The Jambalaya News - Vol. 3 No. 25 by The Jambalaya News

VOL. 3, NO. 25 / MARCH 22, 2012

Jack Daniels Bar & Grill • Care Help of Sulphur • BB King: Live at L’Auberge!

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Volume 3 • Issue 25

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

NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Berman George Cline Angie Kay Dilmore Dan Ellender Mike McHugh Katy Rozas Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos ADVERTISING sales@thejambalayanews.com

SALES ASSOCIATES Michele Clack Katy Corbello Faye Drake Karla Tullos GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews

contents

March 22, 2012 • Volume 3 • Issue 25

COVER STORY 19 Dynamic Dimensions: Personalized. Unique. Dynamic

REGULARS 7 10 11 12 18 24

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

FEATURES 5 The BBBS Experience 14 Men: Stay Healthy! 16 Care Help of Sulphur, Inc.

ENTERTAINMENT 26 28 30 31 36 40 42 43

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

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 2012 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

On Cover: Left: Katie Powell trains client Sumer McFarlain. Right: Paula DeLeon. Photos courtesy of Dynamic Dimensions.

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18 We accept credit cards!

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A Note From Lauren Farewell, 258 An era has come to an end. The last Visco has moved out of 258 Nevada St. in Newtonville, Massachusetts last week, and the house has been sold. My uncle Ricky (my mother’s sister Gloria’s husband), who is now 92, was raised in that rambling old white house, along with nine other siblings. The three who never married remained there with their parents, Nunziato and Philomena Visco. Before I can talk about 258 (that’s how we always referred to it), I have to talk about Grandma and Grandpa. That’s what I called them, even though, technically, they weren’t my real grandparents. I never really had any grandparents. My father’s parents were elderly and both died in Rome within a few years of my birth without ever visiting us. My maternal grandmother passed away a few months before I was born. But my grandfather died when I was a year and half. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t recall anything before the age of three. I clearly remember him holding me in the kitchen, pointing out the cuckoo clock that my mother got in

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Switzerland. I remember his favorite soft blue flannel shirt, and snuggling into it. It was a very special love. His death left a void in my heart. And as I grew up, I saw that everyone around me had grandparents, and I had none. So one day at 258 (I think I was around five), I took matters into my own hands. I went up to Uncle Ricky’s mother and asked, “Will you be my grandma?” I remember her breaking out into delighted laughter and scooping me into her arms. “Of course I’ll be your grandma!” she exclaimed. From that moment on, she and her husband were Grandma and Grandpa to me. On Sundays, everyone (family, extended family and friends) gathered at the big house to eat, drink Grandpa’s homemade wine (which tasted like vinegar to us kids) and socialize as only Italians can. There were huge bowls of pasta and platters of meat on the tables; gravy simmering in huge pots on the stove; fresh bread from Magni’s Bakery. Kids running in and out. Heated discussions about religion and politics. A new baby to pass around. It was wonderful. The house sat on an acre or more

of land. Auntie Mary (one of the sisters who never married and who finally moved into assisted living last week) had a green thumb and grew the most amazing flowers. She was famous for her wreaths and arrangements, and did all the flowers, including the bouquets we carried, for my cousin Karen’s wedding. Auntie Mary worked at the YWCA and taught arts and crafts classes. So on cold or rainy Sundays, she’d herd all of us girls upstairs and keep us busy doing crafts and playing dressup with her old clothes, hats and jewelry. Uncle Larry, the only single uncle, lived there, too. What a character. I don’t think he ever threw anything out. He had a barn out back filled with God knows what— tools, tires, everything but the kitchen sink. His old jeep still ran, and I remember all of us kids decorating it with plastic beads and ribbons for its 20th anniversary. His other form of transportation was a huge old Checker cab that could fit ten children crammed in the back seat. Riding around with him was always an experience. There were wonderful pear trees

in the garden, and Uncle Larry fashioned some sort of “pear catcher” out of a long pole with a metal grip at the end. We’d all take turns pulling pears off the branches. He also made a big hammock out of heavy green canvas that he tied between two trees, and I remember hanging on for dear life with my cousin Richard as that hammock swung higher and higher, almost spilling us to the ground. There were so many places to explore: Grandpa’s wine cellar (Karen says she can still remember its moist dark odor), the attic, the chicken coop that never had any chickens that I could recall. The vegetable garden, lovingly tended by Auntie Jo, yielded tomatoes and corn so sweet you could eat it raw. What memories. What a place. Nothing lasts forever. But I will never forget those Sundays in the big white house —and I am especially grateful to that wonderful woman who granted a little girl’s wish so many years ago, filling the void in my heart.

– Lauren de Albuquerque TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 25

Part Two of a two-part series featuring Adult Little Alumni Katy Rozas. In her own words, this is her experience as a Big Sister volunteer after being a Little Sister herself.

By Katy Rozas

Volume 3 • Issue 25

I have been involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for 21 years, first as a Little Sister and now as a volunteer. I had lost contact with my Big Sister Laura over the years and after a 15-year separation, we found each other again. When we reconnected, I was so moved by the entire experience that I knew I had to be a Big Sister myself. My original intent was to be there for someone who might need extra attention, the way Laura had been there for me. I didn’t realize how much growing and maturing I had left to do until I found myself mentoring a nine-year-old. I was matched to my Little Sister in April 2011. The process to get matched was an efficient method, in that they allowed me to meet her guardian before I was introduced to the child. I was told how she was full of energy, liked playing sports and was also a girlie girl—so I knew we would have a great relationship. The icing on the cake, so to speak, was at the end of our interview, when I asked the child’s name. When I was told it was Katelyn, I knew she was the match for me. You see, my Big Sister Laura named her firstborn Kaitlin after me. As you can imagine, I jumped in feet first and was very eager to be her Big Sister. In the beginning, I was intimidated. I didn’t know how to build a relationship with a child and I wasn’t sure what kind of things we should do together. On one of our first outings, I asked Katelyn to come up with some things that she would

enjoy doing together. Her number one request was to go to the library. So off we went! It was there we learned about the summer reading program and how she could earn a “Library Champion” sign for her yard if she read ten books by a set date. Katelyn was very enthusiastic about winning a cool sign, so she left the library that day with three books. The next time I picked her up, she asked that we go back to the library, return the books and pick out new ones. Before I knew it, Katelyn had read all ten books and earned that sign to display in her yard. She was utterly ecstatic. It was nothing less than amazing to watch her set a goal and achieve it, and I was very proud to have been a part of her motivation to succeed. Since then, I have left the door open for all her requests and ideas for fun activities for us to do, and we’ve made a list. Now, I feel that it’s easy for us to come up with things to do. We’ve done everything from roasting weenies by a bonfire to driving around looking at Christmas lights, to even cooking dinner together. We enjoy going out to eat and to the movies, and playing miniature golf, bowling and skating. And we both have fun attending the Big Brothers Big Sisters monthly activities, where we meet other matches and find out what they do together. So far, our favorite agency event was the “Minute To Win It” game day. Katelyn had a great time trying to get an egg across the floor without

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touching it, using only an empty pizza box. After breaking two eggs, she became a pro and started challenging the other matches. One day, I asked Katelyn what she wanted be when she grew up. At the time, she had no answer, so I asked her to think about it and let me know when she thought of something. About a week later, she told me that she wanted to be a fashion designer and sew dresses. The next time we got together, I took her to Hancock fabrics to look at dress pat-

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terns, and she found one dress that she wanted to try and sew. We asked for help to get the project started, bought all the necessary items and then went to my mother’s house for advice. She was eager to help with the project and together, the three of us created Katelyn’s dream dress, which is lavender and princess-like. She plans on wearing it as her Easter dress this year. I have now experienced the Big Brothers Big Sisters program from both sides of the spectrum: as the child who needed a little extra atten-

tion and the adult who had the urge to help someone. This experience has completely changed my life. I came into it thinking that I was going to help someone—never realizing how much this program, as a Big Sister, was going to help me. Just knowing that I am having a definite impact on someone’s life is a feeling that is nothing less than extraordinary. I truly love knowing that I am helping someone who needs and deserves the attention. Katelyn and I have grown very close, and I look forward to many

more years of being her Big Sister as we both grow and succeed together. For more information on how you can be a part of something big, please call Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, a United Way agency. Lake Charles, 478-KIDS(5437); DeRidder, 460-KIDS(5437); and Jennings, 824-HUGS(4847). Think of the possibilities— what will you start? TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 25

The

Boiling

P l

Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CVB, Manning worked with members of the board and CVB staff, as well as a large committee in the Lake Charles Area to plan events for the Great Acadian Awakening, which took place in the fall of 2011. Manning also currently serves on the board of directors for the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana and represents Calcasieu/Cameron Parishes on the board of directors for the Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition. Angie Manning

Julio Galan, Family & Youth; Thad Minaldi, BC/BS board member; Ann Knapp, BC/BS board member; and Candis Carr, Connections Count! Conference director.

