The Jambalaya News - 04/24/14, Vol. 6, No. 2

02 APRIL 24, 2014

Vol. 6 • No. 2

April 24, 2014 • Volume 6 • Issue 2

On cover: Quaker Steak and Lube

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

COVER STORY 32 Quaker Steak and Lube REGULARS 6 We Are SWLA! 8 The Dang Yankee 8 Adoption Corner 9 Tips from Tip 10 Fishin’ Tales 12 Sports Report 16 21st Century Etiquette

Contributors Jackie Bergeron George Cline Dan Ellender Maria Faul Jamie Gaines Mike Louviere Mike McHugh Roger Miller Mary Louise Ruehr Oliver Schrumpf Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos Mary Catherine Viator

FEATURES 5 Derby for Dollars 14 Spring Fest 2014 1 7 Law Day 2014 19 Low Bonds for DUIs? 20 A Letter from Mayor Chris Duncan 21 A Letter from Ron LeLeux 22 Success for Sulphur 26 The Brimstone Museum

Sales sales@louisianajam.com

THE SPICE OF SWLA 34 A Pirate’s Life for Me! 34 Meet Jean Lafitte 2014 36 Contraband Days Event Guide 37 Event Guide 39 Family Fun Night at the Movies 40 Summer Camp Guide 43 Acting Up! 44 Red Hot Books 46 Nightlife Guide 49 Society Spice 51 Funbolaya 52 Cajun Classifieds

Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk Associate Photographer Johnny Owens Cajun Pirate Photgraphy 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.

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

Copyright 2014 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Vol. 6 • No. 2

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A Note From Lauren Of Libraries, Books and Learning New Things “Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.”

- Ray Bradbury This week was National Library Week. And it made me remember.

I think back on all my years spent in various libraries, either working, studying or browsing for the sheer pleasure of it.

Walking into a library is always like walking into a huge box of candy. Which books will I pick today, to take home and savor? But, I never want to leave too soon; I want to soak in the ambience of the library; the smell of books, the hushed voices, the book carts almost noiselessly gliding by on rubber wheels. The library is all about time standing still; no rushing around or looking at your watch. Peace and quiet, surrounded by words.

Studying was probably my least favorite library experience of all, because I couldn’t read for pleasure. Unless, of course, I was studying for a Lit exam or writing a paper, which wasn’t

04 APRIL 24, 2014

like studying at all. And yes, I got an A on every single one of them. The only reason I didn’t major in English Lit was because I knew I couldn’t do anything with it other than teach, and I never wanted to do that. So I chose Communications with the idea that I could apply my love of reading and writing towards finding a good job. But I took every Lit class, English and American, that I could possibly take, and even wrote a senior thesis on Lord Byron. This was not required for a Communications major, but allowed me to graduate “With Distinction in the Field of Concentration.”

And gave me more library time.

Working at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square meant getting my hands on all the new books before the patrons did. Back in the day, there was a lunchroom in the basement for employees with lounges on either side of it. One was the Reading Lounge, with chairs and lamps, and the other was the Quiet Lounge, which had long, bright orange sectional couches. You only went into

the Quiet Lounge if you wanted to nap. Seriously. I spent many lunch hours sleeping off the heavy partying of the night before in the Quiet Lounge, with a fellow employee instructed to wake me up at a certain time. In this day and age, can you imagine a company having a lounge where its employees could sleep? Those were the days.

Of course, more time was spent in the Reading Lounge, devouring my latest find— whether it be fiction, non-fiction, autobiography, biography, history or art. The Library encouraged its staff to read, and read often. Years before, when my mother worked there, it also encouraged its employees to travel, since travel broadened your horizons. We’re not talking about a cruise to Cozumel here. Back in the 1950s, when people traveled overseas, they went for weeks at a time. The Library gladly gave my mother a two-month leave of absence to go to Europe, with her job waiting for her when she returned.

They knew she’d be visiting the Louvre in Paris and the Sistine Chapel in Rome, and what she

learned over there would be helpful in her job in the Rare Books Department. Again, those were the days.

Today, everything has changed. You can Google whatever you want, whenever you want. With a few clicks, you’re transported anywhere you want to be. No need to go to the library to look something up, unless you’re doing research.

But thankfully, there will always be libraries. There’s actually been an increase in the use of public libraries in the U.S. over the past decade. Libraries saw a circulation increase of 2.46 billion materials in 2010, the highest ever reported, according to a report by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This is good news. For us, and for future generations to come.

Lauren de Albuquerque

Vol. 6 • No. 2

Derby for Dollars to Benefit the Shannon Cox Counseling Center

By Maria Faul It is essential to provide a child who has lost a parent or close loved one with a safe place where they can freely express their pain.

Counseling can give a child this place. The Shannon Cox Counseling Center recognizes that children grieve differently than adults. Its counselors work with each child individually to help them build a bridge on their road to recovery, to create a unique and individualized treatment plan that caters to the needs of each individual child.

Shannon Cox was a local advocate for the underprivileged and exploited. She made it her life’s work to help people who couldn’t help themselves. Shannon was tragically killed in a car accident in 2010. To honor her memory and work, John and Ginny Henning provided funds for the establishment of the Shannon Cox Counseling Center in 2011.

Today, her friends, The Friends of Shannon Cox, continue to work in honor of Shannon’s memory by holding the annual Derby for Dollars event to benefit the Shannon Cox Counseling Center.

The Stables at Le Bocage is hosting Derby for Dollars on Saturday May 3 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Come down to the Stables at Le Bocage and enjoy delicious food prepared by some of the Lake Area’s finest restaurants. Listen to live music while the jockeys and their horses entertain you with Kentucky Derby action and the equestrian jumping exhibition.

Don’t forget to enter the contests

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for the best ladies’ hat and the best gent’s derby duds. When you’ve enjoyed the food and seen the show, stop by the silent auction to bid on unique items donated to Derby for Dollars by several businesses and generous donors.

Tickets are $100 per person and limited tickets are available.

To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact Roxanne Camara at roxanne@fyca. org or call 337.436.9533 or visit www.fyca.org. All proceeds for the event go to benefit Family & Youth’s Shannon Cox Counseling Center, a program of Family & Youth.

Family & Youth, a United Way Agency, believes that all individuals possess the ability to solve their own challenges and live full and healthy lives when support is available. It is the mission of Family & Youth to provide affordable and professional support through programs and services dedicated to the advocacy, counseling, and education for the people of Southwest Louisiana. Our effort and commitment to building family values will guarantee a stable and stronger community.

For experienced professional assistance, contact Family & Youth at 436-9533.

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McLemore, associate professor of education professions and director of the Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education, Dr. Zhuang Li, associate professor of mechanical engineering and Dr. William H. Dees, professor of biological science.

WCCH Recognized as Safe Sleep Champion

Cameron LNG Donates to Leadership Center The Leadership Center, a program of Family & Youth, received a $2,500 donation from Cameron LNG. Cameron LNG donated the money to the Leadership Center’s Career Exploration and Civic Engagement initiatives. The Career Exploration Initiative helps to better prepare youths by teaching them the skill sets necessary to be successful in any career path they may choose. The Civic Engagement initiative helps youths to develop a combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make a difference by promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals recently recognized West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital as a Safe Sleep Champion for its adoption of the “Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment” made by the American Academy of Pediatrics to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related infant deaths. The hospital collaborated with the Department of Health and Hospitals to implement a program to educate new parents on updated recommendations and safe sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information on safe sleep initiatives at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, call (337) 5274361.

Boudreaux Wins Century 21 Award Century 21 Real Estate LLC announced Marilyn Boudreaux of CENTURY 21 Mike D. Bono & Co. was recognized with the coveted 2013 CENTURY 21® Producer Technology Award, which is presented to one individual sales associate per year in the CENTURY 21 System who focuses on technology to better serve real estate consumers, and to grow his or her business. Boudreaux accepted the award at the CENTURY 21 2014 Global Conference “Sell Like a Champion,” which was held in Las Vegas last month.

Stevie Trahan, Cameron LNG and Maria Alcantara Faul, Family & Youth VP/Development

Annual Pinnacle Awards Presented to McNeese Faculty Six McNeese State University faculty members are recipients of the 2014 Pinnacle Excellence Awards established by Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. to recognize outstanding faculty achievement in each of the McNeese colleges. McNeese President Dr. Philip C. Williams and L’Auberge Senior VP/GM Keith W. Henson presented the educators with their awards. Each winner received a $5,000 stipend and a commemorative award statue. They are Dr. Veronica D. Woodard, assistant professor of nursing, Dr. Hyunju Shin, assistant professor of marketing, Ms. Christa Bell, instructor of communication, Dr. Tracy Scott06 APRIL 24, 2014

(L-R) Century 21 CEO and President Rick Davidson; Linda Hall, CENTURY 21 First Choice; Marilyn Boudreaux; Bill Lublin, CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold; Century 21 CMO Bev Thorne and Century 21 COO Greg Sexton Vol. 6 • No. 2

McNeese 2014 Spring Court

L’Auberge Donates to ReALLIEty Challenge

McNeese State University students Andrew Armand, a nursing senior from Lake Charles, and Sara Dupre, a mass communication senior from Grand Lake, have been selected as Mr. McNeese and Miss McNeese on the 2014 Spring Court. Other court members are: Desmond Harmon, Lake Charles, Summer Meche, Katy, Texas, Mikalee Mooney, Cameron, and Bryan Nash, Lake Charles, graduate students and seniors. Delaney Dupin, Lake Charles, Will Hansen, Sulphur, Heather Morrissey, Moss Bluff, and Pramesh Regmi, Kathmandu, Nepal, juniors. Joel Andrew Armand and Sara Dupre Byrne, Elton, and Kimberly Miller, Sulphur, sophomores. Bobby Honeycutt, Lake Charles, and Allison Livingston, Moss Bluff, freshmen.

L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles donated $6,250 to ReALLIEty Challenge. The annual ReALLIEty Challenge benefits The Mission Continues, an organization that helps empower veterans who face adjusting to life at home. L’Auberge Lake Charles team members ran through thick mud, climbed obstacles and swam through testy waters at the annual event. Fifty team members banned together in bright green shirts to show their support for the cause.

Zartler Earns Travel Marketing Professional Certification Eric Zartler, acting sales director of the Lake Charles/SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau, earned certification as a “Travel Marketing Professional” (TMP) after completing the three-year program of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College. Zartler was one of 57 new TMPs recognized at the STS spring meeting in Lexington, Ky. STS Marketing College started in 1992, and 804 people have earned TMP certiEric Zartler fication. Course topics include special events marketing, media relations, tourism advertising, vacation research, crisis management, heritage tourism and community/rural tourism.

After the classroom work, students also must complete a project that relates to their employment.

(L-R) Allie Ieyoub, Project Fit; Keith W. Henson, L’Auberge Sr. VP/GM; Sean Demeule, L’Auberge Assistant GM.

Isle Donates to CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation Isle of Capri Casino Hotel recently donated $10,200 to the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation as the Presenting Sponsor of the fourth annual “Run with the Nuns” Motorcycle Ride and Charity Event.

Over 200 motorcycle enthusiasts participated on March 8 at the Isle of Capri, enjoying the “Like Nun Other” Rice and Gravy Cook-Off after a 100-mile scenic ride through SWLA to benefit cardiology, oncology and neurosurgery services at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital.

IBERIABANK Names VP of Commercial Banking IBERIABANK, the 127-year-old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Barry B. Brown to Vice President of Commercial Banking for Southwest Louisiana. Brown has been with the company for two years and has strong commercial and agricultural banking experience. Brown is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he earned a Bachelor of Business Barry Brown Administration in Finance. He is located at 4440 Nelson Road in Lake Charles and can be reached by phone at (337) 312-7021 or by email at barry.brown@iberiabank.com.

Vol. 6 • No. 2

APRIL 24, 2014 07

I Balk the Line It’s true that the pace of life is slower here in the South, and nowhere is that more evident than when you’re waiting in line. Southerners are a patient sort for the most part. They don’t quite measure up to the British in this regard, for whom queuing up is an instinct. When the Olympics came to London a couple of years back, the lines formed weeks in advance, and that was just for the bathrooms.

I’ve yet to develop the patience to stand in line. Like most Yankees, I inwardly seethe whenever I have to wait more than two minutes for service. To our credit, rarely do we take our rage out on others in line. We reserve this type of behavior for when we are on the highway.

Still, I’ve been tempted. It’s usually when I’m making what I expect to be a quick stop, only to end up behind someone with a transaction that rivals in complexity to a corporate merger.

Convenience stores are the worst places. Let’s face it; the only reason I ever go into a convenience store is because it’s supposed to be, well, convenient. It’s certainly not for the prices. I mean, not even a hospital could get away with what they charge for a packet of aspirin.

But I would walk into a convenience store, get my aspirin, go to pay, and already with a splitting headache, end up behind some person who wants lottery tickets. He’s got a list with more numbers than The Guinness Book of World Records, and he proceeds to buy a ticket for each one in every possible permutation—straight, boxed, bagged, squared, and multiplied by the speed of light.

It’s more than the poor cashier who, I’m sure, was not hired for his mathematical skills, can handle. And so the manager, himself no Stephen Hawking,

has to get involved. They proceed to confer like football officials reviewing a disputed call.

Speaking of hospitals, I could have had my headache attended to more quickly had I gone to the emergency room.

Bars are almost as bad as convenience stores. I’m a beer man, myself. A bartender can handle my order in a matter of seconds.

But invariably, I end up having to wait for my drink behind someone who is getting cocktails for his entire table. And I’m not just talking rum and Cokes.

No, I’m talking cocktails that would tax the ability of a potions professor at the Hogwarts School. That’s why, if I owned a bar, I would put in an express line for beer drinkers.

I further believe that there should be a law against waiting until you get to the front of the line at a fast food restaurant to decide what to order. There is simply no excuse for this, what

with the menu so prominent that you can make up your mind while you’re still two blocks away. They refuse to tolerate such behavior in places like Philadelphia, where you would be subjected to severe insults should you be the least bit hesitate when asked if you want fried onions on your cheese steak.

But that would never happen in the South. Here, indecision is regarded as a virtue, which on second thought may be just as well. No one should feel put on the spot over such weighty decisions like whether to super-size his meal deal.

Mike McHugh’s column has appeared in “The Jambalaya News” for nearly five years. He also contributes stories to the “Not Your Mother’s Book” anthology series and makes public speaking appearances. To inquire about having him speak to your group, contact Mike at thedangyankee@mail.com.

