The Jambalaya News - Vol. 3 No. 17

VOL. 3, NO. 17 / NOVEMBER 17, 2011

• The Lake Charles Civic Ballet: Grace, Beauty and Dedication • Christmas Events in the Lake Area!

• The Lake Charles Country Club: Building on History • SWLA Training Center

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Volume 3 • Issue 17

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

contents

On Cover: Honey-B Ham Lake Charles owner Joe Heinen.

Photo by Romero & Romero Photography

November 17, 2011 • Volume 3 • Issue 17

COVER STORY 22

Honey-B-Ham: A Holiday Tradition

publisher@thejambalayanews.com

NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Addison Leslie Berman George Cline Dan Ellender Maria Alcantara Faul Mike McHugh 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

REGULARS 7 10 11 12 13 16 26

The Boiling Pot Adoption Corner The Dang Yankee Speakeasy Tips from Tip What’s Cookin’ Sports Report

FEATURES 5 14 18 28 32 40

Giving Thanks Bayou Biz: SWLA ABC Training Center The Lake Charles Country Club: Building on History Lake Charles Civic Ballet: Grace, Beauty and Dedication Christmas Events in SWLA Holiday Makeover

ENTERTAINMENT 39 42 44 45 49 52 54 55

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

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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.

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A Note From Lauren Just Take Your Medicine

We are a nation of wusses.

Really, we are.

I’ve kind of noticed them in drugstores, but it never really registered until today, when I saw a television commercial for them.

Gummy vitamins. For adults.

And there’s more than one brand. There are VitaCraves, Gummy Vites and God knows what Gummy else.

Why do we need gummy vitamins? We’re not children. Why can’t we just swallow our vitamins like we’ve always done and go about our business? Really, is it necessary?

I wonder what kind of an adult takes gummy vitamins.

Can you imagine a drill sergeant or a cop popping Gummy Vites every morning and giggling over the taste? If they do, I don’t want to know about it.

So I went online and found reviews of this amazing product: “I used to hate taking vitamins, but now I love it! I have to remind myself to stop at two!” one woman gushed. Another admonished us to make sure the bottle is kept out of our children’s reach because it tastes so much like candy. Still another reviewer raved that now, “Taking vitamins is fun!”

But does taking vitamins have to be fun? Are we that spoiled that every single thing we do is supposed to be fun? There’s truly something wrong with our society if research has been done to make vitamins something to look forward to every day.

It’s different if you’re a child.

Bad stuff should be sugarcoated, literally and figuratively.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

As I recall, most medicine did not taste very good when I was growing up. It was medicine. I have vivid memories of coming home from the doctor’s office and facing a shiny brown bottle filled with some kind of muck that I had to take for whatever my childhood ailment was at the moment. It always tasted bad and it was always in that brown bottle. I dreaded the brown bottle.

So my mother would give me something to take along with it to make the medicine go down— juice, ginger ale, etc.

It was just like the Mary Poppins’ song. “Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down,” the quirky governess sang as she gave her charges cod-liver oil, followed by sugar. Words of wisdom from Julie Andrews.

But there were some medicines that were OK. Even in the early 60s, we did have chewable vitamins that were fruit-flavored and tasty—Zestabs, they were called. Does anyone remember them? They weren’t gummy because, well, we didn’t do gummy in the 60s. I don’t think we did gummy in the 90s.

I also took orange-flavored St. Joseph Aspirin for Children and I confess, I did sneak into the medicine cabinet and eat them even when I wasn’t sick. But I think my favorite medicine was Coca Cola syrup, for nausea.

Because it was just that: concentrated Coca Cola. And it really worked. To this day, when I’m nauseous, I always drink a Coke (flat, with the carbonation stirred out of it) and it does settle my stomach. That’s one medicine that came in a little brown bottle that didn’t scare me. And I asso-

ciate it with making me feel better, which is why I can’t stand the taste of Pepsi. To me, it’s just a Coke wanna-be.

But I don’t think anything could have been worse than ether—that dreaded anesthesia.

Mercifully, that’s gone the way of the wagon train.

For those of you who never had the pleasure of being knocked out on an operating table with ether, let me tell you all about it.

I had my tonsils out when I was five. I really didn’t need this procedure; my cousin Richard did, and I just went along to keep him company. In those days, kids were supposed to have their tonsils out, sooner or later; so there I was, getting them out sooner.

As it turned out, Richard ran a temperature that day, so they sent him home. The kid who really needed it. And every time he went back in the hospital— you guessed it—he had another fever. He’s 56 years old now and still has his tonsils. Guess he didn’t ever want to give them up.

But I didn’t run any fever, so I was wheeled into surgery—the kid who didn’t really need it.

As I recall, they put some kind of a mask over my nose and mouth and started squeezing drops of ether over the mask.

The odor was absolutely horrendous. It was an overpowering chemical smell that I can’t quite recall, but it’s in the recesses of my mind and could come out one day. I hope it doesn’t.

I remember coughing and crying because the odor was so horrible.

Then, I started hallucinating. I saw a black and

white hypnotic wheel, going round and round and round. In the middle of the wheel, a woman was lying down with a white sheet up to her chin. She sat up, and the sheet slipped away for a few seconds, just enough to reveal her shiny redsequined cocktail dress. But almost immediately, the sheet came back up to her chin, forcing her back down. Then she sat up again, the sheet came off, and…you know the drill. This happened over and over again.

Fifty years later, the memory is still vivid.

I think it was harder to get over the ether than the actual surgery, which left me coughing up blood and with a horrible sore throat. I did get a new bicycle out of the deal. Richard got another fever.

But no one got any gummies.

Sometimes, life just isn’t fair.

– Lauren de Albuquerque TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 17

By Maria Alcantara Faul

As we gather around the Thanksgiving table and partake of the bounty of food before us, we pause to give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon our loved ones and us. But the holidays can be a difficult time for many: the homeless, the needy, the sick and the elderly.

A depressed economy and consumers’ increasing concerns about personal, as well as environmental health and wellness has left area pantries short of supplies to meet the community’s needs. Those who normally donate are also feeling the economic strain, so they donate less or not at all. The string of natural disasters (tornadoes, floods and wildfires) that took place in the recent past also put a hit on emergency food supplies.

Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and reflection. So it is appropriate that we consider how we can reach outside of ourselves to share and care for others. There are many opportunities to share your time and talents. Consider some of these organizations: AREA FOOD BANKS AND SOUP KITCHENS Area food banks and soup kitchens are always in need of canned goods and other non-perishable items. The Catholic

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Charities of SWLA and Oak Park Food Pantry are some of the food pantries that serve the Calcasieu Parish area.

Catholic Charities maintain a food pantry that allows them to distribute groceries to those in need. It belongs to a network of food pantries in the state in order to make full use of donations. The group is currently collecting donations to put together food baskets during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

The Oak Park Food Pantry, located at 1611 17th Street in Lake Charles, serves the Lake Charles area between Lake Street, McNeese Street, 14th Street and Broad Street. The pantry provides food parcels to more than 170 families each month.

Abraham’s Tent, located on 2300 Fruge Street in Lake Charles prepares and serves hot meals seven days a week to persons in immediate need.

Established in 1986, the mission of Abraham’s Tent is to offer one full meal a day to anyone that is hungry.

Just as in past Thanksgivings, Abraham’s Tent clients will receive a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

AREA CHURCHES Donating time and treasure to area churches is always a good way to give back to the community. For example, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, located on Lake Street in Lake Charles, is collecting food for the Thanksgiving holidays with hopes of putting together food baskets for 100 families. The church usually conducts the food drive during the holidays, but due to the economy, the drive has been going on all year.

Collected food items not used for Thanksgiving are put towards 100 food baskets to be distributed to famNOVEMBER 17, 2011

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ilies in need during Christmas. A family may only receive one food basket, either for Thanksgiving or Christmas. “A lot of people are in need of assistance, so we need to help as many families as possible,” said Allison Fontenot of OLQH Church.

Glad Tidings Church, located on Texas Street in Lake Charles, is also offering a complete Thanksgiving meal for those in need. The church is collecting donations to put together as many Thanksgiving baskets as possible to help families out during the holidays.

OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS The Lake Charles Seafarers’ Center, an outreach program of the Diocese of Lake Charles, aims to provide comfort to seamen stationed at the Port of Lake Charles. Many national and international ships come through the Port, and seafarers can be away from their homes and families for long periods of time.

Separation can be even harder during the holidays. Care package donations of knit caps; soap; deodorant; combs and brushes; toothpaste and toothbrushes; shampoos; shaving cream; crew socks; etc., would be a nice way to comfort these men during their time away from home.

Donating to any organization helps the whole community.

“Everybody’s helping, and they balance each other out,” said Trish Trejo, director of the Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana. “If another agency is unable to provide services to the community, it puts pressure on other agencies to fill that void.”

Thanksgiving is the time to appreciate our family, friends, and material comfort. It is also the time to help those less fortunate by sharing the abundance with which we have been blessed. But the need for sharing and caring does not disappear after the holidays. Area agencies are always in need of donations and volunteers. Contact those we have mentioned, or other service agencies, for detailed information.

Having the ability and resources to show compassion and care to our community is a blessing. Sharing and caring is a ministry that never leaves you empty. As you draw upon your reservoir of blessings, God graciously replenishes and supplies your needs.

In giving of ourselves, we learn firsthand that truly it is more blessed to give than to receive. Seek opportunities to share and care. Make this Thanksgiving more joyful. Share your gifts. TJN PAGE 6

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The

Boiling

P l

Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com

dent, Landry most recently served as program director for Oceans Healthcare Group in Lake Charles. The Wound Healing Center at WCCH specializes in the treatment of chronic wounds and non-responsive conditions and offers hospital-based outpatient wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

LC WAL-MART #1204 DONATES TO LAFAMILIA RESOURCE CENTER Lake Charles Wal-Mart #1204 recently donated $1,000 to LaFamilia Resource Center, a bilingual, multi-service, non-profit 501C(3) organization developed to meet the needs of Latino and other multicultural families and individuals by providing classes, referrals and access to services and programs within the Southwest Louisiana community.

David Sickey and Ambassador Shapiro

COUSHATTA TRIBE LEADERS RETURN FROM TRADE MISSION TO ISRAEL Leaders of the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana recently returned from a U.S. Department of Commerce Louisiana Oil and Gas Trade Mission to Israel that they believe will play a critical role in the Tribe’s ongoing economic development and diversification efforts. Coushatta Tribe Member-ofCouncil David Sickey led the Tribe’s delegation, which was part of a group that included 11 Southwest Louisiana/Gulf Coast companies and organizations. The Louisiana Trade Mission to Israel was organized by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Commerce and supported and attended by U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. While on the trade mission, the Tribe’s delegation met with a number of Israeli business leaders, as well as Israeli and U.S. officials, including U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro. The Coushatta Tribe began an outreach initiative to Israel almost three years ago, when they became the first Native American tribe to recognize, honor, and welcome official representatives of the State of Israel. For more information on the trade mission or the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana contact David Sickey at (337) 584-1545.

NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF WOUND HEALING CENTER AT WCCH Geoff Landry has been named program director for the Wound Healing Center at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Landry will be responsible for all aspects of the center’s operations, including ensuring quality patient care, recruiting and hiring, compliance with federal and state guidelines, budgeting and fiscal policies, and marketing and sales. A Lake Charles resiVolume 3 • Issue 17

Geoff Landry

Doug Gehrig, owner and operator of McDonald’s of Southwest Louisiana and Anna Catherine Viator, annual events manager of Children’s Miracle Network/CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation pose for a quick photo with two of the party guests.

MCDONALD’S AND THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOST HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK McDonald’s of Southwest Louisiana and the Children’s Museum held a Halloween Party for the children of Children’s Miracle Network at the museum. The children had an opportunity to show off their Halloween costumes while enjoying a fun-filled afternoon of treats, Happy Meals, and playing with the variety of engaging and educational exhibits offered by the Children’s Museum.

NEW ASSISTANT VPS NAMED AT FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN DERIDDER John W. Fusilier, CEO of First National Bank in DeRidder, announces Charlotte “Charli” Hebert and Deanna “DeeDee” Phelps are now assistant vice presidents at the main office of First National Bank in downtown DeRidder. Hebert has served in varying capacities at First National Bank NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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since her employment with FNB in 1996. She has worked as a teller, as a data processor and most recently in the lending department, giving her a strong foundation in all areas of lending, including consumer loans, residential and commercial mortgage lending. Phelps has been in the banking industry for 19 years, and was with FNB for 14 years. She has served as teller, new accounts representative, IRA specialist, compliance officer and branch manager. She serves on the board of directors for the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the DeRidder Lions Club and DeRidder Junior Woman’s Club.

JEFF DAVIS BANK ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES Jeff Davis Bank & Trust Company is proud to announce the additions of Bobby Broussard and Allison Robertson. Broussard has been hired as Senior VP and commercial loan officer and Robertson as a commercial Bobby Broussard Allison Robertson lending assistant. Both Broussard and Robertson were previously employed by Cameron State Bank and Iberiabank. They will work in the Nelson Rd. office at 4400 Nelson Rd. MEMORIAL HOSPITAL HONORS MOSS BLUFF ELEMENTARY ARTISTS Lake Charles Memorial Hospital recently honored students who participated in the Young at Art Program in September. The program, which spotlights artwork from a different local elementary school each month, was designed to make a positive impact on hospital patients, employees, and the young artists themselves. April’s display featured artwork by students from Moss Bluff Elementary. A panel of Memorial volunteers recognized fifth graders Danielle Lerette, Collin Broussard and Bryce Buller with a $50 savings bond.

Westlake High School Key Club

WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB SUPPORTS UNICEF The Westlake High School Key Club recently raised money for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to assist children in need. WHS students collected money from the community by participating in “Trick or Treat for UNICEF.” The funds are dedicated to foreign countries to help eliminate the deadly disease of maternal and neonatal tetanus. The Key Club sponsor is Westlake High School librarian Shanna Eggleston.