BLUE CROSS DONATES TO CONNECTION COUNT! Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation supported Connection Count! Professional Development Conference with a $10,000 donation. Family & Youth’s 14th annual conference connected professionals and practitioners from throughout Louisiana as they expanded, enhanced, and shared knowledge, expertise, and “know how” related to services for children, youth, and families. BC/BS of Louisiana Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Louisiana through community involvement, employee volunteerism, and the investment of resources in the communities it serves. IBERIABANK NAMES BUSINESS BANKING RELATIONSHIP MANAGER IBERIABANK the 124-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, is pleased to announce the recent naming of Joseph “Quincy” Gotte as assistant VP and business banking relationship manager for Southwest Louisiana. Gotte joins the company with six years of banking experience and has a degree in accounting and business management. His office is located at the Mid-City Plaza Branch location at 2901 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. He can be reached at 3127107 or by email at joseph.gotte@iberiabank.com.

MCNEESE AUTISM PROGRAM WINS GRANT McNeese State University’s Autism Program was one of 60 organizations in six states that won grants in Albertson’s LLC’s inaugural Community Partners Challenge. The autism program was awarded a $7,500 grant from Albertsons through the McNeese Foundation. Organizations were invited to submit requests for grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 and the most-voted for programs online in various categories were awarded grants. The Albertsons Community Partners program helps schools and non-profit organizations earn money for their programs when their supporters shop at Albertsons stores. Joseph Gotte

ANGIE MANNING APPOINTED TO LOUISIANE-ACADIE BOARD Angie Manning, communications director at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau was recently elected to serve on the board of directors of Louisiane-Acadie, Inc., a nonprofit umbrella organization that represents Acadians and Cajuns in Louisiana and encourages networking and increased connections between Louisiana organizations. Through the Volume 3 • Issue 25

From left: Gary Haines, Albertsons store manager, Tom Tuminello, Sr., foundation board member, and Scott Williamson, autism program director. McNeese Photo

KEZM RADIO TO AIR BUCS COACH’S SHOW The Louisiana Swashbucklers and KEZM Radio in Sulphur announced recently that “The Darnell Lee Show” will air on Sports Radio 1310 KEZM every Friday at 6:20 p.m. and will be hosted by the Bucs Radio Voice John Goodman. Coach Lee has been with the Bucs since 2006, and has guided the team to three championships and five straight Championship Game appearances. The show can be heard on both Sports Radio AM 1310 KEZM, or by audio stream at www.kezmonline.com. MARCH 22, 2012

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Patricia Prudhomme, director of Tobacco Free Living; Denise Fasske, cultural affairs director for the City of Lake Charles; Mayor Randy Roach; Rodney “Poncho” Seaford, president of the Southwest Louisiana Market for JPMorgan Chase; and Matt Young, executive director of the Arts Council.

■ Injured Worker Treatment

■ Audiometric Testing

■ Physical Exams

■ Safety Training & Consulting

■ Complete X-Ray Services ■ Blood Collection ■ Drug & Alcohol Testing ■ Pulmonary Function Testing ■ Respirator Fit Testing

■ 24 Hour Collections and Other Hours by Special Appointment

LIVE@ THE LAKEFRONT SPONSORS The Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana and the City of Lake Charles are proud to announce sponsorships from Tobacco Free Living, Isle of Capri Casino, and JPMorgan Chase for the inaugural Live@ the Lakefront music festival. It features live music from local talent, art vendors, children’s activities, and Lake Area food booths, and the series takes place on three consecutive Fridays, March 16, 23, and 30, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Arcade Amphitheater. For more information, contact the Arts Council office at 439-ARTS.

■ Computer Based Training ■ First Responder Training

Isabella Harris

Hope McDaniel

Lauren Broussard

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL HONORS ST. MARGARET SCHOOL ARTISTS Lake Charles Memorial Hospital recently honored students who participated in the Young at Art Program in December. 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. December’s display featured artwork by students from St. Margaret School. A panel of Memorial volunteers recognized fifth graders Isabella Harris, Hope McDaniel and Lauren Broussard with a $50 savings bond. KENNETH EBERSOLE JOINS THE CLINIC IN MOSS BLUFF Kenneth Ebersole, APRN, CFNP, has joined the clinical team at The Clinic in Moss Bluff. Ebersole will collaborate with local family practice physician Jason Morris to provide health and wellness services to the residents of Moss Bluff and the surrounding areas. Ebersole, a Sulphur native, earned bachelors and masters degrees in nursing from McNeese State University. Kenneth Ebersole He is a board certified family nurse practitioner with over 23 years of experience, specializing in the care of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, colds, the flu and other minor illnesses. Prior to joining Dr. Morris’ clinical team, Ebersole was in private practice at Minor Medical Clinic in Moss Bluff. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Kenneth Ebersole, call (337) 217-0922. DEQUINCY RAILROAD MUSEUM LAUNCHES VIDEO TOUR The DeQuincy Railroad Museum recently launched a 30-second public service announcement, encouraging visitation to the museum. There is also a four-minute virtual museum tour that gives guests a glimpse of what they can find when they visit. The virtual museum tour, captured by John Tousaint with PAGE 8

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Volume 3 • Issue 25

Focus Filmz, may be seen on vimeo.com/32264170. The 30-second public service announcement is located at vimeo.com/34738315. The DeQuincy Railroad Museum is situated at 400 Lake Charles Ave., DeQuincy, in the downtown historic district. Some of the artifacts on display include a 1913 steam locomotive, a passenger car, and two cabooses. For more information, call the DeQuincy Railroad Museum at (337) 786-2823 or visit www.dequincyrailroadmuseum.com. LOCAL JACKSON HEWITT EMPLOYEE WINS NATIONAL AWARD Jessie Lott, office manager for Jackson Hewitt Corp.’s Prien Lake Rd. location, recently won the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service National All-Star Tax School Instructor Award. Lott has been with the company for six years and has been an instructor for the last three years. There are thousands of instructors across the nation, with 239 nominated for the award. Jackson Jessie Lott Hewitt Tax Service selected 20 instructors from across the country to receive the award. Along with her duties as office manager and tax instructor, Lott also handles area manager responsibilities.

Center. Season tickets are on sale starting at $10 per game. For season ticket information contact the Swashbucklers office at (337) 310-PASS (7277) or log on to www.labucs.com. SINGLETARY JOINS STOCKWELL SIEVERT Stockwell Sievert Law Firm is pleased to announce that Eston Singletary has moved his practice to the firm in an of counsel relationship, effective March 9, 2012. Born in Sulphur, Singletary received his B.A. degree from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1969, and his J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. in 1973. Since 1983, he has practiced in Lake Charles, representing businesses, individuals and governmental entities in a wide variety of regulatory, tax, commercial, business and real estate matters. He has worked for a wide range of clients, including both individuals and family businesses, as well as both newly formed small businesses and well established large corporations. For more information, see his bio at www.ssvcs.com. TJN

Irasema Vargas, Heather Nicole Browning, Kaitlyn Bergeron, Mia Brown.

INTERNATIONAL DANCE COMPANY WINS BIG AT MAJOR DANCE EVENT The International Dance Company, located at 530 W. McNeese St. in Lake Charles, recently competed against dozens of dance studios from around the state for prestigious top honors at “Showstopper” in Baton Rouge, the largest dance competition in the country. Their entry, “Bellywood Bounce,‘’ received first place overall in Teen Performance-Small, and their dance studio received one gold award. This qualifies them to go to the Showstopper National Finals in Galveston this summer.

From left: Louie Barbe IV, Beau Barbe, Marianne White, coordinator of planned giving, and Dr. George Mead, dean of the College of Science. McNeese Photo

“With three children I loved the convenient Saturday classes and the job they help me get.” Christina R. - Fall 2010

“I felt all the instructors cared about my career. Very personable course.” Hope H. - Spring 2010

“They truly help with job placement. I had a job before I graduated.” Kaylee M. - Spring 2010

PRE-MED SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED AT MCNEESE Local businessman Beau Barbe has donated $20,060 to the McNeese State University Foundation to establish the Dr. Don Paul Barbe Pre-Med Scholarship. SWASHBUCKLERS SIGN FAN FAVORITE SHAWN PIPER One of the great players from Swashbucklers history is coming home. Defensive back Shawn Piper is returning to help the team bring a championship back to Southwest Louisiana. Piper played his college ball at Louisiana Tech as a wide receiver and cornerback before joining the Swashbucklers in 2006. He was the 2007 league player of the year and a member of the ’07 championship team. In 2007 piper lead the team with 20 touchdowns and 10 receptions. The Swashbucklers season kicked off March 17 at the Lake Charles Civic Volume 3 • Issue 25

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Dang Yankee The

By Mike McHugh

A Senior Morning My wife and I don’t allow ourselves to get concerned about the aging process. Why bother? You can’t do anything to stop it. The changes that go along with it are inevitable. Some of the things you can fix, thanks to the wonders of pharmaceutical science. Others you can’t fix, but there are wonderful products out there to help you deal with them. Depends fits in that category. Then, there are others where you’re completely on your own. My wife’s experience last Monday morning fits in the third category. We’d pulled our monthly stint on the work crew for a charity bingo the night before. My job on the crew is to handle the money. I don’t know why they chose me for such a trusted assignment. It’s probably because I usually do a half decent job with the paperwork. Charity bingos are tightly regulated by the State of Louisiana, and for this reason the level of documentation is comparable to that required to operate a hazardous waste facility. They say that this is needed to prevent fraud—an activity that in our state

