfect opportunity to do something enjoyable while giving back to the community.” HONOREES The 2000 Health Foundation will honor Clarice Raichel and Etta Pete at the Platinum and Pearls Gala as the 2011 “Making a Difference” community service award winners. Raichel is the executive director of NAMI SWLA. Since the inception of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the Southwest Louisiana membership has grown from 16 paid family members to more than 200 and includes a local mailing list of 2,800 families. Raichel has been honored often for her work with NAMI. Pete is the executive director of the Southwest Louisiana Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. In conjunction with the national Sickle Cell Anemia Association, the Foundation has provided effective leadership in position-
Lisa & Jonald Walker
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Monica & Rolland Soileau ing sickle cell disease and its related problems as a major public health care concern and, indeed a universal problem. EXCLUSIVE AUCTION Gala guests will also be able to participate in an exclusive silent auction, according to Morris. “It’s going to be exciting and something truly wonderful. We’re keeping some of the actual details of the auction under wraps right now, but there will be some interesting items.” The silent auction will follow cocktail hour at the Platinum and Pearls Gala. ADDITIONAL FESTIVITIES A pre-gala party and cocktail hour begins at 5 p.m. on the evening of the Gala. Attendees will get the opportunity to socialize, mingle with celebrity dancers, and listen to live music provided by Gervis Guidry and vocalist Jacqueline Ellis. The official festivities of the evening will start at 6 p.m. Black tie is requested; suit and cocktail attire optional. The evening will continue with a live auction, the elegant dinner presentation by L’Auberge du Lac’s award-winning and ultra-delicious catering and then, the amazing dance show. The evening doesn’t end after the competition; stick around to dance the night away with Gervis Guidry. Even though the dance competition will be officially judged by the Foundation’s panel of experts, guests are encouraged to participate in the “You Be The Judge” contest by selecting their favorite dance couple through designated voting donations. “I think this is a really fun part of the evening for the audience,” said Morris. “Members will have the Volume 3 • Issue 14
Administrator Randy Stelly and Admissions Coordinator Renea Dowies work hard to make the move to Landmark of Lake Charles a positive one for new residents. They know that smooth transitions start with an admissions process in which caring, knowledgeable staff take the time to answer questions, learn all they can about the resident, and make them feel at home right away.
opportunity to vote for their favorite couples by making a donation to The 2000 Health Foundation. The couple raising the most money gets bragging rights as the People’s Choice Winner.” Past recipients of the People’s Choice Award have included: Dr. Donald Parker and Karen Parker, 2006; Kevin and Kayla Guidry, 2007; Roger Porter and Melinda Lemke, 2008; Laura Leach and Bob Pastor, 2009; and Patrick Schaad and Brenda Shelton, 2010. Also, you won’t want to miss out on the Foundation’s door prizes and a special gift drawing. All ticket holders will have a chance to win the prize of two round-trip airfare tickets to Las Vegas! If you haven’t yet reserved your seat for the Platinum and Pearls Gala, don’t wait another minute! It’s time to enjoy a fabulous evening of star-studded excitement, mouthwatering cuisine, and dancers shimmying across the stage in elegant attire – all for a good cause. The event will be held on Sun., Nov. 6, in the Grand Ball Room of the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort, located at 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Tickets are $100 each. For information on table sponsorships, call (337) 562-1140. For directions, contact L’Auberge at (337) 395-7777 or (866) 580-7444. TJN
Lisa Addison has been a writer for more than 30 years. She writes for local, regional and national publications. OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Sponsored by
ker n Shouma By Brando
No Joke My lovely wife has some relatives who live in College Station, Texas and they are huge Texas A&M fans. They were all convinced the Aggies were going to destroy LSU in last year’s Cotton Bowl, so, at Christmas, my wife’s Louisiana family and I made a little bet with the Texas kinfolks. If LSU won, the
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College Station family would have to wear LSU gear next Christmas. If A&M won, we would be in maroon next December. Of course, LSU dominated and now I’ve got the task of finding some LSU wrapping paper in order to wrap up their purple and gold Christmas presents this year. Anyway, before I really get started here, I just want to throw out a few more playful jabs at the College Station family with some Aggie jokes.
Did you hear about the Aggie who broke his leg raking leaves? He fell out of the tree. Or…did you hear about the Aggie who was two hours late for class? The escalator was stuck. Those are funny, but have you heard this one? Did you hear about the Aggies joining the Southeastern Conference? It’s no joke. Texas A&M officially joined the SEC on Sept. 26, marking the conference’s first expansion project since 1991 when Arkansas and
South Carolina entered the league. I know what some of you are thinking: Why does the SEC need those Aggies? It takes ten of them to change a light bulb, one to hold it in and nine to turn the ladder. And I hear you. The SEC, as the dominant college sports conference in the land, does not really need to add another member. But done is done, and this is a great move for not only the SEC but also Texas A&M as well. This move makes absolute sense from a strictly geographical standpoint, especially when weighing A&M’s move with some other recent realignment shenanigans.