POLICE JURY EMPLOYEE APPOINTED TO FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Acting Administrator of the U.S. Department of Justice, Jeff Slowikowski, has appointed Vi Martin, with the Office of Juvenile Justice Services Department of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, to the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Martin will provide advice on juvenile justice issues at the federal level as the primary representative of Louisiana as well as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. Martin has been working in the Office of Juvenile Justice Services PAGE 8

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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at the Police Jury since December 1981. She began as a juvenile probation officer and is now director of resource development. She is a Licensed Prevention Professional and has her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.

Chick-fil-A employees from Prien Lake Mall went together as a store to help rebuild Millennium Park

CHICK-FIL-A AT PRIEN LAKE EMPLOYEES HELP REBUILD MILLENNIUM PARK Employees from Chick-fil-A at Prien Lake Mall went together as a store to help rebuild Millennium Park recently. The Prien Lake Mall location recently celebrated its 13-year anniversary, with manager Bob Dalton celebrating his ninth year as manager.

VISIT WWW.SALONW.BIZ

Pictured from left are: McNeese President Dr. Philip Williams, Foundation Board of Directors President Bob Davidson, Joyce and David Buttross, and Executive VP for the Foundation Richard Reid. McNeese Photo

BUTTROSS SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED Dr. and Mrs. David Buttross, Jr. have donated $10,000 to McNeese State University through the McNeese Foundation to establish the endowed David and Joyce Buttross Scholarship. The scholarship is designated for McNeese students majoring in pre-medicine.

LCPD GETS INTO SOCIAL MEDIA The Lake Charles Police Department is pleased to announce their entrance into social media through Facebook, Twitter, and Nixle. This will enhance communication into the community by dispersing emergency notifications, traffic advisories, and items of significant community interests. The LCPD has established a Facebook page that you can “like” to receive updates that include emergency notifications, traffic advisories, items of community interests, press releases, and information on wanted persons. The LCPD has also established a twitter account under the name of “@LakeCharlesPD.” They have been posting traffic advisories and emergency notifications to this account in conjunction with the Nixle Notification Service. Nixle is an emergency text message, email, and web notification system. Signup is free at www.nixle.com. Alternatively, you can text “lcpd” to 888777 to begin receiving text message updates directly to your cellular phone immediately. TJN Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Police K-9 Passes Away “Others call you a dog, but my friend, you are much more – you were the best partner I could have asked for.”

Sgt. Kevin L. Jones The Lake Charles Police Department is mourning the loss of a longtime member of the K-9 force.

Breston, a 14-year-old Belgian Malinois, died peacefully recently after suffering from health problems and old age.

During his nine years with the department, the canine served alongside 18year department veteran Sergeant Kevin Jones, working to apprehend numerous criminals and help seize various narcotics and currency.

K-9 Breston was one of the first dogs included in the implementation of the K-9 unit at the Lake Charles

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Police Department.

Police K-9’s have been a major asset to the local department, saving numerous man-hours and helping minimize officers’ risk of life-threatening injury or death.

“He was a natural at it— you’d show him once and he would get it. His work ethic was incredible,” Sgt. Jones recalled of his longtime partner. “I’ll miss him terribly.”

A police motorcade escorted Breston to his resting place on Wednesday, and he will always be remembered as one of the force.

TJN

Meet Boudreaux!

November is “Adopt a Senior Pet Month,” and do we have a pet for you! Can you say “cuddle bunny?”

That’s what Boudreaux is, and he deserves the best new family to share his love with. He is a sweetheart of a little man who likes to hang out with other dogs and cuddle on the couch with his human. He is approximately 7-8 years old, so he’s already trained and used to a home environment.

He’s been neutered, is current with his shots and would prefer a home without cats. Please consider this sweet boy as the next love of your life.

Call Boudreaux’s foster mom at (337) 533-8212 for more info. An adoption application can be found online at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com under the “Forms” tab and faxed to 337-5586331 or e-mailed to fourpawssociety@aol.com. A vet reference and home visit are part of the adoption process to ensure a good match for both Boudreaux and his adopter. If you live outside the Calcasieu Parish area, a “virtual” home visit can be done by e-mailing photos of your home to us. TJN

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Dang Yankee

Sponsored by

The

do not celebrate Thanksgiving in Iran.

What’s more, current sanctions prevent them from acquiring stockpiles of Tony Chachere’s Injectable Creole Style Butter Marinade.

For this reason, I am urging all Louisiana residents to stay alert during this Thanksgiving Holiday. And if you do happen to find Mahmoud Ahmadinejad poking around in your pantry, whatever you do, don’t call me to come running over there with a shotgun, even if Michael Moore is with him. No, you should immediately contact the appropriate government

agency, which in this case would be the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Barbecue Sauce and Marinade Division. They will dispatch to your kitchen a crack team of commandoes, so long as it is not during the Dallas Cowboys game.

Other than that, I hope that you and your family have a happy Thanksgiving. And, as you and prepare to enjoy this year’s feast, remember the immortal words of American Top 40’s Casey Kasem: “Keep your turkeys on the ground, and keep reaching for the sweet potatoes.” TJN

By Mike McHugh

The Ballistic Turkey Yankees over the years have embraced many traditional Southern customs, such as NASCAR, country music, and, most recently, hurricane evacuations. But, there is one thing that they never should have been allowed to get their hands on. I’m talking, of course, about turkey fryers.

According to the world-renowned Cajun think tank, Boudreaux and Thibodeaux Research Associates, LLC, 87 percent of all attempts in Yankee Land to deep-fry a turkey have resulted in some sort of collateral damage.

The danger of un-thawed birds being launched from fryers has caused officials to ground all air traffic on Thanksgiving Day in a number of Northern states. Coming from a long line of Yankees, I can tell you that such people should not be trusted with anything more than a dim flashlight.

My personal mishap involving a turkey fryer happened about ten years ago, when I was still in Yankee Land, and I didn’t know Lake Charles from Lake Champlain. I don’t think it was counted in the Boudreaux and Thibodeaux statistics, because I tried to keep the incident under wraps. It happened when I immersed the bird into the oil too quickly, causing it to bubble over the top. It melted a small patch of the Astroturf carpet on my back porch, but that was the only damage. My wife wouldn’t let me replace the carpet; she wanted it to stay there as sort of a badge of shame.

I had even failed at failure.

That’s why I have sworn myself never to fire a shotgun. I doubt that I’d be able to hit the side of a barn, or Michael Moore for that matter. And I’d probably end up losing a fingernail in the process.

So, aside from myself, Yankees with their turkey fryers have given a new meaning to the five-alarm entree.

But the news may not be all bad here, for in the process, they may have acciVolume 3 • Issue 17

dently discovered a new, powerful, means of propulsion. NASA is taking a strong interest in this. They see turkey fryers as a possible means to deflect an asteroid, should one someday venture too close to the planet. The military is also taking a close look at them as a possible new weapon in the war on terror. It just might be thing to drive the Taliban from Afghanistan once and for all. Just consider: TALIBAN SCOUT: “Exalted Commander, we have just spotted a convoy carrying weapons to the Third Massachusetts Regiment.”

COMMANDER: “What sorts of weapons, O Faithful Scout? Heat seeking missile launchers? Rocket-propelled grenades?”

SCOUT: “No sir, worse. We observed one truck to be loaded with Butterball turkeys and peanut oil.”

COMMANDER: “We are done for!

Send word to our brave freedom fighters that we must withdraw immediately to Pakistan.”

It’s reported that the U.S. Army is close to deploying this new weapon, although the project has fallen behind schedule.

“We were about to go into full production with the fryers,” said an Army spokesperson. “Then, the bids came back from the contractors- at $43,000 apiece. It’s inconceivable that any advanced weapons delivery system could be made so inexpensively. We had obviously missed something, and so we have ordered a complete review of the technical specifications.”

They’d better get their act together soon. According to intelligence sources, Iran has stepped up its development of an advanced tactical turkey launcher, in direct violation of the International Poultry NonProliferation Treaty. Iranian officials, of course, have claimed that their fryers are for peaceful purposes. World leaders are skeptical, however, as they NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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By Lauren de Albuquerque One of Phil’s favorite things to do is dress up as Gumbeaux Gator and waddle all over the area representing the spirit of SWLA. I’ll never forget the first time he saw the mascot. It was at the 2004 Mardi Gras Gala at the Lake Charles Civic Center. He got very excited. “I want to do that!” he told me. A few years later, he was asked if he’d like to be Gumbeaux. One of his many dreams that came true!

The Lake Charles Convention

and Visitors Bureau was at the Hotel ZaZa in Houston recently on a very successful sales mission, and Gumbeaux was requested to do his thing. I was proud of him, as he was threatened by a few Houstonians. He was told that tigers ate gators (maybe a sports reference that I’m a little vague on). One man told him he made good gator kabobs. Poor Gumbeaux. Nonetheless, he survived, and stole the show, dancing Zydeco with some of the ladies.

Gumbeaux enjoys the company of two Mardi Gras ladies, Julie Babineaux and Jana Meaux.

The Hotel Zaza is quite a unique place. Situated next to the Museum of Fine Arts, it’s funky and fabulous. The staff is efficient, to say the least. We pulled up in front of the lobby, and in something like 10 seconds, six people had pulled our bags (including Gumbeaux’s huge costume) and us out of our car, and led us to the front desk. I think we were checked in, and in our room, in less than five minutes.

I don’t think any hotel can top that.

There were all sorts of events going on there that night, including a reception for the opening of the new King Tut exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts. There was an Egyptian sarcophagus surrounded by candles in a fountain in the lobby in honor of Tut, and videos of Steve Martin doing his famous Tut routine. The exhibit will run until April 15, 2012 so there’s plenty of time to see it. Make sure you do, and if you have some money to spend, stay at the Zaza. You won’t be

disappointed. And let me know how long it takes to check in.

The Healthcare 2000 Foundation had another successful Platinum and Pearls Gala recently and The Jam team was there to cheer everyone on, including Phil and I, who competed in the Champions of the Dance competition, which is reserved for past Platinum and Pearls dancers. We danced Swing with three other couples to “In the Mood” and had a blast.

Congrats to the winners of the Dancing With the Stars competition, Clifford and Vanessa Lewis, and to Jake and Patricia Philmon, who won the People’s Choice Award. Roger Porter and Melinda Lempke won the Champions of the Dance competition and did a fabulous job. Special thanks to Debbie Weeks and Steve LeBlanc and Jay and Maria Cotto, our fabulous instructors who gave us so much of their time and attention.

TJN

Backstage at the Platinum and Pearls Gala with most of the dancers and instructors.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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By George “Tip” Cline

WHAT A SURPRISE: A RESTAURANT ON A LAKE! We took a pleasant ride recently to Lake Arthur to have lunch at their new waterside restaurant, Regatta, built out over the lake. I must say that the building and its environs were impressive and obviously well done. The food and service were just what you would hope to experience.

We sampled the duck and andouille gumbo, something you don’t get everywhere, along with their crab cakes and a grilled catfish, which was as light as a feather. For about an hour’s drive from Lake Charles or by boat or seaplane, if you prefer, you will find this unusual dining opportunity waiting. The place is familyfriendly and being on the water, casual dress is fine. For a look at Regatta, their website is www.regattarestaurantla.com.

TIME FOR MISTLETOE AND MOSS Concurrent with the date of this issue of The Jambalaya News, the Junior League of Lake Charles’ annual Holiday Market, Mistletoe & Moss, has begun at the Civic Center on Wed., Nov. 16 and runs through the 19th. This is the 19th year that they have held this much-anticipated event by our local chapter—an organization that has worked tirelessly for decades for the betterment of our area. Eight dollars will get you in the door to shop from merchants that come from near and far with items that you just can’t get in one place anywhere else. There are all kinds of special events within Mistletoe & Moss that include the children, a Ladies Night with food and music, and several other special happenings. For more information, call 436-4025 or go to www.jllc.net.

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Thanksgiving upon us, I went with some traditional holiday items to compare. I was surprised to find that Market Basket (I went to two different locations) had no frozen turkeys in stock. Theirs were scheduled to come in the following weekend, so I am unfortunately unable to give you their price. The stores this week were: Albertsons, Country Club Road; Market Basket, Lake Street and Nelson Road; Kroger, McNeese Street and Walmart, Nelson Road.

Frozen whole turkey, per pound: Albertsons, $.49; Kroger, $.59

(with additional $20 purchase); Walmart, $.74.

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, 8.5 ounce box: Albertsons, $.55; Kroger, $.53; Market Basket, $.25; Walmart, $.50.

Sweet Potatoes, fresh per pound: Albertsons, $1; Kroger, $.98; Market Basket, $1.19; Walmart, $.98.

Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce, 14-ounce can: Albertsons, $1.50; Kroger, $.99; Market Basket, $1.39; Walmart, $1.16.

TJN

PURSUIT OF THE GREENBACK In a prior column, we mentioned our neighboring community of Welsh and their crime problem. We can only assume that crime has been eliminated there, because recently, the Welsh town officials showed their true colors. The pursuit of the elusive greenback has caused them to abandon the pretense of public safety in favor of traffic enforcement.

At least, Welsh openly admits that they use the traffic enforcement program (TED) for revenue, with no mention of serving and protecting the public. This program allows offduty officers to receive $25 an hour to work Interstate 10 with their radar units so they can issue the maximum amount of tickets.

Yes, they talk about how much revenue is produced, but the big issue is how many hours per shift are allowed. The officers have to check out their vehicles and complete paperwork, which takes valuable ticket-writing time away from the program. Common sense tells us that there are better uses of the police force. Preying on motorists who go a few miles per hour over the speed limit, as all of us have done in the past, does not reflect well on that community.

We all avoid certain routes and towns because of their “Speed Trap” reputation. This penalizes some communities, as the local merchants and restaurants are shunned because the traffic doesn’t come there. This type of “law enforcement” only lessens respect for police and reduces our confidence in them.