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is reserved strictly for elected officials. Unfortunately, I was not on my game that evening. After completing the paperwork, the final numbers indicated that I was about $30 short. That, I feared, might be enough to earn me an extended stay at Angola State Prison. It was a thought I didn’t relish. Sure, I hear that the other guests there have a reputation for being neighborly, but I can’t envision them bringing me home-baked cookies when I move in. I had to leave for a business trip early Monday morning, and so I entrusted my wife to drop off the bag of cash and the paperwork to Ross, the bingo coordinator. Hopefully, he had a trick or two up his sleeve. After all, you don’t get to be bingo coordinator for nothing. So, off I went across the state line, leaving the bulging sack of proceeds from the lucrative evening on the kitchen counter. That evening, my wife texted me, asking if I had dropped off the money after all. I replied that I had not, and her smiling photo promptly displayed itself on my

caller ID. From her tone, I knew that this was not a Kodak moment. We had a mystery on our hands, and, alas, it wasn’t the first in our 27 years of marriage. No one had been in the house that day, and there was no sign that anyone had entered. “Perhaps you moved it somewhere,” I said. “Maybe you should check where you mislaid your keys.” “But I found my keys, and the money wasn’t there!” she managed to say, in between her gasps for air. The only thing that we could figure is that she may have left it on the seat of the convertible that morning while running errands. Abe Lincoln would probably find it hard to resist a bank bag full of cash sitting on the front seat of an open ragtop. My shortfall suddenly had a couple of zeroes added to the end of it, and I began to think it my best option would be to linger a while across the state line. I called Ross the next morning to deliver the bad news. “There’s a bit of an issue with the bingo money,” I said. “I know,” Ross said. “You were $30 short, but we can deal with that.” “You got the money, then.” “Yes, your wife dropped it off to me yesterday. What did you think?” “Oh, nothing,” I answered after a pause that was not sufficiently brief to hide my anxiety. “You have a nice day.” So for now, I’m still a free man. But as for the future—well, I just hope the prison has a geriatric ward. TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 25

By George “Tip” Cline

HIGH COST OF LIVING Prices are rising in just about every area that we can imagine. The rise in gasoline prices is being reflected in almost all those commodities that we use. It is bad enough to pull up to the pump and see that the price has been rising on an almost daily basis, with the prospects gloomy for the future. That strains the family budget to begin with, but the prices of the products we purchase are elevated by the rise in the cost of having to transport these goods. The only control we can exert is to be diligent in our purchasing. By buying only what we really need and waiting for sales or extraordinary prices will help contain the price spiral. The only time to “stock up” is when the prices are really discounted. The power is in the use of our wallet. We help to establish prices by what we will pay for an item. If we allow higher prices by purchasing at a higher price, keeping demand at the same level as it was when the product was priced less, we’ve allowed the new higher price to become the established price. By rejecting a price level or fastidiously purchasing the minimum amount needed, we are establishing that the elevated price is not acceptable and will exert downward pressure on pricing. Don’t allow yourself to be taken advantage of without doing your part to control the upward pricing that diminishes your purchasing power. Volume 3 • Issue 25

TED (Traffic Enforcement Detail) on Interstate 10. This comes on top of the citizenry of that community getting together for a prayer meeting recently in response to the recent murderous crimes committed there. Apparently, the local folks are more concerned with taking care of their safety rather than getting one good speeding ticket an hour, as Police Chief Chaisson recently stated. It was reassuring, I’m cer-

tain, that Assistant Police Chief DeLouche remarked that most officers are writing two tickets an hour. Forgive me but I have a hard time dealing with “Protect and Serve” becoming secondary to generating revenue. There is no shopping survey for this issue. I am out of town and don’t think that the prices in Picayune and Hattiesburg, Mississippi are of much benefit to Lake Charles readers. TJN

The increase in soft drinks is most dramatic. Drinks that were routinely sale priced at around $2.50 or less per 12-pack are now approaching double that amount in their everyday shelf pricing. Fortunately, that is an item that can be most flexible in substitution. Yes, nobody I know recommends Rum and Pepsi or Bourbon and Sam’s Cola, but on the whole, there are alternatives out there that will more than suffice in most applications. There always will be holiday promotions for soft drinks, so buying cautiously and waiting for the right promotion to replace your stash will help make you a dividend. GOOD NOISE A New Orleans judge recently acquitted a Bourbon Street bar owner charged with playing his club’s music too loudly. We have written about our local downtown music venues being under scrutiny for volume emitted from their activities here in Lake Charles. The New Orleans case involved the use of external speakers to lure customers, a practice more than common in the French Quarter. The Lake Charles complaints were filed by residents living above and around our downtown nightspots. It remains to be seen if we can promote a lively music scene here or not. We shall follow this with interest. TWO SPEEDING TICKETS AN HOUR? The powers that be in Welsh now have added their police detectives to the Speed Trap enforcement that they refer to as MARCH 22, 2012

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What’s Cookin’

Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill at L’Auberge Casino Resort is the place to go for delicious food, great drinks and the best entertainment. With more than 40 flat screen TVs airing the latest sports events, and over 25 varieties of beer to choose from, it’s indeed a man’s paradise! Meet the guys during the week for Beer and a Sandwich Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Just look what’s on the menu: Habanero Spiked Grilled Cheese Pepper Jack, Cheddar, Havarti Paired with Alien Amber or Nola Blonde

Get ready to party! The Throwback with Jack Event is coming April 4-6. The doors will open at 8 p.m. There will be a $5 cover in the Pool Island Area/Jack Daniels Patio. April 4 - Bag of Donuts April 5 - Chee Weez April 6 - Molly Ringwalds All shows are followed by DJ CaGe in Jack Daniel’s Bar. You must be 21 years or older to attend. You can purchase tickets by calling (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Southern Fried Pork Chop Sandwich Maple Glazed Onions, Bacon Horseradish Aioli Paired with Southern Pecan or Wood Chuck Cider

Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill, (337) 395-7104 Mon. – Thurs. Bar: 4 p.m. – until; Grill: 4 – 11 p.m. Fri. – Sun. Bar: 11 a.m. – until; Grill: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich LA Blue Cheese, House made Buffalo Sauce Paired with Nola Brown or Abita Amber All pairings are $12

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

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MARCH 22, 2012

Chef Lyle Broussard

Volume 3 • Issue 25

Here’s the perfect guy recipe for a spring weekend. Get your smokers ready, guys!

Jack Daniel’s Kobe Brisket INGREDIENTS KOBE BRISKET RUB (YIELDS FIVE POUNDS) • Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt 3/4 lb. • Kosher Salt 1/2 lb. • Garlic, Granulated 1 lb. • Onion, Granulated 3/4 lb. • Brown Sugar 3/4 lb. • Paprika 1/2 lb. • Chicken bouillon(dry) 1/3 lb. • Black Pepper 1/3 lb. • Coriander 1/10 lb. • Fennel Seed 1/10 lb. (use two 14-oz. containers and grind up in a blender or spice mill) PREPARATION Set the smoker at 170°F. Open the brisket packaging and drain thoroughly. Season each brisket with the dry rub, making sure to massage the rub into the meat on all sides. Open the door and load in the briskets. Smoke the briskets fat side up

for 10 hours, making sure that there is plenty of mesquite loaded throughout the process. Check the briskets to ensure they are cooked throughout and desired tenderness has been reached. Serves 10 people. Enjoy!

TJN

We Save Lives and Our Environment Everyday Through Science and Research.

Join Us and Buy at Wholesale. www.shaklee.net/patsnc

Volume 3 • Issue 25

(337) 824-6765 or (337) 230-3598 Pat Landreneau, Nutrition Consultant Lake Charles & Jennings

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If you want to stay healthy, it’s important to get screened for diseases before you have any symptoms. You can get some screenings, such as blood pressure readings, in your doctor’s office. Others, such as colonoscopy, need special equipment, so you will need to go to a different office. After a screening test, ask when you will see the results and whom you should talk to about them. ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever been a smoker, talk to your doctor about being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is a bulging in your abdominal aorta, the largest artery in your body. It could burst, which can cause dangerous bleeding and death. COLORECTAL CANCER Have a screening test for colorectal cancer

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starting at age 50. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier. Several different tests can detect this cancer. Your doctor can help you decide which is best for you. DEPRESSION Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression especially if during the last two weeks: • You have felt down, sad, or hopeless, or • You have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things that normally bring you happiness. DIABETES Get screened for diabetes (high blood sugar) if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if

Volume 3 • Issue 25

you take medication for high blood pressure. Diabetes can cause problems with your heart, brain, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every two years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, and can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney and eye problems, and heart failure. HIGH CHOLESTEROL If you are 35 or older, you should have your cholesterol checked. You can start as young as 20 if: • You use tobacco. • You are obese. • You have diabetes or high blood pressure. • You have a personal history of heart disease or blocked arteries. • A man in your family had a heart attack before age 50 or a woman, before age 60. OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY The best way to learn if you are overweight or obese is to find your body mass index (BMI). You can find this by entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator, such as the one available at www.nhlbisup-

Friends of Sisters Surviving, Inc. will hold its annual FREE blood draw screening in Lake Charles for prostate cancer during Minority Cancer Awareness Week in April. SCREENING LOCATIONS Friday, April 20 9 a.m. – noon • Ned’s Barber and Beauty Shop (Martin Luther King/ Hwy. 171)

port.com/bmi/ A BMI between 18.5 and 25 indicates a normal weight. Persons with a BMI of 30 or higher may be obese. If you are obese, talk to your doctor or nurse about seeking intensive counseling and getting help with changing your behaviors to lose weight. Being overweight or obese can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. TAKE STEPS TO GOOD HEALTH • Be physically active and make healthy food choices. • Get to a healthy weight and stay there. Balance the calories you take in from food and drink with the calories you burn off by your activities. • Be tobacco free. For tips on how to quit, go to http://www.smokefree.gov. To talk to someone about how to quit, call the National Quitline: (800) QUITNOW (784-8669). • If you drink alcohol, have no more than two drinks per day if you are 65 or younger. If you are older than 65, have no more than one drink a day. A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle of beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.

