The Jambalaya News - 02/27/14, Vol. 5, No. 24

02 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vol. 5 • No. 24

February 27, 2014 • Volume 5 • Issue 24

715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.louisianajam.com Publisher Phil de Albuquerque phil@louisianajam.com Executive Editor Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@louisianajam.com Contributors Lisa Addison Angie Kay Dilmore Jackie Bergeron George Cline James Doyle Dan Ellender Julie Fay Mike Louviere Mike McHugh Roger Miller Mary Louise Ruehr Karla Tullos Anna Catherine Viator Sales sales@louisianajam.com Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk Art Assistant Sarah Bercier Associate Photographer Johnny Owens Cajun Pirate Photography Business Office Manager Jeanie Taggart Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by Louisiana Jam columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Louisiana Jam, its editors or staff.

Louisiana Jam is solely owned, published by Jambalaya Media, 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. Louisiana Jam cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Copyright 2013 Louisiana Jam all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Vol. 5 • No. 24

COVER STORY 28 Landscape Management

On cover: Landscape Management at Prien Lake Park (Photo by Burn Rourk)

REGULARS 6 We Are SWLA! 8 Hospital Roundup 10 The Dang Yankee 10 Adoption Corner 11 Tips from Tip 12 Huntin’ Tales 13 Doyle’s Place 14 21st Century Etiquette 15 This Functional Family FEATURES 5 The Mardi Gras Run 1 6 The Puma White Hunter 18 Health Screenings for Men 19 Springing Forward 19 Drink Your Water!

21 Tool Kit Essentials 26 Spring Home Maintenence THE SPICE OF SWLA 30 Iowa Rabbit Festival 32 Events Guide 33 Family Fun Night at the Movies 34 Nightlife Guide 36 Sulphur Centennial Celebration 37 Mardi Gras Madness 38 Red Hot Books 40 Acting Up! 41 Society Spice 43 Funbolaya 48 Cajun Classifieds 55 Gator Tales

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A Note From Lauren View From the Back Seat Whenever I rode in the car with my parents, they would sit in the front seat, and I would be in the back. Being an only child, I had the whole back seat to myself. I could lie down if I wanted to. I didn’t have to make room for anyone.

Sometimes, my cousin Richard would ride with me if we were all going out for the day, and that was fun. But more often than not, I was alone in the back seat.

If you sit in front, on the passenger side, you are obligated to talk to the driver. If you’re driving, you are responsible for driving safely and following directions and not getting lost. You have to be ever vigilant. In the back seat, there are no obligations.

There’s an old saying: “You only grow when you’re alone,” and I’ve always remembered it. I would look out the window as the scenery whizzed by on the highway, and my mind would be set free. I did not

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have to talk or think about anything in particular. I’d look at the trees and the clouds and the sky and the hills and imagine all sorts of things. I’d get inspiration for poems and stories. Sometimes, a song on the radio would take on a new meaning as I heard it against the backdrop of flaming maple trees in autumn, for example. Or a very appropriate song would come on, like the time we were driving through the rain, and I remember hearing a very poignant song about the “the tears and the rain and the hurt and the pain.” I’ve never heard it again and I can’t even find it on Google, but it’s interesting that all these years later, I can still feel that song because of what I was seeing at that moment in time.

I would also look at the scenery and imagine what it would be like if the trees were upside down, if the clouds were below us, or if the cars were on top of the trees. I remember asking my father all kinds of questions about

this when I was little, and he would try to explain physics and the laws of gravity to a little girl. What I basically got out of those conversations was that it could never happen.

But it was nice to imagine that it could.

This is where the seed of my love of surrealism was planted. I love surreal art. Reality is so limiting. It is what it is. Surrealism is reality with wings. Surrealism comes from imagination.

When we’re alone with our thoughts, all kinds of good things can come out of our reveries, providing they’re positive thoughts, of course.

Toxic people who get to thinking and imagining the worst are a different story altogether and I won’t even go there. My mother’s two sisters are perfect examples of negative thinking that has run amuck for over 90 years.

(One thing I learned from both of them is that negative thinking does not kill you.

Aunt Jeanette died at 98 and Aunt Gloria is 92 and is in the

process of getting kicked out of her assisted living facility in Arizona for starting trouble with everyone.)

Phil gets up very early in the morning, has his coffee, and sits outside with the cats.

By the time I wake up, he’s come up with a bunch of ideas that he throws at me before I’ve barely opened my eyes.

For me, sitting at my computer all day lends itself to flights of fancy. I’m one click away from looking at anything in this world, something un-dreamed of when I was that little back-seat passenger.

I marvel at how far we have come. And I hope we never lose our sense of wonder, and our ability to imagine what could be.

Lauren de Albuquerque

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By Jackie Bergeron During the carnival season, traditions run rampant. From the King Cake and Twelfth Night to the Second Line and tossing of throws, customs old and new come out to play. My paternal grandparents were a Cajun couple from Eunice, speaking both Cajun French and English, so it is no secret that I was raised with deep Acadian roots and a love for the unique traditions.

My favorite Mardi Gras tradition (next to the savory King cake) is the Courir de Mardi Gras or Mardi Gras Run. It is easy to spot a “Mardi Gras” (as runners are called) displayed by their colorful costumes and pointy hats, often carrying a whip. (Yes, I said a whip!)

Origins of courir date back to the customs of Catholic Medieval France from fete de la quemande or “feast of begging” when begging from house to house was socially acceptable.

Most of the land was owned by the upper class and the poor would gather in groups and make their way from castle to manor to beg for food at the end of the long winter due to food shortages. In return for their generosity, beggars would perform a song or dance. During the carnival season, the people would celebrate with contests

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and races and would hold processions through the streets whipping themselves or onlookers to rid the body and soul of all sin.

The use of a burlap whip is derived from folk traditions of pre-Christian Brittany, a Celtic enclave on the northwest French coast where the original settlers of Acadia came from before migrating to North America during the 17th and 18th centuries.

In the mid-to-late 18th century, Acadians were forcibly deported from Nova Scotia by the English and settled what is now the Acadian region of South Louisiana, where the “Cajuns” held on to many of their traditional customs. This determination to hold on to their religious customs and faith has been a major factor in celebrating the joy of life or la joie de vivre that is characteristic of the Cajun life and culture.

The traditional courir starts in the early morning hours as the riders or runners gather at a central meeting place. Le Capitaine, or Captain and leader of the group, usually rides on horseback, wears a cape, carries a small flag and is commonly unmasked. After he and his Co-Capitaines (unmasked also) organize the runners to explain the rules and traditions to be followed, the bands begin to play and the Capitaine leads them on the route. The Capitaine is the first to approach the houses and

asks for permission to enter onto the property.

In the spirit of frivolity, individual runners try to sneak onto the property, but are held back

by Capitaines who sometimes brandish a plaited burlap whip.

Claude Durio, co-Capitaine of Tee-Mamou Courir says, “These whips are used to maintain discipline during the Courir de Mardi Gras. They are used by the captain and his subordinates [co-captains] only.”

Whips are designed to be flexible and not inflict any serious damage onto their victims, and produce a loud noise for the edification of onlookers. Participants claim one has not fully participated until they have been whipped. Revelers also play a variety of pranks on the farmers and beg for food for the community gumbo, the prize ingredient being a live chicken that is thrown into the air for drunken runners to chase through muddy yards and fields.

The traditional costumes are derived from costumes in early France worn to conceal participants’ identities and allow parody of authority figures and society. The costumes, meant to mock nobility, clergy, and the educated, are made from old work clothes decorated with cloth remnants and pieces of feed sack material, as many participants could not afford material strictly for the event. This led to the vibrant patchwork style and mismatched patterns that are cut in strips that are fringed

and sewn onto garments. The revelers also wear the coneshaped hats, or capuchons, to mock the tall, pointy hats worn by noble women, as well as miter hats or mortarboards. The hats are decorated to match, or intentionally mismatch, the costumes.

The masks are made of ordinary wire mesh window screen with attached large protruding noses and can include animal features, hair, fur, or tails.

For many Cajuns, whether they run or not, Mardi Gras is not just a diversion. It is a deeply meaningful part of their religious, ethnic, regional, and community identity. Once you run a Mardi Gras, it is very difficult to stand on the sidelines and watch. So the next time you see a “Mardi Gras” in their full colorful regalia, don’t be afraid to play with them, for it is what the Mardi Gras season is all about. Passé de la Bon Temps!

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bank, located in Sulphur, hosted a ribbon-cutting event recently at its newest location at 975 Beglis Parkway. Chairman of the Board, Claude “Buddy” Leach led the festivities as emcee and recognized bank personnel, local dignitaries, and the architectural and construction teams responsible for the design. In operation since 1928, Merchants & Farmers Bank is an independent community bank with six full-service locations in four cities.

SOWELA Nominated for Aspen Prize The Aspen Institute named Southwest Louisiana Technical Community College (SOWELA) as one of three technical community colleges in Louisiana and one of only 150 community colleges nationwide to be nominated for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.

Viccellio Donates to McNeese Foundation Charles Viccellio has donated $15,000 to the McNeese State University Foundation to create the Joanna Steele Viccellio Scholarship for Business Majors in honor of his wife, Joanna. Both Joanna and McNeese will turn 75 this September.

Axiall Donates to McNeese Athletics Axiall Corp. has donated $10,000 to McNeese State University athletics. On hand for the donation are, from left, Bruce Hemphill, McNeese athletics director, Jon Manns, Axiall plant manager, and Patricia Prebula, Axiall public relations consultant. McNeese photo

Ad & Press Club Announces 2014 Board The Ad and Press Club of SWLA is proud to announce the 2014 Board of Directors and Board Officers. Daryl Boyd, APC President, is the Marketing/Public Relations Director for La Familia Resource Center. Laura Heller, APC First Vice President, is the Development Director for Habitat for Humanity: Calcasieu Area, Inc. Vera Hollier, APC Second Vice President, has been a member since 1998. Leslie Harless, APC Treasurer, is VP and Marketing Director for First Federal Bank of Louisiana. Beth Clark, APC Secretary, has been active in the club for six years. Also serving on the Board of Directors are Ruthie Broussard, retired; Matt Felder, Lake Charles Memorial; Theresa Hay, Hay Brothers; Braylin Jenkins, City of Lake Charles; Pam McGough, Immediate Past President, McNeese State University; and Terrell Thibodeaux, Cumulus Broadcast.

Merchants & Farmers Bank Opens Newest Location Merchants & Farmers Bank recently opened the doors on its newest location in Southwest Louisiana with a grand opening event. The 06 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

L-R: Charles, Joanna and Richard Reid, vice president for university advancement and executive vice president for the McNeese Foundation. McNeese photo

Family Foundation The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, the endowment arm of Family & Youth, honored Christine Perry, Phil and Dewanna Tarver, and First Federal Bank of LA for giving their time, talent, and treasure for the betterment of Southwest Louisiana during the PhilanVol. 5 • No. 24

thropy Celebration and Awards Reception, presented by Entergy, at L’Auberge Casino Resort.

L-R: Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach; Julio Galan, president & CEO of The Family Foundation; Charles Timpa, president & CEO First Federal Bank; Christine Perry; Phil & DeWanna Tarver; Kerry Andersen, Family Foundation Chair and Greg Guilbeau, senior region manager for Entergy, Louisiana

CITGO Donates to Junior Achievement SWLA

L-R: Meg Lovejoy, JASWLA District Director and Missy Amidon, CITGO Public Affairs & Community Relations Coordinator.

CITGO Petroleum Corporation of Lake Charles recently donated the use of Citgo Park to Junior Achievement of Southwest Louisiana for use of the facility during JA Finance Park. The $7,000 in-kind donation housed the financial literacy program over a 15 day period. More than 700 Calcasieu Parish 8th – 12th grade students participated in the program.

Delta Downs Gives Big to United Way Staff from Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel presented a check for $49,593 to United Way of Southwest Louisiana. Through this generous contribution, United Way will be able to help a large number of people across Southwest Louisiana in the areas of education, income, health and safety net.

