The Jambalaya News - Vol. 4 No. 5 by The Jambalaya News

VOL. 4, NO. 5 / MAY 31, 2012

ALSO: • Kerry Onxley: Joshua Ledet’s Mentor Talks About the Idol Superstar • Hurricane Guide • Jam Makeover: Sam’s Second Chance

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Volume 4 • Issue 5

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: Canon Fletcher of the LHSRA..

May 31, 2012 • Volume 4 • Issue 5

COVER STORY 15 Burton Coliseum Complex: Back in Business

publisher@thejambalayanews.com

NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Rhonda Babin Leslie Berman George Cline Angie Kay Dilmore Dan Ellender Mike McHugh 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

REGULARS 7 10 11 12 13 26

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

FEATURES 5

Kerry Onxley: Idol Superstar Josh Ledet’s Mentor 19 Hurricane Prep Guide 24 Jam Makeover: Sam’s Second Chance

ENTERTAINMENT 28 30 31 33 36 40 42 43

Red Hot Books Funbolaya Family Night at the Movies 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.

19 We accept credit cards!

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A Note From Lauren Blast From The Past I love long weekends. I especially love long weekends with no plans. This doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, it’s heavenly. This past Memorial Day Weekend was one of those threeday stretches of time where Phil and I could stay in and get things done—but relax whenever we decided to. There’s nothing like puttering around the house and yard knowing you can stop and take a nap, or have a snack, or just sit and do nothing without checking the clock because there’s something scheduled later on. When I’m in weekend mode, I don’t want to go anywhere. I do enough running around during the week. So on Saturday, I finally got around to unpacking from our trip to Mexico the week before. And what was on TV as I was doing this chore? A “Mary Tyler Moore Show” marathon. I loved that show when it came out. Everyone did back then. The cast was fantastic, the lines sharp and witty. The characters played off each other perfectly. It won numer-

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ous awards, made stars out of the actors, and many successful shows spun off from it. A series made in TV heaven. The show premiered in 1970. It was fascinating to watch it now, with a 21st century perspective. Was this real life back in the 70’s for a single working girl, or something concocted on a production set? Was art imitating life, or vice versa? Did we really live that way? I certainly remember dressing that way. The 70’s were not kind to the male of the species, but Mary and Rhoda’s clothes were fabulous. Rhoda’s were more colorful and daring than Mary’s to match her quirky New-York-window-dresser personality. But you never saw those ladies dress down, unless they were going to bed or just getting up; in which case, they’d be in nightgowns and quilted bathrobes. Otherwise, they would hang around the house all dressed up. Mary would come home from work and prepare and eat dinner in her work clothes. She didn’t change into sweats. Probably because they hadn’t come into fash-

ion yet. She could have changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, at least. Or maybe the quilted bathrobe. But no. Rhoda would always come down later on to visit and she’d still be dressed up, too. They’d sit around and chat into the night, and I wanted to tell them to kick off their shoes, at least. Or loosen a scarf. Something. And even though she was eating alone, Mary would set her table with a placemat and china and silverware. No eating a sandwich leaning over the kitchen counter for Mary. No takeout or fast food. There’d always be something cooking on her stove. Now that wasn’t real either. When I lived alone, my eating habits were typical: dinner out with friends or a bag of chips while I watched TV (no cable; three channels plus PBS; rabbit ears). If I came home hungry and tired, tired always won out and I’d just go to sleep. Most of my friends had the same habit. We were too busy to cook real meals and use placemats. Mary lived in a studio. It was big and nicely decorated, but it was a studio, nonetheless. And worse, she

slept on a pull-out couch. In later episodes, she moved to a fancy high-rise and finally got her bedroom, but in the early years, she had to open up a couch every night and pull her pillows out of the closet. That was real. It was no big deal for any of us to rough it when we moved out of our parents’ home. Secondhand furniture, creepy landlords, and certainly no monetary help from Mom and Dad. You wanted to move out, you had to pay for it yourself. And you didn’t get your parents’ credit card to buy your sheets and towels. Nope. You were really on your own. Watching that old show brought it all back. It painted a not-quiteauthentic picture of the single life back then, but it was close enough for all the feelings to come flooding back. Being on your own in a big city is a scary thing—but it’s also the most amazing feeling in the world. Especially when you know that you’re going to make it, after all.

– Lauren de Albuquerque TJN

Volume 4 • Issue 5

By Rhonda Babin

Hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1, but the nation, and especially Southwest Louisiana, has already experienced the effects of an American Idol storm. They included a wave of community pride that swept through the streets, a demonstration of love for parents, God, community and craft from a humble young man, a recording contract, and attention being focused on the things that kids learn when arts education remain in our public school classrooms. The effects of this phenomenon will be far reaching and life-changing for many. The eye of this positive storm is Joshua Ledet. One of the major influences that helped build its momentum is Kerry A. Onxley. Joshua Ledet is a Westlake native who earned top three status in a nationally televised singing competition called American Idol. Kerry A. Onxley, also a Westlake native, is the director of theatre at Westlake High School and the artistic director of The Children’s Theatre Company. Onxley, or Mr. O as he’s known to his students, first crossed paths with Ledet in his freshman theatre class. Ledet was an eighth grader when Onxley first heard about him. Freshman theatre class students told Onxley that there was a guy coming to Westlake High who could sing great. He met Ledet the following year in theatre class. From the exercises Ledet practiced in that freshman class, Onxley immediately knew that he should be in the

performing classes offered for the higher grades. “It was evident that Joshua had potential,” Onxley said. “He was relatively mature for a freshmanaged boy and he was very unique on the talent side.” Wanting to gauge the young man’s true interest in the performing arts, Onxley asked Ledet, “What are you going to do after you graduate?” His response: “I’m gonna do American Idol.” Theatre classes at Westlake High are serious business. Onxley is no pushover. In fact, his classes require immense discipline and concentration. Ledet was up to the challenge. During the next three years of high school, Ledet performed in various types of productions. One of his first shows was the musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Josh won the leading role. “Many people don’t realize that Josh is a strong actor,” recalled Onxley. “He played the lead in Dracula and was incredible.” Ledet also took theatre classes that taught him auditioning, directing, lighting and set design, and costum-

Kerry A. Onxley greets American Idol finalists Joshua Ledet and Hollie Cavanagh on the Red Carpet.

Visiting with Josh’s parents Nathanial and Jackie Ledet on the Nokia Plaza before the American Idol finale.

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ing. “The students don’t just learn in a lecture environment,” Onxley said. “They are charged with the responsibility of executing their designs in the state-of-the-art theatre at the high school. The students are critiqued at a high level. I was stricter with Joshua than I was with some students because I knew the talent he possessed.” The theatre students also critique each other. Onxley’s favorite student critiques are held in a large circle. They talk to each other and offer constructive information that will help the performer or technician do their job to the best of their ability. They are taught to not take the critique personally, which is more difficult when coming from your peers. Onxley says that after 27 years of teaching, he still learns at every critique. The skills learned in theatre class served Ledet well when he auditioned for American Idol. He had tried twice before and knew the process. The producers told him to come back to audition when he failed to make the cut a few years ago. Approximately a year after high school graduation, Ledet finally made it into the competition after an audition in Galveston. This past March, Onxley got to see Josh before he headed to

Hollywood for the first few weeks of American Idol competition. The weeks passed quickly and suddenly, Josh Ledet was taking his hometown, the surrounding areas, the Idol judges, and the entire nation of Idol fans by storm. He quickly climbed to the top ten and then to the final three with the support of his family, friends and community. Onxley and Ledet got to see each other in person at Josh’s homecoming a few weeks ago. “He was exhausted when I got to see him backstage at the concert,” Onxley said. “I said ‘Dude, focus. Get through this one moment.’” Ledet took the stage and his exhaustion slipped away. Being on stage is his job and his responsibility is entertaining—a responsibility Ledet takes seriously. When you’re one of the finalists on American Idol, the show’s producers ask you to name your mentor. The mentors of the top three finalists are treated to an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles to attend the season finale and concert tour kick-off. Onxley was there as Josh’s mentor and got to revel in Ledet’s success, sharing a huge moment in his career. Shortly before Onxley received the call from producers to invite him to

the American Idol finale, he received another great honor: an email indicating he had been accepted to Juilliard School for Directing for Theatre Educators this summer. Only 15 directors were accepted out of 1,300 applicants. Like his former student, the sky appears to be the limit for Onxley. Onxley teaches that you should never stop learning your craft. “Discipline is one of the greatest skills theatre students learn,” he said. “Whether you are going to be in the hard industry of entertainment or plan to stay locally and build a career and family, a student succeeds when they learn that things don’t happen overnight and it takes continuous commitment that will help you achieve your goals. Theatre classes are about building that type of commitment and they work for anyone.” Art influences our lives every day. Joshua Ledet became an ambassador and an example of how the arts can shape someone. Onxley encourages all of Ledet’s supporters to become advocates for arts in the area. “Attend a live performance, go to a gallery and look at the paintings,” he said. “Most of all, encourage the talents and creative abilities of the individual.” TJN

Kerry A. Onxley is awarded the Ford/American Idol Mentor Award for his work with Joshua Ledet at Westlake High School’s Homecoming for Ledet.

Joshua (with his sisters Jessica and Trista Ledet) along with Kerry A. Onxley enjoying the American Idol post reception.

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Volume 4 • Issue 5

The

Boiling

P l

Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com

MCNEESE STUDENT WINS PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD Tiffany Pruitt, a McNeese State University visual arts student from Vinton, won the Outstanding Merit in Photography award at the Juried Student Art Exhibition held in conjunction with the inaugural Academic Summit held recently on the McNeese campus. Faculty, staff and students from the University of Louisiana System’s nine universities attended the twoday event focused on service-learning and undergraduate research. Guest juror, Xenia Fedorchenko, assistant professor of art at Lamar University, selected 32 works from more than 400 pieces for the juried art exhibition. Pruitt won her award with her photograph titled “Yellow Baby Blue.” Other McNeese students selected for the exhibit included: Kathlene Chene, Jacob Dugas, Pankaj Khadka, Emily Lewis, Sarah Lonthier and Jeremy Price. FIRST FEDERAL CEO ELECTED CHAIR OF LA BANKERS ASSOCIATION Charles V. Timpa, president and CEO of First Federal Bank in Lake Charles, was installed as the 2012-2013 chairman of the Louisiana Bankers Association during the 112th Annual LBA Convention & Exposition, held on April 25-27 in New Orleans. Timpa succeeds Reginald H. Smith, Jr., president and CEO of Metairie Bank and Trust. LEAH VERRET JOINS CHRISTUS HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE Leah Verret, RN has joined CHRISTUS Hospice and Palliative Care as a hospice case manager. Leah has 11 years of experience in the field of oncology nursing. Most recently, she provided nursing care and administered chemotherapy in the office of Drs. Michael Bergeron, Michael Broussard and Leroy Fredericks. Prior to that, she was a charge nurse at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital on the Oncology Floor Unit 33. Leah received her degree in nursing from McNeese State University in 2001.