Featured by LAPAW Rescue Contact us at www.lapaw.org Little Lace, cute as a button, is 2-3 years old. She came to us as an owner surrender due to life circumstances of the family. As best the vet can determine, she is a Corgi/Chihuahua mix and weighs around 12 pounds. In excellent health and heartworm negative, she is as sweet and loving as she is cute. She has adjusted well to her foster 08 APRIL 24, 2014

home but is looking so forward to having her forever person(s) come for her. She would make an excellent apartment dog or would be great companion for a senior citizen. For more information, email or call: lapaw@bellsouth. net; 337-478-7294.

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

Vol. 6 • No. 2

Vote on May 3!

Food Prices Skyrocketing Food prices are on the rise and will continue for some time, causing increasing sticker shock when we purchase our weekly groceries. The price increases are a result of drought conditions in many growing areas in the last few years, a new virus disease killing baby pigs and using agricultural products (such as corn) for fuel rather than feed for livestock. Other than simply cutting back, there’s not much that the average shopper can do.

Supply and demand are the ultimate factors for price determination and when supply dwindles, the remaining products become more dear. There is only so much cutting back that we can do until the consequences become detrimental to our quality of life. Restaurants are faced with the same supply chain as the individual consumer--there is only so much product available.

Reducing portion size and using less-desirable cuts and other alternative products are becoming the norm. The situation may correct itself over time, but in the interim, perhaps our waistlines can reflect an improvement as long as we don’t turn to the wrong alternatives.

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Supporting new taxes or raising them is not in my normal realm.

I believe in fiscal responsibility and limited government influence on our lives. That being said, we have an election on May 3, which includes soliciting some additional revenue on behalf of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Recreation District No.1 of Ward 3. There are two separate proposals combining the management of four Lake Charles City Parks into the police jury district (The City of Lake Charles would still hold ownership), along with maintenance, acquisitions and improvements to various recreational facilities.

As I have written in the past of my personal use of some of these areas, most prominently the Lake Street Dog Park at the Enos Derbonne Complex, it should not surprise you that I am bringing up these proposed tax increases. Many of our residents who play soccer, disc golf and other activities use the recreational offerings provided by our police jury.

I mention these tax items to let you know what is being proposed and to decide whether or not we should invest in these positive activities for all of us.

I spoke to Kip Texada, Recreation District Executive Director and I have a sympathetic understanding of what is being proposed.

Combining several city parks into a more centralized management structure with a future-looking plan for rec-

reational activities has great merit to me. As our area is in the midst of expansion in so many different ways, increasing recreational opportunities should be a requirement if we are to have our quality of life enhanced. It is far better for our youth to have positive structured activities in safe environments as opposed to letting them find activities on their own. I plan to vote for these ballot issues and ask that you make up their own mind and exercise your right to go to the polls.

Supermarket Roundup Now that spring has arrived and Easter has passed, some fresh vegetables are coming into season. This survey was taken on Wednesday, April 16 and reflect the posted price on the shelf where the product was placed for sale. The stores involved

were: Albertsons-Country Club Road, Market BasketNelson Road, Kroger-McNeese Street and WalmartNelson Road.

Green beans, fresh, per pound: Albertsons $.99, Market Basket $1.49, Kroger $1.99, Walmart $1.68.

Green onions, fresh, per bunch: Albertsons $.69, Market Basket $.59, Kroger $.57, Walmart $1.10.

Strawberries, fresh, per pound: Albertsons $2.50, Market Basket $.99, Kroger $1.39, Walmart $1.88.

Iceberg lettuce, per head: Albertsons $1.49, Market Basket $.99, Kroger $.99, Walmart $1.28.

Jalapenos, fresh, per pound: Albertsons $1.49, Market Basket $.99, Kroger $1.38, Walmart $1.38.

APRIL 24, 2014 09

Glitter, Shadows and Flatulence Our first tale begins with the good Judge John “Mischievous Prankster” Hood.

Lacoste Lodge held an annual skeet shoot on Constance Beach in Cameron Parish.

Since I was brought up on, “If you kill it you eat it,” I was always reluctant to participate in the bombardment of clay pigeons.

Surprisingly, the ever-frugal judge would provide shells for me so I could be his partner. After all, we were “podnas.” On this fine day, he handed me the bummed shells and the fun began. With the first skeet toss, I yelled, “Pull!” and multicolored glitter blasted from my barrel. Side-splitting laughter erupted from the crowd. Confused, I shot the second glitter shell, much to their amusement. Pictured is your trap shooter with his award accompanied by Chris Crady, my godson and Charlie’s son.

Meanwhile back at “Southern Traditions” on the Gray Estate’s Goose Lake, south of Vinton, yet another adventure.

After the fine teal hunt that morning, we began to work the lily pads for bass. After catching a few throwbacks and a couple of small keepers, my pal Big Charlie Crady shared his vision of a dream lunker.

“Cast over by that lily pad at the cut,” our guide and my friend Steve Kohler said, pointing. “We caught a six pounder there just the other day,” he added.

“No kidding?” Charlie exclaimed as he tossed his lure, 10 APRIL 24, 2014

assured now of a monster fish that was just a plop and bass striking explosion away.

Just after a blackbird took off from the pad and his shadow crossed the water, I popped my lure and bam! it was on.

“Wow!” Charlie added excitedly, letting his bait rest there for a few seconds, awaiting THE strike.

“And when we cut the fish open, guess what we found inside?” Steve queried.

“What?” Charlie answered, ready to pop his lure.

“Three blackbird shadows.”

Charlie had bit Steve’s bait line, leader and lure. But we did do well as Charlie, Mike Bono, Judge John Hood (hiding behind the fish), myself, and Dr. Carl Fastabend can attest.

During the ice storm of ’83, Ron Foreman and I fled just ahead of and off into it. They were closing the bridges behind us as we slid away in my Toyota Land Cruiser. We were off to hunt in Tilden, Texas an hour southwest of San Antonio. Rhett, my waterfowl retrieving Irish Setter had dined, as we all had, on gourmet red beans, sausage and rice “a la Roger” the evening before. He returned my cuisine sharVol. 6 • No. 2

ing generosity by turning the windshield into a flatulencefogged stench every half hour or so. In a breath-holding fervor, we responded by rolling down the windows only to exchange pungent aroma with frigid air. This went on for the nine hours it took to drive there, even with three stops at rest stations along I-10. Rhett refused to make a deposit but did romp about, jubilantly ignoring our disdainful looks.

Once we made it to the outskirts of San Antonio, we skidded into a 7-11 to buy a 12-pack of beer. We piled back into the ATV where Rhett gleefully smiled at us from the back seat. Cold beer in hand, we pulled onto the Texas Highway to Tilden praying for a cessation of gas-passing by the noxious wonder dog. We traveled for an hour before he floated another one and forced another cold air blast. We prayed for relief and our prayers were answered.

Our angel in disguise was a Texas State Trooper (replete with DI hat) who pulled us over. I exited the vehicle even before I was asked. The State-E was not amused. Undeterred, I proceeded to tell the tale of red beans and rice, the flatulent dog, nine hours of intermittent freezing gusts of air, and my half-finished second beer of the day while Ron slid as far down in the Toyota as far as he could, just peeking over the dashboard. Only one of us was going to jail and it wasn‘t going to be him.

Somehow the State-E found me either truly mad or a victim of justifiable temporary insanity as he offered to drive ahead of us (he sure wasn’t going to follow a lunatic) the whole two miles to our turn off. He was never given the chance to explain why he stopped us. With a hearty wave, a promise to stay off the Texas highways and a Hi Ho State-E, we left our escort for our hunting adventure.

In the picture you will note Rhett, the javelina with quail on its snout, the Buck with teal piled on nose, all taken by Ron “Sureshot” Foreman, our hosts, and your certifiable lunatic. “Le diable en re que’ qu’ fois.” Sometimes, even the devil laughs.

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APRIL 24, 2014 11

Should College Athletics be Unionized?

McNeese is going back to Tiger Stadium.

In the biggest local sports story of 2014 up to now, the Cowboys football team will open the 2015 season against the LSU Tigers, in the first meeting between the two teams since 2010.

Feel free to get excited.

And now stop being excited.

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Because college football as we know it will be ruined --- RUINED I tell ya --- by the time Sep. 5, 2015 rolls around by all this talk of unionizing college athletes, so we all need to just take a chill pill.

Here’s what’s probably going to happen: McNeese will come out of the tunnel, pass Mike the

Tiger, and warm up for the big game on the Tiger Stadium turf.

Meanwhile, in the LSU locker room, the Tigers won’t even be dressed. You see, they’ll be on strike because the Powerade in all of the coolers is red instead of blue and, besides, the majority of the team prefers Gatorade anyway. They’re not playing until

the hydration situation is fully resolved.

LSU officials get the right color and brand of sports drink into the coolers and the Tigers take the field, albeit a couple of hours late. But by halftime, LSU is only leading 10-7. Les Miles, looking to try something different, calls a double reverse halfback flea-flicker reverse. Quarterback Brandon Harris, however, is not convinced this is the best course of action and calls timeout. Harris and the rest of the offense huddle and, coming to a consensus, decide they won’t run the play. Miles, though, won’t budge and as the referee starts the play clock, the LSU offense stands on the sidelines, arms crossed as the McNeese defense watches in bewilderment.

It’ll be madness. It’ll be chaos.

To quote Dr. Peter Venkman: “Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria.”

Too bad that’s all a bunch of baloney.

Unionizing college athletics, which is what a number of Northwestern University football players are attempting to do, beyond placing the athletes in a more equitable position relative to their worth (recently calculated fair market value: $178,000), is not going to destroy college athletics.

Far from it. Anything that will give college athletes better treatment, give them more of a voice and a place at a very lucrative Vol. 6 • No. 2

table cannot be considered anything but an improvement.

Unless, that is, it’s the NCAA doing the considering.

The NCAA, a not-for-profit organization that made roughly $900 billion in profit in the 2012 fiscal year, has been active in trying to smear a potential athletes union in the press and privately to member schools. Member schools like the University of North Carolina, which, in the spirit of promoting education over athletic prowess, turned the other cheek while football players took sham coursework to bolster almost non-existent grade point averages.

NCAA president Mark Emmert (salary $1.7 million), formerly the president of LSU, said earlier this month that categorizing college athletes as unionized employees was a “grossly inappropriate solution” and that it “would blow up everything about the collegiate model of athletics.”

Which, of course, deserves to be blown sky high.

While the NCAA rakes in money and funnels it to its mem-

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ber schools and transparently sells athletes’ images to video game makers and others, athletes are punished for playing in charity pick-up games back home or accepting a cheeseburger from an assistant coach in lieu of going to bed hungry.

The NCAA’s (or National Collegiate Athletics Association) main argument, though, is that the organization’s purpose is to help kids obtain a college education with sports as the conduit.

From one of the NCAA’s talking points: “Do we really want to signal to society and high school students that making money is the reason to come play a sport in college, as opposed to getting an education, which will benefit you for a lifetime?”

Excrement.

The NCAA is grossly unconcerned with neither the educations nor the general welfare of the athletes under its thumb.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t see incidents like Kansas State basketball player Jamar Samuels being punished for taking $200 from a

father-figure who helped support Samuels as a child from a broken home.

College athletes under the NCAA aren’t allowed to just go out and get a job at McDonald’s to pay for expenses; an “academic” scholarship only pays for so much. And, if you came to campus from a poor family that cannot just put a check in the mail every time you need food money, what are you supposed to do?

You can’t go to your coach.

He’s not allowed to help you either. The NCAA says to the players, “If you have a problem with what we’re doing, go to your coach first before thinking about complicated things like unions.”

But of course, chances are the coach is on the NCAA’s side. No wonder, since the highest-paid state employee in something like 38 states is either a football or basketball coach. You think they’re going to risk all that money and the chance to maybe become a special teams coordinator in the NFL over some kid who just wants a ten spot for a

Big Mac? No way.

Look, the idea of college amateurism is bankrupt and everyone knows it. The NCAA, trying to protect its racketeering operation, will defend its broken operations model to the death.

The players don’t want to be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars; they just want to be able to make their own choices and expect basic decency and protection in return for their services.

It’s not too much to ask.

Hopefully, by the time McNeese suits up to play LSU again next year, the athletes you see on the field will be at least on the road to being treated more fairly by the institutions that earn so much money from their work.

Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than a decade for various publications. Coaches or parents with story tips or comments may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@ bshoumaker).

APRIL 24, 2014 13

By Mike Louviere The weather cooperated with the Niblett’s Bluff Park Authority and made this year’s Springfest one of the best ever. Even though it was not sunny all weekend, the cool breeze made walking through the park and visiting the various vendors an enjoyable experience.

The event was very well planned, with the aim of making it pleasurable for visitors of all ages.

As I entered the park, I was directed to follow a worker in a golf cart who directed me to available parking. It was all very orderly and efficient. The first attractions I came upon were three very large blow-up bouncing structures for kids. The most popular was the large pyramid with attached blocks. This was an aircushioned equivalent of a climbing wall. It was amusing to see the children climb, slip, fall, bounce, laugh, and have another try to reach the top. There were ropes attached to give a little extra assistance.

There was one large castle bounce house that the youngsters could enter and just bounce around in until they got tired. The other structure was a combination bounce house and three-in-one slide with a huge pirate’s head atop. All of this was free for the children to enjoy as long as they cared to.

Six well cared for ponies were hooked to a carousel were available for children to ride. One of the Shetlands was an unusual dapple pattern. It was obvious that for some of the children, this was their first time on horseback, and after hearing them at the end of their ride, it would not be their last if they had anything to say about it. There was also a nice petting zoo that allowed kids to get up close and personal.

Arts and crafts ranged from simple to elaborate, from jewelry to wreaths and hand-poured candles. One popular booth sold nursery plants. The azaleas and boxwoods and flower plants were reasonable priced, with a good variety. As an added service, there was a four-wheeler with a small trailer to take the purchased plants to the buyer’s vehicle.

Available foods ran the gamut from gumbo to barbeque, with a lot of homemade cookies, cupcakes and pies. There were professional food vendors along with organizations like the American Cancer Society and the City of Refuge, the shelter for homeless veterans.

The guys from the COR had turkey legs, barbeque sandwiches, jambalaya, and sausage wraps. Along with soft drinks, it was a one-stop shop.

The Vinton and Ward Seven fire departments displayed their apparatus to show the citizens the fine equipment that they maintain for their protection.