L-R: Steve Kuypers, VP/GM of Delta Downs; Becky Ainsworth, United Way; and Delta Downs employees Tammy Abraham, Carol Core and Nora Popillion Vol. 5 • No. 24

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throbbing pain, varicose veins, itchy legs, leg cramps, discoloration, skin changes, slow-healing wounds, tired legs, restless legs, spider veins or a burning sensation are encouraged to call for your free screening with local cardiologist Carl Fastabend, MD. Appointments are limited. To register, call 491-7577.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Administrator Receives Award CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital to Host Free Vein Health Screening CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital will hold a free vein health screening on Saturday, March 8. Much more than just a cosmetic issue, problems with the legs could be a warning sign for a more serious vascular condition. People who experience swelling legs and ankles, aching or

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital Administrator, Donald H. Lloyd II recently received the Francis Marion University Morgan B. Coker School of Business Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2014. The award recognizes a School of Business graduate who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and success in their career field and who has played a vital Donald Lloyd role in their community. Lloyd has been the administrator of CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital since February 2012.

He was previously administrator, chief operating officer, comptroller and human resources director for various organizations throughout South Carolina.

Watson Appointed to Board of Commissioners of WCCH The Board of Commissioners of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital welcomed Rickey Watson of Vinton as a new member. Watson was appointed by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury in October 2013 to fulfill the term of the late Rapheal Fontenot. He represents the area of Vinton on the WCCH Board of Commissioners. Watson serves as a lay minister at Rickey Watson Merryville United Methodist Church and he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. Current members also serving on the board include Chairman Robert “Bob” Davidson of Sulphur, vice chairman Frank LaBarbera of Carlyss, Bobby LeTard of Westlake, and Joe Devall of Hackberry.

WCCH Lab Receives CAP Accreditation The laboratory at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital has been awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP), based on the results of a recent onsite inspection. The laboratory at WCCH is one of more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories worldwide. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, which began in the early 1960’s, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government’s own inspection program.

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Mona Tetra There’s nothing like a tank full of tropical fish. It’s a living work of art, certainly more so than any of those modern sculptures that appear as if the artist assembled it from random scraps he’d picked up off the road following a major car accident.

But sometimes a fish dies, thus marring the work. That’s the way it is with fish. I only wish it were the same with those sculptures.

One of our fish died not long ago. One day, he’s swimming around merrily in the tank, and the next he’s lodged belly-up in a plastic fern. But unlike a Renaissance masterpiece, this work is easy to restore. You just scoop out the dead fish and replace it with a new one.

Unfortunately, my wife doesn’t see it that way. She sees the dead fish and wants to have a wake service. Maybe get a priest over and lead us in the rosary.

Meantime, I’m thinking a burial at sea. Make the Sign of the Cross and flush.

I don’t know what it is that makes her attached to each and every fish in our aquarium. They and we inhabit completely different worlds—theirs of water and ours of air. They’re not like our cats. You can’t pet them, and they won’t cuddle on your lap and purr while you’re watching TV. They’re not even three inches long. We’ve got bigger roaches than that here in Louisiana.

And so, while she’s in mourning—posting testimonials on Facebook and contacting the newspaper—I’m sitting there thinking. Tomorrow I’ll go to the pet shop and get a new fish.

It’ll look and act just like the old one. It’ll cost two bucks. The old fish didn’t even have a name— not by itself, at least. Being one of five in a schooling species of tetras, I’d named the whole lot

“Yale.”

But just replacing the deceased is not enough to put my wife at ease. In her eyes, I am the fish serial killer. She blames it on all the drops of various concoctions that I’m constantly adding to the tank. That much is true. Having spent 30 years as a chemical engineer, I can’t resist treating any container of water as my own personal chemistry set. This explains why our swimming pool has the color and consistency of a bowl of split pea soup.

“You’re poisoning them with that stuff,” she says. “If that tank were the Gulf of Mexico, you’d be British Petroleum.” Suddenly, it became clear to me why she never lit any candles in the room where I kept the aquarium. She has every other room in the house lit up like the Grotto of Lourdes.

“But it’s not the Gulf of

Mexico,” I answer. “It’s a work of art.”

“Well then, you painted a mustache on the Mona Lisa.”

I feared that she might report me to the authorities for animal cruelty, an offense that, in her mind, is more heinous than setting up a boiler shop and defrauding elderly people of their life savings. But she didn’t, probably because, the whole time I’d be I the slammer for killing a three-inch fish, she’d have no one around to blame whenever she mislaid her eyeglasses.

Which just goes to show you, an art-defacing scapegoat is better than no scapegoat at all.

Mike McHugh has been writing for the Jambalaya News since 2009. He also contributes stories to the “Not Your Mother’s Book” anthology series and makes public speaking appearances. You can follow him on Twitter @dang_yankee.

Featured by LAPAW Rescue • Contact us at www.lapaw.org This is the sweetest boy!!!

Jordan is a two-year old Staffordshire Terrier mix whose main goal in life is to please his person. He thought he had a home with a great family but the resident “Mastador” decided Jordan was not welcome on his turf.

So, the family made the difficult decision to find a home where Jordan, who is a submissive, gentle guy, can live happily ever after. He weighs about 50 pounds and is good with other dogs, fully vetted, crate 10 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

trained, and heartworm negative.

He needs a fenced yard to enjoy playtime with his person. A vet check, home visit, and commitment to heartworm prevention is required prior to adoption.

If you have room in your heart and home for this loveable gentle giant or need more information, call or email (337) 478-7294 or lapaw@bellsouth.net.

Can’t adopt? Consider fostering. Can’t foster? Consider sponsoring! LAPAW dogs (and cats) can be seen at www.lapaw.org.

Vol. 5 • No. 24

Hail Fredericko!

Good-bye Joe Joe Toups, the Lake Charles Civic Center’s director and former business manager, is getting ready to retire from his long and distinguished tenure there. He has led with a warm smile, good humor and deep devotion to the Civic Center for almost 30 years, nearly 17 as its director. His pleasant demeanor, innate intelligence and quick wit has enabled him to deal easily with both large and small problems with generally very satisfactory results. Joe’s attention to detail and knowledge has made him a friend to virtually all that have come in contact with him. Some of us suspect he has a cot in the back of his office as he seems to always be on the job and available for whatever need arises.

We all wish Joe the very best in his retirement as he pursues his archaeology hobby and enjoys his new life. His faithful major-domo, Denver Kaufman, officially theater supervisor and harbormaster for the Civic Center, has agreed to stay on and assist the new director. This is good news for all of us because he was planning to retire as well if he did not approve of Joe’s replacement. Denver is multi-talented and extremely well thought of in the community. I have met the incoming director, Jimmy Pottorf. He has some big shoes to fill, but I am sure he will continue Joe’s good work.

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Lafayette has many Mardi Gras activities; not as much as New Orleans and Lake Charles, but it does have one event that should make us very jealous.

Their Krewe des Chiens is celebrating 16 years of raising money for the sole purpose of supporting shelters and animal aid organizations.

They have raised over $300,000 from their various activities, which includes their muchheralded animal parade and the “people ball” held at River Ranch, which are done in the most grandiose style. We can however, take pride in the fact that their “King Gumbo XVI, “Fredericko,” is a Lake Charles resident who had his royal attire made here by our own local master costumer John Chavanne.

ing reminded by the vast majority that I put in words what they are thinking. It makes it worthwhile to hear that I can voice opinions that are appreciated.

I was stopped by a loyal reader the other day who commented that my columns reflect a “conservative practical” viewpoint; a point of view that blends values, tradition and patriotism, a love of what our country is and what our Constitution means to all of us. End of flag wave.

Supermarket Roundup With our weather returning to a more pleasant state of affairs and having performed a spring tune-up on my grill, we shall focus our price checking on grilling a good ole hamburger.

We need some burger buns, lettuce, tomato, onion (I like to fine chop the onions and mix it up in the meat) and some 80-20 ground beef (I find it’s the best for burgers). The prices were obtained on Wednesday, February 19 and reflect the posted

shelf prices where the products were placed for sale. The stores were: Albertsons-Country Club Road, Market Basket-Nelson Road, Kroger-McNeese Street and Walmart-Nelson Road.

Lettuce, Iceberg, per head: Albertsons $1.69, Market Basket $.89, Kroger $.99, Walmart $1.28.

Onions, yellow, per pound: Albertsons $1.29, Market Basket $1.19, Kroger $1.19, Walmart $.88.

Tomatoes, Roma, per pound: Albertsons $1.19, Market Basket $.99, Kroger $.89, Walmart $.74.

Hamburger Buns, store brand, package of 8: Albertsons $1.29, Market Basket $1.09, Kroger $1, Walmart $1.50.

Ground beef, 80-20 blend, per pound: Albertsons $4.79, Market Basket $4.19, Kroger $2.99, Walmart $3.38.

Another Rip-Off You can just about guarantee that when a product changes its labeling you will be getting less for more. I encountered an example at Sam’s Club the other day while picking up some bath tissue (toilet paper, as most of us call it). The sheet count per roll in the 45-roll box of POM bath tissues has now been reduced from 450 2-ply sheets to 429. Bad enough, you say? Well wait, there’s more. The sheet size has also been reduced from 4.5 inch X 4.0 inch to 4.0 inch X 4.0 inch. Thank you, sir, may I have another?

Thanks for the Compliments Responses from my readers are always welcome and I do receive a lot of very positive comments. A few have disagreed with my position on some topics (which is their right), but I am consistently beFEBRUARY 27, 2014 11

Swamp Fever Since I was truly blessed with great places to hunt, I was very reluctant to wander afield with any of my students. What could possibly be better than the opportunities I already had? I discovered a great deal and it proved to be a real learning experience for their teacher. “Swamp Fever” is my first tale. More former pupil-related stories will be revealed in “Damon’s Dilemma,” (teal and gator season) “The Hoffpauir Boys,” (dove hunting) and the “Gaspard’s Gaspard” (snipe hunting) adventures.

My young water fowler guided education began in a cypress swamp. It all started in 1975 while I was teaching Steve Coleman, Jr. at Bell City High School.

His blind, just off the Lacassine Bayou and the historic Lorraine Bridge, is the best swamp blind I have ever hunted and certainly the most scenic cypress swamp.

After a homemade biscuit, mayhaw jelly and real butter breakfast, Steve, Sr. and Steve, Jr. and I left the house. Eight min-

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utes later, we parked just west of the historic Lorraine Bridge, unpacked our gear, passed through the barbed wire gate that Steve, Sr. held open for us and began our tromp. We didn’t exactly “tromp. “ We practiced our grave and headstone maneuvers through the family cemetery, ever so careful not to step on any graves. A single misstep was sure to be a harbinger of a spoonbillhaunted hunt or far worse, a case of “missingitus.”

Following Steve, Sr.’s torch (always wanted to call a flashlight that) to the swamp’s edge, we gingerly seated ourselves in a pirogue with my 210 lbs. in the center for uh, ballast. The Steves paddled us through the cypress trees replete with hanging Spanish moss that glittered in the last of the morning moon. As the first hint of pre-dawn blush began its pocket marsh flush on roseate wings, we whisper-glided beneath an “X” like intertwine of ancient moss-bearded cypress.

Then, we stepped up into the

blind. We nestled there, moss and cypress limb camouflaged, on a bench seat hewn from local trees.

Some four feet beneath us, on a patina of black clear water, the decoy spread swung and bobbled in the day after the cold front breeze. Mallard weather.

I could hear the “yeek yeeks” calls of wood ducks and the “teek teeks” of teal and the whistle of their wings as they shadow swung back and splashed in. The pond was about 300 yards across and 800 yards deep. Its outline was a meandering line of cypress and then cattails nearer the pine tree sentinels that marked where the rice fields began. Cypress swamp bled into the bayou to our back.

“We’ll just shoot the mallard drakes,” Steve, Sr. whispered.

“Say what?” I thought as I eyed six teal swimming up to join our decoys but I nodded politely. I mean, I was his guest.

Just then, there were more swirls and flashes and I thought I was in a teal nesting area. Then, there was that plaintive “quawaak” of the mallard hen. Four banking mallards swung back in.

Night had turned to grayed dawn as it crept in khaki rays down the trees. Around us could be heard the first shotguns pops marking the unofficial start of shooting time, one half hour before sunrise.

“Don’t shoot until you can tell where the greenheads are,” Steve, Sr. emphasized.

Another “Say what?” thought passed but I nodded and then glanced over at my student. He had that, “Been there, done that, I

have to tolerate adults” grin only adolescents can have. I grinned back in complete empathy.