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College Station, located between Houston and Austin, is not so far west as to seem too culturally different than the Southeast states, especially with its relatively large population of Southeastern alumni. On the other hand, the Atlantic Coast Conference just picked up the University of Pittsburgh, which is about as close to the Atlantic Coast as that famous beachfront getaway, Phoenix, is to the Pacific. Maybe they should call it the Atlantic Coast Adjacent Conference. A&M to the SEC also makes sense from a “new-kid-in-school” perspective. The Aggies enter the league with at least two established rivalries, meaning that, on the whole, Texas A&M will integrate itself well into the SEC. Probably the foremost rivalry for the Aggies will be between themselves and those Tigers from the Louisiana State Agricultural and Mechanical University. Not counting last year’s meeting in the Cotton Bowl, the two teams haven’t faced each other on the football field since the 1995 season-opener (a 3317 A&M victory). But the two teams played each other every year between 1960-75 and, more recently, each year from 1986-95. In addition to LSU, the Aggies will also be renewing an old Big 8 Conference football rivalry with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Texas A&M and Arkansas played annually from 1945-91, when the Razorbacks themselves jumped to the SEC, but did not play again until their 2009 non-conference game. Along the same lines, A&M’s move to the SEC makes sense from a purely competitive point of view. While the Aggies faced some stiff football competition from archnemesis Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and, occasionally Oklahoma State, in its years with the Big 12, Texas A&M still had to slog through conference games with truly underwhelming opponents like Iowa State, Kansas, and Baylor. The Aggies, however, may miss the chance to play Baylor, which, under the infinite wisdom of former Grand Inquisitor Kenneth Starr, held the threat of a potential lawsuit over A&M’s head to try and prevent it from leaving the Waco university in its dust. As the billboard in Waco said, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s conference deal.” And good luck in the Western Athletic Conference, Baylor. I hear Volume 3 • Issue 14
Ruston is a tough place to play in October. Finally, the move to the SEC makes the most sense from a financial viewpoint. With A&M’s selfproclaimed big brother down in Austin making waves with its Longhorn Network and partnership with ESPN (who are completely unbiased, I’m sure), the Aggies looked like they might get swept away in both the money and recruiting races. Now, moving the financial juggernaut that is the SEC,
A&M will get a portion of a billiondollar business and more national exposure than an Aggie can shake a stick at. Meanwhile, for the time being, the Longhorn Network will be stuck showing games like TexasBaylor next season. So, have all the fun you want at Texas A&M’s expense. Pretty soon, the Aggies will be laughing themselves all the way to the bank. Which I’ve heard they think is at the edge of the river.
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
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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By Mary Louise Ruehr
Aravind Adiga Delivers Another Stunning Novel If you have not yet discovered the work of Aravind Adiga, I wholeheartedly recommend that you do. Adiga won the Man Booker Prize in 2008 for The White Tiger. His newest book is Last Man in Tower, and I believe it will become a classic. It’s Shakespearean. It’s biblical. It’s downright Dickensian. Adiga sets his saga in a six-floor residential cooperative known as Vishram Society, Tower A, which stands in a slum area of Mumbai, India. Residents of the tower get
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along just fine, in spite of such inconveniences as having water only a few hours each day. One day, a real estate developer has an inspiring idea: He wants to tear down the old tower and build a luxury high-rise. So he offers the residents of Tower A the equivalent of $330,000 each — an absolute fortune — to move out in about five months. But they all must agree or no one gets any money. Some residents are eager to go; some simply could use the money; a few want to stay in their home.