Over the two days, there was a brand of music for every taste, with the possible exception of classical and grand opera. The park board had everything else covered well.

The first band of the day was Drivin’ Dixie. They started with a mix of Merle Haggard-type music, played a bit of Southern Rock and a whole lot in between. They were open to requests and were pleased to see several couples get up and dance. The next band 14 APRIL 24, 2014

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was Raymond T & French Bread, cranking out some of the best Cajun music in the area. Louisiana Express followed and brought a good mix of Cajun and Swamp Pop. Ending the day, was T Broussard and the Zydeco Steppers. Sunday there was the Lugi Hanks Gospel Band, followed by the Katelyn Johnson Band.

On a year-round basis, the Southwest Louisiana Flintknappers meet at the pavilion next to the north boat ramp. This weekend, the flintknappers were there, along with piles of rock from several states. They were all eager to share their craft and display how a rock the size of a tennis ball can be made into an arrowhead or spear point. Some of the craftsmen made knives from flint and other stones. Usually, the handles are made from elk or deer antlers. They are a piece of art to look at and are also functional knives.

Arrowheads of all sizes, spear points, and knives were for sale. There were also woodcrafts in various stages, from rough to finished. They ranged from bows and arrows to the atlayntl, a primitive tool that tossed an arrow with more force and range than one would think. It easily outdistanced a bow and arrow of the same size.

Pat from Meridian, Mississippi had a selection of bowls that were beautifully made from pine needles sewn together with sinew. Two of her new designs had a small pine disk in the bottom. The wood was drilled and the needles sewn to it to start

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the basket.

This year was the biggest and most successful Springfest to date. There’s lots of free entertainment, a good selection of reasonably priced foods, arts and crafts at affordable prices and now, the addition of nursery plants. And free parking and admission.

The date for Springfest 2015 is tentatively scheduled for April 15 and 16. Plan to attend the next one. The size of the park is such that you will not feel crowded and you will have a good time.

APRIL 24, 2014 15

Want Water? Ask for It!

From now on, instead of focusing on one topic, I’m going to share everyday examples of behavior and situations. I’d like this to be an interactive column where you can ask questions about situations you are uncertain of, or for advice regarding behaviors you have encountered.

While dining recently, I overheard the next table talking about how disappointed they were that their server did

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not bring iced water after they were seated. He took the couple’s drink order and promptly delivered it. But the server neither presented iced water nor asked if it was desired. The customer had to ask for it.

Unless we are referring to a formal dining situation where the level of service dictates that water be presented, there is no clear-cut rule for this situation. For casual dining, there are two differing opinions. The

first assumes that water service will be automatically presented.

The second opinion cites waste and the cost associated with automatically assuming the customer wants water as the reason for not providing it unless requested.

It seems that most restaurants in our area are happy to provide iced water, but there is inconsistency in the practice.

So criticizing your server may be unfair if it is the management’s policy to wait until you ask for it. Take note of this as you dine out, and let me know what you encounter.

The next example is rather indelicate, so excuse me in advance. At a red light, the female next to me was picking her nose. Not a subtle rubbing of the nose because you think something might be there. No, this was a digit inserted in the orifice rotating vigorously.

The reason this is an offense is because it was done in public in plain view of others.

Please remember that your car is not an extension of your private space just because you are alone in an enclosed area.

Others can see you very clearly and are paying attention to what you are doing. My advice is always to remember to never do or say anything in public that you wouldn’t want seen on television or over the Internet!

Eating at your desk while working is usually acceptable if you have a private space free of observation from customers.

Unfortunately, that was not the case today. I was in a public environment and the customer

service agent was eating at her desk. Her workplace had no privacy walls and every move she made was public. Watching her crouch over her lunch made me feel embarrassed for both of us. I don’t know if this was poor judgment on her part, or if her employer did not either provide for a relief

Vol. 6 • No. 2

person or space to privately enjoy the lunch she is entitled to. This is another example where guidance is needed by the employer or supervisor.

Recently, I was in the checkout line at the grocery store. An employee approached my cashier and started engaging in personal chit-chat.

Unfortunately, both of these employees had not received proper training on how to behave in front of a customer, so this might be a topic retail managers might want to pay attention to.

The cashier increasingly became distracted and got sucked into the rude behavior of not putting the customer first. The customer is why retail exists.

This situation was very offensive to me because this would never be tolerated at any of the establishments I’ve worked for.

I hated to do it, but thought these two young ladies needed to be made aware that this was not OK. I simply said, “Ladies, could you please visit at a later time?” That was the reminder they needed because the coworker scattered away and the cashier immediately resumed her duties. I’m not advocating being confrontational or rude.

But sometimes a polite, to-thepoint comment can help the situation get back on track.

I think this format can better benefit our readers by presenting everyday examples of rude or uncomfortable situations rather than overwhelming you with too much information on a given topic. I hope you agree with me and will consider helping to make this column interactive and of greater use in your everyday life. Please write in and share your experiences.

You can submit your comments to lauren@thejambalayanews.com.

In addition to being schooled by her mother, Anna Catherine Viator attended the Protocol School of Washington in Alexandria, VA. Vol. 6 • No. 2

Law Day 2014 Law Day is a special day aimed to help people appreciate their liberties and to affirm their loyalty to the United States, especially with regard to equality and justice. It also aims to cultivate respect for the law, which is vital to the democratic way of life.

Law Day originated in 1957 when American Bar Association President Charles Rhyne envisioned a special day for celebrating the US legal system.

On February 3, 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower established Law Day by issuing a proclamation. Every president since then has issued an annual Law Day proclamation. In 1961, May 1 was designated by joint resolution of Congress as the official date for celebrating Law Day. According to the Legal Information Institute, the President is requested to issue a proclamation, calling on all public officials to display the flag of

the United States on all government buildings on Law Day; and inviting the people of the United States to observe Law Day, with appropriate ceremonies and in other appropriate ways, through public entities and private organizations and in schools and other suitable places.

The theme for Law Day 2014 is “American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters.”

According to the American Bar Association, one of the most cherished national ideals, expressed eloquently by Abraham Lincoln, is “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” It is a principle enshrined in our Nation’s founding documents, from the Declaration of Independence’s assurance that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed, to the opening three words of the Preamble to

the U.S. Constitution, “We the People.”

The right to vote is the very foundation of government by the people. For this reason, striving to establish and protect every citizen’s right to vote has been a central theme of American legal and civic history. Much of the struggle on voting rights began decades ago, but the work is far from complete, and a citizen’s right to cast a ballot remains at risk today.

As we approach the 50th anniversaries of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the 2014 Law Day theme, “American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters,” calls on every American to reflect on the importance of a citizen’s right to vote and the challenges we still face in ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to participate in our democracy.

It’s Home Buying Season! Is this Your Year?

We’re headed into the hottest season of the year — for selling a home, that is. Traditionally, spring and summer are the ideal times to place your home on the market and our area is begging for more housing inventory. If you’ve been considering moving up to the home of your dreams, or downsizing because the kids are grown and gone, placing your home on the market in 2014 may have some distinct advantages for you. Here’s the rationale: 1. Low Mortgage Rates Earlier this year, there were signs of possible increases in mortgage rates, but those predictions seem to have subsided.

Based upon the Federal Reserve’s statement released back in March, they plan to keep rates low with perhaps only a one percent increase by the year’s end and 2.25 percent by the end of 2016. This means that mortgage

rates will remain at historic lows — for the time being, at least.

2. More Buying Power Lower rates mean you have more buying power and if ever there was an opportunity to purchase your dream home, this may be it. Even delaying until later

in the year when a one percent increase might occur, means you can lose as much as 10 percent of buying power (i.e., if you are approved to buy a $300,000 home at today’s rate, the higher interest rate at the end of the year could reduce your approval amount to $270,000).

3. Limited Selling Competition The decision to place your home on the market has to be weighed carefully. When in-

ventory is high, the market is naturally quite competitive. Currently, however, inventory is low in most price points and buyers are eagerly scooping up properties. Being able to sell your current home without a long delay is a distinct advantage of today’s market.

Low interest rates, more buying power, and a market hungry for more inventory is a dream combination of factors that can clearly work in your favor. If ever there was a time to set aside the attitude of “let’s wait and see” and move on to “let’s do it” — this is probably that time.

Wondering how much home could you buy right now? Contact the mortgage-lending officers at Merchants & Farmers Bank for that information and to begin the qualification process: Julie McMillin at 479-2086 (Nelson Road) and Russell Castille at 5039973 (Beglis Parkway, Sulphur).

APRIL 24, 2014 17

18 APRIL 24, 2014

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Are Bonds too Low for 3rd and 4th Offense DUI?

By Attorney Oliver Schrumpf I was recently asked my views on the low bonds being set for 3rd and 4th offense DUI. First, a caution: Judges and candidates for judge must be careful not to state a position in advance of hearing a case at the risk of disqualifying themselves from hearing the issue because of prejudice. Ethical rules require that judges (and candidates for judge) must assure that they will fairly apply the law without discrimination or prejudice. So, I begin with an explanation of the applicable law: La. Const. Art. I., Sec. 16 begins: “Every person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty...”

La. Constitution Art. 1, Sec. 18 states in part: “Excessive bail shall not be required....” The purpose of bail is not to punish someone but to insure their presence at trial. Bail is designed to allow an accused person to keep their job and aid in preparing a defense to the charge.

The Code of Criminal Procedure sets out the factors a judge must consider in setting bail: La. C.Cr.P. Art. 334. Factors in determining amount of bail The amount of bail shall be such that, in the judgment of the court, commissioner, or magistrate, it will insure the presence of the defendant, as required, and the safety of any other person and the community, having regard to: Vol. 6 • No. 2

(1) The seriousness of the offense charged, including but not limited to whether the offense is a crime of violence or involves a controlled dangerous substance.

(2) The weight of the evidence against the defendant.

(3) The previous criminal record of the defendant.

(4) The ability of the defendant to give bail.

(5) The nature and seriousness of the danger to any other person or the community that would be posed by the defendant’s release.

(6) The defendant’s voluntary participation in a pretrial drug testing program.

(7) The absence or presence of any controlled dangerous substance in the defendant’s blood at the time of arrest.

(8) Whether the defendant is currently out on bond on a previous felony arrest for

which he is awaiting institution of prosecution, arraignment, trial, or sentencing.

(9) Any other circumstances affecting the probability of defendant’s appearance.

(10) The type or form of bail.

Acts 1993, No. 834, §1, eff.

June 22, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 853, §1.

In my view, third or fourth offense DWI is a serious offense under factor (1) above; factor (2) is a variable in each case based on the evidence presented at the bail hearing; the offense itself requires prior convictions for the same offense (DWI) under factor (3); the offense is serious under factors (5) and (7). Assuming the other factors are present, third or 4th offense DWI would merit a relatively high bond setting. Releasing someone to

the community who has demonstrated inability to refrain from driving intoxicated on two or more occurrences increases the risk of danger to the community.

I cannot pre-judge future cases which may come before me, but I do feel that someone charged with 3rd or 4th offense DWI has been through the judicial system enough times to have reformed his or her conduct; and that more serious punishment will be in order if the offender is convicted of a third or fourth offense.

Therefore, a higher bail is warranted for Third or Fourth Offense DWI. The only caution is that bail is not a substitute for trial and conviction; the purpose of bail is merely to insure the defendant appears for trial. Only after conviction is punishment imposed.

APRIL 24, 2014 19

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together these past four years. It has been an honor to represent you everyday in City Hall, but I believe it is too soon to call it a “job well done.”

Despite a turbulent economy, we’ve managed to achieve financial stability in Sulphur. We’ve created a more responsive and transparent city government that operates like a business and answers to its customers, Sulphur residents.

In the past four years, we’ve implemented recycling and beautification programs. We’ve built a community hub in Heritage Square, and together we’ve given old City Hall new life.

The West Calcasieu Business Center has made parish services more accessible to the citizens of Sulphur. It now houses the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court, Registrar of Voters, Tax Assessor’s Office, the West

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Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce and the Disabled American Veteran’s Office.

Being a business-owner for the past 31 years has taught me a few things. As Mayor, I’ve worked to make Sulphur more business-friendly. As a result, the number of occupational licenses issued in the city has grown.

There is a window of opportunity for the City of Sulphur to strongly position itself as a center for economic growth in the state. Forecasts predict unprecedented growth in the area over the next five years.

The economic rush that Southwest Louisiana expects will require an experienced, dedicated public servant to lead and defend this wonderful city. I hope you will give me the chance to continue to be that servant.

I believe the citizens of Sulphur need to have a greater voice in planning the future of their city, and that’s why we’ve made implementing “Vision Sulphur” a top priority. Opportunities for innovation exist that will help ensure Sulphur continues to be a faith- and family-centered community for decades to come.

The City of Sulphur should continue to work with its community organizations, neighboring cities and the state to find ways to maximize our resources and reduce costs for its citizens.

In the last four years, we’ve added numerous community events in our great city. We’ve built a hub in Heritage Square, where more family-friendly events now take place. “Movies in the Square” is a partnership between the city and several local businesses that brings a series of free movie events to the community during the spring, summer and fall. The Stars and Stripes Car Show held in conjunction with the 9/11 Memorial Walk has become the largest car show in Louisiana.

Together, we have made substantial progress; progress that must continue. The goal is always to be better than you were yesterday. Though the past four years have been filled with accomplishments, I still want the days ahead to be better. Please vote for me on May 3 and give me the chance to serve you four more years.

Vol. 6 • No. 2

Our corner of Louisiana is on the cusp of unprecedented economic growth and all of us who call Sulphur home are poised to benefit, but for that to happen, Sulphur needs a mayor that can communicate across boundaries and work with all the leaders in the region and throughout the state.

As we enter in the final days of this election, my simple promise to you is that I will always concern myself with making Sulphur a better place to live and work each day rather than worrying about the next election.

I was born here and I was raised here. I went to school here and graduated from Sulphur High School in 1973.

This city is in my soul and I am proud of how far we have come, but I realize just how much more needs to be done.

Over the years, I have been very active in civic and preservation efforts in our city. I was secretary of the Brimstone Historical Society and have served as president of The Sulphur Mines Association. I was a board member of the Sulphur Kiwanis Club, a charter member of the Sulphur Group and served as an executive officer and board member of the Sulphur Rotary Club.

Over the last four years, I also served as president on the American Cancer Society’s Southwest Leadership Council, and as mayor, I helped establish the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Heritage Square.