WOODS NAMED TO NURSING EXECUTIVE BOARD Theresa Woods, BSN, MSN, chief nursing officer with Jennings American Legion Hospital was recently appointed as Southwest Louisiana district representative to the Louisiana Organization for Nurse Executives’ board of directors. The group is made up of nurse executives and nurse managers and focuses on improving health care delivery throughout the state by involvement in public policy, research, and promoting educational programs to strengthen nurse leadership. They also share resources to reduce health care costs. Woods has over 30 years of nursing experience and joined the Jennings Hospital in 2011.

Lori Dougrey

Theresa Woods

Charles V. Timpa

Leah Verret

SHANGRI LA RECEIVES ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center staff members attended the 20th Annual Environmental Excellence Awards ceremony in Austin, where Shangri La was the 2012 award recipient of the Environmental Excellence Award in the “Education” category. These awards are part of the effort of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to protect people and Texas’ natural resources while ensuring clean air, clean water and safe waste management.

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BHP HIRES DOUGREY Business Health Partners is pleased to announce the addition of Lori Dougrey to its staff as senior account executive. Dougrey has a strong background in customer service in the oil and gas industry and holds several national sales awards. She is scheduled to complete her bachelor’s degree from McNeese State University in December 2012.

Cadillac District Sales Manager Will Magallanes; Monsignor Gaddy; City Administrator John Cardone; Carrie Navarre; Billy Navarre; Ryan Navarre; Barrett Navarre; Jareth Navarre; Chevrolet District Sales Manager Trey Wolfe, and SWLA Chamber President George Swift.

GRAND OPENING OF BILLY NAVARRE CADILLAC CHEVROLET Billy Navarre Chevrolet Cadillac celebrated the grand opening of Billy Navarre Cadillac and the reopening of the new Chevrolet showroom floor in conjunction with the SWLA Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours. MAY 31, 2012

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Gross and Net team winners, as well as recognition for “Closest to the Pin,” “Longest Drive” and other contest categories. For a full list of winners, visit http://www.coushatta.org/community/2012-chairmans-cup-winners. KEY STAFF MEMBERS MOVE LOCATIONS AT FIRST NATIONAL BANK DERIDDER With the recent opening of the Park Terrace location of First National Bank DeRidder, several key staff members have changed offices. John W. Fusilier, CEO and Justin Holt, senior lending officer, have moved to the Park Terrace location, 1003 N. Pine Street in DeRidder. Charli Hebert and Deanna Phelps have joined Jimmy Hicks in the lending department at Park Terrace; also, Amanda Vaughn has joined the new accounts team of Shonda Thomas and Michelle Lockhart, also at Park Terrace. For more information, go to www.fnbderidder.com.

Ira Fontenot, WCCH Foundation president; Nikolas Duncan, scholarship recipient; Debby Nabours, WCCH Foundation executive director.

DUNCAN RECIPIENT OF MAC BURNS/WCCH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP The West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation recently awarded the first Mac Burns/WCCH Foundation Scholarship to Nikolas Duncan, a 2012 graduate of Sulphur High School. The $1,200 scholarship is presented to a graduating high school senior in the service district of WCCH who has chosen a career in the medical field and who will be attending McNeese State University in the fall and spring semesters after high school graduation. Nikolas is the son of Chris and Angel Duncan of Sulphur, and will begin attending McNeese State University in the fall with an intended major in nursing. For more information on the Mac Burns/WCCH Foundation Scholarship, please contact Debby Nabours at (337) 527-4144.

Keith Henson, L’Auberge; Janice Ackley, American Heart Association; and Kristie Evans, LDN, RD, L’Auberge

L’AUBERGE RECOGNIZED AS START! FIT-FRIENDLY COMPANY L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles, a Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. property, has been recognized for a third consecutive year as a Start! FitFriendly Company by the American Heart Association for promoting physical activity and health in the workplace. L’Auberge again earned Gold recognition for its workplace wellness programs, only the second Southwest Louisiana business to earn the honor. As a Start! Fit-Friendly Company, L’Auberge Lake Charles will be recognized on the American Heart Association website and at events in Southwest Louisiana supporting the program. COUSHATTA GOLF TOURNEY RAISES MORE THAN $86K The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana held its 11th annual Chairman’s Cup Foundation Golf Tournament recently to raise money for charitable organizations in Southwest Louisiana. This year’s tournament featured a full slate of 152 golfers from all around the country playing in a four-man scramble format. The event raised more than $86,000 to support charitable organizations in Southwest Louisiana. This year’s sold-out tournament featured prizes for PAGE 8

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CITY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK On Fri., May 18, the City of Lake Charles announced local recognition of National Public Works Week with a kickoff ceremony at the Public Works Administrative Office. Mayor Roach presented a City of Lake Charles Proclamation declaring May 20 to 26 as National Public Works Week, and he thanked the Public Works employees for their service. Director of Public Works Mister Edwards gave remarks regarding the importance of the City’s Public Works Department and its employees, and City Administrator John Cardone expressed his appreciation to the employees for all they do in serving the community. MOSS BLUFF LIONS CLUB DONATES INSPIRING BOOK The Moss Bluff Lions Club purchased 43 copies of David Vince’s book, When Life Throws You Curves, Keep Swinging, to donate to all veterans hospitals and outpatient clinics in the state of Louisiana. David Vince, a doubleamputee since early childhood, has written his life story, which includes his 29-year career as a successful baseball coach with 470 victories. He was a 10time “Coach of the Year” recipient in various divisions Vince is a Louisiana native and a graduate of McNeese State University.

Left to right: Blaine Royer, LC Coca-Cola, McNeese President Dr. Philip C. Williams, Ellen Raley, McNeese scholarship administrator, and Larry Stout, VP for LC Coca-Cola. McNeese Photo

LC COCA-COLA DONATES TO MCNEESE Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling Co. has donated $10,000 to McNeese State University for endowed scholarships for students. The company currently has six scholarships endowed through the McNeese Foundation. CITY OF LAKE CHARLES WINS CLEANEST CITY CONTEST The City of Lake Charles was informed by Jean Gilstrap, Louisiana Garden Club Federation State Cleanest City Chairman, that it came in first in Category I of this year’s Louisiana Garden Club Federation State Cleanest City Contest. Category I represents cities with a population of 45,000 to 99,999. Said Mayor Roach: “This was a very close competition and truly a community-wide effort. This award was made possible, in large part, by the efforts of many volunteers, service organizations and property owners. That makes it all the more special for the community.” TJN Volume 4 • Issue 5

Gold Key Quest Raffle Fundraiser and Arts & Crabs Fest Kick Off! The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA is proud to announce that its annual fundraiser and membership drive, Gold Key Quest, has officially kicked off! Gold Key Quest is a raffle drawing held every year at Arts & Crabs Fest, and it provides the essential operation support the Council needs to continue functioning in its current capacity. This year’s festival will be held on Sat. August 18, from 4-8 p.m. in the Civic Center’s Exhibition Hall. By purchasing a $50 raffle ticket, which also counts as an Arts Council membership for one year, ticketholders are able to directly influence the impact the arts have in our local economy, tourism, and cultural wellbeing. Ticker holders earn the chance to win one of ten amazing prizes, including: • A $10,000 cash grand prize, provided in part by Bolton Ford; • Golf Getaway for Two, provided by L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles; • $1,000 VISA Gift Card, provided by First Federal Bank of LA; • An original oil painting by Marilyn Cox; • Rejuvenating Getaway for Two, provided by L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles; • A “Gator on the Geaux,” provided by Margaret Benoit; • Crawfish Farm Excursion and Boil for Six, provided by Burt Tietje of Tallgrass Farms; • A Toshiba Satellite Laptop, provided by Walmart on the Bayou; • One-of-a-kind Customized Jewelry, provided by Bijoux Fine Jewelers; and • A Guided Fishing Tour with Overnight Stay and Dinner for Two at Grosse Savanne Lodge, provided by the Sweet Lake Land & Oil Co. The winning tickets will be drawn at the third annual Arts Volume 4 • Issue 5

& Crabs Fest, which is co-presented by the Lake Charles/ SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau and was created as a way to explore and celebrate the ties between our region’s seafood industry and our Creole/Cajun cultures. As one of the area’s fastest growing festivals, Arts & Crabs Fest features an extensive crab tasting that showcases the talents of ten area chefs, and the samplings are each paired with a Louisiana beer to complement its flavors. The festival also brings together local artists, live music, and artisanal craft booths. POSTER CONTEST This year, the Arts Council and the CVB announce the festival’s first-ever commemorative poster contest, and local artists are encouraged to enter. Signed and unsigned prints will be available for purchase and the signed original will be a silent auction item offered at this year’s festival. The winner receives $200 and the privilege of having his or her artwork printed on a commemorative poster showcasing the Arts & Crabs Fest. No computer generated or digital art is accepted. The winning poster will be scanned in and printed. The finished product will be 16 by 20 inches. The poster must include the phrase “Arts & Crabs Fest 2012,” and all entries become the property of the Arts & Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana. The drop off for entries is the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana, located at 809 Kirby Street (Central School, second floor) in Lake Charles. For more information, contact the council at (337) 4392787 or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. TJN

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Dang Yankee The

By Mike McHugh

Peace, Love and Grilling If there’s one passion that is shared by guys the world over, it’s barbecuing. Ever since our prehistoric male ancestors discovered fire, we’ve taken great pleasure in the act of tossing a huge hunk of meat over an open fire and roasting it to perfection, or, very often, to the point where we’d just as well feast on the charcoal. When you think about it, it’s puzzling how guys are so taken with the art of grilling. Many would never even think about going into an actual kitchen. No,