With a flash of wings, a flock of mallards, and a hearty “Hi Ho Take ‘Em,” the shoot was finally on. We didn’t shoot the seemingly endless flocks of teal.

Or the wood ducks in twos and threes. Or the singles and pairs of mottled ducks. Or the gadwalls. Or the widgeons. Or, and I consider this a mortal sin, the pintail drakes. We just took the mallard greenheads. Twelve of them. We shot well but it took us about an hour. However, if you’re the guest, you have to tolerate the eccentricities of your hosts.

It wasn’t my fault he didn’t want to shoot amongst a zillion flying teal delicacies. Or, far worse, the pintail drakes! Certainly, I also had to consider the fragile adolescent who was my student. I was a complete professional, both as teacher and hunting guide, and most assuredly should act as one.

So, I politely endured and made the humble sacrifices. It was the least I could do for my student for God, Country, and Apple Pie! And, of course, to be invited back by the host.

A few years after this excursion and many hunts there later, I purchased a Ducks Unlimited Commemorative Print by David Maas at a DU banquet. It so reminded me of my Coleman “Swamp Fever” experiences that I gave the Colemans the print.

Not as a bribe for future hunts, but just to say thanks for fond memories that have never left me and still touch my heart.

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The Pretender I can’t believe Tony Soprano is dead. I just figured if he could live through Uncle Junior shooting him in the stomach, he’d make it through anything. I guess an afternoon walking around in the hot sun in Rome with his family was too much for Big Tony to handle.

And make no mistake about it, Tony was big.

In one of the old episodes I saw recently, his cousin Tony Blundetto greeted him in his best Jackie Gleason accent: “BBBBBBBOOOOYYY ARE YOU FAT!!!!!!!!!”

Mr. Soprano didn’t take it well. He was The Boss, you see. Immune to criticism.

But really, aren’t we all like that sometimes? A pound or two too heavy; a hair or two shy; a zit in the wrong place at just the wrong time. Nobody’s perfect.

Equally, nobody in today’s society would begrudge a fella an inch or two on the beltline if it made him happy.

From all indications, James Gandolfini was a happy man.

He enjoyed visiting Italy with family. He enjoyed showing his children, particularly his teenage son, his heritage.

Because of his size, you see, he apparently strained his heart just that one foot-pound of pressure too much and it failed, leaving his teenage son without a father and leaving us without Tony Soprano.

I doubt anyone feels any emotion except grief for the Vol. 5 • No. 24

loss of Mr. Gandolfini. For the same reason, we grieve the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman.

It could be argued, may be even beyond argument, that Mr. Gandolfini and Mr. Hoffman passed from this life due to their own individual human failings: Gandolfini was too fat. Hoffman used dangerous drugs. Speaking as someone who is an authority on needles, I would say it’s not a good idea to inject anything into your arm that has a picture of a black widow spider on the packaging.

After serving his time as a high-placed aide in the Clinton administration, George Stephanopoulos wrote a memoir called All Too Human.

Those words certainly capture the mixed bag of the Clinton presidency. His defenders will now say he should be regarded for the positive things he did as president and not for his interlude with a 19-yearold, star-struck intern.

Many of those same people want to crucify any person in the public eye who displays the slightest bit of human frailty. I don’t think that’s fair. I don’t think it’s right. I think everybody’s entitled to be evaluated in the context of this all-too-human condition we plod through daily. That being said, people who step onto the public stage should expect their lives to be open books and equally expect to be subject to criticism, some of it unfair.

When CNN blast headlined the death of Mr. Gandolfini and showed pictures of his wide girth, it was fair to expect that the public would be interested in those two facts.

Everybody wanted to know what finally killed Mr. Big. After his death, The whole seamy underside of Mr. Hoffman’s life became open to public display, an excruciatingly humiliating experience for him to bear if he were alive; and it certainly was that for his family.

I’m suggesting there’s a happy medium here. When you’re having a cup of coffee over the kitchen table, or at KD’s Diner, be a little humble and forgiving for these all-too-human errors. At the same time, don’t shoot the messenger.

I’ve been hung up lately on the Jackson Browne song “The Pretender.” Particularly the chorus:

“Between the longing for love and the struggle for the legal tender, into the cool of the evening strolls The Pretender.” He also sings: “And when the evening rolls around, I go home and lay my body down and when the sunlight comes streaming in I get up and do it again.” Amen.

As for myself, I am grateful these days for small blessings: an early-morning court appearance out of town; clients with interesting cases; friends who stand by me, sometimes sitting with me while I undergo my medical treatments; good food; good wine; good company. The spice of life.

Paraphrasing the lament of the alcoholic, I’ve been up and I’ve been down. Up is better.

As Mr. Browne says, shed a tear for The Pretender. And in case you missed it, that’s all of us. Everybody.

See y’all on the flip.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 13

Cell Phone Etiquette As I mentioned last month, smartphones are a great advancement that keeps us connected, anytime and anywhere. But the downside to this convenience is that we’ve become too reliant on this one method of communication.

Today, we are so preoccupied with our mobile devices that we neglect

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to practice some of the basic rules of politeness.

Remember back in the day when business was conducted using a land line? Weren’t businesses still successful? Yes, they were. And they were more intimate because often, the business might be conducted face to face.

Because mobile devices allow us to communicate anywhere, this is where the convenience of doing so can become unpleasant for people in your proximity while out in public.

Imagine a waiting room full of people. The room is quiet except for the low volume of the TV. A patient receives a call and starts speaking loudly, as if he is the only person in the room. This infringes on the personal space of the other patients and makes them feel uncomfortable. Not only is the man speaking too loudly but he is also sharing his personal information with everyone within earshot. It is surprising how many people divulge the private details of their life while speaking in public. You should never say anything in public that you wouldn’t want broadcast on the evening news.

The correct and polite way to handle the above situation would have been to silence the phone before entering the enclosed space.

An enclosed space is a waiting room, bus, plane, restroom, church, live performance, stairwell, etc. If the call was so urgent that it had to be answered immediately, the man should have stepped outside before taking the call. Or, he could have let the call go to voicemail and indicate to the caller by text that he would return the call after his appointment.

Also, people generally tend to speak louder while using a cell phone because, unlike a land line, there is no amplification in the

earpiece. All you hear is the sound of your voice. Most of us think that our voice is not loud enough for the other person to hear, so we speak more loudly.

Most people don’t want to hear what you are talking about. It makes them feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. And what you say in public may cast you in a negative light. If you are using profanity, bragging or arguing, the people around you only hear your side of the conversation. If you are like me, you might judge the caller for what is being said, not what they can’t hear from the other party.

When you are not in an enclosed space, use the “10 Foot Rule” to guide you when speaking on your phone in public. Place yourself at least 10 feet from others so that it is difficult for them to hear your conversation. Note: the 10 Foot Rule does not apply to enclosed spaces because the acoustics in the room are likely to be poor, which makes it easier for your voice to carry.

In my opinion, the next scenario is a very serious Don’t: using your cell phone while in line for banking, shopping, ordering a meal, etc.

Not only will you be breaking the 10 Foot Rule, you will also make others uncomfortable while you simultaneously impede the process of doing business. Just remember the last time you were in line when the person ahead of you couldn’t finish their transaction quickly because they were talking on the phone while trying to swipe their card. Also being on the phone prohibits the clerk or cashier from asking pertinent questions because you have made yourself unavailable. This behavior is rude to everyone because you are wasting their valuable time.

We are not perfect and will continue to occasionally slip up. That is

why we are reminded to silence our cell phones when we attend church, a movie or a live performance. In a theater, your phone should be turned off completely because the light from a text can be distracting in a dark room. And even if your phone is on silence, people close to you will still be able to hear the vibration when a call or text comes in. Just turn the phone off for a few hours and enjoy the down time.

I acknowledge there are times when you probably won’t offend the people in your presence by answering your phone or texting, such as when you’re hanging out or dining casually with close friends or family.

Texting A few words on texting: It is impolite to text while dining since you will not be giving your companion(s) your undivided attention. This is especially true when there are only two people dining.

If you have to make an urgent call, excuse yourself and step away for no longer than the time it would take for a bathroom break.

Excessive texting can be harmful to your relationships with others.

When your time is spent with your head bent over a device, you isolate yourself socially by avoiding conversation or eye contact with those in your proximity. I find it especially sad to see a family out to dinner and everyone, including the parents, “on their phones.” Why bother sharing a meal if you are not going to enjoy the company of those present?

So please don’t be “that” person. Be thoughtful, courteous and respectful of the people around you when using your phone in public.

In addition to being schooled by her mother, Anna Catherine Viator attended the Protocol School of Washington in Alexandria, VA. Vol. 5 • No. 24

Possible Dangers As a parent, one of my most important jobs is to protect my children to the best of my ability. I want them both to fully experience life and to be adventurous and curious, but at the same time, to be safe.

Therefore, communicating with them about possible dangers in the world is vital.

Ever since my kids were toddlers, I’ve talked to them about some of these dangers and I’m not just talking about “stranger danger.” I’ve often talked to them about the fact that they also have to be aware of acquaintances, neighbors, coaches, teachers, and even relatives. It may seem like an awkward topic to discuss but I think it’s very important for children to know from a young age that they have the power to say “no” if a person makes them feel uncomfortable, and that nobody has the right to touch their privates. And, I’ve always made sure that my kids know that there is nothing that they can’t tell me or talk about with me.

In my home, we spend a lot of time in our dining room/playroom because the large dining room table is where we have our meals together, it’s where the kids do their homework, and it’s also the spot where we do arts and crafts, play board games, etc. So, I thought it was the perfect place to hang a small poster I came across that was produced by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. It’s called “My 8 Rules for Safety.”

A couple of the rules apply to older children but it’s wise to start this kind of dialogue when kids are young so that they are very aware that although we live in a wonderful world with many loving Vol. 5 • No. 24

people in it, there are also situations that could be dangerous for them and there are people who aren’t loving.

Maybe you already have this sort of dialogue in your family but if you don’t, here is a list of rules for your children to consider that may help to get you started: My 8 Rules for Safety: 1. Before I go anywhere, I always check first with my parents or the person in charge. I tell them where I am going, how I will get there, who will be going with me, and when I’ll be back.

2. I check first for permission from my parents before getting into a car or leaving with anyone - even someone I know. I check first before changing plans or accepting money or gifts without my parents’ knowledge.

3. It is safer for me to be with other people when going places or playing outside. I always use the “buddy system.”

4. I say “no” if someone tries to touch me in ways that make me feel frightened, uncomfortable, or confused. Then I go and tell a grown-up I trust what happened.

5. I know it is not my fault if someone touches me in a way that is not okay. I don’t have to keep secrets about those touches.

6. I trust my feelings and talk to grown-ups about problems that are too big for me to handle on my own. A lot of people care about me and will listen and believe me. I am not alone.

7. It is never too late to ask for help. I can keep asking until I get the help I need.

8. I am a special person and I deserve to feel safe.

Since I talk to my kids on a

regular basis about personal safety, I was feeling fairly confident that they would never consciously put themselves in a situation that was unsafe. But one early evening not too long ago while I was cooking dinner and my daughter was riding her bike and my son was playing basketball on the driveway, a car I didn’t recognize pulled up.

I’m always watching them, so I saw the car and immediately went outside because both of my kids walked right up to the vehicle. It turned out that it was someone who needed directions but it could have been an entirely different scenario. It was a good time for us to sit down as a family and go over some safety tips once again.

We’ve kept the dialogue going and just a couple of days ago, my daughter said to me, “Mom, can you talk to us again about some of the ways that we can be safe and protect ourselves?” I told her that I would be happy to talk to her and my son about that topic any time that they want to talk about it.

Keep the lines of communication open and talk to your kids about their personal safety. Their lives may depend on it.

Lisa Addison writes for local, regional and national publications. She has two school-aged children, never gets enough sleep, enjoys trying new recipes, is an avid reader, and loves going on adventures with her kids.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 15

By Mike Louviere

The first time I saw the Puma White Hunter fixed blade knife was in an ad in Field and Stream. I became entranced. I wanted one; I could think of a thousand reasons to have one. I think the character, Ralphie, in the movie A Christmas Story conniving every way under the sun to get Santa Claus to bring him a Daisy Red Ryder BB gun was actually based on me. I do not know how the writer knew about me, but he caught me to a “T.” I would look at the ad every month when my dad’s copy of Field and Stream hit the mailbox. I lived in Orange, Texas, not East Africa and I only hunted squirrels with my grandfather, not lions and elephants, but the White Hunter was something I could not live without. My family,

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however, had other ideas and I did not get one until decades later, when I was on my own and had the money to put it on layaway at the Famous Discount Store in Marshall, Texas.