SUPERMARKET ROUNDUP Our shopping comparisons for this issue were obtained on Wed., Nov. 9, 2011 and reflect the posted prices on the location where the product was placed for sale. With NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 13

Bayou

By Lauren de Albuquerque

Biz

Even though the United States has experienced a shaky economy, our employment future is looking up. We have a projection in 2012 of an abundance of work in maintenance and construction at our local plants.

There is going to be a great need for trained craftsmen for our area.

Nationally, less than 30 percent of all high school graduates receive a college diploma. Other opportunities have to be found to educate our young people. ABC training center has just the opportunities!

Every year, more than $400 billion is spent on new construction in the United States, employing more than 5 million people. With the industry facing a shortage of skilled craftspeople, it’s a good time to get into the business. And this is where ABC Training Center comes in.

According to Kirby Bruchhaus, who has been its director of education for the past three years, its primary goal is to train men and women to either work for plants or facilities, or for the contractors that are employed in these facilities.

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SWLA ABC Training Center

Training Today… for Tomorrow

There are two Pelican Chapter training centers in Louisiana: The Southwest ABC located in Westlake has been in operation since 1980, along with the Pelican Chapter in Baton Rouge. There are over 1,400 chapters throughout the country.

The Westlake facility is funded by the SLCUC, which is made up of local industries, which act as a channel of communication between the industries and the community.

Because of this funding, students are fortunate indeed: for an outrageously small fee, they receive top-notch training and certification, which is recorded by the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). With their names on a national registry, graduates can apply for work anywhere in the country and their certification is recognized.

“Our industry has to have experienced, certified craftsmen working in their facilities,” Bruchhaus said. “It’s a great ‘in.’ You can make a really good living and support a family on what you make in the plants. There are lots of opportunities for young people to learn, go to work, make a living and enjoy what they’re doing—with opportunities for advancement.”

Times have changed, he pointed out. “Nowadays, young people really don’t know what they want to do when they graduate from high school,” he observed. “In the past, everyone knew what they were going into. Not anymore.” Now, students can come and get training while they are working and getting experience in the field.”

Superior Training Instructional and hands-on lab training is available in the following areas: • Boilermaking • Electrical • Instrumentation • Pipe Fitting • Welding • Millwright • Equipment Operator • Mobile Crane The labs are specifically designed to teach students the hands-on skills needed to perform their craft in actual work situations.

Instructors are either NCCR-certified, retired craftsmen and technicians or active employees within the industry. And class times fit perfectly into busy schedules.

“We offer some day classes, but most are held in the evening, from

Registration for Jan. 9, 2012 classes starts Dec. 1 at 8 a.m. at The Training Center 222 Walcot Road Westlake, La. Please come by or call 337-882-0204.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

Director of Education Kirby Bruchhaus and students.

6-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.,” Bruchhaus said. This means that whether you’re in school or are employed, you can still come and get training.

Training is completed in three to four semesters. Approximately 300500 students are enrolled in the various classes per semester. Some summer training is available. And, students can start as young as 16.

“Starting in 10th grade, students can begin taking night classes so that by the time they graduate, they can walk right into a job—already NCCR-certified!” Bruchhaus said.

They also offer dual enrollment opportunities for high school students. “They can take a course in the afternoon or evening and not only will they get credit towards their high school diploma, they will also get credit towards NCCER certification,“ He said. “We have over 120 students from the five-parish area that are taking advantage of this opportunity.”

Out in the Workforce “With the Baby Boomers retiring, it’s time to focus on the new generation of craftsmen,” Bruchhaus said.

“There’s a new workforce coming up that needs training and experience.

Our chapter has focused on training a new workforce along with the existing craftsmen.

At the same time, it’s not uncommon for people in their 30s and 40s to consider a complete career change and come to ABC for training. “If you have a family to support, we might have a solution that can help,” he said.

“There is a great demand for certified craftsmen. Students of all ages attend classes in our area.”

This makes the ABC Training Center all the more valuable. “We get Volume 3 • Issue 17

a lot of people with degrees who never dreamed they’d consider working in the plants,” he said. “But they realize how good the money is. I know guys with high school diplomas and GEDs who are making more money than college graduates.”

And the jobs they hold are vital.

Without them, the industry cannot operate. “Maintenance, craftsmen and construction are the backbone of our plants,” Bruchhaus said.

Getting the Word Out The center covers the entire fiveparish area (Cameron, Calcasieu, Jeff Davis, Allen and Beauregard).

“Our high school outreach teams visit most of the schools, and work closely with the administrators and counselors to help get the word out to high school and junior high school students about training and dual enrollment opportunities,” he said.

The school will also be represented at Career Day at the Lake Charles Civic Center on Jan 31, with about 3,500 students from all five parishes participating.

“So many workers in Southwest Louisiana have benefited from our program,” Bruchhaus said. “There are a lot of opportunities out there to make a good living.”

So come and experience “The Best Kept Secret in Southwest Louisiana”—ABC Training Center.

Southwest ABC Training Center, Pelican Chapter 222 Walcot Rd. Westlake, LA 70669 Phone: (337) 882-0204 Fax: (337) 882-6757

TJN

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 15

What’s Cookin’ The Junior League of Lake Charles Marshes to Mansions is a coffee-table quality cookbook filled with over 250 recipes and 90 sidebars with helpful cooking tips and interesting facts and tales about people, places and events throughout Lake Charles history. It was published in 2007, following the success of the Lake Charles’ League’s first cookbook offering, Pirate’s Pantry.

It provides a range of recipes from cocktails to desserts and everything in between that caters to all types of cooks—from novice to expert. Many recipes are also noted as “Make Ahead,” so that even those of you with the busiest lifestyles can entertain friends and family with a menu from casual to extravagant.

Many people think that the beautiful cover was digitally created. In actuality, magic was made at a local marsh with a crane holding the famous chandelier above a pirogue set up with a glamorous table setting. Like our culture, the cover is truly unique!

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This keepsake book would make a fabulous Christmas present for cooks young and old, and each one you purchase contributes to those in need in our area.

The sale of JUST ONE cookbook allows one student to participate in The Leader in Me School Project, four patients to receive LSU tigers at Moss Regional Hospital, and six children to take part in the Kids in the Kitchen Program.

So, know that when you purchase just one cookbook, you’re giving back!

Marshes to Mansions is available yearround at www.jllc.net and can be shipped anywhere in the continental US. During the year, you can find the Lake Charles League at special events such as Mistletoe and Moss and Christmas Under the Oaks, where they also provide tastings of some of their most-requested recipes such as Pirates’ Punch, Spiced Pumpkin Bread, White Chocolate Blueberry Bread Pudding, and Cowboy Candy. Many local retailers also support the League by carrying Marshes to Mansions in their fine stores.

Contact the Junior League of Lake Charles, Inc. for more information about their cookbooks and the community projects they provide at (337) 436-4025. You can also find them on Facebook.

And make sure you attend this year’s annual Mistletoe and Moss shopping extravaganza, which will be held Nov. 16-19 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Don’t miss it!

The following recipe is perfect for those cooler autumn evenings. Add some garlic bread and bottle of wine and you’re all set!

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Sautéed Shrimp With Jalapeno Cream Sauce INGREDIENTS • 1 onion, julienned • 1 green bell pepper, julienned • 1 red bell pepper, julienned • 1 yellow bell pepper, julienned • 4 jalapeno chilies, seeded and sliced • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 1/8-teaspoon salt • Freshly ground pepper to taste • 1 pound fresh deveined, peeled shrimp • 1-cup sour cream • Hot cooked pasta or rice PREPARATION Sauté the onion, peppers and jalapeno chilies in butter in a saucepan until tender but still crisp. Stir in the garlic and salt and season with pepper. Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp turn pink. Stir in the sour cream and cook until heated through.

Serve over hot cooked pasta.

Serves 4 Enjoy!

TJN

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 17

The Lake Charles Country Club in the old days.

By Lisa Addison Nestled beneath stately oak trees on a sprawling property with sweeping views of the lake sits one of the city’s true gems – the historic Lake Charles Country Club.

Prior to 1919, the organization was known at the Lake Charles Yacht and Country Club. In that era, some of the affluent families in Lake Charles maintained summer homes along the shores of Prien Lake. The small group of men who summered there with their families was responsible for launching the club. Boating and fishing were the main attractions.

There was no golf course at the time, although the sport was ever growing in popularity.

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On Dec. 31, 1918, the club was reorganized under the name Lake Charles Country Club. Approximately 82 acres of land was acquired and the Victorian-style clubhouse was completed, along with a nine-hole golf course.

In those days, the old clubhouse was the social center of the city. Oh, there were lovely weddings, amazing receptions, many elegant parties, and golf tournaments such as the one in which baseball legend Mickey Mantle took part in back in 1965.

Major Renovations for Club But along with the tradition and the memories, there have also been

many changes throughout the years: The golf course was expanded to 18 holes, the old clubhouse was replaced, the club was reorganized in 1987, and there have been some recent major renovations.

According to Stuart Kramer, head golf professional and general manager of the Country Club, the property has undergone extensive renovations in the last few years.

“We lost about 500 trees thanks to Hurricane Rita and we also had damage to the clubhouse, pool, and other facilities,” Kramer said. “Riding through the golf course for the first time after Rita was overwhelming, and a bit devastating. As far as repairs and

getting things up and running again, it was almost like, ‘where do we start?’”

As with any major undertaking, it started with baby steps. “It was just a matter of getting out there and doing it, and there was a lot of work to be done,” Kramer recalled. “We had to re-fill holes on the course, grind down stumps, clear debris away, and make repairs to some structures.”

Change is Inevitable Kramer, who has been with the club for almost eight years, said that some type of renovation or change took place in almost every area of the property, including re-planting about 30 trees.

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“We still have the original swimming pool, but it was completely re-tiled,” Kramer said. “We have an indoor grill area now and it has seating for up to 40 people. We also have a covered outdoor pavilion, which can comfortably seat about 80 people. The clubhouse was fully renovated and has a fantastic view of the putting green and the first tee on the golf course.

Our marina was also re-done, which was very important because we house about 30 members’ boats in our marina.” The club has also added a cocktail lounge that is open in the evenings Thursday through Saturday that has become quite popular.

Kramer said one thing that Hurricane Rita did was to force their hand when it came to improvements or renovations at the LCCC. “After the hurricane and the damage it caused, we had to make some changes,” he said. “Ultimately, we’ve come such a long way. We added amenities, did upgrades, and got things in place so that we could better serve our members and become more competitive with others in terms of events, catering, etc.”

Catering and Special Events Hosting and catering special events is something that the club does well. Kramer recalls that someone

once rented out the entire club for a wedding and about 800 guests attended. He said the ballroom can seat 300 people for functions and that the club also does a lot of catering for non-members, organizations, non-profits, etc.

Of course, you can’t have superb catering or delicious food without skilled staff, and the LCCC is fortunate to have Monte Goff as its food and beverage manager and Jeannette Richardson as its executive chef.

There’s definitely something very special about the club, but in some ways, it’s hard to define unless you’ve actually spent some time there. It’s a feeling. Maybe it’s the storied history of the place that some find appealing. Others enjoy the elegance of the club.

Many of us who grew up in Lake Charles have fond memories of attending weddings, receptions, parties and school reunions there. In some cases, the children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren of longtime members are now members of the club themselves.

Kramer said that the club’s oldest member is 92 years old and has been a member for about 60 years.

Others, like James Chavis, found a living there among the oaks and the history. Chavis was hired by Gray Little in 1957. He began as a caddie, learned to play

LCCC Memories

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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golf and ultimately shot in the 80s. He ended up working for six different head pros over the years. The head pros came and went, but Chavis remained. He had found his place in life and it was among people who had become his friends.

“We continue to build on our history while preserving our memories,” is one of the unofficial mottos of the LCCC. If you’re not already a member of this historic club, maybe it’s time to consider joining so you can become a part of that history and make your own memories. Membership dues vary according to the type of membership, which includes Stockholding, Associate, Junior, and Social. Each membership has its own dues as well as its specific amenities, etc.

The Lake Charles Country Club is located at 3350 Country Club Drive, Lake Charles. Call (337) 4775511 for more information.

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

Golf The LCCC has one of the finest championship golf courses in the South. A major renovation completed in 2003 brought the club to its current level with state-ofthe-art Tifeagle greens, and Tifsport fairways and tees. The club has played host to numerous USGA and professional events and famous players such as Sam Snead, Chi Chi Rodriquez, Lee Trevino and Hal Sutton.

Four major men’s groups host regular games and tournaments.

The Men’s Golf Association plays host to all of the club’s championship events and supervises men’s handicaps.

The Ladies Golf Association hosts several annual formats and their championship events.

Ladies play days are Tues. and Thurs. mornings. The group also supports nine-holers that are more into just having fun.

The club hosts several competitive Juniors golf events and supports Junior with play days, special instruction, and reduced rates.

Tennis Resurfaced in 2004, there are three hard tennis courts that are under-utilized—it’s rarely difficult to get a court. There is also nighttime play. Qualified USTPA is provided and tennis camps are scheduled throughout the year.

Pool There’s plenty to do at the LCCC pool for all ages and swimming ability. It’s one of the most happening scenes in the Lake Area! There’s plenty to do.

Lifeguards are on duty for the safety of your children, and don’t forget about “Club Kid,” the summer activity program for children.

There’s also a swim team for children that practices and competes every summer. And remember, whenever the pool is open, you can order your favorite food from the Pool Grill. The pool is also available for catered private parties.