A retired schoolteacher known as Masterji doesn’t really care whether he moves out or stays put, but a couple in the building who have been good to him since his wife died want to keep their home, so he decides to stay, too. Eventually, everyone else — even the friendly couple — has decided to move, but by then it has become a matter of principle with Masterji, and he stubbornly refuses to go. Gradually, as tension builds among the neighbors, we see different sides of human nature — compassion, suspicion, betrayal, what even family members are willing to do for money —and we begin to fear for the safety of Masterji, the last man in the tower. The book is just extraordinary. It offers the suspense of a thriller, the drama of “Macbeth,” irony — real irony — and even humor. It’s about class, community and the individual. As in his wonderful The White Tiger (the story of a self-made man who just can’t seem to get a break), he takes swipes at all levels of society. There’s an ugliness in the city — the teeming mass of people, the dirt and pollution, the “six rats for every human” — but there’s also beauty — “Mary … was beginning to water the plants in the garden. Picking up the green pipe that lay in coils in the garden all the day long like a hibernating snake, she fitted it to a tap near the compound wall; sluicing the water flow with a pressed thumb, she began slapping the hibiscus plants awake. One-two-three-four-five, holding the pipe in her right hand, Mary counted off the seconds of irrigation for each plant on the joints of her left hand, like a meditating Brahmin. Small rainbows sprang to life within the arch of the sluiced water, disappeared when the water
moved away, then reappeared on the dripping spider’s webs that interlinked the branches.” Aaahh. It brought tears to the eyes of this word-lover. His words of wisdom can be downright poetic: “An old woman’s night is so small: a young woman’s night is the whole sky.” Last Man in Tower is simply a masterpiece. Adiga is the Charles Dickens of our time. His work is of high literary quality, yet it is accessible. He gets down in the gutter with the lowliest of the low while shining a light on the morality of all levels of society. The rich are not nice and clean and spotless, but they are also not necessarily demons. And the poor aren’t saints, either. It is a discourse on human nature and a moving social commentary about power, progress and poverty. He shows how governments really never seem to notice the poor, the lifeblood of society. Do you want literary depth? Do you want plain-speaking? Do you want beautiful writing? It’s all here. I think people will be talking about this book for a long, long time. Volume 3 • Issue 14
Adiga’s previous book, Between the Assassinations, was promoted as a short story collection, but I don’t see it that way. For me, it’s a collection of character portraits, a scrapbook of images set in the city of Kittur, on the Indian shores of the Arabian Sea. And the city — in fact, India itself — is a character, with whom Adiga seems to have a love/hate relationship; it’s a cruel mistress but it has beauty hidden within. These are, for the most part, images of working people, presented in sometimes disturbingly unpleasant detail, with moments that are simply heart-breaking: a factory worker must pay bribes to so many people it makes his head spin, the rich-boy son of a plastic surgeon sets off a bomb in class for attention, a journalist goes mad searching for the truth, a young girl spends her whole day begging in the streets for money to buy drugs for her father so that he’ll love her, an old woman whose parents could not afford to buy her a husband spends her life bringing up other people’s children, a man is offered a better job at a factory by the big boss who pretends the next day that it never happened, and several more.
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Again, Adiga’s themes are clear: caste conflict, class differences; fairskinned, dark-skinned; Hindu, Muslim; the meanness of the streets tempered with the warmth of the human spirit. Add to these corruption, black marketing, and the greed of both the rich and the poor. It’s so powerful. At one point, a journalist tells some delivery men that their hard work is slowly killing them and asks why they don’t do
something else. One responds: “Don’t patronize us…! Those who are born poor in this country are fated to die poor. There is no hope for us, and no need of pity. Certainly not from you, who have never lifted a hand to help us; I spit on you. I spit on your newspaper. Nothing ever changes. Nothing will ever change. Look at me. I am twenty-nine years old. I am already bent and twisted like this. If I live to forty, what is my fate? To be a twisted black rod of a man. You think I don’t know this? You think I need your notepad and your English to tell me this? You keep us like this, you people from the cities. It is in your interest to treat us like cattle!” I am not kidding when I say this: I believe one day Adiga could be awarded the Nobel Prize. Like the best Nobel authors, he is able to set us down on the floor of a room in another country and make us understand the desperation, feel the anguish, in a character’s altogether hopeless situation. He is that good. Copyright © 2011 by Mary Louise Ruehr TJN