After three months of payments, I finally had my own White Hunter. It came in a mahogany box lined in green felt, with a description sheet glued to the bottom of the box to explain everything about this knife that made it so unique and useful.

History In 1934, the East African Professional Hunters Association was founded in Nairobi, Kenya. The association formed out of a desire to regulate hunting due to the development of technological developments like the safari vehicle, which opened remote areas to hunting.

During its existence, the association became one of the most respected societies in the world, and accomplished much to conserve wildlife in East Africa. The association was disbanded in 1977 when Kenya outlawed all big game hunting.

The association was made up of hunters that took their sport very seriously. They wanted the best equipment they could find. Most of them agreed that as important to them as knives were, quality and utility were lacking. In 1956, several had collaborated on a design and consulted the Puma Knife Company

of Solingen, Germany. After a little fine tuning, the Puma White Hunter was produced.

The knife is made from one piece of steel.

Early knives were made of carbon steel, but after a few years, the company switched to stainless steel, called Pumaster. A round “drop point” slightly curves upward to the finger guard and the last 1 3/8 inch of the blade is finely serrated. Those two features make it an unparalleled skinning knife.

On the upper side at the tip is a finely ground point.

Behind the point is a diamond-shaped flat “hammerhead” suitable for driving small tacks. The top edge has a ground 2-inch blade heavy enough for hacking small limbs and other brush. At the end is a serrated thumb rest for giving downward pressure. The handle is made of staghorn, and there is an aluminum finger guard and a lanyard hole in the handle.

The knives are handmade.

After the steel is heated, it is hot dropped forged to shape the blade, then the handwork of 22 different polishing steps takes place by the craftsman using increasingly fine lubricants, oil coolants, and special polishing grease. The staghorn handles are hand cut and individually fitted with brass rivets, which are then filed. The handle is burnished

to a precise shape and size for optimal fit and function.

I doubt there has ever been another knife of any type as well designed and functional as the White Hunter. The uses have gone far beyond what any of those East African professional hunters could have imagined in 1956. The design has remained unchanged, although Puma has made different models with different handle materials, such as hard exotic woods, and a rubber handled model for fishermen.

One use that the old white hunters would not have imagined is its use as a survival knife in wartime. The White Hunter was carried by pilots and aircrew members in Vietnam and every conflict since.

It is not meant to be a fighting knife and is not good for stabbing, but it has been proven to be effective to cut though aircraft aluminum and to hack through brush and cut items needed to build a shelter.

The price of new White Hunters today is over $400.

Cabela’s in Canada lists the knife on their website at an astounding (to me) $499. A used White Hunter on eBay is usually priced between $200 and $400, depending on condition.

Vol. 5 • No. 24

Not for Sale!

My White Hunter is not for sale at any price. It was made before 1964, because there is no number on the finger guard. These numbers were added later and give the quarter and year the knife was made. Mine is scratched up and the leather sheath is nearly black from years of use and applications of leather oils to keep it supple.

The leather thong intended to tie it to the leg has never been unwound. The leather lanyard that goes through the handle has saved my knife from being lost numerous times.

I have used the knife to skin deer and squirrels, fillet fish, and cut fish bait for both salt and freshwater fishing. I’ve also used it as a kitchen knife, since the fine serrations make it a great knife to slice tomatoes. But it is banished from the kitchen at home. None of my wives would allow it since they were not sure how clean it was. They had seen me just wipe it on my pants leg and put it back in the sheath.

None of them have been as rednecked as I am, or they would understand.

I probably own a dozen or so folding knives, but after I bought the White Hunter, I never owned another sheath knife, except for one from Mexico that I was given, and it was a joke. My White Hunter has been, to me, like finding the perfect soulmate.

I have taken a lot of ribbing when I’ve appeared on a squirrel hunt with that big knife on my belt. But the joking stops when I show them how easy it is to use.

Vol. 5 • No. 24

Letter to The Editor

Once, while fishing at Rollover Pass on the Bolivar Peninsula, a friend and I went into a café to eat lunch. There was a sign that said knives with over a 4-inch blade were not allowed.

I took off my White Hunter and as I started outside, the owner stopped me and asked me about it, as he had never seen one. When I enthusiastically showed him the features of the knife, he asked if I was a salesman for Puma.

I guess he could tell I love my knife. He told me to put it back on; he said it was not a danger to anyone unless they tried to take it away from me.

The “Ralphie” is not out of my system. This year, I bought my own Christmas present. Hanging on my wall is a brand new Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. You are never too old to be young.

Dear Editor: On Thursday, January 30th, CHPS unveiled markers at the sites of now lost community landmarks. They would like for folks who have memories of the sites to share those memories with the preservation community and with the public at large.

Here’s one of mine.

When I moved to LC in 1975, I lived downtown in a building still standing at 700 Ryan Street at Division (the old Guaranty Federal Savings, it was at the time). There were seven apartments on the second floor and we urban-dwellers enjoyed the tail-end of what had been a vibrant downtown.

Even in 1975 after Ryan Street had been mauled/malled, there was still action with Muller’s open, Sears, specialty shops, the Lyric, the Paramount, and the Pitt.

The Arcade, alas, was already closed, a victim of those times, an abandoned relic. I was very active with Little Theatre in those days, and old-timers there told stories of the glory days when great actors and musicians and dancers graced the boards of the Arcade. Garf and Ethel Macdonald, Jerre Marchand, Maxine Ray, Tillie Gano, Reid Tyler, Ida Winter Clark, Agnes Midlam and many others were able to relate stories of what they experienced in that theatre on the magical nights when the footlights gleamed.

Perhaps the best story was one told by the late George Kreamer.

As a wee child attending Central School, he was witness and participant to infamy and redemption at the Arcade.

And the story goes like this. Kreamer was part of the third grade class at Central and the entire class was trouped over to the Arcade to listen to the St. Louis Symphony afternoon concert on one of their visits to LC. During the concert, the maestro (and the audience) heard the ting! ting! sound of what the maestro thought were spitballs being hurled from the second balcony--where the third grade class was sitting.

Maestro stopped the music, glared at the balcony and demanded, “Stop throwing spitballs at the tubas, or I will end this concert!” He glowered, then returned to the music. A few bars later, Maestro stopped the music again and uttered, to the shame and horror of the third grade, “Out, out, you bad children!”

The third grade was marched out in infamy, humiliated back to Central School, marked forever as “you bad children.”

Years later, Kreamer, now grown up and returned from war, one day visited with the stagehands at the Arcade, and he admitted to them that he had been in the class of infamy, but he hadn’t a clue who shot the spitballs.

The oldest stagehand grinned, “It was a bum rap. When the concert was over and the musicians cleaned up, they found ancient stage nails--the kinds used to build flats, the same flats that had been hanging over the orchestra from the fly loft. They never found spitballs, the nails had just come loose in the flats overhead and were tinging as they fell into the brass.”

Adley Cormier 631 Sixth Street Lake Charles, LA 70601 FEBRUARY 27, 2014 17

The following statistics regarding men and health screenings say it all: • Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.

• Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.

• Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.

• Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.

The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself and participate in decisions with your doctor.

Get the Screenings You Need You can get some screenings, such as blood pressure readings, in your doctor’s office. Others such as colonoscopy need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office.

After a screening test, ask when you will see the results and who you should talk to about them.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever been a smoker, talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

AAA is a bulging in your abdominal aorta, the largest artery in your body. An AAA may burst, which can cause dangerous bleeding and death.

Colorectal Cancer Have a screening test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50.

If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.

Several different tests can detect this cancer.

Your doctor can help you decide which is best for you.

Depression Your emotional health is as important as your physical health.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about being screened for depression especially if during the last two weeks: • You have felt down, sad, or hopeless.

• You have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things.

Diabetes Get screened for diabetes if your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or if you take medication for high blood pressure. Diabetes (high blood sugar) can cause problems with your heart, brain, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts.

High Blood Pressure Starting at age 18, have your blood pressure checked at least every twp years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure can cause strokes, heart attacks, kidney and eye problems, and heart failure.

High Cholesterol If you are 35 or older, have your cholesterol checked. Have your cholesterol checked starting at age 20 if: • You use tobacco.

• You are obese.

• You have diabetes or high blood pressure.

• You have a personal history of heart disease or blocked arteries.

• A man in your family had a heart attack before age 50 or a woman, before age 60.

HIV Talk with your health care team about HIV screening if any of 18 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

these apply to you: • You have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.

• You have sex with men.

• You use or have used injection drugs.

• You exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.

• You have or had a sex partner who is HIV-infected or injects drugs.

• You are being treated for a sexually transmitted disease.

• You had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.

• You have any other concerns.

Overweight and Obesity The best way to learn if you are overweight or obese is to find your body mass index (BMI). You can find your BMI by entering your height and weight into a BMI calculator. A BMI between 18.5 and 25 indicates a normal weight.

Persons with a BMI of 30 or higher may be obese.

If you are obese, talk to your doctor or nurse about seeking intensive counseling and getting help with changing your behaviors to lose weight. Overweight and obesity can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Vol. 5 • No. 24

Each year, sleep centers across the nation join forces with the National Sleep Foundation to celebrate National Sleep Awareness Week. This year’s celebration will begin on Sunday, March 2 and will conclude on Sunday March 9 in conjunction with the beginning of daylight savings time. It is no coincidence that the two dates overlap. Losing an hour of sleep as we do when daylight savings time begins creates additional sleep debt for an already sleep deprived society. The goal of the week is to educate people of the importance and value of sleep through various activities and events.

“Study results show that the Monday after daylight savings time is not your typical Monday,” said Michelle Zimmerman, a nurse practitioner with the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana.

“More than half (61 percent) of U.S. adults say they feel the effects of the changing time on the Monday after resetting their clocks.”

Seventy-four percent of the respondents to the 2013 survey conducted by A Better Sleep Council who are over the age of 30 say that not getting adequate sleep after the time change affects their work.

“The effects of the time change can span more than just a day or two,” adds Zimmerman.

“Eleven percent of the people polled for this study said it takes them more than a week to adjust with women feeling the brunt of it. Nearly half of the women who responded said it takes them a week or more to feel normal

Vol. 5 • No. 24

compared to only 32 percent of the male respondents.”

Zimmerman offers these tips to better adjust to the time change on March 9.

• Gradually transition. To minimize the impact of the time changes, start going to bed 15 minutes earlier several days before the transition.

• Take a quick nap. If the time change causes you to feel sleepy, take a short nap—no longer than 20 minutes—in the afternoon.

• Commit to 7-8 hours of sleep. This is the amount of time the average adult needs to determine what time you need to wake up in the morning and count backwards from there to determine what time you need to go to sleep.

• Keep regular sleep hours. It’s best to go to sleep and wake up as close to the same time as possible every day, even on weekends.

• Exercise during the day.

Even something as low impact as a nice walk can help you sleep better. It’s best to avoid working out within two hours of bedtime though.

Community members are invited to call in to schedule a free screening that will be conducted by a qualified sleep professional and tour of the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana at their convenience during National Sleep Awareness week. Call (337) 310-7378 for more details on this opportunity or for answers to your sleep related questions. Visit www.sleepdisordercenterofla. com to learn more.

We’ve all heard this over and over again: Drink eight cups of water a day. But this really doesn’t apply when it comes to hydration.

If you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables and dairy and are in good shape, you probably don’t need that much water. On the other hand, if you’re overweight or tend to get most of your calories from salty, processed food, sticking to those 64 daily ounces could actually help to supplement your weight loss. Here’s how: IT COULD LOWER YOUR BMI: A 2010 study review in Nutrition Today linked water intake with lowered body mass index.

Since most guys tend to drink the same amount of liquid each day, if you make it a point to drink water instead, you’ll end up drinking fewer calorie-laden beverages.

YOU’LL BURN MORE FAT: The review also noted that you can burn up to 40 percent more fat after drinking water compared with a higher-calorie beverage. Drinking water with a meal also helps to

bring insulin levels back to normal two hours earlier than if you drink something with calories.