Sulphur is a city rich in both promise and potential and with innovative leadership and working together we can begin putting people above politics and create a real change for Sulphur.

In the eight years I was blessed to be mayor of Sulphur, we aggressively sought out and brought in new business to Sulphur, both large and small, and helped existing businesses to expand and bring new jobs to our community.

Working together, we improved our infrastructure, completed the $28 million Wastewater Plant Expansion and worked to improve our water and sewer systems that in many places dated back to the 1940s.

We created a sense of community in Sulphur in our first years in office by establishing the Christmas Under the Oaks and Heritage Festivals. These festivals quickly became premier events in Southwest Louisiana, bringing bigname entertainment to our city.

We worked hand-in-hand with Sulphur Parks and Recreation to help establish the Aquatic Center and Heritage Square, which increased tourism to our area and revenue for our local businesses. We built the Heritage Square Pavilion in our first term and Sulphur Parks and Recreation completed the beautiful Grove in 2013. Both will be enjoyed by our citizens and guests alike for generations to come.

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As we enter our centennial year, I am constantly reminded that I am blessed to live in the same city and walk the same streets as my ancestors did since the 1800s. My grandfather worked at the sulfur mines and would eventually drive a garbage truck for the City of Sulphur. We live in a city of both promise and opportunity – a city where the grandson of a garbage collector could one day become mayor.

Our best days as a city are ahead of us if we have leadership in the mayor’s office and begin working together to improve our city and our region. We saw how fast we recovered from the ravages of Hurricane Rita in 2005 when we all worked together – when nature was at its worst we were at our best.

This is our city, this is our time – I humbly ask for your vote and your support on Election Day. God bless you and thank you for loving your city.

To find out more about our campaign for mayor of Sulphur, log on to www.ronleleux.com.

APRIL 24, 2014 21

By Jamie Gaines If traffic is any indication, Southwest Louisiana is already booming – and nowhere is that more evident than in Sulphur, which is poised to be at the epicenter of the region’s economic growth, with Cheniere Energy’s estimated $22 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility to the south, and Sasol’s estimated $18 to $20 billion expansion to the east.

Take, for example, the traffic along I-10. The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) estimates that an average of 75,999 vehicles – each and every day in 2013 – passed between Exit 20 (LA1256, Ruth Street, Cameron) and Exit 21 (LA27, Beglis Parkway, DeQuincy).

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As numbers go, 76,000 may not seem significant – at least until compared to past counts. In 2007, an estimated 49,191 vehicles passed that same milepoint daily; and in 2010, 58,073 vehicles passed. That 76,000 indicates a 54 percent increase in the number of motorcycles, cars, and personal and commercial trucks travelling that short stretch of I-10 – in just five years.

And as every commuter knows, what travels on I-10 must come off I-10 at some point. In 2010, 19,734 vehicles passed a count station on Ruth Street located slightly more than a mile north of the interstate. In 2013, that number had increased 36 percent for an average of 26,855 vehicles headed north. Daily. In Sulphur. On Ruth Street.

Now imagine when the Cheniere facility, which is located a straight shot south, tops off at 3,000 jobs at the peak of construction activity – or when Sasol fills 1,253 direct jobs.

Traffic won’t be the city’s only woe.

“We’re beginning to have growing pains,” said Sulphur Mayor Chris Duncan. “Traffic is busier, our grocery stores are busier, our hospitals are busier, and our police

are busier. Unfortunately, the more the population grows, the more the crime rate grows.”

As a result of recent activity, Chief of Police Lewis Coats implemented a bike patrol, and three officers were added to the ranks during the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

The city included another officer in the proposed 20142015 budget.

City council members Dru Ellender, Mike Koonce, Veronica Allison, Randy Favre, and Stuart Moss recently approved approximately $940,000 in infrastructure projects prompted by the city’s unprecedented growth, encompassing both road improvements and a new fire truck. The city’s fleet currently consists of four Class A pumpers, two ladder trucks, and support vehicles.

“We are in desperate need of a fire truck, but we know we’ll eventually have to build another station to maintain the department’s Class 2 rating,” said Duncan.

Under the direction of Chief Danny Dupre, a team of more than 65 certified firefighters respond to approximately 800 emergency calls annually, and assume both the tactical and strategic command of the city’s operations during large-scale Vol. 6 • No. 2

incidents – like hurricanes, ice storms and busted water mains.

To maintain a Class 2 rating, the department must respond with two engines, a ladder truck and a command vehicle to all structure alarms with a response time of less than 5 minutes for 90% of all calls – a feat that will be harder to accomplish the larger Sulphur grows.

“Within the city, every little pocket of land is being looked at for some sort of development…with the biggest growth in residential,” said Duncan. “The price of homes is going up, the price of land is going up. I’ve even noticed a lot of ‘for rent’ signs disappearing.”

In fact, the city has annexed more than 300 acres since the beginning of 2014 for residential development.

City council members recently reviewed a number of requests, including rezoning property located north of Cypress Street and west of Frenchmen’s Creek from Business to Mixed Residential to allow for residential development; rezoning

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property from Residential to Mixed Residential to allow duplexes to be built; and rezoning Mixed Residential to Business to allow for the development of retail space.

According to Melanie Vandergriff with the city’s Inspections\Permits Department, there were 145 new residential construction permits and 71 new commercial construction permits issued from January 1, 2010 through mid-April 2014, which includes new businesses, new single family dwellings and new duplexes.

The development west of Frenchmen’s Creek alone is expected to pave the way for nearly 300 new homes.

As might be expected, the surge in residential development has sparked an uptick in business development, too.

“There’s been tremendous commercial growth recently – especially in construction,” said Lena McArthur, interim director of the West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce.

“This bodes well for the chamber, which currently has a roster of approximate-

ly 300 members. We see new members every month who want to get involved, stay informed and network with others in the community.”

According to Patti Mallett, the city’s license coordinator, 122 new occupational licenses were issued for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

New businesses are slated to open in Sulphur in the coming months. Quaker Steak & Lube – which boasts of its signature chicken wings – will be located at 535 N. Cities Service Highway; Casa Mañana, the Lake Charles-based Mexican restaurant, will open a West Calcasieu site at 114 S. Cities Service Highway; Church’s Chicken will open at 1504 Ruth Street; and Shannon Hardware will be located at 701 E. Napoleon Street.

Yet, there’s still a need for more, according to Duncan.

“We need more sit-down restaurants,” he explained.

“The city also needs more shopping outlets. Maybe another big box store, a big name outlet, and more for our youth to do.”

If sales tax is an indicator of growth, the city is bursting at its seams. Year-overyear Sulphur is up approximately $600,000 since the same time last year, according to Duncan. In addition, the city’s water plant is on target for being paid in full

by June 2016, which will free up approximately $2.4 million for other infrastructure projects. Better drainage tops the city’s wish list.

“Areas are flooding now that have never flooded before,” said Duncan.

The city currently operates on an annual budget of $18.7 million, with $19 million proposed for 20142015. Ideally, the city leaves $2 million in reserves for natural disasters.

There are possibly a thousand indicators of the community’s growth, and to keep pace, the city government has had to grow too. When the charter was signed in 1986, the City of Sulphur employed 120 employees. Today, there are approximately 270 on the payroll. With cars. On the road. Daily. In Sulphur.

APRIL 24, 2014 23

McNeese Business Management Students Donate to Care Help of Sulphur McNeese Students Mackenzie Blanchard and Hilarie Grigsby donated to Care Help of Sulphur’s Backpack Blessings Program for children in need of food for the weekends. This was done as part of their Business Management 300 class. Along with the Sausage Link, they helped raise funds by selling jambalaya dinners.

For more information on the Backpack Blessings Program, call 528-2273 or visit www.care-help.org.

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Vol. 6 • No. 2

Brask Inc. Establishes McNeese Scholarship Brask Inc. recently donated $15,000 through the McNeese State University Foundation to establish the Brask Inc. Engineering Scholarship in the College of Engineering. Through the “15 Will Get You 20” endowed scholarship matching program, the Foundation will add $5,000 to the donation for a total of $20,000 for the engineering scholarship.

On hand for the presentation are, from left, Dr. Pankaj Chandra, professor of mechanical engineering, Bal Sareen, president of Brask Inc., Richard Reid, vice president for university advancement and executive vice president for the McNeese Foundation, and Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, engineering dean.

Vol. 6 • No. 2

APRIL 24, 2014 25

The Brimstone Historical Society is proud to announce the grand opening of its permanent exhibit, which features Southwest Louisiana’s early sulfur mining history along with the history of the City of Sulphur.

“The exhibit is the result of several years of research, fundraising, and planning, and we hope it will serve tourists and local visitors for years to come,” says Brimstone Historical Society Executive Director Thom Trahan. The organization also set aside several rooms in the exhibit building for rotating displays to keep the exhibit fresh for local visitors.

“We worked really hard to give the new exhibit a unique look. Even people familiar with the town’s history will see brand new pieces of art based on history and people of Sulphur,” Eric Manuel, creative director of the museum, explained. Future plans include a military-themed

26 APRIL 24, 2014

display for the Veteran’s Day season, a Sulphur High School football display for the beginning of football season, and more.

The museum’s hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Guided tours are available at no charge, but museum staff asks that large groups contact the office for an appointment.

The project was sponsored by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the City of Sulphur, the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Sulphur Parks and Recreation, Sasol North America, CITGO, Axiall, and many other contributions.

Also, within the next month, the museum’s new administrative wing will be open to the public, including a small gift shop area and restrooms. The renovated building was originally a crew dispatch office for the oil industry, and was recently donated by A&B Transport of Sulphur.

For more information about the Brimstone Historical Society’s new exhibit, including tours, programs, festivals, or other activities, please contact Thom Trahan at (337) 527-0357. The Brimstone Museum is located at 900 S. Huntington St. in Sulphur, and can be visited on the web at www.brimstonemuseum.org.

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Call for Volunteers:

Tour du Rouge Coming to Sulphur More than 100 cyclists will leave Houston headed for New Orleans in the 6th Annual Tour du Rouge, May 4-9, with a pit stop in Sulphur, May 5. The 533-mile cycling adventure raises awareness and money for American Red Cross services along the Gulf Coast and benefits seven Red Cross chapters, which provide support for communities in need.

Volunteers will be needed Monday, May 5, to ensure a successful event and show-

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case southern hospitality.

There will be a variety of duties needed throughout the event in the hospitality area from set up to serving refreshments to cheering on the participants.

Volunteer times will be available in increments of four hours to allow for a steady stream of at least a dozen volunteers at any given time. To register to be a volunteer or for more information, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/ tourdurouge.

APRIL 24, 2014 27

You may think of household pests as just an annoyance, but they can also pose a risk to your health and that of your family.

“Most people are aware of specific health risks associated with certain pests, such as the West Nile virus with mosquitoes and lyme disease with ticks,” says Robert Soileau, Manager of J&J Exterminating in Lake Charles. “But there are many other potential health problems – both minor and more serious – associated with common pests.”

Here’s a closer look at the more common health risks associated with common pests:

Cockroaches The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) reports that one in five children in the United

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States have severe sensitivities to cockroach allergens, which increase the severity of asthma symptoms. These allergens are most commonly introduced in homes through cockroach saliva, droppings and the decomposing bodies of these pests.

Cockroaches can also carry bacteria such as E coli and salmonella on their bodies, which can contaminate food, cooking equipment and food surfaces.

Rodents Rodents can enter a home through almost any opening or crack, even those that you may consider too small. Rodents pose a significant health risk because they serve as vectors, carrying bacteria such as salmonella, on their bodies and contaminating food sources, kitchen surfaces and equipment. Rodent droppings, often the first clue that you have an

unwanted resident, can cause allergic reactions in human beings, as well as disease, including the potentially deadly Hantavirus.

lookout for these spiders, and to seek medical attention immediately if you think you may have been bitten by one.

Spiders

The increased reports of West Nile Virus this year, combined with a warmer than normal fall season, have helped people realize that mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, but potentially a major health threat.

In addition, to the potential for West Nile Virus, mosquitoes can also cause itchy, unsightly marks as well as severe allergic reactions.

Most spider bites occur when humans unintentionally press up against spiders and receive a defensive bite. The venom of most spiders in Southwest Louisiana is not harmful to humans. Very often, the person receiving the bite may not even notice it, or it may resemble a mosquito bite with a little swelling and itching.

However, you should be aware of three poisonous spiders in our region: the brown recluse, the black widow and the brown widow. The venom of these species is very harmful and potentially deadly to humans, so it’s important to be on the

Mosquitoes

Ticks Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks, has emerged as a major health risk in recent years. It is critical to be vigilant of ticks, especially if you are in wooded areas. Symptoms of

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Lyme disease include a “bull’s eye” rash around the bite, flulike symptoms and extreme fatigue.

Stinging Insects Stinging pests send more than 500,000 people to the emergency room each year.

These pests often use stinging as a way to protect their colonies or larvae from human beings who attempt to remedy an infestation on their own.

This aggressiveness, combined with being disturbed, often means that these pests tend to sting repeatedly, which adds to the potential for greater skin irritation or a serious allergic reaction.

To prevent the spread of rabies infection in Calcasieu Parish, the Office of Animal Services will be hosting a lowcost drive-thru rabies clinic on April 26 from 7am – noon at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. The vaccination and licensing fee for spay/neutered animals is $8. There is a $10 fee for unaltered

pets. According to Louisiana State Code, all dogs and cats over the age of three months are required to be vaccinated for rabies and licensed.

Pet owners may pay by cash or check.

Dogs will need to be on a leash and cats must be in a portable kennel. Microchipping will also be available. Once a pet

is vaccinated by a licensed Louisiana Veterinarian in Calcasieu Parish, pets are required to wear a license tag in all areas of Calcasieu. Cat owners are also encouraged to place the tag on a humane breakaway collar. For more information, call Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and Adoption Center at 721-3730.

Ants Ants are social insects, meaning if you spot one, there are many more to follow. Some, such as fire ants, can be dangerous to humans and pets, causing a nasty sting and possible allergic reaction.

Fleas Fleas aren’t just a problem for pets; these pests feed on the blood of any warm-blooded body – including humans.

Their bites cause itchy, unsightly marks and may cause severe allergic reactions. Fleas tend to travel with mammals on the move, which can include not only people and their pets, but also rodents.

“If you are experiencing problems with any of the pests above, or if you just want to be proactive to make sure your home is not a potential site for an infestation, a pest control professional can provide a level of expertise and extermination technology to provide the best protection for your home,” says Soileau. “Year-round preventive pest control can help you protect your family from the health risk of pests.”