Phone: 337-474-1864 Email: info@lwv-lc.org Website: www.lwv-lc.org
Election October 22 Early Voting Oct. 8-15 LOCATIONS FOR EARLY VOTING LC – Registrar of Voters Office 1000 Ryan St., Room 7 Sulphur – Old Sulphur City Hall 500 N Huntington St., City Council Mtg Rm
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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DANCE DANCE DANCE! - WORD SEARCH
Ballet Ballroom Belly Dancing Cha Cha Competition
Costume Hip Hop Leotard Partner Performance
Recital Salsa Swing Tango Waltz
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Volume 3 • Issue 14
r m ende's Museu l l E an en By D e Childr of th r o t c Dire
Dolphin Tale (Warner Bros. 2011) I was never much a fan of Flipper or even the water shows at aquariums and such. Toss it up to my Louisiana upbringing. I’d rather see dolphins down at the Intercoastal Waterway. But this movie is very different. Dolphin Tale is a true story, not just “inspired by.” A real dolphin gets to try out an artificial tail. The movie is a dramatization, but really happened. Caveat: I usually skip these
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kinds of true story fish movies (see above). But in this case, we have a production that might be one of the better family movies you’ll see this year. Sawyer Nelson is a Florida boy who loses his favorite older cousin to the military, which ruins his summer. Well, to be honest, having to attend summer school doesn’t help. Early on in the film, he’s on the beach in his hometown of Clearwater and comes across a beached dolphin wrapped up in the windings of a crab trap. As he cuts it loose, a rescue team from Clearwater Marine Aquarium (sort of a Baywatch Humane Society) shows
up, transferring the dolphin into a van and leaving Sawyer feeling even more isolated on the beach. Later, he visits the Clearwater Aquarium and bumps into Hazel, a girl about his age (13 or so.) Hazel’s father, Dr. Clay Haskett, is the aquarium’s veterinarian. The dolphin has had her tail removed because of infection. They’re having trouble getting her to respond, but it perks up when Sawyer comes around. On impulse, the Doc invites Sawyer to come back and visit. I didn’t really get into this movie until Sawyer walked into the Clearwater Marine Aquarium after hours. This old, run-down tourist attraction wannabee is truly mysterious and wonderful. There’s even a resident pelican that terrorizes everyone who visits, including Sawyer’s mom. Eventually a prosthetics doctor (Morgan Freeman) comes along and attempts to make an artificial tail for the dolphin, who is by this time named Winter. The fish can’t stand the device and tears it apart. Without a proper tail, she’s in danger of giving herself a spinal cord injury. Just as an aside, the aquarium is in danger of going bankrupt. Then a hurricane comes along. As family movies go, Dolphin Tale is very good. It manages to hit home
with kids while being serious and entertaining for adults. The movie avoids the latest tendency of children’s films to be mindless media fests of special effects and “what the?” jokes. In the matinee I saw, filled with children, there was quiet during most of the movie. Every kid in the place seemed mesmerized by a film that didn’t insult their intelligence. Dolphin Tale carries a crew of veteran actors, including Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Harry Connick, Jr. and Morgan Freeman. The kids are equally engaging, and I vote Cozi Zuehlsdorff (who plays Hazel) as the next Pippi Longstocking. I’ve left a whole lot out of this review; mostly plot windings you need to see for yourself. They make Dolphin Tale thought-provoking and rather true to life. At the end we get to see some real-time clips of Winter’s story taken by the aquarium staff during and after her actual rescue. They really make an impact. With its Gulf Coast locale, this is a movie that folks in our area shouldn’t miss. I saw the 3D version, (excellent 3D, BTW) but I don’t think the movie really needed it. The hurricane footage will stir you, coming as it does around Rita’s Anniversary. Rated PG for some dolphin blood and pelican-induced peril. TJN
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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ART ON WHEELS Crowds came out to the Lake Charles Civic Center for the Ultimate Bike, Auto and Art Show. As if the amazing showcase of cars, trucks and motorcycles wasn’t enough, there were vendors, children’s activities, food, live music and more. Folks enjoyed Geno Delafose and got Saints’ Mike McKenzie’s autograph. Lafitte’s Ladies, the Waters Edge Bikers and Mommy Angels for Autism showed their support for this fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics, Buddy Ball, Arts of SWLA and more! Looking forward to next year’s event!