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they would not even be aware that their house even had a kitchen, if it were not for the refrigerator, where the cold beer is stored. Even so, they have no idea that the kitchen is equipped with other major appliances, particularly a sink or a dishwasher. They might sometimes become aware of the stove, but only in the wake of a major grease fire where the smoke is so bad that they can’t find the refrigerator. The only possible explanation for guys’ fascination with the barbecue pit is that it gives them a

good excuse to play with fire. In fact, this is why, no matter the size of their current grilling rig, they are always looking for something that will burn bigger, brighter, and hotter. The Manhattan Project began as a quest by a few scientists (who happened to be guys) to find a quicker way to grill a hamburger. So, you may believe that grilling is closely associated with man’s propensity for warfare, but nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, the love of grilling, being how it is shared among guys of all nations, has the potential to be a great unifying force. It is mankind’s one great hope for world peace. It actually goes beyond that, as there is no reason to believe that males throughout the cosmos do not share this enthusiasm with us Earth guys. If we were ever invaded by aliens, all we would have to do is fire up the grill and ice down a few Lone Stars. By instinct, the alien guys would feel compelled to grab a fresh hunk of space kill from their craft and toss it on the grate. If we’re lucky, they’d also haul out an ice chest stocked with premium

Centauran microbrews and line the Lone Star bottles up along the fence for target practice with their laser guns. I believe that if the Japanese had developed better skills with the spatula and tongs, they might have never felt the need to attack Pearl Harbor. Their prehistoric ancestors must have been late in discovering fire. This is the only reason I can fathom for the invention of sushi. So you see, the real reason that our world suffers from so much armed conflict is due to the inequality of barbecuing skills among nations. If only the barbecue-rich nations would share their technology and resources with the barbecue-poor, we would have little need for armies. Do you think I’m kidding? Well, how do you think Jimmy Carter was able to broker a peace deal between Israel and Egypt—at the time the most hated of enemies? Simple, he summoned their respective leaders over to Camp David, where he showed them both how to properly cook a brisket. Of course, Jimmy Carter was from the South, right smack in the heart of the Barbecue Belt. It stretches from Atlanta to Austin and contains the world’s largest proven reserves of charcoal fuels such as mesquite, oak and hickory. It’s the real reason why Lincoln fought so hard to preserve the Union. He feared that otherwise, he might never again taste a decent rack of ribs. I thought that I knew my way around a barbecue grill when I first came here from Yankee Land, but I was in for a rude awakening. The old reliable Weber of which I was so fond was but a tea candle compared to my neighbors’ big rigs, some of which looked like they were delivered on the backs of 747s. Of all the impressive devices contrived by the hands of men, it is these that give us the greatest hope for world peace. All we need do is amass them together at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, and they will soon have their countries beating their swords into spatulas. Come to think of it, all we really need to do is invite them to an LSU tailgate. TJN

Volume 4 • Issue 5

By George “Tip” Cline

NEW LOOK FOR BWW Our local Buffalo Wild Wings was closed for over a week to remodel and update their environs. They are now back open for business and showing off the new look. They added an outdoor patio area for smokers to have their wings with TV screens out there to complement the deal. As many of you know, BWW has been a favorite haunt of a group of us that meet nearly every week for no reason other than to get together, socialize and have a bite. We are glad they are back. It’s a great place to visit with friends, watch some sports and hang out. Just wish they would bring back beer by the pitcher; it’s such a friendly way to share a cold one with the gang. CLICK IT OR TICKET The latest “Click it or Ticket” campaign is a nationwide effort to get everyone in a vehicle to properly fasten their seat restraint system while the vehicle is in motion. It is obviously a positive thing to harness yourself when you are going down the road. Ask any NASCAR driver if they want to drive around unbuckled. Some violators give the excuse of not wanting to be trapped, or they feel they will be unable to get free in an emergency, but playing the odds on that makes the lottery a better bet. It is unfortunate that we have to be forced to comply with the law, thus taking up valuable law enforcement time. I know I feel “funny” when I am unbuckled, since it has become such a habit to strap myself in. That being said, we are being more and more restricted in our personal freedoms by well-intentioned people in power positions. Not that these restrictions on our lifestyles are bad ideas in and Volume 4 • Issue 5

of themselves, but taking away our freedom of choice is a slippery slope that in all probability will never be reversed. Once the nose of the camel is under the edge of the tent, the rest of the camel will come in. Time always brings change, for good or bad, so we must be diligent in what rights are taken from us. Even people we disagree with must be allowed to retain their own rights. One day, they could become the ruling majority and we can only hope that they will respect our rights, as well.

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

SUPERMARKET ROUNDUP: ADULT BEVERAGES The shopping report this time is the result of a number of requests that we check out some adult beverage prices. As we have established a practice of reporting on supermarkets as our venue, we do not mean to slight the local liquor stores by staying in our normal reporting segment. As usual, the prices reported here are for the date of May 23, 2012 and reflect the posted price where the product was available for sale. The stores for this issue are: Albertsons, Country Club Road; Market Basket, Nelson Road; Kroger, McNeese Street and Walmart, Nelson Road. Miller Lite, 12-Pack, 12-ounce bottles: Albertsons $10.99; Market Basket $10.89; Kroger $10.69; Walmart $10.47. E&J Brandy, 750 ml. bottle: Albertsons $9.99; Market Basket $10.15; Kroger $10.49; Walmart $9.97. Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, 1.75 ml. bottle: Albertsons $42.99; Market Basket $54.05; Kroger $50.69; Walmart $42.28. Bogle Merlot Wine, 750 ml. bottle: Albertsons $9.99; Market Basket N/A (did not carry Bogle Merlot), Kroger $9.59; Walmart $8.28. TJN MAY 31, 2012

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What’s Cookin’

Life is Sweet at

Kellie Trimble, 29, was hired as the pastry chef at the Isle of Capri Casino Hotel in August of 2011. “There was no bakery before I came on board, so I had to start the bakery from the ground up,” the Jeanerette, La., native explained. Trimble was well prepared to take on such a task. She attended the John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, graduating in May 2006. She immediately found employment as pastry supervisor at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton, La., where she worked for six years. Once at the Isle, it soon became evident that she needed more room to create her specialties. “I was given space in what was the banquet kitchen, but quickly outgrew that and we had to move banquets to the main kitchen area,” she said. Her first project was to change out the bread and pastries in Otis & Henry’s restaurant. And a nice change it is. “We bake fresh Jalapeno Corn Muffins and ciabatta bread on a daily basis as well as cheesecake, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Ooey Gooey Blueberry Cake, bread pudding and Triple Threat Chocolate Cake,” she said.

From there, she went on to producing the desserts and some breads for banquets—and then created a full line of cakes, pies and finger desserts for the Tradewinds outlet, including cheesecakes, cream puffs, fresh baked brownies, assorted cookies and homemade pralines. “Most recently, we have added the breakfast pasties to the Calypso’s Buffet,” Trimble said. “And we are now offering specialty cakes and pies throughout the year and during the holiday seasons.” She said the best part of her job is the freedom she has to create something that will leave an everlasting impression on her guests. “The dessert I am holding in the picture is a Bavarian cream-filled chocolate cupcake with whipped cream topping that is served in Otis & Henrys for those patrons celebrating special occasions,” Trimble explained. “I can’t do this by myself. I have a great employer in the Isle of Capri in that they are open to listening to my vision and ideas.” She is also indebted to bakers Becca Foy and Kellie Meaux, “the two great gals I have working with me.”

Pastry Chef Kellie Trimble

PAGE 12

MAY 31, 2012

Volume 4 • Issue 5

Meet Missy!

The following recipe is perfect for a graduation party — or maybe a treat for Dad on Father’s Day?

Cajun Creole Cheesecake FILLING INGREDIENTS • 2-lbs. 4-oz. cream cheese • 1-½ cups granulated sugar • 3 eggs • 15-oz. sour cream FILLING PREPARATION Cream the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until all are incorporated. Add the sour cream and mix well. CRUST INGREDIENTS • 4-cups crushed Graham Cracker • ¾-cup granulated sugar • 6-oz. melted butter CRUST PREPARATION Mix graham cracker, sugar and butter together. In a 10” spring form pan, spray with non-stick coating, add crumb mixture and press down until crumbs are packed tight and even. Pour filling on top of crumbs. Bake at 220 degrees for two hours. After cooling, unmold and finish cooling in refrigerator for two hours. Spread

Volume 4 • Issue 5

slightly whipped sour cream on top and serve with strawberry sauce.

Missy is a beautiful girl who is approximately five years old. She is fixed, microchipped, up-to-date on shots, heartworm negative, and absolutely amazing! Missy has been with Lake Charles Pitbull Rescue (LCPBR) for over two years now. There are so many reasons why people overlook her: she is black, older, and is a mixed breed (Pit Bull/Lab)—but no one pays attention to why they SHOULD adopt her: She is amazing with kids, she hasn’t met a person she doesn’t adore, she is great with other dogs, she is housebroken, doesn’t chew and is the epitome of a happy-go-lucky girl! She has had two years of families overlooking her, but in reality, she is the perfect dog just waiting for a family

to call her own. Missy’s only downfall is that she doesn’t like cats, but come on—not many dogs like cats! Give this great girl a chance to show you how much love she has to give! Please call LCPBR at (713) 854-1895 or email us at threepittbulls@yahoo.com for a meet and greet. A home check is required. There is a $150 adoption fee, which goes right back into saving more lives! If you cannot adopt but want to help, please make a donation toward Pitbull Rescue at Downtown Animal Hospital and tell them to put it on the Pitbull Rescue account! Hurry, Missy is waiting! TJN

STRAWBERRY SAUCE INGREDIENTS • 4-pints fresh strawberries • 2-cups sugar • 2-cups water • 2-tbs Grand Marnier • ½-cup water • 5-tbs. cornstarch SAUCE PREPARATION Wash and towel dry the strawberries. Cut tops off and quarter. In a saucepot, add strawberries, sugar, and Grand Marnier. Mix the water and cornstarch together. When the strawberry mixture comes to a boil, add the cornstarch and water. Cook for another 3-to-5 minutes or until mixture thickens. Cool properly. TOPPING • 8-oz. sour cream Enjoy!