TJN

Ron Fogal Gen. Mgr.

Oliver McDonald Hwy. 14

Chris Best Ryan St. Mgr.

Mark Fuselier Sulphur

Chris Sanders Sulphur Mgr.

Rita Atkins Sulphur

Ron Ardoin Warehouse Mgr.

Dustin Corbello Hwy. 14 Mgr.

Danny Brown Ryan St.

3 – 6:30 p.m. • New Covenant Faith Baptist Church 2233 12th St. (Family Life Center) For more information, contact Veronica D. Woodard at 433-6992.

TJN

Saturday, April 21 9 a.m. – noon • Greg Phillip’s Barber Shop (Corner Enterprise and Lawrence St.) • New Sunlight Baptist Church 515 V.E. Washington St. (A. J. Cains Fellowship Hall) • Greater St. Mary Baptist Church 1401 Moeling St. Volume 3 • Issue 25

MARCH 22, 2012

PAGE 15

Care Help of Sulphur, Inc. is a Christian non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is supported by individuals, businesses, churches, and other organizations in the vicinity. It assists residents and transients from the Sulphur/Carlyss area in emergency, temporary situations in the form of food, clothing, utility, rents, medication, and referrals. It receives no federal or state funding. In addition, Care Help offers: Bible Study Tues. 8-9-a.m in the Social Service Waiting Room. Computer Classes Wed. 2:30 -4 p.m. and 5 -6:30 p.m. at 112 E. Thomas St., Sulphur. Life Skills Classes Wed. 10-11 a.m. in the Social Service Waiting Room. Classes are free and open to all, regardless of income.

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MARCH 22, 2012

‘SON-LIGHT’ GROUP Care Help of Sulphur’s volunteer Jody Barrilleaux from Hixson Funeral Home invites you to join her as the “Son-Light” Group brings comfort and strength as they reach the community with love by letting the light of Jesus shine. The group meets every Tuesday from 8-9 a.m. in the Social Service waiting room 200 N. Huntington St., and is free and open to all, regardless of income. “This Little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.” THE WISE PENNY Care Help also runs The Wise Penny Thrift Store, located at 200 N. Huntington St. Sulphur. Store hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.4 p.m. on Sat. Friday is “50 Cent Day” on clothes, shoes, and purses. Excludes specialty items.

Donations are accepted Mon.- Fri. 8 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. and 8 a.m. -3:45 p.m. on Sat. The store accepts gently used household items, furniture, mattresses, computers, real estate, automobiles, boats, clothing, shoes, purses, and more. All donations are tax deductible. Volunteers will pick up furniture in Sulphur if you don’t have a vehicle to transport it. While some of these items are given for assistance, most are sold in the store. The proceeds enable Care Help to give more cash assistance. Volunteers are always needed to help out in the store and for special projects. Care Help welcomes donations of non-perishable food items such as peanut butter, jelly, soup, crackers, powdered milk, cereal, dried beans, rice, macaroni and cheese, toilet paper, washing powder, soap, toothpaste, etc.

Jody Barrilleaux

Volume 3 • Issue 25

ANNUAL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS • Community Scholarship Fund helps students with a financial need. • Back to School Program provide school supplies and uniforms. • Christmas Program: food box and toiletry care packages for families, gift cards for school-age children, and food box, toiletry care package, and gift cards for seniors. Care Help of Sulphur Social Service Department 200 N. Huntington St. (337) 528-2273 Follow us on Facebook Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Closed Wednesdays TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 25

Exhibits at Brimstone and Henning Cultural Center The Calcasieu Cut-Ups return in 2012 with a huge quilt exhibit! This exhibit’s opening reception will be held on March 29th, from 5:30 p.m. at the Brimstone Museum. This exhibit opens on the same night as the Talented Arts Program exhibit in the Henning Cultural Center, so be sure to visit both exhibits while you’re here! Both receptions will be hosted by the Sulphur High School Pro-Start classes. The exhibit will be on display at the Brimstone Museum starting March 29. The Calcasieu Parish Talented Art Program will hold its opening reception at the Henning Cultural Center on March 29 from 6-8 p.m. This reception will be held in conjunction with the Calcasieu Cut-Ups Quilt Exhibit’s reception in the Brimstone Museum. For more information, call 527-0357. TJN

In November 1989, Lisa F. McMullen, CPA and Pamela C. Mancuso, CPA founded McMullen and Mancuso, CPAs, LLC in Sulphur. The first business for both, they found a compatibility as friends and partners that was rare and felt comfortable in building something for the future together. “We wanted flexibility in our interaction with clients, and we wanted a family atmosphere in which to work and serve our clients,” Pamela said. “We are fortunate to have been able to maintain our partnership and friendship for over 20 years, which is rare today.” Over the years, the company has grown to a staff of eight fulltime and two part-time personnel. “Our goal, as a CPA firm, is to distinguish ourselves as a uniquely personable organization,” Lisa said. “We believe that our personal service provides the assurance and comfort level necessary to

form the relationships required to build our clients’ businesses.” The company’s philosophy says it all: “Through our personal attention, we are better able to relate to our clients and tailor our services to provide a unique approach to meeting their individual needs.” SERVICES INCLUDE: • Tax planning and preparation • Financial planning • Quickbooks training • Financial reporting • Accounting and payroll services • Financial auditing • Consulting services “We love what we do and we never want our clients to feel that we are so big that we can’t serve their needs,” Lisa said. “We’ve developed close relationships we them, because we’re with them for the long term.”

MARCH 22, 2012

PAGE 17

Meet BeeBee! Welcome to Sulphur where citizens are proud of our heritage and look forward to continued growth. Sulphur is a great place to live, work and raise a family. Our recreation facilities, under the direction of Sulphur Parks and Recreation, are world renowned. The West Calcasieu Association of Commerce works diligently to support local businesses, as well as assist new businesses interested in locating in Sulphur. In Sulphur, we have it all…. FAITH…FAMILY…COMMUNITY!!!

VISIT US AT WWW.SULPHUR.ORG

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MARCH 22, 2012

Looking for a puppy with high energy? Looking for a puppy that loves to be held? It’s hard to believe, but you can have them both with BeeBee. She is as fast as lightning, which is why her name started out as Speedy Bee. She loves to chase a ball and just about any toy, and will even bring it back to you. She does play a bit rough, so she would do fine with a dog equal or larger than herself. She will also melt in your arms when picked up. She LOVES to be held! She isn’t completely housetrained, but getting close. She doesn’t mind sleeping in her crate, but would probably enjoy sharing a bed with her new mommy. She will need to be an inside dog because she won’t get much bigger

than 20 pounds. Please text Tina @ (337) 884-0150 or email Tinaperkjames@aol.com if you’re interested in meeting BeeBee. An adoption application can be found online at www.4PawsSocietyInc.com under the “Forms” tab and faxed to (337) 558-6331 or emailed to fourpawssociety@aol.com. A vet reference and home visit are part of the adoption process to ensure a good match for both the dog and the adopter. Hurry, BeeBee is waiting! TJN

Volume 3 • Issue 25

By Angie Dilmore

Carroll Patin trains client Paula DeLeon

Walk into a Dynamic Dimensions fitness facility on any given day or evening and you might see college kids working out after classes, local firemen pumping iron while awaiting the next call, and busy young moms setting up benches for a Step class. An elderly couple is walking the track, an office worker is on the elliptical trainer, and a grandmother is padding to the pool in flip-flops while an athlete trains for his next marathon. Dynamic Dimensions’ goal is to meet the needs of every individual

Client Matt Sherer Volume 3 • Issue 25

Katie Powell trains client Sumer McFarlain

interested in getting fit and staying healthy. “Our members range from elite athletes to people who have never exercised in their lives,” says Suzy Trahan, Dynamic Dimension’s wellness director. “We’ve created a nonintimidating, comfortable environment for customers of all fitness levels.” Dynamic Dimensions, owned and operated by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, offers two convenient locations in Sulphur and Moss Bluff. They’ve provided fitness services to

the community for over 15 years and continue to evolve to meet their members’ needs, currently serving approximately 5,000 members between the two facilities. According to Trahan, the focus at Dynamic Dimensions is a little different than other fitness clubs. “One of our biggest services is that we educate,” she said. “A new member is automatically given three free personal training sessions. We sit down with them, assess where they are, and set goals with them. We not only teach them how to use the equip-

ment, but also give them a workout that is specific to them, their needs, and their goals.” Trahan explained that they spotcheck their progress every six to eight weeks, depending on the member. “We don’t just give a new member a brief orientation. We interact with them and are truly involved with their progress and help them achieve their fitness goals.” That’s the biggest focus at Dynamic Dimensions. Whether it’s in the gym area, the group fitness setting, or the aquatics center, they