Whitney Adams, Lisa Bowles and Cristin Eubanks
Jeremy Falke with Garit Morrison
Tamesha and Robert Unterburger
Sarah and Tonya French with Jay Shelton
Rusty Fontenot and Wayne Thellen
Chris and Kim Arabie
Corina Joshlin and Mike McKenzie
MSU BAYOU PLAYERS PRESENT PYGMALION Opening night for Pygmalion proved to be a big success! Crowds of Bayou Players enthusiasts gathered in the Shearman Fine Arts Theatre for the opening performance of George Bernard Shaw’s most famous play—which eventually became the musical My Fair Lady. The cast and crew outdid themselves with their version of this unforgettable production. Bravo! Gabriel Brown and Lacy Artis Volume 3 • Issue 14
Katelyn Thompson and Misty Lesueur OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Jenee Cassidey and Vito deLeon
William Lormand and Jessa Theriot
Kevin Delaney and Ella Theriot
GALLERY PROMENADE You couldn’t have asked for a nicer fall evening to stroll downtown Lake Charles for the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA annual gallery and museum showcase. Downtown, over 15 local venues opened their doors to showcase a masterful variety of artwork by local and regional artists! Residents and visitors were in for a real treat with delicious food samplings, free trolley rides provided by the City of Lake Charles and tax-free purchases. Let’s hear it for the arts! Sarah Hogan and Sarah Williams
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Jo Lynne Southerland and Barbara Shamsie
Susan Bowling, Carol LeBeau and Cheryl LeBlanc
Teresa Tarver, Bridget Veillon and Renee Tilley
Pat Landry, Janis Tolbert and Deirdra Willis
Son Mai and Jessica Hutchings
Marla Hires and Patsy Prince
Elton and Pat Louviere
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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MSU COWBOYS GAME DAY It’s that time of the year again! Break out the cowbells to ring in those Cowboys! Crowds of true Blue and Gold die-hard MSU football fans gathered for some tailgating celebrating fun prior to the start of them Cowboys running over those Southeastern Devils. From campers to tents to barbeque pits, these folks were fired up and ready! Street performances from the MSU Marching band, Cowgirl Kickers, cheerleaders and mascot Rowdy only increased the excitement as game time approached. The smell of victory was definitely in the air. Sure thing Cowboys--way to get ‘er done! TJN Kelli, Blake and baby Jaxson Thibodeaux
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Volume 3 • Issue 14
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MOVIES UNDER THE STARS FALL SERIES This fall, friends and families of all ages will be treated to another great line-up of current and timeless feature films. • Oct. 7 – Tangled – Disney’s 50th animated feature film doesn’t disappoint with a story of action, romance, and a lot of hair! • Oct. 14 – Secretariat – During the Spring Series, the odds were against us showing this inspiring true story about the greatest race horse of all time. This fall, we’ve brought the movie back and think our luck has changed. • Oct. 21 – The Music Man – River City will never be the same when a con man strolls into town convincing its people that they need a community band. This time-honored, Oscar winning musical will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary next year! • Oct. 28 – The Muppet Movie – With a brand new Muppet film coming to theatres this November, we’re bringing back the original. There will be new, exciting pre-show activities at each event beginning at 6 p.m. with each film starting at dusk. Prien Lake Park is located at 3700 West Prien Lake Road in Lake Charles and admission is free to the public. Residents are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets and food. Snacks can also be purchased on-site. For more information please call 721-3500. SHANGRI LA SATURDAY ADVENTURE SERIES Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center announces upcoming programs for the Saturday Adventure Series this fall. The programs begin at 9:30 a.m. and last about an hour. Participants will meet at the admissions window at the scheduled event time. All programs offered in the series are free of charge, but an RSVP is required as space is limited. Call (409) 670-9799 to reserve a spot today. • Oct. 8 – Orchids, Culture & Customs – For centuries, orchids have been adored and used by different cultures around the world. Take part in this program, which explores the roles that orchids have played in many societies. • Oct. 22 – Vegetable Canning 101 – During this hands-on adult program, learn the methodology of
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water bath canning. Visitors will also learn about cold packing, hot packing, pickling and raw packing. • Oct. 29 – Atakapas, Pirates & Trappers – Come discover the hidden history of Adams Bayou during this adults-only program. Get a firsthand look at how this waterway has changed through time and those in attendance will learn tales of the interesting people who used the bayou in the past. • Nov. 5 – Harvesting Rain Water – Learn how water barrels provide a free source of chemical-free water that is ideal for watering gardens and lawns. During this hands-on adult session, make and take home a rain barrel. A materials fee of $25 will be required to reserve a spot. Located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas, Shangri La is open to the public Tues. – Sat., 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sun., noon-5 p.m. For more information, visit shangrilagardens.org. STEP UP FOR DOWN SYNDROME OCT. 8 Southwest Louisiana is home to many Angels with Down Syndrome who need your continued support. For the past eight years, UP4DOWNS, a local non-profit support group, has gathered for a funfilled day of community spirit, education, food, games and a walk to remember. This year’s Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk is set for Sat., Oct. 8 at the Sports Complex on the McNeese campus off Common Street. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The walk is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. with face painting, Moon jumps, great food, dancing and kids games to follow from 10 a.m. to noon. To register, join a team or form your own team, contact Debbi Seaux at 582-6138 or 309-7530, or go to www/firstgiving.com/up4downswla. BENEFIT AND RIDE FOR JERRY GUIDRY OCT. 8 Ride starts at Dago Custom Cycles at 1201 N. Lakeshore Dr. in Lake Charles. Sign up is at 9 a.m., kickstands up at 10 a.m. Fee is $25 per rider; $15 per passenger. Includes T-shirt and dinner. Ride ends at the Kilowatt Club by noon. Come out and enjoy homemade jambalaya, kids’ activities, live music and a live and silent auction. For more details, call 7649589 or 526-4397. HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PUMPKIN PATCH OPENS OCT. 9 The church grounds of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church will once again be covered with big orange pumpkins grown in and around the Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico. The Pumpkin Patch will be open until Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays, and noon - 6 p.m. Sundays. School classes, daycare facilities and grandparents can bring children to Pumpkin Patch Storytime. There are two classes on ten different days, so please call the church office (625-4288) to schedule a visit. Picnics can be held in the Pavilion if arrangements are made beforehand. The proceeds from the sale of pumpkins, gourds, and pumpkin bread fund Holy Trinity’s outreach projects. The church is locat-
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ed at 1700 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur. For more information, please contact Cyndi Khoury at 5278787 (CMKTypist@aol.com) or the church office at 625-4288. FRENCH WINE EXPERIENCE OCT. 11 Thomas Jefferson was the first American oenophile to explore the Bordeaux region of France and bring back enough wine to stock what was almost certainly America’s first great wine cellar. This history will be combined with a tasting of Bordeaux wines at the French Wine Experience from 5-6 p.m. Tues., Oct. 11, in the Contraband Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center. Presented by the Rouge et Blanc Wine and Food Event and the Grand Reveil Acadien, five Bordeaux wines will be paired with hors d’oeuvres from La Truffe Sauvage to perfectly complement the nuances of the French wines. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at www.rougeetblanc.us or by calling the Banners Cultural Series at McNeese State University at (337) 475-5123. Proceeds support the Banners Cultural Series. MSU WIND SYMPHONY OCT. 13 The McNeese Wind Symphony will present “An American Salute” concert at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 13 in the Shearman Fine Arts Theatre at McNeese State University. The free concert, under the direction of Dr. Jay N. Jacobs, will feature an evening of contemporary and traditional music celebrating the United States of America. Works include: “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland; “Variations on America” by Charles Ives; “American Salute” by Morton Gould; “A Hymn for the Lost and the Living” (In Memoriam, Sept. 11, 2001); and various Sousa marches. MASTERWORKS CHORALE OCT. 14 The Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale will present
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its fall concert Falling in Love With Love on Fri., Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m., and again on Sun., Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church at the corner of Kirkman and Broad street. The Chorale will feature music of composers Benjamin Britten, Andrew Carter, Paul Basler, and arrangements by Norman Luboff and Stephan Barnicle. The Chorale is under the direction of artistic director Darryl Jones and will be accompanied by assistant artistic director Abbie Fletcher. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased in advance from any Chorale member, Swicegood Music Store, or by calling (337) 4919348. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. 2011 MAYOR’S ARTS AWARDS OCT. 14 The Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, in conjunction with the City of Lake Charles and Mayor Randy Roach, cordially invites the public to the 2011 Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony scheduled for Fri., Oct. 14 beginning at 6 p.m. Please join the Mayor and the award recipients in the Theatre on the 2nd Floor of Central School Arts & Humanities Center, located at 809 Kirby Street, Lake Charles. Musical entertainment will be provided by local luminary Chester Daigle. Following the presentation ceremony, a reception will be held in the 2nd Floor Alcove. An art opening for the 5th annual Lydia and Joe Cash Art Associates Juried Exhibition will occur simultaneously in Central School Arts & Humanities Center. For more information, please contact Arts Council director Matt Young at (337) 439-ARTS, or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org.