TJN

MAY 31, 2012

PAGE 13

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A Black Tie Affair The Calcasieu Medical Society Foundation’s annual fundraiser, A Black Tie Affair, was held recently at L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort. Funds raised benefit the Calcasieu Community Clinic, which offers healthcare to working citizens of Louisiana who, in spite of their jobs, cannot afford needed medical care. Since the inaugural fundraiser was held in 2006, more than $700,000 has been donated to help fund the clinic’s services. This money is put towards exams, lab tests, medication, etc., provided at no charge to resi-

dents who would otherwise have nowhere to turn. The fabulous event was cochaired by Senator Ronnie Johns and Heather Partin, and guest speaker was Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne. Bidding was fast and furious at the live and silent auctions and guests were wowed by the entertainment: The Victory Belles from the World War II Museum in New Orleans with their patriotic songs of the 1940s, followed by the Kadillacs for some down-home music for dancing. Congrats to all who put this wonderful event together! TJN

Co-chair Heather Partin and husband Randy PAGE 14

MAY 31, 2012

Volume 4 • Issue 5

By Angie Kay Dilmore

What comes to your mind when you think about Burton Coliseum? According to Calcasieu Parish Administrator Bryan Beam, most people think of McNeese State University basketball and the rodeo. “And that’s true,” he said at a recent luncheon for area media. “Those are two mainstay events. But so many other things happen here that touch practically everybody who lives in the parish.” The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, who owns Burton, is in the process of renovating and rebranding the facility. They have modified the name to the Burton Coliseum Complex, to reflect the whole facility, which includes the agriculture and livestock barn (AgBarn, for short), the openair arena, and LSU’s Agricultural Center in addition to the coliseum. In addition to basketball and rodeo, they host approximately 200 events throughout the year, including high school and McNeese graduations, circuses, dog shows, numerous festivals, concerts, crawfish boils and more. Burton is a busy place. But they want more. “We’re ready for some new life,” said Jason Barnes, special programs coordinator for the Police Jury. “We want to get back to a more festive-type calendar, invigorated with events.” And what could be more invigorating than Joshua Ledet returning home for a weekend celebration? An American Idol finalist, Josh performed at Burton to a near-maximum capacity crowd of 7,900 fans on May 12. “We had the largest crowd ever at Burton,” Barnes said of the concert. “What a sight that was. It was a great event.” And quite a challenge for the Police Jury and the Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. But they successfully orchestrated the event in one short, busy week. HISTORY OF LAKE CHARLES’ DOME Originally named the Calcasieu Agricultural Complex and Coliseum, its plans were brought before the voters as a proposed property tax in 1972. Construction began in 1974 and was complete by 1976. The complex was renamed after W.T. Burton, who donated 50 acres for the project. A statue at the entrance of the coliseum honors Mr. Burton. For the grand opening, they hosted the annual livestock show and rodeo. Governor Edwin Edwards dedicated the building while a notoriously mean bull named Head Hunter entertained the crowds. At that time, the Coliseum was the only air-conditioned dome between Houston and New Orleans. It was known as the “Lake Charles Superdome” and was considered a sister facility to the New Orleans landmark. For several years, the Coliseum bustled with activity, showcasing concerts, circuses, tractor pulls, festivals, an ESPN live boxing match, and an exhibition game featuring the Detroit Pistons.

Volume 4 • Issue 5

MAY 31, 2012

PAGE 15

Joshua Ledet

Kade Aucoin But over time, the heyday was replaced with a hush. Financial and economic stresses contributed to the lull in business at Burton. In 1993, a maintenance property tax was passed which allocated money to upgrade and support the Coliseum. This tax continues to fund the operation and maintenance of the facility today. That same year, the Police Jury entered an agreement with McNeese to operate Burton. IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE “With a facility this big, you have to maintain it and you have to reinvest in it,” Beam said. “Every 20 years or so, ideally, we want to upgrade. We’re behind the curve on that because money is always a challenge. However, the Police Jury recognized the potential for this facility several years ago, and dedicated federal funds from Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Ike to make many of the needed upgrades. The Ag Barn improvements have been completed as well as a brand new open-air arena. Now we are set to renovate the Coliseum.” Other recent improvements include 220 addi-

tional horse stalls (for a total of 300), 5,000 feet of renovated cattle ties, a resurfaced RV parking area and upgraded 50-amp RV electrical service connections, two new covered walkways, and new weather barrier fencing for the AgBarn. As part of the Burton re-branding process, many upgrades have been made in the dome as well. Colorful wall-sized vinyl decals, posters, and banners portray activities at Burton. Its sleek new logo adorns each doorway. Eight television screens in the lobby and concession areas advertise events. Coliseum sections are colorcoded and columns designated north, south, east, and west help visitors with directions within the facility. And there’s much more to come. In the works are renovated restrooms and concession areas, a new roof for the dome, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) updates, and upgrades to lighting and fire protection systems, and power distribution. These projects will begin within the next couple of months and should be completed within 18-24 months. A COLISEUM FOR THE COMMUNITY The Police Jury especially enjoys hosting events at Burton that benefit all of Calcasieu Parish and indeed, all of SWLA. • They recently held a Rabies

Clinic at the coliseum, offering rabies shots to pets at a reduced cost. Approximately 1,500 animals were vaccinated in five hours. • The annual livestock show and 4H involve so many youth and adults that it’s much bigger than a weekend rodeo. • Graduation ceremonies for McNeese and numerous area high schools accommodate thousands of students and families. • Entergy will use the Coliseum as a staging area in case of any type of emergency so they can quickly restore power to area residents and businesses. The Police Jury is optimistic about the future of the Burton Coliseum Complex. “We want to optimize the use of this facility,” Beam said. “We’re excited about the possibilities.”

From Buckin’ Broncs to Bulldoggin’ Burton Complex Welcomes Back the LA State Jr. and High School Rodeo Finals Burton Coliseum Complex is proud to once again host the

Performance Schedule

Canon Fletcher PAGE 16

MAY 31, 2012

JR. HIGH PERFORMANCES: • Fri. June 1 – 6 p.m. Theme: Cowboys, Indians, and Buccaneers • Sat. June 2 – noon and 7 p.m. Theme: Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness • Sun. June 3 – 11 a.m. Theme: Red, White, and Blue and Superheroes

SR. HIGH PERFORMANCES: • Tues. June 5 – 6:30 p.m. Theme: Opening Ceremonies/Twin Night • Wed. June 6 – 6:30 p.m. Theme: Rodeo Mardi Gras • Thurs. June 7 – 6:30 p.m. Theme: Neon Night/Cancer Awareness

• Fri. June 8 – 6:30 p.m. Theme: Buccaneer/Pirate Night • Sat. June 9 7 a.m.- noon BBQ Cook-off 1 p.m. Alumni Rodeo 6 p.m. Queen Presentation 6:30 p.m. Performance Theme: Red, White, and Blue

Volume 4 • Issue 5

Rebecca Dupont

Shelby Travis Louisiana High School Rodeo Association (LHSRA) finals June 1-9. This weeklong event determines which youth go to the national competitions. The LHSRA formed in 1950 and has been organizing and hosting rodeo competitions every year since then. They hold several qualifying rodeos throughout the state during the year, culminating in the state finals. Approximately 300 association members will attend and compete in this year’s final rodeo. In the early decades of the organization, the finals were held in Sulphur. Starting in the late 1980s,

Volume 4 • Issue 5

Burton became home to the event. But in 2000, the finals moved to West Monroe and then to Gonzales. Lake Charles won the bid for 201213, bringing the rodeo back to Southwest Louisiana. And local contestants are glad to have it return. “It’s close to my house,” said Rebecca Dupont, a junior at Grand Lake High School and student association secretary. “That helps a lot. It’s only 15 minutes away. And it’s good for Lake Charles.” Shelby Travis, from DeRidder agrees and adds, “I think I’ll have a lot more friends there to cheer me on and support me because it’s not

that far for them to drive.” She’s also excited to have the finals at Burton since there’s a lot to do in Lake Charles, such as the mall, movie theaters, and bowling. The majority of kids involved with rodeo were born into the sport. Dupont was surrounded by farms and horses growing up. She competes in several events, but her favorite is calf roping. Kade Aucoin, student president of the association and a senior at Airline High School, Bossier City, said that when he was a newborn baby, his family brought him home from the hospital and instead of

going into the house, they went straight to the barn and took photos of Kade on a horse. He excels in the tie-down roping event. Canon Fletcher, of Crowville, La., was raised in the bronc riding business. “I’ve been rodeoing for as long as I can remember,” he said. “My grandpa owned a bunch of cows. Somebody learned how to work ‘em and that’s how we became cowboys. Dad rode broncs and roped all his life. When I come along, he taught me how to do it. I’ve been ropin’ and ridin’ ever since I was a baby.” Fletcher performs in the saddle bronc event.

MAY 31, 2012

PAGE 17

QUEEN COMPETITION In addition to the traditional rodeo competitions, another big event at the LHSRA finals is the Queen Competition. “The High School Rodeo Queen is our ambassador,” said Brenda Shope, board state secretary. “She represents our state association, competes at nationals, attends various functions and has duties at the qualifying rodeos.” Shelby Travis was the Rodeo Queen for 2011. She explained that competing for the rodeo crown is a lot of hard work, studying and preparation. “You really have to want to be queen to become queen,” she explained. A queen competitor has to be well versed in horsemanship and rodeo. She takes a written test, gives a speech and an interview, answers a question before a panel of judges, and models western and casual wear. Travis enjoyed being Rodeo Queen this past year and says it was well worth the hard work.

• Theme Nights add fun and creativity to the event. Contestants and spectators alike can dress up. Horse disguises are optional. Prizes are awarded each night to contestants for the best costume. See sidebar for theme schedule. • Alumni Rodeo is for those 30 years old and up (and brave!). • A BBQ cook-off raises money for the LHSRA scholarship fund. While the contestants are there to compete, most of the kids say their favorite part of the week is seeing old friends and having fun. “I enjoy just getting together with everyone,” said Fletcher. “You meet new people. It’s like a big party.” TJN

MORE THAN RODEO Several special events are planned in conjunction with the rodeo.

Rodeo Glossary • Bull riding involves a rider getting on a large bull and attempting to stay mounted while the animal attempts to buck off the rider. In the American tradition, the rider must stay atop the bucking bull for eight seconds. • Cutting is an event where a horse and rider are judged on their ability to separate a single animal away from a cattle herd and keep it away for a short period of time.