Marina Stall rentals are available to members only on a first-come, first-served basis. A small boat launch is also available that can only accommodate small boats, less than 20’ in length. Members and guests can use the docks around the club and enjoy sunning, fishing, crabbing and picnicking. There is also gas and a retail store, and a fish cleaning station. TJN

Computer Repair/ Sales • Network Management Home and Business Security Camera • Professionally Installed Gerrit Lawrence

1306 A Sampson St., Westlake • (337) 721-1969

photo by www.monsoursphotography.com PAGE 20

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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By Lisa Addison Photos by Romero & Romero Photography

Joe Heinen

Joe Heinen grew up in the small farming community of Mowata in Acadia Parish. “What did I want to be when I grew up?” he asked. “Well, I thought I’d end up a very rich farmer but instead I own this ham franchise.”

It’s a lot more than just a ham franchise. Honey-B Ham has given Heinen and his family a certain quality of life, and it’s how he’s made a very successful living since 1996.

On a recent day at Honey-B Ham, customers stepped up to the deli counter to place orders for holiday hams or turkeys; ordered sandwiches, plate lunches, or cups of simmering, just-made chicken and sausage gumbo (Wednesdays are gumbo days); or came up to chat with the affable Heinen. The phone never stopped ringing and one of his employees apologized for interrupting our conversation to tell Heinen that he had a customer on the phone who wanted to order 200 hams.

BUSINESS BASED ON QUALITY AND SERVICE Heinen, 57, took that important call before returning to say

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that even though he doesn’t get large orders like that every day, those orders are frequent enough that they help to keep him and his staff busy. His business philosophy is simple: Quality and service.

“Those are our big selling points – quality and service,” he said.

“If you think about it, those are two pretty important things.

As long as we continue to run a business based on those two things, we’ll continue to have the loyal customers that we have had for so long.”

Those customers, who file in and out all day and many of whom he greets by name, return again and again to purchase succulent honey-glazed hams, Cajun fried turkeys, tender brisket (which has cooked for 16 hours), delicious side items such as Cajun rice,

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baked beans, and potato salad, and decadent desserts like pecan cobbler or pumpkin pie.

HE’LL ALWAYS BE A HAM MAN But as Heinen often says, “I may sell turkeys and other items, but I’ll always be a ham man. We have several different types of sandwiches here too, including roast beef, turkey, and tuna salad, but our most popular one has consistently been the ham sandwich.

You know that saying about how you should always ‘dance with the one that brung you?’

Well, what brought me to the dance were hams, so that’s what I have stuck with all these years.”

What first introduced him to the business of selling hams? “Well, stupidity is what brought me to the business,” Heinen said with a laugh. At just 24 years old, he bought a farm in Texas after borrowing a million dollars. His dream was to tend to the farm, grow crawfish, and have a café where he would deliver various crawfish dishes to the table (boiled, etouffee, fried, etc.). Dreams keep us going but they may not always play out exactly the way we envision them. They take time to nurture and there can be bumps along the way before they are realized. Such was the case for Heinen.

“I eventually went broke,” he recalls. “But you learn from your mistakes or you hope you do. I was young and could still do a lot of things with my life. And I was still marketable.” He moved forward, always chasing his dreams.

“I started exploring the Honey-B Ham franchise and it sounded more and more interesting,” he said. “Then, I began doing my homework. At that time, there were 13 Honey-B Ham stores in the Southeast Texas area. I visited all of them and I liked what I saw and heard.” So much so that he purchased the Honey-B Ham franchise here in Lake Charles.

HANDS-ON BUSINESS OWNER “But what I hadn’t paid close attention to is that every one of the owners were there in

their stores and not out on the golf course!” he exclaimed. “I’m kidding a little bit, but why didn’t I buy the type of business that wouldn’t require me to be there every day? It’s because it doesn’t really exist. Well, not if you want to succeed. To be really successful in your business, you need a good manager and staff, but you also need to be there and to be hands-on. And I’m very hands-on in my business.”

A bachelor until he was 45, Heinen met a woman named Susan who was twice widowed with five children. He became smitten, married her, and today, one of his stepsons works in the business with him.

He laughs easily, often refers to “the old days,” enjoys working hard, and has as many stories as there are hams.

“I used to say that nobody would ever leave my store without a ham,” Heinen recalled. “But let me tell you what happened one day. A regular customer came in and we visited for a little while and he left with his ham. Well, I thought he left with his ham.

He called me later and said he opened the box when he got home and there was a turkey in the box! I was pretty sure what was coming next and I was right. Another customer called and said she opened her box to find a ham instead of a turkey.

Fortunately, we haven’t had too many of those instances.”

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR CUSTOMERS Heinen will always go the extra mile to make a customer happy. “I will move heaven and earth to make sure that a customer gets his or her order and gets it on time,” he said. “Oh, I’ve had near-disasters. I’ve had all kinds of things happen. An order can get lost, there are shortages; any number of things can go wrong.

Honey-B Ham staff preparing another wonderful ham.

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Sometimes, I’ve had to call one of our other stores to get a ham. I’ll literally rob Peter to pay Paul. But I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll tell you; I will do almost anything to fill an order and make a customer happy.”

And he even has an unofficial policy of sorts: If you don’t like the product, you don’t pay. He’s proud to say that he gets less than five complaints a year. “No matter how good a ham I have, there may be somebody who might not like it,” he said. “But I’m fortunate. I know that I have some of the best customers in the world.”

Somehow, throughout these years of being a successful businessman, Heinen has also found a way to have a life away from the business and enjoy time with family and friends. He’s also managed to revive part of that long-ago dream. Yes, the one that had to do

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with raising and selling crawfish.

Today, along with hams and turkeys, crawfish are one of his biggest-selling items. “We do a great business with the crawfish,” Heinen said. “In fact, in the past about 85 percent of our business were hams and turkeys, but now, about 60 percent of the business is hams and turkeys and a large portion of it is crawfish.

“From around Mardi Gras through about mid-June, we sell lots of crawfish and we can’t seem to

keep enough of them,” he said.

“Look, in this day and age, you can’t just do one thing. Product costs go up for everyone, including us. There are constantly adjustments. One thing has never changed, though. I run an honest business and one that specializes in quality products at reasonable prices. Our customers are extremely loyal and have kept us in business all this time. I’m very thankful for that. And I’m always thinking of new ideas to keep the business fresh.”

He has a website and is going to launch a Facebook page soon. “A Facebook page for the business, I mean,” he said. “ I’m not one of those people who will ever be at home posting things like, ‘Joe Heinen is at home.’ I mean, who cares?”

CUT OF MEAT IMPORTANT Asked if he can reveal what the secret is to a good ham, he laughed and said, “There’s no big secret. Well, not really. It’s just like it is with steak or any other type of meat. It’s all

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in the cut of the meat. A good ham starts with a good piece of ham. It’s that simple. You can take a bad piece of steak and it doesn’t matter how much you season it or cook it, you won’t end up with a good steak. Well, it’s the same story with a ham. But if you start with a good piece of meat, it’s hard to screw it up.”

Heinen said that all of his hams are honey-cured and honey-glazed.

“People generally like a good, sweet ham, one that’s in its natural juices, with no water added,” he explained.

“That’s what they’ll get with our hams. I have just one place that I get my hams from and I have been using them for years. Why go anywhere else? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!

Another key to our hams being so good is that our premium hams are cured with as little salt as possible, although all hams are salty to some degree. “ Another thing that Heinen said is so great about hams is that you end up with tasty leftovers. After all, don’t most people enjoy a good ham sandwich? “Ham just goes a long way,” he said. “It’s much simpler than turkey, and you can do more things with it. I always think of hams as being centerpieces of sorts. The ham has to taste good, but it also has to look good!”

HAMS BECOME CENTERPIECES Many of us, especially in Southwest Louisiana, grew up with mothers who created those wonderful ham “centerpieces” for the holi-

The old family farm where Joe grew up

Speak Up and Speak Out! days. Whether it was Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, or Christmas Day dinner, there would be a glazed ham on the table with pineapple rings and cherries on top. It was a tradition for many and it’s one that continues today, although some people now opt for convenience and get their hams from Honey-B Ham so they can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family.

“That’s something that really gives me a feeling of happiness,” Heinen said. “I like the idea of knowing that I’m helping busy families with their meals so that they can spend more time on the important things, like being together instead of cooking. Everything that goes out of Honey-B Ham is fully cooked; we cook so that you don’t have to! It’s about keeping it easy for families, especially at the holidays.”

www.lwv-lc.org email: info@lwv-lc.org (337) 474-1864 On the night of April 26, 1777, Sybil Ludington, age 16, rode through towns in New York and Connecticut warning that the Redcoats were coming to Danbury, CT. She gathered enough volunteers to help beat back the British the next day. Her ride was twice the distance of Paul Revere's. Her hometown was renamed after her.

The right of women to vote was not recognized by the United States until 1920, more than 144 years after the Declaration of Independence.

And that's not because no one earlier had thought of it!

For more information about Honey-B Ham, visit the store at 506 E. Prien Lake Rd.; call (337) 4783354; or visit the website at http://www.honeybham.net.

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

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Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 25

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Sour Crimson Grapes “I’m on a boat.

“I’m on a boat.

“Everybody look at me, ’cause I’m sailing on a boat.”

— The Lonely Island, “I’m on a Boat” I apologize for the musical introduction, but this song has been stuck

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

in my head in the days since No. 1 LSU’s 9-6 win over No. 2 Alabama.

Why, you ask? Because I’ve been reading forum posts on Tidefans.com, home to the biggest bunch of sore losers in America.

And let me tell you what; all of the crybaby tears coming from this Crimson Tide fan forum are flooding my neighborhood so deep I’ve felt like I might need to invest in a 12foot pirogue.

It’s all just so sad.

The basic arguments Bama fans are making on this forum, and probably many others, are thus: 1. Brad Wing’s field-flipping, 72-yard missile punt hit

a CBS camera wire overhanging the field, causing Marquis Maze to misplay the ball. 2. Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu’s fourth-quarter holding penalty on Dre Kirkpatrick should have been a personal foul and Mathieu should have been ejected for purposefully injuring Kirkpatrick. 3. Eric Reid’s game-changing interception of Maze’s pass to Mike Williams was not an interception at all and Reid took the ball away from Williams after Williams was already down.

All of which, to me, add up to a big, crimson bunch of sour grapes.

And not the seedless kind, either.

Let’s break each delusion down one at a time, shall we?

1. Maze claimed that Wing’s 72yard Predator missile hit CBS’ overhead camera wire, causing Maze to misplay the ball: Of course, Alabama fans have been watching and rewatching the game tape like it’s the flipping Zapruder film, trying to find the one nanosecond that proves the ball slightly changed its trajectory and cost the Tide some 30 yards of field position.

I’ve watched two YouTube videos showing this play at least 30 times each, straining to find said nanosecond. It doesn’t exist, at least in the available footage. What does exist is Maze gimping around on a bad ankle, seemingly not able to plant his foot to change direction, the ball already drifting to Maze’s right while he is drifting

Volume 3 • Issue 17

straight back, and his lack of an argument after the fact.

If the ball had hit a wire while I was trying to field it, I would be jumping up and down in the referee’s face pointing at the sky like a lunatic. Maze put his mouthpiece back in and walked toward the sideline like nothing ever happened.

But Maze said it hit the wire (you know, after his team lost and all) and the fact that LSU head coach Les Miles (ever the fountain of logical thought) also thought the ball hit the wire only adds to the conspiracy theory.

All of which leads to this Tidefans.com forum gem: “Nothing you can do about the play at this point but CBS and the camera crew does owe Maze and The University of Alaabama (sic) a big apology.”

Apparently, they’re not big on spelling over in Alabama.

2. Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu’s fourth-quarter holding penalty on Dre Kirkpatrick should have been a personal foul and Mathieu should have been ejected for purposefully injuring Kirkpatrick: I’ve seen this play many times, also. Is it a hold? Kind of. Is it a personal foul? Yes. Is it stupid, selfish and unsportsmanlike? Yes, yes, yes.

Should he have been ejected? No. It was a stupid play, but it was made in the heat of a physical, hardhitting football game between two of the best teams, if not the best two teams, in the nation. Besides, Kirkpatrick was injured when the back of his head smacked off the turf at the 14-yard line, not from Mathieu’s clothesline. Even if Mathieu was ejected, Mathieu wasn’t exactly lighting the world on fire that night and Ron Brooks has shown to be just as capable a player. Point being: LSU wouldn’t have missed too much that night, anyway.

But, the Bama forums have been howling bloody murder ever since “Black Saturday” with forum titles like “I would ask all of you to send letter to the SEC office re Mattheiu,” and posts like “this post isnt meant in any way to excuse honey gerbil’s actions. he is a punk and deserved to get tossed even if dre wasnt injured at all.”

Apparently, they’re not big on spelling or punctuation over in Alabama.

And finally…

3. Eric Reid’s game-changing interception of Maze’s pass to Mike Williams was not an interception at all and Reid took the ball away from Williams after Williams was already down: Again, going to the replay, it clearly shows, as Williams and Reid jump for the pass, Williams has posVolume 3 • Issue 17

session at the jump’s apex. However, Williams does not maintain control of the ball on the way down and Reid takes the ball from Williams, cradling the ball with his right hand before shifting it to his left hand on the ground. Interception, plain and simple.

And, though a good majority of Bama fans are willing to see reason and admit Reid intercepted the ball fair and square, there are still the tinfoil hat folks who think otherwise.

To illustrate, the site’s most popular thread on the play is entitled “the interception that wasn’t—discuss.”

Most of the lunacy within centers around whether Williams was down when the ball came out (the replay clearly shows he was not) with a representative quote being “As for the INT, Bad call. We got screwed on that one.”

I mean, I get it. Tide fans are upset.

They thought they were going to win.

But, look, there are two ways you can cope with such a big loss. You can either suck it up and hope for a rematch (like most Bama fans are doing) or you can be a big, fat crybaby about it.

Whatever floats your boat.

Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than a decade for various publications.

Coaches or par- Brandon Shoumaker ents with story tips or comments may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).