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‘RIDE FOR THE KIDS’ OCT. 15 On Sat., Oct. 15, the Blue Knights LA V Motorcycle Club will host the inaugural “Ride For The Kids” to benefit the DeRidder office of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana. The ride will start at the BBBS office, 117 Port St., DeRidder, located behind Presley’s BBQ. Late registration and registered participants check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. with the ride starting at 11 a.m. Enjoy an 80-100 mile ride through the scenic roads of Louisiana toward Toledo Bend. Late registration will be $40 per motorcycle, postmarked on or after Oct. 2. The event will also have a silent auction; 50/50 split the pot; and other festivities. A PDF registration form is available at www.cityofderidder.org under Community Spotlight 2011 BBBS Ride For The Kids. For more information on the ride or to donate door prizes/silent auction items, email fthomas@bbbs-swla.net, call (337) 460KIDS (5437) or (337) 202-8010. RAGLEY HERITAGE AND TIMBER FESTIVAL OCT. 15 The 13th Annual Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival will be held Sat., Oct. 15 at the Historical Square Pavilion in Ragley. The festival will kick off with a parade at 9 a.m. at the Ragley First United Pentecostal Church. Activities will begin at 10:15 a.m. There will be bands/music, delicious food and sweets, quilters, spinning, corn grinding, wood making, jewelry making, and antique cars and tractors on display. The children will enjoy train rides, puppets, magician shows, balloon animals, and more. A Lil’ Red Wagon contest will be held with the theme “Fall into our Heritage.” Children, ages 0 – 10 years can enter their wagon in a parade beginning at 12:45 p.m. If interested in entering the contest, call 540-3792. Gate fee is $5 per carload. For more information, call 725-3324. BEYOND THE MYTH OCT. 15 Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue will host the Louisiana premiere of the documentary film Beyond the Myth on Sat., Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Central School Theatre in Lake Charles. The film—which has been screening across the U.S. to rave reviews and high praise—aims to educate the public about the discrimination unfairly placed on Pit Bull-type dogs, as well as underscore the ineffectiveness and harmful impact of breed specific laws. The screening of Beyond the Myth marks a continuous effort on behalf of the Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue to shine a spotlight on the joys of Pit Bull ownership. General admission tickets are $10 and are available exclusively online at www.beyondthemyth.com. Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue will have a significant presence at the screening and will be selling pet-specific merchandise that will directly benefit the organization’s efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and find forever homes for dogs. There will also be a free after party at The Porch, with a silent auction to benefit the rescue. LOUISIANA CROSSROADS ACCORDION BLOWOUT OCT. 19 The season premiere of Louisiana Crossroads will take place at 7 p.m. Wed., Oct. 19, when Louisiana Crossroads welcomes Accordion Blowout: Cajun, Zydeco, Lebanese and Conjunto. Four virtuoso performers unite in a celebration of Louisiana’s most distinctive and spirited instrument. Kristi Guillory and Bonsoir Catin will deliver hard-driving Cajun music, while Elias Lammam will share his unique Arabic sounds and technical mastery. Corey Ledet will hit hard with his full-on Zydeco band
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Corey Ledet
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and, last but not least, Eva Ybarra, the first woman to play Conjunto music in Texas, will treat us to fiery cumbias, polkas and more. Advance tickets are $10 on line at www.louisianacrossroads.org or at the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana on the second floor of Central School. Tickets at the door are $12. CULTURE FEST OCT. 21-22 The first Culture Fest Louisiana will celebrate the diversity of SWLA with food, music, fashion, art, and performances that span across the many cultures and ethnicities found in our region. The festival will be held at the Lake Charles Civic Center and will include a variety of events for all ages and backgrounds, including a cultural display area, an international village for children, a world café, and a wide schedule of live entertainment. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, enjoy Native American flute music by Peter Villegas, Celtic songs, and the Grammy-nominated Cajun band the Lost Bayou Ramblers. An extensive tasting of wines and beers from across the world will also be presented. Saturday will include an exciting variety of music, dancing, art, and cuisine from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, got to www.CultureFestLouisiana.com. TREY KILLIAN MEMORIAL 5K OCT. 22 Sat., Oct. 22, is National Make A Difference Day, and it’s also the Trey Killian Memorial 5k. This run/walk will be held at Sulphur’s Heritage Pavilion. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the run/walk starts at 8:00 a.m. Online registration is available at www.active.com (search for Trey Killian 5k), or you can find the link on Facebook.com as well. Paper registration is also available; call Sandee Killian at 853-9442 for more information. There will be other events going on that day as well: The Sulphur Police Department will be hosting a drinking and driving/ texting and driving awareness program, complete with a drunk goggles golf cart driving course. There will be giveaways and lots of information available, along with a bake sale. Trey was killed in an alcohol-related accident in the early morning hours of Sept. 26, 2010 when the vehicle he was a passenger in flipped several times, resulting in his death. A scholarship fund in Trey’s name has been opened at MidSouth Bank in Sulphur, and all net proceeds from this event will benefit this fund. IONIC LODGE #26 MASONIC GOLF CLASSIC NOV. 12 Ionic Lodge #26’s Masonic Golf Classic will be held on Nov. 12 at the National Golf Course of Louisiana, 2801 Louisiana Way in Westlake. Shotgun start begins at 9 a.m.; participants need to be onsite at 8 a.m. Oct. 31 is the last day to register. Two-man scramble is $220 per team. Participants will receive a golf shirt and a Golfers’ gift bag. Prizes will be given to the four golfers closest to hole, and a prize given for longest drive of the day. Hole Sponsorship is $100 and includes: Hole sign at tournament with company name and logo; full page ad in Masters’ Ball souvenir book with company name and logo; and a platinum sponsorship award to be presented to sponsoring company. For a registration form or more information, contact Bradley Stevens at (337) 764-8031, Shawn Papillion at (337) 304-2922, or Reggie Moore at (337) 526-1647. TJN
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OCTOBER 6, 2011
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To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com
The
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. • DJ Webe @ The Porch, 8 p.m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 • Don Fontenot et Les Cajuns de la Prairie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Warren Storm/Willie Tee & Cypress @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Tim Norris @ The Porch, 8 p.m. • Marty Monte’s Magazine @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • David St. Romain @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 • Travis Benoit & Allons Dancer @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Stellar @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Paul Gonsoulin @ Cecil’s Cajun Café, DeRidder, 7:30 p.m. • Gov’t Majik @ Luna Live, 8 p.m. • Crossin’ Dixon @ Yesterday’s, 8 p.m. • BB & Company @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Dash Rip Rock @ The Porch, 9 p.m. • X-It 43 @ Linda’s Lounge, 9 p.m.