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• Steer wrestling, also known as bulldogging, is an event in which a horse-mounted rider chases a steer, drops from the horse to the steer, then wrestles the steer to the ground by twisting its horns. • Bronc riding, either saddle bronc or bareback bronc competition, involves a rodeo participant riding on a horse that attempts to throw or buck off the rider. • Barrel racing is an event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time.

• Calf roping, also known as tie-down roping, features a calf and a rider mounted on a horse. The goal of this timed event is for the rider to catch the calf by throwing a loop of rope from a lariat around its neck, dismount from the horse, run to the calf, and restrain it by tying three legs together, in as short a time as possible. • Breakaway roping is a variation of calf roping where a calf is roped, but not thrown and tied. • Goat-tying is an event in which the participant rides to a goat tethered by a 10-foot rope to a stake, dismounts, catches, throws, and ties any three of its legs together. The goat must stay tied for six seconds after the contestant has backed away from the animal. • Pole bending is a timed event that features a horse and one mounted rider, running a weaving or serpentine path around six poles arranged in a line. • Team roping, also known as heading and heeling, is an event that features a steer and two mounted riders. Team roping may be a combination of a boy and girl, two boys, or two girl contestants. TJN Volume 4 • Issue 5

Pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us, their owners, for their safety and well being. The best way to ensure the safety of your family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets. It’s important for people with pets or service animals to take steps ahead of time to keep them as safe as possible during a disaster or other emergency. The American Red Cross offers the following tips to help people with pets and service animals prepare for a disaster: HOW DO I PREPARE? Plan to take your pets with you in an evacuation. If it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for them either. • Know which hotels and motels along your evacuation route will accept you and your pets in an emergency. Call ahead for reservations if you know you may need to evacuate. Ask if no-pet policies could be waived in an emergency. • Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. • Know which friends, relatives, boarding facilities, animal shelters or veterinarians can Volume 4 • Issue 5

care for your animals in an emergency. Prepare a list with phone numbers. • Although your animals may be more comfortable together, be prepared to house them separately. • Include your pets in evacuation drills so that they become used to entering and traveling in their carriers calmly. • Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are current and that all dogs and cats are wearing collars with securely-fastened, up-to-date identification. Many pet shelters require proof of current vaccinations to reduce the spread of disease. After evacuating, add the temporary shelter location on the back of the pet’s ID tag. • Consider having your pet “micro-chipped” by your veterinarian. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Assemble a portable emergency preparedness kit for pets. Store items in a sturdy container that can be carried easily (plastic bin, duffle bag), and make sure to include: • Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or carriers to transport pets and service animals safely and ensure they can’t escape. • Food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter/pan and manual can opener. • Medications and medical records (including veterinarian’s contact information) in a waterproof container. • Pet’s first aid kit. • Current photos of pets in case they get lost. Since many pets look alike, this will help to eliminate mistaken identity and confusion. • Information on feeding schedule, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you MAY 31, 2012

PAGE 19

have to foster or board your pets. • Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable and space permits. MAKE EXTRA PLANS FOR BIRDS, SMALL MAMMALS, AND LARGE ANIMALS Birds should be transported in a secure travel cage or carrier. During warm weather, carry a plant mister to mist the birds’ feathers periodically. Do not put water inside the carrier during transport. Provide a few slices of fresh fruits and vegetables with high water content. Have photo identification and leg bands. If the carrier does not have a perch, line it with paper towels and change them frequently. Try to keep the

As we go to print, we are in the middle of Hurricane Preparedness Week, which is May 27-June 2. When the 2012 hurricane season officially opens on June 1, what can we expect this year? The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a near-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins. The memories of Hurricane Rita’s devastation of Southwest Louisiana will always be with us, not to mention Katrina’s wrath. And this August marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, the Category 5 hurricane that devastated South Florida, causing more than $26 billion dollars in damage. The 2012 average is 12 named storms. NOAA forecasters laid out their predictions recently for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season for PAGE 20

MAY 31, 2012

carrier in a quiet area. Do not let the birds out of the case or carrier. Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, etc.) should be transported in secure carriers suitable for maintaining the animals while sheltered. Take bedding materials, food bowls, and water bottles. Large animals (horses or cattle) require more time and planning. Start evacuations of large animals, such as horses or cattle, as early as possible to ensure time to escape the storm. Remember, it may be difficult to maneuver large animal transport vehicles in evacuation traffic. Source: American Red Cross

TJN

the region covering the Eastern and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. as well as Caribbean nations. The NOAA reported that a near-normal season is likely, with a total of nine to 15 named storms, with one to three likely to form major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5). As we know, all it takes is one. This prediction shows less activity than in recent years, due to the combination of much cooler North Atlantic ocean temperatures and a trend towards El Nino conditions. There is still uncertainty regarding the development of El Nino, which will impact future forecast updates. If the chances of El Nino development increase, forecast numbers will likely go down even further. The Central Pacific Basin, which includes Hawaii, is expected to have a below-normal hurricane season. TJN Volume 4 • Issue 5

c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c

Water—at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day Food—at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food Flashlight Battery-powered or hand-crank radio Extra batteries First aid kit Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane, etc.) Multi-purpose tool; tools/supplies for securing your home Sanitation and personal hygiene items Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, etc.) Cell phones with chargers Family and emergency contact information Extra cash Emergency blankets Map(s) of the area Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers) Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl) Extra set of car keys and house keys Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes Rain gear Insect repellent and sunscreen Camera for photos of damage Source: American Red Cross TJN

Ron Fogal Gen. Mgr.

Oliver McDonald Hwy. 14 Volume 4 • Issue 5

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. MAY 31, 2012

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

MAY 31, 2012

Volume 4 • Issue 5

10°N

15°N

20°N

25°N

30°N

35°N

40°N

100°W

500 km

95°W

500 mi

Veracruz •

Tampico •

Brownsville •

Corpus Christi •

Galveston •

Lake Charles •

Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William

TEXAS

Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine

MEXICO

Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon

2012 STORM NAMES

95°W

90°W

Baton Rouge •

90°W

BELIZE

• Cancun

85°W

COSTA RICA

NICARAGUA

HONDURAS

EL SALVADOR

GUATEMALA

YUCATAN PENINSULA

• Merida

B A H A A

HAITI

75°W

COLOMBIA

CARIBBEAN SEA

Port-au-Prince Kingston

Cape Hatteras

• Ocean City

DEL. E

CONN.

70°W

Santo Domingo

65°W

60°W

55°W

VENEZUELA

San Juan •

65°W

GRENADA

ST. VINCENT and THE GRENADINES

60°W

GUYANA

TOBAGO

BARBADOS

MARTINIQUE

DOMINICA

GUADELOUPE

ANTIGUA

ST. LUCIA

ST. KITTS and NEVIS

ST. BARTHELEMY

ANGUILLA ST. MARTIN

BERMUDA

ATLANTIC OCEAN

55°W

HURRICANE WARNING: hurricane expected to strike within 24 hours • Leave beachfront and low-lying areas. • Leave mobile homes for more substantial shelter. • Stay in your home if it is sturdy, on high ground, and not near the beach, but if you are asked to leave by authorities, GO! • Stay tuned to radio, NOAA Weather Radio, or television for hurricane advisories and safety information.

HURRICANE WATCH: hurricane may threaten withing 36 hours • Be prepared to take action if a warning is issued by the National Weather Service. • Keep informed of the storm’s progress.

MAINE

70°W

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

R.I.

N.H. MASS.

VT.

• Atlantic City

N.J.

NEW YORK

75°W

Guantanamo •

JAMAICA

CUBA

80°W

PANAMA

CAYMAN IS.

Havana

Nassau

• Ft. Lauderdale • Miami

• Palm Beach

• Daytona Beach

• Jacksonville

Key West •

Fort Myers •

Tampa •

• Charleston

Wilmington •

N.C.

Norfolk •

VIRGINIA

• Savannah

S.C.

MD.

PA.

Washington, D.C.

80°W

W. VA.

FLA.

Tallahassee • • Apalachicola

ALA.

Gulf Mobile Port • • Pensacola •

GULF OF MEXICO

New Orleans •

LA.

MISS.

KY.

GEORGIA

85°W

ATLANTIC HURRICANE TRACKING CHART

100°W

50°W

10°N

15°N

20°N

25°N

30°N

35°N

40°N

50°W

To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following steps: • Know your surroundings. • Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding is forecasted. • Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate. Make plans to secure your property: • Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. • Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage. • Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant. • Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts. • Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage, it can cause dangerous and expensive structural damage. • Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down. • Determine how and where to secure your boat. • Install a generator for emergencies. TJN

Volume 4 • Issue 5

MAY 31, 2012

PAGE 23

Sam Pierce was raised on a 1,700 acre farm in a small community called Pine Island. The summer before his senior year in high school, he went to work for his uncle on a small inland tug. He returned home to finish school, but the water was calling him. He started out as a deck hand and worked his way up to captain of supply vessels. Life was good. He traveled the world, journeying as far as Africa and Brazil . In 1985, he met his wife, Nancy Kim. Together they raised her two boys and had a son of their own in Longville. “We raised three boys,” his wife laughed. “He thought just thought running a boat was hard!” In September of 2011, Sam was the captain of a boat called “Thunderfoot,” which had a job down in Mexico. After a few weeks, he began to experience stomach problems so severe that his company sent him to a hospital in Tampico, Mexico. Due to the confusion with the language barrier, Sam realized he needed to come home. Upon his arrival, his wife took one look at him and rushed him to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Testing revealed devastating news: Sam had colon cancer. He had emergency surgery the very next morning, which left him with a colostomy and a subsequent infection that required a wound vac. “He spent the next couple of months with a wound vac connected to his belly and a machine in a bag over his shoulder,” Kim recalled. A few months later, a PET scan showed more bad news: a malignant spot on his liver. When Sam had finally healed from the surgery, doctors discovered his incision had an abscess. This meant it had to be reopened and Sam went back on the wound vac. It took him approxiThe final result! In the outfit mately five months to heal from his surgery. that was given to him by New To take care of the spot on his liver, the couple Look Fashions, Sam is ready then had to navigate the complex world of MD for his son Sammy’s wedding! Anderson in Houston. “It was country coming to the city,” Kim remembered. “The place was huge,