IT’LL HELP YOU EAT LESS: Drinking 16 ounces of water before a meal can significantly cut the calories you ingest. A 12-week study found that those who drank two glasses of water before every meal ate less and lost 44 percent more weight compared with the control group’s calorie-laden drinks.

WATER FIGHTS HANGOVERS: Staying hydrated is the best way not to feel lousy the day after a party. Drink at least a couple of glasses of water in the hours leading up to your event, then do a one-to-one match of water to alcohol once you start drinking.

IT’LL IMPROVE YOUR GAME: Even a couple hours of volleyball can put you at risk for dehydration and slow you down.

Sweating away just 2 percent of your body’s water content drastically affects athletic performance.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 19

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Vol. 5 • No. 24

8) Electrical tester: $2 All you need is the inexpensive tester with two probes and a light to indicate that an electrical current is present. Remember to test it in a working outlet each time before you use it to make sure it’s still working.

9) Reversible drill w/bit set: $40 This 3/8th-inch reversible drill is the only electrical tool that you must have. Although stores are filled with cordless varieties, stick with a corded model: They’re lighter, cheaper and never run out of juice.

10) 1/2-inch steel chisel: $10 When you need a chisel, there’s really no acceptable substitute.

11) Utility knife: $4 Having a utility knife with replaceable blades comes in handy and again, when you need one, there’s really no substitute.

12) Handsaw: $15 A good choice is the 12-inch FatMax by Stanley; it’s lighter and cuts straighter and faster than traditional handsaws.

13) 9-inch torpedo level: $9 The secret to a great tool kit is selection. Of the various tools available at your local hardware store, you only need about a dozen to handle most home-repair jobs. The following tools are absolute musts for a lifetime of home improvements and repair— all for just under $200.

1) Toolbox: $30

These palm-size levels with the bubble that floats to center are essential to leveling everything from picture frames to kitchen cabinets.

14) Wire cutter/stripper: $10 15) Safety glasses: $6 There is no substitute for effective eye protection.

A good, usable toolbox can save as much time on a job as having the right tools. If your stuff is all over the place, you’ll be looking for your tools and become frustrated before you even start your project. A soft canvas bag with lots of pockets that drapes over a five-gallon bucket is popular, along with rubber-bottom soft bags.

2) Hammer: $15 Choose a model with a straight or “rip” claw, not a curved claw; they’re much more useful for demolition. Sandpaper the face of the hammer once in a while so nails don’t slip off.

3) Vise grips: $10 Also known as locking pliers. Simply adjust the screw drive in the handle and clamp it on to anything that needs viselike stabilizing, typically metal or PVC pipes. When you’re done, the lever in the opposite handle releases the jaws. Channel-lock pliers are a good second choice.

4) Needle nose pliers: $8 The long, tapering, forged head that gives needle-nose pliers their name is particularly useful in electrical work where spaces can get tight.

Get a pair with a wire-cutting blade near the hinge.

5) Screwdrivers (mixed set): $20 You’ll save money and get the most use out of a good-quality mixed set that includes 1/4 and 3/8-inch flat heads and No. 1 and No. 2 Phillips head drivers. Magnetic heads come in handy, too.

6) Pry bar: $15 A 12- to 15-inch pry bar can be very handy.

7) Tape measure (16-foot) $4 Get a good-quality, easy-locking, 3/4” wide model.

Vol. 5 • No. 24

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Vol. 5 • No. 24

Volunteer Aboard the USS Orleck Help preserve the legacy of the ORLECK and the crew members who served aboard her. Volunteers from all backgrounds and skills are needed to help maintain and preserve the ship while also interpreting the ORLECK’s story for its visitors.

The possibilities are many just pick your passion! Are you passionate about history, education, and museum curating?

Are you talented in marketing, fundraising, speaking to groups, writing, social media, digital technology, and other disciplines?

Do you enjoy meeting people from all walks of life and from countries across the globe?

Would you like to share stories and exercise your acting talents as a tour guide (docent)?

Whatever your interest or background, there is a role for you in the organization. You can volunteer as many or as few hours as your schedule allows!

Get started today by sending an email to info@orleck.org or call (337) 214-SHIP (7447) to provide your name, phone number, email address, mailing address, areas of interest, and availability (dates and times available).

See you soon aboard the USS ORLECK Naval Museum!

Vol. 5 • No. 24

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Vol. 5 • No. 24

Advertorial Housing is the single biggest expense and can be the largest investment a family ever makes.

Southern Choice Properties understand that all housing decisions are situational; every decision is unique.

Accordingly, they tailor their business model to this reality and take time with their clients to fully understand their housing needs.

They strive to give you as much knowledge as you need and significant tools to help you turn this expense into an investment for you and your family.

The Rodwells have compiled a team of hard-working, determined and dedicated people to represent their companies, with not one but two properties for those of you who are looking to take the first step to home ownership. Gulf Stream Manor and Country Aire Mobile Home Communities offer rentals, lease-to-own and mobile home sales.

The Southern Choice Properties Team consists of consultants, brokers, property managers, and real estate and housing specialists that bring over 30 years of experience to the field. They are proud to be part of the new growth in SWLA! Cynthia Laurel Duplechain, with 15 years of property management experience behind her, serves as the regional property Vol. 5 • No. 24

manager of the SWLA area.

Her colleagues include Sonja Morgan, property manager of the newly acquired Country Aire Mobile Home Park, Debbie Holt, realtor/housing specialist and Brytni Gonzalez, housing specialist.

Southern Choice Properties is growing. With a licensed real estate agent, you will have the opportunity to grow into the next step of either home ownership or investment property. The company’s biggest goal is to take their clients hand in hand through the home-owning process. They will help you build equity initially, so that when you are ready for your dream home or investment property, they will still be here, helping you and ensuring that you have everything you’ve always dreamed of.

OUR BUSINESS IS YOU! We believe in home ownership and strive to move you in the right direction while helping you build equity. Houses-

R-US! Let Southern Choice properties be the light in your path to home ownership. Call

us today at (337) 905-5356 or visit www.southernchoicepropertiesllc.com.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 25

It’s time to do a walk-around of your property. Winter is tough on roofs and chimneys and can also take its toll on windows, walls, foundations, gutters and decks.

Roof. You don’t need to climb up there yourself; with binoculars and a sharp eye, you can probably spot trouble. Look for shingle-shift, which indicates that some fasteners may have failed and need replacing.

Any cracked or missing shingles?

What about nail-pops? That’s when nails push the tabs of the shingles up, allowing water to get in where those nails are coming through.

Chimneys. If you have a masonry chimney, check the joints between bricks or stones to see if any have fallen out, or if there is vegetation growing out of them. If so, that means water penetration.

Also, a white calcium-like deposit (efflorescence) indicates your masonry joints are no longer repelling water but absorbing it. In this case,

26 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

consider re-sealing masonry with a clear, impermeable or waterresistant barrier material. Brush it on small areas at a time, let it absorb for 15 minutes, then reapply, as it may need a more than one application.

Exterior Walls. Look for trouble spots, especially under eaves and near gutter downspouts. Water stains normally indicate that your gutters are not adequately containing roof runoff. If you have wood siding, check for openings, damaged areas or knots that have popped out. This unfortunately makes way for carpenter ants, woodpeckers, etc. to burrow through.

Foundations. Be sure to examine the foundation from top to bottom for masonry cracks.

Unfortunately, do-it-yourself routine caulking won’t do the job.

A foundation specialist can employ a two-part epoxy injection system

that will bond cracks chemically.

Windows. Make sure that any caulking and weather stripping you have in place has remained intact, since leakage around windows will admit warm summer air and let cooled indoor air escape. If you notice condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows during the winter months, the weather seal has been compromised, and either the glass or the window will need to be replaced.

Spring-clean your windows—inside and out—with a store-bought or homemade window cleaner (one cup rubbing alcohol, one cup water and a tablespoon of white wine vinegar works fine) and either a squeegee or a soft cloth. Abrasive cleaners or a high-pressure spray washer may scratch the glass or crack the caulking around each window. If screens were on all winter, remove them and clean with mild detergent. Lay them on a dry

surface to air-dry before putting them back on.

General Cleaning. Spring is a good time to clean those areas of the house that are often overlooked.

Dust window casings, chair rails, the tops of cabinets and ceiling fans.

Launder or dry-clean fabric draperies and use a damp cloth to clean wood and vinyl blinds. Vacuum upholstered furniture and mattresses and consider renting a carpet cleaner—anything you can do to remove settled dust, mites, and allergens will make for a cleaner, and healthier, home.

Air Conditioning. Now is the time to make sure your air conditioning units are in good working order for those hot months ahead.

Change the filter, check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the drain pans are draining freely.

Vacuum any dust that has settled on the unit and connections since it can impact the air conditioner’s

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effectiveness over time. If you suspected problems your unit last summer, call in a professional now to check it out.

Attics. Around, here, raccoons have a tendency to infiltrate attics in the winter. Check for signs of intrusion and close up any areas where they might have entered. Search for mold, which often takes the form of gray or black blotches that look like staining. Proper insulation and good ventilation will deter mold growth in the attic, so take action

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now to prevent the problem from developing later on.

Leaks. Check for leaky faucets, clogged drains and sweaty pipes.

Look under the kitchen and bathroom sinks to make sure connections on pipes and hoses are properly sealed, and look for any wetness around the dishwasher that could signal a problem. Check washing machine hoses for cracks, bulges or dampness, and make sure hot water heaters aren’t showing signs of corrosion and leaks.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 27

By Angie Kay Dilmore Spring is around the corner, and for garden enthusiasts, that’s a reason to rejoice. The local garden centers are beginning to burst into color with annuals and perennials. New homeowners peruse the nurseries for shrubs, trees, and bedding plants.

Sure, you can shop at the big box stores for your gardening and landscaping needs. But what will you do with your new fig tree or azalea bush once you get it home? Plants are an investment. Do you know where best to place them in your yard? Are you certain how to properly care for your new plants?

If flowers in your yard die faster than a dandelion in the desert, then you need the professional assistance of Landscape Management Services, Inc.

A Full-Service Landscaping Company Landscape Management has serviced the landscaping needs of their Southwest Louisiana commercial, residential, industrial, and municipal customers for 23 years. “We’re a full service landscaping company,” said Chad Everage, retail sales manager. “A one stop shop, from consultation to installation, and everything in between,” added General Manager Mark Dubose. The pros at Landscape Management are committed to providing top notch service, whether a client requires landscaping for an entire park or simply advice on where to plant a rose bush. “We provide everything a consumer needs to

28 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

complete a landscaping project,” said Everage.

Experts in the Landscaping Business When you hire Landscape Management Services for your landscaping needs, you not only buy quality plants and products, but you benefit from their knowledge of horticulture and landscaping science, as well. The staff at Landscape Management strives to educate their clients regarding which plants will work well in their yard.

“Customers might buy a plant at one of the chain stores, but when they get it home, what do they do with it?” said Everage. “They might not put it in the right spot. They might not plant during the proper time of year. They may not maintain the plant properly.”

Each employee at Landscape Management Services is highly-trained and has a specialized role to play in the company. They have four certified horticulturists with a vast knowledge of plants, the best places to plant them, and how to care for them. They employ a full-time design specialist who can create a customized plan for any yard or garden. Their experienced installation team can analyze soil, prepare garden beds, and properly install the plants. Landscape Management employs an average of 50 employees year around, but in the spring and summer months, their staff swells to around eighty employees to meet the increased workload. ” This time of year, our retail sales ramp up,” said Everage.

Full Range of Landscaping Services Landscaping – Landscape Management Services specializes in all aspects of lawn design, including trees, shrubs, flowers, and sod. Whatever level of service a client desires, Landscape Management provides assistance, from design and choice of appropriate plants, to delivery (up to a 100-mile radius) and installation. They also specialize in ponds, fountains, and other water features. High-end garden pottery can be special ordered through catalogs at their office. Everage’s goal is to help his clients’ yards look as beautiful as they possibly can.

Maintenance -- Their year-around maintenance crews offer mowing, edging, trimming, pruning, weed control, fertilizing, and lawn clean-up.

Irrigation – Landscape Management Services installs and maintains custom-designed irrigation systems using quality products and the latest technology.

Erosion and Drainage Control -- Southwest Louisiana can get a lot of rain at times. Drainage problems and run-off rob a yard of topsoil and can damage a home’s foundation or patio. LandVol. 5 • No. 24

scape Management Services utilizes erosion blankets, silt fencing, hay blowing, hydro-seeding, and drainage systems to protect their clients’ property.