For more information about pest control, call J&J Exterminating at 474-7377 or visit www.jjext.com.

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APRIL 24, 2014 29

Dare to be Healthy—

The KISS Project Comes to Westlake Dare to be Healthy is a three year grant to combat the skyrocketing obesity rate in our parish, made possible by a Challenge Grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation and local partners throughout Calcasieu Parish.

The KISS Project (Keep It Simple Sister), led by founder and certified fitness instructor Sharmita Rideau, is a free, 12- week, comprehensive weight loss program geared specifically towards women wanting to lose 20 pounds or more. It focuses on simple steps to achieve health goals and utilizes certified fitness instructors and registered dietitians.

Women wanting to learn more about the KISS. Project are invited to attend an informational Meet & Greet set for Thursday, May 8 at 6 p.m., Westlake Recreation Center Board Room (1221 Sampson Street). Classes meet three times per week (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) beginning May 12, 5 – 7 p.m. at the Westlake Recreation Center Gym. For more information or to register, contact Sharmita Rideau at (409) 383-3249.

Landry and Moss Top Finishers in Local Sulphur 5K Despite the dawning of a gloomy sunrise with chilly temperatures, a record number of racers came together to participate in The Missionaries of La Salette “Run for the Son” recently.

The 5K race began promptly at 8 a.m. with a prayer and blessing led by Rev. Joe Aquino of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Sulphur’s newest facility, Heritage Square. Geoff Landry of Lake Charles was the first racer to cross the finish line with an impressive 18:51. Erin Moss of Sulphur sprinted her way to the top female title with a 24.15 time.

Also taking top honors for their age categories were: males, John Hixson, Chris Caldarea, Austin Gardner, Andrew Scalisi and John Dickson.

Female winners included Tara Coltrin, Megan Bryson, Schanon Turner, Brooklyn Borel and Lori Prichett. Race results

were supplied by Cajun Timing.

“We are very optimistic about the results. To have a facility like Heritage Square to host our race makes the event even better, said Race Director, Shannon Castille.

“The course is Erin Moss and Geoff Landry take top male and through a racefemale titles in the “Run for the Son” 5K Race. friendly neighborhood and starts ments of Van Guidry DJ Servand ends at the same location. ices. Medals were distributed We feel confident about the to all top winners as well as all growth of our race and look children participating in the 1 forward to next year’s event.”

Mile Fun Run and were proAfter the race, participants vided by Kajun Monogram. of the 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run All proceeds for “Run for were treated to an abundance the Son” are used to benefit of fresh fruits and snacks. the Missionaries of La Salette Bottled water was provided by and help support the semiAdoptive Services and distrib- narians. Father Joe Aquino uted at water stops along the presented the medals to the racecourse. Music was compli- winners.

FOX29/CW and Jack Hebert Team Up for Wounded Warriors FOX29/CW and Jack Hebert are teaming up to raffle off a vehicle to raise money for Wounded Warriors. A 2014 Buick Verano, donated by Jack Hebert All Star Buick, will be raffled on Saturday, June 21, during the All Star Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Tournament at McMurry Park in Sulphur. Raffle ticket sales will end Friday, June 20. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Jack Hebert All Star Buick dealership at 1180 E Napoleon St., Sulphur, at McDonalds, and at the SWLA Alliance offices. Any companies or individuals interested in supporting this cause by selling tickets, can contact Maureen at Langley Williams & Associates at 4772827. All proceeds from raffle ticket sales benefit the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team.

30 APRIL 24, 2014

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APRIL 24, 2014 31

By Angie Kay Dilmore Attention all you enthusiastic gastronomes out there. Rev up your appetites! An exciting new eatery is coming to town and promises to shake up the restaurant scene in Southwest Louisiana.

Welcome the state’s first Quaker Steak & Lube®! i-10 Hospitality, a Louisiana-based restaurant, hotel and gaming management company, plans a June 2014 opening in Sulphur.

Quaker Steak & Lube® is wellknown for their popular chicken wings and unique signature sauces. But what sets this establishment apart from other wellknown wing joints? “It’s a unique blend of great service, award-winning food, supercharged events and eye-popping décor,” said Tyler Conover, “Idea Guy” aka Chief Marketing Officer at i-10 Hospitality. “Everything you experience from the moment you walk in the door is designed to make sure you’re having a great time. From the race cars and motorcycles

32 APRIL 24, 2014

hanging from the ceiling to the ‘Best Wings USA’ on your plate, it’s impossible to not love every minute.” i-10 Hospitality signed an area development agreement with Quaker Steak & Lube® for seven markets across the Gulf Coast from Beaumont, TX to Destin, FL. The Sulphur store is their first location.

Unique Dining Experience A hallmark of Quaker Steak & Lube® is their outrageous architectural design. It’s more than a themed décor – it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. From the parking lot, a 20-foot neon arrow greets patrons and beckons the hungry to EAT. Upon entering the restaurant, a racecar hangs from the ceiling. Gleaming vintage motorcycles dangle and spin above the diners’ heads. Car and bike parts and motor paraphernalia adorn the walls. Quaker Steak has partnered with the Harley dealership in Lake Charles. They plan to put a bike in the restaurant and give it away as a promotional prize.

The restaurant layout

includes Thunder Alley, the main dining area; the Brick Yard, an outdoor patio with pull-up garage doors; and the Corvette Room, a private dining room for meetings and parties. The Wing-o Walk Up allows for easy take-out orders.

Award-Winning Menu “Ain’t No Secret…It’s the Sauces®,” said Conover. Quaker Steak & Lube® won the title of “Best Wings USA” in 1988, plus hundreds of other national and international awards – Best Family-Friendly Dining, Golden Chili Awards from Chili Pepper magazine, and first place for best sauces from the Buffalo Chicken Wing Festival. They won Best Kids’ Menu in America, as well as awards for best ribs and best burgers.

Their menu is entertaining to read and endlessly tempting. Appetizers include Pick-Up Pickles and Stick Shifters (fried mozzarella sticks). Try some Hot-Chassis Bratwurst Chili or a Cheese Steak Phil-M-Up. For lighter fare, opt for the Biker Chic salad. Not only is the food excellent, but their presentation also adds to the WOW factor. Onion rings arrive

threaded on a car antenna. Wing Sprinsters come in an egg carton.

Kids’ meals are served in a souvenir racecar they can take home.

Lubrication Station Slippery When Sauced Quaker Steak & Lube® boasts an impressive list of 26 different sauces, ranging from the tame Ranch to the insanely spicy-hot Triple Atomic. If choosing a single sauce proves too difficult, the kitchen will blend two sauces together for your own personalized chicken wing experience. The combinations are endless!

Can You Take the Heat?

The Atomic and Triple Atomic sauces are so hot you have to sign a release form when you order them. The Atomic sauce is a step down from Triple Atomic, but can still bring grown men to tears. Dare you take the challenge? According to Quaker Steak policy, a customer must first successfully consume an Atomic Challenge (five super hot wings) before being allowed to order the Triple Atomic (six fire blazing hot wings). Few people can manage these flavor firecrackers.

Win the Triple Atomic Chal-

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lenge and earn a souvenir T-shirt, the Atomic Challenge (a feat in itself), and go home with a braggin’ rights bumper sticker. But beware, the Triple Atomic wings weigh in at a tongue-busting 500,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). SHU is a number designating how much liquid is needed to no longer taste the heat. In 1912, Wilbur Scoville developed this scale to identify the heat level of various chili peppers. The Atomic sauce claims 150,000 SHU, compared to 90 SHU for Ranch sauce.

Lube-ations When eating spicy wings, you’ll need some liquid refreshment. Quaker Steak & Lube® has two bar areas – the Handlebar is the main bar in the restaurant and there’s a bar in the Brick Yard. Quaker Steak’s signature drinks include the Lube Island Iced Tea, daiquiris garnished with fresh-cut roses, fresh-squeezed Lubinade (leaded and unleaded) and a full selection of wine and beer in bottles and on tap. Purchase a drink in a “Bar Jar” and keep the jar.

Special Events and Theme Days Quaker Steak & Lube® strives to ensure your dining experience is a unique event. They’ve incorporated weekly theme days to keep things exciting and entertaining. Tuesdays are All You Can Eat Wing Night. On Thursdays, they welcome motorcycle enthusiasts to Bike Night. Kids enjoy keeping an eye open for Coop, the restaurant’s mascot, providing great photo ops. Sports fans can watch their favorite games on more than 30 big-screen TVs throughout the restaurant. Quaker Steak also enjoys hosting cruise-ins for local car clubs. Events typically include entertainment and giveaways.

Dine Out for a Cause Charity, community involvement, and social responsibility are high priorities for i-10 Hospitality. Their mission states “Have Fun. Make A Difference. Prosper.” The group has partnered with No Kid Hungry, whose only goal is to end childhood hunger in America. “We will be donating ten percent of our sales from our opening week to No Kid Hungry and one percent of all sales thereafter,” said Conover. They will also raise and donate money to local charities and non-profit organizations through their weekly Make a Difference Mondays. Each Monday, a different local charity or non-profit organization will be featured and will receive a portion of the proceeds for that day. Relay For Life will be one of their first beneficiaries.

was long before wings were a popular menu item. Patrons were initially apprehensive about eating chicken wings, so the owners promoted the wings by putting one complimentary wing on every plate that left the kitchen.

Wings quickly became one of the most soughtafter items on the menu.

Later, they added ribs, salads, and a full-service menu. In 1997, they began to franchise the restaurant and spread throughout the United States. With a 35-year history of growth, there are now more than 60 Quaker Steak & Lube® restaurants nationwide.

Join the Quaker Steak Team Quaker Steak & Lube® in Sulphur is currently hiring! They need to fill positions, including drivers (aka servers) fuelers (aka bartenders), mechanics (aka cooks), engine specialists (aka expo), and other staff. Join the fun and fill out an application at thelube.com/ employment.

Everybody Loves the Lube!

Quaker Steak & Lube® restaurants garner a large base of loyal customers. They appeal equally to everyone -- singles, couples, families, sports enthusiasts, motor heads, the young and young at heart. Quaker Steak & Lube® will be open daily and be located at 535 N. City Services Highway, Sulphur, near the Walmart shopping center. For a unique blend of award-winning food, great service, a unique theme, fun events, and a family fun dining experience, plan to attend their June grand opening!

History of the Franchise Quaker Steak & Lube® arrived on the restaurant scene in Sharon, Pennsylvania in 1974. They fashioned the eatery from an old gas station. Naturally, the site lended itself to a vehicle theme and they decorated their establishment with automobile, racecar, and motorcycle memorabilia. Originally, the restaurant was known for steaks. About two years into the business, they added chicken wings. This Vol. 6 • No. 2

APRIL 24, 2014 33

Contraband Days 2014 - A Pirate’s Life for Me!

By Jackie Bergeron Legends and treasures and pirates, oh my! There is a change in the wind, says I! Weigh anchor and hoist ye colors to make way to me humble shores of Lake Charles in search of me pieces of eight! The Contraband Days Pirate Festival is on the horizon with Jean Lafitte and his rowdy band of Buccaneers only days away from landing on our shores and making their attempt to take over our fair city once again! The festival will be celebrating its 57th year with concerts, food, contests, and of course, pirates of all sizes.

But the legend of Jean Lafitte begins over three centuries ago when the notorious and ruthless pirate and his brigade of bandits fled enemy ships and headed west to Galveston. They would hide out along the waterways of Lake Charles, especially in Lafitte’s favorite spot in Contraband Bayou where it is said that he buried his treasure of silver and gold. The Buccaneers of Lake Charles continue to keep the legend alive by choosing one of their own to lead them on their quest to capture the city for two fun-filled weeks.

In 1957, a group of local businessmen from the Downtown Division of Lake Charles (later known as the Chamber of Commerce) formed Lake Charles Contraband Days, Inc. (later changed to Contraband Days, Inc.) for the purpose of developing a program to use the Lake Charles area for recreational

and cultural activities and to attract tourism. The group decided on a pirate theme with the legend of Lafitte’s buried treasure in Contraband Bayou. The first festival was held in June of 1958 as a one-day event featuring a boat parade, water ski demonstration and boat races. This organization continued to build on the idea to make the festival what it is today.

Several years later, this same group of men formed the Buccaneers of Lake Charles, Inc., with added entertainment by dressing and acting as pirates. Their leader was named “Jean Lafitte” and the plan was to “capture the mayor and take over the city.” Part of the group would dress in “City Militia” attire, armed with real cannons to try to ward off Laffite and his Buccaneers from landing as part of the festivities. A tradition carried on to this day!

Contraband Days is Lake Charles’ oldest and longest running festival next to Mardi Gras.

Approximately 100,000 people will attend over 100 by land and sea during the 12 days of celebration.

The festival was featured on the All American Festivals segment of the Television Food Network and has won the ABA Top 100 Events in North America. They have also won “Festival of the Year” by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals several times and have been featured in Louisiana Life, Southern Living, Acadiana Profile as well as many regional tour

guides and magazines.

There are at least 20 local civic and charitable organizations that benefit by having an event during the festival each year and sometimes, this is their only major fundraiser making Contraband Days very important to these organizations. The festival also promotes tourism and provides quality family entertainment for residents and visitors of all ages and cultural backgrounds, which makes it a great place to showcase our quality of life and joie de vivre!

The festival runs from April 29 through May 11 with various activities. There’s something for everyone! Thursday, May 1 is Family Day and an alcohol-free evening with Gospel and Christian music including Grammy Award winner Jason Crabb. The Todd Armstrong carnival will be open for fun and rides. Several contests are on the schedule for those who like the competitive edge.

Contraband Days is holding its first ever “Battle of the Bands,” along with the annual Tour Lafitte Cycling Event benefiting the Special Olympics. There’s also the Arm Wrestling Tournament, BarB-Que Cook-off, Pirogue Building Contest, and the Children’s Pirate Costume Contest. No piratethemed festival would be complete without the Sailboat Regatta, Boat Parade, and Pirate Sips Bartending Competition. There will also be a Live Shark Encounter Display and Fireworks Spectacular! And no

one can resist watching Jean Lafitte demanding our mayor, Randy Roach, to walk the plank to kick off the festivities on Friday, May 2. The complete schedule of events can be found at www.contrabanddays. com.

“The Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival is looking forward to a spectacular year,” said Annette Richey, festival president.