TJN

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 27

Photos by Danley Romero, of Romero & Romero Photography

Ashley Eaves Sleeping Beauty Role Carbosse

Marissa White Sleeping Beauty Role Fairy in the prologue, and the Bluebird Princess in the finale.

I

f you’d like to be transported from the mundane to a magical world of beauty and grace, then make sure you attend the next performance of the Lake Charles Civic Ballet. You won’t be disappointed.

Founded in 1968, the LCCB has created dozens of original works of art in the forms of choreography, settings and costumes. Over the years, the LCCB has collaborated with many arts organizations, including The Bulber Youth Orchestra, The McNeese Theater Department and composer Keith Gates.

SERVING THE COMMUNITY The LCCB is the only full-scale performing ballet company in the area. It brings all elements of the visual and performing arts together for Southwest Louisiana audiences and artists.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

The price for school matinee tickets has remained at $5 per student as long as LCCB has been in existence, despite the rising costs of productions.

This ensures that each child has the opportunity to experience a full-scale theater production. In addition to performing for area children, the LCCB brings the art of ballet to local assisted-living centers every spring through its outreach initiative. This allows those who may not normally make it to the theater the opportunity to enjoys a sample of the ballet’s incredible dancing.

LCCB DANCERS The dancers are all non-professional local students. Many have gone on to make dancing their career. Former students are in the National Ballet in Washington, DC; the Atlanta and Baltimore Ballets; Ballet West; The Iranian Ballet and the NYC Rockettes.

Principal Dancers Drew Anderson teaches advanced ballet technique at Lady Leah’s School of the Dance and is

known for his beautiful choreography. He is Prince Desire in Sleeping Beauty, who awakens Princess Aurora with his kiss.

Ashley Eaves is an accounting major at McNeese State University. She also teaches tap and jazz at the school. Her role in Sleeping Beauty is Carabosse, the evil fairy who poisons Princess Aurora on her 16th birthday because she was not invited to the newborn princess’ christening party.

Marissa White is also a McNeese student. Her grandmother, Debi Buras White, is associate director of LCCB and helped Lady Leah Lafargue Hathaway found the company. She is one of the fairies in the prologue in Sleeping Beauty, and is also the Bluebird Princess in the finale.

Adelaide Saucier is a senior at St. Louis Catholic High School. In addition to her regular rehearsal and school schedule, she has been preparing for college auditions. She is the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty, who lessens the curse of the evil Carabosse Volume 3 • Issue 17

Katelyn Chargois Sleeping Beauty Role Princess Aurora

Adelaide Saucier Sleeping Beauty Role The Lilac Fairy

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by putting Aurora and the rest of the castle into a deep sleep. She leads Prince Desire to the sleeping princess so that Aurora will awaken to his kiss.

Katelyn Chargois is a home-schooled junior. She spent her summer training at the Houston Ballet Summer Intensive. She is Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. Ironically, Katelyn was born in 1995, the last time LCCB performed Sleeping Beauty with the Lake Charles Symphony, and is turning 16 this year.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Photo by Cameron Durham

Lady Holly Hathaway Kaough, Symphony Conductor Bohuslav Rattay and Marissa White PERFORMANCES Two upcoming productions that will wow Lake Area audiences are Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Sleeping Beauty in the spring.

And talk about local talent: Rudolph has 200 local participating dancers and Sleeping Beauty has 85!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer This presentation is a performance for all ages! With professional costumes and settings, it’s more than a ballet; it’s total theatre. Audience members visit Santa’s Toyshop and enjoy this classic story through music and dance. Rudolph even flies through the air in triumph!

Performances will be held at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles Civic Center.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Teachers and school groups who wish to attend performances should book their classroom tickets now by visiting www.ladydanceschool.com/tickets.asp to schedule their groups. For more information, call (337) 802-5779.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

The Sleeping Beauty Lady Holly Hathaway Kaough has interpreted the Kirov version of the ballet set to the beautiful music of Tchaikovsky. It is the classic fairy tale of the Princess Aurora, who is cursed by the jealous fairy, Carabosse.

According to the curse, the beautiful Aurora will prick her finger and die by her 16th birthday. The Lilac Fairy lessens the curse, so that the entire castle falls into a deep sleep. Help finally arrives when Prince Desire gives Aurora a kiss to awaken her and restore life to the castle.

The LCCB is proud to announce that they have hired the Lake Charles Symphony for the Sleeping Beauty production—a first for Lake Charles.

They are thrilled to have the support of the Symphony board and especially

Conductor Bohuslav Rattay.

Lavish settings and costumes were previously made for the 1995 LCCB production of this ballet by set designer and artist Fred Stark, and costume designer Ray Delle Robbins of Houston. Stark is adding to and remaking the sets, and Robbins is altering and refreshing the original costumes that she created.

Not only will the production include 50 performing members of the LCCB ranging in ages from 12-22, approximately 25 former dancers will return as part of the royal court.

The Gala Performance with the Lake Charles Symphony will be held Sat., March 17 at 7 p.m. The Matinee Performance without the symphony is Sun., March 18, at 3 p.m. Both performances will be held at the Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles Civic Center. For tickets, call (337) 474-0311 or visit www.lakecharlescivicballet.com SPONSORS None of what LCCB does would be possible without grants, the generosity from various sponsors, and the large volunteer groups that are committed to making each project a success. Over 100 volunteers spend over 2,000 man-hours preparing sets, sewing costumes, working backstage, organizing ticket sales, and so much more. That number does not include the 10,000 man-hours the dancers spend rehearsing and performing.

“We have survived as a non-profit arts organization because of the community of SWLA,” said Board President Kelley Saucier. “We are grateful for all of our sponsors and the audience support. Each season requires tremendous efforts for artists, dancers and volunteers.”

Season sponsorships are available now. Please contact Kelley Saucier at (337) 513-5808 for more information.

TJN Volume 3 • Issue 17

By Rhonda K. Chargois • Photos by Cameron Durham

Costume Creator Ray Delle Robbins is measuring and pinning Gabrielle Saucier's costume. Gabrielle will be performing as the White Cat to Billy Ward's Puss n Boots in Sleeping Beauty.

Costume Creator Ray Delle Robbins measures and pins costume for Marissa White.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

LCCB performed The Sleeping Beauty ballet in 1995 with new costumes and sets.

The costume creator for the performance was costume designer Ray Delle Robbins.

Recently, our company returned to Houston, and back to Ray Delle so she could revive her creations to their beautiful beginnings.

With help from Bobbie Grizzle, who has labored beside Ray Delle for over 20 years, the women silently measured and pinned and wrote notes on small tan cards. Many alterations will be needed for over 50 costumes worn by the lead characters in the ballet.

Ray Delle recalled our original order for The Sleeping Beauty ballet as clearly as if it were yesterday. During her inspection of the costumes on this visit, she found the fabrics and designs still fresh and beautiful, but the tulle skirts and the elastic shows were in need of repair. While she worked with each dancer, she answered our questions about her career and her job at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS).

Ray Delle began her education as an art and drama major, but quickly realized she liked to eat more than she liked to perform, so she earned her teaching certificate instead.

After teaching school for seven years, she

worked for 17 years with the Houston Ballet in the wardrobe department.

For the last 25 years, Ray Delle has been the costume shop manager at TUTS, although her title may change from show to show. She manages three shows for them each season. The traveling shows featured at TUTS and her own contract work fill in her free time.

During our fittings, Ray Delle received a visit from her prop man and set man. It was quickly apparent they are a close theatre family as they greeted each other with bright smiles and hugs.

Ray Delle spoke of her “spells” with certain colors and explained how her costumes show her love for a color during certain periods in her career. She easily recognizes her creations by the fabrics and her stitching. She will be adding to LCCB’s The Sleeping Beauty’s extensive costume collection with new costumes for King Florestan XXIV and the Queen, Prince Désiré, Bluebird and many, many more.

Visit our website at www.lakecharlescivicballet.com to reserve your seat at the ballet and witness the splendor of Ray Delle’s work up close and personal. TJN

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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DECKING THE HALLS IN DEQUINCY DeQuincy Christmas Parade Dec. 2 Sponsored by the DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce, the parade will begin at 5 p.m. on Dec. 2, with Christmas in the Park at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 7 p.m.

Taste of the Holiday/ Tour Of Homes Dec. 3 The DeQuincy Civic Club will celebrate the holidays with a tour of several beautifully decorated homes beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, followed by the tasting at the JCE Center at 6 p.m. Patrons will be given a commemorative cookbook, including the recipes from the event.

Tickets are $12. Call Krystal at (337) 274-3572 for tickets.

Christmas at the Railroad Museum Dec. 3-31 Come to the DeQuincy Railroad Museum and enjoy thousands of exterior lights, a laser show and multiple indoor trees. Visitors are welcome to walk around the building and view the indoor trees. Night tours are available by reservation.

Call (337) 786-2823 or go to

www.dequincyrailroadmuseum.com for more information.

HOLIDAY INSPIRATION IN IOWA DEC. 10 Christmas in the Park & Parade The Iowa merchants will usher in the 2011 holiday season with the 18th Annual Christmas Parade on Sat., Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. Christmas in the Park will begin at 6 p.m., at Lawrence Toups Memorial Park. Admission is free.

CHRISTMAS JOY IN JENNINGS Christmas Festival & Gumbo Cookoff Dec. 3 Sample some of the best chicken and sausage gumbo in the area at the 13th Annual Christmas Festival & Gumbo Cook-off at Louisiana Oil & Gas Park with judging at 4:30 p.m.

The parade is at 5:30 p.m. down Main Street, followed by live entertainment, a bonfire, and fireworks at the park.

Free admission.

LIGHT UP LAKE CHARLES Mistletoe & Moss Nov. 16-19 A holiday tradition held every year at the Lake Charles Civic Center, shoppers can experience the sights and sounds of festive holiday decorations and entertainment while shopping for Christmas! Preview Party Gala Wed. 7 - 10 p.m. $40; Preferred Shoppers Breakfast Thurs. 9 – 11 a.m. $25; Ladies Night Fri. 5:30 -7:30 p.m. $25.

Donuts with Santa Sat. 8:30 - 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. - noon, Cookies with Santa 2 - 3:30 p.m. $10 per adult and

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

As always, there’s so much to see and do in the Lake Area during the holiday season. So take some time to enjoy these special events with the special people in your lives.

And have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 17

child (children 1 and under are free).

General admission is $8 (no fee for children 8 and under), and a three-day shopping pass is $20. Hours: Thurs.

10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Fri. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information, call (337) 436-4025.

White Night Lights with the LA Shoppe Girls Dec. 1 Open House Holiday Shopping Extravaganza! Thurs., Dec. 1, from 4-8 p.m., Lake Area businesses will be showcasing their products and services and will be offering big discounts and promotions. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served at all locations and three amazing grand prizes will be raffled— valued at up to $700 a prize. Visit all locations for a better chance to win!

White Lights Night is a charity event to raise money for the Calcasieu Women’s Shelter. Visit www.lashoppegirls.com for locations of the participating businesses.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

Original Art Christmas Shopping Experience Dec. 1-23 Fifty pieces of original art will be exhibited for sale for $50 a piece on Thurs., Dec. 1 from 5 - 8:30 p.m. at the Gallery by the Lake. This is a unique Christmas shopping experience with music and demonstrations. As part of the Charlestown Cultural District, the art is tax-free for a Merry Christmas indeed. The exhibit will continue until Dec. 23 at 106 Pryce St. (formerly Lawrence St.). Call (337) 436-1008 or go to www.gallerybythelake.com for more information.

Cinderella’s Holiday Dining Dec. 3 The Children’s Theatre Company, Lake Charles welcomes you to a magical castle glistening with icicles and falling snow surrounded by toy soldiers. Children will join their favorite storybook characters for an unforgettable experience. Character meals are $25 per person with seating at noon.

Seating is limited, and reservations must be made. An addition is Magical Princesses, for kids to feel like royalty with a dazzling tiara, shimmering makeup, hair accessories and a sash for an additional $50. For reservations, call (337) 433-7323. www.childrenstheatre.cc.

Light up the Lake Christmas Lighting/Parade Dec. 3 The excitement kicks off at 2 p.m. with a street parade through downtown Lake Charles. Bring the entire family to the Lake Charles Civic Center for a variety of free activities such as Santa’s Workshop from 3 - 5 p.m.; Community Band Concert from 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.; and the Lighting Ceremony from the front entrance from 5:15 - 6 p.m. This will be followed by a spectacular Lighted Boat Parade at the seawall from 6:30 - 7 p.m. topped off by the Light Up The Lake fireworks extravaganza at 7:30 p.m. Call (337) 491-9147 for more information.

J&R Carriage Christmas Light Rides Dec 3-31 J&R Carriage offers evening Christmas light carriage rides along Shell Beach Drive. Reservations required. Call (337) 842-0778 or got to www.jandrcarriage.com.

Santa Pet Photos Dec. 4 and 11 Even Fido and Fluffy believe in Santa, so bring them along to have their picture taken from 6 - 7 p.m. at the Sears Court in Prien Lake Mall.

For more information, call (337) 4777487.

Swamp Pop Christmas Pageant Dec. 7 A one-of-a-kind over-thetop holiday extravaganza featuring Warren Storm, Tommy McClain, David Egan, Steve Riley, CC Adcock, Richard Comeaux, Dickie Landry, David Ranson and Pat Breaux.

With the final night being broadcast live on KRVS by the great Lee Kleinpeter, this specially created show will be full of amazing music, infectious spirit and surprises better than anything you’ll find in your stocking!

Begins at 7 p.m. at Central School, located at 809 Kirby Street in Lake Charles. For more information, call the Arts Council at (337) 439-2787.

Very Merry Christmas Party For Seniors Dec. 8 A fun-filled, festive day at the Lake Charles Civic Center for seniors 60+ begins at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast, a live band for lots of Christmas dancing, caroling children and a full Christmas lunch.

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Afterwards, there will be Entergy Bingo for more than $1,500 in prizes.