Retail Sales – Landscape Management Services serves commercial businesses, industries, and cities, but they also cater to home owners and individuals who enjoy DIY landscaping projects. They sell plants, soils, mulches, decorative stone, aggregates and all landscaping needs from their fully-stocked South Lake Charles location off Country Club Rd. -- with the added plus of expert advice and professional answers to all your landscaping questions!

Doyle Pennick, owner of Landscape Management Services, got his start in the landscaping business right after high school 32 years ago.

He began with a lawn care business, and in 1991, he added more services and developed the business into a complete landscaping company.

A Diversified Client Base Landscape Management Services has done high profile work for the city of Lake Charles and the Calcasieu Police Jury. “We’ve played a major role in most of the downtown development,” said Pennick. Their work is evident along the Lakefront Promenade and Streetscape, at the court-

Vol. 5 • No. 24

house, and the new SEED Center at McNeese. Industries and commercial businesses hire Landscape Management to beautify their properties. They supply landscaping supplies and services to new home owners, builders, even other landscaping contractors. Everage enjoys helping contractors grow and develop their own businesses.

Choose Landscape Management Services Landscape Management Services is Southwest Louisiana’s leading commercial and residential landscape installation and maintenance company. It’s not a family business, but the staff members are like family to each other. “We’re a close knit group and I think that’s one thing that makes our company unique – we work well together and help each other out,” said Pennick.

“We take pride in servicing our clients from project conception to completion.”

Landscape Management Services is located at 5005 Cobra Rd. in South Lake Charles. Call them at 478-3836 or visit their website, www.landscapemanagement.org.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 29

The first Iowa Rabbit Festival was held in 1987 with a small rabbit show, a parade, and booths that sold crafts. The few bands played from the back of a flatbed trailer. There was a pageant to crown Miss Bunny, who then traveled the state to other festivals promoting the new event.

The festival has grown since then, with an average of 20,000 attendees each year. There’s a carnival, along with an actual bandstand, and a “Petite Lapin” pageant for contestants

ages 0 – 17 years. The event is always held the third weekend in March in the Lawrence Toups, Jr. Memorial Park (formally Iowa City Park).

During the festival, you can sample a variety of local foods; the Saturday morning cook-off gives you a chance to taste rabbit cooked in various ways. The Acadiana Area Rabbit Breeders are in charge of putting on the rabbit show, showing all registered breeds of rabbits. A 4-H show has been added to the event.

Sponsored Enjoy the many by arts and crafts vendors selling their wares, and the live entertainment. The main attraction is the bandstand, where you will hear at least 13 different bands playing a variety of local music, including Cajun and Zydeco.

Proceeds from the festival have been used to fence the City Park,

construct an outdoor stage in the park, and fund the construction of a pavilion. Donations are also given to the youth and civic organizations assisting in the production of the festival, and each year, scholarships are presented to area graduating seniors.

The Iowa Rabbit Festival is currently a Top 20 Event for the Southeastern United States.

Schedule: Saturday, March 1 Miss Bunny Pageant

Saturday, March 8 Rabbit Show at Iowa City Park

Friday, March 14 Entry Fee $8 (adults) • Mitchell Bros. Carnival and food and craft booths open at 5 PM • Live music from 6 P.M.-midnight

Saturday, March 15 Entry Fee $10 (adults) • Rabbit cook-off registration 6:30 AM - judging at 11:30 A.M. • Rabbit show starts at 8 A.M. (Iowa High School) • Parade line-up @ 9 A.M. at VF mall, starts at 10 A.M. • Festival gates open at 10 A.M. • Food and craft booths and carnival opens at 10 A.M. • Live music starts at noon and runs until midnight

Entertainment: Friday, March 14 Todd O’Neil, 6 – 8 P.M. Geno Delafose, 8-10 P.M. Wayne Toups, 10:00 – Midnight

Saturday, March 15 Steve Riley, 2– 4 P.M. Krossfyre, 4– 6 P.M. Richard LeBouef, 6 – 8 P.M. Travis Matte, 8 – 10 P.M. Bag of Donuts, 10 P.M. – Midnight Saturday Morning Cookoff Stage Chris Miller and Bayou Roots, 9-10:45 A.M. Aaron Istre and Under the Influence, 11 A.M. - 1 P.M. 30 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Vol. 5 • No. 24

And the Rain Came to Mayfield Feb. 28 - March 2 And the Rain Came to Mayfield, the latest production at the Lake Charles Little Theatre, has a little bit of everything — teenage idealism, denial, unlikely friendships, family strife and race relations.

The drama is onstage through March 2 at the theater, 813 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors ages 65 and over and for students with a valid ID. To purchase tickets, call the theater box office at 433-7988 or order online at thelclt.com.

Box Lunch Benefit March 5 Foreman- Reynaud Community Center fundraiser! Wed., March 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Call in your order by March 3. Box lunch consists of fried catfish sandwich, chips, cake and soda for $7. Will deliver 10 or more dinners. Phone (337) 436-2500, Fax (337) 4369843. All proceeds benefit the center.

Volunteers of America’s Beats & Eats March 7 Volunteers of America will hold its Beats & Eats fundraiser on Fri., March 7 from 6 to 9 pm at Treasures of Marilyn’s in Lake Charles. The casual event will feature a dinner buffet and dancing. Products and services donated by area businesses will be auctioned. Additionally, there will be a raffle for a Gift Card Bundle valued at $555.

32 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Raffle tickets are being sold in advance for only $5, and you do not have to be present to win. Tickets are $50 per person upon availability. For more information, call (337) 497-0034.

The festival brings together the cultures of Africa and SWLA and highlights the best in the community. Celebrating diversity, culture and education, the festival is filled with legendary Zydeco, Jazz, R&B and Gospel performers. Admission is $5 before 2 p.m. and $10 after 2 p.m. Children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, call (337) 304-0620 or visit www.bhflc.org for a complete schedule of events.

Run with the Nuns March 8

Lutcher Theater’s The Miracle Worker March 7 Produced by Montana Repertory Theatre, The Miracle Worker tells the story of Helen Keller, deaf and blind since infancy, who finds her way into the world of knowledge and understanding with the help of Anne Sullivan, her gifted tutor.

Tickets range from $20-$35.

March 7, 7:30 p.m., Lutcher Theater, Orange, Texas. Tickets can be purchased at www. lutcher.org or by calling 409886-5535.

27th Annual Black Heritage Festival March 7 - 9 The annual Black Heritage Festival will be held March 7-9 and feature live entertainment including headliner R&B artist Lenny Williams, mouthwatering food, and great family fun.

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation is revving up for the fourth annual Run with the Nuns Motorcycle Ride and Charity Event, which will take place on Saturday, March 8, at presenting sponsor Isle of Capri Casino Hotel at 9 a.m. Registration is $30 for each driver and $20 for each passenger. There will also be a rice and gravy cook-off during the event. The entry fee is $150 per team and includes meat, rice and water for cooking. For more information or to register, visit www. stpatrickfoundation.org or call (337) 430-5353.

A Black Tie Affair March 8 The 2014 Black Tie Affair is scheduled for Saturday, March 8, beginning at 6 p.m. at the L’Auberge Casino Resort Event Center. Dinner, silent and live auction and entertainment by Boomerang! This year’s proceeds benefit the Calcasieu Community Clinic. For sponsorship information, or ticket purchase details, call (337) 478-3780.

McNeese Spring Sage Program March 10, 24 On March 10, “A Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau,” will be presented by Carolyn Morrow Long, former research associate at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. On March 24, “Forever Bloomers – Perennials – Louisiana’s Native Plants” will be presented by Jeff McMillian, Louisiana Master Gardner and manager of mail-order nursery, Almost Eden, in Merryville. For more information or to register, call McNeese Leisure Learning at 475-5616 or go to www. mcneese.edu/leisure

Empty Bowl Salvation Army Fundraiser March 13 The Salvation Army will hold its sixth “Empty Bowl” dinner at L’Auberge Casino Resort Thurs., March 13, from 6-9 p.m. Guests will enjoy a variety of soups provided by 13 of Lake Charles’ premier chefs and received a handmade, one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl designed by local artisans. Entertainment by Chris Miller and the Bayou Roots. Sponsorships are available along with individual tickets. (337) 433-4155.

Live@The Lakefront March 14, 21, 28 Live @ the Lakefront will take place on three consecutive Fridays on March 14, 21, and 28, from 6-10 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Vol. 5 • No. 24

Amphitheater. Entertainment will include The Pine Leaf Boys, Fresh Nectar, The Flamethrowers, The Loaded 44rz, Ashes of Babylon and The Onlies, will open. For details, visit www.facebook.com /ArtsCouncilSWLA.

Jazz in the Arts March 16 Jazz in the Arts concert will be held Sun., March 16 at Central School Arts and Humanities Ben Mount Theatre at 5 p.m.

Featured guests are two seasoned jazz musicians, Sylvester “Stank” Leblanc and Charlene “Salemah” Broussard. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Call 794-5744 for tickets.

Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue March 26 Gal Holiday is a Country Swing band from New Orleans that incorporates original material with the best of country, rockabilly and western swing classics. See them on Wed., March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Ben Mount Auditorium at Central School in downtown Lake Charles. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA, Second floor, Central School (337) 439-2787.

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The Monuments Men (Paramount, 2014) Back in 1943, in World War II, a group of Architects, art conservators, and others worked to preserve and restore countless works of art that Hitler had taken from Europe. They were called the Monuments Men. The Monuments Men, directed by and starring George Clooney, tells their story. In the movie, seven men go through boot camp and form the core of an operation that risks their lives and ultimately succeeds. What is surprising is that many of them are older. As someone says, all the ablebodied men are already fighting. As Lieutenant Stokes, Clooney hand picks his team which includes Richard Campbell (Bill Murray), Walter Garfield (John Goodman), James Granger (Matt Damon) and other actors known for their comedic as well as acting talents.

However, the story is quite serious. In Paris, a museum curator, Claire Simone (Cate Blanchett) is working with the Nazis while secretly helping the French Resistance. She risks her own life in helping the Monuments Men locate and return works of art that include sculptures by Michelangelo, and paintings by Da Vinci. Hitler has put Viktor Stahl in charge of the operation and Stahl becomes dangerously suspicious of Claire Simone.

For a movie that isn’t full of explosions and bloody bodies, The Monuments Men is possibly one of the most ambitious war movies I’ve seen. Much of it was filmed on location and the ensemble cast is surrounded by thousands of extras as the end of the war plays out. The hunt for stolen

artwork takes place all over occupied Europe as the team splits up. But no one knows where the art has been hidden.

As a pair of unlikely soldiers, Bill Murray and Bob Balaban discover a German soldier who threatens their lives. This scene is probably one of the funniest in the movie, largely because of Murray. On the more sober side, two of the Monuments Men are shot and killed partially because the Allied troops refuse to give them backup. This theme of non-cooperation is carried throughout the movie, making the U.S. seem like hicks compared to the art-savvy French.

Though I’m a student of the arts myself, to me the emphasis on the importance of the mission was a little heavy handed. But maybe it just seemed that way against the lighter moments. The Monuments Men

seems to have trouble deciding what kind of movie it wants to be. Half Oceans 11 and half Saving Private Ryan, its uncertain tone is bothersome.

Still, the movie is beautifully done, and there are some very memorable parts. When Granger (Matt Damon) is working with Simone (Cate Blanchett), their relationship evolves into a possible romance.

With Granger being a married man, the tension is personal and the pair delivers some great lines.

Historical movies based on true events are their own genre these days, and most of them follow the same course. The Monuments Men is the same, but rises above many movies in its scope and in the historical importance of its events.

If you are like me, you never even heard of this operation, but books have been written about it. Claire Simone, in particular, is based upon the real life Rose Valland, who was instrumental in saving thousands of works of art and getting them back to their original owners.

The drama is increased when the group learns that the Russian Army is following behind them, hoping to loot the hidden art for war reparations. Like most Hollywood movies, The Monuments Men ends with clear winners and losers.

To me, it was a treat to see seasoned actors put in the service of such an important story. The Monuments Men is rated PG-13 for violence, language, and more cigarette smoking than you thought was possible.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 33

Thursday, Feb. 27 Abita Brewery & Food Pairing Happy Hour 5 -8 p.m.