Tressie Bares trains client Karen Lambert MARCH 22, 2012

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Sulphur Dynamic Dimensions Team

try to stay interactive with their members. “That’s what sets us apart,” Trahan said. “We truly care about their success.” At Dynamic Dimensions, membership is viewed from a new member’s perspective. They know it can be tough just walking in the door, and getting started might be intimidating. So, new members are encouraged on their journey to health and wellness and are treated with respect, compassion, and empathy. Trainers are always available and gladly answer questions and offer encouragement. Dynamic Dimensions caters to members of all ages. Children as young as nine may exercise if accompanied by a parent. Fourteen to 15year-olds can work out alone if they take a teen fitness class, and those members age 16 and older are allowed unaccompanied access. Twenty-four hour access is available to members 18 and older. SERVICES At Dynamic Dimensions, membership means more than weight machines and treadmills. They offer valuable services, striving to meet each member’s needs. Personal training. It’s not uncommon to hit a plateau in your

progress when working towards a fitness goal, but one-on-one personal training can take you to the next level. Dynamic Dimensions employs ten full-time, nationally certified personal trainers, many with college degrees in exercise physiology to help you move forward. Chad Davis, a personal trainer at Dynamic Dimensions, earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s in exercise physiology from McNeese State University. “I sit down and talk with new clients so I know where they’re trying to go, what they want to do,” he said. “I develop programs based on their needs. It’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be fun. I have to push, but that’s the nature of personal training. That’s what I’m there for, to push a client to where he or she wants to be.” “Dynamic Dimensions is helping me reach my goal of losing weight,” said member Hilda Wright, who trains with Davis. She’s been a member for only two months and has already lost 13 pounds. Free childcare. Both facilities offer members free childcare for children ages six weeks to 12 years. Because Dynamic Dimensions cares about the health and wellness of all of their members, including the kids,

Moss Bluff Dynamic Dimensions Team PAGE 20

MARCH 22, 2012

Volume 3 • Issue 25

Client Donna Kaufman

they have recently installed X-Boxes in both locations to incorporate “active play” in the childcare center. Aquatics. Both Dynamic Dimensions facilities have indoor pools. In line with their focus on families and young people, they have recently partnered with Lake Area Swim Academy and now offer “swim school” for ages six months to adult. Aquatics fitness classes include water aerobics, which especially appeal to members new to fitness, the elderly, and those with limited mobility or rehabilitating after a physical injury. There are also special aquatics classes geared to people with arthritis. Nutrition counseling. General nutrition information is given to all new members during their three initial personal training sessions. If you need a greater emphasis on nutrition counseling, there is a registered dietitian on staff to assist you. 24-hour access. To accommodate everyone’s busy lifestyles, Dynamic Dimensions introduced 24-hour access several years ago, which has given more people the opportunity to exercise. Pro shop. Both facilities have a pro shop selling a limited number of fitness items and clothing. The smoothie and coffee bar is a popular place for a post-workout pick-me-up. Member incentive programs. Even the most dedicated exerciser gets in a fitness rut now and then. To encourage members to stay fit and active, Dynamic Dimensions offers fun incentive programs. To re-energize those New Years’ resolutions, the Biggest Mover contest is offered in February and March. Members get points for participating in group fitness classes and introducing potential new members to the facility. There are weekly drawings for participation, and an iPad 2 is awarded to the person with the most points.

Volume 3 • Issue 25

she explains. “Take care of yourself. If you can do that, then you’ve got the magic pill. But it takes commitment. After a short time, your body gets used to feeling good. Exercise then becomes a healthy addiction.” For Karen Raduenz, a member since 1995, going to Dynamic Dimensions has become part of her daily routine. “I like to go first thing in the morning,” she said. “It gives me energy to carry out my day.” She’s made great friends there and loves the staff. “Dynamic Dimensions has become my second family.”

For more information, call or visit Dynamic Dimensions at 545 Cypress Street in Sulphur, (337) 527-5459 or 602 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy in Moss Bluff, (337) 855-7708, or go to www.wcch.com/dynamicdimensions. TJN

SAFETY FIRST While there’s a huge focus on services, safety comes first at Dynamic Dimensions. Instructors and trainers are provided with continuing education, and every employee is trained and certified in CPR. Both facilities have an easily accessible AED (automatic external defibrillator) device. SOCIAL ASPECTS OF MEMBERSHIP People often join a health club for the social benefits. They want to find like-minded people with similar values and lifestyles, so it’s a great way to make new friends. Evia Perry Hodge has been a member for ten years and loves the group fitness classes. “I have met some of the best ladies and gents in this setting. One of the best things I have gained [at Dynamic Dimensions] is wonderful new friends,” she said. On weekday mornings, it’s common to see groups of people sitting in the smoothie bar area enjoying coffee and conversation. The aquatics groups are particularly sociable, often planning parties around holidays. BENEFITS OF AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE In addition to being wellness director and a group fitness instructor, Suzy Trahan is also a registered dietician. “Everyone’s looking for the magic pill,” she said. “If you look at the benefits of exercise — stress reduction, improved sleep, increased energy level, overall improved sense of self, higher self-esteem – everyone looks for all of those things. Exercise is the magic pill.” But you have to commit to do it consistently, at least twice a week,

MARCH 22, 2012

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If you enjoy group fitness, look no further. Dynamic Dimensions utilizes a licensed group fitness program called Body Training Systems from a company based in Atlanta. Several years ago, Platinum Elite status was awarded to the facility for their group fitness programs, and their ability to implement the four components of the BTS system, which include management, training, programming and marketing. “The programs are designed by top professionals in the fitness industry,” Trahan said. “Our instructors go through a certification process to be able to teach these programs. No matter which instructor is scheduled to teach a class, we know it is a safe, effective class with consistency between instructors. Our members know what to expect.” Since the group fitness classes were started in 2002, class participation has greatly increased. “Our members see results,” Trahan added, “and results keep them coming back.” Lori Guillory regularly attends morning classes in Moss Bluff. “I enjoy the classes that they offer and the instructors who teach them are awesome,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine starting my day any other way.” All group fitness classes are included with the cost of membership. They are fun, with motivating music and enthusiastic, encouraging instructors to help members push themselves even harder than they would if working out alone. All classes, except the new Group Core, are 60 minutes long and incorporate a warm-up and stretching in the cool-down, and are suitable for both men and women. Classes offered by Dynamic Dimensions include the following: Group Power was the first group fitness class Dynamic Dimensions incorporated ten years ago. This class uses barbells to strengthen every major muscle group and is an appropriate class for people of all fitness levels. You can tailor the class to meet your individual needs by appropriately adjusting the weights on the barbell. Women benefit from Group Power by toning muscles; cross trainers enjoy the added strength training to their aerobic routine; and body builders work their muscles in ways that are different from traditional weight lifting in a gym setting.

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MARCH 22, 2012

Volume 3 • Issue 25

Group Step brings fun into fitness. This high-energy class utilizes a step and a variety of movements focused on the lower body. The intensity level varies depending on the height of the step and fitness level options, making it a great class for both beginners and seasoned athletes. Group Kick combines martial arts and boxing movements, which, despite the name, actually focus on the upper body. Like all the classes, activity level options make it a suitable class for all members. Many women love this class because it results in strong, toned arms and shoulders; men enjoy the guyappeal. If you love to dance, you’ll enjoy Group Groove. Using different musical genres and dance steps from disco to Latin and everything in between, you’ll break a sweat while having fun in an unintimidating atmosphere.

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Group Active appeals to a lot of members because it’s a complete overall workout—all in one class. It incorporates a cardiovascular routine on a step, strength training using free weights, and balance, and flexibility. It’s a fun class for everyone and especially appeals to those new to fitness while they learn and determine which types of exercise they most enjoy. Group Centergy focuses on the core muscles through strengthbuilding and flexibility by combining yoga, Pilates, and tai chi into a challenging yet relaxing, stressreducing class. It’s a mind-body discipline with both physical and mental benefits. Bring a mat! New to the group fitness line-up is Group Core. This intense 30minute class is for people who need an effective workout in a shorter period of time. The focus is on strength training and uses your own body weight, along with free weights. TJN Volume 3 • Issue 25

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MARCH 22, 2012

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ker n Shouma o d n a r B y B

NFL Hypocrisy In case you didn’t know, football is not a polite sport. I sincerely doubt there are any middle linebackers out there on the field going, “Heavens to Betsy. I am terribly sorry for so violently colliding my shoulder with your face. Please allow me to help you to your feet. Oh, and are these your teeth?”