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MAY 31, 2012

Volume 4 • Issue 5

but we had a map to help us maneuver.” Sam saw liver and gastric specialists and a plastic surgeon. He had also developed a hernia from the first surgery which needed addressing. Sam ended up going through months of testing and chemo and eventually, surgery. The operation, performed last month, took 12 hours. The cancer was removed from his liver and the doctors were able to reverse his colostomy and fix his hernia. “All in all, he had 70 staples,” his wife said. “His belly looks like a giant zipper! Once he’s recovered from his latest surgery, Sam faces four more months of chemotherapy. But at this point, he is cancer-free. Sam’s youngest son got married recently, so before the big event, The Jambalaya News and some wonderful business owners got together to ’s treat Sam to some well-deserved pampering. TJN

Sam ns cut a v E n Salo ut!” ren at ike it c l r a I y W a n Ro the w xactly hair “e

m shed a S e r u ade s ons m for men. He rt i t u l o lly t pa er S Slend gned especia aid “The bes t a e t t !” esi es ixe and D body wrap d ches total. H in the waist e e n e r R n e s all April, hes with hi , losing 15 i ches sm n c e i c n i o n e e w i st er som the exp a pair of jean d e y o j en to tting in was ge

ino ge Cas d r e b u n L’A bear rbier i g off with a cure, a B 0 4 pedi perin at 17 Alexis tarts the pam ce facial and f all the o s Fa Resort er the Poker and relieved er had t d f e ev trim. A he felt relax nths. “I’ve n . o d i id m a Sam s the past few !” he sa e c n e i r e f stress o njoyable exp e in n such a ichols N t a e find Buscem Tricia y helped Sam --and fit nc DeQui ct casual out g it to fe in the per Sam by gift d e surpris nks, Tricia! ha T him!

ek & us Gre e Z t a nu Kim the me nd his wife the r e v o s a m use goe Pablo e Café so Sa r when they e . es t to ord sented them Leban a h w ow pre will kn ficate Pablo i t gift cer

Sam thoroughly enjoyed his makeover, and said that if it had not been for the grace of God and the people of Magnolia Baptist Church praying for him, he would not be here today. “I feel God still has something for me to do,” he said. “I’m just waiting to see what it is.” Volume 4 • Issue 5

MAY 31, 2012

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ker n Shouma o d n a r B y B

Josh Quayhagen, Peaceful Warrior It was early in the first round of their bout at Bellator 69 on May 18 when Lake Charles fighter Josh Quayhagen hit his opponent, Cliff Wright, Jr., square in the family jewels. It wasn’t intentional, but there it was, a strike to the junk leaving Wright in what, from where I sat on press row, looked like a fair amount of pain.

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Such things are not uncommon in mixed martial arts and, usually, the injured fighter is given a prescribed amount of time to recover from the illegal blow. The pro-Quayhagen crowd in the L’Auberge Casino ballroom, however, having sat through several lengthy timeouts in earlier fights, felt no sympathy for Wright, booing him lustily as he recovered from the low blow. But, then something strange happened. As Wright collected himself and the boos rained down, Quayhagen himself moved to quiet the masses. Looking at the crowd, he raised and lowered his hands to

calm the fight fans and pointed to his chest as if to say, “It was my bad.” It was a gesture of sportsmanship and responsibility one doesn’t often see in modern professional sports (indeed, in one of the earlier bouts, a timeout for a low blow saw the offending fighter pacing the ring and complaining about how long his opponent was taking to gather himself), but that’s what makes Josh Quayhagen different from most professional athletes. Quayhagen, who by day teaches martial arts at his gym, Performance Evolution, ascribes to a “peaceful warrior” philosophy of self-defense, which he passes along to children through weekly demonstrations and motivational talks at Performance Evolution.

Josh Quayhagen

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According to the Peaceful Warrior Program’s mission statement, its goal is to “empower the next generation to take a proactive responsibility to change their world for the better.” To do this, the program aims to “equip these young people with the knowledge to first make positive decisions themselves, then the power to make smart, nonviolent approaches to helping others overcome negative behavior or circumstances.” In short, the program instills a “kill them with kindness” approach in kids when it comes to bullying and domestic violence. With such a recent national focus on the effects of bullying on impressionable and vulnerable children, such a program is a noble and important effort. It is also an interesting sort of juxtaposition for a mixed martial artist to be promoting such values as tolerance, non-violence, and responsibility. Too often in recent years, as mixed martial arts have become increasingly popular, it seems that anybody with enough space in the back of a warehouse thinks they can train fighters. This breed of fighter typically comes across as cocky, arrogant, and disrespectful. They slip on their too-small Tapout T-shirt, run their mouths and think they are fighters, completely disregarding the virtues of discipline and respect true mixed martial artists seek and embrace. And this is what makes Quayhagen, a former star football player at Leesville High and McNeese State University, such a breath of fresh air in a world of MMA currently dominated by sneering punks like Nate Diaz and bloated egomaniacs like Tito Ortiz. As Quayhagen said after a recent demonstration of the Peaceful Warrior Program, “Nobody can hurt you without your permission.” His Bellator 69 opponent, Cliff Wright, Jr., did not get such permission. Quayhagen entered the ballroom to a huge ovation for the night’s final bout and he did not take long to start scoring points on Wright. And, while Wright took Quayhagen down in the middle of the first round, Quayhagen was able to reverse as the round came to a close, standing up and peppering Wright’s legs with heavy kicks as the bell rung. Wright (6-3) once again took Quayhagen down in round two but could not do any real damage to Quayhagen while the hometown fighter connected with a big kick to Wright’s body and several nice punches. Round three saw Quayhagen score more points with

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his striking as Wright could do little to damage Quayhagen. Wright did little to impress the judges either, as all three judges scored the bout in favor of Quayhagen, moving the local fighter to a perfect 4-0 record. And in keeping with his character, Quayhagen made sure to shake not only Wright’s hand after the decision was handed down. He sought out every one of Wright’s corner men for a handshake and pleasantries as well. It was the polar opposite of what was going on in the crowd at the

same time. While Quayhagen was living up to his billing as a “peaceful warrior,” a decidedly not peaceful warrior, obviously intoxicated, started an amateur fight with some in the crowd. Perhaps, instead of trying to emulate his favorite Bellator fighters’ butt-kicking abilities, the man should have tried to emulate Josh Quayhagen’s exhibitions of respect and sportsmanship. It was surely a wonderful sight to see—and a proud moment for all Lake Area fight fans.

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

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By Mary Louise Ruehr

A Virtual Tour of Literary Houses Let’s take a stroll down a “street” lined with literary houses. The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons is a lovely historical novel. In 1938, it is no longer safe to be a Jew in Vienna, so Elise Landau and her parents must flee to a friendlier country. The family is very well off, as the mother is an opera star and the father is a well-known novelist. The parents, being celebrities, are sure they will be able to go to New York, but there will be no American visa for Elise. Like many other young Jewish women in her position, Elise, age 19,

must seek shelter by finding a job as a maid in a wealthy home — in her case, in England — until a visa comes through. Hired as a parlor maid at the large Tyneford House, Elise has to learn how to be a servant and is kept constantly busy cleaning and polishing. She is told that servants must seem to be “invisible,” and she

Administrator Randy Stelly and Admissions Coordinator Renea Tindel 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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muses that “The butler and housekeeper were quite determined the illusion be maintained that the house was cleaned by magic or elves.” Of course, she falls in love, and of course, the war intervenes. Some of what happens is a bit predictable because of the author’s foreshadowing. But the story evokes emotions and the writing is gorgeous, putting the reader right into the setting. The book got me right from the beginning, with an opening line that reminded me of the start of “Rebecca”: “When I close my eyes I see Tyneford House. In the darkness as I lay down to sleep, I see the Purbeck stone frontage in the glow of late afternoon. The sunlight glints off the upper windows, and the air is heavy with the scents of magnolia and salt. Ivy clings to the porch archway, and a magpie pecks at the lichen coating a limestone roof tile. Smoke seeps from one of the great chimneystacks, and the leaves on the unfelled lime avenue are May green and cast mottled patterns on the driveway.” Picture this: “I loved this place. I loved the wildness and the salt water cracking against the black rocks and the greylag geese crying overhead and the sea pinks reaching over the cliff tops and the adders basking on the heath, the song of the fishermen and the rainbow bellies of the mackerel, the silent church and the glimpse of Portland in the mist and the way the

weather was as changeable as a Mozart opera.” The House I Loved is another historical novel, written by Tatiana de Rosnay. It is set in Paris in about 1869, when the government is in the midst of tearing down the shabby old buildings to make room for the emperor’s vision of a new, gleaming city. The demolition crew is now approaching the home of 60-year-old widow Rose Bazelet. Rose hates the destruction around her: “Living in Paris … was like living in a besieged city invaded daily by dirt, rubble, ashes and mud. Our clothes, shoes and hats were always dusty. Our eyes always stung, our hair was perpetually thick with a fine gray powder.” She’s done everything she can think of to keep from losing her beautiful home, but still they’re coming. So she’s made a decision: “I will never leave this house. Never.” She writes a letter to her dead husband: “How could I ever leave this house, beloved? This tall, square house is my life. Every room tells a story. My story. Yours.” She goes on to recall how the city of Paris used to be before the emperor decided to tear it down, to create wide boulevards instead of tiny streets. She reminisces about her life with her husband, coming to the house for the first time, giving birth to her daughter in the midst of a revVolume 4 • Issue 5

olution, and being with friends. Don’t look for much of a plot line in this fictional reminiscence. Reading it is like being inside a moving painting, surrounded by abstract images, idealized colors, and blurred memories. Picture this: “This was the first room I set foot in. … Spacious and high-ceilinged, with emerald-green leaf-pattern wallpaper, a pale stone fireplace. Thick bronze-tinted damask curtains. Four large windows with colored panes, gold, crimson and violet, facing out to the rue Childebert. From there was a view down to the Erfurth fountain, where all our neighbors came for their daily supply of water. Fine woodwork, a delicate chandelier, crystal doorknobs, refined engravings of hunting scenes and countryside, lush carpets. An exotic cactus plant filled an alcove. On the large mantelpiece, a Roman marble bust of a young man, an ormolu clock with an enamel dial and a pair of gleaming silver candlesticks under glass shades.” The House at Sea’s End by Elly Griffiths is part of the Ruth Galloway mystery series. Workers studying the erosion along the coast in Norfolk, England, have discovered human bones at the foot of a washed-out cliff beside a large house at Broughton Sea’s End. The police are called in, along with Dr. Ruth Galloway, forensic archaeologist. It turns out that the bones represent six skeletons, with their hands tied, and they’ve been there more than 50 years. Who were these people and why were they killed? Was it the work of a serial killer? Did it have anything to do with the war? How is the house at the top of the cliff involved? In the course of the investigation, police encounter a very old man, who dies mysteriously right after they visit him. And soon, another man is found dead. Are the present-day deaths related to the skeletons on the beach? Meanwhile, Dr. Ruth has just had a baby. A single mother, she’s trying to balance her job and caring for her child. And she won’t reveal the name of the father. Picture this: “Close up, Sea’s End House looks more gothic than ever, with grey stone walls, tiny mullioned windows, and a studded oak door more suited to a castle. When this last is pushed open, they enter a vast hall panelled in oak. A stained-glass window reflects pools of green and gold onto the parquet floor and a stag’s head stares morosely down at them.”