6 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., Lake Charles

MARCH 1 Gumbo Cookoff 8am Zydeco Dance 3pm Krewe of Omega Parade 2pm Krewe of Barkus Parade 3pm MARCH 2 Taste de la Louisane 11am Childrens Day noon Childrens Parade 3:30pm Lighted Boat Parade 7pm MARCH 3 Royal Gala 7pm MARCH 4 Motor Gras Parade 11am Krewe of Krewes Parade 5pm MARCH 8 Black Heritage Festival MARCH 14 Live @ the Lakefront Circus Gatti MARCH 15 Circus Gatti MARCH 21 Live @ the Lakefront MARCH 22 Amber Trahan Benefit MARCH 22 - 23 Assemble’ (LCCB) MARCH 25 - 27 Band Festival MARCH 27 Banners/ FROGS! MARCH 28 Live @ the Lakefront MARCH 29 India Night 34 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder Rock The Clock!

Get domestic beer for $2.50 9 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Karaoke with $3 Cover 9 p.m. @ Frosty Factory 4688 Common St., Lake Charles “Thursday Dollar Night” 9 p.m. @ Cowboys Night Club $1 Beer & Bar All Night!

5329 Common St., Lake Charles DJ San-D 10 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill 777 Ave. L’Auberge, Lake Charles “Flipping Thursdays!”

10:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Free shot, Heads or Tails!

630 Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

Friday, Feb. 28 Todd O’Neill Band 10 p.m. @ Yesterdays $1.50 Beer, Bar, & Schnapps 8 - 10 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays 5313 Common St., Lake Charles Kory Fontentot 7 p.m. @ Luna Bar & Grill 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 & 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live

Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder Ashes of Babylon Happy Hour 5 -8 p.m.

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., Lake Charles DJ San-D 10 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Lake Charles Half off Everything for Everyone!

10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Saturday, Mar. 1 David Locklear 7 p.m. @ Luna Bar & Grill 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 & 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder LADIES NIGHT PART II Ladies get $1 domestics & $1 silver shelf!

7 - 10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Sunday, Mar. 2 Street Side Jazz Band 11 a.m. @ Luna Bar & Grill 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles

Monday, Mar. 3 “Cheese & Wine Night!”

1/2 OFF WINE! 7 - 11 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Lundi Gras! Yo Momma’s Big Fat Bootie Band 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St, Lake Charles “Lucky Monday!”

Midnight @ My Place Bar Win a $50 Bar Tab! 630 W. Prien Lake Rd. Lake Charles

Tuesday, Mar. 4 “Tribute to the King” 5 & 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder “Trivia Night!”

Happy Hour 2 - 6 p.m.

Winner gets a $50 gift certificate 7 p.m. @ MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub 417 Anne St., Lake Charles

Krewe of Concoctions Presents Travis Matte & The King Pins 9 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St, Lake Charles

“Live Team Trivia” 8 p.m. @ OB’s Bar & Grill 1301 Ryan St., Lake Charles

“Saturday Night Party Time” 9 p.m. @ Cowboys Night Club $1 Beer & Bar 12 - 2 a.m.

5329 Common St. Lake Charles

“Ladies Night!”

8:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Women receive $1 Well & Wines 630 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

DJ San-D 10 p.m. @ Jack After Dark Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill 777 Ave. L’Auberge, Lake Charles

“2 for 1 Tuesdays!”

9 - 11 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Vol. 5 • No. 24

Mardi Gras Madness: The Flamethrowers 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St, Lake Charles

Wednesday, Mar. 5 Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder “Ladies Night!”

Acoustic set from Night Shade Cover free for ladies until midnight 7 - 9 p.m. @ OB’s Bar & Grill 1301 Ryan St., Lake Charles “LADIES NIGHT!” All ladies drink Free!

7 - 9 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Karaoke 2014 @ Mikko Live 8 p.m. @ Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder

Vol. 5 • No. 24

“Wasted Wednesdays w/ DJ Dispo!”

8:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Get $1 Pitchers & $2 Wells 630 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

Friday, Mar. 7

Thursday, Mar. 6

Consider The Source Happy Hour 5 -8 p.m.

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Monday, Mar. 10

Half off Everything for Everyone!

10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

“Cheese & Wine Night!”

1/2 OFF WINE! 7 - 11 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder Rock The Clock!

Get domestic beer for $2.50 9 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles “Thursday Dollar Night” 9 p.m. @ Cowboys Night Club $1 Beer & Bar All Night!

5329 Common St. Lake Charles “Flipping Thursdays!”

10:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Free shot, Heads or Tails!

630 Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 & 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder

Saturday, Mar. 8 Ryan Pelton’s “Tribute to the King” 7 & 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder LADIES NIGHT PART II Ladies get $1 domestics & $1 silver shelf!

7 - 10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

“Saturday Night Party Time” 9 p.m. @ Cowboys Night Club $1 Beer & Bar 12 - 2 a.m.

5329 Common St., Lake Charles Downfall Rising Happy Hour 5 -8 p.m.

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., Lake Charles

“Lucky Monday!”

Midnight @ My Place Bar Win a $50 Bar Tab! 630 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles

Tuesday, Mar. 11 “Trivia Night!”

Happy Hour 2 - 6 p.m.

Winner gets a $50 gift certificate 7 p.m. @ MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub 417 Anne St., Lake Charles

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 35

The City of Sulphur Centennial Celebration March 13-16

“Ladies Night!”

8:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Women receive $1 Well & Wines 630 Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles “2 for 1 Tuesdays!”

9 - 11 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Wednesday, Mar. 12 “Ladies Night!”

Acoustic set from Night Shade Cover free for ladies until midnight 7 - 9 p.m. @ OB’s Bar & Grill 1301 Ryan St., Lake Charles “LADIES NIGHT!” All ladies drink Free!

7 - 9 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Karaoke 2014 @ Mikko Live 8 p.m. @ Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder “Wasted Wednesdays w/ DJ Dispo!”

8:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Get $1 Pitchers & $2 Wells 630 Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles Kory Fontentot Happy Hour 5 -8 p.m.

10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St, Lake Charles

Thursday, Mar. 13 Rock The Clock!

Get domestic beer for $2.50 9 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles “Thursday Dollar Night” 9 p.m. @ Cowboys Night Club $1 Beer & Bar All Night!

5329 Common St., Lake Charles “Flipping Thursdays!”

10:30 p.m. @ My Place Bar Free shot, Heads or Tails!

630 Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles 36 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Who’s turning 100 and getting ready for a big party?

The City of Sulphur, that’s who! There will be a HUGE celebration March 13-16 that you don’t want to miss.

The official date of Sulphur’s centennial is April 17, 2014. However, city officials decided to observe the centennial in March due to local Easter celebrations.

Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan is excited about the event, which has been in the works for almost a year.

“People are going to be crossing the bridge to see us for a change!” he said.

The event will include an old-time rodeo at the West Cal Arena, demonstrations featuring traditional soap making, blacksmithing and cooking, a kid zone sponsored by Sasol, a carnival and food booths.

And there will be entertainment day and night in Heritage Square, including John Michael Montgomery and Smash Mouth as well as local musicians such as Judd Bares, Midnight Ramblers, Zydecane and more.

On Saturday, March 15, the Centennial Parade will begin at 6 p.m. The theme is “Then to Now” and will highlight the decades of the past century.

In honor of the city’s centennial, the Sulphur City Hall will have available for purchase commemorative T-shirts, posters and copies of a collected memoir book featuring local citizens.

The Sulphur Centennial Commemorative Coin is now available for purchase at City Hall for $20 each. The antique nickel coin, featuring a likeness of Sulphur mining pioneer Herman Frasch on one side and the City of Sul-

Bill LeBlanc, Chair for Sulphur Centennial, Dianne LeBlanc Dronet, Chair of Event, Chris Duncan, Sulphur Mayor. phur logo on the other, measures 2 1/2 inches in diameter and a quarter of inch in thickness. Coins numbered 1-10 are being held in reserve and will be auctioned off at a date to be announced. The remaining numbered coins are available for purchase.

An 8-foot by 10-foot quilt featuring historical photos of Sulphur will also be auctioned off as part of the Centennial Celebration on Sunday, March 16. Tickets are $10. The package includes the quilt, the centennial coin, book, T-shirt, local hotel package and a dinner at a local restaurant. The quilt has been on display at the library until the celebration.

Later, it will be displayed at a

rodeo at West Cal Arena on March 13, then at the Henning House until it is raffled off. Tickets can be purchased from Sulphur students, Harrington Gallery, Simmons Auto Services and Hollier’s Restaurant. Money raised by the raffle will be used to help pay costs for the centennial celebration.

On Sunday, March 16, the 1989 Time Capsule will be opened, followed by the presentation of the 2014 Time Capsule—which will be opened 25 years from now— in 2039!

For more information on these events or to purchase Centennial memorabilia, contact the Sulphur City Hall at (337) 527-4500.

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SWLA Schedule Merchant’s Parade Feb. 28 - Local business leaders and social organizations take to the streets on festive Mardi Gras floats from the Lake Charles Civic Center to Ryan Street, ending at Sale Road. Starts at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 1 Carlyss Mardi Gras Trail Ride - Begins and ends at West Cal Arena in Sulphur. Line up at 6 a.m., starts 8:30 a.m. Admission fee for trail riders is $5. (337) 287-5919.

Jennings Parade and Festival - The Mardi Gras Festival begins at 11:00 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Jennings with live music, dancing, shopping food and fun. The 21st Annual Mardi Gras Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by live music in Founders Park. (337) 821-5532.

World Famous Gumbo Cook-Off - Don’t miss this taste-from-everypot event or the live, hot Southern and Cajun music that comes along with it. Admission is $5, and children 5 and under are admitted free. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Civic Center.

Krewe of Omega Parade - Krewe of Omega was formed to bring Mardi Gras activities to the black community. To this day, it is the only Southwest Louisiana krewe to hold its own parade. Begins at 2 p.m. in downtown Lake Charles.

Monday, March 3 Royal Gala - The Cinderella night of Mardi Gras manifests on Lundi Gras at 7 p.m. with a lavish promenade of more than 60 krewes’ royalty in extravagant, glittering costumes before thousands of residents and visitors at the Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum. Advance tickets are $5 and available at Gordon’s Drug Store, Party Time Store, Medearis’ Costumes, The Mardi Gras Lady and the Lake Charles Civic Center Box Office. Tickets are $6 at the door. Children age five and younger are admitted free. For more information, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588 or visit www.swlamardigras.com for a full schedule of Mardi Gras events.

Fat Tuesday, March 4 Iowa Chicken Run - The chicken run starts and ends at KC Hall and runs west down 90. Ride a float, catch a chicken and finish with some gumbo and live music for a toe-tapping good time. Begins at 11 a.m.

Motor Gras Parade - New to the Mardi Gras Parade line up will be the Motorcycles, Classics and Hot Rods Parade. Get your motor revved up for fantastic cars and some rip- roaring fun! Starts at 11 a.m. Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles.

Krewe of Krewes’ Parade - Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles. Hundreds of elaborate krewe floats, costumes, beads and more wind through the city in the culmination of the Fat Tuesday celebration. Starts at 5 p.m.

Krewe of Barkus Parade - Fantastically disguised canines parade in full Mardi Gras attire, all vying for the title of “Mystical Dog.” Entry fee applies. 3 p.m. on Bord du Lac behind the Lake Charles Civic Center.

Zydeco Dance - Mambo and Zydeco with live bands, following the Cajun Extravaganza/Gumbo Cook-off and the Krewe of Omega Parade.

Everyone gets in on the dancing in the spirit of Mardi Gras. 3-5 p.m.

Krewe of Cosmos Presentation - The Krewe of Cosmos presents their Royal Court in style at the Sulphur High School Auditorium beginning at 6 p.m. with skits, songs and more. Don’t miss this glittering Mardi Gras show!

Krewe of Illusions Presentation - Celebrate Mardi Gras with the 25th annual presentation of the Krewe of Illusions at 7:30 p.m. in the Rosa Hart Theater. Tickets are $30 orchestra, formal attire required. $18 balcony reserved seating and $15 standard balcony seating, casual attire.

Sunday, March 2 Taste de la Louisiane - Pots and pots of all-you-can-eat traditional Louisiana cuisine for a $7 admission fee from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Lake Charles Civic Center.