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MARCH 22, 2012

The object of the game, if you are a defender, is to hit the offensive player. Ideally, you want to hit said player so hard he loses control of the football and gives your team a chance to recover the loose ball. So, you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t think much of the supposed “scandal” surrounding the New Orleans Saints paying players “bounties” for big hits or injuring quarterbacks. The problem I have with the hoopla surrounding this bounty system is the total hypocrisy of the

NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. The league and Goodell claim this is a player-safety issue, that they can’t have players out there just running around trying to injure other players. Well, sure. No one really wants that. But don’t go claiming to be champions of player safety when incidents, like the one last year that saw the Cleveland Browns coaching staff put a dazed and concussed Colt McCoy back on the field following a massive cheap shot, still go unpunished. Don’t

forget about the hundreds of former players who can barely function because of brain injuries for which the NFL says it is not responsible. So, who cares if Anthony Hargrove or Bobby McCray got paid $500, or $1,000, or 1 million Spacebucks to put a lick on Brett Favre in the 2009 NFC Championship game? Frankly, most football fans were probably thrilled to see someone try and retire Favre for good lest he return like a zombie in a

Volume 3 • Issue 25

George A. Romero movie the next season (Favre rose from the dead the next season, anyway). Though, you could see how the league, what with all the media attention Favre — and, as a consequence, the league — received for all of his flip-flopping, might be upset at the idea of Favre being injured. And what about the case of Kurt Warner? Was there a bounty on his head in the Saints’ 2009 NFC Divisional Round game against Warner’s Cardinals? Probably. Does it matter? Not in the least. Warner was blown up by a violent, but legal, hit from McCray while Warner was trying to make a tackle. The old adage is “keep your head on a swivel.” Warner didn’t and he paid the price. McCray made a good football play. Better still; don’t go around claiming you’re doing what you’re doing in the best interests of the league. Especially not when you punish the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins for outsmarting the league by front-loading salaries during an uncapped year in order to save cap space for the next season. Even further, you’re not even punishing the Raiders or the Saints for doing the same financial finagling simply because they didn’t do it as well as the other teams. The Cowboys and Redskins did nothing against the rules and they beat the league and much of the money it saved will now go to less-savvy teams. For the good of the game. Of course, none of this is good for the game. It’s good for Goodell. It’s good for the NFL. It’s not good for football. The NFL is looking increasingly more like the National Basketball Association and Goodell is looking increasingly like NBA commissioner David Stern each day. Stern is a petty, dictatorial autocrat who micromanages every decision any NBA team makes and, if Stern doesn’t like it, it doesn’t happen. Case in point, the Chris Paul trade debacle. The New Orleans Hornets make a fantastic deal to trade Paul to the Los Angeles Lakers for some needed depth. Stern doesn’t like the Lakers Volume 3 • Issue 25

adding another superstar to their roster and steps in to kill the deal. It was the worst example of abuse of power by a commissioner of a major sport since, well, Stern rigged the 1985 NBA Draft Lottery so that the New York Knicks would get the chance to draft Patrick Ewing. Is this where the NFL is headed under Roger Goodell? Would, for example, a trade between the Saints and the New England Patriots be scrapped because

Roger Goodell didn’t think it was “good for the league?” Would, hypothetically, Goodell step in and somehow ensure a big-market franchise like the New York Jets get preferential draft positioning? It’s anyone’s guess at this point. But, for now, instead of scapegoating the Saints, or the Redskins, or the Cowboys, the NFL and Roger Goodell need to take a big, long look in the mirror. They shouldn’t like what they see.

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

MARCH 22, 2012

PAGE 25

By Mary Louise Ruehr

Thriller Action Like a Dance: Quick, Quick, Slow When I think of “thrillers,” I tend to think of the recent wave of Da Vinci Code imitators, formatted novels that have nonstop action, building to a climax. But three recent mysterythrillers are not like that; in fact, they remind me of the old “quick, quick, slow” dance rhythm, with fast action in spurts and then a time of semiquiet reflection. The late author Michael Crichton was one of the inventors of the modern thriller. His stories were so good because he also made his readers think. Crichton died before he com-

pleted Micro, so science writer Richard Preston (The Hot Zone) was brought in to finish the book. The primary action is set in Hawaii. Nanigen MicroTechnologies has been developing the technology to reduce, or “dimensionally change,” anything to microscopic size — including robots, equipment and even people. A Nanigen recruiter lures Peter and several other young scientists to Hawaii to join the company. Those invited include experts on snake and spider venom, ethnobotany, entomology and plant hormones.

When Peter’s brother, a Nanigen employee, suddenly vanishes, Peter starts asking too many questions, and the Nanigen boss wants to shut him up. Luckily for the boss, he doesn’t have to kill Peter; he just has to “shrink” the problem down to size. Once they’re made small, Peter and his fellow scientists find themselves in the rainforest, where the “tiniest” ant is now a huge predator they must avoid. Oh, and they need to be changed back before three or four days pass, or they’ll start to die. They must use all their zoological and botanical knowledge to stay alive. And some don’t make it. This is a sort of “Honey, I Shrunk the Science Project” thriller with intrigue, violence, an exciting climax, and plenty of information about tropical flora and fauna. Once again, Crichton has taken up his favorite theme: humans messing with nature. Death Comes to Pemberley is from author P.D. James, perhaps the grande dame of British crime fiction writers. The story serves as a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but is nothing at all like the books in the Austen- imitation genre. James doesn’t try to imitate Austen’s style; she simply picks up the characters and puts them in a new situation. PAGE 26

MARCH 22, 2012

It is Oct. 14, 1803, the day before Lady Anne’s ball, named for the late mother of Fitzwilliam Darcy and set to take place at his family home, Pemberley. Darcy and his wife, Elizabeth, are the hosts. During a thunderstorm, Elizabeth’s sister, Lydia, arrives unexpectedly (and uninvited). She is obviously shaken, and she very dramatically announces that Captain Denny has shot and killed her husband, Wickham. But to the contrary, when the men go to investigate in the woods in the dark, they find Capt. Denny dead, with Wickham kneeling over him, bloody, drunk, and in shock, saying he had killed him. What really happened? We follow the investigation, the inquest, the trial, the verdict. Darcy walks a fine line. Because he has to testify against Wickham, he worries about his brother-in-law’s fate. If Wickham is convicted and hanged, Darcy will “carry a weight of horror and guilt”; even if he’s found not guilty, “the trial would bring Wickham close to Pemberley” and reawaken a family scandal. It’s a loselose situation. The story is a very serious combination of mystery, thriller, ghost story Volume 3 • Issue 25

and legal drama. James is clever, especially in regard to society’s rules and male-female relationships, and she uses subtle humor. For example, Lady Catherine has her say, “The de Bourghs have never gone in for prolonged dying. People should make up their minds whether to live or to die and do one or the other with the least inconvenience to others.” And the author slyly ties in a new relationship between two familiar characters. It’s a slow read, with a lot going on. You don’t have to be an Austen fan to enjoy this one, especially if you’re already a P.D. James fan. Anne Holt is a very popular author in Scandinavia, where she is part of the whirlwind phenomenon of mega-selling thrillers following in the wake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by author Stieg Larsson, and publishers hope she will be just as big here. 1222 is the first of Holt’s novels to be translated into English from Norwegian. The events take place in February. Hanne Wilhelmsen sits in her wheelchair on a train that’s going through the mountains when suddenly there’s a crash. Passengers are thrown around and many, including Hanne, are injured from flying debris. The survivors are rescued and taken to nearby Hotel Finse 1222, located at 1222 meters (more than 4,000 feet) above sea level, where a “hurricane” is bearing down on the mountain. (I’m sure we would call this a blizzard, but that word is never used.) The temperature is well below freezing, and the strong winds are blowing out windows in the hotel, which is “a real old haunted house of a building, with lots of hidden nooks and crannies and narrow, forgotten corridors.” The storm lasts several days, growing steadily worse, and the passengers are stuck indoors. They have plenty of food and supplies, but no contact with the outside world. And

337-477-6765 921 Manuel Rd. Lake Charles

337-558-7491 109 HWY 108 Sulphur/Carlyss

one of them has been found murdered. And then another one dies. The suspects: almost 200 people from the train, plus rescue workers and hotel employees. Hanne, a former policewoman who was paralyzed when she was shot in the back, just wants to be left alone. But she is the only person who can look into the crimes, so she reluctantly begins an investigation. The passengers are beginning to panic. They are cut off from the rest of the world and stuck in a building with a murderer. It reminds Hanne of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. Can she find the killer in time to prevent another murder? Hanne is an interesting, believable character, but hard to love. She’s very private: “I am interested in people but I don’t want people to be interested in me.” She can’t abide fools, intolerance, or religion. I hope the author finds a following in America. Adult language. Copyright © 2012 by Mary Louise Ruehr. TJN

Be informed. Be active. Open to women and men of all political affiliations, the League of Women Voters is non-partisan, in that it does not support, rate, endorse or oppose candidates for public office. The goal of the League of Women Voters is to inform and empower citizens to shape better communities worldwide.

JOIN UP AND JOIN IN! For membership information go to www.lwv-lc.org or call our message line at 337-474-1864. Volume 3 • Issue 25

MARCH 22, 2012

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r m ende's Museu l l E an en By D e Childr of th r o t c Dire

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

The Lorax (Universal, 2012) One of Dr. Seuss’s more serious books is The Lorax, a children’s ecological fable written in 1971. The new movie version has updated the story and given us a very refreshing rework of the theme: “Unless someone cares, nothing will get better.” In this case, better means having a world with trees and wildlife instead of plastic and pollution. The Lorax begins in the town of Thneedville (with its own Hollywood-style sign on its skyline). Everything here is synthetic. The fake trees are inflatable, the houses are some sort of cement, and the parks are green painted concrete.