The event ends at 2 p.m. For more information, call (337) 474-2583.

Central School Holiday Promenade Dec. 8 Come and visit this 100-year old community landmark. The Central School Arts and Humanities Center will open its doors to the public from 5-8 p.m. Help yourself to holiday music, art exhibits, the largest collection of Mardi Gras memorabilia in the state, and yummy treats from 5-8 pm on Dec. 8. For more information, call (337) 439-2787.

Kenny Rogers Christmas & Hits Dec. 9 Music icon Kenny Rogers will be celebrating 30 years of performing his Christmas & Hits Tour at the L’Auberge Event Center on Fri. Dec. 9 at 8:30 p.m. with a festive show featuring holiday classics and his biggest hits. Rogers is known for creating an inviting atmosphere with this critically acclaimed performance, which has become a holiday tradition in its own right since its start 30 years ago. Tickets go on sale Nov. 11 for $45/55 (stadium/floor) at www.ticketmaster.com or the L’Auberge Business Center.

Love Came Down Dec. 9 and 11 “Love Came Down” will celebrate the Christmas season with two concerts offered both in Lake Charles and Sulphur. The Lake Charles performance will be Fri., Dec. 9 at 7:30 pm at the Lake Charles Immaculate Conception Cathedral. The Sulphur venue will be Immaculate Conception Church on Maplewood Drive on Sun., Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. The Bayou Bell Choir, Bruce Allured, director, and Les Petite Voix, the Louisiana Choral Foundation Community Children’s Choir, directed

by Kari McCarty Proksch will join the Chorale for both concerts. Tickets (adults $15 and students $5) may be purchased at the door.

LCCC Presents Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer Dec. 10 The Lake Charles Civic Ballet presents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer—a performance for all ages!

With professional costumes and settings, it is more than a ballet; it’s total theatre. Audience members visit PAGE 34

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Santa’s Toyshop and enjoy this classic story through music and dance.

Rudolph even flies through the air in triumph! Performances will be held at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles Civic Center. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. For more information, call (337) 802-5779.

CHILDREN’S MUSEUM CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES Meet Santa! Dec. 17 Meet Santa Claus from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and make a candy cane Rudolph in ArtSpace throughout the day.

Gingerbread House Workshop Dec. 19 The kids will learn how to make a gingerbread house with graham crackers and icing in the ArtSpace at noon and 1 p.m., and there will be a Christmas reading at 11 a.m.

Holiday Art Activities Dec. 20, Christmas placemats; Dec. 21, foam Christmas trees; Dec. 22, candy cane crafts; Dec. 23, Christmas boxes.

MERRY IN MOSS BLUFF Christmas Parade Dec. 10 The annual Moss Bluff Christmas parade begins at 2 p.m. in downtown Moss Bluff. Come out and join in all the fun! Call (337) 855-7522 for more information.

SILVER BELLS IN SULPHUR Christmas Under the Oaks Dec. 1-4 Twinkling lights, holly wreaths and winding oak branches mingled with a soft glow from falling snowflakes in…Louisiana? Yes, it snows every year at Sulphur’s Christmas Under the Oaks Festival, located at the Brimstone Museum Complex in the heart of Sulphur at Heritage Square where music, carnival rides and holiday shopping are at their height!

Festival dates are Fri.-Sun., Dec. 2-4, with shopping available at the Holiday House on Fri. and Sat. The Holiday House will also feature a preview party, Thurs, Dec. 1, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $35 and available for advance purchase. Hours are Fri., 4 – 9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Volume 3 • Issue 17

Sunday, noon – 5 p.m. Last year, the City extended the festival one more day, with Christian entertainment, food and carnival rides on Sunday. For more information on Sulphur’s Christmas events, contact the Henning Cultural Center at (337) 527-0357.

Kiwanis Christmas Balloons on Parade Dec. 3 Cypress St., Sulphur. The colorful, giant balloon parade begins at 3 p.m.

(337) 527-0357.

A VERY MERRY VINTON CHRISTMAS Christmas Parade Dec. 2 The town of Vinton has exciting festivities planned for its parade. It will be held in downtown Vinton at 5 p.m. on Dec. 2 followed by games, music, food, family fun and a visit from Old St. Nicholas at Vinton Elementary Gym at 1610 Hampton St. Trees of Hope Dec. 5 – 21 Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel invites you to come out and vote on local charities’ unique Christmas tree decorations as they compete for a share of $10,000 in cash. Awards ceremony is Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Call (800) 589-7441 for more information.

HOLIDAY WISHES IN WESTLAKE Christmas Parade Dec. 10 Everyone is getting ready for the Westlake Christmas Parade, which will be held Sat., Dec. 10, through the heart of downtown Westlake at 4 p.m.

Candy and Christmas fare will fly through the air, and spectators will be dazzled by the Christmas spirit. The parade, sponsored by the West Cal Kiwanis, will roll down Sampson Street. After the parade, don’t miss a lighting ceremony at city hall with caroling and hot chocolate with Santa.

TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Planning to hit the road this holiday season? Whether you’re connecting to your destination after a flight or forgoing planes and trains in favor of the open road, RentACarNow.com has a list of crucial tips for motorists looking to save cash when renting a car — and avoid costly mistakes at the rentalcar counter.

1. Don’t miss out on discount codes and special deals.

You might already be eligible for a rental car discount and not even know

it. AARP or AAA members can often get a discount of 10 percent or more, and government employees or members of the military are also eligible for reductions in price. Before you rent, be sure to check major rental car companies’ websites and look for their current special discounts.

2. Don’t supersize your rental car.

The thought of driving down the highway in a luxury vehicle, pricey convertible, or giant SUV can be tempting, but resist, especially when a rental-car

employee tries to upsell you to a nicer vehicle.

Remember those few extra dollars a day, plus the extra taxes and fees, can easily add up to a nice chunk of change over the entire rental period.

Plus, renting a larger car than you really need means paying more for gas — not to mention having a harder time squeezing into parking spots.

3. Secure your car early, but also check for last-minute deals.

Unlike airfare, it’s generally quick and easy to cancel a rental car reservation and rebook it without penalty.

That wiggle room can save you major bucks: Reserve your rental car as early as possible, even if you’re not totally sure of your exact travel dates. Then,

as your vacation approaches, check online to see if rates have changed. If you find a better deal, call and see if you can cancel your existing reservation and make a new reservation at the lower rate.

4. Book off-airport rental cars.

Renting a car at the airport is convenient, but it often comes with the added expense of airport rental-car taxes and extra fees. When booking a car in your hometown, it can be a smart financial move to rent from a neighborhood location instead of at the airport. Compare the cost of each option, including all fees and taxes. If you find a cheaper rate away from the airport, you can often take a short taxi ride there and save big money.

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www.ASTtanning.com PAGE 36

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 17

5. Check for unlimited mileage.

If you plan to drive a significant number of miles, make sure that your rental car has unlimited mileage so you can avoid overage charges. Most rental cars include unlimited miles, but there are exceptions. Also, check ahead to be sure you can take your rented car where you need to go. Sometimes, car companies have restrictions about taking the vehicle to other states.

6. Watch out for one-way rentals.

If you can, avoid one-way car rentals. Often, there are hefty drop-off fees that go along with this. Be fully aware of any extra fees when planning your trip.

7. Ask to waive additional driver/underage fees if needed.

Tell the rental car company about any additional drivers (especially anyone under age 25) who might operate the car other than the person whose name is on the rental agreement. There are often extra fees that go along with extra drivers, but sometimes, you can get them waived just by asking, especially if you have rented from that company in the past.

8. Don’t pay for unnecessary conveniences.

It might seem easier, but it’s almost

Volume 3 • Issue 17

always a bad deal to pre-pay for gas or bring the car back less than full and pay the inflated fees that rental car companies charge for gas. If you take a few extra minutes to fill up the tank yourself, you can avoid that inflated price. Also, if you have a non-smoking car, it’s a bad idea to light up, as you could get hit with a cleaning fee of $200 or more.

9. Avoid paying for insurance from the rental company.

For most people, it’s unnecessary to purchase insurance at the rental car counter because of pre-existing coverage included with their auto insurance policy or credit card, so do your insurance research before you pick up the car. Not only are rental car employees not insurance experts, but they also have an incentive to sell you insurance.

10. Save time and money by booking online.

You can almost always find the cheapest rental car rates by booking online rather than by phone or at a rental car counter. Plus, when you book online, it’s simple to compare rental car rates for all the top rental car companies (like Enterprise and Hertz) and find the best deal. Use a site like RentACarNow.com to compare all major car rental vendors at once. TJN

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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The current economy has left many shoppers on a budget and searching for more affordable methods of paying for big-ticket items and holiday gifts. This holiday season, many families will be turning to alternate forms of payment to make ends meet. With many stores offering layaway services, Better Business Bureau is offering advice on how to use this payment plan in lieu of credit cards.

Once considered a dated, oldfashioned method of payment, layaway services are back in a big way, with many businesses now shaking the dust off their layaway programs for today’s beleaguered consumers.

Buying items on layaway is different from putting them on a credit card because the buyer isn’t charged interest on the purchase and can’t take the item home until it is paid off.

When purchasing items on layaway, the buyer must typically make a down payment of 10 to 20 percent

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

and pay any service or plan fees for the store to hold the item for them.

The customer then has typically 30 to 90 days to make periodic payments to pay off the balance. Once it is paid off, the customer can take the items home.

“Layaway services can be a great alternative to using a credit card,” said Carmen Million, BBB President.

“However, it’s extremely important that customers take note of the fine print and understand the store layaway policy.”

When buying items on layaway, BBB advises consumers to get everything in writing and offers the following checklist of questions to ask: • How much time do I have to pay off the item?

• When are the payments due?

• How much do I have to put down?

• Are there any storage or service plan fees?

• What happens if I miss a payment? Are there penalties? Does the item return to inventory?

• Can I get a refund or store credit if I no longer want the item after making a few payments?

• What happens if the item goes on sale after I’ve put it on layaway?

• What is the company’s rating with the BBB? TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 17

r m ende's Museu l l E an en

By D e Childr of th r o t c Dire

Tower Heist (Universal, 2011) I love Eddie Murphy. He’s back now in Tower Heist, a comedy about “Robin Hooding” the Wall Street villains we love to hate.

Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) is manager at the Tower Apartment building, a high-dollar, high-rise residence for the super rich. Living up in the penthouse is super-duper rich investment wizard Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda) who plays online chess with Josh and is generally ta-ta’d by the staff, just like all the residents.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

Shaw gets indicted for securities fraud and all of the staff that had money invested by his company is suddenly pensionless. Even worse for Josh, he was the guy who trusted Shaw and invested the staff ’s money though him. In a series of developments, Josh gets together a crew to rob Shaw and restore the hotel staff ’s funds.

I’m not going to go through the many plot holes and so on, because to me, an entertaining movie can make up for those things. Tower Heist has some great comic actors besides Murphy, Stiller, and Alda including Tea Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe and Casey Affleck, not to mention Judd Hirsch and Matthew Broderick. Whew!

Unfortunately, they aren’t very funny, at least not often enough for me. I had seen the trailer several times and was excited about Tower Heist. But the trailer has the majority of the funniest lines in the movie.

Most of the time we’re watching Josh seethe with righteous anger at Shaw.

This makes Josh a likeable character, but that doesn’t make a whole movie.

The same goes for some awesome aerial shots of New York and great editing of the heist during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I’m impressed, but still waiting to laugh.

I mean, what’s wrong with Eddie Murphy’s makeup? It stops at his jaw line, distracting from his role as Slide, the streetwise crook heading up the gang of misfit robbers.

Matthew Broderick gets a nod to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in a scene with a red Ferrari up in Shaw’s penthouse. But mostly, he comes off as old and worn out. Tea Leoni, playing the hardboiled CIA agent (or is it FBI?) is awesome, but her face is so plastered on that she looks like an annoying orange in a fright wig.

Maybe that’s it; all these actors are in this movie because they need the work. It’s sad to see them trying so hard with such a lame script. I’d almost rather watch them sitting

around playing cards, or talking about their old movies.

The gist of the script is that Shaw is an evil Wall Street Millionaire who has bilked the “little people” out of their minuscule life savings and doesn’t even care. But most of us see Hollywood as home to glitzy and fast-living millionaires that got bilked playing the same games. It comes off as false and sour grapes crassness. I’m supposed to feel sorry for Ben Stiller? C’mon! It just doesn’t work. In the end, Tower Heist could have done with more silliness and less politicizing.

If there’s one thing worse than seeing a bad movie it’s seeing a movie that should have been really good. Tower Heist has all the great actors, all the glitz and big movie production feel, but comes off flat.

It’s not really a family movie, either, unless you want to teach your kids how to say “Bitch” and other similar words. I can’t imagine middle-schoolers enjoying such oldschool actors, so that leaves younger adults who might like Tower Heist. If you really want to see Eddie Murphy, wait till the video comes out or watch some “Saturday Night Live” reruns. TJN

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Sadie Comeaux Before After

Image/Fashion Stylist/Advisor Karla E. Tullos, CIC Sadie Comeaux, 19, is a 2011 Sam Houston High School graduate now attending cosmetology school. She consistently has a friendly, positive attitude and is very polite, which is sometimes not easy to find in young people nowadays. She rarely wears makeup and usually keeps her hair in a ponytail. We took all of her wonderful inner attributes and showed her how to project a polished outward image. She not only looks good for a holiday party, but she lives an overall more confident life feeling good about herself!

In working with Sadie, I appreciated her attitude and her willingness to go with the flow. “You gotta make the most of what you’ve got in life!” she told me—and she does! Sadie now has regained her self-esteem, just in time to enjoy those festive holiday parties with her friends.

MAKEOVER SPONSORS Salon W Wesley White, owner, master stylist Makeover Stylist and Makeup Application: Kasie Guilbeaux This was my first time at Salon W and I was very impressed with my overall experience. They really made a good impression on me. I felt very welcomed by all of them, especially Ms. Kasie and Mr. Wesley! The environment is professional and clean, but very chic at the same time.