“The entertainment lineup is packed, and festival organizers are encouraging everyone to come out and enjoy the music, activities and life on the water. Educational shows like Shark Encounter will spark imaginations, and the festival has a series of activities for everyone to appreciate from carnival rides to cook-offs and more. Getting back to its roots as a water festival, there will also be a boaters’ stage this year with music played directly out to boaters so they can sit back and enjoy the entertainment. We hope everyone marks their calendars for the activities that interest them most and make plans to attend.”

Whatever your treasure, there is sure to be something to tickle your fancy at this year’s festival. If you are brave enough to approach a Buccaneer, I can guarantee that it will be an experience you will never forget. Especially if you can catch a glimpse of Miss Contraband with Jean Lafitte and her band of wenches! Grab your boots and hide your booty after you work like a captain and come play like a pirate. Its Contraband Days!! Savy?!

Jimmy Bastow - Jean Lafitte 2014

By Jackie Bergeron Mark Twain once said, “Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates.” The 2014 Jean Lafitte not only gets to be a pirate, but also gets to be the Pirate King!

Jimmy Bastow, a past president and secretary of the Buccaneers of Lake Charles, is honored and privileged to promote Contraband Days, The Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Southwest Louisiana.

Bastow is married to Jackie Burns Bastow and together they have two children and five grandchil34 APRIL 24, 2014

dren. He earned his degree in Fire Science at LSU Eunice and is employed at CITGO as a Safety Supervisor. Bastow is a member of The Petrochem Club, Sons of the American Legion, and serves as Commodore of the Calcasieu Boat Club. He’s also a founding member of both the Krewe des Pirates and Krewe des Bon Amis where he served as Captain and King.

Craig Dupont, president of the Buccaneers of Lake Charles, chose Bastow as the 50th Jean Lafitte because he felt it was his time. “I have watched him at the festival and with the Buccaneers

for years and it just felt right,” he said. “He deserved to be recognized.”

Jackie Bastow, Madame Lafitte, says she is proud of her husband.

“He is passionate when he speaks out about the organization and he is a good man,” she said.

Bastow is excited about celebrating the 57th Anniversary of Contraband Days and welcoming the community as well as the area’s visitors and believes the people, culture and hospitality are the true buried treasures. He is looking forward to the entertainment and contests as well as the official landing on the sea-

wall. “No Lafitte can pass up the opportunity to make the mayor walk the plank!” he laughed. But he isn’t saying what he is planning to charge the mayor with yet. “I can’t tell you all my secrets!”

As this year’s Jean Lafitte prepares for the weeks to come, he invites everyone to grab their little buccs for music, food, contests, and if we’re lucky, a whole lot of mischief! There will be raids of fun and something for everyone! And if you’re brave enough to approach a buccaneer, he may share his jewels. It will definitely be a pirate’s life me! It’s Contraband Days!

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Tuesday, April 29

Stone”—Civic Center Coliseum

8 AM – Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival

Saturday, May 3

Wednesday, April 30 8 AM—Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival

Thursday, May 1 8 AM—Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival 11:30 AM – National “Day of Prayer” Profit & Loss Association LuncheonFeaturing Dr. Nasir Siddiki Inspirational Speaker-LCCC

Music 7 PM – Bethel Church Band LCCC 7:40 PM—The Arenos-LCCC 8:10 PM- Jason Crabb 6 PM—Todd Armstrong Carnival Shows Family Special $15 ride bracelet McDonald’s presents “Live Shark Encounter”-LCCC grounds Show Times 6PM, 7PM, 8PM

Friday, May 2 8 AM- Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival 4 PM Festival Gates Open Galley Alley Food Booths/Pirate Marketplace Galley Alley Dining Area- Sponsored

by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center The Groggery-Bar Area 5 PM - Cannon firing to protect the City

By The Militia Carnival Rides open; $25 Ride Bracelet 6 PM - Buccaneers begin shore landing- Seawall 7 PM - Jean LaFitte and Buccaneers force the City Mayors to walk the plank--Seawall McDonald’s presents “Live Shark Encounter”—LCCC grounds Show Times: 6PM, 7PM, 8PM

Music 6 PM - Bryan Fontenot—Outdoor Stage 8 PM - Larry Tillery and The Vagabond Dreamers—Outdoor Stage 9 PM - KZWA Presents “The Family 36 APRIL 24, 2014

10 AM –Festival Grounds Open Galley Alley Food Booths/Pirate Marketplace Galley Alley Dining Ares-Sponsored

by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center NOON - Carnival Rides $25 Ride Bracelet

Events 6 AM Tour Lafitte 2014 Registration and packet pick up LCCC Grounds 7:30 AM Tour Lafitte 2014 begins 9 AM Registration and weigh-ins for the 26th Annual Contraband Days Armwrestling Tournament LCCC Grounds 10:00 AM Battle of Bands—Outdoor Stage NOON “PIRATE SIPS” Cocktail Extravaganza (ends at 4 PM) LCCC Exhibition Hall (Additional charge for this event, visit www.contrabanddays.com for details) 1 PM – 26th Annual Contraband Days Armwrestling Tournament – LCCC Grounds 6 PM – Full Throttle Wrestling – LCCC Coliseum

Attractions McDonald’s presents “Live Shark Encounters”—LCCC grounds Show Times 11 AM, 1 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM

Music Noon – Raw Material – Boater Stage 2 PM—Tug Boats Band – Boater Stage 4 PM—Gabriel’s Last Breath – Boaters Stage 5 PM – Mark Reeves & Twisted X Outdoor Stage 7 PM—L.A. Roxx—Outdoor Stage (Ladies ‘80s Night Celebration)

10 AM –3rd Annual “Geaux Reaux Yeaux Pireaux” Contest Pirogue building contest begins 4 PM Pirogue Construction will cease 4:30 parade to the race starting point 5:30 PM “Show Me Your Dinghy” Contest and parade--Seawall

Music NOON – St. Louis Show Choir – Outdoor Stage 2 PM—Elm’s District – Outdoor Stage 4 PM – East & West – Outdoor Stage 6 PM – Mirages– Outdoor Stage

Attractions McDonald presents “Live Shark Encounter” Show Times NOON, 2PM, 4PM, 6PM

Monday, May 5 8 AM- Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival 6 PM Carnival -$20 Ride Bracelets

Tuesday, May 6 8 AM—Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival 6 PM- Carnival “Special 4 armbands for $30 must buy 4, otherwise $20 each”

Wednesday, May 7 8 AM—Louisiana Music Educators Association-Band State Festival 6 PM—Carnival - $20 Ride Bracelets

Thursday, May 8 6PM—Todd Armstrong Carnival Show Family Ride Special $15

Music 6 PM – CalypsoNuts – Outdoor Stage McDonald’s presents “Live Shark Encounter”Show Times 6PM, 7PM, 8PM

Sunday, May 4

Friday, May 9

10 AM Festival Gates Open Galley Alley Food Booth/Pirates Marketplace Galley Alley Dining Area—Sponsored

by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center 1 PM Carnival Rides--$25 Ride Bracelet

4 PM Festival Gates Open Galley Alley Food Booths/Pirate Marketplace Galley Alley Dining Area – Sponsored

by Lloyd Lauw Collision Center

Events 9:30 AM 3rd Annual “Geaux Reaux Yeaux Pireaux” Contest Pirogue building crewmember meeting

McDonald’s Presents “Live Shark Encounter” Show Times 6PM, 7PM, 8PM 5 PM Carnival Rides

Music VIP Membership Only –LCCC Coliseum Special Membership Passes Only 6:30 PM Jaryd Lane—LCCC Coliseum 9 PM Thompson Square VIP Membership Party “Membership Only” (Contact www. contrabanddays.com to get your membership or call office at 436-5508) 8 PM David Joel- Outdoor Stage

Saturday, May 10 6 AM-Contraband Days BBQ Cook-off Check In Sponsored by BudweiserLCCC Grounds 7:30 AM – Contraband Days 5-MilerCapital One Building 8 AM—Boater’s Safety Class in Contraband Room, LCCC 2nd Floor 10 AM—O’Reilly Auto Parts Car Show—LCCC Grounds 10 AM—Children’s Pirate Costume Contest Registration Begins—Buccaneer Room 11 AM – Children’s Pirate Costume Contest NOON—Contraband Days BBQ Cookoff Judging Begins—LCCC Grounds NOON—Mix Off begins for winners of “Pirate Sips” (Ends at 2PM) 2 PM—Strut Your Stuff Boats- Seawall 3 PM—Contraband Days Boat Parade

Music 5 PM—Battle of the Bands winner opens – Outdoor Stage 5 PM- Red Republiq - Boaters Stage 6 PM—LA Express – Outdoor Stage 8 PM—Wayne Toups and Zydecajun – Outdoor Stage McDonalds Presents “Live Shark Encounter” Show Times 11 AM, 1PM, 5PM, 7PM

This schedule is subject to change. Please check www. contrabanddays.com or call the office at 436-5508.

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The Red Velvet Cake War Through May 7 The Lake Charles Little Theatre presents a riotously funny Southern-fried comedy, The Red Velvet Cake War. The three Verdeen cousins—Gaynelle, Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette— could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion. Things spin hilariously out of control as this fast paced romp barrels toward its uproarious climax and you’ll wish your family reunions were this much fun!

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays at 813 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles.

For ticket prices, call 433-7988.

Family Night in the Park April 24 The City of Lake Charles Recreation & Parks Department will host “Family Night in the Park” at the MLK Center, 2009 N. Simmons, on Thurs., April 24, from 5-7 p.m. “Activities will include train rides, fun jumps, board games, basketball, bingo, cotton candy, sno cones, popcorn and much more. For more information, call 491-1497 or 491-1280.

Spring Art Walk April 25 Downtown Lake Charles will celebrate a wide and vibrant spectrum of visual arts during the Arts Council of SWLA’s annual Spring Art Walk on Fri., April 25 from 5- 9 p.m. This free event focuses on artist exposure by concentrating the region’s talent into a few square blocks within the Charleston Cultural District. Coffee shops, businesses, restaurants, and vacant buildings will be transformed into pop-up galleries for the evening, complete with live entertainment, low cost pedicab rides, Art Battles, and a few surprises. For more information, call 439-2787.

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Earth Day at Tuten Park April 26 The City of Lake Charles and Friends of Tuten Park are sponsoring an Earth Day celebration on Sat., April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Tuten Park, 3801 Nelson Rd. The free event will include games, entertainment, educational projects and fun hands-on activities for kids and the entire family. There will be free ice cream, cotton candy, and snow cones. Nature events, will be available for viewing. For more information, call 491-9199.

Westlake Family Fun & Food Festival April 25-27 With spring flowers blooming and free admission there’s no reason not to get out enjoy the fun at this family-friendly favorite!

Held on the grounds of the St. John Bosco Church in Westlake, everyone will love the games, train rides, moon walks and more.

And no festival would be complete without great food, including the famous Bosco burgers! There will also be musical entertainment all weekend! For more information, call (337) 439-6585.

NamiWalk 2014 April 26 Every journey begins with that first step! As NAMIWalks celebrates its 12th anniversary, they are proud to be the largest and most successful mental health awareness and fundraising event in America! Walk with them on April 26 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. For registration information, call 433-0219.

Dragon Boat Races April 26 The CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation will host the Second Annual Dragon Boat Races on Sat., April 26, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall. In this year’s race, 25 teams will compete to be

awarded the 2014 Dragon Boat Race winning team. During the races, Kohl’s Kids Club will hold a Healthy Living Fair at the Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Children’s Miracle Network. For more information, visit www.stpatrickfoundation.org or call (337) 430-5353.

Autism Awareness 5k/ 1 Mile Walk April 26 Autism Services of SWLA, the St. Nicholas Center and the Autism Society SWLA Chapter will host its fourth annual “Joining Hands for Autism” 5k/ 1 Mile walk April 26 at ICCS school in Lake Charles. Registration: 5K - $25, Walk - $20. Persons with autism participate for free and receive an event t-shirt.

For more information, contact Autism Services of SWLA at (337) 436-5001, or St. Nicholas Center (337) 491-0080.

Dinner at Mi Casa April 27 Enjoy an amazing dinner at the home of Sam and Denise Hebert presented in partnership with the culinary team of L’Auberge Casino Resort. $200 per couple, limited seating, casual attire. The dinner supports Court Appointed Special Advocates and the abused and neglected children they serve. Advance payments required at www.fyca.org. For more information, call Roxanne Camara at 436-9533.

Cops & Jocks Tournament April 27-28 It’s time for the 12th Annual Cops & Jocks Golf Tournament, which raises funds for the families of Lake Area police officers, as well as McNeese athletics, charitable organizations, and other worthy causes. It will be held April 26-27 at L’Auberge Casino Resort. Four-5 person scramble, APRIL 24, 2014 37

two shotgun starts, prizes, refreshments and more! Call Alan Heisser at 302-4621 for more information.

The Daffodil Tea April 29 The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital invites you to the Grand Ballroom at L’Auberge Casino Resort for this year’s Daffodil Tea on Tues., April 29 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. It will feature a high tea buffet, a fashion show and performances by high school seniors. Dressy attire; wear best hats for the hat contests! Mimosa and cash bar. Tickets are $75 per person; $600 for a reserved table of eight. All tax-deductible proceeds benefit The Foundation at LCMH’s Cancer Care Fund. Purchase tickets online at lcmh.com/daffodil. For more information, call 494-2934.

Artini After Hours May 1 SpringHill Suites by Marriott and the Arts Council of SWLA will host

an evening of local art, live music, and business networking at Artini After Hours on Thursday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 in the hotel’s bar and lounge. Appetizers and drink specials will be available. The event is free of charge. SpringHill Suites by Marriott is located at 1551 West Prien Lake Road in Lake Charles. Part of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Arts Council. For details, call (337) 439-2787.

Call Me Crazy Screening May 1 A free screening of the movie Call Me Crazy will be held at 7 p.m.

Thurs., May 1, in Stokes Auditorium of Hardtner Hall on the McNeese State University campus. The film is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwest Louisiana and brings together an all-star ensemble cast with five interwoven stories about how love, support and hope can help people overcome mental health conditions, specifically

schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder and PTSD. For more information, call 433-0219.

Derby for Dollars May 3 Friends of Shannon Cox are hosting the Derby for Dollars at The Stables of Le Bocage on Saturday, May 3, to benefit Family & Youth’s Shannon Cox Counseling Center. The afternoon will begin at 4 p.m. with food from the Lake Area’s finest restaurants, spirits, live music, televised Kentucky Derby action, equestrian jumping exhibition, and contests for the best ladies’ hat and gent’s best derby duds. Tickets are $100 each, limited tickets available. Visit www. fyca.org or call Roxanne at 436-9533 for tickets or more information.