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High walls keep everyone inside the town, which is fine by them. Folks start their day singing in flash mob style, prancing about the town and gushing over how wonderful it is. Only one person seems to miss something, and that’s young Audrey, who paints trees on the back of her house. She invites her friend Ted over to see her work and in an act of old-fashioned male chivalry, Ted, the hero of the movie, sets out to find Audrey a tree of her own, something neither of them have ever seen. Ted’s Grammy (voiced by Grammy-winning Betty White) tells him about the Once-ler, a creature who may know about the trees. Ted rides his scooter out of town into a dark gloomy landscape and finds the Onceler’s house. Once-ler begins the story of the fate of the trees and the Lorax . Basically, it consists of Seuss’s book, with the Once-ler cutting down trees to make fabric products called

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“Thneeds.” The Lorax is a short mustachioed creature who speaks for the trees and nature. He tells Once-ler over and over that he’s creating disaster. As the Once-ler finishes his first installment about ecological destruction, Ted gets interested and decides to come back for more. Meanwhile, the town tycoon, O’Hare, gets suspicious about this sudden desire for trees. (It seems he has plenty of ways to spy on the town.) O’Hare’s bodyguards begin menacing Ted, making his trips out of town hazardous. But Ted is determined to find out what happened to all the trees. This story within a story approach works pretty well for the first part of the movie. The characters are interesting and the animation is state of the art. But after awhile, we get the sense that things have been dragging on. After Ted’s second Mario Kart style ride through the town on his scooter and the second flash mob song, I felt like I was watching a Saturday morning cartoon. Which is probably intentional. Like the original book by Dr. Seuss, The Lorax sends a message to

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children that they need to hear. And the music is very well done. The scenes are rich with extra touches and quick humor. But the story outside the story predictably ends with O’Hare chasing Ted, Grammy, and Audrey in an effort to get the last tree seed and destroy it. Why? Because O’Hare sells bottled air, and trees make fresh air. Every kid knows that. The finale is starkly different from the dark ending in Seuss’s book. The author wanted kids to take from his story a need to question their parents about the fate of the trees. But as I left the movie, the children and parents in front of me had no questions except where they were going for supper. Thneedville indeed. For you parents, my takeaway thought on The Lorax is to revisit the book after your kids see this excellently crafted movie. Then, when they ask about all the missing parts in the original Dr. Seuss version, you can tell them what really happens to the Lorax: it’s up to them. Rated PG for mildly crude humor.

TJN

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U A B A F N OLY MANLY THINGS! - WORD SEARCH E

Automobile Boating Father Fishing Golf

Guys Gym Hunting Man Cave Motorcycle

Party Sleeping Sports Television Tools

The Dot Game Players take turns connecting two dots. When you make a square, put your initials in the

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

box and take another turn. When all dots are connected, the player with the most boxes wins.

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DAUGHTRY CONCERT The house was packed with pumped-up fans at the exciting Daughtry concert! Held at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum and sponsored by L’Auberge du Lac, there were jumbo screens throughout the venue for fans to get up close and personal. Chris Daughtry gained fame as a Top Four contestant on the fifth season of American Idol. He’s now the third most successful contestant in terms of record sales. What a show!

Shyann and Kelsey Crochet with Kaylie Fontneot

Stephanie Kelley with Frankie Papania

Leanne Clapp and Amy Patout

Candice Fast, Jencie Corley and Brittany Harrington

Madison Evans and Emily Fusilier

Tony and Cathy Aguillard

Terrance Chretien and Remy Rideaux

BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL OF LOUISIANA Crowds gathered at the Lake Charles Civic Center to celebrate the unique culture, community, education and diversity of Africa and SWLA. The marketplace featured African art, jewelry, clothing and more; talented local performers were showcased throughout the day; and we enjoyed finger-licking good food from turkey legs to sausage links to gumbo to pork steaks! There was fun to be had by all! Jillian and Shi Garriet Volume 3 • Issue 25

Raven Stubbelfield, Alexis Malvo and Mackenzie Bellow MARCH 22, 2012

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Stacy and Blake Elizabeth Rogers

Darrick and Dearrica Arceneaux

Pat and Ashley Broxton

BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA’s annual fundraiser was held at the Petro Bowl of Lake Charles. The theme was “The Big Easy: It’s Easy To Be Big,” and was a HUGE success! The high-spirited, playful crowd bowled their hearts out for a great cause. It’s easy to give when it’s so much fun! Laura Landry, Ken and Denise Savant and Sherry Istre

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Bethany Bertrand, Jodie Cox and Janci Caldwell

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Ariana Guillory and Debriona Smith

Danny Landry and Chassity Duncan

Bernadette Seaberry and Floyd Mitchelle

Chelsey and Chasidy Quebedeaux with Mariah Smith

Shelby and Sh’Kira Guy

Jordan, Chasity and Marcus Griffin II

Look Who’s Back in Town! Ron Warren is excited to be back and he’s ready to work! • Color Specialist • Master Stylist • 25 Years Experience • Former owner of RJW Salon

Ron would like to invite all his friends and former clients to stop by and see him.

Call Ron to make your appointment today!

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SPOTLIGHT DANCE FESTIVAL Local students from Karen Ogden’s Dance Studio, Cathy Kurth Dance Academy and Roxanne’s School of Dance, as well as out-of-state performers took to the spotlight at the Westlake High School gymnasium. There were solo performances, team competitions, jazz numbers, baton twirlers, cheer groups, hip-hop and more! Congrats to the winners—the judges had some tough decisions!

TJN Michele, Sarah and Laura Fruge with Camille and Angie Leger

Alyssa Cody, Ali Gilbert and Devin Guillory

Lakin Fontenot, Alli Corbello and Halie Hebert

Claire Landry, Caitlin Vitello, Katie McKeehan and Emma Algre

Keeley Rice and Jynlee Conner

Administrator Randy Stelly and Admissions Coordinator Renea Dowies work hard to make the move to Landmark of Lake Charles a positive one for new residents. They know that smooth transitions start with an admissions process in which caring, knowledgeable staff take the time to answer questions, learn all they can about the resident, and make them feel at home right away.

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Purchase tickets in advance at Gordon’s Drug Store or 121 Artisan’s Bistro or on-line at CalcasieuPreservation.com. Tour tickets also available Palm Sunday at ICCS and major gateways into Margaret Place. Centennial Brunch tickets for 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 seatings available at the same locations and on-line, but must be purchased in advance. To learn more about the nine beautiful homes representing the first 5 decades of Margaret Place and other activities associated with this year’s tour, visit CalcasieuPreservation.org. Margaret Place streets will be blocked so consider using the free Trolley Shuttle Service provided by the City of Lake Charles Transit Division. The route is provided at CalcaseiuPreservation.org. Begin your Tour at any of the nine homes, and choose the order in which you visit the properties.

GOLD LEVEL SPONSORS: Allstate/Dean D. Day, LUTCF, Exclusive Agent Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Knight Media Printing Phyllis & Billy Loftin and Loftin Cain & LeBlanc Willie Mount Sheila and Drew Ranier SWLA Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Ada Vincent

Before attending the tour, be sure to read the “Rules of the House” on CalcasaieuPreservation.org which includes no spike heels which can damage floors and no interior photography. Volume 3 • Issue 25

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flute, guitar, marimba and percussion instruments. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children or students. McNeese and Sowela students are admitted free with IDs. For more information, call 475-5123.

GARDEN FESTIVAL MARCH 22-24 The 2012 SW Louisiana Garden Festival will be held on March 23 -24 from 9 a.m.– 5 p.m. at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. Please come and enjoy the District Garden Club’s Flower Show, select speakers, plant health clinic, plants, garden products and accessories, exhibits and sales throughout the show. For more information, call 475-8812. Also, on Thurs., March 22 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Burton Coliseum, the Southwest Louisiana Master Gardeners present Garden Festival Preview, gumbo, silent auction, and raffles. Gumbo, potato salad, and dessert will be served. Be the first to view the Garden Festival. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 337217-9303. LIVE @ THE LAKEFRONT MARCH 23, 30 Are you ready, Lake Charles? The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA is partnering with the City of Lake Charles to bring the Lake Area a brand new music event. Live @ the Lakefront will be held at the Arcade Amphitheater on March 23, and 30, from 6 to 10 p.m. The line-up includes: Bobcat (indie rock) and Grammy-nominated Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (Cajun) on March 23, and Iberville High Life (blues) and City Heat (jazz) closing the festival on March 30. The festival is free to the public, and will also showcase local artists, children’s activities, vendors, and Lake Area food booths.