I loved my hair. Kasie gave me a hip braid with curls: a holiday look different from the straight look I’m used to wearing. Now the makeup—that took some getting used to since I don’t wear makeup often! However, Kasie had me rockin’ the glam party look. I didn’t recognize myself! She’s amazingly talented. Salon W is lucky to have her.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Pair with a jean jacket and it’s a perfect casual outerwear choice for fall weather.

You can wear it through spring and summer too!

Talk about a versatile piece!

Sadie Comeaux with stylist/makeup artist Kasie Guilbeaux.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

Silver necklaces/ earrings brighten up darker colors and add a festive touch!

Sarah Scott, esthetician; Lindsey Ogea, stylist; Wesley White, Master Stylist, owner; Santana LeJeune, stylist

Pair this with tights and tall boots!

Le Marche, owner Marie Coleman Ms. Karla asked me if I had ever been Sadie is rocking to Le Marche and was surprised to hear I this outfit from hadn’t. She told me I was going to really Le Marche, great like it! When we walked in, I was surfor a holiday night prised to see Ms. Coleman, who taught out with the girls! me in high school. She is a very kind and gracious woman, always ready to lend a hand. I love her shop. She carries Miss Me Jeans and Jessica Simpson, which are two of my favorites, plus TOMS shoes, great smelling candles, jewelry and so much more! Everyone should go see what she has to offer but hurry—I may beat you to it!

Dana DeViller assists Sadie at Tela's.

Tela’s Things, owner Tela Lambert I really liked Tela’s Things. This unique gift shop has a little something for everyone. When we drove up, the first thing that caught my eye was her sale rack of clothes—I love a good bargain. I can see myself going back to shop for gifts for the holidays for my friends and family. I especially like the complimentary gift-wrapping that is available—how convenient is that! I noticed she has price points for any budget: cards, good stocking stuffers, special occasion gifts, candles, children’s items, custom-made jewelry, handbags and more. I’m going to be back very soon and I’ll probably drag my friends with me!

Refined Boutique, owner Morgan Doyle (Opening in December, located in the Cottage Shops) This was really fun. Ms. Karla told me that Refined Boutique was one of the sponsors for this makeover. Since the shop wouldn’t be opening until December, the clothes would be brought over to The Jambalaya News office for me to try on and be photographed in. I felt like a celebrity!

Ms. Morgan’s clothes are classic and timeless and the quality is exceptional. I felt very confident in them. I’m going to tell all of my friends about Refined Boutique and about Morgan.

She has a way of making you feel special. To top this off, she blessed me with some of the clothes I modeled.

I’m so grateful!

Morgan Doyle with Sadie

Sadie looks great in these modern classic pieces from Refined Boutique. Great look for a holiday office or church party.

Overall experience comment from Sadie This experience was amazing. After my new look was complete, I felt like I should stand a little straighter and walk a little prouder than before. All women want to look great. We all have the potential, but some of us just need a little help in discovering that looking beautiful on the outside can have a dramatic effect on how you feel on the inside.

I have a newfound confidence! Thanks, Ms. Karla, for seeing such potential in me. TJN Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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By Mary Louise Ruehr

Highbrow Literature That’s Hard to Put Down That which is generally considered by the literati to be top-shelf literature is often not that appealing to the masses — meaning me. The prizewinners are often not page-turners, or are not even accessible for those looking for a nice, leisurely read. But here are two books that are both first-class intellectual fare and darn good reading material. (Both have adult language and situations.)

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes was recently awarded the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. It’s a spare 163 pages — a downright breath of

fresh air in this era of bloated, undisciplined tomes filled with weak imagery, self-indulgent angst and way too many adverbs.

At first, in part one, the book seems to be a coming-of-age retrospective of four boys growing up in England in the 1960s and ’70s. The narrator, Tony Webster, describes his friends, their school life, and the girl who — sort of — got away. After all, he tells us, interacting with females made him “feel like a survivor from some antique, bypassed culture whose members were still using carved

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

turnips as a form of monetary exchange.” There’s also a trauma involving a schoolmate that affects the boys for the rest of their lives.

Following the narrator’s nostalgic reflections on his childhood, he goes on to distill his entire adult life, up to his 60s, in just a few paragraphs. He tells his life story quickly to indicate, I suppose, that it was just like anybody else’s, then goes on to contradict that.

In part two, he finds the world isn’t quite as he had perceived it, and he is not the person he had believed he was. There’s a bit of strangeness, with a squabble over a peculiar inheritance that really doesn’t matter much: It’s not the what — it’s the why.

He admits, “What had begun as a determination to obtain property bequeathed to me had morphed into something much larger, something which bore on the whole of my life, on time and memory. And desire. I thought — at some level of my being, I actually thought — that I could go back to the beginning and change things. That I could make the blood flow backwards.”

It’s a book of profound insight, tinged with the perversity of memory.

It’s very nicely written, and even though the end doesn’t quite ring true to me, it offers some devastating reflections as we hold up mirrors to see our own past selves. I couldn’t put

it down. And I plan to read it again, if only to see if all the foreshadowing I felt was there was really there. Oh, and to savor the lovely, lovely writing.

“When she woke, she was red.

Not flushed, not sunburned, but the solid, declarative red of a stop sign.”

So begins the dystopian novel When She Woke by Hillary Jordan.

The book is set in Texas in the near future. The U.S. government has been taken over by religious factions.

Because the cost of imprisoning lawbreakers is too expensive, the entire society has been turned into a sort of virtual prison by color-“chroming” criminals to match their crime and setting them loose on the streets.

Hannah Payne, age 26, has been found guilty of murder for having an abortion and has been sentenced to spend 16 years of her life as a Red, her skin painted from within by an imposed virus.

Besides red for murderers, there are Blues, Yellows, Oranges, Purples and Greens for various misdeeds.

“The vast majority were Yellows serving short sentences for misdemeanors.” The draconian world of the future is governed by a religious board; the Texas Internet Authority monitors everyone; people carry National Identification Cards; the Freedom from Information Act and

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the Sanctity of Life laws are in place; birthrates have plummeted because of a viral pandemic that causes sterility; gay people are sent to conversion therapy retreats.

The condemned “chromes” live among the general populace but are the objects of ridicule, harassment and much worse. On a train, Hannah finds that she’s now a pariah: “She took a seat apart from the other passengers, but even so, the ones nearest her moved away, scooting farther down the bench and, in the case of a mother with a toddler in her arms, getting up and going to the next car.

Hannah found herself in a kind of magic circle of ignominy.”

Eventually, as Hannah learns to maneuver her way through a hostile society, she questions her faith and then begins to see where her own free will comes in, and she acknowledges who or what God has been in her life.

The book is a re-imagining of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Some parallels are obvious (the names are similar: Hannah Payne/Hester Prynne, the Rev. Aidan Dale/Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale; both women are seamstresses; both choose the baby name of Pearl; one woman is sentenced to wear the red letter, the other to “wear” the color). In addition, the way the morality, both surface and underlying, affect the characters and pierce the reader’s thoughts is just as strong in both books.

This is a controversial book. It made me cringe, but it also made me question. You may think it’s too preachy, or too damning of the religious right. Some may think it makes fun of those who show religious zeal, but rather, I believe it shines a light on those who use religion for their own political and personal gains rather than seeking its truths. Jordan emphasizes the good of a belief that comes from within rather than being force-fed to the public by those with power. The story kept me up till the wee hours, and the poignant ending made me cry. It’s a real wow-er.

It also made me go back and read The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. When I was younger and had to read it, I obviously skimmed through it, found it boring, and couldn’t fathom the meanings in its depths.

This time I was able to enjoy it.

When She Woke is also reminiscent of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, one of my favorite reads of all time. It’s yummy. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading that one, I envy you. Go get it! But read this one first.

Copyright © 2011 by Mary Louise Ruehr. TJN Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Happy Turkey Day! Volume 3 • Issue 17

A NIGHT OF DERBY SILKS Habitat for Humanity hosted its annual fundraiser recently at the exquisite Stables at LeBocage. “A Night of Derby Silks” was a memorable evening of jazz, cocktails, great food donated by area restaurants and a silent auction for the community supporters of Habitat for Humanity. Guests were given the opportunity to pose with the debonair professional equestrian and his bold and beautiful show horse. If that wasn’t enough, we were invited outside to the lighted jumping arena to witness a live equestrian show. This stunning event was a huge success!

Marie and Ken Youngblood with Nancy and Ron Tower

Brenda and Emily Porche

Kennedy and Julie Giordano

Zack McKeivier and Lindsey Stroud

Elaine and Dave Simmons

Patricia Prebula and Fran Avery

Johnny Hollingsworth and Peggy Higgins

SEASON SNEAK PREVIEW WITH LCCB Sponsors and supporters of the Lake Charles Civic Ballet gathered at Central School the other night for an opportunity to enjoy sneak peak performances of the principal Lake Charles Civic Ballet dancers. The audience discovered more about the dancers and choreography of the LCCB during a one-on-one interview segment with Heather Ieyoub of Fox 29. In addition to the pre-post reception, a birthday cake was presented to Katelyn Chargois, who plays “Aurora” in the ballet Sleeping Beauty. She turned 16 that very day, just as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty turns 16. A slight twist of fate!

Lady Leah with Betty Schwarzauer Volume 3 • Issue 17

Stephanie Weaver and Leslie Milligan NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Baily Israel, Sophia Bagget and Jaina Angie

Lisa Schumacher and Julie Este-McDonald

Mary Leach Werner with her mother, Laura Leach

PLATINUM AND PEARLS GALA/FUNDRAISER The 2000 Health Foundation held its 6th Annual Gala/Fundraiser in the Grand Ballroom of L’Auberge Casino Resort recently. Sizzling hot couples from our very own Lake Area put on a dazzling show for a packed house of supporters by bringing their best routines to the dance floor to compete for the “Dancing with the Stars” title and the People’s Choice Award. To add to the excitement, four returning celebrity couples (including our own Phil and Lauren de Albuquerque) busted their moves for the Champion of the Dance segment of the show. The event included a wonderful dinner and a live and silent auction--all for a very worthy cause. Congrats to the dancers—you’re all winners!

Terrence and Dr. Green Riley

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Elizabeth Hursey and Yvonne Malveaux

Volume 3 • Issue 17

Laurie Moffett and Past Champion Brenda Shelton

Randy and Elaine Robb with Fran and Larry Avery

Laura Hendrickson and Liz David

Mauri Simmons and Stephanie Morris with Barbara and Pamela Simmons

Kathleen Miller and Barbara DuBose

Hazel Ramsey and Karen Carter Richards

A Vote FOR Amendment #1 is a vote to prevent Transfer Taxes in Louisiana.

Find out more at www.staytaxfree.com.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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LAST COWBOY HOME GAME Those die-hard Geaux Blue tailgating fans were back to an early start with the gumbo, red beans and jambalaya pots brewing. Early performances by the marching band and Cowgirl Kickers stirred them a bit as they made their way into the stadium to ring in their Cowboys, back under the lights to take on UT San Antonio for the last home game of the season! Senior players, kickers, cheerleaders and band members were acknowledged for their dedication and hard work at MSU during a special half-time presentation. The Cowboys got ‘er done--they knocked off UT, leaving the spirits of all MSU seniors and fans proud and prideful!

TJN

Greg Horton, Sheila Ahlgrim and Stuart Fletcher

Jerry Stevens and Larry Smith

Kelly, Jeff and daughter Maggie McNemar

Cody and Bob Alleman

Ariel and Kadence Harrington with Rowdy

November is National Adoption Month Statewide, Volunteers of America has been uniting families through adoption for over 60 years. The office in Southwest Louisiana provides adoption services for couples interested in adopting an infant as a permanent addition to their families.

Volunteers of America is a licensed adoption agency. With a licensed agency adoption, the fees are straightforward, and you are guided through the process so that there are no surprise expenses. For couple pursuing private adoption, Volunteers of America offers licensed agency home studies for families.

Flexible schedules are offered to busy families in need of this service in addition to post-placement supervision.

For information about the adoption process or to book a home study, call (337) 497-0034 to speak with an adoption coordinator. TJN PAGE 48

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Calling all Parade Entries The City of Lake Charles is calling for entries in two annual parades slated for Sat., Dec. 3 as part of the “Light up the Lake Christmas Celebration.” At 2 p.m. local groups, including schools, businesses, civic groups, performing groups and neighborhood kids will join Santa for a journey through Downtown Lake Charles.

Trophies will be awarded in several categories including best-decorated vehicles and floats, as well as the best marching bands and specialty groups. Everyone in the community is invited to be a parade participant or spectator. For entry forms or more information, please contact the City of Lake Charles at 491-9159 or go to www.cityoflakecharles.com. TJN Volume 3 • Issue 17

“Preferred Shopping Hours” for museum members only. Doors will open to the general public at noon. The sale will continue through the weekend from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sat. and noon-3 p.m.

Sunday. Use this opportunity to take advantage of these one-of-a-kind, gently used antiques! The ICM is located at 204 West Sallier St. in Lake Charles.

AMERICAN COLLEGE THEATRE FESTIVAL NOV. 16-18 McNeese State University plays host for the first time to the annual state festival of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Nov. 16-18. Six productions from four Louisiana university and college theatre programs will be presented during the festival and are open to the public. Tickets for the individual plays are $10 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens and youth. Festival participants include the University of New Orleans, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Bossier Parish Community College and McNeese.

Festival Production Schedule: WED., NOV. 16 • 7:30 p.m. – Dog Sees God by Burt V. Royal – presented by McNeese in the Shearman Fine Arts Theatre.

THURS., NOV. 17 • Noon – Spitfire Grill by James Valcq and Fred Alley - presented

by BPCC in SFA Theatre.

• 5:15 p.m. – Suicide in the Key of Infomercial - an original play

by Jared Gore presented by UNO in Ralph Squires Auditorium.