• The Kadillacs @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • David St. Romain @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Stellar @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • The Blue Party/Fresh Nectar @ Luna Live, 8 p.m. • David Ball/Troy Cook Jr. @ Texas Longhorn Club, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Trace Adkins @ The Pavilion, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m. • BB & Company @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Cold Sweat @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • David St. Romain @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 • TBA @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.
• Brad Brinkley & Comfort Zone @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m. • Cyrille Neville @ The Porch, 9 p.m. • Jose Mata @ Big Kahuna’s, 9 p.m. • Time Machine @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 • Jen Kober @ Luna Live, 6:30 p.m. • Mack Manuel & The Lake Charles Ramblers @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Choke/Large Marge/Big Frank @ Nate’s Place, 8 p.m. • Jeff Tyson @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Bayou Katz @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m. • X-It 43 @ Linda’s Lounge, 9 p.m. • Ty Phillips & Southwind @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • Twangsters Union @ Yesterday’s, 9:30 p.m. • Signature @ Luna Live, 10 p.m. • Rockstar Karaoke @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 • Paul Gonsoulin @ The Porch, 10 a.m. • TBA@ Ragley Timber & Heritage Festival, Ragley, 10 a.m. • Al Roger & Louisiana Pride @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Tawanda Robbins @ Lake Charles Civic Center, 7 p.m.
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• Soul Rebels Brass Band @ Luna Live, 8 p.m. • Jeff Tyson @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Bayou Katz @ Club 1Sixty5, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m. • Major Handy @ The Porch, 9 p.m. • The Inked-Up 81s @ Cigar Club, 9 p.m. • Charles Mann @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • Rockstar Karaoke @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 • Louisiana Crossroads @ Central School, 7 p.m. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 • Felton LeJeune & The Cajun Cowboys @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • Zydecane @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • The Stark Experiment @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.
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• Kirk Holder/Chris LeBlanc @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m. • ISIS @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m. • Now or Never/Seven Ways Gone @ Nate’s Place, 8 p.m. • Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m. • Lucy In Disquise @ Luna Live, 9 p.m. • Side Street Jazz Band @ Cigar Club, 9 p.m. • City Heat @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m. • The Kadillacs @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge du Lac, 10 p.m.
TJN
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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Leslie B e four dec rman’s career in ades, an music folksing er, mus d includes stin spans ic teach ts as a booker, e c tival dir oncert promote r, coffeehouse r e notes w ctor, music jou , publicist, fesriter, ar rnalist, trade o album tist ma na rg tainmen anization pre gerwwwww, sid t a the Mu ttorney, and ent, enterp sic Mu seum o resident of Louisian f a . musicall She prefers Southwest y GRAM eclectic, and v all things M Recordin Ys as a mem otes on the g Aca ber o reached at leslie@ demy. 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Volume 3 • Issue 14
down clues only; work backwards from last clue to first). The gorgeous finger-picking arrangements he taught me (“Buddy Can You Spare A Dime,” “Blackbird”) still make musical heaven when I remember how to play them. At Café Vivaldi, he played and sang his own and others’ songs with nostalgia and sophisticated runs, stringing the tunes together with snarking asides to the delight of old friends, a few tourists, and Lawrence Block, the fine mystery
novelist, whose lyric, “I took Jesus for my Savior and Jack Daniels for my friend,” was only one of the fine lines dotted and crossed among a dozen songs that included an early holiday number, “Christmas In Brooklyn.” If you’re a fan of smart and sassy lyrics and the tastiest acoustic guitar licks this side of bluegrass, Erik Frandsen’s a taste you should acquire. TJN
Killin’ Time Crossword
Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission. Volume 3 • Issue 14
OCTOBER 6, 2011
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