Samite

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BANNERS PRESENTS SAMITE MARCH 24 Banners Presents Samite: A Trio with the Soul of Africa at the Shearman Fine Arts Theatre, 7:30 p.m. A refugee from Uganda, Samite sings about his difficult and inspiring tale with grace, warmth and wit. He sings in a bright, sweet tenor often accompanied by thumb pianos (kalimba),

VINCENT SETTLEMENT ELEMENTARY DINNER AUCTION MARCH 24 The PTO of Vincent Settlement Elementary will host a dinner auction on Sat., March 24. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the live auction will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for individuals and $35 for couples. Silent auction items will be displayed on March 23 from noon until 2:30 p.m. and on March 24 beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 2174580. Proceeds raised from the auction will be used to continue providing high quality academic experiences for the students of Vincent Settlement Elementary. THE CEMETERY CLUB MARCH 24-25 Jennings’ A Block Off Broadway Community Theatre presents The Cemetery Club, a witty and wise comedy with a kick. Show dates will be Sat., March 24 at 7 p.m. and Sun., March 25 at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale March 12 from 5-7 p.m. Mon. – Fri. at the Strand box office, Main Street, Jennings. Tickets are $15; $13 for seniors 60 and over. For more information, call 821-5509. GOOD SHEPHERD ANNUAL BOOK SALE MARCH 30-APRIL 1 Good Shepherd’s annual book sale will be held Fri., March 30 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sat., March 31 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; On Sun., April 1 don’t miss the $5 bag sale from noon – 3 p.m. Shop for new and used books, CDs, and DVDs. It will be held in the gym at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman Street, Lake Charles. They will be over 15,000 books for sale! All proceeds go to local charities. Donations will be accepted for the 2013 sale starting May 1. MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER MARCH 31 “On the Town – London” benefiting The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital will be held Sat., March 31, at the Historic Calcasieu Marine National Bank, 844 Ryan Street, from 7 to 11 p.m. Enjoy appetizers served by local restaurants and caterers, complimentary wine, cash liquor bars, fabulous raffle baskets and outstanding entertainment featuring Beatlemania Magic. For more information, contact The Foundation at (337) 494-3226 or marketing at (337) 494-2355. Tickets are $75 per person. To purchase tickets online, go to www.lcmh.com/on-the-town. PALM SUNDAY TOUR OF HOMES APRIL 1 The 37th Annual Palm Sunday Tour of Homes celebrating the Centennial of Margaret Place and in memory of Ben Mount will take place Sun., April 1 from noon-5 p.m. There will be vintage cars and more! To learn more about the nine homes on this year’s tour, which includes a

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tan De Temps An

The Choice

fabulous private garden, visit CalcasieuPreservation.org. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at Gordon’s Drug Store or 121 Artisan’s Bistro. They are also available on-line via PayPal at CalcasieuPreservation.com. Tickets can be purchased Palm Sunday at ICCS, Harrison St. near Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive, Park Avenue near Shell Beach and in front of 205 Shell Beach Drive, a tour home. THE CHOICE EASTER MUSICAL APRIL 1, 6-7 Looking for an Easter musical? Featuring the high drama and pageantry of ancient Rome during the rule of Tiberius Caesar, The Choice musical is a story of the forbidden love between a young Jewish girl and a Roman soldier and the cultural difficulties surrounding following Christ. Three performances will be held Sun., April 1, at 10:15 a.m. and Fri.-Sat., April 6-7, at 7 p.m. at Maplewood First Baptist Church, 4501 Maplewood Drive. The lead characters include the Roman soldier, Marcus played by Monty Jones; Angie Manning as Hannah, the Jewish girl; Mike Martinez as Octavius; Dr. Bryan Manning as Jesus; Dean Hanson as Pilate; and

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Reuben Broussard as Caiaphus. The performances are free. For more information, call the church office at (337) 625-5899. LOUISIANA CROSSROADS APRIL 11 The Louisiana Crossroads series continues as the City of Lake Charles presents “Exploring Quebecois, Acadian and Cajun/Creole Connections” in Central School Theater, Wed., April 11 at 7 p.m. De Temps Antan will collaborate with Cedric Watson, the great young talent in Louisiana Creole music, Ana Laura Edmiston, whose stellar vocal work with Feufollet has won her great renown, and David Greely, formerly of the Mamou Playboys, whose expertise in Louisiana fiddle and ballad styles is unmatched. The concert will be broadcast live via 100,000-watt regional National Public Radio affiliate KRVS. Advance tickets are $10 on line at www.louisianacrossroads.org or at the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA on the second floor of Central School. Tickets at the door are $12. For more information, call (337) 491-9147.

Ana Laura Edmiston

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Samite

Fri., Mar. 24, 7:30 pm Shearman Fine Arts Theatre, McNeese Campus

The Malone Brothers Sat., Mar. 31, 7:30 pm F.G. Bulber Auditorium, McNeese Campus

For information on 2012 events call (337) 475-5123 or visit www.banners.org Tickets available through membership, website and at the door.

GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON APRIL 12 Join First Lady Supriya Jindal and fitness expert Jennifer Galardi at the Go Red for Women Luncheon with Chair Dana Keel of CITGO. It will be held Thurs., April 12, at L’Auberge Casino Resort. They are expecting almost 500 attendees and are actively seeking Southwest Louisiana sponsors and supporters of the AHA mission to end heart disease, especially in women. For more information, go to www.heart.org/swlagored.com or contact Janice Ackley, AHA Regional Director, at (337) 794-1404 or Janice.k.ackley@heart.org. LAKE CHARLES CRAWFISH FEST APRIL 12-15 The Original DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Fest will be held April 12-15 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall with activities for everyone, including over 10,000 pounds of boiled crawfish and the best music, food and fun. Family Night on April 12 includes a praise and worship experience and free concert. Gates open at 4 p.m. on Friday with vendors and bands until midnight. A downtown street parade rolls Sat. morning, April 14, at 10 a.m. The Crawfish Festival Royalty and the mayor of Lake Charles will open the festivities at noon, with music and food available until midnight. On Sun., April 15, the carnival will be open on the Civic Center grounds until 8 p.m. Admission gate fee covers admission into the event only. Food, beverage, games, and rides are additional costs. Admission is $7 or $10 based on time of entry. Kids 12 and under are free. JOINING HANDS FOR AUTISM APRIL 14 The second annual 5k/1 mile walk/run to raise autism awareness in the community will be held April 14. Proceeds benefit the Autism Society SWLA Chapter, The Saint Nicholas Center for Early Intervention, and Autism Services of SWLA. On site registration is from 6:45-7:30 at ICCS on Ryan Street. The 5k will start at 7:30, with the one-mile to follow immediately after. Prizes will be awarded for the team that collects the most donations and the team that has the most members. For more information or early registration, go to swautismchapter@yahoo.com or contact Audra Grindol at 436-5001 OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP APRIL 14-15 Artist Alan Flattman will be conducting a two-day oil painting workshop April 14-15 at the Associated Louisiana Artists, Creative Arts Center at 106 W. Pryce Street, Lake Charles. Flattmann, known for his depictions of New Orleans scenes, has taught throughout the United States and led painting tours in Europe. The fee for this workshop is $200 and will cover students at all levels of ability. To register, call Nancy Czejkowski at 8559202 or Gallery by The Lake at 436-1008.

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SPA DAY AT WCH APRIL 21 Healthy Woman, sponsored by Women & Children’s Hospital will celebrate its second Pamper Party event on Sat., April 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on the hospital campus. The Pamper Party will include a vendor fair, refreshments, massages, seminars, free beauty products, door prizes and more. The Pamper Party is open to women of all ages. Tickets are $8 per person if you pre-register before April 9. Tickets will be available at the door for $15. A T-shirt is included in the pre-registration event fee, but will be given while supplies last at the door. Partnership opportunities are available for businesses that would like to participate with a booth or host a seminar at the event. To register for the event, visit www.women-childrens.com/healthywoman. BBBS’ RESCUES TO THE RESCUE APRIL 21 Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA is partnering with the Four Paws Rescue Society in “Rescues to the Rescue.” Children enrolled in the agency will work with rescue dogs currently housed at Four Paws in Sulphur. The children will train the dogs in simple commands and will showcase them on Sat. April 21 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the office of

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BBBS of SWLA. The children will receive a proclamation from Mayor Randy Roach and the showcase dogs, as well as others from Four Paws Rescue, will be available for adoption. In addition to the showcase, there will be a doggy bath and bake sale. All money raised will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA and Four Paws Rescue Society. For more information, call 478-KIDS (5437). BANNERS PRESENTS ‘CIRCUS INCOGNITAS’ APRIL 21 “Circus Incognitus” with Jamie Adkins will be held Sat., April 21, at the Rosa Hart Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Jamie Adkins was a featured soloist at Cirque du Soleil for Montreal’s Cirque E’loize. His clowning and acrobatic feats on the ground and on a slack wire bring life to the story of a man who has something to say, but can’t quite get it out. Warning: the show involves fruit. It may get messy. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children or students. McNeese and Sowela students are admitted free with IDs. For more information, call 475-5123. DINING OUT FOR LIFE APRIL 26 The Southwest Louisiana AIDS Council (SLAC) is hosting the Lake Area’s third annual Dining Out For Life® fundraising event on Thurs., April 26. Local restaurant participants will donate a percentage of proceeds from that day to SLAC, helping them continue to provide excellent services to low-income individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. While eating out, patrons can enter to win fantastic raffle prizes. Tickets can be purchased with a Dining Out for Life Volunteer. For a list of Lake Area participating restaurants or to sign up to volunteer visit www.diningoutforlife.com/swla. TJN

Grand location in gated community of fine homes in Sulphur! This French style home features 3 bedrooms downstairs, 2 upstairs (one could be game room), a large open living room, formal dining room, and kitchen with large island. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in kitchen! Spacious living area with brick arches. Master suite has jetted tub and separate shower in master bath. Beautiful covered patio overlooks an 18x36 salt water pool with diving board. Lots of landscaping offers a great area for entertaining. Wood privacy fence encloses backyard. Property to be conveyed as-is @ close of sale. MLS#119083 Priced at $379,900.

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