• 7:30 p.m. – An Evening of Edgar Allan Poe by Robert Mason – presented by ULL in SFA Theatre.

FRI., NOV. 18 • 11 a.m. – Echoes – by N. Richard Nash - presented by BPCC in SFA Theatre.

• 6:30 p.m. – About Time - an original play by Adam Falik presented by UNO in SFA Theatre.

For more information, call 475-5042.

ICM’S UPSCALE ATTIC SALE NOV. 17-20 It’s time once again for the Imperial Calcasieu Museum’s Upscale Attic Sale! On Thurs, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., there will be a private preview party for museum sponsors and benefactors. Fri., Nov. 18, 9-11:30 a.m. will be the

Volume 3 • Issue 17

MOSS BLUFF HARVEST FESTIVAL NOV. 17-19 The Moss Bluff Recreation District and the Moss Bluff Economic Development Board have teamed up to sponsor the Moss Bluff Harvest Festival 2011 on Nov. 17-19. There’s a new location, more parking, plenty of room, and lots of family fun! It will be held at the Moss Bluff Recreation Complex on Don Manuel Boulevard, off Park Road in Moss Bluff. On Thurs. and Fri., the event runs from 4-9 p.m., and on Sat., 10 a.m.

-9 p.m. Gate admission is $2. For more information, check them out on Facebook, or visit www.MBHarvestFest.weebly.com.

SWLA HEART WALK NOV. 19 More than 1,500 Southwest Louisiana residents are expected to take steps to improve their heart health on Sat., Nov. 19 when they participate in the American Heart Association’s Start! Heart Walk on the McNeese State University campus—Quad. The annual event, which raises funds to fight heart disease and stroke, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, begins at 8 a.m. The non-competitive, three-mile walk includes teams of employees from local companies, along with friends and family members of all ages. A one-mile route is also available for survivors who choose this shorter distance. For more information, call the SWLA American Heart Association at (800) 257-6941, ext 6174 or visit swlaheartwalk.org.

THE BIRDS OF JOHN GOULD NOV. 19 The Stark Museum of Art in Orange, Texas opens a new exhibit called “Exotic Beauty: Birds of John Gould” on Nov. 19. This mini-exhibit features

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BAYOU CLASSIC CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP NOV. 19-20 The 6th Annual Bayou Classic Christian Fellowship of SWLA will be held Nov. 19-20 at Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lake Charles. The 2011 parade kicks off the event at 11 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 19. Parade line-up will began at 9:30 a.m. at the MLK Center on Simmons Street. The Career and College Fair and Talent Showcase follows the parade. Students will have an opportunity to explore

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career areas and receive post-secondary information from Louisiana colleges in a fun setting. The Talent Showcase is open to all churches and community groups. The public is invited to the 11 a.m.

Sunday worship service, which concludes the weekend fellowship. For more information, call Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church at (337) 436-6627.

SOUTH PACIFIC AT LUTCHER THEATER NOV. 20 NETworks Presentations presents a new production of Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical South Pacific, making its Orange debut at the Lutcher theater Nov. 20 at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Based on James Michener’s Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, South Pacific has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan. Purchase tickets at www.lutcher.org or call the Lutcher Theater box office at 409-886-5535. Tickets range from $30$65. For more information on the production, visit www.SouthPacificOnTour.com.

HECTOR SAN MIGUEL MEMORIAL AWARD LUNCHEON DEC. 1 The Hector San Miguel Memorial Fund will honor retired American Press legal reporter

South Pacific

Photo by Joan Marcus

lithographs of exotic birds by the English ornithologist John Gould (1804-1881). In addition, a spotlight presentation will be given on “A Pacific Swallow and a Lorikeet” from the exhibit on Sun., Nov. 20 at 4, 4:45 and 5:30 p.m. The museum will have special hours on Nov. 20, when it will be open from 1 to 6 p.m.

John Gould was a prolific and accomplished publisher of books about hn Gould Jo f o s birds from around the d ir B The world and produced illustrations noted for their beauty and accuracy. The exhibit includes examples from his volumes on Asia, Australia, and the report on Charles Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle. For more information, call (409) 886-ARTS (2787) or visit www.starkmuseum.org.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

Vi

ncent Lupo Vincent Lupo at a luncheon to be held Thurs, Dec. 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the L’Auberge Casino Resort Ballroom. Nationally known political analyst Charlie Cook will deliver the keynote address. An award-winning reporter for the American Press from 1972-2011, Lupo covered Southwest Louisiana courthouse news. The award that will be presented to him is named for his former colleague at the Press, Hector San Miguel, who left an indelible mark on our community through an award-winning journalism career driven by his relentless pursuit of the truth. L’Auberge Casino Resort is the presenting sponsor of the luncheon. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; the program begins promptly at noon. Luncheon reservations, available for $20 or $160 for a reserved table of eight, must be made in advance and purchased by check or cash. Contact the Community Foundation at (337) 491-6688 or dvaughan@foundationswla.org for further information. Reservations must be made by Friday, Nov. 25 at 5 p.m.

PURPLESTRIDE FIGHT AGAINST PANCREATIC CANCER DEC. 3 Be part of a day of inspiration and hope, and help support the fight against pancreatic cancer. Join PurpleStride Lake Area 2011, taking place at Prien Lake Park in Lake Charles. This is the perfect event to bring the whole family, meet others and create memories. All proceeds benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Stride with others who are just as passionate about finding a cure for pancreatic cancer. Come enjoy a 5K family walk to honor and remember loved ones. There will be a silent auction, kids’ activities and much more! Food, including hot dogs and hamburgers, and beverages will be provided for the participants. Be sure to register online at www.purplestride.org by Nov. 20 to guarantee a T-shirt.

ST. NICHOLAS CENTER 5K RUN DEC. 31 In the spirit of giving, everyone is invited to participate in the 4th Annual St. Nicholas 5 K Run and 1 Mile Resolution Run on Dec. 31. The run begins and ends at the ICCS parking lot at 1536 Ryan Street.

Registration is at 7:15 a.m., and the 5 K begins at 8 a.m. The 1 Mile Resolution Run will immediately follow. Early registration is open until Dec. 1 with a discounted rate. For early registration and more information please contact Chris Jones at 337-515-3402 or The St. Nicholas Center at 337-491-0800/ www.stnickcenter.org. All proceeds benefit the St. Nicholas Center for Early Intervention.

TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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

The

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

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

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17 • Travis Benoit & Allons Dancer @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Consequence of Silence @ Happy Hippie Pizza, 7 p.m.

• Bradley Venable & Kick Back @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Hamilton Loomis @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19 • Joe Simon & Louisiana Cajun @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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

• Geno Delafosse & French Rockin’ Boogie @ Yesterday’s, 8 p.m.

• T.D. McMurry @ Huddle Up Sports Bar & Grill, 8 p.m.

• Travis Tritt @ Delta Event Center, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.

• B.B. & Company @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.

• Forever Falls/Framing the Red/Noyola @ Luna Live, 9 p.m.

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

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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

• Paul Gonsoulin @ Huddle Up Sports Bar & Grill, 8 p.m.

• The Molly Ringwalds @ Yesterday’s, 8 p.m.

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

• Willie Nelson & Family @ The Pavilion, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 9 p.m.

• X-It 43 @ Linda’s Lounge, 9 p.m.

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 • Creole Soul @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 • Jamie Berzas @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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

• Research Turtles @ Luna Live, 8 p.m.

• Junior Lacrosse & Sumtin Sneaky @ Yesterday’s, 8 p.m.

• Soul Vacation @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24 • Asian Concert @ L’Auberge Event Center, L’Auberge du Lac Casino, 1 p.m.

• Bernie Alan @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• The Winter Sounds @ Luna Bar & Grill, 8 p.m.

• Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.

• Phillip Glyn & Daze @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 8 p.m.

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25 • Megan Brown & Tepetate @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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

• Wendy Colonna @ The Porch, 8 p.m.

• Steel Shot @ Yesterday’s, 8 p.m.

• Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.

• Static Stereo @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 9 p.m.

• Dog Hill Stompers @ Caribbean Cove, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 9 p.m.

• Street Side Jazz @ Cigar Club, 10 p.m.

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 • Al Roger & Louisiana Pride @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 17

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

• Jen Kober @ Luna Live, 8 p.m.

• X-It 43 @ Micci’s, 8 p.m.

• Foret Tradition @ Yesterday’s, 8 p.m.

• Password @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 8 p.m.

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

• Mickey Smith @ Cigar Club, 10 p.m.

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

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 • Junior Lacrosse & Sumtin Sneaky @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 • Alvin Touchet @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

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

• Brian Moore @ Cigar Club, 9 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 • Don Fontenot et Les Cajuns de la Prairie @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

• Muzic Unlimited @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2 • Ellis Vanicor @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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

• Bayou Katz @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Jacob Cooley @ Cigar Club, 10 p.m.

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

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3 • Briggs Brown & The Bayou Cajuns @ DI’s Cajun Food & Music, Basile, 6:30 p.m.

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

• Bayou Katz @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Kory Fontenot @ Cigar Club, 10 p.m.

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

Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 53

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. She c f the an leslieber man.co be m. cho- folkn o i s i elev and state t ging Mass ause they elsh n i ss , bec massive W the majes the t u r r n a i p e y n d ” , e r i i l r h ; T o t s r p . d f g l I son oia” o me o before rican ationa inded eard years ions of “Od nt of e of n elsh “Ame alent, in c m r e r u o i eas gous t ne eaW s I’d h ’s vers et a h becom entury. Lik me prodigi yn Terfel o ”) choir stavi Choir uTube to g human ba in a e r o tic Ru ulo” on Yo scribes as “ s full tones 20th C icked up s claiming B dd (“thron r e u e k o s r s r p a o h , e G e t “Chak y friend d d continuo g out and r i cad tur the l e d u o t c t m n s n h i t a h a s in neve wha f drones the l inductees es to Wels lights. are pu air so you off. s r o e e c t h i ” e g t h e v h ad in at er sin rig pip of t s for s of other b derful is th he some are pulling low your he ’s d h r c a i B h w ns ft of on rs fod lb tion o ally w g doze au- some singe aths. 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Once ag possible to term w n meaning from the W al and with t e approxim e name in hwyrndro r o i n c m i c n y e i t u o y l o i a i o et g l r t s w Pat trad tes rough res tradit ultures. a va longest p gyllgoge anslates scary rmance wa when she s e h a e r c u n t l t t h e y s y a t s d h d n g o i e n w n n an rf of an tra df llg Th of t ma elsh a droni er’s pe ce beg ”), an ns of he och.” hollow fairpw Coop er final pie a couple of story of seated ist musicia and sang Ws guitarist “Llan siliogogog rch in the lpool and t e e e ic y d al top. H dle to loop she told th mother llllant Mary’s Chu rapid whir d cave.” Th t- reviv oper playe tunes, blu rd for serv s d a h d i a e o a e i t f d c r v n C a o d , aw hi lla her “Sain azel near lio of the be abbrev ver w l whose bel remarried songs eceived an music, ba nd o h , h i s s y i s l l e e y t t g n l r r a r o a e o i n h s , n t g n h E s n a i n whi h of St. T t l o e e tifu ht w Coh h Isl ed fa aditi n and w me ca a beau hose ador ther broug jealAndy merican tr f the Britis ere perChurc er town na nfairPG), attention i e o t w o a i l t l died, ose stepm nd intense es to A a chanteys clensions w ene’s favor 58-let maps (as L ommercia to hear the h a e c c : e g s t d s k t n n n c n k i n o d a l i a l d a r n o and w oung son, irl. d w a e ef clu eric h n o att y. If you y, try this rnt i t m

, f y s A o d e a e d r e er , the tl me l ag ear wy hei littl g coin h centur correc llgogerych .php# t rmed by so ghters of al ood. We h s well h usy of the is dark tale s off the t d 9 e 1 c o ,a u un W fo ay gy the in th hop nd da ather prono inging o.uk/s lg w yn Well, pmother c n axe, then sons a friend He Serbian s orming in name llanfairpwl ogogoch.c e d st ith a g rf ld / t nd wicke rl’s head w into a stew http:/ llllantysilio been nct my o n French a ily trio pe rmer Sovie e v i a s g h n m i t t little her remai to her hus Breto ll-male fa e of the fo drobw gs tha forge a dis n i e h a g l s w t a a . e k y n t coo wha e so many ade up to th centur i- as a ian, langu sus. all-m The the st feeds irl’s father. en gath2 st m ca rg orgian ding in a 1 e d o e f u Lik y l e a d n G s e a C G m u v e g i u er th the nscio n the he ith th e rev s stan ion-c band, g stepbroth state i ll in love w when I wa stening to t self-co identity, th g competit Eisteddfod n li rs I fe weepi Welsh and singin bards, the -fud), has c choi one church i n o h l y a t p poly century s poetr rofession eye-STED p d fourth val of pronounce (

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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Volume 3 • Issue 17

ers up the bones, puts them in a treasured box, and buries the box under a tree. And that’s when the story gets really interesting.

The girl’s spirit comes back as a beautiful songbird, alights on the tree, and begins singing over and over “My stepmother killed me / my dear father ate me / my baby brother who I love/sits below and I sing above. . . .” Singing this quatrain to a shoemaker and a watchmaker and a mill owner wins the bird lovely leather shoes,

a gold pocket watch and chain, and a millstone, with which she avenges the little girl’s death.

As Cooper spoke and sang, weaving magic and mystery until she’d fashioned the whole cloth to its conclusion, I was transported back to an imagined 12th century Eisteddfod, where Cooper, making her bardic bones on the back of this performance, would definitely win first prize, and a preferred seat at the King’s table.

TJN

Killin’ Time Crossword Sponsored by

Crossword puzzles provided

by BestCrosswords.com (www.bestcrosswords.com).

Used with permission.

Volume 3 • Issue 17

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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