Les Petites Voix’s Spring Youth Concert May 4 Les Petites Voix, the children’s community choir of The Louisiana Choral Foundation, will perform its free spring concert Sun., May 4 at 3 p.m. at St. Luke-Simpson Methodist Church on Country Club Road. The program will feature music ranging from folksongs to works by master composers. The Les Petites Voix Preparatory Choir will also perform as well as student solo performances. For more information, call 491-9348.

An Evening with MusicMakers May 4 Spend an Evening with MusicMakers! Reception and silent auction from 5-6 p.m. , concert at 6 p.m.

Performances by the MusicMakers (local students who have received MusicMakers2U instruments), Young Band Nation, McNeese Trumpet Ensemble, concert pianist Lina Morita accompanying LC Dance Academy in Chopin’s “Mistake Waltz,” and Mickey Smith. Will be held at McNeese State University Dept. of Performing Arts, 4205 Ryan St., Lake Charles. Tickets: $30 General admission, $20 students and adults over 60. Call (337) 244-9314 for more information.

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Menopause The Musical May 7-8 The international hit show Menopause The Musical® will return to the Lutcher Theater in Orange, Texas for two performances May 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, writer Jeanie Linders created the show as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived “The Change.” Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at (409) 886-5535 or by visiting www.lutcher.org. Group discounts of 10+ are also available by calling 409-886-5535.

Masterworks Chorale’s Spring Concert May 9 and 11 The Louisiana Choral Foundation’s Masterworks Chorale will present its Spring Concert entitled Spirits of Wisdom and Unity on Fri., May 9 at 7:30 p.m. and again on Sun., May 11, at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Luke Simpson United Methodist Church located at 1500 Country Club Road.

The Chorale is under the direction of artistic director Darryl Jones and will be accompanied by Abbie Fletcher.

Tickets are available at $15 for adults and $5 for students and may be purchased in advance from a Chorale member, Swicegood Music, or by calling (337) 491-9348. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Relay for Life May 16 The American Cancer Society’ Relay For Life of Lake Charles event will be held from 6 p.m. -6 a.m. at the Lake Charles Civic Center grounds.

This year’s theme is “Birthdays Under the Big Top” with entertainment, activities, team relay events, and KPLC’s Britney Glaser and John Bridges will be the honorary Masters of Ceremonies. Relay For Life events raise over $4 billion dollars globally for much-needed funding for cancer support programs, advocacy, and research. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society Lake Charles office at (337) 4335817 or “like” the Facebook/Relay For Life of Lake Charles page for up-to-date event information.

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Jewel. Most of the story revolves around Blu not fitting in, no matter how hard he tries.

I mean, how many macaws have you seen that wear a fanny pack and use GPS to find their way?

Add to this the logging company that is coming (20th Century Fox, 2014) to chop down the Rio, an animated movie about blue forest, a competing band of red macaws, macaws, came out in 2011. In Rio2, the and a cockatoo that wants revenge on Blu birds go to the Amazon. for Rio 1. Seriously, this scraggly bird Since the first movie, Blu (Jesse Eisen- has his own backstory, so maybe so berg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) have he can have his own movie later. had little macaws. The couple finds out With all the confusing baggage there are more of their rare species in the onscreen, Rio 2 still manages to Amazon and Jewel decides to go to there entertain its audience. To me, the standto find her relatives. out scene and character is a poison dart Trust me, that’s as much of the story as frog named Gabi. This pink and black you need. But there’s much, much more. hopping tadpole has aqua green eyes and In fact, Rio 2 is one of the most layered a voice that sounds like Betty Boop. She’s animated films I’ve ever seen. There are in love with the evil Cockatoo and sings so many characters that you can’t keep beautifully. That’s because she’s voiced by track of their names, and those are just Kristin Chenowith (Glee). While Nigel the animals. Humans play a big part in the Cockatoo sleeps she sings a number the story as well, with heroes and vilabout her tragic love for him, because lains, friends and strangers. But it really her poisondoesn’t matter. ous skin Astonishingly, Rio 2 sports some of would kill the most beautiful aniNigel if mation I’ve seen since she ever Avatar. From the busy city of Rio to the Angel Falls of the Amazon, this movie is lush with detail.

I enjoyed the movie on that level, even though it has many faults.

First of all, there’s just too much going on, some of it very funny and some of it slow and awkwardly paced. Jewel’s father doesn’t care for Blu and there’s also an old flame (voiced

by Bruno Mars) that flirts constantly with

Rio 2

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touched him. If that sounds stupid, all I can say is that she steals the show.

We also get treated to a talent contest, a macaw air-soccer game, a ride down the rapids and the Angel Falls, and countless sight gags (think Wile. E. Coyote and the Roadrunner: Hey, here’s an anteater. Let’s use his tongue for a slingshot!). I guess it’s a good thing the plot is so predictable, otherwise you might be a little confused by the action. As it is the movie drags in a couple places, mostly Blu dealing with his frustrations. (Jesse Eisenberg said he voiced the part while filming The Social Network, so it’s as exciting as Mark Zuckerberg trying to make friends on Facebook.)

Everything ends with a finale of singing and dancing, but in Rio 2 we don’t mind, because the whole movie is like one big party and floorshow. At the end, I didn’t even care about its faults, because the movie was so much fun. I’m still waiting for the hangover, but I hear that’s another movie. Rio 2 is rated G. Have a good time. (Also, it comes in a3D version. Guess what?

Doesn’t need it.)

APRIL 24, 2014 39

City of Lake Charles Recreation & Parks Department Summer Camps Two-week camp: Participants will receive free breakfast and lunch daily, go on field trips, play exciting games and much more! Offered to children ages 6-12 ONLY. Camps will be held at Drew Park Community Center (4911498) or University Community Center (491-8787) from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Cost is $100 per two-week semester per child. Session I (June 2-13), Session II (June 16-27), Session III (June 30-July 11), Session IV (July 14-25).

Registration now open from 8 a.m.-3:30

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p.m. third floor City Hall, 326 Pujo St. For more information, call 491-1280.

Free on-site camps: Will be held at Henry Heights, Bellard, Columbus Circle, Clifton, College Oaks, Goosport, Lanza, McMillen, MLK and Purple Heart Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. June 2-July 25. For more information, call 491-1280.

Summer Arts Camp The Calcasieu Parish School System and the Arts Council of SWLA are pleased to announce the 34th Annual Summer Arts Camp 2014 with this year’s theme as “Wacky, Wild & Whimsical!” Art classes are open to students

who have completed grades kindergarten through eighth. It will take place at Lake Charles Boston Academy at 1509 Enterprise Boulevard and will begin June 3 and end June 26. Classes are limited in size, and class assignments will be made upon receipt of registration and tuition. Tuition is $250 if registration is received by the early bird deadline of May 10, and rates increase on May 11.

Tuition covers three classes of specialized instruction for the entire month, all art supplies, a themed T-shirt, and an open house reception. Reduced rates are provided for additional children within the same family. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis,

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and forms can be downloaded under the Parents and Students menu at www.cpsb.org. Credit card payments are accepted on the Arts Council website at www.artsandhumanitiesswla. org. Forms can also be picked up at the Arts Council office at Central School or at Lake Charles Boston Academy. For more information. call Bobbi Yancey at 526-2908.

Healthy U Camp Offers Fun for Kids Healthy U Camp, a camp focusing on healthy lifestyle habits for children ages 7-11, will be held June 23-27 at Dynamic Dimensions in Sulphur. Camp will be held from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day. Cost to attend is $100 for members of Dynamic Dimensions, and $125 for non-members. A charge of $75 will be applied for additional children.

Camp activities include games, crafts, nutrition activities including hands-on preparation of lunch and snacks, fitness games, and pool time. Deadline for registration is Fri., June 6, and limited space is available. To register, call (337) 527-5459.

Branch Out Summer Arts Camp

Wild Things July 7-9 Children ages 5-8 years old participate in creative drama exercises, games, movement and music. Classes are $65 and are held from 10-11-15 a.m.

Acting for the Camera July 7-9 This workshop, for students ages 8-18, covers auditioning for commercials, reading commercial scripts, exploring various commercial techniques and beginning improvisational skills.

Learn about resumes, headshots and how to find the best agent or manager.

Classes are $85 and are held from 1011:15 p.m.

Shakespeare Workshop July 21-25 This workshop teaches the languages, ideas and adventures of Shakespeare. Students will perform excerpts from some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays while learning about lighting and set design and how to create costumes. The workshop ends with a free public performance starting all of the students. Classes are $85. Children ages 5-8 attend from 10-11:15 a.m., and children ages 9-18 attend from 10 a.m. – noon.

Kids in Showbiz July 28-Aug. 1 Students learn the basics of musical theatre performance by singing, dancing and acting to songs and scenes from Broadway shows. Children ages 5-8 attend from 10-11:15 a.m. and children ages 9-18 attend from 10 a.m.- noon.

Church Camps Summer Day Camp at Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church, Lake Charles.

Registration is April 23-24 from 10 a.m.

-noon and 4-6 p.m. Camp participants will receive free breakfast and lunch daily and enjoy reading, math, recreation, field trips and loads of fun. For more information, call 436-6627.

First Baptist Church in Sulphur is offering two camps in one week May 26-30. 4501 Maplewood Dr. Sulphur, (337) 625-5899, www.maplewoodfbc. com.

Vacation Bible School Agency D3 Discover, Decide, Defend For ages completed Kindergarten – 5th grade 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Open to students who have completed grades K - 8. This summer’s Branch Out Arts Camp is focusing on the world of abstract impressionism employed by Henri Matisse. Held July 7- 25, Mon.Fri, from 9 – 11:30 a.m. at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, 204 West Sallier Street, Lake Charles. Admission is $55\ museum members, $70/non-members.

Call 439-3797.

Children’s Theatre Summer Workshops The Children’s Theatre will hold the following workshops this summer. To register, call (337) 433-7323.

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APRIL 24, 2014 41

Discovery Camp Chess Camp Completed 1st – 5th grade July 12th & 13th 11:30 a.m. -2 p.m.

Ages 7-14 Different field trips each day. $35 Cost: $50 (covers trips & lunch for Swim Lessons most days) 1 Week Sessions During June Our Lady Queen of Heaven Ages 3-12 Registration forms avail$55/week able in the office or at www. olqhflcc.org. Call 337-474FLCC Fun Time!!

6814 for more information.

Weekdays 1:30p-4:30pm $3/day for ages 5-12 HiHoops Basketball Camp No prior registration reJune 2-5 quired!

8:30-11:30 Daily drop-in where kids Grades K – 4th play dodgeball and basket$65 ball in the gym.

Basketball Camp June 9th—12th Grades 5th-8th 8:30am-11:30am $65

Soccer Camp Dates TBA Ages 6-12 $70

Louisiana Dutch Oven Society

SWLA Le Chien Cookers

Outdoor Cookout

The South West Chapter of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society announces their monthly Dutch Oven Gathering at Sam Houston Jones State Park on Saturday April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the public is invited. You can come cook, or come to eat and bring an item for the buffet-style dinner. The Le Chien Cookers is a group of folks cooking outdoors in black iron pots over hot coals. Members will be demonstrating Dutch Oven cooking techniques all day and will be available to answer questions and help others get started in this rapidly growing hobby. Having been established over two years now, members are getting very creative with cooking techniques and learn something new each month. They meet the fourth Saturday every month at Sam Houston Jones State Park.

For more information contact Dwayne or Randy at 302-5025 or 912-9394. For online information, visit www.ladutch.com or find them on Facebook.

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Vol. 6 • No. 2

Sand and Sandals

Due to the Easter season, there are a lot of “sand and sandals” movies that have been re-released. But before I get to all the special screenings coming up in theaters this spring, I have to include a current movie that ties in nicely with the theme. It features Russell Crowe in sandals, only instead of battling Rome like he will do later this year, he’s battling for his life and the lives of all the creatures on the planet. That’s a pretty big battle. And pretty big sandals to fill.

Director Darren Aronofsky’s Noah takes place in Biblical times where a man is chosen to rescue the innocent before a flood wipes out the wicked from the world. If you’d like to compare the modern spectacle to a classic spectacle, then you might start with the first special screening of the month.

It doesn’t get much more classic than The Ten Commandments which was shown on the big screen on Good Friday and Easter Sunday this year. I’ve included it here because it’s easily found on Netflix, etc. if you missed it .

Probably one of the most iconic images from The Ten Commandments even if you haven’t seen the film is the parting of the Red Sea, filmed way before computer-generated images existed in movies. The illusion was created by filling large dump tanks that were flooded and then showing the film in reverse. Gelatin was added to give the water a more sea-like look. Although the tanks Vol. 6 • No. 2

have been removed, the catch basin still exists on the Paramount lot today.

Next up, we take on ancient Rome with the movie that made Russell Crowe a household name: the multiple Academy Awardwinning Gladiator. He supposedly broke bones in his foot and hip during the fight scenes but it obviously hasn’t deterred him from pursuing a long career so far.

Sometimes, Crowe fought in the arena when temperatures were 100 degrees Fahrenheit! If you’re ready to see some swords and sweat, the movie is about a general in ancient Rome who is forced into slavery and seeks his revenge against the emperor who had his family killed.

(Showing at Cinemark at 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 27 and Wednesday, April 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)

Bad leadership in Rome is what sets off the story in the next movie in the series, Ben Hur. Our hero takes quite an interesting journey from inmate to chariot racer in this 1907 film. Yes it’s THAT film. You may not know who the character “Ben Hur” is but if you’ve seen any movie montages of classic movie clips, you’ve seen snippets of the chariot race. If you plan on seeing more than one of these sand and sandal movies, this was the first film based on the Roman empire, which might make it an interesting one to compare with its modern counterparts. (Cinemark, 2 p.m., Sunday, May 4 and Wednesday, May 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)

Oddly, the Cinemark Classic Series turns away from the sandy landscape to a much wetter tragedy with the next classic, Titanic.

Made in 1997; does it even qualify to be a classic yet? But I digress.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays not a Roman slave but instead a poor artist. And he doesn’t fight against the rich on the battlefield but does buck against it when he falls in love with a 17-year-old aristocrat.

(Cinemark 2p.m., Sunday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 14 at 2 p.m. and 7.pm.)