Example: On a purchase where the Amount Financed is $7,500, your Down Payment is $0 with 36 monthly payments of $218.08 each. Interest Rate 1.9% [ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE 2.99%( E)]. Financing programs are offered by Sheffield Financial, a Division of BB&T Financial, FSB. Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other financing offers are available. See your local Bad Boy Buggies dealer for details. A promotion fee of $125 will be added to the amount financed in the above example. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Offer subject to change without notice. [“E” means estimate.] © 2012 BB Buggies Inc.

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U A B A O F N LY RODEO - WORD SEARCH

H W

G M W

S W W

L W

E M

O O

G G

R W

G O

Barrel Racing Bronco Bull Riding Calf Roping Champion

Clown Cowboy Goat Tying Lariat Livestock

Rodeo Rough Stock Saddle Bronc Steer Wrestling Trick Rider

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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Volume 4 â&#x20AC;˘ Issue 5

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

What to Expect When You're Expecting (Lionsgate, 2012) Times have changed. The last guidebook about reproduction made into a movie was Everything You Wanted to know About Sex, A Woody Allen film that poked fun at the book by answering such questions as “What is a transvestite?”

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What to Expect shows how far we have come in sexual openness. In this film, we follow the relationships of what seems like two dozen couples in various stages of child begetting, including one adoption. As far as we may think we have come, guys are still clueless and the expectant moms are still emotional wrecks. A quick summary of the movie: (There is no plot, or there are several, depending on your point of view). Wendy is a children’s storeowner, who with her husband has been trying to have a baby for some time. She has a creepy new children’s book out on breastfeeding called “Breast is Best” or something like that, which

she’s promoting. She finally gets pregnant and begins to see that carrying a child is more than a change in your whole life; it’s a pain in the neck. Holly (Jennifer Lopez) is a photographer who with her husband is adopting. It turns out this is just as poignant (chick movie talk) as having your own baby. We also meet Jules (Cameron Diaz), a fitness guru who is pregnant. Then there’s Rosie, a young girl who works in a vending truck, and Skyler, who is Wendy’s 28something Southern belle step-mother-in-law. In typical predictable fashion, these women seem to have little in common (except expecting) but find themselves cosmically related in unpredictable ways. Oh, and there are men in this movie, but their role is mainly as either eye-candy or underdog low comedy. Since this is a movie about and for women, I would class it more as a dramady or maybe its opposite (a coma?) than a true comedy, but there are plenty of humorous moments mixed in with the serious stuff. Vic (Chris Rock) leads a group of Dads who walk their children together. It turns out the Daddy group is basically a bunch of misfit fathers who worship their bachelor jock friend, Davis. He has some enviable

job that keeps him tanned and able to do single handed chin-ups whenever he’s around the Dads. Maybe he’s a nature fitness trainer. Anyway, you get the idea. What to Expect is pretty much what you expect. As a guy, I found it hard to rate, but there were plenty of couples in the theatre, so I’d imagine it’s less painful than some other chick movies. The best comedic performance is by Janice (Rebel Wilson.) She is Wendy’s store assistant, a poorly dressed southern talking girl who alternates words of wisdom (like “Hello”) with moments of true spaceheadness (“Is this where we’re we all supposed to take off our bras?”) I’m not sure whom this movie will appeal to. There are more than enough bellies, babies and hospital scenes to satisfy folks expecting their pregnancy fix. But to me the attempts at comedy were very weak. There are some unexpected moments. The best subplot is a rather serious one between young Rosie and her boy/friend, which I won’t spoil here. Rated PG-13 for crude humor and kids getting hit in the head with beer cans. Really. Do everyone a favor and go see The Lucky One again with your date. You know you want to. TJN

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Julio Galan, Denise and Sam Hebert, and Chef Joe Mulligan

Chef Jeff Senegal, Maria Alcantara Faul and Chef Robert Phillips

Mi CASA Cocktail-Dinner Reception The biannual Dinner at Mi CASA fundraiser was held on May 6 at the home of Sam and Denise Hebert. The event benefits Family & Youth’s CASA program, which recruits and trains volunteers who are appointed by Family and Juvenile Court judges to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children. The dinner was provided by L’Auberge Casino Resort—and what a dinner it was! This event is offered twice a year, so make sure you don’t miss out this fall. During the reception, we enjoyed Sesame-Seared Ahi Tuna and Ocean Garden Salad served with wasabi, citrus-soy dressing and soy glaze. The imported and domestic cheese and berry platter was also a big hit, along with the baba ghanoush, hummus, and roasted onion dips. Servers passed Coronets of Citrus-Cured Smoked

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Salmon, BBQ-Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp and Curried Thai Beef Sates. I absolutely love hors d’oeuvres, so I was in heaven. But we all made sure we saved room for a fantastic dinner. The first course was Mediterranean Seafood Terrine, followed by Baby Heirloom Tomatoes and Firesteak Mustard Salad. The main course was Sous Vide Moulard Duck and Fiddlehead Ferns. Could we possibly eat more? Despite our groaning waistlines, everyone indulged in the Dessert Trio of Yogurt Panna Cotta with Ponchatoula Strawberry Gelée, the Lemon Chiffon and Blueberry Mousse Torte and the Honey Pecan Bacon Bar—yes, bacon. It sounds odd, but it was amazing. For more information about CASA and the Dinner at Mi CASA event, call the Family and Youth Office at (337) 436-9533. TJN

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SENIOR CIRCLE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION The May Birthday Celebration for the Senior Circle friends took place at the Women & Children’s Hospital Activity Center. Guests enjoyed cake and punch, and there was even non-alcoholic champagne to toast their special day. And what’s a birthday party without singing the ole familiar “Happy Birthday” song? Senior Circle Advisor Becky Dent rounded up these seniors for some birthday fun and games. Bean bag baseball stirred up the fun and dominoes and card games challenged the thinkers. Happy Birthday, y’all!

Toni Collins, Al Cradeur and Melvin Gilbert

Sue Redmond and Becky Dent

Elaine Phillips and Shirley Musgrove

Diane Fontenot and Agnes Thibodeaux

Helen Rimes and Jean Corbello

Brenda Pate and Ruth Leger

Sherlyn Jefferson and Steve Pekar

FALGOUST EYE CLINIC OPEN HOUSE Dr. Falgoust extended a warm welcome to all who came by to visit the state-of-the-art facility known as Falgoust Eye Medical & Surgical Clinic. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the practice and services offered by this ophthalmologist and his friendly staff and enjoy a generous array of delectable appetizers and beverages. Eye’ll be back! Dr. Donald Falgoust, Dr. Dennis Miller, Dr. Tolvert Fowler, and Bryan Bateman, CEO of Women & Childrens’ Hospital Volume 4 • Issue 5

Michelle Falgoust and Nadia Nazeer MAY 31, 2012

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Elaine Dawson and Debbie Boudreaux

Erin Dworaczyk and Meagan Gardner

Louella Queenan and Annette Garber

BILLY NAVARRE CADILLAC GRAND OPENING/BUSINESS AFTER HOURS There was a full house at Billy Navarre’s newly remodeled Chevrolet Cadillac Showroom for a ribbon cutting and grand opening. It was the scene of the Southwest Chamber Alliance’s monthly Business After Hours event. All attendees received a voucher for a free carwash at the new carwash facility opening soon, and there were great door prizes and good food! Congrats to Billy Navarre on his latest endeavor! Adrienne Romero, Nikki Burrow, Rhonda LeBlanc and Paula Guidry

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Shelly Fuselier, Camille Abshire and Kayla Fuselier

Lynette Clark and Paula Ramsey

Liz White and Jerry Dupin

Carrie and Billy Navarre

Dana Damron and Karen Lambert

Jeno Giordano, Erin Miller and Jay Hebert

Gabe Caraway, Jenee LeBlanc and Justin McMillin

MAY 31, 2012

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ISLE OF CAPRI Isle of Capri Casino Hotel was jumping recently as a crowd gathered at the cozy Caribbean Cove for some live musical entertainment from the Vidor band Centerfire. The bartenders were serving ‘em up as all eyes were on the American Idol grand finale. Our local favorite sang his heart out and did us proud! It was a great night to be at the Isle!

TJN Steven Denton, Josh Carmack, Natasha Moore and Priscilla Carmack

Michael and Sarah Whitehead

Fidel and Virginia Gonzalez

Henrietta Cunningham and Carolyn Odstrcil

Lou LeBert and Pat Legget

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109 W. LaGrange, Lake Charles • (337) 477-6868 Volume 4 • Issue 5

MAY 31, 2012

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cars. If inclement weather prevails, the concerts will be held inside the Lake Charles Civic Center. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs; however, no outside beverages or pets are allowed onsite. For more information, call 491-9147 or visit www.CityOfLakeCharles.com.