Children’s Day - Old-time Louisiana culture, arts and crafts, Mardi Gras music and magic from noon-3 p.m. An education station complete with safety and health information. Lake Charles Civic Center.

Children’s Parade - Begins at 3:30 p.m. in downtown Lake Charles. A purple, green and gold parade for the young and young at heart.

Lighted Boat Parade - Be dazzled by the glowing boat parade on shimmering Lake Charles. Begins at 7 p.m.

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FEBRUARY 27, 2014 37

Walking with Presidents Scores of books are written each year about presidents. Here’s a look at a few of the latest.

In Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, author Robert M. Gates gives us his unique perspective as Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011, under both presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He has both praise and criticism for both presidents and also for many of the other major players.

Gates chronicles his “four and a half years at war,” but says “this book is also about my political war with Congress each day I was in office.”

He calls members of Congress “hypocritical, egotistical” and “uncivil” and accuses them of putting themselves ahead of the

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American people: “Congress had no problem expeditiously voting in favor of National Pickle Week, but one task it had to do under the Constitution -- appropriate money in a timely way -- seemed beyond its grasp.”

The raid against Osama Bin Laden makes compelling reading. The hunt for Bin Laden had been “dormant” for several years, but Pres. Obama “directed a more concentrated effort” to get him. “Bin Laden was found through old-fashioned detective work and long, painstaking analysis by CIA experts,” Gates writes. But even when they were pretty sure they had found him, “The case for Bin Laden being at the compound was entirely circumstantial. We did not have a single piece of hard evidence he was there.”

After the raid, when all the Americans were safe, “There was no celebration … I was very proud to work for a president who had made one of the most courageous decisions I had ever witnessed in the White House,” he writes.

Gates admits that he has always been driven by his love and respect for the troops. He even ends the book with a tribute to them, saying he’d like to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 60, “where so many of the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan have been laid

to rest. The greatest honor possible would be to rest among my heroes for all eternity.”

The book has two sections of color photographs.

The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism by Doris Kearns Goodwin recounts the friendship between Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, their rise to political power, their presidencies, and their falling out.

Around the turn of the 20th century, “an immense gulf had opened between the rich and the poor ... and the middle class felt increasingly squeezed.” The Republican President Roosevelt (1901-09) set as his goals “to distribute the nation’s wealth more equitably, regulate the giant corporations and railroads, strengthen the rights of labor, and protect the country’s natural resources from private exploitation.”

These progressive reforms were encouraged by the press -particularly McClure’s magazine, which was born in the depression of 1893. “This acclaimed muckraking journal would play

a signal role in rousing the country to the need for political and economic reform, animating the Progressive movement with which Theodore Roosevelt’s name would forever be linked,” writes Goodwin.

The author writes that she was intrigued by “how Roosevelt had managed to rouse a Congress long wedded to the reigning concept of laissez-faire -- a government interfering as little as possible in the economic and social life of the people -- to pass such comprehensive measures” and suggests that “the essence of Roosevelt’s leadership ... lay in his enterprising use of the ‘bully pulpit,’ a phrase he himself coined to describe the national platform the presidency provides to shape public sentiment and mobilize action.” However, Taft, Roosevelt’s handpicked choice to Vol. 5 • No. 24

succeed him, was not as forceful as president and admitted he hadn’t made use of the “bully pulpit.”

The book is often exorbitantly detailed, with 910 pages (but the notes, credits and index take up 160 pages themselves) and two sections of black and white photos.

James and Dolley Madison: America’s First Power Couple by Bruce Chadwick is an enjoyable read.

Madison was the nation’s fourth president (1809-17).

Chadwick has determined that Madison was a better president than historians gave him credit for, and indeed, one of the most popular. After all, he wrote the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and he won the War of 1812.

The book begins as British troops are about to invade Washington, D.C., in 1814. Dolley is worried about her husband’s safety and prepares to abandon the White House, famously saving the Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington.

Chadwick then takes us back to 1793, when the widowed Dolley, age 25, meets Madison, 43, a congressman and “one of the country’s most renowned bachelors. … They had nothing in common at all,” but Madison wooed her romantically and they were married the next year.

Dolley “was a fashion lioness Vol. 5 • No. 24

with style,” writes Chadwick, and together, the Madisons created the Washington social scene.

But Dolley’s son from her first marriage was an irresponsible sociopath who almost ruined the Madisons. “He, like most sociopaths, was a very good liar and someone who could always talk people into lending him money to pay his bills.” Chadwick describes him as “handsome,” “gregarious,” and “utterly charming”; he “led an aimless life, with no regard for anyone.”

Let’s not forget the kids. Elizabeth V. Chew’s Thomas Jefferson: A Day at Monticello is for young readers, ages 8 to 12.

The book sets us at Monticello, Jefferson’s home in Virginia, in 1813, when Madison is president. (Jefferson was president from 1801 to 1809.) We follow Jefferson around his farm, fields, gardens, mills and workshops, as well as inside his famous house.

We observe his daily habits, such as taking note of the weather each day, and see some of his special contraptions, such as a machine that automatically made a copy of every letter he wrote.

The text is interesting, and sidebars cover a variety of subjects.

The 10.5-by-10.5-inch book is colorful, with photos, illustrations, and a timeline of Jefferson’s life.

Copyright © 2014 by Mary Louise Ruehr.

FEBRUARY 27, 2014 39

My ‘Almost’ Lifelong Obsession I’ve been watching the Oscars ever since I was a little kid. Back then, I’m sure most of the jokes went over my head, but as an aspiring ballet dancer I loved all the Broadway dance numbers! By the time I grew up, they had axed most of the dances trying to make the show shorter, but it was too late. I was hooked.

Happily, this year, I managed to track down all nine best picture nominees, (one I tracked to Austin!) and these are my predictions for Oscar gold.

Dallas Buyers Club: I have mixed feeling on this one. It was my least favorite film because I just didn’t like the true-life character it was based on for most of the movie. But Matthew McConaughey disappeared into the role and has a great shot at best actor, as does his co-star Jared Leto for best male actor in a supporting role. The film is based on a true story about a man with HIV who refuses the drug of choice at the time for supplements that were unapproved by the FDA. The trouble starts when he starts selling them to other patients.

The Wolf of Wall Street: Wow. Is this one rated R with a capital R! Controversy swirls around this film because the characters that engage in all the greedy drug use, sex, crazy display of irresponsible wealth and questionable business practices get away with it. However, it’s based on a true story, people! I always chuckle when folks bash a movie for not sticking close to real events, then turn around and bash movies that do. Anyway, will the Wolf howl at the Oscars? Maybe for director Martin Scorsese but Gravity director 40 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Alfonso Cuaron will likely put this Wolf to bed.

Captain Phillips: It’s a shame Tom Hanks did not get nominated for this. I know. I know. He’s won already. Who could forget all those wonderful Oscar speeches to his wife? But the last two minutes of the film had to be the best acting of his career. Those two minutes are gold.

Nebraska: Who saw this film? It’s in black and white. It stars an SNL veteran but all the funny lines go to other characters. It’s possible this one could get something for best screenwriting but I think it’s just lucky to be in the race. The story is about an elderly man who thinks he’s won a big sweepstakes and plans to collect his million dollars even if he has to walk all the way to Nebraska to do it.

Her: Easily the deepest and most philosophical film in this year’s race.

The idea behind it sounds like it would be one of those awful direct to DVD comedies. A man falls in love with his computer operating system.

But instead of going slapstick, its thoughtful treatment of what we need in human relationships was outstanding. I could easily see this one getting the original screenplay award.

Philomena: This movie is so outlandish that no one would make it if someone wrote it as a fiction. But because it all really happened it makes for one heck of a true story film.

Philomena was forced to give up her out of wedlock baby that was then adopted out to rich Americans with no background check. You’ll have to watch the movie to find out what happens next. Judi Dench is always

good but Steve Coogan surprises with his dramatic acting chops.

(Anyone remember him in Hamlet 2?) However, I think Philomena’s nuns can stay in the monastery on awards night.

American Hustle: Easily my favorite film this year. This was the only film I went back to watch twice in the theater and will be adding to my DVD collection. It’s also an out of character choice for me. I usually adore the quirky Oscar comedies like Midnight in Paris, Silver Linings Playbook, Juno, The Full Monty and Little Miss Sunshine. This is NOT like those movies. I wish Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper could all be winners but the acting races are tight. The most likely choice would be Amy Adams if only Cate Blanchett wasn’t so darn good in Blue Jasmine this year. Or Jennifer Lawrence if only Lupita Nyong’o didn’t break our hearts in 12 Years a Slave.

Gravity: Everyone’s saying the Oscars is a two-horse race with American Hustle galloping on their heels. The horses are Gravity and 12 Years a Slave. Gravity was not only an amazing rollercoaster

ride, it was the first time I saw a film where the filmmakers used 3D to make the story more effective.

The reason I’m going out on a limb and not predicting a win for the movie is based on Sandra Bullock’s performance. In my opinion it was way too cold during scenes when she wasn’t in imminent danger.

12 Years a Slave: My predicted winner. I believe it could easily win Best Picture and also scoop up Best Actor in a leading role.

I’ve seen movies with lashings before. I’ve seen movies about the indignities of slavery before. But I hadn’t seen a movie that told the story like this before! Two powerful scenes stand out for me and I could not stop thinking about this movie for hours afterwards. Just like the title suggests, it’s about a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery for 12 years before he fought his way out.

So there they are! Winners or not, I hope they’ll inspire you to check out a DVD or two and most importantly, touch your heart profoundly. Meanwhile, I’m glad they’ve added my childhood Broadway dance numbers back into the show this year! Until next time, pass me the popcorn.

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AND THE RAIN CAME TO MAYFIELD

Pamela Seal and Ginny Fontenot

Sarah Willis and Sherry Hieronymus with Charlotte and Dawn Scallan

Annie Barron, Delores Vizena and Katy Barron

Jolie Borel and Rachel Regan

It was a full house at Lake Charles Little Theatre for And The Rain Came To Mayfield. Directed by Joann Rigney, the play takes place in 1962 in the fictional town Mayfield, Mississippi, as two young men from very different backgrounds discover they have very similar dreams of independence.

The performances aren’t over yet, so don’t miss it!

Laura Heller, Cathy Chatman, Leslie Harless and Kirsten Bush

TARZAN The Children’s Theatre Company recently presented Tarzan, the stage musical based on the Disney film—and what a performance it was! Held at Central School in downtown Lake Charles, it was filled with action by a cast of local talent. Kudos to artistic director Kerry Onxley for another fabulous showcase of budding actors. Bravo!

Baleigh Dougay, Kate Johnson and Avonlea Ruiz

Rev. Barbara Tousand and Merri Uddin

Kennedy Franklin and Anna Gaspard

Michael Oakley with Peyton and Aubrey Smart

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Amanda Brasseaux and Madison Crochet, with Nicole and Ella Arabie FEBRUARY 27, 2014 41

GUEYDAN MARDIS GRAS Downtown Gueydan was the place to be for that early morning chicken run! Sponsored by the Krewe de la Originals et Les Enfants and the Duck Festival Association, everyone enjoyed gumbo, jambalaya, sweet treats, Zydeco, some fais do do and a “throw me somethin’ Mister” parade!

A chicken in every pot!

Jesse Lemaire and Summer Simon

Kim LeBlanc and Bernadine Bordelon

Christine Forrester and Sandra Ellzey

Ellen Fontenot and Darell Schexnayder

Sandra Dodge, Kelly Guillory and Justin Zaunbrecher

LAGRANGE HIGH SCHOOL DISNEY’S ALADDIN JR. More great local theater! Over 80 students treated the public to a grand musical performance of Aladdin Jr. at LaGrange High School Auditorium.

There were lights, lasers, fog and vibrant costumes as well as a talented cast. A magical show!

Evan Seago (Aladdin) and Nia Colman (Jasmin)

Karmen LeBlanc, Malik Bellon, Raelen Williams and Lacye Thibodeaux 42 FEBRUARY 27, 2014

Alen Anderson, Sr., Yolanda Beasley, Alen Anderson, Jr., Alanna Beasley and Dennis Adams

Trey Lewis, Lydia Doucet and Sawyer Gilliam

Mary Elane Seago, Belinda Williams, Shelly Buller and Hannah Seago Vol. 5 • No. 24

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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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