Next, it’s not a ship but Rome that’s drowning in decadence in the 1960 classic Spartacus. Yes, if you’ve ever heard someone yell “I am Spartacus” in an outburst of bravery, this is the film that birthed the phrase. Kirk Douglas (father of Michael Douglas for you younger whipper-snappers) plays a slave who leads his fellow slaves to fight for freedom against a mighty Rome. I’ve gotta confess, I’ve seen so many parodies of the “I am Spartacus” scene I’m more than a little curious to see the original dramatic version. (Cin-

emark at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)

Classic Movies at McNeese The special screenings don’t stop in the Spring. My crystal ball shows a series of classic movies coming up at McNeese State University that comes with snacks and a good dose of lively discussion afterwards. The Leisure Learning office will be offering a unique class focused on the year that Hollywood made the most popular and lasting films of all time; 1939.

But instead of showing the obvious choices such as Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, the class will watch other films of the era including the first Sherlock Holmes film starring Basil Rathbone. So while you’re waiting for the next episodes of Sherlock to be made, you can check out the original movie that made the sleuth famous.

Until next month, I’m gonna dig in my closet and dust off my sandals to get ready for some lively spring flicks!

APRIL 24, 2014 43

Yes, Your Majesty I just finished listening to a great audiobook. In fact, there have been several recently that were so good, I listened to them twice!

The latest was Behind the Shattered Glass by Tasha Alexander. This is a Lady Emily Mystery, but it’s my first acquaintance with the series, and I didn’t feel I was missing anything that came before.

From the opening lines, when the excellent reader (Bianca Amato) spoke the lines of the introductory poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, I was captivated by her voice with its lilt-

44 APRIL 24, 2014

ing British accent. I could listen to her all day. And it’s even better when she adopts the voices of elderly matrons, lowly maids, and even gruff old men.

The story opens with an aristocratic neighbor walking into the room and falling to the floor, dead. Was the murderer after the inheritance? Was it a jilted lover? Or someone punishing the victim for his unseemly behavior? No, I didn’t figure out the answer right away.

It’s a murder mystery, but the fun is in following the characters rambling around the rich and stately manor house (“I crossed the room and flung open all six sets of French doors overlooking the neatly manicured terrace” -- that sort of rich) and the upstairs drama/downstairs drama of the crime and related subplots.

There’s a nice little romance, as well.

I was happy to see in the book’s reviews that I wasn’t the only one who was reminded by the Emily character of Elizabeth Peters’ marvelous archaeological sleuth, Amelia Peabody.

Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer is book four in The Clifton Chronicles, which fol-

low the life of Harry Clifton.

I have become very fond of Harry and his family; in fact, his children have become major players in the story, and Harry hardly appears in this volume.

The children are grown now; one is a talented artist and another is involved in politics.

The major plot takes right up where the previous book left off (Best Kept Secret, which ended in a real cliffhanger), with a vendetta against Harry’s family by a powerful gangster.

He inflicts as much hardship on the Cliftons and their relatives as he can, including the family business. I was surprised by how compelling a businessrelated story could be: stockholders, boardrooms, dealmaking, high-stakes politics -- I couldn’t stop listening.

The reader again is Alex Jennings, whose character voices are completely identifiable, although I miss the female voice of Emilia Fox heard in previous books in the series. I can’t wait for the next book, except that

it will be the last one in the series, and I’ll be sorry to see it go. Don’t start here: start with the first one, Only Time Will Tell.

Cress is the third book in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyers. These audiobooks are magnificent performances by the reader, Rebecca Soler. Start with book one, Cinder, in which we travel to a dystopian Earth of the future and meet the Cinderella figure of the title, who is part girl, part machine, part computer. Cinder falls in love with the young emperor, but she is labeled a criminal and finds herself on the run, with fellow escaped prisoner Captain Thorne, in various parts of the world.

In book two, Scarlet, she meets the title character (based Vol. 6 • No. 2

on Red Riding Hood) and Wolf in Europe, and by the end of the book several characters have formed a band of friendly rebels, trying to save the world.

In book three, they all meet up with Cress, a young girl with very long hair (reminiscent of Rapunzel) who has been kept stranded on a satellite circling the moon most of her life, in service of a nasty Lunar witch. (Well, she isn’t called a witch, but she has diabolical powers, so that’s what I’m calling her.) Our rebel friends manage to free Cress, but at a high price.

This book has more romance, but every bit as much adventure, as the previous books. I adore that the female characters are feisty, strong, and capable. No one is perfect; they’re all flawed, but they find ways to work together, hoping to save the Earth by stopping the wedding of the Emperor to the evil Lunar queen.

The books all have a keepyou-on-the-edge-of-your-seat quality. They’re outstanding, and good for all ages. In fact, they’re targeted toward young adults, but never compromise or talk down to the reader.

I think there’s just one more to go in the series, but if it were up to me, it would just keep

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going and going and going…

For those of you who like a more literary book, try Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald

by Therese Anne Fowler. The reader, Jenna Lamia, gives voice to young Zelda Sayre, the Southern belle who will become the wife of popular author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Jazz Age surrounds the listener in Zelda’s world as the Fitzgeralds travel and hobnob with creative greats such as Ernest Hemingway.

The complexities of the Fitzgerald marriage -- its ups and subsequent downs -- are presented believably and rather heartbreakingly. I was always taught that Zelda was kind of nuts and that she destroyed Scott. Here, almost the exact opposite is hinted at. I was appalled when Scott took credit for Zelda’s work. I can only imagine how frustrating it was to be a talented woman in the shadow of a talented man, but Fowler presents the confused emotions of her fictionalized character very well. It’s beautifully written, and Zelda is brought to life with a loving and gentle touch.

All these wonderful books are available on Macmillan Audio.

Copyright © 2014 by Mary Louise Ruehr.

APRIL 24, 2014 45

Thursday, April 24 Brad Brinkley No Cover, 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 “Flipping Thursdays!”

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

630 W. Prien Lake Rd. Lake Charles

Friday, April 25

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

5329 Common St. Lake Charles DJ Swing 9 p.m. @ American Legion #551 632 Enterprise Blvd. Lake Charles Krossfyre Yesterday’s 5313 Common St. Lake Charles

Street Side Jazz Band 7 p.m. @ Luna Bar & Grill 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles

My Education 10 p.m. @ My Place 630 W Prien Lake Rd # G Lake Charles

Dustin Landry 7-11 p.m. @ Loggerheads Bar/Grill 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Rd.) Lake Charles

Sunday, April 27

RKW Show Classic/Modern/Alternative Rock trio – 9 p.m.-midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert No cover, 10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Saturday, April 26 Kory Fontenot 7 p.m. @ Luna Bar & Grill 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles The Sinners $3 cover, 10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Brian Racca, Jr. Southern Rock guitarist 9 p.m.-midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles 46 APRIL 24, 2014

Perkins Road 8 p.m.-midnight Caribbean Cove Isle of Capri Casino 100 Westlake Ave. Westlake

Street Side Jazz Band 11 a.m. @ Luna Bar & Grill 719 Ryan Street, Lake Charles Flashback 5-8 p.m. @ Loggerheads Bar/Grill 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Rd.) Lake Charles DJ Swing 9 p.m. @ American Legion #551 632 Enterprise Blvd. Lake Charles

Monday, April 28 Cheese & Wine Night!

1/2 OFF WINE! 7 - 11 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ My Place 630 W Prien Lake Rd # G Lake Charles “Lucky Monday!”

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

Tuesday, April 29 Happy Hour 2 - 6 p.m.

Trivia Night!

Winner gets a $50 gift certificate 7 p.m. @ MacFarlane’s Celtic Pub 417 Anne St., Lake Charles Street Side Jazz Band 5-8 p.m. @ Loggerheads Bar/Grill 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Rd.) Lake Charles “Live Team Trivia” 8 p.m. @ OB’s Bar & Grill 1301 Ryan St., Lake Charles Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ My Place 630 W Prien Lake Rd # G Lake Charles “Ladies Night!”

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

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

Wednesday, April 30 Happy Hour 5 -8 p.m.

Kory Fontenot 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St, Lake Charles “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 Kris Harper No cover, 8 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ My Place 630 W Prien Lake Rd # G Lake Charles Karaoke 2014 @ Mikko Live Vol. 6 • No. 2

8 p.m. @ Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Dr., Kinder Corey Mack Comedy Show @ Caribbean Cove 8 p.m. – midnight Ladies Night! Free Drinks 5 p.m.- midnight@ Isle of Capri Casino, 100 Westlake Ave. Westlake Brian Moore Southern Fried Rock bassist 8-11 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E Prien Lake Rd, Lake Charles “Comedy Night” 10-12 Comedians Josh Hessier, Leo Morgan, & Nick Cronan 8:30 p.m. @ Frosty Factory 4688 Common St., Lake Charles “Wasted Wednesdays w/ DJ Dispo!”

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

Thursday, May 1 Karaoke with $3 Cover 9 p.m. @ Frosty Factory

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4688 Common 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 W. Prien Lake Rd. Lake Charles

Friday, May 2 Kris Harper 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads Bar/Grill 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Rd.) Lake Charles Joe Harmon & the Harmonics 8 p.m.-midnight @Caribbean Cove Isle of Capri Casino 100 Westlake Ave. Westlake Katelyn Johnson 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. @ Linda’s Lounge 4338 Lake St. Lake Charles John Guidroz & Kevin Lambert No cover, 10 p.m. @ Micci’s Piano Bar 3606 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Saturday, May 3

Monday, May 5

Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ Linda’s Lounge 4338 Lake St. Lake Charles

“Cheese & Wine Night!”

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

Charles Mann 8 p.m.-midnight @Caribbean Cove Isle of Capri Casino 100 Westlake Ave. Westlake “Saturday Night Party Time” 9 p.m. @ Cowboys Night Club $1 Beer & Bar 12 - 2 a.m.

5329 Common St. Lake Charles DJ Swing 9 p.m. @ American Legion #551 632 Enterprise Blvd. Lake Charles

Sunday, May 4

Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ Linda’s Lounge 4338 Lake St. Lake Charles

Tuesday, May 6 Happy Hour 2 - 6 p.m.

Trivia Night!

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

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

Street Side Jazz Band 6-9 p.m.@ Loggerheads Bar/Grill 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Rd.) Lake Charles

Driving Dixie 5-8 p.m.@ Loggerheads Bar/Grill 3748 Hwy 3059 (Old Town Rd.) Lake Charles DJ Swing 9 p.m. @ American Legion #551 632 Enterprise Blvd. Lake Charles

Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ Linda’s Lounge 4338 Lake St. Lake Charles “Live Team Trivia” 8 p.m. @ OB’s Bar & Grill 1301 Ryan St., Lake Charles

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“Ladies Night!”

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

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

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 “Flipping Thursdays!”

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

630 W. Prien Lake Rd. Lake Charles

Wednesday, May 7 “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 Kris Harper No cover, 8 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 Will Wesley Band 8 p.m.-midnight @ Caribbean Cove Isle of Capri Casino 100 Westlake Ave. Westlake Karaoke Night 8 p.m.-midnight @ Linda’s Lounge 4338 Lake St. Lake Charles “Comedy Night” 10-12 Comedians Josh Hessier, Leo Morgan, & Nick Cronan 8:30 p.m. @ Frosty Factory 4688 Common St., Lake Charles “Wasted Wednesdays w/ DJ Dispo!”

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

Thursday, May 8 Brad Brinkley and the Comfort Zone 8 p.m.-midnight @Caribbean Cove Isle of Capri Casino 100 Westlake Ave. Westlake 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 48 APRIL 24, 2014

Vol. 6 • No. 2

THE RED VELVET CAKE WAR The Red Velvet Cake War was presented by the Lake Charles Little Theatre on Enterprise Blvd. and what a hoot it was! Directed by Joseph Frazier, the large audience was in stitches watching a hilarious family reunion that spins out of control. It will be onstage until May 4—don’t miss it!

Cara Hanks and Ann Barilleaux

Kenneth and Adrienne Arceneaux

Kandace and Scott Rentrop

Angie Manning and Julie Faye

Daniel and Cindy Ellender with James Mathews and Revis Bell

TRINITY BAPTIST ANNUAL EASTER FESTIVAL The weather was perfect for the annual Easter Festival at Trinity Baptist Church! There were fun jumps, face painting, games, crafts, good food and praise music.

Everyone got into the spirit of Easter and of spring!

Lee and Mathew Lanier with Grace Chapman

Lacy Hunter and Isabella Miller Vol. 6 • No. 2

Danita and Nylah Kane

Olivia Jackson, Jill and Cara Deason and Camryn Jackson

Nick, Alexa, Isabel and Dan McNeil with Kari and Jiada Hammers

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MOVIES UNDER THE STARS It was another lovely spring night at Prien Lake Park for Movies Under the Stars! Tonight was a showing of the 1989 classic Steel Magnolias before an enthusiastic crowd. What a cool way to watch a movie--under the stars at dusk! Folks brought blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments. A happy start to the weekend!

Troy Fontenot and Vencella Jackson

Tiffany Ayres, Teri Stark and Kathy Manscu

Lexi Conner, Laiken Hickman and Maci Conner with Chevy and Hank

Gene and Sylvia Louviere with Luna and Max

Cindy and Chloe Beville, Ali Tankersley and Lisa Chargois

EASTER EGG DAY AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM What better way to follow the 26th year celebration party for the museum than with a fun, fun, fun Easter celebration! Eager smiling faces arrived with their colorful Easter baskets, excited for what was in store for them. How about dying eggs with shave cream, dipping eggs in egg dye, face painting, and Easter egg hunts on both first and second floors of the museum?

There’s no such thing as too much fun!

Abel, Jessica, Bella, Ava, Emma, Kenna Fineley with Andrew Owen

Gavin and Stetson Click with Malcolm Domaloan 50 APRIL 24, 2014

Ashlynn and Derius Clophus

Carver and George Melancon

Kera, Denasia, Niayalie, Adaliz and Hudson Clifford Vol. 6 • No. 2

Blackbeard Buccaneer Captain Hook Caribbean Contraband Days

Doubloon Jack Sparrow Jean Lafitte Jolly Roger Parrot

Peg Leg Pirate Rum Treasure Yo Ho Ho

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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.

Vol. 6 • No. 2

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Vol. 6 • No. 2

Vol. 6 • No. 2

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54 APRIL 24, 2014

Vol. 6 • No. 2

Vol. 6 • No. 2

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