LOUISIANA HS AND JR. HS RODEO FINALS JUNE 1-9 The Louisiana High School and Junior High Rodeo Finals return to the Burton Coliseum for the first time since 2001. SWLA is ready to get back in the saddle again after hosting the finals for more than 53 years. They will be held in Lake Charles at Burton Coliseum, with the Jr. High finals taking place June 1-3 and the High School finals taking place June 5-9. On Sat., June 9, bring the whole family out for a kid’s clinic, alumni rodeo, a barbecue cook-off, military and elected officials appreciation night and more! Jr. High performances will be at 6 p.m. on Fri., June 1, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sat., June 2 and 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 3. High School performances will be at 7 p.m. Tues., June 5 through Sat., June 9. For more information, call (337) 802 8726 or go to www.visitlakecharles.org/rodeo. FIRST FRIDAY READING SERIES JUNE 1 On Fri., June 1, the First Friday Reading Series will present a fiction reading by B. Kari Moore at 7 p.m. at the Porch Coffee House. Originally from England, Moore moved permanently to the United States in 2004, and recently earned her MFA in Fiction from McNeese State University. Moore’s work has appeared in such publications as Monarch Review and Glint, and she has been a two-time recipient of the Robert Olen Butler Prize in Fiction. The Porch is located at 4710 Common Street in Lake Charles, and live music follows each reading. For more information about the reading series, contact the Arts Council at (337) 439-2787 or visit www.artsandhumanitiesswla.org. DOWNTOWN AT SUNDOWN JUNE 1, 8 The City of Lake Charles will host their annual Downtown at Sundown concert series from 6-9 p.m. on June 1 (Soul Vacation) and June 8 (City Heat). The event will also feature food and beverage booths, tabletop galleries, and kids’ activities. This year’s event will take place within the 600 block of Ryan Street between Division and Mill Streets. The former site of the event will be open and available for parking

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INTO THE WOODS JUNE 2, 8-9, 15-17 Based on the Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods is the story of several fairy tale characters that learn the hard way that the “Happily Ever After” they sought isn’t necessarily so happy after all. The performance will be presented by ACTS Theatre at 1 Reid St., Lake Charles and held June 2, 8-9 and 15-17. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.actstheatre.com. VISION/VERSE ART AND POETRY EXHIBITION JUNE 2 Vision/Verse returns for a fourth year to unite the literary and visual arts in a one-of-a-kind exhibition. Ten artists and ten poets are selected each fall, and what follows is a six- month journey in examining the role and impact of inspiration on art. On Sat., June 2, the exhibit’s opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Art Associates Gallery at Central School. A reading of the poetry will be held in the Benjamin W. Mount Auditorium at Central School at 7 p.m. An after party will be held at the Porch Coffee House & Cafe at 8:30 Martel p.m., and it will feature Pollination by John music by Paul Gonsoulin and Angie Manning, who were inspired by pieces from the exhibit. For more information, call (337) 304-1798.

Tin Man b y

Karen Win k e nto th ue i e d i R t by S sunse ermann Zimm

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SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL JUNE 5, 12 The Bayou Jazz Kings kick off the 25th season of the Summer Music Festival on Tues., June 5 at 7:30 p.m. The concerts will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman Street, in Lake Charles each Tuesday in June. Tickets are $10 per concert and may be purchased at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free. A reception to meet the artists will follow each performance. The Bayou Jazz Kings have been performing in Southwest Louisiana since 1986, and they specialize in traditional Dixieland music. Performers will include Rick Condit, Tim McMillen, Bill Rose, Jay Ecker, and special guest Tonio Cutrera. “My Favorite Things” is the second concert of the season. It features Sarah Callahan, a young, exciting mezzo-soprano, along with audience favorites Rod Lauderdale on French horn and Dorothy Sahlmann on piano. JUNE EVENTS AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM • June 5, Crafty Tuesday: Wiggly Snakes – Paint a wiggly snake in bright colors from 11 a.m.–noon. • June 6, Popsicle Day – Enjoy a cold Popsicle to kick of the summer season from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.! • June 7, Amazing Thursday: Book Reading – Local author Tommie Townsley will read her book, Sabine’s First Family Reunion, about a family of armadillos at 11 a.m. • June 9, Sasol’s Second Saturday Science Show – Join Sasol at 11 a.m. for magnetism and electricity demonstrations. Learn “magic tricks” with magnets! • June 12, Crafty Tuesday: Visors and Fans – At 11 a.m., you will decorate a sun visor, at noon, we will paint a fan to keep cool. • June 14, Amazing Thursday – Director Dan Ellender will let you pet our iguana “Iggy” and our cockatiels “Lola” and “Maya.” Learn all about their natural habitats and diets. We will also learn to identify Louisiana fish in our

new Wetlands Aquarium! Meet at 11 a.m. in the Jungle area. • June 19, Crafty Tuesday: Magnificent Monster Mask – Create a unique and colorful mask using paint! Classes start at 11 a.m. and noon. • June 21, Amazing Thursday: Wildlife Conservation – At 11 a.m., Dan Everett and Friends of the Refuge will discuss keeping our habitat clean for wildlife. See different animal furs confiscated from poachers. • June 26, Crafty Tuesday: Pinwheels and African Masks – Make a pinwheel or create an African mask. Classes start at 11 a.m. and noon. • June 28, Amazing Thursday: Tae Kwon Do – Master Carla Prejean and her Black Belt Academy, Karate for Kids, will give a tae kwon do demonstration at 11 a.m. The Children’s Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is $7.50 for children and adults. Call 337-433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org for a complete list of admission fees, memberships and birthday party information. WELCOME BREAKFAST FOR SOWELA CHANCELLOR JUNE 6 The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance and the Lake Area Industry Alliance are hosting a Welcome Breakfast for Dr. Neil Aspinwall, the new Chancellor at SOWELA Technical Community College. The breakfast event will take place on June 6, at the Lake Charles Civic Center at 7:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 each. The deadline to register is June 1, so interested parties are invited to call the Chamber SWLA offices at 433-3632, or register online at www.allianceswla.org.

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CATCH-A-CONCERT SERIES BEGINS JUNE 7 The Lake Charles Community Band is hosting their Catch-A-Concert series every Monday in June at 7 p.m. at a new location: the shady front lawn of the Lake Charles Civic Center. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and a picnic dinner for a relaxing afternoon. This concert series leads up to the Red White Blue & You Patriotic Program during the Fourth of July Festival. In case of rain, the concerts will be held in the second floor Mezzanine in the Civic Center. JUNIOR PIANO RECITAL AT MCNEESE JUNE 8 The McNeese State University Department of Performing Arts will present Yiseul Kim of South Korea in a free junior piano recital at 7:30 p.m. June 8 in Ralph Squires Recital Hall in the Shearman Fine Arts Center. The program includes “Nocturne in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9, No. 1” by Frédéric Chopin, “Sonata in D Major, K. 576” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and “Two Concert Etudes” by Franz Liszt. At McNeese, Kim collaborates with various vocalists and instrumentalists and has performed in musicals, operas, the Jazz Band, Concert Chorale, Wind Symphony and the Vocal Ensemble. Kim is an award recipient of the DeBose National Piano Competition in Baton Rouge. For more information, call (337) 475-5635. CPSO YOUTH FISHING DERBY JUNE 9 The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Youth/D.A.R.E. Division will be holding their Annual Youth Fishing Derby Sat., June 9, from 7—10 a.m. at the CPSO Farm Pond behind the Calcasieu Correctional Center at 5400 E. Broad Street. Participants, who must be 15 years of age or younger, are asked to bring their own fishing gear (only one per person), bait, and a cooler to bring their fish home. Refreshments will be furnished. This is event is offered to kids free of charge. Youth groups are invited. For more information, call (337) 263-4371. BARBE CLASS OF 1982 REUNION JUNE 22-23 The Barbe High School Class of 1982 is celebrating its 30-year class reunion on June 22-23 at The Lake Charles Country Club. Classmates are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance by going to www.barbe1982.com, and clicking on the “attend event” link. The weekend will consist of a Friday night pool party mixer from 7-11 p.m., and a Saturday night dance from 7-11 p.m. with live music by classmates’ band “Mirage” featuring Paul Groves. There will also by a DJ playing music between band sets. For more information, contact Ann Ritter at 842-1191, join the Barbe 1982 30-year reunion group on Facebook, or visit www.barbe1982.com. MAC BURNS/WCCH FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT JUNE 23 The 2012 Mac Burns/West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament will be held on Sat., June 23 at Frasch Golf Course in Sulphur. This year’s tournament marks the third year that the Mac Burns tournament and the WCCH Foundation golf tournament will be held jointly. The tournament will follow a 4-man scramble format with a double shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This year’s entry fee is $320 per team and covers food, drinks, shirts, range balls and mulligans. Various levels of sponsorships, including hole sponsorships, are available. For more information or to participate in the tournament, call (337) 527-4241. BAYOU BASH JUNE 23 Celebrate summertime in true Louisiana style during the first annual Bayou Bash at Prien Lake Mall on Sat., June 23 from 4 -10:30 p.m. The family-friendly event is FREE and open to the public. Enjoy a carnival, a kid’s zone, food vendors, a beer garden benefiting the Arts & Humanities Council, a fireworks show and live musical entertainment. Music lineup includes Never Shout Never, Horace Trahan, Ashes of Babylon and Damon Troy. For more information, call 477-7487.

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Volume 4 • Issue 5

BAYOUCON JUNE 30-JULY 1 BayouCon, SWLA’s anime, comics, sci-fi and gaming convention, is back for its fourth year June 30—July 1 at the Lake Charles Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Special media guests are J.G. Hertzler and Robert O’Reilly, both from the Star Trek franchise. There will be photo opportunities, a Klingon Breakfast, Cosplay contest and tabletop gaming tournaments. Other activities include a film festival, makeup prosthetic creation, comic arts demonstrations, concerts and more. Weekend Superpass is $20 for adults, $15 for children 11-14. Saturday-only admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Sunday-only admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children 10 and under are admitted free with a parent. Complete details about the convention or sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.bayoucon.net. THE WOUNDED WARRIOR AMPUTEE SOFTBALL TEAM JULY 13-14 A nationally recognized team comprised of amputee active duty military personnel and veterans, will play against Olympic Gold medalist Jennie Finch and a team of all-stars July 13-14 in Sulphur. The tournament will be held at McMurry Park, with game events beginning each night at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online at www.jenniefinchstore.com, both locations of Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Centers, Sulphur City Hall, and the Diagnostic Center of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. All proceeds will go towards the purchase of WWAST team equipment, training and support, and will also support funding for training and educating the amputees as they pursue their academic and/or athletic interests. Sponsorships for the event are available and donations are also being accepted. For more information, call (337) 527-4241. TJN

GREAT RATES!

Tables • Chairs Tablecloths • Lamp Posts Dance Floor • China Sets Delivery and Pick-up

932 Enterprise Blvd. Lake Charles, LA

(337) 263.4736 Appointment Only

Volume 4 • Issue 5

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